bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved estimates and understanding of global albedo and atmospheric solar absorption
Authors: Kim Dohyeong , Ramanathan V.
Published: November 2012

This study integrates available surface‐based and satellite observations of solar radiation at the surface and the top of the atmosphere (TOA) with a comprehensive set of satellite observations of atmospheric and surface optical properties and a Monte Carlo Aerosol‐Cloud‐Radiation (MACR) model to estimate the three fundamental components of the planetary solar radiation budget: Albedo at the TOA; atmospheric solar absorption; and surface solar absorption. The MACR incorporates most if not all of our current understanding of the theory of solar radiation physics including modern spectroscopic water vapor data, minor trace gases, absorbing aerosols including its effects inside cloud drops, 3‐D cloud scattering effects. The model is subject to a severe test by comparing the simulated solar radiation budget with data from 34 globally distributed state‐of‐the art BSRN (Baseline Surface Radiation Network) land stations which began data collection in the mid 1990s. The TOA over these sites were obtained from the CERES (Cloud and Earth's Radiant Energy System) satellites. The simulated radiation budget was within 2 Wm−2for all three components over the BSRN sites. On the other hand, over these same sites, the IPCC‐2007 simulation of atmospheric absorption is smaller by 7–8 Wm−2. MACR was then used with a comprehensive set of model input from satellites to simulate global solar radiation budget. The simulated planetary albedo of 29.0% confirms the value (28.6%) observed by CERES. We estimate the atmospheric absorption to be 82 ± 8 Wm−2 to be compared with the 67 Wm−2 by IPCC models as of 2001 and updated to 76 Wm−2by IPCC‐2007. The primary reasons for the 6 Wm−2 larger solar absorption in our estimates are: updated water vapor spectroscopic database (∼1 Wm−2), inclusion of minor gases (∼0.5 Wm−2), black and brown carbon aerosols (∼4 Wm−2), the inclusion of black carbon in clouds (∼1 Wm−2) and 3‐D effect of clouds (∼1 Wm−2). The fundamental deduction from our study is the remarkable consistency between satellite measurements of the radiation budget and the parameters (aerosols, clouds and surface reflectivity) which determine the radiation budget. Because of this consistency we can account for and explain the global solar radiation budget of the planet within few Wm−2.
Modeling past and future structure of the global virtual water trade network
Authors: Dalin C. , Suweis S. , Konar M. , Hanasaki N. , Rodriguez‐Iturbe I.
Published: November 2012

Climate change and socio‐economic development place an increasing pressure on essential natural resources, such as arable land and freshwater. The international food trade can save water globally by redistributing commodities produced relatively more water‐efficiently. We focus on the global virtual water trade network associated with international staple food trade from 1986–2008. This study aims to determine which variables control the network's structure and temporal evolution, and to estimate changes in the network under future scenarios. Our fitness model reproduces both the topological and weighted characteristics of the network for the whole period. Undirected and directed network properties are well reproduced in each year, assuming as sole controls each nation's GDP, mean annual rainfall, agricultural area and population. The future structure of the network is estimated using climate and socio‐economic projections, showing that volumes of virtual water traded will become increasingly heterogeneous and the importance of dominant importing nations will further strengthen.
Can the Last Glacial Maximum constrain climate sensitivity?
Authors: Hargreaves J. C. , Annan J. D. , Yoshimori M. , Abe‐Ouchi A.
Published: November 2012

We investigate the relationship between the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and climate sensitivity across the PMIP2 multi‐model ensemble of GCMs, and find a correlation between tropical temperature and climate sensitivity which is statistically significant and physically plausible. We use this relationship, together with the LGM temperature reconstruction of Annan and Hargreaves (2012), to generate estimates for the equilibrium climate sensitivity. We estimate the equilibrium climate sensitivity to be about 2.5°C with a high probability of being under 4°C, though these results are subject to several important caveats. The forthcoming PMIP3/CMIP5 models were not considered in this analysis, as very few LGM simulations are currently available from these models. We propose that these models will provide a useful validation of the correlation presented here.
Orientation of valley networks on Mars: The role of impact cratering
Authors: Luo Wei , Stepinski T. F.
Published: November 2012

We compare, on a global scale, the degree of correlation between orientation of stream networks and topographic aspect on Mars and Earth. The orientation of streams on Earth is a reflection of local, underlying geology but, in general, it correlates with regional topographic aspect. However, the orientation of valley networks, prominent features on Mars, thought to be fossils of ancient streams, are shown not to be correlated with topographic aspect. Instead, we show that orientations of valley networks are highly dispersed with only a very weak preference to the regional topographic aspect. We attribute this dispersion to significant altering of topography by impact cratering which is not matched by sufficiently efficient runoff erosion. Such explanation is supported by the fact that local regions on Mars with relatively low crater density display a level of correlation between valley orientation and aspect comparable to that calculated for terrestrial surfaces. In addition, the cratering explanation is further supported by means of landscape evolution simulations. Our finding provide an additional support to the idea that climate on early Mars, although wetter than its present climate and capable of producing rainfall, was nevertheless too arid to enforce (through erosion) correlation between stream orientations and topographic aspect.
First estimates of the contribution of CaCO3precipitation to the release of CO2to the atmosphere during young sea ice growth
Authors: Geilfus N.‐X. , Carnat G. , Dieckmann G. S. , Halden N. , Nehrke G. , Papakyriakou T. , Tison J.‐L. , Delille B.
Published: November 2012

We report measurements of pH, total alkalinity, air‐ice CO2fluxes (chamber method), and CaCO3content of frost flowers (FF) and thin landfast sea ice. As the temperature decreases, concentration of solutes in the brine skim increases. Along this gradual concentration process, some salts reach their solubility threshold and start precipitating. The precipitation of ikaite (CaCO3.6H2O) was confirmed in the FF and throughout the ice by Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray analysis. The amount of ikaite precipitated was estimated to be 25 µmol kg−1melted FF, in the FF and is shown to decrease from 19 to 15 µmol kg−1melted ice in the upper part and at the bottom of the ice, respectively. CO2release due to precipitation of CaCO3is estimated to be 50 µmol kg−1melted samples. The dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) normalized to a salinity of 10 exhibits significant depletion in the upper layer of the ice and in the FF. This DIC loss is estimated to be 2069 µmol kg−1melted sample and corresponds to a CO2release from the ice to the atmosphere ranging from 20 to 40 mmol m−2 d−1. This estimate is consistent with flux measurements of air‐ice CO2exchange. Our measurements confirm previous laboratory findings that growing young sea ice acts as a source of CO2to the atmosphere. CaCO3precipitation during early ice growth appears to promote the release of CO2to the atmosphere; however, its contribution to the overall release by newly formed ice is most likely minor.
Shoaling of the nutricline with an increase in near‐freezing temperature water in the Makarov Basin
Authors: Nishino Shigeto , Itoh Motoyo , Williams William J. , Semiletov Igor
Published: November 2012

The water mass changes in the Makarov Basin and adjacent areas associated with the recent loss of Arctic sea ice had not been studied in detail. We combined data obtained from multiple cruises in these regions and used chemical tracers to investigate the spatial and temporal changes in water masses. Our data show that a previously present temperature maximum water has disappeared from the Makarov Basin and Chukchi Abyssal Plain due to enhanced cooling and convection in the East Siberian Sea. In addition, a large volume of water has formed by cooling and convection and is flowing into the Makarov Basin, producing a temperature minimum with relatively high nutrients and resulting in a shoaling of the nutricline. This temperature minimum water likely originated from the eastern part of the East Siberian Sea, where significant open water areas appeared after 2005 in the freeze‐up season. The water mass boundary between this temperature minimum water and the Pacific‐origin temperature minimum water shifted westward from the Chukchi Plateau in the early 2000s to the Mendeleyev Ridge in the late 2000s, probably owing to a westward flow of the enhanced Beaufort Gyre associated with recent sea ice loss in the Canada Basin. Although the shoaling of the nutricline in the Makarov Basin could increase phytoplankton production, such production could decrease in the southern Makarov Basin because a large amount of sea ice meltwater covers that region and might decrease the nutrient supply from the subsurface layer.
Phenological versus meteorological controls on land‐atmosphere water and carbon fluxes
Authors: Puma Michael J. , Koster Randal D. , Cook Benjamin I.
Published: November 2012

Phenological dynamics and their related processes strongly constrain land‐atmosphere interactions, but their relative importance vis‐à‐vis meteorological forcing within general circulation models (GCMs) is still uncertain. Using an off‐line land surface model, we evaluate leaf area and meteorological controls on gross primary productivity, evapotranspiration, transpiration, and runoff at four North American sites, representing different vegetation types and background climates. Our results demonstrate that compared to meteorological controls, variation in leaf area has a dominant control on gross primary productivity, a comparable but smaller influence on transpiration, a weak influence on total evapotranspiration, and a negligible impact on runoff. Climate regime and characteristic variations in leaf area have important modulating effects on these relative controls, which vary depending on the fluxes and timescales of interest. We find that leaf area in energy‐limited evaporative regimes tends to exhibit greater control on annual gross primary productivity than in moisture‐limited regimes, except when vegetation exhibits little inter‐annual variation in leaf area. For transpiration, leaf area control is somewhat less in energy‐limited regimes and greater in moisture‐limited regimes for maximum pentad and annual fluxes. These modulating effects of climate and leaf area were less clear for other fluxes and at other timescales. Our findings are relevant to land‐atmosphere coupling in GCMs, especially considering that leaf area variations are a fundamental element of land use and land cover change simulations.
Suitability of temperature, hydraulic heads, and acesulfame to quantify wastewater‐related fluxes in the hyporheic and riparian zone
Authors: Engelhardt Irina , Prommer Henning , Moore Catherine , Schulz Manoj , Schüth Christoph , Ternes Thomas A.
Published: November 2012

Key Points

Fate of acesulfame is assessed in a complex hyporheic zone setting

Its value as wastewater tracer is determined through data worth analysis

Recorded temperatures provided the most valuable constraints to quantify fluxes
Identification of alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) as a potential marker of impaired growth in the newborn piglet
Authors: Caperna Thomas J. , Shannon Amy E. , Blomberg Le Ann , Stoll Margo , Ramsay Timothy G.
Published: November 2012

Two studies were conducted to investigate the relationship between circulating levels of haptoglobin and α-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) and growth in neonatal pigs. Circulating serum AGP, but not haptoglobin, was higher (P < 0.001) in newborn runts than average-sized littermates. At 1 and 3 weeks, AGP and haptoglobin were similar among control and runt piglets. To determine the possible association between AGP and growth rate, blood was collected between the first and second day after birth in piglets from 10 average litters. Birthweight was positively correlated with growth rate through 21 days (linear regression correlation coefficient (CC), 0.43 (P < 0.006); 0.299 (P < 0.003) in males and females, respectively). Plasma AGP at birth was negatively correlated with growth (CC, –0.429 (P < 0.006); –0.351 (P < 0.01) in males and females, respectively). When AGP was calculated on a per kg birthweight basis, the CC with growth improved by 25 and 34% in males and females, respectively, compared with birthweight alone. Haptoglobin in blood was not correlated with growth. These data suggest that AGP at birth is reflective of growth conditions in utero or fetal maturation and may serve as an early predictive biomarker for pre-weaning growth rate.
Vitex rotundifolia L. prevented airway eosinophilic inflammation and airway remodeling in an ovalbumin-induced asthma mouse model
Authors: Bae Hyunsu , Kim Youngeun , Lee Euijeong , Park Soojin , Jung Kyung-Hwa , Gu Min-Jung , Hong Seon-Pyo , Kim Jinju
Published: November 2012

Vitex rotundifolia L. (VR) as long been used in China and Korea in traditional medicine. This study was conducted to evaluate the ability of Vitex rotundifolia L. to prevent airway inflammation and remodeling in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine asthma model. The total cell number and number of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were counted. The levels of cytokines in the BAL fluid and serum IgE levels were measured using an ELISA. For histological analysis, hematoxylin and eosin staining, periodic acid-Schiff staining and immunohistochemistry were evaluated. The release of total cells into the BAL fluid was significantly inhibited in OVA-induced asthmatic mice treated with VR extract. In addition, eosinophilia and lymphocytosis were reduced significantly in mice that received VR extract. Furthermore, levels of the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 and pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α in the BAL fluid and total IgE in serum were markedly suppressed by VR extract. OVA-specific IgE in the serum and IL-13 in the BAL fluid were decreased, but not significantly. The allergic effects of VR extract were accompanied by a reduction in airway hyperresponsiveness. Additionally, morphologic findings demonstrated that VR extract substantially inhibited OVA-induced eosinophilia, goblet cell hyperplasia and smooth muscle mass production. This finding suggests that VR extract may have pharmacological effects that would be useful for the treatment of asthma via the inhibition of the Th2 response and airway remodeling.
Microtubule plus-ends within a mitotic cell are ‘moving platforms’ with anchoring, signalling and force-coupling roles
Authors: Tamura Naoka , Draviam Viji M.
Published: November 2012

The microtubule polymer grows and shrinks predominantly from one of its ends called the ‘plus-end’. Plus-end regulation during interphase is well understood. However, mitotic regulation of plus-ends is only beginning to be understood in mammalian cells. During mitosis, the plus-ends are tethered to specialized microtubule capture sites. At these sites, plus-end-binding proteins are loaded and unloaded in a regulated fashion. Proper tethering of plus-ends to specialized sites is important so that the microtubule is able to translate its growth and shrinkage into pushing and pulling forces that move bulky subcellular structures. We discuss recent advances on how mitotic plus-ends are tethered to distinct subcellular sites and how plus-end-bound proteins can modulate the forces that move subcellular structures. Using end binding 1 (EB1) as a prototype plus-end-binding protein, we highlight the complex network of plus-end-binding proteins and their regulation through phosphorylation. Finally, we develop a speculative ‘moving platform’ model that illustrates the plus-end's role in distinguishing correct versus incorrect microtubule interactions.
How graduate students perceive, use, and manage electronic resources
Authors: Wu Ming‐der , Chen Shih‐chuan
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This study aims to investigate graduate student perceptions of electronic resources, their search behaviour, and their usage patterns.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews were conducted in a research‐oriented university, and participants included 18 graduate students from three disciplines: humanities, social sciences, and science and technology.

Findings

Graduate students are frequent users of electronic resources, particularly during the thesis‐writing period. Graduate students of science and technology perceive electronic resources to be considerably more important to their research and studies than students of other disciplines do. Few students use the metasearch tool to retrieve heterogeneous electronic resources in the library. Very few students use alert services to obtain updated information.

Originality/value

The findings of the study could help university librarians acquire an enhanced understanding of the usage behaviour of graduate students on electronic resources.
Web co‐word analysis for business intelligence in the Chinese environment
Authors: Vaughan Liwen , Yang Rongbin , Tang Juan
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The study seeks to apply Web co‐word analysis to the Chinese business environment to test the feasibility of the method there.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors selected a group of companies in two Chinese industries, collected co‐word data for the companies, analyzed the data with multidimensional scaling (MDS), and then compared the MDS maps generated from the co‐word data with business situations to find out if the co‐word method works.

Findings

The study found that the Web co‐word method could potentially be applied to the Chinese environment. The study also found the advantages and disadvantages of the Web co‐word method vs the Web co‐link method.

Originality/value

Knowing the applicability of the Web co‐word method to the Chinese environment contributes to the knowledge of this new Webometrics method. Mining business information from the Web is more valuable when applied to a foreign country where language and culture barriers exist. To use the co‐word method, one does not have to be able to read or write in that language. One only needs to have the names of the companies to study, which can be easily obtained without knowledge of the language. The value of business information about countries such as China is obvious given the global nature of contemporary business competition and the significance of the Chinese economy to the world.
Cyclic analysis of thermal impedance of a passive layer of aluminium in a neutral borate buffer solution
Authors: Krakowiak Stefan , Darowicki Kazimierz , Jurak Kacper
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the passive layer on 1050A aluminium alloy in non‐stationary conditions of linearly raised and lowered temperatures by means of dynamic electrochemistry impedance spectroscopy (DEIS).

Design/methodology/approach

The oxide passive layer on aluminium was examined using DEIS under non‐stationary conditions of linearly raised and lowered temperatures. In total, five heating‐cooling cycles were performed.

Findings

A significant change of impedance was observed only during the first cycle, which was called the forming one. During the subsequent cycles, the impedance of the system changed in a reversible manner.

Originality/value

The analysis using a equivalent circuit allowed us to determine a change of electric parameters of the circuit in the temperature function. Obtained changes of the electric parameters were correlated with layer structure.
Study on the corrosion behavior of Q235A carbon steel in RO product water of seawater
Authors: Hu Jiayuan , Cao Shunan , Yin Li , Liang Qinqin , Xie Jianli
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Some power plants in China that adopt reverse osmosis (RO) product water as their fresh water source face serious metal corrosion of their water distribution system. The corrosion process of carbon steel in RO product water is still not clear and there is no suitable anti‐corrosion method for the power plant to employ. The purpose of this paper is to study the corrosion behavior of carbon steel in RO product water, determine the factors leading to the high corrosion rate of carbon steel, and then suggest appropriate anti‐corrosion measures.

Design/methodology/approach

By measuring polarization curves and AC impedance values of the corrosion system and analyzing corrosion products using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD), the corrosion behavior of Q235A carbon steel in the RO product water derived from seawater was studied.

Findings

The experimental results showed that the corrosion process of carbon steel in RO product water is controlled by the diffusion process of oxygen, and the corrosion products contain γ‐FeOOH, Fe3O4 and small amounts of α‐FeOOH. Although rust formed had a double layer structure, the outer rust layer, which contained γ‐FeOOH and a little α‐FeOOH, was thin. The inner rust layer, containing Fe3O4, was the main component of the rust layer. Due to the weak acidity of RO product water, γ‐FeOOH can be transformed to Fe3O4 very quickly and Fe3O4 will accumulate on the metal surface. Because of the electrical conductivity and fractured surface of the Fe3O4 layer, the corrosion product layer cannot inhibit the corrosion process by hindering the diffusion process of oxygen, and hence the corrosion rate of carbon steel is always high.

Originality/value

The paper describes the first systematic research to be carried out on the corrosion behavior of carbon steel in RO product water. It was found that the generation and accumulation of Fe3O4 on the metal surface was the primary reason leading to the high corrosion rate of carbon steel, and anti‐corrosion measures can be chosen following the following rules: deoxygenation, raising of the pH of the solution, or addition of corrosion inhibitors to the solution.
Academic library liaison programs: four case studies
Authors: Henry Jo
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare and contrast four academic liaison programs.

Design/methodology/approach

Areas addressed include liaison subject specialization, communication methods, duties, and program evaluation.

Findings

This paper found similarities in areas of orientation meetings, library guides, and information literacy classes. Unique concepts among the four libraries studied include physical classroom embedment, use of specialized class web pages, faculty literacy classes, and concentrated faculty information literacy assistance.

Originality/value

The results presented provide insight into current academic library liaison practices and the faculty‐liaison relationship.
Anbar Abstracts Issue
Authors: Fojt Martin
Published: November 2012

This special “Anbar Abstracts” issue of the Personnel Review is split into six sections covering abstracts under the following headings:
Career/Manpower Planning and Recruitment; Health and Safety; Industrial Relations and Participation; Pay, Incentives and Pensions;
Performance, Productivity and Motivation; Work Patterns.
Mobile device ownership among international business students: a road to the ubiquitous library
Authors: Song Yoo‐Seong , Lee Jong‐Moon
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Technology was once believed to be a barrier to international students in using library services in the USA. This paper seeks to investigate mobile device ownership among international students as many academic libraries are rapidly introducing mobile library services.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was created to invite international students enrolled at the College of Business at the University of Illinois. In total, 101 valid responses were gathered. The survey asked ownership of three specific mobile devices among international students: smartphones, tablet PCs, and e‐readers.

Findings

A surprisingly high percentage of international students (82 percent) owned smartphones. While ownership of tablet PCs was also high, international students did not seem too interested in e‐readers. While communication was their favorite activity using mobile devices, international students also frequently used mobile devices to access social networking sites and search for information.

Practical implications

The results imply that international students may actually be more prepared than domestic students in terms of mobile device ownership. It is important for libraries to acknowledge this high ownership of mobile devices among international students and evaluate their mobile strategies accordingly.

Originality/value

The paper examines an important student population that has often exhibited different information seeking behavior from that of domestic students.
Minimum wage effects on employment and wages: dif‐in‐dif estimates from eastern China
Authors: Wang Jing , Gunderson Morley
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to estimate the impact of minimum wages on employment and wages in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses the difference‐in‐difference methodology to estimate the employment and wage impacts of the minimum wage increase in 2003 – a year when substantial minimum wage increases occurred in some provinces (treatment provinces) but not in others (comparison provinces). The analysis is restricted to the eastern region so as to make comparisons across relatively homogeneous and contiguous provinces with large numbers of women and rural migrant workers in urban areas – the target groups for minimum wages.

Findings

The study finds that overall, minimum wages in China do have an adverse employment effect but the effect is statistically insignificant and quantitatively inconsequential. The adverse employment effects are generally larger in the more market‐driven sectors, in the low‐wage sector of retail and wholesale trade and restaurants, and for women; however even these effects are extremely small. Minimum wages also had no impact on aggregate wages. These estimates appear consistent with many of those based on this methodology which tends to find no substantial adverse employment effect from minimum wages.

Practical implications

Good news: minimum wages do not seem to have any substantial adverse employment effect in China. Bad news: this could simply reflect the fact that they are not enforced.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies of effect of minimum wages in China in English, and using a difference‐in‐difference methodology as first employed by Card.
Resisting the crisis: short‐time work in Germany
Authors: Crimmann Andreas , Wießner Frank , Bellmann Lutz
Published: November 2012

Purpose

After a brief glance at the global labour market after the financial meltdown the paper aims to explain some general mechanisms of short‐time work in Germany. Furthermore it seeks to present an overview of the costs of short‐time work for the establishments with respect to the latest labour market reforms in Germany. In the multivariate analyses with the IAB Establishment Panel the paper aims to identify the determinants of short‐time work and its intensity in Germany. Thus it's goal is to contribute to the discussion of the modified and amended legislative framework for short‐time work.

Design/methodology/approach

The microeconometric analysis is based on data from the IAB Establishment Panel, a representative survey of the labour demand in Germany. With data from the survey waves 2008‐2010 the probability of the use of short‐time work with probit regression models and its intensity with truncated regression models are explained.

Findings

The manufacturing industry as a German key industry was more affected than other sectors and suffered even harder. Despite the fact that the German labour administration has successfully reduced the bureaucracy of short‐time work, the programme is still rather adopted by bigger establishments. German establishments have utilized their flexibility reserves and complementary short‐time work to protect their core staff during the crisis. There is also some empirical evidence that the establishments tried to avoid brain drains. With the first signs of a recovery of the economy at the beginning of 2010 the establishments benefitted a lot from that strategy as they were instantly able to satisfy increasing demands in their markets again. Empirical evidence is also found that establishments made more intensive use of short‐time work the harder they were suffering from the crisis.

Originality/value

For the first time the latest data from the survey wave 2010 of the IAB Establishment Panel is used and compared with the 2009 survey wave. The structure of the panel questionnaire allows the implementation of some specific questions concerning the use of short‐time work. The IAB Establishment Panel has a sample size of approximately 16,000 cases.
Boundaries and knowledge in a Sufi Dhikr Circle
Authors: Aslan Guemuesay Ali
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to infer, from the mystical Islamic tradition, practical wisdom for management development on knowledge transfer and storage as well as organizational boundaries.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory research uses an ethnographic approach. Deep immersion was sought through participant observation in a Sufi Dhikr Circle.

Findings

Knowledge transfer and storage in the Sufi Dhikr Circle is a relational and collective endeavor. The Circle has fluid boundaries between the organization and the outside, as well as between intra‐organizational parts. Knowledge and boundary processes reflect that the human being is a complex actor of “body, mind and heart” with multiple senses.

Practical implications

Management development theory and practice may benefit through reflecting on the practices of the Sufi Dhikr Circle with regard to its group‐collective, sense‐comprehensive and actor‐complex approach to knowledge storage and transfer, as well as the spatial, temporal and content fluidity both of intra‐organizational boundaries in the Circle andvis‐à‐visits environment. Conceptualizing the human as a complex actor with various senses may improve knowledge storage and transfer processes, as well as fluid de facto boundaries.

Originality/value

The observation of “different practice” which is shaped less by business discourse enables a critical reflection of “common practice” potentially leading to a new “best practice”. Reflecting on the practices of the Sufi Dhikr Circle and its conceptualization of human beings may contribute to the management development literature and practice on knowledge and boundary processes. Contemplating on what is different may help us to better comprehend what is common.
Property Journals Index 1990‐2001
Authors: Bakewell K.G.B.
Published: November 2012

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by Emerald:
Facilities Volumes 8‐19; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐19; Property Management Volumes 8‐19; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐19.
Employability, well‐being and job satisfaction following a job loss
Authors: Gowan Mary A.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate changes in psychological well‐being over time for individuals who experienced a career disruption in the form of a company closing, and to examine the relationships between employability, well‐being, and job satisfaction. It seeks to expand on previous work of job loss relative to the long‐term impact of the experience and on Fugate et al.'s psycho‐social conceptualization of employability.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected at the time of job loss (T1) and six years later (T2). The 73 respondents at T2 represent a stratified random sample of the T1 respondents. Hypotheses were tested with paired sample t‐tests and hierarchical multiple regression.

Findings

Results indicate that the negative psychological impact of job loss diminishes over time. Additionally, employability predicted well‐being and job satisfaction.

Practical implications

The results of the study provide guidance for the design and administration of outplacement and related programs that focus on increasing employability and psychological well‐being, and suggest ways that individuals can shield themselves from the negative consequences associated with a job loss.

Social implications

The results have policy implications for the design of government funded outplacement and retraining programs.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to examine job loss over a six‐year period of time, and the first to examine the impact of employability attributes on multiple indicators of well‐being and on job satisfaction in the job loss context.
A close call: perceptions of alternative HR arrangements to layoffs
Authors: Parzefall Marjo‐Riitta
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Drawing on the concept of psychological contract and organizational justice, this exploratory case study seeks to examine how companies' attempts to handle layoff pressures with alternative HR arrangements are perceived and experienced by the affected employees.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on 19 interviews of employees affected by job loss. The interviewees were employees in a case organization that had implemented a HR practice called the “Competence pool” as an alternative to layoffs.

Findings

Although contract breach occurs, alternative HR arrangements can mitigate the negative effects of job loss for the affected employees and help restore the psychological contract. Such arrangements have to be implemented with care in order to avoid injustice perceptions.

Research limitations/implications

As HR arrangements are by nature unique and company‐specific, this study is limited by its focus on one organization and national context. It however provides future directions for research on layoffs and their consequences.

Practical implications

By exploring how the affected employees perceive an alternative to layoffs, this study has several implications for organizations interested in managing layoff pressures with alternative HR arrangements.

Originality/value

By investigating the experiences and perceptions of employees whose jobs were terminated but whose employment relationship continued under specific conditions, this study provides new insights into layoff and HR literatures from psychological contract and justice perspectives.
Layoffs and unemployment discrimination: a new stigma
Authors: Karren Ronald , Sherman Kim
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to discuss and seek a better understanding of the stigmatization of unemployed workers who have been laid off.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper which addresses the factors that affect stigmatization and resulting discrimination against laid‐off individuals such as minority status, age, labor markets, job level, and length of unemployment. Issues of categorization and stereotyping of laid‐off workers are explored.

Findings

The increased use of layoffs by organizations has created a large class of unemployed workers who, rather than being seen as victims, are perceived to be deficient in their skills and abilities. This stigmatization is seen as more detrimental to laid‐off minorities and older workers as well as those who have been unemployed for long periods of time. The amount of discrimination is likely to be affected by the job market and level of job.

Research limitations/implications

Propositions are developed to examine the factors affecting the stigma as well as moderators affecting the relationship between the unemployment stigma and discrimination.

Practical implications

Organizations should examine their HR policies and practices regarding the unemployed seeking jobs. Discrimination against the unemployed may result in long‐term unemployment that may have enormous human costs.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the ways in which being laid off now stigmatizes an individual and may significantly limit his/her ability to secure future employment. Since there are no legal restrictions on discriminating against the unemployed, organizations may systematically screen out applicants who are not currently employed.
Income smoothing behaviour by Asian transportation firms
Authors: Rusmin Rusmin , Scully Glennda , Tower Greg
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Managers may “creatively” choose accounting methods in order to smooth income figures. Using a sample of 1,094 transportation firm‐year observations before and throughout the global financial crisis (GFC) period of 2006‐2009 in seven Asian countries, the purpose of this study is to investigate whether managers' smooth reported earnings to meet the benchmark target of last year's earnings figure.

Design/methodology/approach

Following previous research (e.g.,Burgstahler and Dichev; Degeorge, Patel, and Zeckhauser; Holland and Ramsay; Burgstahler and Eames; Daske, Gebhardt, and McLeay; Gore, Pope, and Singh; Charoenwong and Jiraporn), this study uses an earnings benchmark of sustaining last year's performance as the key indicator of earnings management.

Findings

The empirical evidence reveals that corporate managers seem to opportunistically smooth income to beat earnings targets. The results also show that the AuditQuality, EcoCrisis and Size are not explanatory for the smoothing behavior of the above target firms. However, the independent variables EcoCrisis and Size are predictors for the smoothing behavior of the sample firms that engage in income‐increasing earnings management. The coefficient on EcoCrisis is negative and significantly (at p=0.001) related to the earnings management measure, suggesting that during a period of economic stress, transportation firm managers engage in less aggressive income‐increasing discretionary accruals strategy. Furthermore, the findings confirm that large size firms exhibit less aggressive income‐increasing earnings management behavior. Specifically, the coefficient on Size is negative and moderately significant (p=0.056) associated with earnings management measure.

Originality/value

This study strongly supports the political costs hypothesis which argues that larger firms are subject to more public scrutiny and political actions therein exhibiting less aggressive income‐increasing earnings management behavior. The authors further note a “big bath” phenomenon during the GFC period suggesting that corporate managers manipulate their reported earnings downward to make poor results even worse in the current financial period, artificially enhancing future year's earnings.
Characteristics of audit committee financial experts: an empirical study
Authors: Iyer Venkataraman M. , Bamber E. Michael , Griffin Jeremy
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the characteristics and qualifications of audit committee financial experts. Specifically, the paper examines if the majority of the financial experts possess accounting or general management experience.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected the data through survey and use cross tabulation (univariate) and logistic regression to analyze the data.

Findings

The results show that accounting certification and audit committee experience are valued positively by the Board of Directors when designating an audit committee member as a financial expert. Prior experience as a CEO results in a lower probability of being designated as a financial expert.

Research limitations/implications

Non‐response bias may be a factor which should be considered. There are other factors such as stock exchange affiliation of the company that have not been included due to the anonymous nature of the survey.

Practical implications

It provides useful information and benchmark to the Board of Directors with respect to the characteristics of designated audit committee financial experts.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to examine the characteristics of audit committee financial experts through survey. The paper presents a richer array of factors compared to what is available in proxy statements. Audit committees, financial statement users, policy makers, and researchers will find the results interesting and useful.
Towards an architecture of organizational learning
Authors: Godé Cécile , Barbaroux Pierre
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This article aims to examine the nature and logics of organizational learning considered as a process by which organizations capitalize on the variety of experiences accumulated by their members.

Design/methodology/approach

Complementing the current literature on experiential learning, the authors build on a case study to investigate how organizations benefit from action learning and seek to identify the properties of the architecture supporting it. The case study focuses on how French Air Force fighter and airlift aircrews carry out debriefing sessions in their daily activities.

Findings

Within this framework, it can be observed that learning in debriefing sessions ultimately depends on the capacity of the learning agents to integrate individual and collective functions (namely, individual progression and collective performance).

Originality/value

Building on the foregoing, the paper elaborates on a conceptual model of the debriefing procedure made up of three components: a learning mode, a learning structure and a learning culture. It follows that the organization is likely to capitalize on individual experiences to improve knowledge and action if it is capable of providing its members with a flexible learning architecture enabling individuals to combine distinctive learning modes along with heterogeneous structures and cultural values.
Diversity and knowledge sharing
Authors: Jacquier‐Roux Virginie , Paraponaris Claude
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Corporate R&D internationalization is today perceived as a strategy intended for enhancing the knowledge of large firms within a highly‐polarized global cognitive space. Two main questions arise and, as such, are incorporated as the two complementary themes of this paper: What are the risks of wasting resources used by multinational firms (MNFs) when they establish or take over laboratories abroad? What strategies do they apply to harmonize relations between their various R&D entities and, as such, help reduce these risks?

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is developed from a base comprising international cases, established within the R&D laboratories of multinational firms.

Findings

R&D internationalization strategies generate a great diversity of knowledge. Consequently, these MNFs should develop inter‐entity management skills, for which the paper provides a few of the keys to success.

Research limitations/implications

The factors determining the effectiveness of the articulation of knowledge sharing systems were not really part of any systematic analysis. Such an analysis would have been an opportunity to specifically appraise this.

Originality/value

The approach could indeed improve social interaction‐related issues. The results may greatly add to social interaction theories by attempting, above all, to enhance “sender ‐ receiver” type models, on a MNF network scale.
Knowledge communities: towards a re‐thinking of intergenerational knowledge transfer
Authors: Kuyken Kerstin
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Knowledge management (KM) has become a key concern for companies which nowadays are constantly looking for better ways to assure knowledge sharing between their employees. However, companies encounter several challenges arising from the fact that several generations share the same workplace and a big portion of today's employees are close to retirement. This article aims to focus on knowledge sharing between generations.

Design/methodology/approach

The article reviews the “generation” concept and its limitations, and introduces a new view on generations as “communities of knowledge”.

Findings

Companies have to find ways not only to assure knowledge transfer between generations, but also knowledge retention of the workers that are retiring. This requires a deeper understanding of the generations and their differentiated knowledge. Yet, today's dominant descriptions of generations (“baby‐boomers”, “generation X”, “generation Y”), do not appear to adequately take into account cultural, socio‐professional and individual factors.

Originality/value

The proposed change of paradigm allows a deeper comprehension of nuances that may exist within the same age group. In doing so, the article makes a contribution to the understanding of knowledge sharing in organizations.
Integrated MEMS in package
Authors: Bachman Mark , Li G.P.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the utilities of packaging and PCB fabrication processes for manufacturing micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) and its package for sensing and actuation applications.

Design/methodology/approach

A broad array of manufacturing approaches available in the packaging industry, including lamination, lithography, etching, electroforming, machining, bonding, etc. and a large number of available functional materials such as polymers, ceramics, metals, etc. were explored for producing functional microdevices with greater design freedom.

Findings

Good quality MEMS devices can be manufactured using packaging style fabrication, particularly using stacks of laminates. Furthermore, such microdevices can be built with a high degree of integration, pre‐packaged, and at low cost.

Research limitations/implications

Further manufacturing research work should be undertaken in collaboration with the PCB and packaging industries, which stand to benefit greatly by expanding their offerings beyond serving the semiconductor industry and developing their own integrated MEMS products.

Originality/value

The paper presents examples of basic packaging fabrication processes for producing 3‐D structures and free‐standing structures, and a new MEMS manufacturing paradigm to build micro‐electromechanical (MEMS) for biomedical, optical, and RF communication applications.
The four spaces – a new model for the public library
Authors: Jochumsen Henrik , Hvenegaard Rasmussen Casper , Skot‐Hansen Dorte
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to present a model for the public library created by the authors.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is divided into three parts. The first part emphasizes considerations regarding today's focus on both the virtual and the physical library. The second part describes the four‐space model, including examples of libraries as illustrations of the different spaces and examples of how the model is being used in the Nordic library‐world. The third part pinpoints some critical questions in relation to the model.

Findings

The paper shows how the four‐space model has been used in different ways in the Nordic countries since it was presented for the first time in a Danish report on public libraries in 2010.

Practical implications

The four‐space model can be a useful tool in relation to developing, building, designing, arranging and rearranging public libraries. Furthermore the model can be a tool for management and communication in connection with library plans and policy and not least a point of departure for the discussion of the public library's overall role in society.

Originality/value

This is the first time that the space model is presented to the library world outside the Nordic countries in a way where examples, usability and limitations are included.