bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calcium, vitamin D, and bone health: how much do adults need?
Authors: Anderson John J.B.
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The intent of this review is to provide a nutritional background for the hypothesis that excessive intakes of calcium and, possibly, vitamin D in adults and the elderly may contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Design/methodology/approach

Recent scientific reports and literature reviews on the linkage between excessive dietary calcium consumption and cardiovascular calcification have been assessed. Prospective human data on this health concern is limited to one recent report from New Zealand of elderly women on calcium supplements for five years. Other supporting evidence is derived from experimental studies over the years and from observations of subjects with gastric ulcers who consumed excessive amounts of milk along with antacids and of “worried well” subjects who took excessive calcium supplements or yogurt.

Findings

Calcium loading in arterial walls occurs under these conditions, even among those with healthy renal function, because atherosclerotic plaques in arterial intimal layers readily permit calcium uptake from blood and the formation of bone in inappropriate locations throughout the body, especially in coronary arteries, heart valves, and arteries of other major organs. Arteriosclerotic damage in affluent populations, such as the USA, is common. Bone health seems to benefit little from excessive calcium in late life compared to the damage to arterial function.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies are needed to advance understanding of this diet‐disease linkage.

Originality/value

This review supports recent data that indicates an important relationship between excessive calcium intakes and arterial calcification in adults and the elderly.
POPs in breast milk: breast‐fed infants' health risk
Authors: Sarkar S.
Published: July 2009

Purpose

Breast milk is considered the optimum food for infants during infancy. Pesticide residues may get transferred to infants through breast feeding and pose various serious health hazards. This paper aims to enumerate various pesticides that are present in breast milk and pose potential health risk to breast‐fed infants.

Design/methodology/approach

An attempt is been made to highlight various sources of pesticide exposure, their mechanism of transfer to breast milk and the possible health hazards to breast‐fed infants. Techniques to reduce the incidence of pesticides in foods are also outlined.

Findings

The exposure of lactating mothers to pesticides from various sources and their detection in breast milk poses various health risks to breast‐fed infants. Infants and younger children are more prone to pesticide poisoning than adults due to quantitative differences in absorption, metabolism, detoxification and excretion.

Practical implications

Adopting precautionary measures and minimising the application of persistent organic pollutants, breast milk could be prevented from pesticide exposure and thus could be recommended safe for infant feeding.

Originality/value

The paper shows that the protection of mothers from pesticide exposure would reduce the incidence of pesticides in breast milk, thus conferring health safety to breast‐fed infants.
POPs in breast milk: women's breast cancer risk
Authors: Sarkar S.
Published: July 2009

Purpose

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have become widespread pollutants and now represent a global contamination problem. The presence of POPs in human serum and adipose tissues have raised public concern regarding their possible role as important etiologic agents in the development of human cancer. This paper aims to investigate the extent of environmental contamination with pesticides and their association with women's risk of breast cancer.

Design/methodology/approach

Various stages of carcinogenesis (initiation, promotion, progression), causes and risk factors associated with breast cancer are delineated. A possible mechanism of xenoestrogen and its association with breast cancer incidences in women is included. Recommendations for reducing breast cancer risks in women are also given.

Findings

Epidemiological studies have revealed that persistent pesticide residues in human serum and adipose tissues may increase women's risk of breast cancer. Women are at a greater risk than men of pesticide exposure. The association between organochlorine compounds and breast cancer is a controversial issue and there exists an exigency to execute extensive worldwide epidemiological studies under identical conditions of detected compounds, blood sampling procedures and analytical techniques to achieve conclusive results.

Practical implications

Women's risk of breast cancer associated with pesticide residues could be subjugated by avoiding prolonged occupational exposures, adopting precautionary measures, and changing lifestyle and dietary habits.

Originality/value

The paper shows that restrictions on the application of POPs and the avoidance of prolonged occupational exposure would result in lower concentrations of POP in blood, serum and adipose tissue, thus minimising women's risk of breast cancer.
Iodine content of water and foodstuffs from different agroclimatic zones of Haryana State, India
Authors: Punia Darshan , Gupta Manju , Kala Yadav Shashi , Khetarpaul Neelam
Published: July 2009

Purpose

This study aims to analyze iodine content in various foods and water.

Design/methodology/approach

Food and water samples were collected from rural and urban areas of different agroclimatic zones of Haryana State, India, and analyzed for iodine content by a standard method.

Findings

A wide variation was observed in the iodine content of cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits and milk. The iodine content in water samples varied from source to source and from zone to zone.

Research limitations/implications

The investigators could not obtain sufficient samples of pulses and fruits for analysis from rural areas as they are not grown by farmers in their fields.

Originality/value

The study is original and innovative. The values of iodine for various foods are not available in the literature, and thus data of the present study will be useful to researchers, nutritionists, food scientists and dieticians.
Nutritive value of Libyan airline meals
Authors: Sachithananthan Vedavalli , Buzgeia Mohammad , Khalifa Emberika , Abdul Hamid Najwa
Published: July 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the nutritive value of Libyan airline meals in comparison with RDA.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was carried out using food samples collected from the catering department of Benina International Airport, Benghazi, Libya, for a period of two months. Different types of meals served for breakfast, lunch (beef meal, chicken meal and lamb meal) and snacks were collected in triplicate from the catering department of the airport prior to being loaded onto the aircraft. These samples were taken immediately to the university laboratory and weighed after removing the bones and separating the different dishes from the pre‐plated meal box. Rice, different vegetables and meat were weighed separately using a digital balance. Measuring cups were used to measure liquids. Chefs were consulted regarding the amount of different ingredients that went into the preparation of the different recipes to enable nutritive value computation using food composition tables. Finally the nutrient content of each meal and snack were compared with the RDA.

Findings

The results on the nutritive value of the dishes served for breakfast, lunch and snacks revealed higher amounts of energy, carbohydrates, saturated fat and sodium in comparison with the RDA in most of the meals, whereas the micronutrient content with respect to vitamins A, E and C, most B vitamins, and iron and calcium did not meet the RDA in respect of most of the meals.

Practical implications

The airline needs to look seriously into this issue and improve the micronutrient content of its meals, simultaneously reducing the total energy and sodium content and replacing the saturated fat present in the meals in the best interests of preventing health risks to frequent airline passengers.

Originality/value

The paper assesses the nutritional value of one airline's meals.
Vitamin C content during processing and storage of pineapple
Authors: Uckiah A. , Goburdhun D. , Ruggoo A.
Published: July 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to determine the effects of processing pineapple fruits into different products and storage of the processed products on the ascorbic acid content.

Design/methodology/approach

Pineapples (variety “Queen Victoria”) were processed into juice, jam and sorbet. Vitamin C was analysed by the 2‐6 dichloroindophenol titrimetric method and tests were performed during preparation and storage of the products. The pineapple juice was stored for nine days at 8°C, whilst the jam and sorbet were kept for two months at 22‐25°C and −18°C respectively.

Findings

Fresh peeled pineapple fruit contains an average ascorbic acid content of 24.8 mg/100 g of fruit. During the juice making process, peeling led to the highest percentage loss of vitamin C (41.8 per cent) followed by exhausting (23.7 per cent). Processing of pineapples into jam was revealed to be most destructive towards ascorbic acid (a loss of 46.8 per cent) as compared to juice making (38.5 per cent) and sorbet preparation (15.5 per cent). Storage of the three processed products in the specific conditions led to a significant decrease (p<0.05) in vitamin C content, and the highest rate of degradation was in pineapple juice (0.6 mg loss per day).

Originality/value

This paper deals with the retention of vitamin C potency in pineapple products, which is important both to consumers concerned with maintaining good health, and to pineapple processors, who are interested in quality assurance, nutrient labelling and product storage.
Assessments of lead levels and daily intakes from green leafy vegetables of southwest Nigeria
Authors: Adekunle I.M. , Olorundare O. , Nwange C.
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to assess the safety of commonly consumed green leafy vegetables in southwest Nigeria in relation to lead (Pb) contamination.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 585 samples of five species of commonly consumed green leafy vegetable samples were procured from 15 outdoor markets and selected farms in three major cities (Abeokuta, Ibadan and Lagos) in the region. Samples were fragmented to two portions (water‐washed and unwashed) and subjected to acid digestion. The Pb in the digests was measured using a flame atomic spectrophotometer. Relevant information was elicited from traders by the administration of a structured questionnaire. Acceptable daily intakes of the metal from the vegetables were estimated using the FAO/WHO total diet study.

Findings

Lead concentrations in all the vegetable samples (6.35‐20.85 mg/kg) exceeded the recommended value of 0.3 mg/kg for green leafy vegetables. The estimated daily intakes of the metal (1.11×10−2 to 2.02×10−2 mg/kg bw) were also higher than the FAO/WHO safety threshold of 3.0×10−3 to 4.0×10−3 mg/kg bw for Pb. Washing the vegetables with water reduced Pb concentrations and EDIs by 11.36 to 43.52 per cent but did not bring the values below the recommended limit.

Research limitations/implications

It was impossible to evaluate the effect of distance from highways on metal concentration because traders were not restricted to a particular location in the outdoor markets in the country.

Originality/value

The study constitutes an evaluative probe into the degree of exposure of commonly consumed vegetables to Pb contamination, contributing to the database of knowledge on toxic metal daily intake from Nigerian foods and environmental contamination.
Latest evidence on omega‐3 fatty acids and health
Authors: Ruxton C.H.S. , Derbyshire E.
Published: July 2009

Purpose

There is strong evidence that very long chain omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC3PUFA) are beneficial. The aim of this paper is to review the role of LC3PUFA in health and put this in context with habitual intakes and international recommendations.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was conducted to locate and summarise relevant published studies and reports.

Findings

There is good evidence that LC3PUFA help prevent cardiovascular disease, and may ameliorate inflammatory conditions and mental health issues, as well as supporting cognitive function throughout life. UK dietary surveys show that average fish intakes are well below the recommended two portions per week. Given that the majority of consumers do not eat oily fish, it is reasonable to consider the potential contribution of dietary supplements or fortified foods, although the latter must be sufficiently high in LC3PUFA to merit consideration.

Research limitations/implications

Information on LC3PUFA intakes in the UK is lacking. Future dietary surveys should remedy this and look at the relative contribution of different food groups, including supplements, to LC3PUFA intakes.

Originality/value

This paper gives a concise, up‐to‐date overview on LC3PUFA sources, intakes, recommendations and their impact upon health.
Studies on performance of young African goats fed diets containing sulphur additive
Authors: Oluwakemi Bawala Toheeb , Olaleye Akinsoyinu Akintunde , Olanrewaju Yusuf Azeez
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of dietary sulphur supplementation from elemental sulphur on the growth performance, nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) utilisation, rumen microbial volatile fatty acids production, acid/base balance, serum biochemical status and haematological profile of young West African dwarf and Red Sokoto (Maradi) goats, with a view of improving their nutrition for greater performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Twenty‐four (12 of each) growing West African dwarf and Red Sokoto goats were fed isonitrogenous (17 per cent) and isocaloric (3.98 Mcal/kgDM) treatments containing varying levels of elemental sulphur at (percentage DM) 0.00, 0.15 and 0.20 in a 2×3 factorial arrangement within randomized complete block design. After a 61 day feeding trial, the performances of the goats were assessed and compared.

Findings

The results showed that S supplementation increased (p<0.05) weight gain and feed efficiency in the fed goats with those on 0.20 per cent S level recorded highest values. Similar trends were observed for N and S retention, haematological and serum biochemical studies. S supplementation did not influence (p>0.05) ruminal pH, lactate and acid/base balance. Increased dietary S inclusion increased (p<0.05) molar proportions of acetate and priopionate.

Practical implications

Owing to the outstanding performances of goats fed 0.15 and 0.20 per cent S dietary levels relative to their contemporaries on an unsupplemented (0.00 per cent) S diet, inclusion of S in the diet of growing animals becomes necessary for optimal production.

Originality/value

The paper provides information on the influence of sulphur on animal performance as poor nutrition constitutes a limiting factor to animal production.
Food and happiness
Authors: Blades Mabel
Published: July 2009

Purpose

This short paper seeks to examine some concepts on food and happiness.

Design/methodology/approach

An examination of information on the subject from conferences, web sites, books, magazines and the literature was examined.

Findings

While there is relatively little information on food and happiness in the literature, some conclusions on food and happiness could be made.

Originality/value

This paper provides a brief overview and some conclusions on the relationship of food and happiness.
Investigation of antiwear additives for diester
Authors: Wu Hua , Ren Tian
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study tribological properties of two novel additives in the diester and provide adequate information on the relationship between the diester and the additives.

Design/methodology/approach

The two 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole derivatives, referred to as BZIA, BZOA, are synthesized with one pot; their tribological performances are evaluated using a four‐ball friction and wear tester, and the worn surface was analysed with scanning electron microscope and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Findings

The two compounds as the additives in the diester possess excellent load‐carrying capacities, rather good anti‐wear (AW) and friction reduction properties. According to the XPS results, both the additives reacted with counter‐face metal and generated a sulphur‐containing inorganic film and a complex adsorption film. The inorganic film obtained with the additive BZOA consisted of FeS2, FeSO4 and Fe2(SO4)3, whereas the inorganic film obtained with the additive BZIA consisted of FeS2 or FeS. The adsorption layer for the two additives contained N‐containing compounds.

Research limitations/implications

The interaction of the two additives with the diester needs to be further explored.

Practical implications

Two useful, environmentally friendly, AW lubricating oil additives are synthesized with one pot.

Originality/value

The paper provides a study of some N, S‐containing heterocyclic compounds as environmentally friendly lubricating oil additives.
The frictional behavior of composite materials under horizontal vibration
Authors: Asaduzzaman Chowdhury Mohammad , Helali Maksud
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the frictional behaviour of composite materials under external horizontal vibration. Variation of friction coefficient is investigated experimentally when mild steel pin slides on composite materials such as glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) and cloth reinforced ebonite (commercially known as gear fiber).

Design/methodology/approach

A pin‐on‐disc apparatus having the facility of vibrating the test samples in a horizontal direction is designed and fabricated. Horizontal vibration is created along (longitudinal direction), and perpendicular (transverse direction) to, the sliding direction. The experimental set‐up has the facility to vary the amplitudes and frequencies of vibration while velocity of vibration is kept constant.

Findings

The relative frictional behaviour of these materials and their dimensional analysis are yet to be investigated. Therefore an attempt is made to investigate the relative frictional property of the GFRP and cloth reinforced ebonite (commercially known as gear fiber) and the results of these composite materials are analyzed by dimensional analysis under horizontal vibration.

Practical implications

It is expected that the applications of these results will contribute to the improvement of different concerned mechanical systems.

Originality/value

It can also be noted that there are no clear correlations between friction‐ and other vibration‐related operating parameters. Considering the above conclusion and lack of correlation, the paper meant to find out a suitable correlation and a way of observing the response of friction force by applying known frequency and amplitude of vibration in a particular direction. It is expected that the application of these results will contribute to the improvement of different concerned mechanical systems.
Frictional behavior investigation on three types of PTFE composites under oil‐free sliding conditions
Authors: Yang Xue‐Bin , Jin Xin‐Qiao , Du Zhi‐Min , Cui Tian‐Sheng , Yang Shao‐Kan
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the frictional behavior of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites under oil‐free sliding conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The friction force and power consumption of pressure packing seals, which were, respectively, made of common filled PTFE, 30 wt% CF (carbon fiber) + PTFE and C/C (carbon/carbon) + PTFE, are studied in a reciprocating oil‐free compressor arrangement. Their coefficient of friction is tested on a block‐on‐ring type tribometer.

Findings

The results indicate that influence of mean sliding velocity on filled PTFE composites is apparently more predominant than the others. The friction force curvilinear path of 30 wt% CF+PTFE is hardly influenced by changing crankshaft turn angle. For C/C+PTFE, the effect of mean piston velocity on friction force is not evident. The results also indicate that the friction coefficient of C/C+PTFE is lower than that of 30 wt% CF+PTFE if their applied normal force exceeds 9.8 N. Furthermore, their variation curve of friction force is little different and the power consumption of C/C+PTFE is slightly higher than that of 30 wt% CF+PTFE.

Research limitations/implications

Neither the effect of real contact area on friction coefficient measured in a tribometer nor the influence of the temperature on friction force and power tested in a compressor is not taken into consideration here.

Practical implications

Owing to its good mechanical performances and frictional behaviors, C/C+PTFE is an optimum and promising material under conditions with sealing pressure up to 10 MPa and sliding velocity exceeding 4.0 m/s.

Originality/value

A novel material called C/C+PTFE is considered to make packing rings for oil‐free reciprocating compressors and its friction behaviour is tested on a refitted compressor.
Investigation of load carriage capacity of journal bearings by surface texturing
Authors: Sinanoglu Cem
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and discuss the influence of the pattern, size and orientation of textures on journal bearing load carriage capacity. An important development in load carriage capacity of journal bearings can be obtained by forming regular surface structure in the form of threaded on their shaft surfaces. This is performed both theoretically and experimentally using shafts with textured (threaded) and untextured surfaces. Each screw thread can serve either as a micro‐hydrodynamic bearing in cases of full or mixed lubrication or as a micro reservoir for lubricant in cases of starved lubrication conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The pressure distribution and the load‐carrying capacity are predicted using feed forward architecture of neurons. The inputs to the neurons are a collection of experimental data. These data are used to train the network using the delta‐bar‐delta, batch‐backprop, backprop, and backprop‐rand algorithms. The proposed neural model outperforms the available experimental system in predicting the pressure as well as load‐carrying capacity.

Findings

Theoretical models are developed using a neural network approach, and tests are performed, to investigate the potential of threaded textured surfaces in tribological components like mechanical seals, piston rings and journal bearings. In these tests, load carriage capacity is significantly increased with threaded textured shaft surfaces to the shafts with non‐textured surfaces.

Originality/value

The paper discusses a new modelling scheme known as artificial neural networks. A neural network predictor has been employed to analyze the effects of shaft surface profiles in hydrodynamic lubrication of journal bearing.
Study of a novel anti‐wear additive used in ashless anti‐wear hydraulic fluid
Authors: Longhua Zhang
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop novel ashless additives and to meet the need for formulating ashless anti‐wear (AW) hydraulic fluid or other industrial lubricating oils. This paper also aims to investigate the tribological behaviours and mechanism of an acrylate of dialkyl dithiophosphoric acid (ADDP), as an additive in some group I/II base oils compared with some traditional s‐p containing AW additives.

Design/methodology/approach

ADDP is synthesized in the laboratory. The chemical composition and structure of the lubricating additive are analyzed by means of infrared spectroscopy. Its extreme pressure (EP), AW and friction reduction properties as additive in base oils, compared with some traditional s‐p containing AW additives, are investigated using a four‐ball machine according to relative testing standards. The tribological mechanism is discussed according to the scanning electron microscope (SEM) analytical data.

Findings

The results indicate that the four‐ball PB value of the prepared ADDP in HVIWH650 is better than that of the IRGLUBE 353; the thermal stability of ADDP is equivalent to the zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP) and the SEM data show that the prepared ADDP additive could form a layer of uniform film on the worn surface serving as lubricant and protective film. This may be the chief reason why the prepared ADDP possesses better AW property than ZDDP.

Research limitations/implications

However, more experimental studies such as the synergic effect with other additives should be performed, from which it could be learned whether the novel AW additive would be applicable in industrial oils.

Practical implications

The results may be useful for the researchers to formulate some ashless industrial oils.

Originality/value

A novel additive was synthesized in the laboratory; it would find a promising industrial application as an ashless AW additive.
In search of balance – managing the dualities of HRM: an overview of the issues
Authors: Boselie Paul , Brewster Chris , Paauwe Jaap
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the human resource management (HRM) literature that builds up to our current concern with dualities, paradoxes, ambiguities, and balance issues; and to introduce the six papers in this special issue on managing the dualities in HRM.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a literature review taking a historical look at the development of the HR field up to the present awareness of the complexity of the concept and practice of HRM.

Findings

Almost 30 years on, is being found now increasing evidence of the dualities, paradoxes, and ambiguities entailed in HRM.

Research limitations/implications

The literature review starts with the personnel management (PM)‐HRM and industrial relations‐HRM debates in the 1980s. Earlier work on traditional PM is not debated in this paper.

Practical implications

After reading this general review practitioners might gain more insights in the potential tensions, ambiguities, and conflicts of interest that are characteristic for the field of HRM in practice.

Originality/value

First, this paper highlights the interest of the pluralist perspective in contrast to the dominating unitarist approaches in contemporary human resource studies. Second, this overview presents methodological challenges for example, with regard to multi‐level and multi‐actor research. Finally, the paper presents alternative theories for future research including new institutionalism, strategic balance theory, and health psychology theories.
Framing the implementation of HRM innovation
Authors: Bondarouk Tanya , Kees Looise Jan , Lempsink Bart
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the concept of human resource management (HRM) frames, to identify frame domains, and to explore their role in implementing HRM innovation. HRM innovation implementation is considered through the theoretical lens of social cognitive theory, and defined as a process for achieving the appropriate and committed use of HRM innovation by targeted employees.

Design/methodology/approach

An explorative case study in a construction company is conducted to illustrate the role of HRM frames in the implementation of HRM innovations. Interviews are held with 21 line managers and human resource (HR) specialists, and intensive document analysis added further data. Respondents described their understanding, assumptions and expectations of a new HRM programme, which enabled analysis of the contents of interview transcripts.

Findings

Four HRM frame domains are identified: strategic motivation, essence of HRM innovation, HRM innovation‐in‐practice and ownership. Where the HRM frames are significantly different, difficulties and conflicts in HRM innovation implementation are observed. Empirical findings illustrated how the nature, value and reasons behind the HRM innovation are interpreted by HR specialists and line managers, and that incongruent frames resulted in outcomes that deviated from those expected.

Originality/value

This paper takes a process‐based approach and considers the implementation of HRM in organisations rather than focusing on factor‐based research into HRM practices. It shows how the implementation of HRM is constructed through social‐cognitive interpretations by organisational members.
Institutional pressures and HRM: developing institutional fit
Authors: Boon Corine , Paauwe Jaap , Boselie Paul , Den Hartog Deanne
Published: July 2009

Purpose

Research in strategic human resource management (HRM) has focused mainly on the effects of HRM practices or systems on organizational effectiveness. However, institutional theory argues that besides being financially successful, organizations also need legitimacy to survive. Owing to the tension between competitive and institutional pressures, organizations balance between the degree of conformity and the degree of differentiation from competitors regarding HRM. The purpose of this paper is to address how institutional pressures help shape HRM.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the concepts of leeway, human agency and strategic choice, differences in three types of institutional fit are highlighted: innovative, conformist and deviant. A comparative case study approach is used in order to illustrate the framework, using document analysis and 43 interviews in three organizations in The Netherlands.

Findings

This paper shows how balancing competitive and institutional pressures in organizations affects HRM. The cases illustrate the proposed theoretical framework, showing leeway, human agency, strategic choice and the nature of institutional fit. The organizations each illustrate a type of institutional fit. Moreover, not the institutional context itself, but the organization's response seems to make a difference for the nature of institutional fit.

Originality/value

While previous studies focus on the effects of HRM on organizational effectiveness, this paper examines how the balance between competitive and institutional pressures affects HRM and aims to show that institutional fit can contribute to strategic HRM by providing insight in this more balanced goal setting of organizations.
Cross‐level effects of high‐performance work practices on burnout
Authors: Kroon B. , van de Voorde K. , van Veldhoven M.
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of management practices – specifically, high‐performance work practices (HPWPs) – on employee burnout. Two potential mediating mechanisms that counterbalance each other in the development of burnout are compared: a critical mechanism that states that HPWPs intensify job demands (which increases burnout) and a positive mechanism that states that HPWPs increase fairness among employees (which reduces burnout).

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire data are gathered among 393 employees working in 86 Dutch organizations. Human resource managers provide information about HPWPs while employees were inquired about their perceptions of job demands, fairness, and burnout. Multilevel regression analyses were conducted to test the assumptions.

Findings

The analyses reveal a slightly positive relationship between HPWPs and burnout, which is completely mediated by job demands. Fairness was associated with the experience of less burnout, but the results do not sustain the idea that HPWPs contributed to procedural justice. Although the data do not support the idea that justice and intensified job demands counteract each other in the development of burnout under systems of HPWPs, the results do support a critical “employee exploitation” oriented perspective on HPWPs.

Originality/value

Most studies on HPWPs focus on mechanisms that explain positive employee well‐being outcomes. A more critical perspective, which predicts increased employee strain as a result of demanding work practices, is also valid. The results of this paper indicate that the critical perspective on HPWPs receives empirical justification and requires further elaboration in future research.
Flexibility practices, wages and productivity: evidence from Norway
Authors: van der Meer Peter H. , Ringdal Kristen
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test whether the use of numerical and functional flexibility practices in firms affect their performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A combined employer/employee Norwegian data set is used to estimate production function like equations. The data stem from a questionnaire among Norwegian work organizations conducted in 2003 and are supplemented by register data from Statistics Norway about the organizations and their employees.

Findings

Numerical flexibility measures are negatively associated with wages and productivity per employee, although the association is stronger with wages than with productivity. This supports the idea that numerical flexibility fits with a low‐cost strategy. It is also found that a negative association between functional flexibility and wages and productivity per employee, with the association once again stronger with wages than with productivity, contrary to the hypothesis. The idea that high‐commitment human resource (HR) management has positive effects on wages and productivity was confirmed by other indicators of HR management.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is limited by a cross‐sectional design and its relatively simple indicators of numerical and functional flexibility, which only show whether certain practices are used, rather than the intensity of their use.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies that tests the effects of both numerical and functional flexible work practices on wages and productivity in a regulated labour market.
Translating national policy changes into local HRM practices
Authors: van Gestel Nicolette , Nyberg Daniel
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how a national policy on sickness absence management is translated by HR managers into local human resource management (HRM) practices by developing and applying an analytical framework with three dimensions: individual preferences, strategic reframing, and local grounding.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on policy documents and interviews with HR managers in Dutch law firms. The theoretical scope is the debate on HRM and institutional contexts.

Findings

The paper uncovers a variety of individual preferences among HR managers' interpretations of the national policy. However, in strategically reframing the policy, the organizations act upon it from a mainly “managerialist” perspective: they focus on reducing absence through increased control of employees, rather than reforming organizational practices that may adversely affect the health of workers. The local groundings reinforce unequal power relations between different categories of employees: HR managers/line managers; professionals/administrative personnel; men/women. The paper contributes to the understanding of how changes in institutional contexts are translated into organizations and the role of HR managers within this process.

Research limitations/implications

The paper explores the translation process in a particular setting. It would be fruitful to broaden the scope to other institutional contexts and organizations and to include a diverse range of actors to develop additional knowledge of the interaction in the translation process.

Originality/value

The paper develops both empirical and theoretical conclusions on the translation, that is, the sense making of HRM in an uncertain environment of changing national institutions.
The relationships between team learning activities and team performance
Authors: van Woerkom Marianne , Croon Marcel
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how different team learning activities relate to different types of team performance as rated by team members and managers.

Design/methodology/approach

The 624 respondents, working in 88 teams in seven different organizations indicate their perceptions of team learning and their performance ratings of the team. Moreover, managers in the organization are asked to evaluate the team performance.

Findings

Team member ratings of effectiveness are positively related to the boundedness and stability of the team and information processing and negatively related to information acquisition. Manager ratings of effectiveness are positively related to boundedness and stability, information processing and information storage and retrieval. Team member ratings of efficiency are positively related to information processing and negatively related to information acquisition. Manager ratings of efficiency are positively related to boundedness and stability and information storage and retrieval. Team member ratings of innovativeness are positively related to information processing, while no predictors are found for manager ratings of innovativeness.

Research limitations/implications

Since the data are cross‐sectional, the authors cannot draw conclusion about the causality between the variables. Longitudinal designs that study the sequence of team learning and team performance are called for. Furthermore, future studies might include more objective performance measures.

Practical implications

As team learning proved to have predictive value for diverse team performance indicators, rated by team members and managers, team should carefully organise their learning process in order to enhance their performance.

Originality/value

Although some studies have proven the significance of team learning for team performance, none have investigated which team learning activities are related to which types of performance ratings.
Sole agency vs multi‐agency: an investigation of agency practice across England and Wales
Authors: Ke Qiulin , Jayne Michael , Isaac David
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of different agency practice on agency fees, business efficiency, and housing market liquidity.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper studies the effect of sole and multiple agency practices on estate agent efficiency, housing market liquidity, and commission fee levels. The analysis uses the survey data from 2000 to 2006 to investigate the different agency practices across England and Wales and their effect on estate agency business efficiency, housing market liquidity, selling price, and fee levels.

Findings

The empirical analysis confirms that agency practice has a locality bias, that is, some regions are more likely to adopt sole agency practice than other regions. The estate agents with a sole agency practice charge a lower agency fee, help clients to achieve better selling price and are more efficient; whereas multiple agency practice facilitates liquidity in the housing market, but experiences higher fall‐through rate.

Research limitations/implications

The research focuses on estate agent rather than consumers due to the limitation of the data based on a research project concerning transaction costs designed prior to this analysis.

Originality/value

There is little other research that investigates the residential estate agency practice and its impact on housing market in the past three decades in England and Wales. The findings are a useful guide for practitioners to better understand the issues associated with different agency practices and should enhance business efficiency and performance.
Statutory zoning and the environment
Authors: Lai L.W.C. , Lam G.C. , Chau K.W. , Hung C.W.Y. , Wong S.K. , Li R.Y.M.
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a hypothesis for evaluating the potential contribution of planning conditions to protect the environment by reducing environmental complaints (ECs) in an institutional context of growing communicative planning and interpret the results of an empirical study using two received hypotheses in terms of sustainable development in the light of the actual participation of the public in influencing the formulation of planning conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypothesis is tested using Environmental Protection Department EC and Planning Department zoning data. In addition, field observation of the conduct the Town Planning Board in their open sessions is made over a period of 27 months.

Findings

The hypothesis about the frequency of planning permissions and the incidence of ECs using the “received” model of Lai is refuted. The results for testing Lai's model on the relationship between Comprehensive Development Area zoning and ECs are indecisive. Though a negative correlation between zoning and complaints is established, the strength of such correlation is insignificant for each of the specified periods.

Research limitations/implications

The promise of communicative theorists about empowering the public in planning has yet to be fulfilled in terms of contribution to the shaping of planning conditions. Official suppression of addresses of locations of the occurrence of ECs does not allow the ideal hypothesis to be tested.

Practical implications

Subject to further and better qualitative research, the limitations of the new public participation law in planning for shaping planning conditions are revealed by an examination of observed facts about the time spent by the Town Planning Board in decision making and the nature of the planning conditions imposed in response to public comments.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates an approach to evaluate the direct means of measuring the relationship between externalities and zoning with a view to interpret the contribution of planning conditions to sustainable development.
Implementing land reform policies in Eastern African countries: the case study of Kenya
Authors: Nzioki Nicky , Kariuki Catherine , Murigu Jennifer
Published: July 2009

Purpose

This paper was written after the drafting of the National Land Policy was completed. The purpose of the paper is to give suggestions on the implementation of the policy. The National Land Policy reform process began in 2002 and is made up of several thematic areas. Under each category, identification of the major constraints is outlined in the paper together with possible gaps in the existing framework and a way forward is suggested to overcome them. One of the underlying gaps in all the thematic areas is the lack of adequate and competent capacity to undertake the necessary reforms to achieve the envisaged tangible changes in the land reform process in the country.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes a comprehensive outline of the training needs and capacity building in land management required at both tertiary and university levels. It includes continuing professional development and practice of various cadres of personnel in both the public and private sector. The paper concludes by highlighting the need to undertake measures to align the various basic training, specialisations and skill‐enhancement curricula and syllabi in land management and administration disciplines at both the tertiary and university level.

Findings

The paper is developed from review of literature as part of research methodology and there are no empirical findings presented in the contents. The paper identifies that there is lack of adequate and competent capacity to undertake the necessary reforms is suggested by the National Land Policy. The paper highlights the measures that can be undertaken to align the various basic training applications to be able to implement the policy.

Originality/value

The paper is a source of information for the working group charged with creating institutions and preparing a training syllabi for those who are employed by the new institutions.
Antecedents and consequences of buyer‐seller relationship quality in the financial services industry
Authors: Rajaobelina Lova , Bergeron Jasmin
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a model that investigates the antecedents and the consequences of buyer‐seller relationship quality in the financial services.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a survey of more than 400 dyads (414 financial advisors and 772 clients in Canada) and were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The results notably show that, for both financial advisors and clients, customer orientation has an impact on buyer‐seller relationship quality, whereas buyer‐seller similarity does not. The link between relationship quality and both consequences (purchase intention and word‐of‐mouth) is significant for the two samples.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations and research directions refer to the measure of word‐of‐mouth construct, which is only weakly reliable, and the need to consider a multilevel approach.

Practical implications

The study can be helpful for financial advisors to build effective strategies for enhancing their relationships with clients.

Originality/value

The study is one of the few to consider both perceptions (financial advisors and clients) in order to analyze buyer‐seller relationship quality in the financial services sector.
Key motivations for bank patronage in Ghana
Authors: Hinson Robert , Owusu‐Frimpong Nana , Dasah Julius
Published: July 2009

Purpose

Banking in Ghana is now an intensely competitive proposition. In a competitive environment, it becomes imperative not just to attract customers, but also to design strategies aimed at maintaining these customers. Drawing on data from over 2,000 retail bank customers in Ghana, this study aims at understanding the key motivations for maintaining accounts with banks in respect of Ghanaian bank customers.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from customers of 22 retail banks in Ghana. A two‐stage sampling technique was adopted in obtaining the sample. First, for each of the banks, two branches were randomly selected from the list of all functionally operating branches. In the second stage, customers of the selected branches were randomly intercepted in the banking halls and the survey instrument administered to them. A total of 2,000 respondents were attracted. Logistic regression modelling was employed in analysing the data.

Findings

Overall bank customers view proximity/accessibility as the most important factor in the opening and maintenance of accounts with banks in Ghana. Recommendations by friends appear to be the least important factor in Ghanaian bank consumers' decision to open and maintain a bank account in Ghana. The findings were strange to the extent that word‐of‐mouth marketing has been lauded as one of the most potent marketing communications tools in services marketing but the empirical findings from the study did not support this.

Practical implications

To the extent that proximity is a key factor in the opening and maintenance of bank relationships in Ghana, distribution management must be given a more strategic imperative in bank management in Ghana. Bank branches must be sited in catchment areas with the highest propensity to attract and maintain an existing profitable bank clientele.

Originality/value

The study is one of the few on bank marketing in Ghana that draws on a large bank consumer data set and utilizes robust statistical analysis to reach its conclusions.