bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neoliberal Discursive Formations: On the Contours of Subjectivation, Good Governance, and Symbolic Violence in Posttransitional Cambodia
Authors: Springer Simon
Published: September 2010

Neoliberal subject formation in posttransitional Cambodia has been facilitated through the ‘commonsense’ rhetoric of good governance, which is conceived here as a primary discursive formation in the creation of consent for neoliberalism. Neoliberal subjectivation is the process whereby one memorizes the truth claims that one has heard and converts them into rules of conduct, thereby effectively locking in the rights of capital. As disciplinary rationalities, strategies, technologies, and techniques coagulate under neoliberal subjectivation in contemporary Cambodian society through the proliferation of particular discursive formations like good governance, the structural inequalities of capital are increasingly misrecognized. This constitutes symbolic violence, which is wielded precisely inasmuch as one does not perceive it as such. How we interpret the fluidity between those who produce and those constrained by neoliberal discursive formations is paramount if we are to counter problematic notions of neoliberalism as inevitable or monolithic and begin to recognize the systemic violent geographies that neoliberalism (re)produces both in posttransitional Cambodia and beyond.
Transgenic rhesus monkeys produced by gene transfer into early-cleavage–stage embryos using a simian immunodeficiency virus-based vector
Authors: Niu Yuyu , Yu Yang , Bernat Agnieszka , Yang Shihua , He Xiechao , Guo Xiangyu , Chen Dongliang , Chen Yongchang , Ji Shaohui , Si Wei , Lv Yongqin , Tan Tao , Wei Qiang , Wang Hong , Shi Lei , Guan Jean , Zhu Xuemei , Afanassieff Marielle , Savatier Pierre , Zhang Kang , Zhou Qi , Ji Weizhi
Published: September 2010

The development of transgenic technologies in monkeys is important for creating valuable animal models of human physiology so that the etiology of diseases can be studied and potential therapies for their amelioration may be developed. However, the efficiency of producing transgenic primate animals is presently very low, and there are few reports of success. We have developed an improved methodology for the production of transgenic rhesus monkeys, making use of a simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-based vector that encodes EGFP and a protocol for infection of early-cleavage–stage embryos. We show that infection does not alter embryo development. Moreover, the timing of infection, either before or during embryonic genome activation, has no observable effect on the level and stability of transgene expression. Of 70 embryos injected with concentrated virus at the one- to two-cell stage or the four- to eight-cell stage and showing fluorescence, 30 were transferred to surrogate mothers. One transgenic fetus was obtained from a fraternal triple pregnancy. Four infant monkeys were produced from four singleton pregnancies, of which two expressed EGFP throughout the whole body. These results demonstrate the usefulness of SIV-based lentiviral vectors for the generation of transgenic monkeys and improve the efficiency of transgenic technology in nonhuman primates.
An improved open-channel structure of MscL determined from FRET confocal microscopy and simulation
Authors: Corry Ben , Hurst Annette C. , Pal Prithwish , Nomura Takeshi , Rigby Paul , Martinac Boris
Published: September 2010

Mechanosensitive channels act as molecular transducers of mechanical force exerted on the membrane of living cells by opening in response to membrane bilayer deformations occurring in physiological processes such as touch, hearing, blood pressure regulation, and osmoregulation. Here, we determine the likely structure of the open state of the mechanosensitive channel of large conductance using a combination of patch clamp, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) spectroscopy, data from previous electron paramagnetic resonance experiments, and molecular and Brownian dynamics simulations. We show that structural rearrangements of the protein can be measured in similar conditions as patch clamp recordings while controlling the state of the pore in its natural lipid environment by modifying the lateral pressure distribution via the lipid bilayer. Transition to the open state is less dramatic than previously proposed, while the N terminus remains anchored at the surface of the membrane where it can either guide the tilt of or directly translate membrane tension to the conformation of the pore-lining helix. Combining FRET data obtained in physiological conditions with simulations is likely to be of great value for studying conformational changes in a range of multimeric membrane proteins.
Involvement of F1296 and N1303 of CFTR in induced-fit conformational change in response to ATP binding at NBD2
Authors: Szollosi Andras , Vergani Paola , Csanády László
Published: September 2010

The chloride ion channel cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) displays a typical adenosine trisphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) protein architecture comprising two transmembrane domains, two intracellular nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs), and a unique intracellular regulatory domain. Once phosphorylated in the regulatory domain, CFTR channels can open and close when supplied with cytosolic ATP. Despite the general agreement that formation of a head-to-tail NBD dimer drives the opening of the chloride ion pore, little is known about how ATP binding to individual NBDs promotes subsequent formation of this stable dimer. Structural studies on isolated NBDs suggest that ATP binding induces an intra-domain conformational change termed “induced fit,” which is required for subsequent dimerization. We investigated the allosteric interaction between three residues within NBD2 of CFTR, F1296, N1303, and R1358, because statistical coupling analysis suggests coevolution of these positions, and because in crystal structures of ABC domains, interactions between these positions appear to be modulated by ATP binding. We expressed wild-type as well as F1296S, N1303Q, and R1358A mutant CFTR in Xenopus oocytes and studied these channels using macroscopic inside-out patch recordings. Thermodynamic mutant cycles were built on several kinetic parameters that characterize individual steps in the gating cycle, such as apparent affinities for ATP, open probabilities in the absence of ATP, open probabilities in saturating ATP in a mutant background (K1250R), which precludes ATP hydrolysis, as well as the rates of nonhydrolytic closure. Our results suggest state-dependent changes in coupling between two of the three positions (1296 and 1303) and are consistent with a model that assumes a toggle switch–like interaction pattern during the intra-NBD2 induced fit in response to ATP binding. Stabilizing interactions of F1296 and N1303 present before ATP binding are replaced by a single F1296-N1303 contact in ATP-bound states, with similar interaction partner toggling occurring during the much rarer ATP-independent spontaneous openings.
Regulatory mechanism of length-dependent activation in skinned porcine ventricular muscle: role of thin filament cooperative activation in the Frank-Starling relation
Authors: Terui Takako , Shimamoto Yuta , Yamane Mitsunori , Kobirumaki Fuyu , Ohtsuki Iwao , Ishiwata Shin’ichi , Kurihara Satoshi , Fukuda Norio
Published: September 2010

Cardiac sarcomeres produce greater active force in response to stretch, forming the basis of the Frank-Starling mechanism of the heart. The purpose of this study was to provide the systematic understanding of length-dependent activation by investigating experimentally and mathematically how the thin filament “on–off” switching mechanism is involved in its regulation. Porcine left ventricular muscles were skinned, and force measurements were performed at short (1.9 µm) and long (2.3 µm) sarcomere lengths. We found that 3 mM MgADP increased Ca2+ sensitivity of force and the rate of rise of active force, consistent with the increase in thin filament cooperative activation. MgADP attenuated length-dependent activation with and without thin filament reconstitution with the fast skeletal troponin complex (sTn). Conversely, 20 mM of inorganic phosphate (Pi) decreased Ca2+ sensitivity of force and the rate of rise of active force, consistent with the decrease in thin filament cooperative activation. Pi enhanced length-dependent activation with and without sTn reconstitution. Linear regression analysis revealed that the magnitude of length-dependent activation was inversely correlated with the rate of rise of active force. These results were quantitatively simulated by a model that incorporates the Ca2+-dependent on–off switching of the thin filament state and interfilament lattice spacing modulation. Our model analysis revealed that the cooperativity of the thin filament on–off switching, but not the Ca2+-binding ability, determines the magnitude of the Frank-Starling effect. These findings demonstrate that the Frank-Starling relation is strongly influenced by thin filament cooperative activation.
PAR: a PARallel and distributed job crusher
Authors: Berenger Francois , Coti Camille , Zhang Kam Y. J.
Published: September 2010

Summary: Bioinformaticians are tackling increasingly computation-intensive tasks. In the meantime, workstations are shifting towards multi-core architectures and even massively multi-core may be the norm soon. Bag-of-Tasks (BoT) applications are commonly encountered in bioinformatics. They consist of a large number of independent computation-intensive tasks. This note introduces PAR, a scalable, dynamic, parallel and distributed execution engine for Bag-of-Tasks. PAR is aimed at multi-core architectures and small clusters. Accelerations obtained thanks to PAR on two different applications are shown.

Availability: PAR is released under the GNU General Public License version three and can be freely downloaded (http://download.savannah.gnu.org/releases/par/par.tgz).

Contact:  berenger@riken.jp
Isolation, pure culture and characterization of Serratia symbiotica sp. nov., the R-type of secondary endosymbiont of the black bean aphid Aphis fabae
Authors: Sabri Ahmed , Leroy Pascal , Haubruge Eric , Hance Thierry , Frère Isabelle , Destain Jacqueline , Thonart Philippe
Published: September 2010

An intracellular symbiotic bacterium was isolated from the flora of a natural clone of the black bean aphid Aphis fabae. The strain was able to grow freely in aerobic conditions on a rich medium containing 1 % of each of the following substrates: glucose, yeast extract and casein peptone. Pure culture was achieved through the use of solid-phase culture on the same medium and the strain was designated CWBI-2.3T. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain CWBI-2.3T was a member of the class Gammaproteobacteria, having high sequence similarity (>99 %) with ‘Candidatus Serratia symbiotica’, the R-type of secondary endosymbiont that is found in several aphid species. As strain CWBI-2.3T ( = LMG 25624T = DSM 23270T) was the first R-type symbiont to be isolated and characterized, it was designated as the type strain of Serratia symbiotica sp. nov.
Reclassification of Paenibacillus ginsengisoli as a later heterotypic synonym of Paenibacillus anaericanus
Authors: Kim Kwang Kyu , Lee Keun Chul , Lee Jung-Sook
Published: September 2010

The type strains of the species Paenibacillus ginsengisoli (KCTC 13931T) and Paenibacillus anaericanus (DSM 15890T) were compared in order to clarify the taxonomic relationship of the two species. On the basis of 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequence comparisons, the two strains shared 99.9 and 99.6 % similarity, respectively. The mean DNA–DNA relatedness value was 77 % and the genomic DNA G+C contents were 43.2 and 42.2 mol%, respectively. Phenotypic data, including fatty acid patterns and acid-production, enzyme-activity and substrate-utilization profiles, showed no pronounced differences between the type strains of the two species. These genotypic and phenotypic data suggest that the two taxa constitute a single species. According to Rules 38 and 42 of the Bacteriological Code, they should be united under the name Paenibacillus anaericanus, with the name Paenibacillus ginsengisoli as a later heterotypic synonym.
Shinella daejeonensis sp. nov., a nitrate-reducing bacterium isolated from sludge of a leachate treatment plant
Authors: Lee Myungjin , Woo Sung-Geun , Ten Leonid N.
Published: September 2010

A Gram-negative-staining, motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterial strain, designated MJ02T, was isolated from sludge of a leachate treatment plant in Daejeon (South Korea) and was characterized to determine its taxonomic position by using a polyphasic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain MJ02T belonged to the family Rhizobiaceae, class Alphaproteobacteria, and was most closely related to Shinella yambaruensis MS4T (97.6 % sequence similarity) and Shinella fusca DC-196T (97.5 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain MJ02T was 64.3 mol%. The detection of a quinone system with ubiquinone Q-10 as the predominant respiratory lipoquinone and a fatty acid profile with C18 : 1ω7c (45.8 %) and C16 : 0 (21.8 %) as the major components supported the affiliation of strain MJ02T to the genus Shinella. However, strain MJ02T exhibited relatively low levels of DNA–DNA relatedness with respect to S. fusca DSM 21319T (17±7 %) and S. yambaruensis KACC 14483T (12±6 %), showing clearly that the isolate constituted a new genospecies. Strain MJ02T could be clearly differentiated from its phylogenetic neighbours on the basis of several phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic features. Therefore, strain MJ02T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Shinella, for which the name Shinella daejeonensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MJ02T ( = KCTC 22450T = JCM 16236T).
Arthrobacter equi sp. nov., isolated from veterinary clinical material
Authors: Yassin A. F. , Spröer C. , Siering C. , Hupfer H. , Schumann P.
Published: September 2010

A Gram-positive-staining, catalase-positive, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, strain IMMIB L-1606T, isolated from genital swabs of a horse, was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the organism was related to members of the genus Arthrobacter, displaying sequence similarities of 93.5–99.1 % with the type strains of recognized species of the genus. Cell-wall analysis revealed peptidoglycan type A3α l-Lys–l-Ser–l-Thr–l-Ala. DNA–DNA hybridization data and biochemical characterization of strain IMMIB L-1606T enabled the isolate to be differentiated genotypically and phenotypically from phylogenetically closely related species of the genus Arthrobacter. Therefore, it is concluded that strain IMMIB L-1606T represents a novel species of the genus Arthrobacter, for which the name Arthrobacter equi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Arthrobacter equi sp. nov. is IMMIB L-1606T ( = DSM 23395T = CCUG 59597T).
Antagonism of lateral amygdala alpha1-adrenergic receptors facilitates fear conditioning and long-term potentiation
Authors: Lazzaro Stephanie C. , Hou Mian , Cunha Catarina , LeDoux Joseph E. , Cain Christopher K.
Published: September 2010

Norepinephrine receptors have been studied in emotion, memory, and attention. However, the role of alpha1-adrenergic receptors in fear conditioning, a major model of emotional learning, is poorly understood. We examined the effect of terazosin, an alpha1-adrenergic receptor antagonist, on cued fear conditioning. Systemic or intra-lateral amygdala terazosin delivered before conditioning enhanced short- and long-term memory. Terazosin delivered after conditioning did not affect consolidation. In vitro, terazosin impaired lateral amygdala inhibitory postsynaptic currents leading to facilitation of excitatory postsynaptic currents and long-term potentiation. Since alpha1 blockers are prescribed for hypertension and post-traumatic stress disorder, these results may have important clinical implications.
Carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals of Camelina sativa seed
Authors: Zubr J.
Published: September 2010

Purpose

Production of oil from Camelina sativa seed (CS) by pressing yields a by‐product in the form of press cakes (PC). The PC were traditionally used as ingredient in fodder for animals. This paper aims to estimate the nutritional value of CS and PC with regard to exploitation in human nutrition.

Design/methodology/approach

Seed samples for analyses were collected from remote locations in Europe and in Scandinavia. The analyses of CS for the content of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals were carried out using advanced analytical technology. With few exceptions, standard analytical methods were used.

Findings

The analyses quantified the content of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals of CS. The mean content of glucose was 0.42 per cent, fructose 0.04 per cent, sucrose 5.5 per cent, raffinose 0.64 per cent, stachyose 0.36 per cent, starch 1.21 per cent, pectin 0.96 per cent, mucilage 6.7 per cent, crude fibre 12.8 per cent and lignin was 7.4 per cent. The analyses for vitamins were restricted to water soluble vitamins of B series. The content of thiamin (B1) was 18.8  μg/g, riboflavin (B2) 4.4  μg/g, niacin (B3) 194  μg/g, pantothenic acid (B5) 11.3  μg/g, pyridoxine (B6) 1.9  μg/g, biotin (B7) 1.0  μg/g and folate (B9) 3.2  μg/g. Analyses for selected minerals disclosed the content of calcium (Ca) 1.0 per cent, magnesium (Mg) 0.51 per cent, sodium (Na) 0.06 per cent, potassium (K) 1.6 per cent, chlorine (Cl) 0.04 per cent, phosphorus (P) 1.4 per cent, sulphur (S) 0.24 per cent, iron (Fe) 329  μg/g, copper (Cu) 9.9  μg/g, manganese (Mn) 40  μg/g, nickel (Ni) 1.9  μg/g and zinc (Zn) 69  μg/g.

Originality/value

The available scientific documentation does not provide information concerning analyses of CS for the content of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. The present investigation reveals the quantitative contribution of these substances to the total nutritional value of CS. Chemical characteristics and the role of the respective substances in metabolism are briefly reviewed.
Islamic challenges to HR in modern organizations
Authors: Ali Abbas J.
Published: September 2010

Purpose

This research is designed to answer questions: do Islamic teachings offer relevant perspectives on human resource (HR) issues? Are the treatments of HR issues in Islam compatible with evolving organizational concepts? Do current HR practices in countries with Muslim majority (CMM) resemble Islamic prescriptions? It aims to address these and other questions in line with early Islamic instructions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper surveys Islamic texts and treaties. It then compares Islamic instruction to what prevails in Christianity and Judaism.

Findings

Islamic prescriptions view the interests of employees and employers as complementary. Workers are treated as the creators of value in the marketplace and by necessity the primary force for economic growth and prosperity. It is argued that the application of the philosophy of ehsan in the workplace offers a useful framework for positively safeguarding societal concerns.

Practical implications

This paper offers practitioners and researchers various avenues on how to address the issues of HR in Islamic societies. In contrasting Islamic and Western HR foundations, the paper identifies certain minefields.

Originality/value

This paper offers a unique insight on the nature of HR instruction and policies. In this paper, it is argued that Islamic prescriptions on HR, if internalized, may guard against violating human dignity and ensure a fine balance between organizational and societal interests.
Human resource management with Islamic management principles
Authors: Branine Mohamed , Pollard David
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature and contents of Islamic management practices and their consequent implications for human resource management (HRM) in Arab countries. In addition, it aims to examine the implications for multinational companies (MNCs) operating in Islamic countries and the impact of globalisation before proceeding to an analysis of managerial problems in Arab countries and the need for understanding Islamic management principles by Arab (national) and international managers.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a qualitative approach based on an extensive review of relevant literature and the employment of examples from selected Arab countries.

Findings

The study reveals that a gap exists between the theory of Islamic management and the practice of management in Arab countries. Management in Arab countries is informed and heavily influenced by non‐Islamic traditional and national cultural values and norms of different countries and by Western management thinking rather than Islamic principles derived from the HolyQuran(words of God) and theHadith(words of the Prophet Mohamed).

Research limitations/implications

The paper argues that one of the main reasons for the lack of progress in most Arab and Islamic countries is the mismatch between global integration and local responsiveness because of an excess forward diffusion of Western management and business practices with little understanding and, hence, the implementation of Islamic management principles by both local and international managers in Arab countries. It adopts the view that there is a gap between the knowledge possessed by national and international managers in order to manage locally and what is required from the local workforce to be managed effectively. The main limitation of this study is the lack of empirical research evidence to support the points deducted from this review of literature.

Practical implications

Understanding Islamic management principles could help to develop a more appropriate type of management best practice in Arab and Islamic countries while still benefiting from the transfer of relevant Western management techniques and Western technology. The paper also argues that a reverse diffusion of management knowledge and skills by managers of MNCs is very important for the effective management of human resources in host countries. National cultural contexts and different views of work values have made a major impact on the ability of firms to address HRM issues in different cultural settings.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the comparatively sparse literature on Islamic management and its applications by identifying key issues for HRM implementation and in developing Western understanding of Islamic management systems.
Influence of ethical beliefs, national culture and institutions on preferences for HRM in Oman
Authors: Katou Anastasia A. , Budhwar Pawan S. , Woldu Habte , Basit Al‐Hamadi Abdul
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The paper seeks to investigate the association between ethical beliefs, aspects of national culture and national institutions, and preferences for specific human resource management practices in the Sultanate of Oman.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 712 individuals working in six organisations (both private and public sectors) responded to a self‐administered questionnaire in the Sultanate of Oman. To test the raised research questions of the proposed framework, the methodology of structural equation models was used.

Findings

The results highlight significant differences in the belief systems on the basis of different demographic characteristics. The findings also confirm impact of ethical beliefs, and aspects of national culture and national institutions on preferences for human resource management (HRM) practices.

Research limitations/implications

Although the goodness‐of‐fit indexes confirmed the validity of the proposed operational model, some indices were attained at rather flexible levels.

Practical implications

Studies on managerial beliefs and values can offer important insights into the extent that work is viewed as an integral life activity. Such information can help differentiate among managerial styles in various cultures, and in predicting managerial behaviour such as ethical decision‐making. Based on such understanding, the findings can be used to educate government officials and outside consultants interested in Oman.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the accumulation of knowledge about under‐researched developing countries such as Oman, as limited data are available on HRM, value orientations and ethical beliefs' issues in this region.
“A job interview for Mo, but none for Mohammed”
Authors: Forstenlechner Ingo , Al‐Waqfi Mohammed A.
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine workplace discrimination in the context of immigrant employees and job seekers, with a specific focus on perceived discrimination resulting from affiliation with a specific religious group.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 40 Muslim immigrants in two host countries were interviewed regarding their perception of discrimination and the consequences for their workplace experience. For the analysis, responses were clustered to identify emerging themes using NVivo.

Findings

Results indicate that Muslim immigrants encounter treatment at the workplace that they perceive as discriminatory. On the other hand, findings show high levels of commitment where employees were not discriminated against – contrary to their almost inherent expectations that they would be.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the exploratory nature of this study, the results need to be treated with caution. The small sample size may limit the generalisability of findings. Also, it is possible that both religion and race/ethnicity are confounded in causing the reported incidents of perceived discrimination.

Practical implications

Beyond moral or ethical considerations, workplace discrimination has a negative impact on employee motivation and performance. Accommodation of basic religious needs can significantly improve commitment to the employer at virtually no cost.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors's knowledge there are a limited number of studies in previous literature looking at employment discrimination in the context of religious affiliation. There are very few studies addressing perceived workplace discrimination against Muslims.
Human resource management practices on organisational commitment
Authors: Hashim Junaidah
Published: September 2010

Purpose

Islam urges all Muslims to perform their utmost best when they work. Giving the best requires full commitment. Employees' commitment is influenced by many factors, including the management styles within the organisation. This paper aims to examine the management of human resources from the Islamic perspective and its effects on organisational commitment among selected employees in Islamic organisations in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a self‐developed questionnaire that was personally distributed to employees. In total, 121 Muslim employees who work in various positions in eight Islamic organisations participated as respondents of this study.

Findings

The findings revealed that the selected organisations frequently practise the Islamic approach in all its human resource management (HRM) functions. The results of correlation and regression analysis show that the Islamic approach in HRM was highly and significantly correlated to organisational commitment. About 45 per cent of the organisational commitment variance was explained by the Islamic approach in HRM.

Practical implications

An introduction to the Islamic approach in HRM practices is an initial attempt to provide managers with an effective way of managing and understanding the people they work with. This knowledge would be useful to even non‐Muslim managers. For Muslim human resource managers, it is essential for them to not only know but also to apply the Islamic approach in managing employees. Non‐Muslim managers will have a better understanding of the expected behaviours of their Muslim employees. Muslim employees regardless for who they work are expected to be honest, trustworthy, and determined to continuously strive for the best.

Originality/value

This study is unique from other previous studies. Instead of discussing Islamic management in general, this study explores in‐depth every function of HRM based on authentic Islamic sources, as well as providing empirical evidence.
B2B e‐hubs and information integration in supply chain operations
Authors: Zhao Xiaofeng , Zhao Hui , Hou Jianrong
Published: September 2010

Purpose

B2B e‐hubs have been studied by IS researchers for close to a decade, and supply chain integration is a critical topic for supply chain management. However, the interface of the two topic areas has not received adequate attention from both researchers and practitioners. This paper aims to examine the impact of B2B e‐hubs on supply chain integration, with particular emphasis on information integration, B2B e‐hub architecture, and enabling technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

General system theory (GST) provides the theoretical framework. The main approach is theoretical analysis of information integration and development of e‐hub architecture. The paper discusses how information integration can be achieved through B2B e‐hubs and explores extensible markup language e‐hub architecture and technologies.

Findings

GST could provide the theoretical framework of integration, whereas information integration is the foundation of broader supply chain integration. E‐hubs open up communication and enlarge networking opportunities and thus tremendously affect information integration. By analyzing B2B e‐hubs, this paper explores the mechanism of information integration and points out managerial and technical limitations. Although there are many challenges, e‐hubs create value by aggregating and matching buyers and sellers, creating marketplace liquidity, and reducing transaction costs. E‐hubs could be a crucial solution to supply chain integration.

Originality/value

The paper uses GST as the theoretical foundation to analyze information integration in supply chain operations. The paper explores how e‐hubs can support supply chain integration, examines the design and development of B2B e‐hub architecture, and compares some enabling technologies. The research provides an understanding of how data interchange solutions can be implemented in supply chain operations.
Impact of RFID technology utilization on operational performance
Authors: Zelbst Pamela J. , Green Kenneth W. , Sower Victor E.
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to focus on the most basic of relationships – the impact of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology utilization on operational performance. An RFID‐performance model is theorized and tested with data collected from a sample of manufacturing organizations using a structural equation methodology. The structural model incorporating RFID technology utilization as antecedent to operational performance is assessed.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data from a sample of 122 manufacturing sector organizations were collected and the model was assessed following a structural equation methodology.

Findings

The measurement scales assess as unidimensional, reliable, and valid. The theorized structural model fits the data relatively well. RFID technology utilization directly and positively impacts operational performance.

Research limitations/implications

Interpretation of the results should be tempered in light of this early stage of adoption of RFID technology in the manufacturing sector. Also, this study is limited only to the operational level benefits of RFID technology utilization. It does not assess the impact of the technology on business and supply chain level performance.

Practical implications

Manufacturing managers can expect improved operational performance to result from the implementation of RFID technology. RFID utilization should not be seen by the practitioner simply as a cost of doing business but rather as a way to improve efficiency and effectiveness which ultimately will lead to increased profits.

Originality/value

The study offers empirical support for the adoption of RFID technology for the purpose of improving operational performance within the manufacturing sector.
Top management control and knowledge creation in new product development
Authors: Richtnér Anders , Åhlström Pär
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of top management control in stimulating innovation through their effect on the creation of knowledge in new product development (NPD) projects. Top management has a crucial role in stimulating innovation in companies, in particular as top managers affect knowledge creation through their interaction with project teams before and during an NPD project, which can of course affect innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Through comparative case‐based research in two companies in high‐velocity industries, chosen through theoretical sampling, the authors have studied six NPD projects.

Findings

The control top management exercise over an NPD project influences the creation of knowledge in different ways, both hampering and facilitating knowledge creation. In particular, this control focuses on explicit knowledge, and not tacit knowledge, which may reduce the overall capacity for knowledge creation and ultimately innovation.

Research limitations/implications

The results are considered to be generalizable within high‐velocity industries. In terms of future research the results should be tested in other industries using either case‐based research or by increasing the sample and doing survey‐type research.

Practical implications

The advice, or perhaps challenge, for managers is to know when to exercise control, when not to and what type of control to exercise. In particular the paper highlights the importance of managers not solely controlling projects by focusing on explicit knowledge in the project, but also by understanding that tacit knowledge is necessary in order to facilitate knowledge creation and innovation.

Originality/value

The paper helps clarify the relationship between top management control and knowledge creation by specially examining how and why top management control hampers or facilitates knowledge creation.
Implications of outsourcing on operations planning: findings from the pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Boulaksil Youssef , Fransoo Jan C.
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the implications of outsourcing at the operational planning level, i.e. how the operational planning function is complicated owing to the strategic outsourcing decisions that have been made in the past.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a literature review on outsourcing is conducted. Second, two case studies at three pharmaceutical companies are conducted to gather insights into the planning of outsourced operations.

Findings

The paper finds that nothing has been documented in the literature on outsourcing at the operational planning level. Moreover, a number of implications of outsourcing at the operational planning level are discussed. One of the main insights is that in an outsourcing relationship, the order process consists of different, hierarchically connected, decisions in time, hence requiring a richer and more developed communication and ordering pattern than is commonly assumed.

Research limitations/implications

The results seem to be generalizable to the pharmaceutical industry. However, future research should determine whether these results replicate in other industries.

Originality/value

The literature on outsourcing has mainly focused on the strategic outsourcing decision. The paper contributes to a better understanding of the implications of outsourcing at the operational planning function, which has not been studied before.
Leadership practices, competitive priorities, and manufacturing group performance
Authors: Kathuria Ravi , Partovi Fariborz Y. , Greenhaus Jeffrey H.
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of manufacturing leadership in enhancing manufacturing performance for different manufacturing configurations.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data collected from three levels of respondents in excess of 480, from 98 manufacturing units in the USA are used to test the study hypothesis using the cluster analysis and regression models.

Findings

Effective leadership is positively associated with overall manufacturing performance beyond the fixed effects of organizational variables, such as competitive orientation and industry membership. The manufacturing leadership, however, does not seem to affect customer satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The paper illustrates the use of behavioral theory of leadership in the context of managing operations with varying competitive orientations in different industries. Future research should, however, attempt to match different leadership practices/styles to different competitive orientations, and include employee characteristics, such as subordinates' prior experience, training, or skills that may influence the need for demonstrating the leadership practices differently for different competitive orientations.

Practical implications

As manufacturers pursue a combination of priorities, their manufacturing managers need to use a gamut of effective leadership practices, such as planning, delegating, inspiring, etc. Manufacturers may also note that effective manufacturing leadership enhances performance on a host of measures, such as quality, timeliness, efficiency, etc. which are directly influenced by the manufacturing group. For measures, such as customer satisfaction, manufacturing leadership needs to be augmented by managing customer expectations and by being more flexible in accommodating customers' requirements.

Originality/value

This is the first study to deploy multiple respondents to simultaneously examine the effects of competitive orientation and leadership practices on manufacturing performance.
Consumer confidence, endogenous growth and endogenous cycles
Authors: Gomes Orlando
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop growth models that depart from the conventional framework, in the sense that consumption decisions take into account previous periods' expectations about output fluctuations. Households will raise their propensity to consume in periods of expected expansion and they will lower it in phases of predictable recession. Such a framework allows discussion of how growth trends may be disturbed over time as the result of changes in consumer sentiment.

Design/methodology/approach

Endogenous growth models are generally designed to address long‐term trends of growth. They explain how the economy converges with or diverges from a balanced growth path and they characterize aggregate behavior, given the optimization problem faced by a representative agent that maximizes consumption utility. In such frameworks, only potential output matters and all decisions, by firms and households, are taken on the assumption that any expectations on the value of the output gap do not interfere with the agents' behavior. Introducing consumer sentiment, a conventional growth model is modified in order to understand how effective output eventually deviates from the balanced growth path.

Findings

The proposed framework allows one to introduce nonlinear dynamics into the model, making it feasible to obtain, for reasonable parameter values, endogenous fluctuations. These are triggered by a Neimark‐Sacker bifurcation.

Originality/value

By introducing consumer confidence or consumer sentiment, it is possible to integrate the evaluation of growth and cycles into a unified framework. It is possible to explain business cycles as the result of the consumers' reaction to the expected performance of the economic system.
A wavelet network model for analysing exchange rate effects on interest rates
Authors: Ozun Alper , Cifter Atilla
Published: September 2010

Purpose

This research paper aims to discuss the effects of exchange rates on interest rates by using wavelet network methodology, which is a combination of wavelets and neural networks.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs wavelet networks to analyse the relationships between the financial time series. Empirically, the research examines the effects of foreign exchanges on the interest rates in Turkish financial markets by using daily USD/TRY rates and interest rates in Turkish Lira (TRY).

Findings

The results indicate that the wavelet network model is the most successful methodology among the alternatives such as Hodrick‐Prescott filter, feed‐forward neural network, wavelet causality, and wavelet correlation analysis in capturing the non‐linear dynamics between the selected time series.

Originality/value

The research results have both methodological and practical originality. On the theoretical side, the wavelet network is superior in modelling the causal linkages of the financial time series. For practical aims, on the other hand, the results show that the level of the effects of the exchange rates on the interest rates varies on the time‐scale used. Wavelet networks shows that the causality relationship is strong in the short run, while the effect decreases in the mid‐run.
Assessing a feasible degree of product market integration: a pilot analysis
Authors: Gluschenko Konstantin , Karchevskaya Darya
Published: September 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to make a preliminary estimate of the degree of integration in the US product market (widely acknowledged to be the most integrated among geographically large economies) as an upper bound of spatial integration that is practically achievable in markets covering fairly large territories.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes the form of an econometric model derived from the fact that local price of a tradable good should not be dependent on local demand under the law of “one price is a tool to measure market integration”. It is applied to data on the cost of a grocery basket and prices for three individual goods in 2000 across 29 US cities.

Findings

The regression results suggest that the US market is not perfectly integrated. Thus, the estimated degree of its integration can be deemed, indeed, as a feasible maximum. Applying this benchmark to the European part of Russia in 2000, its degree of market integration turns out to be comparable – by the order of magnitude – with the feasible one. The roles of a few factors that could potentially cause segmentation of the US market are estimated.

Research limitations/implications

The estimated degree of US market integration is crude because of the relatively small spatial sample. Further research has to substantially widen the spatial sample and estimate integration of the US market across a number of points in time.

Originality/value

The paper suggests a realistic benchmark standard for judging the extent of market integration in various (geographically large) economies.
Why do some countries have a long‐term dependence on food aid?
Authors: Moore Winston , Stanford Sunielle
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the main determinants of dependency on food aid programmes. Food aid may take the form of a loan, a sale below market price or a current transfer. Food aid programmes across the globe are generally designed to provide short‐term assistance to countries. However, many countries have developed a dependence on food aid assistance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper estimates cross‐sectional regressions using a database containing 116 developing countries over the period 1970‐2003. Bayesian averaging of classical estimates is employed to identify the robust determinants of dependency.

Findings

The study finds that the top two determinants of food aid dependence (both cereals and non‐cereals) were food production and the frequency of droughts affecting the country. Food inflation, population density, crop yields, the amount of arable land per capita, the rule of law and the number of armed conflicts were also robustly related to aid dependence.

Practical implications

These findings suggest that international donors should focus primarily on offsetting the substitution effect of aid on local production as well as implement systems to partially offset the negative effects of droughts, if they are to break the cycle of dependence on food aid.

Originality/value

Previous studies have investigated the effects of a large number of other variables. The findings from these papers were somewhat conflicting due to differences in model specification. To identify the variables that have a robust relationship with food aid dependence, whatever the model specification, the Bayesian averaging of classical estimates approach proposed by Sala‐i‐Martin et al. is employed.
National Trust nurtures talent
Authors: Desmond Billy
Published: September 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe, in particular bringing the world of L&D, OD and Strategy together as a cohesive unit. This has practical implications and is informed by qualitative cutting‐edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by one of the consultants who was working on the project, and hence it describes the phenomenological experience while also complementing this with further reflections to enrich the learning attained from this process.

Findings

The paper describes how Ashridge Consulting, part of a leading European business school, worked in collaboration with The National Trust, the charity which conserves heritage buildings and places in England, Wales and Northern Ireland – to provide a development program for Functional Advisors. Insight is provided into the benefits of a relational approach to consulting and working collaboratively to provide tailored Learning and Development intervention at a time of strategic change. Also, a high level overview is provided of an inquiry approach and the importance of a co‐created design to ensure success of a significant investment for organizations. A robust evaluative inquiry demonstrates how participants and those who benefit from their services and expertise have benefited and makes it clear that dynamic learning translated into action at individual and systemic levels is having positive impact on the Trust's ongoing success.

Practical implications

The paper provides insight from credible practitioner researchers who offer strategic insights and practical thinking that has made a difference to a large organization and can be translated for other leading organizations.

Social implications

This paper emphasizes the importance of attending to relationships and building connections as a way of supporting change that is sustainable in the long term rather than focusing on short‐term benefits.

Originality/value

The paper provides insight for leaders, executives and researchers by clearly illustrating through a real and ongoing consulting intervention how an L&D intervention can be integrated into an OD intervention within the wider strategic context. This brief may be helpful at times of much change.
Quantum dots: a bright future for photonic nanosensors
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to provide a technical review of the application of quantum dot (QD) technology to sensors.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a brief introduction to QD technology, this paper considers recent research on QD‐based physical, chemical and gas sensors.

Findings

This shows that QDs are being exploited in a range of experimental sensors for detecting physical variables, notably radiant/electromagnetic quantities and temperature; chemical compounds, such as metals and many species of clinical interest; and a variety of gases and vapours. Prospects also exist to develop improved sources and detectors for use in optical gas sensors.

Research limitations/implications

The paper does not consider biomedical uses of QDs such as cellular imaging, bioassays and biosensors.

Originality/value

This provides a detailed insight into recent research on physical, chemical and gas sensors based on QD technology.