Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Organizing to win : new research on union strategies

Richard Lester and Fritz Machlup's dialogue concerning the merits of marginal productivity theory. These exchanges were, in Yonay'swords, "a watershed in the history of institutionalism. " By exposing the lack of a theoretical underpinning for the institutionalist research, Koopmans and Machlup discredited the whole endeavor. After these exchanges, institutionalism "rapidly lost its power; institutionalists' post-war optimism changed into a sense of failure and despair" (p. 189). Nearly half of Yonay's book is devoted to reviewing the content of institutionalist hought and another quarter reviews theories explaining the rise and decline of intellectual systems in general. By contrast, less than 5% examines the decline of institutionalism. The relatively long discussions of institutionalist hought are useful for redeeming some largely forgotten writers. But Yonay's failure to provide an adequate explanation of the decline of institutionalism after World War Two casts a shadow over his account of interwar institutionalism. It leaves readers adrift, suggesting different interpretations of the interwar experience to explain the postwar collapse. Yonay's suggestion that Koopmans and Machlup felled the mighty institutionalists in one blow is itself implausible. Their reviews are witty and insightful and still bear reading today; but they were not the first serious critiques of institutionalism. Why did these attacks succeed where others had failed? Maybe other forces mobilized against institutionalism? But who were they and why was it so important for these groups to attack institutionalism after World War Two, given that they had tolerated it before the war? Or maybe institutionalism was weaker than Yonay suggests? Maybe his earlier analysis should be called into question in light of the postwar collapse? In this way, the decline of institutionalism raises fundamental questions about the nature of institutionalism even before its decline. By failing to explain institutionalism's decline, Yonay leaves his whole project open to challenge. Institutionalists from Veblen down formulated powerful criticisms of neoclassical theory without developing a compact, alternative model of economic behavior. Lacking such a complete theory, they were vulnerable to challenge on the grounds that their project was ad hoc. Alas, by failing to explain institutionalism's decline, Yonay follows this path. Despite his attempts to dress his work in the most up-to-date post-modern rhetoric, his approach appears ad hoc. These problems should not be allowed to eclipse the real merits and significance ofYonay's book. Yonay does not rehabilitate the institutionalists, but he brings them and their toooften-forgotten ideas back into consciousness. Veblen, Mitchell,John Maurice Clark, Clarence Ayres, and their fellow institutionalists made contributions that still have merit today. Yuval Yonay has shown how much we can learn from them. For this, his book should be read and pondered by economists of all theoretical tendencies.
Exploring a `non-financial' management accounting change

Many normative calls have appeared for including strategic non-financial measures into management accounting systems. This paper explores the emergence of non-financial measures in the organizational context of Lever Industrial ? U.K., a service-oriented British chemicals company. Tracing the mechanism of this management accounting change, the study identifies the dynamic forces which are driving it. The paper points at the systematization of non-financial measures as an essential phase of the change process. But the paper also suggests that non-financial measures become a powerful vehicle for focusing interactive management control into the organization? s strategic uncertainties. This interactive "Focus Potential" of non-financial measures goes beyond their diagnostic role as strategic controls.
Examining the mechanisms linking guanxi, norms and knowledge sharing: the mediating roles of trust in Taiwan's high-tech firms

We adopt social capital theory to develop a conceptual model and examine the interactive relationships among guanxi, norms, trust and knowledge sharing. Most importantly, we discuss interpersonal relationships in the context of Chinese culture and apply it as a guanxi. This study aims both to build three dimensions of social capital and investigate their precise association with knowledge sharing. To test the model, we use data collected from 253 effective questionnaires in Taiwan's high-tech industries. Our results show that (1) guanxi, norms and trust positively influence knowledge sharing; (2) guanxi and norms positively influence trust; (3) trust mediates guanxi and knowledge sharing; (4) trust partially mediates norms and knowledge sharing. These findings could be useful in academic fields and practical applications. We also construct a theoretical model of guanxi, trust and norms for future research.
The Ethics of Tax Evasion: A Survey of Estonian Opinion

In 1944, Martin Crowe, a Catholic priest, wrote a doctoral dissertation titled The Moral Obligation of Paying Just Taxes. His dissertation summarized and analyzed 500 years of theological and philosophical debate on this topic, which identified three basic philosophical positions on the issue. Since Crowe's dissertation, not much has been written on the topic of tax evasion from an ethical or religious perspective. The present paper is an empirical study, the goal of which is to determine the strength of the 15 arguments justifying tax evasion that Crowe identified plus 3 more recent arguments. A survey was constructed using a seven-point Likert scale that included all three positions and all 18 arguments and distributed to 300 business students, faculty and business practitioners in Estonia. The 18 arguments were ranked in terms of strength, from strongest to weakest. Comparisons were also made according to major, student status, gender and age to determine if the viewpoints for these demographics were significantly different.
Cross-Country Conversion Factors for Sectoral Productivity Comparisons

International comparisons of the level of labor or total factor productivity have used exchange rates or purchasing power parity (PPP) to make output and capital comparable across countries. Recent evidence suggests that aggregate PPP holds rather well in the long run, making it a good basis for comparison. At the same time, sectoral deviations from PPP are very persistent, raising the need for disaggregate price measures to make disaggregate productivity comparisons. Sectoral differences in the importance of nontradables make it even more important to work with sectoral prices when country-comparisons are made at the sectoral level. Mapping prices from household expenditure surveys into the industrial classification of sectors and adjusting for taxes and international trade, I obtain a sector-specific PPP measure. The few previous studies that used sectoral prices only had conversion factors available for a single year. With price data for 1985, 1990, 1993, and 1996, I am the first to test whether the constructed conversion factors adequately capture differential changes in relative prices between countries. For some industries--Agriculture, Mining, and less sophisticated manufacturing sectors--the indices prove adequate. For most other industries, aggregate PPP is a superior currency conversion factor.
A Randomized Clinical Trial on Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Versus Axillary Lymph Node Dissection in Breast Cancer: Results of the Sentinella/GIVOM Trial

Objective:The aim of this multicenter randomized trial was to assess the efficacy and safety of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy compared with axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Background:All studies on SLN biopsy in breast cancer report a variable false negative rate, whose prognostic consequences are still unclear. Methods:From May 1999 to December 2004, patients with breast cancer ≤3 cm were randomly assigned to receive SLN biopsy associated with ALND (ALND arm) or SLN biopsy followed by ALND only if the SLN was metastatic (SLN arm). The main aim was the comparison of disease-free survival in the 2 arms. Results:A total of 749 patients were randomized and 697 were available for analysis. SLNs were identified in 662 of 697 patients (95%) and positive SLNs were found in 189 of 662 patients (28.5%). In the ALND group, positive non-SLNs were found in 18 patients with negative SLN, giving a false negative rate of 16.7% (18 of 108). Postoperative side effects were significantly less in the SLN group and there was no negative impact of the SLN procedure on psychologic well being. At a median follow-up of 56 months, there were more locoregional recurrences in the SLN arm, and the 5-year disease-free survival was 89.9% in the ALND arm and 87.6% in the SLN arm, with a difference of 2.3% (95% confidence interval: −3.1% to 7.6%). However, the number of enrolled patients was not sufficient to draw definitive conclusions. Conclusion:SLN biopsy is an effective and well-tolerated procedure. However, its safety should be confirmed by the results of larger randomized trials and meta-analyses.
The Evaluation of Two Measures of Quality of Life in Patients With Type I and Type II Diabetes

OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of type I and type II diabetes on patient perceptions of their quality of life and compare the psychometric properties of a generic versus a diabetes-specific quality of life measure. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Consecutive outpatients (n = 240) from a large multispecialty diabetes clinic were studied on a single occasion using two measures of quality of life—Diabetes Quality of Life Measure (DQOL) and the Medical Outcome Study Health Survey 36-Item Short Form (SF-36). No interventions were performed. This study examines three issues: 1) the reliability(internal consistency) of the two measures; 2) the relationship between the DQOL and SF-36 scales; and 3) the influence of clinical patient characteristics, such as number and severity of diabetes complications, on quality of life. Examination of this issue provides information about the construct validity of the two quality of life measures. RESULTS The estimates of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) for the DQOL and SF-36 subscales ranged from 0.47 to 0.97. These values werevery similar to the published findings from previous studies. The subscales of the two measures were variably correlated with one another (range of correlations: —0.003 to 0.60), indicating that the areas of functioning addressed by the DQOL and SF-36 overlapped only to a modest degree. Examination of the relationship of demographic factors to the DQOL measures suggests that they are not generally confounded by factors such as education, sex, or duration of diabetes. Health-related quality of life is affected by the marital status of both type I and type II diabetic patients, with separated and divorced individuals generally experiencing lower levels of quality of life. The quality of life measures were sensitive to clinical characteristics, such as frequency and severity of complications. Even after factors such as marital status and, among type II diabetic patients, type of treatment, patients' severity of diabetes complications was a significant predictor of both the diabetes-related and the more broad-based measure of quality of life. For type II diabetic patients, insulin treatment was associated with lower levels of satisfaction with diabetes and greater impact of diabetes on quality of life. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence for the reliability and validity of two measures of quality of life. The two measures examine quality of life from different but complimentary perspectives. The DQOL seems more sensitive to lifestyle issues and contains special questions and worry scales oriented toward younger patients, whereas the SF-36 provides more information about functional health status. Thus, the measures may be used usefully in combination in studies of both type I and type II diabetic patients.
Tri-generation and solar power for an efficient and environmental friendly power generation

One of the challenges faced by the smart grid technologies is to encourage the power utilities in order to ensure their power generations are efficient with reduced amount of pollutants emission. An efficient utilization of energy resources can be possible by tri-generation. As compared to conventional power generation, one of the goals of tri-generation is the efficient utilization of available fossil fuel and thereby reducing the pollutants emitted from the thermal plants. The use of tri-generation output along with solar power can increase the possibility of such goal while dispatching a certain amount of power demand. Such a hybrid power generation method is very effective in countries like Saudi Arabia since it is abundant with fossil fuels as well as solar energy resources. A comparative study of tri-generation with conventional generation of electric and thermal power is carried out in this paper. Moreover, an optimum power dispatch with tri-generation along with solar power is analyzed. The environmental benefits obtained while utilizing energy resources through tri-generation is also discussed in this paper. Reduction in pollutants emissions from power plants decreases the undesirable environmental effects and damages; hence tri-generation facilitates environmental friendly power production.
RFID Textile and Map Making System for Large Area Positioning

We present a process for the development of an RFID textile, and have developed a map making system to support highly accurate position detection. Massively distributed RFIDs have the potential for location aware applications however time and cost are high for the deployment of the RFID tags, and correlation of the physical coordinates with each ID for making a map. We developed an RFID woven textile and a customized textile inspection machine with an automatic map making function. These developments have the potential to extend location aware systems with massively distributed tags. We examine the feasibility of a tracking system with RFID textile by using 19-meter coated textile as a carpet to the laboratory room and corridor. The system was calibrated in 38 mins and achieved a 10cm resolution.
An initial review of the implementation of the Malaysian minimum wage order: A case for a win-win intention, implementation and enforcement

This paper revisits the issues and concerns associated with the implementation of the Malaysian Minimum Wage Order (MWO), 2012 and its impact on the various stakeholders on the cost of doing business. While it is aimed to facilitate the transformation of the Malaysian economy to become a high-income nation, it has generated multifaceted issues. There is a dilemma in MWO implementation if it not applicable to foreign workers, there is notion that employers would have more incentive to displace local workers with foreign labor. In compliance with International Labour Organisation’s convention, the minimum wage policy covers all workers, and with the definition of wages which excludes most of the allowances, businesses were impacted by rising cost of doing business. Using results of two surveys undertaken by two trade associations, this paper revisits the issues and concerns associated with the minimum wage (MW) order and its impact on the various stakeholders on the cost of doing business. Based on the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) Survey 2013 conducted by the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) in 2013 with 772 respondents and the impact assessment survey conducted by the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) in early 2014. This study focuses on the impact of the increase in the labor cost, a major component of production cost, as a result of MW implementation. Malaysia has among the highest minimum wage rates in the ASEAN region, along with Philippines and Thailand. The multiplier effects of the minimum wage that poses upside risk to another cost-push factor, leading to higher cost of living, hence defeating the goals of the minimum wage policy. It is timely to re-address the dilemma issue of minimum wage setting from the real business situation. Malaysian Government should establish some benchmarks or studies on the minimum wage effects on the cost of doing business and its interaction with other policies or fundamental changes such as the implementation goods and sales tax (GST) in 2015, the rationalisation of subsidies and the cash hand-outs schemes to reduce the people’s burden of subsidy reductions. Review or readjustment of minimum wage rate should be actual evidence, or substantiation from reliable industry findings and with more balanced approach taking into cognizance the productivity and readiness of the business sector to comply with the minimum wage mandate.
Optimising Flexibility for Simple Temporal Networks

We generalise a recently proposed concurrent flexibility metric to overcome some of its shortcomings. We show that these shortcomings can be removed if one selects an optimal subset of variables for which the concurrent flexibility is determined. The flexibility of the remaining variables does not play a role in the determination of the flexibility of the system. We present a preliminary experimental evaluation of the improvement in concurrent flexibility that can be obtained by comparing some (approximation) algorithms. Their performance on several benchmark sets is evaluated. As a result, in some cases the concurrent flexibility of an STN can be enhanced by 20 - 50%.
Ocean liner shipping services: corporate restructuring and port selection/competition

An examination is made of the nature of corporate restructuring among liner shipping companies to meet the needs of producers for logistic services within the Asia-Pacific Economic Region. This task is undertaken by detailing the development of the global alliances forged in 1996. Then their impact on port selection and competition within the Asia-Pacific Economic Region is studied with particular reference to the Trans-Pacific trade. As the composition of these alliances has already changed by mergers their likely effect on port destinies is considered.
Cargill's Acquisition of Continental Grain's Grain Merchandising Business

This article examines the advantages and concerns raised from the proposed October 1998 Cargill acquisition of Continental Grain Company's grain merchandising business. The world's largest grain exporter acquiring the second largest exporter raised concerns about potential loss of competition, but also may make these firms with excess capacity more effective in competing for a larger U.S. share of the world market. The analysis below done in December 1998 was based on the quickly available and relevant data to provide information to industry, academic, and government analysts which might prove useful in debating the pros and cons of this acquisition. Subsequently, the July 1999 Department of Justice proposed consent decree and rationale for its settlement with Cargill is summarized, followed by some issues for the reader to consider.
Perceived Rate Of Returns To Education: A UAE Perspective

The measurement of rate of returns is central to the profitability analysis of educational investments. Literature suggests that the ex-ante approach of measuring the perceptions of the beneficiaries is a reliable indicator of returns to education. The present study estimates the perceived rate of returns to higher education for undergraduate students in UAE. Respondents were asked to provide estimates of future expected earnings with and without higher education. The study indicates that the Emiratis and non-Emirati students differ significantly in the estimates of perceived rate of returns. The findings of this study offer strategic insights on the economic considerations in the higher education enrollment process in the UAE. It also emphasizes the need for better counseling among the Emirati school students regarding the importance of higher education and return to higher education.
Early hepatocyte, endothelial, and bile duct cell injury after pediatric liver transplantation from cadaveric or living-related donors.

BACKGROUND When compared with cadaveric grafts (Cad), the potential advantages of pediatric orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) from living-related (LR) donors may include better graft quality, shorter ischemic time, appropriate preparation of the recipient, and better immunologic compatibility. METHODS The aim of this study was to analyze early hepatocyte, endothelial, and bile duct cell injury following pediatric OLT using LR (n=15) or uncomplicated Cad reduced-size (n=10) grafts. Median (range) total ischemic times were 190 min (105-261) versus 760 min (418-948) in LR and Cad groups, respectively (P<0.001). RESULTS The post-OLT cytolytic profile, assessed daily during the first 7 days using both plasma glutamate-pyruvate transaminase and serum alpha-glutathione S-transferase, showed significantly higher levels of both parameters for the 10 uncomplicated Cad cases when compared with the 15 LR grafts (P<0.001). The evaluation of hepatic endothelial cell function during the first week after OLT, using serum hyaluronic acid levels, suggested lower endothelial injury in the LR grafts, when compared with the Cad grafts (P=0.059). Bile duct cell injury, as assessed using plasma gamma-glutamyl transferase levels, was similar in both groups, with a progressive increase at the end of the first week after OLT, which was correlated with a similar incidence of early acute rejection in both groups (80% in the LR group vs. 62% in the Cad group, NS). CONCLUSION (1) The hepatocellular and endothelial cell damage was reduced after OLT with LR grafts, which may be related to shorter ischemic time when compared with Cad grafts; (2) the putative immunologic advantage for LR grafts was not confirmed in terms of incidence of acute rejection.
Inferring affective states from observation of a robot's simple movements

This paper reports an analytic finding in which humans inferred the emotional states of a simple, flat robot that only moves autonomously on a floor in all directions based on Russell's circumplex model of affect that depends on human's spatial position. We observed the physical interaction between humans and a robot through an experiment where our participants seek a treasure in the given field, and the robot expresses its affective state by movements. This result will contribute to the basic design of HRI. The robot only showed its internal state using its simple movements.
The Chicago Child-Parent Centers: A Longitudinal Study of Extended Early Childhood Intervention

In this study, the effects of the Child-Parent Center and Expansion (CPC) Program on scholastic development up to age 14 were reported for a large sample of economically disadvantaged children. The CPC program is a stateand federally funded early childhood educational intervention for children in the Chicago Public Schools who are at risk of academic underachievement due to poverty and associated factors. The CPCs provide comprehensive educational and family support services from ages 3 to 9, for up to six years of continuous intervention. Longitudinal findings from a matched 1989 graduating cohort of 878 program and 286 comparison-group children indicated that (a) any participation in the program was significantly associated with school performance up to eighth grade, (b) duration of participation was significantly associated with school performance, especially for children who participated for five or six years, (c) participation in extended childhood intervention to second and third grade yielded significantly better school performance than participation ending in kindergarten, and (d) longer-term effects of the program were largely explained by cognitive-advantage and family-support factors, both of which are theoretically linked to the program activities. The Chicago Child-Parent Centers: A Longitudinal Study of Extended Early Childhood Intervention