bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A SmartSpace for automation
Authors: Sastry Shivakumar
Published: April 2004

A SmartSpace is an integrated, intelligent, environment that facilitates new dimensions of human interaction with computing and physical environments by leveraging emerging trends in pervasive computing. The SmartSpace for automation (SSA) proposed here facilitates interactions between humans and an automation system. Current human‐computer interaction (HCI) approaches for automation are based on a state‐transition paradigm using splintered devices that are attached locally to controllers. Such approaches are unlikely to extend to future generations of automation systems because of the fundamental limitations they impose on the tasks that can be accomplished, the lack of support for holistic system‐wide decision‐making, and the lack of a systematic framework that can guide the adoption of emerging pervasive devices for HCI activities. The approach we describe for developing an SSA is based on a goal‐seeking paradigm and emphasizes the explicit representation and resolution of uncertainties.
Developing automated e‐survey and control tools: an application in industrial management
Authors: Scornavacca Eusebio , Luiz Becker Joao , Barnes Stuart J.
Published: April 2004

The application of the Internet to traditional business and administrative activities has introduced considerable digitisation and process automation. One key area of development from a research perspective is the use of electronic (e‐)surveys, based on Internet technology. E‐surveys can bring many benefits from a research perspective, including extremely low marginal costs, automation of processes, and the ability to collect and manage very large samples. However, experience in the use of e‐surveys has found considerable challenges in achieving a quality sample frame and response rates. This paper explores the development of an e‐survey tool for assessing information needs of growth enterprises in Brazil. A key learning from the use of the survey is the use of control methods for both improving the response rate, and, as a consequence, the sample frame.
Integrating product and process information in the construction sector
Authors: Bouchlaghem D. , Kimmance A.G. , Anumba C.J.
Published: April 2004

Collaborative working in construction projects is becoming very important as many activities are usually performed involving actors based in different geographical locations. Recent years have seen the emergence and development of a plethora of visual software modelling tools, modelling standards, methods for wide enterprise concurrent engineering, and techniques for exchanging and sharing construction information between software applications. This paper describes an integrated product and process information modelling system developed to manage information essential to construction managers. The integrated conceptual model is based on information and functional requirements and was developed to model both product and process information in a hierarchical manner. The also shows how the model relates to practice, and presents the benefits that are gained from structuring information using this approach.
Innovation‐driven learning in new product development: a conceptual model
Authors: Zhang Qingyu , Lim Jeen‐Su , Cao Mei
Published: April 2004

This paper develops a conceptual framework that incorporates three innovation strategies and three learning activities through the mechanism of four conversion processes in new product development. Also included is the impact of the three learning activities on performance. The framework can provide a tool for systematically examining the effectiveness of product innovation efforts.
Banner advertisement and Web site congruity effects on consumer Web site perceptions
Authors: Newman Eric J. , Stem Donald E. , Sprott David E.
Published: April 2004

Of the many approaches to building a brand’s image on the Internet, a Web site is one of the most important tools for managers. An important decision made by Web site managers is whether to place banner advertisements on their brand’s Web site (e.g. The New Yorker Web site placing an ad for polo.com). While banner advertisements are widespread in the marketplace, it is unclear whether Web sites containing such advertisements may be harming themselves by such a practice. This study addresses this issue by investigating the impact of banner advertisement and Web site congruity on consumer attitudes toward a brand’s Web site. The results of an experiment indicate that if managers include such advertisements on their Web site, these advertisements should be consistent with the Web site brand and that certain consumer characteristics should be considered. Implications of the research for brand management and advertising on the Internet are provided.
Endowed faculty chairs are a waste of money (except mine)
Authors: Rotfeld Herbert Jack
Published: April 2004

Increasing amounts of funds are given to universities each year that are to be invested and endow special salary supplements and spending allowances for named faculty. Donors’ motives are varied, but for the schools, the special use is a way to attract and retain faculty with national research reputations. From a marketing point of view, the school administrators believe that having the funds to attract these faculty to their department rolls has a positive impact on the school’s reputation. Yet there are serious questions as to what schools actually are getting for the spending competition to attract over‐priced academic superstars while the lower paid faculty remain the main contact with students. At worst, the holders of the positions are disconnected from the broader campus community.
Promoting brand benefits: the role of consumer psychographics and lifestyle
Authors: Orth Ulrich R. , McDaniel Mina , Shellhammer Tom , Lopetcharat Kannapon
Published: April 2004

Because consumers can vary greatly in their value composition, they may seek a range of different benefits from products and brands and hence will react differently to marketing communications emphasizing selected brand benefits. The present study adapts a scale for measuring benefits that drive consumer preferences for craft beer. As part of this process, five dimensions of utility are identified, such as functional, value for money, social, positive and negative emotional benefit. In order to support decisions on market segmentation and brand positioning, those dimensions of benefit are profiled against consumer brand preferences, lifestyle segments, demographic and behavioral variables. Based on the results, guidelines for communication strategies are offered that address the benefits sought by specific segments more holistically.
Patronage motives of mature consumers in the selection of food and grocery stores
Authors: Moschis George , Curasi Carolyn , Bellenger Danny
Published: April 2004

We live in an aging society, thus, it is important for businesses to develop a solid understanding of the older consumer. The food and grocery store industry is no exception since mature consumers spend more money on the average at food stores than their younger aged counterparts. Because there are marked differences within the large, mature consumer market, different marketing strategies are required even within this market to ensure the greatest success. This research employs a random, nation‐wide, sample of 10,500 names of household heads drawn from seven age categories. The literature from a wide range of disciplines was examined to explore factors and events affecting preferences and motives in the selection of food stores. Using factor analysis, four gerontological segments resulted that best describe the mature consumer market. Marketing strategies are offered suggesting how to most effectively appeal to older consumers in general as well as more precise strategies for successfully appealing to the four gerontological segments.
An assessment of supermarket loyalty cards in one major US market
Authors: Bellizzi Joseph A. , Bristol Terry
Published: April 2004

A survey was conducted in a large US metropolitan area of the West. The objective of the study was to determine if loyalty cards issued by supermarkets are actually associated with customer loyalty and how loyalty cards compare with other factors that retailers could use to enhance supermarket loyalty. The results indicate that loyalty cards are not associated with supermarket loyalty. Frequent users of loyalty cards are more likely to shop at different stores and use loyalty cards from several stores. The consumer respondents indicated that there are a number of factors other than having a supermarket loyalty card that would be more likely to increase their loyalty to any one supermarket. Besides confirming the universally accepted belief that consumers would be more loyal to conveniently located supermarkets, the respondents identified a few other factors that would enhance their supermarket loyalty such as stores that offer fast check‐out lanes. Loyalty factors were cluster analyzed into three categories, those most important, those least important, and those of moderate importance.
E‐profile: Open Archives Initiative Data Providers. Part I: General
Authors: McKiernan Gerry
Published: April 2004

Profiles, in the first of a series, more recently established Open Archives Initiative (OAI) data providers whose content is not only “harvestable” by OAI service providers, and which offer open access to institutional and discipline information resources in a wide variety of publication and media formats. Looks at the Digital Library of the Commons; E‐LIS: E‐prints in Library and Information Science; INFOMINE; and the Open Video Project.
Performance measurement and adoption of balanced scorecards
Authors: Lilian Chan Yee‐Ching
Published: April 2004

To deal with financial constraints and increasing demand on accountability, government administrators have begun implementing modern management tools in their organizations. The balanced scorecard, a performance and strategic management system, has been adopted in for‐profit organizations with success and its application in the government sector is explored in this study. Results of a survey of municipal governments in the USA and Canada show that there is limited use of the balanced scorecard. Most municipal governments, however, have developed measures to assess their organizations' financial, customer satisfaction, operating efficiency, innovation and change, and employee performance. Respondent administrators, in general, have confidence in the quality of the performance measures and about half reported that these measures were used to support various management functions. The respondent administrators also have a good understanding of the balanced scorecard and the implementers are positive about their experience.
Performance measurementfor stakeholders
Authors: Wisniewski Mik , Stewart Derek
Published: April 2004

With continuing pressures for transparency, accountability and value for money, measuring the performance of public sector organisations is attracting increasing academic and management attention. However, little attention appears to have been paid to the performance information needs of stakeholders. This paper describes work with a number of Scottish local authority services to develop an information portfolio that would meet the performance measurement needs of diverse stakeholders. Overall, the approach was found to be useful, allowing services to identify the key stakeholders with an interest in their service's performance, the judgements about performance that each group wanted to make and the key information that stakeholders would need.
New public management reform and the construction of organizational identities
Authors: Skålén Per
Published: April 2004

An underlying and fundamental aim of the new public management (NPM) reform program is to transform the organizational identity of public organizations into a business‐like identity. In this paper the construction of organizational identity as an effect of NPM initiatives is analyzed from a sensemaking perspective. The study draws on data from a two‐and‐a‐half‐year study of the introduction of NPM at the public health care authority in the region of Värmland in Sweden. It is concluded that NPM creates heterogeneous, conflicting and fluid organizational identities rather than the uniform and stable business identity it is supposed to.
The emotional bond: vision and organizational commitment among high‐tech employees
Authors: Dvir Taly , Kass Naama , Shamir Boas
Published: April 2004

The new transformational leadership theories stress the emotional bond between leaders and followers, as opposed to the cognitive‐calculative exchange emphasized by traditional transactional theories. However, very little empirical research has concentrated on the effects of transformational leaders on emotion‐ versus cognition‐focused aspects of their followers' world. This study tested the relationships of vision, a common theme to all of the prominent new leadership theories, to the emotion‐focused affective commitment (AC) versus the cognition‐focused continuance commitment (CC) to the organization. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 183 high‐tech employees. The quantitative results confirmed that vision formulation, content of social‐oriented values, and assimilation were positively related to AC to the organization, and unrelated to CC. The qualitative evidences deepened our understanding on the positive relationships of a balanced transcendental and realistic content of the vision and a high level of sharedness in vision assimilation processes to affective organizational commitment.
The transformational leader: who is (s)he? A feminist perspective
Authors: Kark Ronit
Published: April 2004

As women increasingly enter leadership roles that traditionally have been occupied by men, and with the increasing diffusion of transformational leadership theory, there is growing interest in the relationship between gender and transformational leadership. A wide array of feminist theories that have emerged in the last decades offer conceptual lenses, which can enrich an understanding of the role of gender in the organizational context and the study of leadership. This paper explores how various approaches in feminist thought intersect with the study of gender and transformational/charismatic leadership. I reviewed earlier studies with reference to the different feminist approaches, demonstrating how each reveals a different facet in the understanding of gender and transformational leadership. Finally, I point to the perspectives that have been neglected in this stream of research and offer directions for future research.
Transformational leadership and team performance
Authors: Dionne Shelley D. , Yammarino Francis J. , Atwater Leanne E. , Spangler William D.
Published: April 2004

Despite transformational leadership enjoying success and attention as an exceptional leadership theory, few scholars have investigated a specific link between transformational leadership theory and team performance. As such, we discuss how transformational leadership theory can provide a framework in which to investigate a leader's impact on team performance. We posit that idealized influence/inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration could produce intermediate outcomes such as shared vision, team commitment, an empowered team environment and functional team conflict. In turn, these intermediate outcomes may positively affect team communication, cohesion and conflict management. Implications for team development, team training and team structure are presented. Limitations and future directions are also discussed.
The Leeds “food deserts” intervention study: what the focus groups reveal
Authors: Wrigley Neil , Warm Daniel , Margetts Barrie , Lowe Michelle
Published: April 2004

This paper outlines the research agenda of the food deserts in British Cities project, and reports findings from a set of qualitative focus group studies conducted following a major retail provision intervention in a low‐income, deprived area of Leeds. It explores the impacts of the transformation of physical access to full‐range retailing in the area, and assesses the views of the residents who had switched their main food source as a result of the intervention compared to those who had not. Finally, it interrogates residents’ perceptions of the impact (if any) of the intervention on their food consumption habits and their potential to eat a more healthy diet.
Managing customer preferences in a multi‐channel environment using Web services
Authors: Ganesh Jai
Published: April 2004

The technology impact on the various functions in retailing has been increasing. As the number of channels for a retailer increases, managing the dynamics of customer behaviour in the rapidly emerging multi‐channel environment becomes complex. Building and retaining a long‐term association with customers require that relationship management applications should be able to accommodate the various channels. Multi‐channel customers are the most valuable customers and hence multi‐channel integration would improve customer loyalty and retention. This paper considers the impact of Web services on multi‐channel integration, the customer decision‐making process and the implications of effectively managing buyer behaviour for competitive advantage. The role of Web services is explored with the help of a few customer purchase scenarios.
A guide to developing and managing a well‐integrated multi‐channel retail strategy
Authors: Berman Barry , Thelen Shawn
Published: April 2004

A well‐integrated multi‐channel format enables consumers to examine goods at one channel, buy them at another channel, and finally pick them up at a third channel. Multichannel retailing offers synergies, as it can result in an increased customer base, added revenue, and higher market share. Common characteristics of a well‐integrated retail strategy include: highly‐integrated promotions, product consistency across channels, an integrated information system that shares customer, pricing and inventory data across multiple channels, a process that enables store pick‐up for items purchased on the Web or through a catalog, and the search for multi‐channel opportunities with appropriate partners. This article provides a check‐list to enable a retailer to assess its readiness to undertake a multi‐channel strategy.
Developments in information and communication technologies for retail marketing channels
Authors: Barlow Alexis K.J. , Siddiqui Noreen Q. , Mannion Mike
Published: April 2004

Online shopping is unattractive to many people, because they prefer a fuller social interaction engaging senses other than sight and sound prevalent in most online shopping channels. Advances in information and communications technologies (ICTs) will permit online multi‐sensory engagement between people, and between people and products, providing opportunities for new marketing channels and enhancing existing marketing channels. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview for retail marketing managers of some developments in ICTs that will enhance the online shopping experience, so that they can make informed choices when designing their marketing strategies.
Channel collaboration and firm value proposition
Authors: Tuominen Matti
Published: April 2004

In recent years, “efficient consumer response” has replaced prior management fads and rules of the competitive landscape in the field of grocery trade. This initiative thrives on creating value for the final customers through an efficient supply chain value system, and simultaneously appropriate value for the channel members involved. However, much of the evidence to date remains anecdotal, and thus, the channel collaboration – value conduct reminds a “black box”. We adopt a capabilities view and a contingency framework is proposed to test the postulated relationships between the key constructs by deploying multi‐country data. Our results indicate a strong positive association between channel collaboration and firm value proposition, and further that the relationship has a contingency specific profile. In managerial terms, business executives must carefully design a match between the strategic channel posture the firm possesses and its value creating and appropriating capability profile in managing collaborative channel relationships.
Are non‐itemized purchase receipts issued by stores without price scanners a concern for Australian shoppers?
Authors: Miranda Mario J. , Kónya László , Havrila Inka
Published: April 2004

Significant number of consumers in Australia patronizes non‐scanning stores in spite of not being issued itemized receipts for the goods they purchase. In order to understand the attitude of consumers to receipts that give only limited information, shoppers exiting non‐scanning stores were surveyed for their use of purchase receipts. This study compares consumers' use of purchase receipts issued by non‐price scanning stores and those issued by price scanning stores. It appears that shoppers are largely indifferent to the details on the purchase receipt except when they are concerned with returning or exchanging the item(s) purchased.
Expected profit approach used in discount pricing decisions for perishable products
Authors: Sezen Bülent
Published: April 2004

Consumers are less likely to purchase perishable goods when their expiry dates are near. For this reason, retailers frequently implement a discount pricing policy when the products have reached closer to their expiry dates. This paper introduces a simple methodology for helping the managers in their discount pricing decisions. Based on the expected value approach, the suggested method utilizes the probability values obtained from the past experiences and calculates an expected profit value for each alternative discount policy. Decision maker then selects the discount policy with the highest expected profit.
The future of archives and manuscripts
Authors: Jimerson Randall C.
Published: April 2004

The archival profession faces many challenges in the near future, including electronic records, new technology, defining the profession, diversity, cooperation with other information professions, access to records, and enhancing the public image of archivists. Individual archivists and manuscripts curators also face daily challenges of resources, funding, and time. However, there are many resources available for learning more about manuscripts and archives.
Interaction between management accounting and supply chain management
Authors: Martinez Ramos Miguel
Published: April 2004

Despite its importance in other disciplines and its rapid proliferation in organizational practice, until recently supply chain management (SCM) has had only a relatively modest impact on management accounting research. This research note focuses on the potential role that management accounting information can play in SCM. From an alternative point of view, a reverse impact of the supply chain activities on management accounting (intra‐ and inter‐firm) practices and uses can be expected. Both perspectives are analysed in this paper.
Aerospace parts suppliers’ reaction to online reverse auctions
Authors: Emiliani M.L. , Stec D.J.
Published: April 2004

Presents the results of a survey conducted among aerospace part and sub‐assembly suppliers to quantitatively assess their reaction to online reverse auctions and its impact on their business policies and practices. Findings are compared to the qualitative benefits identified for suppliers by third party online reverse auction service providers. Determines that incumbent suppliers do not realize the benefits suggested by online reverse auction service providers. Identifies new sources of costs which accrue to buyers and are not accounted for in so‐called “total cost” request for quotes, including retaliatory pricing practices, less cooperative relationships, and sourcing work back to the original supplier. Concludes that both buyers and sellers participating in online reverse auctions will likely encounter unfavorable outcomes, thus questioning the effectiveness of this new purchasing tool as a means of reducing the unit price of buyer‐designed engineered components.
Methodology to mitigate supplier risk in an aerospace supply chain
Authors: Raj Sinha Pankaj , Whitman Larry E. , Malzahn Don
Published: April 2004

Supply chain design is frequently performed from the perspective of a single supplier‐customer relationship. However, as a supplier provides value to different supply chains, it becomes increasingly difficult to optimize each supply chain. Each supply chain has different requirements, procedures, and formats. A member may have requirements placed upon them by one member that contradicts another member. The competitive success of a supplier depends on its ability to participate in different supply chains. This, in turn, affects the competitiveness of each of the other supply chains. This paper presents a generic prescriptive methodology for mitigating risks in an aerospace supply chain and proposes five activities. The methodology provides a mechanism to minimize conflicting objectives. A hypothetical case study is then presented on how the methodology can be applied.
The influence of national culture on dissolution communication strategies in Western versus Asian business relationships: a theoretical model
Authors: Freeman Susan , Browne Emma
Published: April 2004

Identifies the communication strategies available to companies when dissolving cross‐cultural inter‐organisational relationships to achieve effective (cooperative) outcomes. First, addresses the importance of communication dissolution, and proposes a typology of available communication strategies. Second, emphasises the importance of understanding cultural diversity in business relationships in general and dissolution in particular. Third, proposes two related theoretical frameworks. The first addresses different conflict management styles that bridge the gap between dissolution communication strategies and the cultural context in which the actors are embedded. The second is a theoretical model for analysing dissolution process in a cross‐cultural business relationship context. Proposes the independent variable, culture, as providing a frame of reference by which meaning and intent are assigned by the foreign company to the communications of the terminating company (disengager), thus affecting the choice of dissolution strategy.
The dominance of intangible assets: consequences for enterprise management and corporate reporting
Authors: Lev Baruch , Daum Juergen H.
Published: April 2004

Intangible assets have become important factors of value creation in today’s knowledge economy. However, individually they are often commodities and only create value in combination with other production factors. Therefore, in order to manage for performance and value, companies and their managers, as well as their investors, need a better understanding of their role as part of the entire value creation system of an organization. The article outlines possible features of an improved management and corporate reporting model. In order to objectively measure the productivity and efficiency of the entire enterprise, the article outlines how total factor productivity can be assessed in organizations as a means to better understand organizational performance.
Measuring knowledge assets – implications of the knowledge economy for performance measurement
Authors: Marr Bernard , Spender J.‐C.
Published: April 2004

The business world has enthusiastically adopted the idea that knowledge has become the most strategic of corporate assets, the principal basis for competitive advantage. This enthusiasm has not, however, been matched by an understanding of how to operationalize knowledge. It seems we argue that knowledge is important largely because it is a different kind of asset. While this is perplexing and suggests that it is important to understand the strategic significance of the different kinds of organizational knowledge, it also raises operational issues for managers. How are they to identify knowledge assets, and measure them? We offer tentative proposals for a new approach to assets evaluation.
Accounting for intellectual capital: rethinking its theoretical underpinnings
Authors: Roslender Robin
Published: April 2004

The accountancy profession’s long association with measurement and reporting has ensured that it has made a substantial contribution to the evolving intellectual capital field. While many of the motivations shaping the accounting for intellectual capital project are of a practical nature, the emergence of intellectual capital and the challenges entailed in taking it into account in some way also raise important theoretical issues. As long as the accountancy profession seeks to progress accounting for intellectual capital within the confines of prevailing accounting theory, the prospects for a successful outcome appear remote. Alternative theoretical precepts need to be explored, an exercise that also has implications for the future development of financial reporting.
Reporting on intellectual capital: why, what and how?
Authors: Mouritsen Jan , Nikolaj Bukh Per , Marr Bernard
Published: April 2004

Intellectual capital is an important value driver in today’s organizations. Traditional financial statements do not provide the relevant information for managers or investors to understand how their resources – many of which are intangible – create value in the future. Intellectual capital statements are designed to bridge this gap by providing information about how intellectual resources create future value. Intellectual capital statements can be used as tools to communicate the knowledge‐based strategy externally but it can also be used as an internal management tool. In this article we outline the reasons for reporting intellectual capital, introduce the elements of such statements, and present a case example from a Danish mobile phone design company.
Intellectual capital – does it create or destroy value?
Authors: Pulic Ante
Published: April 2004

Taking into account the transformation in economic reality towards a knowledge economy it seems logical that we treat IC as a resource, equal to that land, physical assets, and financial capital. This means that it is not anymore treated as a cost but as an investment. In order for the new system to be consistent we have to define a new index, namely the value creation efficiency of intellectual capital. Its empirical applications shows that while revenue, profit and GDP may indicate successful performance, IC efficiency may indicate the opposite, that value is being destroyed and not created.
Recognising the lesbian and gay constituency in UK trade unions: moving forward in UNISON?
Authors: Colgan Fiona
Published: April 2004

Recent research on trade union democracy has drawn attention to the heterogeneity of union membership and the social processes within unions which can lead to the inclusion or exclusion of specific constituencies within union structures. This article draws on a case study of lesbian and gay self organisation in UNISON to illustrate the value of developing democratic structures to reflect this constituency and improve trade union representation and participation.
The British merger movement: the importance of the ‘aggressive’ unions
Authors: Undy Roger
Published: April 2004

Union mergers in Britain are dominated numerically by transfers of engagements from minor unions to major unions. Just five major or acquiring unions were responsible for absorbing 79% of all transfers to TUC affiliated unions between 1978 and 1994. This study establishes the extent of this domination, examines the characteristics of the five unions’ aggressive merger policies and considers the consequences of the findings for theories of union mergers.
Unions in a changing climate: MSF and Unison experiences in the new public sector
Authors: Carter Bob , Poynter Gavin
Published: April 2004

Through an examination of national policies, case study and survey material, this article looks at the question of the possibility of union renewal through an examination of the various and varying responses of two unions, MSF and Unison, to the changing work and employment practices in the NHS.
The politics of Europe 1999: spring cleaning
Authors: Jones Erik
Published: April 2004

The European Union (EU) finished off the twentieth century with more action than vision. A large number of issues were raised—often with surprising energy and enthusiasm—and yet we are no closer to understanding the nature of Europe’s future at the start of the new millennium than we were at the end of the last. Indeed, the temptation is to write off the year 1999 as a period of great expectations and modest accomplishments. Early rhetoric about the impact of EMU on world financial markets, about Europe’s progress toward resolving the jobs crisis, about efforts to tackle corruption, and about the inevitability of enlargement seem hyperbolic to say the least. The prolonged depreciation of the euro‐dollar exchange rate, the allegations linking François Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl in illegal campaign financing, the smoldering violence in Kosovo, the persistence of European unemployment, and the resounding electoral achievements of the right‐wing Austrian Freedom Party, all conspire to suggest that Europe is defined more by the shadow of the past than by any vision of the future. The argument in this essay is that such an assessment would be in error. Europe may not have come close to achieving any of the grand objectives suggested by the flurry of activity in 1999. However, by placing too much emphasis on the work that remains we risk discounting unnecessarily the achievements that have been made. The politics of 1999 was more a ‘spring cleaning’ than a pivotal moment in European affairs. As with any spring cleaning, what is important is to focus on is what was discarded and what was retained. Such reordering of the past often involves uncomfortable confrontations. It usually also sets the stage for more constructive activity in the future. Thus where 1999 offered more action than vision, perhaps more time can be devoted to vision than action in the years to come. This argument is made in four sections. Three of these provide a functional overview of developments during the course of the year. The first section deals with institutional matters, specifically as these relate to the Commission and the Parliament. The second turns to economic issues, and focuses on economic and monetary union (EMU) and employment. The third examines the area of foreign affairs, and draws attention to the development of a European security identity and the acceleration of enlargement. Building on this overview, the fourth section provides an assessment of what has been achieved and what remains to be accomplished.
Britain, EMU and the European economy
Authors: Bradley Steve , Whittaker John
Published: April 2004

In January 1999, 11 member countries of the European Union ‘irrevocably’ locked the foreign exchange values of their currencies to the euro, and they committed themselves to abandon their currencies in favour of the euro in 2002. As a result, these countries ceased to operate independent monetary policies. Monetary policy for the whole euro‐zone became the responsibility of the European Central Bank (ECB), whose primary objective is to maintain a low and stable rate of price inflation for the euro currency. The rules governing Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) were laid down in the treaty of Maastricht in 1992. As conditions for entry to EMU, the treaty specified ‘convergence criteria’ which consisted of upper limits for several macroeconomic aggregates including, notably, a 3 per cent maximum for the ratio of the public sector deficit to GDP and 60 per cent for the ratio of public debt to GDP.1 In February 1998 the 11 applicant countries submitted statistical analyses relating to their satisfaction of these conditions. Despite doubts as to whether some of them had strictly met the conditions, the European Commission deemed them all eligible, and the euro was launched.2 The British government, though more clearly eligible than most other EU countries on the basis of the convergence criteria, decided to defer its decision on entry. In this paper we consider the arguments for and against Economic and Monetary Union, and in particular whether it would be in Britain’s interest to join. We begin with a brief review of the state of the European economy and an analysis of the first year performance of the new Euro currency.
European industrial relations in 1999: chronicle of events
Authors: Gilman Mark , Broughton Andrea
Published: April 2004

This article chronicles industrial relations developments throughout the European Union (EU) during 1999. The information is gleaned from articles published by the European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO). The text therefore contains numerical references to records contained in the EIRO database in order to allow the reader easy access to the relevant records. The article is divided into five sections. The first contains an overview of political, economic and legislative events at EU‐level, the second looks at EU‐level developments in employee representation, the third looks at the impact of European economic and monetary union (EMU) on industrial relations and collective bargaining and the fourth and fifth give a more detailed country‐by‐country analysis of main trends in key industrial relations areas—collective bargaining and industrial action; and employment creation, working time and new forms of work.
The Europeanisation—or the Erosion—of Industrial Relations?
Authors: Hyman Richard
Published: April 2004

This article considers the impact of European integration on industrial relations. An industrial relations regime can be understood as a tension between employment structured by market dynamics and broader social regulation, between the principles of contract and status. Economic Europeanisation threatens this relationship. Its survival may depend on new forms of supranational regulation, but not necessarily as the ‘social dimension’ of Europeanisation is customarily conceived.
Union Weakness and Post‐Communist Identities in Eastern Europe: Evidence From the Hungarian Clothing Industry
Authors: Frege Carola M.
Published: April 2004

The literature on Eastern Europe usually points to the desperate economic situation and hostile employers as explanations for post‐communist union weakness. This paper examines an alternative explanation based on mobilisation theory. It argues that a major reason for labour quiescence is the incapability of unions to mobilise their membership which is partly hindered by unions' failure to modernise their communist role identity.
What Do Employee Councils Do? The Impact of Non‐Union Forms of Representation on Trade Union Organisation
Authors: Lloyd Caroline
Published: April 2004

The article examines how non‐union forms of employee representation impact on employee attitudes to unionisation. Through an analysis of union derecognition and the introduction of an employee council in an aerospace plant, it explores a number of factors that may be important in both sustaining and undermining support for trade unions.
p53 gene status and expression of p53, MDM2, and p14ARF proteins in ameloblastomas
Authors: Kumamoto Hiroyuki , Izutsu Takashi , Ohki Kousuke , Takahashi Nobuhiro , Ooya Kiyoshi
Published: April 2004

Background:  To clarify the roles of the p53–MDM2–p14ARF cell cycle regulation system in oncogenesis and cytodifferentiation of odontogenic tumors, p53 gene status and expression of p53, MDM2, and p14ARF proteins was analyzed in ameloblastomas as well as tooth germs.

Methods:  Paraffin sections of 16 tooth germs and 46 benign and 5 malignant ameloblastomas were examined immunohistochemically for the expression of p53, MDM2, and p14ARF proteins. Frozen tissue samples of 10 benign ameloblastomas and 1 malignant (metastasizing) ameloblastoma were analyzed by direct DNA sequencing to detect p53 gene alteration.

Results:  Immunohistochemical reactivity for p53 was detected in 2 of 13 tooth germs, 13 of 29 ameloblastomas, and 5 of 5 malignant ameloblastomas, and the expression ratio of p53 in tooth germs was significantly lower than those in benign and malignant ameloblastomas. Direct DNA sequencing showed no alteration of p53 gene exons 5–8 in any sample of 10 benign ameloblastomas and 1 metastasizing ameloblastoma. Expression of MDM2 and p14ARF was detected in all samples of normal and neoplastic odontogenic epithelium, and the expression ratios in tooth germs tended to be lower than those in benign and malignant ameloblastomas. In ameloblastomas, expression of p53, MDM2, and p14ARF was significantly higher in plexiform cases than in follicular cases. Markedly decreased reactivity for p53, MDM2, and p14ARF was detected in keratinizing and granular cells in ameloblastoma subtypes. Basal cell ameloblastoma showed slightly higher reactivity for p53, MDM2, and p14ARF as compared with other subtypes.

Conclusion:  Elevated expression of p53, MDM2, and p14ARF in benign and malignant ameloblastomas suggests that alteration of the p53–MDM2–p14ARF cascade is involved in oncogenesis and/of malignant transformation of odontogenic epithelium. p53 gene status implied that p53 mutation might play a minor role in neoplastic changes of odontogenic epithelium. Immunoreactivity for p53, MDM2, and p14ARF in ameloblastoma variants suggests that these factors might be associated with tissue structuring and cytodifferentiation of ameloblastomas.
Tissue reaction to liquid silicone simulating low‐grade liposarcoma following lip augmentation
Authors: Maly Alexander , Regev Eran , Meir Karen , Maly Bella
Published: April 2004

We report the case of a 32‐year‐old woman who underwent silicone injection into the upper lip 2 years prior to presenting with masses clinically suspicious for tumor and interpreted on biopsy as low‐grade liposarcoma. Lack of pre‐operative history of silicone injection almost led to unnecessary surgery. This complicated situation may arise when reaction to liquid or gel silicone histologically closely simulates a low‐grade liposarcoma. Clinical and pathological correlations are of critical assistance in making the correct pre‐operative diagnosis and avoiding unnecessary traumatic surgical intervention.
Identity of TUNEL‐positive cells in the oral buccal epithelium of normal mucosa and lichen lesions
Authors: Karatsaidis Andreas , Schreurs Olav , Axéll Tony , Helgeland Kristen , Schenck Karl
Published: April 2004

Background:  In situ detection of DNA fragmentation by TdT (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase)‐mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) is a widely used technique to identify apoptotic cells in the terminal phases of cell death. Several studies have shown that there are statistically increased numbers of TUNEL+ cells within the epithelium of oral lichen (OL). It was suggested that this indicates an increased rate of apoptosis among basal and suprabasal keratinocytes in OL epithelium. The aim of this study was to identify the TUNEL+ cells in the epithelium of erythematous (ERY) OL and normal oral mucosa (NOM).

Methods:  Sections of biopsies from NOM and ERY OL were processed for TUNEL combined with immunostaining for pan‐cytokeratin or for cell markers specifically expressed by different leukocytes.

Results:  In NOM, TUNEL+ keratinocytes were almost exclusively seen in the outermost epithelial layers. This labeling was absent in ERY OL. In the basal and lower spinous layers, more TUNEL+ cell nuclei were seen in ERY OL as compared with NOM, in accordance with previous studies. The present observations show, however, that only very few of these cells were keratinocytes, but rather were CD4+ lymphocytes and CD68+ macrophages. There was no difference between the numbers of TUNEL+ keratinocytes in basal and lower spinous layers in ERY OL and NOM epithelium. No intraepithelial CD8+ lymphocytes, Langerhans cells, or mast cells were found to be TUNEL+.

Conclusion:  The findings indicate that the pathologic changes in ERY OL epithelium cannot be explained by increased prevalence of terminal keratinocyte cell death identified by TUNEL.
The histopathology of syphilis of the oral mucosa
Authors: Barrett A. W. , Villarroel Dorrego M. , Hodgson T. A. , Porter S. R. , Hopper C. , Argiriadou A. S. , Speight P. M.
Published: April 2004

Background:  Reported cases of syphilis in the United States, Europe and elsewhere are increasing in number. Clinical manifestations are protean, and oral biopsies may be taken where the diagnosis is unsuspected, but data on the histopathology of oral mucosal syphilis are sparse.

Methods:  The histopathology of five oral lesions in patients with serologically proven syphilis was reviewed.

Results:  There were two cases of primary syphilis, one secondary and two tertiary. Epithelial hyperplasia was present in three cases, and was pseudocarcinomatous in one case of primary syphilis, and psoriasiform in the secondary lesion, where heaped‐up epithelium surrounded a defined crater covered by flatter epithelium. Plasma cell (primary and secondary disease) and granulomatous (tertiary) infiltrates were prominent. Other features observed were endarteritis (5/5), plasma cell neuritis (3/5) and spirochetes (4/5).

Conclusions:  Although no single microscopic feature is specific, a diagnosis of syphilis should be considered where there is unusual epithelial hyperplasia, granulomatous or plasma cell‐predominant chronic inflammation, endarteritis and neuritis.
Oral submucous fibrosis: a case‐control study in Chennai, South India
Authors: Ranganathan K. , Devi M. Uma , Joshua Elizabeth , Kirankumar K. , Saraswathi T. R.
Published: April 2004

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a pre‐cancerous condition caused by the use of areca nut in various forms. There are very few published reports on areca nut use and OSF from Chennai, South India.

Methods: A hospital‐based case‐control study on habits and OSF was performed in Chennai over a 3‐year period. A total of 185 consecutive patients with OSF were matched with age‐ and sex‐matched controls. History was recorded in a pre‐determined format by qualified dental surgeons.

Results: The male to female ratio of OSF cases was 9.9 : 1. All areca nut products were associated with OSF, with the risk being greatest for pan masala. The duration of the habit was more significant than the frequency of the chewing habit.

Conclusion: The present study confirms the strong association between areca nut use and OSF and the increasing use of pan masala.
Depressive symptoms in Asian TMD patients and their association with non‐specific physical symptoms reporting
Authors: Yap Adrian U. J. , Chua E. K. , Tan Keson B. C.
Published: April 2004

Background:  The expression of depression in Asian temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients may differ from that of their Caucasian counterparts. This study examined the prevalence of depressive symptoms and their association with non‐specific physical symptoms (NPSs) reporting in Asian patients.

Methods:  Two hundred and fifty‐five Asian TMD patients (68 males; 187 females) with a mean age of 33.0 years were selected for this study. Research diagnostic criteria (RDC)/TMD history questionnaire was input directly into computers by patients using the NUS TMDv.1.1 software. Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL‐90) depression and NPS scales were generated online and automatically archived for statistical analysis. Data were subjected to ANOVA/Scheffe's test and Pearson's correlation at significance level 0.05 and 0.01, respectively.

Results:  43.1 and 50.6% of the patients scored moderate‐to‐severe on the depression and NPS scales, respectively. The percentage of patients with diffuse physical symptoms remained high (45.5%), even after pain items were excluded from the computation. NPS scores ranged from 0.34 to 1.64, while depression scores ranged from 0.27 to 1.21. A significant and positive correlation (r = 0.74) was observed between depression and NPS scores.

Conclusions:  The prevalence of depressive symptoms and NPSs was lower in Asian TMD patients. Psychological distress experienced by female Asian TMD patients was comparable to their male counterparts. Results also suggest that depressive symptomatology is associated with the reporting of multiple NPSs.