bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introducing Environmental Political Theory
Authors: Gabrielson Teena , Hall Cheryl , Meyer John M. , Schlosberg David
Published: March 2016

This introductory chapter offers an overview of the context, content, and history of environmental political theory (EPT) as a field of study within political science. It starts by differentiating EPT from both the subfield of political theory and other areas of sustainability and environmental studies, with its focus on the political nature of human/non-human relations. EPT’s development over the last twenty years is discussed, in terms of both substantive foci and maturation as a field. The chapter then turns to an overview of the structure and chapters of the Handbook, including chapters on EPT as a field of inquiry, the rethinking of nature and political subjects, the goals and ideals of EPT, various obstacles faced by environmental change, and the role of activism in environmental politics and thought.
Consumption and Well-being
Authors: Knights Paul , O'Neill John
Published: March 2016

Environmental problems driven by unsustainable consumption are lending new importance to an ancient question: are there bounds to the goods required for a happy or flourishing life? A standard assumption in recent economics is that there are no such bounds. Many further argue that markets, technological change, and resource substitution can deliver sustainability while allowing consumption of final goods by consumers to increase. This chapter criticizes this approach and considers two much older traditions, the Epicurean and Aristotelian, which do recognize the existence of limits to the goods required for the good life. Their revival has been used to argue that consumption can be reduced without loss of well-being. This chapter argues that the promise found by environmentalists in the recent hedonic revival of the Epicurean tradition is misplaced, and that the Aristotelian tradition provides a richer account of why the future—and therefore consuming sustainably—matters to our well-being.
Greek Literature, the Digital Humanities, and the Shifting Technologies of Reading
Authors: Barker Elton , Terras Melissa
Published: March 2016

Contrary perhaps to expectation, Classical studies is at the vanguard of the latest technological developments for using digital tools and computational techniques in research. This article outlines its pioneering adoption of digital tools and methods, and investigates how the digital medium is helping to transform the study of Greek and Latin literature. It discusses the processes and consequences of digitization, explaining how technologies like multispectral imaging are increasing the textual corpus, while examining how annotation, engagement, and reuse are changing the way we think about “the text”. It also considers how the digital turn is reinvigorating textual analysis, by exploring the broader ecosystem, within which the digital text can now be studied, and which provides enriched contexts for understanding that are constantly shifting and expanding. Classical literature in the digital age has the potential to both challenge dominant modes of thinking about antiquity and disrupt traditional ways of doing research.
Role of MiR-126a-3p in Endothelial Injury in Endotoxic Mice
Authors: Chu Maoping , Qin Shanshan , Wu Rongzhou , Zhou Xiangyu , Tang Xiaojun , Zhang Shuo , Zhao Qifeng , Wang Huating , Liu Ying , Han Xiaohua , Xiao Jian , Li Xiaokun , Zhang Chunxiang
Published: March 2016

Objective:

Sepsis poses a serious global health problem with an overall mortality rate of 30%, in which the vascular injury is a major contributor. The study is to determine the expression profile of micro-RNAs in endotoxic vascular walls and their potential roles in sepsis-related vascular injury.

Design:

Prospective randomized study.

Setting:

Laboratory investigation.

Subjects:

Male C57BL/6 mice, average weight 26.5 ± 1.8 g.

Interventions:

Endotoxemia was induced in mice via lipopolysaccharide injection (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) (Sigma, St. Louis, MO). The control mice were injected with the same amount of saline (500 μL, intraperitoneal). In a subgroup of mice, a high dose of lipopolysaccharide (30 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) was applied to induce endotoxin-related death.

Measurements and Main Results:

The mi-RNA expression profiles in aortas from lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxic mice were determined. The result demonstrated that some micro-RNAs were aberrantly expressed in endotoxic mouse arteries. Among them, the endothelial cell–enriched/endothelial cell–specific miR-126a-3p was significantly down-regulated in endotoxic mouse arteries, septic human vessels, as well as vascular endothelial cells isolated from endotoxic mice or treated with lipopolysaccharide. The down-regulation of miR-126a-3p occurred at transcriptional level via the decreased expression of Krüppel-like factor 2, which could be inhibited by Krüppel-like factor 2 over-expression via adenovirus expressing Krüppel-like factor 2. The down-regulation of miR-126a-3p in endothelial cells resulted in the increased apoptosis, and decreased proliferation and migration, which were inhibited by miR-126a-3p mimics. In vivo, over-expression of miR-126a-3p via lentivirus attenuated endotoxemia-induced injuries on endothelial function and vascular permeability. We found that SPRED1 and VCAM-1 were two direct target genes of miR-126a-3p related to miR-126a-3p–mediated effects in endotoxemia. Finally, the survival rate of endotoxic mice was significantly increased by the over-expression of miR-126a-3p.

Conclusions:

The results suggest that vascular micro-RNAs such as miR-126a-3p may represent novel mechanisms and new therapeutic targets for endotoxemia-induced vascular injury and endotoxic mortality.
EGFR Exon 19 Deletion is Associated With Favorable Overall Survival After First-line Gefitinib Therapy in Advanced Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Choi Yong Won , Jeon So Yeon , Jeong Geum Sook , Lee Hyun Woo , Jeong Seong Hyun , Kang Seok Yun , Park Joon Seong , Choi Jin-Hyuk , Koh Young Wha , Han Jae Ho , Sheen Seung Soo
Published: March 2016

Objectives:

Exon 19 deletion and L858R mutation in exon 21 of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are both common mutations that predict a good response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the existence of clinically significant difference in sensitivity to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors among different EGFR mutation subtypes is still a matter of debate.

Materials and Methods:

The outcome of 60 EGFR mutation-positive advanced NSCLC patients who received first-line gefitinib therapy (250 mg/d) was retrospectively analyzed according to EGFR mutation subtypes.

Results:

The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) after the initiation of gefitinib therapy for all patients was 11 and 26 months, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that patients with exon 19 deletion (n=28) had significantly longer median PFS (20 vs. 8 mo, P=0.004) and OS (36 vs. 22 mo, P=0.001) compared with those with L858R mutation (n=25) and uncommon or dual mutations (n=7). Multivariate analysis revealed that exon 19 deletion (P=0.007) was an independent prognostic factor of favorable PFS, with an independent association with poor PFS of male sex (P=0.049). Exon 19 deletion was also independently associated with favorable OS (P<0.0001), whereas male sex (P=0.004) and primary metastatic disease (P=0.032) were independent prognostic factors of poor OS.

Conclusions:

The EGFR exon 19 deletion was associated with favorable PFS and OS in patients receiving first-line gefitinib treatment. The EGFR mutation subtype should be considered when making treatment decision or designing clinical trials for chemotherapy-naive, EGFR mutation-positive advanced NSCLC patients.
Incidence and Management of Glaucoma in Vogt Koyanagi Harada Disease
Authors: Pandey Amit , Balekudaru Shantha , Venkatramani Devendra V. , George Amala E. , Lingam Vijaya , Biswas Jyotirmay
Published: March 2016

Purpose:

To analyse the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors of glaucoma in Vogt Koyanagi Harada (VKH) disease and study the changes in visual acuity and intraocular pressure (IOP) with treatment.

Materials and Methods:

Retrospective chart analysis of 448 eyes of 224 patients of Indian origin diagnosed with VKH disease from January 1990 to December 2013, who had a minimum follow-up of 3 months was performed.

Results:

Seventy-one eyes (15.8%) developed sustained elevation in IOP. The prevalence of glaucoma at presentation was 15.8% and the cumulative incidence of glaucoma was 11.7%. The mechanisms of glaucoma were open-angle glaucoma in 46 eyes, (64.8%), angle closure in 21 eyes (29.6%), and of combined mechanisms in the remainder (4 eyes, 5.6%). Acute angle-closure crisis developed in 9 eyes (12.6%). Uveal effusion (odds ratio 9.47; confidence interval, 4.08-20.03) and increased number of recurrences (odds ratio 1.31; confidence interval, 1.13-1.53) were found to be significant risk factors for the development of glaucoma. Successful control of IOP was achieved in 64% at 12 months using medical/ laser treatment for glaucoma and was 50 % at 12 months following surgical management.

Conclusions:

Glaucoma is a frequent complication of uveitis in VKH disease. Presence of uveal effusion and increased number of recurrences of inflammation are significant risk factors.
Poromechanical behaviour of a surficial geological barrier during fluid injection into an underlying poroelastic storage formation
Authors: Selvadurai A. P. S. , Kim Jueun
Published: March 2016

A competent low permeability and chemically inert geological barrier is an essential component of any strategy for the deep geological disposal of fluidized hazardous material and greenhouse gases. While the processes of injection are important to the assessment of the sequestration potential of the storage formation, the performance of the
caprock
is important to the containment potential, which can be compromised by the development of cracks and other defects that might be activated during and after injection. This paper presents a mathematical modelling approach that can be used to assess the state of stress in a surficial caprock during injection of a fluid to the interior of a poroelastic storage formation. Important information related to time-dependent evolution of the stress state and displacements of the surficial caprock with injection rates, and the stress state in the storage formation can be obtained from the theoretical developments. Most importantly, numerical results illustrate the influence of poromechanics on the development of adverse stress states in the geological barrier. The results obtained from the mathematical analysis illustrate that the surface heave increases as the hydraulic conductivity of the caprock decreases, whereas the surface heave decreases as the shear modulus of the caprock increases. The results also illustrate the influence of poromechanics on the development of adverse stress states in the caprock.
Radiating dispersive shock waves in non-local optical media
Authors: El Gennady A. , Smyth Noel F.
Published: March 2016

We consider the step Riemann problem for the system of equations describing the propagation of a coherent light beam in nematic liquid crystals, which is a general system describing nonlinear wave propagation in a number of different physical applications. While the equation governing the light beam is of defocusing nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation type, the dispersive shock wave (DSW) generated from this initial condition has major differences from the standard DSW solution of the defocusing NLS equation. In particular, it is found that the DSW has positive polarity and generates resonant radiation which propagates ahead of it. Remarkably, the velocity of the lead soliton of the DSW is determined by the classical shock velocity. The solution for the radiative wavetrain is obtained using the Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin approximation. It is shown that for sufficiently small initial jumps the nematic DSW is asymptotically governed by a Korteweg–de Vries equation with the fifth-order dispersion, which explicitly shows the resonance generating the radiation ahead of the DSW. The constructed asymptotic theory is shown to be in good agreement with the results of direct numerical simulations.
Ecological genomics of mutualism decline in nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Authors: Klinger Christie R. , Lau Jennifer A. , Heath Katy D.
Published: March 2016

Anthropogenic changes can influence mutualism evolution; however, the genomic regions underpinning mutualism that are most affected by environmental change are generally unknown, even in well-studied model mutualisms like the interaction between legumes and their nitrogen (N)-fixing rhizobia. Such genomic information can shed light on the agents and targets of selection maintaining cooperation in nature. We recently demonstrated that N-fertilization has caused an evolutionary decline in mutualistic partner quality in the rhizobia that form symbiosis with clover. Here, population genomic analyses of N-fertilized versus control rhizobium populations indicate that evolutionary differentiation at a key symbiosis gene region on the symbiotic plasmid (pSym) contributes to partner quality decline. Moreover, patterns of genetic variation at selected loci were consistent with recent positive selection within N-fertilized environments, suggesting that N-rich environments might select for less beneficial rhizobia. By studying the molecular population genomics of a natural bacterial population within a long-term ecological field experiment, we find that: (i) the N environment is indeed a potent selective force mediating mutualism evolution in this symbiosis, (ii) natural variation in rhizobium partner quality is mediated in part by key symbiosis genes on the symbiotic plasmid, and (iii) differentiation at selected genes occurred in the context of otherwise recombining genomes, resembling eukaryotic models of adaptation.
Antimicrobial functions of lactoferrin promote genetic conflicts in ancient primates and modern humans
Authors: Barber Matthew F. , Kronenberg Zev , Yandell Mark , Elde Nels C.
Published: March 2016

Lactoferrin is a multifunctional mammalian immunity protein that limits microbial growth through sequestration of nutrient iron. Additionally, lactoferrin possesses cationic protein domains that directly bind and inhibit diverse microbes. The implications for these dual functions on lactoferrin evolution and genetic conflicts with pathogens remain unclear. Here we show that lactoferrin has been subject to recurrent episodes of positive selection during primate divergence predominately at antimicrobial peptide surfaces consistent with long-term antagonism by pathogens. An abundant lactoferrin polymorphism in human populations and Neanderthals also exhibits signatures of positive selection across primates, linking ancient host-microbe conflicts to modern human genetic variation. Rapidly evolving sites in lactoferrin further correspond to molecular interfaces with pathogenic bacteria causing meningitis, pneumonia, and sepsis. Because microbes actively target lactoferrin to acquire iron, we propose that the emergence of antimicrobial activity provided a pivotal mechanism of adaptation sparking evolutionary conflicts via acquisition of new protein functions.

AUTHOR SUMMARY

Immunity genes can evolve rapidly in response to antagonism by microbial pathogens, but how the emergence of new protein functions impacts such evolutionary conflicts remains unclear. Here we have traced the evolutionary history of the lactoferrin gene in primates, which in addition to an ancient iron-binding function, acquired antimicrobial peptide activity in mammals. We show that, in contrast to the related gene transferrin, lactoferrin has rapidly evolved at protein domains that mediate iron-independent antimicrobial functions. We also find evidence of natural selection acting on lactoferrin in human populations, suggesting that lactoferrin genetic diversity has impacted the evolutionary success of both ancient primates and humans. Our work demonstrates how the emergence of new host immune protein functions can drastically alter evolutionary conflicts with microbes.
A method to exploit the structure of genetic ancestry space to enhance case-control studies
Authors: Bodea Corneliu A. , Neale Benjamin M. , Ripke Stephan ,   The International IBD Genetics Consortium, Daly Mark J. , Devlin Bernie , Roeder Kathryn
Published: March 2016

One goal of human genetics is to understand the genetic basis of disease, a challenge for diseases of complex inheritance because risk alleles are few relative to the vast set of benign variants. Risk variants are often sought by association studies in which allele frequencies in cases are contrasted with those from population-based samples used as controls. In an ideal world we would know population-level allele frequencies, releasing researchers to focus on case subjects. We argue this ideal is possible, at least theoretically, and we outline a path to achieving it in reality. If such a resource were to exist, it would yield ample savings and would facilitate the effective use of data repositories by removing administrative and technical barriers. We call this concept the Universal Control Repository Network (UNICORN), a means to perform association analyses without necessitating direct access to individual-level control data. Our approach to UNICORN uses existing genetic resources and various statistical tools to analyze these data, including hierarchical clustering with spectral analysis of ancestry; and empirical Bayesian analysis along with Gaussian spatial processes to estimate ancestry-specific allele frequencies. We demonstrate our approach using tens of thousands of controls from studies of Crohn’s disease, showing how it controls false positives, provides power similar to that achieved when all control data are directly accessible, and enhances power when control data are limiting or even imperfectly matched ancestrally. These results highlight how UNICORN can enable reliable, powerful and convenient genetic association analyses without access to the individual level data.
Programming of Plant Leaf Senescence with Temporal and Inter-Organellar Coordination of Transcriptome in Arabidopsis1
Authors: Woo Hye Ryun , Koo Hee Jung , Kim Jeongsik , Jeong Hyobin , Yang Jin Ok , Lee Il Hwan , Jun Ji Hyung , Choi Seung Hee , Park Su Jin , Kang Byeongsoo , Kim You Wang , Phee Bong-Kwan , Kim Jin Hee , Seo Chaehwa , Park Charny , Kim Sang Cheol , Park Seongjin , Lee Byungwook , Lee Sanghyuk , Hwang Daehee , Nam Hong Gil , Lim Pyung Ok
Published: March 2016

Plant leaves, harvesting light energy and fixing CO2, are a major source of foods on the earth. Leaves undergo developmental and physiological shifts during their lifespan, ending with senescence and death. We characterized the key regulatory features of the leaf transcriptome during aging by analyzing total- and small-RNA transcriptomes throughout the lifespan of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaves at multidimensions, including age, RNA-type, and organelle. Intriguingly, senescing leaves showed more coordinated temporal changes in transcriptomes than growing leaves, with sophisticated regulatory networks comprising transcription factors and diverse small regulatory RNAs. The chloroplast transcriptome, but not the mitochondrial transcriptome, showed major changes during leaf aging, with a strongly shared expression pattern of nuclear transcripts encoding chloroplast-targeted proteins. Thus, unlike animal aging, leaf senescence proceeds with tight temporal and distinct interorganellar coordination of various transcriptomes that would be critical for the highly regulated degeneration and nutrient recycling contributing to plant fitness and productivity.
The effects of lucky draw sales promotion on brand loyalty in mobile telecommunication industry
Authors: Yeboah-Asiamah Eric , Quaye Daniel M. , Nimako Simon Gyasi
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the relationship between lucky draw sales promotion (LDSP) and the four phases of brand loyalty in the telecommunication industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– A self-administered structure questionnaire was used to collect primary data from conveniently sampled 338 lucky draw winners in the Ghanaian telecommunication industry. A response rate of 67.1 percent was obtained for data analysis using structural equation modeling approach.

Findings

– It was found that LDSP positively relate to cognitive brand loyalty, and to behavioral brand loyalty through affective and conative brand loyalty. All hypothesized relationships among the sequential four-stage loyalty were confirmed, except the direct relationship between LDSP and behavioral brand loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings are limited to lucky draw winners in the telecommunication industry.

Practical implications

– Marketers can increase brand loyalty and profit more from their customers through targeted programs with hedonic benefits to build strong commitment level (conative brand loyalty), strong favoritism (affective brand loyalty) and strong beliefs about the superiority (cognitive brand loyalty) of a brand.

Originality/value

– Theoretically, this study fills the void of empirical studies on non-price sales promotion techniques of lucky draw and customer brand loyalty in the telecommunication sector in developing economy context, and contributes to the body of knowledge in the area of customer brand loyalty and LDSP.
Equivalent stator slot model of temperature field for high torque-density permanent magnet synchronous in-wheel motors accounting for winding type
Authors: Liang Peixin , Pei Yulong , Chai Feng , Cheng Shukang
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– For high torque-density permanent magnet synchronous in-wheel motor, service life and electromagnetic performance are related directly to winding temperature. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the equivalent stator slot model to calculate the temperature of winding accurately.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper analyzes the the law of heat flux transfer in slot, which points the main influence factors of equivalent stator slot model. Thermal network model is used to investigate the drawbacks of conventional equivalent model. Based on the law of heat transfer in stator slot, a new layered winding model is put forward. According to winding type and property of impregnations, detailed method and equivalent principle of the new model are presented. The accuracy of this new method has been verified experimentally.

Findings

– An accurate equivalent stator slot model should be built according to the low of heat transfer. According to theory analysis, the drawbacks of conventional equivalent stator slot model are pointed: it cannot reflect the temperature gradient of winding; the maximum and the average temperature of winding are much higher than actual value. For the new layered model, equivalent principle is related to winding type and property of impregnations, which makes the new model widely used.

Originality/value

– This paper presents a new layered model, and shows detailed method, which is more meaningful for designers. The new layered model takes winding type and property of impregnations into account, which makes the new model widely used. It is verified experimentally that layered model is applicable to not only steady-state temperature field but also transient temperature field.
Linear induction motor drive for woodworking machine application
Authors: Miao Dong-Min , Wang Shuai , Shen Jian-Xin
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study a woodworking machine, in which a linear induction motor (LIM) is applied to feed the wood to be processed into the cutting saw. The LIM is optimally designed and the whole drive system is controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC) to meet the industrial demands.

Design/methodology/approach

– Since the operation range is short, the LIM mainly works at the transient state of quick start and quick brake. Hence, the thrust force with a large slip ratio (hereafter called the starting thrust) is one of the most important issues in the LIM design. Finite element method is used to optimize the starting thrust while taking a specific variable voltage variable frequency (VVVF) drive into account.

Findings

– The LIM system directly drives the machine workbench where the wood is placed, eliminating the requirement of manpower to push the wood through the cutting saw, hence, greatly reduces the operation hazard. It has a higher reliability and longer service life than the conventional drive system employing a rotary motor with a ball screw mechanism.

Originality/value

– The LIM is an attractive candidate for the woodworking machine application, which can replace the complicated and relatively low-efficiency mechanism of rotary motor and ball screw. High starting thrust can be achieved by optimizing the LIM design, whilst the specific VVVF control is essential to ensure a good drive performance. The PLC is competent for both human-machine interface (HMI) and control of the inverter-fed LIM system, and is of high reliability in industrial environment.
Influence of end-effect on torque-speed characteristics of various switched flux permanent magnet machine topologies
Authors: Al-ani M,M.J, , Zhu Z.Q.
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate and compare the influence of end-effect on the torque-speed characteristics of three conventional switched flux permanent magnet (SFPM) machines having different stator/rotor pole combinations, i.e. 12/10, 12/13 and 12/14 as well as three novel topologies with less permanent magnets (PMs), i.e. multi-tooth, E-core and C-core.

Design/methodology/approach

– SFPM machines combine the advantages of simple and robust rotor and easy management of the temperature due to the location of the PMs and armature windings on the stator. However, due to spoke location of the PMs a large flux leakage in the end region, i.e. end-effect, can be observed which could result in a large reduction in the electromagnetic performance. Therefore, the influence of end-effect on the torque-speed characteristics is investigated. 3D-finite element analyses (FEA) results are compared with their 2D-FEA counterparts in order to account for the end-effect influence.

Findings

– It has been concluded that due to end flux leakage, lower torque capability in the constant torque region is observed in the six machines. However, improved flux-weakening capability in the conventional machines can be exhibited at high current levels, whereas due to the large inductance lower power capability in the multi-tooth, E-core and C-core machines is obtained.

Research limitations/implications

– The influence of temperature rise on the performance is not included.

Originality/value

– This paper has analysed the influence of end-effect on the torque-speed characteristics of several SFPM machines.
Organisational culture and quality management system implementation in Indonesian construction companies
Authors: Willar Debby , Trigunarsyah Bambang , Coffey Vaughan
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The review of literature found that there is a significant correlation between a construction company’s organisational culture and the company quality performance. The purpose of this paper is to assess the organisational culture profiles of Indonesian construction companies, and to examine the influence of the companies’ organisational culture profiles on their quality management systems (based on QMS-ISO 9001:2008) implementation. Prior to conducting the examination, there are examinations of the relationships among the quality management system (QMS) variables.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology employed a survey questionnaire of construction industry practitioners who have experience in building and civil engineering works. The Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument was selected due to its suitability in assessing organisation’s underlying culture.

Findings

– Within the examination among the QMS variables, it was found that problematic issues associated with the implementation of QMS-ISO 9001:2008 in Indonesian construction companies can affect the implementation of the QMS and contribute to the lower level of companies’ business performance. It was also found that there is no significant relationship between the QMS implementation and the companies’ business performance. By using the Competing Values Framework diagram, it was found that most of the construction companies’ organisational culture is characterised by a Clan type which is reflected in how employees are managed, how the organisation is held together, and how the organisation’s success is defined; the leadership style is Hierarchy-focused, while the organisation’s strategy is Market type. It was also found that different culture profiles have different influences on the QMS implementation.

Originality/value

– A strong mixed Hierarchy and Market culture needs to be developed within the construction companies in Indonesia, as the driver to support proper and successful implementation of their QMS in order to enhance business performance in a quality performance-oriented Indonesian construction industry.
Trust and productivity in Australian construction projects: a subcontractor perspective
Authors: Chalker Mathew , Loosemore Martin
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the association between trust and productivity from a subcontractor perspective. More specifically it investigates: the perceived level of trust that currently exists between subcontractors and main contractors; the factors affecting trust at the project level; the relationship between trust and productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

– An on-line survey was undertaken with of 112 senior construction managers working for tier-1 and tier-2 subcontractors in the Australian construction industry. The survey was based on a combination of validated questions from Lau and Rowlinson’s (2009) interpersonal trust and inter-firm trust in construction projects framework and Cheung et al.’s (2011) framework for a trust inventory in construction contracting.

Findings

– In contrast to the large number of research projects which have highlighted a lack of trust in the construction industry, the findings show that level of trust that Australian subcontractors have in main contractors is generally high. However, bid shopping is a continuing problem in the Australian construction industry which acts to undermine trust. The findings also provide strong evidence that high levels of trust influence productivity on site by enabling greater collaboration, better communication and greater flexibility, agility and informality in project relationships.

Research limitations/implications

– This research was undertaken in the Sydney metropolitan area in Australia and within an economic boom. It is quite possible that outside this regional context which tends to dominated by larger construction firms and in an alternative economic context that the results of this research could be quite different. This possibility needs to be investigated further.

Practical implications

– The results indicate that this relatively healthy level of trust is down to good communication and empathy on the part of main contractors to the subcontractor’s welfare. While the results showed that bid shopping is clearly a continuing problem in the Australian construction industry, subcontractors also felt that their contracts were clearly defined and that they were given sufficient time to innovate on their projects. This suggest that new communications technologies can be used to build trust through the supply chain. Given that much of the construction supply chain is made up of small- to medium-sized businesses, the challenge of diffusing these new technologies into this business environment should be a priority.

Social implications

– Trust in basis of effective collaboration which has been shown to produce numerous social benefits such as greater equity and justice in business relationships and higher levels of productivity and safety.

Originality/value

– The originality of this research is in using theories of trust to give subcontractors a greater “voice” in the construction productivity debate.
Issues and challenges in financing the poor: case of Baitul Maal Wa Tamwil in Indonesia
Authors: Wulandari Permata , Kassim Salina
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to highlight the issues and challenges in providing financing to the poor people based on the experience of Baitul Maal Wa Tamwil (BMT) in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

– A series of structured interviews were conducted with the chairman and staff of the Central BMT (Induk Koperasi Syariah) in Jakarta which is the head-quarter of 382 BMTs throughout Indonesia, with additional chairman and shari’ah supervisory in Central BMT (Pusat Koperasi Syariah) in Makasar. Subsequently, the results from the structured interviews were analyzed using qualitative analysis to arrive at the model of the peculiarities of financing the poor in Indonesia.

Findings

– The findings show that the Central BMT has built specific products and empowerment mechanisms for the poor and has an ideal product to be applied in 382 BMT in Indonesia. There are two schemes of financing source in BMT, namely, social ministry (Kelompok Usaha Bersama) and private financing (national and international donor). Specifically, the peculiarities of financing given in BMT are not only in the term of capital but also in the term of providing infrastructure and training for the poor. Moreover, collateral must be provided as a screening process for the poor people to secure any form of financing. If there is no collateral, potential borrowers must opt for joint-liability financing. Furthermore, if the poor could not repay the financing, endowment coming from charity and compulsory Islamic tax (zakat, infaq and sadaqah) would play a vital role to cover for the financing default. Lastly, religious capacity building is also provided as a part of risk management aspect.

Research limitations/implications

– This study was only conducted in Indonesia which focussed on the peculiarities of financing for the poor people in Indonesia BMT. Despite this limitation, the findings of this study enable the construction of a model that highlights the issues and challenges that might arise in financing the poor in general.

Originality/value

– The paper adds to the literature on Islamic microfinance by enabling researchers and practitioners to understand the model of Islamic microfinance in Indonesia. It also contributes toward enriching the knowledge in the Islamic microfinance area.
Emotional brand attachment: a factor in customer-bank relationships
Authors: Levy Shalom , Hino Hayiel
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the relationship between customers’ emotional attachment toward bank service providers and bank loyalty. In particular, the study examines the impact of the emotional attachment factor while treating established effecting variables by employing a new conceptual framework that integrates these variables.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study employs data collected from a survey involving 436 participants. The study employs Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis methods following a path analysis method and structural equation modeling for testing research hypotheses.

Findings

– The empirical results support the claim that the conceptual framework applied in this study better explains the relationship between customers’ emotional attachment toward bank service providers and bank loyalty. Specifically, the findings show a significant, direct and positive relationship between the customer’s emotional attachment and bank loyalty; an indirect positive relationship also exists through the connection of customer satisfaction. The study distinguishes between two integrated pathways consumers possibly follow when making decisions about services: the conscious decision-making process path and the emotional process path.

Practical implications

– The paper provides managerial and planning implications to bank service providers who seek to achieve excellent performance and a positive brand personality, thus maintaining long-lasting relationships with their customers.

Originality/value

– The study is among the few empirical works to specifically examine the impact of customers’ emotional attachment on bank loyalty and contributes to the available literature in that it suggests a systematic conceptual framework that evaluates the impact of key factors on bank loyalty.
Marketing microcredit to bottom of the pyramid market
Authors: Jebarajakirthy Charles , Thaichon Paramaporn
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The leading multinational companies tend to expand their marketing activities to bottom of pyramid (BOP) market. The BOP market comprises many segments, however, little is known about the purchase behaviour of BOP market or segments therein. Microcredit provides credit access to customers in BOP market. The purpose of this paper is to investigate youth’s intentions of obtaining microcredit in the post-war era, which could be a segment of BOP market.

Design/methodology/approach

– The sample comprised 1,250 youth aged 18-27 selected from the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Surveys were administered for data collection. After testing measurement model, two structural models – full model and non-mediated model (direct effects model) were run to test hypotheses.

Findings

– Positive affect, subjective norms, entrepreneurial desire and self-identity enhanced intentions of obtaining microcredit, whereas perceived deterrents reduced those intentions. Additionally, self-identity mediated the association between positive affect, entrepreneurial desire, perceived behavioural control and knowledge of microcredit, and intentions of obtaining microcredit.

Research limitations/implications

– This study was conducted amongst youth in one country. Also, the data were cross-sectional. Hence, the model needs testing with youth and adults in other post-war contexts and with longitudinal data.

Practical implications

– The findings of this study inform how effectively microcredit can be marketed to youth in post-war contexts and to the other segments of BOP market.

Originality/value

– A unique purchase behavioural model is suggested with the mediating role of self-identity, to enhance intentions of obtaining microcredit in BOP markets, such as youth in post-war contexts. This study contributes to literature relating to purchase behaviour and self-identity, with particular reference to BOP market.
Favour and opportunity: renqing in Chinese business relationships
Authors: KHAN AMNA , Zolkiewski Judith , Murphy John
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact and effect of renqing in Chinese business relationships. The research focused on a multinational organisation that is based in China.

Design/methodology/approach

– As the research was exploratory, a qualitative approach was adopted. The researcher was based in the organisation for a six-month period, and interviews were undertaken with purchasing managers.

Findings

– The findings show that the Chinese concept of renqing comprises favours and opportunities.

Research limitations implications

– The research is exploratory and further research is required to confirm the wider applicability of the findings.

Practical implications

– The findings illustrate the importance of understanding the use of both favours and opportunities in business relationship in China. The findings also indicate the importance of being sensitive to cultural factors in business relationships.

Originality/value

– This exploratory research indicates that previous conceptualisation of Renqing was limited, as the aspects it encompasses, favours and opportunities, were not identified. This research identifies the importance of opportunities in Chinese business relationships.
Improving customer knowledge transfer in industrial firms: how does previous work experience influence the effect of reward systems?
Authors: Korhonen-Sande Silja , Sande Jon Bingen
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to improve customer knowledge management practices in industrial firms by examining the role of knowledge integration mechanisms (KIMs) and customer-oriented reward systems in non-marketing managers’ use of customer information.

Design/methodology/approach

– Cross-sectional survey data were collected from 221 R
&
D and manufacturing managers from large, Finnish industrial companies. Ordinary least squares regression with bootstrap procedures was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– The use of KIMs mediates the positive effect of customer-oriented reward systems on non-marketing managers’ use of customer information. However, non-marketing managers’ previous work experience in sales and marketing negatively moderates the effect of customer-oriented reward systems on the use of customer information. The use of knowledge integration systems mediates this moderation effect.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper provides empirical evidence concerning the antecedents of successful customer knowledge transfer from sales and marketing to R
&
D and manufacturing. The findings imply that non-marketing managers with T-shaped skills (previous work experience also in sales and marketing) are unlikely to increase their use of KIMs if they are exposed to customer-oriented reward systems. Hence, broadening employees’ knowledge base substitutes for using customer-oriented reward systems as a tool for improving customer information use.

Originality/value

– Building on the research on customer knowledge management, marketing’s cross-functional relationships and the motivation for knowledge transfer, this paper increases our understanding of how to develop organizational support for customer knowledge transfer. The authors consider both the impact of reward systems and their interaction with employees’ knowledge and skills.
Framing stakeholder considerations and business sustainability efforts: a construct, its dimensions and items
Authors: Svensson Goran , Høgevold Nils M. , Petzer Danie , Padin Carmen , Ferro Carlos , Klopper HB , Sosa Varela Juan Carlos , Wagner Beverly
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is twofold: to determine the extent to which companies’™ efforts of sustainable business practices consider stakeholders within their organisations, business networks, the marketplace and society, and to develop and test a stakeholder construct in the context of companies’™ business sustainability efforts within their business networks, the marketplace and society by identifying underlying dimensions and items.

Design/methodology/approach

– A mixed-method approach was used. First, qualitative research involving a case study approach was followed so as to describe how companies in different industries in Norway implement and manage sustainable business practices. This was followed by a quantitative research phase to empirically measure and test a stakeholder construct in the context of business sustainability efforts, which is reported here.

Findings

– The results report both an initial factor solution as well as a refined factor solution. The factor analyses confirmed five stakeholder dimensions related to business sustainability in a cross-industry sample of organisations, their business networks, marketplace and society. These include: the focal company, downstream stakeholders, societal stakeholders, market stakeholders and upstream stakeholders. The results indicate satisfactory convergent, discriminant and nomological validity, as well as reliability of each dimension.

Research limitations/implications

– The study provides a stakeholder construct in the context of business sustainability efforts in focal companies and their business networks, the marketplace and society, based upon five common dimensions. The multi-dimensional framework may be used in both qualitative and quantitative research in future. It may also be used to assess stakeholders’™ business sustainability efforts.

Practical implications

– The multi-dimensional framework is useful for practitioners to obtain an indication of stakeholders’™ business sustainability efforts in relation to focal companies and their business networks, the marketplace and society.

Originality/value

– The study provides a general stakeholder construct in the context of business sustainability efforts in business networks, the marketplace and society. The proposed framework can be incorporated in further studies and could be used to assess the general status of stakeholders’™ sustainability efforts in their networks, the marketplace and society.
The co-ordinative practices of temporary organisations
Authors: Peters Linda D , Pressey Andrew D
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the necessary mechanisms for coordination in complex industrial networks which are temporary in nature, known as temporary organisations (TOs).

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on two in-depth case studies conducted in the UK construction industry.

Findings

– The paper outlines the necessary mechanisms for coordination in TOs – referred to as “scaffolding practices” – which ensure consistency (stability in terms of thinking and action), consensus (agreement) and co-constitutiveness (personal pledges and commitments).

Research limitations/implications

– The study provides practical implications for situations where actors create temporary organisational specific logics. This “logic” helps explain how actors are able to undertake tasks of finite duration where members lack familiarity and have competing loyalties.

Originality/value

– The paper is novel in that it represents the first extant attempt to examine “temporary industrial organizations” where individuals from different (often competing) organisations collaborate on a task for a defined period and suggests how coordination may be achieved.
Trust-building processes in women’s entrepreneurship
Authors: Bogren Maria , von Friedrichs Yvonne
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– Social capital is perceived as an important driver for entrepreneurship. To support development of social capital in women’s entrepreneurship, the Swedish government supports development projects with the aim of stimulating business growth. Recent studies show that trust is an essential ingredient when designing such projects. The purpose of this paper is to further develop a theoretical model of trust-building processes by developing and trying out questions regarding trust elements and to study how projects have addressed these various trust-building elements.

Design/methodology/approach

– An exploratory approach was used, and a survey was conducted. A questionnaire about trust was sent to the project leaders of all 165 development projects in a Swedish government-funded programme with a response rate of 73 per cent. The data were analysed in SPSS.

Findings

– The results show that contextual and relational aspects should be taken into account in the trust model, and that some of the questions regarding trust elements need to be elaborated more.

Originality/value

– This paper further develops the construction of a proposed theoretical model of trust-building processes.