bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Should the Maximum Alcohol Content of Beer Sold in Western Australia be Restricted?
Authors: Smith D.I.
Published: July 2007

Abstract: Both overseas and Australian research has shown that low alcohol beers are predominantly consumed only by drinkers who have a low level of alcohol consumption. Contrary to their beliefs, beer drinkers are not able to distinguish between beers with a different alcohol content. The substitution of low alcohol beer (e.g. 3.7% v/v) for regular beer (5.0% v/v) should give very worthwhile benefits in the areas of traffic safety, crime and alcohol‐related morbidity and mortality. It is recommended that for a trial period of three months no regular beer should be sold in a remote community in order that the beneficial effect on alcohol consumption and alcohol‐related problems of substituting low alcohol beer for regular beer can be demonstrated. Assuming that the expected results are obtained, the next step would be to restrict the maximum alcohol content of beer sold in all of Western Australia for a trial period of three or twelve months.
Analysis of array CGH data for cancer studies using fused quantile regression
Authors: Li Youjuan , Zhu Ji
Published: July 2007

Motivation: The identification of DNA copy number changes provides insights that may advance our understanding of initiation and progression of cancer. Array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) has emerged as a technique allowing high-throughput genome-wide scanning for chromosomal aberrations. A number of statistical methods have been proposed for the analysis of array-CGH data. In this article, we consider a fused quantile regression model based on three motivations: (1) quantile regression may provide a more comprehensive picture for the ratio profile of copy numbers than the standard mean regression approach; (2) for simplicity, most available methods assume uniform spacing between neighboring clones, while incorporating the information of physical locations of clones may be helpful and (3) most current methods have a set of tuning parameters that must be carefully tuned, which introduces complexity to the implementation.

Results: We formulate the detection of regions of gains and losses in a fused regularized quantile regression framework, incorporating physical locations of clones. We derive an efficient algorithm that computes the entire solution path for the resulting optimization problem, and we propose a simple estimate for the complexity of the fitted model, which leads to convenient selection of the tuning parameter. Three published array-CGH datasets are used to demonstrate our approach.

Availability: R code are available at http://www.stat.lsa.umich.edu/~jizhu/code/cgh/

Contact:  jizhu@umich.edu

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A Study of Gibberellin Homeostasis and Cryptochrome-Mediated Blue Light Inhibition of Hypocotyl Elongation
Authors: Zhao Xiaoying , Yu Xuhong , Foo Eloise , Symons Gregory M. , Lopez Javier , Bendehakkalu Krishnaprasad T. , Xiang Jing , Weller James L. , Liu Xuanming , Reid James B. , Lin Chentao
Published: July 2007

Cryptochromes mediate blue light-dependent photomorphogenic responses, such as inhibition of hypocotyl elongation. To investigate the underlying mechanism, we analyzed a genetic suppressor, scc7-D (suppressors of cry1cry2), which suppressed the long-hypocotyl phenotype of the cry1cry2 (cryptochrome1/cryptochrome2) mutant in a light-dependent but wavelength-independent manner. scc7-D is a gain-of-expression allele of the GA2ox8 gene encoding a gibberellin (GA)-inactivating enzyme, GA 2-oxidase. Although scc7-D is hypersensitive to light, transgenic seedlings expressing GA2ox at a level higher than scc7-D showed a constitutive photomorphogenic phenotype, confirming a general role of GA2ox and GA in the suppression of hypocotyl elongation. Prompted by this result, we investigated blue light regulation of mRNA expression of the GA metabolic and catabolic genes. We demonstrated that cryptochromes are required for the blue light regulation of GA2ox1, GA20ox1, and GA3ox1 expression in transient induction, continuous illumination, and photoperiodic conditions. The kinetics of cryptochrome induction of GA2ox1 expression and cryptochrome suppression of GA20ox1 or GA3ox1 expression correlate with the cryptochrome-dependent transient reduction of GA4 in etiolated wild-type seedlings exposed to blue light. Therefore we propose that in deetiolating seedlings, cryptochromes mediate blue light regulation of GA catabolic/metabolic genes, which affect GA levels and hypocotyl elongation. Surprisingly, no significant change in the GA4 content was detected in the whole shoot samples of the wild-type or cry1cry2 seedlings grown in the dark or continuous blue light, suggesting that cryptochromes may also regulate GA responsiveness and/or trigger cell- or tissue-specific changes of the level of bioactive GAs.
C3 and C4 Pathways of Photosynthetic Carbon Assimilation in Marine Diatoms Are under Genetic, Not Environmental, Control
Authors: Roberts Karen , Granum Espen , Leegood Richard C. , Raven John A.
Published: July 2007

Marine diatoms are responsible for up to 20% of global CO2 fixation. Their photosynthetic efficiency is enhanced by concentrating CO2 around Rubisco, diminishing photorespiration, but the mechanism is yet to be resolved. Diatoms have been regarded as C3 photosynthesizers, but recent metabolic labeling and genome sequencing data suggest that they perform C4 photosynthesis. We studied the pathways of photosynthetic carbon assimilation in two diatoms by short-term metabolic 14C labeling. In Thalassiosira weissflogii, both C3 (glycerate-P and triose-P) and C4 (mainly malate) compounds were major initial (2–5 s) products, whereas Thalassiosira pseudonana produced mainly C3 and C6 (hexose-P) compounds. The data provide evidence of C3-C4 intermediate photosynthesis in T. weissflogii, but exclusively C3 photosynthesis in T. pseudonana. The labeling patterns were the same for cells grown at near-ambient (380 μL L−1) and low (100 μL L−1) CO2 concentrations. The lack of environmental modulation of carbon assimilatory pathways was supported in T. pseudonana by measurements of gene transcript and protein abundances of C4-metabolic enzymes (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase) and Rubisco. This study suggests that the photosynthetic pathways of diatoms are diverse, and may involve combined CO2-concentrating mechanisms. Furthermore, it emphasizes the requirement for metabolic and functional genetic and enzymic analyses before accepting the presence of C4-metabolic enzymes as evidence for C4 photosynthesis.
Facing the reality of semantic image retrieval
Authors: Enser Peter G.B. , Sandom Christine J. , Hare Jonathon S. , Lewis Paul H.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

To provide a better‐informed view of the extent of the semantic gap in image retrieval, and the limited potential for bridging it offered by current semantic image retrieval techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

Within an ongoing project, a broad spectrum of operational image retrieval activity has been surveyed, and, from a number of collaborating institutions, a test collection assembled which comprises user requests, the images selected in response to those requests, and their associated metadata. This has provided the evidence base upon which to make informed observations on the efficacy of cutting‐edge automatic annotation techniques which seek to integrate the text‐based and content‐based image retrieval paradigms.

Findings

Evidence from the real‐world practice of image retrieval highlights the existence of a generic‐specific continuum of object identification, and the incidence of temporal, spatial, significance and abstract concept facets, manifest in textual indexing and real‐query scenarios but often having no directly visible presence in an image. These factors combine to limit the functionality of current semantic image retrieval techniques, which interpret only visible features at the generic extremity of the generic‐specific continuum.

Research limitations/implications

The project is concerned with the traditional image retrieval environment in which retrieval transactions are conducted on still images which form part of managed collections. The possibilities offered by ontological support for adding functionality to automatic annotation techniques are considered.

Originality/value

The paper offers fresh insights into the challenge of migrating content‐based image retrieval from the laboratory to the operational environment, informed by newly‐assembled, comprehensive, live data.
The relative effects of knowledge, interest and confidence in assessing relevance
Authors: Ruthven Ian , Baillie Mark , Elsweiler David
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how different aspects of an assessor's context, in particular their knowledge of a search topic, their interest in the search topic and their confidence in assessing relevance for a topic, affect the relevance judgements made and the assessor's ability to predict which documents they will assess as being relevant.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted as part of the Text REtrieval Conference (TREC) HARD track. Using a specially constructed questionnaire information was sought on TREC assessors' personal context and, using the TREC assessments gathered, the responses were correlated to the questionnaire questions and the final relevance decisions.

Findings

This study found that each of the three factors (interest, knowledge and confidence) had an affect on how many documents were assessed as relevant and the balance between how many documents were marked as marginally or highly relevant. Also these factors are shown to affect an assessors' ability to predict what information they will finally mark as being relevant.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation is that the research is conducted within the TREC initiative. This means that we can report on results but cannot report on discussions with the assessors. The research implications are numerous but mainly on the effect of personal context on the outcomes of a user study.

Practical implications

One major consequence is that we should take more account of how we construct search tasks for IIR evaluation to create tasks that are interesting and relevant to experimental subjects.

Originality/value

Examining different search variables within one study to compare the relative effects on these variables on the search outcomes.
The digital library as place
Authors: Pomerantz Jeffrey , Marchionini Gary
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a high‐level investigation of the physical‐conceptual continuum occupied by both digital and physical libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

A framework is provided for thinking about the notions of place and library. The issue of materials and the ideas they represent is considered. Places for people are considered, including issues of people's sense of place in physical and digital spaces. The issue of physical and digital spaces as places for work, collaboration, and community‐building is considered.

Findings

As more digital libraries are built, and as more physical libraries offer electronic access to parts of their collection, two trends are likely to result: the role of the library as a storage space for materials will become decreasingly important; and the role of the library as a space for users, for individual and collaborative work, and as a space for social activity, will become increasingly important.

Research limitations/implications

Digital libraries are unable to fulfill some of the functions of the physical library as physical spaces, but are able to offer functions beyond what the physical library can offer as cognitive spaces.

Practical implications

Areas of likely future development for digital libraries are suggested, as vehicles for enhancing cognitive space by augmenting representations of ideas in materials.

Originality/value

This paper argues that in many ways digital libraries really are places in the conceptual sense, and will continue to broaden and enrich the roles that libraries play in people's lives and in the larger social milieu.
Conceptions of “information poverty” in LIS: a discourse analysis
Authors: Haider Jutta , Bawden David
Published: July 2007

Purpose

To provide an analysis of the notion of “information poverty” in library and information science (LIS) by investigating concepts, interests and strategies leading to its construction and thus to examine its role as a constitutive element of the professional discourse.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting from a Foucauldian notion of discourse, “information poverty” is examined as a statement in its relation to other statements in order to highlight assumptions and factors contributing to its construction. The analysis is based on repeated and close reading of 35 English language articles published in LIS journals between 1995 and 2005.

Findings

Four especially productive discursive procedures are identified: economic determinism, technological determinism and the “information society”, historicising the “information poor”, and the library profession's moral obligation and responsibility.

Research limitations/implications

The material selection is linguistically and geographically biased. Most of the included articles originate in English‐speaking countries. Therefore, results and findings are fully applicable only in an English language context.

Originality/value

The focus on overlapping and at times conflicting discursive procedures, i.e. the results of alliances and connections between statements, highlights how the “information poor” emerge as a category in LIS as the product of institutionally contingent, professional discourse. By challenging often unquestioned underlying assumptions, this article is intended to contribute to a critical examination of LIS discourse, as well as to the analysis of the discourses of information, which dominate contemporary society. It is furthermore seen to add to the development of discourse analytical approaches in LIS research.
An empirical study of perceived strategic value and adoption constructs: the Ghanaian case
Authors: Saffu Kojo , Walker John H. , Hinson Robert
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine empirically the link between the determinants of perceived strategic value (PSV) of e‐commerce and e‐commerce adoption among Ghanaian small and medium size enterprises (SMEs), defined as businesses that employ a maximum of 200 employees.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors randomly sampled SME owners/managers from the membership of the Ghana Club 100 (GC 100) and non‐traditional exporters (NTEs). Established databases are not the norm in Ghana, and GC 100 and NTEs had membership databases that were accessible to the local co‐author. Investigating e‐commerce adoption issues among these companies was warranted. The authors used a structured instrument developed and validated in prior studies to collect the data in a face to face interview. A pilot study was conducted to ascertain the clarity and reliability of the questionnaire. Of the SME owners/managers: 200 were contacted; 112 agreed to participate in the study; 107 responses were obtained – representing a 53.5 per cent response rate. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 14.

Findings

Factor analysis demonstrated convergent and discriminant validity and construct reliability. PSV construct resulted in four factors: Strategic Decision Support (SD), Information Management (IM), Organizational Support (OS) and Decision Aids (DA). This finding is both consistent and inconsistent with prior research. The adoption construct yielded five factors: Perceived Usefulness (PU), Ease of Use (EU), Compatibility (C), Organisational Readiness (OS) and External Pressure (EP). There was more congruence between our results and those of prior research.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations stem from small sample size, the population and locale from which the sample was drawn.

Practical implications

The study has research and practical implications, and these are discussed fully in the paper.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the knowledge of perceived strategic value and adoption of e‐commerce by SMEs in an under‐researched part of the world.
The role of market orientation in the business success of MNCs' UK subsidiaries
Authors: Qu Riliang
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to explore the role of market orientation in the multinational company's subsidiary's business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a questionnaire survey/analysis of a sample of 252 foreign subsidiaries in the UK.

Findings

The paper finds that market orientation is a key driver for business performance at foreign subsidiaries. However, the strength of its impact on performance depends on the subsidiary role.

Originality/value

This is the first systematic investigation of the role of market orientation in multinational companies' subsidiaries.
Managing the linkage between export development and poverty reduction
Authors: Owen Skae Frederick , Barclay Brian
Published: July 2007

Purpose

In the world's quest to eradicate poverty, the means to get there are not fully understood, nor are they universally agreed upon. However, most would accept that the link between trade and development in general and exports and poverty reduction in particular needs to be strengthened and effects better understood. The purpose of this paper is to suggest that a management framework exists by which the linkage between exports and poverty reduction can be better understood and as a consequence strengthened.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the International Trade Centre's Priority Setting Framework to Export Development, a hypothetical strategy has been prepared for the Rwandan coffee sector, which reinforces the export development and poverty reduction linkage.

Findings

Many strategies stop short at providing detailed action steps that result in the project's objectives being effectively implemented and its impact being measured.

Practical implications

The framework can be used to guide national strategy‐makers, trade support organizations, sector associations, NGOs and the donor community in formulating, and more importantly, implementing poverty reduction initiatives in the context of export development.

Originality/value

The paper draws upon a methodology applied in trade related technical assistance and attempts to demonstrate this framework, which primarily addresses competitiveness issues can be rigorously applied to the design and implementation of an export‐led poverty reduction strategy.
The South African poor White problem in the early twentieth century
Authors: Fourie Johan
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess whether any meaningful lessons can be learned from South Africa's early twentieth century experience of White poverty and to what extent such lessons can be applied in order to combat Black poverty today.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses quantitative measures to assert the scale of poverty for both White and Black poverty in the two periods. An extensive discussion of the causes of poverty in both periods concludes with specific policy implications for today. Because of the unique characteristics and history of South Africa, this paper provides a unique dimension to poverty analysis.

Findings

The paper suggests that three key policy lessons can be learned from the twentieth‐century effort to combat White poverty and applied to Black poverty as it exists in South Africa today: an improvement in the quality of education, an improvement in the property right ownership of the poor, and policies to eliminate the constraints on economic growth, by investment, for example, in infrastructure and new technological industries.

Research limitations/implications

Caution is advised when comparing past eras with the present; in comparing two periods that differ widely, only tentative recommendations is possible.

Originality/value

Since many areas of the world are faced with the difficult task of eradicating poverty, attempts that, to any extent, are successful are of interest and contribute positively to the development of the available knowledge base. The time‐span and design of this paper offers a unique perspective on poverty eradication efforts.
Trade from the ground up
Authors: Duke Allison , Long Charla
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is two‐fold. First, a case study is presented that examines a model of agricultural development created by Healing Hands International (HHI) as one answer to the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization call to reduce world hunger in half by 2015. Second, the study of HHI's agricultural model is used to identify some of the variables that might predict success in achieving sustainable agricultural systems in developing communities around the world. Specifically, training and establishing trust through social networks are explored as potential indicators in which HHI and other non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) can better determine whether they are meeting the goal of making trade work for the poor.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of HHI's agricultural program is conducted as a means to identify success criteria for similar programs designed to establish economic viability in developing countries.

Findings

HHI has received global attention for its success in establishing long‐term economic viability in impoverished communities. Through the examination of their four‐step approach to agricultural development, two variables were identified as potential indicators of success that may generalize to similar programs: training and establishing trust through social networks.

Originality/value

There are currently over 40,000 NGOs operating to develop sustained economic viability for developing countries; however, a state of crisis continues to exist. As such, identifying predictors of success is essential for ensuring the successful implementation of similar programs and providing evidence that can result in greater financial support.
Benefit‐feature segmentation: a tool for the design of supply‐chain strategy
Authors: Duarte Canever Mario , van Trijp Hans , van der Lans Ivo
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the effectiveness of different segmentation schemes as the basis of marketing strategy, with particular respect to supply‐chain decisions, and to propose a new procedure capable of combining benefits sought and features available.

Design/methodology/approach

In a study of buyers and consumers of beef in Brazil, segments based on three approaches were derived by hierarchical cluster analysis, fine‐tuned by K‐means cluster analysis. The outcome was evaluated for the viability and actionability of the preferred procedure, both objectively and through interviews with managers in the beef‐supply business.

Findings

The results revealed that a segmentation scheme combining benefits sought and features available yields more homogeneous and actionable segments, and has real promise as an input to the formulation and implementation of supply‐chain strategy.

Research limitations/implications

This promising innovation in market segmentation requires further study, and testing in the marketplace.

Practical implications

The proposed system is a usable aid to decision making.

Originality/value

The paper proposes an original approach to market segmentation.
The destruction of a cultural heritage: with reference to the problems of Iraq
Authors: Garcia Eric P.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to inform individuals that the looting and destruction of Iraq's cultural heritage was an attack on the rich culture of humanity itself.

Design/methodology/approach

Published works, both recent and ranging back to the middle of the twentieth century, such as articles, books, Congressional Bills/Parliamentary Acts, and United Nation reports were examined. By reviewing various pieces of literature and legislation, this paper reveals the long and difficult road to preserving a nation's cultural heritage.

Findings

In the wake of the USA's and coalition's invasion of Iraq in 2003, Iraq's National Library and Archives, National Museum, and other significant cultural heritage sites were pillaged by looters and thieves. This paper discusses the response by librarians and archivists to the destruction of Iraq's historical collections and the actions taken. The safeguards, which have, over time, developed to preserve a nation's cultural identity, were not enforced during or after the invasion of Iraq. This paper examines a few examples in the twentieth century of nations' repositories that were purposely destroyed.

Originality/value

This paper identifies key pieces of legislation and events that will allow individuals to comprehend to the fullest the danger to libraries and museums from modern warfare.
Revisiting the pioneering market orientation model in an emerging economy
Authors: Dwairi Musa , Bhuian Shahid N. , Jurkus Anthony
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to replicate Kohli and Jaworski, and Kohli's pioneering market orientation model within a highly growth‐oriented and competitive banking industry in an emerging Middle‐Eastern economy, Jordan.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted among top management personnel of 475 bank branches in Jordan. A total of 11 hypotheses related to market orientation; its antecedents and consequences were examined by estimating multiple regression models.

Findings

The study confirms that market orientation‐performance relationship is robust across diverse contexts. Also, top management traits are consistent predictors of market orientation. However, organizational factors as direct and linear determinants of market orientation are not completely stable. Further, the nature of the correlations between environmental factors and market orientation may be more complex than has been believed. In addition, within‐country variations along Hofstede's cultural dimensions may be possible. Finally, most scales including that of market orientation suffer from weaknesses.

Originality/value

This paper provides further validation for a market orientation model and unveils some of its weaknesses and strengths.
An empirical examination of the pricing policies and their antecedents in the services sector
Authors: Avlonitis George J. , Indounas Kostis A.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research paper is to investigate the pricing policies that service companies adopt in order to set their prices along with the service, organizational and environmental characteristics that influence these policies. Moreover, the extent to which these policies and characteristics are varied across different service industries is also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to achieve the research objectives, data were collected from 170 companies operating in six different service sectors in Greece through personal interviews. Moreover, a qualitative research through 38 in‐depth interviews was also conducted.

Findings

The study found that the pricing policies tend to be influenced by a number of different service, organizational and environmental characteristics, while different patterns of pricing behavior were clearly identified across different service industries.

Research limitations/implications

The practical implications of the findings refer to the fact that there does not seem to be a “one and only” recipe for pricing decisions, which can be applied to all circumstances and service contexts. Formulating the pricing strategy seems to be a “situation specific” business activity. The significance of these findings notwithstanding, the context of the study (Greece) is the most important caveat, since it limits the ability to generalize the results to other countries.

Originality/value

The contribution of the paper lies in the fact that it presents the first attempt to empirically examine the potential impact of the aforementioned characteristics on the pricing policies used especially across different service contexts.
Identity studies: multiple perspectives and implications for corporate‐level marketing
Authors: He Hong‐Wei , Balmer John M.T.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The concept of identity provides the platform by which many corporate‐level concepts can be understood such as corporate branding, corporate communications, corporate image and corporate reputation. As such, it can be viewed as providing the foundation to the nascent field of corporate marketing. This article seeks to break new ground by marshalling the literature that underpins the major disciplinary strands which inform identity studies and respectively focuses on the concepts of corporate identity (marketing) and organisational identity (organisational behaviour).

Design/methodology/approach

Two bodies of literature (corporate identity and organisational identity) were selected for review and examination in terms of their implications for corporate level marketing.

Findings

The authors' review of the literature makes an advance on extant reviews of the literature not only by highlighting the importance of identity and its potential to reveal the organisation (and thereby providing a foundation for the management and comprehension of corporate marketing activities such as corporate branding, communications, reputation etc.), but also by throwing light in terms of the various identity perspectives (four are identified) which differ with regard to conceptualisation,locusof analysis andexplanandum.

Originality/value

This analysis of the literature reveals a degree of synergy and integration between the two disciplinary strands of thought relating to identity. Moreover, the analysis facilitates a more comprehensive understanding of the implications of identity studies for the nascent field of corporate marketing.
An assessment of product class involvement in food‐purchasing behavior
Authors: Drichoutis Andreas C. , Lazaridis Panagiotis , Nayga Rodolfo M.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper sets out to investigate the factors affecting product class involvement for food. Factors affecting specific aspects of involvement are also to be explored. The aim is to determine the factors that affect involvement with food and sketch the profile of consumers more likely to be involved or not involved with food. This paper also seeks to assess the factors affecting the importance attached to different aspects of food such as taste, price, nutrition, ease of preparation, and brand name.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on the literature a conceptual model is developed and empirically tested using survey data collected from supermarkets in Athens. Data were analyzed using probit and ordered probit analysis and marginal effects were calculated which show how much the level of involvement or importance is affected when a variable is changed.

Findings

This study finds that younger consumers, those with higher education and income who engage in nutritional label use behavior and do not prepare food for their household are more likely to have low involvement with food. Less distinctive characteristics are apparent for the highly involved consumers. Different consumer profiles are also associated with different aspects of food involvement based on importance attached to price, ease of preparation, nutrition, taste, and brand name.

Research limitations/implications

A caveat has to do with the localized nature of this study and therefore the limitations in generalizing results. Future research could use larger samples and other measures of product class involvement to test the robustness of these results.

Practical implications

The study suggests that overall involvement with food, based on attribute importance, is affected by several socioeconomic and attitudinal variables. The findings also suggest that different profiles of consumers can be associated with different aspects or attributes of food such as taste, price, nutrition, ease of preparation, and brand name. The analysis can be used as a segmentation tool that can assist marketing management with marketing mix decisions, and in particular with promotional strategy in order to increase marketing efficiency.

Originality/value

The paper gives new insights on consumer segmentation. It provides the profile of consumers more likely to be involved or not involved with food based on specific aspects such as price, nutrition, taste, ease of preparation and brand name.
Buyer satisfaction with relational exchange across the relationship lifecycle
Authors: Terawatanavong Civilai , Whitwell Gregory J. , Widing Robert E.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how relational constructs (total interdependence, trust, commitment, cooperative norms and conflict) impact the buyer's relationship satisfaction across the relationship lifecycle.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through mail survey from a sample of 162 Australian buyers. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to purify the measurement scales and multiple regression analysis techniques using dummy variables were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate that interdependence and trust are associated with higher relationship satisfaction in the build‐up and maturity phases while commitment is associated with higher relationship satisfaction in the maturity phase. Unexpectedly, cooperative norms are found to drive relationship satisfaction in both the build‐up and maturity phases. Conflict, however, is not found to affect relationship satisfaction in the decline/deterioration phase.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of this study is the unequal sample size in each of the relationship phases. It would be desirable to run a model consisting of the five relational constructs for each of the three phases.

Originality/value

Literature has suggested that the effects of relational constructs on outcomes vary across relationship phases. While this notion has been established theoretically, there has been little attempt to measure it empirically. This paper provides an empirical test of the important, yet unexplored, question of how different relational constructs have different effects on buyer satisfaction depending upon the relationship phase.
Exploring collaboration between sales and marketing
Authors: Le Meunier‐FitzHugh Ken , Piercy Nigel F.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The study seeks to explore the antecedents and implications of collaboration between sales and marketing and further to identify whether there are benefits in terms of business performance of improving collaboration between sales and marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

Three exploratory case studies and a review of the literature are used to examine the antecedents to collaboration between sales and marketing. The case studies allow this fuzzy and undefined area to be clarified and existing theories to be empirically tested.

Findings

The study identifies that there are three types of factor influencing collaboration between sales and marketing: integrators, facilitators, and management attitudes towards coordination. The exploratory case studies establish that senior management plays a pivotal role in creating and improving collaboration between sales and marketing, and that there is a positive correlation between collaboration between sales and marketing, and improved business performance.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this study are that it is qualitative in nature and the conceptual framework needs be tested through a large‐scale survey. In addition, the study considers only large UK organisations and, therefore, future research should consider expanding the study to overseas organisations.

Practical implications

There appears to be an established relationship between the level of collaboration between sales and marketing and business performance. Further, the attitude of senior managers to improving coordination is critical to influencing collaboration between sales and marketing.

Originality/value

This study contends that sales and marketing need to collaborate rather than integrate and uses exploratory case studies to support the development of the framework.
The role of insurance in health care management in India
Authors: Gupta Hima
Published: July 2007

Purpose

Health insurance in India has shown little development. It has not been able to evoke enthusiasm among Indian insurers. Consequently, several reports on Indian health care insurance have been produced. The purpose of this paper is to offer a review of this matter.

Design/methodology/approach

Critical review of related published and grey literature.

Findings

Almost 79 per cent of health expenditure is borne by private bodies and the rest by the public. Authors argue that to stimulate private health insurance growth, the Indian government should recognize health insurance as a separate line of business and distinguish it from other non‐life insurance. Particular emphasis is placed on the present health care scenario in India and international field generally. A global comparison of selected Asian countries, regarding their national incomes and health expenditure in public and private sectors, generates insights. Third party administrators (TPAs) facilitate a cashless health services for their customers and offer back‐up services to the insurance companies. Desired strategies and ways of furthering the role of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority in acting as a regulator for the purpose of ensuring the industry's smooth functioning is an issue for India's health services.

Originality/value

Information about the present complexities in the health insurance market has been gathered from various sources and summarized.
Quality improvement and paramedic care
Authors: Linwood Russell , Day Gary , FitzGerald Gerrard , Oldenburg Brian
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article to review the literature relating to improving paramedic care in an Australian context.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents changes and challenges that have occurred in the ambulance services in terms of improving care and measuring performance, exploring the literature on quality improvement initiatives and their application to pre‐hospital care.

Findings

While hospitals and health services have moved well down the quality improvement pathway, the application of these processes to pre‐hospital care has been a relatively recent phenomenon. Ambulance services have taken a variety of approaches to measuring and improving pre‐hospital care. This article questions the transferability of lessons learned in hospitals to ambulance services. Arguably, the quality improvement approach is dependent upon health control and funding models and where ambulance is categorised in terms of health or emergency services.

Originality/value

The quality improvement approach by Australian paramedics and ambulance services is in its infancy. This article provides insights into the quality improvement approach taken by ambulance staff in Australia compared to other countries, as well as highlighting useful information on the future direction and research into the area.
Using case studies of ethical dilemmas for the development of moral literacy
Authors: Poliner Shapiro Joan , Hassinger Robert E.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on a case study, framed as an ethical dilemma. It serves as an illustration for the teaching of moral literacy, with a special emphasis on social justice.

Design/methodology/approach

Initially, the paper provides a rationale for the inclusion of case studies, emphasizing moral problems in university teaching. It discusses briefly the strengths and weaknesses of using these types of case studies in the classroom. In particular, it explains how both the rational and emotional minds can be addressed, through the use of these moral dilemmas, by introducing two concepts: Multiple Ethical Paradigms and Turbulence Theory. Following an explanation of the two concepts, an illustrative case is provided. This case deals with aspects of No Child Left Behind legislation that narrows the curriculum for some students. The underlying social justice issue of this case is raised. The dilemma is followed by a discussion of how to resolve or solve it by raising questions that relate to the Multiple Ethical Paradigms and Turbulence Theory.

Findings

It is hoped that university teachers will find that case study analysis, through the use of the two concepts of the Multiple Ethical Paradigms and Turbulence Theory, provides a meaningful and helpful way to promote moral literacy.

Originality/value

It is recommended that this kind of case study, framed through the use of a paradox, should be taught not only in educational ethics, but it can also be infused in many other courses in the university curriculum.
A transdisciplinary team approach to achieving moral agency across regular and special education in K‐12 schools
Authors: Zaretsky Lindy
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for integrating social responsibility within the accountability context now prevalent across the regular and special education contexts of Canadian and American schools while exposing readers to many of the different theories that exist concerning transdisciplinary forms of inclusive education.

Design/methodology/approach

The author uses her experience as superintendent to create a system of inclusive and authentic collaboration amongst educators, parents, and specialists in the hope of creating a more complete plan for special education in her district. She introduces these collaborative teams to numerous various theoretical frameworks hoping to expand their views of what constitutes “acceptable” educational knowledge.

Findings

Results from the full‐scale implementation of the new transdisciplinary model indicate that emergent collaborative sensibilities among team members are beginning to characterize educational work which reflects a transition towards a more socially responsible learning community characterized by qualities of transparency, honesty, inclusivity, interdependence, respectful reciprocity, trust, and caring.

Originality/value

The study furthers our understanding of special education programs and the different ways in which it is possible to improve the current special education system. The study introduces us to one specific study (related to special education and done by the author herself) while continuously relating that study to grounded and established educational and ethic‐related theory.
Developing moral literacy in the classroom
Authors: Zdenek Brad , Schochor Daniel
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to identify and articulate the practical implications of the teacher's role in implementing a program related to developing moral literacy in students as well as identifying what is necessary for professional development opportunities intended to educate teachers in the realm of moral literacy.

Design/methodology/approach

A broad range of recent literature on the subject of moral education and moral literacy are utilized to identify best practices and potential pitfalls related to moral literacy program implementation in schools as well as the particular impact of teacher behaviors on program success.

Findings

The paper identifies a pervasive need for professional development opportunities for teachers expected by their districts to implement programs related to moral literacy in their classrooms. Additionally, the authors identify the need for teachers to address the need for community involvement, the development of their own moral literacy, synergy between program ideals and teacher behavior, and developmentally appropriate implementation.

Practical implications

This paper serves as a condensed research base necessary for the development and implementation of a workshop intended to develop moral literacy in teachers and to showcase effective methods of integrating moral literacy across existing curricula.

Originality/value

This paper offers guidance for the development of an often overlooked form of professional development for teachers aimed at equipping them with the tools and knowledge necessary for effectively integrating character development programs in their curricula.
Enabling the career development of female managers in finance and retail
Authors: Maxwell G.A. , Ogden S.M. , McTavish D.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

In the UK financial services and retailing sectors there is a clear anomaly between the numbers of females employed and their representation at management levels. The aim of this study is to investigate the nature and significance of factors that actively enable the career development of female managers in these contexts, in organisations with an above industry average representation of female managers.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross case analysis of seven organisations, four from the financial services sector and three from the retail sector, forms the basis of the empirical evidence. In total 62 management interviews and 87 focus group participants contributed to the development of the case studies.

Findings

Recognition of the business benefits of a managerial gender mix at a senior organisational level emerges as a significant enabler, as does the congeniality of the organisational context in terms of transformational management styles and supportive organisational cultures that limit reliance on impression management in career development. In more practical terms, flexible working arrangements as well as accessible training and development opportunities for all employees, emerge as an important enablers of career development for female managers.

Practical implications

The results highlight the importance of the key human resource policies and their application by operational managers.

Originality/value

By adopting a cross‐industry study, the paper highlights that, while different barriers may exist for female career progression in each sector, a similar set of enabling factors are common to the organisations studied, regardless of sector specificity.
Career priority patterns among managerial and professional women in Turkey
Authors: Burke Ronald J. , Koyuncu Mustafa , Fiksenbaum Lisa
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This research aims to examine potential antecedents and consequences of different career priority patterns among managerial and professional women working in a large Turkish bank. Two career priority patterns advanced by Schwartz were considered: career‐primary and career‐family. Previous research conducted in other countries has compared these career priority patterns.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 286 managerial and professional women using anonymously completed questionnaires, a 72 percent response rate.

Findings

Career‐primary and career‐family women were similar on personal demographic and work situation characteristics. However, the two groups were significantly different on a variety of other measures. Career‐primary women were more satisfied with their jobs and careers, had more optimistic career prospects, were more work engaged, exhibited higher levels of workaholism and reported higher levels of psychological well‐being. These findings were somewhat different from those obtained in previous research suggesting possible country and culture differences.

Research limitations/implications

All data were collected using questionnaires at one point in time making it difficult to draw conclusions on causality. It is also not clear the extent to which these findings would generalize to women in other occupations.

Practical implications

The findings raise potential career development issues and their role in the satisfaction and well‐being of managerial women, these having possible career counseling implications.

Originality/value

This study replicates previous work and extends this to another county. Future research should be devoted to greater understanding of country and culture effects on the findings.