bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genotyping of ancientMycobacterium tuberculosisstrains reveals historic genetic diversity
Authors: Müller Romy , Roberts Charlotte A. , Brown Terence A.
Published: February 2014

The evolutionary history of theMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex (MTBC) has previously been studied by analysis of sequence diversity in extant strains, but not addressed by direct examination of strain genotypes in archaeological remains. Here, we use ancient DNA sequencing to type 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms and two large sequence polymorphisms in the MTBC strains present in 10 archaeological samples from skeletons from Britain and Europe dating to the second–nineteenth centuries AD. The results enable us to assign the strains to groupings and lineages recognized in the extant MTBC. We show that at least during the eighteenth–nineteenth centuries AD, strains ofM. tuberculosisbelonging to different genetic groups were present in Britain at the same time, possibly even at a single location, and we present evidence for a mixed infection in at least one individual. Our study shows that ancient DNA typing applied to multiple samples can provide sufficiently detailed information to contribute to both archaeological and evolutionary knowledge of the history of tuberculosis.
Repeated mass strandings of Miocene marine mammals from Atacama Region of Chile point to sudden death at sea
Authors: Pyenson Nicholas D. , Gutstein Carolina S. , Parham James F. , Le Roux Jacobus P. , Chavarría Catalina Carreño , Little Holly , Metallo Adam , Rossi Vincent , Valenzuela-Toro Ana M. , Velez-Juarbe Jorge , Santelli Cara M. , Rogers David Rubilar , Cozzuol Mario A. , Suárez Mario E.
Published: February 2014

Marine mammal mass strandings have occurred for millions of years, but their origins defy singular explanations. Beyond human causes, mass strandings have been attributed to herding behaviour, large-scale oceanographic fronts and harmful algal blooms (HABs). Because algal toxins cause organ failure in marine mammals, HABs are the most common mass stranding agent with broad geographical and widespread taxonomic impact. Toxin-mediated mortalities in marine food webs have the potential to occur over geological timescales, but direct evidence for their antiquity has been lacking. Here, we describe an unusually dense accumulation of fossil marine vertebrates from Cerro Ballena, a Late Miocene locality in Atacama Region of Chile, preserving over 40 skeletons of rorqual whales, sperm whales, seals, aquatic sloths, walrus-whales and predatory bony fish. Marine mammal skeletons are distributed in four discrete horizons at the site, representing a recurring accumulation mechanism. Taphonomic analysis points to strong spatial focusing with a rapid death mechanism at sea, before being buried on a barrier-protected supratidal flat. In modern settings, HABs are the only known natural cause for such repeated, multispecies accumulations. This proposed agent suggests that upwelling zones elsewhere in the world should preserve fossil marine vertebrate accumulations in similar modes and densities.
Long-term variation in influenza A virus prevalence and subtype diversity in migratory mallards in northern Europe
Authors: Latorre-Margalef Neus , Tolf Conny , Grosbois Vladimir , Avril Alexis , Bengtsson Daniel , Wille Michelle , Osterhaus Albert D. M. E. , Fouchier Ron A. M. , Olsen Björn , Waldenström Jonas
Published: February 2014

Data on long-term circulation of pathogens in wildlife populations are seldom collected, and hence understanding of spatial–temporal variation in prevalence and genotypes is limited. Here, we analysed a long-term surveillance series on influenza A virus (IAV) in mallards collected at an important migratory stopover site from 2002 to 2010, and characterized seasonal dynamics in virus prevalence and subtype diversity. Prevalence dynamics were influenced by year, but retained a common pattern for all years whereby prevalence was low in spring and summer, but increased in early autumn with a first peak in August, and a second more pronounced peak during October–November. A total of 74 haemagglutinin (HA)/neuraminidase (NA) combinations were isolated, including all NA and most HA (H1–H12) subtypes. The most common subtype combinations were H4N6, H1N1, H2N3, H5N2, H6N2 and H11N9, and showed a clear linkage between specific HA and NA subtypes. Furthermore, there was a temporal structuring of subtypes within seasons based on HA phylogenetic relatedness. Dissimilar HA subtypes tended to have different temporal occurrence within seasons, where the subtypes that dominated in early autumn were rare in late autumn, and vice versa. This suggests that build-up of herd immunity affected IAV dynamics in this system.
SnRK1A-Interacting Negative Regulators Modulate the Nutrient Starvation Signaling Sensor SnRK1 in Source-Sink Communication in Cereal Seedlings under Abiotic Stress
Authors: Lin Chien-Ru , Lee Kuo-Wei , Chen Chih-Yu , Hong Ya-Fang , Chen Jyh-Long , Lu Chung-An , Chen Ku-Ting , Ho Tuan-Hua David , Yu Su-May
Published: February 2014

In plants, source-sink communication plays a pivotal role in crop productivity, yet the underlying regulatory mechanisms are largely unknown. The SnRK1A protein kinase and transcription factor MYBS1 regulate the sugar starvation signaling pathway during seedling growth in cereals. Here, we identified plant-specific SnRK1A-interacting negative regulators (SKINs). SKINs antagonize the function of SnRK1A, and the highly conserved GKSKSF domain is essential for SKINs to function as repressors. Overexpression of SKINs inhibits the expression of MYBS1 and hydrolases essential for mobilization of nutrient reserves in the endosperm, leading to inhibition of seedling growth. The expression of SKINs is highly inducible by drought and moderately by various stresses, which is likely related to the abscisic acid (ABA)–mediated repression of SnRK1A under stress. Overexpression of SKINs enhances ABA sensitivity for inhibition of seedling growth. ABA promotes the interaction between SnRK1A and SKINs and shifts the localization of SKINs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where it binds SnRK1A and prevents SnRK1A and MYBS1 from entering the nucleus. Our findings demonstrate that SnRK1A plays a key role regulating source-sink communication during seedling growth. Under abiotic stress, SKINs antagonize the function of SnRK1A, which is likely a key factor restricting seedling vigor.
Strategic orientation and organizational forms: an integrative framework
Authors: Chandra Balodi Krishna
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to bring together strategic orientation (SO) and organizational forms literatures by proposing refined SO typologies based on various combinations of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and market orientation (MO); and postulating typical organizational forms (configurations) for proposed SO types relative to each other in terms of parameters identified from organizational forms literature.

Design/methodology/approach

– This conceptual paper employs selective-intensive review of literature dealing with: both EO and MO to identify extant SO typologies, relevant strategic attributes, and relationships between EO, MO and strategic attributes; and organizational forms to identify parameters. Tabular frameworks are used to compare the proposed and extant SO types, posit strategic attributes for the proposed SO types, and compare ideal organizational profiles across SO types.

Findings

– EO and MO are related constructs that capture distinct aspects of business philosophy. Relationships of EO and MO with each strategic attributes are summarized. To explain differences across all attributes simultaneously, using combinations of EO and MO, five SO types – prospector, analyzer, proactive defender, reactive defender, and reactor – are proposed. Relative organizational profiles are specified for proposed SO types, using parameters strategy, structure, resources, and environment.

Originality/value

– This paper brings together sporadic attempts towards developing SO typology and explicitly integrates SO and organizational forms literatures. It offers ground work for developing testable propositions and tabular frameworks that may serve as heuristics into nature of firms' orientations and their performance implications.
Sustainability fellowships: the potential for collective stakeholder influence
Authors: Walker Kent , Laplume Andre
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– Given the current ecological state of the planet organizations now need to develop their sustainability to a significantly greater extent and at a faster pace. This paper aims to propose stakeholder collectives as a means for rapid and comprehensive sustainability, while also examining the moderating influence of firm size and change potential.

Design/methodology/approach

– A theoretical analysis leads to the development of multiple propositions. The work concentrates on one research question: how can the authors bring about rapid and comprehensive organizational sustainability?

Findings

– Arguments for the inability of individual stakeholders to drive the level of sustainability now required are presented. Propositions suggesting that sustainability can be obtained through stakeholder collectives, moderated by firm size and the change potential of the firm are developed.

Research limitations/implications

– Research using stakeholder theory has examined intra-stakeholder group collective action, but arguably the more important, inter-stakeholder group collective action, has received little attention. The authors elaborate the prospects for collective stakeholder influence strategies as useful for increasing sustainability.

Originality/value

– The main contribution is the nexus between stakeholder influence strategies and the collective goal of sustainability. By examining an underdeveloped component of stakeholder theory, the authors answer the question how stakeholders can drive the extensive and rapid organizational sustainability now required.
The effect of pre-entry information on relational outcomes in franchising
Authors: K. Weaven Scott , Grace Debra , Frazer Lorelle , Giddings Jeffrey
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine how pre-entry franchising information (i.e. franchisor-provided) influences the confirmation (or not) of franchisees' pre-entry expectations and their subsequent assessment of trust in their franchisor. Relationships with outcome variables, such as perceived conflict and relational satisfaction, are also examined. Finally, the authors compare their hypothesised model across male and female franchisees and different patterns of relationships result.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected via a mail survey administered to a sample of 3,000 franchisees in Australia, which resulted in the collection of 339 useable responses (11 per cent response rate). The conceptual model was tested via structural equation modelling using AMOS 17.0 and all paths were significant, as hypothesised. However, when the sample was split across gender, some clear differences emerged.

Findings

– The findings reveal that male and female franchisees use pre-entry informational sources in different ways in formulating their expectations and trust in their franchisors. Furthermore, in terms of relational outcomes, perceived conflict plays a very different role in regard to overall relational satisfaction when examined across gender.

Originality/value

– This paper addresses a significant gap in the literature by examining the dynamics of information dissemination in influencing franchisees' pre-entry expectations of, and trust in, their franchisors. In addition, gender differences in pre-entry information dissemination, expectations (dis)confirmation and relational outcomes, not yet explored, are also reported. The results prompt significant implications and suggestions for future research in this under-researched area of franchising inquiry.
Gratitude in relationship marketing
Authors: D. Raggio Randle , M. Walz Anna , Bose Godbole Mousumi , Anne Garretson Folse Judith
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– For centuries, gratitude has represented an integral component of social relationships, yet it remains relatively overlooked by marketing scholars in the study of commercial relationships. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how gratitude helps to build, maintain and transform commercial relationships and to suggest noteworthy areas of investigation for those researchers seeking to help companies understand the role of gratitude in relationship marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

– Gratitude's role in relational exchange is explored by a review of relevant literature and two qualitative studies. Questions developed from the literature and exploratory interviews are then investigated in a main study through in-depth interviews with buyers and sellers of goods and services in both B2B and B2C contexts, leading to a grounded theoretical foundation. Generalizations and directions for future research are presented.

Findings

– Gratitude is a fundamental component of buyer-seller relationships and is critical for advancing relationship marketing theory and practice. Gratitude's changing role as relationship stages advance is described.

Research limitations/implications

– The research is of an exploratory nature. Confirmation of the generalizations by other studies is suggested. This research is largely consistent with that from a markets-as-networks perspective and moves relationship marketing research toward a more extended view.

Practical implications

– Gratitude should be included along with other relational mediators in discussions and investigations of relationship success, and practiced by those that seek to build, develop and enhance their buyer-seller relationships.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a much needed exploration of a new and important topic in relationship marketing and a call for gratitude to be studied and implemented in a variety of relational exchange contexts. Specifically, it is the first to address the importance of gratitude to both buyers and sellers in B2B and B2C goods and services markets. It also is the first to document the changing role of gratitude through relationship stages.
Weapons of mass intrusion: the leveraging of ambush marketing strategies
Authors: Anthony Carrillat François , Colbert Francois , Feigné Matthieu
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The study presented in this article aims to examine the impact of the leveraging of three distinct ambush marketing strategies that are under-researched in the literature: Promotion, Event, and Broadcast.

Design/methodology/approach

– An experiment was conducted where the type of ambush strategy was manipulated (i.e. Promotion, Event, Broadcast, no ambush) as well as the market dominance of the sponsor (i.e. dominant or non-dominant) and the congruence level between the event and the sponsor (i.e. high or low congruence).

Findings

– Ambush strategies' impacts differ widely. The Broadcast strategy is the most harmful to the identification of the actual sponsor; the Event strategy favors the identification of the pseudo-sponsor as the sponsor, while the Promotion strategy is both harmful to the actual sponsor and beneficial for the pseudo-sponsor. Furthermore, although dominant brands benefit more from their sponsorships, they are more affected by an ambush than non-dominant brands.

Research limitations/implications

– Only one sponsor and one pseudo-sponsor were considered at a time. In addition, digital media were not investigated as vectors of ambush marketing. Further research where multiple sponsors and pseudo-sponsors are leveraging their associations to an event, using both off and on-line media, needs to be undertaken.

Practical implications

– Against the Promotion strategy sponsors need to create not only strong but also unique associations with the event. The Event strategy can be circumvented with preemptive smaller scale events. Exclusive access to the program broadcast for event sponsors can protect against pseudo-sponsors.

Originality/value

– This study is the first to provide empirical evidence regarding the impact of the Promotion, Event, and Broadcast strategies. Previous studies had focused almost exclusively on another strategy: the airing of commercials by pseudo-sponsors during event broadcast against which most sponsors are now effectively protected.
30 years of Chinese educational management: achievements, characteristics and problems
Authors: Sun Miantao
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review the achievements of Chinese educational management in the past 30 years, conclude the characteristics of Chinese educational management and indicate the problems of Chinese educational management and the countermeasures.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper reviews the research of educational management in China in the past 30 years from four aspects: research purpose, research methods, research contents and disciplinary system.

Findings

– The paper sums up the main achievements, the main characteristics and the main problems of Chinese educational management in the past 30 years. It suggests that the disciplinary relationship should be further clarified; the role of disciplinary research accomplishments has to be further developed and the specialization level in disciplinary research needs to be further improved.

Practical implications

– This paper indicates the direction for the construction of Chinese educational management in the future: to further clarify the relationship among related disciplines; to put the role of the research results into full play; to further improve the specialization level of disciplinary research.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to the construction of Chinese educational management both theoretically and practically.
On creating the school-running characteristic of university
Authors: Liu Xian-jun
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– It is a very prominent problem that Chinese universities lack school-running characteristics. In the past ten years, because of undergraduate teaching assessment requirements of the Ministry of Education, universities attach great importance to school-running characteristics. What is the reality and how to improve the effectiveness of creating the school-running characteristics of universities? It is a problem that needs to be solved. The purpose of this paper is to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using the survey method, literature study, case studies and other methods, this study reviewed ten years of school-running characteristics construction and explored some laws of creating school-running characteristics.

Findings

– This study found although universities in China are beginning to attach great importance to the school-running characteristics, but they are still staying in the summarization of characteristics. School-running characteristics are very rough. Creating school-running characteristics are mainly efforts responding to the superior government. Creating school-running characteristics should be based on category characteristic. Universities need to change in competition and create characteristics within its history and culture. Universities need to refine the core idea of education, develop a big picture and then renew them in the assessment cycle.

Originality/value

– The originality of this study was that it put forward some new laws including changing from summarizing to creating its own school-running characteristics, putting category characteristic as the prerequisite and considering the core idea of education as the focus of school-running characteristics. This research will enrich the theory building of higher education research and has some value in promoting the creation of school-running characteristics.
The role of clusters in global maritime value networks
Authors: Hammervoll Trond , Halse Lise Lillebrygfjeld , Engelseth Per
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The paper aims to explore the effects of geographic proximity among firms in value networks on service provision and service exchange.

Design/methodology/approach

– A case study of the offshore supply vessel shipbuilding and shipping cluster in the North-Western Møre region of Norway with focus on the new ship contracting process.

Findings

– The case study reveals how service provision and service exchange are facilitated by geographical proximity among firms.

Research limitations/implications

– Study findings should be validated in further research, and the effects of other forms of proximity (cultural, social, cognitive and institutional) on co-creation of value also need to be considered. Considering the role of operant resources in developing competence in clusters and wider value networks offers interesting opportunities for further research.

Originality/value

– This study proposes an alternative view of co-creation of value in value networks and responds to calls for research on how value network attributes affect aspects of co-creation of value: service provision and service exchange. The study contributes to more knowledge on the systemic nature of value creation in value networks.
Informal overtime at home instead of telework: increase in negative work-family interface
Authors: Ojala Satu , Nätti Jouko , Anttila Timo
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The authors aim to compare how formal flexibility, such as telework, differs from informal overtime work at home regarding the work-family interface.

Design/methodology/approach

– By using data from the Finnish Quality of Work Life Surveys from 2003 and 2008, the positive and negative measures concerning the work-family interface are examined through logistic regression analysis.

Findings

– Employees doing informal overtime at home are more likely to be affected by negative emotions concerning work disrupting family lives. Additionally, negotiations between couples over the allocation of time become areas of conflict. Only weak evidence is provided for both telework and informal work at home supporting family life.

Research limitations/implications

– In studying homeworking, it is important to separate between formal and informal flexibility at work. The data exceptionally enable that. The limitations of the data are cross-sectionality and only a few measures for assessing the positive work-family interface.

Originality/value

– The contribution of the study is to show how informal overtime at home is related with stronger negative implications for work-family interface, when separated from telework. The article discusses how well-intentioned working schedule flexibility results in family life being infringed upon. Informal work may help attain a better work-family interface, but, with dual-earner employment being predominant in Finland, informal overtime work can increase pressures on families. The authors encourage the policy- and organisation-level recognition of informal overtime risks.
From “ethics of the eye” to “ethics of the hand” by collaborative prototyping
Authors: Christiansen Ellen
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to answer the question: how can judgment about good and bad behavior of a device or service under development be included in the development process?

Design/methodology/approach

– By distinguishing between detached good/bad judgment, called “ethics of the eye”, and judgment about good and bad behavior embedded in doing and dialogue, called “ethics of the hand”, two examples of designer judgment are examined, one embedded and one detached. The outcome is explained by means of an application of Ricoeur's hermeneutics, where he shows how narration comprises pre-figuration, con-figuration and re-figuration. An examination of collaborative prototyping in Krzysztof Wodiczko's work on building a vehicle together with homeless people in Manhattan, New York, is contrasted with an example of the detached evaluation of use in Joseph Weizenbaum's account for use of his computer therapy program Eliza.

Findings

– The difference is identified as the difference between joint making and dialogue, resulting in re-configuration, and detached evaluation, which sticks with the pre-figuration. The paper concludes that for engineering and design at large “ethics of the hand”, the collaborative doing and dialogue, where the engineering and the designerly way of understanding come together over a prototype, brings out a shared frame, which makes ethics an integrated part of the development process.

Originality/value

– The paper discusses how judgment about good and bad behavior of a device or service under development can be included in the development process and shows that the answer is collaborative prototyping.
Environmental performance assessment for urban districts
Authors: Ciaramella Andrea , Puglisi Valentina , Truppi Tommaso
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The article aims to describe the approach adopted within the framework of a multi-destination development project, the goal of which is to promote innovative technologies and methods to evaluate the environmental quality of an urban district under construction.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach lies in the integration of methodologies usually applied on an urban scale (microclimate well-being and air quality, study of air quality), and/or to the individual building (acoustic comfort evaluation), never before adopted for assessment of plots or districts, especially in the dynamic evaluation of the variables identified, all objectively measurable. This method of analysis has been tested on an area of about 255,000 m2, located in the former historic district of the Fiera di Milano, where a series of typical urban functions (residential, commercial and trade) are inserted within a large public park.

Findings

– The success of the work is represented by indicators (air quality, acoustic performance and microclimate) that relate to the finished district and that can be compared with average values in the same city. The system may constitute a protocol capable of bringing benefits to local authorities.

Research limitations/implications

– The limit is the need of data that support the dynamic simulation (external factors as vehicular traffic, general neighbourhood activity, pollutant emissions) corresponding to the different seasons. These data are not always available by the municipalities.

Practical implications

– This type of assessment could be requested of developers/builders for complex projects, resulting in changes to the initial plan if the assessment identifies critical issues related to the design choices (orientation of buildings, quality and presence of green areas, traffic emissions inside the urban district, etc.), with the ultimate goal of creating neighbourhoods with better environmental conditions.

Originality/value

– The research produces solutions addressed to the Italian situation, but it identifies systems and methods used in other countries.
Support vector machine and K-nearest neighbour for unbalanced fault detection
Authors: Moosavian Ashkan , Ahmadi Hojat , Sakhaei Babak , Labbafi Reza
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop an appropriate approach for detecting unbalanced fault in rotating machines using KNN and SVM classifiers.

Design/methodology/approach

– To fulfil this goal, a fault diagnosis approach based on signal processing, feature extraction and fault classification, was used. Vibration signals were acquired from a designed experimental system with three conditions, namely, no load, balanced load and unbalanced load. FFT technique was applied to transform the vibration signals from time-domain into frequency-domain. In total, 29 feature parameters were extracted from FFT amplitude of the signals. SVM and KNN were employed to classify the three different conditions. The performances of the two classifiers were obtained under different values of their parameter.

Findings

– The experimental results show the potential application of SVM for machine fault diagnosis.

Practical implications

– The results demonstrate that the proposed approach can be used effectively for detecting unbalanced condition in rotating machines.

Originality/value

– In this paper, an intelligent approach for unbalanced fault detection was proposed based on supervised learning method. Also, a performance comparison was made between KNN and SVM in fault classification. In addition, this approach gave a high level of classification accuracy. The proposed intelligent approach can be used for other mechanical faults.
The impact of organisational structure on enterprise architecture deployment
Authors: Iyamu Tiko , Mphahlele Leshoto
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– In many organisations, the alignment between information technology (IT) and business is viewed as an important catalyst for the organisation's effectiveness and efficiency towards achieving a competitive advantage. Yet, a shared understanding between business and IT (the EA included) remains an issue in many organisations. The organisational structure affects the alignment between business and IT units. Conversely, a lack of alignment of both components (IT and business units) impedes organisations' capacity to increase and improve their productivity. Many studies have been conducted in the area of IT, EA and the organisational structure. There is, however, little evidence of work conducted in exploring the interface between organisational structure and EA prior to this study. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– A case-study research approach was employed to investigate the impact of organisational structure in the deployment of EA in organisations. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structure technique. The analysis was carried out, using structuration theory.

Findings

– The magnified data revealed some of unforeseen factors impeding the success of the EA deployment in the organisation.

Originality/value

– The work is original, and it has not been submitted or published anywhere else.
ERP in clouds or still below
Authors: Grubisic Igor
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the market readiness to adopt the Cloud as the future ERP platform, by using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) decision support methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

– Interviewing is conducted on the convenient sample, of enterprises from various industries. The interview is conducted through expert telephone interview and self-administered questionnaire. Results are then used as a basis for forming the weight factors necessary for the AHP decision model. Data are analyzed and synthesized using AHP and Expert Choice.

Findings

– Results demonstrate a huge interest for TCO reduction, but also a concern for data privacy and availability. Large enterprises want their data on local servers, while smaller companies tend to act as “first adopters”, mainly because of the cost benefits that Cloud offers. Finally, vendors see the hybrid solutions as the most suitable approach for the overall market, at least while current Cloud obstacles exist.

Research limitations/implications

– This research does not aim to answer the question what is the best solution for a particular industry. Instead, it assumes the general approach, which answers the question what would in general be the adequate solution for the SME and how much are SMEs ready to adopt the ERP in the Cloud. A further research is necessary to validate these results in practice. That research should be industry specific, i.e. narrowed to one industry only. Then, it would be possible to answer the question what is the best solution for high-tech SMEs.

Practical implications

– This paper summarizes Cloud pros and cons useful for decision makers to establish a starting point for IT reorganization. Additionally, AHP results provide some indications of the market's perception regarding Cloud and ERP, while vendors' statements about ERP-Cloud solutions provide an interesting glimpse of the ERP market in the next few years.

Originality/value

– Market demands constant flexibility and cost effectiveness, forcing companies to adapt faster than ever. Therefore, there is a significant risk for first adopters and their business if they adopt an inadequate solution. This paper offers a high-level overview of the SME's market understanding and willingness to adopt ERP in the Cloud idea, and it demonstrates how the AHP decision support methodology can be used to assess the readiness of enterprises to adopt the Cloud-ERP solution.
Coexistence of agile and SCM practices
Authors: K. Durrani Usman , Pita Zijad , Richardson Joan
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of Phase 1 of the research and to identify Australian agile software development organizations having such coexistence of agile and software configuration management (SCM) practices. This study employed “organization size” variable to study the phenomenon and used theory of Lean Thinking as a lens to analyse implementation variations of agile and SCM practices.

Design/methodology/approach

– For this study, the research design was comprised of three phases. In Phase 1, a quantitative study using an online survey was performed to answer RQ using various statistical techniques. In Phase 2, an initial conceptual model based on a literature review was developed, and then a qualitative study was performed using one longitudinal case study. In Phase 3, another online survey was performed using various parametric statistical techniques to validate and generalize the findings of Phase 1 and 2 and the proposed SLAM traceability model. The scope of this paper is to discuss only Phase 1 and its associated findings.

Findings

– The results of the analysis indicated that organizations, regardless of their size, frequently use agile practices for their software development operations. On the other hand, larger organizations use SCM practices comparatively more than medium and small organizations. However, traces of customized SCM process were found in most of the respondent (large, medium, and small) organizations, which indicates the coexistence of agile and SCM practices.

Research limitations/implications

– As there is no known listing or database available for such specialized criteria, a non-probabilistic sampling method was used, in the sense that the selection of members of the sample was arbitrary and subjective instead of a non-random selection from the pool of all agile practitioners in the field.

Originality/value

– By using the quantitative method approach, this study aims to generate empirical evidence to contribute to the body of knowledge in the relevant areas. On the practical side, this research can also provide support to IT businesses in general, and software development organizations in particular, with the streamlining of the internal operational environment for the facilitation of an adaptable process and the resulting coexistence of value-added agile and SCM practices.
Research on waste reduction technologies in Europe
Authors: Martinuzzi André , Montevecchi Francesca
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to offer a profound overview of recent research trends and structures in European waste-related research based on the 7th Framework Programme (FP7), the most important RTD programme in Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

– In order to analyse Europe-wide research efforts on waste technologies, the authors conducted a qualitative and quantitative analysis of 50 FP7-funded research projects to assess which approaches they take, which technologies they develop and which types of organisations play a leading role.

Findings

– FP7 waste-related projects care for a multiplicity of environmental technologies concerning waste. The most prominent research fields comprise: first, the recovery of by-products and waste into biomass and other valuable products; second, the development of technologies to rework manufacturing discarded products and, therefore, reduce the total use of raw materials; third, the improvement of manufacturing technologies in order to cut down on industrial waste; and finally, the support of the development of recycling management processes. In total, 52 per cent of all the participants are from the industry sector, which therefore plays an essential role.

Practical implications

– The analysis show that FP7 supports the shift to a cradle-to-cradle society and is partly in line with the aims of the new Flagship Initiative “A resource-efficient Europe”.

Originality/value

– This analysis gives the possibility to benchmark the trend of waste-related research carried out at European level against priorities set within European directives.
Critical insights from the corporate environmentalism – competitiveness investigations
Authors: Kudłak Robert
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to critically discuss the existing empirical findings of the corporate environmentalism-competitiveness investigations as well as their methodological and cognitive shortcomings.

Design/methodology/approach

– An examination of the literature was conducted to identify the most seminal and novel studies exploring the relationship between corporate environmentalism and competitiveness. A range of works were selected and their conceptual frameworks, variables and statistical design were obtained and analysed.

Findings

– Although existing studies tend to suggest that corporate environmentalism have a positive (or at least neutral) impact on competitiveness, more detailed and critical examination of these studies shows important methodological, cognitive and logical shortcomings, which challenge these findings.

Research limitations/implications

– It is not an exhaustive review of all the existing studies, but rather a selection of the most seminal studies which represent different approaches and methodologies applied as well as a variety of empirical findings.

Practical implications

– The study challenges the existing empirical findings arguing that corporate environmentalism positively affects a company's competitiveness. The present paper claims that the ultimate conclusion on the relationship can be determined after at least some of the most significant shortcomings are solved.

Originality/value

– The study is based on a broad investigation of existing studies, out of which the most seminal and original papers were selected. In addition, the paper offers suggestions for the future empirical investigations.
“Guilty with explanation”: rethinking the destiny of landfills in a Millennium City in Ghana
Authors: Oteng-Ababio Martin
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to interrogate the fate of landfills as waste disposal option in Accra. This becomes imperative since for a long time, efficient disposal of waste remains a neglected issue and potential source environmental hazard.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study adopted content analysis of literature, in-depth interview schedules with key stakeholders and direct field observations.

Findings

– Landfills in Accra are in a state of ambivalence due to mismanagement. Improper designing and siting of dumpsites, often in close proximity to water sources and human settlements have created aesthetic and odour nuisances and increase health risks, attracting the wrath, disaffection and distrust of residents.

Research limitations/implications

– The study provides an insight into broader issues of landfills and demonstrates Accra's vulnerability to health hazard due to improper waste disposal, which becomes apparent with the least downpour and the subsequent flooding which exposes most drains as de facto receptacles for waste.

Practical implications

– From all indications, Accra appears to be on the brink of a landfill void. Though this issue has been an open secret since 2000, it remains unattended to till date and calls for an immediate, well-planned and concerted attention.

Originality/value

– This paper adopts qualitative research techniques to delve into a subject matter whose implication has citywide consequences. The method allows for in-depth assessment of the intent and commitment of all key stakeholders, which brings to the fore that landfills will no longer be the cheapest or simplest waste disposal option.
The information content of the thinner order book following tick size reduction
Authors: Chien Cheng-Yi , Liao Tzu-Hsiang , Lee Hsiu-Chuan
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the impact of a reduction in tick size on the information content of the order book by using data from the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE).

Design/methodology/approach

– To estimate the information content of the order book, the modified information share proposed by Hasbrouck and extended by Lien and Shrestha is used in this paper.

Findings

– The empirical results show that the limit order book is informative. Furthermore, the results indicate that a reduction in tick size will decrease the information content of the order book and the decrease in the information content of the order book is positively related to the thinner order book.

Originality/value

– This paper suggests that, in order to enhance the information content of the order book, the TWSE should disclose the full limit order book.
High-dose vitamin C supplements diminish the benefits of exercise in athletic training and disease prevention
Authors: Benjamin Adams Robert , Nkechiyere Egbo Karen , Demmig-Adams Barbara
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this review is to summarize new research indicating that high-dose supplements of the antioxidant vitamin C can interfere with the benefits of physical exercise for athletic performance and the risk for chronic disease.

Design/methodology/approach

– This article reviews current original literature on the regulation of human metabolism by oxidants and antioxidants and evaluates the role of exercise and high-dose vitamin C in this context. The presentation in this article aims to be informative and accessible to both experts and non-experts.

Findings

– The evidence reviewed here indicates that single, high-dose supplements of the antioxidant vitamin C abolish the beneficial effects of athletic training on muscle recovery and strength as well as abolishing the benefits of exercise in lowering the risk for chronic disease. In contrast, an antioxidant-rich diet based on regular foods apparently enhances the benefits of exercise. These findings are consistent with an updated understanding of the critical importance of both oxidants and antioxidants in the regulation of human metabolism. While more research is needed to address the role of timing and level of antioxidant consumption, it is clear that a balance between oxidants and antioxidants is essential.

Practical implications

– The information presented in this review is important for both athletes and the public at large in their efforts to choose nutrition and exercise regimes appropriate to maximize the outcome of their training efforts and lower their risk for chronic disease.

Originality/value

– This article provides accessible and comprehensive information to researchers, nutritionists, and consumers interested in optimal nutrition during athletic training and for obtaining the full benefit of physical exercise in lowering the risk for chronic disease.
The role and effects of carnosine and β-alanine on exercise: an updated mini review
Authors: Lily E. , Papandreou D.
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The paper aims to describe the role and effects of carnosine and β-alanine on exercise.

Design/methodology/approach

– The review includes the most updated studies found in Pub-Med all of which are in relation to carnosine and β-alanine on exercise performance.

Findings

– The use of β-alanine in recent research has shown to increase muscle carnosine concentrations in as short as two weeks, with increasing levels with longer supplementation periods. Although there is strong support that β-alanine supplementation during training possesses ergogenic value, the specific mechanism of action and ergogenic value remains to be fully examined.

Originality/value

– The paper gives information to nutritionists, clinical dietitians and sports nutritionists on the newest data about the role and effects of carnosine and β-alanine on exercise performance.
Community assembly effects shape the biodiversity‐ecosystem functioning relationships
Authors: Jaillard Benoît , Rapaport Alain , Harmand Jérôme , Brauman Alain , Nunan Naoise
Published: February 2014

A major question in ecology is to know how ecosystem function is affected by the number of species. After two decades of research, the nature, shape, and causes of the relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning remain unresolved. Huston () suggested that a statistical ‘sampling effect’ for a few dominant species produced the patterns observed in experiments, while Tilmanet al. () argued that the observed responses were due to the number of species rather than the properties of a few.

Here, we present a general, theoretical and parsimonious model using combinatorial probabilities to describe the assembly effect as a probabilistic process. Our basic assumption is that community function is determined by random drawing from a fixed species pool composed of three classes of species. The species classes differ in their effect on community function and are ordered in a simple dominance hierarchy (subordinate, dominant and super‐dominant species). Community function is determined by prevalent dominance rules: the dominance by the majority of species mimics the effect of dominant species,i.e. the function is determined by the dominant or super‐dominant species class the most numerous within the community; the dominance by the presence of species mimics the effect of keystone species,i.e. the function is determined by the species that is ranked highest in the dominance hierarchy.

The model produces significant fits to four experimental data sets obtained for plant and microbial communities, including monotonic and hump‐shaped curves. The results indicate that the model gave good fits under both the dominance rules in any data set, suggesting that the random sampling effect provides a parsimonious explanation for the various relationships observed in diversity‐ecosystem functioning experiments.

The model describes a random assembly process that produces variation in ecosystem functioning in response to number of species selected from a regional species pool composed of several classes of species differing in their ecosystem effects and relative dominance. This simple model reproduces all shapes of diversity‐ecosystem functioning relationships reported in the experimental literature. The results suggest that the multi‐faceted response of ecosystems to biodiversity may be nothing more than manifestations of random assembly effects and variation in species properties.