bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic makeup of the Corynebacterium glutamicum LexA regulon deduced from comparative transcriptomics and in vitro DNA band shift assays
Authors: Jochmann Nina , Kurze Anna-Katharina , Czaja Lisa F. , Brinkrolf Karina , Brune Iris , Hüser Andrea T. , Hansmeier Nicole , Pühler Alfred , Borovok Ilya , Tauch Andreas
Published: April 2009

The lexA gene of Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032 was deleted to create the mutant strain C. glutamicum NJ2114, which has an elongated cell morphology and an increased doubling time. To characterize the SOS regulon in C. glutamicum, the transcriptomes of NJ2114 and a DNA-damage-induced wild-type strain were compared with that of a wild-type control using DNA microarray hybridization. The expression data were combined with bioinformatic pattern searches for LexA binding sites, leading to the detection of 46 potential SOS boxes located upstream of differentially expressed transcription units. Binding of a hexahistidyl-tagged LexA protein to 40 double-stranded oligonucleotides containing the potential SOS boxes was demonstrated in vitro by DNA band shift assays. It turned out that LexA binds not only to SOS boxes in the promoter–operator region of upregulated genes, but also to SOS boxes detected upstream of downregulated genes. These results demonstrated that LexA controls directly the expression of at least 48 SOS genes organized in 36 transcription units. The deduced genes encode a variety of physiological functions, many of them involved in DNA repair and survival after DNA damage, but nearly half of them have hitherto unknown functions. Alignment of the LexA binding sites allowed the corynebacterial SOS box consensus sequence TcGAA(a/c)AnnTGTtCGA to be deduced. Furthermore, the common intergenic region of lexA and the differentially expressed divS-nrdR operon, encoding a cell division suppressor and a regulator of deoxyribonucleotide biosynthesis, was characterized in detail. Promoter mapping revealed differences in divS-nrdR expression during SOS response and normal growth conditions. One of the four LexA binding sites detected in the intergenic region is involved in regulating divS-nrdR transcription, whereas the other sites are apparently used for negative autoregulation of lexA expression.
Interplay of cellular cAMP levels, σ
S activity and oxidative stress resistance in Escherichia coli
Authors: Barth Evelyn , Gora Katherine V. , Gebendorfer Katharina M. , Settele Florian , Jakob Ursula , Winter Jeannette
Published: April 2009

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), the active ingredient of household bleach, functions as a powerful antimicrobial that is used not only in numerous industrial applications but also in mammalian host defence. Here we show that multicopy expression of cpdA, encoding the cAMP phosphodiesterase, leads to a dramatically increased resistance of Escherichia coli to HOCl stress as well as to the unrelated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) stress. This general oxidative stress resistance is apparently caused by the CpdA-mediated decrease in cellular cAMP levels, which leads to the partial inactivation of the global transcriptional regulator cAMP receptor protein (CRP). Downregulation of CRP in turn causes the derepression of rpoS, encoding the alternative sigma factor σ
S, which activates the general stress response in E. coli. We found that these highly oxidative stress-resistant cells have a substantially increased capacity to combat HOCl-mediated insults and to degrade reactive oxygen species. Mutational analysis revealed that the DNA-protecting protein Dps, the catalase KatE, and the exonuclease III XthA play the predominant roles in conferring the high resistance of rpoS-overexpressing strains towards HOCl and H2O2 stress. Our results demonstrate the close regulatory interplay between cellular cAMP levels, σ
S activity and oxidative stress resistance in E. coli.
FimH alleles direct preferential binding of Salmonella to distinct mammalian cells or to avian cells
Authors: Guo Aizhen , Cao Sha , Tu Lingling , Chen Peifu , Zhang Chengdong , Jia Aiqing , Yang Weihong , Liu Ziduo , Chen Huanchun , Schifferli Dieter M.
Published: April 2009

This study aimed to determine whether allelic variants of the FimH adhesin from Salmonella enterica confer differential bacterial binding to different types of mammalian cells [murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and HEp-2 cells] and chicken leukocytes. Although the type 1 fimbriated S. enterica serovar Typhimurium strains AJB3 (SR-11 derivative) and SL1344 both aggregated yeast cells, only the former bound efficiently to DCs and HEp-2 cells. Type 1 fimbriae-mediated binding to DCs having previously been shown to require the FimH adhesin and to be inhibited by mannose, FimH sequences from strains SL1344 and AJB3 were compared and found to differ by only one residue, asparagine 158 in SL1344 being replaced by a tyrosine in AJB3. The importance of residue 158 for FimH-mediated binding was further confirmed in recombinant Escherichia coli expressing S. enterica type 1 fimbriae with a variety of substitutions engineered at this position. Additional studies with the ‘non-adhesive’ FimH of a type 2 fimbriated S. enterica serovar Gallinarum showed that this FimH did not mediate bacterial binding to murine DCs or HEp-2 cells. However, the type 2 FimH significantly improved bacterial adhesion to chicken leukocytes, in comparison to the type 1 FimH of strain AJB3, attributing for the first time a function to the type 2 fimbriae of S. enterica. Consequently, our data show that allelic variation of the S. enterica FimH adhesin directs not only host-cell-specific recognition, but also distinctive binding to mammalian or avian receptors. It is most relevant that this allele-specific binding profile parallels the host specificity of the respective FimH-expressing pathogen.
An alternative methionine aminopeptidase, MAP-A, is required for nitrogen starvation and high-light acclimation in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Drath Miriam , Baier Kerstin , Forchhammer Karl
Published: April 2009

Methionine aminopeptidases (MetAPs or MAPs, encoded bymapgenes) are ubiquitous and pivotal enzymes for protein maturation in all living organisms. Whereas most bacteria harbour only onemapgene, many cyanobacterial genomes contain twomapparalogues, the genome ofSynechocystissp. PCC 6803 even three. The physiological function of multiplemapparalogues remains elusive so far. This communication reports for the first time differential MetAP function in a cyanobacterium. InSynechocystissp. PCC 6803, the universally conservedmapCgene (sll0555) is predominantly expressed in exponentially growing cells and appears to be a housekeeping gene. By contrast, expression ofmapA(slr0918) andmapB(slr0786) genes increases during stress conditions. ThemapBparalogue is only transiently expressed, whereas the widely distributedmapAgene appears to be the major MetAP during stress conditions. AmapA-deficientSynechocystismutant shows a subtle impairment of photosystem II properties even under non-stressed conditions. In particular, the binding site for the quinone QBis affected, indicating specific N-terminal methionine processing requirements of photosystem II components. MAP-A-specific processing becomes essential under certain stress conditions, since themapA-deficient mutant is severely impaired in surviving conditions of prolonged nitrogen starvation and high light exposure.
The colorectal cancer risk at 18q21 is caused by a novel variant altering SMAD7 expression
Authors: Pittman Alan M. , Naranjo Silvia , Webb Emily , Broderick Peter , Lips Esther H. , van Wezel Tom , Morreau Hans , Sullivan Kate , Fielding Sarah , Twiss Philip , Vijayakrishnan Jayaram , Casares Fernando , Qureshi Mobshra , Gómez-Skarmeta José Luis , Houlston Richard S.
Published: April 2009

Recent genome-wide scans for colorectal cancer (CRC) have revealed the SMAD7 (mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 7) gene as a locus associated with a modest, but highly significant increase in CRC risk. To identify the causal basis of the association between 18q21 variation and CRC, we resequenced the 17-kb region of linkage disequilibrium and evaluated all variants in 2532 CRC cases and 2607 controls. A novel C to G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at 44,703,563 bp was maximally associated with CRC risk (P = 5.98 × 10−7; ≥1.5-fold more likely to be causal than other variants). Using transgenic assays in Xenopus laevis as a functional model, we demonstrate that the G risk allele leads to reduced reporter gene expression in the colorectum (P = 5.4 × 10−3). Electrophoretic mobility shift assays provided evidence for the role of Novel 1 in transcription factor binding. We propose that the novel SNP we have identified is the functional change leading to CRC predisposition through differential SMAD7 expression and, hence, aberrant TGF-beta signaling.
Antisense Down-Regulation of theFaPG1Gene Reveals an Unexpected Central Role for Polygalacturonase in Strawberry Fruit Softening
Authors: Quesada Miguel A. , Blanco-Portales Rosario , Posé Sara , García-Gago Juan A. , Jiménez-Bermúdez Silvia , Muñoz-Serrano Andrés , Caballero José L. , Pliego-Alfaro Fernando , Mercado José A. , Muñoz-Blanco Juan
Published: April 2009

The strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa ‘Chandler’) fruit undergoes a fast softening during ripening. Polygalacturonase (PG) activity is low during this process, but two ripening-related PG genes, FaPG1 and FaPG2, have been cloned. Both genes were up-regulated during fruit ripening and were also negatively regulated by auxin. To further assess the role of FaPG1 on strawberry softening, transgenic plants containing an antisense sequence of this gene under the control of the 35S promoter (APG lines) were obtained. Sixteen out of 30 independent transgenic lines showed fruit yields similar to those of the control. Several quality parameters were measured in ripe fruits from these 16 lines. Fruit weight was slightly reduced in four lines, and most of them showed an increase in soluble solid content. Half of these lines yielded fruits significantly firmer than did the control. Four APG lines were selected, their ripened fruits being on average 163% firmer than the control. The postharvest softening of APG fruits was also diminished. Ripened fruits from the four selected lines showed a 90% to 95% decrease in FaPG1 transcript abundance, whereas the level of FaPG2 was not significantly altered. Total PG activity was reduced in three of these lines when compared with control fruits. Cell wall extracts from APG fruits showed a reduction in pectin solubilization and an increase in pectins covalently bound to the cell wall. A comparative transcriptomic analysis of gene expression between the ripened receptacle of the control and those of the APG fruits (comprising 1,250 receptacle expressed sequence tags) did not show any statistically significant change. These results indicate that FaPG1 plays a central role in strawberry softening.
AMR1, an Arabidopsis Gene That Coordinately and Negatively Regulates the Mannose/l-Galactose Ascorbic Acid Biosynthetic Pathway
Authors: Zhang Wenyan , Lorence Argelia , Gruszewski Hope A. , Chevone Boris I. , Nessler Craig L.
Published: April 2009

Ascorbic acid (AsA) biosynthesis in plants occurs through a complex, interconnected network with mannose (Man), myoinositol, and galacturonic acid as principal entry points. Regulation within and between pathways in the network is largely uncharacterized. A gene that regulates the Man/l-galactose (l-Gal) AsA pathway, AMR1 (for ascorbic acid mannose pathway regulator 1), was identified in an activation-tagged Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) ozone-sensitive mutant that had 60% less leaf AsA than wild-type plants. In contrast, two independent T-DNA knockout lines disrupting AMR1 accumulated 2- to 3-fold greater foliar AsA and were more ozone tolerant than wild-type controls. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis of steady-state transcripts of genes involved in AsA biosynthesis showed that AMR1 negatively affected the expression of GDP-Man pyrophosphorylase, GDP-l-Gal phosphorylase, l-Gal-1-phosphate phosphatase, GDP-Man-3′,5′-epimerase, l-Gal dehydrogenase, and l-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase, early and late enzymes of the Man/l-Gal pathway to AsA. AMR1 expression appears to be developmentally and environmentally controlled. As leaves aged, AMR1 transcripts accumulated with a concomitant decrease in AsA. AMR1 transcripts also decreased with increased light intensity. Thus, AMR1 appears to play an important role in modulating AsA levels in Arabidopsis by regulating the expression of major pathway genes in response to developmental and environmental cues.
TheMYB23Gene Provides a Positive Feedback Loop for Cell Fate Specification in theArabidopsisRoot Epidermis
Authors: Kang Yeon Hee , Kirik Victor , Hulskamp Martin , Nam Kyoung Hee , Hagely Katherine , Lee Myeong Min , Schiefelbein John
Published: April 2009

The specification of cell fates during development requires precise regulatory mechanisms to ensure robust cell type patterns. Theoretical models of pattern formation suggest that a combination of negative and positive feedback mechanisms are necessary for efficient specification of distinct fates in a field of differentiating cells. Here, we examine the role of the R2R3-MYB transcription factor gene, AtMYB23 (MYB23), in the establishment of the root epidermal cell type pattern in Arabidopsis thaliana. MYB23 is closely related to, and is positively regulated by, the WEREWOLF (WER) MYB gene during root epidermis development. Furthermore, MYB23 is able to substitute for the function of WER and to induce its own expression when controlled by WER regulatory sequences. We also show that the MYB23 protein binds to its own promoter, suggesting a MYB23 positive feedback loop. The localization of MYB23 transcripts and MYB23-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein, as well as the effect of a chimeric MYB23-SRDX repressor construct, links MYB23 function to the developing non-hair cell type. Using mutational analyses, we find that MYB23 is necessary for precise establishment of the root epidermal pattern, particularly under conditions that compromise the cell specification process. These results suggest that MYB23 participates in a positive feedback loop to reinforce cell fate decisions and ensure robust establishment of the cell type pattern in the Arabidopsis root epidermis.
The cost of seagull management
Authors: Bradberry Travis
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to separate the leadership skills that get success from those that are inconsequential or harmful.

Design/methodology/approach

More than 150,000 managers were studied through the online assessment of their skill in more than 30 competency areas against self‐reported, and company‐reported job performance.

Findings

People may join companies, but they will leave bosses. No one influences an employee's morale and productivity more than his or her supervisor. It is that simple. Yet, as common as this knowledge may seem, it clearly has not been enough to change the way that managers and organizations treat people.

Originality/value

The paper looks at the issue of seagull managers – and discusses the notion that every single manager is a seagull manager sometimes, in some situations, and with some people. The real challenge lies in understanding where seagull tendencies predominate, so that managers can fly higher and eradicate the negative influences of seagull behavior.
Using the DiSC® model to improve communication effectiveness
Authors: Sugerman Jeffrey
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an explanation of the DiSC personality model along with a real‐world example of its effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The DiSC personality model explores people's communication priorities and how those priorities influence behavior. Kudu Industries is one company that has successfully implemented DiSC throughout the company, and this paper serves as an example of the model's use within an organization.

Findings

Every individual within an organization has unique priorities and work styles, therefore they prefer to be addressed in unique ways. When a company dedicates the necessary resources to learning about the various work styles of its employees, productivity increases.

Originality/value

Companies that are not paying serious attention to employee communication behaviors should take a second look. This paper shows that organizations that take behavioral training seriously stand to benefit greatly.
A dialog on teaching an undergraduate seminar in special collections
Authors: Bond Trevor James , Butler Todd
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a model for the collaborative teaching of undergraduates in special collections and demonstrates how providing students with the opportunities to work rare books can result in meaningful experiences for both students and faculty.

Design/methodology/approach

Collaborative teaching across disciplines, in this case an English faculty member and a librarian can be challenging and rewarding. This paper is written in dialogue form and highlights both perspectives.

Findings

For academics and librarians interested in incorporating book history and special collections in undergraduate coursework, this paper underscores the benefits and pitfalls in planning such courses.

Practical implications

This is an honest discussion on methods to engage undergraduates with rare books and exhibit preparations.

Originality/value

As many library professionals seek to make their rare book collections more accessible through class instruction, this paper provides one pedagogical model with reflections on what we would do next time.
Making sense of common sense for change management buy‐in
Authors: Moon Michael Y.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The concept of common sense has not received much attention in the organization literature. In this paper, I propose a model that links a change agent's self‐awareness and reflexivity, his or her sensemaking of common sense perspectives related to planned change, and buy‐in among organization stakeholders. The case is made for change agents to pay close attention to common sense perspectives because they can become the basis for particular problematic ambivalence and diminished change buy‐in among stakeholders in the organization. This paper aims to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptual and theoretical rationales for the model are offered. Examples from the psychological and organizational theory literatures provide support for the various elements of the model.

Findings

Common sense perspectives should be factored into the diagnosis of the organization. Self‐awareness, reflexivity, and sensemaking are all forms of social awareness that are necessary to engage stakeholders on matters of common sense.

Research implications

Four research areas are identified. First, social and cultural contextual influences on common sense require clarification. Second, if resistance is multidimensional, how are dimensions influenced by common sense? Third, what group level of the organization (e.g., individual, group, organization) do common sense perspectives represent? Fourth, how may change agents work out incommensurate common sense perspectives?

Practical implications

Common sense cannot be mandated. Change agents must maintain self‐awareness and reflexivity as they work with stakeholders in a sensemaking process. Increased buy‐in emerges through minimizing ambivalence towards change.

Originality/value

Little, if anything, has been written on the use of common sense in organizational change management.
Experimental analysis of frictional power loss of hydrostatic slipper bearings
Authors: Canbulut Fazil , Sinanoğlu Cem , Koç Erdem
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate experimentally slippers, which have an important role on power dissipation in the swash plate axial piston pumps. Since slippers affect the performance of the system considerably, the effects of surface roughness on lubrication have been studied in slippers with varying hydrostatic bearing areas and surface roughness.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental set‐up was designed to determine the performance of slippers, which are capable of increasing the efficiency of axial piston pumps, in different conditions.

Findings

The findings suggest that the frictional power loss has been caused by surface roughness, capillary tube diameter, and the size of the hydrostatic bearing area, supply pressure and the relative velocity. In the case of the 0.7 and 9.5 μm surface roughness more power is needed to overcome the friction force between slippers and slipper plates, but less power loss occurs with the slippers with surface roughness of 1.5 μm. The slippers with surface roughness of 1.5 μm are considered, because of the optimum power loss. Moreover, the power loss decreases with increasing capillary tube diameter and supply pressure.

Originality/value

In order to investigate slipper behaviour under different operating conditions, with different capillary tube size and supply pressure an experimental work was carried out for finding exact design parameters of the real time system.
Sliding wear behaviour of a cast iron as affected by test environment and applied load
Authors: Prasad B.K.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the sliding wear response of a cast iron as influenced by applied load and changing concentration of solid lubricant (graphite) particles in oil lubricant, and operating material removal mechanisms in different sets of experimental conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The sliding wear response of a grey cast iron has been examined as a function of test environment and load. Properties evaluated were wear rate, friction coefficient and frictional heating. The wear behaviour of the samples has been substantiated through the characteristics of their wear surfaces, subsurface regions and debris particles.

Findings

The wear rate and frictional heating increased with load while friction coefficient was affected in an opposite manner. The presence of oil lubricant led to a substantial improvement in wear response (in terms of decreasing wear rate, friction coefficient and frictional heating) while the presence of graphite particles in the oil lubricant proved to be still better. A critical content of graphite in the oil lubricant becomes most effective towards improving the wear response of the samples. Formation of dark patches on the wear surface, substantial subsurface deformation and fine debris led to improved wear response.

Research limitations/implications

The study enables one to understand the wear behaviour of a cast iron as influenced by the changing concentration of solid lubricant (graphite) particles in the oil lubricant. It also enables one to understand the operating material removal mechanisms responsible for the observed wear characteristics of the samples under varying test conditions. The investigation helps one to see that only a critical concentration of the solid lubricant particles in oil can lead to the best wear performance of materials.

Originality/value

From a practical standpoint, the observations made here gain importance from the fact that solid lubricants are added frequently in oil in engineering applications but it becomes imperative to understand that only a critical concentration can lead to the best wear behaviour of materials.
Advanced entry adult apprenticeship training scheme: a case study
Authors: Sparks Alan , Ingram Hadyn , Phillips Sunny
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate an innovative way to train adult apprentices for the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper emphasizes that, in order to address skills shortages for international construction, training methods must be improved. It looks at the example of an adult apprenticeship scheme in Australia from the perspectives of the apprentice, the training provider and the employer.

Findings

The paper suggests that trained adult apprentices with previous experience can be more productive and loyal, and that this scheme has implications for the training of apprentices generally.

Research limitations/implications

To date, the scheme has enjoyed success in Australia and for the provision of tradespeople in the international construction industry.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates how a training partnership has sought to provide necessary and increasingly scarce skills for an international construction organization through an original apprenticeship scheme.
Perceived organizational support and expatriate organizational citizenship behavior
Authors: Liu Yuwen
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to empirically examine the relationships between organizational support, affective commitment, and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) for expatriates.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 162 expatriates, working in 37 subsidiaries of multinational corporations located in Mainland China, are used to examine the proposed hypotheses. The surveys are administrated in Chinese. Survey items are first translated into Chinese and then back translated to English to reduce the risk of losing meaning. Hierarchical regressions are used in the statistical analyses.

Findings

Results indicate that perceived organizational support (POS) from both the parent company and the subsidiary significantly related to affective commitment and organizational‐directed OCB. The results also show that the affective commitment acted as a partial mediator of the relationship between parent company POS and organizational‐directed OCB, and a full mediator of the relationship between subsidiary POS and organizational‐directed OCB.

Research limitations/implications

The sampling strategy employed possibly could weaken the generalization of the research findings.

Practical implications

The empirical results would encourage practitioners to enhance their services for expatriates. Management efforts devoted to enhancing the perception and reality of organizational support to expatriates may offer positive outcomes in terms of higher expatriate affective commitment towards the parent company, which significantly mediates the impact of POS on expatriate's ultimate attitudes and behaviors toward the company.

Originality/value

This study using POS as a lens to study expatriates' organizational commitment and organizational‐directed OCB provides a base for additional research to further develop the fields of POS and organizational‐directed OCB as they apply to expatriates.
Project leadership skills in cooperative projects
Authors: Curran Clive‐Steven , Niedergassel Benjamin , Picker Stefan , Leker Jens
Published: April 2009

Purpose

In search for new ideas outside the firm's boundaries most companies choose to implement cooperation in the form of discrete projects, increasing the importance of project management. As research in this area so far mainly dealt with formalized instruments of process control, the purpose of this paper is to focus on personal aspects, particularly on the role of project leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 84 biotechnological projects were analyzed. A standardized questionnaire was developed and sent out to research and development managers from the chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnological industry. The level of analysis for the survey were single cooperative projects and basically regression statistics were employed.

Findings

It was found that the requirement for a stronger project leader is highly dependent on the degree of trust among team members and the administrative activity. In contrast, other factors, like the risk associated with a cooperative project, or the extent of upper management support are not significantly related to a stronger leader.

Research limitations/implications

As only biotechnological projects were analyzed, other studies investigating the required project leadership style in other industries would be necessary to be able to generalize. Furthermore, there are several factors with a potential influence that could not be examined in this study.

Practical implications

The findings would suggest to companies involved in cooperative projects that more emphasis should be put on the human factors of project management and not only on efficient instruments.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on the required strength of a project leader and should thus be of interest to managers trying to set up effective cooperative projects.
Child labour in Latin America: theory, policy, practice
Authors: Gamlin Jennie , Pastor Maria Eugenia
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the theory, policy and practice of child labour in Latin America. Interventions to reduce child labour are more likely to be successful if they are locally‐driven, supported by legislation and based on theoretical understandings of childhood that reflect the realities and needs of the children, families and communities whose lives they aim to improve.

Design/methodology/approach

Sociological and anthropological discourses on children's life worlds are reviewed to situate changes in our understanding of child labour. These theoretical developments are then discussed in the light of changing international legislation, such as ILO's convention 182. Recent statistics suggest a trend for declining child labour and we study the link between statistics, theoretical and legislative positions.

Findings

The ILO's 2006 child labour statistics and examples of policies in Latin America support the hypothesis that theoretical developments in the concept of childhood have influenced successful interventions aimed at its reduction. This theory‐policy‐practice partnership appears to have been a catalyst for the development of successful “government–private‐enterprise – civil society” programmes to reduce child labour.

Research limitations/implications

Although these multi‐sectorial strategies have been successful in Latin America, further research is needed to see whether similar policies and interventions can be repeated in other regions.

Originality/value

The paper is original in its linking of theory, policy and practice in the context of recent statistics and programmes at reducing child labour in Latin America.
Manufacturing, service, and their integration: some history and theory
Authors: Schmenner Roger W.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain why the historical integration of manufacturing with service was quickly seen as advantageous in some circumstances, but not so in others.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the history of manufacturing companies in the USA during the last half of the nineteenth century, categorizes them, and ties them to theory.

Findings

The bundling of manufactured goods to downstream‐available services was led by companies with new products but with no great manufacturing strengths, as a way to establish barriers to entry. Companies with significant manufacturing capabilities were not as quick or as complete in their integration of manufacturing and service.

Originality/value

This paper shows that servitization has antecedents that go back 150 years.
Integrating products and services through life: an aerospace experience
Authors: Johnstone Stewart , Dainty Andrew , Wilkinson Adrian
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the evolution of “product‐service” (P‐S) strategies in the aerospace sector. Despite the widespread perception that aerospace organisations are advanced in terms of P‐S integration, little is known about the realities of P‐S provision in the sector. Much of the existing literature is normative and prescriptive, focusing upon what organisations aspire to do, but offers little insights into how attempts to integrate products and services occur or the challenges organisations encounter.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents an in‐depth case study of an international aerospace original equipment manufacturer, referred to as “JetCo”. A total of 18 interviews were conducted with key actors involved in the operationalisation of P‐S strategy within defence aerospace and civil aerospace divisions. In addition, analysis of internal company documentation was also undertaken.

Findings

This paper reveals that current P‐S strategy, which builds upon a long history of service offerings, initially evolved separately in each division in response to the particular markets in which they operate. However, there was evidence of a corporate‐wide strategy for P‐S provision being developed across divisions to improve co‐ordination. This was founded on the recognition that P‐S delivery requires the development of a stronger customer orientation, better knowledge and information management strategies and the engagement of employees. A key challenge concerned integrating the product and service parts of the business to ensure consistent delivery of a seamless value offering to customers.

Originality/value

The paper offers fresh empirical evidence into the development of P‐S in an organisation drawn from a sector often flagged as an exemplar of P‐S provision, and provides insights into the complex realities of P‐S implementation and delivery. Notably, it highlights the challenge of attempting to embed an organisation‐wide “service culture” in pursuit of integrated P‐S delivery, and questions the nostrums and overly simplistic models which pervade the current solutions discourse.
The collaborative supply chain
Authors: Zare Mehrjerdi Yahia
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the fundamental concept of collaborative supply chain (CSC) and discuss the facts that a road to success in the process of design, implementation and operations of a supply chain is the identification of superior strategies and clear objectives. One of these strategies is known as CSC, that needs to be studied, evaluated and implemented.

Design/methodology/approach

Discusses key elements of CSC and the fact that the vision for the CSC can be built upon principles as such as automation, information, trust and commitment, quality leadership, customer focused, collaborative and e‐collaborative partnerships, and integrated information system.

Findings

The paper finds that to make supply chain management successful, management must be committed to high standard of performance, trust including long‐term collaborative relationships that can deliver results independent of industry and sector type.

Originality/value

Owing to the fact that a better management of production system is related to the full understanding of the technologies implemented and the system under consideration, the CSC and its related components are discussed.
A web utility for OPAC searching by ISBN
Authors: Suhr Karl
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss modifying an existing bookmarklet which is a button‐based tool that adds functionality to a web browser. This modification allows an individual to search a library's OPAC by ISBN for numbers encountered in the body of web documents such as bibliographies or book reviews.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper documents the code for the bookmarklet and its modification for different browsers.

Findings

The process involves using JavaScript to copy highlighted text from a web page and send it as a search to the local OPAC.

Practical implications

This tool allows the user to check if a particular book encountered on the web is held in a local library by highlighting the ISBN tool and clicking a browser button. The utility may be useful to library patrons as a discovery tool for finding books and can be used to automate aspects of daily library operations. Suggested applications and further variations and modifications to search by data elements other than ISBN, such as ISSN or title are discussed.

Originality/value

The process discussed adds a new way to access a library's holdings.
Contemporary German‐language literature in English translation: a checklist of the works of the younger generation
Authors: Allen Barbara F.H.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce librarians, faculty, and other interested individuals to contemporary German literature in English translation.

Design/methodology/approach

German‐language authors born in 1950 or later and listed on the Contemporary Living Authors Comprehensive List developed by the German vendor Otto Harrassowitz are searched in OCLC's WorldCat database to determine the existence of English translations. A bio‐bibliographical list is then developed featuring all contemporary German‐language authors who have achieved an English language translation of at least one of their literary works.

Findings

Of the approximately 1,400 writers on Harrassowitz's comprehensive list, a surprisingly large number of almost 80 authors of the younger generation (born in 1950 or later) have been translated into English.

Originality/value

This bio‐bibliography of contemporary German belles lettres (of the younger generation) in English translation is the first of its kind. It can be used by librarians to check their current library holdings and to expand their collections of German literature in English translation.
To defeat feature fatigue the right way, understand it first
Authors: Rahman Mohammad , Manzur Rahman M.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine feature fatigue with products and how to deal with it.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper looks at feature fatigue and how products perform on the market. It then suggests the right and wrong ways of defeating fatigue.

Findings

The paper reveals the problem of too many features in a product leading to fatigue. However, it suggests that, with increasingly demanding consumers and ever‐shortening product life cycles, firms should attempt to defeat feature fatigue not by reducing features, but by improving product designs that reduce the fatigue. Otherwise their products can disappoint consumers and perform poorly on the market, opening an opportunity for competitors.

Originality/value

This paper presents useful information on ways to deal with customer fatigue with product features.
The future and diversity in higher education
Authors: Joy Davis Dannielle
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper describes and reflects upon the “Future of Diversity and Opportunity in Higher Education: A National Forum on Innovation and Collaboration”.

Design/methodology/approach

Participant observation, journaling and content analysis comprise data sources for this work.

Findings

Featured sessions center upon the need for leaders in higher education to play key roles in advocating for diversity on postsecondary campuses and the move from individual to democratic merit in student admission and faculty hiring or promotion.

Originality/value

Adjudication against institutions working toward diversity requires new ways of promoting opportunity for underrepresented members of the postsecondary community. The following work describes such strategies.
The role of custom case materials in action‐based executive education programs
Authors: Dover Philip , Perkins Samuel , Wylie David
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the growing role of customized case studies in executive education programs.

Design/methodology/approach

A general review is provided, mainly from the authors' experience, on designing and employing custom cases.

Findings

It is shown that the benefits of designing and using custom cases accrue throughout the program development, delivery and follow‐up phases and can have a positive impact not only on course participants, but also on senior management and teaching faculty.

Research limitations/implications

The role of pedagogical tools in executive education remains a largely under‐researched area. Suggestions are made for future work.

Practical implications

It is shown how the construction of a case can vary by both content and format to best suit program objectives. Guidelines are also provided for teaching effectiveness.

Originality/value

This appears to be the first, in‐depth assessment of the design and use of case studies in executive education.
Transformational classroom leadership: a basis for academic staff development
Authors: Pounder James S.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a solid basis for evaluating and enhancing university classroom leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on an empirical study conducted in a Hong Kong university setting indicating the value of the full range (transformational‐transactional) leadership framework for assessing and developing the transformational leadership qualities of university teachers.

Findings

The study indicates the educational value of the transformational classroom leadership style and suggests approaches to developing transformational leadership qualities in university teachers.

Research limitations/implications

Although the study was confined to the one Hong Kong university, it has significant implications for the development of university teachers.

Practical implications

The study presents an approach to assessing the classroom leadership styles of university teachers and proposes staff development initiatives aimed at producing effective classroom teacher‐leaders.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the few attempting to assess the effects of transformational leadership qualities in a university classroom setting and to propose a staff development program for university teachers based on the transformational leadership construct.
Using building adaptation to deliver sustainability in Australia
Authors: Wilkinson Sara J. , James Kimberley , Reed Richard
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to establish the rationale for existing office building adaptation within Melbourne, Australia, as the city strives to become carbon neutral by 2020. The problems faced by policy makers to determine which buildings have the optimum adaptation potential are to be identified and discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts the approach of creating a database of all the buildings in the Melbourne CBD including details of physical, social, economic and technological attributes. This approach will determine whether relationships exist between attributes and the frequency of building adaptation or whether triggers to adaptation can be determined.

Findings

This research provided evidence that a much faster rate of office building adaptation is necessary to meet the targets already set for carbon neutrality. The findings demonstrate that a retrospective comprehensive examination of previous adaptation in the CBD is a unique and original approach to determining the building characteristics associated with adaptation and whether triggers can be identified based on previous practices. The implication is that a decision‐making tool should be developed to allow policy makers to target sectors of the office building stock to deliver carbon neutrality within the 2020 timeframe.

Practical implications

Drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are required to mitigate global warming and climate change and all stakeholders should be looking at ways of reducing emissions from existing stock.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the existing body of knowledge by raising awareness of the way in which the adaptation of large amounts of existing stock can be fast tracked to mitigate the impact of climate change and warming associated with the built environment, and in addition it establishes a framework for a decision‐making tool for policy makers.
Value of buildings with design features for healthy living: a contingent valuation approach
Authors: Chan Edwin , Yim Yiu Chung , Baldwin Andrew , Lee Grace
Published: April 2009

Purpose

After the outbreak of the disease of “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)” in Asia in 2003, a healthy living environment is a major concern. The purpose of this paper is to study the value of healthy building parameters by the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM), which gives a direct appraisal of the occupants' value.

Design/methodology/approach

Healthy building parameters were identified in previous studies. Questionnaires are distributed to residents of a large‐scale high‐rise private housing estate in Hong Kong to find out their willingness to pay (WTP) for individual healthy building parameters.

Findings

The results suggest that most residents are willing to pay for healthy building parameters, each with a different value.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is limited to studying the eight identified building parameters for healthy buildings. The sample of the study is confined in a private housing estate only and all the occupants are middle class citizens of Hong Kong. The results of the study can be further validated by carrying out similar research with the support of the government or quasi‐government bodies to cover a larger sample size for a better return rate.

Practical implications

The findings have practical implications on cost‐and‐benefit analysis of housing design.

Originality/value

Housing price is commonly regarded as the total value of a bundle of housing quality and environmental characteristics. The implicit price of individual quality and characteristic is often identified by the hedonic pricing model. However, its validity depends on a lot of econometric assumptions. The study is the first to be conducted after the outbreak of SARS in Hong Kong to gauge the opinions of residents on health/economy issues
Understanding the reverse logistics operations of a retailer: a pilot study
Authors: Sonya Hsu Hy , Alexander Christine A. , Zhu Zhiwei
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The paper aims to illustrate the business process of reverse logistics by focusing on studying the business activities of the distribution center of a major department store.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study methodology is used to explore three questions: what are the essential characteristics and associated requirements underlying reverse logistics?, how should the practices underlying reverse logistics be adjusted to address cost minimization and value generation?, and what role does information sharing play in defining the reach, range and cohesiveness of central returns center (CRC) of supply chain members in reverse logistics?

Findings

The paper finds that the biggest problem a CRC is facing is the time required for managing damages when no return authorization is forthcoming from the vendor. The goal of the CRC is to maximize the amount of merchandise, which is shipped back to the vendor for full recovery. While information flow within the firm seems to be more than adequate, information flow to supply chain partners, especially where decisions need to be made, is not always adequate.

Originality/value

The paper provides the detailed description of the business process in reverse logistics practiced by a major retailer. The outcome of this study contributes to the understanding of what has been done in reverse logistics and what needs to be done in future.