bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the use of molecular dynamics simulation to calculate X-ray thermal diffuse scattering from molecular crystals
Authors: Chan E. J.
Published: August 2015

The use of molecular dynamics simulations to calculate the thermal diffuse scattering from X-ray diffraction experiments on molecular crystals is described, using the crystal structure of aspirin form I as an example system. Parameter settings that do not affect the actual simulation are varied in order to examine the effect on the final calculated diffraction pattern, and thus roughly determine a range for general settings that might be used in further experiments targeted at tailoring parameters associated with the functional forms for dispersion interaction terms commonly used in molecular simulation force fields. The proposed method is compared with that of the more widely accepted Monte Carlo technique, and possible advantages and drawbacks for the use of either method are discussed.
Scattering from phase-separated vesicles. I. An analytical form factor for multiple static domains
Authors: Heberle Frederick A. , Anghel Vinicius N.P. , Katsaras John
Published: August 2015

This is the first in a series of papers considering elastic scattering from laterally heterogeneous lipid vesicles containing multiple domains. Unique among biophysical tools, small-angle neutron scattering can in principle give detailed information about the size, shape and spatial arrangement of domains. A general theory for scattering from laterally heterogeneous vesicles is presented, and the analytical form factor for static domains with arbitrary spatial configuration is derived, including a simplification for uniformly sized round domains. The validity of the model, including series truncation effects, is assessed by comparison with simulated data obtained from a Monte Carlo method. Several aspects of the analytical solution for scattering intensity are discussed in the context of small-angle neutron scattering data, including the effect of varying domain size and number, as well as solvent contrast. The analysis indicates that effects of domain formation are most pronounced when the vesicle's average scattering length density matches that of the surrounding solvent.
Kikuchi pattern analysis of noncentrosymmetric crystals
Authors: Nolze G. , Grosse C. , Winkelmann A.
Published: August 2015

Different models of Kikuchi pattern formation are compared with respect to their applicability to noncentrosymmetric crystals, and the breakdown of Friedel's rule in experimental electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) patterns is discussed. DifferentAIIIBVsemiconductor materials are used to evaluate the resulting asymmetry of Kikuchi band profiles for polar lattice planes. By comparison with the characteristic etch pit morphology on a single-crystal surface, the polar character of the measured lattice planes can be assigned absolutely. The presented approach enables point-group-resolved orientation mapping, which goes beyond the commonly applied Laue group analysis in EBSD.
Hydrogen failure sensitivity of A516-Gr70 and API 5L-X70 steels in sour environments
Authors: Taheri H , Dolati A , Beidokhti Behrooz
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to clarify the corrosion behavior of two famous structural steels in sour environment. These steels have a vast application in oil and gas industries. The study aims to find the effect of different concentrations of sour solution on the origin of crack in these steels.

Design/methodology/approach

– After preparation of specimens, different sour solutions were made using the synthetic brine (according to National Association of Corrosion Engineers [NACE], Technical Committee Report 1D182) and various amounts of Na2S.9H2O and CH3COOH. The polarization test was done by Potansiostat apparatus model Zahner-IM6 at two temperatures, 25°C and 50°C. The corrosion current densities were obtained from the polarization curves. Finally, the corrosion products and hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC) were investigated by Tescan Vega II XMU scanning electron microscope (SEM) linked to a Rontec energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) system.

Findings

– API 5L-X70 steel showed smaller corrosion current values than A516-Gr70 steel. The HIC cracks propagated parallel to the surface of A516-Gr70 steel in three solutions and confirmed the inappropriateness of this steel for sour environment applications.

Originality/value

– This paper studies the effect of sour environment on the behavior of two famous industrial steels at two temperatures by new method.
Modification of corrosion and tribological properties of 316L stainless steel by cathodic plasma electrolytic deposition of zirconia
Authors: Karimi Shabnam , Mahzoon Fatemeh , Javadpour Sirus , Janghorban Kamal
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to study the deposition of ZrO2 on 316L stainless steel surface using cathodic plasma electrolytic deposition (CPED) technique in potassium hexafluorozirconate (K2ZrF6) electrolyte solution to promote its corrosion and tribological properties.

Design/methodology/approach

– Plasma electrolytic oxidizing (PEO) technique is commonly used to form zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) on various substrates. But, in this paper, cathodic type of this technique (CPED) was used.

Findings

– Composition of the surface layer was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the formation of ZrO2 on the substrate was confirmed. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the unique morphology of the surface layer. The corrosion resistance of the coated surface was investigated by electrochemical methods involving cyclic voltammetery in Ringer’s solution. The treated sample showed a better pitting resistance. Pin-on-disk wear tests revealed that the friction coefficient of the coated sample is lower than that of the substrate. Also, it was shown that hardness and roughness of the coated sample increased after plasma electrolytic treatment.

Originality/value

– This paper considers the CPED of ZrO2 coating on 316L stainless steel. Some recent research works with ZrO2 coating have been prepared by PEO. There is limited or no record on the study of ZrO2 coatings by CPED process. In this study, the effort has been made to prepare a zirconia (ZrO2) coating on the stainless steel substrate through cathodic plasma electrolytic process under 200 V. Due to the excellent wear resistance, ZrO2 may be used as a high resistant and protective coating on stainless steels, which are widely used in industries and biomedical applications.
Analysis of US commercial buildings’ energy efficiency programs
Authors: Ofori-Boadu Andrea N. , Shofoluwe Musibau A. , Owusu-Manu De-Graft , Holt Gary D. , Edwards David
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate relationships between five energy efficiency programs and electricity intensities in the US commercial buildings sector.

Design/methodology/approach

– Regression methods analyze state-level secondary data from 2006 through 2009 to identify significant energy program drivers of electricity efficiency.

Findings

– Combined, the five programs studied account for approximately nine percent reduction in commercial electricity intensity.

Practical implications

– Outcomes will inform stakeholders’ decision-making regarding adoption or continuation of energy programs.

Social implications

– Electricity efficiency gains will help reduce negative environmental aspects and the present dependence on foreign oil.

Originality/value

– Very little research has considered the impact of multiple programs on commercial electricity efficiency within their complex implementation environment.
Service quality and user satisfaction of outsourced facilities management (FM) services in Nigeria’s public hospitals
Authors: Ikediashi Dubem I. , Ogunlana Stephen O. , Odesola Isaac A.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the concepts of satisfaction and service quality of outsourced facilities management (FM) services.

Design/methodology/approach

– An empirical survey of 208 stakeholders in Nigeria’s hospitals was used to first, assess the level of satisfaction of users of outsourced FM services and second, validate a conceptual model using the structural equation modelling (SEM) methodology.

Findings

– Findings show that the three top services are cleaning (6.17), security (6.01) and landscape maintenance (5.73) while the least rated service is the plant maintenance and their personnel. The result also indicates that all six hypotheses were supported by the service quality satisfaction model structural equation model, meaning that quality attributes depicted by the outsourced FM services is antecedent to overall satisfaction. Specifically, “security services to overall satisfaction” received the highest path loading of 0.88, and was closely followed by “cleaning services to overall satisfaction” with a loading of 0.82. “Plant maintenance services to overall satisfaction” was however supported even though it had a very low path coefficient of 0.38.

Originality/value

– The study establishes a causal relationship between antecedents of satisfaction and service quality within the context of Nigeria’s public hospitals and provided insight into outsourced services that received high level of satisfaction among stakeholders unique from previous studies.
An empirical analysis of construction organisations’ competitive strategies and performance
Authors: Oyewobi Luqman Oyekunle , Windapo Abimbola Oluwakemi , James Rotimi Olabode Bamidele
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The essence of strategy formulation is to assist an organisation obtain a strategic fit with its environment and help enhance organisational continuous improvement in achieving performance excellence. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the type of competitive strategies used by construction organisations in attaining their strategic goals in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study employs an inductive research approach using a well-structured questionnaire to elicit information from large construction organisations based in South Africa.

Findings

– The research identifies five strategic attributes that could assist organisations to grow their businesses and enhance their returns. It reveals that all Porters’ generic competitive strategies are significantly related to organisational financial performance measures except focus strategy. The research found that three generic competitive strategies are positively related to non-financial performance and that differentiation and cost-leadership strategies are capable of assisting organisations’ achieve their financial performance goals.

Practical implications

– The study results will be of immense benefit to chief executive officers as well as managers of construction organisations in growing their businesses and enhancing their corporate performance.

Originality/value

– The paper contributes both theoretically and empirically to the current discussion and findings on competitive strategy and its relationship with organisational performance. The results presented in the paper have important implications for the implementation of competitive strategies in construction companies and future studies in the area of strategic management.
A comprehensive model for supply chain integration
Authors: Zhang Cunlu , Gunasekaran Angappa , Wang William Yu Chung
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– Extant research on supply chain integration defines integration in different ways, and mainly discusses a limited number of integration elements. The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual integration model which consists of comprehensive elements that are important to academic research and industrial practices.

Design/methodology/approach

– Key literature survey with drawing threads of existing practices together for developing a systematic referential model and then verify the model with a real case.

Findings

– Developed a model consisting of integration elements residing at the strategic, managerial, operational, and fundamental levels (bottom line). Based on the benefit alignment, the total integration requires supply chain partners to integrate resource flows (material, information, knowledge, and finance), processes and organization, planning and control activities and strategy.

Research limitations/implications

– The research is based on secondary data and a case study illustration. Further empirical research is required.

Practical implications

– The normative model can guide managers to integrate resources and activities in their efforts for an effective supply chain management. It supplements the Supply Chain Operations Reference Model developed by the Supply Chain Council with an interface description, which may guide the development of information systems for supply chain integration.

Originality/value

– The comprehensive model provides a more inclusive and integrated perspective of supply chain integration. It is expected that the consensus of supply chain integration could be achievable based on this model. The conceptual framework will assist the researchers to determine integration variables of supply chain.
Benefits; drawbacks and boundaries to deliver JIT
Authors: Dinsdale Emma Jayne , Bennett David
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to carry out case study research to analyse the current situation at a world class vehicle manufacturer (VM), the main case organisation. This paper aims to conclude whether there is scope for further inbound JIT supply focus to the case study organisations within this research.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data and vision for this paper comes from a literature review and practitioner papers and case studies to survey inbound supply of JIT theory and practice in a UK automotive supply network. Primary data are collected through case study research and site visits.

Findings

– This paper presents the findings of recent research into a UK automotive industry supply network and identifies the benefits, drawbacks and boundaries of delivering JIT. The sub-element of this paper identifies whether there is scope to make a more focus inbound supply JIT into the main VM case study organisation.

Research limitations/implications

– This research looks at one network over three tiers of a supply chain. However this research creates a case study hub and looks at whether there is potential to increase the level on inbound and outbound JIT supply to and from the main case organisation.

Practical implications

– This case study research directly gains primary research form operational supply organisations working in a supply hub network in the UK automotive industry.

Social implications

– Social implications here allow an improved understanding of efficient JIT and supply chain issues.

Originality/value

– This research considers the enhanced relationship amongst automotive supply chain members to ensure a clear understanding and position the importance of a JIT; lean and agile approach in practice.
An analytic network process approach for the election of green marketable products
Authors: Wudhikarn Ratapol , Chakpitak Nopasit , Neubert Gilles
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– In this study, an optimal green product is selected from three newly developed ecological products and a non-environmentally friendly product. An analytic network process (ANP), used widely for multi-criteria decision making (MCDM), is applied to account for the tradeoff issues among the criteria (quality, cost and green issue) in the new green product selection processes. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper focuses on current social and consumer requirements. New product selection processes consider three major perspectives, i.e., quality, cost and environment, as criteria. The following two main methods are applied to respond to this multi-disciplinary issue: the eight quality dimensions proposed by Garvin are used to manage the quality issue, and a life cycle costing (LCC) method is applied for consideration of the cost and green issue. Therefore, the dependency issue among the criteria is considered, using a suitably selected method, the ANP method, and all the methods are applied to a real business, which produces roof tiles, for the delivery of a new optimal green product.

Findings

– An optimal environmentally friendly product does not overcome the existing toxic product of the focused company. The environmental performance is necessarily balanced by the quality and cost capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper focuses on the new product selection of roof tile products. The criteria or measuring indicators may be dissimilar, and cannot be applied to other products.

Practical implications

– The proposed approach can be applied to other manufacturing companies or services to allow decision makers to make better determinations for a comprehensive dependency problem. The managers can apply the proposed model to benchmark the considered products as well as to find the weaknesses of products.

Originality/value

– This method considers the relationship among quality, cost and environment for newly developed green products. The method produces better results than former MCDM studies which did not account for the dependency issue among the criteria.
Segmentation based product design using preferred features
Authors: Gangurde Sanjaykumar  R. , Akarte Milind  M.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic methodology for segmenting customers based on the preferred product features, its cost and worth, so as to facilitate the designer to develop a product that will simultaneously minimize product cost and maximize customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

– Post hoc – non-overlapping – non-hierarchical approach has been used for segmentation based on preferred product features by the customers. Allocation of product features to a particular segment is carried out by considering feature cost and customer worth for that feature. Automobile car has been selected as an example to demonstrate the methodology, where features data were collected from dealers and customer worth data were obtained by random generation method.

Findings

– Methodology facilitates creation of n number of homogeneous segments from a heterogeneous customer group based on the cost and worth of product features. Total product cost decreases though product variety increased due to segmentation.

Originality/value

– The proposed approach will help designers in segmenting (grouping) heterogeneous customers based on the preferred product features so that a most compatible (matching) product configuration for each segment, especially during product consolidation stage (beginning of the maturity phase of product lifecycle) can be developed to achieve maximum customer satisfaction.
The intraday effect of nature disaster and production safety accident announcement based on high-frequency data from China’s stock markets
Authors: Li Ping , Tang Huailin , Liao Jingchi
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the intraday effect of nature disaster (external inevitable factor) and production safety accident (PSA) (internal factor regarding management level) announcement on stock price in China’s stock markets.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using high-frequency data, this study adopts event study method to examine the intraday abnormal returns as well as the volatility of stock price before and after the announcement of nature disaster and PSA.

Findings

– First, both nature disaster announcement and PSA announcement produce negative effects on stock returns. However, there are some differences in effects between the different types of announcement. Second, it is just within the event day (announcement day if trading day, otherwise the first trading day after announcement) that the volatility of stock price is distinctly increased by the two kinds of announcement. Third, there are some differences in the impacts of nature disaster announcement on firms in different industries. Finally, there are also some differences observed between the impacts of PSA announcement on chemical firms and other firms.

Originality/value

– It is the first time that using high-frequency data to analyze the intraday impact of nature disaster and PSA announcement on stock short price behavior. The results can help us to understand the role of market microstructure playing in the process of stock price formation, especially the stock price movements before and after disaster and accident announcement and the sensitivity to the announcement. The empirical results have important implications for investors when making trading decisions, and for market regulators when setting trading rules.
Urban poverty, inequality and industry in Nigeria
Authors: Mustapha Alhaji Bukar , Said Rusmawati , Sidique Shaufique Fahmi
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between industrial sector growth, inequalities and urban poverty reduction

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper used static panel data analysis. However, the tests suggest that there are no state-specific effects; hence, the pooled panel regression techniques are used for the analysis.

Findings

– The findings of the paper suggest that the industrial sector growth exert no significance on urban poverty while the urban wholesale and retail services growth is found to be substantially strong in reducing urban poverty. The results also indicate that there is no statistically significant evidence to conclude that higher incidence of urban poverty was due to the high degree of inequalities.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper has provided some helpful results in understanding the heterogeneous effects of sectoral components of growth of urban poverty in the presence of high income inequalities, but the limitation of this study is that there is no disaggregated poverty and growth data on different occupational activity.

Practical implications

– There is a need to expand investment in the production and export manufacturing labor-intensive sectors; this will help increase the labor absorption rate of the industry and, thus, reduce poverty in the urban areas.

Originality/value

– The paper improves on previous research on poverty in Nigeria by explicitly recognizing the effects of location and inequality.
Does microfinance reduce poverty in Lao PDR?
Authors: Sayvaya Inpaeng , Kyophilavong Phouphet
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine whether the village development fund (VDF) program reduces poverty in terms of income and expenditure.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use cross-sectional data that are collected from 361 households in 15 villages in the rural district of Sukhuma of Champasak province in 2012 and use regression for analysis.

Findings

– The estimate of the empirical model that is used for the econometric analysis is based on the model constructed by Coleman (1999). This study finds that VDF program has a positive impact on household income and expenditure but that the impact is statistically insignificant.

Research limitations/implications

– The authors conclude that the VDF program has a minimal impact on poverty reduction in the study area.

Practical implications

– Policy-maker should be aware that promotion of the VDF program might not reduce poverty in terms of income and expenditure.

Social implications

– This finding might have significant impacts on poverty reduction strategy of Lao PDR.

Originality/value

– It is the first study to investigate the impact of the VDF program on poverty in Lao PDR.
Emotional distress and sense of coherence in women completing a motivational program in five countries. A prospective study
Authors: Höjdahl Torunn , Magnus Jeanette H. , Mdala Ibrahimu , Hagen Roger , Langeland Eva
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate changes in, and associations between, sense of coherence (SOC) and emotional distress in women who participated in an accredited motivational program (VINN) in correctional institutions in five countries.

Design/methodology/approach

– A prospective study with a pre- and post-test design included 316 participants from Sweden, Estonia, Denmark, Russia and Norway. Global emotional distress was measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. SOC was measured using the 13-item Orientation to Life Questionnaire. One-way analysis of variance and multilevel regression models were used in the statistical analyses.

Findings

– An increase in SOC was associated with a decrease in emotional distress. Emotional distress decreased significantly −3.80 points (95 percent CI (−4.61, −2.97)), and SOC significantly improved from pre- to post-measurement by 1.82 points (95 percent CI (0.72, 2.92)), regardless of country and correctional institution.

Practical implications

– The results add new knowledge regarding a coherent theoretical foundation of a motivational program for women. The ability of a program promoting health is important for researchers, health-care workers and facilitators delivering programs for women in correctional facilities. An increase in SOC can act as a protective factor in order to manage stressors and risk factors among women serving in correctional facilities.

Originality/value

– The present study indicates that enhancing women’s coping resources and providing income alternatives to crime is fundamental to their capacity to desist from criminal behavior.
Examining the preventable but predictable death of Ashley Smith
Authors: LeBlanc Nicole , Kilty Jennifer M. , Frigon Sylvie
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the fusion of psy-correctional discourse with the dominant risk logic to consider the implication this nexus can have on how self-injurious behaviour committed by women in prison is interpreted and responded to by the Correctional Service Canada (CSC).

Design/methodology/approach

– The central focus of the study is an in-depth case analysis of the carceral death of Ashley Smith, a 19-year-old woman who committed suicide in her segregation cell in 2007 after enduring four years of excessively punitive treatment aimed at controlling her self-injurious behaviour.

Findings

– Findings illustrate how the fusion of these logics creates a kind of “therapeutic-risk cloak” that reframes the behaviour as “abnormal” and “risky”, which masks the punitivity of strip search and segregation interventions in the name of safety, security and treatment.

Originality/value

– Given that correctional officials knowingly failed to intervene when Smith tied the fatal ligature around her neck, a federal inquiry judged her death to be a homicide. By attempting to unveil the “therapeutic-risk cloak” the authors hope to challenge the underlying logic of CSC’s governance and management framework, which not only denies the oppressive gendered carceral reality that is linked to self-injurious behaviour amongst women prisoners, but is also used to justify intervention responses that exacerbate the very behaviour this framework aims to control. Until systemic transformation is achieved that eradicates CSC’s contradictory governance framework, there is no doubt that the authors will continue to see similar preventable deaths take place in prison.
Business model innovation
Authors: Pels Jaqueline , Kidd Tomás Andrés
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework that expands business model innovation literature by including a social goal, the emerging markets (EMs) environmental characteristics and adopting a bottom-up perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper draws on a single-case study. Sistema Ser/CEGIN (SER–CEGIN) is an Argentine social business that offers high-quality medical healthcare to BOP users.

Findings

– The paper presents a new conceptualization on business model innovation that includes three dimensions: firm-centric, environment and customer-centric. The framework incorporates to the traditional framework on business model innovation, the social profit equation, the general and task environment and the end-user, as well as the dynamics between them.

Research limitations/implications

– While the authors acknowledge the importance of studying the components of the business model operating levels (economic, operational and strategic) to determine the type of business model innovation (revenue, enterprise and industrial), the framework incoporates the environment and customer-centric dimension. The suggested framework opens new streams of research both for the innovation business model literature as well as for the EMs – bottom of the pyramid (BOP) literature.

Practical implications

– To achieve economic and social goals, particularly in the BOP, firms need to adopt a bottom-up approach to understand the components of their business model that need to be modified.

Originality/value

– The paper proposes a novel business model innovation conceptualization which is useful for both researches to better study business models in the BOP and for firms to successfully operate in the BOP.
The effect of media exposure on contraceptive adoption across “poverty line”
Authors: Khandeparkar Kapil , Roy Pinaki , Motiani Manoj
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to explore the effect of mass media exposure on women contraceptive adoption. The intent was to show how factors affected contraceptive use, such as education, standards of living, etc., behave differently across the poverty line.

Design/methodology/approach

– Logistic regression was used to test the effect of exposure of various mass media on contraceptive adoption. Indian Human Development Survey (2005) was used for the analysis. Analysis was performed to compare results across the poverty line.

Findings

– Television exposure was found to be significant, and it had a strong effect on the likelihood that the family uses contraceptives. Newspaper readership was found significant above the poverty line and insignificant below.

Research limitations/implications

– The present study only analyzes cross-sectional data. A longitudinal study would be better suited to determine how these factors affect contraceptive use over time.

Practical implications

– The findings of this study can be useful in designing more effective media mix for the communications aimed at increasing contraceptive use in India.

Social implications

– The findings show the divide between the population segments above and below the poverty line. Low education levels, affordability issues and son preferences are the major factors deterring contraceptive use at this level.

Originality/value

– This is the first study to separately study the population samples across the poverty line. Compared to previous studies which focuses heavily on one media, this analysis includes other media variables and focuses on a variation of these factors across the poverty line.
Improvised model for BoP healthcare in India: lessons from NRHM
Authors: Dwivedi Prabhat K.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop an improvised sustainable health-care model by integrating best practices, innovations and new dimensions to the present public health-care system – National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) – for improving the health status of the bottom of pyramid (BoP) in India.

Design/methodology/approach

– The contribution of NRHM in ensuring the availability of health-care services and improving health indicators has been assessed. Some unique proven models of excellent health-care services and innovations have also been considered in designing an improvised health-care model. The empirical context takes the use of case study research methodology. The data have been extracted from various relevant papers, reports and websites.

Findings

– Despite substantial augmentation in health infrastructure and human resources, increased local engagement and technology integration, the progress in health indicators during the NRHM has not been fairly better than that before. The present paper provides an improvised model that integrates all the potential stakeholders such as Government, Private health-care services providers, pharmaceutical and insurance companies and BoP community itself to ensuring 5As rather than 4As (Prahalad, 2004) in rural health care.

Research limitations/implications

– This study has relied mainly upon the secondary sources of data and some published case studies. The model is a hypothetical framework designed exclusively for rural setups of India.

Practical implications

– The study shows the ways and invites all the stakeholders to come forward and build hybrid partnerships not only to develop society but also to develop sustainable BoP markets and earn profits.

Originality/value

– The paper brings forth the aspects of achievements and limitations of NRHM in improving BoP health status, and it develops an improvised model to achieve the BoP-health objectives.
Socioecological determinants of mammography screening in Mexican rural areas
Authors: Sanchez-Lezama Ana Paola , Cavazos-Arroyo Judith , Albavera-Hernández Cidronio , Salinas-Rodríguez Aarón , Lagunes-Pérez Mario , Perez-Armendariz Beatriz
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine which socioecological factors encourage rural women to participate in mammographies rather than avoiding taking the test.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study mainly uses data from the 2007 Rural Households Evaluation Survey (ENCEL-2007). These crossover data are analyzed using the framework proposed in the Spatial-Interaction Model of Mammography Use (SIMMU), through a three-level logistic regression model to examine the likelihood that a woman will choose to participate in a mammography.

Findings

– At the woman-household level, the completion of the Pap smear and the asset index is the strongest determinant of mammography participation. Obtaining preventive medicine services or being enrolled in the Popular Insurance System prevent women from undergoing screening. At the interpersonal level, the probability of screening use decreases with lower social coverage. At the intermediate level, availability of health centers is negatively related to the use of screening.

Research limitations/implications

– The study fails to take into account the fact that women’s propensity to have a mammography may vary over time relatively to life changes. Moreover, findings were restricted to women ages from 40 to 49 and limited due to the lack of published data or data quality issues.

Practical implications

– The results of this research can give health planners, policymakers and social marketers a platform for how to approach social change and promote the cancer screening health behavior through the marketing mix (price, place, promotion and product) in the design of their programs.

Originality/value

– In addition to be informative and persuasive with people to change their behavior, this paper also seeks to provide a direction for using commercial marketing tools through social marketing to “sell” the health behavior. Due to target population variation, this paper addresses the health behavior change strategy by audience segmentation, regarded as essential to successful health communication campaigns.
Making e-procurement work in a decentralized procurement system
Authors: Nurmandi Achmad , Kim Sunhyuk
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the implementation of initiative e-procurement in decentralized system on Indonesia’s local government system.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors combine quantitative and qualitative methods. The central finding of this research is that human resources are the pivotal factors that determine the performance of local e-procurement in three cities. This research focusses on three local governments in Indonesia – Yogyakarta City, Tangerang City, and Kutaikartanegara Regency.

Findings

– The central finding of this research is that human resources are the pivotal factors that determine the performance of local e-procurement in three cities. However, Tangerang City is going institutionalization phase in e-procurement initiative to ensure its sound local regulation.

Research limitations/implications

– There are several limitations to this study including the recent nature of decentralized procurement in Indonesia, limited standardized and disaggregated data on local government procurement expenditures and performance.

Practical implications

– The study recommends that human resources management in procurement needs to be addressed by both local and central government.

Originality/value

– e-Procurement is an important instrument for preventing corruption in goods and services procurement. Indonesia has been implementing an e-procurement policy since 2008 based on a Presidential Decree. The president has issued annual orders (presidential instructions), and all central ministries and local governments have been required to comply with them to obtain their budget through the e-procurement system. However, as of 2012 fiscal year, only around 10.26 percent of the central government institution procurement budget and 10 percent of the local government procurement budget in Indonesia went through the e-procurement system, with wide variations among cities.
State strategic information system plans
Authors: Manoharan Aroon , Melitski James , Bromberg Daniel
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine US state strategic plans for e-government (or information technology), identify their strengths and weaknesses, and presents best practices for both practitioners and scholars interested in improving state strategic plans for information technology.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research analyzes the e-government strategic plans, based on a content analysis using a rubric consisting of 15 questions.

Findings

– The findings suggest that of the state information system plans reviewed – Michigan, Virginia, and Massachusetts are the most comprehensive. Overall, the state plans were effective in developing strategies and core beliefs, and assessing their strengths and opportunities, while less successful in recognizing weakness and threats.

Research limitations/implications

– This study builds on existing research examining strategic information systems plans in US states and assesses the extent to which each plan addresses established criteria for developing strategic plans. This study also attempts to fill the need for more data and empirical evidence in the development of literature in strategic planning and performance measurement.

Practical implications

– The research employs a public sector approach to strategic planning, and while the process is not specific to information systems it is comprehensive in its approach, grounded in literature, and offers guidance to public sector leaders in planning for investments in information systems and technology.

Originality/value

– The conclusion offers suggestions for both public administration practitioners and scholars interested in improving state strategic plans for information technology.
Challenges in delivering brand promise – focusing on municipal healthcare organisations
Authors: Hytti Ulla , Kuoppakangas Päivikki , Suomi Kati , Chapleo Chris , Giovanardi Massimo
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate how healthcare professionals understand a new organisational brand and examine the ideas discussed in relation to it within healthcare organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research is based on a discursive approach that facilitates understanding how the informants perceived a new organisation brand and how that might shape their activities in the enterprise.

Findings

– The study identified four distinct interpretative repertoires: the organisational brand as an economic solution, the magic wand, the factory and a servant to the customer. The new brand was understood in terms of economic and business-like functions marked by external branding and its signs (logos, etc.). The brand is not communicated to patients or colleagues and the factory metaphor is applied to work practices. Hence, several potential dilemmas arise concerning the brand promise, customer expectations, economic and efficiency gains and the professional values of employees.

Research limitations/implications

– Adoption of private-sector practices in semi-public or public-sector organisations is common. This study focuses on how private-sector ideas diffuse into the organisations and how they are translated within them.

Practical implications

– The authors suggest a stronger emphasis on internal branding as a reconciliation to enhance legitimacy, high-quality customer service and staff wellbeing.

Originality/value

– Theoretically, the unique contribution of the study is drawing upon healthcare branding, dilemma theory and discursive institutionalism in its interpretation. Consequently, it demonstrates how ideas about the brand and public healthcare are translated and communicated in the examined discourses and how those ideas reconstruct understanding and change behaviour within the organisations.
Implementing innovative ideas in a city: good solutions on paper but not in practice?
Authors: Brorström Sara
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– This paper examines innovation implementation in the public sector. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the “black box” of implementation of innovations and then answer questions of hindrances and opportunities when it comes to implementing innovative ideas in the public sector.

Design/methodology/approach

– The specific context in this case is a city organization that received funding from the Delegation for Sustainable Cities to put six innovative ideas into practice in a city district. The data collection methods consisted of interviews and observations of meetings where the implementation phase was discussed.

Findings

– The findings imply that innovative ideas that seemed best on paper often proved to be difficult to implement. The possibility of funding, for example, provided a reason to think “outside the box”, but the system for presenting the ideas in order to obtain the funding was time consuming. The resulting delay meant that, by the time the applications were evaluated, the submitted ideas were no longer necessarily the best available. The findings also imply that one important role of public organizations in implementing innovations is to facilitate the response by its users, here the inhabitants.

Research limitations/implications

– When discussing innovations and implementation the time aspects is a limitation, the future might imply other effects than the ones visible here.

Practical implications

– Public sector managers possibilities of organizing to be more innovative can be discussed. From a management perspective focus might thus be on facilitate the implementation of the innovation, since the demand of the new solutions might be other than expected.

Social implications

– The users of public sector innovations, here the inhabitants, might demand other things that expected, which highlights the need of an ongoing dialogue between city managers and inhabitants.

Originality/value

– The methodology of following projects in real time proved to be a unique approach for understanding the ”black box” of implementing innovative ideas. The existing paradoxes of managing public sector organizations are thus illustrated.
Child homicide: generating victim and suspect risk profiles
Authors: Roach Jason , Bryant Robin
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– In England and Wales, on average one child every week is a victim of homicide. The purpose of this paper is to explore whether different victim-risk profiles and suspect variables can be differentiated for specific victim ages.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper presents a preliminary analysis of more than 1,000 child homicides committed in England and Wales between 1996 and 2013, from data provided through the Homicide Index. Statistical techniques such as cluster analysis were used to identify specific victim-risk profiles and to analyse suspect variables according to the age of victim.

Findings

– The findings present a clearer picture of the risk-age relationship in child homicide, whereby several specific risk profiles are identified for specific child ages, comprised of crime variables including; likely victim and suspect demographics, the most likely circumstances of the homicide and methods of killing. Using similar techniques, a number of tentative clusters of suspects implicated in child homicide are also described and analysed, with suggestions of further analysis that might prove of value.

Practical implications

– The practical implications cannot be understated. For those professionals working in the fields of child protection and criminal investigation the identification of risk profiles promises to provide a back-cloth with which to practice when confronted with complex and distressing child homicide scenarios. This research promises most to those currently training in related professions.

Originality/value

– Although the statistical level of risk has been linked with the age of a child (with younger children being most vulnerable to killing by a parent or step-parent and older children most vulnerable to killing by acquaintances and strangers), extant research is yet to progress beyond the identification of broad age-risk categories. The paper concludes with a discussion of the likely implications for those charged with reducing and investigating child homicide and outlines the possibility of future research.
Age effects on juvenile homicide perpetration
Authors: Hammond Laura , Ioannou Maria
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– In order to address a notable gap in the research literature, the purpose of this paper is to examine age-related differences in juvenile homicide perpetration.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data on 150 juvenile homicide offenders and their offences was derived from material available within the public domain, including media reports, case studies, court reports and previously published studies. Comparisons were then made between those aged 14 and under (n=63) and those aged 14-17 (n=87) across a range of offender, victim and offence-related variables.

Findings

– There were no significant differences between the child (U-14) and adolescent (14-17) offender samples on any of the measured variables. The two groups had similar backgrounds, selected similar types of victims, had comparable breakdowns of different types of victim-offender relationship and had similar patterns of weapon use.

Research limitations/implications

– The fact that the two groups did not differ significantly has notable implications in practical and applied domains. By identifying risk factors for juvenile homicide perpetration, findings open up a range of possibilities for identification, investigation and intervention. In addition, findings might inform the development of offender treatment and rehabilitation programmes. Key limitations relate to the quality and quantity of data employed. Ways of remedying these weaknesses in future research are addressed.

Originality/value

– This is the first study to directly compare child and adolescent perpetrators of homicide over a broad range of offender, victim and offence attributes.