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The objective of this article is to identify the major determinants of trust in the context of industrial buying behavior among ethnic Chinese buyers and sellers in Malaysia. The authors adopt the dyadic approach to examine empirically the antecedents and consequences of trust to secure a realistic assessment of the determinants and outcome of trust. The authors employ structural equation modeling to test the proposed trust models. The study identifies perceived intention, organizational trust, strength of personal relationship, dialect fluency, and perceived similarity in cultural values as major determinants of trust among ethnic Chinese industrial buyers and sellers in Malaysia. One important managerial consideration is the need for companies to place more emphasis on the cultural and relational factors that affect trust. The results of the study confirm that the presence of trust enhances buyer-seller relationships among ethnic Chinese businesspeople. Along with satisfaction, trust between the buyer and seller dictates the probability of future interaction between the exchange parties, and thus trust is a central concept in the business exchange process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study utilizes historical data to explore the effects of sales management succession, the characteristics of the successor, and type of succession on post succession performance of an industrial sales organisation while controlling for pre-succession performance and economic conditions. Three theoretical positions were contrasted: (1) that a change in a sales manager will lead to a decline in a performance, (2) that such a change will lead to an increase in sales performance, and (3) that the change will have no impact on performance. The results demonstrated a positive effect due to succession, thus supporting the common sense notion that a sales management change leads to improved performance. There was also some support for the proposition that experience and ability may mediate the succession effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to revisit our original paper published over 20 years ago and reflect on its purpose, contribution and what we can glean that might have implications for future research.Design/methodology/approach A Google Scholar search showed that the article was cited 74 times. We discuss some of the contexts in which it was cited and identify two research themes that have emanated from this paper and hold promise for future research.Findings We discuss two of the several contexts in which our research is discussed. These include the differential ways in which cues are used in a services context, including the ways in which different cues are used to evaluate services and how cues are used to develop consumer expectations.Originality/value The study, which was cited 74 times according to Google Scholar, was formative in terms of discussion of, for example, how a variety of cues influence customer expectations and service evaluation, and how categories of cues, such as marketer controlled versus non-marketer controlled and personal versus non-personal, impact outcomes. The retrospective analysis was helpful in both reflecting on the status quo on some of these issues and suggesting directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building on Markowitz's seminar study (1952,) studies on asset allocation decisions by investors typically focus on the efficient frontier from a mean-variance perspective. Given the efficient set, investors shall choose according to their risk-return preference represented by a utility function, typically resulting an asset allocation choice in the form of linear combination between cash, which is riskless, and the ?optimal? combination of risky assets (Tobin, 1958.)This study looks at how different types of investors actually make their asset allocation decisions. Based on evidence obtained from private bankers who manages wealth for High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs,) and private banking client classification in Chung (2014,) we found evidence which suggests that asset allocation decisions made by this group is rather different from that proposed in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the banking research literature, the nature and operations of commercial banks and investment banks are well covered. The understanding of private banks (i.e., banks that serve private clients rather than privately held banks) is limited. This is partly due to the ?private? or secretive nature of private banks and their customers. To gain an initial understanding of the nature of private banking, this paper tracks the history of the private banking business from when it was first established in Europe. Private banks began serving traditional clients with endowment income from prior generations (hence, the concept of ?old-money?) expanding to serve first generation rich in the form of entrepreneurs of the ?new economy? and from Asia (known as ?new-money.?) Based on prior literature on private banking clients' behavioral characteristics, as well as research and documented practices from the industry, this paper develops a framework to obtain behavioral characteristic data on private banking clients from bankers serving such high net worth (HNW) clients. The unique data set yields useful insights into the behavioral preferences of private banking clients and allows the examination of whether the four categories of clients identified in documented practices: the Endowed, the Entertainers, the Executives and the Entrepreneurs, do indeed display the behavior characteristics observed in prior literature. Results comparing behavioral preferences indicate a general agreement to observations from prior literature. Furthermore, a regression model that measures relationships between private client types and their behavioral characteristics yielded significant results. As such, this paper not only provides as a practical framework of client classification for banks to effectively serve private banking clients, but also a theoretical model for future research studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research from numerous fields of science has documented the critical importance of nurturing environments in shaping young children's future health and development. We studied the environments of early childhood (birth to 3 years) during postconflict, postdisplacement transition in northern Uganda. The aim was to better understand perceived needs and risks in order to recommend targeted policy and interventions. Methods. Applied ethnography (interview, focus group discussion, case study, observational methods, document review) in 3 sites over 1 year. Results. Transition was a prolonged and deeply challenging phase for families. Young children were exposed to a myriad of risk factors. Participants recognized risks as potential barriers to positive long-term life outcomes for children and society but circumstances generally rendered them unable to make substantive changes. Conclusions. Support structures were inadequate to protect the health and development of children during the transitional period placing infants and young children at risk. Specific policy and practice guidelines are required that focus on protecting hard-toreach, vulnerable, children during what can be prolonged and extremely difficult periods of transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The purpose of the study is to better understand the scope of research being conducted by Canadian paediatric and maternal health centres on the topic of maternal child health of northern populations. In addition, the results are intended to help assess the prospects for the creation of a research network dedicated to this topic. Study design. Questionnaire study complemented with review of database. Methods. Data were collected using a short questionnaire with qualitative and quantitative questions. Surveys were sent by email to members of two Canadian national paediatric groups, representing 17 organizations. Supplementary information was obtained through review of the database for research funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and by the International Polar Year Program. Results. Response was limited, with most input coming from academic environments with a strong commitment to research conducted among northern populations. Research focuses included health as well as other disciplines. The definition of "the North" provided by respondents fit generally within the operational definition identified by the researchers. Conclusions. The topic of maternal and child health is more thoroughly examined among rural and remote populations than specifically among northern populations. The existence of a type of network, the evidence of a lack of inter-institutional communication and the identified need for support lead to the conclusion that a formal research network would be of benefit. Research is already funded by national funding agencies, suggesting that there may be an opportunity to collaborate with a national agency in the development of an appropriate network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Concern about the length of time that children, young people, and families may have to wait to access assessment, diagnostic, interventional, therapeutic, and supportive child developmental and rehabilitation (CDR) services is widespread, but adequate data collection and research on this issue remain limited. We review key concepts and issues relevant to waiting for CDR services from the published literature, a national workshop devoted to this topic, and international experience. We conclude that gaps in data, evidence, and consensus challenge our ability to address the issue of waiting for CDR services in a systematic way. A program of research coupled with actions based on consensus-building is required. Research priorities include acquiring evidence of the appropriateness and effectiveness of different models of intervention and rehabilitation services, and documenting the experience and expectations of waiting families. Consensus-building processes are critical to identify, categorize, and prioritize ‘sentinel’ components of CDR service pathways: (1) to reduce the inherent complexity of the field; (2) to create benchmarks for waiting for these respective services; and (3) to develop definitions for wait-time subcomponents in CDR services. Collection of accurate and replicable data on wait times for CDR services can be used to document baseline realities, to monitor and improve system performance, and to conduct comparative and analytic research in the field of CDR services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe 4 patients with encephalitis due to possible re- activation of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection who were enrolled in the California Encephalitis Project. All were immunocompetent and had HHV-6 loads determined in cerebrospinal fluid specimens. Tests for detection of HHV-6 should be considered for individuals with encephalitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background There are concerns about the frequency and appropriateness of psychostimulant drug prescription to children. In order to identify unusual or unexpected patterns of use or prescribing, we reviewed prescription of methylphenidate (Ritalin) to children and adolescents aged 19 years or less in British Columbia between 1990 and 1996. Methods We obtained information about patients, physicians and prescriptions from British Columbia's Triplicate Prescription Program database for controlled drugs. Prescription data were available for the period Jan. 1, 1990, to Dec. 31, 1996. Linkage with the BC Linked Health Dataset provided additional demographic and health information. Results In 1990, 1715 children received at least 1 prescription for methylphenidate (1.9 per 1000 children). By 1996, the number had increased to 10 881 children (11.0 per 1000). Because some children were prescribed methylphenidate in more than 1 year, we also calculated the frequency with which the drug was prescribed to children who had never received it before. This rate increased from 1.0 per 1000 children in 1990 to 4.7 per 1000 in 1995; the rate fell in 1996 to 3.5 per 1000. The number of children receiving methylphenidate varied across health regions of the province, from 12.0 to 35.4 per 1000. Use also varied by socioeconomic status quintile: in the 2 lowest (least privileged) quintiles, 21.6 per 1000 children received methylphenidate, compared with 18.4 per 1000 in the 3 highest quintiles (relative risk 1.2, 95% confidence interval 1.1-1.2). Pediatricians and psychiatrists wrote 23% and 21% of all prescriptions respectively. General practitioners accounted for 56% of all prescriptions and 41% of initial methylphenidate prescriptions. A claim for prior specialist consultation was found in 30% of such cases. Many of the children who received more than 10 prescriptions had seen 4 or more physicians. The average daily dosage prescribed differed little among general pract... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the importance of microcultural differences on perceived ethical problems. This study also sought to identify the relationship between perceived ethical problems and value orientations as shown in the Hunt and Vitell's (1993) General Theory of Marketing Ethics. The data was collected from 173 Javanese, 128 Batak, and 170 Indonesian-Chinese marketing managers in Indonesia. The results indicate that, (1) Religious Value Orientation is positively related to the perceived ethical problems scores, and (2) there are significant differences among the three ethnic microcultural groups relative to their perceived ethical problems scores. These results imply that acculturation training program for expatriates should include aspects of microcultures and ethical perceptions held by the local managers. The establishment of ethical corporate culture and formalised codes of conduct are recommended for future ethics training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which attempted to conceptualized a comprehensive model of satisfaction at the business-to-business level in the banking industry of Singapore. Significance of guanxi (Chinese business relationship), relationship marketing and disconfirmation paradigm; Importance of relational constructs; Methodology; Results and conclusion.

This research study sought to identify and categorize international marketing ethical problems that confront business managers in Australia and Canada. The study focused on ten major ethical problems developed from previous exploratory research. Managers from both countries indicate that the most frequently cited ethical problem is "gifts/favors/entertainment" and the most important ethical problem is "large-scale bribery". However, there exist significant differences in terms of rankings and mean values of frequency and importance ratings for other ethical problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A commonly held view among international researchers is that markets and cultures are growing closer together. This cultural convergence is believed to result from the homogenising effect of technology transfer. One force which emerges from technology transfer is the convergence of education, in particular management education This study examined the MBA experience as a factor potentially causing cultural convergence. Students in five MBA programs in Australia, Malaysia and Singapore were surveyed on cultural dimensions using Hofstede's (1980) Values Survey Module to determine whether there was cultural convergence between Hofstede's cultural dimensions and the three countries. The results indicated that there was convergence between Hofstede's Uncertainty Avoidance and Power Distance distributions for the three countries. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In franchise channels of distribution, there is typically a high degree of functional interdependence between franchisor and franchisee. This is exacerbated by the contractual relationship which binds the parties together. In addition, franchise channels of distribution generally have well-defined power structures in which the balance of power is weighted heavily in favour of franchisors. In the Australian petroleum retailing industry, the franchise system is further complicated by the diverse types of ownership and modes of operations and by close government supervision and regulation. The objectives of this research are to assess the sources of power extant within petroleum distribution channels and their contribution to intra-channel conflict. The results show a significant, though inverse, relationship between intra-channel conflict and the use of non-coercive power by the two major oil companies. However, the findings indicate that the use of coercive power is not an important predictor of intra-channel conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An earlier paper in this journal has discussed segmentation of the MBA student market, according to demographic criteria, based upon experience at the University of Western Australia. This follow-up paper uses the Western Australia market and particularly the University of Western Australia as a case example of the Australian MBA market. The paper provides an overview of current Australian MBA market conditions and discusses the history, competitive environment, structure, admission policy, tuition and financial aid of the University of Western Australia's MBA program. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper discusses segmentation of the potential MBA student market according to demographic criteria, based on the assumption that student success (identified as completion of the degree within five years) is indicative of client satisfaction. The University of Western Australia's MBA program began in 1973. Using the records for this period, demographic variables are tested as predictors of student success. It is found that students who have been admitted without taking the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) do significantly worse than average, as do those students whose previous degrees were in the professional fields of Medicine, Law and Architecture. Women do less well than men, though this is explained by the facy that a larger percentage of women have been admitted without GMAT scores. It is also found that, for those students admitted to the couse, the GMAT score (except for very high scores) and the years of work experience are not significantly related to success. This result is interpreted as indicating, not that GMAT score and work experience are unrelated to success, but rather that these criteria have been appropriately weighed against other criteria in the selection procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

No abstract available for this article. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study examines Australian tax agents' perceptions of the ethical environment in which they practice, within the context of an income tax system based on self-assessment principles. The research identifies and ranks an inventory of ethical issues in terms of perceived frequency of occurrence and importance to Western Australian tax agents. In addition, the extent and influence of ethical concerns in the profession are evaluated. The study has determined that the most frequently cited ethical issue is the failure to make reasonable enquiries where information or documentation provided by a client appears to be inaccurate or incomplete. The most important ethical problem is a failure to ensure confidentiality with regard to privileged client information. When the frequency of occurrence and importance means are compared, inadequate technical competence, failure to make reasonable enquiries/conduct research, continuing to act for a client where there is incorrect information, and conflicts in distinguishing between tax planning and tax avoidance emerge as the "high frequency/ high importance" issues. Although acknowledging the potential for unethical actions in tax practice, Western Australian tax agents consider that they carry out their professional activities within an ethical environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research study sought to identify whether there is a relationship between ethical perceptions and culture. An examination of the cultural variables suggests that there is a relationship between two of Hofstede's cultural dimensions (i.e., Uncertainty Avoidance and Individualism) and ethical perceptions. This finding supports the hypothetical linkage between the cultural environment and the perceived ethical problem variables posited in Hunt and Vitell's General Theory of Marketing Ethics (1986). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors investigate the differences in ethical perceptions of Australian and Hong Kong international managers. Ethical perceptions are measured with respect to different industry types, cultures and modes of entry into international markets. Mode of entry refers to how firms select to enter foreign markets. Modes of entry include: exporting (indirect or direct), contractual methods (licensing and franchising) and via direct foreign investment (joint ventures and wholly-owned subsidiaries). It was determined that culture and mode of entry have a significant effect on the perception of ethical problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study identifies and categorises ethical problems in terms of frequency of occurrence and importance to a sample of Australian international business managers. The study determined that the most frequently cited ethical problem is gifts/favours/entertainment and that this problem may be related to the culture where the inter-national business is being conducted. The most important ethical problem is large-scale bribery. When the frequency of occurrence and importance means are compared in a scatter plot, cultural differences, pricing practices and questionable commissions were catagorised in the high frequency/high importance quadrant. The Australian general managers stated that managerial action will be taken to control unethical behavior among their international marketing managers. It was conjectured that managers were not as firm in their attitudes concerning the necessity to compromise one's ethics to succeed in international business. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the effect of customer cues on service quality expectations and service selection in a restaurant setting. Trade-off nature of cues; Other factors that affect service expectations and selection.

The international marketing ethics problems encountered by a representative sample of Australian firms engaged in international business are examined. The executive in charge of international marketing in 38 firms (a 25 per cent response rate) provided information on the types of ethical problems they have most commonly confronted. Bribery was overwhelmingly the most common ethical problem. In addition, a comparison is made between the Australian results and the results of a similar study conducted in the United States. This comparison reveals many striking similarities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in adequacy of prenatal care and incidence of low birthweight between low-income women with Medicaid in Washington State and low-income women with Canadian provincial health insurance in British Columbia. Methods. A population-based cross-sectional study was done by using linked birth certificates and claims data. Results. Overall, the adjusted odds ratio for inadequate prenatal care in Washington (comparing women with Medicaid with those with private insurance) was 3.2 However the risk varied by time of Medicaid enrollment relative to pregnancy (2.0, 1.0, 2.7, 6.3; for women who enrolled prior to pregnancy, during the first trimester, during the second trimester, or during the third trimester, respectively). In British Columbia, the adjusted odds ratio for inadequate care (comparing women receiving a health premium subsidy with those receiving no subsidy) was 1.5 for women receiving a 100% subsidy and 1.2 for women receiving a 95% subsidy. The risk for low birthweight followed a similar trend in both regions, but there was no association with enrollment period in Washington. Conclusion. Overall, the risk for inadequate prenatal care among poor women was much greater in Washington than in British Columbia. Most of the difference was due to Washington women's delayed enrolled in Medicated. In both regions, the poor were at similar risk for low birth-weight relative to their more affluent counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Listerial brainstem encephalitis is a rare disease. Only 62 cases have been reported previously; all were in adults, only 8% of whom were immunosuppressed. The disease has a characteristic biphasic course: a nonspecific prodrome of headache, nausea or vomiting, and fever lasting for several days is followed by progressive asymmetrical cranial-nerve palsies, cerebellar signs, hemi-paresis or hypesthesia, and impairment of consciousness. Neck stiffness was initially present in only 55% of the cases described thus far. Studies of cerebrospinal fluid often revealed only mild abnormalities. Cultures of cerebrospinal fluid and blood were positive in 41% and 61% of cases, respectively. Respiratory failure occurred in 41% of cases. Initial computed tomography of the brain often gave normal results; magnetic resonance imaging better demonstrated brainstem abnormalities. Overall mortality was 51%. All untreated patients died. When treatment with ampicillin or penicillin was initiated early, the rate of survival was >70%; however, neurological sequelae developed in 61% of survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Suggests that, as the UK moves to a system of self-assessment for determining income tax liability, it is instructive to look at the experience of Australia, where such a system has operated for the last ten years. Reports that the Australian experience identifies significant changes in the operations of accountants, the ethical pressures to which they are subject and the rise of the "tax agent" as a specialized tax practitioner, all of which we might anticipate to be mirrored in the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-eight children with developmental disorders underwent an interdisciplinary assessment for diagnosis and recommendations about management. Following this assessment, the degree of agreement on diagnosis and recommendations between parents and the team was determined. There was substantial agreement for diagnosis of clearly identifiable conditions such as genetic disorders, autism, and mental retardation but less agreement for milder disorders such as learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, and emotional disorders. Agreement on management varied, being higher for speech therapy and psychosocial interventions but lower for use of stimulant medication and diet. The parents identified additional diagnostic labels in their child and mentioned more recommendations than the clinicians prescribed. The results suggest the need for careful attention to patent perceptions following interdisciplinary assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children's expressed attitudes toward handicapped peers are related to many factors In this review the authors assess recent literature and present data from their own studies concerning the role of gender, age, parental attitudes, volunteering, familiarity with a disabled person, and the physical structure of schools as determinants of attitudes The importance of understanding these determinants is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rise of disposable income in a booming economy, overseas travel has become a way of life for many Hong Kong people. In 1992, around 2.2 million Hong Kong residents traveled overseas. Relatively speaking, the outbound travelers form Hong Kong have received much less attention compared with its inbound tourist in terms of understanding their travel motivation and preferences. The objective of this article is to examine Hong Kong residentsÆ perceived important of destination attributes and their relationship with socio-demographic variables. The preferred modes of travel are also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]