bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Winogradskyella aquimaris sp. nov., isolated from seawater
Authors: Lee Soo-Young , Park Sooyeon , Oh Tae-Kwang , Yoon Jung-Hoon
Published: October 2011

A Gram-negative, non-flagellated, motile by gliding, aerobic rod, designated DPG-24T, was isolated from seawater of Geoje Island in the South Sea, Korea. Strain DPG-24T grew optimally at 30–37 °C, at pH 7.0–7.5 and with 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DPG-24T belonged to the genus

Winogradskyella

and clustered with

Winogradskyella poriferorum

UST030701-295T and

Winogradskyella exilis

022-2-26T. Strain DPG-24T exhibited 97.6 and 95.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with

W. poriferorum

UST030701-295T and

W. exilis

022-2-26T, respectively, and 92.4–95.7 % with other members of the genus

Winogradskyella

. Strain DPG-24T contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified lipid, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified phospholipid. The DNA G+C content was 36.7 mol%. DNA–DNA relatedness between the isolate and

W. poriferorum

JCM 12885T was 10.8 %. The differential phenotypic properties and phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness enabled strain DPG-24T to be differentiated from recognized members of the genus

Winogradskyella

. On the basis of the data presented, strain DPG-24T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Winogradskyella

, for which the name Winogradskyella aquimaris sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is DPG-24T ( = KCTC 23502T  = CCUG 60798T).
Gracilibacillus bigeumensis sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium from solar saltern soil
Authors: Kim Pankyung , Lee Jae-Chan , Park Dong-Jin , Shin Kee-Sun , Kim Jeong-Yoon , Kim Chang-Jin
Published: October 2011

A Gram-staining-positive, moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain BH097T, was isolated from solar saltern soil of Bigeum Island in south-west Korea. Cells were motile rods, producing spherical endospores at a terminal position in swollen sporangia. Strain BH097T was strictly aerobic, grew at pH 5.5–9.5 (optimum, pH 8.0), at 10–52 °C (optimum, 37 °C) and at salinities of 1–22 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 7 % NaCl). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain BH097T was shown to belong to the genus

Gracilibacillus

within the phylum

Firmicutes

, and showed closest sequence similarity to

Gracilibacillus saliphilus

DSM 19802T (95.8 %),

Gracilibacillus thailandensis

TP2-8T (95.6 %),

Gracilibacillus boraciitolerans

DSM 17256T (95.5 %), ‘Gracilibacillus quinghaiensis’ DSM 17858 (95.4 %) and

Gracilibacillus halophilus

DSM 17856T (95.2 %). The DNA G+C content of this novel isolate was 37.9 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids of strain BH097T were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0, and its polar lipid pattern consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol two unknown phospholipids and a glycolipid. The isoprenoid quinone was MK-7, and the peptidoglycan type was A1γ, with meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. On the basis of polyphasic evidence from this study, strain BH097T represents a novel species of the genus

Gracilibacillus

for which the name Gracilibacillus
bigeumensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BH097T ( = KCTC 13130T = DSM 19028T).
Thioalkalivibrio sulfidiphilus sp. nov., a haloalkaliphilic, sulfur-oxidizing gammaproteobacterium from alkaline habitats
Authors: Sorokin Dimitry Y. , Muntyan Maria S. , Panteleeva Anzhela N. , Muyzer Gerard
Published: October 2011

A moderately salt-tolerant and obligately alkaliphilic, chemolithoautotrophic sulfur-oxidizing bacterium, strain HL-EbGr7T, was isolated from a full-scale bioreactor removing H2S from biogas under oxygen-limited conditions. Another strain, ALJ17, closely related to HL-EbGr7T, was isolated from a Kenyan soda lake. Cells of the isolates were relatively long, slender rods, motile by a polar flagellum. Although both strains were obligately aerobic, micro-oxic conditions were preferred, especially at the beginning of growth. Chemolithoautotrophic growth was observed with sulfide and thiosulfate in a pH range of 8.0–10.5 (optimum at pH 10.0) and a salinity range of 0.2–1.5 M total Na+ (optimum at 0.4 M). The genome sequence of strain HL-EbGr7T demonstrated the presence of genes encoding the reverse Dsr pathway and a truncated Sox pathway for sulfur oxidation and enzymes of the Calvin–Benson cycle of autotrophic CO2 assimilation with ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) type I. The dominant cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7, C16 : 0 and C19 : 0 cyclo. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the two strains belonged to a single phylotype within the genus

Thioalkalivibrio

in the

Gammaproteobacteria

. Despite being related most closely to

Thioalkalivibrio denitrificans

, the isolates were unable to grow by denitrification. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic analysis, the novel isolates are proposed to represent a novel species, Thioalkalivibrio sulfidiphilus sp. nov., with the type strain HL-EbGr7T ( = NCCB 100376T  = UNIQEM U246T).
Description of Litoreibacter meonggei sp. nov., isolated from the sea squirt Halocynthia roretzi, reclassification of

Thalassobacter arenae

as Litoreibacter arenae comb. nov. and emended description of the genus

Litoreibacter

Romanenko et al. 2011
Authors: Kim Young-Ok , Park Sooyeon , Nam Bo-Hye , Kang So-Jung , Hur Young-Baek , Kim Dong-Gyun , Oh Tae-Kwang , Yoon Jung-Hoon
Published: October 2011

A Gram-negative, non-motile and coccoid, ovoid or rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated MA1-1T, was isolated from a sea squirt (Halocynthia roretzi) collected from the South Sea, Korea. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain MA1-1T is phylogenetically closely related to

Litoreibacter

species and to

Thalassobacter arenae

. It exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 97.3, 97.1 and 97.3 % to the type strains of

Litoreibacter albidus

,

Litoreibacter janthinus

and

T. arenae

, respectively. Strain MA1-1T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1ω7c as the predominant fatty acid. The polar lipid profile of strain MA1-1T was similar to those of the type strains of

L. albidus

and

L. janthinus

.

T. arenae

was found to be phylogenetically and chemotaxonomically more closely related to

Litoreibacter

species and strain MA1-1T than to

Thalassobacter stenotrophicus

, the type species of the genus

Thalassobacter

. The DNA G+C content of strain MA1-1T was 57.9 mol%, and DNA–DNA relatedness to the type strains of the two

Litoreibacter

species and

T. arenae

was 9–14 %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the observed phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, distinguished strain MA1-1T from the two

Litoreibacter

species and

T. arenae

. On the basis of the data presented, strain MA1-1T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Litoreibacter

, for which the name Litoreibacter meonggei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MA1-1T ( = KCTC 23699T  = CCUG 61486T). In this study, it is also proposed that

Thalassobacter arenae

is reclassified as a member of the genus

Litoreibacter

, Litoreibacter arenae comb. nov. (type strain GA2-M15T  = DSM 19593T  = KACC 12675T). An emended description of the genus

Litoreibacter

is also presented.
Methylomonas koyamae sp. nov., a type I methane-oxidizing bacterium from floodwater of a rice paddy field
Authors: Ogiso Takuya , Ueno Chihoko , Dianou Dayéri , Huy Tran Van , Katayama Arata , Kimura Makoto , Asakawa Susumu
Published: October 2011

A novel methane-oxidizing bacterium, strain Fw12E-YT, was isolated from floodwater of a rice paddy field in Japan. Cells of strain Fw12E-YT were Gram-negative, motile rods with a single polar flagellum and type I intracytoplasmic membrane arrangement. The strain grew only on methane or methanol as sole carbon and energy source. It was able to grow at 10–40 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 5.5–7.0 (optimum 6.5) and with 0–0.1 % (w/w) NaCl (no growth above 0.5 % NaCl). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain Fw12E-YT is related most closely to members of the genus

Methylomonas

, but at low levels of similarity (95.0–95.4 %). Phylogenetic analysis of pmoA and mxaF genes indicated that the strain belongs to the genus

Methylomonas

(97 and 92 % deduced amino acid sequence identities to

Methylomonas methanica

S1T, respectively). The DNA G+C content of strain Fw12E-YT was 57.1 mol%. Chemotaxonomic data regarding the major quinone (MQ-8) and major fatty acids (C16 : 1 and C14 : 0) also supported its affiliation to the genus

Methylomonas

. Based on phenotypic, genomic and phylogenetic data, strain Fw12E-YT is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Methylomonas

, for which the name Methylomonas koyamae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Fw12E-YT ( = JCM 16701T = NBRC 105905T = NCIMB 14606T).
Marinobacter antarcticus sp. nov., a halotolerant bacterium isolated from Antarctic intertidal sandy sediment
Authors: Liu Chang , Chen Chun-Xiao , Zhang Xi-Ying , Yu Yong , Liu Ang , Li Guo-Wei , Chen Xiu-Lan , Chen Bo , Zhou Bai-Cheng , Zhang Yu-Zhong
Published: October 2011

A Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, motile, oxidase- and catalase-positive, rod-shaped strain, designated ZS2-30T, was isolated from Antarctic intertidal sandy sediment. The strain grew at 4–35 °C (optimum, 25 °C) and in 0–25 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3.0–4.0 %). It could reduce nitrate to nitrite and hydrolyse Tween 80. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain ZS2-30T were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c, C16 : 1ω9c, C12 : 0 3-OH and C12 : 0. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain ZS2-30T was 55.8 mol%. Analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain ZS2-30T was affiliated with the genus

Marinobacter

. It showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the type strains of three species of the genus

Marinobacter

, namely

Marinobacter maritimus

(98.3 %),

Marinobacter psychrophilus

(98.1 %) and

Marinobacter goseongensis

(97.1 %), but the DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain ZS2-30T and the above three species were all lower than 45 %. Moreover, strain ZS2-30T could be distinguished from closely related species of the genus

Marinobacter

by various phenotypic properties. Based on this taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach, strain ZS2-30T is considered to represent a novel species in the genus

Marinobacter

, for which the name Marinobacter antarcticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Marinobacter antarcticus is ZS2-30T ( = CGMCC 1.10835T = KCTC 23684T).
Actinokineospora soli sp. nov., a thermotolerant actinomycete isolated from soil, and emended description of the genus

Actinokineospora
Authors: Tang Xia , Zhou Yu , Zhang Jing , Ming Hong , Nie Guo-Xing , Yang Ling-Ling , Tang Shu-Kun , Li Wen-Jun
Published: October 2011

A strain of thermotolerant actinomycete, designated YIM 75948T, was isolated from a soil sample in Yunnan province, China. The strain grew at 25–55 °C (optimum 37 °C). The substrate mycelium and aerial mycelium produced on Czapek’s agar were both pale yellow to white. The diagnostic diamino acid of the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid, and the whole-cell sugars were mannose, ribose, glucose, galactose and arabinose. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 0 and the predominant respiratory quinone was MK-9(H4). The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine with hydroxy fatty acids, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and two unidentified phospholipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 73.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YIM 75948T belonged in the genus

Actinokineospora

and that its closest relative among recognized species was

Actinokineospora fastidiosa

DSM 43855T (97.6 % sequence similarity). The mean level of DNA–DNA relatedness between the novel strain and

A. fastidiosa

DSM 43855T was, however, only 47.8 %. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data and the results of the DNA–DNA hybridizations, strain YIM 75948T represents a novel species of the genus

Actinokineospora

for which the name Actinokineospora soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 75948T ( = JCM 17695T = DSM 45613T). The description of the genus

Actinokineospora

is emended to reflect the fact that the genomic DNA G+C contents of

A. fastidiosa

DSM 43855T and the type strain of Actinokineospora soli sp. nov. recorded in the present study fell above the range given in previous descriptions of this genus.
Mangroviflexus xiamenensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the family Marinilabiliaceae isolated from mangrove sediment
Authors: Zhao Chao , Gao Zhaoming , Qin Qiwei , Ruan Lingwei
Published: October 2011

A Gram-negative, obligately anaerobic, non-spore-forming, long rod-shaped bacterium strain P2Twas isolated from the offshore mangrove sediment of the South China Sea. Growth was observed at between 22 and 39 °C, with an optimum at 35 °C. The pH range for growth was 5.0–8.5, with an optimum around pH 7.0–7.5. Salt tolerance was determined between 0.2 and 3.5 % (w/v), optimum at 0.5–1.0 %. Catalase and oxidase activities were negative. Strain P2Tutilized cysteine, lactate, pyruvate, yeast extract or H2/CO2+acetate as electron donors, and sulfate or sulfite as electron acceptors. Metabolism was strictly fermentative. The main organic fermentation products were propionate, acetate and succinate. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain P2Tformed a distinct evolutionary lineage within the familyMarinilabiliaceae. Strain P2Twas most closely related to members of the generaAlkaliflexus(92.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity),Marinilabilia(91.7 %) andAnaerophaga(89.9 %) of the familyMarinilabiliaceae. The DNA G+C content of the novel strain was 44.2±1.0 mol%. The dominant fatty acids of strain P2Twere iso-C15 : 0(33.5 %), anteiso-C15 : 0(18.9 %), C16 : 0(5.4 %), C16 : 03-OH (7.7 %) and iso-C17 : 03-OH (13.3 %). The respiratory quinone was menaquinone 7 (100 % of total quinone) and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. Strain P2Twas distinguishable from members of phylogenetically related genera by differences in several phenotypic properties. On the basis of phylogenetic, phenotypic and physiological evidence, a novel genus,Mangroviflexus, is proposed to harbour strain P2T( = CGMCC 1.5167T = DSM 24214T) which is described as the type strain of a novel species,Mangroviflexus xiamenensisgen. nov., sp. nov.
Separable Fragments and Membrane Tethering of Arabidopsis RIN4 Regulate Its Suppression of PAMP-Triggered Immunity
Authors: Afzal Ahmed J. , da Cunha Luis , Mackey David
Published: October 2011

RPM1-interacting protein 4 (RIN4) is a multifunctional Arabidopsis  thaliana protein that regulates plant immune responses to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and bacterial type III effector proteins (T3Es). RIN4, which is targeted by multiple defense-suppressing T3Es, provides a mechanistic link between PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity and effector suppression of plant defense. Here we report on a structure–function analysis of RIN4-mediated suppression of PTI. Separable fragments of RIN4, including those produced when the T3E AvrRpt2 cleaves RIN4 and each containing a plant-specific nitrate-induced (NOI) domain, suppress PTI. The N-terminal and C-terminal NOIs each contribute to PTI suppression and are evolutionarily conserved. Native RIN4 is anchored to the plasma membrane by C-terminal acylation. Nonmembrane-tethered derivatives of RIN4 activate a cell death response in wild-type Arabidopsis and are hyperactive PTI suppressors in a mutant background that lacks the cell death response. Our results indicate that RIN4 is a multifunctional suppressor of PTI and that a virulence function of AvrRpt2 may include cleaving RIN4 into active defense-suppressing fragments.
The ATG1/ATG13 Protein Kinase Complex Is Both a Regulator and a Target of Autophagic Recycling in Arabidopsis
Authors: Suttangkakul Anongpat , Li Faqiang , Chung Taijoon , Vierstra Richard D.
Published: October 2011

Autophagy is an intracellular recycling route in eukaryotes whereby organelles and cytoplasm are sequestered in vesicles, which are subsequently delivered to the vacuole for breakdown. The process is induced by various nutrient-responsive signaling cascades converging on the Autophagy-Related1 (ATG1)/ATG13 kinase complex. Here, we describe the ATG1/13 complex in Arabidopsis thaliana and show that it is both a regulator and a target of autophagy. Plants missing ATG13 are hypersensitive to nutrient limitations and senesce prematurely similar to mutants lacking other components of the ATG system. Synthesis of the ATG12-ATG5 and ATG8-phosphatidylethanolamine adducts, which are essential for autophagy, still occurs in ATG13-deficient plants, but the biogenesis of ATG8-decorated autophagic bodies does not, indicating that the complex regulates downstream events required for autophagosome enclosure and/or vacuolar delivery. Surprisingly, levels of the ATG1a and ATG13a phosphoproteins drop dramatically during nutrient starvation and rise again upon nutrient addition. This turnover is abrogated by inhibition of the ATG system, indicating that the ATG1/13 complex becomes a target of autophagy. Consistent with this mechanism, ATG1a is delivered to the vacuole with ATG8-decorated autophagic bodies. Given its responsiveness to nutrient demands, the turnover of the ATG1/13 kinase likely provides a dynamic mechanism to tightly connect autophagy to a plant's nutritional status.
An Importin β Protein Negatively Regulates MicroRNA Activity in Arabidopsis
Authors: Wang Wei , Ye Ruiqiang , Xin Ying , Fang Xiaofeng , Li Chunlian , Shi Huiqing , Zhou Xueping , Qi Yijun
Published: October 2011

As key components in the eukaryotic gene regulatory network, microRNAs (miRNAs) themselves are regulated at the level of both metabolism and activity. To identify factors that modulate miRNA activity, we used an Arabidopsis thaliana transgenic line expressing an artificial miRNA that causes trichome clustering and performed a screen for mutants with compromised miRNA activity (cma mutants) or enhanced miRNA activity (ema mutants). From this screen, we identified two novel mutant alleles of SERRATE, which is known to be required for miRNA biogenesis and dozens of other cma and ema mutants. In this study, we analyzed ema1. SAD2/EMA1 encodes an Importin β protein. The ema1 mutation had no effects on the accumulation of miRNAs and ARGONAUTE1 (AGO1) or on their cytoplasmic and nuclear distributions. Intriguingly, we found that the miRNA effector complexes purified from ema1 contained a larger amount of miRNAs and displayed elevated mRNA cleavage activities, indicating that EMA1 modulates miRNA activity by influencing the loading of miRNAs into AGO1 complexes. These results implicate EMA1 as a negative regulator of the miRNA pathway and reveal a novel layer of miRNA activity modulation.
Is the glass ceiling cracked in information technology? A qualitative analysis (part 2)
Authors: Appelbaum Steven H. , Asham Neveen , Argheyd Kamal
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to qualitatively investigate, through literature review of past studies and an in‐field case study, three different hypotheses regarding women working in the IT sector and their career and promotional aspirations.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was used for data collection from female employees with varying professional specializations across several IT departments within the company. Questions for the survey were designed from the findings of the literature review.

Findings

The results obtained prove that married women who are intrinsically inspired to maintain their work‐family balance face higher stress and more conflicts than those who do not. In addition, the glass ceiling is still evident in today's corporations, but mainly affecting the older generation of women professionals. Also, the results slightly hinted at a ten‐year cutoff period, after which promotional aspiration is lost.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to the limitations of the research conducted, further qualitative studies can be done to compare careers and promotional patterns between men and women in the IT departments; as well as those between women in IT departments and women working in other departments.

Practical implications

Employers should strive to provide their female employees practical solutions to allow for an easier balancing of work‐family responsibilities, such as flex‐times and telecommuting. At the same time, employers should place female employees in more opportunity‐enhancing positions within the corporation such that they can exploit or utilize their talents and increase their probability of climbing up the corporate ladder.

Originality/value

With a generous response rate, this paper provides a realistic perspective of professional females working within the IT domain as to their career and promotional aspirations.
Contemporary workplace occupations in Britain
Authors: Gall Gregor
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the more militant response of a minority of workers to collective redundancy and restructuring in Britain since 2007.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper deploys secondary sources to develop a series of grounded micro‐factors to help explain the presence and absence of the deployment of the occupation tactic.

Findings

Some headway is made in explaining why only a limited number of occupations took place against redundancy and restructuring.

Practical implications

The method of occupation was not shown to be as effective as might have been thought in opposing redundancies.

Social implications

These concern union strategies and tactics for resistance to redundancy and restructuring.

Originality/value

The paper provides a grounded explanation of the phenomenon and incidence of worker occupations against collective redundancy and closure.
From action to communication?
Authors: Martínez Lucio Miguel
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The relative absence of worker occupations in recent years in a context of major restructuring and unemployment has raised issues in Spain as to the changing nature of specific forms of direct action. This paper seeks to argue that it is important, in the case of Spain, to discuss how worker occupations have been changing and developing over time if the changing pattern, character and impact of worker unrest and direct action is to be understood.

Design/methodology/approach

The research materials for this paper are based on a series of meetings and interviews with union officers and activists that draw on various projects on union development in Spain during the years 1983‐1988, 2000‐2002 and 2009‐2010, and the study of a range of secondary texts.

Findings

The paper suggests that, as well as discussing questions of motives, whether economic or political, accounting for the socio‐economic context and the changing nature of the workforce in terms of its degree of concentration, the changing nature of labour market stability, and the relationship of workers to “stable” workplaces and work is required. Additionally, there is a need to account for how workers reference and recall (or not) previous modes of mobilising and actions.

Practical implications

Discussing worker occupations should involve issues of political purpose, economic context, the changing nature of work and workers, and the role of memory and historical framing if an appreciation of their varying nature and presence within the landscape of labour relations is to be made. Hence, a multi‐dimensional understanding of the context of worker action is required.

Social implications

The implications of the paper are that conflict of work needs to be understood in broader terms, and that worker related activities can be highly innovative.

Originality/value

The paper examines union and worker responses to the current recession in Spain and focuses on the role and context of unofficial approaches, especially worker occupations, to the changing workplace.
Worker resistance and response to the crisis of neo‐liberal capitalism
Authors: Gall Gregor
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this editorial is to introduce the special issue on “Collective worker responses to redundancy and restructuring”.

Design/methodology/approach

The editorial provides an overview and introduces the papers which make up the special issue.

Findings

The six papers facilitate a deeper understanding of the issues and dynamics involved in worker resistance and response to the crisis of neo‐liberal capitalism.

Originality/value

The paper highlights how the papers in the special issue add new insights into the topics at hand.
Transportation oil demand, consumer preferences and asymmetric prices
Authors: Broadstock David C. , Collins Alan , Hunt Lester C.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to establish the role of asymmetric price decompositions in UK road transportation fuel demand, make explicit the impact of the underlying energy demand trend, and disaggregate the estimation for gasoline and diesel demand as separate commodities.

Design/methodology/approach

Dynamic UK transport oil demand functions are estimated using the Seemingly Unrelated Structural Time Series Model with decomposed prices to allow for asymmetric price responses.

Findings

The importance of starting with a flexible modelling approach that incorporates both an underlying demand trend and asymmetric price response function is highlighted. Furthermore, these features can lead to different insights and policy implications than might arise from a model without them. As an example, a zero elasticity for a price‐cut is found (for both gasoline and diesel), implying that price reductions do not induce demand for road transportation fuel in the UK.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates the importance of joint modelling of gasoline and diesel demand incorporating both asymmetric price responses and stochastic underlying energy demand trends.
The theoretical financial model of access pricing
Authors: Chen Chun‐Hung , Liu Ting‐Kun
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the three basic roles that access price plays: the collection of opportunity cost; the redistribution of profit; and the tools of exploiting competitors.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses the efficient component pricing rule.

Findings

According to the model constructed in this paper, it is found that, unless the basic commodities are the substitutes (independent) for combined goods, the opportunity cost arising from the access process is not necessarily positive. Besides, this analysis reveals that among the combined access prices there exist certain crowding‐out effects.

Social implications

This paper finds that the access commodities' collusion equilibrium does not exist.

Originality/value

This paper adopts a more generalized set‐up to analyze the problem of access pricing. Besides, since the collection of opportunity cost is the most common and reasonable explanation for the existence of access pricing, this study conducts further analysis on this topic.
Fiscal policy and economic growth in South Africa
Authors: Kofi Ocran Matthew
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effects of fiscal policy associated with increases in government expenditures, tax revenue and budget deficit on the South African economy.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural VARs based on the Blanchard‐Quard decomposition identification scheme were used in the empirical analysis. With the aid of quarterly data covering the period 1990:1 to 2008:4, the identified true models are used to estimate various impulse‐response functions. The impulse‐response functions represent the responses of real output and interest rates to shocks from tax revenue, budget deficit and government consumption and investment expenditures.

Findings

The results suggest that the fiscal policy instruments have varied effects on output and interest rates. The effect of the fiscal policy on output appears to be quite modest but persistent; however, the response from interest rate is temporary and substantial most cases.

Originality/value

The debate on the efficacy of fiscal policy in stimulating growth seems to have assumed new prominence in the wake of the recent global financial crisis. This paper contributes to the discourse from a South African focused empirical effort. Other fiscal policy authorities may find the paper valuable.
Attitude toward the advertising music: an overlooked potential pitfall in commercials
Authors: Craton Lincoln G. , Lantos Geoffrey P.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the causes and implications of potential negative consumer response to music in broadcast commercials. It aims to accomplish this by introducing a new consumer response variable, attitude toward the advertising music (Aam) and relating Aam's components to advertising goals. It also aims to propose that Aamis a significant component of attitude toward the ad (Aad).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of an integrative review of the relevant literatures in the psychology of music, consumer marketing, and advertising to formulate Aam.

Findings

Favorable Aamis a necessary but insufficient condition for favorable Aadin ads employing music. Furthermore, a negative Aammight cause a negative Aad. Given the numerous possible negative responses to music in a TV or radio commercial, achieving a favorable Aamamong most target audience members is very challenging, especially when music‐message fit is lacking.

Practical implications

The paper offers cautionary advice for advertisers using music and directions for future research.

Originality/value

The paper provides a novel integration of literatures in psychology and marketing/advertising. Whereas most scholars and practitioners assume that music adds value to commercials, the authors demonstrate key ways in which music can cause adverse listener reactions.
Country‐of‐origin and brand redeployment impact after brand acquisition
Authors: Lee Hsiang‐Ming , Lee Ching‐Chi
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This study aims to examine the country‐of‐origin's impact on consumer purchase behavior post‐acquisition, especially when the acquirer‐dominant business is afflicted by a low country‐of‐origin image and the acquired business enjoys a high country‐of‐origin image. This study also aims to examine brand redeployment strategy impacts on consumer purchase intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are collected from an online questionnaire in Taiwan. A total of 325 usable questionnaires are returned. Data analysis is conducted using regress analysis and ANOVA.

Findings

These results indicate that general country attributes and general product attributes have a positive effect on purchase intentions. In addition, general product attributes play a mediating role between general country attributes and purchase intentions. These results further show that target‐dominant redeployment strategy is the most powerful to purchase intentions. A company which wants to use M&A to increase market share must seriously consider general country attributes, general product attributes and brand redeployment strategy because these three constructs affect purchase intentions, and consequently maintain consumer loyalty and attract new customers.

Originality/value

There were seldom studies which investigated country‐of‐image effect and M&A from marketing perspective. The major contributions of the study were investigating consumers' perception of the effects on country‐of‐origin image and the redeployment strategy on an acquired brand.
Healthy brands: establishing brand credibility, commitment and connection among consumers
Authors: Kemp Elyria , Bui My˜
Published: October 2011

Purpose

With a segment of consumers growing more health conscious, food manufacturers are feeding consumers' desire for more healthy products by “reformulating” their products to create healthier versions as well as positioning complete product lines as “healthier alternatives.” The present research aims to examine variables crucial in the brand‐building process for brands that are perceived as “healthy.”

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model with a theoretical basis in the branding literature is developed and tested on consumers using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Results indicate that brand credibility, commitment and connection are essential in developing branding strategies for “healthy brands.” A credible brand minimizes risk and increases consumer confidence. When consumers believe that a brand is credible and repeatedly purchase it, a commitment to the brand can develop. Finally, the brand can imbue such meaning that the consumer uses the brand to help construct and cultivate a desired self‐image or self‐concept.

Original/value

This research provides important implications for developing effective brand management systems for healthy brands.
Customer‐specific adaptation by providers and their perception of 3PL‐relationship success
Authors: Large Rudolf O. , Kramer Nikolai , Hartmann Rahel Katharina
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether there is an impact, from a provider's perspective, of customer‐specific adaptations by third‐party logistics (3PL) providers on the success of 3PL‐relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

A document analysis is presented and hypotheses are developed based on research in 3PL, relationship marketing and transaction cost theory. Structural equation modelling and causal analysis with partial least square were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

This study provides evidence that customer‐specific adaptation by providers is an important prerequisite to 3PL‐performance. Furthermore, according to the transaction cost theory, the results express the importance of providers' adaptation to maintain 3PL‐relationships.

Research limitations/implications

Further research should compare customers' perceptions of partner‐specific adaptations and 3PL‐relationship success with the results of this study.

Originality/value

The paper shows that 3PL‐providers should adapt their systems and procedures to customers' specific requirements, to ensure high‐relationship performance. Satisfied customers should promote the providers' adaptations, because these adaptations enhance the probability of contract renewal and reduce the risk of providers' unexpected termination of the contract.
Interpretive structural modeling of supply chain risks
Authors: Pfohl Hans‐Christian , Gallus Philipp , Thomas David
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is the structural analysis of potential supply chain risks. It will demonstrate how interpretive structural modeling (ISM) supports risk managers in identifying and understanding interdependencies among supply chain risks on different levels (e.g. 3PL, first‐tier supplier, focal company, etc.). Interdependencies among risks will be derived and structured into a hierarchy in order to derive subsystems of interdependent elements with corresponding driving power and dependency.

Design/methodology/approach

ISM was used to identify inter‐relationships among supply chain risks and to classify the risks according to their driving and dependence power. The theoretical findings of the modeling and the applicability for practical use has been tested in two case studies with two German industry and trade companies.

Findings

ISM was proven as a useful methodology to structure supply chain risks in an easy and distributed approach that can also be carried out in a step‐by‐step process on several manufacturing stages. The input to the algorithm has to be well‐defined to give the user an exact understanding of all risks that have to be assessed, i.e. the better the input to ISM is prepared the better the outcome and representation will be. Finally, when applying the method, a moderated process proved to be more reliable than an assessment based on paper questionnaires only.

Originality/value

This model's insight would assist supply chain (risk) managers in the effective allocation of risk management resources in the subsequent risk management phases.
Collaboration as an anti‐crisis solution: the role of the procurement function
Authors: Allal‐Chérif Oihab , Maira Salvator
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The length and sheer scale of the current economic crisis has surprised most managers, who were unprepared to deal with such a situation. Standing at the heart of their businesses, procurement managers need to limit the negative impact of the crisis. Restructuring and cost killing are usually the first responses. However, some buyers are pioneering a new kind of collaborative management that, instead of increasing the pressure on suppliers and reducing risk‐taking to a minimum, advocates taking new initiatives. The purpose of this paper is to present a new, “collaborative buyer” approach to the management of the procurement function.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative research uses a constructivist methodology based on interviews of 12 buying experts. It develops scenarios and identifies the features of collaborative procurement. In order to map the future of the procurement function, this research looks at the expectations and forecasts of the players involved. The aim is a comprehensive, long, rational, ownership approach that is action oriented.

Findings

The paper offers an overview of new, foresight‐based procurement practices, based on the subtle but precise perception of the faint signs of coming change by people immersed in the procurement sector. The procurement professionals agreed to co‐construct a new buyer profile resulting from changes to the old buyer profile and the convergence of other occupations with new skills and expertise.

Originality/value

The aim is to carefully co‐construct a picture of the future of the procurement function. The paper presents new forms of internal and external collaboration, the roles and specific skills of this type of “buyer of the future,” and how the globalised economy is becoming an increasingly community based, collaborative virtual environment.
Japanese acquisition in India's Ranbaxy
Authors: Paul Justin , Bhawsar Pragya
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the rationale and synergies of a Japanese firm's acquisition of India's leading pharmaceutical firm, Ranbaxy, and to answer the following pertinent questions: could Ranbaxy have been able to survive and succeed, had the firm not gone for this strategic sale to a foreign firm? What is the rationale for this strategic sale immediately after undertaking many major acquisitions during the previous two‐year period? For what strategic reasons did a Japanese firm pay a premium price for this international acquisition?

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory method was used in this study to analyze the rationale and synergies of the acquisition. The method of case writing has been followed as a design (case situation first, then goes back to the past, then comes back to the current situation).

Findings

The findings confirm that Ranbaxy got a premium price for agreeing to be acquired for their share (much higher price than the market price). Japanese firm Dai‐Ichi got greater market access and control of Ranbaxy, which were driving factors for them to pay a higher share price for Ranbaxy.

Originality/value

This original study gives insight into the points to be taken into consideration while thinking about international acquisitions.
Key changes and challenges for brands in an uncertain environment
Authors: Iglesias Oriol , Singh Jatinder J. , Casabayó Mònica
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Brands are facing key changes and challenges that need to be addressed from both the academic as well as the managerial perspectives. This paper aims to discuss some of them and revises the research agenda of the field of brand management.

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptual implications are drawn from the analysis and discussion of the papers of this special issue, as well as from previous literature.

Findings

In this global world in which brands are present in many different countries and operate in really diverse business sectors the classical brand management theories and many of their assumptions may need to be revised.

Originality/value

The paper discusses the key challenges that brands are facing and encourages academics to use the rich diversity of methodologies that they have at their disposal and that can be extremely helpful to address the future research agenda of this field.
The role of brand images in consumer practices: uncovering embedded brand strength
Authors: Rindell Anne , Korkman Oskar , Gummerus Johanna
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The present paper seeks to analyse the role of brand images in consumer practices for uncovering brand strength.

Design/methodology/approach

By employing a qualitative approach, data are analysed based on three elements that constitute the practices: objects (what tools or resources are required in the practice), images involved, and competences (what competences does the practice require).

Findings

The authors suggest practices as an additional unit of analysis for understanding brand strength based on image. Towards this end, the paper identifies and systematically categorises consumer practices and proposes that consumers develop novel and personal practices related to brands. The findings reveal embedded brand strength in mundane, routinised practices.

Originality/value

The paper presents a novel approach for understanding the past (image heritage) and current (image‐in‐use) dimensions of brand images and their embeddedness in consumer practices.
Operationalising brand heritage and cultural heritage
Authors: Hakala Ulla , Lätti Sonja , Sandberg Birgitta
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Brand heritage is acknowledged as one of the future priorities in branding research. Adopting it in an international context is challenging. In order to maximise its use it is necessary to know how strong it and the target country's cultural heritage are. Accordingly, the aim of the study is to construct a pioneering operationalisation of both brand and cultural heritage.

Design/methodology/approach

The study begins with a discussion on the focal concepts. Definitions are proposed and suggestions for operationalisation put forward. Thereafter, the concepts are applied in an analysis of brand heritage in different countries.

Findings

It is suggested that brand heritage is a mixture of the history as well as the consistency and continuity of core values, product brands, and visual symbols. A country's cultural heritage could be conceived of as homogeneity and endurance.

Research limitations/implications

The preliminary operationalisation of the concept needs to be further tested. Nevertheless, the clarification and suggestions offered here should open up opportunities for further research.

Practical implications

The exploitation of brand heritage in international markets is likely to be further accentuated. The operationalisations generated are easy for practitioners to apply, enabling companies to better evaluate what brand heritage means for them and to effectively plan its use in an international setting.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to suggest operationalisations of brand heritage and cultural heritage.
Antecedents of luxury brand purchase intention
Authors: Hung Kuang‐peng , Huiling Chen Annie , Peng Norman , Hackley Chris , Amy Tiwsakul Rungpaka , Chou Chun‐lun
Published: October 2011

Purpose

There has been considerable research into the global phenomenon of luxury brand consumption, but relatively few studies have empirically explored key relationships influencing purchase intention. This research aims to consider the respective roles of social context, individual perception, and vanity, and to set these relationships within a broader theoretical context of the literature on possession and consumer identity.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study consisted of a large‐scale survey conducted among Chinese luxury brand consumers in Taiwan. The data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis and multiple regression.

Findings

The findings support the influence of the social context on purchase intention for luxury brands. There was weaker support for the role of perception. The experiential and functional aspects of luxury brand purchase were positively correlated with purchase intention, but symbolic value was not. Physical and achievement vanity had a positive impact on purchase intention while only achievement vanity had a moderating effect on perception.

Practical implications

This study offers new empirical support for the proposition that vanity has a role in luxury brand purchase intention and thereby shades both theoretical and managerial understanding of luxury brand consumption. It also suggests that symbolic value, which is highly influential in western conceptualizations of luxury brand meaning, needs to be re‐evaluated in the context of Chinese consumers.

Originality/value

This study offers new empirical findings which contribute to a re‐conceptualization of the antecedents of purchase intention in the area of luxury brand consumption. In particular, the study provides evidence of the roles of social context, perception and vanity in a Chinese consumption context to inform the primarily western models of luxury brand purchase intention.
Antecedents of brand preference for mobile telecommunications services
Authors: Alamro Ahmed , Rowley Jennifer
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to report on a study into the antecedents of consumer brand preference, in the context of telecommunications service brands in Jordan.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire‐based survey was used to gather attitudes towards brand preference and its antecedents in the context of mobile telecommunications service providers in Jordan. The questionnaire was distributed, in Arabic, to university students in Jordan, a group selected as being active users of mobile phone services; 648 completed questionnaires were received. Data were entered into SPSS. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to identify the antecedents of brand preference. Multiple regression was conducted in order to investigate the relative impact of the identified factors on brand preference.

Findings

Factor analysis identified 11 antecedents of brand preference; these can be theoretically clustered into three groups: awareness antecedents (controlled communication (advertising), and uncontrolled communication (publicity, word of mouth)); image antecedents (service value attributes (price, quality), provider attributes (brand personality, country of origin, service (employee + location)), and corporate status (corporate image, corporate reputation)); and, customer attribute antecedents (satisfaction, perceived risk, and reference group). Multiple regression showed the contribution of each of these antecedents to brand preference.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to theorise by proposing and testing one of the first holistic models to integrate consideration of many of the antecedents of brand preference.