bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global dispersion of offshore service providers: an information processing perspective
Authors: Chen Stephen , Lin Nidthida
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a new theoretical perspective on the organizational design of offshoring service organizations by adopting an information processing perspective which incorporates the factors of collaborative information technologies, task commoditization and global customer service delivery that are characteristic of modern-day knowledge-intensive service (KIS) organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyze data from a large multiyear survey of offshoring service providers conducted in 12 countries.

Findings

The authors show how use of collaborative technology is significantly and positively related to spatial and configurational dispersion, task commoditization is significantly and positively related to spatial and temporal dispersion and need for global customer presence is not related to spatial, temporal or configurational dispersion.

Research limitations/implications

The paper integrates concepts from management information system (MIS), operations management and international business to show how collaborative technology, task characteristics and customer service requirements affect the global dispersion of KISs.

Practical implications

The results show how use of collaborative technology, task characteristics and global customer service requirements need to be jointly considered in the global dispersion of activities by KIS providers.

Originality/value

The study sheds light on the effect of the key factors on different dimensions of global dispersion (i.e. spatial/temporal/configurational dispersion) in offshoring service provider organizations. Second, it shows how the traditional information processing perspective on organizations can be updated and applied to KIS organizations by incorporating the factors of global collaborative information technologies, task commoditization and global customer service.
Optimizing decisions using knowledge risk strategy
Authors: Coleman Les , Casselman R. Mitch
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The paper aims to focus on a strategic approach for making trade-offs between knowledge and risk.

Design/methodology/approach

Knowledge and risk are viewed as organizational resources that have an inherent trade-off between them, so that optimal firm performance does not necessarily arise through greater accumulation of knowledge nor from reduced risk. This trade-off is represented as an efficient knowledge-risk frontier. The paper examines the dynamics of this frontier on organizational performance.

Findings

The concept of knowledge-risk strategy is presented which contends that non-probabilistic risk or uncertainty originates from gaps in knowledge.

Research limitations implications

The paper proposes a new line of research to understand decision-making in organizations, particularly those which focus on knowledge intensive products and services.

Practical implications

The paper proposes managerial approaches to improve organizational positioning relative to the efficient knowledge-risk frontier through greater awareness of contributors to knowledge gaps and risk in decision situations, as well as traditional strategic tools such as outsourcing.

Originality/value

The postulated link between risk and knowledge gaps establishes a knowledge-based view of firm risk and recognizes trade-offs for decisions regarding knowledge accumulation.
The causes and consequences of delayed/abandoned cross-border merger & acquisition transactions
Authors: Reddy K.S. , Xie En , Huang Yuanyuan
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Drawing attention to the significant number of unsuccessful (abandoned) cross-border merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions in recent years, the purpose of this paper is to analyze three litigated cross-border inbound acquisitions that associated with an emerging economy – India, such as Vodafone-Hutchison and Bharti Airtel-MTN deals in the telecommunications industry, and Vedanta-Cairn India deal in the oil and gas exploration industry. The study intends to explore how do institutional and political environments in the host country affect the completion likelihood of cross-border acquisition negotiations.

Design/methodology/approach

Nested within the interdisciplinary framework, the study adopts a legitimate method in qualitative research, that is, case study method, and performs a unit of analysis and cross-case analysis of sample cases.

Findings

The critical analysis suggests that government officials’ erratic nature and ruling political party intervention have detrimental effects on the success of Indian-hosted cross-border deals with higher bid value, listed target firm, cash payment, and stronger government control in the target industry. The findings emerge from the cross-case analysis of sample cases contribute to the Lucas paradox – why does not capital flow from rich to poor countries and interdisciplinary M&A literature on the completion likelihood of international takeovers.

Practical implications

The findings have several implications for multinational managers who typically involve in cross-border negotiations. The causes and consequences of sample cases would help develop economy firms who intend to invest in emerging economies. The study also offers some implications of M&A for telecommunications and extractive industries.

Originality/value

Although a huge amount of extant research investigates why M&A fail to create value to the shareholders during the public announcement and post-merger stages, there is a significant dearth of research on the causes and consequences of delayed or abandoned national and international deals. The paper fills this knowledge gap by discussing an in-depth cross-case analysis of Indian-hosted cross-border acquisitions.
Internationalizing higher education: from grand plans to evolving responses
Authors: Mertkan Sefika , Gilanlioglu Ilkay , McGrath Simon
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the complexity of developing into an international institution from the perspective of higher education leaders through the case study of one institution engaged in institutional transformation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs the qualitative approach and involves in-depth interviews with key institutional managers.

Findings

Findings suggest internationalization is a dynamic change process that goes beyond the rational and predictive elements of internationalization and cannot be confined to the rational planning and grand plans solely at institutional level. Reciprocal influence of different levels of analysis – institution, society and the nation – needs to be acknowledged and internationalization efforts need to go beyond the confines of the institution and extend into the society and the nation as a whole.

Originality/value

Internationalization of higher education has been widely examined, but the reciprocal influence of different levels of analysis on the internationalization efforts of higher education institutions is thin to which this paper contributes.
A conservation of resources view of personal engagement in the development of innovative behavior and work-family conflict
Authors: Chen Yu-Shan , Huang Stanley Y.B.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how personal engagement (PE) may be related with work-family conflict (WFC) and innovative behavior (IB) at the same time.

Design/methodology/approach

This study tested the proposed model using a longitudinal data with 1,501 employees from R&D departments in information technology industry of Greater China at multiple points (Time 1 to Time 3) in time over a ten-month period.

Findings

This study exhibits how charismatic leadership style, colleague support (CS), and self-esteem (SE) are capable of predicting the PE, which, in turn, positively related to the IB and the WFC.

Research limitations/implications

The present study proposed a model of the PE, but there are other variables that might also be important for the PE.

Practical implications

These finding suggests that managers not only must inspire and enable employees to apply their full energy to their work (e.g. PE), but must also alleviate the WFC.

Originality/value

The study drawn from Kahn’s (1990) engagement theory and conservation of resources view to explain how the leadership style, CS, and SE can increase PE, which, in turn, increase positive organization behavior (IB) and negative organization behavior (WFC) at the same time.
“Deregulation is so nineteen eighties, we’re into ‘better regulation’ now”
Authors: Russell Stephanie , Brannan Matthew J.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how organizations operate in the absence of a clear regulatory authority in a self-regulating environment. Significant moves towards self-regulation by various political administrations, together with successive waves of deregulation raise questions about the ability and effectiveness of industries and markets to regulate their own behaviour. This is a topical political and social concern with governments often appearing to favour self-regulation as opposed to the constitution of an official regulator. The absence of a regulator and the possibility of voluntary compliance raise a number of issues for the way in which organizations operate and the consequences, both intended and otherwise for organizations and society at large.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirically the authors explore the case of an industry leader within the Passive Fire Protection industry, as it adjusts to an increasingly self-regulated market environment. The authors document how organizational members make sense of the regulatory environment and the behaviour of actors within it.

Findings

The authors find that discourses of enterprise that underpin self-regulation permit actors a choice between compliance and non-compliance. Whilst also noting the prevalence of notions of morality in terms of how actors make sense of both compliant and non-compliant behaviour. Despite common sense notions that morality is seldom clear cut or unambiguous, the case study reveals that frameworks for understanding behaviour allow participants within the industry to make very clear demarcations between moral (compliant) and amoral (non-compliant) behaviour.

Originality/value

The authors learn how those that are compliant within the industry come to question the effectiveness of the regime to which they comply, thus ultimately undermining the integrity of the regime. In the absence of a strong regulatory regime, some agents draw upon notions of enterprise to justify an individualist, economic and pragmatic approach that makes non-compliance permissible. Thus the discourse of enterprise is present in the justification of both “moral” and “amoral” behaviour, this leads the authors to question the wisdom of policy that promotes the idea of enterprise as effectively ensuring compliance.
Roles and identity work in “at-home” ethnography
Authors: Järventie-Thesleff Rita , Logemann Minna , Piekkari Rebecca , Tienari Janne
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to shed new light on carrying out “at-home” ethnography by building and extending the notion of roles as boundary objects, and to elucidate how evolving roles mediate professional identity work of the ethnographer.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to theorize about how professional identities and identity work play out in “at-home” ethnography, the study builds on the notion of roles as boundary objects constructed in interaction between knowledge domains. The study is based on two ethnographic research projects carried out by high-level career switchers – corporate executives who conducted research in their own organizations and eventually left to work in academia.

Findings

The paper contends that the interaction between the corporate world and academia gives rise to specific yet intertwined roles; and that the meanings attached to these roles and role transitions shape the way ethnographers work on their professional identities.

Research limitations/implications

These findings have implications for organizational ethnography where the researcher’s identity work should receive more attention in relation to fieldwork, headwork, and textwork.

Originality/value

The study builds on and extends the notion of roles as boundary objects and as triggers of identity work in the context of “at-home” ethnographic research work, and sheds light on the way researchers continuously contest and renegotiate meanings for both domains, and move from one role to another while doing so.
Challenges and opportunities of globalisation for an independent small manufacturer
Authors: Cam Surhan , Palaz Serap
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Over the past few decades, academic debates on small- and medium-sized establishments (SMEs) have focused on the challenges of globalisation, especially for the independent small producers outside the niche markets. However, the purpose of this paper is to highlight the limits of these sorts of evaluations arguing that globalisation can also provide opportunities for the valuable contributions of such enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on an ethnographic case study in Turkey, inquiries in the paper are essentially predicated on unstructured conversations with the owner/manager of a shipyard investigated, workplace observations and supplementary conversations with employees as well as elite interviews with the Portal Authorities. Additional interviews were also conducted with the owner/managers of three other shipyards.

Findings

The evidence suggests that the opportunities of globalisation can be consolidated with certain HRM strategies including a tailored demarcation of work-life balance, strategized retention for skills shortage, individualised grievance resolutions, employees-led work design, team work, “in-turn” and “mobile” employment. Likewise, logistic management strategies such as downsizing, investment diversification, “queasy-niche” production, use of communication technologies, networking and opening up to global markets may prove highly useful. Even so, the sustainability of independent smaller businesses requires responsive trade regulations about, for instance, tender offers, fair competition and the conflict of interests in addition to “tough-love policies” to protect employment rights.

Originality/value

The paper rectifies the lack of systematic research into the implications of globalisation for the SMEs in shipbuilding industry and their managerial responses.
Allocative and technical efficiency of New Zealand Banks
Authors: Rouse Paul , Tripe David
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Paying too much for funding or failing to obtain adequate returns for lending and interest-bearing assets because of inappropriate mix is just as much a source of inefficiency in banking as overutilisation of input resources. The purpose of this research is to examine bank performance in terms of both technical and allocative efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses an extensive quarterly data set from New Zealand (NZ), which allows a decomposition of interest costs and revenues into quantity and price effects to explore the factors, including both technical and allocative efficiency, that impact changes in banks’ costs and revenues.

Findings

The research finds that focusing solely on technical efficiency can give a misleading impression of banking performance in our NZ sample. The inclusion of allocative efficiency measurement shows greater variability of performance, as well as highlighting changes in the mix of inputs and outputs needed for banks to improve performance.

Originality/value

A focus on prices and allocative efficiency has received little attention in the academic literature on banking. This paper shows how banking data can be decomposed into the respective price and quantity components.
Dividend policy and the catering theory: evidence from the Taiwan Stock Exchange
Authors: Wang Ming-Hui , Ke Mei-Chu , Lin Feng-Yu , Huang Yen-Sheng
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the dividend policy for firms listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. The results are consistent with the prediction of the catering theory in that managers choose a dividend policy to cater to the demand of investors.

Design/methodology/approach

Logistic regressions are used to test the catering theory hypothesis.

Findings

The results find that the firms distribute more stock dividends than other types of dividends when the dividend premium (DP) for stock dividends is positive. In contrast, firms shift from stock dividends to other types of dividends such as mixed dividends and cash dividends when the DP for stock dividends is negative.

Originality/value

The marginal contribution of this paper is that the firms change their dividend policy via DP to cater to the demand of investors.
Empowering or misleading? Online health information provision challenges
Authors: Dahl Stephan , Eagle Lynne
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Patient empowerment (PE) is a key public health policy tool globally which is seen as unproblematic, but contains a number of unwarranted assumptions and unrecognised challenges to achieving effective implementation. Further, the theoretical foundations for understanding the impact of persuasive health communications on PE are weak. The purpose of this paper is to review these factors and to highlight major areas of concern.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the assumptions underpinning empowerment and the implicit theoretical foundations for active health information seeking behaviours are reviewed. This is then followed by a readability analysis of internet-based material relating to two general medical conditions, four chronic medical conditions and six patient information leaflets which was conducted to explore issues relation to the provision and readability of online health information.

Findings

The assumptions underpinning expectations of policy makers and health organisations regarding active health information seeking are shown to be problematic, with several potential impediments to effective PE implementation, including the fact that almost all of the online material reviewed is written in language too complex for the majority of the general public to comprehend, let alone act on.

Practical implications

Recommendations are made for guiding information seeking and a research agenda is outlined that would aid in strengthening theoretical underpinnings, expand knowledge and thereby help inform practice and policy debate regarding how PE can be improved.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to understanding of the challenges of effective health communication in the digital age by highlighting the need for a greater understanding of online health information seeking and the impact of limited health literacy and numeracy.
A structural equation model for the analysis of genetically modified foods consumption
Authors: Sarnacchiaro Pasquale , Di Gennaro Roberta , Palma Raffaela
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The spread of genetically modified (GM) foodstuffs is related to consumer scepticism in Europe, and particularly in Italy. Consumer scepticism in turn depends on the low level of public knowledge about the health consequences, in terms of risks and benefits, of consuming these GM foods. This paper aims, first and foremost, to investigate the phenomenon of GM foodstuffs consumption in Italy and, then, to construct a statistical model for analysing the Italian habits regarding this consumption. Furthermore, this model allows us to formalize the origins of behaviour regarding GM foodstuffs consumption and to detect the drivers of their purchase.

Design/methodology/approach

From January 2009 to May 2009, 1,061 public high school students in 25 randomly selected schools of a metropolitan area (Naples, South Italy) were questioned. More precisely, each student was given a questionnaire regarding, in the first part, school cultural characteristics and, then, awareness and GM food consumption. A Likert scale was used to answer the questions. After collecting data, the authors chose to apply structural equation modelling, as it is one of the general and powerful multivariate analysis technique useful to simultaneously analyse and evaluate multivariate hypotheses.

Findings

The findings showed that GM food consumption by Italian students depended on the knowledge of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and on the impact of this organisms both on human health and the environment. Therefore, in order to help consumers to choose whether or not to eat GM foods, a standardized evaluation system of human health and environmental consequences produced by GMO and GM foods should be created. In particular, the authors introduced a general framework that could help researchers/users to select and assess a hierarchy of the influence of factors on Italian habits regarding the consumption of GM foodstuffs.

Originality/value

In this research, the authors propose a structural equation model – full formative measurement model – that allows to define the origins of behaviour towards GM food consumption and to detect the drivers of their purchase. Particularly, the authors showed that GM food consumption depended on the knowledge of GMOs and on the impact of the GMOs on human health and the environment.
Lessons learned in establishing a quality improvement project to reduce hospital acquired infections in the neonatology ward at a referral hospital in Rwanda
Authors: Gafirimbi Naasson , Wong Rex , Adomako Eva , Kagwiza Jeanne
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Improving healthcare quality has become a worldwide effort. Strategic problem solving (SPS) is one approach to improve quality in healthcare settings. This case study aims to illustrate the process of applying the SPS approach in implementing a quality improvement project in a referral hospital.

Design/methodology/approach

A project team was formed to reduce the hospital-acquired infection (HAI) rate in the neonatology unit. A new injection policy was implemented according to the root cause identified.

Findings

The HAI rate decreased from 6.4 per cent pre-intervention to 4.2 per cent post-intervention. The compliance of performing the aseptic injection technique significantly improved by 60 per cent.

Practical implications

This case study illustrated the detailed application of the SPS approach in establishing a quality improvement project to address HAI and injection technique compliance, cost-effectively. Other departments or hospitals can apply the same approach to improve quality of care.

Originality/value

This study helps inform other hospitals in similar settings, the steps to create a quality improvement project using the SPS approach.
Improvement of hand hygiene compliance among health professional staff of Neonatology Department in Nyamata Hospital
Authors: Umulisa Solange , Musabyimana Angele , Wong Rex , Adomako Eva , Budd April , Ntakirutimana Theoneste
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to improve the hand hygiene compliance in a hospital in Rwanda. Hand hygiene is a fundamental routine practice that can greatly reduce risk of hospital-acquired infections; however, hand hygiene compliance in the hospital was low.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple-strategy intervention was implemented with a focus on ensuring stable water supply was available through installing mobile hand hygiene facilities.

Findings

The intervention significantly increased the overall hand hygiene compliance rate by 35 per cent. The compliance for all of the five hand hygiene moments and all professions also significantly increased.

Practical implications

By implementing an intervention that involved multiple strategies to address the root causes of the problem, this quality improvement project successfully created an enabling environment to increase hand hygiene compliance. The hospital should encourage using the strategic problem-solving method to conduct more quality improvement projects in other departments.

Originality/value

Findings from this study may be useful for hospitals in similar settings seeking to improve hand hygiene compliance.
Increasing patient medical record completion by assigning nurses to specific patients in maternity ward at Munini hospital
Authors: Ufitinema Yvonne , Wong Rex , Adomako Eva , Kanyamarere Léonard , Kayonga Ntagungira Egide , Kagwiza Jeanne
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the quality improvement project to increase the medical record documentation completion rate in a district hospital in Rwanda. Despite the importance of medical records to support high quality and efficient care, incomplete documentation is common in many hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

The pre- and post-intervention record completion rate in the maternity unit was assessed. Intervention included assigned nurse to specific patients, developed guideline, provided trainings and supervisions.

Findings

The documentation completion rate significantly increased from 25 per cent pre-intervention to 67 per cent post-intervention, p < 0.001. The completeness of seven out of the ten elements of medical records also significantly increased.

Practical implications

The quality improvement project created a cost-effective intervention that successfully improved the documentation completion rate. Ongoing monitoring should be continued to learn sustainability.

Originality/value

The results are useful for hospitals with similar settings to improve completion of nursing documentation and increase nursing accountability on patient care.
Efficient information-related practices in companies committed to EFQM
Authors: Zárraga-Rodríguez Marta , Álvarez M. Jesús
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore whether or not companies committed to quality management within the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model framework use and manage the information in an efficient way, i.e., they have developed information capability. In particular, this research investigates the links between information capability and the EFQM Excellence Model.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is an extension of previous work by Zárraga-Rodríguez and Alvarez (2013), which was a first qualitative approach to the subject. In that work the EFQM Excellence Model criteria were analysed to see if somehow they illustrate practices associated to a company’s information capability, self-analysis reports of a set of quality award winners were reviewed and interviews were conducted with members of those companies. The present research adopts a quantitative approach to gain deeper knowledge. Through a questionnaire survey the perceptions of managers in companies committed to the EFQM Excellence Model with respect to information capability-related practices and about the information they managed are captured.

Findings

The analysis shows evidence that many information practices are common practices among companies committed to the EFQM Excellence Model and reveals information practices that should be improved.

Originality/value

Practices that lead to efficient use and management of information have not been studied in detail in companies committed to quality management within the EFQM Excellence Model framework. Companies that are aware of the importance of handling quality information when making the decisions will find in this study a set of practices they can implement in order to achieve excellent performance based on the use and management of information.
Customers’ needs and expectations on servicescape surveillance management
Authors: Bonfanti Angelo
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify customers’ needs and expectations regarding servicescape surveillance management (SSM) in order to suggest to service managers how they can carefully design a service environment to ensure a high level of security while concurrently enhancing the customer service experience.

Design/methodology/approach

Given that this study is explorative in nature, it is based on a specific method of qualitative data collection: focus group interviews. Three focus group sessions were organised with 24 Italian customers of retail stores, hotels and hospitals. The multi-expectation model proposed by Parasuraman, Berry and Zeithaml, which distinguishes between what customers consider acceptable (adequate service level) and what they hope to receive (desired service level), was chosen as the reference framework to investigate customers’ needs and expectations from SSM.

Findings

Servicescape surveillance must be compatible with customer satisfaction. Customers are acceptably satisfied when servicescape surveillance offers them feelings of physical safety, psychological security, economic security and the right to privacy. They desire that surveillance also allows them to live a positive service experience in sensorial, psychological, social and temporal terms. However, customers’ expectations of adequate and desired service levels are different in terms of the presence, quantity and visibility of surveillance in the three service areas examined. Interestingly, customers expect to find more visible surveillance measures inside retail stores rather than in hotels and hospitals, but they prefer to receive invisible surveillance in the servicescape.

Practical implications

Service managers should consider surveillance not as a cost or a tool for detecting and punishing inappropriate or criminal behaviour, but rather, as an opportunity for enhancing the customer service experience. They can invest in servicescape design elements, technological surveillance solutions and continuous training of security personnel to meet their customers’ adequate and desired service levels.

Originality/value

This study provides two major contributions. From the theoretical viewpoint, it extends knowledge of the hitherto under-researched area of SSM by identifying customers’ needs and expectations of surveillance and the customer service experience, which are topics usually examined separately in the literature. In terms of managerial implications, it provides store/hotel/hospital managers with recommendations on how to design a servicescape that is both secure and pleasant.
Operationalising performance measurement dimensions for the Australasian nonprofit healthcare sector
Authors: Soysa Ishani Buddika , Jayamaha Nihal Palitha , Grigg Nigel Peter
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a performance measurement (PM) framework for Australasian nonprofit organisations (NPOs) involved in healthcare, and operational descriptions for each PM dimension within this framework.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature relating to the balanced scorecard and other PM frameworks was examined to develop an initial conceptual model, and this model was substantially improved by collecting qualitative data from nine Australian and New Zealand healthcare NPOs using a case study approach.

Findings

The study identifies nine causally related PM dimensions: mission, strategy, organisational capabilities, infrastructure and people development (people and information), financial health, processes, and stakeholder satisfaction (clients, people, and donors). The study also recognised that “Mission” and “Strategy” should be PM dimensions and that healthcare NPOs should focus on satisfying its people, not only donors and clients. Additionally, 41 operational descriptions are developed for each of these dimensions and can enable detailed PM items to be derived by organisations.

Originality/value

The study is the first study that has been undertaken to develop a PM framework for the Australasian NPOs to a level that it can be readily used by the practitioners (following customisation to their own specific context). The developed model also serves as a basis for future quantitative academic research aimed at testing and empirical validation of the conceptual model.
Model based integration of management systems (MSs) – case study
Authors: Rebelo Manuel Ferreira , Silva Rui , Santos Gilberto , Mendes Pedro
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a case study regarding the deployment of a previously developed model for the integration of management systems (MSs). The case study is developed at a manufacturing site of an international enterprise. The implementation of this model in a real business environment is aimed at assessing its feasibility.

Design/methodology/approach

The presented case study takes into account different management systems standards (MSSs) progressively implemented, along the years, independently. The implementation of the model was supported by the results obtained from an investigation performed according to a structured diagnosis that was conducted to collect information related to the organizational situation of the enterprise.

Findings

The main findings are as follows: a robust integrated management system (IMS), objectively more lean, structured and manageable was found to be feasible; this study provided an holistic view of the enterprise’s global management; clarifications of job descriptions and boundaries of action and responsibilities were achieved; greater efficiency in the use of resources was attained; more coordinated management of the three pillars of sustainability – environmental, economic and social, as well as risks, providing confidence and added value to the company and interested parties was achieved.

Originality/value

This case study is pioneering in Portugal in respect to the implementation, at the level of an industrial organization, of the model previously developed for the integration of individualized MSs. The case study provides new insights regarding the implementation of IMSs including the rationalization of several resources and elimination of several types of organizational waste leveraging gains of efficiency. Due to its intrinsic characteristics, the model is able to support, progressively, new or revised MSSs according to the principles of annex SL (normative) – proposals for MSSs – of the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission, that the industrial organization can adopt beyond the current ones.
Effects of fluid displacement pattern on complex electrical impedance in Berea sandstone over frequency range 104–106 Hz
Authors: Zhang Yi , Park Hyuck , Nishizawa Osamu , Kiyama Tamotsu , Liu Yu , Chae Kwangseok , Xue Ziqiu
Published: September 2016

To better understand the effect of fluid distribution on the electric response of rocks saturated with oil and brine, we conducted experimental studies on the complex electrical impedance in a Berea sandstone, together with in situ acquisitions of oil distribution images employing a high‐resolution medical X‐ray computed tomography. We performed two tests of brine displacement by oil under high (10 MPa) and low (5 MPa) pressures, which were accompanied by fingering and stable displacement patterns, respectively. The measured complex impedance data were fitted to the Cole model to obtain the resistance, capacitance, peak frequency of the imaginary impedance, and the exponent α of the rock–fluid system. With increasing oil saturation, the resistance showed an increasing trend, whereas the other three parameters decreased. The fingering displacement exhibited lower resistance and capacitance than the stable displacement. The analysis of the resistance changes using a simple parallel connection model indicates that there are more components of residual brine in parallel connections in the fingering pattern than in the stable displacement pattern at the same saturation. We also interpreted the normalised changes in the capacitance (or apparent dielectric constant) with respect to the oil saturation via an analysis of the shape factor of fluid distribution based on the Maxwell–Wagner–Brugermann–Hanai model. The changes in the shape factor suggest that the pinch‐off of the brine in parallel connection by the oil is a dominant mechanism reducing the capacitance. In the stable displacement, most of the connections in the brine phase are immediately pinched off by oil displacement front at a local oil saturation of 65%. Conversely, in the fingering displacement, there is a transition from the bulk or layered brine to the pinched‐off at a local oil saturation below 60%. The analyses indicate that the difference in the fluid distribution under different fluid conditions is responsible for the non‐Archie behaviour.
Forbidden fruit: human settlement and abundant fruit create an ecological trap for an apex omnivore
Authors: Lamb Clayton T. , Mowat Garth , McLellan Bruce N. , Nielsen Scott E. , Boutin Stan
Published: September 2016

Habitat choice is an evolutionary product of animals experiencing increased fitness when preferentially occupying high‐quality habitat. However, an ecological trap (ET) can occur when an animal is presented with novel conditions and the animal's assessment of habitat quality is poorly matched to its resulting fitness.

We tested for an ET for grizzly (brown) bears using demographic and movement data collected in an area with rich food resources and concentrated human settlement.

We derived measures of habitat attractiveness from occurrence models of bear food resources and estimated demographic parameters using DNA mark–recapture information collected over 8 years (2006–2013). We then paired this information with grizzly bear mortality records to investigate kill and movement rates.

Our results demonstrate that a valley high in both berry resources and human density was more attractive than surrounding areas, and bears occupying this region faced 17% lower apparent survival. Despite lower fitness, we detected a net flow of bears into the ET, which contributed to a study‐wide population decline.

This work highlights the presence and pervasiveness of an ET for an apex omnivore that lacks the evolutionary cues, under human‐induced rapid ecological change, to assess trade‐offs between food resources and human‐caused mortality, which results in maladaptive habitat selection.
Vinegar Functions on Health: Constituents, Sources, and Formation Mechanisms
Authors: Chen Hengye , Chen Tao , Giudici Paolo , Chen Fusheng
Published: September 2016

Vinegars are one of only a few acidic condiments throughout the world. Vinegars can mainly be considered grain vinegars and fruit vinegars, according to the raw materials used. Both grain vinegars and fruit vinegars, which are fermented by traditional methods, possess a variety of physiological functions, such as antibacteria, anti‐infection, antioxidation, blood glucose control, lipid metabolism regulation, weight loss, and anticancer activities. The antibacteria and anti‐infection abilities of vinegars are mainly due to the presence of organic acids, polyphenols, and melanoidins. The polyphenols and melanoidins also provide the antioxidant abilities of vinegars, which are produced from the raw materials and fermentation processes, respectively. The blood glucose control, lipid metabolism regulation, and weight loss capabilities from vinegars are mainly due to acetic acid. Besides caffeoylsophorose (inhibits disaccharidase) and ligustrazine (improves blood circulation), other functional ingredients present in vinegars provide certain health benefits as well. Regarding anticancer activities, several grain vinegars strongly inhibit the growth of some cancer cells in vivo or in vitro, but related functional ingredients remain largely unknown, except tryptophol in Japanese black soybean vinegar. Considering the discovering of various functional ingredients and clarifying their mechanisms, some vinegars could be functional foods or even medicines, depending on a number of proofs that demonstrate these constituents can cure chronic diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular problems.
Survival of Probiotics in Hypromellose Capsules with Rice or Potato Maltodextrin Excipient
Authors: Chen Jinru , Bechman Allison , Klu Yaa Asantewaa Kafui , Phillips Robert D.
Published: September 2016

There is currently no authorized or established therapeutic level/dose of probiotics for proposed health benefits; however, a daily probiotic consumption of 108 to 1010 CFU has been recommended. This study determined the survival of 5 individual probiotic strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium lactis, along with a mixture of the 5 strains in hypromellose capsules with rice or potato maltodextrin at 4, 25, and 37 °C for 12 mo. Samples were collected monthly and plated on deMan‐Rogosa Sharpe agar with 0.05% l‐cysteine hydrochloride. Results showed that samples stored at 4 °C had an average count of 108 to 1011 CFU/g of probiotic cells during the 12 mo period, whereas at 25 °C, L. rhamnosus and L. paracasei had an average counts below 108 CFU/g during the storage period. L. rhamnosus was the most vulnerable strain used in this study, having the least viable counts at all 3 storage temperatures. Probiotics stored in rice maltodextrin, on average, had higher probiotic counts compared to those stored in potato maltodextrin. Study suggests that to provide consumers with 108 to 1010 CFU/d of probiotic cells, robust bacterial strains, suitable carriers, and a storage temperature of 4 °C are required.
A national survey of practical airway training in UK anaesthetic departments. Time for a national policy?
Authors: Lindkær Jensen N. H. , Cook T. M. , Kelly F. E.
Published: September 2016

The Fourth National Audit Project (NAP4) recommended airway training for trainee and trained anaesthetists. As the skills required for management of airway emergencies differ from routine skills and these events are rare, practical training is likely to require training workshops. In 2013, we surveyed all UK National Health Service hospitals to examine the current practices regarding airway training workshops. We received responses from 206 hospitals (62%) covering all regions. Regarding airway workshops, 16% provide none and 51% only for trainees. Of those providing workshops, more than half are run less than annually. Workshop content varies widely, with several Difficult Airway Society (DAS) guideline techniques not taught or only infrequently. Reported barriers to training include lack of time and departmental or individual interest. Workshop‐based airway training is variable in provision, frequency and content, and is often not prioritised by departments or individual trainers. It could be useful if guidance on workshop organisation, frequency and content was considered nationally.
Oxidized LDL, insulin resistance and central blood pressure after gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Vilmi‐Kerälä Tiina , Palomäki Outi , Kankkunen Päivi , Juurinen Leena , Uotila Jukka , Palomäki Ari
Published: September 2016

Introduction

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an indicator of future cardiovascular disease. We investigated whether sensitive biomarkers of increased cardiovascular risk differ between women with and without a history of GDM few years after pregnancy, and whether obesity affects the results.

Material and methods

We studied two cohorts – 120 women with a history of GDM and 120 controls, on average 3.7 years after delivery. Circulating concentrations of oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (oxLDL) were determined by ELISA. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) index was used to estimate insulin resistance. Central blood pressure (cBP) was measured noninvasively from a radial artery pulse wave. The primary outcomes were possible differences in oxLDL, HOMA‐IR or cBP between the groups. Secondly, we investigated the influence of obesity on the results, also using adjusted multiple linear regression analyses.

Results

OxLDL concentrations or cBP did not differ between the two cohorts, but HOMA‐IR was significantly higher in women with previous GDM than in controls, 1.3 ± 0.9 (SD) and 1.1 ± 0.9, respectively (p = 0.022). In subgroup analyses, HOMA‐IR (p < 0.001), systolic (p < 0.001) and diastolic (p < 0.001) cBP were significantly higher in obese subgroups compared with non‐obese ones. Body mass index was an important determinant of HOMA‐IR and cBP in multiple linear regression analyses.

Conclusions

Over 3 years after delivery, women with GDM were still more insulin‐resistant than controls. Obesity turned out to be a more important determinant of insulin resistance and cBP compared with GDM.
Cross‐linking in children with keratoconus: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: McAnena Lisa , Doyle Frank , O'Keefe Michael
Published: September 2016

Keratoconus can behave more aggressively in pediatric than in adult patients. We systematically reviewed the literature to determine the effectiveness of corneal collagen cross‐linking (CXL) in children. For this study, MEDLINE® and Cochrane databases were searched for all studies examining the effects of standard, trans‐epithelial or accelerated CXL protocols in patients age 18 years or younger. Primary outcomes were; uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and maximum keratometry (Kmax) and secondary outcomes were; best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA), mean refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE), central corneal thickness (CCT) and endothelial cell density (ECD). Standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, comparing baseline values with those at 6, 12 and 24 months. A total of 13 papers, published between May 2011 and December 2014 examining 490 eyes of 401 patients with a mean age of 15.25 (±1.5) years, were included in the qualitative analysis in this review. Nine papers were included in the meta‐analysis, showing significant improvement in UCVA and BCVA and stable Kmax at 12 months, and stable UCVA, improved BCVA and improved Kmax at 24 months in the standard protocol group UCVA, BCVA and KMax were stable at 12 months in the trans‐epithelial group. Mean refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE), CCT and ECD remained stable in both groups. In conclusion it was found that standard CXL may be effective in halting progression of keratoconus in pediatric patients at 1 year. However, larger, more long‐term studies are required to ascertain its effectiveness.