bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lactobacillus ozensis sp. nov., isolated from mountain flowers
Authors: Kawasaki Shinji , Kurosawa Kana , Miyazaki Madoka , Sakamoto Mitsuo , Ohkuma Moriya , Niimura Youichi
Published: November 2010

Five strains (Mizu2-1T, Gon2-7, Koba6-1, Koyu2-2 and Miya2-2) of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from flowers in Oze National Park, Japan, using anaerobic cultivation. The five isolates were found to share identical 16S rRNA gene sequences. The isolates exhibited low levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to known LAB; the closest recognized relatives of strain Mizu2-1T were the type strains of Lactobacillus kunkeei (94.9 %), Lactobacillus kefiri (94.1 %) and Lactobacillus buchneri (93.9 %). Comparative analyses of rpoA and pheS gene sequences demonstrated that the novel isolates did not show significant relationships to other Lactobacillus species. The strains were Gram-stain-positive, catalase-negative and heterofermentative. Anaerobic growth was better than aerobic growth. The isolates utilized a narrow range of carbohydrates as sources of carbon and energy, including glucose and fructose. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic data, the isolates represent a novel species of the genus Lactobacillus, for which the name Lactobacillus ozensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Mizu2-1T ( = JCM 17196T  = DSM 23829T).
Altered Xylem-Phloem Transfer of Amino Acids Affects Metabolism and Leads to Increased Seed Yield and Oil Content in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhang Lizhi , Tan Qiumin , Lee Raymond , Trethewy Alexander , Lee Yong-Hwa , Tegeder Mechthild
Published: November 2010

Seed development and nitrogen (N) storage depend on delivery of amino acids to seed sinks. For efficient translocation to seeds, amino acids are loaded into the phloem in source leaves and along the long distance transport pathway through xylem-phloem transfer. We demonstrate that Arabidopsis thaliana AMINO ACID PERMEASE2 (AAP2) localizes to the phloem throughout the plant. AAP2 T-DNA insertion lines showed changes in source-sink translocation of amino acids and a decrease in the amount of seed total N and storage proteins, supporting AAP2 function in phloem loading and amino acid distribution to the embryo. Interestingly, in aap2 seeds, total carbon (C) levels were unchanged, while fatty acid levels were elevated. Moreover, branch and silique numbers per plant and seed yield were strongly increased. This suggests changes in N and C delivery to sinks and subsequent modulations of sink development and seed metabolism. This is supported by tracer experiments, expression studies of genes of N/C transport and metabolism in source and sink, and by phenotypic and metabolite analyses of aap2 plants. Thus, AAP2 is key for xylem to phloem transfer and sink N and C supply; moreover, modifications of N allocation can positively affect C assimilation and source-sink transport and benefit sink development and oil yield.
Noncanonical Translation Initiation of theArabidopsisFlowering Time and Alternative Polyadenylation Regulator FCA
Authors: Simpson Gordon G. , Laurie Rebecca E. , Dijkwel Paul P. , Quesada Victor , Stockwell Peter A. , Dean Caroline , Macknight Richard C.
Published: November 2010

The RNA binding protein FCA regulates the floral transition and is required for silencing RNAs corresponding to specific noncoding sequences in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome. Through interaction with the canonical RNA 3′ processing machinery, FCA affects alternative polyadenylation of many transcripts, including antisense RNAs at the locus encoding the floral repressor FLC. This potential for widespread alteration of gene regulation clearly needs to be tightly regulated, and we have previously shown that FCA expression is autoregulated through poly(A) site choice. Here, we show distinct layers of FCA regulation that involve sequences within the 5′ region that regulate noncanonical translation initiation and alter the expression profile. FCA translation in vivo occurs exclusively at a noncanonical CUG codon upstream of the first in-frame AUG. We fully define the upstream flanking sequences essential for its selection, revealing features that distinguish this from other non-AUG start site mechanisms. Bioinformatic analysis identified 10 additional Arabidopsis genes that likely initiate translation at a CUG codon. Our findings reveal further unexpected complexity in the regulation of FCA expression with implications for its roles in regulating flowering time and gene expression and more generally show plant mRNA exceptions to AUG translation initiation.
A study on acoustic emission technology for tank bottom corrosion inspection
Authors: Gang Du , Shijiu Jin , Congying Zhang , Weikui Wang
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report an investigation into acoustic emission (AE) characteristics of the corrosion situation of the bottom of a large storage tank.

Design/methodology/approach

Guard sensors were applied in on‐line AE inspection of a tank bottom, and the AE signal characteristics of the corrosion areas of tank bottom were analyzed. The AE test results were compared with those from an internal tank internal test.

Findings

It was observed that guard sensors could shield effectively a large proportion of the extraneous noise signals inside the tank. The characteristics of AE signals from different types of corrosion were significantly different. A comparison of AE test results and tank internal inspection data showed a good agreement.

Originality/value

Characteristic AE signals from different types of corrosion were obtained for the first time, which assisted in the identification of the tank bottom corrosion situation.
Open source in libraries: an introduction and overview
Authors: Poulter Alan
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of open source to a non‐technical audience and give an overview of its current and potential applications in libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a literature review.

Findings

Open source already aids libraries and has great potential but is hobbled by its intrinsically technical appeal.

Originality/value

The paper makes observations about information technology trends which might affect the take up of open source and introduces open source comprehensively but succinctly.
Open source software collaborations in Tennessee's regional library system
Authors: Mehra Bharat , Singh Vandana , Parris Hannah
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the following questions: How are members of the Tennessee's regional library system (TRLS) in the USA using open source software (OSS) applications and collaborating to further their missions and overcome some of their debilitating information‐related circumstances? What kind of partnerships can be explored in order to further use of OSS in the state?

Design/methodology/approach

The paper highlights findings from an exploratory website study to identify key trends, practices, and applications of use of OSS in the TRLS.

Findings

OSS applications in the TRLS are presented in terms of their current use as well as their future directions of development and opportunities. Study of collaborations in OSS use and website development by public libraries in the TRLS reveals that the OSS infoscape is more complex than previously understood.

Originality/value

Minimal research has been done involving the TRLS that has been in existence for over 60 years and comprises 12 multi‐county regions serving 211 small‐ and medium‐sized public libraries. Use of OSS has tremendous potentialities to overcome the harsh conditions of information poverty, lack of information resources and technology, and unique cultural, social, economic, and environmental challenges experienced in Tennessee that have prevented significant growth of information and communications technologies in the state.
Ownership structure and corporate diversification strategies of Chinese business groups
Authors: Zhao Jun
Published: November 2010

Purpose

Diversified business groups have become active players in Chinese economy in the recent years. While several studies have been conducted to examine the role of external factors such as market imperfection on firms' decisions to diversify, relatively few efforts have been made to investigate the impact of internal factors such as ownership structures on such decision. Building on agency theory, this paper attempts to examine the impacts of ownership type and ownership concentration on Chinese business groups' diversification strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

Year 2000 annual reports of publicly traded companies on Shenzhen Stock Exchange were used to identify business groups and collect data. Multiple regression analysis was used to conduct the data analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that compared to other ownership structures, government‐owned business groups tend to be more diversified, while ownership concentration seems to be related to lower levels of diversification. Industry membership also plays a significant role, but previous performance is not significantly related to diversification levels. Implications and future study directions are also discussed.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the understanding of the impact of ownership structure on companies' diversification strategies in a transitional economy such as China.
Addressing key sustainable supply chain management issues using rough set methodology
Authors: Bai Chunguang , Sarkis Joseph , Wei Xiaopeng
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce relatively novel multi‐supply chain activity overview rough set theoretic applications to aid management decision making with an especial focus on green and sustainable supply chain management.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is a review of recent literature with extensions around rough set or neighborhood rough set methodologies for supply chain management. An overview of how the techniques can be applied to various stages of green supply chain management, selection, evaluation, development is presented in various sections.

Findings

The paper finds that rough set methodology is flexible enough to be applied as a selection tool, performance measurement evaluation tool, and a development program evaluation tool. Its application to green supply chain management topics is warranted and valuable.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of the approach provide additional avenues for further research. One major limitation of the research is that a real‐world application to validate the approaches is necessary. Extensions and integration with other tools can also provide avenues for improvement.

Practical implications

A three‐staged ecological green supplier management process may help to get a broader corporate social responsibility and general sustainability perspective on the supply chain. Management can use these tools for planning, decision making, and maintenance of green supply chain activities.

Social implications

The application of sustainability and environmental issues for supply chain management has significant social impact.

Originality/value

Methodologically, this is the first time that neighborhood rough set has been comprehensively evaluated as a tool for managing green suppliers. A comprehensive overview of the green supplier management process considering the sustainability factors helps researchers to identify many opportunities for further investigation.
Efficient markets hypothesis and daily variation in small Pacific‐basin stock markets
Authors: Jarrett Jeffrey E.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to indicate the existence of certain time series characteristics in daily stock returns of four small Asian (Pacific basin) financial markets. It aims to study efficient capital markets (efficient markets hypothesis (EMH)) as results may infer that there are predictable properties of the time series of prices of traded securities on organized markets in Singapore, Malaysia, Korea and Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses daily variations in financial market data obtained from the Sandra Ann Morsilli Pacific‐basin Capital Markets Research Center (PACAP).

Findings

The weak form efficiency test example examines the wide range of trading rules available to common investors. Some theorists try to convince everyone that the weak form of EMH is acceptable due to the weight of academic opinion. The paper finds that for short‐term (daily) changes, the markets of four of the smaller Pacific‐basin stock markets have predictable properties, which leads to the conclusion that the weak‐form EMH does not hold for these markets.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to those firms and exchanges studied and the time period covered.

Originality/value

There have been all too few studies of these small financial markets up to now and there is no other study utilizing these data on the Pacific basin (Asia). The results are unique and original.
Microfinance and gender considerations in developed countries
Authors: Estapé‐Dubreuil Glòria , Torreguitart‐Mirada Consol
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the role played by microfinance institutions (MFI) in the improvement of women's micro‐entrepreneurship in economically developed countries. In the context of Catalan MFIs, the paper aims to study the allocation of resources to business projects led by women; and analyze the main features characterizing both women's personal traits and their business initiatives. Microcredit programs are also compared by gender.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered from Catalan MFIs, configuring a sample of 549 instances of business projects funded between 1998 and 2006. Applicants were individual entrepreneurs located in Catalonia, seeking to start up or expand their own business. For the purpose of contrast and generalization, data from a public nationwide program have also been considered. The research methodology of the paper is based on a quantitative approach, using inferential statistics to support the descriptive analysis.

Findings

The results of this research indicate that social credit is truly a good source of capital for women; women of very different ages, with different business ideas have been funded by the Catalan microcredit sector. MFIs have also played a significant role in the social integration of immigrant women, thus contributing to alleviate poverty regardless of nationality.

Research limitations/implications

Extension to other developed countries is subject to considerations about their financial system, the role played by social entities, the impact of governmental institutions, as well as the special legal requirements of each country.

Originality/value

This paper points out that social credit offers female entrepreneurs the opportunity to carry out independent economic activities, despite their lack of financial capital. It also furthers the knowledge of how effectively it contributes to women's entrepreneurship.
The context matters
Authors: Heinonen Jarna , Hytti Ulla , Cooney Thomas M.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to describe the manner in which entrepreneurship policies are embedded in the national contexts and then through analysis offers a deeper understanding of the development of Finnish and Irish entrepreneurship policies. It seeks to focus on three questions: What is the context for entrepreneurship policies in the studied countries?; What kind of governance structure for entrepreneurship policy can be identified and derived from theoretical perspectives?; and What policy instruments and content are associated with governance rationale?

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical data involve primary data on national entrepreneurship policy documents illustrating the governance structure for policy development and implementation, as well as policy objectives and targets. Additionally, concrete policy measures were studied within six sub‐areas of entrepreneurship. The analysis is based on a framework with two layers of policy: governance structure, and specific policy measures.

Findings

The results show that the countries studied are implementing strikingly similar approaches in entrepreneurship policy‐making: state‐institutional coordination marked by a strong role for the government, complemented by a more recent shift towards a competitive approach. Because political, national and economic context plays a significant role in understanding entrepreneurship policy approaches it is justified to add a third layer, context, to the framework.

Practical implications

Particular measures or good practices cannot be imported from other countries without understanding the theoretical rationale and policy context for the measures.

Originality/value

The study highlights the role of time and path‐dependency in policy‐making; therefore, future research and evaluations on entrepreneurship policies need to be strongly contextualised.
Elemental cost format for building conservation works in Malaysia
Authors: Li Woon Wee , Yoke Mui Lim
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a new format to present the cost of building conservation works which will better reflect the actual cost components and have a higher relevance to building conservation works.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the study's aim of presenting a new format suitable for building conservation works, a total of 16 conservation projects were selected and work items of the highest frequency were identified and aggregated into the relevant elemental component to formulate a new elemental cost format.

Findings

Work items of the highest frequency identified are partitions, doors and ironmongeries, followed by roof finishes and rainwater goods, floor finishes, external walls and windows. In addition to the usual building works, new work items such as scientific analysis, archaeology excavation and temporary roof are also found to be important.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed format has yet to be tested in the local industry, which is necessary to ensure compatibility with industry needs.

Practical implications

This new cost analysis format includes a list of work items that are specific to building conservation works, which may guide the quantity surveyor in preparing a budget/cost estimate with higher accuracy by reducing the risk of omitted work items that are pertinent in building conservation works.

Originality/value

Owing to the lack of cost data information for building conservation works, estimating and controlling the cost in this area of work is very challenging. The proposed new format of elemental cost analysis designed for building conservation works seeks to fill this void by providing a guide in estimating costs for building conservation.
Research into practice: Malatya solar housing
Authors: Okutucu Fikret , Kochan Ahmet , Yildiz Yusuf , Oymen Gur Sengul
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to discover the underlying reasons for the failure of solar energy architecture in Turkey in order to be able suggest methods of improving it in Turkey and worldwide.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology employed in this research is on‐site observations of Turkish solar houses built with respect to the details of their application, and depiction of heat gains provided with applied solar measures, and to compare them with an ideal gauge to determine the deficiencies involved in applications.

Findings

The investigations discovered that various buildings under consideration share several errors. In order of importance, these items are: faulty applications, erroneous choice of methods and lack of precautions in the summer.

Practical implications

The practical implications of the study are that measures must be taken to prevent heat loss during winter nights; outer walls with a resistance to heat transmission of u=1 W/m2K would have been preferred rather than ordinary old‐fashioned Trombe walls; in order to prevent overheating the surfaces of the sunspaces, Trombe walls and air collectors contacting the outer environment need to be made movable or pliable to avoid sinking of heated air into the sunspace.

Social implications

The social implication of the study is that only continued exploration into solar energy use via exemplary practice may encourage adoption of these systems by society itself.

Originality/value

The value of the research resides in translating knowledge gained from previous solar projects into design aspects which are expected to avoid these errors and deficiencies, demonstrated herein through Malatya solar housing, from which everyone involved in passive solar house design may benefit.
Comparative, cross‐cultural, and cross‐national research
Authors: Cadogan John
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The paper seeks to provide guidance for those who have data from multiple countries and are considering writing a comparative or cross‐cultural/national research paper.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach taken is an essay format.

Findings

International comparative marketing research studies are often rejected from the International Marketing Review because authors develop theory for which they have inappropriate data.

Research limitations/implications

Research models need to be commensurate with the data available. Models that claim to assess how nation‐level variables of interest differentially drive beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors across countries, and yet only test the models using samples from two or three countries are not appropriate. Appropriate solutions for researchers seeking to undertake international comparative research are suggested.

Originality/value

The paper provides researchers with insights into successful strategies for publishing international comparative research.
Benefits‐based drivers of exporters' attitudinal commitment toward their foreign distributors
Authors: Obadia Claude
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This study seeks to investigate the benefits that trigger exporters' attitudinal commitment and examines their effects by taking into account the temporal dynamics of cross‐border interfirm relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative field study led to the generation of hypotheses that were subsequently tested with structural equations modeling using data collected during two consecutive surveys of exporters.

Findings

The economic benefits that foster exporter's commitment include importer's specific investments, importer role performance, and exporter economic performance.

Practical implications

Importers can secure their foreign suppliers' commitment by investing in their business relationships and improving their distributive performance. They also need to monitor exporters' economic performance. The study highlights the importance of exporters' perceptions in building their commitment. Thus, importers need to communicate intensively about their actions to promote exporters' brands.

Originality/value

Unlike previous research, which has focused mostly on behavioral antecedents of commitment, this study depicts the exporting context using the exporter perspective and highlights the importance of economic benefits in shaping their attitudes. A mixed design involving both qualitative and quantitative methodologies facilitates this approach. Relational exchange theory's temporal assumptions about business relationships are reflected by the use of longitudinal data.
Animosity, subjective norms, and anticipated emotions during an international crisis
Authors: Maher Amro A. , Mady Sarah
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This research seeks to add to the body of research pertaining to animosity by examining the additional roles of anticipated emotions and subjective norms on consumers' purchase intentions regarding foreign products when companies' or governments' actions cause negative repercussions. The paper also examines the role of group responsibility as an antecedent to animosity.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a snowball sampling technique among undergraduate students from a prominent university in Kuwait. Of the 460 questionnaires received, 13 were eliminated for incompleteness. Sample members were aged 18 and above, and 53.9 percent of the respondents were females.

Findings

Subjective norms related to buying Danish products – as well as the negative emotions expected from buying the product and the positive emotions expected from not buying the product – led to less willingness to buy Danish products. In addition, social pressure was found to be the more important factor in consumers' willingness to buy compared to anticipated emotions.

Originality/value

This paper suggests that, in addition to animosity, other factors influence a consumer's decision to withhold consumption. Therefore, managers need to assess the emotions and norms characterized by citizens of the target country to capitalize on such information when marketing their products.
Cross‐cultural comparisons of consumer satisfaction ratings
Authors: Duque Lola C. , Lado Nora
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to propose Albert Hirschman's theory of “exit, voice and loyalty” as a complementary conceptual framework to Hofstede's cultural dimensions and use them in conjunction to compare consumer satisfaction with services across cultures.

Design/methodology/approach

A model of satisfaction with complex services (higher education) is developed and then tested in two different cultures, Colombia and Spain, with a sample of 879 students. Structural equation modeling based on the partial least squares algorithm is used to test the proposed model.

Findings

Colombian students are more satisfied with the educational system than Spanish ones. This is explained by cultural and contextual differences that pose greater restrictions on accessibility to higher education, provide fewer choice alternatives and present more switching costs for the Colombian student.

Originality/value

This study applies the conditions of Hirschman's theory in an international setting, offering a rich basis for understanding differences in consumer satisfaction that accounts for intra‐national diversity.
Factors influencing Chinese youth consumers' acceptance of mobile marketing
Authors: Gao Tao (Tony) , Sultan Fareena , Rohm Andrew J.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine factors affecting consumers' acceptance of mobile marketing in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw on technology acceptance and uses and gratifications theories to develop a conceptual model of antecedent factors (including risk acceptance related to the mobile platform and personal attachment related to mobile devices) and marketing‐related and value‐based mobile activity related to the acceptance of mobile marketing practice. The conceptual model is tested using data collected among Chinese youth consumers.

Findings

The results confirm the importance of risk acceptance and personal attachment in influencing mobile marketing acceptance, and support the “priming” effect of regular mobile phone usage on orienting consumers toward accepting mobile marketing initiatives.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to a specific sample of youth consumers in China. The findings illustrate the role of antecedent factors – including personal attachment and risk acceptance – related to acceptance of mobile marketing in the Chinese market and they emphasize the role of marketing‐related and value‐based mobile activity in mediating the relationships between antecedent factors and mobile marketing acceptance.

Practical implications

The findings illustrate the importance of recognizing the drivers of, and obstacles to, mobile marketing acceptance. These factors included the likelihood of providing information, likelihood of accessing content, likelihood of sharing content, level of risk acceptance, and level of personal attachment to one's mobile phone.

Originality/value

The paper adds to the growing literature on Chinese youth consumers by examining their acceptance of mobile marketing. The study reveals several implications for theory and practice relating to the antecedents of mobile marketing acceptance among the youth consumer segment within China, a large and emerging market.
Beliefs about advertising in China: empirical evidence from Hong Kong and Shanghai consumers
Authors: Jozsa Laszlo , Insch Andrea , Krisjanous Jayne , Fam Kim‐Shyan
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to examine metropolitan Chinese Generation Xers' attitude toward advertising and to determine whether the ranking for ad likeability and dislikeability attributes are the same across Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Design/methodology/approach

A telephone interview of 200 respondents in each city was conducted using a strategy of matched samples. Generation Xers residing in Hong Kong and Shanghai were selected as these two segments are politically more uniform now than before, share similar economic and business structures, and are exposed to the same goods and services. Respondents were first asked to recall three television advertisements they liked/disliked and give as many reasons as possible to explain why they liked/disliked them. They were also asked about their beliefs in advertising.

Findings

The results show that the respondents from both cities find advertising “interesting and entertaining”, but “devious”. In terms of likeable attributes, they like “entertaining”, while “style” is the most disliked attribute. The main difference between the two groups was found in attribute rating. The study concludes by offering several explanations for these variations.

Originality/value

In this study, instead of requesting respondents to interpret what had appeared in the prints or commercials, it examines respondents' verbal descriptions of how they perceived television commercials. This method affords an opportunity to have respondents more freely express their thoughts and feelings about the topic under investigation.
Exploiting the goldmine: a lifestyle analysis of affluent Chinese consumers
Authors: He Yanqun , Zou Deqiang , Jin Liyin
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to investigate the lifestyles of contemporary Chinese affluent consumers and their influences on a number of consumption variables such as brand preference (local versus foreign), attitudes toward innovative products, luxury consumption, impulse purchases, etc.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 1,317 consumers across 17 cities in China. Five lifestyle factors were identified and further verified through a confirmatory factor analysis. Multiple regression analyses were performed to explore the relationships between lifestyles and consumption patterns.

Findings

The results showed that affluent Chinese consumers, though apparently similar in terms of wealth possession, exhibited very different patterns in their purchase and consumption behaviors. For instance, consumers with a salient “need‐for‐uniqueness” trait were found to be quite contingent on consuming goods for being distinctive. The price conscious consumers were somehow over‐confident in their purchase decisions, resulting sometimes in impulse buying. A third group of people were found to often disguise their consumption behaviors with an explicit orientation for public interests, e.g. environmental protection. Compared with those who seek respect from others, consumers with strong needs for achievement were found to be more pragmatic and tended to be self‐oriented.

Practical implications

Findings from this study provides a useful framework for marketers to link their products to various lifestyle groups of affluent Chinese consumers, thus enhancing their marketing productivity and profitability in the Chinese market.

Originality/value

Despite the large body of lifestyle studies, very little research has focused on the Asia Pacific region. The current study provides an extensive empirical investigation, on which marketers may better approach affluent Chinese consumers with various lifestyles.
An empirical study on the decision‐making styles of the Chinese peasant consumers
Authors: Baoku Li , Cuixia Zhai , Weimin Bao
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to determine Chinese peasant consumers' decision‐making styles.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reflects on the psychological orientation and decision‐making styles of peasants' purchase of durable appliances. This has the dual character of purchase behavior by the study on factor analysis from a view of peasants' consumption psychology. The consumer style inventory (CSI) was administered in January 2009 to 5,827 peasants in 656 villages in 14 provinces which were selected randomly in China. Both an exploratory factor analysis and a confirmatory factor analysis are adopted to validate the CSI inventory. This results in a 25‐item and eight‐factor solution.

Findings

Findings indicate that three consumer segments are formed: confused by over choice peasant consumer; fashion and impulsive peasant consumer; and perfect peasant consumer. The income effect on a farmer's purchasing has a threshold, while income does not reach the limit, income does not have an obvious effect on the decision‐making styles of peasants' purchasing on durable appliances, the category of consumer styles depends on the “individual” factor of peasants' consumption psychology, and their consumption behavior characteristics depend on the grade of psychological orientation and decision‐making styles of the consumer.

Practical implications

The marketing mix of an enterprise should recognize the potential differences of psychology of the peasant consumer. Enterprises should adopt positive marketing strategies in pricing to induce and inspire consumer motivation and behavior, so that enterprises can positively interact with rural consumers and achieve optimal allocation of marketing resources.

Originality/value

This paper decribes the decision‐making styles of Chinese peasant consumers based on their purchasing behavior with regard to consumer and consumption psychology. The effect of annual average income and income source of the family on the consumers' decision‐making styles is not obvious, but the number of people in a family has some effect on consumers' decision‐making styles.
“Catching up with ‘civilisation’”: reflections on language spread in Poland
Authors: Śliwa Martyna
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the intensive spread of the English language in Central and Eastern Europe as an aspect of postsocialist transition.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses the discourses and ideologies related to the spread of English in postsocialist Poland, drawing on insights from critical discourse analysis and language ideology. The empirical material discussed comprises newspaper articles dealing with the topic of language policy in Poland, with a focus on the media campaign, “battle for English”.

Findings

The paper finds that the spread of English is facilitated by powerful discourses propagating the knowledge of English together with the ideology of neo‐liberal economic and social transformation. The exploration of the discourses inherent in the story of the “battle for English” enables the links between the linguistic practices applied by individual actors and the ideologies conveyed by the discourses found in mainstream media to be made explicit.

Research limitations/implications

An awareness of the mechanisms of discourse and ideology allows us to question both the drive behind and the social impact of the spread of English in Central and Eastern Europe.

Originality/value

The paper offers a novel theoretical and empirical contribution to the understanding on postsocialist transition.
Transforming humanitarian logistics: the journey to supply network management
Authors: Tatham Peter H. , Pettit Stephen J.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction of the two parts of the Special Edition of the journal devoted to the challenges of humanitarian aid logistics. To achieve this, an overview of the humanitarian logistic field is provided focussing on a number of key areas in which the principles and practices supporting commercial supply network management (SNM) have the potential to offer significant improvement in the efficiency and/or effectiveness of the humanitarian logistics preparation and response.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a conceptual discussion of issues of SNM in a humanitarian aid context, linked to the more specific discussions of the contribution of the research presented by the authors of the papers accepted for the special editions.

Findings

The paper discusses the concept of SNM and argues that the fundamental principles that have been the subject of considerable academic scrutiny are equally applicable to the humanitarian logistic field – albeit, in some cases, the specific environment may alter the balance of risk/benefit for particular approaches.

Originality/value

The application of commercial SNM theory and practice has received limited consideration within the humanitarian aid logistics literature to date. This paper is designed to redress this shortfall. As a result, it is hoped that it will act as a catalyst for further research and to widen and deepen the resultant debate with a view to improving the outcome for those affected by current and future disasters.
(Le)agility in humanitarian aid (NGO) supply chains
Authors: Scholten Kirstin , Sharkey Scott Pamela , Fynes Brian
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of agility in the context of supply chains of humanitarian aid (HA) organizations, particularly non‐government organizations (NGOs). This responds to the increasing pressure on NGOs to use their resources more strategically if they are to gain donor trust and long‐term commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature‐based approach that extends the commercial supply chain concept of agility to NGOs is combined with the first exploratory semi‐structured interviews of these concepts with five NGO supply chain directors.

Findings

The commercial concept of agility when responding to disaster relief holds strong potential for increasing efficiency and effectiveness, but this application is restrained by the absence of supporting information technology (IT) and the relegation of supply chain management (SCM) to the “back office” by NGOs. This has potential implications for NGOs and other HA agencies.

Research limitations/implications

This paper represents an exploratory study, and an extended pool of interviewees would reinforce the qualitative findings. Planned future research will address this issue.

Practical implications

Practical guidance on how NGOs can proactively manage their organization's ability to respond with agility in a highly pressured environment is provided.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to offer practical guidance to managers of NGOs on strategies available to improve their organization's flexibility and agility, based on theoretical concepts and initial exploratory data. In addition, evidence of how commercial tools apply in a different arena may prompt commercial managers to be more innovative in utilizing and customizing supply chain principles to their particular context of operation.
Water distribution in disaster relief
Authors: Nolz Pamela C. , Doerner Karl F. , Hartl Richard F.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an operations research (OR) model for planning water distribution tours in disaster relief. Especially in situations after a disaster occurrence, characterized by instability and the immediate need of help, high‐quality decisions have to be made fast. For this reason, it is very useful if planning decisions can be alleviated by a decision support system (DSS) using an efficient multi‐objective metaheuristic as its algorithmic core.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops a metaheuristic search technique based on evolutionary concepts for a real‐world extension of a multi‐objective covering tour problem.

Findings

The proposed method supports decision makers in finding appropriate compromise solutions with respect to conflicting objectives (e.g. coverage and travel time). With this work, the authors want to reduce the gap between theory and practical applications. They apply OR methods to a real‐world application in the field of disaster relief operations planning.

Research limitations/implications

The success of the proposed approach depends on the availability of reasonable and useful data. However, data generation in this context represents an upcoming discipline, especially under the circumstances of increasing threat by natural hazards.

Practical implications

When the approach is integrated in a DSS, different scenarios can be investigated immediately and presented with a geographic information tool. The most appropriate solution for the decision makers can be realized.

Originality/value

Heterogeneous transport modes and different road types were not considered so far in these types of problems.
Using Monte Carlo simulation to refine emergency logistics response models: a case study
Authors: Banomyong Ruth , Sopadang Apichat
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for the development of emergency logistics response models. The proposition of a conceptual framework is in itself not sufficient and simulation models are further needed in order to help emergency logistics decision makers in refining their preparedness planning process.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a framework proposition with illustrative case study.

Findings

The use of simulation modelling can help enhance the reliability and validity of developed emergency response model.

Research limitations/implications

The emergency response model outcomes are still based on simulated outputs and would still need to be validated in a real‐life environment. Proposing a new or revised emergency logistics response model is not sufficient. Developed logistics response models need to be further validated and simulation modelling can help enhance validity.

Practical implications

Emergency logistics decision makers can make better informed decisions based on simulation model output and can further refine their decision‐making capability.

Originality/value

The paper posits the contribution of simulation modelling as part of the framework for developing and refining emergency logistics response.
A model to define and assess the agility of supply chains: building on humanitarian experience
Authors: Charles Aurelie , Lauras Matthieu , Van Wassenhove Luk
Published: November 2010

Purpose

By constantly working in environments with high degree of uncertainty, humanitarian organizations end up becoming specialists in the implementation of agile systems. Their counterparts in profit‐making organizations have a lot to learn from them in this domain. Volatility of demand, imbalance between supply and demand and disruptions are all factors that affect commercial supply chains and call for a high level of agility. The aims of this paper are twofold: first, to clearly define the concept of supply chain agility, and second, to build a model for assessing the level of agility of a supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

Three approaches are used in this research: literature review, case study and symbolic modeling.

Findings

The paper developed first, a framework for defining supply chain agility and second, a model for assessing and improving the capabilities of humanitarian and commercial supply chains in terms of agility, based on an analysis of humanitarian approaches.

Research limitations/implications

The model has been developed thanks to inputs from humanitarian practitioners and feedbacks from academics. The practical application to various humanitarian relief operations and commercial supply chains is yet to be done.

Originality/value

This paper contributes significantly to clarifying the notion of supply chain agility. It also provides a consistent, robust and reproducible method of assessing supply chain agility, which seems appropriate for both humanitarian and business sectors. Finally, it is complementary to existant research on humanitarian logistics. It shows that though humanitarian professionals have a lot to learn from the private sector, the reverse is also true.
Tsunami height poles and disaster awareness
Authors: Sugimoto Megumi , Iemura Hirokazu , Shaw Rajib
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to demonstrate a unique project with tsunami height poles and disaster education to maintain disaster awareness for several decades in the area where the Indian Ocean tsunami caused significant damage in 2004.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach is utilized combined with field observation, participatory observation and a general literature review of relevant studies and secondary sources.

Findings

The major finding is that the unique device of 85 tsunami height poles was brought from the outside to Banda Aceh city so that people may remember the impact of the tsunami over a longer period of time when awareness is likely to reduce. As local people gradually understood the significance of the poles, the number of local cooperators increased and the project's impact improved significantly.

Research limitations/implications

The long‐term impact of the disaster resilience is yet to be verified in Banda Aceh city. The field research results of the project's process and impact immediately connected with grassroots practice with people to maintain disaster awareness and resilence for the city. The practice to which the Hyogo Framework for Action gives priority connects with building understanding of tsunami risk and disaster awareness with local knowledge, assimilated by preserving disaster records and visualizing disaster.

Practical implications

The paper describes a field‐based project in Banda Aceh city and the suburb, Indonesia, which was implemented in cooperation with local communities, local non‐government organizations, local school boards and specialists from Kyoto University, Japan. Thus, the study findings are directly related to its practical implications.

Originality/value

The paper highlights how the device of 85 tsunami height poles which were built in order to visualize disaster and maintain disaster awareness under the concept, blended an expert's unique idea with old Japanese knowledge in Banda Aceh city by the local community in Indonesia in June 2007. The paper shows that local ideas maintain living knowledge and lessons with sustainable development in the local place after the project had finished and recommendations can apply to the other tsunami affected areas.