bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of five peanut (Arachis hypogaea) genotypes to identify drought responsive mechanisms utilising candidate-gene approach
Authors: Dang Phat M. , Chen Charles Y. , Holbrook C. Corley
Published: September 2013

Drought can significantly limit yield and quality in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), depending on its timing, duration and severity. The objective of this study was to identify potential molecular mechanism(s) utilising a candidate-gene approach in five peanut genotypes with contrasting drought responses. An early season drought stress treatment was applied under environmentally controlled rain-out shelters. When water was completely withheld for 3 weeks, no physical differences were observed for treated plants compared with their fully irrigated counterparts as indicated by relative water content; however, yield, grades (total sound mature kernel, TSMK), specific leaf area, and leaf dry matter content showed significant differences. Comparing expression levels of candidate genes, ‘C76–16’ exhibited significantly higher levels for CuZnSOD, NsLTP and drought protein 1 week earlier compared to the other genotypes, followed by significantly lower levels for the same genes. This suggested an early recognition of drought in C76–16 followed by an acclimation response. Cultivar ‘Georgia Green’ showed different patterns of gene-expression than C76–16. AP-3, a susceptible genotype, showed generally lower levels of gene-expression than C76–16 and Georgia Green. Myo-inositol phosphate synthase gene-expression showed high levels in irrigated treatment, ranging from 4-fold for 08T-12 to 12-fold for Georgia Green, but were significantly inhibited in drought treatment after 2 weeks of drought and after recovery.
One confirmed and one suspected case of pharyngeal gonorrhoea treatment failure following 500mg ceftriaxone in Sydney, Australia
Authors: Read Phillip J. , Limnios E. Athena , McNulty Anna , Whiley David , Lahra Monica M.
Published: September 2013

Emerging antimicrobial resistance within Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) is a significant global public health threat. Detection and investigation of treatment failures is a crucial component of the World Health Organisation’s response to this challenge. We report the cases of two homosexual men, both treated for pharyngeal NG with 500 mg intramuscular ceftriaxone, in whom a test of cure 1 week after treatment showed persisting infection. Both men denied further sexual activity. In the first case, treatment failure was confirmed, since the isolates before and after treatment were identical by auxotype, antibiogram, multilocus sequence type (MLST) and multi-antigen sequence type (NG-MAST). In the second case, the MLSTs before and after treatment were identical, but NG-MAST results were similar but not indistinguishable. These cases underline the importance of test-of-cure and molecular investigations in identifying treatment failure, but also highlight the complexity of distinguishing treatment failure from reinfection when relying on highly variable molecular targets that may be subject to drug pressure.
Involvement of protein IF2 N domain in ribosomal subunit joining revealed from architecture and function of the full-length initiation factor
Authors: Simonetti Angelita , Marzi Stefano , Billas Isabelle M. L. , Tsai Albert , Fabbretti Attilio , Myasnikov Alexander G. , Roblin Pierre , Vaiana Andrea C. , Hazemann Isabelle , Eiler Daniel , Steitz Thomas A. , Puglisi Joseph D. , Gualerzi Claudio O. , Klaholz Bruno P.
Published: September 2013

Significance

This work reports unique insights into IF2 function during eubacterial translation initiation by addressing the function of the N domain within the structure of the full-length factor in isolated form or ribosome bound, using crystallography, SAXS, cryo-EM, fast kinetics, and single molecule fluorescence.
Dissecting the oligonucleotide binding properties of a disordered chaperone protein using surface plasmon resonance
Authors: Baltzinger Mireille , Sharma Kamal Kant , Mély Yves , Altschuh Danièle
Published: September 2013

We have used surface plasmon resonance to investigate the nucleic acid binding properties of the core protein of hepatitis C virus, a disordered protein believed to chaperone the genomic RNA. It was previously shown that a peptide (peptide E) corresponding to the association of two basic clusters of core enhances the annealing and the dimerization of nucleic acid fragments derived from a stem loop (SL2) in the 3′ untranslated region of the hepatitis C virus genome. However, strong aggregation of nucleic acids by core or peptide E in the excess of the latter precluded the characterization of their binding parameters up to now. By careful design of surface plasmon resonance experiments, we obtained accurate binding parameters for the interaction of peptide E with SL2-derived oligonucleotides of different lengths and sequences, in form of stem-loop, duplex or strand. Peptide E was found to bind in a salt dependent manner to all oligonucleotides assayed. Affinity data identify at least two binding modes, of which one is independent of sequence/structure, and the other is specific to the SL2 stem-loop fold. Stoichiometry data support a multi-motif binding model allowing formation of higher-order complexes. We propose that the modular binding mode demonstrated for structured RNA-binding proteins also applies to this disordered chaperone and is relevant to its activity.
Mismatch repair protein MSH2 regulates translesion DNA synthesis following exposure of cells to UV radiation
Authors: Lv Lingna , Wang Fengli , Ma Xiaolu , Yang Yeran , Wang Zhifeng , Liu Hongmei , Li Xiaoling , Liu Zhenbo , Zhang Ting , Huang Min , Friedberg Errol C. , Tang Tie-Shan , Guo Caixia
Published: September 2013

Translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) can use specialized DNA polymerases to insert and/or extend nucleotides across lesions, thereby limiting stalled replication fork collapse and the potential for cell death. Recent studies have shown that monoubiquitinated proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) plays an important role in recruitment of Y-family TLS polymerases to stalled replication forks after DNA damage treatment. To explore the possible roles of other factors that regulate the ultraviolet (UV)-induced assembly of specialized DNA polymerases at arrested replication forks, we performed immunoprecipitation experiments combined with mass spectrometry and established that DNA polymerase kappa (Polκ) can partner with MSH2, an important mismatch repair protein associated with hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer. We found that depletion of MSH2 impairs PCNA monoubiquitination and the formation of foci containing Polκ and other TLS polymerases after UV irradiation of cells. Interestingly, expression of MSH2 in Rad18-deficient cells increased UV-induced Polκ and REV1 focus formation without detectable changes in PCNA monoubiquitination, indicating that MSH2 can regulate post-UV focus formation by specialized DNA polymerases in both PCNA monoubiquitination-dependent and -independent fashions. Moreover, we observed that MSH2 can facilitate TLS across cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers photoproducts in living cells, presenting a novel role of MSH2 in post-UV cellular responses.
Aquimarina megaterium sp. nov., isolated from seawater
Authors: Yu Tong , Zhang Zenghu , Fan Xiaoyang , Shi Xiaochong , Zhang Xiao-Hua
Published: September 2013

A novel Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-flagellated, strictly aerobic strain with gliding motility, designated XH134T, was isolated from surface seawater of the South Pacific Gyre (45° 58′ S 163° 11′ W) during the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 329. The major respiratory quinone of strain XH134T was MK-6. The dominant fatty acids of strain XH134T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH and 10-methyl C16 : 0 and/or iso-C17 : 1ω9c. The polar lipids of strain XH134T comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, one unknown aminolipid and three unknown polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain XH134T was 32.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the novel strain was related most closely to

Aquimarina macrocephali

JAMB N27T with 96.9 % sequence similarity. A number of phenotypic characteristics distinguished strain XH134T from described members of the genus

Aquimarina

. On the basis of combined phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses, strain XH134T represents a novel species of the genus

Aquimarina

, for which the name Aquimarina megaterium sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XH134T ( = CGMCC 1.12186T = JCM 18215T).
Inflammation-mediated skin tumorigenesis induced by epidermal c-Fos
Authors: Briso Eva M. , Guinea-Viniegra Juan , Bakiri Latifa , Rogon Zbigniew , Petzelbauer Peter , Eils Roland , Wolf Ronald , Rincón Mercedes , Angel Peter , Wagner Erwin F.
Published: September 2013

Skin squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are the second most prevalent skin cancers. Chronic skin inflammation has been associated with the development of SCCs, but the contribution of skin inflammation to SCC development remains largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that inducible expression ofc-fosin the epidermis of adult mice is sufficient to promote inflammation-mediated epidermal hyperplasia, leading to the development of preneoplastic lesions. Interestingly, c-Fos transcriptionally controlsmmp10ands100a7a15expression in keratinocytes, subsequently leading to CD4 T-cell recruitment to the skin, thereby promoting epidermal hyperplasia that is likely induced by CD4 T-cell-derived IL-22. Combining induciblec-fosexpression in the epidermis with a single dose of the carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) leads to the development of highly invasive SCCs, which are prevented by using the anti-inflammatory drug sulindac. Moreover, human SCCs display a correlation between c-FOS expression and elevated levels of MMP10 and S100A15 proteins as well as CD4 T-cell infiltration. Our studies demonstrate a bidirectional cross-talk between premalignant keratinocytes and infiltrating CD4 T cells in SCC development. Therefore, targeting inflammation along with the newly identified targets, such as MMP10 and S100A15, represents promising therapeutic strategies to treat SCCs.
The controversy over national education and identity
Authors: Man Chong King
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– This qualitative multiple-case study research attempts to examine controversies associated with national education and national identity by exploring the perceptions of national identity of Hong Kong secondary school teachers. Since the resumption of Hong Kong's sovereignty by China in 1997, national identification with Chinese has been a policy priority. Hong Kong has seen an increase of national education, which aims at cultivating a Chinese national identity.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study was conducted with case study method with a convenient sampling method on ten purposively chosen sample of Hong Kong secondary school teachers, who are responsible for citizenship education in their schools. It is a qualitative research design with each teacher interviewed twice to obtain in-depth interview data.

Findings

– The findings reveal that teachers perceive their national identity with different emphases, which include both elements of civic and ethnic nationalism. Also, Hong Kong teachers showed a diversified perception of their national identity both before and after 1997, and it was found that political, social and personal events exerted influences upon their national identification. These have implication for understanding identity issue and teaching citizenship education in Hong Kong.

Originality/value

– This paper attempts to make a contribution towards understanding teachers’ perceptions of national identity by revealing that Hong Kong teachers perceive their national identity with both elements of civic and ethnic nationalism, and their perceptions are mediated by political, social and personal events. Furthermore, multiple levels of identities, namely, local, national, and global levels, should be observed.
Driving forces of the ASEAN-5 stock markets integration
Authors: Abdul Karim Bakri , Xin Ning Hoe
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine the determinants of stock market integration among five selected Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) emerging stock markets (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore).

Design/methodology/approach

– Both pooled OLS and panel data regressions were used over the period spanning from 2001 to 2010.

Findings

– This study finds that trade and stock markets volatility significantly influence stock market integration in this region. This finding is consistent with the view that the stronger the bilateral trade ties among the countries, the higher the degree of co-movements. In addition, if one market's volatility increases relative to another market's volatility, the first market's returns should also increase relative to the second market's return.

Practical implications

– As the ASEAN-5 stock markets are integrated, there is limited room to gain benefits from international investment diversification in the region. There is a need for policy coordination among ASEAN-5 members to mitigate the impacts of financial instability.

Originality/value

– The determinants of stock market integration are still largely unexplored in the previous studies. This study attempts to partially fill the gap in the literature and to provide recent empirical evidence on the forces behind the stock market integration among the ASEAN-5.
The Lee Marmon photographs: chronicles of the west
Authors: Bénaud Claire-Lise , Marie Daniel Clare
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to document the acquisition and processing of an important Native American pictorial archive, the Lee Marmon Pictorial Collection, and to elucidate some of its research and cultural value.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper combines research into archival and secondary sources with documentation of professional procedures relating to the acquisition, processing, and digitizing, as well as the content of the Lee Marmon Pictorial Collection.

Findings

– The paper finds that working directly with the creator of the archive increased its value significantly by both improving the archive's organization and enriching the identifying information accompanying the items. It also shows the broad scope and valuable content of the Lee Marmon Pictorial Collection.

Research limitations/implications

– The collaborative efforts of the archive's creator and its processors made available to the public an archive that will undoubtedly contribute to scholarship in a number of fields, including Native American Studies, American Studies, and historical and cultural studies of the Southwest.

Originality/value

– The paper discusses the unique vision of photographer Lee Marmon and his professional legacy. While the paper gives an overview of Marmon's work, it focuses on two distinct groupings, photographs of Pueblo elders and celebrities in show business and politics, and explains how Marmon's ability to serve as a conduit between these groups and the public makes the collection so valuable.
A general model of mortgage failure tipping point with an example from Southern California 2006-2007
Authors: Huang Guoping , Yates Stephanie , Ian Thrall Grant , Peiser Richard
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– Mortgage defaults within a neighborhood may tip the scales whereby a vicious cycle of disinvestment and deterioration in the surrounding neighborhoods begins. This paper aims to examine the impact that mortgage default has on properties in the same ZIP code and neighboring ZIP codes.

Design/methodology/approach

– Hypothesizing that neighborhoods' susceptibility to cascade failure can be measured by the rate of acceleration of mortgage failures within the neighborhood, the paper introduces a model to investigate whether or not this vicious cycle is such that mortgage failures multiply, and there is a tipping point at which the downward cycle accelerate.

Findings

– The paper applies the model to data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area for the period 2006-2007 and finds evidence of a tipping point.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper is limited by the availability of data with respect to both time and space.

Practical implications

– A failure tipping point will provide a signal that mortgage crisis is pending. Reacting to this signal could allow financial markets to avert such crises in the future.

Social implications

– Some neighborhoods may resist being labelled as one with significant mortgage failure activity. This resistance may cause a negative reaction to these results and implementation for the findings.

Originality/value

– To-date, no evidence of a mortgage failure tipping point has been discovered in the literature.
“I like being a teacher”
Authors: Timms Carolyn , Brough Paula
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to compare the explanatory power of two theoretical frameworks in regard to the work engagement of 312 Queensland teachers from non-government schools. The first theoretical model is the job demands-resources (JD-R) theory which suggests that work engagement will be evident if people report an abundance of resources in their work environment. The second perspective is self-determination theory (SDT) which suggests that work engagement will be evident if people are able to satisfy their personal psychological needs within the work environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– The current research collected data from the same participants on two occasions with a six-month interval. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the research hypotheses both cross-sectionally and longitudinally.

Findings

– It was found that the SDT provided the more compelling explanation for work engagement, in that career satisfaction (rather than job satisfaction) was a robust predictor of work engagement, although some evidence was also found for a contribution of the psycho-social work environment (supporting the JD-R model) in teachers’ work engagement or burnout. It was concluded that these two theoretical perspectives are compatible.

Practical implications

– It is recommended that future studies of work engagement include some measurement of people's satisfaction that the career they have chosen fulfils their personal aspirations.

Social implications

– The theories of SDT (work engagement as a fulfilment of psychological needs) and JD-R (work engagement as a balance of job demands and resources), while coming from different directions appear to be compatible, with each perspective enriching the other and affording administrators a more complete understanding of dynamics affecting the psychological health of teaching staff.

Originality/value

– Previous work involving the JD-R and work engagement has focused on the immediate psycho-social environment of the workplace. The current research finds that career satisfaction predicts all dimensions of work engagement in cross-sectional analysis and over time. This supports insights from SDT and suggests that a more complete understanding of the dynamics of work engagement must include people's opportunity to redress psychological needs within the workplace.
Shari'ah disclosures in Malaysian and Indonesian Islamic banks
Authors: Amalina Wan Abdullah Wan , Percy Majella , Stewart Jenny
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– The paper aims to contribute to the discussion on Shari'ah governance systems by examining the extent of disclosure on the Shari'ah Supervisory Board (SSB) as well as the content of the Board's report in the annual reports of 23 Islamic banks in Malaysia and Indonesia. The paper also investigates the disclosures about zakat (Islamic levy).

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is a cross-sectional analysis of annual report disclosures in the year 2009. The paper uses both disclosure indices and content analysis to measure the extent of disclosures about SSB and zakat. The paper also tests hypotheses examining the relationship between SSB characteristics and the extent of the SSB-related and zakat disclosures.

Findings

– The results indicate that SSB-related and zakat disclosures are still limited, with only four banks disclosing more than half of the SSB Index. What is noticeable is the low level of disclosure on sensitive matters. Among the factors associated with SSB-related disclosures are cross-membership with other SSBs and the expertise of SSB members in accounting, banking, economics or finance

.

Originality/value

Originality/value

– The study is the first to provide an in-depth analysis of Shari'ah disclosures in Malaysian and Indonesian Islamic banks. As such, this study makes an important contribution to the debate on Shari'ah governance systems and has implications for regulators and standard setters. The Malaysian and Indonesian standard setters could play an important role in ascertaining appropriate disclosure requirements relating to the SSB as the study suggests that the level of disclosure is less than expected. The evidence also suggests the need for mandatory enforcement of standards on these types of disclosures.
Technology strategy and sustainability of business
Authors: Li-Hua Richard , Lu Lucy
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– This paper sets out to review the literature of technology strategy, competitive advantage and sustainability of international business, in particular, the contribution that the enactment of technology strategy can make toward the effective implementation of business sustainability in the post-recession. It examines what kind of role technology strategy plays in Chinese business and how business sustainability could be leveraged through the implementation of appropriate technology strategy. This paper attempts to address various crucial issues in the establishment of a proper technology strategy for the sustainability of the business in the global market place based upon case study of five vanguard Chinese companies.

Design/methodology/approach

– This exploratory study primarily adapts a qualitative multiple-case-study method which attempts to understand how Chinese firms perceive the role of technology strategy in their business, to capture the practical terms and concepts underpinning technology strategy and sustainability, and to allow us to have an analysis of the relationship between technology strategy and sustainability of business. Finally, ten propositions concerning “technology strategy and sustainability of business” are to be developed and verified along the theoretical development of the paper and examination of five cases. The nature of the study results that the paper applies qualitative method with a multiple-case-study approach, including Geely, Haier, TCL, Huawei and Lenovo.

Findings

– This paper addresses the crucial issues – management of technology as basic function in international business and the close relationship between technology strategy and business sustainability. It showcases the Chinese business paradigm from “imitation to innovation” of how Chinese hi-tech firms built their core competence. This study provides fresh insights for multinational companies in creating competitive advantage through designing an appropriate technology strategy.

Originality/value

– Theoretically this research fills the gap of an area of technology management which has been rarely touched. This will have strong implication not only to Chinese companies but also non-Chinese multinational companies.
Exploring informal learning among hospital nurses
Authors: Torunn Bjørk Ida , Tøien Mette , Lene Sørensen Anne
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to explore the opportunities for informal learning among nurses working on a hospital ward.

Design/methodology/approach

– A field study was conducted in one hospital ward. Methods used to collect data included participant observation, ad hoc conversations and formal interviews.

Findings

– Eight categories describe the opportunities for informal learning among the nurses. Several factors seemed to mediate the opportunities for informal learning, such as the size and physical structures of the ward, role modeling by the nurse leader, systems and artifacts that triggered and scaffolded learning, and interaction and collaboration among all professionals on the ward.

Research limitations/implications

– A limitation is that data are collected from only one ward. A strength is the use of several methods to collect data and the range of participants' ages, experience and gender.

Practical implications

– This study offers examples of informal learning opportunities that can be tailored to different clinical settings. Through role-modeling the leader can influence both the norms that become established in a ward and the development of a culture of mutual support and learning.

Originality/value

– This article adds to the existing research by including observation in the hospital setting of actual practices that involve informal learning.
Corporate culture change: adaptive culture structuration and negotiated practice
Authors: Whiteley Alma , Price Christine , Palmer Rod
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present adaptive culture structuration, a new approach for theorizing and analyzing culture change and for creating an “adaptive cultural structurated learning environment”.

Design/methodology/approach

– Incorporating a case study in the financial sector the paper explores 12 employees' narrated accounts of living through a culture change initiative. A constructivist, interpretive, qualitative research study followed grounded theory principles. Organizational documentation provided secondary data. Semi structured interview data were analyzed using content analysis, constant comparison and theoretical sensitivity and were managed by ATLAS.ti software.

Findings

– Three themes emerged: respondents' investment of self, accepting the culture change initiative and its values; employees' epistemic analyses of the embedded value promises including experiencing a critical incident that interrupted managers' enactment of values; employees' resulting “received practice” which represented the enacted (versus the espoused) values and was not visible to managers.

Practical implications

– An adaptive culture structurated learning environment fosters a relationship of “negotiated practice” instead of “received practice” between managers and employees in the constitution of corporate culture change. In this space, employee interpretations and assessments, which may otherwise remain hidden from managers and thereby prevent workplace learning opportunities, can be drawn upon, shared meaning co-produced and psychological contract issues explained.

Originality/value

– While much has been written on espoused culture change, this is the first theoretical model to examine the process from an employee perspective through an adaptive culture structurated lens.
Training opportunities, technology acceptance and job satisfaction
Authors: Giovanni Mariani Marco , Curcuruto Matteo , Gaetani Ivan
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this research is to study the role of the opportunity to receive job training in enhancing people's willingness to accept information technologies (IT) and in achieving employee satisfaction. The study aims to consider training opportunities as a predictor of IT self-competence, TAM model constructs and job satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

– Structural equation models are used with a sample of 497 Italian workers who filled in a questionnaire.

Findings

– The results show a good fit between hypothesis and empirical data. Moderator roles of individual and contextual variables on training opportunities effects were studied.

Practical implications

– The practical implications of this study relate to the role played by training opportunities in the IT acceptance process and in creating job satisfaction.

Originality/value

– The most innovative finding pertains to moderator roles of individual and contextual variables on training opportunities effects.
Publishing legacy data as linked data: a state of the art survey
Authors: Marjit Ujjal , Sharma Kumar , Sarkar Arup , Krishnamurthy Madaiah
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– This article aims to discuss how the emergence of advanced semantic web technology has transformed the conventional web into machine processable and understandable form.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper the authors survey the current research works, tools and applications on publishing legacy data as linked data with the aspiration of conferring healthier understanding of the working domain of the linked data world.

Findings

– Today, a vast amount of data are stored in various file formats other than RDF, which are called legacy data. In order to publish them as linked data they need to be extracted and converted into RDF or linked data without altering the original data schema or loss of information.

Originality/value

– Most of the key issues have to be addressed. A more sophisticated approach to this technology is the linked data, which constructs the transformation of web of documents into the web of connected data possible.
Marketing via social media: a case study
Authors: Luo Lili , Wang Yuan , Han Lifeng
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a study about a successful, award-winning online video marketing project at an academic library in China, hoping to shed light on how to most effectively employ social media in libraries' marketing campaigns.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study examined the different aspects of the library's online video marketing project, including project preparation, video production, distribution and promotion, and evaluation of students' perception of this project via survey questionnaires. Factors that contributed to its success were also analyzed.

Findings

– Four factors that contributed to the success of the library's video marketing project were identified: base video content on the real campus life, reflecting what students experience in their everyday activities; convey content in a humorous, light-hearted, and refreshing style; employ social media to share content and engage the target audience; and partner with students.

Practical implications

– The paper helps interested librarians develop a more grounded understanding of how video sharing sites can be effectively and efficiently used as a marketing platform and how to successfully create their own video marketing campaigns.

Originality/value

– One significant weakness in library marketing literature is the lack of empirical studies analyzing the details of creating an online video marketing campaign. This paper helps fill that void, and contributes to the growth of the knowledge about library marketing using innovative technologies.
Post-entry internationalisation activity of retailers
Authors: Frasquet Marta , Dawson John , Mollá Alejandro
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework, based on empirical research, to explain the strategic processes of post-entry development in international retailing through consideration of the dynamic capabilities attributable to retailers.

Design/methodology/approach

– Case study approach of five international retail firms using secondary data and primary data gathered through interviews with firms
'
executives and financial analysts.

Findings

– The research findings, in the light of the existing literature, suggest a framework that makes a distinction between first level or generic dynamic capabilities relevant to the internationalization process and second level or specific dynamic capabilities that are linked to particular strategies used by individual retail firms as they internationalize.

Originality/value

– Research in international retailing has focused on empirical studies despite calls for a more conceptual approach. This paper responds to this call by applying the dynamic capabilities approach to the post-entry international activity of apparel retailers.
Financial crisis impact on sustainability reporting
Authors: Antonia García-Benau M , Sierra-Garcia Laura , Zorio Ana
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to shed some light on the effect of the current financial crisis on corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting and CSR assurance strategies that companies disclose online to stakeholders, by dividing the time horizon into two periods, before 2008 and from 2008.

Design/methodology/approach

– The sample includes Spanish listed companies, differentiating CSR reporters from non CSR-reporters. Also distinguished in the CSR-reporters sample, are those companies that assure the CSR report from those that do not. The authors contrast whether there is a trend as regards CSR reporting and CSR assurance, depending on whether the crisis has already begun or not. Next the authors focus on companies that change their CSR reporting strategy or change their CSR assurance strategy and see if there is an impact on performance (both from an accounting and from a market perspective).

Findings

– Even though the financial crisis has raised the question whether assurance of CSR reports could be a threat for business, bearing in mind the generalized initiatives to cut costs, the results show that the number of CSR reports increased significantly with the crisis (indeed, significant differences were found in ROE from CSR adopters to CSR discontinuing companies). Nonetheless, no significant impact was found regarding the changes in assurance strategy, even though there are no grounds to expect cuts in this area because the absolute number of assured reports is increasing, yet not significantly.

Practical implications

– In spite of the current financial crisis, this study identifies a business in a stage of expansion, not only CSR reporting but also assurance of CSR reports, and confirms the stability in time of the CSR assurance decision by companies as an added-value strategy to CSR reporting. There seems to be an investment view of CSR reporting and CSR assurance, which can help companies differentiate their products or services from the competition and reinforce stakeholders
'
trust.

Originality/value

– This is a pioneering study on the actual effects that the financial crisis has had on CSR reporting and assurance strategies.
Generating satisfaction towards e-learning platforms
Authors: Rey Moreno Manuel , Rufín Moreno Ramón , Medina Molina Cayetano
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine how satisfaction is generated towards e-learning platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

– This work aims to analyse the differences in the functioning of the model that explains how satisfaction is generated among users of e-learning platforms if expectations are measured before entering into contact with the service or afterwards. The statistical analysis was completed by developing a structural equation model using the SmartPLS 2.0.M3.

Findings

– The results show that, if the expectations are measured before entering into contact with the good or service, disconfirmation plays a major role in the model. If the expectations are measured after entering into contact with the good or service, the main role is played by expectations in the model. Of the variables included, perceived usefulness and effort expectancy affect satisfaction, not thus enabling conditions and social influence.

Originality/value

– The authors study the difference between the results obtained when using the cross-sectional design, where all the variables are mediated once the consumer has entered into contact with the good or service, and the half-longitudinal design, where expectations are measured beforehand.
Selecting a target segment: market structure and new venture entry strategies
Authors: Li Jiatao , Liu Weiping
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore new banks ' market niche position choices at the time of founding.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors used data on the establishment of new banking organizations in California, over 1979-1988, to test the hypotheses. During that time, banking within California experienced dramatic deregulation, which provided ample opportunities for new bank start-ups.

Findings

– New banks were found to enter more often in specialist market niches when the market was highly concentrated, but less often when there were more non-bank financial institutions active in the market. The frequency of new specialist entries displayed an inverted U-shaped pattern as the number of established specialist banks in the market increased.

Originality/value

– The findings confirm the idea that elements of market structure influence the niche positioning decisions of new ventures. The paper contributes to our understanding of entrepreneurial decision making in response to environmental conditions.
Is environmental disclosure an effective strategy on establishment of environmental legitimacy for organization?
Authors: Kuo Lopin , Yi-Ju Chen Vivian
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between level of environmental disclosure and establishment of a legitimacy image of operation among Japanese firms after implementation of the Kyoto Protocol.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study uses a sample consisting of 208 firms listed in the Japan Nikkei Stock Index 500 and adopts three-stage least-squares (3SLS) to explore the relationship between environmental news exposure, environmental disclosure in corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports, and environmental legitimacy.

Findings

– Results indicate that firms from environmentally-sensitive industries can significantly improve their perceived legitimacy by releasing CSR reports; firms with better prior environmental legitimacy will be more active in environmental disclosure and establish better environmental legitimacy in the next period; firms with better carbon reduction performance tend to have higher levels of environmental disclosure. In terms of carbon reduction performance, Japanese firms in the sample may reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 49.636 tons by allocating one million yens (approximately 9,670.3 euros or 12,328 US dollars) to environmental expenditure.

Practical implications

– The top three items of environmental disclosure in most Japanese firms
'
CSR reports are environmental management, development of alternative energies, and ecological information. These results reveal environmental behavior of sample firms in Japan to mitigate global warming. The managers should understand that the impact of substantive actions for environmental management on legitimacy is greater.

Originality/value

– Environmental management has become an important component of business management beliefs for most firms, and Japanese firms that belong to environmentally-sensitive industries are even more active in using CSR reports as an effective tool to establish their legitimacy image.
Profiting from customer relationship management
Authors: Herhausen Dennis , Schögel Marcus
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– This study aims to examine the direct and moderating effects of generative learning on customer performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors test the relationships between customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities, generative learning, customer performance, and financial performance with a cross industry survey of CEOs and senior marketing executives from 199 firms. Partial least squares are used to estimate the parameters of the resulting model.

Findings

– The results reveal that generative learning affects customer performance directly. Moreover, the interaction of CRM capabilities and generative learning contributes to customer performance. This finding suggests that firms need a well-developed generative learning orientation to fully benefit from translating new insights resulting from CRM capabilities into establishing, maintaining, and enhancing long-term associations with customers, and vice versa.

Research limitations/implications

– The main limitations are those that typically apply to cross-sectional surveys. Although several steps were taken to reduce the concern of key informant bias and common method variance, dependent and independent variables were collected from the same source at a single moment in time.

Practical implications

– Ceteris paribus, an increase of generative learning orientation by one unit (seven-point scale) can command an increase of up to 7 percent of the average customer performance due to its direct and interaction effect. Because even small changes in customer performance have a strong impact on financial performance, this finding indicates a remarkable and substantial result for managers.

Originality/value

– Though previous research provides evidence of the adaptive learning consequences of CRM, a review of the literature reveals a lack of studies that analyze the importance of generative learning orientation for successful CRM.
“The five fingers of my hand”: human capital and well-being in SMEs
Authors: Galabova Lidia , McKie Linda
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the SME managers' understanding of, and attitudes towards human capital (HC) and well-being as factors impacting on the business performance of their organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study from which this paper reports included qualitative data collected through 42 semi-structured interviews with senior managers of SMEs from growth industries in the service sector. Research was undertaken in three European Union countries: Scotland (UK), Finland and Bulgaria. These countries are considered to be at different stages in the development of a knowledge-based economy (KBE) and innovation.

Findings

– It is evident that whilst SME managers are interested in knowledge, skills and experience as key elements of HC, peoples' soft skills and attributes, such as attitude, willingness and ability to learn and develop, and enthusiasm about the(ir) work are often considered more important. HC is seen as potentially an abundant resource, providing scope for competitive advantage at both personal and enterprise levels.

Practical implications

– The key findings from this paper inform future policy and HRM practices in respect to the development of a KBE through highlighting positive impacts for SMEs' strategy management practice.

Social implications

– The key findings from this paper inform future policy and HRM practices in respect to the development of a KBE through highlighting positive impacts for SMEs' strategy management practice.

Originality/value

– This paper indentifies SME managers recognition of individual's potential to gain new knowledge coupled with a willingness to learn as important – and often more so than formal knowledge and experience. It gives valuable insights about well-being viewed through the prism of SME management. It offers opportunities for personal development as well as the acquisition of new knowledge and skills. These can have a positive impact on potential employability and also the evaluation job content.
Select genealogy sites for librarians: a survey
Authors: Richey Nancy
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– -- This article seeks to introduce librarians and paraprofessionals to genealogical information sources.

Design/methodology/approach

-- Free and subscription genealogical/family history information research sources were reviewed in order to provide a selection of resources appropriate as an introduction to the basics of genealogical research.

Findings

-- The genealogist, just like any other patron, has moved beyond use of only the traditional printed research tools. Librarians must be prepared to handle the variety of in-person and electronic requests from this growing population.

Research limitations/implications

-- Due to innumerable and diverse genealogical information sources, it is impossible to review all of sites. However, the author offers a comprehensive overview of the most used and recommended sources.

Originality/value

-- This article provides a needed introduction to genealogical and family history resources for the general reference librarian and paraprofessional, with the ultimate objective of providing germinal knowledge and foundational confidence when offering genealogical reference services.
Unique properties of cluster of differentiation 93 in the umbilical cord blood of neonates
Authors: Ikewaki Nobunao , Sonoda Tohru , Inoko Hidetoshi
Published: September 2013

It has previously been reported by these authors that cluster of differentiation (CD) 93 is co‐expressed on naive T‐lymphocytes (CD4+CD45RA+ cells) in neonatal umbilical cord blood cells (UCBCs) but not on normal adult peripheral blood cells (PBCs). In this study, expression of CD93 on other lymphocyte subsets and the concentration of soluble formed CD93 (sCD93) in serum or culture supernatants from neonatal umbilical cord blood (UCB) was examined. It was found that CD93 is also co‐expressed on CD2+, CD16+, CD56+ or CD25+ cells in the lymphocyte population of neonatal UCBCs, but not on normal adult PBCs. The concentrations of sCD93 in serum and culture supernatants from neonatal UCB were significantly greater than those from normal adult peripheral blood. The concentrations of sCD93 in culture supernatants from neonatal UCBCs and normal adult PBCs treated with phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) were significantly enhanced compared with those without PMA treatment. The degree of enhancement of sCD93 by PMA in culture supernatants from neonatal UCBCs was significantly greater than that of normal adult PBCs and enhancement of sCD93 by PMA in the culture supernatants from neonatal UCBCs and normal adult PBCs was significantly suppressed by PKC inhibitor. Interestingly, the high concentration of serum sCD93 in neonates was significantly decreased in sera from infants at 1 month after birth. Expression of CD93 on the lymphocyte population of PBCs from infants at 1 month after birth was also significantly decreased, compared with that for neonatal UCBCs. These findings indicate that CD93 in neonatal UCB has unique properties as an immunological biomarker.