bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring job responsibilities and requirements of US textile and apparel sourcing personnel
Authors: Muhammad Amanda J. , Ha‐Brookshire Jung E.
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to gain a deeper understanding of the job responsibilities and requirements of textile and apparel (T&A) sourcing personnel from the employers' perspective, based on Kunz's behavioral theory of apparel firms and US Department of Labor's classification principles.

Design/methodology/approach

“Job wanted” texts published by Women's Wear Daily, a prominent daily trade newspaper in the US textile and apparel industry were collected. Content analysis was performed to examine three research question categories: daily duties of sourcing personnel, required skills for sourcing personnel, and relevant experiences sought for sourcing personnel.

Findings

Sourcing personnel are heavily involved in the firm's management of vendor relations, product development, production, and inter‐departmental collaborations. Desired sourcing personnel must be organized with multitasking abilities, knowledge of various computer applications, and exceptional communication skills. On‐the‐job experiences, industry knowledge, and bilingual abilities were highly sought for sourcing personnel with relatively little focus on formal education.

Research limitations/implications

The study data source was limited to one US‐based trade publication from 2007 to 2008 and, thus, any extrapolation of the results must be done with a caution.

Practical implications

The study results help employers define clear position descriptions, current and future sourcing personnel effectively develop career path plans, and educators provide timely and relevant sourcing curriculum. Ultimately, the study results may help students be better prepared for a sourcing job market.

Originality/value

The paper provides practical, in‐depth information of sourcing personnel's daily duties, required skills, and desired experiences from the employer's perspective, which has not been available in the literature to date.
An exploration of fashion retailer own brand strategies
Authors: McColl Julie , Moore Christopher
Published: March 2011

Purpose

It has been proposed within the branding literature that the theory of the brand be extended within a variety of industries. The purpose of this paper is to offer a deeper understanding of the centrality of the own brand to fashion retailer brand strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

The research involved six in‐depth interviews with large‐scale fashion retailers from a sample of the 20 largest and most successful fashion retailers in the UK.

Findings

Participants identified the motivations, dimensions, success factors and problems associated with the creation, development and management of the own brand

Research limitations/implications

This is an exploratory study and as such is limited to the experiences of six fashion retailers. It is, however, part of a larger empirical study.

Practical implications

The results of this study provide key areas for future research development to be applied within the fashion retail sector or to be expanded within alternative retail sectors.

Originality/value

The development of brand strategy within the fashion retailing sector reveals a paucity of empirical and theoretical studies. This exploratory paper seeks to address this scarcity.
Simulation‐based excess return model for real estate development
Authors: Gimpelevich David
Published: March 2011

Purpose

An acute need exists for a practical quantitative risk management‐based real estate investment underwriting methodology that clearly helps guide decision making and addresses the shortcomings of discounted cash flow (DCF) modeling by evaluating the full range of probable outcomes. This paper seeks to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The simulation‐based excess return model (SERM) is an original methodology developed based on an application of Monte Carlo simulation to project risk assessment combined with the widely practiced DCF modeling. A case study is provided where results of the modeling are compared with traditional DCF risk models and with prior projects with known outcomes.

Findings

This paper lays out a practical method for stochastic quantitative risk management modeling for real estate development projects and illustrates that for identical projects risk‐adjusted returns derived with the use of SERM may differ significantly from returns provided by traditional discounted cash flow analysis. SERM corrects serious shortcomings in the DCF methodology by incorporating stochastic tools for the measurement of the universe of outcomes. It further serves to condense the results of Monte Carlo simulations into a simplified metric that can guide practitioners and which is easily communicational to decision makers for making project funding decisions.

Practical implications

SERM offers a simple, practical decision‐making method for underwriting projects that addresses the limitations of the prevailing methodologies via: stochastic assessment of the range of outcomes; interdependence of input variables; and objective risk premium metrics.

Originality/value

This paper presents an original methodology for making project‐funding decisions for real estate development projects that is based on Monte Carlo simulation combined with DCF analysis. The methodology presented here will have value for real estate developers, investors, project underwriters, and lenders looking for a practical and objective method for project valuation and risk management than is offered by traditional DCF analysis. A review of literature did not reveal analogous methodologies for risk management.
Sector, region or function? A MAD reassessment of real estate diversification in Great Britain
Authors: Byrne Peter , Lee Stephen
Published: March 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to re‐examine the portfolio risk/return performance of “conventional” sector/regional classifications with one based on socio‐economic criteria.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying the mean absolute deviation (MAD) portfolio optimisation method, this study revisits sector versus regional diversification within the UK using the Investment Property Databank (IPD) annual data over the period 1981‐2007. A modern functional classification, with data from the 2001 Census, is used to retest the proposition that such groupings may offer superior diversification benefits.

Findings

In line with previous research, sectors dominate regions, however defined, and should be the first level of analysis when developing an optimised portfolio diversification strategy. When the performance of functional groups is compared with “conventional” administrative regions results show that such groupings can provide greater risk reduction. The underlying characteristics of these functional groups may be more insightful and acceptable to real estate portfolio managers in considering assets that a portfolio might contain.

Originality/value

Real estate markets are thought to be dynamic, in that their form and content can change dramatically even over quite short periods. This paper shows it is actually rather unlikely that matching changes in the structures of real estate investment portfolios will be observed, even over extended time periods, except at their margins. Although efficient frontiers move across the MAD risk/return space, the relative positions of the sectors and regions hardly change at all in pure analytical terms. In particular, the use of functional groupings, which reflect the greatly changed economic landscape in Britain over some 20 years, do not presage any great change in the pattern of institutional real estate investment, nor even a very obvious improvement in the portfolio performance.
Valuers' perceptions of depreciation models in DRC valuations
Authors: Ogunba Olusegun
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The paper aims to address concerns that valuers' choice of depreciation models in their cost approach to value is not sustainable (is incapable of preserving patronage in present and future generations).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws up conceptual expectations regarding how seven UK and US depreciation models pass or fail four identified sustainability indicators: reliability, consistency, usability and separate treatment of depreciation components. Valuation surveyors in Nigeria were offered as a case study of how valuers in one country respond to such conceptual investigations.

Findings

The study found that cross‐sectional models, the breakdown model and hedonic modeling are the depreciation models perceived as most sustainable. However, popular model use follows easiest models rather than most sustainable models.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that the pursuit of sustainability in valuation modeling should involve provision of institutionalized best practice guidance beyond that currently provided so as to assist valuers/appraisers in more sustainable choices.

Originality/value

The paper is probably the first to address both UK and US depreciation models and to assess each using defined sustainability criteria.
Geographically segmented regulation for telecommunications: lessons from experience
Authors: Xavier Patrick , Ypsilanti Dimitri
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to make policy makers and regulators more fully aware of the practical problems and costs involved in implementing geographically segmented regulation. This awareness will be valuable in deciding whether to adopt the approach and, if so, in designing its implementation, i.e. how the scheme's problems will be addressed and costs minimized.

Design/methodology/approach

Increasingly, incumbent operators and some regulators have argued that regulatory forbearance should be adopted in geographic areas (usually the more densely populated cities) where facility‐based competition is developing. Certainly geographically segmented regulation accords with widespread agreement that regulation should be the minimum necessary. Indeed, a number of countries have implemented the scheme, including Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, Portugal, Spain, the UK and USA. This paper examines the experience these countries have had in applying geographically segmented regulation.

Findings

The lessons from experience in applying geographically segmented regulation suggest that the processes used to determine specific relevant markets are, at present, contentious and problematic in principle, and complex and subjective in practice. The problems/costs relating to the implementation of geographic regulation could erode the stability, certainty and predictability so important in a regulatory regime. Moreover, outcomes are uncertain, especially when looking ahead into an NGN environment.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that examines the actual experience of countries that have implemented geographically segmented regulation.
The counter‐control revolution: “silent control” of individuals through dataveillance systems
Authors: Orito Yohko
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the social impacts of “silent control” of individuals by means of the architecture of dataveillance systems. It addresses the question whether individuals, in reality, can actually determine autonomously the kinds of information that they can acquire and convey in today's dataveillance environments. The paper argues that there is a risk of a “counter‐control revolution” that may threaten to reverse the “control revolution” described by Shapiro.

Design/methodology/approach

Using relevant business cases, this paper describes the nature of dataveillance systems, then it examines situations in which the intellectual freedom of individuals is silently constrained by the architecture of such systems. This analysis leads to the conclusion that individuals in today's information society face the risk of a “counter‐control revolution” that can threaten their intellectual freedom. Given this troubling conclusion, the present paper addresses the challenges of establishing socially acceptable dataveillance systems.

Findings

Intentionally or unintentionally, the architecture of dataveillance systems determines what kinds of information an individual can access or receive. This means that social sorting occurs based upon the processing of personal information by dataveillance systems; and, as a result, individuals' intellectual freedom could be constrained without their realising that it is happening. Under this circumstance, the ability of individuals to control the transmission and flow of information, recently made possible by the “control revolution”, already has been compromised by business organisations that operate dataveillance systems. It is business organisations, and not the individuals themselves, that control the kinds of information that individuals are able to acquire and transmit.

Originality/value

This paper provides an analysis of social risks caused by the architecture of dataveillance systems, and it introduces the concept of a “counter‐control revolution”. These contributions provide a good starting point to evaluate the social impacts of dataveillance systems and to establish better, more socially acceptable dataveillance systems.
Ethical assessment of new technologies: a meta‐methodology
Authors: Harris Ian , Jennings Richard C. , Pullinger David , Rogerson Simon , Duquenoy Penny
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to set out a structured meta‐methodology, named DIODE, for the ethical assessment of new and emerging technologies. DIODE has been designed by a mixture of academics, governmental people and commercial practitioners. It is designed to help diverse organisations and individuals conduct ethical assessments of new and emerging technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

A framework discussion paper was developed for consultation to ensure that DIODE addresses fundamental ethical concerns, has appropriate and manageable scope and is comprehensive in its ethical compass. The resulting DIODE meta‐methodology uses flowcharts and templates, encompassing the use of diverse tools and techniques.

Findings

There are two different angles for the ethical assessment of new technologies; a strategic/abstract angle and a project/application specific angle. DIODE includes two channels to accommodate this distinction. Early stage testing yielded positive feedback and mostly favourable comment. Additional guidance materials are being developed in response to the feedback.

Practical implications

Without training and guidance, it is difficult for technologists to take ethical concerns into account during the development and deployment of new technologies. DIODE can provide that training and guidance through a practical meta‐methodology which should help ICT professionals, policy makers and academics.

Originality/value

There is very little structured methodology material available on the ethical assessment of new technologies. The depth and sophistication contained in DIODE is therefore believed to be unique. DIODE provides practical help while remaining rooted in the philosophical and theoretical concepts of ethics.
Bottom‐up approach for productivity measurement in large public organizations
Authors: Jääskeläinen Aki , Uusi‐Rauva Erkki
Published: March 2011

Purpose

This study aims to identify means to overcome some of the current problems in public service productivity measurement. The objective is to develop a new method for measuring productivity in large public organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is carried out as a constructive case study in the City of Helsinki, Finland. Interviews are used in order to identify practical requirements for measurement. The measurement data from around 200 units is used in testing the method.

Findings

The new method applies an approach proposed in the literature. It aggregates measurement information from component measures used at the operative level. Based on test calculations and evaluation it is argued that the new method is managerially more relevant than a conventional method.

Research limitations/implications

This study tested the method only to a limited extent. It is necessary to gain more understanding by applying the method in different organizations, and by using longer time periods.

Practical implications

Current productivity measures of public services have been criticized for providing information that lacks managerial relevance. The method described in this study aims to improve relevance in two ways. It enables the gathering of more detailed measurement information from the operative levels of large organizations. In addition, it facilitates the use of different measurement methods in different service providing departments and units.

Originality/value

Many of the existing studies examine productivity measurement at the macro‐level. This study presents a measurement method that is a step forward in developing more sophisticated measurement systems in public organizations. The study also describes and highlights the role of component productivity measurement at the operative level.
A study of total quality management and supply chain management practices
Authors: Talib Faisal , Rahman Zillur , Qureshi M.N.
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a set of total quality management (TQM) and supply chain management (SCM) practices through an extensive literature review and to identify the relationships among them by comparing the identified TQM and SCM practices.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive overview of the practices of TQM and SCM is carried out using published research papers and some major TQM and SCM practices were extracted. These identified practices are then compared to explore the relationship between them for better understanding and application.

Findings

The results reveal six major TQM and SCM practices from as many as 50 TQM practices and 40 SCM practices. The paper further compares these practices and found that management support and commitment, customer focus, and supplier partnership are the most common practices found in both TQM and SCM literature, and have the strongest impact in the integration of TQM and SCM across organizations.

Research limitations/implications

This paper focuses only on the literature review of previously published studies, further empirical study can be undertaken using these six identified practices which may allow the validation and generalization of results.

Practical implications

The result of this paper will help in providing greater understanding of identified TQM and SCM practices that will lead to successful implementation of TQM and SCM strategies to improve customer service levels and, hence, business performance.

Originality/value

Much of the literature on TQM practices and SCM practices are available, but as far as the authors know there is no study undertaken to integrate TQM and SCM practices. This is the first kind of study that compares TQM and SCM practices taken together and can be thus, treated as filling a gap in the extant literature.
Acquiring CSR practices: from deception to authenticity
Authors: Debeljak Jelena , Krkač Kristijan , Bušljeta Banks Ivana
Published: March 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to focus on CSR manifested regarding two points, namely CSR insincerity and authenticity from the point of view of pragmatist and care ethics principles. Its purpose is to evaluate critically the genuineness of the early stages in acquiring CSR practices, and to advance the notion of authenticity in its mature development stage. The analyses seek to show an imbalance between the so‐called feminine and masculine principles in the professional business arena, which prevents an authentic CSR business approach taking place.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors approach the topic from various concepts and criteria of moral correctness regarding CSR, and crucial change points in the transient process from insincere to authentic CSR.

Findings

The paper identifies some elements of insincere CSR in every company in its early stages of acquiring CSR practices, especially in the early stages of the development of the business culture, and also during the maturing process.

Research limitations/implications

The paper demonstrates the excessive significance of the rapid development of CSR sensibility in society and in the business community because, in such situations, knowledge of all affected parties prevents business subjects from misdirection and forces them to choose between lying and telling the truth.

Practical implications

The paper demonstrates a business‐based rationale for the adoption of mature, non‐deceptive CSR practices, since the overall situation in the business community and in society becomes clearer regarding criteria.

Originality/value

An authentic approach to business by companies as legal persons in the light of pragmatist and care ethics principles for CSR enables them to identify themselves very precisely and transparently.
Leaking legitimacies: the Finnish forest sector's entanglement in the land conflicts of Atlantic coastal Brazil
Authors: Myllylä Susanna , Takala Tuomo
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to focus on the legitimacy problems faced by the Finnish forest industry in the Brazilian context, specifically from the perspective of the region's indigenous communities: the Tupinikim, the Guarani and the Pataxó.

Design/methodology/approach

The method used is qualitative research with a case study approach. The empirical data are based on the fieldwork in the states of Espírito Santo and Bahia. The aim was to scrutinize the corporate tactics in gaining societal legitimacy, both in Brazil and in Finland; these were categorized into thematic groups.

Findings

The legitimacy of the Finnish companies becomes questionable due to the unethical tactics of their Brazilian business partner, Aracruz Celulose SA. When the company takes its “marginal” stakeholders' demands seriously and commits itself to them in diverse ways (economically, ecologically etc.), corporate social responsibility becomes a reality. The search for legitimacy also requires the company to change its corporate knowledge production systems, and also requires a willingness on the part of the company to encounter different types of knowledge that are locally attached.

Originality/value

The study offers new information about the relationship between multinational corporations and local communities in Brazil – especially from the perspective of indigenous communities. The paper also contributes to legitimation research. Finally, the authors offer some concluding remarks considering the new cultural environments of Finnish companies operating in the global South.
Exploring consumers' perceptions of eco‐conscious apparel acquisition behaviors
Authors: Hiller Connell Kim Y.
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to advance understanding of the socially responsible apparel consumer by exploring apparel consumption behaviors perceived by consumers to be eco‐conscious.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a qualitative approach to collect and analyze data from 26 American apparel consumers. Data collection for the study occurred through semi‐structured interviews.

Findings

Results indicate that the participants engaged in a number of perceived eco‐conscious apparel acquisition behaviors. First, they adhered to acquisition limits by acquiring apparel based on need and extending the lifetime of their apparel. Second, they acquired apparel made from fibers or having other attributes perceived as environmentally preferable. Finally, they acquired apparel through sources believed to be environmentally preferable, including second‐hand sources, eco‐conscious companies, independently owned companies, and home sewing.

Research limitations/implications

The sample of 26 American consumers means that the results cannot be widely generalized. Future research should examine the apparel acquisition behaviors of a larger sample and include consumers from outside the USA.

Practical implications

This study provides evidence that consumers engage in a range of eco‐conscious apparel acquisition behaviors, and a market segment of eco‐conscious apparel consumers exists. Apparel industry professionals can use this baseline information to aid in the development of eco‐conscious apparel consumption strategies.

Originality/value

This study contributes to increased understanding of eco‐conscious apparel consumption, an area with limited previous research, by identifying apparel acquisition behaviors that consumers perceive to be eco‐conscious. The findings are valuable in the promotion of eco‐conscious apparel consumption.
The influence of coercive isomorphism on corporate social responsibility reporting and reputation
Authors: Othman Suaini , Darus Faizah , Arshad Roshayani
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse whether coercive isomorphism as imposed by regulatory authorities is an effective mechanism to promote a company's CSR reputation in a developing country. The study seeks to consider the determinants of CSR reporting as such factors are deemed to influence the external perception of reputation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs institutional theory as the basis for explaining corporate responsible behaviour. In total, 117 companies in “three sensitive industries” for the year 2007 were selected. CSR reputation is analyzed based on a self‐constructed index.

Findings

Based on regression analysis, the study found that regulatory efforts are significant mechanisms in promoting CSR reputation. Surprisingly, these companies in the “sensitive industry” seem to neglect the importance of environmental reputation. However, institutional owners regard CSR reporting as a means to enhance their CSR reputation, while family‐owned companies do not appear to consider CSR reporting as an important channel to boost their reputation.

Research limitations/implications

The study only considers information from annual reports and the sample is limited to only three sectors that are regarded as “sensitive industries”.

Practical implications

Regulatory efforts have the prospect to become a significant force in promoting CSR reporting, as well as advancing CSR strategies in managing a company's reputation.

Originality/value

This study focuses on companies in a developing country in an attempt to understand the relationship between CSR reporting and companies' reputation. It adds substantially to the existing literature, the focus of which is mainly on CSR issues in developed countries. The study also provides an objective methodology in measuring CSR reputation.
Influence of children on purchasing decisions of well‐to‐do families
Authors: Bahar Isin F. , Alkibay Sanem
Published: March 2011

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the influence of preschool children at ages 5 to 6 on purchasing decisions among well‐to‐do families and its relation with such factors as number of children, product related criteria (low risk, high risk, used by whole family, used by children) and mother's employment status.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative analysis was conducted on data from 257 responses to a 26‐item questionnaire from parents of children in 12 private kindergartens in Ankara, Turkey.

Findings

Most parents acknowledge that their children do influence their purchasing decisions. Findings also revealed that mother's employment status, child's gender and the number of children in the family are the determining factors for the children's influence on the decision of the family to purchase certain product types.

Research limitations/implications

This is an exploratory study and has limited generalizability as it was conducted solely in one city, Ankara, Turkey. Any further research should contrast perspectives both from other cities in Turkey and other countries.

Practical implications

It is suggested that products for which the child exerts least influence on the purchasing decision of the family are those which carry high purchasing risk and used by the whole family, whereas the greatest influence of the child on the purchasing decision of the family lies on the products with low risk and used by the whole family.

Originality/value

Turkey, is located between Europe and Asia and shares mostly collectivist values. The findings contribute to the understanding of children's influence on family purchasing decisions in this country and provide an opportunity to conduct cross‐national studies. Further, the paper provides insight for marketers about which product advertising is effective on children.
Approaching children in experience advertising: Danish amusement parks 1969‐2008
Authors: Gram Malene
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to contribute to an understanding of how the child consumer has been constructed in experience advertising in a historical perspective, how the view of the child has changed and how the presentation of the “good” experience has developed.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on ads in the Danish children's magazine Donald Duck. The study is a historical overview drawing on both quantitative and qualitative approaches, drawing theoretically on consumer, childhood and experience theory.

Findings

The results show that the “child consumer” has moved from being invisible on the backstage to the very front of the stage in experience advertising during the four decades examined. Moreover, the idea of what an experience is for the child has changed radically and a move occurs from a focus on aesthetic experiences to experiences of immersion and challenges of the senses. The most recent ads promote the child as not just the co‐creator but the actual creator of the experience.

Research limitations/implications

It is a limitation that the study is based on a Danish sample only, and findings cannot be generalized to other national markets. It would, however, be interesting to compare with other national markets.

Practical implications

Marketing implications of the findings could be to go further into the direction of user generated experiences as suggested in the most recent ads, e.g. in the direction of online games where the consumer is him or herself writing the storyline of the experience unlike the pre‐planned rides most amusement parks offer today.

Originality/value

This study draws on child experience professionals, who have been found to be more proactive in recognizing the child consumer than, e.g. academics, and in translating the view of the children as actors to advertising copy and imagery. These marketing professionals have from early on addressed children in their own language clearly perceiving them as consumers in their own right. The most recent ads staging the consumer as creator of experiences challenge Pine and Gilmore's experience realms and call for a new way of conceptualizing and offering experiences. This is interesting for researchers working with perceptions of childhood and actors working with commercial conceptualizations of experiences.
The dilemma of flavor and color in the choice of packaging by children
Authors: Gollety Mathilde , Guichard Nathalie
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is, by using a semiotic approach to marketing, to evaluate the role of color and its influence on the choice behavior of children with regard to products where flavor is represented by color.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was carried out as an experiment with children aged between 7 and 11 years of age.

Findings

The study showed that the color codes of the market are not used very much by children to make their product choice and also that the influences of metonymical logic (color of the component responsible for the flavor) and aesthetics (favorite color) dominate this choice. In a choice situation, flavor preference prevails more often over color preference.

Originality/value

From an academic point of view, this paper informs the studies in sensory marketing used in the children's market. In particular, it enhances the work on the impact of color on children's decision‐making process. From a methodological point of view, it adds to the range of experimental designs used to research the child target.
Investigation of green marketing tools' effect on consumers' purchase behavior
Authors: Rahbar Elham , Abdul Wahid Nabsiah
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of green marketing tools on consumer's actual purchase behavior in case of Penang (Malaysia).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was carried out on 250 Chinese, Malay, Indian and other races that represent the Penang population. Factor analysis, Cronbach alpha and multiple regression were used to identify factors impact on Penang consumers actual purchase behavior.

Findings

The result revealed that customer's trust in eco‐label and eco‐brand and their perception of eco‐brand show positive and significant impact on their actual purchase behavior.

Practical implications

The paper provides practical information for green marketers and producers of green products in Malaysia.

Originality/value

This paper offer helpful guideline for government to formulate the green policies such as providing promotional incentives to green products manufacturers and encouraging public to buy products with eco‐label.
Strategic alliances: tools for constructing the future
Authors: Franco Fernando L. , Canen Alberto G. , Pizzolato Nelio D.
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to develop a methodology for the identification of a desired normative scenario, acceptable and feasible, based on a set of prospective scenarios.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents strategic alliances as one fundamental tool in the process of constructing the future. The alliances are based on prospective scenarios, within strategic interactions.

Findings

The central key is the view of the most probable future as a NASH balance point. This point identifies not only a balance of forces, but also the negotiation limits for each actor and therefore the strategic alliances possible. The alliances, if achieved, create a “super actor”, destabilizing the original balance, and creating a new balance point, and therefore a more likely new future.

Originality/value

This article develops a methodology for the identification of a desired normative scenario, acceptable and feasible, based on a set of prospective scenarios.
Do they speak SNAG?
Authors: Barrett Mary
Published: March 2011

Purpose

Barrett compared the perceptions of female management students and senior female managers about effective and probable workplace communication strategies, and the extent to which each group's perceptions were influenced by gender norms in communication. The purpose of this paper is to compare male students' perceptions of the strategies to those of female students and female managers.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 255 second‐year male management students evaluated strategies for the same dilemmas as the two female groups.

Findings

Overall, male students resemble female students rather than senior female managers. They reject some stereotypically male strategies, seeing them as more effective for women. Yet, male students regard an ineffective but probable approach to getting credit for ideas as even less effective for men than for women, and an effective, but feminine, strategy for getting noticed for promotion as more effective for women. Male students may believe using overtly feminine strategies penalizes men. Like female students, male students' confidence affects their personal choice of strategy.

Research limitations/implications

The study used a limited number of dilemmas and demographic factors, limiting the results' generalizability. “Paper” scenarios, even if drawn from typical workplace dilemmas, may not reflect the work world. Nevertheless, the findings suggest language ideologies at work are changing for both genders.

Originality/value

This paper describes the first study comparing students' and senior women managers' reactions to classic workplace communication problems. In addition, it investigates the perceptions of young men rather than stereotypical males.
Surface modification of laser‐ and shot‐peened 6082 aluminium alloy
Authors: Trdan Uroš , Žagar Sebastjan , Grum Janez , Luis Ocan˜a José
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of shock waves and strain hardening effect of laser and shot peening on precipitation‐hardened aluminium alloy AA 6082‐T651.

Design/methodology/approach

The hardened layer was evaluated by means of surface integrity with optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy, analysis of microhardness and residual stress profiles. Corrosion anodic polarization tests in a 3.5 per cent NaCl water solution were carried out to express a pitting potential and the degree of pitting attack, which was verified on SEM and with 3D metrology.

Findings

Research results indicated significant differences between two treatment techniques which had an important influence on the final condition of the surface layer. Potentiodynamic polarization tests inferred that laser peening enabled shift of the pitting potential to more positive values, which ensures higher corrosion resistance.

Originality/value

Results confirmed that the higher corrosion resistance of the laser‐peened specimens against pitting corrosion depends on the modification of the surface, due to ablation during plasma generation. Despite increased surface roughness, laser‐peened specimen exhibits beneficial increase of the pitting/breakdown potential and in reduction of pitting attack degree at the specimen surface.
Retained residual stress profiles in a laser shock‐peened and shot‐peened nickel base superalloy subject to thermal exposure
Authors: Buchanan Dennis J. , Shepard Michael J. , John Reji
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the residual stress relaxation in laser shock‐peened and shot‐peened IN100 subject to thermal exposure.

Design/methodology/approach

Shot peening (SP) is a commonly used surface treatment that imparts compressive residual stress into the surface of components. The shallow depth of compressive residual stresses, and the extensive plastic deformation associated with SP, has been overcome by modern approaches such as laser shock peening (LSP). LSP surface treatment produces compressive residual stress magnitudes that are similar to SP that extend four to five times deeper, and with less plastic deformation. Retention of compressive surface residual stresses is necessary to retard initiation and growth of fatigue cracks under elevated temperature loading conditions.

Findings

Results indicated that the LSP processing retains a higher percentage of the initial residual stress profile over that of SP.

Originality/value

The retained residual stresses after thermal exposure of these surface treatment processes can be incorporated into a life prediction methodology that takes credit for beneficial compressive surface residual stresses to delay initiation and retard fatigue crack growth.
Experimental validation of simulated fatigue life estimates in laser‐peened aluminum
Authors: Spradlin Thomas J. , Grandhi Ramana V. , Langer Kristina
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and implement a structural fatigue life estimation framework that includes laser‐peened (LP) residual stresses and then experimentally validates these fatigue life estimations.

Design/methodology/approach

A three‐dimensional finite element analysis of an Al 7075‐O three‐point bending coupon being LP was created and used to estimate the fatigue life when loaded. Fatigue tests were conducted to validate these estimations.

Findings

The framework developed for fatigue life estimation of LP‐processed coupons yielded estimates with goodness‐of‐fit between the log‐transformed experimental and analytical data of R2=0.97 for the baseline coupons and R2=0.94 for the LP‐processed coupons.

Research limitations/implications

Approximated ε‐life fatigue parameters were used to calculate the fatigue life resulting from the complex residual stress fields due to the simulated LP process.

Originality/value

A fatigue life estimation framework that considers LP residual stress fields has been developed for use on structural components.
Agricultural science and technology in China
Authors: Dolla Varaprasad S.
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to delineate the evolution of agricultural science and technology (S&T) in China in the last three decades as it has been one of the major factors, besides others, in ensuring comfortable levels of global food security. In doing so, it focuses on policy and progress, which have provided the right ambience for Chinese agricultural science and technology to evolve into an effective instrument of development.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs institutional approach to government, scientists and farmers, who have been contributing to the growth of Chinese agricultural technology in two distinct ways. While the government has been playing a critical role in evolving a comprehensive agricultural S&T policy, scientists and farmers have been contributing to the progress of agricultural growth through research and application of various agricultural technologies.

Findings

Agricultural S&T in China has increasingly been growing into a potent force in facilitating comfortable levels of food security but with serious implications on the environment. Of the three players who have been instrumental in this process, the Chinese Government and the scientists are well prepared for WTO and globalization vis‐à‐vis agricultural technology, but the farmers are not well positioned.

Originality/value

Agricultural S&T development in China is critically important not only for Chinese food security but also for the larger global food and human security, as the two are inextricably connected. While most studies focus on various dimensions of agricultural technology, this study focuses on government, scientists and involved farmers, whose role is central to this process, and who are forced to rethink and reposition themselves in the development and use of agricultural S&T in China.
The impact of a mid‐season change of manager on sporting performance
Authors: González‐Gómez Francisco , Picazo‐Tadeo Andrés J. , García‐Rubio Miguel Á.
Published: March 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the impact of a mid‐season change of manager on the sporting performance of professional football teams in the First Division of the Spanish Football League.

Design/methodology/approach

In team sports, the manager takes important decisions that affect the sporting performance of the team. Although the manager is normally hired for a period of at least one season, clubs frequently change managers halfway through that period. Before taking that decision, the Board of Directors probably ask themselves: “Do we sack the manager … or is it better not to?” Data envelopment analysis (DEA) techniques are used to compare the performance of a group of teams that have changed their manager mid‐season to that of teams that have stuck with the same manager for the entire season.

Findings

The main result is that a mid‐season change of manager improves sporting performance, but it does not allow to perform as well as teams that have not changed managers halfway through the season.

Practical implications

Changing managers can be a good move when a football team is not performing well. However, club executives would be recommended to plan the season well beforehand to avoid finding themselves in a situation where they must change managers halfway through.

Originality/value

The foremost contribution of this paper to the existing literature in this field of research is the computation of programme efficiency scores with DEA techniques to deal with the analysis of the effect of a change of manager on the performance of football teams.
Athlete endorser effectiveness: model development and analysis
Authors: Braunstein‐Minkove Jessica R. , Zhang James J. , Trail Galen T.
Published: March 2011

Purpose

As a fixture in the mainstream media landscape, athletes, coaches, and sport celebrities are regularly used to promote products from sports equipment to high‐end watches. With an intrinsic connection between athlete endorsers and sport‐related products, it is the use of these endorsers to promote non‐sport products that raises questions about their appropriateness as a marketing tool. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop an explanatory model that analyzes athlete endorser effectiveness in promoting non‐sport products.

Design/methodology/approach

An holistic approach was taken, examining the structural relationships of identification with an athlete and his/her sport to product‐endorser congruency, perceived value, and purchase intentions, providing a preliminary overview of key socio‐psychological factors that may influence the purchase intentions of endorsed products.

Findings

This paper provides empirical insights about the effectiveness of athlete endorsers for non‐sport products. The result was a 42‐item, five factor model (i.e. Athlete Identification, Sport Identification, Match‐Up, Perceived Value, and Purchase Intention) that fit the data adequately well.

Research limitations/implications

This model provides academicians with a synthesized review, and application of the various factors that play a role in athlete endorser selection and viability. This model serves as a framework for future analysis.

Practical implications

The paper includes a tactical approach that, when re‐evaluated, can provide a model to adapt and adopt in the selection of product or brand endorsers.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to develop a model to test the oft adopted, yet highly risky, method of selecting an athlete to endorse products that do not have an intrinsic link to the sport in which he or she is employed.
Histone deacetylase inhibitor MGCD0103 synergizes with gemcitabine in human pancreatic cells
Authors: Sung Victoria , Richard Normand , Brady Helen , Maier Armin , Kelter Gerhard , Heise Carla
Published: March 2011

Histone deacetylase inhibitors are a group of recently developed compounds that modulate cell growth and survival. We evaluated the effects of the histone deacetylase inhibitor MGCD0103 on growth of pancreatic carcinoma models following single agent treatment and in combination with gemcitabine. MGCD0103 inhibited tumor cell growth and acted synergistically with gemcitabine to enhance its cytotoxic effects. Gene expression analysis identified the cell cycle pathway as one of the most highly modulated gene groups. Our data suggest that MGCD0103 + gemcitabine might be an effective treatment for gemcitabine‐refractory pancreatic cancer. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 1201–1207)
Galactose Metabolism in a Patient with Hereditary Galactokinase Deficiency
Authors: Gitzelmann Richard , Wells Henry J. , Segal Stanton
Published: March 2011

Abstract. The ability of a galactokinase deficient patient to metabolize galactose, galactitol and galactonate was quantitated. In galactokinase deficiency, conversion of galactose to CO2 is minimal. Apparently the defect is extensive, involving all tissues. Galactitol and galactonate, injected intravenously, were not metabolized. The administration of C‐1 and C‐2 labelled galactose resulted in 14CO2 excretory patterns similar to that observed in uridyltransferase deficient mutants. The different fates of C‐1 and C‐2 observed in this galactokinase deficient patient give support to the existence of a direct oxidative pathway for galactose. Galactonate, although present in urine during the period of observation following injection of radioactive galactose failed to become labelled.