bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide Comparative Analysis Reveals Possible Common Ancestors of NBS Domain Containing Genes in HybridCitrus sinensisGenome and OriginalCitrus clementinaGenome
Authors: Wang Yunsheng , Zhou Lijuan , Li Dazhi , Lawton-Rauh Amy , Srimani Pradip K. , Dai Liangying , Duan Yongping , Luo Feng
Published: August 2014

Background

Recently available whole genome sequences of three citrus species: oneCitrus clementinaand twoCitrus sinensisgenomes have made it possible to understand the features of candidate disease resistance genes with nucleotide-binding sites (NBS) domain in Citrus and how NBS genes differ between hybrid and original Citrus species.

Result

We identified and re-annotated NBS genes from three citrus genomes and found similar numbers of NBS genes in those citrus genomes. Phylogenetic analysis of all citrus NBS genes across three genomes showed that there are three approximately evenly numbered groups: one group contains the Toll-Interleukin receptor (TIR) domain and two different groups that contain the Coiled Coil (CC) domain. Motif analysis confirmed that the two groups of CC-containing NBS genes are from different evolutionary origins. We partitioned NBS genes into clades using NBS domain sequence distances and found most clades include NBS genes from all three citrus genomes. This suggests that NBS genes in three citrus genomes may come from shared ancestral origins. We also mapped the re-sequenced reads of three pomelo and three Mandarin orange genomes onto theCitrus sinensisgenome. We found that most NBS genes of the hybridC. sinensisgenome have corresponding homologous genes in both pomelo and mandarin genome. The homologous NBS genes in pomelo and mandarin may explain why the NBS genes in their hybridCitrus sinensisare similar to those inCitrus clementinain this study. Furthermore, sequence variation amongst citrus NBS genes were shaped by multiple independent and shared accelerated mutation accumulation events among different groups of NBS genes and in different citrus genomes.

Conclusion

Our comparative analyses yield valuable insight into the understanding of the structure, evolution and organization of NBS genes inCitrusgenomes. There are significantly more NBS genes inCitrusgenomes compared to other plant species. NBS genes in hybridC. sinensisgenomes are very similar to those in progenitorC. clementinagenome and they may be derived from possible common ancestral gene copies. Furthermore, our comprehensive analysis showed that there are three groups of plant NBS genes while CC-containing NBS genes can be divided into two groups.
Coordinated Evolution of Influenza A Surface Proteins
Authors: Neverov Alexey D. , Kryazhimskiy Sergey , Plotkin Joshua B. , Bazykin Georgii A.
Published: August 2014

Surface proteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) of the human influenza A virus evolve under selection pressure to escape the human adaptive immune response and antiviral drug treatments. In addition to these external selection pressures, some mutations in HA are known to affect the adaptive landscape of NA, and vice versa, because these two proteins are physiologically interlinked. However, the extent to which evolution of one protein affects the evolution of the other is unknown. Here we develop a novel phylogenetic method for detecting the signatures of such genetic interactions between mutations in different genes – that is, intergene epistasis. Using this method, we show that influenza surface proteins evolve in a coordinated way, with substitutions in HA affecting substitutions in NA and vice versa, at many sites. Of particular interest is our finding that the oseltamivir-resistance mutations in NA in subtype H1N1 were likely facilitated by prior mutations in HA. Our results illustrate that the adaptive landscape of a viral protein is remarkably sensitive to its genomic context and, more generally, imply that the evolution of any single protein must be understood within the context of the entire evolving genome.
The housing finance system in Turkey
Authors: Gülter Hamza , Basti Eyup
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review the housing sector of Turkey and present the housing development strategies developed by government enterprises for the urban poor in Turkey as successful examples.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology of the paper is descriptive. First of all, the literature on housing finance systems and sources of housing finance are stated. Then, the paper reviews housing finance systems applied in Turkey in the past to solve housing problems. Later, it describes current housing strategy to solve housing problems of low- and middle-income groups and also presents this strategy as a successful model to other countries. Moreover, mortgage law and the current situation of the Turkish housing sector are discussed within the study.

Findings

– As a result of economic normalization achieved after 2002, mortgage loans extended by commercial banks have increased in Turkey. Besides, governmental institutions, such as Housing Development Administration of Turkey (HDAT) and Istanbul Public Housing Corporation (KIPTAS), apply very extensive projects to allow low- and middle-income groups to have their dwellings. In 2007, the Turkish Parliament enacted mortgage law and defined rules and actors of the mortgage sector. However, as a consequence of economic deterioration in the world economy, mortgage loan receivables-backed securities could not be issued to public yet. Public issuance of mortgage loan receivables-backed securities in the future are expected to direct more long-term funds to the housing sector and also to provide an additional investment instrument for the individual and institutional investors.

Originality/value

– The housing production and finance models developed by the HDAT and KIPTAS can be good models for the solution of housing problems of urban poor in other countries.
Modelling the supply of new residential construction in Aberdeen, UK
Authors: Owusu-Ansah Anthony
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to use local-level time series data to examine the determinants of housing starts and the price elasticity of supply for the Aberdeen local housing market.

Design/methodology/approach

– Seven time series models are used in the analysis. The basic model treats housing starts as a function of the changes of current and lagged house prices, interest rate and construction cost. The other six models which are extensions of the basic model include other variables like time on the market, planning constraints and future expectations.

Findings

– It is found that the local variables – changes in house prices, time on the market, planning regulation, lagged stock and lagged and future housing starts – are the main factors that influence new residential construction in Aberdeen. None of the national variables is significant, confirming the importance of limiting housing market analysis to the local level. The price elasticity of supply estimated is in the range of 2.0 to 3.2 for housing starts and 0.01 to 0.02 for housing stock. These estimates are higher than most of the elasticities for the other UK local markets.

Originality/value

– There is the need to better understand the supply of housing at the various local housing markets. Unfortunately, however, most housing supply studies use national data. Because national data are aggregation of local data, using national studies results for local markets may be uninformative. Also, the few existing local studies use typically cross-section data or at least time series over relatively short time spans. This paper makes an effort to use quarterly time series data over a 25-year period for a local market and also include a planning variable which is different from local markets and often ignored in national or regional studies.
Metaphor as a means to constructively influence behavioural interactions in project teams
Authors: W. Shelley Arthur , Maqsood Tayyab
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The paper summarises the scope, methodology and main findings of a PhD thesis about how the use of metaphor can be used to constructively influence project team behaviours. The purpose of this paper is to inform other candidates on the experience of the research journey using action research in a project environment and highlight how creative metaphor can stimulate relationship building in team environments.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research approach that was used in the thesis is described in this paper. Candidate and supervisor reflections are shared on how the thesis journey process was experienced, including some of the challenges of doing academic research in a practitioner environment.

Findings

– This research provides a simple and pragmatic reflective model that enables leaders and team members to increase the awareness of opportunities for collaborative behaviours. Facilitating creative metaphor conversations around model engages team members and leads them towards understanding how behavioural awareness can improve performance outcomes.

Practical implications

– This paper provides insights into how simple and fun behavioural interactions can be used to enhance the performance of project teams. Implementing the intuitive metaphorical conversations will enable team leaders to leverage behavioural diversity as an asset rather than be a victim of it. Managers and leaders in all organisations have experienced the difficulties of inappropriate behaviours that have led to suboptimal performance, stress or outright conflict. Research candidates and supervisors will find this methodology an interesting option to conduct pragmatic research that is also robust.

Social implications

– Behaviour can be an asset or a liability in projects. This approach helps to leverage behaviour in a constructive way and decreases the likelihood of behavioural challenges and conflict in project teams and with stakeholders.

Originality/value

– For the practice of project management the Reflective Performance Cycle is a unique model that can be used as a practical tool to build relationships in teams. From a social research perspective the research design and data interpretation process are new innovative ways to generate data and insights that are both robust and relevant, enabling more effective dialogue between researchers and practitioners.
The need for a project governance body
Authors: Hjelmbrekke Hallgrim , Lædre Ola , Lohne Jardar
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– From a project owner's perspective, it is obvious that a project shall contribute to achieving the organisation's strategic goals. The purpose of this paper is to find out what project owners can do to ensure value creation in their projects, what owners actually do in the few cases in which they are actively involved in ensuring value creation and what is the result of their choice.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors have analysed 12 projects in the Norwegian construction industry, using a qualitative approach. A general business framework for understanding projects has been applied in order to identify possible shortcomings and success factors. The authors have used semi-structured in-depth interviews combined with questionnaires for data collection.

Findings

– The study reveals an absence of project strategy, resulting in projects which only to a small extent achieve strategic goals. This lack of strategic perspective in project management is also recognised by the research literature as a common tendency. Traditional project management approaches concentrate on time, cost and quality, instead of on providing strategic success. Based on business literature, the authors identify the value proposition and the customer value proposition as being essential.

Practical implications

– The authors recommend construction project owners – as described in the literature – to appoint a project sponsor responsible for communicating a value proposition and business rationale to the project supplier. The sponsor should also be responsible for aligning the suppliers’ customer value proposition with the owner's strategy. The authors recommend that the project sponsor be supported by a project governance body. This will help project owners to ensure value creation in their projects, as described in the literature. The authors pinpoint a need for bridging theory and practice.

Originality/value

– The originality of the paper lies in introducing insights from business literature to the construction industry. In the value proposition the owner defines the benefits the project is to provide. The customer value proposition is the statement where the supplier aligns the proposed project output with the project owner's needs. The project governance body is responsible for ensuring this communication process.
Client-side project management capabilities: dealing with ethical dilemmas
Authors: Walker Derek , Lloyd-Walker Beverley
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present results and analysis from a case study on ethical dilemmas faced by client-side project management employees of a large Australian University.

Design/methodology/approach

– A single case study approach was adopted using the property services division's experience of potential ethical dilemmas that staff were exposed to as a focus for the unit of analysis. Data were triangulated by interviewing the Deputy Director of the division, a programme manager, a project manager and a client (stakeholder) with experience of dealing with the division. Each person was interviewed and the interview transcribed and analysed using grounded theory to make sense of the data.

Findings

– Four potential ethical dilemmas were identified: fraud/bribery/corruption; favouritism and special treatment; occupational health and safety and duty of care; and professionalism and respect for others. Leadership, governance structure and (organisational and national) culture supported initiative and independent thinking through cause-and-effect loops and consequences and this meditated and influenced how these dilemmas were dealt with.

Research limitations/implications

– This was just one case study in one cultural and governance setting. Greater insights and confidence in conclusions could be gained with replication of this kind of study. This study was part of a broader study of ethics in project management (PM) that consisted of eight other cases studies by others in the wider research team, also a quantitative study has been undertaken with results to be presented in other papers/reports. The main implication is that governance and workplace culture are two key influences that moderate and mediate an individuals inherent response to an ethical dilemma.

Practical implications

– Clients (project owners or POs) and their representatives (PORs) hold a pivotal role in ensuring that PM work takes place within an environment characterised by high ethical standards yet the authors know that all PM parties, including client-side PORs, are faced with ethical dilemmas. What do the authors mean by an “ethical dilemma” and how may POs ensure that their PORs behave ethically? This paper provides practical guidance and demonstrates how ethical dilemmas can be analysed and appropriate action taken.

Social implications

– Ethics in PM has profound implications for value generation through projects. Project managers need sound guidance and processes that align with society's norms and standards to be able to deliver project value so that commercial or sectarian interests do not dominate project delivery at the expense of society in general.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a rare example of a case study of project teams facing ethical dilemmas. The PM literature has few cases such as this to draw upon to inform PM theory and practice.
Ethics in project management: some Aristotelian insights
Authors: Bredillet Christophe
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to introduce, in the project management field, an Aristotelian ethics lens moving beyond the classical deontological and consequentialism approaches underlying the current ethical practices and codes of ethics and professional conducts. In doing so, the author wishes to pose the premises of a debate on the implications of a conscious ethical perspective for the structure and agency relationship within the project management field.

Design/methodology/approach

– Project management is a knowledge field on its own right. However, the current perspectives applied to make sense and develop the field (modernism vs postmodernism) leads to dichotomous thinking rather than recognizing the merits and contextual validity of both sides. The author calls for Aristotelian ethics as a way of moving beyond this dichotomous thinking. The author introduces briefly Aristotelian ethics and its consequences in term of relation theory – practice, means and ends, facts and values and finally politics (i.e. being part of a community of practitioners). Then the author illustrates some consequences for the field taking PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and APM Code of Professional Conduct as supports for discussion.

Findings

– The author suggests a need for revisiting and/or redesigning the codes of ethics and professional conducts for project management according to an Aristotelian perspective, in order to move beyond the normative limitations of classical deontological (conflict between competing duties, exemplified by PMI Code) or consequentialism (focusing on the “right” outcome to the detriment of duties, exemplified by APM Code) approaches (both, in fact, leading to a disconnection means and ends, and facts and values). This implicates shifting the view from the question “what is my duty”? to the questions “why should I undertake my duty”? and “how ought I act in this situation”?

Practical implications

– Raising professional bodies, industry and education institutions awareness and consciousness and leading them to rethink about codes of ethics and the implications for the way they conceive practice and research, bodies of knowledge, credentialing, education, etc.

Originality/value

– To the best of the author's knowledge, this kind of discussion has not yet been conducted within the project management field, and considering the implication of project management in the life and for the well-being of the society, an ethical debate may present some value(s).
Sensitivity analysis in an imperfect substitutes model of preferential trade
Authors: A. Reinert Kenneth
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a formal representation of the imperfect substitutes model (ISM) of partial equilibrium, trade policy analysis and to conduct sensitivity analysis on the behavioral parameters of the model.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper develops an ISM in a manner that is conformable to more complex, applied general equilibrium models of trade policy analysis.

Findings

– The paper presents a set of sensitivity analyses on key behavioral parameters for a better understanding of the model's properties.

Research limitations/implications

– Sensitivity analysis on the values of behavioral parameters in ISMs needs to be conducted by trade policy modelers.

Practical implications

– The ISM is made more explicit here than in most representations, something that will be of great use to practitioners.

Originality/value

– While widely used in trade policy circles, the ISM is rarely explicitly formulated, nor the role of its behavioral parameters explored.
Modeling and optimization of road transport facility operations
Authors: H.F. Chow Andy , Li Ying
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to present a linear mathematical framework for modeling and optimizing road transport infrastructure. The framework assesses and optimizes performance of existing transport facility rather than relying on building new roads for the ever-increasing travel demand.

Design/methodology/approach

– The mathematical framework is built upon a traffic model called Cell Transmission Model (CTM). CTM describes the relationship and evolution of traffic flow and concentration over space and time. The model is parsimonious and accurate in predicting traffic dynamics. More importantly, the traffic flow model is piecewise linear with which the corresponding transport facility optimization problem can be formulated as a Linear Programming (LP) problem and solved by established solution algorithm for global optimality.

Findings

– We select a section on England Motorway M25 as a case study. With traffic data, we first calibrate the CTM, and we are able to produce traffic estimation with a reasonable error rate of 12 per cent. The corresponding LP then seeks an optimal ramp metering strategy that minimizes the delay on the motorway. It is shown that an optimal and practical strategy can be derived which reduces the motorway delay by 10 per cent without significantly hurting the surrounding connectors.

Originality/value

– Instead of the tedious microscopic models used by many traditional tools, the underlying CTM is parsimonious and reliable. The tools developed herein are based upon plausible traffic theory and will be accessible for a wide range of users. The LP formulation can be easily implemented and solved for optimal and practical control strategies for real-world transport networks by using existing computer software (CPLEX) within reasonable computational time. The present work will certainly contribute to the sustainable development of transport facility.
Building integrated project and asset management teams for sustainable built infrastructure development
Authors: K.W. Wong Kelwin , Kumaraswamy Mohan , Mahesh Gangadhar , Y.Y. Ling Florence
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate the relevance of the relationally integrated value networks (RIVANS) concept for integrating project management (PM) and asset management (AM) for total asset management (TAM). The specific objectives are to test the RIVANS for TAM concept postulated by Kumaraswamy (2011) and Kumaraswamyet al.(2012); discover ways to enable PM and AM teams to work in an integrated manner; and recommend strategies and operational measures to promote greater team integration in the industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is based in Hong Kong with parallel studies in the UK, Singapore and Sri Lanka. Through a comprehensive questionnaire, a case study on an organization engaged in both design and construction and operations and maintenance (O&M) works, interviews and hosting a workshop (all conducted with experienced industry practitioners and experts), a set of recommendations are derived to guide the industry toward greater team integration.

Findings

– Early involvement of O&M staff is important for better anticipating obstacles and learning from past experiences, but PM and AM teams generally work independently with limited interaction. Priorities of the stakeholders are often different. Knowledge management is increasingly important, but knowledge sharing is not always a priority. The three focus areas in the set of recommendations developed from Hong Kong are: organizational/management structure, procurement strategies and operational mechanisms; fostering culture of team building and providing additional means of communication; and informal communication tools.

Originality/value

– There has been little research into the communication, interaction and integration between PM and AM priorities and teams. However, increasing industry emphasis on sustainable buildings, end-user satisfaction and designing for maintainability dictates that PM and AM teams must work closer together, hence the imperative for mapping useful directions to be pursued.
Hedonic values of physical infrastructure in house rentals
Authors: Famuyiwa Funlola , Kayode Babawale Gabriel
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship and pricing effects of physical infrastructure on house rents using the hedonic technique.

Design/methodology/approach

– Primary data are derived through a questionnaire survey and secondary data from existing literature. Sampling data on 211 detached residential buildings with a range of physical infrastructure attributes within Lekki Phase 1 area of Lagos are analysed with the hedonic regression technique.

Findings

– Results reveal significant impacts and a range of price premium estimates of physical infrastructure on house rents in the study area.

Originality/value

– The study suggests a nouvelle and contextualized approach for sustainable infrastructure delivery, improvement and maintenance. Appropriate pricing will help to guide and support physical infrastructure development and sustainability. When tailored in line with market support, achievable pricing can be attained in setting land-based user charges and tariffs for cost recovery on projected developments and reform. Results from empirical market evidence also provide demand and viability indicators that offer invaluable blueprints, by which governments, policy/decision makers, investors, town-planning authorities and other stakeholders can take sustainable decisions based on priority, in the face of budgetary constraints – a significant characteristic of the Nigerian economy.
From perpetual to wasting asset
Authors: Ameyaw Stephen
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to present an objective overview of the factual discourse around the wasting nature of real estate for an appreciation of the resultant exacting management responsibility. The durability feature of real estate has had consequential implications on the appreciation of the asset class.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses literature survey and key informant interview to identify the peculiar features of real estate to understand the exacting responsibility of its ownership and management.

Findings

– The study reveals that real estate is a specialised investment asset that requires extra management care, costs and specialised expertise to retain its investment value. Thus, the asset is not inherently perpetual but wasting and requires conscious physical and functional management, which are dependent on sound financial management.

Practical implications

– Real estate investment decisions must be made with the exacting management responsibility in mind. Both individual and corporate investors must use a sinking fund policy to meet the financial liability involved in managing both income and non-income properties. The Government of Ghana must create a National Infrastructure Maintenance Fund and adopt a National Infrastructure Management Strategy for managing the existing stock of public real estate.

Originality/value

– It is the first literature appraisal and facts collation on the wasting nature of real estate and its attendant exacting management responsibility with a call for paradigm shift in our understanding of this investment asset.
Boosted regression trees
Authors: J. McCluskey William , Zulkarnain Daud Dzurllkanian , Kamarudin Norhaya
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to apply boosted regression trees (BRT) to a heterogeneous data set of residential property drawn from a jurisdiction in Malaysia, with the objective to evaluate its application within the mass appraisal environment in Malaysia. Machine learning (ML) techniques have been applied to real estate mass appraisal with varying degrees of success.

Design/methodology/approach

– To evaluate the performance of the BRT model two multiple regression analysis (MRA) models have been specified (linear and non-linear). One of the weaknesses of traditional regression is the need to a priori specify the functional form of the model and to ensure that all non-linearities have been accounted for. For a BRT model the algorithm does not require any predetermined model or variable transformations, making the process much simpler.

Findings

– The results show that the BRT model outperformed the MRA-specified models in terms of the coefficient of dispersion and mean absolute percentage error. While the results are encouraging, BRT models still lack transparency and suffer from the inability to translate variable importance into quantifiable variable effects.

Practical implications

– This paper presents a useful alternative modelling technique, BRT, for use within the mass appraisal environment in Malaysia. Its advantages include less intensive data cleansing, no requirement to specify the predictive underlying model, ability to utilise categorical variables without the need to transform them and not as data hungry, as for example, MRA.

Originality/value

– This paper adds to the knowledge in this area by applying a relatively new ML model, BRT to residential property data from a jurisdiction in Malaysia. BRT has shown promise as a strong predictive model when applied in other disciplines; therefore this research empirically tests this finding within real estate valuation.
An empirical analysis of the exit of SMEs tendering for public works in the Japanese construction industry
Authors: Konno Yukiko
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine what factors affect the exit of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from tendering for public works in the Japanese construction industry using the Keiei Jikou Sinsa or Keisin (the database for evaluation of construction companies in Japan).

Design/methodology/approach

– This study empirically analyzes SMEs’ exit using the binary logit model. For the empirical analysis, it uses the scores as well as financial and non-financial performance indicators of Keisin data.

Findings

– The Keisin scores (the total score and W score), financial performance indicators (cash flow from operations and capital) and non-financial performance indicators (having unemployment insurance and operating years) significantly affect SME exits. Although the Keisin data are used for bid entry qualifications of public works, they can be applied to a factor analysis of the exit of SMEs in the construction industry.

Originality/value

– As there exists little empirical analysis of the exit of SMEs globally, this study contributes to the research on this phenomenon.
A group learning curve model with and without worker turnover
Authors: H. Glock Christoph , Y. Jaber Mohamad
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of the paper is to develop a mathematical model that describes group learning processes with and without worker turnover.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on an extensive literature review, fundamental characteristics of group learning processes are first identified and then incorporated into a group learning curve (GLC). The developed GLC is then validated by fitting to empirical data.

Findings

– The results show that the behaviour of the developed model is in conformance with the characteristics identified in the literature. A comparison with two other learning curves that have frequently been discussed in the literature shows that the GLC developed in this paper is a good mathematical representation of group learning processes.

Practical implications

– The model developed in this paper enables practitioners to predict performance improvement in groups.

Originality/value

– The paper is one of the first to propose a mathematical formulation of a GLC.
Advertising in online social networks: the role of perceived enjoyment and social influence
Authors: Maria Soares Ana , Carlos Pinho José
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to analyse the impact of perceived enjoyment in advertising response in online social networks (OSN). The authors propose and test a structural model explaining response to OSN advertisements embracing perceived enjoyment, social influence and advertising-related variables.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were gathered through the application of a structured questionnaire to a sample of 126 students of the same scientific area (marketing and communication studies).

Findings

– The results validate the proposed model and support nine out of ten hypotheses. The study supports the role of perceived enjoyment as a predictor of both social identity and group norms. Furthermore, social identity and group intention have a positive impact on perceived advertisement relevance. Finally, group intention towards advertisements and perceived advertisement relevance have a positive impact on perceived advertisement value, which in turn impacts positively on response to OSN advertisements.

Research limitations/implications

– The main limitation relates to the fact that the study mainly covered a population aged between 18-35 years old. Despite its relevance as a segment of OSN users, some caution needs to be taken in generalizing findings to a broader population.

Practical implications

– These results provide important indications for firms aiming at fully exploiting the computer-mediated communication of OSNs. Specifically, we confirm the role of perceived enjoyment in reinforcing group dynamics and shaping group intentions towards advertising.

Originality/value

– The main contribution of this study lies in the focus on perceived enjoyment as a predicting variable of social influence and advertising variables, thus impacting response to OSN advertisements.
Consumer – brand engagement on Facebook: liking and commenting behaviors
Authors: Kabadayi Sertan , Price Katherine
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study factors affecting consumers’ liking and commenting behavior on Facebook brand pages, and to analyze the mediating role of mode of interaction on relationships between personality traits and liking/commenting behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected using an online national survey from 269 respondents, ages between 18 and 32. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

– Results support nine of ten hypotheses with significant relationships between analyzed constructs. It was found that two different modes of interaction acted as mediators between three personality traits and liking/commenting behavior on Facebook.

Research limitations/implications

– This study only included liking and commenting behavior on Facebook. Future studies could extend the conceptual model by including sharing behavior and other personality traits that were not included in this conceptual model.

Practical implications

– The findings have several implications for brand managers with respect to their social media strategies and give them guidance in achieving better customer engagement on Facebook. This research is an important step in understanding the factors affecting consumers’ Facebook behavior and useful for practitioners intending to use Facebook as part of their marketing strategy.

Originality/value

– The study provides a comprehensive framework to understand consumer engagement on Facebook by including specific types of Facebook behavior, three personality traits and two modes of interaction that consumers have in social media.
The role of organizational mindfulness in firms’ globalization and global market performance
Authors: Bayraktar Ahmet , Oly Ndubisi Nelson
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This research aims at contributing to international marketing literature by reconsidering the drivers of firms’ globalization and global market performance in the light of organizational mindfulness concept.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on industrial organization theory, resource-based view and literature on organizational mindfulness, a conceptual framework is presented to characterize how organizational mindfulness impacts firms’ globalization process and global market performance. In total, 14 propositions are extracted.

Findings

– This paper proposes that organizational mindfulness plays a significant role in firms’ entry into foreign markets, global extension and global market performance. More specifically, organizational mindfulness positively moderates the relationships between external globalization drivers and the extent of firms’ globalization. In addition, organizational mindfulness is an antecedent to strategic processes, whereas it positively moderates the relationships between other internal drivers and firms’ globalization and global market performance. Furthermore, this paper suggests that country equity is a significant external globalization driver that also moderates the relationship between the extent of firms’ globalization and global market performance.

Research limitations/implications

– The proposed framework contributes to international marketing research by integrating organizational mindfulness concept into the drivers of firms’ globalization and global market performance, and highlights its crucial role in the pursuit of opportunities in the global marketplace. The paper suggests that firms should create mindful organizations to expand its activities into global markets and achieve desirable global market performance. In other words, they should improve collective mindfulness to survive in today’s hyper-competitive markets.

Originality/value

– The paper represents the first attempt that incorporates organizational mindfulness concept into firms’ globalization process. Highlighting the importance of developing mindful organizations, it reconsiders the drivers of firms’ global expansion and global market performance. Furthermore, it is the first attempt that introduces the country equity construct as an external driver of firms’ global extension and as a moderator between organizational reform measures and global market performance.
Total availability of journal articles to Internet users
Authors: White Bruce
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to determine the outcome of the different measures taken towards open access (OA) to peer-reviewed research by measuring aggregate availability of a sample of journal articles. This sample was then used to examine the factors contributing to the availability or non-availability of types of article.

Design/methodology/approach

– A sample of articles was taken from the Scopus database based on a search by surname. This minimised any skew that would result from a dataset based on subject or source. The results were analysed to determine availability by subject and differences in availability based on source.

Findings

– Less than 30 per cent of articles are available in their year of publication, rising to nearly 40 per cent in following years. Repositories are responsible for slightly less than 50 per cent of available articles. Substantial differences exist between the practices of scholarly societies and commercial publishers.

Practical implications

– Aggregate availability is dependent on a range of activities and current efforts need to be maintained to ensure its continuance. Moves towards OA by commercial publishers are not a major factor.

Social implications

– Non-affiliated researchers are able to access less than half of the peer-reviewed literature.

Originality/value

– This study differs from similar work by looking at access from the users’ viewpoint. Rather than looking at the total amount of material to which access is provided, it looks at the proportion of high-value information which is available.
Perceived usefulness, perceived ease-of-use and faculty acceptance of electronic books
Authors: Nasser Al-Suqri Mohammed
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to extend the use of the technology acceptance model (TAM) to faculty acceptance of e-books at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in the Sultanate of Oman. Electronic books (e-books) are becoming increasingly important in society in general and among academic faculty, concomitant with the growth of portable electronic devices that facilitate the reading of e-books.

Design/methodology/approach

– The effects of language and personal characteristics (gender, age and field of study) in relation to perceived usefulness, perceived ease-of-use and usage of e-books for academic work among respondents are examined using data derived from a survey of 332 faculty members at SQU.

Findings

– Findings were that participants who perceived that electronic books were easier to use also tended to be those who used them more; younger male faculty whose first language was Arabic tended to have higher levels of usage than females, older faculty or faculty whose first language was not Arabic. Faculty in the social sciences and the life and health sciences tended to have lower levels of usage behaviour than those in the arts and humanities, business or law or physical sciences or engineering.

Practical implications

– Implications are that e-book acceptance among faculty at SQU is similar to that of faculty in Western universities and that the TAM is a relatively good predictor of e-book usage regardless of geographical location.

Originality/value

– The value of the present study is that identification of factors affecting scholars’ e-book usage behaviours may provide library managers with a better understanding of the way in which they can support faculty. Further, by focusing on e-book adoption by faculty in a non-Western country, results of the research help to fill a gap on an under-researched population.
An overall index of intellectual capital
Authors: Cricelli Livio , Greco Marco , Grimaldi Michele
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this article is to expound a holistic intellectual capital index. Moreover, the paper presents its implementation within a real estate organization.

Design/methodology/approach

– The index is calculated on the basis of 14 structured interviews synthesized through the analytic hierarchy process, min–max normalizations and weighted sums.

Findings

– The authors estimate a holistic intellectual capital index and show that an analysis of its components may allow identifying discordances within the organization about the contributions of its value drivers.

Research limitations/implications

– The proposed index may be used in a medium-/long-term research to measure the evolution in the organizational intellectual capital and its relation with the top management’s initiatives and the competitive environment changes.

Practical implications

– The proposed methodology may integrate the reports prepared for shareholders and stakeholders and provide the top management, with an in-depth understanding of the different perceptions of the organizational human resources.

Originality/value

– The authors discuss a holistic index of intellectual capital that allows considering both the performances of the intellectual capital components and the interdependencies among them and also their strategic contribution to the value-creation process. In addition, they propose a novel descriptive statistical analysis of the assessment and management of IC-index components to draw indications for the top management.
Transactive memory systems and team innovation
Authors: Peltokorpi Vesa , Hasu Mervi
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to hypothesize a curvilinear relation between transactive memory systems (TMS) and team innovation by integrating diverging conceptual and research findings in TMS research. While increasingly argued to enhance team innovation, TMS also have negative effects on team processes and outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors tested the hypothesis through hierarchical linear regression analyses using data obtained from 124 technical research teams.

Findings

– Logistic regressions support the hypothesis, showing an inverse U-shaped relationship between TMS and team innovation, measured by patents received.

Research limitations/implications

– The average within team response rate was relatively low, and the findings are driven by a limited number of teams with patents.

Practical implications

– The findings suggest that research teams with moderate levels of TMS are the most effective in terms of patents received.

Originality/value

– To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study to link TMS to team innovation and to test the potential counterproductive effects of TMS on team innovation.
The interactive influences of conflict, task interdependence and cooperation on perceptions of virtualness in co-located teams
Authors: Stark Eric , Bierly† Paul , R. Harper Steven
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the interactive influence of conflict, task interdependence and cooperation on individual perceptions of team virtualness levels. The study attempts to provide additional insight regarding how or why virtual structures might develop in teams with co-located team members.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from 355 upper-level business students assigned to the same team in four class integrated business courses. Moderated hierarchical regression was utilized in examining the moderating role of cooperation with conflict and task interdependence in predicting virtualness.

Findings

– Cooperation positively moderates the relationships between relationship conflict and perceived virtualness and between perceived task interdependence and perceived virtualness. In addition, conditional support exists for a cooperation and process conflict interaction in predicting virtualness.

Originality/value

– Many teams are mandated to be virtual either by management direction, task and resource requirements or by necessity due to being geographically dispersed. However, additional factors may influence the level of virtualness in teams with co-located members. This study provides preliminary evidence that an individual’s experiences in teams influences the individual’s views regarding the virtual structure of his or her team.
Distribution of ether lipids and composition of the archaeal community in terrestrial geothermal springs: impact of environmental variables
Authors: Xie Wei , Zhang Chuanlun L. , Wang Jinxiang , Chen Yufei , Zhu Yuanqing , de la Torre José R. , Dong Hailiang , Hartnett Hilairy E. , Hedlund Brian P. , Klotz Martin G.
Published: August 2014

Archaea can respond to changes in the environment by altering the composition of their membrane lipids, for example, by modification of the abundance and composition of glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs). Here, we investigated the abundance and proportions of polar GDGTs (P‐GDGTs) and core GDGTs (C‐GDGTs) sampled in different seasons from Tengchong hot springs (Yunnan, China), which encompassed a pH range of 2.5–10.1 and a temperature range of 43.7–93.6°C. The phylogenetic composition of the archaeal community (reanalysed from published work) divided the Archaea in spring sediment samples into three major groups that corresponded with spring pH: acidic, circumneutral and alkaline. Cluster analysis showed correlation between spring pH and the composition of P‐ and C‐GDGTs and archaeal 16S rRNA genes, indicating an intimate link between resident Archaea and the distribution of P‐ and C‐GDGTs in Tengchong hot springs. The distribution of GDGTs in Tengchong springs was also significantly affected by temperature; however, the relationship was weaker than with pH. Analysis of published datasets including samples from Tibet, Yellowstone and the US Great Basin hot springs revealed a similar relationship between pH and GDGT content. Specifically, low pH springs had higher concentrations of GDGTs with high numbers of cyclopentyl rings than neutral and alkaline springs, which is consistent with the predominance of high cyclopentyl ring‐characterized Sulfolobales and Thermoplasmatales present in some of the low pH springs. Our study suggests that the resident Archaea in these hot springs are acclimated if not adapted to low pH by their genetic capacity to effect the packing density of their membranes by increasing cyclopentyl rings in GDGTs at the rank of community.