LEE M. TAYLOR and DALE S. PREECE
Control of the rock motion associated with blasting can have significant economic benefits. For example, surface coal mining can be made more efficient if the overburden material…
Abstract
Control of the rock motion associated with blasting can have significant economic benefits. For example, surface coal mining can be made more efficient if the overburden material can be cast further with explosives, leaving less work for mechanical equipment. The final muck pile shape in every type of surface and underground blasting is controlled by the blasting induced motion of the rock. A theoretically sound method of predicting rock motion will be beneficial to understanding the blasting process.
Dark tourism is a new coinage rooted in the perception of tourism activities at the sites or destinations connected to phenomena that bear varied, flexible, dynamic, diverse, and…
Abstract
Dark tourism is a new coinage rooted in the perception of tourism activities at the sites or destinations connected to phenomena that bear varied, flexible, dynamic, diverse, and graded dark shades of life and civilization. It is now customary to subsume it within the sets of niche tourism. Some dark tourism sites attract visitors and generate sizable amounts of revenue, yet most of the world does not register much demand compared to other niches. Accordingly, promotion pursuit turned crucial to draw the market’s attention, creating its competitively distinct position.
Indeed, inherent issues, such as conceptual multiplicity within nature, aspect, attribute, and product paradigm, turn dark tourism into a complex phenomenon and put a challenge toward creating its distinct market position. Additionally, contradictions in semantic and functional significances, conflicts in framing morbid memory and authentic portrayal, variances in ethical, cultural and ideological interpretations, transition of liminal space identity, and diverse focuses in stakeholder engagement in imaging impede efforts to transform dark tourism attractions into a significant driver of tourism.
This chapter will locate and address the issues that challenge the marketability of dark attractions and dark tourism promotion more directly, with attention to the Indian context.
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The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic approach to conduct a diagnosis of the current status of a company’s quality management systems (QMS) and business processes.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic approach to conduct a diagnosis of the current status of a company’s quality management systems (QMS) and business processes.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach proposed is based upon the assessment of the maturity level of a company’s QMS, for which a “maturity diagnostic instrument” is also proposed, a self-assessment exercise using a business excellence model and a first-party quality audit.
Findings
The integration of a QMS’ maturity assessment, a self-assessment exercise and a quality audit may provide a more thorough evaluation of various company’s systems and operations. This paper provides organisations, and their managers, with a systematic approach to help them understand better the current performance of their QMSs and business processes.
Originality/value
This paper’s main contribution consists in the proposal of a novel approach for organisation to measure and understand the status of their QMS and business processes. Subsequently, better management decisions to improve a company’s operations can be taken.
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Lia Patrício, Raymond P. Fisk and João Falcão e Cunha
This article presents the results of a qualitative study of a Portuguese bank regarding customer use of Internet banking integrated in a multi‐channel offering that includes high…
Abstract
This article presents the results of a qualitative study of a Portuguese bank regarding customer use of Internet banking integrated in a multi‐channel offering that includes high street branches, telephone banking, and automatic teller machines. The results show that performance evaluation is a key factor influencing channel use. Customers tend to use the different service delivery systems in a complementary way, taking into account their assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of each one. Customer characteristics, and the type of financial operation, are also identified as important factors influencing this process. These results indicate that, in a multi‐channel context, customer satisfaction with Internet services depends not only on the performance of this channel in isolation, but also on how it contributes to satisfaction with the overall service offering.
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Burhan Kılıç and Hande Akyurt Kurnaz
Dark tourism is one of the tourism types that have developed in line with the expectations of tourists in recent years. One of the special interest tourism types, dark tourism is…
Abstract
Dark tourism is one of the tourism types that have developed in line with the expectations of tourists in recent years. One of the special interest tourism types, dark tourism is based on fears such as pain, fear, and sadness. From this point of view, dark tourism destinations include battlefields, execution scenes, areas where death is experienced firsthand, centers with horror themes, and regions where natural and technological disasters occur. The centers where dark tourism takes place are quite different from the centers where other types of tourism take place. Thus, there is also diversity in the tourist type. Among the travel motivations of Dark tourists are reasons such as experiencing the moment of death, feeling fear, respecting the past, and obtaining information. With the advancement of technology, the reach of dark tourism to tourists has also accelerated. Today, dark tourism destinations reach large masses by using various marketing strategies. With this information, the aim of this study is to examine marketing strategies within the scope of dark tourism. Within the scope of this examination, social media will be emphasized. Social media accounts of destinations based on dark tourism will be examined and data will be analyzed through content analysis. Thus, it is aimed to have a rich section within the scope of dark tourism and social media.
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Quality measurements and techniques ‐ for example SPC ‐ can play an important role in achieving high levels of quality. However, in practice, the methods sometimes fail to deliver…
Abstract
Quality measurements and techniques ‐ for example SPC ‐ can play an important role in achieving high levels of quality. However, in practice, the methods sometimes fail to deliver the expected benefits, for a variety of human and organizational reasons. Draws on three case studies to explore some of these practical problems. Concludes by making a number of suggestions for improving the effectiveness of quality measurements in organizations.
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Lee Phillip McGinnis and Brian C. Glibkowski
Unlike artists using sartorial flair and flamboyant identities to shock and engage audiences, Bruce Springsteen is relatable, stable, consistent and authentic. Based on…
Abstract
Purpose
Unlike artists using sartorial flair and flamboyant identities to shock and engage audiences, Bruce Springsteen is relatable, stable, consistent and authentic. Based on qualitative interviews of Springsteen fans of various levels, it is suggested that brands can sustain success through such tactics as existential authenticity, transparency and charity. His fans co-opt his music and co-create their own stories, which are enabled through Springsteen's use of universal themes and vivid details. In terms of a branding paradigm, he adapts to the post-postmodern era, where brands allow individuals to define their own meaning.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used a qualitative method in generating themes and relationships on the enduring success of Bruce Springsteen's brand. They interviewed 19 informants of various levels of fan support and various backgrounds and areas. They used grounded theory methodology, including open coding, triangulation and member checks, to develop themes and findings.
Findings
In general, it was found that narrative structure and cause-and-effect stories are at the heart of his enduring success. While his individual songs, stage performances and charitable works cover a variety of topics and interests, combined they map to the same universal story structure, thus giving his fans solid understanding of his brand. His underdog appeal and story of redemption are maintained through such tactics as vivid songwriting, activism and charitable acts despite his international success and fame.
Research limitations/implications
Theoretically, the authors add to the literature on celebrity branding, narratology and authenticity. Specifically, the authors build upon the notion of existential authenticity, connecting a brand to its various stakeholders beyond customers in a way that is holistically authentic. We also suggest that to sustain a brand for the long haul, it is necessary to be transparent and available to your community members. The story of your brand needs to resonate and be meaningful to the audience in a way that is believable, and more importantly true to the artist and product.
Practical implications
The authors show how narrative structure and universal story themes create ways in which fans can identify. By not straying too far away from the inherent brand meaning, brands can achieve long-term success. Tactically, all ways to manage the brand must link to the main story, but authenticity and maintaining a macromarketing perspective are the keys to making the story believable and enduring. In Springsteen's case, according to our interviews, his music and the message of his well-scripted songs have always mapped well with his real-life persona, making a distinction between his staged persona and actual self visibly difficult to distinguish.
Social implications
Part of Bruce Springsteen's enduring success and strong brand are built on his charitable works and activism. Brands that have this aspect will endure as well if motives are transparent, benign and believable. Springsteen has succeeded in this aspect because his charitable works often go unnoticed or unreported, which his fans respect when they discover these acts.
Originality/value
Theoretically, the authors also add to the question (i.e. WH-question) literature in terms of connectedness and felt meaning. Springsteen's music connects specific discourse to universal stories/themes via his vivid songwriting, live performances, charitable acts and multiple other tactics. The data suggest that Springsteen's experiences are so vivid and thoughtful that little is needed for the audience to obtain aesthetic or felt meaning of his universal story themes. He allows direct access to the stories without internal interpretation, which then allows for instant penetration of felt meaning.
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The issue of quality remains an integral feature of the discourse on small firm development. Unfortunately, two potentially conflicting approaches to this issue are evident. There…
Abstract
The issue of quality remains an integral feature of the discourse on small firm development. Unfortunately, two potentially conflicting approaches to this issue are evident. There is the essentially prescriptive “consultancy” school which often provides technical solutions uninformed by social processes inherent in the operationalisation of quality. In virtual opposition are more academic and abstract accounts that illuminate the ideological context of quality. Though not without use to practitioners, the implications for entrepreneurs seeking improved ways of working are rarely developed in this approach. The paper weaves a path through these ostensibly oppositional tendencies by explicating the processes involved in implementing a quality management system in the first author’s own organisation, Air Technology Systems (ATS). This case study is based on a collaboration between a small firm owner intent on continuous improvement and an academic institution (the base of the second author) aiming to assist in organisational development. Following an action research approach, the cross‐over between the domains of the “practitioner” and “academic” are illustrated and their contribution to enterprise development demonstrated. What becomes clear is that a systematic approach to the implementation of quality is possible. This involves developing quality recipes organically rather than imposing them from “expert” interventions. Insights from critical treatments of the subject can be drawn on to reinforce the human and social processes central to the implementation of quality systems. However, the nature of work relations is ultimately key to the operationalisation of quality.
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Yaw A. Debrah and Ian G. Smith
Presents over sixty abstracts summarising the 1999 Employment Research Unit annual conference held at the University of Cardiff. Explores the multiple impacts of globalization on…
Abstract
Presents over sixty abstracts summarising the 1999 Employment Research Unit annual conference held at the University of Cardiff. Explores the multiple impacts of globalization on work and employment in contemporary organizations. Covers the human resource management implications of organizational responses to globalization. Examines the theoretical, methodological, empirical and comparative issues pertaining to competitiveness and the management of human resources, the impact of organisational strategies and international production on the workplace, the organization of labour markets, human resource development, cultural change in organisations, trade union responses, and trans‐national corporations. Cites many case studies showing how globalization has brought a lot of opportunities together with much change both to the employee and the employer. Considers the threats to existing cultures, structures and systems.
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The war between formidable rivals for the use of the word “Champagne” continues. It began in 1958 at the Old Bailey with a prosecution brought under the Merchandise Marks Act…
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The war between formidable rivals for the use of the word “Champagne” continues. It began in 1958 at the Old Bailey with a prosecution brought under the Merchandise Marks Act alleging the application of a false description, viz., “Spanish Champagne” to goods and a second charge of applying the false description “champagne.” For the prosecution it was stated that “champagne” could only come from the Champagne district of France, which in 1921 the French Government had officially established and limited as the sole area for the production of champagne. Such a description applied to a Spanish wine, therefore, was false and misleading. The prosecution failed. The judge had stated there was overwhelming evidence of wines having lost the territorial origin of their names.