bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Institutional Isomorphism and Change: The National Programme for IT – 10 Years On
Authors: Currie Wendy L
Published: September 2012

Institutional isomorphism has been a major intellectual contribution within institutional theory for three decades. The effects and processes of institutionalization have traditionally focused on stability and persistence of institutions, and more recently on institutional change. This study contributes to the IS field using the lens of coercive, mimetic and normative isomorphism and change within a highly institutionalized organizational field of health care. The setting is the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, where in 2002 a major government policy was launched to introduce Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to over 50 million citizens. Using episodic interviewing techniques and content analysis of government health IT policy documents, this study provides a longitudinal analysis of the introduction of government policy to modernize health care using information technology. Institutional isomorphic conditions become conflicted with attempts to impose field and organizational change. As clinicians attempt to retain their professional dominance in a climate of almost continuous restructuring of health services, political initiatives to implement EHRs are met with resistance from key stakeholders, resulting in policy changes and further delayed implementation times.
Domain–domain interactions in full-length p53 and a specific DNA complex probed by methyl NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Bista Michal , Freund Stefan M. , Fersht Alan R.
Published: September 2012

The tumor suppressor p53 is a homotetramer of 4 × 393 residues. Its core domain and tetramerization domain are linked and flanked by intrinsically disordered sequences, which hinder its full structural characterization. There is an outstanding problem of the state of the tetramerization domain. Structural studies on the isolated tetramerization domain show it is in a folded tetrameric conformation, but there are conflicting models from electron microscopy of the full-length protein, one of which proposes that the domain is not tetramerically folded and the tetrameric protein is stabilized by interactions between the N and C termini. Here, we present methyl-transverse relaxation optimized NMR spectroscopy (methyl-TROSY) investigations on the full-length and separate domains of the protein with its methionine residues enriched with13C to probe its quaternary structure. We obtained high-quality spectra of both the full-length tetrameric p53 and its DNA complex, observing the environment at 11 specific methyl sites. The tetramerization domain was as tetramerically folded in the full-length constructs as in the isolated domain. The N and C termini were intrinsically disordered in both the full-length protein and its complex with a 20-residue specific DNA sequence. Additionally, we detected in the interface of the core (DNA-binding) and N-terminal parts of the protein a slow conformational exchange process that was modulated by specific recognition of DNA, indicating allosteric processes.
Hebbian learning for olfactory sequences
Authors: Johnson Andrew J. , Cauchi Laura , Miles Christopher
Published: September 2012

The present paper explores the generality of the Hebb repetition effect to the learning of olfactory sequences in order to assess commonality of memory functioning across sensory modalities. Participants completed a serial-order reconstruction task comprising sequences of four olfactory stimuli. Following presentation of each sequence, participants were re-presented with the odours and were required to reconstruct their order of presentation. Surreptitious re-presentation of the repeated sequence occurred on every third trial. This order reconstruction task produced a serial-position function comprising recency only for both the non-repeated and the repeated sequences. Importantly, serial-order reconstruction for the repeated odour sequence produced improved performance for that sequence compared to the non-repeated sequences. This observation of a Hebb repetition effect for olfactory sequences further supports the proposition that sequential learning can operate amodally.
Magnetism in Ge by ion implantation with Fe and Mn
Authors: Reuther H , Talut G , Mücklich A , Stromberg F
Published: September 2012

Previously, ferromagnetic layers of Ge were produced by co-doping with Mn and Fe. While these layers were prepared by molecular beam epitaxy, in this study ion implantation was used for preparation. Implantation conditions were chosen in such a way that a maximum doping concentration of 6 at% per dopant was achieved. One sample set was implanted at 260 °C, another one at room temperature. The samples were characterized by conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry, transmission electron microscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy. Several samples were recovered by flash lamp annealing. Ferromagnetism in Ge may be induced; however, in all cases the origin of magnetism was not intrinsic but from secondary phases. Such phases were already formed due to implantation at elevated temperatures. Implantation at room temperature prevents the formation but allows the samples to remain non-ferromagnetic. Subsequent short-time annealing above a special limit will produce secondary phases or metal-rich regions and ferromagnetism; annealing below does not change the magnetic behaviour but helps in starting the diffusion processes. Although nearly identical concentration conditions as in the study first mentioned are employed, the nature of magnetism is different. It is a hint that the order/disorder state of the magnetic atoms containing a layer plays a more important role.
Investigation of the optimized parameters of microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapour deposition reactor operation in a pulsed mode
Authors: Vikharev A L , Gorbachev A M , Muchnikov A B , Radishev D B , Kopelovich E A , Troitskiy M M
Published: September 2012

The parameters of a pulsed microwave discharge in a 2.45 GHz chemical vapour deposition (CVD) reactor used for diamond growth are studied. It is shown that the use of the pulsed-wave mode allows one to increase the growth rate of polycrystalline diamond films by 2–3 times without deterioration of their quality for a fixed mean microwave power and a specified deposition area. An optimal pulse repetition rate is found, at which both the growth rate and the diamond film quality are higher than at the other repetition rates (for an equal mean power). We explain this effect by the increase in the near-surface atomic hydrogen density. The optimal pulse repetition rate value depends on the growth parameters (reactor geometry, gas pressure and power density), and on the growth substrate size. For the substrates 20–40 mm in diameter (and the CVD reactor used in the study), the optimal pulse repetition rate is 250 Hz. The method of graphite sample etching in hydrogen plasmas was used to measure the atomic hydrogen near-surface density. This method can be applied to the optimization of diamond film growth in CVD reactors of different types. Additionally, it can be used to compare different CVD reactors by determining the yield of atomic hydrogen. It is shown that at an equal mean power absorbed in the discharge, the maximum gas temperature during the microwave pulse increases, as the pulse repetition rate decreases. This behaviour of gas temperature can explain the similar dependence of the period-averaged intensity of the C2 radical optical emission (516.5 nm) on the pulse repetition rate.
A new Littlewood-Richardson rule for Schur 𝑃-functions
Authors: Cho Soojin
Published: September 2012

A new description of shifted Littlewood-Richardson coefficients is given in terms of semistandard decomposition tableaux which were recently introduced by L. Serrano. We also show that the set of semistandard decomposition tableaux is invariant under the action of Lascoux-Schützenberger involution, providing a combinatorial proof of the symmetry of SchurPP-functions. We find counterexamples to the conjecture made by L. Serrano on skew SchurPP-functions, proving the falsity of the conjecture. Many combinatorial properties of semistandard decomposition tableaux are also shown.
SLAC, a complex between Sla1 and Las17, regulates actin polymerization during clathrin-mediated endocytosis
Authors: Feliciano Daniel , Di Pietro Santiago M.
Published: September 2012

During clathrin-mediated endocytosis, branched actin polymerization nucleated by the Arp2/3 complex provides force needed to drive vesicle internalization. Las17 (yeast WASp) is the strongest activator of the Arp2/3 complex in yeast cells; it is not autoinhibited and arrives to endocytic sites 20 s before actin polymerization begins. It is unclear how Las17 is kept inactive for 20 s at endocytic sites, thus restricting actin polymerization to late stages of endocytosis. In this paper, we demonstrate that Las17 is part of a large and biochemically stable complex with Sla1, a clathrin adaptor that inhibits Las17 activity. The interaction is direct, multivalent, and strong, and was mapped to novel Las17 polyproline motifs that are simultaneously class I and class II. In vitro pyrene-actin polymerization assays established that Sla1 inhibition of Las17 activity depends on the class I/II Las17 polyproline motifs and is based on competition between Sla1 and monomeric actin for binding to Las17. Furthermore, live-cell imaging showed the interaction with Sla1 is important for normal Las17 recruitment to endocytic sites, inhibition during the initial 20 s, and efficient endocytosis. These results advance our understanding of the regulation of actin polymerization in endocytosis.
Phylogenetics, likelihood, evolution and complexity
Authors: de Koning A.P. Jason , Gu Wanjun , Castoe Todd A. , Pollock David D.
Published: September 2012

Summary: Phylogenetics, likelihood, evolution and complexity (PLEX) is a flexible and fast Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo software program for large-scale analysis of nucleotide and amino acid data using complex evolutionary models in a phylogenetic framework. The program gains large speed improvements over standard approaches by implementing ‘partial sampling of substitution histories’, a data augmentation approach that can reduce data analysis times from months to minutes on large comparative datasets. A variety of nucleotide and amino acid substitution models are currently implemented, including non-reversible and site-heterogeneous mixture models. Due to efficient algorithms that scale well with data size and model complexity, PLEX can be used to make inferences from hundreds to thousands of taxa in only minutes on a desktop computer. It also performs probabilistic ancestral sequence reconstruction. Future versions will support detection of co-evolutionary interactions between sites, probabilistic tests of convergent evolution and rigorous testing of evolutionary hypotheses in a Bayesian framework.

Availability and implementation:  PLEX v1.0 is licensed under GPL. Source code and documentation will be available for download at www.evolutionarygenomics.com/ProgramsData/PLEX. PLEX is implemented in C++ and supported on Linux, Mac OS X and other platforms supporting standard C++ compilers. Example data, control files, documentation and accessory Perl scripts are available from the website.

Contact:  David.Pollock@UCDenver.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Phylogeny rather than ecology or lifestyle biases the construction of
Escherichia coli
–
Shigella
genetic exchange communities
Authors: Skippington Elizabeth , Ragan Mark A.
Published: September 2012

Genetic material can be transmitted not only
vertically
from parent to offspring, but also
laterally
(
horizontally
) from one bacterial lineage to another. Lateral genetic transfer is non-uniform; biases in its nature or frequency construct communities of genetic exchange. These biases have been proposed to arise from phylogenetic relatedness, shared ecology and/or common lifestyle. Here, we test these hypotheses using a graph-based abstraction of inferred genetic-exchange relationships among 27
Escherichia coli
and
Shigella
genomes. We show that although barriers to inter-phylogenetic group lateral transfer are low,
E. coli
and
Shigella
are more likely to have exchanged genetic material with close relatives. We find little evidence of bias arising from shared environment or lifestyle. More than one-third of donor–recipient pairs in our analysis show some level of fragmentary gene transfer. Thus, within the
E. coli
–
Shigella
clade, intact genes and gene fragments have been disseminated non-uniformly and at appreciable frequency, constructing communities that transgress environmental and lifestyle boundaries.
Ascending rockets as macroscopic self-propelled Brownian oscillators
Authors: Srivastava Nilabh , Tkacik Peter T. , Keanini Russell G.
Published: September 2012

High-fidelity numerical experiments and theoretical modelling are used to study the dynamics of a sounding-rocket-scale rocket, subject to altitude-dependent random wind and nozzle side loads and deterministic aerodynamic loading. This paper completes a series of studies that showed that Ornstein–Uhlenbeck (OU) rotational dynamics arise when random nozzle side loads dominate wind and aerodynamic loading. In contrast to the earlier work, this paper elucidates that under conditions where aerodynamic, wind and nozzle side loads are comparable, the rocket behaves as stochastic Brownian oscillator. The Brownian oscillator model allows straightforward interpretation of the complex rotational dynamics observed: three dynamical regimes—each characterized by differing balances between nozzle-side-load-induced torques, spring-like aerodynamic torques and mass flux damping torques—characterize rocket ascent. Further, the paper illuminates that in the limit where wind and aerodynamic loads are small, random mass flux variationsexponentially amplifyside-load-induced rotational stochasticity. In this practical limit, pitch/yaw dynamics are described by arandomly dampedOU process; an exact solution of the associated Fokker–Planck equation can be obtained and used to compute, e.g. time-dependent pitch/yaw rate means and variances.
Estimating reassortment rates in co-circulating Eurasian swine influenza viruses
Authors: Lycett S. J. , Baillie G. , Coulter E. , Bhatt S. , Kellam P. , McCauley J. W. , Wood J. L. N. , Brown I. H. , Pybus O. G. , Leigh Brown A. J. ,   for the Combating Swine Influenza Initiative (COSI) Consortium
Published: September 2012

Swine have often been considered as a mixing vessel for different influenza strains. In order to assess their role in more detail, we undertook a retrospective sequencing study to detect and characterize the reassortants present in European swine and to estimate the rate of reassortment between H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 subtypes with Eurasian (avian-like) internal protein-coding segments. We analysed 69 newly obtained whole genome sequences of subtypes H1N1–H3N2 from swine influenza viruses sampled between 1982 and 2008, using Illumina and 454 platforms. Analyses of these genomes, together with previously published genomes, revealed a large monophyletic clade of Eurasian swine-lineage polymerase segments containing H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 subtypes. We subsequently examined reassortments between the haemagglutinin and neuraminidase segments and estimated the reassortment rates between lineages using a recently developed evolutionary analysis method. High rates of reassortment between H1N2 and H1N1 Eurasian swine lineages were detected in European strains, with an average of one reassortment every 2–3 years. This rapid reassortment results from co-circulating lineages in swine, and in consequence we should expect further reassortments between currently circulating swine strains and the recent swine-origin H1N1v pandemic strain.
Insertion and recombination events at hypervariable region 1 over 9.6 years of hepatitis C virus chronic infection
Authors: Palmer Brendan A. , Moreau Isabelle , Levis John , Harty Ciara , Crosbie Orla , Kenny-Walsh Elizabeth , Fanning Liam J.
Published: September 2012

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) exists as a quasispecies within an infected individual. We have previously reported an in-frame 3 bp insertion event at the N-terminal region of the E2 glycoprotein from a genotype 4a HCV isolate giving rise to an atypical 28 aa hypervariable region (HVR) 1. To further explore quasispecies evolution at the HVR1, serum samples collected over 9.6 years from the same chronically infected, treatment naïve individual were subjected to retrospective clonal analysis. Uniquely, we observed that isolates containing this atypical HVR1 not only persisted for 7.6 years, but dominated the quasispecies swarm. Just as striking was the collapse of this population of variants towards the end of the sampling period in synchrony with variants containing a classical HVR1 from the same lineage. The replication space was subsequently occupied by a second minor lineage, which itself was only intermittently detectable at earlier sampling points. In conjunction with the observed genetic shift, the coexistence of two distinct HVR1 populations facilitated the detection of putative intra-subtype recombinants, which included the identification of the likely ancestral parental donors. Juxtaposed to the considerable plasticity of the HVR1, we also document a degree of mutational inflexibility as each of the HVR1 subpopulations within our dataset exhibited overall genetic conservation and convergence. Finally, we raise the issue of genetic analysis in the context of mixed lineage infections.
Brachypodium distachyon line Bd3-1 resistance is elicited by the barley stripe mosaic virus triple gene block 1 movement protein
Authors: Lee Mi Yeon , Yan Lijie , Gorter Florien A. , Kim Brian Y. T. , Cui Yu , Hu Yue , Yuan Cheng , Grindheim Jessica , Ganesan Uma , Liu Zhiyong , Han Chenggui , Yu Jialin , Li Dawei , Jackson Andrew O.
Published: September 2012

Barley stripe mosaic virus North Dakota 18 (ND18), Beijing (BJ), Xinjiang (XJ), Type (TY) and CV21 strains are unable to infect theBrachypodium distachyonBd3-1 inbred line, which harbours a resistance gene designatedBsr1, but the Norwich (NW) strain is virulent on Bd3-1. Analysis of ND18 and NW genomic RNA reassortants and RNAβ mutants demonstrates that two amino acids within the helicase motif of the triple gene block 1 (TGB1) movement protein have major effects on their Bd3-1 phenotypes. Resistance to ND18 correlates with an arginine residue at TGB1 position 390 (R390) and a threonine at position 392 (T392), whereas the virulent NW strain contains lysines (K) at both positions. ND18 TGB1 R390K (NDTGB1R390K) andNDTGB1T392Ksingle substitutions, and anNDTGB1R390K,T392Kdouble mutation resulted in systemic infections of Bd3-1. ReciprocalNDTGB1 substitutions intoNWTGB1 (NWTGB1K390RandNWTGB1K392T) failed to affect virulence, implying that K390and K392compensate for each other. In contrast, anNWTGB1K390R,K392Tdouble mutant exhibited limited vascular movement in Bd3-1, but developed prominent necrotic streaks that spread from secondary leaf veins. This phenotype, combined with the appearance of necrotic spots in certain ND18 mutants, and necrosis and rapid wilting of Bd3-1 plants after BJ strain (BJTGB1K390,T392) inoculations, show that Bd3-1Bsr1resistance is elicited by the TGB1 protein and suggest that it involves a hypersensitive response.
SOAPindel: Efficient identification of indels from short paired reads
Authors: Li Shengting , Li Ruiqiang , Li Heng , Lu Jianliang , Li Yingrui , Bolund Lars , Schierup Mikkel H. , Wang Jun
Published: September 2012

We present a new approach to indel calling that explicitly exploits that indel differences between a reference and a sequenced sample make the mapping of reads less efficient. We assign all unmapped reads with a mapped partner to their expected genomic positions and then perform extensive de novo assembly on the regions with many unmapped reads to resolve homozygous, heterozygous, and complex indels by exhaustive traversal of the de Bruijn graph. The method is implemented in the software SOAPindel and provides a list of candidate indels with quality scores. We compare SOAPindel to Dindel, Pindel, and GATK on simulated data and find similar or better performance for short indels (<10 bp) and higher sensitivity and specificity for long indels. A validation experiment suggests that SOAPindel has a false-positive rate of ∼10% for long indels (>5 bp), while still providing many more candidate indels than other approaches.
Microbe-Associated Molecular Patterns-Triggered Root Responses Mediate Beneficial Rhizobacterial Recruitment in Arabidopsis
Authors: Lakshmanan Venkatachalam , Kitto Sherry L. , Caplan Jeffrey L. , Hsueh Yi-Huang , Kearns Daniel B. , Wu Yu-Sung , Bais Harsh P.
Published: September 2012

This study demonstrated that foliar infection by Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000 induced malic acid (MA) transporter (ALUMINUM-ACTIVATED MALATE TRANSPORTER1 [ALMT1]) expression leading to increased MA titers in the rhizosphere of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). MA secretion in the rhizosphere increased beneficial rhizobacteria Bacillus subtilis FB17 (hereafter FB17) titers causing an induced systemic resistance response in plants against P. syringae pv tomato DC3000. Having shown that a live pathogen could induce an intraplant signal from shoot-to-root to recruit FB17 belowground, we hypothesized that pathogen-derived microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) may relay a similar response specific to FB17 recruitment. The involvement of MAMPs in triggering plant innate immune response is well studied in the plant’s response against foliar pathogens. In contrast, MAMPs-elicited plant responses on the roots and the belowground microbial community are not well understood. It is known that pathogen-derived MAMPs suppress the root immune responses, which may facilitate pathogenicity. Plants subjected to known MAMPs such as a flagellar peptide, flagellin22 (flg22), and a pathogen-derived phytotoxin, coronatine (COR), induced a shoot-to-root signal regulating ALMT1 for recruitment of FB17. Micrografts using either a COR-insensitive mutant (coi1) or a flagellin-insensitive mutant (fls2) as the scion and ALMT1pro:β-glucuronidase as the rootstock revealed that both COR and flg22 are required for a graft transmissible signal to recruit FB17 belowground. The data suggest that MAMPs-induced signaling to regulate ALMT1 is salicylic acid and JASMONIC ACID RESISTANT1 (JAR1)/JASMONATE INSENSITIVE1 (JIN1)/MYC2 independent. Interestingly, a cell culture filtrate of FB17 suppressed flg22-induced MAMPs-activated root defense responses, which are similar to suppression of COR-mediated MAMPs-activated root defense, revealing a diffusible bacterial component that may regulate plant immune responses. Further analysis showed that the biofilm formation in B. subtilis negates suppression of MAMPs-activated defense responses in roots. Moreover, B. subtilis suppression of MAMPs-activated root defense does require JAR1/JIN1/MYC2. The ability of FB17 to block the MAMPs-elicited signaling pathways related to antibiosis reflects a strategy adapted by FB17 for efficient root colonization. These experiments demonstrate a remarkable strategy adapted by beneficial rhizobacteria to suppress a host defense response, which may facilitate rhizobacterial colonization and host-mutualistic association.
The internationalization of venture capital
Authors: Aizenman Joshua , Kendall Jake
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors which affect the market for international venture capital (VC) investments, relying on comprehensive deal‐level data sources, covering three decades and about 100 countries.

Design/methodology/approach

A gravity analysis indicates that distance, common language, and colonial ties may have been significant factors in directing these flows.

Findings

The paper documents major shifts in the nature of international flows. The presence of high‐end human capital, a better business environment, military expenditure, and deeper financial markets are important local factors that appear to attract international VC. There is some evidence indicating network effects and/or fixed costs of entry may be at work. France, Israel, Canada, India and China were consistent net importers of VC deals, with China emerging as the largest net importer of VC.

Originality/value

The paper investigates the increasing internationalization of VC investments in recent years and assesses the factors which determine the destination of cross‐border VC investment flows.
Dynamic multiplier effects of remittances in developing countries
Authors: Karpestam Roy Peter David
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to simulate the indirect and direct effects of remittances in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper estimates a dynamic macroeconomic model and estimates the short‐run and long‐run dynamic multiplier effects of hypothetical temporary changes in remittances, as well as simulates the permanent effects of observed remittances.

Findings

The results indicate positive multiplier effects in general, and they also reveal a substantial variability across income categories and regions. The results indicate that low‐income economies are more inclined to spend their incomes on consumption and investments than middle‐income economies and, therefore, have a higher short‐run potential gain from receiving remittances. Low‐income economies typically reside in Sub‐Saharan Africa, whereas middle‐income economies are mainly found in East Europe, Latin America and North Africa and the Middle East. However, actual gains from remittances are highest in lower middle‐income economies because these countries receive more remittances. Generally, the short‐run effects are higher than the long‐run effects due to a sustained dependence of imported goods and services.

Research limitations/implications

The paper analyzes the effects of remittances on components in aggregate demand.

Practical implications

The results support the World Bank's current policy recommendation that remittances should be promoted.

Originality/value

The paper corrects the algebraic solution for dynamic multiplier effects in Glytsos's work, written in 2005, and estimates the model for a macroeconomic panel containing 115 developing countries. The paper considers the effects of the net flows of remittances rather than of inflows only.
Competition among ASEAN members in the East Asia market
Authors: He Shuquan
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to calculate the net gains or losses for the ASEAN Members 1998‐2007 in the East Asian market.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a new extension to the shift‐share analysis to attribute the net shift to competing economies with a dynamic approach. This new extension is applied to analyze the competition among the ASEAN members in the East Asian market for the year from 1998‐2007.

Findings

Although in terms of market share, Indonesia and Malaysia take the lead in East Asia, the dynamic shift‐share analysis suggests that the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia are gainers during 1998‐2007, with positive net shifts and positive competitiveness effects.

Originality/value

There are two main contributions of this paper: one is to dynamically estimate the net shifts of the economies as compared to the traditional comparative static approach; the other is to extend the shift‐share analysis to attribute the net gains or losses to competing exporters.
Signalling by banks using loan loss provisions: the case of the European Union
Authors: Leventis Stergios , Dimitropoulos Panagiotis E. , Anandarajan Asokan
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether bank managers of countries within the European Union (EU) engage in signalling, especially after implementation of international financial reporting standards (IFRS) commencing 2005.

Design/methodology/approach

“Signaling” is the use of loan loss provisions (LLPs) to convey signals of fiscal prudence and future profitability to investors. The authors use data from 18 countries across the EU covering the pre and post IFRS regimes and apply univariate and multivariate tests in order to test signaling behavior under both accounting regimes.

Findings

The findings indicate insufficient evidence that financially healthy banks engage in signaling behavior. However, banks facing financial distress appear to engage in aggressive signaling relative to healthy banks. Finally, the propensity to engage in signaling behavior is more pronounced for financially distressed banks in the post IFRS regime. While IFRS, under IAS 39 sort to mitigate the discretionary component of LLPs, our finding may be attributable to lax enforcement of IFRS.

Practical implications

The findings have implications for both investors and regulators. Investors should be aware that troubled banks engage in signaling to convey positive information about their future prospects. Regulators should be aware that financially stressed banks have a greater propensity to engage in signaling and need to ensure that the provisions of IFRS (which attempts to limit discretion in estimating LLPs) are enforced more stringently.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the growing literature on bank signaling in a number of ways. First, the authors use a sample from 18 countries within the EU which has not been done before. Second, unlike prior studies which only examined healthy banks, the authors also include financially distressed banks in the sample. Third, the authors examine signaling behavior in the pre and post IFRS regimes to understand the influence of IFRS on the propensity to engage in signaling by bank managers.
Jethro's understanding of administration and the convergence of inter‐organizational goals
Authors: Almog‐Bareket Granit , Kletz Pierre
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how culture influences organizational behavior by connecting elements stemming from individuals’ social habitus with other elements pertaining to the organization itself; rejecting a “new age” approach, the paper studies how references drawn from Judaism can feed an organizational reflection process that impacts management practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper centers on a case study about the Graduate Unit of an academic institution, which trains in the field of educational leadership.

Findings

Developing a common social habitus during the formative years makes it more likely that compatible projects can be implemented within various complementary organizations to achieve significant impact. In this case, the common knowledge of Jewish philosophy, the common “Jewish wisdom,” served as a catalyst. Creating a common organizational culture without such common elements would be impossible.

Research limitations/implications

The research presented here in the non‐profit field suggests that belief in a possible creation and sharing of an organizational culture to further a company's objectives is largely illusory.

Originality/value

The paper studies organizations in the third sector to understand elements in the business sector.
The broken tables of stone: a decalogue approach to corporate compliance practice
Authors: Habisch André
Published: September 2012

Purpose

Corporate compliance practices are often “coercively” structured, coined by a legal discourse and derived from individualist normative concepts. Drawing on the “logic of the Decalogue”, the purpose of this paper is to design an “enabling” approach based on a covenantal logic present within the Decalogue.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is interdisciplinary analysis summarizing exegetical, social science and business literature.

Findings

Within a covenantal and transcendental perspective, a morally literate community of employees, which have learned to reflect upon their responsibility, form the basis for compliance arrangements. They form a necessary complementary element of functional compliance systems.

Practical implications

The covenantal logic of the Decalogue can orientate the formulation of corporate compliance programs, which intend to follow an “enabling” approach. Normative claims should be rooted in an analysis of responsibilities towards relevant stakeholder groups. The potential of “spiritual capital” should be taken into consideration.

Originality/value

Reflecting one of the oldest ethical documents of human civilisation in the context of the contemporary management discussion on “coercive versus enabling control”, the orientating role of practical wisdom from the Jewish tradition becomes tangible.
The banning of images: questions arising in the field of management
Authors: Colas Hervé , Laguecir Aziza
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study how representation is conceptualized in Jewish culture, and how this relates to management. More specifically, it seeks to discuss the banning of images and what can be learned from this in the field of management.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explores the meaning of the prohibition of images in the sacred texts. This serves as a starting point to discuss representation of the world and different forms of thought in the management field.

Findings

A major element in the banning of images deals with the involvement of the manager in decision making. The authors argue that organisational images such as accounting numbers are oriented towards economising our attention and thereby allowing the relative absence of the decision maker. The authors suggest that the banning of images reminds us of the importance of the manager's presence and of active participation in decision making and organisational transformation.

Research limitations/implications

The paper contributes to the literature on the roles of managerial representation, notably accounting figures, and supports the idea that accountability should not be limited to reporting (be it numbers or qualitative elements). This paper argues for developing the density of the account, for instance by using narratives. This research echoes recent practice turn in management, as the authors’ findings can inform management teaching by providing students with dense case‐studies of management as actually practised, analysed using sociological or psychological theories. Such dense case‐studies do not aim to give students parsimonious models for analysis, or expose them to best practices: rather they seek to help them develop practical wisdom through a better understanding of management. This paper calls then for an increased presence rather than representation in management teaching classes, which is the main limitation of e‐learning.

Originality/value

Rather than exploring the mechanism of accounting figures in the behaviour of organizational actors or taking a political perspective, this paper focuses on a deep representation of the organization often rooted in magical thought. Relying on the practical wisdom of the Hebraic biblical banning of images, this paper aims to deconstruct organizational thought so as to highlight its contradictions.
Ethical leadership: lessons from Moses
Authors: Ben‐Hur Shlomo , Jonsen Karsten
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline a model of leadership based on the characteristics of the most highly acclaimed leader in Jewish history, Moses. The lessons from his leadership that are applicable to modern corporate leaders are identified and related to management development and education settings.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper relies on a direct reading of books 2–5 of the Old Testament (see notes) to propose a model based on Moses’ leadership. Using Moses’ journey toward and during his leadership, a model for present‐day leadership is proposed. Examples are given to anchor this model in biblical texts and reference it to modern leadership thoughts, spirituality and practical wisdom.

Findings

While the leadership of Moses is known and widely discussed within Jewish learning, it has not yet found a wider, secular audience. However, Moses’ leadership characteristics present an opportunity to reflect on how creative tensions between different leadership traits could be reconciled and an ethical model of leadership could be applied.

Research limitations/implications

This paper does not look beyond books 2–5 of the Old Testament for further supporting evidence of the leadership of Moses. Future research could broaden the model through these sources. Moreover, research could test the four dimensions of leadership proposed in this paper in contemporary contexts, with performance as a dependent variable.

Originality/value

Moses’ leadership has been discussed by theologists but this paper suggests drawing on it as part of the ongoing academic discourse on corporate leadership. The biography of Moses sheds a light on the formative experiences of an ethical leader and his actions demonstrate how such a leader can act under challenging circumstances. If further developed, this research promises to be a useful addition to current leadership thinking and management education.
A grounded investigation of Chinese employees' psychological capital
Authors: Han Yong , Brooks Ian , Kakabadse Nada K. , Peng Zhenglong , Zhu Yi
Published: September 2012

Purpose

This paper explores the “Western” concept of psychological capital in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and highlights critical areas of divergence and notable dimensions of similarity.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an empirical study conducted in a wide range of Chinese organisational forms, employing an inductive approach based on critical incident technique.

Findings

This research showed that the concept of psychological capital appears to have a degree of applicability and salience in China. A series of dimensions common in Western organisations were found in our research, including Optimism, Creativity, Resiliency, Self‐confidence, Forgiveness and Gratitude, Courage and Ambition (Hope). These were found to be common types of psychological capital both in China and in the West. However, the dimensions of Courtesy and Humility (Qian‐gong‐you‐liin Chinese), Self‐possession and Sincerity fell into the “different” category.

Originality/value

This paper is a first attempt to examine psychological capital in a range of organisational forms and industrial sectors in China using a grounded theory approach. It not only reports various dimensions of Chinese psychological capital, some unique to this research, but also compares and contrasts these dimensions between China and the West, highlighting further research opportunities.
A case study of the creative zone Scharloo and Pietermaai in Curaçao
Authors: Goede Miguel , Louisa Gunnar
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of the development of a “Creative Zone” in the area of Scharloo and Pietermaai, two integral parts of Willemstad, UNESCO World Heritage Site (Curaçao), to gain insight into the dynamics and possibilities of the zone. This paper also serves to develop the concept of a creative zone with different stakeholders – including government – by creating synergy and momentum, giving the project or process a life of its own.

Design/methodology/approach

The project of creating a creative zone is based on a theoretical framework used to assess the factors that create a creative zone. Using the framework, an assessment of the Scharloo and Pietermaai zone is made to frame discussion of the further development of the zone.

Findings

The area Scharloo and Pietermaai in Curaçao has all the ingredients to become a creative zone, especially in the context of further enhancing Curaçao's tourist product. This is the case for traditional tourists, but is also true for a large group of foreign students who serve their apprenticeship on the island. However, necessary efforts must be made – especially by the creative industries in the zone – to establish a forum, leadership and a network to develop the creative zone. The participation of the government has to be acknowledged, taking into consideration the role that government plays in creating the right conditions, for example by improving the infrastructure. Finally, there must be a mutual effort to assess and sustain the creative process on the part of all stakeholders. An important finding is that a part of the zone could be denominated by creative industry, because so many tour operators organize visits to the Scharloo area as a showcase for cultural heritage. The visitors can experience, taste and feel this creativity.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to a framework for analyzing the creative economy of Caribbean Small Islands Developing States and how continuous improvement can be achieved to create more added value in the economy.
Malaysian consumers' preferences for Islamic banking attributes
Authors: Echchabi Abdelghani , Nafiu Olaniyi Oladokun
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the preferences of Malaysian banks' customers for Islamic banking attributes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses mixed methodology. The quantitative approach consists of the collection of primary data through a self‐administered questionnaire distributed to 500 Islamic banks' customers in Malaysia. The data gathered were analysed using factor analysis as well as Friedman test. In parallel, qualitative approach was used, in forms of semi structured interviews with ten Islamic banks' customers. The results of both approaches were then reported accordingly.

Findings

The quantitative approach reveals that the preference for Islamic banking attributes in Malaysia is a combination of the quality of services offered by the Islamic banks, as well as the convenience associated with it. On the other hand, the qualitative approach revealed that choosing Islamic banks was mainly due to the religious motivation of the customers.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the few that has used a qualitative approach to study consumer preferences for Islamic banking attributes. Furthermore, the paper employs this methodology in the context of Malaysia, which enriches the studies done in this context and area.
Banker's lending decision making: a psychological approach
Authors: Trönnberg Carl‐Christian , Hemlin Sven
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze recent findings in the research on bankers' lending decision making, to merge relevant findings in psychology and economics and create a comprehensive review of the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a systematic article search for empirical studies when conducting the research.

Findings

The findings are analyzed on the basis of human decision‐making research. The results of the review are three conclusions about loan officers' decision making: their dependency on bank characteristics, their decision‐making biases, and their deliberate and intuitive reasoning approaches.

Originality/value

The paper's findings are important, both as a summary of the literature on lending decision making and also as a foundation for future research.
Are hedge funds guilty of manipulative short‐selling?
Authors: Stephen Haggard K. , Qing Hao (Grace) , Jenny Zhang Ying
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate short‐selling around private investment in public equity (PIPE) issuances, for evidence of manipulative short‐selling by hedge funds.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the Regulation SHO short‐selling data in combination with information about hedge fund participation in traditional stock PIPE offerings from Sagient Research, and share price and trading volume data from the Center for Research in Security Prices (CRSP) to examine the relations among hedge fund participation, short‐selling levels and stock returns surrounding such offerings.

Findings

It is found that significantly less pre‐deal short‐selling occurs when hedge funds are included in the PIPE investor group, and adjusted returns for firms with hedge funds as investors are positive in the pre‐deal period and negative in the post‐deal period. Both of these findings are opposite of the patterns expected given manipulative short‐selling by hedge funds. Pre‐deal and post‐deal adjusted returns and PIPE discount are unrelated to pre‐deal short‐selling by hedge funds, findings inconsistent with manipulative short‐selling by these investors. The evidence suggests that most hedge funds that invest in traditional stock PIPEs do not engage in manipulative short‐selling around these deals.

Originality/value

This paper is the first, to the authors' knowledge, to examine hedge fund participation and daily short‐selling around traditional stock PIPE issuances. Previous studies focus on structured PIPE deals, which do not represent the majority of the PIPE market at present. The daily short selling data used in this study allow for detailed investigation of market behavior not afforded by monthly short interest data used in previous studies.
Destination discount: a sensible road for national brands?
Authors: Deleersnyder Barbara , Koll Oliver
Published: September 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to study the consequences of listing national brands in discounters. Is the discount channel a promising outlet for manufacturer brands? Is it an effective means to attract new buyers? Which combination of brand and discount destination at which price is best suited for this strategic move?

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a unique dataset (tracking grocery purchase behavior for a representative sample of German households) and employing both descriptive and multivariate statistical techniques, the authors examine the outcome for 134 national brands introduced in six discount chains in Germany between January 2003 and July 2004.

Findings

Both the manufacturer and discounter are able to grow their total performance in excess of the market following the introduction for the majority of the brands. Hence, potential cannibalization is more than offset by incremental revenues. It is found that, on average, close to 80 per cent of national brands' sales at a discounter is from new brand buyers. Discounters typically benefit less, as only 29 percent of brand sales are from new category buyers at their store.

Practical implications

Including manufacturer brands into a discount assortment will benefit both the manufacturers and the discounters. Examination of the substantial cross‐brand differences reveals that manufacturers and discounters attract more new customers with brands for which market penetration is still modest. Also, discounters gain more from adding branded offerings in underperforming categories, and benefit from brands that enjoy higher customer loyalty. Finally, national‐brand prices should be set carefully at discounters. It is advised to maintain their price premium even at a discounter.

Originality/value

Discounters are the fastest growing grocery format in Europe. Lately, many discounters add national brands to their private‐label dominated assortment, a move widely discussed in media with substantial implications for grocery channel management. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of that trend.