The Open Book Initiative is being formed to make available freely redistributable collections of information. There exist huge collections of books, conference proceedings…
Abstract
The Open Book Initiative is being formed to make available freely redistributable collections of information. There exist huge collections of books, conference proceedings, reference material, catalogues, etc. which can be freely shared. Some of it is in machine‐readable form, much of it isn't.
This paper is an empirical review of some of the problems faced by those with a visual impairment in the computer age, and a summary of the types of technology that can assist in…
Abstract
This paper is an empirical review of some of the problems faced by those with a visual impairment in the computer age, and a summary of the types of technology that can assist in making information available to those with impaired vision. It also provides some contacts for readers who wish to investigate this technology further and some observations on implementing some of the solutions in education.
Jia Hui Chong and Changsong Wang
Fast fashion brands in Asia are increasingly incorporating corporate social responsibility (CSR) into their business strategies in response to the mounting environmental and…
Abstract
Purpose
Fast fashion brands in Asia are increasingly incorporating corporate social responsibility (CSR) into their business strategies in response to the mounting environmental and social concerns. The study aims to provide insights into the current landscape of CSR practices and communication within the Asian context through focusing on two prominent Asian brands to understand how these fashion brands articulate and convey their CSR activities on their respective websites.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a qualitative content analysis to critically evaluate the CSR communication used by Uniqlo and Shein, with the incorporation of signalling theory as a theoretical framework to discuss the observed elements on their websites.
Findings
The results indicate that the two Asian fast fashion brands actively engage in CSR’s environmental and social dimensions. Notably, the social dimension is more prominently expressed on both brands’ websites than on other dimensions. Through a nuanced interplay of colour, imagery and keywords, these Asian fast fashion brands strategically signify their commitment to environmental stewardship and stakeholder well-being.
Originality/value
This study fills a gap in the literature by examining CSR programs on Asian-owned fast fashion brands’ websites through the application of signalling theory. The research contributes to the theoretical foundation of CSR communication outcome research, offering actionable insights for marketers entering the Asian fashion market to enhance brand reputation and legitimacy.
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Keywords
Wantao Yu, Chee Yew Wong, Mark Jacobs and Roberto Chavez
This study aims to address a significant and previously unanswered question for both academics and practitioners: how do organizations learn to apply Blockchain technology to…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to address a significant and previously unanswered question for both academics and practitioners: how do organizations learn to apply Blockchain technology to support modern slavery (MS) supply chain capabilities? Specifically, this study examines whether employees’ digital dexterity (EDD) and strategic investment in Blockchain technology (SIBT) can support three MS supply chain capabilities: internal MS capability (IMSC), MS capability with customers (MSCC) and MS capability with suppliers (MSCS).
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses resource accumulation and deployment perspective to explain how EDD promotes SIBT, which then drives the development of MS supply chain capabilities. Survey data collected from the Chinese manufacturing industry were used to test the proposed theoretical framework and hypotheses through structural equation modelling and moderated regression analysis.
Findings
EDD has a positive relationship with SIBT. SIBT has a positive relationship with IMSC. IMSC fully mediates the relationships between SIBT and MS capability with customers and suppliers.
Originality/value
By conceptualizing MS supply chain capabilities as a multi-dimensional construct for the first time, this study discovers the significant mediating roles of IMSC. The empirical findings also clarify digital dexterity of employees that drives investment in Blockchain technology to foster MS supply chain capabilities as resource accumulation and deployment processes.
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Keywords
The case opens with the Ford Motor Company seemingly on the path toward bankruptcy. Ford had been bleeding red ink for more than ten years when it decided in 2006 that continuing…
Abstract
The case opens with the Ford Motor Company seemingly on the path toward bankruptcy. Ford had been bleeding red ink for more than ten years when it decided in 2006 that continuing the same turnaround attempts was not going to right the ship. The company was facing significant external challenges, such as intense competition and changing consumer preferences, as well as internal challenges, such as quality and design issues and a stifling level of corporate complexity. As the case begins, CEO Bill Ford has taken the unusual step of hiring an auto industry outsider as his replacement. Alan Mulally, a thirty-seven-year Boeing veteran and principal architect of the venerable airplane manufacturer's own massive and successful turnaround, wasted little time in getting about the business of remaking Ford. He developed a plan to: focus on the Ford brand and divest the numerous other brands the company had acquired over the years; simplify and streamline the company's manufacturing operations; and remake the corporate culture from one of fiefdoms and false optimism to collaboration and facing reality. With an ardent belief in the plan's viability, Mulally raised nearly $24 billion and began to put his plan into motion. The case explores the many causes of this once-great company's decline and the steps it took to beat the odds and get back on the path of profitability.
This case demonstrates that internal issues alone can derail a company and emphasizes the importance of leadership in fostering the right corporate culture to turn a company around. Students will identify the key internal and external factors that can contribute to a company's decline and learn the importance of diagnosing issues within each of three major aspects of a company-strategy, operations, and financials-in order to develop a successful turnaround plan.
Details
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Keywords
The purpose of this study is to investigate characteristics of apparel-related critical incidents that motivate both Generation Z and Y consumers to share electronic word-of-mouth…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate characteristics of apparel-related critical incidents that motivate both Generation Z and Y consumers to share electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) via specific online channels.
Design/methodology/approach
The current research used an exploratory mixed-methods approach.
Findings
Qualitative findings of critical incidents revealed that the main situations that led to the spread of eWOM involved new purchases (49%), product quality (21%), pricing and promotions (19%), complaints (9%) and brand content (48%). Participants were motivated to spread information about the critical incidents by a desire to connect with friends and family (83%), help others (37%), influence others (48%) and express brand loyalty (32%). Quantitative results indicated significant relationships between critical incidents, motivations and eWOM channel choice.
Research limitations/implications
This study has theoretical implications for apparel researchers attempting to gain insight into critical incidents that motivate consumers to engage in eWOM on specific channels in a positive or negative manner.
Practical implications
These findings are important for marketers as it appears that brand content does an efficient job at driving engagement on SM; marketers need to increase efforts to engage with consumers via feedback on websites, as this is an opportunity to counteract negative experiences and retain consumers’ loyalty.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the current research is the first to extend theories of communication and motivation to connect critical incidents with situational intrinsic and extrinsic motivations for spreading eWOM via online channels for Millennial and Generation Z consumers.
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The following is an introductory profile of the fastest growing firms over the three-year period of the study listed by corporate reputation ranking order. The business activities…
Abstract
The following is an introductory profile of the fastest growing firms over the three-year period of the study listed by corporate reputation ranking order. The business activities in which the firms are engaged are outlined to provide background information for the reader.
Nagaraj Samala and Bharath Shashanka Katkam
Millennial generation is fashion inclined, interactive and informative social beings. They are very conscious of the brands they wear. Millennia seek, share, inform and exchange…
Abstract
Purpose
Millennial generation is fashion inclined, interactive and informative social beings. They are very conscious of the brands they wear. Millennia seek, share, inform and exchange fashion brand-related information on social networking sites (SNS). Marketers are subsequently engaging the young prospects and customers to keep up or improve enthusiasm and participation. The study attempts to investigate the role of customer-brand engagement (CBE) of millennials with fashion brands on SNS. The study simultaneously tests the moderating role of involvement levels affecting participation and CBE leading to brand loyalty.
Design/methodology/approach
The study followed a purposive sample by collecting 466 respondents from the graduate students of a university. The study adopted structural equation modelling (SEM) and Hayes process macros in SPSS 20.0 to test the moderated-mediation model.
Findings
The study confirms the mediating role of CBE in the relationship between participation and brand loyalty. Different degrees of involvement moderate the mediating role of CBE. Higher levels of involvement enhance the positive effect of participation on CBE.
Originality/value
The study is first of its kind to investigate the role of CBE and involvement among the millennial group. It also contributes to the related theories like service-dominant logic, social exchange theory and consumer culture theory regarding a unique population group, which is promising and profitable.