“Grey”, “ephemeral”, “fugitive”, and “non‐trade” are terms used to describe the unique publications issued by American private public policy research organizations. These research…
Abstract
“Grey”, “ephemeral”, “fugitive”, and “non‐trade” are terms used to describe the unique publications issued by American private public policy research organizations. These research organizations often publish the best and brightest analytical thinking about public problem‐solving and wield considerable influence in the process of national policymaking. Information professionals, responsible for social science collections, have for decades agonized over issues related to acquiring, cataloging, and organizing this unorthodox literature. Librarians have traditionally viewed this body of literature as too difficult and laborious to locate and inferior by library standards to sit on open shelves among the general collection.
Every few years a “new” social issue comes to the forefront of attention in American society, and homelessness is the most recently profiled issue. Because homeless people are…
Abstract
Every few years a “new” social issue comes to the forefront of attention in American society, and homelessness is the most recently profiled issue. Because homeless people are encountered on a daily basis and the topic is frequently publicized in all news media, public awareness is heightened. One result is that library patron requests increase and this may indicate the need to supplement library holdings, collect relevant research, and make various viewpoints available to a wide‐based constituency.
Marc Fetscherin and Mark Toncar
Chinese and Indian car manufacturers are entering developed markets. The question arises how they will be perceived by consumers from those countries. Using the multi‐dimensional…
Abstract
Chinese and Indian car manufacturers are entering developed markets. The question arises how they will be perceived by consumers from those countries. Using the multi‐dimensional brand personality scale, this paper provides an explorative study of the country of origin effect on U.S. consumers’ brand perception of automobiles from China and India. Our multivariate analysis of variance shows differences in terms of brand excitement, brand competence, brand sophistication, and brand ruggedness. Our results indicate that the Chinese car is perceived to be more daring, up‐to‐date, and outdoorsy than the Indian and U.S. car; more intelligent, successful, and upper‐class than the Indian car; and more charming than the U.S. car. The U.S. car is perceived as more successful than the Indian car.
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William A. Kerler, Christopher D. Allport and A. Scott Fleming
Capital budgeting projects fail about as often as they succeed. Recent research shows that accountants may frame information related to capital budgeting projects to be consistent…
Abstract
Capital budgeting projects fail about as often as they succeed. Recent research shows that accountants may frame information related to capital budgeting projects to be consistent with their preference for the project (e.g., accept or reject), perhaps in order to persuade management to agree with them. Psychology research consistently shows that framed information results in systematic differences in judgments. The purpose of this study is to examine whether framed information affects capital budgeting decisions, and to examine whether this effect is moderated by the importance of the potential project. Results from an experimental case completed by 173 participants indicate attribute frames affect capital budgeting decisions, however, the effect is moderated by the importance of the decision.
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Christopher D. Allport, John A. Brozovsky and William A. Kerler
Capital budgeting decisions frequently go awry. We investigate whether the party gathering the data utilizes persuasive communications when presenting the information to a…
Abstract
Capital budgeting decisions frequently go awry. We investigate whether the party gathering the data utilizes persuasive communications when presenting the information to a superior. Specifically, we analyze whether the information is framed differently depending on his or her opinion. Since prior research has shown that differential framing of the same information affects decisions this may be one contributor to capital budgeting failures. We found that participants did frame the information differently depending on whether they chose to accept or reject the project. Our control group, no decision required, was materially different from the reject group but not materially different from the accept group.
Walter McGinnis and Joann Ransom
The purpose of this study is to explore the benefits of using open standards to support the gathering of relevant data from a variety of sources from across an organization's…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the benefits of using open standards to support the gathering of relevant data from a variety of sources from across an organization's software applications and also from completely external information providers.
Design/methodology/approach
The article looks at the history of Koha and Kete projects and their interactions. It features particular concentration on Kete's development.
Findings
A focus on supporting open standards and general interoperability not only makes it simple to integrate instances of the two software projects, but also creates larger possibilities for data sharing with a number of web sites and services.
Originality/value
The article examines how a piece of software can act as a productive part of a larger information ecosystem and will be of interest to those in the field.
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Michel Coulmont, Sylvie Berthelot and Marc-Antoine Paul
The purpose of this study is to document the concrete practices put in place by United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) affiliated firms and their application of the UNGC…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to document the concrete practices put in place by United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) affiliated firms and their application of the UNGC Communication on Progress (COP).
Design/methodology/approach
The paper examines the practices implemented by firms on the Fortune 500 list that have affiliated with the UNGC and issued a COP separate from their annual report or a sustainable development report. According to the UNGC, the COP policy sets out a description of practical actions the company has taken or plans to take to implement the ten principles.
Findings
The findings tend to show that firms affiliated with the UNGC use a variety of practices to integrate these principles. Many adopt policies based on an international standard relating to a UNGC principle. However, the reporting process supported by the UNGC does not seem to fully promote the widespread application of these practices.
Originality/value
The documentation of these practices will serve as a reference for any business interested in adopting the UNGC principles or for government and non-government organisations, including accounting standard setters, aiming to promote and support the universal principles on human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption. In addition, the study reveals weaknesses in the UNGC COP policy that could limit more extensive application of these practices.
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Daphne M. Heeroma, Frans W. Melissen and Marc B. Stierand
This conceptual paper explores the problems associated with trying to address culture as one of the key aspects in effective workplace strategies.
Abstract
Purpose
This conceptual paper explores the problems associated with trying to address culture as one of the key aspects in effective workplace strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper critically addresses the relationship between workplace strategies and the behavioural components of locality. It reviews the role that the concept of culture has, so far, played in trying to predict these behavioural consequences as part of (literature discussing) efforts to design appropriate workplace strategies.
Findings
The discussion reveals the need to further address this relation through dedicated research. What is more, it is argued that there is a clear need to focus explicitly on work patterns, and how these can be accounted for in workplace strategies, instead of continuing to focus on the concept of culture as a predictor for successfulness. It is argued that the latter does not allow for practical application, whereas the former could help us to better understand and predict the effectiveness of specific workplace strategies in specific (local) circumstances.
Practical implications
The outcome of the discussion suggests that organisations consisting of multiple locations could benefit from explicitly accounting for (local) work patterns in setting up workplace strategies for the organisation as a whole.
Originality/value
This paper reveals a relevant research gap in current literature on workplace strategies and suggests a shift in focus from culture to work patterns as one of the key aspects to address.