bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ABySS: A parallel assembler for short read sequence data
Authors: Simpson Jared T. , Wong Kim , Jackman Shaun D. , Schein Jacqueline E. , Jones Steven J.M. , Birol İnanç
Published: February 2009

Widespread adoption of massively parallel deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing instruments has prompted the recent development of de novo short read assembly algorithms. A common shortcoming of the available tools is their inability to efficiently assemble vast amounts of data generated from large-scale sequencing projects, such as the sequencing of individual human genomes to catalog natural genetic variation. To address this limitation, we developed ABySS (Assembly ByShort Sequences), a parallelized sequence assembler. As a demonstration of the capability of our software, we assembled 3.5 billion paired-end reads from the genome of an African male publicly released by Illumina, Inc. Approximately 2.76 million contigs ≥100 base pairs (bp) in length were created with an N50 size of 1499 bp, representing 68% of the reference human genome. Analysis of these contigs identified polymorphic and novel sequences not present in the human reference assembly, which were validated by alignment to alternate human assemblies and to other primate genomes.
Identification and Analyses of Candidate Genes for Rpp4-Mediated Resistance to Asian Soybean Rust in Soybean
Authors: Meyer Jenelle D.F. , Silva Danielle C.G. , Yang Chunling , Pedley Kerry F. , Zhang Chunquan , van de Mortel Martijn , Hill John H. , Shoemaker Randy C. , Abdelnoor Ricardo V. , Whitham Steven A. , Graham Michelle A.
Published: February 2009

Asian soybean rust is a formidable threat to soybean (Glycine max) production in many areas of the world, including the United States. Only five sources of resistance have been identified (Resistance to Phakopsora pachyrhizi1 [Rpp1], Rpp2, Rpp3, Rpp4, and Rpp5). Rpp4 was previously identified in the resistant genotype PI459025B and mapped within 2 centimorgans of Satt288 on soybean chromosome 18 (linkage group G). Using simple sequence repeat markers, we developed a bacterial artificial chromosome contig for the Rpp4 locus in the susceptible cv Williams82 (Wm82). Sequencing within this region identified three Rpp4 candidate disease resistance genes (Rpp4C1–Rpp4C3 [Wm82]) with greatest similarity to the lettuce (Lactuca sativa) RGC2 family of coiled coil-nucleotide binding site-leucine rich repeat disease resistance genes. Constructs containing regions of the Wm82 Rpp4 candidate genes were used for virus-induced gene silencing experiments to silence resistance in PI459025B, confirming that orthologous genes confer resistance. Using primers developed from conserved sequences in the Wm82 Rpp4 candidate genes, we identified five Rpp4 candidate genes (Rpp4C1–Rpp4C5 [PI459025B]) from the resistant genotype. Additional markers developed from the Wm82 Rpp4 bacterial artificial chromosome contig further defined the region containing Rpp4 and eliminated Rpp4C1 (PI459025B) and Rpp4C3 (PI459025B) as candidate genes. Sequencing of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction products revealed that Rpp4C4 (PI459025B) was highly expressed in the resistant genotype, while expression of the other candidate genes was nearly undetectable. These data support Rpp4C4 (PI459025B) as the single candidate gene for Rpp4-mediated resistance to Asian soybean rust.
The ER Chaperone LHS1 Is Involved in Asexual Development and Rice Infection by the Blast FungusMagnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Yi Mihwa , Chi Myoung-Hwan , Khang Chang Hyun , Park Sook-Young , Kang Seogchan , Valent Barbara , Lee Yong-Hwan
Published: February 2009

In planta secretion of fungal pathogen proteins, including effectors destined for the plant cell cytoplasm, is critical for disease progression. However, little is known about the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) secretion mechanisms used by these pathogens. To determine if normal ER function is crucial for fungal pathogenicity, Magnaporthe oryzae genes encoding proteins homologous to yeast Lhs1p and Kar2p, members of the heat shock protein 70 family in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, were cloned and characterized. Like their yeast counterparts, both LHS1 and KAR2 proteins localized in the ER and functioned in an unfolded protein response (UPR) similar to the yeast UPR. Mutants produced by disruption of LHS1 were viable but showed a defect in the translocation of proteins across the ER membrane and reduced activities of extracellular enzymes. The Δlhs1 mutant was severely impaired not only in conidiation, but also in both penetration and biotrophic invasion in susceptible rice (Oryza sativa) plants. This mutant also had defects in the induction of the Pi-ta resistance gene–mediated hypersensitive response and in the accumulation of fluorescently-labeled secreted effector proteins in biotrophic interfacial complexes. Our results suggest that proper processing of secreted proteins, including effectors, by chaperones in the ER is requisite for successful disease development and for determining host-pathogen compatibility via the gene-for-gene interaction.
The RPN5 Subunit of the 26s Proteasome Is Essential for Gametogenesis, Sporophyte Development, and Complex Assembly inArabidopsis
Authors: Book Adam J. , Smalle Jan , Lee Kwang-Hee , Yang Peizhen , Walker Joseph M. , Casper Sarah , Holmes James H. , Russo Laura A. , Buzzinotti Zachri W. , Jenik Pablo D. , Vierstra Richard D.
Published: February 2009

The 26S proteasome is an essential multicatalytic protease complex that degrades a wide range of intracellular proteins, especially those modified with ubiquitin. Arabidopsis thaliana and other plants use pairs of genes to encode most of the core subunits, with both of the isoforms often incorporated into the mature complex. Here, we show that the gene pair encoding the regulatory particle non-ATPase subunit (RPN5) has a unique role in proteasome function and Arabidopsis development. Homozygous rpn5a rpn5b mutants could not be generated due to a defect in male gametogenesis. While single rpn5b mutants appear wild-type, single rpn5a mutants display a host of morphogenic defects, including abnormal embryogenesis, partially deetiolated development in the dark, a severely dwarfed phenotype when grown in the light, and infertility. Proteasome complexes missing RPN5a are less stable in vitro, suggesting that some of the rpn5a defects are caused by altered complex integrity. The rpn5a phenotype could be rescued by expression of either RPN5a or RPN5b, indicating functional redundancy. However, abnormal phenotypes generated by overexpression implied that paralog-specific functions also exist. Collectively, the data point to a specific role for RPN5 in the plant 26S proteasome and suggest that its two paralogous genes in Arabidopsis have both redundant and unique roles in development.
A DYW Domain–Containing Pentatricopeptide Repeat Protein Is Required for RNA Editing at Multiple Sites in Mitochondria of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Zehrmann Anja , Verbitskiy Daniil , van der Merwe Johannes A. , Brennicke Axel , Takenaka Mizuki
Published: February 2009

RNA editing in flowering plant mitochondria alters 400 to 500 nucleotides from C to U, changing the information content of most mRNAs and some tRNAs. So far, none of the specific or general factors responsible for RNA editing in plant mitochondria have been identified. Here, we characterize a nuclear-encoded gene that is involved in RNA editing of three specific sites in different mitochondrial mRNAs in Arabidopsis thaliana, editing sites rps4-956, nad7-963, and nad2-1160. The encoded protein MITOCHONDRIAL RNA EDITING FACTOR1 (MEF1) belongs to the DYW subfamily of pentatricopeptide repeat proteins. Amino acid identities altered in MEF1 from ecotype C24, in comparison to Columbia, lower the activity at these editing sites; single amino acid changes in mutant plants inactivate RNA editing. These variations most likely modify the affinity of the editing factor to the affected editing sites in C24 and in the mutant plants. Since lowered and even absent RNA editing is tolerated at these sites, the amino acid changes may be silent for the respective protein functions. Possibly more than these three identified editing sites are addressed by this first factor identified for RNA editing in plant mitochondria.
Censorship or recklessness? Obligations and legality regarding controversial materials in libraries
Authors: McMenemy David
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the nature of the debate in terms of a recent consultation in England on guidance for public libraries in selection of controversial materials. Also discussed is the issue of censorship in terms of how it relates to the practice of librarianship.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a reflective and critical overview.

Findings

The laws that limit thought are potentially dangerous and to criminalise ideas is a notion that is anti‐democratic. Librarians must always be wary of censorship from the state and any self‐censorship they feel obliged to undertake through fear of unclear laws.

Practical implications

The paper discusses a pertinent topic in current library practice and should be of interest to practitioners who are debating the issues on the front line.

Originality/value

The paper concentrates on a current issue of practice in the UK, and also wider issues facing professional librarians throughout the world.
Cataloguing training at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine
Authors: Bowen‐Chang Portia , Hosein Yacoob
Published: February 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effectiveness of a series of in‐house training offered to cataloguers and para‐professional cataloguing staff at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.

Design/methodology/approach

The instrument used for the survey was a questionnaire which sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the training over a two‐year period. Through the application of a five‐point Likert scale respondents were required to indicate their levels of satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the training sessions.

Findings

The paper reveals the relevance and effectiveness of a structured approach to cataloguing training and highlights the need for cataloguing staff to keep abreast of current trends through continuing education. It also demonstrates a dire need for greater collaboration between library schools and libraries in the development of proficiencies for entry level cataloguers.

Research limitations/implications

The collective evaluation of professionals and para‐professionals with varying levels of cataloguing knowledge and competencies impacted on the reliability of the data.

Originality/value

The paper serves as a model for future cataloguing training at the St Augustine Campus Libraries and can be adapted by other libraries for meeting their training needs in cataloguing.
Search images, information seeking and information literacy
Authors: Shenton Andrew K.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the applicability to information behaviour contexts of the notion of a “search image”, a mental entity highlighted in a significant anthropological study appearing in the 1990s.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper considers search images of information‐seekers by exploring hypothetical situations and using source material pertaining to areas such as information systems, information retrieval, information‐seeking and the nature of libraries.

Findings

Two types of search image are postulated – those taking the form of a visual memory of a particular source and those providing a detailed specification of material required in a certain situation.

Research limitations/implications

The definition of a search image presented here has not been evolved through research featuring specially‐undertaken fieldwork. New studies, incorporating individual interviews or think aloud protocols, should be conducted in order to address a series of emergent questions relating to search images.

Practical implications

When more has been learned about the characteristics of search images of successful information‐seekers, it may be possible to build into programmes of information literacy prompts that will help individuals to clarify in their minds what they require before embarking on an information search.

Originality/value

Intended for information practitioners and academics alike, the paper forms the first attempt to apply a particular concept originating outside the discipline, i.e. that of a search image, to information‐seeking situations. Attention to search images has the potential to increase one's understanding of how individuals find information, as well as to add a further dimension to information literacy instruction.
Determinants of intellectual capital disclosure: evidence from Australia
Authors: Brüggen Alexander , Vergauwen Philip , Dao Mai
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine determinants of the decision to disclose intellectual capital in annual reports.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper derives theoretical predictions from the previous literature and bases the study on archival data with a sample of 125 publicly listed Australian firms. The authors perform a content analysis of annual reports and complement the data with quantitative data from the sample firms.

Findings

The paper finds that industry type plays a key role as a determinant for the disclosure of intellectual property in annual reports. In addition, firm size is another determinant for intellectual disclosure of firms. In contrast with earlier studies and theoretical predictions of voluntary disclosure, however, the paper does not find any relationship between the level of information asymmetry and intellectual capital disclosure.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation refers to the content analysis. Analyzing the annual reports based on the specified list of IC‐related terms may not provide the whole picture as well as the IC disclosure practices. Despite these limitations, the study helps to understand better in general what kind of firms actually disclose information on intellectual capital.

Originality/value

In contrast with earlier studies the study uses significantly more observations, which makes the results more reliable and generalizable. Of further significance is the finding that information asymmetry – one of the main problems between investors and firms – is not driving the decision of firms to disclose information on intellectual capital.
Decision making on governance of strategic technology alliances
Authors: Pateli Adamantia G.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the mechanism through which decisions on the preferred governance mode of strategic technology alliances are made at the firm level.

Design/methodology/approach

The author constructed a value‐mediated governance model that is empirically tested through a survey of 57 strategic alliances in the Greek wireless services industry and estimated through a Structural Equation Modeling technique, namely Partial Least Squares.

Findings

Quasi‐hierarchy governance modes are preferred by firms assessing their current value as high, and lacking fear of partners' opportunistic behavior. Quasi‐market alliances are preferred by firms having high expectations for the future value of the alliance, and facing high endogenous uncertainty resulting from the existence of a competitive relationship with the partner.

Research limitations/implications

While the resource and cost perspectives are founded on diverse assumptions on firms' ability to write complete contracts, their implications for the firms' decision‐making behaviour on the alliance governance issue seem to be complementary to those of the value perspective.

Practical implications

Transitional governance forms, quasi‐market alliances that evolve to quasi‐hierarchy alliances, seem to be preferred in emerging technology‐based environments.

Originality/value

The Expected Alliance Value concept is introduced to explain how exogenous uncertainty characterizing the environment of emerging technology‐based industries can influence the already investigated effects of the partner uncertainty and the firm's current value on the alliance governance preferences.
Effect of ownership on efficiency in Spanish companies
Authors: Bachiller Patricia
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of privatization on the efficiency of five of the biggest Spanish state‐owned companies: Repsol, Iberia, Endesa, Telefónica and REE, which enjoy monopoly status in sectors like energy, telecommunications and air transport.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Tobit analysis to analyze efficiency changes and to determine the effect of the ownership and board structure on technical efficiency.

Findings

The results show that the improvements in efficiency are not related to the privatization. Thus the empirical research suggests that a change of ownership per se is not sufficient to bring about the effects forecast by privatization advocators.

Research limitations/implications

More research regarding other issues such as organizational changes, strategic alliances and market regulation is needed, as they are factors that explain efficiency variations.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature on privatization because it adds new empirical evidence about Spain, questioning whether the privatization programs have helped to improve the efficiency of the companies.
Relationships between business factors and performance in internationalization
Authors: Zeng Saixing , Xie X.M. , Tam C.M. , Wan T.W.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

While internationalization of firms can be a source of growth in profitability, it can also result in huge losses due to the risky internationalized environment. Success in the home countries does not guarantee success internationally. The objective of this study is to identify the main business factors affecting performance of firms in the process of internationalization.

Design/methodology/approach

Ten business factors have been selected to investigate their relationship with the business performance in the internationalization process of Chinese manufacturing firms. The ten business factors are transformed into four dimensions (principal factors) using the method of factor analysis. Using the categorical regression method, relationships between return on assets (ROA) and the four dimensions extracted are examined.

Findings

The findings reveal that marketing capability of firms plays the most important role in improving performance of firms that embrace internationalization.

Research limitations/implications

The study is confined to data collected from the Yangtze River Delta region via the method of survey, and it is generally agreed that China is a large market composed of distinctively different regional sectors, and there are significant differences in the level of development among the regions.

Practical implications

Performance of firms that embrace internationalization is affected by different business factors. If these factors could be identified, it would be possible to engineer the performance of firms.

Originality/value

From a political perspective, the research provides a better understanding on how to improve the internationalization performance for firms, which do not have such experience in the emerging economies.
Implementing change in public sector organizations
Authors: Barton Cunningham J. , Kempling James S.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the importance of various change principles in assisting change in three public sector organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers carried out interviews and used focus groups in assessing the principles and strategies which would be more useful.

Findings

The interview and focus group results in three public sector organizations suggest that forming a guiding coalition might be one of the most important principles to observe.

Research limitations/implications

The research data used for illustration are based on case evidence and the anecdotal interpretation of change in three settings. The paper does not claim to offer a scientific conclusion.

Practical implications

The goal is to encourage a discussion on whether or not certain principles or strategies should be more important.

Originality/value

The paper reviews the literature on change and reviews these principles in real experiences. Much of the other literature is conceptual.
Maggie Kuhn: social theorist of radical gerontology
Authors: Estes Carroll , Portacolone Elena
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to explore Maggie Kuhn's theoretical and analytical contributions to social gerontology and more broadly to the advancement of critical and public sociology.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is an theoretical exploration of ageing. Maggie Kuhn's and the Gray Panthers theoretical contributions include analyses of, and related to: identity politics, intersectionality, cultural and media studies and the cognitive sciences, the forces and factors in the developing political economy of ageing including critiques of the ageing enterprise and the medical industrial complex, the sociology of knowledge of gerontology and globalization and world imperialism. The concluding section argues that the post‐retirement career of Maggie Kuhn was one of a Public Sociologist.

Findings

Maggie Kuhn fulfils the promise of the Project of Public Sociology, which “is to make visible the invisible, to make the private public, to validate these organic connections as part of our sociological life”. Maggie Kuhn's example moved forward the work of multiple generations of scholars. She lived and produced critical social analyses in pursuit of emancipatory knowledges. Her work is one of the earliest forms, if not the first, of critical pedagogy in gerontology; she promoted and advanced discourses of resistance. Maggie Kuhn was an engaged and outraged, practicing organic intellectual – the epitome of what bell hooks means by “teaching to transgress” and “education as the practice of freedom”. In the 24 years after her involuntary retirement, this was Maggie Kuhn's full‐time transformational agenda.

Originality/value

The paper looks at how the biography of Maggie Kuhn helped to engender the rise of radical social gerontology.
Aging agents: social gerontologists' imputations to old people
Authors: King Neal , Calasanti Toni
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the argument that scholars' imputations of agency serve modern professional/institutional purposes other than the refinement of testable theories.

Design/methodology/approach

Data include articles from twenty‐first century issues of four gerontological journals. Content analysis involved coding articles for imputations of agency, constructivist analysis thereof, and the parties to whom authors directed their imputations.

Findings

Most authors rehearse theories of “structuration” and call for more imputations of agency to old people. They do this without imputing agency to privileged groups or to policy makers; and without settling theoretical question of how much agency people have or how scientists could demonstrate that. One article in ten provides constructivist critique.

Research limitations/implications

Patterns in imputations of agency in other scholarly realms (such as books) may support another interpretation.

Practical implications

Scholars should treat their imputations of agency as political activities and not refinements of testable theories. They position professional scholars as advocates for an oppressed group.

Originality/value

This paper provides a sociological context for interpreting routine imputations of agency in social scientific and humanist scholarship.
Fast multipole boundary element method for electrostatic field computations
Authors: Of G. , Kaltenbacher M. , Steinbach O.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

A wide range of micro‐electro‐mechanical‐systems are based on the electrostatic principle, and for their design the computation of the electric capacities is of great importance. The purpose of this paper is to efficiently compute the capacities as a function of all possible positions of the two electrode structures within the transducer by an enhanced boundary element method (BEM).

Design/methodology/approach

A Galerkin BEM is developed and the arising algebraic system of equations is efficiently solved by a CG‐method with a multilevel preconditioner and an appropriate fast multipole algorithm for the matrix‐vector operations within the CG‐iterations.

Findings

It can be demonstrated that the piecewise linear and discontinuous trial functions give an approximation, which is almost as good as the one of the piecewise constant trial functions on the refined mesh, at lower computational costs and at about the same memory requirements.

Originality/value

The paper can proof mathematically and demonstrate in practice, that a higher order of convergence is achieved by using piecewise linear, globally discontinuous basis functions instead of piecewise constant basis functions. In addition, an appropriate preconditioner (artificial multilevel boundary element preconditioner, which is based on the Bramble Pasciak Xu like preconditioner) has been developed for the fast iterative solution of the algebraic system of equations.
Positive 2D fractional linear systems
Authors: Kaczorek Tadeusz
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new class of positive two‐dimensional (2D) fractional linear systems.

Design/methodology/approach

A notion (concept) of order 2D difference is proposed and the solution to the state equations is given.

Findings

The classical Cayley‐Hamilton theorem is extended to the positive 2D fractional linear systems. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the positivity of 2D fractional linear systems, reachability and controllability to zero are established.

Originality/value

A method for analysis of positive 2D fractional linear systems is proposed.
Numerical determination of Jiles‐Atherton model parameters
Authors: Wang Xiaohui , Thomas David W.P. , Sumner Mark , Paul John , Cabral Sérgio H.L.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a robust method to estimate the parameters of Jiles‐Atherton model of ferromagnetic hysteresis by fitting the model to symmetrical hysteresis loops. The performance of the method is evaluated by both theoretical and experimental data.

Design/methodology/approach

Jiles‐Atherton model with five parameters describes the hysteretic behaviour of ferromagnetic materials. To calculate the model parameters, the most common data displaying the hysteresis features are the hysteresis loops stimulated by symmetrical steady state excitations, e.g. sinusoidal sources. Using the characteristic equations at specific points on these hysteresis loops, the Jiles‐Atherton model parameters can be determined by curve fitting and numerical optimized iteration.

Findings

Practicality and robustness were not well considered by the conventional parameter estimation method: the initial curve starting from demagnetization is not always available and a direct iterative algorithm to solve the characteristic equations is sensitive to the initial values of the iteration and the evaluation order of the equations because of two main reasons. The first one is that the basic equation group has non‐unique solutions, which is caused by the nonlinearity of the characteristic equations and the fact that there are more unknown quantities (i.e. five model parameters) than the equations available; the second reason is the multimodal feature of the problem, which means that there are many local minima for the iteration algorithm to be trapped in. So curve fitting around the loop tips is proposed before numerical iteration. The goal is to make the initial values, particularly saturation magnetization Ms, not far away from the desired solution to increase the possibility of converging to a physical result. The optimized iterative method with the enhanced ability to avoid local minima and find global roots is then applied to obtain the model parameters.

Originality/value

The proposed method overcomes the difficulties of the other techniques which assume zero remanence. It is also robust as it is guaranteed to converge to physical solutions. The method can facilitate further development and it formed the preliminary basis of our earlier work, where the variation of the Jiles‐Atherton model parameters with different magnetic field strengths was investigated and applied to the simulation of transformer inrush current.
Enhancement of global business practices: lessons from the Hindu Bhagavad Gita
Authors: Chinna Natesan N. , Keeffe Michael J. , Darling John R.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The basis of global business operations in the twenty‐first century is knowledge. The Hindu scriptural reference, the Bhagavad Gita, interpreted as “Celestial Song” or “Song of God,” is quickly becoming a critical resource in this relatively new paradigm. This paper aims to draw lessons from this.

Design/methodology/approach

The Gita is a summary of the essence of Hindu teaching and wisdom. It is a philosophical foundation from which a deeper understanding of successful solutions to management leadership issues and business practices are emerging. The paper focuses on an analysis of the primary elements found in the Gita.

Findings

The Gita's essence of Yoga, Dharma, Dhyana, Samabhava, Nishkama Karma, and Tat‐Twam‐Asi provides the keys for influencing contemporary management thought and global business practices. Yoga is the gaining of mastery over the body and mind through self‐discipline. Dharma focuses on finding a higher calling or mission in life and a calling to fulfill one's purpose or duty. Dhyana encompasses the process of identifying a higher calling by becoming rooted in one's inner strengths and potential through meditation. Samabhava is the calling to interact with the external world in achieving one's duty with equanimity. Nishkama Karma refers to developing a detached involvement by doing one's duty objectively without worrying about the consequences. And Tat‐Twam‐Asi is the recognition of the interconnectedness of nature, the human, and the spiritual. It encourages managers to look at the big picture, a holistic view, for guidance with a realization that there can be no simultaneous winners and losers. When managers change their outlook, success is enhanced.

Originality/value

The paper offers valuable insights into the lessons that can be learned from the Hindu Bhagavad Gita.
Strategy types of exporting firms: a view on the basis of competitive advantage
Authors: Salavou Helen E. , Halikias John
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine types of exporting firms featuring strategy orientations and profitability of differential emphasis.

Design/methodology/approach

To answer the questions the paper raises, data of 82 exporting firms established in Greece are analysed with the help of factor analysis, cluster analysis and cross‐tabulation.

Findings

The findings reveal three types of firms pursuing different strategy orientations for dealing with competition in export markets (i.e. the marketing‐based strategists, the hybridists and the non‐strategists). Furthermore, they suggest that export profitability is dependent on these strategy types.

Research limitations/implications

Generalisation of the research results should be made with caution. A fruitful direction of further research is to replicate the principal features of the study with other samples of firms in Greece or in comparable national contexts, especially within the European Union.

Practical implications

The empirical results highlight the discussion of more vs less profitable forms of competitive advantage pursued by firms operating in foreign markets. A message of utmost importance for practitioners is that the hybrid form of competitive advantage, although dominant, does not offer the most profitable strategic choice.

Originality/value

The study focuses on strategy types of firms competing in the international arena to offer a view on the basis of competitive advantage. By excluding the well‐known pure and stuck‐in‐the‐middle alternatives, the evidence highlights either no‐strategy or combined choices of strategy orientations, which differ in terms of export profitability. As such, the study sheds some light on the relation of strategy to export performance, which is under‐researched outside the USA.
Relational factors in UK‐Chinese international joint ventures
Authors: Wilson Jonathan , Brennan Ross
Published: February 2009

Purpose

This paper sets out to address the influence of relational variables, such as trust and commitment, on international joint venture (IJV) performance, in the empirical context of UK/Chinese joint ventures.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper starts with a discussion of the importance of inter‐firm relationships in China and how there currently exists relatively little research in this area. Qualitative research was chosen to create a holistic picture of the possible impact of relational factors on IJV performance.

Findings

Trust appears to be the most important of the relational factors on IJV performance, followed by commitment, cooperation and satisfaction. Chinese cultural values, such asguanxi, also need to be taken into account as an important factor of IJV relationships.

Research limitations/implications

When researching inter‐firm relationships, ideally data would be gathered from both parties. This was not possible owing to difficulties encountered in gaining access to the Chinese parent organisations. Nevertheless, the findings are of interest to British firms interested in the Chinese market.

Practical implications

Joint ventures in China continue to experience high failure rates. Failure to nurture relationships with joint venture partners is one reason for failure. Despite the limitations noted above, the findings make a useful contribution to the management literature on China.

Originality/value

Whereas many researchers have studied financial and non‐financial measures of joint venture performance, little has been written on relational factors and performance.
Monitoring value‐in‐use of e‐service
Authors: Heinonen Kristina , Strandvik Tore
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and evaluate an approach to managerially monitoring customer‐experienced value of e‐services. The need for this study is based on a lack of models of e‐service value applying a value‐in‐use approach on the one hand, and on the other hand the increasing need for managerially viable techniques to diagnose customers' views of e‐service value.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach, customized for but not limited to e‐services, employs four principal value dimensions (technical, functional, temporal and spatial) anchored in service quality and value research to capture e‐service value. The approach has two new characteristics. It focuses on relative joint evaluations of benefits and sacrifice and on the degree of customer activation. The empirical study based on a large‐scale web survey of users' evaluations of a travel agency's web service illustrates how the approach can be used.

Findings

The theoretically based approach showed in the empirical study that managerially interesting findings could be generated. As respondents in the sample were extensively positive towards the service provider the whole potential of the approach could not be effectively empirically demonstrated. Further empirical studies are needed to investigate the managerial relevance of the approach.

Research limitations/implications

The present empirical study represents promising first results from a novel approach to determining customer‐experienced service value. These findings raise a number of questions that should be answered in further research in order to further develop the approach.

Practical implications

The suggested approach contributes to marketing practice by offering a method to acquiring information about how strongly different service elements add value to the service experienced by the customer. It also reveals value shortcomings or dimensions and sub‐dimensions that decrease value and thus provides information of where the company does not meet customers' observations of competing offerings.

Originality/value

The paper introduces a novel way of conceptualising value as benefits and sacrifice relative to a reference point represented by the competition. Connecting this to customer action rather than only perceptions represents another new feature. The paper contributes to service marketing by introducing a new technique for capturing customers' service preferences following a value‐in‐use approach.
A consumer‐based view of multi‐channel service
Authors: Cassab Harold , MacLachlan Douglas L.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

Consumers increasingly experience multi‐channel service and a significant challenge for the service organization is to ensure that the design of the multi‐channel interface contributes to the service experience and helps to build bonds with customers. The purpose of this paper is to elucidate four features (i.e. problem‐handling, record accuracy, usability, and scalability) used by customers to evaluate multi‐channel service and investigates their impact on customer relationship and loyalty intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involves an online survey with customers selected randomly in two service industries. Empirical data are analyzed using structural equation models.

Findings

Customer evaluations of the multi‐channel service interface have a strong influence on customer trust in the organization but a negligible impact on customer commitment. Trust, however, has a positive effect on commitment, thus enhancing customer loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

The measures developed in the study represent a summary account for considerations involving multi‐channel service. However, the ability to capture the hypothesized roles of the multi‐channel service interface suggests a robust foundation for future research. These consumer‐based measures provide managers with a blueprint allowing for the integrated analysis and design of customer touch points.

Originality/value

This paper provides key variables to advance the study of multi‐channel service. Ways are suggested in which firms can benefit from a view of their service channels as an interface system to inform effective service design strategies.
In and out of actor‐network theory: a necessary but insufficient journey
Authors: Mitev Nathalie
Published: February 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to offer a retrospective look at an intellectual journey in and out of using actor‐network theory, which the author drew on to carry out an in‐depth case study of the troubled implementation of a computerised reservation system in a major transport company. The application of some key ANT concepts, i.e. human and non‐human actors, symmetry and translation, is reflected upon, highlighting their benefits and limitations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper's aims are accomplished through a confessional account of how it was done, rather than a normative post hoc justification. Some empirical evidence is provided to illustrate the difficulties and problems encountered in travelling back and forth between theory, methodology and data.

Findings

In particular, ANT was very useful in focusing the paper on how to look at IS success and failure symmetrically and how social and technical distinctions are socially constructed, for instance in the conception and application of yield management software. Formulating a series of translations to encompass a large number of actors is shown to have provided some explanatory capacity. But a limitation is how to relate local and global actors, which is also a matter of power relations and politics.

Originality/value

The paper explains why, as a late and unplanned reaction to this, but also in contradiction with ANT principles, it ended up complementing ANT with Clegg's theory of power to bridge that gap. The paper concludes with a discussion of where the difficulties lie in using ANT and how it can be misused in IS research; the author argues that this is due to a lack of exposure to post‐structuralism in IS research, compared with other management‐related disciplines; and that recent efforts by scholars in the science and technology studies field to combine constructivist approaches such as ANT with critical social analysis should be considered.
Contextualising the IT artefact: towards a wider research agenda for IS using institutional theory
Authors: Currie Wendy
Published: February 2009

Purpose

This paper sets out to examine the use of institutional theory in information systems research. It also seeks to consider recent debates within information systems, that the field should develop its own social theories. The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate that IS researchers need to engage more fully with the institutional theory literature as the body of work is conceptually rich and is more appropriately used to analyse and understand complex social phenomena.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviewing the institutionalist literature from the field of IS, the paper shows that most accounts engage in empirically testing institutionalist concepts, rather than analysing the richness of these concepts to further develop and build the theory.

Findings

The paper finds that most institutionalist accounts within information systems research adopt an organisational unit of analysis as opposed to a multi‐level approach which encompasses societal and individual levels. Research further shows more studies on the “effects” of institutionalism than on the “processual” accounts.

Research limitations/implications

It is argued that information systems researchers need to become more aware of the wider debates within the institutional theory literature, particularly as the theory is conceptually ambiguous, yet not amenable to over‐simplification as a means to achieve methodological rigour.

Practical implications

The use of institutional theory offers practitioners conceptual tools and techniques for understanding complex change management scenarios relating to IS work.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the IS literature through reviewing the range of studies using institutional theory. It illustrates the narrow use of the theory adopted by the IS community and suggests that a more fruitful approach is to use a wider multi‐level and multi‐method approach. The paper suggests that institutional theory offers a conceptually rich lens for analysing IS themes and issues and encourages further use of the theory for IS and management research.
The marketing and logistics efficacy of online sales channels
Authors: Rao Shashank , Goldsby Thomas J. , Iyengar Deepak
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate key differences between web‐only and multi‐channel retailers in terms of five different measures of web activity and three different forms of outsourcing behavior. Specifically, the research examines the marketing and logistics efficacy between business‐to‐consumer (B2C) retailers who sell exclusively via the web and retailers for whom the web offers one additional channel for sales. Finally, it is suggested that how this study may give rise to future research in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical study using the lens of transaction cost economics (TCE) to examine hypotheses regarding customer buying behavior and the retailers' proclivity to outsource is conducted. Secondary data sources provide key metrics for the more than 250 companies found in the sample.

Findings

Several key differences exist between the efficacy of web‐only and multi‐channel retailers, which can be explained with the TCE framework. Both web‐only and multi‐channel retailers are found to exhibit respective advantages. Multi‐channel retailers enjoy more web traffic and offer more items for the consumer, yet are disadvantaged in terms of ease of search and conversion rate (percentage of shoppers who actually buy). In addition, web‐only retailers are more likely to outsource the functions of logistics, marketing, and customer support.

Practical implications

This study has value to researchers and practitioners in that it illustrates how two of the most common types of retailing alternatives differ from each other. Multi‐channel retailers are challenged with the broad scope and immense collection of goods they offer and, therefore, struggle to convert shoppers into buyers. Web‐only retailers, on the other hand, enjoy less web traffic, but prove more effective in conversion rates, perhaps related to their more extensive use of outsourced expertise in logistics, marketing, and customer support services.

Originality/value

In the decade since internet retailing (e‐tailing) began to be accepted as a new sales channel, e‐tailing has grown to a market size of over $160 billion within the USA alone. However, empirical examination of the functioning and performance of this sales channel is only now commencing.
Information‐based early exercise of US employee stock options
Authors: Sternberg Joel S. , Doug Witte H.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to show that tax‐motivated early exercise of US employee stock options can be, in principle, rationalized for bullish executives. The paper aims to show empirical evidence consistent with private positive information guiding the timing of the exercises.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses conventional event study methodology to examine the long‐run relative stock price performance of firms in which executives early exercise and maintain the acquired shares. The long‐run analysis adopts the cumulative abnormal return as well as the buy‐and‐hold methodological approach.

Findings

Tax‐motivated early exercise may be justified on the grounds that future stock appreciation can be converted to long‐term capital gains if the shares are held for over one year while, should the stock decline, shares can be sold within a year to count for short‐term losses. The empirical results reveal that executives who early exercise and continue to hold a majority of the shares acquired do so before performance in their company stock is significantly better than a benchmark.

Practical implications

Information‐based early exercise is not a harbinger of poor firm performance, as prior research has suggested. This paper illustrates that private positive information can motivate tax‐based early exercise of employee stock options. Prior research has mostly suggested it cannot. Stock retention upon early exercise indicates the optimism of the exerciser.

Originality/value

The first modeling of an exploitable tax asymmetry upon exercise of US employee stock options. The explicit separation of exercises likely based on positive inside information from those likely based on negative information or other non‐informative reasons.