bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Managerial understanding of presenteeism and its economic impact
Authors: Cocker Fiona , Martin Angela , Sanderson Kristy
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The economic impact of ill‐health in employed individuals is largely experienced via absenteeism‐related and presenteeism‐related productivity loss. Using cognitive interviewing, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate a recently published interview method by which managers determine key job characteristics and their relationship to the cost of acute and chronic illness‐related absenteeism and presenteeism in the workplace: the team production approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Managers (n=20) from various industries in Australia completed the team production interview by telephone. Quantitative items measured replaceability, team production, time sensitivity of output and illness‐related absenteeism and presenteeism costs. Concurrent verbal probes followed five items which assessed the productivity impact of illness‐related presenteeism, identified as cognitively challenging.

Findings

Content analysis of interview outputs examined cognitive processes underlying managers’ responses and revealed difficulties understanding and quantifying chronic illness and presenteeism. Difficulties were categorised as misunderstanding of key concepts/terminology, inability to provide answers due to lack of knowledge, difficulty applying questions/scenarios to employees/workplaces and miscellaneous problems.

Practical implications

Interview modifications are proposed to address concerns of managers. These changes aim to minimise measurement error in future applications of the instrument and improve valuation of chronic illness and presenteeism in the workforce.

Social implications

Improved understanding of chronic illness and presenteeism could enhance estimation of productivity loss recoverable via health management/promotion strategies and may increase managers’ willingness to implement such programs. Development of valuation methods in a manner acceptable to and informed by business leaders/employers ensures findings have “real‐world” value.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first use of cognitive interviewing to identify sources of response error in a productivity evaluation method.
Perceived organizational support, employee health and emotions
Authors: Arnold Kara A. , Dupré Kathryne E.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine work‐related emotion as a mechanism explaining the relationship between perceived organizational support (POS) and employee physical health.

Design/methodology/approach

Study participants were employees at a large Canadian health care organization (n=72). A survey methodology was utilized.

Findings

POS was positively related to physical health. Negative emotion fully mediated this relationship between POS and health, and positive emotion was found to partially mediate this relationship.

Research limitations/implications

Cross sectional survey data is one potential limitation. Findings suggest that further investigation of the links between POS, positive and negative job‐related emotion and physical health would be a fruitful avenue of research.

Practical implications

Organizations can increase POS through actions that have been investigated in past research. Increasing POS would appear to be one avenue that an organization can utilize to positively influence employee health through its effect on employee work‐related emotion.

Originality/value

The paper addresses previous calls to investigate mechanisms underlying the relationship between POS and physical health, and shows that job‐related emotion plays a role in explaining why POS is positively correlated with physical health.
Doing gender well and differently in management
Authors: Mavin Sharon , Grandy Gina
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to revisit theoretical positions on gender and the implications for gender in management by building upon current research on doing gender well (or appropriately in congruence with sex category) and re‐doing or undoing gender and argue that gender can be done well and differently through simultaneous, multiple enactments of femininity and masculinity.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a theoretical paper.

Findings

The authors argue that individuals can perform exaggerated expressions of femininity (or masculinity) while simultaneously performing alternative expressions of femininity or masculinity. The authors question claims that gender can be undone and incorporate sex category into their understanding of doing gender – it cannot be ignored in experiences of doing gender. The authors contend that the binary divide constrains and restricts how men and women do gender but it can be disrupted or unsettled.

Research limitations/implications

This paper focuses upon the implications of doing gender well and differently, for gender and management research and practice, drawing upon examples of leadership, entrepreneurship, female misogyny and Queen Bee.

Originality/value

This paper offers a conceptualization of doing gender that acknowledges the gender binary, while also suggesting possibilities of unsettling it.
Developing women's career competencies through an EMBA
Authors: Chen Aurora , Doherty Noeleen , Vinnicombe Susan
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report a qualitative study with British women managers, which explored the career competencies accrued from undertaking an Executive MBA (EMBA).

Design/methodology/approach

The research drew on in‐depth interviews with a sample of 18 female alumni from three British business schools. Data were analyzed using NVivo 8.0. within the career‐competencies framework of Knowing‐how, Knowing‐why and Knowing‐whom.

Findings

Women aged between 30 and 34 years emphasized the importance of gaining confidence (Knowing‐why) and skills (Knowing‐how) while those aged between 35 and 45 years focused on developing networks (Knowing‐whom). This study suggests that age and career stage may have considerable impact on perceptions of acquired career competencies.

Research limitations/implications

This is an exploratory piece with limited generalisability; however, it exposes the need to clarify the concept of career stage for women.

Practical implications

Business schools have historically stressed the career benefits of MBA programmes in terms of improved capital and of changing career directions. This research indicates that an EMBA may offer a more level playing field for women with respect to networking activities. In the competitive global environment, business schools may benefit from more fully exploring career competencies, such as networking skills, for increasing the appeal of EMBA programmes. The paper also draws attention to the need for HR managers to increase efforts for improving women's career competencies.

Originality/value

Findings extend previous research on the development of career competencies from an EMBA, indicating the importance of developing networks, particularly at mid‐career. The paper highlights the need to redefine women's mid‐career stage.
Pay dispersion and earnings for women and men: a study of Swedish doctors
Authors: Konrad Alison M. , Yang Yang , Cannings Kathleen
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Relatively little research has examined whether pay dispersion influences men's and women's earnings differently. The purpose of this paper is to fill this research gap.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used survey design and multiple regressions to analyze a sample of 650 Swedish medical doctors.

Findings

Pay dispersion was found to be negatively associated with both men's and women's earnings. These effects were contingent on compensation informality and the individual's position in the pay structure. Specifically, when pay dispersion was high, high compensation informality resulted in women being paid less. The interaction of pay dispersion and compensation informality was unrelated to men's earnings. Also, women who were paid less suffered larger penalties when pay dispersion was higher, but their female counterparts who were paid more gained from the existence of greater pay dispersion.

Originality/value

Examining the structure of labor markets on individual outcomes is increasing in importance due to the boundaryless nature of contemporary careers. As people cross functional, organizational, industrial, and even occupational boundaries more frequently in their career lifetimes, they are increasingly exposed to the structural effects of external labor markets. As such, the effects of factors such as pay dispersion and compensation informality in the market are becoming increasingly significant to the fortunes of women and men facing those conditions.
Romantic relationships in organisational settings
Authors: Biggs David , Matthewman Lisa , Fultz Claire
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Research illustrates that workplace romance is on the rise and has potentially negative and beneficial consequences. The purpose of this paper is to understand, from an individual manager and employee perspective in the UK and USA, what personal experience individuals had on workplace romance and what this meant to them personally and in terms of company policy.

Design/methodology/approach

A thematic analysis approach was taken to understand what experiences individuals had on workplace romance and how this experience should be reflected in company policy. The research utilised qualitative interviews which were preferred over other methods, such as focus groups by the participants. These interviews were recorded, transcribed and coded to formulate themes in the research.

Findings

The sample consists of 21 employees and 15 managers from Maryland, Oregon, Pennsylvania and England. Regardless of whether participants were from the USA or England, their opinions were similar. Managers and entry level employees feel that workplace romance was acceptable if it has minimal impact on the workplace. Managers and entry level employees are most concerned with the negative impacts of workplace romance on the atmosphere of the workplace, more so than the risk of sexual harassment lawsuits. Managers and entry level employees agree on the importance of companies having a policy on how workplace romance will be handled.

Practical implications

Both managers and employees stress that company policy should not place a complete ban on workplace romance; that workplace romances should be handled on a case by case basis.

Originality/value

The paper adds to existing research by comparing managers' and entry level employees' perceptions of consensual romantic relationships between people who work for the same organisation.
Gender differences in early group formation
Authors: Prytherch Anna , Sinnott Eileen , Howells Anne , Fuller‐Love Nerys , O'Gorman Bill
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish whether different gender groups develop in similar or dissimilar ways to conventional group formation patterns. Focussing primarily on Tuckman's model of group development, male, female and mixed gender learning networks (groups) of entrepreneurs were observed over a six month period, with the observations recorded and analysed, to establish whether different gender networks of business people adhere to Tuckman's model of group development in terms of early development and cohesion through the forming, storming and norming stages.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 100 entrepreneurs were recruited in Autumn 2009/Spring 2010 and allocated to three different gender networks, male, female and mixed, in Ireland and Wales (six networks in total), as part of the Sustainable Learning Networks Ireland Wales (SLNIW, for detailed information about SLNIW seewww.slniw.com) INTERREG 4A funded project. The groups began networking in January 2010, observed by impartial observers who noted group behaviour and dynamics and recorded observations quantitatively (based on adapted Bales criteria) and qualitatively. It is the results of these observations that form the basis of this paper.

Findings

This paper analyses the results of the group dynamic witnessed over subsequent network meetings for different gender mixes in Ireland. Whilst the observations are still ongoing, early results indicate that early engagement with group members, team bonding and group dynamics are formed sooner in the single gender groups. The paper explores why this could be the case and considers factors that could then address problems with early group development in mixed gender networks, so that the ultimate “performing” stage of group development and optimal business performance is achieved as early as possible.

Originality/value

This paper will be of considerable value to academics, theorists and practitioners. It will specifically add to the body of knowledge on single gender networks to see if they provide a more effective learning environment.
Women leaders in the creative industries: a baseline study
Authors: Dodd Fiona
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The under‐representation of entrepreneurial women, or women leaders, in the higher levels of organisations is an increasingly debated issue. Comments in the media regarding the lack of women in senior management positions in the creative industries have attracted much attention, both for and against. Despite opposing viewpoints there is little doubt that this is an issue that requires investigation. However, understanding the under‐representation of women in senior management, leadership and ownership roles has been problematic due to a lack of “hard data”. The purpose of this paper is to provide a quantitative understanding of the under‐representation of female leaders in the UK's creative and cultural industries. Based on a study completed by TBR for the Cultural Leadership Programme (CLP) it presents baseline data and groundbreaking analysis to understand gendered leadership in organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study for CLP established a quantitative evidence base to benchmark the number of women in leadership in the creative and cultural industries. This was possible by utilising a unique data resource, TCR, which enabled detailed analysis of gendered management structures in creative and cultural organisations. We use this evidence base to further understand gender diversity in organisational leadership positions and the characteristics of different leadership styles.

Findings

The study generated unique understanding regarding gendered leadership within the creative and cultural industries. It identified that there are 32,800 female and 82,450 male leaders in the creative and cultural industries and despite there being a comparatively high proportion of all‐female managed organisations, there are half the number of female executives per organisation compared to the UK average.

Practical implications

A trend of polarisation of all female and all male led organisations was identified over the last 25 years, which was reflected in recognition of distinct female and male leadership styles. The study proves some assumptions about the leadership approach of men and women and identifies characteristics similar to the transactional and transformational styles described inWomen at the Topby Holden and McCarthy. Unless this trend is reversed, it is likely to become increasingly important for women and men to develop skills in both transactional and transformational leadership styles.

Originality/value

The paper provides a new examination of the balance of male and female leadership in organisations and significantly furthers debate about the under‐representation of women in leadership. It provides “hard‐data” to inform future dialogue regarding entrepreneurial women and further investigates the lack of women in leadership.
What women want: barriers to female entrepreneurship in the West Midlands
Authors: Lockyer Joan , George Sharon
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the barriers that inhibit the development of female entrepreneurship in the West Midlands. This region is characterised by pronounced low levels of participation in higher education and entrepreneurship. With the support of funding from the Lifelong Learning Network (LLN), the paper contributes to a re‐evaluation of the current support available to women entrepreneurs and informs and aligns the provision of services to the needs of women across the region and beyond.

Design/methodology/approach

A study was commissioned by the LLN to identify the main barriers to female entrepreneurship in the Staffordshire, Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire areas. The main business support provision available to assist female entrepreneurs in June 2009 was mapped and these data were used in an online questionnaire to identify the level of awareness of this support provision amongst women in the target area, as part of the larger pilot study. An extensive online questionnaire consisting of 44 questions was designed in Version 1.82 of LimeSurvey, an open source PHP based survey tool. The survey was designed to capture information on the relationship between aspirations to start a business, demographic information, past experience of entrepreneurship, current skills levels, perceived barriers and knowledge of current business support provision.

Findings

Whilst for many women accessibility to training was a major issue, an area of greater concern was found to be financial risk and the belief that women are less likely to start a business if they have a friend or family member with a business. The research findings suggested that even vicarious exposure to the pressures of running a business was a positive deterrent to entrepreneurship.

Social implications

The research findings suggest that the mechanisms (business support agencies) through which information and support are provided to potential entrepreneurs needs to be reviewed. This preliminary research suggests that the existing infrastructure is inadequate and as business support is becoming more streamlined as a result of the public sector spending review, it could inform the nature and range of support provided to women entrepreneurs within the region and beyond.

Originality/value

In addition to contributing to development of strategy within the region, the authors feel that the research could have wider implication for regions with a similar economic profile to the West Midlands.
We don't need no education: the role of mentoring in the wider enterprise eco‐system
Authors: Price Alison , McMullan Lisa
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of mentoring in the wider enterprise eco‐system, with a specific focus on the potential of on‐line mentoring for women's enterprise.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper offers insights into the approach adopted in taking mentoring experience and practice into a new field as part of a European Commission‐funded project.

Findings

Findings to date highlight the need for support amongst women entrepreneurs, across a range of business sectors, in planning for and pursuing business growth. More specifically, the need for bespoke support and advice is highlighted, given that entrepreneurs are not a homogenous group and in light of the additional barriers that women encounter in business start‐up and growth.

Originality/value

The paper describes what is considered to be a unique programme being delivered in the UK, with findings holding wider applicability for policy makers, business support organisations and practitioners across jurisdictions.
Entrepreneurship education: exploring the gender dimension
Authors: Treanor Lorna
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this practitioner paper is to report on a recent discussion workshop exploring gender within entrepreneurship education.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper sets out the policy background and extant literature pertaining to the contribution of entrepreneurship education for graduates and employers, which set the backdrop for the workshop.

Findings

The key conclusions and advocated approach and methods for embedding entrepreneurship education within veterinary curricula, in order to benefit entrepreneurial outcomes in a feminising profession, are highlighted.

Originality/value

The issue of gender aware entrepreneurship education is currently limited and so the workshop provided a useful think‐space for entrepreneurship and veterinary educators alike.
Intention to choose Halal products: the role of religiosity
Authors: Mukhtar Arshia , Mohsin Butt Muhammad
Published: June 2012

Purpose

– Muslims living in multi-religious societies are considered more conscious about the permissibility (Halal) of products and thus the majority of Halal research in the non-financial sector was conducted in multi-ethnic societies. Nonetheless, the global trade is changing the way we perceive the origin of products and brands and their permissibility under Islamic Sharia laws. This apparently has serious implications for international companies operating in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of Muslim attitude towards Halal products, their subjective norms and religiosity in predicting intention to choose Halal products.

Design/methodology/approach

– A structured question was designed to elicit consumer attitude, subjective norms, intention to choose Halal products and degree of inter and intra personal religiosity. Data were collected from 180 adult respondents using a convenience sampling method. Only 150 responses were deemed suitable for further analysis, yielding a response rate of 83 per cent. Stepwise regression analysis was used to test the proposed model.

Findings

– The results indicated that theory of reasoned action (TRA) is a valid model in predicting intention to choose Halal products. The results further indicate that subjective norms (β=0.455, p, 0.001), attitude towards the Halal products (β=0.265, p, 0.001) and intra personal religiosity (β=0.167, p, 0.001) positively influence attitude towards the Halal products. Interestingly, subjective norm appears to be the strongest of all the predictors for choosing Halal products.

Research limitations/implications

– The data collected for the current study investigate global attitude towards Halal products. It would be interesting if future researchers examine consumers
'
attitude towards specific Halal products for specific product categories.

Practical implications

– It is argued in this research that the presence of strong attitude towards Halal products in Muslim consumers might play an important role in exclusion or inclusion of brands, based on their conformance to Halal requirements.

Originality/value

– The paper extends the applicability of the theory of reasoned action model by investigating the role of inter-personal and intra-personal religiosity in intention to choose Halal products.
Researching Muslim consumers: do they represent the fourth-billion consumer segment?
Authors: Ahmad Alserhan Baker , Ahmad Alserhan Zeid
Published: June 2012

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to establish whether Muslim consumers qualify as a homogenous billion-consumer group and, if they do, ask if they have been researched adequately in comparison to the other established, three-billion consumer groups: China, India, and women.

Design/methodology/approach

– A review of articles and conference papers in the field of Islamic marketing was used to indicate the homogeneity or heterogeneity of the Muslim consumer group. This was followed by counting all of the articles that have been published in marketing journals listed in Business Source Premier database which are related to the consumer groups mentioned above.

Findings

– The article review revealed a near consensus on the homogeneity of the Muslim consumer group. Moreover, the article count revealed that the Muslim consumer segment is under-researched in comparison to all the other major consumer groups. Finally, it was found that only six of the high-ranking Marketing journals ranked within the top ten marketing journals published articles on one or more of the four segments identified in this study. The leading journals were clearly the Journal of International Marketing and the Journal of Industrial Marketing Management, publishing 50 and 49 articles, respectively, a number unmatched by any other high-ranking journal.

Originality/value

– This is the first study of its kind that presents empirical evidence about the amount of research Muslim consumers received within the last eight decades.
Religious beliefs and consumer behaviour: from loyalty to boycotts
Authors: Al-Hyari Khalil , Alnsour Muhammed , Al-Weshah Ghazi , Haffar Mohamed
Published: June 2012

Purpose

– In a constantly changing and increasingly globalised world, religions still play a significant role in influencing social and consumer behavior. The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual model that explores the link between religious beliefs and consumers
'
boycotts towards particular products. Certain important concepts are linked to boycott, these include: conspicuous consumption of global brands, animosity and country of origin.

Design/methodology/approach

– First, a critical literature review on empirical consumer animosity, conspicuous consumption, religion, and consumption studies is undertaken. Second, qualitative techniques are used to collect the primary data. This is undertaken with reference to the case study of boycotting of the international Danish brands in Saudi Arabia, in order to highlight the relative emphasis of each of the factors that may influence consumer purchase behaviour of global brands.

Findings

– The findings of this study show that there is a strong relationship and a clear link between religiosity in Arabic/Islamic collectivist cultures and consumer behaviour (mainly boycotting). It also shows that consumers in such societies are collectively influenced by these factors when formulating their purchase decisions, particularly for international brands.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample was chosen from Saudi students living/studying in the UK. Hence, caution should be applied when generalising across other cultures. A future, larger-scale survey using questionnaire would be useful to confirm qualitative results drawn from this study. The findings of this paper offer pivotal implications for decision makers and the managers of those multinational companies who are interested in the Middle Eastern market.

Originality/value

– As a result of the increasing gap and cultural conflict between the Western and Muslim worlds, many international companies are negatively affected by the changes in the international environment, which is reflected in consumer behaviour. This is particularly highlighted when these events are related to religious issues. Although the consumer boycott phenomenon has existed for more than a century, only recently has it gained more popularity and motivated researchers to acknowledge it from a marketing/managerial perspective. Also, the paper offers guidance for future research in a field of research that is still in its infancy.
Perceived risks in travelling to the Islamic Republic of Iran
Authors: Reza Jalilvand Mohammad , Samiei Neda
Published: June 2012

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify tourists
'
concerns about perceived risks while travelling to the Islamic Republic of Iran, investigate whether such risks are in any way mitigated by a traveler
'
s prior experience with the Islamic destination, and determine the impact of individual factors on tourists
'
perceived risks.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study examined survey data of 258 international tourists during their visit to Isfahan, Iran. Confirmatory factor analyses and analysis of variance were utilised, in order to find measurement models for each of the constructs and to analyze the relations between these constructs and individual factors.

Findings

– The results reveal that visitors had concerns about physical, financial, and psychological risks. The results also show that respondent
'
s individual characteristics such as gender, nationality, frequency of visits, and purpose of visit influenced their perceptions of risk. However, age and length of stay did not have significant impact on perceptions of risk. Respondents visiting friends and relatives were more likely to perceive Iran as safer than those on business or holiday. In addition, repeat travelers tended to have a more realistic perception about risks than did first-time travelers. The study
'
s findings add to the literature by offering more insight on tourist perceptions of risk in travelling to Islamic destinations.

Research limitations/implications

– Sampling was one of the limitations identified in this study. The fact that convenience sampling was used meant that results were not immediately transferable to other Islamic destinations. The study could be replicated at other visitor attractions in Islamic destinations perceived to have high risks, in order to gain insight into the effects of perceived risk on visitation and visitor behaviour.

Originality/value

– The contribution of the research is to broaden the understanding of tourists
'
concerns in travelling to Islamic destinations and the role frequency of visits, gender, nationality, and purpose of visit play for marketers when providing inbound tourists with facilities.
Bridging the theory and practice gap in emergency services research: a case for a new journal
Authors: Wankhade Paresh , Murphy Peter
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide the rationale underpinning this new journal in addressing the apparent gap and fragmented nature of the emergency services research, to introduce the papers in this inaugural issue and encourage readers and potential contributors to support the International Journal of Emergency Services (IJES).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper introduces the new journal, and its intention to challenge the current “silo approach” which isolates the academic and practitioner community. It also outlines the editorial intentions for the journal, linking the theme and selected papers for the inaugural issue to the future editorial direction of the journal.

Findings

Emergency function resides with a host of agencies including the three “blue light” services (police, fire and ambulance). IJES is an opportunity to publish up‐to‐date and original research contributions for the benefit of scholars, policy makers and practitioners in these areas, including the interface of policy and practice at national, regional and global level.

Originality/value

Articulating the IJES vision in addressing the apparent gaps in emergency services research, including the theory‐practise divide, this paper provides useful knowledge to potential readers who are interested in emergency services research. It also highlights some potential areas for research.
Safety culture in the US fire service: an empirical definition
Authors: Pessemier William L. , England Robert E.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive model of safety culture for the US fire service.

Design/methodology/approach

Based upon a modified version of Cooper’s Reciprocal Determinism Model, the research uses two sets of exogenous variables, labeled Safety Management System and Safety Related Behaviors, to explain a dependent variable called Organizational Safety Climate. The model has been used successfully to improve safety performance in other high risk, high performance organizations. Using survey data collected from over 1,000 firefighters in three medium‐sized US municipalities, the theoretical model is tested.

Findings

Results from multiple regression analyses provide strong support for the hypothesis that individual perceptions of safety management and safety behavior predict individual perceptions of safety climate, both at the “fire service” organizational level and at the individual department level.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of the study include a cross‐sectional design, the use of self‐reported perceptions for the variables, and the fact that the three mid‐sized US fire departments from which data were gathered self‐selected to participate in the study.

Practical implications

A practical feature of the theoretical model tested is the ability to create “safety report cards” for each of the 12 dimensions that define the three variables used in the study.

Social implications

This model holds the promise of reducing firefighter injuries and deaths by identifying managerial and behavioral safety improvement areas within US fire departments.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this research represents the first attempt to both identify and test empirically a safety culture model for the US fire service.
Policing for the people
Authors: Barton Harry , Beynon Malcolm J.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The UK police service has a major challenge to introduce innovative ways of improving efficiency and productivity, whilst at the same time improving public opinion as to their effectiveness in the “fight against crime”. The purpose of this paper is to outline an exploratory study of the ability to cluster police forces based on their sanction detection levels over a number of different offence groups and whether these clusters have different associated public opinions towards them.

Design/methodology/approach

Using secondary data and the fuzzy c‐means clustering technique to exposit clusters of police forces based on sanction detection levels, relating them in a statistical analysis with public opinion on the police.

Findings

The clustering analysis shows how police forces can be considered relative to each other, based on their sanction detection levels of certain offence groups, including; burglary, fraud and forgery and criminal damage. Using the established clusters of police forces, in respect of independent variables relating to public opinion, including confidence in police; there does appear to be statistically significant differences amongst the clusters of police force.

Research limitations/implications

The results demonstrate the connection between the police's attempt to fight crime and public opinion. With the public opinion measures considered post the establishing of police forces’ clusters, the results show the public does notice the level of sanction detections achieved. The identified disconnect of the public with the criminal justice system is something that can be improved on in the future.

Practical implications

Demonstrates that there is a significant link in the relationship between the levels of sanction detection levels of police forces and public opinion about their ability to fight crime.

Originality/value

This paper employs fuzzy c‐means, a modern clustering technique nascent in this area of research.
The quest of marine accidents due to human error, 1998‐2011
Authors: Goulielmos Alexandros M. , Lathouraki Georgia , Giziakis Costas
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show the link between human error and marine accidents.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors carried out field research and also used empirical evidence.

Findings

Until 1998, the human side has been neglected, for centuries, in favor of the technical side. Even after 1998 improper focus did not eliminate marine accidents.

Research limitations/implications

Lack of data between human error and marine accidents.

Practical implications

The paper is addressed to the maritime community and its safety administration in the EU and IMO, to eliminate human error.

Social implications

There is potential for reduction of human injuries, deaths and marine pollution.

Originality/value

The paper is of value as no prior research, in depth, has been done to see what is behind the standard etiquette “human error” in marine accidents.
Fire and rescue service reconfiguration: a case study in Nottinghamshire
Authors: Murphy Peter , Greenhalgh Kirsten , Parkin Craig
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the practical implementation of the Integrated Risk Management Planning process through its application within the Fire Cover Review project in Nottinghamshire, in order to identify good practice and recommendations for improving the process and its implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of an in‐depth case study over an 18 month period using participant observation, documents analysis, interviews with key stakeholders and the response to a public consultation exercise.

Findings

Recent public expenditure restrictions manifestly influenced and contextualised the attitude and response from the public and all key stakeholders to the project. It was the first consultation undertaken by the Service which was also significantly affected by the internet and social media. The open and transparent approach adopted reduced misinformation and promoted ownership and accountability of the project, from both the Service and the Authority.

Originality/value

The paper is the first comprehensive review of the reconfiguration of services undertaken during the current financial crisis and in the context of the new coalition government's public sector policy.
Skin sclerosis as a manifestation of POEMS syndrome
Authors: HASEGAWA Minoru , ORITO Hidemitsu , YAMAMOTO Keiko , MATSUSHITA Takashi , HAMAGUCHI Yasuhito , FUJIMOTO Manabu , TAKEHARA Kazuhiko
Published: June 2012

We report a case of a 64‐year‐old man with POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes) syndrome that had been previously misdiagnosed as systemic sclerosis. He had typical symptoms of POEMS syndrome, however, the existence of skin sclerosis, contracture of fingers and pigmentation were similar to that of systemic sclerosis. Ten patients, including the patient discussed in this case, visited our department between 1990 and 2011. Among them, five patients had skin sclerosis. Therefore, we compared skin lesions and clinical/laboratory features of POEMS syndrome and systemic sclerosis in an attempt to distinguish these disorders. Regarding the cutaneous and laboratory findings, the existence of hemangioma or hypertrichosis is indicative of POEMS syndrome. By contrast, the existence of systemic sclerosis‐specific autoantibodies, nail fold bleeding, digital ulcer/digital pitting scar or telangiectasia is highly suggestive of systemic sclerosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report to discuss in detail the differentiation between POEMS syndrome and systemic sclerosis.
Hypercoagulable state in Cushing's syndrome is reversible following remission
Authors: Kastelan Darko , Dusek Tina , Kraljevic Ivana , Aganovic Izet
Published: June 2012

Objective

Hypercoagulability is a commonly described complication in patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS). The aim of this study was to assess the long‐term effects of surgical remission from CS on serum levels of coagulation and fibrinolytic markers.

Design and methods

Eighteen patients with active CS (16 women, 2 men; age: 38·6 ± 13·7 years) were enrolled in the study. We measured serum levels of coagulation and fibrinolytic markers during active CS and 6 months after remission. The control group comprised 18 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy individuals.

Results

Six months after remission from CS, patients had lower levels of factors II (P < 0·001), V (P = 0·02), XI (P = 0·04) and XII (P < 0·001), protein C (P < 0·001), protein S (P = 0·002), antithrombin (P = 0·03), antithrombin Ag (P = 0·008), plasminogen (P = 0·03) and C1 inhibitor (P = 0·001), and aPTT was longer than at enrolment (P = 0·001). Levels of PAI‐1 and factors VII, VIII and IX tended to normalize, but there were no significant differences in these parameters before and after surgery, nor were differences found in haemostatic and fibrinolytic markers between the patients in remission and control individuals, except for factor XII (P = 0·02) and protein C (P = 0·004), which were lower among patients in remission.

Conclusion

Six months after remission from CS, patients' risk of thromboembolism is comparable to that of healthy individuals.
Sleep EEG alterations: effects of pulsed magnetic fields versus pulse‐modulated radio frequency electromagnetic fields
Authors: SCHMID MARC R. , MURBACH MANUEL , LUSTENBERGER CAROLINE , MAIRE MICHELINE , KUSTER NIELS , ACHERMANN PETER , LOUGHRAN SARAH P.
Published: June 2012

Studies have repeatedly shown that electroencephalographic power during sleep is enhanced in the spindle frequency range following radio frequency electromagnetic field exposures pulse‐modulated with fundamental frequency components of 2, 8, 14 or 217 Hz and combinations of these. However, signals used in previous studies also had significant harmonic components above 20 Hz. The current study aimed: (i) to determine if modulation components above 20 Hz, in combination with radio frequency, are necessary to alter the electroencephalogram; and (ii) to test the demodulation hypothesis, if the same effects occur after magnetic field exposure with the same pulse sequence used in the pulse‐modulated radio frequency exposure. In a randomized double‐blind crossover design, 25 young healthy men were exposed at weekly intervals to three different conditions for 30 min before sleep. Cognitive tasks were also performed during exposure. The conditions were a 2‐Hz pulse‐modulated radio frequency field, a 2‐Hz pulsed magnetic field, and sham. Radio frequency exposure increased electroencephalogram power in the spindle frequency range. Furthermore, delta and theta activity (non‐rapid eye movement sleep), and alpha and delta activity (rapid eye movement sleep) were affected following both exposure conditions. No effect on sleep architecture and no clear impact of exposure on cognition was observed. These results demonstrate that both pulse‐modulated radio frequency and pulsed magnetic fields affect brain physiology, and the presence of significant frequency components above 20 Hz are not fundamental for these effects to occur. Because responses were not identical for all exposures, the study does not support the hypothesis that effects of radio frequency exposure are based on demodulation of the signal only.
U‐Pb age and Hf isotope compositions of zircons from the north‐western region of the Ukrainian shield: mantle melting in response to post‐collision extension
Authors: Shumlyanskyy Leonid , Billström Kjell , Hawkesworth Chris , Elming Sten‐Åke
Published: June 2012

Terra Nova, 24, 373–379, 2012

The North‐Western region of the Ukrainian shield represents Palaeoproterozoic continental crust formed essentially during two orogenic events at ca. 2.1–2.05 and 2.0–1.95 Ga. At 1.8–1.74 this area was intruded by huge Korosten anorthosite–mangerite–charnockite granite complex. At least three generations of mafic dykes can be distinguished in the region. We report new U‐Pb data obtained for a suite of Ni‐enriched dolerite dykes and layered gabbroic intrusions. Our results indicate that the Tomashgorod dyke was formed at 1787.4 ± 6.4 Ma, the Prutivka intrusion at 1777.0 ± 4.7 Ma and the Kamenka massif at ca. 1.79 Ga. This time coincides with the collision of the Fennoscandian and Sarmatian segments of the East European craton and it is contemporaneous with the initial stages of evolution of the Korosten complex. Hf isotopic compositions of zircons indicate that these rocks originated due to melting of moderately depleted mantle material.
Two‐stage evolution of the Altyn Tagh Fault during the Cenozoic: new insight from provenance analysis of a geological section in NW Qaidam Basin, NW China
Authors: Wu Lei , Xiao Ancheng , Yang Shufeng , Wang Liqun , Mao Liguang , Wang Liang , Dong Youpu , Xu Bo
Published: June 2012

Terra Nova, 24, 387–395, 2012

We analysed provenance of conglomerate in a geological section spanning late Eocene to Pliocene using the gravel‐count method in the NW Qaidam Basin, NW China. The result indicates that the clasts were all derived from the Altyn Mountain to the north with a sudden alteration at ca. 15 Ma, and supports a two‐stage evolution model for the Cenozoic Altyn Tagh Fault (ATF) highlighting the history prior to the initiation of left‐slip movement on the ATF. During the first stage of ca. 36–15 Ma, the ATF was a basal shear zone confined in the middle – lower crust and created obvious uplift of the Altyn Mountain. During the second stage since ca. 15 Ma, the crust beneath the Altyn Mountain was eventually split, and left‐slip movement on the ATF then initiated.
Tissue‐specific profiling of the Arabidopsis thaliana auxin metabolome
Authors: Novák Ondřej , Hényková Eva , Sairanen Ilkka , Kowalczyk Mariusz , Pospíšil Tomáš , Ljung Karin
Published: June 2012

The plant hormone auxin is believed to influence almost every aspect of plant growth and development. Auxin transport, biosynthesis and degradation combine to form gradients of the hormone that influence a range of key developmental and environmental response processes. There is abundant genetic evidence for the existence of multiple pathways for auxin biosynthesis and degradation. The complexity of these pathways makes it difficult to obtain a clear picture of the relative importance of specific metabolic pathways during development. We have developed a sensitive mass spectrometry‐based method to simultaneously profile the majority of known auxin precursors and conjugates/catabolites in small amounts of Arabidopsis tissue. The method includes a new derivatization technique for quantification of the most labile of the auxin precursors. We validated the method by profiling the auxin metabolome in root and shoot tissues from various Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes and auxin over‐producing mutant lines. Substantial differences were shown in metabolite patterns between the lines and tissues. We also found differences of several orders of magnitude in the abundance of auxin metabolites, potentially indicating the relative importance of these compounds in the maintenance of auxin levels and activity. The method that we have established will enable researchers to obtain a better understanding of the dynamics of auxin metabolism and activity during plant growth and development.
Soybean ureide transporters play a critical role in nodule development, function and nitrogen export
Authors: Collier Ray , Tegeder Mechthild
Published: June 2012

Legumes can access atmospheric nitrogen through a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen‐fixing bacteroids that reside in root nodules. In soybean, the products of fixation are the ureides allantoin and allantoic acid, which are also the dominant long‐distance transport forms of nitrogen from nodules to the shoot. Movement of nitrogen assimilates out of the nodules occurs via the nodule vasculature; however, the molecular mechanisms for ureide export and the importance of nitrogen transport processes for nodule physiology have not been resolved. Here, we demonstrate the function of two soybean proteins – GmUPS1‐1 (XP_003516366) and GmUPS1‐2 (XP_003518768) – in allantoin and allantoic acid transport out of the nodule. Localization studies revealed the presence of both transporters in the plasma membrane, and expression in nodule cortex cells and vascular endodermis. Functional analysis in soybean showed that repression of GmUPS1‐1 and GmUPS1‐2 in nodules leads to an accumulation of ureides and decreased nitrogen partitioning to roots and shoot. It was further demonstrated that nodule development, nitrogen fixation and nodule metabolism were negatively affected in RNAi UPS1 plants. Together, we conclude that export of ureides from nodules is mediated by UPS1 proteins, and that activity of the transporters is not only essential for shoot nitrogen supply but also for nodule development and function.
Genomic full‐length analysis of the B*08:79 allele suggests exon shuffling involving the B*08:01:01 and B*07:06 alleles
Authors: Balas A. , Planelles D. , Solves P. , Roig R. , Vicario J. L.
Published: June 2012

B*08:79 is composed by partial B*08:01:01 and B*07:06 sequences because of a possible recombination event within intron 2.