bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Work hours, work intensity, satisfactions and psychological well‐being among hotel managers in China
Authors: Fiksenbaum Lisa , Jeng Wang , Koyuncu Mustafa , Burke Ronald J.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship of work intensity and of work hours on potential antecedents and work and well‐being consequences.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are collected from 309 male and female managers working in 3‐, 4‐ and 5‐star hotels in Beijing, China using anonymously completed questionnaires with a 90 percent response rate.

Findings

The 15‐item measure of work intensity is found to have high internal consistency reliability. Work intensity is significantly correlated with work hours, but modestly. Gender, age and organizational level predict work intensity but not work hours; males, younger hotel managers and hotel managers at higher organizational levels indicate greater work intensity. Hierarchical regression analyses, controlling for personal demographic and work situation characteristics, show that work intensity but not work hours is a more consistent and significant predictor of work outcomes (e.g. work engagement) and psychological well‐being (e.g. exhaustion, work‐family conflict). Somewhat surprisingly, neither work intensity nor work hours have significant relationships with important work outcomes (job satisfaction, career satisfaction, intent to quit). The interaction of work intensity and work hours is not a significant predictor of work or well‐being outcomes. Interestingly, work intensity is positively related to work engagement and negatively related to indicators or psychological well‐being.

Originality/value

These findings are only partially consistent with previous conclusions suggesting the possible role played by cultural values and level of economic development.
Organizational culture as a predictor of job satisfaction: the role of gender and age
Authors: Bellou Victoria
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine how values comprising organizational culture impact on employees' job satisfaction, taking also into account their gender and age.

Design/methodology/approach

The study took place in all three public hospitals located in a major Greek city, where 125 usable questionnaires were gathered. The measures adopted include the Organizational Culture Profile and the Job Descriptive Index. The statistical analyses include descriptive statistics, stepwise regression analyses, and t‐tests.

Findings

Findings suggest that employees recognize certain cultural traits as job satisfaction amplifiers. These are fairness, opportunities for personal growth, enthusiasm for the job and good reputation. On the other hand, another cultural trait, that is aggressiveness, seems to confine job satisfaction. Going a step further, it appears that employee gender and age influence the way that the organizational values affect their job satisfaction. This influence is in accordance with gender and age profiles identified by literature.

Practical implications

Employers can incorporate these findings by shaping organizational culture in such a way as to enhance the overall level of job satisfaction of their employees, making them more willing to remain and build their career within the organization. This way, the organization can minimize the chances of losing talented individuals and is thus more likely to create a competitive advantage.

Originality/value

These findings help in creating a better understanding of job satisfaction and delineating its relationship with organizational culture.
Proactivity, job characteristics, and engagement: a longitudinal study
Authors: Dikkers Josje S.E. , Jansen Paul G.W. , de Lange Annet H. , Vinkenburg Claartje J. , Kooij Dorien
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This paper sets out to examine proactive personality in relation to job demands, job resources and engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study employed a two‐wave complete panel study among 794 Dutch government employees. Based upon the Job Demands‐Resources (JD‐R) model, previous studies, job crafting theories, and Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, hypotheses on the associations of proactive personality with job demands, resources, and engagement were developed.

Findings

Analyses revealed that proactive personality was associated with an increase in engagement 18 months later. Moreover, proactive employees perceiving high social support reported the highest levels of engagement over time.

Research limitations/implications

A first shortcoming is that proactive personality was only measured at one point in time, which restricted the testing of causal relationships of proactive personality with engagement. Second, this study only measured engagement as outcome measure and third variables may have affected the associations of proactive personality with job demands and resources and engagement. Third, only small effect sizes of proactive personality (and job demands and resources) on engagement over time were found. With regard to theoretical implications, this study suggests a refinement of the JD‐R model by perceiving proactive personality as a personal resource which coincides with job resources such as social support and/or is triggered by (low) external job demands in increasing engagement.

Practical implications

Since this study's findings suggest that proactive personality is a personal resource with beneficial effects on employees' levels of work‐related engagement, employers are advised to promote the behavior expressed by proactive employees. When employees are under challenged due to a low level of quantitative job demands or when they want to optimize their work environment in case of high job demands, proactive personality may have a positive impact on their engagement over time, in particular when combined with high levels of support from their colleagues and supervisor.

Originality/value

This study's value consists of its innovative effort to relate proactive personality to engagement 18 months later. In addition, the longitudinal design of this study made it possible to examine the associations of proactive personality, job demands and resources with engagement over time.
Awakened leaders: who are they and why do we need them?
Authors: Marques Joan F.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

Introducing awakened leadership, a flexible, human‐oriented leadership style, based on ancient principles yet geared toward needs of today's working community.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explains the concept of awakened leadership; discusses some globally known awakened leaders, and presents their common characteristics; reviews some contemporary awakened leaders; and presents the essential requirements for becoming an awakened leader. Methods used for research: literature review; interviews; observations of leaders. The topic is approached as a leadership style that anyone can develop. The subject scope is leadership as it is needed in the twenty‐first century.

Findings

Awakened leadership is a timeless concept: there have been awakened leaders since human existence. This age‐old leadership style is time transcending and still works best today. Anyone can work toward becoming an awakened leader.

Research limitations/implications

The theory is presented as a viewpoint in this article, but based on longitudinal interview process of more than 100 leaders. Yet, most of the interviewed leaders were living and working in the US. This might cause a limitation in cultural perspective. It would benefit the study to also include perspectives from leaders in other cultures to further solidify the theory.

Practical implications

Awakened leaders are aware of changing circumstances and think broadly. Consequently, they will make a greatly positive difference in the way corporations are led in the future.

Social implications

Awakened leaders nurture the mindset of mutually and togetherness. This will create greater overall understanding, greater collaboration, less resentment, and increased vision. The effect on social responsibility and environmental issues will be highly beneficial, while the quality of life of all workers, including the awakened leader, will improve.

Originality/value

The awakened leader as an attainable leadership style: comprehensive, yet simple – and universal. This paper is of high value to those who want to succeed while making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Enhancing organizational recovery in tough times: a pragmatic perspective
Authors: Schraeder Mike , Hoover David J.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer possible perspectives on pursuing organizational recovery given the current level of intensity in the global economic environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The suggested approaches offered in this article are presented from a pragmatic perspective. While empirical support for these approaches can be found in the literature, some of the conclusions drawn in the paper were not validated empirically.

Findings

Leaders and managers could easily become discouraged by the ongoing barrage of negative press associated with global economic struggles. This article offers leaders and managers five simple approaches for possible consideration in addressing organizational recovery.

Social implications

The approaches summarized in this article are presented in an optimistic manner, with the intention of providing a renewed sense of hope for those leaders attempting to redirect the efforts of their organizations.

Originality/value

The paper offers a succinct and practical perspective on basic approaches organizations can pursue in the quest for economic recovery.
Collaborative learning and development: critical success factors from the experience of four UK universities
Authors: Mistry Virendra
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The paper presents the critical success factors that fostered effective collaborative learning and development among a cluster of UK universities seeking to benchmark their management of e‐learning and related practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The data is based on an observational study undertaken during the course of the benchmarking exercise.

Findings

Collaboration in the context described was, overall a positive and edifying experience. Collaboration is an activity for engaging socially complex institutions: the idea if collaborative learning, in the cluster of institutions, extended from drawing e‐learning experts and policy‐makers into conversation, encouraging them to think about particular issues, to systematically forging infrastructures and processes to facilitate development and support change.

Practical implications

Collaboration can be a complex exercise. In the experience of the cluster institutions, it was sustained because: there was clarity of purpose; the meetings were well structured; there were no prescriptive methods imposed; there was mutual respect for the various viewpoints; and, moreover, the process was facilitated by an objective critical friend who displayed sufficient knowledge of the social networks to keep the collaborative activity both vibrant and productive.

Originality/value

The activity was part of a large‐scale UK benchmarking activity, involving 73 post‐16 institutions in the UK. Few studies on collaborative activity recognize the role of an objective champion or critical friend and will be of value to strategists and managers of e‐learning.
Legislating for indigenous peoples' ownership and management of minerals
Authors: Wheen Nicola R.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how, why and to what effect pounamu (New Zealand greenstone) came to be owned and managed by Ngai Tahu as part of a Treaty of Waitangi settlement.

Design/methodology/approach

The value of pounamu to the Maori iwi Ngai Tahu, and the strategic importance and legislative mechanism of its vesting in Ngai Tahu are described. The current legal arrangements for pounamu are compared with those for other minerals and natural resources affected by Treaty of Waitangi settlements. The legally controversial issues of mandate, entitlement and enforcement that have arisen since the vesting are traversed.

Findings

The return of pounamu was critical in settling Ngai Tahu's Treaty claims. Other natural resources have also been subject to Treaty claims, and some have been restored in whole or in part to Maori control. Pounamu is now owned and controlled by Ngai Tahu. Customary uses of pounamu are allowed, as potentially is mining that is supported by research. Current research aims to determine extraction rates for sustainable use, based on a definition of the resource as pounamu that is available for surface discovery and collection. The process of vesting pounamu in the legal entity established to represent Ngai Tahu was controversial, and complex disputes about customary rights and pounamu source(s) have dominated criminal proceedings undertaken to protect Ngai Tahu interests in pounamu.

Originality/value

The story of pounamu provides an interesting example of a developing feature of resource management law and practice in New Zealand: resources that are owned and/or managed under a set of legal arrangements designed within the terms of settlement for a claim under the Treaty of Waitangi.
Infinite‐mean losses: insurance's “dread disease”
Authors: Powers Michael R.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the existence and significance of heavy‐tailed – and in particular, infinite‐mean – insurance losses.

Design/methodology/approach

Three specific questions are addressed in turn. First, how do infinite‐mean insurance losses arise in the real world? Second, can infinite‐mean losses exist even in the presence of insurance policy limits (caps)? Third, why are infinite‐mean losses so infrequently discussed by practitioners and regulators?

Findings

The paper first shows that heavy‐tailed – and in particular, infinite‐mean – insurance losses can be generated by simple modifications of gamma (exponential) random variables. It then finds that the property of infinite means cannot be prevented by the imposition of policy limits (caps). Finally, the paper argues that the statistical contagion and financial intractability of infinite‐mean losses generate a political fear among practitioners and regulators analogous to that associated with a “dread disease.”

Originality/value

The paper explores an important insurance phenomenon – heavy‐tailed/infinite‐mean losses – that is insufficiently discussed.
Filtered extreme‐value theory for value‐at‐risk estimation: evidence from Turkey
Authors: Ozun Alper , Cifter Atilla , Yılmazer Sait
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use filtered extreme‐value theory (EVT) model to forecast one of the main emerging market stock returns and compare the predictive performance of this model with other conditional volatility models.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs eight filtered EVT models created with conditional quantile to estimate value‐at‐risk (VaR) for the Istanbul Stock Exchange. The performances of the filtered EVT models are compared to those of generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH), GARCH with student‐t distribution, GARCH with skewed student‐t distribution, and FIGARCH by using alternative back‐testing algorithms, namely, Kupiec test, Christoffersen test, Lopez test, Diebold and Mariano test, root mean squared error (RMSE), and h‐step ahead forecasting RMSE.

Findings

The results indicate that filtered EVT performs better in terms of capturing fat‐tails in stock returns than parametric VaR models. An increase in the conditional quantile decreases h‐step ahead number of exceptions and this shows that filtered EVT with higher conditional quantile such as 40 days should be used for forward looking forecasting.

Originality/value

The research results show that emerging market stock return should be forecasted with filtered EVT and conditional quantile days lag length should also be estimated based on forecasting performance.
Risk reduction using wavelets for denoising principal‐components regression models
Authors: Ben Ammou Salwa , Kacem Zied , Haouas Nabiha
Published: February 2010

Purpose

In this paper, it is set out a hybrid data analysis method based on the combination of wavelet techniques and principal‐components regression (PCR). The purpose of this paper is to study the dynamics of the stock returns within the French stock market.

Design/methodology/approach

Wavelet‐based thresholding techniques are applied to the stock price series in order to obtain a set of explanatory variables that are practically noise‐free. The PCR is then carried out on the new set of regressors.

Findings

The empirical results show that the suggested method allows extraction and interpretation of the factors that influence the stock price changes. Moreover, the wavelet‐PCR improves the explanatory power of the regression model as well as its forecasting quality.

Practical implications

The proposed technique offers investors a better understanding of the mechanisms that explain the stock return dynamics as it removes the noise that affects financial time series.

Originality/value

The paper uses a new denoising framework for financial assets. The paper thinks that this framework might be of great value for academics as well as for financial investors.
Interest rates, commodity prices, and the cost‐of‐carry model
Authors: Schnabel Jacques A.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the nexus between interest rate changes and commodity spot prices.

Design/methodology/approach

The cost‐of‐carry model of simultaneous equilibrium in commodity spot and futures prices is employed to gauge the effects induced by interest rate changes. Results depend crucially on the type of expectations that prevail for the commodity market in question.

Findings

Under mean‐reverting expectations, an increase (decrease) in the interest rate will cause the spot price to drop (increase) and commodity suppliers to dishoard (hoard) inventories. Under invariant expectations, the change in the interest rate induces no change in the spot price and no hoarding/dishoarding behavior among commodity suppliers. Under momentum expectations, an increase (decrease) in the interest rate will cause the spot price to increase (drop) and suppliers to hoard (dishoard) inventories.

Practical implications

The effects of monetary policy actions on commodity spot prices can be gauged employing the simple model developed here.

Originality/value

A novel application of the cost‐of‐carry model is presented.
The shareholder wealth effects of an executive joining another company's Board
Authors: Byrd John , Martin L. Ann , Rath Subhrendu
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of high‐level‐executives joining the Board of another US company on the shareholder wealth of the firms in which these executives work.

Design/methodology/approach

The “event‐study” methodology is used first to estimate the shareholder effects and then, through multivariate regression analysis, establish a relationship of these effects with executive characteristics.

Findings

The paper documents that the abnormal return becomes more positive the closer the executive is to retirement and more negative as the number of other corporate Boards the executive already sits on increases. Unlike previous research, it is not found that prior performance of the employing company helps explain the cross‐sectional variation in the announcement day abnormal returns.

Research limitations/implications

The result supports the concerns of shareholder activists that key executives joining the Boards of other companies do their home shareholders a disservice by being spread too thin. It supports the hypothesis that investors interpret a CEO joining the Board of another firm as value decreasing.

Originality/value

The paper provides a link between managerial labor and shareholder wealth. Important and high‐level‐executives, while attempting to enhance their own personal benefits by joining other Boards, can destroy shareholder value of the company for which they work.
Exploring Yi Jing and its implications to change and leadership
Authors: Ming Zhang Yen , Tee Ng Pak
Published: February 2010

Purpose

Yi Jing is one of the most archaic works among the Chinese classics. Various schools of thought developed their philosophies from the philosophical perspectives in this book and its influence is wide ranging and far reaching. This paper attempts to show how leaders can approach the Yi Jing beneficially by identifying the principles, values and virtues in each of the 64 scenarios, deriving insights about change and leadership. It also aims to show how the Yi Jing compares with Western management literature.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides an analysis of Qian Gua of Yi Jing as an example of how leaders can draw insights from Yi Jing about change and leadership.

Findings

Qian Gua, which is the first scenario in the Yi Jing, offers us powerful insights about change and leadership by offering: a framework of understanding change and human enterprises, considering the aspects of beginning, process, benefit and sustainability; a framework to understand the leadership development process; and leadership principles of conscientious self‐cultivation, transformational leadership through virtues and riding the tides of change.

Practical implications

A change and leadership model inspired by the Yi Jing should interest business leaders both in the east and the west, and help Westerners gain success in doing business in China or collaborating with the Chinese on a joint venture.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to draw insights about change and leadership through an analysis of Qian Gua of Yi Jing.
Organizational transformation to a patient centric culture: a case study
Authors: Appelbaum Steven H. , Mahmoud Zinati Seyed , MacDonald Andrew , Amiri Yusef
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this case study is to identify areas of weakness in the patient‐centric organizational culture of Baylis Medical Company in Montreal, and to propose specific actions to address these deficiencies.

Design/methodology/approach

Following initial interviews with company management and observations of corporate environment, variations in organizational culture are measured using a company‐wide survey designed to evaluate customer satisfaction, accountability, empowerment, results focus and employee satisfaction. Survey data are analyzed across departments and experience levels.

Findings

Qualitative assessment of the company via interviews and observations revealed a lack of artifacts relating to organizational culture, no formal feedback channels from clients, and a diversity of corporate visions among management and employees. Survey analysis revealed lower organizational culture valuation among less experienced employees and non‐managerial workers. Specific areas of weakness include accountability, empowerment and results focus in non‐manufacturing employees.

Research limitations/implications

The qualitative assessment was limited to selected interviews. No visit was made to the Toronto office. No interviews or surveys were conducted with clients. No data are available to evaluate fluctuations in organizational culture over time.

Practical implications

Four alternative action plans are evaluated using specific decision criteria. The introduction of artifacts relating to the patient‐centric organizational culture is recommended in the short term. Long‐term recommendations include the development of client‐oriented key performance indicators for management and employee use, and a multi‐step training program describing the clinical importance of the company products.

Originality/value

This study proposes a novel model to evaluate the level of patient‐centricity in an organizational culture. Specific recommendations may apply across a variety of industries, but are especially applicable in health care delivery sectors.
Age care managers in residential facilities – aspects of competence
Authors: Furåker Carina , Nilsson Agneta
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of the research project was to study aspects of the competence of age care managers, and how they develop their leadership in residential facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The participants comprised 13 age care managers (ACMs) from 13 different residential facilities. Ten of the residential facilities were located in a large municipality and three in small municipalities. On average they had 19 years of experience of caring for old people. The ages of the respondents varied from 40 to 63 years. Individual, semi‐structured interviews were chosen. The data were subjected to content analysis. Two main categories and six subcategories were generated.

Findings

The ACMs had different educational backgrounds and very few had university courses in management, implying an insufficient theoretical knowledge of leadership. There are several ways of learning leadership, for example model learning, collective learning, learning by experience and through theoretical education. Model learning is the dominant form. By being present ACMs create relationships; they check the quality of social and health care, as well as the behaviour of the staff towards residents, relatives and colleagues, which seems to be valuable in order to avoid conflicts.

Research limitations/implications

The strength of the study is that the participants come from different workplaces, small and large municipalities and residential facilities. They have long experience of working as a leader and have a variety of professional backgrounds. Thirteen ACMs is not that many, but as they differ in professional background, education and workplace, the amount of data was considered sufficient. Some of the ACMs have difficulties in expressing how they learn leadership, because the “knowhow” is sometimes problematic to describe in words.

Practical implications

Theoretical education was mentioned as crucial for learning leadership.

Originality/value

ACMs' interest in competence development is weak. They seem to be more interested in motivating and inspiring their staff's learning process than their own.
Analysis of the perception of institutional culture for health sector reform in Nigeria
Authors: Olukoga A. , Bachmann M. , Harris G. , Olukoga T. , Olasinde A.A.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the perception of institutional culture in four hospitals in Nigeria and its influence on the implementation of the health sector reform programme in the country.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross‐sectional study of 507 healthcare professionals and managers using a self‐administered questionnaire was carried our.

Findings

The overall perception of institutional culture was above average at 56.4 per cent. The perceptions of the two dimensions of institutional culture were: leadership 59.3 per cent and character 54.0 per cent. Two out of the 11 statements on institutional culture had levels of perception that were lower than 50 per cent. These were: “staff morale and job satisfaction are high at all levels, and regularly evaluated by the institution” (41.6 per cent) and “information is shared openly in the institution” (44.3 per cent).

Originality/value

There is a need to strengthen the character dimension of the institutional culture of Nigerian hospitals, especially staff morale and job satisfaction as well as the sharing of information in the hospitals.
Strategy making: what have we learned about forecasting the future?
Authors: Raspin Paul , Terjesen Siri
Published: February 2010

Purpose

Firms face uncertain environments characterized by shifting demographics, disruptive technologies, new industries and competitors, and other challenges. To survive the tumultuous landscape, firm managers “make strategy” by assessing the organization's internal and external environments, questioning assumptions about how the world works and deciding how the firm should operate. We refer to this activity as “forecasting the future” and provide insights from our recent study of 394 senior managers.

Design/methodology/approach

We review the history of scenario planning, from military strategies to Royal Dutch/Shell's analysis of the oil crisis in 1974 and the scenario planning process. From our survey of managers, we identify the major perceived benefits and weaknesses of scenario planning, and how managers forecast the future. We identify two dimensions of forecasting – formality and breadth – and review three modes of forecasting – formal, focused and intuitive – and compare to complexity and costs of formal scenario planning. We conclude with key learning points from our survey.

Findings

When making strategy through scenario planning and forecasting methods, managers need to: examine the validity of current market assumptions used to guide forecasting efforts; involve key stakeholders in a debate about and assessment of these assumptions; update strategic plans with forecasting process outcomes; and regularly review key hypotheses about market events and their performance impacts.

Practical implications

Senior managers must understand the biases in managerial forecasting behavior and to work with these, to support a mix of forecasting behaviors in an organization, to deliberately allocate forecasting resources to cover environmental sectors, to selectively use managers external to the organization, to utilize a variety of sources, and to align forecasting activities with the organizational strategy process.

Originality/value

The paper presents a succinct summary of existing research, including findings from the authors' recent research, for both researchers and practising managers.
Measuring the effectiveness of a human resource information system in National Iranian Oil Company
Authors: Hosnavi Reza , Ramezan Majid
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of three specific variables, namely: system quality, information quality, and finally information use, on the effectiveness of a human resource information system (IS) in an Iranian oil company.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the effectiveness of a human resource IS, the paper analyzes the end‐user satisfaction based on the DeLone and McLean IS effectiveness model. A methodology is developed that follows a series of steps to calculate the effectiveness of an IS. The questionnaire is designed and refined by expert review. Data from four surveys in four different organizations in the Iranian oil industry are pooled.

Findings

Results show that user satisfaction from information quality, system quality, and system use is, respectively, 0.92, 0.82, and 0.91.Therefore, the integrated human resource system in the Iranian oil company has a high degree of effectiveness. Implications of these findings are discussed along with some directions for future research.

Research limitations/implications

The model proposed in this study is applicable to a human resource environment. Modification of the proposed model may be needed in applying this model to other environments.

Practical implications

This study helps information technology managers identify the elements which impact on end‐user satisfaction and assists them in planning to enhance the effectiveness of ISs by improving end‐user satisfaction.

Originality/value

The results extend the understanding of the role of end‐user satisfaction in IS effectiveness. The research findings have implications for the development and deployment of IS.
Leadership styles of men and women in the Arab world
Authors: Yaseen Zahi
Published: February 2010

Purpose

Disagreement amongst Arab writers, researchers, politicians, and others exists regarding the Arab woman's struggle to take on a leadership role traditionally dominated by Arab men. For many, discussions on whether Arab women should work and lead, be a housewife or work with restrictions are continually under controversy. The purpose of this paper is to examine Arab women leadership style based on transformational, transactional, and laissez‐faire styles of men and women.

Design/methodology/approach

The main research instrument is the multifactor leadership questionnaire.

Findings

The findings reveal that women in the Arab world exceed men on four transformational scales: the attributes version of idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration. Arab men exceed Arab women on two transactional scales: management by exception passive and management by exception active, whereas women exceed men on contingent rewards. Laissez‐faire leadership style goes to Arab men.

Research limitations/implications

Although the paper provides a useful overview of the traditional thinking and abilities of Arab women leadership and their effectiveness in the Arab world, the sample is limited in size. Further research can be done with larger sample to test the findings.

Originality/value

The paper offers inputs for researchers and writers.
The externalities in social environmental accounting
Authors: Dascalu Cornelia , Caraiani Chirata , Iuliana Lungu Camelia , Colceag Florian , Raluca Guse Gina
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the externalities in social environmental accounting.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on the fundamental research that is related to inductive accounting theory and uses scientific methods for identification of theoretical and practical difficulties of recognizing the externalities in social environmental accounting.

Findings

The main finding of the paper is that the information portfolio for the assessment of the externalities will contribute to the accurate estimation of the accounting offer and to the objective judgment of the requested information of this kind within the global performance management. This feat will allow construction of a pertinent informational base concerning the externalities, for integration of the external social costs into the conventional accounting model with a view to smoothly substantiating the socioeconomic and environmental policies.

Practical implications

This paper focuses on designing a social arrangement that, in the presence of externalities, can offer an optimal allocation of resources and thus a maximization of welfare for Romanian companies.

Originality/value

The paper helps put the organization in a stronger competitive position in relation to firms that apply only conventional accounting and is not extensively and creatively in using the outcomes of expanding social environmental accounting in its decision making.
Reconfirming the hybrid origin and generic status of the Iberian cyprinid complex Squalius alburnoides
Authors: Collares‐Pereira M. J. , Coelho M. M.
Published: February 2010

The recent allocation of the cyprinid complex Squalius alburnoides to the genus Iberocypris in the Handbook of European Freshwater Fishes is refuted by confirming evidence of a close relationship with the genus Squalius. Squalius alburnoides is here defined as a complex based on the existence of a hybrid form with distinct genome combinations and ploidies and of a reconstituted nuclear non‐hybrid male form also with hybrid origin.
Fish fauna as an indicator of environmental quality in an urbanised region of the Amazon estuary
Authors: Viana A. P. , Lucena Frédou F. , Frédou T. , Torres M. F. , Bordalo A. O.
Published: February 2010

This study describes the biological importance of Guajará Bay (Belém, Pará, Brazil) for fish fauna and presents a diagnosis of water quality in the main channel and creeks, using the icthyofauna as an ecological indicator. A total of 567 individuals from 40 species were identified. About 58% of these use Guajará Bay as a nursery ground, 49 and 81% use the bay as a breeding and feeding ground, respectively. There were no significant differences between environments as measured by the diversity index; however, fish relative abundance (catch per unit of effort) was greater in the creeks than in the main channel. A significant difference was detected in the fish fauna inhabiting the main channel compared with the creeks. In the main channel, icthyofauna significantly differed during December relative to other months.
Phylogeny of Glaucosomatidae inferred from molecular evidence
Authors: Liu S.‐H. , Yeh W.‐B. , Mok H.‐K.
Published: February 2010

Most species of glaucosomatids (Teleostei: Glaucosomatidae) are endemic to Australia, except Glaucosoma buergeri that is widely distributed from Australia to Japan. This study elucidated phylogenetic relationships among glaucosomatids based on the morphological characters of the saccular‐otolith sagitta, in addition to molecular evidence of mitochondrial 16S rDNA, cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and cytochrome b (cyt b) sequences, and nuclear rhodopsin sequences. The topologies of individuals' phylogenetic trees, based on 16S rDNA, COI and cyt b sequences, were statistically indistinguishable from one another, and were only slightly different from a tree based on rhodopsin sequences. These molecular tree topologies, however, differed from species relationships in morphology‐based phylogenetic hypothesis proposed in previous studies. Specimens of G. buergeri from Australia and Taiwan showed differences in the sagitta and molecular differentiation at the four genes, suggesting a possible speciation event. Both molecular and morphological evidences indicate that Glaucosoma magnificum is the plesiomorphic sister species of other glaucosomatid species. Glaucosoma hebraicum is the sister species of a clade composed of G. buergeri and Glaucosoma scapulare. Molecular and morphological evidences also support the species status of G. hebraicum.
Distribution and species composition of juvenile and adult scombropids (Teleostei, Scombropidae) in Japanese coastal waters
Authors: Itoi S. , Odaka J. , Yuasa K. , Akeno S. , Nakajima A. , Suenaga A. , Noda T. , Akimoto S. , Myojin T. , Ikeda Y. , Masuda Y. , Takai N. , Yoshihara K. , Sugita H.
Published: February 2010

Two scombropid fishes, Scombrops boops and Scombrops gilberti, are closely related and commercially important species in Japan. These species are often confused in commercial markets because of their morphological similarity. In this study, scombropid specimens collected from various Japanese coastal waters were subjected to polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) analysis and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene in mitochondrial DNA. These analyses showed that all the scombropid specimens collected from localities in the Sea of Japan were identified as S. boops, whereas those from the Pacific Ocean included two species, S. boops and S. gilberti. Almost all juvenile (<200 mm standard body length, SL) S. gilberti originated from the Pacific coastal waters of the northern Japan, whereas adults (>400 mm SL) were found only in deep water off the Izu Peninsula to the Izu Islands. This suggests that S. gilberti might migrate extensively during its life cycle. In addition, differences in the number of specimens and the distribution between the two species suggest that S. gilberti is less abundant than S. boops in Japanese waters.
PCR–RFLP analysis of mitochondrial DNA in tench Tinca tinca
Authors: Lo Presti R. , Gasco L. , Lisa C. , Zoccarato I. , Di Stasio L.
Published: February 2010

Polymorphism was detected at ND1, ND6, D‐loop and cyt b segments of mtDNA in 105 tench (Tinca tinca L.), using the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) technique and five composite haplotypes were identified. The diversity indices and the results of the population comparisons revealed that the identified markers provide a powerful tool for further studies on this species.
Implications of stunting on morphology of freshwater fishes
Authors: Chizinski C. J. , Pope K. L. , Wilde G. R. , Strauss R. E.
Published: February 2010

The purpose of this study was to assess morphological differences between stunted and non‐stunted white perch Morone americana and green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus. Few female M. americana were captured; thus, morphological differences between adult males and juveniles were assessed for M. americana. Similarly, few immature (juvenile) L. cyanellus were captured for the stunted morphotype; thus, male and female morphological differences were assessed for L. cyanellus. Features of the head tended to be relatively larger in stunted fish of both species, whereas the mid‐body tended to be relatively larger in non‐stunted M. americana, but not in non‐stunted L. cyanellus. Adult and juvenile morphology overlapped considerably in non‐stunted M. americana, but there was a clear distinction between adult and juvenile morphology of stunted M. americana. There was little sexual dimorphism in shape in stunted L. cyanellus, whereas sexual dimorphism was evident in non‐stunted L. cyanellus. It appears that selective forces imposed by predation and food limitation may contribute to morphological diversification between stunted and non‐stunted fishes.
Molecular cloning and brain distribution of three types of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone from mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus
Authors: Ohkubo M. , Aranishi F. , Shimizu A.
Published: February 2010

Complementary DNAs encoding gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) precursors were cloned from the mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus brain, showing that this species has three GnRH forms, i.e. medaka Oryzias latipes GnRH (mdGnRH), chicken GnRH‐II (cGnRH‐II) and Atlantic salmon Salmo salar GnRH (sGnRH). The F. heteroclitus prepro GnRHs have common structural architectures of vertebrate GnRHs, consisting of the signal peptide, 10 amino acids of mature peptide, GKR sequence and GnRH‐associated peptide (GAP). Phylogenetic analysis of fish prepro GnRHs showed that F. heteroclitus mdGnRH is a homologue of sbGnRHs and mdGnRHs of other acanthopterygian. Quantitative real‐time PCR revealed that mdGnRH was abundantly expressed in the olfactory bulb and in olfactory lobe areas and is expressed in the pituitary. The cGnRH‐II was mainly expressed in the midbrain and interbrain areas, and the sGnRH was expressed not only in the olfactory bulb but also in other regions of the brain. These results suggest that the mdGnRH is involved in the stimulation of gonadotrophs in the pituitary, whereas cGnRH‐II and sGnRH are involved in neurotransmission and neuromodulation.
A multivariate comparison of the stress response in three salmonid and three cyprinid species: evidence for inter‐family differences
Authors: Pottinger T. G.
Published: February 2010

The response of six species of freshwater fishes, from the families Cyprinidae (common carp Cyprinus carpio, roach Rutilus rutilus and chub Leuciscus cephalus) and Salmonidae (rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, brown trout Salmo trutta and Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus), to a standardized stressor was evaluated. A 6 h period of confinement resulted in changes to plasma cortisol, glucose, amino acid and lactate levels compared with unconfined controls. There were significant differences in the response profiles both within and between families. The cyprinid species exhibited higher and more sustained stress‐induced increases in plasma cortisol and glucose than the salmonid species. In cyprinids, plasma lactate and plasma amino acid concentration showed less disturbance following stress than in salmonids. The results of the study, together with an evaluation of previously published data for eight salmonid species and six cyprinid species, support the hypothesis that differences in core elements of the stress response exist between species of fishes, and that this variation may have a systematic basis.
Effects of temperature and growth hormone on individual growth trajectories of wild‐type and transgenic coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch
Authors: Lõhmus M. , Björklund M. , Sundström L. F. , Devlin R. H.
Published: February 2010

In this study, individual growth patterns of wild‐type and growth‐enhanced coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch at 8, 12 and 16° C water temperature were followed. Despite large differences among individuals in growth rates, there was generally little variation in the shape of the growth curves among O. kisutch individuals of both genotypes and at all temperatures. Typically, individuals that were relatively large initially were also relatively large at the end of the growth period. The limitation in variation was more pronounced in the growth‐enhanced O. kisutch than in the wild type, where the relative size of some individuals reared at 12 and 8° C changed by the end of the trial. As a warmer temperature seems to decrease the plasticity of growth trajectories in wild‐type fish, it is possible that global warming will influence the ability of wild fish to adapt their growth to changing conditions.
Size‐dependent effects of daily thermal fluctuations on the growth and size heterogeneity of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus
Authors: Azaza M. S. , Legendre M. , Kraiem M. M. , Baras E.
Published: February 2010

The growth of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (0·02–20·00 g) was measured when fed to excess during the hours of light, following their exposure to five thermal regimes fluctuating around the thermal optimum for growth (Topt = 30° C) over the diel cycle of day (light, L) and night (dark, N), i.e. 27° C(L):33° C(N), 28·5° C(L):31·5° C(N), 30° C(L):30° C(N), 31·5° C(L):28·5° C(N) and 33° C(L):27° C(N) (two replicates per treatment, six weeks' rearing, growth measurements at weekly intervals). A model constructed with a stepwise multiple‐regression analysis accounted for 87·4% of the variation of the specific growth rate (G, % M day−1) from the variations of wet mass (M), the extent of the thermal fluctuation (FT) and their interactions, i.e. log10G = 1·7686 − 0·2136 log10M + 0·0806 [log 10M× log 10 (1 + FT)] − 0·0394 [log10M× log 10 (1 + FT)]2. Based on this model, the thermal fluctuation that produces the fastest growth ( ,°C) decreases in a curvilinear way, from 5·1° C at 20 mg to c. 0·7° C at 20 g. Thermal regimes that produce the slowest growth also produce the highest size heterogeneity. Functional hypotheses behind the size‐dependent effects of thermal fluctuations are discussed, together with their implications in natural habitats and aquaculture systems with in different contexts of food availability.