Last year was a busy year for pricers. American Airlines made a much‐publicized bid to simplify the industry's price structure. Procter & Gamble announced that it would…
Abstract
Last year was a busy year for pricers. American Airlines made a much‐publicized bid to simplify the industry's price structure. Procter & Gamble announced that it would drastically simplify its U.S. pricing system and eliminate much of the clutter of coupons, stocking incentives, and discounts. IBM and others announced several new software pricing approaches—such as “modifiedtiered” and “hybrid” pricing—that were intended to deal with the proliferation of channels through which their products are now sold and to better reflect the different levels of use that different customers get from an application. In Brussels, the European Commission (EC) was considering the findings of a report confirming many people's anecdotal impression: Price differentials across Europe are huge—as much as 100% for some electronic capital goods and pharmaceuticals, for example.
Amelia Correa and Romar Correa
We construct an embankment on a historical flow. The intention is to design a durable structure for any country seeking to pull itself out of the current recession.
Abstract
Purpose
We construct an embankment on a historical flow. The intention is to design a durable structure for any country seeking to pull itself out of the current recession.
Methodology/approach
Thomas Piketty’s classic is subjected to a close and novel scrutiny. The history is downplayed and the nascent macroeconomics fleshed out and extended.
Findings
A distinction must be made between rentier and productive interests and credit directed to the latter. Both private and public investments are essential. Socially designed projects must be originated and supported through State Development Banks.
Practical implications
Individual components have long been in existence. Green technology, social funding and the like are increasing in importance. However, they have not been embraced in a simple overarching model.
Originality/value
We offer a rationale for the government bond. Finance is introduced rigorously into the macroeconomic framework. The basis, though, is employment.
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The purpose of this paper is to obtain insight into court-referred mediation in the Israeli Labor Courts, by analyzing its processes and outcomes, as a function of tactics used by…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to obtain insight into court-referred mediation in the Israeli Labor Courts, by analyzing its processes and outcomes, as a function of tactics used by both the disputants and the mediator.
Design/methodology/approach
Observation of 103 court-referred mediations, for each of which a detailed process and outcome were documented. Data on disputants' refusal to participate in the mediation was also collected. At the end of each mediation case, disputants were given a questionnaire in which they expressed their satisfaction with the outcome and their evaluation of the mediator's contribution.
Findings
A low rate of refusal to participate in court-referred mediation was found. Also, the higher the ratio of soft tactics to pressure tactics employed (by all parties involved) during the process, the higher the rate of agreements. Mediators use significantly more soft tactics than disputants, and are more active in using tactics. The two significant variables that predict the mediation's agreement are the ratio between soft tactics to pressure tactics used by all parties, and mediator contribution to the process.
Practical implications
The significant role of soft tactics in the process, outcome, and satisfaction of court-referred mediation may serve as a guideline for disputants and mediators.
Originality/value
This unique research, which examines the impact of tactics on court-referred mediation, may provide added and significant theoretical insight into its process and outcome, as well as a better understanding of other “hybrid” (compulsory at the beginning, voluntary at the end) mediations.
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Ozalle Marie Toms, Gloria Campbell-Whatley, Shannon Stuart and Tia Schultz
The Check-in Check-out (CICO) program is a Tier II behavioral intervention that has received empirical support as an effective way to reduce problem behaviors (Hawken and amp;…
Abstract
Purpose
The Check-in Check-out (CICO) program is a Tier II behavioral intervention that has received empirical support as an effective way to reduce problem behaviors (Hawken and amp; Horner, 2003; March and amp; Horner, 2002). The purpose of this study is to use an intervention that combined CICO with social skill instruction and academic planning with three African-American ninth-grade males identified with emotional and behavioral disorders. A concurrent baseline across participants design was used to evaluate participants’ performance on academic planning and behavior. Results indicate that the combination of social skill instruction and academic planning with the CICO mentoring program improved participants’ academic planning and behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a concurrent multiple baseline across participants design to determine the effect of the CICO mentoring program. CICO was combined with academic planning and social skills training to determine the effect on the DRC scores and the student’s educational success skills. This study included three phases: baseline, intervention (which included academic planning, social skills training and CICO) and maintenance.
Findings
All of the participants were below 50 per cent during baseline for points earned on the daily report card and the execution of steps for academic planning. During intervention, all of the participants had an increase in level and trend for both skills. Participants were able to maintain the skills two weeks after intervention.
Research limitations/implications
This study has several limitations. First, the study was conducted in an urban setting; therefore, it cannot be generalized to other geographical populations, such as rural or suburban students. Second, the study is not generalizable to self-contained settings, resource rooms or other school environments. Third, the use of DRC data, as opposed to direct observations of behavior, is a strong limitation. Consequently, it is possible that improvements in DRC scores were because of changes in teacher perceptions rather than actual changes in student behavior.
Practical implications
The study presents several implications for future studies. First, researchers could investigate different service-level settings (e.g. self-contained or resource) and different settings (e.g. suburban or rural). Second, researchers could focus on varied populations that are targeted for inappropriate behavior or academic difficulties such as English Language Learners. Researchers could also examine the effects of tutoring with CICO and investigate if mentoring is generalizable to community settings.
Social implications
Social validity outcomes from students, parents and classroom teachers who participated this study were positive. Although social validity measures do not add to data for our dependent variables, it is important to consider perceptions from our stakeholders. Students indicated that they found daily mentoring sessions helpful and beneficial. Based on student perceptions and performance and teacher feedback, components of CICO were effective in reducing disruptive behavior of African-American males at the high school level.
Originality/value
Not only does the study focus on African-American males in high school, but also contributes to the literature by focusing on the increase of students’ academic planning skills, social skills and the reduction of office discipline referrals. The version of CICO used in the present study included the use of FBAs. Few studies found in the literature even mentioned conducting an FBA before or during the implementation of CICO with successful results (Campbell and amp; Anderson, 2008; March and amp; Horner, 2002). The authors also monitored the positive gains of the student using Daily Report Cards (DRC). For this study, DRC is simply a method of reporting success to the mentor, student, parent and mentee.
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Emma O'Brien and Stuart Tooley
– The purpose of this study is to identify the extent to which not-for-profit (NFP) organisations disclose information on volunteer contributions of services.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify the extent to which not-for-profit (NFP) organisations disclose information on volunteer contributions of services.
Design/methodology/approach
The study relies on information disclosed in the web sites of NFP organisations.
Findings
This paper finds that disclosure was more prevalent on NFP web sites compared to digital annual report disclosures. This paper finds that more NFPs provided disclosure on the activities of their volunteers than other items pertaining to volunteers and the quantification and valuation of volunteer contributions were the least likely to be disclosed. Importantly, the findings illustrate an accountability deficiency in the comprehensiveness of disclosure which results in an under-representation of the contribution that volunteers provide to organisational sustainability and impact on mission fulfilment.
Research limitations/implications
The convenience sample size restricts further interrogation to tease out organisational characteristics that may influence current disclosure practices.
Practical implications
The findings contribute to international debate over the inclusion of volunteer contributions in the assessment of a NFP's accountability over its resources and ultimately the enhancement of its sustainability.
Originality/value
This exploratory study examines the current state of practice in the disclosure of volunteer contributions at an organisational level in the Australian context.
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The purpose of this paper is to explore the area of process ownership and management in cross‐functional make‐or‐buy decision processes.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the area of process ownership and management in cross‐functional make‐or‐buy decision processes.
Design/methodology/approach
Multiple case studies are used including both a longitudinal in‐depth case study and two retrospective case studies. The data were analyzed using cross‐case comparison as well as analysis through existing literature in the field of make‐or‐buy decision processes, after which propositions for further research were developed.
Findings
The propositions found concern in the fact that the function being responsible for the industrial network also should own the decision process. Letting research and development become a more powerful decision maker and distinguish between different types of make‐or‐buy decisions are also important aspects to consider.
Research limitations/implications
The findings are a first attempt in creating a foundation for future research in the area of process ownership and management of make‐or‐buy decisions. A future need to further develop these propositions is essential.
Practical implications
The function mostly affected by the outcome of the decision should be in charge of the process, and should also be process manager. The process owner should create awareness of different types of make‐or‐buy decisions.
Originality/value
Recently, make‐or‐buy decision processes are considered strategic decision processes, but neither in research nor industry is it clear who should own and manage these decision processes. The paper stretches this fact and brings forth possible owners.
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Sujani Thrikawala, Stuart Locke and Krishna Reddy
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between corporate governance (CG) and microfinance institution (MFI) performance, using a dynamic panel generalised method…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between corporate governance (CG) and microfinance institution (MFI) performance, using a dynamic panel generalised method of moments (GMM) estimator to mitigate the serious issues with endogeneity.
Design/methodology/approach
Inconsistent findings and a general lack of empirical results for the microfinance industry leave an unclear message regarding the impacts of CG on MFI performance, especially in emerging economies. The authors use GMM estimation techniques to examine whether CG has an influence on MFI performance.
Findings
This study confirms that the MFIs’ contemporaneous performance and CG characteristics are statistically significantly positively linked with their past performance. This study finds statistically significant governance effects on MFI performance, including the presence of international directors and/or donor representatives on the board, client representatives on the board, percentage of non-executive directors and the quality of the national governance system.
Practical implications
These findings provide some insights for policy-makers and practitioners to develop suitable policies and guidelines to streamline MFIs’ operations in emerging countries. Moreover, national and international investors and donors may use these finding as a benchmark for their investment and funding decisions.
Originality/value
This paper is the first to estimate the CG and performance relationship of MFIs in a dynamic framework by applying the GMM estimation method. This approach improves upon traditional estimation methods by controlling the likely sources of endogeneity. Further, this paper examines whether quality of national-level governance characteristics is related to performance measures of profitability and outreach of MFIs.
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Many companies around the the world exploring the concept of sustainable development seeking to integrate their pursuit of profitable growth with the assurance of environmental…
Abstract
Many companies around the the world exploring the concept of sustainable development seeking to integrate their pursuit of profitable growth with the assurance of environmental protection and quality of life for present and future. Scientific and professional organizations attempt to establish a global framework of Environmental Performance Indicators (EPI) in order to develop standardized metrics systems and to evaluate organizations’ environmental performance, which has developed from using traditional models to Balanced Scorecard (BSC) models. Organizations use BSC to integrate their environmental, financial and other performance information to provide stakeholders with a more complete and accurate picture of their performance. The study aim to highlight the expected benefits of integrating the environmental aspects in BSC indicators and its effect on sustainability. The study discusses the importance, characteristic and use of EPI; the effectiveness of EPI and its role in improving decision making and organization strategy; the need for positive EPI to promote sustainable development; and integrating environmental information in BSC models.
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Stuart Cooper and Suzana Grubnic
The purpose of this paper is to explore the dynamic relationship between formal and non-formal processes of accountability in a public services context.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the dynamic relationship between formal and non-formal processes of accountability in a public services context.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a case study of the impact of the Health and Social Care Act (2012) on the practices of Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) members. It draws upon multiple data sources, including in-depth interviews with the members, comprehensive archival data published by the HWB (2011–2019), and observations of HWB public meetings. We utilise the concept of dynamic duality (Li, 2008) to further theorise the relationship between formal and non-formal processes of accountability and how they mutually transform one another.
Findings
The case illustrates the role of formal and non-formal processes of accountability at a HWB in England. Moreover, the case study reveals the relationship and interaction between the formal and non-formal accountability processes and how they change and transform each other over time. We find that whilst non-formal accountability processes were strengthened by a historical legacy of partnership working, over time the dynamics at play led to the development of formal accountability processes through more sophisticated performance systems, which in turn transformed non-formal accountability processes.
Originality/value
The paper presents a more holistic conceptualisation than articulated in prior accountability literature, dynamic duality, on the relationship between formal and non-formal accountability processes. Through application of this conceptualisation to a HWB in England, the paper spotlights the inter-relationship between formal and non-formal processes of accountability, and how they have the potential to transform each over an extended time-period.
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Filip Fidanoski, Kiril Simeonovski and Vesna Mateska
Many organizations around the world currently are facing board diversity issues and challenges. Hence, this empirical paper investigates the relationship between board diversity…
Abstract
Many organizations around the world currently are facing board diversity issues and challenges. Hence, this empirical paper investigates the relationship between board diversity and firm’s financial performance. We use a sample of 35 companies from five countries in Southeast Europe (Macedonia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Greece) for the period between 2008 and 2012 to find that, on average, companies with well-educated board members are more profitable and overvalued on the market. When running the regression again to test the levels of heterogeneity, we also find that the companies with more women on board tend to be overvalued on the market, while those with more foreigners on board are subject of undervaluation. The paper mostly contributes to the literature on corporate governance and board diversity. First, we postulate the impact of each of the board diversity variables on the financial performance and then show the extent of this impact and its economic interpretation. Our findings have important practitioners’ implications for corporate regulators and policy-makers since the demonstrated positive impact of the well-educated board members on firm’s financial performance gives a new impetus in building a corporate strategy that will intend to engage more people holding PhD on board.