bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stress-induced variation in evolution: from behavioural plasticity to genetic assimilation
Authors: Badyaev Alexander V
Published: May 2005

Extreme environments are closely associated with phenotypic evolution, yet the mechanisms behind this relationship are poorly understood. Several themes and approaches in recent studies significantly further our understanding of the importance that stress-induced variation plays in evolution. First, stressful environments modify (and often reduce) the integration of neuroendocrinological, morphological and behavioural regulatory systems. Second, such reduced integration and subsequent accommodation of stress-induced variation by developmental systems enables organismal ‘memory’ of a stressful event as well as phenotypic and genetic assimilation of the response to a stressor. Third, in complex functional systems, a stress-induced increase in phenotypic and genetic variance is often directional, channelled by existing ontogenetic pathways. This accounts for similarity among individuals in stress-induced changes and thus significantly facilitates the rate of adaptive evolution. Fourth, accumulation of phenotypically neutral genetic variation might be a common property of locally adapted and complex organismal systems, and extreme environments facilitate the phenotypic expression of this variance. Finally, stress-induced effects and stress-resistance strategies often persist for several generations through maternal, ecological and cultural inheritance. These transgenerational effects, along with both the complexity of developmental systems and stressor recurrence, might facilitate genetic assimilation of stress-induced effects. Accumulation of phenotypically neutral genetic variance by developmental systems and phenotypic accommodation of stress-induced effects, together with the inheritance of stress-induced modifications, ensure the evolutionary persistence of stress–response strategies and provide a link between individual adaptability and evolutionary adaptation.
The colour of fitness: plumage coloration and lifetime reproductive success in the tawny owl
Authors: Brommer Jon E , Ahola Kari , Karstinen Teuvo
Published: May 2005

We studied variation in plumage colour and life history in a population of tawny owls (Strix aluco) in southern Finland, using 26 years of data on individually marked male and female owls. Colour was scored on a semi-continuous scale from pale grey to reddish brown. Colour scoring was repeatable and showed a bimodal distribution (grey and brown morph) in both sexes. During the study period, colour composition was stable in the study population in both sexes. The sexes did not mate assortatively with respect to their colour. Colour was a highly heritable trait and was under selection. Grey-coloured male and female owls had a higher lifetime production of fledglings, and grey-coloured male (but not female) owls produced more recruits during their lifetime than brown individuals. Selection on colour was mediated through viability selection and not through fecundity selection. Our results reveal remarkably strong selection on a genetically determined phenotypic trait.
Beyond localization: from hodology to function
Authors: ffytche Dominic H , Catani Marco
Published: May 2005

A century on, Campbell's largely forgotten 1905 monograph on the localization of cerebral function has a distinctly contemporary feel. Although his map of cortical fields has been eclipsed by Brodmann's later contribution, Campbell's project went beyond cytoarchitectonic cartography, attempting to integrate clinical, anatomical and physiological evidence to provide a guide to function. A key component of Campbell's integrative, functional anatomical approach was hodology—the pattern of white matter connections between cortical areas—foreshadowing a recently developed functional anatomical technique: diffusion tensor tractography. Here, we revisit Campbell's model of the human visual system using tractography to illustrate prominent white matter connections within the occipital lobe and from occipital to frontal, parietal and temporal regions. Campbell used his integrative approach to support the view that vision consisted of a ‘visuo-sensory’ and a ‘visuo-psychic’ stage, combining hodological, cytoarchitectonic, physiological and clinicopathological evidence to locate the former within the calcarine cortex and the latter within the cortical field surrounding it. Speaking directly to contemporary debates surrounding the neurobiology of conscious vision and providing a framework with which to shape future developments in tractography, Campbell's integrative functional anatomical approach is as relevant today as it was 100 years ago.
A theory of cortical responses
Authors: Friston Karl
Published: May 2005

This article concerns the nature of evoked brain responses and the principles underlying their generation. We start with the premise that the sensory brain has evolved to represent or infer the causes of changes in its sensory inputs. The problem of inference is well formulated in statistical terms. The statistical fundaments of inference may therefore afford important constraints on neuronal implementation. By formulating the original ideas of Helmholtz on perception, in terms of modern-day statistical theories, one arrives at a model of perceptual inference and learning that can explain a remarkable range of neurobiological facts.

It turns out that the problems of inferring the causes of sensory input (perceptual inference) and learning the relationship between input and cause (perceptual learning) can be resolved using exactly the same principle. Specifically, both inference and learning rest on minimizing the brain's free energy, as defined in statistical physics. Furthermore, inference and learning can proceed in a biologically plausible fashion. Cortical responses can be seen as the brain’s attempt to minimize the free energy induced by a stimulus and thereby encode the most likely cause of that stimulus. Similarly, learning emerges from changes in synaptic efficacy that minimize the free energy, averaged over all stimuli encountered. The underlying scheme rests onempirical Bayesand hierarchical models of how sensory input is caused. The use of hierarchical models enables the brain to construct prior expectations in a dynamic and context-sensitive fashion. This scheme provides a principled way to understand many aspects of cortical organization and responses. The aim of this article is to encompass many apparently unrelated anatomical, physiological and psychophysical attributes of the brain within a single theoretical perspective.

In terms of cortical architectures, the theoretical treatment predicts that sensory cortex should be arranged hierarchically, that connections should be reciprocal and that forward and backward connections should show a functional asymmetry (forward connections are driving, whereas backward connections are both driving and modulatory). In terms of synaptic physiology, it predicts associative plasticity and, for dynamic models, spike-timing-dependent plasticity. In terms of electrophysiology, it accounts for classical and extra classical receptive field effects and long-latency or endogenous components of evoked cortical responses. It predicts the attenuation of responses encoding prediction error with perceptual learning and explains many phenomena such as repetition suppression, mismatch negativity (MMN) and the P300 in electroencephalography. In psychophysical terms, it accounts for the behavioural correlates of these physiological phenomena, for example, priming and global precedence. The final focus of this article is on perceptual learning as measured with the MMN and the implications for empirical studies of coupling among cortical areas using evoked sensory responses.
The future of mapping sensory cortex in primates: three of many remaining issues
Authors: Kaas Jon H
Published: May 2005

After 100 years of progress in understanding the organization of cerebral cortex, three issues have persisted over the last 35 years, which are revisited in this paper. First, is V3 an established or questionable area of visual cortex? Second, does taste cortex include part of area 3b (S1 proper) and other somatosensory areas? Third, is primary auditory cortex, A1, of primates the homologue of A1 in cats? The existence of such questions about even the early stages of cortical processing reflects the difficulties in mapping cerebral cortex, and reminds us that the era of basic discovery is far from over.
The chronoarchitecture of the cerebral cortex
Authors: Bartels Andreas , Zeki Semir
Published: May 2005

We review here a new approach to mapping the human cerebral cortex into distinct subdivisions. Unlike cytoarchitecture or traditional functional imaging, it does not rely on specific anatomical markers or functional hypotheses. Instead, we propose that the unique activity time course (ATC) of each cortical subdivision, elicited during natural conditions, acts as a temporal fingerprint that can be used to segregate cortical subdivisions, map their spatial extent, and reveal their functional and potentially anatomical connectivity. We argue that since the modular organisation of the brain and its connectivity evolved and developed in natural conditions, these are optimal for revealing its organisation. We review the concepts, methodology and first results of this approach, relying on data obtained with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) when volunteers viewed traditional stimuli or a James Bond movie. Independent component analysis (ICA) was used to identify voxels belonging to distinct functional subdivisions, based on their differential spatio-temporal fingerprints. Many more regions could be segregated during natural viewing, demonstrating that the complexity of natural stimuli leads to more differential responses in more functional modules. We demonstrate that, in a single experiment, a multitude of distinct regions can be identified across the whole brain, even within the visual cortex, including areas V1, V4 and V5. This differentiation is based entirely on the differential ATCs of different areas during natural viewing. Distinct areas can therefore be identified without any a priori hypothesis about their function or spatial location. The areas we identified corresponded anatomically across subjects, and their ATCs showed highly area-specific inter-subject correlations. Furthermore, natural conditions led to a significant de-correlation of interregional ATCs compared to rest, indicating an increase in regional specificity during natural conditions. In contrast, the correlation between ATCs of distant regions of known substantial anatomical connections increased and reflected their known anatomical connectivity pattern. We demonstrate this using the example of the language network involving Broca's and Wernicke's area and homologous areas in the two hemispheres. In conclusion, this new approach to brain mapping may not only serve to identify novel functional subdivisions, but to reveal their connectivity as well.
Visual field map clusters in human cortex
Authors: Wandell Brian A , Brewer Alyssa A , Dougherty Robert F
Published: May 2005

We describe the location and general properties of nine human visual field maps. The cortical location of each map, as well as many examples of the eccentricity and angular representations within these maps, are shown in a series of images that summarize a large set of functional MRI data. The organization and properties of these maps are compared and contrasted with descriptions by other investigators. We hypothesize that the human visual field maps are arranged in several clusters, each comprising a group of maps that share a common foveal representation and semicircular eccentricity map. The spatial organization of these clusters suggests that the perceptual processing within each cluster serves related functions.
The importance of being agranular: a comparative account of visual and motor cortex
Authors: Shipp Stewart
Published: May 2005

The agranular cortex is an important landmark—anatomically, as the architectural flag of mammalian motor cortex, and historically, as a spur to the development of theories of localization of function. But why, exactly, do agranularity and motor function go together? To address this question, it should be noted that not only does motor cortex lack granular layer four, it also has a relatively thinner layer three. Therefore, it is the two layers which principally constitute the ascending pathways through the sensory (granular) cortex that have regressed in motor cortex: simply stated, motor cortex does not engage in serial reprocessing of incoming sensory data. But why should a granular architecture not be demanded by the downstream relay of motor instructions through the motor cortex? The scant anatomical evidence available regarding laminar patterns suggests that the pathways from frontal and premotor areas to the primary motor cortex actually bear a greater resemblance to the descending, or feedback connections of sensory cortex that avoid the granular layer. The action of feedback connections is generally described as ‘modulatory’ at a cellular level, or ‘selective’ in terms of systems analysis. By contrast, ascending connections may be labelled ‘driving’ or ‘instructive’. Where the motor cortex uses driving inputs, they are most readily identified as sensory signals instructing the visual location of targets and the kinaesthetic state of the body. Visual signals may activate motor concepts, e.g. ‘mirror neurons’, and the motor plan must
select
the appropriate muscles and forces to put the plan into action, if the decision to move is taken. This, perhaps, is why ‘driving’ motor signals might be inappropriate—the optimal selection and its execution are conditional upon both kinaesthetic and motivational factors. The argument, summarized above, is constructed in honour of Korbinian Brodmann's centenary, and follows two of the fundamental principles of his school of thought: that uniformities in cortical structure, and development imply global conservation of some aspects of function, whereas regional variations in architecture can be used to chart the ‘organs’ of the cortex, and perhaps to understand their functional differences.
REM restriction persistently alters strategy used to solve a spatial task
Authors: Bjorness Theresa E. , Riley Brett T. , Tysor Michael K. , Poe Gina R.
Published: May 2005

We tested the hypothesis that rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is important
for complex associative learning by restricting rats from entering REM sleep
for 4 h either immediately after training on an eight-box spatial task (0-4
REMr) or 4 h following training (4-8 REMr). Both groups of REM-restricted rats
eventually reached the same overall performance level as did nonrestricted
controls, but 0-4 REMr animals were delayed in their improvement in the first
few days and lagged behind controls in the middle portion of the training
period. More importantly, performance gains of 0-4 REMr rats depended more on
simple local cues throughout the 15-d study since, unlike control and 4-8 REMr
animals, their error rate increased after daily disruption of the relationship
between local (intramaze) cues and the food reward. Thus, although overall
performance was only subtly and transiently impaired, due to the ability to
use alternate, nonspatial behavioral strategies, complex associative (spatial)
learning was persistently impaired by restricting REM for a short critical
period each day.
Fos protein expression in olfactory-related brain areas after learning and after reactivation of a slowly acquired olfactory discrimination task in the rat
Authors: Roullet Florence , Liénard Fabienne , Datiche Frédérique , Cattarelli Martine
Published: May 2005

Fos protein immunodetection was used to investigate the neuronal activation elicited in some olfactory-related areas after either learning of an olfactory discrimination task or its reactivation 10 d later. Trained rats (T) progressively acquired the association between one odor of a pair and water-reward in a four-arm maze. Two groups of pseudotrained rats were used: PO rats were not water restricted and were submitted to the olfactory stimuli in the maze without any reinforcement, whereas PW rats were water-deprived and systematically received water in the maze without any odorous stimulation. When the discrimination task was well mastered, a significantly lower Fos immunoreactivity was observed in T rats compared to PW and PO rats in most of the analyzed brain areas, which could reflect the post-acquisition consolidation process. Following memory reactivation, differences in Fos immunoreactivity between trained and some pseudotrained rats were found in the anterior part of piriform cortex, CA3, and orbitofrontal cortex. We also observed that Fos labeling was significantly higher in trained rats after memory reactivation than after acquisition of the olfactory task in most of the brain areas examined. Our results support the assumption of a differential involvement of neuronal networks after either learning or reactivation of an olfactory discrimination task.
Trace fear conditioning is enhanced in mice lacking the δ subunit of the GABAAreceptor
Authors: Wiltgen Brian J. , Sanders Matthew J. , Ferguson Carolyn , Homanics Gregg E. , Fanselow Michael S.
Published: May 2005

The δ subunit of the GABAAreceptor (GABAAR) is highly expressed in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Genetic deletion of this subunit reduces synaptic and extrasynaptic inhibition and decreases sensitivity to neurosteroids. This paper examines the effect of these changes on hippocampus-dependent trace fear conditioning. Compared to controls, δ knockout mice exhibited enhanced acquisition of tone and context fear. Hippocampus-independent delay conditioning was normal in these animals. These results suggest that reduced inhibition in the dentate gyrus facilitates the acquisition of trace fear conditioning. However, the enhancement in trace conditioning was only observed in female knockout mice. The sex-specificity of this effect may be a result of neuroactive steroids. These compounds vary during the estrus cycle, can increase GABAergic inhibition, and have been shown to impair hippocampus-dependent learning. We propose that activation of GABAARs by neuroactive steroids inhibits learning processes in the hippocampus. Knockouts are immune to this effect because of the reduced neurosteroid sensitivity that accompanies deletion of the δ subunit. Relationships between neurosteroids, hippocampal excitability, and memory are discussed.
Working memory deficits in retinoid X receptor γ-deficient mice
Authors: Wietrzych Marta , Meziane Hamid , Sutter Anne , Ghyselinck Norbert , Chapman Paul F. , Chambon Pierre , Krȩżel Wojciech
Published: May 2005

Retinoid signaling has been recently shown to be required for mnemonic functions in rodents. To dissect the behavioral and molecular mechanisms involved in this requirement, we have analyzed the spatial and recognition working memory in mice carrying null mutations of retinoid receptors RARβ and RXRγ. Double mutants appeared deficient in spatial working memory as tested in spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze and delayed nonmatch to place (DNMTP) test in the T-maze. These mutant mice did acquire, however, spatial place reference or right/left discrimination tasks in the T-maze set-up, indicating that basic sensorimotor functions, spatial orientation, and motivational factors are unlikely to account for deficits in working memory-sensitive tasks. Double-mutant mice were also deficient in novel object recognition at intermediate, but not short delays. RXRγ appeared to be the functionally predominant receptor in modulation of the working memory, as RXRγ, but not RARβ single null mutant mice exhibited deficits similar to those observed in the double mutants. The mechanism of this modulation is potentially related to functions of RXRγ in frontal and perirhinal cortex, structures in which we detected RXRγ expression and which are functionally implicated in working memory processes.
Trace eyeblink conditioning requires the hippocampus but not autophosphorylation of αCaMKII in mice
Authors: Ohno Masuo , Tseng Wilbur , Silva Alcino J. , Disterhoft John F.
Published: May 2005

Little is known about signaling mechanisms underlying temporal associative
learning. Here, we show that mice with a targeted point mutation that prevents
autophosphorylation of αCaMKII (αCaMKIIT286A) learn
trace eyeblink conditioning normally. This forms a sharp contrast to the
severely impaired spatial learning in the water maze and contextual fear
conditioning observed in αCaMKIIT286A mutants. Importantly,
hippocampal lesions impaired trace eyeblink conditioning in
αCaMKIIT286A mice, suggesting a potential role of hippocampal
αCaMKII-independent mechanisms. These results indicate that hippocampal
signaling mechanisms that underlie temporal associative learning as assessed
by trace eyeblink conditioning may differ from those of spatial and contextual
learning.
Dissociable contributions within the medial temporal lobe to encoding of object-location associations
Authors: Sommer Tobias , Rose Michael , Gläscher Jan , Wolbers Thomas , Büchel Christian
Published: May 2005

The crucial role of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) in episodic memory is
well established. Although there is little doubt that its anatomical
subregions—the hippocampus, peri-, entorhinal and parahippocampal cortex
(PHC)—contribute differentially to mnemonic processes, their specific
functions in episodic memory are under debate. Data from animal, human lesion,
and neuroimaging studies suggest somewhat contradictory perspectives on this
functional specialization: a general participation in declarative memory, an
exclusive involvement in associative mnemonic processes, and a specific
contribution to spatial memory are reported for the hippocampus, adjacent
cortices, and the PHC. A functional lateralization in humans dependent on the
verbalizability of the material is also discussed herein. To further elucidate
the differential contributions of the various MTL subregions to encoding, we
employed an object-location association memory paradigm. The memory for each
of the studied associations was tested twice: by the object, and by the
location serving as retrieval cue. The memory accuracy in response to both cue
types was also assessed parametrically. Brain activity during encoding which
leads to different degrees of subsequent memory accuracy under the two
retrieval conditions was compared. We found the bilateral posterior PHC to
participate in encoding of both the object associated with a location and the
location associated with an object. In contrast, activity in an area in the
left anterior PHC and the right anterior MTL was only correlated with the
memory for the location associated with an object.
Acetylcholine in the orbitofrontal cortex is necessary for the acquisition of a socially transmitted food preference
Authors: Ross Robert S. , McGaughy Jill , Eichenbaum Howard
Published: May 2005

The social transmission of food preference task (STFP) has been used to
examine the involvement of the hippocampus in learning and memory for a
natural odor-odor association. However, cortical involvement in STFP has not
been extensively studied. The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is important in
odor-guided learning, and cholinergic depletion of the entire neocortex
results in impairments in STFP. Here we examined the specific role of
cholinergic modulation in the OFC by assessing the effect of 192
immunoglobulin G-saporin infusion directly into OFC prior to training on STFP.
Cholinergic depletion in the OFC impaired expression of the socially
transmitted odor association measured 2 d after training, indicating that
cholinergic function in the OFC is essential for this form of associative
learning.
Benefits that foreign AEC firms derive when undertaking construction projects in China
Authors: Yean Yng Ling Florence
Published: May 2005

Purpose

The objectives of this paper are to investigate the reasons that motivate foreign architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) firms to undertake projects in China; whether foreign AEC firms derive significant benefits after working in China; and the strengths that foreign AEC firms need to possess in order to work in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The objectives were achieved through a postal survey, using a structured questionnaire. Data were collected from American and Singaporean firms.

Findings

Firms do indeed derive many benefits when undertaking projects in China. These include geographical diversification, monetary benefits, technical benefits and deepened relationships. Foreign AEC firms should possess strengths such as excellent track record, superior management capability and high product and service quality.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this research is that it addresses motivations and benefits, but does not explain how to win and manage projects in China. Further research in these areas will be conducted.

Practical implications

Foreign practitioners should not ignore China market, but invest in China on a long term basis to reap many rewards.

Originality/value

This paper is original because it quantifies the benefits that foreign AEC firms will reap if they undertake projects in China.
Study on staff management practice of multinational company affiliates in China
Authors: Zhou Yuanqiang , Lu Lei , Jiang Bo
Published: May 2005

Purpose

More and more foreign companies, including multinational companies, open business in China. The staff management under the local culture of China is one of the critical points affecting the success of foreign invested companies in China. This paper aims to illustrate the effective methods of staff management for foreign invested companies in China.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, a survey on concrete practices of staff management was conducted among three multinational company affiliates in China, whose parent companies are located in the USA, Japan, and Europe, respectively, by the in‐depth interviews with the high‐level executives of the affiliates.

Findings

It was found that although the staff management experiences of the surveyed affiliates show differences in operation, the affiliates have a common sense on how to balance culture difference, how to effectively communicate with staff, and how to appraise the performance. The active and passive factors of these experiences were further analysed from the needs level under current Chinese economic situation and from the invisible impacts on human behaviour of Chinese culture.

Research limitations/implications

This study surveyed only three multinational company affiliates in China and therefore, the understanding obtained is limited in scope. The comprehensive knowledge of the subject depends on more case studies.

Practical implications

The analysis reveals that the active factors and localization, especially localization of the management team, are very important to the staff management of foreign invested companies in China.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the research on effective methods for staff management in multinational companies.
Dispute resolution management for international construction projects in China
Authors: Chan Edwin H.W. , Suen Henry C.H.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

Unfamiliar with the Chinese culture and ways of doing business, foreign architects/engineers/contractors (AEC) firms will encounter differences with the local parties. With reference to the characteristics of Chinese culture on disputes, this paper studies the problem areas of dispute and of resolving disputes in international construction projects in China. The objectives are to: examine the fundamentals of Chinese culture and ways of doing business; examine the characteristics of international projects and investigate any differences in the dispute problems arising from China International Projects; identify the most popular dispute resolution mechanism(s) for international projects in China; and recommend possible ways to reduce and resolve disputes of these projects.

Design/methodology/approach

After literature review, a questionnaire was designed for face‐to‐face interviews with 40 practitioners to collect their opinions.

Findings

The results show that the problem areas giving rise to disputes are mainly related to contractual matters. To reflect the characteristics of international projects in China, cultural and legal matters are also found to be the sources of problem. Arbitration is the most popular method, after negotiation, for resolving disputes in international construction projects in China.

Research limitations/implications

The number of interviewees in this study could be improved and further study could include experts in Mainland China.

Originality/value

There is not much literature on dispute resolution management for international construction projects in China, with particular reference to cultural differences. This paper offers an invaluable reference for those foreign AEC firms interested in joining international projects in China.
Value management in China: current state and future prospect
Authors: Liu Guiwen , Shen Qiping
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To look into the current state of value management (VM) practice in China and reveal the challenges and opportunities to its future development.

Design/methodology/approach

Copies of a questionnaire (2,000) were mailed to chief engineers in manufacturing companies (1,000) and construction companies (1,000). Interviews with six practitioners and two experts were followed up in leading cities of VM applications in China.

Findings

Reveal awareness and applications of VM in manufacturing and construction industries, different VM method from overseas mainstream and rank the difficulties in applying VM in China. Limited scope of applications, misusing mathematical techniques in VM studies and the inappropriate measures adopted to promote VM applications were identified as three main factors blocking the development of VM in china. In order to overcome these problems, more cooperation with overseas VM practitioners is recommended.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this paper based on VM applications in China limits its usefulness elsewhere.

Practical implications

This paper reveals the main problems in current VM applications in China and point out the direction to overcome the difficulties for promoting VM practice in future. It is instructive for VM practitioners, especially in the construction industry.

Originality/value

This paper provides an overall understanding of the current state and future prospect of VM application in China for VM researchers and practitioners.
Applying lean assessment tools in Chinese hi‐tech industries
Authors: Taj Shahram
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To evaluate the current state of manufacturing in some selected plants in electronics, telecommunication/wireless, and computer industries in the Republic of China.

Design/methodology/approach

A spreadsheet‐based assessment tool is used to evaluate nine key areas of manufacturing. Participants are asked to answer questions for each area, namely inventory; team approach; processes; maintenance; layout/handling; suppliers; setups; quality; and scheduling/control. A score is given for each response in the assessment. Scores are then totaled for each of the nine areas. The results are then displayed in the score worksheet and finally a lean profile chart is created to display the current status of the plant and the gap from their specific lean targets.

Findings

Results of the lean assessment tool have revealed a somewhat significant gap from the lean manufacturing target, but have also identified opportunities for improvement.

Research limitations/implications

The research findings are from some selected manufacturing plants in Chinese hi‐tech industries and they should not be interpreted as an indicator of that particular sector in China.

Practical implications

A very useful lean assessment tool that is easy to use by plants' management to help them identify their current state of manufacturing and the gaps from ideal lean targets.

Originality/value

This paper offers a practical and easy to use assessment tool to help manufacturing managers to make their manufacturing operations more productive.
Operations strategy configurations in project process firms
Authors: Oltra M.J. , Maroto C. , Segura B.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

Seeks to focus on operations priority patterns and operations strategy. Configurations by testing them in a specific environment which contributes to demonstrating their applicability and generalizability.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from 130 Spanish companies with project process organization, their operations strategy is analyzed as a whole, without the following of a trade‐off pattern being observed.

Findings

Cost, conformer and innovation strategy types, compared with other operations strategy configurations regarding variables used to develop project management configurations, for the most part exhibit a coherent behaviour, giving support to operations strategy validation at a higher theoretical level.

Research limitations/implications

The two most important limitations are the relatively small sample size used in the study and the results obtained with the organization structure variable. Similar studies in other specific production process contexts should also be undertaken.

Practical implications

Results obtained contribute to demonstrating the applicability of the operations strategy framework to the study of operations management in different environments and its coherence with the specific variables that are used to characterize them.

Originality/value

This study is virtually breaking new ground, prompted by recent calls for empirical research and for testing developed theories on operations management.
An operations perspective on strategic alliance success factors
Authors: Taylor Andrew
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To explore alliance managers' perceptions of the most significant determinants of strategic alliance success in the software sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on 30 key informant interviews and a survey of 143 alliance managers.

Findings

While both structural and process factors are important, the most significant factors affecting alliance success are the adaptability and openness of the alliance partners, human resource practices and partners' learning capability during implementation. Alliance partners should pay more attention to operational implementation issues as an alliance evolves, in order to achieve successful cooperative relationships.

Research limitations/implications

This research has responded to the call for more empirical study of the underlying causes of successful alliances. It contributes to the ongoing debate about which factors have most impact on strategic alliance outcomes, and complements prior research on several dimensions. First, using selected interview quotations to illuminate the quantitative analysis, it contributes to a deeper understanding of the alliance process, and reduced the ambiguity about which factors are most influential. In particular, the study provides support for those authors who have argued for the relative importance of the alliance implementation process. Second, support has also been found for the prominence of learning capability and the inter‐partner learning process as a major component of effective alliance implementation. Third, the results are based on the views of practicing alliance managers, which addresses a recognized gap in the literature.

Practical implications

The results send a signal to senior managers contemplating strategic alliances that they should not underestimate the importance of alliance process factors and the role that alliance managers play in achieving successful alliance relationships. This is particularly important, given the high levels of alliance failure reported in the extant literature.

Originality/value

While past research on strategic alliances has placed more emphasis on the importance of alliance formation than on implementation, there is an ongoing debate about whether structural, formation factors have more influence on alliance success than implementation or process factors. There has been only limited empirical work examining this interplay between structure and process, particularly from an operations perspective, and very few studies have examined strategic alliances in the software industry.
Manufacturing regeneration through corporate entrepreneurship
Authors: Jones Oswald
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To investigate the role played by corporate entrepreneurs in the strategic renewal of mature manufacturing companies.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach is adopted as a means of identifying links between corporate entrepreneurship and social capital. Data are drawn from a three‐year study which incorporates formal and informal interviews with 15 members of a pseudonymous company management team.

Findings

The study extends understanding of limits between corporate entrepreneurship and social capital in three ways: corporate entrepreneurs (CEs) can exploit “structural holes” for the benefit of the organisation rather than for career advancement; newcomers are more effective than insiders in overcoming the relational inertia caused by lack of external links; the bridging actions of CEs are important for linking internal activities as well as for accessing external knowledge.

Originality/value

The case is used, in combination with earlier contributions to the literature, as a basis for reconceptualizing the process of corporate entrepreneurship.
Brand. Momentum. Speed.
Authors: Kinsella Bret , Benson Joseph
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To leverage the science of momentum and apply it to art of brand management.

Design/methodology/approach

Researches the brand literature. Revisits our understanding of Newtonian physics. Studies the history of brands that have experienced the power of momentum. Shares early drafts with fellow brand strategist for feedback and guidance.

Findings

Discovers that the resonance of momentum is real and memorable experience for the authors and for their readers. The authors had underestimated the number of brands that could leverage the concept of momentum to better manage and grow their brands.

Research limitations/implications

The authors believe it would be of value for the brand managers of those brands that are experiencing momentum to analyze the specific activities that are driving their brands.

Practical implications

It is the authors’ hope that brand managers will have a new lens through which to select, engage and measure brand‐building activities.

Originality/value

The authors do not believe that this information is new. They do believe that they have placed it in a context that promotes understanding and action.
Religiosity and the construction of a cultural‐consumption identity
Authors: Lindridge Andrew
Published: May 2005

Purpose

Religion's influence in consumer research remains under‐researched. This paper aims to explore religiosity's effect on culture and consumption by comparing Indians living in Britain, with Asian Indians and British Whites. The paper is relevant to both academics and practitioners who wish to understand the role of religion's influence regarding culturally determined consumer behaviours.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire measuring family, self‐identity, materialism, possessions as status symbols and reference groups was administrated in London and Mumbai. Religiosity was measured by religious institution attendance and the importance of religion in daily life. A total of 415 questionnaires were submitted to factor analysis, identifying six factors. These factors were then submitted to Multinomial Logistical Regression (MLR), with the two religiosity themes used as influencing variables on the factors.

Findings

The analysis indicated that Indians living in Britain and British Whites sample groups were culturally less group‐ and consumption‐oriented than Asian Indians. Declining levels of religiosity produced mixed results for Indians living in Britain, when compared to Asian Indians, indicating that: attendance at a religious institution is not akin to viewing religion as an important aspect of daily life, a diversity of religiosity determined consumer behaviours across the Indian sample groups, and religion is an acculturation agent. The research, however, is limited owing to the small sample group and the need to maintain cross‐cultural methodologies.

Originality/value

Marketing practitioners should recognise the importance of religion in culture in Eastern cultures, while in Western cultures they should focus on the centrality and the need to use consumption to maintain the individual's sense of individuality.
He said, she said … they said: parents' and children's assessment of children's influence on family consumption decisions
Authors: Shoham Aviv , Dalakas Vassilis
Published: May 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to examine the impact of Israeli children on family decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies were used, replicating two different approaches that have been used to measure children's influence with US children. In study one, a survey was given to each parent, whereas, in study two, a survey was given to each parent and their child.

Findings

Findings indicate that Israeli children have a similar influence to US children, suggesting that, overall, Israeli children exercise quite strong influence on family decision making. This was the case when rated by children, as well as by both mothers and fathers.

Research limitations/implications

Two main ways to improve on this kind of research in the future are using a non‐convenience sample and collecting data from multiple countries for cross‐cultural comparisons.

Practical implications

One important implication of the findings is that children across cultures tend to have higher influence for products that are more relevant for them; therefore, marketers should concentrate their efforts primarily on the children.

Originality/value

An important contribution of this research is that it examines children's influence on family decision making in cultures different from the USA. For example, Israel is less individualistic, more uncertainty‐avoiding, and less power‐distant than the USA.
Affiliate marketing and its impact on e‐commerce
Authors: Duffy Dennis L.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

This article seeks to explore the inner workings of affiliate marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

Defines the affiliate marketing marketplace including some of the participants and explores the characteristics of a successful long‐term relationship.

Findings

The key to successful affiliate marketing lies in the construction of a win‐win relationship between the advertiser and the affiliate. Affiliate marketing is likely to become the principal mainstream marketing strategy for e‐commerce businesses in the future.

Originality/value

Looks at the inner workings of affiliate marketing, defines the affiliate marketing marketplace including some of the participants and explores the characteristics of a successful long‐term relationship.
The effects of a price increase on cybercafé services in Abraka, Nigeria
Authors: Adomi Esharenana E.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To survey the effects of a general price increase on cybercafé services in Abraka, Nigeria. The price increase introduced in September 2004 by the Association of Cybercafé Operators in Abraka (ACOA) failed due to customers’ responses to it. The collapse of the pricing regime is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Uses a literature review, questionnaire, interviews, and personal observations to gather data, and uses these data to determine reasons behind the pricing structure of cybercafés in Abraka, Nigeria, and customers' reactions to those pricing structures.

Findings

Findings revealed that the cost of providing an alternative electrical power source ranked highest in what determined the price of cybercafé services prior to the period of the general price increase, followed by the ISP charge. A majority of the cybercafés experienced a drop in customer/client patronage, followed by a drop in daily income and customer dissatisfaction, due to the increased prices for internet service.

Originality/value

All the cafés have reduced their prices in order to satisfy their customers. Most of them reduced their prices in order to increase customer/user patronage. It was suggested that an increase in cybercafé service prices should not be introduced again to permit more users access and to encourage them to use the internet in the cafés.
Creating partnerships that pay off
Authors: Bennett Linda
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To assist library development staff in redefining who their library donors and constituency are in order to broaden the donor pool.

Design/methodology/approach

Uses strategies developed by fund‐raising efforts at the University of Michigan.

Findings

Cooperative development initiatives can lead to untapped fund‐raising opportunities by looking across campus and considering developing new relationships with departments and colleagues, thinking creatively about cultivation opportunities, and educating and finding ways to reward new friends.

Originality/value

Suggests ideas that lead to a library development program that can engage and touch lives on campus and in the community, which also can translate into fund‐raising opportunities.
Staff resources
Authors: Maxymuk John
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To show that despite libraries' tendencies to focus all their efforts – even in the online environment – on developing tools, resources, and finding aids for their patrons, some have also used the web to develop resources for staff needs.

Design/methodology/approach

Surveys a number of library web sites and highlights online resources that have been developed to assist library staff in areas of training, organization, and professional development.

Findings

Ranging from online instruction for new staff, listings of library policies and passwords, and resources for staff development, many libraries have begun to use their web sites to provide valuable information for staff too.

Originality/value

The examples presented in this column can provide guidance for any library beginning to use their web site to provide information resources for their staff. Several types of information are presented showing both the range of information of use to staff and a variety of methods to convey that information.
Patient‐centred quality improvement audit
Authors: Berman Brown Reva , Bell Louise
Published: May 2005

Purpose

This article aims to describe the research process, and the development of the instrument now employed in auditing patients' perceptions of quality improvement in a community health care trust in a coastal town in Essex, England.

Design/methodology/approach

The new instrument is currently being implemented and the findings thus far are described.

Findings

The instrument has measured health outcomes in terms of quality improvement from the users' perspective, and has also highlighted gaps between what the service offers in terms of quality and users' perceptions of what is delivered. The study demonstrates the importance of the professional role in quality improvement.

Originality/value

Patient‐centred quality improvement audit should be undertaken regularly so that both non‐clinical managers and health care professionals can establish whether or not they are providing services that are patient‐friendly and effective from the user's viewpoint. In the course of their work, professionals and managers discuss patients and speak on their behalf in various forums, and knowing what patients actually expect and perceive before speaking on their behalf may be of great benefit in such instances.