bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental strategy: does it lead to competitive advantage in the US wine industry?
Authors: Atkin Thomas , Gilinsky Armand , Newton Sandra K.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and compare the perceptions of competitive advantage (cost leadership, differentiation, and performance) of those wineries which have implemented a clear business case for an environmental management system (EMS) and those which have not. Benefits and challenges of sustainability practices are also addressed.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected via self‐report web‐based survey. Of the 98 respondents, over 80 per cent were family‐owned, family‐managed.

Findings

Those respondents with a clear business case for EMS exhibited significant differences in cost leadership and differentiation advantages over those without a clear business case for EMS. Those with a clear EMS derived significantly greater supply chain optimization and operational efficiencies than those without a clear EMS. Those with a clear EMS also felt that they gained an enhanced ability to enter new markets to a much greater extent than those without a clear EMS. Results of this study demonstrate a significantly higher level of commitment by those respondents with a clear EMS when addressing sustainability initiatives during a current economic down turn over those who did not. Those respondents who had a clear EMS indicated that they had somewhat increased their sustainability commitments, rather than conducting business as usual with no change or somewhat decreasing sustainability commitments as those who did not have a clear EMS.

Originality/value

Activities that create competitive advantages for wine businesses are understudied; this research bridges that gap.
Sustained wine business as reflected by the international alcohol policy
Authors: Hoffmann Dieter
Published: June 2012

Purpose

After a period of 20 years of successful growth in sales in the international wine business, the upcoming International Alcohol Policy is endangering the economic sustainability of the wine business. To reduce alcohol‐caused hazards and harm, the International Alcohol Policy favours taxes and minimum prices for all alcoholic beverages. This policy is based on a large number of empirical studies on the price elasticity of alcoholic beverages. The purpose of this paper is to ask whether higher taxes on alcoholic beverages can solve the problems caused by excessive alcohol consumption or whether they are largely ineffective while producing other sustained damage at the same time.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper evaluates the results of studies on the price elasticity of alcoholic beverages by using the available results of studies on consumer decision making, focusing in particular on the relevance of price elasticity in comparison to the relevance of individually available budgets and prefer ences. In that case the contrast between alcoholics (consumer segment causing alcoholism) and average consumers is analysed using knowledge of the great differences in preferences between consumer segments.

Findings

Wine is highly affected by this alcohol policy due to the expectation of a decrease in overall consumption and the very high costs of alcohol content‐related taxes paid by all wine consumers. The price elasticity of demand for wine is analysed to be much higher than for beer and wine consumers are far away from alcoholism.

Social implications

The big social problem of alcoholism has to be underlined here. This problem and its spread internationally demands an examination of the effectiveness of this alcohol policy on prices and the development of and checks on new instruments for the direct control of alcoholics.

Originality/value

The international alcohol policy is an important field which needs to be analysed scientifically in more depth and in the framework of sustainability, with a focus on harmonizing social, economic and environmental aims. The paper shows that the current instruments used internationally in the alcohol policy cause large economic problems for wine consumers, as well as for wine producers and merchants, without solving the social problems of alcohol‐related hazards and harm.
The influence of gender on wine purchasing and consumption
Authors: Forbes Sharon L.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the purchasing behaviour of consumers across four nations and evaluate the influence that gender has on wine purchasing decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

An interviewer‐administered questionnaire was used to examine the actual purchase decisions made by 399 consumers inside stores in New Zealand, Australia, the UK and the USA.

Findings

The results indicate that gender has little significant impact on the frequency with which consumers purchase and drink wine. In addition, gender does not significantly influence the number of attributes which are evaluated by consumers nor the importance that they attach to them. In terms of product attributes, gender was found to significantly influence consumer utilisation of the discount price cue and the region of origin cue.

Practical implications

For those wine marketers who are targeting the female consumer, one implication of this research is that this may be achieved by utilising price discounts. In general, however, the results provide little evidence of significant differences between males and females in terms of wine purchasing behaviour and therefore suggest that gender may not be a useful variable for segmenting the global wine market.

Originality/value

This paper adds to current knowledge regarding the influence of gender on purchase decision making. In particular, the paper is of significance because it has explored the behaviour of consumers during an actual purchase decision and examined the views of consumers across four nations.
Market liberalization and volatility of returns in emerging markets
Authors: Al‐Khouri Ritab , Abdallah Abdulkhader
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether stock market liberalization creates excess stock return volatility in the Qatar Exchange (QSC).

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilizes two methods, simple analysis of variance and the EGARCH model with dummy variables.

Findings

Results reveal no change in market volatility following the partial removal of the restrictions on foreign participation. Results suggest, however, that the degree of persistence in volatility is high, which implies that once volatility increases it remains high over a long run. In addition, conditional volatility tends to rise when the absolute value of the standardized residuals was large. While, contrary to what has been found in the literature, the return volatility seems to be symmetric.

Research limitations/implications

The finding of volatility persistence and clustering might imply an inefficient stock market. Therefore, policy makers should emphasize and direct their attention toward increasing the efficiency of the stock market.

Practical implications

Being able to make predictions about financial market volatility is of special importance to investors and policy makers since it makes available to them a measure of risk exposure in their investments and decisions.

Originality/value

This paper provides a contribution to the empirical literature on stock market volatility. It is the only study, to the authors' knowledge, that investigates the issue of QSC liberalization and volatility. The authors believe that QSC has its own unique characteristics, and the results of the study depend mainly on the market's specific conditions, the quality of its financial institutions and the extent of financial liberalization obtained.
Ethics education
Authors: Hejase Hussein J. , Tabch Hassana
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to closely assess the level of business ethics education in one of the Lebanese educational institutions, namely the American University of Science and Technology (AUST) through shedding light on how the Faculty of Business and Economics' curriculum is set to meet the national and regional markets' requirements of sound business education.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive, analytical and statistical analyses are used in this study.

Findings

The study reveals several factors that affect business ethics education at AUST, namely students' ethics literacy and ethical perceptions, students' attitudes towards ethical issues, ethics and personal actions, personal morality, religious and ethical business conducts. This is in addition to the impact of formal business ethics education as implemented in the university's curriculum.

Research limitations/implications

Several insights could be inferred from this study. First, business ethics could be taught if a comprehensive formal and purposeful direction exists in an institution to make students internalize their perception of business ethics. Accordingly, the Faculty of Business and Economics is recommended to provide formal coverage of an ethics chapter in all business fields, and objectively expose the differences in applications as related to culture and national preferences; and third, reinforce the use of case studies on ethics dilemmas and make such studies obligatory for all majors. Another insight that is considered an important outcome of the study is its academic contribution to the few publications found on the subject matter in Lebanon and the region. Its results can be used by Middle Eastern educational institutions to analyze the reported western ethics' know how and practices and perform a series of research projects to address the differences between these two cultures in perception, applicability, sensitivity to beliefs and their influence on the way business is conducted in Lebanon and the surrounding Arab nations. Finally, this paper is an eye opener to the fact that individual's religious entity and beliefs may make a difference in the formation of ethical judgment and decision making. However, further research studies on the latter issue is needed, knowing that Lebanon is considered a mosaic religious community with 18 different official religions.

Practical implications

The findings presented in this research can be used by Middle Eastern as well as by Western academicians, managers, employees, and students as an eye opener to the implications of business ethics education on decision making.

Originality/value

The paper adds to the minimal body of knowledge of business ethics education in the Middle East; and its findings constitute a catalyst for further research on how ethics education enhances students' future decision making in the real world.
Assessing the effect of interpersonal communications on employees' commitment and satisfaction
Authors: Awad Tamer A. , Alhashemi Suhaila E.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between employees' motives for communicating with superiors and coworkers, their commitment to their organizations, satisfaction with jobs, and with superiors.

Design/methodology/approach

This article makes use of survey research, using quantitative research methodology investigating employees' motives for communicating with their superiors and co‐workers, their satisfaction and commitment towards their organization. The research identifies pleasure, escape, relaxation, control and inclusion as motives explaining why people communicate with each other and how they relate to each other.

Findings

The findings revealed a relationship between the motives along with satisfaction and commitment. Employees report a moderate commitment with their coworkers as well as superiors. Furthermore, the results showed strong relationships between the control, affection, inclusion, escape and relaxation motives.

Research limitations/implications

The research showed strengthening communication ties from a need to encourage more healthy interpersonal relationships by using jointly constructed reality. This approach was more effective because it goes beyond information process and it involves the process of people together creating what will be the mission and vision of the organization and developing corporate values. In addition, the organization's commitment can be enhanced through job enrichment together with matching the individual's values to those of the organization besides, finding ways and means of improving job satisfaction through different strategies such as improving the quality of the supervision, decentralization of power and counselling. Finally, the investigation serves as a context for evaluating the applicability of previous studies to the manufacturing, oil and petrochemical industries in Bahrain, focusing on Bapco (Bahrain Petroleum Company), GPIC (Gulf Petrochemicals Industries) and ALBA (Aluminum Bahrain ).

Originality/value

The study is the first thorough study conducted in the three above‐mentioned organizations. Therefore, it would be of great value to understand their employees better and improving their communication ties as well as motivation.
Quality assurance in Canadian police services
Authors: Cukier Wendy , Barkel Erin , Vaughan Tania , Gekas George
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the presence of quality assurance, risk management, and audit practices at the municipal, provincial and federal levels of law enforcement in Canada. Based on open‐ended interviews and surveys with management of law enforcement agencies, the study attempts to determine the extent to which these practices are in place, the structure of managing these functions, including the tools that are used to do so and the role of these functions within the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey was sent to 104 police services, which are represented in the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. A total of 30 people responded on behalf of 23 police agencies. The survey was supplemented with in‐depth interviews with selected police services.

Findings

There was a high level of consensus around the reasons for undertaking these processes and the rankings were also remarkably consistent. The way in which risks are defined varies from organization to organization but some common patterns emerge. The top risks are those associated with the external environment (80.77 per cent) and operational risks (76.92 per cent).

Originality/value

The study confirmed the challenges associated with establishing rigorous professional standards, while balancing the interests of different stakeholders in the development and application of the process.
Building sustainable internal capacity for quality within a healthcare environment
Authors: Schattenkirk Dale
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss how using an experiential Lean Six Sigma training model will dramatically decrease the amount of time it takes to become competent and capable at applying process improvement within a healthcare environment. The model was first put into use in 2006 and has evolved and been evaluated to its current state.

Design/methodology/approach

Typical Lean approaches use a Kaizen methodology that is dependent on a skilled facilitator entering the organization and leading a team of process content experts from the organization through the change process. It is costly to hire such facilitators and does not build sustainable capacity within the organization or the internal knowledge to apply the Kaizen approach to the many varying sizes and complexities of improvements within the healthcare arena. The root of the problem is compounded by many factors including cost, urgency, political pressure, and inconsistency in the Lean Six Sigma body of knowledge. The principles behind the Kaizen methodology are fundamentally sound but the difference in the approach of this training model lies in who is doing the educating and application rather than changing the Lean Six Sigma body of knowledge.

Findings

The first finding is that more people are capable of almost instantly leading change, given the right model, than organizations may be aware of. The second is the paradigm that an expert has to “live at least 500 miles away” simply meaning that people working within their current system are rarely seen as capable to solve the organization's problems. The third is that any organization can easily have a complete infrastructure in place within a week and their staff leading improvements within two weeks. The organization can be at a level of self‐sustaining internal capacity within four months of starting their Lean Six Sigma journey.

Originality/value

The paper consequently focuses on value created for the organization, by the organization, with minimal support of an external consultant.
Implement the ECFA
Authors: Huang Jie
Published: June 2012

Purpose

After Ma Yingjeou's re‐election in 2012, Mainland China and Taiwan will continue cooperation in economic fields. The purpose of this paper is to undertake research on a bilateral investment agreement (BIA) between Mainland China and Taiwan.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses statistics to demonstrate the growing cross‐strait investment and incompetent contemporary investment protection mechanisms in Mainland China and Taiwan. The paper also compares laws in Mainland China and Taiwan and the investment protection agreements concluded by Mainland and Taiwan with other countries, respectively.

Findings

Based on the similarities of current laws and the investment protection agreements concluded by Mainland China and Taiwan with other countries, respectively, Mainland China and Taiwan can possibility agree upon major provisions of a BIA. Solutions are provided to both macro and micro challenges against a successful BIA.

Research limitations/implications

It is hard to predict whether the BIA will promote political integration between Mainland China and Taiwan in the near future.

Practical implications

A BIA can boost investors' confidence.

Social implications

This paper may serve as a humble reference for both the Mainland China and Taiwan government when negotiating the BIA.

Originality/value

Cross‐strait investment is an important and prosperous field in practice, but has not been fully explored in literature thus far. This Article aims to fill this gap.
Foreign debt, economic growth and economic crisis
Authors: Changyong Xuan , Jun Sun , Chen Yan
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between foreign debt, economic growth and economic crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper constructs a Ramsey‐Cass‐Koopmans model theoretically and examines empirically the relationship between foreign debt, economic growth and economic crisis using US data over the period of 2003 and 2008.

Findings

The paper finds that if the debt transformation rate is low when the debt ratio rises over a certain point; economic growth will be hindered, and may even trigger economic crisis. In contrast, high debt transformation rate may facilitate economic growth. However, the paper also shows that when the debt ratio exceeds a certain point, the debt will become a barrier to economic growth. These results will be of interest to policy makers not only in developed countries but also in emerging economies such as China.

Originality/value

These findings suggest that the relationship between debt, economic growth and economic crisis is not uniform, but depends on debt transformation rate.
Reminders that make sense: designing multisensory notifications for the home
Authors: McGee‐Lennon Marilyn R.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a synthesized overview of empirical work carried out in the MultiMemoHome Project in the area of designing multimodal reminders for home care. The paper aims to present an overview of multimodal interaction techniques and how they can be used to deliver messages to the user in a way that is more appropriate to the user's needs, the devices available, and the physical and social environment that the person is in when they receive a message.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper argues that electronic reminders or notifications delivered in the home (such as appointments or when to take medication to your phone, computer or TV) should be available in multiple sensory modalities (visual, auditory, tactile and olfactory) in order to increase their usability and acceptability and make them accessible to a wider range of users. This paper supports these arguments by presenting an overview of a series of empirical studies that have been carried out (and reported elsewhere) on the design and evaluation of multimodal reminders for the home.

Findings

The paper provides some guidelines and lessons learned on how to design personalisable multimodal reminder systems for the home.

Originality/value

This paper presents a synthesized overview of a body of existing research on multimodal reminder design for the home. Its contribution is in the argument and presentation of empirical findings that support these arguments. A set of guidelines emerging from the body of work is also presented.
The ethical evaluation of assistive technology for practitioners: a checklist arising from a participatory study with people with dementia, family and professionals
Authors: Godwin Beatrice
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Uncertainty over ethical impact may hinder uptake of assistive technology (AT) in dementia. This study aims to examine whether AT contributes to person‐centred care, whether users can participate in research and to explore ethical dilemmas with users, family and professional carers.

Design/methodology/approach

People with dementia, at home or in residential care, and carers were allocated equipment and consulted about ethics. In a small, qualitative study, data were collected using semi‐structured interviews and vignettes and content‐analysed to establish themes.

Findings

AT in person‐centred dementia care requires meticulous assessment, reliability and availability in rapidly evolving situations. Users displayed insight, logic and empathy in ethical evaluation. They disliked remote monitoring and surveillance, whereas carers were pragmatic, prioritising safety.

Research limitations/implications

This research provides further evidence that users with dementia can be included in research. It demonstrates a significant potential role for AT in dementia care, with an ethical checklist to help professionals evaluate ethical dilemmas.

Originality/value

AT potentially increases wellbeing, enabling users to remain longer at home, delaying or avoiding moves to or between homes.
A long and honourable history
Authors: Faulkner Alison , Basset Thurstine
Published: June 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the extensive roots of peer support in mental health, and to identify the values and principles that the authors wish to hold onto as choices are made as to how and whether to engage with formal peer support within the National Health Service (NHS).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors attempt to cover the ground of three types of peer support, but with an emphasis on informal peer support and participation in consumer or peer‐run groups as providing the roots for the third more formal type, which is often known as intentional peer support (IPS).

Findings

Professionalisation of peer support may endanger the equality that lies at the root of peer support relationships. Independence may also be compromised if peer support becomes just another part of mainstream services. Whilst an individual/personalised approach to providing services has many strengths, one must be careful not to remove all opportunity for service users to meet together, support one another, plan and campaign.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that commissioners of services should aim for a plurality of peer support and be careful to ensure that informal peer support is flourishing as an essential basis for more formal peer support.

Originality/value

The paper shows that, with an increased interest in providing peer support as part of mainstream services, it is important to stress the basic values and principles that underpin informal service‐user led peer support.
A year of peer support in Nottingham: lessons learned
Authors: Repper Julie , Watson Emma
Published: June 2012

Purpose

In April 2010, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS trust won Regional Innovation Funding to recruit, train and employ six peer support workers in community mental health teams. At the time, practical examples of the employment of peer support workers were lacking in England. The aim of this paper is to communicate the key lessons learned in this first year of peer support in the hope that these will provide a foundation for other services to build upon.

Design/methodology/approach

The project was evaluated using a simple evaluation model reflecting service structure, processes and outcomes, collected through qualitative methods: documentary analysis, semi‐structured interviews and a focus group.

Findings

The peer support employment process has been broken down into its fundamental components (selection, recruitment, training, supervision relationships, recovery approach and discharge of clients) and within each of these sections a brief narrative is provided to explain some of the challenges faced. Each section ends with recommendations based on the lessons learned as a result of the pilot study.

Research limitations/implications

A second paper will examine the nature of peer support: what the peers did with clients and what difference this made.

Originality/value

At present many mental health services are planning to employ peer support workers and this paper provides some early guidance for implementing this process in the NHS.
A year of peer support in Nottingham: the peer support workers and their work with individuals
Authors: Repper Julie , Watson Emma
Published: June 2012

Purpose

In April 2010, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS trust won Regional Innovation Funding to recruit, train and employ six peer support workers in community mental health teams. At the time, practical examples of the employment of peer support workers were lacking in England. An earlier paper focuses on the lessons learned in this first year of peer support. The aim of this paper is to examine the nature and dynamics of peer support: what the peers did with clients and what difference this made.

Design/methodology/approach

The project was evaluated using a simple evaluation model reflecting service structure, processes and outcomes, collected through qualitative methods: documentary analysis, semi‐structured interviews and a focus group.

Findings

The six peers worked with 83 clients over the six month period. They offered emotional, practical, social support, support specific to care and support specific to recovery. They felt that the shared knowledge that they too had experienced mental health challenges was critical in engaging with clients in a trusting relationship and in informing their work.

Originality/value

In the absence of English service models for peer support workers, this paper provides some guidance for new peer support teams, and some evidence to support the helpful nature of peer support work.
A new self‐management intervention for people with severe psychiatric diagnoses
Authors: Crepaz‐Keay David , Cyhlarova Eva
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and delivery of a self‐management and peer support intervention for people with severe mental health diagnoses.

Design/methodology/approach

There was a gap in the provision of a self‐management intervention designed and delivered by people with psychiatric diagnoses. In total, 24 people with the experience of severe mental ill‐health took part in developing the model and course materials for a new self‐management intervention. A three‐stage intervention was designed: two‐day training, six follow‐up sessions, and on‐going peer support.

Findings

Between 2009 and 2012, over six hundred participants across Wales were trained. In total, 35 of the new courses and 27 of the Bipolar UK courses have been delivered. Currently, 15 peer support groups are still meeting regularly and many people are receiving on‐going support. At present, the effectiveness of the intervention is being evaluated; data are being collected at baseline, and at six and 12‐month follow‐up.

Originality/value

Most self‐management strategies developed in the past have been focused on physical health conditions and developed and delivered by clinicians. This new self‐management intervention is based on the needs and experiences of the target beneficiaries. It was developed and is being delivered by people who have a psychiatric diagnosis, and have come through the training themselves.
Challenges and triumphs: developing an inpatient peer support project
Authors: Ockwell Claire
Published: June 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to explain how the CAPITAL Project Trust established an inpatient peer support project in West Sussex.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper sets the project within local and historical contexts, seeking to explain some of the reasons for the growing interest in formal peer support, before explaining the methodology used to set up the project and the learning along the way. The author draws on evidence from evaluations to demonstrate the added value offered by inpatient peer support and argues for a peer defined set of values to underpin all peer support projects.

Findings

Models of inpatient peer support need to be flexible to both the individual talents of peer support workers and the cultures of the different wards in which they work.

Originality/value

The paper shows that the project demonstrates the value that can be added by independent peer support workers being placed on acute inpatient wards and the importance for service users of peer support being peer led.
Learning and the loosely coupled elements of control
Authors: Moilanen Sinikka
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how a parent company ensures reliable accounting information from its subsidiaries located in a significantly different environment, analyzing the process and its outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs the conceptualization of management control as a loosely‐coupled system to explore the integration of accounting‐related work between a parent company and subsidiaries. Three Western firms and their subsidiaries in the territory of the former Soviet Union are studied, focusing on the couplings between different elements of control and their outcomes, and taking accounting as an object and element of control.

Findings

The results show how other elements of control can steer accounting‐related work. As the organizational structures made possible personnel controls in the form of informal training in accounting, results controls were responsive to these personnel controls. This constructed common models of thinking, meaning that cultural controls were responsive to results controls. The responsiveness also supports generative learning, since accounting‐related training includes and introduces Western business thinking.

Originality/value

The findings show that loose couplings within management control systems may lead to generative learning due to the rules imposed by the parent company. Elaborating the dual role of accounting as an object and element of control illustrates a relationship different from the earlier view that loose coupling between parent's rules and what is locally done tends to foster local stability based on preservation of existing ways of thinking, i.e. adaptation instead of adaptability.
The influence of sustainability performance management practices on organisational sustainability performance
Authors: Gadenne David , Mia Lokman , Sands John , Winata Lanita , Hooi George
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between organisations' sustainability performance management practices and sustainability performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for the study were collected from 314 medium to large organisations operating in Australia. A mailed printed questionnaire was used to collect the data. Personal interviews with 20 senior executives were conducted to pilot test and refine the questionnaire.

Findings

The results indicate the organisations apply eight sustainability performance management practices (SPMPs) to improve seven different sustainability performance indicators (SPIs). Each of the eight SPMPs is positively associated with at least one or more SPIs. The paper finds that customer value, new product development and information capital performance indicators are each associated with a single SPMP, while the other four performance indicators (environmental, employee value, social responsibility, and financial performance) are each associated with multiple SPMPs. Overall, the results indicate that increasing the level of an organisation's focus on its individual SPMPs is positively associated with its better performance under one or more SPIs.

Originality/value

This study provides empirical evidence concerning which SPMPs are positively associated with particular SPIs. A framework of the identified SPMPs and SPIs is developed with a view towards promoting future research and practical applications to foster organisational sustainability performance.
Trust governance based on active interpersonal strategy
Authors: Wang Hongli , Lu Yunbo
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the new concept of trust governance and how to design trust‐related governance mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper defines trust governance based on the nature of governance, and proposes the micro design approach from the perspective of active interpersonal strategy. Based on a literature review, trust governance emerges as a new organizing principle which needs to be taken into account when considering the fast development of knowledge. Active interpersonal strategy is highlighted as a way to build trust and several governance mechanisms are proposed.

Findings

This paper concludes that trust governance is an important and new research field, and is also a necessary route of organizational promotion from human control to self‐control. Interpersonal threat control strategy could understand and drop a hint about others'cognitive risk. Active trust could excite trust by virtue of active express friendship. Such active interpersonal strategies enable the manager to explore the situational confidence from the micro individual level, and facilitate the micro‐mechanism design.

Originality/value

The paper shows that trust governance could initiate the innovation performance of individuals, and promote interpersonal trust development and evolution.
An experimental research on governance mechanisms for cost of value chain
Authors: Mu Linjuan , Cui Xuegang
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the governance mechanism of overcoming or solving three problems: cooperation problem, coordination problem and appropriation problem. Also to raise the value chain cost efficiency and to elevate the value chain competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is the experimental study. The authors design an experience simulating the transaction process across firms to explore the separate and joint governance effects of trust and incentive on the cost of value chain.

Findings

According to the experimental results it is found that the high level of trust between firms and the incentive based on the joint interests of value chain can effectively mitigate or avoid the cooperation, coordination and appropriation problems, and thus have significant governance effects on the cost of value chain. Incentive is out of effect when a much lower level of trust across firms exists, which reflects that there is a significant complementary relationship between trust and incentive mechanisms.

Research limitations/implications

The research limitation is that the practical experience and the cognition of experimenters of the researchers will influence the conclusion of the experiment, so the research on the influences of other factors must be deepened.

Originality/value

The paper's value is in setting out a value chain cost management theory frame, demonstrating trust and incentive as two kinds of governance mechanism in the value chain cost management mechanism, adopting experiment method to verify the above theory, and providing the relevant behavior evidence for future research.
Combination of ADH1B*2/ALDH2*2 polymorphisms alters acetaldehyde‐derived DNA damage in the blood of Japanese alcoholics
Authors: Yukawa Yoshiyuki , Muto Manabu , Hori Kimiko , Nagayoshi Haruna , Yokoyama Akira , Chiba Tsutomu , Matsuda Tomonari
Published: June 2012

The acetaldehyde associated with alcoholic beverages is an evident carcinogen for the esophagus. Genetic polymorphisms of the alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) genes are associated with the risk of esophageal cancer. However, the exact mechanism via which these genetic polymorphisms affect esophageal carcinogenesis has not been elucidated. ADH1B*2 is involved in overproduction of acetaldehyde due to increased ethanol metabolism into acetaldehyde, and ALDH2*2 is involved in accumulation of acetaldehyde due to the deficiency of acetaldehyde metabolism. Acetaldehyde can interact with DNA and form DNA adducts, resulting in DNA damage. N2‐ethylidene‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (N2‐ethylidene‐dG) is the most abundant DNA adduct derived from acetaldehyde. Therefore, we quantified N2‐ethylidene‐dG levels in blood samples from 66 Japanese alcoholic patients using liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry, and investigated the relationship between N2‐ethylidene‐dG levels and ADH1B and ALDH2 genotypes. The median N2‐ethylidene‐dG levels (25th percentile, 75th percentile) in patients with ADH1B*1/*1 plus ALDH2*1/*1, ADH1B*2 carrier plus ALDH2*1/*1, ADH1B*1/*1 plus ALDH2*1/*2, and ADH1B*2 carrier plus ALDH2*1/*2 were 2.14 (0.97, 2.37)/107 bases, 2.38 (1.18, 2.98)/107 bases, 5.38 (3.19, 6.52)/107 bases, and 21.04 (12.75, 34.80)/107 bases, respectively. In the ALDH2*1/*2 group, N2‐ethylidene‐dG levels were significantly higher in ADH1B*2 carriers than in the ADH1B*1/*1 group (P < 0.01). N2‐ethylidene‐dG levels were significantly higher in the ALDH2*1/*2 group than in the ALDH2*1/*1 group, regardless of ADH1B genotype (ADH1B*1/*1, P < 0.05; ADH1B*2 carriers, P < 0.01) N2‐ethylidene‐dG levels in blood DNA of the alcoholics was remarkably higher in individuals with a combination of the ADH1B*2 and ALDH2*2 alleles. These results provide a new perspective on the carcinogenicity of the acetaldehyde associated with alcoholic beverages, from the aspect of DNA damage.
Sensitization induces hypersensitivity in trigeminal nerve
Authors: Wang X. , Liang H. , Zhou C. , Xu M. , Xu L.
Published: June 2012

Background and Aims

Trigeminal neuralgia is one of the chronic neuropathic pains. The aetiology remains unclear. Chronic inflammation is proposed playing a role in the pathogenesis of trigeminal neuralgia. This study aims to assess the role of allergic inflammation in the pathological status of trigeminal neuralgia.

Methods

Allergic inflammation was induced in the infraorbital skin of rats. The expression of 5‐HT receptor 3 (R3) in the trigeminal nerve and mastocytosis in the local tissue were observed by immunohistochemistry. The hyperalgesia status of the trigeminal nerve was determined by quantitatively recording the head‐withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimulation of the infraorbital nerve territory.

Results

After sensitization, the expression of 5‐HT R3 in the trigeminal nerve and the frequency of mast cells were markedly increased in the epidermal tissue of the infraorbital area. Applying exogenous 5‐HT to the local tissue also increased the expression of 5‐HT R3 in the trigeminal nerve. The threshold of mechanical allodynia to stimuli was significantly lower in sensitized rats than control rats, which could be blocked by pre‐treatment with either 5‐HT R3 antagonists, or neurokinin‐1 antagonists, or mast cell stabilizers.

Conclusions

Allergic inflammation can induce the overexpression of 5‐HT R3 in the trigeminal nerve to induce the hyperalgesia status in the trigeminal nerve. The 5‐HT R3 may be a therapeutic target in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.
Maternal vitamin D status, its associated factors and the course of pregnancy in Thai women
Authors: Charatcharoenwitthaya Natthinee , Nanthakomon Tongta , Somprasit Charintip , Chanthasenanont Athita , Chailurkit La‐or , Pattaraarchachai Junya , Ongphiphadhanakul Boonsong
Published: June 2012

Context

There are limited data on the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy in pregnant women living in Southeast Asia and changes in their vitamin D status during pregnancy.

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy, its predictive factors and the changes in vitamin D status during the course of pregnancy.

Design and patients

A prospective study of 120 pregnant Thai women with gestational age <14 weeks.

Measurements

Serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and clinical data were obtained at the first visit, in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Vitamin D inadequacy was defined as 25OHD <75 nm.

Results

The prevalences of vitamin D inadequacy were 83·3%, 30·9% and 27·4% for the first, second and third trimesters. The independent predictors of vitamin D inadequacy in the third trimester were not drinking vitamin‐fortified milk (OR 11·42; 95% CI: 3·12–41·86), not taking prenatal vitamins (OR 9·70; 95% CI: 2·28–41·19) and having vitamin D deficiency in the first trimester (OR 10·58; 95% CI: 2·89–38·80). Vitamin D deficiency was not found in women taking prenatal vitamins. However, 20 women who took at least 400 IU/day of vitamin D from prenatal vitamins still had vitamin D insufficiency in the third trimester.

Conclusions

Vitamin D inadequacy is common in pregnant Thai women, especially in the first trimester. Vitamin D supplementation may be needed prior to conception and during pregnancy. For areas with abundant sun exposure like Thailand, vitamin D supplementation at 400 IU/day is likely to prevent vitamin D deficiency, but is inadequate to prevent vitamin D insufficiency even at 800 IU/day.
Temperature adaptation of bacterial communities in experimentally warmed forest soils
Authors: Rousk Johannes , Frey Serita D. , Bååth Erland
Published: June 2012

A detailed understanding of the influence of temperature on soil microbial activity is critical to predict future atmospheric CO2 concentrations and feedbacks to anthropogenic warming. We investigated soils exposed to 3–4 years of continuous 5 °C‐warming in a field experiment in a temperate forest. We found that an index for the temperature adaptation of the microbial community, Tmin for bacterial growth, increased by 0.19 °C per 1 °C rise in temperature, showing a community shift towards one adapted to higher temperature with a higher temperature sensitivity (Q10(5–15 °C) increased by 0.08 units per 1 °C). Using continuously measured temperature data from the field experiment we modelled in situ bacterial growth. Assuming that warming did not affect resource availability, bacterial growth was modelled to become 60% higher in warmed compared to the control plots, with the effect of temperature adaptation of the community only having a small effect on overall bacterial growth (<5%). However, 3 years of warming decreased bacterial growth, most likely due to substrate depletion because of the initially higher growth in warmed plots. When this was factored in, the result was similar rates of modelled in situ bacterial growth in warmed and control plots after 3 years, despite the temperature difference. We conclude that although temperature adaptation for bacterial growth to higher temperatures was detectable, its influence on annual bacterial growth was minor, and overshadowed by the direct temperature effect on growth rates.
Mechanisms used by virulent Salmonella to impair dendritic cell function and evade adaptive immunity
Authors: Bueno Susan M. , Riquelme Sebastián , Riedel Claudia A. , Kalergis Alexis M.
Published: June 2012

Innate and adaptive immunity are inter‐related by dendritic cells (DCs), which directly recognize bacteria through the binding of pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) to specialized receptors on their surface. After capturing and degrading bacteria, DCs present their antigens as small peptides bound to MHC molecules and prime naive bacteria‐specific T cells. In response to PAMP recognition DCs undergo maturation, which is a phenotypic change that increases their immunogenicity and promotes the activation of naive T cells. As a result, a specific immune response that targets bacteria‐derived antigens is initiated. Therefore, the characterization of DC–bacteria interactions is important to understand the mechanisms used by virulent bacteria to avoid adaptive immunity. Furthermore, any impairment of DC function might contribute to bacterial survival and dissemination inside the host. An example of a bacterial pathogen capable of interfering with DC function is Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium). Virulent strains of this bacterium are able to differentially modulate the entrance to DCs, avoid lysosomal degradation and prevent antigen presentation on MHC molecules. These features of virulent S. Typhimurium are controlled by virulence proteins, which are encoded by pathogenicity islands. Modulation of DC functions by these gene products is supported by several studies showing that pathogenesis might depend on this attribute of virulent S. Typhimurium. Here we discuss some of the recent data reported by the literature showing that several virulence proteins from Salmonella are required to modulate DC function and the activation of host adaptive immunity.
Interleukin‐33 amplifies IgE synthesis and triggers mast cell degranulation via interleukin‐4 in naïve mice
Authors: Komai‐Koma M. , Brombacher F. , Pushparaj P. N. , Arendse B. , McSharry C. , Alexander J. , Chaudhuri R. , Thomson N. C. , McKenzie A. N. J. , McInnes I. , Liew F. Y. , Xu D.
Published: June 2012

Background

The regulation and function of IgE in healthy individuals and in antigen‐naïve animals is not well understood. IL‐33 administration increases serum IgE in mice with unknown mechanism. We tested the hypothesis that IL‐33 provides an antigen‐independent stimulus for IgE production and mast cell degranulation.

Methods

IL‐33 was administered to naïve wild‐type (WT), nude and ST2−/−, IL‐4−/−, IL4Rα−/− and T‐or B‐cell‐specific IL‐4Rα−/− mice. IgEand cytokines were quantified by ELISA. T‐ and B‐lymphocyte numbers and CD40L expression were determined by flow cytometry. Anaphylaxis was measured by temperature, mast cell degranulation and histamine release.

Results

IL‐33 enhanced IgE production in naïve WT, T‐IL‐4Rα−/− but not in ST2−/−, IL‐4−/−, IL‐4Rα−/− or B‐cell‐specific IL‐4Rα−/− mice, demonstrating IL‐33 specificity and IL‐4 dependency. Moreover, IL‐4 was required for IL‐33‐induced B‐cell proliferation and T‐cell CD40L expression, which promotes IgE production. IL‐33‐induced IL‐4 production was mainly from innate cells including mast cells and eosinophils. IL‐33 increased mast cell surface IgE and triggered degranulation and systemic anaphylaxis in allergen‐naïve WT but not in IL‐4Rα−/− mice.

Conclusion

IL‐33 amplifies IgE synthesis and triggers anaphylaxis in naïve mice via IL‐4, independent of allergen. IL‐33 may play an important role in nonatopic allergy and idiopathic anaphylaxis.