bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epileptic Seizures in Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Horváth András , Szűcs Anna , Barcs Gábor , Noebels Jeffrey L. , Kamondi Anita
Published: January 2016

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most frequent cause of major neurocognitive disorders with a huge economical and medical burden. Several studies pointed out that AD is associated with a high risk for developing epileptic seizures. The aims of our review were to evaluate and to summarize the current literature (ending in September 2015) of animal and human studies in the relation of AD and epileptic seizures. It seems likely that epileptic hyperexcitation could be partially responsible for the progression of AD due to the increased rate of amyloid deposition. Pathologic changes in animal models of AD are similar to those seen in human temporal lobe epilepsy. Antiepileptic treatment had a positive effect on cognitive function in animal and human studies. Because the detection of seizures in patients with cognitive decline is extremely difficult because of methodological problems, the true prevalence of seizures has remained unclear. Nonconvulsive seizures with no overt clinical symptoms may be frequent seizure types in AD. These are difficult to detect by clinical observation and with standard scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) methods. We propose that long-term EEG recording and video-EEG monitoring is necessary to prove the presence of epileptiform activity in demented patients.
A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Late-Life Cardiovascular Factors and Their Relation to Clinically Defined Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Dugger Brittany N. , Malek-Ahmadi Michael , Monsell Sarah E. , Kukull Walter A. , Woodruff Bryan K. , Reiman Eric M. , Beach Thomas G. , Wilson Jeffrey
Published: January 2016

Studies have demonstrated associations between cardiovascular factors and Alzheimer disease (AD) with minimal focus on other neurodegenerative diseases. Utilizing cross-sectional data from 17,532 individuals in the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center, Uniform Data Set, we compared the presence of cardiovascular factors [body mass index (BMI), atrial fibrillation, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes] in individuals carrying a diagnosis of Probable AD (ProbAD), Possible AD, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, or corticobasal degeneration, with that of normals. Generalized linear mixed models were fitted with age at visit, gender, and cardiovascular factors as fixed effects and Alzheimer’s Disease Centers as random effects. In late life, only BMI of ProbAD and DLB patients was statistically significantly lower than that in normals (P–values <0.001). When accounting for colinearity within cardiovascular factors, a low BMI was a comorbidity of certain dementia etiologies as compared with normals. These data support a concept of disease-specific associations with certain cardiovascular factors.
Summarizing comments on the discussion and a prospectus for urgent future action
Authors: Thomas John Meurig
Published: January 2016

Following my personal reactions to some of the key points made in this Discussion (Part I), I present, in Part II, what I perceive to be the most important, and, in some cases, urgent actions that now need to be taken in the following inter-related fields: (i) design of catalysts, especially for the production of materials using anthropogenic carbon dioxide, CO
2
, as feedstock; (ii) the continuing role of catalysis in the protection of the environment; (iii) the importance of catalysis in the generation of fuel and the release of energy; and (iv) the wisdom of conducting life cycle and techno-economic analyses continually during the development of new catalysts, as well as of those in regular use. A brief account is also given of the prospect of designing atom-efficient catalysts in which either atomically dispersed rare (and expensive) metals such as Ir or Pt or the use of single-site earth-abundant elements (Al, Si, O) can be employed to facilitate important industrial reactions.
APOBEC-induced mutations in human cancers are strongly enriched on the lagging DNA strand during replication
Authors: Seplyarskiy Vladimir B. , Soldatov Ruslan A. , Popadin Konstantin Y. , Antonarakis Stylianos E. , Bazykin Georgii A. , Nikolaev Sergey I.
Published: January 2016

APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B, cytidine deaminases of the APOBEC family, are among the main factors causing mutations in human cancers. APOBEC deaminates cytosines in single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). A fraction of the APOBEC-induced mutations occur as clusters (“kataegis”) in single-stranded DNA produced during repair of double-stranded breaks (DSBs). However, the properties of the remaining 87% of nonclustered APOBEC-induced mutations, the source and the genomic distribution of the ssDNA where they occur, are largely unknown. By analyzing genomic and exomic cancer databases, we show that >33% of dispersed APOBEC-induced mutations occur on the lagging strand during DNA replication, thus unraveling the major source of ssDNA targeted by APOBEC in cancer. Although methylated cytosine is generally more mutation-prone than nonmethylated cytosine, we report that methylation reduces the rate of APOBEC-induced mutations by a factor of roughly two. Finally, we show that in cancers with extensive APOBEC-induced mutagenesis, there is almost no increase in mutation rates in late replicating regions (contrary to other cancers). Because late-replicating regions are depleted in exons, this results in a 1.3-fold higher fraction of mutations residing within exons in such cancers. This study provides novel insight into the APOBEC-induced mutagenesis and describes the peculiarity of the mutational processes in cancers with the signature of APOBEC-induced mutations.
Exome sequencing and CRISPR/Cas genome editing identify mutations of ZAK as a cause of limb defects in humans and mice
Authors: Spielmann Malte , Kakar Naseebullah , Tayebi Naeimeh , Leettola Catherine , Nürnberg Gudrun , Sowada Nadine , Lupiáñez Darío G. , Harabula Izabela , Flöttmann Ricarda , Horn Denise , Chan Wing Lee , Wittler Lars , Yilmaz Rüstem , Altmüller Janine , Thiele Holger , van Bokhoven Hans , Schwartz Charles E. , Nürnberg Peter , Bowie James U. , Ahmad Jamil , Kubisch Christian , Mundlos Stefan , Borck Guntram
Published: January 2016

The CRISPR/Cas technology enables targeted genome editing and the rapid generation of transgenic animal models for the study of human genetic disorders. Here we describe an autosomal recessive human disease in two unrelated families characterized by a split-foot defect, nail abnormalities of the hands, and hearing loss, due to mutations disrupting the SAM domain of the protein kinase ZAK. ZAK is a member of the MAPKKK family with no known role in limb development. We show that Zak is expressed in the developing limbs and that a CRISPR/Cas-mediated knockout of the two Zak isoforms is embryonically lethal in mice. In contrast, a deletion of the SAM domain induces a complex hindlimb defect associated with down-regulation of Trp63, a known split-hand/split-foot malformation disease gene. Our results identify ZAK as a key player in mammalian limb patterning and demonstrate the rapid utility of CRISPR/Cas genome editing to assign causality to human mutations in the mouse in <10 wk.
Crystal structure of (4-cyanopyridine-κN){5,10,15,20-tetrakis[4-(benzoyloxy)phenyl]porphyrinato-κ4N}zinc–4-cyanopyridine (1/1)
Authors: Nasri Soumaya , Amiri Nesrine , Turowska-Tyrk Ilona , Daran Jean-Claude , Nasri Habib
Published: January 2016

In the title compound, [Zn(C72H44N4O8)(C6H4N2)]·C6H4N2or [Zn(TPBP)(4-CNpy]·(4-CNpy) [where TPBP and 4-CNpy are 5,10,15,20-(tetraphenylbenzoate)porphyrinate and 4-cyanopyridine, respectively], the ZnIIcation is chelated by four pyrrole-N atoms of the porphyrinate anion and coordinated by a pyridyl-N atom of the 4-CNpy axial ligand in a distorted square-pyramidal geometry. The average Zn—N(pyrrole) bond length is 2.060 (6) Å and the Zn—N(4-CNpy) bond length is 2.159 (2) Å. The zinc cation is displaced by 0.319 (1) Å from the N4C20mean plane of the porphyrinate anion toward the 4-cyanopyridine axial ligand. This porphyrinate macrocycle exhibits major saddle and moderate ruffling and doming deformations. In the crystal, the [Zn(TPBP)(4-CNpy)] complex molecules are linked togetherviaweak C—H...N, C—H...O and C—H...π interactions, forming supramolecular channels parallel to thecaxis. The non-coordinating 4-cyanopyridine molecules are located in the channels and linked with the complex molecules,viaweak C—H...N interactions and π-π stacking orviaweak C—H...O and C—H...π interactions. The non-coordinating 4-cyanopyridine molecule is disordered over two positions with an occupancy ratio of 0.666 (4):0.334 (4).
Bis[N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-isopropyldithiocarbamato-κ2S,S′](piperazine-κN)cadmium: crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis
Authors: Safbri Siti Artikah M. , Halim Siti Nadiah Abdul , Jotani Mukesh M. , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: January 2016

The title compound, [Cd(C6H12NOS2)2(C4H10N2)], features a distorted square-pyramidal coordination geometry about the central CdIIatom. The dithiocarbamate ligands are chelating, forming similar Cd—S bond lengths and define the approximate basal plane. One of the N atoms of the piperazine molecule, which adopts a chair conformation, occupies the apical site. In the crystal, supramolecular layers propagating in theacplane are formedviahydroxy-O—H...O(hydroxy), hydroxy-O—H...N(terminal-piperazine) and coordinated-piperazine-N—H...O(hydroxy) hydrogen bonds; the layers also feature methine-C—H...S interactions and S...S [3.3714 (10) Å] short contacts. The layers stack along theb-axis direction with very weak terminal-piperazine-N—H...O(hydroxy) interactions between them. An evaluation of the Hirshfeld surfaces confirms the importance of intermolecular interactions involving oxygen and sulfur atoms.
Crystal structure of (2Z,5Z)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-[(4-methoxyphenyl)imino]-5-[(E)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)allylidene]-1,3-thiazolidin-4-one
Authors: Rahmani Rachida , Djafri Ahmed , Daran Jean-Claude , Djafri Ayada , Chouaih Abdelkader , Hamzaoui Fodil
Published: January 2016

In the title compound, C26H21N3O5S, the thiazole ring is nearly planar with a maximum deviation of 0.017 (2) Å, and is twisted with respect to the three benzene rings, making dihedral angles of 25.52 (12), 85.77 (12) and 81.85 (13)°. In the crystal, weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds and C—H...π interactions link the molecules into a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture. Aromatic π–π stacking is also observed between the parallel nitrobenzene rings of neighbouring molecules, the centroid-to-centroid distance being 3.5872 (15) Å.
Bis(N-benzyl-N-methyldithiocarbamato-κ2S,S′)(pyridine-κN)cadmium(II)
Authors: Ehsan Muhammad Ali , Mazhar Muhammad , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: January 2016

The title compound, [Cd(C9H10NS2)2(C5H5N)], features a five-coordinate CdIIatom, being coordinated by two nearly symmetrically chelating dithiocarbamate ligands and a pyridine N atom. The resulting NS4donor set defines a distorted coordination geometry tending toward square pyramidal. In the molecular packing, centrosymmetric ten-membered {...HCNCS}2synthons arise as a result of methylene-C—H...S interactions. These are connected into layers parallel to (10-2)viaweak methyl-C—H...π(phenyl) interactions.
[1-(2,5-Dichloroanilino)-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]methanol
Authors: Cunha Anna C. , Jordão Alessandro K. , Souza Maria C. B. V. de , Ferreira Vitor F. , Almeida Maria C. B. de , Wardell James L. , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: January 2016

In the title compound, C10H10Cl2N4O, the hydroxy group and benzene ring are disposed to opposite sides of the central 1,2,3-triazolyl ring. The dihedral angle between the five- and six-membered rings is 87.51 (12)°, and the C—O bond of the hydroxy group lies almost normal to the plane of the 5-membered ring [N—C—C—O = −93.2 (2)°]. An intramolecular amino-N—H...Cl hydrogen bond is noted. In the extended structure, supramolecular layers in theabplane are formedviahydroxy-O—H...N(ring) and amine-N—H...O(hydroxy) hydrogen bonds. The layers are connected along thecaxis by π–π contacts between benzene rings [inter-centroid distance = 3.7789 (13) Å] and by C—Cl...π interactions.
3-[(2-Hydroxybenzyl)azaniumyl]propanoate monohydrate
Authors: Baul Tushar S. Basu , Chaurasiya Anurag , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: January 2016

The title compound, C10H13NO3·H2O, is a zwitterion hydrate with the zwitterion comprising a central ammonium group and a carboxylate residue. In the zwitterion, the hydroxybenzene and carboxylate groups are directed to the same side of the molecule and each orientated to place an O atom in a position to form an intramolecular ammonium-N—H...O hydrogen bond, each closing anS(6) loop. The three-dimensional architecture is stabilized by hydroxy-O—H...O(carboxylate), water-O—H...O(carboxylate) and ammonium-N—H...O(water) hydrogen bonds.
3-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-3-methyl-1-(4-methylbenzoyl)thiourea
Authors: Jamaludin Nazzatush Shimar , Halim Siti Nadiah Abdul , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: January 2016

The title thiourea derivative, C12H16N2O2S, has a twisted conformation with the dihedral angle between the NC(=S)N and O=CC6planes being 35.45 (5)°. The observed conformation allows for an intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond. In the molecular packing, supramolecular aggregation is based on hydroxy-O—H...O(carbonyl) hydrogen bonding and leads to supramolecular helical chains along theaaxis; chains are reinforced byN-methylene-C—H...S andN-methyl-C—H...π(arene) interactions. Supramolecular layers in theabplane are formed as a result of tolyl-methyl-C—H...π(arene) interactions.
L-Methionine–succinic acid (2/1)
Authors: Nageshwari M. , Kumaresan S. , Caroline M. Lydia , Mani G. , Kumari C. Rathika Thaya , Sudha S. , Jayaprakash P.
Published: January 2016

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, 2C5H11NO2S·C4H6O4, comprises two crystallographically independent methionine residues, which exist in the zwitterionic form, and a neutral succinic acid molecule. Both methionine residues have agauche-I conformation. In the crystal, the various components are linkedviaO—H...O, N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds forming slabs parallel to theabplane
1-[5-(2-Chlorophenyl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethan-1-one
Authors: Adam Farook , Ameram Nadiah , Samshuddin Seranthimata , Brighten Antony Moonnanjilikkal , Ali Khan Musthakeem
Published: January 2016

The title compound, C18H17ClN2O, crystallized with two independent molecules (theSandRenantiomers) in the asymmetric unit. The molecules are V-shaped with the two aromatic rings inclined to one another by 78.78 (11) and 81.23 (11)°. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviaC—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along thec-axis direction. The chains are linkedviaC—H...π interactions, forming a three-dimensional framework. The crystal structure was refined as a two-component twin.
6-Methyl-2-[(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)amino]pyridinium chloride chloroform monosolvate
Authors: Klass Michaela , Näther Christian , Tuczek Felix
Published: January 2016

In the title solvated molecular salt, C12H14N3+·Cl−·CHCl3, the aromatic rings of the cation are nearly coplanar [dihedral angle = 6.30 (5)°] and an intramolecular N—H...N hydrogen bond occurs. In the crystal, the chloride ion accepts an N—H...Cl hydrogen bond from the cation and a C—H...Cl interaction from the solvent molecule. These trimeric units are linked by cation-to-anion C—H...Cl interactions into chains that propagate in the [001] direction.
μ-Sulfido-bis{[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ferrocene-κ2P,P′]gold} methanol monosolvate
Authors: Itai Takuma , Kojima Tatsuhiro , Konno Takumi
Published: January 2016

The gold complex in title compound, [Au2Fe(C17H14P)2S]·CH3OH, (I)·CH3OH, is closely similar to the previously reported (I)·2CHCl3, reported in the literature [Canaleset al.(1996).J. Am. Chem. Soc.118, 4839–4845]. Both crystallize in the monoclinic crystal systems but the space groups differ,P21/nfor (I)·CH3OH compared toP2/nfor (I)·2CHCl3. The two structures can be considered as polymorphs due to solvation differences. In (I)·CH3OH, all atoms of the methanol solvent molecule are disordered over two sets of sites with an occupancy ratio of 0.822 (12):0.178 (12). The crystal structure features O—H...S, C—H...S hydrogen bonds and C—H...π interactions that stack the complex molecules along thea-axis direction.
Career barriers influencing career success
Authors: Santos Gina Gaio
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– Few research has addressed the factors that undermine people’s subjective perceptions of career success. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to further illuminate the issue of career barriers in perceptions of career success for a specific group of professionals: academics.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study adopts an interpretative-social constructionist methodology. Complementarily, it was employed a phenomenological method in data gathering and analysis – with the use of in-depth interviews and a theme analysis. The research was undertaken with a group of 87 Portuguese academics of both sexes and in different stages of their academic careers.

Findings

– The findings pinpoint the existence of multi-level barriers encountered by the academics when trying to succeed in their careers. The interviewees mentioned particularly the organizational-professional career barriers pertaining to three general themes: poor collegiality and workplace relationships; the lack of organizational support and employment precariousness; and the career progression standards and expectations. At the individual life cycle level the interviewees referred to the theme of finding balance; at the same time, the gender structure was also a theme mentioned as an important career barrier in career success, particularly by the women interviewed.

Research limitations/implications

– One of the limitations of this research is related to the impossibility of generalizability of its findings for the general population. Nevertheless, the researcher provides enough detail that grants the reader with the ability to judge of its similarity to other research contexts.

Practical implications

– This research highlights the role played by distinct career barriers for a specific professional group: academics. This has implications for higher education policy-makers and for human resources managers in higher education institutions.

Originality/value

– The current study extends the literature on career success by offering detailed anecdotal evidence on how negative work experiences might hinder career success. This research shows that to understand career barriers to success it is useful to consider multi-level factors: organizational-level factors (e.g. poor collegiality and workplace relationships); individual-level factors (e.g. life-cycle factors such as age/career stage); and structural-level factors (e.g. gender).
Burnout and the work-family interface
Authors: Robinson Laura D. , Magee Christopher , Caputi Peter
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine whether work-to-family conflict (WFC) and work-to-family enrichment (WFE) predicted burnout in working mothers using conservation of resources theory. The authors also examined whether these relationships varied between sole and partnered working mothers.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 516 partnered and 107 sole mothers in paid employment completed an online survey twice, six months apart.

Findings

– WFC was significantly positively related to burnout, and WFE significantly negatively related to burnout. Marital status moderated the inverse relationship between WFE and personal burnout, and this relationship was significant for partnered mothers only.

Research limitations/implications

– Limitations include self-report data, and the sample being highly educated thereby limiting generalizability.

Practical implications

– Providing an enriching and supportive work environment may be an important strategy for minimizing burnout in mothers, particularly for sole mothers.

Social implications

– Employed sole mother’s risks of burnout may be higher than for other mothers even when experiencing WFE, which can have implications for their functioning and for family well-being.

Originality/value

– This two-wave study is the first to highlight that sole mothers, who are at risk of greater socio-economic disadvantages, do not benefit from WFE to the same degree as partnered mothers. Future work-family and burnout research should further examine differences based family structure.
Mid-career as a process of discovery
Authors: Maddox-Daines Kay
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the mid-career experience of female managers within a small higher education institution in the UK. It considers how managers manage “self” within this phase of career.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study takes an ethnographic approach to the exploration of experiences in mid-career. Using a relational approach it was possible to draw together new insights deriving from the data. A narrative approach provided the framework from which deeper insights were captured through detailed participant stories toldin situ.

Findings

– This study offers a deep analysis of the constructs of management experience as these are negotiated within mid-career. The priority of female managers in this study is directed towards the balance of home and work. There is less evidence of a desire for upward progression, instead the focus now shifts to the achievement of authenticity and balance.

Research limitations/implications

– This study was conducted in the higher education sector in the UK which is noted for its increasing commercialisation agenda and low staff turnover. Undertaking comparable research in other sectors will provide further insights into the generalisability of findings. Managers in this study were wholly white, middle class and most are still working in the region in which they were born. A more diverse cohort may be studied to ascertain the importance attributable to balance of work and life across different groups.

Practical implications

– This study presents some important areas of consideration for those involved in the support and advancement of female managers. Indeed, for those engaged in cognitive and developmental work this study provides rich and in-depth qualitative data that may prove helpful when formulating policy. It is of significance to senior managers within organisations and encourages attention towards executive development and organisational culture, both of which support the retention of talent within the organisation.

Social implications

– This paper provides insights into middle and senior management practice that may be of use by policy makers in the wider higher education sector context, as well as in general management good practice discussions more widely. This study may also be of interest to aspiring female managers and those relatively new to their roles as they seek to position themselves to achieve a sense of authenticity within their organisations.

Originality/value

– This study provides an empirical contribution to the study of female managers working within a small higher education institution in the UK. It provides deep insights into management practice at mid-career within the workplace and the way in which this is conceivedin situ.
A balance model of theoretical sustainability – framework and propositions
Authors: Eriksson David , Svensson Göran
Published: January 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to describe and discuss a balance model of theoretical business sustainability, to leverage the inferior side, so as to enhance performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual description and discussion are provided, along with an empirical depiction.

Findings

The empirical illustration presents one organization that embodies the goals of theoretical business sustainability in the marketplace and society.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is needed to enhance our understanding of the phenomenon and performance of business sustainability in supply chains.

Practical implications

Findings highlight that there is no justification for practitioners to strive consistently for anything other than theoretical business sustainability, and stakeholders need to push organizations in that direction.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to our understanding of what should be done and why business sustainability performance should be improved in supply chains.
CSR governance and departmental organization: a typology of best practices
Authors: Lock Irina , Seele Peter
Published: January 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to study the state of the art of corporate social responsibility (CSR) governance and operational structure within the most sustainable companies to arrive at a typology of CSR organization. Whether companies consider corporate social responsibility (CSR) a strategic management task is mirrored in the department and governance structure of CSR.

Design/methodology/approach

By conducting a web content analysis, the authors apply a “best practice” approach to examine the vertical and horizontal organization of CSR within the “most sustainable companies worldwide” (Robeco SAM, 2013).

Findings

The results show that most corporations have in place governance structures for CSR that organize it horizontally in stand-alone departments. Three types of CSR organization best practice emerged: the single-headed, two-headed and infused types.

Practical implications

The paper indicates three different ways that companies can organize CSR internally. The authors discuss the feasibility of such organization for large and small companies and their day-to-day business.

Originality/value

The paper addresses the under-researched area of vertical and horizontal CSR organization at the micro level. The authors analyze the state of the art of organizational and governance structures of CSR in the most sustainable companies and deduce three types of CSR governance and operational architecture.
Strategic interpretation on sustainability issues – eliciting cognitive maps of boards of directors
Authors: Bergman Jukka-Pekka , Knutas Antti , Luukka Pasi , Jantunen Ari , Tarkiainen Anssi , Karlik Aleksander , Platonov Vladimir
Published: January 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of cognitive diversity on strategic issue interpretation among the boards of directors making sense of sustainability management. The study also investigated the centrality of the corporate sustainability issues to identify common interpretative patterns in the shared cognitive maps among the companies. In addition, the aim was to advance quantitative methods for the analysis of decision-makers’ cognition.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was an exploratory study analyzing 43 individual cognitive maps collected through surveys from the boards of nine cleantech companies. For the elicitation of the cognitive maps, the study used the hybrid cognitive mapping technique. The diversity of the shared cognitive maps was analyzed using the distance ratio formula and the graph analysis method with eigenvector to measure the centrality of the strategic issue interpretation in the maps.

Findings

This study provides evidence through the analysis of distance ratios on the existence of cognitive diversity among companies within the same industry. Surprisingly, despite the cognitive diversity, the study identified strong common patterns on strategic issue interpretations among the companies. In addition, the study shows that the sustainability management issues have gained minor attention from the boards of directors.

Research limitations/implications

The initial industry sample provided relatively restricted perspectives on managerial cognition, and to confirm the findings regarding the effects of industry on the shared cognitive maps of top decision-makers, wider industry-level data are needed.

Practical implications

This study provides an approach to facilitate the process of strategic decision-making for top decision-makers by identifying the shared beliefs of the selected strategic theme and to concentrate on the most central strategic issues in the company and industry. It reveals asymmetry between the significance of sustainability issues in an open agenda and the real position of sustainability concepts in the shared cognitive maps in the green industry. Also, the study advances cognitive mapping techniques for application in the board’s decision-making.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to brightening the black box of corporate governance by shedding light on the interaction of the concepts of corporate sustainability and other key strategic issues within the shared cognitive maps of the boards. It also provides new empirical knowledge on top decision-making processes and the effects of cognitive diversity on the strategic issue interpretations within the corporate boards of the green industry, and it further develops the methodology for the quantification of cognitive diversity and the content of cognitive maps.
Board composition and corporate social responsibility in an emerging market
Authors: Sundarasen Sheela Devi D. , Je-Yen Tan , Rajangam Nakiran
Published: January 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of board composition on corporate social responsibility (CSR) for selected Malaysian companies in Bursa Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses board composition and CSR of Malaysian (family and non-family) firms using linear regression analysis.

Findings

The empirical findings indicate that non-executive directors (NEDs) and independent non-executive directors (INEDs) designate a negative relationship, while women on board indicate a positive relationship. The only variable that positively affects the level of CSR initiatives is the presence of women directors. As for family and non-family business, the main findings are: a positive relationship between NEDs and CSR initiatives in non-family business and a negative relationship between INEDs and CSR for family-controlled business.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is limited only to selected companies on Bursa Malaysia over a period of two years. The paper suggests that board composition in an emerging market is relatively ineffective in improving CSR initiatives, with the exception of women on board. This is more prevalent in family business, as they do not seem to contribute toward humanizing or cultivating CSR in their companies.

Practical implications

This paper can be used as a reference by regulatory bodies to further investigate on the means as to how board composition can further contribute toward CSR initiatives, as these board members have inherent authorities and decision-making power. Composition and role of women directors in board needs to be further deliberated.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the existing literature in terms of the roles of board composition on CSR initiatives. It further highlights the difference in the aforementioned relationship between family and non-family business.
Does CEO duality give more influence over executive pay to the majority or minority shareholder? (A survey of Brazil)
Authors: Abraham Enoima , Singh Gurcharan
Published: January 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on comparing the influence of majority and minority shareholders on executive compensation under conditions of CEO duality, examining majority and minority shareholder influences by measuring their investment and return activity. The paper seeks to uncover how CEO duality changes the impact the two categories of shareholders have on executive compensation, especially in an emerging nation.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 30 corporations out of the 70 corporations listed on the BM&F Bovespa (a Brazilian stock market) were used for the paper. Quarterly data were collected on the companies from the Datastream database. The paper conducted a moderated regression analysis on the data to determine the conditional effects of majority and minority holders’ investment and returns on executive compensation.

Findings

There are incentives for executives meeting majority shareholder objectives, but minority shareholders’ influences act as a disincentive for executives. Only the influence of blockholders by their returns is affected by the separation of the roles of CEO and Chairman. The effect is such that firms with a separation of the roles have their executives rewarded in line with increments to the returns made to blockholders, but firms that have the roles merged pay a high wage that is inconsistent with managerial performance. Finally, the majority of variation in executive pay levels can be attributed to individual company traits.

Research limitations/implications

The paper’s sample is biased to firm which had publicly available data on the total compensation payable to their top executives.

Practical implications

Advocates of minority shareholder rights may need to exercise patience with the implementation of more formalised governance structure, as they are not providing protection for minority shareholders within the period studied.

Originality/value

The paper provides empirical evidence within the Brazilian context of minority shareholder effects on executive compensation and the effect of CEO duality on the relationship.
The effect of ownership structure on dividend policy: evidence from Turkey
Authors: Al-Najjar Basil , Kilincarslan Erhan
Published: January 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impact of ownership structure on dividend policy of listed firms in Turkey. Particularly, it attempts to uncover the effects of family involvement (through ownership and board representation), non-family blockholders (foreign investors, domestic financial institutions and the state) and minority shareholders on dividend decisions in the post-2003 period as it witnesses the major economic and structural reforms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses alternative dividend policy measures (the probability of paying dividends, dividend payout ratio and dividend yield) and uses appropriate regression techniques (logit and tobit models) to test the research hypotheses, by focusing on a recent large panel dataset of 264 Istanbul Stock Exchange-listed firms (non-financial and non-utility) over a 10-year period 2003-2012.

Findings

The empirical results show that foreign and state ownership are associated with a less likelihood of paying dividends, while other ownership variables (family involvement, domestic financial institutions and minority shareholders) are insignificant in affecting the probability of paying dividends. However, all the ownership variables have a significantly negative impact on dividend payout ratio and dividend yield. Hence, the paper presents consistent evidence that increasing ownership of foreign investors and the state in general reduces the need for paying dividends in the Turkish market.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the absence of empirical research on how ownership structure may affect dividend policy and the data unavailability for earlier periods in Turkey, the paper cannot make comparison between the pre-and post-2003 periods. Nevertheless, this paper can be a valuable benchmark for further research.

Practical implications

The paper reveals that cash dividends are not used as a monitoring mechanism by investors in Turkey and the expropriation argument through dividends for Turkish families is relatively weak. Accordingly, the findings of this paper may benefit policymakers, investors and fellow researchers, who seek useful guidance from relevant literature.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to examine the link between ownership structure and dividend policy in Turkey after the implementation of major reforms in 2003.
Well-being orthodox theories and Islamic views
Authors: Arabi Seyed Hadi
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess orthodox theories of well-being in western civilization at first, and second, to investigate Islamic views regarding this concept. Then, comparing these two groups of views, it tries to show that there is a kind of convergence between them that it provides a common point for political aspect of well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

– To investigate this convergence, orthodox theories of well-being were analyzed critically and Islamic views were revealed. Both orthodox theories and Islamic views of well-being were discussed theoretically (not practically) via descriptive-analytical method and based on a philosophical approach. Since the problem that this paper is going to involve and resolve is conceptual (concept and nature of human well-being and finding a common point among different theories), so the proper method will be the descriptive-analytical and dialectic discussion.

Findings

– This paper found that, despite some similarities between orthodox theories and Islamic views of well-being, the most important difference between Avicenna and hedonistic view is his approach to the concept of enjoyment and his spreading of the meaning of it. Molla Sadra’s approach to well-being is close to the objective list theories of well-being – particularly that of Sen’s and Nussbaum’s. It is concluded that there is a convergence in theories based on movement from instrumental reason to the intellect in specification and investigation of people’s well-being and its elements.

Social implications

– There is a kind of convergence, so that we can achieve a common point which could be the base for policy making in national and international level to solve problems arising from complexity, ambiguity and boring and dismal disagreements regarding this concept which is an important obstacle in front of the policy makers. Moreover, moving from instrumental reason to the intellect and considering ethical virtues in people’s well-being could be helpful in removing some social problems such as conflicts between labor and employers and financial crises.

Originality/value

– Description and calcification theories of well-being especially for economists that they are very far from these subjects and introducing of Islamic views via philosophical approach is absolutely original in this paper. Moreover, paper attempts to show the convergence in orthodox theories and between orthodox and Islamic views in which it provides a common point for practical aspect of well-being.
Religion and social economics (a systemic theory of organic unity)
Authors: Choudhury Masudul Alam
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– A methodological study of religion including moral, ethical, and social values and economics takes us into the search, discovery, and establishment of a formal epistemological premise. Social economics is now studied as a methodological investigation of evolutionary and embedded systems integrating the moral, social, and economic systems. Thus an integrated theory of religion representing the realm of moral and social values and economics is formalized. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author writes on the conjoint methodological perspective of the integrated domain of religion and economics. A formal ontology of the unified field of religion and economics is established in such an inter-causal and organically unified realm of moral, social, and economic values. A phenomenological model of the unified worldview that applies to a systemic concept of “everything” emerges. This methodology and the immanent phenomenological model relating to it convey the principle of inter-systemic organic symbiosis by a unique and universal worldview.

Findings

– The systemic integration between religion and economics is formally studied within the immanent system methodology that formalizes inter-disciplinary symbiosis. The result is a new formal model of integration between religion and social economics.

Research limitations/implications

– Empirical work can further expand the scope of the paper.

Practical implications

– Immense social, ethical, and cross-cultural implications emanate from the study.

Social implications

– The morality and ethical implications of religious values are imputed in the formal model and implications of the social economy.

Originality/value

– The paper is of an original nature in establishing the episteme and formalism of integration between ethical and moral values of religion into the structure of the social economy. From this both a theoretical rigor as well as logical formalism can be drawn.
A sensitivity analysis of the RIE index as a supplementary tool for national policy making
Authors: Natoli Riccardo , Zuhair Segu
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the potential of the resource-infrastructure-environment (RIE) index as a supplementary tool to assist policy makers.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study undertakes a sensitivity analysis (SA) to assess the responsiveness of the RIE index to potential policy actions on three countries: Australia (mid-industrialised nation), Mexico (emerging economy) and the USA (highly industrialised nation).

Findings

– The results show that the RIE framework is capable of accommodating SA to guide the policymakers on the directional changes of the index to measurable changes to its component parts.

Research limitations/implications

– Although the initial results seem promising, further refinement of the indicator is required before it can be practically implemented. For instance, the RIE framework has yet to incorporate dimensions to represent distribution and effects of substitution.

Originality/value

– The paper undertakes a SA to assess the responsiveness of the RIE index which is an alternative measure of progress for nations that has the capability to capture more aspects important to progress.
How consumer-generated images shape important consumption outcomes in the food domain
Authors: Coary Sean , Poor Morgan
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of the present research is to investigate consumer-generated images (CGI), or images of products and experiences that are produced and controlled by consumers, particularly in the food domain, and the influence that producing such images has on the consumer creating the image.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors present three studies that manipulate the type of food (indulgent vs healthy) and whether participants create CGI prior to consumption. Data were analyzed using a combination of ANOVA and PROCESS.

Findings

– It is shown that producing CGI causes a momentary active delay in consumption, which increases the savoring associated with consumption of pleasurable (i.e. indulgent) foods and, in effect, increases attitudes and taste evaluations of the experience when consumption actually takes place. When descriptive social norms regarding healthy eating are made salient, CGI can also lead to more favorable outcomes for less pleasurable (i.e. healthy) foods.

Practical implications

– The findings provide insight into the effects of consumers taking pictures of their food before consumption, a growing trend on social media sites (i.e. Instagram). Marketing managers can develop strategies to encourage their consumers to take pictures of their food.

Originality/value

– To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to demonstrate the effects of consumer-generated images on a product consumption experience and identify the conditions and process under which these effects occur.
Comparing consumer decision skills in institutionalized vs family children
Authors: Almeida Patrícia , Agante Luísa
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The aim of this study is to assess and compare consumer skills of institutionalized children with those of family children. This paper also seeks to understand which skills might be more easily improved amongst institutionalized children with a single intervention of classroom instruction.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper conducted a pilot study with a sample composed of two subgroups (38 institutionalized children and 36 non-institutionalized children). To assess children’s knowledge, a questionnaire and an interview were used. The class intervention lasted 30 minutes.

Findings

– Results suggest that institutionalized children have lower levels of knowledge regarding consumption-related practices and lower levels of accuracy at estimating prices than non-institutionalized children. Results also showed that, in other skills, there are no differences between institutionalized or family children, as in attitude toward advertising or in making decisions based on price/quantity evaluations or based on the use of the same strategy in different situations. Regarding the class intervention, it was concluded that it could improve the attitude toward advertising of only the institutionalized children.

Originality/value

– There is much research today focused on children’s ability to act as educated consumers. This research is focused mainly on children who live with their parents, but it is also important to take into consideration children who do not live in a typical family environment, the institutionalized children, because they will also become consumers. Research on institutionalized children is focused on evaluating their development and well-being and does not assess consumer competencies and skills.
A multi-dimensional approach to consumer motivation: exploring economic, hedonic, and normative consumption goals
Authors: Barbopoulos Isak , Johansson Lars-Olof
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of the present research is to explore the (multi-) dimensionality of the highly influential gain, hedonic and normative master goals. Despite being important drivers of consumer behavior, few attempts have been made to incorporate these goals into a single measure.

Design/methodology/approach

– Across three studies, the dimensionality of the gain, hedonic, and normative master goals are explored (Study 1), confirmed (Study 2) and validated (Study 3).

Findings

– A structure of five distinct sub-goals emerged, which were shown to be related to the original higher-order goals: thrift and safety (related to the gain goal), moral and social norms (related to the normative goal) and instant gratification (related to the hedonic goal). These five dimensions were shown to have satisfactory convergent, discriminant and construct validity.

Research limitations/implications

– The present research shows that consumer motivation is multi-dimensional, and that a distinction should be made not only between higher-order utilitarian, hedonic and normative determinants but also between their corresponding sub-goals, such as social and moral norms. A multi-dimensional approach to consumer motivation should prove useful in standard marketing research, as well as in the segmentation of consumer groups, products and settings.

Originality/value

– The emergent dimensions encompass a broad range of research, from economics and marketing, to social and environmental psychology, providing consumer researchers and practitioners alike a more nuanced and psychologically accurate view on consumer motivation.