bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dual‐frequency (40/100 GHz) SIS receiver for nobeyama millimeter‐wave array
Authors: Yamamoto Masayuki , Yamaji Katsutoshi , Watazawa Keiichi , Inatani Junji , Kawabe Ryohei , Kasuga Takashi
Published: July 2007

The authors developed a dual‐frequency (40/100 GHz) SIS receiver with SIS quasi‐particle tunneling junction element as the mixer, for use in the millimeter‐wave array at Nobeyama Radio Observatory, National Astronomical Observatory. The SIS element used is an array composed of four series‐connected Nb/Al‐AlOx/Nb junctions. The receiver is refrigerated to 4.3 K by a closed‐cycle He refrigerator. The receiver realized a very low receiver noise temperature for a wideband, such as 50 to 80 K for 43 to 49 GHz, and 60 to 100 K for 86 to 115 GHz. A wide dynamic range is also realized. At 40 Ghz, the saturation noise temperature is 2000 to 3000 K, compared with the wideband noise. These results indicate that the SIS array element can effectively improve the mixer saturation level without degrading the receiver performance.
A realization of a wide‐band second‐generation current conveyor by using complementary transistors
Authors: Horita Motoshi , Kitajima Yasuhiko , Ma Zhiqiang , Yamamoto Gaishi
Published: July 2007

Although a number of realization circuits for second‐generation current conveyors (CCII) and their applications to active RC networks have been reported, the bandwidth of CCII itself is not sufficient. It is pointed out that one of the causes of degradation of the RF characteristics of the CCII using the complementary transistors is the effect of signal current flow through the collector capacitance Cc. A method is described also for broadband operations by compensating this effect actively. In practice, a transistor with the gain bandwidth product fT of 100 MHz is used for construction of a positive‐type CCII. The voltage transfer factor and the impedance looking into the X terminal have improved with or without compensation while the current transfer factor has improved with compensation so that those are almost ideal characteristics within the measurement up to 10 MHz. The magnitudes of the impedances looking into the Y and Z terminals decreased beyond about 100 kHz due to the effect of the stray capacitance of each terminal and fT. However, there is improvement as the magnitude is larger by an order than the uncompensated case. As an application, the compensated positive‐type CCII is used for construction of a biquad low‐pass filter with the pole frequency of about 3 MHz. The operation was satisfactory.
Planar integration of laser‐recrystallized SOI‐Tr's fabricated by lateral seeding process and bulk‐Tr's and its application to fabrication of a solid‐state image sensor
Authors: Fujii Eiji , Senda Kohji , Emoto Fumiaki , Nakamura Akira , Uemoto Yasuhiro , Kano Gota
Published: July 2007

To realize functions which cannot be achieved by conventional integrated circuits composed of bulk transistors (bulk‐Tr), part of an integrated circuit was formed by laser‐recrystallized SOI transistors (SOI‐Tr) using the lateral seeding process. The uniqueness of this structure is that the bulk‐Tr's and SOI‐Tr's are formed in the same plane. To realize this planar structure, the necessary basic technology was developed and bulk‐Tr's and SOI‐Tr's were formed in the same plane to test the structure. The characteristics of the transistors were compatible to those of transistors formed by conventional MOS processes. For the application of this structure to integrated circuits, a solid‐state image sensor was fabricated where the driver circuits were formed by the bulk‐Tr's and the read‐out of the picture elements was carried out by using the SOI‐Tr's. As a result, a high‐quality image was obtained and the smear noise caused by photoleakage current was suppressed.
Improvement of asymmetrical characteristics in submicron CMOS devices
Authors: Yabu Toshiki , Kurimoto Kazumi , Yamauchi Hiroyuki , Fukumoto Masanori , Ohzone Takashi
Published: July 2007

In the substrate current characteristics and the drain current characteristics in a submicron nMOSFET with an LDD structure, the problem of asymmetry caused by ion implantation occurs if the measurement is done with the source and drain interchanged. It is found also that significant asymmetry appears in the subthreshold current characteristics (threshold voltage) in a submicron pMOSFET with EPS (efficient punchthrough stops). By introducing the four‐step implantation method as a technique to form LDD and EPS regions, an attempt was made to improve asymmetry. By this method, symmetric electrical characteristics are obtained without changing the conventional process and without reducing the throughput. Further, the unbalance of the threshold voltages between the pair transistors was measured because they have the greatest effect on the sensitivity of the sense amplifier important in the VLSIDRAM. It was found that the four‐step implantation method is extremely effective for suppressing the asymmetry without changing the circuit design.
Basic study on Si‐HBT using plasma‐deposited μc‐Si for heteroemitter
Authors: Sasaki Kimihiro , Fukazawa Takeshi , Furukawa Seijiro
Published: July 2007

This paper describes the crystallinity, electric properties and bandgap of Si films deposited on a single‐crystalline substrate by plasma CVD, and the application of this film to the heteroemitter of an Si‐HBT.

The plasma CVD Si film is grown epitaxially near the interface with a single‐crystalline substrate (in this experiment, the thickness was less than 10 nm). However, as the film thickness increases, the crystallinity of the film degrades and the film eventually becomes μc‐Si. The crystallinity depends on the surface orientation of the substrate. The epitaxial growth occurs more easily on a (100) surface than on a (111) surface. The film resistivity is dependent on the degree of the epitaxy and is lower in a film grown on a (100) substrate than on a (111) substrate, and lower near the interface than the surface.

The bandgap estimated from the optical absorption characteristic is 1.34 eV. This value is smaller than that of a film deposited on a glass substrate but is larger than that of single‐crystalline Si. Therefore, it is expected that this film can be used to form a wide bandgap heteroemitter structure. In the Si‐HBT formed by using this film for the emitter, the current gain was as high as 480. When a polycrystalline film was used, the current gain was only 15. Therefore, the high current gain of a μc‐Si heteroemitter transistor is not due to the oxide layer at the interface but to the wide bandgap heteroemitter.
Surface‐emitting lasers
Authors: Iga Kenichi , Koyama Fumio , Kinoshita Susumu
Published: July 2007

Surface‐emitting lasers which emit laser beams in the direction normal to the substrate are attractive devices in applications for two‐dimensional laser arrays and parallel optical communications.

Recently, horizontal cavity and bent cavity devices have been investigated. Among such devices, the microvertical cavity surface‐emitting laser, which has a cavity normal to the substrate, has a cavity only several times longer than the wavelength. The length of the cavity in the lateral direction also can be reduced to a size several times longer than the wavelength. Therefore, by using this type of laser, superior longitudinal mode selection, low‐noise operation and low threshold current are expected.

Furthermore, a high‐density two‐dimensional array can easily be manufactured with this device and its application to parallel optical communication is expected. This paper will describe our vertical‐cavity,surface‐emitting laser, as well as our view of surface‐emitting lasers now and in the future.
An evaluation of shield effects in semicoaxial wiring board
Authors: Fukutomi Naoki , Nakamura Hidehiro , Yoshida Norinobu , Fukai Ichiro
Published: July 2007

With the advancement of miniaturization and performance of electronic equipment, high‐density mounting technology has become important. Specifically, as the density of wiring board and the frequency of operation are increased, crosstalks can increase generation echos and cause degradation of the reliability of the equipment. Hence, it is desirable to reduce the equipment noise. A semicoaxial wiring structure is introduced to reduce the crosstalk in a multiwire board. The spatial network method is used for the electromagnetic field analysis to determine its effect. In the analysis, a rectangular model and a cylindrical model are introduced and the time responses of the electromagnetic field are observed qualitatively. Further, the propagation delay and the degree of coupling between the parallel wires are studied quantitatively as the basic electrical characteristics of the wiring board. It is found that there is no significant difference in the analysis of the two models. It is seen that the cylindrical model which is closer to reality can be simplified by a rectangular model. The relationship between the semicoaxial wiring structure and the degree of coupling is such that the shielding effect depends on the location of the shielding conductor and the degree of coupling decreases substantially by wrapping the structure more deeply than the center of the wire.
Optical filter using a fabry–perot type semiconductor laser amplifier
Authors: Koga Masafumi , Kikushima Koji , Nawata Kiyoshi
Published: July 2007

This paper discusses the filtering function used in channel selection, due to selective amplification characteristics of the longitudinal mode of resonant‐type semiconductor laser amplifiers (FP‐SLA). The bandwidth of filter passband B and the crosstalk from unselected channels X which depend on the facet reflectivity R and signal gain G FP‐SLA are determined theoretically. From calculations of the number of channels N, for the crosstalk X to be less than −10 dB, the following results are obtained: 1 if R is reduced to below 5 percent, to obtain bandwidths wider than 10 GHz which can be used in selection of wide‐spectrum directly modulated signals, N must be limited to 8; 2 if R = 32 percent, G = 30 dB, then B is narrowed to less than 1 GHz which permits N to be increased up to 20. Finally, using the light signals of a two‐channel multiplexed system directly modulated at 400 Mbit/s, a transmission experiment is carried out in which sufficiently good optical filtration characteristics are achieved using a an FP‐SLA with R = 0.7 percent.
Defect characterization and gettering effect in excimer laser gettering
Authors: Sakai Akira , Ohshita Yoshio , Ishitani Akihiko , Takemura Kazumi , Toyokawa Fumitoshi , Mikami Masao
Published: July 2007

The mechanism and effect of a new extrinsic gettering method utilizing excimer laser irradiation called excimer laser gettering (ELG) was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation and measurements of the electric properties of metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (MOS) capacitors. By means of TEM, stacking fault tetrahedra and V‐shaped dislocations were found in the irradiated regions of Si wafers and these defects were proved to be thermally stable. Dielectric breakdown failure of SiO2 films and generation lifetime of minority carriers were improved remarkably by ELG. It was confirmed that the gettering effect of ELG has higher temperature persistence than sandblasting methods used heretofore.
Wide dynamic range photodiode arrays sensitive and stable to ultraviolet radiation
Authors: Yazawa Yoshiaki , Katoh Iwao , Sonobe Sigeru
Published: July 2007

A photodiode array with 512 elements was fabricated for analysis and measurement, and its characteristics were evaluated. By placing a DMOS‐type capacitor in the separation area between the photodiodes, their capacitance was as high as 13.5 pF. The dynamic range was as high as 1000 under normal operating conditions.

The photodiode was sensitive to wavelengths ranging from 200 to 1000 nm. The initial sensitivity to the wavelength of 254 nm was over 0.1 A/W. The ultraviolet ray dependence of the device characteristic was also investigated. It was found that even after the photodiode was exposed to a high‐intensity ultraviolet ray corresponding to exposure for 10,000 hours under standard conditions, the sensitivity of the photodiode to ultraviolet was higher than 0.06 A/W.
Theoretical analysis and fundamental characteristics of triplate spiral inductors
Authors: Yabuki Hiroyuki , Makimoto Mitsuo
Published: July 2007

This paper presents a theoretical analysis method and basic characteristics of triplate spiral inductors. The analysis is based on low‐frequency band transmission line theory from which three different transmission line circuits are used to model the inductor; after obtaining the circuit impedances for different potential profiles, we consider the high‐frequency problem using a model in which the interline electric field couplings are simulated as lumped capacitances. Based on these techniques, it is possible to investigate the basic properties such as the inductances, self‐resonant frequencies and losses.

The triplate inductors can be used as three‐dimensional hybrid IC elements in the UHF band (0.3 – 3 GHz) such as broadband matching circuits, various filters, and decoupling circuit for the power supply line.
Polarization state and gain of lights interacting through stimulated Raman scattering in single‐mode optical fibers
Authors: Seikai Shigeyuki , Takahashi Masaki
Published: July 2007

The polarization states and gain of the signal and pump lights in an optical amplifier using stimulated Raman scattering in an optical fiber were investigated. Taking into account circular birefringence caused by fiber twist, a coupling equation for the signal and pump lights was obtained. It was assumed that the fiber had a circular core and was uniform in the longitudinal direction and that the field distribution of the dominant mode was Gaussian.

With the aid of numerical calculation of the coupling equation by the Runge‐Kutta method, the propagation properties of the polarization states and gains of the signal and pump lights were investigated. When the fiber was not twisted, the propagation property depended on the polarization state of incident light. However, except when the incident light was in a special polarization state, the signal light generally came close to linearly polarized light in the direction of the major axis of the elliptically polarized incident pump light.

The difference between the signal optical gains of linear and circular polarization was 3 dB at most. When the twist rate in a fiber was over 1 turn/m, the signal light polarization state was almost unchanged during propagation and the optical gain was stable for various polarization states of the incident pump light.
Characteristics of superconducting Bi‐Sr‐Ca‐Cu‐O thin films prepared by a multilayer evaporation method
Authors: Honda Yukio , Tsukamoto Akira , Futamoto Masaaki , Takagi Kazumasa
Published: July 2007

This paper describes the production of Bi‐Sr‐Ca‐Cu‐O superconducting films by oxidizing multilayer films composed of Bi2O3SrO/Cu/Ca deposited by vacuum evaporation. Heat‐treatment conditions for oxidizing and influences of layer thickness on formation of the high Tc phase are studied. To mix each element well, it is important to melt the multilayer film partially at the initial stage of heat treatment. Furthermore, it is a key point in preventing the formation of the Ca‐Cu oxide.

The thickness of a unit layer composed of Bi2O3/SrO/Cu/Ca is varied from 20 nm to 86 nm. By thinning the unit layer, the volume fraction of the high Tc phase is increased; Tc of 98 K is achieved when the unit layer thickness is 21.1 nm.
Effectiveness of gaps for lossy dielectric sheet measurement by coaxial electrode
Authors: Nishikata Atsuhiro , Shimizu Yasutaka
Published: July 2007

For efficient measurement of the material parameters of a lossy sheet material used for absorption and shielding of electromagnetic waves, a nondestructive measurement method of a complex relative permittivity ϵr by a coaxial electrode has been proposed. In this method, a flanged opening of a coaxial cable is placed on the surface of a conductor‐backed sheet. From the measured reflection coefficient, the value of ϵr is obtained. In reality, however, contacts at both sides of the sheet are not perfect.

In this paper, an analysis is carried out in which air gaps are assumed on both sides of the sample and the effect on the complex permittivity measurement is studied. First, the variation of the reflection coefficient vs. the gaps on the sample surfaces and the complex relative permittivity are obtained experimentally so that the effect of the gap is studied.

Next, an estimation error of ϵr is derived when the uncertainty of the gap and the reflection coefficient is considered as the cause of the error. It is demonstrated that the accuracy of the present method can be better than that in the conventional transmission line method depending on the conditions. Also described is the effect of reducing the error in the case where gaps are placed at the contact planes so that the measurement is made noncontacting.
Numerical analysis of three‐dimensional scattering problems by the yasuura method
Authors: Ikuno Hiroyoshi , Nishimoto Masahiko
Published: July 2007

Three‐dimensional electromagnetic wave scattering problems are solved by the perfectly conducting smooth object using the Yasuura method. First, the Yasuura method and its computer‐oriented algorithm are described. Second, the convergence and accuracy of solution for scattering from bodies of revolution are checked numerically. Numerical results for prolate spheroid indicate that the Yasuura method is accurate and efficient. As a numerical example, the radar cross section of a nonconvex scatterer is calculated. The numerical result shows that the radar cross section of the nonconvex object is significantly different from that of the sphere as indicated in the two‐dimensional problem.
Effect of polarization coupling on the detection sensitivity of a fiber‐optic passive ring‐resonator gyro
Authors: Takahashi Masanobu , Tai Shuichi , Kyuma Kazuo
Published: July 2007

The effect of polarization coupling which occurs in the coupler comprising the ring resonator for a fiber‐optic ring‐resonator gyro was studied. First, it is confirmed theoretically and experimentally that the resonant waveform in the ring resonator changes significantly by the polarization coupling. It is shown that the incline angle between the principal axes of two optical fibers causing the polarization coupling can be measured indirectly by observation of the resonant waveform.

Next, three factors causing the drift are identified in the case of a fiber‐optic gyro using a ring resonator with polarization coupling. The magnitude of the drift for each factor is found quantitatively. As a result, it is found that the drift of about 10−7 ‐ 10−5 rad/s is generated in a typical case. Methods for reducing these drifts are presented. Finally, a rotation sensitivity of 1 × 10−5 rad/s with a time constant of 10 s is obtained in an improved fiber‐optic gyro.
Characteristics of t‐rod‐type dielectric‐loaded helix as used in broadband traveling wave tubes
Authors: Onodera Toshio , Ieki Hiroshi
Published: July 2007

The phase velocity of a T‐rod‐type dielectric loaded helix is determined by the developed helix method. Further, the phase velocity and coupling impedance are measured and circuit characteristics of the loaded helix are clarified.
Light‐pulse modulated photo‐IC with auto DC photocurrent correction circuit under exposure light
Authors: Kyomasu Mikio , Terada Yukitaka
Published: July 2007

By making use of the matching characteristics of a rising‐sun type dual photodiode, an optically modulated photo‐IC with an improved external light illumination allowance was developed. In this photo‐IC, the frequency response of the preamplifier of one of the photodiodes is kept low. Only the dc component of the incident photo‐current is current‐voltage transformed and its output is applied by the current feedback to the preamplifier of another photodiode so that the external photocurrent is compensated automatically.

In this method, the size ratio of the two photodiodes is compensated by the ratio of the gain resistance and the feedback resistance of the preamplifier. Hence, by the amount of the diode size ratio, the saturation characteristic of the preamplifier has a margin. The external light illumination allowance is improved by the corresponding amount. The minimum receiving sensitivity of the fabricated optically modulated photo‐IC was as small as 50 1x and its external light illumination allowance was as high as 20,000 1x. This circuit technique can be applied to various circuit systems which must be operated under bright environment described in the foregoing. Hence, its application to a system operated from outside a room is expected.
Analysis of anisotropic dielectric gratings using differential method
Authors: Yamakita Jiro , Matsumoto Keiji , Mori Shizuo , Rokushima Katsu
Published: July 2007

An analysis algorithm is presented for the scattered field from a surface relief‐type anisotropic dielectric grating with an arbitrary permittivity tensor. The method based on the differential equation known widely as an analysis for isotropic dielectric gratings is extended here to the case where a dielectric grating contains an anisotropic medium.

Further, an algorithm is proposed which avoids, by means of reorthogonalization of the initial value vectors, the difficulty in numerical treatment encountered by the differential method when the groove in the grating is deep and the number of expansion terms is large. By means of numerical examples, it is shown that stable numerical solutions can be obtained regardless of the depth of the grating grooves or the size of the expansion terms.
Yasuura method for solving two‐dimensional scattering problems. (II) method of numerical analysis
Authors: Okuno Yoichi , Ikuno Hiroyoshi
Published: July 2007

We describe the discretized forms of the Yasuura methods (the mode‐matching method with a smoothing procedure, the mode‐matching method with a singular‐smoothing procedure) for the numerical solution of scattering by cylindrical obstacles. All the forms are stated in a canonical form of the least‐squares problem in a J‐dimensional vector space, where J is the number of sampling points. We show numerically that the choice J = 2M, where M is the number of modal functions, is sufficient and that no rank reductions due to a deficiency of the sampling points occur. A recommended way to solve the discretized problem is to employ the QR decomposition. Some numerical examples are given to show the effectiveness of the Yasuura method.
Parity noise elimination of computer‐generated double‐phase hologram
Authors: Ishida Kouichi , Yoshikawa Manabu , Kayano Hiroshi
Published: July 2007

In the computer‐generated double‐phase hologram, parity noise appears in the image. It is desirable to form the computer‐generated hologram with fewer subcells as fabrication is easier. With a view to eliminating the parity noise of the computer‐generated double‐phase hologram, this paper presents a method in which the information canceling the parity term itself is provided at the center of the cell of the hologram so that a better image is obtained. By means of the theory, computer simulation and optical experiments, the method is proven useful.
The effect of performance appraisal purpose training on rating errors and accuracy
Authors: O'Donnell Judith M.
Published: July 2007

If a performance appraisal assesses whether an employee will be compensated, retained, terminated, promoted, demoted, or transferred, can it be accurate or precise? A case study of fifty‐four managers addressed this important question by training the raters to conduct specific‐purpose appraisals (for example, appraisals regarding compensation only or an employee's development only). Judith O'Donnell's article offers insights into both the successes and frustrations of these managers. The recommendations for future research are especially pertinent for HRD professionals.
Tacit beliefs of human resource developers: Producing unintended consequences
Authors: Watkins Karen E.
Published: July 2007

The tacit beliefs of human resource developers about their own learning and training practices are examined using Argyris's theory‐of‐action perspective and mapping technique. The potentially dysfunctional, unintended consequences of these beliefs are identified and compared using interviews with fifty‐seven human resource developers at a government agency, a high technology corporation, and a research hospital. Similar beliefs among participants were found in the study. This article describes the subjects' belief that training is magical or political, defines these terms according to Argyris's and Freire's terminology, and discusses the findings from the interviews. Human resource developers should explore the nature and validity of the beliefs that guide their practice.
Invited reaction: Effective employee involvement programs
Authors: Orsburn Jack D.
Published: July 2007

Team‐based employee involvement programs (EIPs) come in all sizes and shapes. The three general categories include: Level 1, in which management diagnoses and decides, with limited input from employees; Level 2, in which—within limited assigned times—employees diagnose and recommend; and Level 3, in which decision making is done on a daily basis by those closest to the action. Equating these levels causes a misinterpretation of the true effectiveness of EIPs.
Work force literacy: Problems and solutions
Authors: Workinger Ronald K. , Ruch Kenneth E.
Published: July 2007

This article concentrates on the question of who holds responsibility to rectify work force literacy problems. It considers ways training and development professionals can address the issue and calls for a mul‐tiorganization consortium to deal with the problem. Major background issues such as the size and scope of the literacy problem, the impact of illiteracy on business, the issue of needs assessment, and practical models are discussed. In addition, the solutions government agencies, community‐based organizations, nonprofit service organizations, educational groups, individual corporations, and unions might provide are considered.
Self‐assessment and rater‐assessment as a dimension of management development
Authors: Nowack Kenneth M.
Published: July 2007

In light of mixed findings in the literature regarding the congruence between self‐assessment and those provided by others, this study investigated differences between the self‐ratings of managers and others (supervisors, subordinates, peers) using an instrument assessing twenty specific management skills areas derived from job analysis procedures. Data on 335 managers working in several large organizations (health care, aerospace, utility) who recently received feedback were used to compare self‐other ratings along each management practice skill area. The results indicated that the amount of agreement between managers and the others describing them was moderately low, with correlation coefficients ranging from .122 to .295 (p < .05). Paired t‐tests revealed that managers consistently reported practicing specific skills more frequently than others who rated them across the majority of skill areas. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Predicting organizational orientation toward teams
Authors: Russ‐Eft Darlene
Published: July 2007

This empirical examination of factors predicting team orientation within organizations used interviews, focus groups, and pencil‐and‐paper questionnaires to gather data in ten organizations. An examination of questionnaire data from 81 managers and 364 associates indicates that five factors provide the best prediction of high team orientation for an organization: relationships within organization‐wide management, innovation on the job, control of work by the immediate manager or supervisor, group cohesiveness, and open group process within the work group.
Underinvestment in employer training: A mandate to spend?
Authors: Bishop John H.
Published: July 2007

U.S. employers and their workers underinvest in employer training. Underinvestment occurs because training generates externalities, because the tax system is biased against training investments, because turnover is high, and because most workers lack access to loans and are unable to finance general training. School‐based occupational training ameliorates the underinvestment problem somewhat, but it is not a complete answer to the problem. During the election campaign, President Clinton proposed to stimulate training by requiring employers to spend some minimum percentage of their wage bill on training or else to pay a special tax. France has had such a mandate since 1972, so the design of a U.S. training mandate is likely to benefit from a careful examination of the French program. The French have demonstrated that a training mandate is administratively and politically feasible, but their mandate is not optimally designed for U.S. implementation. The article concludes with some recommendations about structuring a U.S. mandate to spend on training.
Invited reaction: Scanning for performance value
Authors: Torraco Richard J.
Published: July 2007

Scanning for training‐needs information is an important first step in the development of relevant, effective training. The larger organizational context in which training interventions are being considered dictates the inclusion of core measures of the organization's business performance as primary sources of information. Without a need to improve organizational performance, training is at best an optional organizational activity.
Intercepting managers' attributional bias through feedback‐skills training
Authors: Wiswell Albert K. , Lawrence Harriet V.
Published: July 2007

The nature of the judgments managers make about problem employees can greatly affect the strategies chosen to address them. An experimental treatment with sixty‐five managers in a large municipal government tested the effects of feedback‐skills training on the tendency to make causal attributions about the behavior of their poorest performers. Managers wrote critical incidents about their least effective subordinate (LES) as a pretest and a post‐test. Training included role‐playing practice in the key feedback skills of specificity, empathy, and inquiry in preparation for holding an actual feedback session in the work setting with the LES. Critical incidents were blind‐rated using scales for dispositional attribution, situational attribution, specificity, empathy, and inquiry. Analysis of covariance showed statistically significant increases among the treatment group in the use of feedback skills and a decrease in the tendency to attribute subordinates' problem behaviors to dispositional factors.
Linking staffing and training practices with business strategy: A theoretical perspective
Authors: Raghuram Sumita
Published: July 2007

There is a growing recognition that in order to remain competitive in a constantly changing environment, firms should make human resources a significant part of their long‐range business strategy plans (Burack, 1992; Dyer, 1984; Tichy, Fombrun, and Devanna, 1984; Sandy, 1990). The staffing and training practices that a firm adopts are critical in ensuring that skills match business requirements. This article examines the nature of these practices and proposes that appropriate linkages between a firm's staffing and training practices and its business strategy will lead to higher firm performance. Four kinds of staffing and training practices are examined: (1) skill source used, (2) functional emphasis on skills, (3) emphasis on breadth of skills, and (4) quality emphasis.
Literacy patterns of production workers in small manufacturing companies in the Oklahoma city metroplex
Authors: Green Gary , Sloan Bobby R.
Published: July 2007

The purpose of this research was to describe patterns of literacy found in the workplace of small manufacturing companies in the Oklahoma City area. Sixty‐five representative workers were selected from eight small manufacturing companies in the Oklahoma City area, and the Screening Battery of the Adult Basic Learning Examination (ABLE) was administered. A questionnaire requesting age, gender, education, work experience, and job requirements was also applied. Grade‐level equivalents of ABLE scores were calculated, and descriptive and correlational statistics were generated.

The sample group had an average age of 31.7 years, an educational level of 11.5 years, and an average income of $14,604 per year. The grade equivalents of the ABLE scores were 7.6 for reading comprehension and 8.9 for problem solving. The sample produced 21.5 percent as illiterate, 17.7 percent as functionally literate, and 60.7 percent as literate.
Green conditionality and food security: Winners and losers from the greening of aid
Authors: Davies Susanna
Published: July 2007

This paper examines the consequences of the greening of aid – specifically the conditions which can be imposed on aid flows to render them more environmentally acceptable – for food and livelihood security policies. Differing time preferences and goals of food security and environmental policies can lead to conflict. ‘Environment‐first’ approaches have characterized many environmental aid policies, where as food security goals have tended to stress economic not environmental sustainability. In order to reduce conflict between the pursuit of these two sets of obectives, a more ‘people‐first’ approach is required. Examples of green conditionality are discussed and policy options to minimize some of its adverse consequences considered. The paper draws on examples from Sahelian Africa, but raises tentative arguments and possible scenarios, rather than tested results, seeking to provoke further discussion.
The International Monetary Fund and the dilemmas of adjustment in Eastern Europe: Lessons from the 1980s and prospects for the 1990s
Authors: Henderson Anne
Published: July 2007

The IMF influenced the adjustment processes of several Eastern European nations in the 1980s through its efforts to promote market‐oriented stabilization and reform. Each country's state structure, policy‐making process, and state/ society relationships shaped its responses to IMF demands. Romania's centralist political system generated the most intense and successful resistance to the IMF's policies. Yugoslavia's polycentric political system, by contrast, weakened elite capacity to resist IMF demands while simultaneously impeding the implementation of IMF policies at the subnational level. Finally, Hungary's political system allowed the IMF to ally with elite supporters to promote its policies; yet also provided opportunities for lower‐level actors to obstruct their implementation. Prospects for collaboration with the IMF have been enhanced by recent changes in Eastern European state structures and policy‐making processes, which have encouraged freer political debate and more market‐oriented development strategies. Yet impediments to collaboration remain, as political decentralization has heightened the capacity of lower‐level actors to obstruct standby implementation.
The IMF and Paris club debt rescheduling: A conflicting role?
Authors: Brown Richard P. C.
Published: July 2007

The IMF has become increasingly involved in mediating debt rescheduling agreements between debtor countries and official creditors through its role in the Paris Club. This has coincided with increased ‘slippage’ and breakdown of IMF conditionality agreements, and a worsening ‘arrears problem’. After tracing the IMF's role in Paris Club rescheduling procedures, and drawing on recent experience in Egypt and Sudan, this paper argues that the IMF's role in existing debt rescheduling procedures undermines its capacity to perform its policy role, and exposes it to default, particularly by most heavily indebted ‘official borrowers’ of Sub‐Saharan Africa.
The dynamics of rural and agricultural mechanization: The role of different actors in technical and institutional change
Authors: Ashford Tony , Biggs Stephen D.
Published: July 2007

This paper attempts to develop a framework to clarify some of the processes which take place in rural technological change. It moves beyond an acceptable description of dynamic interaction, towards a model based on states of dynamic disequilibrium, where analysis needs to focus on the forces which move the economy and give rise to changes in resource use and social welfare. An attempt has been made to model a part of what goes on inside the ‘black box’ of technical and institutional innovation: especially the way in which different private, government and non‐government organizations interact over time, and how their aims and objectives are reflected through the dynamics of the mechanization process. Some lessons for practitioners involved in technological change are proposed, which may act as guidelines for policy analysis and implementation.
Linking paradigms and practice: Key issues in the appraisal, monitoring and evaluation of British NGO Projects
Authors: Howes Mick
Published: July 2007

The increasing scale of British NGO activities over the past decade, and the growing importance of funding from donor agencies, have meant that far more attention is now paid to questions of appraisal, monitoring and evaluation than was formerly the case; but there is considerable uncertainty as to how best these functions might be discharged. Starting from a review of the dominant paradigms which have shaped NGO practice, this paper seeks to establish which procedures are likely to be appropriate under different circumstances, and to identify key areas to methodology where further attention will be required during the 1990s.
Small production‐based projects and multi‐lateral agencies
Authors: Lochhead Alison
Published: July 2007

This article is a comment on the relationship between the larger agencies and those involved in small development projects, both project coordinators and project participants. Although this submission is based on a particular project, it is my experience that the issues involved are common to many such projects, and thus I have approached this appraisal by generalizing a number of points. The questions and issues involved are complex and legion, and there is no attempt in this to cover all, but to highlight a select few with emphasis on those issues which are common to numerous small development projects.
The impact of east‐west interaction on north‐south interaction
Authors: Murshed S. Mansoob
Published: July 2007

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of the North's (West's) interaction with the transitional economies of the former Eastern bloc. An analytical approach is adopted in the context of a three‐region macroeconomic model. The North is characterized as a fix‐price type economy where quantities clear markets. The South is a classical (Walrasian) flex‐price economy. The East is represented as a supply‐constrained macro economy, but one where recent reforms have made prices (more) flexible and market clearing. The model examines the effects of aid and debt relief by the North to the East (not the South) on all three regions. Aid is found to benefit both the North and the East but not necessarily the South. Debt relief to the East could benefit the North but is likely to disadvantage the South.
Comparative advantage and food grain imports in China
Authors: Feng Lu
Published: July 2007

One of the significant features of Chinese economic development in the 1980s was that grain imports increased sharply, while the whole economy experienced rapid growth and reform. This paper attempts to measure the domestic resources costs (DRC) of rice and wheat production in China (two of the most important grains in the Chinese grain sector) during the period 1981–87 and to examine the questions of whether, or to what extent, the level of comparative advantage in grain production can explain the performance of China's grain trade. Substantial comparative advantage in China's rice production and considerable comparative disadvantage in wheat production have been found by the measurement. These preliminary results suggest that the relative costs incurred by China's domestic grain sector were likely to have played some role in determining both the structure of its grain trade and its large scale of net wheat importation in the 1980s.
Structural adjustment, real exchange rates and project appraisal
Authors: Weiss J.
Published: July 2007

The conventional procedure in economic project appraisal is to assume constant relative prices. It is well known, however, that a central objective of structural adjustment programmes is to alter key relative prices, and in particular the real exchange rate. The paper explores some of the implications of this relative price shift for the estimation of shadow prices.
Review of development research in the UK: Report to the development studies association
Authors: Meier G. M.
Published: July 2007

This report evaluates research in development studies in the United Kingdom, primarily over the period 1980 to the present. It focuses on the content, quality, relevance and impact of both economic and non‐economic research studies. On the basis of these considerations, it offers numerous recommendations for improving future performance.
The start of the sub‐Saharan fertility transition: Some answers and many questions
Authors: Lesthaeghe R. , Jolly C.
Published: July 2007

Factors associated with socioeconomic development such as increased education and urbanization were initially associated in sub‐Saharan Africa with an increase in fertility. This was largely due to their eroding effects on durations of breastfeeding and postpartum abstinence, and in some regions also to lowered levels of infecundity. During the 1980's the second phase of the transition emerged in areas located in Eastern and Southern Africa. This phase is characterized by increasing proportions of users of modern contraception and by a decrease in desired family size. Such a decisive turn around did, however, not occur in situations with expanding economies, but rather during the crises of the last decade. The theory of the ‘crisis‐led fertility transition’ can help to explain this outcome, but it also has its limitations. If the crisis deepens and hits the health and education sectors, negative effects emerge as crucial props such as female schooling levels and family planning provisions may suffer severe set‐backs.
Structural adjustment and the environment
Authors: Glover David
Published: July 2007

The economic and social effects of structural adjustment attracted considerable attention in the 1980s. In the 1990s, attention has shifted to the environmental effects, in spite of formidable methodological problems. Recent studies show that good macroeconomic management is a necessary but not sufficient condition for environmental protection. The performance of SAPS could be improved in all three areas‐economic, social and environmental‐through greater attention to market failures, institutional factors and other non‐price measures.
Health sector reform and organizational issues at the local level: Lessons from selected African countries
Authors: Møgedal Sigrun , Steen Sissel Hodne , Mpelumbe George
Published: July 2007

Experiences with health sector reform in four countries in Eastern and Southern Africa (Botswana, Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia) are discussed. While the aims and options for reform are similar, the context and the approaches taken are different. The paper identifies district level organizational issues arising from decentralization, the introduction of user fees, and privatization, with particular reference to implications for planning and resource allocation and human resource management. Findings suggest that reform requires comprehensive rather than selective approaches, and that inadequate attention has been given to analysing the preconditions for, and implications of, reform efforts and to ensuring consistency. The need for differentiated approaches to reform, and for tailoring reform to the capacity in the system to own and manage reform, is stressed.
Adjustment lending and the restoration of sustainable growth
Authors: Corbo Vittorio , Webb Steven B.
Published: July 2007

The paper summarizes the results of a major study by the World Bank which evaluates the effects of its adjustment lending in the 1980s in relation to policies for increased growth. Reforms undertaken by Bank adjustment programmes usually contain a macro component designed to bring aggregate demand into balance with aggregate supply, and a micro component designed to increase aggregate supply itself. Countries are grouped into three categories: ‘early intensive adjustment lending’ (EIAL), ‘other adjustment lending’ (OAL) and ‘non‐adjustment lending’ (NAL), and the major findings are that EIAL countries, taken as a group, had better growth performance, markedly better export performance, and worse investment performance (public and private) than countries in the other two groups, even when the influence of external factors such as terms of trade and weather is netted out. The negative effect on investment is worrying in the light of its implications for long‐term growth, and is interpreted in terms of the lack of credibility attaching to a number of government reform programmes. Available data on social indicators — though incomplete — suggest that Bank adjustment lending has not increased absolute poverty, but the shares of central government expenditures for health and education declined on average in the EIAL countries for which data exist. to improve the record on aggregate growth, the report concludes that adjustment policies need to focus more on removing major distortions that reduce efficiency and on creating conditions favourable to renewed investment, particularly by the private sector.
Bangladesh agriculture: Growth, stability and poverty alleviation
Authors: Islam Nurul
Published: July 2007

The challenges facing Bangladesh are: (a) how to accelerate agricultural growth through labour‐intensive technological progress and enlarged access to inputs, credits and assets on the part of the poor farmers, and (b) to prevent acute short‐term food deprivations by achieving a reasonable degree of stability of food supplies and prices. In order to make a dent on rural poverty the expansion of non‐farm rural employment in trade, services and rural industries and innovative public employment projects, as well as public food distribution schemes, targeted towards the poorest, are needed.
Social support and managerial affective responses to job stress
Authors: Abdel‐Halim Ahmed A.
Published: July 2007

This research examines the moderating or buffering effects of two social support variables—support from the work group and from the supervisor—on the relationships of role conflict and ambiguity to intrinsic job satisfaction, job involvement and job anxiety. Data were collected from a sample of 89 middle‐lower managerial personnel in a large, heavy equipment manufacturing firm in the Midwest. The moderated regression technique was used in data analysis. Significant interactions were obtained between the role variables and both social support variables. The results were in the predicted direction for positive work outcomes (i.e. job satisfaction and involvement) and contrary to prediction for negative work outcome (i.e. job anxiety). Implications of the findings for future research, the management of stress and leadership behaviour are discussed.