bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pseudoxanthobacter liyangensis sp. nov., isolated from dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane-contaminated soil
Authors: Liu Xiao-Mei , Chen Kai , Meng Chao , Zhang Long , Zhu Jian-Chun , Huang Xing , Li Shun-Peng , Jiang Jian-Dong
Published: July 2014

An aerobic, Gram-stain negative, pale, rod-shaped, nitrogen-fixing bacterial strain, DDT-3T, was isolated from dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane-contaminated soil in Liyang, PR China. Strain DDT-3T grew at temperatures ranging from 20 to 40 °C (optimum 30–37 °C) and a pH of between 5.0 and 10.0 (optimum pH 7.0–8.0). The G+C content of the total DNA was 70.1 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain DDT-3T showed the highest similarity to that of

Pseudoxanthobacter soli

CC4T (99.6 %), followed by

Kaistia dalseonensis

B6-8T (93.3 %),

Kaistia soli

5YN9-8T (93.0 %) and

Amorphus orientalis

YIM D10T (93.0 %). Strain DDT-3T showed less than 92.6 % similarity with other species of the family

Xanthobacteraceae

. The major cellular fatty acids of strain DDT-3T were C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c (42.6 %), C16 : 0 (33.2 %) and C18 : 1ω7c (10.0 %). The only respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10. The characteristic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major polar lipids were glycolipid, lipid, phosphatidylcholine, aminolipid, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The polyamine profile consisted of major amounts of putrescine (92.9 %) and minor amounts of spermidine (5.0 %) and spermine (2.1 %). These chemotaxonomic data support the affiliation of strain DDT-3T with the genus

Pseudoxanthobacter

. The DNA–DNA hybridization value between strain DDT-3T and strain CC4T was 47.8 % (reciprocal 44.3 %). DNA–DNA hybridization data as well as the biochemical and physiological characteristics strongly supported the genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain DDT-3T and strain CC4T. Strain DDT-3T, therefore, represents a novel species of the genus

Pseudoxanthobacter

, for which the name
Pseudoxanthobacter

liyangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DDT-3T ( = KACC 16601T = CCTCC AB 2013167T).
Adherence to abiotic surface induces SOS response in Escherichia coli K-12 strains under aerobic and anaerobic conditions
Authors: Costa Suelen B. , Campos Ana Carolina C. , Pereira Ana Claudia M. , de Mattos-Guaraldi Ana Luiza , Júnior Raphael Hirata , Rosa Ana Cláudia P. , Asad Lídia M. B. O.
Published: July 2014

During the colonization of surfaces, Escherichia coli bacteria often encounter DNA-damaging agents and these agents can induce several defence mechanisms. Base excision repair (BER) is dedicated to the repair of oxidative DNA damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by chemical and physical agents or by metabolism. In this work, we have evaluated whether the interaction with an abiotic surface by mutants derived from E. coli K-12 deficient in some enzymes that are part of BER causes DNA damage and associated filamentation. Moreover, we studied the role of endonuclease V (nfi gene; 1506 mutant strain) in biofilm formation. Endonuclease V is an enzyme that is involved in DNA repair of nitrosative lesions. We verified that endonuclease V is involved in biofilm formation. Our results showed more filamentation in the xthA mutant (BW9091) and triple xthA nfo nth mutant (BW535) than in the wild-type strain (AB1157). By contrast, the mutant nfi did not present filamentation in biofilm, although its wild-type strain (1466) showed rare filaments in biofilm. The filamentation of bacterial cells attaching to a surface was a consequence of SOS induction measured by the SOS chromotest. However, biofilm formation depended on the ability of the bacteria to induce the SOS response since the mutant lexA Ind− did not induce the SOS response and did not form any biofilm. Oxygen tension was an important factor for the interaction of the BER mutants, since these mutants exhibited decreased quantitative adherence under anaerobic conditions. However, our results showed that the presence or absence of oxygen did not affect the viability of BW9091 and BW535 strains. The nfi mutant and its wild-type did not exhibit decreased biofilm formation under anaerobic conditions. Scanning electron microscopy was also performed on the E. coli K-12 strains that had adhered to the glass, and we observed the presence of a structure similar to an extracellular matrix that depended on the oxygen tension. In conclusion, it was proven that bacterial interaction with abiotic surfaces can lead to SOS induction and associated filamentation. Moreover, we verified that endonuclease V is involved in biofilm formation.
The Landscape of Human STR Variation
Authors: Willems Thomas F. , Gymrek Melissa , Highnam Gareth , The Genomes Project - , Mittelman David , Erlich Yaniv
Published: July 2014

Short Tandem Repeats are among the most polymorphic loci in the human genome. These loci play a role in the etiology of a range of genetic diseases and have been frequently utilized in forensics, population genetics, and genetic genealogy. Despite this plethora of applications, little is known about the variation of most STRs in the human population. Here, we report the largest-scale analysis of human STR variation to date. We collected information for nearly 700,000 STR loci across over 1,000 individuals in phase 1 of the 1000 Genomes Project. This process nearly saturated common STR variations. After employing a series of quality controls, we utilize this call set to analyze determinants of STR variation, assess the human reference genome?s representation of STR alleles, find STR loci with common loss-of-function alleles, and obtain initial estimates of the linkage disequilibrium between STRs and common SNPs. Overall, these analyses further elucidate the scale of genetic variation beyond classical point mutations. The resource is publicly available at http://strcat.teamerlich.org/ both in raw format and via a graphical interface.
Insights into the Localization and Function of the Membrane Trafficking Regulator GNOM ARF-GEF at the Golgi Apparatus inArabidopsis
Authors: Naramoto Satoshi , Otegui Marisa S. , Kutsuna Natsumaro , de Rycke Riet , Dainobu Tomoko , Karampelias Michael , Fujimoto Masaru , Feraru Elena , Miki Daisuke , Fukuda Hiroo , Nakano Akihiko , Friml Jiří
Published: July 2014

GNOM is one of the most characterized membrane trafficking regulators in plants, with crucial roles in development. GNOM encodes an ARF-guanine nucleotide exchange factor (ARF-GEF) that activates small GTPases of the ARF (ADP ribosylation factor) class to mediate vesicle budding at endomembranes. The crucial role of GNOM in recycling of PIN auxin transporters and other proteins to the plasma membrane was identified in studies using the ARF-GEF inhibitor brefeldin A (BFA). GNOM, the most prominent regulator of recycling in plants, has been proposed to act and localize at so far elusive recycling endosomes. Here, we report the GNOM localization in context of its cellular function in Arabidopsis thaliana. State-of-the-art imaging, pharmacological interference, and ultrastructure analysis show that GNOM predominantly localizes to Golgi apparatus. Super-resolution confocal live imaging microscopy identified GNOM and its closest homolog GNOM-like 1 at distinct subdomains on Golgi cisternae. Short-term BFA treatment stabilizes GNOM at the Golgi apparatus, whereas prolonged exposures results in GNOM translocation to trans-Golgi network (TGN)/early endosomes (EEs). Malformed TGN/EE in gnom mutants suggests a role for GNOM in maintaining TGN/EE function. Our results redefine the subcellular action of GNOM and reevaluate the identity and function of recycling endosomes in plants.
Machinery transportation management: case study of “plant-trailer” H&S incidents
Authors: D. Holt Gary , J. Edwards David
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate causal agents of health and safety (H&S) incidents among “plant-trailers” (as used by construction and utility contractors to transport mechanical machinery); including the relationship(s) of such incidents to routine safety inspections and, plant maintenance functions.

Design/methodology/approach

– H&S plant-trailer incident data, from a collaborating UK-based case study utility company are analysed using inductive, interpretative and descriptive statistical methods.

Findings

– Principal incident occurrences relate to trailer wheels, wheel bearings, tyres and braking systems. All forms of incidents observed harbour significant risk and especially, if they occur during travel on public highways. Derived recommendations for incident mitigation and control, suggest a requirement for improved human behaviour, machinery inspection regimes and maintenance systems.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings will be valuable to academia as a basis for advancing this new research subject, both empirically and internationally. Direction is offered in this respect.

Practical implications

– Recommendations will be of practical relevance to machinery management practitioners generally and to plant-trailer stakeholders more specifically. For the latter, the study encourages introspective consideration of plant-trailer H&S systems.

Originality/value

– No previous research has targeted these issues relating to plant-trailers.
Perceived claim sources in the Nigerian construction industry
Authors: A. Olanrewaju AbdulLateef , J. Anavhe Paul
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– With the increase in the cases of construction claims in Nigeria, many projects have remained uncompleted, while many of those completed receive poor client satisfaction. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how construction claims are managed.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 58 claim factors were identified and addressed to construction professionals through survey to indicate the extent at which the factors contributed to claims. A case study was conducted to illustrate claim management.

Findings

– In total, 37 factors were the major source of claims. Late payment, delayed approval of change order and delay cost were the extremely influential while the least were storage charges, loss of productivity, and costs of preparing claims. Evidences revealed that all stakeholders should play active roles to deliver “claim free” projects.

Practical implications

– The findings will be useful to practitioners in the effort to improve project delivery by providing some guidance on claim minimization. It is hoped that this study will encourage academics to conduct more research on this issue.

Originality/value

– There is no known conclusive empirical study on construction claim factors in Nigeria. In light of this, the findings offer greater opportunities for claim minimization/avoidance.
Moving up, down or sideways?
Authors: Ulver Sofia , Ostberg Jacob
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to argue that consumers experience conflict not only when in identity transitions or social status transitions but also in-between these two, and that the relationship between these two is becoming increasingly important to address. First, this is done by identifying how status transitions (vertical movements) overlap but differ in some important respects from identity transitions (horizontal movements), and second, the consumption strategies used by people when these movements lead to an experience of conflict between one’s (new/old) identity role and (new/old) status position have been demonstrated.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this multi-sited, qualitative data collection, the phenomenological and ethnographic interviews have been conducted with 35 urban middle-class consumers in their homes at three culturally and historically different sites (Sweden, Turkey and the USA).

Findings

– The importance and kind of a consumption strategy to resolve the status–identity incongruence relates if it is mainly a vertically or horizontally determined transition. To consumers with a main focus on status change – characterised by hierarchical and competitive dimensions that identity role transitions are free from – the engagement in consumption becomes more important and intense.

Practical implications

– Marketers have historically mainly been engaged in static categorisation and segmentation of consumer lifestyles. By instead emphasising consumers’ life transitions and their accompanying status–identity conflicts, marketers may consider the implications for market communication.

Social implications

– Given that liquid modernity (Bauman, 2001) and its loose social structures forces the middle-class to become increasingly socially mobile, matches and mismatches between identity and status positions ought to become more common and the resulting consumption strategies more sophisticated. This research offers a first, tentative framework for understanding these conflicts in relation to consumption.

Originality/value

– Although lifestyle transitions have often been elaborated on in consumer research, the differences between social status transitions and identity transitions, and especially the conflict in-between these two, have not been paid its deserved attention. Based on multi-sited, qualitative data collection, concrete consumption strategies following the experience of status–identity incongruence have been identified. The results also contribute to a better understanding of the growing uncertainty and volatility of social status positions in contemporary middle-class consumer culture.
Outcomes of decision speed
Authors: Argouslidis Paraskevas , Baltas George , Mavrommatis Alexis
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to consider decision speed’s role in the largely neglected decision area of product elimination.

Design/methodology/approach

– Drawing on an inter-disciplinary theoretical background (e.g. organisational, decision speed and product elimination theories), the authors develop and test a framework for decision speed’s effects on the market and financial outcomes of a stratified random sample of 175 consumer product eliminations.

Findings

– In contrast to decision speed research that hypothesised (and often failed to confirm) linearity, results show inverted ∪-shaped decision speed-to-decision outcomes relationships, with curvatures moderated by product importance, environmental complexity and turbulence.

Research limitations/implications

– Findings are suggestive of several implications for the above theories (e.g. contribution to the dialogue about performance-enhancing value of rational vs incremental decision-making; evidence that excessive decision speed may become too much of a good thing). Certain design limitations (e.g. sampling consumer goods’ manufacturers only) point at avenues for future inquiry into the product elimination decision speed-to-outcomes link.

Practical implications

– Managerially, the findings suggest that product eliminations’ optimal market and financial outcomes depend on a mix of speed and search in decision-making and that this mix requires adjustments to different levels of product importance, interdependencies with other decision areas of the firm and environmental turbulence.

Originality/value

– The paper makes a twofold contribution. It enriches decision speed research, by empirically addressing speed’s outcomes in relation to a decision area that is not necessarily strategic and represents the first explicit empirical investigation into outcomes of decision speed in product line pruning decision-making.
How consumers value transactions that entail using windfall money to offset missed price discounts
Authors: Chatterjee Subimal , Jiraporn Napatsorn , B. Heath Timothy , Ierlan Magdoleen , A. Pitman Glenn
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine if consumers, after missing a price discount on a desired product, prefer to buy the latter at a smaller discount or prefer to pay full price but offset some of it with windfall money.

Design/methodology/approach

– In four experiments, participants imagine that they have missed an opportunity to buy a box of chocolates at $50 off and are offered a second chance to buy them at a less attractive discount ($25) or pay full price, but partially offset the full price with various windfall lotteries ($25, $50, $75) and gift cards ($50).

Findings

– Participants are more likely to buy the chocolates at the less attractive (second) discount rather than pay full price using windfall money. In doing so, they show that they are willing to be more, rather than less, poor from an overall wealth perspective to acquire the chocolates. This anomaly surfaces irrespective of the windfall amounts or preference elicitation methods (joint versus separate evaluation). The negative transaction utility of paying full price mediates the purchase method effect (discount versus windfall) on purchase likelihood, but gift cards are able to reduce the negative transaction utility of paying full price.

Originality/value

– The research reveals a judgmental anomaly in how consumers assess product acquisition value following a lost opportunity and suggests that marketing managers may be able to reduce consumer inertia by strategically matching rewards with the source of the lost chance.
Efficiency of e-learning in an information literacy course for medical students at the Masaryk University
Authors: Kratochvil Jiří
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to argue that e-learning can be a viable alternative teaching method for information literacy according to a comparison of librarian’s time spent on face-to-face teaching with tutoring the e-learning course, average time spent in a week on learning by the students, time flexibility of e-learning, students’ satisfaction with e-learning and students’ ability to gain practical skills and theoretical knowledge through e-learning.

Design/methodology/approach

– Satisfaction of medical students with e-learning and their average weekly time spent learning were assessed through surveys designed in Google Documents. Weekly time spent by students learning in class and the number of the librarian's teaching hours were set by the university schedule, and time spent on tutoring e-learning was measured. Details of accesses to study materials and submission of tasks as well as exam results were collected from Masaryk University Learning Management System.

Findings

– In 2011, 50 per cent less time was expended on tutoring e-learning than time spent with the same number of students in the previous three years in the classroom. One-third of the students learned for more hours a week through e-learning than students in class. No significant difference in gained theoretical knowledge between these students was found. On average, 90 per cent of tasks submitted to e-learning were correct the first time. e-learning was appreciated by the students for its time (93 per cent) and space (83 per cent) flexibility, the online materials (62 per cent) and self-managing learning time (55 per cent). Details of access to the study materials confirmed time flexibility.

Originality/value

– Due to time saved and considering the lack of any significant difference in the knowledge gained by students, e-learning can be a viable alternative teaching method for information literacy.
Graduate students appreciate Google Scholar, but still find use for libraries
Authors: Wu Ming-der , Chen Shih-chuan
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine how graduate students perceive and use Google Scholar. Google Scholar has provided a convenient alternative for finding scholarly documents since its inception in 2004 and has become a favoured tool for numerous academics. Knowledge of patrons’ usage patterns and attitudes towards Google Scholar will assist librarians in designing appropriate instruction programmes to improve students’ research abilities.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this study, 32 graduate students from the National Taiwan University were interviewed whose fields of study are the humanities (10), social sciences (11) and science and technology (11).

Findings

– Students prefer the usability of Google Scholar over library databases. However, they appreciate the quality of documents retrieved from library databases and regard these databases as crucial tools for finding scholarly documents. Science and technology students favoured Google Scholar more than those who study the humanities and social sciences.

Research limitations/implications

– This study only examines the perceptions and behaviour of graduate students. Future studies should include undergraduate students to investigate their use of Google Scholar, thereby obtaining a comprehensive understanding of various patrons of university libraries.

Practical implications

– This study shows that graduate students appreciate and use Google Scholar to find scholarly documents, although some students experience difficulties. The findings of this study may assist university libraries in improving their instruction programmes.

Originality/value

– The majority of previous studies have focused on coverage, quality and retrieval performance of Google Scholar. However, this study evaluates Google Scholar from a user’s perspective.
Social media strategies and corporate brand visibility in the wine industry
Authors: Capitello Roberta , Agnoli Lara , Begalli Diego , Codurri Stefano
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify and discuss the web-marketing behavioural models adopted in the wine industry using as case studies several leading Italian wineries. It aims to propose a new methodology to evaluate the impact of web marketing strategies on online brand visibility and image.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on literature review and case study approach. The study uses six leading Italian wineries as case studies, selected by taking into account six strategic profiles: business size, business management, corporate brand reputation, competitive strategy, marketing orientation and marketing budget.

Findings

– The proposed structured methodology highlights new key elements that could be implemented in a marketing plan. The research results propose a conceptual three-dimension approach that integrates a business's strategic orientation with its digital-marketing strategy and its social media tactics. It also includes specific evaluation criteria to measure the impact on the business's strategic objectives.

Research limitations/implications

– The applied research approach should be extended to other business typologies and wine-producing countries to allow the generalisation of results. In addition, the monitoring period should be extended to confirm the reliability of results.

Originality/value

– The applied methodology can be adopted more broadly, and it underlines managerial implications that can be extended to the rest of the Italian wine industry, as well as to the parts of the wine sector that are dominated by the presence of SMEs.
Facilities management in Malaysia
Authors: Elyna Myeda Nik , Pitt Michael
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to understand the facilities management (FM) industry in Malaysia, looking at the development and focus in the industry in contrast with other countries where the FM industry is mature. The paper also focuses on the development hierarchy and initiatives taken by the Malaysian Government regarding public service in FM.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study adopts a mixed method approach. The first method used is an FM literature review; this is followed by a survey of Malaysian FM practitioners, which also acts as a preliminary study for this research.

Findings

– The paper proposes a set of elements in understanding FM development in Malaysia. These are categorised into seven key factors: level of growth, practice, service, profession, opportunities, demands and challenges.

Research limitations/implications

– The preliminary survey was carried out to ascertain the research gap and viability of the study. Although there was a participation constraint, it is believed that the responses have contributed significantly in indicating the way forward for this research.

Practical implications

– There is a lack of FM studies in the Malaysian context, which limits the knowledge and exploration of the research scope. This study gives more opportunities for future researchers to embark on research in this area.

Originality/value

– The paper gives comprehensive key factors defining development or progress of the FM industry in Malaysia. A further study exploring the element of FM service performance will be conducted based on a case study methodology.
The state of multi-purpose cyclone shelters in Bangladesh
Authors: Nateque Mahmood Muhammad , Prasad Dhakal Subas , Keast Robyn
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the state of management practices of existing multi-purpose cyclone shelters (MPCS) facilities across the 16 coastal districts in the country, in the context of an identified need for 5,500 new MPCS facilities in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

– A “multi-capitals” framework – a conceptual model for appraising the state of MPCS facilities based on seven forms of capital resources – is adopted.

Findings

– MPCS facilities are not equitably distributed across the 16 coastal districts to cater to the needs of the highly vulnerable population. Nearly 9 per cent of the existing shelters are unusable in the event of cyclones. Once built, MPCS facilities have no maintenance funding and only around 19 per cent of shelters have a governance mechanism that enables community participation. A strong correlation (r = 0.65) was detected between the availability of maintenance funds and provision for community participation.

Research limitations/implications

– The potential of a multi-capitals framework to assess the management practices of existing MPCS facilities in a holistic way was limited by the secondary nature of data on the four forms of capital: built, cultural, financial and political. The significance of the other three forms of capital: human, natural and social and their implications in the context of MPCS facilities are discussed.

Practical implications

– If the existing and new MPCS facilities are to become a vital component of disaster management strategies, MPCS governance mechanisms are likely to be enhanced by embracing the principles of community-based facilities management.

Originality/value

– The paper introduces the utility of a multi-capitals framework to assess the existing management issues surrounding MPCS facilities and offers potential solutions in the context of developing countries. The value of the framework is in understanding the utility of an MPCS as more than just a facility.
Sites of intersectional identity salience
Authors: Atewologun Doyin
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore experiences relating to and the nature of the episodes that raise individuals’ salience of their intersecting gender, ethnic and senior organizational identities. This paper is based on a presentation given at a British Academy of Management Joint Gender in Management and Identity Special Interest Groups Research Seminar entitled “Exploring Intersectionality of Gender and Identity”.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on identity-heightening incidents elicited through diaries and interviews from minority ethnic women and men in middle- and senior-management positions, the paper adopts a multilevel, intersectional framework to present “sites” of intersectional identity salience. Identity-salient sites were analysed from accounts of episodes that raised the salience of gender, ethnic and senior identities for respondents. Researcher reflections on identity salience are also analysed.

Findings

– This paper draws on subjective accounts of identity salience from researcher and respondent experiences on pre-defined identity dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper uses rich, in-depth accounts of everyday experiences to reveal the dynamics of intersectional identity salience. Gender, ethnic and senior identities infuse each other with significance and meaning simultaneously and consecutively in everyday experiences.

Originality/value

– This paper’s originality is drawn from the advancement of intersectionality studies through empirical research based on collecting identity-heightening qualitative data.
Examining a consumption values theory approach of young tourists toward destination choice intentions
Authors: Phau Ian , Quintal Vanessa , Shanka Tekle
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of the study is to examine young Australian tourists’ consumption values, perceived beneficial image and tourist’s destination choice intention towards Mauritius as a tourism destination.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected through an intercept method of Australian consumers in a downtown shopping complex. A self-administered questionnaire was used; 408 usable questionnaires were collected, and regression analyses were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– Only emotional/epistemic, social and functional values were found to significantly influence perceived beneficial image of the tourism destination. Only social and conditional values were found to significantly influence destination choice intention.

Practical implications

– Communication initiatives should focus on functional and conditional values such as quality of infrastructure and personal safety benefits. Destination planners and marketers should emphasize emotional values in their programs, as these values bond with potential young Australian tourists.

Originality/value

– This is the first study where young Australian tourists’ perceived beneficial image, consumption values and intentions to visit Mauritius are investigated. It provides policy makers with strategies to better promote Mauritius as a tourism destination.
Interdisciplinary HIV care – patient perceptions
Authors: Vachirasudlekha Brandon , Cha Agnes , Berkowitz Leonard , Shah Bupendra
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to gauge patients’ service perceptions of an interdisciplinary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinic, which uses infectious disease physicians, medical residents, clinical pharmacists, nurses, social workers and students in HIV primary-care delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

– Adult patients coming to the HIV clinic for a return visit to the interdisciplinary team completed a questionnaire based on a previously validated HIV-specific patient satisfaction study (n=104). Fourteen modified items assessing overall care-quality and ten original items assessing interdisciplinary services were included.

Findings

– Respondents reported high satisfaction levels with the clinic's services. The mean score for the care-quality items was 3.79 (possible 4). The interdisciplinary care items mean score was 3.69 (possible 4). For non-physician disciplines, respondents indicated that nurses, pharmacists and social workers played important roles in their clinic care.

Research limitations/implications

– Bias associated with patient selection and survey methods limit the generalizability. The study has implications for measuring interdisciplinary care provided at HIV clinics.

Originality/value

– This HIV outpatient care interdisciplinary model is not widely in use. Results are important for those involved in HIV service development and improvement. Findings support integrating non-physician providers into routine outpatient HIV medical visits.
Regulating healthcare complaints: a literature review
Authors: Beaupert Fleur , Carney Terry , Chiarella Mary , Satchell Claudette , Walton Merrilyn , Bennett Belinda , Kelly Patrick
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore approaches to the regulation of healthcare complaints and disciplinary processes.

Design/methodology/approach

– A literature review was conducted across Medline, Sociological Abstracts, Web of Science, Google Scholar and the health, law and social sciences collections of Informit, using terms tapping both the complaints process and regulation generally.

Findings

– A total of 118 papers dealing with regulation of health complaints or disciplinary proceedings were located. The review reveals a shift away from self-regulation towards greater external oversight, including innovative regulatory approaches including “networked governance” and flexible or “responsive” regulation. It reports growing interest in adoption of strategic and responsive approaches to health complaints governance, by rejecting traditional legal forms in favor of more strategic and responsive forms, taking account of the complexity of adverse health events by tailoring responses to individual circumstances of complainants and their local environments.

Originality/value

– The challenge of how to collect and harness complaints data to improve the quality of healthcare at a systemic level warrants further research. Scope also exists for researching health complaints commissions and other “meta-regulatory” bodies to explore how to make these processes fairer and better able to meet the complex needs of complainants, health professionals, health services and society.
Paperless reporting and electronically verifying clinical investigations
Authors: Hung Sun Cheng , Lew Thomas , Tan Doris , Yin Hoi Shu , Khandan and Raj , Hwee Poi Choo , Surender Reddy , Tay Shirley , Wan Gervais , Lee Y.S. , Lee Lim Lee , Solikin Handi , Yeak Samuel
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to outline considerations and steps taken to introduce electronic reporting and verification from systems design and multidisciplinary collaborations to gap analysis and devising solutions. It also evaluates carefully placed forcing functions’ impact on verification rates.

Design/methodology/approach

– A multidisciplinary workgroup was formed to stop print and establish electronic reporting. The electronic verification's success was assessed by weekly activity analysis.

Findings

– Introducing a verification forcing function markedly improved verification activity. Thereafter, non-verified results stabilized at 7 percent up to 75 weeks post-implementation.

Practical implications

– This paper illustrates how results reporting and verification could be implemented in a tertiary hospital using a mixed electronic and paper record. Factors that were critical to success include stakeholder engagement and applying systems design that focussed on patient safety as a key priority. The electronic reporting system was augmented by strategically inserted forcing functions, clear clinical-responsibility lines and ancillary alert systems.

Originality/value

– The systems design method's value in managing non-critical but abnormal results appears to have been under-appreciated. This paper describes how systems design could be used to improve health information delivery and management.
Comparative effectiveness research and the rise of orphan indications
Authors: Jeffers Sarah , Slomiany Mark , Bitar Rema , Kruse Sarah , Hassan Mahmud
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to show the link between the comparative effectiveness research (CER) and the interest in developing drugs for rare disease by the pharmaceutical industry. Total healthcare spending is on the rise without having a corresponding better health outcome. As such, with the growing role of government in healthcare, measuring and demonstrating value is beginning to expand beyond the private sector to metrics applied in the public sector. A modern approach to comparative effective research began its rapid rise in the USA when the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 allocated $1.1 billion for CER. This paper analyzes the implication and impact on the pharmaceutical industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper reviews the basic definitions of CER and its areas of strength and weakness. It used real examples of drugs to show the impact of the Reinvestment Act of 2009 on the rise of orphan drugs.

Findings

– The study shows that the act encouraged the development of orphan drugs, mainly because of the low budget impact due to a smaller patient base. Provisions of the Affordable Care Act provide incentives for such rare disease indications, as no one can be denied coverage with pre-existing conditions.

Research limitations/implications

– The study is limited by the number of available rare drugs and the ongoing process of implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Practical implications

– The study shows the cost-effective method of treating medical conditions.

Social implications

– Development of orphan drugs opens up access to care for many patients at a cost-effective price.

Originality/value

– This paper shows the link between the CER and the interest in developing drugs for rare disease by the pharmaceutical industry. It also brings out the possible implication of the Affordable Care Act on the pharmaceutical industry with respect to its strategies for drug development and drug portfolio.
Relationship between direct-to-consumer advertising and consumers’ decision-making
Authors: Ahmad Sharabati Abdel-Aziz , Salim Khraim Hamzeh , Atta Khateeb Rami
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of the study is to investigate the influence of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) on consumers’ decision-making (CDM).

Design/methodology/approach

– Practical data were used in the empirical analysis collected from 484 consumer surveyed by means of a questionnaire. Statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, correlation, simple and multiple regressions were employed. A Cronbach’s alpha was used to confirm the suitability of the data collection instrument.

Findings

– The results of the study indicated a positive significant relationship between DTCA and CDM. The results indicated that there was significant impact of healthcare awareness on CDM, but there were no significant impacts of drug–drug interactions, medical information source and consumer economical situation on CDM.

Research limitations/implications

– The data are also limited to a Jordanian market; therefore, generalizing results of a Jordanian setting to other countries may be questionable. Extending the analyses to other settings represent future research opportunities.

Originality/value

– The current research may be considered as an initiative study that highlights the effect of DTCA on CDM in Jordan and in the Arab world. The results can provide the reference for further research about the relationship between DTCA and CDM.
Department upkeep and shrinkage control
Authors: Saucède Florent , Fenneteau Hervé , Codron Jean-Marie
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The strategic nature of the fresh fruit and vegetables (FFV) department for supermarkets and hypermarkets is unquestioned. Yet both practitioners and researchers have difficulty optimizing its performance. The purpose of this paper is to identify the key specific drivers of the performance of FFV departments with a special attention being paid to the deterioration of product quality.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors used a two-step inductive modelling process relying on interviews with experts from within the sector and a multiple case study of four FFV departments belonging to a French retail brand.

Findings

– After highlighting that the deterioration of product quality on the shelves is a key particularity of FFV departments, the authors identify department upkeep and shrinkage control as key intermediate variables impacting the performance of FFV departments and show how these two parameters can be controlled using three main actionable levers: marketing, in-store logistics and procurement.

Research limitations/implications

– The discussion of managerial implications sheds light on other phenomena requiring further investigation: team management practices, the buying role of the department manager and tailored criteria for assessing performance.

Practical implications

– The research shows managers that optimizing department upkeep allows turnover to be generated which exceeds the sector average without impeding the productivity of the department. The authors stress that it is imperative to control shrinkage in order to meet margin performance objectives.

Originality/value

– This research is a step forward because it takes account of the elements distinguishing FFV from other fresh products to highlight the factors underlying high performance levels.
Do apparel store formats matter to Indian shoppers?
Authors: Basu Rituparna , K. Guin Kalyan , Sengupta Kalyan
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore store choice behaviour of Indian apparel shoppers and analyses the factors influencing their choice of retail formats from an emerging market perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research draws on a data set of 336 structured questionnaires with adult urban Indian respondents to understand their perceptions about organised and unorganised apparel store formats. The exploratory study uses a comprehensive list of demographics, shopping situations and format stimuli parameters along with two established psychographic scales to assess the extent of their effect on the store choice of apparel shoppers.

Findings

– Factor analysis revealed five well defined store attributes influencing the apparel shoppers’ decision. The growing market for organised retail with a preference for multi brand stores is highlighted. The study establishes that the shoppers’ perception of single-brand stores is still going through a formative phase. Further at the micro level of the decision process, significant differences are established by a number of variables.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper explores the store choice behaviour from a wider perspective that may be useful for future research on developing integrated store format choice models. However, the data used herein relates to a cross-section of shoppers in urban India due to the feasibility and convenience of studying relatively organised retail forms and structure of retail in an emerging market environment.

Originality/value

– The paper attempts to enumerate befitting analyses of factors that influence the store choice behaviour of apparel shoppers by using apt format classifications that are specific to the emerging retail market scenario in India.
Predicting mobile app usage for purchasing and information-sharing
Authors: G. Taylor David , Levin Michael
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– Mobile applications, or apps, are an increasingly important part of omnichannel retailing. While the adoption and usage of apps for marketing purposes has grown exponentially over the past few years, there is little academic research in this area. The purpose of this paper is to examine how the mobile phone platform (Android vs Apple iOS), interest in the app and recency of store visit affect consumers’ likelihood to use the apps for purchasing and information-sharing activities.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper tests a model by analysing survey data collected from customers of a major US retailer using partial least squares regression.

Findings

– The analysis finds that the level of interest in a retail app is positively related to the consumer's intention to engage in both purchasing and information-sharing activities. In addition, the recency of the consumer's last visit to the retail store has a moderating effect on both types of activities; the more recent the last visit, the larger the effect-size of interest in the app on intention to share information and make a purchase.

Practical implications

– While marketing and advertising managers may have suspected that Apple iOS users are more receptive to retail mobile apps, this study provides empirical support for the proposition. In addition, the moderating effect of recency of visit suggests that in-store promotions may be effective in increasing usage of the retailer's mobile apps.

Originality/value

– This study is among the first in the academic literature to examine predictors of mobile app usage for purchasing and information sharing. It fills a gap in the literature, while at the same time providing actionable information for practitioners.
Earnings and education in Portugal, 1985-1991
Authors: Sousa Andrade João , Duarte Adelaide , C.N. Simões Marta
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the distributions of earnings and education in Portugal in the early years of European integration, 1985 and 1991, a period when Portugal experienced strong nominal convergence following EU accession.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper explores the information provided by relative distribution analysis and covariate (education) decomposition to study the dynamics of the earnings distribution since these methodologies allow for the identification of polarization patterns that might have occurred over the period. More standard methodological instruments are also used as a reference: cardinal measures of inequality and the Lorenz stochastic dominance approach.

Findings

– The median and average earnings of employees increased and there was also a rise in earnings inequality. Relative to 1985, in 1991 there were more employees with very low earnings but also more 1991 employees with high earnings and there were also more employees at the bottom and top ends of the earnings distribution. The analysis of the relative earnings distribution by level of education reveals substantial differences for the top end of the distributions with the proportion of 1991 employees receiving the highest earnings higher than for the original 1985 cohort. A regional disaggregation confirms that the overall employees’ earnings and education distributions characteristics are determined by the behaviour of coastal regions, while in the non-coastal regions a lower level of inequality is associated with lower levels of median and average earnings and a different polarization pattern.

Originality/value

– The paper shows that inequality is not a recent phenomenon in the Portuguese economy and thus might be one of the sources of the growth slowdown Portugal is experiencing since the turn of the century and might continue to hamper growth in the future deserving deeper investigation.