bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of initial‐trust‐image on shopper trust and patronage intentions
Authors: Kaul Subhashini , Sahay Arvind , Koshy Abraham
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of “initial” store image in a new store. Existing research affords limited explanation of how shopper trust in store is formed prior to store visits and regarding the impact of “initial” store image on shopper trust and patronage intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Specifically, this paper operationalizes “trust‐image” of a new store as an antecedent to shopper trust; uses a multidimensional conceptualization for “trust‐image” which is similar to the existing tripartite view of “trustworthiness”; and examines the effect of store visit on perceived salience of trust‐image. The laboratory experiment has four scenarios that manipulate store image as positive/negative, and store visit by a “close friend” who is the source of trust‐image as none/one.

Findings

This is possibly the first empirical evidence supporting the significance of trust‐image in influencing shopper trust and patronage intentions of a new store. Contrary to existing theory, store “dependability” is not really significant for Indian apparel retail consumers at initial stages of store visits.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is needed to examine which image dimensions contribute to formation of trust‐image across different products, age groups, and gender.

Practical implications

Retailers planning a foray into India need to understand that store “trust‐image” needs significant attention for a new store and also that Indian shoppers evaluate stores differently.

Originality/value

While the association between store image and patronage is well known, there is limited knowledge of trust‐image formation in a new store. This paper explodes the existing belief that store dependability is the first stage evaluation by shoppers bringing to light that Indian shoppers are unique in their experience of trust.
Green, lean, and global supply chains
Authors: Mollenkopf Diane , Stolze Hannah , Tate Wendy L. , Ueltschy Monique
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship among green, lean, and global supply chain strategies as found in the literature, with emphasis on the concurrent implementation of these three strategic initiatives, in order to develop a research agenda to guide theoretically based future research that informs managerial decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature review is conducted to examine research and practice with respect to the concurrent implementation of green, lean, and global supply chain strategies.

Findings

An in‐depth examination of the literature revealed drivers, barriers, converging, and contradictory points across the three supply chain strategies. Future research opportunities fall into four major themes: the need for theoretically grounded research, the need for a multi‐functional approach, the need for a systems approach that adds strategic insight, and the need for integrated measurement application. Managerial aspects are highlighted in the discussion of the metrics across the three strategic interfaces and integrated life cycle management is suggested as a framework for measurement application across the three supply chain strategies.

Originality/value

Separate literature streams have arisen to address issues in green, lean, and global supply chain management, but research has largely neglected the intersection of these three strategies practiced by multinational organizations. The current research synthesizes the literature addressing the intersections of green, lean, and global supply chain management, and suggests a research agenda to redress gaps in the literature.
Product‐level carbon auditing of supply chains
Authors: McKinnon Alan C.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

Interest in product‐level carbon auditing and labelling has been growing in both business and government circles. The purpose of this paper is to examine the practical problems and costs associated with highly disaggregated analyses of greenhouse gas emissions from supply chains. It then weighs these problems and costs against the potential benefits of the carbon labelling of products.

Design/methodology/approach

The views expressed in this paper are based on a review of relevant literature, informal discussions with senior managers and personal experience with the practices being investigated.

Findings

Stock‐keeping unit‐level carbon auditing of supply chains and the related carbon labelling of products will be fraught with difficulty and very costly. While simplification of the auditing process, the use of data inventories and software support may assist these processes, the practicality of applying them to all consumer products seems very doubtful. The resulting benefits to companies and consumers are also highly questionable. The main conclusion, therefore, is that product‐level carbon auditing and labelling is a “wasteful distraction” and that it would be better to devote management time and resources to other decarbonisation initiatives.

Research limitations/implications

To date relatively few firms have carbon audited their supply chains at a product level and so industrial experience is limited. Market research on the likely behavioural response to carbon labelling is also at an early stage. There is sufficient evidence available, however, to conduct an initial critique of product level carbon auditing and labelling.

Practical implications

Some companies and government agencies should reconsider their plans for the carbon labelling of products.

Originality/value

This is the first paper in the logistics/supply chain literature to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this new form of carbon footprinting and labelling. It is intended to stimulate debate among logistics academics and practitioners.
Comparative analysis of the carbon footprints of conventional and online retailing
Authors: Edwards Julia B. , McKinnon Alan C. , Cullinane Sharon L.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the carbon intensity of “last mile” deliveries (i.e. deliveries of goods from local depots to the home) and personal shopping trips.

Design/methodology/approach

Several last mile scenarios are constructed for the purchase of small, non‐food items, such as books, CDs, clothing, cameras and household items. Official government data, operational data from a large logistics service provider, face‐to‐face and telephone interviews with company managers and realistic assumptions derived from the literature form the basis of the calculations. Allowance has been made for home delivery failures, “browsing” trips to the shops and the return of unwanted goods.

Findings

Overall, the research suggests that, while neither home delivery nor conventional shopping has an absolute CO2 advantage, on average, the home delivery operation is likely to generate less CO2 than the typical shopping trip. Nevertheless, CO2 emissions per item for intensive/infrequent shopping trips by bus could match online shopping/home delivery.

Research limitations/implications

The number of items purchased per shopping trip, the choice of travel mode and the willingness to combine shopping with other activities and to group purchases into as few shopping trips or online transactions as possible are shown to be critical factors. Online retailers and home delivery companies could also apply measures (e.g. maximising drop densities and increasing the use of electric vehicles) to enhance the CO2 efficiency of their logistical operations and gain a clearer environmental advantage.

Practical implications

Both consumers and suppliers need to be made more aware of the environmental implications of their respective purchasing behaviour and distribution methods so that potential CO2 savings can be made.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights into the carbon footprints of conventional and online retailing from a “last mile” perspective.
Incorporating impoverished communities in sustainable supply chains
Authors: Hall Jeremy , Matos Stelvia
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore recent calls to include social and environmental considerations in supply chains by analyzing the sourcing of raw materials from impoverished communities to reduce environmental impacts and social exclusion in biofuels production.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study methodology based on interviews and focus groups with supply chain members and other stakeholders is conducted in Brazil, a major biofuels producer and user. Two supply chain cases, fuel ethanol and biodiesel, illustrate the challenges of recent government policies and industry attempts to improve sustainability within the supply chain.

Findings

Although government and industry recognize the importance of providing opportunities for impoverished communities in biofuels supply chains, there remain considerable pressures to economize at the expense of sustainable supply chain policies. Sourcing from impoverished farmers who lack basic business knowledge, and distrust industry and government policy, compound these challenges.

Research limitations/implications

While sustainability research now emphasizes the importance of considering interactions among economic, environmental, and social parameters, little is known about integrating poorly educated, impoverished farmers within supply chains. Basic business education is needed, and further research should explore entrepreneurial dynamics within impoverished communities.

Practical implications

Supply chain managers should acquire skills for engaging with impoverished farmers lacking formal education. Cooperatives can bridge knowledge asymmetries between buyers and suppliers, but will require support from industry if sustainable supply chain policies are to succeed.

Originality/value

Most sustainable supply chain scholars acknowledge the importance providing opportunities for impoverished communities, but few have explored how potential entrepreneurs from impoverished communities can participate as productive supply chain members.
The burdens of ownership: reasons for preferring renting
Authors: Moeller Sabine , Wittkowski Kristina
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify and assess the importance of proposed determinants of the growing consumer preference for renting consumer goods, as opposed to the actual transfer of ownership.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a qualitative preliminary study and a literature review, six factors are identified as possible determinants of a preference for non‐ownership modes of consumption. These are examined in a quantitative study using a sample of 461 members of a German online peer‐to‐peer sharing network. Hypotheses regarding the proposed determinants are tested using factor analysis and structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results show that the demand for non‐ownership services is negatively influenced by “possession importance” (the importance that a consumer attaches to full ownership) and positively influenced by “trend orientation” and “convenience orientation”. The other proposed determinants – “experience orientation”, “price consciousness”, and “environmentalism” do not appear to influence a preference for non‐ownership modes of consumption.

Practical implications

Although the renting of goods is an increasingly popular form of consumption, consumers still value ownership. Suppliers should therefore consider offering a mixture of “ownership” and “non‐ownership” modes of consumption to their customers.

Originality/value

This study complements existing research in this area, which has largely been conceptual in nature, by undertaking an empirical evaluation of the importance of several proposed determinants for non‐ownership preference.
Making the most of a workforce on the move
Authors: Short Tom
Published: March 2010

Purpose

Considers the training and development challenges surrounding people who have elected to seek work in a country other than their own.

Design/methodology/approach

Draws on case‐study research conducted in New Zealand, together with relevant literature and focus‐group findings.

Findings

Argues that more should be done to recognize the prior learning of workers who have voluntarily moved from their previous job and seek to integrate into a new environment.

Practical implications

Suggests that HR specialists need to get better at recognizing and evaluating the training needs and skills of voluntarily displaced people.

Social implications

Argues that the extent to which people feel “in place” with their work environment has profound implications for engagement and well‐being; gaining full recognition for prior learning may be especially important to voluntarily displaced workers.

Originality/value

Helps HR specialists and managers to think differently about dealing with displaced workers.
In search of excellence: spiritual training program and junior managers' counterproductive work behavior in China
Authors: Han Yong , Lu Xiaozhi , Li Zhaozhong
Published: March 2010

Purpose

Describes an organizational spiritual‐development program run for junior managers at the giant Guangxi State Farm Agriculture Group (SFAG).

Design/methodology/approach

Draws on the inside information of the author, who is a course tutor, and some of his trainees.

Findings

Reports how the program can help junior managers to avoid “counterproductive workplace behaviour” and find greater meaning in their work.

Practical implications

Reveals how the course can help to promote: honest, warm and harmonious relationships in the workplace; loyalty to the company and social sanctions against employees who try to undermine their colleagues and sabotage production; participation in the cultural life of the organization; and a more unified enterprise spirit.

Social implications

Details how the tenets of the course chime with the wider objectives of Chinese society.

Originality/value

Contains a particularly interesting section about two volunteers who, having practised counterproductive workplace behaviors the past (one served a prison sentence for it), now lead discussion groups on the program.
Understanding and transforming organizational security culture
Authors: Lacey David
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the practical issues, techniques and learning points associated with information security awareness and organizational change programmes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on the findings and conclusions of research, observations and projects carried out in large organizations over the last two decades. It highlights failings and critical success factors in contemporary approaches to transform organizational culture. It draws on theory and research from the industrial safety field, and discusses its relevance in the information security field.

Findings

The paper identifies the primary reasons why many contemporary enterprise security awareness programmes are ineffective. It discusses the nature of the problem and solution space, identifying the practical issues and opportunities, and gives recommendations on how future programmes can be improved.

Research limitations/implications

The paper identifies gaps in current research, including the need to confirm whether or not certain findings about incidents in safety field might be applicable to security incidents. It calls for a new approach to information security management that incorporates theory and techniques drawn from psychology and marketing.

Practical implications

The paper is intended to educate students and researchers working in the information security field on issues and techniques associated with information security awareness and organizational change programmes. It also provides practical advice for business organizations on how to design and implement such programmes.

Originality/value

The paper takes a fresh approach to the subject, examining the relevance of theory and techniques adapted from other fields and drawing new conclusions about the requirements and approach for effective information security awareness and organizational change programmes.
Watching the watchers: “voluntary monitoring” of infosec employees
Authors: Whalen Tara , Gates Carrie
Published: March 2010

Purpose

While many papers discuss the privacy implications of workplace monitoring, the purpose of this paper is to describe the positive aspects to voluntary monitoring in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

These aspects were identified through in‐depth qualitative interviews with employees of various organizations chosen for the invasiveness of their monitoring procedures. Specifically, the authors worked with individuals who had high‐level government clearances, working in information security (infosec), who were subjected to comprehensive monitoring both before being employed and during the term of their employment.

Findings

Through these interviews, the paper identifies four positive results of employee monitoring, four procedural issues that affected employee perception of the monitoring, and two secondary aspects that are specific benefits of holding a clearance, as opposed to benefits from the monitoring itself.

Research limitations/implications

The research reported here is gathered from a specific sample: eight participants working at American infosec organizations. Thus, the results may not be widely generalizable to work environments, particularly for employees working in other countries where different monitoring requirements exist.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper is the identification of positive aspects to voluntary monitoring as a condition of employment, the implication of which is that workplace monitoring can be deployed with positive results. The paper also identifies procedural aspects that organizations can address in order to improve employees' experience of being monitored. While preliminary, these results can be used to guide future research directions. Additionally, organizations that require employee monitoring can use these results to strengthen benefits to employees in compensation for their voluntary cooperation.
eBusiness as a driver for regional development
Authors: Beynon‐Davies Paul
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe and explain the case of a major knowledge transfer project conducted over seven years within a region of the UK.

Design/approach

As part of this project a large survey is conducted on an annual basis which aims to track eBusiness adoption amongst small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region and the effects of such adoption upon regional development.

Findings

The paper presents findings from this longitudinal study and discusses these findings in terms of conceptions of eBusiness and the importance of developing more sophisticated instruments for assessing eBusiness maturity amongst SMEs. From the research there is clear evidence of the role of eBusiness adoption as a driver of regional development. The benefits from the initial Opportunity Wales programme are still materializing several years after the completion of the first three years of the seven year project.

Research limitations/implications

This is a study of one region in Europe. Further regional cases are required to support the findings.

Practical implications

The findings should help regional planners and national governments assess the value of eBusiness initiatives.

Originality/value

This paper describes the case of a programme funded by the European Union involved with the transfer of eBusiness knowledge to SMEs conducted over the period April 2001 to September 2007 within a major region of the UK. The scope of the research project and its longitudinal nature make the study original.
Improving ASR performance using context‐dependent phoneme models
Authors: Husni Husniza , Jamaludin Zulikha
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present evidence of the need to have a carefully designed lexical model for speech recognition for dyslexic children reading in Bahasa Melayu (BM).

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection is performed to obtain the most frequent reading error patterns and the reading recordings. Design and development of the lexical model considers the errors for better recognition accuracy.

Findings

It is found that the recognition accuracy is increased to 75 percent when using context‐dependent (CD) phoneme model and phoneme refinement rule. Comparison between context‐independent phoneme models and CD phoneme model is also presented.

Research limitations/implications

The most frequent errors recognized and obtained from data collection and analysis illustrate and support that phonological deficit is the major factor for reading disabilities in dyslexics.

Practical implications

This paper provides the first step towards materializing an automated speech recognition (ASR)‐based application to support reading for BM, which is the first language in Malaysia.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the knowledge of the most frequent error patterns for dyslexic children's reading in BM and to the knowledge that a CD phoneme model together with the phoneme refinement rule can built up a more fine‐tuned lexical model for an ASR specifically for dyslexic children's reading isolated words in BM.
Performance measurement and management: a literature review and a research agenda
Authors: Taticchi Paolo , Tonelli Flavio , Cagnazzo Luca
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature in the field of performance measurement and management (PMM) for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and large companies and propose a research agenda for the future.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides an update of Neely's work “The evolution of performance measurement research” The literature review has been carried out by using two different methodologies. Citation/co‐citation analysis has been used to explore “performance measurement” (PM) literature, while a chronological review of main frameworks/models developed both for large and small companies is presented in order to highlight “PMM” literature.

Findings

The paper analyzes the literature on the field and carries out the most cited works and the common characteristics of them based on the key words used. The results of the literature review reveal a certain maturity of the literature related to large companies and a significant lack of PMM literature for SMEs. Finally the paper argues the development and evolution of the research field that is now entering a phase of new directions. These new directions can be conceptualized in three ways – by context, by theme and by challenge.

Research limitations/implications

The research presented in the paper is limited to work that is referred directly with performance measurement and management. Related research – such as literature on management control and accounting – has not been considered, even if future researches could include it.

Originality/value

The paper extends Neely's work under two dimensions: the research field evolution from 2005 to 2008 and the investigation of the “performance management” dimension. The paper will be valuable to scholars working in the field of business performance measurement and management, interested in the literature evolution and in identifying future areas of research.
Managing without measuring: a study of an electricity distribution company
Authors: Sobótka M. , Platts K.W.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an exception to the common belief “If you can't measure it, you can't manage it”. It aims to show how in certain situations particular practices, attitudes and cultures can remove the need for individual performance measurement.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the paper identifies the usual roles of performance measurement in managing individual employees as described by control and motivation theorists. Second, it identifies a market‐leading organisation where managers deliberately refuse to use their top‐level performance measurement system to manage the performance of individual employees. A case study is carried out to test what non‐measurement mechanisms fulfil the roles of individual performance measurement in this organisation.

Findings

Building on situations observed at this company, a set of possible characteristics of companies that do not require formalised individual performance measurement systems in order to achieve high performance standards is put forward.

Practical implications

Managers should not always assume that individual performance measurement is the only way to achieve excellent performance. This study shows that, by granting responsibilities and providing appropriate support, managers can channel workers' enhanced motivation towards meeting wider organisational goals.

Originality/value

This work broadens the understanding of how excellent performance can be achieved. It shows that excellence can be achieved through practices based on shared values linked to motivation, trust, and a common sense of mission, without the need to install individual performance measurement systems based on cybernetic principles.
Parent‐adolescent interaction and the family's effect on adolescent TV skepticism: an empirical analysis with Turkish consumers
Authors: Bahar Ozdogan F. , Hakan Altintas M.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the moderating effects of parent‐child co‐viewing of TV and parents' discussion of content with children in the context of the family's effect on children's skepticism towards TV advertising.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 296 consumers aged 12 to 16 in Ankara was conducted using a structured questionnaire. Constructs were measured using established scales.

Findings

It was observed that the co‐viewing of advertisements with parents increased the family effect. On the other hand, discussion of advertising with parents reduced the family effect. The conclusion was that parent‐child co‐viewing of advertisements can alter the children's perceptions of advertisements through personal assessments.

Research limitations/implications

This is an exploratory study and has limited generalizability as it has been conducted solely in one city, Ankara, Turkey. Any further research should include perspectives from other cities in Turkey and from other countries. In addition, frequency of TV viewing has not been taken into account. Further research could investigate gender differences and cohort effects on the issues investigated in this study.

Practical implications

The design of advertisements should include perceptions of both parents and children in order to convey meaningful messages in advertising. Furthermore, advertisers should take into account the ecology of viewing in the household where Turkish people in extended families view TV commercials.

Originality/value

Although the issue of adolescents and advertising is widely explored in the USA, there has been limited investigation on adolescents' receptivity to advertising in other cultures. Although it is likely that some aspects of adolescent consumer behavior are universal across cultures, studies such as that documented in this paper provide opportunities to investigate what is happening in different settings.
How packaging affects the product preferences of children and the buyer behaviour of their parents in the food industry
Authors: Ogba Ike‐Elechi , Johnson Rebecca
Published: March 2010

Purpose

Health is becoming an increasingly important issue in the UK as well as the rest of Europe. Emphasis on the importance of healthy eating is ongoing for many reasons, including the growing concern about childhood obesity resulting in the ban of advertising of unhealthy foods to children in the UK in April 2007. However, although legislation has been placed upon the advertising of unhealthy food products, no such restrictions have been placed on the packaging of children's foods despite the influence of packaging on consumer buyer decisions. This paper aims to investigate the effect of packaging on children's product preferences and its ability to influence parents' buyer decision in‐store.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was approached from the parents' rather than the children's perspective. A quantitative approach was adopted in data collection, using a 28 item Likert scaled questionnaire administered to 150 parents, with over 95 percent response rate.

Findings

The study shows that packaging does affect the product preferences of children. Also, children are particularly interested in influencing the purchase of unhealthy foods. However, parents within the study claimed that they did not succumb to their children's requests for the purchase of unhealthy food, which contradicts evidence from previous findings.

Research limitations/implications

The claim by parents that they did not succumb to their children's requests for unhealthy food contradicts findings from previous research. This therefore leads to a recommendation for further studies as social desirability bias may have influenced the outcomes of the findings.

Practical implications

Findings from this study can be applied within the retail and service marketing sector to provide the practitioner with information relevant to decision making on children's influence on parents buyer behavior in‐store. Outcomes of the study are also important when considering the future of children's food marketing and tackling the issue of childhood obesity.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that there is a relationship between packaging and children product preferences and children's influence on parents' buyer decision in‐store.
Affordable homeownership policy
Authors: Phang Sock‐Yong
Published: March 2010

Purpose

Affordable homeownership is a policy that is often accorded a great deal of policy attention by governments of many countries. This paper aims to examine the market implications of setting a housing price to income ratio target for a market segment by the government.

Design/methodology/approach

The policy requires active intervention by the government with regard to the targeted sector. The paper uses a simple model of the housing market with a homeownership affordability target to derive the market implications of such targets.

Findings

In the presence of uncertainty and resource constraints, the objective of homeownership affordability is achieved for the targeted group at the expense of greater volatility in residential construction activity. When the size of the targeted sector is significant in size, there are spillover price and crowding out effects on the non‐targeted housing market segment.

Research limitations/implications

This results in political pressure on the government to expand homeownership affordability targets to increasing segments of the population. Housing price to income ratios tend to be fairly constant over time and across targeted groups, the housing supply is relatively price inelastic and the income elasticity of housing demand is less than one.

Practical implications

The Singapore government intervenes extensively in the housing sector to ensure homeownership affordability, with a resulting homeownership rate of 91 percent for the resident population. The above hypotheses regarding the implications of setting housing price to income ratio targets are tested using the Singapore housing market.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the literature by analyzing the market implications of setting homeownership affordability targets in the context of a targeted housing segment.
Corporate social responsibility communication in the Indian context
Authors: Planken Brigitte , Sahu Subrat , Nickerson Catherine
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate corporate social responsibility (CSR) platforms and the communication surrounding those platforms in India. It seeks to establish the CSR platforms that are typically used, together with stakeholder attitudes to both the form and content of those platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper refers to both primary and secondary sources of data, i.e. a survey of internet sources and a questionnaire survey.

Findings

The paper shows that the Indian corporations surveyed pursue a primarily philanthropic platform with a focus on community development projects, as predicted by previous studies. It also indicates, however, that Indian consumers may not value philanthropic CSR as highly as other CSR initiatives and that this may in turn influence their attitudes to different marketing communication strategies.

Practical implications

The paper suggests ways in which Indian corporations may formulate the form and content of their CSR policies in the future within a marketing strategy in order to influence their stakeholders positively and increase their competitive advantage.

Originality/value

The paper provides an innovative approach to investigating the consequences of how Indian corporations communicate their CSR policies to their stakeholders. It suggests a number of fruitful areas of enquiry with direct implications for Indian business in the future.
Financial risk management and enterprise value creation
Authors: Wang Peng‐fei , Li Shi , Zhou Jian
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore whether financial risk management (FRM) can improve enterprise value in China's current economic environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model is constructed which decomposes firms by different combinations expressed by cash flow and risk scale. Then, regression testing is conducted, taking the non‐ferrous metal industry in Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges (2002‐2008) as the sample, and using the fixed effects model.

Findings

The results support the hypothesis that risk management can raise enterprise value. It is also found that risk management behavior has different representations among firms with different characteristics.

Originality/value

This paper has modified Boyer's mean‐variance model and then testified to the effectiveness of FRM. It also explores the influence of enterprise characteristics on the efficiency of risk management, providing some theoretic support for China's enterprises, which could borrow ideas from successful experience.
Removing the necessity of simplifications in large‐scale portfolio selection and implications to Chinese portfolio theory and management
Authors: Qi Yue , Peng Xiaofeng , Li Ming
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue that simplifications of portfolio selection may no longer be necessary, based on computational advancements of portfolio theory and powerful computers.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the paper reviews the two branches of portfolio optimization and second, presents the results of large‐scale portfolio selection, based on exhaustive sampling in China. Some speedy results support removing the simplification.

Findings

The paper finds that for some simplification techniques, the results of simplified models and original models are quite alike, while for other techniques, the results are strikingly distinctive. Moreover, the performance of portfolio optimizers varies from being instantly fast to being unbearably slow, so it pays to be picky.

Originality/value

This paper reports for large‐scale portfolio selection the results of kinds of software and this alone makes the paper unique. Based on the leading software and exhaustive sampling in China, for the first time the difference between the original and simplified models is studied.
Determinants of customers' complaint intention
Authors: Jin LiYin
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated model to comprehensively understand the determinants of customers' intention to complain to firms and their effects on complaint intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopted a systematic sampling method and carried out surveys in department stores, large supermarkets, and convenience stores in China. The structural equation model was employed to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that perceived value, perceived likelihood of successful complaint and the attitude toward complaining, all have significant effects on the complaint intention. Also, consumer discontent, prior experience of complaining and controllability are analyzed as the antecedents.

Practical implications

The results indicate that firms should encourage customers to complain by raising the complaining value and the likelihood of successful complaint, and by intensifying their attitude toward complaining.

Originality/value

The research findings extend the existing theoretical models and shed light on the complicated structural relationship among various factors that affect customers' tendency to complain directly with a more holistic viewpoint to better understand customers' complaint‐making behavior.
DNMT1 and DNMT3b silencing sensitizes human hepatoma cells to TRAIL‐mediated apoptosis via up‐regulation of TRAIL‐R2/DR5 and caspase‐8
Authors: Kurita Satoshi , Higuchi Hajime , Saito Yoshimasa , Nakamoto Nobuhiro , Takaishi Hiromasa , Tada Shinichiro , Saito Hidetsugu , Gores Gregory J. , Hibi Toshifumi
Published: March 2010

DNA methylation plays a critical role in chromatin remodeling and gene expression. DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are hypothesized to mediate cellular DNA methylation status and gene expression during mammalian development and in malignant diseases. In this study, we examined the role of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and DNMT3b in cell proliferation and survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Gene silencing of both DNMT1 and DNMT3b by targeted siRNA knockdown reduces cell proliferation and sensitizes the cells to tumor necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL)‐mediated cell death. The proapoptotic protein caspase‐8 demonstrated promoter hypermethylation in HCC cells and was up‐regulated by knockdown of DNMT1 and DNMT3b both at mRNA and protein levels. In addition, death receptor TRAIL‐R2/DR5 (TRAIL receptor 2/death receptor 5) did not exhibit promoter hypermethylation in HCC cells but was also up‐regulated by knockdown of DNMT1 and DNMT3b both at mRNA and protein levels. Consistent with this observation, the combined transfection of DNMT1‐siRNA plus DNMT3b‐siRNA enhanced formation of the TRAIL‐death‐inducing signaling complex formation in HCC cells. In conclusion, our data suggest that DNA methylation of specific genomic regions maintained by DNMT1 and DNMT3b plays a critical role in survival of HCC cells, and a simultaneous knockdown of both DNMT1 and DNMT3b may be a novel anticancer strategy for the treatment of HCC. (Cancer Sci 2010)
Protein interacting with C α kinase 1 (PICK1) is involved in promoting tumor growth and correlates with poor prognosis of human breast cancer
Authors: Zhang Bin , Cao Wenfeng , Zhang Fei , Zhang Lin , Niu Ruifang , Niu Yun , Fu Li , Hao Xishan , Cao Xuchen
Published: March 2010

Protein interacting with C α kinase 1 (PICK1), which interacts with multiple different proteins in a variety of cellular contexts, is believed to play important roles in diverse pathological conditions including cancer. In this study, we attempted to investigate the correlation of PICK1 with clinicopathological features as well as prognosis of human breast cancer. In addition, we aimed at a better understanding of the biological function of PICK1 in breast cancer cell biology. As judged by semi‐ quantitative RT‐PCR and western blotting, PICK1 was overexpressed in tumor cells as compared to adjacent normal epithelia in breast, lung, gastric, colorectal, and ovarian cancer. As judged by immunostaining breast cancer tissue microarrays, high levels of PICK1 expression correlated with shortened span of overall survival (OS). Protein interacting with C α kinase 1 (PICK1) expression seemed to be specifically associated with reduced OS in lymph node‐positive, Her/neu‐2 positive, and the basal‐like type subgroups, respectively. Consistently, the expression of PICK1 correlated with histological grade, lymph node metastasis, Her‐2/neu‐positivity, and triple‐negative basal‐like breast cancer. Protein interacting with C α kinase 1 (PICK1) was not correlated with menopausal status, tumor size, or hormone receptor status. In a complementary study, transfection of MDA‐MB‐231 cells with PICK1 siRNA decreased cell proliferation and colony formation in vitro and inhibited tumorigenicity in nude mice. Our clinical and experimental evidence supports an oncogenic role of PICK1 in human breast cancer. In particular, our data suggest that PICK1 promotes tumor cell proliferation. Taken together, PICK1 may serve not only as a marker for poor prognosis, but also as a therapeutic target in breast cancer. (Cancer Sci 2010)
TLR3 induction by anticancer drugs potentiates poly I:C‐induced tumor cell apoptosis
Authors: Taura Manabu , Fukuda Ryosuke , Suico Mary Ann , Eguma Ayaka , Koga Tomoaki , Shuto Tsuyoshi , Sato Takashi , Morino‐Koga Saori , Kai Hirofumi
Published: March 2010

Toll‐like receptor 3 (TLR3) has gained recognition as a novel molecular target for cancer therapy because TLR3 activation by its synthetic ligand poly I:C directly causes tumor cell death. Recently, we reported that tumor suppressor p53 increases the expression of TLR3 in several tumor cell lines. Another study also showed that interferon‐α (IFN‐α) up‐regulates TLR3 expression. We thus hypothesized that various anticancer drugs such as p53‐activating reagents and IFNs may potentiate poly I:C‐induced tumor cell death through the up‐regulation of TLR3 expression. Here, we screened several anticancer drugs that, together with poly I:C, effectively cause tumor cell death in colon carcinoma HCT116 cells. We found that the DNA‐damaging reagent 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) increased TLR3 mRNA expression and potentiated poly I:C‐induced apoptosis in HCT116 p53+/+ cells but had only minimal effect in p53−/− cells, indicating a p53‐dependent pathway. On the other hand, IFN‐α increased poly I:C‐induced apoptosis and the TLR3 mRNA level in HCT116 p53+/+ and p53−/− cell lines. Furthermore, the combination of poly I:C, 5‐FU and IFN‐α induced the highest apoptosis in HCT116 p53+/+ and p53−/− cells. Taken together, these data suggest that the anticancer drugs increased TLR3 expression and subsequently potentiated poly I:C‐induced apoptosis likely via p53‐dependent and ‐independent pathways. Considering that the p53 status in malignant cells is heterogeneous, this combination approach may provide a highly effective tumor therapy. (Cancer Sci 2010)
Retracted: Safety of cardiac surgery without blood transfusion: a retrospective study in Jehovah’s Witness patients
Authors: El Azab S. R. , Vrakking R. , Verhage G. , Rosseel P. M. J.
Published: March 2010

NOTICE OF RETRACTION
 The following article from Anaesthesia, ‘Safety of cardiac surgery without blood transfusion: a retrospective study in Jehovah’s Witness patients’, by El Azab SR, Vrakking R, Verhage [sic] G and Rosseel PMJ, published online in Wiley Online Library (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365‐2044.2009.06232.x/full) on 17 March 2010 and in Volume 65, Number 4, pages 348‐52, has been retracted by agreement between three of the named authors (R Vrakking, G Verhaegh and PMJ Rosseel), the Journal Editor‐in‐Chief, Steve Yentis, and Blackwell Publishing Ltd. The retraction has been agreed following confirmation by the Amphia Hospital Ethics Committee that the study did not have ethical approval as claimed. In addition, the article was written and submitted without the knowledge or consent of R Vrakking, G Verhaegh and PMJ Rosseel. It has not been possible to obtain a response from the corresponding author SR El Azab.
Effect of suxamethonium vs rocuronium on onset of oxygen desaturation during apnoea following rapid sequence induction
Authors: Taha S. K. , El‐Khatib M. F. , Baraka A. S. , Haidar Y. A. , Abdallah F. W. , Zbeidy R. A. , Siddik‐Sayyid S. M.
Published: March 2010

This study investigates the effect of suxamethonium vs rocuronium on the onset of haemoglobin desaturation during apnoea, following rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia. Sixty patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups. Anaesthesia was induced with lidocaine 1.5 mg.kg−1, fentanyl 2 μg.kg−1and propofol 2 mg.kg−1, followed by either rocuronium 1 mg.kg−1(Group R) or suxamethonium 1.5 mg.kg−1(Group S). The third group received propofol 2 mg.kg−1and suxamethonium 1.5 mg.kg−1only (Group SO). The median (IQR [range]) time to reachSpO2of 95% was significantly shorter in Group S (358 (311–373 [215–430]) s) than in Group R (378 (370–393 [366–420]) s; p = 0.003), and shorter in Group SO (242 (225–258 [189–370]) s) than in both Group R (p < 0.001) and Group S (p < 0.001). When suxamethonium is administered for rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia, a faster onset of oxygen desaturation is observed during the subsequent apnoea compared with rocuronium. However, time to desaturation is prolonged whenever lidocaine and fentanyl precede suxamethonium.
YKL‐40 concentrations are not elevated in gestational diabetes
Authors: Schaller Georg , Brix Johanna Maria , Placher‐Sorko Gudrun , Höllerl Florian , Schernthaner Gerit‐Holger , Schernthaner Guntram
Published: March 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (4): 339–343

Background  Gestational diabetes (GDM) is an increasing and common complication of pregnancy. The involvement of inflammatory mechanisms in GDM remains unclear. YKL‐40 is a novel inflammatory marker that has been recently found to be associated with type 2 diabetes. This is the first study to investigate YKL‐40 in GDM.

Material and methods  A total of 58 subjects were included, 28 patients with GDM (BMI 33·2 ± 6·1 kg m‐², 33 ± 6 years) and 30 healthy pregnant controls (BMI 28·4 ± 5·2 kg m‐², 33 ± 4 years; mean ± SD). Standard risk factors for GDM (weight and BMI prior to pregnancy, family history, former GDM, high birthweight offspring) were evaluated. A 2‐h 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) and measurement of YKL‐40 were conducted in gestational week 28 ± 4, as well as 8 weeks after delivery.

Results  YKL‐40 was not different between GDM and controls, neither during (65·8 ± 44·4 vs. 60·3 ± 30·1 ng mL−1), nor after pregnancy (63·4 ± 30·5 vs. 66·9 ± 32·7 ng mL−1). YKL‐40 was correlated with insulin, HOMA and BMI. GDM had higher fasting insulin (14·1 ± 7·4 vs. 8·3 ± 4·3 μU mL−1) and glucose (88 ± 13 – 200 ± 31 – 160 ± 33 vs. 76 ± 10 – 146 ± 37 – 112 ± 28 mg dL−1 for fasting, 1‐ and 2‐h‐concentrations in the oGTT, respectively), higher HbA1c (5·3 ± 0·4 vs. 5·0 ± 0·5%;), HOMA (3·1 ± 1·7 vs. 1·6 ± 0·9), and BMI (33·2 ± 6·1 vs. 28·5 ± 5·2 kg m−2) (means ± SD, all P < 0·01).

Conclusions  No difference in YKL‐40 between GDM and controls suggests similar inflammatory status at the time of measurements. The short duration of metabolic changes during GDM might explain this finding, which is in contrast to results in type 2 diabetes.