bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leading with relationships: a small firm example
Authors: Marcketti Sara B. , Kozar Joy M.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

For the continued vitality and success of small businesses, it is important to gain a deeper understanding of the effective behaviors of small business owners. The main purpose of this paper is to further the understanding of the relational leadership framework as used by a successful small business owner.

Design/methodology/approach

Data on the small business owner participating in this study were gathered via formal and informal interviews.

Findings

Results of this paper suggest that the profit potential of an organization as well as employee retention can be improved through leadership that embraces the five key components of the relational leadership framework: inclusiveness, empowerment, purposefulness, ethics, and process‐orientation.

Practical implications

Given the challenges of owning and operating a small firm in today's competitive business climate, it is worthwhile for entrepreneurs to use this case study as an example in effectively managing their organizations.

Originality/value

An important contribution of this paper is the identification of strategies related to the relational leadership framework as applied to the small business environment.
Knowledge management model: practical application for competency development
Authors: Lustri Denise , Miura Irene , Takahashi Sérgio
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to present a knowledge management (KM) conceptual model for competency development and a case study in a law service firm, which implemented the KM model in a competencies development program.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study method was applied according to Yin (2003) concepts, focusing a six‐professional group involved in CDA. Data were collected at the beginning of the program and 12 months later from the following sources: interviews with CDA participants, direct and participative observation and documents/organizational statements analysis.

Findings

The paper finds that, after 12 months, CDA participants presented performance improvements that were not registered in four years of traditional training practices. The experience showed that, more than developing competencies, the method can accelerate time for competencies development.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows that the KM model implementation in a small and more easily controlled group may have favoured the positive results. Studies are continuing to analyse the program over a longer period of time during which it will be possible to evaluate the enlargement in the program's range. Besides, two case studies involving a larger scale are already running.

Originality/value

The need for quick responses to the intricacy of the ever‐changing environment leads organizations to greatly rely on individuals' knowledge and competencies, which have been increasingly considered key resources for competitive advantage. The model may help companies under the pressing need to foster human and organizational competencies development, mainly service firms which produce human knowledge itself.
Assessment and reassessment of supply relationships: a case study in the Spanish wine industry
Authors: Polo Redondo Yolanda , Cambra Fierro Jesús J.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Companies that are able to manage efficient relationships with their suppliers have a greater guarantee of success and profitability in their activity. Their products will achieve the desired standards of quality. The amount of time and economic resources that firms need to build relationships is substantial and hence involves greater risk and uncertainty. Furthermore, smaller firms have fewer resources than larger ones and, therefore, the management of supply relationships can be more complicated. Therefore, this paper, by analysing a specific case, tries to identify those factors that a small to medium‐sized enterprise (SME) assesses when choosing and deciding on building a supply relationship with a specific supplier.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a real and practical case, considering the customer's point‐of‐view, this paper aims to offer a new model. It links to one group of some previously tested variables that illustrates the temporary evolution of supply relationships with present observations where both temporal extremes, the moment in which the relationship is in a latent state and its termination, are considered.

Findings

Finds that prior to terminating a relationship the company carries out a re‐evaluation of the supplier. The decision whether to continue the relationship after renegotiating some of its aspects, or terminate it altogether, will be made after analysing the results of that new evaluation. But firms are more demanding in this than in the initial assessment.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations could arise because we consider only one case study, although a set of relationships are analysed.

Originality/value

No previous researches analysing the dynamics of supply relationships have compared both initial assessment to possible reassessment processes.
Driving towards sustainable profitability: transportation service providers and customer relationship management
Authors: Gopal Gurram , Cline Steve
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to highlight the focus on short‐term profitability by transportation service providers in a notoriously cyclical business, often at the expense of developing customer loyalty. It urges transportation service providers to use customer relationship management tools and customer emotions to generate long‐term profitability.

Design/methodology/approach

The insights into the marketing aspects of the transportation services industry were developed based on interviews and discussions with more than 50 transportation industry specialists, representing service providers and buyers.

Findings

The transportation services industry is a cyclical business and, in the post‐2001 economic recovery, carriers have focused, as in previous cycles, on short‐term profitability. They are not investing in customers offering potential future growth, and are dropping currently unprofitable customers in favour of those offering the most profit per lane today. Customer relationship management techniques, especially those based on customer emotions, can be used by the transportation service providers to generate customer loyalty, allowing them to grow with their customers and smooth out the peaks and valleys of the business.

Research limitations/implications

The research was constrained by limited access to quantitative data from the carriers and buyers and limited ability to publish data due to reasons of confidentiality.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the need for transportation service providers to use customer relationship management techniques and generate and sustain customer loyalty to drive their long‐term profitability.

Originality/value

Relationship‐based marketing has been a neglected function for transportation service providers. This paper provides a rationale for the transportation service industry to adopt customer relationship management techniques, successfully used in financial and other services, and presents some CRM methods, especially those based on customer emotions.
Into the depths of the I‐E‐I framework: using the internet to create value in supply‐chain relationships
Authors: Foster Tim
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to provide a better understanding of how industrial (B2B) organizations use their web sites as a marketing communication tool to create value through their supply (value) chain relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of previous studies on B2B web sites results in the development of the “I‐E‐I (internet‐extranet‐intranet) framework”, with three research questions focusing on how each of the three levels of the I‐E‐I framework can be described. Via these research questions the framework is tested empirically over a ten‐month period in an industrial (B2B) web site setting. A qualitative, case study approach is used utilizing multiple sources of evidence.

Findings

It was found that in order to make online (communication) efforts more effective throughout the value chain, an inside‐out communication strategy is needed by the organization. Each level seems to have primary versus secondary stakeholders in terms of the access to and interaction with the web site level in which they are interacting. Overall, it was found that the deeper one went into the I‐E‐I framework, the more value that was created and that such value was both provided to and received from both the organization and the stakeholder.

Originality/value

The I‐E‐I framework developed in this study introduces a framework that can be tested empirically, discussed and debated in other settings and provide a springboard for more in‐depth studies on value creation in B2B web sites for both scholars and practitioners.
An exploration of warehouse automation implementations: cost, service and flexibility issues
Authors: Baker Peter , Halim Zaheed
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Automated warehouse equipment is often regarded as being inflexible, and yet its use continues to rise even though markets are becoming increasingly volatile. The purpose of this paper is to explore the reasons for, and nature of, warehouse automation implementations in order to further this understanding.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on semi‐structured interviews with some of the key stakeholders in automation projects. This is followed by a survey questionnaire to widen the findings.

Findings

The research indicates that the main reason for automation is to accommodate growth, with cost reduction and service improvement also being important. The implementation process tends to be complex and lengthy, although most projects are controlled within the planned budget and timescale. There is, however, a real risk of disruption and service level failings during the operational start‐up of these projects, as well as some concerns about ongoing flexibility.

Research limitations/implications

The findings provide a useful insight into these areas but further research is required to explore the key characteristics of successful implementations and to understand how warehouse automation can be designed to provide responsiveness to rapidly changing market conditions.

Practical implications

The findings have important implications as regards the need to incorporate scenario planning into the design process and to plan for the management of the ongoing operation.

Originality/value

There has been relatively little previous research into this important area, which involves a substantial proportion of the capital budget of many supply chains. The above findings are of value to academics and practitioners.
Supply chain partnering: a temporal multidisciplinary approach
Authors: Knoppen Desirée , Christiaanse Ellen
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to develop a multidisciplinary approach towards supply chain partnering to increase sensitivity for providing more powerful explanations of this complex, dynamic and sometimes paradoxical phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology employed is conceptual theory development, grounded upon transaction cost economics, organizational design, and organization behaviour theory.

Findings

The main concerns of partnering are appropriation, coordination and adaptation. The relative importance of each concern varies depending on the partnership's stage of development. The paper argues that the different bodies of literature each emphasize a different concern. Consequently, the multidisciplinary approach developed has a temporal nature and the three mentioned bodies of literature fit in different stages with associated concerns.

Research limitations/implications

Propositions for empirical testing are developed, regarding, for example, the impact of adaptation on the risk of appropriation.

Practical implications

Understanding the interrelation between the different concerns can increase the success of a partnership.

Originality/value

The temporal approach contributes by drawing a full picture of supply chain partnering, which is not obtained by viewing each one of its constituting bodies of literature in isolation.
Staffing practices in the private sector in Sri Lanka
Authors: Wickramasinghe Vathsala
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to present and discuss the findings of a study of staffing practices in the Sri Lankan private sector with particular reference to junior level managerial jobs. The scope of staffing practices consisted of six major areas, namely the usage of information from job analysis in staffing, the sources of labour, selection criteria and selection methods in use, the validation of staffing practices and the involvement of HR managers and line managers in staffing.

Design/methodology/approach

Sixty‐two companies were selected based on a stratified random sample method from two major types of companies – those listed on the stock exchange and those not listed. A self‐administered questionnaire was chosen as the main mode for data collection. For the study, a combination of quantitative and qualitative inquiries was adopted.

Findings

Sri Lankan companies placed higher weighting on the external labour market in recruitment and the use of objective criteria in selection. The common ground for the companies is the heavy role that interviews, written examinations, psychometric tests and assessment centres play as selection methods.

Originality/value

The credibility of management concepts is partly determined by their diffusion across the world. Also, such credibility will be enhanced if the concepts are viewed to be applicable in different country contexts. However, staffing practices remain dubious due to the lack of empirical studies in the context of Asian developing countries. Specifically, no such studies have been conducted in the context of Sri Lanka.
Gender‐related differences in the occupational aspirations and career‐style preferences of accounting students
Authors: Danziger Nira , Eden Yoram
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether gendered differences in occupational aspirations still appear when considering students with similar abilities who study competitively in the same achievement‐oriented educational setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses stipulated an interaction between gender and year of study on students' career aspirations and on career‐style preferences. An interactive expression was constructed, multiplying gender by year of study (i.e. a female student in her freshman year, a female student in her senior year, and so on). A sequence of logistic regressions was used to test the hypotheses. The hypotheses were tested by cross‐sectional analysis of the data, using 802 valid questionnaires collected from a sample of 1,000 Israeli accounting students from the accounting programs at three institutions of higher learning.

Findings

It was hypothesized that differences between the sexes in occupational aspirations and career style preferences would evolve and increase with years of study and especially as students approached the end of the academic track. In other words, it was expected that an interaction between gender and year of study would affect students' occupational aspirations and career‐style preferences. The findings supported the hypothesis. In their freshmen year, the sexes shared a similar pattern of aspirations and goals. However, during their later academic years, females reduced their occupational aspirations and revealed a stronger preference for a convenient balance between work and other facets of life. Logistic regressions demonstrated the statistically significant effect of the interaction between gender and academic year on student occupational aspirations and career‐style preferences.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates the decrease in female students’ occupational aspirations during the educational period, and that encouraging young women to obtain male‐type professional education might be insufficient in order to eliminate inequality between the sexes.
Generational preferences for work environment fit: effects on employee outcomes
Authors: Westerman James W. , Yamamura Jeanne H.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The examination of generational differences is an important area of inquiry for management research. Firms must recognize the influence of the values and work preferences of the next generation on organizational outcomes in order both to retain staff and to groom future leaders. It is proposed to examine the theory that firms' lack of success at employee retention may be impacted by the extent to which they understand and address generational differences in values, goals, and preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used survey methodology to examine generational and gender differences amongst the work environment preferences of 234 accountants in accounting firms.

Findings

The results indicated the importance of goal orientation and system work environment fit for younger generation workers on satisfaction and intention to remain; and relationship fit on the satisfaction of Baby Boomers. Baby Boomers also experienced higher levels of overall satisfaction than younger generation employees.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is limited to accountants in the USA.

Originality/value

Generational differences significantly impact employee attitudes and outcomes in the workplace. If firms are unable to modify their cultures and work environments to adequately meet the needs of their younger generation employees, they will continue to experience high levels of dissatisfaction and turnover.
Effects of dialogue groups on physicians' work environment
Authors: Bergman David , Arnetz Bengt , Wahlström Rolf , Sandahl Christer
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether dialogue groups for physicians can improve their psychosocial work environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study assessed the impact of eight dialogue groups, which involved 60 physicians at a children's clinic in one of the main hospitals in Stockholm. Psychosocial work environment measures were collected through a validated instrument sent to all physicians (n=68) in 1999, 2001 and 2003. Follow‐up data were collected after the termination of the groups.

Findings

The overall score of organizational and staff wellbeing, as assessed by the physicians at the clinic, deteriorated from 1999 until 2003 and then improved 2004. This shift in the trend coincided with the intervention. No other factors which might explain this shift could be identified.

Research limitations/implications

In a naturalistic study of this kind it is not possible to prove any causal relationships. A controlled survey of management programmes concerning the work environment among physicians would be of interest for further research.

Practical implications

The results suggest that dialogue groups may be one way to improve the psychosocial work environment for physicians.

Originality/value

There is a lack of intervention studies regarding the efficacy of management programmes directed toward physicians, concerning the effects on professional and personal wellbeing. This is the first time dialogue groups have been studied within a health care setting.
Cancelled elective operations: an observational study from a district general hospital
Authors: Sanjay P. , Dodds A. , Miller E. , Arumugam P.J. , Woodward A.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Cancelled operations are a major drain on health resources: 8 per cent of scheduled elective operations are cancelled nationally, within 24 hours of surgery. The aim of this study is to define the extent of this problem in one Trust, and suggest strategies to reduce the cancellation rate.

Design/methodology/approach

A prospective survey was conducted over a 12‐month period to identify cancelled day case and in‐patient elective operations. A dedicated nurse practitioner was employed for this purpose, ensuring that the reasons for cancellation and the timing in relation to surgery were identified. The reasons for cancellation were grouped into patient‐related reasons, hospital clinical reasons and hospital non‐clinical reasons.

Findings

In total, 13,455 operations were undertaken during the research period and 1,916 (14 per cent) cancellations were recorded, of which 615 were day cases and 1,301 in‐patients: 45 per cent (n=867) of cancellations were within 24 hours of surgery; 51 per cent of cancellations were due to patient‐related reasons; 34 per cent were cancelled for non‐clinical reasons; and 15 per cent for clinical reasons. The common reasons for cancellation were inconvenient appointment (18.5 per cent), list over‐running (16 per cent), the patients thought that they were unfit for surgery (12.2 per cent) and emergencies and trauma (9.4 per cent).

Practical implications

This study demonstrates that 14 per cent of elective operations are cancelled, nearly half of which are within 24 hours of surgery. The cancellation rates could be significantly improved by directing resources to address patient‐related causes and hospital non‐clinical causes.

Originality/value

This paper is of value in that it is demonstrated that most cancellations of elective operations are due to patient‐related causes and several changes are suggested to try and limit the impact of these cancellations on elective operating lists.
Hostility in coronary artery disease patients and health care workers in Slovakia
Authors: Selko Dusan , Bacharova Ljuba , Rusnakova Viera , Katina Stanislav , Liska Branislav
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Increased levels of hostility are associated with the increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), and with poorer outcomes in CAD patients. The purpose of this paper is to estimate the level of hostility in CAD patients and in health care (HC) workers, as potential groups for intervention programmes.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative cross‐sectional study was undertaken. Hostility questionnaires were distributed in a non‐randomized fashion in a group of 236 CAD patients (187 men, 49 women), aged from 33 to 69 years (average 52 years) and 181 health care workers (52 men, 129 women), aged from 19 to 65 (average 31 years). The results of the survey were discussed in a focused group.

Findings

The results showed that the high level of hostility in both CAD patients and HC workers exceeded the risk value of 10 in 89 per cent of CAD patients and 95 per cent of HC workers. No difference was found in the hostility scores between CAD patients and HC workers. There was a tendency to higher scores of hostility or of its subcategories (cynicism, anger, aggression) in physicians and nurses of the invasive cardiology or the intensive care units.

Originality/value

This paper is of value by showing how increased level of hostility was the issue in both patients and HC workers, with potential consequences of health risk for individuals, as well as deteriorated interpersonal relations and a conflict‐generated corporate culture for organizations. Differently tailored programmes for hostility management for particular target groups may help to prevent negative developments.
Hedge fund side letters: guidance for UK managers
Authors: Astleford Peter D. , Frase Richard , Hougie Andrew , Martin Stuart
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to discuss the Guidance Note on disclosure of hedge fund side letters issued by the UK's Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) in September 2006.

Design/methodology/approach

Explains the meaning of “material” and “non‐material” and recommends immediate actions and ongoing disclosure policies for funds and fund managers.

Findings

Generally, it is more appropriate for disclosure to come from the fund than the fund manager. The manager has a degree of discretion as to what constitutes a “material” term. The new FSA approach does not prohibit the use of side letters.

Originality/value

An interpretation of the Guidance that will help fund managers fine‐tune their policies on use of side letters and disclosure of terms in those letters.
Insider trading
Authors: Burke Timothy P. , Jarkowski Hope M.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to remind investment firms of the importance of policies, procedures, and supervisory controls to detect the misuse of material, non‐public information.

Design/methodology/approach

Summarizes a recent increase in regulatory concern over insider trading and suggests that firms review their “information wall” procedures.

Findings

At a minimum, a firm's information wall procedures should include the following elements: surveillance of employee trading; supervision of interdepartmental communications, including “walling off” procedures and procedures for “wall crossings”; a review of proprietary training when the firm is in possession of material, non‐public information; employee training and education, and documentation.

Originality/value

Reviews the key elements of an investment firm's insider trading policies.
Share‐class suitability: taking the guesswork out of mutual fund remediation
Authors: Dhandapani Bhaskar
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a practitioner's view on the key areas broker‐dealers need to evaluate while undergoing a mutual fund remediation exercise.

Design/methodology/approach

This article is based on the experiences of the author while working with various broker dealers in this area.

Findings

The takeaways are categorized in four sections. These are: assessing data availability and quality; defining remediation process and selecting associated algorithms; analyzing key business rules, and creating and managing an automated rules‐based engine. Each section details issues that need to be considered and analyzed, options available and the impact of such options.

Practical implications

Tackling the areas identified in the article can help firms in streamlining the process, making it predictable, consistent, transparent and auditable. It also helps in reducing the recurrence of these issues and provides a clear basis for other remediation exercises like NAV Transfers, breakpoint accuracy and market timing.

Originality/value

While there are several publications that explain the underlying problem, there is limited literature that details the issues and road‐blocks confronting organizations that need to undertake such an initiative. The paper addresses this gap and gives compliance professionals a checklist to ensure a smooth remediation process.
System dynamics modelling of firm value
Authors: Azeem Qureshi Muhammad
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess how investment, financing and dividend policies may affect firm value.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops a system dynamics‐based model by using “financial management approach,” “capital structure approach,” “resource‐based approach,” and “sustainable growth approach” to identify investment, financing and dividend policies that may help maximize the firm value.

Findings

Adequate investment in productive assets is the first step to achieve value maximization objective. Low debt capital structure plays a dominant role to maximize the firm value, contrary to the suggestions generally found in corporate finance literature. Rather insignificant role of firm's short‐term financing policy is observed. A consistently stable dividend policy is also a prerequisite of firm value maximization.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this study include: the competitors' actions are not modeled; human resources and other intangible resources are not modeled; instead of market debt, debt is assumed to be bank debt. Future studies may bring in the competitors' actions, intangible assets including human resources, and may also consider to model debt as market debt.

Practical implications

The firms operating in favorable product market conditions should keep their operating and financial risks low which will also maximize their firm value. On the other hand, the firms facing unfavorable product market conditions have to make a trade‐off to minimize operating risk vs financial risk.

Originality/value

Usually the studies test one policy in isolation. However, this may probably be the first study that simultaneously tests various combinations of investment, financing and dividend policies that may help maximize the firm value.
Generic tool for measuring the reliability of product development processes
Authors: Rashid Mustafa M. , Ismail Hossam
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a generic method and tool for assessing the reliability and robustness of the product development process.

Design/methodology/approach

By extending the integrated definition for function modelling (IDEF0)‐based modelling approach, the paper demonstrates how to calculate the effectiveness of the process and the quality of the process output based on the quality of inputs, the controls and the tools used within the process. To illustrate and validate the proposed approach, it is applied to a case study of a product development process incorporating incomplete, fuzzy and uncertain inputs and resources.

Findings

Demonstrates the effectiveness of the tool in providing a quantified assessment of the process as well as its ability to identify those critical areas which will yield a significant improvement in the outcome of the product development process.

Originality/value

The technique is a valuable tool to assess the robustness and sensitivity of the process to changes in the quality of inputs, controls and tools, and can be integrated into businesses processes and management systems, and used as a tool to support continuous business and manufacturing decisions at any point of time.
Models for e‐government
Authors: Beynon‐Davies Paul
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to present a meta‐model for electronic government (e‐government) which takes account of the broad nature of this contemporary socio‐technical phenomenon. As such it contains within it a number of possible “business models” for the development of e‐government – strategies for e‐government focused around key business processes and information systems.

Design/methodology/approach

This meta‐model is built from literature taken from the domains of informatics, business and public administration. It is also built on established academic, policy and practitioner literature from the domain of e‐government itself.

Findings

The paper demonstrates and validates the use of this meta‐model in three ways. First, it is used as an explanatory tool to help review the contemporary experience of e‐government in the UK. To help in this process we position specific case examples of e‐government against the model from this experience. Second, it is used to evaluate a number of existing models of e‐government, particularly those which provide an explicit framework of e‐government progress. A number of deficiencies in such models are identified from this evaluation. Third, the meta‐model is proposed as a framework for evaluating and potentially benchmarking e‐government. The intention is to raise the perspective of evaluation and benchmarking in this area beyond its contemporary focus on electronic service delivery.

Originality/value

To demonstrate the worth of this approach, the paper describes the application of elements of this meta‐model in two evaluation/benchmarking exercises undertaken by the author in the context of regional e‐government.
E‐inclusion as a further stage of e‐government?
Authors: Sahraoui Sofiane
Published: March 2007

Purpose

An IT rationalist discourse predominates in the e‐government literature. Furthermore, and whenever an alternative and holistic discourse is developed, e‐government evaluation remains mechanistic. E‐inclusion is rightfully advocated as a socially inclusive strategy for e‐government planning and development but it is erroneously considered as a further stage of e‐government development, following the fourth and transactional stage. The paper aims to reconfigure e‐government and e‐inclusion as two parallel processes of government intervention to support a socially inclusive development strategy through a national IT strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews the general discourse surrounding e‐government development and implementation, highlighting its mechanistic underpinnings and contrasting it with an inclusive approach to e‐government. The mechanistic discourse of e‐government is analyzed through key constructs that underlie the e‐government concept. Vision and objectives, e‐government evaluation, e‐government models and the enabling role of ICT will be analyzed in view of sorting out the predominance of a mechanistic theme in their elaboration. The synthesis part of this work introduces e‐inclusion based on a more organic and community‐centered approach to e‐government in light of the insufficiencies earlier identified.

Findings

Whilst e‐inclusion provides a good platform to pinpoint insufficiencies of the predominant mechanistic approach to e‐government, it remains doubtful whether it could be achieved within the realm of e‐government programs alone.

Practical implications

Models, roadmaps and strategies for e‐inclusion should explicitly outline the premises for a socially inclusive e‐government and not consider e‐inclusion as a further and mechanical stage of the e‐government stage model. E‐government evaluation has to pinpoint the inclusion aspects of existing projects by going beyond mechanistic measurements.

Originality/value

This paper questions a major assumption in the e‐government literature, namely that e‐inclusion follows e‐government. By drawing from the political science literature, it identifies a niche for e‐inclusion which helps reconceptualize it as socially inclusive government rather than a further stage of e‐government.
An executive's guide to business transformation
Authors: Bititci Umit S.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The objective of this article is to provide executives with a practical high‐level roadmap to business transformation.

Design/methodology/approach

Over the past 20 years in his role as an academic, researcher and consultant, the author and his team have worked with and observed several organizations of varying sizes. This resulted in the identification of patterns associated with failed and successful transformation attempts, which in turn have been summarized into a formula for business transformation.

Findings

Any successful business transformation will have to address all eight components of the business transformation model. These are: value streams, strategy, organization, people, processes, systems and resources, leadership and performance measurement. For a transformation attempt to succeed, all eight components must be addressed. Most failed transformation attempts have failed to address one or more of these components.

Practical implications

The roadmap for business transformation provides a high‐level checklist to facilitate executives to plan their transformation journey with a certain degree of confidence. The article provides practical guidelines and tips to ensure that each component of the formula is appropriately addressed.

Originality/value

The article provides a holistic and practical look at business transformation from an executive's viewpoint.
Causes of Action: First Findings of the LSRC Periodic Survey
Authors: Pleasance Pascoe , Genn Hazel , Balmer Nigel J. , Buck Alexy , O'Grady Aoife
Published: March 2007

In this paper we report some of the first findings of the LSRC periodic survey of justiciable problems. We confirm the prevalence of justiciable problems amongst the general population. We identify important differences in the experiences of discrete socio–demographic populations, not only in terms of the number of problems faced, but also in terms of the perception of problems and reactions to them. We show that cost is not the principal barrier to taking action or obtaining advice across most problem categories. Other concerns, such as fear or uncertainty as to what can be done are generally more prevalent. We illustrate the range of strategies employed by those who take action, and confirm the rarity of court action. Finally we show that the basic form of Felstiner, Abel, and Sarat's aetiology of lawsuits is recognizable within our findings, although we explain that the manner and form of progression through the various stages is complex and irregular.
Evaluating the Scottish Public Defence Solicitors’ Office
Authors: Goriely Tamara
Published: March 2007

The debate continues over whether salaried public defenders are more cost–effective than private practitioners. A three–year evaluation of the Edinburgh pilot office found that public defenders resolve cases at an earlier stage. Their clients were more likely to plead guilty at preliminary hearings, and less likely to hold out to the day of trial. This has the (so far unrealized) potential to save legal aid costs, and it inconvenienced fewer witnesses. But it also meant that public defenders had a higher conviction rate. Furthermore, in Scotland (unlike Canada) earlier pleas did not lead to lower sentences. Clients described public defenders as businesslike but felt less emotionally supported. Finally, the study showed that it is not easy to realize cost savings. Pilot offices, operating in the glare of publicity, incur some additional costs.
The Law and the Desert: Alternative Methods of Delivering Justice
Authors: Anderson Louise
Published: March 2007

This article considers the way in which the Federal Court of Australia has adapted to the native title jurisdiction. Here we see how common law approaches to law and procedure challenge, and are challenged by, the culture of indigenous peoples and customary law. It conveys the risk of cultural violence in a balancing of legal and cultural norms and shows how access to justice debates reach beyond debates about funding and advice into more fundamental issues about legal process and the nature of substantive law. The Court's approach to facilitating access to justice goes deeper than essential procedural changes. Its approach suggests a cultural change within the Court.
Adversarial Mythologies: Policy Assumptions and Research Evidence in Family Law
Authors: Hunter Rosemary
Published: March 2007

This article contrasts policy advocacy of alternative dispute resolution, and demonization of lawyers and court proceedings in family law, with research evidence that calls those policy positions into question. The research demonstrates, broadly, that restrictions on the availability of publicly funded legal representation do not necessarily lead parties to choose alternative resolution processes, that lawyers are much less adversarial than self–representing litigants, and that lawyer representation and litigation may produce more satisfactory and appropriate outcomes than mediation in some kinds of family disputes. The article argues that legal aid policies should respond to these realities rather than clinging to adversarial mythologies.
030 A Rabbit Ear Excessive Scarring Model Using Growth Factor Stimulators
Authors: Gu D‐L. , Kang D.W. , Looper D. , Maneval D. , Zepeda M.
Published: March 2007

Research on abnormal scarring, such as excessive scars, has been hampered by the lack of relevant animal models. Recent studies suggest that TGF‐β1, PDGF‐BB and FGF‐2 are stimulators of fibrosis or scarring. We developed a rabbit ear cutaneous excessive scarring model using the growth factor stimulators TGF‐β1 (0.25, 0.5 or 1 μg per wound), PDGF‐BB (1, 2 or 3 μg per wound) and FGF‐2 (0.5, 1, 3 or 5 μg per wound). Three 8‐mm diameter wounds were created on each ear in NZW rabbits (n = 6 wounds). The test growth factors were injected intradermally immediately after wounding. Controls consisted of PBS, BSA and wounding only without injections. Scar thickness of wounds was measured with a micrometer at days 14 and continued twice a week thereafter until sacrifice at day 28. Results showed that the greatest measurement of elevated scars was observed at day 14. Significant differences of scar thickness were observed in TGF‐β1 at a dose of 0.25 μg, PDGF‐BB at a dose of 3 μg, and FGF‐2 at a dose of 3 μg per wound groups when compared to PBS and wounding only groups (p < 0.05). Interestingly, BSA, a protein stabilizer for TGF‐β1 and FGF‐2 proteins, also significantly elevated scar thickness at day 14 over PBS alone (p < 0.05). Trichrome stained tissue sections on day 28 showed an increase in cellularity and thicker epithelium in all doses of TGF‐β1, PDGF‐BB and FGF‐2 protein treated groups when compared to wounding only, PBS or BSA treatments. In general, FGF‐2 treated wounds showed more vascularity than TGF‐β1 and PDGF‐BB treated wounds. By contrast, PDGF‐BB treated wounds showed richer collagen deposition than TGF‐β1 and FGF‐2 treated wounds. Results from these studies demonstrated that TGF‐β1, PDGF‐BB and FGF‐2 contributed to the scar formation in the rabbit ear scar model. BSA may contribute in stimulating scar formation in the early stage of wound healing in this model. Enhancing elevated scar formation in the rabbit ear model will be useful in evaluating anti‐scarring agents for excessive scars such as hypertrophic scars and keloids.
031 IGF‐I stimulates VEGF production in endothelial cells by inhibiting poly(ADP‐Ribose)‐polymerase
Authors: Beckert S. , Scheuenstuhl H. , Farrahi F. , Aslam R. , Hunt TK. , Hussain Z.
Published: March 2007

Introduction: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) mediated angiogenesis plays a key role in wound healing. Insulin‐like Growth Factor I (IGF‐I) has been reported to be angiogenic. However, the mechanism is not known. Recently, a link between transcriptional activity and inhibition of poly(ADP‐Ribose)polymerase (PARP) has been reported. We investigated whether IGF‐I increases VEGF expression and whether this effect is regulated by the inhibition of PARP.

Material and methods: Subconfluent monolayers of human umbilical vein cells were cultured and serum starved. Cultures were treated with Long‐R3‐IGF‐I for 20 h. VEGF in the supernatant was measured by ELISA and lactate by a lactate analyser. PARP activity was assessed by measuring the incorporation of 14C‐radiolabeled NAD+. All experiments were performed in triplicate. Results are given as percent change compared to control ± SD; p < 0.05 calculated by Student‘s t‐test was considered significant.

Results: IGF‐I increased both VEGF (20 ± 10%, 50 ± 16%(p = 0.01) and 79 ± 13%(p = 0.0003)) and lactate production (12 ± 11%, 20 ± 12% and 48 ± 16%(p = 0.01)) in a dose dependent manner (25, 50 and 100 ng/ml). Blocking glucose utilization by 2‐desoxyglucose, decreased lactate by 70 ± 11%(p = 0.0001), but not VEGF expression. Inhibitors of MAP‐kinase (PD 98059) and Proteinkinase C (Staurosporine) reduced the IGF‐I effect on VEGF expression by 40 ± 6%(p = 0.0003) and 30 ± 7%(p = 0.01). 3‐Aminobenzamide and nicotinamide alone, inhibitors of PARP, stimulated VEGF production by 66 ± 5%(p = 0.0003) and 32 ± 8%(p = 0.002), respectively. IGF‐I inhibited PARP by 44 ± 3%(p = 0.01).

Conclusion: IGF‐I enhances VEGF protein expression in endothelial cells. This is mediated through signal transduction and by inhibition of PARP.
034 Light‐Emitting Diode Therapy Increases VEGF and no Production in Raw 264.7 Cells
Authors: Leong M. , Zhao J. , Gould L.J.
Published: March 2007

Introduction: Low‐energy laser photostimuation has been reported to affect the proliferative phase of wound healing and stimulate macrophages. Light‐emitting diodes (LED) are an efficient, inexpensive source of low energy photons. We propose that LED therapy will stimulate macrophage production of VEGF and NO.

Methods: Serum‐starved RAW 264.7 cells (5 × 105cells/ml) were treated with or without LPS (10 ng/ml) and IFN‐gamma (100 Units/ml) for 24 hours. Cells were divided into groups: 1) control – no LED, 2) 670 nm, 3) 730 nm, 4) 880 nm, and 5) combination (880 nm/730 nm/670 nm) at 4 J/cm2 per wavelength. Twenty‐four hours post‐LED, conditioned media was analyzed for VEGF (ELISA) and nitrites (Greiss assay). Proliferation was assessed using BrDU incorporation. Data were analyzed using one‐way ANOVA with Tukey post‐test.

Results: In serum‐starved cells, proliferation was unchanged by LED. VEGF and nitrite levels were increased in groups 4 (VEGF = 1057.1 +/− 100.3 pg/ml; nitrites = 11.13 +/− 0.79 uM) and 5 (VEGF = 1148.9 +/− 88.5 pg/ml; nitrites = 10.72 +/− 1.03 uM) compared to control (VEGF = 812.2 +/− 94.8 pg/ml; nitrites = 7.32 +/− 1.92 uM). LPS/IFN decreased proliferation 25 percent at all wavelengths compared to control + LPS/IFN (p < 0.01). Nitrite and VEGF levels were markedly elevated in all five LPS/IFN‐treated groups with no appreciable intergroup differences.

Conclusions: LPS/IFN stimulation resulted in maximally elevated levels of nitrites and VEGF, possibly masking the effects of LED. Serum‐starved RAW 264.7 cells responded to LED treatment at 880 nm and combined wavelengths with increased VEGF and NO production. These results suggest that LED treatment at 880 nm and 880 nm/730 nm/670 nm may upregulate the production of pro‐angiogenic factors by macrophages in the wound bed.