bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Na-Dene populations descend from the Paleo-Eskimo migration into America
Authors: Flegontov Pavel , Altınışık N. Ezgi , Changmai Piya , Vajda Edward J. , Krause Johannes , Schiffels Stephan
Published: September 2016

Prehistory of Native Americans of the Na-Dene language family remains controversial. Genetic continuity of Paleo-Eskimos (Saqqaq and Dorset cultures) and Na-Dene was proposed under the three-wave model of America’s settlement; however, recent studies have produced conflicting results. Here, we performed reconstruction and dating of Na-Dene population history, using genome sequencing data and a coalescent method relying on rare alleles (Rarecoal). We also applied model-free approaches for analysis of rare allele and autosomal haplotype sharing. All methods detected Central and West Siberian ancestry exclusively in a fraction of modern day Na-Dene individuals, but not in other Native Americans. Our results are consistent with gene flow from Paleo-Eskimos into the First American ancestors of Na-Dene, and a later less extensive bidirectional admixture between Na-Dene and Neo-Eskimos. The dated gene flow from Siberia to Na-Dene is in agreement with the Dene-Yeniseian language macrofamily proposal and with the succession of archaeological cultures in Siberia.
Density dependence in demography and dispersal generates fluctuating invasion speeds
Authors: Sullivan Lauren L. , Li Bingtuan , Miller Tom E. X. , Neubert Michael G. , Shaw Allison K.
Published: September 2016

Density dependence plays an important role in population regulation and is known to generate temporal fluctuations in population density. However, the ways in which density dependence affects spatial population processes, such as species invasions, are less understood. While classical ecological theory suggests that invasions should advance at a constant speed, empirical work is illuminating the highly variable nature of biological invasions, which often exhibit non-constant spreading speeds even in simple, controlled settings. Here, we explore endogenous density dependence as a mechanism for inducing variability in biological invasions with a set of population models that incorporate density dependence in demographic and dispersal parameters. We show that density dependence in demography at low population densities—i.e., an Allee effect—combined with spatiotemporal variability in population density behind the invasion front can produce fluctuations in spreading speed. The density fluctuations behind the front can arise from either overcompensatory population growth or from density-dependent dispersal, both of which are common in nature. Our results demonstrate that simple rules can generate complex spread dynamics, and highlight a novel source of variability in biological invasions that may aid in ecological forecasting.
Functionally redundant control of cardiac hypertrophic signaling by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors
Authors: Garcia M. Iveth , Karlstaedt Anja , Amione-Guerra Javier , Youker Keith A. , Taegtmeyer Heinrich , Boehning Darren
Published: September 2016

Calcium plays an integral role to many cellular processes including contraction, energy metabolism, gene expression, and cell death. The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) is a calcium channel expressed in cardiac tissue. There are three IP3R isoforms encoded by separate genes. In the heart, the IP3R-2 isoform is reported to being most predominant with regards to expression levels and functional significance. The functional roles of IP3R-1 and IP3R-3 in the heart are essentially unexplored despite measureable expression levels. Here we show that all three IP3Rs isoforms are expressed in both neonatal and adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes and in human heart tissue. All three IP3R proteins were expressed throughout the cardiomyocyte sarcoplasmic reticulum. Using isoform specific siRNA, we found that expression of all three IP3R isoforms are required for hypertrophic signaling downstream of endothelin-1 stimulation. Mechanistically, IP3Rs specifically contribute to activation of the hypertrophic program by mediating the positive inotropic effects of endothelin-1 leading to downstream activation of nuclear factor of activated T-cells. Our findings highlight previously unidentified functions for IP3R isoforms in the heart with significant implications for hypertrophic signaling in animal models and human disease.

Significance

Hypertrophy is an adaptive response to cardiac stress which can lead to arrhythmias and cardiac failure. The peptide hormone endothelin-1(ET-1) is a potent activator of the hypertrophic program in cardiomyocytes. IP3R calcium channels are activated downstream of ET-1 during hypertrophy. We now show that all three IP3R proteins are essential for hypertrophic signaling downstream of ET-1. Activation of IP3Rs did not lead to nuclear-specific calcium transients but instead led to altered contractility ultimately, leading to NFAT activation and activation of the hypertrophic program. These effects were independent of alterations in IP3R protein expression levels both in vitro and in the human failing heart. Our results identify a new paradigm in IP3R signaling in the heart with relevance to human disease.
Long-term monitoring of inflammation in the mammalian gut using programmable commensal bacteria
Authors: Riglar David T , Baym Michael , Kerns S Jordan , Niederhuber Matthew J , Bronson Roderick T , Kotula Jonathan W , Gerber Georg K , Way Jeffrey C , Silver Pamela A
Published: September 2016

Inflammation in the gut, caused by infection and autoimmunity, remains challenging to effectively detect, monitor, and treat. Here, we engineer a commensal mouseE. colistrain to record exposure to tetrathionate, a downstream product of reactive oxygen species generated during inflammation. Using these programmed bacteria to sensein situlevels we show that tetrathionate accompanies inflammation during Salmonella-induced colitis in mice and is elevated in an inflammatory bowel disease mouse model. We demonstrate long-term genetic stability and associated robust function of synthetic genetic circuits in bacteria colonizing the mammalian gut. These results demonstrate the potential for engineered bacteria to stably and reliably probe pathophysiological processes for which traditional diagnostics may not be feasible or cost-effective.

One sentence summary

Engineered bacteria record an inflammatory response in an IBD mouse model and are genetically stable during long-term growth in the mouse gut.
Structures of parasite calreticulins provide insights into their flexibility and dual carbohydrate/peptide-binding properties
Authors: Moreau Christophe , Cioci Gianluca , Iannello Marina , Laffly Emmanuelle , Chouquet Anne , Ferreira Arturo , Thielens Nicole M. , Gaboriaud Christine
Published: September 2016

Calreticulin (CRT) is a multifaceted protein, initially discovered as an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone protein, that is essential in calcium metabolism. Various implications in cancer, early development and immunology have been discovered more recently for CRT, as well as its role as a dominant `eat-me' prophagocytic signal. Intriguingly, cell-surface exposure/secretion of CRT is among the infective strategies used by parasites such asTrypanosoma cruzi,Entamoeba histolytica,Taenia solium,Leishmania donovaniandSchistosoma mansoni. Because of the inherent flexibility of CRTs, their analysis by X-ray crystallography requires the design of recombinant constructs suitable for crystallization, and thus only the structures of two very similar mammalian CRT lectin domains are known. With the X-ray structures of two distant parasite CRTs, insights into species structural determinants that might be harnessed to fight against the parasites without affecting the functions of the host CRT are now provided. Moreover, although the hypothesis that CRT can exhibit both open and closed conformations has been proposed in relation to its chaperone function, only the open conformation has so far been observed in crystal structures. The first evidence is now provided of a complex conformational transition with the junction reoriented towards P-domain closure. SAXS experiments also provided additional information about the flexibility ofT. cruziCRT in solution, thus complementing crystallographic data on the open conformation. Finally, regarding the conserved lectin-domain structure and chaperone function, evidence is provided of its dual carbohydrate/protein specificity and a new scheme is proposed to interpret such unusual substrate-binding properties. These fascinating features are fully consistent with previous experimental observations, as discussed considering the broad spectrum of CRT sequence conservations and differences.
Constructing covalent organic frameworks in waterviadynamic covalent bonding
Authors: Thote Jayshri , Barike Aiyappa Harshitha , Rahul Kumar Raya , Kandambeth Sharath , Biswal Bishnu P. , Balaji Shinde Digambar , Chaki Roy Neha , Banerjee Rahul
Published: September 2016

The formation of keto-enamine based crystalline, porous polymers in water is investigated for the first time. Facile access to the Schiff base reaction in water has been exploited to synthesize stable porous structures using the principles of Dynamic Covalent Chemistry (DCC). Most credibly, the water-based Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) possess chemical as well as physical properties such as crystallinity, surface area and porosity, which is comparable to their solvothermal counterparts. The formation of COFs in water is further investigated by understanding the nature of the monomers formed using hydroxy and non-hydroxy analogues of the aldehyde. This synthetic route paves a new way to synthesize COFs using a viable, greener route by utilization of the DCC principles in conjunction with the keto–enol tautomerism to synthesize useful, stable and porous COFs in water.
Effect of IFRS adoption on financial reporting quality
Authors: Bodle Kerry Anne , Cybinski Patti J. , Monem Reza
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)-based data improve bankruptcy prediction over Australian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (AGAAP)-based data. In doing so, this paper focuses on intangibles because conservative accounting rules for intangibles under IFRS required managers to write off substantial amounts of intangibles previously capitalized and revalued upwards under AGAAP. The focus on intangibles is also motivated by empirical evidence that financially distressed firms are more likely to voluntarily capitalize and make upward revaluations of intangibles compared with healthy firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyses a sample of 46 bankrupt firms and 46 non-bankrupt (healthy) firms using a matched-pair design over the period 1991 to 2004. The authors match control firms on fiscal year, size (total assets), Global Industry Classification Standard-based industry membership and principal activities. Using Altman’s (1968) model, this paper compares the bankruptcy prediction results between bankrupt and non-bankrupt firms for up to five years before bankruptcy. In the tests, the authors use financial statements as reported under AGAAP and two IFRS-based data sets. The IFRS-based datasets are created by considering the adjustments on the AGAAP data required to implement the requirements of IAS 38, IFRS 3 and IAS 36.

Findings

This paper finds that, under IFRS, Altman’s (1968) model consistently predicts bankruptcy for bankrupt firms more accurately than under AGAAP for all of the five years prior to bankruptcy. This greater prediction accuracy emanates from smaller values of the inputs to Altman’s model due to conservative accounting rules for intangibles under IFRS. However, this greater accuracy in bankruptcy prediction comes with larger Type II errors for healthy firms. Overall, the results provide evidence that the switch from AGAAP to IFRS improves the quality of information contained in the financial statements for predicting bankruptcy.

Research limitations/implications

Small sample size and having data available over the required period may limit generalizability of findings.

Originality/value

Although bankruptcy prediction is one of the primary uses of accounting information, the burgeoning literature on the benefits of IFRS adoption has so far neglected the role of IFRS data in bankruptcy prediction. Thus, this paper documents a new benefit of IFRS adoption. In this paper, the authors demonstrate how the restrictions on the ability to capitalize and revalue intangibles enhance the quality of information used to predict bankruptcy. These results provide evidence to international standard setters of what they can expect if their efforts to remove non-restrictive accounting practices for intangibles are abandoned.
Teamwork from accounting graduates: what do employers really expect?
Authors: Paguio Rafael , Jackling Beverley
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The ability to work effectively in a team is highly regarded by employers of accounting graduates, yet they have expressed concern that many university graduates lack teamwork skills. Furthermore, in the context of the accounting curriculum, a “conceptual vagueness” surrounds a workplace-relevant definition of teamwork. Drawing on the theoretical perspectives of the healthcare sector where teamwork skills are required to be taught and assessed as part of accreditation processes, this study investigates what teamwork means from the perspective of accounting employers.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of employers to acquire descriptions of teamwork observed from graduate recruits. Using an analyst triangulation process, resulting teamwork items were analysed and emerging themes were identified.

Findings

Teamwork in accounting work contexts were identified, confirmed and explained. Mapped against the healthcare teamwork theories, many teamwork items from the interview analysis clustered around the mutual support competency and the dimensions of traits and motives.

Research Limitations/implications

The study was restricted to employers collaborating in one university’s placement program. Further research could investigate more diverse employer groups, determine importance ranking of identified teamwork themes and seek explanations for differences among different employer groups.

Practical implications

An enhanced description of teamwork is significant in supporting student awareness and informing teaching innovations/assessments of this generic skill in the accounting curriculum.

Originality/value

The paper provides a unique contribution of evidence-based descriptions of teamwork expected of accounting graduates, thus addressing conceptual and practical ambiguity of the meaning of teamwork skills in the accounting profession.
The impact of IFRS 7 on the significance of financial instruments disclosure
Authors: Tahat Yasean A. , Dunne Theresa , Fifield Suzanne , Power David M.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The main aim of this paper is to investigate Financial Instruments (FIs) disclosures provided by Jordanian listed companies under International Financial Reporting Standard No. 7 (IFRS 7) as compared to those supplied under International Accounting Standards (IAS) 30/32.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 82 Jordanian listed companies is used in this monograph. A disclosure index checklist was constructed to measure FI information provided by the sample companies.

Findings

The study finds that a larger number of Jordanian listed companies provided a greater level of FI-related information after IFRS 7 was implemented. Specifically, the sample firms provided 47 per cent of the disclosure index items after implementing IFRS 7 as compared to 30 per cent under IAS 30/32. In addition, the industrial analysis of FI disclosure revealed that the highest level of disclosure was provided by firms in the banking sector over the two periods; these companies disclosed 44 per cent of FI-related items pre-IFRS 7 and 69 per cent of items post-IFRS 7. Moreover, the industrial analysis of FI disclosure pre-and post-implementation of IFRS 7 revealed specific aspects of usefulness. In particular, some components of FI disclosure (Balance Sheet and Fair Value) showed no significant differences within and across sectors post the implementation of IFRS 7, suggesting that the new standard may have enhanced the comparability of such information.

Research limitations/implications

The results provide timely findings to Jordanian authorities who may be trying to evaluate the current reforms adopted; stringent enforcement mechanisms are needed to ensure full compliance with accounting standards. However, the present investigation was conducted on a single nation (Jordan); the circumstances in Jordan gave rise to the importance of the current study. A cross-country comparative analysis is needed in order to examine the application of IFRS 7 in a developing country context.

Practical implications

The results of the current study have a number of implications for policymakers. First, they provide a great deal of insight for the International Accounting Standards Board about the relevance of its standards to countries outside the Western context. In addition, the findings provide valuable insights for policymakers in Jordan who are concerned about the implications of mandatory disclosures.

Originality/value

The analysis of FI disclosure in developing countries in general, and in Jordan in particular has been overlooked by the extant literature and therefore this study is the first of its kind to examine this research issue for a sample of Jordanian firms.
Evidence on why firms use different disclosure outlets
Authors: Feigin Alexey , Ferguson Andrew , Grosse Matthew , Scott Tom
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to consider why firms use different disclosure outlets. The authors argue that the firm's choice of disclosure outlet can be explained by voluntary disclosure theories and investigate whether the market response around different disclosure outlets varies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors investigate differences in the characteristics of firms purchasing analyst research, holding investor presentations or Open Briefings and compare market reactions around each disclosure event.

Findings

The authors find that firm incentives to reduce information acquisition costs or mitigate disclosure risk affect firm disclosure outlet choice, and mixed evidence in support of talent signalling motivations. There is a lower absolute abnormal return around Open Briefings and a higher signed abnormal return around purchased analyst research.

Research limitations/implications

The research is exploratory in nature and only considers a small subset of disclosure outlets. There may be differences in information content across disclosure outlets.

Originality/value

They show disclosure outlets are not homogenous and provide empirical evidence voluntary disclosure theories help explain differences between firms’ use of disclosure outlets. Considering the growing number of disclosure outlets available, disclosure outlet choice is likely to be an increasingly important topic in accounting research.
Equivalence, equality and equity for prisoners with a borderline intellectual disability: reflections from the UK
Authors: Herrington Victoria
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the legislative and policy architecture governing the protection of individuals with an intellectual disability (ID) in the UK, and whether these protections extend to protect those with a borderline ID (BLID) in prison.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents policy and legislative analysis.

Findings

This paper argues that the legislative definitions of disability are broad and draw on a needs-based understanding of disability, meaning that those with a BLID – if they experience disability – should be included in these protections. But the clinical definitions of ID that guide access to support services tend to exclude those with a BLID. Notions of horizontal and vertical equity are invoked to examine the spirit of “equivalence” captured in legislative instruments, and how these filter into policy that may ultimately be discriminatory to those with a BLID.

Research limitations/implications

If the founding principle of equality legislation is equivalence, and an argument can be made that those with a BLID are protected from disability discrimination, public authorities will need to reconcile their use of clinical diagnostic cut-offs to justify service provision inside and outside of the prison estate. In essence they are faced with a choice: consider how best to provide equitable support for those with a BLID (which may not necessarily mean identical support), or risk breaching these fundamental rights.

Practical implications

The paper calls into question the extent to which the current suite of ID-related services (both in the community and in prison) fulfil a public authority’s obligations for vertical and horizontal equity that are captured in the disability discrimination legislation. Specifically authorities must consider whether: replicating services in prisons serves the particular needs of the prison population, or is horizontal equity only partial fulfilment? The higher than expected numbers of BLID in prison justify consideration of different services for these different needs? There is an opportunity to rethink the conceptualisation of disability service provision in the National Health Service from one defined by diagnostic bands rather than a socio-ecological understanding of need, and in doing so whether the needs of the BLID group in prison are being suitably met.

Originality/value

The paper provides a line of legal argument and analytical thought useful to those seeking to challenge the non-provision of support for those with a BLID; particularly those who are especially disadvantaged in prison. This paper draws attention to the disconnect between legislative intent and policy operationalisation for those with BLID. Further research and possible legal challenge is needed to clarify whether this amounts to direct or indirect discrimination.
Women prisoners’ sexual victimisation: ongoing vulnerabilities and possible responses
Authors: Bartels Lorana , Easteal Patricia
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the incidence and impact of exposure to sexual victimisation for women in the criminal justice system. Key ongoing vulnerabilities in respect of mental health and substance abuse, and their contribution to women’s offending, are examined. Treatment responses to address these women’s trauma in custodial settings are then discussed. It is argued that a therapeutic approach is required to provide a holistic response to victimised women offenders. Unfortunately, instead of doing so, many prisons’ ethos and approaches may actually produce a further layer of vulnerability. The paper concludes with commentary on future directions for research and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers undertook a desk-based literature review, using search terms such as “women”, “corrections”, “sexual abuse and/or victimisation” and “trauma”. The literature was analysed through a feminist framework, adopting a vulnerability paradigm.

Findings

The paper analyses the incidence and impact of sexual victimisation on women prisoners and notes that comprehensive trauma-informed care in custodial settings is needed but highly problematic within a prison context.

Research limitations/implications

The researchers focused primarily on Australia, and the conclusions may therefore be of more limited relevance to imprisoned women in other countries.

Practical implications

The paper suggests good practice requirements for delivering trauma-informed care to victimised women prisoners. Non-custodial alternatives to imprisonment are likely to be more sensitive to many female offenders’ layers of vulnerability.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the relationship between women offenders’ sexual victimisation histories, substance abuse, mental illness and offending behaviour, and demonstrates the need for and challenges in delivering trauma-informed care. The originality derives from the examination of the three rules of abuse (and prisons) and how they correlate with multiple vulnerabilities, which leads to the conclusion that prison is not the best place for rehabilitation of most women.
Watching out for the watchers
Authors: Corbo Crehan Anna , Absalom Michael
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to enhance the understanding of the situational vulnerabilities faced by police qua police, with a view to identifying the best ways of addressing those vulnerabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The “theoretical vocabulary for analysing vulnerability” developed by Mackenzie et al. (2014) provides the framework for most of the discussion. Discussions of self-care as developed for other professions have informed the discussion on self-care for police officers.

Findings

The paper draws two key conclusions: that a fuller understanding of police officers’ vulnerability qua police needs to extend to a consideration of officers’ off-duty time, and that police officers need to be better apprised of the situational vulnerabilities they will face qua police officers so that subjective experiences of those vulnerabilities are not unnecessarily traumatic. Finally the paper identifies the need for the professional obligation to engage in efficacious self-care practices to be applied to police officers to ensure responsibility for their situational vulnerabilities is fairly distributed between themselves and their organisation.

Practical implications

The insights identified in the paper have implications for better addressing the ways in which police officers cope, and are assisted to cope, with the distressing and disturbing aspects of their work.

Originality/value

A clear need for better understanding of, and responses to, the vulnerabilities to which police work gives rise is required, given current rates of suicide, and mental and psychological injury amongst police officers.
Queries in authentic work tasks: the effects of task type and complexity
Authors: Saastamoinen Miamaria , Järvelin Kalervo
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate information retrieval (IR) in the context of authentic work tasks (WTs), as compared to traditional experimental IR study designs.

Design/methodology/approach

The participants were 22 professionals working in municipal administration, university research and education, and commercial companies. The data comprise 286 WTs and 420 search tasks (STs). The data were collected in natural situations. It includes transaction logs, video recordings, interviews, observation, and daily questionnaires.

Findings

The analysis included the effects of WT type and complexity on the number of STs, queries, search keys and types of queries. The findings suggest that simple STs are enough to support most WTs. Complex WTs (vs more simple ones) and intellectual WTs (vs communication, support and editing WTs) include more STs than other WT categories.

Research limitations/implications

Further research should address the problems related to controllability of field studies and enhance the use of realistic WT situations in test-based studies, as well.

Originality/value

The study is an attempt to bring traditional IR studies and realistic research settings closer to each other. Using authentic WTs when studying IR is still rare. The representativeness of the WT/ST types used in interactive IR experiments should be carefully addressed: in the work flow, people seldom consciously recognise separate “STs”. This means that STs may mainly be an academic construct even to the point that studying IR without a decent context does violence to the further understanding of the phenomenon.
Intellectual capital of a board of directors and its elements: introduction to the concepts
Authors: Berezinets Irina , Garanina Tatiana , Ilina Yulia
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define the contribution of intellectual capital (IC) of the board of directors (BDs) in generating IC of a company, to develop a definition of the IC of the BDs, as well as two of its major elements: human capital (knowledge, skills, and experience of board members, etc.), and social capital (relationships and networking opportunities of board members), and to clarify the relationship between these elements and financial performance indicators of companies based on a literature review on the topic.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review and analysis was applied as this study’s research design.

Findings

The authors suggest that IC is generated not only by company staff, but also by governing bodies, particularly the BDs, whose members are not always under contract with the company in the traditional sense. Members of the board use their knowledge, experience, and networking opportunities to build IC for effective monitoring, advising, and providing the company with resources. In this sense, the BDs serves as a source of IC for a company, being the main internal corporate governance mechanism that leads to value creation in a company, taking into consideration the interests of all stakeholders.

Practical implications

The research indicates that the personal characteristics of board members may influence the performance of a company. Therefore, companies should be recommended to carefully select candidates for nomination to the board.

Originality/value

This study contributes to further development of the concept of IC of the BDs by bringing together the theory in the field and the empirical results of studies on the various elements of board capital in a company’s value creation.
The impact of intellectual capital on innovation generation and adoption
Authors: Dost Mir , Badir Yuosre F. , Ali Zeeshan , Tariq Adeel
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure the separate and interrelated effects of three aspects of intellectual capital (human, social and organizational capital) on innovation generation and adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 318 respondents’ of chemical firms. This study used multiple regression analysis to analyze the influence of human, organizational and social capital on innovation generation and adoption.

Findings

Results suggest that organizational capital exerts significantly positive impact on innovation adoption. In the same vein, social capital exerts significantly positive impact on both innovation generation and adoption. Moreover, interaction of social capital further strengthens the influence of organizational capital on innovation adoption. Contrary to hypotheses, human capital does not exert significant influence on innovation generation. However, interaction of social capital further strengthens the impact of human capital on innovation generation.

Practical implications

Findings offer implications for modern managers to utilize the knowledge that resides in firm’s different locations. It also enhances managerial ability to identify and apply these knowledge resources to expedite innovation generation and adoption.

Originality/value

Innovation generation and adoption plays a critical role in firm’s acquiring success and competitive advantage, yet the influence of intellectual capital on innovation generation and adoption mostly remains as unexplained puzzle. This study contributes to knowledge-innovation literature by examining the missing link between different types of knowledge and innovation generation and adoption. It also helps to comprehend the enabling factors through which firms capitalize upon, and obtain, a sustainable competitive advantage.
Back door wide open? Targeted dumping and continued application of zeroing
Authors: Lee Jaemin , Cho Youngjeen
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine zeroing jurisprudence under the WTO’s Anti-Dumping Agreement and to see if the jurisprudence can still be applied to situations of targeted dumping where dumping takes place in a specific region, at specific timing, or for specific consumer groups.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the prior decisions of the WTO panels and the Appellate Body relating to the zeroing practice. It categorizes the key elements of these prior decisions where the zeroing practice has been found WTO-inconsistent. While there has been no specific dispute addressing targeted dumpingper se, this paper proves that core elements of the zeroing practice have been anatomized and dissected by the panels and the Appellate Body in prior proceedings. The paper then analyzes whether these key elements still exist in the specific context of targeted dumping and thus whether application of zeroing is still prohibited in targeted dumping situations.

Findings

The existing jurisprudence on zeroing from previous WTO disputes should apply to targeted dumping situations as well. Unbridled application of zeroing in the targeted dumping situations will effectively nullify the existing zeroing jurisprudence accumulated through a decade of WTO disputes. If unchecked, this calculation methodology in the context of targeted dumping may open the back door wide open for “zeroing” negative anti-dumping margins. The paper concludes that the existing jurisprudence on zeroing stands for the proposition that zeroing in targeted dumping should also be prohibited.

Originality/value

This paper examines the legality of the zeroing practice in targeted dumping situations, which has been one of the most controversial issues among WTO members for the past several years. The analyses and discussions contained in this paper will provide legal guideline to evaluate zeroing in targeted dumping within the WTO framework. The outcome of the research will provide a platform for continued research and discussion in this area.
The long-term interest rates correlations: a new indicator predicting recession
Authors: Lee Ki-Ryoung , Jo Chan-Ik , Kim Hyung-Geun
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Existing research has theoretically modeled conditional correlations between the long-term interest rates as a function of macroeconomic variable. In line with it, the purpose of this paper is to explore whether conditional correlations can be a new signal to predict recessions. Furthermore, this paper also tries to investigate among the four factors – the time difference of the beginning and the end of recessions, financial integration (FI), and trade integration (TI) – which factors drive the direction of change in conditional correlations. Finally, this paper is to explain the implication for Korea trade.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a probit regression model for 33 country during the period from 1972 to 2015. To measure the time-varying interest rates conditional correlations, a VAR(1)-DBEKK-GARCH(1,1) model is adopted due to its statistical advantages. Furthermore, the authors also construct the four measures – time difference of the beginning of recessions (BEG), time difference of the end of recessions (END), FI, and TI. The authors first study the predictive power of correlations in both in and out-samples test, and study which factors determine the different behavior of interest rate co-movements using the four measures.

Findings

The empirical results show that the conditional correlations between the long-term interest rates of the USA and individual countries contain information about recessions a few quarters ahead which term spreads of neither individual countries nor the USA conveyed in. However, there is a heterogeneity of the significance and direction of interest rate correlations. A further research reveals that especially the heterogeneous degree of TI leads to the different overlapped recession period of individual countries with the USA, resulting in heterogeneous behavior of interest rates among countries.

Research limitations/implications

As a limitation of this paper, the forecasting power of interest rate correlations is not always significant in all countries. Despite this, the study has a profound implication that for those countries where the US accounts for the high proportion of trade, increase in conditional correlations can be a signal for future recessions. Especially, given a considerable portion of trade in GDP and the more sensitive trade activity of Korea to a contagious recession than a domestic recession, the conditional correlation measure is particularly useful for Korean policy makers.

Originality/value

Although many papers model interest rate co-movement as a function of macroeconomic condition, this paper provides the first evidence to show interest rate co-movement precede the macro shocks empirically. Furthermore, this paper determines the precise channel through which TI affects the time-varying behavior of interest rate co-movements before recessions.
Role of libraries in developing an informed and educated nation
Authors: Fourie Ina , Meyer Anika
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Libraries of all types have often been called on to take on challenges ranging from information literacy and developing a reading culture to promoting social justice. In recent literature they have been challenged to contribute to the development of informed and educated nations – a big issue in developing countries. Sometimes even to empower people. The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness for this call as important for developing as well as developed nations and the numerous issues, role players and lenses they need to bear in mind. As an opinion piece it can merely scratch the surface of raising awareness.

Design/methodology/approach

This contribution builds on the literature of library and information science, education and politics to present an exploratory viewpoint and a nascent model to support further work. It intentionally touches on a diversity of issues that may seem at odds with each other, but that in the opinion reflect the enormous scope to address and diversity of individual, institutional and global input and lenses that can make a difference.

Findings

Many obvious approaches to achieve the object of an informed and educated nation with empowered individuals can be noted such as focusing on information literacy, digital literacy and information fluency. However more awareness is required of the need to take a holistic view of issues to focus on such as tolerance and ethics, and the information behaviour and information practices of people in various contexts, and how changes in the awareness of needs to address and the need to seek information and support from diverse sources, can contribute. A first step would be to note the diversity that might contribute towards a holistic view of a global problem to which libraries can contribute.

Originality/value

There are limited publications on the topic in the library and information science literature although “developing an informed and educated nation” features in the mission and vision plans of some countries, and empowerment is sometimes specifically noted in publications on user education and information literacy. This paper offers an exploratory viewpoint to raise awareness to consider various approaches and threads to the topic and to not think only in terms of education and information literacy, but to recognise the full role libraries and librarians can play – also in reaching out to other role players such as users, governments and grant providers.
Investigation and analysis of Informetrics curriculum education in China
Authors: Zhao Rongying , Guo Fengjiao , Fu Zhuheng
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to generalize the teaching characteristics of some typical colleges in China which offer Informetrics courses, and to propose useful suggestions for the course construction of Informetrics through empirical investigation.

Design/methodology/approach

The statuses of Informetrics curriculum education of the top ten universities in Library and Information Science and Archives Management in Chinese mainland as well as Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan have been investigated and analyzed through a network survey and a telephone survey. Wuhan University and Fu Jen Catholic University are considered as the typical examples.

Findings

The educational development of Informetrics in China has gone through three stages: the initial stage, the developing stage and the improving stage. Based on the empirical investigation and analysis, some meaningful conclusions are drawn concerning the education system, teaching objectives, teaching contents and teaching methods of Informetrics courses.

Originality/value

This paper provides curricular information about Informetrics courses in China.
What’s trending in libraries from the internet cybersphere – bookless libraries – 02 – 2016
Authors: Oyelude Adetoun A.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Sean Follmer with his colleagues, Daniel Leithinger and Hiroshi Ishii have created inFORM, where the computer interface can actually come off the screen and one can physically manipulate it.

Design/methodology/approach

One can visualize 3D information physically and touch it and feel it to understand it in new ways.

Findings

The interface also allows one to interact through gestures and direct deformations to sculpt digital clay, and interface elements can arise out of the surface and change on demand. Their idea is that for each individual application, the physical form can be matched to the application. Urban planners and architects can use it to explore their designs in detail; using inFORM, one can reach out from the screen and manipulate things at a distance and also manipulate and collaborate on 3D sets, gesture around them and manipulate also.

Originality/value

It allows collaboration of people in ways hitherto not done. Posted on February 10, 2016, the Ted talk has received over one million views as at June 9, 2016. It is trending! The researchers are thinking of “new ways that we can bring people together, and bring our information into the world, and think about smart environments that can adapt to us physically”.
Between a rock and a hard place
Authors: Afreen Shamama , Kumar Sushil
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Development project implementation involving ecological and social externalities is an iterative process due to dynamic challenges emerging from the need to reconcile multiple, and often conflicting, interests of stakeholders. Stakeholder interactions result in learnings for project developers as well as policy makers. This paper aims to track corporate-civil society organizations-state interactions and learnings in case of a port development project in an eco-sensitive and socially challenging region of India.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors try to unpack the interactions among various stakeholders in the case of development of Dhamra Port being developed by the Dhamra Port Company Ltd, in the state of Orissa, India.

Findings

The authors find that sustainable development policy formulation and implementation is an evolutionary process involving plugging of governance gaps at each successive stage with civil society actors playing an active role.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on single case of a major port development in India.

Practical implications

The paper highlights that development in emerging economies through large projects is unavoidable. The development-sustainability dilemma cannot be overlooked any further; rather, it needs to be resolved with complete participation of all involved stakeholders.

Originality/value

The paper provides account of long and complex interactions among various players involved in developmental project in an emerging economy. The learnings from the paper will be relevant for policymakers, corporate executives and civil society activists.
Women on boards, sustainability reporting and firm performance
Authors: Arayssi Mahmoud , Dah Mustafa , Jizi Mohammad
Published: September 2016

Purpose

As pressures mount for women directors on corporate boards (WDOCBs) from different stakeholders, companies become more interested in finding out how WDOCBs impact sustainability disclosure. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of gender-diverse boards on the association between sustainability reporting and shareholders’ welfare.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the implications of women on board for firm-related factors, particularly environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure and firm performance. The firms studied are all listed in the Financial Times Stock Exchange 350 index between 2007 and 2012. Bloomberg social disclosure score is used and panel data through a regression model are applied.

Findings

The results reveal that the presence of WDOCBs favorably influences on firm’s risk and performance through promoting a firm’s investment in effectual social engagements and reporting on them. The desirable effect of WDOCB on the ESG-performance relationship leads to increased risk-adjusted and buy-and-hold abnormal returns and reduced firm risks, measured by both volatility of returns and systematic risk.

Originality/value

The research contributes to the literature on the relationship between women participation on corporate boards and firms’ good citizenship and enhanced shareholders’ welfare. The empirical findings contribute to providing statistical and economical validity to the UK Corporate Governance Code 2014 recommendation on the importance of board gender diversity for effective board functioning.