Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Market-driven versus driving markets

The purpose of this article is to discuss two approaches to being market oriented—a market-driven approach and a driving-markets approach.Market driven refers to a business orientation that is based on understanding and reacting to the preferences and behaviors of players within a given market structure.Driving markets, on the other hand, implies influencing the structure of the market and/or the behavior(s) of market players in a direction that enhances the competitive position of the business. There are three generic ways of changing the structure of a market: (1) eliminating players in a market (deconstruction approach), (2) building a new or modified set of players in a market (construction approach), and (3) changing the functions performed by players (functional modification approach). Market behavior can be modified directly or, alternatively, indirectly by changing the mind-set of market players (e.g., customers, competitors, and other stakeholders).
A Framework to Enhance Supply Chain Resilience The Case of Malaysian Pharmaceutical Industry

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the vulnerabilities and the capabilities of the Malaysian Pharmaceutical manufacturing supply chain. This is the first phase of a research to develop a framework for enhancing pharmaceutical supply chain resilience Design/methodology/approach: The grounded theory method was applied from the managerial perspective. Semistructured interviews were conducted with key supply chain personnel of seven Pharmaceutical companies with large manufacturing capacities in Malaysia Findings: The findings of the survey revealed 4 dimensions of supply chain vulnerabilities (Turbulence, external pressures, sensitivity and connectivity) and 6 dimensions of supply chain capabilities (flexibility, visibility, adaptability, collaboration, reserve capacity and supplier dispersity. The survey also revealed that adapting the Halal-Toyyiban Assurance into the Pharmaceutical logistics had a mitigating effect on the supply chain vulnerabilities as well as an enhancing effect on the supply chain capabilities Research implications: Since supply chain resilience can be determined from the constructs of supply chain vulnerabilities and supply chain capabilities, the next phase of this research would explore the dimensions of HalalToyyiban Assurance that impact on Pharmaceutical supply chain resilience. The last phase would evaluate the effect of Halal-Toyyiban Assurance in Pharmaceutical logistics, towards the relationship of resilience predictor variables (capabilities and vulnerabilities) and supply chain resilience. Originality/value: This research provides a new understanding in the management of the Pharmaceutical supply chain as well as create critical insights for decision makers through policy formulations and guiding principles that would improve the long term global competitiveness of the pharmaceutical industry
International diversification and performance in European service multinational companies

The relationship between international diversification and firm performance has been extensively studied in the international strategy literature, which generally assumed that the performance of a firm improves with greater multinationality. The majority of these studies were based on manufacturing firms. However, recent empirical studies have shown different impact on performance in particular with regard to service multinationals (SMNCs). In this paper we provide an empirical evidence that support the existence of a U-shaped curvilinear relationship between multinationality and performance. In addition, we found that R&D intensity significantly strengthen the impact of internationalization on firm performance. We tested this on cross sectional data of 92 European SMNCs from Global Top 500 Multinationals (Fortune) belonging to ten service industries. Based on these findings, SMNCs managers need to rethink and carefully implement their global marketing strategies and their international activities in order to maximize their overall performances. Hypothesis 2: The relationship between international diversification and performance in SMNCs will be S-shaped curvilinear, with performance that follow three different internationalization's stages, showing at the beginning a short negative slope, then up to a certain point a positive slope, beyond which higher levels of international diversification will decrease performance.
Systemic Risk and Financial Market Contagion: Banks and Sovereign Credit Markets in Eurozone

The global financial and the European debt crises categorized as Minsky’s moments present the physical laboratory for studying contagion cross country and cross market. Our research based on the twin sovereign-banking crisis evolution of the euro debt crisis era, focuses on addressing the co-movement of credit risk measured by Credit Default Swap (CDS) spreads in both banking and sovereign sectors within EMU in conjunction with the UK/US. We evaluate and compare contagion/interdependence cross-country and cross-market. Our results err on the side of interdependence within EMU as expected; contagion has been found for limited cases.
Three‐dimensional desingularized boundary integral methods for potential problems

SUMMARY The concept of desingularization in three-dimensional boundary integral computations is re-examined. The boundary integral equation is desingularized by moving the singular points away from the boundary and outside the problem domain. We show that the desingularization gives better solutions to several problems. As a result of desingularization, the surface integrals can be evaluated by simpler techniques, speeding up the computation. The effects of the desingularization distance on the solution and the condition of the resulting system of algebraic equations are studied for both direct and indirect versions of the boundary integral method. Computations show that a broad range of desingularization distances gives accurate solutions with significant savings in the computation time. The desingularization distance must be carefully linked to the mesh size to avoid problems with uniqueness and ill-conditioning. As an example, the desingularized indirect approach is tested on unsteady non-linear three-dimensional gravity waves generated by a moving submerged disturbance; minimal computational difficulties are encountered at the truncated boundary. Boundary integral methods provide a powerful technique for the solution of linear, homogeneous boundary value problems. The method employs a fundamental solution, which satisfies the differential equation (and possibly part of the boundary conditions), to reformulate the problem as an integral equation on the boundary. In conventional boundary integral formulations, singularities of the fundamental solution are placed on the domain boundary. This requires special evaluation of singular integrands, which can result in costly numerical calculations. In time-dependent non-linear free surface problems' - a boundary integral problem is solved at each time step. Since most of the computation time is devoted to the boundary integral problem, an effective solution method is critical in the time-marching procedure. When the singularity of the fundamental solution is placed away from the boundary and outside the domain of the problem, a desingularized boundary integral equation is obtained. We will show two advantages to this desingularization: a more accurate solution can be obtained for a given truncation, and a numerical quadrature can be used to reduce the computational time to obtain the algebraic system representing the discretized boundary integral problem. There are two types of non-singular boundary integral formulations: direct and indirect. In the direct method, Green's second identity is used to derive the boundary integral equation, and the solution of the problem is obtained directly by solving the boundary integral equation. In the
Growth in Egg Yolk Enhances Salmonella Enteritidis Colonization and Virulence in a Mouse Model of Human Colitis

Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) is one of the most common causes of bacterial food-borne illnesses in the world. Despite the SE’s ability to colonize and infect a wide-range of host, the most common source of infection continues to be the consumption of contaminated shell eggs and egg-based products. To date, the role of the source of SE infection has not been studied as it relates to SE pathogenesis and resulting disease. Using a streptomycin-treated mouse model of human colitis, this study examined the virulence of SE grown in egg yolk and Luria Bertani (LB) broth, and mouse feces collected from mice experimentally infected with SEE1 (SEE1 passed through mice). Primary observations revealed that the mice infected with SE grown in egg yolk displayed greater illness and disease markers than those infected with SE passed through mice or grown in LB broth. Furthermore, the SE grown in egg yolk achieved higher rates of colonization in the mouse intestines and extra-intestinal organs of infected mice than the SE from LB broth or mouse feces. Our results here indicate that the source of SE infection may contribute to the overall pathogenesis of SE in a second host. These results also suggest that reservoir-pathogen dynamics may be critical for SE’s ability to establish colonization and priming for virulence potential.
Laplace approximation in measurement error models

Likelihood analysis for regression models with measurement errors in explanatory variables typically involves integrals that do not have a closed‐form solution. In this case, numerical methods such as Gaussian quadrature are generally employed. However, when the dimension of the integral is large, these methods become computationally demanding or even unfeasible. This paper proposes the use of the Laplace approximation to deal with measurement error problems when the likelihood function involves high‐dimensional integrals. The cases considered are generalized linear models with multiple covariates measured with error and generalized linear mixed models with measurement error in the covariates. The asymptotic order of the approximation and the asymptotic properties of the Laplace‐based estimator for these models are derived. The method is illustrated using simulations and real‐data analysis.
Relation between Occupancy and Abundance for a Territorial Species, the California Spotted Owl

Land and resource managers often use detection–nondetection surveys to monitor the populations of species that may be affected by factors such as habitat alteration, climate change, and biological invasions. Relative to mark‐recapture studies, using detection–nondetection surveys is more cost‐effective, and recent advances in statistical analyses allow the incorporation of detection probability, covariates, and multiple seasons. We examined the efficacy of using detection–nondetection data (relative to mark‐recapture data) for monitoring population trends of a territorial species, the California Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis). We estimated and compared the finite annual rates of population change (λt) and the resulting realized population change (Δt) from both occupancy and mark‐recapture data collected over 18 years (1993–2010). We used multiseason, robust‐design occupancy models to estimate that territory occupancy declined during our study (Δt = 0.702, 95% CI 0.552–0.852) due to increasing territory extinction rates ( ɛ̂1993 = 0.019 [SE 0.012]; ɛ̂2009 = 0.134 [SE 0.043]) and decreasing colonization rates ( γ̂1993 = 0.323 [SE 0.124]; γ̂2009 = 0.242 [SE 0.058]). We used Pradel's temporal‐symmetry model for mark‐recapture data to estimate that the population trajectory closely matched the trends in territory occupancy (Δt = 0.725, 95% CI 0.445–1.004). Individual survival was constant during our study ( ϕ̂1993 = 0.816 [SE 0.020]; ϕ̂2009 = 0.815 [SE 0.019]), whereas recruitment declined slightly ( f̂1993 = 0.195 [SE 0.032]; f̂2009 = 0.160 [SE 0.023]). Thus, we concluded that detection–nondetection data can provide reliable inferences on population trends, especially when funds preclude more intensive mark‐recapture studies.
Dialogue and its role in the development of relationship specific knowledge

In this article, dialogue is explored as an interactive process of learning together. This process is often spontaneous and unruly but bounded by a serious intent to reach mutual understanding. Also, the concept of relationship specific knowledge is introduced to explain how trust between business counterparts develops through dialogue in iterative cycles of learning. Dialogue also brings opportunities for generating new business knowledge, within the firm and between firms, in the form of creative solutions to marketing and supply problems. In this way, mutual value in buyer‐supplier exchanges is enhanced.
Sequence structure organizes items in varied latent states of working memory neural network

In memory experiences, events do not exist independently but are linked with each other via structure-based organization. Structure knowledge largely influences memory behavior, but how it is implemented in the brain remains unknown. Here, we combined magnetoencephalogram (MEG) recordings, computational modeling, and impulse-response approaches to probe the latent states when subjects held a list of items in working memory (WM). We demonstrate that sequence structure reorganizes WM items into distinct latent states, i.e., being reactivated at different latencies, and the reactivation profiles further correlate with recency behavior. In contrast, memorizing the same list of items without sequence requirements disrupts the recency effect and elicits comparable reactivations. Finally, computational modeling reveals a dominant function of high-level representations that characterize the abstract sequence structure, instead of low-level information decaying, in mediating sequence memory. Taken together, sequence structure shapes the way WM items are stored in the brain and essentially influences memory behavior.
Employer branding: employer attractiveness and the use of social media

Purpose – The aim of this study is to investigate which factors employers should focus on in their employer branding strategies. The present study tested the employer attractiveness scale (EmpAt) and analysed relationships between dimensions in this measurement scale and the use of social media in relation to corporate reputation and intentions to apply for a job. Design/methodology/approach – Electronic questionnaires were distributed to students at three higher education institutions in Norway. The proposed model is analysed on the basis of 366 responses related to three well-known Norwegian engineering firms. Findings – The results indicate that several employer attributes are positive for corporate reputation, which again is related to attraction of potential employees. Specifically, the results suggest that innovation value, psychological value, application value, and the use of social media positively relate to corporate reputation, which in turn is positively linked to intentions to apply for a job.
Influences of discretion in chief executive officer compensation in international corporations

INFLUENCES OF DISCRETION IN CHIEF EXECTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION IN INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONS By Kenneth N. Granberry The influence of chief executive officers and determinates of their compensation have been the subject of much research with mixed results. Findings have ranged from CEO’s having little influence to their being of primary importance. Hambrick and Finkelstein’s (1987) discretion theory created a theoretical bridge to explain much of this variance. Their concept of discretion offered an explanation as to why some executives influenced greatly while others had little influence. According to Hambrick & Finkelstein, those executives with greater freedom to implement decisions can significantly shape their organizations; whereas those with greater constraints and less freedom will be less able to do so. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the relationship of managerial discretion, CEO compensation, shareholder return, and corporate performance of international companies that are publicly traded in the U.S. The research questions investigated were: (1) Is there a significant difference in the average two-year CEO compensation across the three levels of management discretion for international corporations publicly traded in the United States? (2) Is there a significant difference in the two-year average shareholder return across the three levels of management discretion for international corporations publicly traded in the United States? (3) Is there a significant difference in the two-year average return on equity across the three levels of management discretion for international corporations publicly traded in the United States? (4) Is there a significant difference in the two-year average net operating profit rate of return across the three levels of management discretion for international corporations publicly traded in the United States? (5) Is there a significant difference in the two-year average price/earnings ratio across the three levels of management discretion for international corporations publicly traded in the United States? The results of this study support the influence of discretion theory on shareholder wealth, and point to the potential influence of discretion theory in corporate performance and compensation. Shareholder expectations reflect the market’s assessment of future earnings, which are affected by firm performance, and in turn effect CEO compensation.
Distal embolic protection during percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndromes: The RUBY study

Objective: To assess the safety and feasibility of the GuardWireTM system as an embolic protection device during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Background: Distal embolization occurs in approximately 15% of patients after primary angioplasty and is associated with reduced myocardial reperfusion, more extensive myocardial damage and a poor prognosis. Distal embolic protection could reduce the rate of embolic complications and improve outcome. Methods: 329 patients (mean age 60±12 years) were included: 278 (84.5%) with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), 50 (15.2%) with unstable angina/non‐STEMI and 1 (0.3%) with post‐infarction angina. Primary endpoint was the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 30 days. Secondary endpoints were the magnitude of ST‐segment resolution at 90 and 180 min post‐procedure, myocardial blush grade, and angiographically visible distal emboli. Results: The GuardWireTM system was successfully positioned in 99% of patients. Complete ST‐elevation resolution (>70%) was observed in 28.5% immediately post‐procedure, and in 35.4% and 41.6% at 90 and 180 min post‐procedure. TIMI‐3 flow grade was achieved by 89.8% of patients after intervention and mean corrected TIMI frame count was 20.2±13.2. Grade‐3 myocardial blush was seen in 47.7% of patients and distal emboli were angiographically visible in 7.4%. Incidence of MACE at 30 days was 3.3% (death 1.2%; Q‐wave MI 0.3%; non‐Q‐wave MI 0.3%; coronary artery bypass graft 0.6%; repeat PCI 0.9%). Conclusion: The GuardWireTM system was successfully positioned in nearly all patients without complications. The use of this embolic protection device in ACS patients undergoing PCI was associated with low rates of distal embolization and 30‐day MACE.
MRI-guided percutaneous laser ablation of small renal cell carcinoma: Initial clinical experience

Background: The number of detected small renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) has been rising, largely due to advances in imaging. Open surgical resection is the standard management of small RCCs; however, imaging-guided percutaneous ablative therapies have emerged as a minimally invasive treatment alternative, especially for patients who are poor candidates for surgery. Purpose: To evaluate the initial clinical experience of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided percutaneous laser ablation of small RCCs. Material and Methods: Eight patients with 10 tumors were treated with percutaneous MRI-guided laser ablation. All tumors (diameter range 1.5–3.8 cm, mean 2.7 cm) were biopsy-proven RCCs. By using a 0.23 T open MRI system and general anesthesia in patients, one to four (mean 2.6) laser fibers were placed and the tumors were ablated under near real-time MRI control by observing the signal void caused by the temperature change in the heated tissue. The treatment was considered successful if the tumor showed no contrast enhancement at follow-up imaging. Results: All except one tumor were successfully ablated in one session. The first patient treated showed enhancing residual tumor in post-procedural MRI; she has thus far declined retreatment. One complication, a myocardial infarction, occurred; all other patients tolerated the procedure well. No local recurrence was discovered during the follow-up (range 12–30 months, mean 20 months). Conclusion: In this small group of patients with relatively short follow-up period, MRI-guided percutaneous laser ablation proved to be a promising treatment option for small RCCs.
Guanxi and organizational dynamics: organizational networking in Chinese firms

This paper focuses on the utilization of guanxi, which is an important cultural and social element in China, and the impact of guanxi on firm performance. Although guanxi is embedded in every aspect of Chinese social life, companies demonstrate different needs and capacity for guanxi cultivation. Chinese firms develop guanxi as a strategic mechanism to overcome competitive and resource disadvantages by cooperating and exchanging favors with competitive forces and government authorities. We develop an integrative framework theorizing guanxi utilization according to institutional, strategic, and organizational factors, and we explore the impact of guanxi on firm performance, primarily sales growth and net profit growth. Our findings, based on a survey of 128 firms in central China, provide strong support that institutional, strategic, and organizational factors are critical determinants of guanxi with competitive forces. However, only institutional and strategic factors are significant for guanxi utilization with government authorities. In general, guanxi leads to higher firm performance, but is limited to increased sales growth, and has little impact on profit growth. Guanxi benefits market expansion and competitive positioning of firms, but does not enhance internal operations. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.