bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Situating Policing in a Late Modern Society: The Ontology of Police Identity
Authors: Lawson Celeste
Published: December 2014

As individuals we interact and make decisions that shape both us and those around us. This view holds true of policing, a field dominated by functionalist approaches to research. This paper questions functionalism and presents a sociological perspective of policing research, incorporating a social construction of identity. Whilst functionalists argue that crime is deviance against the dominant group, it provides no opportunity to question norms or identity. In an era of globalisation and connectivity, an interpretivist ontology in policing research is more appropriate, allowing the representation of identity through an analysis of culture and discourse. Culture and identity are sociological influences on police action, negotiated through hegemonistic power struggles.
The Arab Spring re-visited: Why the western media got it wrong
Authors: Medzini Meron
Published: December 2014

The momentous events that became known as the Arab Awakening or Arab Spring, or as some even called it the Arab Democratic Spring (2011–14) – although the Arabic term is thaura – meaning a revolution – were a historic development that took by surprise and later even stunned leaders, scholars, commentators and reporters in western countries, mainly in Europe and in North America. Part of the surprise and the inability of the western media to predict the uprisings and above all their dismal and totally unexpected outcome is the subject of this article. An attempt will be made to understand why the western media got it so wrong. Since it can be safely assumed that the Arab Spring has ended its run, certain questions regarding the reporting of this event are in order.
From the virgin land to the transnational identities of the twenty-first century: Exceptionalist rhetoric in the field of American studies
Authors: Vandivinit Gilles
Published: December 2014

In the age of globalization, American Exceptionalism remains a ubiquitous subject of debate within academic circles as well as society in general. The intention of this article is to reveal the coherent narrative that accompanies the notion of exceptionalism that stretches from the ‘city upon a hill’ in the seventeenth century to the War on Terror in the early 2000s.

Puritans like John Winthrop, historians like Alexis de Tocqueville and presidents like Woodrow Wilson embraced exceptionalism as a concept, but its most important base of support, other than political leaders and scholars, was America’s working class. The premise of this article is to explore the nature of this very concept, whether we call it an ideology, myth or God-given truth and why it has become such an imperative part of the political, cultural and intellectual life of the United States.

By looking at the work that has been administered in the field of American studies over the last decades, dating back to the mid-twentieth century, I wish to expose the malleability of exceptionalism, a quality that not only allows it to reject any definition but also enables it to turn into a metaconcept that will never lose its appeal, according to Donald E. Pease. I argue that the manifold qualities of this metaconcept, whether we call it a political doctrine or a national fantasy, enable the citizens of the United States to define themselves within the framework of a larger American identity.

I intend to highlight the problems around the United States’ self-proclaimed status as an exceptional nation in a postnational world defined by diasporic and transnational affiliations. By doing so, I will put emphasis on the punitive ideology of exclusion and demonization that surrounds the notion of American Exceptionalism.
The untapped potential of urine shed bladder cancer exosomes: biomarkers, signaling, and therapeutics
Authors: H. Blackwell Robert , A. Franzen Carrie , C. Flanigan Robert , C. Kuo Paul , N. Gupta Gopal
Published: December 2014

Exosomes are small, extracellular vesicles ranging in size from 30-100 nm. Their contents originate from the cytoplasm of their host cell, including nucleic acids, intracellular and membrane-bound protein. Cancer cells have been found to produce exosomes at a significantly higher rate than normal cells, and function in cell-to-cell signaling, with surface protein interaction with recipient cells, as well as deposition of host cell RNA into the recipient cell. Bladder cancer exosomes have demonstrated the propensity to augment the aggressiveness of tumors by increasing tumor cell migration and angiogenesis, while systemically circulating exosomes in other malignancies have also been shown to establish a favorable niche for metastatic disease. With respect to bladder cancer, these exosomes are additionally shed into the urine and represent a potential source of urinary biomarkers to be utilized for a non-invasive diagnosis. Further, while exosomes promote aggressiveness of bladder tumors, there is also potential for therapeutic endeavors on the horizon, with loading of silencing RNA and chemotherapeutics being avenues under investigation. Here we review the current literature on exosomes in bladder cancer as biomarkers, their role in cell-to-cell signaling, and as potential delivery agents for modulatory agents and chemotherapeutics.
Magnetoencephalographic accuracy profiles for the detection of auditory pathway sources
Authors: Bauer Martin , Trahms Lutz , Sander Tilmann
Published: December 2014

The detection limits for cortical and brain stem sources associated with the auditory pathway are examined in order to analyse brain responses at the limits of the audible frequency range. The results obtained from this study are also relevant to other issues of auditory brain research. A complementary approach consisting of recordings of magnetoencephalographic (MEG) data and simulations of magnetic field distributions is presented in this work. A biomagnetic phantom consisting of a spherical volume filled with a saline solution and four current dipoles is built. The magnetic fields outside of the phantom generated by the current dipoles are then measured for a range of applied electric dipole moments with a planar multichannel SQUID magnetometer device and a helmet MEG gradiometer device. The inclusion of a magnetometer system is expected to be more sensitive to brain stem sources compared with a gradiometer system. The same electrical and geometrical configuration is simulated in a forward calculation. From both the measured and the simulated data, the dipole positions are estimated using an inverse calculation. Results are obtained for the reconstruction accuracy as a function of applied electric dipole moment and depth of the current dipole. We found that both systems can localize cortical and subcortical sources at physiological dipole strength even for brain stem sources. Further, we found that a planar magnetometer system is more suitable if the position of the brain source can be restricted in a limited region of the brain. If this is not the case, a helmet-shaped sensor system offers more accurate source estimation.
An EEG/EOG-based hybrid brain-neural computer interaction (BNCI) system to control an exoskeleton for the paralyzed hand
Authors: Soekadar Surjo R. , Witkowski Matthias , Vitiello Nicola , Birbaumer Niels
Published: December 2014

The loss of hand function can result in severe physical and psychosocial impairment. Thus, compensation of a lost hand function using assistive robotics that can be operated in daily life is very desirable. However, versatile, intuitive, and reliable control of assistive robotics is still an unsolved challenge. Here, we introduce a novel brain/neural-computer interaction (BNCI) system that integrates electroencephalography (EEG) and electrooculography (EOG) to improve control of assistive robotics in daily life environments. To evaluate the applicability and performance of this hybrid approach, five healthy volunteers (HV) (four men, average age 26.5±3.8 years) and a 34-year-old patient with complete finger paralysis due to a brachial plexus injury (BPI) used EEG (condition 1) and EEG/EOG (condition 2) to control grasping motions of a hand exoskeleton. All participants were able to control the BNCI system (BNCI control performance HV: 70.24±16.71%, BPI: 65.93±24.27%), but inclusion of EOG significantly improved performance across all participants (HV: 80.65±11.28, BPI: 76.03±18.32%). This suggests that hybrid BNCI systems can achieve substantially better control over assistive devices, e.g., a hand exoskeleton, than systems using brain signals alone and thus may increase applicability of brain-controlled assistive devices in daily life environments.
Der Wiedergänger. Jens Baggesens Nachleben in der deutschen Literatur
Authors: Penke Niels
Published: December 2014

This article traces the marks Jens Baggesen has left in German literature and its history. It depicts Baggesen’s relations and strong bounds to his contempories around 1800, the feud with the Romantic poet Achim von Arnim and the gradual shift into oblivion in the progress of the 19th century, and at last the enigmatic glimpse that is given in R.M. Rilkes Die Aufzeichnungen des Malte Laurids Brigge. Moreover it asks for reasons why Baggesen fell through the cracks of literary history, which can be explained through the rising nationalism and the according formation of strict national philologies, to which the bilingual Baggesen emerged as a figure of neither-nor.
”I känslofulla sköna!” Bengt Lidner, Göttingen och den kvinnliga läsaren
Authors: Cullhed Anna
Published: December 2014

The Swedish poet Bengt Lidner (1757‒1793) studied in Göttingen in 1780‒1781. A spatial analysis of the poet’s global biography and his poetical geography points to Enlightenment universalism as well as to the poetical ideals expressed in Göttingen – the Göttinger Hain, Göttinger Musenalmanach, and the teachings of Professor Christian Gottlob Heyne. Even Lidner’s opera libretto
Evaluation of the Magnetic Permeability for the Microstructural Characterization of a Duplex Stainless Steel
Authors: de Macedo Silva Edgard , Leite Josinaldo P. , de França Neto Francisco A. , Leite João P. , Fialho Walter M. L. , de Albuquerque Victor Hugo C. , Tavares João Manuel R. S.
Published: December 2014

Non-destructive testing has been commonly used to assess the presence of discontinuities that may affect the integrity of materials in service. In this study, a Hall-effect sensor is used in a methodology developed to study, in a non-destructive manner, the microstructural variations of a material that occur because of the single-phase decomposition. The material selected was the UNS S31803 duplex stainless steel, particularly because of its behavior at temperatures below 525°C. Measurements of magnetic permeability based on Hall voltage values were performed, as well as hardness measurements and x-ray diffraction studies. The results confirm that the magnetic permeability can be used to successfully track the formation of α′ phase from α phase in a duplex stainless steel.
Effect of Concrete Strength Class on Performance of CFRP-Confined Concrete under Compression
Authors: Sallam Yassin Shaher , Ahmad Shamsad
Published: December 2014

This paper presents results of an experimental study on the effect of concrete strength class on performance of carbon-fiber-reinforced-polymer (CFRP)-strengthened concrete subjected to compression. Test results indicated that the strength of CFRP-confined concrete increases with increase in number of confining layers; however, the increase in strength as a result of CFRP confinement was more significant for the lower strength class of concrete than the higher strength class of concrete. Using the experimental data obtained from the present work and from the literature, an empirical equation is derived that correlates the confinement effectiveness coefficient and unconfined compressive strength of concrete.
Pesticide Formulation and Delivery Systems: 34th Volume, Translating Basic Science into Products
Authors: Bernal Yasmith
Published: December 2014

Description

Access a range of technical knowledge on the following pesticide topics

This compilation includes 10 peer-reviewed papers that were presented at a symposium held October 22-24, 2013 in Jacksonville, FL.
Cross-Cultural Practice in International Corporate Governance
Authors: Lee Pei-Chen (Chiu-Yi/Joy)
Published: December 2014

By means of the increasing global competition and internationalization of world markets, international expatriates assignments are more and more essential to successful worldwide development for many multinational corporations. Therefore, international expatriates are imperative to the survival of globe enterprises in the twenty-first century. Expatriates can become an important human resource to international enterprises or multinational operations. To facilitate business expatriates adjust to an overseas environment and work effectively, MNCs need to recognize the demographic factors those to affect cross-cultural adjustment. The main purpose of this study is utilizing Lee’s (2002) model to investigate the relationship among the demographic factors and cross-cultural adjustment of Taiwanese expatriates assigned to Mainland. Also, the empirical outcomes were compared between Taiwanese expatriates located in Mainland China and United States.In examining the significant degree of Taiwanese expatriates assigned to Mainland China, the instrument was a questionnaire survey conducted to this study. The variables of interest were measured using items Likert-type of questions, and those items are divided into seven categories. Data collected from 353 participants who have experience of post to Mainland China for international assignments. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA and T-test were employed to analyse data.The statistical results of this study were compared Lee’s (2002) research that associated with Taiwanese banking expatriates in United States. This thesis concludes with suggestions for both international enterprises or MNCs and individual expatriate who operate overseas journey in their normal path of business.
Editorial
Authors: Tatnall Arthur
Published: December 2014

Articles for the third issue of the Journal of Business Systems, Governance and Ethics again span a wide range of business-related research issues that reflect the interests of academic staff and doctoral students at Victoria University. This issue has articles relating to sociology, ethics, information systems, economics and corporate governance. As with previous issues these articles cover issues in both Australia and Asia.
Corporate Governance in State Controlled Enterprises
Authors: Jia Xinting
Published: December 2014

This paper is an international comparison of corporate governance in state controlled enterprises, focusing on corporate governance in Telstra in Australia and China Telecom in China. By comparing and contrasting corporate governance in these two companies, this article explored corporate governance practices and mechanisms in partially listed state controlled enterprises under dramatically different socio-economic environments manifested in China and Australia. This article also explored the role of the Australian government and the role of the Chinese government in Telstra and China Telecom respectively and shed some lights on the underlying forces that have, up to date, shaped the governance of partially listed state controlled enterprises in China and Australia..
The Link Between Incoterms 2000 and Letter of Credit Documentation Requirement and Payment Risk
Authors: Bergami Roberto
Published: December 2014

Letters of credit are an important finance instrument for international trade. These instruments are particularly useful in trade where the transactional values and trading risks are high. Essentially the letter of credit is a substitute for a buyer’s risk with that of his bank, as it underwrites the transaction. Exporters experience difficulties in achieving documentary compliance to the bank’s satisfaction and therefore run the risk of not being paid. Compliance is based on the accuracy and form of data content on documents required by the letter of credit. The more voluminous and complex the documentary requirements, the higher the non-compliance risk. This paper explores the link between international delivery terms and documentary requirements of the letter of credit. Preliminary data from an industry survey suggests that exporters are contracting on international delivery terms that may leave them unnecessarily exposed to non-payment risks. Although further investigation is required to determine whether alternate delivery terms would diminish the exporter’s risk, preliminary results indicate that it is possible to reduce payment risk by the strategic use of international delivery terms.
Family Support as a Factor in Cultural Adjustment
Authors: Lee Pei-Chen (Chiu-Yi/Joy)
Published: December 2014

Following the growing worldwide competition and internationalisation of globe markets, international expatriates’ assignments are become more and more essential to successful worldwide development for many multinational corporations. Therefore, expatriates can become an important human resource to international enterprises or multinational operations. Especially, investigating the influential factors as family support of expatriate adjustment is significant for several reasons. Firstly, failure of expatriate adjustment may cause premature return from overseas assignments, which may be very costly financially for international enterprises. Secondly, failure to accomplish the plan of the assignment is as harmful to the expatriate as it is to the parent and host companies. Inability of an expatriate to complete the assignment is likely to damage his or her self-esteem, and self-confidence, and cause a loss of prestige among co-workers. Thirdly, an unsuccessful period of expatriation is likely to decrease both the subsequent commitment to the parent company.Therefore, to facilitate business expatriates adjustment to an overseas environment and to enable them to work effectively, Multinational Corporations (MNCs) need to recognise the expatriates’ family support factor to affect cross-cultural adjustment. The main purpose of this study involves utilising previous researcher Lee’s (2002) questionnaire to investigate the relationship between the family support and cross-cultural adjustment of Taiwanese Banks’ expatriates assigned to America, and this study employed same questionnaire to examine the relationship between the family and cross-cultural adjustment of Taiwanese expatriates in several different industries assigned to Mainland China. Also, the empirical outcomes were compared between Taiwanese expatriates located in Mainland China and United States. In examining the significant degree of Taiwanese expatriates assigned to Mainland China, the instrument was a questionnaire survey conducted to this study. The variables of interest were measured using items Likert-type questions, and those items are divided into seven categories. Data collected from 353 participants who have experience of a posting to Mainland China for international assignments. Multiple regression and correlation were employed to analyse data.The statistical results of this study were compared Lee’s (2002) research that associated with Taiwanese banking expatriates in United States. Both studies indicated that the expatriates’ family support factor to affect cross-cultural adjustment without doubt. This article concludes with suggestions for both international enterprises or MNCs and individual expatriate who operate overseas journey in their normal path of business.
Current State of Greek E-Government Initiatives
Authors: Markellos Konstantinos , Markellou Penelope , Panayiotaki Angeliki , Stergianeli Eirini
Published: December 2014

This paper presents an overview of e-government efforts in Greece. Its aim is to point out the necessity of designing and implementing efficient e-government applications in order to improve public sector quality. In this framework, firstly we discuss e-government basic issues. Then we present the structure of public sector in Greece and try to categorise used information systems. We continue with a review of best Greek e-government practices and we compare the progress of Greece against EU countries. We examine the potentials and barriers of the area and finally we demonstrate the arising opportunities and the key challenges regarding e-government in Greece.
A Comparative Analysis of Strategies for eGovernment in Developing Countries
Authors: Imran Ahmed , Gregor Shirley
Published: December 2014

The adoption of e-government and effective use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)has the potential to yield significant benefits in the developing countries. This study investigates strategiesto advance the use of ICT in the public sector in developing countries, with the aim of improving servicesand outcomes for government and citizens. A multi-level framework for analysis was developed. A metaanalysisof data gathered in a United Nations study of e-government readiness was performed, focussingon the developing countries that have greatly improved their relative positions recently. In general, thefindings support the multi-level approach. At the national level, a low level of economic development, poorinfrastructure and political unrest are inhibitors of public sector ICT progress. At a base level, access byindividuals and organizations to ICT tools and IT-related education is necessary for e-government to befeasible. Some strategies were observed to be linked to progress with e-government across a number ofdeveloping countries, including leadership vision and willingness to initiate change within the governmentsector, an incremental, step-by-step approach to development, and sensitivity to local and cultural needs.
Does Business Corruption have to be Considered in all Cases as Moral Misconduct? Two Statements
Authors: Linder Christian , Linder Rainer
Published: December 2014

In the fight against corruption, stringent punishments are imposed on corrupt companies. This paper questions whether these punishments are always wise or justified. Therefore, we distinguish between two kinds of corruption. The first one refers to corruption leading to personal enrichment, while the second type of corruption aims to increase the competitive ability of the company. In many countries – even if officially illegal – corruption and bribery are common while conducting business. Further, in many cases it is only the tip of the iceberg. The majority stay exempt from punishment. Thereby the second variant of corruption turns to be a vital competitive factor. In other words, companies which want to survive in the market are forced to conform to existing conventions. In markets where paying bribes is omnipresent, corruption is not a moral mistake but a free-market need. Therefore, the following questions arise: Where does the companies’ responsibility for corruption start and end? And, in which situation is it appropriate to punish companies for corrupt actions? In this paper, we discuss different corruption scandals involving Siemens, ABB and other competitors. Further we analyse country case studies from India and Russia. The result shows that corruption is in special cases a competitive requirement and not a lack of morality or honesty. It is argued that avoiding corruption in these circumstances cannot be considered the responsibility of companies. In addition, we show that to avoid corruption we need to take a closer look at the particular conditions in which companies “misbehave”. This paper adds a further perspective in the discussion on corruption.
Organisational Socialisation Facilitates Overseas Assignment
Authors: Lee Pei-Chen (Chiu-Yi/Joy) , Cheng Cheng-Tai (Roger)
Published: December 2014

Cross-cultural adjustment is the biggest challenge that derails expatriate success. In responding to the importance of Taiwanese expatriates’ adjustment in Mainland China, this study tests, as a critical factor, Socialisation affecting the adjustment of Taiwanese expatriates in Mainland China. As a result, this study critically reviews previous studies on expatriate success, shedding light on key factors in the area of expatriate adjustment and providing multiple guidelines for human resource supervisors and senior executives hoping to ensure expatriate success. The definitions of success and methodological approaches are discussed, and suggestions for improving empirical research in this area are presented. Academic researchers and international enterprises can perhaps clarify whether all international expatriates are affected by the factor as organisational socialisation, and also whether the proposed model can be utilised in studying expatriates in different professional areas from those of this study. Finally, the results and their implications for research and the business world are discussed. This may assist not only Taiwanese MNCs but also global enterprises to perform their international business more efficiently in Mainland China.
Paths to Knowledge Management in Small and Medium-Sized Hotels
Authors: Kim Mik , Zhang Wusheng
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this paper is to investigate what path options can facilitate small and medium-sized hotels’ knowledge management? And how the options are realised by them? In order to answer these questions, this study undertook an empirical investigation into the current status and practice of knowledge management in small and medium-sized hotels. The empirical investigation was performed through thirteen face-to-face in-depth interviews with owners and managers in small and medium-sized hotels. While the interview method is selected so as to answer the questions, secondary data are utilised to support this study such as in defining the research questions and informing the study findings. This study observed that there were four broad approaches to the way in which hotels put their paths to knowledge management. Each type of the paths is named as: Match, Combination, Divergence, and Specialisation. As arguably, knowledge management is both part of the cost of doing business and the most likely source of competitive advantage, it is as important to the sole operator as to the large corporation. By understanding the different options, hotels will be able to make better decisions in the choice of their suitable paths to knowledge management.
Women and Superannuation: Work Until You Drop?
Authors: Vu Jo (Chau) , Doughney James
Published: December 2014

Superannuation is becoming an increasingly important source of retirement income. However, women in Australia face a significant barrier in accumulating superannuation entitlements because of their positions in the paid and unpaid workforce. When in paid work, women occupy lower positions, have more career breaks due to care responsibilities and have more part-time and casual employment. Many women, of course, do not work outside the home, and a smaller proportion of women engage in paid employment than do men. Consequently women have lower incomes, less wealth and less generous retirement benefits. Our analysis of the Survey of Employment Arrangements and Superannuation and other Australian Bureau of Statistics data, together with data published by the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority, reveals that dramatic policy initiatives will be needed to improve women’s access to retirement resources. Such policies do not apply only to superannuation but must address women’s positions in the paid workforce and their care responsibilities.
Nurturing Corporate Governance System: The Emerging Trends in Nigeria
Authors: Inyang Benjamin James
Published: December 2014

The paper traced the nascent history of corporate governance system in Nigeria and noted the paucity of literature in the subject. Mainstream issues of corporate governance in the country emerged with the enactment of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990 (CAMA 1990), which established the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and charged it with the responsibility of overseeing the regulation and supervision of the formation, incorporation, registration, management and winding up of companies. The corporate governance codes of both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), gave impetus for the development of corporate governance structure, to ensure transparency, accountability, probity, integrity and fairness in the management and control of the public corporations, and thereby creating value for the shareholders and stakeholders. Major challenges which required urgent attention to enhance the effectiveness of the system were noted thus: making the voluntary codes mandatory; developing more effective mechanisms for monitoring compliance and enforcement; developing strong internal control mechanisms to checkmate the boards oversight responsibility; crafting strategies to enhance shareholders activism and the extension of the codes to state-owned enterprises with more cases of corporate governance abuses.
Upper Echelon Theory and Ethical Behaviour: an Illustration of the Theory and a Plea for its Extension Towards Ethical Behaviour
Authors: Van der Zee Astrid , Swagerman Dirk
Published: December 2014

This paper gives an illustration of the Upper Echelon Theory and presents arguments for more research on the relationship between upper echelons, strategic choices, and ethical behaviour. Its central theme is: What is the effect of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act implementation on the composition of the Board of Directors of companies that are listed on a U.S. stock exchange? In this research we examined whether the composition of companies’ top management teams is influenced by the issue of ethical behaviour. We used a sample of fifty listed companies, containing the members of the Board of Directors registered in the period 2000 - 2005.The underlying question in this research is whether companies actually change the composition of their Board of Directors because they believe that personal characteristics, such as age, tenure, and specialisation, play an important role in decision making and hence in the degree of their ethical behaviour. In this paper we test three hypotheses. The conclusion is that two of our hypotheses support the Upper Echelon Theory.
Editorial
Authors: Armstrong Anona
Published: December 2014

Issues and future directions in the regulation and technology of small business enterprises.The papers in this edition of the Journal of Business Systems Governance and Ethics were initially presented at a conference that introduced the results of research conducted in two projects by the Governance Research Program of the Victoria Law School, Victoria University, into regulation and the use of information and communications technology (ICT) by small business.
Developing a Small Business Regulatory System
Authors: Miller Geoff
Published: December 2014

IntroductionThank you for inviting me to share my thoughts on what the government is doing to reduce the burden on small business. I also look forward to hearing the other speakers talk about how to make the regulatory system more responsive and relevant to business needs.It is more than a year since the fall of Lehman Brothers and the beginning of the Australian Government’s response to the global financial crisis.Today, the Australian economy is showing encouraging signs of recovery. The Government’s policy responses have been largely responsible for placing Australia in a better position than most countries around the world.The Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) (released earlier this month) showed that the economy is performing much better than was forecast in the last Budget — MYEFO shows that Australia is the only advanced economy to have recorded positive growth through the year to June 2009. MYEFO also upgraded the growth forecasts for the following two years with consequental falls in the expected peak unemployment rate.Although this is good news, the GFC has clearly affected, and is continuing to impact on, small business.A number of Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry surveys have reported large falls in small business confidence and conditions throughout 2008 and early 2009. However, the August ACCI Small Business Survey reports that, while conditions for small business are expected to remain challenging, conditions are stabilising.This good news is supported by the most recent Commonwealth Bank – ACCI Business Expectations Survey, which shows that small, medium and large businesses are expecting business conditions to improve significantly during this quarter.It is true that small businesses succeed or fail on the creativity, ingenuity, innovation and imagination of their owners and staff. It is also true that small businesses are notoriously time poor. When considering ways to improve the regulatory framework for small businesses it is important to weigh up the desire to minimise time spent by businesses on compliance, with maintaining the integrity of the market as a whole.People in my position rely on people like you with the specific knowledge and expertise in small business matters to make sure that reforms are developed which benefit both the small business sector and the wider economy.
The Impact of Emerging Technologies on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Authors: Dai Wei
Published: December 2014

This paper explores the potential of emerging technologies in transforming and automating the business processes of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and enable them to engage with trading partners and customers in global networks. The technologies are associated with Services Oriented Architecture (SOA) through Software as a Service (SaaS), cloud computing and innovative application environment developed through the Phoenix research program at Victoria University. A service framework based on the emerging technologies from the Phoenix program is presented and discussed in response to the SME barriers raised in accessing those technologies.
The Attempt to Privatise Business Ethics: A Critique of The Claims of Contractarianism to Be The Ethical Framework for Global Business
Authors: Donleavy G. D.
Published: December 2014

Many issues in business ethics centre on the meaning and scope of the notion; duty of care. Three major ethical frameworks have different ideas about this which are examined in the paper. In particular, the recent claims of Contractarianism in the Academy of Management Review are critically analysed and found wanting to a serious degree. The extent to which Kohlberg’s paradigm shares the shortcomings of Contractarianism is then reviewed. It is argued that while Kohlberg is universalist, therefore a recognizably ethical moral framework, it shares with Contractarianism the disadvantage of a problematic a priori rationality in terms of its specifically ethical judgments. Finally, Care Theory is shown recently to have begun to acquire the universalist credentials it previously lacked and not to be subject to the shortcomings of the other two paradigms in some key aspects; but that it still has conceptual development work to do in order to become a practical framework for global business ethics. Such work was inconceivable when Care Theory was relativistic and particularistic, but it now begins to be conceivable as a practical proposition.
Entrepreneurial Intentions among Business Students in Pakistan
Authors: Azhar Abdullah , Javaid Annum , Rehman Mohsin , Hyder Asma
Published: December 2014

The present exploratory study is based on the ‘Entrepreneurial Intention Model’ and has its foundation in ‘Planned Behavioural Theory’. The main focus of the study is on measuring factors affecting Entrepreneurial Intentions among business students in Pakistan. Apart from demographics, the study is particularly focused on personal attraction, perceived social norms and perceived social behaviour. The paper is based on systematic sampling methodology and targets business graduates and nascent entrepreneurs. The study will provide useful implications for educational institutions within the field of business and management, and off course for government policy makers.
The Age of Responsibility: CSR 2.0 and the New DNA of Business
Authors: Visser Wayne
Published: December 2014

This paper argues that CSR, as a business, governance and ethics system, has failed. This assumes that success or failure is measured in terms of the net impact (positive or negative) of business on society and the environment. The paper contends that a different kind of CSR is needed if we are to reverse the current direction of many of the world’s most pressing social, environmental and ethical trends. The first part of the paper reviews business’s historical progress over the Ages and Stages of CSR: moving through the Ages of Greed, Philanthropy, Marketing and Management, using defensive, charitable, promotional and strategic CSR approaches respectively. The second part of the paper examines the Three Curses of Modern CSR (incremental, peripheral and uneconomic), before exploring what CSR might look like in an emerging Age of Responsibility. This new CSR – called systemic or radical CSR, or CSR 2.0 – is based on five principles (creativity, scalability, responsiveness, glocality and circularity) and forms the basis for a new DNA model of responsible business, built around the four elements of value creation, good governance, societal contribution and environmental integrity.
The Corporate Social Responsibility Orientation of Chinese Small and Medium Enterprises
Authors: Liu Hongxia , Fong Michelle
Published: December 2014

This paper examines the Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) orientation of Chinese Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) based on their internal functions, including training, job creation, quality assurance and environmental sustainability. In addition, it also examines the relationship between their CSR orientation and firms’ financial performance. Despite SMEs’ participation and investment in training, job creation, and environmental sustainability, their involvement and action have not produced a statistically significant positive relationship with their financial performance (as measured by profitability and sales revenue). The only CSR-oriented activity that registered a statistically significant positive impact on financial performance was quality assurance.
Corporate Responsibility for Systemic Occupational Stress Prevention
Authors: Kasperczyk R.
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this paper is twofold: to highlight the increased focus on corporate governance responsibility for managing employees’ psychological health, and to present an argument for a systemic approach to prevention of occupational stress. The paper commences with a brief description of the problem posed by occupational stress as a threat to organisational effectiveness. It then discusses the types of currently observed organisational responses to this issue and the extent to which they are shaped by beliefs about occupational stress. There are two fundamental approaches to dealing with work stress, one aimed at the individual and the other, at the organisation. The more comprehensive approaches have been increasingly reported to be more effective. The argument for a systemic approach to its prevention is then developed, in line with the risk management framework currently being adopted by Government jurisdictions governing Occupational Health and Safety in Australia and New Zealand. As the stress issue is now couched in health and safety terms, it is a moral and legal duty of the Board to satisfy itself that it is effectively addressed.
The Failure of Professional Self-Regulation: The example of the UK Veterinary Profession
Authors: Blass Eddie
Published: December 2014

This paper argues the case for professional bodies to lose their right to self-regulate wholly within their membership. Using the example of an analysis of six cases that were reported to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) as cases of false certification in the last 3 years, this paper demonstrates that self-regulation allows moral integrity to be sacrificed at the expense of economic imperatives, and individual judgements to be preferenced over fair process and procedure. Five of the six cases presented in this paper were upheld by the professional body and the sixth was dismissed and went through the British legal system instead. Narrative analysis of the case reports reveals a lack of consistency in the professional body’s analysis of motive, causal connections, responsibility regarding implications and their role as either purveyor of standards or mentor to the profession, which has resulted in anomalies that leave the profession in disarray. By failing to act ‘professionally’ itself, this paper argues that the RCVS itself has undermined five of its own ten guiding principles, and hence can no longer regulate its own membership. The need for professional regulation beyond those provided by the professions themselves is presented if only by the inclusion of lay-people in professional disciplinary hearings.
An approach to understanding the professionalism of financial planners
Authors: Bruce Ken , Ahmed Abdullahi , Huntly Helen
Published: December 2014

The aim of this research is to investigate how key stakeholder groups involved with the certification of financial planners experience the phenomenon of the „professionalism of financial planners‟. The study is to be carried out to provide insight to the international financial planning community in establishing relevant and superior professional standards for Certified Financial Planner (CFP) professionals. This will be a qualitative study using phenomenography as a research methodology to describe the qualitatively different ways in which certified financial planners, lecturers of the CFP curriculum and association managers understand or experience the phenomenon of „professionalism‟. Research participants will be interviewed from the United States, Australia and Hong Kong and these interviews analysed to reveal the variations in the conceptions of „professionalism‟ and the attributes that can be identified from the phenomenographic outcome space to inform financial planners, academics and professional associations of what is required to be a CFP professional.
Determinants of Business Exits in Australia
Authors: Li Yongqiang , Armstrong Anona , Clarke Andrew
Published: December 2014

The annually increasing firm exits have significant financial, legal and social impacts on productivity, employment and economic growth in Australia. However, evidence of the impacts of firm exits is sparse. This paper undertakes a first-ever study that empirically investigates the determinants and their impacts on firm churn. This paper is innovative to the literature in four aspects: (1) Local Region Areas (LGAs) data, rarely available in other countries, has been used for the analysis; (2) using LGAs as the basic analytical unit is able to eliminate the heterogeneity problems encountered by other studies which are based on national and cross-national data; (3) panel data modelling techniques identify robust evidence; (4) systematic statistical tests guarantees the robustness of the results. The dataset, provided by Australia Bureau of Statistics, include 3462 observations of 577 Local Government Areas (LGAs) during 2004-2009. The research identifies variables positively and negatively affecting the exits and finds that size matters in determining business exits. The last section concludes with a discussion of limitations and future research directions.
Ownership Structure and Firm Financial Performance: Evidence from Panel Data in Sri Lanka
Authors: Wellalage Nirosha Hewa , Locke Stuart
Published: December 2014

This study investigates the effects of equity ownership structure on financial performance of Sri Lankan listed businesses. Using dynamic panel generalised method of moment this study finds an inverse hump shape relationship between insider ownership and firm financial performance. The results of this study confirm that the effect of insider ownership on firm performance is more positive and significant where legal protection for investors is weak. It suggests that although new legislative reforms have been enacted, Sri Lankan companies are highly dependent on internal governance mechanisms. There is potential merit in promulgating new rules to control the expropriation of minority shareholders.
Revisão sobre o diagnóstico de afogamento com o uso do plâncton: teste de diatomáceas e de PCR
Authors: Donadel Leticia , Cardoso Nelsa , Hoenisch A. , Utz Laura Roberta Pinto
Published: December 2014

ResumoAfogamento é uma causa muito comum de morte em países como o Brasil, que possuem um extenso manancial hídrico. No entanto, o diagnóstico de morte por afogamento é considerado um dos mais difíceis da ciência forense, pois os sinais comuns utilizados na autópsia podem não estar presentes ou desaparecem rapidamente. Assim, o diagnóstico através do plâncton foi desenvolvido para auxiliar na investigação médico-legal de morte por afogamento. Organismos planctônicos, tais como microalgas podem ser encontrados nos órgãos internos de vítimas de afogamento por serem inaladas juntamente com a água, passando à circulação sanguínea através de pequenas lesões nos alvéolos pulmonares. O teste de diatomáceas trata da análise quantitativa e qualitativa de algas diatomáceas presentes nos tecidos internos das vítimas. A técnica de PCR visa identificar DNA planctônico no sangue e tecidos das vítimas através da confecção de primers de acordo com a comunidade planctônica presente no meio do afogamento. Este estudo apresenta uma revisão das técnicas atuais utilizadas na área da investigação forense de afogamentos, bem como discussões de autores consagrados na área de biologia e genética forense sobre a validade e utilidade do teste de diatomáceas e da técnica de PCR para o diagnóstico de morte por afogamento.
A perícia criminal e suas diversas formas de diálogo com o mundo jurídico
Authors: Tonietto Ângela , Telles Bruno , Andrade Charles Albert , Dias Filho Claudemir Rodrigues , Medeiros Elvis , Gomes Juliano de Andrade
Published: December 2014

Os novos horizontes da Criminalística nacional continuam a serem pavimentados no campo legislativo. A busca pela inserção da Perícia Criminal na Constituição Federal avançou significativamente desde a última edição da Revista Brasileira de Criminalística, com a aprovação, em novembro deste ano, de relatório favorável diante da Comissão Especial que tratava do tema na Câmara Federal. Mudanças legislativas desse porte ensejam discussões em periódicos especializados até que pontos de entendimento pacíficos emerjam dos diálogos.