bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CHARACTERIZATION OF BACTERIOCIN PRODUCER “LACTOBACILLUS BREVIS UN” AS POTENTIALPROBIOTIC STRAIN
Authors: Gautam Neha , Sharma Nivedita
Published: March 2016

Present study was carried out to classify a bacteriocin producer bacterial isolate, Lactobacillus brevis UN under the category of probiotics. L. brevisUN isolated from “Dhulliachar” which is a powdered mixture of seeds of Cucurbita pepo and Sesamum indicum consumed by the people of North East region of India as a condiment of food.Isolate was identified by conventional and molecular techniques. Isolated strain was tested for different probiotic attributes. Lactic acid production and auto aggregation capacity of L. brevis UN were 1.44 % and 40.54 % respectively. Isolate showed maximum adhesion of 42 % for xylene, survived at pH 1.0 after 180 minutes, exhibited some degree of bile salt tolerance, showed bacteriocin production potential and found sensitive to most of the antibiotics. Overall cumulative probiotic potential for L. brevis UN was 95.83 %. L. brevisUN fulfill the criteria of potential probiotic therefore, it can be used by food industries in probiotic preparation.
Impact of molecular weight of block polycarboxylate superplasticisers on the dispersion of cement paste
Authors: Wang Xiumei , Ran Qianping , Yang Yong , Shu Xin
Published: March 2016

Polycarboxylate ether superplasticiser (PCE) with different molecular weights but the same length and density of side chains with a block distribution was successfully synthesised through reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerisation (RAFT). The influence of molecular weight on the performance in cement paste was systematically investigated by measuring the flowability of fresh cement paste, rheology properties, conformation in solution and adsorption characteristics. The results illustrate that when the molecular weight is relatively small, the number of carboxylic groups from the backbone accessible for the cement particle surfaces is too small to have good dispersion. However, PCE with a relatively large molecular weight may be co-precipitated with early cement hydration products owing to rapid adsorption kinetics. Moreover, PCE of much larger molecular weight leads to larger adsorption amounts from the view of both kinetics and thermodynamics. In addition, the flowability and the yield stress are closely related to adsorption amount. An important finding is that the dispersion ability of PCE can be improved with an increase in molecular weight within a certain interval.
Investigation of the rheological properties of cement paste with different superplasticisers based on colour function and RDS methods
Authors: Li Ben , Mao Jize , Lei Huo , Liu Zongmin , Toyoharu Nawa
Published: March 2016

Determining the rheological properties of cement-based materials and selecting the types and amounts of superplasticisers (SPs) that are appropriate for actual projects are important and topical issues. In this study, the rheological properties of cement pastes with different types of SP were investigated using an AR2000ex rheometer. A colour function method (CFM), in combination with the experimental data, was used to calculate and determine the rheological properties. This paper presents a new selection method (rapid determination system (RDS)) for determining the most suitable SPs. The results show that shear stress, plastic viscosity, normal stress and other mechanical properties are influenced by different volumes and types of SPs. Based on the CFM and RDS, 0·38% HW (a polycarboxylate-type SP) was determined to be the most appropriate.
Adapting railways to provide resilience and sustainability
Authors: Armstrong John , Preston John , Hood Ian
Published: March 2016

The reality of anthropogenic climate change is increasingly apparent, with significant implications for railway and other infrastructure networks. As a transport mode with a relatively small environmental impact, rail has a potentially valuable role to play in climate change mitigation. However, this potential can be realised only if railways are adapted to withstand the effects of the increasingly extreme weather associated with climate change. This requirement is widely acknowledged by governments and the railway industry, and the required responses to the specific potential effects of climate change are well known and understood. However, a review of the literature indicates a need for a decision support system to prioritise the interventions required for the adaptation in the face of uncertainty about both the frequency and scale of future extreme weather events and the nature and the levels of future passenger and freight traffic on the railways. This paper proposes a seven-step framework for the classification of the UK railway network, the assessment of the economic value of traffic using the network (and thus the economic costs of weather-related disruption), the identification of appropriate remedial measures and their costs and thus the prioritisation of these measures by means of cost–benefit analysis.
Thermal insulating particle boards reinforced with coconut leaf sheaths
Authors: Vidil Lisa , Fiorelli Juliano , Bilba Ketty , Onésippe Cristel , Arsène Marie-Ange , Savastano Holmer
Published: March 2016

This paper studies the potential use of coconut husk particles bonded by castor oil-based polyurethane resin to manufacture low-density thermal insulating particle boards, reinforced on their external surfaces by coconut leaf sheaths naturally available in tropical regions as a textile. Panels with a nominal density of 300 kg/m3 were manufactured, and a resin/particle ratio of 0·2 (by weight) was adopted to ensure the necessary adhesion of the particles. The panels under consideration were: plain coir particle boards without tissue reinforcement; one external side reinforced by one layer of the upper parts of leaf sheaths; both external sides reinforced by one layer of the leaf sheath‘s upper parts (UP2S); and both external sides reinforced by one layer of the leaf sheath‘s bottom parts. The thermal, physical and mechanical properties of the boards were evaluated and the thermal-physical-mechanical results indicated that coconut husk particle boards reinforced on both external sides by the upper part of the coconut textiles (UP2S) can be considered for thermal insulation.
OS SENTIMENTOS GERADOS NOS (AS) PROFISSIONAIS ENFERMEIROS (AS) DIANTE O PROCESSO MORTE/ MORRER DO PACIENTE
Authors: Silveira Larissa De Carvalho , Brito Maiara Brandão de , Portella Sandra Dutra Cabral
Published: March 2016

As atitudes de negação da finitude humana na sociedade ocidental atualmente constituem-se como reflexo de uma construção sociocultural e histórica. A influência cultural e a visão de uma enfermagem curativista dificultam a elaboração do luto durante o enfrentamento da morte do paciente provocando nos enfermeiros(as) sentimentos de fracasso, incapacidade e incompetência. O trabalho desenvolvido pela enfermagem revela-se cansativo desgastante, devido a convivência com a dor, sofrimento e morte dos clientes. Tais questões contribuem para o desgaste emocional – provocando o estresse. Desgaste no humor e desmotivação acompanhado de sintomas físicos e psíquicos acarretam um processo gradual para o agravamento do estresse entre outros sentimentos que podem evoluir para um desgaste emocional crônico, a Síndrome de Burnout. Este estudo tem por objetivo analisar as produções científicas que abordam os sentimentos gerados nos enfermeiros (as) durante o processo morte/morrer do paciente. Trata-se de uma pesquisa do tipo revisão integrativa de caráter exploratório. Os artigos analisados encontram-se indexados nas bases de dados do Sciello e Lilacs. O período de estudo circunscreveu entre os anos 2001 a 2011. Os principais achados deste estudo possibilitaram uma análise sobre a produção científica em seis categorias: negação da morte e os sentimentos em relação ao fim da vida, desconforto durante o preparo do corpo, relação dos avanços tecnológicos com a obstinação terapêutica, dor incontrolável do paciente, despreparo do enfermeiro no enfrentamento da morte e sofrimento psíquico. Constatou-se que o despreparo do enfermeiro (a) reflete em um cuidado deficitário que gera situações (des)humanas e prejudiciais ao cuidado humano no fim da vida, revelando-se um “descuidado” do profissional que cuida.
ASSISTÊNCIA DE ENFERMAGEM NO PRÉ-OPERATÓRIO E SUA INFLUÊNCIA NO PÓS-OPERATÓRIO: UMA PERCEPÇÃO DO CLIENTE
Authors: Rocha Débora Rodrigues da , Pereira Ivo Olguimar
Published: March 2016

Este trabalho teve como objetivo geral identificar a percepção dos clientes no período pré-operatório sobre a assistência de enfermagem e sua influência no pós-operatório. Foi realizada uma pesquisa de caráter descritivo e natureza quantitativa devido à utilização de dados numéricos. O instrumento para coleta dos dados foi por meio do questionário de múltipla escolha. Os dados foram coletados na enfermaria, na fase pós-operatória de um hospital privado localizado na cidade de Vitória da Conquista, Bahia- Brasil. A análise de dados é estatística descritiva. Os resultados foram, a prevalência do sexo feminino (69,23%), e o ensino fundamental incompleto (30,77%) entre os participantes. Os que souberam o nome da sua terminologia cirúrgica (51,28%). Os clientes que receberam orientações no pré-operatório sobre a cirurgia, constatou-se (64,10%) e os que compreenderam o que foi falado foram (66,67%). Os sentimentos mais evidenciados pelos clientes foram a ansiedade ( 43,60%). O técnico de enfermagem, enfermeiro e médico (25,64%) e apenas o médico (20,51%) foram os profissionais que mais orientaram alguns dos clientes participantes. A qualificação da equipe de enfermagem avaliado pelos clientes foram prevalentes o bom e o ótimo (38,46%). O estudo mostrou que, a carência de informações/orientações prestadas pelo enfermeiro na fase pré operatória dificulta o entendimento e provocam equívocos, neste sentido há uma necessidade de implementação de novas práticas, como a prescrição de enfermagem, visando um atendimento qualificado e minimizando possíveis complicações.
O DESAFIO DA ATENÇÃO A GRUPOS ESPECIAIS: A SAÚDE DO HOMEM
Authors: Costa Cardoso Augusto Cesar , Ferreira Bispo Tânia Christiane
Published: March 2016

Neste segundo número de 2015, a Revista Enfermagem Contemporânea lança uma nova publicação da série de artigos denominada “O Desafio da Atenção a Grupos Especiais”, contemplando a saúde do homem, considerado um dos grupos com maior dificuldade de acesso aos serviços na Atenção Primária em Saúde (APS). Em 2009 foi lançada, no Brasil, a Política Nacional de Atenção Integral à Saúde do Homem (PNAISH), que objetiva reduzir a morbimortalidade deste grupo populacional1. Nasceu sob a justificativa de que o modelo básico de atenção a quatro grupos populacionais – crianças, adolescentes, mulheres e idosos – não é suficiente para tornar o país mais saudável, principalmente por deixar de fora das ações programáticas cerca de 25% da população brasileira (os homens de 20 a 59 anos), com pouca visibilidade nas estratégias públicas de atenção à saúde2.
iTechnology as cure or iTechnology as empowerment: What do North American news media report?
Authors: Haller Beth , Jones Chelsea Temple , Naidoo Vishaya , Blaser Art , Galliford Lindzey
Published: March 2016

With the growth of tablet technology as a communication method for many people with disabilities, the news media have created new narratives about disability, as well as reinforcing older narratives. This project evaluates U.S. and Canadian print news media coverage of people with communication disabilities and iTechnology (Apple products), as well as other new tablet and smart phone technology, being used as communication devices. Using qualitative analysis, the project investigates media coverage since 2007, when the first iPhone was available, through 2012 (N=98). Themes evaluated in the stories were related to the medical model, the social model, and the Supercrip model, as well as investigating economic models related to the expense of and access to iTechnology. These media stories are rich texts that illustrate how news narratives about disability are changing, especially when disability stories intersect with the new hot topic of iTechnology.
Selective Abortion as Moral Failure? Revaluation of the Feminist Case for Reproductive Rights in a Disability Context
Authors: McKinney Claire
Published: March 2016

Of feminism and disability theory's many overlapping concerns, few have received as much attention as prenatal genetic diagnosis and selective abortion. While the attention to how genetic selection reinforces disability stigma is important, much of this writing has failed to present the feminist case for the right to unrestricted abortion. This oversight has led to an articulation of the disability critique of selective abortion that threatens the very claims to reproductive freedom and bodily self-determination that undergird disability politics as well. This article rearticulates the feminist case for unrestricted reproductive rights in order to challenge the current framing of prenatal genetic diagnosis as an ethical failure and to present the opportunity to refigure reproductive rights as disability rights.
The Norm___ and the Pathological
Authors: Gotkin Kevin
Published: March 2016

In this paper, I read The Normal and the Pathological by French philosopher Georges Canguilhem for what it can offer disability theory. I examine how the field has already taken up the text but further, I argue for The Normal and the Pathological as a keystone of disability theory (currently taken up with curiously reserved energy). I start with a précis on the text before offering a condensed citation analysis of the book. In the latter part of the paper, I suggest how the monograph might inform current conversations and I offer possibilities for it to deepen and complicate core notions about disability, including the social model, norms, normalcy, and the normate. I conclude by suggesting that Canguilhem’s philosophical intervention can be understood as "propulsive atavism" – an excavation of medical epistemology in order to map and reconfigure its legacies – and I propose this as one methodological template for disability scholarship.
OUT OF SIGHT, STILL IN MIND: visually impaired women's embodied accounts of ideal femininity
Authors: Fannon Tara A.
Published: March 2016

With its emphasis on physical form, the diffusion of the feminine ideal relies heavily on the use of visual imagery but there is a common knowledge about  the feminine ideal that penetrates language and discourse. The relationship between mainstream representations of the feminine ideal and non-disabled female body/self dissatisfaction has been well-documented over the years but less attention has been given to understanding how such visual representations affect women with disabilities, specifically women with visual disabilities. Drawing on qualitative data taken from the personal diaries and in-depth interviews with seven blind and visually impaired Irish women, and using a feminist disability model reinforced by sociology of the body, gender theory and visual studies, I examine what it means to be a young woman with a visual disability living in a visually-reliant, appearance-oriented culture. I explore interpretations and expressions of femininity and beauty, the complicated, often fraught, relationship with female body and self and the rituals and practices used to manage appearance while having a disability.
Introduction
Authors: Day Allyson , Nielsen Kim E.
Published: March 2016

No abstract available
Corporate Social Resposonsibility w kontekście imperatywu kategorycznego Kanta
Authors: Tapek Krzysztof
Published: March 2016

Immanuel Kant’s philosophy, especially his categorical imperative, is one of several
ethical theories mainly used to morally legitimize actions, referred to as Corporate
Social Responsibility. The aim of the current article is to evaluate if Kant’s philosophy
can be used as the ethical foundation for Corporate Social Responsibility as
well as to present its advantages and disadvantages in a theoretical and practical
approach.
Korporacje transnarodowe a standardy CSR w zakresie ochrony środowiska
Authors: Drzymała Agnieszka
Published: March 2016

The subject of this paper is the analysis of the factors that have the greatest importance
regarding the implementation of the principles of social responsibility in
transnational corporations. International standards for assessing corporate social responsibility
define the framework and guidelines in the evaluation of the corporation
in this regard. From the company's point of view, the involvement in social
activities is used primarily for improving their own image. Companies try to reconcile
the desire for profit with social considerations and environmental protection,
however, this process is very complex. Corporations should carry out these policies
and implement appropriate procedures. Additionally, consumers want to see the use
of the CSR principles in practice, so corporations should measurably help the local
community and/or support social organizations. In this context, the corporation may
serve a wide audience, communities, and have a significant impact on the environment.
The paper will attempt to answer the question regarding which factors affect
the application of CSR in corporations.
Meandry konsumpcji we współczesnym społeczeństwie: konsumpcjonizm versus dekonsumpcja
Authors: Bylok Felicjan
Published: March 2016

The characteristic discriminant of contemporary societies, particularly in economically
developed countries, is, on the one hand, the expansion of consumerism in
various spheres of economic and social life, while on the other hand, it is the attempt
to restrict excessive consumption. The principal aim of this paper is the description
of the chosen changes in consumption in contemporary society and their economic
consequences. The author searches for answers to the following question: What orientations
mark out the behaviour of consumers in the market? In the search for answers
to this question, the orientation towards excessive consumption that is stimulated
by the ideology of consumerism and deconsumption as a protest against consumerism
have been placed under analysis. In analysing the ideology of consumerism,
the main styles of consumerism have been indicated as follows: consumption
of pleasures, compulsive consumption and symbolic consumption. In contrast to the
behaviour associated with over-consumption, the behaviour in pursuit of the restriction
of the consumption of goods indirectly connected with actual needs has
been described, namely sustainable consumption and anti-consumption, as well as
the voluntary simplicity movement in consumption.
Wykorzystanie nowoczesnych technologii przez instytucje finansowe w procesie przeciwdziałania wykluczeniu finansowemu
Authors: Cichowicz Ewa
Published: March 2016

Financial exclusion can be considered one of the important problems at the average
level of socioeconomic development, which includes, among others, Poland. It consists
in the presence of difficulties in accessing and/or using financial products and
services on the main market that are suitable for the needs of individuals, and prevents
them from leading a normal life in society. Due to its own characteristics and
the trends in financial markets, this phenomenon is closely linked to the issue of the
digital divide. Accordingly, it can be seen that solutions leading to the reduction of
the financial exclusion are based on tools using information technology innovations
and modern technologies. One of the methods recognized as the most effective in
this area is financial education, which is aimed largely at children and adolescents,
which justifies additionally the choice of such tools. It was equally important to
determine the extent to which modern instruments are preferred in comparison to
traditional ones. The aim of this paper will be the analysis of the solutions based on
modern technologies that are used in actions taken to prevent financial exclusion in
selected EU countries, including Poland. The structure of the paper is as follows:
the first part will present the problem of financial exclusion (identifying groups particularly
at risk), then it will review methods of preventing and combating financial
exclusion, with particular emphasis on modern ICT tools, and the final part will
indicate the possible directions and barriers facing the solutions that may lead to
a reduced level of financial exclusion of individuals. The method made use of indepth
analysis of the literature and a review of existing solutions, which financial
institutions provide on the Web.
Peer Relationships, Learning Forums, And Work Outcomes: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Kleinman Gary , Siegel Philip , Eckstein Claire
Published: March 2016

The pace of organizational and environmental change seems to demand that such professional organizations as CPA firms become learning organizations in order to compete with other firms. The flattening or thinning out of traditional hierarchical structures within organizations argues that traditional mentoring and supervisory structures may be inadequate for fostering needed individual learning about (a) organizational goals and politics, and (b) personal learning about job context and skill development, thus the ability of individuals within CPA firms to master new skills may be impaired. One effect of the lack of such learning may be increased role stress, job burnout, loss of commitment to the organization, intention to leave, and diminished job satisfaction. Using a sample of 440 accounting professionals from major CPA firms in the southeastern, southwestern, and northeastern regions of the United States, this research studies the ability of peer developmental relationship functions foster the requisite personal and organizational learning, and also to directly and indirectly influence attitudinal outcomes. We further examine whether the impact of developmental peer relationships on attitudinal outcomes is mediated by personal and organizational learning.A hierarchical regression-based test was used to evaluate our hypotheses. The results partially supported our expectations that such peer developmental relationship functions were significantly related to attitudinal outcomes, to elements of organizational learning, and to the skill development aspect of personal learning. Elements of organizational socialization, personal learning, and team-source learning were significantly related to attitudinal outcomes as well.
The Importance Of Earnings Forecasts, Sales Forecasts, And Cash Flow Forecasts To Stock Price Forecasts
Authors: Sheikholeslami Mehdi
Published: March 2016

The spectacular rise and fall of internet company stock values has called into question the rationality of the traditional earnings-based valuation models for internet companies. Unlike many old-economy companies with stable revenue and earnings streams, internet companies often exhibit little current revenues and substantial negative earnings, yet they command very high prices. One plausible explanation for this phenomenon is that the value of internet companies is driven by the expected future growth opportunities. Accordingly, this paper examines the relative importance of sales forecasts, cash flow forecasts, and earnings forecasts to stock price forecasts of internet companies. As predicted, only cash flow forecasts and sales forecasts are significantly associated with stock price forecasts. That is earnings forecasts are not relevant to stock price predictions of internet companies.
Cultural Discontinuity In Post-Mao China: An Itinerant Ethnography Of McDonald's Beijing
Authors: Murray Noel M.
Published: March 2016

Universalistic approaches cannot account for the diversity of culture in a rapidly changing post-communist society. Different age cohorts within countries may exhibit dissimilar values and behavioral orientations. This article lays a foundation for the use of broader philosophical and methodological frameworks for the study of culture in an age of globalization. Bourdieus concepts of habitus and hysteresis effect are described and applied to a study of post-Mao consumer food culture in China. Food consumption in China is situated in a historical, political and ideological context. McDonalds Beijing is examined as part of an itinerant ethnography to illustrate the contested meanings of a popular transnational cultural icon.
The Real Exchange Rate Fluctuations Puzzle: Evidence For Advanced And Transition Economies
Authors: Morales-Zumaquero Amalia
Published: March 2016

This paper tries to analyze the sources of the real exchange rate fluctuations for a set of advanced economies and Central and Eastern European transition economies. To address this, in a first step, we compute two measures of the share of the variance of the real exchange rate accounted for movements in the relative prices of traded goods between the countries. One measure is based on R2 coefficient and the other one is based on the mean-squared error (MSE) of the changes in the real exchange rate. In a second step, we estimate structural (identified) vector autoregression (SVAR) models, and decompose real and nominal exchange rate movements into those caused by real and nominal shocks. In a third step, we complete previous ones with an impulse-response analysis. Three central messages are derived from results: (1) for transition economies, under regimes of managed nominal exchange rates, the relative price of non-traded goods explain a large percentage of the variance of the real exchange rate; (2) there is evidence of instability in the variance decomposition of the real exchange rates for advanced economies across samples, and (3) as result of diverse fiscal and monetary policies in transition economies, real exchange rates in some economies are driven mostly by real shocks while in others are driven mostly by nominal shocks.
Measuring The Theoretical Paradigm Shift From Marketing Mix To Relational Marketing
Authors: Manna Dean R. , Smith Alan D.
Published: March 2016

Much has been written in the recent marketing literature on the perceived importance of moving from a transaction basis to a long-term relationship basis in terms of personal selling. Since the traditional marketing mix paradigm has dominated marketing philosophy for so long, many perceive there is a marketing shift, especially in service marketing, to the relational marketing paradigm. A sales force from five industries, representing primarily service industries (n=142), were tested on a number of statistical techniques including correlations, stepwise regression, and n-way ANOVA, and yielded no significant trend to support the theoretical paradigm shift.
The Employment Of Modern Financial Tools In The Exercise Of Historical Analysis: The Case Of The National Bank Of Greece (1842-1941)
Authors: Vasiliou Dimitrios
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this paper is to show how we can use modern financial tools in the exercise of historical analysis. In other words, this article is the first one, which illuminates the intersection between the two different economic disciplines of Financial Analysis and Economic History. This is accomplished by shedding some light in the performance of the biggest Greek bank during the first hundred years of its operation; that is, the period 1842-1941. The main conclusions of the analysis is that the National Bank experienced a quite high (i.e. above 20%) return on equity during the period 1920-27, while its return on assets was quite high (i.e. above 2%) during the period 1843-89. Last but not least, the National Bank utilised financial leverage heavily to increase return on equity during the period 1913-27.
Responsibility And Accountability: Towards An Integrative Process Model
Authors: Bergsteiner Harald , Avery Gayle C.
Published: March 2016

Accountability is increasingly critical for individual managers, company directors and board members, as well as for organizational operations. Despite growing attention in the literature, accountability processes are generally poorly understood and under-researched. This paper seeks to clarify the concepts of responsibility and accountability, and show how they relate to each other. The Integrative Responsibility and Accountability Process Model proposed here integrates responsibility and accountability processes from the viewpoint of both accountor and accountee. It is intended to be applicable at both individual and group levels in organizational settings.
The Relationship Of Service Quality To Client Satisfaction In An Accounting Firm Setting
Authors: Saxby Carl L. , Ehlen Craig R. , Koski Timothy R.
Published: March 2016

This paper presents the results of a study using the marketing-based SERVQUAL scale to examine the relationship between service quality and client satisfaction in an accounting firm setting. Using a sample of 154 clients, we confirm that service quality is positively related in clients satisfaction with their accounting firm. More importantly, we examine the individual dimensions of service quality to provide insight into specific steps accounting firms can take to increase client satisfaction.
Social Security Incentives For Retirement In Italy
Authors: Spataro Luca
Published: March 2016

The present work is the first of a two-paper project aiming at bringing a new empirical contribution to literature on retirement, with particular focus on Italy. In this paper I carry out an analysis of Social Security-provided incentives for early retirement and of the main changes brought about by the two major early 90s reforms. For this purpose I use a sample of male employees drawn from the Bank of Italy Survey on Wealth and Income of Italian Households (SHIW) and I calculate both static and dynamic SS incentive measures: as for the latter, I discriminate between one year and lifetime measures of the accumulation opportunities of SS entitlements and suggest new measures to account for the trade-off comprised in the decision of retirement. The analysis documents strong early retirement incentives for Public Sector employees and relevant binding eligibility constraints for Private Sector workers. In general prosecution of work beyond age 60 has been dramatically discouraged due to the actuarial unfairness of pension formula. As for the effects of the SS reforms, it emerges that the early 1990s changes will produce a strong cut of benefits in the long run, while for current employees the most important changes have been the reduction of benefit indexation, the temporary restrictions and actuarial penalizations on seniority retirement. It turns out that especially Public Sector employees and younger cohorts undergo the strongest benefit cuts. All in all, to the extent to which such benefit cuts have been perceived by individuals, one would expect reforms to have induced anticipated exits from labor force among older cohorts.
Assessing Undergraduate Business Degree Outcomes: A Comparison Of Two Universities
Authors: Caldwell Jr. Robert W. , Moore Jan R. , Schulte Michael
Published: March 2016

The importance of outcomes assessment has produced innovative course developments and resulted in enhanced Capstone educational experiences for undergraduate students at both universities. This collaborative paper compares the evolution and outcomes assessment of the Capstone business course as a fundamental component of the business curriculum, discusses initiatives to provide even greater educational opportunities for students, assessing effectively over the continuum, and keeping the courses current to the university and business environments.
Everyday Leaders
Authors: TenHaken Vicki R.
Published: March 2016

For years business writers and speakers have focused on larger than life, charismatic Leaders, with a capital L. The implication is that the success of an organization is dependent on this one person and his or her ability to inspire everyone else to follow a unique vision. This focus on the Leader is at least a partial cause of the lack of trust we are witnessing in business organizations today. Leaders believe they must behave in some larger than life way. With the expectation that they must see things the rest of us do not, they make riskier and riskier decisions, desperate to prove they deserve the role. Perhaps now that we have seen the problems resulting from this Leader-focused approach to running our organizations, we can return to a more reasonable approach - one that is actually attainable by mere mortals - where many are called upon to be good, competent, everyday leaders. If educational institutions begin to focus on developing the skills and character of these everyday leaders, our organizations will not only be more successful, but surely more trusted than they are today.
Integrating Economics In The K-12 Curriculum
Authors: Georgiou George C.
Published: March 2016

This is a multi-year study of the effects of integrating economics into the curriculum on the Maryland School Performance Assessment Program (MSPAP) economics outcome scores. The study was carried out using State summary and disaggregated data and summary data for each school system in the State of Maryland. The 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997 and 2000 MSPAP economics outcome scores for grades 3, 5, and 8, constitute the dependent variable for the study with the level of integration of economics in the curriculum and class size, being the main explanatory variables. Using comparative static analysis and regression analysis three questions were addressed. The first question asks how school systems with different levels of integration of economics in the curriculum compare to the State average. The second question asks how these groupings compare to each other. The third question employs regression analysis to determine the effect of economics instruction and class size on the economics test scores. Other explanatory variables considered include: wealth per capita, income per capita, expenditures per pupil, student enrollments, and the level of performance on the overall battery of MSPAP tests.
Pricing And Long-Run Performance Of The Venture-Backed And Nonventure-Backed IPOS
Authors: Ghosh Arvin
Published: March 2016

Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) were the most prevalent form to raise capital by firms wanting to go public during the last decade (1990 2000) in the United State. There were thousands of firms that went public for the first time, mostly in the technology-heavy NASDAQ stock market. Along with the regular IPOs came the IPOs backed by venture capitalists, who specialize in financing promising startup companies and bringing them public. As one-third of the IPOs were backed by venture capitalists during 1990 2000, our purpose here is to examine the pricing and long-run performance of the venture-backed and nonventure-backed IPOs that were issued in the NYSE and NASDAQ stock market during the period covered by our study. We have found, among others, that the venture-backed IPOs performed much better as compared to the nonventure-backed IPOs. The returns of the former were consistently higher than the latter during 1900 2000. Also, the price returns as well as the operating ratios and the growth of cash flows, were higher both in the NYSE and NASDAQ market. The regression equations also confirmed closer association with the independent variables belonging to the IPOs backed by venture capital than the non-venture capital.
Organizational Profile, HR Practices And The Perceived Quality And Performance Of Small Businesses: Empirical Highlights From The Urban Child Care Centers
Authors: Amin M. Ruhul , Zaman Ahmed , Amin Nafeez A.
Published: March 2016

This paper examines the relationships among the organizational profile, the human resource practices, and the quality and profitability of private childcare centers of a large metropolis. Organizational profile variables included: size (measured in terms of total FTE employees), age (measured in terms of number of years in service), HR practices included: empowerment and enrichment strategies, benefits, grievances, affirmative action, promotion, supervision, participation in decision-making, and the like. Quality is a variable reflecting the perception of service relative to the population of similar centers. It also includes the application of quality concepts such as benchmarking, and continuous improvement. The organizational performance includes such variables as perceived relative profitability, annual revenues, and behavioral measures of employees (i.e., motivation, morale, commitment, trust, turnover, and job satisfaction). Data was collected as a pilot project in 2001 through a mail questionnaire as well as through personal interviews of the owners/directors of 70 (out of 200 selected) private childcare centers of New York City. The findings of correlation and the regression analyses support a number of illustrative hypotheses pertaining to the association among the selected variables. The paper interpreted the finding in the light of existing organizational theories and concludes with a list of highlights (imperatives) for the owner/directors of urban child care centers.
Prioritising Research Agenda For E-Commerce In Malaysia
Authors: Khatibi Ali , Thyagarajan V. , Chua Adeline , Ismail Mohd
Published: March 2016

The recent advent of World Wide Web has changed the traditional marketing paradigm in a dramatic way. Under a computer-mediated marketing framework the operations are no longer controlled by boundaries and time constraints. The new paradigm provides firms the whole wired world as potential market to capture. This is the underlying rationale for the Malaysian e-commerce policy or marketing in a "computer-mediated-environment" in Malaysia. Although, the concept of e-commerce is relatively new in this country, but, it was widely accepted marketing medium among the developed nations. Whether Malaysia is able to reap the benefits of e-commerce largely depends on various factors ranging from the infrastructures, the skill base, the critical mass of internet users, legal policy and so on. Understanding the nature of the relationship and the significance of these factors require a good amount of research in the industry perspectives. This paper attempts to provide some guidelines about the research priorities in marketing of Malaysian produce and products under a computer-mediated-environment; taking into account the local and peculiarities of the firms and consumers' behaviour. In this respect the current paper draws literatures about e-commerce experiences of other countries for the purpose of benchmarking. The preliminary conclusion drawn from these literatures suggest that e-marketing outcomes are major reduction in transaction costs and an increase in productivity; which in turn radically change the traditional market structure, behaviour and performance framework. While it is envisaged that the private sector will take the lead role in the development of e-marketing in Malaysia, the government has a bigger role in ensuring its sustainability. The major research issues in economics and marketing are: the competitiveness of the related industries to allow higher investment in bandwidth and high-technology, integration of physical and online marketing, the economics of network management, characteristics and perception of the community on e-commerce, market and commercial governance, the current and future skill of the community, monitoring the changes in marketing functions and intermediary roles and providing macro indicators to measure the market.
Film Industry Channel Innovations Or With Digital Movie Transmission: Will Popcorn Prices Drop At Movie Theaters?
Authors: Dietert Judy , Minifie J.R. , Keeffe Mike
Published: March 2016

Changes in the film industry are occurring and are expected to continue to change due to the internet and other new technology. This manuscript investigates the distribution system of the film industry and how it is being impacted by these changes. Will the stadium seating movie theater go by the wayside as the old drive-in theaters? Will distribution of movies be downloaded as common as music is now? These and more questions are addressed in this research effort.
Towards A Model Of Charismatic Non-Verbal Impression Management
Authors: Awamleh Raed
Published: March 2016

Although evidence of charismatic leaders handling of non-verbal and expressive behaviors to manage impressions exists in literature, a conceptual framework for understanding this process is not available. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to propose such a framework which draws upon and integrates the literatures in the areas of charismatic leadership, impression management, and non-verbal behavior. More specifically, the proposed model focuses on addressing the question of how do charismatic leaders utilize non-verbal behaviors to manage the impressions formed of them by followers in order to promote and enhance the charismatic relationship . As part of the model, this paper advances ten specific propositions that can form the base for future research initiatives.
The Persistence Of Sexual Discrimination In The Workplace
Authors: Swanson Paul A.
Published: March 2016

Measured by an increasing labor force participation rate for women, a falling dissimilarity index for occupational sex segregation, and a declining male/female earnings gap, there has been increasing integration of women into the workforce in the U.S. over the last fifty years. This increased diversity should lead to increased productivity, thus inducing profit-maximizing firms to encourage it. However, sexual segregation has persisted for so long that it must be beneficial for the capitalist system as a whole. By keeping women separate and subservient with lower wages than men, firms exploit sexual discrimination and are able to maintain higher profits.
Importance Of The Segmentation On Time-Rich And Time-Poor For Development And Marketing Of Computer Games
Authors: Lindskog Helena , Larsson Rasmus
Published: March 2016

ICT (Information Communication Technology) development has already changed many aspects of our life. One of the most successful industries in using ICT as a means for development of new products as well as marketing and sales activities, is the entertainment industry. The games industry is developing rapidly and has penetrated every layer of society. In 1998 video and electronic game revenues reached USD 5.5bn in North American markets alone. The annual increase has been approximately 25% during a number of years.The success of ICT based entertainment products depends to a high degree on the penetration of PCs and Internet connections. Many governments all over the world have strategies and programs in order to reduce the digital divide and to offer all citizens Internet access. In the not so distant future Internet access will be as natural as water, electricity, radio or telephone.Time is more and more becoming an important variable for market segmentation. Everybody has 24 hours per day and night at his or her disposal. However, the perception of time varies. Some feel they have too much time and they are time-rich. Some feel that they have too little time and they are time-poor.Traditionally, time-rich people were also money-rich, but the big majority was both time-poor and money-poor. This is completely turned upside down in the Information society. Nowadays people are equally divided between time-rich and money-poor, and time-poor and money-rich. Both time-rich and time-poor need entertainment and are potential consumers of entertainment especially games as e-services but in different ways.This is a conceptual paper and its purpose is to investigate the importance of the division on time-rich and time-poor for the entertainment industry and practical implications with a special focus on computer games as products and e-services.
An Analysis Of The Readability Of The MD&As Of Small, Medium, & Large Revenue Generating Cities
Authors: Lutz Shannon , Marsh Treba L. , Montondon Lucille G.
Published: March 2016

Studies assessing the annual reports of publicly held corporations have shown mixed results in regard to the readability levels of those reports. Recently, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board adopted GASB 33, 34, and 35 in which specific guidelines are outlined for the reporting of governmental entities. Are the Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (annual reports) of the governmental entities understandable to the average user?This study argues that the Managements Discussion and Analysis, the summary portion of the governmental annual report, is not understandable to the average reader. The sample was equally divided among small, medium, and large revenue-generating cities that were early adopters of GASB 34. Readability was determined using the Flesch-Kincaid readability formula from the GRAMMATIK II software. The results show that the Managements Discussion and Analyses are understandable to the average twelfth grade reader. Furthermore, the writers style and sentence structure remained at a level consistent with the readability level.
American Red Cross
Authors: Gilliard Debora J. , Khandekar Rajendra
Published: March 2016

The American Red Cross has been plagued with problems over the past two years from an antitrust lawsuit, repercussions from the distributions of funds from the Liberty Fund to the survivors of the World Trade Center disaster, problems with donated blood, a negative report from the Better Business Bureau, and a negative news report on CBSs 60 Minutes. This case study looks at the history of the Red Cross, provides information about the services provided by the organization, discusses the problems the American Red Cross has encountered over the past 3 years, and introduces Marsha Evans who took the position of CEO in August 2002.
Financial Performance As It Relates To Pollution Control: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Decker Jeffrey L. , Jalbert Terrance
Published: March 2016

This paper explores the firm-level characteristics that explain pollution emissions during 1988-1996. Differences in pollution approach between different types of firms provide an unique research setting to investigate how firms with favorable environmental reputations compare to firms with unfavorable environmental reputations regarding emissions what firm characteristics are related to environmental performance, and how firms respond to regulation changes. The paper is the first to use emissions information from a non-financial source to analyze differences between firms to changes in regulatory requirements. The results provide clear evidence that green firms behave markedly different, have different firm characteristics, and react to changes in regulatory regime in different ways than their non-green counterparts.
Is Democracy A Prerequisite
Authors: Ali Abdiweli M.
Published: March 2016

The current literature is silent on whether democracies are more fragile or less susceptible to economic and political breakdowns. Using a host of political instability and policy instability variables, this paper explores empirically, whether political freedom (a proxy for democracy) has any effect on the stability of the political order. Furthermore, it also explores the possibility that political freedom explains differences in the stability of economic policies.