bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrotalea sandarakina sp. nov., isolated from a hot spring runoff, and emended descriptions of the genus

Hydrotalea

and the species

Hydrotalea flava
Authors: Albuquerque Luciana , Rainey Fred A. , Nobre M. Fernanda , da Costa Milton S.
Published: September 2011

Two bacterial isolates, designated AF-51T and AF-50, with an optimum growth temperature of about 45 °C and an optimum pH for growth between 6.0 and 6.5, were recovered from a hot spring in the Furnas, Área da Fonte 1825, on the Island of São Miguel in the Azores. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, these strains were related most closely to the type strain of

Hydrotalea flava

at a pairwise similarity of 95.7 %. The two strains were orange-pigmented and formed non-motile, rod-shaped cells that stained Gram-negative and were aerobic and oxidase- and catalase-positive. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C16 : 0. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone 7. Based on phylogenetic, physiological and biochemical characteristics, these strains from the Azores are considered to represent a single novel species of the genus

Hydrotalea

, for which the name Hydrotalea sandarakina sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AF-51T ( = DSM 23241T = LMG 25526T). We provide emended descriptions of the genus

Hydrotalea

and of

H. flava

to reflect new results obtained in this study.
Methanobacterium lacus sp. nov., isolated from the profundal sediment of a freshwater meromictic lake
Authors: Borrel Guillaume , Joblin Keith , Guedon Annie , Colombet Jonathan , Tardy Vincent , Lehours Anne-Catherine , Fonty Gérard
Published: September 2011

An autotrophic, hydrogenotrophic methanogen, designated strain 17A1T, was isolated from the profundal sediment of the meromictic Lake Pavin, France. The cells of the novel strain, which were non-motile, Gram-staining-negative rods that measured 2–15 µm in length and 0.2–0.4 µm in width, grew as filaments. Strain 17A1T grew in a mineral medium and its growth was stimulated by the addition of yeast extract, vitamins, acetate or rumen fluid. Penicillin, vancomycin and kanamycin reduced growth but did not completely inhibit it. Growth occurred at 14–41 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 5.0–8.5 (optimum pH 6.5) and with 0–0.4 M NaCl (optimum 0.1 M). The novel strain utilized H2/CO2 and methanol/H2 as substrates but not formate, acetate, methylamine/H2, isobutanol or 2-propanol. Its genomic DNA G+C content was 37.0 mol%. In phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain 17A1T appeared to be a member of the genus

Methanobacterium

, with

Methanobacterium beijingense

8-2T (96.3 % sequence similarity) identified as the most closely related established species. Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic data, strain 17A1T represents a novel species of methanogen within the genus

Methanobacterium

, for which the name Methanobacterium lacus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 17A1T ( = DSM 24406T = JCM 17760T).
Nonomuraea soli sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from soil
Authors: Cao Yan-Ru , Jin Rong-Xian , Jiang Yi , He Wen-Xiang , Jiang Cheng-Lin
Published: September 2011

A straight-chain, spore-forming actinobacterium, strain YIM 120770T, was isolated from soil. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that the isolate represents a distinct cluster within the clade comprising the genus

Nonomuraea

and is related most closely to

Nonomuraea rhizophila

YIM 67092T (96.5 % similarity). Cells of strain YIM 120770T grew in the presence of 0–3 % (w/v) NaCl, at 15–37 °C and at pH 7.0–8.0. The diagnostic amino acid was meso-diaminopimelic acid, cell hydrolysates contained madurose, glucose, mannose, ribose and galactose, the predominant cellular fatty acids were 10-methyl C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0, and the DNA G+C content was 66.4 mol%, data consistent with affiliation of strain YIM 120770T to the genus

Nonomuraea

. Strain YIM 120770T shared low levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (<97 %) with the type strains of recognized species of the genus

Nonomuraea

and could be differentiated from its closest phylogenetic relative based on phenotypic characteristics. These results suggested that strain YIM 120770T represents a novel species of the genus

Nonomuraea

, for which the name Nonomuraea soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 120770T ( = DSM 45533T = JCM 17347T).
Proposal to reclassify

Brenneria quercina

(Hildebrand and Schroth 1967) Hauben et al. 1999 into a new genus, Lonsdalea gen. nov., as Lonsdalea quercina comb. nov., descriptions of Lonsdalea quercina subsp. quercina comb. nov., Lonsdalea quercina subsp. iberica subsp. nov. and Lonsdalea quercina subsp. britannica subsp. nov., emendation of the description of the genus

Brenneria

, reclassification of

Dickeya dieffenbachiae

as Dickeya dadantii subsp. dieffenbachiae comb. nov., and emendation of the description of

Dickeya dadantii
Authors: Brady Carrie L. , Cleenwerck Ilse , Denman Sandra , Venter Stephanus N. , Rodríguez-Palenzuela Pablo , Coutinho Teresa A. , De Vos Paul
Published: September 2011

Bacterial isolates from oak trees in Spain and Britain, showing symptoms of bark canker and Acute Oak Decline (AOD), respectively, were examined by a polyphasic approach. Both 16S rRNA gene sequencing and multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA), based on partial sequences of gyrB, rpoB, infB and atpD genes, revealed that the isolates were separated into two genetic groups according to their origin. Their closest phylogenetic relative was

Brenneria quercina

, the causal agent of drippy nut disease of oak, which clustered distant to the other species of the genus

Brenneria

. MLSA data for species of the genera

Brenneria

,

Pectobacterium

,

Dickeya

,

Erwinia

,

Pantoea

and

Samsonia

confirmed the polyphyletic nature of the genus

Brenneria

and indicated synonymy of

Dickeya dadantii

and

Dickeya dieffenbachiae

. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments confirmed this synonymy and also revealed DNA–DNA relatedness values of 58–73 % between the new oak isolates and

B. quercina

. Phenotypic and/or chemotaxonomic methods allowed

B. quercina

and the two genetic groups of new oak isolates to be discriminated from other recognized species of the genus

Brenneria

and from members of the closely related genera

Dickeya

,

Pectobacterium

and

Samsonia

. Based on the data obtained, the following taxonomic proposals are made: (1) reclassification of

B. quercina

as the type species of a novel genus, Lonsdalea gen. nov., as Lonsdalea quercina comb. nov. (type strain LMG 2724T = ATCC 29281T = CCUG 48867T = CFBP 3617T = CIP 105201T = DSM 4561T = ICMP 1845T), (2) classification of the oak isolates as Lonsdalea quercina subsp. iberica subsp. nov. (type strain LMG26264T = NCPPB 4490T) and Lonsdalea quercina subsp. britannica subsp. nov. (type strain LMG 26267T = NCPPB 4481T) and leading to the automatic creation of Lonsdalea quercina subsp. quercina subsp. nov. (type strain LMG 2724T = ATCC 29281T), (3) emendation of the description of the genus

Brenneria

, and (4) reclassification of

Dickeya dieffenbachiae

as Dickeya dadantii subsp. dieffenbachiae comb. nov. (type strain LMG 25992T = CFBP 2051T), with the automatic creation of Dickeya dadantii subsp. dadantii subsp. nov. (type strain LMG 25991T = CFBP 1269T).
Methylophaga lonarensis sp. nov., a moderately haloalkaliphilic methylotroph isolated from the soda lake sediments of a meteorite impact crater
Authors: Antony Chakkiath Paul , Doronina Nina V. , Boden Rich , Trotsenko Yuri A. , Shouche Yogesh S. , Murrell J. Colin
Published: September 2011

A moderately haloalkaliphilic methylotrophic bacterium possessing the ribulose monophosphate pathway for carbon assimilation, designated MPLT, was isolated from Lonar Lake sediment microcosms that were oxidizing methane for two weeks. The isolate utilized methanol and was an aerobic, Gram-negative, asporogenous, motile, short rod that multiplied by binary fission. The isolate required NaHCO3 or NaCl for growth and, although not auxotrophic for vitamin B12, had enhanced growth with vitamin B12. Optimal growth occurred with 0.5–2 % (w/v) NaCl, at 28–30 °C and at pH 9.0–10.0. The cellular fatty acid profile consisted primarily of straight-chain saturated C16 : 0 and unsaturated C16 : 1ω7c and C18 : 1ω7c. The major ubiquinone was Q-8. The dominant phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. Cells accumulated ectoine as the main compatible solute. The DNA G+C content was 50.0 mol%. The isolate exhibited 94.0–95.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the type strains of methylotrophs belonging to the genus

Methylophaga

and 31 % DNA–DNA relatedness with the reference strain,

Methylophaga alcalica

VKM B-2251T. It is proposed that strain MPLT represents a novel species, Methylophaga lonarensis sp. nov. (type strain MPLT = VKM B-2684T = MCC 1002T).
Genome-wide analysis distinguishes hyperglycemia regulated epigenetic signatures of primary vascular cells
Authors: Pirola Luciano , Balcerczyk Aneta , Tothill Richard W. , Haviv Izhak , Kaspi Antony , Lunke Sebastian , Ziemann Mark , Karagiannis Tom , Tonna Stephen , Kowalczyk Adam , Beresford-Smith Bryan , Macintyre Geoff , Kelong Ma , Hongyu Zhang , Zhu Jingde , El-Osta Assam
Published: September 2011

Emerging evidence suggests that poor glycemic control mediates post-translational modifications to the H3 histone tail. We are only beginning to understand the dynamic role of some of the diverse epigenetic changes mediated by hyperglycemia at single loci, yet elevated glucose levels are thought to regulate genome-wide changes, and this still remains poorly understood. In this article we describe genome-wide histone H3K9/K14 hyperacetylation and DNA methylation maps conferred by hyperglycemia in primary human vascular cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) as well as CpG methylation (CpG) assays, followed by massive parallel sequencing (ChIP-seq and CpG-seq) identified unique hyperacetylation and CpG methylation signatures with proximal and distal patterns of regionalization associative with gene expression. Ingenuity knowledge-based pathway and gene ontology analyses indicate that hyperglycemia significantly affects human vascular chromatin with the transcriptional up-regulation of genes involved in metabolic and cardiovascular disease. We have generated the first installment of a reference collection of hyperglycemia-induced chromatin modifications using robust and reproducible platforms that allow parallel sequencing-by-synthesis of immunopurified content. We uncover that hyperglycemia-mediated induction of genes and pathways associated with endothelial dysfunction occur through modulation of acetylated H3K9/K14 inversely correlated with methyl-CpG content.
Characterization of complex chromosomal rearrangements by targeted capture and next-generation sequencing
Authors: Sobreira Nara L.M. , Gnanakkan Veena , Walsh Michael , Marosy Beth , Wohler Elizabeth , Thomas George , Hoover-Fong Julie E. , Hamosh Ada , Wheelan Sarah J. , Valle David
Published: September 2011

Translocations are a common class of chromosomal aberrations and can cause disease by physically disrupting genes or altering their regulatory environment. Some translocations, apparently balanced at the microscopic level, include deletions, duplications, insertions, or inversions at the molecular level. Traditionally, chromosomal rearrangements have been investigated with a conventional banded karyotype followed by arduous positional cloning projects. More recently, molecular cytogenetic approaches using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), or whole-genome SNP genotyping together with molecular methods such as inverse PCR and quantitative PCR have allowed more precise evaluation of the breakpoints. These methods suffer, however, from being experimentally intensive and time-consuming and of less than single base pair resolution. Here we describe targeted breakpoint capture followed by next-generation sequencing (TBCS) as a new approach to the general problem of determining the precise structural characterization of translocation breakpoints and related chromosomal aberrations. We tested this approach in three patients with complex chromosomal translocations: The first had craniofacial abnormalities and an apparently balanced t(2;3)(p15;q12) translocation; the second has cleidocranial dysplasia (OMIM 119600) associated with a t(2;6)(q22;p12.3) translocation and a breakpoint in RUNX2 on chromosome 6p; and the third has acampomelic campomelic dysplasia (OMIM 114290) associated with a t(5;17)(q23.2;q24) translocation, with a breakpoint upstream of SOX9 on chromosome 17q. Preliminary studies indicated complex rearrangements in patients 1 and 3 with a total of 10 predicted breakpoints in the three patients. By using TBCS, we quickly and precisely defined eight of the 10 breakpoints.
In Vivo Analyses of the Roles of Essential Omp85-Related Proteins in the Chloroplast Outer Envelope Membrane
Authors: Huang Weihua , Ling Qihua , Bédard Jocelyn , Lilley Kathryn , Jarvis Paul
Published: September 2011

Two different, essential Omp85 (Outer membrane protein, 85 kD)-related proteins exist in the outer envelope membrane of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) chloroplasts: Toc75 (Translocon at the outer envelope membrane of chloroplasts, 75 kD), encoded by atTOC75-III; and OEP80 (Outer Envelope Protein, 80 kD), encoded by AtOEP80/atTOC75-V. The atToc75-III protein is closely related to the originally identified pea (Pisum sativum) Toc75 protein, and it forms a preprotein translocation channel during chloroplast import; the AtOEP80 protein is considerably more divergent from pea Toc75, and its role is unknown. As knockout mutations for atTOC75-III and AtOEP80 are embryo lethal, we employed a dexamethasone-inducible RNA interference strategy (using the pOpOff2 vector) to conduct in vivo studies on the roles of these two proteins in older, postembryonic plants. We conducted comparative studies on plants silenced for atToc75-III (atToc75-III↓) or AtOEP80 (AtOEP80↓), as well as additional studies on a stable, atToc75-III missense allele (toc75-III-3/modifier of altered response to gravity1), and our results indicated that both proteins are important for chloroplast biogenesis at postembryonic stages of development. Moreover, both are important for photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic development, albeit to different degrees: atToc75-III↓ phenotypes were considerably more severe than those of AtOEP80↓. Qualitative similarity between the atToc75-III↓ and AtOEP80↓ phenotypes may be linked to deficiencies in atToc75-III and other TOC proteins in AtOEP80↓ plants. Detailed analysis of atToc75-III↓ plants, by electron microscopy, immunoblotting, quantitative proteomics, and protein import assays, indicated that these plants are defective in relation to the biogenesis of both photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic plastids and preproteins, confirming the earlier hypothesis that atToc75-III functions promiscuously in different substrate-specific import pathways.
Performance measurement models in facility management: a comparative study
Authors: Meng Xianhai , Minogue Michael
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the major performance measurement models, hereafter called performance models, and investigate their application in the context of facility management (FM), based on which it aims to identify the effectiveness of these models and recommend the most important performance indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of literature review, expert interview and questionnaire survey is adopted in this study. A literature review and a series of expert interviews help to identify the performance models spread in general and applied to FM in particular. Based on the literature review and expert interviews, a questionnaire survey is carried out in the UK and Ireland to investigate the application of performance models in FM practice.

Findings

The review of relevant literature shows that in recent years various models have been developed to measure and improve the performance of organisations. The application of such models within FM organisations is evaluated in this study. It is found that key performance indicators (KPI), the Balanced Scorecard (BSC), and the Business Excellence Model (BEM) are more widely accepted and more effective than others. This is similar to the findings by a previous construction study. FM organisations benefit from effective performance measurement. When measuring performance, it is important for them to select the appropriate models and indicators.

Originality/value

The existing studies contribute to the establishment of various performance models and the introduction of their concepts into the FM discipline. However, whether the application of these models in reality is effective or not needs to be justified. This research aims at analysing the real effect of existing models in the FM sector. Comparison is made between FM and construction. It helps to identify the major benefits from performance measurement for FM organisations. It provides FM practitioners with an insight into the appropriate use of performance models and indicators.
Management of financial market scandals – regulatory and values based approaches
Authors: Sivakumar N.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The paper aims to discuss the management of financial market scandals using two different approaches – regulatory and values‐based.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the motivations behind financial scandals to occur and then explains in detail both the approaches. The paper first presents the elements of the regulatory approach. Using the teachings of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the values‐based approach are delineated. The paper also compares the two approaches and identifies their respective utilities.

Findings

While both the regulatory and values based approaches have their own utilities; stressing the values‐based approach helps with preventing financial scandals on a sustainable basis.

Practical implications

The practical implication is that it is necessary to stress the evocation of human values among investors and capital market intermediaries so that scandals can be avoided.

Social implications

The social implication of the paper is that values evocation is very important to tackle the behavioural motivations behind financial scandals. Unless values are evoked, the root causes of financial scandals will not be removed. In such cases, regulation will have only a limited effect.

Originality/value

The paper uses the philosophy and teachings of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba to develop value guidelines to prevent financial scandals.
Caste and religious diversity on human capital outcome: evidence from India
Authors: Sengupta Jhumur , Sarker Debnarayan
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of caste and religious diversity on human capital outcome and external effect of ethnic capital on human capital accumulation process based on social fragmentation of West Bengal state which is mainly shaped under caste and religious lines.

Design/methodology/approach

A field survey was undertaken in which 440 respondents belonging to 440 households were interviewed in four municipalities of West Bengal – one each for most homogeneous and most heterogeneous along caste dimension and the equal number along religious line. For a cross sectional study during a one‐year period between January‐December 2006, this study considers stratified random sampling method (a mixture of both purposive and random sampling). In addition to construction of caste and a religion based fractionalization indexes, this study considers regression analyses of ordinary least square method in order to explore the stated objectives.

Findings

It suggests that more heterogeneous localities have lower outcome of per capita education after controlling the effect of per capita income. Moreover, the external effect of ethnic capital in heterogeneous localities has also lower outcome of human capital accumulation process.

Originality/value

The lower human capital accumulation in the heterogeneous localities along caste and religious dimensions might play an adverse effect on economic growth, crime, markets, technological breakthroughs and the arts and science. So, institutional measures by government and non‐government sources are needed to improve the stock of human capital, particularly in the heterogeneous localities influencing the positive impact on higher socio‐economic outcome in those localities.
Financial interest causing problems of monetary transmission as evaluated by the Islamic alternative
Authors: Rab Hifzur , Anjum Syeda
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The paper's aim is to study the system of interest, its crippling of the market by monetary manipulation and creation of gross disparity and its consequences and to explore an efficient Islamic alternative.

Design/methodology/approach

The application of science and its analytical tools analyses and solves economic problems. As regards Shariah perspective, it may be described as guided application of science to analyse and solve economic problems.

Findings

Gross inefficiency of the system of interest arises from its conflict with nature. Its sustenance requires monetary manipulation; however, the manipulation together with interest and gross disparity and deprivation created by it cripple markets that fail to determine just prices and to maintain vital economic balances and lead to gross inefficiency resulting in massive crisis. Monetary manipulation is serious fraud and a crime against humanity. Complexity of economic environment created by dominance of interest and its manipulation of currency has created gross misunderstanding among contemporary Islamic scholars and they have failed to project efficient Islamic alternatives. Removal of these misunderstandings and misunderstanding on the growth aspect of Zakah seem to be essential for freeing humanity from the clutches of the system of interest. Linking currency with a suitable well‐defined basket of national product provides a cost free exit from monetary manipulation. However, creation of mass awareness seems to be an initial first step.

Research limitations/implications

Application of scientific approach and scientific knowledge to economic issues, especially the issue of currency, wealth measurement and analysis of system performance needs higher emphasis, efforts and resources.

Practical implications

There is need to create awareness regarding massive losses the economy suffers due to interest and monetary manipulation and to persuade governments to link currency with a suitable and well defined basket of national product. Interest and monetary manipulation have no place in Islam and as long free floats continue to be manipulated those who shun interest and exploitation must correct their accounting for the element of fraud incorporated by monetary manipulation. Consumer price index and wholesale price index may be used as a measure of currency manipulation.

Originality/value

It is an analytical study of economic problems and their efficient solution. It is most important for researchers, academics, government functionaries, social workers and all those who are concerned with economic growth, justice and welfare.
Global economic melt‐down and the role of financial institutions
Authors: Alao O. , Raimi L.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of financial institutions in the escalation of the global economic melt‐down (GEM) in America and how policy‐makers in Nigeria can learn from South Africa to safe‐guard the nation's financial institutions from economic shocks that could be propelled by banks' financial recklessness and poor corporate governance ethics.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper combines qualitative and quantitative data to establish that Nigeria has a lot to learn from America and South Africa. America is the heartland of the global financial system, and whatever happens to its economy and currency, often cause ripple effects on the rest of the world, except for a nation like South Africa that had an in‐built mechanism to forestall shock. The paper has six sections. First section presents a brief introduction on GEM and its ripple effects. Second section outlines the retrospective causes of GEM. Third section provides justification for regulation of the economy in the economic literature. Fourth section focuses on the thrust of bank regulation and control with reference to South Africa. Fifth section explores the financial institutions, regulation and supervision in Nigeria. Sixth section concludes with policy recommendations.

Findings

The findings in this paper are the potency of financial regulation and supervision to forestall economic melt‐down; the potency of financial regulation and supervision to safe‐guard a nation's financial institutions from financial recklessness and promote good corporate governance.

Practical implications

The major practical implication of this paper is that the problems of major banks in Nigeria are traceable to liquidity constraints, poor corporate governance compliance, poor credit risk management policy and ineffective allocation of capital to businesses.

Originality/value

This paper supports the Keynesian argument for effective regulation, supervision and control of the economy in general and financial institutions specifically (as opposed to the blind adoption of mainstream neo‐liberal economics).
Design and diffusion of systems for human benefit
Authors: Venable John R. , Pries‐Heje Jan , Bunker Deborah , Russo Nancy L.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce this special issue of ITP on systems for human benefit (S4HB), to develop and promote the idea of S4HB, and advocate that more research be conducted on the design and diffusion of S4HB.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper argues that S4HB are systemically under‐researched based on a historical perspective on IS research and proposes an agenda for research on the design and diffusion of S4HB.

Findings

The paper identifies extant areas of S4HB, such as health and education, but also advocates that new areas of S4HB be identified and new kinds of S4HB be designed. It further discusses how diffusion is a key issue to the realisation of human benefits and contrasts diffusion of S4HB with more commercial business systems as a motivator for further research. Finally it sets out a brief agenda for research in S4HB, including: development of a vision for research on S4HB that emphasises design for solving human problems; research on diffusion of S4HB; revision of the way impact is assessed by journals to include assessment of the significance of the problem and the achievement of human benefit; and promotion of a research culture, policies, and funding that emphasises S4HB.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to pull together a common perspective on the disparate areas of S4HB. The paper identifies what S4HB are, what their goals are, what areas are concerned, and sets out an agenda for what research is needed to realise them and their benefits in society.
The adoption and continued usage intention of RFID: an integrated framework
Authors: Alamgir Hossain Mohammad , Quaddus Mohammed
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors of radio frequency identification (RFID) adoption and its continuance intention in a mandatory and in a voluntary environment leading to developing an integrated framework.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research approach was taken in this study. The authors conducted an extensive field study, interviewing eight organizations. Factors have been analyzed from multiple perspectives and, where possible, related with the existing literature.

Findings

The findings show that along with technological, organizational, and environmental factors RFID adoption also depends on the expectations and self‐efficacy. Moreover, the process of continued usage intention involves satisfaction from current use and the degree of self‐efficacy.

Practical implications

This study focuses on the state of the RFID adoption, current usage satisfaction, and the continuance intention of the adopters toward RFID use. This study would guide the countries with mandatory RFID policy in organizational applications. Policy makers could compare their experience with the findings of this study, evaluate the past, and find the future direction.

Originality/value

This study is the first of its kind to discuss the adoption factors (in a mixed environment; mandatory as well as voluntary) and to examine the continued usage behavior together in a single platform, for the first time.
Designing and theorizing the adoption of mobile technology‐mediated ethical consumption tools
Authors: Watts Stephanie , Wyner George
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The ethical consumption movement is increasingly being supported by mobile web applications that enable consumers to reward ethical companies (and punish unethical ones) with their purchasing decisions. By providing company ethics information to consumers at the point of purchase with the swipe of a barcode, these applications hold the promise of an additional market mechanism for motivating companies to serve the public good. However, the degree that this potential is realized will depend on how widely such applications are adopted and diffused. This paper aims to identify design factors for such applications that theory suggests will enhance their diffusion by increasing the likelihood that the user will adopt the information these applications deliver.

Design/methodology/approach

The multi‐level model incorporates dual‐process cognitive theory, social capital theory, and technical design features of the mobile technology‐enabled ethical consumption (MTEC) tool to understand factors that contribute to information adoption. In this way the paper takes a design science approach to the problem of enhancing human and societal benefit.

Findings

The findings have identified technical design features for MTEC tools that show promise for maximizing data transparency, source credibility, and information adoption. These features also have the potential to minimize consumers' cost/effort to contribute their purchase (and non‐purchase) decision information to the associated community, increasing the quantity and frequency of such contributions.

Originality/value

Market‐based mechanisms for upholding the public good hold much promise for ensuring the long‐term viability of society and the earth. Hence, the role that IT can play in establishing and supporting them demands rigorous theoretically driven models of design prior to empirical validation. Whereas design science research (DSR) is often focused on solving a business problem, this work helps to expand the domain of DSR to encompass the need to address problems of human benefit and civil society.
The role of design values in information system development for human benefit
Authors: Johri Aditya , Nair Sumitra
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This paper appropriates the value sensitive design (VSD) framework to examine the role of design values in the development of an information system designed to increase transparency and reduce corruption within the context of a large‐scale e‐governance project in India.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative case study was conducted and data were collected through interviews with system designers, observations of system design and implementation, and walk‐through of designed systems. Data analysis followed an interpretive approach intended to understand informants' meaning‐making. Analysis occurred iteratively both during and after the field study.

Findings

The study reveals the complexity of the role of values in the design of information technology wherein the designers in their pursuit of transparency and reduced corruption have to continuously balance their idealistic and pragmatic values.

Research limitations/implications

This study tests the VSD framework in the context of developing an e‐government system thereby highlighting its usefulness but also outlining ways in which the framework can be expanded to make it more relevant to diverse contexts.

Practical implications

This study extends the VSD framework, particularly in contexts where designers' values are primary drivers of design decisions. A greater understanding of the role of design values across the design process can prove crucial in inculcating and reinforcing design values that lead to a more contextually relevant product.

Social implications

This research provides valuable lessons on how to approach design of systems that can benefit humans with implications for designers and for public policy.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies that utilizes the VSD framework to study information system design in a human development context with novel implications for both research and practice.
Computer self‐efficacy in the information society
Authors: Gripenberg Pernilla
Published: September 2011

Purpose

IT related skills are vital for becoming and remaining a citizen in a digitally supported information society – also for adults who are no longer in school; do not use IT in their work; are unemployed, self‐employed, or retired; or otherwise without the technical support, possibilities for training, and availability of a community of practice and “master users” that are common in organizational contexts. The paper aims to draw on literature on learning IT skills in the organizational context and to apply this in a non‐organizational, community context. The paper seeks to explore how individual IT‐skill and knowledge development could be supported using formal and informal learning strategies, including community services, training courses, information events, learning community and other learning mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is empirically grounded in a research and development project with 50 participating families who received a PC, printer, and internet connection, as well as training, technical support, and information events over a period of two years. Both qualitative and quantitative data were gathered throughout the project. Data are here analyzed as an extensive case study.

Findings

Based on experiences from the project the paper describes how “digital literacies” could be learned and supported and inclusion in the digital information society enhanced in practice. The paper develops a framework that shows how different learning strategies and mechanisms support different kinds of computer knowledge and skill areas; describes three interlinked areas of IT knowledge and skills; and suggests a number of practical implications on how computer self‐efficacy could be supported in a non‐organizational context.

Originality/value

The paper draws on extant knowledge about learning and developing IT‐skills in the organizational context, and applies this knowledge in a different context in order to explore how this knowledge can be used also outside organizations to support adults to be part of the digitally supported information society.
Marketing high‐tech products in emerging markets: the differential impacts of country image and country‐of‐origin's image
Authors: Souiden Nizar , Pons Frank , Mayrand Marie‐Eve
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The pupose of this paper is to investigate consumers' behavior in emerging countries. In particular, it simultaneously assesses the effects of country image and country‐of‐origin's image on consumers' uncertainty, aspiration and purchasing intention of high‐tech products.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a sample of 479 Chinese consumers, structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

Results show that compared to country‐of‐origin, country's image is a more effective tool in reducing consumers' uncertainty and increasing their aspiration to purchase high technology products. Contrary to country's image, however, country‐of‐origin's image plays a considerable role in influencing the product image.

Research limitations/implications

The major role of a country‐of‐origin is to influence product image while that of country's image is to increase consumers' aspiration to acquire its product and diminish their uncertainty and hesitation about buying the product. In other words, the image of a product is much more prone to the effect of country‐of‐origin's image than country's image.

Practical implications

Marketers should understand that consumers in emerging countries are ambivalent when they consider the purchase of complex products. On the one hand, highlighting the country image can contribute in alleviating consumers' uncertainty and increasing their aspiration to purchase sophisticated and complex products. On the other hand, promoting the country‐of‐origin's image can prove an effective means to improve product image in emerging markets.

Originality/value

Most of the previous studies have focused on one of the two concepts (i.e. country's image or country‐of‐origin), interchangeably used both of them, and relatively ignored their simultaneous impact on consumer behavior. The present study has tried to address this shortfall through simultaneously studying their influences on product image and consumer purchase intention; and highlighting their differential impacts.
From commodity to brand: antecedents and outcomes of consumers' label perception
Authors: Norberg Hans Martin , Maehle Natalia , Korneliussen Tor
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the significance of various aspects of consumers' perception of a collective label as predictors for consumers' intention to buy the labelled item and willingness to pay for the label.

Design/methodology/approach

The online survey was organised based on random sampling from a panel consisting of 46,000 people who had previously agreed to serve as online consumer panellists for a large market research firm. A total of 2,844 invitations were sent out and 684 panellists answered the invitation. The final sample consisted of 522 subjects.

Findings

The authors have developed and tested a model looking at the significance of various aspects of consumers' perception of a collective label as predictors for consumers' purchase intentions and willingness to pay for the labelled commodity.

Practical implications

By defining which factors influence consumers' purchase intentions and willingness to pay for the labelled product the paper suggests what managers should pay attention to when they introduce a new label for a commodity.

Originality/value

The current article contributes to the literature in three ways. First, the paper replicates the results of the previous studies on branding and extends the literature through introducing a new model defining consumers' purchase intentions and willingness to pay. Second, the paper develops and tests a model that can be applied to collective labels. Third, the paper introduces a new label specific variable – importance of the label.
Moving from service dominant to solution dominant brand innovation
Authors: Franzak Frank , Pitta Dennis
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The paper aims to track the development of service dominant logic (SDL) applied to brand management and highlights its essential elements. The paper attempts to extend the application of SDL to a form that makes the consumer part of the development process, a solution dominant approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the literature and suggests how brand managers can use service concepts, based on service‐dominance logic, to develop their new and differentiated products. The key is the relationship that customers develop with products, not the providers of those products, and how technology contributes to these linkages. This view, termed solution dominant, extends service dominant thinking. The paper also elaborates on the events and developments that have moved product development more firmly in the direction of relationships. Finally, it re‐examines some of the techniques that product developers use from a relationship perspective.

Findings

The relationship is the most important element in brand management. Relationships can take many forms based on the partners. While brand managers have traditionally focused on the relationship of the consumer with the brand, other relationships exist and are important. The internet has made it possible for consumer‐to‐consumer relationships to flourish. That presents both a challenge and opportunity for brand managers. Finally, an impending technological change reveals the potential importance of another relationship, consumer to thing (like a software application) which can build a bond, a relationship, between the consumer and a brand. The last logical possibility, thing‐to‐thing relationships already exist and their importance to brand managers is covered.

Practical implications

Service dominant logic and a focus on relationships has already been applied to brand management with success. It helps to refine the practice of branding. Consideration of a solution dominant logic, may help refine the practice further.

Originality/value

While service dominant logic has been applied to brand management, solution dominant logic, in which the consumer is part of the product/service design process has not been.
Construction of international brand portfolios: impact on local brands
Authors: Godey Bruno , Lai Chantal
Published: September 2011

Purpose

In the literature, the question of how the strategies of brand portfolios affect performance remains open and subject to contradictory developments. This paper aims to highlight the various steps involved in the analysis of international brand portfolios as well as issues specific to each of these phases.

Design/methodology/approach

This article relies on the results of a longitudinal case study conducted in collaboration with the marketing direction of Procter & Gamble's European Business Unit “Laundry and Fabric Care” from 2004 to 2009.

Findings

The authors present the strategic and operational movements that led to the reduction of the P&G brand portfolio in the laundry category. The authors then compare them with the current results of the company in this market to assess the performance of this strategy of rationalization.

Originality/value

While the best way forward to construct international brand portfolios has not yet been specifically defined and many questions remain, this article provides an illustration of a methodology tested by an international company.
Determinants of prices in an online marketplace
Authors: DiRusso David J. , Mudambi Susan M. , Schuff David
Published: September 2011

Purpose

Despite the availability of side‐by‐side price comparisons, online retailers often charge very different prices for the same product. The purpose of this paper is to identify the drivers of price differences in an online retail marketplace by examining pricing information from a sample of sellers in the market.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical, quantitative research study of Amazon Marketplace, using 498 observations of online sellers of a variety of electronics products was conducted. A regression analysis is employed to determine the drivers of these sellers' prices.

Findings

The results provide a set of factors associated with deviation from the mean price Amazon Marketplace retailers charge for a given product. The authors find that online retailers that charge higher prices post additional channels of customer service, post their return policy, have lower reputation scores, display a retail brand logo, offer more products, and are not electronic specialists.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the theoretical understanding of the effects of information quality and governance structures on prices. This is the first study to focus on these issues in an online marketplace setting.
Project management 101
Authors: Zarndt Frederick
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe basic and simple practices for technology project management. These practices are the ingredients for all successful software development and digitization projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Using project management best practices and personal experience, the paper describes three factors on which a successful technology project must be based.

Findings

Whether they are full‐time professionals or part‐time novices, managers for successful technology projects ensure that their project is well planned, and that all stakeholders communicate clearly and frequently.

Originality/value

Librarians often lack formal training in project management and learn project management skills on demand. The paper gives essential tips for project success.
Towards a “musicianship model” for music knowledge organization
Authors: Lam Margaret
Published: September 2011

Purpose

How does one classify instructional videos uploaded by musicians of different caliber and mastery on video‐sharing sites? What kinds of communities are forming around these content sources? How does one address the different perception and understanding of what music means to a diverse audience? How does one identify and address the needs of new kinds of users, who learn how to play music by using primarily online resources? While this paper does not seek to directly address all these questions, it aims to raise them with the aim of contextualizing the discussion as a necessary foundation to effectively address the more practical questions above.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a knowledge organization model of music knowledge based on the concept of musicianship as used in music education. A balanced and holistic approach is sought, especially in light of the interdisciplinary nature of the challenge being addressed. Drawing on Hjørland's work on domain analysis, and Hennion's concept of the user of music, this paper discusses music as a domain, music as information, and music as knowledge.

Findings

In particular, the concept of listening and genre are considered important ways through which one mediates one's understanding of music as knowledge. There are four “layers” in the model: Vocabulary of Music; Structures and Patterns of Music; Appreciation of Music; and Cultural‐Historical Contexts.

Originality/value

The model addresses knowledge organization challenges specific to the domain of music.
Collaborative classification of popular music on the internet and its social implications
Authors: Santini Rose Marie
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss how collaborative classification works in online music information retrieval systems and its impacts on the construction, fixation and orientation of the social uses of popular music on the internet.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a comparative method, the paper examines the logic behind music classification in Recommender Systems by studying the case of Last.fm, one of the most popular web sites of this type on the web. Data collected about users' ritual classifications are compared with the classification used by the music industry, represented by the AllMusic web site.

Findings

The paper identifies the differences between the criteria used for the collaborative classification of popular music, which is defined by users, and the traditional standards of commercial classification, used by the cultural industries, and discusses why commercial and non‐commercial classification methods vary.

Practical implications

Collaborative ritual classification reveals a shift in the demand for cultural information that may affect the way in which this demand is organized, as well as the classification criteria for works on the digital music market.

Social implications

Collective creation of a music classification in recommender systems represents a new model of cultural mediation that might change the way of building new uses, tastes and patterns of musical consumption in online environments.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the way in which the classification process might influence the behavior of the users of music information retrieval systems, and vice versa.