Francisco J. Martínez-López

The Determinants of Export Performance: A Review of the Research in the Literature between 1998 and 2005

Considerable attention has been paid to the determinants of export performance. However, despite this research effort in identifying and examining the influence of such determinants, the literature is characterized by fragmentation and diversity, hindering theory development and practical advancement in the field. This paper attempts to review and synthesize the knowledge on the subject. As a result, this study reviews and evaluates 52 articles published between 1998 and 2005 to assess the determinants of export performance. The assessment reveals that: (a) more studies have been conducted outside the USA; (b) the majority of the studies focus on manufacturing firms, with relatively few studies examining the service sector; (c) the majority of the export studies continue to focus on small to medium-sized firms; (d) there is a continuous increase in the sample size; (e) despite the problems that may arise from the use of single informants, it seems that none of the studies reviewed here collected data from more than one informant in the firm; (f) an increasing number of studies have been using the export venture as the unit of analysis; (g) the level of statistical sophistication has improved; (h) the use of control and moderating variables in export performance studies has increased; (i) more studies have started to include the external environment in their models, including domestic market characteristics; and (j) market orientation as a key determinant of export performance emerges in this review. Finally, conclusions are drawn, along with some suggestions for further research.

Exploring the impact of individualism and uncertainty avoidance in Web-based electronic learning: An empirical analysis in European higher education

Our research specifically focuses on the effects of the national cultural background of educators on the acceptance and usage of ICT, particularly the Web as an extensive and expanding information base that provides the ultimate in resource-rich learning. Most research has been used North Americans as subjects. For this reason, we interviewed European educators from diverse cultures; in particularly, we analysed the cultural differences and their moderating effects on acceptance-based relationships between European universities: European Nordic culture in contrast to European-Mediterranean culture. The empirical results provided strong support for the hypotheses. Cultural differences have a significant impact on attitudes and behaviours towards using Web-based applications. The Nordic culture is driven more by instrumental factors and intrinsic enjoyment-based factors. On the other hand, the PSG-Mediterranean culture (Portugal, Spain and Greece) seems to regard the Web more as a means to a social end.

Structural equation modelling in marketing and business research

Purpose – Structural equation modelling (SEM) is a method that is very frequently applied by marketing and business researchers to assess empirically new theoretical proposals articulated by means of complex models. It is, therefore, a logical thought that the quality of the new advances in marketing and business theory depends, in part, on how well SEM is applied. This study aims to conduct an extensive review and empirical analysis of a broad variety of classic and recent controversies and issues related with the use of SEM, in order to identify problematic questions and prescribe a compendium of solutions for its suitable application.Design/methodology/approach – The main analyses were conducted on a sample of 191 SEM‐based papers and 472 applications, i.e. all the SEM‐based studies published in four leading marketing journals during the period 1995‐2007.Findings – Despite the maturity of SEM, its application in marketing research still has notable room for improvement. This is a general conclusion bas...

Modelling students' flow experiences in an online learning environment

This paper aims to clarify and characterize the role of flow in students behavioural processes in virtual learning environments. To this end, an integral model of flow in e-learning environments is proposed and tested. The empirical part of the research was based on both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The former consisted of seven in-depth interviews carried out with experts in e-learning environments and two different groups. The latter consisted of an online survey resulting in a sample of 2574 valid questionnaires. The theoretical model was tested and validated using the standard methodological procedure based on exploratory and confirmatory analyses. The results indicate that time distortions and focused attention are the most important direct antecedents of flow. The challenges posed by the environment were revealed as the main indirect conditioner of the experience, but other factors, such as personalization (a new variable not considered in previous flow studies in the e-learning context), were also found to be significant. In short, this papers sheds light on the processes of online browsing and, thus, on a more suitable design for an e-learning environment. Furthermore, two direct positive consequences of the flow experience are proved: positive affect (such as feeling happy, satisfied and cheerful) and student learning. In sum, it can be concluded that institutions are better off providing students with e-learning environments conducive to getting them into a flow state.

Probing interaction forces in colloidal monolayers: Inversion of structural data

The knowledge of the potential between interacting colloidal particles is essential to describe and control the aggregation processes in which they are involved. However, interaction forces also bring out spatial ordering phenomena, which has been used to obtain helpful information on them in three-dimensional dispersions. In this paper we look into this possibility for colloidal monolayers spread at the water–air interface. The radial distribution function has been determined for an assembly of negatively charged polystyrene particles at low concentration and without an additional electrolyte. A simple inversion scheme based on the HNC closure has been proved to give reliable information on u(r), providing that particles are not strongly correlated. Apart from the expected repulsive forces, the application of the inversion procedure suggests the possibility of a long-ranged attractive interaction.

Concentration effects on two- and three-dimensional colloidal aggregation

By means of extensive numerical simulations of diffusion-limited colloidal aggregation in two and three dimensions, we have found the concentration dependence of the structural and dynamical quantities. Both on- and off-lattice simulations were used in 2D to check the independence of our results on the simulational algorithms and on the space structure. The range in concentration studied spanned two-and-a-half orders of magnitude, in both dimensionalities. In two dimensions, it was found that the cluster fractal dimension difference from the zero-concentration value shows a linear increase with the concentration, while this increase is of a square root type for the three-dimensional case. For the exponent z, defining the increase of the weight-average cluster size as a function of time, the difference from the zero-concentration value in three dimensions is again of a square root type increase with concentration, while in two dimensions this increase goes as the 0.6 power of the concentration. We give arguments for the drastic change in the power laws for the case of the fractal dimension, when going from two to three dimensions, and for the small change for the case of the kinetic exponent z. We also present the master curves for the scaling of the cluster size distribution and their dependence on concentration, in both dimensionalities.

Customer Relationship Management applied to higher education: developing an e-monitoring system to improve relationships in electronic learning environments

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) has usually been associated with business contexts. However, it has recently been pointed out that its principles and applications are also very appropriate for non-profit making organisations. In this article, we defend the broadening of the field of application of CRM from the business domain to a wider context of relationships in which the inclusion of non-profit making organisations seems natural. In particular, we focus on analysing the suitability of adopting CRM processes by universities and higher educational institutions dedicated to electronic learning (e-learning). This is an issue that has much potential but has received little attention in research so far. Our work reflects upon this matter and provides a new step towards a CRM solution for managing relationships of specific customers, such as students. Indeed, the main contribution of this article is specifically characterised by the proposal and empirical application of an e-monitoring system that aims to enhance the performance of relationships in e-learning environments.

Utilitarian motivations in online consumption: Dimensional structure and scales

Abstract To date, the utilitarian benefits of online consumption have only been partially investigated. This study undertakes an exhaustive approach to fully delimit the dimensional structure related to the utilitarian motivations for online consumption. First, an in-depth literature review is carried out, in order to allow the proposal of an aprioristic base structure of eleven categories of utilitarian motivations. Next, qualitative analyses (focus groups and personal interviews) are applied to assess and eventually refine the structure of utilitarian motivations proposed after the literature review, their labels and respective measurement scales. Finally, this qualitative phase concludes with ten motivational categories and 46 items. Then, quantitative analyses (exploratory and detailed confirmatory factor analyses) are applied, based on a questionnaire administered to a sample of 667 Internet users, to keep refining and to eventually validate both the dimensional structure of motivations and the related measurement scales. Finally, a structure of 9 utilitarian motivations (and corresponding set of 36 items) is established, with the following labels: assortment, economy, convenience, availability of information, adaptability/customization, desire for control, payment services, anonymity, and absence of social interaction. The nomological validity of this structure is satisfactorily tested using a second-order factor model. The article finishes by discussing some implications for practitioners.

An improved method to estimate the fractal dimension of physical fractals based on the Hausdorff definition

In this paper we present an algorithm to estimate the Hausdorff fractal dimension. The algorithm uses a recursive formula with a fast enough convergence. The accuracy of results is independent on the size, i.e., degree of definition of the fractal set. This fact is particularly useful when studying real physical fractals with a low definition, such as colloidal aggregates of small size. The different tests reveal no dependence of the results on the irregularities of the fractal. Thus, self-similarity or statistical similarity of the fractal set does not affect results. The proposed algorithm gives correct values for all the fractal dimension of the tested sets. Finally, the algorithm was used to evaluate the Henon attractor fractal dimension and was applied to an experimental system obtained from a two-dimensional aggregation of latex colloidal particles.

Another look at 'being there' experiences in digital media: Exploring connections of telepresence with mental imagery

Substantial multidisciplinary research has established foundational support for the consumer behaviour phenomenon that underlies the experience of telepresence within online social networks and other digital media products that provide hedonistic value. A review of major perspectives in this field provides justification of the important role mental imagery processes play in the phenomenon of telepresence. In line with this, we propose to extend existing approaches to mental imagery to reach the context of user experiences in digital media, and to theoretically connect telepresence with mental imagery. On this basis, and in conjunction with investigations bringing to light processes that intervene in the terrain of mental imagery, we present an integrative conceptual framework concerned with telepresence, and discuss the role of telepresence within a users hedonistic usage of digital media products.