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1 – 10 of 750Peter Bliss, Peter A. Trott and Peter R. Blake
Objectives: The cost‐effectiveness of routine cervical cytology during follow‐up after treatment for carcinoma of cervix is examined. Subjects: All patients having routine…
Abstract
Objectives: The cost‐effectiveness of routine cervical cytology during follow‐up after treatment for carcinoma of cervix is examined. Subjects: All patients having routine follow‐up smears during the financial year 1993–1994. A total of 212 patients generated 311 smears, 96 had an intact cervix and 116 had surgical removal as part of their treatment. Ninety‐one patients with intact cervices and 109 without were evaluable. Results: Nine recurrences were detected, in every case this was expected, based on clinical findings. In two of these the smear was reported as normal. Two hundred and thirty smears were from entirely asymptomatic patients. Conclusions: Limiting cervical smears to those who are symptomatic, or where an abnormality is found on examination, would save approximately £3500 per year. This cost needs to be set beside the possibility of detecting an asymptomatic recurrence at an early stage; as reported by others. This suggests that the impact of this strategy is limited. A randomized trial with prospective economic assessment would be the only way to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of routine cervical smears in the follow‐up of patients treated for cancer of cervix.
This paper aims to adopt a consumer behaviour perspective and investigate the extent to which BMW has repositioned the new “Mini”. It builds on a previous paper that explored…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to adopt a consumer behaviour perspective and investigate the extent to which BMW has repositioned the new “Mini”. It builds on a previous paper that explored perceptions of the “Mini” brand.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted a two‐stage approach to data collection, consisting of 66 in‐depth interviews with a cross section of important stakeholders with high brand awareness and knowledge. The paper develops a conceptual framework and offers a novel way for firms to consider the effects of their repositioning strategies on consumers perceptions of a brand.
Findings
The findings reveal a substantial repositioning of the brand's functional appeal, moving away from the car's price as an appeal towards product build quality. Furthermore, the Mini's symbolic appeal, which is based on its fun and sporty image, has largely remained in place.
Practical implications
Firms need to recognise the importance of repositioning at both the symbolic and functional level.
Originality/value
The paper presents a novel conceptual framework for viewing repositioning strategies and presents evidence of repositioning at both the functional and symbolic level.
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S. Ozdemir, P. Trott and A. Hoecht
This study aims to identify perceptual, experience related, demographic, socio‐economic and situational characteristics of internet banking adopters and non‐adopters. In…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify perceptual, experience related, demographic, socio‐economic and situational characteristics of internet banking adopters and non‐adopters. In particular, perceptual differences between IB adopters and non‐adopters are to be examined.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on relevant literature and previous research that included interviews with leading internet banking managers in Turkey, a questionnaire was designed. Face‐to‐face questionnaires were distributed to 155 convenience samples of internet users.
Findings
There were significant differences between adopters and non‐adopters of the service in terms of their perceptual, experience and consumer related characteristics. Internet banking adopters perceived internet banking use as less risky, more user‐friendly and more useful compared to internet banking non‐adopters. Internet banking non‐adopters who intend to use the service in the future (i.e. later adopters) perceived internet banking use as less risky and more useful compared to non‐adopters who do not intend to use the service (i.e. laggards). Internet banking adopters were also found to have more experience with mobile internet, and have higher income and longer working hours.
Practical implications
The managerial implications of the study are that the banks in Turkey should reduce the risk perceptions of non‐adopters, particularly the ones who do not intend to use the service in the future (i.e. laggards). They should also motivate non‐adopter segments to have more experience with more general internet based services. The initial target to diffuse internet banking in Turkey should include the segments which have greater income and longer working hours.
Originality/value
This study applies the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to identify the perceptual differences between internet banking adopter and non‐adopter segments and sub‐segments in the Turkish context.
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To draw attention to a particular outsourcing risk that has not yet been adequately addressed in the literature, namely information leakage arising from acts of accidental…
Abstract
Purpose
To draw attention to a particular outsourcing risk that has not yet been adequately addressed in the literature, namely information leakage arising from acts of accidental disclosure or even purposeful betrayal by consultants that work for several client firms at the same time.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of the literature.
Findings
It illustrates how specialist IT service providers are playing pivotal roles in determining the extent to which unique firm specific skills and core competencies are being transferred to the wider industry context (via leakage) and becoming standard practices. It is shown that consultants face a dilemma as they are expected to spread cutting edge level expertise to their respective client firms, yet at the same time honour confidentiality commitments.
Research limitations/implications
Conceptual rather than empirical.
Practical implications
A management tool is developed for managers to aid decision making.
Originality/value
A critique of the outsourcing literature and a warning to managers to be aware of the risk of information leakage.
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Keywords
Market research results frequently produce negative reactions to discontinuous new products (innovative products) that later become profitable for the innovating company. Famous…
Abstract
Market research results frequently produce negative reactions to discontinuous new products (innovative products) that later become profitable for the innovating company. Famous examples such as the fax machine, the VCR and James Dyson’s bagless vacuum cleaner are often cited to support this view. Despite this, companies continue to seek the views of consumers on their new product ideas. The debate about the use of market research in the development of new products is long‐standing and controversial. This paper reviews the literature in this area and examines the extent to which market research is justified and whether companies should sometimes ignore their customers. The paper offers a conceptual framework that may help companies to decide when market research findings may be helpful and when they may hinder the development of discontinuous new products.
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Jennifer Rowley, Anahita Baregheh and Sally Sambrook
Seeking to distil and integrate a range of previous definitions, models, frameworks and classifications relating to types of innovation, this paper aims to make a contribution to…
Abstract
Purpose
Seeking to distil and integrate a range of previous definitions, models, frameworks and classifications relating to types of innovation, this paper aims to make a contribution to clarity in innovation research and practice through offering insights into the definitions of the different types of innovation, and, specifically, the relationships between them.
Design/methodology/approach
This theoretical paper is based on a review of extant models and frameworks of types of innovation, which includes earlier foundation models, and more recent integrative models.
Findings
This distillation results in a diagrammatic representation of the key frameworks, which is used as a platform to propose a new framework of types of innovation.
Originality/value
This paper draws on all the terminologies used for types of innovation and creates an innovation type‐mapping tool that can be used to clarify the various definitions and terminologies of the innovation type concept.
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China has been exceptionally competent at utilising the technology of others but the ability to develop its own is yet to be tested. The purpose of this paper is to investigate…
Abstract
Purpose
China has been exceptionally competent at utilising the technology of others but the ability to develop its own is yet to be tested. The purpose of this paper is to investigate China's capacity for nurturing radical technology. For China to recapture its earlier technological prowess it will need a creative class. The paper proposes eight stepping stones for China to move from its current situation to a position where creativity and radical technology re‐emerge.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a conceptual paper that investigates options for China using a historical and trans‐disciplinary review.
Findings
Radical technology was a major strength for China prior to the 1500s. This paper suggests that China's subsequent demise in the technology stakes came from a combination of factors including regressive policies and the West finding a new politico‐economic model around science and technology. In total, eight stepping stones for Chinese institutional reform around creativity and radical technology are proposed.
Practical implications
Chinese businesses need to go much further than cost innovations and incremental additions to seriously challenge the creative capacity of their Western counterparts. This paper offers important insights for Chinese policy makers as they embark on innovation advancement in a highly competitive international business environment.
Social implications
Fostering radical technology is a challenge for any society. Developing this aspect of Chinese society is a critical element for China and its policy makers as they progress to the next phase of economic growth.
Originality/value
The paper shows that identifying systemic issues for China's radical technology demise is important. Offering steps for China to increase its capacity for radical technology is equally worthy of investigation.
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Ian Chaston and Gregory J. Scott
The purpose of the paper is to examine the performance of firms in Peru in relation to entrepreneurial orientation and involvement in open innovation.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to examine the performance of firms in Peru in relation to entrepreneurial orientation and involvement in open innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were acquired through a survey of middle and senior managers employed in Peruvian companies.
Findings
Firms achieving higher sales growth did not exhibit more of an entrepreneurial orientation or utilize a double loop learning style. More entrepreneurial firms appear to have adopted a double loop learning approach to knowledge acquisition. Peruvian firms involved in open innovation reported higher sales growth and indicated greater reliance on the use of double loop learning.
Practical implications
The practical implications of the study are that firms in emerging economies do not have to be reliant on entrepreneurial behaviour to sustain business growth. Nevertheless involvement in open innovation can be beneficial.
Originality/value
The originality of this paper is that although the results are only for companies in Peru, the findings may suggest that firms operating in emerging economies need not necessarily rely on entrepreneurial behaviour to sustain business growth, although involvement in open innovation may enhance business performance.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine how firms manage the front end of new product development projects where packaging forms a core part of the product itself. Within the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how firms manage the front end of new product development projects where packaging forms a core part of the product itself. Within the fast-moving consumer goods industry, innovation provides opportunities to create packaging that forms an integrated part of the product offering. The authors refer to these as packaging-integrated-products. This study conceptualises three levels of integration and investigates how they impact upon the management of the front end.
Design/methodology/approach
The study consisted of a two-phase design. This involved a preliminary study with key informants, followed by a multiple case study design, which examines product development projects with differing extents of packaging integration.
Findings
The results identify nine different new product opportunities. The authors also present 11 propositions that reveal the key characteristics of the front end of packaging-integrated development projects, as well as the project management requirements to capture the opportunities they present.
Research limitations/implications
Initial insights into a number of unique front-end project management characteristics required to deliver different project types form an area for further research to better understand product packaging integration. The propositions presented guide the way forward for future studies.
Practical implications
The findings provide marketers with new understanding of three types of new product opportunities presented by packaging integration and demonstrate what is required to capture the opportunities they present in the front end of product development.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to extant studies of packaging development in the marketing literature, which have previously failed to capture the high levels of integration between packaging and the product. The authors present a new conceptual approach to understanding integration and subsequently uncover how the opportunities it presents can be captured.
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Shradha Kabra, Sumanjit Dass and Sapna Popli
Reality television is a dynamic, profit-making platform that occupies prime-time slots on the television almost all over the world. Despite its immense popularity and influence…
Abstract
Purpose
Reality television is a dynamic, profit-making platform that occupies prime-time slots on the television almost all over the world. Despite its immense popularity and influence, it has received little attention in the extant literature and almost none in terms of its impact on celebrity repositioning. This study aims at examining the relationship between the film stars as brands and the impact of the platform of reality television in repositioning these celebrities in the Indian context.
Design/methodology/approach
Through extensive literature review and qualitative interviews, the paper expounds that reality television provides an opportunity to celebrities to successfully reposition themselves at crucial junctures in their career. The framework to study this repositioning has been adopted from the work of Chris Simms and Paul Trott (2007) who created it to study the brand repositioning of various consumer goods.
Findings
The literature establishes celebrities as brands. This study provides evidence that brand repositioning through reality television is possible for these celebrity brands. The symbolic and functional repositioning of these celebrities is presented through thematic content analysis.
Research limitations/implications
The study provides a useful framework to understand celebrity brand repositioning through reality TV. It can also be replicated to understand the repositioning of a wide variety of celebrities other than film-stars such as sportspersons, social media influencers and politicians.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the need of expanding the corpus of Indian reality television and explains how Indian celebrities reposition themselves through reality television.
Details