bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the toxicity of chemically fractionated Hamilton Harbour (Lake Ontario) sediment using selected aquatic organisms
Authors: McCarthy L. H. , Thomas R. L. , Mayfield C. I.
Published: June 2004

Studies of the sediments of Hamilton Harbour, Lake Ontario, Canada, have shown variable degrees of pollution with a large number of organic and inorganic pollutants. Three areas in the Harbour – Windemere Basin, Cootes Paradise and Randle Reef – exhibited particularly high levels of contaminants, with concomitant impacts on benthic organisms. Sediment samples examined in this study were taken from a site in Randle Reef in Hamilton Harbour and a station (LE 23) in Lake Erie used as a reference sample. The samples were subjected to chemical fractionation to remove organic contaminants, with one fraction being used as total extract, and another aliquot being subjected to silica gel fractionation to give four fractions. Each fraction was chemically analysed and an aliquot used for bioassays following exchange with dimethylsulfoxide. Standard biotests were performed with Daphnia magna, Hyalella azteca, Pimephales promelas (fathead minnows) and Selenastrum capricornutum. Results from direct sediment contact bioassays indicated that sediment from Randle Reef is highly toxic, whereas the Lake Erie sample had no observable impacts. Total extract when added at 1% to the bioassays replicated the solid phase with acute toxicity for Randle Reef, and no effect on Lake Erie. For the silica gel fractionation, Fraction 1 (F1) showed similar toxicity as the total extract, even at low additions, whereas F2–4 gave variable and inconclusive results. F1 eluted with hexane contained the non‐polar fractions, predominantly the polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and these compounds are the most likely causative agents for the highly acute toxicity observed in the sediment of Randle Reef.
The impact of a sewage treatment plant's effluent on sediment quality in a small bay in Lake Geneva (Switzerland–France). Part 1: Spatial distribution of contaminants and the potential for biological impacts
Authors: Pardos Michel , Benninghoff Christophe , De Alencastro Luis Felippe , Wildi Walter
Published: June 2004

The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of bottom sediment collected in the Bay of Vidy (Lake Geneva, Switzerland) which receives sewage treatment plant discharges from the city of Lausanne and its surroundings. Thirty‐eight sediment samples were taken, forming a dense network. Samples of that portion of the sediment that has accumulated since phosphorus removal (via iron precipitation) was instituted at the plant in 1971 were analysed for heavy metals, nutrients and organic micropollutants and subjected to Microtox toxicity evaluation (organic extract). The distribution patterns of contaminants, as well as principal components analysis, demonstrated that the sewage treatment plant's effluent is the main source of local sediment contamination. This was not supported by the Microtox results. In close proximity to the outlet pipe of the sewage treatment plant, contaminants showed very high median concentrations for virtually all the parameters measured, at levels above those believed to elicit biological responses. A major environmental impact is clearly occurring in this coastal region of the lake and remediation of this situation is believed to be important in order to protect the Lake Geneva ecosystem.
The impact of a sewage treatment plant's effluent on sediment quality in a small bay in Lake Geneva (Switzerland–France). Part 2: Temporal evolution of heavy metals
Authors: Loizeau Jean‐Luc , Pardos Michel , Monna Fabrice , Peytremann Christophe , Haller Laurence , Dominik Janusz
Published: June 2004

The Bay of Vidy is the most contaminated area of Lake Geneva, Switzerland, as a result of the release of treated and untreated waste water from the municipal sewage treatment plant of the city of Lausanne and its surroundings. The reconstruction of the historical deposition of heavy metals in the sediment of the bay has been performed by the analysis of several dated (radiocaesium) sediment cores. The presence of sewage‐derived contaminants in the Bay of Vidy since the beginning of the sewage treatment plant's operations in 1964 is clearly observed, when a sharp increase in heavy metal contents is recorded, with maximum concentrations of cadmium, copper, zinc and lead occurring between the late 1960s and early 1970s. Despite considerable improvement in recent times, the present concentrations of the investigated heavy metals in sediments of the Bay of Vidy are still higher than concentrations measured at the centre of the lake, the latter close to Lake Geneva's natural background values. It is concluded that the quantity of heavy metals deposited in the bay is considerable and, because of sediment instability, will constitute a potential hazard for biota.
Management of freshwater systems: The interactive roles of science, politics and management, and the public
Authors: Thomas Richard L.
Published: June 2004

Although the global water crisis has been well recognized by both international and national agencies, little progress is being made in the management of this most precious of global resources. All fresh waters are connected with interflow from one water compartment to another. The rates of retention, or overturn, of water in each compartment, namely the atmosphere, rivers, lakes and groundwater, are the major determinants of both freshwater system classification and management strategies. Management implies manipulation to achieve some defined beneficial condition relevant to societal requirements. Three social groups interact directly in the management function, including the scientific, public and political communities. It is only when these three entities function in harmony that comprehensive management of natural systems can truly occur. Political concern over water management and, indeed, all environmental management, is driven by policies largely derived from the influence exerted by many groups and organizations with vested interests in advancing their own purposes or agendas. Once policies are established and implemented by legislation and the bureaucracy, management possibilities and public funding then become focused, and the flexibility to deal with other issues might be largely lost. The pursuit of knowledge through scientific research is a major victim of policy changes and short‐term changes in the priorities of funding allocation. It is now clear that the scientific community and the public need a greater awareness of the manner in which the system functions as a whole, and how they can ensure that their collective opinions are used to greater effect in the determination of public policy and consequent management of freshwater systems.
Evaluation of an after hours telephone support service for rural palliative care patients and their families: A pilot study
Authors: Wilkes Lesley , Mohan Shantala , White Kate , Smith Helen
Published: June 2004

Objective:  To report on the introduction and evaluation of an after hours telephone support service for palliative care patients and their families at home.

Design:  Descriptive evaluation using an audit of telephone logbook, text analysis of reflective journals, questionnaire and interviews.

Setting:  Palliative care call service in Grafton, New South Wales, Australia.

Subjects:  The participants were health professionals using the Palliative Care Service in Grafton (48 in total) and nurses providing the palliative care service (21 in total).

Results:  Twelve calls were taken by the nurses during the pilot study. Three major themes emerged from the analysis: preparation involving publishing the after hours telephone support service (AHTSS) and nurse workshop; benefits such as support to families and health service resourcing; and nurses’ experiences regarding personal impact and building support for each other.

Conclusion:  It appears from the evaluation responses of health professionals and nurses that knowing the service was there was a great security and reduced the sense of isolation predominant in the experience of rural families caring for a palliative care patient at home. Based on the positive evaluation, the area health service provided ongoing funding for the service and is exploring avenues to extend the program into other areas. The service now requires a re‐evaluation at 18 months and will form the second phase of the study that is currently being organised.
Experiences of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries with recruiting and retaining physicians in rural areas
Authors: Simoens Steven
Published: June 2004

Objective:  This present study discusses the potential pitfalls in measuring physician shortages in rural areas and presents existing evidence of the effectiveness of policy interventions designed to influence the geographical distribution of physicians.

Design:  Information on the geographical distribution of physicians was derived from a survey of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries and a desk review of the academic literature and policy documents of OECD governments.

Main outcome measure:  Whether policies have been effective in recruiting and retaining physicians in rural areas.

Results:  Existing measures of physician shortages in rural areas may be misleading as they do not account for a number of supply side factors (e.g. physician productivity, mobility of physicians across areas) and demand‐side factors (e.g. patient needs for physician services). Increases in the national number of physicians have narrowed, but not eliminated, shortages in rural areas. Some success in increasing physician supply to rural areas has been reported with educational, regulatory and financial policies; whereas countries’ experiences with education‐related funding policies are mixed. There is some evidence suggesting that the effectiveness of these policies can be enhanced by supporting occupational opportunities for the spouse/partner, education of children and accommodation.

Conclusions:  Although there has been little evaluation of policy interventions, physician shortages in rural areas may be reduced by supply side policies that focus on the physician in combination with measures to sustain the economic and social viability of rural communities.

What is already known on this subject?:  Numerous studies have reported inequalities in the geographical distribution of physicians, but this has not taken into account physician activity levels or patient needs for physician services. Little is known about the effectiveness of policies designed to influence the geographical distribution of physicians.

What does this study add?:  The present study suggests that increasing physician numbers does not change their geographical distribution, but educational, regulatory and financial policies may be effective. The findings on loan repayment schemes are mixed. To attract more physicians to rural areas, these supply side policies may need to be accompanied by policies that sustain the economic and social viability of rural communities.
General practice in Greece: A student's and supervisor's perspective
Authors: Liangas Georgios , Lionis Christos
Published: June 2004

Objective:  The present study reports the observations of an Australian medical student, his reflections on these observations and commentary from the Greek supervisor.

Setting:  One urban General Practice at the University Hospital in Heraklion, Crete and three community health centres in rural Crete.

Main outcome measures:  Points of comparison were formed during the patient's consultations and clinical investigations.

Results:  Although the level of knowledge and GP's competence in Crete and New South Wales appear to be similar and there is an impression that the patient satisfaction in Greece is comparable to that in Australia, a striking feature in Greek primary care is the communication between practitioner and patient, as well as the poor level of note keeping. In contrast, Primary Care in Greece seems to be far more involved in research.

Conclusion:  To attain a higher quality in primary care, leading to a better outcome for the people of Greece, the primary care physicians need more effective vocational training and the appropriate support from health authorities.

What is already known in this subject?  

A National Health Care System was inaugurated in Greece in the early 80's, which gave emphasis to the development of primary care and general practice.

Greek GP's are seeking recognition from the hospital physicians and they are exploring ways for improvement.

What this study adds?  

The present study has several implications for both the medical students’ education and for professional development.

The present study argues for a more effective vocational training of practicing GPs with emphasis on communication skills, note keeping and better support from the health authorities.
Hearing loss and perceptions of noise in the workplace among rural Australians
Authors: Williams Warwick , Purdy Suzanne , Murray Narelle , LePage Eric , Challinor Kathy
Published: June 2004

Objective:  To compare measured hearing levels of individuals regularly exposed to noise in their workplace to self‐reported and family‐reported hearing loss. To compare the attitudes and preventative actions adopted by individuals who are more aware of the potential for hearing loss to less aware individuals.

Design:  The project examined the perceptions of rural workers concerning noise, noise exposure and hearing. The subjects completed a ‘Noise at Work’ questionnaire and some demographic data at the time of audiometric testing.

Setting:  The subjects were recruited when attending their rural health clinic for audiometric testing.

Participants:  Participants comprised 113 men and 23 women (20–65 years, mean = 39.6 , SD = 11.4) working across a range of activities at different levels in their workplaces. The range in current employment was from 0.5 to 45 years (mean = 13.8, SD = 10.7).

Results:  Hearing tests were compared with perceptions of noise annoyance, hearing damage risk and preventative action. Self‐ and family‐reported hearing loss and conversational difficulties in noise correlated well with measured audiograms. Perceptions of workplace noise tended to be more positive if people felt they had hearing problems. There was no difference in preventative action between those who did and did not feel they had hearing problems. Both groups rated barriers to action and lack of self‐efficacy in a similar negative way.

Conclusions:  There is a need for specific training to ensure that rural workers have skills to take more positive action in reducing noise exposure at work.
Stress, burnout and job satisfaction in rural psychiatric nurses: A Victorian study
Authors: Pinikahana Jaya , Happell Brenda
Published: June 2004

Objective:  To measure the level of stress, burnout and job satisfaction in rural psychiatric nurses in Victoria, Australia.

Method:  This present study presents the findings of a research study undertaken with rural psychiatric nurses (n = 136) in two rural mental health services in Victoria. The study designed to measure their level of stress, burnout and job satisfaction using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the Nursing Stress Scale (NSS) and Job Satisfaction Scale (JSS).

Results:  The findings indicated that a low number rural psychiatric nurses suffered from ‘high’ level of burnout and the majority of nurses reported ‘low level’ of emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation scores. On the personal accomplishment subscale, only 11% recorded a ‘high’ score and 87% recorded ‘low’ score. On the Nursing Stress Scale, the ‘workload’ was the highest perceived stressor followed by ‘inadequate preparation’.

Conclusions:  Paradoxically, the majority of rural psychiatric nurses stated that they were satisfied with their job, particularly with current situation at work, aspects of support and the level of involvement in decision making.
Job Level and National Culture as Joint Roots of Job Satisfaction
Authors: Huang Xu , Vliert Evert Van de
Published: June 2004

Pour examiner les variations de la satisfaction au travail dans une perspective transculturelle et interfonctions, des donées d’enquête d’une compagnie internationale auprès de 129,087 répondants de 39 pays ont été analysées. Des analyses à plusieurs niveaux ont montré que la satisfaction au travail est positivement liée au statut et au niveau de l’emploi exercé dans les pays individualistes sans que soit le cas dans les pays collectivistes. De plus, la relation positive entre la satisfaction au travail et le niveau de l’emploi exercé ne se marque que pour les emplois offrant l’opportunité d’exercer ses compétences dans les pays individualistes. Le niveau de l’emploi est même négativement liéà la satisfaction au travail pour des emplois offrant peu d’opportunité d’exercer ses compétences dans les pays collectivistes.

To examine cross‐cultural and cross‐occupational variations in job satisfaction, data from a multinational company survey with 129,087 respondents from 39 countries was analysed. Multilevel analyses showed that job level is positively related to job satisfaction in individualistic countries but not in collectivistic countries. Moreover, the positive relationship between job level and job satisfaction holds only for jobs with much opportunity to use one's skills and abilities, especially in individualistic countries. Job level is even negatively related to job satisfaction in jobs with little opportunity to use one's skills and abilities in collectivistic countries.
Antecedents and Components of Majority Attitudes toward Multiculturalism in the Netherlands
Authors: Breugelmans Seger M. , Van De Vijver Fons J.R.
Published: June 2004

Les prédicteurs et les composantes des attitudes envers le multiculturalisme ont étéétudies chez 341 Néerlandais tout‐venant. Les attitudes relèvent d’une structure unidimensionnelle, mais le niveau d’adhésion au multiculturalisme varie significativement selon les domaines. Le niveau culturel et le fait de vivre en ville avec peu d’immigrés étaient les seules variables positivement corrélées avec l’adhésion au multiculturalisme. Un modèle en pistes causales s’est révélé pertinent, les attitudes et les comportements dépendant des variables psychologiques suivantes; connaissances, satisfaction générale, perspectives d’avenir, désirabilité sociale et perception des normes sociales favorables au multiculturalisme ou en faisant au contraire une menace. Globalement, l’exclusion était désapprouvée par la majorité des Néerlandais, mais le pluralisme culturel nétait pas ressenti comme étant un atout précieux pour leur société, et ils nétaient pas disposés à faire beaucoup d’efforts pour faciliter l’intégration des minorités.

Predictors and components of attitudes toward multiculturalism were studied in 341 native Dutch people. Attitudes were found to have a unidimensional structure, but the level of support for multiculturalism was found to vary significantly over societal domains. Level of education and living in city districts with few non‐natives were the only background variables that were (positively) related to support for multiculturalism. A path model, with psychological background variables (knowledge, life satisfaction, life opportunities, perceived social norms about multiculturalism as a threat and support for multiculturalism, and social desirability) predicting attitudes and behavior, showed a good fit. Generally, exclusionist positions were not endorsed by majority Dutch, but cultural pluralism was not seen as a valuable asset of their society, and they are not inclined to put much effort into minority integration.
Preferences for Careers and Organisational Cultures as a Function of Logically Related Personality Traits
Authors: Warr Peter , Pearce Alex
Published: June 2004

La coherence attendue entre des traits de personnalité et d’une part des choix de carrière, d’autre part des préférences pour des types de culture organisationnelle a été examinée en termes de parallélisme conceptuel différentiel. On s’est aperçu que, dans un grand échantillon d’adultes britanniques, les rapprochements dépendaient de l’existence d’un recouvrement logique entre un trait de personnalité et une préférence. Quand un choix de carrière ou une dimension culturelle était logiquement reliéà in trait de personnalité, les variations interpersonelles sur ce trait étaient significativement associées aux choix culturels ou de carrière. Dans d’autres cas, le personnalité n’était pas pertinente. Les résultats confirment certains aspects du modèle attraction‐sélection‐désintérêt et précisent en particulier les origines des effets différentiels de personnalité dans ce modèle et d’autres analogues.

Expected consistency between personality traits and preferences for particular career anchors and for forms of organisational culture was examined in terms of differential conceptual alignment. In a large sample of British adults, associations were found to depend on the presence of logical overlap between a personality trait and a preferred outcome. When a career anchor or a cultural feature was logically related to a personality trait, between‐person variations in that trait were significantly associated with career or cultural preferences. In other cases, personality was irrelevant. Findings support aspects of the attraction‐selection‐attrition model, and more precisely specify the basis of differential personality effects in that and similar models.
Updating in Response to the Experience of Lacking Knowledge
Authors: Pazy Asya
Published: June 2004

Cette étude considère que la mise à jour professionnelle est un exemple d’apprentissage adulte autorégulé. Elle explore les relations entre le comportement de mise à jour et les variables phénoménologiques représentées par trois facteurs en rapport avec l’apprentissage: l’environnement, la cognition et la motivation/affectivité. 75 ingénieurs de l’industrie israélienne de haute technologie ont décrit de façon détaillée des incidents où ils ressentirent un manque de connaissances. L’analyse de contenu de ces témoignages a détecté les dimensions phénoménologiques de première importance que sont l’environnement, la cognition et la motivation/affectivité dans les expériences de lacunes de connaissances. La relation entre ces dimensions et la description d’une conduite de mise à jour a étéétudiée grâce à une analyse de régression logistique. L’analyse montra que les données correspondaient significativement au modèle. En particulier, la probabilité d’apparition d’un comportement de mise à jour était plus forte quand le manque de connaissance était éprouvé lors d’une tâche (et non lors d’une réunion), quand il stimulait un besoin d’apprendre, quand l’intéressé l’attribuait à une négligence antérieure et quand, exprimé par le comportement, il était transparent pour autrui. On expose en quoi ces résultats peuvent encourager l’apprentissage individuel dans les organisations.

This study examines the relationships between updating behavior and variables that represent key learning‐related factors—context, cognition, and motivation/affect—as they are described in the lack of knowledge experience. Seventy‐five technical professionals employed in the Israeli high‐tech industry described in detail incidents in which they lacked knowledge. Analysis revealed that updating behavior was higher when lack of knowledge was experienced in the course of task performance (more than during a meeting). Updating was associated with learning motivation. It occurred when the lack of knowledge was visible to others through one's behavior, and when the individual attributed this lack to past avoidance. Implications of these findings for supporting individual learning in organisations are discussed.
Summer vegetation, deglaciation and the anomalous bird diversity gradient in eastern North America
Authors: Hawkins Bradford A.
Published: June 2004

Aim  Geographic variation in the species richness of birds has been shown to be strongly associated with annual water and energy levels (actual evapotranspiration, AET) at the global scale. However, the gradient in eastern North America appears to be anomalous, because richness is greatest around the Great Lakes, whereas AET is highest in the south‐eastern US. Here I examine if birds may be responding to vegetation produced during the breeding season rather than to annual production.

Location  North America east of longitude 98° W.

Methods  The bird richness pattern was examined using climatic variables, remotely sensed estimates of annual and seasonal plant biomass, and time since areas were exposed by the retreating Laurentide ice sheet from 20,000 to 6000 yr bp.

Results  Average summer GVI (Global Vegetation Index, derived from NDVI) was found to be positively linearly associated with richness, explaining 82% of the variance, whereas the relationships between richness and annual measures of both AET and GVI were curvilinear. The pattern of retreat of the Laurentide ice sheet explained an additional 6% of the variance in richness, consistent with a previous analysis of Canadian birds.

Main conclusions  In eastern North America, a seasonal variable associated with plant production explains the diversity gradient rather than the annual measures, but it does not undermine a general conclusion that bird diversity is closely linked with plant biomass. Further, both contemporary and historical factors appear to influence the gradient, and an association between bird richness and the geographic pattern of glacial retreat is detectable in both climatic and plant‐biomass models of bird diversity.
The Determinants of Employment of Affiliates of US Multinational Enterprises in Africa
Authors: Asiedu Elizabeth
Published: June 2004

Employment of foreign affiliates of multinational enterprises has been shown to promote growth by boosting wages, increasing the transfer of technology and enhancing productivity in host countries. Yet, the factors affecting such multinational employment in Africa have not been studied. Using panel data, this article indicates that – in contrast to natural resource availability – good infrastructure, higher income, openness to trade and an educated labour force have a significant positive impact on employment. In order to realise the employment benefits of FDI, therefore, sub‐Saharan Africa needs to attract investments in non‐natural resource industries, and host countries need to improve their infrastructure and educate their population.
Policies, Interventions and Institutional Change in Pastoral Resource Management in Borana, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Kamara Abdul B. , Swallow Brent , Kirk Michael
Published: June 2004

The Borana rangelands of Southern Ethiopia are characterised by extensive livestock production under a communal land‐use system that has evolved in response to variable rainfall and uncertain production conditions. However, the last two decades have witnessed an increasing privatisation of rangelands for crop production and private grazing. The results of a quantitative assessment are used to develop a framework for assessing the drivers of change and their long‐term implications. It is concluded that certain national policies have resulted in conflicts of authority between traditional and formal systems, creating an avenue for spontaneous enclosures, associated conflicts and decreasing human welfare.
Towards a New Articulation of Alternative Development: Lessons from Coca Supply Reduction in Bolivia
Authors: Lupu Noam
Published: June 2004

Once heralded as the success story of coca supply reduction, Bolivia is now witnessing an increase in coca cultivation. Even as coca fields in Bolivia were forcibly destroyed in the past decade, new fields were being planted elsewhere, leaving coca production in the Andean region at a roughly constant level. This begs a rethinking of alternative development programmes, the policies being rendered ineffectual by the increasing use of force. This article seeks renewed momentum for alternative development by gleaning lessons from its earlier failures. Moreover, it suggests a new articulation of alternative development that emphasises the socio‐economic cause of coca cultivation – the demand by the rural poor of Bolivia for income and food security.
Impact Assessment of Drip Irrigation in India: The Case of Sugarcane
Authors: Narayanamoorthy A.
Published: June 2004

Against the background of the rapid decline in irrigation water potential and low water‐use efficiency in the flood (conventional) method of irrigation, drip irrigation has recently been introduced in Indian agriculture. Besides saving a substantial amount of water, it also helps to increase the productivity of crops. This study attempts to evaluate its impact on sugarcane using farm‐level data from Maharashtra. Using a discounted cash flow technique, it was found that productivity was 23% higher than that under the flood method of irrigation, with water saving of about 44% per hectare and electricity saving of about 1059 kwh/ha — in short, drip investment in sugarcane cultivation remains economically viable even without subsidy.
Shareholding Versus Stakeholding: a critical review of corporate governance
Authors: Letza Steve , Sun Xiuping , Kirkbride James
Published: June 2004

The current debate and theorising on corporate governance has been polarised between a shareholder perspective and a stakeholder perspective. While advocates and supporters of each camp attempt to justify the superiority, rationality and universality of each model in theory, they rarely pay attention to the age‐old conceptions, assumptions and presuppositions underpinning their perspectives which are less credible and valid in matching the continually changing practice of corporate governance. This paper serves as a survey and critical review of major current theories on corporate governance. In so doing, it reveals the inadequacy of conventional approaches employed in corporate governance theorising. It calls for a new mode of thinking in analysing corporate governance and concludes by outlining a new direction of research in this field.
Board Independence and Product Market Competition in Swedish Firms
Authors: Randøy Trond , Jenssen Jan Inge
Published: June 2004

This study suggests that firms in highly competitive industries should have fewer outside board members, whereas companies operating in less competitive industries should have more outside directors. Specifically, we argue that board independence is less relevant or even redundant in highly competitive industries, where the firm is already “monitored” by a competitive product market. Using publicly traded Swedish firms for empirical testing, this study finds that board independence reduces firm performance in industries with highly competitive product markets. On the other hand, board independence enhances firm performance among companies facing less competitive product markets.
The Independence Paradox: (im)possibilities facing non‐executive directors in The Netherlands
Authors: Hooghiemstra Reggy , Van Manen Jaap
Published: June 2004

The paper adds to our knowledge of what non‐executive directors do, knowledge which is still in its infancy. More specifically, it reports the findings of a survey among more than 250 Dutch non‐executive directors regarding their roles and limitations. Although the majority agreed that monitoring is their main duty, they also expressed doubts whether they are really able to carry out this “watchdog role” effectively. The primary limitation is sought in the asymmetry of information which gives rise to the so‐called “independence paradox”: in obtaining adequate information non‐executives are dependent on the executives they are expected to supervise and to be independent from.
Alternative Perspectives on Independence of Directors
Authors: Brennan Niamh , McDermott Michael
Published: June 2004

This paper examines the issue of independence of boards of directors and non‐executive directors of companies listed on the Irish Stock Exchange. Based on information published in annual reports, the study found that most Irish listed companies were complying with the Combined Code's recommendations for a balanced board structure, albeit with only 60 per cent having majority‐independent boards. The study found a lack of consistency in interpreting the definition of “independence”, a lack of disclosure of information and, by applying criteria generally regarded as prerequisite to independence of non‐executive directors, certain situations which imposed upon their independence.
Characteristics of Women and Men Corporate Inside Directors in the US
Authors: Zelechowski Deborah Dahlen , Bilimoria Diana
Published: June 2004

This study examines the qualifications of women and men corporate inside directors of Fortune 1000 firms. Our results indicate that women insiders differ significantly from a random set of men insiders on several characteristics relevant to their dual positions as directors and officers of the corporation. While they do not differ on the experience‐based qualifications of board tenure or corporate tenure, women insiders hold fewer directorships of other corporations, hold less powerful corporate titles, occupy disproportionately more staff functions, are less likely to be top earners of the corporation, and earn considerably less than men inside directors. Implications are drawn for women executives’ under utilisation in the executive suite and corporate governance.
The Role of Corporate Governance in the IPO Process: a note
Authors: Burton Bruce , Helliar Christine , Power David
Published: June 2004

Corporate governance as a coherent notion and independent topic of academic and practitioner interest has developed rapidly in the last ten years. In particular, most countries have seen the publication of vast numbers of regulatory reports outlining best practice in handling the issues that arise from the increased prominence of the governance concept. Although a vast literature exists on the implications of an Initial Public Offering (IPO) for financial performance and ownership structure, few investigations have communicated directly with issuing firms and analysed the practical difficulties encountered on a day‐to‐day basis when a company decides to float. In particular, very few studies have sought to examine what corporate governance changes, if any, are made in the process. This note reports the findings of a questionnaire survey and a series of interviews with practitioners about the changes that are made before and after a sample of IPOs in the UK.
Corporate Governance of Banks in Developing Economies: concepts and issues
Authors: Arun T. G. , Turner J. D.
Published: June 2004

This paper discusses the corporate governance of banking institutions in developing economies. This is an important issue given the essential role that banks play in the financial systems of developing economies and the widespread banking reforms that these economies have implemented. Based on a theoretical discussion of the corporate governance of banks, we suggest that banking reforms can only be fully implemented once a prudential regulatory system is in place. An integral part of banking reforms in developing economies is the privatisation of banks. We suggest that corporate governance reforms may be a prerequisite for the successful divestiture of government ownership. Furthermore, we also suggest that the increased competition resulting from the entrance of foreign banks may improve the corporate governance of developing‐economy banks.
Corporate Governance and Financial Distress: evidence from Taiwan
Authors: Lee Tsun‐Siou , Yeh Yin‐Hua
Published: June 2004

Prior empirical evidence supports the wealth expropriation hypothesis that weak corporate governance induced by certain types of ownership structures and board composition tends to result in minority interest expropriation. This in turn reduces corporate value. However, it is still unclear whether corporate financial distress is related to these corporate governance characteristics. To answer this question, we adopt three variables to proxy for corporate governance risk, namely, the percentage of directors occupied by the controlling shareholder, the percentage the controlling shareholders shareholding pledged for bank loans (pledge ratio), and the deviation in control away from the cash flow rights. Binary logistic regressions are then fitted to generate dichotomous prediction models. Taiwanese listed firms, characterised by a high degree of ownership concentration, similar to that in most countries, are used as our empirical samples. The evidence suggests that the three variables mentioned above are positively related to the risk for financial distress in the following year. Generally speaking, firms with weak corporate governance are vulnerable to economic downturns and the probability of falling into financial distress increases.
Conceptions and Misconceptions about “Western Buddhism”: Issues and Approaches for the Classroom
Authors: Berkwitz Stephen C.
Published: June 2004

Abstract. This article responds to the exponential growth in academic textbooks on Western or American Buddhism by arguing that popular trade books written by Buddhist teachers in the West make more effective tools for teaching and learning about the growth of Buddhism in western societies. The use of such texts in the classroom provides students with opportunities to exercise critical thinking and permits instructors to avoid conveying misleading interpretations about the practice, thought, and identities of Buddhists in North America and Europe. The pedagogical advantages of using what could be described as primary sources on Western Buddhism include promoting active learning techniques, muting the differences drawn between convert and ethnic Buddhist communities, and encouraging students to become aware of and refrain from Orientalist approaches towards describing and knowing the religious and/or cultural Other. A list of practical suggestions for classroom exercises using trade books written by Buddhist teachers is provided at the end.
The Pedagogy of the Online Wisdom Community: Forming Church Ministers in a Digital Age
Authors: Esselman Thomas
Published: June 2004

Abstract.  While electronic learning is transforming the face of higher education today, some in the theological community question whether it is appropriate for the specific goals of graduate level theological formation for ministry. Drawing on the work of one theological faculty, this article answers yes. The author describes the school's hybrid model of distance education pedagogy. He discusses the underlying teaching and learning principles that guided the faculty in their development of this model, and, in particular, the pedagogical ideal of the learning cohort as a “wisdom community.” Web‐based instruction can be effectively designed to nurture wisdom communities for integrative learning. The author describes the “pedagogy of the online wisdom community” from his experience of Web‐based distance education teaching. The growing demand for ministry formation programs, particularly in mission areas, underlines the urgent need for continued study of the role of technology in theological pedagogy.
Higher Education Outcomes, Graduate Employment and University Performance Indicators
Authors: Bratti Massimiliano , McKnight Abigail , Naylor Robin , Smith Jeremy
Published: June 2004

Official employment-related performance indicators in UK higher education are based on the population of students responding to the ‘First destination supplement’ (FDS). This generates potentially biased performance indicators as this population of students is not necessarily representative of the full population of leavers from each institution. University leavers who do not obtain qualifications and those who do not respond to the FDS are not included within the official analysis. We compare an employment-related performance indicator based on those students who responded to the FDS with alternative approaches which address the potential non-random nature of this subgroup of university leavers.
An Overview of Risk-Adjusted Charts
Authors: Grigg O. , Farewell V.
Published: June 2004

The paper provides an overview of risk-adjusted charts, with examples based on two data sets: the first consisting of outcomes following cardiac surgery and patient factors contributing to the Parsonnet score; the second being age–sex-adjusted death-rates per year under a single general practitioner. Charts presented include the cumulative sum (CUSUM), resetting sequential probability ratio test, the sets method and Shewhart chart. Comparisons between the charts are made. Estimation of the process parameter and two-sided charts are also discussed. The CUSUM is found to be the least efficient, under the average run length (ARL) criterion, of the resetting sequential probability ratio test class of charts, but the ARL criterion is thought not to be sensible for comparisons within that class. An empirical comparison of the sets method and CUSUM, for binary data, shows that the sets method is more efficient when the in-control ARL is small and more efficient for a slightly larger range of in-control ARLs when the change in parameter being tested for is larger. The Shewart p-chart is found to be less efficient than the CUSUM even when the change in parameter being tested for is large.
Simultaneous Modelling of Multiple Traffic Safety Performance Indicators by using a Multivariate Generalized Linear Mixed Model
Authors: Bailey Trevor C. , Hewson Paul J.
Published: June 2004

Traffic safety in the UK is one of the increasing number of areas where central government sets targets based on ‘outcome-focused’ performance indicators (PIs). Judgments about such PIs are often based solely on rankings of raw indicators and simple league tables dominate centrally published analyses. There is a considerable statistical literature examining health and education issues which has tended to use the generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) to address variability in the data when drawing inferences about relative performance from headline PIs. This methodology could obviously be applied in contexts such as traffic safety. However, when such models are applied to the fairly crude data sets that are currently available, the interval estimates generated, e.g. in respect of rankings, are often too broad to allow much real differentiation between the traffic safety performance of the units that are being considered. Such results sit uncomfortably with the ethos of ‘performance management’ and raise the question of whether the inference from such data sets about relative performance can be improved in some way. Motivated by consideration of a set of nine road safety performance indicators measured on English local authorities in the year 2000, the paper considers methods to strengthen the weak inference that is obtained from GLMMs of individual indicators by simultaneous, multivariate modelling of a range of related indicators. The correlation structure between indicators is used to reduce the uncertainty that is associated with rankings of any one of the individual indicators. The results demonstrate that credible intervals can be substantially narrowed by the use of the multivariate GLMM approach and that multivariate modelling of multiple PIs may therefore have considerable potential for introducing more robust and realistic assessments of differential performance in some contexts.
Statistical Issues in the Prospective Monitoring of Health Outcomes Across Multiple Units
Authors: Marshall Clare , Best Nicky , Bottle Alex , Aylin Paul
Published: June 2004

Following several recent inquiries in the UK into medical malpractice and failures to deliver appropriate standards of health care, there is pressure to introduce formal monitoring of performance outcomes routinely throughout the National Health Service. Statistical process control (SPC) charts have been widely used to monitor medical outcomes in a variety of contexts and have been specifically advocated for use in clinical governance. However, previous applications of SPC charts in medical monitoring have focused on surveillance of a single process over time. We consider some of the methodological and practical aspects that surround the routine surveillance of health outcomes and, in particular, we focus on two important methodological issues that arise when attempting to extend SPC charts to monitor outcomes at more than one unit simultaneously (where a unit could be, for example, a surgeon, general practitioner or hospital): the need to acknowledge the inevitable between-unit variation in ‘acceptable’ performance outcomes due to the net effect of many small unmeasured sources of variation (e.g. unmeasured case mix and data errors) and the problem of multiple testing over units as well as time. We address the former by using quasi-likelihood estimates of overdispersion, and the latter by using recently developed methods based on estimation of false discovery rates. We present an application of our approach to annual monitoring ‘all-cause’ mortality data between 1995 and 2000 from 169 National Health Service hospital trusts in England and Wales.
Statistical Analysis of Performance Indicators in UK Higher Education
Authors: Draper David , Gittoes Mark
Published: June 2004

Attempts to measure the quality with which institutions such as hospitals and universities carry out their public mandates have gained in frequency and sophistication over the last decade. We examine methods for creating performance indicators in multilevel or hierarchical settings (e.g. students nested within universities) based on a dichotomous outcome variable (e.g. drop-out from the higher education system). The profiling methods that we study involve the indirect measurement of quality, by comparing institutional outputs after adjusting for inputs, rather than directly attempting to measure the quality of the processes unfolding inside the institutions. In the context of an extended case-study of the creation of performance indicators for universities in the UK higher education system, we demonstrate the large sample functional equivalence between a method based on indirect standardization and an approach based on fixed effects hierarchical modelling, offer simulation results on the performance of the standardization method in null and non-null settings, examine the sensitivity of this method to the inadvertent omission of relevant adjustment variables, explore random-effects reformulations and characterize settings in which they are preferable to fixed effects hierarchical modelling in this type of quality assessment and discuss extensions to longitudinal quality modelling and the overall pros and cons of institutional profiling. Our results are couched in the language of higher education but apply with equal force to other settings with dichotomous response variables, such as the examination of observed and expected rates of mortality (or other adverse outcomes) in investigations of the quality of health care or the study of retention rates in the workplace.
ETHICS AND THE MARKET ECONOMY: INSIGHTS FROM CATHOLIC MORAL THEOLOGY
Authors: Gregg Samuel
Published: June 2004

The ethical dimension of market solutions to problems is often neglected by their proponents. This article examines the market from the standpoint of orthodox Roman Catholic moral theology. It illustrates how Catholic theologians have contributed to thinking about the market, draws attention to Catholicism's positive assessment of entrepreneurship, and outlines paths for future Catholic reflection on the market.
THE MARKET ECONOMY AND THE TEACHINGS OF THE CHRISTIAN GOSPEL
Authors: Aitken Jonathan
Published: June 2004

The reality of the market economy is not an economy in which Christian values are generally evident. Although there are many prominent Christian capitalist writers, the real world is a world of rather more materialistic values. It does not have to be like that. It is possible for people to take Christian values out into the world of business and prosper.