bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Green” buildings and Real Estate Investment Trust's (REIT) performance
Authors: Hin Ho Kim , Rengarajan Satyanarain , Han Lum Ying
Published: September 2013

Purpose

The paper has the following objectives in mind: to examine whether or not “green” developments have any significant effect on the Real Estate Investment Trust's (REIT) operational and financial performance; to examine whether or not the effects of “green” developments on the REIT's performance is consistent across the different property types namely office, retail and residential.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper introduces two variables to measure “greenness” of REIT's. These variables include the percentage of square feet of certified properties and the average “greenness” score. Firm's size as measured by taking natural logarithm of total assets was also included as it serves as an indirect measurement of “greenness”. Other financial variables were added to control for the differences in firm's characteristics. This is meant to isolate the variation in performance variable that could be explained by the “green” variables. Following which, regressions (OLS) were estimated for each of the performance variables as measured by ROA, FFO/total revenue and ROE.

Findings

The general findings of this paper are: “Green” buildings do impact both the operational and financial performance of REITs. However, different measures of “greenness” of REIT's property portfolio will yield different set of results; the observed impacts of “green” buildings are mainly significant for both the K‐REIT and Capitamall Trust (CMT) whereas that for City Developments Limited (CDL) are insignificant; the observed effects vary across the different property types namely office, retail and residential as represented by K‐REIT, CMT and CDL. The paper provides evidence to show that “green” buildings are better options given the various benefits, as compared to their counterparts.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper should serve as a meaningful guide to look at how investments in “green” and sustainable buildings will create value for real estate investors at the REIT's level.

Originality/value

The paper offers insightful information for REIT's managers when they make decisions on the acquisition of “green” properties or retrofitting of the existing properties in their direct real estate portfolios. As such, this paper is meant to extend the body of literature on “green” buildings by investigating the significance of “green” buildings on REIT's performance.
Compulsory purchase and compensation update – 2013
Authors: Sams Gary
Published: September 2013

Purpose

Annual update on caselaw relating to compulsory purchase and compensation. This paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Research of decisions made by the Court of Appeal and lands tribunal in the filed of compensation. Commentary on the legal and valuation implications of a selection of those decisions.

Findings

In the last year there have been a number of interesting cases concerning whether losses based on the value of land can be claimed under the head of disturbance.

Research limitations/implications

The research is naturally limited by the caselaw available in the last 12 months but this has been a relatively busy year.

Practical implications

The commentary should assist practitioners to formulate claims for compensation having regard to recent developments in case law.

Originality/value

It is originality and value relies on the fact that it is based on new legal decisions which have not yet been widely reported.
How supervisors' reminders relate to subordinates' absorption and creativity
Authors: Gevers Josette M.P. , Demerouti Evangelia
Published: September 2013

Purpose

This study aims to examine supervisors' temporal reminders and subordinates' pacing style as they relate to employees' absorption in work tasks, and subsequently creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involved a weekly diary study among 32 employees of an IT‐development department of a large multinational. An initial questionnaire measured employees' pacing style and their perceptions of supervisors' temporal reminders, after which participants completed a weekly survey for four consecutive weeks to report on their levels of task absorption and creativity.

Findings

Whereas supervisors' temporal reminders related positively with task absorption for individuals who scored high rather than low on the deadline action pacing style, they related negatively to task absorption for those high rather than low on the steady action and the U‐shaped action pacing styles. Moreover, task absorption fluctuated consistently with individual creativity.

Research limitations/implications

The way individuals allocate efforts over time is not only related to the resources they invest in activities but also to their creativity.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that creativity requires that employees find the time and space to fully immerse in their work. Supervisors can facilitate this process by customizing their leadership practices to individual differences in time use.

Social implications

In an increasingly time‐pressured corporate society, an effective management of temporal strategies is important to ensure sustained employee well‐being as well as the quality of products in terms of creative solutions.

Originality/value

This study is the first to show that supervisors' temporal reminders relate positively to task absorption, and subsequent creativity levels, but only for specific pacing styles.
Older workers' successful aging and intention to stay
Authors: Cheung Francis , Wu Anise M.S.
Published: September 2013

Purpose

Based on organizational support theory, the aim of this paper is to examine the associations among perceived organizational support, successful aging in the workplace, job satisfaction, and the intentions to stay in organization among older workers.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 242 employees, aged over 45 years, were recruited to participate in a study from May to September 2009.

Findings

Correlation showed that perceived organizational support and all five dimensions of successful aging in the workplace, (i.e. adaptability and health, positive relationship, occupational growth, personal security, and continued focus on goals), were significantly related to the intentions to stay in the organization. Structural equation modeling showed that perceived organizational support was positively related to successful aging in the workplace, and the latter is related to the intentions to stay, both directly and via the mediation of job satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

All data were self‐reported and collected at one time point. Thus, common method variance may be an issue and causal inferences are not warranted.

Practical implications

Successful aging in the workplace was significantly related to older workers' intentions to stay. Managers may provide a wide range of organizational support and enhance successful aging in the workplace for older workers.

Originality/value

This is the first study to empirically test the relations between successful aging in the workplace and intentions to stay among older workers. Implications of these findings, the limitations of the study, and directions for future research are discussed.
Open access resources useful in LIS education
Authors: Sawant Sarika
Published: September 2013

Purpose

The present paper is compilation of open access resources in the subject area library and information science (LIS) and their usefulness in the LIS teaching and learning process. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Researcher compiled list by visiting library science department web sites, library web sites, OA forums/blogs, etc.

Findings

The library science subject area is rich in various forms of open access literature which is reported in the paper.

Originality/value

One of the first studies to report various forms of open access literature in the library science subject area.
An Instagram is worth a thousand words: an industry panel and audience Q&A
Authors: Abbott Wendy , Donaghey Jessie , Hare Joanna , Hopkins Peta
Published: September 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the industry panel session hosted by Bond University Library at the Australian Library and Information Association's Information Online 2013 Conference. The panel was held to discuss the use and implications of professional Instagram profiles. The panel included a professional photographer, an internet marketing expert, a social media expert, a librarian and a social media‐savvy student. The inclusion of a range of perspectives from outside the library aimed to provide a holistic approach to the institutional use of Instagram and to provide inspiration. The panel took place on Wednesday 13 February 2013 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

The panel discussion covered three broad topic areas: the popularity of Instagram and listening to your audience. The risks, limitations and disadvantages of using Instagram. Engagement with followers and measuring the value of Instagram. Throughout the panel session live mobile polling was used to gather feedback and responses from the audience in regards to their photo‐sharing practices. Real examples from Instagram profiles were shared to stimulate discussion. The session concluded with a Q&A session from the audience.

Findings

The session was attended by approximately 80 delegates. The results of the mobile polling will be included in the body of the article. Based on feedback from delegates on Twitter and Facebook (which was collated via Storify) the session was perceived as a useful introduction to a professional exploration of Instagram and photo sharing.

Practical implications

The session was an opportunity for conference delegates to hear about Instagram use from professionals in other fields. Each panel member contributed a unique perspective on the use of Instagram. In particular, the inclusion of a current Bond University student on the panel allowed for a customer's perspective on the library's use of Instagram. This discussion and the feedback gathered from the audience has formed the basis for further evidence‐based research.

Originality/value

To date, few libraries are using Instagram. This discussion on the professional use of Instagram contributes to the body of knowledge about library social media use. It also extends the conversation to include mobile photo sharing, an area which has not been well addressed in the literature. This panel was unique in that it brought together professionals from other environments to reflect on library use of Instagram.
Mass customization: the bane of OD or the cure to what ails it?
Authors: M. Golay Leslie , H. Church Allan
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– This applied position piece discusses the potential advantages of applying a mass customization framework to the field of organization development (OD). Mass customization, adapted from the manufacturing industry, is posited as a potential way to address the OD identity (or lack thereof) debate. Four speculative applications of mass customization to OD are presented, as well as a real-world example of how mass customization is currently being applied in one organization. Implications at the individual-, group-, and systems level are discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

– After key arguments are introduced, a case study is presented to illustrate the application of mass customization to an OD process.

Findings

– Implementation of mass customization can be successful in traditional OD practices.

Practical implications

– This paper addresses a common debate in the field of OD: should we limit our scope, or will that sacrifice inclusivity? By applying a mass customization framework, OD can retain its flexibility while still applying boundaries to the field.

Originality/value

– This paper addresses a common debate in the field of OD: should we limit our scope, or will that sacrifice inclusivity? By applying a mass customization framework, OD can retain its flexibility while still applying boundaries to the field.
Telecommuter intent to leave
Authors: A. Overbey Julie
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between perceived leadership styles and telecommuter intent to leave an organization.

Design/methodology/approach

– A quantitative non-experimental design was used to examine the relationship between perceived leadership styles and telecommuter intent to leave an organization. In all, three leadership styles were examined: transactional, transformational, and laissez-faire. Telecommuters responded to a single online survey combining two validated survey instruments, the MLQ 5X Rater Form and the Staying or Leaving Index. Respondents were instructed to consider their current manager when responding to the survey.

Findings

– Linear regression results indicated a significant relationship between perceived transformational and telecommuter intent to leave an organization (F(1, 111)=34.36,p<0.001) suggesting the more a leader demonstrates a transformational leadership style, the more a telecommuter wants to leave the organization. Results indicated a significant negative relationship between perceived laissez-faire leadership style and intent to leave an organization (F(1, 111)=20.01,p<0.001) suggesting the more a leader demonstrates a laissez-faire leadership style, the less a telecommuter wants to leave the organization. No relationship existed between perceived transactional leadership style and telecommuter intent to leave an organization.

Research limitations/implications

– The data collected represents perception of leadership behavior vs actual leadership style. Further research should gather both perceived and actual leadership behavior. Research encompassing perceived and actual behaviors would allow for an assessment of the degree of convergence and assist in judging the accuracy of perceptual data.

Practical implications

– A relationship was found to exist between perceived transformational leadership style and telecommuter intent to leave an organization. A significant negative relationship was found to exist between perceived laissez-faire leadership style and telecommuter intent to leave an organization. No relationship was found to exist between perceived transactional leadership style and telecommuter intent to leave an organization. The findings were unexpected for all three leadership styles.

Originality/value

– Extending the study to gather actual leadership behavior instead of perceived behavior, expanding the populations to include greater diversity, and conducting the study as a longitudinal study to capture leadership over time are recommended for future research. Organizational leaders may wish to use the results of the study to aid their understanding of which leadership styles affect telecommuter intent to leave an organization.
The psychological consequences of power on self-perception: implications for leadership
Authors: G. Voyer Benjamin , McIntosh Bryan
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore theoretical connections between the cognitive consequences of power on self-perception and the behaviours of leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

– A systematic literature review was carried out to investigate the psychological consequences of power in terms of self-perception, perspective taking abilities, emotions and behaviours. The literature reviewed is further integrated in a theoretical model, and a series of propositions suggesting a relation between power, perspective taking, self-construal and leadership are introduced.

Findings

– This paper argues that power creates both temporary and enduring cognitive changes that transform the way individuals assimilate and differentiate their self from others. This transforms the way individuals in power behave as leaders, as well as followers. Individuals’ self-construal and perspective taking seem to play a mediating role in determining the behaviours of powerful and powerless individuals. This relation is moderated by organizational culture and structure, as well as personality traits.

Research limitations/implications

– Further research is needed to test these propositions, including the existence of cross-cultural differences in the power – self-construal relation, and the consequences of holding different types of power on an individual's self-construal. For employees and consultants working in organizational development and organizational change, understanding the potential consequences of power in terms of self-perception will improve the understanding of promoting individuals to higher positions. The present research also bears implications for scholars interested in understanding cross-cultural and gender differences in leadership.

Originality/value

– This conceptualization of self-construal as an interface between power and leadership reconcile the individual dynamics of trait theories of leadership and the environmental positions of situational theories of leadership. The paper discusses elements considered critical for design of leadership programs in the workplace, professional development and programs to shape the design of leadership.
Leading change in public organisations: the role of mediators
Authors: Agostino Deborah , Arena Marika , Arnaboldi Michela
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the trajectory of an institutional change in a public organisation, this study explores the role of organisational mediators – i.e. middle managers involved in the enactment of change projects - to translate leaders’ entrepreneurial attempts of modernisation.

Design/methodology/approach

– Enlightened by an institutional perspective, the research is carried out through a single case study in a major Italian Court House. The empirical evidence relies on various sources of information: archival data, documentation, observation and 42 face-to-face interviews.

Findings

– The research outlines the heterogeneity of mediators’ approaches and the diverse effectiveness in translating leaders’ ideas. Three approaches are evidenced: instrumental leader-driven, conformant leader-driven, rhetorical individual-driven. These archtypes are compared in term of characteristics and contribution to mediate the symbolic realm of new ideas and the technical realm of everyday working activities.

Practical implications

– The identification of the importance and characteristics of organisational mediators provide insights for leaders in choosing the most appropriate figures to carry out change projects.

Originality/value

– This paper highlights the importance of more operational figures (mediators), and their characteristics, in pursuing change in the public sector. Mediators become essential organisational translators to bridge the gap between strategic leaders ideas and employees working reality.
Young consumer ecological behaviour
Authors: Mohd Suki Norazah
Published: September 2013

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effects of environmental knowledge, healthy food and healthy way of life of on young consumer ecological behaviour. The influence of control variables (i.e. gender and age) on young consumers’ ecological behaviour is also investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used a hierarchical regressions for data analysis across a sample of 200 young respondents that practising ecological behaviour such as recycling, buying green products, etc. Their participation is purely voluntary.

Findings

Empirical analysis via hierarchical regressions confirmed that a healthy way of life and environmental knowledge jointly influenced young consumer ecological behaviour. Demographic profiles such as gender and age showed contradictory results.

Research limitations/implications

Respondents were randomly drawn from the students in a public higher learning institution in the Federal Territory of Labuan, Malaysia that practising ecological behaviour such as recycling, buying green products, etc. Thus, may not represent the entire population of Malaysia.

Practical implications

This research should contribute significantly to manufacturers, retailers and marketers in boosting young consumer ecological behaviour and environmental knowledge by promoting positive perceptions towards organic products and quality for increased green product market sustainability and acceptance which is helpful for better market segmentation, targeting and positioning of green products that are not harmful to the environment and could promote consumer demands.

Originality

The results of this study offer a new forward motion to the findings of prior studies on young consumer ecological behaviour, which is not much covered in the literature in Malaysia context by examining the effects of environmental knowledge, healthy food and healthy way of life on young consumer ecological behaviour, within the Malaysian context.
Greening the environment through recycling: an empirical study
Authors: Ramayah T. , Rahbar Elham
Published: September 2013

Purpose

This research was carried out to assess the recycling behaviour of university students, as they are the future consumers of the country.

Design/methodology/approach

A model based on the Theory of Reasoned Action was developed and tested using the variance‐based structural equation modelling technique of Partial Least Square (PLS).

Findings

The findings indicate that the attitude towards recycling is significantly influenced by perceived value, awareness and actual gains perceived by the consumers. Recycling behaviour was significantly influenced by resistance to change and attitude towards recycling.

Originality/value

The paper enables the policy makers target these variables in their future action plans in order to enhance recycling behaviour.
Usefulness of particulate cyclone in air pollution control
Authors: Okedere O.B. , Sonibare J.A. , Fakinle B.S. , Jimoda L.A.
Published: September 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to provide basic information on the types of particulate cyclones separators used in the chemical and process industries, their principles of operation and factors affecting their performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A general review of the types of particle cleaning cyclones used in the chemical and process industries was carried out and the principles guiding their operation and performance discussed. Information which could aid the choice of cyclone for new applications is also discussed.

Findings

It was concluded that the choice of cyclone for any application is associated with a trade‐off between two contrasting performance indicators (collection efficiency and pressure drop). Adequate and accurate data gathering is essential right from the design stage for smooth operation of cyclone.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the general principle of operation of cyclone separators and the factors that affect their performance.
Experience with an integrated management system in a sugar and ethanol manufacturing unit
Authors: Guilherme Satolo Eduardo , Calarge Felipe A. , Augusto Cauchick Miguel Paulo
Published: September 2013

Purpose

Over recent the past decades, integrated management systems (IMS) have emerged as one of the major tasks for practising managers and the academic community. In this context, this paper aims at identifying relevant practices related to an IMS in an organisation that belongs to the sugar cane and ethanol agricultural industrial sector in Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of mainstream literature on IMS is conducted followed by case‐based research used as the methodological approach. Data were gathered through a questionnaire as well as face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews. The analysis was done a posteriori to construct the case description and perform the analysis.

Findings

Issues that motivated the IMS implementation were identified. The paper also highlights the difficulties experienced and benefits accrued during implementation. The existence of a previous quality management system facilitated the implementation of the IMS. Nevertheless, a longitudinal study is desirable to assess further results in the long term.

Research limitations/implications

This work is limited to a single unit of analysis. Therefore, empirical replications in other samples are needed to validate current findings.

Originality/value

This is one of the first known studies to investigate the implementation of an IMS in a manufacturing unit that produces sugar and ethanol.
Strategic directions on innovation management – a conceptual framework
Authors: Horn Christian , Brem Alexander
Published: September 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify forthcoming fields of innovation management themes with an outline for the most important areas and directions of academic research and management practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Key trends in innovation research are derived from an extensive literature review. In addition, major macroeconomic trends and new technologies were identified to finally develop a conceptual framework.

Findings

The paper identifies seven major fields for future research in innovation management theory and practice. These areas are namely customer orientation, network organisation, sustainability, frugality, intellectual property, business model and global innovation. Based on the paper literature review, the paper develops a conceptual framework built on intra‐firm and external openness as well as the short‐ and long‐term strategic perspective. Future research areas are finally introduced.

Originality/value

The paper shows a new conceptual framework and establishes a holistic view of innovation management themes in the next years. Based on the framework, future research areas may be identified and managers can identify important concepts.
“Problem‐sourcing”: a re‐framing of open innovation for R&D organisations
Authors: Cummings Stephen , Daellenbach Urs , Davenport Sally , Campbell Charles
Published: September 2013

Purpose

While the benefits of open innovation (OI) and crowdsourcing (CS) for solutions to R&D problems have been widely promoted in the last ten years, their appropriateness for organisations specialising in providing R&D services has not been explicitly considered. This paper aims to examine an R&D organisation's response to increased adoption of OI and CS, highlight their drawbacks in this context, and analyse how and why the alternative of problem‐sourcing (PS) proved more effective.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides an in‐depth documentation and analysis of an initiative called: The “What's Your Problem New Zealand?” (WYPNZ) challenge. The use of a single case and qualitative approach allows the development of an illustrative, rich description and is suited to studying unique and novel events.

Findings

In the context of professional R&D organisations, a range of benefits of CS for R&D problems rather than solutions were identified, including generating a potential pipeline of projects and clients as well as avoiding the challenge to the professional status of the organisation's research capability. An unexpected side‐effect was that the reputation of the research organisation as open, accessible and helpful was greatly enhanced. The success of the PS approach to CS for R&D provides insight into how some of the pitfalls of OI/CS can be better understood and potentially managed.

Originality/value

The PS model provided by the “WYPNZ” initiative represents a new strategic possibility for R&D organisations that complements their traditional competencies by drawing on the openness that OI and CS seek to leverage. As such, it can provide insights for other organisations wishing to make use of the connectivity afforded by OI/CS in an alternative mode to that typically in use and reported in the literature.
Supporting English learners with participatory augmented reality simulations
Authors: Davis Don , Berland Matthew
Published: September 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the possible merits and difficulties of utilizing participatory augmented reality simulations (PARS) with English learners (ELs) in K‐12 science classrooms.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyzed literature of PARS, sheltered English instruction (SEI), and other literature relevant to science instruction for ELs. Though the authors relied primarily on empirical research related to PARS and ELs, other papers were included to increase thoroughness.

Findings

The authors identified elements of PARS that address requirements for effective instruction of ELs including the modality, engagement, collaboration, language use, and identity forming aspects. The findings indicate that future research into the use of PARS in science instruction may benefit ELs.

Research limitations/implications

The literature synthesis was conducted to address a gap in the literature. Additional research specifically examining the impact of PARS on ELs is necessary.

Originality/value

Despite increased focus of PARS and instruction for ELs within educational literature, there has been little examination of the relationship between the two elements. Therefore, this paper highlights parallels in PARS research with documented best practices for sheltered English instruction (SEI). No other paper was found that explicitly evaluates PARS for science instruction with ELs.
Inverting priorities
Authors: Abeles Tom P.
Published: September 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this editorial is to argue that investments in early childhood intervention will bring greater than market returns to society and that there should be a resource reallocation in education from post‐secondary. It also aims to argue that these returns need to reconsider education as an investment to be weighed against conventional investments, particularly by the public sector in both developed and developing economies.

Design/methodology/approach

The editorial is a review of current literature and thought.

Findings

The public sector needs to rethink its resource allocations for development. The public needs to understand the impact of investing in early childhood to see the benefits and returns in near‐term as opposed to an unspecified future return.

Originality/value

This editorial challenges conventional wisdom and suggests the need to develop alternative paths for public sector thinking about economic policy and programs.
Innovation pedagogy and desired learning outcomes in higher education
Authors: Kettunen Juha , Kairisto‐Mertanen Liisa , Penttilä Taru
Published: September 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to describe the desired learning outcomes of innovation pedagogy which supports innovations and regional development in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on the socio‐cultural theory and the constructivist view of learning developed to encompass the social and cultural customs of a particular community and its ways of operating.

Findings

The study extends the individual‐based learning used in many contexts to include collaborative and networked learning to support innovations.

Originality/value

The results are useful for those who want to outreach and engage in regional development and increase the external impact of the higher education institution.
The state of a university: a campus President's view
Authors: Scott Robert A.
Published: September 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to illustrate one method of using the “State of the University Address” to inform and motivate faculty and staff.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on a variety of sources and the author's experience.

Findings

The State of the University Address is an opportunity to provide an assessment of an institution's condition relative to higher education at large; a proposal for an institution's priorities, with rationale; and the expression of a philosophical framework for considering the future.

Originality/value

This paper expresses one institution's approach to the State of the University Address as an element of strategic planning.
Generation Y: evaluating services experiences through mobile ethnography
Authors: Muskat Matthias , Muskat Birgit , Zehrer Anita , Johns Raechel
Published: September 2013

Purpose

This paper suggests mobile ethnography as a method for data collection, where Generation Y customers are integrated as active investigators. The paper aims to contribute to the debate on museums as experience‐centred places, to understanding how the experience is perceived by Generation Y, to identifying the customer journey, to providing an insight into service experience consumption and to deriving managerial implication for the museum industry of how to approach Generation Y.

Design/methodology/approach

Mobile ethnography is applied to the National Museum of Australia in Canberra with a sample of Generation Y visitors as the future visitor market.

Findings

The paper finds that there is a need to involve museum management in measuring museum experiences, especially with regard to the definition and improvement of the service‐delivery processes. Service experience must be appropriately managed by museum operators by collecting, evaluating, storing and reusing relevant data on customer experience. Mobile ethnography and tools such as MyServiceFellow offer an important potential source of sustainable competitive advantage by improving customer experience, particularly for Gen Y.

Research limitations/implications

The most significant limitation is the exploratory nature of the single case study derived from a small sample within only one museum.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies to have addressed mobile ethnography in a service context and examined the museum experience of Generation Y. The paper finds that there is a need to involve museum management in service design to improve the service‐delivery process, especially with regard to the different mindsets of the Millennials.
Segmenting outbound tourists based on their activities: toward experiential consumption spheres in tourism services?
Authors: Finsterwalder Jörg , Laesser Christian
Published: September 2013

Purpose

Classical socio‐demographic segmentation approaches of tourists mostly fail to cluster customer groups appropriately. More recent segmentation approaches have employed a more customer‐centric perspective, attempting to capture consumer behavioral patterns. Within such segmentation, one very promising approach examines the activities pursued by tourists. This research aims to identify activity patterns of outbound travelers for segmentation and ultimately to recognize experiential consumption spheres created by tourists at a destination.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applies a posteriori, data‐driven, activity‐based segmentation to outbound travelers.

Findings

The present study identifies six activity‐based clusters: average short‐haul holiday experiences (Cluster 1); short repeat healthy winter experiences (Cluster 2); new beach experiences (Cluster 3); short social encounter experiences (Cluster 4); new place experiences (Cluster 5); and seniors' new place experiences (Cluster 6).

Originality/value

This research is unlike many other studies that apply segmentation to inbound travelers. The authors' approach analyzes outbound travelers and is based on the notion that activities are the basis of the experiential consumption of consumers and the idea that customers co‐create experiences in so‐called experiential consumption spheres during activity‐based encounters with service providers at a destination.
Nature‐based rural tourism and its economic benefits: a case study of Kinabalu National Park
Authors: Jaafar Mastura , Kayat Kalsom , Tangit Tania Maria , Firdous Yacob Mohd
Published: September 2013

Purpose

It has been acknowledged that tourism can play a role in employment creation and in raising the rural community's standard of living. This paper aims to examine the economic benefits emanating from tourism development for a local community in the area of Kinabalu National Park, Sabah.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative data was used to provide an in‐depth analysis of the findings on willingness of residents to participate in tourism activities.

Findings

The local community of Kinabalu National Park perceive the tourism sector to have greatly contributed to their economic growth. However, the community has raised other issues in ensuring the sustainability of the park, especially in terms of the provision of facilities.

Practical implications

The relevant stakeholders need to carefully plan appropriate policies and regulations to ensure maximum economic benefit is gained by local community participation in tourism development within the limited carrying capacity of Kinabalu National Park.

Originality/value

This study provides an understanding of the economic impact of tourism on the local community in Kinabalu National Park. It calls for government action to look into the carrying capacity of the Kinabalu National Park in the near future.
Review of valuation from a non‐market perspective: travel cost method for rural tourism
Authors: Herman bin Mohammad Afandi Syamsul , Samdin Zaiton , bin Shuib Ahmad
Published: September 2013

Purpose

The study aims to conduct a critical analysis of available economic tools to value non‐market rural tourism products and services, and assess the strengths and weaknesses of these tools.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews existing valuation methods to better understand how estimates of rural tourism products and services are conducted. The paper also critically evaluates the applicability of these methods.

Findings

The study concludes that the selection of a method is mainly based on applicability of the approach. In assessing the non‐market value of rural tourism products and services, a method is selected by identifying its strengths and weaknesses. A review of previous studies suggests the evaluation of the practicality of each method according to the topic studied.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to a better understanding of available valuation approaches that give reliable estimates on non‐market rural tourism products and services.
Reducing Pesticide Use and Pesticide Impact by Productivity Growth: the Case of Dutch Arable Farming
Authors: Skevas Theodoros , Lansink Alfons Oude
Published: September 2013

This paper employs a dynamic Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model to measure the composition of productivity growth of pesticides and the environmental impacts of pesticides. The application focuses on panel data of Dutch arable farms over the period 2003–07. A bootstrap regression model is used to explain farmers' performance, providing empirical evidence of the impact of producer‐specific characteristics and environmental factors. The results show that Dutch arable farms have substantial inefficiency in the use of pesticides and high pesticide environmental inefficiency, and appear rather unconcerned about the environmental impacts of their current pesticide use decisions on next period's production environment.
Samples from subdivided populations yield biased estimates of effective size that overestimate the rate of loss of genetic variation
Authors: Ryman Nils , Allendorf Fred W. , Jorde Per Erik , Laikre Linda , Hössjer Ola
Published: September 2013

Many empirical studies estimating effective population size apply the temporal method that provides an estimate of the variance effective size through the amount of temporal allele frequency change under the assumption that the study population is completely isolated. This assumption is frequently violated, and the magnitude of the resulting bias is generally unknown. We studied how gene flow affects estimates of effective size obtained by the temporal method when sampling from a population system and provide analytical expressions for the expected estimate under an island model of migration. We show that the temporal method tends to systematically underestimate both local and global effective size when populations are connected by gene flow, and the bias is sometimes dramatic. The problem is particularly likely to occur when sampling from a subdivided population where high levels of gene flow obscure identification of subpopulation boundaries. In such situations, sampling in a manner that prevents biased estimates can be difficult. This phenomenon might partially explain the frequently reported unexpectedly low effective population sizes of marine populations that have raised concern regarding the genetic vulnerability of even exceptionally large populations.
Polymorphisms in DNA repair genes of XRCC1, XPA, XPC, XPD and associations with lung cancer risk in Chinese people
Authors: Mei Chaorong , Hou Mei , Guo Shanxian , Hua Feng , Zheng Dejie , Xu Feng , Jiang Yong , Li Lu , Qiao Youlin , Fan Yaguang , Zhou Qinghua
Published: September 2013

Background

The carcinogenic chemicals and reactive oxygen species in tobacco can result in DNA damage. DNA repair genes play an important role in maintaining genome integrity. Genetic polymorphisms of DNA repair genes and smoking may contribute to susceptibility of lung cancer.

Methods

In this hospital‐based case‐control study, we investigated the relationship between 13 tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in base excision repair pathway and nucleotide excision repair pathway genes, smoking, and lung cancer susceptibility. Thirteen tag SNPs were genotyped in 265 lung cancer patients and 301 healthy controls. Logistic regression and multifactor dimensionality reduction method were applied to explore the association and high‐order gene‐gene and gene‐smoking interaction.

Results

In single tag SNP analysis, XPA rs2808668, XPC rs2733533, and XPD rs1799787 were significantly associated with lung cancer susceptibility. Joint effects analysis of XPA rs2808668, XPC rs2733533 and XPD rs1799787 showed that there was an increased risk of lung cancer with increasing numbers of risk alleles. Haplotype analysis showed that XRCC1 (rs25487, rs1799782, rs3213334) GCC had a positive association with lung cancer. Analysis of gene‐gene and gene‐smoking interaction by multifactor dimensionality reduction showed that a positive interaction existed between the four genes and smoking. The two‐factor model, including XPC rs2755333 and smoking, had the best prediction ability for lung cancer. Compared with the C/C genotype of XPC rs2733533 and no smoking, the combination of genotype A carriers with XPC rs2733533 and heavy smokers (≥30 pack‐year) had a 13.32‐fold risk of lung cancer.

Conclusion

Our results suggest multiple genetic variants in multiple DNA repair genes may jointly contribute to lung cancer risk through gene‐gene and gene‐smoking interactions.
Informing the Electorate? How Party Cues and Policy Information Affect Public Opinion about Initiatives
Authors: Boudreau Cheryl , MacKenzie Scott A.
Published: September 2013

Citizens in representative democracies receive party endorsements and policy information when choosing candidates or making policy decisions via the initiative process. What effects do these sources of information have on public opinion? We address this important question by conducting survey experiments where citizens express opinions about initiatives in a real‐world electoral context. We manipulate whether they receive party cues, policy information, both, or neither type of information. We find that citizens do not simply ignore policy information when they are also exposed to party cues. Rather, citizens respond by shifting their opinions away from their party's positions when policy information provides a compelling reason for doing so. These results challenge the prominent claim in public opinion research that citizens blindly follow their party when also exposed to policy information. They also suggest that efforts to inform the electorate can influence opinions, provided that citizens actually receive the information being disseminated.
Building a City For “The People”: The Politics of Alliance‐Building in the Sydney Green Ban Movement
Authors: Iveson Kurt
Published: September 2013

How can we act to contest urban injustice? This article grapples with this question through an analysis of the green ban movement that emerged in Sydney in the 1970s. For a time, this unruly alliance of construction workers, resident activists, and progressive professionals powerfully enacted a radical right to the city, blocking a range of unjust and destructive “developments” worth billions of dollars and proposing alternative development plans in their place. Drawing on archival research, I demonstrate how the figure of “the people” was crucial to their action. The article examines the rights and the authority that was invested in “the people” by green ban activists, and traces the work of political subjectification through which “the people” was constructed. “The people” was not invoked as a simple majority or as a universal subject whose unity glossed over differences. Rather, in acting as/for “the people”, green ban activists produced a political subject able to challenge the claims of elected politicians, bureaucrats and developers to represent the interests of the city. The article concludes with reflections on the implications of this construction of “the people” for urban politics today.
Prevalence of human papillomavirus in epithelial ovarian cancer tissue. A meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Svahn Malene F. , Faber Mette T. , Christensen Jane , Norrild Bodil , Kjaer Susanne K.
Published: September 2013

Objective

The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer is controversial, and conflicting results have been published. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to estimate the prevalence of HPV in epithelial ovarian cancer tissue.

Material and methods

Observational studies published until 4 March 2013 were identified in PubMed and Embase. We adhered to MOOSE guidelines and included 22 studies (case‐control, cross‐sectional studies). A pooled estimate of the HPV prevalence with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated based on a random effect model. In a meta‐regression analysis we examined the contribution of different factors to heterogeneity. Furthermore, publication bias was evaluated.

Results

The pooled HPV prevalence in ovarian cancer tissue was 15.5%, but wide variation was found (0–66.7%). After stratification by geographical region, publication year, tissue type and method of HPV detection, we found that the prevalence of HPV varied most markedly by geographical area, the prevalence being 45.6% (95% CI, 31.0–60.3) in Asia, 18.5% (95% CI, 8.5–28.6) in Eastern Europe, 1.1% (95% CI, −1.6 to 3.8) in Western Europe and zero in North America. A meta‐regression analysis revealed that the difference between geographical regions could not be explained by HPV detection method or type of tissue.

Conclusions

Great geographical variation exists in HPV prevalence in ovarian cancer tissue, which is not explained by different HPV detection methods. The results suggest that HPV is unlikely to play an important role in Western European and American women, but cannot reject a role of HPV in other populations.