bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Employment status and employee service-oriented organizational citizenship behaviour
Authors: Chiu Su-Fen , Lin Shih-Tse , Han Tzu-Shian
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of employment status on service-oriented organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) of customer contact employees. The authors also investigate the mediating roles of internal mobility opportunity and job insecurity in the relationship between employment status and service-oriented OCB.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey methodology was used and data were collected from a dyad-sample of 270 employees and their supervisors of one retail and one banking companies in Taiwan. Product-of-coefficients approach and bootstrapping were used to test the multiple mediating model.

Findings

– The results demonstrate that temporary employment related negatively to service-oriented OCB. Moreover, both internal mobility opportunity and job insecurity mediated the employment status – service-oriented OCB linkage.

Research limitations/implications

– This study has three limitations. First, this study examined only fixed-term direct-hire temporary employees. Future research should explore voluntary job behaviors of different categories of temporary employment to confirm the results of the present study. Second, this study examined internal mobility opportunity and job insecurity as two mediators. Other alternative avenues may exist by which employment status may lead to service-oriented OCB. Future research may explore additional possible mediators. Finally, the participants of this study were selected by the human resource departments of the participating companies. This option could have introduced selection bias in this study.

Practical implications

– This study suggests that management should be aware of why temporary customer contact employees have lower levels of service-oriented OCB. As service-oriented OCB may be vital for organizational success in the service context, management must consider the benefits and costs when hiring temporary employees. Moreover, management can motivate temporary employees to display higher service-oriented OCB by shaping their expectations of internal mobility possibilities, or reducing temporary employees’ perception of job insecurity to enhance their service-oriented OCB.

Originality/value

– This study makes two contributions. First, this study extends the effect of employment status in the OCB literature by investigating the relationship between employment status and service-oriented OCB for customer contact employees. The results of the present study lend support for the partial exclusion theory to predict that socially excluded group (i.e. temporary employees) tends to be less engaged in service-oriented OCB. Second, this study contributes to the literature by investigating two important links (i.e. internal mobility opportunity and job insecurity) to explain why temporary employment may lead to lower service-oriented OCB.
Trait-level and week-level regulatory focus as a motivation to craft a job
Authors: Petrou Paraskevas , Demerouti Evangelia
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to address regulatory focus (promotion vs prevention) as a trait-level variable and a week-level variable linked to employee job crafting behaviors (i.e. seeking resources, seeking challenges and reducing demands). The authors hypothesized that while promotion focus relates positively to seeking resources and seeking challenges, prevention focus relates positively to reducing demands. Furthermore, the authors expected that the links between week-level regulatory focus and crafting would be stronger when the respective trait-level regulatory focus is high.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two studies were conducted to address the aims, namely, a cross-sectional survey among 580 civil servants and a weekly survey among 81 employees of several occupations.

Findings

– The hypothesized links between regulatory focus and job crafting were supported at the trait- and the week-level. Only the link between week-level prevention focus and reducing demands was stronger when trait-level prevention focus was high. Unexpectedly, seeking resources positively related to prevention focus at the week-level.

Practical implications

– While prevention states may enhance reducing demands behaviors especially for prevention focussed employees, organizations and managers may use promotion states to enhance seeking resources and seeking challenges behaviors among all types of employees and, thereby, shape a strategy emphasizing the promotion values of growth and development.

Originality/value

– The findings shed light to a diverse range of employee motivational orientations (i.e. approach vs avoidance and trait-like vs state-like) behind job crafting and, thus, shed light to individual correlates of job crafting.
Attachment anxiety in mentoring: the role of commitment
Authors: Poteat Laura F. , Shockley Kristen M. , Allen Tammy D.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of commitment in the relationship between protégés’ anxious attachment styles and feedback behaviors of both mentors and protégés.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from 100 academic protégé-mentor dyads, and reports from both members of the mentoring relationships were used to test hypotheses.

Findings

– The results suggested that protégé perceptions of mentor commitment and self-reported protégé commitment mediated the relationships between protégé anxious attachment style and protégé feedback seeking and feedback acceptance. Additionally, mentor perceptions of protégé commitment played an important role, mediating the relationships between protégé anxious attachment and quality and quantity of mentor feedback.

Research limitations/implications

– Taken together, the results reveal the important role of perceptions of partner commitment in high-quality mentoring behaviors.

Originality/value

– This study was among the first to examine feedback and commitment in academic mentoring relationships, particularly taking into account commitment of each member of the dyad as well as their perceptions of the other person’s commitment.
Decomposition of the compromise objective function in the permanent magnet synchronous motor optimization
Authors: Nowak Lech , Knypiński Łukasz , Jedryczka Cezary , Kowalski Krzysztof
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to elaborate an algorithm and the computer code for the optimization of the permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) including the shaft torque, the cogging torque, the total harmonic distortion factor of the back EMF and magnet volume into compromise objective function.

Design/methodology/approach

– The mathematical model of the device includes the magnetic field equations with the nonlinearity of the magnetic core taken into account. The numerical implementation is based on the finite element method (FEM) and time stepping procedure. The genetic algorithm has been applied for the optimization. The comprehensive computer code containing the FEM model and optimization procedures have been elaborated.

Findings

– Very important problem at formulating the optimization task is the choice of the functional parameters which constitute the objective and constraint functions. In the paper it has been shown that uncritical constructing the objective function could lead to irrational variants of the designed object. Authors pointed out (Knypiński et al., 2013) that connecting the shaft torque and the cogging torque simultaneously into the one compromise objective function generates ineffective operation of the optimization algorithm and often also leads to the non-optimal result.

Originality/value

– Authors proved that in case of multi-criterion objective function composed of terms which have very different impact on this function value (i.e. very diverse sensitivity of the objective function for these terms is observed) than the optimization process can be significantly distorted. Therefore, decomposition of the optimization process into two stages has been proposed. Some of the parameters (e.g. cogging torque) have been excluded from the first stage of the process. The two stage algorithm has been successfully implemented and tested on the example of PMSM machine.
Analysis of the stator topology impact on cogging torque for surface permanent magnet motor
Authors: Petkovska Lidija , Cvetkovski Goga , Lefley Paul
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the stator core design for a surface permanent magnet motor (SPMM) on the cogging torque profile. The objective is to show how the cogging torque of this type of motor can be significantly reduced by implementing an original compound technique by skewing stator slots and inserting wedges in the slot openings.

Design/methodology/approach

– At the beginning generic model of a SPMM is studied. By using FEA, for this idealised assembly, characteristics of cogging and electromagnetic torque are simulated and determined for one period of their change. Afterwards, actual stator design of the original SPMM is described. It is thoroughly investigated and the torque characteristics are compared with the generic ones. While the static torque is slightly decreased, the peak cogging torque is almost doubled and the curve exhibits an uneven profile. The first method for cogging torque reduction is skewing the stator stack. The second technique is to insert wedges of SMC in the slot openings. By using 2D and 2 1/2D numerical experiment cogging curves are calculated and compared. The best results are achieved by combining the two techniques. The comparative analyses of the motor models show the advantages of the proposed novel stator topology.

Findings

– It is presented how the peak cogging torque can be substantially decreased due to changes in the stator topology. The constraint is to keep the same stator lamination. By skewing stator stack for one slot pitch 10° the peak cogging torque is threefold reduced. The SMC wedges in slot opening decrease the peak cogging almost four times. The novel stator topology, a combination of the former ones, leads to peak cogging of respectable 0.182 Nm, which is reduced for 7.45 times.

Originality/value

– The paper presents an original compound technique for cogging torque reduction, by combining the stator stack skewing and inserting SMC wedges in the slot openings.
Comparison of magnetic coupling structures for IPT systems
Authors: Marques Emanuel G. , Mendes André M.S.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– Inductive power transfer (IPT) is a hands free user charging system, which allows the transfer of energy over a large air gap without physical contact. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate two magnetic coupling structures and its applicability to EVs charging systems.

Design/methodology/approach

– A brief introduction of IPT systems is initially presented, with the characterization of the chosen resonant topologies, series uncompensated (SU) and series parallel (SP). The magnetic coupling structures (MCSs) are then investigated and the principal characteristics required for EVs applications are outlined. The circular and the DD magnetic coupling structures are chosen due to its inherent advantages and a description of both physical and electrical most important aspects are made. Finally, different simulation and experimental results are analyzed and discussed for both magnetic structures.

Findings

– The SU topology is suitable for applications with low voltages sources at the cost of a more attuned control. The DD pad allows a higher power transfer when compared with the circular pad, with better efficiency for the same working conditions. The DD pad is more tolerant to misalignment in the axis y while the circular pad is independent of the misalignment direction. Both modeled pads can transfer at least 5 kW without saturating the core.

Originality/value

– This paper analyzes and compares the power transfer capability, misalignment tolerance and core saturation levels of the selected pads.
Simplified human phantoms for narrowband and ultra-wideband body area network modelling
Authors: Januszkiewicz Łukasz , Hausman Sławomir
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to compare the properties of simplified physical and corresponding numerical human body models (phantoms) and verify their applicability to path loss modeling in narrowband and ultra-wideband on-body wireless body area networks (WBANs). One of the models has been proposed by the authors.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two simplified numerical and two physical phantoms for body area network on-body channel computer simulation and field measurement results are presented and compared.

Findings

– Computer simulations and measurements which were carried out for the proposed simplified six-cylinder model with various antenna locations lead to the general conclusion that the proposed phantom can be successfully used for experimental investigation and testing of on-body WBANs both in ISM and UWB IEEE 802.15.6 frequency bands.

Research limitations/implications

– Usage of the proposed phantoms for the simulation/measurement of the specific absorption rate and for off-body channels are not within the scope of this paper.

Practical implications

– The proposed simplified phantom can be easily made with a low cost in other laboratories and be used both for research and development of WBAN technologies. The model is most suitable for wearable antenna radiation pattern simulation and measurement.

Social implications

– Presented results facilitate applications of WBANs in medicine and health monitoring.

Originality/value

– A new six-cylinder phantom has been proposed. The proposed simplified phantom can be easily made with a low cost in other laboratories and be used both for research and development of WBAN technologies.
Bank stems the loss of employees returning from abroad
Authors: Howe-Walsh Liza
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– Aims to develop a greater understanding of the problems faced by returning employees after an expatriate assignment.

Design/methodology/approach

– Reports the results of qualitative semi-structured interviews to create a multi-layered perspective of repatriation in a bank.

Findings

– Reveals that the inconsistent application of a global mobility policy contributed to the dissatisfaction of all stakeholders involved with the repatriation of staff. There was fundamental lack of talent management because of the absence of clear lines of responsibility associated with repatriating an employee.

Practical implications

– Highlights the need to audit global-mobility policy and practice to ensure policies are interpreted and applied consistently. The issue of multiple stakeholders identifies the need to ensure that clear lines of responsibility are required when managing repatriates.

Social implications

– It advances the view that fair and consistent treatment of employees enhances the bank’s reputation to manage talent effectively.

Originality/value

– It draws upon the views of multiple stakeholders, including line managers, human resource specialists and repatriates.
Twenty-one success sutras for chief executives
Authors: Rao M.S.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– Provides chief executives with 21 tools for success in the turbulent global business environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– Illustrates the main points with the examples of such successful international leaders as Jack Welch, Steve Jobs, A. G. Lafley, Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, Jeff Bezos, Herb Kelleher and Tony Hsieh.

Findings

– Emphasizes the importance of valuing people, adapting to change, encouraging innovation and training for the future.

Practical implications

– Demonstrates how to overcome leadership challenges, including those from the increasing scope and pace of change and the growing internationalism of business.

Social implications

– Argues that successful chief executives are able to get the best out of their people and understand their customers, no matter what their background.

Originality/value

– Helps leaders to overcome volatility, complexity and ambiguity and even turn them to their advantage.
Appreciating your staff makes sound business sense
Authors: White Paul
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– Advances the view that showing appreciation to employees makes sound business sense.

Design/methodology/approach

– Observes that many employee-recognition schemes currently fail to achieve their goal and explains how to rectify this.

Findings

– Explains that when employees do not feel appreciated, bad things happen in the organization, with higher rates of tardiness, more absenteeism, increased internal theft by employees and managers, higher staff turnover, more internal conflict and stress among team members, a drop in productivity and the quality of work and lower customer-satisfaction ratings.

Practical implications

– Describes how team members feel appreciated when appreciation is: communicated regularly; given in language and actions important to the recipient; delivered individually and about him or her personally; and viewed as being authentic.

Social implications

– Highlights how organizations can improve the performance of their employees.

Originality/value

– Concludes that the key is to communicate authentic appreciation in the ways that are meaningful to team members.
Investigation of the use of steam for spun-like textured yarn manufacturing
Authors: Wickramasinghe Ganemulle Lekamalage Dharmasri , Foster Peter William
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of steam in order to replace air in the production of spun-like textured yarns. Further, this paper analyse the effect of production speed on process and textured yarn properties.

Design/methodology/approach

– An existing air-jet texturing machine was modified to supply either air or steam to the texturing nozzle. Using standard commercial nozzles, both air-jet and steam-jet textured yarns were manufactured by varying production speed.

Findings

– It can be concluded that steam can be used as an alternative fluid for air in making spun-like textured yarns. Results show that yarn parameters for steam-jet texturing show a similar trend to those of air-jet texturing relative to the production speed. Further, sewing threads made from steam-jet textured yarns showed good sewability up to the speeds of 350 m/min.

Research limitations/implications

– Only the effect of production speed on process and yarn parameters is discussed in this paper. Production speed was limited to 350 m/min due to machine constraints.

Practical implications

– Steam is more economical than air to manufacture spun-like textured yarn at commercial pressures such as 8 bar. Steam-jet textured yarns could be used for commercial applications such as sewing threads at competitive speeds. Further, steam could be generated using sustainable and renewable fuel sources such as biomass.

Originality/value

– This research introduced steam as an alternative fluid for air in manufacturing spun-like textured yarns.
A new method to assess the influence of textiles properties on human thermophysiology. Part I
Authors: Annaheim Simon , Wang Li-chu , Psikuta Agnieszka , Morrissey Matthew Patrick , Camenzind Martin Alois , Rossi René Michel
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine the validity and inter-/intra-laboratory repeatability of the first part of a novel, three-phase experimental procedure using a sweating Torso device.

Design/methodology/approach

– Results from a method comparison study (comparison with the industry-standard sweating guarded hotplate method) and an inter-laboratory comparison study are presented.

Findings

– A high correlation was observed for thermal resistance in the method comparison study (r=0.97, p<0.01) as well as in the inter-laboratory comparison study (r=0.99, p<0.01).

Research limitations/implications

– The authors conclude that the first phase of the standardised procedure for the sweating Torso provides reliable data for the determination of the dry thermal resistance of single and multi-layer textiles, and is therefore suitable as standard method to be used by different laboratories with this type of device. Further work is required to validate the applicability of the method for textiles with high thermal resistance.

Originality/value

– This study provides the first “round-robin” data for measuring thermal resistance using a Torso device. In future publications the authors will provide similar data examining the repeatability of measurements that quantify combined heat and mass transfer.
Intelligent fashion styling using genetic search and neural classification
Authors: Vuruskan Arzu , Ince Turker , Bulgun Ender , Guzelis Cuneyt
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop an intelligent system for fashion style selection for non-standard female body shapes.

Design/methodology/approach

– With the goal of creating natural aesthetic relationship between the body shape and the shape of clothing, garments designed for the upper and lower body are combined to fit different female body shapes, which are classified as V, A, H and O-shapes. The proposed intelligent system combines genetic algorithm (GA) with a neural network classifier, which is trained using the particle swarm optimization (PSO). The former, called genetic search, is used to find the optimal design parameters corresponding to a best fit for the desired target, while the task of the latter, called neural classification, is to evaluate fitness (goodness) of each evolved new fashion style.

Findings

– The experimental results are fashion styling recommendations for the four female body shapes, drawn from 260 possible combinations, based on variations from 15 attributes. These results are considered to be a strong indication of the potential benefits of the application of intelligent systems to fashion styling.

Originality/value

– The proposed intelligent system combines the effective searching capabilities of two approaches. The first approach uses the GA for identifying best fits to the target shape of the body in the solution space. The second is the PSO for finding optimal (with respect to training mean-squared error) weight and threshold parameters of the neural classifier, which is able to evaluate the fitness of successively evolved fashion styles.
Geometric modeling of terry fabric
Authors: Singh Jitendra Pratap , Behera Bijoya Kumar
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a 3D geometric model of three-pick terry fabric considering the actual design and structural features of the finished terry fabric.

Design/methodology/approach

– The model has been developed using SolidWorks CAD system and the output file can be easily simulated in the ANSYS. Dimensions are acquired from the actual terry fabric measurement.

Findings

– A 3D computational model – to be used for understanding the behaviour of terry fabric during actual use through the simulation in ANSYS.

Practical implications

– Provides the way to study the yarn and fabric structure behaviour during use through simulation.

Originality/value

– The research resulted a 3D geometrical model of very complex three-pick terry fabric for very first time for further analysis of terry fabric behaviour during use.
Breast volume measurement by mesh projection method based on 3D point cloud data
Authors: Chen Xiaona , Wang Jianping
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore a novel breast volume measuring method by mesh projection based on three-dimensional (3D) point cloud data.

Design/methodology/approach

– Mesh projection method, a rapid and accurate method to calculate the volume of models described by triangular meshes, was transplanted to calculate breast volume based on 3D point cloud data derived from a [TC]2 3D scanner. A simple landmarking procedure was developed to decide breast boundary. Breast volumes derived from mesh projection method were compared to the results of water displacement by statistical analysis to validate its accuracy.

Findings

– A novel breast volume measurement method is developed based on mesh projection method. By comparison of water displacement, mesh projection method is proved to be accurate to calculate breast volume. Furthermore, a simple and standard breast boundary landmarking procedure is established, which avoids the arbitrariness of the definition of breast boundary and improves the repetition of landmarking.

Practical implications

– A simple and convenient tool is provided for bra industries to rapidly and accurately measure breast volume.

Originality/value

– Mesh projection method is primarily applied to determine breast volume based on 3D point cloud data. Meanwhile, a simple and standard breast boundary landmarking procedure is put forward.
The inconvenient truth of the relationship between open innovation activities and innovation performance
Authors: Cheng Colin C.J. , Shiu Eric C.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– Despite extensive published research into the relationship between open innovation (OI) activities and performance, the nature and direction of the relationship remain inconclusive. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship as to how firms’ inbound and outbound OI activities, as well as their interaction influence incremental and radical innovation performance. The authors also consider the potentially mediating roles of knowledge learning and organizational capabilities in such a relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

– To investigate this relationship, data were collected from a cross-industry survey of 304 leading Taiwanese-based firms. Three-stage least square analysis was employed to test the model.

Findings

– Analyses reveal that knowledge learning and organizational capabilities mediate the OI activities-innovation performance relationship. In addition, a firm focussing on inbound activities enhances its radical innovation performance, but hinders its incremental innovation performance, while focussing on outbound activities produces the opposite effects. Among the findings, it is worth emphasizing that the effect of the interaction between inbound and outbound activities on innovation performance can be counter-productive.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings demonstrate that existing studies only partially explain the effects of OI activities on innovation performance. Understanding how OI activities influence innovation performance will facilitate more informed decision making, leading to more effective use of OI activities.

Practical implications

– The results suggest that managers need to consider knowledge learning and organizational capabilities in order to fully capture the potential effects of OI activities. Managers also need to be aware of the limitations of OI activities.

Originality/value

– The theoretical model presented here offers a timely contribution to the theory base underpinning the development of OI activities for innovation performance.
Environmental proactivity and firm performance: a fuzzy-set analysis
Authors: Primc Kaja , Čater Tomaž
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore causal complexity in the relationship between environmental proactivity and firm performance. Using data collected from 27 Australian firms and controlling for the organizational life cycle, type of industry and external contingencies, the study empirically examines environmental proactivity in high-performing firms from polluting industries.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data were analyzed using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis.

Findings

– In general, the results of the analysis imply that environmental proactivity is not always associated with high firm performance, and that environmental proactivity is not as important as the other causal conditions for high-performing firms in highly polluting industries.

Research limitations/implications

– The study addresses the relationship between environmental and firm performance more holistically by including a number of the firm’s external and internal factors identified as important in past research. Second, it offers a new perspective on the relationship with its systematic comparative analysis of complex cases. Next, it identifies different combinations of conditions (paths) leading to a high firm performance and, finally, the core complementary model allows an exploration of which factors are essential and which are less important or even irrelevant to high-performing firms.

Practical implications

– Based on the findings, firms from highly polluting industries can determine in which circumstances, if any, the adoption of environmental proactivity will result in a positive firm performance.

Originality/value

– The study is valuable because it contains a rich set of measures of the firm’s external and internal environment, thus allowing a more holistic examination of the relationship between environmental proactivity and firm performance.
Strategic delegation, quality competition, and new product profitability
Authors: Shin Hyun , Shin Jongtae , Yoo Shijin , Song Joon , Kim Alex
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a new perspective on the marketing-R & D interface by modelling firms that develop new products in a duopolistic market.

Design/methodology/approach

– By using a game-theoretic modelling approach, this study examines strategic delegation, through which the marketing and R & D managers of each firm are given authority over pricing and new products’ quality levels.

Findings

– Interestingly, the study finds that the case where two managers with conflicting incentives negotiate (the horizontal coordination case) might produce a better financial outcome than when the managers’ decisions are perfectly coordinated by a profit-maximizing CEO (the vertical control case). In addition, the study identifies several conditions that guarantee horizontal coordination’s generation of higher profit, such as high (or low) sensitivity to the quality (or price) of a new product. The paper further shows that two competing firms may select horizontal coordination as a Nash equilibrium.

Practical implications

– These findings provide new insights into the role of marketing-R & D interaction under strategic delegation, which may allow rival firms to “spend smart” on R & D, avoid excessive (and unnecessary) quality competition, and thus enhance the profitability of new products. Such insights would be useful for any firms under budget constraints.

Originality/value

– To the authors’ knowledge, this paper represents the first attempt to analyze how delegation interacts with the conflicting incentives of marketing and R & D managers, which in turn affects the quality investment decisions, competitive intensity, and, ultimately, the financial outcomes of new products developed competing firms.
Should retail trade companies avoid recruiting maximisers?
Authors: Liu Yu-Lun , Keeling Kathleen A. , Papamichail K. Nadia
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate differences in characteristics, job outcome experiences and attitudes of maximiser and satisficer decision-making style groups working in the retail trade.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey of 140 participants who have accepted a job offer in the retail trade in the past six months in the USA was conducted on Amazon Mechanical Turk. The survey examined participants’ opinions and attitudes towards their present job and established which job information source(s) they had used to search for retail trade job-related information.

Findings

– The results show that compared to satisficers, maximisers exert more effort when searching job information, have higher uncertainty avoidance and need for cognition, and experience more post-decisional regret. In this sample, any significant differences between maximisers and satisficers in relation to job satisfaction, company commitment, and intention to quit their present job are restricted to certain groups. For recruitment information sources, while satisficers rely on their families and friends for information, maximisers are more likely to obtain job-related information from other sources such as online discussion forums.

Practical implications

– Even though some studies suggest that maximisers are unhappy with their choices, this research recommends that retail trade companies should not exclude maximisers from their recruitment pools. Retailers should enhance their candidate pools with both maximisers and satisficers by managing different recruitment information sources.

Originality/value

– Research of decision-making style in recruitment is relatively limited. This research illustrates the differences of attitudes between maximisers and satisficers towards their present retail job, and also demonstrates the preferences of maximisers and satisficers in recruitment information sources.
Managing across borders and cultures
Authors: Reilly Peter
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to ask why western organisations appear to be moving towards a single global HR model that minimises cultural differences compared with Asian organisations that seem to allow more variation in HR policies and practices. Moreover, we try to identify the problems western organisations face in taking this route and how they seek to overcome them.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on a case survey approach whereby the author (and colleague) researched the global HR practices of some 70 organisations, interviewing a good proportion of the senior HR managers in these organisations. The focus was on global employment brands, culture and diversity, as well as talent management and HR service delivery model.

Findings

– Western organisations seem to be moving towards a single global HR model that minimises cultural differences, whereas “polycentric” organisational forms are common in Asian companies. This may be to do with ownership structure and business model, but is also through Western organisations fashioning a “one company” philosophy and reducing costs through centralisation. This approach risks the creation of an ethnocentric world view based on a home country perspective that might damage diversity and lead to the cloning of the business leadership. The paper offers some risk mitigation strategies based around having common people principles but allowing distinctive local practice.

Research limitations/implications

– The research is case study-based. There is no quantitative element to the results. Thus, the research has the benefit of in-depth understanding of organisational practice and its context, and the author (and colleague) do not have the benefit of testing the findings across a larger number of organisations. In particular, the East versus West distinction the author (and colleague) made needs further refinement. And, the author would want to look in more depth at the business structures of Western firms to see how much effect they have on organisational culture.

Practical implications

– Organisations can take the findings, including solutions to the problems of ethnocentricity, and apply them to their own situations. In particular, it should encourage a more thoughtful review of the development of organisational culture and especially reflection on the dangers of standardisation and consolidation of HR services.

Originality/value

– This paper is based on original case study research and uses these insights to consider some of the academic debates about organisational culture and HR services, specifically within the context of global operations. The advice to organisations will be new to practitioners, although it builds on previous work.
Changing Business Models and Employee Representation in the Airline Industry: A Comparison of British Airways and Deutsche Lufthansa
Authors: Lange Knut , Geppert Mike , Saka‐Helmhout Ayse , Becker‐Ritterspach Florian
Published: April 2015

In recent years, the notion of business models has gained momentum in management research. Scholars have discussed several barriers to changing business models in established firms. However, the national institutions of market economies have not yet been discussed as barriers, even though they can constrain the latitude of action of a firm's management. Based on interviews and a longitudinal content analysis, we analyse the extent to which full service carriers in two countries (British Airways in the UK and Deutsche Lufthansa in Germany) have adopted elements of a low cost model over time. Furthermore, we investigate how this process has been influenced by the differences in each national institutional context. We particularly focus on the role of the rights of employee representatives in changes in business models. Our results show that British Airways has moved its business model more in the direction of low cost carriers than Deutsche Lufthansa, although the business model of the former airline still differs significantly from that of a typical low cost carrier. We identify national institutions that potentially strengthen the position of employee representatives as a factor that can influence, and also act as a barrier to, business model change.
Adaptation of international guidelines on assessment and management of cancer pain for the Australian context
Authors: Lovell Melanie , Luckett Tim , Boyle Frances , Stubbs John , Phillips Jane , Davidson Patricia Mary , Olver Ian , von Dincklage Jutta , Agar Meera
Published: April 2015

Aim

To develop clinical practice guidelines for screening, assessing and managing cancer pain in Australian adults.

Methods

This three‐phase project utilized the ADAPTE approach to adapt international cancer pain guidelines for the Australian setting. A Working Party was established to define scope, screen guidelines for adaptation and develop recommendations to support better cancer pain control through screening, assessment, pharmacological and non‐pharmacological management, and patient education. Recommendations with limited evidence were referred to Expert Panels for advice before the draft guidelines were opened for public consultation via the Cancer Council Australia Cancer Guidelines Wiki platform in late 2012. All comments were reviewed by the Working Party and the guidelines were revised accordingly.

Results

Screening resulted in six international guidelines being included for adaptation – those developed by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (2008), National Health Service Quality Improvement Scotland (2009), National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2012), European Society of Medical Oncology (2011), European Association for Palliative Care (2011, 2012) and National Institute of Clinical Excellence (2012). Guideline adaptation resulted in 55 final recommendations. The guidelines were officially launched in November 2013.

Conclusion

International guidelines can be efficiently reconfigured for local contexts using the ADAPTE approach. Availability of the guidelines via the Cancer Council Australia Wiki is intended to promote uptake and enable recommendations to be kept up to date. Resources to support implementation will also be made available via the Wiki if found to be effective by a randomized controlled trial commencing in 2015.
Solitary pituitary metastasis from HER2‐positive breast cancer
Authors: Kam Jeremy , Kam Jeffrey , Mann G Bruce , Phillips Claire , Wentworth John M , King James , Lindeman Geoffrey J
Published: April 2015

The introduction of anti‐HER2 therapy with trastuzumab has seen an increase in frequency of central nervous system metastasis as the site of first recurrence. Here, we present a rare case of a 63‐year‐old woman who presented with an isolated breast carcinoma pituitary metastasis 5 years following treatment for a high‐risk breast cancer. This report underscores the changing nature of HER2‐positive disease in the post‐trastuzumab era.
ASSET FORFEITURE AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT TOOL
Authors: Miceli Thomas J. , Johnson Derek
Published: April 2015

This article examines the impact on deterrence of laws that allow the seizure of assets used in the commission of a crime but owned by someone other than the offender. The results suggest that forfeiture can be used effectively, in combination with more standard tools (criminal fines or imprisonment), as a deterrent under certain conditions, but the risk of overuse is real. In particular, complete forfeiture (seizure of the entire value of the asset) is not generally socially optimal, but when enforcers are rent‐seekers who care primarily about the revenue generated by forfeiture, they will use the tool to the maximum extent allowed by law. (JEL H11, K14, K41)
Mark Sacks Lecture 2013: Spinoza on Goodness and Beauty and the Prophet and the Artist
Authors: Gatens Moira
Published: April 2015

Some critics have claimed that Spinoza's philosophy has nothing to offer aesthetics. I argue that within his conception of an ars vivendi one can discern a nascent theory of art (ars). I bring the figure of the prophet in relation to that of the artist and, alongside a consideration of Spinoza's views on goodness and beauty, show that the special talent of the artist should be understood in terms of the entirely natural expression of the conatus.
Efficacy and safety of telbivudine in different trimesters of pregnancy with high viremia for interrupting perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus
Authors: Liu Yingxia , Wang Miao , Yao Simin , Yuan Jing , Lu Jian , Li Huijuan , Zeng Wen , Deng Yong , Zou Rongrong , Li Jie , Xiao Jia
Published: April 2015

Aim

We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of telbivudine (LdT) on the intervention of mother‐to‐child transmission (MTCT) in different trimesters of pregnant women with high viral loads.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, 160 cases of mothers with high viral loads were included. Eighty‐two subjects received 600 mg/day LdT therapy. Fifty of them started LdT therapy before the third trimester of gestation, including 17 cases before pregnancy, nine and 24 cases in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. The other 32 cases started LdT in the third trimester of gestation. Control pregnant women (78 cases) did not take LdT therapy. MTCT rate was determined by hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA data of infants at the 51st week post‐partum. Adverse events were also evaluated throughout the study.

Results

One hundred and sixty infants were born from 160 pregnant women. Both LdT‐treated groups displayed a marked decline in HBV DNA levels from the beginning to delivery. Positive rate of serum HBsAg in infants born from the above two groups of mothers were 0% and 3.1%, respectively, which was significantly lower than that in the untreated controls (24.4%). The incidence of detectable HBV DNA levels was significantly lower in infants born to LdT‐treated mothers than in the controls (16.7%) at the 51st week post‐partum. No infant had birth defects. No severe adverse event or complication were observed in LdT‐treated mothers or infants followed until the 51st week post‐partum.

Conclusion

The earlier application of LdT during pregnancy, the better preventive effects it offered on MTCT.
Excessive range of statin dose in Western Australian primary care
Authors: Dimmitt S. B. , Moran A. , Scartozzi M. , Stampfer H. G. , Warren J. B.
Published: April 2015

Background

Statins are very effective in reducing coronary disease and ischaemic stroke but guidelines although evolving have not been clear on statin dose.

Aim

To audit and review community statin prescribing.

Methods

A retrospective audit of the type and dose of statin dispensed was undertaken at five pharmacies in and around Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. Patients were de‐identified.

Results

Statins made up 6.5% of all prescriptions. Statin dose when adjusted for different potency effectively varied 64‐fold between patients. Rosuvastatin and atorvastatin accounted for 79% of prescriptions, at a mean dose of 10 times the effective dose 50.

Conclusion

The extraordinarily wide variation in statin dose is at odds with the more consistent doses of other drugs used in the management of arterial disease. Unnecessarily high statin dosing increases side‐effects and may not improve clinical outcomes appreciably. Rational prescribing of statins based on the pharmacodynamic evidence, with lower doses in most patients, combined with close attention to reduction of smoking, blood pressure and weight, is likely to reduce arterial disease most efficiently and safely.
News/Interview/Editorial
Authors: Tarran Brian , Wininger Michael
Published: April 2015

Canadian MP fights to reinstate the long-form census. The White House appoints a chief data scientist. Cosmic dust busts ‘evidence’ for inflation. Why random is too random for Spotify customers. Back to the drawing board for the Mars One mission? The New York blizzard that never was. A psychology journal bans p-values.
The Political Popularity Contest
Authors: Evans Geoffrey , Mellon Dr Jonathan
Published: April 2015

Geoffrey Evans and Jon Mellon assess the impact of party leader personas on vote switching in the run-up to the 2015 UK general election
Nine Out of 10 Restaurants Fail? Check, Please
Authors: Luo Tian , Stark Philip B.
Published: April 2015

Tian Luo and Philip B. Stark use Bureau of Labor Statistics data to put paid to a persistent myth about the riskiness of the restaurant business
The responsiveness of the International Prostate Symptom Score, Incontinence Impact Questionnaire‐7 and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale‐21 in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms
Authors: Choi Edmond P.H. , Chin Weng Yee , Lam Cindy L.K. , Wan Eric Y.F.
Published: April 2015

Aims

To examine the responsiveness of a combined symptom severity and health‐related quality of life measure, condition‐specific health‐related quality of life measure and mental health measure in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms.

Background

To establish the responsiveness of measures that accurately capture the change in health status of patients is crucial before any longitudinal studies can be appropriately planned and evaluated.

Design

Prospective longitudinal observational study.

Methods

402 patients were surveyed at baseline and 1‐year using the International Prostate Symptom Score, the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire‐7 and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales‐21. The internal and external responsiveness were assessed. Surveys were conducted from March 2013–July 2014.

Results

In participants with improvements, the internal responsiveness for detecting positive changes was satisfactory in males and females for all scales, expect for the Depression subscale. The health‐related quality of life question of the International Prostate Symptom Score was more externally responsive than the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire‐7.

Conclusions

The International Prostate Symptom Score and Anxiety and Stress subscales were more responsive in males than in females. The symptom questions of the International Prostate Symptom Score and Anxiety and Stress subscales were not externally responsive in females. The health‐related quality of life question of the International Prostate Symptom Score outperformed the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire‐7 in both males and females, in terms of external responsiveness.