bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Business social networks and academics' entrepreneurial intentions
Authors: Fernández-Pérez Virginia , Esther Alonso-Galicia Patricia , del Mar Fuentes-Fuentes María , Rodriguez-Ariza Lazaro
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This study analyses the role of social networks and their effects on academics' entrepreneurial intentions (AEI), from an academic cognitive perspective. Specifically, the paper investigates how business (distinguishing between industrial and financial links) and personal social networks, through opportunity-relevant information and support, could influence academics' intentions to start a business venture on the basis of their research knowledge. The paper examines the mediator roles of entrepreneurial attitudes (EA) and self-efficacy on opportunity recognition (SOR) as important psychological variables for academics. In the same context, the paper examines the mediator role of gender.

Design/methodology/approach

– The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling analysis, on a sample population of 500 Spanish academics engaged in commercially oriented fields of research.

Findings

– The results obtained highlight the positive roles played by business (industrial and financial) networks, both directly in promoting AEI, and indirectly via EA and SOR. The paper finds that male and female academics differ in their perceptions of support from business and financial networks and in their use of these resources in business start-up.

Practical implications

– An understanding of these issues offers opportunities to shape government interventions to assist academic entrepreneurs embarking on a business venture, or those already active in this respect, increasing their effectiveness in building, utilizing and enhancing the quality of networking activities.

Originality/value

– The paper explores business networking for academics as a factor promoting entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the paper considers an under-researched area that of female entrepreneurship in what is traditionally considered a male-dominated activity.
Role of gender on acceptance of mobile payment
Authors: José Liébana-Cabanillas Francisco , Sánchez-Fernández Juan , Muñoz-Leiva Francisco
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of the research is to try to explain the intention of adopting a new mobile payment (m-payment) system in a country where this type of payment systems does not have a presence. More exactly, to propose and test an integrative theoretical model that allows to determine the relative influence of the determining factors (external influences, ease of use, attitude, usefulness, trust and risk) for the acceptance of a new m-payment system and to analyze the eventual moderating effect of the gender of the consumer in the use of these tools.

Design/methodology/approach

– To carry out this research, a web experiment based on a general population sample was put in place, in order to analyze the proposed behavioral model towards a new m-payment system.

Findings

– The empirical results show that the proposed behavioral model was appropriately adjusted, thus proving that the gender of the user introduces significant differences in the proposed relationships between ease of use and usefulness of the new system, between usefulness, attitude and intention to use, as well as between users' trust and a favorable attitude towards its use.

Practical implications

– The conclusions and implications for management provide alternatives and segmentation strategies to consolidate this new business opportunity under the new technological developments.

Originality/value

– This paper is a pioneer study about the acceptance of m-payment, analyzing at the same time the importance of the moderation effect of users' gender.
Can integration difficulties affect innovation and satisfaction?
Authors: Simon Alexandra , Honore Petnji Yaya Luc , Karapetrovic Stanislav , Casadesus Marti
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The difficulties in the integration of management systems (MSs) and their relationship with innovation and customer satisfaction are explored by proposing a model that links these three concepts together. Integration, innovation and customer satisfaction are relevant issues for the competitiveness of companies, especially for the ones that have implemented several MS standards. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data for the study derives from a survey carried out in 76 Spanish organizations registered to at least both ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 standards for quality MSs and environmental MSs, respectively. An exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) are utilized to assess and confirm the proposed scales validity and the relationships of the conceptual model.

Findings

– Based on the empirical study, the second-order SEM shows that the difficulties of integration are directly and negatively related to both of MS documentation and procedures. This level is also directly related to the innovation and satisfaction. Nevertheless, no relationships were found between the difficulties of integration and the integration level of MS human resources. Moreover, no direct relationships were found between the difficulties of integration and both the constructs of innovation and satisfaction. Also, the results showed the integration level of MS procedures was not related to the construct of innovation.

Originality/value

– This is one of the first studies to relate integration difficulties with innovation and customer satisfaction, with a conclusion that an organization should give more importance to the difficulties of integrated MSs that have been uncovered to have a relationship with innovation and customer satisfaction.
Information systems integration after merger and acquisition
Authors: Chang She-I , Chang I-Cheng , Wang Tawei
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The main aim of this study is to perform a case study to understand the information systems (IS) integration strategy of two high-tech companies after merger and acquisition.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors perform a case study on the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) of two high-tech companies to illustrate the IS integration activities in the M&A processes.

Findings

– This study summarizes 26 fields from the IS integration process in the post-M&A period. These 26 fields highlight the challenges when standardizing the integrated system and the impacts on work routines as well as cultural resistance.

Originality/value

– This study shows that the success of IS integration in the M&A context is determined by identifying critical functions and leveraging the pre-M&A know-hows of both companies. Furthermore, standardization may not be the first priority during the integration process. It is also beneficial to keep the uniqueness of the systems of both companies which reduces the concerns of potential resistance of the IT personnel. This study also has managerial implications. The findings suggest that identifying and prioritizing relevant fields in the context of a cross-business IS integration would improve the resource allocation decision and the effectiveness of post-integration evaluation.
Dynamizing intellectual capital through enablers and learning flows
Authors: Nancy Vargas M. , Begoña Lloria M.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The main aim of this research is to relate intellectual capital (IC) and organizational performance through intermediate variables, enablers and learning flows. To this end, the paper defines a new theoretical model of relations and presents an empirical study to contrast the model.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed theoretical model is contrasted by means of a quantitative study of Spanish firms from the biotechnology sector. The statistical analysis applies a method based on variance using partial least squares.

Findings

– The theoretical model proposes a total of 15 relations, 13 of which are statistically significant, which demonstrates the close relationship between IC and performance using enablers and learning flows as intermediate variables.

Originality/value

– From the theoretical model proposed and its subsequent empirical contrast, the research shows the close relations that exist between areas of knowledge that traditionally appear separately in the literature. The proposed model thus allows us to explain and predict the dynamization of the components of IC due to enablers and learning flows, and the effect of these elements on organizational performance.
A multidimensional and integrative approach to study global digital divide and e-government development
Authors: Zhao Fang , Collier Alan , Deng Hepu
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of the digital divide on e-government development.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study takes a multidimensional and integrative approach in order to examine the various ways in which different contextual factors affecting the digital divide (i.e. economic, social, political, demographic, cultural and ICT infrastructure) interact to influence e-government development. To test the hypotheses, authors perform a correlation and multiple regression analysis using SPSS.

Findings

– After analysing several global data sets such as those of the World Bank and the United Nations, the study finds that the digital divide is a multidimensional construct that has a significant impact on e-government development in various ways. In contrast to the consensus view of a correlation existing between economic status on the one hand, and the digital divide and e-government development on the other, this study finds that economic status is not a significant predictor of the digital divide or e-government development.

Practical implications

– The findings should help inform public policy makers when developing strategies to deal with issues of the digital divide and e-government development by encouraging analysis in a holistic and integrative way. Simply addressing the digital divide alone is unlikely to be sufficient to stimulate an increase in the uptake of e-government. Moreover, our model helps identify areas of strengths as well as weaknesses for improvement.

Originality/value

– The authors develop a multidimensional and integrative research model to study the digital divide and e-government development and the relationship between the two, and validate the model through systematically testing it with empirical data. This study is among the first to take such an approach.
Why do people stick to Facebook web site? A value theory-based view
Authors: Yang Heng-Li , Lin Chien-Liang
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Based on past study, three different value constructs, including social value, hedonic value, and epistemic value, were adopted in this study to examine their influence on individual's stickiness to use Facebook. Besides, this paper aims to explore how “trust” affects the personal usage behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research model was tested with data from 345 Facebook's users using a web survey. The partial least squares technology was used to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

– Results confirmed that hedonic value served as important value concerns for Facebook users. Besides, considering trust factor, the respondents can be classified into two groups. In the high-trust group, social value and hedonic value produced significant impacts on stickiness. In the low-trust group, the statistical results show that epistemic value and hedonic value had impacts on the stickiness for Facebook web site use, but social value aspect had no significant impact.

Research limitations/implications

– The respondents were mainly the subjects that belonged to the young age group in Taiwan. Therefore, it should be cautious to generalize the conclusions to other areas or the elder.

Practical implications

– This study results facilitate web site operators and marketing researchers to understand what value factors and trust affect the user stickiness of Facebook. Their marketing plan and application plug-in can be accordingly adjusted.

Originality/value

– This study provides positive evidences how value factors affect Facebook stickiness. The paper also proved that high-trust and low-trust people have different value models.
Business cycles: looking beyond the downside for competitive advantages
Authors: Lorange Peter , Datson Edwin
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– How can one better manage risk in situations with a lot of business cycles exposure? This article offers practical approaches to this.

Design/methodology/approach

– The article is derived from field studies that lead to the authors' prescriptives.

Findings

– The paper presents several concrete ways to better cope with risk exposure, for example optionality, in/out, long/short.

Originality/value

– This piece is original. The authors have not seen similar documentations/articles elsewhere.
Ethnocentrism and country of origin effects among immigrant consumers
Authors: Zolfagharian Mohammadali , Saldivar Roberto , Sun Qin
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine how country of origin and consumer ethnocentrism pertain to first-generation immigrants, who often identify with two or more countries.

Design/methodology/approach

– After a pretest to validate the modified consumer ethnocentrism scale, the main study used a series of scenario-based experiments and compiled data from 419 members of four distinct first-generation immigrant communities.

Findings

– Non-ethnocentric immigrants favor the products of economically advanced countries. Ethnocentric immigrants favor the products of their home and host countries relative to foreign products, regardless of the economic standing of foreign countries. When home and host countries represent significantly different degrees of economic advancement, both ethnocentric and non-ethnocentric immigrants favor the products of the more advanced country.

Research limitations/implications

– Apart from the individual effects of country of origin and consumer ethnocentrism, the interplay between the two effects can yield important insights. There are other ways to operationalize multicultural identity beyond studying first-generation immigrants. Researchers should go beyond nationality and incorporate other forces of cultural diversity.

Practical implications

– For both ethnocentric and non-ethnocentric immigrants, the product that benefits from both effects is the most preferred, and the product that benefits from neither of the two effects is the least preferred. Where the product benefits from one but not the other effect, the two effects hold roughly equal power for ethnocentric consumers, but COO dominates CE for non-ethnocentric consumers.

Originality/value

– The paper presents a critical evaluation and extension of the respective literatures investigating familiar constructs in multicultural settings.
Family Lovemap, intimacies, and Sexually Related Abuse Risk Variables
Authors: Miccio-Fonseca L.C.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present an empirically anchored, practical clinical approach that simultaneously considers risk factors for the individual and family, when assessing sexually abusive individuals of all ages and genders.

Design/methodology/approach

– Identified were specific, empirically based variables on sizable validation and cross-validation samples (i.e. combined total of over 2,000 male and female youth, ages 4-19) that were directly related to risk for coarse sexual improprieties and/or sexually abusive behaviors.

Findings

– Clinical considerations are offered regarding developmental domains not often considered and/or studied when working with sexually abusive individuals of all ages and genders. That is, attention is focussed on incorporating assessment of sexual development, erotic development, and romantic development and interventions to decrease intimacy deficits and thus improve skills in relationships. Specific strategies for utilizing the approach in assessment and treatment are described.

Practical implications

– Overall the paper synthesizes the importance of the individual and family history with regard to those elements related to family history, sexual abuse, and intimacy deficits. The paper provides clinical, practice application with regard to assessment and risk variables in sexual abuse cases.

Originality/value

– The manuscript introduces an original concept, the Family Lovemap with empirical data to support its underpinnings. The overall family system is viewed as a living sexual organism with its history that formulates the individual's unique Family Lovemap. The family is seen as a changing and evolving psycho-sexual system. Discussed is the impact of Family Lovemap onto the individual, providing an avenue of consideration in assessment and treatment, specifically, with issues related to bonding, attachment, and sexual development. On a broader scope, it offers more a “collective view” of a sexually abusive individual when doing a risk assessment.
The roles of victim symptomology, victim resistance and respondent gender on perceptions of a hypothetical child sexual abuse case
Authors: Rogers Paul , Lowe Michelle , Boardman Matthew
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact victim symptomology, victim resistance and respondent gender have on attributions of blame, credibility and perceived assault severity in a hypothetical child sexual abuse case.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 356 respondents read a hypothetical child sexual abuse scenario in which victim symptomology (negative vs none vs positive) and victim resistance (resistant vs non-resistant) were manipulated before completing six childhood sexual abuse (CSA) attribution items. The impact these manipulations plus respondent gender differences had on attributions ratings was explored via a series of AN(C)OVA.

Findings

– Overall, respondents judged the victim more truthful if she displayed negative – as opposed to either no or positive (i.e. life affirming) – symptomology and a resistant victim to be more truthful than one who offered no resistance. Finally, men deemed a 14-year-old female victim of sexual assault less reliable and more culpable for her own abuse than women. Men were particularly mistrustful of the girl if she was non-resistant and later failed to display negative, post-abuse symptomology.

Practical implications

– Findings highlight the need for greater awareness of the fact that not all CSA survivors display stereotypically negative post-abuse symptoms. The current study also extends knowledge of the role victim resistant and respondent gender play in this growing research field.

Originality/value

– The current study is the first to explore attributions of CSA blame and credibility across negative (i.e. typical) verses no or positive/life affirming (i.e. atypical) post-abuse symptomology.
The development and preliminary evaluation of a thinking skills programme for adults with learning disabilities at risk of offending
Authors: Kelly Julia
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to outline and evaluate the development of a thinking skills programme for adults with learning disabilities at risk of offending.

Design/methodology/approach

– The programme was evaluated over three years using self-report clinical measures related to treatment targets and feedback from participants.

Findings

– Results showed a statistically significant improvement in general empathy (t=1.800, df=15,p=<0.05) and perspective taking (t=1.898, df=15,p=<0.05). Improvement in impulsivity and locus of control was not significant. Feedback from service users was positive.

Practical implications

– Findings suggest that thinking skills programmes can be of benefit to adults with learning disabilities at risk of offending.

Originality/value

– There is a need to provide opportunities for adults with learning disabilities to address generic deficits and factors supporting offending behaviour and to increase readiness for offence-specific treatment.
Value creation through cross-border mergers and acquisitions by the Indian pharmaceutical firms
Authors: Srivastava Ritu , Prakash Ajai
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have given the opportunity to the emerging market multinationals to add value while implementing the strategy of internationalization. The Indian pharmaceutical firms are also adopting this strategy and the purpose of this paper is to determine the evidence of value creation for their international M&A activity.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 30 cross-border M&A are examined for value addition through accounting (PAT as percentage of net worth, PAT as percentage of capital employed, research and development (R&D) expenses as percentage of operating expenses) and shareholder return (cumulative abnormal returns) measures of the acquirer firm ex-ante and ex-post M&A. The difference in mean values of the variables after the M&A event is determined through Student's t-test. The time horizon selected for accounting variables was five years and the abnormal stock market returns were calculated using domestic market model with the event window being 40 days.

Findings

– The results indicate no statistically significant difference in the mean values of all the measures except R&D expenses as percentage of operating expenses for the acquirer Indian firms before and after the M&A event. The mean values of abnormal returns were less than those before the M&A activity.

Research limitations/implications

– The study does not include a control group of Indian firms engaged wholly in domestic M&A activity or those firms who have not merged or acquired at all.

Practical implications

– The study may point out toward no significant ex-ante value creation in terms of the selected profit measures but it suggests the probability of the strategy being adopted as a solution to problems like the transfer of tacit knowledge in case of technology led competitive advantages in the pharmaceutical industry and the rise of R&D activity.

Originality/value

– The Indian pharmaceutical industry has been experiencing waves of international M&A activity since 2005 after the implementation of Product patent Act, 2005. However, little research has been done on the sector to understand the value creating implications of such corporate strategic decisions.
Interactive effects of consideration leadership on the association of injury with training among home health aides
Authors: Lee Doohee , Jun Kwak Won
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Performance of home health aides remains imperative in the medical community, but understanding the potential role of consideration leadership (CL) in improving performance of home health aides in the literature has gone undetected. This paper seeks to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The present study, using the 2007 National Home Health Aides Survey (n=3,308), aims to investigate the moderating role of consideration leadership (CL) in the relationship between injury and training among home health aides at the national level. Descriptive statistics and a hierarchical logistic regression analysis were performed.

Findings

– Not all consideration practices play a positive role in the relationship between training and injury. The authors found only employee-focused consideration leadership practices, when introduced together with training, may benefit home health aides in reducing injury.

Research limitations/implications

– To maximize training effectiveness, leaders may need to understand the importance of their own role in training transfer processes and attempt to demonstrate adequate influence behaviors such as consideration.

Originality/value

– This research is the first of its kind to explore the role of consideration leadership in the relationship with injury and training among home health aides.
From the centralized national collection policy towards a decentralized collection management and resource sharing co-operation – Finnish experiences
Authors: Muhonen Ari , Saarti Jarmo , Vattulainen Pentti
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Finland had a legislation-based centralized collection policy until the mid-1990s. The main components were national resource centers (selected higher education libraries) and provincial libraries (selected public libraries). This paradigm changed during the recession of the 1990s when new public management ideologies were adopted by the government. This ended the centralized model and a new policy favoring a decentralized collection management which demanded resource sharing. The models designated for the print-only age became obsolete also when the digital dissemination of especially scientific documents began to be the norm. The Finnish libraries have started to implement a new strategy consisting of different elements including a new model of library automation systems, the National Repository which is the hub for the resource sharing of print materials, digitization projects (to be especially implemented by the National Library) and with new policies defining the roles and responsibilities of each of the libraries involved. This article aims to describe the history of the Finnish centralized collection policy, its shift to the modern management of the collection as well as the philosophy and tools used in this work.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper describes the evolution of the Finnish national collection policy and its main trends.

Findings

– The National Repository Library has enabled Finnish university libraries to focus their collection policies and to make savings in the cost of premises. A new business model for the digital era is needed for document sharing between libraries.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper is based on Finnish experiences.

Practical implications

– Models for national and international collection and preservation policies are presented.

Originality/value

– The paper provides proposals for the building of global division of work in the long-tail management of documents.
Consumers’ susceptibility to interpersonal influence as a determining factor of ecologically conscious behaviour
Authors: Khare Arpita
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine affect of consumer susceptibility to interpersonal influence (CSII) and demographics on ecologically conscious consumer behaviour (ECCB).

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected through mall intercept technique in six cities across India.

Findings

– ECCB and CSII scales were applicable in Indian context. Factor analysis revealed two factors for ECCB scale: ecologically conscious purchase behaviour and green product attitudes. Normative, informative influence of CSII and income were predictors to ecologically conscious purchase behaviour. Normative influence emerged as predictor to green attitudes.

Research limitations/implications

– The study focuses itself only on CSII factors. It does not examine influence of variables like personal values, risk perception, and personality on ECCB. It does not examine role of consumers’ attitude towards conservation of energy and natural resources.

Practical implications

– The findings can be of immense use to firms marketing green brands in India. Social group acceptance and conformance is important for Indian consumers; advertising and promotional campaigns should use social groups for marketing green products. Consumer involvement and engagement can be created through social networking web sites. Ecologically concerns should be rewarded in order to encourage consumers to adopt green attitudes.

Originality/value

– Green marketing and ecologically conscious behaviour are upcoming research areas in India. There is limited research to understand Indian consumers’ concerns about environment. ECCB and CSII scales were used as it was assumed that using scales which have been tested and validated in other cultures would give reliable results.
Students’ perceptions of an internationalised learning environment
Authors: Quintal Vanessa , Phau Ian
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore student perceptions of the internationalised learning environment across a particular university's home and offshore campuses. It addresses three research questions namely: what constitutes the internationalised learning environment for students? Can a university offer an internationalised learning environment that is equitable for students across its home and offshore campuses? And what differences exist in the internationalised learning environment for students in a university's home and offshore campuses?

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 484 completed responses were collected from the university's six campuses in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

Findings

– Findings suggested significant differences in the way students perceived of teaching reputation, context-specific curriculum, resources, student-support staff interaction and their attitude towards their university.

Practical implications

– These insights could help a university's teaching staff and administrators to focus on specific attributes in marketing the internationalised learning environments of each of its campuses. This could give the university better opportunity for improving the learning process and its outcomes for students.

Originality/value

– This paper sets out to define the parameters of the internationalised learning environment and conducts an audit of this environment from the student perspective. Findings suggested significant differences in the way students perceived of teaching reputation, context-specific curriculum, resources, student-support staff interaction and their attitude towards their university. In the market of fierce competition for international students, it is crucial that these positive attributes be part of the marketing messages in any promotion campaigns for universities.
The emotional dimension of the consumption of luxury counterfeit goods: an empirical taxonomy
Authors: A. Zampetakis Leonidas
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a consumer taxonomy based on experienced emotions during non-deceptive counterfeit consumption situations, which could be useful for public policy makers, marketers, and anti-counterfeiting service providers trying to devise strategies so as to inhibit the problem of counterfeit consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on a questionnaire survey/analysis of a sample of 312 randomly selected consumers. Surveys were administrated individually to consumers, through personal contact by the study authors. Data analysis was conducted in three steps: first, descriptive analyses; second, analysis of variance; and third, hierarchical cluster analysis.

Findings

– Results suggest that during non-deceptive counterfeit consumption situations, consumers experience complex emotions including both positive and negative affect. Furthermore, four different subgroups of consumers experienced relative specific but different emotional reactions.

Research limitations/implications

– The reported research relied on self-reports and on a sample from Greek consumers. Moreover, data were cross-sectional and alternatives relationships may exist. Future research should be multinational and longitudinal to test the assumptions of the present study and should encompass variables of actual emotions felt during non-deceptive counterfeit consumption situations.

Practical implications

– Results suggested that four different subgroups of consumers experienced relative specific but different emotional reactions. As a result, the study may help marketers and anti-counterfeiting service providers to establish more refined and more effective marketing strategies.

Originality/value

– Results of the present research are original and unique and provide new insights for marketing managers in their efforts to decrease counterfeit consumption of their products.
Discrimination of blue ballpoint pen inks in Chinese market with confocal Raman microscope
Authors: Liu Shuo , Feng Jimin , Lv Jungang , Zhang Wen
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Ballpoint pen ink analysis is important for forensic scientist which can collect valuable information on questioned document. Inks widely used now constitute many substances to improve needed ink characteristics, including the coloring material (dyes or pigments), inks, solvents and resins. The complex components of the inks confront forensic ink chemists with a big challenge to carry out this analysis. However, because of the great importance of determining whether two pieces of written text originated from the same ink, therefore, comparison of different writing inks on a document to forensic scientist, many techniques have been tentatively employed in the ink analysis. In this study, Raman microscope was employed successfully in the analysis of inks. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Damped or wet samples cannot be analyzed by IR if dehydration is not carried out FTIR observation, because of the extremely strong absorbance of water. Raman spectroscopy can cover the shortage of FTIR spectroscopy because water has weak absorbance in Raman spectroscopy. Raman shifts can give extra peak information because it usually has different positions with FTIR spectroscopy. A Renishaw inVia confocal Raman microscope system with two lasers emitting at 532/633 nm, charge-coupled device detector was employed collecting the Raman spectrum. Laser was chosen for emission in 1-100 percent power depending on the proper energy to get signal strong enough and protect the samples from burning. At least triple-tests were performed for each sample.

Findings

– The result indicated that Raman spectroscopy could easily remove the interference caused by the paper which could hardly be removed with infrared spectroscopy. No sample preparation was required and only 30 s was needed for each sample in the optimized method. The method proved to be fast, accurate, non-destructive and could be easily applied to the real cases. The primary survey on inks from different market indicated five kinds of inks could be identified. The indicative peaks of each kind of ink (693, 1,150-1,210, 1,280-1,300, 1,360-1,400 and 1,531 cm−1) were summarized. The distributions of the inks in markets were also illustrated. Ink using alkyd resin as connecting materials or copper phthalocyanine as pigment decreased significantly. The data in this study would be helpful for the forensic scientists to identify these inks and examine the questioned document.

Originality/value

– No previous studies on the analysis of inks in China market were found to the authors’ best, so the forensic scientists have no idea about the method using Raman for discrimination which proved to be effective, accurate and fast, the indicative peaks of each inks, the distributions in the markets, and therefore, the possibility to encounter specific ink in cases The data in this study would be helpful for the forensic scientists to identify these inks and examine the questioned document.
Lights, catalogues, archives!: a selected annotated list of web resources for film and television studies
Authors: Oberhelman David
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– -- The purpose of this paper is to provide a selected list of free and subscription web resources for film and television (screen) studies.

Design/methodology/approach

-- Reference sources on film and other media studies were located, evaluated, and selected. The list is divided into four broad research categories; research databases and film catalogs (subscription products); film and television catalogs/databases (gratis); historical film streaming sites; and film studies portal sites.

Findings

-- There are a wide variety of resources available online that users can freely access as well as robust subscription products currently available to libraries to support research in film and television studies. Students and scholars can use both free and fee-based sites for film catalogs, film studies journal indexes, streaming video content, and other information and analysis on visual media.

Originality/value

-- There has not been a bibliographic list of online film studies resources undertaken since 2005, and many new web resources as well as databases have emerged in the field. The annotated list of resources in this study seeks to supplement and update what has been previously discussed in the LIS literature on web-based reference sources available for libraries supporting film and television studies.
Mind, body, or spirit? An exploration of customer motivations to purchase university licensed merchandise
Authors: M. Phillips Joan , I. Roundtree Robert , Kim DaeHyun
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between consumers’ purchase motivations to show support for university programs and the influence of merchandise quality cues on their purchase decision, and examine how one's affiliation with a university (official or non-official) moderates this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

– This research utilized a mail survey of university bookstore customers from the USA and Canada. The university, located in the USA, has an international reputation for its academic programs, its athletic teams, and its religious affiliation.

Findings

– Our findings demonstrate the significance of athletic programs over academic programs and religious values in motivating purchases of licensed university merchandise.

Research limitations/implications

– These findings have significant implications for several stakeholders in the business of retailing licensed merchandise. In particular, university licensors and their bookstore retailers may consider managing their inventory of licensed products to reflect the greater relative importance athletic teams have in the purchase decision process.

Originality/value

– This paper adds to our understanding of customer motivations to purchase university licensed merchandise, and the conditions when merchandise quality is a key decision driver.
Recognizing the ecosystem phase-change: a guide to four types
Authors: Shaughnessy Haydn
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This article introduces the concept of a industry phase change. Phase-changes are historical transitions, ones that create a new industry and consumer ecosystem. They are not merely disruptive technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

– A phase-change is marked by a complex transformation in human behavior produced by a new way to satisfy consumption needs. The Kodak case is described.

Findings

– A current phase-change sweeping many business sectors is driven by the growing search for competitive advantage through connected ecosystems of stakeholders that co-create value – customers, innovators, partners and communities.

Practical implications

– Co-creative ecosystems are a phase-change that requires a new set of executive and management skills, a different culture, a new approach to information, as well as new forms of leadership.

Originality/value

– Explains the success factors of the four major types of modern ecosystems: scale ecosystems; creative commons/open source ecosystems; customer ecosystems; and systemic ecosystems. Shows how Kodak was disrupted by its lack of understanding of ecosystems management.
Influence of the fluxes properties on quality and the microstructure of lead-free solder joints executed by selective soldering
Authors: Koscielski Marek , Sitek Janusz
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of the properties of new compositions of fluxes for selective soldering on lead-free solder joints quality and microstructures as well as showing which flux properties are the most important.

Design/methodology/approach

– The three different types of fluxes were tested, which differed in composition, solids content, amount and type of activators added. The selective soldering process was done with the use of lead-free solder SAC 305. The test boards had two coatings SnCu (HASL) or Au/Ni. Basic chemical and physical properties of fluxes were examined according to the relevant standards. Different types of components from the bulky ones, demanding more heat, to the smaller ones were used during the assembly process. AOI and X-ray analyses as well as cross-sections and SEM analyses were utilized to deeply assess the quality and microstructure of the investigated solder joints.

Findings

– The results showed that information about density or static activity of flux is not enough for correct flux assessment. The dynamic activity of flux measured by wetting balance method is the best for this, especially in the case when there is short soldering time and heat transfer is hindered. The quality and the microstructure of lead-free solder joints are related not only with wetting properties of the flux used for soldering but also with other properties like solids content in a flux.

Research limitations/implications

– It is suggested that further studies are necessary for the confirmation of the practical application, especially of the reliability properties of the joints obtained with the use of the elaborated fluxes.

Originality/value

– The results showed that type of flux (ORL or ROL) as well as minor changes in their dynamic activity and solids content might have significant influence on quality of solder joints and their microstructure. It was noted that selective soldering is demanding technique and optimization of soldering process for different type of components and fluxes is important.
Smallholder Farmers and Collective Action: What Determines the Intensity of Participation?
Authors: Fischer Elisabeth , Qaim Matin
Published: January 2014

Collective action through farmer groups can be an important strategy for smallholders to remain competitive in rapidly changing markets. Previous research has analysed determinants of farmer participation in groups, equating participation with group membership. However, within groups the commitment of members can vary, as marginal benefits and costs are not the same for all individuals, and opportunities to free‐ride exist. Low participation in collective activities may reduce the ability of groups to provide useful services to its members. This article investigates determinants of member participation intensity, using the example of farmer groups in Kenya. The role of individual and group characteristics is analysed with survey data and regression models. Previous benefits that members received through the group positively influence their intensity of participation in group meetings and collective marketing, suggesting that reciprocity motives play a role. Low participation can mostly be attributed to structural and institutional conditions, such as group size and the timing of payments for collective product sales. More diversified farmers are less likely to sell collectively when group marketing activities only concentrate on one particular commodity. Since smallholders are often highly diversified, the focus of farmer groups should also be broadened. Further policy implications are discussed.
A Comparison of Problem‐Based and Traditional Education on Nursing Students' Locus of Control and Problem‐Solving Skills
Authors: Günüşen Neslihan Partlak , Serçekuş Pınar , Edeer Aylin Durmaz
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare the locus of control and problem‐solving skills of nursing students studying with the problem‐based learning method with those of nursing students studying with the traditional method.

Methods

This is a descriptive and comparative study. For data collection, the Problem‐Solving Skills Inventory and the Locus of Control Scale were used. The study sample included 680 nursing students.

Conclusions

It was determined that the problem‐based learning method was more effective in the development of problem‐solving skills and internal locus of control than was the traditional method.

Amaç

Bu çalışmanın amacı probleme dayalı öğrenme modeliyle ve geleneksel yöntemle eğitim gören hemşirelik öğrencilerinde problem çözme becerileri ve kontrol odağının karşılaştırılmasıdır.

Yöntem

Araştırma tanımlayıcı ve karşılaştırmalıdır. Veri toplamada Problem Çözme Becerileri Envanteri ve Kontrol Odağı Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemini 680 hemşirelik öğrencisi oluşturmuştur.

Sonuç

Probleme dayalı öğrenme modelinin geleneksel modele göre problem çözme becerilerini ve iç kontrol odağını geliştirilmesi yönünden daha etkili olduğu belirlenmiştir.
Strain‐Dependent Differences for Suppression of Insulin‐Stimulated Glucose Uptake in Skeletal and Cardiac Muscle by Ethanol
Authors: Lang Charles H. , Derdak Zoltan , Wands Jack R.
Published: January 2014

Background

Chronic ethanol (EtOH) consumption impairs the ability of insulin to suppress hepatic glucose production in a strain‐dependent manner, with hepatic insulin resistance being greater in Long–Evans (LE) than Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. We assessed whether strain differences exist for whole‐body and tissue glucose uptake under basal and insulin‐stimulated conditions and whether they were associated with coordinate strain‐dependent elevations in muscle cytokines.

Methods

Male rats (160 g) were provided the Lieber‐DeCarli EtOH‐containing (36% total energy) diet or pair‐fed a control diet for 8 weeks. Rats were studied in the basal state or during a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, and whole‐body glucose flux assessed using 3H‐glucose and in vivo tissue glucose uptake by 14C‐2‐deoxyglucose.

Results

EtOH impaired whole‐body insulin‐mediated glucose uptake (IMGU) more in SD than LE rats. This difference was due to impaired IMGU by gastrocnemius and heart in EtOH‐fed SD versus LE rats. However, decreased IMGU in adipose tissue (epididymal and perirenal) produced by EtOH was comparable between strains. EtOH‐induced insulin resistance in muscle from SD rats was associated with reduced AKT and AS160 phosphorylation and plasma membrane‐localized GLUT4 protein as well as enhanced phosphorylation of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and IRS‐1 (S307), changes which were absent in muscle from LE rats. EtOH increased tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) mRNA in gastrocnemius and fat under basal conditions in both SD and LE rats; however, hyperinsulinemia decreased TNFα in skeletal muscle from LE, but not SD rats. Interleukin (IL)‐6 mRNA in gastrocnemius was increased under basal conditions and increased further in response to insulin in SD rats, but no EtOH‐ or insulin‐induced change was detected in muscle IL‐6 of LE rats.

Conclusions

These data indicate strain‐dependent differences in EtOH‐induced IMGU in skeletal and cardiac muscle, but not fat, associated with sustained increases in TNFα and IL‐6 mRNA and JNK activation and decreased plasma membrane GLUT4 in response to insulin.