bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of a Violent Physical Assault on a Registered Nurse: Her Healing Journey and Return to Work
Authors: Graham Holly
Published: March 2017

Healthcare practitioners are at an increased risk for workplace violence. What happens to a practitioner after a devastating physical assault from a patient in the workplace? This case report describes the impact of a violent assault on a registered nurse and her healing journey and return to the workplace. The Department of Veteran Affairs/Department of Defense “Clinical Practice Guidelines for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder” outline three categories of risk factors that are associated with the development of posttraumatic stress disorder: pretraumatic factors, peritraumatic or trauma-related factors, and posttraumatic factors. Each of these risk factors can contribute to the likelihood of an individual developing posttraumatic stress disorder after a traumatic incident and will be used to frame the discussion of this case. The registered nurse gave her full and informed consent for the author to tell her story.
The Impact of Nursing Leader’s Behavioral Integrity and Intragroup Relationship Conflict on Staff Nurses’ Intention to Remain
Authors: Kang Seung-Wan , Lee Soojin , Choi Suk Bong
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVE

This study tested a multilevel model examining the effect of nursing leader’s behavioral integrity and intragroup relationship conflict on staff nurses’ intent to remain.

BACKGROUND

In the challenging situation of nursing shortage, nurse executives are required to focus on the retention of nurses. No previous studies have examined the impact of nursing leader’s behavioral integrity and intragroup relationship conflict on nurses’ intention to remain.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey of 480 RNs in 34 nursing units of a large public hospital in South Korea was conducted to test the hypothesized multilevel model.

RESULTS

Nursing leader’s behavioral integrity was positively related to nurses’ intention to remain (b= 0.34,P< .001). This relationship was enhanced when the level of intragroup relationship conflict was high (b= 0.21,P< .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Nursing leaders assigned to units with a high level of intragroup relationship conflict should endeavor to maintain their behavioral integrity to promote nurses’ intention to remain.
Outcomes Related to the Use of Frozen Plasma or Pooled Solvent/Detergent-Treated Plasma in Critically Ill Children*
Authors: Camazine Maraya N. , Karam Oliver , Colvin Ryan , Leteurtre Stephane , Demaret Pierre , Tucci Marisa , Muszynski Jennifer A. , Stanworth Simon , Spinella Philip C.
Published: March 2017

Objective:

To determine if the use of fresh frozen plasma/frozen plasma 24 hours compared to solvent detergent plasma is associated with international normalized ratio reduction or ICU mortality in critically ill children.

Design:

This is an a priori secondary analysis of a prospective, observational study. Study groups were defined as those transfused with either fresh frozen plasma/frozen plasma 24 hours or solvent detergent plasma. Outcomes were international normalized ratio reduction and ICU mortality. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine independent associations.

Setting:

One hundred one PICUs in 21 countries.

Patients:

All critically ill children admitted to a participating unit were included if they received at least one plasma unit during six predefined 1-week (Monday to Friday) periods. All children were exclusively transfused with either fresh frozen plasma/frozen plasma 24 hours or solvent detergent plasma.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

There were 443 patients enrolled in the study. Twenty-four patients (5%) were excluded because no plasma type was recorded; the remaining 419 patients were analyzed. Fresh frozen plasma/frozen plasma 24 hours group included 357 patients, and the solvent detergent plasma group included 62 patients. The median (interquartile range) age and weight were 1 year (0.2–6.4) and 9.4 kg (4.0–21.1), respectively. There was no difference in reason for admission, severity of illness score, pretransfusion international normalized ratio, or lactate values; however, there was a difference in primary indication for plasma transfusion (p < 0.001). There was no difference in median (interquartile range) international normalized ratio reduction, between fresh frozen plasma/frozen plasma 24 hours and solvent detergent plasma study groups, –0.2 (–0.4 to 0) and –0.2 (–0.3 to 0), respectively (p = 0.80). ICU mortality was lower in the solvent detergent plasma versus fresh frozen plasma/frozen plasma 24 hours groups, 14.5% versus 29.1%%, respectively (p = 0.02). Upon adjusted analysis, solvent detergent plasma transfusion was independently associated with reduced ICU mortality (odds ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.16–0.99; p = 0.05).

Conclusions:

Solvent detergent plasma use in critically ill children may be associated with improved survival. This hypothesis-generating data support a randomized controlled trial comparing solvent detergent plasma to fresh frozen plasma/frozen plasma 24 hours.
Pulmonary Embolism Mimicking Infectious Pleuritis
Authors: Tetsuhara Kenichi , Tsuji Satoshi , Uematsu Satoko , Kamei Koichi
Published: March 2017

The diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) is often delayed because it is usually misdiagnosed as pneumonia or deep vein thrombosis. We report an unusual case of PE misdiagnosed as viral pleuritis on the first arrival at the emergency department (ED) in our hospital. A 14-year-old girl with no previous significant medical history was referred to the ED with pleuritic and chest pain with low-grade fever 4 days before admission. Echography showed a small amount of left pleural effusion. A 12-lead electrocardiogram was normal. She received a diagnosis of viral pleuritis. Two days before admission, she revisited ED with dyspnea and exacerbated pain. Echography showed slight increase in left pleural effusion. She had the same diagnosis. The chest pain remained at the same level. On the day of admission, she presented to ED with vomiting, watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, chest pain, and respiratory distress. Laboratory findings showed hypoalbuminemia and proteinuria. Echography showed a moderate amount of pleural effusion on both sides and no dilatation of the right cardiac ventricle. Contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography was performed to search the cause of the respiratory distress, which showed filling defects with contrast material in pulmonary arteries. A 12-lead electrocardiogram showed an S1Q3T3 pattern. She received a diagnosis of PE caused by nephrotic syndrome. Pulmonary thromboembolism can mimic infectious pleuritis and lead to misdiagnosis and/or delayed diagnosis. Thus, risk factors of PE should be considered in pediatric patients presenting with symptoms suggesting infectious pleuritis.
Understanding Brain Reorganization in Infants With Perinatal Stroke Through Neuroexcitability and Neuroimaging
Authors: Chen Chao-Ying , Georgieff Michael , Elison Jed , Chen Mo , Stinear James , Mueller Bryon , Rao Raghavendra , Rudser Kyle , Gillick Bernadette
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

The primary aim of this proposed study is to evaluate brain reorganization patterns in infants with perinatal stroke between 3 and 5 months of age using transcranial magnetic stimulation and magnetic resonance imaging, with the addition of the General Movements Assessment. A secondary aim is to demonstrate feasibility and safety of infant-appropriate brain assessment protocols.

Methods:

Ten infants with perinatal stroke will be enrolled. In this exploratory study, infants will first receive magnetic resonance imaging scanning during natural sleep to examine their corticospinal tract integrity. Infants will then receive transcranial magnetic stimulation to assess their corticomotor excitability. A General Movements Assessment video of at least 5 minutes will also be recorded.

Discussion:

Study results will enhance our understanding of brain reorganization in infants with perinatal stroke. We expect these results will also guide the development of early interventions designed to mitigate maladaptive neuroplastic changes and improve long-term motor outcomes.
Data, Staff, and Money: Leadership Reflections on the Future of Public Health Informatics
Authors: Leider Jonathon P. , Shah Gulzar H. , Williams Karmen S. , Gupta Akrati , Castrucci Brian C.
Published: March 2017

Context:

Health informatics can play a critical role in supporting local health departments' (LHDs') delivery of certain essential public health services and improving evidence base for decision support. However, LHDs' informatics capacities are below an optimum level. Efforts to build such capacities face ongoing challenges. Moreover, little is known about LHD leaders' desires for the future of public health informatics.

Objectives:

Conduct a qualitative analysis of LHDs' future informatics plans, perceived barriers to accomplishing those plans, and potential impact of future advances in public health informatics on the work of the public health enterprise.

Methods:

This research presents findings from 49 in-depth key informant interviews with public health leaders and informatics professionals from LHDs, representing insights from across the United States. Interviewees were selected on the basis of the size of the population their LHD serves, as well as level of informatics capacity. Interviews were transcribed, verified, and double coded.

Results:

Major barriers to doing more with informatics included staff capacity and training, financial constraints, dependency on state health agency, and small LHD size/lack of regionalization. When asked about the role of leadership in expanding informatics, interviewees said that leaders could make it a priority through (1) learning more about informatics and (2) creating appropriate budgets for integrated information systems. Local health department leaders said that they desired data that were timely and geographically specific. In addition, LHD leaders said that they desired greater access to clinical data, especially around chronic disease indicators.

Conclusions:

Local health department leadership desires to have timely or even real-time data. Local health departments have a great potential to benefit from informatics, particularly electronic health records in advancing their administrative practices and service delivery, but financial and human capital represents the largest barrier. Interoperability of public health systems is highly desirable but hardly achievable in the presence of such barriers.
Three-Dimensional Self-Navigated T2 Mapping for the Detection of Acute Cellular Rejection After Orthotopic Heart Transplantation
Authors: van Heeswijk Ruud B. , Piccini Davide , Tozzi Piergiorgio , Rotman Samuel , Meyer Philippe , Schwitter Juerg , Stuber Matthias , Hullin Roger
Published: March 2017

Background

T2 mapping is a magnetic resonance imaging technique measuring T2 relaxation time, which increases with the myocardial tissue water content. Myocardial edema is a component of acute cellular rejection (ACR) after heart transplantation. This pilot study compares in heart transplantation recipients a novel high resolution 3-dimensional (3D) T2-mapping technique with standard 2-dimensional (2D) T2-mapping for ACR detection.

Methods

Consecutive asymptomatic patients (n = 26) underwent both 3D T2 mapping and reference 2D T2 mapping magnetic resonance imaging on the day of endomyocardial biopsy (EMB). 3D T2 maps were obtained at an isotropic spatial resolution of 1.72 mm (voxel volume 5.1 mm3). 2D and 3D maps were matched anatomically, and maximum segmental T2 values were compared blinded to EMB results. In addition, all 3D T2 maps were rendered as 3D images and inspected for foci of T2 elevation.

Results

T2 values of segments from 2D and reformatted 3D T2 maps agreed (p > 0.5). The highest 2D segmental T2 values were 49.9 ± 4.0 ms (no ACR = 0R, n = 18), 48.9 ± 0.8 ms (mild ACR = 1R, n = 3), and 65.0 ms (moderate ACR = 2R). Rendered 3D T2 maps of cases with 1R showed foci with significantly elevated T2 signal (T2 = 58.2 ± 3.6 ms); 5 cases (28%) in the 0R group showed foci with increased T2 values (>2 SD above adjacent tissue) that were not visible on the 2D T2 maps.

Conclusions

This pilot study in a small cohort suggests equivalency of standard segmental analysis between 3D and 2D T2-mapping. 3D T2 mapping provides a spatial resolution that permits detection of foci with elevated T2 in patients with mild ACR.
Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein 4-Positive Myasthenia Gravis in a Double-Seronegative, Electromyography-Negative Patient
Authors: Kruger Joshua M. , Karussis Dimitrios , Zisimopoulou Paraskevi , Petrou Panayiota
Published: March 2017

We describe a patient with ocular myasthenia gravis, where single-fiber electromyography and testing for acetylcholine receptor and muscle-specific kinase antibodies were negative. However, antibodies to low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4) were positive, and this prompted appropriate management. We recommend that testing for LRP4 antibodies be considered when the clinical suspicion for myasthenia gravis is high despite negative conventional diagnostic tests.
Fungus causing White-Nose Syndrome in bats accumulates genetic variability in North America and shows no sign of recombination
Authors: Trivedi Jigar , Vanderwolf Karen , Misra Vikram , Willis Craig K. R. , Ratcliffe John , Anderson James B. , Kohn Linda M.
Published: March 2017

Emerging fungal diseases of wildlife are on the rise worldwide (3) and the best lens on the evolution of the fungal pathogens is population genomics. Our genome-wide analysis shows that the newly introduced North American population ofPseudogymnoascus destructans, the causal agent of White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) in bats, has expanded in size, has begun to accumulate variation through mutation, and presents no evidence as yet for genetic exchange and recombination among individuals.
Biosynthesis of Isonitrile Lipopeptides by Conserved Non-ribosomal Peptide Synthetase Gene Clusters inActinobacteria
Authors: Harris Nicholas C. , Sato Michio , Herman Nicolaus A. , Twigg Frederick , Cai Wenlong , Liu Joyce , Downey Jordan , Khalaf Ryan , Martin Joelle , Koshino Hiroyuki , Zhang Wenjun
Published: March 2017

A putative lipopeptide biosynthetic gene cluster is conserved in many species ofActinobacteria, includingMycobacterium tuberculosisandM. marinum, but the specific function of the encoding proteins has been elusive. Using bothin vivoheterologous reconstitution andin introbiochemical analyses, we have revealed that the five encoding biosynthetic enzymes are capable of synthesizing a new family of isonitrile lipopeptides (INLPs) through a thio-template mechanism. The biosynthesis features the generation of isonitrile from a single precursor Gly promoted by a thioesterase and a non-heme iron(II)-dependent oxidase homologue, and the acylation of both amino groups of Lys by the same isonitrile acyl chain facilitated by a single condensation domain of a non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS). In addition, the deletion of INLP biosynthetic genes inM. marinumhas decreased the intracellular metal concentration, suggesting the role of this biosynthetic gene cluster in metal transport.

Significance Statement

Mycobacterium tuberculosisis the leading causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), of which millions of deaths occur annually. A putative lipopeptide biosynthetic gene cluster has been shown to be essential for the survival of this pathogen in hosts, and homologous gene clusters have also been found in all pathogenic mycobacteria and other species ofActinobacteria. We have identified the function of these gene clusters in making a new family of isonitrile lipopeptides. The biosynthesis has several unique features, including an unprecedented mechanism for isonitrile synthesis. Our results have further suggested that these biosynthetic gene clusters play a role in metal transport, and thus have shed light on a new metal transport system that is crucial for virulence of pathogenic mycobacteria.
Crystal structure of 4-nitrophenyl 6-O-ethyl-β-D-galactopyranoside monohydrate
Authors: Silva Bruno Leonardo , Alves Ricardo José , Speziali Nivaldo Lúcio
Published: March 2017

The synthesis and crystal structure of the title compound, C14H19NO8·H2O, prepared in three steps from 6-O-ethyl-1,2;3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactopyranose using protecting-group strategies employed in carbohydrate chemistry, is reported. The asymmetric unit consists of a single galactoside molecule, in which the pyranoid ring has a4C1conformation and the 4-nitrophenyl moiety is essentially planar. In the crystal, each carbohydrate is surrounded by other D-galactose residues and water molecules, linked by O—H...O hydrogen bonds involving all hydroxy groups, giving a two-dimensional substructure lying parallel to (100) and extended into three dimensions by C—H...O interactions.
Corrosion inhibition of Monel 400 in hydrochloric solution by some green leaves
Authors: Kherraf Sihem , Zouaoui Emna , Medjram Mohamed Salah
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitive action of some green leaves on Monel 400 alloy in acidic media.

Design/methodology/approach

Green leaves ofMespilus japonica,Ricinus communis LandVitis viniferawere immersed in methanol solutions, separately, and filtrated after 48 h of immersion; the obtained filtrates were examined as corrosion inhibitors of Monel 400 alloy in hydrochloric acid solution (1.0M HCl). The performance of these inhibitors was evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization. The effect of temperature on corrosion behavior of Monel 400 was also studied.

Findings

The results obtained showed that all tested inhibitors performed as good corrosion inhibitors. The inhibition process is attributed to the adsorption of the inhibitors on Monel surface. The adsorption behavior was found to follow Langmiur isotherm. The inhibition efficiencies of extracts increased with increasing the concentration of each inhibitor and deceased with increasing the temperature.

Practical implicationThese inhibitors could have application in industries where hydrochloric solutions were used to remove the surface impurities of Monel 400.

Originality/value

This paper helps to find new corrosion inhibitors that are safe and eco-friendly.
The moderating impact of emotions on customer equity drivers and loyalty intentions
Authors: Razzaq Zohaib , Yousaf Salman , Hong Zhao
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the significant contribution of emotions along with other conventional loyalty drivers on the loyalty intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The influence of three conventional loyalty drivers, i.e., value equity, brand equity, relationship equity on loyalty intentions was investigated by further exploring the moderating effects of negative and positive emotions. A sample of 834 Pakistani consumers in the supermarkets and banking industries was studied employing store-intercept survey design.

Findings

Consumer behavior is driven by emotions in both the supermarkets and banking context. Thus, in order to better predict customer loyalty intentions, the emotional component is crucial and should be included along with other cognitive components.

Practical implications

Since customers’ emotional responses throughout service delivery are strongly linked to loyalty, therefore supermarkets and bank service managers need to make sure that the customers experience with their services as pleasurable as possible and for this purpose, customer service employees need to be trained in order to better understand the customers’ emotional responses during the course of service delivery process.

Originality/value

The present study complements the existing literature regarding the role of emotions in service settings and offers a new point of view for the linkage among emotions, customer equity drivers and customer loyalty intentions.
Exploring the service profit chain in a Thai bank
Authors: Benjarongrat Pichate , Neal Mark
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the service profit chain (SPC) in a Thai bank, to identify which service features customers understand to be most important in their customer satisfaction and engagement. Through this it is intended to evaluate and refine the SPC model.

Design/methodology/approach

The research involved two phases: a qualitative inductive process of interviews with bank customers to identify what they considered to be the most important aspects of service in their own customer satisfaction/engagement; second, a survey phase, which theoretically developed these aspects of service, and operationalized them as variables for testing in a refined SPC model.

Findings

The key service features for customers in their satisfaction and engagement were found to be convenience, courtesy, competence and internal branding. All had positive relationships with customer satisfaction/customer engagement. Customer engagement/satisfaction were further found to correlate with customer retention and acquisition. Interestingly, whereas all four service variables correlated with customer engagement and satisfaction, two of the variables – courtesy and internal branding – had stronger relationships with customer engagement.

Practical implications

The inductive modeling and refinement of the SPC approach can be employed in different companies and cultural contexts to identify which features of service are most important to customers in influencing their customer satisfaction/engagement.

Originality/value

This is the first study to use/evaluate the SPC approach in the Thai banking context; the first to use inductive methods to identify relationships between service features and customer satisfaction/engagement; and the first to examine courtesy, competence, convenience and internal branding in a holistic model with customer satisfaction/engagement and customer retention/acquisition.
Understanding consumer’s showrooming behaviour
Authors: Arora Sourabh , Singha Kunal , Sahney Sangeeta
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Recent multichannel research suggests that consumers use multiple channels to reap attribute-based benefits which have led to showrooming phenomenon. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the reasons for consumers’ showrooming behaviour and propose a comprehensive model based on application and extension of the “Theory of planned behaviour”.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the probability sampling approach, 278 complete responses were obtained via web-based surveys for analysing the showrooming behaviour. The research model was tested using the “Partial least squares method” which follows a variance-based structural equation modelling approach.

Findings

The results of the study indicate that “touching and feeling the product” and “sales staff assistance” motivated customers to visit the physical store before buying online. “Better online service quality” and “lower prices online” induced customers to later purchase online. Price conscious customers and those with the ability to use multiple channels were more likely to engage in showrooming behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

The generalization of the findings may be limited because the data were collected from a small sample size. The subject calls for more extensive research for drawing generalizations due to lack of the substantive literature on the core area of study.

Practical implications

The model proposed will help retailers in understanding the showrooming phenomenon which recent researchers have considered as a threat to retail. The study provides basis for devising strategies to defend showrooming customers.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the body of knowledge in retailing by proposing a model on showrooming which is an emerging area of research in the present retail landscape.
Mapping knowledge networks for organizational re-design in a rehabilitation clinic
Authors: Cannavacciuolo Lorella , Iandoli Luca , Ponsiglione Cristina , Maracine Virginia , Scarlat Emil , Nica Adriana Sarah
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a social network approach for identification of micro-organizational re-design interventions to make more efficient and fluid the knowledge flow in a rehabilitation multidisciplinary team. The structural information of different kinds of knowledge networks within a team is augmented with additional analyses aimed at collecting information about the ways through which participants use knowledge, the motivation behind knowledge exchange, and the non-human knowledge sources used by subjects to perform their work. This paperwork was supported by CNCSIS – UEFISCDI, project number PNII – IDEI 810/2008.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose a definition of knowledge network including human and non-human knowledge source (documents and knowledge repositories) as it is more adequate for the analysis of knowledge flows in multidisciplary medical teams. The mapping and analysis of the network are carried out through: elicitation of knowledge flows between people within and outside the team through a structured questionnaire; mapping of the knowledge flows toward non-human knowledge sources; and identification of critical aspects and proposal of re-engineering interventions to make knowledge flow more efficient and effective.

Findings

The analysis of the critical aspects emerged in the field study identifies a number of opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of knowledge sharing through the re-design of the team network. The re-design interventions concern three main features of knowledge network: “knowledge centralization,” “Over-reliance on External experts,” “Unshared knowledge tools and sources.”

Originality/value

The originality of the work resides in applying social network analysis (SNA) for healthcare management settings, proving evidence and guidelines to show how healthcare organizations can benefit from the adoption of SNA-based approaches.
Towards Mode 2 knowledge production
Authors: Veit Douglas Rafael , Lacerda Daniel Pacheco , Camargo Luis Felipe Riehs , Kipper Liane Mahlmann , Dresch Aline
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Research in business processes has been developed around a disciplinary approach toward the production of traditional knowledge, known as Mode 1. The problems studied with this approach are solved in a context in which academic knowledge prevails, with no major concerns regarding its practical applicability. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to propose a structure for knowledge production based on Mode 2 for business process researches.

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric research was conducted to define and conceptualize the classes of disciplinary problems, by assessing the years 2007-2012 of the Business Process Management Journal publications.

Findings

A framework for the Mode 2 knowledge production was proposed in the development of research in business process and conceptualized classes of problems related to this issue.

Research limitations/implications

This work was carried out with specific focus on research in business process, so the defined classes of problems cannot be generalized.

Originality/value

The studies identified by this research are in the form of a disciplinary approach toward the production of traditional knowledge, known as Mode 1. This paper aims to fill the gap of a transdisciplinary production of knowledge and practical application, known as Mode 2 in the context of business process.
Bid or no-bid decision factors of indigenous contractors in Nigeria
Authors: Olatunji Oluwole Alfred , Aje Olaniyi Isaac , Makanjuola Sina
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The decision to bid or not to bid for new projects determines contractors’ propensity for business success or failure. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that affect the decision of indigenous construction contractors to bid or not to bid in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis was conducted on data from questionnaires received from 64 engineering management employees of leading construction companies which are members of Nigeria’s Federation of Construction Industry. The study identified 41 significant decision factors often considered by Nigerian indigenous contractors before the bid. Mean item scores were obtained for each of the factors. Principal component analysis was used to point out the most significant decision factors.

Findings

Results revealed significant orthogonal relationships between the factors. Only 11 of the 41 factors are statistically significant to influence contractors’ decision to bid or not to bid. Most of the significant items were amongst the least rated items by the participants. The post hoc decision factors include consultant’s interpretation of project specifications, previous relationship between the intending bidder and client, availability of other projects at the time of bidding, technological complexity of the project under consideration and prequalification requirements. Others include the propensity for resource price fluctuation, business capacity of partners, amount of own work vs subcontracted work, required rate of return on investment and difficulty in obtaining finance.

Originality/value

The practical implication of these findings are as follows: the orthogonal relationship between the decision factors implies non-linear relationship between the factors and actual decision to bid or not to bid, and that bid success is often not predictable by bid behaviour; many of the bid decision factors rated highest by indigenous contractors seldom impact the contractors’ actual bid decisions; local and international players can adopt the significant decision factors elicited in this study for managing their structures for inter-organizational partnerships.
The relationship between the last planner® system and collaborative planning practice in UK construction
Authors: Daniel Emmanuel Itodo , Pasquire Christine , Dickens Graham , Ballard Herman Glenn
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify how the newly emerging UK practice of “collaborative planning” (CP) for construction project delivery aligns with the advocated principles of the global last planner system (LPS) of production planning and control.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed, qualitative, exploratory approach was adopted for the study. This entailed qualitative data through three techniques, namely: semi-structured interviews, documents analysis, and structured observation. In total, 30 in-depth interviews were conducted over a 12 month period with lean construction consultants, clients, main contractors, and subcontractors drawn from the building, highways and infrastructure and rail sector. In all, 15 projects were visited where practices were observed.

Findings

The study reveals that the current practice of CP in the UK partially aligns with the LPS principles. Where practitioners have heard of the LPS they believe it to be the same practice as CP.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to 30 interviews, observation of 15 projects and document analysis. The aim of the study is not to generalise the findings, however, since the study examined top construction companies and practitioners in the UK and the findings were consistent across the sample, some conclusions could be made. The study is also limited to examining the construction phase only, future studies should incorporate the design phase.

Practical implications

A clear identification of the elements of current practice compared to the components of the LPS provides a contribution to the future practice of project production planning and management in the construction industry.

Social implications

The study highlights a continuing resistance to collaboration within the industry. This resistance is subtly embedded within implemented practices even though they are based on collaborative working for their success.

Originality/value

This is among the first studies in the UK that comprehensively examines and reports the application of LPS/CP practice in construction across the major construction sectors. Future studies could build on the findings from this work to develop an approach/methodology to improve the current practice.
Stock exchange brands as an influence on investor behavior
Authors: Çal Betül , Lambkin Mary
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of stock exchange-related brand equity on intention to invest and the mediating role of perceived risk (PR) in this relationship in a comparative analysis between a developed and a developing market.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is carried out through an online survey among financially literate adults in two countries, Turkey and Ireland. Structural equation modeling is used to empirically test the relationships between brand equity dimensions and intention to invest, with a mediating role of PR.

Findings

The results indicate that the brand equity of a stock exchange is a relevant construct that significantly influences intention to invest. Also, the mediating role of PR is found to be strong in a developing market such as Turkey, but weak in a developed market like Ireland.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation of this paper is its inclusion of individual investors as the unit of analysis while leaving out institutional ones. The second limitation is the difficulty in generalizing the results to overall country populations.

Practical implications

This paper offers managerial implications regarding the need for emphasizing “stock exchange brand,” besides corporate brands traded, and customizing the management of brand-related influencers in investment decisions according to country context.

Originality/value

The impact of corporate brands in investment choices has been demonstrated before, but the influence of intermediaries – stock exchanges – through which investments are transacted, has not yet been investigated. This study addresses this gap, and further shows the differing extent of PR in this relationship between a developed and a developing country setting.
Separate aspects of legal regulation of women’s labour rights
Authors: Burbyka Mykhailo , Klochko Alyona , Logvinenko Mykola , Gorbachova Kateryna
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to cover the problems arising in the process of women employment. The purpose is to investigate problems arising in the process of women employment, to analyse the existence of discriminatory aspects with regard to certain categories of workers, and to give recommendations for overcoming discrimination against women in the labour market.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was based on formal–logical and general scientific cognitive methods (analysis and synthesis, abstraction and concretization and deduction and induction). Systems and functional methods were used. The methods of concrete-sociological researches were used to gather, analyse and process legal information. The comparative-legal methods determined the actual realization of gender equality principles in different countries.

Findings

The Ukrainian labour legislation is imperfect and should be reformed, so as to not only declare but also protect women’s rights, in accordance with the current realities and fluctuations in the labour market.

Practical implications

The research helps overcome gender and age discrimination in Ukraine’s labour market, especially the relations that emerge at the employment stage. Discrimination against women at this stage is one of the most common forms of gender inequality.

Originality/value

Certain gaps in the labour legislation were found. The level of conformity of the current labour-relations-regulating legislation with the policy of equal rights and opportunities for women and men was determined. Recommendations, aimed at changing legal regulations to prevent gender discrimination, were developed, with a view to solving existing gender-related problems in the field of labour.
Spiritual and emotional intelligences, financial performance, tax avoidance and corporate disclosure quality in Iran
Authors: Salehi Mahdi , Ali Mirzaee Mahin , Yazdani Mahdieh
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of the current study is to examine the effects of spiritual and emotional intelligences of managers in manufacturing industries on the ambiguous activities of tax avoidance and corporate disclosure quality.

Design/methodology/approach

Managers of 178 manufacturing companies have undergone a test regarding spiritual intelligence and emotional intelligence, of which 119 responded to the online questionnaire. Information on these two psychometric items was collected through King–Baron standard questionnaire, and quantitative data on tax avoidance, disclosure quality and performance were collected through the Rahavard Novin application, financial statements and Stock Exchange website. Obtained data were analyzed using factor analysis and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results show that a relationship exists between the level of intellectual skills of managers (spiritual intelligence and emotional intelligence) and tax avoidance activities.

Originality/value

The current study is almost the first study in developing countries which focuses on the subject of the study.
Analyzing electrical installation labor productivity through work sampling
Authors: Hajikazemi Sara , Andersen Bjørn , Langlo Jan Alexander
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The construction industry is a labor-intensive industry, hence, the presence of labor with high productivity at each stage of the project plays a significant role in achieving project success. The purpose of this paper is to provide real-life empirical data about the current level of construction productivity, in this case electrical installation work, within construction projects in Norway. In addition, it was of interest to identify the areas which have the highest potential for improvement of labor productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

This study considers the construction labor productivity through an elaboration on productive vs unproductive time within construction projects. It is based on a “frequency study” done on eight construction projects in Norway. The “work sampling” method has been used for collection of empirical data. For each project, four electricians were observed an entire working day and the amount of time they spent on performing each activity was recorded every 60th seconds. The activities observed were based on a predefined set of activities.

Findings

The results of the observations show that on average, 61.1 percent of the time was direct value-added work. This number is significantly better than what is normally discussed as being productive time. However, the findings also show that there is still potential for improvement. The activities that have the highest potential for improvement include “material transfer,” “amendments to already executed installation,” “personal needs” and “waiting times.”

Practical implications

The study results will be of immense benefit to managers of construction projects as well as managers of construction organizations in enhancing their project performance and productivity.

Originality/value

This paper contributes both theoretically and empirically to the current discussion and findings on labor productivity and its relation to project success. The results presented in this paper have important implications of labor productivity in construction projects and future studies in the area of project performance.
Exploring the dimensions of place branding: an application of the ICON model to the branding of Toronto
Authors: Warren Giannina , Dinnie Keith
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the place branding dimensions of a city undergoing a concerted effort to build a distinctive brand for itself.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative, exploratory approach is adopted, applying the ICON model of place branding to the multistakeholder city branding strategy of Toronto. A combination of interviews, participant observation, content analysis and professional reflection inform the study.

Findings

Toronto’s emergence as a creative city with global standing has been achieved, in part, through a holistic and collaborative approach that is integrated, contextualized, organic and new.

Practical implications

Place and destination promoters are offered a practical application of the ICON model of place branding, informing future initiatives and offering insight into good practice.

Originality/value

Viewed through the lens of the ICON model, the paper provides insights into the collaborative and innovate practices that characterize effective city branding.
The impact of the brand management system on performance across service and product-oriented activities
Authors: Dunes Mathieu , Pras Bernard
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the impact of brand management system (BMS) practices on subjective and objective performance in both service- and product-oriented sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a “grounded-in-practice” approach to BMS, a comprehensive formative BMS scale is developed and its validity is assessed. The impact of BMS on subjective brand performance (i.e. predictive validity) and on objective financial performance is assessed. Data are collected from a sample of 298 brand managers and marketing directors in five business sectors (cosmetics, convenience goods, industry, bank/insurance and media) and from a financial database. Path analysis and multigroup analysis are performed to test mediating and moderating effects.

Findings

The results reveal that subjective brand performance (perceived brand performance) mediates the relationship between the BMS and objective financial performance of the firm and on each of the three BMS dimensions; and product-oriented (vs service-oriented) sector positively moderates the relationship between the BMS and subjective brand performance.

Research limitations/implications

The paper offers insights into adapting brand management practices along all BMS dimensions to achieve better business performance and improve objective financial performance in product-oriented activities. It highlights the role of brand management implementation, as well as the role of brand management in hierarchical relationships, in improving performance in service activities.

Practical implications

The formative BMS scale offers a tool which can be used to improve strategic decisions and give practical guidance on product vs service sector specificities. The indirect impact of a BMS on financial objective performance reinforces the legitimacy of brand managers and marketing managers.

Originality/value

This paper shows the impact of the BMS on objective financial performance by using a “grounded-in-practice” BMS scale. It also affords explanation on sectoral effects of brand management practices and their consequences on subjective and objective performance.
Results of socially responsible transformational leadership: increased holism and success
Authors: Šarotar Žižek Simona , Mulej Matjaž , Veingerl Čič Živa
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to present a research on how – the extremely necessary – systemic rather than one-sided and short-term behavior can enjoy support from (corporate and individual) social responsibility (SR) enhanced by transformational leadership as a source of success.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the previously published empirical research, the authors use qualitative research methodology including desk and informal field research, the Dialectical Systems Theory and its law of requisite holism.

Findings

The entire humankind is in big trouble and facing the danger of the Third World War resulting from the “war against terrorism” proclaimed in USA in 2002 and making close to 100 million persons need relief aid; this situation is because of monopolies in the global economy, both business and government monopolies. Application of knowledge that might be able to solve the problem depends on values, culture, ethics and norms that prevail in all/any entities from families via corporations and other organizations, countries, international entities (such as European Union) to the entire world and humankind (and its United Nations Organization). The most influential of all of them are the corporations, hence, their corporate governance and strategic management. Hence, they should urgently implement SR principles and methods supporting its realization instead of the prevailing short-term and one-sided criteria of right and wrong, for clear and proven economic reasons; satisfied and healthy people are causing much less cost and trouble than strikes, medical care, renewal of safe natural environment, wars, unhappy/abused partners, etc.

Research limitations/implications

The hypothesis is researched to the greatest extent possible, with qualitative analysis in desk and field research. Quantitative methodological approach took place in the cited previous publications.

Practical implications

For humankind and managers, the use of the transformational leadership is very important because of its positive impact on health and well-being of employees and, hence, on humankind’s survival in the current global socio-economic crisis.

Social implications

Good health and well-being of employees reduce many societal troubles and related cost resulting otherwise from the too short-term and narrow-minded behavior of managers and employees, potentially their families as well, all way to tens of millions of homeless migrants, killed and injured people, children with no chance for education, etc.

Originality/value

No similar concept is offered in the available literature.
Peer support for carers of people with dementia
Authors: Chappell Mike , Zdanowska Jane , Cashmore Jane , Oliver Gill , Cooper Joanna
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of Compass workers: a commissioned peer support model to support those caring for someone with dementia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper offers a descriptive summary of how Compass workers came to be and is informed by consultations with key stakeholders and a service evaluation encompassing both quantitative and qualitative aspects.

Findings

The findings suggest that it is possible to make use of a peer support model to support those caring for someone with dementia in the context of support being provided to the cared for by statutory services. Both quantitative and qualitative data supported improvements in the quality of life for carers.

Originality/value

Both health and social care are facing increasing pressures. This paper offers a positive approach to addressing these pressures utilising a peer support model to support carers that may be of value to others facing similar challenges.