bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel compressive sensing‐based Dechirp‐Keystone algorithm for synthetic aperture radar imaging of moving target
Authors: Yang Jiefang , Zhang Yunhua
Published: February 2015

The authors propose a novel compressive sensing (CS)‐based Dechirp‐Keystone algorithm (DKA) for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) moving target imaging, which is called the CS‐DKA. The DKA can focus on moving targets in range‐Doppler domain efficiently through only keystone transform (KT), complex multiplication and Fourier transform (FT)/inverse Fourier transform (IFT) operations. It has been shown that the non‐interpolation implementation of KT can be expressed by an orthonormal basis, and it is known that the complex multiplication and FT/IFT are linear and invertible; therefore, the Dechirp‐Keystone operator (DKO) is also linear and invertible. In the proposed algorithm, the authors take the inverse of DKO (IDKO) rather than the exact SAR echo model to construct the representation basis in the CS frame owing to its high implementation efficiency. After that, a random transmitting/receiving scheme is considered, to implement the down‐sampling operation, and then reconstruct the moving target image by solving a regularisation problem. Both simulated and real SAR data are processed to show that the CS‐DKA with down‐sampled data can focus the target as well as the conventional DKA does with full data, and at the same time can achieve much lower sidelobes.
α-z-Rényi relative entropies
Authors: Audenaert Koenraad M. R. , Datta Nilanjana
Published: February 2015

We consider a two-parameter family of Rényi relative entropies Dα,z(ρ ∥ σ) that are quantum generalisations of the classical Rényi divergence Dα(p ∥ q). This family includes many known relative entropies (or divergences) such as the quantum relative entropy, the recently defined quantum Rényi divergences, as well as the quantum Rényi relative entropies. All its members satisfy the quantum generalizations of Rényi’s axioms for a divergence. We consider the range of the parameters α, z for which the data-processing inequality holds. We also investigate a variety of limiting cases for the two parameters, obtaining explicit formulas for each one of them.
Development of habitat prediction models to reduce by-catch of sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) within the purse-seine fishery in the eastern Pacific Ocean
Authors: Martinez-Rincon Raul O. , Ortega-Garcia Sofia , Vaca-Rodriguez Juan G. , Griffiths Shane P.
Published: February 2015

Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) is an important apex predator in neritic and oceanic pelagic ecosystems. The species is also a primary target of important catch-and-release sport fisheries that the support local economies of developing countries. However, commercial purse-seine fisheries that target tuna in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) incidentally catch and discard large numbers of sailfish. Sailfish by-catch data recorded by scientific observers in the Mexican tuna purse-seine fleet in the EPO from 1998 to 2007 was used in generalised additive models (GAMs) to predict environmental and spatial preferences of sailfish. GAM predicted the highest sailfish catches to occur in coastal waters during El Niño events during late autumn and winter, with sea surface temperatures >26°C, with negative values of deviation in sea surface height (<–10cm), and low chlorophyll-a (<0.25mgm–3). GAM predicted that the catch probability for sailfish increased 1.8-fold during El Niño events in coastal waters and 1.5-fold under La Niña. However, the spatial distribution of sailfish remained largely unchanged during El Niño and La Niña events. Our models may be an additional fisheries management tool that may be used to support temporary spatial-temporal throughout the fishing season to reduce sailfish by-catch in the EPO.
Random non-coding fragments of lizard DNA: anonymous nuclear loci for the Australian skink, Tiliqua rugosa, and their utility in other Egernia-group species
Authors: Ansari Talat Hojat , Bertozzi Terry , Hacking Jessica , Cooper Steven J. B. , Gardner Michael G.
Published: February 2015

We report the development of 48 anonymous nuclear loci from the Australian skink Tiliqua rugosa using 454 sequencing. These loci amplified across a Western Australian lineage (47 loci), a ‘northern’ lineage (48 loci) and a ‘southern’ lineage (46 loci). We further tested amplification for the related T. adelaidensis and Egernia stokesii where 37 and 34 loci amplified respectively. The loci showed variability within T. rugosa (22 polymorphic loci) and at least 27 loci also exhibited variation among the three species, highlighting the usefulness of these markers for phylogenetic, phylogeographic and population genetic analyses in T. rugosa and related species.
Biology of the invasive delicate skink (Lampropholis delicata) on Lord Howe Island
Authors: Chapple David G. , Miller Kimberly A. , Chaplin Kirilee , Barnett Louise , Thompson Michael B. , Bray Rebecca D.
Published: February 2015

Lord Howe Island (LHI) is a remote oceanic island in the south-west Pacific that is World Heritage listed due to its diverse, and largely endemic, biota. A suite of introduced species have colonised the island, resulting in the widespread population declines of many native species. The delicate skink (Lampropholis delicata DeVis) was accidentally introduced to LHI from mainland eastern Australia, but there has been no detailed investigation of its biology on the island, or its potential impact on the native biota. We conducted a detailed study of the distribution and biology of the delicate skink on LHI over a six-year period (2007–12). The delicate skink was introduced to LHI in the 1980s, and rapidly spread across the island. It presently occurs in all 21 low-elevation vegetation communities on LHI. The delicate skink is diurnal on LHI, and displays seasonal variation in activity with a peak in November–December. The delicate skink exhibits sexual dimorphism with females having larger body and abdomen sizes and males having longer and broader heads, although the degree of genetic admixture may influence morphology on LHI. Females reproduce in spring and summer (September–February), with a positive relationship between body size and clutch size. Clutch size ranges from 1 to 7 (mean 3.4) and communal egg nests (11–200+ eggs) are common. Tail loss is common on LHI (55%), but is more frequent in adults and females. We conclude that, based on its distribution and abundance, the delicate skink has the potential to impact the diverse and endemic invertebrate fauna on LHI.
An exploratory study of the interlanguage pragmatic comprehension of young learners of English
Authors: Lee Cynthia
Published: February 2015

This paper describes the developmental pattern of the interlanguage pragmatic comprehension of young learners of English based on their performance in a multiple-choice comprehension exercise consisting of five direct and indirect speech acts (requesting, apology, refusal, compliment and complaint) in contextualised dialogues, supplemented with information on their processing strategies as elicited from their verbal protocols. The findings contribute to the literature on the interlanguage developmental pragmatics of young learners, an area on which research literature is scarce.
Three groups of seven-, nine- and twelve year-old Cantonese learners of English participated. The overall mean comprehension scores of the three groups increased steadily, but the difference in the scores across groups was only statistically significant between the seven- and nine-year-olds. All of the learners performed well in the comprehension of direct speech acts, but the seven- and nine-year-old learners encountered problems in comprehending indirect speech acts, particularly indirect refusals, compliments and complaints. Their performance and processing strategies provide some evidence for the development of direct and indirect speech act comprehension in learning a second language - from relying on literal meaning or the semantic congruence between meaning and expression to other strategies, such as speaker intention and contextual clues, as they transit from early to middle childhood.
Identity-level representations affect unfamiliar face matching performance in sequential but not simultaneous tasks
Authors: Menon Nadia , White David , Kemp Richard I.
Published: February 2015

According to cognitive and neurological models of the face-processing system, faces are represented at two levels of abstraction. First, image-based pictorial representations code a particular instance of a face and include information that is unrelated to identity—such as lighting, pose, and expression. Second, at a more abstract level, identity-specific representations combine information from various encounters with a single face. Here we tested whether identity-level representations mediate unfamiliar face matching performance. Across three experiments we manipulated identity attributions to pairs of target images and measured the effect on subsequent identification decisions. Participants were instructed that target images were either two photos of the same person (1ID condition) or photos of two different people (2ID condition). This manipulation consistently affected performance in sequential matching: 1ID instructions improved accuracy on “match” trials and caused participants to adopt a more liberal response bias than the 2ID condition. However, this manipulation did not affect performance in simultaneous matching. We conclude that identity-level representations, generated in working memory, influence the amount of variation tolerated between images, when making identity judgements in sequential face matching.
Telomeres and centromeres have interchangeable roles in promoting meiotic spindle formation
Authors: Fennell Alex , Fernández-Álvarez Alfonso , Tomita Kazunori , Cooper Julia Promisel
Published: February 2015

Telomeres and centromeres have traditionally been considered to perform distinct roles. During meiotic prophase, in a conserved chromosomal configuration called the bouquet, telomeres gather to the nuclear membrane (NM), often near centrosomes. We found previously that upon disruption of the fission yeast bouquet, centrosomes failed to insert into the NM at meiosis I and nucleate bipolar spindles. Hence, the trans-NM association of telomeres with centrosomes during prophase is crucial for efficient spindle formation. Nonetheless, in approximately half of bouquet-deficient meiocytes, spindles form properly. Here, we show that bouquet-deficient cells can successfully undergo meiosis using centromere–centrosome contact instead of telomere–centrosome contact to generate spindle formation. Accordingly, forced association between centromeres and centrosomes fully rescued the spindle defects incurred by bouquet disruption. Telomeres and centromeres both stimulate focal accumulation of the SUN domain protein Sad1 beneath the centrosome, suggesting a molecular underpinning for their shared spindle-generating ability. Our observations demonstrate an unanticipated level of interchangeability between the two most prominent chromosomal landmarks.
Mitofusin 2 is required to maintain mitochondrial coenzyme Q levels
Authors: Mourier Arnaud , Motori Elisa , Brandt Tobias , Lagouge Marie , Atanassov Ilian , Galinier Anne , Rappl Gunter , Brodesser Susanne , Hultenby Kjell , Dieterich Christoph , Larsson Nils-Göran
Published: February 2015

Mitochondria form a dynamic network within the cell as a result of balanced fusion and fission. Despite the established role of mitofusins (MFN1 and MFN2) in mitochondrial fusion, only MFN2 has been associated with metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases, which suggests that MFN2 is needed to maintain mitochondrial energy metabolism. The molecular basis for the mitochondrial dysfunction encountered in the absence of MFN2 is not understood. Here we show that loss of MFN2 leads to impaired mitochondrial respiration and reduced ATP production, and that this defective oxidative phosphorylation process unexpectedly originates from a depletion of the mitochondrial coenzyme Q pool. Our study unravels an unexpected and novel role for MFN2 in maintenance of the terpenoid biosynthesis pathway, which is necessary for mitochondrial coenzyme Q biosynthesis. The reduced respiratory chain function in cells lacking MFN2 can be partially rescued by coenzyme Q10 supplementation, which suggests a possible therapeutic strategy for patients with diseases caused by mutations in the Mfn2 gene.
In praise of other model organisms
Authors: Warren Graham
Published: February 2015

The early cell biological literature is the resting place of false starts and lost opportunities. Though replete with multiple studies of diverse organisms, a few of which served as foundations for several fields, most were not pursued, abandoned largely for technical reasons that are no longer limiting. The time has come to revisit the old literature and to resurrect the organisms that are buried there, both to uncover new mechanisms and to marvel at the richness of the cellular world.
Thoru Pederson: Spotting novel roles for the nucleolus
Authors: Powell Kendall
Published: February 2015

Pederson’s career has revolved around the nucleus, nucleolus, and the nucleoproteins that inhabit them.
The behaviour of square functions from ergodic theory in 𝐿^{∞}
Authors: Hong Guixiang
Published: February 2015

In this paper, we analyze carefully the behaviour in

L
∞

(

R

)

L^\infty (\mathbb {R})

of the square functions

S
S

and

S

I

S_{\mathcal {I}}

, originating from ergodic theory. First, we show that we can find some function

f
∈

L
∞

(

R

)

f\in L^\infty (\mathbb {R})

, such that

S
f

Sf

equals infinity on a nonzero measurable set. Second, we can find compact supported function

f
∈

L
∞

(

R

)

f\in L^\infty (\mathbb {R})

and

I

\mathcal {I}

such that

S

I

f

S_{\mathcal {I}} f

does not belong to

B
M
O

BMO

space. Finally, we show that

S
S

is bounded from

L
c

∞

L^{\infty }_c

, the space of compactly supported

L
∞

(

R

)

L^\infty (\mathbb {R})

functions, to

B
M
O

BMO

space. As a consequence, we solve an open question posed by Jones, Kaufman, Rosenblatt and Wierdl (2000). That is,

S

I

S_{\mathcal {I}}

are uniformly bounded in

L
p

(

R

)

L^p(\mathbb {R})

with respect to

I

\mathcal {I}

for

2
>
p
>
∞

2>p>\infty

.
An eigenfunction stability estimate for approximate extremals of the Bellman function for the dyadic maximal operator on 𝐿^{𝑝}
Authors: Melas Antonios
Published: February 2015

We prove a stability estimate for the functions that are almost extremals for the Bellman function related to the

L

p

L^{p}

norm of the dyadic maximal operator in the case

p
≥
2

p\geq 2

. This estimate gives that such almost extremals are also almost “eigenfunctions” for the dyadic maximal operator, in the sense that the

L

p

L^{p}

distance between the maximal operator applied to the function and a certain multiple of the function is small.
Apparent contours of nonsingular real cubic surfaces
Authors: Finashin Sergey , Kharlamov Viatcheslav
Published: February 2015

We give a complete deformation classification of real Zariski sextics, that is, of generic apparent contours of nonsingular real cubic surfaces. As a by-product, we observe a certain “reversion” duality in the set of deformation classes of these sextics.
A Gene Feature Enumeration Approach for Describing HLA Allele Polymorphism
Authors: Mack Steven J.
Published: February 2015

HLA genotyping via next generation sequencing (NGS) poses challenges for the use of HLA allele names to analyze and discuss sequence polymorphism. NGS will identify many new synonymous and non-coding HLA sequence variants. Allele names identify the types of nucleotide polymorphism that define an allele (non-synonymous, synonymous and non-coding changes), but do not describe how polymorphism is distributed among the individual features (the flanking untranslated regions, exons and introns) of a gene. Further, HLA alleles cannot be named in the absence of antigen-recognition domain (ARD) encoding exons. Here, a system for describing HLA polymorphism in terms of HLA gene features (GFs) is proposed. This system enumerates the unique nucleotide sequences for each GF in an HLA gene, and records these in a GF enumeration notation that allows both more granular dissection of allele-level HLA polymorphism, and the discussion and analysis of GFs in the absence of ARD-encoding exon sequences.

Abbreviations

ARD

Antigen Recognition Domain

EMLB

European Molecular Biology Laboratory

GF

Gene Feature

GFE

Gene Feature Enumeration

HLA

Human Leucocyte Antigen

IHIW

International HLA and Immunogenetics Workshop

IMGT

ImMunoGeneTics

NGS

Next Generation Sequencing

UTR

Untranslated Region
Communicating climate change in rural coastal communities
Authors: Mycoo Michelle
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to, using Grande Riviere, Trinidad, as a case study, determine levels of climate change knowledge and awareness in the community. Second, it seeks to provide new knowledge on appropriate techniques for developing climate change literacy. Third, it attempts to highlight action needed for messages to be widely communicated and policy implications for government agencies, non-governmental organisations, communication specialists and educators.

Design/methodology/approach

– A face-to-face questionnaire was administered to all households, focus group meetings were held and a training workshop was conducted.

Findings

– A key finding is that despite vulnerability to climate change, climate change literacy is low and is influenced by multiple variables such as household income, level of educational attainment, access to technology, governance structures and political commitment to communicating climate change. A major finding is that access to modern communication modes is limited and therefore verbal communication remains the most powerful means of transmitting messages on climate change. Moreover, opportunities exist for the use of participatory and indigenous communication techniques.

Practical implications

– A major policy conclusion is that a practical blend of traditional and modern technologies, which emphasises verbal communication and promotes innovative participatory communication technologies, including indigenous ones, would be effective in strengthening adaptive capacity.

Originality/value

– This paper is useful to policymakers, communication specialists, academia and civil society in understanding that there is no universally applicable technology for climate change communication; the type of technology adopted must be tailored to the economic, social and cultural peculiarities of a community.
Rural entrepreneurship or entrepreneurship in the rural – between place and space
Authors: Korsgaard Steffen , Müller Sabine , Tanvig Hanne Wittorff
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate how rural entrepreneurship engages with place and space. It explores the concept of “rural” as a socio-spatial concept in rural entrepreneurship and illustrates the importance of distinguishing between ideal types of rural entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses concepts from human geography to develop two ideal types of entrepreneurship in rural areas. Ideal types constitute powerful heuristics for research and are used here to review and link existing literature on rural entrepreneurship and rural development as well as to develop new research avenues.

Findings

– Two ideal types are developed: first, entrepreneurship in the rural and second, rural entrepreneurship. The former represents entrepreneurial activities with limited embeddedness enacting a profit-oriented and mobile logic of space. The latter represents entrepreneurial activities that leverage local resources to re-connect place to space. While both types contribute to local development, the latter holds the potential for an optimized use of the resources in the rural area, and these ventures are unlikely to relocate even if economic rationality would suggest it.

Research limitations/implications

– The conceptual distinction allows for engaging more deeply with the diversity of entrepreneurial activities in rural areas. It increases our understanding of localized entrepreneurial processes and their impact on local economic development.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to the understanding of the localized processes of entrepreneurship and how these processes are enabled and constrained by the immediate context or “place”. The paper weaves space and place in order to show the importance of context for entrepreneurship, which responds to the recent calls for contextualizing entrepreneurship research and theories. In addition ideal types can be a useful device for further research and serve as a platform for developing rural policies.
Measures of success for self-employed mothers in Spain
Authors: Gabaldon Patricia , De Anca Celia , Galdón Concepcion
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate alternative measures to better understand and measure success for self-employed mothers in addition to the usual financial indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

– The present study is a comparative analysis of time spent at work and undertaking childcare by female workers with children in Spain between 2009 and 2010, using a combination of descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis based on the Time-Use Survey 2009-2010.

Findings

– The results of the paper indicate that self-employed working mothers tend to spend more time with their children when these are under the age of ten, and that they work longer hours than salaried mothers.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper has some limitations due to the quantitative approach to secondary data. Further qualitative research could clarify some of the findings; moreover the study is based on Spain, so extending to other countries would help validate the results.

Social implications

– Policy makers, in general – but more specifically in high unemployment scenarios – can facilitate self-employment for both men and women to reduce unemployment and to offer workers the prospect of a more balanced life.

Originality/value

– This research contributes to the existing literature, which fosters a more holistic approach to the analysis of female-run ventures by measuring performance using not only economic indicators, but also personal achievements.
Workshops as a useful tool to better understand care professionals’ views of a lean change program
Authors: Simons Pascale A.M. , Benders Jos , Marneffe Wim , Pijls-Johannesma Madelon , Vandijck Dominique
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– For change programs to succeed, it is vital to have a detailed understanding of employees’ views regarding the program, especially when the proposed changes are potentially contested. Gaining insight into employee perceptions helps managers to decide how to proceed. The authors conducted two workshops in a radiotherapy institute to assess the benefits and drawbacks, as well as their underlying causes, of a proposed Lean change program. Managers’ views on the workshops’ usefulness were charted. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two workshops were organized in which employees predicted positive and negative effects of a Lean program. The workshops combined a structured brainstorm (KJ-technique) and an evaluation of the expected effects. Eight top managers judged the workshops’ value on supporting decision making.

Findings

– In total, 15 employees participated in the workshops. Participants from workshop 2 reported more expected effects (27 effects; 18 positive) than from workshop 1 (14 effects; six positive). However, when effects were categorized, similar results were shown. Three from eight managers scored the results relevant for decision making and four neutral. Seven managers recommended future use of the instrument. Increased employee involvement and bottom-up thinking combined with relatively low costs were appreciated most.

Practical implications

– The workshop could serve as a simple instrument to improve decision making and enhance successful implementation of change programs, as it was expected to enhance employees’ involvement and was relatively easy to conduct and cheap.

Originality/value

– The workshop increased insight into employee views, facilitating adaptive actions by healthcare organization managers.
Intensive care patient and family satisfaction
Authors: Sarode Vineet , Sage Deborah , Phong Jenny , Reeves John
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to measure family member satisfaction with the care provided in an Australian private intensive care unit (ICU) at two time points separated by two years. The study was part of a quality improvement process for ICU, and was designed with reference to the revised Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health care.

Design/methodology/approach

– This prospective study involved family members of patients admitted in ICU in February 2011 and February 2013. All patients admitted to during the study month were eligible. Questionnaire addressed staff competence, treatment of family, communication, environment and overall satisfaction, using a Likert scale. There was one free text question. The first survey was done by handing the survey package to the next of kin at the time of discharge while the second involved mailing a survey package within a week of discharge from ICU. Quantitative analysis was based on ten Likert items and qualitative analysis based on the free text question.

Findings

– The response rate was 53 percent (54/102) in 2013 (mailed) compared to 44 percent (44/100) in 2011 (hand delivered). The results from second (2013) survey showed statistically significant improvement in satisfaction associated with nursing and medical competency. Other areas with improvement were the relative’s waiting room and visiting hours. The area lacking improvement was ease of finding ICU the hospital. It confirmed that families were satisfied with the care provided and highlighted areas for improvement. The results indicated high satisfaction overall, especially with the hospital staff competency and the overall care quality their relative received. Though most responses also indicated satisfaction with communication and support services, these areas did not perform as well.

Originality/value

– This study provided a simple and effective mechanism to monitor consumer satisfaction with ICU.
Doctors’ trustworthiness, practice orientation, performance and patient satisfaction
Authors: Van Den Assem Barend , Dulewicz Victor
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a greater understanding of the general practitioner (GP)-patient relationship for academics and practitioners. A new model for dyadic professional relationships specifically designed for research into the doctor-patient relationship was developed and tested. Various conceptual models of trust and related constructs in the literature were considered and assessed for their relevance as were various related scales.

Design/methodology/approach

– The model was designed and tested using purposefully designed scales measuring doctors’ trustworthiness, practice orientation performance and patient satisfaction. A quantitative survey used closed-ended questions and 372 patients responded from seven GP practices. The sample closely reflected the profile of the patients who responded to the DoH/NHS GP Patient Survey for England, 2010.

Findings

– Hierarchical regression and partial least squares both accounted for 74 per cent of the variance in “overall patient satisfaction”, the dependent variable. Trust accounted for 39 per cent of the variance explained, with the other independent variables accounting for the other 35 per cent. ANOVA showed good model fit.

Practical implications

– The findings on the factors which affect patient satisfaction and the doctor-patient relationship have direct implications for GPs and other health professionals. They are of particular relevance at a time of health reform and change.

Originality/value

– The paper provides: a new model of the doctor-patient relationship and specifically designed scales to test it; a greater understanding of the effects of doctors’ trustworthiness, practice orientation and performance on patient satisfaction; and a new framework for examining the breadth and meaning of the doctor-patient relationship and the management of care from the patient’s viewpoint.
Establishing an ISO 10001-based promise in inpatients care
Authors: Khan Mohammad Ashiqur Rahman , Karapetrovic Stanislav
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore ISO 10001:2007 in planning, designing and developing a customer satisfaction promise (CSP) intended for inpatients care.

Design/methodology/approach

– Through meetings and interviews with research participants, who included a program manager, unit managers and registered nurses, information about potential promises and their implementation was obtained and analyzed. A number of promises were drafted and one was finally selected to be developed as a CSP.

Findings

– Applying the standard required adaptation and novel interpretation. Additionally, ISO 10002:2004 (Clause 7) was used to design the feedback handling activities. A promise initially chosen for development turned out to be difficult to implement, experience that helped in selecting and developing the final promise. Research participants found the ISO 10001-based method useful and comprehensible.

Practical implications

– This paper presents a specific health care example of how to adapt a standard’s guideline in establishing customer promises. The authors show how a promise can be used in alleviating an existing issue (i.e. communication between carers and patients). The learning can be beneficial in various health care settings.

Originality/value

– To the knowledge, this paper shows the first example of applying ISO 10001:2007 in a health care case. A few activities suggested by the standard are further detailed, and a new activity is introduced. The integrated use of ISO 10001:2007 and 10002:2004 is presented and how one can be “augmented” by the other is demonstrated.
Inter-organizational cooperation in community health organizations
Authors: Franco Mário , Haase Heiko
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine various aspects related to inter-organizational cooperation and how this phenomenon can be applied to healthcare institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

– To fulfil the aim, a qualitative investigation was adopted, focussing on the relationship between public hospital and a higher education institution in Portugal.

Practical implications

– The study supports health managers and higher education leaders, and other stakeholders involved inter-organizational cooperation drawing up strategies and understanding inter-organizational cooperation’s impact at the regional level.

Originality/value

– One contribution is to help fill a gap regarding the empirical research surrounding cooperation between organizations, especially in the health sector, where scientific studies are scarce. It also provides new insights by applying competence-based theory to analyze different approaches to hospital cooperation, which has received scant attention in the health sector.
A stronger voice
Authors: Hitchen Sherrie Anne , Williamson Graham R
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss learning about service-user and carer involvement from an action research (AR) study into self-directed support implementation in one English mental health trust. The paper promotes appointing and supporting carers and people with experience as co-researchers to obtain authentic local perspectives when undertaking service implementation or redesign.

Design/methodology/approach

– The researchers used an AR spiral method incorporating carers and people with mental health experience as co-researchers. The co-researchers worked alongside the lead researcher gathering data from focus groups, training sessions and other meetings over four years and attending collaborative steering group meetings alongside professional workers throughout the study.

Findings

– The authors suggest that participation gave co-researchers a powerful and effective voice in this service redesign. This approach revealed more authentic research data and required professionals to be more accountable for their perceptions and to make explicit their understandings throughout the study, which enabled more effective working. Steering group participation was central to securing this participation.

Originality/value

– The paper illustrates how carer and service-user co-researchers can be supported to benefit both mental health organisations undergoing change and to co-researchers themselves. It also identifies AR’s utility in uncovering learning as well as structuring change.
Think (not so) straight, talk (not so) straight
Authors: Fogarty Timothy J.
Published: February 2015

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an analysis of the choices Arthur Andersen faced in dealing with the crisis that ultimately let to its downfall in 2001-2002.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is built around institutional theory. Specifically, it applies the propositions provided by Oliver (1990, 1991) to the historical record.

Findings

The failure to develop a coherent response, combined with a failure to anticipate the specific role of the state led to Andersen’s inability to navigate the institutional field.

Research limitations/implications

The usual limitations of institutional theory are acknowledged. These pertain to the lack of a micro-level analysis, the additional impact of pure economic rationality and the chance that every crisis of faith is unique.

Practical implications

The article adds to our appreciation of what not to do in the face of crisis by the government and those in charge of large accounting organizations.

Social implications

The article adds to the recently in the news “too big to fail” problem with successful economic agents.

Originality/value

The article adds to institutional theory by providing a different story than the usual, where everything is cleverly managed and the crisis is overcome.
Controllers as business partners in managerial decision-making
Authors: Wolf Sebastian , Weißenberger Barbara E. , Claus Wehner Marius , Kabst Rüdiger
Published: February 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine whether controllers are willing to and/or general managers are expecting them to act as business partners and, hence, to analyze the related consequences from a manager’s point of view.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a dyadic data set gathered from 112 German head controllers and corresponding general managers in the period of March to May 2009. Drawing on the theory of reasoned action (Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975), the authors examine controllers’ attitude, subjective norm and behavior regarding their participation in managerial decision-making. Further, the authors analyze general managers’ assessment of related outcomes, such as internal efficiency and process improvements and use covariance-based structural equation modeling to test for the theoretical relationships.

Findings

Results show that controllers’ behavior is strongly influenced by management’s expectations. Moreover, the results support the notion that business partnering is associated with organizational improvements regarding internal processes, decisions and efficiency, thereby increasing the contribution of the controllers’ department to the competiveness of an organization.

Research limitations/implications

Our study focuses on a limited set of variables and does not incorporate different hierarchy levels, which could be avenues for further research. Still, our findings highlight the importance of management’s expectations as triggers for business-oriented behavior of controllers.

Originality/value

Theory and empirical evidence in the research area of controllers’ business orientation are still underdeveloped and, therefore, knowledge about the micro-processes and determinants on an individual level for becoming a business partner, as well as on the related outcomes of such a behavior is still limited. The results contribute to literature by highlighting the importance of general managers’ expectations as triggers for business orientation of controllers and its related benefits for the organization.
Accounting firm partners to public corporation employees
Authors: Edward Pickering Mark
Published: February 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the implications on former accounting firm partners becoming employees of a publicly owned accounting corporation, the responses of the former partners and impacts on the acquiring company. Partners of accounting and other professional service firms selling their firms to publicly owned companies often remain with the acquiring company as employees and receive company shares as consideration for their firms. Agency theory suggests public ownership will result in changes to the roles of senior professionals with potential resistance and motivation consequences.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a case study approach involving the review of publicly available information and interviews with executives and senior professionals of an Australian publicly owned accounting company, Stockford Limited.

Findings

The Stockford case indicates that selling their firm to a publicly owned company can have significant negative implications for accounting firm partners. The former partners struggled to adapt to their new roles as senior professional employees and shareholders. Their responses had significant impacts on company performance, which ultimately contributed to the collapse of the company, thus reflecting the power senior professionals retain regardless of the change of ownership form.

Research limitations/implications

Care is required when generalising findings of a single case to other professions and other geographic jurisdictions.

Practical implications

This paper has significant implications for entrepreneurs and executives consolidating professional service firms, partners considering selling their firms and investors in publicly owned professional service firms.

Originality/value

Despite the emergence of publicly owned accounting and other professional service companies and the importance and power of senior professionals in professional service firms, this is the first study to explore the implications on senior professionals of selling their firms to public companies.
Individual and contextual variables in municipal officers' workplace learning
Authors: Moraes Valéria Vieira , Borges-Andrade Jairo Eduardo
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate workplace learning among municipal officers in the high-learning-demanding organizational context of their work practice in the first year of mandate.

Design/methodology/approach

– A before-and-after quasi-experimental design was used to assess the effect of time of work practice on learning work requirements. Level of mastery of role-relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSAs) was measured on three occasions (once before and twice after occurrence of work practice), with 126 participants. Associations have been tested between this learning and level of education, previous experience, use of learning strategies at work, population size of municipalities and participatory public planning.

Findings

– Findings suggest that the municipal officers showed learning of KSAs but no change in their attitude toward public administration. This learning has been positively associated to size of the municipalities, previous professional experience and learning strategies, especially regarding the cognitive strategy “intrinsic and extrinsic reflection”. A possible positive effect of the use of participatory planning on this learning could have been detected if measures were taken after 11 months.

Research limitations/implications

– The generalization of findings is limited, as data are restricted to the southern and southeastern regions of Brazil, in municipalities in which mayors belong to a given political party.

Practical implications

– The study brought useful information that may contribute to provide some clues, to municipal officers and their parties, on how to accelerate the required learning that should take place right after election.

Social implications

– The practical implications may be cautiously used in organizations in general.

Originality/value

– The feasibility of a longitudinal design to measure work-related learning was shown. Options for more comprehensive studies that may better define the phenomenon of workplace learning and identify its relationships with other variables have been demonstrated.
A study on learning organizations in Indian higher educational institutes
Authors: Chawla Saniya , Lenka Usha
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to study the antecedents and consequences of learning organizations (LOs) in Indian higher educational institutes.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology used is survey-based. Primary data were collected from 300 faculty members of Indian higher educational institutes.

Findings

– It was found that all the variables, i.e. resonant leadership (RL), knowledge management, intrapreneurship and total quality managt1ent, have a significant moderate impact on LO. It has also been found that LO results in strong employer branding.

Research limitations/implications

– Discussions are performed and conclusions are drawn in the context of existing literature. The study bears implications for researchers to take on similar research in other contexts.

Practical implications

– The study bears significant implications for faculty members working in higher educational institutes. It is suggested that RL should be used to contribute toward LOs in institutions. Moreover, this would make the institute emerge as a strong employer brand.

Originality/value

– This paper identifies significant antecedents and consequences of LOs. It is a pioneering effort to use all these variables together as predictors of LO in Indian context.
Optimizing a workplace learning pattern: a case study from aviation
Authors: Mavin Timothy John , Roth Wolff-Michael
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to contribute to current research on team learning patterns. It specifically addresses some negative perceptions of the job performance learning pattern.

Design/methodology/approach

– Over a period of three years, qualitative and quantitative data were gathered on pilot learning in the workplace. The instructional modes included face-to-face classroom-based training; pilots assessing pre-recorded videos in classroom-based training; pilots assessing videos with fellow pilot of similar rank (paired training); pilots undertaking traditional 4-hour simulator session with 1-hour debriefing using a variety of technologies for replaying the simulator session; and pilots undertaking 2-hour simulator sessions with extended 3-hour debriefing utilizing simulator replay video.

Findings

– Although traditional classroom-based, face-to-face instruction was viewed as acceptable, pilots who critically assessed the practice of other pilots in pre-recorded videos felt empowered by transferring classroom instruction to the workplace. The study also establishes a need to determine the correct balance between high-workload simulator training and low-workload debriefing.

Research limitations/implications

– A move towards developing a typology for workplace learning patterns was viewed negatively if job performance was the focus. However, pilot practitioners felt empowered when provided with the right mix of performance-oriented learning opportunities, especially when these provided an appropriate mix of high-fidelity simulations with time for reflection on practice.

Practical implications

– By focusing on one learning pattern – job performance – the paper demonstrates the benefits of learning via a variety of instructional modes. Whereas aviation has a unique workplace environment, many other high- and low-risk industries are acknowledging the impact of technical and non-technical skills on job performance. This may suggest that findings from this study are transferable across a broader range of workplace settings.

Originality/value

– The findings demonstrate that broadening research across many professional workplace settings may assist in developing a more robust framework for the micro-organization of each workplace learning pattern.
Knotworking and the visibilization of learning in building design
Authors: Kerosuo Hannele , Mäki Tarja , Korpela Jenni
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to study the visibilization of learning in the context of developing a new collaborative practice, knotworking, in building design. The case under study describes the process of learning from the initiation of knotworking to its experimentation. The implementation of new building information modeling tools acted as an impetus for this development.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research is based on activity-theoretically oriented ethnographic research. The four analytical steps created by Engeström (1999) for analyzing the expansive visibilization of learning are applied in the analysis.

Findings

– The envisioning of the idea of knotworking involved the first and the second steps of visibilization. First, a flowchart made the ideal process of design visible and triggered a discussion on the problems and requirements emerging in the project members’ work. Second, an idea for a new type of collaboration was introduced as a solution to these problems and requirements. Planning the knotworking experiment and explicating the associated design instruments involved the third step of expansive visibilization. The fourth step of visibilization took place during the experiment of knotworking in a design project.

Practical implications

– Two other knotworking projects have already been conducted, and plans have been made to commercialize knotworking in building design. New technical tools have been developed for energy calculation and the comparison of alternative design requirements.

Social implications

– Knotworking can improve the collaboration between designers with positive implications on the quality of a building design process.

Originality/value

– Development and learning are studied as a longitudinal process in the construction industry.