Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Supplier partnerships, information quality, supply chain flexibility, supply chain integration and organisational performance: the Indian story

Supply chain management has become a critical strategic management tool and hence it plays a critical role in firm performance. This study researches the causal linkages between the supplier partnership, information quality, supply chain integration and supply chain flexibility on organisational performance. Using small-scale manufacturing as the setting in an emerging economy (India), the study results indicate that for any firm to improve performance, it must first improve its supplier partnerships and information quality. Based upon the study findings, managerial implications and a future research agenda are discussed.
Boards Characteristics Around the World I

Using a novel board dataset covering 54 countries, 35,000 publicly listed firms, and more than 500,000 executive and non-executive directors over the 1998-2010 period, this paper provides large-scale international evidence on board composition. We document large di erences in board size, director busyness, CEO pay slice, and female board representation across our sample countries. We further show that board busyness, CEO pay slice and the fraction of female board members have increased over time. Previous studies have also been likely to overestimate female board membership. Finally, based on a hand-collected dataset with 791 forced and 1,983 voluntary CEO turnover events, we report that a CEO’s termination probability di ers from country to country.
EFFECT OF IMPRESSION MATERIAL , TRAY SPACE AND ATTACHMENT ON CAST ACCURACY

At King Saud University's College of Dentistry, final impressions for removable partial dentures are made using polysulfide rubber, fast-set and regular set irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials. Custom trays used are either single-spaced or double spaced. Further, impression material attachment to the tray could be through tray perforations or the use of adhesives. Literature to support each one of these methods separately to obtain an "accurate impression" is available. There is, however, a dearth on literature reporting on the influence of these combined variables. The purpose of this investigation was to simultaneously study the influence of impression material type, tray space and method of tray attachment on the accuracy of the resulting cast dimensions. A factorial experimental design was used. One master model representing a Kennedy Class 111 Modification 2 partial edentulous arch was used. Three reference points A, B, and C were placed on the master cast and reproduced on all experimental casts. Ten combined variables of tray space (2), impression material (3), and method of tray attachment (2) were used. Eight casts were made utilizing each of the combined variables resulting in 80 experimental casts. The dimensions AB, AC and BC were accurately measured (+10 jL/m) on the master model and all experimental casts. Each measurement was repeated twice and averaged resulting in 480 experimental measurements (80 casts x 3 dimensions x 2 readings). One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized to discern differences between the dimensions of the master model and those of casts produced by each of the combined variables including the effect of the impression material. Tukey's standardized range test was used to discern accuracy differences among the combined variables. Statistical analyses revealed no significant differences for the dimensions A-B, A-C, or B-C between the master model and those produced by the ten combined variables. Nonetheless, the mean B-C dimensions on casts produced by the ten combined variables tended to be smaller (though not significantly) than for the master model. Further, while there were no significant differences for the dimensions A-B and A-C among casts produced by the ten combined variables, significant differences were detected for the B-C dimension. Casts poured in regular set alginate impressions in single spaced perforated trays showed significantly larger B-C dimension than those derived from fast-set alginate impressions in double spaced perforated trays (P<0.05). Provided that impressions are well attached to their trays and poured immediately (within 5 minutes), tray conditions tested in this study had no effect on accuracy of casts poured from either polysulfide or either of the irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials.
Customer and employee views of critical service incidents

This study examined perceptual similarities and differences between customers and employees in terms of critical service incidents. Specifically we explored the extent to which customers and employees were similar or different in summary perceptions of service failures and recovery, the attributions made by the two perspectives in terms of causes for failures and recovery efforts, and whether each perspective believed that age, gender or race contributed to service failures or recovery. The critical incidents technique was used to collect 1,512 customer‐reported incidents and 390 employee‐reported incidents. Results revealed that customers and employees had both similar and different views depending on the ultimate outcome of the encounter. Overall, customers and employees were fairly similar in their perceptions regarding failures that ultimately resulted in a good recovery effort. However, the two perspectives differed in their views of service failures that accompanied a poor recovery effort. Conclusions and implications for practice are also provided.
Food retail buyer behaviour in the People's Republic of China: a grounded theory model

Purpose – Seeks to summarize relevant literature reporting on western research and to use a grounded theory approach to form the model. Also to develop a Chinese retailer new product decision process model. And consider unique aspects of Chinese culture and the ongoing economic transitions.Design/methodology/approach – Foreign producers have little knowledge about the internal operations of China's chain stores. As China's markets open to the world, an understanding of the ways in which retailers and suppliers interact in China – especially the ways in which they make product selection decisions – will be crucial to companies expanding into this area of the world.Findings – Results are presented from in‐depth interviews with retail food buyers in China. Interviews were conducted during 1999‐2000 in Shanghai and Beijing. The interview data are used to develop a model of buyer‐seller relationships that lends itself to a better understanding of the complexities – cultural and market‐related – of retailer‐sup.
Terminal Differentiation of Chick Embryo Chondrocytes Requires Shedding of a Cell Surface Protein That Binds 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3*

Endochondral ossification comprises a cascade of cell differentiation culminating in chondrocyte hypertrophy and is negatively controlled by soluble environmental mediators at several checkpoints. Proteinases modulate this control by processing protein signals and/or their receptors. Here, we show that insulin-like growth factor I can trigger hypertrophic development by stimulating production and/or activation of proteinases in some populations of chick embryo chondrocytes. Cell surface targets of the enzymes include 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 membrane-associated rapid response steroid receptor (1,25 D3 MARRS receptor), also known as ERp57/GRp58/ERp60. This protein is anchored to the outer surface of plasma membranes and inhibits late chondrocyte differentiation after binding of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Upon treatment with insulin-like growth factor I, 1,25 D3 MARRS receptor is cleaved into two fragments of ∼30 and 22 kDa. This process is abrogated along with hypertrophic development by E-64 or cystatin C, inhibitors of cysteine proteinases. Cell differentiation is enhanced by treatment with antibodies to 1,25 D3 MARRS receptor that either block binding of the inhibitory ligand 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 or inactivate 1,25 D3 MARRS receptor left intact after treatment with proteinase inhibitors. Therefore, proteolytic shedding of 1,25 D3 MARRS receptor constitutes a molecular mechanism eliminating the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-induced barrier against late cartilage differentiation and is a potentially important step during endochondral ossification or cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis.
Concentration, Specialisation and Agglomeration of Firms in New Zealand

To what extent do New Zealand firms choose to locate close to each other, and why? This paper summarises patterns of geographic concentration of firms in New Zealand between 1987 and 2003. We present a range of summary measures of own-industry concentration, and examine between-industry colocation. Overall, New Zealand employment is relatively highly concentrated, although only around 30 percent of employment is in highly concentrated industries. Around 60 percent of employment is in industries that are spread more or less in proportion to total employment. Geographic concentration across 58 Labour Market Areas (LMAs) has increased over the past 18 years, although industries have become more dispersed within LMAs. We find little evidence of a causal effect of geographic concentration of industries, or of diversity of local industry structure on employment growth or job flow rates. Rates of job creation, job destruction, and net employment growth are higher for industries that are more geographically concentrated, but the relationship disappears when we control for area and industry fixed effects. This suggests that it is not the concentration per se that is driving the high flows and employment growth, but other unobserved characteristics of areas and industries.
Financial Profile of Capital Structures for the Firms Listed in the KOSPI Market in South Korea

본 연구는 국내 유가증권시장(KOSPI 시장) 상장회사들의 국제금융위기 전, 후 기간의(2006년부터 2011년 사이) 자본구조 결정요인에 대한 추세적 변화를 검정함이 주된 목적이다. 기존의 국내,외 분석들과 비교하여, 본 연구는 패널자료분석을 이용한 동 시기를 기준으로한 표본회사들에 대한 분석이며, 결과들이 과거 연구들과 유사성을 보인다면 동 위기와 관계없는 일관성있는 결정요인으로서 분석될 수 있을 것이다. 자본구조와 관련된 4가지 가설들(즉, 패널자료모형을 통한 결정요인분석, 미국발 금융위기 전,후의 자본구조의 구조적 변화분석, 수정된 ‘듀퐁 시스템’분석을 통한 요인별 분석, 그리고 국내 상장회사들의 부채비율관련 해당산업 평균 또는 중앙값 회귀 등)이 각각 검정되었다. 패널자료 분석결과 장부가와 시장가 기준 모든 부채비율에서 음(-)의 수익성, 양(+)의 자산규모, 그리고 음(-)의 영업이익의 변동성 등이 통계적 유의성을 보였으며, 로지스틱 회귀모형 결과 금융위기 전, 후의 자본구조 결정요인의 변화요인으로서 외국인지분율, 기업의 자유현금흐름 등이 유의성있는 요인들로 분석되었다, 국내 KOSPI 상장회사들은 5년의 주기(cycle)로 해당산업 부채비율의 중심경향척도(특히, 중앙값)에 수렴하는 특성도 나타내었다.
Wealth Effects of Acquisitions in New Active Market for Corporate Control

This study examines wealth effects of mergers and acquisitions in developing mergers and acquisitions market by using data of both domestic and cross-border acquisitions by Japanese firms. Although Japan had the second largest GDP in the world during the analyzed period, active market for corporate control in Japan started recently. The results indicate that M&A by Japanese firms enhance shareholder wealth. We also show that larger synergy realized in horizontal acquisitions with full control of target firms. Existence of outside directors and monitoring by shareholders contribute the post-acquisition performance. We provide evidence that acquisitions by Japanese firms play similar role as those in the US and the UK.
Customer satisfaction and business performance: a firm‐level analysis

Purpose – This study aims to examine the relationships between customer satisfaction and a variety of company performance metrics at the firm‐level of analysis. Design /methodology/approach – The primary research method used in the study was a longitudinal analysis of series of quarterly surveys of customer attitudes, in relation to various company performance metrics of one large Fortune 100 company. The data were collected over a five‐year period and were analyzed with several statistical tests of association. Findings – It was found that there are significant, and moderate‐to‐strong associations between satisfaction levels and a firm's financial and market performance. More specifically, there are strong links between customer satisfaction, and retention, revenue, earnings per share, stock price, and Tobin's q. Research implications/limitations – The main implication of this study is that the longitudinal findings demonstrate a strong consistent link between customer attitudes and financial performance at the firm level. The study is clearly limited to one firm, from one industry sector, but offers future researchers a wealth of replication opportunities. Originality/value – Numerous experts have noted that marketing needs to document the financial impact of marketing activities. Unlike most studies in this area, this study investigated these associations at the firm level, rather than at the aggregate or industry level where some relationships are potentially masked. The study also investigated the links between satisfaction and financial performance in the business‐to‐business services sector, rather than in business‐to‐customer services. Finally, the firm provided access to large samples of real customer attitude data over a five‐year period, rather than from a cross‐sectional study.
Vesicular stomatitis virus oncolysis is potentiated by impairing mTORC1-dependent type I IFN production

Oncolytic viruses constitute a promising therapy against malignant gliomas (MGs). However, virus-induced type I IFN greatly limits its clinical application. The kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) stimulates type I IFN production via phosphorylation of its effector proteins, 4E-BPs and S6Ks. Here we show that mouse embryonic fibroblasts and mice lacking S6K1 and S6K2 are more susceptible to vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection than their WT counterparts as a result of an impaired type I IFN response. We used this knowledge to employ a pharmacoviral approach to treat MGs. The highly specific inhibitor of mTOR rapamycin, in combination with an IFN-sensitive VSV-mutant strain (VSVΔM51), dramatically increased the survival of immunocompetent rats bearing MGs. More importantly, VSVΔM51 selectively killed tumor, but not normal cells, in MG-bearing rats treated with rapamycin. These results demonstrate that reducing type I IFNs through inhibition of mTORC1 is an effective strategy to augment the therapeutic activity of VSVΔM51.
CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy of pulmonary nodules smaller than 20 mm: results with an automated 20-gauge coaxial cutting needle.

AIMS To evaluate the efficacy and the complication rate of CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy of pulmonary nodules smaller than 20 mm in diameter using a 20-gauge coaxial automated biopsy device. MATERIAL AND METHODS A prospective study was undertaken of 200 patients who underwent 202 consecutive biopsies of pulmonary nodules, performed with a single type of automated biopsy device. Sixty-seven biopsies of nodules smaller than 20 mm in diameter were performed in 66 patients (group A). One hundred and thirty-five biopsies of lesions of 20 mm or greater in size were performed in 134 patients (group B). Patient characteristics, lesion and procedure variables, the accuracy and complication rates were compared. RESULTS In group A, the final diagnosis of the nodules was malignant in 47 and benign in 19 cases (prevalence of malignancy 71. 2%). In group B, there were 111 malignant and 21 benign diagnoses (prevalence of malignancy 82.2%). In group A, the sensitivity and specificity for a diagnosis of malignancy were 89.5 and 100%, respectively (positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 76%). A specific diagnosis of benignity was obtained in nine out of 19 (47%) biopsies. The pneumothorax rate was 15% (10 patients) of which two (3%) required drainage. CT signs thought to reflect alveolar haemorrhage were noted in 28 (43%) and haemoptysis occurred in five patients (5.9%). In group B, the sensitivity and specificity for a diagnosis of malignancy were 95.5% and 100%, respectively (positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 82.7%). A specific diagnosis of benignity was made in 14 cases (58.3%). Complications included pneumothoraces in 22 cases (16.2%) requiring drainage in one (0.7%). Presumed alveolar haemorrhage was recorded in 19 cases (14.1%) and haemoptysis occurred in seven (5. 2%). There were no significant differences between group A and group B, except for alveolar haemorrhage (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The accuracy and complication rate of percutaneous CT-guided biopsy of nodules smaller than 20 mm, performed using an automated 20-gauge coaxial biopsy device, are comparable to those for larger lesions.
A Practical Guide to Achieving AAAASF Accreditation

&NA; As time goes on, more professional societies and individual states are mandating stricter standards for office surgical facilities to ensure quality of care. As the nurse is often the person who coordinates accreditation efforts within the facility, he or she needs to be “savvy” regarding the implementation and maintenance of these standards. The American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) criteria are discussed with strategies and rationale for implementation.
Portfolio Restructuring and Limits to Hierarchical Governance: the Effects of Environmental Uncertainty and Diversification Strategy

The authors test whether acquisitions and divestitures are related to environmental uncertainty and d iversification strategy. Drawing from transaction cost economics, they predicted that increases in environmental uncertainty would reduce a company's ability to manage its subsidiaries efficiently and would lead to divestiture. Conversely, they predicted that decreases in environmental uncertainty would enable a company to manage its subsidiaries more efficiently and would lead to acquisition. Those predictions were expected to be strongest for firms with intermediate levels of diversification, as such firms are believed to be the most difficult to manage efficiently. Repeated measures analyses of a panel of 164 Fortune 500 companies supported the predictions for highly diversified firms (e.g., unrelated businesses) only. Less diversified firms reacted t o increases in uncertainty by acquiring and to decreases in uncertainty by divesting. The results suggest that the relationship between diversification strategy and portfolio restructuring depends on environmental uncertainty. In addition, the study findings imply that there may be limits in the hierarchy's governance efficiency in relation to market modes and that those limits may be affected by environmental uncertainty and diversification strategy.
The relationship of perceived human resources management practices and innovative work behavior

In the globalized economies the innovation is widely recognized as one of the key processes that can allow the development of organizations. This thesis focuses the attention on the Innovative Work Behavior (IWB) and its links with the perception of Human Resources Management (HRM). More specifically, the research models explore two HRM practices corresponding to individual and team learning and the participation to decision-making (PDM). The choice to emphasize only two practices is in line with scholars’ efforts dedicated to contingent perspective. Therefore, the experimentation of multiple mediating variables has allowed the better understanding of the relationship among the examined processes. This thesis is also oriented to understand the mentioned psychosocial factors in a quite unexplored organizational contexts corresponding to the small and medium enterprises. The first research explores the relationship among the perception of individual and team learning HRM practices, IWB and the mediating role of norms and supportive climate for innovation. The second study assumes that the perception of decision-making practice, conjointly with participative leadership, is related to IWB; moreover also the indirect relationship is tested through the mediating role of psychological climate for innovation and co-workers’ support. These findings help scholars to direct new endeavors in HRM research. Moreover they support managers to optimize resources invested in innovation through the promotion of learning and PDM.
Technological capability, strategic flexibility, and product innovation

This paper examines the role of technological capability in product innovation. Building on the absorptive capacity perspective and organizational inertia theory, the authors propose that technological capability has curvilinear and differential effects on exploitative and explorative innovations. The findings support the proposition that though technological capability fosters exploitation at an accelerating rate, it has an inverted U‐shaped relationship with exploration. That is, a high level of technological capability impedes explorative innovation. Strategic flexibility strengthens the positive effects of technological capability on exploration, such that when strategic flexibility is high, greater technological capability is associated with more explorative innovation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can Regional Cross-Listings Accelerate Stock Market Development? Empirical Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

This study analyzes the impact of regional cross-listing of stocks on the depth of the stock markets in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It analyzes data from 1990 to 2007 for a panel of 13 stock markets in SSA countries, only some of which have regional cross-listings. Using event study methodology, the paper finds significant positive effects in measures of stock market depth around regional cross-listing events. Overall, growth in the regional cross-listing of stocks facilitates stock market deepening, and the stock markets of countries with regional cross-listings perform better than those without. The study thus suggests that SSA countries can benefit from putting in place the necessary conditions for promoting regional cross-listings and thereby deepening their stock markets. These include sound legal and regulatory frameworks, macroeconomic and political stability, harmonization of listing rules, accounting laws and disclosure requirements across the region, and strong money markets.
The relationship between consumer innovativeness, personal characteristics, and online banking adoption

Purpose – This paper explores the relationships between consumer innovativeness, self‐efficacy on the internet, internet attitudes and online banking adoption, while controlling for personal characteristics.Design/methodology/approach – The study integrates the technology acceptance model (TAM) and adoption of innovation framework to develop predictions of online banking acceptance. It distinguishes between innate consumer innovativeness, a generalized personality trait, and internet‐domain‐specific or actualized innovativeness in order to explore consumer characteristics' impact on adoption. Data are analyzed using logistic regression.Findings – While results confirm the positive relationship between internet related innovativeness and online banking they also surprisingly show that general innovativeness is negatively related to online banking.Research limitations/implications – Results may or may not differ according to whether consumers are using online, telephone banking, electronic funds transfer (E.