bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel regulation mechanism of DNA repair by damage-induced and RAD23-dependent stabilization of xeroderma pigmentosum group C protein
Authors: Ng Jessica M.Y. , Vermeulen Wim , van der Horst Gijsbertus T.J. , Bergink Steven , Sugasawa Kaoru , Vrieling Harry , Hoeijmakers Jan H.J.
Published: June 2003

Primary DNA damage sensing in mammalian global genome nucleotide excision repair (GG-NER) is performed by the xeroderma pigmentosum group C (XPC)/HR23B protein complex. HR23B and HR23A are human homologs of the yeast ubiquitin-domain repair factor RAD23, the function of which is unknown. Knockout mice revealed thatmHR23AandmHR23Bhave a fully redundant role in NER, and a partially redundant function in embryonic development. Inactivation of both genes causes embryonic lethality, but appeared still compatible with cellular viability. Analysis ofmHR23A/Bdouble-mutant cells showed that HR23 proteins function in NER by governing XPC stability via partial protection against proteasomal degradation. Interestingly, NER-type DNA damage further stabilizes XPC and thereby enhances repair. These findings resolve the primary function of RAD23 in repair and reveal a novel DNA-damage-dependent regulation mechanism of DNA repair in eukaryotes, which may be part of a more global damage-response circuitry.
Trust as a valuable strategic variable in the food industry
Authors: Lindgreen Adam
Published: June 2003

Although it is often suggested that trust is an important construct in relationship marketing, there is only little empirical evidence of how, if at all, trust may be used as a valuable strategic variable. In the 1990s, the international food industry faced a number of serious challenges, most notoriously the mad cow disease. The present multiple case study, which is qualitative in nature, explores how the Danish‐British bacon supply chain has dealt with the challenges by means of implementing different types of trust. The study confirms that there are different types of trust that marketers can embrace and shows that when one type of trust is not available marketers can draw on other types. The case study also maps different patterns of implementing trust‐based marketing approaches.
The impact of food safety and animal welfare policies on supply chain management
Authors: Lindgreen Adam , Hingley Martin
Published: June 2003

The European food sector has been hit by a number of serious consumer scares over the past decades. Often, the concerned companies have failed to give appropriate and immediate information to consumers. This article discusses the measures that one food company – Tesco – has taken. Its approach deals with setting up effective guidelines for managing its relationships with meat suppliers. These guidelines make it possible for Tesco to inform consumers appropriately and immediately about serious food scares and to address consumers’ concerns over animal welfare and environmental issues. The article also describes how the meat supplier‐Tesco relationships are being evaluated using the so‐called key performance indicator process. Specific initiatives include different animal, feeds and medicines policies, as well as meat assurance schemes; these policies and schemes have been implemented by both Tesco and the meat suppliers. The benefits of Tesco’s approach to its suppliers and consumers are considered and include the ability to deliver higher value products. The article suggests a number of avenues for future research.
The pot snack market – are today’s consumers demanding health as well as convenience?
Authors: McCullough Fiona , Jones Sian , Vignali Daniella
Published: June 2003

Identifying the target audience for hot pot snacks and which factors influence their buyer behaviour is vital information for product developers and manufacturers. The reported market research, undertaken at Manchester Metropolitan University, evaluated the effect of changing lifestyles on the growth of the pot snack market and investigated consumer opinion of pot snacks with particular regard to their nutritional status. A consumer questionnaire was used to measure the opinion of pot snacks and frequency of consumption and influences on the growth of the pot snack market. Existing data on snacking habits, household size, increase of working women and changes in society were reviewed. Conclusions from the work confirm that food choice is multi‐factorial and within the pot snack market there is a variety of reasons determining the demand, each influenced by a variety of extrinsic factors. The findings indicate that frequency of consumption is influenced by knowledge and opinion about the nutritional content of the pot snack product, suggesting that consumers now are demanding health as well as convenience.
Knowledge and learning in transnational ventures: an actor‐centred approach
Authors: Geppert Mike , Clark Ed
Published: June 2003

The aim of this article is to develop the foundations of an actor‐centred, processual approach to examining the influence of cross‐border knowledge transfer and management learning on transnational institution building in post‐socialist countries. We argue that there is a need for more research to understand how key social actors go about (re)structuring, (re)defining and sharing knowledge within new international ventures. We contend that social actors can play a significant role in creating and structuring the “transnational social space” in which the new venture takes shape, exercising strategic choice that can mediate, adapt or even reject the apparently constraining effects of technical‐economic or cultural‐institutional factors. The role of social actors is conceptualized as a socio‐political sensemaking process, a perspective that would complement the current structuralist bias in the discussion about the emergence of transnational social space in international management research literature.
B2B relationships and networks in the Internet age
Authors: Kandampully Jay
Published: June 2003

Internet‐centred business models have proved to be an effective means of conducting business‐to‐business (B2B) commerce in many industry sectors. As an interactive and instantaneous medium, the Internet provides firms with a new platform – commonly referred to as electronic marketplaces or electronic hubs (“e‐marketplaces” or “e‐hubs”). This study examines the advantages of business networks and relationships, and elucidates how these have become increasingly imperative within the new e‐business paradigm of the global marketplace. The study draws on the Covisint e‐marketplace – the e‐hub of the automotive industry – to illustrate some of the innovative business features that can be supported by e‐marketplace business models and notes the complexities of e‐relationships that require round the clock support.
Organisational learning: the new management paradigm?
Authors: Burnes Bernard , Cooper Cary , West Penny
Published: June 2003

As a subject of academic interest, organisational learning has been around for a long time. However, in the 1990s, there was an upsurge of interest in the topic from both academia and industry. Indeed, there are many writers who are now claiming that organisational learning is the new paradigm for managing organisations. This interest in and promotion of organisational learning, especially in the business world, stemmed from two major concerns: the rapidly‐changing nature of the world we live in; and the increasingly competitive environment in which firms operate. This article explores and evaluates the rationale for organisational learning and the key propositions that underpin it. In particular, by setting organisational learning in the wider context of theories of organisational structure, culture and change, it questions its generalisability. The article concludes by arguing that though organisational learning may make an important contribution to managing organisations, it is doubtful whether it is applicable to all organisations and all situations.
Redefining managerial work: smart politics
Authors: Butcher David , Clarke Martin
Published: June 2003

Despite the abundance of practical advice for managing contemporary organisations, managers still seem to struggle with their role. Trying to manage a plethora of stakeholder interests can create a considerable array of paradoxes and double binds that often leave well‐intentioned executives feeling frustrated and disillusioned. This is because too much attention has been given to understanding what managers do at the expense of why they do it. Examining the importance of personal motive is key in helping managers cope with these difficulties because it highlights the centrality of power and politics in managing. This paper builds on this perspective by developing the idea of a legitimate political mindset, showing how the adoption of this perspective enables managers fundamentally to redefine the content of their work and their managerial activity patterns for the benefit of their businesses, not just themselves.
Exploring the current practice of visioning: case studies from the UK financial services sector
Authors: O’Brien Frances , Meadows Maureen
Published: June 2003

This paper describes case vignettes of the practice of vision development in eight financial services organisations. Important observations emerge about current practice; for example, formal methodologies are rarely adopted in vision development; rather, more informal processes of debate are preferred. A major tension is observed in organisations that exist to provide a service, and yet do not involve the deliverers of that service in the process of vision development. Weaknesses in internal communication and staff buy‐in to the vision are identified, along with difficulties in completing the strategic development process.
Enhancing the success of mergers and acquisitions: an organizational culture perspective
Authors: Schraeder Mike , Self Dennis R.
Published: June 2003

Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are becoming a strategy of choice for organizations attempting to maintain a competitive advantage. Corporations spend billions of dollars annually in pursuit of this strategy; the success rate, however, is less than commendable. Research offers a number of potential determinants for this success rate. Receiving increased attention and research, organizational culture is one factor identified as a potential catalyst to M&A success. This article reviews related literature to identify some underlying reasons why organizational culture is an important factor in regard to the success rate of M&As. Specific emphasis is placed on cultural implications to consider prior to the merger or acquisition (event) and implications to consider subsequent to the event. Strategic alternatives suggested by researchers in organizational change, organizational strategy, and organizational development/ management research are also synthesized in an attempt to offer a comprehensive perspective on ways that organizations might improve the success rate of M&As.
The performance of the theory of constraints methodology
Authors: Mabin Victoria J. , Balderstone Steven J.
Published: June 2003

The theory of constraints (TOC) is a multi‐faceted systems methodology that has been developed to assist people and organisations to think about their problems, develop breakthrough solutions and implement those solutions successfully. This paper describes a literature‐based research project examining the results of TOC applications reported in the literature. In particular, it presents here the results of a meta‐analysis of over 80 successful TOC applications, based on available quantitative data, which showed that significant improvements in both operational and financial performance were achieved as a result of applying TOC. Despite extensive searches, the research found no reports of failures. While reports are mainly from manufacturing organisations, the findings may be generalisable to other types of organisations, particularly to their operational aspects. The paper concludes with an agenda for future research on the use of TOC in operations and production management.
Factors characterising the maturity of BPR programmes
Authors: Maull R.S. , Tranfield D.R. , Maull W.
Published: June 2003

Addresses the implementation of business process re‐engineering (BPR) programmes in 33 public and private organisations wishing to improve performance. By reviewing the existing literature, the research presented here began by identifying ten dimensions along which BPR projects might be measured. This research then uses these dimensions to investigate two research questions. Uses factor analysis based on quantitative data to address these questions. The factor analysis identified three independent aspects of BPR implementation: strategy, process and cost. These terms were then used in labelling three characteristic approaches, strategic BPR, process‐focused BPR and cost‐focused BPR. To investigate causality we re‐visited seven of the original organisations which had been in the early stages of implementation. Preliminary results indicate that managers might avoid the naturalistic tendency towards slow or stalled BPR maturity by intervening in a strategic sense at an earlier stage of implementation, thus bringing an organisation to a mature BPR programme more quickly.
Vendor‐managed inventory and bullwhip reduction in a two‐level supply chain
Authors: Disney S.M. , Towill D.R.
Published: June 2003

Compares the bullwhip properties of a vendor managed inventory (VMI) supply chain with those of a traditional “serially‐linked” supply chain. The emphasis of this investigation is the comparative impact the two structures have on the “bullwhip effect” generated. Particular attention is paid to the manufacturer's production ordering activities as demonstrated using a simulation model based on difference equations. Documents and considers each of the four important sources of the bullwhip effect in turn. The analysis shows that with VMI implementation two sources of the bullwhip effect may be completely eliminated, i.e. rationing and gaming or the Houlihan effect, and the order batching effect or the Burbidge effect. VMI is also significantly better at responding to rogue changes in demand due to the promotion effect or to price induced variations. However, the effect of VMI on demand signal processing induced bullwhip or the Forrester effect is less clear cut. Concludes that on balance VMI offers a significant opportunity to reduce the bullwhip effect in real‐world supply chains.
An evaluative framework for TQM dynamics in organisations
Authors: Leonard Denis , McAdam Rodney
Published: June 2003

Aims is to analyse the dynamics of total quality management (TQM) within organisations by using Leonard's Grounded Theory evaluative framework for TQM. There are a number of quality models which are used to analyse the effects of TQM on organisations, however all of these models are used mainly in an auditing role. There is a paucity of models, which seek to evaluate the dynamic effects of TQM in organisations. Develops an evaluative framework for the dynamics of TQM in organisations is developed. This was established from Grounded Theory and is used to analysis TQM dynamics within a multiple case analysis consisting of 57 cases. Data were obtained from multiple semi‐structured interviews, organisation and archive materials. The results show the complex non‐sequential and dynamic effects of TQM present in the cases. Also finds that TQM can have a dynamic role in strategy formulation, in addition to the more tactical role of strategy application and deployment.
Small and medium district enterprises and the new product development challenge
Authors: De Toni Alberto , Nassimbeni Guido
Published: June 2003

This study describes the results of an empirical research on a sample of small and medium enterprises belonging to one of Italy's most important local manufacturing systems: the eyewear district. The main objective of the project was to suggest ways of improving new product development within the small and medium enterprises of the district. Data were collected from five buyer firms and 49 subcontractors, and experts of the local system were interviewed in order to acquire information on the product development process. The study: highlights the distinctive aspects of eyewear products and the consequent design and manufacturing specificity; maps the product development activity; identifies difficulties and problems SMEs usually encounter in these activities; and suggests how improvements can be made.
The complete librarian – an outdated species? LIS between profession and discipline
Authors: Audunson Ragnar , Nordlie Ragnar , Cathrine Spangen Inger
Published: June 2003

Compares and analyses two approaches to structuring library and information science (LIS) education and research, the discipline oriented, and the approach which is denoted “the complete librarian”. The complete librarian designates an educational ideal aiming at integrating the different knowledge‐domains of LIS‐practice. Maintains that “the complete librarian” represents a valuable epistemological approach, which can supplement discipline‐oriented approaches, and is capable of generating knowledge that it might be difficult to grasp via discipline‐oriented approaches. Far‐reaching tendencies in education and research in general and within LIS‐education in particular, threaten the approach of “the complete librarian”. Discusses some strategies for securing the survival of the approach and its benefits.
Cross‐country partnerships in international library and information science education
Authors: Kajberg Leif
Published: June 2003

Major collaborative schemes and initiatives in library and information science (LIS) education are outlined. It is observed that networking and mobility efforts in European LIS education have not yet produced spectacular or convincing results. On the whole, progress measured in synergy, co‐ordinated curricular structures, “joint ventures”, joint degrees, equivalence of qualifications, etc., is meagre. Some progress can be noted, but visible effects of intensified links between LIS schools in Europe are not conspicuous. Overall, transparency in the European LIS education seems to suffer. The Bologna Declaration (June, 1999) speaks of the “establishment of a European area of higher education” and outlines a number of objectives relevant to the pursuit of that purpose. In addressing the challenges of the Bologna Agreement for LIS education, discussions at an international meeting on globalisation and LIS at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, April 2002, are considered. The paper concludes by pointing to a number of steps that should be taken in working towards the objectives of the Bologna Agreement.
Fragmentation of the LIS curriculum: the case of Croatia
Authors: Horvat Aleksandra
Published: June 2003

An overview of the Library and Information Science (LIS) education in Croatia is provided. It is argued that the changes brought about by the new information and communication technology have a great impact on LIS education that requires more than habitual updating of the curriculum content practised up to the present. Apart from a number of new topics that have to be introduced into the curriculum, the form of the delivery of the content has to be changed. Modular form of delivery of LIS educational topics has become common and its adoption is related to the influence of technology that usually approaches the problems one‐by‐one as separate issues. Modularity is contrasted with the traditional academic teaching that assumes accumulated expert knowledge of the faculty.
Joining a conversation
Authors: Perry Chad , Carson David , Gilmore Audrey
Published: June 2003

Writing articles is a core activity in an academic's career. The aim of this article is to show prospective writers of an article in EJM how to go about getting published. It emphasises that an EJM article is a part of a conversation with the editors, reviewers and readers. First, the concept of joining this conversation is established. Then targeting a journal and other aspects of planning with co‐authors are noted, before an article's structure and style are described. Drafting, submitting and revising the article, and starting again if it is rejected, conclude the paper. This article should be useful for those academics who are not publishing enough, and for doctoral candidates and their supervisors.
Market sanctions, monitoring and vertical coordination within retailer‐manufacturer relationships
Authors: Collins Alan , Burt Steve
Published: June 2003

This paper investigates the determinants of retailers’ product monitoring intensity within retail brand trading relationships. Drawing on the transaction cost and power literatures, it proposes that retailers trade‐off monitoring intensity against market orientated sanctions to protect against supplier opportunism. Based on a survey of 55 food manufacturers, the findings demonstrate that retailers’ product‐related monitoring intensity is positively related to the retailer's strategic use of retail brands, positively related to the manufacturer's specific investments in the relationship with the retailer, but negatively related to the retailer's ability to impose market‐orientated sanctions on the manufacturer.
Consumer evaluations of product certification, geographic association and traceability in Greece
Authors: Dimara Efthalia , Skuras Dimitris
Published: June 2003

Certification, geographic association and traceability of food and drink products are quality cues that have not been extensively researched by the current academic literature. These quality cues are highly valued by consumers possessing certain socio‐economic and demographic characteristics that form distinct and clearly‐defined market segments. A sample of 744 Greek wine consumers is used to assess the factors influencing consumer evaluations towards quality cues. An ordered probit model with sample selectivity reveals that these attributes are valued as highly important by consumers possessing certain socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. The type and source of information received by consumers, their place of origin, income, age, sex, education and marital status all exert an independent effect on the evaluation process. The use of such quality cues may be potentially useful in creating niche markets and advancing rural localities through the support of small producers utilizing local raw materials and production techniques.
Antecedents and consequences of a firm's selling orientation
Authors: Guenzi Paolo
Published: June 2003

This paper explores the meaning of relationship selling in the light of sales force developments during the “relational era”. Starting from a review of relationship marketing, personal selling and sales management literature, it defines a “firm's selling orientation” (FSO) and designs a framework for identifying the factors, inside and outside the selling firm, that potentially affect its sales managers’ preference for the relationship approach rather than the transactional approach. It discusses the results of an empirical study based on questionnaires mailed to 113 sales managers in Italian companies, aimed at exploring the relationships between external and internal factors and the FSO. The study also examines the relationships between the FSO and two broad categories of consequences: sales force control systems and salesmen activities.
Using networks to solve export‐marketing problems of small‐ and medium‐sized firms from developing countries
Authors: Ghauri Pervez , Lutz Clemens , Tesfom Goitom
Published: June 2003

The objective of this paper is to review the literature on how networks can be used in developing countries to encounter export‐marketing problems. Several case studies of export‐grouping and subcontracting networks, involving small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises in developed and underdeveloped countries, are reviewed. The paper presents a qualitative model that identifies the determining factors for successful export network organisations: a clearly defined market problem or market opportunity; a willingness to respond together; development of solidarity, coherence and commitment; initiating foreign market activities. This model is useful to study similar initiatives in developing countries.
Relationship marketing in online business‐to‐business markets
Authors: Chaston Ian , Mangles Terry
Published: June 2003

The Internet has the potential to alter many aspects of current marketing theory and practice. Most early research studies have focused on the role of the Internet as a promotional tool. More recently, case‐based studies are beginning to emerge on how the Internet may alter the marketing management process. There is a need to compliment these studies with additional quantitative research. This study examines the influence of marketing style on the utilisation of the Internet among small UK manufacturing firms. Insufficient evidence was found to support the view that relationship‐orientated firms, when compared with transactionally‐orientated competitors, exhibit differing perceptions about the nature of online markets. Quantitative differences were identified, however, in relation to use of information management systems and the management of internal organisational processes. The implications of these findings are discussed and proposals made concerning the need for further research.
Options of strategic decision making in services
Authors: Järvinen Raija , Lehtinen Uolevi , Vuorinen Ismo
Published: June 2003

Service‐marketing literature has traditionally built upon the combination of low technology and high interaction between service providers and customers in service delivery. However, many service organisations have started to utilise high‐tech in their operations. More specifically, they are considering how to make their services available to a wide range of customers with the aid of technology. So far, only few empirically oriented studies on this trend can be found in service literature. In this article the topic is approached on the basis of both services marketing literature and an in‐depth analysis of two case studies. The empirical evidence was gathered from two Finnish financial organisations, an insurance company and a bank, both having utilised technology in their service production and delivery. The consequences of these choices are evaluated and compared with each other. We conclude with a framework for strategic decision making, which ties together the dimensions of service type, technology and encounter. On the basis of our empirical cases, we suggest that there are numerous strategic options between the ends of each continuum of the framework, and in addition to advanced technology, service providers need to pay explicit attention to social aspects. The lesson we learned calls for more customer orientation when planning high‐tech solutions in service operations, and taking a new attitude to segmentation.
Paths to internationalisation among small‐ to medium‐sized firms
Authors: Chetty Sylvie , Campbell‐Hunt Colin
Published: June 2003

The internationalisation of small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) is considered in the context of the overall configuration of strategy in these firms. This paper is based on in‐depth case studies of the internationalisation path of ten small‐ to medium‐sized manufacturing firms in New Zealand. Two distinct paths are identified, one of global, the other of regional scope. These are argued to be the product of two distinct configurations of strategy, requiring different choices in product and market scope, mode of market development, and location of manufacturing. The patterns of internationalisation produced by these configurations are in some respects at variance with the predictions of stages models of internationalisation derived from larger enterprises and economies. The influence of these configurations and the characteristics of SMEs in particular those of the decision maker on the pace of internationalisation are also considered. A conceptual model is developed from the findings of this study by integrating internationalisation theories and SME characteristics.
Towards a map of marketing information systems: an inductive study
Authors: Daniel Elizabeth , Wilson Hugh , McDonald Malcolm
Published: June 2003

The use of information systems (IS) in marketing is maturing, as previous piecemeal systems are replaced by CRM suites, which provide a unified view of the customer. However, research and practice in this domain suffer from the lack of a commonly accepted map of the marketing process, let alone of the potential marketing IS applications which support it. This paper describes an inductively derived process map of marketing, which is used as a basis for a map of marketing information systems. Maps synthesised from previous research were refined through seven case studies of the deployment of IS in marketing, using the analytic induction approach. The marketing map includes a revised definition of the sales process, a scoping of the role of integrated marketing communications, and a redefinition of the relationship between marketing and the other elements of Porter's value chain. Several implications of the IS map which overlays it are discussed.
Social responsibility in environmental marketing planning
Authors: Kärnä Jari , Hansen Eric , Juslin Heikki
Published: June 2003

Companies along the forestry‐wood value chain from four European countries were surveyed in order to examine social responsibility in values and environmental emphasis in their marketing planning. Most of the Finnish, Swedish, German and UK companies emphasise environmental issues in their values, marketing strategies, structures and functions. The companies were classified into three groups according to their responsibility values based on the concepts of redirecting customers towards sustainability and the role of governmental balancing of markets. “Proactive green marketers” (companies emphasising pursuing sustainability and believing in free market system) emphasise environmental issues in their marketing planning clearly more than traditional “consumption marketers”, and more than “reactive green marketers” (companies emphasising pursuing sustainability under governmental balancing). We interpret that proactive marketers are the most genuine group in implementing environmental marketing voluntarily and seeking competitive advantage through environmental friendliness. Thus, the example of these progressive companies should be the direction towards sustainable development in business and society. The results also give evidence that green values, environmental marketing strategies, structures and functions are logically connected to each other as hypothesised according to the model of environmental marketing used to guide this study.
Consumer satisfaction index: new practice and findings
Authors: Chan Lai K. , Hui Yer V. , Lo Hing P. , Tse Siu K. , Tso Geoffrey K.F. , Wu Ming L.
Published: June 2003

This paper reports the development of the Hong Kong consumer satisfaction index (HKCSI) – a new type of consumer‐oriented economic performance indicator representing the quality of products (commodities and services) sold in Hong Kong as evaluated by Hong Kong consumers – as well as the findings of HKCSI from 1998 to 2000, each year with more than 10,000 successful telephone interviews on about 60 products. According to Hong Kong's special economic structure, the HKCSI is constructed from a consumption point of view concentrating on products and the products’ consumers, rather than from the popular production point of view focusing on firms and the firms’ customers. Key features of HKCSI include: the direct introduction of consumer characteristics (such as age, education, and income) in model construction; the wide coverage of services, especially free services; and the adoption of a product weighting system based on consumer price index (CPI), not on gross domestic product (GDP). In this paper, a theoretical framework of consumer satisfaction is first presented after investigating the relevant literature, and then the large‐scale consumer survey scheme adopted to collect the data and the structural equation modeling technique employed to estimate the indexes are discussed. New considerations in the HKCSI in such areas as model structure, indicator and questionnaire design, and product classification are elaborated upon. Next, the estimated results are analyzed focusing on the reliability and validity of the model, on the relationships among consumer satisfaction and its antecedents and consequences, and especially on the effects of consumer characteristics on consumer satisfaction and the implications of such effects for marketing practice. The results are generally consistent across different products, broadly acceptable and in agreement with previous findings, and are also relevant to Hong Kong's special situation. The paper concludes with a summary and some remarks on problems in the present study and future research directions.
Market orientation and business performance
Authors: Sin Leo Y.M. , Tse Alan C.B. , Yau Oliver H.M. , Chow Raymond , Lee Jenny S.Y.
Published: June 2003

The market orientation concept has received increasing research attention, although the vast majority of published work has focused on organizations based in western countries, especially in the USA. Given the importance of globalization, this western focus limits our understanding of the concept in global markets. The purpose of this study is to examine how the context of country/economy affects: levels of market orientation; and the strength of linkages between a company's market orientation and its business performance. Data were collected through a survey of firms in both mainland China and Hong Kong. These two economies were selected because they have similarities in cultural dimensions on the one hand, and differences in economic dimensions on the other. While the results suggest that the proposed conceptual model does generalize to a Chinese context, they also show that the country/economic context influences the impact of market orientation on business performance. However, contrary to our prediction, the country/economic context does not appear to affect the levels of market orientation. The implications of our findings are discussed and the limitations of the study as well as future research directions are also addressed.
A review of literature on benchmarking
Authors: Dattakumar R. , Jagadeesh R.
Published: June 2003

Benchmarking is recognised as an essential tool for continuous improvement of quality. A large number of publications by various authors reflect the interest in this technique. Reviews of literature on benchmarking have been done in the past by a few authors. However, considering the contributions in the recent times, a more comprehensive review is attempted here. In this paper, the authors have reviewed benchmarking literature in a way that would help researchers, academicians and practitioners to take a closer look at the growth, development and applicability of this technique. The authors have examined various papers and have proposed a different scheme of classification. In addition, certain gaps that would provide hints for further research in benchmarking have been identified.
Revising the concept and forms of benchmarking
Authors: Kyrö Paula
Published: June 2003

This study suggests that the most recent developments in the content, forms and targets of benchmarking represent a challenge to revise its concept and classification for both theoretical and practical purposes. This problem is approached through the interpretative, heuristic‐descriptive concept method that aims to understand the concepts and their definitions in order to re‐interpret the entity of the meanings. The first phase of the study applies the idea of the evolving concept, originally introduced by Watson and further modified by Ahmed and Rafiq. Its five generations are supplemented with two newcomers – competence, and as an option, network benchmarking. In the second phase these generations are then categorised by further developing Bhutta and Huq's two‐dimensional matrix. This provides a three‐dimensional profiling tool that could be used in analysing and conducting benchmarking processes. It covers the newest forms of benchmarking and is suitable for different targets. It also leads to a definition depicting the current outlook on benchmarking. The findings indicate that the evolving nature of the concepts and forms encourages us to revise our understanding of the theoretical bases of benchmarking. The results also indicate that benchmarking has potentials in many directions, encouraging both theoretical and empirical studies as well as their interaction.
Setting benchmarks and evaluating balanced scorecards with data envelopment analysis
Authors: Rickards Robert C.
Published: June 2003

Balanced scorecards are having a major impact on executives’ strategic decision making by encouraging their use of future‐oriented, non‐monetary success indicators. This article explains how to create a balanced scorecard with a reasonable number of indicators, set appropriate benchmarks for them, and evaluate overall management performance against those benchmarks. In doing so, it relies heavily on a controlling tool that is new to the business sector: data envelopment analysis. After discussing the theoretical foundations of this nonparametric optimization procedure and defining several key terms, the article presents a practical example. The example assesses management's performance from several perspectives, paying particular attention to implications of the analytic results for a firm's strategic and operational controlling. The article also offers an overview of various models for data envelopment analysis, describes limits to its use, and concludes with a summary of key findings.
Outsourcing: guidelines for a structured approach
Authors: Franceschini F. , Galetto M. , Pignatelli A. , Varetto M.
Published: June 2003

Outsourcing is a management approach by which an organization delegates some non‐core functions to specialized and efficient service providers. In the era of “global market” and “e‐economy”, outsourcing is one of the main pillars of the new way to conceive the relationships among companies. Despite outsourcing large diffusion, huge business cases and big deals of documentation available on network or press, there is no structured procedure able to support the govern of the evolution of a generic outsourcing process. In accordance with the principles of total quality management, this paper describes a proposal of a new approach for managing outsourcing processes. The model, which can be easily adapted to different application fields, has been conceived with the main aim of managing strategic decisions, economic factors and human resources. The approach is supported by different decision and analysis tools, such as benchmarking techniques, multiple criteria decision aiding (MCDA) methods, cost analysis, and other process‐planning methodologies. An application of the method to a real case is also provided.
Benchmarking: achieving best value in public‐sector organisations
Authors: Magd Hesham , Curry Adrienne
Published: June 2003

Given the emphasis in today's environment on customer focus, stakeholders’ interests, public‐sector organisational performance and other methods of assessment are employed to address issues in the new public management and prevailing managerialism in measurement of public‐sector organisations around the world. Therefore, many public‐sector organisations have been encouraged to implement benchmarking as one way of satisfying the government's requirement that public organisations provide best‐value services. In order to achieve best‐value services in public‐sector organisations, benchmarking is considered to be a vital management tool and benchmarking has been used widely in private‐sector organisations. This paper focuses on providing a critical view of benchmarking to provide best‐value services to taxpayers and local businesses. The paper emphasises that, in order for benchmarking to be successful in public‐sector organisations, it is important to have a full commitment to continuous improvement, an ability to learn from others, and a commitment to implement improvement.
SiteLight: Binding‐site prediction using phage display libraries
Authors: Halperin Inbal , Wolfson Haim , Nussinov Ruth
Published: June 2003

Phage display enables the presentation of a large number of peptides on the surface of phage particles. Such libraries can be tested for binding to target molecules of interest by means of affinity selection. Here we present SiteLight, a novel computational tool for binding site prediction using phage display libraries. SiteLight is an algorithm that maps the 1D peptide library onto a three‐dimensional (3D) protein surface. It is applicable to complexes made up of a protein Template and any type of molecule termed Target. Given the three‐dimensional structure of a Template and a collection of sequences derived from biopanning against the Target, the Template interaction site with the Target is predicted. We have created a large diverse data set for assessing the ability of SiteLight to correctly predict binding sites. SiteLight predictive mapping enables discrimination between the binding and nonbinding parts of the surface. This prediction can be used to effectively reduce the surface by 75% without excluding the binding site. In 63% of the cases we have tested, there is at least one binding site prediction that overlaps the interface by at least 50%. These results suggest the applicability of phage display libraries for automated binding site prediction on three‐dimensional structures. For most effective binding site prediction we propose using a random phage display library twice, to scan both binding partners of a given complex. The derived peptides are mapped to the other binding partner (now used as a Template). Here, the surface of each partner is reduced by 75%, focusing their relative positions with respect to each other significantly. Such information can be utilized to improve docking algorithms and scoring functions.
Protein stability induced by ligand binding correlates with changes in protein flexibility
Authors: Celej María Soledad , Montich Guillermo G. , Fidelio Gerardo D.
Published: June 2003

The interaction between ligands and proteins usually induces changes in protein thermal stability with modifications in the midpoint denaturation temperature, enthalpy of unfolding, and heat capacity. These modifications are due to the coupling of unfolding with binding equilibrium. Furthermore, they can be attained by changes in protein structure and conformational flexibility induced by ligand interaction. To study these effects we have used bovine serum albumin (BSA) interacting with three different anilinonaphthalene sulfonate derivatives (ANS). These ligands have different effects on protein stability, conformation, and dynamics. Protein stability was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and fluorescence spectroscopy, whereas conformational changes were detected by circular dichroism and infrared spectroscopy including kinetics of hydrogen/deuterium exchange. The order of calorimetric midpoint of denaturation was: 1,8‐ANS‐BSA > 2,6‐ANS‐BSA > free BSA >> (nondetected) bis‐ANS‐BSA. Both 1,8‐ANS and 2,6‐ANS did not substantially modify the secondary structure of BSA, whereas bis‐ANS induced a distorted α‐helix conformation with an increase of disordered structure. Protein flexibility followed the order: 1,8‐ANS‐BSA < 2,6‐ANS‐BSA < free BSA << bis‐ANS‐BSA, indicating a clear correlation between stability and conformational flexibility. The structure induced by an excess of bis‐ANS to BSA is compatible with a molten globule‐like state. Within the context of the binding landscape model, we have distinguished five conformers (identified by subscript): BSA1,8‐ANS, BSA2,6‐ANS, BSAfree, BSAbis‐ANS, and BSAunfoldedamong the large number of possible states of the conformational dynamic ensemble. The relative population of each distinguishable conformer depends on the type and concentration of ligand and the temperature of the system.
Unique stabilizing interactions identified in the two‐stranded α‐helical coiled‐coil: Crystal structure of a cortexillin I/GCN4 hybrid coiled‐coil peptide
Authors: Lee Darin L. , Ivaninskii Sergei , Burkhard Peter , Hodges Robert S.
Published: June 2003

We determined the 1.17 Å resolution X‐ray crystal structure of a hybrid peptide based on sequences from coiled‐coil regions of the proteins GCN4 and cortexillin I. The peptide forms a parallel homodimeric coiled‐coil, with Cα backbone geometry similar to GCN4 (rmsd value 0.71 Å). Three stabilizing interactions have been identified: a unique hydrogen bonding–electrostatic network not previously observed in coiled‐coils, and two other hydrophobic interactions involving leucine residues at positions e and g from both g‐a' and d‐e' interchain interactions with the hydrophobic core. This is also the first report of the quantitative significance of these interactions. The GCN4/cortexillin hybrid surprisingly has two interchain Glu‐Lys' ion pairs that form a hydrogen bonding network with the Asn residues in the core. This network, which was not observed for the reversed Lys‐Glu' pair in GCN4, increases the combined stability contribution of each Glu‐Lys' salt bridge across the central Asn15‐Asn15′ core to ∼0.7 kcal/mole, compared to ∼0.4 kcal mole−1 from a Glu‐Lys' salt bridge on its own. In addition to electrostatic and hydrogen bonding stabilization of the coiled‐coil, individual leucine residues at positions e and g in the hybrid peptide also contribute to stability by 0.7 kcal/mole relative to alanine. These interactions are of critical importance to understanding the stability requirements for coiled‐coil folding and in modulating the stability of de novo designed macromolecules containing this motif.
Changes in structure and dynamics of the Fv fragment of a catalytic antibody upon binding of inhibitor
Authors: Kroon Gerard J.A. , Mo Huaping , Martinez‐Yamout Maria A. , Dyson H. Jane , Wright Peter E.
Published: June 2003

Binding of the product inhibitor p‐nitrophenol to the monoclonal esterolytic antibody NPN43C9 has been investigated by performing NMR spectroscopy of the heterodimeric variable‐domain fragment (Fv) of the antibody in the presence and absence of inhibitor. Structural information from changes in chemical shift upon binding has been related to the changes in local dynamics in the active site of the catalytic antibody using NMR relaxation measurements. Significant changes in the chemical shifts of the backbone resonances upon binding extend beyond the immediate vicinity of the antigen binding site into the interface between the two associated polypeptides that form the Fv heterodimer, a possible indication that the binding of ligand causes a change in the relative orientations of the component light (VL) and heavy (VH) chain polypeptides. Significant differences in backbone dynamics were observed between the free Fv and the complex with p‐nitrophenol. A number of resonances, including almost all of the third hypervariable loop of the light chain (L3), were greatly broadened in the free form of the protein. Other residues in the antigen‐binding site showed less broadening of resonances, but still required exchange terms (Rex) in the model‐free dynamics analysis, consistent with motion on a slow timescale in the active site region of the free Fv. Binding of p‐nitrophenol caused these resonances to sharpen, but some Rex terms are still required in the analysis of the backbone dynamics. We conclude that the slow timescale motions in the antigen‐binding site are very different in the bound and free forms of the Fv, presumably due to the damping of large‐amplitude motions by the bound inhibitor.