The factors underlying the variations in sales of different varieties of cigarettes in Greece did not always show that changes in selling prices always had an impact on sales…
Abstract
The factors underlying the variations in sales of different varieties of cigarettes in Greece did not always show that changes in selling prices always had an impact on sales. Advertising has a significant impact on the demand for the better varieties of cigarette, and advertisers should be aware of different reactions to “basic” and “extra‐fine” cigarettes. Marketing planners must bear in mind that average retail selling price has an impact on most sales to foreigners, except those of “fine” and “extra‐fine”, so price can be used to increase sales in certain cases.
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K. Kioulafas, G. Donatos and G. Michailidis
This article examines the determination of wagedifferentials in the public and private sectors ofGreece. Also, it considers the effects of incomepolicies on the existing wage…
Abstract
This article examines the determination of wage differentials in the public and private sectors of Greece. Also, it considers the effects of income policies on the existing wage differentials for the period 1975‐85. The empirical analysis is based on the hypothesis that wages depend on labour productivity which is a function of certain measurable personal characteristics, such as education, experience and skill. The main findings are that the public sector pays higher wages than the private sector. The public sector also offers higher returns with respect to education and experience, while the private sector compensates more skilled workers. Finally, it is shown that there is a narrowing of existing wage differentials during the examined period especially on determinants expressing productivity‐related characteristics such as education, experience and skill.
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M. Katharaki, C. Prachalias, M. Linardakis and K. Kioulafas
The paper aims to define the mission, characteristics, objectives and evaluation processes concerning a specific training seminar entitled “Business administration for public…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to define the mission, characteristics, objectives and evaluation processes concerning a specific training seminar entitled “Business administration for public sector executives”. Furthermore, the research intends to underline the evaluation criteria, set by trainees and training officers as necessary in order to maximize the seminar's overall impact on all those involved.
Design/methodology/approach
The seminar was organized by the University of Athens, Greece, in order to contribute to the continuing education of public sector executives in the field of business administration. The educational methodology was based on adult education principles and the evaluation included the preparation, development, and delivery phases. The seminar's effectiveness was assessed based on predetermined criteria and parameters using methods such as questionnaires, comments, observation and team discussions.
Finding
Through this process the seminar's strengths and weaknesses were revealed by making use of quantitative analysis methodological tools, such as statistics and econometric prototypes. The trainees' overall response to the seminar was “measured” and the results proved the high‐calibre structure and content of the seminar sessions. The trainees stated that the seminar offered key essential knowledge and aided in skill development; furthermore, they expressed their willingness to attend further lifelong‐learning seminars.
Practical implications
The criteria set forth by trainees and training officers alike could pave the way for a new approach to lifelong learning/training seminar design, implementation, and evaluation in the short‐term future.
Originality/value
The paper highlights the assessment criteria that offer meaningful insight into the participants' perceived level of seminar‐related satisfaction and can potentially be utilised for the design of future seminars.
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Girish Kumar, Rajesh Kr. Singh, Rishabh Jain, Raman Kain and Naveen
The purpose of this study is to understand the different types of risks affecting the demand for the automotive sector in India. The study is further trying to illustrate an…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to understand the different types of risks affecting the demand for the automotive sector in India. The study is further trying to illustrate an approach for analyzing the relative intensities of these risks in the present uncertain business environment.
Design/methodology/approach
Risk on the overall demand is assessed by a combined Bayesian – multi-criteria decision-making approach. Data related to the different factors, affecting their product demand is collected from major automobile firms. Then, weights for these factors are evaluated by applying the analytic hierarchy process approach. Further, these weights are used in the Bayesian analysis network to evaluate the risk intensity for different subgroups, namely, political, economic, social, technological and environmental.
Findings
From the literature and experts’ opinion, total 16 risk factors have been finalized and these are further grouped into 5 categories i.e. political, economic, social, technological and environmental. It is observed that the demand for organizations functioning in the automotive sector is more vulnerable to economic risk as compared to other risks considered in the study.
Practical implications
Managers and decision makers of associated organizations can use the proposed framework to assess the demand risks so as to pre-evaluate their demand corresponding to future changes. Factors can be added or removed and importance could be assigned to different risk factors according to the prevailing business environment for an organization or sector. This will also help the organizations to conduct a more effective risk management in an uncertain business environment.
Originality/value
The study will help in better understanding of the various demand risks prevalent in the Indian auto sector. The methodology used, provides a novel approach for assessing the macroeconomic demand risks and can be used by the firms working in the automotive sector. The proposed methodology could be used for assessing supply chain risk or any other business initiative risk. The suggested approach will help managers in devising flexible management techniques so as to mitigate the risk.
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This study investigates the gap between switching intentions and actual switching behaviors among customers, addressing a gap in previous research that focused on either…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the gap between switching intentions and actual switching behaviors among customers, addressing a gap in previous research that focused on either intentions or behaviors in isolation.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 376 survey responses from retail bank customers in China were obtained through an online survey and subsequently analyzed using the Macro PROCESS.
Findings
The results indicate that factors such as reputation, pricing, service failures and competitors’ advertising significantly influence switching intentions. However, only reputation directly impacts actual switching behavior. A notable intention-behavior gap exists, with switching costs moderating this relationship by reducing the likelihood of intentions leading to actual switching.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by incorporating both intentions and behaviors into a single model. It provides new insights into the intention-behavior discrepancy and highlights the moderating role of switching costs, offering a more comprehensive understanding of consumer switching dynamics.
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Banks set up to operate in accordance with the Islamic Sharia’h principles have mushroomed in the last two decades. The basic difference between Islamic and non‐Islamic banks lies…
Abstract
Banks set up to operate in accordance with the Islamic Sharia’h principles have mushroomed in the last two decades. The basic difference between Islamic and non‐Islamic banks lies in the fact that the former operate on an equity‐participation system in which a predetermined rate of return is not guaranteed, whereas the latter’s operation is based on both equity and debt systems that are driven by interest. This essential difference resulting from the implementation of the Islamic Sharia’h principles, provides the incentive for Islamic bankers to search for different products/services to offer. Now the Islamic banking system is facing stiff competition not only from similar Islamic banks but also from Western banks disposed to modify their activities in accordance with Islamic Sharia’h principles, and is confronted with progressive forces pushing towards change. Change can be achieved by employing an effective marketing strategy. Assesses the effectiveness of marketing strategies by drawing on quantitative characteristics derived from a sample of Islamic banks from among a list of the top 100 Arab banks. Provides recommendations as to the measures to be adopted in order to improve the marketing effectiveness of the Islamic banks.
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The purpose of this paper is to review state-of-the-art literature on product/brand positioning to re-examine the positioning concept and developing a more comprehensive…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review state-of-the-art literature on product/brand positioning to re-examine the positioning concept and developing a more comprehensive definition from a theoretical viewpoint.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic review of positioning was conducted. The review conformed to a rigorous set of core principles: it was systematic (organized according to a method designed to address the review questions), transparent (explicitly stated), reproducible and updatable and synthesized (summarized the evidence relating to the review question).
Findings
The literature review reveals that there is lack of coherent definition for positioning, and there is no mutual agreement among marketing scholars and practitioners about the exact meaning of the concept. Therefore, comprehensive definition of positioning encompassing the five underlying positioning perspectives (competition; empty slot/mind; consumers’ perception, differentiation and competitive advantage) is suggested.
Research limitations/implications
This paper will be useful for academicians to analyze the current nature of academic research in this area and will provide an added advantage to managers to design and implement positioning strategies for their product/brands that will allow their organizations to gain competitive advantage. This study acknowledges limitations with respect to its exclusive search criteria, which might affect its generalizability.
Social implications
Position and positioning is of relevance in society in broad terms, e.g. in sports, politics and culture. Positioning strategy is discussed and implemented in different industries (business-to-business and consumer), for all kinds of brands (including, for instance, corporate brands) and for “brands” in the very widest sense (such as places or people).
Originality/value
This is the first systematic review of positioning that provides a detailed understanding of the current state of positioning research on a single platform and also draws a comprehensive positioning conceptualization.
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Rameshwar Dubey and Angappa Gunasekaran
– The purpose of this paper is to identify Big Data and Business Analytics (BDBA) skills and further propose an education and training framework for a successful career in BDBA.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify Big Data and Business Analytics (BDBA) skills and further propose an education and training framework for a successful career in BDBA.
Design/methodology/approach
The present study adopts a review of extant literature and appreciative enquiry (AI) which is a quasi-ethnographic approach to identify the skills required for BDBA.
Findings
The study helps to identify skills for BDBA and based on extant literature and AI, proposes a theoretical framework for education and training for a successful career in BDBA. Further research directions are outlined which can help take the present research to the next level.
Research limitations/implications
The paper presents a theoretical framework, but it has to be validated through empirical data. This research will generate a lot of interest to develop a more practical framework and conduct empirical and case study research.
Practical implications
The present study has outlined skills for BDBA. The authors have also proposed a theoretical framework which can further help an educational or training institute to embrace the framework to train young undergraduates or graduates to acquire BDBA skills. It may also motivate an institution to structure their curriculum for a BDBA program.
Social implications
This research is a timely one to develop necessary skills for being successful in BDBA career and in turn contribute to the well-being of business community and society.
Originality/value
This research is a novel one as there is no research done earlier on this new and emerging areas of research, namely, education and training for BDBA.
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This paper presents a state‐of‐the‐art review of the Web privacy and anonymity enhancing security mechanisms, tools, applications and services, with respect to their architecture…
Abstract
This paper presents a state‐of‐the‐art review of the Web privacy and anonymity enhancing security mechanisms, tools, applications and services, with respect to their architecture, operational principles and vulnerabilities. Furthermore, to facilitate a detailed comparative analysis, the appropriate parameters have been selected and grouped in classes of comparison criteria, in the form of an integrated comparison framework. The main concern during the design of this framework was to cover the confronted security threats, applied technological issues and users' demands satisfaction. GNUnet's Anonymity Protocol (GAP), Freedom, Hordes, Crowds, Onion Routing, Platform for Privacy Preferences (P3P), TRUSTe, Lucent Personalized Web Assistant (LPWA), and Anonymizer have been reviewed and compared. The comparative review has clearly highlighted that the pros and cons of each system do not coincide, mainly due to the fact that each one exhibits different design goals and thus adopts dissimilar techniques for protecting privacy and anonymity.