bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomass retention and carbon stocks in integrated vegetation bands: a case study of mixed-age brigalow-eucalypt woodland in southern Queensland, Australia
Authors: Ryan Justin G. , Fyfe Christine T. , McAlpine Clive A.
Published: May 2015

Regrowth of native woody vegetation has the potential to provide an economically valuable source of carbon storage and other ecosystem services. There is a lack of readily applicable examples of how regrowth of forests and woodlands can be integrated with existing grazing production systems and provide soil-protection and water-retention benefits. A system of integrated vegetation bands (IVB) was applied to patchy regrowth of acacia and eucalypt vegetation in a grazed landscape of southern Queensland, Australia. Across a 39.8-ha catchment with 3–5% slope, regrowth of scattered native vegetation (18.4 ha) was surveyed and diameter at breast height and height for all woody plants were recorded. The IVB (6.3 ha) were then marked out as 25-m-wide bands set 100 m apart and offset at ~2–3% gradient to the contour line, retaining the densest/largest regrowth where possible. The data on diameter at breast height and height were analysed using allometric equations to compare aboveground biomass in the original regrowth condition (‘Original’) to that retained in the installed IVB (‘IVB-Riparian’). Estimates of aboveground biomass were calculated for the Original and IVB-Riparian and compared with three other potential regrowth-vegetation management ‘treatments’ in a desktop-modelling study. The models were designated as: (1) ‘Original’; (2) ‘Broad’ (broad-scale cleared with only a few large trees along a creek retained)’; (3) ‘Big Trees’ (only large trees >40 cm diameter at breast height retained); (4) ‘Riparian-IVB (bands of vegetation); and (5) ‘Riparian-IVB-Big Trees’ (large trees together with ‘IVB-Riparian’). In the non-forested area of the catchment, ‘Riparian-IVB-Big Trees’ (301 t), ‘Big Trees’ (249 t) and ‘Riparian-IVB’ (200 t) had the highest aboveground biomass retained, whereas ‘Broad’ resulted in the most pasture area (~33 ha) followed by ‘Riparian-IVB’ (~26 ha). The ‘Riparian-IVB’ treatment had the highest tree density within the vegetation bands and more than half (53%) of the original woody biomass in regrowth was retained on just under a quarter (23%) of the land area minimising the impact on the area of pasture/grazing land. This subsequently resulted in the ‘Riparian-IVB’ treatment having the highest carbon offset value (A$605 ha–1). The results demonstrate that the retention of native regrowth vegetation in either IVB or as large paddock trees can retain a large amount of aboveground biomass, with IVB having greater returns per hectare.
Epigenetic reprogramming in mammalian cell differentiation, transdifferentiation and dedifferentiation.
Authors: Wongtawan T. , Aguilar-Sanchez C. , Wongtawan B. , Pennings S.
Published: May 2015

Epigenetic and chromatin modifications have important roles in governing gene activity and nuclear architecture. They are also necessary for normal embryonic development and cell differentiation. Early epigenetic programming events during mouse embryogenesis are believed to be essential for normal growth and development. Aberrant epigenetic profiles are associated with the conversion of normal cell phenotypes into cancer cells. Because epigenetic alterations are potentially reversible, experimental progress in this area may offer great promise for new cancer therapy. Nuclear epigenetic profiles can be manipulated using techniques such as somatic cell reprogramming, genetic engineering and small molecules, which can reprogramme the cell towards dedifferentiation and transdifferentiation. Advances into the mechanisms will improve the potential for regenerative medicine. In this review, we describe the principles of epigenetics and its relation to cell reprogramming, differentiation, dedifferentiation and transdifferentiation.
Megastudies, crowdsourcing, and large datasets in psycholinguistics: An overview of recent developments
Authors: Keuleers Emmanuel , Balota David A.
Published: May 2015

This paper introduces and summarizes the special issue on megastudies, crowdsourcing, and large datasets in psycholinguistics. We provide a brief historical overview and show how the papers in this issue have extended the field by compiling new databases and making important theoretical contributions. In addition, we discuss several studies that use text corpora to build distributional semantic models to tackle various interesting problems in psycholinguistics. Finally, as is the case across the papers, we highlight some methodological issues that are brought forth via the analyses of such datasets.
A novel gene, optrA, that confers transferable resistance to oxazolidinones and phenicols and its presence in Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium of human and animal origin
Authors: Wang Yang , Lv Yuan , Cai Jiachang , Schwarz Stefan , Cui Lanqing , Hu Zhidong , Zhang Rong , Li Jun , Zhao Qin , He Tao , Wang Dacheng , Wang Zheng , Shen Yingbo , Li Yun , Feßler Andrea T. , Wu Congming , Yu Hao , Deng Xuming , Xia Xi , Shen Jianzhong
Published: May 2015

Objectives

The oxazolidinone-resistant Enterococcus faecalis E349 from a human patient tested negative for the cfr gene and 23S rRNA mutations. Here we report the identification of a novel oxazolidinone resistance gene, optrA, and a first investigation of the extent to which this gene was present in E. faecalis and Enterococcus faecium from humans and food-producing animals.

Methods

The resistance gene optrA was identified by whole-plasmid sequencing and subsequent cloning and expression in a susceptible Enterococcus host. Transformation and conjugation assays served to investigate the transferability of optrA. All optrA-positive E. faecalis and E. faecium isolates of human and animal origin were analysed for their MICs and their genotype, as well as the location of optrA.

Results

The novel plasmid-borne ABC transporter gene optrA from E. faecalis E349 conferred combined resistance or elevated MICs (when no clinical breakpoints were available) to oxazolidinones (linezolid and tedizolid) and phenicols (chloramphenicol and florfenicol). The corresponding conjugative plasmid pE349, on which optrA was located, had a size of 36 331 bp and also carried the phenicol exporter gene fexA. The optrA gene was functionally expressed in E. faecalis, E. faecium and Staphylococcus aureus. It was detected more frequently in E. faecalis and E. faecium from food-producing animals (20.3% and 5.7%, respectively) than from humans (4.2% and 0.6%, respectively).

Conclusions

Enterococci with elevated MICs of linezolid and tedizolid should be tested not only for 23S rRNA mutations and the gene cfr, but also for the novel resistance gene optrA.
The gendered realities and talent management imperatives of women physicians
Authors: Hoff Timothy , Scott Sarah
Published: May 2015

Introduction:

U.S. medicine is increasingly a gender-balanced profession with half of all medical school graduates now female. Despite this reality and the potentially transformative nature of a large female physician cohort in U.S. health care, there is less examination of their workplace realities and the key talent management strategies for health care organizations employing women physicians.

Purpose:

First, we identify current knowledge about U.S. women physician satisfaction, role challenges, and work tradeoffs. Gender theory is used to help interpret these workplace realities. Second, we use this information to identify talent management strategies health care organizations might consider to mitigate the realities and provide greater support for women physicians.

Methods:

To facilitate our analysis, we conducted a narrative review of published research that includes analysis focused on U.S. women physicians for the time period 2006–2014. Applying ideas from gender theory, we extrapolated key findings from that research related to three issues: satisfaction, role challenges, and tradeoffs. Then we synthesized the findings to identify general talent management strategies that could address these dynamics proactively while enhancing recruitment and retention with respect to women physicians.

Findings:

U.S. women physicians express strong levels of satisfaction, particularly with their careers, at the same time they continue to experience gender-based inequities, role challenges, and lack of work–life balance in their chosen specialty fields. Lack of suitable role models and appropriate mentoring for women physicians, in addition to barriers to career advancement, are also prevalent across different medical specialties.

Conclusion:

Similar to other occupations and industries, gender-based inequities and role strains are very real issues for women physicians. Health care organizations must acknowledge these issues and employ effective talent management strategies aimed at women doctors if they are to be viewed as an employer of choice by this increasingly important occupational cohort.
Evolution of cubic membranes as antioxidant defence system
Authors: Deng Yuru , Almsherqi Zakaria A.
Published: May 2015

Possibly the best-characterized cubic membrane transition has been observed in the mitochondrial inner membranes of free-living giant amoeba (
Chaos carolinense
). In this ancient organism, the cells are able to survive in extreme environments such as lack of food, thermal and osmolarity fluctuations and high levels of reactive oxygen species. Their mitochondrial inner membranes undergo rapid changes in three-dimensional organization upon food depletion, providing a valuable model to study this subcellular adaptation. Our data show that cubic membrane is enriched with unique ether phospholipids, plasmalogens carrying very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Here, we propose that these phospholipids may not only facilitate cubic membrane formation but may also provide a protective shelter to RNA. The potential interaction of cubic membrane with RNA may reduce the amount of RNA oxidation and promote more efficient protein translation. Thus, recognizing the role of cubic membranes in RNA antioxidant systems might help us to understand the adaptive mechanisms that have evolved over time in eukaryotes.
Modelling clustering of vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays
Authors: Schaber Clemens F. , Filippov Alexander E. , Heinlein Thorsten , Schneider Jörg J. , Gorb Stanislav N.
Published: May 2015

Previous research demonstrated that arrays of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) exhibit strong frictional properties. Experiments indicated a strong decrease of the friction coefficient from the first to the second sliding cycle in repetitive measurements on the same VACNT spot, but stable values in consecutive cycles. VACNTs form clusters under shear applied during friction tests, and self-organization stabilizes the mechanical properties of the arrays. With increasing load in the range between 300 µN and 4 mN applied normally to the array surface during friction tests the size of the clusters increases, while the coefficient of friction decreases. To better understand the experimentally obtained results, we formulated and numerically studied a minimalistic model, which reproduces the main features of the system with a minimum of adjustable parameters. We calculate the van der Waals forces between the spherical friction probe and bunches of the arrays using the well-known Morse potential function to predict the number of clusters, their size, instantaneous and mean friction forces and the behaviour of the VACNTs during consecutive sliding cycles and at different normal loads. The data obtained by the model calculations coincide very well with the experimental data and can help in adapting VACNT arrays for biomimetic applications.
A physical perspective on cytoplasmic streaming
Authors: Goldstein Raymond E. , van de Meent Jan-Willem
Published: May 2015

Organisms show a remarkable range of sizes, yet the dimensions of a single cell rarely exceed 100 µm. While the physical and biological origins of this constraint remain poorly understood, exceptions to this rule give valuable insights. A well-known counterexample is the aquatic plantChara, whose cells can exceed 10 cm in length and 1 mm in diameter. Two spiralling bands of molecular motors at the cell periphery drive the cellular fluid up and down at speeds up to 100 µm s−1, motion that has been hypothesized to mitigate the slowness of metabolite transport on these scales and to aid in homeostasis. This is the most organized instance of a broad class of continuous motions known as ‘cytoplasmic streaming’, found in a wide range of eukaryotic organisms—algae, plants, amoebae, nematodes and flies—often in unusually large cells. In this overview of the physics of this phenomenon, we examine the interplay between streaming, transport and cell size and discuss the possible role of self-organization phenomena in establishing the observed patterns of streaming.
Arcobacter lanthieri sp. nov., isolated from pig and dairy cattle manure
Authors: Whiteduck-Léveillée Kerri , Whiteduck-Léveillée Jenni , Cloutier Michel , Tambong James T. , Xu Renlin , Topp Edward , Arts Michael T. , Chao Jerry , Adam Zaky , André Lévesque C. , Lapen David R. , Villemur Richard , Talbot Guylaine , Khan Izhar U. H.
Published: May 2015

A study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and diversity of species of the genus Arcobacter in pig and dairy cattle manure, which led to the identification of strains AF1440T, AF1430 and AF1581. Initially identified as Arcobacter butzleri based on colony morphology and initial PCR-confirmation tests, analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences of these strains confirmed that they belonged to the genus Arcobacter and were different from all known species of the genus. The isolates formed a distinct group within the genus Arcobacter based on their 16S rRNA, gyrB, rpoB, cpn60, gyrA and atpA gene sequences and fatty acid profiles. Their unique species status was further supported by physiological properties and DNA–DNA hybridization that allowed phenotypic and genotypic differentiation of the strains from other species of the genus Arcobacter. The isolates were found to be oxidase, catalase and esterase positive and urease negative; they grew well at 30 °C under microaerophilic conditions and produced nitrite and acetoin. Based on their common origin and various physiological properties, it is proposed that the isolates are classified as members of a novel species with the name Arcobacter lanthieri sp. nov. The type strain is AF1440T ( = LMG 28516T = CCUG 66485T); strains AF1430 ( = LMG 28515 = CCUG 66486) and AF1581 ( = LMG 28517 = CCUG 66487) are reference strains.
Shimia sagamensis sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from cold-seep sediment
Authors: Nogi Yuichi , Mori Kozue , Uchida Hiromi , Hatada Yuji
Published: May 2015

A novel marine bacterial strain designated JAMH 011Twas isolated from the cold-seep sediment in Sagami Bay, Japan. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, aerobic chemo-organotrophs and motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Growth occurred at temperatures below 31 °C, with the optimum at 25 °C. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10. The predominant fatty acid was C18 : 1ω7c. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the isolated strain was closely affiliated with members of the genusShimiain the classAlphaproteobacteria, and the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of the novel isolate with the type strain of the closest related species,Shimia haliotisWM35T, was 98.1  %. The DNA G+C content of the novel strain was 57.3 mol%. The hybridization values for DNA–DNA relatedness between strain JAMH 011Tand reference strains belonging to the genusShimiawere less than 9.4 ± 0.7  %. Based on differences in taxonomic characteristics, the isolated strain represents a novel species of the genusShimia,for which the nameShimia sagamensissp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JAMH 011T( = JCM 30583T = DSM 29734T)
Food away from home and obesity in Brazil
Authors: Finocchio Caroline Pauletto Spanhol , Dewes Homero
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to characterize food consumption outside the home and verify the existence of relationships between income, expenditure and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adult individuals in Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

– Food expenditure data were used as well as those on the prevalence of overweight and obesity available in the reports from Family Budgets Research carried out by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) in the years 2002-2003 and 2008-2009. In addition, the authors used the Kruskall-Wallis test to verify whether there were significant differences between the classes of income with respect to the average expenditure on food outside the home.

Findings

– It was observed that the higher the income of the individual, the greater the expenditure on food outside the home. It was also found that the prevalence of overweight and obesity is higher in individuals who have higher income, particularly among men. Thus, it is suggested that the higher the income of the individual, the larger the expenditure on food outside the home and the greater the prevalence of overweight and obesity.

Research limitations/implications

– This study used spending on food away from home (FAFH), but the authors know that is need to use other variables like frequency of FAFH and quantities but this data were not available.

Practical implications

– The study points to the importance of restaurants in the prevention of obesity, since they can offer in their menus foods with fewer calories, and they can also increase the variety and availability of fruits and vegetables.

Originality/value

– The study discusses the public health problem, obesity, at the same time as it presents the importance of agribusiness in providing a balanced diet for individuals.
Interview with Dr Bor-Shiuan Cheng: a mindful leader with persistence (part I)
Authors: Ke Jie
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper reports the first part of a recent interview with Dr Bor-Shiuan Cheng on his values, beliefs or thoughts on how to lead a fulfilling life as a person and a researcher.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is based on a recent interview with Dr Bor-Shiuan Cheng.

Findings

– Life is a journey of discovering our purpose and fulfilling our own destiny. Once Dr Cheng decided his career direction after trying out different alternatives, he sticks to it and makes the best out of it. His choice of majoring in psychology became a basis for the contributions to Chinese management research.

Research limitations/implications

– Dr Cheng’s life and career paths showcased a successful scholar who keeps doing one thing in his life, being himself, being focused and persistent. His experience may inspire and encourage junior scholars for career development.

Originality/value

– The interview presents the life and career paths of Dr Cheng, who has chosen to take a road less traveled and enjoyed different views along the road.
Exploring the relationships between HPWS, organizational ambidexterity and firm performance in Chinese professional service firms
Authors: Fu Na , Ma Qinhai , Bosak Janine , Flood Patrick
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to better understand the indirect link between high-performance work systems (HPWSs) and firm performance in Chinese professional service firms (PSFs) by investigating the mediating role of organizational ambidexterity, i.e. a firm’s capability to simultaneously explore new ideas and exploit existing resources.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from 120 Chinese accounting firms. The authors used hierarchical and polynomial regression analyses to test their hypotheses.

Findings

– The proposed positive link between the HPWS and organizational ambidexterity was found. Further, the results showed a non-linear relationship between organizational ambidexterity and organizational performance.

Research limitations/implications

– The present study is limited in terms of small sample size, single industry and self-report data.

Practical implications

– Firms which reported a higher level of HPWS demonstrated better performance due to their organizational capability to explore new ideas and exploit existing resources. In the Chinese context, firms that had high levels of exploration (exploring new resources) and exploitation (exploiting existing resources) or that had a high level of exploration experienced higher performance. The authors can conclude from these findings that without exploration, organizational success is difficult to achieve for PSFs.

Originality/value

– This is the first study examining the underlying mechanism of organizational ambidexterity in the indirect relationship between HPWS and firm performance in Chinese PSFs. It advances the authors understanding of HPWS and firm performance relationship in an Eastern country and an emerging context of PSFs. This is also the first study to use polynomial regression to operationalize organizational ambidexterity.
Distinguishing competencies of effective physician leaders
Authors: Hopkins Margaret M. , O'Neil Deborah A. , Stoller James K
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine the particular competencies demonstrated by effective physician leaders. Changing organizational and environmental dynamics present unique challenges to leaders in the field of healthcare. An accelerated emphasis on increasing the quality of health care delivery, containing costs, and restructuring the delivery of health care itself are redefining the very nature of healthcare and the roles of physicians as leaders. Given this context, the authors propose to identify the essential competencies for twenty-first century physician leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

– In all, 53 critical incident interviews from 28 physicians identified as emerging leaders at the Cleveland Clinic, a top-rated US academic healthcare institution, were examined in two ways: an existing leadership competency model was applied to each critical incident and inductively derived themes were identified through thematic analysis of the incidents.

Findings

– The predominant distinguishing leadership competencies demonstrated by the physician leaders included: Empathy, Initiative, Emotional Self-Awareness and Organizational Awareness. Communicating deliberately, getting buy-in from colleagues, focussing on the mission of the organization and showing respect for others were also discovered through thematic analysis to be essential practices of these effective physician leaders. Over 90 percent of the critical incident stories dealt with colleague-to-colleague interactions.

Research limitations/implications

– The research was conducted in one academic healthcare organization, thus limiting the generalizability of the results. Additional research testing these results in a variety of healthcare institutions is warranted.

Originality/value

– This study identified specific competencies that distinguish effective physician leaders. These leaders actively sought to work with colleagues to obtain their input and consensus in order to enact organizational change and improve health care delivery in their institution. Importantly, their intentions were neither self-focussed nor self-promoting but strongly mission driven. The identification of physician leader competencies will assist incumbent and emerging physician leaders in their ability to be effective leaders, as well as inform the design of training and development programs for physicians.
The advantages of a transorganisational approach for developing senior executives
Authors: O'Neill Alan Burnell , Bent Ritchie
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– Developing capable and competent executives remains a critical and ongoing challenge for many organisations due to the ever changing landscape of the global business environment. Traditional executive development methods in artificial, once removed “classroom” type environments do not prepare executives sufficiently with the experience and insights needed to handle the complexities and uncertainties that befall them in the current volatile business environment. The purpose of this paper is to study the development of senior executives in a more real-world and authentic manner, that a leading Asia-based conglomerate has developed a senior executive “peer-to-peer” learning approach that brings together chief executives and senior managers from a number of businesses so they can share and learn from each other.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper presents by way of a narrative description an alternative approach to classroom-based executive development. The paper looks at some of the limitations of more traditional executive development methods by contrasting these with a peer-to-peer learning framework that has been used successfully over the last 12 years. It outlines the why, what and how to implement a peer-to-peer learning practice based on transorganisational development (TD) practices to facilitate individual and organisational change.

Findings

– Getting senior executives out of the “classroom” and in front of executives from other businesses and organisations in a real-world peer-to-peer learning environment, exposes “participants” to a more credible, grounded and authentic development opportunity, that is difficult to replicate with more traditional methods. The diversity of delegates and companies that engage in this approach enable “participants” to explore new ideas and to confront, in very direct ways, their predispositions to repeat well-learned institutional responses which may have helped them succeed in the past.

Originality/value

– Although much of the literature on TD focuses predominately on the initiation, planning and implementation of system or organisation wide change, little has been written to emphasise how TD makes a viable contribution to the understanding of the processes of change at an individual level. By highlighting this the authors intend to make the relationship more explicit, thereby opening up prospects for TD’s wider use in the field senior executive development.
The relationship between proactive goal generation and innovative behaviour at work
Authors: Odoardi Carlo
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose and verify a motivational aspect of goal-based innovation that accounts for the effect of goal-directed self-regulation processes on innovative behavior. Its purpose is to extend present knowledge of the motivational antecedents to innovation at work. Additionally, the study assesses the extent to which the positive effect of the proactive generation of goals may increase as a result of role breadth self-efficacy (RBSE) (defined as individuals’ perceived capacities to exercise proactive, interpersonal, and integrative activities above and beyond the formal requirements of their job descriptions (Parker, 1998; Parkeret al., 2006).

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey was conducted with a sample of 395 male and female administrative employees in two institutions in central Italy (city hall).

Findings

– The results confirmed the two hypotheses: proactive goal generation was a strong predictor of individual work innovative behavior and the RBSE as a psychological state, is directly related to proactive and innovative behavior and it is also moderator in the relationship between proactive goal generation and innovative behavior.

Research limitations/implications

– The data were collected using one-time, self-report measures and with the cross-sectional research design.

Practical implications

– The results of this study imply that pro-innovation organizational strategies and practices should stimulate among workers an anticipatory, self-directed approach toward professional action in the workplace. It is management’s task to encourage a proactive environment of change-oriented goals and the corresponding strategies with which they may be realized. Creating such an environment would provide a motivational stimulus that could effectively guide workers’ proactive and innovative conduct.

Social implications

– The results of this study contribute to change human resources management practices in public administrations where administrative employees have been assigned goals that they were required to meet by performing well-defined tasks. Recently, public administrations have been encouraged to innovate and answer with efficiency to new public policies and customers’ demands. Thus, human resources management needs to find new solutions to address these changing demands and employees’ changing attitudes and behaviors.

Originality/value

– Furthermore, the results of this study contribute to broadening understanding of the psychological factors that can boost the positive effect of self-regulatory efforts on creativity and individual innovation.
Leadership development in the Asia-Pacific region. Building capacity in the Indonesia defence environment
Authors: Darby Roger
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide further discussion on the role of educational support adding value by sustaining the function of capacity building in emerging countries and states in transition and development. The Asia-Pacific region is noted for being in a continuous and rapid state of change dramatically affecting both private and public institutions. One such institution involves the provision of education with specific emphasis on leadership development in the defence sector; and the on-going education and development of military personnel, civil servants and civilians from different professions, in the wider Indonesian society. This exploratory research paper highlights one bi-lateral educational initiative that has acted as a catalyst for change which was developed in partnership between the Indonesian and British governments and Cranfield University in the UK. The findings highlight a challenge to dominant western perspectives on educational provision in general and leadership development in particular; and focused on the potential for a schism between content and process issues in the provision in particular of leadership development that is not contextually situated and can be dominated by Anglo-American perspectives. Key factors including capacity building, knowledge management, the learning process and the influence of culture were identified as fundamental and integral for a more appropriate design of leadership development programmes in defence and security, within the Asia Pacific region.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a case study approach, it utilises one educational institution involved in the provision of education with specific emphasis on leadership development in the defence sector; and the on-going education and development of military personnel, civil servants and civilians from different professions.

Findings

– The findings highlight a challenge to dominant western perspectives on educational provision in general and leadership development in particular; and focused on the potential for a schism between content and process issues in the provision of education and leadership development that is not contextually situated and can be dominated by Anglo-American perspectives.

Practical implications

– It is a potential guide in helping practitioners in identifying, designing and implementing leadership development courses to manage the complexity of the processes of change in an international context.

Originality/value

– Given the dearth of research on defence and security the study was prescient. This paper contributes much needed further discussion about the role leadership development interventions play in supporting capacity building in states in transition and development.
Have you got what it takes? Nursing in a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Ward Louise , Gwinner Karleen
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– A Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and or High Dependency Unit (HDU) is a locked, intensive treatment facility available to people experiencing acute psychiatric distress. For many people who access public mental health services in Australia, the PICU/HDU is the primary point of admission, and should represent and facilitate timely assessment and an optimum treatment plan under a recovery framework. Nurses are the largest health discipline working in this specialty area of care. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative study aimed to investigate the skills, experience, and practice, of nurses working in the PICU/HDU in relation to a recovery model of care. Identifying how nurses provide care in the PICU/HDU will inform a clinical practice guideline to further support this specialty area of care. Four focus groups were facilitated with 52 registered nurses attending.

Findings

– The nurse participants identified specific skills under four distinct themes; Storytelling, Treatment and recovery, Taking responsibility, and Safeguarding. The skills highlight the expertise and clinical standard required to support a recovery model of care in the PICU.

Research limitations/implications

– The research findings highlight urgency for a National PICU/HDU clinical practice guideline.

Practical implications

– A PICU/HDU practice guideline will promote the standard of nursing care required in the PICU/HDU. The PICU/HDU needs to be recognised as a patient centred, therapeutic opportunity as opposed to a restrictive and custodial clinical area.

Social implications

– Providing transparency of practice in the PICU/HDU and educating nurses to this specialty area of care will improve client outcome and recovery.

Originality/value

– Very few studies have explored the skills, experience, and practice, of nurses working in the PICU/HDU in relation to a recovery model of care. A dearth of research exists on what is required to work in this specialty area of care.
Attitudes towards offenders with mental health problems scale
Authors: Glendinning Anna Louise , O'Keeffe Ciaran
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to suggest that there was a need for a psychometric measure to assess attitudes specifically towards offenders with mental health problems. The “Community Attitudes towards the Mentally Ill” scale (CAMI; Taylor and Dear, 1981) was adapted to create a new psychometric measure; the “Police and Community Attitudes towards Offenders with Mental Illness” scale (PACAMI-O).

Design/methodology/approach

– A sample of police and community participants (n=178) completed this scale through the online surveying system, Psychdata. The new psychometric measure utilised the same 40 items featured in the CAMI; although, the wording was adapted.

Findings

– The internal reliability for the combined sample was high (α=0.929), which implied very good internal reliability. An exploratory factor analysis identified four new factors: Self-Preservation, Societal Reservation, Mental Health Awareness and Treatment Ideology. At-test revealed there was a significant difference between the scores of the police and community sample, with the effect size depicting a large magnitude between the means (t(176)=p=0.019,η2=0.16).

Practical implications

– The PACAMI-O scale appears adequate for measuring attitudes towards its targeted sample and has shown utility with; a professional group (police officers and custody sergeants) who potentially face such offenders (primarily in the context of using Section 136 of the Mental Health Act). It therefore has practical implications in assessing attitudes with other groups within forensic mental health.

Originality/value

– Assessing attitudes towards offenders with mental health problems would enable a better understanding of the formation of negative attitudes and stigmatisation and therefore, ways of tackling treatment, rehabilitation and also community reintegration.
A profile of psychologists in clinical training caseloads in Ireland
Authors: Feely David , Byrne Michael
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This study profiled the work activities, including caseloads, of psychologists in clinical training (n=51; hereafter referred to as “trainees”) in the Republic of Ireland (RoI). The purpose of this paper is to highlight the value of trainees by focusing on the effect they had on the waiting times across the services where they were on placement.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study employed a survey design using the online survey software, Limesurvey, in order to profile the work activities of 51 trainees (response rate=47 per cent) on various placements across the RoI.

Findings

– Findings suggest that the trainees work contributed in a meaningful way to their host services through their engagement in both direct and indirect clinical work.

Research limitations/implications

– The study relied on self-report data, some of which were estimates (e.g. waitlist lengths at placement end). Future research could employ other methods (e.g. work activity diaries) to increase reliability.

Originality/value

– By highlighting the valuable contribution made by trainees while on placement, this study supports the continued funding of clinical training programmes in the RoI.
Perceived images and vocations of local territorial systems: implications for place branding strategies
Authors: Pino Giovanni , Guido Gianluigi , Peluso Alessandro M.
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to assess the extent to which the perceived images and personalities of places mirror their prevalent production orientations, or “vocations”. It also investigates the factors that shape the expectations and desires of residents, tourists, local firms and export markets, as well as these users’ overall place experience.

Design/methodology/approach

– In all, 600 questionnaires containing both closed-ended and open-ended questions were administered in four local territorial systems (LTSs) of a Southern Italian province. Data were analyzed by using both quantitative and qualitative techniques.

Findings

– Results showed that place image mirrors the respective productive orientation for only one of the examined LTSs. Meanwhile, for all four LTSs, place image was congruent with place personality.

Research limitations/implications

– The generalizability of the results is limited, as the research focused on LTSs located in a specific geographical area.

Practical implications

– The paper provides suggestions regarding the formulation of marketing policies aimed at improving the willingness of residents, tourists, local firms and export markets to use the products/services/resources of the studied LTSs. Communication and branding strategies that leverage the personality traits of the examined LTSs are also illustrated in the paper.

Originality/value

– By examining the coherence among place image, personality, and prevalent vocation, this research addresses a neglected area of investigation. This study is one of the few that provides empirical evidence of misperceptions of the actual production orientation of places.
Global nation product equity depending on a level of cultural diffusion
Authors: Kim Sookhyun , Lee Yuri , Jang Aran , Lee Yangim , Kapstein Claire Lacoste
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to propose the global nation product equity model (GNPE) to measure global consumers’ equity of a product that a country produces, especially a nation’s cultural products (i.e. culducts). The model also examines the significant difference of GNPE depending on a cultural diffusion level. GNPE model proposes that depending on the level of people’s recognition/acceptance/preference of a culture from another country (i.e. cultural diffusion level), the equity of a product from that country could be different in different countries. As variables that affect GNPE, global nation product equity in general, global nation product equity of a product category and nation cultural equity are included in the model.

Design/methodology/approach

– To test the model, this study developed Hallyu (Korean cultural diffusion)-related Korean culducts and measured global consumers’ equity for the Korean culducts. In all, 351 surveys were collected from China, France, England and the USA.

Findings

– The results show the significantly different equities and relationships among equities depending on the level of Hallyu diffusion in each country. Therefore, Korea is suggested to focus on different equities in different countries.

Originality/value

– This research proposed a new model that extends the previous brand equity models to non-branded products (i.e. cultural products). This model proposed new variables that affect equity of a product mentioned above and suggests different equities to improve in different countries depending on their level of cultural diffusion. Also, this cross-cultural study suggests a direction of culduct design, distribution and promotion strategies in the global market.
Conceptualizing luxury buying behavior: the Indian perspective
Authors: Jain Varsha , Roy Subhadip , Ranchhod Ashok
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The study aims to draw on existing knowledge and investigates how luxury is perceived in a developing nation with economic and cultural diversity. The present study aims to develop a conceptual framework to understand luxury buying behavior in a developing nation context.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study utilizes qualitative research (focus group discussions) with 72 luxury consumers (and partly with practitioners) of apparel and accessories in two major metro cities and two major non-metro cities of India.

Findings

– A framework of luxury buying behavior was constructed with cultural background, antecedents, buying process and post-purchase consequences of luxury buying behavior as its sub-constructs. Gender was identified as a moderating variable between antecedents of purchase and purchase behavior.

Research limitations/implications

– The most important contribution of the present study is the creation of a comprehensive framework of luxury buying behavior within a developing nation context and a set of testable propositions to further validate using quantitative research.

Practical implications

– Provides the manager with a workable model of luxury buying behavior that he/she could use to generate the right consumer responses.

Originality/value

– The present study is the first of its kind which integrates cultural backdrop, antecedents and consequences of luxury consumption in the context of a developing nation.
Participatory workplace activities, employee-level outcomes and the mediating role of work intensification
Authors: Ogbonnaya Chidiebere Ndukwe , Valizade Danat
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The present study aims to explore the impacts of participative decision-making and information-sharing activities, two relevant constituents of the high performance work practices framework, on employee attitudes and well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study was undertaken using data from the 2009 National Centre for Partnership and Performance survey on employees’ attitudes and expectations of the workplace. Structural equation modelling was used to test the direct effects of participative decision-making and information sharing on job satisfaction, organizational commitment and job strain, and simultaneously, the mediating role of work intensification in these relationships was examined.

Findings

– Participative decision-making activities produced overall favourable effects on employee attitudes and well-being; these effects may be explained by decreases in work intensification. The impacts of information sharing on employee attitudes and well-being were generally unfavourable and fully mediated by increases in work intensification.

Originality/value

– This study informs two theoretical perspectives on employee-level impacts of HPWP: the mutual gains and the critical perspectives of HPWP, and extends knowledge on the employee-level influences of participatory workplace practices during a period of severe economic recession in the Republic of Ireland.
Environmental scanning in business organisations
Authors: Aldehayyat Jehad S.
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to analyse the environmental scanning and information sources used by Jordanian firms. Furthermore, the relationship between environmental scanning and organisational characteristics (firm size and industry type), as well as organisational performance, is explored.

Design/methodology/approach

– The empirical research was coordinated via a survey of 190 Jordanian publicly quoted firms. The results of the survey provided a rich source of data in relation to a variety of practices associated with environmental scanning in these firms.

Findings

– The findings of this study show that scanning focus was higher for the general environmental sectors than the task environmental sectors. The results also demonstrate that these firms rely more on internal sources of information. Larger firms have more scanning activities, while smaller firms tend to focus on different sources of information. Additionally, some differences in the industry sector in terms of scanning behaviour were identified. This study also supports the literature regarding the positive relationship between environment scanning and organisational performance by providing new empirical evidence from the context of Middle East countries.

Originality/value

– This paper provides empirical evidence on the nature and the practice of environmental scanning and its value for organisational performance in business firms in a Middle East context. From a theoretical perspective, this study engages in the “convergence versus divergence” debate regarding managers’ scanning behaviour around the world.
Modelling interrelationships between logistics and transportation operations – a system dynamics approach
Authors: Aschauer Gerald , Gronalt Manfred , Mandl Christoph
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to present a system dynamics model for the interdependencies between logistics strategies and freight transport. As efficient freight transport operations are a crucial part within securing the competitiveness of a company, the “right” logistics strategy plays a key role within realization of efficient transportation movements lowering environmental impacts.

Design/methodology/approach

– Freight transport is affected by different parameters determined within a logistics strategy. This research approach models interdependencies between logistics strategies and transportation movements through a systemic point of view.

Findings

– The paper starts with an overview of challenges in freight transport and highlights the parameters of a logistics strategy. Afterwards, the qualitative and quantitative model is presented. Numerical experimentation further illustrates the applicability while providing additional intuitively insights.

Originality/value

– The authors present a system dynamics model for the interdependencies between logistics strategies and freight transport. The developed model allows the comprehensive description and analysis of the system operations (parameters of logistics strategy) and taking also transport relevant factors (toll, CO2 internalization, infrastructure capacity) into account. The model should serve as a basis for the realization of sustainable transport operations. Thus, it may prove as useful to loaders/industry, logistics service providers as well as policy stakeholders regarding the realization of efficient, sustainable transport movements in future.