bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Between Hospital and Surgeon Volume and Rectal Cancer Surgery Outcomes in Patients With Rectal Cancer Treated Since 2000: Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Chioreso Catherine , Del Vecchio Natalie , Schweizer Marin L. , Schlichting Jennifer , Gribovskaja-Rupp Irena , Charlton Mary E.
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND:

Previous reviews and meta-analyses, which predominantly focused on patients treated before 2000, have reported conflicting evidence about the association between hospital/surgeon volume and rectal cancer outcomes. Given advances in rectal cancer resection, such as total mesorectal excision, it is essential to determine whether volume plays a role in rectal cancer outcomes among patients treated since 2000.

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is an association between hospital/surgeon volume and rectal cancer surgery outcomes among patients treated since 2000.

DATA SOURCES:

We searched PubMed and EMBASE for articles published between January 2000 and December 29, 2017.

STUDY SELECTION:

Articles that analyzed the association between hospital/surgeon volume and rectal cancer outcomes were selected.

INTERVENTION:

Rectal cancer resection was the study intervention.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

The outcome measures of this study were surgical morbidity, postoperative mortality, surgical margin positivity, permanent colostomy rates, recurrence, and overall survival.

RESULTS:

Although 2845 articles were retrieved and assessed by the search strategy, 21 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. There was a significant protective association between higher hospital volume and surgical morbidity (OR = 0.80 (95% CI, 0.70–0.93); I2 = 35%), permanent colostomy (OR = 0.51 (95% CI, 0.29–0.92); I2 = 34%), and postoperative mortality (OR = 0.62 (95% CI, 0.43–0.88); I2 = 34%), and overall survival (OR = 0.99 (95% CI, 0.98–1.00); I2 = 3%). Stratified analysis showed that the magnitude of association between hospital volume and rectal cancer surgery outcomes was stronger in the United States compared with other countries. Surgeon volume was not significantly associated with overall survival. The articles included in this analysis were high quality according to the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Funnel plots suggested that the potential for publication bias was low.

LIMITATIONS:

Some articles included rectosigmoid cancers.

CONCLUSIONS:

Among patients diagnosed since 2000, higher hospital volume has had a significant protective effect on rectal cancer surgery outcomes.
Improving Abdominal Plastic Scars with a Dietary Supplement—A Comparative Study
Authors: Haiun Mathieu , Barbara Hersant , Durazzo Adrien , Sid-Ahmed-Mezi Mounia , Meningaud Jean-Paul
Published: October 2018

Introduction:

Massive weight loss following bariatric surgery has a major functional and aesthetic impact on patients. Many patients are nonetheless reluctant to undergo plastic surgery in connection with their former obesity because they fear potentially large scars, even though such scars are not visible (ie, they are covered by undergarments).

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of wound healing in patients receiving Celergen supplementation following abdominoplasty, compared with a control group. The hypothesis was that supplementation would speed up wound healing and improve scar quality.

Materials and Methods:

We conducted a prospective, monocentric, controlled study of patients undergoing abdominoplasty. A group of patients received Celergen, a food supplement, for 3 months and were monitored for 1 year after their surgery.

Results:

Of 33 patients who underwent abdominoplasty, 25 received Celergen supplements. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups. The mean time to wound healing was significantly better in the group receiving supplementation compared with the control group [respectively, 24.6 ± 9.31 days and 34 ± 13.48 days (P = 0.03)]. The Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) observer score was significantly better at 1 year in the group receiving supplementation compared with the control group [12.68 ± 6.6 and 17.38 ± 5.24 (P = 0.01), respectively]. There was no significant difference in the total POSAS score at 1 year (P = 0.166).

Conclusion:

Celergen supplementation significantly improved the time to healing and the POSAS observer score at 1 year for patients undergoing abdominoplasty.
Function Preservation of the Upper Lip after Tumor Resection Using Residual Orbicularis Oris Muscle and Attached Levator Labii Superioris Alaeque Nasi
Authors: Kuwahara Masamitsu , Yurugi Satoshi , Sasaki Chikako , Nakanishi Takashi , Takeuchi Mika , Miyata Riyo , Harada Masayuki , Masuda Yasumitsu
Published: October 2018

We report a case, function preservation of the upper lip after tumor resection was possible using residual orbicularis oris muscle and attached levator labii superioris alaeque nasi. Patient was 67-year-old male with squamous cell carcinoma at the vermilion border. The tumor was resected with an 8-mm margin, leaving the oral mucosa as intact as possible. To reconstruct the red lip, we used the oral mucosa as a rotational transposition flap. The white lip was reconstructed with a cheek rotation flap. A levator labii superioris alaque nasi muscle flap, which was attached to the remaining orbicularis oris muscle, was used to increase marginal lip volume. The movement of the reconstructed lip was good. At 9 postoperative months, induration of the red lip was palpable, and we suspected that the blood supply to the levator labii superioris alaque nasi was borderline insufficient. Slight drooping of the reconstructed lip occurred. We dissected this was caused by dissection of mid facial muscles from orbicularis oris muscle to ease downward rotation of the cheek flap and obscure the original nasolabial fold. Although some drooping and induration of the lip occurred, the white and red lip were reconstructed in a single-stage procedure, which resulted in good movement and preserved the function of the orbicularis oris muscle.
Evaluation of Pancreatic Fibrosis With Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging and Automated Quantification of Pancreatic Tissue Components
Authors: Fujita Yusuke , Kitago Minoru , Abe Tokiya , Itano Osamu , Shinoda Masahiro , Abe Yuta , Yagi Hiroshi , Hibi Taizo , Ishii Masatsugu , Nakano Yutaka , Okuma Kiyoshi , Hashimoto Masahiro , Takeuchi Ayano , Masugi Yohei , Jinzaki Masahiro , Sakamoto Michiie , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: October 2018

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine whether computer-assisted digital analysis and acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging were useful for assessing pancreatic fibrosis, and if ARFI imaging predicted postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF).

Methods

Seventy-eight patients scheduled to undergo pancreatic resection were enrolled. Shear wave velocity (SWV) at the pancreatic neck was measured preoperatively using ARFI imaging. Pancreatic tissue components on a whole slide image were quantified using an automatic image processing software. The relationship between SWV, fibrotic tissue content, and POPF incidence and clinical severity was analyzed.

Results

The median collagen fiber, fatty tissue, and acinar cell contents were 11.6%, 8.5%, and 61.3%, respectively. Unlike fatty tissue, collagen fiber content and acinar cells were correlated with SWV (ρ = 0.440, P < 0.001 and ρ = −0.428, P < 0.001, respectively). Although collagen fiber content and SWV were associated with the overall incidence of POPF (P = 0.004 and 0.001, respectively), collagen fiber content and SWV had no statistical correlation with clinically relevant POPF (P = 0.268 and 0.052, respectively).

Conclusions

We objectively quantified the pancreatic tissue components using an automatic image processing software. Shear wave velocity was significantly related to collagen fiber content and suggests that ARFI imaging can be useful for evaluating pancreatic fibrosis.
Gray Zone Lymphoma Arising in the Neck of a Teenager With a Germline Mutation in TP53
Authors: Gatineau-Sailliant Sophie , Turcotte Karine , Quintal Marie-Claude , Turpin Sophie , Champagne Josette , Petrella Tony , Roussy Mathieu , Cellot Sonia , Bouron-Dal Soglio Dorothée
Published: October 2018

Gray zone lymphoma is an aggressive disease for which appropriate management is still debated. We report a 15-year-old girl with a cervical mass, an enlarged ipsilateral tonsil, and anemia. Both sites showed hypermetabolism on F18-FG positron emission tomography/CT. Surgical resection was diagnostic of Epstein-Barr virus–negative gray zone lymphoma cervical and tonsillar involvement. No abnormality was found in cytogenetic analysis on tumor cells. However, exome sequencing in peripheral blood DNA revealed a germline mutation in TP53. Complete response was achieved after surgery and 6 cycles of rituximab with dose-adjusted etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin regimen.
The Best Practice for Increasing Telephone Outreach
Authors: Vergara Franz H. , Sullivan Nancy J. , Sheridan Daniel J. , Davis Jean E.
Published: October 2018

Purpose of Study:

Many hospitals established telephone follow-up (TFU) programs to improve care transitions and reduce hospital readmissions. However, there is a lack of knowledge on how to increase the outreach of TFU programs. This integrative review aims to answer the clinical practice question, “What is the best practice for increasing telephone follow-up reach rates post-hospital discharge?”

Primary Practice Setting:

The primary setting evaluated in this review was hospital-based phone call programs that are conducting post-hospital discharge TFU.

Methodology:

In this integrative review, we searched studies published between January 2003 and November 2017. We searched 5 electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Cochrane. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice model was used to critically analyze and synthesize the selected articles.

Results:

Nine articles were reviewed, and this study uncovered that pre-hospital face-to-face meeting might increase TFU reach rates. However, most studies calculated reach rates using only frequencies/percentages. This contributed to our low-quality rating on most of the reviewed studies.

Implications for Case Management Practice:

This review identified that TFU, as a component of a care coordination program, may reduce hospital readmissions and control health care utilization. However, few studies (n = 2) used TFU reach rates as a major study outcome to determine the impact of face-to-face meetings on phone outreach. Therefore, the evidence is limited to inform case management practice to increase phone outreach post-hospital discharge. It is recommended to conduct further research and test different methods that may increase phone outreach.
The New Age of Bullying and Violence in Health Care: Part 4
Authors: Fink-Samnick Ellen
Published: October 2018

Disrespect among the health and behavioral health workforce may have reached the point of no return. The industry is on heightened alert, as the disruptive behaviors of bullying and lateral violence, plus escalating incidents of workforce harassment and workplace violence incidents, impact every practice setting. These behaviors contribute to concerns around client and professional safety, quality-of-care processes, as well as workforce retention and mental health.

Purpose/Objectives:

This article:

Defines a hostile workplace;

Identifies types of toxic employees;

Discusses types of workplace harassment;

Reviews the impact of organizational culture on these disrupters; and

Explores strategies and legislation to manage workplace violence across practice domains.

Primary Practice Setting(s):

Applicable to all health and behavioral health settings where case management is practiced.

Findings/Conclusions:

Despite glaring improvements in how care is rendered and an enhanced focus on quality delivery of care, organizations must address cultures that support as opposed to negate disruptive workplace behaviors. The emerging regulatory and organizational initiatives to reframe the delivery of care will become meaningless without consistent attention to enforcement of regulatory, policy, and prevention actions.

Implications for Case Management Practice:

Professionals who hesitate to confront and address incidents of disruptive and oppressive behavior in the health care workplace potentially practice unethically. Bullying has fostered a dangerous culture of silence in the industry, one which impacts client safety, quality care delivery, plus has longer term behavioral health implications for the professionals striving to render care. Add the escalating numbers specific to workplace violence and the trends speak to an atmosphere of safety and quality in the health care workplace that puts clients and professionals at risk.
Angiopoietin Level Trajectories in Toddlers With Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock and Their Effect on Capillary Endothelium
Authors: Pierce Richard W. , Shabanova Veronika , Canarie Michael , Pinto Mathew , da Silva Yong Sing , Bhandari Vineet , Giuliano John S.
Published: October 2018

Objective:

Angiopoietins are postulated diagnostic biomarkers in children and adults with severe sepsis and septic shock. The diagnostic value of angiopoietins in children less than 5 years old has not been established, nor has their effect on permeability in the capillary microvasculature. We aim to determine if levels of angiopoietin-1 or -2 (angpt-1, -2) are diagnostic for severe sepsis/shock in young children and whether they affect the permeability of cultured human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC).

Design:

Prospective observational study of children < 5 years old. Patients were classified as non-systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), SIRS/sepsis and severe sepsis/septic shock.

Setting:

Tertiary care pediatric hospitals.

Patients:

Critically ill children.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements:

Plasma angpt-1 and -2 levels were measured with enzyme-linked immunoassays. Expression of angpt-2 in endothelial cells was assessed with quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Permeability changes in cultured HDMECs were assessed with transendothelial electrical resistance measurements.

Results:

Angpt-1 levels were significantly higher in younger children compared with levels found in previous study of older children across disease severity (all P < 0.001). Angpt-2 was significantly higher in this cohort with severe sepsis/septic shock compared with children without SIRS and SIRS/sepsis (all P < 0.003). Angpt-2/1 ratio was also elevated in children with severe sepsis/septic shock but an order of magnitude less than older children (P < 0.02, P = 0.002). Angpt-1 and -2 did not affect basal HDMEC permeability or modulate leak in isolation or in the presence of tumor necrosis factor (TNF).

Conclusions:

Angpt-2 levels and the angpt-2/1 ratio are appropriate diagnostic biomarkers of severe sepsis/septic shock in children less than 5 years old. Neither angpt-1 nor -2 affects basal HDMEC permeability alone or modulates TNF induced capillary leak.
Managing anaemia in bone marrow failure syndromes
Authors: Narayanan Srinivasan
Published: October 2018

Purpose of review

Anaemia is a common haematological presentation in patients with bone marrow failure, yet a challenging condition to treat. As anaemia has a direct impact on the patient's symptoms, managing anaemia in the common bone marrow failure conditions, such as myelodysplastic syndrome will help to improve the quality of life. This review discusses the available treatment options and the benefit of improving the haemoglobin level.

Recent findings

Managing anaemia effectively has shown to improve the patient outcome, yet treatment option remain limited. Recently, activin inhibitors such as Luspatercept have shown to be effective in patients’ refractory to ESAs and further clinical trials are ongoing to explore this further.

Transfusion still remains the mainstay of treatment in patients not suitable, lost response or refractory to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). Majority of these patients are not suitable for definite treatment options such as bone marrow transplantation. The aim of treatment remains improving the quality of life and newer therapeutic options may offer better and more sustained response.
Increased Health Care Utilization in Dementia Subtypes Before Diagnosis
Authors: Albrecht Jennifer S. , Hanna Maya , Kim Dure , Perfetto Eleanor M.
Published: October 2018

Introduction:

Prior studies have reported higher health care utilization (HCU) leading up to diagnosis of the Alzheimer disease and related dementia (ADRD), but none have assessed variation in HCU by ADRD subtype or examined disease-specific HCU. The objectives of this study were to identify ADRD subtypes and: (1) characterize all-cause and (2) disease-specific HCU during the 3 years preceding diagnosis, and (3) determine if HCU varied by ADRD subtype.

Methods:

We used data from the OptumLabs Data Warehouse 2008 to 2014 to identify ADRD subtypes (total N=36,838) using an algorithm based on temporal sequencing of diagnoses and provider type. Annual counts of all-cause and disease-specific HCU in each of the 3 years preceding ADRD diagnosis were regressed on ADRD subtypes with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as the reference group, year, and other variables.

Results:

HCU increased over time, was highest in the outpatient setting, and varied by ADRD subtype. Compared with MCI, highest HCU was observed in vascular and nonspecific dementia. Compared with MCI, most subtypes had elevated disease-specific HCU.

Discussion:

Variation in HCU by ADRD subtype points to different pathways to diagnosis and patterns of use.
Recurrent Superior Oblique Myokymia Treated by Distal Tendon Extirpation
Authors: Law Megan X. , Hoyt Creig S. , Horton Jonathan C.
Published: October 2018

Background:

We describe successful surgical treatment of superior oblique myokymia, which had recurred after superior oblique tenectomy.

Methods:

Single case report.

Results:

The distal stump of the superior oblique tendon was extirpated by stripping it from the globe. The ipsilateral superior rectus muscle also was recessed, to correct a hypertropia that had resulted from the original superior oblique tenectomy.

Conclusions:

Complete removal of the distal superior oblique muscle tendon provided definitive relief of superior oblique myokymia. Superior rectus muscle recession, combined with previous inferior oblique myectomy, compensated effectively for loss of superior oblique function.
Malaria control dynamics may explain inconsistent outcomes from bednet trials: a modeling study
Authors: Orsborne James , Walker Thomas , Yakob Laith
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND

Long-lasting insecticidal bednets have unparalleled efficacy in reducing malaria burden. However, insecticidal resistance and bednet avoidance behaviors among the mosquito vectors are now widespread.

METHODS

Reviewing the relevant field and semi-field studies highlights the ubiquity of zoophagic and spatiotemporal (biting outdoors or at different times of day) plasticity among vectors in response to bednet deployment. Transmission models coupled with the population genetics of vectors are developed to assess the impact on malaria control caused by insecticide resistance and the avoidance behaviors of mosquitoes.

RESULTS

Interactions between physiological resistance and behavioral resilience among mosquito vectors can significantly impact malaria control efforts both in the short- and long-term. The possibility of misleading observations from injudiciously timed assessments of malaria control programs is demonstrated through simulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Currently, there are no guidelines to inform when during a bednet trial its effectiveness should be measured. The importance of this oversight is described in the context of recent randomized controlled bednet trials.
Motion and force control method of 7-DOF cable-driven rehabilitation exoskeleton robot
Authors: Ni Wencheng , Li Hui , Jiang Zhihong , Zhang Bainan , Huang Qiang
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design an exoskeleton robot and present a corresponding rehabilitation training method for patients in different rehabilitation stages.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a lightweight seven-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) cable-driven exoskeleton robot that is wearable and adjustable. After decoupling joint movement caused by a cable-driven mechanism, active rehabilitation training mode and passive rehabilitation training mode are proposed to improve the effect of rehabilitation training.

Findings

Simulations and experiments have been carried out, and the results validated the feasibility of the proposed mechanism and methods by a fine rehabilitative effect with different persons.

Originality/value

This paper designed a 7-DOF cable-driven exoskeleton robot that is suitable for patients of different body measurements and proposed the active rehabilitation training mode and passive rehabilitation training mode based on the cable-driven exoskeleton robot.
Comprehensive identification of aircraft coordination feature based on complete importance modeling and its engineering application
Authors: Guo Feiyan , Zou Fang , Liu Jian Hua , Zhao Bo , Wang Zhongqi
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Coordination feature (CF) is the information carrier in dimension and shape transfer process in aircraft manufacturing. The change of its geometric size, shape, position or other attributes would affect the consistency of accumulated errors between two or more assemblies. To identify these “key characteristics” that have a close relationship with the assembly precision, a comprehensive method was developed under digital manufacturing environment, which was based on importance calculation. The multi-hierarchy and multi-station assembly process of aircraft products were also taken into consideration.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the interaction and evaluation relationship between components at different manufacturing stages was decomposed with a hierarchical net. Second, to meet coordination accuracy requirements, with the integrated application of Taguchi quality loss function, accuracy principal and error correction coefficient H, the quality loss between target features and candidate features at adjacent assembly hierarchies were calculated, which was based on their precision variation. Third, the influence degree and affected degree of the features were calculated with DEMATEL (decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory) method, and the concepts of centrality degree index and cause degree index were proposed for calculating the complete importance degree to eventually identify the CFs.

Findings

Based on the proposed methodology, CFs, affecting the skin profile and the flush coordination accuracy, were successfully identified at different assembly hierarchies to a certain type of wing flap component.

Originality/value

Benefit results for the engineering application showed that the deviation of skin profile was more accurate than before, and the tolerance was also closer to the centerline of required assembly precision range. Moreover, the stability in the assembly process was increased by 26.9 per cent, which could bring a higher assembly quality and an enhancement on aircraft’s flight performance.
A hybrid artificial fish swam algorithm for disassembly sequence planning considering setup time
Authors: Guo Jun , Zhong Jingcheng , Li Yibing , Du Baigang , Guo Shunsheng
Published: October 2018

Purpose

To improve the efficiency of end-of-life product’s disassembly process, this paper aims to propose a disassembly sequence planning (DSP) method to reduce additional efforts of removing parts when considering the changes of disassembly directions and tools.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology has three parts. First, a disassembly hybrid graph model (DHGM) was adopted to represent disassembly operations and their precedence relations. After representing the problem as DHGM, a new integer programming model was suggested for the objective of minimizing the total disassembly time. The objective takes into account several criteria such as disassembly tools change and the change of disassembly directions. Finally, a novel hybrid approach with a chaotic mapping-based hybrid algorithm of artificial fish swarm algorithm (AFSA) and genetic algorithm (GA) was developed to find an optimal or near-optimal disassembly sequence.

Findings

Numerical experiment with case study on end-of-life product disassembly planning has been carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the designed criteria and the results exhibited that the developed algorithm performs better than other relevant algorithms.

Research limitations/implications

More complex case studies for DSP problems will be introduced. The performance of the CAAFG algorithm can be enhanced by improving the design of AFSA and GA by combining them with other search techniques.

Practical implications

DSP of an internal gear hydraulic pump is analyzed to investigate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a novel CAAFG algorithm for solving DSP problems. The implemented tool generates a feasible optimal solution and the considered criteria can help the planer obtain satisfactory results.
Design of the tip state estimator for hybrid-structured flexible manipulator based on SDFT and FLAKF
Authors: Long Teng , Li En , Fan Junfeng , Yang Lei , Liang Zize
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to design a tip state estimation method for a hybrid-structured flexible manipulator (HSFM) with one rotating joint and one telescopic joint in the vertical plane.

Design/methodology/approach

The HSFM model is decomposed into a static deflection model and a vibration model. The sliding discrete Fourier transform (SDFT) is used to filter the high frequency noise and obtain main vibration components to represent the vibration model. Then, a novel fuzzy logic adaptive Kalman filter (FLAKF) is designed to estimate the state of a vibrational equilibrium position. The complete tip state of the HSFM is obtained by superimposing the FLAKF filter results with the SDFT vibration analysis results.

Findings

Both the simulation results and physical experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed tip state estimation method. The vibration analysis based on SDFT is used to represent the vibration model and reduce the computational complexity in the process of solving differential equation. The proposed FLAKF can effectively increase the stability and robustness of the estimator.

Originality/value

In this paper, the tip state estimation problem of the HSFM in vertical plane is first proposed. The effect of gravity on the HSFM is considered by the static deflection model. A precise tip state estimator is designed by a closed loop SDFT and a novel FLAKF, which can provide an accurate feedback for the vibration control controller and make an accurate evaluation of the control effect.
The politicization of senior civil service in Korea: a human resource management perspective
Authors: Lee Chang Kil
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the politicization of senior civil service (SCS) in Korea from a human resource perspective. To be specific, it is to explore how much the SCS has been politicized after its inception in 2006 and to discover what has strengthened it.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs the human resource management perspective with five stages, selection, rotation, education, promotion and compensation, which are related with different weights to four causes of politicization: political desire to control, leadership change, public demands and political interest.

Findings

This paper argues that politicization of SCS in Korea has gradually increased during the last 10 years. It also found that, while selection and promotion is strongly politicized, education and compensation is weakly politicized.

Originality/value

This paper mainly draws increasing politicization after it was introduced. Little prior literature has explored the politicization of SCS in human resource management processes and its causes for Korea.
Finding face: building collections to support indigenous identity
Authors: Roy Loriene
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to review content provided in an article published in 1993 to determine if there is still a need to provide information services to American Indians living away from their homeland areas.

Design/methodology/approach

The design involved reviewing the content and recommendations provided in the 1993 article and then to update this content by reviewing updated US Census data, a literature review and observed examples based on personal observations and experiences.

Findings

The paper found that there is still a need for services due to increased American Indian population. While more American Indian librarians are employed, there is still a need for all librarians to learn how to serve this population.

Originality/value

While the article reviews content from 1993, it provides original perspectives and adds additional evaluation criteria.
Auditing Corporate Governance Statements in Greece – the role of internal auditors
Authors: Koutoupis Andreas , Pazarskis Michail , Drogalas George
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of internal audit with respect to Auditing Corporate Governance Statements based on a practical approach. Moreover, it examines the application of internal control best practices in the Athens publicly listed firms based on a series of related statements.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted all large and medium capitalization publicly listed companies via a research questionnaire which forms a basis of a descriptive research analysis. The methodology is based on the best worldwide acceptable practices as represented by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations internal control – integrated framework, as well as the relevant laws and regulations and best practices with respect to Corporate Governance Statements.

Findings

The research concludes that internal auditors limit their role in verifying compliance with the relevant laws and regulations rather than adopt a consulting role toward the improvement of the content and quality of Corporate Governance Statements information. Also, it contributes to the corporate governance research by verifying that the effectiveness of internal controls contributes to sound corporate governance practices.

Practical implications

Internal auditors depending on the organization they serve may adopt different roles regarding Corporate Governance Statements preparation, review and audit such as consultative which may add value to the quality of Corporate Governance Statements.

Originality/value

It is the first research regarding quality characteristics of the Corporate Governance Statements and the role of internal audit in Greece, and it provides the basis for further research among European Union countries.
Mapping worldwide research on the Internet of Things during 2011-2016
Authors: Erfanmanesh Mohammadamin , Abrizah A.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The Internet of Things (IoT) has attracted wide attention from researchers to address the potential of this technology in various industries recently. This study aims to investigate different characteristics of worldwide research on the IoT using bibliometrics, network analysis and altmetrics. Growth of the literature, publication types, languages, publication countries and research subjects are addressed. The scientific and social impact of the journal articles has also been examined using citation and altmetrics scores.

Design/methodology/approach

The Scopus database was searched for articles indexed under the terms “Internet of Thing*” or “IoT” or “Internet of Everything*” or “Web of Thing*”, and a total of 13,725 articles from 2011 to 2016 were retrieved and analysed.

Findings

There was a continuous increase in the number of publications per year over the period, with a 6.7-fold rise in the number of publications, with the highest share of research output (4,989) published in 2016. Contribution of authors at the micro, meso and macro levels was analysed. About 89 per cent of total publications were the result of collaborative efforts, and Asia-Pacific was responsible for almost 53 per cent of world scientific production of IoT literature. Generally, the IoT research are found in publications concentrating on computer networks and communications, electrical and electronic engineering and computer science applications. The results also showed that the presence of IoT research on the social web is still low, with 6.8 per cent of total publications presenting some altmetric activity.

Research limitations/implications

The work reported is limited to only Scopus-indexed publications. While the search methodology aimed to be as inclusive as possible, it may not have captured all scholarly research output in the IoT world.

Practical implications

The findings of this study may help researchers understand the performance of IoT research from across the world and suggest directions for further research.

Originality/value

This paper reviews the literature of the IoT in past five years using rigorous bibliometric, altmetric and network analysis tools.
Navigating institutional complexities
Authors: Langevang Thilde , Hansen Michael W. , Rutashobya Lettice Kinunda
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how female entrepreneurs navigate complex and challenging institutional environments. It draws on institutional theory and the concept of response strategies to institutional pressures to explore the institutional barriers that female entrepreneurs encounter and highlights the strategies women employ to overcome them.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper builds on a case study of female entrepreneurs engaged in food processing in Tanzania. It draws on semi-structured interviews with nine female entrepreneurs, one focus group discussion with six female entrepreneurs and two semi-structured interviews with representatives from women’s business associations (WBAs).

Findings

This paper reveals a repertoire of active strategies enacted by women entrepreneurs, including advocacy through WBAs, bootstrapping, semi-informal operations, co-location of home and business, spouse involvement in the business, downplay of gender identity, reliance on persistence and passion and networking through WBAs. While these strategies involve various degrees of agency, the findings indicate that collective efforts through WBAs offer women the most promise in terms of influencing institutional structures.

Originality/value

While there is a growing body of literature examining how institutions influence female entrepreneurs, there is a dearth of knowledge on how women experience institutional complexities and actively react to institutional barriers, complexities and contradictions. This paper shows the value of analytical attention to female entrepreneurs’ agency by highlighting women’s active responses and documenting a repertoire of strategies.
Design thinking as a dynamic methodology for information science
Authors: Nakano Natalia , Oliveira Joao Augusto Dias Barreira e , Jorente Maria José Vicentini
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to present an overview of the design thinking (DT) methodology applied to information science research focusing on the user journey. DT stages are essential to understand, create and implement solutions based on the identified problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies bibliographic, theoretical and exploratory research based on the literature from DT methodology and information science.

Findings

The area of information science has not fully incorporated DT methodology on its practices, and DT presents considerable potential to support user experience.

Practical implications

Raise awareness of the information science community regarding the DT methodology as an alternative to apply to various types of research.

Originality/value

DT brings a unique contribution to engage people toward innovation in information centers; the paper is original, as it provides insights on the application of DT to improve the user journey related to information.
Making sense of global key account management (GAM): a case study from Japan
Authors: Ellis Nick , Iwasaki Akihito
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relevance to situated managerial practice of the implementation frameworks contained in the global (key) account management (GAM) literature and to explore what specific GAM-related issues may be faced by key account managers working for an MNC based in Japan.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a critical literature review, including a discussion of sales management in Japan, an exploratory case study is conducted of a chemical supplier that claims to be making the transition toward GAM.

Findings

The findings confirm that intra-organizational contextual and cultural factors appear to influence the adoption of GAM programs by the focal firm. This suggests there is not a “one size fits all” strategic pathway to implementing GAM, and that western theoretical perspectives on KAM/GAM do not appear to have permeated the sense-making of some Japanese managers.

Research limitations/implications

While the study indicates that the US/European approach to KAM and GAM does not appear to fit well with the Japanese business culture, this conclusion must come with the caveat that this is not necessarily a generalizable case.

Originality/value

Much of the prior B2B marketing literature on KAM and GAM has investigated only western firms. This is possibly the first empirical research on GAM in a Japanese company. The paper offers a number of implications for theory and ponders the wisdom of making recommendations from such a culture-bound study.
The impacts of competence-based marketing capabilities: relative attention, relationship learning and collaboration development
Authors: Liu Feng-Hsu , Chen Lu-Jui
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Original equipment manufacturing (OEM) suppliers must identify and communicate competences to ensure that they are successfully translated into competitive advantages. This study aims to explore the competence-based marketing capabilities of suppliers based on competence-based marketing view. It integrates resource-based theory and resource dependence theory to conduct a detailed evaluation of the impact of competence-based marketing capabilities on collaboration development, which is classified as either exploitative or explorative collaboration between buyers and suppliers.

Design/methodology/approach

The partial least squares method was used to analyse and find direct support for the authors’ hypotheses based on cross-sectional data from a sample of 116 Taiwanese OEM suppliers.

Findings

The results find no support as recent arguments that the marketing of competence would directly affect collaborative relationships in a buyer–supplier relationship. The two mediating roles of relative attention from buyers and relationship learning with buyers were confirmed. The empirical findings indicated that relative attention from buyers partially mediates the relationship between competence-based marketing capabilities and exploitative collaboration development, while relationship learning completely mediates the relationship between competence-based marketing capabilities and two-pronged collaboration development.

Originality/value

This study provides a thorough examination of competence-based marketing capabilities, which have attracted substantial attention from business scholars but empirical research investigating and discussing how suppliers develop new collaborations with buyers is lacking.
Dispersion of marketing activities in business-to-business firms
Authors: Blachetta Marie , Kleinaltenkamp Michael
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the manifestations and the effects of the dispersion of marketing activities (DoMA) in business-to-business (B2B) firms.

Design/methodology/approach

To analyze the manifestations and effects of DoMA, an empirical study was conducted in German B2B firms that consisted of a qualitative pre-study and an online questionnaire-based quantitative study.

Findings

Findings highlight that there is not “one” DoMA in B2B firms but that the degrees of dispersion differ with respect to various marketing activities. Moreover, a cluster analysis of the firms with respect to the manifestation of their DoMA reveals interesting differences with respect to the relationship between DoMA and the perceived performance of the marketing activities.

Originality/value

This explorative study is one of the first to empirically investigate the extent of DoMA in B2B firms. It shows how different DoMA can be in practice with respect to single marketing activities, as well as firms, and how this impacts the perceived performance of marketing activities.
The impact on competitiveness of customer value creation through relationship capabilities and marketing innovation
Authors: Sánchez-Gutiérrez José , Cabanelas Pablo , Lampón Jesús F. , González-Alvarado Tania E.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The identification of customer needs through relationship management and their transformation into marketing innovation are two key processes in customer value creation. When combined, they can improve a firm’s competitive position, not only in terms of profitability but also by reducing costs and promoting the use of technology. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the link between managerial relational capability and marketing innovation in customer value creation, and to look at how that value creation affects competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

We analyze 450 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the furniture industry in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara (Mexico). To this sample is applied a confirmatory factor analysis and a structural equation model to analyze the impact of management capabilities in relationships and marketing innovation on customer value creation and to determine how the value created affects competitiveness.

Findings

The results show that management capabilities in customer relationships and in the way they convert knowledge of customer needs into specific choices in the market have a positive effect on customer value creation, as well as on financial performance, cost optimization and the use of technology, all of which can be used as indicators of competitiveness.

Originality/value

The study covers customer value creation in an emerging economy, that of Mexico, and relates it to business competitiveness from a holistic point of view which goes beyond profitability by also including cost reduction and the use of technology.
Interactional and procedural practices in managing coopetitive tensions
Authors: Tidström Annika , Ritala Paavo , Lainema Kirsi
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore interactional and procedural practices in managing tensions of coopetition (simultaneous collaboration and competition between firms).

Design/methodology/approach

Through an in-depth literature review of prior research within coopetition and strategy-as-practice fields, and by using two illustrative empirical examples, the authors develop a framework for preventing and managing coopetitive tensions through combinations of procedural and interactional practices.

Findings

The authors identify tensions related to strategizing, task and resource allocation, as well as knowledge sharing. Furthermore, they demonstrate potential ways of how these tensions can be prevented, resolved and managed.

Research limitations/implications

The findings show that the analysis of tensions in coopetition would benefit from a holistic, multilevel approach that recognizes practices that are interactional (i.e. face-to-face interactions) as well as procedural (i.e. organizational routines). Coopetitive tensions and their resolution are related to the use or neglect of both types of practices. Furthermore, interactional and procedural practices are mutually interdependent and can complement each other in tension management in various ways.

Practical implications

The findings of this study shed light on the roles and activities of actual practitioners involved in coopetition, and shows how their work and practices in-use contribute to coopetition, related tensions and their resolution.

Originality/value

By adopting the strategy-as-practice approach, this study generates valuable insights into the practices and tensions in coopetition, as well as illuminates the roles of the practitioners involved in managing coopetition relationships.
Effects of IT-based supply chains on new product development activities and the performance of computer and communication electronics manufacturers
Authors: Kou Tun-Chih , Chiang Chang-Tang , Chiang Ai-Hsuan
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Some studies have suggested that a supply chain augmented with information technology (IT) has a positive effect on performance in the marketplace. However, these studies have not explained how the IT-based supply chain achieves this superior performance. This study aims to reveal some of the mediating influences at play: the new product development (NPD) activities of product launch, product innovativeness and product development capability.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking the electronics manufacturer’s perspective, this study took a resource-based view to propose that NPD activities are affected by IT advancement and that IT-based supply chain architecture is a critical resource that ultimately affects new product performance. Thus study focuses on product launch, because this is the most expensive and risky stage of NPD; product innovativeness, because it plays a substantial role in achieving a competitive advantage; and product development capability, because it leads to superior product performance. A questionnaire was used to collect data from managers of projects, products and supply chains of computer and communication electronics manufacturers; 235 valid questionnaires were returned. These data were subsequently analyzed using a variety of statistical methods.

Findings

The results support that manufacturers’ IT resources enable them to enhance NPD activities effectively with their suppliers, and that NPD activities play a key role in moderating the relationship between IT-based supply chains and new product performance.

Originality/value

This paper provides an empirically tested model of how IT-based supply chain architecture can lead to superior new product performance through product lean launch, product innovativeness and product development capability.