bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceptual Switching, Eye Movements, and the Bus Paradox
Authors: Ito Junji , Nikolaev Andrey R , Luman Marjolein , Aukes Maartje F , Nakatani Chie , van Leeuwen Cees
Published: June 2003

According to a widely cited finding by Ellis and Stark (1978 Perception7 575–581), the duration of eye fixations is longer at the instant of perceptual reversal of an ambiguous figure than before or after the reversal. However, long fixations are more likely to include samples of an independent random event than are short fixations. This sampling bias would produce the pattern of results also when no correlation exists between fixation duration and perceptual reversals. When an appropriate correction is applied to the measurement of fixation durations, the effect disappears. In fact, there are fewer actual button-presses during the long intervals than would be expected by chance. Moving-window analyses performed on eye-fixation data reveal that no unique eye event is associated with switching behaviour. However, several indicators, such as blink frequency, saccade frequency, and the direction of the saccade, are each differentially sensitive to perceptual and response-related aspects of the switching process. The time course of these indicators depicts switching behaviour as a process of cascaded stages.
Last but Not Least
Authors: Ross John , Diamond Mark R , Badcock David R
Published: June 2003

Observations made during two partial eclipses of the Sun show that the Mach bands on shadows cast by the Sun disappear and reappear asymmetrically as an eclipse progresses. These changes can be explained as due to changes in the shape of the penumbras of shadows as the visible portion of the Sun forms crescents of different orientation.
Environmental Abatement Costs and Establishment Size
Authors: Millimet Daniel L.
Published: June 2003

The impact of environmental abatement costs on the size distribution of manufacturing establishments in pollution‐intensive industries is analyzed. Utilizing both state‐ and industry‐specific measures of environmental regulation, a new and important interaction is discovered: Establishment size increases with state environmental abatement costs, but only in industries during periods of relatively high (national) pollution abatement intensity. Increased state environmental stringency during times when similar industries located in other states are not undertaking sufficient abatement expenditures leads to a decrease in establishment size. (JEL L11, L51, R38)
Age Discrimination Legislation in the United States
Authors: Neumark David
Published: June 2003

Legislation prohibiting age discrimination in the United States dates back to the 1960s, when along with the Equal Pay Act and the Civil Rights Act barring discrimination against women and minorities, Congress passed the 1967 Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Questions regarding the rationale for and effectiveness of age discrimination legislation are likely to become increasingly important in light of a rapidly aging population in the United States (and other industrialized countries). This article provides a summary, critical review, and synthesis of what we know about age discrimination legislation. It first traces out the legislative history and the evolving case law and discusses implementation of the law. It then reviews the existing research on age discrimination legislation—research that addresses the rationale for the legislation, its effectiveness, and criticisms. (JEL J1, J7, L3)
Age Discrimination in Employment in Canada
Authors: Gunderson Morley
Published: June 2003

Issues pertaining to age discrimination in employment in Canada are analyzed with a view toward highlighting lessons that may be learned from the Canadian experience—an experience that is taking on increased policy importance. Reasons for the increased attention to age discrimination issues are outlined, followed by a portrayal of the age discrimination legislation and court interpretations in Canada, especially as they pertain to mandatory retirement. Enforcement aspects are discussed, as is the evidence on age discrimination in employment and the effectiveness of legislation with respect to age discrimination and mandatory retirement. The article concludes with a discussion of the lessons to be learned from the Canadian experience, especially with respect to the poorly understood but complicated relationship between age discrimination and mandatory retirement. Policy recommendations for strengthening age discrimination legislation are also outlined. (JEL J14, J24, J71)
The Italian Automotive Industry and Economies of Scale
Authors: Truett Lila J. , Truett Dale B.
Published: June 2003

This article investigates scale economies in the Italian automobile industry as well as substitution possibilities between inputs and direct and cross‐price elasticities of factor demand, utilizing a cost function with capital, labor, domestic, and imported intermediate goods inputs. Continuing European integration makes economies of scale an important issue. The study results are consistent with economies of scale in the Italian motor vehicle industry, a particularly interesting finding because the Italian automotive industry consists primarily of one firm, Fiat. The estimated direct price elasticities suggest that capital is most responsive to own price changes, and estimated cross elasticities imply that all inputs are substitutes. (JEL D2, L6, O1)
Advertising and Restrictions in the Cigarette Industry: Evidence of State‐by‐State Variation
Authors: Gallet Craig A.
Published: June 2003

Many studies estimate the relationship between advertising and consumption in the cigarette industry, with emphasis directed toward the national demand for cigarettes. However, in light of evidence that cigarette producers price discriminate across U.S. states, coupled with possible affects of advertising on market power, this article takes a less aggregate perspective by addressing the role of cigarette advertising and restrictions at the state level. The results show that although advertising has little effect on demand, it generally increases market power in the cigarette industry (particularly during periods of heightened advertising restrictions). Furthermore, the relationship between advertising, demand, and supply vary across states. (JEL L13, L66, I18)
The Impact of Nonrevenue Maximizing Factors on State‐Level Cigarette Tax Rates
Authors: Hoover Gary A.
Published: June 2003

This article examines the influence that certain publicly and privately funded programs have on state‐level cigarette tax setting behavior. The article finds that the impact of Project ASSIST (a federally sponsored program designed to decrease cigarette consumption) has had a marginal impact on taxes in selected states in the United States. In addition, private giving to the American Cancer Society has had a statistically insignificant impact on tax‐setting behavior. (JELH20,H29)
Poverty and the Macroeconomy: Estimates from U.S. Regional Data
Authors: Freeman Donald G.
Published: June 2003

Previous research using national‐level time‐series data has shown a breakdown in the poverty/growth nexus during the 1980s and a rehabilitation during the 1990s. This article uses census division‐level data with controls for demographic and structural variables to demonstrate that poverty rates were more responsive to macroeconomic conditions during the 1980s than prior results have shown and that conclusions regarding the rehabilitation of the relationship during the 1990s are sensitive to the time period chosen. (JEL E32, I32)
An Analysis of Poverty in the American South: How Are Metropolitan Areas Different from Nonmetropolitan Areas?
Authors: Levernier William
Published: June 2003

This article examines the causes of poverty in the American South and identifies differences in the causes that exist between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties. Using a multiple linear regression model, a county's poverty rate is regressed on a vector of variables related to characteristics of its population, educational attainment, and economy. This study finds that most of these characteristics affect a county's poverty rate, but it also finds that several of the characteristics have a significantly different effect on the poverty rate of metropolitan counties than on the poverty rate of nonmetropolitan counties. These differences suggests that policy makers involved in fighting poverty in metropolitan counties may need to focus their efforts on changing different characteristics of the county than those engaged in fighting poverty in nonmetropolitan counties. (JEL I30, R10)
The Effects of Public Capital on the Growth in Spanish Productivity
Authors: Fernández Melchor , Montuenga‐Gómez Víctor M.
Published: June 2003

The aim of the article is to provide new evidence concerning the effect of public capital on productivity growth in Spain. To this end, the article follows the growth accounting approach, which, in addition to measuring both the direct and indirect effects of public capital on the total factor productivity, allows for assessing whether there is a distinctive impact of public capital across economic sectors. The results lead to three main conclusions: (1) Public capital has a strong influence on growth when we use data from the whole economy; (2) this influence varies across sectors, being more relevant in the exposed sectors (industry) than in sheltered sectors (agriculture, construction, and services); and (3) irrespective of the definition used for public capital, these basic results remain unchanged. (JEL C30, E62, H54, O47, O52)
Do Business Cycles Alter the Composition of Research and Development Expenditures?
Authors: Rafferty Matthew
Published: June 2003

Do business cycles cause firms to alter the composition of research and development (R&D) expenditures? This article uses aggregate data on U.S. firm‐financed R&D expenditures during the 1956–96 period to address this issue. The mix of R&D expenditures changes over the business cycles with firms increasing the amount of basic R&D and reducing the amount of development R&D during recessions. Though the effects are small, the results raise the possibility that business cycles influence the rate of long‐run growth. (JEL E33, O30)
The Economic Reward for Studying Economics
Authors: Black Dan A. , Sanders Seth , Taylor Lowell
Published: June 2003

Undergraduate advisors in economics departments suggest that the study of economics is good preparation for a variety of careers, including economics, consulting, analysis, and administration, and they argue that economics is a solid prelaw or pre‐MBA major. In this article we provide some empirical evidence about each of these contentions. We find that among college graduates who do not earn advanced degrees, economics majors generally earn more than similar individuals with other majors. We show also that among individuals who pursue graduate degree programs in business and law, economics majors earn more than undergraduate majors in most other academic disciplines.
Distance to Hospital and Children's Use of Preventive Care: Is Being Closer Better, and for Whom?
Authors: Currie Janet , Reagan Patricia B.
Published: June 2003

This article examines the effect of distance to hospital on preventive care among children using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth's Child‐Mother file matched to data from the 1990 American Hospital Association Survey. Among central‐city black children, each additional mile from the hospital is associated with a 3‐percentage‐point decline in the probability of having had a checkup (from a mean baseline of 74%). Moreover, the effects are similar for privately and publicly insured black children. For this group, access to providers is as important as private insurance coverage in predicting use of preventive care.
Why Is Inflation Low When Productivity Growth Is High?
Authors: Kiley Michael T.
Published: June 2003

Inflation has been low when productivity growth has been high. This occurs because the Federal Reserve has not adjusted nominal income growth in response to changes in productivity growth, implying that an acceleration in trend productivity growth leads to a deceleration in inflation. The model's predictions are confirmed: (1) Inflation should fall when trend productivity growth rises, and (2) nominal income and wage growth should not change with trend productivity. The model also implies that productivity growth enters a Phillips curve relationship as a proxy for inflation expectations. Thus, estimates of the NAIRU should fall when productivity growth accelerates.
Confidence in Domestic Money and Currency Substitution
Authors: Tandon Ajay , Wang Yong
Published: June 2003

This article studies currency substitution in a model where domestic money suffers from lack of confidence. When agents' confidence is exogenous and constant, there is a unique but unstable dual‐money steady state. However, when agents' confidence is updated endogenously, the dynamics of currency substitution are driven by agents' evolving beliefs, and the economy always converges to an equilibrium where both monies circulate. Therefore, the economy under endogenous beliefs exhibits both persistence in currency substitution and tenacity of domestic money. Furthermore, in general, there are multiple steady states, which can be Pareto ranked by the degree of currency substitution.
Suppressing Asset Price Inflation: The Confederate Experience, 1861–1865
Authors: Burdekin Richard C. K. , Weidenmier Marc D.
Published: June 2003

Confederate asset price stabilization policies appear to have increased the velocity of circulation and counterproductively channeled inflationary pressures into other areas of the economy. Three successive monetary reforms encouraged holders of Treasury notes to exchange these notes for bonds by imposing deadlines on their convertibility. We show that Confederate funding acts aimed at precipitating the conversion of currency into bonds did temporarily suppress currency depreciation. These acts also triggered upsurges in commodity prices, however, because note holders rushed to spend the currency before their exchange rights were reduced.
Politics and Productivity
Authors: Klein Peter G. , Luu Hung
Published: June 2003

We use a stochastic frontier approach to study the effects of political and regulatory institutions on aggregate productivity in 39 countries from 1975 to 1990. We show that technical efficiency is positively related to policies supporting laissez‐faire and political structures that promote policy stability. Moreover, models of technical efficiency incorporating both measures perform better than models including only one or the other. This suggests that economic performance depends not only on current policies but also on the confidence of market participants and outside investors that these policies will remain in place.
Are Political Economists Selfish and Indoctrinated? Evidence from a Natural Experiment
Authors: Frey Bruno S. , Meier Stephan
Published: June 2003

Most professional economists believe that economists in general are more selfish than other people and that this increased selfishness is due to economics education. This article offers empirical evidence against this widely held belief. Using a unique data set about giving behavior in connection with two social funds at the University of Zurich, it is shown that economics education does not make people act more selfishly. Rather, this natural experiment suggests that the particular behavior of economists can be explained by a selection effect.
Can Adequate Child Support Be Legislated? Responses to Guidelines and Enforcement
Authors: Argys Laura M. , Peters H. Elizabeth
Published: June 2003

This article explores the relationship between noncustodial parents' willingness to pay child support, state child support guidelines and enforcement efforts, and child support awards and subsequent compliance. Our game theoretic model, which distinguishes cases of asymmetric information from cases of symmetric information, demonstrates that guidelines and increased enforcement can increase payments when awards are court‐ordered but may not increase payments and could even reduce child expenditures when some payment would otherwise have occurred voluntarily. Our analyses of awards to divorced or separated mothers from the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth are consistent with the model.
Redistributing Income and Relative Efficiency
Authors: Allgood Sam
Published: June 2003

This article considers the relative efficiency of marginally redistributing income from high‐ to low‐income households. Additional spending on a negative income tax is compared with spending on an earnings or a wage subsidy. One set of reforms imposes the same burden on the nonpoor, and another set redistributes the same net benefit to the working poor. Additional spending on a negative income tax is more efficient than spending a similar amount on an earnings subsidy (the Earned Income Tax Credit), for some reforms and parameters. The wage subsidy is the most efficient, independent of parameters or type of reform.
The Political Economy of FEMA Disaster Payments
Authors: Garrett Thomas A. , Sobel Russell S.
Published: June 2003

We find that presidential and congressional influences affect the rate of disaster declaration and the allocation of FEMA disaster expenditures across states. States politically important to the president have a higher rate of disaster declaration by the president, and disaster expenditures are higher in states having congressional representation on FEMA oversight committees. Election year impacts are also found. Our models predict that nearly half of all disaster relief is motivated politically rather than by need. The findings reject a purely altruistic model of FEMA assistance and question the relative effectiveness of government versus private disaster relief.
Liberalization, FDI, and Growth in Developing Countries: A Panel Cointegration Approach
Authors: Basu Parantap , Chakraborty Chandana , Reagle Derrick
Published: June 2003

Using a panel cointegration framework, the article explores the two‐way link between FDI and growth for a panel of 23 developing countries. In addition, it investigates the impact of liberalization on the dynamics of the FDI and GDP relationship. A long‐run cointegrating relationship is found between FDI and GDP after allowing for heterogeneous country effects. The cointegrating vectors reveal a bidirectional causality between GDP and FDI for more open economies. For relatively closed economies, long‐run causality appears unidirectional and runs from GDP to FDI, implying that growth and FDI are not mutually reinforcing under restrictive trade and investment regimes.
Fringe Benefits and Inequality in the Labor Market
Authors: Chung Wankyo
Published: June 2003

This study shows that when fringe benefits are accounted for, inequality increases at a point in time and grew faster from 1987 to 1994. Several alternative explanations of the observed discrepancies between wage inequality and compensation inequality are assessed. The evidence is that the disproportionately greater decline in income for less skilled workers is responsible for the greater decline in health insurance coverage, which in turn contributes to greater inequality growth when fringe benefits are accounted for.
Regulated CPEB phosphorylation during meiotic progression suggests a mechanism for temporal control of maternal mRNA translation
Authors: Tay Joyce , Hodgman Rebecca , Sarkissian Madathia , Richter Joel D.
Published: June 2003

CPEB is an mRNA-binding protein that stimulates polyadenylation-induced translation of maternal mRNA once it is phosphorylated on Ser 174 or Thr 171 (species-dependent). Disruption of the CPEB gene in mice causes an arrest of oogenesis at embryonic day 16.5 (E16.5), when most oocytes are in pachytene of prophase I. Here, we show that CPEB undergoes Thr 171 phosphorylation at E16.5, but dephosphorylation at the E18.5, when most oocytes are entering diplotene. Although phosphorylation is mediated by the kinase aurora, the dephosphorylation is due to the phosphatase PP1. The temporal control of CPEB phosphorylation suggests a mechanism in which CPE-containing mRNA translation is stimulated at pachytene and metaphase I.
Omi/HtrA2 catalytic cleavage of inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) irreversibly inactivates IAPs and facilitates caspase activity in apoptosis
Authors: Yang Qi-Heng , Church-Hajduk Robin , Ren Jinyu , Newton Michelle L. , Du Chunying
Published: June 2003

Omi/HtrA2 is a mitochondrial serine protease that is released into the cytosol during apoptosis to antagonize inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) and contribute to caspase-independent cell death. Here, we demonstrate that Omi/HtrA2 directly cleaves various IAPs in vitro, and the cleavage efficiency is determined by its IAP-binding motif, AVPS. Cleavage of IAPs such as c-IAP1 substantially reduces its ability to inhibit and ubiquitylate caspases. In contrast to the stoichiometric anti-IAP activity by Smac/DIABLO, Omi/HtrA2 cleavage of c-IAP1 is catalytic and irreversible, thereby more efficiently inactivating IAPs and promoting caspase activity. Elimination of endogenous Omi by RNA interference abolishes c-IAP1 cleavage and desensitizes cells to apoptosis induced by TRAIL. In addition, overexpression of cleavage-site mutant c-IAP1 makes cells more resistant to TRAIL-induced caspase activation. This IAP cleavage by Omi is independent of caspase. Taken together, these results indicate that unlike Smac/DIABLO, Omi/HtrA2's catalytic cleavage of IAPs is a key mechanism for it to irreversibly inactivate IAPs and promote apoptosis.
Physical and functional interactions between polo kinase and the spindle pole component Cut12 regulate mitotic commitment inS. pombe
Authors: MacIver Fiona H. , Tanaka Kayoko , Robertson Alasdair M. , Hagan Iain M.
Published: June 2003

Commitment to mitosis is regulated by a protein kinase complex called MPF. MPF is inhibited by Wee1-related kinases and activated by Cdc25 phosphatase. MPF activation further boosts Cdc25 and represses Wee1. This feedback control probably involves polo kinase. A dominantcut12.s11mutation in theSchizosaccharomyces pombespindle pole body (SPB) component Cut12 both suppresses the conditional lethal mitotic commitment defect ofcdc25.22and promotes premature association of theS. pombepolo kinase, Plo1, with the SPB. We now show that Cut12 associated with Plo1 in two hybrid and immunoprecipitation assays. Plo1 function was required for recognition of the mitotic SPB by the phospho-specific antibody MPM-2. In vivo MPM-2 staining and in vitro kinase assays established that the loss-of-function mutation,cut12.1, reduced mitotic activation of Plo1, whereas the gain-of-function mutation,cut12.s11, promoted higher levels of Plo1 activity than were normally seen in interphase.cut12.s11could not promote mitotic commitment ofcdc25.22cells when Plo1 function was compromised. Expression of a constitutively activeplo1allele suppressed the mitotic commitment defect ofcdc25.22. These data suggest thatcut12.s11suppressescdc25.22by promoting Plo1 activity. Furthermore, the delayed mitotic commitment ofplo1.ts2cells suggests that Plo1 is an integral part of the core controls that modulate MPF activation inS. pombe.
ThePolycomb-group protein MEDEA regulates seed development by controlling expression of the MADS-box genePHERES1
Authors: Köhler Claudia , Hennig Lars , Spillane Charles , Pien Stephane , Gruissem Wilhelm , Grossniklaus Ueli
Published: June 2003

ThePolycomb-group (PcG) proteins MEDEA, FERTILIZATION INDEPENDENT ENDOSPERM, and FERTILIZATION INDEPENDENT SEED2 regulate seed development inArabidopsisby controlling embryo and endosperm proliferation. All three of these FIS-class proteins are likely subunits of a multiprotein PcG complex, which epigenetically regulates downstream target genes that were previously unknown. Here we show that the MADS-box genePHERES1(PHE1) is commonly deregulated in thefis-class mutants. PHE1 belongs to the evolutionarily ancient type I class of MADS-box proteins that have not yet been assigned any function in plants. Both MEDEA and FIE directly associate with the promoter region ofPHE1, suggesting thatPHE1expression is epigenetically regulated by PcG proteins.PHE1is expressed transiently after fertilization in both the embryo and the endosperm; however, it remains up-regulated in thefismutants, consistent with the proposed function of theFISgenes as transcriptional repressors. Reduced expression levels ofPHE1inmedeamutant seeds can suppressmedeaseed abortion, indicating a key role ofPHE1repression in seed development.PHE1expression in a hypomethylatedmedeamutant background resembles the wild-type expression pattern and is associated with rescue of themedeaseed-abortion phenotype. In summary, our results demonstrate that seed abortion in themedeamutant is largely mediated by deregulated expression of the type I MADS-box genePHE1.
The electrochemical behaviour of pulse‐plated nanocrystalline iron‐nickel‐chromium alloy
Authors: Shu‐hao Deng , Zhu‐qing Gong
Published: June 2003

The corrosion behaviour of pulse plating nanocrystalline iron‐nickel‐chromium (Fe‐Ni‐Cr) alloys in acidic, alkaline and salt solutions has been studied. The corrosion resistance of nanocrystalline Fe‐Ni‐Cr alloys in various compositions and other nanocrystalline referred in literatures have been compared. The results reveal that the corrosion of Fe69Ni10Cr20S alloy has dominant superiority over the other nanocrystalline materials.
Evaluation of parameters influencing reinforcement corrosion by means of a strain gauge technique
Authors: Routoulas A. , Pantazopoulou P. , Batis G.
Published: June 2003

A number of applications selected with variations of factors affecting the corrosion of mortar steel reinforcements are discussed in this paper. Corrosion estimation by means of a strain gauge (SG) technique was used in several cases to confirm the validity of the method. The efficiency of corrosion inhibitors, the protection offered by the addition of minerals, the curing time influence, and the corrosion resistance of various steel types can be estimated by means of the short term SG test technique. Good correlations were found in all cases of application between the corrosion rates computed from SG technique and the mass loss data. Additionally, the method was applied for swelling measurements of mortar specimens caused by the degradation of FRP reinforcements in the corrosive environments.
The beneficial influence of halide ions on the inhibition characteristics of nitrogen‐containing organic inhibitors to reduce the corrosion rate of carbon steel in HCl
Authors: Keera S.T.
Published: June 2003

The beneficial effect of halide ions on the inhibition of corrosion of carbon steel in 20 per cent HCl solution in the presence of some nitrogen‐containing compounds, cetyl pyridinium chloride, cetyl pyridinium bromide, and hexamine was investigated using potentiodynamic polarisation measurements. Potentiodynamic polarisation studies revealed that all the tested compounds were of anodic‐type inhibitors. All of the compounds were able to reduce the corrosion of carbon steel and their performance was enhanced by the addition of iodide ions. The increase in surface coverage in the presence of the iodide ions indicated that iodide ions enhanced the absorption of inhibitor compounds on the metal surface. Auger electron spectroscopic analysis confirmed the joint absorption of the compounds with KI.
Effect of divalent cations in low zinc ambient temperature phosphating bath
Authors: Deepa L.C. , Sathiyanarayanan S. , Marikkannu C. , Mukherjee D.
Published: June 2003

A new zinc phosphating bath, which produces coatings at relatively lower temperatures within a reasonable time by using of chemical accelerators has been devised. Improvement of the bath performance by the addition of divalent cations like calcium, manganese and magnesium has been studied. Bath formulation and operating conditions have been optimized by coating weight determinations. Corrosion resistance property of the resultant coatings has been evaluated in 1,000 ppm Cl− by electrochemical methods such as potentiodynamic polarization and impedance measurements. Results of the electrochemical techniques have been complemented by salt spray, humidity and immersion tests. Porosity and roughness of the coatings have also been studied. Results show that the phosphating bath with manganese addition gives good coatings within 30 min. Studies have shown that the corrosion resistance of the resultant coatings are much superior than the conventional coatings.
Meaning, legitimacy and impact of business models in fast‐moving environments
Authors: Chaharbaghi Kazem , Fendt Christian , Willis Robert
Published: June 2003

This paper explores the underlying principles on which effective model building can be explained in fast‐moving environments through an examination of qualities that govern the effectiveness of businesses and are shared by models that represent them. By studying a number of generic and specific cases three strands are shown to be of central importance: the way of thinking, operational system, and capacity for value generation. These three strands, which are interrelated, form the basis of a meta‐model for business models. Whilst specific business models always represent a choice between alternatives, each of which rests on different assumptions regarding the reality of business and its environment, the ability to generalise business models from one context to another is the function of the meta‐model. The application of the meta‐model will enable businesses to adapt themselves naturally to their environment which is changing at an ever‐increasing rate.
A framework for concentric diversification through sustainable competitive advantage
Authors: Rijamampianina Rasoava , Abratt Russell , February Yumiko
Published: June 2003

This article investigates the issue of diversification around the core business, namely concentric diversification. There have been many diversification failures reported over the last few decades. Little guidance has been available to firms who plan to diversify in order to grow. The literature relating to competitive advantage, sustainable competitive advantage, and concentric diversification is reviewed. A process is then presented to help managers make sound strategic diversification decisions, thus reducing the risk of failure.
Chief executive personality and export involvement
Authors: Halikias John , Panayotopoulou Leda
Published: June 2003

This paper presents the results of an empirical research concerning the influence of the Chief Executive Officer’s (CEO) personality on the export behaviour and performance of 81 manufacturing firms in a small European country. Regression analysis was applied in order to determine which of the personality characteristics studied could explain the export performance of the firms. The results showed that there are several personality traits of the decision maker that can be related to export involvement, supporting the “upper echelons model” that contends that firm performance is a reflection of its top managers. Moreover, the effect of the CEO’s personality on the export performance was found to be much stronger in small enterprises than in larger ones.
Strategy is personality‐driven, strategy is crisis‐driven: insights from entrepreneurial firms
Authors: McCarthy Breda
Published: June 2003

The objective of this study was to explore the main factors influencing the development of strategy in small firms. Among its contributions, the study found that strategy was personality‐driven and crisis‐driven. The study identified two main types of entrepreneurs: the pragmatist and the charismatic entrepreneur, and highlighted how the risk‐taking capacities of some entrepreneurs changed over time. The study suggests that the experience of crisis gave rise to a more rational, planned approach to the strategy‐making process.
Information use in strategic decision making
Authors: Frishammar Johan
Published: June 2003

This paper addresses the issue of information use in strategic decision making. The study employs a case study as a research strategy together with personal interviews and documentation as means of data collection. The starting‐point is four specific strategic decisions recently made by medium‐sized companies in Sweden. The study provides the reader with an insight into management information behaviour when taking strategic decisions, by addressing questions such as: Why is information used? What kind of information does management use? How do they obtain it? And finally, where do they obtain it? In addition, a short review of the literature pertaining to the above stated questions is provided.
Operations management and operations research: a historical and relational perspective
Authors: Fuller Jack A. , Mansour Ali H.
Published: June 2003

The focus of this research paper is to briefly trace the historical development of Operations Management (OM) and Operations Research (OR). The problems and challenges resulting from the convergence between the two fields in recent years are evaluated and some recommendations are offered to both OM and OR academicians and practitioners.
Strategic stakeholder perspective to ESOP negotiations: the case of United Airlines
Authors: Lamberg Juha‐Antti , Savage Grant T. , Pajunen Kalle
Published: June 2003

Employee stock ownership programs (ESOP) may become a source of competitive advantage but a threat to a firm’s survival as well. Strategic stakeholder negotiation, on the other hand, is a process through which an organization negotiates with multiple stakeholders in order to achieve a strategic goal. Such perspective helps to illustrate the importance of understanding, balancing, and managing stakeholder demands in ESOP‐related negotiations. The airline industry provides an interesting arena in which to study this process. Specifically, this paper examines the various forms of stakeholder negotiations crucial to the competitive behavior of US airlines, focusing especially on employee ownership negotiations in United Airlines during
What’s wrong with instrumental learning? The case of business and management
Authors: Ottewill Roger Martin
Published: June 2003

Explores the nature and symptoms of instrumental attitudes to learning in higher education and the relationship between instrumental and expressive learning. Examines some of the causes of student instrumentality, particularly with respect to business and management, including the increasing emphasis on higher education’s contribution to economic reproduction; instrumental attitudes among tutors, with learner support being seen as a means to an end, rather than an end in itself; and an over‐reliance on didactic methods of teaching. Suggests some remedies, such as giving due recognition to the affective dimension of education; using research to stimulate teaching; and the adoption of more creative approaches to learner support.
Delivering enterprise education in New Zealand
Authors: Lewis Kate , Massey Claire
Published: June 2003

The aim of enterprise education is to develop in individuals (particularly the young) a set of skills and attitudes that will allow them to be both job creators and job seekers, and help them contribute to the “knowledge economy”. In New Zealand there is heightened interest in the potential contribution of enterprise education to these goals and the promotion of self‐employment as a legitimate work option. At the same time, participation levels in enterprise education programmes for secondary school students such as the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) are increasing. There are also moves to expand the types of enterprise education programmes available. However, there is little empirical evidence in New Zealand that demonstrates the impact of programmes like the YES, or which looks at the different ways in which such programmes are delivered. Deals with one of the objectives of an evaluation of the YES programme, where the researchers sought to identify attributes of effective programme delivery from the perspective of the key stakeholders. Concludes that “best practice” in this context is inappropriate as it implies that a single model of practice exists.
Assessing life skills in young working adults. Part 2: The application of an alternative instrument
Authors: Jacoba Van der Wal Rachel , Van der Wal Ruurd
Published: June 2003

The purpose of constructing the collage and stimulus instruments was to assess the learners’ attainment of the learning outcomes of the life skills learning programme. The collage is a compilation of pictures and concepts representing the different skills included in the life skills learning programme, and the pictures and concepts acted as the stimulus instruments. Subsequently, the collage and stimulus instruments were used in a first assessment directly after the learners had completed the life skills learning programme. The development of the data category classification enabled the researcher to evaluate and interpret the responses of the learners in the assessments and to ascertain to what extent the learning outcomes of the life skills learning programme were attained. It was found that the collage and stimulus instruments were effective in assessing the learners’ attainment of the learning outcomes of the life skills learning programme. However, it must be noted that the findings on the behavioural changes in the learners again highlighted the difficulties in assessing the affective domain in life skills.
The alchemy of action learning
Authors: West Penny , Choueke Richard
Published: June 2003

This paper examines the authors’ experiences as action learning set facilitators within a public sector organisation undergoing change. Our objectives were to assist in the identification of internal and external drivers for change and to work with the set to explore how people’s roles and responsibilities might be enhanced and developed in a changing context. The outcome of the involvement was the set’s effective advancement of operational and strategic ideas in a management forum to proactively advance the change process and to offer solutions to improve the direction and performance of the organisation.
Learners’ journeys: the role of research
Authors: Harte Victoria
Published: June 2003

Reports on the Sixth Annual Conference of the Learning and Skills Research Network (Learning and Skills Development Agency) held at the University of Warwick, UK, in December 2002. Presents an overview of keynote speeches and reviews selected conference papers reporting on current research in the learning and skills sector.
A cross method analysis of the impact of culture and communications upon a health care merger
Authors: Appelbaum Steven H. , Gandell Joy
Published: June 2003

The incidence of mergers and acquisitions has proliferated throughout the world including all sectors of our society, both municipal and industrial, private and public. However, the majority (60‐80 percent) of them do not reach their intended objectives owing to the fact that the merging organizations do not realize the impact of neglecting the human resource factor. Although they properly assess and address the financial and legal issues, they continually overlook this critical factor. The present literature suggests what organizations should do to reverse these negative effects and how to properly address the human resources issues. This research seeks to test this list of suggestions, in the form of a unified model, employing the single case study method. The case in question is a newly merged health centre comprised of four well‐established hospitals. Rather than a set of hypotheses, sets of prescriptions were developed to test the model. Data from interviews and existing documents are used to support or modify the final model. The qualitative results utilized a cross‐method analysis that supported the majority of the unified model, requiring a few modifications. This research has subsequently lead to the development of a unified human resources model for the proper and successful implementation of mergers and acquisitions. The implications of these findings for all organizations, and for mergers and acquisitions theory and practice, are discussed.
Project management professional development
Authors: Gale Andrew , Brown Mike
Published: June 2003

This paper reviews a recently developed closed modular masters programme on generic project management as a project management case study of academic‐industrial collaboration. Literature on some educational issues is reviewed. Particular attention is paid to the management of the development of the programme and the delivery phase. The linkage between return‐on‐investment, project management competencies and learning outcomes in the context of industrial‐academic partnerships are explored. The paper also includes a discussion on the drivers, development and implementation of a managed learning environment, using a software package called WebCT. Discussion and conclusions focus on lessons learnt from the development and delivery of the programme.
Racioethnic perceptions of job characteristics and job satisfaction
Authors: Friday Shawnta S. , Friday Earnest
Published: June 2003

Given the growing racioethnic heterogeneity of today's global workforce, it is necessary for researchers and practitioners to continuously examine the impact of racioethnic diversity in various organizational contexts, both foreign and domestic. The impact of racioethnic diversity has received a lot of attention in the literature with respect to various organizational attitudes and behaviors. However, after canvassing the literature, there is a void with respect to assessing whether various dimensions of a job intrinsically motivate racioethnically‐diverse individuals differently. This line of research should be of interest to both researchers and practitioners, considering it is widely accepted that motivation is a precursor to various organizational outcomes, such as job satisfaction, absenteeism, and productivity. This study revealed that there are differences with respect to job satisfaction and the intrinsic motivation racioethnically‐diverse individuals derive from their jobs.
Managed services’ developmental areas within acute care hospitals
Authors: Williams John A. , DeMicco Fred J.
Published: June 2003

Health care institutions are increasingly outsourcing services to managed service companies. As a result, the span of control for managers of these services (departments) can increase rapidly. This research investigated the developmental areas needed by managers as they assume multiple departments within acute care hospitals. The research identified 23 training areas from qualitative research on multi‐department managers in acute care hospitals. Analysis of variance was then used to test whether three distinct groups of management differed significantly in their perceptions of the importance of the training areas for their successful career development. Significant differences were found for nine of the 23 training areas. In addition, the ability to achieve a level of expertise through development in several diverse areas was found to be far more important to today's managers in managing multiple departments in hospitals than tenure in a position of management.
An examination of emerging strategy and sales performance: motivation, chaotic change and organizational structure
Authors: Smith Alan D. , Rupp William T.
Published: June 2003

In a complex adaptive environment, leaders must create an environment in which employees feel trusted and empowered to make decisions. Interconnectivity results in information that is easier to get, and customers can make competitive comparisons more easily. In addition, a sales organization that focuses on learning increases its intangible assets, which may be the only way it can remain competitive. A possible functional relationship between sales performance and factors relating to individual motivation, resistance to change, and a sales organization’s structure and strategy may exist that represents the concepts of change management within the viewpoints of an Internet‐driven world and of contemporary management. Examples from literature are presented as evidence to support the idea that motivation is the one critical item affecting sales performance and that resistance to change and an organization’s structure and strategy directly affect motivation.
Understanding alliances: a review of international aspects in strategic marketing
Authors: Townsend Janell D.
Published: June 2003

This paper presents a review of the recent literature related to international strategic business alliances utilizing the conceptual foundations presented by Varadarajan and Cunningham in the 1995 special edition of Marketing Science as a baseline. Employing a parsimonious framework, alliances are defined, motives are identified, structures and governance methods are considered, critical success factors are recognized and outcomes are analyzed. This paper elucidates the relationships between the major components of the alliance literature, presents a conceptualization of an integrated framework and provides direction for future research.
External environmental forces affecting e‐learning providers
Authors: James‐Gordon Yvette , Young Andy , Bal Jay
Published: June 2003

Before an organisation can develop its marketing strategy, it needs to carry out a thorough marketing analysis in order to understand the customers and trends, and evaluate external environmental forces. This paper seeks to identify and discuss the external environmental forces affecting: e‐learning providers, including market demand; political and legal forces; social and ethical influences; technology; and competition. The e‐learning provider has little, or no, control over the external environmental forces affecting the market in which it operates, and so it is necessary continually to forecast, monitor and assess this environment and to adapt its e‐learning product or services accordingly.
Corporate governance, credit risk and legal reasoning – the case of Encompass Services Inc.
Authors: Nwogugu Michael
Published: June 2003

Corporate accountability and quality of corporate disclosure have impacted on many companies and banks, particularly those grown through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and companies have had to restate their financial statements. The growth of service and technology companies (particularly by M&A) presents numerous public policy, legal, regulatory and accounting issues. Some of these companies have substantial intangible assets and the accounting for M&A and investments can be manipulated to affect reported assets and earnings. The exchange of securities and conflicts of interest in such transactions can affect financial statements – all of these factors can distort strategic planning, legal analysis, performance analysis and credit analysis. Fraudulent conveyance has typically not been considered in detail in many real life transactions (processed by law firms, the SEC, accounting firms and banks), even though it is the major means of unfair and illegal wealth transfer and fraud in corporate transactions. This paper highlights some of these issues, and illustrates the role and benefits of proper legal analysis in corporate transactions, and the convergence of corporate financial analysis and legal analysis and tax/accounting analysis.