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Articles 5431 - 5460 of 6934

Full-Text Articles in Business

Big Blue’S Next Big Act: Smarter Technology For A Smarter Planet, Knowledge@Smu Nov 2009

Big Blue’S Next Big Act: Smarter Technology For A Smarter Planet, Knowledge@Smu

Knowledge@SMU

Everything seems to be going digital – our television sets, phones, the ways in which we communicate with each other, perform transactions or apply for permits – all in the name of pristine pictures, crystal clear sounds, paperless administration and fast, unencumbered access to data – all important features of the good life, for sure. But are we necessarily better off? We could be, given that "digitalisation" allows us to see and do things differently; to be more intelligent than we have ever been before, says IT giant IBM. And it is this belief that underscores the company's worldwide "Smarter …

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Scrutinising The Art Of Kata: How Toyota Does It, Knowledge@Smu Nov 2009

Scrutinising The Art Of Kata: How Toyota Does It, Knowledge@Smu

Knowledge@SMU

Toyota is, arguably, the most famous Japanese car maker and a model of manufacturing and production excellence. While there have been some recent setbacks, the company’s continuously-refined work process, ideas, and philosophies offer timeless lessons and insights. In his book Toyota Kata, the result of a multi-year study, engineer, management consultant and researcher Mike Rother shares with Toyota’s admirers and sceptics alike how this company does it.

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Businesses Re-Imagined: Social Value Above Shareholder Value?, Knowledge@Smu Nov 2009

Businesses Re-Imagined: Social Value Above Shareholder Value?, Knowledge@Smu

Knowledge@SMU

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives are often viewed upon as publicity stunts; that corporations only do “good” only if it makes them look good - a cynical view, perhaps, but not completely groundless. Though it may seem as if more organisations are stepping up to serve social causes, such initiatives, as seen from inside the heads of corporate honchos, are secondary to profit maximisation. This is problematic, as more and more people seek to align their lives and careers with the social interests that matter.

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In Support Of A Cashless Future, Researchers Recreate A Cash-Like Experience, Knowledge@Smu Nov 2009

In Support Of A Cashless Future, Researchers Recreate A Cash-Like Experience, Knowledge@Smu

Knowledge@SMU

The mobile phone is piece of technology so loved, that some have referred to it as a “phantom limb”. To personalise and get the most out of this “limb”, people have been known to spend lots of time and money, decorating their precious phones with screen protectors, fancy ringtones, wallpapers, themes and ‘apps’. Many have even been caught fiddling with this device while driving! With a national mobile penetration rate of close to 140 percent (which suggests some people may have more “limbs” than others), it seems only natural to fantasise about incorporating the mobile phone into other favourite pastimes, …

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What Shapes The Way In Which We Imagine Our World?, Knowledge@Smu Nov 2009

What Shapes The Way In Which We Imagine Our World?, Knowledge@Smu

Knowledge@SMU

Despite national, religious or ideological differences, there are several key points in the recent history of mankind that have influenced the ways in which we see the world today. And while no two perspectives can be exactly the same, Xiang Biao, an academic fellow at the University of Oxford, believes that all "global imaginations" are bounded together by three common threads: the "earthy", "funky" and "wordy". For one, "earthy" issues such as global warming, forms one of the few but key universal concerns that almost every political leader can agree upon - in one way or another. Such global issues …

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Entering The Lion’S Den: Technology Entrepreneurs Need A Global View And Action Plan, Knowledge@Smu Nov 2009

Entering The Lion’S Den: Technology Entrepreneurs Need A Global View And Action Plan, Knowledge@Smu

Knowledge@SMU

How many technology companies are confident enough to venture outside the sheltered environment of their home country to compete against the market leaders in their own turf? Not many, especially for the new or young business ventures. Many avoid entering "the lion’s den", so to speak, for fear that they will be eaten alive. Yet, not many realise that if they cannot survive the “lion’s den”, they may not last very long within their own nest, shares seasoned venture capitalist Gideon Tolkowsky.

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Apec Business Fellowship Program, Hwee Hoon Tan, Michael A. Netzley Nov 2009

Apec Business Fellowship Program, Hwee Hoon Tan, Michael A. Netzley

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Commissioned research study funded by IE Singapore and on behalf of APEC. The study examines SME internationalization in APEC member economies and recommends a new executive education program based on the study findings.

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Apec Business Fellowship Program: Peru, Hwee Hoon Tan, Michael A. Netzley Nov 2009

Apec Business Fellowship Program: Peru, Hwee Hoon Tan, Michael A. Netzley

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

A commissioned research report dedicated to one of the project's key sponsors, Peru. The report looks at SME internationalization within Peru and recommends several ways the the APEC business fellowship program can be adapted to audiences in Peru.

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Customer Satisfaction And Stock Returns Risk, Kapil R. Tuli, Sundar G. Bharadwaj Nov 2009

Customer Satisfaction And Stock Returns Risk, Kapil R. Tuli, Sundar G. Bharadwaj

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Over the past decade, several studies have argued that customer satisfaction has high relevance for financial markets because it has a significant impact on stock returns. However, little attention has been given to understanding the impact of customer satisfaction on the risk of stock returns. The finance literature suggests that investors that judge performance only in terms of returns place more resources than warranted in risky opportunities, forgo profitable opportunities, and apply misguided performance evaluations. Accordingly, this study develops, tests, and finds empirical support for the hypotheses that positive changes (i.e., improvement) in customer satisfaction result in negative changes (i.e., …

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Dating The Timeline Of Financial Bubbles During The Subprime Crisis, Peter C. B. Phillips, Jun Yu Nov 2009

Dating The Timeline Of Financial Bubbles During The Subprime Crisis, Peter C. B. Phillips, Jun Yu

Research Collection School Of Economics

A new recursive regression methodology is introduced to analyze the bubble characteristics of various financial time series during the subprime crisis. The methods modify a technique proposed in Phillips, Wu, and Yu (2011) and provide a technology for identifying bubble behavior with consistent dating of their origination and collapse. The tests serve as an early warning diagnostic of bubble activity and a new procedure is introduced for testing bubble migration across markets. Three relevant financial series are investigated, including a financial asset price (a house price index), a commodity price (the crude oil price), and one bond price (the spread …

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Innovation And Commoditization: Asian Cross Border Sourcing Practices, Sudhi Seshadri Nov 2009

Innovation And Commoditization: Asian Cross Border Sourcing Practices, Sudhi Seshadri

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

What constitutes better sourcing performance? The question is gaining prominence from recent work in the resource based view of the firm where interest in functional performance is growing. The paper addresses this question by investigating several dimensions of sourcing practices. Two main performance priorities are captured by supply innovation and supply commoditization, and we develop several hypotheses involving these constructs. The paper reports on our survey research with Asian purchasing managers; scales that measure supply innovation and commoditization; and the estimates of a path analytic model to test our hypotheses and provide relative effect sizes. The results contribute to a …

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Affordable Homeownership Policy: Implications For Housing Markets, Sock Yong Phang Nov 2009

Affordable Homeownership Policy: Implications For Housing Markets, Sock Yong Phang

Research Collection School Of Economics

Affordable homeownership is a policy that is often accorded a great deal of policy attention by governments of many countries. In this paper, we examine the market implications of setting a housing price to income ratio target for a market segment by the government. The policy requires active intervention by the government with regard to the targeted sector. We use a simple model of the housing market with a homeownership affordability target to derive the market implications of such targets. In the presence of uncertainty and resource constraints, the objective of homeownership affordability is achieved for the targeted group at …

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Bayesian Analysis Of Structural Credit Risk Models With Microstructure Noises, Shirley J. Huang, Jun Yu Nov 2009

Bayesian Analysis Of Structural Credit Risk Models With Microstructure Noises, Shirley J. Huang, Jun Yu

Research Collection School Of Economics

In this paper a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique is developed for the Bayesian analysis of structural credit risk models with microstructure noises. The technique is based on the general Bayesian approach with posterior computations performed by Gibbs sampling. Simulations from the Markov chain, whose stationary distribution converges to the posterior distribution, enable exact ¯nite sample inferences of model parameters. The exact inferences can easily be extended to latent state variables and any nonlinear transformation of state variables and parameters, facilitating practical credit risk applications. In addition, the comparison of alternative models can be based on deviance information criterion …

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A Bayesian Inventory Model Using Real-Time Condition Monitoring Information, Rong Li, Jennifer Ryan Nov 2009

A Bayesian Inventory Model Using Real-Time Condition Monitoring Information, Rong Li, Jennifer Ryan

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

No abstract provided.

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Social Networks, Personal Values, And Creativity: Evidence For Curvilinear And Interaction Effects, Jing Zhou, Shung Jae Shin, Daniel J. Brass, Jaepil Choi, Zhi-Xue Zhang Nov 2009

Social Networks, Personal Values, And Creativity: Evidence For Curvilinear And Interaction Effects, Jing Zhou, Shung Jae Shin, Daniel J. Brass, Jaepil Choi, Zhi-Xue Zhang

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Taking an interactional perspective on creativity, the authors examined the influence of social networks and conformity value on employees' creativity. They theorized and found a curvilinear relationship between number of weak ties and creativity such that employees exhibited greater creativity when their number of weak ties was at intermediate levels rather than at lower or higher levels. In addition, employees' conformity value moderated the curvilinear relationship between number of weak ties and creativity such that employees exhibited greater creativity at intermediate levels of number of weak ties when conformity was low than when it was high. A proper match between …

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Regulatory Exposure Of Deceptive Marketing And Its Impact On Firm Value, Martha Myslinski Tipton, Sundar G. Bharadwaj, Diana C. Robertson Nov 2009

Regulatory Exposure Of Deceptive Marketing And Its Impact On Firm Value, Martha Myslinski Tipton, Sundar G. Bharadwaj, Diana C. Robertson

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Research linking marketing to financial performance has predominantly focused on how marketing assets and actions add value. The authors argue that it is equally important to understand how marketing decisions can reduce firm value. Prior research has indicated that negative events vary greatly in their indirect costs to the firm. On the basis of established theory and in-depth interviews with practitioners, the authors identify a set of factors that can explain the heterogeneity in the magnitude of indirect costs associated with negative marketing-related events. Specifically, they address how the regulatory exposure of deceptive marketing, which carries no direct cost to …

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Apec Business Fellowship: Singapore, Hwee Hoon Tan, Michael A. Netzley Nov 2009

Apec Business Fellowship: Singapore, Hwee Hoon Tan, Michael A. Netzley

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This commissioned research report targets Singapore and is based on a survey study of SME leaders and their executive education needs for internationalizing. The report describes survey findings from Singapore and describes hwo the APEC Business Fellowship can be tailored to audiences in Singapore.

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Apec Business Fellowship: Thailand, Hwee Hoon Tan, Michael A. Netzley Nov 2009

Apec Business Fellowship: Thailand, Hwee Hoon Tan, Michael A. Netzley

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This survey study of SME internationalization presents findings from Thailand. The report describes how the APEC Business Fellowship program can be tailored to the needs a Thai audience.

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Marketing Strategy And Wall Street: Nailing Down Marketing’S Impact, Dominique M. Hanssens, Roland T. Rust, Rajendra K. Srivastava Nov 2009

Marketing Strategy And Wall Street: Nailing Down Marketing’S Impact, Dominique M. Hanssens, Roland T. Rust, Rajendra K. Srivastava

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

No abstract provided.

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Inventory Management And Financial Hedging Of Storable Commodities, Panos Kouvelis, Rong Li, Qing Ding Nov 2009

Inventory Management And Financial Hedging Of Storable Commodities, Panos Kouvelis, Rong Li, Qing Ding

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

No abstract provided.

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Brokerage Industry Self-Regulation: The Case Of Analysts’ Background Disclosures, Lawrence Brown, Artur Hugon, Hai Lu Nov 2009

Brokerage Industry Self-Regulation: The Case Of Analysts’ Background Disclosures, Lawrence Brown, Artur Hugon, Hai Lu

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

We evaluate an industry disclosure initiative designed to inform investors, the practice of providing information regarding investment professionals’ backgrounds. Implicit in the motivation for this initiative is the presumed relevance of background information to investors seeking investment professionals’ guidance. We find that analysts with disclosure incidents forecast less accurately than a matched sample of analysts without such disclosures, and that the market views disclosed analysts’ earnings forecasts as less credible than those of the matched sample. Our evidence is consistent with disclosures signaling a persistent analyst characteristic. We conclude that analyst backgrounds are informative regarding both the accuracy and credibility …

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Reinventing The Branch: An Empirical Assessment Of Banking Strategies To Environmental Differentiation, Thomas Allard, Barry Babin, Jean-Charles Chebat, Martine Crispo Nov 2009

Reinventing The Branch: An Empirical Assessment Of Banking Strategies To Environmental Differentiation, Thomas Allard, Barry Babin, Jean-Charles Chebat, Martine Crispo

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The present study investigates the effects of two atmospheric differentiation strategies currently used by banks: co-locating with a hedonic business vs. refurbishing through an upscale environment. We assessed the potential moderating effects of congruency between the retail environment and the type of services. Using a Structural Equation Model based on 300 bank visit intercepts, we found significant differences between modern branch concepts and the traditional one in their influence on customers’ retail experience. More specifically, the type of atmospheric strategy moderates the relationship between retail environment and customers’ affect and the relationship between affect and approach behavior. Also, the mediating …

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Personality Scale Validities Increase Throughout Medical School, Filip Lievens, Deniz S. Ones, Stephan Dilchert Nov 2009

Personality Scale Validities Increase Throughout Medical School, Filip Lievens, Deniz S. Ones, Stephan Dilchert

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Admissions and personnel decisions rely on stable predictor-criterion relationships. The authors studied the validity of Big Five personality factors and their facets for predicting academic performance in medical school across multiple years, investigating whether criterion-related validities change over time. In this longitudinal investigation, an entire European country's 1997 cohort of medical students was studied throughout their medical school career (Year 1, N = 627; Year 7, N = 306). Over time, extraversion, openness, and conscientiousness factor and facet scale scores showed increases in operational validity for predicting grade point averages. Although there may not be any advantages to being open …

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Arresting The Saboteurs Of Strategic Change, Knowledge@Smu Oct 2009

Arresting The Saboteurs Of Strategic Change, Knowledge@Smu

Knowledge@SMU

What might ‘rotting’ tomatoes, dirty bus station toilets and an airport catastrophe have in common? They illustrate how organisational strategy, when badly implemented, can lead to disastrous results. According to Robin Speculand, CEO of Bridges Business Consultancy, most leaders spend an extraordinary amount of time and effort in formulating their strategies, yet they overlook many of the critical aspects that could determine a successful implementation of strategic change.

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Private Equity In China: Grey, Yet Delicious, Knowledge@Smu Oct 2009

Private Equity In China: Grey, Yet Delicious, Knowledge@Smu

Knowledge@SMU

Sometimes, even the biggest might stumble in China’s grey, yet opportunity-laden private equity market. How should foreign private equity firms play their cards, what should they look out for, and how can they deal with China’s legal and accounting issues? Yong Kwek Ping, CEO of greater China-focused private equity firm Inventis Holdings, shares his experience and insights.

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Customer Satisfaction Index Of Singapore: First Three Quarters Executive Summary 2009, Institute Of Service Excellence, Smu Oct 2009

Customer Satisfaction Index Of Singapore: First Three Quarters Executive Summary 2009, Institute Of Service Excellence, Smu

Research Collection Institute of Service Excellence (2007-2024)

The Customer Satisfaction Index of Singapore (CSISG) is now in its third year, the results of the first three quarters of CSIS G 2009 were obtained from survey data gathered between April and August 2009. The six sectors measured were: Retail, Food and beverage, Info-communications, Education, Transportation and logistics, Tourism, hotels and accommodation services.

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How Should One Live? – A Book That Adds The Asian Perspective, Knowledge@Smu Oct 2009

How Should One Live? – A Book That Adds The Asian Perspective, Knowledge@Smu

Knowledge@SMU

For long, Western philosophers have attempted to answer Socrates’ proverbial question on life and morality universally. Yet, many of those theories can seem incomplete to people on the other side of the globe. For a more holistic view on virtue, scholars have begun to incorporate Eastern perspectives, studying Confucius, Mencius and other Asian philosophers, alongside Bentham, Mill and Kant. In a new book launched by SMU’s School of Law, both Eastern and Western views on ethics and social responsibility are presented - with the contemporary reader in mind.

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Monitoring State-Owned Versus State-Controlled Enterprises, Knowledge@Smu Oct 2009

Monitoring State-Owned Versus State-Controlled Enterprises, Knowledge@Smu

Knowledge@SMU

What’s the best way to monitor listed Chinese companies effectively? Should the Chinese government introduce more stringent corporate governance regulations to keep managers on their toes? Forget it. According to a research study by SMU accounting professor Wang Jiwei, the government is better off ditching its little black book of corporate governance reform and focusing on other ways to get results. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Seeking Emotion Enhancement Or Uncertainty Resolution? A Dual-System Approach To Examining Post-Purchase Information Search, Hanwen Hannah Chang, Cecile Cho, Leonard Lee Oct 2009

Seeking Emotion Enhancement Or Uncertainty Resolution? A Dual-System Approach To Examining Post-Purchase Information Search, Hanwen Hannah Chang, Cecile Cho, Leonard Lee

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Product information search is typically assumed to follow the recognition of a purchase need and to occur before decision making. Once a sale transaction is completed, searching for information (e.g. price) on the purchased product seems futile and even irrational. Real-life observation and prior research (e.g. Russo and Leclerc 1994), however, suggest that such post-purchase search behavior is pervasive among consumers despite having no apparent consequence.

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Retaining Customers With Shopping Convenience, Sabine Moeller, Martin Fassnacht, Andreas Ettinger Oct 2009

Retaining Customers With Shopping Convenience, Sabine Moeller, Martin Fassnacht, Andreas Ettinger

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Our empirical research investigates the impact of dimensions of shopping convenience (decision, access, search, transaction, and after-sales convenience) on customer retention, including customer behavioral loyalty (shares of wallet and visits) and attitudinal loyalty (exit intention). Our findings show that for utilitarian shopping, behavioral and attitudinal loyalty are partly affected by different dimensions. Decision and access convenience, dimensions that come into play prior to the purchase, are most important for share of visits and share of wallet. Apart from decision convenience, exit intention is very much affected by transaction convenience, which is an in-store dimension. Furthermore, comparing our results with results …

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