bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Dracocephalum argunense on Mast-Cell-Mediated Hypersensitivity
Authors: Kim Sang-Hyun , Shin Tae-Yong
Published: December 2005

Background: Stimulation of mast cells starts the process of degranulation resulting in release of mediators such as histamine and an array of inflammatory cytokines. In this report, we investigated the effect of an aqueous extract of Dracocephalum argunense Fisch. (Labiatae) (DAAE) on immediate-type hypersensitivity and studied its possible mechanisms of action, focusing on histamine release and proinflammatory cytokine expression in mast cells. Methods: An in vivo model of systemic and local allergic reaction was investigated. Compound 48/80- or IgE-induced histamine release from mast cells was measured. The expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 was measured by RT-PCR and ELISA. The level of intracellular calcium was measured by spectrofluorometry. NF-ĸB activation was measured by Western blot, EMSA and luciferase assay. Results: DAAE inhibited systemic anaphylaxis, local allergic reactions, and serum histamine release in a dose-dependent manner in mice. DAAE dose-dependently reduced histamine release from mast cells activated by compound 48/80 or IgE. The inhibitory effect of DAAE on histamine release was mediated by the modulation of intracellular calcium. In addition, DAAE decreased TNF-α and IL-6 gene expression and production in human mast cells stimulated by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187. The inhibitory effect of DAAE on the TNF-α and IL-6 expression was NF-ĸB dependent. Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence that DAAE inhibits mast-cell-derived immediate-type hypersensitivity. Taken together, the anti-allergic effect of DAAE in vivo and in vitro suggests a possible clinical use of this agent in immediate-type hypersensitivity.
Increased Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2, Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Matrix Metalloproteinase-13 in Lesional Skin of Bullous Pemphigoid
Authors: Niimi Yayoi , Pawankar Ruby , Kawana Seiji
Published: December 2005

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9 and MMP-13 can degrade type IV collagen which is the major component of the basement membrane zone (BMZ). In bullous pemphigoid (BP), the separation occurs within the BMZ. Objective: To evaluate the involvement of MMPs in the pathogenesis of BP, we examined the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-13 in the lesional skin of BP patients. Methods: The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-13, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in the lesional skin of BP patients in comparison with that in normal human skin. Next, the cellular sources of MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-13 were analyzed by double immunohistochemistry. Finally, the levels of these MMPs in the serum and blister fluid of BP patients were measured by ELISA. Results: The number of cells expressing MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-13 were significantly increased in the lesional skin of BP patients as compared to that in normal skin. Although the number of cells expressing TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were also increased in the lesional skin of BP patients as compared to that in normal skin, the ratio of MMPs to TIMPs in the lesional skin of BP patients was high (2.4:1). T cells comprised the major source of MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-13, while a proportion of mast cells and eosinophils also expressed these MMPs. Furthermore, marked expression of MMP-2 was detected in the epidermal keratinocytes. The levels of these MMPs in the blister fluid were significantly greater than those in the serum. Conclusion: These results suggest that MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-13 may be involved in the mechanism of blister formation in BP and that besides infiltrating inflammatory cells, structural cells like epidermal keratinocytes may also participate in the induction of blister formation in BP.
Effect of Omalizumab on Adenosine 5′-Monophosphate Responsiveness in Subjects with Allergic Asthma
Authors: Prieto L. , Gutiérrez V. , Colás C. , Tabar A. , Pérez-Francés C. , Bruno L. , Uixera S.
Published: December 2005

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of omalizumab on bronchoconstriction induced by methacholine and adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP). Methods: Thirty-four subjects with mild to moderate allergic asthma were randomized to receive placebo (n = 16) or omalizumab (n = 18) subcutaneously during 12 weeks. Airway responsiveness to AMP was measured at baseline and after 4 and 12 weeks of treatment, whereas the response to methacholine was measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. Results: After 4 weeks of treatment, the increase in AMP PC20 (provocative concentration required to produce a 20% fall in FEV1) was significantly greater in the omalizumab group than in the placebo group, the mean difference in the change between the groups being 1.52 doubling concentrations (95% CI, 0.25–2.79, p = 0.02). Compared with baseline, the mean AMP PC20 values at 12 weeks were increased by 1.91 doubling concentrations with omalizumab (p < 0.001) and 1.01 doubling concentrations with placebo (p = 0.16), but changes were not significantly different between the treatment groups. Changes in methacholine PC20 values were not significantly different between the omalizumab and placebo groups. Conclusions: In subjects with allergic asthma, omalizumab reduces the response to AMP without decreasing the response to methacholine. These findings are consistent with the conclusion that the contribution of IgE to the development of AMP bronchoconstriction is more important than their role in the induction of methacholine hyperresponsiveness.
Validity of Parent-Reported Height and Weight for Defining Obesity among Asthmatic and Nonasthmatic Schoolchildren
Authors: Garcia-Marcos L. , Valverde-Molina J. , Sanchez-Solis M. , Soriano-Pérez M.J. , Baeza-Alcaraz A. , Martinez-Torres A. , Perez-Fernandez V. , Guillen-Perez J.J.
Published: December 2005

Background: The relationship between parent-reported and measured height and weight is not well established in schoolchildren. This relationship has never been studied in asthmatic children. The objective of this study is to test the validity of the parent-reported weight and height for defining obesity by BMI and to know whether the perception of this height and weight changes when the child suffers from asthma. Methods: All classes of children of the target ages of 6–8 years (n = 1,672, participation rate 70.2%) of all schools in four municipalities of Murcia (Spain) were included. Parents were asked about their children’s weight and height using a questionnaire which included the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) core questions on asthma. Parents were not aware that their children were going to be weighed and measured within 1 week’s time. Measurements were performed using a rigid stadiometer to the nearest 0.1 cm and a scale to the nearest 0.1 kg. Results: The bias (reported minus real) was, respectively, for nonasthmatics and asthmatics: weight +0.42 kg (95% CI +0.24; +0.59 kg) versus +0.97 kg (+0.50; +1.44 kg), height +2.37 cm (+2.06; +2.68 cm) versus +2.87 cm (+1.87; +3.87 cm); BMI –0.39 kg/m2 (–0.52; –0.23 kg/m2) versus –0.23 kg/m2 (–0.58; +0.13 kg/m2). Diagnostic accuracy of obesity calculated from reported measurements was, respectively, for nonasthmatics and asthmatics: sensitivity 78.0 versus 77.8%, specificity 96.2 versus 94.5%, positive predictive value 77.2 versus 73.7% and negative predictive value 96.4 versus 91.7%. Conclusions: Reported weights and heights had large biases, comparable between parents of both asthmatic and those of nonasthmatic children. However, this information could be reasonably valid for classifying children as obese or nonobese in large epidemiological studies.
Total IgE Levels Do Not Change 1 Year after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Lal Devyani , Baroody Fuad M. , Weitzel Eric K. , deTineo Marcy , Naclerio Robert M.
Published: December 2005

Background: Total IgE levels positively correlate with the amount of mucosal thickening on sinus CT scans. Our objective was to investigate whether the levels of total serum IgE decreased 1 year after endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, suggesting that the total IgE was influenced by the sinus disease. Methods: 55 patients about to undergo endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis were enrolled in a prospective clinical study. All patients had preoperative sinus computerized tomography (CT) scans and levels of total serum IgE measured before surgery and 1 year postoperatively. Results: Preoperative total IgE levels showed a significant correlation with the extent of disease on sinus CT (rs = 0.413, p = 0.002). Total serum IgE levels did not show any statistically significant change from the preoperative values when measured 1 year postoperatively (324.25 ± 217.30 ng/ml vs. 326.35 ± 204.50 ng/ml; p = 0.61). Conclusions: The levels of total serum IgE do not change after sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis. IgE levels in chronic rhinosinusitis may reflect a systemic factor in disease pathogenesis, and are probably not related to the amount of local inflammation within the sinuses.
Deep Brain Stimulation Inactivity Can Produce Unexpected High Electrode Impedances when Reactivated, Leading to a False Conclusion of Wire Fracture
Authors: Jaggi Jurg L. , Baltuch Gordon H.
Published: December 2005

Two months after bilateral DBS surgery in a patient with PD, the stimulator had to be removed temporarily due to an infection. After successful antibiotic treatment, a new stimulator and extension wire were reimplanted 2 months later. Intraoperative testing of the replacement device yielded unusually high electrode impedances and low currents on one lead across all four contacts. Since the results did not change on repeated measurements, a lead fracture was suspected. Visual inspection of the exposed hardware, however, did not reveal any obvious defects. It was then decided to activate the lead for a prolonged time with significant currents. Subsequent impedance measurements yielded normal values and after the patient awoke from anesthesia, good symptom control was again achieved. It is advisable if a lead fracture is suspected under similar circumstances to ‘condition’ the electrode with high currents. Failure to do so could lead to a false conclusion of a lead fracture and unnecessary stereotactic surgery to replace it.
Maintaining the Redox-Balance Intact: Gosha-Jinki-Gan but Not Insulin Activates Retinal Soluble Guanylate Cyclase in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Cameron-Schaefer Silke , Kondo Kazunari , Ishige Atsushi , Tsuyama Shingo , Uchida Koji , Hanawa Toshihiko , Suematsu Makoto , Watanabe Kenji
Published: December 2005

Strategies to prevent hyperglycemia-induced cytotoxic reactive oxygen species in the retina include the prevention of free radical production, activation of radical-scavenging capacities and inhibition of aldose reductase. This study examined the effect of the standardized Japanese herbal extract product gosha-jinki-gan (GJG) in comparison to insulin treatment in the rat retina. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by single injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg i.p.). At 6 and 12 weeks, eyecups were removed for immunohistochemistry. At 12 weeks, lipid peroxidation (tested with the antiacrolein antibody, Ab5F6) was enhanced significantly in the untreated diabetic group. This effect was absent in both treatment groups, notably in the outer retina. A similar result was obtained for nitrotyrosine overproduction. As an early treatment effect, GJG – but not insulin – enhanced soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) activation (using the function-sensing antibody, MoAb 3221). GJG not only reduces nitroxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the retina, it also ameliorates glucose metabolism within the cells. We propose that the high glucose turnover in the insulin-treated model disturbs the intracellular redox equilibrium, one result of which might be the impaired sGC activation.
New Guidelines for Clinical Stage I Testicular Seminoma?
Authors: Christoph F. , Weikert S. , Miller K. , Schrader M.
Published: December 2005

Clinical stage I (CS I) seminoma has been the subject of various studies aimed at finding the ideal treatment. Due to its high radiosensitivity, radiotherapy has been the standard approach for decades. However, the fact that CS I seminoma has a recurrence rate of only 15–20% has prompted many suggestions for better treatment stratification offering surveillance therapy for a subgroup of patients. Moreover, carboplatinum-based monochemotherapy has been the topic of various retrospective studies demonstrating equal effectiveness for adjuvant chemotherapy with one cycle of carboplatin. Since seminoma affects men in their mid-30s, only few reports have been published on long-term survival with reference to radiotoxicity and secondary malignancies. Long-term side effects and secondary malignancies pose an increasing problem for long-term survivors of primary malignancies treated by chemo- or radiotherapy. This becomes evident after a follow-up of 15 years. Since recent studies have disclosed unexpectedly high long-term morbidity and mortality after irradiation, this article critically reviews the value of radiotherapy and carboplatinum-based chemotherapy as equally effective treatment options for CS I seminoma.
A Dose Escalation Study of Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin (Caelyx) in Combination with Capecitabine (Xeloda) in Patients with Refractory Solid Tumors
Authors: Maltezos E. , Amarantidis K. , Trichas M. , Vasiliadis M. , Toromanidou M. , Chatzaki E. , Karayiannakis A. , Tsaroucha A. , Romanidis K. , Kakolyris S.
Published: December 2005

Objective: Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) and capecitabine (CAP) have separately shown significant antitumor activity in a wide range of solid tumors. A phase I study was conducted in order to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of their combination in patients with refractory solid tumors. Patients and Methods: Fifteen patients with histologically confirmed inoperable solid neoplasms were enrolled. The patients’ median age was 65 years, 10 were male, and 12 had a performance status score (WHO) of 0–1. PLD was administered on day 1 as a 1-hour intravenous infusion at escalated doses ranging from 35 to 40 mg/m2. CAP was administered on days 1–14 per os, at escalated doses ranging from 1,600 to 1,800 mg/m2, given as two daily divided doses. Treatment was repeated every 3 weeks. Results: At the dose of PLD 40 mg/m2 and CAP 1,800 mg/m2, all 3 enrolled patients presented DLTs [2 patients grade 3 palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE) and 1 patient grade 3 asthenia] and thus, the recommended MTD for future phase II studies is PLD 40 mg/m2 and CAP 1,700 mg/m2. A total of 57 treatment cycles were administered. Grade 2/3 neutropenia complicated 9 (17%) cycles and 1 patient was hospitalized for febrile neutropenia. There was no septic death. The main nonhematologic toxicity was PPE grade 2 in 3 (19%) patients and grade 3 in 4 (27%). PPE was the reason of treatment interruption for 3 patients. Other toxicities were mild and easily manageable. Two patients (16%) with partial response suffering from gastric cancer and 5 patients with (42%) stable disease were observed among 12 evaluable patients. Conclusions: The results of this phase I study demonstrate that PLD and CAP can be combined at clinically effective and relevant doses. However, PPE is a common side effect and further investigation is warranted to define its precise role in the treatment of solid malignancies.
An Investigation into the Presence of a Vagal Tachycardia and the Effect of Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide on Rat Heart Rate in vitro
Authors: Hogan K. , Markos F.
Published: December 2005

The presence of the vagal tachycardia and the effect of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in the isolated innervated rat atrium were investigated. The right vagus, or cardiac branch, were stimulated at 4, 8, 16 and 32 Hz, pulse duration 1 ms, 20 V, 30 s before atropine and for 1 min after atropine (3 µmol/l), experiments were carried out in the presence of atenolol (4 µmol/l). No significant vagal tachycardia was observed in the presence of atropine, the greatest increase in heart rate was at 16 Hz which was 3±1 beats/min (n = 12 rats) (p = 0.052). Baseline heart rates for the control, 226±11 beats/min (n = 12 rats) and atropine experiments, 210±8 beats/min (n = 12 rats), were not significantly different (p = 0.24). VIP (0.06, 0.12, 0.24 µmol/l) caused a maximum increase of 27±13 beats/min (n = 5 rats) after 6 µmol/l VIP which was not significant, two higher concentrations of VIP failed to increase heart rate further. These results show that the vagal tachycardia is not present and that VIP does not cause a significant tachycardia in the rat.
Vitamins A, E and C as Non-Enzymatic Antioxidants and Their Relation to Lipid Peroxidation in Children with Chronic Renal Failure
Authors: Zwolińska Danuta , Grzeszczak Władysław , Szczepańska Maria , Kiliś-Pstrusińska Katarzyna , Szprynger Krystyna
Published: December 2005

Background: Increased lipid peroxidation (LP) and reduced enzymatic antioxidant defense have been observed in predialysis patients with advanced chronic renal failure (CRF) and in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD). To extend these observations, we evaluated the plasma, erythrocyte and dialysate levels of vitamins A and E and the plasma and dialysate levels of vitamin C as exogenous non-enzymatic antioxidants in children with CRF treated conservatively and on HD. The data obtained were related to LP monitored by erythrocyte malonyldialdehyde (E-MDA) and plasma organic hydroperoxide (OHP) concentrations. Patients: Forty-six predialysis children were enrolled in the study and divided into 2 groups: group I = moderate CRF (plasma creatinine <265.3 µmol/l), and group II = plasma creatinine ≧265.3 µmol/l. Group III consisted of 21 HD children. 27 age-matched healthy subjects served as a control group. Results: The plasma levels of vitamin A and vitamin C were significantly reduced in all CRF patients when compared to the controls, with the lowest values observed in children on maintenance HD (group III). Significant differences were also noted between the moderate CRF (group I) and HD (group III). Plasma levels of vitamin E were significantly decreased in moderate CRF (group I) and HD (group III) as compared to controls. In contrast, the erythrocyte vitamin A and vitamin E levels of predialysis children and HD patients were not different from the controls. The E-MDA and OHP concentrations in the 3 groups of CRF children were significantly higher than in healthy subjects. The concentration of plasma vitamin C was significantly inversely correlated with E-MDA, plasma OHP and creatinine in group I. In group II we found a significant correlation of plasma vitamin E levels with creatinine and E-MDA and a correlation of the plasma vitamin C concentration with E-MDA. Conclusion: CRF in children is associated with decreased concentrations of plasma antioxidant vitamins. This reduction is most expressed in children on maintenance HD and particularly concerns plasma vitamin C and erythrocyte vitamin E concentrations. The low levels of plasma vitamin A, E and C might result in reduced activity of the non-enzymatic antioxidant defense system and might be responsible for increased oxidative stress occurring in children with CRF.
Domestic Roots of China's Foreign and Security Policy
Authors: Bhalla Madhu
Published: December 2005

Nuances of China's foreign and security policy should be traced to domestic factors like state-society relationship, economic reforms and political stability. And clearly domestic priorities will affect the choices that China makes in the first quarter of this century. Domestic political and economic changes have expanded China's notions of security and transformed its foreign policy and strategic priorities. As a result, the objectives of China's foreign policy, as well as the tactics and strategies employed to achieve these, have changed. Most important, however, has been the impact on the policy choices that China has made, and will likely make, to achieve its foreign policy objectives. These policy choices will significantly affect the strategic environment in the region, especially for neighbours like India who have an increasing stake in regional stability and the extension of their regional and global influence.
Changing Dynamics in the Taiwan Strait
Authors: Acharya Alka
Published: December 2005

Over the last fifty years, relations across the Taiwan Strait seem to have undergone a fundamental transformation. If the Shanghai Communique represented the first step in altering the politicostrategic equations, the economic linkages have contributed to reshaping the dominant approaches to the problem. The increasing volume of cross-Strait trade and investment is influencing government decisions in both the mainland and in Taiwan. Economic links are now at the core of the changing dynamics and have played a key role in preventing the escalation of recurring politico-strategic-tensions into a full-fledged crisis. Developments in the post-Cold War era may have also led the way to a wide range of options pertinent to the Taiwan Strait as well as the problem of “one-China”. Over the last decade in particular, both sides have taken incremental but substantial steps so that political differences do not hamper fast developing economic ties. The increasing salience of historical, cultural and civilizational factors in examining the newly emerging issues in the Taiwan Strait such as identity and nationalism, has further opened up new avenues. Prospects for resolving the “one China” issue will depend on how both sides are able to reinforce economic relations with political understanding.
Chinese Strategies for Resolution of the Taiwan and South China Sea Disputes
Authors: Gupta Sonika
Published: December 2005

The Taiwan and the South China Sea disputes have seen the application of multi-pronged military, political and economic strategies by China. This became possible with the declining influence of the communist ideology in China's foreign policy and the consequential “thickening of the elite”. It would be erroneous to characterize China's policy as aggressive based on its declaration to reserve its right to use force to resolve these disputes. The two disputes are fundamentally different in terms of their linkages to political legitimacy and China's national objectives. While the Taiwan question lies at the core of Chinese national identity, the South China Sea dispute is linked more to economic and strategic interests even though the sovereignty issue is important in both. The dual need for making an assertive nationalist stand on the Taiwan issue and following a pragmatic economic policy resulted in a strategy of encouraging greater economic integration of Taiwan with the mainland even while not ruling out military action. On the South China Sea problem, China has basically adopted a mix of political and military strategies.
Media Message Flows and Interpersonal Communication
Authors: de Vreese Claes H. , Boomgaarden Hajo G.
Published: December 2005

This study investigates the differential effects of exposure and attention to news and of interpersonal communication on change in public opinion under the condition of one-sided or two-sided information flows. Based on Zaller’s theory of public opinion dynamics, for less politically sophisticated individuals, we expected media to influence changes in opinion under the condition of a one-sided message flow. We further expected politically sophisticated individuals to rely more on cues for opinion change stemming from interpersonal communication. The study draws on two-wave panel surveys and media content analyses of television news and national newspapers. The results confirmed our hypotheses and showed media effects for less politically sophisticated individuals under the condition of a one-sided message flow and effects of interpersonal communication for politically sophisticated individuals. Media had no effect under the condition of a two-sided message flow. The study concludes with a discussion of the conditionality of media effects and the moderating role of political sophistication.
An Analysis of Socioemotional and Task Communication in Online Multiplayer Video Games
Authors: Peña Jorge , Hancock Jeffrey T.
Published: December 2005

Communication within recreational computer-mediated settings has received less attention than interaction in instrumental and organizational contexts. The present study compared the socioemotional and task-oriented content of 5,826 text messages produced by participants of an online video game. The results suggest that participants produced significantly more socioemotional than task content. Consistent with predictions flowing from Social Information Processing Theory, the vast majority of messages were socioemotional and positively valenced, despite the ostensible game objective of fighting other participants. Experience level played an important role in message production. More experienced participants produced both more positive and fewer negative socioemotional messages than the less experienced and used more specialized language conventions (e.g., emoticons, scripted emotes, and abbreviations). The results are discussed in the context of previous research examining the effect of communication medium and interaction purpose on socioemotional and task message production.
Independence of the Chairman and Board Composition: Firm Choices and Shareholder Value
Authors: Coles Jerilyn W. , Hesterly William S.
Published: December 2005

This paper examines the role of leadership structure and board composition in the context of poison pill adoptions. We distinguish, for the first time, independent, separated leadership structures from non-independent, separated leadership structures. Our results suggest that there is an important interaction effect between board composition and the independence of the board Chairman, and that while there is a critical monitoring role for outside directors, inside directors also provide a critical informational role in board decision-making.
Critical Push: Strategies for Creating Momentum in the Motion Picture Industry
Authors: Lampel Joseph , Shamsie Jamal
Published: December 2005

In a growing number of industries, higher rates of new product introduction leave firms with a short window of opportunity during which they must overcome obstacles to market acceptance. We argue that relatively autonomous information providing institutions that have primarily emerged to alleviate consumer uncertainty may also end up assisting firms in generating momentum for their new products. We examine the linkage between these institutions and strategy in the motion picture industry, showing that studios incorporate the anticipated response of critics into their pre-production, production, and post-production decisions.
Interdependence and Preference for Group Work: Main and Congruence Effects on the Satisfaction and Performance of Group Members
Authors: Shaw Jason D. , Duffy Michelle K. , Stark Eric M.
Published: December 2005

This study examined the direct and interactive relationships of interdependence (task and reward) and preference for group work on the satisfaction and performance of group members. Hypotheses were tested among a sample of task-performing group members over a four-month period (N’s = 328–432). Consistent with a “community of fate” perspective, hierarchical regressions revealed that interdependence (task and reward) and preference for group work were positively related to group-member satisfaction. Consistent with “supplies-values fit” framework, the interaction of task interdependence and preference for group work was significantly related to group-member performance. Implications for the design of group tasks, the effects of group-member preferences, and the prediction of individual satisfaction and performance in group contexts are discussed.
Implications of Utility Analysis Adjustments for Estimates of Human Resource Intervention Value
Authors: Sturman Michael C.
Published: December 2005

This paper argues that most utility analysis (UA) applications are flawed because they employ an overly simplistic formula. This piece reviews the literature on UA adjustments and demonstrates that the adjustments have a large impact on resulting estimates. These results imply that human resources programs do not invariably yield positive returns; rather, intervention success is contingent on program-specific, organizational, and environmental factors.
The Impact of Workforce Reductions on Financial Performance: A Longitudinal Perspective
Authors: Wayhan Victor B. , Werner Steve
Published: December 2005

During the last two decades, workforce reductions played an integral role in the restructuring strategies of many companies, especially for Fortune 500 companies. However, research in this important area has been limited. A doubly (multivariate) repeated measures design was chosen for this study to determine the longitudinal impact of workforce reductions on financial performance. The largest 250 U. S. corporations, as measured by 1992 revenues, were divided into two groups based on whether or not the company announced a significant workforce reduction initiative of at least 3% during the period 1991–92. Financial performance was measured by growth in sales and market capitalization for the period 1989 to 1996, thus providing two years of pre-event data and six years of post-event data. We found that workforce reductions significantly improved subsequent financial performance, particularly in the short term.
Research on Employee Recruitment: So Many Studies, So Many Remaining Questions
Authors: Breaugh James A. , Starke Mary
Published: December 2005

Over the last thirty years, the amount of research on recruitment topics has increased dramatically. Despite this increase, recent reviews of the recruitment literature often have had a somewhat pessimistic tone. Reviewers have concluded that we still do not know a great deal about why recruitment activities have the effects they do. In particular, recent reviews have criticized many of the studies conducted for being poorly designed, narrow in focus, and not grounded in theory. We believe that many of these criticisms are legitimate. We also believe that, in order for future studies to result in a better understanding of the recruitment process, such studies need to be designed with an appreciation of the complexity of the recruitment process (i.e., the number of variables involved and the nature of their relationships). In this regard, we offer an organizing framework of the recruitment process. In introducing this framework, we draw upon theories from a variety of research domains and give considerable attention to process variables (e.g., aplicant attention, message credibility, applicant self-insight) that mediate the relationships between recruitment activities (e.g., recruiter behavior) and recruitment outcomes (e.g., the number of applications generated). Having introduced an organizing framework, we selectively review recruitment research, giving particular attention to the topics of recruitment sources, recruiters, and realistic job previews. This review makes apparent a number of important issues that recruitment research has yet to address.
Organizational Citizenship Behaviors: A Critical Review of the Theoretical and Empirical Literature and Suggestions for Future Research
Authors: Podsakoff Philip M. , MacKenzie Scott B. , Paine Julie Beth , Bachrach Daniel G.
Published: December 2005

The rapid growth of research on organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) has resulted in some conceptual confusion about the nature of the construct, and made it difficult for all but the most avid readers to keep up with developments in this domain. This paper critically examines the literature on organizational citizenship behavior and other, related constructs. More specifically, it: (a) explores the conceptual similarities and differences between the various forms of “citizenship” behavior constructs identified in the literature; (b) summarizes the empirical findings of both the antecedents and consequences of OCBs; and (c) identifies several interesting directions for future research.
Enhancing Entrepreneurial Orientation Research: Operationalizing and Measuring a Key Strategic Decision Making Process
Authors: Lyon Douglas W. , Lumpkin G. T. , Dess Gregory G.
Published: December 2005

As a means to enhance prescriptive theory on a firm’s entrepreneurial orientation, this paper addresses the strengths and weaknesses of three approaches to measurement: managerial perceptions, firm behaviors, and resource allocations. We examine a set of recent studies employing these approaches, propose important contingencies regarding their use, and suggest that measurement accuracy can be improved by using a triangulation of methods. The paper concludes with a discussion of theoretical, resource availability, and interpretability considerations in measurement selection.
A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis of Journal Rankings: The Case of Formal Lists
Authors: Van Fleet David D. , McWilliams Abagail , Siegel Donald S.
Published: December 2005

This study examines the use of formal rankings of journals by management departments for personnel decision purposes. We posit that the probability of adopting a list of formal rankings is related to a set of characteristics of the department. Few schools have formal lists of journals. Our empirical findings imply that the probability of adopting a list is positively correlated with department size and is inversely correlated with the perceived quality of the department. Considerable variation exists across such lists and across different institutions in the perceptions of the quality of journals. This suggests that, although lists may reduce the level of uncertainty regarding the assessment of research quality by providing explicit targets, lists may also induce faculty members to develop institution-specific human capital. This could reduce faculty mobility and impede career development.
Equity Sensitivity: Construction of a Measure and Examination of Its Psychometric Properties
Authors: Sauley Kerry S. , Bedeian Arthur G.
Published: December 2005

Despite suffering from content ambiguity, a sample-specific scoring procedure, and the inappropriate use of cut scores, the Equity Sensitivity Instrument (Huseman, Hatfield, & Miles, 1985) has been the primary measure used in equity sensitivity research. The purpose of the present undertaking was to propose and evaluate a new measure of equity sensitivity based on systematic item-development procedures that are crucial in both constructing a reliable and content-valid measure and for gaining an unbiased understanding of the nomological network linking equity sensitivity to other theoretically relevant constructs. The design and evaluation of the 16-item Equity Preference Questionnaire (EPQ) occurred in six studies. Two pilot studies were initially conducted to purify the EPQ and assess its reliability. Two validity assessment studies were then undertaken to examine the EPQ’s construct validity. A laboratory experiment was performed next to determine the EPQ’s validity for predicting satisfaction with different reward conditions. Finally, a test-retest reliability study was conducted to provide evidence regarding the consistency of the measurements yielded by the EPQ across time. Possible study limitations aside, the EPQ seems to be both psychometrically sound and useful for advancing equity sensitivity research. Various areas in equity sensitivity research that merit further examination are also addressed.
Entrepreneurship in Medium-Size Companies: Exploring the Effects of Ownership and Governance Systems
Authors: Zahra Shaker A. , Neubaum Donald O. , Huse Morten
Published: December 2005

Corporate entrepreneurship (CE), which embodies a company’s innovation and venturing activities, is necessary in today’s competitive markets. CE is important for organizational renewal, the creation of new business, and improved performance. CE, however, requires strong and continued support from the company’s top executives. Data from 231 medium-size manufacturing companies show that commitment to CE is high when: (1) executives own stock in their company; (2) the board chair and the chief executive officer are different individuals; (3) the board is medium in size; and, (4) outside directors own stock in the company. The relationships between the ratio of outside directors and CE, and institutional ownership and CE, are mixed. CE is also positively associated with future company performance.
An examination of the relationship of governance mechanisms to performance
Authors: Coles Jerilyn W. , McWilliams Victoria B. , Sen Nilanjan
Published: December 2005

The purpose of this paper is to draw together the many different facets of corporate governance that have been examined in the extensive literature in both strategic management and finance. In particular, we are interested in the relationship between the typical agency theory constructs of monitoring, incentives and ownership structure, with financial performance. First, we catalog this large body of work to see where there are still unanswered questions. We find that previous work has generally focused on examining subsets of governance mechanisms, typically studying one or two governance variables in any one study. Our view is that the most critical issue still to examine, is the ability of firms to choose among a number of different governance mechanisms in order to create the appropriate structure for that firm, given the environment in which it operates. We identify a sample of firms and examine CEO compensation, CEO tenure, board composition, leadership structure and ownership structure and their contribution to both market performance, Market Value Added, and risk-adjusted accounting performance, Economic Value Added. In addition, we control for ownership by block-holders, industry performance, and firm size. We examine these measures both individually and as interactions. Our results indicate that while some of the traditional agency variables do impact performance, both individually and as interactions, industry performance is a strong and significant driver of performance for our sample of firms. We conclude that, while there is evidence to support that firms may use governance packages to deal with agency issues, further research could provide important evidence on these issues by focusing on examining a more refined, industry-level context.
Bound by the past? Experience-based effects on commitment to the strategic status quo
Authors: Geletkanycz Marta A. , Black Sylvia Sloan
Published: December 2005

This study extends research into the determinants of executive commitment to the strategic status quo (CSQ) by examining the effects of functional and educational experience. Regression analyses conducted on the survey responses of 1385 executives representing 20 different nationalities reveal that experience in the traditionally dominant career tracks of finance, marketing, law, and general management is positively related to CSQ. Results further suggest that while functional diversity is negatively related to commitment to extant policies, graduate (MBA) education is unrelated to CSQ and does not significantly attenuate the narrowing effects of functional specialization. Implications for executive leadership, management development, and strategic adaptation are discussed.
Organization Task Environments: Have they Changed Fundamentally over Time?
Authors: Castrogiovanni Gary J.
Published: December 2005

Changes in three task environment dimensions—munificence, dynamism, and complexity—were assessed for manufacturing establishments in 45 established industries and 43 new industries. In analyses of both the established and new industries, all three environmental dimensions tended to decrease over time. Sample comparison, however, indicated that both dynamism and complexity tend to be greater in new industries than established ones. Although the latter finding is consistent with widespread perceptions that “the world” is getting more dynamic and complex over time, the former finding shows that this is not the tendency within individual task environments. Theoretical refinement is thus warranted.
Enhancing Survey Response Rates at the Executive Level: Are Employee- or Consumer-Level Techniques Effective?
Authors: Cycyota Cynthia S. , Harrison David A.
Published: December 2005

Firm-level data from executives are necessary for testing many theories in organizational science. To date, researchers who have used survey methods to get data from executives have relied on response-rate techniques that were validated in general public, customer-, or employee-level populations. In a factorial field experiment, we manipulated the four most strongly supported of these techniques: incentives (gifts), advance notice, follow-up, and personalization. We also examined firm size as a potential moderator of their effects. In addition, we tested whether these response-rate enhancements affected the psychometric quality (acquiescence, self-presentation bias) of the executive survey data. Despite high statistical power(n = 1,200, 1-β≥.95), none of the conventional response-rate enhancement techniques were effective. Small influences on response acquiescence were found but these were confined to questions that arguably had the strongest demand cues. We conclude that distinctly different techniques may be needed to generate interest and involvement among executives targeted by firm-level mail surveys, and we provide some suggestions.
Benefit System and Benefit Level Satisfaction: An Expanded Model of Antecedents and Consequences
Authors: Williams Margaret L. , Malos Stanley B. , Palmer David K.
Published: December 2005

Compensation research distinguishes between satisfaction with pay level and the system that determines and delivers pay, but has neglected to make a similar distinction with respect to benefits. We (1) develop a measure of the benefit system satisfaction construct, (2) examine the discriminant validity of benefit system satisfaction, and (3) examine aspects of procedural and distributive justice and transaction costs as they relate to benefit satisfaction. Confirmatory factor analysis of a comprehensive pay satisfaction measure supported a separate benefit system satisfaction dimension. Structural equation models supported common and unique antecedents of benefit system and benefit level satisfaction, and supported their relationships with global job satisfaction.
Does Decentralization Make a Difference for the Organization? An Examination of the Boundary Conditions Circumbscribing Decentralized Decision-Making and Organizational Financial Performance
Authors: Richardson Hettie A. , Vandenberg Robert J. , Blum Terry C. , Roman Paul M.
Published: December 2005

Recently, there has been increased interest in the organizational gains that can be achieved by decentralizing decision-making authority to lower level employees. Yet, literature examining the relationship of decentralization to organizational performance is both scarce and equivocal. The current study examines decentralization’s influence on financial performance in a sample of behavioral healthcare treatment centers. As expected, the decentralization-financial performance relationship is moderated by key organizational characteristics. Implications of the findings are presented.
Desegregating HRM: A Review and Synthesis of Micro and Macro Human Resource Management Research
Authors: Wright Patrick M. , Boswell Wendy R.
Published: December 2005

Since the early 1980s the field of HRM has seen the independent evolution of two independent subfields (strategic and functional), which we believe is dysfunctional to the field as a whole. We propose a typology of HRM research based on two dimensions: level of analysis (individual/group or organization) and number of practices (single or multiple). We use this framework to review the recent research in each of the four subareas. We argue that while significant progress has been made within each area, the potential for greater gains exists by looking across each area. Toward this end we suggest some future research directions based on a more integrative view of HRM. We believe that both areas can contribute significantly to each other resulting in a more profound impact on the field of HRM than each can contribute independently.
Recent Developments in International Management Research: A Review of 20 Top Management Journals
Authors: Werner Steve
Published: December 2005

This review analyzes recent trends in the international management (IM) literature from 1996 to 2000. The 271 articles located in 20 top management (and management related) journals are categorized into 12 distinct topics: (1) the global business environment; (2) internationalization; (3) entry mode decisions; (4) international joint ventures; (5) foreign direct investment (FDI); (6) international exchange; (7) transfer of knowledge; (8) strategic alliances and networks; (9) multinational enterprises; (10) subsidiary-headquarters relations; (11) subsidiary and multinational team management; and (12) expatriate management. Research in each of these areas is presented and linkages between the areas are reviewed. Concluding thoughts are offered relating to the pervasiveness, methodologies, and levels of analysis of IM research, as well as potential areas for future research.
Big Things Have Small Beginnings: An Assortment of “Minor” Methodological Misunderstandings
Authors: Cortina Jose M.
Published: December 2005

Most statistical/methodological topics seem to have certain components that are poorly understood by many researchers. The purpose of this paper was to discuss some of the problem areas in significance testing, meta-analysis, multiple regression, factor analysis, structural equations modeling, validity, and outliers. These topics were chosen because they have generated a variety of problems for researchers, and because these problems have come to my attention through reviews of journal submissions, discussions with colleagues, and my own reading of the published literature.
The Role of Sampling in Strategic Management Research on Performance: A Two-Study Analysis
Authors: Short Jeremy C. , Ketchen David J. , Palmer Timothy B.
Published: December 2005

Strategic management researchers often note the inability of many phenomena to consistently explain organizational performance. Using a two-study format, we examine the possibility that sampling practices may contribute to this inability. We chronicle sampling practices within 437 studies investigating the determinants of organizational performance published between 1980 and 1999 in the Academy of Management Journal, Administrative Science Quarterly, Journal of Management, Organization Science, and Strategic Management Journal. Our results reveal that fewer than one in five studies rely on a random sample and that researchers offer little a priori acknowledgement of sample limitations. Although the first study suggests that sampling issues have been problematic, it cannot offer direct evidence. Thus, in the second study, we examine the effect of sample selection on empirical results by testing one popular relationship from the strategy literature (chief executive officer duality and performance) using four different samples. Whereas a stratified random sample offers some evidence of a positive relationship, a purposive sample detects a negative relationship and an available sample and simple random sample detect no relationship. Taken together, the studies suggest that sampling practices must improve if strategic management is to approach its objective of explaining performance. Accordingly, several exemplar studies are described and recommendations are offered to guide future sampling practices.