bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting money laundering: lesson for developing countries
Authors: Vaithilingam Santha , Nair Mahendhiran
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The primary objective of this paper is to examine the factors that underpin the pervasiveness of money laundering. An empirical method was used to study the relationship between technology (information and communication technology infrastructure), quality of human capital, efficiency of the legal framework, ethical behavior of firms (corporate governance) and capacity for innovation on the pervasiveness of money laundering in developed and developing countries. Based on the empirical findings, key strategies and policies to reduce the pervasiveness of money laundering were examined in this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample period for this study was 2004‐2005 entailing 88 developed and developing countries. The ordinary least square method was used in this paper to examine the impact of the above‐mentioned factors on the pervasiveness of money laundering.

Findings

The empirical analysis showed that efficient legal framework with good corporate governance lower the pervasiveness of money laundering activities. The empirical analysis also showed that a high‐innovative capacity contribute negatively to the pervasiveness of money laundering activities.

Research limitations/implications

One of the limitations of this study is the lack of quality data measuring pervasiveness of money laundering patterns over a longer period of time. Over the next two years, as more data becomes available, a more robust econometric modeling framework called the dynamic panel data method can be used to assess the impact of the above‐mentioned factors on the pervasiveness of money laundering. This new method will not only capture the factors contributing to variations of pervasiveness of money laundering across the different countries but also across the time period.

Practical implications

Strategies to reduce the pervasiveness of money laundering in developing countries are discussed.

Originality/value

While there are numerous studies in the literature that critically examine factors that contribute to money laundering, the number of empirical studies that examined the factors that contribute to money laundering are rather scarce. This study hopes to fill this gap in the literature.
Problems of black labour, illegal immigration and money laundering in Poland
Authors: Bojarski Janusz
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to present a picture of black labour, illegal immigration and money laundering at a special moment in the history of Poland – the time of Polish accession to the European Union structures. Another aim of the paper is to explain the problem of efficiency of the system counteracting these phenomena.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper illustrates the situation in this area by analysis of legislation, statistics, criminal law, criminological and sociological literature, and specialized press relations.

Findings

During the last ten years a new criminal law and institutional framework of control of black labour, illegal immigration and money laundering has been created. Even though this system looks adequate in the present situation, there is difficulty in evaluating its real efficiency. A surprising characteristic is a lack of determination of agencies in fighting illegal immigration. The reason could be the permissive attitude of the society.

Originality/value

The paper can be useful for comparative research in the spheres of control of black labour, illegal immigration and money laundering – among new members and Poland and “old” members of the European Union.
University technology transfer: network bridge promotion by the Medici Fellowship Scheme
Authors: Mosey Simon , Westhead Paul , Lockett Andy
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore whether the Medici Fellowship Scheme addressed attitudinal and resource barriers to the commercialisation of knowledge within five research‐intensive universities. The following research questions were explored: Did the Medici fellows change the attitudes of academic network members in host departments towards the commercialisation of research? Did the Medici Fellowship Scheme encourage fellows to accumulate human and social capital? Did the Medici Fellowship Scheme encourage fellows to leverage their academic and practitioner networks?

Design/methodology/approach

The scheme was implemented in Biomedical departments across five universities located in the Midlands in England. Six months after the completion of the scheme information was consistently gathered from six Medici fellows, six technology transfer officers (TTOs) and six senior academics. Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted. Information was gathered through structured and semi‐structured open‐ended questions.

Findings

Fellows who accumulated human and social capital were able to act as agents of attitudinal change in their host departments. The fellows did not markedly change the culture towards commercialization, but they addressed several structural holes by building network bridges with actors positioned in practitioner networks. They created new weak ties with external actors who provided early stage funding, market and legal information and potential customers. Fellows also strengthened existing ties within academic networks both inter and intra university. The career destinations of the fellows after the scheme helped sustain bridging behaviour by providing points of contact for their peers and/or by demonstrating the viability of alternative sources of funding and prestige for academics.

Practical implications

Despite a widely perceived successful scheme, structural holes were still apparent in the monitored departments. Additional bridges need to be built between academic networks and actors, such as surrogate entrepreneurs and private equity financiers, to ensure the sustained development of new ventures.

Originality/value

Guided by insights from human and social capital theory and network theory the outcomes associated with a novel structured training initiative were monitored. Case study evidence was gathered from three types of university stakeholders (i.e. Medici fellows, TTOs and senior academics) involved in the commercialisation process.
Preparing for business start‐up: “pre‐start” activities in the new venture creation dynamic
Authors: Atherton Andrew
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine the activities and behaviours of potential entrepreneurs as they move towards engagement in business start‐up.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on in‐depth engagement with seven founders of new businesses, and informed by a review of the relevant literature.

Findings

A series of transitions towards business start‐up are identified, which in turn produced a five‐step framework for examining and understanding the “pre‐start” phase of preparation for entrepreneurship.

Research limitations/implications

The case‐based approach provided detailed and contextualised insight into how a small group of founders prepared for business start‐up. There may be a need to test the framework with a larger group of business founders to assess its wider relevance and applicability.

Practical implications

The pre‐start framework identifies how individuals progress towards start‐up, and so could be used as the basis for a programme to encourage individuals to move through each step towards engagement in business start‐up. The movement from step to step can also be used to assess overall levels of preparation for entrepreneurship within the wider population, and so has the potential to be a useful indicator of overall levels of entrepreneurial orientation.

Originality/value

The paper presents a process‐focused model of the pre‐start dynamic.
Ownership structure, business growth and financial performance amongst SMEs
Authors: McMahon Richard G.P.
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine in some depth the relationships between ownership structure, business growth and financial performance amongst small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) with different degrees of overlap between management and ownership.

Design/methodology/approach

The research employs panel data for 1,872 SMEs legally organised as proprietary companies, taken from the Australian federal government's Business Longitudinal Survey for three financial years from 1995‐1996 to 1997‐1998.

Findings

The study finds that there is no statistically significant relationship between the proportion of equity held by SME managers and achieved business growth in the businesses examined. Furthermore, for most financial performance measures examined, it would appear that there is no statistically significant relationship between the proportion of equity held by SME managers and achieved financial performance in the businesses examined.

Originality/value

This is the first such investigation undertaken with SMEs and the findings are consistent with prior research on large business concerns. The findings can be seen as seriously challenging the relevance of agency theory in its application to smaller businesses.
Financing preferences of ethnic minority owner/managers in the UK
Authors: Hussain Javed , Matlay Harry
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to show that while mainstream finance for small businesses has been researched, hard to reach segments of the UK owner/manager population have eluded empirically rigorous investigation. The authors investigate the financing preferences of owner/managers in small ethnic minority businesses in the UK and examine their access to both formal and informal finance as well as the use of personal funding networks. The emergent results are compared with the findings from a matched “control sample” of white small business owner/managers.

Design/methodology/approach

Identical, in‐depth, face‐to‐face interviews were used with a sample of ethnic minority small business owner/managers and a matched control sample of white respondents in the West Midlands region of the UK.

Findings

Family and close associate networks were very important for the support of both ethnic minority and white owner/managers. All the respondents required loans from banks and other financial institutions, both at the start‐up stage and in subsequent years. For the ethnic minority owner/managers, the initial importance of financial institutions declined over the years. In contrast, in the control sample, institutional borrowing needs increased considerably. Ethnic minority owner/managers showed a preference for less intrusive and more “user friendly” financing options that allow them to remain in full control of their businesses.

Practical implications

Caution is advised in the use and generalisation of results emerging from qualitative research that involves small samples of respondents chosen from a restricted area of the UK.

Originality/value

The research shows the importance of “user‐friendly” financing options for owner/managers.
Simulation usage in SMEs
Authors: O'Kane James , Papadoukakis Antonios , Hunter David
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to accurately model the existing manufacturing processes of a family‐owned small to medium‐sized enterprise (SME). The study was undertaken to provide the SME with information, so that potential improvements within the production facilities could be identified thereby leading to insights into potential savings, and waste elimination. Ultimately the research attempts to demonstrate that small businesses can benefit from adopting simulation as a decision‐making tool as part of their change management initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology is a case‐based simulation study of the production facilities of a SME. A base model and successive experimental models were developed to test various production scenarios.

Findings

The experiments demonstrated how simulation could contribute and assist in the implementation of TQM and change management philosophies within a SME environment. The initial models identified problems in the real system and the latter models showed how further improvements can be achieved, defects reduced and lead to the enhancement of the productivity. Therefore, in this way simulation assisted in the implementation of some of the fundamental principles of TQM philosophy.

Originality/value

The study is limited in that it is based on one case study and therefore, a further study that would include several case studies with cross section analysis is recommended. Furthermore, research that uses cases from both the manufacturing and the service sector is recommended in order to fully document the unique and valuable role of simulation in the execution of TQM and BPR management philosophies in the SME context.
The entrepreneur enabler: identifying and supporting those with potential
Authors: Thompson John , Downing Ron
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide greater and deeper insight into the entrepreneur‐enabling “big picture”, explore issues in matching suitable enablers with would‐be entrepreneurs, and consider policy implications in the light of government priorities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws upon case research with business incubator clients. A number of relevant enabling roles are analysed.

Findings

There is a clear need to distinguish between when the enabler is focusing on the business or the business idea and when he or she is focusing on the development of the entrepreneur. At the same time it is important to assess whether a directive or non‐directive style is more appropriate.

Research limitations/implications

This is fundamentally a conceptual viewpoint paper and it contains both anecdotal evidence and opinion.

Practical implications

The paper offers a commentary on, and a framework for, matching enablers and would‐be entrepreneurs more effectively and discusses the relevance of the arguments for current policy priorities.

Originality/value

Although some of the work has been published before (mainly in books) this paper contains substantial original and new work.
The business model impact of flexible spectrum management and cognitive networks
Authors: Delaere Simon , Ballon Pieter
Published: August 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to give a short overview of European Union policy trends towards more flexible forms of spectrum management.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a business modelling analysis, scenario construction, policy analysis and roadmapping. It argues that both flexible spectrum management and the concept of reconfigurability do not eliminate the need for a number of centralised controlling entities, and even introduce a number of new ones, performing regulatory, commercial and technical functions of a diverse nature. One of the most prominent control entities, the Cognitive Pilot Channel (CPC), is presented, and three different configurations of the CPC are outlined. Subsequently, the potential impact of different CPC configurations on business models for wireless services making use of such a channel is explored.

Findings

The paper concludes that a hybrid model combining a meta‐level CPC with operator‐deployed channels might provide the best mix of technical and strategic control for operators, and value for users.

Research limitations/implications

The study undertaken here is exploratory in nature since, for example, no exact estimations of cost and revenue, or harmonisation feasibility and roadmaps can be made at this time.

Originality/value

The CPC is a recent and potentially crucial concept which is not yet standardised or implemented and for which no business modelling analysis has been performed yet.
Business model analysis as a new tool for policy evaluation: policies for digital content platforms
Authors: Poel Martijn , Renda Andrea , Ballon Pieter
Published: August 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to explain and demonstrate how business model frameworks can be used to understand market developments and to assess the role of policy in (multi‐sided) ICT markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach in the paper builds on integrated business model frameworks, which cover (much) more than the financial decisions of one single firm. A case study approach is implemented and tested in two studies on digital content platforms.

Findings

Relevant policy instruments are identified and explored. To some extent, the findings are complementary or contradictory to the findings of existing studies on digital content platforms. The paper includes policy recommendations related to mobile and fixed content platforms.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of the study are due to the explorative and qualitative approach, and are to be complemented by other approaches. Policy makers and researchers can use the approach to analyse digital content platform developments and the impact of policy. Stakeholders in innovation processes can use the approach to address business models as well as policy issues for emerging platforms and services.

Originality/value

The use of business model analysis in the context of policy analysis is a relatively new approach that is inspired by research findings on information communication technology (ICT) platforms and multi‐sided networks, progress in business model studies, challenges in the policy mix for ICT, and the importance of case study methods for impact assessment.
Promoting sustainability values within career‐oriented degree programmes
Authors: Murray Paul E. , Murray Sheran A.
Published: August 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse an initiative to provide learners on “career‐based” programmes with opportunities to reflect upon their values within the context of sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

An international literature review relating values and behaviour to the sustainability agenda led to the development of “sustainability training” workshop activities for construction students at the University of Plymouth. The activities, drawing on good practice from a range of education for sustainability initiatives and the behavioral discipline Neuro Linguistic Programming, enable participants to elicit and reflect upon their core values and to relate these to key sustainability issues. Following multiple pilots the workshops were offered as voluntary field trials to students, their effectiveness being measured through structured feedback.

Findings

The feedback returns demonstrate the popularity of the enquiry‐based learning techniques utilized and the effectiveness of the individual activities in achieving their aims. Constructive criticism centred on the need to simplify some of the activity instructions.

Practical implications

This research shows that open‐ended enquiry‐based learning techniques are useful for promoting sustainability values within educational programmes. As the activities described here are not discipline‐specific, they have potential to be adapted for similar disciplines at other institutions and for use with other career‐based disciplines.

Originality/value

Much is written about the need to embed sustainability values in the curriculum. This paper describes a method of fulfilling this need and may be of significant value to those attempting to embed sustainability within educational programmes.
Institutional motivations and barriers to the construction of green buildings on campus
Authors: Richardson Gregory R.A. , Lynes Jennifer K.
Published: August 2007

Purpose

To explore the barriers and motivations to the construction of green buildings at the University of Waterloo (UW) by documenting and analysing the UW building process.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted 13 semi‐structured in‐depth interviews with key UW individuals as well as analyzing numerous internal reports in order to document UW's building process. Based on the literature, a set of key ingredients for successful green building projects is developed as a basis from which to evaluate UW's current practices.

Findings

Based on the four key ingredients needs for successful green building projects at Institutions of Higher Education (IHE), UW was found to have weaknesses in all four areas including: a lack internal leadership amongst stakeholders with decision‐making power, a lack of quantifiable sustainability targets, an operational structure that does not reward building designs with lower energy costs, and lack of communication between professional designers, facilities management and faculty. While UW has implemented many green initiatives on campus, the current financial and organizational structure of the University's current system does lend itself to the creation and implementation of green buildings on campus.

Originality/value

Most research at IHE document existing green building initiatives and the lessons learned from their design and construction. There has been limited research into the processes by which decisions to proceed with the construction of green buildings are made, particularly within large institutions. As a consequence, the research documents many of the pitfalls, traps, and solutions that are experienced during the construction of green buildings, but have limited knowledge of the reasons why some proposed green buildings never get developed. This research identifies barriers to the construction of green buildings within institutional decision‐making processes and makes specific recommendations for realizing green building construction based on the UW case study.
Evaluating an environmental literacy requirement chosen as a method to produce environmentally literate university students
Authors: Moody Gwyneth L. , Hartel Peter G.
Published: August 2007

Purpose

Few US universities choose an environmental literacy requirement (ELR) as a method to increase student environmental literacy. Even fewer universities have evaluated their ELRs. The paper aims to assess the ELR at the University of Georgia (UGA) in Fall 2005 and Spring 2006 semesters.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 7,268 of the 13,740 students (53 percent) currently taking an ELR course and the 86 of 100 faculty teaching ELR courses were surveyed with a voluntary questionnaire on their awareness, support, and satisfaction for the requirement. The assessment involved 58 courses with 120 sections.

Findings

Although a majority of faculty (87 percent) was aware of the ELR, a majority of students (68 percent) was not. In spite of their awareness, most faculty (81 percent) did not know the specifics of the two ELR criteria. Both a majority of faculty (89 percent) and students (84 percent) supported the idea of an ELR. The ELR increased student knowledge (76 percent) and concern (65 percent) about environmental issues and changed some students’ behavior (26 percent). A majority of students (86 percent) and faculty (74 percent) were also satisfied with the ELR criteria and that the course they were taking (66 percent) or teaching (82 percent) satisfied the ELR. Most students (74 percent) thought that they were environmentally literate before taking an ELR course, although almost a majority of faculty (49 percent) thought students were environmentally illiterate.

Research limitations/implications

The evaluation showed widespread support and satisfaction with the requirement, but strong leadership, publicity, and continuous evaluation is needed to improve the requirement.

Originality/value

The UGA's ELR could serve as a model for other institutions.
Lessons learnt from complaints by surgical patients
Authors: Saravanan B. , Ranganathan E. , Jenkinson L.R.
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the complaints received from surgical patients and provide suggestions to reduce them.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a retrospective study of 100 complaints received from surgical patients over a two‐year period between January 2004 and December 2005. Data was obtained through the complaints department and summaries of all the complaints were analysed.

Findings

There were 47 males and the median age was 58 years (range 13‐92). Of complaints, 44 per cent were received from outpatients and 56 per cent from inpatients. The main reasons for complaints from outpatients were appointment delays or cancellations (54.6 per cent), followed by clinical treatment (20.5 per cent), communication issues (13.6 per cent), attitude of staff (9.1 per cent) and miscellaneous (2.25 per cent). For inpatients, the main reasons were clinical treatment (39.3 per cent) followed by delay in admission/investigations (25 per cent), communication (17.9 per cent), attitude of staff (10.7 per cent) and miscellaneous (7.1 per cent). The outpatients complain mostly about administrative problems whereas inpatients complain about clinical care. Communication problems and staff attitude are the next most common in either setting. Providing patients with clear patient information about admission, treatment and waiting times would help to reduce complaints.

Originality/value

The paper shows that adopting an empathetic approach to patients and understanding their concerns and anxieties would improve patient satisfaction.
Revalidation, appraisal and clinical governance
Authors: Shaw Kirstyn , MacKillop Lucy , Armitage Mary
Published: August 2007

Purpose – In light of the recent report on regulation by the CMO of England and Wales and the subsequent Department of Health White Paper, this paper aims to consider the nexus between revalidation, appraisal and clinical governance. It provides a summary of the history of revalidation in the UK and explores how revalidation is linked to annual appraisal. It further considers the implications of this relationship and its potential impact on clinical governance and practise. Design/methodology/approach – This is a policy review related to revalidation and appraisal including primary sources from the Department of Health, the GMC, Fifth report of the Shipman Inquiry and published journal articles. Findings – Local clinical governance will be a significant part of the route to re‐licensing for the vast majority of doctors working in the NHS and many of the larger private sector hospitals. Although it will be used for two different purposes, it is generally accepted that the information collected by doctors for their annual appraisal will also form the basis of evidence for revalidation. If appraisal is to be effective, robust and consistent, it is important that the clinical governance framework within which it operates is appropriately designed for its increased role within the regulatory system. Originality/value – This paper is a valuable summary and introduction to the concept of revalidation in the UK, its history and its impact on clinical governance and regulation. It provides a timely review and analysis of the proposed changes to clinical governance at the local, SHA level and the strengthened connection between consultant appraisal and revalidation, contained in both the Department of Health White Paper – Trust, Assurance and Safety and the report – Good Doctors, Safer Patients, by the Chief Medical Officer for England and Wales.
Survey of Venlafaxine prescriptions following the 2004 NICE guidelines on depression
Authors: Kinnair Daniel , Bruce Janet
Published: August 2007

Purpose

This survey was initially conceived as an audit to highlight the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (UK), guidelines on depression in 2004. In particular, the audit was to examine the guidance on the prescription of Venlafaxine, which required an electrocardiogram (ECG), and blood pressure measurements.

Design/methodology/approach

A retrospective case note review by the authors, of 123 patients prescribed Venlafaxine within Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust was completed.

Findings

Nearly 50 per cent of patients had a blood pressure measurement prior to starting Venlafaxine compared to only 6 per cent of patients receiving an ECG.

Practical implications

The audit cycle could not be completed following the publication of a further set of guidelines that removed the need for ECG recordings.

Originality/value

This paper highlights how difficult it is for clinicians to keep up‐to‐date, and implement rapidly changing guidelines.
Parallels and distinctions between health care quality improvement and health care disparities reduction
Authors: Smith Wally R.
Published: August 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to compare and contrast quality improvement in the domain of health care disparities with quality improvement in other domains.

Design/methodology/approach

The author provides a descriptive essay and review to put forward the findings of their research.

Findings

In the USA, health care quality improvement systems have largely been accepted and institutionalized. Most if not all hospital and health care systems now have quality monitoring and improvement teams. In contrast, despite a plethora of stark reports in the literature showing that the US health care system has failed to deliver health care with equity when the care of Whites is compared with that of racial and ethnic minorities, there is not a parallel health care disparities improvement system in most health care settings.

Practical implications

Paralleling many steps that have been taken to improve quality in general, health care workers and health systems must take steps to improve structures and processes of care to reduce health care disparities.

Originality/value

Pinpoints some important distinctions between improving structures and processes of care related to health care disparities, and those related to other aspects of quality improvement. Doing so will save lives, and in the process improve overall quality.
Dividend policy and payout ratio: evidence from the Kuala Lumpur stock exchange
Authors: Al‐Twaijry Abdulrahman Ali
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to identify the variables with an expected influence on dividend policy and on payout ratio in an emerging market.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the literature, eight hypotheses were developed and tested using 300 firms randomly selected from the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange. Additional statistical analyses were presented.

Findings

The results suggest that current dividends are affected by their pasts and their future prospects. To a lesser extent dividends were associated with net earnings. Payout ratios (POR) were not found to have a strong effect on the company's future earning growth, but had some significant negative correlation with the company's leverage. Cash per share and share book value significantly and positively affect both DPS and POR.

Practical implications

The findings of the study might be of interest to academicians and practitioners.

Originality/value

This paper explores the dividend policy and the payout ratio of listed companies in a fast‐growing market that has received inadequate research attention. The paper thus adds to the body of accounting knowledge.
Banks' risk management: a comparison study of UAE national and foreign banks
Authors: Hassan Al‐Tamimi Hussein A. , Mohammed Al‐Mazrooei Faris
Published: August 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine the degree to which the UAE banks use risk management practices and techniques in dealing with different types of risk. The secondary objective is to compare risk management practices between the two sets of banks.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed a modified questionnaire, divided into two parts. The first part covers six aspects: understanding risk and risk management; risk identification; risk assessment and analysis; risk monitoring; risk management practices; and credit risk analysis. This part includes 43 closed‐ended questions based on an interval scale. The second part consists of two closed‐ended questions based on an ordinal scale dealing with two topics: methods of risk identification, and risks facing the sample banks.

Findings

This study found that the three most important types of risk facing the UAE commercial banks are foreign exchange risk, followed by credit risk, then operating risk. It also found that the UAE banks are somewhat efficient in managing risk, and risk identification and risk assessment and analysis are the most influencing variables in risk management practices. Finally, the results indicate that there is a significant difference between the UAE national and foreign banks in the practice of risk assessment and analysis, and in risk monitoring and controlling.

Originality/value

The article will be of value to those interested in the banking industry.
The art of value creation strategy
Authors: Huang Xueli , Zhang Ruosheng
Published: August 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a rich description of the contents and process of implementing the value creation strategy at a Chinese state‐owned company, Zhujiang Iron and Steel Company (ZISCo), and to identify the pattern of such an implementation process.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a case study approach through personal reflection, 16 interviews with middle managers and employees, and collection of the company's internal documents.

Findings

The steps and pattern of implementing value creation at ZISCo are identified by starting at a key function – production, then expanding to other functions. Hard issues (functional value creation activities) as well as soft issues (organisational culture and HR policies) are tackled in the implementation process.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is based on a single case study, thus limiting the scope for generalising its findings. Practical issues in the implementation process are discussed, such as the identification of the leverage points and the influencing factors for creating value.

Originality/value

The paper provides a rich description of value creation in a highly successful Chinese firm. It offers practical guidance for managers to enhance their organisation's competitive advantage.
Corporate social responsibility in China
Authors: Qu Riliang
Published: August 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to report on a study that contributes to the understanding of the determinants of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the largest emerging market, namely China.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is a survey of 600 hotels that resulted in 143 returned responses from top managers.

Findings

Market orientation is the most significant predicator of CSR followed by government regulations. In contrast, ownership structure is found to have little effect.

Originality/value

Previous research on CSR focuses on its nature and impact on business performance, and is carried out mainly in developed countries. This research contributes to one's understanding of the determinants of CSR in emerging markets like China.
Discovering hospitality: observations from recent research
Authors: Lashley Conrad
Published: August 2007

Purpose

This discussion paper aims to provide an introduction to revised ways of understanding and approaching the study of hospitality.

Design/methodology/approach

In addition to the consideration of hospitality from an array of social science and arts perspectives, the paper advocates an engagement with critical studies tools and concepts. These perspectives allow the study of hospitality which is critical to the deconstruction of meanings of hospitality, and to present an array of insights which better inform visions of the subject.

Findings

The paper discusses the importance of critical thinking and outlines three philosophical positions relating to the study of hospitality and hospitality organisations. It suggests that too much academic research appears managerial in focus and is weakened by the lack of critical ways of thinking about hospitality. In particular, the paper goes on to highlight recent developments in hospitality research which are informed by different social science perspectives.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on a literature review though informed by a number of research projects. Future research projects picking up on the interplay between cultural, domestic and commercial hospitality contexts are major implications of this paper.

Practical implications

The paper implies that commercial and educational hospitality practice would be better informed by both critical perspectives and reference to a number of social science and arts perspectives on hospitality. Competitive business strategies based on customer quality experiences will in future need to be informed by these perspectives.

Originality/value

This paper provides a unique overview of hospitality informed both by hospitality research for careers in hospitality and the study of hospitality as a social interaction. As such it has value to both industry practitioners and to academics interested in studying hospitality and hospitableness.
Hospitality and eroticism
Authors: Andrews Hazel , Roberts Les , Selwyn Tom
Published: August 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to provoke discussion and reflection on the role of the erotic in the cultivation of spaces of hospitality, and to provide a theoretical consideration of the structural similarities of hospitality and eroticism.

Design/methodology/approach

With reference to classical studies as well as debates in the social science literature, the paper starts by examining some of the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings to hospitality and eroticism. It then develops this analysis by considering examples drawn from ethnographic studies of “traditional” hospitality settings as well as of commercial hospitality environments of charter tourism.

Findings

The main outcome of the discussion is to demonstrate the structural relations between hospitality and eroticism. By situating the analysis within a broad theoretical and ethnographic context, it is shown that the erotic has historically functioned as a socially‐binding and communicative mode of social intercourse that, while undermined by the demands of a market‐based culture of commercial hospitality, is also able to flourish within these same adverse conditions.

Research limitations/implications

This paper invites further research into the connections between hospitality and eroticism in settings similar to and different from those described in the paper. A fuller ethnographic study of the relationship between the two is needed, as well as an exploration of more theoretical perspectives on hospitality drawn from the social science literature.

Practical implications

By highlighting the socially binding role of eroticism in the structuring of host‐guest relations, the paper draws on and contributes to a broader politics of love and sensuality that will inform critical reflections on commercial and market‐driven hospitality practices.

Originality/value

This paper provides an original insight into the interrelationship between hospitality and eroticism. It further illuminates previous writings on both subjects but particularly that of eroticism and is supported by empirical data. It is of particular interest to those studying hospitality from a social science perspective.
Entrepreneurship programs, operational efficiency and growth of small businesses
Authors: Ayinla Alarape Aderemi
Published: August 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of owners/managers of small businesses participating in entrepreneurship programs on operational efficiency and growth of small businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

It is a cross‐sectional study analysis of the impact of exposure of owner‐managers of small businesses on their performance (i.e. operational efficiency and growth rate) in a non‐contrived environment. The data were collected from primary and secondary sources. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for the analysis and the degree of error is α=0.05.

Findings

Small businesses, whose owner‐managers who have the experience of participating in entrepreneurship programs, exhibited superior managerial practice; hence, a higher gross‐margin and rate of growth than small businesses whose owner‐managers did not have such experiential learning.

Research limitations/implications

The members of the National Association of Small Scale Industrialists, Lagos Chapter served as the population for the study. The membership strength was 224 and all were contacted; however, only 62 members responded. Considering the fact that this is 62 firms not just 62 individuals, it looks reasonably large. A possible area for future research is the comparative study of the impacts of the frequency of participation and variants of entrepreneurship programs on performance of small businesses.

Practical implications

There is a need to improve the managerial practice of small businesses through exposure of owners/managers to entrepreneurship programs in order to enhance their performance and their transition to medium and large businesses.

Originality/value

The paper developed an experiential learning‐performance framework to examine the impact of entrepreneurship programs on performance of small businesses and linked higher operational efficiency and growth rate to better managerial practice, a fall‐out of experiential learning from exposure to entrepreneurship programs.
DGAT1 underlies large genetic variation in milk‐fat composition of dairy cows
Authors: Schennink A. , Stoop W. M. , Visker M. H. P. W. , Heck J. M. L. , Bovenhuis H. , Van Der Poel J. J. , Van Valenberg H. J. F. , Van Arendonk J. A. M.
Published: August 2007

Dietary fat may play a role in the aetiology of many chronic diseases. Milk and milk‐derived foods contribute substantially to dietary fat, but have a fat composition that is not optimal for human health. We measured the fat composition of milk samples in 1918 Dutch Holstein Friesian cows in their first lactation and estimated genetic parameters for fatty acids. Substantial genetic variation in milk‐fat composition was found: heritabilities were high for short‐ and medium‐chain fatty acids (C4:0–C16:0) and moderate for long‐chain fatty acids (saturated and unsaturated C18). We genotyped 1762 cows for the DGAT1 K232A polymorphism, which is known to affect milk‐fat percentage, to study the effect of the polymorphism on milk‐fat composition. We found that the DGAT1 K232A polymorphism has a clear influence on milk‐fat composition. The DGAT1 allele that encodes lysine (K) at position 232 (232K) is associated with more saturated fat; a larger fraction of C16:0; and smaller fractions of C14:0, unsaturated C18 and conjugated linoleic acid (P < 0.001). We conclude that selective breeding can make a significant contribution to change the fat composition of cow's milk.
Ecological mechanisms of population change during outbreaks of the spruce budworm
Authors: RÉGNIÈRE J. , NEALIS V. G.
Published: August 2007

Abstract 1. Stage‐specific survival and recruitment of spruce budworm were measured by frequent sampling of foliage in four outbreak populations over a 15‐year period in Ontario and Quebec, Canada.

2. Patterns of change in population density during the outbreak collapse phase were closely linked to changes in survival of the late immature stages, and were determined largely by the impact of natural enemies.

3. Host‐plant feedback also contributed significantly to survival patterns throughout the outbreak: annual defoliation influenced survival of fourth and fifth instars and fecundity while cumulative defoliation influenced survival of the very early larval stages (first and second) via impacts on stand condition.

4. Inclusion of this host‐plant feedback reveals spruce budworm population dynamics as a function of density‐related trophic interactions that vary in their order and strength of influence over time. This view re‐introduces the importance of forest interactions as a component of dynamics of the spruce budworm.
Increased TNF‐α production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with Krabbe's disease: effect of psychosine
Authors: Pasqui A. L. , Di Renzo M. , Auteri A. , Federico G. , Puccetti L.
Published: August 2007

Background  Inflammatory and/or immune activation occurs both in animal models (twitcher mice) and in the brain of patients with Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD) or Krabbe's disease (KD). In this study we evaluated in vitro the cytokine profile of KD patients and the effect of psychosine, the toxic metabolite which plays a role in the demyelination process in these patients.

Materials and methods  We studied cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from four KD patients, diagnosed on the basis of clinical criteria. Cells were cultured and stimulated with appropriate agents and the supernatants collected before and after the addition of psychosine. Tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) and monocyte chemoattractant factor (MCP)‐1) production was evaluated (ELISA method) and compared with a group of 10 normal subjects.

Results  We found a significant increase of TNF‐α release by PBMCs of KD patients compared with healthy subjects; TNF‐α production was significantly increased after LPS addition. Psychosine was able to induce a further significant increase (P < 0·05) only in cells obtained from KD patients and not from control subjects. No changes were found in IL‐8 and MCP‐1 production.

Conclusions  The increased TNF‐α production permits us to confirm the presence of an inflammatory‐immune stimulus in KD patients, which may be induced and potentiated by the pathogenetic metabolite psychosine.
Increased voluntary exercise in mice deficient for tumour necrosis factor‐α and lymphotoxin‐α
Authors: Netea M. G. , Kullberg B. J. , Vonk A. G. , Verschueren I. , Joosten L. A. B. , Van Der Meer J. W. M.
Published: August 2007

Background  The endogenous mediators playing a role in the sensing of fatigue and cessation of exercise are yet to be characterized. We hypothesized that proinflammatory cytokines, in particular tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNFα) and lymphotoxin‐α (LT) transmit signals leading to fatigue.

Materials and methods  Mice were placed in a cage with a freely rotating exercise wheel and allowed to adapt for 24 h. The running distance was measured for two additional periods of 24 h. The effects of the administration of intravenous anti‐TNF antibodies, intracerebral recombinant TNF, or intravenous lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were also determined.

Results  Compared to normal littermates, the voluntary daily running distance was 1·8‐fold greater in mice with a disruption of the gene for TNFα, and 3‐fold greater in mice with a gene disruption for both TNFα and LT. Intravenous administration of a monoclonal antibody against murine TNFα did not affect the running distance of wild‐type mice, whereas administration of TNF intracerebrally reduced by 4‐fold the voluntary running distance of the animals. This demonstrates that fatigue is mediated by TNFα expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and not by increased peripheral TNFα concentrations. TNFα and LT are strong inducers of prostaglandins, but mice with disrupted prostaglandin or prostacyclin receptors exhibited running distances not significantly different from their wild‐type littermates. Thus, signalling molecules other than prostaglandins mediate the effect of TNFα and LT on exercise capacity.

Conclusions  Our finding that exercise capacity is controlled by TNFα is the first to define the endogenous mediators of fatigue, and may have important implications for diseases with impaired exercise tolerance.