bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceived learning outcomes in entrepreneurship education
Authors: Hytti Ulla , Stenholm Pekka , Heinonen Jarna , Seikkula‐Leino Jaana
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to address the impact of a person's motivation to study entrepreneurship on their subsequent levels of performance in terms of the generation of business ideas, while taking into account the effect of student team behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper hypothesises that both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation as well as team behaviour influence the learning outcome and that team behaviour moderates the relationship between motivation and learning outcomes. A survey was used to generate data. A total of 117 students, who participated in pre‐programme, and post‐programme surveys, provided the sample data. First, explorative factor analyses were employed to examine the latent variables. Second, hierarchical lineal regression analyses were carried out to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

It was found that intrinsic motivation has a negative effect on the learning outcome while extrinsic motivation had a positive one. However, the team (and in particular the resources that become available) positively moderates the relationship between the intrinsic motivation and the outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

The paper contributes to the evaluation and research practices of different entrepreneurship education initiatives. The data are derived solely from business students, a factor that may cause bias in the results. In addition, the paper relied on self‐assessed perceptions of learning outcomes, since the stakeholder evaluations were team‐level measurements.

Practical implications

Students on entrepreneurship education programmes have different forms of motivation for studying entrepreneurship, and those tend to affect their satisfaction with the outcome of their studies. Using teams on an entrepreneurship course seems to generate more positive outcomes for students with both low and high intrinsic motivation, but particularly among the latter group. Ultimately, the results suggest the need for greater flexibility in course design.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the theoretical understanding of how entrepreneurial learning outcomes are affected by student motivation and team behaviour. It makes an original contribution in distinguishing between an extrinsic and an intrinsic motivation to study entrepreneurship, and highlights the effect on learning outcomes of resources acquired through team behaviour. It also illustrates an opportunity to study the impact of entrepreneurship education, particularly when the creation of a new venture is not an immediate objective of the course.
Educating the academic librarian as a blended professional: a review and case study
Authors: Corrall Sheila
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the phenomenon of the hybrid information specialist in the academic library setting. It does this in relation to curriculum development for preparatory and continuing professional education for librarianship and makes particular reference to the contemporary iSchools movement.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews trends and developments in academic information services and the information science academy in the context of continuing technological advances and educational change. It presents a case study of curriculum development and portfolio renewal, using the specialist roles of digital library manager and information literacy educator to show how the principles of interactive planning can be applied in articulating an academic strategy to meet the changing demands of educational institutions, professional bodies and employers.

Findings

There are significant parallels between professional education and professional practice in the shifting boundaries, expanded portfolios and challenged identities evident in the current information marketplace. A combination of continuous incremental development with periodic fundamental review enables professional educators to meet the changing mandates of different stakeholder groups. When combined with a strong professional focus, the breadth and depth of multidisciplinary expertise found in a research‐led iSchool facilitates the design of specialised pathways and programmes for practitioners moving into blended roles.

Practical implications

Practitioners intent on careers in academic libraries should consider the opportunities and demands of hybrid blended roles when choosing educational programmes and pathways.

Originality/value

The paper provides a conceptual framework to illustrate the nature of emergent professional roles and current challenges facing professional educators. Ackoff's interactive planning theory is used to illuminate the problem of academic planning in complex pluralist contexts.
Labour‐market performance in the OECD: some recent cross‐country evidence
Authors: Destefanis Sergio , Mastromatteo Giuseppe
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the evolution of labour‐market performance in the Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) over the last decade, considering the robustness of the claims made in an important OECD follow‐up study.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper sets up an empirical framework calibrated on an important OECD follow‐up study, and suggests some ways in which the impact of unobserved heterogeneity and outliers on policy estimates can be treated in a cross‐section framework. The framework applies to the data for 30 OECD countries.

Findings

The paper finds that changes in labour‐market performance are inversely linked to lagged unemployment. Changes in the share of construction workers are also significant even in the presence of various kinds of policy change indicators. As far as the latter are concerned, the results highlight the role of unemployment benefits and, especially, active labour‐market policies.

Research limitations/implications

The kind of policy change indicators used do not allow the adoption of panel data techniques.

Practical implications

An important policy role seems to emerge for unemployment benefit reforms and, even more so, active labour‐market policies. The evidence also supports the contention that the construction sector is important for labour‐market performance.

Originality/value

The paper brings to the fore novel evidence about cross‐country labour‐market performance at a time when this issue is of high interest for citizens and policy‐makers.
Individually considerate transformational leadership behaviour and self sacrifice
Authors: Arnold Kara A. , Loughlin Catherine
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how leaders report enacting individually considerate transformational leadership behaviour. More specifically, the extent to which they report engaging in supportive, developmental or self‐sacrificial aspects of this behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 51 senior leaders (21 female and 30 male) in the public and private sectors across five provinces in Canada. A blended grounded theory approach was utilised and suggestions for future research are presented.

Findings

Leaders reported being more likely to engage in supportive (59 percent) than developmental (41 percent) individually considerate transformational leadership behaviour. Further, male leaders were less likely than female leaders to report engaging in development in self‐sacrificing ways (21 percent versus 62 percent).

Research limitations/implications

This study extends the leadership literature to better understand the behavioural aspects of individual consideration and explore a new dimension of this behaviour (self‐sacrifice). Sample size is a possible limitation.

Practical implications

Developing employees has been identified globally as a pressing concern for leaders. However, in the study, leaders reported engaging in less developmental than supportive behaviours. Male leaders in particular were less likely to sacrifice their personal interests to develop employees.

Originality/value

An in‐depth examination of how leaders support and develop employees clarifies an important aspect of individual consideration and uncovers potential gender differences that previously have gone undetected.
The J‐ and S‐curves: a survey of the recent literature
Authors: Bahmani‐Oskooee Mohsen , Hegerty Scott W.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

Since the introduction of the concepts of the J‐ and S‐curves, many researchers have tried to verify their validity empirically. This paper aims to review the related papers and to offer direction for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a review paper. As such, no method is employed here. Rather, the methodologies used by others to test the J‐ and S‐curves are explained and reviewed.

Findings

No new findings are offered since this is a review paper.

Practical implications

The J‐ and S‐curves show whether currency depreciation worsens the trade balance first before improving it. Since the majority of studies are country‐specific, policymakers could benefit by learning whether currency depreciation will be effective in improving the trade balance.

Originality/value

This is a literature review paper and its originality is in terms of collecting the literature together and presenting it in one single paper.
Differentiating high involved product by trivial attributes for product line extension strategy
Authors: Sun Pi‐Chuan
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of trivial attribute and product involvement on product evaluation in different product‐line extensions.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a 2×2×2 between‐subjects experiment was conducted.

Findings

It was found that the product with trivial attributes has a higher evaluation than those without trivial attributes in the upward extension situation. The highly involved product with trivial attributes is more positively evaluated than those without trivial attributes.

Research limitations/implications

During the experimental process, the subjects read only the product information described in words and photographs.

Practical implications

Firms can differentiate their products by trivial attributes to create implied benefits. However, a trivial attribute does not always function well for all products, and positive evaluation is associated with trivial attributes coupled with price.

Originality/value

The paper examines the interaction effect among trivial attributes, product involvement and product‐line extension strategy.
International marketing decision governance, standardisation, and performance
Authors: Chung Henry F.L.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish a decision‐making governance framework for transferring a product/service from one EU host market to another.

Design/methodology/approach

Prior research concerning the relation between marketing decision governance (centralised versus decentralised) and standardisation strategy/performance tends to focus on the home‐host scenario. This study has utilised the experience of 70 firms operating in the cross‐market scenario in the EU region – i.e. transferring a product/service from one EU host market to another – in order to establish its decision‐making governance framework. The respondents were operating in both the manufacturing and service sectors.

Findings

It was found that firms with large size and a high level of business experience, operating in a similar cross‐market environment, or in a country pair that has a difference in market potential, are more likely to pursue a decentralised governance. Firms operating in a highly different market environment and in host markets with a high variation in market potential are likely to adopt an adaptation strategy. Marketing decision governance is not suggested to be related to standardisation strategy. Decentralised governance is found to be related to profitability, while adaptation was associated with market share. Market share is related to profitability.

Originality/value

The research findings suggest that firms can utilise their decision‐making and standardisation strategy separately to achieve their performance objectives when operating across the EU region. The outcomes established in the study have provided a new guidance on the research concerning structure, strategy and performance.
Ferrocene‐based catalyst systems for alkyd paint drying
Authors: Kalenda P. , Veselý D. , Kalendová A. , Št'áva V.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

To study the siccativation effects of metallocenes based on ferrocene and its derivatives as siccatives supporting their catalytic effects during meshing reactions proceeding during the creation of an alkyd resin film.

Design/methodology/approach

Siccatives are used as catalysts of auto‐oxidation reactions between a binder dried by oxidation and atmospheric oxygen. Without these substances, the auto‐oxidation of the binder would be slow and paint film drying would take too long. The cobalt salts of organic acids are currently the most efficient and most widely used siccatives. Present‐day ecological efforts are aimed at reducing the content of volatile organic substances in paints. One way to achieve this goal is the application of the so‐called high solids of binders that create thicker paint films. However, fast meshing throughout the whole paint layer remains their downside.

Findings

Ecological efforts are aimed at searching for the highly efficient catalysts of hardening reactions for paints dried by oxidation. This paper investigates the possibility of using metallocenes based on ferrocene and its derivatives as siccatives for paints dried by oxidation. Their catalytic properties, mainly their synergic effects with cobalt siccative, were monitored in model binders by means of Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and by measuring the hardness of created paint films. The data found in regard with the catalytic effects of ferrocene and some of its derivatives were compared with the activity of cobalt siccative alone.

Practical implications

The siccatives under scrutiny can be conveniently used to accelerate the formation of alkyd paints modified with natural oils, be it for industrial or decorative purposes. It was discovered that acetylferrocene has excellent siccativation effects that can be realistically used in industry. Its application allows for reducing the cobalt salt content in paint as much as ten times, which has major ecological significance.

Originality/value

The method of detecting the kinetic parameters of the meshing reactions of alkyls described in the paper is relatively new and facilitates identification of siccatives that are optimum for specific paints formulations. Research into ecologically acceptable ferrocene and its derivatives as catalysts of paints dried by oxidation is also beneficial.
What will be the next records management orthodoxy?
Authors: Lappin James
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The electronic document and records management system model (EDRMS) served for most of the noughties (the decade from the year 2000) as an orthodoxy that united the records management profession. The purpose of this paper is to address two questions: “Does the stagnation and retreat of the EDRMS model towards the end of the noughties call into doubt the theory that lay behind that model, namely DIRKS and the records continuum?”, and “Is a new records management orthodoxy likely to emerge over the course of the next five years, and if so what form might it take?”.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper looks back at the author's readings of DIRKS and the records management continuum at different times over the period 1993‐2010, and links those readings with the prevailing fortunes of the EDRMS model that was build on top of that theory. It gives a personal perspective of a consultant/practitioner on the chances of a new records management orthodoxy arising in the course of the next five years.

Findings

The loss of momentum of the EDRMS model does not invalidate the insights of DIRKS and the records continuum. Both frameworks support alternative readings from those that underpinned the EDRMS model. But any future orthodoxy is likely to be less directly derived from theory. One possible future orthodoxy is the “records repository model” – where a business classification scheme is held in a back end system, and applied to content held in the various applications used by colleagues. However this model has not yet received sufficient practitioner attention, and there are unanswered questions as to how it would work in practice.

Originality/value

The paper looks at the ways in which the records management community has used orthodoxies in both theory and implementation models to keep itself united during an extended period of upheaval and change since the commencement of the networked digital age. It outlines the challenge of finding a records management orthodoxy that is both consistent with record keeping theory and also workable and sustainable in the rapidly changing world of enterprise computing.
Regulatory focus as a determinant of brand value
Authors: Love Edwin , Staton Mark , Chapman Christopher N. , Mina Okada Erica
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This research aims to investigate the relationship between consumer regulatory focus and brand value.

Design/methodology/approach

Three studies were conducted using both student subject pools and a broader sample from the US population. The relative chronic promotion or prevention orientation of each participant was measured, as was response to brand and pricing stimuli.

Findings

Promotion‐oriented individuals are more sensitive to differences in established brands than prevention‐oriented individuals (studies 1 and 2), and promotion‐oriented individuals have a greater preference for new brands than prevention‐oriented individuals (study 2). Also, an individual's degree of chronic promotion orientation is an important driver of this relationship (study 3).

Research limitations/implications

Brand quality is considered as a general concept rather than a multidimensional construct. Although brand is a largely affective and emotional product attribute, brand trust is a dimension of quality that helps to satisfy prevention goals. A deeper investigation of the relationship between brand trust and prevention goals is recommended for future research.

Practical implications

Firms should consider the status of their brand within their product category. A firm with a relatively high quality brand can aggressively enter new categories early in the category lifecycle. Lower quality brands may benefit more from reinforcing their position in existing categories, or creating new brands for new categories.

Originality/value

This research has important implications regarding the timing and pricing of product upgrades.
Participative decision making and organizational commitment
Authors: Elele Joyce , Fields Dail
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between participation in decision making (PDM) and the organizational commitment of Nigerian and American employees working in the public sector environment. A focal concern of this study is the extent to which cultural differences or similarities between Nigeria and the USA impact this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study first examined the measurement equivalence across both American and Nigerian sub‐samples for scales assessing levels of PDM and organizational commitment. While the item weights for measures of actual and desired PDM were invariant, the weights for items measuring organizational commitment differed between Nigerians and Americans. These weights were subsequently used to calculate affective, normative, and continuance commitment for the Nigerian and American sub‐samples and to test three hypotheses derived from the theoretical implications of cultural differences between Nigerians and Americans.

Findings

Taking into account measurement differences, both actual PDM and actual vs desired levels of PDM were related differently to the affective, normative, and continuance commitment of Nigerian employees compared to US employees. For Nigerian employees, both actual levels of participation and actual vs desired participation are related to affective and normative commitment. Neither measure of participation is related to continuance commitment. For Americans, only actual vs desired levels of participation were positively related with affective and normative organizational commitment. Actual levels of participation were negatively related to continuance commitment.

Research limitations/implications

Future work should expand the sampling to compare employees working in Nigerian owned and managed organizations with American employees of organizations in similar industries and of comparable size.

Practical implications

In addition to its theoretical value, this paper also has substantial practical value. Staff commitment is an organizational outcome variable critical to the success of international development agencies and implementing partners. For example, anti‐US sentiment has increased in the recent years up in the Islamic northern sections of Nigeria. Employee organizational commitment is critical in such challenging terrains, as employees who are more committed are more likely to help their organization weather such negative conditions.

Originality/value

There have been very few previous studies on how Western management practices such as employee participation play out within the African context and how cultural differences affect the relationships between management practices and employee outcomes in Nigeria. Findings in this study may provide public sector managers in these contexts with an understanding of the possible impact of organizational cultures which include PDM.
The meaning of job performance in collectivistic and high power distance cultures
Authors: Varela Otmar E. , Salgado Elvira I. , Lasio Maria V.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

Three broad behavioral categories have been related to organizational goals: task (in‐role), citizenship (extra‐role), and counterproductive behaviors. Because most studies modeling these behaviors have been conducted in culturally similar contexts (individualistic and relatively low power distance settings), the purpose of this paper is to test the invariance of such a triad categorization of performance in collectivistic and high power distance contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

Data of employees' proficiencies (n = 1,022) in 34 work activities representing the three behavioral performance categories were factor analyzed. Data were collected by adapting existing behavioral‐based instruments exhibiting strong psychometric properties.

Findings

Although results corroborate the existence of a triad categorization of employee behaviors, culture‐specific variations attesting to the partitioning of in‐role behaviors according to the distribution of power in organizations were found. Results also suggest that collectivistic individuals narrowly conceptualize extra‐role behaviors by excluding discretionary interpersonal actions.

Practical implications

The paper's findings contribute to our understanding of how job performance varies in a global economy. These variations must be considered in appraisal instruments, especially in organizations operating across cultural contexts.

Originality/value

This paper is believed to be the first to test the cultural invariance of a triad categorization of relevant employee behaviors.
Foreword: investigating the role of intellectual capital in today's business landscape
Authors: Carlucci Daniela , Lerro Antonio
Published: November 2010

Purpose

Organizations are increasingly aware that to face complexity and uncertainty in today's business landscape, it is important to properly exploit, combine, and continuously develop their intellectual capital (IC). In this introduction to the special issue the aim is to develop some theoretical and managerial reasons explaining the importance of IC to achieve business excellence; then, to call for renewed analysis in the IC research stream aimed to investigate what are the new key intellectual capital dimensions and traits to be better developed and managed in order to deal with the fluidity of business, uncertainty, crisis, change, turbulence and high competitive pressure.

Design/methodology/approach

The approaches, evidences and insights discussed in this introduction are largely based on the discussion of the topics of the conference “International forum on knowledge assets dynamics” organized in June 2010 in Matera, Italy. At this conference, leading experts discussed the importance of intellectual capital for organizational business excellence in the twenty‐first century, the new IC key‐value drivers to manage in order to face emergent competitive scenarios, and research and management practices for addressing complexity, uncertainty and changes of today's business landscape.

Findings

The outcomes of this introduction and the contributions to the special issue reflect the emerging discussion about the role of IC management constructs. This discussion is largely focused on the importance of translating IC management within organizational components for achieving business excellence, highlighting approaches and tools in different contexts of analysis.

Originality/value

This introduction as well as all the contributions to the special issue deal with different aspects, which are important in the discussion of the role played by IC in achieving organizational business excellence as well as the approaches, tools, methods and techniques to better disentangle the mechanisms by which IC dimensions, separately or interdependently, contribute to improve companies' organizational performance.
Entrepreneurship education: revisiting our role and its purpose
Authors: Jones Colin
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to focus on two questions. First, what value is created by entrepreneurship education? Second, how could any such value be created? The aim therefore is to go beyond any assumed notion that entrepreneurship education is beneficial to students in higher education, to question its underlying value.

Design/methodology/approach

A critical realist approach is used to discuss the ontological nature of entrepreneurship education. Specifically, the process through which enterprise knowledge is developed and used by students in higher education. This research is based on a single‐site case study at UTAS with the data collected by the author and complemented by other recent work that sought to empirically consider the notion of student value from entrepreneurship education within the same (UTAS) context.

Findings

The paper argues that students in higher education understand quite well the limitations of the knowledge they develop about entrepreneurship. That they (the educators) need to better understand the students' journeys so that they can better develop learning environments within which the students' personal development can be advanced.

Practical implications

The degree to which educators understand their limitations and the limitations of their students as potential entrepreneurs is critical to maximizing the likely value of entrepreneurship education in higher education.

Originality/value

The paper provides a unique way of understanding the process of learning to be entrepreneurial in higher education. As such it offers an alternative way to understand how educators can redefine their importance in the provision of entrepreneurship education. It also highlights the likely limitations of student advancement in the domain of entrepreneurship education in higher education.
Relevance of education for potential entrepreneurs: an international investigation
Authors: Varadarajan Sowmya Damodharan , Majumdar Sudipa , Gallant Monica
Published: November 2010

Purpose

Preparing today's students for success and eventual leadership in the new global marketplace is one of the most important responsibilities in education today. This study seeks to represent the first, in‐depth analysis of future entrepreneurs and to show that its results indicate that the investment in entrepreneurship education is valuable.

Design/methodology/approach

A primary survey was conducted among first‐year Business Studies students from Australia, Portugal, Finland, Germany, Slovenia, Poland, the UK and the UAE. There were a total of 860 students, of whom 510 were female respondents. A five‐point Likert scale was used for each question and mean scores were generated from the ranks.

Findings

Results indicated that the majority of students possessed entrepreneurial attitudes. Furthermore, both student characteristics and entrepreneurial experience were found to be associated with certain entrepreneurial attitudes. The results show that the young female students in Dubai are positive regarding the role that universities can play in fostering their interest towards entrepreneurship, for their education and as the incubator for their new venture.

Practical implications

Significant scope was found for promotion of entrepreneurship in the education system in the United Arab Emirates. Emirati female students showed a high inclination to become entrepreneurs, provided that they undertook a specialized entrepreneurial Business Program. This research shows that students have a positive attitude towards entrepreneurship and it provides evidence, which urges action to advance entrepreneurship education globally.

Originality/value

Both academia and practitioners have increased their efforts in promoting an entrepreneurial mindset within society. However, only a few studies have investigated entrepreneurial attitudes among students. This research shows that students have a positive attitude towards entrepreneurship and it provides evidence which urges action to advance entrepreneurship education globally.
Understanding data volume problems of RFID‐enabled supply chains
Authors: Ilic Alexander , Grössbauer Andrea , Michahelles Florian , Fleisch Elgar
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The widespread application of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in supply chains is said to cause enormous data volume problems that could render RFID event‐driven supply chains unmanageable. An unbiased and quantitative understanding of the characteristics and extent of these data volume problems is necessary to identify and remove adoption barriers. This paper aims to address the issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a simulation study based on a real‐world scenario that reveals quantitative characteristics of the data volumes problem in an RFID‐enabled supply chain and discusses its implications.

Findings

The results suggest that data volumes will be much lower than currently assumed by practitioners. Thus, this work can be seen as a first basis for eliminating unjustified adoption concerns regarding data volumes complexity. However, it finds that the data volume problems bear still significant challenges for researchers and developers of RFID infrastructures with real‐time decision‐making applications.

Research limitations/implications

The simulation study is based on a single product case study of a retail supply chain in Europe. Since a simulation is always a simplification of the real world, the results need to be interpreted carefully in different contexts. The nature and extent of the problem might vary across different products, industries and geographic regions.

Practical implications

Researchers, end‐users and solution providers might use our paper as a guideline how to approach and quantify the data volume problem in their particular case. Moreover, the result data can be used to benchmark and optimize RFID applications.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first scholarly works that analyze RFID data volume problems in supply chains with a quantitative methodology.
Redesigning the replenishment process of medical supplies in hospitals with RFID
Authors: Bendavid Ygal , Boeck Harold , Philippe Richard
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of a hospital nursing unit that has evaluated and approved a two‐bin “e‐kanban” replenishment system based on passive high frequency radio‐frequency identification (RFID) technology.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study analysis is based on both qualitative and quantitative data that were collected using semi‐structured interviews, on‐site observations and experience from previous implementations. The data and simulation analysis presented in this paper were validated by key respondents thereby increasing their reliability.

Findings

Results indicate that implementing the e‐kanban RFID solution in conjunction with the redesign of the ward floor and of the roles and functions can substantially improve business and operational performance. The most important benefits for the hospital are derived from the time saved from non‐value‐added activities that can be transferred to patient care activities and the significant reduction of on‐hand inventory at distributed storage locations. The solution is considered an alternative that requires less initial investment than RFID‐enabled cabinets used in the replenishment of consignment and high‐value supplies in operating rooms and cardiac catheterization laboratories.

Research limitations/implications

There is a need to conduct further research on RFID supply chain management (SCM) applications in the healthcare sector as this area holds a great potential for performance improvements. Additionally, there is a need to conduct more in‐depth research into the isolated impact of RFID technology in comparison to the change management and process redesign that it generates. One key limitation of this research is the case study approach based on a single case. This paper, therefore provides direction for practitioners on how to assess RFID's potential impact in the healthcare supply chain.

Originality/value

While most of the research on RFID in healthcare sector focuses on active RFID technology for asset management, this research presents a novel RFID application and contributes to our understanding of RFID's potential in intra‐organizational SCM processes.
The influence of board size on intellectual capital disclosure by Kenyan listed firms
Authors: Abeysekera Indra
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of board size on firms disclosing more, rather than less, strategic and tactical intellectual capital resources using the top 26 of the 52 firms ranked by the Nairobi Stock Exchange for market capitalization in 2002 and in 2003. This study identifies intellectual capital disclosure by three separate categories: internal capital, external capital, and human capital. Hence, this study examines the influence of board size on six disclosure outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The study develops hypotheses using the resource dependency theory. Using content analysis for data generation, this study classifies firms that disclose more versus those that disclose less, using the mean for all firms for each disclosure outcome.

Findings

Using logistic regression, the study examines the influence of board size on each disclosure outcome and finds that firms disclosing more tactical internal capital and more strategic human capital have larger boards.

Practical implications

The findings provide insights into how a larger board size can help boards to overcome skill deficiencies in making more discretionary disclosure related to future earnings.

Originality/value

This study analyses the influence of the board size on six aspects of intellectual capital disclosure.
Intellectual capital in the quoted Turkish ITC sector
Authors: Calisir Fethi , Altin Gumussoy Cigdem , Elvan Bayraktaroğlu A. , Deniz Ece
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply Value Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAIC™) of Pulic to compare quoted information technology and communication companies on the Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE), in terms of intellectual capital efficiency. This study also examines VAIC™, and its components' impact on company performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple regression analysis was employed to identify the variables that significantly contribute to the company performance. Data required to calculate VAIC™ and its components were obtained from the 2005‐2007 annual reports and balance sheets of the companies.

Findings

As a whole, all the companies had a relatively higher human capital efficiency than structural and capital efficiencies. In 2007, Turkcell was the most efficient company based on VAIC™ assessment, while Link Bilgisayar and Plastikkart were the least efficient companies. Additionally, the results of the study revealed that factors such as human capital efficiency, firm leverage, and firm size, predicted profitability well. Among them, human capital efficiency had the highest impact. In addition, capital employed efficiency was found to be a significant predictor of both productivity and return on equity, and the only determinant of market valuation was the firm size.

Practical implications

This study allowed ITC companies to benchmark themselves according to the intellectual capital efficiencies and develop strategies to enhance their company's performance.

Originality/value

This study is the first that measures intellectual capital performance and its impact on the company performance of the quoted information technology and communication companies on the ISE.
Lean six sigma in a call centre: a case study
Authors: Laureani Alessandro , Antony Jiju , Douglas Alex
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper, a case study, aims to illustrate the application of lean six sigma in a call centre of a service industry corporation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on process information and primary data from a real project.

Findings

The study describes improvements in the operation of the call centre attributable to lean six sigma: increase in first‐call resolution ratio, reduction in operator turnover and streamlining of processes.

Practical implications

The introduction of lean six sigma into the call centre daily operations' management may have organizational benefits.

Originality/value

Although lean six sigma has been extremely successful in the last two decades in the manufacturing sector, its applicability to the service sector has been a controversial topic. This study illustrates its application to a fast‐growing area of the service sector, assisting companies in identifying areas of development for their call centres.
Testosterone augments polyphenol‐induced DNA damage response in prostate cancer cell line, LNCaP
Authors: Ide Hisamitsu , Yu Jingsong , Lu Yan , China Toshiyuki , Kumamoto Tomoka , Koseki Tatsuro , Muto Satoru , Horie Shigeo
Published: November 2010

Recently, we reported that combined ingestion of soy isoflavones and curcumin significantly decreased the serum level of prostate‐specific antigen based on a randomized placebo‐controlled double‐blind clinical study. We investigated whether these polyphenols inhibited the proliferation of prostate cancer cells by activating a DNA damage response. The effects of isoflavones and curcumin on the expression and phosphorylation of ataxia‐telangiectasia‐mutated kinase (ATM), histone H2AX variant (H2AX) and checkpoint kinase2 (Chk2) were examined in LNCaP cells. The induction of apoptosis in LNCaP cells was evaluated by poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Furthermore, the effects of a testosterone supplement on modulation of the DNA damage response were examined. Combined treatment of isoflavones and curcumin additively suppressed cellular proliferation and induced phosphorylation of ATM, histone H2AX, Chk2 and p53. Testosterone augmented the activation of the DNA damage response and PARP cleavage induced by curcumin. Our results indicate that activation of the DNA damage response by polyphenols might suppress the malignant transformation of prostate cancer. In addition, testosterone, when combined with curcumin, may have suppressive effects on the progression of prostate cancer. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 468–471)
Crossing gradients of consumer pressure and physical stress on shallow rocky reefs: a test of the stress‐gradient hypothesis
Authors: Bulleri Fabio , Cristaudo Cristina , Alestra Tommaso , Benedetti‐Cecchi Lisandro
Published: November 2010

1. The stress‐gradient hypothesis predicts an increase in the importance and intensity of positive species interactions towards extreme ends of gradients generated by either physical stress or consumer pressure. However, little attention has been devoted to assessing how the co‐occurrence of different gradients of stress and variations in the abundance of the benefactor can influence switches in species interactions.

2. On shallow rocky reefs, we assessed shifts in the effects of different covers of Vermetid tube‐building gastropods (benefactor) on macroalgae (beneficiary), under experimental conditions generated by crossing a gradient of consumer pressure (sea urchin density) and a gradient of physical stress (sediment deposition).

3. Negative effects of Vermetids on macroalgae in the absence of herbivores switched to positive at intermediate grazing pressure, but sedimentation and benefactor cover determined their intensity. Thus, association with Vermetids provides macroalgae with a refuge from herbivores. When consumer pressure was the greatest, facilitation persisted both at natural and moderately enhanced sedimentation if the benefactor cover was reduced. When the benefactor monopolized space, facilitation was only observed at natural levels of sedimentation. Thus, the relationship between the outcome of the benefactor–beneficiary interaction (expressed as the Relative Interaction Index) and consumer pressure varied from linear to asymptotic or quadratic, according to sedimentation levels and benefactor abundance.

4.
Synthesis. These results show that shifts in the direction and intensity of species interactions are regulated by the interplay of biological and physical factors. In addition, they suggest that density‐dependent processes are more likely to shape species interactions at extreme ends of gradients of stress.
Nucleoid‐associated PhaF phasin drives intracellular location and segregation of polyhydroxyalkanoate granules in Pseudomonas putida KT2442
Authors: Galán B. , Dinjaski N. , Maestro B. , de Eugenio L. I. , Escapa I. F. , Sanz J. M. , García J. L. , Prieto M. A.
Published: November 2010

The PhaF is a nucleoid‐associated like protein of Pseudomonas putida KT2442 involved in the polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) metabolism. Its primary structure shows two modular domains; the N‐terminal PHA granule‐binding domain (phasin domain) and the C‐terminal half containing AAKP‐like tandem repeats characteristic of the histone H1 family. Although the PhaF binding to PHA granules and its role as transcriptional regulator have been previously demonstrated, the cell physiology meaning of these properties remains unknown. This work demonstrates that PhaF plays a crucial role in granule localization within the cell. TEM and flow cytometry studies of cells producing granules at early growth stage demonstrated that PhaF directs the PHA granules to the centre of the cells, forming a characteristic needle array. Our studies demonstrated the existence of two markedly different cell populations in the strain lacking PhaF protein, i.e. cells with and without PHA. Complementation studies definitively demonstrated a key role of PhaF in granule segregation during the cell division ensuring the equal distribution of granules between daughter cells. In vitro studies showed that PhaF binds DNA through its C‐terminal domain in a non‐specific manner. All these findings suggested a main role of PhaF in PHA apparatus through interactions with the segregating chromosome.
The G157C mutation in the Escherichia coli sliding clamp specifically affects initiation of replication
Authors: Johnsen Line , Flåtten Ingvild , Morigen  , Dalhus Bjørn , Bjørås Magnar , Waldminghaus Torsten , Skarstad Kirsten
Published: November 2010

Escherichia coli cells with a point mutation in the dnaN gene causing the amino acid change Gly157 to Cys, were found to underinitiate replication and grow with a reduced origin and DNA concentration. The mutant β clamp also caused excessive conversion of ATP‐DnaA to ADP‐DnaA. The DnaA protein was, however, not the element limiting initiation of replication. Overproduction of DnaA protein, which in wild‐type cells leads to over‐replication, had no effect in the dnaNG157C mutant. Origins already opened by DnaA seemed to remain open for a prolonged period, with a stage of initiation involving β clamp loading, presumably limiting the initiation process. The existence of opened origins led to a moderate SOS response. Lagging strand synthesis, which also requires loading of the β clamp, was apparently unaffected. The result indicates that some aspects of β clamp activity are specific to the origin. It is possible that the origin specific activities of β contribute to regulation of initiation frequency.
Citrate anticoagulation using ACD solution A during long‐term haemodialysis
Authors: WRIGHT STEPHEN , STEINWANDEL ULI , FERRARI PAOLO
Published: November 2010

Aim:  Haemodialysis with regional citrate anticoagulation in patients with contraindications for heparin is increasingly performed in the USA and Europe. Most published protocols use trisodium citrate, which is not readily available nor is it licensed in Australia. We established a protocol for citrate‐anticoagulation in haemodialysis using acid citrate dextrose solution A (ACDA), which is approved for apheresis procedures in Australia. The aim of the present study was to assess the safety and efficacy of this protocol for routine use in haemodialysis patients.

Methods:  Systemic and post‐filter blood ionized calcium, serum sodium and bicarbonate and dialyzer clotting score were analyzed prospectively in 14 patients undergoing 150 consecutive haemodialysis treatments with citrate anticoagulation using calcium‐free dialysate. A simple algorithm allowed the attending nurse to adjust citrate infusion (to maintain post‐filter ionized calcium at 0.2–0.3 mmol/L) and i.v. calcium substitution. Scheduled dialysis time was 4 h, and point‐of‐care monitoring of blood ionized calcium during dialysis was done at 0, 15, 60, 120 and 240 min.

Results:  ACDA infusion rates of 300 mL/h were used in the first 52 treatments, but resulted in high dialyzer clotting score and 6% of treatments were discontinued due to complete clotting. Thereafter, ACDA infusion rate was increased to 350 mL/h, with all 98 subsequent treatments completed successfully. Ionized calcium levels were stable during all procedures with post‐dialysis serum sodium averaging 135 ± 3 mmol/L and bicarbonate 23.8 ± 2 mmol/L.

Conclusion:  Routine use of citrate anticoagulation in the setting of a long‐term haemodialysis unit is safe and efficient. Point‐of‐care measurements of ionized calcium levels are critical to safely and successfully perform citrate anticoagulation.