bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intrathecal Morphine in Spine Surgery
Authors: Pendi Arif , Acosta Frank L. , Tuchman Alexander , Movahedi Rana , Sivasundaram Lakshmanan , Arif Ibraheem , Gucev Gligor
Published: April 2017

Study Design.

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Objective.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of intrathecal morphine (ITM) in reducing postoperative pain and opioid analgesic consumption following spine surgery.

Summary of Background Data.

The use of ITM following adult spine surgery is of particular interest because of the ease of access to the thecal sac and the potential to provide adequate analgesia at low doses. However, previous studies of ITM have been limited by small sample sizes and conflicting results.

Methods.

A comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, Clinicaltrials.gov, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for prospective RCTs was performed by two independent reviewers. Postoperative opioid consumption, pain scores, and complications were documented from the identified studies. Standard mean differences (SMDs) were applied to continuous outcomes and odds ratios were determined for dichotomous outcomes.

Results.

Eight RCTs involving 393 subjects met inclusion criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. Patients receiving ITM (ITM group) as an adjunct to postoperative opioid analgesic were compared to patients receiving postoperative opioids only (control group). Postoperative morphine equivalent consumption was significantly lower during the first 24 hours postoperative in the ITM group (P < 0.001). Pain scores were similarly lower in the first 24 hours following spine surgery in those who received ITM (P < 0.001). In patients administered ITM, a greater percentage experienced pruritus (P < 0.001). Respiratory depression was solely encountered in the ITM group (P = 0.25). There were no significant differences between the ITM and control groups in terms of sedation (P = 0.18), nausea (P = 0.67), vomiting (P = 0.62), or length of stay (P = 0.13).

Conclusion.

In patients undergoing spine surgery, use of ITM significantly reduced opioid analgesic consumption and Visual Analogue Schores pain scores compared to controls within the first 24 hours postoperatively. High-quality, follow-up RCTs with large sample sizes are recommended to determine the potential of supplementary ITM in spine surgery and complete the side effects profile.

Level of Evidence: 1
Lower Cranial Nerves Paralysis Following Prone-Position Mechanical Ventilation
Authors: Trejo-Gabriel-Galan Jose M. , Perea-Rodriguez Maria Eugenia , Aicua-Rapun Irene , Martinez-Barrio Esther
Published: April 2017

Objective:

To communicate a complication of prone-position ventilation.

Data Sources:

Case history.

Study Selection:

Case report.

Data Extraction and Data Synthesis:

Clinical information from medical record.

Conclusions:

This is a very infrequent cause of dysphagia following prone-position ventilation.
Population-Based Epidemiology of Sepsis in a Subdistrict of Beijing
Authors: Zhou Jianfang , Tian Hongcheng , Du Xueping , Xi Xiuming , An Youzhong , Duan Meili , Weng Li , Du Bin
Published: April 2017

Objective:

Information about the epidemiology of sepsis in community residents in China remains scarce and incomplete. The purpose of this study was to describe the occurrence rate and outcome of sepsis in Yuetan Subdistrict of Beijing and to estimate the occurrence rate of sepsis in China.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

All public hospitals serving residents in Yuetan Subdistrict, Beijing.

Patients:

All patients (n = 1,716) meeting criteria for sepsis based on American College of Chest Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine consensus definition.

Interventions:

None.

Measurement and Main Results:

We screened all adult residents in Yuetan Subdistrict who were hospitalized from July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2014, and reviewed medical records. Patients with sepsis were included in the analysis. We enrolled 1,716 patients with sepsis out of 21,191 hospitalized adults screened, among whom severe sepsis developed in 256 patients, and septic shock developed in 233 patients. The crude annual occurrence rates of sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock in Yuetan Subdistrict were 667, 103, and 91 cases per 100,000 population, corresponding to standardized occurrence rates of 461, 68, and 52 cases per 100,000 population per year, respectively. Both occurrence rate and mortality increased significantly with age, although males had higher age-adjusted occurrence rate and mortality. The occurrence rate of sepsis also exhibited seasonal variation, peaking in winter season. The overall hospital mortality rate of sepsis was 20.6%, yielding a standardized mortality rate of 79 cases per 100,000 population per year.

Conclusions:

Sepsis is a common and frequently fatal syndrome in Yuetan Subdistrict, Beijing. The occurrence rate and mortality of sepsis are significantly higher in males and elderly people.
Ultrasound as a Screening Tool for Central Venous Catheter Positioning and Exclusion of Pneumothorax*
Authors: Amir Rabia , Knio Ziyad O. , Mahmood Feroze , Oren-Grinberg Achikam , Leibowitz Akiva , Bose Ruma , Shaefi Shahzad , Mitchell John D. , Ahmed Muneeb , Bardia Amit , Talmor Daniel , Matyal Robina
Published: April 2017

Objectives:

Although real-time ultrasound guidance during central venous catheter insertion has become a standard of care, postinsertion chest radiograph remains the gold standard to confirm central venous catheter tip position and rule out associated lung complications like pneumothorax. We hypothesize that a combination of transthoracic echocardiography and lung ultrasound is noninferior to chest radiograph when used to accurately assess central venous catheter positioning and screen for pneumothorax.

Setting:

All operating rooms and surgical and trauma ICUs at the institution.

Design:

Single-center, prospective noninferiority study.

Patients:

Patients receiving ultrasound-guided subclavian or internal jugular central venous catheters.

Interventions:

During ultrasound-guided central venous catheter placement, correct positioning of central venous catheter was accomplished by real-time visualization of the guide wire and positive right atrial swirl sign using the subcostal four-chamber view. After insertion, pneumothorax was ruled out by the presence of lung sliding and seashore sign on M-mode.

Measurements and Main Results:

Data analysis was done for 137 patients. Chest radiograph ruled out pneumothorax in 137 of 137 patients (100%). Lung ultrasound was performed in 123 of 137 patients and successfully screened for pneumothorax in 123 of 123 (100%). Chest radiograph approximated accurate catheter tip position in 136 of 137 patients (99.3%). Adequate subcostal four-chamber views could not be obtained in 13 patients. Accurate positioning of central venous catheter with ultrasound was then confirmed in 121 of 124 patients (97.6%) as described previously.

Conclusions:

Transthoracic echocardiography and lung ultrasound are noninferior to chest x-ray for screening of pneumothorax and accurate central venous catheter positioning. Thus, the point of care use of ultrasound can reduce central venous catheter insertion to use time, exposure to radiation, and improve patient safety.
Neoadjuvant treatment: a novel standard?
Authors: Pasquali Sandro , Palassini Elena , Stacchiotti Silvia , Casali Paolo G. , Gronchi Alessandro
Published: April 2017

Purpose of review

The aim of this study was to summarize developments in the adjuvant/neoadjuvant chemotherapy of high-risk adult-type soft tissue sarcomas (STS).

Recent findings

The role of adjuvant/neaodjuvant chemotherapy in these patients is controversial, with a meta-analysis suggesting a 10% survival benefit. Recently, a randomized controlled trial in high-risk STS of extremities and trunk wall showed a 20% improvement in progression-free and overall survival after three preoperative cycles of epirubicin along with ifosfamide compared with a histology-tailored chemotherapy. This study has major strengths, including the selected high-risk population and the full-dose chemotherapy regimen. However, this was an interim analysis with a short follow-up in a trial originally planned to test the superiority of a histology-driven chemotherapy. As to high-risk patient selection, the new AJCC TNM staging system adds primary tumour site as a stratifying factor, while available prognostic nomograms account for additional criteria.

A recent trial strengthens perioperative chemotherapy as an option for high-risk STS patients within a shared decision-making process. If the final analysis of this trial confirms the currently observed progression-free and overall survival benefits, perioperative chemotherapy may become a standard. Also, new staging tools may refine our ability to select patients with a risk high enough as to deserve chemotherapy.
Diffusion Tensor Tractography for Detection of Concomitant Traumatic Brain Injury in Patients With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Jang Sung Ho , Ahn Sang Ho , Cho Yun Woo , Lim Ji Woon , Cho Ik Tae
Published: April 2017

Objectives:

We investigated concomitant traumatic brain injury in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) who had head trauma history, using diffusion tensor tractography (DTT).

Design:

Retrospective survey.

Participants:

We recruited 14 consecutive patients with TSCI and coexisting head trauma history at the time of TSCI and 30 control subjects.

Methods:

The corticospinal tract (CST), corticoreticulospinal tract (CRT), cingulum, and fornix were reconstructed using DTT, and DTT parameters (fractional anisotropy and fiber volume) and configuration were estimated.

Results:

The values of fractional anisotropy and fiber volume in the CST, CRT, cingulum, and fornix of the patient group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < .05). On configurational analysis of DTT for each tract, the neural tracts for motor function (the CST and CRT) had more injury than the neural tracts for cognitive function (the cingulum and fornix). No association between the severity of TSCI and traumatic brain injury was observed in terms of DTT parameters.

Conclusions:

Using DTT, we found injury of the neural tracts in patients with head trauma history at the time of TSCI. Our results suggest that brain evaluation using DTT can be recommended for the patients with head trauma history at the time of TSCI irrespective of the results of conventional brain MRI.
Creating artificial lymphoid tissues to study immunity and hematological malignancies
Authors: Shah Shivem B. , Singh Ankur
Published: April 2017

Purpose of review

The specialized microenvironments of lymphoid tissue affect immune cell function and progression of disease. However, current animal models are low throughput and a large number of human diseases are difficult to model in animals. Animal models are less amenable to manipulation of tissue niche components, signalling pathways, epigenetics, and genome editing than ex vivo models. On the other hand, conventional 2D cultures lack the physiological relevance to study precise microenvironmental interactions. Thus, artificial tissues are being developed to study these interactions in the context of immune development, function, and disease.

Recent findings

New bone marrow and lymph node models have been created to, respectively, study microenvironmental interactions in hematopoiesis and germinal center-like biology. These models have also been extended to understand the effect of these interactions on the progression and therapeutic response in leukemia, multiple myeloma, and lymphoma.

3D in-vitro immune models have elucidated new cellular, biochemical, and biophysical interactions as potential regulatory mechanisms, therapeutic targets, or biomarkers that previously could not be studied in animal models and conventional 2D cultures. Incorporation of advanced biomaterials, microfluidics, genome editing, and single-cell analysis tools will enable further studies of function, driver mutations, and tumor heterogeneity. Continual refinement will help inform the development of antibody and cell-based immunotherapeutics and patient-specific treatment plans.
Marijuana Use and Self-reported Quality of Eyesight
Authors: Akano Obinna F.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

There is increasing use of marijuana among young adults and more states in the United States are legalizing medical marijuana use. A number of studies have revealed both the beneficial and harmful effects of marijuana to the human system. Despite some beneficial effects, studies have shown marijuana to have a lot of deleterious effects on the visual system, which subsequently reduces the quality of eyesight. The aim of this study was to investigate if heavy marijuana smoking is associated with a poor quality of eyesight compared with light/no use of marijuana.

Methods

The National Longitudinal Survey of Youths (NLSY79), a nationally representative sample of 12,686 young men and women surveyed in 1979 to 2010 was used for this study. The quality of eyesight of 1304 heavy marijuana users was compared with 1304 respondents with light or no marijuana use. The t test, multivariate and weighted logistic regression were used in the data analysis.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in the self-reported quality of eyesight among heavy marijuana smokers compared with youths who never used marijuana or are light marijuana users. Among heavy marijuana smokers, males and high school graduates have decreased odds of reporting a poor quality of eyesight, whereas blacks have increased odds of reporting a poor quality of eyesight.

Conclusions

The self-reported quality of eyesight among marijuana users can aid clinicians and other health practitioners facilitate the development of sex-, racial/ethnic–, and educational level–informed prevention and early intervention programs and also help characterize public opinions regarding cannabis, which are particularly relevant given the ongoing debate concerning the medicalization and legalization of cannabis in the United States.
Can Ultrasound Imaging Predict the Success of an Experimental Steatofibrosis Model?
Authors: Turkay Rustu , Aydin Abdurrahman Fatih , Bingul Ilknur , Kucukgergin Canan , Dogan-Ekici Isin , Hocaoglu Elif , Inci Ercan , Bakir Baris , Uysal Mujdat
Published: April 2017

Our goal was to evaluate the role of ultrasound (US) imaging in an experimental 2-hit steatofibrosis rat model. Nineteen female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups: control group (n = 6) and high-fat diet carbontetrachloride (HFD-CCl4) group (n = 13) that was fed with HFD for 14 weeks. Ultrasound was performed to evaluate liver steatosis. The HFD-CCl4 group rats were divided further into 2 subgroups: HFD rats with liver steatosis [US (+) group; n = 6] and without steatosis [US (−) group; n = 7]. All rats in the subgroups were administered with CCl4. In both US (+) and US (−) subgroups, steatosis score, fibrosis score, triglyceride, and hydroxyproline contents were markedly higher compared with the control group. When compared with the US (−) group, triglyceride and hydroxyproline contents were significantly higher in the US (+) group, whereas steatosis and fibrosis scores were not different. Ultrasound imaging may be useful to assess the success of a 2-hit experimental steatofibrosis model.
A multiyear assessment of a hospital-school program to promote teen motor vehicle safety
Authors: Unni Purnima , Estrada Cristina M. , Chung Dai H. , Riley Emily B. , Worsley-Hynd Lesley , Stinson Neil
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teen drivers. The main goal of this program was to reduce texting while driving among high school teens through a unique peer-generated anti-texting campaign.

METHODS

The program consisted of two phases. In phase 1, student leaders participated in a half-day, hospital-based experiential program that emphasized safe teen driving. In phase 2, these students conceptualized and implemented an anti-texting while driving campaign during the school year. The program enrolled 32 schools with 137 student participants in phase 1. This study uses a prospective quasi-experimental pre-post design. A presurvey and a follow-up online survey were used. Response rate was 81%. In phase 2, two rounds of observations of drivers were made near the participating schools at the beginning and end of the phase 2 campaign. The results were analyzed using proportion tests.

RESULTS

There was a strong belief (6.49 on a seven-point scale) that texting while driving could result in a crash. About 58% had texted while driving in the previous 7 days in the pre-survey. This proportion decreased significantly to 44% in the follow-up (p< 0.05). Knowledge of Tennessee Graduated Driver Licensing laws and feeling of empowerment to take action with a teen driver who was texting improved significantly (p< 0.05). In phase 2, 12,309 drivers (adults and teens) were observed in the first round, and 13,153 were observed in the second round of observations. Significant reduction in the proportion of drivers texting while driving (from 13% to 9%;p< 0.0001) was observed.

CONCLUSION

Results of driver observations support the effectiveness of this program in meeting the key objective of reducing texting while driving. The program also influenced teenagers' willingness to take positive steps when faced with a driver who was texting. Future efforts should aim to influence social and peer norms.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic study, level IV.
A Randomized Pilot Study Comparing Ketamine and Methohexital Anesthesia for Electroconvulsive Therapy in Patients With Depression
Authors: Ray-Griffith Shona L. , Eads Lou Ann , Han Xiaotong , Golden Kimberly , Stowe Zachary N.
Published: April 2017

Objective

This randomized controlled pilot study examines the differences in response to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as defined by an improvement of depressive symptoms between ketamine and methohexital as the primary anesthetic agent. Adverse effects and cognitive tolerability were also examined.

Methods

Subjects undergoing ECT for unipolar or bipolar depression were randomized to receive ketamine or methohexital as the anesthetic agent. Primary outcome measure includes the Hamilton rating scale for depression (17-item). Secondary outcome measures included the mini-mental status examination and Beck depression inventory. All ratings were conducted masked to anesthetic agent. Because of multiple outcome measures obtained over time, mixed models were used to account for the correlations among the measurements within the subjects. Because outcomes were either normally distributed or approximately normally distributed, general linear mixed models were fit with a random intercept specified.

Results

A total of 21 subjects were enrolled, and 16 were randomized (methohexital, n = 8; ketamine, n = 8). The 2 treatment groups did not differ statistically in any demographic characteristic. No statistical difference was found between the ketamine and methohexital groups for an improvement in depressive symptoms (P = 0.6); however, subjects in both groups showed significant improvement in depression over time (ketamine, P < 0.0001; methohexital, P < 0.0001). Mini-mental status examination results did not differ between groups, and fatigue was reported more in subjects receiving ketamine (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

The results of this pilot study are inconclusive because they lack power to support an advantage of ketamine anesthesia compared with methohexital in ameliorating depressive symptoms for electroconvulsive therapy.
Giant axonal neuropathy alters the structure of keratin intermediate filaments in human hair
Authors: Soomro Asfia , Alsop Richard J. , Negishi Atsuko , Kreplak Laurent , Fudge Douglas , Kuczmarski Edward R. , Goldman Robert D. , Rheinstädter Maikel C.
Published: April 2017

Giant axonal neuropathy (GAN) follows an autosomal recessive genetic inheritance and impedes the peripheral and central nervous system due to axonal swellings that are packed with neurofilaments. The patients display a number of phenotypes, including hypotonia, muscle weakness, decreased reflexes, ataxia, seizures, intellectual disability, pale skin and often curled hair. We used X-ray diffraction and tensile testing to determine potential changes to the structure of keratin intermediate filaments (IFs) in the hair of patients with GAN. A statistically significant decrease in the 47 and the 27 Å diffraction signals were observed. Tensile tests determined that the hair was slightly stiffer, stronger and more extensible in GAN patients. These results suggest that the structure of keratin IFs in hair is altered in GAN, and the findings are compatible with an increased positional disorder of the keratin tetramers within the hair fibres.
Long-term fitness consequences of early environment in a long-lived ungulate
Authors: Pigeon Gabriel , Festa-Bianchet Marco , Pelletier Fanie
Published: April 2017

Cohort effects can be a major source of heterogeneity and play an important role in population dynamics. Silver-spoon effects, when environmental quality at birth improves future performance regardless of the adult environment, can induce strong lagged responses on population growth. Alternatively, the external predictive adaptive response (PAR) hypothesis predicts that organisms will adjust their developmental trajectory and physiology during early life in anticipation of expected adult conditions but has rarely been assessed in wild species. We used over 40 years of detailed individual monitoring of bighorn ewes (
Ovis canadensis
) to quantify long-term cohort effects on survival and reproduction. We then tested both the silver-spoon and the PAR hypotheses. Cohort effects involved a strong interaction between birth and current environments: reproduction and survival were lowest for ewes that were born and lived at high population densities. This interaction, however, does not support the PAR hypothesis because individuals with matching high-density birth and adult environments had reduced fitness. Instead, individuals born at high density had overall lower lifetime fitness suggesting a silver-spoon effect. Early-life conditions can induce long-term changes in fitness components, and their effects on cohort fitness vary according to adult environment.
Defects of myelination are common pathophysiology in syndromic and idiopathic autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Phan BaDoi N. , Page Stephanie Cerceo , Campbell Morganne N. , Bohlen Joseph F. , Thaxton Courtney L. , Simon Jeremy M. , Burke Emily E. , Shin Joo Heon , Kennedy Andrew J. , Sweatt J. David , Philpot Benjamin D. , Jaffe Andrew E. , Maher Brady J.
Published: April 2017

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is genetically heterogeneous in nature with convergent symptomatology, suggesting dysregulation of common molecular pathways. We analyzed transcriptional changes in the brains of five independent mouse models of Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome (PTHS), a syndromic ASD caused by autosomal dominant mutation in TCF4, and identified considerable overlap in differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene and cell-type enrichment analyses of these DEGs identified oligodendrocyte dysregulation that was subsequently validated by decreased protein levels. We further showed significant enrichment of myelination genes was prevalent in two additional mouse models of ASD (Ptenm3m4/m3m4, Mecp2KO). Moreover, we integrated syndromic ASD mouse model DEGs with ASD risk-gene sets (SFARI) and human idiopathic ASD postmortem brain RNA-seq and found significant enrichment of overlapping DEGs and common biological pathways associated with myelination and oligodendrocyte differentiation. These results from seven independent mouse models are validated in human brain, implicating disruptions in myelination is a common ASD pathophysiology.
Exploring meaning transfer in celebrity endorsements: measurement and validation
Authors: Roy Subhadip , Jain Varsha
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The “meaning transfer model (MTM)” is one of the less researched models in celebrity endorsement. The purpose of this paper is to empirically measure and validate a comprehensive model of meaning transfer in celebrity endorsements.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a conceptual model of meaning transfer that starts from celebrity identity as an antecedent of perceived celebrity meaning (CM), the study integrates CM, brand meaning (BM) and consumer behavior (CB) and two moderators leading to six studied hypotheses. The model is empirically tested using survey data (of 483 consumers) from India with the application of factor analysis and structural equation modeling.

Findings

Major results indicate a positive effect of CM on BM and BM on subsequent CB. The moderating effect of consumer knowledge and product involvement in successful meaning transfer is also observed.

Research limitations/implications

Contribution of the present study lies in the validation of a comprehensive model of meaning transfer in celebrity endorsements that may pave the way to the explanation of previous confounding results.

Practical implications

The present study provided an actionable model for marketers that would lead to successful meaning transfer and the various factors that need to be controlled.

Originality/value

This is the first study to validate the MTM that integrates the basic tenets of celebrity endorsement theory.
Moderating role of productivity on diversified conglomerates and performance: the case of Malaysia
Authors: Gyan Alex Kwaku
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the previous mixed findings in the relationship between diversification and firm performance. Using international and industrial conglomerates, the paper introduces productivity as a moderating variable to ascertain whether the mixed views in the diversification-performance nexus is due to variations in productivity. The findings in both proxies of performance (qand return on asset (ROA)) show that productivity is not a significant moderator in the diversification-performance link, except that under industrial conglomerates productivity enhances ROAs significantly. Meanwhile, the results show that diversification either has no significant value on firm performance or relates negatively with performance – a contrasting result to the hypothesis of this study.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts diversification measurement, categorisation approach and the methodology used in the work of Fauveret al.(2004) and the subsequent modification by Leeet al.(2012). This study, however, investigates the moderating effect of productivity on diversified firms and not ownership as shown in the previous studies. Performance is measured by two proxies to show robustness of the study. ROA is an accounting tool and Tobin’sqreflects a market-based performance of the firm.

Findings

The results show that productivity has no moderating impact on a market-based performance of a diversified firm. Regarding ROA, results show a split in finding by showing that productivity has no significant impact on international diversification; however, for industrial diversification, results show significant impact.

Originality/value

The paper adds to knowledge of finance by ruling out the view that the inconsistencies in the diversification and performance nexus in emerging economies could be due to vagaries in productivity. It is confirmed that productivity technically does not strengthen the link between diversification and performance: suggesting that factors other than productivity could establish a maximal impact on that link to minimise the inconsistencies in the findings on diversification-performance link.
Benchmarking fuzzy logic and ANFIS approaches for leanness evaluation in an Indian SME
Authors: Agrawal Rohit , Asokan P. , Vinodh S.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a study that is focused on application of fuzzy logic and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) approaches for leanness evaluation in an Indian small- and medium-size enterprise (SME).

Design/methodology/approach

Lean manufacturing concepts are being adopted by SMEs to sustain in the competitive manufacturing landscape. Performance of lean system needs to be assessed using appropriate methods. A model for measuring lean performance is proposed with five enablers, 30 criteria and 90 attributes. Leanness index is computed using fuzzy logic approach and benchmarked with ANFIS approach.

Findings

Leanness index computed using fuzzy logic approach is found to be (4.47, 5.97, 7.55) and that of ANFIS approach is found to be 5.84 to facilitate benchmarking of leanness evaluation. After finding weaker areas, certain improvement initiatives are being deployed.

Research limitations/implications

The developed model for leanness evaluation has been test implemented in an SME. In future, the model could be test implemented in several SMEs.

Practical implications

A case study conducted in an SME involved in heavy engineering fabrication is presented. Therefore, the inferences derived from the study has practical propensity.

Originality/value

The development of leanness evaluation model for SMEs and deployment in an industrial scenario are the original contributions of the authors.
Product benchmarking in the air cargo industry
Authors: lo Storto Corrado
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an objective decision-making framework and conduct a benchmarking study in the air cargo industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The decision-making framework and benchmarking methodology evaluates the aircraft value for money (VfM) as a benefit-to-cost ratio calculated adopting a measure of relative efficiency. This efficiency score is measured as a comprehensive efficiency index obtained by combining several efficiency scores calculated by implementing four data envelopment analysis (DEA) models.

Findings

The framework is used to carry on a benchmarking study in the air cargo industry on a sample of 27 airplanes. The average VfM is 67.04 percent, with measurements between 39.96 and 116.03 percent. Only three airplanes achieve full VfM and behave as benchmarks to the remaining airplanes. Boeing B727-200 is a broad player in the market. Some old cargo models (DC 9-30F) deliver the same amount of VfM as more recent aircraft models (i.e. MD-11F and A300-600F).

Research limitations/implications

The decision-making framework and benchmarking methodology can usefully support managers to make sound decisions and plans. Even though DEA generates attributes weights to different alternatives that are independent of the buyer preferences, the framework flexibility allows introducing a weighting scheme to take into account the managers preferences for certain aircraft performance/functional features. It can easily include new functional/performance measurements and adapt the VfM measurement to the particular economic context, strategy, and business model of the airlines, or be transferred to different industries.

Originality/value

The framework combines technical, functional performance, and economic cost measurements to get a unique efficiency index to evaluate the airplane VfM.
Conceptualizing trust with cultural perspective in international business operations
Authors: Ajmal Mian , Helo Petri , Kassem Rassel
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The growing international landscape of business has underlined the significance of multiculturalism and the novel challenges it brings to business implementation. The purpose of this paper is to draw attention of the readers toward how trust can be conceptualized and how trust-building process is affected in global business environments where more and more projects and businesses come into operation.

Design/methodology/approach

This research employs intensive literature review to conceptualize trust and develop a model of culture effects for trust building in global business environment. However, this study is presently explanatory in nature because no empirical evidence is provided.

Findings

Culture is a significant factor in building trust among global project stakeholders for the reason that trust is vital for developing a well-functioning long-term business relationship. The study highlighted that cultural differences among project teams can cause conflict, misunderstanding, and poor project performance.

Research limitations/implications

Future empirical research should investigate various scenarios, types of projects, cultures, and countries. Cultural issues are pretty sensitive, which have immediate association with trust-building process among international project stakeholders. Diminutive systematic research has been done on the cultural effects for trust building in international business context. The probe of how culture affects trust building efforts in global business environments remains unrequited.

Originality/value

This study adds value by creating awareness in the research community for undertaking a detailed and comprehensive research on this topic, and because of its originality, it serves as a foundation for future studies.
Multi-criterion and multi-period performance benchmarking of products and services
Authors: Bi Henry H.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

A product or service usually has multiple measurable characteristics, and its performance on different measures may vary and may change over time. Multi-criterion and multi-period performance benchmarking presents a challenge for management to determine performance gaps among comparable products or services. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new performance benchmarking method to address this challenge.

Design/methodology/approach

The author develop this method by formulating two benchmarking functions: a differentiation function based on Shewhart average and standard deviation charts to distinguish the performance of products or services on a single measure, and a categorization function to classify each product’s or service’s overall performance across all measures. By systematically removing the lowest-performing products or services from comparison, the author use these functions iteratively to detect performance gaps.

Findings

Using this method, the author find performance gaps in each of three benchmarking applications of airports, hotels, and minivans, although a number of performance gaps are not obvious from the raw data.

Research limitations/implications

This benchmarking study focuses on the quantifiable outcome performance of products and services.

Practical implications

This benchmarking method is generic and applicable to most products and services. It is robust not only for discovering performance gaps, but also for providing useful insights for managers to prioritize improvement efforts on individual performance measures.

Originality/value

The novelty of this benchmarking method lies in that it can not only find the “best overall” products or services for all performance measures, but can also pinpoint the “best-in-class” products or services as well as performance gaps for each performance measure. In addition, this paper presents several original ideas for performance benchmarking, including: using the control limits of Shewhart control charts to categorize performance gaps, systematically removing the lowest-performing products or services from comparison for the purpose of detecting hidden performance gaps, and using symbolic expressions to integrate benchmarking results from all measures and to show all performance gaps intuitively.
Strategies for modern operations management
Authors: Chiarini Andrea , Vagnoni Emidia
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This research enlarges the debate on the operations management strategies pursued by manufacturing companies. The purpose of this paper is to focus on issues concerning servitisation and customisation, enterprise resource planning (ERP) and Lean-agile, supply chain orchestration, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and Lean for design management.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire of eight questions which stemmed from a literature review was completed by 152 senior operations managers from 120 large European manufacturing companies. Responses were scaled from strongly agree to strongly disagree. The results were tested for reliability using Cronbach’s α test. The questions were tested through a one-sample t-test.

Findings

The 152 respondents consider servitisation and standardisation to be a trade-off. They consider integration of ERP strategies with Lean and agile systems and customised products/processes to be difficult. Furthermore, suppliers’ orchestration is considered not that suitable for manufacturing companies and suppliers’ CSR performance measurement excessive. By contrast, a CSR internal performance measurement is helpful for increasing sales. The respondents also indicate that there is a lack of Lean tools for design and development processes and Six Sigma is the only strategy for improving quality performance in design and development processes.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are applicable only to the manufacturing sector. The findings of this research indicate many avenues of research for scholars.

Practical implications

The findings can be very useful for manufacturing operations managers deciding their future strategies on operations.

Originality/value

Findings related to servitisation and customisation, ERP and Lean-agile, supply orchestration for manufacturing companies and Lean and agile for product design are original and open a valuable debate.
Tensions in managerial attention in a company in crisis
Authors: Bourmistrov Anatoli , Kaarbøe Katarina
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how in a situation of a crisis can Management Accounting Systems (MAS) create tensions in attention to information between top and line managers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a field study.

Findings

The findings based on an attention-based view on organizations demonstrate how change to an MAS introduced to handle the crisis failed to integrate top and line managers’ attention toward the common issues. Tightening of budget control was an expected response in such a situation. However, this change produced rather the opposite result – attention to information articulated by the top and line managers became even more disintegrated. This was visible in terms of different interpretations of both the reasons and the strategy of how to get out of the crisis – this is what we call a tension in attention.

Research limitations/implications

The study is subject to the usual limitations of case-based research.

Practical implications

Implications from the study is that there is a need for caution about how managers move in the beginning of the crisis because the initial response sets a tone and trajectory of the crisis. In practice, this means that sense making processes are important in an early stage of a crisis to avoid tensions in attention between different groups in the organization.

Originality/value

The authors argued that little research has been conducted so far regarding what information managers focus their attention on in organizations under financial distress conditions. The originality is the use of an attention-based view together with organizational psychology to understand this area.
Positive and negative effects of affective and continuance brand commitment in a service context
Authors: Raju Sekar
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The findings from the brand commitment literature suggest that the outcomes of commitment are not always favorable to the brand. This research aims to integrate the multi-component view of commitment with the relationship investment model to suggest a possible explanation to understand the mixed findings in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

A random mall intercept method was used. A total of 1,000 surveys were distributed to participants to answer and mail back. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

This research finds that consumers in affective and continuance commitment relationships differ significantly from each other both from an antecedent and an outcome perspective. Specifically, affective commitment consumers were more willing to make sacrifices, felt better about their brand relationship, held less favorable impressions about a competitor brand and were likely to continue patronizing the brand in the future. Continuance commitment consumers were unwilling to make sacrifices for the relationship, did not feel that their brand relationship was superior, were not keen on continuing the brand relationship in the future and were more favorable toward a competitor brand.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the development of theory on brand commitment and provides a way to understand the mixed findings in the literature. Importantly, by examining the antecedents and outcomes, a more complete understanding of affective and continuance commitment is possible. The marketing manager benefits by understanding that not all brand commitments are the same. This research might help them to think more broadly about important brand-related outcomes in a service setting.
Knowledge management as a factor for the formulation and implementation of organization strategy
Authors: Dayan Rony , Heisig Peter , Matos Florinda
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Knowledge management (KM) and organization strategy are both important to the success of an organization. This study aims to assess the research needs of their interrelationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on a collection of over 200 interviews of KM worldwide experts. Their inputs have been categorized based on the frequency of their occurrence.

Findings

This study looked at the research themes recommended by the experts and concluded that KM is to be regarded as a factor for the formulation and implementation of the organization strategy.

Research limitations/implications

The sample of scholars and practitioners interviewed, the analysis approach used and the use of broad questions and dimensions are some of the limitations of this study. Nevertheless, a variety of effects KM has on the formulation and implementation of company strategy has emerged.

Practical implications

Organizations would improve their chances of success in a changing and competitive world by integrating the KM approach, methods and goals within the articulation of their strategy.

Originality/value

This study is original in variety because of the wide demographic sample supplied, and to its involvement both of KM academic experts as well as of practitioners. Its value is in the recommendations on the research of KM and organization strategy that would be of value, not only to organizations looking for ways to make their strategy more effective but also to those willing to implement KM in a better way.
Citation classics published in knowledge management journals. Part III: author survey
Authors: Serenko Alexander , Dumay John
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper is the third part of a series of works investigating the top 100 knowledge management (KM) citation classic articles. The purpose of this paper is to understand why KM citation classics are well-cited.

Design/methodology/approach

The results of a survey of 58 KM citation classic authors were reported as descriptive statistics and subjected to content analysis.

Findings

An archetype of a KM citation classic author was constructed including demographics, personal characteristics, motivation and work preferences. There is a need for developing novel ideas in KM research. Timeliness of a publication is directly linked to its future impact. Editors should involve citation classics authors as reviewers, and KM researchers should improve their citation practices. Serendipity played a very important role in early KM research, especially from the perspective of discovering new and interesting phenomena.

Research limitations/implications

Whereas the importance of serendipity is not questioned, future KM researchers should rely more on a formal, meticulous and well-planned research approach rather than on the hope of making a discovery by accident or luck. KM citation classics authors relied on serendipity to form the foundation of the discipline, but extending their work requires formal and structured inquiries.

Practical implications

Many authors conducted research to solve a problem to serve the needs of both practice and academia, rather than being overly theoretical.

Originality/value

Because KM researchers can no longer rely on past bibliometric theories, this paper helps understand why specific articles are highly cited and recommends how to conduct and develop future KM research that has impact.
Business group affiliation, earnings management and audit quality: evidence from Bangladesh
Authors: Muttakin Mohammad Badrul , Khan Arifur , Mihret Dessalegn Getie
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the moderating role of audit quality on the association between business group affiliation of firms and earnings management in the South Asian emerging economy of Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

A usable sample of 917 firm-year observations was drawn from companies listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange from 2005 to 2013. Data were collected from the annual reports of sample companies. Earnings management was measured using the absolute value of discretionary accruals, and two proxies were used to measure audit quality: auditor size and industry specialisation.

Findings

Results showed that the level of discretionary accruals is positively associated with business group affiliation status, and higher audit quality reduces this association. This suggests that in environments without strong investor protection, complex ownership structures create opportunities for controlling shareholders to expropriate minority shareholders. The controlling shareholders could then mask this practice through earnings management. The findings also show that in environments lacking strong investor protection, audit quality can help improve earnings quality for group-affiliated firms.

Practical implications

The results suggest that financial statement users need to consider audit quality for a reasonable evaluation of the earnings quality of business groups. The study also informs regulators by illuminating audit quality as a key area of focus in any effort directed at enhancing stock market efficiency through improved earnings quality in environments where business group affiliation is prevalent.

Originality/value

This study documents empirical evidence on the moderating effect of audit quality on the positive association between business group affiliation and earnings management.