bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NAViGaTOR: Network Analysis, Visualization and Graphing Toronto
Authors: Brown Kevin R. , Otasek David , Ali Muhammad , McGuffin Michael J. , Xie Wing , Devani Baiju , Toch Ian Lawson van , Jurisica Igor
Published: October 2009

Summary: NAViGaTOR is a powerful graphing application for the 2D and 3D visualization of biological networks. NAViGaTOR includes a rich suite of visual mark-up tools for manual and automated annotation, fast and scalable layout algorithms and OpenGL hardware acceleration to facilitate the visualization of large graphs. Publication-quality images can be rendered through SVG graphics export. NAViGaTOR supports community-developed data formats (PSI-XML, BioPax and GML), is platform-independent and is extensible through a plug-in architecture.

Availability: NAViGaTOR is freely available to the research community from http://ophid.utoronto.ca/navigator/. Installers and documentation are provided for 32- and 64-bit Windows, Mac, Linux and Unix.

Contact:  juris@ai.utoronto.ca

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
INTERSNP: genome-wide interaction analysis guided by a priori information
Authors: Herold Christine , Steffens Michael , Brockschmidt Felix F. , Baur Max P. , Becker Tim
Published: October 2009

Summary: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have lead to the identification of hundreds of genomic regions associated with complex diseases. Nevertheless, a large fraction of their heritability remains unexplained. Interaction between genetic variants is one of several putative explanations for the ‘case of missing heritability’ and, therefore, a compelling next analysis step. However, genome-wide interaction analysis (GWIA) of all pairs of SNPs from a standard marker panel is computationally unfeasible without massive parallelization. Furthermore, GWIA of all SNP triples is utopian. In order to overcome these computational constraints, we present a GWIA approach that selects combinations of SNPs for interaction analysis based on a priori information. Sources of information are statistical evidence (single marker association at a moderate level), genetic relevance (genomic location) and biologic relevance (SNP function class and pathway information). We introduce the software package INTERSNP that implements a logistic regression framework as well as log-linear models for joint analysis of multiple SNPs. Automatic handling of SNP annotation and pathways from the KEGG database is provided. In addition, Monte Carlo simulations to judge genome-wide significance are implemented. We introduce various meaningful GWIA strategies that can be conducted using INTERSNP. Typical examples are, for instance, the analysis of all pairs of non-synonymous SNPs, or, the analysis of all combinations of three SNPs that lie in a common pathway and that are among the top 50 000 single-marker results. We demonstrate the feasibility of these and other GWIA strategies by application to a GWAS dataset and discuss promising results.

Availability: The software is available at http://intersnp.meb.uni-bonn.de

Contact:  herold@imbie.meb.uni-bonn.de; becker@imbie.meb.uni-bonn.de
GeneE: Gene and protein query expansion with disambiguation
Authors: Schuemie Martijn J. , Kang Ning , Hekkelman Maarten L. , Kors Jan A.
Published: October 2009

Summary: When referring to genes, authors often use synonyms instead of the official gene symbols. In order to accurately retrieve as many relevant documents as possible, we have developed GeneE, a web application that expands a gene query to include all known synonyms, and adds disambiguation information for ambiguous terms, before forwarding the query to either PubMed, Google or Jane. The query expansion algorithm is also available as a web service.

Availability:  http://biosemantics.org/geneE

Contact:  m.schuemie@erasmusmc.nl
Specific Domain Structures Control Abscisic Acid-, Salicylic Acid-, and Stress-Mediated SIZ1 Phenotypes
Authors: Cheong Mi Sun , Park Hyeong Cheol , Hong Mi Ju , Lee Jiyoung , Choi Wonkyun , Jin Jing Bo , Bohnert Hans J. , Lee Sang Yeol , Bressan Ray A. , Yun Dae-Jin
Published: October 2009

SIZ1 (for yeast SAP and MIZ1) encodes the sole ortholog of mammalian PIAS (for protein inhibitor of activated STAT) and yeast SIZ SUMO (for small ubiquitin-related modifier) E3 ligases in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Four conserved motifs in SIZ1 include SAP (for scaffold attachment factor A/B/acinus/PIAS domain), PINIT (for proline-isoleucine-asparagine-isoleucine-threonine), SP-RING (for SIZ/PIAS-RING), and SXS (for serine-X-serine, where X is any amino acid) motifs. SIZ1 contains, in addition, a PHD (for plant homeodomain) typical of plant PIAS proteins. We determined phenotypes of siz1-2 knockout mutants transformed with SIZ1 alleles carrying point mutations in the predicted domains. Domain SP-RING is required for SUMO conjugation activity and nuclear localization of SIZ1. Salicylic acid (SA) accumulation and SA-dependent phenotypes of siz1-2, such as diminished plant size, heightened innate immunity, and abscisic acid inhibition of cotyledon greening, as well as SA-independent basal thermotolerance were not complemented by the altered SP-RING allele of SIZ1. The SXS domain also controlled SA accumulation and was involved in greening and expansion of cotyledons of seedlings germinated in the presence of abscisic acid. Mutations of the PHD zinc finger domain and the PINIT motif affected in vivo SUMOylation. Expression of the PHD and/or PINIT domain mutant alleles of SIZ1 in siz1-2 promoted hypocotyl elongation in response to sugar and light. The various domains of SIZ1 make unique contributions to the plant's ability to cope with its environment.
Effect of Rubisco Activase Deficiency on the Temperature Response of CO2 Assimilation Rate and Rubisco Activation State: Insights from Transgenic Tobacco with Reduced Amounts of Rubisco Activase
Authors: Yamori Wataru , von Caemmerer Susanne
Published: October 2009

The activation of Rubisco in vivo requires the presence of the regulatory protein Rubisco activase. To elucidate its role in maintaining CO2 assimilation rate at high temperature, we examined the temperature response of CO2 assimilation rate at 380 μL L−1 CO2 concentration (A  380) and Rubisco activation state in wild-type and transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) with reduced Rubisco activase content grown at either 20°C or 30°C. Analyses of gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence showed that in the wild type, A  380 was limited by ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate regeneration at lower temperatures, whereas at higher temperatures, A  380 was limited by ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylation irrespective of growth temperatures. Growth temperature induced modest differences in Rubisco activation state that declined with measuring temperature, from mean values of 76% at 15°C to 63% at 40°C in wild-type plants. At measuring temperatures of 25°C and below, an 80% reduction in Rubisco activase content was required before Rubisco activation state was decreased. Above 35°C, Rubisco activation state decreased slightly with more modest decreases in Rubisco activase content, but the extent of the reductions in Rubisco activation state were small, such that a 55% reduction in Rubisco activase content did not alter the temperature sensitivity of Rubisco activation and had no effect on in vivo catalytic turnover rates of Rubisco. There was a strong correlation between Rubisco activase content and Rubisco activation state once Rubisco activase content was less that 20% of wild type at all measuring temperatures. We conclude that reduction in Rubisco activase content does not lead to an increase in the temperature sensitivity of Rubisco activation state in tobacco.
Functional Analyses of LONELY GUY Cytokinin-Activating Enzymes Reveal the Importance of the Direct Activation Pathway in Arabidopsis
Authors: Kuroha Takeshi , Tokunaga Hiroki , Kojima Mikiko , Ueda Nanae , Ishida Takashi , Nagawa Shingo , Fukuda Hiroo , Sugimoto Keiko , Sakakibara Hitoshi
Published: October 2009

Cytokinins play crucial roles in diverse aspects of plant growth and development. Spatiotemporal distribution of bioactive cytokinins is finely regulated by metabolic enzymes. LONELY GUY (LOG) was previously identified as a cytokinin-activating enzyme that works in the direct activation pathway in rice (Oryza sativa) shoot meristems. In this work, nine Arabidopsis thaliana LOG genes (At LOG1 to LOG9) were predicted as homologs of rice LOG. Seven At LOGs, which are localized in the cytosol and nuclei, had enzymatic activities equivalent to that of rice LOG. Conditional overexpression of At LOGs in transgenic Arabidopsis reduced the content of N6-(Δ2-isopentenyl)adenine (iP) riboside 5′-phosphates and increased the levels of iP and the glucosides. Multiple mutants of At LOGs showed a lower sensitivity to iP riboside in terms of lateral root formation and altered root and shoot morphology. Analyses of At LOG promoter:β-glucuronidase fusion genes revealed differential expression of LOGs in various tissues during plant development. Ectopic overexpression showed pleiotropic phenotypes, such as promotion of cell division in embryos and leaf vascular tissues, reduced apical dominance, and a delay of leaf senescence. Our results strongly suggest that the direct activation pathway via LOGs plays a pivotal role in regulating cytokinin activity during normal growth and development in Arabidopsis.
YABBYs and the Transcriptional Corepressors LEUNIG and LEUNIG_HOMOLOG Maintain Leaf Polarity and Meristem Activity inArabidopsis
Authors: Stahle Melissa I. , Kuehlich Janine , Staron Lindsay , von Arnim Albrecht G. , Golz John F.
Published: October 2009

In Arabidopsis thaliana, FILAMENTOUS FLOWER (FIL) and YABBY3 (YAB3) encode YABBY domain proteins that regulate abaxial patterning, growth of lateral organs, and inflorescence phyllotaxy. In this study, we show that YABs physically interact with components of a transcriptional repressor complex that include LEUNIG (LUG), LEUNIG_HOMOLOG (LUH), the LUG-associated coregulator SEUSS, and related SEUSS-LIKE proteins. Consistent with the formation of a LUG-YAB complex, we find that lug mutants enhance the polarity and growth defects of fil yab3 mutant leaves and that this enhancement is due to a loss of LUG activity from the abaxial domain. We performed a more extensive genetic analysis, which included the characterization of yab triple and quadruple mutants, lug luh/+ (heterozygous only for luh) mutants, and plants expressing artificial microRNAs targeting LUG or LUH. These analyses showed that the LUG-YAB complex also promotes adaxial cell identity in leaves as well as embryonic shoot apical meristem (SAM) initiation and postembryonic SAM maintenance. Based on the likely formation of the LUG-YAB complex in the abaxial domain of cotyledons and leaves, we propose that this complex has numerous non-cell-autonomous functions during plant development.
Autonomous navigation and guidance scheme for precise and safe planetary landing
Authors: Shuang Li , Liu Zhang
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the autonomous navigation and guidance scheme for future precise and safe planetary landing.

Design/methodology/approach

Autonomous navigation and guidance schemes are proposed based on inertial measurement unit (IMU) and optical navigation sensors for precise and safe landing of spacecrafts on the moon and planetary bodies. First, vision‐aided inertial navigation scheme is suggested to achieve precise relative navigation; second, two autonomous obstacle detection algorithms, based on grey image from optical navigation camera and digital elevation map form light detection and ranging sensor, respectively, are proposed; and third, flowchart of automatic obstacle avoidance maneuver is also given out.

Findings

This paper finds that the performance of the proposed scheme precedes the traditional planetary landing navigation and guidance mode based on IMU and deep space network.

Research limitations/implications

The presented schemes need to be further validated by the mathematical simulations and hardware‐in‐loop simulations, and then they can be used in the real flight missions.

Practical implications

The presented schemes are applicable to both future planetary pin‐point landing missions and sample return missions with little modification.

Originality/value

This paper presents the new autonomous navigation and guidance scheme in order to achieve the precise and safe planetary landing.
Local structural nonlinearities identification based on the minimum error linear frequency response function
Authors: Kashani Hamed , Nobari A.S.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the dynamic characteristics identification of local structural nonlinearities.

Design/methodology/approach

Proposed identification method is based on minimum error linear frequency response function (MELF). Two different techniques are developed to extract nonlinear element's dynamic behavior from MELF. The first method, in which no pre‐assumed model is considered for the nonlinearity mechanism behavior, is called “direct identification method.” The second method is “model based identification method.”

Findings

Cubic stiffness dynamic characteristics are identified using the proposed techniques as a case study.

Originality/value

The paper shows that the proposed identification technique is simple and free of any sophisticated measurement hardwares and constraints, which is required by most of the methods proposed so far.
Research of an improved BP decoding arithmetic
Authors: Wu Guo‐Qiang , Sun Zhao‐Wei , Wu Xian‐De
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to research the traditional belief‐propagation (BP) decoding algorithm of low‐density parity‐check code. The big computation load is a shortcoming of traditional BP decoding algorithm. Accordingly, the paper provides an improved BP decoding algorithm which raises the decoding efficiency and reduces decoding time delay.

Design/methodology/approach

An improved BP decoding algorithm is studied and the error correction performance of the improved BP decoding algorithm in the Gaussian channel is provided.

Findings

The simulation result shows the improved BP decoding algorithm has lower computational complexity and higher decoding speed based on the premise of a little decoding performance loss.

Research limitations/implications

The improved BP decoding algorithm has lower computational complexity and higher decoding speed based on the premise of a little decoding performance loss.

Practical implications

The improved BP decoding algorithm raises the decoding efficiency and reduces decoding time delay.

Originality/value

The decoding algorithm only needs to update the wrong bit information which might arise, but not update the bit information whose reliability is very high. The improved BP decoding algorithm raises the decoding efficiency and reduces decoding time delay.
Vibrations of an infinite plate placed in a circular channel containing fluid flow
Authors: Uzal Erol , Kapkin Sule
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the linear vibrations of an elastic plate subject to irrotational, incompressible fluid flow bounded by a rigid cylinder.

Design/methodology/approach

The plate is placed diametrically in the cylinder and extends along it, both infinite in length. The fluid flow is in the axial direction of the cylinder.

Findings

The problem is solved analytically and the eigenfrequencies are obtained explicitly.

Originality/value

The solution offered in this paper allows investigation of the instabilities and computation of the flutter velocity/minimum flow velocity at which the plate vibrations grow in time.
Linearization‐based attitude error regulation: multiplicative error case
Authors: Ozgur Doruk R.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design and simulate a linearized attitude stabilizer based on linear quadratic regulator theory (LQR) using the multiplicative definition of the attitude.

Design/methodology/approach

The attitude is modeled by the modified Rodriguez parameters that provide a minimal representation of attitude and always invertible kinematics. The nonlinear model of the satellite attitude dynamics is linearized around the origin and an LQR is proposed for the linearized design. They are also simulated using the original nonlinear satellite dynamics in order to verify that the controller is operating properly. Simulations include randomly selected initial conditions to justify the stability against various initial conditions.

Findings

Theoretically, the resultant controllers are locally stable around the origin. However, the simulation results show that the attitude is well regulated in the presence of both inertia uncertainties and random initial conditions.

Originality/value

The originality of this work is due to its demonstration that complicated attitude regulators are not the solution for proper satellite or spacecraft attitude stabilization.
Management and leadership: a competency framework to deliver the National Trust's strategy
Authors: Measures Martin , Bagshaw Mike
Published: October 2009

Purpose

People need certain skills and behaviours to be effective at work, but if these are not defined, they can become lost in vague generalisations. Competency frameworks set out what is required, and act as a template to check performance. As times change, the competencies required may also change, and in 2007 the National Trust decided it was time for a thorough overhaul. This paper aims to focus on this development.

Design/methodology/approach

The process started with a survey, focus groups, and interviews with senior managers across the Trust. The authors then researched what was happening in other organisations, to find the problems and the successes, in order to design the best and most appropriate new competency framework.

Findings

It was found that there was a tension between immediate needs and building for the future, and a need for more collaboration between functions.

Research limitations/implications

Competency frameworks can be criticised as backward looking, concentrating on skills and behaviours that were needed in the past but not in the future.

Originality/value

The paper shows that the new National Trust framework addressed the issues involved, and became a dynamic process rather than a static template.
Are you a trusted leader?
Authors: Deutsch Lynette
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Having worked internationally with senior executives within organisations seeking to restore lost trust, Endaba commissioned independent research specialists, OnePoll, to undertake a study amongst UK employees to establish trust levels within UK plc. This paper aims to outline the key findings.

Design/methodology/approach

The research took place over a two‐month period. Responses were received from 5,114 employees working for organisations employing in excess of 500 people across 22 different industry sectors. These ranged from aerospace, manufacturing and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) to government/government agencies and utilities. As well as seeking to determine what employees perceive as the most important characteristics present in trustworthy individuals, the study also evaluated employee levels of trust in their CEOs, senior management and colleagues – and in themselves.

Findings

The full results were formally released at the Endaba Trust Conference, which took place at the Royal Society of Arts on Wednesday, 28 January 2009. In brief, sustained success requires an inside/out process, based on trust and starting with leaders themselves.

Originality/value

HR professionals will be able to use the findings outlined in the paper to benchmark trust levels within their own organisations and discover the main reasons why employees do not trust senior executives.
Evolving role of business process reengineering: a perspective of employers
Authors: Jain Rashmi , Gunasekaran Angappa , Chandrasekaran Anithashree
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and illustrate the needs and expectations of the industry from a newly hired engineering candidate for an entry‐level position involving business process reengineering (BPR). The paper aims to highlight the changing role and the new emerging face of business process design, analysis, and management, its relevant contents and methodologies, its new role, and emergence of a value of BPR, which has been redefined.

Design/methodology/approach

The growing interest and the importance of the role of business processes in organizations have promoted the development and implementation of an undergraduate level course on BPR at Stevens Institute in 2006. This research involved a survey of some potential employers during a recent redesigning of this course. The survey collected information from the employers on how important and relevant are the topics on BPR that are covered in the course for an entry‐level BPR related position.

Findings

The findings indicate a strong support from the employers for BPR curriculum. Of the 19 BPR topics on which information was collected from the employers, 63 percent were rated as “extremely important” and “very important”. The two highest rated areas of BPR were ability to research and collect process related data (3.8), and ability to use graphical methods to map the current or reengineered processes (3.5).

Research limitations/implications

One of the limitations of this research is the size and representation of the data collected. A more broader sample would extend this work into a framework for BPR skill set and knowledge at various levels of experience.

Practical implications

The implications of this research are to both the academic community and potential employers. This paper provides useful knowledge on what skill sets are relevant for an entry level BPR professional in an economy, which is predominantly going to be dependent on efficiencies from business processes.

Originality/value

The paper provides value to those seeking entry‐level positions in terms of the knowledge and skill sets required to fulfill such a role effectively. The paper also provides guidance to faculty on areas needed to focus on in a BPR curriculum content and pedagogy and prepare students for practical situations. With the increasing role of service orientation in managing information systems – the importance of business process definitions and their reengineering cannot be undermined.
What do business school deans do? Insights from a UK study
Authors: Davies Julie , Thomas Howard
Published: October 2009

Purpose

During the last 40 years, the growth and impact of UK business schools have been significant. Relatively few studies have reviewed how business school deans emerge and grow. This paper aims to explore the experiences and psychometric profiles of UK business school leaders to understand their tenures, problems, dilemmas and succession issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The study comprised 16 semi‐structured interviews with business school deans and Myers‐Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) questionnaires completed by deans and aspiring deans (associate deans and heads of department). The study uses the executive life cycle and concepts of social capital as theoretical frameworks to understand the dean's role.

Findings

The study revealed a pattern of individuals working in their first deanship at their third business school. Their career trajectories highlighted the usefulness of consultancy skills similar to those of a partner in a professional service firm. The importance of the dean's role in terms of business school fit, creating a differentiation strategy and team building were emphasised. The psychometric preferences of the deans in the sample indicated Jungian extroversion, tough mindedness, seeing patterns and making connections, strategic thinking and a tendency to bring issues to closure. Recommendations are made for the development of a more heterogeneous, transnational cadre of business school deans and improved dialogue with heads of universities to understand the positive contribution of business school leaders as changing business models are needed in turbulent times.

Originality/value

There are few explanations of the roles and functioning of business school deans in practice. The insights gained are valuable for business school deans and are, more broadly, of interest to heads of universities and executive search firms. The paper is theoretically and practically relevant to building leadership capabilities in knowledge intensive organisations and professional service firms.
Mapping globally branded business schools: a strategic positioning analysis
Authors: Thomas Howard , Li Xiaoying
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the strategic profiles and differences across globally leading business schools.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used the concepts of strategic group identity and domain consensus to examine the differences across the business schools. Cluster analysis is applied to identify strategic groups among 82 global schools from the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Findings

Ten strategic groups – essentially similar strategic “clusters” – are identified by the clustering analysis. The results demonstrate that the groups do have different resource and reputation profiles.

Research limitations/implications

Future research can improve the research base by collecting data on financial variables such as endowments, providing metrics by which a school's efficiency can be assessed, or collecting longitudinal data. Furthermore, a form of cognitive strategic mapping could be achieved through survey and interview mechanisms in order to highlight the perspectives of deans and senior managers of business schools.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the literature in two aspects. First, this research provides a clear mapping of the strategic “bands” across globally branded business schools. The results are highly timely in today's debate about the nature and future of business schools. Second, this research demonstrates that strategic group theory can be applied in the business school context.
Journal rankings and the ABS Journal Quality Guide
Authors: Morris Huw , Harvey Charles , Kelly Aidan
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an outline of the arguments for and against different types of journal ranking lists, and, against this background, an account of the development of the Association of Business Schools' (ABS) Journal Quality Guide.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper identifies recent trends in academic journal publication that have increased the need for mechanisms to assess the overall quality of academic journals. Six approaches to ranking are outlined and evaluated including the hybrid approach adopted in producing the ABS Journal Quality Guide.

Findings

The ABS Journal Quality Guide provides wide journal coverage; has high levels of internal and external reliability; is sensitive to small variations in the ratings of journals, and is generally accepted as a fair means of ranking journals within its user community.

Research limitations/implications

This paper focuses on developments in the UK, and while the findings of this study may be of interest to researchers in other countries, the implications for policy and practice will be felt most keenly in British business schools.

Originality/value

This paper describes a hybrid, iterative and consensual approach to developing and validating a journal quality guide that is likely to be of value to researchers, academic managers, subject librarians and research auditors.
Rate my research dot com: measuring what we value, and valuing what we measure
Authors: Peters John , Marsh Rebecca
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to question the dominance of citation metrics in the evaluation of the impact of research and prompt debate on how to evaluate impact in different contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a viewpoint and review of how metrics are used currently and presents recommendations for change.

Findings

Whilst recognising the continued relevance and importance of citation as a measure of impact, the paper highlights how this measure overshadows all other types of impact (on practice, teaching, public policy, society) and, in turn, has the potential to distort academic research practice.

Research limitations/implications

Additional research should follow to identify other methods of evaluating research impact with a specific emphasis on the development of usage metrics.

Practical implications

The paper calls on all parties within the research dissemination process (academics, publishers, funding bodies) to formulate new ways of evaluating research.

Originality/value

The paper challenges current thinking on how to evaluate research and makes a number of recommendations, specifically around article usage.
Putting AIM in context
Authors: Wensley Robin
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically review the relationship between management research and practice particularly in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of an historical survey of initiatives and different conceptual approaches.

Findings

The paper reveals a central focus on the role of management consultants in mediating between management practice and management knowledge,

Research limitations/implications

The paper is a partial and limited analysis of a complex process: more work is needed to untangle the various institutional roles and conceptual frameworks.

Practical implications

Re‐framing the relationship between management research and practice to consider a greater emphasis on practice engaged scholarship and the two way process of knowledge translation.

Originality/value

The paper encourages a new perspective amongst policy makers, researchers and management consultants.
Activation policies and organisational innovation: the added value of the capability approach
Authors: Bonvin Jean‐Michel , Orton Michael
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief introduction to activation policies, then discuss the capability approach, in particular highlighting a number of key concepts relevant to the analysis of active labour market policies. The second section presents the articles in this special issue, which address organisational innovation in activation policies and cover: six European countries (including Scandinavia and East and West Europe); an historical perspective; and policies aimed at the general workless population along with those targeted at specific groups e.g. disabled people. The final section emphasises three important teachings from this special issue. This paper introduces the special issue on the theme of activation policies and organisational innovation in the capability perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a normative and analytical framework. Its relevance for empirical fieldwork is then illustrated through a synthesis of the case studies presented in the special issue.

Findings

It is argued that the capability approach provides a highly useful framework for analysis of activation policies. Across the diverse range of organisational innovation examined in the articles in the special issue, a capability perspective allows for identification of a number of common themes and failings.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper lies in the presentation of a diverse range of organisational innovation in relation to activation policies, and using a capability approach as a framework for analysis.
Moral judgements and employment policies in Birmingham (1870‐1914): multiplying the categories and treatments of the “undeserving”
Authors: Mah Alice
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the justifying arguments of various Birmingham organisations between 1870 and 1914 in classifying and treating the unemployed. Using a capability approach, the paper will examine how employment policies in Birmingham during this period promoted or limited capabilities of work, life and voice. Finally, implications for labour market policies today will be discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical framework for this paper will draw on the capability approach to a person's well‐being, developed by Amartya Sen and on theoretical and empirical developments of the capability approach by other authors such as Bonvin and Salais. This paper is based on historical archival research and analysis.

Findings

Birmingham was an exemplar of municipal social reform in late nineteenth century England, with the development of a range of public services such as education, electricity and public transport. However, the city's vision of civic reform was closely connected to the Liberal market logic of individual responsibility, and moral judgements of the unemployed served to multiply the categories and punitive treatments of the “undeserving”, separating the valid from the invalid citizen.

Originality/value

This case study of municipal employment policies in Birmingham at the turn of the twentieth century demonstrates the implications of moral judgements, classifications and treatments of the unemployed for people's capabilities in work and life, drawing connections to discourses of responsibility and citizenship today.
The promotion of capabilities in Sweden: a case study of the contraction of shipbuilding in Gothenburg
Authors: Gascoigne Steven , Whiteside Noel
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Using the example of a project dedicated to labour market re‐activation in major shipyards in Sweden (Gothenburg) in the late 1970s, the purpose of this paper is to examine how integrated employment policies may be achieved using more deliberative public action than that offered by New Public Management (NPM).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on original archival research and interviews with ex‐participants, the research reconstructs how this project was designed and operated; its analysis is based on a capability perspective.

Findings

The paper analyses the problems encountered by projects promoting labour market integration and personal capabilities in the context of a productivity drive in a contracting industry that requires the retention of the most productive workers to stave off industrial collapse. It argues that deliberative democracy offers the more effective means for co‐ordinating integrated employment policies than governance strategies associated with NPM.

Practical implications

This paper offers an example highly pertinent to the labour market conditions currently facing European economies in the current financial crisis.

Originality/value

The paper offers original insights into the operation of the Swedish social model in practice, in a context of industrial crisis. Many scholars have analysed this model of labour market management from a national perspective: far fewer have addressed its practical limitations.
The integration of activation policy at sub‐national level
Authors: Green Anne E. , Orton Michael
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to engage with the theme of activation policies and organisational innovation in the capability perspective, from the viewpoint of active labour market policies in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

The focus of the article is the City Strategy initiative in Great Britain, which encourages institutions to work together to develop solutions to concentrations of worklessness. The article presents findings from a case study of the introduction of the City Strategy in one English sub‐region: Birmingham, Coventry and the Black Country. The empirical investigation is based on analysis of documentary evidence including strategy papers and “grey literature” such as minutes of meetings and internal briefings. In addition, the case study draws on in‐depth qualitative interviews conducted with 18 local actors involved in the City Strategy.

Findings

The empirical investigation provides selected evidence of successful public action undertaken through the City Strategy. It discusses issues concerning the benefits of partnership working and inter‐agency cooperation, but also limits that are reached.

Originality/value

The paper identifies elements of the capabilities approach – the idea of situated public action, the importance of local actors, and key concepts of empowerment and voice – as providing a helpful framework for analysis. While the City Strategy represents an interesting example of situated public action to tackle worklessness, it can be argued that what is missing in this instance is what the capabilities approach identifies as key elements of empowerment and voice for local actors.
Activation of the unemployed in Poland: from policy design to policy implementation
Authors: Sztandar‐Sztanderska Karolina
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how recent changes in labour market policy in Poland, such as the activation shift, formal incentives for policies integration and inclusion of private and civil society actors in the policy‐making process, are actually put into practice on the local level. By applying Amartya Sen's capability approach, decisive factors in the process of implementation, the role of normative assumptions in the assessment of unemployed people and the impact of performance indicators on local civil officers’ actions are analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

The text is based on the results of research conducted with a variety of methods: in‐depth and semi‐structured interviews, analysis of official reports, surveys among enterprises and among the employed, unemployed and inactive.

Findings

The paper shows the limitations of the activation model in Poland. The normative assumptions underlying ALMP lead to reproduction of social inequalities and stigmatisation of unemployed people, whereas the disciplinary approach discourages employers from cooperating with employment services. The increase of resources for the active labour market policy is not translated into an improvement in the quality of services.

Originality/value

Previous researches on labour market policies in Poland are mainly based on quantitative data and analysis of legal regulations. Not enough attention is paid to the actual uses of law and the role of normative assumptions in the process of implementation. The paper attempts to reintroduce the perspective of policy practitioners and beneficiaries that is completely absent from research on labour market policy in Poland.
Assessing integrated employment policies against the capability approach
Authors: Galster Déborah , Rosenstein Emilie , Bonvin Jean‐Michel
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of the current trend towards integrating employment policies against Amartya Sen's capability approach. By contrast with the conventional efficiency measures, it focuses on two main issues: to what extent does the integration of policies result in more performing programs when it comes to empowering the beneficiaries? What is the impact of integrated programs in terms of freedom to choose and capability for voice? These issues are investigated against a Swiss case study, i.e. the CII‐MAMAC project.

Design/methodology/approach

An investigation relying on qualitative interviews conducted with 25 local agents and managers belonging to the various institutions engaged in the CII‐MAMAC project and an in‐depth documentary survey of the official texts (laws, directives, etc.).

Findings

Integrating employment policies is very ambivalent in terms of both empowerment and freedom to choose. On the one hand, it can certainly lead to an increased effort in terms of empowerment, while on the other hand, it may reinforce paternalistic views of the welfare state envisaging the beneficiary as an obedient subject, rather than an active citizen. All in all, integration cannot be seen as the panacea to problems of inefficiency and unfairness in social policies.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focuses on one case study. Other in‐depth investigations are needed for issuing more general conclusions.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that using the capability approach to assess public policies opens new paths for evaluation research in this field.
Integrated employment policies for disabled people
Authors: Monteleone Raffaele , Mozzana Carlotta
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of an empirical research examining how local agencies interpret and implement a policy instrument that aims at reorganising fragmented interventions for disabled people employment in Milan. The main aim of this research is to analyse the organisational difficulties and opportunities that this new employment instrument faces and how it changes the courses of action and organisational logics of the local agencies.

Design/methodology/approach

This issue is examined through the analysis of the design and implementation phases. The analytical framework used combines two concepts: capability and policy instruments. The empirical research is based on an in‐depth empirical investigation.

Findings

The paper shows that the Emergo Plan could not transform the way the agencies work: measures are bent and adapted to agencies' organisational routines or to labour market's logics and they do not guarantee adequate social support in order to promote disabled people's capabilities. This has consequences in terms of: chance of projects personalisation; participation and activation of disabled people; and job opportunities.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focuses on one specific case study, the Emergo Plan, and the recipients were not interviewed. Further research is needed in order to assess the discussed issues at a more theoretical level and consider the beneficiaries' voices.

Originality/value

The paper presents some indications about the relation between public administration and local agencies and its implications and consequences in terms of organisational arrangements for public policies and related services.
Collecting law and medical titles for general academic collections: what use statistics can tell us
Authors: Levine‐Clark Michael , Jobe Margaret M.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

In order to better understand how collections are used, this study aims to present a large‐scale analysis of usage patterns for non‐core monographs in the collections of fourteen general academic libraries of varying sizes.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Spectra Dimension, a collection analysis tool, this study compares use data from multiple academic libraries.

Findings

It appears that general academic libraries are overinvesting in legal materials and perhaps underinvesting in medical materials.

Research limitations/implications

This study suggests that analysis of use data from multiple libraries may help individual libraries better understand their own collecting needs. Local issues may, however, override the broad patterns identified here.

Practical implications

In lean budgetary times, understanding collection use is key to making informed decisions about resource allocation for collection development. Libraries may be able to use these data to better manage their own materials budgets and collecting practices.

Originality/value

Though there have been a number of large‐scale analyses of collections, most have relied on sampling or have compared small portions of collections, and few have compared use across libraries. This study analyzes collection use across many institutions at a level of detail not possible before the introduction of multi‐library collection analysis tools.
Great websites for art history
Authors: Chen Ching‐Jung
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to identify a selection of websites for the study and enjoyment of the visual arts.

Design/methodology/approach

From the hundreds of offerings on the world wide web, the 24 public sites featured in this article are distinguished by the quality of their content, design, and ease of use.

Findings

The best websites are great tools for teachers, students, and interested individuals to explore and learn about the visual arts. Taking advantage of advancing technology, they offer experiences that go far beyond convenient delivery of traditional analog materials.

Originality/value

Offers practical suggestions for public and academic librarians on the most useful and usable public websites devoted to the visual arts.
Back to basics: international collection development on a shoestring
Authors: Newcomer Nara L.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This article aims to explore collection development for small libraries facing an extremely restricted budget, with an additional focus on international school libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the author's experience as a professional consultant for Oasis International School, Ankara, Turkey, this case study provides collection development advice, tips for librarians interested in volunteering or international travel, and a literature review.

Findings

An extremely restricted budget and the complexities of an international environment need not prevent libraries from taking steps towards improving their collection. Strategies include: seeking targeted donations from publishers, granting organizations, individuals, and others; intelligently exploiting non‐targeted donations; utilizing volunteers; carefully balancing preservation and access; and implementing a basic inventory/circulation system.

Research limitations/implications

Similar case studies undertaken at other libraries would add to the sparse literature on restricted budget and international school library collection development.

Practical implications

International and domestic school libraries facing a restricted budget will gain concrete advice on collection development. Librarians interested in volunteering or international librarianship will find practical guidance.

Originality/value

This article fills a gap in library scholarship by focusing on collection development issues facing international school libraries with an extremely restricted budget.
The current scenario of open access journal initiatives in India
Authors: Sawant Sarika
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The overall aim of the research was to gather the data related to open access journal initiatives in India with respect to its type, funding agency/host organization, full text availability, article charges etc.

Design/methodology/approach

Various sources of information were consulted such as literature, search engines, directories etc.

Findings

Results shows that all 178 open access journals were peer reviewed, indexed and abstracted in various indexing and abstracting services, listed with DOAR and O‐Jgate.

Research limitations/implications

Open access journals that were available on internet were included but not those which were available on intranet.

Originality/value

In the earlier literature it was mentioned that there were about 100 to 110 open access journals and no author paid journals. But the present study discovered the existence of 178 open access journals with three author paid journals.