bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
N-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide
Authors: Mohamed Shaaban K. , Akkurt Mehmet , Kariuki Benson M. , Ali Ali M. , Albayati Mustafa R.
Published: December 2013

In the title compound, C13H13NO3S, the dihedral angle between the benzene rings is 64.15 (7)° and the C—S—N—C torsion angle is −57.18 (12)°. An intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond closes an S(5) ring. In the crystal, O—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into C(8) chains propagating in [100]. Weak C—H...π interactions are also observed.
N-[(9H-Fluoren-9-ylidene)(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-1,1,1-trimethylsilanamine
Authors: Li Zhong-Yuan , Wang Peng , Chen Xia
Published: December 2013

The title molecule, C24H25NOSi, is a hydrolysis product of the reaction between 9-trimethylsilyfluorenyl lithium and 2-methoxybenzonitrile. The fluorene ring system is substantially planar, with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.0288 Å from the best-fit plane through its 13 C atoms. This plane forms a dihedral angle of 58.07 (7)° with the 2-methoxybenzylamine ring plane. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...π and C—H...π interactions, which leads to the formation of two-dimensional network lying parallel to the bc plane.
N,N′-Bis(diphenylmethyl)benzene-1,4-diamine
Authors: Al-Fahdawi Aeed S. , Al-Kafajy Hussain A. , Al-Jeboori Mohamad J. , Coles Simon J. , Wilson Claire , Potgieter Herman
Published: December 2013

The complete molecule of the title compound, C32H28N2, is generated by crystallographic inversion symmetry. The dihedral angles between the central aromatic ring and the pendant adjacent rings are 61.37 (16) and 74.20 (14)°. The N—H group does not participate in hydrogen bonds and there are no aromatic π–π stacking interactions in the crystal.
Japanese educational aid in transition: between the aid coordination and unique model
Authors: Yamada Shoko
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to untangle the domestic and international factors that have affected policy making and implementation of the Japanese Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), particularly in education, at different times in its history.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is based on analysis of governmental policy documents and reports, minutes of ODA consultative meetings, and statistical data on Japanese financial and technical developmental assistance. The major methodology was discourse analysis of primary documents; secondary sources supplement this.

Findings

– Japan was the first non-western Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development-Development Assistance Committee (OECD-DAC) member and has always been in the ambivalent position of being both a DAC member and an Asian latecomer. As the Education for All paradigm took the ground, Japanese ODA to the education sector has shifted to the primary education from Technical and Vocational Education and Training and higher education from the mid-1990s until the mid-2000s. While the global trend is clear in Japanese ODA, it has always stressed the importance of establishing and demonstrating the “Japanese model” in ODA policy documents and practices. The sensitive balance between the demand to harmonize with mainstream aid modalities and the drive to demonstrate uniqueness characterize Japanese educational aid.

Originality/value

– While many important works examined the decision-making mechanism and philosophies of Japanese educational ODA, this paper contextualizes governmental programs in the intersection between domestic factors – bureaucratic, political, and societal – and international influence. It clarifies the changing relationships between Japan and western and Asian countries in determining its agendas and directions from the 1960s to the present.
The Korean model of ODA
Authors: Gun Chung Bong
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to critically review the Korean ODA policy in terms of its context, actors, structures, and values so as to find how these characteristics are reflected in the education ODA of Korea.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study modifies and adopts the analytical framework of contingency, agency, structure, and ideology in historical sociology of education. Previous studies and documents of Korean Government are reviewed to find the relevance to the above analytical framework.

Findings

– This study has found that the characteristics of Korean ODA policy, such as economic orientation, are reflected in the education ODA practices.

Originality/value

– Studies on Korean ODA policy is rather rare, moreover, critical reviews are hard to find, particularly in English. This study will be a good start for further ones to understand the Korea ODA policy.
Introduction: positions of Asian donors in the aid discourse toward post-2015
Authors: Yamada Shoko
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– This purpose of this paper is to provide the context in which this special issue is published. This special issue highlights the matters related to the Asian countries which provide assistance to developing countries for their advancement of education. There are an increasing number of donor countries which are formerly recipients of development assistance. Their emergence as donors is changing the landscape of international educational development. Being outside of the self-regulating community of traditional donors, they bring different logics and motivations to this field that often go beyond the frame of meaning making among traditional donors. Asia-Pacific region is unique in the sense that it has both traditional and new types of donors. The former group includes Japan and the USA, while the latter has Korea, China, India, and many others.

Design/methodology/approach

– As the introduction to the collection of articles which introduce characteristics of diverse donors (traditional and nontraditional) in the Asia-Pacific region, this paper discusses first, changing the normative framework toward the target year of achieving Education for All goals, which is 2015; second, the background for the nontraditional donors to increase their presence and the changed landscape of international educational development; and third, commonalities and differences among Asian donors in terms of their philosophies, structures, and histories.

Findings

– This paper maps out the locations of each Asian donors discussed in the respective country cases to follow and highlights some Asian characteristics.

Originality/value

– The findings would hint at the presence of principles and logics of educational cooperation which cannot be fully grasped by applying widely diffused western notions of educational development.
The NICE guideline on recognition, referral, diagnosis and management of adults on the autism spectrum
Authors: Ellie Wilson C. , Roberts Ged , Gillan Nicola , Ohlsen Chris , Robertson Dene , Zinkstok Janneke
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to provide an overview of the recent National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) clinical guidance for diagnosis and treatment of adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and to discuss clinical and practical implications.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is a summary and discussion of the NICE guidance for adults with autism. This includes discussion of relevant related guidance, the need for transition services for young people with ASD, education of professionals, applicability of the guidance to people with intellectual disabilities and challenges related to implementation of the guidance in a changing National Health Service.

Findings

– The guidance provides an excellent overview of current and state-of-the-art strategies for diagnosis and treatment of ASD-related behaviours, and their level of evidence. In terms of diagnosis, the main recommendation for clinicians is to carry out a comprehensive assessment for adults with suspected autism, taking into account co-morbid mental health problems and potential unmet needs. In addition, NICE makes recommendations regarding pharmacological and psychological interventions and these are discussed. The guidance also makes specific recommendations regarding service design, for example the formation of Autism Strategy Groups. This will hopefully support the development of specialist adult autism services.

Originality/value

– This paper provides new insights into the implications of the recently published NICE clinical guidance for autism in adults, relevant for health care professionals, service managers and service users.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing in the treatment of trauma with mild intellectual disabilities: a case study
Authors: Dilly Richard
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in an individual with mild intellectual disabilities currently compulsorily detained in secure care.

Design/methodology/approach

– The intervention utilised the EMDR eight-phase protocolised psychotherapeutic approach. Sessions utilised symbol cards to explore the impact of the client's experiences in relation to his thoughts, emotional feelings, physical feelings and behaviour. Drawings were also utilised to assist the client to develop a picture of the traumatic incident. A “safe place visualisation technique” was also utilised at the end of every session to manage any distress. The Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS) with some minor adaptations for use with people with intellectual disabilities was utilised as a pre- and post-measure.

Findings

– The study identified reductions in symptoms in all three core clinical subgroups of the PDS: re-experiencing, avoidance and arousal, with outcomes being maintained at one-month and six -month follow-up. Reduction in the strength of ratings was most evident in the avoidance domain.

Originality/value

– There are limited studies exploring the effectiveness of EMDR with individuals with intellectual disabilities.
LIFT psychology primary care group for people with intellectual disabilities: can IAPT adapt?
Authors: Kirk Jo , Sehmi Aneet , Hazeldine Charlotte , Palmer Gemma , Ruddle Georgina
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– There is a move to make primary care models of mental health care more accessible to people with intellectual disabilities (IAPT, 2009) but little evidence of their ability of services to make the necessary reasonable adjustments or their effectiveness (Doddet al., 2011). The purpose of this paper is to describe a pilot project to evaluate an anxiety management group co-facilitated by Least Intervention First Time (LIFT) Psychology and Community Team for People with Learning Disabilities (CTPLD) services.

Design/methodology/approach

– Five people attended a nine-week anxiety management group, adapted from a course offered by LIFT services. The Glasgow Anxiety Scale (GAS-ID) and a skills and knowledge assessment were completed pre-group, post-group and follow-up to evaluate outcome and consider the ability of LIFT to make reasonable adjustments to deliver effective services for people with intellectual disabilities.

Findings

– Participants showed no significant reduction in anxiety levels but improvements in their skills and knowledge. An evaluation of the adjustments to make the group accessible for people with intellectual disabilities identified that some were feasible if offering the group on a long-term basis, and others were not. The viability of future groups is considered.

Originality/value

– The paper looks at the viability of making reasonable adjustments to psychoeducational groups within Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services to better meet the needs of people with intellectual disabilities, an area of limited research. It raises dilemmas and considerations for the future development of such services.
Market signals: web site investment and physical store existence
Authors: Wang Xuehua , Chi Chow Wing , Yang Zhilin , Y.M. Lai Jennifer
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– Reputational beliefs influence online purchase intentions but are difficult to establish in settings in which counterfeit products are common, especially in emerging economies. Drawing upon signalling theory, this work decomposes reputational beliefs into: an ability belief, as represented by web site investment, and a truthfulness belief, as signalled by a statement about the existence of a physical store, and investigates their differential effects on online purchase intentions. This work aims to further investigate the moderating effects of searchers' personality type on the relationships between reputational beliefs and online purchase intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

– Three experiments using various samples (students versus non-students) and products (cell phone versus camera) were conducted.

Findings

– The results reveal that two significant market signals, web site investment and a statement about physical store existence, influence reputation beliefs, and, thus online purchase intentions. Moreover, aggressive searchers' online purchase intentions depend on their ability belief rather than their truthfulness belief, whereas non-aggressive searchers' intentions rely on their truthfulness belief rather than their ability belief.

Originality/value

– This work provides new theoretical insights into factors influencing consumers' online purchase decision making by decomposing reputational beliefs and incorporating the moderating effect of personality type. It contributes to signaling literature by examining the effects of two market signals – web site investment and statement about the existence of a physical store – on two major components of reputational beliefs and online purchase intentions. This article is the first to empirically test the effects of reputational beliefs from the perspective of end-users in an online context.
Mobile communications: a comprehensive hierarchical modelling approach
Authors: Daniel Clemes Michael , Shu Xin , Gan Christopher
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– Global mobile communication is one of the most dynamic and important service markets. Several researchers suggest using a theoretical approach to develop a much deeper insight into key marketing constructs such as service quality, customer perceived value, customer satisfaction, perceived switching costs, corporate image, and customer loyalty is of vital importance to the mobile communications market. This study aims to develop and test a comprehensive hierarchical model of these six important constructs. The model also incorporates the retailing function of a major mobile communication provider.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research sample of 516 was drawn from customers of one of the largest mobile communications service providers in China. The data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling.

Findings

– The results of the study support using a hierarchical and multidimensional approach for conceptualising and measuring customers' perceptions of service quality in the mobile communications market. In addition, the findings illustrate that service quality is an important determinant of customer perceived value, customer satisfaction, corporate image, and perceived switching costs. Customer perceived value is also an antecedent of customer satisfaction. Corporate image, customer satisfaction, and perceived switching costs are three key drivers of customer loyalty. However, the findings also indicate that corporate image is not an important determinant of customer satisfaction and that customer perceived value is not a key driver of customer loyalty.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper that has developed and tested a comprehensive hierarchical model of the mobile communications market.
Eating-out and experiential consumption: a typology of experience providers
Authors: Carvalho de Rezende Daniel , Alberto Rodrigues Silva Matheus
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe generic eating out experiences that can be provided by commercial eating out establishments, presenting a typology of experience providers.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research carried out sought to make an understanding of the experiential environments in which eating-out is performed, as well as the experiences that it seeks to produce, and was conducted from a market-orientated ethnography in selected markets from the UK and Brazil.

Findings

– Six ideal models of service providers, according to the main characteristics of the stimulus provided by the service encounter, were identified: authentic, relaxed, “all you can eat”, “as home”, efficient and distinction environment. The diversity of food service environments is somehow an answer to the diversity of customers and expectations regarding eating-out. The access of different social classes to eating-out opens the space for more variety, and the creativity that food service managers have on building an appropriate set of stimulus, is a distinctive skill.

Research limitations/implications

– The restaurant side of experience encounters was the focus of analysis, but for a deeper understanding of experiential consumption on eating out these results must be confronted to consumer research based on psychophysical methods to assess consumer responses to eating out.

Originality/value

– Theoretical implications of this paper rely on the understanding that there are distinct forms of service encounters, providing an alternative view of servicescapes that allows a better understanding of business strategies and host-guest relationships on food service.
Application of lean practices in small and medium-sized food enterprises
Authors: Dora Manoj , Van Goubergen Dirk , Kumar Maneesh , Molnar Adrienn , Gellynck Xavier
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– Recent literature emphasizes the application of lean manufacturing practices to food processing industries in order to improve operational efficiency and productivity. Only a very limited number of studies have focused on the implementation of lean manufacturing practices within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the food sector. The majority of these studies used the case study method and concentrated on individual lean manufacturing techniques geared towards resolving efficiency issues. This paper aims to analyze the status of the lean manufacturing practices and their benefits and barriers among European food processing SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

– A structured questionnaire was developed to collect data. A total of 35 SMEs' representatives, mostly CEOs and operations managers, participated in the survey. The study investigated the role of two control variables in lean implementation: size of the company and country of origin.

Findings

– The findings show that lean manufacturing practice deployment in food processing SMEs is generally low and still evolving. However, some lean manufacturing practices are more prevalent than others; e.g. flow, pull and statistical process control are not widely used by the food processing SMEs, whereas total productive maintenance, employee involvement, and customer association are more widespread. The key barriers encountered by food SMEs in the implementation of lean manufacturing practices result from the special characteristics of the food sector, such as highly perishable products, complicated processing, extremely variable raw materials, recipes and unpredictable demand. In addition, lack of knowledge and resources makes it difficult for food processing SMEs to embark on the lean journey.

Originality/value

– The gap in the literature regarding the application of lean manufacturing in the food sector is identified and addressed in this study. The originality of this paper lies in analyzing the current status of the use of lean manufacturing practices among food SMEs in Europe and identifying potential barriers.
Relative culture
Authors: Maria Zajenkowska Anna , M. Zimmerman Jeffrey
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to advance the understanding of the effect of extraversion on an expatriate's level of contexting (adopting a higher or lower level of context) while abroad. Particularly, this study focused on Polish expatriates in the US and American expatriates in Poland.

Design/methodology/approach

– The participants were 30 American expatriates living in Poland and 41 Polish expatriates living in the USA.

Findings

– The results from the regression analysis suggest that extraversion has a different effect on contexting among Polish expatriates than American expatriates, the higher the level of extraversion, the more context dependent the American expatriates were. Moreover, Polish and American expatriates differ in terms of contexting related to the universalism and the particularism dimensions of the seven cultural dimensions from Hampden-Turner and Trompenaars.

Originality/value

– This advanced understanding led the researchers to give practical implications on the training of expatriates for their abroad assignments.
Rejuvenating aging studies in academic libraries
Authors: Y. Antunez Marilia , E. Toevs Sarah , A. Gains Melissa
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to identify resources essential gerontology (aging studies) resources and liaison strategies that provide guidance for academic librarians working with faculty and students in this highly interdisciplinary field.

Design/methodology/approach

– A convenience sample of gerontology faculty was surveyed to identify important materials, including preferred journals, databases, reference books, and sources of grey literature for gerontology research and teaching. Gerontology faculty information seeking behaviors, including faculty-librarian partnership, were also examined.

Findings

– Results confirm that faculty teaching in gerontology use a wide variety of resources in their teaching and research. Faculty identified frequently used journals, reference materials, databases as well as sources of grey literature produced by non-profits, special interest group/lobbying organizations, educational organizations, and/or government agencies.

Research limitations/implications

– Surveying faculty from undergraduate gerontology programs would have likely increased the number of participants completing the online questionnaire, presumably increasing the reliability of the results.

Originality/value

– Few studies identify the resources that faculty in gerontology graduate programs value and what services the library can provide or improve. This paper addresses these gaps and recognizes the need to support the growing number of interdisciplinary programs in gerontology.
An analysis of ebrary Academic Complete at Adelphi University
Authors: R. Abrams Kimberly
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the academic and financial value of ebrary Academic Complete package to the Adelphi University Libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

– ebrary provided statistics and this sample was used to analyze subject usage and overlap with the print collection.

Findings

– It was found that although there was overlap with the print collection, the usage statistics are high enough to warrant continued subscription.

Originality/value

– This paper case study of Adelphi's issues regarding subscribing to a backfile of e-books including subject usage, print overlap, and information management.
Recruiting business PhDs: US minority motives and concerns
Authors: M. Forray Jeanie , E. Goodnight Janelle
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– While institutional efforts have shown modest results, AACSB statistics suggest that current practices are insufficient to increase more substantively the representation of minorities among doctorally qualified business school faculty. The purpose of this paper is to explore antecedents to the faculty representation issue – that is, the motives, concerns, and resources of US minority individuals with respect to business doctoral program entry – as a basis for improving minority faculty representation outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

– A small sample of doctoral program directors were interviewed to ascertain their perspective on recruitment, design and delivery of PhD programs in business and from which a survey instrument was developed. A sample of 292 US minority respondents surveyed indicated their top reasons for and concerns about pursuing a doctorate, program selection and rejection criteria, sources of information and financing, and, for those in the decision-making stage, reasons for waiting to apply to a program. The paper compares responses of those who graduated from or are currently enrolled in a doctoral program in business with those who decided not to enroll. The paper also explores factors most salient to individuals currently contemplating enrolling but who have not yet decided to do so.

Findings

– Results suggest that mentorship of promising undergraduate and master's students by business faculty and current doctoral students is critical to US minority enrollments in doctoral programs; however, a school's physical location, required time and energy, and financial considerations also play a role in the decision-making process. The role of international students in diversity efforts by doctoral programs is also salient.

Originality/value

– Previous studies in multiple disciplines note the under-representation of US minority faculty in academe. In business education, suggestions for overcoming this gap have focussed on recruitment, mentoring, and/or networks and support groups but little is known about antecedents to entry (motives, concerns, and resources of US minority individuals) with respect to business doctoral programs.
Hospitality-based critical incidents: a cross-cultural comparison
Authors: R. Swanson Scott , Huang Yinghua , Wang Baoheng
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a cross-cultural comparison of Chinese and American hospitality customers who report critical incidents and the resulting influences that these incidents and recovery efforts had on behavior. Recognizing that hospitality-based organizations are increasingly operating internationally, the study provides insights for managing customer relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study utilizes the critical incident technique in conjunction with a structured self-administered questionnaire. The sampling approach resulted in 1,146 usable responses.

Findings

– The results demonstrate statistically significant cultural differences between American and Chinese consumers in terms of reported critical incident types, recovery approaches, and post-incident private voice, public voice, and repurchase intention.

Research limitations/implications

– This research uses cultural value scores for China and the USA as a way to explain and discuss the findings. Hofstede's model was not tested and the provided explanations should be viewed with caution.

Practical implications

– The results of this research can provide practitioners with guidelines in regards to service recovery tactics, as well as insights into how customers respond to critical incidents across different cultures.

Originality/value

– This study adds to the existing literature by investigating empirically critical incident types, recovery tactics, and the consumer post-encounter behaviors of public voice (i.e. complaining), private voice (i.e. negative word-of-mouth, positive word-of-mouth), and repurchase intention in China and the USA.
Leadership style and negative work-home interference in the hospitality industry
Authors: Marianne Tromp Debbie , Jan Blomme Robert
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the impact of leadership styles on negative work-home interference among highly educated employees in the hospitality industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey was conducted among a sample of 126 highly educated hospitality employees working in various different companies. Hierarchical regression analyses were carried out to examine the effects of leadership styles, work-home arrangements and overtime on perceived negative work-home interference.

Findings

– Autocratic leadership style, working overtime and a lack of work-home arrangements contributed significantly to negative work-home interference.

Research limitations/implications

– The study was conducted with a limited sample in a relatively limited part of the sector. Further research is needed in other layers of hospitality organisations.

Practical implications

– The findings provide insight into the impact of leadership on negative work-home interference. A variety of studies have identified negative work-home interference as an important precursor for employee turnover, and this study helps managers in developing beneficial management styles as well as HR policies to address negative work-home interference and its subsequent organisational effects.

Originality/value

– What is new in this paper is the measurement of leadership style in relation to negative work-home interference in the hospitality industry. In addition, next to charismatic and transactional leadership styles, autocratic leadership style is taken into account.
A synergy effect of internationalization and firm size on performance
Authors: Lee Seoki , Upneja Arun , Özdemir Özgür , Sun Kyung-A
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of the current study is to investigate the existence of a negative synergy effect of internationalization and firm size on firm performance for publicly traded US hotels.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study performs the two-way fixed-effects model to investigate the proposed negative synergy effect.

Findings

– The findings do not support the proposed negative synergy effect, but support the positive synergy effect of internationalization and firm size on performance.

Originality/value

– This study examines the hypothesis developed based on the agency cost theory using the hotel industry's unique monitoring cost argument. However, findings support the opposite, implicitly suggesting that the hotel's monitoring cost in the international franchising context may not be severe as some expect.
IT project management capabilities enhancement impacts of contingent employment policy in Hong Kong organisations
Authors: Ng Chui-Ha , H.T. Walker Derek , Levin Ginger
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to present a summary of findings of a doctoral thesis on the impacts of contingent employment on IT project management (PM) practices in three large representative Hong Kong organisations. It also presents the candidate's experience of the doctoral process in successfully completing the thesis as a mature and experience PM practitioner.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is a thesis research note reporting on the thesis that was undertaken as a series of case studies and includes reflections on the doctoral experience by the candidate and one of the two supervisors.

Findings

– The doctoral research findings are summarised and the URL link to the thesis is provided http://researchbank.rmit.edu.au/view/rmit:160254. Important findings about the way that the case study organisations managed the attraction, retention and career development of contingent workers are summarised. The nature of the doctoral journey is presented as findings through reflection.

Practical implications

– The thesis addresses a poorly researched area, contingent employment and the relationship between project managers and the organisations that hire them. The way that contingent workers develop their skills and how they may effectively engage in knowledge transfer is vital to organisational learning.

Originality/value

– The paper places its discussion in a Hong Kong context. There are few if any such studies in the PM literature in this region and consideration of HR issues for project managers are also an emerging area of research. The doctoral thesis reported upon and the link to it as provided allows readers access to a highly current source of literature and empirical work.
Effective multicultural project management: the role of human interdependence
Authors: Mesly Olivier , Lévy-Mangin Jean-Pierre , Bourgault Normand , Nabelsi Veronique
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to look at human interdependence and its significance in project management.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper focuses solely on human interaction in the context of a short-term project consisting of preparing a small “international” fair in Gatineau, Québec (Canada). For this purpose, an established questionnaire was used which aimed to evaluate the predator-prey dynamic between team members (as described by Mesly in a recent paper).

Findings

– Human interdependence indeed plays a key role in the functioning of short-lived projects (and, this paper assumes, of long-term projects as well).

Originality/value

– The paper places emphasis on considering the human power-game factor (predator-prey) more strongly in future project endeavors.
Distributed leadership
Authors: Davison Aidan , Brown Paul , Pharo Emma , Warr Kristin , McGregor Helen , Terkes Sarah , Boyd Davina , Abuodha Pamela
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– Interdisciplinary approaches to climate change teaching are well justified and arise from the complexity of climate change challenges and the integrated problem-solving responses they demand. These approaches require academic teachers to collaborate across disciplines. Yet, the fragmentation typical of universities impedes collaborative teaching practice. This paper aims to report on the outcomes of a distributed leadership project in four Australian universities aimed at enhancing interdisciplinary climate change teaching.

Design/methodology/approach

– Communities of teaching practice were established at four Australian universities with participants drawn from a wide range of disciplines. The establishment and operation of these communities relied on a distributed leadership methodology which facilitates acts of initiative, innovation, vision and courage through group interaction rather than through designated hierarchical roles.

Findings

– Each community of practice found the distributed leadership approach overcame barriers to interdisciplinary climate change teaching. Cultivating distributed leadership enabled community members to engage in peer-led professional learning, collaborative curriculum and pedagogical development, and to facilitate wider institutional change. The detailed outcomes achieved by each community were tailored to their specific institutional context. They included the transformation of climate change curriculum, professional development in interdisciplinary pedagogy, innovation in student-led learning activities, and participation in institutional decision-making related to curriculum reform.

Originality/value

– Collaborative, non-traditional leadership practices have attracted little attention in research about sustainability education in university curricula. This paper demonstrates that the distributed leadership model for sustainability education reported here is effective in building capacity for interdisciplinary climate change teaching within disciplines. The model is flexible enough for a variety of institutional settings.
The information concept of Nicholas Belkin revisited – some semeiotic comments
Authors: Thellefsen Torkild , Sørensen Bent , Thellefsen Martin
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of the paper is to examine and compare Nicholas Belkin's information concept and his concept of communication with the authors' semeiotic inspired communication model – the Dynacom.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors compare the two communication models by comparing the requirements given by Belkin and the conditions of the Dynacom.

Findings

– The authors conclude that Belkin's idea of information and his idea of communication lack the social aspect. Based on his theory, he is unable to point out how information becomes knowledge. These are two major issues the authors believe they can elaborate on by introducing the Dynacom and their semeiotic inspired concept of information.

Originality/value

– No one has previously specifically analyzed Nicholas Belkin's concept of information and compared it to a semeiotic ditto.
Revitalizing comparative library and information science: theory and metatheory
Authors: Johan Lor Peter
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– This article is intended to stimulate theoretical reflection in international comparative studies in library and information science (comparative LIS).

Design/methodology/approach

– The need for theory is emphasized and shortcomings in comparative LIS in respect of theory are identified. On the basis of literature from other comparative disciplines, a framework for examining issues of metatheory, methodology and methods is constructed. Against this background the role of theory and metatheory in the literature of comparative LIS is evaluated. General observations are illustrated using examples selected from comparative studies in LIS.

Findings

– Much of the literature of comparative LIS is atheoretical and based on assumptions that reflect naive empiricism. Most comparativists in LIS fail to link their work to that of colleagues, so that no body of theory is built up. Insufficient use is made of theory from other social science disciplines. There is a little evidence of awareness of metatheoretical assumptions in the sociological, teleological, ontological, epistemological and ethical dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

– While general observations are presented about the literature of comparative LIS, this is not a bibliometric study. Issues of methodology and method are not dealt with.

Practical implications

– Recommendations are made for improving teaching and research in comparative LIS. Concepts presented here are of value to the wider LIS community, particularly in internationally oriented research and practice.

Originality/value

– Since the 1980s there has been very little conceptual and methodological reflection on comparative LIS. This article alerts the LIS profession to new thinking in other comparative disciplines.
A framework of image use among archaeologists, architects, art historians and artists
Authors: E. Beaudoin Joan
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report on a research study which examined how and why images were used by professional image users to inform the design and development of information systems and services.

Design/methodology/approach

– A total of 20 participants in four user groups, archaeologist, architect, art historian and artist, took part in this qualitative research study. Data was collected through a survey and one-on-one semi-structured interview and data analysis was completed using case-ordered displays and the constant comparative method.

Findings

– The findings revealed that image use varied according to profession. Archaeologists and art historians identified using images within their lecture presentations, and for research and publications. While architects and artists noted using images for research and design creation, their work products differed. Several reasons why these professionals used images in their work were identified: knowledge, conceptual model, inspiration, cognitive recall, critical thinking, emotion, engagement, marketing, proof, social connection, translation, and trust.

Research limitations/implications

– Study limitations include the small number of user groups, and methods dependent on participants' abilities to recall and clearly articulate past activities.

Originality/value

– The study clarifies the varied roles visual information plays in the work of archaeologists, architects, art historians and artists. As the paper reveals how and why images are used, its contents are particularly useful for systems designers, librarians and other individuals who support image users.
Environmental initiatives and earnings management
Authors: Litt Barri , Sharma Divesh , Sharma Vineeta
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide initial evidence on the association between environmental initiatives and earnings management. Prior literature documents firms participating in environmental initiatives to report relatively stronger financial performance. Moreover, firms with superior performance have been shown to engage in greater levels of earnings management. A natural question that arises is to what extent do firms with environmental initiatives engage in earnings management to report better financial performance?

Design/methodology/approach

– The study draws on two theoretical frameworks, external monitoring and internal corporate culture, to predict an inverse association between environmental initiatives and earnings management. The authors test this prediction using an earnings management regression model, estimating discretionary accruals using the modified-Jones approach.

Findings

– The study finds that firms with environmental initiatives exhibit lower earnings management proxied by absolute and income-increasing total discretionary accruals. The authors further find pollution prevention and climate related initiatives to help explain this inverse association. The results imply that firms practising environmental responsibility report better financial performance, with the most likely reason being due to real economic performance rather than through earnings management techniques.

Originality/value

– This study provides initial evidence on the association between environmental initiatives and earnings management, an area of importance to all stakeholders in a market with increasing interest in corporate environmental performance and its implications.
Integrated high voltage boost converter with LC filter and charge pump
Authors: Woong Park Jung , Gendensuren Munkhsuld , Choi Ho-Yong , Kim Nam-soo
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The paper aims to design of dual-mode boost converter with integrated low-voltage control circuit is introduced in this paper. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The converter is operated either with LC filter or with charge pump circuit by the switch control. The control stage with error amplifier, comparator, and oscillator is designed with the supply voltage of 3.3 V and the operating frequency of 5.5 MHz. The compensator circuit exploits a pole compensation for a stable operation.

Findings

– The simulation test in 0.35 μm CMOS process shows that the charge pump regulator and DC-DC boost converter are accurately controlled with the variation of number of stages and duty ratio. The output-voltage is obtained to be 6-15 V within the ripple ratio of 5 percent. Maximum power consumption is about 0.65 W.

Originality/value

– This dual-mode is useful in the converter with a wide load-current variation. The advantage of the dual-mode converter is that it can be used in either high or low load current with a simple switch control. Furthermore, in charge pump regulator, there is no degradation of output voltage because of the feedback control circuit.
Customer intentions to invoke service guarantees
Authors: Van Vaerenbergh Yves , De Keyser Arne , Larivière Bart
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– Many service providers feel confident about their service quality and thus offer service guarantees to their customers. Yet service failures are inevitable. As guarantees can only be invoked when customers report service failures, firms are given the opportunity to redress the original failure potentially influencing customer outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to provide the first empirical investigation of whether excellence in service recovery affects customers’ intentions to invoke a service guarantee, thereby discriminating between conditional and unconditional guarantees and testing for the impact of customers’ individualistic vs collectivistic cultural orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 171 respondents from four continents (spanning 23 countries) were recruited to participate in a quasi-experimental study in a hotel setting. A three-way analysis of variance was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– All customers are very likely to invoke the service guarantee after an unsatisfactory service recovery. When customers are satisfied with the service recovery, they report lower invoke intentions, except for collectivistic individuals who are still inclined to invoke an unconditional service guarantee after a satisfactory service recovery. The finding supports an in-group/out-group rationale, whereby collectivists tend to behave more opportunistically toward out-groups than individualistic customers.

Originality/value

– The study highlights the importance of excellence in service recovery, cultural differences and different types of service guarantees with respect to customers’ intentions to invoke the guarantee. The paper demonstrates how service guarantees should be designed in conjunction with service recovery strategies. Also, the paper shows that an unconditional service guarantee creates the condition in which collectivists might engage in opportunistic behavior; global service providers concerned about opportunistic customer claiming behavior thus might benefit from using conditional service guarantees.
The personalisation challenge: personalisation for people with learning disabilities and behaviour described as challenging
Authors: M. Lingard Jayne , Cooper Vivien , Connell Mick
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report on a personalisation project run by the Challenging Behaviour Foundation (CBF) which aims to share the identified barriers and solutions to personalisation for people with severe learning disabilities and behaviour described as challenging.

Design/methodology/approach

– A small project team consisting of a project manager, housing specialist and positive behavioural support specialist worked as consultants with selected East Midlands local authority and NHS commissioners and with six families from other areas.

Findings

– The main barrier to personalisation was the volume of, and priority given to, safeguarding referrals by frontline commissioning social care workers. This reduced capacity for a proactive approach to support planning. Workers who participated in the project appreciated the expertise and support of the project team and the opportunity to reflect on their work. However, a major project limitation was a lack of time for commissioning workers and managers to engage with the project.

Practical implications

– The project report provided a series of recommendations for action for commissioners of health and social care support and for families. The Winterbourne View scandal broke as the project was established and its findings are helpful to anyone taking forward action plans to improve commissioning practices to avoid the continued commissioning of poor quality care.

Originality/value

– The project sought direct engagement in planning in “real time” with frontline commissioning staff and the families of people with severe learning disabilities and behaviour described as challenging. It is hoped that the value of the paper will be to influence NHS and LA commissioners to improve their response to people with severe learning disabilities.