bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crystal structures of deuterated sodium molybdate dihydrate and sodium tungstate dihydrate from time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction
Authors: Fortes A. Dominic
Published: June 2015

Time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction data have been measured from ∼90 mol% deuterated isotopologues of Na2MoO4·2H2O and Na2WO4·2H2O at 295 K to a resolution of sin (θ)/λ = 0.77 Å−1. The use of neutrons has allowed refinement of structural parameters with a precision that varies by a factor of two from the heaviest to the lightest atoms; this contrasts with the X-ray based refinements where precision may be > 20× poorer for O atoms in the presence of atoms such as Mo and W. The accuracy and precision of interatomic distances and angles are in excellent agreement with recent X-ray single-crystal structure refinements whilst also completing our view of the hydrogen-bond geometry to the same degree of statistical certainty. The two structures are isotypic, space-groupPbca, with all atoms occupying general positions, being comprised of edge- and corner-sharing NaO5and NaO6polyhedra that form layers parallel with (010) interleaved with planes ofXO4(X= Mo, W) tetrahedra that are linked by chains of water molecules along [100] and [001]. The complete structure is identical with the previously described molybdate [Capitelliet al.(2006).Asian J. Chem.18, 2856–2860] but shows that the purported three-centred interaction involving one of the water molecules in the tungstate [Farrugia (2007).Acta Cryst.E63, i142] is in fact an ordinary two-centred `linear' hydrogen bond.
Americana Group: KFC in Mecca
Authors: Balakrishnan Melodena Stephens
Published: June 2015

Subject area

Marketing, Strategy, International Business.

Study level/applicability

Post-Graduates' classes.

Case overview

This case focuses on the particularities of the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurant run by the Americana Group in Mecca, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It allows students in the service industry, and especially those interested in the quick service industry to understand some of the challenges of operating in a market with high volume and other specific local market conditions. Perhaps, it will also allow those organizations wishing to enter into emerging markets to realize that globalization does not mean standardization of all practices but rather values.

Expected learning outcomes

On completion of utilizing the case study as an exercise, students should be able to develop: Case-specific skills: critically examine the importance of the international business and marketing strategy in the Middle East and demonstrate this by analyzing real regional/ world examples using complex theoretical frameworks; identify examples of best practice and explain the dynamics toward international business and marketing strategy with reference to a range of theoretical models; and apply these in a meaningful way to the Middle East North Africa region. Discipline-specific skills: synthesize and critically evaluate a corpus of academic literature and government reports on international business and marketing strategy; and link international business and marketing strategy concepts and theories to real regional/world examples. Personal and key skills: reflect on the process of learning and undertake independen/self-directed learning (including time management) to achieve consistent, proficient and sustained attainment. Work as either a participant or a leader of a group and contribute effectively to the achievement of objectives in the field of international business and marketing strategy.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
GEA Group – doing business in the Middle East
Authors: Michael Ian , Balakrishnan Melodena Stephens , Khan Zeenath
Published: June 2015

Subject area

Management, Strategy, International business.

Study level/applicability

Undergraduate or Graduates.

Case overview

This case is suitable for students of international business and strategy at the advanced undergraduate-level or introductory masters-level courses. It can be used for organizational design, brand management and business-to-business management classes. It may be of interest to practitioners in the Middle East and North African (MENA) markets looking at managing cross-functional teams.

Expected learning outcomes

On completion of utilizing the case study as an exercise, students should be able to develop the following. Case-specific skills: Critically examine the importance of the international business and strategy in the Middle East and demonstrate this by analyzing real-regional/-examples using complex theoretical frameworks; identify examples of best practice and explain the dynamics toward international business and strategy with reference to a range of theoretical models and apply these in a meaningful way to the MENA region. Discipline-specific skills: Synthesize and critically evaluate a corpus of academic literature and government reports on international business and strategy; link international business and strategy concepts and theories to real-regional/world examples. Personal and key skills: Reflect on the process of learning and undertake independent/self-directed learning (including time management) to achieve consistent, proficient and sustained attainment; work as a participant or leader of a group and contribute effectively to the achievement of objectives in the field of international business and strategy.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
The Express Tribune: touching the tricky price point
Authors: Ejaz Lalarukh , Gul Rashid Amber , Bari Khadija
Published: June 2015

Subject area

Economics, entrepreneurship, pricing and marketing strategy, print industry in Pakistan.

Study level/applicability

Undergraduate and first-year graduate level.

Case overview

The main theme of the case revolves around decision-making by the publisher, Bilal Lakhani, as he operates in conditions of an oligopolistic market. The case focuses on the set-up of a major English-language newspaper, The Express Tribune, in conjunction with the internationally branded and well-regarded International Herald Tribune by a well-known business group of Pakistan. The group already has a major Urdu newspaper, which has been operational for 15 years, and three television channels, as well as a host of other non-media-related businesses. The case tries to go behind the reasons for setting up an English-language newspaper in a market which already has at least five major existing ones and where literacy is not that widespread. Also, experience in much of the rest of the world would suggest that newspapers – i.e. the print media – are in decline, especially because of the rise of the Internet and social media as means for providing news, information and entertainment. The case is set in Karachi, Pakistan's media capital and, in particular, in an organization that has been involved in the business of media for several years. It currently runs the country's second most-circulated Urdu newspaper, Daily Express. Specifically, the time period is three weeks after the paper, The Express Tribune, was launched into a market with a few competitors and high brand loyalty for existing competitors. The publisher of the paper, Bilal Lakhani, is questioning his pricing decision right after the launch of the paper and there are a series of reasons he is looking into on how he set the original price and why should he reduce the price of the paper now.

Expected learning outcomes

Students should be able to see, understand and analyze: challenges faced by entrepreneurs of starting an initiative which has a largely unreliable and untested audience; the extent of interdependence in an oligopolistic industry and how it influences the current and future decision-makings of an entrepreneur or any other firm for that matter, especially in a developing economy; the personnel, financial production and regulation issues involved in setting up assembly/ delivery systems that deliver a product for mass use, i.e. a newspaper; and the pricing and marketing strategies involved in the launch and subsequent successful operation of a product, in this case, a newspaper.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Building a chain of success in marketing higher education: the alumni connection
Authors: Barron Jamie
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– Alumni provide a valuable marketing conduit for educational institutions to not only share program highlights but to illustrate the competencies learned that are positively impacting organizations. Alumni who are interested in giving back need a vehicle through which they can remain connected to their alma maters. Institutions can benefit greatly from building such bridges. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Capella University has created a virtual chapter affiliated with the International Society for Performance Improvement where alumni, learners, and faculty can network in meaningful ways to address the interests and needs of all parties. Five key considerations and 12 purposeful activities that have proven to be critical to the success of the collaborative, virtual chapter site are presented.

Findings

– Providing a virtual site where collaborative partners can work on meaningful projects that address mutual needs has proven to be beneficial to all parties involved. The university has clearly benefited from the authentic advertising that alumni provide. Alumni have benefitted from opportunities to work with the university in meaningful ways that enhance their vitaes. Learners are motivated to persist in their academic programs. And faculty are inspired to witness the impact of their work via the alumni. The virtual chapter site has been a valuable resource that facilitates a positive return for all involved.

Originality/value

– Virtual chapters that connect alumni, learners, and faculty fill a critical need in an economy where budgets tighten as competition increases in higher education.
Supply chain talent: the missing link in supply chain strategy
Authors: Dubey Rameshwar , Gunasekaran Angappa
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to build a supply chain talent framework and test it empirically.

Design/methodology/approach

– The present study adopts extant literature to understand current state of supply chain talent literature and used knowledge and skill constructs and their items from comprehensive literature review to develop an instrument to gather data. The data are further checked for assumptions and further examines the framework using confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

– The findings support previous studies and establishes that knowledge-skill framework is scientifically a strong framework which can help to build current supply chain competencies among future supply chain managers.

Research limitations/implications

– This study considers only a limited number of variables that define the supply chain talent. The framework can be further developed and extended to different industries and countries.

Practical implications

– The study identifies knowledge-skill framework which can help to develop a training module for current or aspiring supply chain managers. It also can provide significant input to design university supply chain management program to meet future supply chain manager’s requirements.

Social implications

– Include providing the right education and training in support of supply chain operations and in turn serving the community with products and services on time and that too in a most cost effective manner.

Originality/value

– This paper develops a new framework for supply chain talent development. This framework has been empirically tested, and major findings and future research directions are highlighted.
Corporate psychopathy: deviant workplace behaviour and toxic leaders (part two)
Authors: Cheang Henry S. , Appelbaum Steven H.
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– Increasingly, it is recognized that (larger) organizations have many employees who present with corporate psychopathy (i.e. a milder version of anti-social personality disorder). Importantly, such a disorder contributes to the presence of deviant workplace behavior. Organizations must therefore adapt its practices to both identify and manage employees who either present with, or have tendencies toward, corporate psychopathy. As a means of developing a guiding framework for organizational adaptation, this two part paper offers two reviews of relevant research. The first revolves around the body of knowledge regarding corporate psychopathy and the primary, established behavioral method of identifying its presence; the second is a brief review on physiological measures that can complement current gold standards. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– A range of published empirical and practitioner research articles were reviewed to first, elaborate on anti-social personality disorder and corporate psychopathy; second, showcase the efficacy of the currently most accepted method of detecting psychopathic behavior – the Psychopathy Checklist (PCL); and third, highlight physiological methods of detecting psychopathic tendencies which may complement usage of the PCL – electroencephalography, measurement of galvanic skin responses, and electromyography.

Findings

– First, deviant workplace behaviors cause losses of billions of dollars across all business organizations, and much of this behavior stems from corporate psychopaths in positions of leadership. Second, the PCL, while useful, can nonetheless yield sharp differences in the identification of psychopathy across different administrators of the test. Third, measures of physiological states show good reliability in discriminating psychopathic persons from non-psychopathic persons. Based on these findings, the authors propose guidelines for how to identify and mitigate the effects of corporate psychopathy for organizations.

Research limitations/implications

– The proposed guidelines must be tested in an empirical paper to measure their effectiveness.

Practical implications

– The paper suggests an overall framework that may help leaders and organizational development practitioners identify the major factors which may be considered to safeguard against the potentially detrimental conduct of corporate psychopaths in their organizations.

Social implications

– This paper highlights the need to identify and ward against the presence of corporate psychopaths. There needs to be guidelines for organizations on how to identify and mitigate the effects of corporate psychopathy for organizations.

Originality/value

– The suggestion of integrating physiological methods of detection with the PCL, as well as urging pro-active education of all employees as the symptoms and effects of corporate psychopathy, is the novel contribution of the paper.
A review of the environmental implications of B2C e-commerce: a logistics perspective
Authors: Mangiaracina Riccardo , Marchet Gino , Perotti Sara , Tumino Angela
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– Given the importance of logistics operations in business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce and growing interest in the related environmental effects, the purpose of this paper is to offer an up-to-date literature review on the topic of B2C e-commerce environmental sustainability, specifically from a logistics perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

– The analysis focussed on a set of 56 papers published from 2001 to 2014 in 38 peer-reviewed international journals. The papers were analyzed and categorized according to the main features of the paper, the research method(s) adopted and the themes tackled.

Findings

– There is a growing interest in sustainability issues. In the last 14 years, the focus has progressively shifted from the mere identification of the wide-ranging environmental effects of e-commerce to the need for a quantitative evaluation of their impact, although much remains to be done in this regard. Some industries, such as books and grocery, have largely been addressed, however, promising sectors in the e-commerce field, such as clothing and consumer electronics, have only been considered to a certain degree. Moreover, despite the emerging role of multichannel strategies, the environmental implications of the related logistics activities have not yet been studied in detail.

Originality/value

– B2C e-commerce has grown in popularity, and its environmental implications are currently of key interest. This paper contributes to the understanding of the existing body of knowledge on this topic, presenting an up-to-date classification of articles and highlighting themes for further research activities. From a managerial perspective, this paper helps supply chain managers develop a clear understanding of both the logistics areas with the most impact on environmental sustainability and the KPIs used to quantify the environmental implications of e-commerce logistics operations comprehensively and effectively.
Performance-based contracting for advanced logistics services
Authors: Selviaridis Kostas , Norrman Andreas
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore key challenges of adopting, designing and managing performance-based contracts (PBC) for advanced logistics services, as seen by providers. The shift toward performance-based solutions has proved challenging since providers often struggle to link performance to their payment. Despite such managerial challenges, empirical research in this area has been limited.

Design/methodology/approach

– A multi-case design was adopted. Three cases of logistics service providers were selected based on purposive sampling. Data were collected through 38 semi-structured interviews and review of 43 documents such as contracts and customer target letters.

Findings

– Key PBC adoption challenges include customer and provider intention to align their goals and incentives as well as their views on risk and reward sharing. Contract design challenges center around performance metric definition and weighting, designing performance monitoring systems that consider service co-production effects and help improve customer relationship and designing incentives with appropriate intensity levels. Contract management challenges include fostering provider pro-activity, provider changes in terms of processes and resource investments, perceived fairness of designed incentives and contract re-design to allow for win-win relationship outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

– The study empirically contributes to extant logistics service provider literature by identifying specific challenges that extend also beyond PBC adoption and design and cover contract management (and potential contract re-design). It also unpacks the notion of performance attributability by analyzing its role also in terms of contract and performance management as well as its potential effects on customer relationship management.

Practical implications

– The study presents implications for logistics provider managers regarding how the observed PBC challenges can be overcome.

Originality/value

– The study unearths several challenges of PBC for advanced logistics services, particularly in connection to contract management and re-design.
A review of Singapore principals’ leadership qualities, styles, and roles
Authors: Ng David , Nguyen Dong Thanh , Wong Benjamin Koon Siak , Choy William Kim Weng
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a review of empirical studies on principal leadership in Singapore. It seeks to provide a general picture of Singapore principals’ leadership qualities, styles, and roles.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is a systematic review of empirical studies, using a “bounded” approach with a focus on the main findings of the reviewed studies. In all, 36 studies were selected for the interview. The findings of these studies were open coded, synthesized, and clustered into different themes.

Findings

– The review revealed several qualities, characteristics, styles, and enacted roles of Singapore principals. While there are similarities between Singapore principals and principals elsewhere in the world, the review brought out some features unique to Singapore principals.

Originality/value

– This review contributes to the growing literature in comparative research on principals’ leadership and their enacted roles, and concurrently functions as a guide for further research on school leadership in Singapore.
Facilitating workplace learning and change
Authors: Germain Marie-Line , Grenier Robin S.
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to describe the lectores (readers) who read the world news and works of literature to workers in pre-World War II cigar factories in Tampa, Florida, and in New York City. The paper addresses the need for more examination of some neglected aspects of workplace learning by presenting a more critical approach to workplace learning as a form of social change. It also focuses on the importance of the lectores’ role as facilitators of workplace learning and leaders of change.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on a qualitative analysis of archival data from libraries and research centers located in New York City and in Miami, Florida.

Findings

– Through the lectores, cigar factories were a place where workplace learning, organizational and social change occurred daily. As leaders, the lectores were radical agents of change and created affordances that shaped the factory workers’ workplace and personal learning. The discussion explores the dynamics between the lectores and the cigar workers.

Practical implications

– Findings from this study demonstrate that developing employees is not limited to elevating their knowledge and skills needed to increase productivity and organizational performance. As self-actualized employees are better contributors to organizations, they, along with facilitators of learning, must care about what workers intrinsically need and explicitly demand. The findings speak to the multifaceted nature of workplace learning, one that encompasses skill acquisition and one that transforms workers. In essence, learning facilitators elicit change.

Originality/value

– The research literature on workplace learning in the early part of the twentieth century in the USA is rare. This historical data-driven examination of the lectores and their role in factories presents a unique opportunity to focus on issues of social justice that are largely absent from human resource development discourse.
Making teachers
'
pedagogical capital visible and useful
Authors: Henningsson-Yousif Anna , Aasen Solveig Fredriksen
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to compare methods of working with pedagogical capital in teacher and mentor education. The authors make an account of the development of the concept of pedagogical capital and relate it to the theoretical context of practice theory. Empirical data will substantiate the theoretical discussion of teachers
'
pedagogical capital.

Design/methodology/approach

– Comparative analyses of the authors
'
research and empirical data were undertaken.

Findings

– Three dimensions of pedagogical capital have been identified: an experience content dimension, an analysis dimension and an acting dimension.

Research limitations/implications

– The authors find potential in using and further developing the concept of pedagogical capital in its various dimensions and in relation to other similar concepts.

Practical implications

– The authors
'
methods could be used for school development purposes as well as in teacher education.

Social implications

– The aim of the paper is to underline the value of the contributions people can make to society as a whole and as teachers in school, in particular. The recognition of the ability to analyse and contribute is the essence of this work.

Originality/value

– The value of the paper is the introduction and development of pedagogical capital in an international context. The value is also the common analyses of educational work in Sweden and Norway.
The impact of effort-oriented epistemological beliefs on mentoring support
Authors: Weinberg Frankie J. , Mulki Jay P. , Lankau Melenie J.
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of mentor beliefs about effort related to the knowledge and learning process on their extent of mentoring at work, and to determine the role that the mentor’s perception of psychological safety plays in tempering this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study was conducted at an 820-member organization maintenance and operations organization consisting of a number of professions in which apprenticeship-style learning is prevalent. Data collection resulted in 570 members self-identifying as having mentored a less experienced colleague. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to confirm that the measurement instrument represents one unified factor, and a structural equation modelling approach was used to assess the relationships among the study’s latent variables.

Findings

– Results reveal that mentors who hold sophisticated effort-oriented beliefs are more likely to offer psychosocial support to their protégés. Further, although the relationship between effort-oriented beliefs and vocational support is not significant, the mentor’s perception of a psychologically safe work environment significantly moderates both sets of relationships.

Research limitations/implications

– As approximately 88 per cent of respondents work in service, as opposed to administrative groups, caution should be exercised in generalizing this study’s findings to the general workforce population. Further, the present study did not differentiate mentors who identified a current or previous subordinate as their protégé from those whose protégés were not a subordinate, nor did the authors differentiate formal from informal mentoring relationships. Thus, further investigation is needed to determine whether our hypothesized relationships differ in any unique manifestations of mentoring relationships at work.

Practical implications

– By providing a better understanding of the relationship between effort-oriented beliefs and mentoring at work, this study may help in the design of more effective mentoring relationships and ultimately enhance knowledge management and workplace learning.

Originality/value

– There is no previous research that investigates how one’s cognitions about the effort associated with the knowledge and learning process, in particular, influence mentoring at work. This study provides a model for understanding and developing enhanced mentoring relationships, which are considered a critical element of organizational learning.
An investigation of the control role and effectiveness of independent non-executive directors in Malaysian public listed companies
Authors: Annuar Hairul Azlan , Abdul Rashid Hafiz Majdi
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to ascertain the control role of independent non-executive directors (INEDs) in Malaysian public listed companies (PLCs), as prescribed in the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance (MCCG).The MCCG (2000) requires substantive involvement of INEDs on the audit, nomination and remuneration board sub-committees. The study also examines the effectiveness of INEDs in discharging their monitoring roles in these sub-committees.

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative research design consisting of a series of interviews with board members of Malaysian-owned PLCs on the board of Bursa Malaysia was used.

Findings

– Interviews with 27 company directors reveal that, due to their independence, INEDs are crucial in safeguarding the interests of smaller investors if situations arise in which shareholders’ interests may be threatened. The interviews also disclose that the audit committee possesses the most authority among the sub-committees, as it derives its power not only from the Listing Requirements but also from statute, as well as being involved in areas of the company not traditionally associated with the committee. The study also reveals the differences in opinion between executive directors and INEDs with regard to the extent of INEDs’ effectiveness.

Research limitations/implications

– This research utilises interviews. Generalisation may be an issue when interviews are used as the method of inquiry. In addition, the sample is not random, as access to many directors is dependent on recommendations. In addition, the respondents have been consciously selected to cover various board positions, including independent and non-independent directors.

Practical implications

– The findings from this research suggest that INEDs are able to discharge their responsibilities in overseeing the conduct of executives and protecting the interests of investors. In addition, the interviews disclose that the effectiveness of INEDs depends on how non-executive directors view INEDs being on the board. Rather than focusing solely on their control role, INEDS are expected to have a more proactive and progressive role in ensuring sustainable growth and the expansion of the business entity.

Originality/value

– There are limited studies using qualitative research design in investigating the effectiveness of INEDs in the control role of the board in developing countries. Prior studies were predominantly based upon the experience of Western economies.
E-learning from the perspective of library and information science students (case study of Alzahra, Yazd and Payamenoor Universities)
Authors: Hazeri Afsaneh , Farzin-Yazdi Mahboobeh
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to investigate the attitudes of library and information science (LIS) students from Alzahra, Yazd and Payamenoor universities toward e-learning, while aiming to develop awareness in the broader LIS community of alternative and supplement solutions in the LIS educational arena.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is a research survey conducted amongst 142 students. Data were collected via a researcher-designed questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS software using descriptive and analytical methods.

Findings

– Based on the findings, a relatively favorable attitude of e-learning education exists, indicating the existence of a supportive culture that can offer this type of education. According to the findings, with the provision of necessary equipment and the possibility of other incentives, e.g. running workshops, a supportive culture would be more advanced. Results also revealed that e-learning systems are more effective for the purpose of some courses that are related to the use of computers and the Internet, courses relating to information sources and courses associated with the application of new technologies in libraries.

Originality/value

– The emergence of new concepts and the advancement of technologies demands that LIS schools update their curricula. The findings of this paper ascertain the importance of equipping graduates with the knowledge and skills associated with e-learning technologies. LIS students need to gain specialized skills in the application of new technologies in libraries; the implementation of an e-learning system by LIS schools, and the delivery of electronic programs, provides an environment for them in which they experience the application of new technologies.
Digital citizenship through game design in Minecraft
Authors: Hill Valerie
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to describe a library project exploring innovative options for embedding information literacy skills in the elementary school library by utilizing Minecraft, a virtual world three-dimensional (3D) building game environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– The small-scale descriptive study, with a follow-up survey, focuses on a group of fifth-grade students in an after-school technology club facilitated by the school librarian. The students designed and built a 3D virtual world library game for younger students to help them learn digital citizenship and information literacy.

Findings

– Analysis of observations, interviews and videos indicated that students were highly engaged in learning information literacy elements throughout all stages of the project from design, building, implementation and testing of younger students.

Research limitations/implications

– Although the small number of students enrolled in the club is a limitation, the feedback provided strong evidence of motivation for learning through gamification. Further research could assess learning outcomes with the curriculum, specifically for digital citizenship and information literacy.

Practical implications

– Embedding information literacy into a 3D world allows students to learn computer code, mathematics, game design, and fosters collaboration while demonstrating digital citizenship.

Social implications

– Game design requires teamwork, a real-life skill essential for students entering the work force.

Originality/value

– Few articles share student-designed solutions of critical information literacy needs. This study exemplifies constructivist learning in a gaming environment.
Research productivity of library scholars
Authors: Jabeen Munazza , Yun Liu , Rafiq Muhammad , Jabeen Misbah
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore, by a quantitative analysis, growth rates of, and trends in, global publications in the field of library and information science (LIS) produced by library science professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey approach was used in this paper. Journal Citation Reports 2010 was the major source for selecting 40 LIS core journals. A bibliometric analysis was conducted. Visualization and mapping software was utilized to present a picture of the growth in and trends relating to LIS publications.

Findings

– A total of 18,371 research articles were published from 2003 to 2012. A significant growth rate (11.37 per cent) was found in 2009. Self-citation tendencies have been increasing, with an average rate of 38.56 per cent. Of all publication types, “article” was the most popular among LIS researchers. China has contributed remarkably in terms of collaborative publications.

Practical implications

– The present study could be helpful for library professionals, subject specialists and policy makers. These findings may encourage library professionals to integrate and monitor library functions through bibliometric analysis.

Originality/value

– This paper identifies growth and trends in publications by LIS researchers through use of bibliometrics.
Exploring the growing link of ethnic entrepreneurship, markets, and Pentecostalism in London (UK)
Authors: Gbadamosi Ayantunji
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to unravel how membership of Pentecostal fellowships aids the entrepreneurial activities of African-Caribbean (AC) members. While many issues about the entrepreneurial engagements of AC people have been discussed in the literature, there are far less studies documented about the link of these activities to faith, especially in the context of Pentecostalism.

Design/methodology/approach

– Adopting the interpretive research paradigm, a total of 25 tape-recorded, semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with AC entrepreneurs who are members of Pentecostal faith-based organisations in London, and pastors in this same sphere. Sixteen of the respondents are entrepreneurs running and managing their businesses, seven are pastors and the remaining two fall in both categories, as they are both entrepreneurs and still serving as pastors in churches in London. Rather than merely serving as gatekeepers for information, the pastors are active participants/respondents in the study.

Findings

– The paper highlights the challenges confronting the AC ethnic entrepreneurs, but also suggests that those in the Pentecostal faith are motivated and emboldened by the shared values in this religion to navigate the volatile marketing environment. It unveils participants’ faith in God as their key business survival strategy. It also shows the unwavering confidence of the respondents that this religious stance results in outstanding business successes like increase in sales and profits, competitive edge, divine creativity and innovation, opportunity recognition, networks, institutional support and other factors that underpin entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

– This study unpacks the thickly blurred link between Pentecostalism as a thriving religious orientation among the AC ethnic group in the UK and their entrepreneurial engagements.
Commentary on “An audit of an Intensive Interaction service”
Authors: Baker Peter
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on “An audit of an Intensive Interaction service”.

Design/methodology/approach

– Drawing on the literature regarding other related person-centred approaches and clinical and research experience, an argument is made that people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities are particularly at risk when service innovation does not account for their unique needs.

Findings

– Practice and service models need to specifically account for the needs of people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities.

Originality/value

– The commentary draws attention to the importance of implementation and seeks to draw lessons from well established, service wide approaches for people with intellectual disabilities.
Young people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder in post-compulsory state supported schools in England
Authors: Hatton Chris , Glover Gyles
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– Transition from education to adult life is a stated policy aim for young people with learning disabilities. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which 16-18-year olds with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder are remaining in state school education beyond the minimum school leaving age.

Design/methodology/approach

– A tabulation from the Department for Education Children and Early Years Data Unit for 2014, combined with School Census data and age-specific population estimates, allowed us to compare the rates of children identified as having moderate, severe or profound/multiple learning difficulties (MLD, SLD, PMLD), or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) in state education at the ages of 16-18 years vs five to 15 years.

Findings

– For all types of need analysed in the paper, the rate of children in state school dropped considerably at the ages of 16-18 years: 10 per cent of the rates of children with MLD, 62 per cent of children with SLD, 49 per cent of children with PMLD and 23 per cent of children with ASD at ages five to 15 years were in state education at ages 16-18 years. Almost all young people aged 16-18 years in state education with SLD or PMLD were in special schools, compared to just over half of young people with MLD or ASD. For all these figures, there was considerable regional variation.

Social implications

– Substantial numbers of children with learning disabilities or ASD do not remain in post-16 state education, with wide regional variations that do not seem to correspond to regional variations in need or national policy concerning transition.

Originality/value

– This is the first data set to examine this issue.
An audit of an Intensive Interaction service
Authors: Donnelly Cecily May , Elsworth Julie , McKim Jules
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– Following the development of the post of Trust Intensive Interaction Co-ordinator, it was decided to assess the state of provision of Intensive Interaction within the social care provision of an NHS Trust in the South of England. The purpose of this paper is to: map strengths and weaknesses of current provision; identify successful provision; identify obstacles to successful provision or factors associated with the maintenance of provision throughout the organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

– Feedback after training sessions offered by the Trust Intensive Interaction Co-ordinator was reviewed; data about teams supporting people needing Intensive Interaction was analysed to ensure the recommended number of people within a team had received training; opinions of managers and support workers on the provision of Intensive Interaction were gathered.

Findings

– In total, 96 per cent of Trust employees thought training was right for them; 81 per cent of house teams/services had at least three staff and a manager who had received Intensive Interaction training; three areas of concern were identified from the opinions of managers and support workers: discussion of Intensive Interaction in supervision; responsibility for Intensive Interaction happening; and sharing knowledge of successful Intensive Interaction with those connected to the service user.

Originality/value

– This is one of the first published audits of an Intensive Interaction service. For the Trust, it provides a baseline to allow monitoring of the maintenance of current levels of service provision over time and, following action taken to address areas of concern, whether future provision has been improved.
Narrative therapy in a learning disability context: a review
Authors: McParland James
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– Narrative therapy is aligned with government priorities for learning disabilities as it promotes inclusion and seeks to empower. While research on narrative therapy in learning disability services is emerging, it has not been critically evaluated. The purpose of this paper is to identify, summarise and critique the extant literature that has explored narrative therapy for adults with learning disabilities, and consider the implications for research and clinical practice.

Design/methodology/approach

– A literature search identified seven relevant case studies that described individual narrative therapy interventions for adults with learning disabilities. A qualitative review of these studies was carried out.

Findings

– Overall, the reviewed studies offer tentative evidence for the short-term usefulness of narrative therapy for difficulties with anger and qualitative benefits for ritualistic behaviour, social anxiety and stealing behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

– A number of methodological issues are identified, particularly concerning the use of outcome measures and the generalisability of findings. The research is limited due to a reliance on case study evidence and outcome measures that lack validity and reliability. Both larger scale and more robust research, and high quality practice-based evidence, are required.

Practical implications

– Learning disability services could consider providing narrative therapy for people with learning disabilities experiencing anger problems and other psychological difficulties. Clinical practice suggestions are identified, such as choosing relevant metaphors and including the individual’s wider system.

Originality/value

– This paper provides an up-to-date, comprehensive review of the literature on narrative therapy for people with learning disabilities that will be of use to clinicians providing therapeutic support and to people commissioning such services.
It can still happen here: systemic risk factors that may contribute to the continued abuse of people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Marsland Dave , Oakes Peter , Bright Naomi
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the response to the scandal of abuse in services for people with intellectual disabilities in the light of research evidence and analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

– Critical reflection and review of literature. In particular, recent research into possible indicators that a service is at risk of becoming abusive is used to test the hypotheses and implied solutions that are currently being adopted.

Findings

– That some of the responses to recent scandals are necessary but not sufficient to prevent future harm. Furthermore, some of the proposed solutions may actually increase the likelihood of further abuse. Prevention of abuse requires a broader and more evidence-based response.

Originality/value

– The synthesis of research and analysis presented here has not been presented previously in the published literature.
Family with MSH2 mutation presenting with keratoacanthoma and precancerous skin lesions
Authors: Hatta Naohito , Takata Akiko , Ishizawa Shin , Niida Yo
Published: June 2015

Muir–Torre syndrome (MTS) is a familial cancer syndrome characterized by a predisposition to keratoacanthoma (KA) and sebaceous tumors. Although MTS and hereditary non‐polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) share the same genetic alterations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes, the other skin lesions in MTS or HNPCC have been only rarely reported. We report a family with an MSH2 mutation c.1126_1127delTT (p.Leu376Thrfs*12). A 46‐year‐old male proband developed KA with sebaceous differentiation, colon cancer and gastric cancer, and fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for MTS. His 80‐year‐old mother, diagnosed with HNPCC, presented with multiple gastrointestinal tract cancers, Bowen's disease and actinic keratosis. Immunostaining revealed attenuated MSH2 protein expression in KA, as well as in Bowen's disease and actinic keratosis lesions. These findings suggest that MMR gene abnormality is also critical in the development of benign or malignant cutaneous tumors such as actinic keratosis and Bowen's disease in MTS/HNPCC patients.
Imbalance of T‐helper 17 and regulatory T cells in patients with alopecia areata
Authors: Han Yu‐Mei , Sheng You‐Yu , Xu Feng , Qi Si‐Si , Liu Xiao‐Jing , Hu Rui‐Ming , Miao Ying , Huang Gui‐Qin , Yang Qin‐Ping
Published: June 2015

There is mounting evidence that T helper (Th)17 cells and regulatory T cells (Treg) play parts in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. Hence, levels of these T‐cell subsets in patients with alopecia areata (AA) merit investigation. Our goal was to assess Th17 and Treg levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and scalp lesions of patients with AA, correlating the findings with clinical characteristics. PBMC of 177 patients with AA (test group) and 42 healthy controls and scalp tissues of 33 patients and 15 healthy controls were collected. Levels of Th17 and Treg subsets were then determined via flow cytometry and immunohistochemical staining, correlating results in test subjects with clinical features of AA. Th17 levels were significantly higher in patients, whereas Treg levels were lower by comparison. Furthermore, Th17 levels in patients with disease of short duration or in the active phase were significantly higher, relative to their respective counterparts. Th17 levels also negatively correlated with disease duration. While Treg levels were higher in severe AA than in mild AA. Results of lesions were parallel to findings of PBMC. Our data indicates an imbalance in the immune state of patients with AA.