bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Balance between resource supply and demand determines nutrient limitation of primary productivity in the ocean
Authors: Hagstrom George I. , Levin Simon A. , Martiny Adam C.
Published: July 2016

What is the ultimate limiting nutrient in the ocean? The dominant theory, which was first proposed by Redfield and later formalized by Tyrrell[1, 2], states that despite the scarcity of fixed nitrogen (N) in the surface ocean, phosphorus (P) availability ultimately determines primary productivity. Two recent findings directly challenge the assumptions of the Redfield-Tyrrell paradigm: the discovery of systematic variations of phytoplankton cellular N:P:Fe and widespread iron-limitation of phytoplankton. Here we use a simple model of nitrogen, phosphorus, and iron (Fe) cycling to show how the resource demand ratios and biogeography of phytoplankton interact with external resource supply ratios to govern nutrient cycling and primary productivity. We find that all three nutrients can limit global primary productivity, and that the ratio of geochemical supply to biological demand of each nutrient in each ocean region determines the limiting nutrients, with nitrogen N fixation providing a mechanism for the cycles to interact. These results have important consequences for our understanding of biogeochemical cycles, ocean-atmosphere interactions, marine ecology, and the response of ocean ecosystems to climate change. Our work demonstrates the importance of resource ratios and suggests that future studies of the physiological and geochemical regulation of these ratios are indispensable to building accurate theories and future predictions of nutrient cycling and primary productivity.
Recent independent emergence of multiple multidrug-resistantSerratia marcescensclones within the United Kingdom and Ireland
Authors: Moradigaravand Danesh , Boinett Christine J. , Martin Veronique , Peacock Sharon J. , Parkhill Julian
Published: July 2016

Serratia marcescens, a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family, is a Gram-negative bacterium responsible for a wide range of nosocomial infections. The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains is an increasing danger to public health. To design effective means to control the dissemination ofS. marcescens, an in-depth analysis of the population structure and variation is required. Utilizing whole-genome sequencing, we characterized the population structure and variation, as well as the antimicrobial resistance determinants, of a systematic collection of antimicrobial-resistantS. marcescensassociated with bloodstream infections in hospitals across the United Kingdom and Ireland between 2001 and 2011. Our results show thatS. marcescensis a diverse species with a high level of genomic variation. However, the collection was largely composed of a limited number of clones that emerged from this diverse background within the past few decades. We identified potential recent transmissions of these clones, within and between hospitals, and showed that they have acquired antimicrobial resistance determinants for different beta-lactams, ciprofloxacin, and tetracyclines on multiple occasions. The expansion of these multidrug-resistant clones suggests that the treatment ofS. marcescensinfections will become increasingly difficult in the future.
Crystal structure of strontium dicobalt iron(III) tris(orthophosphate): SrCo2Fe(PO4)3
Authors: Bouraima Adam , Makani Thomas , Assani Abderrazzak , Saadi Mohamed , El Ammari Lahcen
Published: July 2016

The title compound, SrCo2Fe(PO4)3, has been synthesized by a solid-state reaction. It crystallizes with the α-CrPO4type structure. In this structure, all atoms are on special positions of theImmaspace group, except for two O atoms which are located on general positions. The three-dimensional network in the crystal structure is made up of two types of layers stacked normal to (100). The first layer is built from two edge-sharing CoO6octahedra, leading to the formation of Co2O10dimers that are connected to two PO4tetrahedra by a common edge and corners. The second layer results from apex-sharing FeO6octahedra and PO4tetrahedra, which form linear chains alternating with a zigzag chain of SrIIcations. These layers are linked together by common vertices of PO4tetrahedra and FeO6octahedra to form an open three-dimensional framework that delimits two types of channels parallel to [100] and [010] where the SrIIcations are located. Each SrIIcation is surrounded by eight O atoms.
Audit quality differences amongst audit firms in a developing economy
Authors: Kaawaase Twaha K. , Assad Mussa Juma , Kitindi Ernest G , Nkundabanyanga Stephen Korutaro
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report findings of audit quality differences amongst audit firms in a developing country. Specifically, the authors examine the assumption of marked audit quality differences amongst large audit firms (Big 4s) and the small and medium practices (SMPs).

Design/methodology/approach

– First, the authors develop scales for assessing perceived audit quality in the financial services sector based on qualitative data obtained from 106 audit practitioners, 31 credit analysts and 13 board members. The authors use NVivo© to analyse the 13 transcribed interviews and follow “cross-case analysis” to visualize dimensions and scales of audit quality. Then the authors use measurement scales developed and obtain quantitative data from 183 board members and top executives in the financial services sector and test for perceived audit quality differences amongst audit firms using a Mann-WhitneyUtest.

Findings

– The findings suggest that audit quality is a multi-dimensional construct comprising of levels of discretionary accruals; compliance of audited accounts to accounting standards, law and regulations; and audit fees. Based on these measures, the authors find that Big 4 audit firms ensure more compliance with accounting standards, law and other regulatory requirements than SMPs. However, taking all the three audit quality dimensions together reveals no significant differences in audit quality levels between Big 4 and SMPs.

Research limitations/implications

– In terms of auditor selection and retention, it is important that audit firms are assessed based on their ability to constrain discretionary accruals, to produce audited accounts that comply with requirements of accounting standards, the law and regulations; and to examine the fees they charge in relation to quality of service, than on their size. Also, as the results of this study suggest that Big 4 audit firms might be needed for compliance with accounting standards, law and other regulatory requirements, their audit ties in with the most basic level of auditing requiring probity and legality which, in practice, requires a low level of judgement to be exercised by those performing the audit. It might be useful for Big 4 and other audit firms to embark also on higher level of auditing requiring higher level of judgement. Future research may wish to examine auditing firms’ proclivity to higher level judgment audit.

Originality/value

– Previous research reveals no consistent way of measuring audit quality and has been inconclusive on the subject of audit quality differential amongst audit firms. The authors create audit quality scales which can be used in assessing perceived audit quality in a developing country context and provide initial evidence of no significant differences between large audit firms and the SMPs regarding audit quality in Uganda.
The stock market’s reaction to accounting information: the cases of Chile and Peru
Authors: Melgarejo Mauricio , Montiel Eduardo , Sanz Luis
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the stock price and volume reactions around firms’ earnings announcement dates in two Latin American stock markets: Chile and Peru.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study uses multivariate regression analysis to determine the impact of accounting information on stock prices and volume traded around the firms’ earnings announcement dates.

Findings

– The authors find that quarterly earnings surprises explain stock abnormal returns and abnormal trading volumes around the earnings announcement dates in the Santiago (Chile) and Lima (Peru) stock exchanges. The authors also find that these two effects are driven by small firms.

Originality/value

– This is one of the first articles to study the price and volume reactions to accounting information in Latin American stock markets.
The insurance agents’ intention to make inappropriate product recommendations
Authors: Tseng Lu-Ming , Kang Yue-Min , Chung Chi-Erh
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This case study aim to investigate the impacts of insurance agents’ positive attitude toward inappropriate product recommendations on the insurance agents’ intention to make the inappropriate product recommendations. This study further checks how the attitude and intention could be enhanced by the insurer’s manipulation of sales compensations, the agents’ perception of information asymmetry between customers and insurance agents and the insurer’s sales orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

Full-time insurance agents from the life insurance industry in Taiwan were surveyed. To test the hypotheses, hierarchical regression analyses were used in the study.

Findings

The main results showed that the respondents’ positive attitude toward inappropriate product recommendations was the influential predictor of the respondents’ behavioral intention. Nevertheless, the positive attitude was enhanced by the manipulation of sales compensations and the insurer’s sales orientation.

Originality/value

Very few studies have investigated the relationships among information asymmetry between customers and agents, management’s sales orientation, management’s manipulation of sales compensations and the problems of selling unsuitable insurance products to customers. This study may contribute to the relevant literature by discussing these issues.
The efficacy of market abuse regulation in the UK
Authors: Lambe Brendan John
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the efficacy of Financial Services and Markets Act (FMSA) (2000) in deterring illegal insider trading in target companies around the time of a merger and aquisition announcement.

Design/methodology/approach

The author uses an event study to measure the cumulative average abnormal returns (CAARs) around both the announcement and rumour date for a sample of UK takeovers between 2001 and 2010.

Findings

Statistically significant CAARs prior to the event date are observed across the sample.

Research limitations/implications

It is not possible to link unknown instances of illegal insider trading with pre takeover residuals, therefore explaining the residuals remains a deductive process.

Practical implications

Pre-event abnormal returns may indicate that trading on material nonpublic information is still a contributory factor in the run-up proportion of takeover premiums.

Social implications

This draws a question over the efficacy of the regulatory system.

Originality/value

This study provides evidence which points to insider trading activity ahead of Mergers in a post FMSA 200 UK context.
Estimating defaults in organized security lending markets
Authors: Osken Latif Cem , Onay Ceylan , Unal Gözde
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the dynamics of the security lending process and lending markets to identify the market-wide variables reflecting the characteristics of the stock borrowed and to measure the credit risk arising from lending contracts.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the data provided by Istanbul Settlement and Custody Bank on the equity lending contracts of Securities Lending and Borrowing Market between 2010 and 2012 and the data provided by Borsa Istanbul on Equity Market transactions for the same timeframe, this paper analyzes whether stock price volatility, stock returns, return per unit amount of risk and relative liquidity of lending market and equity market affect the defaults of lending contracts by using both linear regression and ordinary least squares regression for robustness and proxying the concepts of relative liquidity, volatility and return constructs by more than variable to correlate findings.

Findings

The results illustrate a statistically significant relationship between volatility and the default state of the lending contracts but fail to establish a connection between default states and stock returns or relative liquidity of markets.

Research limitations/implications

With the increasing pressure for clearing security lending contracts in central counterparties, it is imperative for both central counterparties and regulators to be able to precisely measure the risk exposure due to security lending transactions. The results gained from a limited set of lending transactions merit further studies to identify non-borrower and non-systemic credit risk determinants.

Originality/value

This is the first study to analyze the non-borrower and non-systemic credit risk determinants in security lending markets.
Effects of managerial communication as moderated by LMX and trait NA
Authors: Sniderman Pat , Fenton-O'Creevy Mark , Searle Rosalind
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– Using the concept of disconfirming communication to define interpersonal mistreatment, the purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of specific negative managerial communication behaviors on employee emotions, while taking into account both leader-member exchange (LMX) and employee trait negative affect (NA).

Design/methodology/approach

– In all, 275 working adults completed surveys about their managers’ confirming and disconfirming communication and their own emotional responses to these communications.

Findings

– The positive relationship between disconfirming managerial communication and employee negative felt emotion was reduced when LMX was high and was increased for employees with high trait NA personalities.

Research limitations/implications

– While the cross-sectional design exposes the study to potential common method bias, a priori andpost hocprocedures minimized this risk, confirming it has a negligible impact on the results.

Practical implications

– Study insights and the new instrument, the confirming/disconfirming managerial communication indicator can be used to train managers to be better communicators, thereby improving organizational effectiveness.

Social implications

– Drawing attention to the nature and emotional impact of disconfirming managerial communication may reduce its occurrence and lead to improved employee mental health with resultant positive effects for society.

Originality/value

– Unlike previous studies of interpersonal mistreatment and managerial communication, the authors focus explicitly on the effect on employee emotion and explore confirming and disconfirming communication, and the moderating roles of LMX and trait NA.
Political skill dimensions and transformational leadership in China
Authors: Brouer Robyn L. , Chiu Chia-Yen (Chad) , Wang Lei
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between the sub-dimensions of political skill and transformational leadership, arguing that in a Chinese sample, social astuteness, networking ability, and interpersonal influence will have a stronger impact than apparent sincerity. Additionally, transformational leadership is argued to mediate the relationship between leader political skill and subordinate job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study used a dyadic, cross-sectional design where all data were collected at a single point in time and supervisors were matched to their followers.

Findings

– The results support that transformational leadership mediates the relationship between leader political skill and follower performance. Additionally, social astuteness was positively related to leader charisma, individualized consideration, and intellectual stimulation; whereas, interpersonal influence was related to leader charisma and intellectual stimulation. Apparent sincerity was not related to perceptions of transformational leadership.

Practical implications

– The findings imply that the authors might be able to design more customized training to reduce the costs of leadership development programs. Specially, in China, focus should be paid to increasing social astuteness and interpersonal influence only.

Originality/value

– This study is one of the few to examine the relationship between the sub-dimensions of political skill and transformational leadership. This is especially noteworthy in the context of the Chinese sample employed, as most political skill research has been done in western contexts.
Perceived organizational culture and engagement: the mediating role of authenticity
Authors: Reis Germano , Trullen Jordi , Story Joana
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The idea of being authentic at work is gaining traction in both academia and organizations. The purpose of this paper is to test whether four types of perceived organizational culture (hierarchical, clan, market, and adhocracy) influence employees’ authenticity and whether behaving more authentically at work influences the extent to which employees are engaged with their jobs.

Design/methodology/approach

– The sample includes 208 professionals working in a variety of industries in Brazil. Hypotheses are tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

– Results indicate that environments that are perceived to be more inclusive and participative, and that incentivize autonomy (i.e. clan and adhocracy cultures) neither nurture nor inhibit authenticity. On the other hand, cultures perceived to emphasize stability, order, and control (i.e. hierarchy and market cultures) are negatively related to authenticity. In addition, employees who behave more authentically at work are more engaged with their jobs. Authenticity at work also mediates the relationship between hierarchical and market cultures and work engagement.

Originality/value

– The authors address the call of Robertset al.(2009) for more research associated with the role that the organizational context plays in the development of authenticity. With the focus on authenticity the authors broaden the range of work engagement antecedents already discussed in the literature (Christianet al., 2011).
Heavy work investment, personality and organizational climate
Authors: Schaufeli Wilmar B.
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the relative importance of personality and organizational climate for two forms of heavy work investment; workaholism, a “bad” and work engagement, which represents a “good” kind of heavy work investment. More specifically, it is hypothesized that workaholism is positively related to neuroticism (H1) and that work engagement is negatively related to neuroticism and positively to the remaining Big Five personality traits (H2). In addition it is hypothesized that workaholism is positively related to an overwork climate (H3), whereas work engagement is positively related to an employee growth climate (H4).

Design/methodology/approach

– An online survey was conducted among a sample of the Dutch workforce (n=1,973) and the research model was tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

– It appeared that, in accordance to H1 and H2, particularly neuroticism is related to workaholism, while all personality traits are related to work engagement (predominantly openness to experience and neuroticism). Moreover, and also in accordance with the hypotheses, workaholism is exclusively related to an overwork climate (and not to a growth climate), whereas work engagement is exclusively related to an employee growth climate (and not to an overwork climate).

Originality/value

– For the first time the simultaneous impact of personality and organizational climate on two different forms of heavy work investment is investigated. Since no interaction effects have been observed it means that of personality and organizational climate have an independent but also specific impact on both forms of heavy work investment.
Relationship of eudaimonia and hedonia with work outcomes
Authors: Turban Daniel B , Yan Wan
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of two perspectives of well-being, hedonism and eudaimonism, on job attitudes and extra-role behaviors. Theoretically, hedonism equates well-being with the experience of pleasure, whereas eudaimonism is the experience of personal growth, purpose and social significance.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from 528 administrative support staff at two points in time. At time 1, hedonia and eudaimonia at work were measured. Job attitudes and extra-role behaviors were measured at time 2.

Findings

– Results indicate that hedonia and eudaimonia, although strongly correlated, have unique effects on job attitudes and extra-role behaviors. Further, there is a synergistic effect between eudaimonia and hedonia such that experienced eudaimonia has a stronger effect on employee outcomes when hedonia is higher.

Practical implications

– Popular books highlight the importance of creating happy workers. However, one’s view of happiness/well-being at work influences the actions taken to improve such well-being. An important implication of this study is that firms should focus on creating an environment that fosters personal growth, a sense of purpose and a feeling of social significance in addition to hedonic happiness.

Originality/value

– Both eudaimonic and hedonic measures of well-being were examined and results indicated that both were important predictors of extra-role behavior and job attitudes. Such results not only highlight the importance of explicit examination of additional conceptualizations of well-being at work, but also indicate the importance of eudaimonia at work.
The contingencies of person-organization fit perceptions
Authors: Überschaer Anja , Baum Matthias , Bietz Bjoern-Thore , Kabst Rüdiger
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to build on previous studies on the link between objective and subjective person-organization fit (P-O fit) and argue that the strength between objective and subjective fit is contingent on advertisement attractiveness and organizational image. Accordingly, the authors observe if advertisement attractiveness and organizational image help to strengthen the objective-subjective P-O fit relation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conduct a survey among 942 individuals and compare between prospective jobseeker (n=629) and actual jobseeker (n=313) subsamples.

Findings

– Generally, the authors show that ad advertisements positively moderates the relation between objective and subjective fit. Moreover, the authors show that advertisement attractiveness moderates the relationship between objective and subjective fit for prospective jobseekers while the moderating influence of advertisement attractiveness is not significant for actual jobseekers. Organizational image, however, is shown to act as a negative moderator, particularly for the actual jobseeker sample.

Research limitations/implications

– The authors aim to contribute to prior research by emphasizing how the link between objective and subjective P-O fit can be elevated by cues such as advertisement attractiveness and might be disturbed by a very good organizational image.

Practical implications

– This study informs practitioners how two important recruitment signals, job advertisement and organizational image, influence the transmission of objective into subjective fit and thus help firms to improve their recruitment efforts.

Originality/value

– Even though many studies support the effects of P-O fit on organizational attractiveness or application intentions, only little is known in terms of how the relationship between the two dimensions of P-O fit – objective and subjective fit – can be positively influenced. Hence, there is a lack of understanding of how firms can focus their recruitment efforts effectively on highly fitting individuals.
Structural determinants of psychological well-being for knowledge workers in South Korea
Authors: Joo Baek-Kyoo (Brian) , Park Jong Gyu , Lim Taejo
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– Employee well-being has been an under-researched area in the field of human resources (HR) and organizational behavior. The purpose of this paper is to investigate personal (learning goal orientation (LGO)), contextual (empowering leadership), and job-related (psychological empowerment) antecedents of psychological well-being (PWB).

Design/methodology/approach

– Individual perceptions of knowledge workers in nine Korean consulting firms in South Korea were obtained using a cross-sectional survey. HR managers distributed paper versions of a survey questionnaire to 400 employees, and 334 usable questionnaires were collected, giving the authors a final response rate of 83.5 percent.

Findings

– As a result of structural equation modeling analysis, the level of employees’ psychological empowerment turned out to partially mediate the relationship between LGO and PWB, while fully mediating the relationship between empowering leadership and PWB. LGO and perceived empowering leadership accounted for 54 percent of the variance in psychological empowerment and the three antecedents explained 47 percent of the variance in PWB.

Research limitations/implications

– This study relied on a cross-sectional survey method with potential common method bias. As a result of the single-factor test, however, it is unlikely to confound the interpretations of the results. Another limitation of this study is that the sample of this study was restricted to knowledge workers with relatively high cognitive ability since they were mostly junior male managers with four-year college or graduate degrees.

Practical implications

– To enhance perceived empowerment and PWB, HR, and OD practitioners can support employees and their managers by providing relevant HR practices and services including developing supportive empowering leaders with effective coaching skills, hiring, and developing employees with higher LGO, and redesigning jobs for employees so they feel more empowered.

Originality/value

– This study linked four emerging subjects in management and positive psychology: goal orientation, empowering leadership, psychological empowerment, and well-being research. The theoretical contribution of this study lies in that it is one of the first attempts to investigate the relationships among LGO, psychological empowerment, and PWB specifically for knowledge workers in South Korea.
The role of people and social context in promoting the IT organizational performance
Authors: Martinho José Luís , Gomes Carlos F. , Yasin Mahmoud M.
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– Motivated by the increasing role of information technology (IT) in today’s organizations, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between business and IT executives in order to improve the organizational performance of the different aspects of IT technology and related systems. In the process, special attention is given to drivers which facilitate the cooperation between the parties involved.

Design/methodology/approach

– This survey-based research utilizes structural equation modeling methodology to uncover the relevant variables pertaining to the promotion of a positive social and strategic context needed to increase the effectiveness of organizational IT facets.

Findings

– The effectiveness of IT in modern organizations is contingent on a social alignment, business – IT alignment, strategic consistency, and common vision among the people who manage the IT function and those who need the organization.

Research limitations/implications

– This study is based on a sample of Portuguese manufacturing organizations. Therefore, findings and conclusions should be interpreted accordingly. In this context, future research in other organizational cultural settings is called for in order to refine and validate the results of this study.

Practical implications

– The role of establishing an organizational culture which stresses the common goal and mutual trust and cooperation in creating effective IT organizational utilization is underscored. As such, business executives are encouraged to exercise their leadership skills in order to create an organizational strategy which aligns IT capabilities and investments with the competitive strategy of the organization. In this context, creating an organizational culture which promotes business – IT alignment in a healthy social context is necessary.

Originality/value

– The issues and concerns addressed in this study should bridge the gap between business and IT executives. In the process, this study facilitates and encourages the effective utilization of the different facets of IT technology as they better serve the people of the organization. This advances the cost and practice of the strategic organizational role of IT investments.
Networking behavior: from goal orientation to promotability
Authors: Huang Yin-Mei
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– Networking behaviors assist individuals in doing their jobs better and advancing their careers. However, most research emphasizes the effects of job characteristics on networking behaviors, neglecting the effects of individual differences in goal orientations. Moreover, few studies investigate the prospective evaluation of promotability and the mediating effect of networking behavior on the relationship between goal orientation and promotability. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to clarify the nomological network and to expand the domain of networking behavior by identifying networking as career- and community-based networking behaviors and by examining the differential relationships among goal orientation, networking behaviors, and promotability.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study surveyed and collected data from 160 financial employees and 103 supervisors working at branches of a large bank in Taiwan. Questionnaires addressing both networking behavior and goal orientation were distributed to employees, and one week later their supervisors were sent another survey about employees’ promotability evaluations.

Findings

– Learning goal orientation was positively related to both career- and community-based networking behaviors. Performance goal orientation was also positively related to career-based networking behaviors, but negatively related to community-based networking behaviors. Career-based networking behaviors, particularly maintaining contacts and engaging in professional activities, were found to be positively related to promotability. Results also show that career-based networking behaviors, particularly maintaining contacts and engaging in professional activities, mediated the relationship between goal orientation and promotability.

Research limitations/implications

– This study addresses the importance of distinguishing between networking behaviors as career based and networking behaviors as community based and shows that these two sets of networking behaviors arise from different goal orientations and have differential effects on supervisory evaluation of promotability.

Practical implications

– By linking networking behavior with promotability, this study helps managers understand how employees’ enactment of specific networking behaviors can facilitate both the employees’ career development and the employees’ placement in important organizational positions.

Originality/value

– This study fulfills an identified need to understand the nomological network of networking behavior.
Influences of cultural orientations on Emirati women’s careers
Authors: Kemp Linzi J. , Zhao Fang
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore how cultural orientations influence Emirati women’s career development. Drawing on the cultural theories of Hofstede (1980, 2001) and Houseet al.(2004), the authors investigated the cultural orientations of a sample of 19 women in the United Arab Emirates.

Design/methodology/approach

– In-depth interviews were conducted to collect life history data about women’s early lives, education and employment.

Findings

– The findings identify three themes that influenced the participant’s careers: family influence on careers, individual-level attitudes toward education for careers, and workplace career development.

Research limitations/implications

– Limited by the small sample of 19 female national participants that implies further international study is required to extend this research.

Practical implications

– The business application is that social values, beliefs and norms can be leveraged for women’s career success.

Social implications

– Policymakers are guided on key factors that influence Emirati women’s careers from a cultural perspective.

Originality/value

– The study makes a unique theoretical contribution in a model that shows: cultural dimensions are interrelated, cultural values and practices are interdependent, and cultural orientations vary between women and men.
Psycho-social work dependency: a dualistic model and profile
Authors: Liang Jyun-Kai , Chang Hsin-Lin
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– Many people feel a connection to their work that could best be described as a dependency, due to its intensity and importance to their overall self-concept. It is likely that psychological and social needs play a profound role in the connection people feel to their work; however, the explanatory power of these factors has been neglected in the literature, particularly with regard to cultural perspectives. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– To address this deficiency, the authors propose a profile multidimensional construct referred to as psycho-social work dependency, drawing on the Mandala model of self (Hwang, 2011b) and the Chinese composite self (Lu, 2003). The authors also developed a psychometrically sound 16-item questionnaire, the psycho-social work dependency scale, to measure this construct. A total of 1,314 valid questionnaires were obtained from employees in Taiwan to verify the reliability and validity of the instrument. Cross-validation was conducted using an independent sample of 278 valid questionnaires.

Findings

– The results indicate good reliability and validity. What follows is a discussion of four types of psycho-social work dependency: strong, loose, direct, and indirect. Implications and suggestions for future research are also presented.

Originality/value

– A cultural-inclusive construct-psycho-social work dependency was developed to best delineate the connections between Chinese employees and their work. This study expounded the definition, structure, measurement scale, and profile of psycho-social work dependency. These results could help OB researchers and practitioners to know more about the connections between employees and their work, especially for Chinese workers. This new construct may also stir up more studies to investigate the role of psycho-social work dependency in the workplace.
Managerial tactics for communicating negative performance feedback
Authors: Brown Michelle , Kulik Carol T. , Lim Victoria
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– Delivering negative feedback to employees is highly problematic for managers. Negative feedback is important in generating improvements in employee performance, but likely to generate adverse employee reactions. However, if managers do not address poor performance, good performers may become demoralized or exit the organization. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how managers communicate negative feedback and the factors that drive their choice of tactic.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use interview data from practicing line managers with experience in delivering negative feedback to learn whether their tactic choices are consistent with Implicit (“best practice”) or Contingency (“best fit”) theory.

Findings

– The authors identify five negative feedback tactics: evidence, emotive and communication tactics are foundation tactics while evidence + communication and evidence + emotive tactics are bundles of the foundation tactics. Managers apply a “best fit” approach from a set of “best practice” negative feedback options. The choice of negative feedback tactic is driven by the manager’s assessment of the “best fit” with the employee’s personality.

Research limitations/implications

– Most of the managers believed that their negative feedback tactic had been effective. Future researchers should investigate which negative feedback tactics employees regard as most effective.

Practical implications

– A best fit approach to the delivery of negative feedback requires organizations to give managers discretion in the delivery of negative feedback. Managers may mis-assess fit which can undermine the effectiveness of the appraisal process.

Originality/value

– The authors focus on how negative feedback is communicated by managers. Existing research focusses on reactions to negative feedback without taking into account how it is delivered.
Emotional intelligence as a buffer of occupational stress
Authors: Newton Cameron , Teo Stephen T.T. , Pick David , Ho Marcus , Thomas Drew
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of emotional intelligence (EI) as a buffer to job stressors on employee adjustment.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on the job demands resources model, this study examined 306 nurses in the healthcare sector to test a model of job stressors, EI, and their interactions nursing adjustment outcomes (i.e. job satisfaction and psychological health). The hypothesized model predicted that higher trait EI would act as a buffer to the potential negative effects of stressors on employee adjustment. Two-way moderated hierarchical multiple regression analyses was used to test the model in addition to interaction effects.

Findings

– The results of this study revealed mixed results in terms of the expected main effects of EI and the five significant moderating effects. While some interactions support a buffering hypothesis; contrary to expectations, a buffering effect was also found for those with low EI.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings enable a better understanding how EI moderates the effects of stressors on important work outcomes in healthcare. Additionally, the implications from this study allows healthcare administrators and managers to improve staffing and work outcomes through identifying and selecting staff who are characterized by higher trait EI or alternatively, train staff in self-awareness and dealing with emotional behaviors.

Practical implications

– HR managers could focus on selecting staff, who possessed higher trait EI for roles where overload and ambiguity are endemic to the job performed. Training could also be used to enhance EI among managers to focus on self-awareness and dealing with emotional behaviors.

Originality/value

– This study makes several contributions to understanding how EI moderates the relationships between work stressors and workplace adjustment and wellbeing.
Understanding meaning transfer in celebrity endorsements: a qualitative exploration
Authors: Jain Varsha , Roy Subhadip
Published: July 2016

Purpose

Of the three major streams of research in celebrity endorsements, the “Meaning Transfer Model (MTM)” has received the least attention from researchers. In the present study, the authors aim to investigate the basic components of the “Meaning Transfer Model” proposed by McCracken (1986, 1989) and outcome of the flow of meaning through celebrity endorsements.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used an interpretive approach to address four broad research questions framed after a comprehensive literature review. Eight focus group discussions (FGD) (along with embedded word association techniques) were conducted among audience from heterogeneous demographic backgrounds from India. Content and thematic analysis were carried out on the FGD transcripts and the word association test results to generate findings.

Findings

The findings indicate seven themes of celebrity meaning, namely, personality, credibility, physical appearance, feelings, performance, values and cogent power. Most meanings were found to be transferred to a brand via the endorsement. The possibility of reverse meaning transfer and the change of celebrity meanings overtime were also observed.

Research limitations/implications

The major contribution of the present study is the development of a measurable and applicable model of meaning transfer in celebrity endorsements, along with a set of testable propositions.

Practical implications

The findings provide a guiding framework for practitioners who would like to use a celebrity endorsement strategy.

Originality/value

This is one of the first attempts to develop a comprehensive model of meaning transfer in celebrity endorsements that includes sub-constructs of “meaning” and the moderators in the process.
Effect of different levels of pine honey addition on physicochemical, microbiological and sensory properties of set‐type yoghurt
Authors: Mercan Emİn , Akın Nİhat
Published: July 2016

In this study, the effects of different levels of pine honey addition (3%, 5% and 7% w/v) to the yoghurt milk on starter bacteria, physicochemical and sensory characteristics of set‐type yoghurts during the storage were investigated. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of yoghurts with added honey increased compared to control yoghurt. There was a significant increase in water‐holding capacity (WHC), viscosity, total solids, redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) values of the yoghurt samples with the addition of honey at higher concentrations, whereas water activity (aw), pH and luminosity (L*) values decreased. Viscosity and WHC of the yoghurts increased during the storage.
Development of Individuality in Children's Handwriting
Authors: Srihari Sargur N. , Meng Lu , Hanson Lisa
Published: July 2016

Handwriting of children in early grades is studied from the viewpoint of quantitatively measuring the development of handwriting individuality. Handwriting samples of children, in grades 2–4, writing a paragraph of text in both handprinted and cursive, collected over a period of 3 years, were analyzed using two different approaches: (i) characteristics of the word “and” and (ii) entire paragraphs using an automated system. In the first approach, word characteristics were analyzed using statistical measures. In the second approach, pairs of paragraphs were compared. Both types of analysis, single word and complete writing, led to the same conclusions: (i) handwriting of each child remains relatively similar when handwriting has been just learnt and becomes markedly different from grades 3 to 4 and (ii) handwriting of different children becomes progressively more different from grades 2 to 4. The results provide strong support that handwriting becomes more individualistic with child development.
Risk factors of lymph node metastasis in early gastric carcinomas diagnosed by WHO criteria in 379 Chinese patients
Authors: Fang Cheng , Shi Jiong , Sun Qi , Gold Jason S , Xu Gui Fang , Liu Wen Jia , Zou Xiao Ping , Huang Qin
Published: July 2016

Objective

To investigate risk factors of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in Chinese early gastric carcinoma (EGC) patients diagnosed using the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and compare the differences in those factors between proximal (PGC) and distal gastric carcinoma (DGC).

Methods

Among 3 176 gastric cancer resections we identified 379 (11.9%) consecutive EGC (104 PGC and 275 DGC) with lymphadenectomy performed at the Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University (Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China) between January 2005 and December 2012. Endoscopic and clinicopathological features related to LNM were analyzed.

Results

LNM occurred in 49 (12.9%) EGC, including three PGC and 46 DGC. In early DGC, middle age (41–60 years), tumor size ≥3.1 cm, submucosal invasion, poorly cohesive carcinoma, micropapillary adenocarcinoma and lymphovascular invasion were risk factors by univariate analysis. In contrast, no risk factors of LNM were identified in early PGC. By multivariate analysis, female sex (odds ratio [OR] 2.4), DGC (OR 8.1), poorly cohesive carcinoma (OR 8.8) and lymphovascular invasion (OR 38.8) were found to be significant independent risk factors for LNM. The risk of LNM was effectively stratified using a scoring model of mild (score ≤3.5), moderate (score 4.0–8.5) and high (score ≥16) risk groups.

Conclusions

LNM occurred in 12.9% of EGC diagnosed with the WHO criteria in Chinese patients. Independent risk factors of LNM were identified in early DGC only and included female sex, DGC, poorly cohesive carcinoma and lymphovascular invasion. Early PGC has a much lower risk for LNM than early DGC.
Groundwater Level Trends and Drivers in Two Northern New England Glacial Aquifers
Authors: Shanley James B. , Chalmers Ann T. , Mack Thomas J. , Smith Thor E. , Harte Philip T.
Published: July 2016

We evaluated long‐term trends and predictors of groundwater levels by month from two well‐studied northern New England forested headwater glacial aquifers: Sleepers River, Vermont, 44 wells, 1992‐2013; and Hubbard Brook, New Hampshire, 15 wells, 1979‐2004. Based on Kendall Tau tests with Sen slope determination, a surprising number of well‐month combinations had negative trends (decreasing water levels) over the respective periods. Sleepers River had slightly more positive than negative trends overall, but among the significant trends (p < 0.1), negative trends dominated 67 to 40. At Hubbard Brook, negative trends outnumbered positive trends by a nearly 2:1 margin and all seven of the significant trends were negative. The negative trends occurred despite generally increasing trends in monthly and annual precipitation. This counterintuitive pattern may be a result of increased precipitation intensity causing higher runoff at the expense of recharge, such that evapotranspiration demand draws down groundwater storage. We evaluated predictors of month‐end water levels by multiple regression of 18 variables related to climate, streamflow, snowpack, and prior month water level. Monthly flow and prior month water level were the two strongest predictors for most months at both sites. The predictive power and ready availability of streamflow data can be exploited as a proxy to extend limited groundwater level records over longer time periods.
genepopedit: a simple and flexible tool for manipulating multilocus molecular data in R
Authors: Stanley Ryan R. E. , Jeffery Nicholas W. , Wringe Brendan F. , DiBacco Claudio , Bradbury Ian R.
Published: July 2016

Advances in genetic sequencing technologies and techniques have made large, genome‐wide data sets comprised of hundreds or even thousands of individuals and loci the norm rather than the exception even for nonmodel organisms. While such data present new opportunities for evaluating population structure and demographic processes, the large size of these genomic data sets brings new computational challenges for researchers needing to parse, convert and manipulate data often into a variety of software‐specific formats required of genomic analyses. We developed genepopedit as a flexible tool for the manipulation of multilocus molecular data sets. Functionality can be divided among diagnostic‐, manipulation‐, sampling‐, simulation‐, and transformation‐based tools. Metadata from large genomic data sets can be efficiently extracted, without the need to view data in a text‐editing program. genepopedit provides tools to manipulate loci, individual samples and populations included in genomic data sets, in addition to the ability to convert directly to a variety of software formats. Functions are compiled as an R package, which can integrate into existing analysis workflows. Importantly, genepopedit provides a simple yet robust code‐based tool for repeatable genomic data manipulation, which has been proven to be stable for data sets in excess of 200 000 SNPs. The latest version of the package and associated documentation are available on Github (github.com/rystanley/genepopedit).