bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Study on Effect of Germinated Wheat on Human Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Cho Kyongshin , Lee Chiwon W. , Ohm Jae‐Bom
Published: June 2016

This research investigated the possible anticancer effects of germinated wheat flour (GWF) on growth and apoptosis of human breast cancer cells. In a series of in vitro experiments, estrogen‐receptor‐positive (MCF‐7) and ‐negative (MDA‐MB‐231) cells were cultured and treated with GWF that was obtained after a three‐day germination. The GWF significantly reduced the growth of both of MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells. In analysis with a flow cytometer, the GWF significantly up‐regulated apoptosis of both cell lines. These results indicate that GWF induced apoptosis and inhibited growth of the human breast cell lines, thereby demonstrating its potential inhibition of breast cancer cell proliferation.
Nutritional Composition of Iron, Zinc, Calcium, and Phosphorus in Wheat Grain Milling Fractions as Affected by Fertilizer Nitrogen Supply
Authors: Xue Yan‐Fang , Zhang Wei , Liu Dun‐Yi , Xia Hai‐Yong , Zou Chun‐Qin
Published: June 2016

Fe and Zn deficiencies are global nutritional problems. N supply could increase Fe and Zn concentrations in wheat grain. This study was conducted to determine the impacts of different N rates (0, 122, 174, and 300 kg/ha) on the distribution and speciation of Fe and Zn in wheat grain milling fractions under field conditions. Zn and protein concentrations were increased, whereas Fe was less affected in the flour fractions with increasing N rates. Further analysis with size‐exclusion chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry revealed that Fe and Zn bound to low‐molecular‐weight (LMW) compounds in the flour fractions (probably Fe‐nicotianamine [NA], Fe‐deoxymugineic acid, or Zn‐NA) were less affected by increasing N supply, representing 3.5–10.9% of total Fe and 2.5–56.6% of total Zn. In the shorts fraction, LMW‐Fe was absent, and LMW‐Zn with higher N supply was over twice as high as that in control and 3–27 times as high as that in the other milling fractions. In the flour fractions, the molar ratios of phytic acid (PA)/Fe and PA/Zn (both less than 30.5) decreased, whereas soluble LMW‐Fe/Zn was not affected with increasing N rates.
Trade-Offs for Viruses in Overcoming Innate Immunities in Plants
Authors: Miyashita Yuri , Atsumi Go , Nakahara Kenji S.
Published: June 2016

Plants recognize viral infection via an immune receptor, i.e., nucleotide-binding site (NB)-leucine-rich repeat (LRR) proteins. Another immune receptor, receptor-like kinase proteins, which share an LRR domain with NB-LRRs, perceive conserved molecules of pathogens called pathogen- or microbe-associated molecular patterns, but NB-LRRs generally perceive particular viral proteins. As viruses can evolve more rapidly than the host immune system, how do plant immune systems, which rely on the perception of proteins, remain effective? Viral adaptive evolution may be controlled by penalties that result from mutations in viral proteins that are perceived by NB-LRRs. Our recent studies in pea (Pisum sativum) suggest a penalty of increased susceptibility to another immune system. When a viral protein mutates to evade one immune system, the virus with the mutated protein becomes more susceptible to another. Such antagonistic pleiotropy of a viral protein by two independent plant immune systems may have precedents. Plants may rely on pairs of immune systems to constrain adaptive evolution by viruses and thereby maintain durable antiviral immunity.
Stalk Rot Fungi Affect Leaf Greenness (SPAD) of Grain Sorghum in a Genotype- and Growth-Stage-Specific Manner
Authors: Bandara Y. M. A. Y. , Weerasooriya D. K. , Tesso T. T. , Little C. R.
Published: June 2016

Stalk rots are among the most prevalent and destructive sorghum diseases worldwide. Although experimental evidence is limited, delayed postflowering senescence due to the staygreen trait is accepted as a physiological means of stalk rot resistance. Staygreen has been shown to be correlated with chlorophyll content (as measured by a soil and plant analytical development [SPAD] meter). Field experiments were conducted to test the effects of Fusarium stalk rot and charcoal rot on SPAD readings at three developmental stages, to test whether staygreen genotypes are more resilient to stalk-rot-mediated chlorophyll degradation, and to examine the relationships between SPAD and stalk rot resistance and tolerance when plants were inoculated with causal organisms. Staygreen and nonstaygreen lines (two) and hybrids (two) established in the field were inoculated with Fusarium thapsinum, F. proliferatum, F. andiyazi, and Macrophomina phaseolina at 14 days after flowering. SPAD readings were obtained at soft-dough, hard-dough, and physiological maturity. Most pathogens significantly reduced the SPAD of the genotypes over the mock-inoculated control at three developmental stages. The stalk-rot-resistant and staygreen check line, SC599, showed a remarkable feature of negative senescence from soft dough to physiological maturity under disease pressure. Disease severity was significantly and negatively correlated with SPAD at all developmental stages, revealing the potential impact of the staygreen trait on stalk rot resistance. The difference between control and pathogen-treated total seed weight per panicle (i.e., tolerance) was significantly and positively correlated with the difference between control and pathogen-treated SPAD at physiological maturity, demonstrating the ability of staygreen trait to enhance stalk rot tolerance under disease pressure.
Refinement of the Taxonomic Structure of 16SrXI and 16SrXIV Phytoplasmas of Gramineous Plants using Multilocus Sequence Typing
Authors: Abeysinghe Saman , Abeysinghe Pushpa Damayanthi , Kanatiwela-de Silva Chamini , Udagama Preethi , Warawichanee Kanjana , Aljafar Naofel , Kawicha Praphat , Dickinson Matt
Published: June 2016

Phytoplasmas that infect gramineous plants, including Napier grass stunt, sugarcane whiteleaf, sugarcane grassy shoot, and Bermuda grass whiteleaf, have been classified into two closely related groups, 16SrXI and 16SrXIV, based on the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. Subsequently, phytoplasmas associated with coconut and Areca palm in southern India and Sri Lanka have been added into the 16SrXI group. However, the 16S rRNA gene gives relatively poor resolution between these phytoplasmas. In this study, a new set of universal phytoplasma primers that amplify approximately 1 kb of the leucyl transfer RNA synthetase (leuS) gene have been validated on a broad range of phytoplasma taxonomic groups. These have been used along with partial sequences of the secA gene to clarify the taxonomic classification of 16SrXI and 16SrXIV phytoplasmas. Based on this data, the sugarcane whiteleaf and grassy shoot phytoplasmas appear to be the same phytoplasma. The Napier grass stunt phytoplasma forms a distinct group from the Bermuda grass whiteleaf and sugarcane phytoplasmas, suggesting that Napier grass stunt should be in its own ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma sp.’. The phytoplasmas associated with coconut and arecanut in southern India and Sri Lanka, which are in the same 16SrXI group, appear in different groups based on secA analysis.
Hormetic Effects of Trifloxystrobin on Aggressiveness of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Authors: Di Ya-Li , Cong Meng-Long , Zhang Ran , Zhu Fu-Xing
Published: June 2016

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a devastating ascomycete plant pathogen with an extremely wide host range. Fungicides are still the mainstay for control of this pathogen, and stimulations to mycelial growth and aggressiveness by subtoxic doses of fungicides carbendazim and dimethachlon have been reported. The present study assessed hormetic effects of the quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicide trifloxystrobin on aggressiveness of S. sclerotiorum. Trifloxystrobin at 0.0001, 0.0005, and 0.001 μg/ml exerted significant stimulatory effects on aggressiveness to potted rapeseed plants, and the highest percent stimulation were 20.5 and 24.2% for isolates HB15 and SX11, respectively. At 18 h postinoculation (HPI), initial necrotic lesions were visible to the naked eye on leaves treated with trifloxystrobin, whereas no obvious disease symptoms were discerned for the nontreated control. At 24, 36, and 48 HPI, aggressiveness stimulation was more obvious than at 18 HPI. Scanning electron microscopic observations demonstrated that no mycelia were detected on the nontreated leaves at 4 HPI; by contrast, mycelia were observed on leaves treated with trifloxystrobin at 0.0001 μg/ml. At 8 and 12 HPI, there were more mycelia and infecting hyphae on the treated leaves than on the nontreated control. These results indicated that fungal stimulation had occurred in the first 4 and 8 HPI, suggesting that direct stimulation was likely to be the underlying mechanism for hormetic actions of trifloxystrobin. Pretreatment with trifloxystrobin did not significantly affect subsequent mycelial growth on PDA or aggressiveness to detached rapeseed leaves in the absence of trifloxystrobin. However, in the presence of trifloxystrobin, mycelial growth and aggressiveness were significantly (P < 0.05) greater for the pretreatment with trifloxystrobin at 0.003 and 0.03 μg/ml compared with the nonpretreatment control, indicating that a prior exposure to the fungicide may undermine its subsequent effectiveness. These studies will raise our awareness of fungicide hormesis and have important implications for judicious application of fungicides.
Characterizing the Brown Spot Pathosystem in Late-Harvest Table Grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) in the California Central Valley
Authors: Swett Cassandra L. , Bourret Tyler , Gubler W. Douglas
Published: June 2016

Brown spot, caused by Cladosporium spp., is becoming a problematic postharvest disease of late season table grape (Vitis vinifera) in the California central valley, and management is hindered by knowledge gaps in disease etiology and epidemiology. Brown spot is herein described as a pre- and postharvest dry rot typified by an external brown to black spot or black mycelium which encases the placenta. Isolates in the Cladosporium herbarum and C. cladosporioides species complexes were recovered from 85 and 5% of brown-spot affected berries, respectively. Five isolates in the C. herbarum species complex, representing three phylogenetically distinct species (C. limoniforme, C. ramotenellum, and C. tenellum), and one C. cladosporioides isolate all caused brown spot symptoms under cold-storage conditions, with and without mechanical wounding. Isolate virulence was similar (P > 0.05) based on disease incidence and severity on intact berries but severity varied on wounded berries (P < 0.001). Surface disinfestation reduced severity of cluster rot development following 2 weeks in cold storage (P = 0.027) but incidence was not affected (P = 0.17). This work provides foundational information on brown spot pathosystem etiology and biology in late-harvest table grape, which can be used to improve management.
Task demands affect spatial reference frame weighting during tactile localization in sighted and congenitally blind adults
Authors: Schubert Jonathan T.W. , Badde Stephanie , Röder Brigitte , Heed Tobias
Published: June 2016

Task demands modulate tactile localization in sighted humans, presumably through weight adjustments in the spatial integration of anatomical, skin-based, and external, posture-based information. In contrast, previous studies have suggested that congenitally blind humans, by default, refrain from automatic spatial integration and localize touch using only skin-based information. Here, sighted and congenitally blind participants localized tactile targets on the palm or back of one hand, while ignoring simultaneous tactile distractors at congruent or incongruent locations on the other hand. We probed the interplay of anatomical and external location codes for spatial congruency effects by varying hand posture: the palms either both faced down, or one faced down and one up. In the latter posture, externally congruent target and distractor locations were anatomically incongruent and vice versa. Target locations had to be reported either anatomically (“palm” or “back” of the hand), or externally (“up” or “down” in space). Under anatomical instructions, performance was better for anatomically congruent than incongruent target-distractor pairs. In contrast, under external instructions, performance was better for externally congruent than incongruent pairs. These modulations were evident in sighted and blind individuals. Notably, distractor effects were overall far smaller in blind than in sighted participants, despite comparable target-distractor identification performance. Thus, the absence of developmental vision seems to be associated with an increased ability to focus tactile attention towards a non-spatially defined target. Nevertheless, that blind individuals exhibited effects of hand posture and task instructions in their congruency effects suggests that, like the sighted,, they automatically integrate anatomical and external information during tactile localization. Moreover, spatial integration in tactile processing is, thus, flexibly adapted by top-down information – here, task instruction – even in the absence of developmental vision.
Accurate Predictions of Postmortem Interval Using Linear Regression Analyses of Gene Meter Expression Data
Authors: Hunter Colby M. , Pozhitkov Alex E. , Noble Peter A.
Published: June 2016

In criminal and civil investigations, postmortem interval is used as evidence to help sort out circumstances at the time of human death. Many biological, chemical, and physical indicators can be used to determine the postmortem interval, but most are not accurate. Here, we sought to validate an experimental design to accurately predict the time of death by analyzing the expression of hundreds of upregulated genes in two model organisms, the zebrafish and mouse. In a previous study, the death of healthy adults was conducted under strictly controlled conditions to minimize the effects of confounding factors such as lifestyle and temperature. A total of 74,179 microarray probes were calibrated using the Gene Meter approach and the transcriptional profiles of 1,063 significantly upregulated genes were assembled into a time series spanning from life to 48 or 96 h postmortem. In this study, the experimental design involved splitting the gene profiles into training and testing datasets, randomly selecting groups of profiles, determining the modeling parameters of the genes to postmortem time using over- and/or perfectly- defined linear regression analyses, and calculating the fit (R2) and slope of predicted versus actual postmortem times. This design was repeated several thousand to million times to find the top predictive groups of gene transcription profiles. A group of eleven zebrafish genes yielded R2of 1 and a slope of 0.99, while a group of seven mouse liver genes yielded a R2of 0.98 and a slope of 0.97, and seven mouse brain genes yielded a R2of 0.93 and a slope of 0.85. In all cases, groups of gene transcripts yielded better postmortem time predictions than individual gene transcripts. The significance of this study is two-fold: selected groups of upregulated genes provide accurate prediction of postmortem time, and the successfully validated experimental design can now be used to accurately predict postmortem time in cadavers.
Evolution of Resistance Against CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Drive
Authors: Unckless Robert L. , Clark Andrew G. , Messer Philipp W.
Published: June 2016

The idea of driving genetically modified alleles to fixation in a population has fascinated scientists for over 40 years1,2. Potential applications are broad and ambitious, including the eradication of disease vectors, the control of pest species, and the preservation of endangered species from extinction3. Until recently, these possibilities have remained largely abstract due to the lack of an effective drive mechanism. CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive (CGD) now promise a highly adaptable approach for driving even deleterious alleles to high population frequency, and this approach was recently shown to be effective in small laboratory populations of insects4–7. However, it remains unclear whether CGD will also work in large natural populations in the face of potential resistance mechanisms. Here we show that resistance against CGD will inevitably evolve unless populations are small and repair of CGD-induced cleavage via nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) can be effectively suppressed, or resistance costs are on par with those of the driver. We specifically calculate the probability that resistance evolves from variants at the target site that are not recognized by the driver's guide RNA, either because they are already present when the driver allele is introduced, arise byde novomutation, or are created by the driver itself when NHEJ introduces mutations at the target site. Our results shed light on strategies that could facilitate the engineering of a successful drive by lowering resistance potential, as well as strategies that could promote resistance as a possible mechanism for controlling a drive. This study highlights the need for careful modeling of CGD prior to the actual release of a driver construct into the wild.
Vibrio natriegens, a new genomic powerhouse
Authors: Lee Henry H. , Ostrov Nili , Wong Brandon G. , Gold Michaela A. , Khalil Ahmad S. , Church George M.
Published: June 2016

Recombinant DNA technology has revolutionized biomedical research with continual innovations advancing the speed and throughput of molecular biology. Nearly all these tools, however, are reliant onEscherichia colias a host organism, and its lengthy growth rate increasingly dominates experimental time. Here we report the development ofVibrio natriegens, a free-living bacteria with the fastest generation time known, into a genetically tractable host organism. We systematically characterize its growth properties to establish basic laboratory culturing conditions. We provide the first completeVibrio natriegensgenome, consisting of two chromosomes of 3,248,023 bp and 1,927,310 bp that together encode 4,578 open reading frames. We reveal genetic tools and techniques for working withVibrio natriegens. These foundational resources will usher in an era of advanced genomics to accelerate biological, biotechnological, and medical discoveries.
Video-rate volumetric functional imaging of the brain at synaptic resolution
Authors: Lu Rongwen , Sun Wenzhi , Liang Yajie , Kerlin Aaron , Bierfeld Jens , Seelig Johannes , Wilson Daniel E. , Scholl Benjamin , Mohar Boaz , Tanimoto Masashi , Koyama Minoru , Fitzpatrick David , Orger Michael B. , Ji Na
Published: June 2016

Neurons and neural networks often extend hundreds to thousands of micrometers in three dimensions. To capture all the calcium transients associated with their activity, we need volume imaging methods with sub-second temporal resolution. Such speed is challenging for conventional two-photon laser scanning microscopy (2PLSM) to achieve, because of its dependence on serial focal scanning in 3D and the limited brightness of indicators. Here we present an optical module that can be easily integrated into standard 2PLSMs to generate an axially elongated Bessel focus. Scanning the Bessel focus in 2D turned frame rate into volume rate and enabled video-rate volumetric imaging. Using Bessel foci designed to maintain synaptic-level lateral resolutionin vivo, we demonstrated the power of this approach in enabling discoveries for neurobiology by imaging the calcium dynamics of volumes of neurons and synapses in fruit flies, zebrafish larvae, mice, and ferretsin vivo.
The Heritability of Pathogen Traits - Definitions and Estimators
Authors: Mitov Venelin , Stadler Tanja
Published: June 2016

Pathogen traits, such as the virulence of an infection, can vary significantly between patients. A major challenge is to measure the extent to which genetic differences between infecting strains explain the observed variation of the trait. This is quantified by the trait’s broad-sense heritability,H2. A recent discrepancy between estimates of the heritability of HIV-virulence has opened a debate on the estimators’ accuracy. Here, we show that the discrepancy originates from model limitations and important lifecycle differences between sexually reproducing organisms and transmittable pathogens. In particular, current quantitative genetics methods, such as donor-recipient regression (DR) of surveyed serodiscordant couples and the phylogenetic mixed model (PMM), are prone to underestimateH2, because they fail to model the gradual loss of phenotypic resemblance between transmission-related patients in the presence of within-host evolution. We explore two approaches correcting these errors: ANOVA on closest phylogenetic pairs (ANOVA-CPP) and the phylogenetic Ornstein-Uhlenbeck mixed model (POUMM). Empirical analyses reveal that at least 25% of the variation in HIV-virulence is explained by the virus genome both for European and African data. These results confirm the presence of significant factors for HIV virulence in the viral genotype and reject previous hypotheses of negligible viral influence. Beyond HIV, ANOVA-CPP is ideal for slowly evolving protozoa, bacteria and DNA-viruses, while POUMM suits rapidly mutating RNA-viruses, thus, enabling heritability estimation for a broad range of pathogens.
S1-DRIP-seq identifies high expression and polyA tracts as major contributors to R-loop formation
Authors: Wahba Lamia , Costantino Lorenzo , Tan Frederick J. , Zimmer Anjali , Koshland Douglas
Published: June 2016

R loops form when transcripts hybridize to homologous DNA on chromosomes, yielding a DNA:RNA hybrid and a displaced DNA single strand. R loops impact the genome of many organisms, regulating chromosome stability, gene expression, and DNA repair. Understanding the parameters dictating R-loop formation in vivo has been hampered by the limited quantitative and spatial resolution of current genomic strategies for mapping R loops. We report a novel whole-genome method, S1-DRIP-seq (S1 nuclease DNA:RNA immunoprecipitation with deep sequencing), for mapping hybrid-prone regions in budding yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae. Using this methodology, we identified ∼800 hybrid-prone regions covering 8% of the genome. Given the pervasive transcription of the yeast genome, this result suggests that R-loop formation is dictated by characteristics of the DNA, RNA, and/or chromatin. We successfully identified two features highly predictive of hybrid formation: high transcription and long homopolymeric dA:dT tracts. These accounted for >60% of the hybrid regions found in the genome. We demonstrated that these two factors play a causal role in hybrid formation by genetic manipulation. Thus, the hybrid map generated by S1-DRIP-seq led to the identification of the first global genomic features causal for R-loop formation in yeast.
Internal marketing, employee job satisfaction, and perceived organizational performance in microfinance institutions
Authors: Kanyurhi Eddy Balemba , Bugandwa Mungu Akonkwa Déogratias
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, testing the relationships between internal marketing and employee satisfaction; second, investigating the links between employee satisfaction and perceived organizational performance; and finally, testing the relationship between internal marketing and perceived organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from 419 employees working in 53 microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Kivu (DR Congo). Data processing was performed using structural equations modeling through LISREL 9.1.

Findings

– The results revealed that there is a positive and significant relationship between internal marketing and employee satisfaction. The results also revealed that there is a positive and significant relationship between internal marketing and perceived organizational performance. However, no significant relationship between employee satisfaction and perceived organizational performance was identified.

Research limitations/implications

– There is a need to conduct a large qualitative survey aiming to understand why MFIs apply internal marketing and marketing practices in general. The results from such a study would serve to prepare a global quantitative study, which integrates in the same model internal marketing, external market orientation, employee job satisfaction (EJS), and organizational performance.

Practical implications

– Results invite MFIs managers to change their mind and focus more on their employees. In fact, employees generate the most cost in general but they can also contribute to sustain growth and profitability. This is possible if they are better rewarded for their efforts.

Originality/value

– This study links internal marketing, EJS and perceived performance in a sector and country which have been less or not studied in the marketing sector.
Borrower characteristics and mortgage rate choice in Sweden
Authors: Hullgren Maria , Söderberg Inga-Lill
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate driving forces behind mortgage rate choice among homeowners in a market of no mortgage rate spread. The study reported on was conducted in Sweden, a country relatively spared both from effects of the subprime crisis and the on-going Euro-crisis. A number of potentially influential factors, such as respondents’ risk aversion, financial vulnerability, experience, expectations as well as the impact of media and bank advisors are examined and a number of demographic factors controlled for.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study reported on is based on data from a national randomized survey conducted in Sweden in 2012. An empirical analysis is carried out on a sample of 474 households with mortgages. A logistic regression is performed to test a model based on hypothesized factors.

Findings

– The study shows that consumers choosing fixed rate mortgages (FRMs) have high LTV and high risk aversion and perceive their choice as having been influenced by bank advisors. This is in line with earlier findings. Lower levels of – or no – FRMs (more adjustable rate mortgages) seems to be attractive for the wealthier with higher education and previous experience of home owning. Other factor negatively affecting the choice of FRMs are: being younger; being influenced by media; and perceiving oneself as financially vulnerable.

Research limitations/implications

– To summarize, this paper contributes to research in two major ways: first, the Swedish case is modeled against a review of international research on mortgage rate choice. Second, a number of consumer-related factors are investigated, and their relative contribution as drivers of a choice of FRMs are tested. This gives input to more theoretical research conceptualizing a model for the understanding of how consumer mortgage rate choices are made.

Practical implications

– The results should serve as an alarm bell for the industry, as the consumers described – the youngest mortgage holders, the financially vulnerable with low repayment capacity and those easily influenced by reports in media – are a potential threat to stable development of long term customer relations and mortgage portfolios.

Social implications

– The results gives reason for policy makers to address the question and reasons to call for more studies of the preferences and choices of the younger consumers.

Originality/value

– This study represents an investigation into some factors not often studied in relation to mortgage rate choice. It also highlights the Swedish case and puts it in an international context.
Community bank product design within an asymmetric competitive market
Authors: McKee Gregory J , Kagan Albert
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess product and service arrays of community banks within competitive markets that are impacted by varying sized financial institutions. A cost efficiency model is used to understand the relationship of product offerings and business cycle response upon bank performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– A cost efficiency model is used to understand the relationship of product offerings and business cycle response upon bank performance. Markets comprised of alternate size and type of financial institutions are compared.

Findings

– Greater values of X_EFF
i
when institutions compete are observed in this analysis. Cost efficiency is lowest when community banks are the only institution in the market, and second lowest when credit unions are the only competing institutions. Call report data are analyzed from 1994 to 2013. The number of big banks increases community bank efficiency and efficiency of large banks. Also, the number of community banks does affect big bank cost efficiency. The magnitude of the effect pertaining to the number of community banks upon big bank efficiency is much smaller than that of the number of big banks on community bank efficiency.

Originality/value

– This study considers cost efficiency and profitability as measures of institution on the performance of a competing institutional type. The modeling approach uses cost efficiency as a method of observing the performance of financial institutions and an explanation of how firms persist, grow, and respond to changes in technology or regulation. The effects of the presence of each type of financial institution on the performance of another type are compared. Situations in which any number of one or more institutional types is present in a market are considered for analysis purposes.
Building social entrepreneurship for the hotel industry by promoting environmental education
Authors: Yeh Shih-Shuo , Ma Tao , Huan Tzung-Cheng
Published: June 2016

Purpose

Social entrepreneurship by hoteliers in “going green” promotes a better future for the environment and arguably also for the human race. However, going green potentially increases costs for both hoteliers and their guests. Environmental education (EE) is possibly a useful vehicle for the hotel industry to gain support for greener operations. This research aims to investigate the potential impact of EE on increasing customer uptake of green hotels.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted to collect data from three winners of a green hotel competition. Six surveyors were dispatched, and 155 usable responses were obtained. Data were analyzed with AMOS 16.0 to estimate an structural equation modeling (SEM) model of how EE affects environmental motivation (EM) and how this relates to visitors’ intentions.

Findings

Model estimation shows that a moderating variable effect exists between EE and visitors’ intentions. The cause is approximately 40 per cent direct and 60 per cent mediated through EM. That environmental education affects visit intention for green hotels both directly and through creating environmental motivation is evidence that the hotel industry can expect to enhance the use of their socially responsible green services by facilitating EE. In research terms, how best to invest in EE to support the social entrepreneurship of hotels providing green services is a research area to pursue for developing criteria to maximize benefits while supporting business viability.

Originality/value

This study shows that social entrepreneurs who provide green services can expand their area of social responsibility and generate more potential customers by supporting EE. The findings and applications of this study are useful both for academia and practitioners.
From nonprofit organization to social enterprise
Authors: Wang Chunlei , Duan Zhaowen , Yu Larry
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This study aims to examine the development of a social enterprise in China’s tourism industry by analyzing the coevolution of the social entrepreneur and the social system.

Design/methodology/approach

Purposeful sampling was used to select 1kg.org as a single-case study. Semistructured in-depth interviews of three informants were conducted to obtain organization-specific insights. Interview data were analyzed following structuration theory. Secondary data and interviews of other social entrepreneurs and experts were used to support the findings. Research findings were validated using triangulation and member-checking methods.

Findings

Because of the institutional environment, most nonprofit organizations in China do not have resource independence and clear legal identity. Meanwhile, social enterprise has emerged as a new organizational form with the objective of creating social value through profitable business operations.

Practical implications

Social enterprise is still in its infancy in China, particularly in the tourism field. This study reveals an innovative and sustainable model for nonprofit organizations in China facing institutional challenges and competitive funding environments. It provides recommendations to policymakers for improving mechanisms to increase social services through social enterprises.

Originality/value

This study proposes a new conceptual framework for studying social entrepreneurship by adapting structuration theory to address contemporary social and business issues.
Students climbing the entrepreneurial ladder
Authors: Campopiano Giovanna , Minola Tommaso , Sainaghi Ruggero
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to address the research question of whether family social capital affects the degree of engagement in the entrepreneurial process in the case of hospitality and tourism (H&T) new ventures, and how this relates to environment-related motivations. In particular, drawing on a process-based approach of individuals’ engagement in entrepreneurship, this paper provides new insights into the relationship between the perception of support by the family through the provision of bonding and bridging social capital and the decision to engage in the entrepreneurial process. The main contribution consists in the role of “following an environmental mission” that emerges as a motivation mediating the relationship between family resource provision and entrepreneurial engagement in the H&T industry.

Design/methodology/approach

For this exploratory study, we rely on cross-sectional observations from 2,923 individuals gathered through the Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students Survey, which collects information on career choices and preferences of university students around the globe. Given our focus on the early engagement process in entrepreneurship and the role of embeddedness in family structures, the use of a sample of young potential entrepreneurs such as students is particularly appropriate.

Findings

This study suggests that the family acts as a fundamental institution fostering entrepreneurship, both through the provision of bonding and bridging social capital, and the nurturing of attitudes toward the environment. The results indicate that, in the H&T industry, entrepreneurship can be a valuable means to pursue such attitude and is perceived as a way to proactively contribute to undertake responsible environmental activities.

Research limitations/implications

The study provides some implications for researchers, educators and policymakers interested in fostering entrepreneurial initiatives in the field, considering the role of a social-oriented mission as a vehicle to encourage profit-oriented entrepreneurial initiatives, and the importance of the family as a resource provider that fosters entrepreneurial engagement. The paper also discusses the strengths and limitations of this unique and broad cross-national sample.

Originality/value

Becoming entrepreneurs is depicted as climbing an entrepreneurial “ladder”, whereby each individual’s engagement along this process depends on a number of antecedents. Family bridging and bonding social capital, as well as following an environmental mission, emerge as important factors in the H&T industry, thus extending previous literature on the distinctiveness of this industry.
Examining the motivations for social entrepreneurship using Max Weber’s typology of rationality
Authors: Mody Makarand , Day Jonathon , Sydnor Sandra , Jaffe William
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to utilize a framework from classic sociology – Max Weber’s Typology of Rationality – to understand the motivations for social entrepreneurship in responsible tourism in India. The critical role of the social entrepreneur in effecting the phenomenon of social entrepreneurship has been largely under-recognized. The authors seek to explore, develop and enhance Weber’s theoretical arguments in the context of the tourism industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a constructivism paradigm and Seidman’s (2006) Three Interview Series technique to obtain the narratives of two social entrepreneurs in India. Data were analyzed using a hybrid thematic coding procedure.

Findings

Findings indicate that there exists a dynamic interplay between the formal and substantive rationalities that underlie the behavior of social entrepreneurs. The authors also discuss how entrepreneurs draw upon their formal and substantive repertoires to create their identities through the simultaneous processes of apposition (“Me”) and opposition (“Not Me”).

Practical implications

The findings provide an important recognition of the impact of formal and substantive rationalities on the conceptualization, implementation and manifestation of social enterprise for a variety of stakeholders.

Originality/value

This paper makes a significant contribution to understanding the why and the how of social entrepreneurship in responsible tourism. It provides a framework that can be widely applied to develop and enhance Weberian theory and further the understanding of the fundamental nature of human behavioral phenomena in tourism and beyond.
Conceptualizing leadership psychosis: the Department of Veteran Affairs scandal
Authors: Rodriguez Alejandro , Brown Alvin
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– This paper argues that “lack of leadership” is not an accurate descriptor for dysfunctional leadership. It proposes that some leaders fall into a type of dysfunctional performance when faced with the high and often conflicting organizational demands characteristic of the interdependent and rapidly evolving challenges of the twenty-first century. It calls this dysfunction “leadership psychosis.” The purpose of this paper is to offer a four-stage conceptual definition of leadership psychosis.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on a review of the literature central to leadership psychosis, namely, transformational, authentic, and transactional leadership theories, the paper discusses the conceptualization of leadership psychosis as it progresses through four increasingly dysfunctional stages.

Findings

– It identified four increasingly dysfunctional stages of leadership psychosis grounded on the literature review central to transformational, authentic, and transactional leadership theories.

Research limitations/implications

– Transformational and authentic leadership theories are a nuanced development of the discarded trait theories of leadership. So it is fair to argue that leadership psychosis falls into the same criticism given that psychopathic leaders’ behavior can be seen as rooted in some personality trait. Measuring psychopathic leaders’ behavior will be an impressive challenge.

Practical implications

– It suggests replacing “lack of leadership” with a better descriptor of organizational dysfunction: leadership psychosis.

Social implications

– It calls attention to the rise of the organizational psychopath to leadership positions in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.

Originality/value

– Leadership psychosis is introduced as a new construct to explain dysfunctional leadership.
Influence of mission and vision on the state development: a case of Pakistan
Authors: Yousaf Nadeem
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the importance of mission and vision in the process of state development. Using the case of Pakistan, it will be argued that state organizations do not develop and find the right direction without outlining a clear mission and vision which will be beneficial to all citizens, who are the real stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

– Yin (2003) and Baxter and Jack (2008) argue that case study is an enriched method to explore a complex relationship. The complex relationship may be understood better by qualitative methods than quantitative. Following their suggestion, case study method will be adopted to understand the relationship between the mission and vision and state development. In this study, Pakistan will be used as a case. Moreover, the technique of historical analysis will be employed to understand this relationship. Historical analysis is important because the repercussions of current actions can only be evaluated in the future.

Findings

– The paper shows the importance of “mission and vision” for state development. Using Pakistan as the case, it is argued that a state can lose its direction without having a clear mission and vision. It is further contended that it is not erection of institutions or verbal/written pronouncements and slogans, but a strong commitment to the mission and the vision brings the required change, which helps to develop a state. In the future research, the researcher can further examine the role of mission and vision in relation to state development.

Research limitations/implications

– The limitation of this study is that it has only focussed on the leadership and politics of Pakistan. In the future, a comparative study investigation may be useful.

Practical implications

– The research is useful for political leaders, political scientists and public management researchers.

Originality/value

– The research is unique and original that it evaluates the role of leadership and the development of the state from the perspective of mission and vision, which has not been done in the earlier research. Moreover, the paper elaborates the concept of state development.
Lean Six Sigma in higher education institutions
Authors: Vijaya Sunder M.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to illustrate the application of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) in higher education institutions (HEIs). A real-time case study presented as part of the paper highlights the value which LSS can bring to the higher education system.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper commences with an overview and the success of the LSS methodology. The uniqueness of the higher education system for imbibing quality excellence is elaborated, comparing it with the manufacturing industry. Various opportunities for LSS projects in HEIs are then discussed as part of the paper. The last section of the paper elaborates a real-time case study, explaining how LSS was leveraged to improve a university library process.

Findings

The study identified the key attributes of the higher education system, which need to be understood for imbibing quality excellence. The study also provided an insight into the upcoming application of LSS and the benefits it can bring to HEIs.

Practical implications

The introduction of LSS into the higher education setup could bring multifold organizational and social benefits

Originality/value

LSS has been successful in the past few decades in the manufacturing and service sector. However, its application in HEIs was very nascent. This study illustrates its importance and application to a highly responsible area of the service sector, for imbibing quality excellence, serving as an excellent resource for researchers and higher education professionals.
The missing link in systems thinking
Authors: Langstrand Jostein
Published: June 2016

Purpose

Systems thinking is well established as an important perspective within the management field. However, the perspective is not always as all-encompassing as sometimes argued. This paper addresses the importance of including structural elements as a part of systems thinking in relation to organizational change. The purpose of the paper is to analyze how organizational infrastructure may influence processes and outcomes of organizational change initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a longitudinal case study of the introduction of lean in a large Swedish manufacturing company. The case study comprises three embedded cases, and the empirical material is based on interviews, observations and document studies. The material has been analyzed with a systems perspective, focusing on the interplay between ideas, infrastructure and behavior in the organization.

Findings

This paper suggests that organizational infrastructure may have a profound impact on organizational behavior. Consequently, an ambition to change organizational routines will be influenced by not only people’s sense-making and behavior but also the technology and infrastructure with which people interact.

Research limitations/implications

Thus, alignment between all these entities will facilitate the change process and increase the likelihood of successful organizational change. Thus, systems thinking requires stronger attention to organizational infrastructure to better understand organizational change processes, and a philosophical approach needs to be balanced against behavioral and technical aspects of change.

Originality/value

This paper challenges much of the received knowledge and assumptions about systems and suggests an expansion of systems thinking.
Children for sale? The blurred boundary between intercountry adoption and sale of children in the United States
Authors: Shura Robin , Rochford Elle , Gran Brian K
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– Intercountry adoptions (hereafter ICAs) in the USA are a form of sale of children. According to international policy, sale of children is an illicit social practice that involves improper financial gains by at least one party. Sale of children is a threat to legitimate ICA. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the policy and practice of ICAs in the USA, including pricing arrangements, demonstrate that US ICAs, which can have humanitarian aims and be legitimate forms of family development, comprise sale of children.

Design/methodology/approach

– Internet searches and e-mail inquiries were used to obtain ICA cost data for a randomised sample of 10 per cent of the agencies in the USA that facilitate ICAs.

Findings

– Cost information was obtained from only 25 per cent of the sample, suggesting lack of transparency in and available information about monetary costs of US ICAs. A range of US$12,000 to $40,000 suggests that US ICAs are expensive and costs vary. Large, undisclosed fees in the form of “required donations”, agency fees, and extensive foreign travel requirements imply third party economic gains are made through US ICA transactions.

Practical implications

– US ICA agencies should disclose costs and employ transparent practices. US policies regulating ICAs should be clarified and strengthened. The US Government should ratify, implement, and enforce major children’s rights international policy standards.

Social implications

– International demand for adopted children may encourage child trafficking, child laundering, and kidnapping for profit (see Smolin, 2005), putting children, adoptive families, and birth communities at risk of breaches of basic human rights.

Originality/value

– No study has offered systematic analysis of monetary costs of US ICAs and linked this analysis to policy and legitimacy of social practices.