bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expatriate Managers in China: The Influence of Chinese Culture on Cross-Cultural Management
Authors: Goodall Keith , Li Na , Warner Malcolm
Published: March 2017

This article deals with expatriate managers in the People's Republic of China and how their experiences are shaped by the cultural environment in which they work. It, therefore, combines an analysis of Chinese culture and its potential impact on business effectiveness with an account of fieldwork carried out with expatriate managers in the Suzhou Industrial Park, south of Shanghai. Using qualitative analysis we focused on six broad issues: culture shock; language barriers; miscommunication with local staff; staff turnover; empowerment and motivation; and teamwork.
The Dialectic of Problem-Based Learning in Workplace Contexts
Authors: Yeo Roland K.
Published: March 2017

The paper discusses Problem-Based Learning (PBL) as a mediating factor in generating a variety of learning networks in workplace contexts. We argue that informal learning in experiential circumstances can be systematised to encourage deep learning at the individual and collective level. Given the distinct problem-solving opportunities in PBL, learners can increase their capacity to acquire new knowledge through self-inquiry, reflection and dialogue. The repositioning of learning attitudes also leads to an enlargement of communities of practice wherein double and triple-loop learning cycles intersect to create rigorous learning. We propose an integrated model to explain the dynamics of PBL operating within the constraints of workplace contexts.
How Risky are Brand Licensing Strategies in View of Customer Perceptions and Reactions?
Authors: Wiedmann Klaus-Peter , Ludewig Dirk
Published: March 2017

While brand licensing is becoming increasingly popular, the consequences of this particular form of brand extension are not well researched to date. Advantages and disadvantages have been extensively discussed from the perspective of brand licensors and licensees. What is currently missing, however, is an understanding of customer perceptions and reactions when customers realise that a product and/or service is provided by a company that has simply bought the right to use the brand name and logo rather than provided by the original brand owner. This paper presents the first empirical study on specific effects of brand licensing by analysing the effects of prior brand licensing knowledge on customer brand evaluation and product evaluation. The results show no major evidence of specific brand licensing effects with regard to ordinary cases. More risks might be associated in specific brand licensing cases – these are also briefly discussed.
The Knowledge Advantage of Virtual Teams – Processes Supporting Knowledge Synergy
Authors: Ratcheva Violina
Published: March 2017

It has been previously argued that virtual teams emerged as a new organisational form of ‘working together apart’. However, their novelty has been attributed to the use of technologically advanced communications rather than to their organisational properties. It remains unclear what makes virtual teams a potentially powerful new organisational form. The paper argues that unravelling the mystery of knowledge creation processes in virtual teams requires an in-depth understanding of the complex interaction processes involved in forming computer mediated business relationships. The focus, therefore, is on the process of collective ‘knowing’, defined as team's actions and interactions embedded in unique social activities in virtual teams rather than on knowledge being a pre-given resource possessed by the team members. The paper presents an initial conceptual framework of knowledge creative processes in virtual partnerships, which builds on recent empirical studies and conceptual developments in virtual team dynamics, knowledge networking and biological phenomenology.
How Trust, Dependence and Priorties Influence the Stability of Alliances
Authors: Jiang Xu , Gao Shanxing , Li Yuan
Published: March 2017

This paper presents a theoretical framework for understanding the stability of strategic alliances. Based on combinations of different levels of changes in the initial alliance conditions and different levels of alliances' adaptation capabilities, this study proposes a typology of alliance stability: sustaining stability, flexible stability, rigid stability and transient stability/instability. Subsequently, the critical roles of trust, dependence, and prior ties in the stability of alliances have been analysed by drawing on an inter-partner relationship perspective. From this discussion, a number of propositions have been developed to facilitate future empirical testing of our conceptual model.
The Importance of Organisational Structure for Collaboration between Sales and Marketing
Authors: Le Meunier-Fitzhugh Kenneth , Piercy Nigel F.
Published: March 2017

Effective cross-functional partnerships between sales and marketing functions are a priority for many organisations. Previous research proposes that organisational structure and/or location may be influential in creating greater collaboration between sales and marketing. It has been suggested that high performing organisations may structure their sales and marketing functions as single departments. This study tests both these propositions through a survey of managing directors and CEOs of large UK organisations. The results indicate that there is no relationship between structure or location of sales and marketing and collaboration between sales and marketing. Further, high performing organisations structure their sales and marketing functions both as separate departments and as single departments.
Management Actions, Attitudes to Change and Perceptions of the External Environment: A Complexity Theory Approach
Authors: Mason Roger B.
Published: March 2017

This paper, based on complexity theory principles, suggests relationships between environmental turbulence, managers' perceptions of the external environment, attitudes to change, management actions and business success. Data was collected via a case study method, using in-depth interviews, document analysis and observation from two companies each in the computer and packaging industries. Findings reflected a relationship between environmental perceptions and attitudes to change. The more successful firms expected and almost welcomed change, while the less successful companies were victims of change. Overall external environment perceptions, attitudes to change and the resulting management approaches differed between the more successful and less successful companies.
Knowledge Management from an Industry Perspective
Authors: Perrott Bruce E.
Published: March 2017

Strong forces of competition and globalisation have created awareness and an urgency to focus how organisations control and nurture intellectual capital. The knowledge concept and its management have gained currency and momentum, as technology has enabled thoughts and ideas to be more easily produced and distributed. With the increased application of recent technologies such as the internet, CRM and advanced software capabilities, it has been suggested that the time has come for a debate on a new paradigm for knowledge management. As a contribution to this debate, this paper will examine exploratory research conducted in the Australian private hospital industry with a view to better understand issues related to knowledge management from an industry perspective.
Designing Strategic Innovation Networks to Facilitate Global NPD Performance
Authors: Millson Murray R. , Wilemon David
Published: March 2017

This article reviews and applies a strategic new product development (NPD) networking maturation process developed for organisations that employ networks to develop successful new products. Understanding this model can assist new product developers in making important decisions for attaining marketplace advantages that can aid the successful development and commercialisation of new products. This paper describes the development of a strategic NPD networking maturation process model that is compatible with current global new product development practices and environments. It is noted that strategic NPD networking for new product development is not a discrete event but a process that involves several stages. These stages are described and include awareness, exploration, commitment and dissolution. It is suggested that embarking on a strategic NPD networking process resembles the processes of the adoption and implementation of an important innovation. The paper concludes with a summary of the discussion.
Middle Managers' Involvement in Strategic Planning: An Examination of Roles and Influencing Factors
Authors: Raman S. Raghu
Published: March 2017

There are references in the literature on the benefits of involving middle managers in the strategic planning process. It has been suggested by scholars that involvement by middle managers not only adds value to the process of planning but also strengthens the commitment to the chosen course of action. In exploring such involvement, the literature has offered a typology of strategic middle managerial roles and has also suggested possible factors that may influence these roles in organisations. However, not many studies have offered empirical support on how such roles are enacted by middle managers and the challenges they face in the context of strategic planning in organisations. This paper draws from the findings of an in-depth case study of an auto components manufacturer based in India to argue that middle managers add value to the process of strategic planning by leveraging their substantial knowledge of employee mind-sets and understanding of the existing reporting relationships. The case also argues that in playing strategic roles, middle managers face political tensions and are often forced to balance conflicting interests.
Key Factors in the Access of Women to Managerial Posts
Authors: López-Fernández Macarena , Martín-Alcázar Fernando , Romero-Fernández Pedro M.
Published: March 2017

Despite the social and political changes over the past decade that have taken place in the field of work, it is obvious that participation of women in managerial posts is limited. This paper supports the principle of equal opportunity of access to these posts for women and aims to examine the occupational segregation that exists in the labour market. The paper presents some key factors relevant to this situation and highlights the fact that women could offer knowledge to organisations that would otherwise be wasted.
Is there a Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Individual Values? An Exploratory Study
Authors: Higgs Malcolm , Lichtenstein Scott
Published: March 2017

The importance of individual values in determining individual behaviour is well established. However, much of the research in this field has been critiqued for failing to focus on values priorities or personal values systems. This, it has been argued, accounts for the contradictory and inconclusive findings that arise in the research. More recently, assertions have been made that there are links between an individual's personality and their values. However, empirical studies to support this assertion have failed to provide conclusive evidence. In the literature relating to individual differences there has been an emergence of interest in the concept of emotional intelligence (El). Whilst this has been a contentious construct, evidence has been provided both of its validity and difference from personality. Given the emotional roots of El it has been suggested that it may be rooted in individual values systems and priorities. Against this background, this paper reports a study designed to explore the relationships between El and values systems using the Maslovian three factor categorisation of values priorities. The study involved 75 managers. Analyses did indeed show relationships that appeared to make sense. The paper reports these analyses and identifies limitations, implications for managers and areas for future research to take this line of inquiry forward.
The Choice, Design and Strategic Implications of Executive Incentive Pay Schemes at the Time of an Initial Public Offering: A UK Perspective
Authors: Allcock Deborah
Published: March 2017

This paper presents a critical analysis of the choice and design of executive pay incentive scheme arrangements implemented at the time of a company's initial public offering. Using a unique sample of 311 entrepreneurial companies over a five year period (1998–2002) it discovers that 172 companies implement executive share option schemes for the first time at their initial public offering. Taking this sub-sample, the paper evaluates and analyses the strategic choices made with regard to incentive pay schemes by the board of directors at this crucial time in a company's development. It finds that company's choices are split between schemes that have performance targets linked to reward and others that are contrary to the guidelines of the UK's Corporate Governance Code and best practice. Furthermore, it shows company characteristics that affect schemes and elaborates on the configuration of incentive schemes in respect of three critical elements: the performance target, comparator, and target level requirement for the shares to vest. In light of this, it proposes strategic reasons as to how these schemes might be set for initial public offerings and proposes that explanations for implementation are not underpinned by traditional agency theory but linked to a resource based view of the firm.
Acquiring Poorly Performing Companies during a Recession: Insights into Post-Acquisition Management
Authors: Angwin Duncan , Meadows Maureen
Published: March 2017

At this time of recession, many companies are performing badly and some become acquisition targets. Once acquired, the General Manager needs to consider how to turn around the acquired company. Existing studies of turnarounds suggest a uniform approach to the early stages of management, but this is based on analysing stand-alone companies rather than acquired ones. Amongst acquisitions it is well known that there are different integration styles, but studies of mergers and acquisitions have not focused upon how poorly performing companies are managed. This paper asks (1) should acquired companies in poor financial health be managed as other acquired companies and (2) should they follow turnaround literature prescriptions? Using a novel mixed method approach, cluster analysis techniques reveal the existence of two distinct integration strategies for poor performing target companies, and qualitative interviews provide explanation of these findings. For General Managers this means that their strategy options should not be limited to the ‘classic’ turnaround strategies set out in the existing literature but should recognise that there are different ways to manage poor health acquisitions.
Cauterising Trial by Fire: Observers' Interpretations of Organisational Failure
Authors: Amankwah-Amoah Joseph
Published: March 2017

This article integrates attribution and social judgement theories to develop a stage model of observers' interpretations of the consequences of organisational failure. The contention is that observers' interpretation following such events encompasses sense-making, identifying the locus of causality, identifying the actors and their attributes, and then making an attribution leading to either competitive or contagion effects. This model weaves together these two competing effects to articulate the mechanisms through which observers construe organisational failure as a cauterising trial by fire, which either stigmatises or strengthens individuals and organisations after the event.
Survival or Failure within the Organisational Life Cycle. What Lessons for Managers?
Authors: Abatecola Gianpaolo
Published: March 2017

This article seeks to provide its readers with useful insights about what key factors towards survival (or failure) can be associated with different stages of the organisational life cycle. In particular, the article aims to explain how the empirical developments from ‘organisational adaptation’ literature can be useful, especially to the practice of management, for gaining fruitful recommendations about the investigated research question. The article has been specifically designed to fit the audience of the Journal of General Management. In fact, it mostly focuses on the managerial implications demonstrated by a number of real world examples (e.g. Ryanair, Zalando, Gucci and Google) currently associated with the discussed literature.
Breadth and Depth of International Diversification: Interactions, Trade-offs and Profitability
Authors: Li Lee , Qian Gongming , Qian Zhengming
Published: March 2017

All firms have to decide on a strategic issue when they diversify into foreign markets: that is, what is the optimal level of the breadth and depth of diversification? In isolation, the breadth and the depth have been widely discussed in the existing business literature, but their relationships remain unknown. This study explores how the breadth and depth interact with each other to affect firm performance. Evidence collected in this study shows that the interaction effect is positive and significant when the level of both breadth and depth is moderate. When either dimension increases further, the interaction effect is still positive and grows even more significant. However, the positive and significant effect reverses and becomes negative (although non-significant) when a high level of both dimensions is reached. These relationships suggest that the adoption of an international diversification strategy should take into consideration breadth and depth simultaneously as they affect each other mutually in determining firm performance. Findings of the study shed light on an effective mechanism to design strategies in uncertain environments – an important issue in general management.
Corporate Branding, Brand Psychological Ownership and Brand Citizenship Behaviour: Multilevel Analysis and Managerial Implications
Authors: Chiang Hsu-Hsin , Chang Aihwa , Han Tzu-Shian , Mcconville David
Published: March 2017

Brand psychological ownership can be defined as a psychological experience producing positive brand attitudes and brand cognitions, such as a feeling of ownership towards a brand, and altruistic spirit towards brand-related activities. Building on, and extending the work of Chang. Chiang and Han (2012), this paper investigates the antecedents and consequences of brand psychological ownership. A multilevel approach is taken to investigate the relationship between three major constructs related to branding efforts: brand psychological ownership, corporate branding and brand citizenship behaviour. In the individual analysis, brand psychological ownership was found to have a positive effect on brand citizenship behaviour. In the multilevel analyses the results show that corporate branding has a positive effect on brand psychological ownership and brand citizenship behaviour. As a result, leaders and general managers can use corporate brand building as a tool for employee motivation and even cultural change. Organisational-level brand citizenship behaviour is found to positively affect brand equity. Furthermore, brand psychological ownership mediated the relationship between corporate branding and brand citizenship behaviour in the multilevel relationship. The paper discusses these findings, their contribution to current literature and their implications for future research and management development.
How do Human Resource Development Strategies Influence Performance? A Contingency Perspective
Authors: Neirotti Paolo
Published: March 2017

So far, contingency studies in the Human Resource Management (HRM) literature have provided minimal information on whether firms should buy their human capital or grow it on their own, depending on their environmental conditions. Using key insights from the resource-based view (RBV), the paper tests empirically whether firms should buy human capital or develop it internally. The study uses multisource and lagged data from a survey on the Human Resource directors of 304 Italian firms. The paper shows that when firms combine the internal accumulation of human capital with its acquisition in the form of hiring experts from outside they enjoy greater returns on financial performance than when they pursue either the internal development or the external acquisition strategies. Furthermore, the higher the dynamism in the environment, the more autarchic approaches to human capital development are detrimental to firm performance and the higher are the returns of human resources strategies that include the acquisition of human capital from the external labour market. Coherently with RBV, buying human capital also produces greater returns in resource scarce environments. The paper provides an empirical contribution to strategic HRM literature by illustrating how the returns of internal accumulation and external acquisition of human capital depend on environmental contingencies. In this way, the study provides some practical implications to managers on the environmental contexts where poor ‘make or buy’ decisions in human capital development are more critical to firm performance.
Managing the Global front end of NPD: Lessons Learned from the FMCG Industry
Authors: Sakellariou Evy , Karantinou Kalipso , Poulis Konstantinos
Published: March 2017

New product development (NPD) performance is particularly poor in the global fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry. An important opportunity for improvement lies in the activities that take place at its front end. Studies looking at the front end of NPD in the global FMCG industry are, however, strikingly difficult to find, thereby failing to provide adequate guidance to practicing managers faced with the complexity of the front end. To address this deficit, a four months insider action research project was undertaken to study the process, the management roles, the barriers encountered, and the lessons learned in the management of the global front end within the FMCG context. The findings are particularly insightful and expand the understanding of the uncharted global front end process. Therefore, the study has significant academic and managerial implications; firstly, by adding a new stage to the global front end process, namely the rejected concepts resuscitation stage, secondly, by adding a new management role, the central stage role of the subsidiaries; thirdly, by demonstrating the necessity of introducing formality and detailed guidelines to the global front end process; and finally, by indicating the usefulness of direct modes of communication, in the form of global workshops.
Who are our Leaders? A Study of CEO Succession in the UK FTSE 350 Companies
Authors: Rejchrt Peter , Higgs Malcolm
Published: March 2017

This study considers the implications for the future of the publicly traded corporation in terms of its leadership talent pipeline by considering the questions of succession, age and tenure, and recruitment of CEOs. It shows that the majority of 350 CEOs were recruited internally on the basis of similarity-attraction, ageing, having been in the role for over six years and close to retirement. They tend to be replaced by successors with similar age profile and recruitment characteristics and an implied tendency to longevity of tenure. The study questions the future talent pipeline due to the predominance of a rapidly ageing group of current leaders.
Like Company, like Self: A Multilevel Argument Explaining Firms' Level of Engagement in Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Perrault Elise , Rieflin Alexander J.
Published: March 2017

This conceptual paper examines how managers, acting as organisational agents, can influence their firm's level of engagement in corporate social responsibility (CSR). With CSR considered as a strategic choice, this paper undertakes to model the largely under-studied processes through which managers proactively pursue the enactment of their identity – their self – and their social role in their position of power in the firm's management team. The study offers a new framework connecting these multilevel influences, suggesting that firms present the highest level of CSR when led by managers who intrinsically value CSR, who perceive their social role as a salient identity, and who have the ability to exercise power in their management team. Implications for managers and researchers complete this article.
The Engagement of Entrepreneurial Firms with Universities: Network formation, innovation and resilience
Authors: Huggins Robert , Prokop Daniel , Steffenson Rebecca , Johnston Andrew , Clifton Nick
Published: March 2017

This paper examines the role of entrepreneurial firms as agents of economic resilience. It focuses on the networks these firms construct with universities in order to access knowledge for innovation. Drawing on data from a cohort of entrepreneurial firms in the United Kingdom and the United States it is found that networks between entrepreneurial firms and universities are an important feature of the complex adaptive innovation systems associated with resilience. Furthermore, entrepreneurial firms play a role in open innovation practices through the establishment of both horizontal and vertical ties with universities. However, there are numerous challenges that entrepreneurial firms often face when seeking to connect with universities, which may stymie resilience.
An Exploratory Study of the Determinants of the Quality of Strategic Decision Implementation in Turkish Industrial Firms
Authors: Elbanna Saïd , Thanos Ioannis C. , Colak Mustafa
Published: March 2017

This paper investigates the determinants of quality of decision implementation. By drawing on a sample of 116 firms located in Turkey, the authors test whether the features of important team processes (i.e. trust and participation), of the organisation (i.e. past performance) and of implementation (i.e. its speed and uncertainty) exert an influence on the quality with which decisions are implemented. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to test the validity of the measures, while path analysis was used in hypotheses testing. The results suggest that quality of decision implementation is positively related to trust, participation and past performance, and negatively to implementation speed and uncertainty. The implications of these findings for theory, practice and general management are discussed.
Top Management Team Pay Structure and Corporate Social Performance
Authors: Ji Yong-Yeon
Published: March 2017

This paper examines the influence of top management team (TMT) pay structure characteristics (such as pay dispersion, long-term variable pay, and short-term variable pay) on corporate social performance (CSP) based on upper echelon theory and agency theory. The analysis using a large panel sample of US public firms reveals that long-term oriented and egalitarian TMT pay structure has a positive influence on CSP. In addition, the negative influence of short-term variable pay on CSP becomes stronger as the pay difference among TMT members becomes greater. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings will be discussed.
Taylorism Revisited: Culture, Management Theory and Paradigm-Shift
Authors: Witzel Morgen , Warner Malcolm
Published: March 2017

In this article, the authors look at the role of culture, management theory and paradigm-shift vis-à-vis their implications for general management. There is an in-depth focus on the influence of the European Enlightenment on eighteenth and nineteenth century industrialism and the emergence of a possibly dominant paradigm in management theory in the twentieth century, namely ‘Scientific Management’ or ‘Taylorism’, as it became known. The authors also examine, in turn, how it shaped the next development in the narrative – ‘Human Relations’ – and its successors ‘Organisational Behaviour’ and ‘Human Resource Management’.
Information Technology and Power in the UK Grocery Distribution Chain
Authors: Ogbonna Emmanuel , Wilkinson Barry
Published: March 2017

Retailers have increased their power over suppliers by gaining better information on customers.
Diversification into Estate Agency: Entry Strategies by UK Building Societies 1987–1992
Authors: Dewhirst John P. , Thwaites Des
Published: March 2017

What can be learned from the troubled experiences of building societies' acquisitions of estate agencies?
Innovation and the Established Organization
Authors: Leavy Brian
Published: March 2017

Is the capacity to innovate purely attributable to talented individuals or can it be fostered by organizational processes?
Our New Working Class: The Business Implications of Software Agents
Authors: Barnatt Christopher
Published: March 2017

Software agents are likely to become ‘virtual people’ as interfaces between organizations and customers.
Regional Differences in China and their Implications for Sino-Foreign Joint Ventures
Authors: Child John , Stewart Sally
Published: March 2017

Foreign investors will do well to understand regional differences in China, in order to gain most from joint ventures.
The Determination of Top Executive Pay: Importance of Human Capital Factors
Authors: Laing David , Weir Charlie
Published: March 2017

Experience, rather than qualifications, influences the pay received by company directors.
Biceps Disorder Rehabilitation for the Athlete: A Continuum of Moderate- to High-Load Exercises
Authors: Borms Dorien , Ackerman Inge , Smets Pieter , Van den Berge Glen , Cools Ann M.
Published: March 2017

Background:

Progressive biceps loading is recommended in the nonoperative and operative rehabilitation of biceps-related disorders. Previous researchers have proposed a continuum of exercises with low to moderate biceps loads to be used in the early and intermediate phases of rehabilitation. A progression of exercises with moderate to high biceps loads to be used in the more advanced phases of rehabilitation is lacking.

Purpose:

To describe a progression of exercises with progressive moderate to high loads on the biceps brachii (BB) based on electromyographic (EMG) analysis.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

The EMG activity of BB and triceps brachii; upper trapezius, middle trapezius, and lower trapezius; and serratus anterior was determined with surface electromyography in 30 asymptomatic participants during 11 exercises.

Results:

Of the 11 exercises, 4 (arm shake with an Xco-trainer, lateral pull-down in pronation, chest shake with an Xco-trainer, lateral pull-down in supination) showed low (<20% maximal voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC]), 5 (pull-up in pronation with Redcord, air punch, forward flexion in supination, pull-up in supination with Redcord, inclined biceps curl) showed moderate (between 20%-50% MVIC), and 2 (throwing forward flexion, reverse punch) showed high (>50% MVIC) EMG activity in the BB. These exercises were ranked with an increasing level of activity in the BB.

Conclusion:

The continuum of exercises with moderate to high biceps activity may be applied in the more advanced phases of treatment for biceps disorders. In addition, biceps muscle activity may be targeted by (1) sagittal plane elevation; (2) elbow flexion with supination, without upper arm support; (3) biceps contraction from an elongated position; or (4) high-velocity, explosive exercises.

Clinical Relevance:

These findings may assist clinicians to select appropriate exercises to be used in the more advanced phases of nonoperative or postoperative rehabilitation of overhead athletes with biceps-related injuries.
A Technical and Policy Case Study of Large-Scale Rescue and Redistribution of Perishable Foods by the “Leket Israel” Food Bank
Authors: Philip Dana , Hod-Ovadia Smadar , Troen Aron M.
Published: March 2017

Background:

Food banks seeking to rescue and redistribute highly nutritious perishable foods to simultaneously alleviate food insecurity and reduce food waste often encounter practical, ethical, and political dilemmas.

Objectives:

We present a case study of “Leket Israel,” an Israeli food bank that uses an effective large-scale logistical model for the rescue and redistribution of perishable food and discuss the challenges and solutions it offers.

Results:

The organization operates in a rich country plagued with poverty and inequality, where the government passively encourages nongovernmental organizations to respond to the serious and growing problem of food insecurity. Operating under a business-to-business model, Leket Israel distributes food via intermediary nonprofit organizations (NPOs), enriching the food they provide with fresh produce. Food is obtained through an Agricultural Gleaning project, Self-Growing Farm project, and Meal Rescue project. The partnering NPOs then distribute the food to people in need. Although the rescue and redistribution of highly perishable food is more costly and complex than acquiring, storing, and distributing dried and staple foods and it requires specialized knowledge and infrastructure in order to maintain rigorous safety standards, it improves the nutritional quality of the aid. In 2015, Leket Israel distributed 15 217 389 kg of food, 90% of which was fruit and vegetables, to 180 partnering NPOs nationwide, reaching an estimated 175 000 recipients.

Conclusion:

“Leket Israel” offers a valuable model that can be studied and emulated by international nutrition scientists, practitioners, and policy makers who are seeking to reduce food insecurity and food waste in other countries.
A Comparison of Split-Half and Multilevel Methods to Assess the Reliability of Progress Monitoring Outcomes
Authors: Van Norman Ethan R. , Parker David C.
Published: March 2017

One consideration for selecting progress monitoring tools is the reliability in which the instrument measures student response to instruction. Researchers and vendors establish reliability of growth using two analytic methods: (a) calculating slopes to even and odd observations for each student and correlating the resulting slopes (split-half), and (b) estimating a multilevel model and computing the ratio between true and observed variance in growth estimates. It is unclear whether reliability estimates from either analytic method systematically differ. Therefore, it is also unclear whether recommendations regarding the requisite length of time to collect data to achieve sufficient levels of reliability would vary based on the analytic method used to calculate coefficients. Results from this study indicate that the multilevel method yielded systematically higher reliability estimates compared with the split-half method. Bootstrapping confirmed that differences were statistically significant. Researchers and practitioners should be aware that split-half and multilevel reliability estimates are not interchangeable and recommendations regarding the frequency and duration educators should follow when collecting data may depend on the manner in which reliability is estimated.
Corpus Callosotomy for Intractable Epilepsy Revisited: The Children’s Hospital of Michigan Series
Authors: Luat Aimee F. , Asano Eishi , Kumar Ajay , Chugani Harry T. , Sood Sandeep
Published: March 2017

Corpus callosotomy is a palliative procedure performed to reduce the severity of drug-resistant epilepsy. The authors assessed its efficacy on different seizure types in 20 subjects (age range 5-19 years); 8 with active vagus nerve stimulator. Fifteen had complete callosotomy, 3 had anterior 2/3, and 2 had anterior 2/3 followed later by complete callosotomy. Ten had endoscopic approach. In all, 65% had ≥ 50% reduction of generalized seizures leading to falls (atonic, tonic, myoclonic); 35% became seizure-free (follow-up period: 6 months to 9 years; mean 3 years). Seizure outcome distribution was better for generalized than for partial seizures ( P = .003). Endoscopic approach was as effective as transcranial approach. Seven subjects who failed vagus nerve stimulator therapy responded with ≥50% seizure reduction. Corpus callosotomy is an effective treatment for intractable generalized epilepsy leading to falls with significant seizure reduction or even elimination of seizures, in the majority of children.
Interprofessional Survey of Perceived Barriers and Facilitators to Early Mobilization of Critically Ill Patients in Montreal, Canada
Authors: Anekwe David E. , Koo Karen Kin-Yue , de Marchie Michel , Goldberg Peter , Jayaraman Dev , Spahija Jadranka
Published: March 2017

Objective:

Early mobilization is safe, feasible, and associated with better outcomes in patients with critical illness. However, barriers to mobilization in clinical practice still exist. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice patterns of intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians, as well as the barriers and facilitators to early mobilization.

Design:

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting:

Intensive care units of 3 university-affiliated hospitals in Montreal, Canada.

Participants:

One hundred and thirty-eight ICU clinicians, including nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists, and physiotherapists.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements:

Perceived barriers, facilitators, knowledge, and practice patterns of early mobilization were assessed using a previously validated mobility survey tool.

Main Results:

The overall response rate was 50.0% (138 of 274). Early mobilization was not perceived as a top priority in 49% of respondents. Results showed that clinicians were not fully aware of the benefits of early mobilization as per the current literature. About 58% of clinicians did not feel well trained and informed to mobilize mechanically ventilated patients. Perceptions on patient-level barriers varied with clinicians’ professional training, but there was a high degree of interprofessional and intraprofessional disagreement on the permissible maximal level activity in different scenarios of critically ill patients.

Conclusions:

Our survey shows limited awareness, among our respondents, of the clinical benefits of early mobilization and high level of disagreement on the permissible maximal level of activity in the critically ill patients. Future studies should evaluate the role of knowledge translation in modifying these barriers and improving early mobilization.
Impact of a Weight Management Intervention on Eating Competence: Importance of Measurement Interval in Protocol Design
Authors: Lohse Barbara , Krall Jodi Stotts , Psota Tricia , Kris-Etherton Penny
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

To examine changes in eating competence (EC) in 12-month weight loss intervention.

Design:

Randomized, parallel-arm with weight loss phase (baseline to month 4) and weight-maintenance phase (months 4-12).

Setting:

Face-to-face in University classrooms, supervised and self-directed fitness sessions at University fitness center, and home.

Participants:

Premenopausal, mostly college-educated Pennsylvania women, body mass index >25 (n = 101).

Intervention:

Twenty-eight, 1-hour classes tailored for extremes of the Dietary Guidelines’ fat recommendations, based on social cognitive theory, problem-based learning delivery over 12 months. Exercise component included supervised and self-directed stretching, aerobics, and strength training.

Measures:

Anthropometrics, lipid profile, blood pressure, 24-hour dietary recalls, cognitive behavioral measures, Satter Eating Competence Inventory (ecSI).

Analysis:

General linear model repeated measures analysis of variance for outcome variables.

Results:

A total of 40% (n = 40) completed the ecSI. Overall, education and supervised exercise session attendance were 77% and 88%, respectively. Similar weight loss for lower and moderate fat groups (6.7 kg and 5.4 kg). The EC was unchanged baseline to month 4 but increased significantly from months 4 to 12, baseline to month 12 for both groups. The EC change baseline to month 12 was inversely associated with weight change from baseline to months 4 and 12.

Conclusion:

Weight management interventions, likely to introduce concerns with eating attitudes, behaviors, and foods, can reduce EC. Short-term measurement of EC change captures these consequent adjustments without opportunity to regain self-efficacy. Extending the measurement interval better reflects intervention impact on EC.
Ticagrelor for Neuroendovascular Procedures: A Case Series
Authors: Davis Kyle , Morrison Christopher
Published: March 2017

Background:

The development of thromboembolism is one of the most common complications of neuroendovascular procedures. Although several small studies have deemed clopidogrel safe and effective in the prevention of intracranial stent thrombosis, ticagrelor has yet to be assessed in this setting.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of ticagrelor in patients undergoing neuroendovascular procedures.

Methods:

A retrospective review of patients receiving ticagrelor following neuroendovascular aneurysm repair.

Results:

A total of 5 patients undergoing neuroendovascular aneurysm repair received ticagrelor for a median of 5 days while hospitalized. Three patients were treated with stent-assisted coiling, while 2 received pipeline embolization devices. All patients received additional low-dose aspirin therapy. One patient received ticagrelor after experiencing a thrombotic event on clopidogrel, while a second patient was treated with ticagrelor after developing a dermatologic reaction to clopidogrel. Three (60%) patients were successfully treated and discharged on ticagrelor therapy. Two patients experienced cerebrovascular accidents following aneurysm repair while receiving ticagrelor, one of which was potentially due to medication omission. One (20%) patient receiving ticagrelor experienced a small retroperitoneal hematoma; however, ticagrelor therapy was continued without further complication.

Conclusion:

Therapy with ticagrelor may be a safe and effective treatment option for patients undergoing neuroendovascular aneurysm repair. However, future studies are warranted to substantiate these findings.
Prevalence, characteristics and management of headache experienced by people with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder: a cross sectional cohort study
Authors: Connaughton Joanne , Wand Benedict
Published: March 2017

Objectives:

Headache is the most common type of pain reported by people with schizophrenia. This study aimed to establish prevalence, characteristics and management of these headaches.

Methods:

One hundred participants with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder completed a reliable and valid headache questionnaire. Two clinicians independently classified each headache as migraine, tension-type, cervicogenic or other.

Results:

The 12-month prevalence of headache (57%) was higher than the general population (46%) with no evidence of a relationship between psychiatric clinical characteristics and presence of headache. Prevalence of cervicogenic (5%) and migraine (18%) was comparable to the general population. Tension-type (16%) had a lower prevalence and 19% of participants experienced other headache. No one with migraine was prescribed migraine specific medication; no one with cervicogenic and tension-type received best-practice treatment.

Conclusions:

Headache is a common complaint in people with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder with most fitting recognised diagnostic criteria for which effective interventions are available. No one in this sample was receiving best-practice care for their headache.
Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis Using a Soft Tissue–Preserved Fibular Graft for Treatment of Large Bone Defects in the Ankle
Authors: Watanabe Kota , Teramoto Atsushi , Kobayashi Takuma , Ogon Izaya , Sakakibara Yuzuru , Kamiya Tomoaki , Suzuki Tomoyuki , Yamashita Toshihiko
Published: March 2017

Background:

Pathogenesis of ankle disorders with a large bone defect is varied and treatment for those problems is challenging for orthopaedic surgeons. The aims of this study were to present an operative technique of arthrodesis for the reconstruction of the ankle and hindfoot with a large bone defect using a soft tissue–preserved fibular strut graft and to report outcomes of consecutively treated patients.

Methods:

Twelve feet from 11 patients, including feet with aseptic necrosis of the talus and total ankle implant loosening, were treated. Bone defects were filled using iliac bone and/or resected fibula and tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis was performed using a retrograde intramedullary nail. A modified transfibular approach was used to expose the affected joint while preserving the lateral to posterior skin and soft tissues on the fibula. The periods of bony fusion and outcomes were radiographically and clinically evaluated. The mean follow-up period was 33.4 months.

Results:

Bony fusion was achieved within 3 months in all cases. Coronal and sagittal alignments were acceptable, and the mean American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Score improved from 53.8 to 75.5 at the final follow-up. All patients graded their results of treatment as “satisfied.”

Conclusion:

This procedure did not require special techniques and it should be applicable to complicated cases with large bone defects. High fusion rates that we believe are due to preserving blood supply to the fibular graft can be expected with preservation of the hindfoot height.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series.
Vibration analysis of a multi-fault transient rotor passing through sub-critical resonances
Authors: El-Mongy Heba H , Younes Younes K
Published: March 2017

Various faults may simultaneously occur in a rotor dynamic system. It is crucial to detect and monitor these faults to ensure the safe operation of machinery. Usually, vibration response is utilized for fault diagnosis; however, the identification process becomes more challenging when multiple faults exhibit similar symptoms in the vibration response. In this paper, the vibrational transient response of a cracked rotor is analyzed in the presence of unbalance and coupling misalignment. The study focuses on investigating the possibility, advantages and limitations of using the sub-critical startup response in solving the fault identification problem. Numerical simulations using finite element modeling and experimental investigations are carried out for different individual and multi-fault conditions. Various factors are taken into consideration, including sub-critical limit speed, crack parameters, unbalance parameters and misalignment severity. Numerical and experimental investigations showed that the sub-critical transient response is suitable for the fault detection and diagnosis of the simultaneously existing faults studied. Compared to the critical response, the sub-critical response is more informative and each fault shows a unique feature that can be extracted without the need for sophisticated post signal processing. The study provides useful insights on the interaction between the various fault effects on the vibratory response and presents a simple method for condition monitoring of industrial equipment.
The flow properties of honey–malt spread
Authors: Dianat M , Taghizadeh M , Shahidi F , Razavi SMA
Published: March 2017

In this study, the effect of barley malt extract at two brix levels (74 and 79 °Bx) and three ratios of malt extract/honey (65:35, 70:30 and 75:25) on the flow behavior properties of honey–malt spread at three temperature levels (35 ℃, 45 ℃ and 55 ℃) was investigated. Time-dependent behavior data of the spread samples were appropriately fitted to the Weltman, first-order stress decay with a zero stress value and first-order stress decay with a non-zero stress value models. Also, the Power-law, Herschel–Bulkley, Casson and Bingham models were used for curve fitting the time-independent behavior data. Regarding the R2 and root mean square error coefficients, the first-order stress decay with a non-zero stress value and Herschel–Bulkley models were selected as the suitable models to describe the flow behavior of samples. The results for time-dependent properties showed that spread samples exhibit a thixotropic behaviour, as the viscosity for all samples decreased with increase in shearing time at a constant shear rate of 50 s−1.