bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploratory Research on Latent Esophageal Motility Disorders in Dysphagia Patients
Authors: Kawaguchi Shinpei , Takeuchi Toshihisa , Inoue Yousuke , Takahashi Yoshiaki , Ozaki Haruhiko , Ota Kazuhiro , Harada Satoshi , Edogawa Shoko , Kojima Yuichi , Yamashita Hiroshi , Fukuchi Takumi , Ashida Kiyoshi , Higuchi Kazuhide
Published: April 2017

Background/Aims: High-resolution manometry (HRM) has been applied to assess esophageal motility disorders. However, the frequency and types of motility disorders in patients with dysphagia, which are frequently seen in clinical practice, are not clear. We evaluated latent esophageal motility disorders associated with dysphagia. Methods: The study included patients without erosive esophageal mucosal damage and with dysphagia symptoms refractory to at least 8 weeks of standard-dose proton pump inhibitors. After enrolment, HRM was used to evaluate for esophageal motility disorder based on the Chicago classification. Results: Esophageal motility disorder was found in 58 of 100 patients and was classified based on the causes: achalasia (13%), esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (16%), distal esophageal spasms (3%), weak peristalsis (14%), frequently failed peristalsis (5%), and hypertensive peristalsis (7%). Conclusion: Primary esophageal motility disorder was found in approximately 50% of cases in dysphagia patients. Therefore, esophageal motility disorder is not an uncommon condition and should be sought for in order to elucidate precisely the cause of dysphagia.
Borders that relate: Conceptualizing boundaries in relational space
Authors: Löw Martina , Weidenhaus Gunter
Published: April 2017

This article offers a spatial sociological conceptualization of the concept of borders. In relational spatial theory, borders have rarely been a theme of interest, just as relational space is all but absent within border studies. In order to understand the empirical existence of container space, without rejecting the insights and challenges of the spatial turn, a concept of borders is developed within a theory of relational space.
Evolution of an Erosion
Authors: MacPartholán Cathál
Published: April 2017

This article critically examines the development of statutory restrictions on the common law right to silence in the UK, providing insight from common law, jurisprudence and historical legal contexts, and considering the broader context of the privilege against self-incrimination, and critically evaluates the development restriction of the right, by ss 34–38 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
Estimating the Size and Cost of the STD Prevention Services Safety Net
Authors: Gift Thomas L. , Haderxhanaj Laura T. , Torrone Elizabeth A. , Behl Ajay S. , Romaguera Raul A. , Leichliter Jami S.
Published: April 2017

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is expected to reduce the number of uninsured people in the United States during the next eight years, but more than 10% are expected to remain uninsured. Uninsured people are one of the main populations using publicly funded safety net sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention services. Estimating the proportion of the uninsured population expected to need STD services could help identify the potential demand for safety net STD services and improve program planning. In 2013, an estimated 8.27 million people met the criteria for being in need of STD services. In 2023, 4.70 million uninsured people are expected to meet the criteria for being in need of STD services. As an example, the cost in 2014 U.S. dollars of providing chlamydia screening to these people was an estimated $271.1 million in 2013 and is estimated to be $153.8 million in 2023. A substantial need will continue to exist for safety net STD prevention services in coming years.
Zombie Apocalypse: Can the Undead Teach the Living How to Survive an Emergency?
Authors: Kruvand Marjorie , Bryant Fred B.
Published: April 2017

Objective.

We examined whether or not CDC's zombie apocalypse campaign had the ability to achieve the agency's goals of educating young people about emergency preparedness and prompting them to get ready by developing an emergency kit and plan. While the campaign was extremely popular, we examined the question of whether the campaign had the capability to translate into knowledge and action.

Methods.

We conducted an online experiment with 340 undergraduate students divided randomly into two groups. One group was exposed to CDC's zombie blog post; the other to the same preparedness information presented in CDC's traditional, straightforward way. Participants then completed a survey designed to gauge their affective feelings, perceptions, retention of preparedness preparation, and intent to develop an emergency kit and plan.

Results.

While participants who viewed the humorous zombie material clearly enjoyed it, their positive affect did not lead to greater retention of preparedness information or greater expressed intent to prepare, compared with participants exposed to the factual treatment. The zombie approach had no influence on retention or resulted in less retention relative to the factual approach. Also, there was no significant between-group difference in reported likelihood of developing an emergency kit or plan.

Conclusion.

While the campaign drew unprecedented traffic to CDC's website, our findings suggest that it lacked the capability to fully achieve the agency's goals of educating people about preparedness and prompting them to get ready. This finding supports previous studies concluding that it is challenging to design public health messages that evoke positive affect as well as intended changes in intentions or behaviors.
Book Review: Prasanta Ray and Nandini Ghosh (eds), PRATYAHA Everyday Lifeworlds: Dilemmas, Contestations and Negotiations
Authors: Bal Gurpreet
Published: April 2017

Prasanta Ray and Nandini Ghosh (eds), PRATYAHA Everyday Lifeworlds: Dilemmas, Contestations and Negotiations. Delhi: Primus Books, 2016, 333 pp., ₹1650 (hardback), ISBN 978-93-84082-40-6.
Book Review: Kulwinder Kaur (ed.), The Coming of Consumer Society
Authors: Sharma Satish K.
Published: April 2017

Kulwinder Kaur (ed.), The Coming of Consumer Society. New Delhi: Manohar, 2016, 197 pp., ₹895 (hardback), ISBN 978-93-5098-130-6.
Book Review: Anne Feldhaus with Ramdas Atkar and Rajaram Zagade (eds. & trs), Say to the Sun, Don’t Rise, and to the Moon, Don’t Set: Two Oral Narratives from the Countryside of Maharashtra
Authors: Kendre Balaji
Published: April 2017

Anne Feldhaus with Ramdas Atkar and Rajaram Zagade (eds. & trs), Say to the Sun, Don’t Rise, and to the Moon, Don’t Set: Two Oral Narratives from the Countryside of Maharashtra. Delhi: Primus Books, 2015, 613 pp., ₹2395, ISBN 978-93-84082-68-0.
Assessing Trends and Decomposing Change in Nonresponse Bias: The Case of Bias in Cohort Distributions
Authors: Gummer Tobias
Published: April 2017

Survey research is still confronted by a trend of increasing nonresponse rates. In this context, several methodological advances have been made to stimulate participation and avoid bias. Yet, despite the growing number of tools and methods to deal with nonresponse, little is known about whether nonresponse biases show similar trends as nonresponse rates and what mechanisms (if any) drive changes in bias. Our article focuses on biases in cohort distributions in the U.S. and German general social surveys from 1980 to 2012 as one of the key variables in the social sciences. To supplement our cross-national comparison of these trends, we decompose changes into within-cohort change (WCC) and between-cohort change. We find that biases in cohort distributions have remained relatively stable and at a relatively low level in both countries. Furthermore, WCC (i.e., survey climate) accounts for the major part of the change in nonresponse bias.
Slavery in Today’s Brazil: Law and Public Policy
Authors: Figueira Ricardo Rezende , Esterci Neide
Published: April 2017

The abolition of slavery in 1888 failed to eliminate the repressive and compulsory use of labor in Brazil. When pressure to reduce slave trafficking made African labor scarce, coffee producers in São Paulo recruited European migrants to replace it. Through indebtedness and compulsory work, migrants became captive to the landowners who hired them. As the occupation of the Amazon frontier became state policy in the 1960s, debt bondage was used against the thousands of migrant workers hired to clear the areas for agribusiness projects. Slavery had been prohibited since 1940, and in 1965 the Congress entered into two international agreements on slavery that included debt bondage. With the end of the military government in 1985, the category “slave labor” was incorporated into the regulatory framework for employment practices, and since then it has been broadened to include labor forced by violence, debt bondage, exhausting labor, and degrading working conditions. Tensions around the definition remain, however, and prosecutions under the law and guilty verdicts have so far been few.

A abolição da escravatura em 1888 não eliminou o uso repressivo e compulsório da mão-de-obra no Brasil. Em oposição ao esforço de redução do tráfico negreiro, produtores de café em São Paulo recrutaram imigrantes europeus para substituírem a mão-de-obra africana. Por meio de dívida e trabalho compulsório, imigrantes tornaram-se cativos dos senhores de terra que os contratavam. À medida que a ocupação da fronteira amazônica transformou-se em política de Estado nos anos de 1960, a peonagem foi usada contra milhares de trabalhadores migrantes contratados para o desflorestamento necessário a empreendimentos agrícolas. A escravidão havia sido proibida desde 1940 e em 1965 o Congresso aderiu a dois acordos internacionais que coibiam a peonagem e o trabalho escravo. Com o fim da ditadura militar em 1965, a categoria “trabalho escravo” foi incorporada à estrutura regulatória das práticas de emprego. Desde então, essa categoria foi ampliada, abarcando trabalho forçado por violência, peonagem, trabalho exaustivo e condições degradantes de trabalho. Contudo, há tensões remanescentes sobre essa definição. Ademais, processos, e condenações, no âmbito jurídico por violação da lei permanecem raros.
Technical Inefficiency, Allocative Inefficiency, and Audit Pricing
Authors: Chang Hsihui , Kao Yi-Ching , Mashruwala Raj , Sorensen Susan M.
Published: April 2017

The critical global role of audit firms, combined with the scarcity of qualified staff and downward pressure on fees, has increased the importance of understanding efficiency in this industry. This article examines the technical and allocative inefficiencies of audit firm staffing using data from 165 audit engagements performed by a Big 4 international certified public accountant (CPA) firm. Prior research has shown that the technical inefficiency of audit engagements leads to lower billing realization rates on audit engagements. We complement and extend this research by examining whether there are inefficiencies in allocating staff for audit engagements in addition to technical inefficiency, and whether each of these inefficiencies leads to lower billing realization rates. We find that there are differences in both technical and allocative inefficiencies across audit engagements, and that both inefficiencies lead to lower billing realization rates after controlling for other characteristics that could affect the realization rates of the audit engagements.
Religious Organisations, Internal Autonomy and other Religious Rights before the European Court of Human Rights and the OSCE
Authors: Doné Sylvie Langlaude
Published: April 2017

This article considers the rights of religious organisations in Europe, by taking the position of the European Court of Human Rights and of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. It primarily argues that religious organisations have a clear set of rights to internal autonomy, that is, to organise their own affairs, and that the State has a limited role. Nevertheless, in cases involving disputes between the rights of the organisation and the rights of others such as individual employees, there are complex balancing interests. This article also considers other rights of religious organisations, in particular their very right to existence and to legal entity status, their right not to be discriminated against, and other rights over property. Overall, what emerges is a clear set of rights to internal autonomy for religious organisations, a confirmation of rights to legal entity status, while other issues are more peripheral and not taken into account to the same extent.
Dialogue and the Implementation of the European Court of Human Rights' Judgments
Authors: Abdelgawad Elisabeth Lambert
Published: April 2017

Due to the intergovernmental and confidential regime set up by the European Convention on Human Rights in view of supervising the execution of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, this field was for many years little suited to dialogue. However, a culture of dialogue has gradually emerged at the European and national levels in order to offer more transparency and legitimacy to the system; the ambitious gamble was that it would speed up and improve the compliance with the judgments of the Court. The current picture still seems to be diversified, with more bilateral and expert dialogue focused on the most serious cases at European level. Meanwhile, a strategy for a more open and constructive dialogue with a very large panel of actors seems to be promoted in some countries. Has dialogue provided a relevant laboratory model to improve good governance and compliance with the judgments of the Court? This article reviews the impact of this new practice. The author concludes that there remains large room for improvement.
Time-dependent Changes of Markers Associated with Inflammation in the Lungs of Humans Exposed to Ambient Levels of Ozone
Authors: Koren Hillel S. , Devlin Robert B. , Becker Susanne , Perez Raphael , Mcdonnell William F.
Published: April 2017

Acute exposure of humans to 0.4 ppm ozone results in reversible respiratory function decrements, and cellular and biochemical changes leading to the production of substances which can mediate inflammation and acute lung injury. While pulmonary function decrements occur almost immediately after ozone exposure, it is not known how quickly the cellular and biochemical changes indicative of inflammation occur in humans. Changes in neutrophils and PGE2 have been observed in humans as early as 3 hr (28) and as late as 18 hr post exposure (19). The purpose of this study was to determine whether inflammatory changes occur relatively rapidly (within 1 hr) following exposure to ozone, or if the cascade of events which are initiated by ozone and lead to inflammation, take some time to develop. We exposed 10 healthy volunteers twice: once to filtered air and once to 0.4 ppm ozone. Each exposure lasted for 2 hr at an exercise level of 60 L/min, and bronchoalveolar lavage was performed 1 hr following exposure. The data from this study were compared to those from a previous study in which 10 subjects were exposed to O3 under identical conditions except that bronchoalveolar lavage was performed 18 hr following exposure. The results of the present study demonstrate that O3 is capable of inducing rapid cellular and biochemical changes in the lung. These changes were detectable as early as 1 hr following a 2 hr exposure of humans to ozone. The profiles of these changes were different at 1 hr and 18 hr following ozone exposures. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid had levels of neutrophils, IL-6, and prostaglandin E2 that were higher at 1 hr than at 18 hr post exposure. On the other hand, the levels of fibronectin and plasminogen activator were found to be higher at 18 hr than at 1 hr after ozone exposure. A temporal association appeared to exist between changes occurring in the biochemical markers and alterations in lung function. Further studies may be useful in determining if a causal relationship exists between these parameters.
Structure Function Correlates in the Pulmonary Vasculature during Acute Lung Injury and Chronic Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Meyrick Barbara
Published: April 2017

Arteries, veins, and capillaries comprise the pulmonary vasculature. Three structural types of artery and vein are identified, the most muscular vessels being the largest. For example, arteries that accompany the preacinar arteries are muscular in structure while those within the acinus may be either, muscular, partially muscular or non-muscular. These small intraacinar arteries contribute much to the hemodynamic behavior of the lung. Pulmonary edema results from damage to the capillary endothelium while chronic pulmonary hypertension is characterized by structural alterations in the pulmonary arteries. Correlation of the structural and functional changes of chronic pulmonary hypertension suggest that the increases in medial and adventitial thickness of the muscular preacinar arteries are secondary to the onset of this disease, while the changes in the peripheral arteries—appearance of muscle in smaller intraacinar arteries than normal and reduction in arterial volume—contribute to the rise in pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. Such correlations of structure and hemodynamic measurements demand that the lung be fixed in a simple and standardized manner. Available methodology to evaluate the structural changes that occur during the development of pulmonary edema and chronic pulmonary hypertension are described.
Mechanisms of Granulomatous Lung Disease from Inhaled Beryllium: The Role of Antigenicity in Granuloma Formation
Authors: Haley Patrick J.
Published: April 2017

Granulomatous lung disease is a debilitating and sometimes fatal condition encountered in humans, for which the cellular and molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Two patterns of granulomatous lung disease are recognized; foreign-body reactions and immune-mediated granulomas. Beryllium inhalation by humans results, in a small number of exposed individuals, in a chronic, granulomatous, immune-mediated pulmonary disease (chronic beryllium lung disease, CBD). Animal models used to study CBD have demonstrated significant species differences in the pathologic response to beryllium. While rats exposed to beryllium appear to develop a chronic, foreign-body response within the lung, dogs so exposed develop beryllium-specific immune responses within the lung and blood, accompanied by immune granulomas within the lung. At the heart of this difference appears to be the ability of the dog, but not the rat, to immunologically recognize the antigenicity of beryllium. This important difference further underscores the need to understand the mechanistic differences among similar disease syndromes, particularly if therapeutic regimens are to be used.
Histomorphologic Features of Spontaneous and Chemically-Induced Pulmonary Neoplasms in B6C3F1 Mice and Fischer 344 Rats
Authors: Dixon Darlene , Maronpot Robert R.
Published: April 2017

The histomorphologic features of spontaneous and chemically-induced lung neoplasms in male and female B6C3F1 mice and Fischer 344 rats are described. Primary pulmonary neoplasms in mice and rats were classified as alveolar/bronchiolar (A/B) adenoma or carcinoma (including variants with squamous and mucinous cell differentiation), bronchial adenoma or carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or mesenchymal tumors. A/B adenomas and carcinomas were the most common spontaneous pulmonary neoplasms observed in both mice and rats, but were observed less frequently in rats. In the National Toxicology Program (NTP) historical control database the incidence of spontaneous A/B adenomas in male (n = 2,084) and female (n = 2,079) mice is 13.8% and 4.9%, respectively; for A/B carcinomas, it is 5.3% and 2.4%, respectively. In male (n = 3,877) and female (n = 3,919) rats, spontaneous pulmonary neoplasms are rare with historical control rates less than 3% for A/B adenomas or carcinomas in either sex. The spontaneous A/B adenomas and carcinomas observed in mice and rats typically had papillary, solid or mixed (papillary and solid) histologic growth patterns. Pulmonary neoplasms from mice and rats treated with chemical carcinogens reviewed from 2-year studies consisted primarily of A/B adenomas and carcinomas. These tumors had papillary, glandular/tubular, solid or mixed (combination of 2 or more) histologic growth patterns. A few of the A/B neoplasms had areas of squamous or mucinous cell differentiation. Other less frequently occurring spontaneous and chemically-induced neoplasms included squamous cell carcinomas, bronchial adenomas and carcinomas, and sarcomas.
Capital’s logistical fix: Accumulation, globalization, and the survival of capitalism
Authors: Danyluk Martin
Published: April 2017

The growth and transformation of logistics have been attributed to a specific confluence of forces that compelled firms to turn their attention to the circulation of commodities in the second half of the 20th century. This article seeks to develop a more theoretically informed account of the logistics revolution by delineating the industry’s role in promoting the accumulation of capital and the reproduction of capitalism. Drawing on Marxian geographical thought, I contend that the logistical turn of the past five decades has facilitated a multifaceted “spatial fix” to capitalism’s chronic problem of overaccumulation—one that has reconfigured the geographies of circulation as well as production, consumption, and appropriation. This argument has important implications for our understanding of globalization. By enhancing the mobility of both commodity capital and the production process itself, advances in logistics have been an essential, albeit neglected, condition of global economic integration since the 1970s.
Variability of physiological brain perfusion in healthy subjects – A systematic review of modifiers. Considerations for multi-center ASL studies
Authors: Clement Patricia , Mutsaerts Henk-Jan , Václavů Lena , Ghariq Eidrees , Pizzini Francesca B , Smits Marion , Acou Marjan , Jovicich Jorge , Vanninen Ritva , Kononen Mervi , Wiest Roland , Rostrup Egill , Bastos-Leite António J , Larsson Elna-Marie , Achten Eric
Published: April 2017

Quantitative measurements of brain perfusion are influenced by perfusion-modifiers. Standardization of measurement conditions and correction for important modifiers is essential to improve accuracy and to facilitate the interpretation of perfusion-derived parameters. An extensive literature search was carried out for factors influencing quantitative measurements of perfusion in the human brain unrelated to medication use. A total of 58 perfusion modifiers were categorized into four groups. Several factors (e.g., caffeine, aging, and blood gases) were found to induce a considerable effect on brain perfusion that was consistent across different studies; for other factors, the modifying effect was found to be debatable, due to contradictory results or lack of evidence. Using the results of this review, we propose a standard operating procedure, based on practices already implemented in several research centers. Also, a theory of ‘ deep MRI physiotyping’ is inferred from the combined knowledge of factors influencing brain perfusion as a strategy to reduce variance by taking both personal information and the presence or absence of perfusion modifiers into account. We hypothesize that this will allow to personalize the concept of normality, as well as to reach more rigorous and earlier diagnoses of brain disorders.
International Divestments: An Empirical Perspective
Authors: Jagersma P.K. , Van Gorp D.M.
Published: April 2017

The experience of Dutch international companies is that divestments in the 1980s and 1990s brought increased strategic focus to management and stock market favour.
How to Learn from the Environment about the Environment — a Prerequisite for Organizational Well-Being
Authors: Epstein Edwin M.
Published: April 2017

Learning from the environment about the environment informs the organization not only about the organization, but also about itself.
The evolution of FTSE 250 boards of directors: key factors influencing board performance and effectiveness
Authors: Long Tracy
Published: April 2017

Although the Combined Code (Financial Reporting Council, 2003, 2006) clearly identifies the roles and responsibilities of PLC board members, current academic literature offers little guidance to FTSE 250 boards – many of whom are managing different issues compared with their FTSE 100 counterparts including high corporate growth, existing founder and/or family board members, and/or newly formed boards – on ways in which they can improve the quality of decision-making, increase individual board contribution, and enhance overall board performance and effectiveness.

This paper attempts to outline the key issues faced by board members, particularly non-executive directors, serving on FTSE 250 company boards with regard to three distinct roles – strategy, succession planning and risk management – and examines the relevant influences on board members derived from corporate lifecycle, board structure, existing process and board culture which affect board performance and standards of corporate governance. Its conclusions draw on the author's previous research on non-executive contribution (Long, 2004) and her recent experience of reviewing performance and effectiveness of FTSE 100 and 250 boards of directors through Boardroom Review.
Outsourcing and the Spin-off Arrangement: Lessons from a Utility Company
Authors: Mcivor Ronan
Published: April 2017

Spinning off non-core functions into separate businesses has become increasingly prevalent as organisations restructure and specialise in core areas. A spin-off arrangement is often used as an alternative to outsourcing functions to an independent service provider. Although spin-offs have been increasing in prominence, there are few studies in the literature that provide detailed insights into development and implementation. This paper focuses on a privatised utility company that spun off a number of functions into a separate commercial business. As well as developing a new client base, the spin-off continued to provide services to the utility company. Although this arrangement was regarded as extremely successful, the development and implementation of the spin-off arrangement faced a number of difficulties. This paper considers the arrangement right from idea generation through to full development and eventual disposal. The development of the spin-off was considered along with the implications for the subsidiaries in the utility company. The paper provides a number of important lessons for organisations pursuing this type of outsourcing configuration.
The ethics of corporate governance
Authors: Nordberg Donald
Published: April 2017

How should corporate directors determine what is the ‘right’ decision? For at least the past 30 years the debate has raged as to whether shareholder value should take precedence over corporate social responsibility when crucial decisions arise. Directors face pressure, not least from ‘ethical’ investors, to do the ‘good’ thing when they seek to make the ‘right’ choice. Corporate governance theory has tended to look to agency theory and the need of boards to curb excessive executive power to guide directors' decisions. While useful for those purposes, agency theory provides only limited guidance. Supplementing it with the alternatives -stakeholder theory and stewardship theory – tends to put directors in conflict with their legal obligations to work in the interests of shareholders. This paper seeks to reframe the discussion about corporate governance in terms of the ethical debate between consequential, teleological approaches to ethics and idealist, deontological ones, suggesting that directors are – for good reason – more inclined toward utilitarian judgments like those underpinning shareholder value. But the problems with shareholder value have become so great that a different framework is needed: strategic value, with an emphasis on long-term value creation judged from a decidedly utilitarian standpoint.
How part-time directors create exceptional value: New evidence from the non-executive director awards
Authors: Taylor Bernard , Dulewicz Victor , Gay Keith
Published: April 2017

Theory suggests that non-executive directors (NEDs) can add significant value to the governance of companies, yet many empirical studies have failed to find evidence for this. One reason is that research has focused on studying issues that are easy to measure, such as the number of NEDs on a board and their relative proportion to the executive, rather than studying what really happens in the boardroom. This study fills the gap by analysing 75 in-depth case studies of NED performance. It found that NEDs contributed significantly to the performance of the board. In particular the dynamic role of the NED is highlighted, in which the NED can play different roles dependent upon the lifecycle of the company.
The effects of the balanced scorecard on performance: The impact of the alignment of the strategic goals and performance reporting
Authors: Iselin Errol R. , Mia Lokman , Sands John
Published: April 2017

The balanced scorecard (BSC) and other multi-perspective systems have become popular in recent times because of problems with financial systems. The BSC is a strategic management system involving strategic goal setting and performance reporting across four perspectives: financial, customer, internal business processes, and learning and growth. Kaplan and Norton (1996), the creators of the BSC, argue that the performance reporting system must be aligned with the strategic goals. Although these systems are important, research in the area is still at an embryonic stage. The research objectives are to (1) investigate if the strength of the alignment of the strategic goals and the performance reporting system is associated with organisational performance, (2) investigate the dimensions of multi-perspective performance reporting and organisational performance, and (3) study their relationship. We found that (1) the strength of the alignment of the strategic goals and the performance reporting system was positively associated with performance, (2) there were 11 dimensions of performance reporting and 13 dimensions of performance, and (3) performance reporting on a particular dimension was positively associated with organisational performance in that area.
The associations between organisational performance, employee attitudes and human resource management practices: an empirical study of small businesses
Authors: Tsai Chin-Ju , Edwards Paul , Sengupta Sukanya
Published: April 2017

Most research on the associations between organisational performance, employee attitudes and Human Resource Management (HRM) practices has adopted a theoretical framework that proposes that HRM practices lead to HR outcomes (e.g. job satisfaction, skills, etc.) which in turn affect organisational performance. Building on theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence from the fields of organisational psychology-performance and HRM-performance, this paper presents a study that develops and tests an alternative view of the association. This model depicts the influence of organisational performance on employee attitudes and the role of HRM practice as a mediator between the two. It was tested using data collected from employee surveys and management interviews in 32 small firms. The results suggest that employees in firms with better business performance have more positive attitudes towards three attitude measures (overall perceptions of work, job autonomy and the perceived link between reward and performance) and that the association between business performance and employee attitudes is partially mediated by HRM practices. The findings are discussed with respect to the nature of the complex performance-attitude-HRM relationship and their implications for management and future research
Internal marketing as an agent of change – implementing a new human resource information system for Malaysian Airlines
Authors: Vrontis Demetris , Thrassou Alkis , Zin Razali Mat
Published: April 2017

The first part of this research determines the relationship between ten selected variables and employees' acceptance of a planned change in Malaysian Airlines. The second part draws on the original findings to conceptually investigate the potential role, degree and nature of internal marketing as a positive agent of change. The findings initially determine the causality of the primary research results. Subsequently and prescriptively, they indicate that ‘perception management' through internal marketing may play a critical role in both the acceptance and the implementation of change, especially regarding the more professional positions/processes of an organisation. The paper finally develops a provisional prescriptive model of internal marketing towards organisational change and expands on the practical and managerial implications of the findings. The value of the research lies primarily in its unorthodox introduction of internal marketing as a catalytic agent of organisational change, as well as in its prescriptive managerial implications and its innovative contemporary marketing context.
The Cubic Contingency Model: towards a more comprehensive international strategy-structure model
Authors: Qiu Jane Xj , Donaldson Lex
Published: April 2017

Various contingency models have been developed to explain the strategy-structure fit for multinational corporations (MNCs). However, these models are fragmented, in that they address different strategic conditions and have been applied to different groups of MNC structures. Along with a critical review of the previous models, this paper develops a new three-dimensional model, which integrates contingencies from the traditional Stopford and Wells Model and the well-established GI (global integration)-LR (local responsiveness) framework. The new model considers a wider range of strategic conditions and aims to specify the strategy-structure fits for a broad array of MNC structures. The explanatory value of the new model is tentatively tested against data from a study of German MNCs.
The FIEF-Specific Factors in the Chinese Economy: The Effects of State Ownership
Authors: Li Ji , Chen Yuan Yi , Tang Gui Yao , Fang Lei , Zeng Fue
Published: April 2017

According to the research by Boisot and Child (1988), fief is defined as a transaction-governance structure with low information codification and diffusion. Based on this definition, this article highlights the existence of fief-specific factors, such as state-ownership, in China's publicly listed firms. It is hypothesised that the state ownership, as a fief specific factor, has a negative effect on product diversification among the listed firms in China. The ownership also has a positive effect on the firms' stock marker, performance. Moreover, the effects can be moderated by several factors, such as firm size, age and managerial ownership. The authors collected data from listed firms in China and conducted an empirical study to test the hypotheses. The results support the hypothesised effects of the fief-specific factor and demonstrate the importance of studying fief factor to understanding organisational behaviours and performance in China. It is also indicated that the predictive validity of Western theories could be improved by taking into account the effects of fief-specific factors when studying organisational behaviours and performance in an emerging economy such as China. The paper concludes with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications.
Conditions for Communication in Risk Exposed Organisations
Authors: Kirkhaug Rudi
Published: April 2017

This study discusses conditions for efficient communication in decentralised and risk exposed organisations. The prevailing view of such organisations is that formal and vertical relationships between leaders and subordinates are sufficient to provide all members of the organisation with the information they need to perform their work. However, this study speculated on whether informal horizontal relationships between colleagues at all levels of the organisation would satisfy their communication needs better than formal and loyal relationships with their immediate leaders. Hierarchical regression analyses based on data from a maritime organisation supported this assumption. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.
Person-Organisation Fit and its Impact on Organisational Citizenship Behaviour as Related to Social Performance
Authors: Yaniv Eitan , Lavi Orna Steiner , Siti Gila
Published: April 2017

Person-Organisation Fit (POF) is a well known concept; it has been revealed as a factor that influences employee behaviour in many aspects such as commitment, identification, intention to leave, corporate brand perception level, etc. This study deals with the impact POF on another element of employee behaviour – Organisational Citizenship Behaviour-i.e. employees' willingness to perform extra tasks and to carry out activities that are not part of their job, without expecting any formal or informal compensation. Organisational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB) is a relatively new concept of interest for scholars, leading to a plethora of publications over the past decade. Many academics have studied the impact of OCB impact on organisational effectiveness and have found a strong positive correlation between the two. This research examined this concept in terms of an organisation's social performance, as perceived by its employees. The study found that OCB is positively related to POF, so that the higher the POF the higher the OCB. The researchers also examined the correlations between POF and Organisational Identification (OI) levels and found a positive correlation between them too. The researchers further examined the employees' Perception of Social Performance (PSP) by an organisation, as a moderating variable between POF and OCB and between OI and OCB, but have found no correlation between them. Thus, POF was found to be a meaningful factor with a strong impact on many variables of organisational behaviour. Following this research, OCB has become a ‘legitimate member' of this group of variables. But Social Performance Perception was not defined as a factor that plays a significant role in this relationship.
Geographical Proximity and Inter-Firm Collaboration
Authors: Chetty Sylvie , Michailova Snejina
Published: April 2017

This conceptual paper examines the relationships between knowledge processes, geographical proximity and inter-firm collaboration. It focuses on antecedents to collaboration by differentiating between opportunity recognition and opportunity exploitation, and relating them respectively to firms' potential and actual collaboration. It also differentiates between geographically proximate and non-proximate firms, and relates their intent to respectively access and acquire knowledge. In order to provide a possible explanation for the paradox of concurrent co-operation and competition among collaborating firms, the paper theorises about the moderating role of type of knowledge in the relationship between knowledge access/acquisition and co-operation/competition. When managers decide to engage their firms in collaboration with geographically proximate firms, they need to be clear whether their objective is to access or acquire part of the knowledge these other firms possess. If the motivation is knowledge access, the dominant tendency is to co-operate; however, if the objective is knowledge acquisition, the prevailing inclination is to compete.
The Five Stages of the Co-operative Venture Strategy Process
Authors: Brouthers Keith D. , Brouthers Lance Eliot , Harris Phil C.
Published: April 2017

Many co-operative or joint ventures fail. Can the risk be reduced? A process is advocated which both summarises recent research and provides a systematic method to address underperforming ventures.
Implications of Partnership Sourcing on Buyer-Supplier Relations
Authors: Mcivor Ronan , Humphreys Paul , Mcaleer Eddie
Published: April 2017

Trends such as outsourcing have led companies to become more dependent on their supplier network. Relative power is still important, but more collaborative relationships can yield positive benefits.
Activity Level and Function 2 Years After Anterior Talofibular Ligament Repair: A Comparison Between Arthroscopic Repair and Open Repair Procedures
Authors: Li Hong , Hua Yinghui , Li Hongyun , Ma Kui , Li Shengkun , Chen Shiyi
Published: April 2017

Background:

The open modified Broström anatomic repair technique is widely accepted as the reference standard for lateral ankle stabilization. Despite recent increases in publications regarding arthroscopic repair of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) for treatment of chronic ankle instability, research is lacking that compares the functional outcomes between arthroscopic repair and open repair procedures for chronic ankle instability.

Purpose:

To compare function and activity level after arthroscopic repair versus open repair of the ATFL in patients with lateral ankle instability.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

All patients who underwent arthroscopic or open surgical Broström repair of the ATFL between January 2012 and August 2014 were invited to participate in this study. All of the patients had consented for arthroscopic repair if feasible. In cases in which arthroscopic repair was impossible, the open modified Broström procedure was performed after arthroscopy. Patients accepted a systematic rehabilitation program postoperatively. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Karlsson Ankle Functional Score (KAFS), and Tegner activity score were used to evaluate ankle function preoperatively and at a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to evaluate the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the repaired ATFL.

Results:

A total of 60 patients were included in this study. They were assigned to 1 of 2 groups according to their surgical procedure: 23 patients underwent arthroscopic repair (arthroscopic group) and 37 patients underwent open repair (open group). No patient in either group had ankle instability at follow-up postoperatively. After surgery, the AOFAS score ( P < .001), KAFS ( P < .001), and Tegner activity score ( P < .001) increased significantly in both groups. However, no significant difference was found in AOFAS score (93.3 ± 8.9 vs 92.4 ± 8.6; P = .7), KAFS (90.3 ± 12.5 vs 89.4 ± 10.6; P = .75), and Tegner score (5 ± 2 vs 5 ± 2; P = .61) between the arthroscopic group and the open group, respectively. As well, no significant difference was found in the mean SNR value of ATFL between the arthroscopic group and the open group (9.1 ± 2.7 vs 8.8 ± 2.3; P = .39, respectively).

Conclusion:

When compared with open lateral ankle repair, arthroscopic repair of lateral ankle ligament when feasible produced similarly favorable outcomes. Arthroscopic ATFL repair, as a minimally invasive technique, provided favorable outcomes.
Factor Structure and Reliability of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory in Korean Female Victims of Sexual Violence
Authors: Shin Kyoung Min , Chung Young Ki , Kim Nam Hee , Kim Kyoung Ah , Chang Hyoung Yoon
Published: April 2017

Trauma-related cognitions play an important role in formation and persistence of posttraumatic stress symptoms. This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Korean version of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI) in a sample of 227 females who had experienced sexual violence. Data were collected from victims who sought victim support services following sexual violence between 2011 and 2015. The Impact of Event Scale–Revised, Beck Depression Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory were used to measure posttraumatic stress disorder severity, depression, and anxiety, respectively. The three-factor solution of the PTCI (SELF, WORLD, BLAME) was supported; however, it was necessary to remove five items from the original 33-item scale. The 28-item PTCI displays good internal consistency, concurrent validity, and discriminant validity. SELF and WORLD subscales correlated with trauma symptom severity, controlling depression and anxiety. This is the first study to investigate factor structure and psychometric properties of the Korean version of the PTCI with female victims of sexual violence, which demonstrated that 28-item version of PTCI is an acceptable assessment measure of examining trauma-related cognitions.
Physical Violence Against Children and Adolescents in Porto: A 5-Year Study
Authors: Vidal Humberto Gomes , Caldas Inês Morais , de França Caldas Arnaldo , de Miranda Coelho Júnior Luiz Gutenberg Toledo , de Souza Eliane Helena Alvim , Pereira Maria Lurdes
Published: April 2017

The aim of the present study was to analyze the prevalence of physical violence against children and adolescents (PVCA) in a 5-year period in the city of Porto, Portugal. All forensic reports between 2009 and 2013 in the clinical services of the North Branch of the National Institute of Legal Medicine and forensic sciences were analyzed. Victims were classified according to sex, age, relationship with perpetrator, traumatic consequences of the event, and year of occurrence. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (Version 22.0). Continuous variables were described when appropriated frequencies were displayed. The association between variables was evaluated using chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, or Kruskal–Wallis test, when appropriate and a logistic regression was performed. The margin of error for the statistical tests was 5.0%. A total of 2,148 occurrences were evaluated. Most subjects were male, and mean victim age was 13 years. The single most frequent perpetrator was an unknown individual, but most offenders were known to the victim. The majority site of injury was the face. The larger number of complaints of aggression maintained a similar frequency over the 5 years analyzed. A physical examination to confirm the reasons between the complaint and the type of aggression was performed and shown a high relationship. Adolescents were more susceptible to violence than younger children were. The most affected region was the face.
A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of the MyFamilyPlan Online Preconception Health Education Tool
Authors: Batra Priya , Mangione Carol M. , Cheng Eric , Steers W. Neil , Nguyen Tina A. , Bell Douglas , Kuo Alice A. , Gregory Kimberly D.
Published: April 2017

Purpose:

To evaluate whether exposure to MyFamilyPlan—a web-based preconception health education module—changes the proportion of women discussing reproductive health with providers at well-woman visits.

Design:

Cluster randomized controlled trial. One hundred thirty participants per arm distributed among 34 clusters (physicians) required to detect a 20% change in the primary outcome.

Setting:

Urban academic medical center (California).

Participants:

Eligible women were 18 to 45 years old, were English speaking, were nonpregnant, were able to access the Internet, and had an upcoming well-woman visit. E-mail and phone recruitment between September 2015 and May 2016; 292 enrollees randomized.

Intervention:

Intervention participants completed the MyFamilyPlan module online 7 to 10 days before a scheduled well-woman visit; control participants reviewed standard online preconception health education materials.

Measures:

The primary outcome was self-reported discussion of reproductive health with the physician at the well-woman visit. Self-reported secondary outcomes were folic acid use, contraceptive method initiation/change, and self-efficacy score.

Analysis:

Multilevel multivariate logistic regression.

Results:

After adjusting for covariates and cluster, exposure to MyFamilyPlan was the only variable significantly associated with an increase in the proportion of women discussing reproductive health with providers (odds ratio: 1.97, 95% confidence interval: 1.22-3.19). Prespecified secondary outcomes were unaffected.

Conclusion:

MyFamilyPlan exposure was associated with a significant increase in the proportion of women who reported discussing reproductive health with providers and may promote preconception health awareness; more work is needed to affect associated behaviors.