bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diversity of cwp loci in clinical isolates of Clostridium difficile
Authors: Biazzo Manuele , Cioncada Rossella , Fiaschi Luigi , Tedde Vittorio , Spigaglia Patrizia , Mastrantonio Paola , Pizza Mariagrazia , Barocchi Michèle A. , Scarselli Maria , Galeotti Cesira L.
Published: May 2013

An increased incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is associated with the emergence of epidemic strains characterized by high genetic diversity. Among the factors that may have a role in CDI is a family of 29 paralogues, the cell-wall proteins (CWPs), which compose the outer layer of the bacterial cell and are likely to be involved in colonization. Previous studies have shown that 12 of the 29 cwp genes are clustered in the same region, named after slpA (cwp1), the slpA locus, whereas the remaining 17 paralogues are distributed throughout the genome. The variability of 14 of these 17 cwp paralogues was determined in 40 C. difficile clinical isolates belonging to six of the currently prevailing PCR ribotypes. Based on sequence conservation, these cwp genes were divided into two groups, one comprising nine cwp loci having highly conserved sequences in all isolates, and the other five loci showing low genetic conservation among isolates of the same PCR ribotype, as well as between different PCR ribotypes. Three conserved CWPs, Cwp16, Cwp18 and Cwp25, and two variable ones, Cwp26 and Cwp27, were characterized further by Western blot analysis of total cell extracts or surface-layer preparations of the C. difficile clinical isolates. Expression of genetically invariable CWPs was well conserved in all isolates, whilst genetically variable CWPs were not always expressed at comparable levels, even in strains containing identical sequences but belonging to different PCR ribotypes. This is the first report on the distribution and variability of a number of genes encoding CWPs in C. difficile.
Modelling anti-pertussis toxin IgG antibody decay following primary and preschool vaccination with an acellular pertussis vaccine in UK subjects using a modified oral fluid assay
Authors: Fry Norman K. , Litt David J. , Duncan John , Vaghji Lalita , Warrener Lenesha , Samuel Dhanraj , Andrews Nick , Harnden Anthony , Harrison Timothy G.
Published: May 2013

Recent vaccination with pertussis vaccine can confound serological and oral fluid (OF) assays targeting anti-pertussis toxin (anti-PT) IgG antibodies as a marker of recent infection. This study sought to establish the minimum potentially confounding time period based on experimental data to assist interpretation from such samples submitted from UK subjects for pertussis diagnosis. Anti-PT IgG antibody response and decay were measured post-vaccination using a modified OF IgG antibody-capture ELISA (GACELISA). Data were obtained from 72 infants after the third acellular pertussis vaccine dose in the primary schedule (4 months of age) and from 119 children after the single dose at preschool age (3 years 4 months to 5 years 8 months of age). Specimens were taken at approximately 1 month intervals for 9 months post-primary immunization (third dose) and 13 months post-preschool booster (PSB). The modified GACELISA demonstrated a sensitivity of 52/56 (92.9 %: 95 % CI 82.7–98.0) and a specificity of 120/128 (93.8 %: 95 % CI 88.0–97.3) and showed good agreement with the National Reference Laboratory standard anti-PT IgG serum ELISA (rank correlation = 0.80) and the original OF assay (rank correlation = 0.79). Modelling of the decline in antibody titres showed a reduction of 54 % and 34 % for each doubling of time after day 14 for the post-third primary dose and post-PSB subjects, respectively. These data suggest that the minimum confounding time period is approximately 300 days for samples obtained post-primary immunization and at least 3 years for samples submitted from UK children following immunization with the PSB. These data will greatly assist the interpretation of single high diagnostic anti-PT IgG titres by allowing an estimate of the positive predictive value, when the number of days post-immunization and prevalence are known or assumed.
Bicaudal-D uses a parallel, homodimeric coiled coil with heterotypic registry to coordinate recruitment of cargos to dynein
Authors: Liu Yang , Salter Hannah K. , Holding Andrew N. , Johnson Christopher M. , Stephens Elaine , Lukavsky Peter J. , Walshaw John , Bullock Simon L.
Published: May 2013

Cytoplasmic dynein is the major minus end-directed microtubule motor in eukaryotes. However, there is little structural insight into how different cargos are recognized and linked to the motor complex. Here we describe the 2.2 Å resolution crystal structure of a cargo-binding region of the dynein adaptor Bicaudal-D (BicD), which reveals a parallel coiled-coil homodimer. We identify a shared binding site for two cargo-associated proteins—Rab6 and the RNA-binding protein Egalitarian (Egl)—within a region of the BicD structure with classical, homotypic core packing. Structure-based mutagenesis in Drosophila provides evidence that occupancy of this site drives association of BicD with dynein, thereby coupling motor recruitment to cargo availability. The structure also contains a region in which, remarkably, the same residues in the polypeptide sequence have different heptad registry in each chain. In vitro and in vivo analysis of a classical Drosophila dominant mutation reveals that this heterotypic region regulates the recruitment of dynein to BicD. Our results support a model in which the heterotypic segment is part of a molecular switch that promotes release of BicD autoinhibition following cargo binding to the neighboring, homotypic coiled-coil region. Overall, our data reveal a pivotal role of a highly asymmetric coiled-coil domain in coordinating the assembly of cargo–motor complexes.
Project delivery methods in European social housing energy renovations
Authors: Baldiri Salcedo Rahola Tadeo , Straub Ad
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to characterize the main project delivery methods that are used for the renovation of social housing, and to analyse the advantages and disadvantages of their application for energy renovations in order to assist social housing organisations in making an informed decision on the choice of a project delivery method that suits their organizational context.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a literature review, five case studies of renovation processes by five social housing organizations in four EU countries, a questionnaire completed by 36 social housing organizations from eight EU countries, and a series of 14 interviews with energy renovation experts from ten EU countries.

Findings

Four main project delivery methods were identified: iterative minor renovations, design‐bid‐build, design‐build and design‐build‐maintain. Design‐build‐maintain has the maximum potential to deliver energy savings because it facilitates collaboration between the various actors and promotes their commitment to achieving project goals.

Research limitations/implications

The presented data is not meant to be representative for a country or the sector as a whole, but aims to indicate the main characteristics of the current energy renovations carried out by European social housing organizations.

Practical implications

Social housing organizations are provided with useful information about the advantages and disadvantages of different project delivery methods for energy renovation projects, assisting them to choose the option that suits their organizational context.

Originality/value

This study fills a knowledge gap about the project delivery methods currently used in social housing energy renovations and their potential for energy renovations.
Marketing performance assessment systems and the business context
Authors: Frösén Johanna , Tikkanen Henrikki , Jaakkola Matti , Vassinen Antti
Published: May 2013

Purpose

This study provides empirical evidence for the contextuality of marketing performance assessment (MPA) systems. It aims to introduce a taxonomical classification of MPA profiles based on the relative emphasis placed on different dimensions of marketing performance in different companies and business contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

The data used in this study (n=1,157) were collected using a web‐based questionnaire, targeted to top managers in Finnish companies. Two multivariate data analysis techniques were used to address the research questions. First, dimensions of marketing performance underlying the current MPA systems were identified through factor analysis. Second, a taxonomy of different profiles of marketing performance measurement was created by clustering respondents based on the relative emphasis placed on the dimensions and characterizing them vis‐á‐vis contextual factors.

Findings

The study identifies nine broad dimensions of marketing performance that underlie the MPA systems in use and five MPA profiles typical of companies of varying sizes in varying industries, market life cycle stages, and competitive positions associated with varying levels of market orientation and business performance. The findings support the previously conceptual notion of contextuality in MPA and provide empirical evidence for the factors that affect MPA systems in practice.

Originality/value

The paper presents the first field study of current MPA systems focusing on combinations of metrics in use. The findings of the study provide empirical support for the contextuality of MPA and form a classification of existing contextual systems suitable for benchmarking purposes. Limited evidence for performance differences between MPA profiles is also provided.
A view to a brand: introducing the film brandscape
Authors: O'Reilly Daragh , Kerrigan Finola
Published: May 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to the development of a film brand theory and in doing so, illustrate the utility of a socio‐cultural approach to branding. The purpose is to develop the conceptual framework within which the film brandscape may be considered. An illustrative case study of the James Bond franchise is provided so that the potential application of the framework can be clearly understood.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper approaches the topic from a socio‐cultural perspective in order to take particular account of the symbolic nature of film offerings. It combines insights from contemporary production and consumption practices in the film industry with theoretical perspectives from marketing, branding, consumer, cultural and film studies. Although a conceptual paper, it incorporates an illustrative case, the James Bond franchise, in order to support the proposed brandscape.

Findings

Films are marked with signs of ownership and may carry other cues which function as risk‐reducing shorthand devices. Consumers look to brand characteristics as communicated through brand cues. Particular brandscapes can be viewed as loosely bounded sites within which meaning is derived from making sense of the various, interrelated brands within this brandscape. Such meaning is dependent on cultural cues which evolve over time.

Research limitations/implications

This paper presents a theory of film branding which is primarily applicable to mainstream commercial films. The implications for marketing and branding scholars are highlighting the need to view brands within their wider brandscapes in order to understand how consumers understand brands in relation to one another. There is also a need to move beyond dominant relational modes of thinking about brands and consumers to consider the temporal nature of brand meanings.

Practical implications

The paper offers a theoretical approach enabling scholars in a range of disciplines to engage in cross‐disciplinary dialogue about film brands, thus facilitating debate and opening up new lines of research inquiry. The case study included is merely illustrative and further empirical studies are needed to test and develop the brandscape.

Originality/value

The paper develops the cultural approach to branding through introducing the idea of the granularity of the brandscape: particular brandscapes can be viewed as loosely bounded sites within which meaning is derived from making sense of the various, interrelated brands within this brandscape. Such meaning is dependent on cultural cues which evolve over time. Managerial decision making can be understood through considering the various cast and crew decisions, genre and positioning. Through understanding the granularity of the brandscape, marketing and branding practitioners can have a greater understanding of consumer sensemaking which can be used in strategic decision making.
An integrated service recovery system (ISRS)
Authors: Leticia Santos‐Vijande María , María Díaz‐Martín Ana , Suárez‐Álvarez Leticia , Belén del Río‐Lanza Ana
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Appropriate management of service failures involves a complex organizational response that allows an effective internal and external recovery, learn from mistakes and introduce future service innovations. Empirical evidence on the organizational recovery practices more suitable to achieve these objectives, leading to superior performance, is limited. The present work seeks to extend the existing literature by identifying the potential dimensions that constitute an integrated service recovery system (ISRS), introducing a strategic, proactive and relational approach to service failure and recovery management, and by proposing a causal model linking the ISRS with performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The ISRS dimensions and their attributes are derived from an extensive literature review and suggestions from academics and business experts. Structural equations modeling is used to test a model linking the ISRS (conceptualized as a second order construct), with client, employee and business performance indicators, using data from a Spanish sample of 151 Knowledge‐Intensive Business Services (KIBS).

Findings

Results confirm that the firms' ability to approach service recovery from a strategic, proactive and relational perspective allows improving performance among clients and employees, that is, the external and internal recovery to occur, which leads to a superior competitive performance.

Practical implications

The ISRS scale can provide managers with a diagnostic tool to analyze their recovery practices and to further improve their competitiveness in the long term.

Originality/value

The need to assess the integrative nature of effective service recovery systems has been claimed theoretically. An empirical study showing the link between comprehensive service recovery practices and performance was lacking.
Precise versus imprecise promotional rewards at small probabilities:
Authors: Yao Qing , Chen Rong , Zhao Ping
Published: May 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to try to investigate how consumers respond to precise versus imprecise promotional rewards at varied probabilities, including small ones and whether the effect is contingent on purchase value and promotion budget.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on reviewing the literature on the ambiguity effect, the certainty effect and small probabilities, the hypotheses are tested by three experimental studies.

Findings

The experiments show that at a small winning probability, promotion with imprecise reward is more attractive than with precise reward. For high value purchases, a small‐probability promotion with imprecise reward performs better than an equally costly 100 percent‐probability promotion with precise reward. However, the difference is shortened for low value purchases. Furthermore, as the promotion budget increases, the ambiguity effect becomes stronger. As a result, the small‐probability promotion with imprecise reward is preferred to the 100 percent‐probability promotion with precise reward at both low and high budget levels.

Research limitations/implications

The present study provides a starting‐point for further research on how to design an effective marketing promotion program with precise or imprecise promotional rewards at varied probabilities.

Originality/value

This research extends previous research on tensile versus precise prices to the region of very low or small probabilities, enriches the literature on “overweighting of small probabilities,” and also significantly enriches the existing theories on decision making under ambiguity.
Desert or rain
Authors: Hartmann Patrick , Apaolaza‐Ibáñez Vanessa
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Given the observable increase in images of nature in advertising on a global scale, this study aims to ask whether such creative strategies should adapt imagery to the natural environment of the target audiences or could it be standardised globally.

Design/methodology/approach

Two samples of respondents living in different geographic locations with contrasted climates and natural environments were exposed to a set of experimental green advertisements visually featuring different categories of natural scenery and one urban landscape. Attitude towards each advertisement and emotional responses evoked by it were measured and compared across the range of stimuli and the two samples.

Findings

Results did not support either the hypothesis that individuals prefer advertisements showing the natural habitat in which they had grown up or the hypothesized universal preference for advertising imagery displaying savannah type landscapes. However, the observed preferences across both samples for advertisements featuring natural landscapes with abundant green vegetation and clear water are consistent with evolutionary psychology, which proposes that perception of beauty in a landscape is universal and hypothesizes preferences for landscapes with those characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

The study was experimental in nature and based on only two specific geographic locations, as well as on one product and experimental brand. Findings and conclusions must therefore be adopted with due caution. Future research should be conducted on a broader geographic scale, across a wider range of natural and cultural environments, and with a greater variety of products and brands.

Practical implications

Results discourage the adaptation of nature imagery to the geographic location of a target audience, and support a global strategy based on the standardised use of landscapes universally perceived to be beautiful, following the principles of environmental aesthetics.

Originality/value

This is the first study to apply evolutionary and environmental psychology to an investigation of the influence of a target audience's natural environment on its behavioural responses to natural imagery in advertising.
Using data envelopment analysis to measure hotel efficiency in Crete
Authors: Manasakis Constantine , Apostolakis Alexandros , Datseris George
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to: study the relative efficiency between hotels operating under a brand and hotels operating independently, on the island of Crete, Greece; identify the inefficiency causes; and suggest managerial implications to relevant business experts and managers in order to increase hotel efficiency in Crete and in other tourism destinations with similar characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample is constituted by 50 superior hotels (luxury and class A) operating in Crete in 2008: 25 hotels are operating as totally independent and 25 hotels are operating under a brand. The efficiency for the above hotels is estimated through the data envelopment analysis methodology.

Findings

First, nationally branded hotels are relatively the most efficient; internationally branded are the least efficient, while those operating under a local brand and the independent ones lie in between. This efficiency ranking can be explained by the interplay between operating under a brand and being flexible to changes in the local market's conditions. Second, the hotels' inefficiency cause is mainly due to the input/output configuration and not due to their management teams' performance to organize the inputs in the production process.

Research limitations/implications

A direction for future research could be to enrich input and output variables. The paper could also be extended through a larger sample of hotels and an enriched data set covering more variables for more than one year, so as to study the dynamics of hotel efficiency. The larger sample could also contain hotels from other popular tourist destinations in Greece.

Practical implications

The inefficiency causes are identified and, moreover, suggestions are made to hotel owners and managers, at the level of strategic and operational management, so as to increase hotel efficiency.

Originality/value

This is the first study measuring hotel efficiency in Greece. Moreover, it identifies the inefficiency causes of hotels and offers suggestions, at the level of strategic and operational management, so as to increase hotel efficiency, which are applicable to Crete as well as to other tourism destinations with similar characteristics.
How reputation creates loyalty in the restaurant sector
Authors: Chang Kuo‐Chien
Published: May 2013

Purpose

This study attempts to investigate the causal relationships between perceived trust, perceived value, customer satisfaction, and corporate reputation to understand how customer perceptions evolve into customer loyalty in the restaurant sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops a research model and empirically examines the model by collecting data from two different chain restaurants. Based on the aggregated responses (n=529) from surveys conducted in the two selected chain restaurants, structural equation modeling was used to examine the hypothesized relationships between the variables.

Findings

The results reveal that corporate reputation creates loyalty through trust and value, two factors that act as important mediating variables in the model. Another key finding, based on a comparison of the total effects, is that perceived trust affects customer loyalty through customer satisfaction and that it has a stronger effect than perceived value.

Practical implications

Along with the reputation‐loyalty linkage, which is mediated by trust and value, the minor influence of customer‐perceived value implies that restaurant managers should consider enhancing their diners' perceived value by providing innovative products and services.

Originality/value

This study develops a conceptual stimulus‐organism‐response (S‐O‐R) model that reflects the mediating role of trust and value to indicate the effect of the customer perceptions of the corporate reputation on customer loyalty in the restaurant sector.
Relationships between lifestyle of health and sustainability and healthy food choices for seniors
Authors: Kim Myung‐Ja , Lee Choong‐Ki , Gon Kim Woo , Kim Joung‐Man
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the structural relationships among lifestyle of health and sustainability (LOHAS), healthy food choices, trust, and emotional loyalty and the moderating role of age between seniors and non‐seniors in restaurants.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least squares (PLS)‐graph software (version 3.0) was used to analyze the measurements and structural models. The authors employed a PLS regression analysis for both the formative and reflective constructs in the empirical test of the research model.

Findings

The study revealed that the senior market segment differs from the non‐senior market segment in the following ways: the magnitude of impact of LOHAS on healthy food choices is much stronger for senior diners than for non‐senior diners and the impact of LOHAS on trust and emotional loyalty is greater for seniors than non‐seniors.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study can guide the restaurant industry in its research on the implications of LOHAS for seniors.

Practical implications

Restaurant marketers should develop different strategies for the senior and non‐senior market segments, and they need to focus on target segments rather than attempting to appeal to the market as a whole.

Originality/value

This paper assists researchers and practitioners by shedding light on the differences among LOHAS, healthy food choices, trust, and emotional loyalty between senior and non‐senior diners.
Employer attitudes on hiring employees with disabilities in the leisure and hospitality industry
Authors: Jasper Cynthia R. , Waldhart Paul
Published: May 2013

Purpose

This paper seeks to analyze government survey data on what concerns leisure and hospitality employers most when considering hiring people with disabilities, as well as what hiring practices best alleviate these concerns. Special attention is to be given to the theory of planned behavior in these aims.

Design/methodology/approach

US government survey data of leisure and hospitality employers' perspectives were disaggregated and examined using F‐, T‐, and Z‐tests.

Findings

Employee abilities and workplace accommodations raised substantial concerns, while financial incentives and practices addressing workplace attitudes were seen as especially helpful solutions. Employer concerns toward hiring varied significantly by employer size, with employers with more workers being more likely to hire those with disabilities than those with fewer workers.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should work to overcome limitations inherent in the source data used by further disaggregating business types within the leisure and hospitality industry, and to examine how socio‐demographic factors impact employer perceptions.

Originality/value

This is the first study to statistically test and apply the theory of planned behavior to the most recent nationally representative and randomized survey data of leisure and hospitality employer perceptions on hiring people with disabilities.
The effects of work overload and work‐family conflict on job embeddedness and job performance
Authors: Karatepe Osman M.
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The present study seeks to propose and test a research model that investigates emotional exhaustion as a mediator of the effects of work overload, work‐family conflict, and family‐work conflict on job embeddedness and job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study evaluated the aforementioned relationships using LISREL 8.30 through structural equation modeling (SEM) based on data collected from 110 full‐time frontline hotel employees and their managers in Romania.

Findings

The results of SEM suggest that emotional exhaustion functions as a full mediator of the effects of work overload, work‐family conflict, and family‐work conflict on job embeddedness and job performance. Specifically, employees who have heavy workloads and are unable to establish a balance between work (family) and family (work) roles are emotionally exhausted. Such employees in turn are less embedded in their jobs and display poor performance in the service delivery process.

Research limitations/implications

In future studies having longitudinal data would be useful for drawing causal inferences among study variables. Employing cross‐cultural research in future studies would also be helpful.

Practical implications

Management of the hotels should take decisive steps to establish and maintain a supportive work environment because such an environment would help employees to balance their work (family) and family (work) roles and lead to reduced emotional exhaustion. Otherwise, it would be very difficult to retain high performing employees in the workplace. Hiring individuals who fit well with the job and organizational culture via objective tests and experiential exercises would also be helpful for employee retention.

Originality/value

The current study contributes to the existing knowledge base by testing emotional exhaustion as a mediator of the impacts of work overload, work‐family conflict, and family‐work conflict on job embeddedness and job performance through data gathered from frontline hotel employee‐manager dyads in Romania.
Guangdong Province, China: firms, cities and sectors of excellence
Authors: Rubini Lauretta , Barbieri Elisa
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an updated picture of the emergence of specific firms, cities and sectors of excellence in one of the best performing industrial areas of China: Guangdong Province.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper focuses on a single province‐case study and zooms on its leading territories, sectors, firms and policies. Geographical areas, industrial sectors and firms are defined “of excellence” according to their contribution to the overall industrial performance of the province.

Findings

High industrial performances are not equally spread in the province. They involve specific sectors (such as electronics), areas (Pearl River Delta) and even specific firms (particularly Chinese‐owned and SOEs). This picture is in line with the recent policy objectives (support to ODI by national companies, indigenous innovation, national and local champions, restructuring of SOEs) and with the history of preferential industrial development policies.

Research limitations/implications

Given the concentration of industrial excellence in the province, there is a need to further investigate the leading actors. Given the persistent policy practice to encourage excellences (areas, sectors and firms), there is a need to further investigate the linkages between provincial/local policies and performances. The empirical test on the existence of a causal link between policies and performances of specific territories and sectors is left for further research.

Originality/value

While much of the existing literature concentrates on the impressive industrial growth of China as a whole, the paper stresses the degree of concentration of such growth and the importance of focusing on specific leading actors in order to fully understand the industrial development of the country.
New and young firms
Authors: Pickernell David , Senyard Julienne , Jones Paul , Packham Gary , Ramsey Elaine
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether new and young firms are different from older firms. This analysis is undertaken to explore general characteristics, use of external resources and growth orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from the 2008 UK Federation of Small Businesses survey provided 8,000 responses. Quantitative analysis identified significantly different characteristics of firms from 0‐4, 4‐9, 9‐19 and 20+ years. Factor analysis was utilised to identify the advice sets, finance and public procurement customers of greatest interest, with ANOVA used to statistically compare firms in the identified age groups with different growth aspirations.

Findings

The findings reveal key differences between new, young and older firms in terms of characteristics including business sector, owner/manager age, education/business experience, legal status, intellectual property and trading performance. New and young firms were more able to access beneficial resources in terms of finance and advice from several sources. New and young firms were also able to more easily access government and external finance, as well as government advice, but less able to access public procurement.

Research limitations/implications

New and young firms are utilising external networks to access several resources for development purposes, and this differs for older firms. This suggests that a more explicit age‐differentiated focus is required for government policies aimed at supporting firm growth.

Originality/value

The study provides important baseline data for future quantitative and qualitative studies focused on the impact of firm age and government policy.
Reframing for global sustainability
Authors: Rauch Herbert
Published: May 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to encouragediscourse concerning a“sustainable societal system”, proposing S.E.E.D. (=Secure‐base Earth Equilibrium Development). S.E.E.D. outlines a possible transition to a viable future civilisation, a realistic eco‐social turnaround, a “taming” (i.e. a cultivation) of the market with regard to the changed context (“nature”, ecosystem). Thus, it can become a key point for “sustainable global citizenship”; and alleducational effortsin this direction are demanded.

Design/methodology/approach

The design/methodology/approach is along the main components of the model of “Synoptics”, i.e.systemic social analysesusing so‐called “objective hermeneutic methodology”. This outline is the short version of the complete text of an ESD memorandum on S.E.E.D. (Vienna, 2012), which comprises approx. 200 pages; thus it has had to be very condensed.

Findings

For moving towards a sustainable global societal system, a “transitional phase” is needed. One possible transition model is S.E.E.D. Further deliberation about our future social architecture as well as some immediate and critical steps are urgently needed and are to be encouraged; this text merely aims to be an incentive.

Research limitations/implications

Hermeneutics can only deepen the understanding of social systems. It recognizes thedifference in relation to“science” – based on the “reproducibility of situations” (replication) and therefore the possibility of a methodology by “replicable experiments”, which are not (yet) possible in the social realm.

Practical implications

This article aims to deepen theunderstanding of the “whole”of a social structure – as a system – and it outlines an alternative social architecture (S.E.E.D.) for the next (transitional) historic phase. The crucial factors for a “context‐appropriate change” areeducation(which has to become both more and more multicultural and have a global perspective at its core) and themedia(where all its instruments – new and old – are very important).

Social implications

This social architecture (S.E.E.D.) aims towards intensifying the political discourse for ademocratic political transition. It can be first envisaged for European states, respectively, within the EU (and finally worldwide). This outline might be useful forpedagogic purposesas well. If climate knows no boundaries, then why should modern teaching endeavours be limited to national boundaries?

Originality/value

This paper's originality/value lies in promoting the discourses with regard to concrete proposals for a sustainablesocial “architecture”with some utopian component parts still remaining today.
Performance evaluation of Islamic mutual funds relative to conventional funds
Authors: Ashraf Dawood
Published: May 2013

Purpose

This paper seeks to review and extend previous research on the performance of Islamic mutual funds (IMFs) by evaluating the relative performance of IMFs and conventional funds during the global economic crisis in the context of the Saudi Arabian capital market.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper compares the market timing and stock selection abilities of 159 mutual funds listed on the Saudi Arabian stock market from 2007 to 2011 by using the CAPM regression and Treynor and Mazuy models. The paper addresses the benchmark problem from which most prior IMFs studies suffered by using appropriate regional benchmarks. As a robustness check, coefficients of IMFs and conventional funds are compared by using the differences in mean and standard deviation analysis obtained from the standard CAPM model on individual funds.

Findings

The empirical results show evidence of better performance of IMFs relative to conventional funds during periods of economic crisis. In addition, although there is no evidence of relative superiority in market timing ability, managers of IMFs appear to have better stock selection ability during times of economic crisis.

Research limitations/implications

The combination of superior stock selection ability of IMFs and the negative market timing ability of conventional funds suggest that IMFs offer better hedging opportunities for investors during periods of economic downturn.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper suggest that IMFs can provide hedging benefits during adverse economic conditions – an issue of great importance due to the current and forecast insecurity surrounding the global capital markets. By holding a portion of their investment portfolio in IMFs, investors can experience a higher degree of confidence in terms of investment security, growth and returns. Similarly, managers of conventional funds can improve risk adjusted performance by following similar screening criteria as IMFs during economic slowdowns.

Originality/value

This paper represents the first comprehensive study on the comparative performance of Islamic and conventional mutual funds during the current financial crisis by including all fund managers listed on the Saudi Arabian stock market. The paper extends the knowledge of the emerging literature of Islamic finance and mutual fund performance.
Sport and emerging capital markets: market reaction to the 2022 World Cup announcement
Authors: Abuzayed Bana
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the announcement of the mega sport event of the 2022 FIFA World Cup affected the stock market return and volatility for the hosting country (Qatar) and other economically related countries (United Arab of Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Oman).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper includes empirical analysis in which data from the Qatar Stock Market as well as a sample of economically connected markets are collected for the period of 2010 and 2011 and analyzed to examine if mega sport events influence stock market return and volatility. Two testing methodologies are used in this study, event study as well as GARCH and EGARCH models. Additionally, sector effect is considered to examine if mega events can affect sectors' returns in different levels.

Findings

The study found evidence of abnormal market return in the hosting country; in particular, the service sector is the most affected sector. However, it failed to find any evidence of abnormal return for the rest of selected Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. On the other hand, no significant volatility effects were found.

Originality/value

This paper's originality lies in suggesting that policy makers in small economies expecting to host mega events need to work more seriously to promote investments and attract funds from investors and consumers to be able to reap the benefits out of these events – which should exceed the pay associated with improving the infrastructure of less developed markets. Given that Qatar, as well as most of the GCC countries, is planning to diversify their future income, sport may improve the country's reputation and attract external investments to the country.
Performance indicators of banks in a total Islamic banking system: the case of Sudan
Authors: Eljelly Abuzar M.A. , Abdelgadir Elobeed Ahmed
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the common performance traits of banks operating in a whole Islamic banking system in Sudan. Sudan is among the few economies in which a whole Islamic banking system is in place.

Design/methodology/approach

Nine banks representing the most active and large banks are used as a sample for this analysis. The study applied factor analysis to a large set of financial ratios that are commonly used in financial analysis of banks.

Findings

The study found that six factors are able to explain most of the variation of the financial ratios used in the study. These factors ranked according to the percentage of variation explained are: liquidity risk, coverage, efficiency (utilization), profitability, capital adequacy, and control. The study also tested for the stability of these factors over time and found that both the extracted factors and their loadings are stable over time.

Practical implications

Thus, this study provides a reduced set of indicators of performance of Islamic banks that operate in a total Islamic banking system that may be beneficial to a large group of stakeholders and parties that have interest in Islamic banking.

Originality/value

This study provides an opportunity to interested researchers in the area of Islamic banks about an important aspect of a total Islamic banking system, such as Sudan.
Analysis of Islamic banks' financing and economic growth: a panel cointegration approach
Authors: Gudarzi Farahani Yazdan , Dastan Masood
Published: May 2013

Purpose

This paper seeks to use empirical evidence to examine the role of Islamic banks' financing on economic performance of selected countries (Malaysia, Indonesia, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar and Yemen).

Design/methodology/approach

Using quarterly data (2000:1‐2010:4), this paper utilizes the panel cointegration approach models framework.

Findings

The results generally signify that, in the long run, Islamic banks' financing is positive and significantly correlated with economic growth and capital accumulation in these countries. The results obtained from the Granger causality test reveal a positive and statistically significant relationship between economic growth and Islamic banks' financing in the short run and in the long run. It also found that the long run relationship is stronger than the short run relationship.

Originality/value

This paper uses empirical evidence to show the effect of Islamic banks' financing on economic growth of selected Islamic countries. To the best of the authors' knowledge, most of the studies in this field have applied the bound testing approach of cointegration, error correction models (ECMs), Auto Regressive Distributed lag (ARDL) and Vector Autoregressive Model (VAR), and the coefficients obtained by these models cannot be deemed as a general finding applicable for other countries. The superiority of this article is in applying the FMOLS model, which has stable and consistent coefficients and is also a dynamic model.
Conserving the heritage in Chongqing by market forces
Authors: Hin Li Ling , Gan Lang
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the feasibility of adopting a market‐based land use model, Transfer of Development Rights (TDR), which is very popular in America and other countries as a positive land use control mechanism for conservation, in an evolving socialist land economy, namely China.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilizes a case study approach, supplemented by a cost‐benefit model, to estimate the feasibility of establishing a TDR model in Chongqing, China.

Findings

From the analysis, it is found that a market‐based land use mechanism can serve to maximize the benefits of all parties and can balance the interests between development pressures and conservation needs. However, this is based on a number of conditions, including: that a well‐developed legal framework should be set up, to clearly delineate property rights; that a good and enforceable planning system should be in place; and that a mature land market mechanism should be developed that allows open market prices to be realized in the trading of development rights.

Research limitations/implications

This case study is based on a hypothetical situation of one case. More data are needed to support the argument in the future.

Practical implications

Conservation is a major concern for the local governments in China, given the recent high speed economic growth. A model that can balance development pressure, while allowing the market to compensate fully for the infringement of property rights in the process of urban regeneration, is worthy of the authority's attention in future policy formulation.

Social implications

This paper shows that the society as a whole can strike a balance between the need for economic development and conservation of historic sites, provided some conditions can be met.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to study the establishment of a market‐based land use model in the conservation policy of land in China.
Road map for application of the HUL approach in China
Authors: van Oers Ron , Pereira Roders Ana
Published: May 2013

Purpose

This article is an editorial toJCHMSD's Volume 3, Issue 1 and aims to provide an overview to its selection of papers.

Design/methodology/approach

The article builds upon a previous editorial on the implementation of the new UNESCORecommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape(HUL). It discusses a research and training programme under development by the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research in Asia and the Pacific (WHITRAP) and Tongji University's Advanced Research Institute for Architecture and Urban Planning, in Shanghai, China, to help determining a strategy for the application of the HUL approach in China.

Findings

The HUL approach facilitates a structuring and priority setting of competing needs and demands for the integration of urban development and heritage management processes, which is perhaps most pressing in the current Chinese context of rapid and large‐scale urbanization. However, its precise meaning, and therefore its merit, is still poorly understood in China due to confusing conceptual foundations and interpretations, primarily related to the terminology of “cultural landscape”.

Originality/value

This research paper outlines a series of pertinent issues and questions as part of a critical path –a “road map”– for the application of the HUL approach, as promoted by UNESCO, in China and it outlines key areas for further research, in particular as concerns the development of a toolkit.
Understanding the application ofKaizenmethods in construction firms in China
Authors: Shang Gao , Sui Pheng Low
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Kaizenor continuous improvement is a renowned Japanese management philosophy implemented in many industries all over the world. It is geared towards the everyday worker and management, and aims to continually improve the workplace, even on a small scale. The extent of implementation in China is unknown. This paper seeks to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has the objective of filling a gap by addressing the implementation issues facingkaizenin a project setting, and employs qualitative methods to investigate the application ofkaizenwithin large Chinese construction firms. The material for this study is taken from interviews of 27 Chinese building professionals from 16 large Chinese firms in 2011.

Findings

The interview results indicate that different types of activities associated withkaizenhave been adopted by Chinese construction firms at the project level.

Research limitations/implications

There are considerable challenges identified in this study. This includes the lack of a supporting culture, compressing schedules, limited resources and especially the lack of professionals with sufficient understanding ofkaizen. In order to put Chinese construction firms in a better position to implementkaizen, this study concludes with a number of strategies for overcoming these challenges.

Originality/value

The respondents' perceptions ofkaizen,as well as its possible applications in real life projects, were sought. In addition, the infrastructure ofkaizenwithin the Chinese construction project setting was also investigated in this study.