bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hierarchy the sectorial performance indicators for Brazilian franchises
Authors: Neuenfeldt Júnior Alvaro Luiz , Siluk Julio Cezar Mairesse , Soliman Marlon , Nara Elpídio Oscar Benitez , Kipper Liane Mahlmann
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the level of importance existing among the indicators that were previously defined for a Performance Measurement Systems (PMS) and are relative to franchises in Brazil, using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology, together with a series of tests, which are responsible by verifying the degree of reliability, robustness and stability of the parameters used and the results obtained. As a result, the author suggests that the diagnosing of the five delimited indicators have different relevance assigned to them.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper reviews extant literatures in Franchise, PMS, Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM), in specific the theory about AHP.

Findings

– The authors found that it was possible justified, for both the relative and the evaluative method, that the I3 was the main point of the system and, as a consequence, be considered as priority when talking about sectorial development of franchises in Brazil. As for the other indicators, even being located in a level lower than I3, they must be taken into contemplation in these measurements, however, with a relatively inferior importance degree.

Practical implications

– It was possible to better comprehend which economics and non-economic factors selected have a more predominance in the Brazilian franchise context, according to characteristics of the companies present.

Originality/value

– The absence of scientific papers that describe the relevance level of the main factors that influence in the Brazilian franchise system.
A process perspective on trust in buyer–supplier relationships. “Calculus”
Authors: AKROUT Houcine
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to show that, within a process perspective, calculus is not only compliant with trust but also that trust forms are integral to its dynamics. Having demonstrated the theoretical bases of compatibility between reputation, economic interest and trust, and the necessary inclusion of a social context in business-to-business (B2B) exchange, this paper proposes a conceptual framework that will enable us to understand a multi-form concept of trust.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach to the topic is one of theoretical analysis and conceptual development.

Findings

– This proposal indicates that the presence of calculus in the earliest stages of exchange relationships gives way to other forms of trust that are more cognitive and affective in nature. The elucidation of the evolutionary nature of trust shows that calculus and trust theory are complementary and provide, respectively, insight for the whole process.

Research limitations/implications

– The presented research by incorporating forms and time dimension adds theoretical insights and produces an incremental step toward better understanding of trust dynamics in industrial and business markets. The main challenge to the proposed model will be the empirical test.

Practical implications

– This conceptualization should help managers understand trust creation better, and provide them with valuable information for understanding the evolution of relationships with suppliers. Segmentation based on relational phases requires tailoring each form of trust strategy, and, hence, accurate identification of a relationship phase could help categorize and subcategorize customers regarding calculative, cognitive or emotional dominant forms of trust.

Originality/value

– The paper contributes to the discussion on how integrative approaches (calculative and non-calculative) improve our understanding of buyer–supplier relationships and promotes the emergence of a coherent vision of trust evolution.
Competitive strategies and their shift to the future
Authors: SALAVOU HELEN E.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– This article aims to describe the valuable work conducted most recently on competitive strategies. Its purpose is to elaborate on suggestions for theorizing the hybrid form of competitive advantage and stimulate the interest of scholars.

Design/methodology/approach

– As this article emphasizes hybrid strategies, both electronic and manual methods have detected 15 studies focusing on competitive strategies and their relation to firm performance from 2000 until today.

Findings

– This article underlines the need to deal more thoroughly with combined-emphasis competitive strategies, which have seriously enhanced Porter’s paradigm, defined in 1980 with three single-emphasis strategic choices. The era in which combining competitive strategies was synonymous with stuck-in-the-middle alternatives has been left behind, and the era in which hybrid strategies suggest the most attractive choices, at least in some circumstances, has already begun.

Originality/value

– This article is one of the few stressing conceptual issues of hybrid strategies that emerged from Porter’s (1980) model. No matter how many years pass by, research on competitive strategies will continue, as it considers businesses of any age, size, sector or country. The global challenge of today is how scholars will revise theory to better capture reality. This article intensifies the need for a theoretical framework embracing the full variety of competitive strategies, namely, single-emphasis, mixed-emphasis, no-distinctive-emphasis and stuck-in-the-middle. Nonetheless, due to their complex and multidimensional nature, hybrid strategies receive particular attention.
Measuring existent intercultural effectiveness in global teams
Authors: Messner Wolfgang
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– Most intercultural frameworks assess intercultural competencies, but global businesses lack instruments to support the feedback loop, that is help project managers answer the question if an effective global team has been formed. The purpose of this paper is to develop and assess a new indicator for measuring the actual effectiveness of intercultural communication and collaboration at the individual and team level, the Mysore InterCultural Effectiveness (MICE) indicator.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on a needs analysis in global businesses, international projects, and review of existing literature, a low-touch self-report indicator was developed. A test run in several international companies with live data obtained from 154 employees helped to validate the indicator using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

– The MICE indicator is based on two scales: first, the effectiveness in interacting and collaborating with foreign counterparts by providing an answer to the question “how I think I am with them;” and second, the satisfaction with appropriateness of communication received from foreign interlocutors and the outcome of the collaboration by answering the question “how I think they are with me.”

Originality/value

– Empirical results indicate that the two scale/six factor model provides a good fit to the data. Using the MICE Indicator, it is now possible for project managers to effectively address shortcomings of intercultural communication skills in their international teams with the right type of intercultural training.
Developing a supplier’s third-party relationships and cooperation in project networks
Authors: Martinsuo Miia , Sariola Rami
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to increase understanding on the emergence of mutually beneficial relationships between component suppliers and third parties in projects, and their interaction practices in the project and potential new services.

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative, exploratory research strategy is employed in the context of construction projects, with construction component manufacturers as the focal component suppliers. In total 22 interviews were conducted with structural engineers and architects as relevant third parties, to discover the specifics of component suppliers’ third-party relationship development in construction projects.

Findings

– The results show the crucial role of third parties in the constructor’s and customer’s decision-making process, and various ways for component suppliers to develop the relationship toward the third parties. The results offer important knowledge about the cooperation between construction component suppliers and third parties and means to increase the centrality of component suppliers in the project network.

Research limitations/implications

– The research was delimited to structural engineers and architects as third parties in construction projects in one country. Further research is encouraged on third-party cooperation in other kinds of project networks, other kinds of third parties, and the various forms of triadic cooperation in project networks.

Practical implications

– The results encourage component suppliers to take a proactive approach in developing relationships with third parties, when strengthening their network position. The paper introduces practical ways in which component suppliers may take action toward generating powerful main contractor-supplier-third-party triads.

Originality/value

– Limited research attention has been directed at third parties and triadic cooperation in project networks. This paper offers important knowledge about the relationship between component suppliers and third parties, particularly in terms of third parties’ expectations and practical initiatives to enhance the relationships.
Performance reporting in Ireland: the ongoing gap between rhetoric and reality
Authors: McGeough Francis
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The annual report is an important means of organisational accountability. In recent years, public sector organisations (PSOs) influenced by New Public Management have been expected to publish performance information which will enable the readers of the annual report to assess how the organisation is doing. The purpose of this paper is to examine the level of performance information published by a range of PSOs in Ireland to verify if the increased emphasis on performance reporting was having an impact on actual reporting by PSOs.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research involved a detailed study of a number of annual reports published by Irish PSOs over two time periods. These organisations had an operational focus and were standalone.

Findings

– The research finds that Irish PSOs publish a reasonable level of performance indicators but most of these indicators are not compared to a target; the majority of organisations do not publish any targets in their annual report. This makes it very difficult for the reader to assess how the organisation is doing. The level of reporting has not improved since the OECD report of 2008.

Originality/value

– The research finds that there is a substantial gap between the rhetoric of reform as set out in official government documentation and the reality of reporting by Irish PSOs. This reduces the level of accountability and raises doubts about the performance and effectiveness of Irish PSOs.
Routes to team goal attainment in retail
Authors: Janhonen Minna , Lindström Sara
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the routes of team goal attainment through individual and social mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is based on a qualitative thematic analysis of interviews, annual reports and observations of team meetings conducted within a Finnish department store.

Findings

– The key findings of our analysis are three fold. First, we identified four routes to team goal attainment: team leadership, one’s own work, customer service and team work. We propose that for team members, these routes to goal attainment are more important than the organizational goals of sales and reputation themselves, since sales and reputation may be too far removed from the team’s everyday work. Second, both individual and social mechanisms are needed for team goal accomplishment. This finding highlights the importance of the social identity perspective in binding individual and collective motivations together. Third, teamwork in our case department store is somewhat affected by non-participative conventions, but many employee-involving practices can also be identified. These employee-involving HRM practices offer the employees a voice, and give the teams and team supervisors sufficient power in work organization.

Research limitations/implications

– The limitations of this study are mostly due to the qualitative case study design which hinders the generalization of the results. The wide perspective of the study can also be seen as a limitation.

Practical implications

– The results suggest that HR professionals and line managers should be more aware of and support the processes through which teams and team members attain organizational goals. This requires detailed knowledge of the processes – routes to team goal attainment – at the shop floor level.

Originality/value

– This study highlights the interconnectedness of individual and team level attributes in retail team work, and proposes the perspective of social identity theory as a lens for analysis.
The expatriate as company leader in the UAE: cultural adaptation
Authors: Al Mazrouei Hanan , Pech Richard J.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to explore the impact of organizational culture, adaptation, political environment and leadership for expatriate managers working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Expatriate leaders on overseas assignment often attempt to transfer their home organization culture to their new location. The subsequent cultural clash can have a destructive impact on both the leader and the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

– Expatriate leaders’ experiences in the UAE were collected through interviews, with a specific focus on cultural adaptation and most effective leadership styles for implementing strategic organizational change.

Findings

– Our research revealed that a consultative style was found to be most effective by expatriate leaders in the UAE. Communication with local staff, team building, motivating staff and involving staff in decision-making were highly effective approaches in assisting expatriate leaders to succeed within their organizational cultures. Several strategies have been identified based on the experiences of the expatriate leaders interviewed in our study.

Practical implications

– The findings offer practical advice for organizational leaders anticipating an assignment in the UAE and human resource management practitioners preparing expatriate leaders for their duties there. The authors also provide suggestions for expatriate leaders to enhance their adjustment to the organizational and political culture.

Originality/value

– Numerous studies have been done on organizational cultural adaptation; however, comparatively little research has been offered on practical organizational adaptation and leadership specific to the UAE.
Innovation strategy in the US: top executives offer their views
Authors: Dobni C. Brooke , Klassen Mark , Nelson W. Thomas
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The USA is the world’s largest economy, but is it a leading innovation nation? As economies mature and slow in growth, innovation will prove to be a key driver in maintaining transient advantage. This article presents a pulse on innovation in the USA as F1000 C-suite executives weigh in on their organization’s innovation health. It also compares the US score with proxy benchmark measures in other countries, and provides operational and strategic considerations to advance innovation platforms in US organizations. Managers will gain insight into common hurdles faced by some of America’s most prominent companies, as well as how to improve innovation practices in their own organization.

Design/methodology/approach

– This current article reports on findings of innovation health in the USA based on responses from 1,127 F1000 executives (manager level and higher). F1000 executives report their innovation culture through completion of an innovation culture model survey developed by the authors. The F1000 is a listing created by Fortune magazine detailing the 1,000 largest companies in the USA based on revenues. This survey is considered one of the largest surveys on innovation culture in the USA to date.

Findings

– One of the leading questions that this survey set out to answer is the current measure of innovation orientation amongst America’s largest organizations. Our findings suggest that US business is just beginning to catch the wave of innovation. Other major findings include: innovation amongst the F1000 is average at best; innovation is random and incremental; innovation strategy is missing in most organizations; there is an executive/employee innovation perception gap; innovation governance is missing; employees can not be blamed for a lack of innovation; and companies that fail to innovate will struggle even more.

Practical implications

– There are a number of operational and strategic considerations presented to support the advancement of innovation in organizations. These include considerations around the leadership, resources, knowledge management and execution to strategically support innovation.

Originality/value

– This is an original contribution in that it uses a scientifically developed model to measure innovation culture. It is the largest survey of innovation to date amongst the US Fortune 1000, and the finding present considerations to advance the innovation agendas of organizations.
Intangibles and national economic wealth – a new perspective on how they are linked
Authors: Ståhle Pirjo , Ståhle Sten , Lin Carol Y.Y.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine to what extent national intangible capital (NIC) explains GDP growth and to assess its impact on GDP formation in different countries. The paper brings a new perspective to explaining hidden economic drivers.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper introduces a new theoretically and computationally justified method, so-called ELSS model that is based on expansion and augmentation of the Cobb-Douglas production function with a wide range of NIC indicators. The method is applied by using the database that contains NIC indices for 48 countries covering the period from 2001 to 2011.

Findings

– The results show that intangible capital accounts for 45 per cent of world GDP. The figure for the USA is 70.3 per cent and for the European Union 51.6 per cent. The Nordic countries stand out with a higher figure at 64.7 per cent, with NIC contributing to 72.5 per cent of GDP in Sweden, 69.7 per cent in Finland and 67.6 per cent in Denmark.

Research limitations/implications

– The expanded Cobb-Douglas production function is sensitive to valuations of capital inputs and sensitive to estimates of production shares for various augmenting and expanding inputs. Therefore further work is needed to develop and test methodologies for the assessment of all of these.

Practical implications

– ELSS production function helps to give a realistic picture of the value and impact of NIC and accordingly gives evidence for accurate investment decisions for the future.

Social implications

– The method will help policy makers figure out what steps are needed to reduce the cross-country NIC differences.

Originality/value

– The authors have uncovered the value of NIC beyond monetary inputs, and at the same time taken account of country specifics. The ELSS formula is comprehensive yet not too complicated to replicate. The approach significantly contributes to the development of the current research tradition into intangibles.
Intellectual capital dimensions: state of the art in 2014
Authors: Ferenhof Helio Aisenberg , Durst Susanne , Zaniboni Bialecki Mariana , Selig Paulo Mauricio
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review extant literature to identify models intended to measure/classify intellectual capital (IC) to establish the current body of knowledge that has been built since the review by Marr et al. (2004).

Design/methodology/approach

– The study consists of a systematic review of peer-reviewed articles on IC classification. The review was conducted for the period 2004-2014 in order to reach the aim. To ensure that all major models are included, important works developed prior to 2004 were captured as well.

Findings

– The review resulted in 83 additional models indicating continued research activities with regard to the topic. These models were merged with prior IC models and mapped on a timeline. The timeline clarifies that 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 represent the years of greatest research activity (outcomes). Additionally, the analysis of the list of IC frameworks resulted in the development of an IC Meta model. It synthesizes research activities in the field and highlights the main IC dimensions and sub-dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

– This study may not have enabled a complete coverage of all existing peer-reviewed articles in the field of IC classification. Yet, it seems reasonable to assume that the review process covered a large proportion of studies available.

Originality/value

– By aggregating and consolidating the IC frameworks covered, the study does not only provide an IC Meta model, but also promising directions for future research.
Using content analysis as a research methodology for investigating intellectual capital disclosure
Authors: Dumay John , Cai Linlin
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to build on Dumay and Cai’s (2014) prior research to provide a deeper analysis of the problems associated with using content analysis (CA) as a research methodology for investigating intellectual capital disclosure (ICD).

Design/methodology/approach

– Totally, 110 articles utilising CA as a research methodology for inquiring into ICD are analysed based on Krippendorff’s (2013) conceptual CA research framework and design logic, and tied into issues relating to CA as a research methodology for investigating ICD.

Findings

– The authors advocate that ICD CA researchers need to go back to the drawing board and ensure that future studies rigorously apply the basic logic of CA design. In its current state, ICD CA research needs to take a few steps back, before it can move forward. If ICD CA researchers can accomplish this, then there is an opportunity to undertake rigorous research to develop reliable and valid outputs that add to new knowledge about IC.

Research limitations/implications

– The main limitations of the research are the chosen sample of CA-based ICD articles and the adoption of the Krippendorff’s framework. However, the authors have identified the main corpus of CA-based ICD studies and since Krippendorff is the only recognised comprehensive text on CA as a methodology, the authors use the most appropriate data and framework possible for the analysis.

Originality/value

– Prior CA studies have laid the foundation for what is a popular research methodology. However, the authors argue that the popularity of CA as a research method for investigating ICD has become so great that at times the research methodology “drives the research questions” as opposed to the “research questions driving the methodology” Hence, this research examines reasons for CA limited contemporary contribution and recommends how this may be overcome rather than prescribing how to conduct ICD CA research.
Intellectual capital in family firms: human capital identification and measurement
Authors: Claver-Cortés Enrique , Zaragoza-Sáez Patrocinio Carmen , Molina-Manchón Hipólito , Úbeda-García Mercedes
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– Based on the literature devoted to family firms and the intellectual capital-based view of the firm, the purpose of this paper is not only to identify the most important human capital intangibles owned by family firms but also to show a number of indicators that can help measure them.

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative case-study-based research approach was adopted taking as reference: 25 family firms belonging to different sectors; previous works existing in the literature; and the intellectus model.

Findings

– The present study identifies ten intangibles associated with the human capital of family firms and shows 60 indicators that can be used to measure them. It additionally provides empirical evidence and gives examples of these intangibles through the analysis of 25 international family firms.

Research limitations/implications

– The difficulty in collecting all the human capital intangibles of family firms; the problems associated with the creation of accurate indicators; and those specific to the research methodology adopted.

Practical implications

– Identifying the human capital intangibles of family firms and their indicators can help managers become aware of their importance, and this will consequently help them improve their management. This could be an interesting starting point to value these intangibles in the balance sheet as well as to draw comparisons between family and non-family organisations.

Originality/value

– The framework provided by family firms sheds light on several intangibles specific to these firms – precisely for their condition as “family” firms. Those intangibles – human capital intangibles being especially highlighted in this study – provide the basis for the achievement of competitive advantages.
Estimating a measure of intellectual capital value to test its determinants
Authors: Goebel Viktoria
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify a measure of intellectual capital (IC) value which offers new research opportunities for empirical investigations and to examine the determinants of IC value.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 4,488 firm years of German companies are investigated to compare three measures of IC value: market-to-book, Tobin’s q, and long-run value-to-book (LRVTB).

Findings

– LRVTB is observed to be the IC value measure with the highest explanatory value. This measure provides an approach to empirically test previously untested hypotheses on IC value. The results on testing determinants of IC value indicate that IC value is positively related to leverage and motivational payments to employees and negatively associated with company size. In contrast, recognised intangible assets, research and development (R
&
D), company age and concentrated ownership show no significant effects.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings on IC value measures contribute to IC research as they offer a way to estimate IC value for testing IC-related hypotheses. The findings on IC determinants have implications for IC management as the relevant determinants can be considered for IC value creation.

Originality/value

– This paper responds to the challenge posed by previous IC research to develop more creative quantitative approaches to estimate IC value (Marr et al., 2003; Mouritsen, 2006) in order to test IC-related hypotheses by innovatively applying a measure from mergers and acquisitions research to IC.
Directors’ remuneration, governance and performance: the case of Malaysian banks
Authors: Lee Siew Peng , Isa Mansor
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between directors’ remuneration and performance and corporate governance in the Malaysian banking sector, using panel data for 21 banks over the period 2003-2011.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use multivariate regression analysis to examine the relationship between directors’ remuneration and performance and corporate governance. The authors also run Granger causality test to determine the existence of causality between directors’ remuneration and performance.

Findings

– The authors find clear evidence of a positive association between directors’ remuneration and performance. Further, the causality test reveals that directors’ remuneration tends to Granger-cause performance. In terms of governance variables, the authors find that directors’ remuneration is positively related to the percentage of independent directors, and negatively related to board size, but unrelated to duality and percentage of director share ownership. The authors also find that remuneration is positively related to bank size and negatively related to capital ratio. The evidence also shows that foreign banks perform better than domestic banks despite the relatively lower pay received by their directors.

Practical implications

– The findings imply that high-quality directors, as implied by their remuneration packages, are a significant determinant of performance.

Originality/value

– The results of this study provide new evidence concerning the relationship between directors’ remuneration and performance in the banking sector in Malaysia.
Property rights institutions and bank performance across countries
Authors: ElKelish Walaa Wahid , Tucker Jon
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the quality of property rights institutions (PRIs) and bank financial performance in an empirical study of 136 countries over the period 1999-2006.

Design/methodology/approach

– The quality of PRIs and financial accounting-based measures of bank performance are obtained from the Economic Freedom of the World Project (Gwartney et al., 2006), the Polity IV Project, the World Bank data indicators database, and the International Monetary Fund. Several multiple regression analyses are conducted to test the study hypotheses.

Findings

– The results reveal that the quality of legal structure and security of PRIs positively (negatively) affects both bank cost efficiency (inefficiency) and profitability. The presence of a quality political structure negatively (positively) affects bank cost efficiency (inefficiency). The quality of political structure has no direct impact on bank profitability. The impact of PRIs on bank cost efficiency is more evident in the upper middle and high income group of countries than in the low and lower middle income group of countries. An appropriate level of PRI quality is essential to achieve both competition and development.

Practical implications

– The paper highlights policy implications for international policy makers, regulators, and the management of banks who are interested in banking sector development across countries.

Originality/value

– The study investigates the fundamental importance of PRI quality in its effect on the banking sector and extends the largely US-focused literature to a broader international setting.
Do call auctions curtail price volatility? Evidence from the National Stock Exchange of India
Authors: Camilleri Silvio John
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate whether call auctions which batch orders for simultaneous execution, may restrain stock market volatility.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use high-frequency data to investigate volatility changes following the suspension of opening and closing call auctions on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India in 1999. The authors evaluate this issue by considering both modelled and realised volatility. Using a GARCH approach the authors model intra-day volatility for the trading days preceding and succeeding the auction suspension. The authors also scrutinise return distributions to look for volatility changes during different parts of the day.

Findings

– When interpreted collectively, the empirical results suggest that the auction suspension was followed by reduced volatility particularly in the middle of the trading day and at the closing.

Practical implications

– Given that auctions are often incorporated in trading systems with the aim of curtailing volatility, the main conclusion, that the auction suspension was followed by lower volatility, has important practical inferences. Auctions cannot be automatically relied on to reduce volatility. The intricacies of the auction protocol and their interaction with ancillary market microstructure features may impact on auction efficacy.

Originality/value

– The paper adopts a novel approach towards assessing the effectiveness of auctions by considering an unusual occurrence of an auction suspension. The empirical setting enables a clear comparison of the respective regimes since these periods do not materially differ in other subsidiary aspects. This is a noteworthy factor, since the empirical contexts considered in prior studies, often feature several simultaneous changes.
Foreign exchange operating exposure and pass-through in a homogeneous product market
Authors: Schnabel Jacques A.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– Operating exposure to foreign exchange risk and exchange rate pass-through are investigated in the context of a Cournot model of equilibrium in a homogeneous product market, i.e. an industry populated by N firms, which compete exclusively on the basis of quantities produced/marketed and where each firm optimizes its decision based on expectations regarding the actions of its rivals that in fact eventuate. Whereas one firm sources its product domestically, the remaining N−1 firms source their product in a foreign country. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– By invoking two simplifying assumptions, namely, constant marginal cost functions and a linear inverted demand curve, and then deriving the Cournot equilibrium, this paper obtains clear implications regarding the effect of a currency devaluation on the competitive positions of the industry’s N constituent firms as well as the pass-through effect on the industry price.

Findings

– The N−1 firms that source the homogeneous product from a foreign country, which experiences a devaluation, gain, while the single competing firm that sources domestically loses, both market share and profit. Formulas are derived which elucidate this intuitive result. The extent of exchange rate pass-through on the resulting equilibrium price is gauged to be incomplete, consistent with extant empirical evidence. As the number of firms increases, the extent of exchange rate pass-through likewise increases, approaching a limiting situation of complete pass-through.

Originality/value

– This paper is the first to examine the issues of exchange rate operating exposure and pass-through in the context of a Cournot model of competition, under the indicated two simplifying assumptions.
A Biomechanical Evaluation of Skull–Brain Surrogates to Blunt High‐Rate Impacts to Postmortem Human Subjects
Authors: Raymond David E. , Bir Cynthia A.
Published: January 2015

The field of forensic injury biomechanics is an emerging field. Biomechanically validated tools may assist interdisciplinary teams of investigators in assessing mechanisms of blunt head trauma resulting in skull fractures. The objective of this study is to assess the biofidelity of spherical, frangible skull–brain (SB) surrogates. Blunt impacts were conducted at 20 m/s, using an instrumented 103 g rigid impactor, to the temporo‐parietal region of four defleshed cephalic postmortem human subjects (PMHS). Force–deformation response, fracture tolerance, and fracture patterns were recorded for comparison to spherical skull–brain surrogates. Three brain substitutes were assessed: 10% gelatin, lead shot with Styrofoam and water. Force–deformation response of the skull–brain surrogates was similar to defleshed PMHS up to the point of fracture; however, none of the surrogates fractured at tolerance levels comparable to the PMHS. Fracture patterns of the skull–brain surrogates were linear and radiating, while PMHS fractures were all depressed, comminuted.
Magnetic resonance imaging for N staging in non‐small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Qin Qin , Li Baosheng , Wang Juan , Zhang Kun
Published: January 2015

Background

Lymph node staging in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is essential for deciding appropriate treatment. This study systematically reviews the literature regarding the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in lymph node staging of patients with NSCLC, and determines its pooled sensitivity and specificity.

Methods

PubMed and Embase databases and the Cochrane library were used to search for relevant studies. Two reviewers independently identified the methodological quality of each study. A meta‐analysis of the reported sensitivity and specificity of each study was performed.

Results

Nine studies were included. These studies had moderate to good methodological quality. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LR+), negative likelihood ratio (LR−) and diagnosis odds ratio (DOR) for per‐patient based analyses (7 studies) were 74%, 90%, 7.5, 0.26, and 36.7, respectively, and those for per‐lymph node based analyses (5 studies) were 77%, 98%, 42.24, 0.21, and 212.35, respectively. For meta‐analyses of quantitative short time inversion recovery imaging (STIR) and diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), pooled sensitivity and specificity were 84% and 91%, and 69% and 93%, respectively. Pooled LR+ and pooled LR− were 8.44 and 0.18, and 8.36 and 0.36, respectively. The DOR was 56.29 and 27.2 respectively.

Conclusion

MRI showed high specificity in the lymph node staging of NSCLC. Quantitative STIR has greater DOR than quantitative DWI. Large, direct, and prospective studies are needed to compare the diagnostic power of STIR versus DWI; consistent diagnostic criteria should be established.
Salivary interleukin‐6 in the detection of oral cancer and precancer
Authors: Panneer Selvam Niranzena , Sadaksharam Jayachandran
Published: January 2015

Aim

Oral cancer is a major health concern in many parts of the world. Despite its low survival rates, when detected early or in the precancer stage, it can drastically increase the survival rates. This strongly supports the need for sensitive biomarkers to perk up early detection of oral cancers. The aim of the study is to estimate whether salivary interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) can be used as a molecular marker to diagnose leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Methods

The sample of 75 cases was divided into three groups of 25 patients each: group I: oral leukoplakia; group II: OSCC; group III: control group. Saliva samples were collected by simple drooling method and the concentration of IL‐6 was determined by using ELISA (enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay) technique.

Results

When the concentration of salivary IL‐6 among the three groups was compared, the results were statistically significant (“P” value <0.001).

Conclusion

The increase in salivary IL‐6 in leukoplakia and OSCC might point out its local production by the tumor cells. The difference in its levels between these two lesions might indicate the progression of precancer to cancer. Further longitudinal studies with increased sample size are needed to substantiate the utility of salivary IL‐6 as diagnostic or prognostic marker for oral cancer and precancer.
Natural Rights, Human Rights, and Libertarianism
Authors: Block Walter E.
Published: January 2015

The present article is devoted to developing a libertarian understanding of whether natural rights may or may not underpin human rights and, if so, how. Libertarianism is first defined in terms of the nonaggression principle (NAP), in answer to the question “What is the proper use of force?” This provides a basis for the libertarian positions on property rights, taxation, and many other issues, including human rights. Various philosophical rationales for the NAP are explored, including utilitarianism, religion, and natural rights. The basis of human rights is then examined. Every ethical tradition supports the nonaggression principle, which makes it an ideal candidate for the fundamental basis of human rights. Unfortunately, other traditions expand upon human rights by adding “positive” rights that ultimately violate the NAP. The conclusion takes up the application of libertarian principles to three issues, which could be viewed as human rights questions: discrimination, abortion, and the “trolley problem.” The last one involves taking one life to save many others.
Natural Rights: Henry George and the Economic Fruits of a Good Society
Authors: Dawsey James M.
Published: January 2015

This article examines Henry George's understanding of how natural rights grow out of a just society. His views were influenced by the 17th‐century proponents of natural rights, but cannot be subsumed under them. The connection of freedom to obligation affirmed by George's classical Protestantism allowed him to overcome tension between theories of natural law and natural rights. Rights and responsibilities were not abstractions for George. His practical solution for restructuring society offers a modern path to a more just society in which rights would abound.
The Role of Biventricular Pacing in the Prevention and Therapy of Pacemaker‐Induced Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Guglin Maya , Barold S. Serge
Published: January 2015

Right ventricular (RV) pacing produces well‐known long‐term deleterious effects not only on already compromised, but also on the normal left ventricle (LV). The activation pattern mimicks that of left bundle branch block, with delayed activation of the LV free wall, and results in electrical and mechanical dyssynchrony. Long‐term mandatory (100%) RV pacing, increases LV dimensions and decreases the ejection fraction. Many of these negative effects of pacing can be overcome by biventricular pacing. In this review, we describe the characteristics of pacemaker‐induced cardiomyopathy, its incidence, and the use of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) for its therapy and prevention. The gaps in the current organizational guidelines for using CRT in the treatment of bradycardia are identified, and goals for future research are discussed.
Advances in understanding the pathogenesis of systemic anaplastic large cell lymphomas
Authors: Boi Michela , Zucca Emanuele , Inghirami Giorgio , Bertoni Francesco
Published: January 2015

The currently used 2008 World Health Organization classification recognizes two types of systemic anaplastic large T cell lymphoma according to ALK protein expression in tumour cells. First, the ‘anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK positive’ (ALK+ ALCL) that is characterized by the presence of ALK gene rearrangements and consequent ALK protein expression, and, second, the ‘anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK negative’ (ALK− ALCL) that is a provisional entity lacking ALK protein expression but cannot be distinguished morphologically from ALK+ ALCL. In this review we summarize the current knowledge on the genetic lesions and biological features that underlie the pathogenesis of ALK+ and the ALK− ALCL and that can lead to the use of targeted anti‐cancer agents.
In vivo imaging models of bone and brain metastases and pleural carcinomatosis with a novel human EML4‐ALK lung cancer cell line
Authors: Nanjo Shigeki , Nakagawa Takayuki , Takeuchi Shinji , Kita Kenji , Fukuda Koji , Nakada Mitsutoshi , Uehara Hisanori , Nishihara Hiroshi , Hara Eiji , Uramoto Hidetaka , Tanaka Fumihiro , Yano Seiji
Published: January 2015

EML4‐ALK lung cancer accounts for approximately 3–7% of non‐small‐cell lung cancer cases. To investigate the molecular mechanism underlying tumor progression and targeted drug sensitivity/resistance in EML4‐ALK lung cancer, clinically relevant animal models are indispensable. In this study, we found that the lung adenocarcinoma cell line A925L expresses an EML4‐ALK gene fusion (variant 5a, E2:A20) and is sensitive to the ALK inhibitors crizotinib and alectinib. We further established highly tumorigenic A925LPE3 cells, which also have the EML4‐ALK gene fusion (variant 5a) and are sensitive to ALK inhibitors. By using A925LPE3 cells with luciferase gene transfection, we established in vivo imaging models for pleural carcinomatosis, bone metastasis, and brain metastasis, all of which are significant clinical concerns of advanced EML4‐ALK lung cancer. Interestingly, crizotinib caused tumors to shrink in the pleural carcinomatosis model, but not in bone and brain metastasis models, whereas alectinib showed remarkable efficacy in all three models, indicative of the clinical efficacy of these ALK inhibitors. Our in vivo imaging models of multiple organ sites may provide useful resources to analyze further the pathogenesis of EML4‐ALK lung cancer and its response and resistance to ALK inhibitors in various organ microenvironments.
Association of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor and human leucocyte antigen-Cw gene combinations with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Hou Y , Zhang C , Xu D , Sun H
Published: January 2015

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are a diverse family of activating and inhibitory receptors expressed on natural killer (NK) cells and T cells, the genes of which show extreme polymorphism. Some KIRs bind to human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I subgroups, and genetic interactions between KIR genes and their ligand HLA have been shown to be associated with several autoimmune diseases. The present study aimed to investigate whether the combinations of KIR genes and HLA-Cw ligands associate with the susceptibility of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Polymerase chain reaction using sequence-specific primers was used to determine the genotypes of KIR genes and HLA-Cw alleles. We found that the frequencies of HLA-Cw07 were statistically significantly higher in the patient group than those in the control group (P = 0·009). KIR2DS1+HLA−CwLys was more common in subjects with SLE compared to control subjects (P = 0·015). In addition, the frequency of KIR2DS1 was increased in SLE when KIR2DL1/HLA-Cw are absent, and the difference was significant (P = 0·001). KIR genotype and HLA ligand interaction may potentially influence the threshold for NK (and/or T) cell activation mediated through activating receptors, thereby contributing to the pathogenesis of SLE.
The optimal therapy of calcineurin inhibitors for pregnancy in kidney transplantation
Authors: Kim Hyosang , Jeong Jong Cheol , Yang Jaeseok , Yang Won Seok , Ahn Curie , Han Duck Jong , Park Jung Sik , Park Su‐Kil
Published: January 2015

We investigated the effects of pregnancy and delivery on renal function in transplant recipients and the relationship between doses of immunosuppressants and blood drug levels during pregnancy in 75 women with 88 deliveries. Significant serum creatinine elevation (> 0.5 mg/dL) was found in eight deliveries. In the remaining 80 cases, serum creatinine was reduced by an average of 0.14 mg/dL and returned to pre‐pregnant levels after delivery. Tacrolimus was used in 28 deliveries and cyclosporine in others. Tacrolimus blood trough level declined from 5.8 ± 2.8 ng/mL 12 months before delivery to 4.2 ± 1.8 ng/mL at second trimester; therefore, drug dose was increased from 4.1 ± 1.9 mg/d at first trimester to 5.5 ± 2.5 mg/d at delivery. Similarly, cyclosporine levels were 125.1 ± 65.1 ng/mL 12 months before delivery and 75.4 ± 35.0 ng/mL at second trimester resulting in dose elevation from 183.0 ± 71.8 mg/d at first trimester to 225.4 ± 85.1 mg/d at delivery. Renal function in female kidney transplant recipients improved slightly during pregnancy and returned to pre‐pregnant level after delivery. The dose elevation of calcineurin inhibitor by approximately 20–25% should be considered during gestational period to maintain optimal blood drug level.