Early bird or versioning

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 769-792
Author(s):  
Mingchun Chen ◽  
Zhiying Liu ◽  
Chaoliang Ma
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Game ◽  
Good Choice ◽  
Pricing Strategy ◽  
Pricing Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Early Bird ◽  
Bayesian Equilibrium ◽  
Dynamic Game Model ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose Crowdfunding, especially reward-based crowdfunding, has quickly evolved into a commonly used vehicle for innovating entrepreneurs to develop their products. Many crowdfunding platforms allow creators maximum flexibility in terms of the prices and rewards offered in a project to gain sufficient capital. However, creators need to understand how to design project rewards and how to select a pricing strategy, in addition to whether the creator should spend resources on designing multiple rewards of varying quality. The purpose of this paper is to address these issues by answering whether and why there are significant differences in the application of early-bird and versioning pricing strategies in crowdfunding. Design/methodology/approach This paper develops a two-stage dynamic game model with incomplete information, proposes a corollary calculated by analyzing a perfect Bayesian equilibrium, and then tests Corollary 1 by empirical analysis. Findings Contrary to the findings of other studies, the results show that an early-bird pricing strategy is likely better than a versioning pricing strategy for earning greater revenue in a crowdfunding context, on average. This finding means that creators do not have to spend as much in designing rewards of various qualities; rather, they should only provide multiple price options for high-quality rewards. However, if the heterogeneity of target backers’ valuations and the quality difference between two types of products are adequately high, a versioning pricing strategy may be a good choice for creators. Practical implications This paper provides a reference for creators regarding the selection of pricing strategies and the design of reward quality when launching crowdfunding projects. Originality/value This paper explains an interesting and practical issue in the design of reward quality and the selection of a pricing strategy after fully considering the role of the crowdfunding all-or-nothing mechanism and special backer behavior.

Explaining the role of trust in cloud computing services

Info ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Kwame Adjei
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Computing Services ◽  
Cloud Computing Service ◽  
Cloud Computing Services ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explain the role of trust in cloud computing services based on empirical evidence from interviewing executives of financial institutions in Ghana. The paper answers the questions: what is the role of trust in cloud computing service acquisition, and what policies promote trusted cloud computing services? Design/methodology/approach – This is an explanatory paper that is based on literature review and empirical data on exploring reasons for cloud computing service acquisitions. A combination of interviews and focus group discussions was used as methods for data collection. Information technology and electronic banking executives of five major commercial banks in Accra, Ghana, between January and July 2013 were interviewed. A total of ten respondents were interviewed, two in each of the selected banks. A purposive sampling technique was used in the selection of informants. This approach allows the selection of qualified informants to ensure extensiveness and diversity of opinion. Findings – Although previous literature proffers various factors as key to cloud computing adoption, uses or provisioning, this study brings trust to the fore as an imperative for cloud computing service acquisition by financial institutions. It also shows that trust increases if users perceive that cloud computing service providers act in honesty and in users’ interest, making trust a fundamental factor that informs financial institutions’ decision to acquire cloud computing services. Research limitations/implications – The research introduces a new dimension about the widely held perceptions of the factors that influence adoption of cloud computing services. Practical implications – Developers of cloud computing solutions that are targeted at corporate users must focus on systems that enhances their trustworthiness, as it is a primary criteria for user buy-in. Similarly, any trust-building effort by cloud computing service providers minimizes users’ concerns and pushes the services providers closer to the trust threshold. Originality/value – The paper outlines the trust factors that are imperative for cloud computing uses by financial institutions. This is one of the pioneering papers that address trust issues in cloud computing from the perspective of financial institutions.

When and whom should retailers offer price reductions in times of crisis?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haeyoung Jeong ◽  
Siddharth Bhatt ◽  
Hongjun Ye ◽  
Jintao Zhang ◽  
Rajneesh Suri
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Pricing Strategies ◽  
Consumer Spending ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Turbulent Times ◽  
Offering Price

PurposeWith a decrease in consumer spending during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many retailers are offering price reductions to stimulate demand. However, little is known about how consumers perceive such price reductions executed during turbulent times. The authors examine whether the timing of price reductions and individual differences impact consumers' evaluations of the retailers offering such reductions.Design/methodology/approachUsing a longitudinal design, the authors inquire into four retailers' motives that consumers may infer from a price decrease at two different times during the COVID-19 crisis.FindingsThe authors find that the timing of price reductions plays a key role in shaping consumers' inference of retailers' motives. The authors also uncover individual characteristics that affect consumers' inferences.Originality/valueThis research advances the literature by demonstrating the critical role of timing and individual characteristics in consumers' perceptions of price reductions during times of crisis. The authors findings also provide retailers with actionable insights for their pricing strategies. The findings may be generalizable to other types of crises that may arise in the future.

Creativity and innovation through LMX and personal initiative

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashkan Khalili
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Style ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Personal Initiative ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Member Exchange ◽  
Creativity And Innovation ◽  
Moderating Role ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine empirically the influence of leader-member exchange (LMX) on employees’ creativity and innovation. In addition, this study investigated the moderating role of employees’ personal initiative on the associations. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered from 1,221 employees working in organizations across various industries in Australia. Findings The findings of this study revealed positive and significant relationships between LMX and employees’ creativity and innovation. Also, the findings indicated employees’ personal initiative moderated the LMX-employees’ creativity and LMX-employees’ innovation relationships. Practical implications Organizations should invest in LMX training and in the selection of leaders with this leadership style if their aim is to nurture and intensify employees’ creativity and innovation. They also should invest in personal initiative training in order to amplify the effect of LMX on creativity and innovation in organization. Originality/value This study makes vital theoretical contributions in different ways. In the domain of creativity and innovation, it addresses factors that impact employees’ creativity and innovation. It expands knowledge about organizational resources that nurture and enhance the creativity and innovation of employees. For LMX, this study supplements existing research by examining employees’ creativity and innovation as outcomes. Also, identifying personal initiative as an amplifier of the LMX-employees’ creativity and innovation relationships extends research in that domain. This study is also a rare investigation of the Australian context.

scholarly journals The Mga Regulon but Not Deoxyribonuclease Sda1 of Invasive M1T1 Group A Streptococcus Contributes toIn VivoSelection of CovRS Mutations and Resistance to Innate Immune Killing Mechanisms

2015 ◽  
Vol 83 (11) ◽  
pp. 4293-4303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guanghui Liu ◽  
Wenchao Feng ◽  
Dengfeng Li ◽  
Mengyao Liu ◽  
Daniel C. Nelson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
M Protein ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Group A ◽  
Innate Immune Evasion ◽  
Selection Of

ABSTRACTInvasive M1T1 group AStreptococcus(GAS) can have a mutation in the regulatory system CovRS, and this mutation can render strains hypervirulent. Interestingly, via mechanisms that are not well understood, the host innate immune system's neutrophils select spontaneous M1T1 GAS CovRS hypervirulent mutants, thereby enhancing the pathogen's ability to evade immune killing. It has been reported that the DNase Sda1 is critical for the resistance of M1T1 strain 5448 to killing in human blood and provides pressure forin vivoselection of CovRS mutations. We reexamined the role of Sda1 in the selection of CovRS mutations and in GAS innate immune evasion. Deletion ofsda1or all DNase genes in M1T1 strain MGAS2221 did not alter emergence of CovRS mutants during murine infection. Deletion ofsda1in strain 5448 resulted in Δsda1mutants with (5448 Δsda1M+strain) and without (5448 Δsda1M−strain) M protein production. The 5448 Δsda1M+strain accumulated CovRS mutationsin vivoand resisted killing in the bloodstream, whereas the 5448 Δsda1M−strain lostin vivoselection of CovRS mutations and was sensitive to killing. The deletion ofemmand a spontaneous Mga mutation in MGAS2221 reduced and preventedin vivoselection for CovRS mutants, respectively. Thus, in contrast to previous reports, Sda1 is not critical forin vivoselection of invasive M1T1 CovRS mutants and GAS resistance to innate immune killing mechanisms. In contrast, M protein and other Mga-regulated proteins contribute to thein vivoselection of M1T1 GAS CovRS mutants. These findings advance the understanding of the progression of invasive M1T1 GAS infections.

Employability of higher education graduates in Europe

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 418-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samo Pavlin ◽  
Ivan Svetlik
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Labour Market ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Strategic Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Scientific Approach ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce the special issue on “Employability of higher education graduates in europe” from the perspective of global changes. Design/methodology/approach – The empirically based papers of the special issue address six main areas related to the transition of graduates from education to the labour market: employment and employability, job (mis)match, development of particular areas of competency, new certificates of higher education, along with the disciplinarity and status of the self-perceived role of academics in supporting graduates’ careers. Findings – This issue provides empirical findings relevant to various stakeholders of higher education systems which are essential for strategic development in the area. Originality/value – The selection of papers proposes an interdisciplinary scientific approach in the areas of bridging (higher) education with the labour market.

scholarly journals Citation apps for mobile devices

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary K. Van Ullen ◽  
Jane Kessler
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Operating Systems ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Technology In Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Print Books ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the accuracy and functionality of a selection of basic Android and iOS apps for mobile devices designed to generate bibliographic citations. Design/methodology/approach – A number of inexpensive or free apps were installed on several different tablets and phones. Book citations in MLA and APA format were generated and evaluated for accuracy. Findings – Results show that the majority of the apps tested produced unacceptably inaccurate citations, and many had limited functionality. The best of the apps tested was EasyBib. Research limitations/implications – There are infinite combinations of operating systems, apps, citation styles, material types and devices. Testing for this study was limited to uncomplicated apps likely to appeal to undergraduate students. It did not include more sophisticated apps for managing reference libraries. The study investigated how well several Android and iOS apps installed on mobile devices functioned to generate MLA and APA citations for print books. Practical/implications – As the role of mobile technology in education continues to grow, librarians need to remain aware of solutions that can help students manage their research. Librarians have an opportunity to provide feedback to developers by reviewing and rating apps. Originality/value – Undergraduate students face challenges in learning to appropriately acknowledge materials they have consulted in their research and writing. Librarians can play an important role in helping students select the most appropriate tools to make citing sources easier and more accurate.

scholarly journals An emotional intelligence model of entrepreneurial coping strategies

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saurav Pathak ◽  
Sonia Goltz
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Stressful Situation ◽  
Actual Process ◽  
Coping With Stress ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Selection Of

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to recognize emotional intelligence (EI) as a specific emotional competency possessed by entrepreneurs that facilitates their coping with stressors that arise in their day-to-day work. Highlighting the problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies employed by entrepreneurs, the paper establishes that EI in entrepreneurs enables the onset of acceptance of the existence of a stressful situation and that of optimism that a stressful situation can be solved.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews literature on the topics related to links between EI, entrepreneurial behaviors and entrepreneurial coping. Subsequently, acceptance-avoidance motivation theory is used to posit that entrepreneurs' EI serves as an antecedent that (1) guides the selection of their coping strategies through onset of optimism and acceptance of stressful situation, (2) assists in perceiving those situations as either controllable or uncontrollable and (3) shapes the actual process through which entrepreneurs cope.FindingsThe proposed conceptual model asserts that entrepreneurs' EI as reflected in their abilities to perceive, use, understand and regulate emotions is key to their coping. EI in entrepreneurs assists them in being optimistic about solving a stressful situation and accepting of such situations as well. Thereafter, selection of a problem-focused or emotion-focused coping strategy or both ensues.Originality/valueThe current work offers a conceptual model that highlights the role of entrepreneurs' EI in coping, integrates both the cognitive and affective components of coping and suggests a variety of avenues for future research. This model extends models of coping that categorize coping types to specify the process thought to be involved. Understanding the role of emotional intelligence in coping with stress by entrepreneurs has theoretical and practical implications which are discussed as well.

Critical sensemaking: challenges and promises

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 356-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eeva Aromaa ◽  
Päivi Eriksson ◽  
Jean Helms Mills ◽  
Esa Hiltunen ◽  
Maarit Lammassaari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diversity Management ◽  
Organizational Studies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Issues ◽  
Organization Leadership ◽  
Major Review ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze current literature on critical sensemaking (CSM) to assess its significance and potential for understanding the role of agency in management and organizational studies. Design/methodology/approach The analysis involves an examination of a selection of 51 applied studies that cite, draw on and contribute to CSM, to assess the challenges and potential of utilizing CSM. Findings The paper reveals the range of organizational issues that this work has been grappling with; the unique insights that CSM has revealed in the study of management and organizations; and some of the challenges and promises of CSM for studying agency in context. This sets up discussion of organizational issues and insights provided by CSM to reveal its potential in dealing with issues of agency in organizations. The sheer scope of CSM studies indicates that it has relevance for a range of management researchers, including those interested in behavior at work, theories of organization, leadership and crisis management, diversity management, emotion, ethics and justice, and many more. Research limitations/implications The main focus is restricted to providing a working knowledge of CSM rather than other approaches to agency. Practical implications The paper outlines the challenges and potential for applying the CSM theory. Social implications The paper reveals the range of problem-solving issues that CSM studies have been applied to. Originality/value This is the first major review of the challenges and potential of applying CSM; concluding with a discussion of its strengths and limitations and providing a summary of insights for future work.

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.

ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING (SMM) IN HEI’S ADMISSION

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Awais Mehmood ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Specific Objective ◽  
Perceived Impact ◽  
Promotional Messages ◽  
Admissions Process ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose: Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) are shaping their operational approach in a more business oriented manner due to intensification of competition to recruit quality students. This requires adaption of various marketing communication tools to develop, sustain and improve brand image. The invent of Web 2.0 technologies have offered many such options to organizations including social media (SM) that is being now used by many (HEIs) to connect with their stakeholders especially students. The specific objective and purpose of this study is to investigate the use of SM marketing in the higher education sector in Pakistan and its perceived impact on admission of students. Methodology: It is a qualitative study based on inductive approach where in-depth interviews were conducted with the university’s administrators responsible to manage the SM activities. The interviews were transcribed using NVivo to determine content type placed online by the HEIs in Pakistan, benefits accrued and their perceived impact on student admission. In addition ethnography technique was used to find the type of content on SM being placed by the Pakistani HEIs. Findings: The study illustrates that Facebook and Twitter are the most commonly used social media accounts by the Pakistani HEIs. The content placed on SM by the Pakistani HEIs include announcements, admissions, events, community messages, promotional messages, achievements, greetings, endorsements and job/internships opportunities. Through this content HEIs areable to better engage with their students, obtain necessary feedback, correct any misperceptions and help in career building. These benefits are consequently contributing directly and indirectly to the elements considered important by students for selection of HEIs as highlighted in students’ preference theories(Soutar & Turner, 2000; Maringe, 2006; Mangan, Hughes, Davies, & Slack, 2010). Implications: This study will help the HEIs to understand common benefits they can accrue through their SM use and its potential in facilitating their admissions process. The study will also let the managers of SM in HEIs know of ways to optimize their usage of SM that will consequently help them better gauge the identified benefits and ultimately help in achieving desired objectives pertaining to students’ recruitment.

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