A community-based strategy for department stores

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 118-133
Author(s):  
Susan Krug Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Business Leaders ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Department Stores ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Attributes ◽  
Marketing Approach

Purpose Over the years, department stores have dealt with unique challenges, including massive changes in city and then suburban landscapes and shopping patterns, shifts in consumer preferences, and, more recently, electronic commerce. The purpose of this paper is to discuss additional community-oriented marketing approaches for department stores. Design/methodology/approach The approach looks at the role of traditional department stores in communities and their economic impact and uses ideas from a variety of community-based mobile services, including medical, food and library outreach. Findings The findings are that the importance of physical retailers such as department stores to a community deserves further consideration by civic and business leaders and that a variety of services and products have been successfully marketed in communities through additional approaches such as mobile units. Social implications The approaches presented could enhance community development. Originality/value While department stores have held distinctive places in many cities, these enterprises lack the type of regional fan base that advocates actively for other kinds of industries. A community-oriented marketing approach for department stores is discussed, with ideas for future research that could build on these stores’ special brand attributes and on their contributions to the viability of an area.

Is awareness of credit sources prerequisite for their use? A study of rural Assam

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-146
Author(s):  
Tiken Das
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Econometric Model ◽  
Social Indicators ◽  
Critical Question ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Informal Credit ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Community Based Organizations

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the determinants of awareness and use of credit sources. The paper attempts to answer the critical question: is awareness of credit sources prerequisite for their use? Design/methodology/approach This study is conducted in Assam, India, and uses a two-stage econometric model to reduce possible selection bias. Findings This study argues that awareness of credit sources may be a necessary but not sufficient prerequisite for use. It is found that, in general, formal, semiformal and informal sources attract different classes of the population with respect to economic and social indicators. Research limitations/implications The study recommends expanding the scope of semiformal and informal credit sources in rural areas of Assam only for income generating activities with proper market linkages. The possible limitation of the study can be due to exclusion of the role of traditional community-based organizations in rural Assam while analyzing the awareness and use of credit sources. Originality/value The study contributes to the literature by assessing the probable differences among formal, semiformal and informal credit sources with respect to their determinants of awareness and use.

scholarly journals Fresh perspectives on customer experience

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 430-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet R. McColl-Kennedy ◽  
Anders Gustafsson ◽  
Elina Jaakkola ◽  
Phil Klaus ◽  
Zoe Jane Radnor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Agenda ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Customer Experience ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Dynamic Nature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Advance Theory ◽  
Over Time

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide directions for future research on: broadening the role of customers in customer experience; taking a practice-based approach to customer experience; and recognizing the holistic, dynamic nature of customer experience across all touch points and over time. Design/methodology/approach – The approach is conceptual identifying current gaps in research on customer experience. Findings – The findings include a set of research questions and research agenda for future research on customer experience. Originality/value – This research suggests fresh perspectives for understanding the customer experience which can inspire future research and advance theory and managerial practice.

Power asymmetry, egalitarianism and team learning – Part 1: conceptualizing the moderating role of environmental hardship

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 389-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruchi Sinha ◽  
Christina Stothard
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Team Learning ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Power Dynamics ◽  
Power Asymmetry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Military Teams ◽  
Moderating Role

Purpose This paper aims to understand the effects of team power asymmetry (hierarchy) on team learning. Design/methodology/approach Literature suggests that power asymmetry can hurt team learning due to unequal interactions. The authors integrate the situated focus theory of power and the theory of adversarial growth to propose that environmental hardship can moderate this relationship. Such that, under environmental hardship there is a shift in power relations within hierarchical teams, such that power asymmetry positively relates to team learning via increased team egalitarianism (interactional equality). Findings The study is presented in two parts. Part 1 reviews the literature and builds the theoretical arguments for the conceptual model, while Part 2 empirically examines the model on a sample of military teams. In Part 1, the authors propose a theoretically derived model and directions for future research in team power, dynamics and learning. Research limitations/implications It provides directions to empirically validate a contingency-based model to resolve the dilemma of creating equality and high levels of team learning in hierarchical teams. Originality/value The conceptual model and hypotheses contribute to the team learning literature by theoretically clarifying the conditions under which power asymmetry is likely to improve team learning.

Customer dominant value formation in service

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Heinonen ◽  
Tore Strandvik ◽  
Päivi Voima
Keyword(s):  
Value Creation ◽  
Customer Value ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Service Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Contextual Reality

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to extend current discussions of value creation and propose a customer dominant value perspective. The point of origin in a customer‐dominant marketing logic (C‐D logic) is the customer, rather than the service provider, interaction or the system. The focus is shifted from the company's service processes involving the customer, to the customer's multi‐contextual value formation, involving the company.Design/methodology/approachValue formation is contrasted to earlier views on the company's role in value creation in a conceptual analysis focusing on five central aspects. Implications of the proposed characteristics of value formation compared to earlier approaches are put forward.FindingsThe paper highlights earlier hidden aspects on the role of a service for the customer. It is proposed that value is not always an active process of creation; instead, value is embedded and formed in the highly dynamic and multi‐contextual reality and life of the customer. This leads to a need to look beyond the line of visibility focused on visible customer‐company interactions, to the invisible and mental life of the customer. From this follows a need to extend the temporal scope, from exchange and use even further to accumulated experiences in the customer's life and ecosystem.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is conceptual. It discusses and presents a customer‐dominant value perspective and suggests implications for empirical research and practice.Practical implicationsAwareness of the mechanism of the customer value formation process provides companies with new insight on the service strategy, service design and new service innovations.Originality/valueThe paper contributes by extending the value construct through a new customer dominant value perspective, recognizing value as multi‐contextual and dynamic based on customers' life and ecosystem. The findings mark out new avenues for future research.

Spiritual quotient towards organizational sustainability: the Islamic perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sohail Akhtar ◽  
Mohd Anuar Arshad ◽  
Arshad Mahmood ◽  
Adeel Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Organizational Sustainability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Spiritual Awareness ◽  
Islamic Perspective ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of spiritual quotient (SQ) on the organisational sustainability from the Islamic perspective. Till date, many organisations around the world are facing environmental, social and economic issues affecting their organisational sustainability. Design/methodology/approach The present paper is conceptual paper based on literature review on employee’s behavioural issues and role of SQ for organisational sustainability. Findings This present paper argues that SQ must be considered as the important factor for employee development in the organisation. It develops spiritual awareness among employees which enhances their productivity within the organisation. Furthermore, SQ is necessary means of identifying and harnessing deeper inner resources with the capacity to care for the well-being of the organisation and advance its development. Research limitations/implications The paper suggests SQ and its multi-dimensions with the implication for future research in organisational sustainability. Originality/value The paper discusses the development of the concept of SQ from the Islamic perspective.

Interpretation and tourism: holy grail or emperor’s robes?

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 462-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianna Moscardo
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Critical Perspective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Literature ◽  
Tourism Management ◽  
Heritage Interpretation

Purpose – This paper aims to address the question – is heritage interpretation an effective tool in tourism? Design/methodology/approach – The author takes a critical stance seeking to identify and evaluate key assumptions and questions about the nature and effectiveness of heritage interpretation as a tourism management tool. Findings – There are significant gaps in the available research into interpretation and in those areas that have been studied, there is only limited evidence that interpretation is effective. There are few important findings in this area and even where there are some sound and useful conclusions, they still do not address some of the more fundamental concerns about interpretation more broadly. Research limitations/implications – The paper identifies a set of topics for future research based on the outcomes of the review and consideration of the critiques of interpretation that could be used to improve and extend interpretation in tourism. Originality/value – By taking a critical perspective on interpretation and questioning the untested and implicit assumptions about the nature and role of this activity within tourism, the paper identifies issues relevant to the conduct of tourism research more generally that have been given little attention in the academic literature to date.

scholarly journals How a sustainable message affects brand attributes

2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 466-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruben Huertas-Garcia ◽  
Carolina Consolación ◽  
Marta Mas-Machuca
Keyword(s):  
Brand Equity ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Advertising Campaign ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Brand Attributes ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand how an advertising campaign incorporating an ecological message affects heuristic structure of consumer preferences for hedonic (design and aesthetics) and utilitarian benefits (functionality and performance) provided by the product advertised. Also, the second objective is to reach an understanding of how brand equity moderates these relationships. Design/methodology/approach – The paper proposes a two-stage study: a qualitative and exploratory part, in which the authors seek to determine the most important hedonic and utilitarian attributes as well as strong and weak brands, and a quantitative and causative part to test the hypothesis proposed. Findings – The results show that when the brand advertised incorporates an ecological message, consumers show a greater preference for hedonic attributes than when the advertisement does not incorporate this message. On the other hand when the brand incorporating the sustainable message is weaker, consumers show a greater preference for hedonic attributes than when it is stronger. Practical implications – The result shows important managerial implications for companies with weaker brands, since it indicates that it is much more profitable, in terms of consumer’s perceived usefulness, to invest in social and ecological actions than stronger brands. Originality/value – Analyse how the used of ecological messages can modify consumer’s heuristic according to utilitarian and hedonics attributes.

Metaphors we manage and develop quality by

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 405-416
Author(s):  
Johan Lilja ◽  
Pernilla Ingelsson ◽  
Kristen Snyder ◽  
Ingela Bäckström ◽  
Christer Hedlund
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Critical Discussion ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose Metaphors are a powerful and human way of understanding and experiencing one kind of thing in terms of another. In quality management (QM), several metaphors are used to describe and bring to life the often-abstract QM concepts and systems. These metaphors are of great importance for how QM is understood, communicated and practiced. However, the metaphors of QM have seldom been systematically screened or put in focus, neither the topic of a critical discussion. The purpose of this paper is hence to contribute with a screening of the metaphors currently used, within QM literature and in practice among QM leaders, and then elaborate on their potential for improvement and development. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a literature review combined with interviews of QM leaders. Findings The paper highlights that the current QM metaphors provide intuitive associations to properties such as stability, shelter, and structure, but not to the important dynamic properties of QM, such as learning, or to the critical role of people in QM. What can be seen as core properties of QM are communicated by texts or labels added on to metaphors with properties that often are in sharp contrast to them. The paper also provides suggestions for further improvements and development. Originality/value The paper highlights the area of metaphors within QM as an important area for future research. It also provides insights concerning the successful use and selection of metaphors in future QM practice.

scholarly journals An ideological analysis of sustainable careers: identifying the role of fantasy and a way forward

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Matthijs Bal ◽  
Lee Matthews ◽  
Edina Dóci ◽  
Lucy P. McCarthy
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Current Paper ◽  
Future Research ◽  
General Interest ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Agency ◽  
The Individual

PurposeScholarly and general interest in sustainable careers is flourishing. Sustainable careers are focused on the long-term opportunities and experiences of workers across dynamic employment situations, and are characterized by flexibility, meaning and individual agency. The current paper analyzes and challenges the underlying ideological assumptions of how sustainable careers are conceptualized and advocates the inclusion of the ecological meaning of sustainability and the notion of dignity into the sustainable careers concept.Design/methodology/approachUsing Slavoj Žižek's (1989, 2001) conceptualization of ideology as fantasy-construction, the authors explore how the use of sustainable careers is influenced by fantasies about the contemporary workplace and the role of the individual in the workplace. This is a conceptual method.FindingsThe authors argue that the concept of sustainable careers is grounded in the neoliberal fantasy of the individual. The paper concludes by presenting an alternative concept of sustainable careers grounded in a dignity-perspective on sustainability, which offers an alternative theoretical understanding of sustainable careers in the contemporary workplace, sharpening its contours and usefulness in theorizing careers.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to systematically analyze the use and conceptualization of sustainable careers in the literate and to expose the ideological underpinnings of the concept. Propositions are developed to be explored by future research.

Initial coin offerings: an emergent research area

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Brochado ◽  
Michael Louis Troilo
Keyword(s):  
Current Literature ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Semantic Analysis ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Scopus Database ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Initial Coin Offerings

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the main insights current literature offers regarding initial coin offerings (ICOs) and the avenues for future research. Design/methodology/approach The approach consists of a systematic literature review of 130 papers from the SCOPUS database published in English between January 2018 and December 2020, with supplemental semantic analysis of the abstracts to obtain key themes and concepts. Findings Regulation and the determinants of ICO success are the main themes for current research and represent fruitful areas of continued scholarship. The research agenda in ICOs is just beginning and several topics and questions merit future inquiry: the behaviour of issuers and investors, the importance of human capital, the role of intermediaries and infomediaries and the use of signalling. Originality/value To the knowledge, this is one of the first systematic studies of current literature in ICOs. It provides a roadmap for future work on a phenomenon that will only grow in significance.

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