bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Roseomonas pecuniae sp. nov., isolated from the surface of a copper-alloy coin
Authors: Lopes André , Espirito Santo Christophe , Grass Gregor , Chung Ana Paula , Morais Paula V.
Published: April 2010

Strain N75T was isolated from the surface of a copper-alloy 50 Euro cent coin collected from general circulation. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain N75T formed a distinct branch within the genus Roseomonas and placed it in the Alphaproteobacteria. Strain N75T showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 92.4–97.1 % to type strains of species of the genus Roseomonas. Strain N75T was a Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile coccoid, with an optimum growth temperature of about 30 °C; the strain did not grow at 5 or 37 °C. Strain N75T did not grow in medium containing NaCl. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 10 (Q-10). The major fatty acids were unsaturated C16 : 1
ω7c/C16 : 1
ω6c and C18 : 1
ω7c (around 70 % of the total fatty acids); the third most abundant fatty acid was the hydroxylated C18 : 1 2-OH. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unknown aminolipid. The DNA G+C content was 72.8 mol%. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis and physiological and biochemical characteristics, we conclude that strain N75T represents a novel species of the genus Roseomonas, for which we propose the name Roseomonas pecuniae sp. nov. (type strain N75T =LMG 25481T =CIP 110074T).
Lysobacter ruishenii sp. nov., a chlorothalonil-degrading bacterium isolated from a long-term chlorothalonil-contaminated soil
Authors: Wang Guang-Li , Wang Li , Chen Hong-Hong , Shen Bin , Li Shun-Peng , Jiang Jian-Dong
Published: April 2010

An aerobic, Gram-negative bacterial strain, designated CTN-1T, capable of degrading chlorothalonil was isolated from a long-term chlorothalonil-contaminated soil in China, and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic investigation. Strain CTN-1T grew at 15–37 °C (optimum 28–30 °C) and at pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum pH 7.0–7.5). The G+C content of the total DNA was 67.1 mol%. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain CTN-1T was related most closely to Lysobacter daejeonensis DSM 17634T (97.1 % similarity), L. soli DCY21T (95.7 %), L. concretionis Ko07T (95.5 %), L. gummosus LMG 8763T (95.3 %) and L. niastensis DSM 18481T (95.2 %). The novel strain showed less than 95.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strains of other Lysobacter species. The major cellular fatty acids of strain CNT-1T were iso-C16 : 0 (23.0 %), iso-C15 : 0 (21.4 %) and iso-C17 : 1
ω9c (15.3 %). The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-8 (99 %), and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. These chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain CTN-1T to the genus Lysobacter. Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain CTN-1T and L. daejeonensis DSM 17634T were 34.6–36.1 %. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, DNA–DNA hybridization data and biochemical and physiological characteristics strongly supported the genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain CTN-1T from recognized species of the genus Lysobacter. Strain CTN-1T is therefore considered to represent a novel species of the genus Lysobacter, for which the name Lysobacter ruishenii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CTN-1T (=DSM 22393T =CGMCC 1.10136T).
Paracoccus sphaerophysae sp. nov., a siderophore-producing, endophytic bacterium isolated from root nodules of Sphaerophysa salsula
Authors: Deng Zhen-Shan , Zhao Long-Fei , Xu Lin , Kong Zhao-Yu , Zhao Peng , Qin Wei , Chang Jia-Li , Wei Ge-Hong
Published: April 2010

An aerobic, brown-pigmented, non-spore-forming, endophytic bacterium, designated strain Zy-3T, was isolated from root nodules of Sphaerophysa salsula, a native leguminous herb belonging to the family Leguminosae growing in north-western China. Cells of strain Zy-3T were non-motile, Gram-negative rods. Strain Zy-3T produced siderophores and showed antifungal activity. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the closest relative of this organism was Paracoccus halophilus HN-182T (96.6 % sequence similarity). On the basis of genotype, fatty acid patterns and physiological characteristics, a novel species Paracoccus sphaerophysae sp. nov. is proposed, with Zy-3T (=ACCC 05413T =HAMBI 3106T) as the type strain.
Sinosporangium album gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the suborder Streptosporangineae
Authors: Zhang Yu-Qin , Liu Hong-Yu , Yu Li-Yan , Lee Jae-Chan , Park Dong-Jin , Kim Chang-Jin , Xu Li-Hua , Jiang Cheng-Lin , Li Wen-Jun
Published: April 2010

A Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile actinobacterium, designated strain 6014T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from Qinghai province, north-west China, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The isolate formed elementary branching hyphae and abundant aerial mycelia with globose sporangia on ISP 4 and R2A media. Whole-cell hydrolysates of strain 6014T contained arabinose, galactose and ribose as diagnostic sugars and meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine, N-acetylglucosamine-containing phospholipids, two unknown phospholipids and an unknown glycolipid. The menaquinone system contained MK-9(H2) and MK-9(H4). The major fatty acids were C14 : 0, i-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and 10-methyl-C16 : 1. The genomic DNA G+C content of the isolate was 69.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 6014T fell within the radius of the suborder Streptosporangineae, in which the strain formed a distinct lineage next to genera of the family Streptosporangiaceae. Based on data from this polyphasic study, strain 6014T can be readily distinguished from previously described organisms and represents a member of a novel species within a new genus in the suborder Streptosporangineae. The name Sinosporangium album gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed with 6014T (=DSM 45181T =KCTC 19655T) as the type strain.
Desulfurispirillum indicum sp. nov., a selenate- and selenite-respiring bacterium isolated from an estuarine canal
Authors: Rauschenbach Ines , Narasingarao Priya , Häggblom Max M.
Published: April 2010

Strain S5T, a novel bacterium that was isolated for its capability to respire selenate to elemental selenium, is described. In addition to selenate respiration, it was also capable of dissimilatory selenite, arsenate and nitrate reduction with short-chain organic acids such as pyruvate, lactate and acetate as the carbon sources and electron donors. The isolate was unable to grow fermentatively. Strain S5T was isolated from sediment of an estuarine canal in Chennai, India. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of this novel isolate revealed that it belonged to the family Chrysiogenaceae with sequence similarities of 92 and 98 %, respectively, with the type strains of Chrysiogenes arsenatis and Desulfurispirillum alkaliphilum, its closest known relatives. Strain S5T and D. alkaliphilum were closely related in terms of their 16S rRNA gene phylogeny; however, they varied greatly in their genomic DNA G+C content (56 mol% versus 45 mol%) and cellular fatty acid compositions, as well as in many metabolic capabilities. Strain S5T represents a novel species for which the name Desulfurispirillum indicum sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is S5T (=DSM 22839T =ATCC BAA-1389T).
Ornithinibacter aureus gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Intrasporangiaceae
Authors: Xiao Chuan , Huang Huiqin , Ye Jianjun , Wu Xiaopeng , Zhu Jun , Zhan Baolin , Bao Shixiang
Published: April 2010

A novel strain of the classActinobacteriawas isolated from a seawater sample collected in the South China Sea using modified R2A agar plates. The strain was a Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, catalase-positive, irregular rod-shaped bacterium. The strain grew at 4–45 °C and pH 5.0–10.2, and tolerated 5 % (w/v) NaCl. Based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence, the organism was related phylogenetically to members of the generaFodinibacter(96.7 % similarity),Lapillicoccus(96.5 %),Knoellia(95.0–95.8 %),Oryzihumus(95.6 %) andHumibacillus(95.6 %). The cell-wall containedl-ornithine as the major diagnostic diamino acid in the peptidoglycan. MK-8(H4) was the predominant menaquinone. Major cellular fatty acids were iso-C18 : 1ω9c, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0and C17 : 0. The G+C content of the DNA was 69.6 mol%. Phenotypic and phylogenetic data revealed that this strain represents a novel species in a new genus of the familyIntrasporangiaceae, for which the nameOrnithinibacter aureusgen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain ofOrnithinibacter aureusis HB09001T(=CGMCC 1.10341T=DSM 23364T).
Parasutterella secunda sp. nov., isolated from human faeces and proposal of Sutterellaceae fam. nov. in the order Burkholderiales
Authors: Morotomi Masami , Nagai Fumiko , Watanabe Yohei
Published: April 2010

A novel, strictly anaerobic, non-spore-forming, Gram-reaction-negative coccobacillus bacterium, designated strain YIT 12071T, was isolated from human faeces. Biochemically, this strain was largely unreactive and asaccharolytic. Growth of this strain in peptone-yeast-extract broth was weak, producing no visible turbidity, and no short-chain fatty acids were detected as an end product of metabolism. Following 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain YIT 12071Twas found to be most closely related toParasutterella excrementihominis(90 % sequence similarity) and phylogenetically distinct from other known genera belonging to the orderBurkholderiales. Biochemical data supported the affiliation of this strain with the genusParasutterella. Strain YIT 12071T, therefore, represents a novel species of the genusParasutterella, for which the nameParasutterella secundasp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIT 12071T(=DSM 22575T=JCM 16078T). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, species of the generaSutterellaandParasutterellaform a distinct and deep evolutionary lineage of descent in the orderBurkholderiales. This lineage could not be associated with any of the four known families of the orderBurkholderiales. The distinct phylogenetic position and the unusual combination of chemotaxonomic characteristics shared by these genera, such as the predominant quinones and cellular fatty acid compositions, suggest that they constitute a novel family in the orderBurkholderiales, for which the nameSutterellaceaefam. nov. is proposed to accommodate the generaSutterellaandParasutterella.
Caloramator mitchellensis sp. nov., a thermoanaerobe isolated from the geothermal waters of the Great Artesian Basin of Australia, and emended description of the genus Caloramator
Authors: Ogg Christopher D. , Patel Bharat K. C.
Published: April 2010

A strictly thermophilic anaerobe, designated strain VF08T, was isolated from a water sample collected from a Great Artesian Basin bore (registered bore number 22981) situated at Mitchell, QLD, Australia. Cells of isolate VF08Twere slightly curved, non-sporulating rods (1.5–3.5×0.4–0.8 μm), which stained Gram-negative but possessed a Gram-positive cell-wall ultrastructure. The strain grew optimally in tryptone-yeast extract-glucose (TYEG) medium at 55 °C (temperature growth range between 37 and 60 °C) and a pH of 7 (pH growth range, 6.0–9.0). Yeast extract or tryptone was required for growth on glucose, fructose, xylose, maltose, sucrose, raffinose, cellobiose, ribose, pyruvate, tryptone, peptone, Casamino acids, amyl media and serine, but could also support growth as the sole carbon source. End products from glucose fermentation were acetate, ethanol, CO2and H2. The strain reduced vanadium(V), but not iron(III), manganese(IV), elemental sulfur, sulfate, thiosulfate, sulfite, nitrate or nitrite in the presence of 0.2 % yeast extract, peptone, tryptone, glucose, sucrose and Casamino acids, but an increase in the growth rate or cell yield was not observed. Growth was inhibited by chloramphenicol, streptomycin, tetracycline, penicillin, ampicillin and ≥2 % NaCl (w/v). The G+C content of the DNA was 38.4±0.8 mol% as determined by the thermal denaturation (Tm) method. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that isolate VF08Twas a member of the genusCaloramatorwithCaloramator australicusandCaloramator fervidus(formerlyClostridium fervidus) being the closest relatives with similarity values of 85.0 and 86.1 %, respectively, when helix 6 nucleotides were included in the analysis, and 95.2 % and 94 %, respectively, when these nucleotides were masked from the analysis. Further analysis revealed that strain VF08Tformed an individual cluster (cluster II) within the genusCaloramatorand could be distinguished from other species within the genusCaloramator(clusters I, III and IV) on the basis of signature nucleotides and differences in phenotypic traits. These data suggest that strain VF08Tis a novel species of the genusCaloramator, for which the nameCaloramator mitchellensissp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is VF08T(=JCM 15828T=KCTC 5735T). An emended description of the genusCaloramatoris also provided.
Streptomyces zinciresistens sp. nov., a zinc-resistant actinomycete isolated from soil from a copper and zinc mine
Authors: Lin Yan Bing , Wang Xin Ye , Li Hui Fen , Wang Na Na , Wang Hu Xuan , Tang Ming , Wei Ge-Hong
Published: April 2010

A filamentous actinomycete, designated strain CCNWNQ 0016T, was isolated from soil from a zinc and copper mine in Shaanxi province, north-western China. A polyphasic taxonomic study was carried out to establish the status of strain CCNWNQ 0016T. Chemical and morphological properties of the isolate were similar to those of species of the genus Streptomyces. Analysis of the almost complete 16S rRNA gene sequence placed strain CCNWNQ 0016T in the genus Streptomyces where it formed a distinct phyletic line with recognized species of this genus. The strain exhibited highest sequence similarities to Streptomyces niveoruber NBRC 15428T (98.8 %), Streptomyces griseoviridis NBRC 12874T (98.7 %) and Streptomyces aurantiogriseus NBRC 12842T (98.7 %). Furthermore, DNA–DNA hybridization studies between the novel isolate and these three strains showed relatedness values of 49.6±0.6, 47.2±0.9 and 46.9±1.1 %, respectively. A number of phenotypic properties also enabled the isolate to be differentiated from related species of the genus Streptomyces. Therefore, it is proposed that strain CCNWNQ 0016T (=K42T =ACCC 41871T =HAMBI 3107T) should be classified as the type strain of a novel species in the genus Streptomyces, Streptomyces zinciresistens sp. nov. The maximum level of resistance to Zn2+ for strain CCNWNQ 0016T is 35 mM.
RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase 1 from Nicotiana tabacum Suppresses RNA Silencing and Enhances Viral Infection in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Ying Xiao-Bao , Dong Li , Zhu Hui , Duan Cheng-Guo , Du Quan-Sheng , Lv Dian-Qiu , Fang Yuan-Yuan , Garcia Juan Antonio , Fang Rong-Xiang , Guo Hui-Shan
Published: April 2010

Endogenous eukaryotic RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RDRs) produce double-stranded RNA intermediates in diverse processes of small RNA synthesis in RNA silencing pathways. RDR6 is required in plants for posttranscriptional gene silencing induced by sense transgenes (S-PTGS) and has an important role in amplification of antiviral silencing. Whereas RDR1 is also involved in antiviral defense in plants, this does not necessarily proceed through triggering silencing. In this study, we show that Nicotiana benthamiana transformed with RDR1 from Nicotiana tabacum (Nt-RDR1 plants) exhibits hypersusceptibility to Plum pox potyvirus and other viruses, resembling RDR6-silenced (RDR6i) N. benthamiana. Analysis of transient induction of RNA silencing in N. benthamiana Nt-RDR1 and RDR6i plants revealed that Nt-RDR1 possesses silencing suppression activity. We found that Nt-RDR1 does not interfere with RDR6-dependent siRNA accumulation but turns out to suppress RDR6-dependent S-PTGS. Our results, together with previously published data, suggest that RDR1 might have a dual role, contributing, on one hand, to salicylic acid–mediated antiviral defense, and suppressing, on the other hand, the RDR6-mediated antiviral RNA silencing. We propose a scenario in which the natural loss-of-function variant of RDR1 in N. benthamiana may be the outcome of selective pressure to maintain a high RDR6-dependent antiviral defense, which would be required to face the hypersensitivity of this plant to a large number of viruses.
Cell Number Regulator1Affects Plant and Organ Size in Maize: Implications for Crop Yield Enhancement and Heterosis
Authors: Guo Mei , Rupe Mary A. , Dieter Jo Ann , Zou Jijun , Spielbauer Daniel , Duncan Keith E. , Howard Richard J. , Hou Zhenglin , Simmons Carl R.
Published: April 2010

Genes involved in cell number regulation may affect plant growth and organ size and, ultimately, crop yield. The tomato (genus Solanum) fruit weight gene fw2.2, for instance, governs a quantitative trait locus that accounts for 30% of fruit size variation, with increased fruit size chiefly due to increased carpel ovary cell number. To expand investigation of how related genes may impact other crop plant or organ sizes, we identified the maize (Zea mays) gene family of putative fw2.2 orthologs, naming them Cell Number Regulator (CNR) genes. This family represents an ancient eukaryotic family of Cys-rich proteins containing the PLAC8 or DUF614 conserved motif. We focused on native expression and transgene analysis of the two maize members closest to Le-fw2.2, namely, CNR1 and CNR2. We show that CNR1 reduced overall plant size when ectopically overexpressed and that plant and organ size increased when its expression was cosuppressed or silenced. Leaf epidermal cell counts showed that the increased or decreased transgenic plant and organ size was due to changes in cell number, not cell size. CNR2 expression was found to be negatively correlated with tissue growth activity and hybrid seedling vigor. The effects of CNR1 on plant size and cell number are reminiscent of heterosis, which also increases plant size primarily through increased cell number. Regardless of whether CNRs and other cell number–influencing genes directly contribute to, or merely mimic, heterosis, they may aid generation of more vigorous and productive crop plants.
Approaches for enhancing the viability of probiotics: a review
Authors: Sarkar S.
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to attempt to highlight various approaches for enhancing the viability of probiotics, with special emphasis on micro‐encapsulation.

Design/methodology/approach

Various techniques, such as selection of acid and bile resistant strains, use of oxygen impermeable packaging materials, two‐step fermentation, stress adaptation, inclusion of micro‐nutrient, sonication of bacteria and micro‐encapsulation, which could be employed for maintaining or enhancing probiotic viability are discussed, with special emphasis on micro‐encapsulation.

Findings

Probiotics lose their viability during gastro‐intestinal transit due to unfavorable intestinal environment. Amongst diverse techniques micro‐encapsulation could confer protection to the probiotics both in the product as well as in the gastro‐intestinal environment.

Originality/value

The paper shows that micro‐encapsulation of probiotics renders them stable both in the product as well as in the intestinal environment and application of encapsulated probiotics would result in a product with greater prophylactic activities.
Potential cross‐contamination of the ready‐to‐eat dried meat product, biltong
Authors: Naidoo Keshia , Lindsay Denise
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the hygiene of surfaces that come into direct contact with the ready to eat dried meat product, biltong, at point‐of‐sale in three different retailers in Johannesburg, South Africa, by investigating the presence of indicator organisms.

Design/methodology/approach

Samples were collected and plated in duplicate for aerobic plate, total Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms and Escherichia coli counts using standard methods. Typical E. coli colonies on Rapid E. coli 2 Agar™ were selected and further identified using 16S rDNA molecular sequencing methods.

Findings

Bacterial counts associated with biltong product ranged between 6–7 Log CFU/g, while counts on cutting utensils ranged between 5–6 Log CFU/cm2. Overall, the lowest counts were associated with display cabinets (2–6 Log CFU/cm2). Predominant populations were often similar between biltong product and various surface samples, indicating potential cross‐contamination. Results from 16S rDNA sequence analysis showed that E. coli strains isolated from biltong product and correspondingly from cutting utensils, were 100 per cent genetically similar. Strains of potential pathogens belonging to the Shigella dysenteriae group (99 per cent) were also identified.

Originality/value

This paper highlights that surfaces in direct contact with biltong, an increasingly popular dried meat commodity worldwide, may act as potential sources for cross‐contamination of product with potential food‐borne pathogens, which may hold foodborne illness implications.
Assessing new product development success factors in the Thai food industry
Authors: Suwannaporn Prisana , Speece Mark W.
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to measure new product development (NPD) success factors in the Thai food industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative research was designed based upon previous qualitative analysis by Suwannaporn and Speece. A total of 114 questionnaires sent to medium and large food companies were returned (17.5 percent of companies).

Findings

Managers' perceptions of the important success factors differ by job function, so that data about what is important cannot distinguish higher vs lower success rates. Manager perceptions of what factors are important do not match actual practice very closely, but they do report what is actually done in the NPD process consistently. Reported practices can distinguish success rates. Discriminant analysis shows that the use of marketing research is most critical in this industry. Internal communication in the NPD process and supplier linkages are also predictors of success rate, and strategy and planning plays a weak role.

Practical implications

NPD is context‐specific. The food industry is strongly market‐driven, so rapid adaptation to customers is critical. Strategy and planning is less important than an ability to remain flexible and move quickly in response changing consumer tastes. Most local companies have strong business secrecy, which is likely to inhibit collaborative research and development (R&D). However, supplier linkages do contribute in distinguishing companies with higher vs lower success rates.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates that what managers involved in the NPD process believe to be the important success factors cannot always predict NP success rates.
Involvement, competencies, gender and food health information seeking
Authors: Hansen Torben , Boye Heidi , Uth Thomsen Thyra
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the role of gender, food health involvement, and food health information competency in predicting consumer food health information seeking.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model for predicting consumer food health information seeking is proposed. The predicting constructs are general food health involvement, general food health competency, product‐specific health involvement, and product‐specific food health competency. The relationships between construct are estimated using structural equation modelling. Data were collected in a nationally representative consumer‐panel among 504 Danish consumers using a questionnaire.

Findings

The results suggest that improving consumers' general food health involvement may only lead to increased product‐specific health information seeking if consumers at the same time are involved in the specific product category. The results also revealed that women are generally more food health involved than men but did not support previous research suggesting that women also are more knowledgeable about healthy food and that they more often seek product‐specific food health‐related information.

Research limitations/implications

This research concentrated on analysing one food product, salad dressing. A large cross‐section of products ought to be studied to improve the generalizability of the obtained result and thus future research may wish to incorporate a wider range of food products.

Practical implications

The results suggest that food authorities and/or food marketers seeking to promote a healthy life‐style should consider providing examples of healthy product categories (food authorities) and/or particular products (food marketers) along with their general health information.

Originality/value

This paper empirically investigates gender along with a number of mental constructs for the purpose of understanding consumers' food health information seeking. Also, the paper explores age and educational level as possible moderating variables of the consumer food health information seeking process.
Consumer behaviour in the Greek floral market
Authors: Tzavaras Marinos , Tzimitra‐Kalogianni Irini , Bourlakis Michael
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse consumer behavior during the purchase of floral products in the Greek region and to reveal the socio‐economic characteristics that affect consumers' considerations concerning the selection of both cut flowers and pot plants.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on cross‐sectional data collected through a questionnaire survey with personal interviews. Respondents' reasons for purchasing floral products are examined. A principal component analysis with varimax rotation was applied in order to provide a more manageable set of variables relating to purchasing. The socio‐economic factors of these reasons were used for estimating the significant relation that exists between them.

Findings

People purchase cut flowers and pot plants as part of quality of life, as a convenient gift to other people, for religious and social occasions. Significant differences were revealed only in terms of gender and education level of the respondents with a proportion of females and educated people being higher during purchasing floral products.

Practical implications

The findings can improve the marketing mix strategy for floral products. Such information is important for the market bodies involved in the floral market and the results of this study are unique and can assist researchers and marketers with an understanding of significant reasons for purchasing floral products. Comparative insights are also provided in terms of the similarities being present between the purchasing of both floral and food products.

Originality/value

This paper provides consumer reasoning for buying floral products and illustrates the subsequent socio‐economic characteristics.
Food safety culture: the evolution of an emerging risk factor?
Authors: Griffith C.J. , Livesey K.M. , Clayton D.A.
Published: April 2010

Purpose

Outbreaks of foodborne disease are often investigated to determine the causes although traditional approaches to identifying risk factors may not determine the real or underlying causes. The aim of this paper is to identify a food safety culture that can be used in addition to more traditional risk factors.

Design/methodology/approach

A parallel is drawn between the use of the term “emerging pathogen” and the emergence of food safety culture as a risk factor in food poisoning outbreaks. The evolution of the term starting with organizational culture is developed via the literature on health and safety culture. The concept of food safety culture and reservations over the use of the term are examined along with possible distinctions between food safety culture and climate.

Findings

The concept of food safety culture has direct parallels with “safety culture” and in the prevention of healthcare associated infections. The use of food safety culture is useful as part of outbreak investigation. It is likely that more than one food safety culture exists within large organizations or those with multiple sub units. A definition of food safety culture is proposed.

Originality/value

Increasing interest is being shown in the use of food safety culture to understand and, in turn prevent, food poisoning outbreaks and this is the first time a definition has been proposed. This paper will be of great interest to industry, academics and public health officials and can be used to answer questions on the topic, which are increasingly being asked by hygiene examining bodies.
The importance of training needs analysis
Authors: Denby Steve
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how carefully targeted training can improve productivity of UK insurance company, Moorhouse Group Ltd's sales team and increased the number of calls it handled by 56 percent.

Design/methodology/approach

An explanation on the use of external consultants and how it helped Moorhouse Group Ltd to identify, design and deliver the training it needed.

Findings

Details of sales training, and the workshops hosted for employees outside the sales area, helped to improve the company's capability to generate leads and convert sales.

Practical implications

The paper shows how training can help to expand the range of skills available in the workforce as well as improve existing expertise.

Originality/value

Individual action plans were created for people who attended the training and these action plans were handed back to managers to embed the learning into business.
Where have the long‐term leaders gone?
Authors: Bridle Paul
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an unbiased view of leadership methods/approaches (good and bad) that have created the world we live in, whilst commenting on what makes a great leader.

Design/methodology/approach

Research has included in‐depth interviews and first hand work with companies around the world during the last 20 years. The viewpoint includes a host of those findings portrayed in a way that focuses on people and the leader's role in understanding and working with people.

Findings

Forcing someone to work or think in a specific way may achieve successful short‐term goals. However, short‐termism is rarely the answer and leaders will achieve far more by considering the long term.

Originality/value

The paper is a comment/viewpoint providing insight and advice to anyone wishing to know more about leadership and how it affects individuals.
Building a global management pipeline
Authors: Prager Howard , Such Bruce
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to share best practices of a global, frontline leadership development program.

Design/methodology/approach

Lake Forest Graduate School of Management worked with Hollister Incorporated to develop and deliver a program that provided consistent leadership growth for global frontline leaders of the organization. The program was supported by senior management in a number of ways to ensure success and commitment. Both live classroom and online elements ensured a program that maximized participants' time and transfer of learning. The Success Case Method was used to measure results and the value of the program for Hollister Incorporated. Best practices are identified to help others who want to embark on similar training for their frontline leaders.

Findings

The paper finds that: live, classroom‐based leadership development brings added value to organizations through informal learning and networking and strengthens culture; partnerships with colleges can ensure curriculum stays current and relevant as well as providing outside expert voice; virtual reinforcement ensures application of skills on the job; and measurement using the success case methodology provides quantitative and qualitative results, including 94 percent report behavioral change and improved cross‐functional and cross‐departmental awareness.

Originality/value

The reader of this paper is able to learn best practices established over five years of delivering frontline leadership development to a global audience.
E‐learning flowers in the UK
Authors: Little Bob
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define the annual size of the UK e‐learning sector – and identify trends in this sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a series of interviews with organisations engaged in the e‐learning market, from micro‐businesses developing innovative technologies to established major service and product suppliers in the UK. Thus the report is based on anecdotal evidence, combined with financial information.

Findings

The annual size of the UK e‐learning industry is currently between £300 million and £450 million; with growth rates forecast of between 6.7 per cent and 8 per cent.

Research limitations/implications

While it impossible to produce a definitive definition of “e‐learning” which is universally accepted, it is possible to apply a realistic definition consistently – to identify trends at the very least. Thus, Learning Light's research needs to be carried out on a regular basis.

Originality/value

No organisation, apart from Learning Light, has attempted to assess the size of the UK e‐learning industry. It has now done so twice – in 2007 and 2009. These data provide valuable comparisons and help identify trends. It will be interest to suppliers and buyers of e‐learning in the UK, as well as worldwide. It will also be of interest to market analysts and commentators on this sector.
A structural model of supply chain management on firm performance
Authors: Ou Chin S. , Liu Fang C. , Hung Yu C. , Yen David C.
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships among supply chain management (SCM) practices and their impacts on firm financial and non‐financial performance. This paper contributes to SCM literature by exploring a structural model connecting the relationships among external customer‐firm‐supplier integration, internal SCM contextual factors, and various dimensions of firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to understand the interactions between SCM practices and firm performance, this paper considers four internal contextual factors, namely: human resource management, quality data and reporting, design management, and process management. Three levels of firm performance are also examined in this paper, including internal operational performance, external customer satisfaction, and firm financial performance. A structural model was further constructed by integrating external SCM, internal SCM contextual factors, and firm performance. The sample data were collected from Taiwan information‐related industries, where firms are facing increased global competitive pressure and heavily utilize SCM to retain their competitive advantages.

Findings

The results presented in this paper show that external customer‐firm‐supplier relation management positively impacts firm internal contextual factors, which in turn have positive effects on firm performance. This finding suggests that a successful implementation of SCM not only directly improves operational performance, but also indirectly enhances customer satisfaction and financial performance. In addition, higher financial performance is also attributable to better customer value resulting from the achievement of better customer satisfaction.

Originality/value

This paper provides empirical evidence on the relationships among SCM practices and how they affect various levels of firm performance, which in turn, provides strategic insights on the relationship between SCM practices and firm performance.
Country image and consumer preference for emerging economy products: the moderating role of consumer materialism
Authors: Demirbag Mehmet , Sahadev Sunil , Mellahi Kamel
Published: April 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the moderating role of materialism in the relationship between country image and product preference with particular reference to emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

Young consumers from a UK university were surveyed on their intention to buy three categories of products from six countries.

Findings

The findings show that the moderating role of materialism in the relationship between country image and product preference is contingent upon the type of product. Specifically, the results show that the effect of materialism as a negative moderator is very pronounced for high value products from emerging economies and less pronounced for low value products from emerging economies.

Research limitations/implications

The findings highlight the role of materialism in purchasing behaviour and buyers' perceptions towards goods from emerging economies.

Practical implications

The findings show that materialism among consumers could be a major stumbling block for multinationals from emerging economies to enter markets in developed countries. The results suggest that multinationals from emerging economies should under‐emphasize the country of origin when marketing to young consumers high in materialism.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that examines the moderating effects of materialism in the relationship between country image and product preference on products from emerging economies.
Market orientation of Korean MNC subsidiaries and their performance in the Chinese and Indian markets
Authors: Kwon Yung‐Chul
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The study of the market orientation of MNC subsidiaries in foreign markets has been generally limited. This paper, therefore, aims to assess the effects of market orientation on performance and the factors affecting the utilization of market orientation by foreign subsidiaries.

Design/methodology/approach

Market orientation is operationalized within the context of the foreign market. Research hypotheses are tested using a sample of 168 Korean MNC subsidiaries operating in China and India, the two most giant emerging countries in the world.

Findings

The results show that market orientation performs an important function in foreign subsidiary performance. In addition, foreign subsidiaries, which possess superior technology advantages and maintain active network relationships with local key entities such as suppliers, distributors, customers, and governmental authorities, are shown to actively devote themselves to market orientation.

Originality/value

As this study is to address the influence of MNC subsidiaries' market orientation on their business performance in the emerging markets, the results are expected to make a contribution to the literature in the field of market orientation.
Relationship learning and performance enhancement via advanced information technology
Authors: “Bryan” Jean Ruey‐Jer , Sinkovics Rudolf R.
Published: April 2010

Purpose

There has been growing interest on how emerging country firms can improve collaborative relationships with their international supply chain partners and improve performance outcomes. This paper aims to develop and test a model which emphasizes how advanced information technology and relationship learning can help Taiwanese electronics firms to improve their working relationship with international buyers.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 246 Taiwanese electronics firms which nurture relationships with international buyers. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the interrelationships between key concepts in the proposed conceptual model.

Findings

The findings suggest that applied technological innovation, a key IT resource, can enhance relationship learning for suppliers in their dealings with international buyers. This in turn contributes to higher supplier innovativeness and relationship performance. Moreover, applied technological innovation can improve supplier innovativeness directly. Interestingly however, applied technological innovation does not directly contribute to relationship performance.

Research limitations/implications

This paper provides empirical evidence on the contribution of applied technological innovation on enhancing relationship learning and innovation in interfirm relationships for Asia‐Pacific dragon electronic firms.

Practical implications

Managers should focus on building relationship learning and adopting advanced IT to support joint learning activities in international channel relationships in order to improve relationship outcomes.

Originality/value

The paper develops hypotheses and tests a conceptual model which explains the contribution of applied technological innovation and relationship learning on supplier innovativeness and relationship performance.
Internationalizing by learning: the case of Chinese high‐tech new ventures
Authors: Zou Huan , Ghauri Pervez N.
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how high‐tech firms from China internationalize and to determine whether they follow the gradual internationalization model suggested by the Uppsala school and/or the rapid internationalization model as suggested by the “born global” stream of researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an inductive and exploratory study that tries to understand questions of how and why. A multiple case study method is used to find empirical evidence for the a priori assumptions derived from the literature.

Findings

It was found that the gradual internationalization model is still valid although high‐tech firms from China internationalize much faster than suggested by earlier studies and they do not follow the process suggested by born global studies.

Research limitations/implications

The authors develop a number of propositions that can be empirically tested in pursuit of theory building for the internationalization of smaller firms from emerging markets.

Originality/value

The paper compares and contrasts the models suggested by Uppsala studies and by researchers in the field of born global studies and provides concrete propositions that can be tested to develop a theory for emerging market firms.
The internationalization of emerging market business groups: an integrated literature review
Authors: Yaprak Attila , Karademir Bahattin
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the extant literature on the institutional, market‐centered, and the resource‐based perspectives on the internationalization of BGs in emerging markets; to suggest that business group affiliation is an important ingredient in the internationalization of emerging market MNCs; and to offer examples of internationalization from one emerging market, Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a critical literature review integrating two strands of literature, the institutional, market‐centered and resource‐based theories of internationalization and the OLI and the LLL models of emerging market multinationals' international expansion.

Findings

The theorizing indicates that an integrated theoretical approach should lead to a better understanding of emerging market business group affiliates' internationalization.

Research limitations/implications

As a literature integration paper, the paper is limited in its practical implications.

Originality/value

The paper is a critical literature review and is likely to lead to testable hypotheses about the internationalization of business group affiliates from emerging markets.
Perceived service quality in fast‐food restaurants: empirical evidence from China
Authors: Qin Hong , Prybutok Victor R. , Zhao Qilan
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The objective of this study is to modify the SERVPERF scale by incorporating the additional dimension of recoverability, and to empirically test and refine the modified SERVPERF instrument using survey data from China. The study aims to assess the potential antecedents of customer satisfaction in the fast food industry in China. The antecedents include service quality, food quality, and perceived value. Finally, it seeks to examine the relationship between behavioral intentions and customer satisfaction in the fast food industry in mainland China.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was used to evaluate customer perceptions of the service quality in fast‐food restaurants (FFRs). Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to assess the reliability and validity of the modified Chinese FFR SERVPERF instrument. Structural equation modeling was employed to assess the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

Reliability, recoverability, tangibles, and responsiveness were all significant dimensions of perceived service quality. Food quality, perceived value and service quality all had a direct and positive relationship with satisfaction, which in turn influenced behavioral intentions.

Originality/value

Western‐style fast food franchises are increasingly crossing national boundaries and looking for growth among customers in China. China is becoming a major player in the global market because of its size and growth potential, particularly after its accession to the World Trade Organization. The transference of a western business model is not appropriate in the context of China without testing because of dietary and cultural differences. The study modified the SERVPERF instrument and empirically validated the instrument using data from China. The results contribute to the understanding of service quality in China's fast food industry and provide insight about service management and improvement opportunities in Chinese service operations.
Impact of ISO 9000 implementation on the organisation
Authors: Srivastav Avinash Kumar
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to study the impact of ISO 9000 implementation on organisational culture, organisational climate, role stress and coping strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

ISO 9000 was implemented in different production units of an Indian public sector manufacturing industry by harnessing organisational knowledge through the creative involvement of organisational members. Comprehensive work redesign for enhanced organisational effectiveness was realised while attaining ISO 9000 certification. Pre‐ and post‐ISO 9000 measurements were made for organisational culture in the first unit, organisational climate in the second unit, role stress in the third unit and coping strategy in the fourth unit. Statistical analysis of pre‐ and post‐measurements was carried out to identify significant changes attributable to ISO 9000 implementation.

Findings

ISO 9000 implementation enhances the culture of collaboration; transforms the climate from dysfunctional to functional (by strengthening achievement and extension, and weakening control); levels the role stress, reducing it when it is high, increasing it when it is low; strengthens confrontation and problem solving through teamwork; and weakens problem‐avoidance.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that ISO 9000 implementation complements organisational development by enhancing the functionality of culture, climate, and coping strategy; and promoting human wellbeing in the organisation.