bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monoxide carbon frequency shift as a tool for the characterization of TiO2 surfaces: Insights from first principles spectroscopy
Authors: Lustemberg Pablo G. , Scherlis Damián A.
Published: March 2013

The adsorption and vibrational frequency of CO on defective and undefective titanium dioxide surfaces is examined applying first-principles molecular dynamics simulations. In particular, the vibrational frequencies are obtained beyond the harmonic approximation, through the time correlation functions of the atomic trajectories. In agreement with experiments, at low CO coverages we find an upshift in the vibration frequency with respect to the free CO molecule, of 45 and 35 cm−1 on the stoichiometric rutile (110) and anatase (101) faces, respectively. A band falling 8 cm−1 below the frequency corresponding to the perfect face is observed for the reduced rutile (110) surface in the low vacancy concentration limit, where the adsorption is favored on Ti4 + sites. At a higher density of defects, adsorption on Ti3 + sites becomes more stable, accompanied by a downshift in the stretching band. In the case of anatase (101), we analyze the effect of subsurface oxygen vacancies, which have been shown to be predominant in this material. Interestingly, we find that the adsorption of CO on five coordinate Ti atoms placed over subsurface vacancies is favored with respect to other Ti4 + sites (7.25 against 6.95 kcal/mol), exhibiting a vibrational redshift of 20 cm−1. These results provide the basis to quantitatively assess the degree of reduction of rutile and anatase surfaces via IR spectroscopy, and at the same time allow for the assignment of characteristic bands in the CO spectra on TiO2 whose origin has remained ambiguous.
Magnetic susceptibility studies of the spin-glass and Verwey transitions in magnetite nanoparticles
Authors: López Maldonado K. L. , de la Presa P. , Flores Tavizón E. , Farias Mancilla J. R. , Matutes Aquino J. A. , Hernando Grande A. , Elizalde Galindo J. T.
Published: March 2013

Magnetite nanostructured powder samples were synthesized by aging chemical method. Phase, structural, and magnetic properties were characterized. X-ray diffraction patterns showed cubic magnetite pure phase, with average crystallite size, 〈D〉, equal to 40 nm. Susceptibility measurements showed the well-known Verwey transition at a temperature of 90 K. The decrease of Verwey transition temperature, with respect to the one reported in literature (125 K) was attributed to the low average crystallite size. Moreover, the spin-glass like transition was observed at 35 K. Activation energy calculated from susceptibility curves, with values ranging from 6.26 to 6.93 meV, showed a dependence of spin-glass transition on frequency. Finally, hysteresis loops showed that there is not an effect of Verwey transition on magnetic properties. On the other hand, a large increase of coercivity and remanent magnetization at a temperature between 5 and 50 K confirmed the presence of a magnetic transition at low temperatures.
Optical phonon modes of wurtzite InP
Authors: Gadret E. G. , de Lima M. M. , Madureira J. R. , Chiaramonte T. , Cotta M. A. , Iikawa F. , Cantarero A.
Published: March 2013

Optical vibration modes of InP nanowires in the wurtzite phase were investigated by Raman scattering spectroscopy. The wires were grown along the [0001] axis by the vapor-liquid-solid method. The A1(TO), E2h, and E1(TO) phonon modes of the wurtzite symmetry were identified by using light linearly polarized along different directions in backscattering configuration. Additionally, forbidden longitudinal optical modes have also been observed. Furthermore, by applying an extended 11-parameter rigid-ion model, the complete dispersion relations of InP in the wurtzite phase have been calculated, showing a good agreement with the Raman experimental data.
GaAs/AlGaAs field-effect transistor for tunable terahertz detection and spectroscopy with built-in signal modulation
Authors: Suzuki Daichi , Oda Shunri , Kawano Yukio
Published: March 2013

We report gate-voltage-controlled signal modulation in terahertz (THz) spectroscopy with a GaAs/AlGaAs two-dimensional electron gas field-effect transistor. By utilizing Landau quantization with magnetic field and Fermi level tuning with the gate voltage, we observed that the amplitude of THz spectroscopic signals was largely modulated with the gate voltage and that the on-off ratio of the modulation reached over 40 dB. This result provides the possibility of a solid-state THz spectrometer with an active modulator.
Uncooled antenna-coupled terahertz detectors with 22 μs response time based on BiSb/Sb thermocouples
Authors: Huhn Anna K. , Spickermann Gunnar , Ihring Andreas , Schinkel Uwe , Meyer Hans-Georg , Haring Bolívar Peter
Published: March 2013

We report on fast terahertz detectors based on antenna-coupled BiSb/Sb thermoelements operating at room temperature. A response time of the thermocouples as low as 22 μs and a noise equivalent power of 170 pW/Hz at 1 kHz modulation frequency is measured in air at room temperature. The integration capability of these mass producible devices enables large-scale detector arrays for real-time terahertz imaging applications. Due to the fast response time, multiplexing of the detectors can be used to reduce the required readout circuits.
Density Functional Theory Study on Mechanism of Forming Spiro-Ge-heterocyclic Ring Compound from Me2Ge=Ge: and Acetaldehyde
Authors: Lu Xiu-hui , Li Yong-qing , Bao Wei-jie , Liu Dong-ting
Published: March 2013

The H2Ge=Ge:, as well as and its derivatives (X2Ge=Ge:, X=H, Me, F, Cl, Br, Ph, Ar, …) is a kind of new species. Its cycloaddition reactions is a new area for the study of germylene chemistry. The mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction between singlet Me2Ge=Ge: and acetaldehyde was investigated with the B3LYP/6-31G* method in this work. From the potential energy profile, it could be predicted that the reaction has one dominant reaction pathway. The reaction rule is that the two reactants firstly form a four-membered Ge-heterocyclic ring germylene through the [2+2] cycloaddition reaction. Because of the 4p unoccupied orbital of Ge: atom in the four-membered Ge-heterocyclic ring germylene and the π orbital of acetaldehyde forming a π→p donor-acceptor bond, the four-membered Ge-heterocyclic ring germylene further combines with acetaldehyde to form an intermediate. Because the Ge atom in intermediate happens sp3 hybridization after transition state, then, intermediate isomerizes to a spiro-Ge-heterocyclic ring compound via a transition state. The research result indicates the laws of cycloaddition reaction between Me2Ge=Ge: and acetaldehyde, and lays the theory foundation of the cycloaddition reaction between H2Ge=Ge: and its derivatives (X2Ge=Ge:, X=H, Me, F, Cl, Br, Ph, Ar, …) and asymmetric π-bonded compounds, which are significant for the synthesis of small-ring and spiro-Ge-heterocyclic ring compounds.
Synthesis of Methyl Acetate by Dimethyl Ether Carbonylation over Cu/HMOR: Effect of Catalyst Preparation Method
Authors: Zhang Xue , Li Yu-ping , Qiu Song-bai , Wang Tie-jun , Ding Ming-yue , Zhang Qi , Ma Long-long , Yu Yu-xiao
Published: March 2013

Dimethyl ether carbonylation to methyl acetate was comparatively investigated over mordenite supported copper (Cu/HMOR) catalysts prepared by different methods including evaporation, urea hydrolysis, incipient wetness impregnation and ion-exchange. The results showed that Cu/HMOR prepared via iron-exchange method exhibited the highest catalytic activity due to the synergistic effect of active-site metal and acidic molecular sieve support. Conversion of 95.3% and methyl acetate selectivity of 94.9% were achieved under conditions of 210 °C, 1.5 MPa, and GSHV of 4883 h−1. The catalysts were characterized by nitrogen absorption, X-ray diffraction, NH3 temperature program desorption, and CO temperature program desorption techniques. It was found that Cu/HMOR prepared by ion-exchange method possessed high surface area, moderate strong acid centers, and CO adsorption centers, which improved catalytic performance for the reaction of CO insertion to dimethyl ether.
Synthesis, Characterization and Luminescent Properties of La2Zr2O7:Eu3+ Nanorods
Authors: Song He-juan , Zhou Li-qun , Huang Ying , Li Ling , Wang Ting , Yang Lan
Published: March 2013

The Eu3+-doped La2Zr2O7phosphor with rod-like morphology was successfully synthesized by conventional solid state reaction and hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction patterns, transmission electron microscopy, and photoluminescence spectra were employed to characterize its structure and morphology as well as luminescent properties. The results indicated that the red-emitting phosphor La2Zr2O7:Eu3+ had well crystallized and belonged to the cubic structure with space group of Fd3m. The as-obtained product mainly appeared as straight nanorods with an average diameter of 47 nm and length of 50–700 nm. The possible growth mechanism was also discussed. It was found that under blue excitation with a wavelength of 466 nm, the La2Zr2O7:Eu3+ phosphor exhibited a characteristic red emission at 616 nm that was attributed to the hypersensitive D50→7F2electric dipole transition of Eu3+ ions. Meanwhile, it was more interesting to note that the emission of D51→7FJ (J=0, 1, 2) transitions and the splitting patterns of 5D0→7FJ (J=1, 2, 4) transitions of Eu3+ ions can be observed in the luminescent spectra of La2Zr2O7:Eu3+. It was demonstrated that Eu3+ preferred to occupy a low symmetry site.
Synthesis of Phosphatidylcholine with Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Studies on Its Cytotoxic Activity
Authors: Niezgoda Natalia , Mituła Paweł , Kempińska Katarzyna , Wietrzyk Joanna , Wawrzeńczyk Czesław
Published: March 2013

Phospholipids with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which are potential lipid prodrugs, were synthesised. CLA was obtained by the alkali-isomerisation of linoleic acid and was subsequently used in the synthesis of 1,2-di(conjugated)linoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine in good (82 %) yield. 1-Palmitoyl-2-(conjugated)linoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine was obtained by a two-step synthesis in 87 % yield. All the compounds were tested in an in vitro cytotoxicity assay against two human cancer cell lines, HL-60 and MCF-7, and a mouse fibroblast cell line, Balb/3T3. The free form of CLA exhibited the highest activity against all cancer cell lines. Results obtained for the Balb/3T3 line proved that phosphatidylcholine derivatives decreased the cytotoxic effect of CLA against healthy cell lines.
Synthesis of a Novel Diol-Functionalized Poly(ethylene glycol)-Bridged Dicationic Ionic Liquid and its Application in Copper-Catalyzed Amination of Aryl Halides
Authors: Wang Yinglei , Luo Jun , Hou Tianjiao , Liu Zuliang
Published: March 2013

A novel diol-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol)-bridged dicationic ionic liquid ([diol-PEG1000-DIL][PF6]) is prepared and used as an efficient and reusable ligand for copper-catalyzed amination. A variety of aryl iodides and aryl bromides reacted smoothly with aqueous ammonia to afford the corresponding aromatic primary amines in good to excellent yields. It is remarkable that aryl chlorides with a strong electron-withdrawing group exhibited a dramatically elevated activity in the presence of tetrabutylammonium bromide. Furthermore, the catalyst could be easily recovered and reused without obvious loss of catalytic activity after five recycling runs.
Large eddy simulation of atypical wildland fire spread on leeward slopes
Authors: Simpson Colin C. , Sharples Jason J. , Evans Jason P. , McCabe Matthew F.
Published: March 2013

The WRF-Fire coupled atmosphere–fire modelling system was used to investigate atypical wildland fire spread on steep leeward slopes through a series of idealised numerical simulations. The simulations are used to investigate both the leeward flow characteristics, such as flow separation, and the fire spread from an ignition region at the base of the leeward slope. The fire spread was considered under varying fuel type and with atmosphere-fire coupling both enabled and disabled. When atmosphere–fire coupling is enabled and there is a high fuel mass density, the fire spread closely resembles that expected during fire channelling. Specifically, the fire spread is initially dominated by upslope spread to the mountain ridge line at an average rate of 2.0kmh–1, followed by predominantly lateral spread close to the ridge line at a maximum rate of 3.6kmh–1. The intermittent rapid lateral spread occurs when updraft–downdraft interfaces, which are associated with strongly circulating horizontal winds at the mid-flame height, move across the fire perimeter close to the ridge line. The updraft–downdraft interfaces are formed due to an interaction between the strong pyro-convection and the terrain-modified winds. Through these results, a new physical explanation of fire channelling is proposed.
Is the Asian house gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus, really a threat to Australia’s biodiversity?
Authors: Vanderduys E. P. , Kutt A. S.
Published: March 2013

Invasive animals can have a wide range of impacts in natural systems. The introduced Asian house gecko Hemidactylus frenatus has invaded widely in Australia, but is largely restricted to human-altered landscapes. Hoskin (2011) has argued that H. frenatus has the potential to negatively impact Australian ecosystems by invading natural habitats. We examine this contention by reviewing an extensive standardised fauna survey dataset collected in northern and central Queensland during the key period of H. frenatus expansion from the 1990s to 2012. In light of these data we also re-examine data from other areas that suggest H. frenatus is a benign threat and is unlikely to become an environmental pest within Australia. On current evidence, we conclude that H. frenatus is unlikely to spread much beyond areas of human influence.
Water management in Ghana: between the idea and the implementation
Authors: Agyenim Joseph Boateng , Gupta Joyeeta
Published: March 2013

Four major paradigm shifts in water management include the shift from: government to governance, centralization to decentralization, water as a gift of God to water as an economic good, and sectoral to integrated water resource management. Are these paradigm shifts compatible with cultural/institutional practices in Ghana? Using theoretical and empirical arguments, this paper affirms that Ghana often adopts such paradigm shifts due to exogenous pressures but the absence of domestic ownership, inadequate resources, and institutional mismatches, often result in limited implementation. This paper recommends water governance which focuses more on prioritization, indigenizing exogenous ideas, and working within existing cultural practices.
Construction and validation of a homology model of the human voltage-gated proton channel hHV1
Authors: Kulleperuma Kethika , Smith Susan M.E. , Morgan Deri , Musset Boris , Holyoake John , Chakrabarti Nilmadhab , Cherny Vladimir V. , DeCoursey Thomas E. , Pomès Régis
Published: March 2013

The topological similarity of voltage-gated proton channels (HV1s) to the voltage-sensing domain (VSD) of other voltage-gated ion channels raises the central question of whether HV1s have a similar structure. We present the construction and validation of a homology model of the human HV1 (hHV1). Multiple structural alignment was used to construct structural models of the open (proton-conducting) state of hHV1 by exploiting the homology of hHV1 with VSDs of K+ and Na+ channels of known three-dimensional structure. The comparative assessment of structural stability of the homology models and their VSD templates was performed using massively repeated molecular dynamics simulations in which the proteins were allowed to relax from their initial conformation in an explicit membrane mimetic. The analysis of structural deviations from the initial conformation based on up to 125 repeats of 100-ns simulations for each system reveals structural features consistently retained in the homology models and leads to a consensus structural model for hHV1 in which well-defined external and internal salt-bridge networks stabilize the open state. The structural and electrostatic properties of this open-state model are compatible with proton translocation and offer an explanation for the reversal of charge selectivity in neutral mutants of Asp112. Furthermore, these structural properties are consistent with experimental accessibility data, providing a valuable basis for further structural and functional studies of hHV1. Each Arg residue in the S4 helix of hHV1 was replaced by His to test accessibility using Zn2+ as a probe. The two outermost Arg residues in S4 were accessible to external solution, whereas the innermost one was accessible only to the internal solution. Both modeling and experimental data indicate that in the open state, Arg211, the third Arg residue in the S4 helix in hHV1, remains accessible to the internal solution and is located near the charge transfer center, Phe150.
Surface plasmon resonance: a useful technique for cell biologists to characterize biomolecular interactions
Authors: Stahelin Robert V.
Published: March 2013

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a powerful technique for monitoring the affinity and selectivity of biomolecular interactions. SPR allows for analysis of association and dissociation rate constants and modeling of biomolecular interaction kinetics, as well as for equilibrium binding analysis and ligand specificity studies. SPR has received much use and improved precision in classifying protein–protein interactions, as well as in studying small-molecule ligand binding to receptors; however, lipid–protein interactions have been underserved in this regard. With the field of lipids perhaps the next frontier in cellular research, SPR is a highly advantageous technique for cell biologists, as newly identified proteins that associate with cellular membranes can be screened rapidly and robustly for lipid specificity and membrane affinity. This technical perspective discusses the conditions needed to achieve success with lipid–protein interactions and highlights the unique lipid–protein interaction mechanisms that have been elucidated using SPR. It is intended to provide the reader a framework for quantitative and confident conclusions from SPR analysis of lipid–protein interactions.
Effect of Fungicide Application and Cultivar on Soybean Green Stem Disorder
Authors: Hill C. B. , Bowen C. R. , Hartman G. L.
Published: March 2013

Green stem disorder of soybean (Glycine max) has increasingly become a nuisance for soybean producers. The disorder is distinguished from other manifestations of delayed plant maturity by the delayed senescence of stems only, with normal pod ripening and seed maturation. The primary objective of the first study was to determine whether green stem disorder increased with a fungicide treatment. Field cages to isolate soybean plants to prevent insect interactions were used and treatments included maturity group (MG) II insensitive and sensitive soybean cultivars with or without fungicide applications. A secondary objective was to determine fungi potentially associated with the disorder. The results indicated significant elevation of the incidence of green stem disorder when using a fungicide. Species of Diaporthe or Phomopsis and Macrophomina phaseolina were more frequent in stems without the disorder, whereas species of Colletotrichum were found mostly in stems with the disorder. In another study, field experiments were conducted without cages in replicated field plots to compare the effects of fungicides with different chemistries and timing of fungicide application on incidence of green stem disorder using green stem disorder MG II- and MG III-sensitive and insensitive soybean cultivars. There was a significant increase in percentage of green stem disorder due to fungicide application, depending on fungicide chemistry, timing of application, year, location, and cultivar sensitivity to green stem disorder. Generally, Headline and Headline-Domark applications resulted in higher incidence of green stem disorder than Domark alone or the nonsprayed control, with over 50% incidence in many cases. Higher percent green stem disorder was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with higher yields in 11 of the 28 trials. From the results of this research, soybean producers should be aware of the possible risk that fungicide application may have in increasing incidence of green stem disorder. In addition, producers can help manage green stem disorder by selecting soybean cultivars reported to be consistently insensitive to the disorder.
Predicting Fusarium Head Blight Epidemics With Weather-Driven Pre- and Post-Anthesis Logistic Regression Models
Authors: Shah D. A. , Molineros J. E. , Paul P. A. , Willyerd K. T. , Madden L. V. , De Wolf E. D.
Published: March 2013

Our objective was to identify weather-based variables in pre- and post-anthesis time windows for predicting major Fusarium head blight (FHB) epidemics (defined as FHB severity ≥ 10%) in the United States. A binary indicator of major epidemics for 527 unique observations (31% of which were major epidemics) was linked to 380 predictor variables summarizing temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall in 5-, 7-, 10-, 14-, or 15-day-long windows either pre- or post-anthesis. Logistic regression models were built with a training data set (70% of the 527 observations) using the leaps-and-bounds algorithm, coupled with bootstrap variable and model selection methods. Misclassification rates were estimated on the training and remaining (test) data. The predictive performance of models with indicator variables for cultivar resistance, wheat type (spring or winter), and corn residue presence was improved by adding up to four weather-based predictors. Because weather variables were intercorrelated, no single model or subset of predictor variables was best based on accuracy, model fit, and complexity. Weather-based predictors in the 15 final empirical models selected were all derivatives of relative humidity or temperature, except for one rainfall-based predictor, suggesting that relative humidity was better at characterizing moisture effects on FHB than other variables. The average test misclassification rate of the final models was 19% lower than that of models currently used in a national FHB prediction system.
Chaperones: needed for both the good times and the bad times
Authors: Quinlan Roy A. , Ellis R. John
Published: March 2013

In this issue, we explore the assembly roles of protein chaperones, mainly through the portal of their associated human diseases (e.g. cardiomyopathy, cataract, neurodegeneration, cancer and neuropathy). There is a diversity to chaperone function that goes beyond the current emphasis in the scientific literature on their undoubted roles in protein folding and refolding. The focus on chaperone-mediated protein folding needs to be broadened by the original Laskey discovery that a chaperone assists the assembly of an oligomeric structure, the nucleosome, and the subsequent suggestion by Ellis that other chaperones may function in assembly processes, as well as in folding. There have been a number of recent discoveries that extend this relatively neglected aspect of chaperone biology to include proteostasis, maintenance of the cellular redox potential, genome stability, transcriptional regulation and cytoskeletal dynamics. So central are these processes that we propose that chaperones stand at the crossroads of life and death because they mediate essential functions, not only during the bad times, but also in the good times. We suggest that chaperones facilitate the success of a species, and hence the evolution of individuals within populations, because of their contributions to so many key cellular processes, of which protein folding is only one.
Development and evaluation of preparations with low energy density for a food service
Authors: Faria Tavares Carolina , Lipi Marisa , Lobo Marchioni Dirce Maria , Elisabeth Machado Pinto e Silva Maria
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the energy density (ED) of preparations served by a food service and develop and evaluate the acceptability of preparations in which the ED was reduced by substitution and/or reduction of fat and sugar.

Design/methodology/approach

The preparations served most frequently by a food service were identified and described using datasheets. Nutritional assessment of the preparations was performed while the ED was estimated by the ratio of energy value to final weight of the preparations. The preparations were analyzed for their sensory characteristics and reproducibility. Sensory analysis was performed using acceptability and affective tests. The scores obtained on the hedonic scale (1‐9) were assessed by ANOVA and Tukey's test.

Findings

The percentage difference between the ED of traditional and modified preparations showed an ED reduction of 6 to 28 per cent in savory preparations and 5 to 63 per cent in sweet preparations. Preparations that had an average acceptance of greater than or equal to 7 were considered acceptable. All preparations were considered acceptable by the judges. Many preparations depend on ingredients with high ED for their success and removing these ingredients can undermine acceptance of the preparation. It is important to understand the role of each ingredient in recipes as a whole, in order to retain the characteristics and palatability of preparations.

Originality/value

The reduction of ED in preparations is an effective strategy for reducing energy intake and increasing weight loss, where ED of preparations can be reduced while maintaining the level of acceptability.
Qualifications mismatch and skills mismatch
Authors: Sutherland John
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to estimate the extent of “over‐qualification” (i.e. holding a qualification which is above that required to gain entry to the job being done) and “skills under‐utilisation” (i.e. being in a job which does not make use of the knowledge and skills possessed) in the United Kingdom and to examine whether these conditions are correlated with age.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper makes use of the 2006 Skills Survey. Cross tabulations of both conditions with age are produced and binomial probit estimates of both conditions are reported.

Findings

It is estimated that 38 per cent are over qualified; 15 per cent are in jobs which do not make use of the knowledge and skills they possess; and age is correlated with the probability of being over qualified but not with the condition of under‐utilising the knowledge and skills possessed.

Social implications

Skills policy in the United Kingdom focuses almost exclusively upon increasing the supply of more highly qualified individuals. Given the extent of over‐qualification and skills under‐utilisation demonstrated in the paper, more effort should be made by policy makers to design and implement policies which increase the demand for highly skilled labour.

Originality/value

The paper answers three questions: How prevalent are qualification mismatches? How prevalent are skills mismatches? To what extent are the two conditions of being over‐qualified and being in a job which does not offer scope to make use of the knowledge and skills possessed correlated with age?
Entrepreneurship education in Italian universities: trend, situation and opportunities
Authors: Iacobucci Donato , Micozzi Alessandra
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of the present situation and recent evolution of entrepreneurship education in Italian universities and to discuss whether these courses and curricula match the demand for entrepreneurial competences.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis is based on a census of entrepreneurship courses and curricula run by universities. The information collected through the internet refers to the academic years 2003‐2004 and 2009‐2010.

Findings

Compared with the situation observed in the USA and in other European countries, entrepreneurship education in Italy is rather “underdeveloped”. Only a few universities have courses or specific curricula dedicated to entrepreneurship. The courses are concentrated within business faculties while very few exist in science and engineering faculties. The slow pace with which Italian universities are keeping up with the global trend in entrepreneurship education at university level seems in vivid contrast with the need for the Italian economy to change its industry structure from the so‐called “traditional” to “high‐tech” sectors. The paper discusses the reasons for this situation.

Research limitations/implications

The paper does not evaluate the impact of entrepreneurship education. A suggestion for future research could be to analyze the role of these courses in encouraging entrepreneurial activity of students.

Practical implications

Entrepreneurship education at university level can play an important role in the Italian economic system, fostering the creation of new business in knowledge‐intensive sectors.

Social implications

The exploratory analysis of the state of entrepreneurship education in Italy suggests the need to develop these courses and spread the presence, especially in the science and engineering universities.

Originality/value

The paper covers a lack of research on the attitude of higher education institutions towards entrepreneurship education in Italy.
Measuring entrepreneurial orientation of university students
Authors: Taatila Vesa , Down Samuel
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the measurement of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) in the student population of different academic programmes, in order to enhance entrepreneurship‐related procedures within universities.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey‐based tool for measuring EO is presented and used in one university. The answers are explored using statistical methods.

Findings

The results show that the survey provides the user with adequate data about EO within student groups. They also demonstrate that while entrepreneurial desire differs between academic programmes, actual EO results do not.

Practical implications

In the paper it is suggested that the new information can be used for developing entrepreneurial courses as well as student selection procedures. Some modifications for the survey, as well as initiation of a wider research programme, are also proposed.

Originality/value

The paper uses a traditional survey for EO in a novel setting, amongst university students. The results create new interesting knowledge about the differences and similarities of the students of different academic programmes.
Assessment: examining practice in entrepreneurship education
Authors: Pittaway Luke , Edwards Corina
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop knowledge about the nature of student assessment practice in entrepreneurship education.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper introduces general assessment practice issues and highlights key considerations. It explains prior research on assessment practice in entrepreneurship education and argues that there is too little empirical research on the subject. Finally, it outlines a typology of entrepreneurship education that highlights variation between different: forms; learning outcomes; subjects; and, possible methods of assessment practice. The methodology for the study gathers data from course outlines (syllabi) and explains how these were collected and analysed.

Findings

The results show that educational practice in entrepreneurship education continues to be dominated by the “About” form and highlight that there are different cultures of assessment practice in the UK and the USA. The paper finds compelling evidence that different forms are using assessment in different ways.

Research limitations/implications

This paper identifies that there have been few studies exploring assessment practice in entrepreneurship education and argues that further research is required in this area. It also highlights a need for a focus on assessment practice in disciplines beyond the business school. The work demonstrates that further research could explore other stakeholders in the assessment process and seek to understand how these external assessors affect student learning.

Practical implications

In conclusion, the paper highlights that assessment generally needs to become more innovative, more reflective in nature and include more stakeholders in the process.

Originality/value

Understanding is enhanced because the paper explores what entrepreneurship educators actually “do” when they assess entrepreneurship education and, therefore, the research moves beyond prescriptive accounts and provides a detailed understanding of actual practice.
Enterprise education: a Deweyan perspective
Authors: Pepin Matthias
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework of reflection that opens the way to a fuller understanding of what is meant by learning to be enterprising in schools, particularly during the basic schooling of students (at both the primary and secondary levels). Working from Dewey's philosophy of experience, the paper advances a new definition, in processual terms, of being enterprising and a related model of learning to be enterprising.

Design/methodology/approach

The backdrop of this theoretical article is enterprise education, currently associated with a broader view of entrepreneurship. The text begins with a critique of existing definitions of being enterprising, showing their limitations from an educational point of view. It then proposes an exploration of Dewey's philosophy of experience and its educational corollaries, all with a view to sketching out a model of learning to be enterprising.

Findings

John Dewey's philosophy of experience provides a basis for characterizing the notion of being enterprising in relation to two distinct phases – namely, charting a guiding direction for the action to be undertaken and putting the plan of action to the test in experience. Dewey also highlights the importance of reflexivity throughout this entire process. The coherent structuring of these elements lays the groundwork for a model of learning to be enterprising that simultaneously takes into account action and reflection in the classroom entrepreneurial experience.

Originality/value

Being enterprising is closely bound up with action, thus prompting many authors to set out a parallel between enterprise education and experiential learning, with most working from the model proposed by Kolb. The paper returns to the philosophical bases elaborated by Dewey and his vision of experiential learning, associated with his oft‐quoted maxim of “learning by doing.” The value of this conceptual effort consists in acquiring a more operational representation of learning to be enterprising in schools.
Transformational leadership and personal outcomes: empowerment as mediator
Authors: Krishnan Venkat R.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Creating and maintaining sustainable businesses require an understanding of the role of leadership in enhancing personal outcomes of employees, and of the processes by which they can be enhanced. The purpose of this paper is to report a study on analyzing how transformational leadership is related to followers’ meaning in life and subjective wellbeing, with psychological empowerment being a mediating variable.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 285 managers (69 females and 215 males) of a large manufacturing organization in western India. They responded to questions about their superior's transformational leadership and their own empowerment, meaning in life and wellbeing.

Findings

Empowerment mediated the relationship between transformational leadership and follower's meaning in life and wellbeing.

Research limitations/implications

Same‐source bias is a possible limitation of the study. Leader's self‐rating on transformational leadership could be taken, but it would not be as valid as the rating given by followers. Another limitation is the collection of all data at the same time.

Practical implications

The strong and positive relationship between empowerment and meaning in life sheds light on making followers see greater meaning in life. Attempts to enhance meaning in life should first focus on increasing self‐efficacy. If followers do not have faith in their own capability to do their job, it may not be possible for them to see meaning in life.

Originality/value

This study adds to the existing literature by clarifying the process by which transformational leaders enhance followers’ meaning in life and subjective wellbeing.
Are leadership constructs really independent?
Authors: Rowold Jens , Borgmann Lars
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The aim of this study is to contribute to the construct validity of leadership styles. Although several theories of leadership emerged in the past decades, integrative research on leadership constructs is rare. Thus, for the first time, the present study critically tests whether the leadership constructs of transformational and transactional leadership, consideration and initiating structure, and leader‐member‐exchange are convergent, or whether they exhibit discriminant validities, as hypothesized by theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying hierarchical structural equation modeling to the multitrait‐multimethod (MTMM) approach, the present study explored the convergent and discriminant validity of leadership constructs based on data from multiple sources. Altogether,N=148 dyads of leaders and subordinates from various industries in Germany participated in the present study.

Findings

Results demonstrated evidence for the convergence of the leadership constructs.

Practical implications

In leadership feedback projects in organizations, practitioners should utilize multiple rating perspectives for adequate descriptions of leadership behaviors.

Originality/value

Interestingly, approximately the same amount of variance in the data was due to the rating sources as it was to the leadership constructs, suggesting strong method effects in leadership research. The present study was among the first MTMM approaches that addressed the construct validity of several leadership constructs simultaneously and thus, allows new insight into the overall network of leadership theories.
Differentiation focused supply chain design
Authors: Hilletofth Per
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for differentiation focused supply chain design (SCD).

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a literature review and case study approach to develop a framework for differentiation focused SCD. The proposed framework has been developed based on the literature review and evaluated against the case study. The case study describes SCD at two Swedish companies; one from the appliance industry and the other from the furniture industry, both having a significant international presence. Empirical data have been collected, mainly from in‐depth and semi‐structured interviews with key persons representing senior and middle management in the case companies.

Findings

This research suggests that differentiation‐focused SCD can be organized into a five‐stage process. It is essential that this process is aligned with new product development (NPD), so they exchange information, and operate based on the same segmentation model. The main benefits of a differentiated supply chain are enhanced competitiveness, as supply chain management (SCM) changes from being a cost center to being a value generating function, and increased profitability, by allowing differentiated customer needs to be satisfied cost‐efficiently. To succeed with developing a differentiated supply chain, logisticians must be extensively involved with both the NPD process and the strategic marketing process.

Research limitations/implications

Current models of SCD are simplistic and not well developed. By combining theory with practical applications, this research provides researchers and decision makers with detailed tools for developing a differentiation‐focused SCD process. The research is explorative in nature therefore empirical data from similar and other research settings should be gathered to reinforce the validity of the findings.

Practical implications

This research provides knowledge and insights on how a differentiated supply chain may be developed. The main implication is that SCD needs to be closely aligned with NPD and marketing in order to gain competitive advantage. Companies may also be able to employ labor closer to the consumption market by focusing on supply chain differentiation.

Originality/value

This research contributes by developing a process for differentiation‐focused SCD, and by demonstrating the main benefits and requirements of a differentiated supply chain.
IOS adoption in innovation networks: a case study
Authors: Rampersad Giselle , Troshani Indrit , Plewa Carolin
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Given the increased importance of inter‐organizational networks in fostering innovation, the purpose of this paper is to isolate drivers of the adoption of inter‐organizational systems (IOS) that support innovation processes.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on qualitative research incorporating a focus group and in‐depth interviews, a network framework is provided for understanding key drivers concerning IOS adoption.

Findings

The research uncovers factors for facilitating coordination and communication efficiencies and outlines the roles that trust and commitment can play in managing innovation within networks through IOS use.

Research limitations/implications

To enhance our understanding of innovations that are entrenched in networks of heterogeneous actors, this research contributes by employing an interdisciplinary approach as it applies network and relationships marketing literatures to the IOS adoption in innovation settings.

Originality/value

The paper advances theory development on innovation management and technology adoption by offering a network framework, a shift from extant literature's predominant focus on individual and organizational levels.
Strategic sourcing in the textile and apparel industry
Authors: Su Jin
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate performance outcomes of strategic sourcing, specifically examining how strategic sourcing affects buyer‐supplier relationship, supplier evaluation, and sourcing performance from the buying firm's perspective in the context of the US textile and apparel industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This study provides an empirical investigation of a theory‐based model integrating the resource‐based view and the relational view of strategic management. The model is tested using data from 180 US textile and apparel firms by structural equation modeling.

Findings

The survey results indicate that strategic sourcing significantly impacts buyer‐supplier relationships, supplier evaluation, and sourcing performance of buying companies. The study also shows that supplier evaluation significantly influences buyer‐supplier relationship.

Research limitations/implications

Given that the data are from a specific industry, the generalizability of current findings to other industries may require additional investigation.

Practical implications

Sourcing becomes a key strategic consideration for textile and apparel firms to sustain or improve their competitiveness.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature by developing a research model based on a multi‐theoretical perspective and conducting a large‐scale empirical survey in the textile and apparel industry and analyzing the model by structural equation modeling. The dynamic textile and apparel industry is a classical representation of global supply chain, characterized by the industry's significant contribution to the world economy and international trade, the extremely worldwide spread supply network, and the tremendous competition in global market. Examining strategic sourcing's influences in this important industry provides many valuable implications for industrial practitioners.
Evaluating alternative industrial network organizations and information systems
Authors: Mittermayer Herwig , Rodríguez‐Monroy Carlos
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a simulation‐based evaluation method for the comparison of different organizational forms and software support levels in the field of supply chain management (SCM).

Design/methodology/approach

Apart from widely known logistic performance indicators, the discrete event simulation model considers explicitly coordination cost as stemming from iterative administration procedures.

Findings

The method is applied to an exemplary supply chain configuration considering various parameter settings. Curiously, additional coordination cost does not always result in improved logistic performance. Influence factor variations lead to different organizational recommendations. The results confirm the high importance of (up to now) disregarded dimensions when evaluating SCM concepts and IT tools.

Research limitations/implications

The model is based on simplified product and network structures. Future research shall include more complex, real world configurations.

Practical implications

The developed method is designed for the identification of improvement potential when SCM software is employed. Coordination schemes based only on ERP systems are valid alternatives in industrial practice because significant investment IT can be avoided. Therefore, the evaluation of these coordination procedures, in particular the cost due to iterations, is of high managerial interest and the method provides a comprehensive tool for strategic IT decision making.

Originality/value

Reviewed literature is mostly focused on the benefits of SCM software implementations. However, ERP system based supply chain coordination is still widespread industrial practice but associated coordination cost has not been addressed by researchers.
Entry barrier's difference between ICT and non‐ICT industries
Authors: Yang Changgyu , Lee Sang‐Gun , Lee Jaebeom
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Given the increasingly saturated information and communication technology (ICT) market and the intensification of competition among ICT firms, there is a need for a better understanding of entry barriers in the ICT market. The purpose of this paper is to examine the overall characteristics of these entry barriers and identify firms' strategies for achieving market dominance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examined the overall characteristics of these entry barriers and identified firms' strategies for achieving market dominance by tracking the actual patterns of firms' ICT market entry based on the Bass diffusion model.

Findings

The results indicate that the saturation of the ICT market reduced entry barriers, which strengthened the imitation effect. In addition, entry barriers were lower for ICT firms than for non‐ICT ones. Furthermore, entry barriers were higher for the manufacturing sector than for the service sector, indicating that the innovation effect was stronger for the manufacturing sector than for the service sector, whereas the opposite was true for the imitation effect.

Originality/value

These results suggest that those firms that are planning to enter or are already in the ICT market should develop better strategies for gaining a competitive advantage.