bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA-Mediated Regulation of Stomatal Development inArabidopsis
Authors: Kutter Claudia , Schöb Hanspeter , Stadler Michael , Meins Frederick , Si-Ammour Azeddine
Published: August 2007

The proper number and distribution of stomata are essential for the efficient exchange of gases between the atmosphere and the aerial parts of plants. We show that the density and development of stomatal complexes on the epidermis of Arabidopsis thaliana leaves depend, in part, on the microRNA-mediated regulation of Agamous-like16 (AGL16), which is a member of the MADS box protein family. AGL16 mRNA is targeted for sequence-specific degradation by miR824, a recently evolved microRNA conserved in the Brassicaceae and encoded at a single genetic locus. Primary stomatal complexes can give rise to higher-order complexes derived from satellite meristemoids. Expression of a miR824-resistant AGL16 mRNA, but not the wild-type AGL16 mRNA, in transgenic plants increased the incidence of stomata in higher-order complexes. By contrast, reduced expression of AGL16 mRNA in the agl16-1 deficiency mutant and in transgenic lines overexpressing miR824 decreased the incidence of stomata in higher-order complexes. These findings and the nonoverlapping patterns of AGL16 mRNA and miR824 localization led us to propose that the miR824/AGL16 pathway functions in the satellite meristemoid lineage of stomatal development.
A WD40 Domain Cyclophilin Interacts with Histone H3 and Functions in Gene Repression and Organogenesis inArabidopsis
Authors: Li Hong , He Zengyong , Lu Guihua , Lee Sung Chul , Alonso Jose , Ecker Joseph R. , Luan Sheng
Published: August 2007

Chromatin-based silencing provides a crucial mechanism for the regulation of gene expression. We have identified a WD40 domain cyclophilin, CYCLOPHILIN71 (CYP71), which functions in gene repression and organogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. Disruption of CYP71 resulted in ectopic activation of homeotic genes that regulate meristem development. The cyp71 mutant plants displayed dramatic defects, including reduced apical meristem activity, delayed and abnormal lateral organ formation, and arrested root growth. CYP71 was associated with the chromatin of target gene loci and physically interacted with histone H3. The cyp71 mutant showed reduced methylation of H3K27 at target loci, consistent with the derepression of these genes in the mutant. As CYP71 has close homologs in eukaryotes ranging from fission yeast to human, we propose that it serves as a highly conserved histone remodeling factor involved in chromatin-based gene silencing in eukaryotic organisms.
On the transferability of “traditional” satisfaction theory to non‐traditional employment relationships: temp agency work satisfaction
Authors: Torka Nicole , Schyns Birgit
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to identify sources of temp agency work satisfaction and discuss whether or not these sources differ from those well‐known to traditional satisfaction research (i.e. those appropriate for employees with a permanent contract).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a qualitative study (semi‐structured interviews and fieldwork) among low and medium skilled metalworkers (welders and fitters) in two Dutch companies. The authors were able to identify sources for temp agency work satisfaction: organizational conditions, central personality constructs, labour market experiences, and layoff experiences.

Findings

The findings in the paper conclude that satisfaction theory is transferable to temp agency workers, but that future satisfaction research should include less studied factors such as labour market and layoff experiences, as well.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is a qualitative case study research within two Dutch companies and involved a certain occupational group: metalworkers. Consequently, the external transferability of the results (i.e. country, occupational group, industries) may be limited. Furthermore, the research approach used does not allow for the making of casual assumptions. For example, it was not possible to address the question as to whether “perceived alternatives” influences “sensation seeking” or vice versa. Longitudinal questionnaire research could help to clarify such issues. Job satisfaction theory in general is helpful in creating a framework for agency work satisfaction when it comes to Human Resource Management policies and practices. However, in order to explain agency workers' satisfaction, there is a need to broaden the traditional psychologically‐orientated theories and include aspects related to history and (occupational) sociology such as work experience in sectors where non‐permanent employment relationships are common.

Practical implications

The paper shows that hiring‐in companies can contribute to agency workers' satisfaction and, it is believed, other non‐permanent workers such as freelancers and collegial loan‐in, by means of equal treatment policies and practices with respect to job characteristics, development and mobility policies, working conditions, direct employee influence, and (fringe‐) benefits.

Originality/value

In this paper the focus has been on a relatively seldom‐discussed phenomenon in employee attitude research: temp agency work satisfaction. The authors focus on sources that can explain the preference for a ménage à trois employment relationship over life‐time employment arrangements with one employer, i.e. a traditional permanent labour contract between two parties.
Maximising women's potential in the UK's retail sector
Authors: Harris Lynette , Foster Carley , Whysall Paul
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to show that a defining characteristic of the UK retail sector is the high number of women it employs but there remains an enduring under‐representation of women in its management positions. The majority of women in the industry work part‐time and this paper aims to explore the factors that impact upon the career progression.

Design/methodology/approach

In the paper, 1,000 questionnaires were completed by store staff in three leading retailers, supported by interviews with store staff and SME retailers in the UK's East Midlands region.

Findings

The paper finds continuing barriers to career progression for women working part‐time in retailing. Despite family friendly employment policies becoming an increasingly important feature of modern work organisations, career progression was informed by a traditional concept of a career based on full‐time working.

Research limitations/implications

The paper was limited to one sector. There is a need for further studies into women's career progression in other sectors reliant on female employment.

Practical implications

The findings in the paper have implications for promotion policies, training and development provision and line management practices if retailers are to maximise the potential of the women they employ.

Originality/value

The paper suggests that retailing is an industry where a significant number of women are working below their potential despite organisational policies supportive of diversity and equality of opportunity.
The labour dispute arbitration system in China
Authors: Shen Jie
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to analyse the characteristics, development and implementation of the Chinese labour arbitration system and its role in settling labour disputes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses official statistics and the arbitral cases published on the web sites of government labour and social security departments.

Findings

The paper finds that labour arbitration has become the most important mechanism for settling labour disputes in China since the middle 1990s. This trend indicates the fading of traditional political and administrative means due to the decreasing influence of governmental labour administration and the subordinate status of trade unions, and the emergence of the rule of law in setting labour terms. The effectiveness and fairness of labour arbitration is to a certain extent constrained by its limitations and workers' weak position in employment relations that prohibit it from fully upholding the Labour Law.

Research limitations

The paper shows that there is a paucity of literature devoted to labour arbitration in China. Further research is necessary to study labour arbitration, particularly the issues concerning: the frequency and reasons for workers to compromise in demands when claims, especially unfair dismissal cases; the process and the way in which arbitrators handle cases and make decisions; the fairness of arbitration awards; and the ways for improving competency and neutrality of arbitrators and arbitration committees.

Practical implications

The paper shows that the party‐appointed method is necessary to improve the two parties' control of arbitration process. The public should be allowed to access to case and arbitrator related information in order to increase the transparency of arbitration.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that introduces the labour arbitration system in China and analyzes its role in setting labour disputes and its potential for improvement.
Rubik's cube as a benchmark validating MRROC++ as an implementation tool for service robot control systems
Authors: Zieliński C. , Szynkiewicz W. , Winiarski T. , Staniak M. , Czajewski W. , Kornuta T.
Published: August 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to develop universal software (a programming framework) enabling the implementation of service robot controllers. The software should distinguish the hardware‐oriented part of the system from the task‐oriented one. Moreover, force, vision as well as other sensors should be taken into account. Multi‐effector systems have to be considered.

Design/methodology/approach

The robot programming framework MRROC++ has been implemented as a hierarchical structure composed of processes, potentially consisting of threads. All of the software is written in an object‐oriented manner using C++ and is supervised by a QNX real‐time operating system. The framework has been verified on several systems executing diverse tasks. Here, a Rubik's cube puzzle‐solving system, consisting of two arms and utilizing force control and visual servos, is presented.

Findings

The presented framework is well suited to tasks requiring two‐handed manipulation with force sensing, visual servoing and online construction of plans of actions. The Rubik's cube puzzle is a reasonable initial benchmark for validation of fundamental service robot capabilities. It requires force sensing and sight coupled with two‐handed manipulation and logical reasoning, as do the majority of service tasks. Owing to the use of force sensing during manipulation, jamming of the faces has always been avoided; however, visual servoing could only cope with slow handing over of the cube due to the volume of computations associated with vision processing.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed software structure does not limit the implementation of service robot controllers. However, some of the specific algorithms used for the solution of the benchmark task (i.e. Rubik's cube puzzle) need to be less time‐consuming.

Practical implications

The MRROC++ robot programming framework can be applied to the implementation of diverse robot controllers executing complex service tasks.

Originality/value

A demanding benchmark task for service robots has been formulated. This task, as well as many others, has been used to validate the MRROC++ robot programming framework which significantly facilitates the implementation of diverse robot systems.
Acceleration‐based force‐impedance control of a six‐dof parallel manipulator
Authors: Lopes Antonio M. , Almeida Fernando G.
Published: August 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to present an acceleration‐based force‐impedance controller, applied to a six‐dof parallel mini‐manipulator: the robotic controlled impedance device (RCID).

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed control strategy involves three cascade controllers: an inner acceleration controller, built as a set of six single input/single output acceleration controllers (one per manipulator axis), an impedance task‐space controller, and an outer force controller.

Findings

The control strategy enables two kinds of manipulator behaviour: force‐limited impedance control and position‐limited force control. The type of behaviour depends only on the chosen manipulator trajectories.

Practical implications

The RCID may be used as a force‐impedance controlled auxiliary device, coupled in series with a position‐controlled commercial industrial robot. The two manipulators combined behave as a single manipulator, having the impedance and force control performance of the RCID, as well as the workspace and trajectory tracking performance of the industrial manipulator. The industrial manipulator should perform free space motion trajectory tracking, the RCID being kept in a “home” position, preserving its small workspace for impedance and force control.

Originality/value

A robust control strategy that enables good performance, while the robot executes tasks that involve interaction with the environment, is being proposed. Experimental results on a force‐impedance controlled six‐dof parallel mini‐manipulator are presented.
A review of locomotion mechanisms of urban search and rescue robot
Authors: Wang Zhelong , Gu Hong
Published: August 2007

Purpose

This study aims to investigate locomotion mechanisms of different urban search and rescue (USAR) robots currently being researched or commercially available on the market.

Design/methodology/approach

USAR robots are categorized by the type of their mobility. Detailed illustration and analysis have been given for each USAR robot in the paper.

Findings

The paper finds that none of current USAR robots can practically and autonomously carry out rescue work in a complex and unstructured environment. Hence, responding to the practical requirements of highly challenging USAR tasks, a team of USAR robots based on different locomotion mechanisms may be a good solution to undertake rescue activities.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides guidance in the design of future USAR robots.

Originality/value

The paper investigates locomotion mechanisms of different USAR robots in detail.
Design and prototype of a six‐legged walking insect robot
Authors: Soyguder Servet , Alli Hasan
Published: August 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to develop a novel legged robot.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the paper models the legged robot using 3D computer model by intelligent inspiration of biological principles. Then, based on this model, it develops the prototype of the legged robot.

Findings

A novel motion mechanism is used and only two actuators are used for driving the system.

Originality/value

The modelled legged robot is original in terms of the developed motion mechanism.
Teleteaching approach for sensor‐based arc welding telerobotic system
Authors: Chao Li Hai , Ming Gao Hong , Wu Lin
Published: August 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a performing approach for telerobotic arc welding in an unstructured environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A teleteaching approach is presented for an arc welding telerobotic system in an unstructured environment. Improved laser vision sensor enhances the precision of teleteaching welding seam. Stereoscopic vision display system is developed to provide the perception information of remote environment that increased the dexterity of the teleteaching process. Operator interacts with the system by welding multi‐modal human‐machine interface, which integrated the teleteaching operation window, status display window and space mouse.

Findings

The sensor‐based teleteaching approach, which integrated laser vision sensing and stereoscopic vision display, can perform arc welding of most welding seam trajectory in an unstructured environment. The approach releases the payload of human operator and improves adaptability of the arc welding system.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides the remote welding telerobotic approach that is gentle to most unstructured environments.

Practical implications

The sensor‐based teleteaching approach provides the capability of a telerobotic system used in remote welding field, which can shorten the incident response time and maintenance period of nuclear plants, space and underwater.

Originality/value

This paper introduces the sensor‐based teleteaching concept and performing procedure to be used for remote telerobotic arc welding.
Effects of satisfaction with communication on the relationship between individual‐job congruence and job performance/satisfaction
Authors: Goris José R.
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the moderating influence of communication satisfaction on the association between individual‐job congruence and both job performance and job satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Moderated regression analysis was used to assess data collected from 302 employees addressing the research variables of job scope, growth need strength, satisfaction with communication, job performance, and job satisfaction.

Findings

Satisfaction with communication received weak support as a moderator of the individual‐job congruence model; nevertheless, it received strong support as a main predictor of both performance and satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

Low statistical power frequently reflected by moderated regression analysis may explain the weak support communication satisfaction received as a moderator. Different approaches for solving the presence of low power are discussed. On the other hand, the elusive venture of promoting and experiencing satisfaction with communication has been detected and the need for exploring the possible curvilinear effects of specific communication dimensions and organizational constructs on communication satisfaction is introduced.

Practical implications

Variables associated with human interaction may be dysfunctional at both extremes. For example, upward communication might have favorable and unfavorable consequences on satisfaction with communication. Thus, dealing with communication satisfaction may necessitate the adoption of a contingency approach.

Originality/value

The uniqueness of this research lies in its effort of exploring the moderating impact of communication satisfaction on the job characteristics model. The results encourage future research endeavors and particular management practices.
Influence of prior acquaintance with the ratee on rater accuracy and halo
Authors: Van Scotter James R. , Moustafa Karen , Burnett Jennifer R. , Michael Paul G.
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of acquaintance on performance rating accuracy and halo.

Design/methodology/approach

After expert ratings were obtained, US Air Force Officers (n=104) with an average of six years experience rated the performance of four officers who delivered 6‐7 minute briefings on their research projects; 26 raters reported being acquainted with one or more of the briefers. Raters were randomly assigned to use a rating format designed to encourage between‐ratee comparisons on each dimension or a format in which each ratee was separately rated on all dimensions.

Findings

Ratings made by acquainted raters were more accurate than ratings by unacquainted raters. Accuracy was positively correlated with halo for both sets of ratings. Rating format had no discernible effect on accuracy or halo.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation of this study is that the measure of acquaintance was not designed as a surrogate for familiarity. Development of a multi‐item, psychometrically‐valid measure of acquaintance should be the first step in pursuing this research. The use of a laboratory design where only a small percentage of the sample was acquainted with those being rated also limits the study's generalizability.

Practical implications

The results show that prior acquaintance with the ratee results in more accurate ratings. Ratings were also more positive when raters had prior contact with the person they rated.

Originality/value

The hypothesis is that the cognitive processes used to produce ratings are different for raters who have had no prior contact with a ratee and raters who are in some manner acquainted with a ratee. In the past, a positive halo effect from acquaintance between raters and ratees has been a concern. However, this limited study indicates that acquaintance may actually result in more accurate ratings.
Improving curriculum theory and design for teaching law to non‐lawyers in built environment education
Authors: Morris Robert J.
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The paper sets out to contribute to the ongoing debate on the deficiencies in the teaching of law to non‐law students, specifically, addressing the question of whether the pedagogical approach should differ from that traditionally used for the teaching of law to law students and, if so, to what degree.

Design/methodology/approach

The existing literature is reviewed and the author draws on his practical experience of teaching law to non‐law university students in building and real estate. Reference is also made to experiments in curriculum design and pedagogy at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which included a survey of student and practitioner opinions.

Findings

Although some progress is noted, serious defects are identified in both curriculum design and its underlying methodology in the areas studied. Demands in the twenty‐first century for the teaching of law in these contexts are shown to have outstripped the relevant pedagogical theory and practice. Nevertheless, possible ways to improve the situation are identified from the literature, and from recent examples of educational practice. Since professional knowledge is resistant to any substantial restructuring, it is proposed that departments must insist on the implementation of change, which is consistent with available research findings. The paper proposes (inter alia) that greater attention should be paid to preparing non‐law students for their legal studies in addition to the present focus on the study of substantive legal topics.

Research limitations/implications

Although the article makes reference to some quantitative questionnaire research, it is not presented as an empirical study. As stated in the text, the empirical investigations are used, together with the literature review, to inform the thesis presented by the author, which uses theory to addressing practical issues.

Originality/value

The paper fills an identified gap in the theoretical knowledge of the subject and provides some ideas and suggestions for ways forward.
Revamping the value chain in exhibition facilities: the case of the Dubai exhibition industry
Authors: Butler Colin , Bassiouni Yahia , El‐Adly Mohamed , Widjaja Achmad
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to compare past and current experience of exhibition activities in the UAE in general and in Dubai in particular, to identify the major hurdles and obstacles which had arrested the advancement of this sector, and to benchmark this activity vis‐à‐vis Dubai's main competitors both nationally and internationally.

Design/methodology/approach

For each of four selected exhibitions, a systematic random sample of 1,000 visitors was selected. The data were collected via structured face‐to‐face interviews using a standard questionnaire on the four sites. In addition, a random sample of 100 exhibitors was selected for each of the four exhibitions. The data were collected via structured face‐to‐face interviews using a standard questionnaire on the four sites. Several in‐depth interviews with the staff of the exhibition's organizers representing the different exhibitions under study were carried out before, during and/or after the events to help identify the challenges and opportunities.

Findings

The exhibition value chain can be improved in several key activities. Several important strengths and weaknesses have been identified for the Dubai exhibition industry. The best practice of facilities in Paris offers Dubai the best model for increasing sustainable competitiveness. The key for the Dubai exhibition industry is differentiating the city from the competition and value innovation in the exhibition value chain.

Research limitations/implications

Dubai is a rapidly expanding city, making growth in attraction difficult to predict.

Practical implications

Recommendations are developed to improve Dubai exhibition facilities.

Originality/value

The paper provides analysis of a growing industry in a high growth diversifying economy.
Peel process simulation of sealed polymeric film computational modelling of experimental results
Authors: Geißler Gordon , Kaliske Michael , Nase Michael , Grellmann Wolfgang
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate current simulation capabilities for thin film delamination on the basis of real test data as well as a contribution to its extension in order to partly substitute experimental investigations.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model consists of a formulation that describes the behaviour of the bulk material and an approach that introduces the film's delamination capability. An implicit finite element framework with a cohesive zone implementation is used and described in detail. The numerical results on the basis of the a priori identified material parameters are related to the experimental work. In order to capture the obvious peel speed dependency of these delamination processes, a viscoelastic cohesive formulation is introduced and compared with a pure separation rate dependent cohesive material in the second part of this contribution.

Findings

The performed numerical simulations show a good approximation of the experimental peel process. The extension in order to take time‐dependent effects into account is required for the simulation of such problems. In contrast with the pure rate‐dependent model, the presented consistent formulation of the cohesive part is able to cover the whole range of observed material phenomena.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to the absence of suitable experimental single mode investigations of the sealed layer, the used cohesive material parameters are identified in relation to the pre‐existing experimental results. Furthermore, the resultant peel force has a constant value due to the assumed homogeneous cohesive material and therefore gives only a mean approximation of the experimental values at this stage of the investigation.

Originality/value

The numerical representation of such a thin film delamination process in relation to real experimental results shows the additional capabilities and the usability of the implicit finite element method with a cohesive zone implementation in a clear and illustrative way. The first proposed cohesive extension based on a rheological model shows the capability to cover the full range of time‐dependent interface layer behaviour.
Characteristics of organizational culture, stressors and wellbeing
Authors: Chang Kirk , Lu Luo
Published: August 2007

Purpose

This study aimed to explore prevalent characteristics of organizational culture (OC) and common sources of work stress in a Taiwanese work context. The authors also aimed to analyze how characteristics of OC may be linked to stressors.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative methodology of focus group discussions was adopted.

Findings

Four characteristics of OC were identified, including: family‐kin, informal work obligations, organizational loyalty and subgroup involvement. Job characteristics, home‐work interface, interpersonal relationships and career development were identified as common sources of work stress. Content analysis revealed that characteristics of OC could either alleviate or aggravate stress, depending on employees' perception and attribution. Double‐coding analysis indicated that stressors related to job characteristics seem particularly linked to informal work obligation but not to organizational loyalty as characteristics of OC.

Research limitations/implications

The exclusive reliance on qualitative methodology is a limitation of the present study. However, the results have both theoretical and practical implications. The authors note that Western findings regarding OC may not generalize completely to a different culture and the Taiwanese context supports distinctive features of OC and work stressors. Consequently, any effective corporate stress interventions should be formulated taking the core cultural values and practices into account.

Originality/value

The in‐depth and culture‐sensitive nature is a major thrust of the present study, and the focus on the link between OC and stress is a rare effort in the Pan‐Chinese cultural context.
Differential affective reactions to negative and positive feedback, and the role of self‐esteem
Authors: Ilies Remus , De Pater Irene E. , Judge Tim
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to examine, first, how performance feedback influences positive and negative affect within individuals across negative and positive feedback range, and secondly, whether self‐esteem moderates individuals' affective reactions to feedback.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 197 undergraduate students completed an 8‐trial experiment. For each trial, participants performed a task, received performance feedback, and were subsequently asked to report their affective state. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to test the hypothesized within‐ individual effects and the cross‐level moderating role of self‐esteem.

Findings

Performance feedback did influence both positive and negative affect within individuals and feedback indicating goal non‐attainment (i.e. negative feedback) increased negative affect more than it reduced positive affect. The data offered some support for the prediction with respect to the moderating role of self‐esteem derived from self‐enhancement theory.

Research limitations / implications

The laboratory design and student sample are limitations with the study. However, the nature of our research question justifies an initial examination in a controlled, laboratory setting. Our findings may stimulate researchers to further investigate the role of affect and emotions in behavioral self‐regulation.

Originality/value

This study furthers research on reactions to feedback by examining the feedback‐affect process within individuals across time. Multiple dimensions of affect were considered and positive and negative feedback continua were examined separately.
Love®: a critical reading ofLovemarks
Authors: Sayers Janet , Monin Nanette
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to argue that an enriched understanding of texts would enable more informed and responsible management practice. The authors present an approach to the analysis of management texts that enjoys, rather than contests, multivocality with the aim of making our approach to defamiliarising texts an accessible change management tool.

Design/methodology/approach

Working with a reader‐response methodology we provide comment on, and analysis of, a popular management book, Kevin Roberts'Lovemarks. The authors context a response to this text in a discussion of commodity fetishism and deconstructed management theory texts. The interpretation of the subject text highlights its rhetorical suasion and pulls buried meaning into view.

Findings

The authors demonstrate that rhetorical analysis and satirical play, a mode of defamiliarisation that is employed in their own reading and incorporated into their classroom praxis, enables managers to better understand and control their own sense‐making. The authors argue that where their enriched understandings challenge embedded assumptions, changed management practices are enabled.

Originality/value

The authors offer their own construction of aLovemarktext, a satirical echo of the Roberts original, as an example of the distancing effect of humorous textual play.
Navigating the change process: the experience of managers in the residential aged care industry
Authors: Shanley Chris
Published: August 2007

Purpose

To explore the change management experience of managers in the residential aged care industry and to develop practical proposals concerning change management in that industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A constructivist methodology. One‐to‐one interviews with two groups: a randomly chosen cross‐section of facility managers and a purposive sample of senior stakeholders within the industry. Thematic analysis to draw out themes in the interview transcripts, and to develop interpretations and connections to the literature.

Findings

There is not a clear understanding of how the management of change fits into the role of facility managers, and the management of change is in the background of management thinking and practice in the industry. The change management aspects of the facility manager's role have been largely taken for granted. This can lead to stress on the individual manager and reduces the effectiveness of the change process. There are many ways that facility managers can be better supported, including development of an analytical approach to change management, recognition of change management competencies and promotion of management development practices that support the management of change.

Research limitations/implications

Small sample sizes make it hard to generalize. Further, research could include surveys of facility managers, change management competencies, model testing, workplace learning, long‐term evaluation of change programs.

Originality/value

Adds to the small body of research on the experience of managers in change management, provides the only such research in the aged care setting, and contributes a range of practical proposals about the management of change.
Entrepreneurial identity in the care sector: navigating the contradictions
Authors: Nadin Sara
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how the business and research context influences how female entrepreneurs construct their identities.

Design/methodology/approach

Focussing specifically on the care work sector, the analysis of interview transcripts explores how participants struggle to establish a positive identity through reconciling the contradictory subject positions produced at the intersection of entrepreneurialism and caring.

Findings

The accounts reveal a silencing of the participants entrepreneurial identity and an embracing of their female identity, reflected in the mobilisation of a number of highly gendered “selves”. This is explained in terms of the participants' desire for legitimacy and integrity, principally in the eyes of their employees, something which is itself prompted by the precariousness of their position as female business owners in this sector.

Research limitations/implications

The identity work is theorised at a structural level, reinforcing the need for future accounts of identity work to consider how this is always embedded in broader material conditions.

Practical implications

Presents an alternative way of enacting entrepreneurship and thus broadens normative notions of what it is to be an entrepreneur.

Originality/value

The paper complements existing post‐structuralist accounts of entrepreneurship and also illustrates the role of both broader structural and local contextual factors which both constrain and enable the identity work enacted.
“That's not how I see it”: female and male perspectives on the academic role
Authors: Shaw Sue , Cassell Catherine
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a piece of empirical work that examines gender differences in how academics make sense of performance within university business schools in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

The research reported draws on data collected using a life history and repertory grid methodology with male and female interviewees from two university business schools.

Findings

The findings are discussed in relation to how academics understand what is valued about their role and what they believe the organisation rewards and values when it comes to promotion. Gender differences are shown to exist in the ways women and men define the academic role and in what they think is important both to themselves and the institution.

Originality/value

The paper presents original data on gender differences within a business school context.
Managing semantic‐aware policies in a distributed firewall scenario
Authors: Martínez Pérez Gregorio , García Clemente Félix J. , Gómez Skarmeta Antonio F.
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to provide a two‐tier framework for managing semantic‐aware distributed firewall policies to be applied to the devices existing in one administrative domain.

Design/methodology/approach

Special attention is paid to the CIM‐based information model defined as the ontology to be used in this framework and the AI‐based reasoning mechanisms and components used to perform the conflict discovery tasks over the distributed firewall policies.

Findings

Mechanisms presented allow the solving some of the current issues of the network‐centric security model being used in the Internet. The two‐tier framework designed provides semantic‐aware mechanisms to perform conflict detection and automatic enforcement of policy rules in the distributed firewall scenario. This framework is based on the use of a standard information model and a semantic‐aware policy language to formally define (and then process) firewall policies.

Research limitations/implications

Ongoing work is focused on identifying all kind of conflicts and anomalies that may exist in firewall systems; in parallel to this task a semi‐automatic resolver of conflicting policies is currently under design.

Practical implications

Network and security administrators can specify firewall policies and validate them to find syntactic and semantic errors (i.e. policy conflicts). A framework for automated validation and distribution of policies at different levels is included. This ensures that firewall policies produce the desired effects, facilitating the creation and maintenance of firewall rules in one administrative domain.

Originality/value

A practical and novel two‐tier system that provides detection of conflicts in rules existing in a distributed firewall scenario and the automatic and secure deployment of these rules. A packet‐filtering model, which is simple and powerful enough for the conflict discovery and rule analysis processes, has been proposed. Moreover, ontology and rule reasoning are being proposed as techniques for the conflict detection problem in this particular scenario.
The influence of the Internet on destination satisfaction
Authors: Castañeda J. Alberto , Frías Dolores M. , Rodríguez Miguel A.
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The aim of the present study is to provide an insight into the effect that the satisfaction with the information obtained through the Internet may have on the satisfaction with the selected destination. In particular, assuming that the Internet functions as an effective source of information for the tourist, one would expect the above relationship to be positive and significant.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to test the proposed hypotheses, a structured questionnaire was administered to tourists of different nationalities. The total number of valid cases was 279. The field work was done between June 2004 and June 2005.

Findings

The results seem to show that the greater the tourist's satisfaction with the Internet, the fuller is his or her enjoyment of the holiday. This relationship, however, is moderated by two variables – the tourist's previous experience of the destination and the tourist's experience of the Internet. These conclusions may well prove crucial for the future use of the Internet in the promotion of tourism destinations.

Practical implications

The results of the study lend support to the importance of the Internet as an information source in the promotion of tourism destinations, which contributes in particular to attracting new visitors. However, its development will depend heavily on improvements in the ease of use of the information highway and will progress with the passage of time and the concomitant increase in the Internet experience of its users.

Originality/value

The study focuses on empirically testing the advantages that, from a merely conceptual perspective, are becoming evident in the use of the Internet in the tourist sector.
An integrated BSC‐AHP approach for supply chain management evaluation
Authors: Sharma Milind Kumar , Bhagwat Rajat
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated balanced scorecard (BSC) analytical hierarchy process (AHP) approach for supply chain management (SCM) evaluation. It aims to measure SCM performance from the following four perspectives: finance, customer, internal business process, and learning and growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The BSC is developed in the paper based on an extensive review of literature on SCM performance measures, supported by AHP analysis.

Findings

The paper develops a BSC for SCM evaluation and proposes a method to prioritize the different performance levels in any organization using AHP methodology. It also suggests from the view of different decision levels and overall performance measurement that is the best BSC perspective.

Practical implications

The integrated BSC‐AHP methodology developed in this paper provides useful guidance for practical managers in evaluation and measuring of SCM in a balanced way.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a balanced performance evaluation system for SCM. While suggesting BSC, different SCM performance metrics have been distributed into four perspectives. Different performance levels are highlighted and preferred BSC perspectives are suggested.
Benchmarking strategy deployment practices
Authors: Saunders Max , Mann Robin , Smith Robin
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how managers from a network of organisations formed and operated as a team to work on a benchmarking project. The project had the dual purpose of enabling learning for the participants, and identifying leading practices in strategy deployment.

Design/methodology/approach

The participants were managers with responsibility for strategy deployment. Data were collected from case studies of seven diverse New Zealand organisations that were undertaking performance improvement using the Baldrige performance excellence model. The unit of analysis for the case studies was a strategic initiative that the organisation had deployed. Secondary sources were also used to identify leading deployment practices.

Findings

Despite the different sectors, sizes, and cultures of the participating organisations their strategy deployment issues were similar and the managers were able to share experiences and cooperate effectively. Over 50 leading deployment practices were identified. Seven dimensions of strategy deployment were determined. A framework for strategy deployment was developed.

Research limitations/implications

The framework aids the analysis and classification of strategy deployment practices. Future research using longitudinal studies could evaluate the effectiveness of leading strategy deployment practices and identify circumstances that lead to the success or failure of strategy implementation.

Practical implications

The framework highlights the management skills required for effective strategy deployment. It is applicable to a wide range of organisations.

Originality/value

The paper provides and example of network benchmarking and how it was managed. This will be of interest to organisations that are part of an existing network, or that wish to create a similar network. No benchmarking studies of strategy deployment were found in the literature.
Assessing the changing role, attitudes and knowledge of UK business advisors to the benefits of benchmarking and benchmarking tools
Authors: Jaques Mark , Povey Barry
Published: August 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the changing attitudes to diagnostic benchmarking tools of UK business advisors over the last five years, during a period of considerable restructuring in business support, aimed at focusing support on small business and start‐ups.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors reviewed business support from the advisor's and client's perspective prior and during this restructuring and conducted a follow up study to that carried out in 2000, allowing direct comparisons to be made with the earlier results. Quantitative advisor demographic data was also collected for comparison.

Findings

The authors conclude that though business link has been restructured towards start‐ups and small businesses and that advisors knowledge of the benchmarking has improved, the tools available to advisors have not changed to reflect this and cannot be used by the majority of the advisors' clients. As a result the use of diagnostic benchmarking tools, as a proportion of total business support, has dropped over the previous five years.

Originality/value

In order to give some structured best practice support to immature businesses and pre‐start‐ups new business support tools need to be developed that recognise the change in client maturity that has taken place.
What we do and can do for a living
Authors: Liu Sing‐cheong , Wang Mark , Tang Bo‐sin , Wong Siu‐wai
Published: August 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to present the authors' opinions about the impacts of globalization on real estate profession and some essential changes of real estate business service.

Design/methodology/approach

The arguments are based on the authors' interpretation and first‐hand experience of the contemporary business environment. A case study example to illustrate the changing requirements for professional real estate services in mainland China is provided.

Findings

Economic globalization creates new opportunities in real estate market, product and service. It has the effect of blurring geographical and product boundaries. Real estate is increasingly integrated with the financial market. Global capital has transformed local property market practices. Real estate professionals have to re‐orientate themselves so that they can move up the service value‐ladder and avoid being marginalized under intense competition in a global market.

Practical implications

Re‐orientation of professional practices involves an expansion of one's geographical and market knowledge beyond the home boundary. It also requires a dramatic change of mind‐set, work attitude, social awareness and lifestyle.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a competence model. Professionals should sell “competence”, which is built on “service proper” (knowledge and skills) and “service infrastructure” (technology and organization).