bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transposon mutagenesis reveals cooperation of ETS family transcription factors with signaling pathways in erythro-megakaryocytic leukemia
Authors: Tang Jian Zhong , Carmichael Catherine L. , Shi Wei , Metcalf Donald , Ng Ashley P. , Hyland Craig D. , Jenkins Nancy A. , Copeland Neal G. , Howell Viive M. , Zhao Zhizhuang Joe , Smyth Gordon K. , Kile Benjamin T. , Alexander Warren S.
Published: March 2013

To define genetic lesions driving leukemia, we targeted cre-dependent Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon mutagenesis to the blood-forming system using a hematopoietic-selective
vav 1 oncogene
(
vav1
) promoter. Leukemias of diverse lineages ensued, most commonly lymphoid leukemia and erythroleukemia. The inclusion of a transgenic allele of
Janus kinase 2
(
JAK2
)
V617F
resulted in acceleration of transposon-driven disease and strong selection for erythroleukemic pathology with transformation of bipotential erythro-megakaryocytic cells. The genes encoding the E-twenty-six (ETS) transcription factors Ets related gene (Erg) and Ets1 were the most common sites for transposon insertion in SB-induced
JAK2V617F
-positive erythroleukemias, present in 87.5% and 65%, respectively, of independent leukemias examined. The role of activated
Erg
was validated by reproducing erythroleukemic pathology in mice transplanted with fetal liver cells expressing
translocated in liposarcoma
(
TLS
)
-ERG
, an activated form of ERG found in human leukemia. Via application of SB mutagenesis to
TLS-ERG
–induced erythroid transformation, we identified multiple loci as likely collaborators with activation of
Erg
.
Jak2
was identified as a common transposon insertion site in
TLS-ERG
–induced disease, strongly validating the cooperation between
JAK2V617F
and transposon insertion at the
Erg
locus in the
JAK2V617F
-positive leukemias. Moreover, loci expressing other regulators of signal transduction pathways were conspicuous among the common transposon insertion sites in
TLS-ERG
–driven leukemia, suggesting that a key mechanism in erythroleukemia may be the collaboration of lesions disturbing erythroid maturation, most notably in genes of the
ETS
family, with mutations that reduce dependence on exogenous signals.
Electoral Violence Early Warning and Infrastructures for Peace
Authors: Alihodžić Sead
Published: March 2013

Outbreaks of election-related violence can be devastating, but experience has shown that they can be prevented. The need for improved efficiency of electoral violence early warning and prevention is increasingly argued. Good practices – developed nationally, regionally and globally – offer useful understanding of the phenomenon and of what can be done to improve prevention and mitigation. Although diverse and contingent on mandates and contexts in which organisations operate, early warning and prevention methodologies have common denominators that can be comparatively analysed. The establishment of national infrastructures for peace, which are also mandated to coordinate early warning, prevention and mitigation of electoral violence, helps to ensure that the impact of such efforts is maximised.
Divergent modes for cargo-mediated control of clathrin-coated pit dynamics
Authors: Soohoo Amanda L. , Puthenveedu Manojkumar A.
Published: March 2013

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis has long been viewed as a process driven by core endocytic proteins, with internalized cargo proteins being passive. In contrast, an emerging view suggests that signaling receptor cargo may actively control its fate by regulating the dynamics of clathrin-coated pits (CCPs) that mediate their internalization. Despite its physiological implications, very little is known about such “cargo-mediated regulation” of CCPs by signaling receptors. Here, using multicolor total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy imaging and quantitative analysis in live cells, we show that the μ-opioid receptor, a physiologically relevant G protein–coupled signaling receptor, delays the dynamics of CCPs in which it is localized. This delay is mediated by the interactions of two critical leucines on the receptor cytoplasmic tail. Unlike the previously known mechanism of cargo-mediated regulation, these residues regulate the lifetimes of dynamin, a key component of CCP scission. These results identify a novel means for selectively controlling the endocytosis of distinct cargo that share common trafficking components and indicate that CCP regulation by signaling receptors can operate via divergent modes.
Ndufaf5 deficiency in theDictyosteliummodel: new roles in autophagy and development
Authors: Carilla-Latorre Sergio , Annesley Sarah J. , Muñoz-Braceras Sandra , Fisher Paul R. , Escalante Ricardo
Published: March 2013

Ndufaf5 (also known as C20orf7) is a mitochondrial complex I (CI) assembly factor whose mutations lead to human mitochondrial disease. Little is known about the function of the protein and the cytopathological consequences of the mutations. Disruption of Dictyostelium Ndufaf5 leads to CI deficiency and defects in growth and development. The predicted sequence of Ndufaf5 contains a putative methyltransferase domain. Site-directed mutagenesis indicates that the methyltransferase motif is essential for its function. Pathological mutations were recreated in the Dictyostelium protein and expressed in the mutant background. These proteins were unable to complement the phenotypes, which further validates Dictyostelium as a model of the disease. Chronic activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been proposed to play a role in Dictyostelium and human cytopathology in mitochondrial diseases. However, inhibition of the expression of AMPK gene in the Ndufaf5-null mutant does not rescue the phenotypes associated with the lack of Ndufaf5, suggesting that novel AMPK-independent pathways are responsible for Ndufaf5 cytopathology. Of interest, the Ndufaf5-deficient strain shows an increase in autophagy. This phenomenon was also observed in a Dictyostelium mutant lacking MidA (C2orf56/PRO1853/Ndufaf7), another CI assembly factor, suggesting that autophagy activation might be a common feature in mitochondrial CI dysfunction.
Heterotrimeric G protein signalling in the plant kingdom
Authors: Urano Daisuke , Chen Jin-Gui , Botella José Ramón , Jones Alan M.
Published: March 2013

In animals, heterotrimeric G proteins, comprising α-, β-and γ-subunits, perceive extracellular stimuli through cell surface receptors, and transmit signals to ion channels, enzymes and other effector proteins to affect numerous cellular behaviours. In plants, G proteins have structural similarities to the corresponding molecules in animals but transmit signals by atypical mechanisms and effector proteins to control growth, cell proliferation, defence, stomate movements, channel regulation, sugar sensing and some hormonal responses. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the molecular regulation of plant G proteins, their effectors and the physiological functions studied mainly in two model organisms:
Arabidopsis thaliana
and rice (
Oryza sativa
). We also look at recent progress on structural analyses, systems biology and evolutionary studies.
Dynamic interplay of ParA with the polarity protein, Scy, coordinates the growth with chromosome segregation inStreptomyces coelicolor
Authors: Ditkowski Bartosz , Holmes Neil , Rydzak Joanna , Donczew Magdalena , Bezulska Martyna , Ginda Katarzyna , Kędzierski Paweł , Zakrzewska-Czerwińska Jolanta , Kelemen Gabriella H. , Jakimowicz Dagmara
Published: March 2013

Prior tobacterial cell division, the ATP-dependent polymerization of the cytoskeletal protein, ParA, positions the newly replicated origin-proximal region of the chromosome by interacting with ParB complexes assembled onparSsites located close to the origin. During the formation of unigenomic spores from multi-genomic aerial hyphae compartments ofStreptomyces coelicolor, ParA is developmentally triggered to form filaments along the hyphae; this promotes the accurate and synchronized segregation of tens of chromosomes into prespore compartments. Here, we show that in addition to being a segregation protein, ParA also interacts with the polarity protein, Scy, which is a component of the tip-organizing centre that controls tip growth. Scy recruits ParA to the hyphal tips and regulates ParA polymerization. These results are supported by the phenotype of a strain with a mutant form of ParA that uncouples ParA polymerization from Scy. We suggest that the ParA–Scy interaction coordinates the transition from hyphal elongation to sporulation.
L74V increases the reverse transcriptase content of HIV-1 virions with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase drug-resistant mutations L100I+K103N and K101E+G190S, which results in increased fitness
Authors: Wang Jiong , Li Dongge , Bambara Robert A. , Yang Hongmei , Dykes Carrie
Published: March 2013

The fitness of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) drug-resistant reverse transcriptase (RT) mutants of HIV-1 correlates with the amount of RT in the virions and the RNase H activity of the RT. We wanted to understand the mechanism by which secondary NNRTI-resistance mutations, L100I and K101E, and the nucleoside resistance mutation, L74V, alter the fitness of K103N and G190S viruses. We measured the amount of RT in virions and the polymerization and RNase H activities of mutant RTs compared to wild-type, K103N and G190S. We found that L100I, K101E and L74V did not change the polymerization or RNase H activities of K103N or G190S RTs. However, L100I and K101E reduced the amount of RT in the virions and subsequent addition of L74V restored RT levels back to those of G190S or K103N alone. We conclude that fitness changes caused by L100I, K101E and L74V derive from their effects on RT content.
Functional small RNAs are generated from select miRNA hairpin loops in flies and mammals
Authors: Okamura Katsutomo , Ladewig Erik , Zhou Li , Lai Eric C.
Published: March 2013

In the canonical animal microRNA (miRNA) pathway, Drosha generates ∼60- to 70-nucleotide pre-miRNA hairpins that are cleaved by Dicer into small RNA duplexes that load into Argonaute proteins, which retain a single mature strand in the active complex. The terminal loops of some miRNA hairpins regulate processing efficiency, but once liberated by Dicer, they are generally considered nonfunctional by-products. Here, we show that specific miRNA loops accumulate in effector Argonaute complexes in Drosophila and mediate miRNA-type repression. This was unexpected, since endogenous loading of Argonaute proteins was believed to occur exclusively via small RNA duplexes. Using in vitro assays, which recapitulate Argonaute-specific loop loading from synthetic pre-miRNAs and even single-stranded oligoribonucleotides corresponding to miRNA loops, we reveal that the loop-loading mechanism is distinct from duplex loading. We also show that miRNA loops loaded into the miRNA effector AGO1 are subject to 3′ resection, and structure–function analyses indicate selectivity of loop loading. Finally, we demonstrate that select miRNA loops in mammals are similarly loaded into Argonaute complexes and direct target repression. Altogether, we reveal a conserved mechanism that yields functional RNAs from miRNA loop regions, broadening the repertoire of Argonaute-dependent regulatory RNAs and providing evidence for functionality of endogenous ssRNA species.
Friction and wear behaviors of aircraft brake linings material
Authors: Çeliktaş Erhan , Topuz Ahmet , Kazancı Zafer
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to produce and investigate a reliable and effective aircraft brake lining material.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, four different Cu‐based brake lining samples were produced by powder metallurgy. The produced samples were tested in an experimental setup on friction, wear and mechanical performance, then metallographic and scanning electron microscope inspections were performed. Hardness, compression strength and density of copper‐based brake linings were also tested. Moreover, a numerical simulation of the structural reaction of a sample under compression was carried out by using ANSYS.

Findings

According to tests, suitable aircraft brake lining material composition would be 75% Cu, 5% Fe, 5% Sn, 5% Graphite, 5% SiO2, 5% MoS2.

Practical implications

The paper will help designers choose the most proper ingredient combination for aircraft brake lining materials.

Originality/value

The paper notes that adding silicon dioxide and graphite forms a porosive structure. In addition, porosity brings a low strength and high wear rate.
Integrity monitoring using ERAIM for GNSS/inertial system
Authors: Liu Haiying , Ye Weisong , Wang Huinan
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrity monitoring method using ERAIM (Extended Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring) for the integrated GNSS/Inertial (Global Navigation Satellite System and inertial navigation system) of general aviation aircraft.

Design/methodology/approach

First the tightly integrated GNSS with Strapdown Inertial Navigation System (GNSS/SINS) and the Kalman filter is designed. Then the processing of ERAIM is presented, in which the least‐squares theory is used to calculate the best estimators by integrating the predicted states with measurement states of Kalman filter. Based on the new measurement model, the integrity monitoring for GNSS/inertial system is carried out, including the fault detection, identification, reliability and separability. Lastly, the simulation and analysis for ERAIM vs RAIM are performed to validate the proposed method.

Findings

Simulation results show that the ERAIM method is able to detect and identify effectively any type of failure including step failure and ramp failure. Compared to the RAIM method for only GNSS, the ERAIM increases the redundant information and reduces the correlation of test statistics, as well as enhancing the reliability and thus can significantly improve the performance of integrity monitoring.

Practical implications

In safety critical sectors such as aviation, stringent integrity performance requirements must be met. The ERAIM method cannot only be used in integrity monitoring for the integrated GNSS/Inertial system, but also can be applied to only GNSS or other integrated navigation systems for general aviation aircraft.

Originality/value

The paper presents a new integrity monitoring method of ERAIM, which is able to improve the fault detection and identification capabilities significantly by extending GNSS‐used RAIM method into the GNSS/Inertial integrated system.
Launch window for manned Moon‐to‐Earth trajectories
Authors: Li Jingyang , Gong Shengping , Wang Xiang , Li Jingxia
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish an orbital launch window for manned Moon‐to‐Earth trajectories to support China's manned lunar landing mission requirements of high‐latitude landing and anytime return, i.e. the capability of safely returning the crew exploration vehicle at any time from any lunar parking orbit. The launch window is a certain time interval during which the transearth injection may occur and result in a safe lunar return to the specified landing site on the surface of the Earth.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the patched conic technique, an analytical design method for determining the transearth trajectories is developed with a finite sphere of influence model. An orbital launch window has been established to study the mission sensitivities to transearth trip time and energy requirements. The results presented here are limited to a single impulsive maneuver.

Findings

The difference between the results of the analytical model and high‐fidelity model is compared. This difference is relatively small and can be easily eliminated by a simple differential correction procedure. The launch window duration varies with launch date, from less than one hour to greater than 20 h, and the launch window occurs every day in the sidereal month.

Research limitations/implications

The solution can be used to serve as an initial estimate for future optimization procedures.

Practical implications

The orbital launch window can be used to provide the basis for the preparation of an orbital launch timetable compatible with lunar missions and re‐entry conditions requirements.

Originality/value

Previous studies were mainly concentrated on the launch windows for the departure from the Earth. This paper investigates and establishes the orbital launch window for Moon‐to‐Earth trajectories.
Composite wing elastic axis for aeroelasticity optimization design
Authors: Huo S.H. , Wang F.S. , Yuan Z. , Yue Z.F.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Computational efficiency is always the major concern in aircraft design. The purpose of this paper is to investigate an efficient aeroelasticity optimization design method. Analysis of composite wing elastic axis is presented in the current study and its application on aeroelasticity optimization design is discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

Elastic axis consists of stiffness centers. The stiffness centers of eight cross sections are analyzed and the wing elastic axis is obtained through least‐squares procedure. In the analysis of the cross section stiffness center, the wing model is approximated by assuming the wing cross section as a thin walled structure with a single cell closed section and assuming the composite material to be a 3D anisotropic material. In aeroelasticity optimization design, objective functions are taken to be the wing weight and elastic axis position. Design variables are the thickness and area of wing components.

Findings

After aeroelasticity optimization design, the wing weight decreases while the divergent velocity increases. Meanwhile, it can achieve an expected result but costs much less computational time than the conventional method.

Practical implications

The results can be used for aircraft design or as an initial value for the next detailed optimization design.

Originality/value

The computational time can be dramatically reduced through the aeroelasticity optimization design based on the elastic axis. It is suitable for engineering applications.
Accidental ignition in the engine intake system
Authors: Grzelka Janusz , Cupiał Karol , Pyrc Michał , Dużyński Adam , Gruca Michal , Brzęczek Józef , Zbos Tadeusz
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe studies of accidental ignition of fuel‐air mixture. Studies were carried out in a laboratory that contains the naturally aspirated aircraft engine LYCOMNIG 320B1A IO type used in the EM‐11C Orka aircraft and the intake system to determine its resilience to the effects of accidental ignition and the occurrence of a backfire.

Design/methodology/approach

Tests were performed on a model under extreme conditions (with the intake system closed) and under conditions similar to normal operation using fuels of different combustion rates.

Findings

It was found that the positive pressure caused by such accidental ignition under normal operating conditions did not exceed 0.08 bar and did not pose any hazard of damaging the intake system of the IO‐320B1‐type LYCOMNIG naturally aspirated aircraft engine, as designed by the aircraft manufacturer.

Practical implications

The positive results of the tests of the EM11C Orka aircraft intake system's resistance to flashback and other positive test results for this aircraft have contributed to obtaining the EASA.A.115 Certificate and the EASA.21J.117 Certificate for the Design Unit, and the plane was presented at the AERO – Friedrichshafen 2011 Exhibition.

Originality/value

The paper described how, in the laboratory, simulated extreme operating conditions of the naturally aspirated aircraft engine intake system powered aircraft fuels with different burning speeds (aviation gasoline, hydrogen).
Penetration trajectory planning based on radar tracking features for UAV
Authors: Chen Shaofei , Liu Hongfu , Chen Jing , Shen Lincheng
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to plan the penetration trajectory for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the presence of radar‐guided surface to air missiles (SAMs).

Design/methodology/approach

The penetration trajectory planning problem is modelled based on four aspects of radar tracking features. As penetration just utilizes the low observability of radar cross section (RCS) to satisfy temporal constraints of tracking, the problem is formulated as multi‐phase trajectory planning with detected probability (MTP‐DP). While utilizing both the low observability of RCS and the radial velocity blind area of radar, the problem is formulated as multi‐phase trajectory planning with detected probability and radial velocity (MTP‐DP&RV). The pseudospectral multi‐phase optimal control based trajectory planning algorithm is proposed.

Findings

The results of the examples illustrate that the multi‐phase trajectory planning method can finely utilize the radar tracking features to optimize the comprehensive efficiency of penetration. The pseudospectral multi‐phase optimal control based trajectory planning algorithm could effectively solve the trajectory planning problem.

Originality/value

This paper provides new structured method to plan UAV penetration trajectory for military application and academic study.
Artificial bee colony optimized controller for unmanned rotorcraft pendulum
Authors: Changhao Sun , Duan Haibin
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new algorithm for pendulum‐like oscillation control of an unmanned rotorcraft (UR) in a reconnaissance mission and improve the stabilizing performance of the UR's hover and stare.

Design/methodology/approach

The algorithm is based on linear‐quadratic regulator (LQR), of which the determinable parameters are optimized by the artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm, a newly developed algorithm inspired by swarm intelligence and motivated by the intelligent behaviour of honey bees.

Findings

The proposed algorithm is tested in a UR simulation environment and achieves stabilization of the pendulum oscillation in less than 4s.

Research limitations/implications

The presented algorithm and design strategy can be extended for other types of complex control missions where relative parameters must be optimized to get a better control performance.

Practical implications

The ABC optimized control system developed can be easily applied to practice and can safely stabilize the UR during hover and stare, which will considerably improve the stability of the UR and lead to better reconnaissance performance.

Originality/value

This research presents a new algorithm to control the pendulum‐like oscillation of URs, whose performance of hover and stare is a key issue when carrying out new challenging reconnaissance missions in urban warfare. Simulation results show that the presented algorithm performs better than traditional methods and the design process is simpler and easier.
Health‐state evaluation for aerospace systems
Authors: Tan Xiaodong , Qiu Jing , Liu Guanjun , Lv Kehong
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the health‐states of unit under test (UUT) in aerospace systems by means of unreliable test outcomes, and the evaluation results can provide a guide for engineers to carry out proper maintenance prior to total failure.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors formulate the health‐state evaluation (HSE) problem with unreliable test outcomes based on Bayes rule, and develop the Lagrangian relaxation and adaptive genetic algorithm (LRAGA) to solve it. The solution scheme can be viewed as a two‐level coordinated solution framework for the HSE problem. At the top level, the Lagrange multipliers are updated by using AGA. At the bottom level, each of the sub‐problems is solved by using AGA.

Findings

The experimental results show that the HSE model appears promising and the LRAGA can obtain the higher quality solution and converge to it at a faster rate than conventional methods (i.e. Lagrangian relaxation (LR), genetic algorithm (GA), simulated annealing (SA) and Lagrangian relaxation and genetic algorithm (LRGA).

Research limitations/implications

The proposed method for the HSE problem of large‐scale systems which include thousands of faults and tests needs to be verified further.

Practical implications

The HSE results for aerospace systems can help engineers to carry out a schedule for prompt maintenance prior to UUTs' failure, to avoid the consequences of total failure. It is important to improve aerospace systems' safety, reliability, maintainability, affordability, and reduce life cycle cost.

Originality/value

This paper constructs the HSE model with unreliable test outcomes based on the Bayes rule and proposes a method based on LRAGA to solve the HSE problem.
A new standard instrument arrival: the point merge system
Authors: Sahin Meric Özlem , Usanmaz Oznur
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design a new standard instrument arrival called the point merge system (PMS) for converging runways. The PMS enables controllers to handle traffic with no heading instruction, as well as aiming to reduce a controller's frequency occupancy time.

Design/methodology/approach

The point merge model was designed for converging runways. Istanbul International Ataturk Airport, which has converging runways, was chosen as an application area for this model. The same 50 traffic arrivals per hour were used both for point merge and vectoring. Implementation was compared using a real time simulation.

Findings

The simulation results show that the total average number of instructions is about 33 per cent less and the frequency occupancy is about 37 per cent less for point merge than for vectoring. In addition, in terms of trajectory dispersion, in point merge, traffic is within a narrower triangular area, while in vectoring large traffic dispersion occurs.

Practical implications

The point merge model for converging runways proposed in this paper can be applied by airspace designers and air navigation service providers to perform efficient standard instrument arrival routes.

Originality/value

The PMS has been developed for single and parallel runways; however, in this study, the point merge model is designed for converging runways at Istanbul International Ataturk Airport.
Implications of customer and entrepreneurial orientations for SME growth
Authors: Eggers Fabian , Kraus Sascha , Hughes Mathew , Laraway Sean , Snycerski Susan
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to empirically investigate how the business orientations of customer orientation (CO) (represented by responsiveness to customers) and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) (represented by proactiveness, innovativeness and risk‐taking) impact the growth of SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a quantitative empirical approach, using structural equation modeling with the software package AMOS to analyze the results of 660 surveyed SMEs from Austria.

Findings

This analysis reveals that EO is positively related to SME growth but CO shows a negative association with growth. Moreover, this analysis suggests that SMEs grow the most if they exhibit high EO and low CO.

Research limitations/implications

This analysis shows that CO, interpreted as a purely responsive and reactive construct, cannot be considered a strategy that leads to sustainable SME growth. If an SME desires growth, EO is needed to fuel these growth aspirations. In spite of these findings however, this study shows that SMEs tend to respond to a scarcity of financial resources with more CO and less EO, which then leads to less or even negative growth.

Practical implications

Sustainable firm growth seems impossible without an EO. However, this does not mean that CO is not of any value for SMEs. Being non‐entrepreneurially oriented does not mean that a firm is automatically customer oriented. So, it is not only about implementing CO or EO since there is still the third option: implementing neither.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the ongoing scholarly conversation on the value of different orientations to firms and takes the view that the conversation on CO and EO has mis‐specified business performance in seeking to understand their performance consequences. By looking at firm growth, relevant to the longer‐term performance of a firm, EO might drive growth because of its emphasis on innovation to renew the firm's growth trajectory whereas CO might stifle growth owing to its myopic focus. Thus, this study addresses calls in the business and entrepreneurship literatures to more fully understand how SMEs can capture value from their customer and entrepreneurial orientations.
Pricing orientation, pricing capabilities, and firm performance
Authors: Liozu Stephan M. , Hinterhuber Andreas
Published: March 2013

Purpose

How do pricing methods affect firm performance? From both an academic as well as a managerial perspective this question is important. The literature is silent on the relationship between pricing approach and company performance. The aim of this paper is to address this research gap.

Design/methodology/approach

To address this practical and theoretical deficit, the authors surveyed 1,812 professionals involved in pricing to measure the influence of pricing approach on firm performance.

Findings

The authors find a positive relationship between value‐based pricing (but not competition‐based pricing) and firm performance. Furthermore, the authors find that the three pricing orientations differently influence firm pricing capabilities, which in turn are positively related to firm performance. This paper is thus the first paper documenting a positive relationship between value‐based pricing and firm performance through a quantitative research design.

Originality/value

These findings have important theoretical as well as practical implications and suggest that all firms, regardless of size, industry or geography, benefit from value‐based pricing.
Communication in new technology based‐firms
Authors: Ubeda Joan E. , Gieure Clara , de‐la‐Cruz Carlos , Sastre Olga
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The paper aims at identifying the main social media applications used by new technology based‐firms (NTBFs) and at calculating the volume of followers they have in each application. It also focuses on the amount of activity generated by the firms in those social networks, identifying the key thematic content of their social media activity, analyzing the ability to create dialogue with their stakeholders and clarifying which style of communication they use.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents an exploratory study of the use of social media tools by NTBFs, located in Spanish Science Parks, as an important resource network for firms in the corresponding sector. A total of 432 new technology‐based firms were analyzed to identify which social media applications are more frequently used, as well as to establish the number of followers they registered in the month of February, 2012.

Findings

The results contribute towards a better understanding of how firms monitor public perception of their brand, products, and services in real time. The main conclusion of this study is the low presence of technology‐based firms in the five social media applications analyzed herein.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitations of this study are related to the time period analyzed, given that the authors just observed one month of a year, which can lead to distortions regarding the activity of firms throughout the year.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the need of businesses to develop communication strategies focused on social media, which are designed to enable the development of a dialogue with stakeholders and allow firms to implement a communication strategy based on the principles of relational marketing.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to study thoroughly how firms use social media.
Greening with IT: practices of leading countries and strategies of followers
Authors: Lee Sang M. , Park Sang‐Hyun , Trimi Silvana
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to present green information technology (GIT) initiatives of leading countries and to suggest strategies for environmental sustainability for the follower countries.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive review of greening of IT and greening by IT programs for sustainable growth in leading countries, the growing GIT market, and possible GIT strategies for the follower countries is provided.

Findings

Green IT initiatives and practices in leading countries mirror each country's IT infrastructure and governmental efforts for green growth society. Some of the best practices of these countries should be benchmarked by the follower countries that have recently experienced dramatic increases in energy consumption and CO2 emission.

Research limitations/implications

Each country has its own unique political, social, and economic conditions. Thus, a universal set of GIT initiatives is not suggested in this study.

Practical implications

GIT should be a critical national strategy for any country. The findings of this study provide guidance to government and corporate leaders, especially for the developing countries, on how to develop effective GIT programs for sustainable green society.

Originality/value

This study presents a comprehensive discussion of GIT initiatives and practices of leading countries and the exploding GIT market around the world. It also provides new insights for GIT for the follower countries.
Implementing innovative HRM: trade‐off effects on employee well‐being
Authors: Cañibano Almudena
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Although innovative HRM practices have been found to improve performance, the management literature has overlooked their effect on individual level outcomes, such as employee health and well‐being. The purpose of this paper is to explore whether the implementation of these innovative practices has an impact on the three dimensions of well‐being (physical, psychological and social) and whether well‐being should be considered as a mediator of the innovative HRM‐performance relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses qualitative data collected from an in‐depth case study via document analysis and semi‐structured interviews with HR practitioners and employees. The data were coded using N‐Vivo software.

Findings

The paper shows that innovative HRM practices can lead to both positive and negative well‐being outcomes. Furthermore, they create trade‐offs between the three dimensions of well‐being. While they increase employee well‐being on one dimension, they are detrimental to another.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the scope of the research, the paper bounded itself to analyzing three innovative HRM practices. Different trade‐offs may exist for other practices.

Practical implications

Many organizations are introducing innovative HRM practices assuming that they will improve performance. However, the existence of well‐being trade‐offs needs to be acknowledged and managed.

Originality/value

This paper shows that for a comprehensive understanding of the effects of innovative HRM practices further studies need to contemplate the different dimensions of well‐being separately, as trade‐offs may occur between them. It further suggests that well‐being may be an unexplored mediator of the innovative HRM‐performance relationship.
Firm culture and performance: intensity's effects and limits
Authors: Murphy Patrick J. , Cooke Robert A. , Lopez Yvette
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to clarify distinct aspects of firm culture, delineate its effects on performance outcomes, and to examine culture intensity on theoretic grounds with attention to its effects and limits.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyzes a data set of 2,657 individual cases that are empirically aggregated into 302 organizational units. Its operationalization of culture intensity derives from distinct culture theory. Hypothesized relations are examined via structural equation modeling and hierarchical regression analysis.

Findings

Structural equation modeling results show culture relates positively to cooperation, coordination, and performance. Hierarchical regression analysis results show intensity influences cooperation and coordination directly and does not moderate culture's relations with those outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

The large scale empirical study of a broad diversity of firms has advantages over smaller and more targeted studies of lesser generalizability.

Practical implications

Firms with cultures of higher intensity can enhance performance indirectly by driving cooperation and coordination directly.

Social implications

Culture entails shared values and touches the human side of a firm. Managers can promote a firm's culture to enhance cooperation and coordination outcomes within that firm which, in turn, influence firm performance.

Originality/value

This study distinguishes culture from climate on conceptual grounds. Climate strength, an analog of culture intensity, is known to moderate climate's relations with outcomes. By contrast, this study shows that culture intensity has a main effect on outcomes, in line with culture's distinct theoretic bases.
External collaboration patterns of research institutions using shared publications in the Web of Science
Authors: Luis Toral Sergio , Bessis Nik , del Rocío Martínez‐Torres María
Published: March 2013

Purpose

During recent decades, research institutions have increased collaboration with other institutions since it is recognized as a good practice that improves their performance. However, they do not usually consider external collaborations as a strategic issue despite their benefits. The purpose of this paper consists of identifying different patterns of collaboration and internationalization of universities, with the aim of helping managers and policy makers to take decisions related to their national research policies.

Design/methodology/approach

Co‐authorship analysis has been used in conjunction with social network analysis to model inter‐institutional collaborations as networks, extracting these collaborations from the Web of Science database. Using several structural properties of the extracted networks and applying a statistical treatment, the main profiles of collaborations and internationalization have been obtained.

Findings

Obtained results distinguish three patterns of collaborations according to the intensity and scope of collaborations. The statistical treatment also provides a segmentation of universities according to their collaboration profiles. Finally, universities are represented in bi‐dimensional maps using external collaborations as a measure of similarity.

Research limitations/implications

Although this study is restricted to English universities, it could probably be extended at least to other countries in the European Union or even other developed countries.

Practical implications

Research and institutions productivity are usually linked to the amount of received funding. The use of indicators related to internationalization of institutions can help to avoid a bias in favour of research quantity rather than quality, and towards a short‐term performance rather than a long‐term research capacity.

Originality/value

As a difference to previous works, this paper analyses networks of collaboration from the viewpoint of institutions. More specifically, the combination of social network analysis and factor analysis is used to identify patterns of collaboration among institutions. A longitudinal study is also included to demonstrate that the obtained categorization of universities is maintained over time.
Essential distinctiveness: strategic alternatives in updating the business core curriculum
Authors: Alstete Jeffrey W.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This paper seeks to propose the use of specific strategic management tools for identifying opportunities for gaining competitive advantage in the business core curricula offered at colleges and universities.

Design/methodology/approach

A brief review of the literature on business core curriculum innovation and change is examined, and strategic management concepts are used to compare with a set of competitive peer institutions. The techniques employed in the analysis include a representative weighted competitive strength assessment and a strategic group map in an example case analysis.

Findings

The results show that in this particular sample competitive environment, a business core course program could gain a competitive lead over rivals by improving innovation and distinctiveness in the core program content and/or teaching methods.

Research limitations/implications

The concepts proposed in this paper are limited by the measures that are selected, the subjective level of importance weights assigned by the users to the measures, the possible overlap among some measures, and the use of a single case with five selected peer institutions.

Practical implications

There is potential usefulness of these strategic management analytical tools in the field of higher education by practitioners and researchers to examine the fundamental business core curricula in a systematic manner. The approach proposed could be used for other practical analyses of educational programs, organizational processes and services.

Social implications

Considering that higher education courses and degree programs are important to individuals, organizations, and society at large, this proposed adaption of business strategic management concepts by educators could have a positive impact by enabling colleges and universities to discover and implement more opportunities for distinctiveness and improvement.

Originality/value

While there are previous research journal articles describing the importance of making changes to business core curricula and programs in today's rapidly changing environment, this paper offers practical and methodical analytical tools that administrators, faculty members and committee leaders can use for informed decision making.
Laurence Capron analyzes corporate development's build, borrow and buy options
Authors: Leavy Brian
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to present an interview with researcher and author Laurence Capron, in which she warns that too few companies consider the full range of “build, borrow and buy” options in their corporate development efforts, while the odds for success significantly favor those that do, and do it in a disciplined and systematic way.

Design/methodology/approach

The interview describes how over‐reliance on internal growth (build) can make a company slow to acquire the new resources it needs to survive in a fast moving environment. Making too many acquisitions (buy) within a short period of time can lead to organizational incoherence and fragmentation, while relying too heavily on licenses, contracts and alliances (borrow) can make a business vulnerable to its partners' shifting priorities.

Findings

The paper reveals that choosing carefully among different growth modes, and developing the right blend of options, will help firms take speedy advantage of emerging opportunities, while minimizing the cost of doing so.

Practical implications

Many companies overestimate the relevance of their internal resources.

Originality/value

The paper explains why CEOs and their top management teams need to learn how to identify the right ways to grow their company and how they can build the discipline within their company to choose and follow those multiple paths to growth.
Cisco's corporate development portfolio: a blend of building, borrowing and buying
Authors: Capron Laurence
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to present a case study of Cisco's corporate development approach which shows how the company built a powerful new business capability: the discipline of selecting the best pathways – build, borrow or buy – to follow when pursuing growth opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

In order for companies to achieve viable growth, business leaders must evaluate all three alternative pathways, which this paper looks into.

Findings

The paper revelas that Cisco provides an excellent example of a company that has, over the years, learned how to develop the capability to use the full range of development modes.

Research limitations/implications

This case is based on research for Build, Borrow or Buy: Solving the Growth Dilemma by Laurence Capron and Will Mitchell.

Practical implications

In the way it blends all of the growth modes, Cisco demonstrates the value of top‐level leadership for what should be seen as an enterprise discipline: strategically coordinated building, borrowing and buying.

Originality/value

The case illustrates how Cisco has learned to blend these development initiatives into a balanced and very effective resource portfolio.
Will business model innovation replace strategic analysis?
Authors: Abraham Stan
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This masterclass aims to consider a number of recent business articles and books that can help practitioners clarify the distinction between the strategy development and business model approaches and decide which is appropriate for their situation.

Design/methodology/approach

The article defines the difference between the two approaches this way: business models explain who your customers are and how you plan to make money by providing them with value; strategy identifies how you will beat competitors by being different.

Findings

The paper reveals that a business model approach has limitations. It will not help an organization develop a competitive advantage, outperform its competition, acquire or merge with another organization, or diversify. However, corporate strategy does not identify how to deliver unique value to meet customers' needs.

Practical implications

The main reason why organizations fail at business‐model innovation is too much “tweaking” – incremental attempts at improvement in myriad projects when more radical change to its business model is the answer.

Originality/value

The article proposes that businesses need both strategy development and business model innovation to adapt and thrive as conditions change.
Using netnography research method to reveal the underlying dimensions of the customer/tourist experience
Authors: Rageh Ahmed , Melewar T.C. , Woodside Arch
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The interest in customer experience has increased at a phenomenal rate. However, research to capture the true meaning of the concept is limited. Therefore, this study aims to address the question of what are the underlying dimensions that constitute the construct of customer experience.

Design/methodology/approach

The netnography method is utilized to validate a priori concepts that have been identified in the literature within the tourist industry in Egypt.

Findings

The results identified eight dimensions; comfort, educational, hedonic, novelty, recognition, relational, safety and beauty, which are consistent with major studies on experience.

Research limitations/implications

The focus of the study was on customer reviews that were written in English and posted online. Therefore, care should be taken when interpreting these findings.

Practical implications

This study attempted to gain a meaningful degree of understanding of customer experience construct. The results suggest a number of implications for service, marketing and brand managers. The knowledge of customer experience and the challenge of creating great customer experience are of utmost importance. Many marketers acknowledge the importance of customer experience, but they have very little knowledge of what the components are of customer experience.

Originality/value

Netnography has not been widely used as a marketing research technique.