bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oligomers of α-synuclein: picking the culprit in the line-up
Authors: Lorenzen Nikolai , Otzen Daniel E.
Published: August 2014

In the present chapter, we discuss the key findings on αsyn (α-synuclein) oligomers from a biophysical point of view. Current structural methods cannot provide a high-resolution structure of αsyn oligomers due to their size, heterogeneity and tendency to aggregate. However, a low-resolution structure of a stable αsyn oligomer population is emerging based on compelling data from different research groups. αsyn oligomers are normally observed during the formation of amyloid fibrils and we discuss how they are connected to this process. Another important topic is the interaction of αsyn oligomers and membranes, and we will discuss the evidence which suggests that this interaction might be essential in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Finally, we present a remarkable example of how small molecules are able to stabilize non-amyloid oligomers and how this might be a potential strategy to inhibit the inherent toxicity of αsyn oligomers. A major challenge is to link the very complex oligomerization pathways seen in clever experiments in vitro with what actually happens in the cell. With the tremendous developments in optical microscopy in mind, we believe that it will be possible to make this link very soon.
Amyloid diseases of yeast: prions are proteins acting as genes
Authors: Wickner Reed B. , Edskes Herman K. , Bateman David A. , Kelly Amy C. , Gorkovskiy Anton , Dayani Yaron , Zhou Albert
Published: August 2014

The unusual genetic properties of the non-chromosomal genetic elements [URE3] and [PSI+] led to them being identified as prions (infectious proteins) of Ure2p and Sup35p respectively. Ure2p and Sup35p, and now several other proteins, can form amyloid, a linear ordered polymer of protein monomers, with a part of each molecule, the prion domain, forming the core of this β-sheet structure. Amyloid filaments passed to a new cell seed the conversion of the normal form of the protein into the same amyloid form. The cell's phenotype is affected, usually from the deficiency of the normal form of the protein. Solid-state NMR studies indicate that the yeast prion amyloids are in-register parallel β-sheet structures, in which each residue (e.g. Asn35) forms a row along the filament long axis. The favourable interactions possible for aligned identical hydrophilic and hydrophobic residues are believed to be the mechanism for propagation of amyloid conformation. Thus, just as DNA mediates inheritance by templating its own sequence, these proteins act as genes by templating their conformation. Distinct isolates of a given prion have different biological properties, presumably determined by differences between the amyloid structures. Many lines of evidence indicate that the Saccharomyces cerevisiae prions are pathological disease agents, although the example of the [Het-s] prion of Podospora anserina shows that a prion can have beneficial aspects.
Functional amyloid: widespread in Nature, diverse in purpose
Authors: Pham Chi L.L. , Kwan Ann H. , Sunde Margaret
Published: August 2014

Amyloids are insoluble fibrillar protein deposits with an underlying cross-β structure initially discovered in the context of human diseases. However, it is now clear that the same fibrillar structure is used by many organisms, from bacteria to humans, in order to achieve a diverse range of biological functions. These functions include structure and protection (e.g. curli and chorion proteins, and insect and spider silk proteins), aiding interface transitions and cell–cell recognition (e.g. chaplins, rodlins and hydrophobins), protein control and storage (e.g. Microcin E492, modulins and PMEL), and epigenetic inheritance and memory [e.g. Sup35, Ure2p, HET-s and CPEB (cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding protein)]. As more examples of functional amyloid come to light, the list of roles associated with functional amyloids has continued to expand. More recently, amyloids have also been implicated in signal transduction [e.g. RIP1/RIP3 (receptor-interacting protein)] and perhaps in host defence [e.g. aDrs (anionic dermaseptin) peptide]. The present chapter discusses in detail functional amyloids that are used in Nature by micro-organisms, non-mammalian animals and mammals, including the biological roles that they play, their molecular composition and how they assemble, as well as the coping strategies that organisms have evolved to avoid the potential toxicity of functional amyloid.
Efficiency improvement on two‐switch buck‐boost converter with coupled inductor for high‐voltage applications
Authors: Yang Chen , XIE Shaojun , Mao Ling , Zhang Zhao
Published: August 2014

With two controllable switches, the efficiency of the two‐switch buck‐boost converters can be optimised by adopting appropriate control schemes. Among the control schemes, when only one switch works at high frequency, losses of the converter can be reduced effectively, but the complicated control logic and compensation technique are needed for step‐up/down smooth transitions; when both switches operate at high frequency, the efficiency of these converters are low for high‐voltage applications because of the serious switching losses. In this study, the coupled inductor is introduced to reduce the switching losses of these converters for high‐voltage application and an asynchronous control scheme is proposed to reduce the losses much more. Based on the designed prototype, theoretical calculation, experiment results and loss analysis are provided to compare the traditional converter adopting single‐winding inductor and the proposed circuit with the coupled inductor. And the comparisons of the converter adopting coupled‐inductor with the tradition synchronous control scheme and that with the proposed asynchronous control scheme are also presented. The analysis and experimental results show that the efficiency of the converter adopting coupled inductor with the proposed asynchronous control scheme is the highest one. Moreover, the smooth transitions between step‐up and step‐down are also guaranteed by the proposed asynchronous control scheme.
Electronic transport in carbon nanotube–graphene contact
Authors: Deng Wuzhu , Li Yang , Chen Yangyang , Zhou Wenli
Published: August 2014

An investigation has been conducted into the electron transport properties in carbon nanotube (CNT)–graphene contacts with a fully non‐equilibrium Green's functions method combined with the density functional theory. Four different models are considered, where the contact geometries are varied. Their similar electron transmission characteristics are demonstrated with little dependence on the contact conditions at high energy and considerable dependence at low energy. The vacuum gap hinders the electron transport, resulting in an additional contact barrier. The electron transmission is mainly performed between the boundary carbon atoms of the CNT and the nearest graphene atoms, and the imperfection of the edge carbon atoms in a hexagonal lattice destroys the ballistic transport in graphene and the CNT at the contact. The current–voltage characteristics are presented as well. This reported work gives an insight into the electronic transport properties of the contacts and suggests that graphene is a suitable electrode material for applications in full‐CNT devices.
Synthesis, Structure, and Visible Phosphorescence Emission of Novel CuI Coordination Polymers Based on 4,4′-Bis(3-pyridyl)-2,2′-bis(hydroxylmethyl) Biphenyl
Authors: Jin Guo-Xia , Ma Jian-Ping , Sun Chuan-Zhi , Dong Yu-Bin
Published: August 2014

Four new CuI coordination polymers, [(CuCl)L]n (1), {[(CuCl)2L2]·(H2O)}n (2), [(CuBr)L]n (3), and {[(CuBr)2L2]·(H2O)}n (4), were obtained from a new ligand 4,4′-bis(3-pyridyl)-2,2′-bis(hydroxylmethyl) biphenyl (L) and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In 1 and 3, the rhombic [Cu2(μ-X)2] units are connected to each other by the bidentate linkers to form an infinite 1D double chain (X = Cl, Br). Such 1D chains are arranged into a 2D sheet through inter-chain π···π interactions. In 2 and 4, there are similar 1D double chains, but different inter-chain arrangement. Such 1D chains are connected into a 2D layer and further arranged in an ABAB fashion through O–H···X hydrogen bonds. The emission spectra and lifetimes in the microsecond range were measured at room temperature and at 77 K. Complexes 1 and 3 exhibit strong orange and yellow–orange emission in the solid state at room temperature, and were assigned to X-and M-to-ligand charge transfer excited states based on density functional theory calculations. The emission property of 2 and 4 was distinctly different from that of 1 and 3, probably due to the difference in coordination environments of the CuI centres as well as the dissimilar intermolecular arrangement.
Biosynthetic Incorporation of Fluorinated Amino Acids into Peptides and Proteins
Authors: Fraser Samuel A. , Easton Christopher J.
Published: August 2014

Native and engineered protein biosynthetic machinery processes a wide range of fluorinated α-amino acids for incorporation into peptides and proteins, either as substitutes for structurally similar amino acids normally found in proteins, or as additional ones. In the former case, replacement occurs wherever the normal amino acid is encoded, while the latter method is site-specific. The fluorinated peptides have a diverse variety of interesting properties. The biochemical synthetic methods are straightforward, to the point that they should routinely be assessed as alternatives to traditional solid- and solution-phase peptide synthesis.
Sustaining dignity? Food insecurity in homeless young people in urban Australia
Authors: Crawford Belinda , Yamazaki Rowena , Franke Elise , Amanatidis Sue , Ravulo Jioji , Steinbeck Kate , Ritchie Jan , Torvaldsen Siranda
Published: August 2014

Issue addressed

Food insecurity is recognised as an increasing problem in disadvantaged and marginalised groups. The aim of this study was to investigate issues associated with food insecurity and nutrition in young people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness in metropolitan Australia.

Methods

Eight focus group discussions were conducted with 48 young people (aged between 15 and 25 years) in specialist homelessness services in central and south‐western Sydney.

Results

Participants described daily experiences of food insecurity, persistent hunger and poverty. Structural barriers to food security and nutrition were identified and included poverty and reduced physical access to fresh foods. Participants also described a desire to save time, for convenience and to be socially connected. Despite the hardships and the chaos of youth homelessness, the groups were defined by their strength of character, resilience and hope for the future.

Conclusion

Homeless young people within central and south‐western Sydney report varying degrees of food insecurity, despite being supported by specialist youth homelessness services.

So what?

A collaborative, multistrategic approach with youth participation is required to further enhance the capacity of youth services to improve food security, food access and the availability of nutritious foods for homeless young people. A greater focus on advocacy and policy action is also required to bring food security and nutrition to the forefront of national efforts to improve the health and welfare of disadvantaged groups.
Climate factors mediate soil respiration dynamics in Mediterranean agricultural environments: an empirical approach
Authors: González-Ubierna Sergio , Teresa de la Cruz María , Casermeiro Miguel Ángel
Published: August 2014

Soil CO2 emissions, the result of soil respiration processes, may be essential in climate change modelling. The complex phenomenon of soil respiration is regulated by a range of mainly climate-related environmental factors. We tested the latest published empirical models in a field experiment in an agricultural soil under Mediterranean conditions. Soil respiration was monitored biweekly with a portable infrared gas analyser, and climate features were monitored for 1 year (2010–11). An additional rewetting assay (watering the soil) was done at the end of the experiment in summer when the soil water content was dry. We tested different approaches to represent the simple effect of climate factors on soil respiration and found Gaussian models to be the best. We also tested the most recent models designed to represent the synergic effects of climate factors, and our modification of the Martin and Bolstad model showed the best coefficient of determination. The results suggest that linear approaches and the use of a fixed Q10 value should be revised to represent climate and soil respiration relations, especially in high-variability environments where soil respiration variability is controlled by soil temperature and moisture interactions, while precipitation pulses induce CO2 emission peaks. Finally, our results showed that the influence of soil temperature and moisture on soil respiration is lower under Mediterranean conditions than in temperate climate types.
The Architecture of the Elementary School in Persianate Painting of the Fifteenth to Sixteenth Centuries
Authors: Rahmatullaeva Sulhiniso
Published: August 2014

The essay begins with a brief introduction to the early Persianate institutions of learning whose buildings have since vanished, because they were erected using short-lived construction materials. However, a large number of Persianate manuscript paintings of the fifteenth to sixteenth centuries, which depict the practice of teaching in architectural settings, has survived. Is it possible to describe these places where the teachers and children gathered as they are presented in the illustrations? Were they mosques, madrasas, or private residences, or did the artists invent these architectural settings? The article explores twelve selected images, and proposes an explanation of these representations of the elementary schools (maktabs), including the construction methods, and the techniques of inner and outer decoration of these buildings.
Conformation-specific antibodies to target amyloid β oligomers and their application to immunotherapy for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Murakami Kazuma
Published: August 2014

Amyloid β-protein (Aβ) oligomers, intermediates of Aβ aggregation, cause cognitive impairment and synaptotoxicity in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Immunotherapy using anti-Aβ antibody is one of the most promising approaches for AD treatment. However, most clinical trials using conventional sequence-specific antibodies have proceeded with difficulty. This is probably due to the unintended removal of the non-pathological monomer and fibrils of Aβ as well as the pathological oligomers by these antibodies that recognize Aβ sequence, which is not involved in synaptotoxicity. Several efforts have been made recently to develop conformation-specific antibodies that target the tertiary structure of Aβ oligomers. Here, we review the recent findings of Aβ oligomers and anti-Aβ antibodies including our own, and discuss their potential as therapeutic and diagnostic tools.
cPKC regulates interphase nuclear size duringXenopusdevelopment
Authors: Edens Lisa J. , Levy Daniel L.
Published: August 2014

Dramatic changes in cell and nuclear size occur during development and differentiation, and aberrant nuclear size is associated with many disease states. However, the mechanisms that regulate nuclear size are largely unknown. A robust system for investigating nuclear size is early Xenopus laevis development, during which reductions in nuclear size occur without changes in DNA content. To identify cellular factors that regulate nuclear size during development, we developed a novel nuclear resizing assay wherein nuclei assembled in Xenopus egg extract become smaller in the presence of cytoplasmic interphase extract isolated from post-gastrula Xenopus embryos. We show that nuclear shrinkage depends on conventional protein kinase C (cPKC). Increased nuclear cPKC localization and activity and decreased nuclear association of lamins mediate nuclear size reductions during development, and manipulating cPKC activity in vivo during interphase alters nuclear size in the embryo. We propose a model of steady-state nuclear size regulation whereby nuclear expansion is balanced by an active cPKC-dependent mechanism that reduces nuclear size.
A new piece in the kinetochore jigsaw puzzle
Authors: Corbett Kevin D. , Desai Arshad
Published: August 2014

In eukaryotic cell division, the kinetochore mediates chromosome attachment to spindle microtubules and acts as a scaffold for signaling pathways, ensuring the accuracy of chromosome segregation. The architecture of the kinetochore underlies its function in mitosis. In this issue, Hornung et al. (2014. J. Cell Biol. http://dx.doi.org/201403081) identify an unexpected linkage between the inner and outer regions of the kinetochore in budding yeast that suggests a new model for the construction of this interface.
Topology of nonarchimedean analytic spaces and relations to complex algebraic geometry
Authors: Payne Sam
Published: August 2014

This note surveys basic topological properties of nonarchimedean analytic spaces, in the sense of Berkovich, including the recent tameness results of Hrushovski and Loeser. We also discuss interactions between the topology of nonarchimedean analytic spaces and classical algebraic geometry.
Automatic disassembly navigation for accurate virtual assembly path planning
Authors: Pan Wanbin , Wang Yigang , Du Peng
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop an automatic disassembly navigation approach for human interactions in the virtual environment to achieve accurate and effective virtual assembly path planning (VAPP).

Design/methodology/approach

– First, to avoid the error-prone human interactions, a constraint-based disassembly method is presented. Second, to automatically provide the next operable part(s), a disassembly navigation mechanism is adopted. Finally, the accurate assembly path planning can be obtained effectively and automatically by inversing the ordered accurate disassembly paths, which are obtained interactively in the virtual environment aided with the disassembly navigation matrix.

Findings

– The applications present that our approach can effectively avoid the error-prone interactive results and generate accurate and effective VAPP.

Research limitations/implications

– There are several works that could be conducted to make our approach more general in the future: to further study the basic disassembly direction deducing rules to make the process of determining disassembly direction totally automatic, to consider the hierarchy of the parts in virtual reality system and to consider the space for assembly/disassembly tools or operators.

Originality/value

– The approach has the following characteristics: a new approach to avoid the error-prone human interactions for accurate assembly path planning obtaining, a new constraint deducing method for determining the disassembly semantics automatically or semi-automatically is put forward and a new method for automatically identifying operable parts in VAPP is set forward.
Development of an adaptive part feeder for handling sector-shaped parts
Authors: Udhayakumar S. , Mohanram P.V. , Yeshwanth S. , Ranjan Biswal Manas , Sabareeswaran A.
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss a linear vibratory part feeder for handling brake liners, typical sector-shaped components. Part feeders have been used in the industries for a long time to present the parts in a desired orientation. Berretty et al. (1999) discussed a class of mechanical filters that are capable of removing polygonal sections from the track of the feeder which are referred to as traps. The traps eliminate or reorient the parts until they reach the final desired orientation. A part feeder was developed using traps, to reorient the sector-shaped part to desired orientation. The desired orientation was the most probable natural resting orientation. The trap was mounted on a linear vibratory feeder. The adaptive part feeder developed was capable of identifying the size of the incoming part and adjust the trap to accommodate that. This set-up eliminates the use of different traps for different-sized sector-shaped parts and wastage of productive time in changing the traps for different sizes. A regression model was developed to predict the conveying velocity of part on the feeder.

Design/methodology/approach

– A part feeder was developed using traps, to reorient the sector-shaped part to desired orientation. Acrylic material was found to be suitable for trap compared to aluminium. The adaptive part feeder developed was capable of identifying the size of the incoming part using proximity sensors. Depending on the size of the incoming part, the track width was adjusted dynamically with the help of a stepper motor, rack and pinion arrangement. A regression model was developed to predict the conveying velocity.

Findings

– Typical brake liners in the size range of 40-60 mm (radius) were considered for developing the adaptive part feeder. Based on performance studies, the acrylic trap was found better than aluminium traps. The appropriate frequency and amplitude of vibration for maximum conveying velocity of the adaptive part feeder were found experimentally. Regression equation was developed to determine the conveying velocity based on input frequency and amplitude. The regression results were found to be in close agreement with the experimental results.

Research limitations/implications

– The developed part feeder is suitable for handling sector-shaped parts only.

Originality/value

– This paper demonstrates an inexpensive adaptive part feeding device for handling sector-shaped parts which can be extended for handling other asymmetric parts also.
Earnings management and voluntary disclosure of management's responsibility for the financial reports
Authors: Kiattikulwattana Prapaporn
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between voluntary disclosure of a statement of management's responsibility for the financial reports (MRF) and earnings management, both accrual and real earnings management, in firms listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET).

Design/methodology/approach

– The samples in this study are selected from listed companies on the SET in the year 2009. The multiple regression are used to test hypotheses.

Findings

– The results show that the inclusion of a MRF has no association with both discretionary accrual and real earnings management activities (i.e. sales manipulation, a decrease in discretionary expenditures, and overproduction). The findings from the study reveal that firms with or without the MRF manipulate their earnings in a similar manner.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample for the study includes Thai listed firms in the year 2009 only. The small sample size may limit the validity of generalizations from these conclusions.

Practical implications

– Based on the results, the regulators will know that the voluntary disclosure of management responsibilities on the financial reports is an ineffective tool to control earnings management.

Social implications

– Like Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002, a disclosure of management responsibilities on the financial reports should be required by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand.

Originality/value

– Investors will know that firms with or without the MRF manipulate their earnings in a similar manner. The voluntary disclosure of an MRF in Thailand does not guarantee earnings quality.
Digital channels in the internal communication of a multinational corporation
Authors: Sisko Maarit Lipiäinen Heini , Ensio Karjaluoto Heikki , Nevalainen Marjo
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine how digital communication tools are used for internal communication (IC) in multinational corporations (MNCs). Specifically, the study illustrates the role of digital channels in IC, the benefits they bring and the difficulties involved in using them.

Design/methodology/approach

– This research features a single-case study focusing on a listed Finnish multinational industrial corporation with a long history. Data for the study come from semi-structured theme interviews and a workshop in which the results were discussed.

Findings

– Digital IC tools are able to facilitate IC in MNCs, although some challenges may arise in relation to planning their utilization. Related to the role of digital channels in IC, these findings highlight the importance of face-to-face channels in everyday IC and the role of digital channels as more formal communication channels.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper focuses on a single organization. Additional research would be required to attain generalizable results.

Practical implications

– The effective use of new digital communication tools requires common guidelines across all areas of an MNC. Despite the great potential of new tools, the importance of face-to-face communication should not be ignored.

Originality/value

– Most of the research on IC in MNCs was conducted before the digital communications era. Recent advances in information technology have created new challenges and opportunities for IC.
Corporate reputation based theory of choice between organic, hybrid and inorganic growth strategies
Authors: Agnihotri Arpita
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine how organizational resources: mass media corporate reputation and relative performance influences firms choice between organic, hybrid and inorganic growth strategies and how industry competition moderates this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using panel data and Tobit regression on sample of firms from emerging markets, i.e. India, the study is conducted.

Findings

– The results indicate that firm's corporate reputation, its relative performance with respect to competitors, positively influences hybrid growth strategy and negatively influences organic growth strategies. Further, results show that competition acts as a moderator of firm's relative performance and growth choice.

Originality/value

– The study contribute to resource-based view of the firm and corporate reputation literature by the extending the deterministic role of corporate reputation to not only firms’ market-based performance but also strategic choice.
A discussion on Brazil-focused publications
Authors: de Fátima Joaquim Nathália , Carolina Guerra Ana , de Pádua Carrieri Alexandre
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this article is to carry out a critical analysis of the view that core countries’ knowledge holds sway over that of the periphery and to offer a reassessment of Lahiri’s Anglo-Eurocentric point of view and the implications this has for scientific discussion in the field of management. To do this the authors made use of both Lahiri’s (2011) comments as a representative of mainstream thought and the existing literature on this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this research, the authors used the methodology proposed by Lahiri (2011), but with some adjustments that they thought were necessary. They also analysed scientific production on management in the most important Brazilian journals to put the field of organizational studies in Brazil in context and to situate the reader as regarding their criticism of the North-centric viewpoint. This is because the authors consider organizational studies as a synonym for management studies.

Findings

– The results presented in Lahiri’s (2011) article “Brazil-focused publications in leading business journals” are invalid because the sample on which the article is based is limited to 14 academic journals, of which 7 are American, 6 are British and 1 is German. It can be questioned whether this particular selection of journals accurately represents the corpus of publications that deal with Brazil, given that Lahiri does not include any articles published in Brazil and thus reinforces his North-centric standpoint. Moreover, the article emphasizes authors with ties to English institutions and concludes that the most relevant academic contributions on Brazil have been produced at non-Brazilian institutions. Moreover, the authors also discovered a contradiction in the sample that is important for the thesis presented in this article because, in fact, the scholars selected for the sample emphasized in that work have ties to both a foreign and a Brazilian institution.

Originality/value

– The originality of this article lies in the fact that it proposes to discuss the production and consumption of knowledge in the area of administration in such a way as to reassess North-centric hegemony in this field.
CSR in multiple environments: the impact of headquartering
Authors: Barkemeyer Ralf , Figge Frank
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to argue that the on-going professionalization and dissemination of the current wave of corporate social responsibility (CSR) concepts and instruments leads to a headquartering effect, i.e. the concentration of CSR-related decision-making within corporate headquarters. This headquartering effect casts doubt on earlier studies suggesting that the “transnational” or “glocal” model can effectively address the multitude of global and local CSR challenges modern multinational companies (MNCs) face.

Design/methodology/approach

– This conceptual paper uses a stakeholder lens, in turn, drawing from resource dependence theory and organizational legitimacy theory to develop under which conditions claims of Southern stakeholders will be considered by Northern MNCs. It provides evidence for the existence of a headquartering effect as a defining characteristic of mainstream CSR approaches.

Findings

– The authors argue that the increasing professionalization and dissemination of mainstream CSR approaches among MNCs reinforce the headquartering effect, with strategic decision-making increasingly confined to the companies’ headquarters, while the scope of action within the subsidiaries and the supply chain of MNCs becomes increasingly restricted over time. Ultimately, this headquartering effect strengthens a Northern CSR/sustainability agenda and fails to empower developing country stakeholders.

Originality/value

– The paper contributes by exploring how international CSR follows a different underlying rationale than international business. While international business research follows an instrumental perspective, international CSR is driven by both instrumental and normative considerations. Thus, international business theories may not be directly applicable to international CSR contexts.
Development or dispossession?
Authors: Alamgir Fahreen , Cairns George
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to discuss the discourse of globalisation and its implications in the case of state-owned jute mills (SOJMs) in the post-colonial state of Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors draw upon a critical debate on the concept of globalisation and critical political economy to revisit the country’s historical, political, social and cultural construction to discuss conditions of its conformity within the global order. Additionally, the perspective of subaltern studies underpins discussion of the context of the post-colonial state.

Findings

– A schematic analysis of the context surfaces issues that underpin the process of “truth production” and that have contributed to global integration of the Bangladesh economy. We consider how this discourse benefits some people, while over time, the majority are dislocated, excluded and deprived. Hence, this discourse denotes a territorial power of globalism that leads us to conceptualise Bangladesh as a neo-colonial state.

Originality/value

– Through a case study of SOJMs, this paper contributes to discussion on the essence and implications of the globalisation discourse and on how its methods and techniques reinforce hegemony in the name of development and sustainability in the forms of liberalisation, democratisation and good governance in a state like Bangladesh.
Financial risk analysis of Cambodia Kamchay hydropower BOT project
Authors: Jun Zhuo , Chanvicheka Phan , Shuai Gao
Published: August 2014

Title

– Financial risk analysis of Cambodia Kamchay hydropower BOT project.

Subject area

– Management science, operational and financial risk of overseas enterprises.

Study level/applicability

– This case is mainly applicable to international business course and project management course.

Case overview

– Since 1992, the Great Mekong sub-regional economic cooperation between China and ASEAN countries was officially launched and set free economic zone. Hydropower is starting to develop in recent years in Cambodia, and it is a good significance to Cambodia
'
s industry. Furthermore, most of hydropower plants in Cambodia are built by Chinese companies. Thus, this paper will analyze the current risk and condition of Kamchay hydropower, as well as the development of Chinese enterprise for Cambodia economic and social development.

Expected learning outcomes

– This case study provides students concepts on international business, project management, and operational risk of overseas enterprises. The principle of project contracting, labor cooperation, and project financial in international process are considered together with the implications they have for advancing understanding of the problem of the host country
'
s government interests and the various risk of enterprises in international BOT projects.

Supplementary materials

– Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Skyworth TV: channel dynamics and growth in China
'
s rural market
Authors: LUK Sherriff T. K. , Chen Ivy Siok Ngoh , Coombes John
Published: August 2014

Title

– Skyworth TV: channel dynamics and growth in China
'
s rural market.

Subject area

– Marketing.

Study level/applicability

– Target audience this decision case has been tried and tested in a classroom setting with final-year undergraduate BBA students and postgraduate students studying an MSc in marketing. The specific course in which this case was used was marketing management in China. This case may also be suitable for an undergraduate or masters level courses in consumer behaviour, distribution management or marketing in China. The case covers environment analysis, market segmentation, consumer behaviour and distribution channels.

Case overview

– Skyworth, a Chinese manufacturer of television sets, was faced with some major decisions. Government subsidies on consumer purchases of household appliances had stimulated demand for TV sets especially in rural areas. However, there were limited distribution channels serving rural areas. Large-scale nationwide chain stores like Gome and Suning served mainly urban areas and top-tier cities. These retailer chains were less interested in selling TV sets as their profit margins were lower. How should Skyworth set up its distribution network to take advantage of the growth in rural markets? Establishing its own channel network would involve huge investments that would affect Skyworth
'
s profits in the next few years. Relying on existing retailer chains may not give it the coverage it wanted. Skyworth
'
s brand reputation had also suffered because of poor product quality and customer support. Can the distribution channel network help to improve its brand reputation and customer loyalty? This case highlights how government policies in China can shape the growth of the household appliance market and change consumption patterns.

Expected learning outcomes

– By studying this case, students will:1. Examine how environmental factors affect television manufacturers in China;2. Understand the buying behaviour of rural households for household appliances;3. Examine distribution channels in an emerging market;4. Evaluate a company
'
s product portfolio strategy; and5. Suggest segmentation bases for the market for television sets in China.

Supplementary materials

– Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or e-mail support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
City Developments Limited: a journey in sustainable business development
Authors: Hwang Soo Chiat , Joshi Havovi
Published: August 2014

Title

– City Developments Limited: a journey in sustainable business development.

Subject area

– Business development, sustainable business practices, corporate social responsibility.

Study level/applicability

– Executive education, postgraduate, undergraduate.

Case overview

– City Developments Limited (CDL) is one of Singapore
'
s leading international property and hotel conglomerates, involved in real estate development and investment, hotel ownership and management, facilities management and the provision of hospitality solutions. The group has developed over 22,000 luxurious and quality homes in Singapore, catering to a wide range of market segments. CDL is widely recognised as a champion of sustainable practices in Singapore. It was the first company honoured with the President
'
s Social Service Award and President
'
s Award for the Environment in 2007. It was also the only developer to be accorded the Built Environment Leadership Platinum Award in 2009 and Green Mark Platinum Champion Award in 2011 by the Building and Construction Authority, the governing authority for Singapore
'
s built environment. CDL was the first Singaporean company to be listed on all three of the world
'
s top sustainability benchmarks – FTSE4Good Index Series since 2002, Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World since 2010 and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes since 2011. This case discusses the many factors that have enabled CDL to successfully manage its journey in sustainable business development. It also creates an opportunity for students to discuss other steps or measures the company could take to further increase stakeholders
'
awareness and adoption of their sustainability vision.

Expected learning outcomes

– This case discusses the concepts of sustainability and the reasons why companies believe in following sustainable practices. Through this case, students would get an opportunity to discuss the sustainable practices adopted by one of the well-known Singapore companies, CDL. They would understand the costs and benefits of being a champion of CSR, the benefits to the stakeholders of CDL, and the ways CSR provides a competitive advantage.

Supplementary materials

– Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Corporate management in receivership: the case of Uchumi supermarkets
Authors: Mathuva David
Published: August 2014

Subject area

Strategic Management and Corporate Finance.

Study level/applicability

Higher undergraduate and graduate levels.

Case overview

The case demonstrates how a company can be able to manage corporate restructuring successfully and recover from receivership. Uchumi is a company incorporated in Kenya and listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). The case examines how Uchumi successfully recovered from receivership in 2006 owing to previous mismanagement and regained profitability after years of continued losses. A review of the company's management style and the role of the management in turning around the company are presented.

Expected learning outcomes

The case demonstrates how financially and operationally troubled corporations can be managed effectively, illustrates how corporate managers can manage corporate restructuring and receivership successfully, shows the applicability of Kotter's eight stages of leading changes successfully and other leadership approaches/theories and demonstrates the differences between the performance of a corporation before and after the restructuring process.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email: support@emeraldinsight.com to request Teaching notes.
Mumbai Indians: a case on social media marketing
Authors: Prashar Sanjeev , Singh Harvinder , Nishanth Kara Shri
Published: August 2014

Subject area

The courses prominent in this context are: social media marketing, integrated marketing communication, internet marketing. For the students of internet marketing, the case may be focussed on understanding the dynamics of social media marketing.

Study level/applicability

The case shall be administered among students pursuing their post graduate degree in management.

Case overview

The case reflects the importance of social media marketing and various successful campaign activities led by Mumbai Indians. It highlights how companies can connect with audience vide social media that provides instant feedback and direct connection with the target audience. The strategic frame that can be used to organize the campaign has been suggested by the authors in teaching notes, besides evolving the metrics to evaluate the success/effectiveness of such campaigns. The case evaluated social media campaigns and identified best-suited channel.

Expected learning outcomes

The case may be focused on understanding the dynamics of social media marketing. Management students would have a huge learning in terms of how social media campaigns are developed and effectiveness of social media campaigns. The case explains the metrics to evaluate the success/effectiveness of such campaigns. The case evaluated social media campaigns and identified best-suited channel which would be a learning for student studying online marketing.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Between local and global approach: need for diffused model of HRM – case of Shifa International Hospital
Authors: Saher Noreen , Mukhtar Arshia
Published: August 2014

Subject area

HRM, training, strategic HRM.

Study level/applicability

The case is designed for undergraduate and graduate level business students (BBA and MBA) in human resource management, organizational behavior, strategic HRM, corporate leadership and general management. The case provides an overview of the importance of diffused HRM practices in developing countries on the basis of standardized rules and cultural values defining these rules. The case presents the situation of HR management practices in SIH, Islamabad on the basis of different styles followed by HR managers to develop an egalitarian model aspired on the basis of local values but at the same time is on the line of international standards.

Case overview

In Shifa, It was observed that locally trained HR managers could better synchronize employees' aspirations with standards of diffused model as compared to foreign trained managers. It was found that the former group of professionals appreciated local values; therefore they considered these values while following standardized rules and regulation; whereas the latter group took it as a bunch of obsolete concepts which had nothing to do with employee management practices in urban/modern organization. Therefore, positive perception of locally trained managers' about the indigenous' wisdom and its consideration in employee management decisions enabled them to play a proactive role in developing cultural fit HR practices, besides winning the support of both, management and the workers. This also allowed them to “maintain balance” between local aspiration and international standards of operations. Although SIH is unique in terms of its mission, services, organization, and its use of technology, it is believed that this unique case may provide useful insights for organizations in similar situations. Many of the difficulties faced by SIH either support or help to understand situations prevailing of other organizations working in the context of Pakistan. For instance, any public or private organization or multi-national corporation following Western (diffused) HR model to regulate workforce in the local setting can get benefit from this research.

Expected learning outcomes

The teaching objectives of the cases are apprehend the importance of diffused HRM practices in developing countries context. importance of indigenous wisdom of flexibility and culturally fit HR practices as a proactive approach towards HR issues handling the case of Mr Shahbaz and Ms Aysha Ahmad. Importance of social networking and controlled personalized models for employee regulation, e.g. case of Mr Abid Elahi.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Human resource management in the changing business environment of the Indian construction industry: a case study
Authors: Shah Shashank , Sankar R.N. Ajith
Published: August 2014

Subject area

Human resource management.

Study level/applicability

The case can be used on courses related to human resources management (HRM), which are offered in management programmes like MBA/PGDBM. The case could also be used in management development programmes, seminars and workshops that have HRM as a component of the programme. The case can be used effectively for classroom discussions as well as in distance learning programmes.

Case overview

The case looks into the HRM practices at a leading Indian construction company – ABC Constructions. The case tries to explain the management perspectives behind the people practice initiatives undertaken by the company in order to recruit/retain and nurture talent. The case also explains the basic principles underlying its human resource policies. It tries to explain the initiatives taken by ABC Constructions to meet the challenges posed by the changing business environment, as the company moves beyond the borders of the country of its initial operations. The case provides an overview of unique challenges faced by a company in the Indian construction industry, where a significant number of people executing its projects are not its permanent employees.

Expected learning outcomes

The students would get a fairly good understanding of existing good practices in the field of human resource management, especially in the context of a multifaceted and labour intensive construction industry in the Indian corporate scenario. Anecdotes of actual experiences with respect to people management would facilitate greater understanding of the complexities involved at the grass root level of functioning and implementation. Theoretical inputs relating to training could be better understood through the customised programmes provided by the company for its diverse workforce. The HR challenges faced by the top management as a company grows and expands to new markets can better be understood.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Sun International: can a blue ocean strategy change the future fortunes of this South African leisure group?
Authors: Vorster Shaun , Ungerer Marius
Published: August 2014

Subject area

Tourism & Hospitality

Study level/applicability

Post graduate

Case overview

The South African-based Sun International Group (SI) develops, operates and manages hotels, resorts and casinos. In its mission statement, SI describes itself as a “leisure group offering superior gaming, hotel and entertainment experiences”. In 1984, SI was listed in the travel and leisure sector on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. SI is looking for growth opportunities.

Expected learning outcomes

Strategic options analysis to create new market spaces. Practical application of blue ocean thinking frameworks.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.