Cognitive,Emotional, and Sociocultural Processes in Consumption

This article examines deliberative, emotional, and sociocultural processes in consumption. The authors draw upon basic processes from two leading theories in social psychology, the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the model of goal‐directed behavior (MGB), to develop a comprehensive approach to decision making more appropriate for many consumption decisions, and revise the representation and modeling of key variables to better reflect how social psychological processes relate to consumer behavior. A survey was conducted among real adult consumers of bacalhau in Portugal. Because it is most common for women to prepare bacalhau meals in Portugal, 153 female participants were recruited for this survey. The results show that the TPB, and especially the MGB, are found to explain food consumption decisions well but only after the approaches are modified in form and content to accommodate the complex emotional and social aspects of the consumption context. The results also show that the effects of key determinants of desire in the MGB are contingent on the traits of food involvement and cultural orientation (i.e., degree of vertical individualism). The approach taken herein overcomes limitations of existing theories by synthesizing relevant processes across two leading theories and by introducing new variables and processes, thereby showing that the organization of these processes and their contingency on cultural variables regulate consumption.     

The Implicit Association Test in Market Research: Potentials and Pitfalls

Direct measures of attitudes, such as self‐reported evaluations of consumer products and brands, are vulnerable to biases that undermine their validity (i.e., social desirability, self‐deception, and self‐ignorance). In contrast, indirect measures, many of which rely on reaction time to index underlying associations, resist such biases. Here, one such indirect measure, the Implicit Association Test (IAT), is highlighted, and its promise and pitfalls in market research, evaluated. It is concluded that the IAT can serve as a viable and valuable methodological tool. Its diagnostic and predictive advantages, which have been empirically established, outweigh its practical and theoretical drawbacks, which can be satisfactorily addressed.     

The influence of human resource management in savings bank performance

The aim of this article was to analyse the value of human resources (HR) for competitive advantage and their influence on the firm's performance in the service industry. To achieve our goal, we have first proposed a resource-based framework to discuss the circumstances under which human resources can be a source of competitive advantage. Then, an empirical research was developed in the Spanish savings bank sector to analyse the relationship between HR management and the firm's performance. Our results, suggest that those savings banks which better combine their HR practices to create and to develop a strategic human capital pool have shown better levels of profitability and productivity.     

Development banking and technological development: a case study of industrial development banks in the GCC countries

This article explores the important role of Industrial Development Banks in promoting the quality of technological development. It is argued that the historical experiences of the developed economies and several developing economies during recent times support the need and potentials of a more pro-active role by Industrial Development Banks. Against this background, the specific experiences of Industrial Development Banks in the Gulf Co-operation Council Countries are examined and the results of a select field survey are reported. This exploratory study suggests that some fundamental steps are needed in order to develop Industrial Development Banks from being comparatively passive conduits of technological aid to more active promoters of technological development.     

Identifying key determinants for new product introductions and firm performance in small service firms

Small firms have gained increasing attention in the innovation literature. Focusing mainly on manufacturing based literature we identified several key factors that contribute to the innovative potential of small firms. However, we do not know if these factors are recognised and used in small service firms. Distinguishing various types of service industries, our goal with this paper is threefold. First, we describe to what extent service firms use the key factors to their advantage. Second, we try to establish if there is a relation between the key factors and new product introductions. Third, we want to see if new product introductions indeed contribute to firm performance. After a survey among 502 Dutch service firms, we reveal some major differences between various types of service industries.     

Inflation and Financial Statement Analysis in the International Accounting Classroom

This article provides an exercise for students to contemplate the effects of inflation during financial statement analysis. Even small amounts of inflation accumulating over time can grow to distort a company's reported financial position and results of operations. The growing economies in emerging markets, the international market for oil, and other economic factors threaten to increase inflation rates in the future. As a result of changing global conditions, interest in inflation accounting is expected to increase. The exercise we suggest in this article provides an efficient tutorial on the potential effects of inflation on financial statement analysis and on the application of International Accounting Standard 29 in hyperinflationary environments.     

Location,Marketing, and the Financial Flexibility of Nonprofit Performing Arts Organizations in Second Tier Cities

This article examines the effect of location relative to other marketing factors on the financial flexibility of nonprofit performing arts organizations (PAOs). While product development and promotional and pricing strategies are important marketing factors, locational advantages have become an important strategic asset for the arts industry. Yet very little research has been done on the locational dimensions of this industry. Based on a survey of PAOs in six second tier U.S. statistical metropolitan areas (SMAs), that is, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Milwaukee, this article investigates the extent to which location and other marketing mix factors influence the financial flexibility, and thereby success of PAOs. All six SMAs have a population range of 1 million to 2.5 million. The statistical analysis suggests that location and product selection are particularly significant marketing mix factors that contribute positively to financial flexibility, and therefore organizational success of the PAOs in the cities.     

Public-Sector Accounting and E-Governance in Developing Countries: Case of Sri Lanka

This article analyzes how new public financial management system should address the efficiency and effectiveness of the public sector and the emerging accrual basis accounting with e-governance for greater e-transparency on public-sector accounting in Sri Lanka. Despite the setting up of e-framework in 1983, the Sri Lankan public-sector accountancy environment during the last two decades raises concerns about efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of the e-framework. The findings provide evidence of the importance of the economy and efficiency in the usage of public funds to provide more convenient access to government accounting information for citizens in Sri Lanka.     

Consumer policy in Latvia

As part of the legislative programs to facilitate the transition to a market economy, the governments of Eastern European States and the former Soviet Union have begun enacting comprehensive consumer protection acts. These statutes have taken a variety of forms, and frequently have drawn upon the experiences of the West for guidance. The Latvian Consumer Law is a noteworthy example that takes consumer rights seriously. This paper analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of the statute, with particular emphasis on the compatibility of its provisions with EU norms. The Law addresses most of the core issues in contemporary consumer policy — including product and service liability, warranty, unfair terms, information disclosure, enforcement, and the role of consumer organizations — in a manner that could serve well as a model for other economies in transition.

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Zusammenfassung Verbraucherpolitik in Lettland. Die Regierungen der osteuropäischen Staaten und der Staaten der früheren Sowjetunion haben als Teil ihrer gesetzgeberischen Vorhaben zur Erleichterung des übergangs in eine Marktwirtschaft damit begonnen, umfassende Verbraucherschutzgesetze zu erlassen. Solche Gesetze sind in vielfältigen Formen und mithilfe westlicher Erfahrungen entstanden. Das lettische Verbraucherrecht ist ein bemerkenswertes Beispiel und macht Ernst mit den Verbraucherrechten. Der Beitrag untersucht die Stärken und Schwächen des Gesetzes unter dem besonderen Aspekt der Vereinbarkeit seiner Regelungen mit EU-Normen. Das Gesetz berücksichtigt alle wichtigen Bereiche der herrschenden Verbraucherpolitik — dazu gehören Produkt- und Servicehaftung, Garantieleistungen, unlautere Geschäftsbedingungen, Informationsauflagen, Rechtsdurchsetzung und die Rolle von Verbraucherorganisationen — und kann als Modell für andere Volkswirtschaften im übergang zur Marktwirtschaft dienen.

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He served as the working group leader on law reform for the International Baltic Economic Commission in 1991, and as a consultant to the legislative committee that drafted the Consumer Law for the Republic of Latvia in 1992.Law student Terence Slywka provided valuable research assistance during the writing of this article.