Search

Purpose: Photos are powerful tools to attract individuals' attention and convey service experiences. Yet exactly how visual cues in a photo contribute to the perceptions of the staged servicescape, and how these perceptions inspire online booking/reservation behaviors, remains underexplored. Addressing the gap, this study aims to uncover (1) how perceptual information mediated by an online photo contributes to the formation of consumers' holistic perceptions of the service environment and (2) how such consumers' holistic perceptions further influence customers' online purchasing behaviors. Design/methodology/approach: This research adopts an innovative crowdsourcing approach and refers to field data on consumers' online hotel booking behaviors to examine relationships among inferred servicescape dimensions, consumers' holistic perceptions of the mediated servicescape and their actual online booking/reservation behaviors (e.g. page-view and meta-click behaviors). Findings: Confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis indicated that five mediated servicescape dimensions (i.e. color, lighting, furnishings, layout and style) contribute significantly to consumers' perceptions of the mediated servicescape (CPMS) and exert different impacts on CPMS. Connecting the crowdsourced rating and consumer behavioral data, CPMS is found to influence consumers' aggregated page-view and meta-click behavior, especially in the US market. Originality/value: Building upon servicescape theory, the medium theory and the online booking literature, this research proposes a novel conceptual framework of CPMS to theorize the process by which visual cues in online photos contribute to CPMS and subsequent online purchase behaviors. Findings from this research extend Bitner's servicescape framework to mediated service contexts and provide practical implications for promoting service businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the effect of acidity on the morphology of archeological paper, especially in the presence of colors and whether natural pigments play a role in the process of degradation.Design/methodology/approach The morphological changes in the cellulosic fibers of the manuscripts because of acidity were investigated using environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). Ten historical samples were collected from different manuscripts suffering from acidity. X-ray diffraction was used to identify the inks and pigments that were used in some samples. Additionally, Fourier transform infrared microscopy was used to identify the binding medium.Findings The results confirmed that carbon ink, ultramarine, cinnabar and gold pigments were applied to some manuscripts with Arabic gum. As for ESEM investigation, the results proved that acidity badly affected the integrity of the cellulosic fibers resulting in their embrittlement. The micrographs showed differences in fiber degradation according to pH value. The presence of inks and pigments increased the degradation extent resulting from acidity.Originality/value This paper addresses a specific need to study the behavior of degradation in paper manuscripts, thus helping the conservators find solutions to the phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the effect of paper properties (whiteness, gloss and roughness) on colour laser printing quality. Paper characteristics have a significant influence on print quality and are crucial variables for predicting and reproducing colour. Design/methodology/approach – Six kinds of paper with different properties were selected and the effects of the paper characteristics on the printed paper were studied. Samples were printed with cyan, magenta and yellow toner with a laser printer under identical conditions. The papers and printed papers were evaluated with atomic force microscope, scanning electron microscope, gloss-meter, spectrophotometer and densitometer. Findings – Results showed that print quality is statistically dependent on paper type, and the average optical density of printed paper varied for different papers. Furthermore, the increase in the roughness and gloss of the papers in comparison to whiteness more significantly affected the optical density of paper by reducing it. Practical implications – To achieve high-quality print, laser printing paper and toner require controlled characteristics. Originality/value – For the first time, the present study evaluated the influence of paper properties on the quality of colour laser printing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This article aims to describe how people manage to integrate their use of paper and electronic documents in modern office work environments. Design/methodology/approach – An observational interview type study of 14 participants from 11 offices in eight organizations was conducted. Recorded data were analysed using a thematic analysis method. This involved reading and annotation of interview transcripts, categorizing, linking and connecting, corroborating, and producing an account of the study. Findings – The findings of the study can be categorized into four groups: the roles paper and electronic documents serve in today's offices, the ways in which these documents are managed, the problems associated with their management, and the types of fragmentation that exist in terms of their management and how these are dealt with. Practical implications – The study has identified the need for better integrated management of paper and electronic documents in present-day offices. The findings of the study have then been used to propose a set of guidelines for the development of integrated paper and electronic document management systems. Originality/value – Although similar studies of offices have been conducted in the past, almost all of these studies are prior to the widespread use of mobile and network-based shared technologies in office environments. Furthermore, previous studies have generally failed to identify and propose guidelines for integration of paper and electronic document management systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the current state of the "paperless office" and explore how likely it is that libraries will be administered by librarians in paperless offices in the near future. Design/methodology/approach – This paper surveys the literature on forecasts for the paperless office to determine whether library operations and offices could be as paperless as some of their collections might be in the near future. Findings – The paperless office was once seen as inevitable, but is looking less far less likely given how we access and organize documents, how we read and understand information, and how we analyze what we read online and in print. Nonetheless, certain routine library operations would lend themselves almost immediately to paperless storage and retrieval processes and systems. Research limitations/implications – More research is required on records management systems in libraries with a view to establishing largely paperless operations in the future. Implications for future research involve the establishment of processes and the testing of systems which would most easily lend themselves to standard library operations. Practical implications – Recent research on reading and cognitive function indicates that there are certain practical implications involved in doing away with paper entirely. Nonetheless, certain routine library functions could be made paperless operations once practical considerations such as the choice of systems, establishment of work flow, policies and processes have been realized. Originality/value – The paper makes the case for more research and exploration of the viability of paperless or near-paperless library operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to describe how the tipping point may have been reached with regard to the transition of periodicals between print and electronic. Design/methodology/approach -- The literature search encompassed articles on the transition of periodicals between print and electronic status. Findings -- Libraries will soon have to decide, based on budget, what is affordable in terms of periodicals. Vendors are integral to this process and libraries need to negotiate skillfully with them in order to keep costs in line. Electronic resources will serve researchers well, since they provide easy computerized access (searching, cut and paste) to materials previously only found in print. Research limitations/implications -- There is a dichotomy of feelings represented in the literature on the transition of journals from print to electronic. Most of the literature seems to indicate that the move to electronic journals is good for researchers. Practical implications -- The move to electronic resources will provide a rich base of digital literature that was not available to researchers before, and this will result in upgraded efforts at publication. Searching electronically can be an enormous timesaver and provides a previously unknown range of searching. Originality/value -- The research includes examples of what experts in the field suggest to resolve this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the current state of research on the various biological agents that could cause deterioration of paper materials and possible intervention strategies against these biotic agents in the tropics. Design/methodology/approach – Recent literature in the tropics is reviewed to gain insight into the problems that confront libraries in the tropics as regards the biological deterioration of library materials. Findings – The paper identifies moulds as the most important biodeteriorating agents of library materials. In addition to destroying, disfiguring and staining books, the moulds have been linked to numerous adverse human health effects that fall into three categories: allergic, toxic and infectious. The other biological agents include bacteria, insects and rodents. The important insects in tropical environment are cockroaches and termites. The warm humid tropical conditions and dirty environment trigger/promote biodeterioration processes and make book deterioration to be more pronounced in the tropics than in the temperate regions. Research limitations/implications – Physical visits to the libraries were not carried out and the conclusions reached were based on evidence from scientific literature on the subject in the tropics. Practical implications – A very useful source of information on how to curb the menace of biological agents against the destruction of library materials in the tropics. These include training programmes for library staff on conservation and preservation of library collections, the creation of awareness on the issue among library users, the adoption of good house keeping practices and modification of storage environment to make them unsuitable for the biodeteriogens. It is recommended that libraries and archives in tropical countries should have preservation guidelines and integrated pest management teams and should also cooperate with scientists in relevant disciplines to be able to find lasting solutions to the problem of biodeterioration of library materials. Originality/value – This paper looks into the neglected area of biological deterioration of papers which is the main information carrier in libraries. It provides very useful and practical suggestions that libraries in the tropics could adopt to tackle the menace of biological agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The challenges facing industrial enterprises include coping with an increased distribution of activities and the related need to deal with task interdependencies, as well as coping with uncertainty and complexity. This opens for a discussion of current thinking and practices of manufacturing and its strategic role. The aim of the paper is to explore future changes in strategic roles of manufacturing. Design/methodology/approach - A review of the literature on manufacturing strategy has focused on different ways of positioning manufacturing as a means for identifying and defining the strategic roles of manufacturing in an industrial company. To understand how industrial companies have dealt with some of the global challenges and have changed their strategic roles of manufacturing over a period of 3-7 years, interviews are carried out in six small and medium-sized companies, representing different industries, such as textile, mechanical and electronic industries. The case stories form a basis for identifying issues for future manufacturing strategic roles in the form of research propositions and implications. Findings - The literature review has resulted in a grouping of the strategic roles of manufacturing. The first group of contributions relates directly to the extent and selected objectives of manufacturing contribution to competitive advantage. The second group positions a company in a value chain or a supply chain. The third way of classifying strategic roles focuses on the mutual interplay between functions leading to a primary role and four supporting roles. The fourth classification identifies different roles that a plant can play in a network of manufacturing plants of a company. To a large extent, the groups are mutually exclusive which suggests that an industrial company may use several classifications to find a configuration of strategic manufacturing roles that is in line with the environmental challenges and internal strength. The empirical findings form a basis for developing research propositions about the roles of manufacturing in the future: an important issue for an industrial firm will be to combine the various typologies into a configuration of strategic manufacturing roles; the strategic roles of manufacturing supporting other functions will become increasingly important, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the interplay with other functions and development of holistic competencies and knowledge sharing across functions and disciplines; a company''s development over the next years may be seen as a sequence of moves similar to a game of chess, suggesting a capability to develop scenarios for the next series of moves. Practical implications - The paper suggests that management of industrial companies: develops a combination of classifications of manufacturing roles appropriate for the company''s specific situation; identifies supportive strategic roles of manufacturing leading to explicit focus on the interplay with other functions and strengthening of holistic competencies and knowledge sharing across functions and disciplines; views the pursuit of a global manufacturing strategy as a series of adaptive moves, instead of a once-for-all decision. Originality/value - The findings open for a discussion of current thinking and practice of manufacturing and its strategic roles pointing to a new perception of manufacturing and to future challenges and development patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The paper assesses the extent to which China''s comparative advantage in manufacturing has shifted towards higher-tech sectors between 1987 and 2005 and proposes possible explanations for the shift. Design/methodology/approach - Revealed comparative advantage (RCA) indices for 27 product groups, representing high-, medium and low-tech sectors have been calculated. Examination of international market attractiveness complements the RCA analysis. Findings for selected sectors are evaluated in the context of other evidence. Findings - While China maintains its competitiveness in low-tech labour intensive products, it has gained RCA in selected medium-tech sectors (e.g. office machines and electric machinery) and the high-tech telecommunications and automatic data processing equipment sectors. Evidence from firm and sector specific studies suggests that improved comparative advantage in medium and high-tech sectors is based on capabilities developing through combining international technology transfer and learning. Research limitations/implications - The quantitative analysis does not explain the shifts in comparative advantage, though the paper suggests possible explanations. Further research at firm and sector levels is required to understand the underlying capability development of Chinese enterprises and the relative competitiveness of Chinese and foreign invested enterprises. Practical implications - Western companies should take account of capability development in China in forming their international manufacturing strategies. The rapid shifts in China''s comparative advantage have lessons for other industrialising countries. Originality/value - While RCA is a well-known methodology, its application at the disaggregated product group level combined with market attractiveness assessment is distinctive. The paper provides a broad assessment of changes in Chinese manufacturing as a basis for further research on capability development at firm and sector levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — This paper seeks to investigate the links between different types of visibility, joint initiatives and business performance using the concepts of transparency as a measure of visibility in supply chains. The prognosis that increased supply chain visibility can be achieved through suppliers and customers working on joint initiative(s), the deployment of which leads to collaborative successes, is tested. Design/methodology/approach — Lamming et al's transparency concept was used as a basis for the development of a framework for assessing the visibility gaps between the focal company — Rolls-Royce (RR) — and their suppliers. The framework was applied to a particular supplier to identify visibility gaps; subsequently a joint initiative was launched across the supply chain and the benefits measured and assessed. A case study approach was followed due to the contemporary nature of the work undertaken. Findings — The supply chain's performance vis-à-vis schedule adherence was significantly improved as a result of the initiative launched. Additionally, there were improvements in visibility across capacity planning, material ordering and inventory management. Practical implications — The study demonstrated the value of using the developed transparency framework in a structured manner to generate improvements in the supply chain. RR will look to extend its use across other supply chains; the approach could also be extended out to other sectors. Originality/value — The development and application of the transparency frameworks in the aerospace sector are unique and have shown the value of the approach. The work has demonstrated tangibly that the exchange of high-quality information as part of an improvement initiative does lead to significant improvements in the overall performance of the supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — This paper aims to present results from a survey that investigates the situation in real world supply chains concerning logistics collaboration. Design/methodology/approach — Based on supply chain management literature, a questionnaire was developed covering important topics from the literature. The questionnaire was sent to the logistics manager at Swedish manufacturing companies and a net response rate of 37.8 percent (177/482) was achieved. Apart from purely descriptive statistics, factor analysis, cluster analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and cross tabulations with X² tests were used for the analysis. Findings — From the results, three major conclusions are drawn. First, there is a clear relationship between the intensity of the collaboration and the positive effects experienced from the collaboration. Second, the results indicate that top management is an important driver for higher intensity collaboration. Third, there are serious differences between supply chain management (SCM) theory and practice, due to the absence of strategic elements in the collaboration and the different ways in which supplier and customer collaborations are managed. Research limitations/implications — Related to SCM theory, the lack of strategic elements in the collaboration might prevent or decrease the expected positive effects of the collaboration. It is therefore important to increase the strategic level component in the collaboration. Top management involvement is likely to be important to achieve this and hence more research on the topic is suggested. Originality/value — The study presents a broad overview concerning logistics collaboration that covers many of the most important supply chain management issues. In addition, their relationship is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — This reflective paper aims to identify and discuss key areas for the development of, and research into, supply network performance measurement systems. Design/methodology/approach — The paper traces the broad history of performance measurement before identifying the specific issues that performance measurement has raised in the supply network environment from both local and global managerial perspectives. Having laid this foundation, the paper continues to examine the likely future challenges that managers of supply networks face. Findings — Four outstanding challenges are identified and discussed: the response to the increasing environmental challenges; the effect of the lean/agile debate on the development of supply networks and their measurement systems; the need to develop performance measurement systems to break through the ‘dyadic relationship’ barrier and make management of the supply network a more realistic aspiration; and challenges faced in making performance measurement a multi-cultural phenomenon and through this make management of international supply chains more effective. Originality/value — The paper identifies some of the outstanding issues in current and future network performance measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — This paper aims to develop the concept of interorganizational adaptation (lOAD) in customer-supplier dyads, and more specifically its behavioral dimension and its main impacting factor constituted by power. Design/methodology/approach — Building on social capital literature, the paper develops a comprehensive classification of behavioral lOAD. The proposed cognitive, relational and structural sub-dimensions are explored through an embedded multi-case study in the European food industry. Data are collected at both sides of the dyads, providing a rich account of supply chain partnering. Findings — The cases show that acknowledgement and understanding of the behavioral dimension of lOAD, besides the more elaborate technical dimension, aids in explaining several paradoxical situations. Furthermore, the case data confirm the projected relationship between power and technical lOAD; dominated relationships present unilateral technical IOAD, whereas reciprocal relationships present bilateral technical lOAD. Analysis of a deviant case, however, suggests that the impact of power is weakened by the presence of behavioral lOAD. Research limitations/implications — A longitudinal rather than the cross-sectional research design used might shed additional light on the phenomenon. Nonetheless, the relationship age of the six cases varies from three to 50 years providing data related to different stages of partnering. Practical implications — The paper fosters practitioners' attention for behavioral aspects of supply chain partnering in order to understand actual successes and failures. Originality/value — The paper shows that social capital theory contributes to one's understanding of IOAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — The purpose of this paper is to examine the agile supply chain management practices adopted by UK clothing retailers in order to effectively manage the supply of innovative, high-margin, high-fashion content product offerings in a complex global environment. Design/methodology/approach — A case study approach was adopted examining the whole of the global retail fashion supply chain, from typical UK-based retailers through to their main production and logistics suppliers based in two low-cost locations, China and Romania. The cases of the UK retailers were followed by a study tour of China and Romania, where ten cases of fabric and finishing manufacturers, intermediaries and logistic providers were carried out. Findings — Many aspects of accepted risk management and agile practice, such as market sensitivity, postponement activities and collaborative information-sharing partnerships were apparent in the early product definition and the later product delivery stages of the supply chain. However, the responsibility for supply, including the key aspect of managing the complex supply network, was almost exclusively left to intermediaries located in low-cost countries. These intermediaries in the main could best achieve agile supply from a significantly underutilized low-cost country supply network through a traditional adversarial price and lead time auction sourcing process. Research limitations/implications — While the cases considered reflected what seemed to be a typical and widely adopted approach to managing such a supply chain, this may not, of course, be the only approach taken by organisations in the clothing industry. Originality/value — By examining a whole supply chain associated with agile supply in an important sector, the paper identifies the relative importance of some existing practices and brings into sharper focus those most relevant to this type of supply. The paper also identifies key elements of contemporary supply chain management practice, namely the growing use of global supply for innovative products and the essential and valuable role played by intermediaries in such supply chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — The aim of this paper is to develop a research agenda for risk and supply chain management. This is achieved by reviewing the literature on supply chain risk and locating it within the general literature on risk. Design/methodology/approach — A review of the general literature on risk and the specific literature on supply chain risk was undertaken. Findings — The paper shows that there are a number of key debates in the general literature on risk, especially in terms of qualitative versus quantitative approaches, which need to be recognised by those seeking to apply risk theory and risk management approaches to supply chains. In addition, the paper shows that the application of risk theory to supply chain management is still in its early stages and that the models of supply chain risk which have been proposed need to be tested empirically. Research limitations/implications — This is a literature review and, therefore, is based on secondary rather than primary sources. Practical implications — The paper proposes a research agenda aimed at developing models of supply chain risk management based on combining the wider theory and practice of risk management with the needs and practices of supply chain management. Originality/value — This paper brings together the literatures on general risk and supply chain risk; and identifies key issues and research questions which need to be addressed in applying risk management to supply chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper identifies and assesses the potential environmental burdens associated with the life cycle of printing and writing paper produced in Portugal from Eucalyptus globulus and consumed in Germany. Life cycle assessment methodology is applied in accordance with International Organization for Standardization standards. The life cycle of printing and writing paper covers the following stages: forest, pulp production, paper production, final disposal, energy production, chemical production and transports. The results suggest that pulp production processes have an important contribution to water emissions, resulting in a major contribution to eutrophication. Besides, it plays a major role in renewable energy consumption. Energy production in the grid, printing and writing paper production and transports contribute significantly to air emissions and to non-renewable energy consumption, and consequently to global warming, acidification and non-renewable resource depletion. Wastepaper landfilling assumes the predominant role in photochemical oxidant formation. Useful information is provided regarding the stages of the life cycle where improvements should be done in order to achieve an effective reduction of the environmental burdens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the effects of using magnesium chloride as a precipitating agent of sodium silicate on the mechanical, optical and fire retardant properties of the resulting paper sheets. Two types of treatments (internal and external), were carried out to investigate such effects on the paper sheets prepared from wood pulp and from non-wood fibrous, bagasse pulp. The results obtained showed that the treatment of paper sheets with either sodium silicate or sodium silicate-magnesium chloride led to a decrease in the activation energy of the initial main degradation stages. Wood pulp-paper sheets treated with sodium silicate showed better fire retardant properties than the sodium silicate-magnesium chloride treated wood pulp-paper sheets. A reverse trend was noted in the case of paper sheets made from bagasse pulp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents findings from a study of the effects of treating unbleached bagasse paper sheets with different resin solutions. Unbleached kraft bagasse paper sheets were treated with different resin solutions such as nitrocellulose, melamine formaldehyde, silicone, short and medium alkyd resin and the physico-mechanical properties of the modified paper sheets were tested. The strength properties of treated paper sheets were highly improved especially in the case of treatment with melamine formaldehyde and silicone resin solutions. The effect of dipping time of paper sheets in different concentrations of resin solution on the strength properties was also investigated. Physico-mechanical properties of thermally treated modified paper sheets with resins were also clarified. Concludes that promising results in the improvement of insulation of treated paper sheets with resin are obtained by studying the dielectric-electric properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Challenges the idea that the "future is digital". Argues that instead the future will be a complex mix of paper-based and electronic texts; with paper predominating for some years to come. If this view is correct, it has important consequences for the allocation of scarce resources, particularly in university libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to encourage public librarians to reconsider the future value of their paper book collections. Design/methodology/approach – The author interacts with developing trends to make an argument for supporting paper book collections in the digital age. Findings – The liquidation of Borders Group Inc. provides the public library with an opportunity to market its paper collections to publishers and paper book buyers. Originality/value – The article offers a contrarian perspective on the enduring value physical book collections will play in the digital age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – A satirical reflection on the perils of conference paper presentations. Design/methodology/approach – Poetic exposition. Findings – Highlights the traps into which conference paper presenters can sometimes unwittingly fall. Research limitations/implications – For effective presenting within strict time limits, a speaker can never be too prepared. Originality/value – Presents a visual picture of the dilemma and final crash that occurs when presenters fail to impose self-discipline in structuring and delivering to the audience they desperately want to reach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Research Journal of Textile and Apparel (RJTA) is an international, multidisciphnary journal concerned with research into all aspects about textiles and apparel. Papers should be submitted to the editor-in-chief of Research Journal of Textile and Apparel through the RJTA paper submission system at http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/rjta. RJTA accepts quality submissions without prejudice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes a novel indexing mechanism to improve the productivity of the paper cutting machines. The mechanism is based on dual light sources and an optical detector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A White Paper, Building on the Best the Department of Health has been published by the Department of Health. This sets out proposals to improve or increase patient choice in several areas, and follows consultation held during the summer and autumn of 2003. The document includes measures to improve repeat prescribing, booking hospital appointments and access to information. It lists changes achieved to date and highlights the timetable for further change until 2008.