bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flavobacterium dankookense sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater reservoir, and emended descriptions of

Flavobacterium cheonanense

,

F. chungnamense

,

F. koreense

and

F. aquatile
Authors: Lee Siwon , Weon Hang-Yeon , Han Kyudong , Ahn Tae-Young
Published: November 2011

A novel yellow-pigmented bacterial strain, designated ARSA-19T, was isolated from a freshwater reservoir in Cheonan, Korea. Cells were Gram-staining-negative, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic and positive for catalase and oxidase. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain ARSA-19T belonged to the genus

Flavobacterium

and was related to

Flavobacterium macrobrachii

an-8T (96.5 % sequence similarity),

F. koreense

KACC 14969T (96.2 %),

F. chungnamense

KACC 14971T (96.1 %),

F. cheonanense

KACC 14972T (96.4 %) and

F. aquatile

ATCC 11947T (95.6 %). The isolate contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 0 (21.8 %), iso-C16 : 0 3-OH (10.4 %), iso-C15 : 1 G (9.3 %), summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c; 8.2 %), iso-C15 : 0 3-OH (7.7 %) and iso-C16 : 0 (7.3 %) as the major fatty acids. The polar lipids of strain ARSA-19T were phosphatidylethanolamine, four unknown aminolipids and two unidentified polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain ARSA-19T was 33.3 mol%. Based on its phenotypic and genotypic characteristics and on the phylogenetic evidence presented, strain ARSA-19T is considered to represent a novel species in the genus

Flavobacterium

, for which the name Flavobacterium dankookense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ARSA-19T ( = KCTC 23179T  = JCM 17065T  = KACC 14968T). Emended descriptions of

Flavobacterium cheonanense

,

Flavobacterium chungnamense

,

Flavobacterium koreense

and

Flavobacterium aquatile

are also proposed.
Lentzea jiangxiensis sp. nov., isolated from acidic soil
Authors: Li Xiaomin , Zhang Limin , Ding Yun , Gao Yongsheng , Ruan Jisheng , Huang Ying
Published: November 2011

A novel actinomycete, designated strain FXJ1.034T, was isolated from acidic soil collected in Jiangxi Province, South-east China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain FXJ1.034T belonged to the genus

Lentzea

and showed high sequence similarities to

Lentzea kentuckyensis

NRRL B-24416T (98.5 %) and

Lentzea albida

NBRC 16102T (98.3 %). Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics supported its assignment to the genus

Lentzea

. The results of DNA–DNA hybridization, physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of the novel strain from closely related species. Based on the evidence presented here, strain FXJ1.034T represents a novel species of the genus

Lentzea

, for which the name
Lentzea jiangxiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FXJ1.034T ( = CGMCC 4.6609T  = NBRC 106680T).
Description of

Lysinibacillus sinduriensis

sp. nov., and transfer of

Bacillus massiliensis

and

Bacillus odysseyi

to the genus

Lysinibacillus

as

Lysinibacillus massiliensis

comb. nov. and

Lysinibacillus odysseyi

comb. nov. with emended description of the genus

Lysinibacillus
Authors: Jung Min Young , Kim Joong-Su , Paek Woon Kee , Styrak Igor , Park In-Soon , Sin Yeseul , Paek Jayoung , Park Keun Ae , Kim Hongik , Kim Hong Lim , Chang Young-Hyo
Published: November 2011

A Gram-positive, rod-shaped, endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain BLB-1T, was isolated from samples of tidal flat sediment from the Yellow Sea. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated that the isolate belonged to the

Bacillus

rRNA group 2 and was closely related to

Bacillus massiliensis

CIP 108446T (97.4 %),

Bacillus odysseyi

ATCC PTA-4993T (96.7 %),

Lysinibacillus fusiformis

DSM 2898T (96.2 %) and

Lysinibacillus boronitolerans

DSM 17140T (95.9 %). Sequence similarities with related species in other genera, including

Caryophanon

,

Sporosarcina

and

Solibacillus

, were <96.1 %. Chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain BLB-1T with the genus

Lysinibacillus

. The major menaquinone was MK-7, the cell-wall sugars were glucose and xylose, the cell-wall peptidoglycan type was A4α (l-Lys–d-Asp), the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and several unknown phospholipids, and the major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 (35.6 %), iso-C15 : 0 (25.6 %) and anteiso-C17 : 0 (16.5 %). The most closely related species,

Bacillus massiliensis

and

Bacillus odysseyi

, were also assigned to this genus based on phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic data. The results of DNA–DNA hybridizations and phenotypic tests supported the differentiation of all three taxa from species of the genus

Lysinibacillus

with validly published names. Thus, strain BLB-1T ( = KCTC 13296T  = JCM 15800T) represents a novel species, for which the name

Lysinibacillus sinduriensis

sp. nov. is proposed. It is also proposed that

Bacillus massiliensis

CIP 108446T ( = 4400831T = CCUG49529T  = KCTC 13178T) and

Bacillus odysseyi

NBRC 100172T ( = 34hs-1T  = ATCC PTA-4993T  = NRRL B-30641T  = DSM 18869T  = CIP 108263T  = KCTC 3961T) be transferred to the genus

Lysinibacillus

as

Lysinibacillus massiliensis

comb. nov. and

Lysinibacillus odysseyi

comb. nov., respectively.
Gryllotalpicola gen. nov., with descriptions of Gryllotalpicola koreensis sp. nov., Gryllotalpicola daejeonensis sp. nov. and Gryllotalpicola kribbensis sp. nov. from the gut of the African mole cricket, Gryllotalpa africana, and reclassification of

Curtobacterium ginsengisoli

as Gryllotalpicola ginsengisoli comb. nov.
Authors: Kim Hyangmi , Park Doo-Sang , Oh Hyun-Woo , Lee Kang Hyun , Chung Dong-Ho , Park Ho-Yong , Park Hee-Moon , Bae Kyung Sook
Published: November 2011

Strains RU-16T, RU-28, RU-04T and PU-02T were isolated from the gut of the African mole cricket, Gryllotalpa africana. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strains belonged to the family

Microbacteriaceae

. All four strains were most closely related to

Curtobacterium ginsengisoli

DCY26T (below 97 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). These isolates were Gram-stain-positive, motile (by gliding), rod-shaped and exhibited ivory-coloured colonies. Their chemotaxonomic properties included MK-11 as the major respiratory quinone, ornithine as the cell-wall diamino acid, acetyl as the acyl type of the peptidoglycan, cyclohexyl-C17 : 0 as the major fatty acid and phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol as the major polar lipids. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, we propose a new genus in the family

Microbacteriaceae

, Gryllotalpicola gen. nov., with three novel species, Gryllotalpicola daejeonensis sp. nov. (type strain RU-04T  = KCTC 13809T  = JCM 17590T), Gryllotalpicola koreensis sp. nov. (type strain RU-16T  = KCTC 13810T  = JCM 17591T) and Gryllotalpicola kribbensis sp. nov. (type strain PU-02T  = KCTC 13808T  = JCM 17593T). Gryllotalpicola koreensis is the type species of the genus. Additionally, we propose that

Curtobacterium ginsengisoli

should be reclassified in the genus as Gryllotalpicola ginsengisoli comb. nov. (type strain DCY26T  = KCTC 13163T  = JCM 14773T).
Streptomyces glycovorans sp. nov., Streptomyces xishensis sp. nov. and Streptomyces abyssalis sp. nov., isolated from marine sediments
Authors: Xu Ying , He Jie , Tian Xin-Peng , Li Jie , Yang Ling-Ling , Xie Qiong , Tang Shu-Kun , Chen Yi-Guang , Zhang Si , Li Wen-Jun
Published: November 2011

Strains YIM M 10366T, YIM M 10378T and YIM M 10400T were isolated from marine sediments collected from the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea. All three isolates were able to grow optimally at pH 7.0, 28–37 °C and 0–3 % (w/v) NaCl. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that these strains are members of the genus

Streptomyces

, exhibiting moderately high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 97.0–98.8 % to members of the most closely related

Streptomyces

species. Morphological characteristics, physiological characteristics and compositions of whole-cell sugars and phospholipids are consistent with the diagnostic characteristics of the genus

Streptomyces

, but still allowed differentiation amongst the three strains and their neighbours. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data, strains YIM M 10366T, YIM M 10378T and YIM M 10400T were identified as members of three novel species of the genus

Streptomyces

, for which the names Streptomyces glycovorans sp. nov. (type strain YIM M 10366T  = DSM 42021T  = CCTCC AA2010005T), Streptomyces xishensis sp. nov. (type strain YIM M 10378T  = DSM 42022T  = CCTCC AA 2010006T) and Streptomyces abyssalis sp. nov. (type strain YIM M 10400T  = DSM 42024T  = CCTCC AA 2010008T) are proposed.
Pseudonocardia xishanensis sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from the roots of Artemisia annua L.
Authors: Zhao Guo-Zhen , Li Jie , Zhu Wen-Yong , Wei Da-Qiao , Zhang Jin-Li , Xu Li-Hua , Li Wen-Jun
Published: November 2011

A Gram-positive, non-motile, endophytic actinomycete, designated strain YIM 63638T, was isolated from the surface-sterilized roots of Artemisia annua L. The isolate grew optimally with 1–3 % (w/v) NaCl, at pH 6.0–7.0 and at 20–37 °C. Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the isolate belonged to the genus

Pseudonocardia

and showed highest sequence similarity with

Pseudonocardia oroxyli

D10T (98.9 %),

Pseudonocardia ailaonensis

YIM 45505T (98.3 %) and

Pseudonocardia halophobica

IMSNU 21327T (98.0 %). Phylogenetic distance from other type strains of species with validly published names within the genus

Pseudonocardia

was greater than 2.3 %. Strain YIM 63638T had a genomic DNA G+C content of 72.1 mol% and MK-8(H4) as the predominant respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 (36.32 %) and 10-methyl-C16 : 0 (19.78 %). On the basis of phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain YIM 63638T represents a novel species of the genus

Pseudonocardia

, for which the name Pseudonocardia xishanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 63638T ( = JCM 17906T  = KCTC 29005T).
Parent Engagement in Youth Drug Prevention in Chinese Families: Advancement in Program Development and Evaluation
Authors: Tsang Sandra K. M.
Published: November 2011

The escalating youth drug abuse problem in Hong Kong has attracted intense attention from the government, schools, and youth service professionals. Most preventive efforts have focused directly on positive youth development, very often through school programs delivered to secondary school students. There have been limited efforts to engage parents even though it is obvious that the family is actually the primary context of children and youth development. This paper will assert the importance of parental engagement in youth drug-prevention work, discuss some barriers in such parental involvement, present some promising local attempts and their strengths and limitations, and propose that sustained efforts are needed to build up theory-driven and evidence-based resources for Chinese communities on the subject.
Bipartite Promoter Element Required for Auxin Response
Authors: Walcher Cristina L. , Nemhauser Jennifer L.
Published: November 2011

Multiple mechanisms have been described for coordination of responses to the plant hormones auxin and brassinosteroids (Zhang et al., 2009). One unexplained phenomenon is the reliance of the auxin transcriptional response on a functional brassinosteroid pathway. In this study, we used luciferase reporters to interrogate the promoter of SMALL AUXIN-UP RNA15 (SAUR15), a well-characterized auxin and brassinosteroid early response gene in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). After identifying a minimal region sufficient for auxin response, we targeted predicted cis-regulatory elements contained within this sequence and found a critical subset required for hormone response. Specifically, reporter sensitivity to auxin treatment required two elements: a Hormone Up at Dawn (HUD)-type E-box and an AuxRE-related TGTCT element. Reporter response to brassinosteroid treatment relied on the same two elements. Consistent with these findings, the transcription factors BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE1-EMS SUPPESSOR1 and MONOPTEROS (MP)/ AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR5 (ARF5) showed enhanced binding to the critical promoter region containing these elements. Treatment with auxin or brassinosteroids could enhance binding of either transcription factor, and brassinosteroid enhancement of MP/ARF5 binding required an intact HUD element. Conservation of clustered HUD elements and AuxRE-related sequences in promoters of putative SAUR15 orthologs in a number of flowering plant species, in combination with evidence for statistically significant clustering of these elements across all Arabidopsis promoters, provided further evidence of the functional importance of coordinated transcription factor binding.
Farm income variability and off‐farm diversification among Canadian farm operators
Authors: Jetté‐Nantel Simon , Freshwater David , Katchova Ani L. , Beaulieu Martin
Published: November 2011

Purpose

For many farm families and operators across the OECD countries, off‐farm income has become a major determinant of their well‐being. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential role of off‐farm employment as a risk management tool among farm operators.

Design/methodology/approach

A two‐part model is applied to a longitudinal farm‐level data set for about 20,000 Canadian farms, from 2001 to 2006, in order to estimate the relationship between farm income risk and the decision to participate in the off‐farm labor market and the level of off‐farm employment income.

Findings

The variability of farm market revenue is found to be positively related to the likelihood of off‐farm work and the level of off‐farm employment income, in particular for operators of relatively large farms. Hence, farm operators' production decisions appear to be conditioned on an income portfolio that includes a substantial amount of off‐farm income for all sizes of farms.

Social implications

These results reinforce the need to consider the portfolio effect induced by the integration of farm resources within the non‐farm sector. This is particularly relevant to risk management farm policies that have typically considered decisions made in the agricultural sector in isolation.

Originality/value

This paper uses a true farm‐level panel data set to investigate the relationship between farm income risk and off‐farm work. The size of the data set also allows the robustness of the results across farm typologies and size to be tested. This study contributes to the understanding of structural changes in the farm sector, and their potential implications for both rural and agricultural policies.
AgProfit™: a net present value and cash flow based decision aid for agriculture producers
Authors: Julian James W. , Seavert Clark F.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present AgProfit™ as a tool for users to assess economic risks associated with adoption of new technologies or production practices in production agriculture.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents the AgProfit™ software program, its approach to capital investment analysis and demonstrates the program use by developing a scenario for analysis and discusses the process and results of the analysis.

Findings

AgProfit™ was developed to assist growers in understanding the risks associated with technology adoption. The example presented in this paper demonstrates the value of the software program as a decision‐making tool on the complex question of how many acres are required for an economically beneficial adoption of a new technology. Thus, with this software program, a grower can base investment decisions on the net present value and internal rates of return on an investment rather than a sales pitch or “gut” feeling.

Originality/value

AgProfit™ is a recently developed software program that fills a void in available decision tools, providing users with the ability to assess the profitability and feasibility of production investment decisions.
Factors affecting variability in farm and off‐farm income
Authors: Poon Kenneth , Weersink Alfons
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors affecting the relative variability in farm and off‐farm income for Canadian farm operators.

Design/methodology/approach

Variability of farm and off‐farm income is analyzed using a dataset of 17,000 farm operators from 2001 to 2006. Relative ranking of the coefficients of variation (CV) for farm and off‐farm income are compared across farm types and are regressed against factors conditioning the variations.

Findings

Greater reliance on farm income results in lower (greater) relative variability in farm (off‐farm) income. Larger commercial operations experience larger farm income volatility because they are less risk averse or they can manage more risk. Diversification and off‐farm employment appear to be risk management strategies for commercial operations.

Research limitations/implications

Government payments have a small, positive effect on farm and off‐farm income variability, indicating this support leads farmers to take on more risky activities and/or reduce the use of self‐insurance activities. Results could also be due to the lag between the time of the income reduction and the time in which the aid is received. Further research is necessary to decipher the effects of government support on farm decisions.

Practical implications

The results on relative variation in the farm and off‐farm income across farm type raises questions about whether government programs should target specific operations.

Originality/value

While income variation remains a focus of public policy, factors affecting its variability are not well‐understood. Studies have examined the level of farm income and the decision to participate in off‐farm employment but none has examined the variance in both income sources.
Corrosion behaviour of cast iron exposed to Arabian Gulf environment
Authors: Saricimen Huseyin , Quddus Abdulquddusa , Eid Omar A. , Ahmad Aftab , Ul‐Hamid Anwar , Siddique Tawqir A.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the long‐term corrosion behavior of cast iron coupons in the Jubail Industrial City (JIC), Saudi Arabia.

Design/methodology/approach

The samples were exposed under atmospheric, underground, and splash zone conditions, at Khaleej Mardumah Test Station (KMTS) in Jubail. Soil, groundwater, seawater and air particulate samples were collected at the exposure sites and were analyzed. Secondary electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) were used to examine the surface morphology of the test coupons and identify the corrosion products developed on the surface of the metals. The corrosion rates of the coupons were determined by weight loss method.

Findings

The results showed that the atmosphere, underground and splash zone conditions all were very corrosive to cast iron, due to temperature and humidity variations as well as the high chloride and sulfate concentrations in the region. The splash zone was the most corrosive regime of the three test zones. The main corrosive ions in the environments were identified as chloride and sulfate. The maximum chloride and sulfate concentrations were measured to be 8.94 and 49.65 μg/m3in atmosphere, 8,040 and 1,410 ppm in soil, and 29,500 and 5,770 mg/l in seawater, respectively. The corrosion rates of cast irons were found to be 343‐536 μm/y in splash zone, 90‐214 μm/y in underground, and 22‐27 μm/y in atmosphere. Compared to other parts of the world, the soil, marine and atmospheric environments at the selected test site are very corrosive.

Originality/value

In this paper, corrosion of cast iron is presented in atmospheric, soil and splash zone conditions along the eastern coast of the Arabian Gulf.
A low temperature process for the application of three‐layer polyethylene coatings
Authors: Huai Qi Shao , Qi Bin Zhang , Wen Li Han , Bei Bei Xie , Zhong Ping Xu , Gui Bai Huang
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report the investigation of a low temperature application process for three‐layer polyethylene coating (3LPE) at 185‐195°C to meet the requirement of the coating temperature for X80 longitudinally welded pipe.

Design/methodology/approach

Plant coating and laboratory tests were performed to determine the properties of 3LPE coating coated at 185‐195°C.

Findings

The properties of the 3LPE coating, which was applied by using a suitable low temperature cured epoxy powder at temperature of 185‐195°C, were nearly the same as those of a 3LPE coating that had been applied at the normal coating temperature (200‐230°C).

Originality/value

Recommended acceptance criteria for 3LPE coatings applied at 185‐195°C are proposed. The research results met the requirements for external anti‐corrosion properties for X80 longitudinally welded pipe.
Microbial influenced corrosion due to Desulfovibrio desulfuricans
Authors: Singh Ajay , Sharma Chhaya , Lata Suman
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate microbially induced corrosion on stainless steels due to sulfate reducing bacteria sp. Desulfovibrio desulfuricans and correlate it with the composition of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of the biofilm formed by these bacteria.

Design/methodology/approach

Stainless steels 304L, 316L and 2205 were selected for the test. Modified Baar's media, both control and inoculated, were used as test solutions in anaerobic conditions. The bacteria were identified by scanning electron microscopy and their growth was estimated by bacterial counting. Electrochemical polarization and immersion test were performed to estimate the corrosion rate and the extent of pitting attack. The degree of corrosion and the presence of chemicals present inside/outside pits were determined by SEM/EDS. Biofilm formed on corroded coupons was analyzed spectroscopically to identify its components. An attempt was made to correlate the extent of corrosion with the bacterial concentration and the EPS of the biofilm. The differing corrosion performances of the stainless steels also were compared.

Findings

The corrosivity of the solution increased with the addition of SRBs and with increased incubation time. The amount of carbohydrate and protein in EPS was observed to be a minimum when conditions were most corrosive. However, as the corrosivity decreased, these amounts increased. Stainless steel 2205 showed the highest corrosion resistance, followed by 316L and 304L.

Originality/value

This work shows that SRB degrades its own EPS. Further, the extent of microbial corrosion on stainless steel coupons due to the presence of SRB correlates with the carbohydrate and protein contents of the EPS of the biofilm.
Effects of AC interference on the optimum cathodic protection potential of X70 steel in soil solution
Authors: Li Zili , Hao Hongna , Ding Qingmiao
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The presence of alternating current (AC) causes serious damage on buried pipelines, even when the off potential meets the −0.85 V/CSE criterion. The optimum cathodic protection potential (OCPP) is more reliable for cathodic protection. The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of AC on the OCPP and, using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), to investigate how to get the optimum cathodic protection.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the application of EIS to investigate the OCPP of X70 steel in a soil simulating solution with different AC interferences.

Findings

The experimental results indicate that AC interference makes the OCPP decrease. It was determined that the −0.85 V/CSE criterion is not appropriate when there is AC interference. When the AC voltage was less than 6 V, the OCPP was approximately −900 mV/SCE, whereas when the AC voltage was more than 7 V, the OCPP was approximately −1,000 mV/SCE.

Originality/value

Although there have been previous research studies on the OCPP, this paper is the first to study the effects of AC interference on the OCPP and it has been confirmed that the OCPP changed when AC interference is present.
“Made‐in” Nigeria or “owned‐by” Ireland?
Authors: Madichie Nnamdi
Published: November 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to evaluate the impact of the country‐of‐origin (COO) effects on the consumption patterns of “made in” Nigeria Guinness as opposed to Guinness “owned by” Ireland. It aims to trace the trend of Nigerian Guinness in the international market – taking London as a case analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a series of narratives drawn from a sample of distributors and trade outlets (retailers) of Guinness in London, an attempt is made to highlight the fuzzy notion of “made in” Nigeria – as opposed to the popularly acclaimed notion of “owned by” Ireland/Dublin Guinness.

Findings

Country‐of‐origin effects were exhibited in the marketing and consumption patterns of both Guinness from Oba Akran Avenue in Nigeria and that from the renowned St James's Gate in Dublin.

Practical implications

Guinness, and concomitantly Diageo and other developed market brewers such as Heineken, may find this study's findings useful as they consider working out ways to leverage the impact of COO for their global marketing strategies and/or campaigns.

Social implications

There might after all be some virtue on importation bans as Guinness from Oba Akran Avenue seems to have made the most of a crippling marketing environment – i.e. the ban on wheat importation to resort to local substitutes such as Sorghum, which has for the better, rather than the worse, improved the taste of the so‐called “Nigerian Guinness”.

Originality/value

Overall this appears to be the first study of its kind of the brewing industry where the consumption of a singular brand has impacted differently based on the notion of “made‐in” versus “owned‐by” cues.
Exploring the motives and determinants of innovation performance of Malaysian offshore international joint ventures
Authors: Idris Aida , Seng Tey Lian
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The existing literature indicates that in developing countries, much remains to be done in terms of improving understanding of international joint venture (IJV) issues such as the motives for firms to pursue IJVs and the factors which affect their performance. In view of this, the present paper seeks to identify the motives of Malaysian firms for engaging in offshore IJVs, and analyze the interplay among four key variables – motive, strategic fit, knowledge transfer and innovation performance – from the perspective of Malaysian IJVs.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature review, theoretical linkages among the variables and relevant hypotheses were developed; then subsequently tested using bootstrap analysis. A total of 234 questionnaires were sent to managers of Malaysian IJVs abroad and 74 usable responses were returned, yielding a response rate of 31.62 percent.

Findings

The results suggest that Malaysian firms pursue IJVs abroad mainly to expedite profit generation and market penetration, while acquiring knowledge is considered only as a secondary motive. At the same time the results affirm that knowledge transfer mediates the effect of strategic fit on the innovative capacity of the IJVs. This implies that although knowledge transfer is very important to IJV innovation performance, that importance is seriously underestimated by Malaysian businesses.

Research limitations/implications

The study highlights the need to incorporate moderating factors in the future when examining the effect of motive and strategic fit on innovation. Results of the reliability tests also question the generalizability of existing strategic fit and knowledge transfer scales in a Malaysian setting.

Practical implications

The findings provide lessons for foreign businesses by improving understanding of what Malaysian businesses seek most in an IJV, which in turn will help foster better strategic fit between partners. For Malaysian firms and policy makers, the study should serve as a reminder that knowledge transfer is very important in improving innovativeness and deserves greater attention and commitment.

Originality/value

Research on IJV suggests interesting differences between firms from developed and developing nations. The current paper helps to enrich the literature on IJVs, particularly from the perspective of knowledge and learning orientation in developing nations.
Information sources for environmental scanning: do industry and firm size matter?
Authors: Haase Heiko , Franco Mário
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to enhance the knowledge about environmental scanning at the corporate level. It seeks an answer to the research question: Is there an influence of industry sector and firm size on the use of external information sources?

Design/methodology/approach

To verify three research hypotheses, the authors performed a cross‐sectional study among 165 Portuguese firms. The explorative data analyses consisted of multivariate analysis of variance and Tukey's honestly significant difference test.

Findings

Overall, the range of frequently used external information sources is relatively limited, consisting of both personal and impersonal sources. Results suggest a certain “industry effect” and indicate above all a “size effect”. Besides this, the service sector possesses most sourcing peculiarities, and smaller firms underuse some relevant sources.

Research limitations/implications

The research design applied limits the sample to Portuguese firms and their environment. This geographically circumscribed approach may limit the extent to which the conclusions and implications can be generalised and universally applied.

Originality/value

Despite the importance of environmental scanning, little research has hitherto been conducted to analyse variances across industry sectors and firm size. This paper is one of the first attempts to study their joint effects on the use of scanning information sources.
Differentiating the effects of the institutional environment on corporate entrepreneurship
Authors: Gómez‐Haro Samuel , Aragón‐Correa Juan Alberto , Cordón‐Pozo Eulogio
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding of how different dimensions of the institutional environment of a region may influence the level of corporate entrepreneurship of firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops the relationship between the institutional environment, differentiated in regulatory, cognitive and normative dimensions, and entrepreneurship in existing firms, corporate entrepreneurship, via a questionnaire study covering 150 firms in Spain.

Findings

The relation between institutional environment and corporate entrepreneurship can be distinct. The results show that both the normative and cognitive dimension of the institutional environment influence an organisation's entrepreneurial orientation. They also show that regulatory dimension influences what type of corporate entrepreneurial activity is carried out.

Originality/value

Literature about institutional theory and entrepreneurship has been both descriptive and fragmented. This paper complements the increasing interest in the analysis of the influence of institutional frameworks on corporate entrepreneurship and answers recent calls in the literature to complete previous analyses in an empirical way that supports previous works.
Graduate entrepreneurs: intentions, barriers and solutions
Authors: Smith Kelly , Beasley Martin
Published: November 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the factors that influenced seven graduates in the creative and digital industries to start their own businesses in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK – an area with lack of employing establishments and locally registered businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires and semi‐structured interviews identified the constraining and enabling factors graduates may encounter when attempting to start a business, and explored the impact of support provided.

Findings

Perceived constraining factors were: lack of general business knowledge, contradictory advisory support from external agencies, lack of sector‐specific mentors, lack of finance, and experience of familial entrepreneurship. Perceived enabling factors were: co‐mentoring from business partners, course content, financial gain, creativity and innovative ideas, control and risk taking, and the overarching package of support. Linkages between internal and external support could be improved.

Research limitations/implications

The study provided insights into constraints and enablers to self‐employment for a small cohort of recent graduates looking to start‐up in the creative and digital industries. Further studies are required to explore the suggested effect of the “creative identity”, and of sector‐specific family entrepreneurial background.

Practical implications

The support provided by universities can facilitate the transition from early stage ideas to actual graduate business start‐up. Issues such as provision of specialist advice and links with external parallel and follow‐on support need to be considered.

Originality/value

University start‐up units provide an important contribution to the development of graduate entrepreneurs and their role in the growth of national and global economy. Suggestions for improvements in performance, such as closer links with external business development agencies and support providers, are discussed.
Re‐storying an entrepreneurial identity: education, experience and self‐narrative
Authors: Harmeling Susan S.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the ways in which entrepreneurship education may serve as an identity workspace.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual/theoretical paper based on previously completed empirical work.

Findings

The paper makes the connection between worldmaking, experience, action and identity.

Practical implications

The paper furthers understanding of entrepreneurship education and its potential effect on the identity of participants. It stresses the importance of offering entrepreneurship education participants the opportunity to take entrepreneurial action. It has implications for the existing state of entrepreneurship education, e.g. the focus on business plans in the absence of an exploration of the identity of participants.

Originality/value

The paper is an original exploration of the linkage between entrepreneurship education and identity and has implications for both pedagogy and practice.
Retirement or committed to work?
Authors: Winkelmann‐Gleed Andrea
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a UK older worker's perspective on the influences of multiple work and non‐work related commitments on their decision to extend working lives or to retire. As demographic change and economic challenges related to the financing of health care and pension plans affect retirement policies, this paper seeks to explore the individual worker's perspective. Their choice is framed by seeking to balance financial security in later life with the positive elements of work and the desire to match work with other commitments, something hardly taken into consideration by employers.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper combines findings from existing research studies and UK based, semi‐structured interviews conducted as part of two ESF (European Social Fund) funded projects aiming at extending labour market participation for older workers. Key areas, such as retirement planning, training, flexibility and health are explored and the organisational identities/commitment literature provides a conceptual framework for understanding the push and pull factors associated with labour market exit among the over 50s.

Findings

Fundamental to the success of changes in government pension policies in terms of extending labour market participation of older workers is the element of individual agency rather than a view of victimisation. Viewing older workers as the ones who have to pay for increasing life expectancy by working longer could lead to people staying in work for the wrong reasons, negatively affecting productivity and job satisfaction. The discussion and conclusion stress the need for deeper understanding of work as one contributor to overall quality of life.

Originality/value

The political agenda to prolong working lives is principally driven by economic arguments. However, for any future policies to lead to an intrinsic motivation to want to remain in work, the voices of older workers express the desire to combine work with non‐work related commitments and identities. Achieving such balance could benefit the whole labour force.
Civil society organizations and the exercise of power in the employment relationship
Authors: Abbott Brian , Heery Edmund , Williams Stephen
Published: November 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to focus on civil society organizations (CSOs) and their capacity to exercise power in the employment relationship. In particular, the paper is concerned with identifying the sources of power, how it is exercised and whether CSOs can exert pressure on other employment actors despite their apparent lack of resources possessed by more established representative structures.

Design/methodology/approach

Findings are based on 139 completed postal questionnaires and 47 interviews, primarily face‐to‐face, across 34 different CSOs.

Findings

Adopting a resource dependence framework suggests that CSOs have the capacity to exercise power and influence key employment actors. However, the power of CSOs is undermined by the absence of an internal organizational presence, making it difficult to mobilize workers.

Research limitations/implications

The research highlights the role of an often‐ignored employment actor. To provide further insights further research is needed to garner the views of other employment participants.

Originality/value

In employee relations discussions of workplace power have typically focused on the power of the state, employers and trade unions. This paper adopts a novel angle by exploring the role of CSOs and their ability to exercise power.
Are temporary jobs a port of entry into permanent employment?
Authors: Berton Fabio , Devicienti Francesco , Pacelli Lia
Published: November 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore whether temporary jobs are a port of entry into permanent employment and to argue that the answer crucially depends on the type of temporary contracts being considered.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper bases its empirical evidence on a longitudinal sample of labour market entrants in Italy and estimates dynamic multinomial logit models with fixed effects to allow for the non‐random sorting of workers into the different types of contracts.

Findings

The authors show that the transition to permanent employment is more likely for individuals who hold any type of temporary contract than for the unemployed, thus broadly confirming the existence of port‐of‐entry effects. Yet, not all temporary contracts are the same. An order among non‐standard contracts with respect to the probability of taking an open‐ended job emerges, with training contracts at the top, freelance work at the bottom, and fixed‐term contracts outperforming apprenticeships. Strong SSC rebates, lack of training requirements, and low legal constraints concerning renewals result in poor port‐of‐entry performance, as in the case of freelance contracts. Instead, mandatory training and more binding legal constraints on the use, extension, and renewals of training contracts tend to enhance the probability of getting a standard job.

Originality/value

Most of the existing empirical literature aggregates temporary contracts in a single category, thereby ignoring a relevant source of heterogeneity.
Occupational choice and returns to self‐employment among immigrants
Authors: Andersson Lina
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Self‐employment has been stressed as a way for immigrants to enter and improve their situation in the labour market. However, research shows that some people who become self‐employed revert to wage employment or unemployment. The purpose of the paper is to study the labour market consequences of temporary self‐employment on paid employment among immigrants.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses micro‐econometric methods to estimate the effect of self‐employment, relative to continued wage employment, on earnings and employment opportunities in 2006. The paper also identifies the type of wage earner that temporarily enters self‐employment.

Findings

The paper finds that, relative to continued wage employment, self‐employment, with few exceptions, does not improve outcomes in the wage sector of immigrants and may in fact be associated with lower earnings and difficulties in returning to paid employment.

Practical implications

The results indicate that encouraging immigrant wage earners to become self‐employed should be done with care, since self‐employment does not necessarily improve subsequent labour market outcomes.

Originality/value

This study will be valuable to those who are interested in the economic consequences of immigrant self‐employment.
Integrating human resource management into lean production and their impact on organizational performance
Authors: Bonavia Tomas , Marin‐Garcia Juan A.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The first goal of this research is to analyse the effects of lean production (LP) on the policy of human resource management (HRM). The second is to determine whether or not implementation of HRM practices associated with LP explains the differences in organizational performance between manufacturing plants.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper developed a questionnaire for data collection. Findings are presented from 76 establishments (79.17 per cent of the total sample) that specialise in single‐firing ceramic tiles in Spain.

Findings

Companies that make the most of LP practices are also those that take care to train workers in using these practices as well as improving their employment security. However, the same is not true for the pay for performance system. The combination of LP with HRM practices reduces inventory and boosts productivity but does not appear to affect the other performance variables analysed.

Research limitations/implications

For certain variables very little variation was found between the plants in the samples. The data are cross‐sectional, so causality cannot be definitively determined.

Practical implications

This paper indicates the HRM practices associated with the LP and the results obtained. It can thus be used to help human resource and production departments in improving organizational performance.

Originality/value

The paper extends the work of other researchers by focusing on a sector and a country that have been very little studied to date. The sample consists of a set of plants that are fairly homogeneous, which facilitates the analysis of the relationships between the selected variables, while keeping other variables controlled.
Factors influencing the effectiveness of performance measurement systems
Authors: Tung Amy , Baird Kevin , Schoch Herbert P.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between the use of multidimensional performance measures and four organizational factors with the effectiveness of performance measurement systems (PMSs).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected by mail survey questionnaire from a random sample of 455 senior financial officers in Australian manufacturing organizations.

Findings

The results reveal that the use of multidimensional performance measures is associated with two dimensions of the effectiveness of PMSs (performance and staff related outcomes). The results also reveal that organizational factors were associated with the effectiveness of PMSs. Specifically, top management support was found to be associated with the effectiveness of PMSs in respect to the performance related outcomes, and training was associated with the staff related outcomes.

Practical implications

The findings provide managers with an insight into the desirable PMS characteristics and the specific organizational factors that they can focus on in order to enhance the effectiveness of their performance measurement system.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the limited empirical research examining the effectiveness of PMSs regarding the extent to which organizational processes are achieved. In addition, the study provides an empirical analysis of the association between the five perspective (financial, customer, internal business process, learning and growth, and sustainability) BSC model and four organizational factors with the effectiveness of PMSs.
Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings
Authors: Bullen Peter A. , Love Peter E.D.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

There is growing acceptance that heritage buildings are an important element of Australia's social capital and that heritage conservation provides economic, cultural and social benefits to urban communities. The decision whether to reuse a building entails a complex set of considerations including location, heritage, architectural assets, and market trends. The role of building conservation has changed from preservation to being part of a broader strategy for urban regeneration and sustainability. A growing body of opinion supports the view that adaptive reuse is a powerful strategy for handling this change. Urban development and subsequent redevelopment has a significant impact on the environment and the purpose of this paper is to investigate how the conservation of heritage buildings may contribute to a more sustainable urban environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the views and experiences of architects, developers and building managers who have been involved with the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings. In total, 60 semi‐structured interviews were drawn from this stakeholder group to investigate their current understanding of the sustainability issues associated with the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings.

Findings

The subsequent data show that despite many positive outcomes in terms of sustainability, the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings is considered to create many problems; not the least of which is whether heritage buildings are icons that should be conserved or whether they are in fact eyesores and unviable for adaptive reuse.

Originality/value

The contribution of heritage buildings to the three tenets of sustainability has not previously been explored comprehensively and as a result there is a conflict of interest between the preservation of heritage values and progression of the sustainable urban design agenda.
Carbon monoxide alarms: should they be provided in all new dwellings?
Authors: Power Stephanie , Wynn Peter
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish whether the guidance on the application of the UK Building Regulations in Approved Document J should have gone further by expecting that CO alarms should be provided in all new dwellings, irrespective of their heating source.

Design/methodology/approach

An attitudinal survey, using e‐mail questionnaire, was issued to selected professionals following review of current guidance.

Findings

All types of combustion appliance, fuelled by all fuel sources, are a potential risk of CO poisoning in both new and existing dwellings.

Research limitations/implications

The authors concentrate on the guidance given in the Approved Document only, not the reasons as to why the requirement was included in the Building Regulations for the first time.

Practical implications

It is recommended that the guidance in the Approved Document should be revised to include the provision of CO alarms in all new dwellings, irrespective of their heating source.

Social implications

The paper discusses an issue of potential public safety.

Originality/value

The paper challenges the extent of recent changes to Building Regulations Approved Document J.