bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A small company's dilemma: using search engines effectively for corporate sales
Authors: Kennedy Kristin , Brayton Kennedy Bonnie
Published: September 2008

Purpose

Smaller companies must continually review the pay‐per‐click (PPC) option or an organic listing on search engines. The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of a small manufacturing firm that is beginning to evaluate which search engine, Yahoo or Google, is more cost effective. Ultimately, management would like to identify if PPC advertising is worth the cost to a small company.

Design/methodology/approach

A one month's section of data from Yahoo and Google was examined. Patterns or indications as to which key word landed a better bid position was determined. Seven consecutive campaigns for click‐through rates (CTRs), average cost per click (CPC) and average position of keywords between the search engines Yahoo and Google were observed.

Findings

The average CPC was higher with Google. Kennedy Incorporated set a budget with Google and Yahoo to stay below a certain dollar limit, thus the total costs were the same. That would make the difference in the average CPC rather significant. Management also noticed a higher CTR on Yahoo than on Google. Thus it appears that Yahoo outperformed Google most of the time in the monthly samples.

Research limitations/implications

Longer historical data need to be studied, to see if these patterns continue. Other statistics that would be interesting to examine are data that would reveal how CTR in Yahoo and Google are affecting conversions to sales.

Originality/value

It appears from this data that Yahoo is outperforming Google for Kennedy Incorporated with a better CTR and a lower variance in average position when listed on the screen by a return from a search. The company has the impression that Yahoo is a better company for PPC advertising when the marketing budget is small.
Environmental sensing: strategies, technologies and applications
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of environmental sensing technologies and applications and to consider briefly the research effort.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes environmental sensing strategies and technologies for air, water quality and other monitoring applications. It concludes with a brief overview of research.

Findings

As a consequence of legislation, a technologically diverse family of sensors are used in a wide range of portable and fixed instruments to determine numerous polluting compounds entering and present in the environment. These play a critical role in protecting the environment, maintaining public health and monitoring global phenomena such as ozone depletion and artificial global warming. There is a widespread and technologically diverse research effort.

Originality/value

This paper provides a detailed insight into the sensors and instruments used in environmental monitoring.
The impact of ethical climate on job satisfaction, and commitment in Nigeria
Authors: Okpara John O. , Wynn Pamela
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of ethical climate on job satisfaction and organizational commitment in Nigeria, and to discover the extent to which unethical practices among managers have impacted upon managerial practices in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The study followed a descriptive research design using survey methods with statistical treatment. Using the business directory of companies in Nigeria, a sample of 409 managers was drawn using a systematic random sampling technique. Multiple regression analysis and Pearson's product moment correlation were used to assess the influence of ethical climate types on job satisfaction and organizational commitment.

Findings

The findings revealed that there was a relationship between organizational ethical climate and facets of job satisfaction. It was also found that ethical climate types explained 58 percent of the variation in overall job satisfaction. Also, the correlation between ethical climate types and organizational commitment was positive and significant. This implies that favorable organizational ethical climate would encourage commitment and job satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to four business enterprises – banks, manufacturing, transportation, and construction companies. Thus, the results cannot be generalized to other industrial sectors that were not part of this study. In addition, the assessment of job performance and productivity are beyond the scope of this study.

Practical implications

The paper offers practical suggestions of how management can improve job satisfaction and organizational commitment by improving the ethical climate of the organization.

Originality/value

The paper examines the impact of ethical climate on job satisfaction and organizational commitment in Nigeria, a sub‐Saharan African country in a sub‐continent that has been neglected and under‐researched. The study draws management practitioners' attention to the fact that they should adopt behavior that can help to improve employees' ethical behavior. From an academic perspective this study provides insight into the relationship between ethics, job satisfaction, and commitment, which should contribute to the future development of this line of research, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. Furthermore, this topic has not been tested empirically in Nigeria. Therefore, the present study is of significant value to practitioners and scholars alike.
Comparison of synchronous PM machine types for wide constant‐power speed range operation
Authors: EL‐Refaie Ayman M. , Jahns Thomas M.
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparison of synchronous permanent magnet machine types for wide constant power speed range operation.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of analytical models and finite element analysis is used to conduct this study.

Findings

The paper has presented a detailed comparison between various types of synchronous PM machines for applications requiring a wide speed range of constant‐power operation. Key observations include: surface permanent magnet (SPM) and interior permanent magnet (IPM) machines can both be designed to achieve wide speed ranges of constant‐power operation. SPM machines with fractional‐slot concentrated windings offer opportunities to minimize machine volume and mass because of their short winding end turns and techniques for achieving high‐slot fill factors via stator pole segmentation. High back‐emf voltage at elevated speeds is a particular issue for SPM machines, but also poses problems for IPM machine designs when tight maximum limits are applied. Magnet eddy‐current losses pose a bigger design issue for SPM machines, but design techniques can be applied to significantly reduce the magnitude of these losses. Additional calculations not included here suggest that the performance characteristics of the inverters accompanying each of the four PM machines are quite similar, despite the differences in machine pole number and electrical frequency.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is targeting traction applications where a very wide speed range of constant‐power operation is required.

Practical implications

Results presented are intended to provide useful guidelines for engineers faced with choosing the most appropriate PM machine for high‐constant power speed ratio applications. As in most real‐world drive design exercises, the choice of PM machine type involves several trade‐offs that must be carefully evaluated for each specific application.

Originality/value

The paper provides a comprehensive comparison between different types of synchronous PM machines, which is very useful in determining the most suitable type for various applications.
DTC of an FSTPI‐fed induction motor drive with extended speed range
Authors: El Badsi Bassem , Masmoudi Ahmed
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the performance of a new direct torque control (DTC) strategy dedicated to four‐switch three‐phase inverter (FSTPI)‐fed induction motor drives with extended speed range.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is based on the synthesis of a suitable vector selection table in order to reduce torque ripple. The performance analysis is carried out based on three criteria: the total harmonic distortion; the switching loss factor; and the quality factor.

Findings

It has been clearly shown that the introduced DTC strategy offers high performance during both transient and steady‐state operations of the FSTPI‐fed induction motor drive, which are almost the same as those yielded by the Takahashi DTC strategy implemented in the same motor fed by a conventional six‐switch three‐phase inverter (SSTPI).

Research limitations/implications

The work should be extended by an experimental validation of the simulation results.

Practical implications

The established results open up crucial benefits from the point of view of cost‐effectiveness and volume‐compactness of induction motor drives especially in large‐scale industries such as the automotive, where electric and hybrid propulsion systems are currently regarded as an interesting alternative to substitute or to assist the thermal propulsion systems.

Originality/value

The paper presents the implementation of a dedicated DTC strategy in FSTPI‐fed induction motor drives with extended speed range. The proposed DTC strategy offers interesting performance compared with that yielded by the Takahashi DTC strategy implemented in the same motor fed by an SSTPI.
Modelling and control of a power electronic cascade for the multi‐DC bus supply
Authors: Bouchafaa F. , Berkouk E.M. , Boucherit M.S.
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the control and regulation of input DC voltages of nine‐level neutral point clamping (NPC) voltage source inverter (VSI).

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis and simulation of a cascade made up of three‐phase five‐level PWM rectifier‐nine levels NPC VSI are treated. This cascade is used to feed a permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) drive. First, the five‐level PWM rectifier is presented. Then a topology of nine‐level NPC VSI and the associated PWM control strategy are described. In order to discard the problem of DC link voltage fluctuations, a clamping bridge with a PI regulation has been added to the cascade. Then a field‐oriented control strategy has been implemented in the PMSM.

Findings

The obtained results are full of promise to use the inverter in high voltage and great power applications such as electric naval propulsion systems.

Originality/value

The application of the proposed feedback control algorithm to the studied cascade offers the possibility of stabilizing the DC voltages. The studied cascade absorbs network currents with low‐harmonic content and unity power factor. In all, the instability problems associated with use of multilevel inverters are solved.
A test of the validity of Hofstede's cultural framework
Authors: Blodgett Jeffrey G. , Bakir Aysen , Rose Gregory M.
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the reliability and validity of Hofstede's cultural framework when applied at the individual consumer level.

Design/methodology/approach

MBA students and faculty in the behavioral sciences were asked to review Hofstede's cultural instrument and to indicate which dimension (power distance, individualism/collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity/femininity) each particular item was intended to reflect. Subjects were also asked to respond to each item, thus indicating their underlying values. The reliability of each dimension was computed, and the data were factor analyzed to determine whether the various items loaded in a manner that is consistent with Hofstede's framework, thus providing evidence as to discriminant and convergent validity.

Findings

This study presents evidence that Hofstede's cultural instrument lacks sufficient construct validity when applied at an individual level of analysis. Overall, a majority of the items were lacking in face validity, the reliabilities of the four dimensions were low, and the factor analyses did not result in a coherent structure.

Research limitations/implications

It is hoped that these findings will eventually lead to a reliable and valid measure that captures the richness of the various cultural dimensions and can be deployed at the individual and sub‐group levels of analysis. Such a measure would be valuable for market segmentation, and for understanding why consumers from diverse regions and cultures react differently to various marketing tactics.

Originality/value

Given the diversity of the world marketplace, it is essential that marketers have a robust measure of culture so that our understanding of consumer behavior can keep pace with a rapidly changing environment.
University selection in Finland: how the decision is made
Authors: Keskinen Esko , Tiuraniemi Juhani , Liimola Anna
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find out which factors contribute to the decisions of the students when they choose their place of study among the six psychology departments of the Universities in Finland.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involved a survey questionnaire. Responses were received from 1,668 people.

Findings

It was found that the major determinants for university choice for applicants in Finland were the special characteristics of the teaching and research in the psychology departments. An aptitude test seems to the applicants like a natural part of the selection process since the lack of one put off some applicants.

Practical implications

Psychology departments have a clear opportunity to influence the applicants' decisions by making their teaching and research characteristics known to the applicants. In practice, that would be possible by collaborating more with upper secondary schools and open universities.

Originality/value

The process of student selection is very important in psychology as the graduating psychologists will operate in a field filled with responsibility and their incompetent conduct may damage their clients.
Brand extension: the moderating role of the category to which the brand extension is found
Authors: Seltene Mehdi , Brunel Olivier
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to evaluate brand extension from a consumer consumption perspective. The most relevant entity becomes both the product and the choice vector. This provides a different aspect of the heterogeneity as it concerns brand extension.

Design/methodology/approach

Nestlé was selected as the brand to be studied and two qualitative studies were carried out on students based on open‐ended interviews. After a pre‐test, two groups of 400 students were selected. The first group was exposed to the diet biscuits in the context of “nibbling” and the second group exposed to the lip applications in the context “protecting my lips”.

Findings

The results confirm the importance of the consumption context in terms of evaluating a brand extension. The study shows that the effects of the context fit and the typicality are more important when the category to which the brand extension is found is sensitive to the consumption context. In contrast, the effect of the association fit is more important when the category to which the brand extension is found is less sensitive to the consumption context.

Originality/value

The paper shows that the category to which the brand extension is found can be defined by its degree of heterogeneity with regard to the consumption context.
Recognizing the rights of consumers as brand co‐owners
Authors: Petty Ross D.
Published: September 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to assert that trademark law is too restrictive and that consumers should have some rights to a brand independent of the brand owner.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the expansive tendency of trademark law and the concept of trademark fair use and the impact of trademark law on customer relationships.

Findings

The concept of trademark fair use offers only limited benefits to brand consumers.

Practical implications

Despite the ability to enforce exclusive ownership rights under trademark law, brand owners need to exert a broad view of customer co‐ownership or they risk less customer involvement with the brand.

Originality/value

The paper proposes policy changes to allow great consumer enjoyment of brands.
Exploring stakeholder knowledge partnerships in a knowledge city: a conceptual model
Authors: Metaxiotis Kostas , Ergazakis Kostas
Published: September 2008

Purpose

Knowledge cities (KCs) are cities in which both the private and the public sectors value knowledge, nurture knowledge, spend money on supporting knowledge dissemination and discovery and harness knowledge to create products and services that add value and create wealth. Knowledge cities fall under a new area of academic research entitled knowledge‐based development (KBD), which brings together research in urban development and urban studies and planning with knowledge management and intellectual capital. The purpose of this paper is to advance the research in the KC area by exploring stakeholder knowledge partnerships in a knowledge city.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on their previous research, the authors' main discussion highlights the need for more effective local government and stakeholder knowledge partnerships to better support knowledge management (KM) initiatives in a KC and proposes a conceptual model, as a good research starting‐point, to assist local governments develop and capitalize on more effective knowledge‐based stakeholder partnerships.

Findings

The main issues related to local government‐stakeholder partnerships are discussed and several processes are analyzed that can facilitate more effective two‐way knowledge transfers between local government and stakeholders in a KC, which are fundamental for establishing successful knowledge partnerships.

Research limitations/implications

It would be interesting and useful to deepen the analysis made by the authors and look for more fundamental reasons behind their observations.

Originality/value

The main advantage of this paper is that it proposes a simplified conceptual model for stakeholder knowledge partnerships in knowledge cities.
Measuring e‐government service value with the E‐GOVSQUAL‐RISK model
Authors: Rotchanakitumnuai Siriluck
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the e‐government service quality and risk perceptions of personal income taxpayers on e‐government service value.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses qualitative in‐depth interview and content analysis to explore the determinants of e‐government service quality and risk dimensions of e‐government service value.

Findings

The findings suggest that perceived value of e‐government service is e‐government service quality, which consists of service design, web site design, technical support, and customer support quality. On the other hand, the three perceived risk concerns are performance, privacy, and financial audit risk.

Research limitations/implications

The study interviews the small samples of income taxpayers to develop the determinants of e‐government service value, future studies should utilize a quantitative study to strengthen the results. Future researchers could also expand the results to other groups of taxpayers (e.g. corporate tax) to explore and compare factors that contribute to e‐government service value.

Practical implications

The results can assist e‐government service design not only to increase electronic service quality but also to reduce risk facets in order to enhance e‐government service value and enlarge acceptance from income taxpayers. E‐government service providers can use the research model to detect electronic service weaknesses and risks so that the appropriate resources can be allocated to improve the system more effectively.

Originality/value

This study outlines e‐government service value in terms of e‐government service quality and risk perspectives or the E‐GOVSQUAL‐RISK model which contributes to the different knowledge on e‐government service.
Success in electronic commerce implementation
Authors: Chong Sandy
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a model of electronic commerce (EC) implementation success for small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), and to present outcomes of a comparative study between two countries to reflect the differences in the adoption strategies and explore reasons behind such variations.

Design/methodology/approach

Preliminary studies were conducted in both Australia and Singapore prior to a cross‐country survey, which collected the perceptions of small businesses about their experience with internet‐based EC. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify the influencing factors that affect success in the implementation of internet‐based EC.

Findings

By regressing overall satisfaction on the 19 influencing factors of EC success, the paper found that five factors: observability; communication channel; customer pressure; supplier pressure; and perceived governmental support, make significant contribution to the adoption of internet‐based EC in Australia; and only three factors: firm size; perceived readiness; and observability, have significant impact in Singapore.

Research limitations/implications

The exploratory nature of the research means confirmatory or causally directional hypotheses could be generated in the future. It would also be insightful to conduct longitudinal studies to confirm the direction, to help clarify causality and test for feedback effects of adoption decisions. There was also no attempt made to control for industry type, which could tested more intensively in a chosen industry. Generalisability to other geographical context could be achieved if the research model can be tested over several other countries.

Practical implications

The study has found that the proposed model can be used in investigating drivers of EC implementation in SMEs, and the empirical data has adequately supported the model. The findings show that the organisational and innovation characteristics are necessary, but to provide a more comprehensive picture in explaining the implementation behaviour of SMEs, one needs to consider other factors and contexts especially when testing the model in different countries. Communication methods employed, government support, external pressure from customers and suppliers have been found to be very important for Australian SMEs in this decision.

Originality/value

A major contribution of this study is that it provides an understanding of what the organisational, technological, communication, and external environmental drivers of EC implementation are. The findings of this study could also help companies embarking upon cross border activities by illustrating the differences in EC adoption between the two Asia‐Pacific nations. The study also provides a close examination of the inhibiting and facilitating factors which can affect EC adoption success. By knowing the relative importance of these factors, SMEs may be spared from expending their limited resources and energy on less important factors which have limited contribution to EC implementation success.
Adaptive attenuation factor model for localization in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Shih Yung‐Chien , Hsu Yuan‐Ying , Chen Chien‐Hung , Tseng Chien‐Chao , Sha Edwin
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The accuracy of sensor location estimation influences directly the quality and reliability of services provided by a wireless sensor network (WSN). However, current localization methods may require additional hardware, like global positioning system (GPS), or suffer from inaccuracy like detecting radio signals. It is not proper to add extra hardware in tiny sensors, so the aim is to improve the accuracy of localization algorithms.

Design/methodology/approach

The original signal propagation‐based localization algorithm adopts a static attenuation factor model and cannot adjust its modeling parameters in accordance with the local environment. In this paper an adaptive localization algorithm for WSNs that can dynamically adjust ranging function to calculate the distance between two sensors is presented. By adjusting the ranging function dynamically, the location of a sensor node can be estimated more accurately.

Findings

The NCTUNs simulator is used to verify the accuracy and analyze the performance of the algorithm. Simulation results show that the algorithm can indeed achieve more accurate localization using just a small number of reference nodes in a WSN.

Research limitations/implications

There is a need to have accurate location information of reference nodes.

Practical implications

This is an effective low‐cost solution for the localization of sensor nodes.

Originality/value

An adaptive localization algorithm that can dynamically adjust ranging function to calculate the distance between two sensors for sensor network deployment and providing location services is described.
Hierarchical data gathering schemes in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Hwang Shiow‐Fen , Lu Kun‐Hsien , Chang Tsung‐Hsiang , Dow Chyi‐Ren
Published: September 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to balance the total energy consumption and the transmission delay for data gathering application in wireless sensor networks.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a hierarchical grid structure to reduce the total energy consumption, and utilizes a tree architecture to decrease the transmission delay.

Findings

In the results, the proposed method performs better, in terms of the number of rounds and the energy × delay cost, than other data gathering protocols with different network sizes and node densities. Moreover, the proposed method also provides good coverage preservation in different environments.

Research limitations/implications

In this paper, sensor nodes are assumed to be uniformly distributed, homogenous, energy‐constrained. Each sensor node also has ability to adjust its transmission power. For practice, the proposed method needs location information of sensor nodes and the radio interference between sensor nodes during data transmissions should be considered.

Practical implications

The proposed method can significantly reduce the delay time and may be suitable for real‐time data gathering applications.

Originality/value

This paper combines hierarchical grid structure with tree architecture to minimize the energy × delay cost for data gathering application.
The knowledge dimension of manufacturing transfers
Authors: Madsen Erik S. , Riis Jens O. , Waehrens Brian V.
Published: September 2008

Purpose

In the context of transferring manufacturing knowledge to new locations, whether this is to parties inside or outside the legal boundary of a firm, a key problem remains, that it is often difficult to explain what operators really know, or why what they do really works. Still most attention is given to planning the physical move and to the explicit knowledge associated with normal operations. The paper argues that manufacturing processes rarely contain the necessary robustness that can be replicated in a new context. The transfer, therefore, should encompass a wider range of task situations and the associated sets of knowledge. The purpose of this paper is to develop a method that may help to identify and capture the knowledge tied to non‐normal task situations as a basis for supporting an accelerated learning at the new site.

Design/methodology/approach

Three case studies based on observations over one‐and‐half years and interviews (n = 59) with operators, management and technical support staff on both sides of the relationship, illustrate and support the developed model. A fourth case study is used to test the method.

Findings

The case studies show that the classification of task situations can be used in the process of identifying hidden knowledge.

Practical implications

The paper operationalizes knowledge tied to different task situations at the shop floor and shows that the non‐normal task situations deserve increased attention in the literature as well as in practical work of preparing for a transfer of manufacturing processes. The proposed method may help companies identify hidden knowledge and prepare a comprehensive training program.

Originality/value

The authors present a framework for assessing knowledge of various task situations and a method for transfer of non‐normal task situations.
The effect of intervening conditions on the management of project risk
Authors: Kutsch Elmar
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the main findings of a successfully defended doctoral thesis that studied factors or interventions causing the discrepancy between how adequate project risks should be managed and how project risks are actually managed.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach involved interviews and a survey using questionnaires gathered data from project managers about their experiences with project risk management during two phases of fieldwork. The first phase included in‐depth interviews with information technology (IT) project managers in order to explore patterns involving risk mediators and their influence on project risk management. A web‐based survey was used in the second phase for the purpose of testing these patterns on a wider range of project managers.

Findings

Specific risk‐related interventions strongly influence the effective use of project risk management: project managers tended to deny, avoid, ignore risks and to delay the management of risk. Risks were perceived as discomforting, not agreed upon. IT project managers were unaware of risks and considered them to be outside their scope of influence and preferred to let risks resolve themselves rather than proactively engaging with them. As a consequence, factors such as the lack of awareness of risks by IT project managers appeared to constrain the application of project risk management with the result that risk had an adverse influence on the outcome of IT projects.

Practical implications

The underlying rational assumptions of project risk management and the usefulness of best practice project risk management standards as a whole need to be questioned because of the occurrence of interventions such as the lack of information. IT project managers should first prevent risk‐related interventions from influencing the use of project risk management. However, if this is not possible, they should be prepared to adapt to risks influencing the project outcome.

Originality/value

The paper contradicts the myth of a “self‐evidently” correct project risk management approach. It defines interventions that constrain project manager's ability to manage project risk.
A longitudinal study of the adoption of an activity‐based planning system in the Crown Prosecution Service of England and Wales, United Kingdom
Authors: Yan Jun Liu Lana , Mitchell Falconer , Robinson John
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the adoption of a time‐based activity‐based costing (ABC) information system in resource planning (ABP) in the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) of England and Wales, a public service organisation in the United Kingdom, for the period of 2000‐2005. The aims of the study are to provide a technical review of the ABP application and to explore roles of the ABP system in achieving a “fairer” internal resource allocation and an improved understanding of business processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The CPS's experience of adopting an ABP system is explained through the use of a case study involving interviews, observations, work shadowing and archival data over a period of six years, 2000‐2005. The longitudinal nature of the study has enabled the researchers to align the outcome of ABP adoption with concurrent organisational changes.

Findings

The study reveals that the growing understanding of the intrinsic links between business processes and the ABP information and its rationale, which remains unchanged throughout various phases of organisational changes, has promoted a sense of stability amongst CPS staff members.

Practical implications

This study provides an in‐depth understanding of the practical use of ABP and its evolving roles in the face of the changing organisational environment.

Originality/value

This research discusses the prerequisite of the ABP system, a time‐based ABC system, and the evolving roles of ABP from a cost‐effective planning tool to a stability mechanism in face of constant organisational changes. This experience is invaluable to companies and practitioners seeking to implement a cost‐effective planning tool.
Founding team and start‐up competitive advantage
Authors: Wu Lei‐Yu , Wang Chun‐Ju , Tseng Chun‐Yao , Wu Ming‐Cheng
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework to link founding team and start‐up competitive advantage in the context of the Taiwanese technology‐based ventures.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyzes 211 start‐ups of the technology‐based sector and verifies the relationship between entrepreneur resources, trust, founding team partners' commitments, and start‐up competitive advantage.

Findings

In technology‐based start‐ups, the competitive advantage of a start‐up is determined by the founding team partners' commitments and the resources an entrepreneur has.

Research limitations/implications

This study is retrospective which relies on technology‐based founding team members as the primary research subjects, some respondents may observe the performance of their start‐ups today and then make attributions about the past to explain that performance.

Practical implications

Utilizations of personal networks are important in the early stage of technology‐based start‐ups; through networking and using trust, an entrepreneur can gain the critical resources and competitive advantage required in the development of a business.

Originality/value

In technology‐based start‐ups, trust, not the resources an entrepreneur has, is an effective way by which entrepreneurs can win founding team partners' commitments.
The vagal cardiac accelerator system in the reflex control of heart rate in conscious dogs
Authors: Roossien A. , Brunsting J.R. , Zaagsma J. , Zijlstra W.G. , Muntinga J.H.J.
Published: October 2008

The reactions of the vagal cardioaccelerator (VCA) system to changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) were studied in five β‐adrenoceptor blocked conscious dogs. An increase in MAP was obtained by administration of vasopressin or methoxamine, a decrease by doxazosin or nitroprusside. In the first series of experiments the MAP changes were induced after muscarinic receptor blockade, in a second series both before and after muscarinic blockade. Prior to these experiments, the maximum VCA activity, defined as the difference between maximum heart rate after muscarinic blockade and the rate after additional nicotinic blockade, was determined. We hypothesized that this quantity, as a measure of VCA activity, depends on the prevailing vagal tone. In the first series of experiments, a rise in MAP evoked an increase in heart rate, a fall in MAP indicated decrease. In the second series, when prior to muscarinic blockade the vagal tone was reflexly raised, the subsequent VCA reflex response to the rise in MAP was attenuated. Prior to the muscarinic blockade the vagal tone was reflexly lowered, the VCA reflex response was enhanced. Direct chronotropic effects of MAP‐varying drugs were ruled out by the absence of a heart‐rate response in experiments on vagotomized animals. We concluded that the vagal cardioaccelerator system is involved in the reflex control of heart rate. Both the VCA reflex response to changes in systemic blood pressure and the maximum VCA activity however, are determined by the prevailing vagal tone.
A model of fluid and solute exchange in the human: validation and implications
Authors: Bert J.L. , Gyenge C.C. , Bowen B.D. , Reed R.K. , Lund T.
Published: October 2008

In order to understand better the complex, dynamic behaviour of the redistribution and exchange of fluid and solutes administered to normal individuals or to those with acute hypovolemia, mathematical models are used in addition to direct experimental investigation. Initial validation of a model developed by our group involved data from animal experiments (Gyenge, C.C., Bowen, B.D., Reed, R.K. & Bert, J.L. 1999b. Am J Physiol277 (Heart Circ Physiol46), H1228–H1240). For a first validation involving humans, we compare the results of simulations with a wide range of different types of data from two experimental studies. These studies involved administration of normal saline or hypertonic saline with Dextran to both normal and 10% haemorrhaged subjects. We compared simulations with data including the dynamic changes in plasma and interstitial fluid volumes VPL and VIT respectively, plasma and interstitial colloid osmotic pressures ΠPL and ΠIT respectively, haematocrit (Hct), plasma solute concentrations and transcapillary flow rates. The model predictions were overall in very good agreement with the wide range of experimental results considered. Based on the conditions investigated, the model was also validated for humans. We used the model both to investigate mechanisms associated with the redistribution and transport of fluid and solutes administered following a mild haemorrhage and to speculate on the relationship between the timing and amount of fluid infusions and subsequent blood volume expansion.
Oral creatine supplementation decreases plasma markers of adenine nucleotide degradation during a 1‐h cycle test
Authors: Bellinger B.M. , Bold A. , Wilson G.R. , Noakes T.D. , Myburgh K.H.
Published: October 2008

We investigated the effect of oral creatine supplementation (20 g d−1 for 7 days) on metabolism during a 1‐h cycling performance trial. Twenty endurance‐trained cyclists participated in this double‐blind placebo controlled study. Five days after familiarization with the exercise test, the subjects underwent a baseline muscle biopsy. Thereafter, a cannula was inserted into a forearm vein before performing the baseline maximal 1‐h cycle (test 1 (T1)). Blood samples were drawn at regular intervals during exercise and recovery. After creatine (Cr) loading, the muscle biopsy, 1‐h cycling test (test 2 (T2)) and blood sampling were repeated. Resting muscle total creatine (TCr), measured by high performance liquid chromatography, was increased (P < 0.001) in the creatine group from 123.0 ± 3.8 − 159.8 ± 7.9 mmol kg−1 dry wt, but was unchanged in the placebo group (126.7 ± 4.7 − 127.5 ± 3.6 mmol kg−1 dry wt). The extent of Cr loading was unrelated to baseline Cr levels (r=0.33, not significant). Supplementation did not significantly improve exercise performance (Cr group: 39.1 ± 0.9 vs. 39.8 ± 0.8 km and placebo group: 39.3 ± 0.8 vs. 39.2 ± 1.1 km) or change plasma lactate concentrations. Plasma concentrations of ammonia (NH3) (P < 0.05) and hypoxanthine (Hx) (P < 0.01) were lower in the Cr group from T1 to T2. Our results indicate that Cr supplementation alters the metabolic response during sustained high‐intensity submaximal exercise. Plasma data suggest that nett intramuscular adenine nucleotide degradation may be decreased in the presence of enhanced intramuscular TCr concentration even during submaximal exercise.
The evolutionary ecology of cheating: does superficial oviposition facilitate the evolution of a cheater yucca moth?
Authors: SEGRAVES KARI A. , ALTHOFF DAVID M. , PELLMYR OLLE
Published: October 2008

Abstract 1. A major question in the study of mutualism is to understand how mutualists may revert to antagonists that exploit the mutualism (i.e. switch to cheating). In the classic pollination mutualism between yuccas and yucca moths, the cheater moth Tegeticula intermedia is sister to the pollinator moth T. cassandra. These moth species have similar ovipositor morphology, but T. intermedia emerges later, oviposits into fruit rather than flowers, and does not pollinate.

2. We tested if the pollinator, T. cassandra, was pre‐adapted to evolve a cheater lineage by comparing its emergence and oviposition behaviour on yucca fruit to a distantly related pollinator, T. yuccasella, that differs in ovipositor morphology and oviposition behaviour. We predicted that if T. cassandra was pre‐adapted to cheat, then these pollinators would emerge later and be able to oviposit into fruit in contrast to T. yuccasella.

3. Contrary to expectations, a common garden‐rearing experiment demonstrated that emergence of T. cassandra was not significantly delayed relative to T. yuccasella. Moth emergence patterns overlapped broadly.

4. No choice oviposition experiments with female moths demonstrated that both pollinator species attempted to oviposit into fruit, but only T. cassandra was successful. Four out of 84 T. cassandra successfully oviposited into older fruit, whereas zero out of 79 T. yuccasella oviposited into older fruit. The rarity of the cheating behaviour in pollinators, however, meant that no significant difference in oviposition ability was detected.

5. The results suggest that a shift in emergence phenology is likely not a pre‐adaptation to the evolution of cheating, but that the ability to successfully lay eggs into fruit may be. The results also demonstrate that cheating attempts are rare in these pollinator species and, hence, the evolutionary transition rate from pollinator to cheater is likely to be low.
Extended larval development time for aphid parasitoids in the presence of plant endosymbionts
Authors: HÄRRI SIMONE A. , KRAUSS JOCHEN , MÜLLER CHRISTINE B.
Published: October 2008

Abstract 1. Variation in plant chemistry does not only mediate interactions between plants and herbivores but also those between herbivores and their natural enemies, and plants and natural enemies.

2. Endophytic fungi complete their whole life cycle within the host plant’s tissue and are associated with a large diversity of plant species. Endophytes of the genus Neotyphodium alter the chemistry of the host plant by producing herbivore toxic alkaloids.

3. Here we asked whether the endophyte‐tolerant aphid species Metopolophium festucae could be defended against its parasitoid Aphidius ervi when feeding on endophyte‐infected plants. In a laboratory experiment, we compared life‐history traits of A. ervi when exposed to hosts on endophyte‐infected or endophyte‐free Lolium perenne.

4. The presence of endophytes significantly increased larval and pupal development times, but did not affect the mortality of immature parasitoids or the longevity of the adults. Although the number of parasitoid mummies tended to be reduced on endophyte‐infected plants, the number of emerging parasitoids did not differ significantly between the two treatments.

5. This shows that the metabolism of individual aphids feeding on infected plants may be changed and help in the defence against parasitoids. An increase in parasitoid development time should ultimately reduce the population growth of A. ervi. Therefore, endophyte presence may represent an advantage for endophyte‐tolerant aphid species through extended parasitoid development and its effect on parasitoid population dynamics.
Effective assessment of use of sitters by nurses in inpatient care settings
Authors: Tzeng Huey‐Ming , Yin Chang‐Yi , Grunawalt Julie
Published: October 2008

Title.  Effective assessment of use of sitters by nurses in inpatient care settings

Aim.  This paper is a report of the evaluation of the impact of adopting the Patient Attendant Assessment Tool (PAAT) on nurses’ requests for sitters, use of restraints, and falls and fall injury rates.

Background.  Staffing should be the primary issue in eliminating risks of patient falls during hospital stays.

Method.  Data were collected in two acute adult medical units of a Michigan hospital from August 2005 to February 2007. Data from three sources were merged for analyses: (1) study units’ monthly reports; (2) quarterly reports of the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators and (3) PAAT reports collected from October 2006 to February 2007. The primary outcome variables were the use of sitters, number of restraints ordered and fall and fall injury rates. Independent t‐tests and correlation analyses were used for data analyses. The data before and after adopting this tool were compared using independent t‐tests.

Findings.  The PAAT helped improve the fill/request rates for sitters. The use of soft limb holders decreased after adoption of this tool. The results also showed that if the number of sitter requests was higher, the total number of restraints would be lower but the total fall rate would be higher.

Conclusion.  Hospitals should include a tool similar to the PAAT in guidelines related to provision of constant observation or use of sitters. Further investigations of the optimum combination of staffing patterns and infrastructure are needed to promote safer hospital stays.
Emotional labour underlying caring: an evolutionary concept analysis
Authors: Huynh Truc , Alderson Marie , Thompson Mary
Published: October 2008

Title.  Emotional labour underlying caring: an evolutionary concept analysis

Aim.  This paper is a report of a concept analysis of emotional labour.

Background.  Caring is considered as the essence of nursing. Underpinning caring, the internal regulation of emotions or the emotional labour of nurses is invisible. The concept of emotional labour is relatively underdeveloped in nursing.

Data sources.  A literature search using keywords ‘emotional labour’, ‘emotional work’ and ‘emotions’ was performed in CINAHL, PsycINFO and REPERE from 1990 to January 2008. We analysed 72 papers whose main focus of inquiry was on emotional labour.

Review methods.  We followed Rodgers’ evolutionary method of concept analysis.

Results.  Emotional labour is a process whereby nurses adopt a ‘work persona’ to express their autonomous, surface or deep emotions during patient encounters. Antecedents to this adoption of a work persona are events occurring during patient–nurse encounters, and which consist of three elements: organization (i.e. social norms, social support), nurse (i.e. role identification, professional commitment, work experience and interpersonal skills) and job (i.e. autonomy, task routine, degree of emotional demand, interaction frequency and work complexity). The attributes of emotional labour have two dimensions: nurses’ autonomous response and their work persona strategies (i.e. surface or deep acts). The consequences of emotional labour include organizational (i.e. productivity, ‘cheerful environment’) and nurse aspects (i.e. negative or positive).

Conclusion.  The concept of emotional labour should be introduced into preregistration programmes. Nurses also need to have time and a supportive environment to reflect, understand and discuss their emotional labour in caring for ‘difficult’ patients to deflate the dominant discourse about ‘problem’ patients.