bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Remodeling of Photosystem II during State Transitions inChlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Iwai Masakazu , Takahashi Yuichiro , Minagawa Jun
Published: August 2008

State transitions, or the redistribution of light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) proteins between photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII), balance the light-harvesting capacity of the two photosystems to optimize the efficiency of photosynthesis. Studies on the migration of LHCII proteins have focused primarily on their reassociation with PSI, but the molecular details on their dissociation from PSII have not been clear. Here, we compare the polypeptide composition, supramolecular organization, and phosphorylation of PSII complexes under PSI- and PSII-favoring conditions (State 1 and State 2, respectively). Three PSII fractions, a PSII core complex, a PSII supercomplex, and a multimer of PSII supercomplex or PSII megacomplex, were obtained from a transformant of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii carrying a His-tagged CP47. Gel filtration and single particles on electron micrographs showed that the megacomplex was predominant in State 1, whereas the core complex was predominant in State 2, indicating that LHCIIs are dissociated from PSII upon state transition. Moreover, in State 2, strongly phosphorylated LHCII type I was found in the supercomplex but not in the megacomplex. Phosphorylated minor LHCIIs (CP26 and CP29) were found only in the unbound form. The PSII subunits were most phosphorylated in the core complex. Based on these observations, we propose a model for PSII remodeling during state transitions, which involves division of the megacomplex into supercomplexes, triggered by phosphorylation of LHCII type I, followed by LHCII undocking from the supercomplex, triggered by phosphorylation of minor LHCIIs and PSII core subunits.
Themilkweed pod1Gene Encodes a KANADI Protein That Is Required for Abaxial/Adaxial Patterning in Maize Leaves
Authors: Candela Héctor , Johnston Robyn , Gerhold Abigail , Foster Toshi , Hake Sarah
Published: August 2008

Leaf primordia initiate from the shoot apical meristem with inherent polarity; the adaxial side faces the meristem, while the abaxial side faces away from the meristem. Adaxial/abaxial polarity is thought to be necessary for laminar growth of leaves, as mutants lacking either adaxial or abaxial cell types often develop radially symmetric lateral organs. The milkweed pod1 (mwp1) mutant of maize (Zea mays) has adaxialized sectors in the sheath, the proximal part of the leaf. Ectopic leaf flaps develop where adaxial and abaxial cell types juxtapose. Ectopic expression of the HD-ZIPIII gene rolled leaf1 (rld1) correlates with the adaxialized regions. Cloning of mwp1 showed that it encodes a KANADI transcription factor. Double mutants of mwp1-R with a microRNA-resistant allele of rld1, Rld1-N1990, show a synergistic phenotype with polarity defects in sheath and blade and a failure to differentiate vascular and photosynthetic cell types in the adaxialized sectors. The sectored phenotype and timing of the defect suggest that mwp1 is required late in leaf development to maintain abaxial cell fate. The phenotype of mwp1; Rld1 double mutants shows that both genes are also required early in leaf development to delineate leaf margins as well as to initiate vascular and photosynthetic tissues.
Rpl33, a Nonessential Plastid-Encoded Ribosomal Protein in Tobacco, Is Required under Cold Stress Conditions
Authors: Rogalski Marcelo , Schöttler Mark A. , Thiele Wolfram , Schulze Waltraud X. , Bock Ralph
Published: August 2008

Plastid genomes contain a conserved set of genes encoding components of the translational apparatus. While knockout of plastid translation is lethal in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), it is not known whether each individual component of the plastid ribosome is essential. Here, we used reverse genetics to test whether several plastid genome–encoded ribosomal proteins are essential. We found that, while ribosomal proteins Rps2, Rps4, and Rpl20 are essential for cell survival, knockout of the gene encoding ribosomal protein Rpl33 did not affect plant viability and growth under standard conditions. However, when plants were exposed to low temperature stress, recovery of Rpl33 knockout plants was severely compromised, indicating that Rpl33 is required for sustaining sufficient plastid translation capacity in the cold. These findings uncover an important role for plastid translation in plant tolerance to chilling stress.
Internet access in UK public libraries: notes and queries from a small scale study
Authors: McMenemy David
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this editorial is to discuss the findings of a small scale study of internet access in UK public libraries. It aims to examine all aspects of access, from the moment the service is requested, to the acceptable use policy (AUP) for each library, to specific Internet sites that are banned.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology involved unobtrusive testing, commonly referred to as mystery shopping. A total of 14 different library authorities spread across the UK were visited by the researcher.

Findings

Variances in access to the internet in public libraries in the UK exist. Of concern was the lack of time staff in most libraries allocated to explaining the AUP the library was asking the researcher to sign. In some libraries the AUP was actually bypassed by the staff member entirely. Other concerns related to the differences in internet filtering adopted in the libraries visited, with legitimate sites blocked in some and not others. The quality of the experience was also lessened by inadequately designed front‐ends and the lack of helpful guides on using the internet.

Originality/value

The paper should be of interest to public librarians and others interested in the implementation of internet services in public libraries.
Aligning library assessment processes to the library's service environment
Authors: Nash White Larry
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the alignment of assessment processes in libraries and develop a conceptual model of aligning library performance assessment for effective reporting of library value and performance to stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews of library performance assessment literature and current practice research to identify the need and value of aligned performance assessment processes for libraries, the primary contributing alignment factors affecting the library assessment process, and potential benefits of improved alignment of the assessment process for libraries.

Findings

Libraries can improve the reporting and value of their assessment processes by improving the alignment of their assessment processes in two ways: internally through the use of consistent and innovative processes, metrics, and culture within the library and externally by embracing the alignment factors of the library's service environment. The library must develop more effective assessment alignment processes by progressively elevating the alignment of the library's assessment processes from internal non‐alignment of assessment to the total alignment of assessment to the library’ service environment and the dynamic environmental factors driving today's libraries.

Practical implications

Increasing the alignment of a library's assessment processes can improve the efficiency of assessment processes, the effectiveness of the results of the assessment processes, and the library stakeholder's appreciation and understanding of the results of the assessment processes.

Originality/value

Provides a conceptual model applicable to all types of libraries to increase the alignment of assessment and the library's ability to report value and impact.
Environmental scanning: an essential tool for twenty‐first century librarianship
Authors: Castiglione James
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This article aims to highlight important aspects of environmental scanning (ES). As a managerial tool of high utility, ES may assist library professionals – at all levels – proactively assess and respond to change in the technological, demographic, economic and social environments that may have a future impact on the library profession and stakeholder services.

Design/methodology/approach

This article deepens the library literature related to the methodology of ES with concepts and ideas derived from the relevant management literature.

Findings

Based on an in‐depth review of the library literature, the evidence suggests that librarians have not the used ES techniques consistently or systematically to manage change.

Research limitations/implications

While the results of this literature review imply that ES is underutilized as a tool to manage change in the library environment, it is entirely possible that practicing librarians actually utilize ES far more frequently than a review of the library literature suggests. Additional survey‐studies addressing this concern will be required to resolve this important question.

Originality/value

This article provides useful information related to the importance of ES and the related methodology required to build a comprehensive ES initiative. In addition, the paper introduces the reader to the innovative goal of coordinating ES initiatives on a global scale. This is presented with a view toward developing cooperative programs and approaches that may increase the viability of our profession and strengthen our collective ability to increase stakeholder satisfaction.
Influence of fluor‐oligomers on the structural and tribological properties of steel surface at the rolling friction
Authors: Padgurskas Juozas , Rukuiza Raimundas , Amulevicius Arunas , Sipavicius Ceslovas , Mazeika Kestutis , Davidonis Rimantas , Daugvila Antanas , Cesiulis Henrikas
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of fluor‐oligomeric coat on the mechanical properties of steel surface, as well as the chemical interaction of fluor‐oligomeric films with surface and theoretical‐phenomenological interpretation of structural processes in friction surface.

Design/methodology/approach

Four groups of specimens were studied: two groups of specimens without any wear tests – initial steel specimen as control version and a specimen which was ten times coated by fluor‐oligomer, and two groups of specimens, which were tribologically tested for one million cycles – without any coating and coated specimens. Closed kinematical profile scheme roller‐roller of steel 45 was chosen for tribological tests. Wear of friction surface after those tests was investigated. The interaction between fluor‐oligomer and iron was studied by means of Mössbauer spectroscopy. The micro‐hardness of matrix was also measured.

Findings

Affecting the surface of steel by the fluor‐oligomer and friction produces the complicated processes of carbide decay and formation occur. The mechanisms are found which are related to the weakening of chemical bond in steel during the absorption, to the generation of microscopic ruptures, to the decrease (30‐50 per cent) of the amount of carbides and its increase during the friction (up to 50 per cent). The mechanical effect which causes the regeneration of carbides during friction is revealed. Tribological efficiency of fluor‐oligomeric coats (five times lower wear of coated specimens) is explained by the balance of three processes – the softening of matrix during adsorption, the detention of dislocations, and formation of hard particles in the matrix.

Originality/value

The complex mechanism of the increase of wear resistance is explained by filling of ductile matrix with carbide particles.
Esters of methylolcyclohexanols/ones as synthetic base lubricants
Authors: Tataroglu Seyidov Firdovsi , Mansoori Yagoub
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the preparation of asymmetric mixed esters of methylolcyclohexanols in order to decrease the pour point and increase the thermal stability of base oils.

Design/methodology/approach

The aldol condensation reaction of cyclohexanone with paraformaldehyde is modified to give mixture of alicyclic polyols. The obtained mixture was subsequently esterified by different pure and mixed linear mono carboxylic acids to give asymmetric mixture of esters of methylolcyclohexanols/ones.

Findings

The obtained base lubricants showed better wear preventive characteristcs (four‐ball rolling contact test) compared with previously reported and commercially available ester base lubricants.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the complexity of the obtained mixture, it was impossible to study the structure and composition of the obtained products by modern techniques such as high field NMR spectroscopy.

Practical implications

The obtained materials are slightly acidic and should be neutralized before use or formulation.

Originality/value

The paper presents a new process for obtaining synthetic ester base lubricants from mixed polyols of neo structure, which was obtained from aldol condensation reaction of cyclohexanone and paraformaldehyde, and linear aliphatic monocarboxylic acids. The key step in this process is modifying the reaction condition for obtaining mixture of polyols, and not pure 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylolcyclohexanol. This allows one to obtain asymmetrical and complex mixture of esterification products, which is favored in the production of synthetic ester base stocks, having excellent viscosity‐temperature properties, decreased pour point, and increased thermal stability. The synthesized ester base lubricants also show excellent viscosity‐temperature properties compared with ester base lubricants of the same family.
Fretting corrosion of lubricated tin‐plated contacts
Authors: Sankara Narayanan T.S.N. , Woo Park Young , Yong Lee Kang
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to study the effect of a commercial lubricant, which contains a 50‐50 mixture of zinc diamyldithiocarbamate and petroleum oil, on the fretting corrosion of tin‐plated copper alloy contacts.

Design/methodology/approach

The change in contact resistance as a function of fretting cycles was used to assess the effectiveness of the lubricant in preventing the fretting corrosion of tin‐plated contacts. The surface profile, surface roughness, extent of fretting damage and extent of oxidation of the contact zone were assessed by a laser scanning microscope and surface analytical techniques to correlate the change in contact resistance with fretting cycles.

Findings

The lubricant film provides a surface coverage of 6.76±1 mg/cm2 and it easily establishes metallic asperity contact between the mated tin‐plated contacts. The contact resistance of lubricated contacts remains stable for several thousand fretting cycles. Lubricated contacts reach a threshold value of 0.1 Ω around 100,000 cycles, whereas unlubricated contact reaches this value around 13,500 cycles itself. For lubricated contacts, the extent of mechanical wear of the tin coating is significantly reduced. As a result, they experience a lesser damage at the contact zone and exhibit a smoother profile. The formation of tin oxide is not appreciable and there is no oxide accumulation at the contact zone even at 380,000 cycles. The lubricant is very effective in delaying the fretting wear during the initial stages and in preventing the oxidation and accumulation of oxidation products at the contact zone in the later stages.

Originality/value

Metallic dialkyldithiocarbamates are useful anti‐wear and extreme pressure additives for lubricating oils. Dithiocarbamates improve the antioxidant properties of the lubricants and are effective in reducing the wear and increasing the friction‐reducing and load‐carrying ability of the base stock. The use of molybdenum dithiocarbamate as a grease additive is found to be effective in reducing fretting corrosion of ball bearings under random rotary vibrating conditions. The effect of dithiocarbamate containing lubricant oils or greases on the fretting corrosion of electrical contacts has not far been studied. The paper explores the effect of a lubricant that contains a 50‐50 mixture of petroleum oil and zinc diamyldithiocarbamate on the fretting corrosion of tin‐plated contact.
Evaluations of vegetable oil‐based as lubricants for metal‐forming processes
Authors: Lawal Abdulquadir Babatunde , Bolaji Adeyemi Michael
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess lubricating performances of selected locally produced vegetable oil‐based lubricants with a view to utilizing them as a possible alternative to petroleum‐based lubricants in metal‐forming processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The ring compression testing and twin disks upsetting testing methods were employed.

Findings

The results obtained from these two tests showed that the red palm oil performed better than others at room temperature, followed by sheabutter oil, while palm kernel oil performed the least. High‐temperatures compression ring tests gave sheabutter oil lower values of friction coefficients than red palm oil.

Research limitations/implications

Further work should be done on numerous vegetable oil‐based lubricants. Also those that show promising performance could be further investigated with locally available additives.

Practical implications

These are numerous since increase in environmental interest has resulted in a renewed interest in vegetable oil‐based lubricants.

Originality/value

The research work has broken new ground in finding applications for environmentally friendly lubricants in various areas of metal‐forming processes.
Effect of aluminium grain size on scratch resistance for spherical and conical indenter
Authors: Mezlini S. , Zidi M. , Kapsa Ph.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the correlation between abrasive wear resistance, contact configuration and grain size of aluminium alloy.

Design/methodology/approach

Different aluminium alloy with different grain size has been tested using a scratch test. Comparison between scratch parameters, especially scratch depth and grain size aluminium alloy, has been made. Two indenters were used: conical and spherical indenter.

Findings

Correlation between grain size of aluminium alloy, configuration contact and abrasive wear resistance has been discussed. This study can be useful for choosing material which can provide better abrasive wear resistance.

Originality/value

This study can be a reference both practically and academically. A similar study has been made in order to investigate the effect of hardness in abrasive wear resistance. However, the importance of microstructure and especially the grain size of aluminium alloy have been taken into account.
Safety assessment of lubricating oil using AHP and vector projection method
Authors: Sharma B.C. , Gandhi O.P.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The plant experience shows that the oil comes in contact with the operator and maintenance personnel during handling, storage and delivery. The health problems arising from their long‐term use are acute rather than immediate. Immediate health problems are caused by sudden and severe exposure and rapid absorption of the substance. Researchers have identified the hazards and their related health problems for different types of lubricating oils in use. However, there is not much application of any scientific method solidus mathematical modeling in assessing the safety qualitatively/quantitatively and considering the health problems related to lube oil in use. The main purpose of this study is to assess the safety of the lubricating oil in operation.

Design/methodology/approach

AHP and vector projection approach is applied to evaluate and analyze the lubricating oil from a safety point of view by considering identified safety attributes.

Findings

Physical and chemical properties that affect human, environment and system are considered to be the safety attributes of the lube oil. The normalized values of these safety attributes are analyzed through a vector projection approach. In this approach, module, cosine of angle and projection are defined and evaluated at different time intervals. The projection is related to module and cosine of angle is related to safety of lubricant. The suggested procedure is illustrated by means of an example.

Originality/value

The suggested procedure is useful for comparing various alternatives of the lube oil with an ideal alternative and helps in selecting the safest alternative among all possible choices.
Cutting robots: a review of technologies and applications
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of robotic cutting techniques and applications.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper firstly describes the main cutting techniques used with robots and subsequently discusses robotic cutting applications, giving examples of specific uses.

Findings

This paper shows that robotic laser, water‐jet, ultrasonic, plasma and oxy‐gas cutting techniques are used in a wide range of industries on materials which include plastics, metals, fabrics, foodstuffs and even human tissues. The use of a particular technique reflects application‐specific factors such as material, thickness, precision, cut quality and cutting speed.

Originality/value

Provides an introduction to robotic cutting techniques and their applications.
Applying Michael Porter's extended rivalry model to the robotics industry
Authors: Hopkins Harold
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the robotics industry using Michael Porter's extended rivalry model. His model assesses the relative strength of buyers, suppliers, potential entrants, substitutes, and rivals for an industry. Such an assessment helps firms determine if a particular industry is attractive and possible ways to successfully compete within the industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The robotics industry is used as a case study in the use of the extended rivalry model.

Findings

Findings suggest that the robotics industry is only a moderately attractive industry and one possible strategy is for a robotics firm to focus on non‐automotive buyers.

Research limitations/implications

Implications are that the extended rivalry model is a useful tool for understanding any industry.

Practical implications

Practical implications are that the extended rivalry model indicates several possible competitive strategies for firms in the robotics industry.

Originality/value

This paper is original. Its value is that it provides an example of how to use Porter's extended rivalry model.
Robotic machining from programming to process control: a complete solution by force control
Authors: Pan Zengxi , Zhang Hui
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to present the critical issues and methodologies to improve robotic machining performance with flexile industrial robots.

Design/methodology/approach

A complete solution using active force control is introduced to address various issues during the robotic machining process.

Findings

Programming complex couture parts without a CAD model is made easy by using force control functions such as lead‐through and path‐learning. The problem of process control is treated with a novel methodology that consists of stiffness modeling, real‐time deformation compensation for quality and controlled material removal rate for process efficiency.

Originality/value

Experimental results showed that higher productivity as well as better surface quality can be achieved, indicating a promising and practical use of industrial robots for machining applications that is not available at present.
On‐line path planning strategy integrated with collision and dead‐lock avoidance schemes for wheeled mobile robot in indoor environments
Authors: Chang Ya‐Chun , Yamamoto Yoshio
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to present a hybrid path planning algorithm which is designed for use of autonomous vehicles in indoor environments. The approach mainly contributes the ability of generating a safe and smooth collision avoidance path for attaining a desired position in an unknown and obstructed environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The hybrid planner is based on potential field method and Voronoi diagram approach, and it is represented with the ability of concurrent map building and autonomous navigation.

Findings

The possibility of controlling the look‐ahead distance allows the mobile robot to smartly control the velocity for creating a smooth trajectory autonomously. The dead‐lock problem is solved by defining necessary sub‐goals between targets on the constructed map.

Originality/value

The system controller (look‐ahead control) with the potential field method allows the robot to generate a smooth and safe path for an expected position. Only essential exploration of unknown environment is performed since the approach constrains the mobile robot to explore a safe and sub‐optimal route towards a destination.
Pneumatic balloon actuators for tactile feedback in robotic surgery
Authors: Culjat Martin , King Chih‐Hung , Franco Miguel , Bisley James , Grundfest Warren , Dutson Erik
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Robotic surgery is limited by the lack of haptic feedback to the surgeon. The addition of tactile information may enable surgeons to feel tissue characteristics, appropriately tension sutures, and identify pathologic conditions. Tactile feedback may also enable expansion of minimally invasive surgery to other surgical procedures and decrease the learning curve associated with robotic surgery. This paper aims to explore a system to provide tactile feedback.

Design/methodology/approach

A pneumatic balloon‐based system has been developed to provide tactile feedback to the fingers of the surgeon during robotic surgery. The system features a polydimethyl siloxane actuator with a thin‐film silicone balloon membrane and a compact pneumatic control system. The 1.0 × 1.8 × 0.4 cm actuators designed for the da Vinci system feature a 3 × 2 array of 3 mm inflatable balloons.

Findings

The low‐profile pneumatic system and actuator have been mounted directly onto the da Vinci surgical system. Human perceptual tests have indicated that pneumatic balloon‐based tactile input is an effective means to provide tactile information to the fingers of the surgeon.

Research limitations/implications

Application of a complete tactile feedback system is limited by current force sensing technologies.

Originality/value

The actuators have been designed such that they can be mounted directly onto the hand controls of the da Vinci robotic system, and are scalable such that they can be applied to various robotic applications.
The joint‐limits and singularity avoidance in robotic welding
Authors: Huo Liguo , Baron Luc
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to develop a redundancy‐resolution (RR) algorithm to optimize the joint space trajectory of the six‐rotation‐axis industrial robot as performing arc‐welding tasks.

Design/methodology/approach

The rotation of the tool around its symmetry axis is clearly irrelevant to the view of the task to be accomplished besides some exceptional situations. When performed with a general 6‐degrees‐of‐freedom (DOF) manipulator, there exists one DOF of redundancy that remains. By taking advantage of the symmetry axis of the welding electrode, the authors decompose the required instantaneous twist of the electrode into two orthogonal components, one lying into the relevant task subspace and one into the redundant task subspace, respectively. Joint‐limits and singularity avoidance are considered as the optimization objectives.

Findings

The twist‐decomposition algorithm is able to optimize effectively the joint space trajectory. It has been tested and demonstrated in simulation.

Originality/value

A new RR algorithm is introduced for the six‐rotation‐axis industrial robot performing welding tasks. A new kinetostatic performance index is proposed on evaluating the kinematic quality of robotic postures. It can also be used in other applications like milling, deburing and many other tasks requiring less than 6‐DOF in tool frame.
Determinants of Islamic and conventional deposits in the Malaysian banking system
Authors: Haron Sudin
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of selected economic variables on deposits level in the Islamic and conventional banking systems in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

Both long‐ and short‐run relationships between these variables are measured by using advanced time series econometrics. These techniques are co‐integration and error correction framework, which are conducted within the vector autoregression framework.

Findings

By applying recent econometric techniques, we find determinants such as rates of profit of Islamic bank, rates of interest on deposits of conventional bank, base lending rate, Kuala Lumpur composite index, consumer price index, money supply and gross domestic product have different impact on deposits at both Islamic and conventional banking systems. In most cases, customers of conventional system behave in conformity with the savings behaviour theories. In contrast, most of these theories are not applicable to Islamic banking customers. Therefore, there is a possibility that religious belief plays an important role in the banking decisions of Muslim customers.

Research limitations/implications

As customers are sensitive to rewards, they receive from their deposits, rates of profit of Islamic system must at any time be similar to those of the conventional system. Finally, religious dimension can be considered as an important element to attract more people to deposit their funds in the Islamic system.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to empirically examine the depositor's behaviour in the Islamic banking environment.
On productivity performance gains of Indonesian firms
Authors: Viverita  , Ariff M.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology to study profit vs non‐profit seeking firms usefully to compare corporate performance. It aims to apply the methodology to measure if state vs non‐state firms with different objectives are comparable in performance. If relevant, the paper also aims to comment on the applicability of this method to analysis of other firms, e.g. Islamic banks in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies Malmquist data envelopment analysis method to different classes of firms: state vs non‐state firms; aggregated at the industry and at national levels; and develop appropriate time trend analysis as well.Findings –The common belief that all state firms are inefficient is not upheld by test results: in some sectors (agriculture and chemicals) state firms are more efficient than private firms. Efficiency is very low, but did improve over time across all sectors and types of firms particularly before the 1997‐1998 and in recent years. Efficiency is mostly achieved through technology adoption (technological change) accounts for most efficiency gains.

Research limitations/implications

This study overturns findings of many accounting performance based studies and revisits policy implications.

Practical implications

No one policy fits all in Indonesia for privatization programme.

Originality/value

The paper provides more valid methodology to compare state firms with non‐state firms for the first time.
Privatization and the rise of direct subsidy scheme schools and independent schools in Hong Kong and Singapore
Authors: Chan David , Tan Jason
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to trace the evolution of two initiatives – the direct subsidy scheme and independent schools initiative – their genesis, rationale, current form and take‐up rate. It also analyses them as education reforms in terms of policymaking dynamics. The very notion of the term “privatization” will be examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The article examines the two school privatization schemes in Hong Kong and Singapore, by putting into perspective a discussion of their policy implications, thereby reflecting on their similarities and differences in their agenda, implementation and implications.

Findings

The findings indicate that the DSS and independent school schemes in both Hong Kong and Singapore are in line with the global trends of privatization. It is suggested that the governments of the two places have adopted different approaches in the implementations of their schemes.

Originality/value

The paper shows how the direct subsidy scheme and independent schools initiative represent attempts over the past two decades by the governments of Hong Kong and Singapore, respectively to promote school privatization.
A comparative study of Singapore's school excellence model with Hong Kong's school‐based management
Authors: Tee Ng Pak , Chan David
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to examine and compare the school excellence model (SEM) approach adopted by Singapore and the school‐based management (SBM) approach adopted by Hong Kong. It discusses the implications of such a strategy and the challenges that both Singapore and Hong Kong schools face in navigating a new paradigm of managerialism while satisfying the requirements of quality assurance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilises a comparative approach to analyse the development of educational quality assurance and the movement to decentralise power to the schools in Singapore and Hong Kong. The framework of analysis involves: approach to decentralisation; effects of education marketisation; school leaders, teachers and the profitable use of quality models.

Findings

Both Singapore and Hong Kong utilise a centralised decentralisation approach though with different intent. Education marketisation accentuates the underlying dynamics of fierce competition and accountability through performance indicators. To use the quality models profitably, the main challenge will be for schools to satisfy the spirit of the law rather than the letter of the law.

Practical implications

The comparative study of Singapore and Hong Kong serves as a mirror to other developing countries in understanding how a quality framework coupled with self‐assessment and external inspections can lead to changes in the school system, both positive ones and undesirable side‐effects.

Originality/value

The first comparative study between Singapore's school excellence model with Hong Kong's school‐based management.
International trends and private higher education in India
Authors: Gupta Asha
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to conduct an in‐depth study of international trends in private higher education and focus on the Indian scenario

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology adopted is conceptual, analytical and comparative.

Findings

Though there has been better acceptability of private higher education institutions in India today than the “trepidation” felt at their emergence three decades ago, certain basic questions have been raised: Is the presence of private sector in higher education inevitable? Is it desirable too? Why is the Supreme Court of India intervening in matters pertaining to private higher education so frequently? What are the issues at stake?

Originality/value

An attempt is made to highlight the political‐economic, socio‐cultural, national‐international, ethical‐philosophical and legal‐practical aspects of this outreaching theme, in general, and focus on the driving forces, causes, and consequences of the emergence of the private higher education during the last three decades, in particular.
Education policy rhetoric and reality gap: a reflection
Authors: Pak Tee Ng
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss why there is often a gulf of difference between policy rhetoric and reality. In particular, the paper seeks to explore issues with the policy rhetoric, implementation process and the lens through which reality is perceived, explaining why these issues can open up a policy rhetoric‐reality gap. This article also suggests a simple matrix framework to analyse a rhetoric‐reality gap.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a reflection on, and analysis of, the issue of the difference between policy rhetoric and reality. The framework of analysis involves: issues with policy rhetoric; issues with the implementation process; issues with examining reality.

Findings

Although policy rhetoric always has laudable aims, the underlying dynamics of change and interaction among the various actors at different levels of the system often means that the rhetoric may be compromised in reality. However, it is also possible that even when implementation reality may not correspond closely to policy rhetoric, the adaptation of the policy allows for a better fit with the local context while allowing the policy rhetoric to retain its evocative values for an ideal state of affairs.

Practical implications

Policy rhetoric‐reality is not always “evil” and this gap can be systematically investigated.

Originality/value

This paper provides an explanation of the policy rhetoric‐reality gap and suggests a simple matrix framework to analyse such a gap.
Success factors: public works and public‐private partnerships
Authors: Jacobson Carol , Ok Choi Sang
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to analyze and compares principal factors that contribute to successful public‐private partnerships and public works projects.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a qualitative analysis with in‐depth interviews and observation. Interviews are conducted with key individuals of two projects. Success factors are derived from literature review and modified through in‐depth interviews and comparative analysis.

Findings

Ten success factors are presented and analyzed: specific plan/vision, commitment, open communication and trust, willingness to compromise/collaborate, respect, community outreach, political support, expert advice and review, risk awareness, and clear roles and responsibilities. High degrees of commitment and shared vision between the client, architect, and contractor are shown to be important aspects for construction success as well as pairing factors of open communication and trust with high levels of compromise or collaboration.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation of this research is that it is confined to two case studies. Thus, the generalizability can be utilized for future reference. Further research might review various types of partnerships, such as design‐build relationships, construction manager at risk, or team‐building partnering for projects that may be blocked from the public sector, or public works development.

Originality/value

This study proposes two matrix frameworks to explore a more complete review of relationships of paired success factors. The frameworks view the interplay of how different combined levels or degrees of corresponding factors such as commitment and shared vision can help make a project more effective. These matrices create unique views of comparative factors developed as part of this research paper, which could be further investigated in future research.
Budgetary participation and performance: some Malaysian evidence
Authors: Nor Yahya Mohd , Nazli Nik Ahmad Nik , Hamid Fatima Abdul
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the budgetary participation and performance (BPP) relationship in a public sector organization in a developing country, Malaysia. It also attempts to examine whether organizational commitment and perception of innovation mediate the BPP relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 111 budget managers in the Ministry of Defence, Malaysia, participated in the survey. Response rate was 74 per cent. A path analysis was utilised to examine the direct and indirect effects of budgetary participation on managerial performance.

Findings

Budgetary participation affects managerial performance via the mediating variable of organizational commitment but not perception of innovation. There is a direct relationship between budgetary participation, managerial performance, organizational commitment and perception of innovation.

Research limitations/implications

This is a study conducted in the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), thus results may not be generalizable to other organizations. It involves only two intervening variables; organizational commitment and perception of innovation and uses the intervening variable model to explain the budgetary participation and performance relationship. Budgetary participation improves managerial performance in MINDEF in two ways; directly, as a consequence of management involvement in the budgetary process, as well as indirectly, when managers' commitment to the organization increases due to their participation and involvement in the budgetary process.

Originality/value

This paper fills a gap in the literature as very few studies have examined budgetary participation in a developing country and in a public sector organization.
Hobson's choice? Meaning, manner and merits of choice in public services
Authors: Macaulay Michael , Wilson John
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that since its election in 1997, the Labour Government in the United Kingdom has pursued a policy agenda which in some senses represents a continuation of the New Right agenda it inherited. Central to this agenda has been the emphasis placed on choice in public services.

Design/methodology/approach

Within the context of the New Right agenda this paper explores the concept and suggested merits of choice in public service provision. It does so by focusing on the experiences in England, particularly in relation to health and education.

Findings

By reference to the empirical evidence, the paper evaluates the conceptual arguments in favour of choice and finds that the current emphasis is consistent with the news of the New Right.

Originality/value

The paper questions the merits of choice in public service provision and, in doing so, suggests that the apparent political consensus in favour of choice can not be justified.
Scholarly marketing publication: the American advantage?
Authors: Babin Barry J.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how much one's academic development and environment influence the way one performs, evaluates, writes and tries to publish basic, scholarly marketing research.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of results from initial journal submissions is used to empirically examine the potential reasons for rejection and the size and strength of main effects and interactions comprising the author's country of origin and the reviewer's country of origin.

Findings

The findings, taken together, suggest a small but statistically significant advantage to US authors in avoiding rejection. This advantage is attributable to a relative superiority in expressing ideas in the English language and a better ability to logically develop theory. There is little evidence that suggests the advantage is due to a substantially more quantitative approach than that of others.

Originality/value

The paper examines results of the review process from an actual sample of submitted papers and specifically addresses issues related to the “American” paradigm of marketing research.
Scientific identity of “top” research journals in the broader discipline of marketing
Authors: Svensson Göran , Helgesson Thomas , Slåtten Terje , Tronvoll Bård
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the “scientific identity” of the “top” research journals in the broader discipline of marketing by examining the methodological approaches and the geographical affiliations of authors published in selected journals.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of “top” research journals in marketing is selected on the basis of expert opinion and journal ranking lists. The selection includes the Journal of Consumer Research (JCR), Journal of Marketing (JM), Journal of Marketing Research (JMR), Journal of Retailing (JR), Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science (JAMS); and Marketing Science (MS).

Findings

The “scientific identities” of JCR, JM, JMR, JR, JAMS and MS are revealed as being built on quantitative research designs and the North American paradigm of research values. In fact, all journals are US‐based. None was found to be based on a mix of empirical research designs. The selected research journals were found to be narrowly focused, and the lack of variety of “scientific identities” among the journals studied here is discomfiting for the ongoing scientific knowledge building and theory generation in marketing.

Research limitations/implications

Further studies of the “scientific identity” of individual research journals are desirable in other sub‐disciplines of marketing. A series of questions have been raised that the authors argue are worthy of further attention and debate in the world‐wide research community.

Practical implications

Researchers will benefit from insights into the “scientific identities” of the “top” research journals in the broader discipline of marketing. In particular, researchers can note the particular feature of dogmatic narrowness of research designs that are present in all of these journals.

Originality/value

The study delivers insights into the publishing requirements of “top” research journals in the broader discipline of marketing. It provides some challenging and discomfiting findings.
Academic publishing in marketing: best and worst practices
Authors: Stewart David W.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer observations regarding best and weak practices with respect to academic publishing in marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes the form of personal reflections based on the experience of the author as an editor of the Journal of Marketing and Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science.

Findings

Interesting and novel work is most likely to be published in academic journals even when such work has methodological flaws. Research that is methodologically correct but of limited contribution is less likely to be published. Venue‐driven research, replications, most extensions of prior research and data fitting exercises are unlikely to be published in the “better” marketing journals.

Practical implications

The paper offers practical advice about how to publish in the better marketing journals and how an author should manage the publication process.

Originality/value

The paper offers observations regarding best and weak practices with respect to academic publishing in marketing. It is a practical guide to the academic publication process in marketing. It will be of use to any aspiring scholar in marketing.
Marketing knowledge myopia
Authors: November Peter
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether or not marketing academics practise what they preach. Are they marketing‐oriented in their main business of knowledge creation and dissemination?

Design/methodology/approach

The epistemological marketing literature and performance at producing true marketing knowledge are critically reviewed. Practitioner marketing knowledge is investigated through the literature, personal contacts and a simple direct research study.

Findings

The paper finds that only one kind of knowledge, so‐called “marketing science”, is now regarded as valid. Unfortunately, this kind of knowledge can only be built through extensive and independent testing. After 50 years of following this approach, the output is very small, very expensive and largely of no interest to practitioners because marketing knowledge means something quite different to them. Marketing academics have become myopic as to what marketing knowledge is, and they have become production‐oriented, with the objective of producing as much of it as possible.

Practical implications

There is a need to stop trying to tell practitioners what to do and to shift one's research emphasis to conceptual humanism, postmodern science, direct and action research, tools for practitioners, marketing facts, and educating the whole student.

Originality/value

The paper has made an attempt to change the course of marketing academic literature.