bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Starmerella neotropicalis f. a., sp. nov., a yeast species found in bees and pollen
Authors: Daniel Heide-Marie , Rosa Carlos A. , Thiago-Calaça Paula S. São , Antonini Yasmine , Bastos Esther M. A. F. , Evrard Pierre , Huret Stéphanie , Fidalgo-Jiménez Abel , Lachance Marc-André
Published: August 2013

A novel yeast species was found repeatedly and in high cell densities in underground-nesting stingless bees of the species Melipona quinquefasciata and their provisions in northern Minas Gerais (Brazil). One additional strain was isolated from bee-collected pollen in Cuba. Phylogenetic analyses based on rRNA gene sequences (D1/D2 large subunit gene and internal transcribed spacer) indicated that the novel species belongs to the Starmerella clade and is most closely related to Candida (iter. nom. Starmerella) apicola. Growth reactions on carbon and nitrogen sources were typical of those observed in related species of the Starmerella clade. PCR-fingerprinting with mini- and microsatellite specific primers allowed the distinction of the novel species from Candida apicola, Candida bombi and a yet undescribed species represented by strain CBS 4353. On the basis of phylogenetic relationships, the novel species is assigned to the genus Starmerella despite the failure to observe sexual reproduction after extensive mating tests. We propose the name Starmerella neotropicalis f. a., sp. nov. (Mycobank MB 804285) and designate UFMG PST 09T ( = MUCL 53320T = CBS 12811T) as the type strain.
E3-ubiquitin ligase Nedd4 determines the fate of AID-associated RNA polymerase II in B cells
Authors: Sun Jianbo , Keim Celia D. , Wang Jiguang , Kazadi David , Oliver Paula M. , Rabadan Raul , Basu Uttiya
Published: August 2013

Programmed mutagenesis of the immunoglobulin locus of B lymphocytes during class switch recombination (CSR) and somatic hypermutation requires RNA polymerase II (polII) transcription complex-dependent targeting of the DNA mutator activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID). AID deaminates cytidine residues on substrate sequences in the immunoglobulin (Ig) locus via a transcription-dependent mechanism, and this activity is stimulated by the RNA polII stalling cofactor Spt5 and the 11-subunit cellular noncoding RNA 3′–5′ exonucleolytic processing complex RNA exosome. The mechanism by which the RNA exosome recognizes immunoglobulin locus RNA substrates to stimulate AID DNA deamination activity on its in vivo substrate sequences is an important question. Here we report that E3-ubiquitin ligase Nedd4 destabilizes AID-associated RNA polII by a ubiquitination event, leading to generation of 3′ end free RNA exosome RNA substrates at the Ig locus and other AID target sequences genome-wide. We found that lack of Nedd4 activity in B cells leads to accumulation of RNA exosome substrates at AID target genes and defective CSR. Taken together, our study links noncoding RNA processing following RNA polII pausing with regulation of the mutator AID protein. Our study also identifies Nedd4 as a regulator of noncoding RNAs that are generated by stalled RNA polII genome-wide.
A new role for the cellular PABP repressor Paip2 as an innate restriction factor capable of limiting productive cytomegalovirus replication
Authors: McKinney Caleb , Yu Dong , Mohr Ian
Published: August 2013

The capacity of polyadenylate-binding protein PABPC1 (PABP1) to stimulate translation is regulated by its repressor, Paip2. Paradoxically, while PABP accumulation promotes human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) protein synthesis, we show that this is accompanied by an analogous increase in the abundance of Paip2 and EDD1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase that destabilizes Paip2. Coordinate control of PABP1, Paip2, and EDD1 required the virus-encoded UL38 mTORC1 activator and resulted in augmented Paip2 synthesis, stability, and association with PABP1. Paip2 synthesis also increased following serum stimulation of uninfected normal fibroblasts, suggesting that this coregulation may play a role in how uninfected cells respond to stress. Significantly, Paip2 accumulation was dependent on PABP accrual, as preventing PABP1 accumulation suppressed viral replication and inhibited the corresponding Paip2 increase. Furthermore, depleting Paip2 restored the ability of infected cells to assemble the translation initiation factor eIF4F, promoting viral protein synthesis and replication without increasing PABP1. This establishes a new role for the cellular PABP1 inhibitor Paip2 as an innate defense that restricts viral protein synthesis and replication. Moreover, it illustrates how a stress-induced rise in PABP1 triggered by virus infection can counter and surpass a corresponding increase in Paip2 abundance and stability.
Chromatin targeting drugs in cancer and immunity
Authors: Prinjha Rab , Tarakhovsky Alexander
Published: August 2013

Recent advances in the enzymology of transcription and chromatin regulation have led to the discovery of proteins that play a prominent role in cell differentiation and the maintenance of specialized cell functions. Knowledge about post-synthetic DNA and histone modifications as well as information about the rules that guide the formation of multimolecular chromatin-bound complexes have helped to delineate gene-regulating pathways and describe how these pathways are altered in various pathological conditions. The present review focuses on the emerging area of therapeutic interference with chromatin function for the purpose of cancer treatment and immunomodulation.
The FHA and BRCT domains recognize ADP-ribosylation during DNA damage response
Authors: Li Mo , Lu Lin-Yu , Yang Chao-Yie , Wang Shaomeng , Yu Xiaochun
Published: August 2013

Poly-ADP-ribosylation is a unique post-translational modification participating in many biological processes, such as DNA damage response. Here, we demonstrate that a set of Forkhead-associated (FHA) and BRCA1 C-terminal (BRCT) domains recognizes poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) both in vitro and in vivo. Among these FHA and BRCT domains, the FHA domains of APTX and PNKP interact with iso-ADP-ribose, the linkage of PAR, whereas the BRCT domains of Ligase4, XRCC1, and NBS1 recognize ADP-ribose, the basic unit of PAR. The interactions between PAR and the FHA or BRCT domains mediate the relocation of these domain-containing proteins to DNA damage sites and facilitate the DNA damage response. Moreover, the interaction between PAR and the NBS1 BRCT domain is important for the early activation of ATM during DNA damage response and ATM-dependent cell cycle checkpoint activation. Taken together, our results demonstrate two novel PAR-binding modules that play important roles in DNA damage response.
Loss of BDNF or its receptors in three mouse models has unpredictable consequences for anxiety and fear acquisition
Authors: Olsen Ditte , Kaas Mathias , Schwartz Ole , Nykjaer Anders , Glerup Simon
Published: August 2013

BDNF-induced signaling is essential for the development of the central nervous system and critical for plasticity in adults. Mature BDNF signals through TrkB, while its precursor proBDNF employs p75NTR, resulting in activation of signaling cascades with opposite effects on neuronal survival, growth cone decisions, and synaptic plasticity. Accordingly, variations in the genes encoding BDNF and its receptors sometimes have opposing influences in psychiatric disorders, and despite the vast literature, consensus is lacking about the behavioral consequences of disrupting the activity of the BDNF system in mice. To dissect the behavioral traits affected by dysfunctional BDNF/TrkB vs. proBDNF/p75NTRactivity, we studiedBdnf+/−,Ntrk2+/−, andNgfr−/−mice in parallel with respect to exploratory behavior, anxiety, startle, and fear acquisition. Our data reveal that the effect of proBDNF/BDNF and its receptors on behavior is more complex than expected. Strikingly, receptor-deficient mice displayed increased risk-taking behavior in the open field and elevated plus maze, whereas lack of proBDNF/BDNF had the opposite effect on mouse behavior. On the other hand, although TrkB signaling is instrumental for acquisition of fear memory in an inhibitory avoidance experiment, lack of p75NTRor proBDNF/BDNF conferred increased memory in this task. Importantly, none of the genotypes displayed any deficits in startle reflex, indicating unimpaired response to shock. The combined data illustrate an apparent paradox in the role of the BDNF system in controlling complex behavior and suggest that the individual components may also engage independently in separate signaling pathways.
LESION SIMULATING DISEASE1 Interacts with Catalases to Regulate Hypersensitive Cell Death in Arabidopsis
Authors: Li Yansha , Chen Lichao , Mu Jinye , Zuo Jianru
Published: August 2013

LESION SIMULATING DISEASE1 (lsd1) is an important negative regulator of programmed cell death (PCD) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The loss-of-function mutations in lsd1 cause runaway cell death triggered by reactive oxygen species. lsd1 encodes a novel zinc finger protein with unknown biochemical activities. Here, we report the identification of CATALASE3 (CAT3) as an lsd1-interacting protein by affinity purification and mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis. The Arabidopsis genome contains three homologous catalase genes (CAT1, CAT2, and CAT3). Yeast two-hybrid and coimmunoprecipitation analyses demonstrated that lsd1 interacted with all three catalases both in vitro and in vivo, and the interaction required the zinc fingers of lsd1. We found that the catalase enzymatic activity was reduced in the lsd1 mutant, indicating that the catalase enzyme activity was partially dependent on lsd1. Consistently, the lsd1 mutant was more sensitive to the catalase inhibitor 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole than the wild type, suggesting that the interaction between lsd1 and catalases is involved in the regulation of the reactive oxygen species generated in the peroxisome. Genetic studies revealed that lsd1 interacted with CATALASE genes to regulate light-dependent runaway cell death and hypersensitive-type cell death. Moreover, the accumulation of salicylic acid was required for PCD regulated by the interaction between lsd1 and catalases. These results suggest that the lsd1-catalase interaction plays an important role in regulating PCD in Arabidopsis.
3,3′-[(1RS,3SR)-2-Oxocyclohexane-1,3-diyl]bis[(3RS,3′SR)-3-hydroxyindolin-2-one] dihydrate: organic layers ofR22(8),R22(16) andR66(40) rings linked by tetrameric water aggregates
Authors: Becerra Diana , Insuasty Braulio , Cobo Justo , Glidewell Christopher
Published: August 2013

The organic component of the title compound, C22H20N2O5·2H2O, exhibits approximate but noncrystallographic mirror symmetry. The molecules of the organic component are linked by a combination of one O—H...O hydrogen bond and two N—H...O hydrogen bonds to form sheets containingR22(8),R22(16) andR66(40) rings. These sheets are linked into a continuous three-dimensional framework structure by cyclic centrosymmetricR42(8) water tetramers. Comparisons are made with some simpler analogues.
Heteroscorpionate complexes based on bis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazol-1-yl)dithioacetate
Authors: Tampier Stefan , Burzlaff Nicolai
Published: August 2013

The heteroscorpionate ligand bis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazol-1-yl)dithioacetate (bdtbpzdta) has been synthesized by reacting bis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazol-1-yl)methane withn-BuLi and CS2. The ligand was isolated as [bis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazol-1-yl)dithioacetato](tetrahydrofuran)lithium(I) tetrahydrofuran monosolvate, [Li(C24H39N4S2)(C4H8O)]·C4H8O or [Li(bdtbpzdta)(THF)]·THF, in which the lithium cation is bound by the κ3N,N′,S-coordinated heteroscorpionate ligand. A similar coordination mode is observed for a zinc chloride complex bearing the bdtbpzdta ligand, namely [bis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazol-1-yl)dithioacetato]chloridozinc(II), [Zn(C24H39N4S2)Cl] or [Zn(bdtbpzdta)Cl], which exhibits κ3N,N′,S-coordination and resembles the active site of zinc-containing peptide deformylases (PDFs).
3,4-Dimethyl-N-[1-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)ethylidene]aniline and the 1-(1-thiophen-2-yl) analogue
Authors: Su Bi-Yun , Wang Jia-Xiang , Liu Xiang , Li Qian-Ding
Published: August 2013

The title compounds, 3,4-dimethyl-N-[1-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)ethylidene]aniline, C14H16N2, (I), and its analogue 3,4-dimethyl-N-[1-(1-thiophen-2-yl)ethylidene]aniline, C14H15NS, (II), both have basic heterocyclic imino structures showing a planar backbone with similar features, but differing in the heteroatoms of the five-membered heterocyclic rings,i.e.N in (I) and S in (II). The dihedral angles formed by the five-membered and benzene rings are 81.78 (8) and 75.89 (7)° for (I) and (II), respectively. In (I), centrosymmetric iminopyrrole dimers are assembled by means of two inverted N—H...N hydrogen bonds and two inverted C—H...π interactions. In (II), however, molecules are linked by nonclassical C—H...N hydrogen bonds in which the molecules act as both hydrogen-bond donors and acceptors, resulting in one-dimensional supramolecular chains.
Innovating cost accounting practices in rail transport companies
Authors: Cugini Antonella , Michelon Giovanna , Pilonato Silvia
Published: August 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss an accounting innovation in the cost measurement system of rail transport companies.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors identify the distinctive features that cost accounting systems should have in order to capture the particular structure of the production process of rail transport companies and develop an innovative accounting practice that addresses the specific features of railway services, particularly the high fixed costs associated with the infrastructure. This accounting innovation is applied to Trentino Trasporti, a medium-sized, privately owned passenger railway company operating in the Trentino Alto Adige region of Italy.

Findings

– Evidence suggests that the new accounting practice facilitates the operational connection between the company's resources and their consumption during the provision of transport services.

Practical implications

– This connection enables companies to identify new opportunities for improvement and cost optimisation by finding the real origins of cost consumption in the provision of rail transport services.

Originality/value

– The case analysed also shows the necessity of integrating activity-based costing (ABC) with an accounting innovation that can represent the resources consumed by the various elements of the infrastructure that support the provision of services. This innovation has important managerial outcomes for all service companies that operate with an infrastructure network, including transport, service, and utility companies, and useful implications for the accounting profession that deals with cost systems in networked-based companies.
Hybrid rocket combustion with prevaporized zone
Authors: Lung Lin Jih
Published: August 2013

Purpose

Low combustion completeness has been the main defect of hybrid rockets. The present study tries to address the problem by bringing up the setup of the precombustion zone, which do not increase the manufacture cost and complexity.

Design/methodology/approach

A precombustion zone can provide a space for the liquid oxidizer to vaporize before entering the combustion zone, and prevents the endothermic effect of liquid oxidizer which can block the chemical reaction as well as the fuel regression. Therefore, this design is expected to raise the combustion completeness. The numerical simulation focuses on the flow field inside a cylindrical hybrid combustor. The distribution of temperature, combustion mode, mass fraction of reactants, velocity, combustion completeness, and solid‐fuel regression rate are presented.

Findings

With the setup of prevaporized zone of appropriate length, the upstream separation bubble which is unobvious for the case with no prevaporized zone can increase the mixing of reactants, and then increases the combustion completeness. Besides, the radial temperature distribution is more uniform. But when the length of prevaporized zone exceeds about one fourth of the combustor length, due to no enough space for the reactants to react, the combustion completeness begins to decrease and the radial temperature distribution becomes uneven. Therefore, a prevaporized zone with about 24 per cent of the combustor length can have optimum combustion completeness in the present study.

Originality/value

This study provides a useful design to raise the combustion completeness of a traditional hybrid rocket. However, the manufacture cost and complexity are not increased. So the results can be a good reference for the hybrid rocket designers.
The role of top managers' human and social capital in business model innovation
Authors: Guo Hai , Zhao Jing , Tang Jintong
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to conceptualize the business model from a value network perspective and to investigate how top managers' individual characteristics contribute to business model innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of upper echelons theory and contingency theory, this study empirically examines the micro‐macro link between top managers' human and social capital and firm business model innovation.

Findings

Using survey data collected from 146 Chinese firms, the findings indicate that both top managers' managerial and entrepreneurial skills and managerial ties significantly lead to business model innovation. Furthermore, the interaction between entrepreneurial skills and managerial ties enhances, yet the interaction between managerial skills and managerial ties inhibits business model innovation.

Originality/value

By proposing a value network‐based definition for the business model, this study provides additional insights into the current debate on the definition and architecture of business model. Further, the current study contributes to an emerging body of business model research by demonstrating, for the first time, that a manager's individual characteristics can both directly and interactively drive business model innovation in the context of emerging economies.
An empirical examination of the stability of the alliance of “a company+farmers”
Authors: Fu Shaoling , Lin Jiabao , Sun Liangyuan
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explain the stability of the alliance of “a company+farmers” from the perspective of farmers.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on 462 usable data collected through survey, structural equation modeling (SEM) technology was employed to examine the research model.

Findings

From farmers' perspective, the authors find that the positive correlation between alliance performance and alliance stability, relationship quality promotes alliance performance and different powers have different impacts on relationship quality. Together, these results illustrate the formation process of the stability of the alliance “a company+farmers”.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to a particular sample: farmers from Guangdong and Hainan Province in China. Thus, the results need to be generalized to other samples.

Originality/value

Previous studies do not have good explanations on the formation mechanism of the stability of the alliance of “a company+farmers”. From the perspective of farmers, based on resource dependence theory, social exchange theory, this study builds an empirical model of “power‐relationship quality‐alliance performance‐alliance stability” to address the gap.
Students’ demand for smartphones
Authors: Mohd Suki Norazah
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The study aims to examine structural relationships of product features, brand name, product price and social influence with demand for Smartphones among Malaysian students’.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collected from 320 valid pre‐screened university students studying at the pubic higher learning institution in Federal Territory of Labuan, Malaysia who have experience in using and owning Smartphones, using a structured questionnaire, with closed‐ended questions, employing a convenient sampling technique, were tested against the research model using the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach via AMOS 20.0 computer program.

Findings

Empirical results via SEM divulged that brand name and social influence have an effect on the increasing demand for Smartphones among Malaysian students. The first is confirmed as the most influential factor, followed by the latter. This is according to standardised path coefficients and their statistical signicance.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes significantly to a more thorough understanding of the determinants of demand for Smartphones among Malaysian students’ by emphasizing the dimensions of product features, brand name, product price and social influence. Students’ demand for Smartphones is highly influenced by aspects of the brand name of the Smartphone itself and social influence from friends and family members.

Practical Implications

Smartphone providers, manufacturers, application developers and programmers should improve the current ability and performance of Smartphones by upgrading hardware and software driven services for better user interaction and engagement in order to be marketable and sustainable in meeting consumer unlimited needs and wants. They should also emphasize their brand name in advertising to be well positioned in consumers’ minds when making the decision to purchase and own a Smartphone. Positive viral marketing spread via social networking sites could help Smartphone providers to strengthen the competitive advantage of their product brands. The attractiveness of the message content of the advertisement on the social networking sites could improve marketing strategies of the Smartphone brand.

Originality/value

This study provides valuable insight into consumer behavior regarding Smartphones demand by examining the factors that influence students’ demand for using and owning Smartphones, which is not much covered in the literature in Malaysia context. The lessons can also be replicated in other countries for marketing Smartphones.
Research project leadership stipulation system
Authors: Taghavi Mona , Taghavi Hamed , Taghavi Milad
Published: August 2013

Purpose

Due to the increased research funding which academic institutions receive to perform advanced R&D, there is an indispensable need to have a systematic approach for selecting competent academicians capable of leading such projects. This paper aims to propose an approach to develop a system for Research Project Leadership Stipulation in finding such academicians.

Design/methodology/approach

The system was developed using a decision tree model for leader selection and a neural network model for leader performance prediction, and validated through quantitative and empirical analysis by exercising it on a Research University's Human Resource dataset.

Findings

In contrast with common perception, the results showed that the level of an academic leadership expertise does not alone determine R&D project success. Managerial and intellectual competencies complemented by soft skills are more influencing factors on the success of a research project.

Originality/value

This paper provides a comparative analysis of selection criteria and influencing factors on research project leader's performance in terms of their hard and soft skills. The developed system by this research, selects and intelligently predicts the performance of an academician who possesses optimum ability to lead projects with a high confidence level of successful delivery.
The effect of absorptive capacity perceptions on the context‐aware ubiquitous learning acceptance
Authors: Lin Hsiu‐Fen
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of absorptive capacity (understanding, assimilating and applying u‐learning) perceptions on behavioral intention to use u‐learning through path analysis and applies the technology acceptance model (TAM) as a theoretical foundation, simultaneously improving the model by adopting prior mobile experience as a meaningful moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 212 students in Taiwan and various relationships in the research model were tested using the partial least squares approach.

Findings

The findings show that perceived usefulness and ease of use are determinants of student acceptance of u‐learning. Absorptive capacity (understanding, assimilating and applying u‐learning) perceptions influence perceived usefulness and ease of use of u‐learning. Additionally, assessment of the moderating effect of prior mobile experience on model relationships reveals insights into the determinants of behavioral intention to use u‐learning.

Practical implications

Personal absorptive capacity to understand, assimilate, and apply u‐learning affects student perceptions of usefulness and ease of use of u‐learning, which in turn influence usage intentions. Thus, students should be offered demonstrations of how to operate u‐learning. More importantly, training courses on various mobile and context‐aware services should be provided to students to equip them with comprehensive knowledge of u‐learning, improve their real‐world observational skills, reduce anxiety associated with u‐learning, and increase their confidence in using u‐learning.

Originality/value

Theoretically, while drawing upon the TAM, this study aims to provide a model that capable of understanding the determinants of behavioral intention to use u‐learning. From the practical perspective, the findings should provide further insight into student behaviors resulting, leading to more effective strategies for developing a u‐learning environment.
Robot selection based on grey‐MULTIMOORA approach
Authors: Datta Saurav , Sahu Nitin , Mahapatra Siba
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report an efficient decision‐support system for industrial robot selection. It seeks to analyze potential robot selection attributes with a relatively new MCDM approach which employs grey set theory coupled with MULTIMOORA method.

Design/methodology/approach

Use of interval‐valued grey numbers (IVGN) adapted from grey theory has been explored to tackle subjective evaluation information collected from an expert group; finally MULTIMOORA (multi‐objective optimization by ratio analysis) method has been applied in order to aggregate individual criterion/attribute scores into an equivalent evaluation index towards evaluating feasible ranking order of candidate alternative robots.

Findings

An empirical study has also been shown here for better understanding of the said selection‐module; effectively applicable to any other decision‐making scenarios.

Originality/value

This method is computationally very simple, easily comprehensible, and robust which can simultaneously consider numerous subjective attributes. Grey MULTIMOORA ranking is expected to provide a good guidance to the managers of an organization to select the feasible robot. It will also provide a good insight to the robot manufacturer so that it can improve its product or introduce a new product to satisfy customer needs.
Fitting fathers into work‐family policies: international challenges in turbulent times
Authors: O'Brien Margaret
Published: August 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the international challenges of fitting fathers into work‐family policies at a time of global economic turbulence.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper's design is a comparative policy analysis approach using international working time, paternity, maternity and parental leave data from selected rich, middle and poorer income nations. Leave policies are examined in relation to the place of fathers in the work‐family policy mix between 2010 and 2011.

Findings

Short well‐compensated paternity leave provision is emerging in poorer and middle income countries but none offer the range of father‐targeted parental leave innovation observed in some richer nations. A comparison of leave policy changes effecting fathers between 2010 and 2011 showed resilience in face of economic downturn particularly in European countries.

Research limitations/implications

Global data on fathers' working hours, paternity leave and men's access to parental leave are difficult to access and more effort in data standardisation is required to build on this study.

Practical implications

Inter‐governmental bodies play an important role in the promotion of father‐friendly employment measures even in countries with strong male breadwinner cultures.

Originality/value

This policy analysis extends scholarship on how societies promote and regulate cultural constructions of fatherhood in families and in the workplace. It suggests that drivers to fit fathers into work‐family policies are mixed and do not easily map on to country classifications or policy regimes.
Clouds over Spain: work and family in the age of austerity
Authors: Grau‐Grau Marc
Published: August 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to the academic literature in two ways. Firstly, the paper will analyse the impact of the financial crisis on the level of flexibility, autonomy and stress of Spanish employees. Secondly, it aims to identify if the impact of the economic crisis on the work‐family balance differs by sex, educational level, economic sector and regions across Spain.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews relevant literature in social policy and work‐family balance. Two databases (2005 Ad hoc Module on work life balance; 2010 Ad hoc module on conciliation between working life and family life) were analysed in order to characterise work‐family balance before and during the economic recession.

Findings

The findings revealed that: economic crisis had a negative impact on the control and autonomy that Spaniards had of their jobs; economic crisis diminishes the level of flexibility at work; and economic crisis had a negative impact on the level of stress among Spanish employees.

Research limitations/implications

The paper lays out several avenues for further research which would provide additional insight into the relationship between economic crisis and work‐family balance.

Originality/value

Despite the explosive growth in the work‐family literature, it is not easy to find empirical evidence showing the relationship between financial crisis and work‐family balance. This paper fills some of the gaps. Moreover, the case of Spain is very interesting given the very specific circumstances of austerity there.
A conditionally heteroskedastic global inflation model
Authors: Morales‐Arias Leonardo , Moura Guilherme V.
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose and test empirically an inflation model containing permanent and transitory heteroskedastic components for the G7 countries. More specifically, recent evidences from the literature are gathered to construct a model with a heteroskedastic global component capturing comovements amongst G7 economies. Moreover, evidence of asymmetric generalized autoregressive conditionally heteroskedastic effects both in the transitory and in the permanent components are taken into account, and the time‐varying variance of each component allows their influence over the observable inflation to change over time. Out‐of‐sample forecasting exercises are used to test the model validity.

Design/methodology/approach

The model is written in state‐space form and estimation is carried out in one step via quasi‐maximum likelihood using the augmented Kalman filter, which allows us to compute smoothed estimates of permanent and of transitory components of inflation rates. Out‐of‐sample forecasts are compared against a random walk (RW) and an autoregressive (AR) model of order one. The significance of the differences in forecast accuracy is tested using the Diebold‐Marino test, the forecast encompassing test, and the Pesaran and Timmermann test.

Findings

The proposed model fits the data quite well and has good forecasting capabilities when compared to RW and to AR models of order one. The volatility of the global inflation trend extracted from the model captures the international effects of the “Great Moderation” and of the “Great Recession”. An increase in correlation of inflation for certain country pairs since the start of the “Great Recession” is observed. Moreover, there is evidence of asymmetry in inflation volatility, which is consistent with the idea that higher inflation levels lead to greater uncertainty about future inflation.

Originality/value

This article introduces a new global inflation model with permanent and transitory heteroskedastic components incorporating many recent findings of the literature, and proposes a one step estimation procedure for it. The model fits very well the data and produces good out‐of‐sample forecasts.
Determinants of foreign direct investment in OECD member countries
Authors: Alam Abdullah , Zulfiqar Ali Shah Syed
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to get an insight into the potential determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) for a panel of ten OECD member countries over the period of 1985‐2009.

Design/methodology/approach

Granger causality tests have been implemented in the study to identify causalities, both in the short‐ and long‐run, between FDI and the variables that emerge as significant determinants of FDI during the regression analysis.

Findings

The fixed effects estimation indicates that market size, labor cost and quality of infrastructure yield significant coefficients in relation to FDI for the panel of countries under study. A bi‐directional short‐run relationship is established between market size and labor costs in the short‐run; whereas quality of infrastructure causes market size and labor costs in the short‐run. For the long‐run deviation of FDI from equilibrium, market size, labor costs and quality of infrastructure all bear the joint burden in the short‐run to re‐establish the equilibrium.

Practical implications

The research findings have a number of policy implications for the OECD countries in specific and other developed economies in general. Labor costs seem to affect the FDI decision on the part of investors; therefore, the countries with low labor costs are preferred by investors in order to reduce the cost of their business and products. Policies should be devised to reduce the labor costs and improve the equality of infrastructure in the country in order to attract more FDI into the economy and for quick adjustment purposes in case of shock to the system.

Originality/value

This paper investigates the relationship and significance of nine potential determinants of FDI in ten OECD member nations using panel data methods. The practices that are undertaken in developed and established economies are of vast significance to the economies that are in transition stages. The paper uncovers some important factors influencing FDI in the ten countries under study and provide a guide‐map for other developed countries.
Medium secure care: forensic aspects of autism and Asperger's syndrome
Authors: Barkham Elizabeth , Gunasekaran Santhana , Lovelock Caroline
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer a general review of care for individuals on the autism spectrum, including Asperger's syndrome within a medium secure setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors undertook a review of the current literature relating to pathways to care, offending characteristics and treatment interventions. They examined the available evidence and current practice.

Findings

Available evidence suggests offending characteristics of individuals with autism are different to those of mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Limited evidence in treatment interventions and in risk management for those with autism presents a challenge to clinicians. The heterogeneity makes a strong case for an individualised case formulation approach to treatment and risk management.

Originality/value

This paper offers an overview of the current evidence base relating to the treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders within medium secure settings.
“Getting on” and “getting by” underground
Authors: Timothy Phakathi Sizwe
Published: August 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the interaction between formal and informal organisation of work inside the pit, with reference to the informal working or coping strategy of “making a plan” (planisa).

Design/methodology/approach

The research for this paper was ethnographic in nature and the participant observation was the main research technique used in the field.

Findings

The underground gold miners make a plan or engage in planisa to offset the production bottlenecks which affected their capacity to achieve their production targets and increase their bonus earnings. They “get on and get by” underground in order to cope with organisational constraints and management inefficiencies.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the limits of formal organisation of work and the significance of gold miners’ informal work strategy of making a plan (planisa) as an existing and alternative working practice that shapes their subjective orientation, agency and resilience to work structures and managerial strategies. Any strategy designed to improve the health, safety and productivity of underground miners must recognise, elaborate and systematically articulate the workplace culture of planisa as an existing work practice in the day‐to‐day running of the production process down the mine.
The mediating role of perceived organizational support in the effects of interpersonal and informational justice on organizational citizenship behaviors
Authors: Cheung Millissa F.Y.
Published: August 2013

Purpose

Our purpose is to examine whether and how perceived organizational support (POS) mediates the effects of informational and interpersonal justice on organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were randomly collected from 159 matched supervisor‐subordinate dyads of three engineering firms in Hong Kong in different sites and period of time.

Findings

Results of structural equation modeling indicated that POS fully mediated the effects of interpersonal and informational justice on citizenship behaviors that are directed at the organization (OCBO) and its members (OCBI).

Research limitations/implications

Cross‐sectional research design limits the reveal of causality in variables. The findings theoretically integrate justice with POS literature by distinguishing the unique effects of interpersonal and informational justice on OCBO and OCBI through the mediating role of POS.

Practical implications

The success of leaders lie in whether they are trained to comply with the informational and interpersonal rules as well as show respect and provide candid information to the employees on a daily encounter. Also, the leaders may help cultivating subordinates’ a favorable perception of POS by passing on clear messages to subordinates that organization cares about and accounted to them.

Originality/value

The use of POS as a mediator on distinguishing interpersonal and informational justice on OCB is unprecedented. Most justice research has been focussed on distributive and procedural justice or situational factors that moderate the justice‐OCB link. But, this study has strength of clarifying the links among interpersonal and informational justice, POS, and OCB on professional employees in a non‐North‐America context.
Perceived risk, usage frequency of mobile banking services
Authors: Chen ChauShen
Published: August 2013

Purpose

This study discusses the effects of diffusion and adopters of mobile banking services (MBSs), perceived risk, brand awareness, and brand image of MBS providers, on attitude toward using MBSs, and on intention to use MBSs. In accordance with sample usage frequency in MBSs, this study subgroups the sample population into several behavioral segments (frequent/infrequent users) to concentrate sample characteristics and the behavioral models.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from the 610 valid questionnaires collected in Taiwan were analyzed by SPSS and LISREL. In accordance with sample usage frequency in MBSs, this study subgroups the sample population into several behavioral segments (frequent/infrequent users) to concentrate sample characteristics and the behavioral models.

Findings

Analytical results demonstrate that mobile banking users with different behavioral patterns have dissimilar perceptions of innovation benefits and risk. Moreover, brand awareness and brand image of the MBSs provider are crucial exogenous factors associated with attitude and intention to use MBSs. Finally, this study presents several suggestions for researchers, bankers, and marketers.

Originality/value

This study examined MBSs in Taiwan, with an enhanced investigation model includes diffusion of innovation, TPA, second‐order risk sub‐dimensions, and brand effects on attitude and intention. The contributions of this study includes: this is the first study that incorporate brand awareness, and brand image in discussing mobile banking adoption behavior; meanwhile, this study incorporate a five factors risk structure, discussing perceived risk detailed in financial risk, performance risk, time risk, psychological risk, and privacy risk. Furthermore, this study is the first study that has differentiated between different consumer types: frequent and infrequent users. The findings of this study is practical in providing MBS for bankers.
Is maximum customer service always a good thing? Customer satisfaction in response to over‐attentive service
Authors: Ku Hsuan‐Hsuan , Kuo Chien‐Chih , Chen Martin
Published: August 2013

Purpose

To investigate customer satisfaction with service encounters characterized by an over‐attentive level of service, and the contextual and individual factors moderating the resulting satisfaction scores.

Design/methodology/approach

The first of three formal experiments tests the prediction that consumer reactions vary with the margin between actual and expected levels of service. The second examines the influence of the tendency to psychological reactance on participants’ responses to excessive service. The third assesses the effect of a predisposition to suspiciousness on satisfaction scores, in scenarios which, respectively, specify that extremely over‐attentive service or “normal” service are directed at participants personally or is offered to all customers unselectively.

Findings

The first experiment found moderately excessive service to be acceptable to most participants but unexpectedly over‐attentive service to affect satisfaction negatively. The second found the negative impact of extremely over‐attentive service to be limited to participants with a greater tendency to psychological reactance. The third found that a high predisposition to suspicion resulted in lower satisfaction levels whether the scenario specified extremely over‐attentive service that was personal or on offer to all, whereas the satisfaction scores of participants with a lower predisposition to suspicion were not affected in those scenarios.

Originality/value

Whereas the relevant literature has focussed on customer reactions to service that falls below expectations, this paper studies service encounters in which it surpasses them. It hypothesizes a counterproductive effect on customer satisfaction and identifies contextual and individual factors that explain and predict that outcome.
A metamorphosis of the traditional accountant
Authors: Van Akkeren Jeanette , Buckby Sherrena , MacKenzie Kim
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The aim of the study is to identify the latest trends in accounting forensic work in Australia by examining how accounting firms that specialise in forensic services meet the needs of their clients, and to inform universities on the appropriate curricula to ensure the knowledge and skills of future graduates meet industry expectations.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodological approach taken in this study was exploratory, and qualitative semi‐structured interviews were the primary data collection instrument used.

Findings

Findings from 32 interviews with Australian practising forensic professionals suggest that these services are broad and complex. Opinions differ widely on the best way forward for this area of the accounting profession. Both work‐based and personal attributes required by practising forensic professionals together with the wide range of complex services offered in Australia are presented in a posited model, providing a unique contribution to international forensic accounting literature. Forensic services firms require strong work‐based skills such as oral and written communication skills, technology and analytical skills, in addition to an accounting qualification, as part of their under‐graduate or post‐graduate degrees.

Practical implications

Perceptions were also that graduates require strong interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, intelligence and the ability to work independently and although this has been reported in the literature previously, findings from this study suggest there is still a deficiency in forensic accounting graduates skill set, particularly in relation to oral and written communication. The lack of an Australian‐based forensic accounting certification was also raised.

Originality/value

Both work‐based skills and personal attributes are presented in a posited model of the Australian forensic accountant, providing a unique contribution to international forensic accounting literature.
Insights on strategic management practices in Nepal
Authors: Krishna Shrestha Binod , Ram Gnyawali Devi
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how managers in Nepalese business organizations and non‐profit non‐government organizations understand and practice strategic management and to what extent such understanding and practices differ from those in western countries.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth case studies of eight business organizations and non‐government organizations (NGOs) were prepared based on multiple data collection such as interviews and review of reports and the cases were analyzed to identify several themes for discussion of similarities and differences in the views and practices of strategic management.

Findings

Managers in Nepal have developed some shared understanding of key aspects of strategic management and practice some important aspects of strategic management; much remains to be done in order for them to develop a clear strategic focus so that they could develop their abilities to compete with global players and to create competitive advantages.

Research limitations/implications

This study suggested several avenues for future research for more systematic and data‐driven studies on the roles of international exposure on managers, international partners, national culture and other macro environmental conditions on strategic management practices in Nepal and South Asia.

Practical implications

The research findings are useful for managers of business organizations and non‐government organizations to develop their strategies for superior performance in South Asian countries characterized by volatile business environment and resource constraints.

Social implications

NGOs which work for social development need to improve their strategic management practices with more rigorous and resilient strategic implementation in Nepal.

Originality/value

This research is unique in the context of Nepal and will be useful in similar contexts. The findings contribute to understanding the strategic management practices in a unique culture.