bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arabidopsis Basic Leucine-Zipper Transcription Factors TGA9 and TGA10 Interact with Floral Glutaredoxins ROXY1 and ROXY2 and Are Redundantly Required for Anther Development
Authors: Murmu Jhadeswar , Bush Michael J. , DeLong Catherine , Li Shutian , Xu Mingli , Khan Madiha , Malcolmson Caroline , Fobert Pierre R. , Zachgo Sabine , Hepworth Shelley R.
Published: August 2010

ROXY1 and ROXY2 are CC-type floral glutaredoxins with redundant functions in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) anther development. We show here that plants lacking the basic leucine-zipper transcription factors TGA9 and TGA10 have defects in male gametogenesis that are strikingly similar to those in roxy1 roxy2 mutants. In tga9 tga10 mutants, adaxial and abaxial anther lobe development is differentially affected, with early steps in anther development blocked in adaxial lobes and later steps affected in abaxial lobes. Distinct from roxy1 roxy2, microspore development in abaxial anther lobes proceeds to a later stage with the production of inviable pollen grains contained within nondehiscent anthers. Histological analysis shows multiple defects in the anther dehiscence program, including abnormal stability and lignification of the middle layer and defects in septum and stomium function. Compatible with these defects, TGA9 and TGA10 are expressed throughout early anther primordia but resolve to the middle and tapetum layers during meiosis of pollen mother cells. Several lines of evidence suggest that ROXY promotion of anther development is mediated in part by TGA9 and TGA10. First, TGA9 and TGA10 expression overlaps with ROXY1/2 during anther development. Second, TGA9/10 and ROXY1/2 operate downstream of SPOROCYTELESS/NOZZLE, where they positively regulate a common set of genes that contribute to tapetal development. Third, TGA9 and TGA10 directly interact with ROXY proteins in yeast and in plant cell nuclei. These findings suggest that activation of TGA9/10 transcription factors by ROXY-mediated modification of cysteine residues promotes anther development, thus broadening our understanding of how redox-regulated TGA factors function in plants.
HE@Work: three year longitudinal employee learning attitudes survey of large private businesses, 2008‐2010
Authors: Roodhouse Simon , Mumford John
Published: August 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to bring together three years of surveying large business employer attitudes to higher‐level training and development.

Design/methodology/research

A survey instrument used was a self‐completed web based questionnaire with a common core of questions to all three surveys.

Findings

Successive UK governments continue to invest heavily in the formal education system to give individuals the chance to realize their potential, for the social and economic good. In the UK, while 42 percent of 18‐30 year olds participate in higher education, there is little interest for others, particularly those in work. The rationale takes these observations further by pointing out that the established further and higher education system has been highly successful in developing and delivering entry to work programs for many years; that is, qualifying people for work at higher levels. Similarly, business continues to provide targeted training for its employees as it has always done. The rationale argues that it is equally important to recognize that universities have a stake in workforce development, the labor market, and, employer demand engaging in work‐based learning. However, there is no common language as yet between universities and employers; and there are national structural faults in the system for example splitting further and higher education and allowing different structural arrangements for training and higher education. Consequently it is no surprise that work‐based learning as “the new kid on the curriculum and qualification block” in higher education is less well developed than perhaps it should be.

Practical implications

The implications for higher education and government drawn from three years of large business surveys is employees continue to see employers and professional bodies as much more credible delivers of work‐based learning than higher or further education institutions and the gap is progressively widening even with employer engagement policies being pursued by government through its higher education funding agency in England. The overarching implication from the surveys is that a renewed focus on work‐based learning in the workplace is likely to pay dividends.

Originality/value

HE@Work conducted the same surveys in 2008, 2009 and 2010 of large private sector businesses employing over 2000 people who provided a snapshot insight into employee attitudes in large organizations in the UK and an indication of the views of employees about work‐based learning and its value to them. For the first time these results provide a longitudinal analysis of attitudes in large businesses including the effects of the UK economic recession.
Patents under the microscope
Authors: MacMillan Don , Thuna Mindy
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to broaden the inclusion of patent searching in information literacy instruction by extending it from chemistry and engineering into the life sciences.

Design/methodology/approach

Two case studies, one undergraduate and one graduate, from two Canadian universities described the addition of patent searching to information literacy instruction in genetics and biotechnology.

Findings

Results indicate that the integration of patents into information literacy sessions at the undergraduate and graduate levels not only enhance students' information literacy skills, but also help students learn more about the disciplines of genetics and biotechnology.

Practical implications

The results of this paper have practical and pedagogical implications for librarians teaching students how to use patents as a primary source of scientific information in the life sciences and may provide useful information for any librarians who wish to introduce students to patents.

Originality/value

While most of the literature about the integration of patent searching in information literacy instruction focuses on chemistry and engineering, this paper shows how integral patent information is to the life sciences, and how familiarity with patent searching can enhance student understanding of the scientific information environment.
Designing a writing intensive course with information literacy and critical thinking learning outcomes
Authors: Armstrong Jeanne
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to describe the process of redesigning the American Cultural Studies 499 course in order to integrate information literacy (IL) and critical thinking outcomes into specific assignments. Since this research and writing proficiency course at Western Washington University have traditionally been taught by a librarian with background in the discipline, the paper also considers the challenges in communication between librarians and discipline instructors about the concepts of IL and critical thinking.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviews of the literature on IL across the curriculum and on partnerships between librarians and discipline instructors will be combined with an analysis of the structure of the 499 course and the relevance of various sets of learning outcomes to the course.

Findings

With more pressure on higher education to demonstrate the relevance and benefits of educational programs, this paper has the potential of enhancing communication among librarians and discipline instructors by considering the continuum between IL and critical thinking and the advantages of embedding IL or library research training into writing intensive courses.

Originality/value

Several proponents of IL across the curriculum have considered the challenges in communicating the importance of IL to discipline course instructors who usually emphasize “critical thinking” rather than IL. Since this 499 course has always been taught by a librarian, this paper can view this issue from the perspective of a librarian who is also the discipline instructor for this writing proficiency course.
Reference questions as an authentic assessment of information literacy
Authors: Cordell Rosanne M. , Fisher Linda F.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a study which was designed to use questions asked at an Information Commons Desk as an authentic assessment to determine if an information literacy course actually changes research behavior outside of information literacy course assignments.

Design/methodology/approach

For four years, the initial reference question asked at the Information Commons Desk was recorded, along with demographic information and whether the user had taken the required introduction to information literacy course. A taxonomy of research questions was developed, based on Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives Handbook I: Cognitive Domain, and each question was assigned a sophistication level, according to the authors' taxonomy.

Findings

Over a four‐year period, means of the taxonomy levels of questions showed a clear trend upward each spring semester over the previous spring semester.

Research limitations/implications

Statistically significant differences were not found in the data comparing categories of students. The nature of the study left it open to influence by such unexpected factors as a sharp rise in enrollment and transfers to campus, possibly diluting the overall effect of the course on the student population.

Practical implications

The information literacy course has undergone regular pre‐ and post‐test assessments, which show a highly significant difference between the scores. Feedback from campus faculty indicates greater satisfaction in the research abilities of undergraduate students who have taken this course. This study further supports the value of a required information literacy course as part of the general education program for all undergraduate students.

Originality/value

The taxonomy of research questions used in this study was designed by the authors and is unique in the depth in which it differentiates levels of research knowledge. Other researchers are encouraged to modify, expand, or use this taxonomy in their own research to further the profession's understanding of the cognitive levels of research behaviors.
Outsourcing of employers' responsibilities in the false name of flexibility
Authors: Sheikh Abdullah Z.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to report on an in‐depth study of “pay‐rolling” agencies. Pay‐rolling agencies are a particular form of employment intermediaries through which employers attempt to bypass statutory obligations concerning workers' benefit entitlements and trade union rights, simply by paying workers through an agency. The paper was prompted by the growing amount of anecdotal evidence suggesting proliferation of pay‐rolling agency systems in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper involved a total of 97 interviews were undertaken in six case studies across three industrial sectors with employees, employers, agency and union officials and industry specialists.

Findings

Findings revealed sufficient evidence on the use of pay‐rolling agencies. The results confirmed the anecdotal evidence that some employment agencies are not truly genuine. The evidence suggested that there is a growing trend for agencies to be simply a sham arrangement, refuting the notion that temporary agency work has only been a natural and inevitable response to changes in the economy.

Originality/value

The paper furthers the understanding of the motives and characteristics of agency employment beyond the conventional model of genuine agency work.
The effects of formalisation on coordination and effectiveness of refurbishment projects
Authors: Rahmat Ismail , Shah Ali Azlan
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The paper's aim is to establish the relationships between the formalisation of construction firms on the level of coordination and effectiveness of refurbishment projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes the form of a literature review of published journals and textbooks, a postal questionnaire survey with managing directors, project managers and contract managers. About 94 construction companies were selected for the postal questionnaire survey. In total, 54 (57 percent) of returned questionnaires were considered to be useful for statistical analysis.

Findings

Highly formalised construction firms require higher level of coordination than lowly formalised construction firms. In highly formalised construction firms, the participants managing refurbishment projects tend to circumvent formalisation by having more informal interactions, which contradicts the needs of the firms. The effectiveness of highly formalised construction firms is not significantly better than lowly formalised construction firms.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to medium and large refurbishment projects, with contract value above £500,000.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the need to reduce formalisation in managing refurbishment projects. Large construction firms, which tend to be highly formalised should set up autonomous refurbishment division to manage refurbishment projects.

Originality/value

The paper shows that the formalisation of the organizational structure of construction firms affects the level of coordination of refurbishment projects.
A Scorecard‐Markov model for new product screening decisions
Authors: Chan S.L. , Ip W.H.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to propose a novel strategic approach, named a Scorecard‐Markov model, combining an evaluation scorecard and a hidden Markov model (HMM) for new product idea screening (NPIS) decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

A scorecard is constructed to evaluate new product ideas on several criteria, including customer needs, marketing strength, competency, manufacturing compatibility, and distribution channels, involving a consideration of risk buy. A HMM is then developed accordingly to predict the overall performance of new ideas in terms of success probability. To implement the model, it is trained and tested by the historical dataset of a world‐class, leading company in the power tools industry through a case study.

Findings

The approach is proven to be encouraging and meaningful. The scorecard can serve as a guide for new product idea evaluation to convert experts' linguistic judgments to quantifiable and comparable data, whereas the HMM can determine the success probability of new product ideas to support NPIS decision making based on their computed evaluation performance. The optimal cut‐off value for making either a go or kill decision on each idea can thus be determined. Concerning the case company, a go decision should be made when the probability lies in the interval [0.53, 1].

Practical implications

The model can prevent companies from undertaking risky and failed new product development projects. Further, it is believed that this study can assist decision makers in choosing winning new product ideas towards commercialization in an effective and certain manner, thus enhancing the new product success rate in the innovation industry.

Originality/value

The approach incorporating the scorecard method and HMM is novel. Illustrated by the case study, the application of this approach to NPIS decisions is confirmed to be effective.
Manager's attitude toward environment
Authors: Leszczynska Agnieszka
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze corporate environmental awareness in an international cross‐section and to explore whether attitudes towards environmental issues mirror the development of an economy. Thus, do more advanced societies represent more progressive attitudes? How significant are differences in perception between countries?

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical research was conducted in three countries. In total, 200 managers in public and private corporations nationwide were selected in Australia and Ukraine. In Poland the population of managers was 250. The study instrument was a two‐part survey. The first part concerned ecological awareness understood as a conglomerate of knowledge, values and attitudes. The second part of the survey concerned convictions and opinions pertaining to ecological issues. Responses were given in an interval response scale, on a 1‐5 rating scale for a particular question.

Findings

The research shows that in companies in some countries there are “gaps within awareness components”, and hence between convictions, ecological values and a readiness to take action. Moreover, an awareness gap has been diagnosed between more and less developed countries. So, the studies conducted showed that the perception of a kind of environmental threats changes together with socio‐economic development.

Originality/value

Several analyses of attitudes towards various dimensions of the environment can be found in the literature. This paper focuses not on a general level of ecological awareness of the public but on managers' attitude towards environment. Issues concerning the ecological awareness of a selected group (population) are sporadically presented in the literature. Limited research to date has been undertaken with respect to managerial attitudes towards environmental issues. To the best of the author's knowledge there is no evidence which would enable a comparison of the level of awareness of Polish and Ukrainian managers and managers from other countries. The contribution of the paper to the literature is twofold: first, it complements the knowledge on managers' attitude towards environment in the studied countries. Second, it shows the relations between the level of socio‐economic growth and the attitude.
Application of AHP and Taguchi loss functions in supply chain
Authors: Ordoobadi Sharon M.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a decision model to help decision makers with selection of the appropriate supplier.

Design/methodology/approach

Supplier selection is a multi‐criteria decision‐making process encompassing various tangible and intangible factors. Both risks and benefits of using a vendor in supply chain are identified for inclusion in the evaluation process. Since these factors can be objective and subjective, a hybrid approach that applies to both quantitative and qualitative factors is used in the development of the model. Taguchi loss functions are used to measure performance of each supplier candidate with respect to the risks and benefits. Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is used to determine the relative importance of these factors to the decision maker. The weighted loss scores are then calculated for each supplier by using the relative importance as the weights. The composite weighted loss scores are used for ranking of the suppliers. The supplier with the smallest loss score is recommended for selection.

Findings

Inclusion of both risk and benefit categories in the evaluation process provides a comprehensive decision tool.

Practical implications

The proposed model provides guidelines for supply chain managers to make an informed decision regarding supplier selection.

Originality/value

Combining Taguchi loss function and AHP provides a novel approach for ranking of potential suppliers for outsourcing purposes.
CociteSeer: a system to visualize large cocitation networks
Authors: Teng Chen Tsung , Yen David C.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The paper's aim is to document the development of a novel tool to address the inadequacies of existing cocitation visualization tools.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper demonstrates the visualized effects of this tool and supplements the results with a case study that utilizes a large data set to explore the cross‐field studies among different computer science fields.

Findings

The tool displays cocitation graphs with latent visual cues and allows direct manipulation of the visualized graphs. The tool also facilitates the exploration of the relationships between articles in the graphs.

Research limitations/implications

The indirect cocitation relationships are vividly visualized by the citation network itself. The context lost by the conventional cocitation network may be preserved. Instead of being linked by explicit lines, the implicit cocitation relationships are shown by the closeness among the cocited nodes.

Practical implications

The preserved context of a cocitation network may facilitate the exploration of latent cross‐field studies. The cocitation visualization tool demonstrates that the context of the cocitation graph is preserved by using the citation network itself to reveal cocitation relationships.

Originality/value

The cocitation relationships are implied by the closeness among cocited nodes in a citation graph. The paper documents this novel approach which has not been seen before.
Using LibQUAL+TM to improve services to libraries
Authors: Asemi Asefeh , Kazempour Zahra , Ashrafi Rizi Hasan
Published: August 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to urge the new culture of assessment of the quality of library services among Iran academic libraries and to assess the overall services quality of libraries from the users' perspectives based on the LibQUAL model.

Design/methodology/approach

In this survey researchers used the LibQUAL model to assess service quality in the central libraries in engineering and technical governmental universities in Tehran city. For gathering data of libraries users, researchers used the LibQUAL questionnaire in a non‐electronic format and translated into Farsi.

Findings

It was found that library users were dissatisfied with their library building. But these libraries performed very well in the information control dimension. Furthermore, the examination of users' expectations showed that the proposition “Employees who are consistently courteous” was most important, and “Employees who instill confidence in users” had less importance.

Originality/value

Using the LibQUAL Survey has helped the university libraries in Iran to better serve their main user groups, and for the first time researchers used the non‐electronic format of LibQUAL questionnaire in the survey.
Students' keenness on use of e‐resources
Authors: Swain Dillip K.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

This study aims to focus on the keenness of students of business schools of Orissa (India) on the use of electronic resources and attempts to evaluate the level of electronic information services offered by the primary information reserves of the respective business schools with an opinion pool of sample respondents. Moreover, it intends to elicit the barriers in use of e‐information with recommendations for the improvement of services and usage of e‐resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the use of electronic resources by students of business schools of Orissa (India) through structured questionnaires. SPSS is used for data analysis.

Findings

The study finds that students express keen interest in the use of e‐journals, followed by e‐books, e‐newspapers, e‐reports, and e‐articles. Least interest is shown towards the use of electronic theses and dissertations. The study reveals that the majority of students are aware of EBSCO, and Emerald Management Xtra. However, the awareness of all other databases is not quite so encouraging. Further, it is revealed that the use of printed materials is slightly more compared to that of e‐resources. Use of Web OPAC is also less than expected.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the practicality of the use of electronic resources, compared to print, among the students of business schools of Orissa (India).

Originality/value

The paper reveals the degree of use of electronic resources by business students and makes some useful deductions for its subsequent generalization.
An element addition strategy for thermally actuated compliant mechanism topology optimization
Authors: Ansola Rubén , Vegueria Estrella , Canales Javier
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe an element addition strategy for topology optimization of thermally actuated compliant mechanisms under uniform temperature fields.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed procedure is based on the evolutionary structural optimization (ESO) method. In previous works, this group of authors has successfully applied the ESO method for compliant mechanism optimization under directly applied input loads. The present paper progresses on this work line developing an extension of this procedure, based on an additive version of the method, to approach the more complicated case of thermal actuators.

Findings

The adopted method has been tested in several numerical applications and benchmark examples to illustrate and validate the approach, and designs obtained with this method are compared favorably with the analytical solutions and results derived by other authors using different optimization methods, showing the viability of this technique for uniformly heated actuators optimization.

Research limitations/implications

As a simple initial approach, this research considers only uniform heating of the system, while many thermal actuators are heated nonuniformly. Future works will be based on electrothermal actuation, and nonuniform Joule heating will be considered as well, which might lead to more elegant and efficient solutions.

Practical implications

Compliant micromechanisms that are responsible for movement play a crucial role in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) design, which cannot be manufactured using typical assembly processes and may not make use of traditional hinges or bearings. The topology optimization method described in this paper enables the systematic design of these devices, which can result in reduced conception time and manufacturing cost.

Originality/value

The ESO method has been successfully applied to several optimum material distribution problems, but not for thermal compliant mechanisms. Even if most applications of this method have been oriented for maximum stiffness structure design, this paper shows that this computation method may be also useful in the design of thermal compliant mechanisms and provides engineers with a very simple and practical alternative design tool.
Managing i‐branding to create brand equity
Authors: Simmons Geoff , Thomas Brychan , Truong Yann
Published: August 2010

Purpose

Given the emergent nature of i‐branding as an academic field of study and a lack of applied research output, the aim of this paper is to explain how businesses manage i‐branding to create brand equity.

Design/methodology/approach

Within a case‐study approach, seven cases were developed from an initial sample of 20 food businesses. Additionally, utilising secondary data, the analysis of findings introduces relevant case examples from other industrial sectors.

Findings

Specific internet tools and their application are discussed within opportunities to create brand equity for products classified by experience, credence and search characteristics. An understanding of target customers will be critical in underpinning the selection and deployment of relevant i‐branding tools. Tools facilitating interactivity – machine and personal – are particularly significant.

Research limitations/implications

Future research positioned within classification of goods constructs could provide further contributions that recognise potential moderating effects of product/service characteristics on the development of brand equity online. Future studies could also employ the i‐branding conceptual framework to test its validity and develop it further as a means of explaining how i‐branding can be managed to create brand equity.

Originality/value

While previous research has focused on specific aspects of i‐branding, this paper utilises a conceptual framework to explain how diverse i‐branding tools combine to create brand equity. The literature review integrates fragmented literature around a conceptual framework to produce a more coherent understanding of extant thinking. The location of this study within a classification of goods context proved critical to explaining how i‐branding can be managed.
Product value importance and consumer preference for visual complexity and symmetry
Authors: Creusen Mariëlle E.H. , Veryzer Robert W. , Schoormans Jan P.L.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

Product design is an important marketing variable. Most literature about consumer preference for product design focuses on aesthetic product value. However, the appearance of a product also influences consumer perception of functionalities, quality, and ease of use. This paper therefore, seeks to assess how preference for visual complexity and symmetry depends on the type of product value that is important to people.

Design/methodology/approach

In a conjoint study the utility of visual complexity and symmetry in determining preference for eight VCR pictures are assessed (n=422). These utilities are used as dependent variables in regression analyses with the different product values (aesthetic, functionalities, quality, and ease of use) as independent variables.

Findings

The effects of visual complexity and symmetry on consumers' preferences depend on the product value to which consumers paid attention.

Research limitations/implications

To increase insight into the relationship between design and consumer product preference, the impact of a design on consumer perception of all types of product value – not only aesthetic value – should be taken into account.

Originality/value

This research has direct implications for managers overseeing aspects of product development relating to aligning the design effort with target customers and determining specific product design executions.
Research on fault diagnosis method for transformer based on fuzzy genetic algorithm and artificial neural network
Authors: Peng Zhenghong , Song Bin
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define a new method (grey relational analysis (GRA)) for extracting pattern samples of dissolved gases in power transformer oil, then a hybrid algorithm of the back‐propagation (BP) network and fuzzy genetic algorithm‐artificial neural network (FGA‐ANN) is used to power transformer fault diagnosis based on extracted pattern samples.

Design/methodology/approach

The existing manners (e.g. international electro technical commission triple‐ratio method), in practice, have certain faultiness due to the ambiguity of the inference and insufficient standard for judgment. So GRA method is chosen to solve a problem of optimal pattern samples data, then a hybrid algorithm of the BP network and FGA‐ANN is developed to optimize initial weights and to enable fast convergence of the BP network, and lastly, this algorithm is applied to the classification of dissolved gas analysis (DGA) data and power transformer fault diagnosis.

Findings

If possible, the results should be accompanied by significance. For comparative studies, the proposed scheme does not require the three ratio code and high diagnosis accuracy is obtained. In addition, useful information is provided for future fault trends and multiple faults analysis.

Research limitations/implications

Accessibility and availability of data are the main limitations which model will be applied.

Practical implications

This paper provides useful advice for power transformer fault diagnosis method based on DGA data.

Originality/value

The new method of optimal choice of options of pattern samples due to GRA. The paper is aimed at optimized samples data classified and abandons the traditional ratio method.
Stochastic differential portfolio games with Duffie‐Kan interest rate
Authors: Wan Shuping
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to research stochastic dynamic investment games with stochastic interest rate model in continuous time between two investors. The market interest rate has the dynamics of Duffie‐Kan interest rate.

Design/methodology/approach

Recently, there has been an increasing interest in financial market models whose key parameters, such as the bank interest rate, stocks appreciation rates, and volatility rates, are modulated by stochastic interest rate. This paper uses the Duffie‐Kan stochastic interest rate model to develop stochastic differential portfolio games. By the HJB optimality equation, a general result in optimal control for a stochastic differential game with a general utility payoff function is obtained.

Findings

Derive a general result in optimal control for a stochastic differential game with a general utility payoff function. The explicit optimal strategies and value of the games are obtained for the constant relative risk aversion utility games of fixed duration.

Research limitations/implications

Accessibility and availability of stochastic interest rate data are the main limitations, which apply.

Practical implications

The results obtained in this paper could be used as a guide to actual portfolio games.

Originality/value

This paper presents a new approach for the optimal portfolio model under compound jump processes. The paper is aimed at actual portfolio games.
A hybrid neural genetic method for load forecasting based on phase space reconstruction
Authors: Junguo Wang , Jianzhong Zhou , Bing Peng
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve forecasting accuracy for short‐term load series.

Design/methodology/approach

A forecasting method based on chaotic time series and optimal diagonal recurrent neural networks (DRNN) is presented. The input of the DRNN is determined by the embedding dimension of the reconstructed phase space, and adaptive dynamic back propagation (DBP) algorithm is used to train the network. The connection weights of the DRNN are optimized via modified genetic algorithms, and the best results of optimization are regarded as initial weights for the network. The new method is applied to predict the actual short‐term load according to its chaotic characteristics, and the forecasting results also validate the feasibility.

Findings

For the chaos time series, the hybrid neural genetic method based on phase space reconstruction can carry out the short‐term prediction with the higher accuracy.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed method is not suited to medium and long‐term load forecasting.

Practical implications

The accuracy of the load forecasting is important to the economic and secure operation of power systems; also, the neural genetic method can improve forecasting accuracy.

Originality/value

This paper will help overcome the defects of traditional neural network and make short‐term load forecasting more accurate and fast.
Study on the second grey relational grade and its properties
Authors: Ma Yan
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a second relational grade based on the general grey relational grade and analyze several of its properties.

Design/methodology/approach

Grey system theory. The paper proposes and studies second grey relational grade, establishes second grey relational formula, and studies several characteristics of second grey relational formula.

Findings

Proposing a second relational grade proved it could solve the problem of the parallelism partly and weaken relativity of space position.

Research limitations/implications

Until now, the problem of the consistency could not be solved, nor could the problem of the effect which keeps the sequence the same.

Practical implications

The precision of the grey forecasting model could be strengthened if used in the forecasting model.

Originality/value

The general relational grade only thinks over the relation between two sequences but does not involve the relation in one sequence. The second relational grade considers these two, so if the forecasting model is established with it, the model should be more exact.
The application research of plan view pattern control in plate rolling
Authors: Yao Xiao‐lan , Yu Xiang‐tao , Wu Qing‐he , Liang Qi‐hong
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reduce the crop losses at two ends and both sides of a plate in the rolling process, to produce a rectangular plan view pattern plate and to enhance the total product yield of the plates.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on sample data and the unchangeable principle of the slab volume in the rolling process, the predictive MAS control models were set‐up. They are width broad MAS predictive model, width broad MAS control model, gaugemeter automatic gauge control (GM‐AGC) model, and plates tracking model. After the models were tuned, the rolling test was implemented at LinFen Iron & Steel Co., Ltd.

Findings

It is found that by accurately predictive online modeling of MAS methods, the plan view pattern control can be applied in plate mills.

Research limitations/implications

As the rolling process is in high temperature, the plan view pattern is difficult to be detected. Normally, the real‐time abnormity distortion cannot be obtained.

Practical implications

The test results showed that the crop losses are reduced and the product yield is greatly increased.

Originality/value

This paper presents an accurately predictive online modeling of MAS method.
Examining network factors: commitment, trust, coordination and harmony
Authors: Rampersad Giselle , Quester Pascale , Troshani Indrit
Published: August 2010

Purpose

In recent decades, R&D networks have proliferated amongst members of universities, businesses, research organisations and government. Despite increases in the complexity and prominence of these networks, empirical studies investigating their performance are still sparse. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap by investigating the impact of trust and commitment on network harmony and coordination.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies confirmatory factor analysis, using structural equation modelling, to ascertain the impact of trust and commitment on harmony and coordination within networks. It is based on responses of 124 participants from an Australian biotechnology and nanotechnology network.

Findings

The study reveals that trust has significant impacts on both network coordination and harmony.

Practical implications

The paper provides managerial implications for organisations involved in innovation networks which can be used to inform the design and coordination of inter‐organisational innovation initiatives across sectors.

Originality /value

The paper is original as it provides a network perspective, as responses include a variety of perspectives from universities, businesses, research organisations and government. Consequently, it serves as a first step towards validating constructs from a network perspective that were previously validated only from organisational or dyadic perspectives.
Problems of distribution and market orientation in the fishery sector in Greece
Authors: Papavassiliou Nikolaos
Published: August 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to identify and assess the problems of distribution and logistics that arise in the fishery sector in Greece and to examine the impact of market orientation with regard to these problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on the findings of a survey involving 186 companies. Descriptive statistics for each variable were used in order to assess the importance of each problem of distribution and logistics. Cluster analysis was carried out based on the perception of the importance of the problems of distribution and logistics. In addition, “crosstabs”analysis was used to examine the association between distribution problems and the firm characteristics of each cluster. Finally, linear multiple regression analysis was carried out, with each problem of distribution and logistics taken as the dependent variable and each element of marketing and logistics taken as an independent variable.

Findings

The importance of distribution and logistics problems varied widely, as did the market orientation between the groups of participating firms. In addition, certain firm characteristics and infrastructure factors can become so significant that they directly affect the degree of importance of the above problems.

Practical implications

Distribution & Logistics Managers should be aware of the significant influence that certain characteristics of the firms can have on the distribution function. Special attention should be paid to the importance of the distribution problems and the role of market orientation.

Originality/value

Unlike earlier research carried out in this domain, this study deals with a much wider range of problems and a broader cross‐section of companies. In addition, it is the first to focus in detail on the degree of importance of distribution problems and the role of market orientation.
De‐constructing the logic/emotion binary in educational leadership preparation and practice
Authors: Bolton Cheryl L. , English Fenwick W.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to de‐construct the traditional bifurcation of logic and emotion in the preparation of educational leaders which, following regnant business planning and management models anchored in economics, focuses almost exclusively on social science methodology and the tenets of normative decision theory in formal university based‐preparation programmes in the UK and the USA. This dominant approach has many drawbacks and does not reflect how educational leaders actually engage in decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a conceptual/logical analysis of the apparent weaknesses in traditional preparatory curricula as well as a report of preliminary qualitative research derived from a non‐probability, convenience sample of 13 interviews in the UK and the USA of middle‐level managers in institutions of higher education.

Findings

The major findings lie in the development of an initial schematic that challenges the dominant binary in considered decisions in educational leadership. The binary regarding the separation of logic and emotion simply does not exist as emotion is always a factor in decision making. The schematic proposes a way to make emotion an inclusive part of considering decision making.

Practical implications

Traditional notions of effective decision making should be revised to include how decision makers come to understand the role their own emotions play in rendering educational decisions on the job, and university providers should begin to revamp courses and curricula which more accurately portray them.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper is in the analysis of decision making which suggests that the role of emotion is in fact, logical and rational, as opposed to non‐rational in educational decision‐making contexts. The value of this position is that it restores to decision‐making preparation a more “real world” perspective which is often not present when so‐called non‐rational variables are factored out in problem‐solving training in university preparation programmes.
Is there a place for emotions within leadership preparation programmes?
Authors: Schmidt Michèle J.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the argument that leadership preparation programmes in the new millennium should be required to train school leaders emotionally as well as cognitively. A number of scholars have stressed that leaders are increasingly working within roles that are politically sensitive, conflicted and complex, resulting in role anxiety, emotional stress, and professional burnout. Principals and vice‐principals are frustrated because they are being forced to manage the marketplace, curriculum change, and governance factors with an increased emphasis on accountability, marketability, and globalisation, often at the expense of their primary role as educators.

Design/methodology/approach

Such a discussion is framed within a sociological perspective of emotions and presents the importance of acknowledging the primacy of school leaders' emotions in leadership preparation programs.

Findings

Sociological aspects of emotions are examined within a context of the globalisation, marketisation, and accountability confronting Western education and their implications for extant leadership preparation programs; the latent influences of these broader issues; and, more specifically, their effect on the emotions of leaders within a context unique to Western Canada. Recommendations for what apotropaic the role of leadership preparation programmes should play in shielding leaders from being overwhelmed from within a changing educational landscape are also discussed.

Originality/value

An examination of the emotions of school leaders and the importance of acknowledging their emotions within preparation programmes remains an understudied topic in the field of education.
Perceived price fairness and price decay in the DVD market
Authors: Cockrill Antje , Goode Mark M.H.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

This study aims to examine perceived price fairness, actual pricing and price decay in a short‐life cycle market; namely DVD films.

Design/methodology/approach

The prices of six UK retailers for a range of films released over the last 18 months were examined and compared with the perceived perception of fair price of a questionnaire sample of over 500 UK adults.

Findings

Consumers perceive a DVD to lose value of more than 50 per cent in the first year, but this price decay is not reflected in the actual pricing of the DVDs. Prices for newer DVDs are relatively consistent between retailers of the same channel type, but there are large price differentials for older and/or more specialised items.

Research limitations/implications

This study is exploratory in nature, and a larger scale study of the phenomenon of price decay of digital short‐life cycle products such as DVDs is desirable.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that there is a considerable gap between actual prices and perceived fair prices of DVDs, especially for older items. DVD producers and retailers may need to consider adjusting their prices to bring them more in line with customer expectations. The large gap between actual prices and perceived fair prices also has important implications for brand management.

Originality/value

So far, no research has been undertaken which investigates perceived fair price and actual pricing of DVDs. Furthermore, the issue of consumer‐perceived price decay has largely been ignored in previous research. Both perceptions of price fairness and perceived price decay are important considerations for pricing policies. This study attempts to address this gap.
Reference redivivus
Authors: Fox Robert
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore recommendations for cutting edge reference services in the information age.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an exploratory paper.

Findings

This paper explores ways in which reference services can be proactive in their approach to rapidly changing patron expectations in the information age.

Practical implications

Reference services are commonly the first point of entry for patrons seeking appropriate resources for their research and study. The information age is revolutionary in many ways, and presents a landscape in constant flux to the library professional. This paper suggests ways in which reference departments cannot only survive, but also thrive, in this volatile culture.

Originality/value

This paper hopefully makes useful recommendations, mainly at the theoretical level, for library reference services to be proactive and thrive in the rapidly changing information age.