bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sound, Listening and Place: The aesthetic dilemma
Authors: Truax Barry
Published: November 2012

A purely aesthetic approach may be problematic when artists wish to deal with the external world as part of their work. The work of R. Murray Schafer in formulating soundscape studies is described, as well as the author's extension of that work within a communicational framework. Soundscape composition is situated within a continuum of possibilities, each with its own practice of mapping or representing the world. Current technological possibilities as well as ethical issues involved in the production process are discussed, along with the author's work in creating a multi-channel imaginary soundscape. The evolving nature of the listener's relationship to acoustic space over the last century is discussed in comparison to developments in soundscape composition.
Examining the Place of Music in Western Eco-cosmology, with Implications for Electroacoustic Musical Practice
Authors: Bocast Chris
Published: November 2012

This article addresses the place of music in the Western worldview, arguing for a greater appreciation of music in a modern eco-cosmology which embraces environmental priorities as central to human prosperity, while contextualising defensible connections between music, sound and environment potentially useful for electroacoustic musical practice. Precise analytical terminology is established, and the methodology of environmental history is used to assess Western understandings about the role and place of music. Origins and ideas regarding immersive space, emotive power and the development of dualistic ‘nature–culture’ schemas are explored. Impacts of key developments in twentieth-century technology and environmental thought are examined as they relate to electroacoustic research. Biomusicology is reviewed for insights into innate musical structures and possibilities, and a recent linguistic study is analysed from a musical perspective to advance a cross-disciplinary argument: music may represent a form of mitigational behaviour used to balance the evolutionary tradeoff that enabled modern language. This argument suggests that if music in itself represents an environment critical for human mental health, then the contribution of electroacoustic music is vital for fresh eco-critical debate and awareness, and that an increased musical practice, especially in participatory contexts, may be essential for the human project.
Reading authentic texts: What counts as cognate?
Authors: BALLING LAURA WINTHER
Published: November 2012

Most research on cognates has focused on words presented in isolation that are easily defined as cognate between L1 and L2. In contrast, this study investigates what counts as cognate in authentic texts and how such cognates are read. Participants with L1 Danish read news articles in their highly proficient L2, English, while their eye-movements were monitored. The experiment shows a cognate advantage for morphologically simple words, but only when cognateness is defined relative to translation equivalents that are appropriate in the context. For morphologically complex words, a cognate disadvantage is observed which may be due to problems of integrating cognate with non-cognate morphemes. The results show that fast non-selective access to the bilingual lexicon is conditioned by the communicative context. Importantly, a range of variables are statistically controlled in the regression analyses, including word predictability indexed by the conditional probability of each word.
Parental language mixing: Its measurement and the relation of mixed input to young bilingual children's vocabulary size
Authors: BYERS-HEINLEIN KRISTA
Published: November 2012

Is parental language mixing related to vocabulary acquisition in bilingual infants and children? Bilingual parents (who spoke English and another language; n = 181) completed the Language Mixing Scale questionnaire, a new self-report measure that assesses how frequently parents use words from two different languages in the same sentence, such as borrowing words from another language or code switching between two languages in the same sentence. Concurrently, English vocabulary size was measured in the bilingual children of these parents. Most parents reported regular language mixing in interactions with their child. Increased rates of parental language mixing were associated with significantly smaller comprehension vocabularies in 1.5-year-old bilingual infants, and marginally smaller production vocabularies in 2-year-old bilingual children. Exposure to language mixing might obscure cues that facilitate young bilingual children's separation of their languages and could hinder the functioning of learning mechanisms that support the early growth of their vocabularies.
Vitamin D status in Chinese pregnant women and their newborns in Beijing and their relationships to birth size
Authors: Song Shu Jun , Si Shaoyan , Liu Junli , Chen Xingming , Zhou Ling , Jia Guiyue , Liu Genlan , Niu Yujing , Wu Jie , Zhang Wenying , Zhang Jianzhong
Published: November 2012

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women and their newborns in Beijing, China and the influence of vitamin D deficiency on birth size.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

Data were collected from pregnant women who delivered during April to May 2010 at 306 Hospital of PLA in Beijing, China.

Subjects

Participants in the study were seventy healthy nulliparous pregnant women with singleton pregnancies who delivered healthy babies at full term and their newborns.

Results

Severe vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) < 25 nmol/l) was detected in 54·5 % of mothers and 46·6 % of newborns. Neither mothers nor newborns had serum 25(OH)D concentrations that reached the normal level (>75 nmol/l). The concentration of 25(OH)D in mothers was positively correlated with that in cord blood (r = 0·89, P < 0·001). Newborns of mothers with severe vitamin D deficiency had lower birth length and birth weight. The head circumference and birth weight were lower in vitamin D-deficient newborns.

Conclusions

The study indicates that pregnant women and neonates residing in Beijing are at high risk of vitamin D deficiency. Neonatal 25(OH)D concentrations are dependently related to maternal 25(OH)D levels. Maternal and neonatal vitamin D status influences newborn size.
‘We eat together; today she buys, tomorrow I will buy the food’: adolescent best friends’ food choices and dietary practices in Soweto, South Africa
Authors: Voorend Carlijn GN , Norris Shane A , Griffiths Paula L , Sedibe Modiehi H , Westerman Marjan J , Doak Colleen M
Published: November 2012

Objective

To explore if and how female adolescents engage in shared eating and joint food choices with best friends within the context of living in urban Soweto, South Africa.

Design

A qualitative, exploratory, multiple case study was conducted using semi-structured duo interviews of best friend pairs to ascertain their eating patterns, friendship and social interactions around dietary habits.

Setting

Participants were recruited from three high schools in the urban township of Soweto, South Africa.

Subjects

Fifty-eight female adolescents (twenty-nine friend pairs) still in high school (mean age of 18 years) were enrolled.

Results

Although overweight rates were high, no association between friends was found; neither did friends share dieting behaviours. Both at school and during visits to the shopping mall, foods were commonly shared and money pooled together by friends to make joint purchases. Some friends carefully planned expenditures together. Foods often bought at school were mostly unhealthy. Availability, price and quality were reported to affect choice of foods purchased at school. Preference shaped joint choices within the shopping mall environment.

Conclusions

Food sharing practices should be investigated in other settings so as to identify specific behaviours and contexts for targeted and tailored obesity prevention interventions. School-based interventions focusing on price and portion size should be considered. In the Sowetan context, larger portions of healthy food may improve dietary intake of fruit and vegetables where friends are likely to share portions.
Redistribution under the Social Security benefit formula at the individual and household levels, 1992 and 2004
Authors: GUSTMAN ALAN L. , STEINMEIER THOMAS L. , TABATABAI NAHID
Published: November 2012

Studies using data from the early 1990s suggested that while the progressive Social Security benefit formula succeeded in redistributing benefits from individuals with high earnings to individuals with low earnings, it was much less successful in redistributing benefits from households with high earnings to households with low earnings. Wives often earned much less than their husbands. As a result, much of the redistribution at the individual level was effectively from high earning husbands to their own lower earning wives. In addition, spouse and survivor benefits accrue disproportionately to women from high income households. Both factors mitigate redistribution at the household level. It has been argued that with the increase in the labor force participation and earnings of women, Social Security now should do a better job of redistributing benefits at the household level. To be sure, when we compare outcomes for a cohort with a household member age 51 to 56 in 1992 with those from a cohort born twelve years later, redistribution at the household level has increased over time. Nevertheless, as of 2004 there still is substantially less redistribution of benefits from high to low earning households than from high to low earning individuals.
Evaluation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) germplasm lines for tolerance to drought
Authors: Fatokun Christian A. , Boukar Ousmane , Muranaka Satoru
Published: November 2012

Cowpea is an important grain legume crop in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where, on a worldwide basis, the bulk is produced and consumed. The dry savanna area of SSA is where cowpea is mostly grown under rain-fed conditions. The crop is therefore prone to drought which may occur early, mid and/or late in the cropping season. Compared with many other crops, cowpea is drought tolerant, even though drought is still a major constraint limiting its productivity in SSA. Increasing the level of drought tolerance in existing cowpea varieties grown by farmers would enable them to obtain more and stable yield from their cowpea fields. As a first step towards enhancing drought tolerance in existing cowpea varieties, 1288 lines were selected randomly from cowpea germplasm collections maintained at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, and evaluated for their drought tolerance at Ibadan. Drought was imposed by withdrawal of irrigation from 5 weeks after sowing. On average, drought reduced the number of days to flower by 12 d, and the mean grain yield per plant was also reduced by 67.28%. A few of the cowpea lines stayed green for up to 6 weeks after irrigation was stopped, even though some of these produced no pods when the study was terminated. Further evaluation in the screenhouse of 142 selected drought-tolerant lines helped to identify six lines that could be potential parents for developing breeding lines with enhanced drought tolerance.
Missional Identity of a Parish Church: A Case Study from the Church of England
Authors: Spencer Stephen
Published: November 2012

This essay draws on the typological framework of Stephen B. Bevans and Roger P. Schroeder in Constants in Context: A Theology of Mission for Today (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2004), to analyse a case study church drawn from the Church of England. It investigates key elements of the theology and life of the church, in particular its implicit eschatology and understanding of salvation, and its approach to evangelism, to identify and establish which of Bevans and Schroeder's models it most closely expresses. This correlation is then used to draw out certain practical implications for the life of the church, most notably how it can more consistently and therefore with more integrity live out its inherent approach to mission. This shows the general practical usefulness of this methodology for other churches in different settings.
A new approach to retrieving cirrus cloud height with a combination of MODIS 1.24‐ and 1.38‐μm channels
Authors: Wang Chenxi , Ding Shouguo , Yang Ping , Baum Bryan , Dessler Andrew E.
Published: November 2012

An approach is developed for inferring cloud top height (CTH) by using two shortwave infrared (SWIR) channels (i.e., 1.24‐ and 1.38‐μm) with similar cloud scattering and absorption properties but very different water vapor absorption properties. This channel combination is used to accurately infer the column water vapor amount above the clouds, from which the CTH can be retrieved. The approach performs best for ice clouds located in the upper troposphere. For those clouds, our approach performs as well or better than the current operational cloud height retrieval algorithm adopted by the MODIS science team.
Attribution of the Arctic ozone column deficit in March 2011
Authors: Isaksen I. S. A. , Zerefos C. , Wang W.‐C. , Balis D. , Eleftheratos K. , Rognerud B. , Stordal F. , Berntsen T. K. , LaCasce J. H. , Søvde O. A. , Olivié D. , Orsolini Y. J. , Zyrichidou I. , Prather M. , Tuinder O. N. E.
Published: November 2012

Arctic column ozone reached record low values (∼310 DU) during March of 2011, exposing Arctic ecosystems to enhanced UV‐B. We identify the cause of this anomaly using the Oslo CTM2 atmospheric chemistry model driven by ECMWF meteorology to simulate Arctic ozone from 1998 through 2011. CTM2 successfully reproduces the variability in column ozone, from week to week, and from year to year, correctly identifying 2011 as an extreme anomaly over the period. By comparing parallel model simulations, one with all Arctic ozone chemistry turned off on January 1, we find that chemical ozone loss in 2011 is enhanced relative to previous years, but it accounted for only 23% of the anomaly. Weakened transport of ozone from middle latitudes, concurrent with an anomalously strong polar vortex, was the primary cause of the low ozone When the zonal winds relaxed in mid‐March 2011, Arctic column ozone quickly recovered.
Visualization of conduit‐matrix conductivity differences in a karst aquifer using time‐lapse electrical resistivity
Authors: Meyerhoff Steven B. , Karaoulis Marios , Fiebig Florian , Maxwell Reed M. , Revil André , Martin Jonathan B. , Graham Wendy D.
Published: November 2012

In the karstic upper Floridan aquifer, surface water flows into conduits of the groundwater system and may exchange with water in the aquifer matrix. This exchange has been hypothesized to occur based on differences in discharge at the Santa Fe River Sink‐Rise system, north central Florida, but has yet to be visualized using any geophysical techniques. Using electrical resistivity tomography, we conducted a time‐lapse study at two locations with mapped conduits connecting the Santa Fe River Sink to the Santa Fe River Rise to study changes of electrical conductivity during times of varying discharge over a six‐week period. Our results show conductivity differences between matrix, conduit changes in resistivity occurring through time at the locations of mapped karst conduits, and changes in electrical conductivity during rainfall infiltration. These observations provide insight into time scales and matrix conduit conductivity differences, illustrating how surface water flow recharged to conduits may flow in a groundwater system in a karst aquifer.
Vorticity generation by short‐crested wave breaking
Authors: Clark David B. , Elgar Steve , Raubenheimer Britt
Published: November 2012

Eddies and vortices associated with breaking waves rapidly disperse pollution, nutrients, and terrestrial material along the coast. Although theory and numerical models suggest that vorticity is generated near the ends of a breaking wave crest, this hypothesis has not been tested in the field. Here we report the first observations of wave‐generated vertical vorticity (e.g., horizontal eddies), and find that individual short‐crested breaking waves generate significant vorticity [O(0.01 s−1)] in the surfzone. Left‐ and right‐handed wave ends generate vorticity of opposite sign, consistent with theory. In contrast to theory, the observed vorticity also increases inside the breaking crest, possibly owing to onshore advection of vorticity generated at previous stages of breaking or from the shape of the breaking region. Short‐crested breaking transferred energy from incident waves to lower frequency rotational motions that are a primary mechanism for dispersion near the shoreline.
Intraseasonal atmospheric forcing effects on the mean state of ocean surface chlorophyll
Authors: Jin Daeho , Murtugudde Raghu G. , Waliser Duane E.
Published: November 2012

Rectification of surface chlorophyll (Chl) concentration by the atmospheric intraseasonal variability is detected in a numerical biophysical ocean model when it is forced by composite Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) events. In addition to the shoaled mixed layer depth (MLD) previously reported, it is found that increased mean Chl by MJO forcing mostly co‐occurs with shoaled isothermal depth (ITD) / nutrient isopleths and reduced barrier layer thickness (BLT). Case studies reveal that MJO forcing increases MLD and ITD variations, which enhances vertical mixing and brings nutrients to the surface layer thereby increasing Chl concentration. The shoaled MLD and ITD in the seasonal / annual mean are due to asymmetric responses to MJO wind forcing; i.e., shoaling by weaker wind is more sensitive than deepening by stronger wind. Reduced mean BLT is because ITD shoaling is larger than MLD shoaling. As an exception, it is detected that both the mean Chl and BLT are increased by MJO forcing in the southern Bay of Bengal. Here, the ITD is climatologically deep in the active MJO season (boreal summer), and different phase between the MLD and ITD variations results in temporarily large BLT. However, this barrier layer does not effectively isolate the surface layer from the nutrient‐rich deeper ocean. Lastly, observations support our findings in limited regions and seasons, though further investigation is necessary to confirm the effect of atmospheric intraseasonal variability on the mean surface Chl.
Mechanistic insight into inhibition of two-component system signaling
Authors: Francis Samson , Wilke Kaelyn E. , Brown Douglas E. , Carlson Erin E.
Published: November 2012

A scaffold that specifically interacts with the highly conserved ATP-binding domain in histidine kinases has been identified.
Invasion by the leguminous tree Acacia dealbata (Mimosaceae) reduces the native understorey plant species in different communities
Authors: Lorenzo Paula , Pazos-Malvido Eva , Rubido-Bará Margarita , Reigosa Manuel J. , González Luís
Published: November 2012

Acacia dealbata Link (Mimosaceae) is a woody leguminous tree introduced to Europe from Australia that has become a serious environmental problem in north-western Spain, where it forms dense monospecific patches threatening native-plant biodiversity. We describe the effects of invasion by A. dealbata on understorey plant composition in shrubland, oak- and pine-forest communities in north-western Spain. Plant species richness and composition, plant density and total plant cover were measured and compared among patches with different invasion status (invaded, transition and non-invaded patches) in each studied community. A clear effect of the community type and invasion on the understorey vegetation was observed. In general, composition of shrubland was different from that of oak and pine forests. We found significant effects of invasion status on species richness, plant density and total plant cover; values were significantly lower in invaded than non-invaded patches. Invasion by A. dealbata also was associated with changes in species composition. In total, eight native species, including the endemic Daboecia cantabrica (thuds) K. Koch, were confined to non-invaded patches and were replaced by other natives in invaded and transition patches. Our results suggest that although A. dealbata represented a serious threat to all of the study communities, the severity of the impact depended on the community type.
Effects of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, fibroblast growth factor 2 and epidermal growth factor on proliferation and the expression of some genes in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) spermatogonial cells
Authors: Kadam Prashant H. , Kala Sushila , Agrawal Himanshu , Singh Karn P. , Singh Manoj K. , Chauhan Manmohan S. , Palta Prabhat , Singla Suresh K. , Manik Radhay S.
Published: November 2012

The present study evaluated the effects of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 2 and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on proliferation and the expression of some genes in spermatogonial cells. Spermatogonial cells were isolated from prepubertal buffalo testes and enriched by double enzyme treatment, filtration through 80- and 60-μm nylon mesh filters, differential plating on lectin-coated dishes and Percoll density gradient centrifugation. Cells were then cultured on a buffalo Sertoli cell feeder layer and formed colonies within 15–18 days. The colonies were found to predominantly contain undifferentiated Type A spermatogonia because they bound Dolichos biflorus agglutinin and did not express c-kit. The colonies expressed alkaline phosphatase, NANOG, octamer-binding transcription factor (OCT)-4 and tumour rejection antigen (TRA)-1–60. Cells were subcultured for 15 days, with or without growth factor supplementation. After 15 days, colony area and the relative mRNA abundance of PLZF were higher (P < 0.05) following supplementation with 40 ng mL–1 GDNF + 10 ng mL–1 EGF + 10 ng mL–1 FGF2 than with the same concentrations of GDNF alone or GDNF plus either EGF or FGF2. Expression of TAF4B was higher (P < 0.05) in the presence of FGF2, whereas the expression of THY1 was not affected by growth factor supplementation. In the Sertoli cell feeder layer, EGF and FGF2 decreased (P < 0.05), whereas GDNF increased (P < 0.05), the relative mRNA abundance of ETV5 compared with control. In conclusion, an in vitro culture system that incorporates various growth factors was developed for the short-term culture of buffalo spermatogonia.
Neutrophil heterogeneity in health and disease: a revitalized avenue in inflammation and immunity
Authors: Beyrau Martina , Bodkin Jennifer Victoria , Nourshargh Sussan
Published: November 2012

Leucocytes form the principal cellular components of immunity and inflammation, existing as multiple subsets defined by distinct phenotypic and functional profiles. To date, this has most notably been documented for lymphocytes and monocytes. In contrast, as neutrophils are traditionally considered, to be short-lived, terminally differentiated cells that do not re-circulate, the potential existence of distinct neutrophil subsets with functional and phenotypic heterogeneity has not been widely considered or explored. A growing body of evidence is now challenging this scenario, and there is significant evidence for the existence of different neutrophil subsets under both physiological and pathological conditions. This review will summarize the key findings that have triggered a renewed interest in neutrophil phenotypic changes, both in terms of functional implications and consequences within disease models. Special emphasis will be placed on the potential pro- and anti-inflammatory roles of neutrophil subsets, as indicated by the recent works in models of ischaemia–reperfusion injury, trauma, cancer and sepsis.
Preparation and characterization of Ni‐Cr nanocomposite coatings containing TiO2 nanoparticles for corrosion protection
Authors: Bahrami Mousavi Atefeh , Baghery Pouria , Peikari Mahmoud , Rashed Gholam‐Reza
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of TiO2 nanoparticle content on the corrosion behavior of Ni‐Cr/TiO2 nanocomposite coatings applied by pulse‐reverse electroplating.

Design/methodology/approach

Ni‐Cr/TiO2 nanocomposite coatings with various contents of TiO2 nanoparticles were electrodeposited by pulse‐reverse method from a bath containing TiO2 nanoparticles to be codeposited and citric acid as the complexing agent. The surface morphology and the composition of coatings were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped by energy dispersive X‐ray system (EDS). The corrosion performance of coatings in the 0.5 M NaCl as a corrosive solution was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods.

Findings

It was found that the surface of Ni‐Cr/TiO2 nanocomposite coatings showed a finer structure that was more uniform and compact in appearance than was that of Ni‐Cr coatings. The incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticles in the alloy coating matrix improved the corrosion performance of the coatings and the higher content of nanoparticles gave better corrosion resistance.

Originality/value

Applying the Ni‐Cr coatings by the pulse‐reverse plating method eliminated cracks that were a problem in the Ni‐Cr alloy coating structure. Furthermore, the corrosion resistance was improved by the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles to the alloy matrix. This paper reports the optimum plating conditions that gave the better corrosion performance.
The stress corrosion cracking behavior of X120 pipeline steel in a simulated acidic soil solution
Authors: Liu Jing , Cheng JiHao , Hu Qian , Huang Feng , Xu JinQiao , Guo Bin
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the influence of the cathodic polarized potential on the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) susceptibility of X120 steel in a simulated acidic soil solution and the different SCC mechanisms at different cathodic polarized potentials.

Design/methodology/approach

The SCC behaviors of X120 pipe steels at various potentials were investigated in a simulated acidic soil solution by slow strain rate tensile tests, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and surface analysis techniques.

Findings

The fracture surface of X120 steel stretched in air showed a ductile fracture. Both elongation and tensile strength of X120 steel in the simulated acidic soil solution decreased compared to that obtained in air. A slight cathodic polarization increased the elongation and tensile strength of X120 steel; therefore, the SCC susceptibility was lower at −0.65 VSCE than that at OCP, anodic dissolution dominates the corrosion process. However, a strong cathodic polarization induced hydrogen embrittlement, decreasing elongation and tensile strength, therefore, the SCC susceptibility was highest at −1.1 VSCE, and hydrogen embrittlement became the dominant process.

Originality/value

The paper provides an essential insight into the mechanism of pipeline SCC for X120 steel in acidic soil environments.
Environmental concerns in the knowledge industry: literature review
Authors: Zehra Rizvi Sabiha , Shafi S.M. , Akhtar Khan Nadim
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The paper aims to explore and identify the recent contributions to the literature available about various environmental issues associated with the Knowledge Industry, from conception until dissemination of knowledge to end‐users from the sources available.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature survey was performed in an attempt to identify substantial works published to date concerning environmental issues coupled with the Knowledge Industry. A range of online scholarly databases, search engines and websites of recognized international as well as national organizations and publishers was searched, to spot out the substantial works carried out in the area. Varied search terms such as “environmental issues of paper industry”, “paper consumption for books”, “books and carbon footprint” “environmental issues in pulp and paper industry”, “computers and carbon footprint”, “publishing industry and environment”, “internet and environmental issues” and “green computing”, etc. were used for retrieving the literature.

Findings

The literature review connotes that hardly any systematic study or scholarly output which can facilitate the precise and accurate facts about environmental issues coupled with the Knowledge Industry is available, although the size of the industry and its effect on the environment is quite large.

Practical implications

It is evident from the scrutiny of literature existing that there are still areas for advanced exploration on the topic of environmental concerns of the Knowledge industry; and study paves the way for the concerned organizations and institutions (such as Libraries and Publishers), at global level, to take substantial measures to overcome hazardous effects from the industry.

Originality/value

The paper is the first ordered and thorough attempt to review the literature and provide a summary of adverse effects of the Knowledge Industry on the environment.
Are social and entrepreneurial attitudes compatible?
Authors: Arribas Iván , Hernández Penélope , Urbano Amparo , Vila Jose E.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to analyze the compatibility between entrepreneurial and social attitudes. Specifically, it seeks to analyze whether subjects with a more developed economic entrepreneurial attitude exhibit a less social attitude.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology integrates an economic experimental approach with a standard entrepreneurial intention questionnaire to analyze the interaction between entrepreneurial and social self‐perceptions and behavior.

Findings

There is empirical evidence that experimental entrepreneurial behavior (characterized by detecting an opportunity and accepting risk to take an economic advantage from it in laboratory experiments) reduces the incentive for social behavior. However, this effect does not appear if just self‐perceptions instead of experimental behaviors are considered.

Research limitations/implications

The social attitude of entrepreneurs may be overestimated in those empirical research studies based only on data obtained from entrepreneurs' answers to hypothetical questions in a survey.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first paper presenting a laboratory experiment to represent the key features of entrepreneurial behavior instead of a case‐control analysis to set differences in the experimental behavior of sub‐samples of subjects defined in terms of their entrepreneurial motivation or experience.
Private labels and national brands across online and offline channels
Authors: Arce‐Urriza Marta , Cebollada Javier
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The aim is to present a novel, empirical analysis of the competitive battle between retailer‐owned private labels (also known as store brands) and national brands (manufacturer‐owned) in the online retail market.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors investigate competition between private labels (PL) and national brands (NB) across online and offline retail channels using data supplied by a multichannel supermarket chain describing a full year's purchase records for 2,742 households in 36 product categories. They analyse competition between these two types of brands by estimating the following competition indicators: market share, loyalty and conquesting power (a measure of the ability of a brand to attract new customers).

Findings

The results indicate that, whereas both PL and NB increase their loyalty online (versus offline), only the PL increases market share and conquesting power online. Several specific category‐level effects are also found.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis is restricted to a specific retailer and to grocery products.

Practical implications

Given the general improvement found for the PL in the online retail channel, together with the growing importance of online retailing, manufacturers should expect increasing retailer bargaining power. Since this improvement is not equal across categories, however, some manufacturers will have harder times than others.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first empirical paper to examine competition between PL and NB in the online channel. The database used is also highly unique in the sense that it is very unusual to obtain real purchase data for the same set of purchasers in both the offline and online retail channels.
Human capital disclosure and organizational performance
Authors: Lin Long‐Sheng , Huang Ing‐Chung , Du Pey‐Lan , Lin Tsai‐Fei
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This study aims to demonstrate the positive effect of human capital disclosure on firm performance, and to specify the boundary conditions of the relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies the signaling and stakeholder perspectives and uses a one‐year lag design to avoid reverse causality in exploring the human capital disclosure and performance link. Content analysis of annual reports and hierarchical regression are applied.

Findings

Human capital disclosure positively impacts on organizational performance such as market‐to‐book ratio and ROA. Organizational size negatively moderates the relationship between disclosure of human capital information and firm performance. Knowledge intensity has curvilinear positive moderation effect between the relationship above.

Practical implications

Human capital disclosure can help communicate to various stakeholders. Organizational performance can thus be enhanced through the communication process. Disclosure in the context of higher knowledge intensity is more beneficial.

Originality/value

The paper theoretically and empirically links up human capital disclosure and organizational performance. It also identifies both the diminishing return and increasing return moderation effects by organizational size and knowledge intensity between the human capital disclosure and performance link.
Knowledge boundary spanning process: synthesizing four spanning mechanisms
Authors: Hawkins Matthew A. , Rezazade M. Mohammad H.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This paper seeks to advance the study of knowledge boundary spanning by approaching spanning as a process that involves four spanning mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on the insights from practice‐based view of knowledge and knowledge management literature more generally, the authors formalize and articulate two spanning mechanisms (boundary practice and boundary discourse), in addition to two other previously established spanning mechanisms (boundary object and boundary spanner).

Findings

The paper formalizes two further spanning mechanisms and suggests an integrative framework for examining the mutual and compounding effect between the four spanning mechanisms. Building on the suggested framework, the process of spanning is analysed as a time‐based combination of various mechanisms which evolve over time. The framework opens new windows to look at the projective and emergent mode of spanning mechanisms as a duality, rather than a dualism.

Research limitations/implications

Researchers are freed to explore the deployment order of the spanning mechanisms and the conflicting or synergistic effects. Practitioners would benefit from tracing successful spanning processes for replicating in similar contexts to advance collaboration efforts.

Originality/value

Boundary practice and boundary discourse are introduced as well as synthesizing the mechanisms into a coherent framework. Viewing boundary spanning as a process that includes dynamic combination of four spanning mechanisms is a particularly novel insight that can stimulate future research avenues.
Rapidly internationalizing ventures: how definitions can bridge the gap across contexts
Authors: Cesinger Beate , Fink Matthias , Koed Madsen Tage , Kraus Sascha
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to develop a contextualized definition of the phenomenon of rapidly internationalizing ventures (RIVs) ‐ such as born globals or international new ventures ‐ building upon the commonly noted dimensions of internationalization: speed, degree and scope.

Design/methodology/approach

The study builds on a theory informed review of 62 empirical studies on RIVs from the USA and the European Union and an empirical survey among 103 academics in the field of international entrepreneurship.

Findings

After specifying the core characteristics of RIVs (speed, degree, and scope of internationalization), it is shown that the discrepancies in definitions result in a dysfunctional fragmentation of empirical results. Thus, research on the phenomenon of RIVs urgently needs contextualized definitions because the three core characteristics are context‐sensitive, and will therefore manifest themselves differently across contexts.

Research limitations/implications

The paper contributes to international entrepreneurship research by introducing a feasible strategy for defining RIVs which ensures the identification of the very same phenomenon across different contexts, thus bridging the gap between different research contexts and enabling a common body of knowledge to evolve.

Practical implications

This insight is particularly important for identifying, analyzing and understanding how managers in RIVs recognize and exploit opportunities in a global sphere and what drives their behaviour and development paths with regard to international activities.

Originality/value

Based upon the theoretically‐driven identification of the core characteristics of RIVs, the paper formulates the concept of contextualized definitions which enable researchers to identify the phenomenon within any specific context. These relative definitions are suitable for identifying the very same phenomenon in diverse contexts.
Social networks and Web 3.0: their impact on the management and marketing of organizations
Authors: Garrigos‐Simon Fernando J. , Lapiedra Alcamí Rafael , Barberá Ribera Teresa
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Innovations, coupled with the advancement of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the evolution of the internet, have had a profound impact on the structure of firms and have altered the decision‐making process. In the new economic and social environment, the understanding of the developments and transformations undergone by ICTs with the advancement of social networks and Web 3.0 technology is vital because of the influence of recent innovations in the competitiveness of organizations. The aim of this paper is to achieve an in‐depth understanding of the new environment that has emerged with these developments.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focuses on the use of social networks and the conception of the corresponding new business models, highlighting the importance of community managers and crowdsourcing processes.

Findings

The paper explores the possible sources of competitive advantages open to organizations in the light of recent innovations, and highlights the developments that they should implement to improve the decision management process and exploit new situations.

Practical implications

The paper analyzes the impact of social networks and Web 3.0 technology in the management and marketing of organizations, highlighting certain mechanisms to improve competitive advantages for organizations.

Originality/value

The impact of social networks and Web 3.0 technology on organizations has not been analyzed in the literature. The paper also highlights the importance of community managers and crowdsourcing processes in coping with the new environment.
Managing change in the workplace
Authors: Fojt Martin
Published: November 2012

Like it or not, change is inevitable if you are to survive. Far better to instigate change than allow other people to inflict it on you. To anticipate the future has to be good to
allow time to implement change rather than having to react to it. This appears quite simple, but is it? This special themed issue of Management Decision contains a number
of examples of how organizations have managed change. Lessons can be learned from other industries than your own with regard to best practice and basic principles which can then be applied to your own organization..
Information seeking behaviors of music students
Authors: Dougan Kirstin
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore how and via what tools music students are identifying, locating, and accessing music materials – specifically scores and recordings – for use in their music studies. It also aims to examine similarities and differences in the information seeking behavior of students in various music sub‐disciplines and students at different points in their academic tenure.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed survey and focus groups methodologies.

Findings

It was found that students use myriad library and non‐library tools to discover and access scores and recordings. It identified the frequency and specificity with which students seek scores and recordings. There are more similarities between performers and music educators than musicologists or other areas, and graduate and upperclass students have different behaviors than underclass students, who are more likely to use library resources. This study also identified some of the reasons students become frustrated in searching for music materials and from where they seek help.

Research limitations/implications

The response rate to this survey was only 11 percent and surveys are not the best indicator of actual behavior. While the use of focus groups did offset this to a degree, a more widespread survey and user studies would be merited to understand any wider patters of music student behaviors.

Practical implications

With the findings from this study libraries serving music students can tailor their instruction and marketing efforts. They can also focus their collections and resources appropriately for the various types of patrons served by their library.

Originality/value

Little previous research has been done on the general information seeking behaviors of music students. Other work has focused on music faculty, specific sub‐disciplines in music, or on issues specific to finding music in library catalogs.
One‐minute video: marketing your library to faculty
Authors: Meyers Martin Coleen
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This article first aims to describe a successful streaming video communication effort developed at the California State University, Northridge Oviatt Library to reach out to campus faculty. It then aims to discuss other library video collaborations for the purpose of marketing library resources and services in an academic setting.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review discusses the relevance of library instructional videos as well as the tools and technologies utilized for creating streaming videos on the web for marketing purposes. The case study of marketing the library to faculty through one‐minute videos details the project's development from conception to production to assessment.

Findings

Identifying and utilizing the library's existing resources and expertise provided the foundation for the project. Collaboration among campus faculty as well as with other departments at the university also played a large role in the team's ability to develop the video campaign. Promoting new and existing library resources and services, the videos are accessible on YouTube and the library's website. Two library staff members, a librarian and a cinema and television arts student produce the videos with support from other campus departments. Survey responses about the videos provide valuable feedback.

Originality/value

This article describes a successful outreach effort targeting campus faculty and may be used as a model for other institutions interested in utilizing streaming video to market library resources and services.
Performance measurement in Indonesia: the case of local government
Authors: Akbar Rusdi , Pilcher Robyn , Perrin Brian
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the implementation of performance measurement systems (PMSs) in Indonesian local government (ILG) using Smart PLS. Couched within an institutional theory framework, it explores a conceptual model developed to explain the hypothesised relationships between technical and organisational factors and the development and use of performance indicators and accountability practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Surveys were sent to senior finance officers in all local governments (457) across Indonesia with a response rate of 21.4 percent being achieved. Smart PLS was used to assess the quality of the data and analyse the research model proposed.

Findings

Findings revealed that ILGs developed performance indicators more to fulfil regulatory requirements than to make their organisation more effective and efficient. As a way of increasing the success of PMS implementation management commitment through good leadership was found to be a major contributor. Coercive pressure from central government impacted on the result as did normative isomorphism by way of widespread training by universities (and others) and the subsequent sharing of this knowledge.

Practical implications

The findings will assist Indonesian central government formulate future government policy as well as design appropriate strategies for implementing the second wave of (bureaucratic) reform.

Originality/value

Set in a local government environment in a developing country, this research is original and makes three major contributions. First, it provides an understanding of factors influencing the development and use of performance measures in the ILG context. Second, the use of Smart PLS is original in this context and fills a gap in the literature examining local government PMS. Last, the existence of institutional isomorphism reaffirms that this theory is still applicable in the twenty‐first century and relevant as an explanator of the results in the context examined here.
Organizational justice, commitment and performance in developing countries
Authors: Suliman Abubakr , Al Kathairi Majid
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential links between organizational justice, organizational commitment (employees’ loyalty) and job performance in a developing country. It also focuses on the experiences and perceptions of fairness/justice in the workplace, and how such perceptions predict organizational commitment and job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted in an organizational setting composed of three government organizations. The sample comprises 500 full‐time employees. The data were collected through a self‐administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS.

Findings

The findings show that organizational justice (procedural, interactional) is positively and significantly correlated with affective and continuance commitment as well as with job performance. In addition, the result of the statistical forms support the moderating effect of affective and continuance commitment of high job performance.

Research limitations/implications

The sample represented only governmental sector and only one emirate of the UAE's seven emirates. The implications of the findings for researchers together with some future guidelines are discussed in the paper.

Practical implications

The paper provides practitioners with some advice about understanding and managing justice, commitment and work performance.

Originality/value

The paper is the first study in the UAE and the Middle East that examines the links between justice, commitment and performance in state‐owned organisations.