bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel tropomyosin isoform functions at the mitotic spindle and Golgi inDrosophila
Authors: Goins Lauren M. , Mullins R. Dyche
Published: May 2015

Most eukaryotic cells express multiple isoforms of the actin-binding protein tropomyosin that help construct a variety of cytoskeletal networks. Only one nonmuscle tropomyosin (Tm1A) has previously been described in Drosophila, but developmental defects caused by insertion of P-elements near tropomyosin genes imply the existence of additional, nonmuscle isoforms. Using biochemical and molecular genetic approaches, we identified three tropomyosins expressed in Drosophila S2 cells: Tm1A, Tm1J, and Tm2A. The Tm1A isoform localizes to the cell cortex, lamellar actin networks, and the cleavage furrow of dividing cells—always together with myosin-II. Isoforms Tm1J and Tm2A colocalize around the Golgi apparatus with the formin-family protein Diaphanous, and loss of either isoform perturbs cell cycle progression. During mitosis, Tm1J localizes to the mitotic spindle, where it promotes chromosome segregation. Using chimeras, we identified the determinants of tropomyosin localization near the C-terminus. This work 1) identifies and characterizes previously unknown nonmuscle tropomyosins in Drosophila, 2) reveals a function for tropomyosin in the mitotic spindle, and 3) uncovers sequence elements that specify isoform-specific localizations and functions of tropomyosin.
Interaction of CK1δ with γTuSC ensures proper microtubule assembly and spindle positioning
Authors: Peng Yutian , Moritz Michelle , Han Xuemei , Giddings Thomas H. , Lyon Andrew , Kollman Justin , Winey Mark , Yates John , Agard David A. , Drubin David G. , Barnes Georjana
Published: May 2015

Casein kinase 1δ (CK1δ) family members associate with microtubule-organizing centers (MTOCs) from yeast to humans, but their mitotic roles and targets have yet to be identified. We show here that budding yeast CK1δ, Hrr25, is a γ-tubulin small complex (γTuSC) binding factor. Moreover, Hrr25's association with γTuSC depends on its kinase activity and its noncatalytic central domain. Loss of Hrr25 kinase activity resulted in assembly of unusually long cytoplasmic microtubules and defects in spindle positioning, consistent with roles in regulation of γTuSC-mediated microtubule nucleation and the Kar9 spindle-positioning pathway, respectively. Hrr25 directly phosphorylated γTuSC proteins in vivo and in vitro, and this phosphorylation promoted γTuSC integrity and activity. Because CK1δ and γTuSC are highly conserved and present at MTOCs in diverse eukaryotes, similar regulatory mechanisms are expected to apply generally in eukaryotes.
CAPRI: efficient inference of cancer progression models from cross-sectional data
Authors: Ramazzotti Daniele , Caravagna Giulio , Olde Loohuis Loes , Graudenzi Alex , Korsunsky Ilya , Mauri Giancarlo , Antoniotti Marco , Mishra Bud
Published: May 2015

Summary: We devise a novel inference algorithm to effectively solve the cancer progression model reconstruction problem. Our empirical analysis of the accuracy and convergence rate of our algorithm, CAncer PRogression Inference (CAPRI), shows that it outperforms the state-of-the-art algorithms addressing similar problems.

Motivation: Several cancer-related genomic data have become available (e.g. The Cancer Genome Atlas, TCGA) typically involving hundreds of patients. At present, most of these data are aggregated in a cross-sectional fashion providing all measurements at the time of diagnosis. Our goal is to infer cancer ‘progression’ models from such data. These models are represented as directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) of collections of ‘selectivity’ relations, where a mutation in a gene A ‘selects’ for a later mutation in a gene B. Gaining insight into the structure of such progressions has the potential to improve both the stratification of patients and personalized therapy choices.

Results: The CAPRI algorithm relies on a scoring method based on a probabilistic theory developed by Suppes, coupled with bootstrap and maximum likelihood inference. The resulting algorithm is efficient, achieves high accuracy and has good complexity, also, in terms of convergence properties. CAPRI performs especially well in the presence of noise in the data, and with limited sample sizes. Moreover CAPRI, in contrast to other approaches, robustly reconstructs different types of confluent trajectories despite irregularities in the data. We also report on an ongoing investigation using CAPRI to study atypical Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, in which we uncovered non trivial selectivity relations and exclusivity patterns among key genomic events.

Availability and implementation: CAPRI is part of the TRanslational ONCOlogy R package and is freely available on the web at: http://bimib.disco.unimib.it/index.php/Tronco

Contact:  daniele.ramazzotti@disco.unimib.it

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
GLASS: a comprehensive database for experimentally validated GPCR-ligand associations
Authors: Chan Wallace K. B. , Zhang Hongjiu , Yang Jianyi , Brender Jeffrey R. , Hur Junguk , Özgür Arzucan , Zhang Yang
Published: May 2015

Motivation: G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are probably the most attractive drug target membrane proteins, which constitute nearly half of drug targets in the contemporary drug discovery industry. While the majority of drug discovery studies employ existing GPCR and ligand interactions to identify new compounds, there remains a shortage of specific databases with precisely annotated GPCR-ligand associations.

Results: We have developed a new database, GLASS, which aims to provide a comprehensive, manually curated resource for experimentally validated GPCR-ligand associations. A new text-mining algorithm was proposed to collect GPCR-ligand interactions from the biomedical literature, which is then crosschecked with five primary pharmacological datasets, to enhance the coverage and accuracy of GPCR-ligand association data identifications. A special architecture has been designed to allow users for making homologous ligand search with flexible bioactivity parameters. The current database contains ∼500 000 unique entries, of which the vast majority stems from ligand associations with rhodopsin- and secretin-like receptors. The GLASS database should find its most useful application in various in silico GPCR screening and functional annotation studies.

Availability and implementation: The website of GLASS database is freely available at http://zhanglab.ccmb.med.umich.edu/GLASS/.

Contact:  zhng@umich.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Pre-Hellenistic Greek Poetry in its Social Contexts
Authors: Nagy Gregory , Muellner Leonard
Published: May 2015

This bibliographical essay is divided into six parts, which supersede an older set of six essays that had once served as introductions to a collection of writings on ancient Greek literature: the first six of nine volumes in G. Nagy, ed. 2001. Greek Literature (New York: Routledge). For an updating of those earlier essays, see Nagy 2001 (cited under Oral Traditional Background of Ancient Greek Poetry). This essay concentrates on books and articles that primarily evaluate and interpret the original texts of Greek poetry before the Hellenistic period, not on published commentaries, however valuable they may be, that accompany editions of these original texts. We make four exceptions, however, by listing Barrett’s Euripides: Hippolytus (Barrett 1964, cited under Drama of Euripides), Seaford’s Euripides: Cyclops (Seaford 1984, cited under Relationship of Ritual and Myth in Drama), Asheri and colleagues’ Commentary on Herodotus Books I–IV (Asheri, et al. 2007, cited under Debates about Classical Greek Poetry as It Relates to Classical Greek Prose), and Bollack’s Empédocle (Bollack 1965–1969, cited under Greek Poetry and Philosophy in the Pre-Socratic Era): we highlight these four publications as masterpieces of interpretation, regardless of category.
Layering genetic circuits to build a single cell, bacterial half adder
Authors: Wong Adison , Wang Huijuan , Poh Chueh Loo , Kitney Richard I
Published: May 2015

Gene regulation in biological systems is impacted by the cellular and genetic context-dependent effects of the biological parts which comprise the circuit. Here, we have sought to elucidate the limitations of engineering biology from an architectural point of view, with the aim of compiling a set of engineering solutions for overcoming failure modes during the development of complex, synthetic genetic circuits. Using a synthetic biology approach that is supported by computational modelling and rigorous characterisation, AND, OR and NOT biological logic gates were layered in both parallel and serial arrangements to generate a repertoire of Boolean operations that include NIMPLY, XOR, half adder and half subtractor logics in single cell. Subsequent evaluation of these near-digital biological systems revealed critical design pitfalls that triggered genetic context dependent effects, including 5’ UTR interference and uncontrolled switch-on behaviour of σ54 promoter. Importantly, this work provides a representative case study to the debugging of genetic context dependent effects through principles elucidated herein, thereby providing a rational design framework to program single prokaryotic cell with diversified digital operations.
GenOO: A Modern Perl Framework for High Throughput Sequencing analysis
Authors: Maragkakis Manolis , Alexiou Panagiotis , Mourelatos Zissimos
Published: May 2015

Background

High throughput sequencing (HTS) has become one of the primary experimental tools used to extract genomic information from biological samples. Bioinformatics tools are continuously being developed for the analysis of HTS data. Beyond some well-defined core analyses, such as quality control or genomic alignment, the consistent development of custom tools and the representation of sequencing data in organized computational structures and entities remains a challenging effort for bioinformaticians.

Results

In this work, we present GenOO [jee-noo], an open-source; object-oriented (OO) Perl framework specifically developed for the design and implementation of HTS analysis tools. GenOO models biological entities such as genes and transcripts as Perl objects, and includes relevant modules, attributes and methods that allow for the manipulation of high throughput sequencing data. GenOO integrates these elements in a simple and transparent way which allows for the creation of complex analysis pipelines minimizing the overhead for the researcher. GenOO has been designed with flexibility in mind, and has an easily extendable modular structure with minimal requirements for external tools and libraries. As an example of the framework’s capabilities and usability, we present a short and simple walkthrough of a custom use case in HTS analysis.

Conclusions

GenOO is a tool of high software quality which can be efficiently used for advanced HTS analyses. It has been used to develop several custom analysis tools, leading to a number of published works. Using GenOO as a core development module can greatly benefit users, by reducing the overhead and complexity of managing HTS data and biological entities at hand.
Sequencing ultra-long DNA molecules with the Oxford Nanopore MinION
Authors: Urban John M. , Bliss Jacob , Lawrence Charles E. , Gerbi Susan A.
Published: May 2015

Oxford Nanopore Technologies’ nanopore sequencing device, the MinION, holds the promise of sequencing ultra-long DNA fragments >100kb. An obstacle to realizing this promise is delivering ultra-long DNA molecules to the nanopores. We present our progress in developing cost-effective ways to overcome this obstacle and our resulting MinION data, including multiple reads >100kb.
NADH as a cancer medicine
Authors: Forrest Michael D.
Published: May 2015

We propose that NADH will exert a specific kill action against some cancers. NADH is a natural metabolite. We envisage a low side effect profile and that NADH therapy will, additionally, combat the wastage and weakness of cancer patients, which can be the cause of death in some cases. Significantly, NADH can be administered orally and has already cleared clinical trials, all be it for other pathologies.

Background

Aerobic respiration consists of glycolysis in the cytoplasm and in the mitochondria: the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) [1, 2]. It requires O2and net yields 30 ATPs from one glucose molecule. Anaerobic respiration, consisting of glycolysis only, does not require O2but produces merely 2 ATPs from one glucose molecule. When O2is available, normal animal cells tend to favour aerobic respiration because of its higher ATP yield.
Core promoter sequence in yeast is a major determinant of expression level
Authors: Lubliner Shai , Regev Ifat , Lotan-Pompan Maya , Edelheit Sarit , Weinberger Adina , Segal Eran
Published: May 2015

The core promoter is the regulatory sequence to which RNA polymerase is recruited and where it acts to initiate transcription. Here, we present the first comprehensive study of yeast core promoters, providing massively parallel measurements of core promoter activity and of TSS locations and relative usage for thousands of native and designed sequences. We found core promoter activity to be highly correlated to the activity of the entire promoter and that sequence variation in different core promoter regions substantially tunes its activity in a predictable way. We also show that location, orientation, and flanking bases critically affect TATA element function, that transcription initiation in highly active core promoters is focused within a narrow region, that poly(dA:dT) orientation has a functional consequence at the 3′ end of promoters, and that orthologous core promoters across yeast species have conserved activities. Our results demonstrate the importance of core promoters in the quantitative study of gene regulation.
Crystal structures of five 1-alkyl-4-aryl-1,2,4-triazol-1-ium halide salts
Authors: Guino-o Marites A. , Talbot Meghan O. , Slitts Michael M. , Pham Theresa N. , Audi Maya C. , Janzen Daron E.
Published: May 2015

The asymmetric units for the salts 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-isopropyl-1,2,4-triazol-1-ium iodide, C11H13FN3+·I−, (1), 1-isopropyl-4-(4-methylphenyl)-1,2,4-triazol-1-ium iodide, C12H16N3+·I−, (2), 1-isopropyl-4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazol-1-ium iodide, C11H14N3+·I−, (3), and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazol-1-ium iodide, C9H10N3+·I−, (4), contain one cation and one iodide ion, whereas in 1-benzyl-4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazol-1-ium bromide monohydrate, C15H14N3+·Br−·H2O, (5), there is an additional single water molecule. There is a predominant C—H...X(halide) interaction for all salts, resulting in a two-dimensional extended sheet network between the triazolium cation and the halide ions. For salts withpara-substitution on the aryl ring, there is an additional π–anion interaction between a triazolium carbon and iodide displayed by the layers. For salts without thepara-substitution on the aryl ring, the π–π interactions are between the triazolium and aryl rings. The melting points of these salts agree with the predicted substituent inductive effects.
Crystal structure of CsCrAs2O7, a new member of the diarsenate family
Authors: Bouhassine Mohamad Alem , Boughzala Habib
Published: May 2015

Caesium chromium(III) diarsenate(V), CsCrAs2O7, was prepared by solid-state reactions. The title structure consists of isolated CrO6octahedra and As2O7diarsenate groups, sharing corners to build up a three-dimensional [CrAs2O7]−anionic framework. In this framework, channels extending parallel to [001] are present in which the ten-coordinate Cs+ions reside. CsCrAs2O7is isotypic with the monoclinicAIMIIIX2O7(AI= alkali metal;MIII= Al, Cr, Fe;X= As, P) type I family of compounds crystallizing in the space groupP21/c.
Hotel brand portfolio strategy
Authors: Wang Yao-Chin , Chung Yeasun
Published: May 2015

Purpose

This study aims to develop dimensions and sub-items that explain hotel brand portfolio strategy (HBPS) and explore performance differences among HBPS groups in an effort to improve our knowledge about HBPS. A key ingredient in success for a hotel company is the successful building and management of a strong brand portfolio.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes four dimensions of HBPS: brand portfolio scope, intra-portfolio competition, brand portfolio location and brand portfolio element. By employing ten additional sub-items, the study evaluates the HBPS practices of hotel firms and tests performance differences.

Findings

The findings present current HBPS practices in the hotel industry and identify four groups pursuing similar HBPS. The results also suggest that operational performance differs according to a firm’s particular focus in HBPS.

Research limitations/implications

This study enriches our knowledge of HBPS by establishing dimensions and relevant measures and by suggesting the effect that HBPS has on performance. Future research might extend this study to examine the potential impacts of a business’s internal and external environments on the relationship between HBPS and its performance.

Practical implications

This study will aid executives in making important HBPS decisions such as whether to add a brand or how to reallocate resources among brands. This study also provides executives with a tool with which to monitor the relative position of their HBPS within the market.

Originality/value

This study is the first to establish dimensions and sub-items for understanding HBPS in the hotel industry. It also demonstrates a new approach to the analysis of competitive positioning and its relationship to performance.
Quality of physical surroundings and service encounters, airfare, trust and intention during the flight
Authors: Han Heesup , Hwang Jinsoo
Published: May 2015

Purpose

This study aimed to examine young, middle-aged and mature air-travelers’ perceptions of the quality levels of in-flight physical surroundings and service encounters, and investigated the drivers of their repurchase intentions in the low-cost airline industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 402 passengers on international flights was used. An ANOVA and a series of multiple-regression analyses based on Baron and Kenny’s (1986) suggestion were used.

Findings

In general, significant differences in quality attributes were identified across age groups. Additionally, the role of these quality components, perceived level of the airfare and trust in the airline were found to be decisive in low-cost airline passengers’ decision formation. Further, the mediating impact of perceived level of the airfare and trust was identified.

Originality/value

Research about air-travelers’ decision formation by considering their age is rare in a low-cost airline context. Results of the present study provided meaningful insights for researchers and practitioners in the airline industry.
Applying complexity theory to solve hospitality contrarian case conundrums
Authors: Hsiao James Po-Hsun , Jaw Chyi , Huan Tzung-Cheng (T.C.) , Woodside Arch G.
Published: May 2015

Purpose

This paper aims to advance a configural asymmetric theory of the complex antecedents to hospitality employee happiness-at-work and managers’ assessments of employees’ quality of work performance. The study transcends variable and case-level analyses to go beyond prior statistical findings of small-to-medium effect sizes of happiness–performance relationships; the study here identifies antecedent paths involving high-versus-low happy employees associating with high-versus-low managers’ assessments of these employees’ performances.

Design/methodology/approach

The study merges data from surveys of employees (n= 247) and surveys completed by their managers (n= 43) and by using qualitative comparative analysis via the software program,fsQCA.com. The study analyzes data from Janfusan Fancyworld, the largest (in revenues and number of employees) tourism business group in Taiwan; Janfusan Fancyworld includes tourist hotels, amusement parks, restaurants and additional firms in related service sectors.

Findings

The findings support the four tenets of configural analysis and theory construction: recognize equifinality of different solutions for the same outcome, test for asymmetric solutions, test for causal asymmetric outcomes for very high versus very low happiness and work performance and embrace complexity.

Research limitations/implications

Additional research in other firms and additional countries is necessary to confirm the usefulness of examining algorithms for predicting very high (low) happiness and very high (low) quality of work performance. The implications are substantial that configural theory and research will resolve perplexing happiness–performance conundrums.

Practical implications

The study provides useful case-level algorithms involving employees’ demographic characteristics and their assessments of work facet-specifics which are useful for explaining very high happiness-at-work and high quality of work performance (as assessed by managers) – as well as algorithms explaining very low happiness and very low quality of work performance.

Originality/value

The study is the first to propose and test the tenets of configural theory in the context of hospitality frontline service employees’ happiness-at-work and managers’ assessments of these employees’ quality of work performances.
Leadership styles at Syrian higher education
Authors: Khalifa Bayan , Ayoubi Rami M.
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the two major types of leadership, i.e transactional and transformational, and organizational learning at public and private universities in Syria. It further aims at exploring the role of transactional and transformational leadership in enhancing organizational learning at Syrian universities.

Design/methodology/approach

– A quantitative research paradigm was employed. Using a questionnaire survey method, the data were collected from employees at two major public and private Syrian universities. In total, 216 questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS.

Findings

– The findings revealed that there is a significant impact of contingent reward, as a transactional leadership dimension on organizational learning, and a significant impact of inspirational motivation as a transformational leadership dimension on organizational learning. The study also found no significant differences in leadership styles and organizational learning between both universities.

Practical implications

– This study will help university leaders in Syria in adopting leadership styles that are suitable to reinforce organizational learning in their institutions.

Originality/value

– The study advances western research that is linking leadership styles and organizational learning by focussing on the Arab world context, particularly the Syrian context.
The impact of bundled high performance human resource practices on intention to leave
Authors: Jyoti Jeevan , Rani Roomi , Gandotra Rupali
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating effect of emotional exhaustion (EE) in between bundled high-performance human resource practices (HPHRPs) and intention to leave (ITL) in the education sector.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey questionnaire method was used to collect data from a sample of 514 teachers working in different professional colleges in Jammu and Kashmir (North India). Data were validated with CFA and SEM was used to test hypothesised relations.

Findings

– The results show that bundled HPHRPs have greater impact on EE and ITL as compared to individual HPHRPs. Further, the study also confirmed that EE partially mediates the bundled HPHRPs and ITL relationship.

Research limitations/implications

– Future research need to explore same relationships in different sectors with longitudinal data at the multi-level approach.

Practical implications

– Educational administration should focus on the bundled HPHRPs, which will benefit not only the teachers, but the students too. It should adopt relaxation techniques like mindfulness training approach, yoga and meditation. Further, to reduce their career-related confusions management should organise career awareness programmes.

Originality/value

– The results from this study explored new and untested mechanism, i.e. EE as mediator between bundled HPHRPs and ITL relationship in the professional degree colleges in India, has not been previously researched.
An investigation of the different factors affecting the adoption of water filters in South Mediterranean countries
Authors: Ahmed Abd El-Shafey I , Hay John N , El-Gohary Hatem
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– Undoubtedly, saving the environment and avoiding environmental damage is one of the major challenges facing any government. The purpose of this paper is to add to the accumulative knowledge in the field through investigating the different factors affecting the adoption of newly developed water filters by Egyptian farmers to reduce the massive air pollution resulting from burning rice straw. Such investigation will help in achieving a deep and reflective understanding of current adoption practises by Egyptian farmers.

Design/methodology/approach

– To understand the different factors that might have an impact on the adoption of newly developed water filters by Egyptians, a survey research strategy as well as a focus groups mechanism were conducted employing triangulation methodology in which quantitative and qualitative data were collected based on a post-positives approach. This quantitative study was performed in five local councils in Al-Sharqiyah Governorate, one of the biggest governorates in rice production in Egypt, based on a questionnaire built on some parameters related to Egyptian farmers’ perceptions of clean water. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences to analyse the collected data and evaluate the ability to promote the newly developed filters.

Findings

– The findings indicated that the adoption of water filters by Egyptian farmers is affected by two groups of factors, namely personal factors and water-related factors. With regard to this, it was found that age, cost, farmers’ attitudes towards using water filters, farmers’ trust in the water pipes systems, and the usefulness of the filters have a positive impact on water filters adoption by Egyptian farmers. The findings also indicate that water filters adoption by Egyptian farmers has a positive impact on a farmer’s intention to buy a water filter and their intention to share a water filter with others.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper will provide great benefits for entrepreneurs, policy makers, practitioners, and researchers though providing a clearer view and deep understanding for the issues related to different factors affecting the adoption of newly developed water filters by Egyptian farmers.

Originality/value

– This research adds to the relatively limited empirical research that has been conducted on water management in south Mediterranean counties. Moreover, the findings and results of this study will provide great assistance and benefit to business owners, practitioners and governmental agencies concerned with water management in south Mediterranean countries since it reveals a number of dynamics and potential scenarios that should be taken into consideration.
Reconciling contradictory paths: identity play and work in a career transition
Authors: Fachin Fernando F. , Davel Eduardo
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to understand the interconnection of identity play and identity work during transitions.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors have conducted a 46-year longitudinal and process-based study on film director Denys Arcand. The focus is on his contested career shift from being a political documentary filmmaker to a box-office success and maker of television commercials. Films and media interviews were largely and systematically analyzed.

Findings

– In order to explain how to maintain a sense of authenticity in transitioning between contradictory paths, the authors highlight how identity play and identity work appear in self-fuelling interaction through four processes (fragmenting, developing, mixing, and extracting).

Practical implications

– The authors suggest new ways to deal with career transitions as well as identity construction in constraining environments.

Originality/value

– The authors offer a theoretical framework that makes it possible to combine understandings of identity play and identity work. In particular, the authors develop on how, through play, individuals can create circumstances favourable for performing identity work in the future.
The power of momentum on firm performance: a myth or a reality?
Authors: Tien Chengli , Chen Chien-Nan
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to extend research related to a firm’s behavioural momentum and its financial performance and to further examine any moderating effect from various perspectives - how firm-level (firm age and size), industry-level, and country-level factors can interact with the power of momentum to affect a firm’s performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from the Compustat and Yahoo Finance databases for firms in the USA and the Taiwan Economic Journal (TEJ) for firms in Taiwan. The final sample of US firms is from a panel with 239 unique companies in electronics-related industries across a 22-year time span (1991-2012). The final sample of Taiwanese firms is from a panel with 184 unique companies also in electronics-related industries across a 22-year time span (1991-2012).

Findings

– The results show that momentum does not significantly improve firm performance, and thus the power of momentum is a myth. However, the relationship between momentum and firm performance can be moderated by firm age, size, capital intensity, and country of origin, respectively, under some circumstances.

Originality/value

– The originality and value are that this is a multiple-perspective study of firm behavioural momentum and firm performance to comprehensively discover each of their respective relationships. This study has further extended the debate over path-dependent perspectives with contingent perspectives across the borders to fill knowledge and theoretical gaps, while the evidence-based findings provide top management with practical knowledge for strategic planning and execution with another avenue for future research on the momentum effect.
Emotions in sensemaking: a change management perspective
Authors: Steigenberger Norbert
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– Following various calls for research, the purpose of this paper is to adopt theories of emotion and action to understand the affective dimension of sensemaking processes in organizational change endeavors.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is conceptual in nature, introducing theories from psychology, in particular dual processing theory and the somatic marker hypothesis, to the field of intra- and inter-personal sensemaking in change processes.

Findings

– The author discusses how emotions shape sensemaking and thus the perception of change events and how four discrete emotions (anger, fear, anxiety, hope) shape content and motivational strength of sensemaking accounts, influence the likelihood that a person will engage in sensegiving activities and will be willing to accept inter-personal sensemaking outcomes. The author proposes that emotions are an input to as well as an outcome of sensemaking processes.

Research limitations/implications

– Although this research builds on a strong empirical basis, is conceptual in nature. Future research might test the relationships suggested in this paper empirically.

Practical implications

– The findings suggest that the management of affective reactions of people subjected to change processes might be a field currently not sufficiently accounted for in change management. Active emotion management might be a way to steer change processes in a positive way for all the stakeholders involved.

Originality/value

– The conceptualization presented here contributes to the often requested development of a conceptual model integrating emotions into the sensemaking perspective. The introduction of distinct emotions and the grounding in multi-disciplinary theory as well as the strong implications for change management theory and practice make this contribution valuable.
Processes, characteristics, and effectiveness
Authors: Shen Hao , Li Ziye , Yang Xiuyun
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to address important but unresolved questions regarding how different knowledge transfer processes and characteristics affect knowledge transfer effectiveness (KTE). This study, which draws on an integrative knowledge management framework, forces us to reconsider successful knowledge transfer within organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data for this study were obtained through an interview survey of 117 firms in China. The questionnaire was adapted from several previous studies on processes, characteristics, and effectiveness of knowledge transfer. A regression method was conducted to test all hypotheses.

Findings

– The findings show that both structured and unstructured knowledge processes has positive effects on KTE. Furthermore, knowledge embeddedness and articulability differently moderate the relationship between transfer processes and effectiveness.

Originality/value

– The paper contributes to knowledge management theory by providing an integrative framework on how organizations can facilitate KTE by conducting appropriate transfer processes aligned with differentiated knowledge characteristics. Further, this study investigates the “fit” between knowledge transfer processes and characteristics.
LCA comparison of roofing materials for flat roofs
Authors: Contarini Antonio , Meijer Arjen
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The environmental performance of several flat roof systems with different materials and insulation thicknesses is compared using life cycle assessment (LCA), with the aim to determine the roofing materials with the highest environmental performance. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The calculations were carried out for an existing apartment block with a 300 m² flat roof. Five insulation materials with three different heat resistances each, five types of waterproof layers, three covering layers, and a green roof are assessed using LCA. Foreground data including maintenance are obtained from roofing companies, and background data are taken from Ecoinvent. ReCiPe is used as impact method. Energy losses through the roof are calculated using the energy software EPA-W.

Findings

– Improving the insulation from 2.5 to 5 m²K/W leads to reductions of the damage scores from about 10 to 40 per cent. Polyisocyanurate and expanded polystyrene were found to have the lowest environmental damage, although the differences are small. Regarding the other layers, PVC mechanically fixed, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) mechanically fixed, EPDM glued and PVC with gravel ballast were found to have the lowest environmental damage of the materials assessed.

Practical implications

– The outcomes of this study will aid building owners and construction and maintenance companies to choose renovation options for flat roofs with the lowest impact on the environment.

Originality/value

– A smart choice of materials for a roofing system, with enough consideration of other aspects such as practical applicability, can thus significantly improve the environmental performance of the roof of a building.
A Primer on Case Reviewing
Authors: Carroll James J.
Published: May 2015

This article provides perspectives on the academic review process, instructional cases, and suggests guidelines to follow when reviewing cases as part of the referee process. This paper provides an overview of the academic review process and describes the review processes for instructional cases. The processes of the CASE Association are provided as perspectives.
Assembling the Team at Vanguard Electronics*
Authors: Casali Joseph A. , Armandi Barry R. , Sherman Herbert
Published: May 2015

The strategic management literature states that firms who wish to have a competitive advantage through high customer service (rapid response) and product differentiation need to restructure their organization into empowered, self-managed work units so as to ensure that there is “value-added” at each stage of the value chain. (Porter, 1985; Hill and Jones, 2001) In this case, Vanguard altered part of its structure through the development of teams in order to maximize its operations; and given their results Vanguard successfully put theory into practice. When the major supporter of team management, Mike Wesley, leaves the firm, he is replaced by Wendy Kiefer, a strong supporter of team structures. Her replacement, Shari Lastarza, however is the “old” assembly manager and does not buy into the team concept. Could this be anything but a formula for disaster?
AAA Construction: A Family Business in Crisis
Authors: Lester Donald L.
Published: May 2015

This case demonstrates the difficulties encountered by small family businesses when the founder passes away without having properly prepared for succession. AAA Construction was a company held together for over thirty-six years by a family patriarch, Jack Hudson. His choice of his grandson to succeed him was obvious. However, there were serious questions about whether David Robbins up to the task.
Everquest®: Entertainment or Addiction?1
Authors: Spain Judith W. , Vega Gina
Published: May 2015

SONY Online Entertainment (SOE) was planning to release a new version, EverQuest II®, of its popular online game, EverQuest®. The first EverQuest® game was very successful financially, generating approximately $5 million/month in 2002 for SOE. However, some issues surrounding addictions and corporate responsibility were interfering with the new product launch. These problems revolved around several deaths in which the EverQuest® game had been implicated. The case focuses on the dilemma faced by the Vice President of Marketing prior to the new product release: How far must a company go to protect possible misuse of a product by consumers?
Case Research and Writing: Professor Moore Can't Get There From Here
Authors: Leach Thomas C.
Published: May 2015

This article, written in the case format, is an extension of the article entitled “Case Research and Writing: Three Days in the Life of Professor Moore” published in The CASE Journal, Volume 1, Issue 1. It is intended to give the novice case writer insight into problems associated with obtaining the release for publication from companies where primary data had been collected. Related issues on case writing are also included.
The R.C. Bigelow Tea Company Case Study
Authors: Weinstein Laurence , Bigelow Cindi
Published: May 2015

Ms. Cindi Bigelow, COO and third generation in her family to head the R.C. Bigelow Tea Company, located in Fairfield, CT, believed one strategy to move her business forward would be to attract a younger audience for her product line. Hot tea appeals primarily to women 45+ who typically drink the beverage for its soothing effects. A test market, designed to make hot tea more appealing to a college-age audience, was conducted at a nearby university by a Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team drawn from the chapter's membership. Key words: Target audience, market segmentation, demographics, market research, promotion mix, advertising, copy development, media selection.
Reader's Digest: Inform, Enrich, Entertain, and Inspire
Authors: Assenza Pauline , Eisner Alan B.
Published: May 2015

After decades of successful expansion, The Reader's Digest Association's products were mature. With an average readership age for the flagship Reader's Digest magazine of 50.3 in 2004, efforts to develop new products had so far failed to entice a significant number of younger customers. Following a financial downturn in 1996, positive financial results remained illusive. Several major changes instituted by Thomas O. Ryder, CEO since 1998, including acquisitions, re-capitalization, restructuring and systematic re-engineering of the corporate culture, had proven mildly successful, but RDA, as well as the entire publishing industry, faced a persistent decline in profitability. Could RDA fulfill its stated mission to create “products that inform, enrich, entertain and inspire people of all ages and cultures around the world”, and could it do this by continuing to rely on the 80-year old Reader's Digest magazine?
Brake Lights at the Border: Going International Twenty–Two Miles Away1
Authors: Roberts Scott D. , Anderson Joe S. , Williams Susan K.
Published: May 2015

Russ Clark is a successful NAPA Auto Parts franchisee in Yuma County, Arizona. He sees opportunity in the neighboring Mexican city of San Luis Rıo Colorado. But crossing the border with an after-market auto parts store will require building relationships with others, lots of learning to overcome the significant barriers, and some savvy decision-making in addition to the usual evaluation of business opportunities. Clark must consider a location decision, product mix, human resource issues, and how to promote the new business in an uncertain and unfamiliar context. Clearly, his current American business model will require a great degree of adaptation to make the venture a success. This case was developed from extensive field interviews and shadowing Mr. Clark for a day. In addition, Mr. Clark and his store manager, Rigoberto made classroom presentations describing their experiences surrounding the case situation.
TASER International, Inc. -- Grappling with Growth
Authors: Williams Susan K. , Anderson Joe S. , Dustman Jack , Roberts Scott D.
Published: May 2015

TASER International, Inc. is one of the world's leading less-lethal weapons manufacturers and distributors. The case begins with a dramatic moment as the President and CEO of TASER International become aware of a highly critical article in Barron's. The article questions the legitimacy of their high stock price and casts doubt on their continued ability to grow. The case presents the company's counterarguments to the critical Barron's article, and asks for alternatives for TASER's next move into the relatively untapped consumer market with a new consumer-oriented product, the TASER X26C. The case resulted from lengthy in-person, email, and phone interviews with TASER's President, Tom Smith. In addition, the company and its products have been well publicized in the national business press and in the local newspapers. Further, product details and other information on TASERs and other less-lethal weapons has been published in numerous police and military sources. Finally, TASER International's website has been a rich source of supplemental information to support the writing of the case.
Threadneedle Eyes European Expansion
Authors: Marple Wesley W.
Published: May 2015

Threadneedle Investments, a leading UK Investment management company, was engaged in strategic discussions about future growth in its retail mutual funds business. The firm's Vice Chairman, Alan Ainsworth, was leading the discussion of strategic alternatives. The following options were being considered: expanding distribution of its funds in the UK by distributing directly; expanding its presence in the UK through the independent financial advisor (IFA)network; and/or building a larger presence in Germany, where Threadneedle was already established. The case takes place in June 2000 and draws much of its rationale and immediacy from the great bull market of the 1990's and the arrival of a new millennium. Investors were looking for new investment media to capture these returns. The case is based on field research including conversations with Mr. Ainsworth and his associates, internal company documents, interviews with experts in the field and library research.
Declining Decorum at Darius D'Amore's Shop at the Forum1
Authors: Piezzo Fran , Armandi Barry , Sherman Herbert
Published: May 2015

An employee&s husband made violent threats to the store manager of a Las Vegas shop specializing in skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products of an international company. The manager wanted the employee terminated. The employee confessed that her husband also threatened her. The employee's personnel file contained no performance problems, but the store manager admitted that she had kept a separate file with such documentation. The Executive Director and the Director of Human Resource Management wondered what they should do.
The “Yellow Snow” Dilemma A Capital Budgeting Case
Authors: Maris Brian A. , Watkins Larry
Published: May 2015

Arizona Snowbowl, a ski area located in northern Arizona, experienced several years of inadequate snowfall resulting in both operating losses and negative cash flows. The CEO had to decide whether to commit $750,000 for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) related to a proposed $19.77 million snowmaking project that uses reclaimed wastewater. U.S. Forest Service approval was required. Data for this case were obtained from the EIS that the Snowbowl submitted to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). Estimated skier days, revenue levels, capital costs and interest rates are provided to facilitate the decision modeling process. Students are expected to analyze the financial information and decide whether or not undertaking the EIS project is cost effective while taking into account the possibility that the regulatory and legal system might not allow the project to go forward.
Reborn Kyoto NPO (houjin)
Authors: Ingols Cynthia , Ishihara Erika
Published: May 2015

Masayo Kodama, President, Reborn Kyoto NPO, believed foreign-aid food saved her and other Japanese from starvation after World War II. Kodama was determined to help others suffering in third world countries. After distributing emergency supplies in Cambodia, Kodama developed a new vision: teach impoverished people how to “fish” and they would feed themselves and their children for life. She decided to teach dressmaking skills to people in third-world countries. Kodama recruited volunteers in Japan and these women, in turn, collected and prepared silk from kimonos. Japanese volunteer seamstresses took the silk and supplies, traveled to such places as Vietnam and Yemen, and taught people how to create clothes suitable for sale in western markets of Japan and the US. Although the sale of products, along with small grants and private donations, yielded subsistent revenues for the nonprofit organization, Kodama wondered how to build her organization and to find a replacement for herself with so few resources.