bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crystallization of the C-terminal redox domain of the sulfur-assimilatory enzyme APR1 fromArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Chen Fang-Fang , Chang Yu-Yung , Cho Chao-Cheng , Hsu Chun-Hua
Published: August 2014

Plant-type APS reductase (APR), which catalyzes the reduction of activated sulfate to sulfite in plants, consists of a reductase domain and a C-terminal redox domain showing sequence homology to thioredoxin but possessing the activity of glutaredoxin. In order to understand the structural and biochemical properties of the redox domain of plant-type APS reductase, the C-terminal domain of APR1 (APR1C) fromArabidopsis thalianawas crystallized using the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method. X-ray diffraction data were collected to a resolution of 2.70 Å on the SPXF beamline BL13B1 at the NSRRC, Taiwan. The crystals belonged to space groupP43212 orP41212, with unit-cell parametersa=b= 58.2,c= 86.7 Å. With one molecule per asymmetric unit, the crystal volume per unit protein weight (VM) is 2.64 Å3 Da−1, which corresponds to a solvent content of approximately 53.49%. Further structure-based functional studies of APR1C would extend knowledge of the molecular mechanism and regulation of APR.
Purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of the 16S rRNA methyltransferase RsmI fromEscherichia coli
Authors: Zhao Mohan , Wang Li , Zhang Heng , Dong Yuhui , Gong Yong , Zhang Linbo , Wang Jian
Published: August 2014

RsmI and RsmH are AdoMet-dependent methyltransferases that are responsible for the 2′-O-methylation andN4-methylation of C1402 ofEscherichia coli16S rRNA, respectively. Modification of this site has been found to play a role in fine-tuning the shape and function of the P-site to increase the decoding fidelity. It is interesting to study the mechanism by which C1402 can be methylated by both RsmI and RsmH. The crystal structure of RsmH in complex with AdoMet and cytidine has recently been determined and provided some implications forN4-methylation of this site. Here, the purification and crystallization of RsmI as well as its preliminary crystallographic analysis are reported. Co-crystallization of RsmI with AdoMet was carried out by the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method and X-ray diffraction data were collected to 2.60 Å resolution on beamline 1W2B at BSRF. The crystal contained three molecules per asymmetric unit and belonged to space groupC2, with unit-cell parametersa= 121.9,b= 152.5,c= 54.2 Å, β = 93.4°.
Adult ADHD outcome audit based on NICE guidelines
Authors: Febin Edwin Moshieve
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– Adult ADHD is a neuro-developmental disorder. The current prevalence of ADHD in adults is around 1.9-4 per cent. The service for adults with ADHD based on NICE guideline recommendation. Hence, the author decides to audit the Adult ADHD case loads against the gold standard set by the NICE. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study was based on a retrospective analysis and collection of data from electronic patient records for a duration of five months between October 2011 and February 2012. The data findings were matched against the NICE standards. There were 15 standards identified. On top of that we used six service outcome questions to improve the Quality of the service provided.

Findings

– As the service outcomes were set for 100 per cent, the performance fell short in few areas. The service managed to achieve roughly 80-95 per cent in areas such as medication monitoring, transition service and care plan with shared care guidelines for prescription in primary care. The service under performed in areas on non-pharmacological interventions such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). The service continues to provide a exceptional service for adults with intellectual disability and ADHD.

Research limitations/implications

– The research was limited by information and recall bias due to the retrospective nature of data analysis. There was also over representation of the numbers in co-morbid cases due to more than two diagnosis.

Practical implications

– The paper outlines the regional outcome of the audit. However the findings have wider implications. For example the prevalence rate is more common in males than females. CBT is an important resource in the management of ADHD in adults. Priority and importance need to be given for providing a service for CBT in adults with ADHD.

Social implications

– The cost of sickness and non-employment due to ADHD is significantly high. Treating this complex group with medications and CBT improves the outcome and get them back in employment and reduce recidivism rates in offenders.

Originality/value

– The author feels the adult ADHD service audit has huge service implications. Currently it is a controversial diagnosis significantly under-resourced. The outcome survey had highlighted the areas of need as a neurodevelopmental disorder.
The benefits of environmental change in a secure service for people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: G. Long Clive , Bell Natalie , Carr Alison , Cairns Lisa , Webb Amanda , Collins Lesley
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the behavioural and psychological effects on people with intellectual disabilities of transferring to an environment influenced by patient choice and low secure standards.

Design/methodology/approach

– Patients and staff transferring from a non-optimal environment to one driven by low secure standards compared the homeliness, ward climate and satisfaction with the two wards. Comparisons were made between the occurrences of risk behaviours on the two wards.

Findings

– The new environment was rated by staff as more homely while patients’ increased satisfaction with the new ward was reflected in social climate ratings of patient cohesion and experienced safety. The latter findings were reinforced by an objective reduction in risk behaviours in the new environment.

Practical implications

– Treatment interventions need to optimise research findings that attest to the influence of the environment on the behaviour of patients with intellectual disabilities.

Originality/value

– Findings highlight need to increase the focus on aspects of the built environment in planning the treatment of women in secure care.
Low-carbon operations and production: putting training in perspective
Authors: Jose Chiappetta Jabbour Charbel , Beatriz Lopes de Sousa Jabbour Ana
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is mainly to show how training may support low-carbon operations and production management in a more sustainable organizational context.

Design/methodology/approach

– A conceptual framework to facilitate the integration between training and low-carbon operations and production is presented.

Findings

– To accomplish better training in a low-carbon organization, some steps should be followed. Challenges may occur, including the necessity of collaboration across the supply chain.

Research limitations/implications

– The proposed framework should be applied and improved based on the actual conditions in organizations.

Originality/value

– Low-carbon organizations are part of the future corporate world. But the link between training and low-carbon operations and production management is not yet clear. This paper contributes to this discussion and presents an original framework.
Sustainability and organizational transformation: putting the cart before the horse? (Part Two)
Authors: Muja Naser , H. Appelbaum Steven , Walker Tara , Ramadan Said , Sodeyi Tolu
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– Global corporate strategies are revealing the boundaries of organizational capabilities and the limits of the natural resource capacity that is needed to sustain business operations. Sustainability has emerged as a strategic response adopted by many corporations to reduce resource dependency and consumption costs. The purpose of this paper is to secure existence as a going concern while also demonstrating corporate citizenship.

Design/methodology/approach

– This two-part paper will present a review of recent findings relevant to sustainability and change management was performed in order to develop a better understanding of factors that may hinder corporate adoption of sustainability, the role of sustainability in transformational change, and the change management challenges involved in integrating sustainability within corporate culture.

Findings

– For a growing number of organizations, sustainability has recently been elevated from “doing” to the level of “being”, which involves integration into their mission, vision and shared values. Corporate leaders and governing bodies play a critical role as champions in the implementation of sustainability for organizational transformation.

Research limitations/implications

– The limited number of examples of organizations fully embracing sustainability at a vision level stems from the fact that most executives do not fully understand the issues and do not know how to devise the governance or strategies needed to adopt a more sustainable path. However, the research points to the fact that there is a recognized shortage of empirical research work specifically focussed on sustainability change and effective business cases.

Practical implications

– Organization development practitioners have a significant role in helping firms implement sustainability-focussed transformations.

Social implications

– Given the economic, ecological and social imperatives, there is urgency for firms around the world, both big and small, to adopt effective sustainability strategies that add value for stakeholders while reducing resource demand.

Originality/value

– The research points to the fact that there is a recognized shortage of empirical research work specifically focussed on sustainability change including limited examples of effective business cases.
Stereotyping and women's roles in leadership positions
Authors: Baker Cortney
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a literature review of current trends with regard to women in leadership positions. Women are increasingly reported as having excellent leadership skills. In fact, women, more than men, are praised for having traits and styles that are associated with effective leadership performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The design of this paper was a literature review of current research on gender differences in men and women in top leadership roles.

Findings

– Despite the evidence that women are capable of being top performers, women are still not attaining top-level leadership positions in comparison to their male peers. This paper will consider some of the reasons that women have difficulty in climbing the corporate ladder as well as discuss stereotyping and gender as it relates to leadership traits.

Social implications

– As a result of this paper, employers are encouraged to hire and promote women into their corporations top leadership positions.

Originality/value

– This paper further contributes to the discussion of women in leadership and the disparity that continues in having women employed in the upper echelons of corporations. The value of this paper is to provide employers further evidence that women comprise skillsets that necessary for company advancement.
Innovation and trust – the path to mastery
Authors: Ceserani Jonne
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to encourage the reader to reflect upon the consequences of leadership behaviour and the effect on innovation and performance in an organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The reader is encouraged to begin by answering five leadership questions for themselves. Some underpinning ideas are introduced with examples from the world of commerce, all within a structured model designed to encourage further reflection.

Findings

– The consequences of low-performing leadership as demonstrated by behaviour, intended or not, are catastrophic for innovation performance.

Originality/value

– This is work based upon the author's own 30 years working with organisations helping them with innovation and leadership. The source of the five leadership questions and the “love” model is unknown as they were given to me with no attributions.
Drivers for creating value and enhancing customer experience through people
Authors: Chidley Jon , Pritchard Neville
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– Using the staff and customers as a starting point, the purpose of this paper is to describe a framework that helps board and senior management identify key drivers that generate value for their organisation and for their customers.

Design/methodology/approach

– With research into the range of customer experience metrics available the authors identified a lack of consideration within the staff directly involved. The paper explores the considerations that lie behind how staff impact upon customer experience within any process framework.

Findings

– The approach to customer service is based around: “Treat customers well and they’ll come back, spend more and recommend your company”. To achieve this following the research the authors now subscribe to a “customer third” edict that recognises that people are at the heart of that experience not processes. If individuals are motivated to serve well, if teams around them work in an encouraging environment then the customer will usually believe they are coming first. The health check now developed recognises the impacting factors on staff and their provision of a great customer experience.

Practical implications

– The authors find that a focus on staff will positively impact their levels of productivity, absenteeism, engagement and tenure. In customer experience, tenure with enhanced motivation to serve realises a positive impact to financials.

Social implications

– Reducing stress in the workplace should positively impact the whole life balance for individuals.

Originality/value

– Appropriate focus on people rather than process within customer service industries will reduce unnecessary investment in process and system change and deliver enhanced results within existing frameworks. Change driven by the people within the process is positive.
Corporate governance and the variability of stock returns
Authors: Koerniadi Hardjo , Krishnamurti Chandrasekhar , Tourani-Rad Alireza
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of firm-level corporate governance practices on the riskiness of a firm's stock returns.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors constructed an index of governance quality incorporating best practices stipulated by regulators. The authors employed regression analysis.

Findings

– The empirical evidence, using an index of corporate governance, shows that well-governed New Zealand firms experience lower levels of risk, ceteris paribus. In particular, the results indicate that corporate governance aspects such as board composition, shareholder rights, and disclosure practices are associated with lower levels of risk.

Research limitations/implications

– A limitation of the study is that the corporate governance index constructed is somewhat arbitrary and due to limitation of data availability the authors may have excluded some factors such as share trading policy of directors and policies regarding provision of non-auditing services by auditors. The research supports the view that institutional context could have an impact on governance outcomes. The work has three implications for managers, investors, and policy makers. First, the results imply that well-governed firms have lower idiosyncratic risk and that this reduction is most likely due to the reduction in agency costs and information risk. Second, in the absence of features like an active corporate control market and stock option based managerial compensation, managers have little incentives to take on risky projects that increase firm value. Third, the results suggest that the managers of well-governed firms are not more risk averse with respect to investment decisions compared to poorly governed firms.

Practical implications

– The work has practical implications for managers, investors, and policy makers. Well-governed firms face lower variability in stock returns compared to poorly governed firms. Firms that have independent boards that protect its shareholders’ rights and disclose its governance-related policies experience lower firm-level risk, other things being equal.

Originality/value

– This study is the first one to examine the impact of a composite measure of corporate governance quality on stock return variability in a non-US setting. The results suggest that firms can use specific corporate governance provisions to mitigate firm-level risk. The findings of the paper are therefore relevant and useful to corporate managers, investors, and policy makers.
The impact of cash conversion cycle on firm profitability
Authors: Yazdanfar Darush , Öhman Peter
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to seek to investigate the impact of cash conversion cycle (CCC) on performance (i.e. profitability) in Swedish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) over the 2008-2011 period.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study uses a seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) model to analyse cross-sectional panel data covering 13,797 SMEs operating in four industries.

Findings

– The study provides empirical evidence that CCC significantly affects profitability. In addition, the firm-level control variables size, age, and industry affiliation significantly affect firm profitability. These findings imply that managers could increase firm profitability by improving their working capital management.

Research limitations/implications

– The present study is limited to a sample of Swedish SMEs in four industries; further research could examine the generalizability of these findings to other countries and industries.

Practical implications

– Improved working capital policy could improve firm profitability by reducing the firm's CCC, thereby creating additional firm value. In addition, the results can be used for other purposes, including monitoring of firms by auditors, debt holders, and other stakeholders.

Originality/value

– The present study contributes to the literature by employing a SUR model to analyse a comprehensive cross-sectoral sample in a high-tax environment. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study to address this issue in the Swedish context based on a large data set covering SMEs in various industries.
Optimization of dry sliding wear conditions for AlSi10Mg/SiCp composites using response surface: genetic algorithm approach
Authors: Somasundara Vinoth K. , Subramanian R. , Dharmalingam S. , Anandavel B.
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this research paper is to find the optimum parameters, namely, the sliding speed, applied load and percentage of silicon carbide particles (SiCp), under which AlSi10Mg/SiCp composites experience minimum wear.

Design/methodology/approach

– Wear rate (WR) of AlSi10Mg, AlSi10Mg/10SiC and AlSi10Mg/20SiC was measured using pin-on-disk equipment according to ASTM G99 standards. Response surface method was used to design the experiments, model and analyze the tribological behaviour. Tests were conducted as per Box–Beheken design of experiments. The wear mechanisms were observed using scanning electron microscope. Genetic algorithm was used to find the optimum parameters for minimum WR.

Findings

– Wear mechanisms underwent changes with variation in applied load, sliding speed and per cent SiCp. An optimum wear condition was obtained when the process parameters, namely, the sliding speed, applied load and percentage of SiCp, were at 4 m/s, 10 N and 20 per cent, respectively. Combined GA-RSM approach was successfully used to predict the minimum WR condition of AlSi10Mg/SiCp composites with an accuracy of 94 per cent.

Originality/value

– The tribological behaviour of AlSi10Mg/SiCp composites has been investigated in detail. A statistical WR model is proposed. This paper provides an optimum condition to design the tribo contact between steel and AlSi10Mg/SiCp composites.
Tribological properties of carbon nanotube grease
Authors: Hongtao Liu , Hongmin Ji , Haiping Hong , Younes Hammad
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purposes of this paper are to prepare the carbon nanotube (CNT) grease, to contrast the tribology properties of the CNT grease with the original grease and to find the lubricating mechanism of the CNT grease.

Design/methodology/approach

– The CNTs (single-wall and multi-wall) are added into the polyalphaolefin oils (DURASYN_166) to form stable and homogeneous CNT grease with potential heat transfer, conductive and lubricative properties. The friction of this new type of CNT grease was determined by wear experiments under three conditions: dry friction, with the base oil grease and with the CNT grease.

Findings

– The research is about the tribological properties of CNT greases; it shows better lubricating performance and wear resistance than the base oil grease. The performance improvement of CNT grease is owing to the unique hexagonal structure and the high thermal conductivity of CNTs.

Originality/value

– The paper documents that CNTs can obviously improve the lubricating effect of grease, and the lubricating mechanism of the CNT grease is also discussed.
Research on Asia: promise and perils
Authors: Tung Rosalie
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the nature and scope of diversity between and within Asian countries.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper represents a personal retrospective on the promise and perils of conducting research on Asia.

Findings

– “Promise” includes the growing research interest and attention on this region. “Perils” include, among others, a failure to recognize the diversity across countries in the region and within a given country. Immigration, rising incidence of bicultural or multicultural identity and brain circulation have all contributed to growing diversity within countries. Future research on this region should take into consideration such intra-national diversity.

Originality/value

– Although Asia’s “foreignness” may differentiate it from other regions around the world and, in doing so, contribute to the perception of its homogeneity, the region is considerably more diverse than what it appears to be. Thus, it is imperative to consciously recognize – and incorporate – diversity in a region of growing global importance.
One piece does not a puzzle make: the first-mover decision as one piece on the foreign investment strategy puzzle
Authors: J. Koch Bradley
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the first-mover decision as one decision of a set of strategic decisions that ultimately determine performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author used survey data collected from foreign-invested firms in Sichuan, China, to test for evidence that first-movers perform better than late-movers.

Findings

– The results reveal that there is a first-mover advantage when the other strategic variables are not included in the model. When the entire set of strategic variables is included, however, the first mover variable loses its significance and the willingness of the foreign partner to commit additional resources becomes the best predictor of performance. Consequently, it was argued that foreign investment strategies should be analyzed as a set of strategic decisions managers make to formulate the best mix.

Originality/value

– The empirical evidence for the first-mover advantage may not be as well grounded as many have thought. When the first-mover strategic decision is analyzed in isolation from other strategic variables, which is commonly done in many empirical studies, it indicates that firms that enter China before their competitors perform better. Unfortunately, it is more logical to assume that managers dynamically develop a set of strategic decisions that ultimately determine the firm’s performance. To extrapolate one static decision from the strategic decision set and make broad assertions about its effect of performance is an over-simplification of the strategic decision process.
An evaluation of just in time (JIT) implementation on manufacturing performance in Indian industry
Authors: Singh Gurinder , Singh Ahuja Inderpreet
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to create awareness of contributions made by just-in-time manufacturing (JIT) practice towards building performance measures in Indian manufacturing industry. Implications of JIT implementation issues in Indian manufacturing industry have been critically evaluated in this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

– While conducting this study, survey of reasonable number of manufacturing organisations have been made so as to ascertain contributions made by JIT initiatives in the Indian manufacturing industries for achieving major performance measures. The correlations between various JIT implementation dimensions and performance parameters have been worked out by employing various statistical tools and bringing out significant factors contributing effectively towards achieving manufacturing performance measures.

Findings

– The study divulges that attitude of management, participation of workers, relationship of organisation with suppliers and customers, adoption of latest manufacturing methods and successful adaptation of effective JIT initiatives can significantly contribute towards enhancing performance measures in the organisation. The study also reveals that the holistic JIT manufacturing methods outscore the traditional manufacturing practices towards improving the manufacturing performance. The study highlights that detailed JIT implementation over a reasonable period can greatly contribute towards achievement in performance of organisation.

Originality/value

– The present study analyses the impact of JIT manufacturing method on performance of organisation and highlights the need for aligning organisational efforts in establishing manufacturing methods for attaining improvements in performance of manufacturing organisations. The paper highlighted the status of JIT manufacturing initiatives in the Indian context and the preparedness of Indian manufacturing industry to meet the challenges imposed by the Western world by employing aggressive JIT manufacturing strategies.
Extended self: implications for country-of-origin
Authors: Peng Cui Annie , Paula Fitzgerald M. , Russo Donovan Karen
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine country-of-origin (COO) effects from the theoretical angle of extended self and “otherness”. Traditional COO perspectives view COO as an important quality-related, informational cue used to form product evaluations, develop preferences and make purchase decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

– An experiment was conducted with the COO of a fresh milk product manipulated to examine these predictions. Data were collected from four samples, Americans living in the USA, Americans living in China, Chinese living in China and Chinese living in the USA.

Findings

– Results found that COO effects were stronger when consumers felt greater animosity toward the foreign country, were more ethnocentric and were less acculturated (i.e. conceptualized as a less expanded self). Additionally, negative product events were interpreted in light of self, in that reactions to an adverse act were stronger when “others” committed the act. American consumers living abroad were more heavily influenced by COO effects, and evidence suggests that this effect occurred because these Americans had a less expanded self than their Chinese counterparts.

Originality/value

– This study provides a unique angle which leads to a deeper understanding of COO effects which augments the traditional match hypothesis. Specifically, COO effects are stronger, the smaller one’s extended self (greater animosity and ethnocentrism, less acculturation), and that wrongdoings are interpreted in light of self (i.e. reaction to an adverse act is stronger when “others” commit the act). Few studies to date have focused on these factors as layers of armor that consumers use to protect their self and extended self-image in a cross-cultural context.
How consumers’ use of brand vs attribute information evolves over time
Authors: D. Raggio Randle , P. Leone Robert , C. Black William
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– Prior research has identified that brands have a differential impact on consumer evaluations across various brand benefits. This paper investigates whether these effects are stable over time, or evolve in a consistent way.

Design/methodology/approach

– Consumer evaluations of brand benefits into overall brand and detailed attribute-specific sources through a standard confirmatory factor analysis approach have been decomposed. Two unique datasets have been analyzed; the first contains cross-sectional data from Kodak across four different consumer goods categories, and the other is a longitudinal dataset from the USA and Canada in the surface-cleaning category, covering seven brands over five years (2007-2011).

Findings

– A systematic evolution in brand effects has been demonstrated: a general trend is that over time and with experience, consumers rely more heavily on overall brand information to develop their evaluations. However, early in a brand’s life, or later when circumstances compel consumers to actively consider the attributes, ingredients or features of a brand, consumers may rely more heavily on, detailed attribute-specific information to evaluate brand benefits.

Research limitations/implications

– The systematic evolution in consumers’ use of information from attribute to brand is hypothesized in this paper and is found to occur contrary to the speculation of Dillon et al. (2001) regarding the direction of such an evolution. Further, our results indicate the sensitivity of our approach to detect changes in consumers’ use of the two sources that should be expected, given the various exogenous factors.

Practical implications

– Brand managers can use the results from our procedure to alter their messages to more strongly emphasize either overall brand information or detailed attribute-specific information, depending on the consumer segment or key benefit in question. The research offers insights for the kind of information managers should communicate for brands trying to extend into new categories. The research also raises interesting questions regarding the extent to which brands can own a strong position on a particular benefit over time.

Originality/value

– No prior work has evaluated brand effects (i.e. the relative use of brand vs attribute sources) to evaluate brand benefits over time. Our results demonstrate the value of the decompositional procedure we recommend and the importance of knowing which source is relied upon more heavily as consumers evaluate brands.
Receptivity of young Chinese to American and global brands: psychological underpinnings
Authors: Lysonski Steven
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to examine psychological variables of young Chinese to determine their impact on identification with global consumer culture, attitudes toward global and USA brands and intention to buy USA brands. The independent or psychological variables examined were self-monitoring, life satisfaction, brand relevance, social demonstration effect, change-seeking behavior and reference groups (interacted and non-interacted). The goal was to understand what forces drive global and USA brand preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected in Guangzhou, China, in 2013 through a survey administered to 152 young Chinese respondents. Confirmatory factor analysis and reliability coefficients verified the psychometrics of each scale. Subsequently, the sample was divided into high versus low groups for each of the independent variables to perform mean tests for each on each of the four dependent variables.

Findings

– The results showed that all the hypotheses were supported to some extent. The sample had a positive attitude toward all the dependent measures: identification with global consumer culture, global and USA brands and intention to buy USA brands. Self-monitoring and change-seeking behavior had the least association with the dependent variables. Brand relevance, social demonstration effect and interactive and non-interactive reference groups were all found to have strong support.

Research limitations/implications

– The authors used an urban sample of young Chinese. Examining an older sample or one that was less urban would also be useful. Future research could also examine other emerging markets such as Brazil or Indonesia to identify the impact of the psychological variables.

Practical implications

– Multinational firms wishing to grow revenues of their USA and global brands in China must be attuned to the social aspects of positioning their brands. The implications show that brand relevance, social demonstration and reference groups can be used for positioning of global and USA brands. As China is a collectivist society, using appeals that establish a brand’s desirability or relevance and its ability to allow users to socially demonstrate the brand to reference groups is likely to work well.

Originality/value

– No study has assembled the variables in the manner investigated in this research, nor have other studies looked at young Chinese in terms of USA brand attitudes and identification with global consumer culture.
Evaluation of site managers’ hindrances towards optimal utilisation of construction resources
Authors: Ayodeji Fapohunda Julius
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to delineate different types of site manager attributes that significantly contribute to construction project management efficiency and evaluate the factors that hinder the site manager during construction production processes. Towards efficient resources utilisation, site managers require various qualities and potentials.

Design/methodology/approach

– To achieve valid result, the research study was triangulated by exploring literature, which was augmented with both quantitative questionnaire and qualitative interview research methods. The research data were collected in the UK building industry.

Findings

– It was found that the barriers that often affect efficient utilisation of construction resources in the industry are poor communication, disagreement, misunderstandings, bad weather, union strikes and construction participants’ personality conflicts. This research study presents severity of site manager’s hindrances, factors that affect site manager’s efficiencies, solutions to minimise the hindrances on site manager’s efficient performance and factors that should be constant towards site mangers’ efficient performance. Among these solutions found evident that will enhance site managers’ performance and minimise the effect of the hindrances are an enhanced planning and adequate programming of construction resources before and during project execution, rational team building and an efficient construction team for project, in addition to adequate information dissemination and transfer of knowledge.

Originality/value

– The adequate implementation of the solutions presented in this paper will not only enhance the performance of site managers on resources utilisation but will also augment client satisfactions.
Models for estimating the anthropometric dimensions using standing height for furniture design
Authors: Ismaila S.O. , Akanbi O.G. , Ngassa C.N.
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to obtain some anthropometric dimensions of students in secondary schools necessary for the design of school furniture and use them to establish the models that best determine the relationships among the anthropometric dimensions and standing height.

Design/methodology/approach

– A total of 480 students aged 10 to 18 years (n = 480, SD = ± 2.3 years) were randomly selected from eight public and eight private secondary schools in Ibadan, South West Nigeria. All the dimensions were subjected to curve estimation using Statistical Products and Services Solution 16.0 Statistical Package. The models with p < 0.005 and highest coefficient of determinations were selected as the best models to predict the relationships among the standing height and other variables.

Findings

– The study proposes 11 models using standing height to estimate necessary anthropometric dimensions for the design of school furniture. The results of the study show that all anthropometric dimensions correlate more non-linearly with standing height than linearly.

Originality/value

– The proposed models will have wide applications for the estimation of anthropometric data necessary for the design and construction of school furniture for use in secondary schools in South Western Nigeria.
Do volume and open interest explain volatility?
Authors: Maitra Debasish
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of the paper is to study the explainability of expected and unexpected trade volume and open interest as information flow, and the asymmetric effects of unexpected shocks to the information flow on volatility in Indian commodity markets.

Design/methodology/approach

– After having dissected into expected and unexpected components, the effects of trade volume and open interest on volatility are tested. A new interaction term is also added to measure asymmetry. Four commodities, namely, cumin, soy oil and pepper in food commodity category and guar seed in non-food commodity category are selected for the present study. These four commodities are selected based on their economic and trading importance, i.e. weight in the index and trading volume (liquidity).

Findings

– It is mostly found that unexpected volatility is positively related to the volatility, and the effect of the unexpected component is more than the expected component of the trading volume. The expected open interest is negatively related to volatility while the unexpected open interest is found to be positively related in all the commodities. The effects of unexpected component are higher than the expected open interest. The effects of positive unexpected shocks to the trade volume are more than those of negative unexpected shocks. The evidence of asymmetry in unexpected shocks to open interest is inconclusive. However, the inclusion of volume of trade and open interest could not vanish away the volatility. This indicates that the trading volume and open interest are not the variable with mixed distribution. Thus, it contrasts the assumption of mixed distribution hypothesis, and they do not proxy the flow of information.

Practical implications

– It is the unexpected information flow that matters more than the expected one. Positive unexpected shocks to trade volume are more influential than the negative shocks. However, trade volume and open interest are not good proxy of information flow in the Indian commodity markets. This study would definitely broaden the horizon of managers and policymakers to understand the volatility better.

Originality/value

– The paper is unique in terms of understanding the effect of expected and unexpected trade volume and open interest and the asymmetric effects of unexpected shocks to volume and open interest in the Indian commodity markets.
Spillovers from FDI and local networks
Authors: Kimino Satomi , Driffield Nigel , Saal David
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the importance of host country networks and organisation of production in the context of international technology transfer that accompanies foreign direct investment (FDI).

Design/methodology/approach

– The empirical analysis is based on unbalanced panel data covering Japanese firms active in two-digit manufacturing sectors over a seven-year period. Given the self-selection problem affecting past sectoral-level studies, using firm-level panel data is a prerequisite to provide robust empirical evidence.

Findings

– While Japan is thought of as being a technologically advanced country, the results show that vertical productivity spillovers from FDI occur in Japan, but they are sensitive to technological differences between domestic firms and the idiosyncratic Japanese institutional network. FDI in vertically organisedkeiretsusectors generates inter-industry spillovers through backward and forward linkages, while FDI within sectors linked to verticalkeiretsuactivities adversely affects domestic productivity. Overall, our results suggest that the role of verticalkeiretsuis more prevalent than that of horizontalkeiretsu.

Originality/value

– Japan’s industrial landscape has been dominated by institutional clusters or networks of inter-firm organisations through reciprocated, direct and indirect ties. However, interactions between inward investors and such institutionalised networks in the host economy are seldom explored. The role and characteristics of local business groups, in the form ofkeiretsunetworks, have been investigated to determine the scale and scope of spillovers from inward FDI to Japanese establishments. This conceptualisation depends on the institutional mechanism and the market structure through which host economies absorb and exploit FDI.
Meeting Big Data challenges with visual analytics
Authors: Louise Lemieux Victoria , Gormly Brianna , Rowledge Lyse
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the role of records management in supporting the effective use of information visualisation and visual analytics (VA) to meet the challenges associated with the analysis of Big Data.

Design/methodology/approach

– This exploratory research entailed conducting and analysing interviews with a convenience sample of visual analysts and VA tool developers, affiliated with a major VA institute, to gain a deeper understanding of data-related issues that constrain or prevent effective visual analysis of large data sets or the use of VA tools, and analysing key emergent themes related to data challenges to map them to records management controls that may be used to address them.

Findings

– The authors identify key data-related issues that constrain or prevent effective visual analysis of large data sets or the use of VA tools, and identify records management controls that may be used to address these data-related issues.

Originality/value

– This paper discusses a relatively new field, VA, which has emerged in response to meeting the challenge of analysing big, open data. It contributes a small exploratory research study aimed at helping records professionals understand the data challenges faced by visual analysts and, by extension, data scientists for the analysis of large and heterogeneous data sets. It further aims to help records professionals identify how records management controls may be used to address data issues in the context of VA.
New kids on the mall: babyfied dogs as fashionable co-consumers
Authors: Vänskä Annamari
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This article is a theoretical investigation about the babyfied dog and the troubled relationship between dogs and parenting in contemporary consumerist culture.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the frame of the special theme issue, the focus of the article is on theorising consumption and care in the context of new motherhood. The article analyses why the babyfied and fashionable dog has become so popular and what the human–dog/animal–transgression is about.

Findings

– The anthropomorphised animal is an integral part of constructing and understanding the romantic ideal of childhood and childhood innocence. Simultaneously with the modern educational attitude towards pets and animals in general, real animals, especially small lapdogs, have started to replace teddy bears and other plush animals as the dressed-up childlike animal. The tamed and designed animal is not completely an animal anymore and occupies the space between the human and the animal, becoming central to the reconfiguration of the family, childhood, leisure and identity. Currently, as the number of children in families decreases, the babyfied dog is taking the place traditionally reserved for the child.

Research limitations/implications

– Even though the findings cannot be generalised, they suggest that more research on the relationship between humans and dogs is needed.

Originality/value

– The article makes an original contribution to the theme issue by focusing on the still unusual, yet strongly emerging form of parenting and care of dogs. Doing this, the article challenges ideas about “natural parenting” by arguing that dogs are the latest babies and fashionable co-consumers.
Relative assistance to Australian agriculture and manufacturing since Federation
Authors: Lloyd Peter , MacLaren Donald
Published: August 2014

This paper quantifies the levels of assistance received by producers of the major agricultural crops and animal products in Australia since Federation and compares this with the level of assistance provided to manufacturing producers. First, we construct a series of the production‐weighted average nominal rate of assistance for the whole sector. Then, we compute a measure of the level of assistance received by the Agriculture sector relative to that received by the Manufacturing sector, the Relative Rate of Assistance. Our results show that, from the time of Federation until the 1990s, the economy‐wide pattern of industry assistance discriminated persistently and heavily against the Agriculture sector. The policy of ‘protection all round’ pursued by the Country/National Party did not prevent this discrimination. In particular, producers of exportables, such as wool and wheat, were heavily discriminated against. Both the intersectoral bias and the differences in assistance among agricultural producers lowered the incomes of the Agriculture sector and the national income.
Microstructure of pretarsal pulvilli in shield bug Acanthosoma spinicolle (Heteroptera: Acanthosomatidae)
Authors: Yang Sung‐Chan , Moon Myung‐Jin
Published: August 2014

Shield bugs effectively attach themselves on both rough and smooth surfaces, but their advanced biological attachment devices have not been studied closely. Our fine structural examination of the attachment devices in the shield bug A. spinicolle reveals a unique system to achieve extraordinary adhesion that allows vertical climbing. Each appendage has a pair of tarsal claws that attach to rough substrates and a pair of pretarsal pulvilli that attach to smooth surfaces. Similar to other heteropteran insects, the pulvilli of this bug are categorized as a wet adhesion system, which makes use of an adhesive fluid from the pad secretion. However, this deformable pad creates a regular pattern of contact with the mating surface with a compact array of microfolds and setae with filamentous distal protrusions. To date, this distinctive microstructure in pulvilli pads has never been reported. These microstructural characteristics should be further studied to understand biological adhesion as well as create biomimetic applications.
Prussian Emulations of a Chinese Meritocratic Ideal? Early Modern Europe Debating How China Selected Civil Servants
Authors: Jacobsen Stefan Gaarsmand
Published: August 2014

The challenges to the administrative power of the European nobility in the eighteenth century are often investigated as a result of new ideas, technologies or social developments arising from inter‐European debates. Enlarging this perspective, this article investigates how Jesuit descriptions of Chinese examination systems for state offices became part of German debates from the seventeenth century onwards. A reform of the Prussian administration in 1770, making it the first European state to demand that all civil servants pass a written exam, opens the question of whether the debates on Chinese meritocracy had an impact on the ‘bureaucratisation’ of Europe.