bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Training Internal Medicine Residents to Manage Chronic Pain and Prescription Opioid Misuse
Authors: Ruff Allison L. , Alford Daniel P. , Butler Robert , Isaacson J. Henry
Published: April 2017

Background: Residents feel unprepared to care for patients with chronic pain on long-term opioids who exhibit signs of prescription opioid misuse. Objective: Describe an educational intervention for internal medicine residents to improve confidence, practices, attitudes, and self-reported knowledge of resources for chronic pain and opioid misuse. Methods: The intervention included 2 sessions. Session 1 (3 hours): a lecture on chronic pain, prescription opioid misuse, and opioid use disorders and communication skills practice. The residents were asked to use one of these skills during the following week. Session 2 (1.5 hours): debriefing of patient encounters and overview of: prescription opioid monitoring strategies, discontinuation of prescription opioids when appropriate, and treatment for opioid use disorders. Pre- and post-assessments evaluated change in residents’ safe opioid prescribing confidence, self-reported practices, attitudes, and self-reported knowledge of available patient resources. Results: Ninety-one residents completed the intervention, with 44 and 43 completing the pre- and post-assessments, respectively. Utilizing a 4-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = agree 4 = strongly agree), residents reported improved confidence in skills managing patients with chronic pain (3.0 vs. 2.4, P < .0001), skills identifying which patients with chronic pain have developed an opioid use disorder (3.0 vs. 2.4, P < .0001), and understanding how to monitor for benefit versus harm (3.0 vs. 2.5, P < .0005). They also noted improved ability identifying resources for patients with chronic pain and opioid use disorders. There was a nonsignificant improvement in resident reported comfort talking to patients about the need to discontinue opioids. Residents did not report an increase in use of safe opioid prescribing monitoring strategies or feelings of support in their prescribing decisions by preceptors. Conclusions: A brief training can improve residents’ self-reported knowledge and confidence in managing patients with chronic pain and safe opioid prescribing practices. How this change in confidence affects patient care requires further study.
Human microvascular endothelial cell promotes the development of dorsal root ganglion neurons via BDNF pathway in a co-culture system
Authors: Yuan Quan , Sun Li , Yu Honghao , An Chunhou
Published: April 2017

Our previous study found that co-culture with human vascular endothelial cells (HMVECs) is beneficial for dorsal root ganglion cells (DRGCs). The goal of the present study is to investigate whether co-culture with HMVECs could promote the development of DRGCs, and whether this effect is induced by the secretion of BDNF by HMVECs. DRGCs were mono-cultured, co-cultured with HMVECs or co-cultured with HMVECs that pre-transfected with BDNF siRNA, the expression of neurite formation and branching factors were determined. The results showed that transfecting with BDNF siRNA inhibited BDNF expression and reduced BDNF secretion. Co-culture with HMVECs increased the expression of Etv4, Etv5, FN-L, FN-M, and GAP-43 in DRGCs that accompanied by the activation of ERK pathway. However, these changes were all reversed by the inhibition of BDNF in HMVECs. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that HMVECs potentiated DRGCs development at least partly by the secretion of BDNF in the co-culture system.
Performance of gas diffusion layer from coconut waste for proton exchange membrane fuel cell
Authors: Widodo H , Destyorini F , Insiyanda D R , Subhan A
Published: April 2017

The performance of Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL) synthesized from coconut waste. Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL), produced from coconut waste, as a part of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) component, has been characterized. In order to know the performance, the commercial products were used as the remaining parts of PEMFC. The proposed GDL possesses 69% porosity for diffusion of Hydrogen fuel and Oxygen, as well as for transporting electron. With the electrical conductivity of 500 mS.cm-1, it also has hydrophobic properties, which is important to avoid the reaction with water, with the contact angle of 139°. The 5 × 5 cm2 GDL paper was co-assembled with the catalyst, Nafion membrane, bipolar plate, current collector, end plate to obtain single Stack PEMFC. The performance was examined by flowing fuel and gas with the flow rate of 500 and 1000 ml.min-1, respectively, and analyse the I-V polarization curve. The measurements were carried out at 30, 35, and 40°C for 5 cycles to ensure the repeatability. The results shows that the current density and the maximum power density reaches 203 mA.cm-2 and 143 mW.cm-2, respectively, with a given voltage 0.6 V, at 40°C.
Better Outcomes and Reduced Hospitalization Cost are Associated with Ultra-Early Treatment of Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms: A US Nationwide Data Sample Study
Authors: Sonig Ashish , Shallwani Hussain , Natarajan Sabareesh K , Shakir Hakeem J , Hopkins L Nelson , Snyder Kenneth V , Siddiqui Adnan H , Levy Elad I
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

The benefit of surgical treatment of ruptured aneurysms is well established.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether ultra-early ruptured aneurysm treatment leads to not only improved outcomes but also reduced hospitalization cost.

METHODS

Using 2008-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample data, we analyzed demographic, clinical, and hospital factors for nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients who were “directly” admitted to the treating hospital where they underwent intervention (clipping/coiling). Patients treated on the day of admission (day 0) formed the ultra-early cohort; others formed the deferred treatment cohort. All Patient Refined Diagnosis-Related Groups were also included in regression analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 17 412 patients were directly admitted to a hospital following nontraumatic SAH where they underwent intervention (clipping/coiling). Mean patient age was 53.87 yr (median 53.00, standard deviation 14.247); 68.3% were women (n = 11 893). A total of 6338 (36.4%) patients underwent treatment on the day of admission (ultra-early). Patients who underwent treatment on day 0 had significantly more routine discharge dispositions than those treated >admission day 0 (P < .0001). In regression analysis, treatment on day 0 was protective against other than routine discharge disposition outcome (P < .0001; odds ratio 0.657; 95% confidence interval 0.614-0.838). Total cost incurred by hospitals was $4.36 billion. Mean cost of hospital charges in the ultra-early cohort was $239 126.05, which was significantly lower than that for the cohort treated >day 0 ($272 989.56, P < .001), Mann-Whitney U-test). Performance of an intervention on admission day 0 was protective against higher hospitalization cost (P < .0001; odds ratio 0.811; 95% confidence interval 0.732-0.899).

CONCLUSION

Ultra-early treatment of ruptured aneurysms is significantly associated with better discharge disposition and decreased hospitalization cost.
Management of Postoperative Fever in Adult Cardiac Surgical Patients
Authors: O’Mara Susan K.
Published: April 2017

Postoperative fever after cardiac surgery is a common occurrence. Most fevers are benign and self-limiting resulting from inflammation caused by surgical trauma and blood contact with cardiopulmonary bypass circuit resulting in the release of cytokines. Only a small percentage of time is postoperative fever due to an infection complicating surgery. The presence of fever frequently triggers a battery of diagnostic tests that are costly, could expose the patient to unnecessary risks, and can produce misleading or inconclusive results. It is therefore important that fever be evaluated in a systematic, prudent, clinically appropriate, and cost-effective manner. This article focuses on the current evidence regarding pathophysiology, incidence, causes, evaluation, and management of fever in postoperative adult cardiac surgical patients.
Effects of Intervention and Team Culture on Operating Room Traffic
Authors: Pulido Ricardo W. , Kester Benjamin , Schwarzkopf Ran
Published: April 2017

Purpose:

How changes in the surgical team's culture can potentially reduce operating room (OR) traffic.

Introduction:

Excessive OR traffic during surgical procedures can present a risk to the patient's safety and recovery. Data suggest that limiting the number of OR personnel during the intraoperative period can reduce excessive OR traffic. However, it is unclear whether the surgeon's verbal intervention can also successfully reduce intraoperative OR traffic. This study compares traffic rates in hip and knee arthroplasty cases against traffic rates during nonarthroplasty cases to examine the effects of verbal interventions implemented by the surgeon to reduce intraoperative traffic.

Method:

The study consisted of 16 orthopedic surgeons in a noninterventional group and 1 orthopedic surgeon in the interventional group. The surgeon in the interventional group implemented verbal protocols to OR staff to limit excessive intraoperative traffic. Operating room traffic was monitored for 3 consecutive months (January-March 2015) with the use of infrared automated door counters that tracked door openings when someone entered or left the OR.

Results:

A total of 50 hip and knee arthroplasties cases and 157 nonarthroplasty cases were tracked during the study period. A total of 134 hours and 4482 movements were collected for the hip and knee arthroplasty cases. A total of 498 hours and 22 902 movements were collected for the nonarthroplasty cases. Comparing the 2 groups, the interventional group averaged 33 movements per hour while the noninterventional group averaged 46 movements per hour (P < .001).

Conclusions:

These results suggest that operative room traffic can be reduced through simple verbal protocols established by the surgical team.
Crystallographic and SAXS studies ofS-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase fromBradyrhizobium elkanii
Authors: Manszewski Tomasz , Szpotkowski Kamil , Jaskolski Mariusz
Published: April 2017

S-Adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHase) from the symbiotic bacteriumBradyrhizobium elkanii(BeSAHase) was crystallized in four ligand complexes with (i) mixed adenosine (Ado) and cordycepin (Cord; 3′-deoxyadenosine), (ii) adenine (Ade), (iii) Ado and (iv) mixed 2′-deoxyadenosine (2′-dAdo) and Ade. The crystal structures were solved at resolutions of 1.84, 1.95, 1.95 and 1.54 Å, respectively. Only the Ade complex crystallized with a dimer in the asymmetric unit, while all of the other complexes formed a crystallographically independent tetrameric assembly. In the Ado/Cord complex, adenosine is found in three subunits while the fourth subunit has cordycepin bound in the active site. In the Ade and Ado complexes only these ligand molecules are present in the active sites. The 2′-dAdo/Ade complex has Ade bound in two subunits and 2′-dAdo bound in the other two subunits. The BeSAHase fold adopted a closed conformation in the complexes with Ado, Ade and 2′-dAdo, and a semi-open conformation when cordycepin occupied the active site. An SAHase-specific molecular gate, consisting of residues His342 and Phe343, behaves differently in the different complexes, but there is no simple correlation with the ligand type. Additional small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments confirm the tetrameric state of the protein in solution. The main conclusions from this work are (i) that the SAHase subunit does not simply oscillate between two discrete conformational open/closed states in correlation with the absence/presence of a ligand in the active site, but can also assume an intermediate form for some ligands; (ii) that the shut/open state of the molecular gate in the access channel to the active site is not correlated in a simple way with the open/closed subunit conformation or empty/occupied status of the active site, but that a variety of states are possible even for the same ligand; (iii) that a cation (typically sodium) coordinated in an intersubunit loop rigidifies a molecular hinge and thus stabilizes the closed conformation; (iv) that BeSAHase in solution is a tetramer, consistent with the model derived from crystallography.
Haseen Habib: 50 years in fire protection services
Authors: Zia Ala , Rashid Amber Gul , Ejaz Lalarukh
Published: April 2017

Subject area

This case study has been written to illustrate the basic difference between goods and services, the difficulties of customer education in a developing county and the transition from goods to goods-cum-services for a company.

Study level/applicability

This is an ideal case to be taught in the second class of service marketing at the BBA level and will highlight the differences between goods and services in the same company.

Case overview

Haseen Habib is a company selling a combination of products and services in Pakistan. It is involved in the supply of fire protection equipment together with the provision of training and other facilities to enable organizations to take a proactive approach to disasters caused by fire and the appropriate response in case of a fire related disaster. This dimension of business is still in the infancy stage in Pakistan, and few people actually realize the need for fire protection services. Safety, risk management and risk prevention are often matters which take a backseat in the corporate, industrial, residential and commercial spheres. The emphasis is on dealing with the aftermath of events rather than to prepare them in advance. The company has a very clear vision and mindset which aims at taking a proactive approach toward managing and preventing risk. They are the pioneers of the safety industry in Pakistan and hold a strong work ethic. The company imports its equipment from the USA, China and Europe. Their target market mainly includes high risk sectors including oil and gas, chemicals, textiles, paint, nuclear and defense. The product portfolio included firefighting equipment like fire extinguishers, safety items which included head-to-toe safety attire for industrial workers and fire alarm systems including smoke detectors. The company also provides different levels and kinds of training and has experienced staff trained abroad in state-of-the-art techniques. However, in Pakistan, investment in risk management is often considered unnecessary, and in such a situation, imparting knowledge is a considerable challenge. The case can be used to study a number of topics. It can be used in a services marketing class to highlight the ways in which services marketing differs from conventional marketing of goods. It can also be used in disaster management courses or to reflect the status and position of developing countries, such as Pakistan, in dealing with unexpected disasters and catastrophes.

Expected learning outcomes

Following are the expected learning outcomes: to appreciate the difference between goods and services; to understand the issues in moving from a goods-oriented to a service-oriented company; to understand the challenges facing Haseen Habib in the context of customer education, keeping in mind it is functioning in an emerging marketing with a particular socio-cultural context; and to propose a way forward for Haseen Habib.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing.
IMC antecedents and the consequences of planned brand identity in higher education
Authors: Foroudi Pantea , Dinnie Keith , Kitchen Philip J. , Melewar T. C. , Foroudi Mohammad M.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This study aims to identify integrated marketing communication (IMC) antecedents and the consequences of planned brand identity in the context of higher education, and empirically test a number of hypotheses related to the constructs of these antecedents and consequences.

Design/methodology/approach

A model of the IMC antecedents and consequences of planned brand identity was tested in a survey conducted among stakeholders in two London-based universities. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to gain insight into the various influences and relationships.

Findings

The study identifies and confirms key constructs in planned brand identity. IMC antecedents of planned brand identity, such as brand elements, service attributes, public relations and place/country of origin, were found to positively influence the planned brand identity consequences of awareness, image and reputation. However, websites, social media, advertising and direct marketing were not found to have significant influence.

Research limitations/implications

The focus on two UK universities limits the generalisability of the findings. Future research should be conducted in other country settings to test the relationships identified in the present study. Also, future research may build on the study’s findings by investigating the attitudinal and behavioural consequences of brand identification in the higher education context.

Practical implications

Professionals responsible for universities’ promotional and branding activities need to evaluate the relative contributions of the IMC antecedents of planned brand identity. Brand elements such as design, colour and name, for example, should be reviewed to determine whether modifications are required in different international markets. The increasing prevalence of social media, one of the key antecedents of brand awareness, offers opportunities for universities to engage in brand co-creation by interacting with past, present and future students on relevant digital platforms. Finally, the place/country-of-origin cue is of particular relevance to institutions of higher education given the increasing numbers of students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels who are choosing to study abroad (Melewar and Akel, 2005). The attraction of the UK as a country to study in, or the appeal of individual cities such as London, should be fully integrated into universities’ IMC strategies.

Originality/value

The study makes two main contributions. First is the theoretical contribution by identifying the core IMC antecedents and consequences of planned brand identity for universities and from this extrapolate key directions for future research. Second it is indicated that a number of managerial implications are designed to assist in the formulation of improved professional practice.
A multi-stakeholder IMC framework for networked brand identity
Authors: Orazi Davide C. , Spry Amanda , Theilacker Max N. , Vredenburg Jessica
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Past integrated marketing communications (IMC) frameworks have established brand contacts as important sources of information and feedback. This paper aims to discuss how the presence of multiple brand stakeholders and the proliferation of digital media increase the amount of brand information generated exponentially. When a firm fails to harness this information, it risks misalignment between brand identity and brand image, which, in turn, tarnishes brand-equity.

Design/methodology/approach

Past IMC frameworks are reviewed and extended to identify specific brand contact points between multiple stakeholders that hold significant potential to dynamically reconfigure brand identity. Theoretical propositions regarding the IMC function’s role in managing these contact points to generate brand-equity are offered.

Findings

The brand contacts described and their successful integration into a firm’s brand-equity strategy extend current IMC-based brand-equity models and suggest fruitful, novel avenues for creating brand-equity. Further, these brand contacts offer practical examples of how the scope of marketing communications can be redefined.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the body of research on the elevation of IMC to a strategic level function. In addition to the synergistic communication of the brand offering, IMC needs to play a pivotal role in coordinating the contacts between the brand and stakeholders, and in extrapolating relevant brand insights from these contacts.
The internal and external challenges facing clients in implementing IMC
Authors: Mortimer Kathleen , Laurie Sally
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Although integrated marketing communication (IMC) is generally accepted as the way forward by academics and practitioners, there is a shortage of research into the challenges that clients face in implementing the process, particularly in the UK. This paper aims to address these issues by examining how UK clients perceive the barriers to implementation, with reference to the conflict theory of decision-making and the social exchange theory from the change management literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a critical realism approach and collected data through an on-line questionnaire to an expert panel of UK clients, which generated some rich qualitative data. The experts were asked to comment on four statements developed from the literature which captured the main challenges identified in previous research.

Findings

The results indicate that UK clients are facing similar barriers to those evident in other countries more than a decade ago. Three main obstacles are identified. First, some clients still find IMC difficult to understand and therefore may avoid change because of the high level of risk involved. Second, marketing departments lack control or influence over other parts of the organisation, due in some cases to lack of representation at board level. Finally, agencies do not have a clear role in the implementation of IMC.

Originality/value

The paper is of value because it specifically investigates the UK client perspective, which is presently sparse in the literature and updates the knowledge on barriers to implementation. It underpins this discussion with reference to change management theories. The paper also examines the support being provided by industry bodies and questions their effectiveness.
Organizational strategic learning capability: exploring the dimensions
Authors: Moon Hanna , Ruona Wendy , Valentine Tom
Published: April 2017

Purpose

How to build and enhance the strategic learning capability (SLC) of an organization becomes crucial to both research and practice. This study was designed with the purpose to conceptualize SLC by translating and interpreting the related literature to develop empirical dimensions that could be tested and used in a survey instrument.

Design/methodology/approach

An instrument was developed to identify empirical dimensions of SLC. The reliability and validity of the instrument were tested.

Findings

The resulting survey instrument included 59 items, and 49 remained after empirical test. Based on responses on a five-point performance scale, SLC items were identified and prioritized, and seven dimensions were discovered: external focus, strategic dialogue, strategic engagement, customer-centric strategy, disciplined imagination, experiential learning and reflective responsiveness.

Originality/value

The findings of this study extend the knowledge base of multi-disciplines, including strategy management, organizational learning and strategic human resource development (HRD). This study highlights the conceptualization of SLC and importance of the SLC framework in the field of HRD.
How virtual team leaders cope with creativity challenges
Authors: Han Soo Jeoung , Chae Chungil , Macko Patricia , Park Woongbae , Beyerlein Michael
Published: April 2017

Purpose

As technology-mediated communication improves, many organizations increasingly use new types of collaborative online tools to promote team-based learning and performance. The purpose of this study is to explore how virtual team leaders cope with process challenges in developing a context for team creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors interviewed nine leaders who have worked for more than five years and managed virtual teams in different fields.

Findings

This research uncovered distrust, personality differences, generational differences in views, scheduling issues and technology difficulties as the top five inhibitors for virtual team creativity and success. The authors identified seven main strategies for developing virtual team creativity and success. The authors found that building “team norms” and guidelines to encourage positive interactions between team members can facilitate team creativity. In addition, a concept of trust-based open communication was identified as one of the important strategies when teams actively use technology-mediated communication tools.

Practical implications

Organizational practitioners can use the results of this study when developing knowledge to establish assessments regarding which employees possess the appropriate characteristics to lead virtual teams and implement virtual team training.

Originality/value

This study emphasizes the importance of technology in professional lives by showing how technology-mediated work leads to success in learning and producing creative ideas and performance in a virtual team environment.
Apprenticeship bullying in the building and construction industry
Authors: Riggall Michaela , Skues Jason , Wise Lisa
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the definition, prevalence, antecedents, consequences and coping behaviours associated with apprenticeship bullying in the building and construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprises 13 participants aged between 22 and 27 (M=23.8, SD=1.26) who were all men who had completed their apprenticeship within the past five years. Participants completed an individual semi-structured interview in which several themes and sub-themes were identified.

Findings

Four characteristics (intention to harm, imbalance in power, repeated behaviours, target interpretation) and two types (personal, work-related) were identified by participants as fundamental to the definition of apprenticeship bullying. Being the target of bullying was found to be commonplace during an apprenticeship. Several antecedents were identified at the individual level (age, personality, physical appearance, work ethic, work performance) along with factors at the organisation level (culture and leadership style) that determined whether bullying would occur. The consequences of apprenticeship bullying included poor individual (personal and work-related) and organisational outcomes. Targets of apprenticeship bullying also tended to use avoidance coping.

Originality/value

This study has provided clarification on the characteristics and behaviours associated with apprenticeship bullying, as well as identified the antecedents and consequences of apprenticeship bullying from the perspective of past apprentices in the building and construction industry.
Numerical simulation of free jets
Authors: Boguslawski Andrzej , Tyliszczak Artur , Wawrzak Agnieszka , Wawrzak Karol
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to summarize recent achievements and suggest further research directions in numerical studies of round free jets with particular attention on the influence of the inlet parameters (mean velocity, turbulence intensity, length and time scales) on the jet dynamics.

Design/methodology/approach

The large eddy simulation (LES) and direct numerical simulation (DNS) are regarded as accurate tools which can support expensive and requiring sophisticated measurements techniques experimental studies. In the paper, the authors present challenges and recent findings related to the LES and DNS of jet type flows in isothermal, heated, excited and reactive conditions.

Findings

LES of the isothermal jet allowed to identify the new jet instability mechanism leading to the self-sustained oscillations and to determine conditions required to trigger this phenomenon. Numerical simulation on the low-density round jet captured the phenomenon of absolute instability with a very good agreement with the experimental findings. LES/DNS of excited jet exhibited bifurcating and blooming jet and showed that the jet can be directly controlled by excitation frequency what is crucial issue also for flame shape control.

Originality/value

The paper shows complexity of seemingly simple jet type flow and proves that despite a huge interest in these flows and relatively deep knowledge on the jet dynamics there are still some open issues requiring further studies.
Axillary odour studies on alkali-treated knitted polyester fabric
Authors: Rathinamoorthy R. , Thilagavathi G.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Odour formation in textile material is mainly based on the fibre content and also the constituent fibres’ chemical and physical structures. Polyester fibre materials are very profound to form odour after being worn due to their highly oleophilic nature. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the odour formation characteristics of polyester fabric after surface modification through alkali treatment.

Design/methodology/approach

Five male participants were allowed to use the alkali-treated and untreated polyester fabrics, which were fixed in the axilla region of their vest. Subjective and objective odour analyses were performed for the worn samples. The odour was evaluated in terms of intensity rating, bacterial population (CFU/ml) and bacterial isolation.

Findings

The results showed that alkali treatment was effective in odour reduction in polyester fabric (p<0.005). The bacterial population density was also reduced significantly (p<0.005) in the alkali-treated polyester fabric compared to the untreated polyester fabric after the wear trial. The alkali treatment affected the surface structure of the polyester fabric and thus changed it from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. This was confirmed by the moisture management test results.

Originality/value

The odour formation in the polyester fabric can be controlled by simple surface modification process like alkali treatment, and thus the value of the product can be increased in the apparel sector.
Place-based network organizations and embedded entrepreneurial learning
Authors: Cantino Valter , Devalle Alain , Cortese Damiano , Ricciardi Francesca , Longo Mariangela
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an original six-phase model describing entrepreneurial learning in the transition of place-based enterprises toward a sustainable exploitation of natural common resources (commons).

Design/methodology/approach

The six-phase model proposed by this study explains the learning processes involving place-based enterprises through two important existing theories: adaptive co-management and Lachmann’s evolutionary, embedded theory of entrepreneurship. The proposed model integrates these two theories on the basis of a longitudinal case study on the fishing enterprises in an Italian marine protected area (MPA).

Findings

In the case study, the success factors identified by the adaptive co-management literature proved important in enabling an embedded entrepreneurial learning process consistent with Lachmann’s view. The case analysis allowed the authors to cluster these learning processes around six phases. Further, even if traditional fishing is not knowledge-intensive, this case shows the transition to a sustainable business model required intense efforts of educated institutional work and scientific research. Interestingly, the key learning processes were enabled by the emergence of a larger, networked social entity (a network form of organization) including the community of fishermen, the MPA management and a network of scientists studying the marine area ecosystem.

Research limitations/implications

This study is explorative and relies on a single case study. Despite this limitation, it opens up new research paths in the fields of entrepreneurship, institutional work, network organizations and adaptive management of the commons.

Originality/value

This study is strongly interdisciplinary; it proposes an original model based on a theoretical view that is highly innovative for organization and management studies; and addresses a relevant but overlooked issue with important societal implications.
Impact of psychological capital on occupational burnout and performance of faculty members
Authors: Rehman Saif ur , Qingren Cao , Latif Yasir , Iqbal Pervaiz
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact and interrelation between positive psychological capital and occupational burnout among faculty associates of technical and professional training institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 282 faculty members from 17 technical institutions were selected from the province of Punjab, Pakistan. Results were drawn using bivariate correlation and linear regression on the data that were collected through adopted questionnaire.

Findings

Results of the study revealed that occupational burnout is significantly related to the performance of the faculty of technical institutes and that psychological capital moderates this relationship.

Practical implications

Conclusions from this research suggested that the personality trait of a psychological capital is an essential determinant of job burnout and performance among faculty members; therefore, it must be considered as an essential part of the selection criteria and job-assessment process. This is important, since psychological capital reduces the detrimental impact of occupational burnout on performance outcomes. Further the faculty members with higher psychological capital should be retained to create positive work environment which can be an inspiration for others.

Originality/value

The research provides important information about the impact of personality traits upon the performance of a faculty member who joins an educational institution coming from an industrial environment. Although having similar technological skills required for the position, still the effects of a new environment can cause performance issues, the research insisted that positive personality traits like psychological capital can help in gaining required confidence to perform in a changed environment.
A preventive maintenance of circular consecutive-k-out-of-n: F systems
Authors: Endharta Alfonsus Julanto , Yun Won Young
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a preventive maintenance policy with continuous monitoring for a circular consecutive-k-out-of-n: F systems. A preventive maintenance policy is developed based on the system critical condition which is related to the number of working components in the minimal cut sets of the system. If there is at least one minimal cut set which consists of only one working component, the system is maintained preventively (PM) after a certain time interval and the failed components are replaced with the new ones to prevent the system failures. If the system fails prior to the preventive maintenance, the system is correctively maintained (CM) immediately by replacing the failed components.

Design/methodology/approach

The mathematical function of the expected cost rate for the proposed maintenance policy is derived. The costs of PM, CM, and replacement per component are considered. The optimal maintenance parameter, which is the PM interval, is obtained by enumeration, and the numerical studies are shown with various system and cost parameters. The performance of the proposed policy is evaluated by comparing its expected cost rate to those of the no-PM and age-PM policies. The percentage of cost increase from the no-PM and age-PM policies to the proposed PM policy is calculated and this value can represents how important the continuous monitoring in this policy.

Findings

The proposed policy outperforms other policies. When the cost of CM is high and the cost of PM is low, the proposed PM policy is more suitable.

Research limitations/implications

The system consists of identical components and the component failure times follow an exponential distribution. Continuous monitoring is considered, which means that the component states can be known at any time. Three cost parameters, cost of PM, CM, and replacement per component, are considered.

Originality/value

This paper shows a maintenance problem for circular consecutive-k-out-of-n: F systems. Many studies on this system type focused on the reliability estimation or system design problem. Previous study with this policy (Endharta and Yun, 2015) has been developed for linear systems, although the study used a simulation approach to estimate the expected cost rate. Also, Endharta et al. (2016) considered a similar method for the different types of system, which is linear consecutive-k-out-of-n: F system.
Extensiveness of farmers’ buying process of agri-inputs in India: implications for marketing
Authors: Kumar Niraj , Kapoor Sanjeev
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Understanding of the farmers’ buying process is of great economic and strategic relevance for agri-business firms. The purpose of this paper is to explain the extensiveness of the buying process of Indian farmers in their purchase of agri-inputs and discusses its implications for agri-industries.

Design/methodology/approach

Four different dimensions of the buying process, namely, buying decision time, number of information sources used, number of evaluated suppliers, and number of conversations with suppliers were used to study the extensiveness of the buying process of the farmers. Responses of 278 farmers were analyzed with the help of mean and frequency distribution, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation coefficient.

Findings

Overall, the extensiveness of the buying process for the frequently purchased inputs was less in comparison to that of the infrequently purchased inputs. However, there were differences in the extensiveness of the buying process for the inputs within the same category. Farmers’ characteristics influenced their buying process and the impact was more evident in case of frequently purchased agri-inputs. All the four dimensions of the farmers’ buying process were found to be positively correlated for most of the agri-inputs.

Research limitations/implications

The farmers’ buying process varies for different agri-inputs and is dependent on the farmers’ characteristics. Firms can use the findings of the study to develop appropriate marketing strategies to broaden their customers’ base and increase sales.

Originality/value

The paper offers an insight into the farmers’ buying process in India and how the farmers behave in different dimensions of the buying process. There are very few studies on the subject carried out in the Indian context.
Specialisation and intensification of farming systems in Western China
Authors: Brown Colin G. , Waldron Scott A. , Wilkins John Francis
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact on household and farming systems of government efforts to modernise production, build scale and develop specialisation in the Tibet dairy industry.

Design/methodology/approach

An overview of policy strategies and industry developments is used to frame detailed micro-level analysis of household and farming systems where impacts on households are explored from both a comparative static and dynamic perspective.

Findings

Specialisation and intensification improve household returns but elicit major changes in the farming and household systems and engagement with external markets. For instance, scaling up from three to ten improved cows increases returns from farm activities by one-half but shifts households from a state of food self-sufficiency to one where they need to sell two-thirds of their dairy products and buy three-fifths of their livestock feed.

Research limitations/implications

The diversity among Tibetan farm households and the dynamic changes occurring in farm productivity, product markets and agrarian systems means that the empirical results are used as illustrative rather than definitive.

Originality/value

Relative to the large attention on the Chinese dairy industry with regard to food safety and industry development, the impacts of dairy specialisation on smallholders especially in western China have been overlooked. The case highlights several issues relevant to agrarian transition and development including changing labour use, risk exposure and engagement with external markets.
Barriers to bond financing for public-private partnership infrastructure projects in emerging markets
Authors: Babatunde Solomon Olusola , Perera Srinath
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify and critically assess the barriers to bond financing for public–private partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects in Nigeria using an empirical quantitative analysis. Innovative ways to finance long-term infrastructure projects had been documented. However, there is a dearth of empirical studies on the barriers to bond financing for PPP infrastructure projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify the barriers to bond financing for infrastructure projects, which were employed to design a questionnaire. A questionnaire survey was carried out which targeted financial experts in the Nigerian financial institutions/local banks. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics to include mean score, chi-square (χ2) test and factor analysis (principal component analysis).

Findings

The analysis of the ranking in terms of the mean score values for the 12 identified barriers indicated that all the identified barriers are considered by respondents as critical barriers to bond financing for PPP infrastructure projects in Nigeria. The study, through factor analysis, grouped the 12 identified barriers into 5 principal factors. These include governance and institutional capacity issues, higher issuance cost and risk, difficulties in getting approval for changes, the small size of bond markets and stringent disclosure requirements.

Practical implications

This research is significant by providing the empirical evidence of the barriers to bond financing for PPP infrastructure in emerging markets, especially in Nigeria.

Originality/value

The findings would enable the policymakers to draw some policy recommendations that will positively influence the development of bond markets in Nigeria and emerging markets at large. These study findings are crucial, as not many empirical studies have been conducted in Nigeria.
Effect of change orders on rework in highway projects in Palestine
Authors: Mahamid Ibrahim
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This study aims at identifying the main causes of change orders in highway construction projects, determining the factors that affect rework in highway construction projects, examining the relationship between change orders and rework and at developing a predictive model that will determine the impact of change orders on rework in highway construction projects in Palestine.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was used to identify the main change order causes and rework causes from the perspectives of contractors and consultants. The questionnaire contained 16 causes of change orders and 19 causes of rework which had been identified from the literature reviewed. The study also identifies the impact of change orders on rework based on data comprising 22 highway construction projects implemented in Palestine. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analyzing the data.

Findings

The study concluded that the five most common causes of change orders can be identified as: change of project scope by owner (additional – enhancement), lack of coordination between construction parties; owner’s financial difficulties, change in materials, and errors and omissions in design. The study has also established that among the various factors that causes rework, non-conformance with specification requirements, scope changes, late design changes, lack of labor experience, lack of labor skills and improper subcontractor selection top the list. Using regression analysis, the results reveal a significant relationship between change orders and rework cost in highway construction projects in Palestine.

Practical implications

By ranking the various change orders causes and rework causes from the perspectives of consultants and contractors, the study provides a fresh perspective on an old chronic problem in the construction sector. This study has provided evidence on the most significant change orders causes and rework causes in the Palestinian highway construction, as well as the impact of change orders or rework on constructions sites. Finally, although this study is specific to the country of Palestine, its results can be applicable to other developing countries facing similar problems in their public construction sectors.

Originality/value

The results address the common causes of change orders and reworks in highway construction projects in Palestine. The results also address the relation between change orders and rework cost based on data collected from highway construction projects implemented in the West Bank in Palestine. This study is the first study conducted in the West Bank in Palestine to identify the change orders and reworks causes in highway construction projects.
The harmonization of audit reports of Islamic banks
Authors: Fakhfakh Mondher
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the level of harmonization of auditors’ reports issued by independent auditors of Islamic banks.

Design/methodology/approach

The homogenization of the auditors’ reports of Islamic banks has been statistically measured. Supranational auditing standards on auditors’ reports (ISA 700 and AAOIFI standard) are used as the control.

Findings

The results show lack of harmonization in several elements related to the form of the auditor’s report and in all elements related to the content of the auditor’s report among the Islamic banks.

Originality/value

This paper provides new empirical evidence about the measurement of harmonization in the form and content of the auditors’ reports of Islamic banks. It discusses the level of compliance with the elements enumerated by the standards issued by the International Federation of Accountants and the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions.
Determinants of financial performance of Islamic banks: an intellectual capital perspective
Authors: Nawaz Tasawar , Haniffa Roszaini
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the effect of intangible resources, i.e. intellectual capital (IC) on financial performance of 64 Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) operating in 18 different countries for the period 2007-2011, while controlling for firm-specific variables, namely, bank size, level of risk, listing status, and firm complexity.

Design/methodology/approach

The required data to calculate different constituents of IC are derived from Bankscope database. Value Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAIC) methodology devised by Pulic is used to determine the impact of IC on financial performance of IFIs.

Findings

Results indicate a significant positive relationship between VAIC and accounting performance based on return on assets (ROA). The results further indicate a significant positive relationship between accounting performance and capital employed efficiency (CEE) and human capital efficiency (HCE), but no significant relationship with regards to structural capital efficiency. Overall, the results suggest that value creation capability of IFIs is highly influenced by HCE and CEE.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of the present study lies in its methodological tool, the VAIC methodology, which has been criticized by some researchers as not really measuring IC. Despite the inherent limitation of the VAIC methodology which relies on secondary data published in annual reports, it is still considered by some researchers as one of the best available tool to measure firms’ IC in the absence of access to detailed internal information on IC.

Practical implications

The findings may serve as a useful input for Islamic bankers in managing their investments in IC within their institutions.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this paper is to use a previously little-studied area, Islamic banking and finance, to identify the effect of intellectual capital on performance.