bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advanced launcher design options for electron cyclotron current drive on ITER based on remote steering
Authors: Graswinckel M.F. , Bongers W.A. , de Baar M.R. , van den Berg M.A. , Denisov G. , Donné A.J.H. , Elzendoorn B.S.Q. , Goede A.P.H. , Heidinger R. , Kuzikov S. , Kruijt O.G. , Kruizinga B. , Moro A. , Poli E. , Ronden D.M.S. , Saibene G. , Thoen D.J. , Verhoeven A.G.A.
Published: April 2008

Electron cyclotron current drive will become the main scheme on ITER for the stabilization of neoclassical tearing modes (NTMs) and the control of sawtooth oscillations. The effectiveness of this scheme forms the basis for the requirements of the ITER Upper Port Launcher. These requirements include the need for steering the mm-wave beam to the pertinent magnetic flux surfaces where the instability develops. Several concepts have been explored; front steering (FS) where a system of movable mirrors is situated at the plasma-facing end of the launcher; remote steering (RS) where the movable mirror system is situated at the back end of the launcher system. The advantage of the RS concept is that moving parts are placed away from the plasma in a secondary vacuum system, less exposed to plasma neutron flux, thus offering advantages in reliability and safety of the machine. Also, contamination of the beam steering unit by Be and T is less of a problem. However, beam-focusing properties of the RS launcher deteriorate with increased steering angle, which limits the NTM stabilization performance as compared with FS. In this paper, recent improvements in the RS design are presented. The stabilization efficiency calculated reaches values that meet most of the ITER requirements. Improvements include non-spherical front mirrors and a tapered square corrugated waveguide. Rather than steering all mm-wave beams over the entire vertical height range specified, RS launchers with a limited steering range are explored, yielding a performance improvement of 25% with an acceptable mm-wave heat load of 5.7 MW m−2 on the front mirrors. This result leads to a dual launcher concept with one set of beams dedicated to control NTMs at the outward lying q = 2 surface and another set of beams dedicated to control NTMs at the inward lying q = 3/2 surface in combination with sawteeth control at the innermost q = 1 surface.
Critical interface issues associated with the ITER EC system
Authors: Henderson M.A. , Saibene G.
Published: April 2008

The ITER ECH system is an in-kind procurement consisting of four different types of gyrotrons (from EU, IN, JA and RF), transmission lines (from US) and two types of launchers (from EU and JA). Each subsystem must interface not only with the other but also with the auxiliary systems control and data acquisition computer and with the plasma (in the case of the launchers). The definition and management of interfaces is therefore essential for the system to guarantee performance, availability and reliability. The proper description of each interface boundary is essential for assembly and operation of the entire system as a single unit. In addition, progress has been made in the development of high power, long pulse systems and associated components that have not been integrated into the ITER EC design since the present ITER EC system was essentially specified prior to 2000. The ultimate physics performance and operational reliability in some situations is limited by this old design, which has not taken advantage of the knowledge and experience gained in operating the multi-megawatt ECH systems on present tokamaks and stellarators.

The objective of this paper is to review the present ITER ECH system, which includes the power supplies, gyrotrons, transmission lines and launchers. Modifications are proposed which are performance driven and are engineered for reliability and maintainability, whilst reducing complexity and cost. Potential operating scenarios are discussed which require an intelligent and automatic decision making process, for example, directing the EC power to either of the two EC launchers, based on the immediate physics requirements. The interfaces between the subsystems are described and when possible improvements to each interface are proposed.
Clusters of solutions and replica symmetry breaking in random
k-satisfiability
Authors: Montanari Andrea , Ricci-Tersenghi Federico , Semerjian Guilhem
Published: April 2008

We study the set of solutions of random
k-satisfiability formulas through the cavity method. It is known that, for an
interval of the clause-to-variables ratio, this decomposes into an exponential
number of pure states (clusters). We refine substantially this picture by: (i)
determining the precise location of the clustering transition; (ii) uncovering a
second ‘condensation’ phase transition in the structure of the solution set for
k≥4. These results both follow from computing the large deviation rate of the internal entropy
of pure states. From a technical point of view our main contributions are a simplified version of
the cavity formalism for special values of the Parisi replica symmetry breaking parameter
m (in
particular for m = 1
via a correspondence with the tree reconstruction problem) and new
large-k
expansions.
siRNA specificity searching incorporating mismatch tolerance data
Authors: Chalk Alistair M. , Sonnhammer Erik L. L.
Published: April 2008

Artificially synthesized short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are widely used in functional genomics to knock down specific target genes. One ongoing challenge is to guarantee that the siRNA does not elicit off-target effects. Initial reports suggested that siRNAs were highly sequence-specific; however, subsequent data indicates that this is not necessarily the case. It is still uncertain what level of similarity and other rules are required for an off-target effect to be observed, and scoring schemes have not been developed to look beyond simple measures such as the number of mismatches or the number of consecutive matching bases present.

We created design rules for predicting the likelihood of a non-specific effect and present a web server that allows the user to check the specificity of a given siRNA in a flexible manner using a combination of methods. The server finds potential off-target matches in the corresponding RefSeq database and ranks them according to a scoring system based on experimental studies of specificity.

Availability: The server is available at

http://informatics-eskitis.griffith.edu.au/SpecificityServer.

Contact:  Erik.Sonnhammer@sbc.su.se

Supplementary information: Supplementary analysis and figures are available at Bioinformatics online.
Peak bagging for peptide mass fingerprinting
Authors: He Zengyou , Yang Can , Yu Weichuan
Published: April 2008

Motivation: Mass Spectrometry (MS)-based protein identification via peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) is a key component in high-throughput proteome research. While PMF was the first commonly used protein identification method, provided higher throughput than the tandem MS-based method, its accuracy is lower than that of the tandem MS method. Thus, it is desirable to develop PMF-based algorithm with higher protein identification accuracy to facilitate proteome research.

Results: We propose a peak bagging method for single MS-based protein identification. It combines results from multiple PMF algorithms, where each PMF algorithm takes a random peak subset as input. Evaluation with a set of real MALDI-TOF MS spectra shows that the new peak bagging method provides consistent improvements over the single PMF algorithm.

Contact:  eezyhe@ust.hk
adegenet: a R package for the multivariate analysis of genetic markers
Authors: Jombart Thibaut
Published: April 2008

Summary: The package adegenet for the R software is dedicated to the multivariate analysis of genetic markers. It extends the ade4 package of multivariate methods by implementing formal classes and functions to manipulate and analyse genetic markers. Data can be imported from common population genetics software and exported to other software and R packages. adegenet also implements standard population genetics tools along with more original approaches for spatial genetics and hybridization.

Availability: Stable version is available from CRAN: http://cran.r-project.org/mirrors.html. Development version is available from adegenet website: http://adegenet.r-forge.r-project.org/. Both versions can be installed directly from R. adegenet is distributed under the GNU General Public Licence (v.2).

Contact:  jombart@biomserv.univ-lyon1.fr

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Beyond robins: aerodynamic analyses of animal flight
Authors: Hedenström Anders , Spedding Geoffrey
Published: April 2008

Recent progress in studies of animal flight mechanics is reviewed. A range of birds, and now bats, has been studied in wind tunnel facilities, revealing an array of wake patterns caused by the beating wings and also by the drag on the body. Nevertheless, the quantitative analysis of these complex wake structures shows a degree of similarity among all the different wake patterns and a close agreement with standard quasi-steady aerodynamic models and predictions. At the same time, new data on the flow over a bat wing in mid-downstroke show that, at least in this case, such simplifications cannot be useful in describing in detail either the wing properties or control prospects. The reasons for these apparently divergent results are discussed and prospects for future advances are considered.
Global patterns in the phylogenetic structure of island mammal assemblages
Authors: Cardillo Marcel , Gittleman John L , Purvis Andy
Published: April 2008

Assemblage-level phylogenies carry the signature of ecological and evolutionary processes, which may provide useful information on modes of assemblage formation. We present a global-scale analysis of the emergent phylogenetic properties of mammal assemblages on islands, in which we compared the structure of 595 island assemblages with null models constructed under four alternative definitions of regional source pools. Although most assemblages had a structure indistinguishable from random samples, for some mammal taxa, up to 40% of island assemblages were phylogenetically overdispersed. This suggests that in at least some cases, the processes that shape island faunas are not independent of phylogeny. Furthermore, measures of phylogenetic structure were associated in some cases with island geographical features (size, maximum elevation and habitat diversity). Our results suggest that part of the signal of assemblage formation processes is detectable in the phylogenies of contemporary island mammal faunas, though much is obscured by the complexity of these processes.
Tobacco Mosaic Virus Movement Protein Interacts with Green Fluorescent Protein-Tagged Microtubule End-Binding Protein 1
Authors: Brandner Katrin , Sambade Adrian , Boutant Emmanuel , Didier Pascal , Mély Yves , Ritzenthaler Christophe , Heinlein Manfred
Published: April 2008

The targeting of the movement protein (MP) of Tobacco mosaic virus to plasmodesmata involves the actin/endoplasmic reticulum network and does not require an intact microtubule cytoskeleton. Nevertheless, the ability of MP to facilitate the cell-to-cell spread of infection is tightly correlated with interactions of the protein with microtubules, indicating that the microtubule system is involved in the transport of viral RNA. While the MP acts like a microtubule-associated protein able to stabilize microtubules during late infection stages, the protein was also shown to cause the inactivation of the centrosome upon expression in mammalian cells, thus suggesting that MP may interact with factors involved in microtubule attachment, nucleation, or polymerization. To further investigate the interactions of MP with the microtubule system in planta, we expressed the MP in the presence of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-fused microtubule end-binding protein 1a (EB1a) of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana; AtEB1a:GFP). The two proteins colocalize and interact in vivo as well as in vitro and exhibit mutual functional interference. These findings suggest that MP interacts with EB1 and that this interaction may play a role in the associations of MP with the microtubule system during infection.
Histone Acetylation and Chromatin Remodeling Are Required for UV-B–Dependent Transcriptional Activation of Regulated Genes in Maize
Authors: Casati Paula , Campi Mabel , Chu Feixia , Suzuki Nagi , Maltby David , Guan Shenheng , Burlingame Alma L. , Walbot Virginia
Published: April 2008

The nuclear proteomes of maize (Zea mays) lines that differ in UV-B tolerance were compared by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis after UV light treatment. Differential accumulation of chromatin proteins, particularly histones, constituted the largest class identified by mass spectrometry. UV-B–tolerant landraces and the B73 inbred line show twice as many protein changes as the UV-B–sensitive b, pl W23 inbred line and transgenic maize expressing RNA interference constructs directed against chromatin factors. Mass spectrometic analysis of posttranslational modifications on histone proteins demonstrates that UV-B–tolerant lines exhibit greater acetylation on N-terminal tails of histones H3 and H4 after irradiation. These acetylated histones are enriched in the promoter and transcribed regions of the two UV-B–upregulated genes examined; radiation-sensitive lines lack this enrichment. DNase I and micrococcal nuclease hypersensitivity assays indicate that chromatin adopts looser structures around the selected genes in the UV-B–tolerant samples. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments identified additional chromatin factor changes associated with the nfc102 test gene after UV-B treatment in radiation-tolerant lines. Chromatin remodeling is thus shown to be a key process in acclimation to UV-B, and lines deficient in this process are more sensitive to UV-B.
KNOXLost theOX: TheArabidopsis KNATMGene Defines a Novel Class of KNOX Transcriptional Regulators Missing the Homeodomain
Authors: Magnani Enrico , Hake Sarah
Published: April 2008

Three amino acid loop extension (TALE) homeodomain transcriptional regulators play a central role in plant and animal developmental programs. Plant KNOTTED1-like homeobox (KNOX) and animal Myeloid ecotropic viral integration site (MEIS) proteins share a TALE homeodomain and a MEINOX (MEIS-KNOX) domain, suggesting that an ancestral MEINOX-TALE protein predates the divergence of plants from fungi and animals. In this study, we identify and characterize the Arabidopsis thaliana KNATM gene, which encodes a MEINOX domain but not a homeodomain. Phylogenetic analysis of the KNOX family places KNATM in a new class and shows conservation in dicotyledons. We demonstrate that KNATM selectively interacts with Arabidopsis BELL TALE proteins through the MEINOX domain. The homeodomain is known to be necessary for KNOX–KNOX interaction. On the contrary, KNATM specifically dimerizes with the KNOX protein BREVIPEDICELLUS through an acidic coiled-coil domain. KNATM is expressed in proximal-lateral domains of organ primordia and at the boundary of mature organs; in accordance, genetic analyses identify a function for KNATM in leaf proximal-distal patterning. In vivo domain analyses highlighted KNATM functional regions and revealed a role as transcriptional regulator. Taken together, our data reveal a homeodomain-independent mechanism of KNOX dimerization and transcriptional regulation.
Individualism, collectivism, selected personality traits, and psychological contract in employment
Authors: Zhao Jun , Chen Lijun
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This study seeks to examine the relationship between individual's cultural values of individualism, collectivism, selected personality traits and the psychological contracts they tend to form.

Design/methodology/approach

Surveys were used to collect data from China and US sample sets. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to explore the impact of selected cultural values and personality traits on individuals' tendency to form transactional contract or relational contract.

Findings

Personality characteristics of equity sensitivity and external locus of control were found to be positively related to transactional contract type for both samples, and conscientiousness was found to be positively related to relational contract, but the relationship was only found for the Chinese sample. The impact of the individualistic cultural value on the type of psychological contract one forms with the employer is uncertain, but the individualism value was found to have a mediator effect between age and transactional contract type for the Chinese sample.

Practical implications

The study contributes evidence that can help explain why employees who face the same job conditions and employment relationships may develop different psychological contracts with their employers. The finding on the mediating effect of individualism between age and transactional contract highlight challenges faced by managers in China's changing economy in terms of motivating and retaining young employees.

Originality/value

The study contributes to research on personality and psychological contracts. In the domain of personality, the study attempts to explore how personality affects organizational behavior. From the perspective of psychological contract, the paper contributes evidence that can help explain why employees who face the same job conditions and employment relationships may develop different psychological contracts with their employers.
The ETS iSkillsTM Assessment: a digital age tool
Authors: Somerville Mary M. , Smith Gordon W. , Smith Macklin Alexius
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how information and communications technology (ICT) literacy skills reflect twenty‐first century requirements for researching and communicating information in digital environments. An interactive problem‐based, scenario‐based, web‐based assessment tool, iSkillsTM, has been developed through a broad‐based effort to establish standards for performance and certification of ICT literacy proficiencies. This paper aims to discuss the assessment's potential in determining the effectiveness of instruction programs.

Design/methodology/approach

Since January 2001, a consortium of experts in ICT literacy served as advisors to the Educational Testing Service (ETS) test developers as they designed an internet‐delivered assessment that measures students' abilities to research, organize, and communicate information using technology. This paper reviews that R&D process, concluding with an example of its application to information literacy program planning and evaluation. A mixed methods approach collected and analyzed qualitative sources and iSkillsTM pre‐test/post‐test data for first‐year Purdue University students.

Findings

Findings informed curricular decisions for instituting an integrated problem‐based learning (PBL) information literacy program. Secondary goals included developing an understanding of how information‐processing skills are acquired, identifying best practices for integrating information literacy into the curriculum, and assessing the impact of skill acquisition on overall academic achievement. ICT literate students are generally better problem‐solvers, more self‐directed, and communicate ideas more efficiently.

Practical implications

Universities are beginning to require ICT literacy as competencies for graduation. This paper presents a new strategy for assessing the effectiveness of instructional programs which aim to matriculate proficient students.

Originality/value

This paper reports on the efficacy of a problem‐based learning (PBL) approach involving three convergent principles of design: the organization and dissemination of information, the creation and communication of information, and problem solving within the context of research projects and assignments. As such, it provides important insights into pairing an innovative instructional approach and the iSkillsTM ICT literacy assessment.
The use of cybercafes in Ilorin, Nigeria
Authors: Atunde Alao Isiaka , Lanre Folorunsho Abubakar
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of cybercafés in Ilorin, Nigeria. The main objectives of the survey were to determine the characteristics of the users, how they had learnt to use the internet, their self‐reported levels of internet use skills, the internet services they used and for what purposes, the aspects of the internet they desired to learn more about and their assessment of the cybercafés they patronized.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey method was employed for the study. Data were collected from 18 cybercafés in Ilorin, Nigeria, by means of questionnaires and analysed using frequency counts and percentages.

Findings

The findings revealed that the majority of the cybercafé users were students, aged 21‐25 years old, males and unmarried. Most of the respondents considered themselves only moderately skilled in the use of the internet and largely used e‐mail, online chat, e‐publications, file transfer protocol and the world wide web, all of which they desired to learn more about. The six aspects of the cybercafés evaluated, except browsing speed, were judged satisfactory. It was concluded there is a need to promote greater use of the internet in Nigeria generally.

Originality/value

The research findings will help to fill a gap in the knowledge of cybercafé usage in Ilorin, one of the largest towns in the North Central Zone of Nigeria. The findings will also assist cybercafé operators in Ilorin in particular to improve their services.
The adoption of commercial innovations in the former Central and Eastern European markets
Authors: Eriksson Kent , Kerem Katri , Nilsson Daniel
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This study aims to examine innovation adoption in the context of internet banking in Estonia.

Design/methodology/approach

The data presented in this study are based on 1,831 questionnaires collected from individual internet banking users in Estonia.

Findings

This study extends the applicability of the innovation adoption model developed by Everett Rogers to Estonian internet banking. The model starts with the independent variables: relative advantage; complexity; perceived risk; and compatibility, and the analysis shows that relative advantage and complexity have the strongest influence on adoption of internet banking.

Practical implications

The managerial implications of this paper include its contributions toward better understanding of the commercial viability in CEE economies of businesses based on Western‐style technology.

Originality/value

This study suggests modifications to Rogers' original model in order to apply it to the fast‐growing new CEE economies, thus reaffirming the importance of his model.
Are we paying attention?
Authors: Greenyer Andrew
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to look at the attention span given to bills, statements, official correspondence and direct marketing by consumers in major European economies and the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

Over 1,000 consumers were interviewed via web survey in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the USA, during May/June 2007. Respondents were asked to estimate the typical amount of time that they spent looking at a range of documents, from their monthly bank statement to the direct mail they received.

Findings

The research found that consumers spend more time looking at printed communications than those online. Different communications (i.e. mobile telephone bills, bank statements, tax correspondence, etc) hold the customers' attention for longer than others, and this differed on a country‐by‐country basis.

Originality/value

The value of the research to bank marketers is it highlights where banking communications sit in the battle for the customer's attention and how they can gain more value from existing forms of customer communications such as bills and statements.
Economic incentives for improving mango quality in Costa Rica
Authors: Zúñiga‐Arias Guillermo , Ruben Ruerd , Verkerk Ruud , van Boekel Martinus
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to present an integrated methodology for identifying effective economic incentives to enhance quality performance by mango producers in Costa Rica.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyses the relationship between intrinsic product quality attributes and socio‐economic characteristics of mango producers in the Central Pacific zone of Costa Rica. Data are derived from a representative sample of 35 mango producers. A mango quality index for local and export market outlet is constructed and quality performance is subsequently related to farm‐household characteristics and contractual delivery parameters. Categorical regression methods are used to identify the relationships between farm‐household characteristics, production system features, marketing relationships and quality attributes weighted by consumers' preferences.

Findings

Key attributes of the quality index – related to dimensions of ripeness, appearance and variability – appear to be strongly related to farm‐household characteristics like the producers' age and experience, input use intensity and family labour availability. Preferences for certain contractual regimes and marketing arrangements give rise to differentiation in quality performance. Long‐term delivery relationships and non‐price attributes appear as key factors for quality improvement in mango.

Research limitation/implications

Although the study is based on a modest sample, the significant relationships between the constructs in the model are found to be sufficiently robust.

Originality/value

The research approach enables the estimation of a model where quality performance is related to technical and institutional aspects related to the organisation of mango delivery chain.
Towards a European qualifications framework: some cautionary observations
Authors: Young Michael
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a critical analysis of the European Commission's and the member states' attempts to introduce a European Qualifications Framework and national frameworks respectively.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a review of policies and substantive desk research in countries that have applied a qualification framework approach.

Findings

The analysis shows that qualifications frameworks (QFs) are resisted partly from inertia and conservatism and partly because important educational purposes are being defended. NQF experiences suggest that hopes associated with QFs are unrealistic (e.g. accreditation of prior learning).

Research limitations/implications

The paper draws mainly on conceptual and secondary analysis. In future primary empirical analysis would be desirable.

Practical implications

The findings are extremely relevant to policy makers on the European and national levels. The lessons from NQFs suggest incrementalism, building blocks, supporting policies, consensus and staying as close as possible to practice are important.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the few attempts to evaluate current initiatives based on prior experiences.
Ways toward a European vocational education and training space: a “bottom‐up” approach
Authors: Blings Jessica , Spöttl Georg
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to concentrate on bottom‐up approaches in order to promote a European vocational education and training (VET) concept. The overall aim of this article is to demonstrate that sophisticated approaches still have a chance of becoming common practice in European countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The centre of the article is the discussion of a core occupational profile called ECO‐recycler, which tends to be an alternative to the discussion of a uniform European Qualification Framework. The method of participatory discourse is applied in order to shape a VET space jointly with European partners. However, the partnership should not only discuss an abstract level because the implementation of the ECO‐recycler is the main target of the discourse and it will be demonstrated how it works.

Findings

After the clarification of a bottom‐up approach, the implementation process of a core occupational profile in the partner countries is described.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical approach for the creation of work process based core occupational profiles will be offered.

Practical implications

European policies must be changed if these approaches are pursued.

Originality/value

This article offers an alternative to existing European policy and will be of interest to those in the field.
VET in the European aircraft and space industry
Authors: Bremer Rainer
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This article aims to take up a mirror image‐oriented position of the EQF and the announced ECVET system. It seeks to be concerned with the effects that the EQF transformation process into the respective NQF might have on the underlying systems of vocational education and training.

Design/methodology/approach

A comparison is drawn between the competence development the four different VET systems in France, Germany, Spain, and the UK initiated by the identical qualification demands of the sector of aircraft industry (AIRBUS plants in France, Germany, Spain, and the UK). This serves as a finding for the evaluation of the EQF and the effects it will could on the sector of the European aircraft industry.

Findings

Three hypothesises on: convergence of skill requirements because of the technologies and procedures tend to become the same all over the world if the same products are manufactured; divergence of the national VET systems as a consequence of adaptation such requirements; and a structural reference between requirements and the development of competence, are tested and validated.

Research limitations/implications

The research was confined to the aircraft and space industry and one enterprise co‐operating in France, Germany, Spain, and the UK.

Practical implications

It was possible to establish two European occupational profiles for this sector (aircraft mechanic and avionic). The applicability of a method for depicting competence development based on Havighurst's theory of developmental tasks, is expected to be improved.

Originality/value

A method of evaluating competence development was applied that can be used, despite some differences.
Design, materials, and assembly process of high‐density packages with a low‐temperature lead‐free solder (SnBiAg)
Authors: Lau John , Gleason Jerry , Schroeder Valeska , Henshall Gregory , Dauksher Walter , Sullivan Bob
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the design, materials, and assembly process aspects of a study, conducted by The High Density Packaging Users Group Consortium, into process development and solder joint reliability of high‐density packages on printed circuit boards using a low‐melting temperature lead‐free solder (Sn‐57 wt%Bi‐1 wt%Ag).

Design/methodology/approach

The components studied include several SMT package types and various lead configurations. The assembly process addresses the low‐temperature lead‐free assembly process, inspection and analysis of these boards and packages.

Findings

It was found that, the assembly process of the SnBiAg lead‐free test boards is very robust and the assembly yield is almost 100 percent.

Originality/value

The paper is of value by presenting a description of the rationale and material set used for an experiment to test SMT assembly and reliability characteristics using the 57Bi‐42Sn‐1Ag alloy, which has a melting point of 139°C.
Product development for a stigmatized segment
Authors: Franzak Frank , Little Mike , Pitta Dennis
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to describe an innovative practice that has implications for new product developers.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study describes an approach to new product development for a product that satisfies a need, which is fraught with social stigma. Childhood obesity is growing to epidemic proportions in the USA. The problem is the result of a confluence of factors, including a more sedentary lifestyle and pressures on parents to work and spend less time interacting with their children. For its victims, the problem seems intractable.

Findings

The case demonstrates the need for a comprehensive and systematic approach to product development that provides a workable solution that a target segment will embrace. The product described required careful market segmentation beyond the basic economic analysis of who could afford it. The main issue was to portray the benefits in a way that the target audience would accept.

Research limitations/implications

As in all case studies, the specific conditions found in one organization may not be found more generally in others. Readers are cautioned that the conclusion drawn in the case may have limited applicability.

Practical implications

The case depicts an innovative application of a behaviour modification device to a public health problem. Other organizations may find the technique of value in their own efforts.

Originality/value

The case describes a successful application of a medical device to address the childhood obesity problem. The work necessary to ensure that the PARS product was effective represents a new area of investigation in new product development.
Ageing and careers: European research on long‐term career development and early retirement
Authors: van der Heijden Beatrice I.J.M. , Schalk René , van Veldhoven Marc J.P.M.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce a collection of papers about “ageing and careers” that contributes to the literature on two career‐related topics, i.e. long‐term career development and early retirement.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explains the topics, provides background and discussion of the main concepts.

Findings

The paper briefly introduces the six papers in this special issue, their main findings, and the future directions for research that they suggest.

Originality/value

The paper frames the issues and extends the overall knowledge in the field.
Why do small enterprises participate in a programme for competence development?
Authors: Kock Henrik , Gill Andreas , Erik Ellström Per
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to increase our understanding of why firms, specifically small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), participate in a programme for competence development and why firms use different strategies for competence development.

Design/methodology/approach

A study of 17 SMEs that all received support from the European Social Fund, Objective 3 programme. The collection of data is based on semi‐structured interviews with management/owners, internal project leaders, employees and union representatives, feedback seminars with representatives from the studied enterprises, and on analysis of documents.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that all SMEs reported driving forces for competence development relating to both external organizational conditions and internal organizational conditions, to at least a certain degree. Furthermore, there appears to be a strong relationship between observed patterns of driving forces and the strategy for competence development used by the firm.

Practical implications

The SMEs that experience a relatively stronger driving force for competence development initiate problem‐solving efforts to design and implement more elaborated strategies for competence development. The SMEs that experience a lesser degree of driving force for competence development implement less elaborated strategies for competence development.

Originality/value

The paper finds that both external and internal organizational conditions are important in understanding why SMEs undergo competence development programme. Furthermore, the importance of external and internal organizational conditions is not only limited to why the companies participate in a programme for competence development, but also for how they participate, i.e. the strategies used for competence development.
An integrated architecture for an effective knowledge organization
Authors: King William R.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of an integrated architecture in creating an effective knowledge organization (EKO).

Design/methodology/approach

Development of a conceptual model of the architecture of an EKO.

Findings

Managers should strive to develop an integrated EKO but be careful to recognize the many differences in its key elements in doing so.

Originality/value

Provides an EKO concept and an understanding of the limitations that exist in operationalizing this concept.
Successful knowledge management implementation in global software companies
Authors: Mehta Nikhil
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and evaluate a concise framework to examine how global software companies with successful knowledge management (KM) programs create KM‐enabled value.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework was evaluated at three global software companies with successful KM programs. Data were generated based on 20 interviews with various individuals involved with the KM programs of three companies. Interviews were content analyzed by four coders who sorted the data into meaningful categories. Inter‐coder agreement was significant.

Findings

The paper provides evidence of various strategic, technological, and cultural issues influencing the success of KM programs in global software firms. Firms with successful KM programs typically develop three specific capabilities to address these issues. These capabilities, namely, Articulating the KM Strategic Intent, Facilitating the Knowledge Flows to Enable Innovation, and Assessing KM Value, when developed simultaneously, help firms create KM‐enabled value.

Research limitations/implications

Interviews were limited to three companies in the software industry. Future interpretivist studies would benefit from a larger and more diverse sample.

Practical implications

It is suggested that software firms develop specific capabilities to create KM‐enabled value. To provide clear benchmarks for developing these capabilities, a “KM implementation worksheet” is provided.

Originality/value

KM‐enabled value creation is discussed from a unique perspective developed by integrating literature on knowledge‐based view and knowledge management. The paper conducts initial evaluation of the new perspective and provides a roadmap for future research endeavors. Also provided is practical help in the form of a worksheet for practitioners.
Cognitive understanding of knowledge processing and modeling in design
Authors: Fu Qiu Yuan , Ping Chui Yoon , Helander Martin G.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to aim to improve the cognitive understanding of knowledge processing and provide a cognitive knowledge modeling method in product design.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a cognitive model of knowledge processing is described. A cognitive knowledge modeling method is presented. Suggestions on cognitive support for knowledge based systems are provided.

Findings

There is often a fundamental mismatch between the way human process knowledge and the way it is processed by technology for supporting product design. It is necessary to develop tools, methods and technology which integrate seamlessly with the design process. This study focuses on the internal human activities and explores knowledge management research from a human factors perspective. Cognitive knowledge modeling will result in a natural integration of knowledge‐based systems into the design process.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses an experimental approach and hopefully the research can therefore be generalized to other situations.

Practical implications

This study provides guidelines for cognitive support for knowledge‐based systems.

Originality/value

Cognitive knowledge processing is described and a cognitive knowledge modeling method is presented. The paper explores knowledge management research by analyzing human activities, in combination with the study of management and engineering technologies.
Enhanced business reporting: international trends and possible policy directions
Authors: Boedker Christina , Mouritsen Jan , Guthrie James
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine contemporary trends in enhanced business reporting (EBR) and the development of a policy agenda for EBR. The paper aims to build on a submission to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (US SEC) advisory committee on improvements to financial statements (Pozen Committee).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a literature and policy review of intangible assets and intellectual capital.

Findings

Developments in the area of EBR will require to stand the test of practice, policy and research. The paper identifies five areas where recommendations would be welcome. First, the vast diversity in international EBR practice indicates that producers and users struggle with its implantation, suggesting concerns for international harmonisation. Second, the vast diversity in measurement and reporting models also suggests ambiguity about the content of EBR, raising questions as to how EBR techniques might be consolidated. Third, while experimentation with EBR has been increasing in several countries, limited practical insights have been derived from US companies. Fourth, greater visibility needs to be given to EBR, to increase its practical uptake. Fifth, research needs to be focus more on harmonisation. There is a need for further research about the barriers to, and consequences of, harmonisation including analyses of how the diverse frameworks “actually” differ.

Practical implications

This paper informs contemporary debate about EBR and especially the US SEC advisory committee on improvements to financial reporting (Pozen Committee).

Originality/value

This is a study into the contemporary international initiatives and relevant research into EBR, specifically from Europe and Australia.
The future of leadership: the art of leading people in a “post‐managerial” environment
Authors: Karp Tom , Helgø Thomas
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the future concept of leadership. The paper argues a view of leadership in organisations as a shared social influence process of relating, thus challenging mainstream approaches to leadership and the emphasis on leadership as a specialized role.

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptual discussion

Findings

It is suggested herein that the central acts of leadership in the future will be to focus on the emergence of identity and relationships. It is contended that current paradigms of leadership are limited as they assert leadership as a role with fundamental influence over command and control enabling the design of appropriate interventions for future organisational success. This is not consistent with reality in most organisations today, and will be even less consistent in a near future with added complexity. Therefore a future view of leadership is proposed by paying attention to how leadership may be better understood as an emergent phenomenon when people interact.

Research limitations/implications

The research is conceptual in its nature, and not grounded in empirical evidence. Further research work is needed in order to formalize a full leadership theory.

Practical implications

Leaders must then take better account of how identity and relations emerges to understand what constitute leadership – by viewing leadership as a shared social influence process of relating. For a leader this necessitates acknowledging feelings of not being in control as crucial to the leadership process; enables followers to experience their ability and find their way to act in the moment.

Originality/value

The article challenges the current mainstream paradigm of leadership and its powerbase. Its primary value lies in how one thinks of leadership – as position or as something being emergent/dynamic/not in control.
4L tourism (landscape, leisure, learning and limit): responding to new motivations and expectations of tourists to improve the competitiveness of Alpine destinations in a sustainable way
Authors: Franch Mariangela , Martini Umberto , Buffa Federica , Parisi Gerardine
Published: April 2008

Purpose

Most Alpine destinations are currently in the mature phase of the development life cycle, placing them near the precipice that leads toward a period of irreversible decline. After describing the principal reasons for this phenomenon, the paper aims to set forth a strategic response, within the logic of destination re‐engineering, that is based on recent changes in the motivations and behaviors of tourists. A new market segment has emerged that shows a heightened sensitivity to environmental protection, local cultural preservation and to the overall authenticity of the vacation experience. This segment, defined with several terms (eco‐tourism, nature‐based tourism, responsible tourism …), is potentially a very important market in terms of both quantity and quality, on the condition that the destinations should be able to compete by maintaining originally and authentically attractions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on field research with the administration of about 1,000 questionnaires to tourists in one of the main valleys in the Dolomites.

Findings

The paper presents a definition (including the diverse approaches emerging thus far) and a set of descriptive variables of the tourist segment identified as “4L tourism” (landscape, leisure, learning and limit), which could provide the mature destinations to innovate the offering in a sustainable way.

Practical implications

The results make it possible to identify some elements of a behavioral and motivational profile of a new segment of tourist, and to identify new offerings.

Originality/value

The paper presents identification and analysis in the logic of destination marketing of an emerging segment of tourist.