bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arabidopsis Decapping 5 Is Required for mRNA Decapping, P-Body Formation, and Translational Repression during Postembryonic Development
Authors: Xu Jun , Chua Nam-Hai
Published: October 2009

Eukaryotic processing bodies (P-bodies) are implicated in mRNA storage and mRNA decapping. We previously found that a decapping complex comprising Decapping 1 (DCP1), DCP2, and Varicose in Arabidopsis thaliana is essential for postembryonic development, but the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Here, we characterized Arabidopsis DCP5, a homolog of human RNA-associated protein 55, as an additional P-body constituent. DCP5 associates with DCP1 and DCP2 and is required for mRNA decapping in vivo. In spite of its association with DCP2, DCP5 has no effect on DCP2 decapping activity in vitro, suggesting that the effect on decapping in vivo is indirect. In knockdown mutant dcp5-1, not only is mRNA decapping compromised, but the size of P-bodies is also significantly decreased. These results indicate that DCP5 is required for P-body formation, which likely facilitates efficient decapping. During wild-type seed germination, mRNAs encoding seed storage proteins (SSPs) are translationally repressed and degraded. By contrast, in dcp5-1, SSP mRNAs are translated, leading to accumulation of their products in germinated seedlings. In vitro experiments using wheat germ extracts confirmed that DCP5 is a translational repressor. Our results showed that DCP5 is required for translational repression and P-body formation and plays an indirect role in mRNA decapping.
The role of robots in the food industry: a review
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of present‐day and anticipated future applications of robots in the food industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the use of robots in the agriculture and farming, processing and packaging and retail sectors of the industry. Examples are given of specific applications and development activities.

Findings

Robots are being developed for many agriculture and farming applications but with the exception of milking robots, most still remain at the research/prototype stage. Food processing and packaging is the best developed sector of the industry and most uses entail picking, packing and palletising, although meat cutting is a growing application. Robots are few in the food retail sector although a number of innovative, niche products have recently been launched.

Originality/value

This paper reviews the use of robots throughout the food chain and considers possible future applications.
In quest of mobility – Honda to develop walking assist devices
Authors: Kusuda Yoshihiro
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe new walking assist devices Honda is developing.

Design/methodology/approach

The exhibition, press release and interview are described. The features of the walking assist devices are presented.

Findings

The paper finds that Honda is developing walking assist devices for elderly and disabled people based on its expertise in autonomous walking obtained through the development of Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the value of the walking assist devices.
Development of an inspection robot for long‐distance transmission pipeline on‐site overhaul
Authors: Yuan Jianming , Wu Xinjun , Kang Yihua , Huang Chen
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Damage of oil and gas long‐distance transmission pipelines caused by corrosion, stresses, geological change, and other factors can result in catastrophic failures. The purpose of this paper is to describe a mobile out‐pipe inspection robot for the pipeline inspection.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adapts to the requirements of long‐distance transmission pipelines on‐site overhaul, the robot developed in this paper utilizes a local magnetic flux leakage testing method for the pipeline inspection. Detection, walking, attachment, steering, and control units are designed for the robot.

Findings

The detection apparatus of the robot plays dual roles as detection and attachment unit. So, the structure of the robot is relatively simple and it is relatively small in size and relatively light.

Practical implications

A prototype of the robot has been manufactured according to the design. Results of the test in lab show the robot can be used to inspect pipe.

Originality/value

The robot is able to scan and inspect the pipeline along the planned route automatically.
A miniature wall climbing robot with biomechanical suction cups
Authors: Hu Bingshan , Wang Liwen , Zhao Yanzheng , Fu Z.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Wall climbing robots' volume is needed to be very small in fields that workspace is limited, such as anti‐terror scouting, industry pipe network inspecting and so on. The purpose of this paper is to design a miniature wall climbing robot with biomechanical suction cups actuated by shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on characteristics of biologic suction apparatuses, the biomechanical suction cup is designed first. Theory analysis of the suction cup is made considering elastic plate's deflection and SMAs constitutive model. A triangular close linkage locomotion mechanism is chosen for the miniature robot because of its simple structure and control. The robot's gait, kinematics, and control system are all illustrated in this paper.

Findings

Experiments indicate that the suction cup can be used as an adhesion mechanism for miniature wall climbing robots, and the miniature robot prototype with biomechanical suction cups can move in straight line and turn with a fixed angle on an inclined glass wall.

Originality/value

This paper describes how a miniature wall climbing robot with biomechanical suction cups actuated by SMA without any air pump is designed.
Analysis of the effects of time delays on the teleoperation of a mobile robot in various modes of operation
Authors: Sanders David
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of time delay on the ability of a human operator to complete a task with a teleoperated mobile‐robot using two systems, two different ways of interacting with the mobile‐robots and several different environments.

Design/methodology/approach

Teleoperators are observed completing a series of tasks using a joystick to control a mobile‐robot while time delays are introduced to the system. They sit at a computer and view scenes remotely on a screen. Cameras are either mounted on the robot or mounted externally so that they view both the environment and robot. Teleoperators complete the tests both with and without sensors. One robot system uses an umbilical cable and one uses a radio link.

Findings

In simple environments, a teleoperator may perform better without a sensor system to assist them but as time delays are introduced then there are more failures. In more complicated environments or when time delays are longer, then teleoperators perform better with a sensor system to assist. Teleoperators may also tend to perform better with a radio link than with an umbilical connection.

Research limitations/implications

Teleoperated systems rely heavily on visual feedback and experienced operators. This paper investigates the effect of introducing a delay to the delivery of that visual feedback.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that in simple environments with short time delays then the amount of sensor support should be small but in more complicated environments or with longer delays then more sensor support needs to be provided.

Originality/value

Results from imposing time delays on a teleoperated mobile‐robot are presented. Effects on the task of different ways of viewing activity on a computer display are presented, that is with cameras mounted on the robot or cameras mounted externally to view both the environment and robot. Results from using sensors to assist teleoperators are presented. The paper suggests that the amount of sensor support should be varied depending on circumstances.
Intelligent methodology for sensing, modeling, and control of weld penetration in robotic welding system
Authors: Lin T. , Chen H.B. , Li W.H. , Chen S.B.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an efficient online monitoring system. It can improve the welding quality through the real‐time analysis of the welding image information.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a set‐variable precision rough set (VPRS) modeling method was improved and the prediction model of back‐side bead width dynamic response for robotic arc welding process is proposed. Back‐side width based on the vision sensor in the compound controller is used. Meantime, a compound intelligent controller is designed with the wire‐feeding rate compensation.

Findings

The dynamical information of the top‐side weld pool can be captured in real‐time. Moreover, VPRS prediction model could provide the back‐side bead width of the weld, which integrated with the fuzzy neural network controller. Therefore, more uniform weld penetration can be achieved with the variation of the assembling gap.

Research limitations/implications

The monitor system requires that the information of the weld pool and the front gap can be extracted precisely. Moreover, the front assembling gap should be limited in a certain interval [0∼3 mm]. This puts forward high request to image processing algorithm and the assembling of the work‐piece.

Practical implications

This monitor system is applicable to the manufacturing of the spherical head petals in rocket storage tank.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that the compound intelligent controller based on the VPRS prediction is possible and effective. The experiments show that the real‐time and precision requirements for monitoring and control of weld quality can be satisfied by using this online control system during welding process.
Direct step‐by‐step method for industrial robot path planning
Authors: Rubio Francisco , Valero Francisco , Sunyer Joseph , Mata Vicente
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to solve the path‐planning problem of industrial robots in complex environments.

Design/methodology/approach

A direct method (in each step, the path is been recorded) is presented in which the search of the path is made in the state space of the robotic system, and it makes use of the information generated about the characteristics of the process, introducing graph techniques for branching. The method poses an optimization problem that aims at minimizing the distance travelled by the significant points of the robot.

Findings

A new approach to solve the path‐planning problem has been introduced in which the behaviour of three operational parameters (computational time, distance travelled and number of configurations generated) have been analyzed so that the user can choose the most efficient algorithm depending on which parameter he is most interested in.

Research limitations/implications

A new technique has been introduced which yields good results as the examples show.

Practical implications

The algorithm is able to obtain the solution to the path‐planning problem for any industrial robot working in a complex environment.

Originality/value

Gives a new tool for solving the path‐planning problem.
The Lufthansa School of Business and the London Business School General Management Programme
Authors: Stewart‐Allen Allyson , Christ Michael
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Reviews the latest management developments and training programs within the Lufthansa School of Business and the London Business School.

Design/methodology/approach

Under the “Preferred Partnership Concept” the LHSB co‐operates with three internationally‐renowned business schools for major executive training programs. London Business School (LBS) is one of these three contracted partners. The main focus of the partnership is the General Management Programme (GMP), which has now been held successfully in close co‐operation between the LBS and the LHSB for the third time.

Findings

The key to the ongoing success of the GMP has been the communication within the team producing the three live events in three global locations. The program's success is a direct result of the consistency and quality of communication, of team members' desire to continuously improve the modules, project management, the briefing process for presenters (whether faculty members, Lufthansa Board members, guest speakers), and the detailed checklists and scheduling by the LBS Program Manager.

Practical implications

Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

Originality/value

The paper examines key areas in advanced management training (and development) and highlights two unique and interlinked strategic concepts.
Virtual strategy development in Alfa Laval
Authors: Malmgren Mikael E. , Caulat Ghislaine
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This case study describes how Alfa Laval instigated and deployed virtual working to develop the response to a major strategic initiative.

Design/methodology/approach

The challenge was to engage the top 30 managing directors located in countries across the globe in a six‐month project timeframe.

Findings

The solution was to engage Ashridge Business School and specifically its expertise in working virtually and in developing strategy processes.

Originality/value

The main thrust of the paper is to describe the important design parameters that ensure successful virtual strategy development as well as some of the tangible benefits this approach has compared with traditional strategy development processes.
Partnership for organizational transformation: collectively co‐creating a new VVAA 2.0 culture
Authors: Wierdsma André , van Hemsbergen Herman
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how VVAA's decision to work with the Nyenrode Business University (EMDC) to develop and change the culture of its organization and improve the business proposition they offered to their members.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper details the consequences for VVAA decision to strengthen the existing management and key professionals. By offering the top 80 key people (managers and professionals) a developmental program which would raise the awareness of their own competences and the need for more cross boundary cooperation.

Findings

The paper reports that an organizational transformation program can only be successful if it is part of a set of interventions to really change the company. Consistency in behavior at the top is crucial because everybody watches the behavior of top management and becomes extremely aware of discrepancies and inconsistencies.

Practical implications

Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced the organizational transformation of VVAA culture.

Originality/value

The paper provides a structured approach to the process of building effective learning interventions based on a clear understanding of the need to change.
Interview with Norm Smallwood
Authors: by Ruth Young Interview
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present and an interview with Norm Smallwood, co‐founder of The RBL Group, an advisory firm to the world's top HR leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent interviewer.

Findings

Norm Smallwood current work concentrates on increasing business value by building organization, strategic HR and leadership capabilities that measurably impact market value.

Originality/value

The interview provides insights into how organizations should implement their strategic vision.
The natural neighbour radial point interpolation method: dynamic applications
Authors: Dinis L.M.J.S. , Natal Jorge R.M. , Belinha J.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend the natural neighbour radial point interpolation method (NNRPIM) to the dynamic analysis (free vibrations and forced vibrations) of two‐dimensional, three‐dimensional and bending plate problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The NNRPIM shape‐function construction is briefly presented, as are the dynamic equations and the mode superposition method is used in the forced vibration analysis. Several benchmark examples of two‐dimensional and plate bending problems are solved and compared with the three‐dimensional NNRPIM formulation. The obtained results are compared with the available exact solutions and the finite element method (FEM) solutions.

Findings

The developed NNRPIM approach is a good alternative to the FEM for the solution of dynamic problems, once the obtained results with the EFGM shows a high similarity with the obtained FEM results and for the majority of the studied examples the NNRPIM results are more close to the exact solution results.

Research limitations/implications

Comparing the FEM and the NNRPIM, the computational cost of the NNRPIM is higher.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates extension of the NNRPIM to the dynamic analysis of two‐dimensional, three‐dimensional and bending plate problems. The elimination of the shear‐locking phenomenon in the NNRPIM plate bending formulation. The various solved examples prove a high convergence rate and accuracy of the NNRPIM.
Comparing displacement ventilation and mixing ventilation as HVAC strategies through CFD
Authors: Serra Nuno , Semiao Viriato
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare two different ventilation strategies, displacement and mixing, in heat, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems with recourse to computational fluid dynamics (CFD).

Design/methodology/approach

The flow and the heat and mass transfer are numerically predicted inside an air‐conditioned room with a desk and an occupant for the cooling and heating periods in moderate climate regions, like Mediterranean countries. Focus is placed on energy efficiency, thermal comfort and internal air quality (IAQ), evaluated from the simulations of the three‐dimensional, turbulent, non‐isothermal and buoyant flow of moist air.

Findings

For the cooling period, displacement exhibits higher energy and ventilation efficiencies promoting simultaneously better comfort for the occupant. For the heating period, mixing performs better due to the short‐circuit phenomenon occurring with the displacement flow. Overall, mixing behaves better for air‐conditioning of typical office rooms in Mediterranean‐climate countries, where heating and cooling climatization modes have to be alternated according to the season.

Research limitations/implications

Room, desk and occupant are designed as parallelepipeds. No experimental work is performed but models used are previously validated by other authors against experimental data.

Practical implications

The results indicate a short‐circuit flow phenomenon that must be avoided when designing HVAC systems.

Originality/value

Use of grilles layout typical for the cooling period to study the air‐conditioning of a typical office room during the heating period, incorporating in the model a transport equation for the moisture. IAQ is simulated together with the flow, the heat and the comfort conditions: velocities, temperature, predicted mean vote (PMV), predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PPD), draught rating (DR), PPD due to air quality (PDQ) and air moisture content are calculated simultaneously.
A heuristic solution to the university timetabling problem
Authors: Adewumi Aderemi O. , Sawyerr Babatunde A. , Montaz Ali M.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the problem of university lecture timetabling. Timetabling deals with the problem of placing certain resources into a limited number of time slots, subject to given constraints, in order to satisfy a set of stated objectives to the highest possible extent. It is a well‐known and established NP‐hard problem. University timetabling is a major administrative activity especially in the third world universities. Solving the problem requires dynamic heuristics with predictable performance especially as the number of courses increases without corresponding increase in needed resources.

Design/methodology/approach

A genetic algorithm metaheuristic is designed to handle a real‐life case study. Given the present structure of the case study, a modular approach to the design of the timetable schedules is adopted. The approach considers timetable in a bottom‐up fashion at the various levels of department, faculty or entire university. Simulation study is conducted using the open source Java IDE, Eclipse® 3.0 in a window XP/vista environment running on a processor of 1.12 GHz.

Findings

Using the data sub‐set from the case study, simulation experiments are conducted based on the proposed method and obtained promising results.

Research limitations/implications

Given the modular approach, the timetable system can easily be adapted to other various levels in the institution.

Originality/value

With reference to the case study, this is believed to be the first application of metaheuristics to a timetabling problem. The sensitivity analysis of the algorithm parameters is very valuable in guiding actual application development for the problem.
Numerical simulation of cutterhead and soil interaction in slurry shield tunneling
Authors: Shen Jianqi , Jin Xianlong , Li Yun , Wang Jiyun
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a 3D finite element (FE) model for dynamic simulation of cutterhead and soil interaction in slurry shield tunneling.

Design/methodology/approach

Dynamic numerical simulation of excavation process is realized by combined use of submodeling method and arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) approach. The model size reduction, soil mesh refinement and stress state initialization are fulfilled by submodeling. The large soil deformations, failures and flows are handled by ALE approach. Computation time is reduced by parallel domain decomposition with recursive coordinate bisection method. Validation of the proposed approach is achieved by comparing the numerical results with monitored data from the model test for Yangtze River tunneling project.

Findings

The proposed approach proves to be an effective technique to simulate the cutterhead and soil interaction dynamically in tunnel excavation. Comparative study on the effect of mesh density indicates the requirement of relative mesh refinement. Exploration of the parallel computing performance points out the best decomposed domain for the simulation. Parametric study on the effect of rotary speed and investigation on soil properties presents the significant factors for torque.

Practical implications

The proposed numerical model can help in the development process of reduced‐scale model test, as well as design and selection of slurry shield machines.

Originality/value

The originality comes from the need to evaluate the excavation performance of slurry shield machine in tunneling project. This contribution provides a 3D numerical approach, which takes into account the stress state in soil and dynamic contact effects between soil and cutterhead. In this work, large deformation in soil is handled. Besides, soil failures and flows are captured.
Pressure pulsation prediction by 3D turbulent unsteady flow simulation through whole flow passage of Kaplan turbine
Authors: Liu Shuhong , Mai Jianqiang , Shao Jie , Wu Yulin
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to predict pressure pulsation in Kaplan hydraulic turbines.

Design/methodology/approach

State of the art numerical simulation techniques are employed to simulate three‐dimensional flows in the whole flow passage of a Kaplan turbine so that pressure pulsations can be computed in both time domain and frequency domain. Numerical results are verified by experiments carried out on the most advanced experimental platform in China.

Findings

It is found that the proposed numerical model is a viable tool for prediction of pressure pulsations. The simulation shows that the model turbine and prototype turbine have the same pressure pulsation frequencies and rotating frequencies and the same transmission patterns under similar operation conditions. However, there is no similarity for the amplitude of the pressure pulsation between the model turbine and the prototype turbine. Therefore pressure pulsations in a prototype turbine cannot be obtained by scaling the experimental results of the model turbine using a similarity relationship.

Practical implications

The findings will be very valuable for the design of hydraulic turbines and large‐scale hydraulic power stations.

Originality/value

The proposed numerical method provides a viable tool for hydraulic turbine and power station designers to predict the pressure pulsations in prototype turbines. It is a useful tool to help improve the performance of hydraulic turbines. The findings made in the numerical simulation have been verified by experiments, which is also a valuable reference for hydraulic turbine designers.
Accuracy, reliability and validity of finite element analysis in metal forming: a user's perspective
Authors: Tekkaya A.E. , Martins P.A.F.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide industrial, education and academic users of computer programs a basic overview of finite elements in metal forming that will enable them to recognize the pitfalls of the existing formulations, identify the possible sources of errors and understand the routes for validating their numerical results.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology draws from the fundamentals of the finite elements, plasticity and material science to aspects of computer implementation, modelling, accuracy, reliability and validation. The approach is illustrated and enriched with selected examples obtained from research and industrial metal forming applications.

Findings

The presentation is a step towards diminishing the gap being formed between developers of the finite element computer programs and the users having the know‐how on the metal forming technology. It is shown that there are easy and efficient ways of refreshing and upgrading the knowledge and skills of the users without resorting to complicated theoretical and numerical topics that go beyond their knowledge and most often are lectured out of metal forming context.

Originality/value

The overall content of the paper is enhancement of previous work in the field of sheet and bulk metal forming, and from experience in lecturing these topics to students in graduate and post‐graduate courses and to specialists of metal forming from industry.
Boundary element analysis of mixed‐mode stress intensity factors in an anisotropic cuboid with an inclined surface crack
Authors: Chen Chia‐Hau , Pan Ernian , Tseng Han‐Chou , Yu Pao‐Shan
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present special nine‐node quadrilateral elements to discretize the un‐cracked boundary and the inclined surface crack in a transversely isotropic cuboid under a uniform vertical traction along its top and bottom surfaces by a three‐dimensional (3D) boundary element method (BEM) formulation. The mixed‐mode stress intensity factors (SIFs), KI, KII and KIII, are calculated.

Design/methodology/approach

A 3D dual‐BEM or single‐domain BEM is employed to solve the fracture problems in a linear anisotropic elastic cuboid. The transversely isotropic plane has an arbitrary orientation, and the crack surface is along an inclined plane. The mixed 3D SIFs are evaluated by using the asymptotical relation between the SIFs and the relative crack opening displacements.

Findings

Numerical results show clearly the influence of the material and crack orientations on the mixed‐mode SIFs. For comparison, the mode‐I SIF when a horizontal rectangular crack is embedded entirely within the cuboid is calculated also. It is observed that the SIF values along the crack front are larger when the crack is closer to the surface of the cuboid than those when the crack is far away from the surface.

Research limitations/implications

The FORTRAN program developed is limited to regular surface cracks which can be discretized by the quadrilateral shape function; it is not very efficient and suitable for irregular crack shapes.

Practical implications

The evaluation of the 3D mixed‐mode SIFs in the transversely isotropic material may have direct practical applications. The SIFs have been used in engineering design to obtain the safety factor of the elastic structures.

Originality/value

This is the first time that the special nine‐node quadrilateral shape function has been applied to the boundary containing the crack mouth. The numerical method developed can be applied to the SIF calculation in a finite transversely isotropic cuboid within an inclined surface crack. The computational approach and the results of SIFs are of great value for the modeling and design of anisotropic elastic structures.
Affect and cognition as predictors of behavioral intentions towards services
Authors: Smith Anne , Reynolds Nina
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine alternative approaches to measuring service evaluation across cultures. This paper aims to assess: differences between cognitive and affective measures and their ability to predict behavioral intentions and the impact of service features on these measures.

Design/methodology/approach

A self‐completion survey of African (East/West), Chinese, and English higher education students includes service quality, satisfaction, affect (emotions/feelings), and behavioral intentions scales relating to retail banking.

Findings

For all groups, overall quality, satisfaction, and positive affect predict behavioral intentions. Negative affect is significant for English consumers. Differences across cultures are identified in the determinants of service evaluation, for example, assurance and responsiveness, but these are antecedents of affect and not of overall service quality or satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is drawn from cultural groups (based on Hofstede's individualism continuum) of higher education students in the UK. The implications for generalizability of findings to wider populations and the need to recognize the considerable diversity within the cultural sample groupings is emphasized.

Practical implications

Service providers should include measures of affect in surveys which aim to assess the role of service features in overall evaluation and behavioral intentions towards the service. This will provide valuable data for managerial decision making and resource allocation. Cultural comparisons derived from cognitive‐based Western measures may fail to identify elements of service quality which impact on behavioral intentions.

Originality/value

No other studies have directly compared a range of alternative service‐related measures as predictors of behavioral intentions across cultures, or included African consumers who are rarely represented in service evaluation studies.
A cultural paradox in authority‐based advertising
Authors: Min Jung Jae , Polyorat Kawpong , Kellaris James J.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine an important exception to the “value congruity hypothesis,” which holds that advertising should be more effective when it is congruent with cultural values. It documents a paradoxical “reverse authority effect” among young adult consumers in traditionally high power distance (PD) countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Two experiments were conducted using data from traditionally high (South Korea in Study 1, Thailand in Study 2) and low (USA in Study 1) PD countries. Data are analyzed by variance analyses (multivariate analysis of covariance, analyses of variance) and regression.

Findings

Results show a reverse authority effect in Korea and attenuation of this effect in the USA (Study 1). Results also show a reverse authority effect in Thailand (Study 2), suggesting the generality of the effect across young consumers in traditionally high PD countries. It appears that a shift away from traditional cultural values has occurred in the course of modernization, as Western ideology gains popularity among young adult consumers in Eastern countries.

Practical implications

Findings suggest that traditional national culture alone is not a good predictor of responses to authority‐based ads. Rather, the extent to which a segment embraces or rejects traditional cultural values is more relevant.

Originality/value

This paper documents a notable exception to the value congruity hypothesis, i.e. a negative effect of authority‐based ads among young consumers in high PD cultures. It extends prior research and has implications for both theory and practice in global advertising.
Will ethical consumers sustain their values in the global credit crunch?
Authors: Carrigan Marylyn , de Pelsmacker Patrick
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The current global recession is presenting new and difficult challenges for those customers wishing to consume sustainably and ethically, and the marketers who seek to provide the goods that allow them to do so. The purpose of this paper is to explore to what extent international marketers can engage consumers with a social conscience and retain their loyalty both during and after the recession.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explores the impact the global recession is having upon consumers and marketers, and considers the evidence surrounding concerns that the demand for ethical products will decline across international markets as the recession deepens.

Findings

The discussion acknowledges that while discount retailers are thriving, and customers are trading down, evidence suggests that across international markets a significant number of socially conscious consumers are still exhibiting ethical consumption behaviour. Future marketing opportunities lie in providing consumers with products that will deliver value without compromising their ethical social values.

Originality/value

The paper offers a balanced perspective on the significance of ethical consumers to international marketers. The analysis highlights a number of threats and opportunities that exist in the current global recession, and the discussion is illustrated with several examples of successful marketing ethics in action.
Is it worthwhile to be a quality certified hotel? Evidence from Spain
Authors: José Tarí Juan , Claver‐Cortés Enrique , Pereira‐Moliner Jorge , Molina Azorín José F.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study whether quality certified hotels develop some managerial key factors in a significantly better way and have better performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical data were collected from a sample of 303 Spanish hotels. Hotels were grouped as certified and non‐certified hotels and the differences were analysed between these two groups in relation to the key factors and performance variables.

Findings

Certified hotels develop better the key factors and have better performance. This supports the findings related to this issue in other industries and expands the literature on quality management in the hotel industry.

Practical implications

Quality certifications in hotels may be an important strategic initiative because they may facilitate the development of key factors and may have an impact on firm performance.

Originality/value

The paper reinforces the fact that the quality certification is also important in the hotel industry, where the more scarce literature on this issue in this industry suggests that it is necessary to analyse the relationship of quality certification on firm performance.
An investigation of the hard and soft quality management factors of Australian SMEs and their association with firm performance
Authors: Gadenne David , Sharma Bishnu
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the key “hard” and “soft” quality management factors used by Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and their association with organisational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey questionnaire was constructed for this research using Powell's quality management framework. The respondents were required to indicate their degree of implementation of quality management practices and to rate their TQM performance in relation to overall performance, return on assets, market share and customer satisfaction.

Findings

The study found that improved overall performance appears to be favourably influenced by a combination of “hard” TQM factors such as benchmarking and quality measurement, continuous improvement, and efficiency improvement; and the “soft” TQM factors consisting of top management philosophy and supplier support, employee training and increased interaction with employees and customers. Furthermore, the TQM factors of employee training, efficiency improvement, and employee and customer involvement would appear to be important in maintaining customer satisfaction, whilst employee and customer involvement also appeared to be important in maintaining a competitive edge in terms of return on assets.

Originality/value

The findings show that it is necessary to focus on a combination of soft or behavioural aspects and the hard “systems‐oriented” aspects of QM to achieve an improvement in overall performance, and that to maintain customer satisfaction and return on assets it is just as important to focus on employee involvement and training, as it is to have a customer focus.
Critical success factors and problems in ISO 9000 maintenance
Authors: Ab Wahid Roslina , Corner James
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to try to identify the critical success factors and problems in ISO 9000 maintenance during the post‐certification period. Much of the published work on issues associated with ISO 9000 certification in the quality management journals focuses on how to obtain certification and the impact of certification on ISO‐certified organisations. Thus, studies do not generally address what happens after the organisations have obtained their certification.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 14 face‐to‐face interviews were conducted over a period of seven weeks with top management, middle management, lower management in charge of operations and quality, and the management representative responsible for the implementation of ISO 9000 in the case study organisation (XYZ). Each interview lasted between 1.5 and 2 hours. ISO documents were also reviewed as part of the data gathering process.

Findings

The results showed that people who comprise top management, other employees, the reward system, teamwork, continuous improvement, understanding of ISO itself, measurement of performance and communication are all critical success factors for ISO 9000 maintenance of XYZ. Apart from continuous improvement, other factors also seemed to be consistent with the findings from other studies. In contrast to the other studies, the current study found continuous improvement of process, people, and system as several of the critical success factors for the sustainable quality management system at XYZ.

Originality/value

This paper makes a contribution to the body of knowledge in the field of quality management systems during the post‐certification period where such work is limited, especially in the service sector.
Assessing the critical factors and their impact on the effective implementation of a food safety management system
Authors: Fotopoulos Christos V. , Kafetzopoulos Dimitrios P. , Psomas Evangelos L.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the critical factors of effective implementation (CFEI) of the Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP) system and to define the underlying structure among them. Having defined the latent constructs of the critical factors, the paper also aims to explore their impact on the HACCP effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

A research project was carried out in 107 Greek food companies. The data collection method used in this study was that of the questionnaire. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were applied to assess the reliability and validity of the latent constructs of the critical factors, while their impact on the HACCP effectiveness was examined through the multiple linear regression analysis.

Findings

Data analysis revealed that the latent constructs of the critical factors such as a company's attributes (prerequisite programmes, equipment and verification procedures) and the human resource attributes (employees' availability, commitment, training and will) are of major importance in implementing an effective HACCP system. According to the findings, these latent constructs have also significant impact on the achievement of the system's aims regarding the identification, assessment and the control of food‐borne safety hazards.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample size, the diversity of the food companies participated in this study and the subjective character of the data constitute the limitations of the present study. However, these limitations suggest future research orientations.

Practical implications

The food companies are supposed to implement a food safety management system, because of either internal or external reasons. However, the system's effectiveness is a parameter that should be assured. This study gives directions in order for the companies to fully achieve the HACCP systems' aims through the management of the critical factors' impact.

Originality value

This paper assesses the critical factors' importance in implementing an effective HACCP system and defines a reliable and valid structure among them identifying the broader dimensions to which they are summarized. In doing so, latent constructs are used as predictors of the HACCP effectiveness.
Case study of knowledge creation facilitated by Six Sigma
Authors: Wu Chuni , Lin Chinho
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between knowledge creation processes and the Six Sigma approach.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrated Six Sigma implementation process is proposed to explore knowledge creation opportunities within a Six Sigma program. A qualitative inquiry with thematic analysis which focuses on a TFT‐LCD (Thin Film Transistor‐Liquid Crystal Display) panel manufacturer and a glass substrates manufacturer is presented in order to identify how the Six Sigma program facilitates the knowledge creation process through the socialization, externalization combination and internalization (SECI) modes, and four types of space for knowledge creation, which are viewed as the different forms of ba, as proposed by Nonaka et al. , namely originating ba, interacting ba, systemizing ba and exercising ba.

Findings

This study contributes to integrating the domains of quality management and knowledge management research. The findings demonstrate the potential mediating effect of a Six Sigma knowledge‐creating system.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited in its research methodology, and the case studies are only two empirical illustrations of many other possible implementation processes. The author does not assume that these companies are paradigms or that their specific situations are applicable to all other business enterprises.

Originality/value

This architecture offers an initial model for an organization that wants to facilitate knowledge creation according to the prevailing Six Sigma approach, and further proceed with its knowledge management systems implementation to encourage the management of corporate knowledge and effectively enhance competitiveness.
Service quality and satisfaction in business‐to‐business services
Authors: Spreng Richard A. , Hui Shi Linda , Page Thomas J.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to investigate the effects of service quality and service satisfaction on intention in a business‐to‐business setting.

Design/methodology/approach

This research addresses three unanswered questions regarding satisfaction and service quality: the distinction between customer satisfaction and perceived service quality; their causal ordering; and their relative impact on intentions. The data were collected using a large survey of buyers in a business setting.

Findings

The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results show that service quality has a larger impact on intentions than does customer satisfaction. The results also show that the effects of individual transactions on intentions are mediated by corresponding cumulative constructs.

Research limitations/implications

The primary implications for theory include demonstrating the distinction between satisfaction and service quality; specifying, based on theory and logic, the causal ordering between transaction constructs and cumulative constructs, and between service quality and satisfaction; and assessing their relative impact on behavioral intentions.

Originality/value

The results show that one negative transaction outcome may not be sufficient to cause the customer to switch if the cumulative levels are sufficiently positive. Thus, a negative outcome may be discounted by the user if it is seen as a unique occurrence. However, a series of successive negative transaction outcomes may cause the cumulative constructs to become less positive, resulting in lower intentions to repurchase from the same supplier.
Coordinated interaction and paradox in business relationships
Authors: Biggemann Sergio , Buttle Francis
Published: October 2009

Purpose

In this paper the authors present a theoretical framework that shows how interaction between two or more companies depends on its context of performance. Reflexivity between two or more levels of context potentially leads the parties to a situation exhibiting an apparently contradictory nature: paradox. The authors study the manner in which such situations occur and are resolved.

Design/methodology/approach

The data in this paper comes from a three‐year‐long multiple case study investigation. Data was gathered from 15 different organizations through interviews, participant observation and document reviews.

Findings

Context‐bounded interaction between organizational actors can be interpreted in different, sometimes contradictory, ways, which can create paradox. Parties cannot stay in paradox for long because it may produce adverse personal and social consequences. Thus, resolution of paradox potentially causes significant changes to the structural attributes of relationships.

Practical implications

Paradox has potentially significant and destructive consequences for the quality of business‐to‐business relationships. Organizational actors who understand that paradox has been encountered can develop strategies for exiting paradox and maintaining high‐quality relationships with their partners.

Originality/value

This paper presents a novel theoretical framework that explains how business interaction can lead to paradox, the experience and resolution of which potentially makes significant changes to the structure of business relationships.