bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Talent derailment: a multi‐dimensional perspective for understanding talent
Authors: Ross Suzanne
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose the value of more widely incorporating derailment factors into talent management practices in order to effectively develop and engage talent.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper considers various approaches to understanding derailment in the context of leadership talent. It draws on a combination of literature, early doctoral research and practitioner experience in talent management and leadership development, to present a viewpoint on the merits for talent management practitioners of using an understanding of derailment to broaden talent development practices.

Findings

It is suggested that by understanding the nature of derailment and incorporating this understanding into talent management practices, a more balanced and robust approach to talent development is achieved. Only focussing on core talents without identifying potential derailment tendencies and creating strategies at either the individual or organisational level to mitigate these, can leave leaders vulnerable to derailment as they advance their leadership careers.

Originality/value

Prevalent within organisational talent management practices is a single minded focus on definitions of talent, without considering aspects of derailment as a matter of course. This paper encourages talent management practitioners to proactively consider aspects of derailment in order to generate a multi‐dimensional approach to understanding talent, therefore more effectively prioritising talent development needs and engagement strategies.
Time to focus coaching on the team
Authors: Clutterbuck David
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness of the role and nature of team coaching.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper undertakes a review of research and practical experience in team coaching.

Findings

Team coaching has multiple definitions and is only now emerging as a clear area of practice that requires specialist knowledge, skills, experience and supervision.

Practical implications

The paper provides a pragmatic view of how organizations can approach the development of team coaching as part of their coaching strategy.

Originality/value

This is a relatively unexplored field, with only three books so far in English.
Citation analysis of doctoral theses in botany submitted to Kuvempu University, India: a case study
Authors: Banateppanvar Koteppa , Biradar B.S. , Kannappanavar B.U.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the materials cited in doctoral theses of botany, submitted to the Kuvempu University during the years 2000‐2006, with the aim of improving the existing collection development of the library.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed descriptive research design. Theses submitted for the award of Doctoral degree from 2000 to 2006 to the Department of Botany, Kuvempu University were examined. The population of the study was all the theses submitted during the periods under study. Data were extracted from title page and references given at the end of each chapter. Extracted data were analysed using statistics.

Findings

The study reveals that journals are the most preferred sources of information used by the researchers in the field of botany, accounting for 74.77 per cent of total citations, although citations from books, proceedings, theses, reports and patents are also found. It is also observed those researchers are not taking much advantage of internet resources. The journalPlant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture(USA) was ranked the first, with 158 citations, accounting for 7.57 per cent of the total journal citations. Further, Bradford's law of scattering was applied. It is observed that major citations come from journal literature. In addition, more cited materials were contributed by multi authors and degree of collaboration is 0.75.

Research limitations/implications

The paper presents a sense of the importance of botany research, and as such informs that community, as well as researchers involved in citation analysis.

Originality/value

The outcome of the study is an original research work with citation analysis of doctoral theses in botany. It highlights the information materials available and used by researchers of the Botany Department for their research work and those which need to be added for a healthy collection.
Beyond Persepolis: a bibliographic essay on graphic novels and comics by women
Authors: Golomb Liorah
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to encourage and assist collection of adult‐level, graphic novels and book‐length comics by women, and to demonstrate the breadth and depth of such work.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a brief history of women and independent comics, tracing the medium's development from the 1970s underground comix movement to the present day. Individual creators and their works are discussed.

Findings

In the early years of independent comics, many of the women creating them were consciously reacting to an overwhelmingly male‐dominated profession. There was a high degree of shock value in these early works. As time went on the comics still tended towards the autobiographical, but storytelling gained importance. Most of the women creating comics today are still doing so from a woman's point of view, but their target audience seems more universal.

Originality/value

Graphic novels are in increasing demand, both for scholarly and leisure reading. Guides to collecting graphic novels exist; however, the vast majority of the artists included in these guides are men. This paper fills a gap by introducing librarians to several women graphic novelists who have been overlooked thus far.
Developments in biomimetic vision
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe recent research into biomimetic imaging and vision systems.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an introduction, this paper discusses a range of biomimetic imaging and vision system research activities and their potential applications. Brief conclusions are drawn.

Findings

This shows that biomimetic design concepts, many based on insect vision, are being applied widely to prototype imaging systems. These exhibit features such as wide fields of view, hyperacuity and infra‐red detection and offer prospects to enhance the capabilities of such systems in a wide range of applications.

Originality/value

This paper provides details of recent biomimetic imaging research, which has potential in a range of robotic and other applications.
Inspired by nature at the nanoscale
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe recent research involving the application of biomimetic design concepts to nanosensor developments.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a short introduction to nanobiomimetic concepts, this paper discusses a range of recent nanosensor developments whose designs mimic or use naturally‐occurring nanostructures or nanomaterials.

Findings

This shows that biomimetic design concepts are being applied to a range of nanosensors which have been shown to respond to a range of physical and chemical variables, often with very high sensitivities. Potential applications include homeland security and military uses, healthcare and robotics.

Originality/value

This paper provides details of recent nanobiomimetic sensor research which has potential in a range of critical applications.
New Swedish forensic psychiatric facilities: visions and outcomes
Authors: Andersson Morgan , Svennerlind Christer , Malmqvist Inga , Anckarsäter Henrik
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to map significant features of the physical design of nine recently planned facilities for forensic psychiatric care in Sweden. The present paper is focused on differences in the physical design, static security adaptations, visions and goals for the projects, economy and steering processes.

Design/methodology/approach

In June 2008, records concerning major forensic psychiatric construction projects, planned or carried out between 1970 and 2008, were requested from all 21 regions in Sweden. The documents were collected, organized, critically examined, and analyzed in their contexts. Extensive data have also been retrieved from the internet.

Findings

In spite of the common national legislation governing forensic psychiatric care, the projects show great diversity in the physical design and, after 2006, increasing emphasis on static security. The collected material indicates different visions and goals and little coordination between them. It also suggests that the decisions rarely have been preceded by scientific studies or, as it appears, systematic needs assessments. There were also considerable variations in the interpretation of the legislation stipulating public access to official documentation and the time‐frame allowed for such requests.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of the project especially relate to the incompleteness of the documents received.

Originality/value

This mainly descriptive paper provides an overview of contemporary Swedish forensic psychiatric construction projects, planned for or realized after 2000. This paper points out structural and physical differences between these projects. The systematised documents are made available for research purposes within different disciplines.
The advertising of corporate social responsibility in a Brazilian bank
Authors: Roberto Scharf Edson , Fernandes Josiane
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Organizations achieve brand awareness through marketing efforts. Studies show that advertising plays a central role in garnering results. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the corporate social responsibility (CSR) advertised by a retail bank in Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

Critical discourse analysis (CDA) was adopted, with the three steps proposed by Fairclough: textual analysis, processing analysis, and social analysis. This approach allows in‐depth analysis of the CSR discourse present in communications of organizations with their target.

Findings

Literature indicates that consumers prefer to obtain personal advantages rather than benefits to the environment in which they live. This could influence organizations’ preference towards communication campaigns that demonstrate CSR actions, and that additionally communicate benefits which individuals receive. However, one of the largest banks using advertising limited to CSR‐specific aspects achieves impressive brand awareness results.

Originality/value

This study presents evidence that CSR advertising can stimulate brand awareness without using commercial aspects in its content.
Exploring feedback incidents, their characteristics and the informal learning activities that emanate from them
Authors: H. Mulder Regina
Published: January 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to increase insight in the mechanisms of feedback processes by investigating what kind of feedback characteristics lead to what specific kind of informal learning activities (ILAs).

Design/methodology/approach

– The 31 persons participated were recruited by the snowball method, and work in education, healthcare or profit sector. They filled out a learning log. The respondents wrote down feedback incidents that occurred and the ILA they carried out in response. A total of 367 feedback incidents led to 913 ILA. Quantitative analyses such as correlations and regression analyses are conducted.

Findings

– Feedback led to ILA, especially to reflection, and communication with colleagues. There is no pattern found in the relation between outcomes. Timing aspects seem irrelevant for ILA. Feedback consisting of discussing possibilities for personal improvement leads to ILA. Precise, positive and helpful feedback leads to ILA.

Research limitations/implications

– Because of the aim and design of the study, the outcomes are not generalizable and individual characteristics (e.g. motivation, attitude) were not measured. A few ILA are mentioned only a few times.

Practical implications

– Feedback that consists of discussing possibilities for personal improvement can be used to increase ILA. Feedback can be used to increase reflection and communication at work. Creating a work culture that fosters learning from feedback is important. The quality of feedback providing competences is important.

Originality/value

– This paper gives in-depth insight into the relation between specific characteristics of feedback and the ILA. It also assesses to what ILA a specific feedback incident (directly) leads.
Quality of feedback following performance assessments: does assessor expertise matter?
Authors: J.B. Govaerts Marjan , W.J. van de Wiel Margje , P.M. van der Vleuten Cees
Published: January 2013

Purpose

– This study aims to investigate quality of feedback as offered by supervisor-assessors with varying levels of assessor expertise following assessment of performance in residency training in a health care setting. It furthermore investigates if and how different levels of assessor expertise influence feedback characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

– Experienced (n=18) and non-experienced (n=16) supervisor-assessors with different levels of assessor expertise in general practice (GP) watched two videotapes, each presenting a trainee in a “real-life” patient encounter. After watching each videotape, participants documented performance ratings, wrote down narrative feedback comments and verbalized their feedback. Deductive content analysis of feedback protocols was used to explore quality of feedback. Between-group differences were assessed using qualitative-based quantitative analysis of feedback data.

Findings

– Overall, specificity and usefulness of both written and verbal feedback was limited. Differences in assessor expertise did not seem to affect feedback quality.

Research limitations/implications

– Results of the study are limited to a specific setting (GP) and assessment context. Further study in other settings and larger sample sizes may contribute to better understanding of the relation between assessor characteristics and feedback quality.

Practical implications

– Findings suggest that even with supervisor-assessors with varying levels of assessor expertise who are trained in performance assessment and the provision of performance feedback, high-quality feedback is not self-evident; coaching “on the job” of feedback providers and continuous evaluation of feedback processes in performance management systems is crucial. Instruments should facilitate provision of meaningful feedback in writing.

Originality/value

– The paper investigates quality of feedback immediately following assessment of performance, and links feedback quality to assessor expertise. Findings can contribute to improvement of performance management systems and assessments for developmental purposes.
Controlling the control system: performance information in the German childcare administration
Authors: Kroll Alexander , Proeller Isabella
Published: January 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to improve understanding of the use of performance information in the public sector.

Design/methodology/approach

– The article is based on a comparative case study in the field of German childcare administration. Two cities have been selected based on the variation of their performance measurement systems.

Findings

– It is found that a higher complexity and sophistication of the measurement system fosters the use of performance data by civil servants. At the same time, such a comprehensive control system seems to undermine the steering ability of local politicians. Referring to agency theory, it is argued that complex data systems can increase information asymmetries in favour of bureaucrats.

Research limitations/implications

– Since the findings are based on two cases, the paper does not make any claims about their generalisability for a particular population. Instead, the paper uses in-depth observations to better inform and enhance an existing hypothesis.

Practical implications

– The results emphasise the importance of user-specific performance reporting. The paper suggests thinking of the adoption of management innovation as a temporal process where measurement complexity can be balanced over time by customised reporting.

Originality/value

– This article is innovative as it focuses on two user groups of performance data simultaneously. The results show that this approach adds value because observations vary based on the perspective of the different users.
Medication reconciliation service in Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Authors: Beng Yi Sia , Chan Pei Shan Janice , Lay Hong Goh
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Medication reconciliation is integral to every hospital. Approximately 60 percent of all hospital medication errors occur at admission, intra‐hospital transfer or discharge. Effectively and consistently performing medication reconciliation at care‐interfaces continues to be a challenge. Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) averages 4,700 admissions monthly. Many patients are elderly (>65 years old) at risk from poly‐pharmacy. As part of a medication safety initiative, pharmacy staff started a medication reconciliation service in 2007, which expanded to include all patients in October 2009. This article aims to describe the TTSH medication reconciliation system and to highlight common medication errors occurring following incomplete medication reconciliation.

Design/methodology/approach

Where possible, patients admitted into TTSH are seen by pharmacy staff within 24 hours of admission. A form was created to document their medications, which is filed into the case sheets for referencing purposes. Any discrepancies in medicines are brought to doctors' attention. Patients are also counseled about changes to their medications. Errors picked up were captured in an Excel database.

Findings

The most common medication error was prescribers missing out medications. The second commonest was recording different doses and regimens. The reason was mainly due to doctors transcribing medications inaccurately.

Research limitations/implications

This is a descriptive study and no statistical tests were carried out. Data entry was done by different pharmacy staff, and not a dedicated person; hence, data might be under‐reported.

Practical implications

The findings demonstrate the importance of medication reconciliation on admission. Accurate medication reconciliation can help to reduce transcription errors and improve service quality.

Originality/value

The article highlights medication reconciliation's importance and has implications for healthcare professionals in all countries.
Online complaining
Authors: Andreassen Tor W. , Streukens Sandra
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, develop and test a conceptual model to understand customers’ intention to adopt online complaining. Second, to assess two competing perspectives regarding elaboration likelihood for the moderating impact of individual differences.

Design/methodology/approach

A scenario‐based survey was used to assess respondents’ beliefs, attitude, and usage intentions toward online complaining. Furthermore, individual and situational characteristics were assessed. The data were analyzed using partial least squares path modeling.

Findings

Attitude toward online complaining is a function of both process and outcome beliefs. It is also influenced by individual characteristics, but remains unaffected by situational characteristics. In contrast, usage intentions are influenced by situational characteristics, but by personal differences. For the moderating impact of affect‐based personality characteristics, the often used cognitive effort perspective to elaboration likelihood is not supported. Rather the consumption value perspective applies for these variables.

Research limitations/implications

The use of a single setting, as well as the use of scenarios, may negatively impact external validity. Future research is needed to further explain the contradictory perspectives regarding information processing.

Practical implications

The results provide insight into determinants of customer online complaining. This opens up new possibilities to increase the number of complainants in case of service failures and for firms to take corrective action.

Originality/value

To the authors’ best knowledge, this is a first empirical study aimed at understanding what drives online customer complaining.
HRM is strategic at Shanghai Shuozhi
Authors: Han Yong , Zhao Hongdan
Published: January 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to describe how Shanghai Shuozhi Management Consulting tightly integrates its human resource management (HRM) with the overall strategy of the business.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explains the reasons for such close integration and the benefits it brings.

Findings

The paper details the impact of such close integration on recruitment, training and organizational performance.

Practical implications

The paper reveals that Shanghai Shuozhi Management Consulting displays eight of Thomas Garavan's nine characteristics of strategic human resource management.

Social implications

The paper highlights the ways in which Shanghai Shuozhi taps into the wealth of knowledge available at the organizational and human resource research center at Tongji University, Shanghai.

Originality/value

The paper reveals how strategic HRM operates in a Chinese context.
Training is now more than simply ticking the right boxes
Authors: Cadman Charlie
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to advance the view that the planned reduction in health and safety red‐tape in the UK, combined with growing industry demand for proven skills from contractors and suppliers as well as the cross‐skilling that has become so important during the recession, is changing attitudes to training in the UK.

Design/method/approach

The paper examines the new regulatory environment and its effect on the requirements for, and provision of, training.

Findings

The paper argues that ensuring that employees have the right skills goes far beyond meeting regulatory obligations, and there is now a real opportunity to build strong, long‐term employee competency, minimize accidents and create the skills that reflect business needs.

Practical implications

The paper reveals that, in times of austerity, by investing in effective Human Resources and leadership training, organizations can not only achieve greater competencies to meet client and service delivery requirements, but can also transform the effectiveness of internal business functions by harnessing the talents of existing employees.

Social implications

The paper emphasizes that, while the UK government is stepping back from its prescriptive approach, industry is demanding that both direct and indirect employees are certified to undertake specific roles as a prerequisite for employment or a new contract.

Originality/value

The paper sheds light on the types and levels of training that are in demand, and can help companies to prosper, in the new regulatory environment.
Recruiting CEOs from an under‐used resource
Authors: by Gareth Bell Interview
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to provide an interview with Joanne Sellwood‐Taylor and Sharon Mullen of Mullwood Partnership.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides an interview with Joanne Sellwood‐Taylor and Sharon Mullen of Mullwood Partnership.

Findings

The research carried out by Mullwood Partnership leads them to suggest that senior human resource (HR) professionals may be ideally situated to become the next generation of CEOs.

Originality/value

The interview offers advice for HR professionals who aspire to progress into wider functional roles.
Accreditation in higher education in Chile: results and consequences
Authors: Espinoza Óscar , Eduardo González Luis
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and discuss the results that the accreditation system implemented in Chile has brought to higher education institutions and undergraduate and graduate programs, taking into account both its positive and negative implications.

Design/methodology/approach

The examination of the Chilean accreditation regime relies on descriptive statistics based on official data from several sources.

Findings

It appears that the Chilean accreditation regime has helped to establish permanent procedures for quality assurance in higher education institutions which has resulted in improving its internal processes, but still the system faces a series of challenges that have to be addressed in order to improve the higher education system as a whole.

Originality/value

The Chilean accreditation experience is placed within the discussion and context of accreditation systems around the world, and lessons which can be relevant to other countries are drawn.
Different academics' characteristics, different perceptions on quality assessment?
Authors: Cardoso Sónia , João Rosa Maria , Santos Cristina S.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore Portuguese academics' perceptions on higher education quality assessment objectives and purposes, in general, and on the recently implemented system for higher education quality assessment and accreditation, in particular. It aims to discuss the differences of those perceptions dependent on some academics' characteristics, such as: gender, disciplinary affiliation, type of higher education institution and experience in quality assurance activities.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire with Likert‐type answer scales was distributed to the Portuguese academic population (n=36,215). In total, 962 answers were collected from academics belonging to the public higher education system. Data were treated resorting to descriptive statistics, hypothesis tests and analysis of variance.

Findings

Portuguese academics tend to support the majority of goals and purposes quality assessment may have, as well as the main features of the newly designed quality assessment and accreditation system. Nevertheless they tend to support more quality assessment mechanisms privileging improvement over control. This support is slightly more evident among female academics, academics from public polytechnic institutions, from medical and health sciences and with former experience in quality assurance activities.

Originality/value

The study adds to the discussion on academics' perceptions on quality assurance, highlighting the influence played at this level by some of their characteristics. It is especially relevant for those working either in higher education institutions or governmental agencies, since it may contribute to the design of quality assurance systems academics are more likely to support.
Things can get worse
Authors: Karl Grebe Sasha
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the circumstances in which a crisis response strategy can compound a crisis, especially a corporate scandal, as evidenced by the case of AWB Limited, where the organisational damage of the “cover‐up” escalated the scandal further and caused additional damage to the company.

Design/methodology/approach

The AWB case study provides a unique insight into the application of theories and research on crisis and reputation management and the specific challenges and risks of corporate scandals.

Findings

As a specific form of crisis, corporate scandals can easily descend into a secondary or “double crisis” if incorrectly managed, or even mismanaged.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows that the information provided to the Australian Government's Royal Commission and other documents relating to the management of the scandal by the company further embarrassed AWB and exposed the inappropriateness of the original defensive apologia crisis response strategy pursued by the company.

Practical implications

The AWB case study provides an opportunity for alignment with the crisis response theories of Coombs and De Maria, based on the evaluation of the initial failed response strategy and the more appropriate response eventually undertaken by the company.

Originality/value

The paper offers the additional insights of the author (as a former member of the management team at the company) into the documents tendered to the Royal Commission, which have not been evaluated and studied for their contribution to crisis communication and crisis management.
Finite element analysis of thermal distributions of solder ball in flip chip ball grid array using ABAQUS
Authors: Boon Kar Yap , Azrina Talik Noor , Sauli Zaliman , Siow Fei Jean , Retnasamy Vithyacharan
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The increased use recently of area‐array technology in electronic packaging has similarly increased the importance of predicting the thermal distribution of area‐array solder interconnection. As the interconnection technology for flip chip package is getting finer and smaller, it is extremely difficult to obtain the accurate values of thermal stresses by direct experimental measurements. Different types of solder bumps used for interconnection would also influence the thermal distribution within the package. Because the solder balls are too small for direct measurement of their stresses, finite element method (FEM) was used for obtaining the stresses instead.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper will discuss the results of the thermal stress distribution using numerical method via ABAQUS software. The variation of the thermal stress distribution with the temperature gradient model was evaluated to study the effects of the different material thermal conductivity of solder bumps used. A detailed 2D finite element model was constructed to perform 2D plain strain elastoplastic analysis to predict areas of high stress.

Findings

It is found that thermal distribution of solder bumps starts to propagate from the top region to the bottom region of the solder balls. Other than that, thermal stress effect increases in parallel with the increasing of the temperature. The simulation results shows that leaded solder balls, SnPb have higher maximum thermal stress level compared to lead‐free SAC solder balls.

Originality/value

The paper describes combination of stress with thermal loading correlation on a flip chip model. The work also shows how the different thermal conductivity on solder balls influences the thermal induced stress on the flip chip package.
Electronic device integrated with LTCC temperature stabilizer
Authors: Jurków Dominik , Lis Grzegorz
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the application of low temperature cofired ceramics (LTCC) technology in the fabrication of a novel electronic device, which consists of an antenna amplifier integrated with temperature stabilizer. The temperature controller consists of a thick‐film thermistor and heater, which has been optimized using geometry to achieve uniform temperature distribution on the whole electronic substrate.

Design/methodology/approach

LTCC technology was applied in the fabrication process of the novel device. The temperature distribution on the ceramic substrate and temperature stabilization time were analyzed using an IR camera. The heating ability of the heater was tested in a climatic chamber. The heater and thermistors parameters variability were estimated using a basic mathematical statistic.

Findings

The integrated device ensures proper temperature conditions of electronic components if the ambient temperature is lower than −40°C.

Research limitations/implications

The presented device is just a first prototype. Therefore, the fabrication of the next structures and further experiments will be needed to improve structural drawbacks and to analyze precisely the device reliability and parameters repeatability.

Practical implications

The device presented in the paper can be applied in systems working at very low ambient temperatures (even at −5°C). Moreover, a temperature stabilizer can increase the temperature of the whole device above −40°C, therefore, standard electronic components (which can work down to −40°C) can be used instead of specialized ones (which can work below −40°C).

Originality/value

This paper presents a novel temperature stabilizer.
The lean and agile purchasing portfolio model
Authors: Drake Paul R. , Myung Lee Dong , Hussain Matloub
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to present a purchasing portfolio model for determining purchasing strategy at the component level of a product to support business strategy, addressing weaknesses in the often cited Kraljic‐type models. The work draws on Fisher's model to match supply strategy to product nature. However, Fisher's model was criticised very recently by Lo and Power in this journal because it is unclear how the “leagile” option should fit into it. This paper addresses this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The new portfolio model is based on the literature, particularly Fisher's seminal work. It is then applied to two case studies; an electric boiler manufacturer and an elevator manufacturer, both in South Korea. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to position purchased components in the model.

Findings

Different purchasing strategies should be assigned to different components according to their impact on the competitive priorities. As the electric boiler is a functional product, while the elevator is an innovative product, the case studies show how this can vary across the two product‐types identified by Fisher.

Research limitations/implications

The new model has been tested on only two case studies, which limits the ability to generalise the findings. Future work will use the lean and agile purchasing portfolio model in research and knowledge exchange activities with other industrial partners to further develop and test its efficacy.

Originality/value

The new model captures the finding of Fisher and others that products should be classified as functional or innovation to determine their suitability for lean or agile supply respectively. However, this classification is extended here to the component level and with the addition of the leagile and non‐strategic supply options, and it depends on the impact a component has on the four competitive priorities; cost, quality, time and flexibility.
Does life insurance activity promote economic development in India: an empirical analysis
Authors: Ghosh Amlan
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The role of financial institutions and financial intermediaries in fostering the economic growth by improving the efficiency of capital accumulation, encouraging savings and ultimately improving the productivity of the economy has been well accepted by now. Recent studies show that the insurance industry can improve the economic growth through financial intermediation, risk aversion and generating employment. This study aims to find the relationship between life insurance industry and economic development in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses the VAR‐VECM model to find out the long run and short run relationship (if any) between life insurance growth and economic growth along with Granger causality test to suggest any causal relationship.

Findings

This study finds that there is long term relationship between life insurance industry and economic development in India. And the Granger causality test suggests that life insurance sector improves the overall economic development in India and the reverse is not significant.

Research limitations/implications

The only limitation to study the relationship between life insurance sector development and economic development is the data set which has been used is annual data as the quarterly data were not available for insurance industry.

Practical implications

The study documented the long run relationship between life insurance industry and economic development in India and finds that the life insurance sector improves the overall economic development in India. This would help us to understand the implications of the life insurance market development in the post reform era.

Originality/value

There is a dearth of literature on the Indian economy in relation to the insurance sector, specifically the life insurance sector. This is the first attempt to study the impact of life insurance development on Indian economy after the reforms initiated in the insurance sector.
State‐level borrowing costs under deregulation – an Indian experience
Authors: Dey Shubhasis , Nair Sthanu R.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effect of deregulation of government securities market on the cost of market borrowing of 14 major states in India.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical models explaining changes in interest rates on market borrowings of the Indian states under consideration are tested. The stability of the empirical relationships are then evaluated using structural breakpoint tests conducted around known periods of deregulation in the government securities market.

Findings

The stability tests clearly pointed to difference in the dynamics of market borrowing rates pre and post deregulation for overwhelming majority of the states in the sample.

Research limitations/implications

The question pertaining to whether government securities market deregulation reduced or raised states' market borrowing rates is left unaddressed in the current study.

Originality/value

An empirical assessment of the effects of deregulation of the government securities market on the cost of states' borrowing in India is imperative considering the key role played by them in the provision of various public services. The data set created to conduct such an analysis is unique and has the potential to uncover more interesting features about state‐level borrowing in India.
Behavior of participants in a defined contribution pension scheme
Authors: Pande Alok
Published: January 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to ascertain the behavioral issues in the usage of GPF (a DC scheme) by government employees in India. Using a unique data set of employees working in a central government office this paper attempts to ascertain whether the employees are utilizing the GPF in a way in which it was intended to be.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes the hypotheses testing approach in studying the behavior of participants.

Findings

The results suggest that employees in GPF accounts do not have sufficient balances to take care of their retirement needs and they are using these accounts more as long term saving accounts rather than retirement accounts. Besides, employees suffer from inertia in making contributions as well as withdrawals from their GPF accounts. Finally, the data demonstrate that there are gender differences in savings and women tend to have higher balances than their men counterparts.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the small sample size the generality of the results is limited.

Practical implications

The results have the potential of influencing policy design in the post reform pension system.

Originality/value

Although the pensions literature has extensively covered the liabilities of the governments in defined benefit (DB) plans for their employees, not much literature is available on how government employees are utilizing the benefits which were intended for them in both DB and defined contribution (DC) schemes. The data set used in the study is unique and is the first attempt to understand government pension benefits in an empirical manner.
The environment and space, not phylogeny, determine trait dispersion in a subtropical forest
Authors: Liu Xiaojuan , Swenson Nathan G. , Zhang Jinlong , Ma Keping
Published: January 2013

A central aim of forest ecologists is to quantify the relative importance of different community assembly mechanisms in tropical and subtropical tree communities. Recent work in this field has focused on the importance of functional trait similarity and abiotic filtering. While important, none of this work has simultaneously: linked these trait dispersion patterns to the underlying abiotic environment, considered dispersal limitation and quantified the degree to which patterns of trait dispersion may be explained simply by shared ancestry.

Here we use data from a subtropical Chinese forest to accomplish this goal. We first examine the trait dispersion (leaf area, specific leaf area, seed mass, wood density, maximum height and five traits together) on local scales by comparing the observed trait dispersion pattern to that expected from a null model. Then we use a variance partitioning approach to examine the degree to which spatial proximity, environmental similarity or the phylogenetic dispersion of the species determine the observed trait dispersion.

The results show that, on local scales, trait dispersion is often non‐randomly filtered. Further the widespread trait clustering observed is largely explained by the environment and space, while the phylogenetic dispersion of species in a sample explains relatively little. This result further underscores that inferring an assembly mechanism from a pattern of phylogenetic dispersion is tenuous.

The work is important in that it is the first to partition the variation in tree trait diversity into its spatial, environmental and phylogenetic components and that it demonstrates that functional trait data often lack enough phylogenetic signal on local scales to confidently link patterns of trait and phylogenetic dispersion. Ultimately, the findings suggest a strong role for abiotic filtering and dispersal limitation during community assembly on local spatial scales and that shared evolutionary history plays a relatively small role.
Dosing time‐dependent effect of raloxifene on plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 concentrations in post‐menopausal women with osteoporosis
Authors: Ando Hitoshi , Otoda Toshiki , Ookami Hitoshi , Nagai Yukihiro , Inano Akihiro , Takamura Toshinari , Ushijima Kentarou , Hosohata Keiko , Matsushita Eiki , Saito Tetsuo , Kaneko Shuichi , Fujimura Akio
Published: January 2013

Raloxifene, a selective oestrogen receptor modulator commonly used for the treatment of post‐menopausal osteoporosis, affects the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems and consequently increases the risk of venous thromboembolism. Because both the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems exhibit circadian rhythms, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of dosing time of raloxifene on markers of coagulation and fibrinolysis, as well as on markers of bone metabolism.

Thirty‐nine post‐menopausal patients with osteoporosis were randomly allocated to two groups: one received 60 mg raloxifene once daily in the morning, whereas the other received 60 mg raloxifene once daily in the evening, for 12 months.

In both groups, the activity of coagulation Factors IX and XII was increased significantly after 12 months treatment compared with baseline. The activity of coagulation Factors II and V and levels of markers of bone metabolism (i.e. bone alkaline phosphatase and tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase 5b) decreased in both groups. The changes in these markers did not differ between the two groups. In contrast, the plasma concentration of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)‐1 increased in the group receiving the morning dose (mean change 40.9%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 9.4, 72.5), but not in the groups receiving the evening dose (mean change −0.3%; 95% CI −31.5, 30.9); these percentage changes differed significantly (P < 0.05).

Because an elevated concentration of PAI‐1 is known to be associated with the risk of venous thromboembolism, the findings of the present study suggest that the dosing time of raloxifene influences its safety. Further larger‐scale studies are needed to determine the clinical usefulness of chronotherapy with raloxifene.
Underreaction to Industry‐Wide Earnings and the Post‐Forecast Revision Drift
Authors: HUI KAI WAI , YEUNG P. ERIC
Published: January 2013

We test whether the post‐forecast revision drift is mainly attributable to investors’ underreaction to industry‐wide earnings news conveyed by analysts’ forecast revisions. We find a large drift associated with industry‐wide earnings news but no drift associated with firm‐specific earnings news. Consistent with the functional fixation hypothesis, we provide evidence that the post‐forecast revision drift is driven by investors’ underreaction to the higher persistence of industry‐wide earnings. Although prior research has focused on differential persistence of earnings components stemming from managerial reporting discretion, we provide evidence suggesting that investors do not fully understand the differential earnings persistence attributable to industry fundamentals.
Complete video‐assisted thoracoscopic multi‐subsegmentectomy based on patients' specific virtual 3‐D pulmonary models
Authors: Kanzaki Masato , Maeda Hideyuki , Wachi Naoko , Kikkawa Takuma , Komine Hiroshi , Isaka Tamami , Oyama Kunihiro , Murasugi Masahide , Onuki Takamasa
Published: January 2013

Introduction

Video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery is widely used for resecting early‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer. Segmentectomy and subsegmentectomy require a thorough knowledge of the 3‐D bronchovascular anatomy of the lung. Previously, our department reported using a 3‐D pulmonary model of a patient for thoracoscopic surgical treatment of non‐small cell lung cancer. This study investigates multi‐segmentectomy for patients with non‐small cell lung cancer.

Methods

Between July 2001 and January 2012, 943 patients underwent surgical resection of primary lung cancer. Of these, 11 patients had video‐assisted thoracoscopic multi‐subsegmentectomy. For preoperative simulation, virtual 3‐D pulmonary models have been constructed since July 2001.

Results

The mean age of patients was 69.2 ± 11.6 years (range, 43.0–86.0 years). Histological diagnoses included adenocarcinoma in eight patients, squamous cell carcinoma in two, and large cell carcinoma (neuroendocrine tumor) in one. Tumor size was ≤ 10 mm in one patient, 11–15 mm in four, 16–20 mm in four, and 21–25 mm in two. One patient was treated without lymphadenectomy, nine patients underwent additional hilar lymphadenectomy, and one patient underwent additional hilar and mediastinal lymphadenectomy. No patients were converted to thoracotomy. All patients had a macroscopically negative surgical margin. The pathological stage of patients was IA in nine patients, IB in one, and IIA in one. No pulmonary vessel injuries were found. Three patients had a prolonged lung air leak (> 6 days).

Conclusion

Using a reconstructed 3‐D pulmonary model, this study demonstrates that video‐assisted thoracoscopic multiple subsegmentectomy is feasible with adequate margins in selected patients.