bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Streptococcus lactarius sp. nov., isolated from breast milk of healthy women
Authors: Martín Virginia , Mañes-Lázaro Rosario , Rodríguez Juan Miguel , Maldonado-Barragán Antonio
Published: May 2010

Three strains of a hitherto-unknown, Gram-stain-positive coccus were recovered from the milk of three non-related healthy women. The isolates shared 99 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with sequences from uncultured members of the Lactobacillales and Streptococcus. The closest sequence corresponding to a defined species was that of Streptococcus peroris GTC 848T, with a similarity of 98 %. A partial sequence (488 bp) of the tuf gene also showed 97 % similarity with that of S. peroris CCUG 39814T. The combined 16S rRNA/tuf-based phylogeny revealed that all the isolates grouped in a statistically well-supported cluster separate from S. peroris. Enzyme activity profiles as well as fermentation patterns differentiated the novel bacteria from other members of the Streptococcus mitis group. Finally, phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data supported the proposal of a novel species of the genus Streptococcus, for which the name Streptococcus lactarius sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MV1T ( = CECT 7613T  = DSM 23027T).
Actinophytocola burenkhanensis sp. nov., isolated from Mongolian soil
Authors: Ara Ismet , Tsetseg Baljinova , Daram Damdinsuren , Suto Manabu , Ando Katsuhiko
Published: May 2010

A Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile actinomycete, strain MN08-A0203T, that formed pale yellow to orange-brown colonies and non-fragmented branched substrate mycelium is described. The strain, which produced very scanty aerial mycelium-like structures and scanty formation of spherical bodies on the aerial mycelium on Bennett’s agar medium, was studied in detail to determine its taxonomic position. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, strain MN08-A0203T grouped with the genus Actinophytocola, being most closely related to the type strain of Actinophytocola oryzae (97.8 %). Chemotaxonomic data [menaquinone MK-9(H4); iso-C16 : 0 (27 %), iso-C15 : 0 (18 %), C16 : 1 H (8 %), C16 : 0 9-methyl (8 %) as major fatty acids; glucose, galactose, ribose, arabinose, mannose, rhamnose and xylose (trace) as whole cell sugars; diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine and ninhydrin-positive phosphoglycolipids as polar phospholipids] supported allocation of the strain to the genus Actinophytocola. Furthermore, the results of DNA–DNA hybridization of strain MN08-A0203T with the type strain of Actinophytocola oryzae revealed that the two strains were genetically distinct from each other. Moreover, physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain MN08-A0203T from closely related species. Thus, MN08-A0203T represents a novel species of the genus Actinophytocola, for which the name Actinophytocola burenkhanensis sp. nov. is proposed, with MN08-A0203T ( = NBRC 105883T  = VTCC D9-23T) as the type strain.
Kangiella spongicola sp. nov., a halophilic marine bacterium isolated from the sponge Chondrilla nucula
Authors: Ahn Joanne , Park Joong-Wook , McConnell Jennifer A. , Ahn Young-Beom , Häggblom Max M.
Published: May 2010

A novel halophilic bacterium of the genus Kangiella was isolated from a marine sponge collected from the Florida Keys, USA. Strain A79T, an aerobic, Gram-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium, grew in 2–15 % (w/v) NaCl, at a temperature of 10–49 °C and at pH 4.5–10. Phylogenetic analysis placed strain A79T in the family Alcanivoraceae in the class Gammaproteobacteria. Strain A79T showed 98.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Kangiella japonica KMM 3899T, 96.6 % similarity to Kangiella koreensis DSM 16069T and 95.6 % similarity to Kangiella aquimarina DSM 16071T. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C11 : 0, iso-C11 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1ω9c and the G+C content of the genomic DNA was 44.9 mol%. On the basis of physiological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic comparisons, strain A79T represents a novel species in the genus Kangiella, for which the name Kangiella spongicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A79T ( = ATCC BAA-2076T = DSM 23219T).
Candida xylanilytica sp. nov., a xylan-degrading yeast species isolated from Thailand
Authors: Boonmak Chanita , Limtong Savitree , Jindamorakot Sasitorn , Am-In Somjit , Yongmanitchai Wichien , Suzuki Ken-ichiro , Nakase Takashi , Kawasaki Hiroko
Published: May 2010

Xylan is a major component of hemicellulose, which constitutes about 40 % of plant biomass. Hydrolysis of xylan into simple sugars is one of the important steps in the conversion of lignocellulosic material to value-added products. During an investigation of cellulose- and xylan-degrading yeasts, two yeast strains that were able to use cellulose and xylan as sole carbon source were found to represent a phylogenetically distinct species in theSpathasporaclade. The closest species in terms of pairwise sequence similarity in the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene wasCandida subhashii. The novel species can be distinguished from the other species in theSpathasporaclade based on the ability to assimilate methanol and raffinose, growth in medium containing 60 % glucose, and growth at 42 °C. It ferments glucose but not other carbohydrates. The nameCandida xylanilyticasp. nov. is proposed for this species. The type strain is KU-Xn11T( = NBRC 106499T = BCC 34694T = CBS 11761T).
Amycolatopsis samaneae sp. nov., isolated from roots of Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr.
Authors: Duangmal Kannika , Mingma Ratchanee , Pathom-aree Wasu , Thamchaipenet Arinthip , Inahashi Yuki , Matsumoto Atsuko , Takahashi Yoko
Published: May 2010

A novel actinomycete, designated strain RM287T, was isolated from surface-sterilized roots of Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr., collected from Bangkok, Thailand. The status of the novel strain was determined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the organism formed a distinct phyletic line within the radiation of the genus Amycolatopsis. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity indicated that strain RM287T was most closely related to Amycolatopsis mediterranei IMSNU 20056T (97.4 %), A. rifamycinica DSM 46095T (97.2 %), A. kentuckyensis NRRL B-24129T (97.2 %), A. pretoriensis DSM 44654T (97 %) and A. australiensis DSM 44671T (97 %). The novel organism was found to have chemical properties typical of members of the genus Amycolatopsis such as meso-diaminopimelic acid as the dignostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan and arabinose and galactose as the diagnostic sugars. The major menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 iso-C15 : 0, iso 2-OH-C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 71.7 mol%. Phenotypic data clearly distinguished the novel isolate from its closest relatives. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data indicated that strain RM287T represented a novel species of the genus Amycolatopsis. The proposed name for this organism is Amycolatopsis samaneae sp. nov., with the type strain RM287T ( = TISTR 1919T = BCC 35842T = NBRC 106095T).
Leucobacter chromiiresistens sp. nov., a chromate-resistant strain
Authors: Sturm Gunnar , Jacobs Johanna , Spröer Cathrin , Schumann Peter , Gescher Johannes
Published: May 2010

A Gram-positive, irregular rod-shaped, non-motile, yellow-pigmented bacterium, strain JG 31T, was isolated in the course of identifying chromium-resistant soil bacteria. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of the isolated bacterium indicated its phylogenetic position within the genus Leucobacter. Binary 16S rRNA gene sequence alignments of the isolated bacterium with the 11 species of the genus recognized at the time of writing revealed sequence similarities of more than 97 % with Leucobacter alluvii (GenBank accession no: AM072820; 99.4 %), Leucobacter iarius (AM040493; 98.2 %), Leucobacter aridicollis (AJ781047; 97.8 %), Leucobacter komagatae (AB007419; 97.4 %), Leucobacter chironomi (EU346911; 97.1 %) and Leucobacter luti (AM072819; 97.1 %). In contrast, DNA–DNA hybridization experiments showed similarity values below 28 % for DNA samples from the most closely related type strains of L. alluvii, L. aridicollis and L. iarius. Protein analysis by matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and automated RiboPrinting using the restriction enzyme PvuII differentiated strain JG 31T from all type strains of the genus Leucobacter. The dominant fatty acids of the novel isolate were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0, while the quinone system consisted of menaquinones MK-11, MK-10, MK-9 and MK-8. In a B-type cross-linked peptidoglycan, the cell-wall amino acids were alanine, glycine, threonine, glutamic acid and 2,4-diaminobutyric acid. Strain JG 31T was able to grow in a medium containing up to 300 mM K2CrO4 and showed cellular aggregation in response to chromate stress. From biochemical and genomic analyses, the new strain is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Leucobacter, for which the name Leucobacter chromiiresistens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain JG 31T ( = DSM 22788T  = CCOS 200T).
Myceligenerans halotolerans sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from a salt lake, and emended description of the genus Myceligenerans
Authors: Wang Yun , Tang Shu-Kun , Li Zhi , Lou Kai , Mao Pei-Hong , Jin Xiang , Klenk Hans-Peter , Zhang Li-Xin , Li Wen-Jun
Published: May 2010

A halotolerant actinomycete strain, designated XJEEM 11063T, was isolated from a salt lake in Xinjiang province, north-western China. Strain XJEEM 11063T grew at pH 6.0–8.0 (optimal growth at pH 7.0), between 10 and 40 °C (optimal growth at 28–37 °C) and at salinities of 0–10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimal growth at 0–5 %, w/v). The peptidoglycan type was A4α, and the whole-cell hydrolysates contained glucose, mannose and arabinose. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. MK-9(H4) was the predominant menaquinone and the polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, two unknown phospholipids and three unknown glycolipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 71.8 mol%. The chemotaxonomic properties supported the affiliation of strain XJEEM 11063T to the genus Myceligenerans. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the organism was most closely related to Myceligenerans xiligouense XLG9A10.2T (98.3 %) and Myceligenerans crystallogenes DSM 17134T (97.0 %). However, it had relatively low values for DNA–DNA relatedness with the above strains (56.0 % and 47.5 %, respectively). Thus, on the basis of the results from this study, a novel species, Myceligenerans halotolerans sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is XJEEM 11063T ( = DSM 21949T = CCTCC AA 208063T).
Haloplanus aerogenes sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon from a marine solar saltern
Authors: Cui Heng-Lin , Gao Xia , Yang Xin , Xu Xue-Wei
Published: May 2010

Halophilic archaeal strain TBN37T was isolated from Taibei marine solar saltern near Lianyungang city of Jiangsu province, China. Cells were pleomorphic, flat and contained gas vesicles. Cells of strain TBN37T stained Gram-negative and the colonies were pink-pigmented. The strain was able to grow at 25–50 °C (optimum, 37–40 °C), with 1.4–5.1 M NaCl (optimum, 2.1 M NaCl), with 0–1.0 M MgCl2 (optimum, 0.01 M MgCl2) and at pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 7.5). Cells lysed in distilled water and the minimal NaCl concentration to prevent cell lysis was 8 % (w/v). The major polar lipids of strain TBN37T were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, phosphatidylglycerol sulfate and one major glycolipid chromatographically identical to sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether (S-DGD-1). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain TBN37T was closely related to Haloplanus natans and Haloplanus vescus, with the same similarity of 97.4 %. The DNA G+C content of strain TBN37T is 64.1 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain TBN37T and Haloplanus natans JCM 14081T and between strain TBN37T
and Haloplanus vescus RO5-8T were 37.6 % and 42.1 %, respectively. It was concluded that strain TBN37T represents a novel species of the genus Haloplanus, for which the name Haloplanus aerogenes sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TBN37T ( = CGMCC 1.10124T  = JCM 16430T).
Ohtaekwangia koreensis gen. nov., sp. nov. and Ohtaekwangia kribbensis sp. nov., isolated from marine sand, deep-branching members of the phylum Bacteroidetes
Authors: Yoon Jung-Hoon , Kang So-Jung , Lee Soo-Young , Lee Jung-Sook , Park Sooyeon
Published: May 2010

Two Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterial strains, designated 3B-2T and 10AOT, were isolated from a sand sample collected from the west coast of the Korean peninsula by using low-nutrient media, and their taxonomic positions were investigated in a polyphasic study. The strains did not grow on marine agar. They grew optimally at 30 °C and pH 6.5–7.5. Strains 3B-2T and 10AOT shared 97.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and mean level of DNA–DNA relatedness of 12 %. In phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strains 3B-2T and 10AOT, together with several uncultured bacterial clones, formed independent lineages within the evolutionary radiation encompassed by the phylum Bacteroidetes. Strains 3B-2T and 10AOT contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 1ω5c as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C contents of strains 3B-2T and 10AOT were 42.8 and 44.6 mol%, respectively. Strains 3B-2T and 10AOT exhibited very low levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (<85.0 %) to the type strains of recognized bacterial species. These data were sufficient to support the proposal that the novel strains should be differentiated from previously known genera of the phylum Bacteroidetes. On the basis of the data presented, we suggest that strains 3B-2T and 10AOT represent two distinct novel species of a new genus, for which the names Ohtaekwangia koreensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (the type species; type strain 3B-2T  = KCTC 23018T  = CCUG 58939T) and Ohtaekwangia kribbensis sp. nov. (type strain 10AOT  = KCTC 23019T  = CCUG 58938T) are proposed.
Genome-wide misexpression of X-linked versus autosomal genes associated with hybrid male sterility
Authors: Lu Xuemei , Shapiro Joshua A. , Ting Chau-Ti , Li Yan , Li Chunyan , Xu Jin , Huang Huanwei , Cheng Ya-Jen , Greenberg Anthony J. , Li Shou-Hsien , Wu Mao-Lien , Shen Yang , Wu Chung-I
Published: May 2010

Postmating reproductive isolation is often manifested as hybrid male sterility, for which X-linked genes are overrepresented (the so-called large X effect). In contrast, X-linked genes are significantly under-represented among testis-expressing genes. This seeming contradiction may be germane to the X:autosome imbalance hypothesis on hybrid sterility, in which the X-linked effect is mediated mainly through the misexpression of autosomal genes. In this study, we compared gene expression in fertile and sterile males in the hybrids between two Drosophila species. These hybrid males differ only in a small region of the X chromosome containing the Ods-site homeobox (OdsH) (also known as Odysseus) locus of hybrid sterility. Of genes expressed in the testis, autosomal genes were, indeed, more likely to be misexpressed than X-linked genes under the sterilizing action of OdsH. Since this mechanism of X:autosome interaction is only associated with spermatogenesis, a connection between X:autosome imbalance and the high rate of hybrid male sterility seems plausible.
Arabidopsis RING E3 Ligase XBAT32 Regulates Lateral Root Production through Its Role in Ethylene Biosynthesis
Authors: Prasad Madhulika E. , Schofield Andrew , Lyzenga Wendy , Liu Hongxia , Stone Sophia L.
Published: May 2010

XBAT32, a member of the RING domain-containing ankyrin repeat subfamily of E3 ligases, was previously identified as a positive regulator of lateral root development. Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants harboring a mutation in XBAT32 produce fewer lateral roots that wild-type plants. We found that xbat32 mutants produce significantly more ethylene than wild-type plants and that inhibition of ethylene biosynthesis or perception significantly increased xbat32 lateral root production. XBAT32 interacts with the ethylene biosynthesis enzymes AMINOCYCLOPROPANE-1-CARBOXYLIC ACID SYNTHASE4 (ACS4) and ACS7 in yeast-two-hybrid assays. XBAT32 is capable of catalyzing the attachment of ubiquitin to both ACS4 and ACS7 in in vitro ubiquitination assays. These results suggest that XBAT32 negatively regulates ethylene biosynthesis by modulating the abundance of ACS proteins. Loss of XBAT32 may promote the stabilization of ACSs and lead to increased ethylene synthesis and suppression of lateral root formation. XBAT32 may also contribute to the broader hormonal cross talk that influences lateral root development. While auxin treatments only partially rescue the lateral root defect of xbat32, they completely restore wild-type levels of xbat32 lateral root production when coupled with ethylene inhibition. Abscisic acid, an antagonist of ethylene synthesis/signaling, was also found to stimulate rather than inhibit xbat32 lateral root formation, and abscisic acid acts synergistically with auxin to promote xbat32 lateral root production.
Conserved Alternative Splicing of Arabidopsis Transthyretin-Like Determines Protein Localization and S-Allantoin Synthesis in Peroxisomes
Authors: Lamberto Ilaria , Percudani Riccardo , Gatti Rita , Folli Claudia , Petrucco Stefania
Published: May 2010

S-allantoin, a major ureide compound, is produced in plant peroxisomes from oxidized purines. Sequence evidence suggested that the Transthyretin-like (TTL) protein, which interacts with brassinosteroid receptors, may act as a bifunctional enzyme in the synthesis of S-allantoin. Here, we show that recombinant TTL from Arabidopsis thaliana catalyzes two enzymatic reactions leading to the stereoselective formation of S-allantoin, hydrolysis of hydroxyisourate through a C-terminal Urah domain, and decarboxylation of 2-oxo-4-hydroxy-4-carboxy-5-ureidoimidazoline through an N-terminal Urad domain. We found that two different mRNAs are produced from the TTL gene through alternative use of two splice acceptor sites. The corresponding proteins differ in the presence (TTL1−) and the absence (TTL2−) of a rare internal peroxisomal targeting signal (PTS2). The two proteins have similar catalytic activity in vitro but different in vivo localization: TTL1− localizes in peroxisomes, whereas TTL2− localizes in the cytosol. Similar splice variants are present in monocots and dicots. TTL originated in green algae through a Urad-Urah fusion, which entrapped an N-terminal PTS2 between the two domains. The presence of this gene in all Viridiplantae indicates that S-allantoin biosynthesis has general significance in plant nitrogen metabolism, while conservation of alternative splicing suggests that this mechanism has general implications in the regulation of the ureide pathway in flowering plants.
Plastidial Thioredoxin z Interacts with Two Fructokinase-Like Proteins in a Thiol-Dependent Manner: Evidence for an Essential Role in Chloroplast Development in Arabidopsis and Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Arsova Borjana , Hoja Ursula , Wimmelbacher Matthias , Greiner Eva , Üstün Şuayib , Melzer Michael , Petersen Kerstin , Lein Wolfgang , Börnke Frederik
Published: May 2010

Here, we characterize a plastidial thioredoxin (TRX) isoform from Arabidopsis thaliana that defines a previously unknown branch of plastidial TRXs lying between x- and y-type TRXs and thus was named TRX z. An Arabidopsis knockout mutant of TRX z had a severe albino phenotype and was inhibited in chloroplast development. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis of the mutant suggested that the expressions of genes that depend on a plastid-encoded RNA polymerase (PEP) were specifically decreased. Similar results were obtained upon virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of the TRX z ortholog in Nicotiana benthamiana. We found that two fructokinase-like proteins (FLN1 and FLN2), members of the pfkB-carbohydrate kinase family, were potential TRX z target proteins and identified conserved Cys residues mediating the FLN–TRX z interaction. VIGS in N. benthamiana and inducible RNA interference in Arabidopsis of FLNs also led to a repression of PEP-dependent gene transcription. Remarkably, recombinant FLNs displayed no detectable sugar-phosphorylating activity, and amino acid substitutions within the predicted active site imply that the FLNs have acquired a new function, which might be regulatory rather than metabolic. We were able to show that the FLN2 redox state changes in vivo during light/dark transitions and that this change is mediated by TRX z. Taken together, our data strongly suggest an important role for TRX z and both FLNs in the regulation of PEP-dependent transcription in chloroplasts.
Distinct Regulation of Adaxial-Abaxial Polarity in Anther Patterning in Rice
Authors: Toriba Taiyo , Suzaki Takuya , Yamaguchi Takahiro , Ohmori Yoshihiro , Tsukaya Hirokazu , Hirano Hiro-Yuki
Published: May 2010

Establishment of adaxial-abaxial polarity is essential for lateral organ development. The mechanisms underlying the polarity establishment in the stamen remain unclear, whereas those in the leaf are well understood. Here, we investigated a rod-like lemma (rol) mutant of rice (Oryza sativa), in which the development of the stamen and lemma is severely compromised. We found that the rod-like structure of the lemma and disturbed anther patterning resulted from defects in the regulation of adaxial-abaxial polarity. Gene isolation indicated that the rol phenotype was caused by a weak mutation in SHOOTLESS2 (SHL2), which encodes an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and functions in trans-acting small interfering RNA (ta-siRNA) production. Thus, ta-siRNA likely plays an important role in regulating the adaxial-abaxial polarity of floral organs in rice. Furthermore, we found that the spatial expression patterns of marker genes for adaxial-abaxial polarity are rearranged during anther development in the wild type. After this rearrangement, a newly formed polarity is likely to be established in a new developmental unit, the theca primordium. This idea is supported by observations of abnormal stamen development in the shl2-rol mutant. By contrast, the stamen filament is likely formed by abaxialization. Thus, a unique regulatory mechanism may be involved in regulating adaxial-abaxial polarity in stamen development.
Brand familiarity and tasting in conjoint analysis
Authors: Cerjak Marija , Haas Rainer , Kovačić Damir
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The aims of this paper is to determine, via an empirical study of beer consumers in Croatia, the influence of tasting on the validity of conjoint analysis (CA) under presence of familiar or unfamiliar brands.

Design/methodology/approach

The research comprised a face‐to‐face survey with 403 beer consumers. The respondents were divided into four groups regarding CA experiment (familiar/unfamiliar beer brand in combination with presence or absence of beer tasting). CA validity was measured with five criteria: face validity, convergent validity, internal validity, predictive validity and subjective evaluation of conjoint task. In addition to the CA experiment, a structured questionnaire was used consisting of a few questions regarding respondents' socio‐economic characteristics, beer purchasing, and consuming behaviour.

Findings

The research results confirmed that tasting as an additional presentation method has significant influence on validity of CA. However, the results of the study indicate that tasting should be used as a stimulus presentation method for CA with food and beverage products/brands, which are unfamiliar to the consumers. When testing familiar brands and brands with established perceptions, simpler and less expensive verbal stimulus presentation can be used.

Practical implications

According to the research results, it could be concluded that when performing CA with strong familiar brands, it is not necessary to use CA with tasting since tasting increases research complexity and costs and it does not achieve better results. However, tasting as a stimuli presentation method gives better results than pure verbal CA in the case of unfamiliar brands.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the first to deal with tasting as a presentation method in conjoint analysis and its results have direct implications for the future use of CA with food and beverages.
Adoption of voluntary front of package nutrition schemes in UK food innovations
Authors: Van Camp D.J. , Hooker N.H. , Souza‐Monteiro D.M.
Published: May 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to determine the response of manufacturers and retailers to voluntary UK front of package (FOP) schemes through food product innovations.

Design/methodology/approach

A food innovation database (Global New Products Database) was used to track all food products released in the UK from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2008. Meal, bakery and breakfast cereal products were classified into two groups, according to whether the food category was targeted by the Food Standard Agency (FSA) for FOP labelling. Analysis includes descriptive statistics and cross‐tabulations of factors such as product category, type of FOP scheme, company, and year.

Findings

Private label brands dominate food innovations in the UK. The use of FOP labels is selective among companies and across food categories. Guideline daily allowance (GDA) labelling is more widely adopted than the traffic light labelling system (TLS). Both systems have been more broadly adopted in target food categories when compared to non‐target food categories.

Research limitations/implications

The database used to conduct this research provides detailed data on food product innovations released in the UK. However, this is not linked to sales data and therefore cannot be used to analyse changes in consumption due to FOP labelling systems. Nevertheless, the response of food manufacturers and retailers in their innovation strategies is a critical piece to understanding how voluntary labelling polices may impact public health.

Originality/value

The paper presents evidence of dynamics of supply‐side responses to increasing consumer demand for healthier foods.
Microbiological and chemical quality of tahini halva
Authors: Kahraman Tolga , Issa Ghassan , Ozmen Gursel , Buyukunal Serkan
Published: May 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to determine the microbiological and chemical quality of halva samples obtained from retail markets and producers in the Marmara region.

Design/methodology/approach

Halva samples (120) were collected at intervals between March 2007 and February 2008. Samples were investigated for the microbiological (aerobic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli, molds/yeasts, Salmonella spp. and staphylococcal enterotoxins) and chemical (sesame oil, protein, moisture, ash content, tahini, acidity, total sugar content and peroxide values) quality.

Findings

Overall, 36.66 per cent (44/120) tahini halva samples were of unacceptable quality based on recommended criteria of microbiological (39 of 120, 32.5 per cent) and chemical quality (21 of 120, 17.5 per cent) by the Turkish Food Codex. Salmonella spp. and staphylococcal enterotoxins were not determined in the samples.

Originality/value

Tahini halva, which is one of the oldest traditional desserts and is popular in Middle Eastern and North African countries, has not been extensively investigated for microbiological safety. This study is important in the identification of risk factors for the presence of microorganisms and assessment of the quality of halva.
Applying quality function deployment in food safety management
Authors: Sweet Tim , Balakrishnan Jaydeep , Robertson Brad , Stolee Jennifer , Karim Sarah
Published: May 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to report on a case study conducted to help plan a rollout process for hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) type food safety policies at a frozen pie facility in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

Existing company policies were prioritized using a quality function deployment tool, which quantified the qualitative material in the original manual based on a number of developed criteria. Interrelations between the different required tasks were also quantified to facilitate effective implementation.

Findings

The use of quality function deployment was shown to be useful in speeding up the implementation of food safety policies in the facility.

Practical implications

Quality function deployment, originally from new product design, proved useful when applied to HACCP implementation.

Originality/value

This paper discusses the use of product development tools to facilitate the effective introduction of HACCP like procedures. Thus it will be of use to academics and practitioners interested in HACCP implementation.
Traceability in the Greek fresh produce sector: drivers and constraints
Authors: Manos Basil , Manikas Ioannis
Published: May 2010

Purpose

In this paper, the key drivers and constraints for implementing traceability are examined in the Greek fresh produce supply chain. The main objective is to identify the main factors affecting the implementation of traceability schemes, under the current supply chain structure and evaluate the theoretical framework identified in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

A specific executive research was conducted, including interviews with key representatives of the sector. The scope of the research was to collect qualitative data with the aid of an unstructured questionnaire with no close‐ended questions. The research sample included 22 agricultural cooperatives and private packinghouses located in northern Greece where the core value adding activities of the fresh produce supply chain are taking place. Northern Greece is of high importance for the examined sector as a high percentage of all value adding activities, from production to distribution, are taking place within this region.

Findings

In the fresh produce supply chains ephemeral dynamic collaborations prevail which do not allow particular transparency with regard to the exchange of information between their members. Severe inequities recognized between supply chain members regarding their ability to imply traceability systems effectively, their current technological and operational status and the availability to undertake the cost of investment in such systems. Tight profit margins and inadequate knowledge on potential benefits of traceability systems are reported as some of the main factors that hinder investments on sophisticated traceability schemes. Adequate labeling automation with the implementation of machine‐readable labeling technologies and the introduction of web‐based technologies as a low cost solution are estimated to improve fresh produce traceability and logistics efficiency.

Originality/value

Within a limited number of research papers on fresh produce traceability, there is no reference to the Greek produce sector. Thus, this paper progresses knowledge of the Greek produce industry regarding perspectives and key drivers for traceability implementation, supported by the thorough review of the literature.
Conceptualisation of management and leadership
Authors: Nienaber Hester
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The divide in the conceptualisation of the terms “management” and “leadership” is not clear. The purpose of this paper is to explore the concepts of management and leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach of the study followed a synthesis review and also applied content analysis, identifying the tasks constituting management and leadership respectively.

Findings

The findings of the literature review demonstrated that the concepts of management and leadership are intertwined. The word “management” has French and Italian roots, while the word “leadership” has Greek and Latin roots. Essentially, though, these words are synonymous. All of the tasks fall within the boundaries of management, while leadership tasks overlap with management. Unlike management, leadership has no distinct task that falls exclusively within its boundary.

Practical implications

Implications of the findings of the study include debate regarding how practising managers can know what is expected of them if the literature is unclear on the distinction between these concepts, and playing down the demonstrated need and relevance of management.

Originality/value

This paper is original as no previous work on management and leadership has attempted to compare the content of these concepts.
Exploring the impacts of intellectual property on intellectual capital and company performance
Authors: Namvar Morteza , Fathian Mohammad , Akhavan Peyman , Reza Gholamian Mohammad
Published: May 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to empirically explore the effects of intellectual property (IP) on intellectual capital (IC) and firm performance in Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire‐oriented survey from senior and top managers in the Iranian computer and electronic industry was utilized for regression analysis.

Findings

The findings indicate that IP significantly influences other dimensions of IC, which consists of human capital (HC), relational capital (RC) and structural capital (SC). The study also provides empirical evidence that gaining firm performance is positively related to these three elements of IC.

Research limitations/implications

First, more advanced statistical techniques with a larger number of respondents could be used to evaluate the regression equations. Second, the companies chosen for the study are from two specific and fairly similar industries in Iran. Thus, the results may not be applicable to other industries in different countries.

Practical implications

With a broad view on IP that considers its creation, protection and utilization too, IP has a central role in knowledge‐based organizations to enhance competitive advantage.

Originality/value

This study builds on and extends the research made by Bollen et al., to link IP and IC to company performance. The paper focuses on the effects of IP on other parts of IC.
Internal and lateral communication in strategic alliance decision making
Authors: Butler Colin J.
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate differences in decision‐making processes between UK and non‐UK managers in the defence manufacturing industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A pilot study was conducted with a small number of firms in Yorkshire, UK. A large‐scale survey was conducted of 250 firms in the UK. The response rate was 60 per cent.

Findings

Decision making is kept team‐orientated in larger firms with decision making autonomy in place for each team. The research demonstrates that leading firms drive best practice and best practice research disseminates globally through industry‐academic collaboration.

Practical implications

Alliances with leading firms will lead to the evolution of team‐based, programme structured decision making in UK‐non‐UK strategic alliances.

Originality/value

Global managers learn from the experiences of team‐based programme structured decision makers.
Organizational design approaches in management consulting
Authors: Visscher Klaasjan , Irene J.
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to map the variety in organizational design approaches, to clarify their differences, and to find out what constitutes good designing in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

A series of in‐depth interviews with experienced, high‐reputation consultants is used to reconstruct organizational design practice.

Findings

The paper presents a typology with three organizational design approaches, stemming from different theoretical traditions. The paper demonstrates that the three approaches comprise both traditional design activities – analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation – experimental activities, and political activities, but that the emphasis, elaboration, rationale and order of these activities are very different for each approach.

Research limitations/implications

The study provides a framework for further research on the contextualization of design processes, investigating which design approaches work under which conditions.

Practical implications

Practitioners can use the results of this study to clarify, improve and enrich their own approach of organizational designing.

Originality/value

Management literature contains many models of organization design processes, but empirical studies of these processes are rare, and not yet existing in the context of management consulting. The paper fills some of the gaps.
Organizational support for intrapreneurship and its interaction with human capital to enhance innovative performance
Authors: Alpkan Lutfihak , Bulut Cagri , Gunday Gurhan , Ulusoy Gunduz , Kilic Kemal
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the direct and interactive effects of organizational support and human capital on the innovative performance of companies. Individual effects of the organizational support dimensions, namely: management support for generating and developing new business ideas, allocation of free time, convenient organizational structures concerning, in particular, decentralization level or decision‐making autonomy, appropriate use of incentives and rewards, and tolerance for trial‐and‐errors or failures in cases of creative undertakings or risky project implementations, are also to be investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

The study develops and tests a theoretical research model where the organizational support dimensions are the independent variables, innovative performance is the dependent variable, and the human capital has a moderating role in this relationship, via a questionnaire study covering 184 manufacturing firms in Turkey.

Findings

Among the individual direct effects of the dimensions of organizational support, management support for idea development and tolerance for risk taking are found to exert positive effects on innovative performance. Availability of a performance based reward system and free time have no impact on innovativeness, while work discretion has a negative one. As for the role of human capital (HC), it is found to be an important driver of innovative performance especially when the OS is limited. However, when the levels of both HC and OS are high, innovative performance does not increase any further.

Originality/value

Two distinct research streams, namely organizational support literature and human capital literature, have already focused on their individual impacts on the innovative performance. However, a combination of these separate streams was not tried before. The paper discusses and investigates what will happen when both positive drivers interact with each other. Moreover, it also investigates how organizational support and human capital are complementary.
Influences of supplier capabilities and collaboration in new car development on competitive advantage of carmakers
Authors: Oh Joongsan , Rhee Seung‐Kyu
Published: May 2010

Purpose

This study aims to investigate relationships among supplier capabilities, collaboration in new car development, and the competitive advantage of carmakers based on the resource‐based view (RBV).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of first‐tier suppliers in the Korean automotive parts industry was conducted, and pertinent hypotheses were tested by using the ordinary least squares (OLS) method and hierarchical multiple regression analysis (HMRA).

Findings

It was found that suppliers' flexibility, engineering and modularization capabilities positively influence collaboration in new car development, which in turn positively affects the competitive advantage of carmakers. This result empirically verifies the RBV proposition that one motive for interfirm collaboration can be the opportunity to gain access to other firms' resources/capabilities. The theory of the RBV was further extended by demonstrating that suppliers' quality improvement and modularization capabilities directly contribute to the competitive advantage of carmakers and that the influence of quality improvement and modularization capabilities on this competitive advantage are robust against technological uncertainty. However, the positive effect of collaboration in new car development on the competitive advantage of carmakers is decreased by the moderating effect of technological uncertainty.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study were obtained from a limited population of the Korean automotive industry. This study not only empirically verified the proposition of the RBV but also extended the RBV theory by empirically demonstrating direct relationships between suppliers' capabilities and carmakers' competitive advantages.

Practical implications

Suppliers must enhance flexibility, modularization and engineering capabilities in order to vitalize collaboration with carmakers in new car development. As technological uncertainty increases, carmakers should address in‐house the problems caused by technological uncertainty or delegate related jobs only to suppliers with significant capabilities for quality improvement and modularization.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies to identify the moderating effect of technological uncertainty on interfirm collaboration.
The analytic hierarchy process and analytic network process: an overview of applications
Authors: Sipahi Seyhan , Timor Mehpare
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a detailed literature review of the recent applications of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and analytic network process (ANP) group decision‐making methodologies.

Design/methodology/approach

Among more than 600 related papers published in the period 2005‐2009, a total of 232 application articles published in highly reputed international academic journals were selected and referenced in this paper. Papers were categorized according to application areas, subject titles, publication date, country of origin, academic journals, and integrated methodologies, and are summarized herein by various tables and charts.

Findings

The findings show that during the years 2005‐2009, use of the AHP technique has continued to increase exponentially. Moreover, it is expected that ANP will gain more popularity in the future, as the benefits of ANP become better understood. Applications of AHP have been dominant in manufacturing, followed by the environmental management and agriculture field, power and energy industry, transportation industry, construction industry, and healthcare. Other remarkable application fields include education, logistics, e‐business, IT, R&D, telecommunication industry, finance and banking, urban management, defense industry and military, government, marketing, tourism and leisure, archaeology, auditing, and the mining industry.

Research limitations/implications

The study does not consider theoretical based AHP or ANP articles. Also the search excluded conference proceedings, masters' theses, and doctoral dissertations.

Practical implications

It is hoped that this study will guide practitioners in future work towards advancement of these techniques and will help the managers to select better decisions by making use of these methodologies.

Originality/value

The paper presents a comprehensive literature review of recent applications of AHP, and also ANP decision tools over the period 2005‐2009. Furthermore, the paper covers fuzzy AHP and fuzzy ANP extensions that are becoming popular methods in some application areas of traditional AHP and ANP.
Alliance structuring behavior: relative influence of alliance type and specific alliance experience
Authors: Rahman Noushi , Korn Helaine J.
Published: May 2010

Purpose

Further understanding of structural hierarchy is critically needed to assess the usefulness of different alliance structures. This study goes beyond transaction cost reasoning and incorporates social exchange theoretic perspective with the aim of capturing the concurrent relationships of alliance type and specific alliance experience with hierarchy of alliance structure.

Design/methodology/approach

Logistic regression analysis of data on 402 strategic alliances is used to test the two hypotheses advanced in the paper.

Findings

The social‐exchange‐based hypothesis is supported – specific alliance experience is negatively related to hierarchy of alliance structure. The transaction‐cost‐based hypothesis is not supported – hierarchy of alliance structure is not greater in horizontal alliances than in vertical alliances.

Research limitations/implications

Strategic alliances with different purposes, such as R&D, supply procurement, marketing, co‐production, and co‐development, may have different industry norms of structuring alliances. This study does not account for these underlying differences within strategic alliances.

Practical implications

The social exchange theory‐based variable (i.e. specific alliance experience) has a more salient influence on alliance structure than does the transaction cost‐based variable (i.e. alliance type). The findings signal the relative importance of communal harmony compared to competitive rivalry.

Originality/value

The paper shows that results suggest that high bureaucratic costs of more hierarchical structures diminish the transaction cost economizing benefits of such structures. This is especially the case when alliances are not expected to experience very high levels of relational hazards (usually in vertical alliances). It appears that partnering firms' concerns with high bureaucratic costs may at times exceed the marginal benefits of control and coordination of exceedingly hierarchical alliance structures.
Are students their universities' customers? An exploratory study
Authors: Gillespie Finney Treena , Zachary Finney R.
Published: May 2010

Purpose

In this study, the aim is to empirically examine the relationship between students' perceptions of themselves as customers of their university and their educational attitudes and behaviors. It also seeks to investigate the extent to which students' characteristics predict their involvement with education.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors obtained data by surveying 1,025 students from a medium‐sized university in the southern United States.

Findings

Consistent with exchange theory, students who perceived themselves as customers were more likely to feel entitled and to view complaining as beneficial. Satisfaction with their university, but not their perceptions of themselves as university customers, predicted educational involvement. Not surprisingly, students who were more involved in their education tended to be older, have higher grade point averages, and attend class more often. However, these students also felt more entitled to outcomes, although they did not differ in their perceptions of whether or not they were customers of the university.

Practical implications

Students who view themselves as customers are likely to hold attitudes and to engage in behaviors that are not conducive to success. However, if the aim is to increase student involvement, how the student's role is defined is less important than efforts to build student satisfaction with the university.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to examine empirically the prevalence and effects of student‐as‐customer perceptions. In addition, this study serves as a basis for better understanding the drivers of student involvement.