bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complex Formation of Myrosinase Isoenzymes in Oilseed Rape Seeds Are Dependent on the Presence of Myrosinase-Binding Proteins
Authors: Eriksson Susanna , Andréasson Erik , Ekbom Barbara , Granér Georg , Pontoppidan Bo , Taipalensuu Jan , Zhang Jiaming , Rask Lars , Meijer Johan
Published: October 2002

The enzyme myrosinase (EC 3.2.3.1) degrades the secondary compounds glucosinolates upon wounding and serves as a defense to generalist pests in Capparales. Certain myrosinases are present in complexes together with other proteins such as myrosinase-binding proteins (MBP) in extracts of oilseed rape (Brassica napus) seeds. Immunhistochemical analysis of wild-type seeds showed that MBPs were present in most cells but not in the myrosin cells, indicating that the complex formation observed in extracts is initiated upon tissue disruption. To study the role of MBP in complex formation and defense, oilseed rape antisense plants lacking the seed MBPs were produced. Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining confirmed depletion of MBP in the transgenic seeds. The exclusive expression of myrosinase in idioblasts (myrosin cells) of the seed was not affected by the down-regulation of MBP. Using size-exclusion chromatography, we have shown that myrosinases with subunit molecular masses of 62 to 70 kD were present as free dimers from the antisense seed extract, whereas in the wild type, they formed complexes. In accordance with this, MBPs are necessary for myrosinase complex formation of the 62- to 70-kD myrosinases. The product formed from sinalbin hydrolysis by myrosinase was the same whether MBP was present or not. The performance of a common beetle generalist (Tenebrio molitor) fed with seeds, herbivory by flea beetles (Phyllotreta undulata) on cotyledons, or growth rate of the Brassica fungal pathogens Alternaria brassicae or Lepthosphaeria maculans in the presence of seed extracts were not affected by the down-regulation of MBP, leaving the physiological function of this protein family open.
Activation Tagging Using the En-I Maize Transposon System in Arabidopsis
Authors: Marsch-Martinez Nayelli , Greco Raffaella , Van Arkel Gert , Herrera-Estrella Luis , Pereira Andy
Published: October 2002

A method for the generation of stable activation tag inserts was developed in Arabidopsis using the maize (Zea mays)En-I transposon system. The method employs greenhouse selectable marker genes that are useful to efficiently generate large populations of insertions. A population of about 8,300 independent stable activation tag inserts has been produced. Greenhouse-based screens for mutants in a group of plants containing about 2,900 insertions revealed about 31 dominant mutants, suggesting a dominant mutant frequency of about 1%. From the first batch of about 400 stable insertions screened in the greenhouse, four gain-in-function, dominant activation-tagged, morphological mutants were identified. A novel gain-in-function mutant calledthread is described, in which the target gene belongs to the same family as the YUCCA flavin-mono-oxygenase that was identified by T-DNA activation tagging. The high frequency of identified gain-in-function mutants in the population suggests that theEn-I system described here is an efficient strategy to saturate plant genomes with activation tag inserts. Because only a small number of primary transformants are required to generate an activation tag population, the En-I system appears to be an attractive alternative to study plant species where the present transformation methods have low efficiencies.
Overexpression of the clpP 5′-Untranslated Region in a Chimeric Context Causes a Mutant Phenotype, Suggesting Competition for a clpP-Specific RNA Maturation Factor in Tobacco Chloroplasts
Authors: Kuroda Hiroshi , Maliga Pal
Published: October 2002

The plastid ribosomal RNA (rrn) operon promoter was fused with DNA segments encoding the leader sequence (5′-untranslated region [UTR]) of plastid mRNAs to compare their efficiency in mediating translation of a bacterial protein neomycin phosphotransferase (NPTII) in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) chloroplasts. In young leaves, NPTII accumulated at 0.26% and 0.8% of the total soluble leaf protein from genes with theclpP and atpB 5′-UTR, respectively. Interestingly, expression of NPTII from the promoter with theclpP 5′-UTR (0.26% NPTII) caused a mutant (chlorotic) phenotype, whereas plants accumulating approximately 0.8% NPTII from the atpB 5′-UTR were normal green, indicating that the mutant phenotype was independent of NPTII accumulation. Low levels of monocistronic clpP mRNA and accumulation of intron-containing clpP transcripts in the chlorotic leaves suggest competition between the clpP 5′-UTR in the chimeric transcript and the native clpP pre-mRNA (ratio 16:1) for an mRNA maturation factor. Because maturation of 11 other intron-containing mRNAs was unaffected in the chlorotic leaves, it appears that the factor is clpP specific. The mutant phenotype is correlated with reduced levels (approximately 2 times) of the ClpP1 protease subunit, supporting an important role for ClpP1 in chloroplast development.
Down-Regulation of Tomato β-Galactosidase 4 Results in Decreased Fruit Softening
Authors: Smith David L. , Abbott Judith A. , Gross Kenneth C.
Published: October 2002

Transcript abundance of the gene encoding β-galactosidase II, a β-galactosidase/exo-galactanase (EC 3.2.1.23) present during tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) fruit ripening, was suppressed by expression of an antisense tomato β-galactosidase 4 (TBG4) cDNA driven by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. RNA gel-blot analysis was used to evaluate TBG4 mRNA levels in transgenic fruit. All of the antisense lines had attenuated TBG4 mRNA levels in turning stage fruit; however, TBG4 mRNA suppression was unstable, and mRNA levels varied in red-ripe fruit among the lines. Suppression of TBG4 mRNA levels in antisense fruit was correlated with a reduction in extractable exo-galactanase activity against a lupin galactan. All of the antisense lines had reduced free galactose levels at mature green stage 4, but levels comparable with controls during ripening. Total cell wall galactosyl contents in the antisense fruit were not significantly different from control fruit. Whole-fruit firmness was measured using a texture analyzer and the means of the peak force measurements for four of six antisense lines were significantly higher than control fruit. One antisense line had red-ripe fruit that were 40% firmer than controls. Fruit from this antisense line also had the lowest TBG4 mRNA and exo-galactanase levels and the highest wall galactosyl content during the early stages of ripening, implicating an involvement of this gene product in cell wall modification leading to fruit softening.
Numeric Simulation of Plant Signaling Networks
Authors: Genoud Thierry , Trevino Santa Cruz Marcela B. , Métraux Jean-Pierre
Published: October 2002

Plants have evolved an intricate signaling apparatus that integrates relevant information and allows an optimal response to environmental conditions. For instance, the coordination of defense responses against pathogens involves sophisticated molecular detection and communication systems. Multiple protection strategies may be deployed differentially by the plant according to the nature of the invading organism. These responses are also influenced by the environment, metabolism, and developmental stage of the plant. Though the cellular signaling processes traditionally have been described as linear sequences of events, it is now evident that they may be represented more accurately as network-like structures. The emerging paradigm can be represented readily with the use of Boolean language. This digital (numeric) formalism allows an accurate qualitative description of the signal transduction processes, and a dynamic representation through computer simulation. Moreover, it provides the required power to process the increasing amount of information emerging from the fields of genomics and proteomics, and from the use of new technologies such as microarray analysis. In this review, we have used the Boolean language to represent and analyze part of the signaling network of disease resistance in Arabidopsis.
Enhanced Copper Tolerance in Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke Populations from Copper Mines Is Associated with Increased Transcript Levels of a 2b-Type Metallothionein Gene
Authors: van Hoof Nathalie A.L.M. , Hassinen Viivi H. , Hakvoort Henk W.J. , Ballintijn Koos F. , Schat Henk , Verkleij Jos A.C. , Ernst Wilfried H.O. , Karenlampi Sirpa O. , Tervahauta Arja I.
Published: October 2002

Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke has evolved populations with extremely high levels of copper tolerance. To evaluate the role of metallothioneins (MTs) in copper tolerance in S. vulgaris, we screened a cDNA library derived from a highly copper-tolerant population using Arabidopsis-based MT probes and identified an MT2b-like gene. When expressed in yeast, this gene,SvMT2b, restored cadmium and copper tolerance in different hypersensitive strains. Northern-blot analysis and quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR showed that plants from the copper-tolerant S. vulgaris populations had significantly higher transcript levels of SvMT2b than plants from the copper-sensitive populations, both in roots and shoots and with and without copper exposure. Southern-blot analysis suggested that the higher expression of the latter allele was caused by gene amplification. Segregating families of crosses between copper-sensitive and copper-tolerant plants exhibited a 1 to 3 segregation forSvMT2b expression. Allele-specific PCR showed that low-expression F3 plants were homozygous for the allele inherited from the copper-sensitive parent, whereas high-expression plants possessed at least one allele from the tolerant parent.SvMT2b expression did not cosegregate with copper tolerance in crosses between sensitive and tolerant plants. However, a significant cosegregation with copper tolerance did occur in families derived from crosses between moderately tolerant F3 plants with different SvMT2b genotypes. Thus, overexpression ofSvMT2b conferred copper tolerance although only within the genetic background of a copper tolerant plant.
A Novel Phytase with Sequence Similarity to Purple Acid Phosphatases Is Expressed in Cotyledons of Germinating Soybean Seedlings
Authors: Hegeman Carla E. , Grabau Elizabeth A.
Published: October 2002

Phytic acid (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate) is the major storage form of phosphorus in plant seeds. During germination, stored reserves are used as a source of nutrients by the plant seedling. Phytic acid is degraded by the activity of phytases to yield inositol and free phosphate. Due to the lack of phytases in the non-ruminant digestive tract, monogastric animals cannot utilize dietary phytic acid and it is excreted into manure. High phytic acid content in manure results in elevated phosphorus levels in soil and water and accompanying environmental concerns. The use of phytases to degrade seed phytic acid has potential for reducing the negative environmental impact of livestock production. A phytase was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from cotyledons of germinated soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr.). Peptide sequence data generated from the purified enzyme facilitated the cloning of the phytase sequence (GmPhy) employing a polymerase chain reaction strategy. The introduction of GmPhy into soybean tissue culture resulted in increased phytase activity in transformed cells, which confirmed the identity of the phytase gene. It is surprising that the soybean phytase was unrelated to previously characterized microbial or maize (Zea mays) phytases, which were classified as histidine acid phosphatases. The soybean phytase sequence exhibited a high degree of similarity to purple acid phosphatases, a class of metallophosphoesterases.
Cloning and Characterization of a Coronatine-Regulated Tyrosine Aminotransferase from Arabidopsis
Authors: Lopukhina Anna , Dettenberg Marcus , Weiler Elmar W. , Holländer-Czytko Heike
Published: October 2002

In plants, the phytotoxin coronatine, which is an analog of the octadecanoids 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid and/or jasmonic acid, gives rise to a number of physiological responses similar to those of octadecanoids. To further elucidate the physiological role of these compounds, the differential RNA display technique was used to isolate a number of novel octadecanoid-inducible genes expressed in coronatine-treated Arabidopsis. Among these, a cDNA clone was identified that was similar to known tyrosine aminotransferases (TATs). The function was verified with the expressed recombinant protein. In Arabidopsis, the protein is present as a multimer of 98 kD, with a monomer of an apparent molecular mass of 47 kD. TAT mRNA could be induced within 2 h by various octadecanoids and by wounding of the plants. Accumulation of the TAT protein and a 5- to 7-fold increase in its enzymatic activity was observed 7 to 9 h after application of octadecanoids, coronatine, or wounding. The potential role of TAT in the defense response to herbivores and pathogens is discussed.
Electrodiffusional Uptake of Organic Cations by Pea Seed Coats. Further Evidence for Poorly Selective Pores in the Plasma Membrane of Seed Coat Parenchyma Cells
Authors: van Dongen Joost T. , Laan Ramon G.W. , Wouterlood Madeleine , Borstlap Adrianus C.
Published: October 2002

In developing seeds, the permeability of the plasma membrane of seed coat parenchyma cells is crucial for the supply of nutrients to the embryo. Here, we report characteristics of the transport of the organic cation choline and the basic amino acid l- histidine (His; cation at pH 5, electroneutral at pH 7) into isolated seed coats of pea (Pisum sativum). Supplied at sub-micromolar concentrations, choline+ accumulated in the seed coat tissue 5.1 ± 0.8-fold, His+ 2.4 ± 0.3-fold, and His0 1.3 ± 0.2-fold. Taking into consideration that at pH 5 His influxes as a cation but effluxes as a neutral molecule, these accumulations are in reasonable agreement with (electro) diffusional uptake at the prevailing membrane potential of −55 ± 3 mV. At a concentration of 100 mm, choline+ and His+, but not His0, depolarized the membrane of the parenchyma cells and neither of the substrates was accumulated. At this concentration, the relative influx (the ratio of influx and external concentration, a measure for membrane permeability) of choline and His was approximately 10 μmol g−1 fresh weight min−1  m  −1, similar to that found for neutral amino acids, sucrose, glucose, and mannitol. At lower concentrations, the relative influx of choline+ and His+ increased because of increasingly more negative membrane potentials, giving rise to apparent saturation kinetics. It is suggested that transport of organic cations can proceed by a general, poorly selective pore in the plasma membrane of seed coat parenchyma cells. This pore is thought to be responsible for the unloading of a range of solutes that serve as nutrients for the embryo.
Novel Anther-SpecificmybGenes from Tobacco as Putative Regulators of Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase Expression
Authors: Yang Seungchan , Sweetman Justin P. , Amirsadeghi Sasan , Barghchi Medhi , Huttly Alison K. , Chung Won-Il , Twell David
Published: October 2002

Two cDNA clones (NtmybAS1 andNtmybAS2) encoding MYB-related proteins with strong sequence similarity to petunia (Petunia hybrida) PhMYB3 were isolated from a tobacco (Nicotiana tabacumcv Samsun) pollen cDNA library. Northern blot and in situ hybridization revealed that NtmybAS transcripts are specifically expressed in both sporophytic and gametophytic tissues of the anther including tapetum, stomium, vascular tissue, and developing pollen. Random binding site selection assays revealed that NtMYBAS1 bound to DNA sequences closely resembling consensus MYB binding sites MBSI and MBSIIG, with a higher affinity for MBSI. Transient expression analyses of the N-terminal MYB domain demonstrated the presence of functional nuclear localization signals, and full-length NtMYBAS1 was able to activate two different phenylalanine ammonia-lyase promoters (PALA and gPAL1) in tobacco leaf protoplasts. Similar analysis of truncated NtmybAS1cDNAs identified an essential, C-terminal trans-activation domain. Further in situ hybridization analyses demonstrated strict co-expression of NtmybAS and gPAL1 in the tapetum and stomium. Despite abundant expression ofNtmybAS transcripts in mature pollen,gPAL1 transcripts were not detectable in pollen. Our data demonstrate that NtMYBAS1 is a functional anther-specific transcription factor, which is likely to be a positive regulator ofgPAL1 expression and phenylpropanoid synthesis in sporophytic, but not in gametophytic, tissues of the anther.
A Major Light-Harvesting Polypeptide of Photosystem II Functions in Thermal Dissipation[W]
Authors: Elrad Dafna , Niyogi Krishna K. , Grossman Arthur R.
Published: October 2002

Under high-light conditions, photoprotective mechanisms minimize the damaging effects of excess light. A primary photoprotective mechanism is thermal dissipation of excess excitation energy within the light-harvesting complex of photosystem II (LHCII). Although roles for both carotenoids and specific polypeptides in thermal dissipation have been reported, neither the site nor the mechanism of this process has been defined precisely. Here, we describe the physiological and molecular characteristics of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii npq5 mutant, a strain that exhibits little thermal dissipation. This strain is normal for state transition, high light–induced violaxanthin deepoxidation, and low light growth, but it is more sensitive to photoinhibition than the wild type. Furthermore, both pigment data and measurements of photosynthesis suggest that the photosystem II antenna in the npq5 mutant has one-third fewer light-harvesting trimers than do wild-type cells. The npq5 mutant is null for a gene designated Lhcbm1, which encodes a light-harvesting polypeptide present in the trimers of the photosystem II antennae. Based on sequence data, the Lhcbm1 gene is 1 of 10 genes that encode the major LHCII polypeptides in Chlamydomonas. Amino acid alignments demonstrate that these predicted polypeptides display a high degree of sequence identity but maintain specific differences in their N-terminal regions. Both physiological and molecular characterization of the npq5 mutant suggest that most thermal dissipation within LHCII of Chlamydomonas is dependent on the peripherally associated trimeric LHC polypeptides.
Genome Dynamics and Evolution of theMla(Powdery Mildew) Resistance Locus in Barley[W]
Authors: Wei Fusheng , Wing Rod A. , Wise Roger P.
Published: October 2002

Genes that confer defense against pathogens often are clustered in the genome and evolve via diverse mechanisms. To evaluate the organization and content of a major defense gene complex in cereals, we determined the complete sequence of a 261-kb BAC contig from barley cv Morex that spans the Mla (powdery mildew) resistance locus. Among the 32 predicted genes on this contig, 15 are associated with plant defense responses; 6 of these are associated with defense responses to powdery mildew disease but function in different signaling pathways. The Mla region is organized as three gene-rich islands separated by two nested complexes of transposable elements and a 45-kb gene-poor region. A heterochromatic-like region is positioned directly proximal to Mla and is composed of a gene-poor core with 17 families of diverse tandem repeats that overlap a hypermethylated, but transcriptionally active, gene-dense island. Paleontology analysis of long terminal repeat retrotransposons indicates that the present Mla region evolved over a period of >7 million years through a variety of duplication, inversion, and transposon-insertion events. Sequence-based recombination estimates indicate that R genes positioned adjacent to nested long terminal repeat retrotransposons, such as Mla, do not favor recombination as a means of diversification. We present a model for the evolution of the Mla region that encompasses several emerging features of large cereal genomes.
Integration of Air Data System and Doppler radar via Kalman filtering
Authors: Hajiyev Ch. , Akgun O.
Published: October 2002

In this study, Integrated Air Data – Doppler Navigation System is developed and presented. Air Data System and Doppler Radar have different advantages and disadvantages in applications in flight control and navigation systems. The reason of this integration is to achieve the best combination of the features and eliminate the disadvantages of these systems. As a consequence of this integration via Kalman filtering, an integrated navigation system with high accuracy of airvehicle velocity and position and with high measurement frequency is attained. On basis of this integrated system, the possibility to estimate accurate and real time inflight wind speed is explained.
Corrosion inhibition mechanism of carbon steel by sodium N,N‐diethyl dithiocarbamate in hydrochloric acid solution
Authors: Hong‐bo Fan , Hui‐long Wang , Xing‐peng Guo , Jia‐shen Zheng
Published: October 2002

The effect of sodium N,N‐diethyl dithiocarbamate (SDEDTC) on the corrosion of carbon steel in 0.5mol/L hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution was studied using weight loss, potentiodynamic polarisation curves and impedance measurement methods. Experimental results revealed that SDEDTC acted as an inhibitor in acid environments. Moreover, the compound was a mixed‐type inhibitor, acting predominantly as a cathodic inhibitor. Inhibition efficiency increased with increasing SDEDTC concentration at different temperatures. The corrosion inhibition mechanism of SDEDTC for carbon steel in HCl solution was also investigated by impedance techniques.
Applications of digital libraries and electronic technologies in developing countries: practical experiences in Uganda
Authors: Magara Elisam
Published: October 2002

Analyses applications offered by different organisations in Uganda and gives a way forward for the use of digital libraries. A qualitative approach with a purposive sampling strategy was adopted. The study was limited to practical experiences on the services and applications that made the basis of analysis. The results indicated that the majority of organisations apply IT in bridging access across networks and sharing of information between different organisations. It was observed that the current ICT systems in Uganda do not enable it to reach the majority of the community. It is concluded that digital libraries and electronic technologies have contributed effectively to collaborative applications between institutions in Uganda. Recommends that services need to be integrated into the organisations’ strategic objectives coupled with knowledge and skills.
Developing and supporting creative problem solving teams: part 2 – facilitator competencies
Authors: McFadzean Elspeth
Published: October 2002

More and more organisations are using teams to solve problems, plan for the future and improve products, processes and services. One method of enhancing group effectiveness is to use a facilitator. Facilitators, however, need to be trained in order to accomplish their role effectively. This can only be achieved successfully if trainers are aware of the competencies and skills needed to undertake the facilitation process. Explores the facilitation process and presents both the general and specific competencies that are essential for facilitation. General competencies are those that are vital no matter what type of group is meeting. Specific competencies, on the other hand, are those that are distinctive to the level of group development. Groups that are highly experienced and well‐developed will require the facilitator to have more sophisticated skills than groups that are less‐developed.
Library co‐operation on ICT in Italy: an overview
Authors: Giordano Tommaso
Published: October 2002

This article concerns information and communications technology (ICT) developments in Italian libraries with special reference to library networks and digital co‐operation initiatives. Italy has in recent years been heavily committed towards modernising public services and to updating its economic infrastructure and education system to cope with emerging challenges. This paper sketches a context in which specific questions are set, and provides a brief overview of the recent history of the use of ICT in Italian libraries.
Design of a digital dissertation information management system
Authors: Bradley Glisson William , Chowdhury Gobinda G.
Published: October 2002

This paper describes a prototype dissertation information system. The various components of the system include the database, the information retrieval engine, dynamic Web pages via markup languages, and client side JavaScripts. Managerial and information retrieval issues associated with a digital dissertation information system are discussed and the database configurations and codes written for performing various operations online are described. The paper ends with a discussion of the project results and future developmental opportunities.
The link between unemployment and returns to education: evidence from 14 European countries
Authors: Weber Bernhard A.
Published: October 2002

There is strong empirical evidence that unemployment rates decrease as the educational level rises. The present article attempts to take explicit account of this when estimating educational rates of return. Three models that differ with respect to their degree of simplicity and data requirements are developed herein and applied to the empirical data. The estimates for 14 European countries suggest that standard estimates that do not account for unemployment are substantially downward biased. Differences in unemployment probabilities at different educational levels, and youth unemployment, both appear to be important for a better understanding of the incentive structure behind educational decisions.
Measuring the success of transition: the results of a pre‐study in Switzerland
Authors: Bonassi Tamara , Wolter Stefan C.
Published: October 2002

In 1997‐1998, seven universities of applied science were created in Switzerland. Together with the traditional academic universities, they are among the main pillars of the country’s tertiary education system. These new institutions represent a continuation of Switzerland’s dual educational system and have to position themselves in the education market as such. Feedback on the success and failures of their graduates can be an important source of information for assessing their position and informing policy. The article examines how successful graduates of the Berne School of Business and Administration, a member school of the Berne University of Applied Science, have been in making the transition from the educational world to working life. The study was conducted using salary regressions and an analysis of the appropriateness of the jobs found by the students after completing their studies. All of the data contained herein are based on a survey of people who graduated between 1997 and 1999.
Family obligations and the transition to working life: the influence of parenthood and family obligations on the transition to employment of university graduates
Authors: Spiess Huldi Claudia
Published: October 2002

This study focuses on the question of how well young university graduates succeed – despite their family obligations – by exploiting in the labour market the potential they have gained through their education. The findings are based on a survey of university graduates throughout Switzerland and present a positive picture. Natural science and engineering graduates are the only ones for whom participation in childcare makes the transition to working life more difficult. Otherwise, starting a family and involvement in childcare generally do not represent an obstacle to participating in employment and finding a position with high requirements. However, it is relatively rare for recent graduates with children to accept trainee positions, a fact that could have a negative impact on their careers over the long term.
The willingness of young Swiss to participate in continuing education and training: initial findings from a survey of young adults
Authors: Bieri Buschor Christine , Forrer Esther , Maag Merki Katharina
Published: October 2002

This article presents some of the initial results of the National Young Adult Survey (YAS), which is currently collecting data on the cross‐curriculum competencies of 14,905 18‐ to 22‐year‐olds in Switzerland. Young adults show a willingness to continue their education during the first five years after school. Using a regression model, it was found that the willingness of these young people to continue their education and training is dependent on achievement motivation, contingency beliefs, self‐efficacy, cooperation, independence and level of education.
Strategic human resource management in western multinationals in China
Authors: Braun Werner H. , Warner Malcolm
Published: October 2002

In the past two decades, the way enterprises in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) manage their human resources has changed dramatically. Multinational enterprises (MNEs) have entered into the “strategic investor” phase, where now the integration of PRC operations into the MNE network receives growing attention. For these companies HRM is often of high strategic importance. This article seeks to explore how differences in HRM practices in such businesses vary with their ownership forms. The study is based on in‐depth interviews with HRM managers – on the PRC country‐level – in 12 MNEs. The large majority of the participating companies clearly stated that today the HRM function is of high strategic importance for their operations in the PRC and is predominantly controlled by the MNE partner. Although equity ownership stake is an important variable influencing HRM policies and practices, it is shown that it needs to be seen in conjunction with other possibly non‐equity control‐mechanisms.
Emotional intelligence, moral reasoning and transformational leadership
Authors: Sivanathan Niroshaan , Cynthia Fekken G.
Published: October 2002

Using university residence staff as our leaders of interest, we explored the association of emotional intelligence and moral reasoning to leadership style and effectiveness. A total of 58 residence staff completed questionnaires assessing their emotional intelligence and moral reasoning. Subordinates (n=232) rated the residence staff’s leadership behaviours and effectiveness. Residence staff’s supervisors (n=12) also provided similar effectiveness ratings. Analysis showed that leaders who reported higher levels of emotional intelligence were perceived by their followers as higher in transformational leadership and more effective. Interestingly, having high emotional intelligence was not related to supervisor’s ratings of effectiveness. Supervisors associated greater job effectiveness with higher moral reasoning. Theoretical implications and practical applications of these findings are discussed.
Impact of a digital archive (JSTOR) on print collection use
Authors: Seeds Robert S.
Published: October 2002

The ubiquitous question of whether electronic journals are capable of replacing paper versions is beginning to be answered. The author discusses patterns of use observed in a scholarly setting where severe remote library storage created greater incentive to rely on electronically archived journals (JSTOR). As awareness of electronic access increased, use of the equivalent paper collection declined. In fact, electronic use is on a significantly larger scale than that measured for paper. These observations permitted the author to confidently transfer all electronically archived journals to remote storage and to conclude that electronic journals can substitute for paper.
One size fits all in expatriate pre‐departure training?
Authors: Vance Charles M. , Paik Yongsun
Published: October 2002

Traditional expatriate predeparture training has been general in nature, neglecting the input of the respective host country workforce (HCW) in identifying specific work interaction demands for optimizing expatriate management performance. This study found that workforces from Mexico, Indonesia and the USA differed significantly in their perceptions of both positive and negative behaviors affecting their work performance. Accordingly, the paper calls for a significant change in research and practice to incorporate the voice of the HCW to develop more valid and effective predeparture training for expatriate managers to enhance their performance in the host country to which they are assigned.
Conservation finance 1: support for historic buildings
Authors: Pickard Robert , Pickerill Tracy
Published: October 2002

Throughout Europe there is an ever‐increasing number of properties or areas protected due to their cultural heritage interest. This results in obligations for owners (duties to maintain, keep in good repair, etc.). However, it is generally accepted that laws and policies must provide positive incentives as well as the negative controls in order to successfully preserve and use this heritage. In the UK there is now a well‐developed system of grant aid and a few fiscal measures but demand for assistance outweighs supply. In Ireland a limited amount of financial support measures have recently been provided. Looking further afield, this study examines the need for developing specific measures according to European policy and identifies practice in European Union countries and North America in relation to grant assistance, loans, fiscal and compensation measures. A second paper will examine economic arguments and methods of combining support to sustain the built heritage.
Performance measurement in facililities management and its relationships with management theory and motivation
Authors: Amaratunga Dilanthi , Baldry David
Published: October 2002

The application of performance measurement procedures can provide major benefits to organisations. The broad performance measurement need for management applies in a facilities management (FM) context when FM is considered as a subset of general management. To this can be added need which is applicable more narrowly to FM. This paper presents a case for the need for and benefits of performance measurement systems in FM environments. It is discussed together with relevant trends in the performance measurement literature which identify key opportunities in this area. It further discusses the increasing trend towards performance measurement in FM organisations and illustrates the different ways in which authors perceive the relationship between FM and performance measurement. Both motivational and organisational variables are considered and an attempt is made to identify relationships between these issues and performance measurement in FM.
(R)etailing in the UK
Authors: Jones Peter , Clarke‐Hill Colin , Hillier David
Published: October 2002

Looks at electronic retailing in comparison with fixed store (r)etailing and explores a number of concerns regarding the development of electronic retailing in the UK. Offers examples of a number of successful (r)etailers then goes on to discuss the advantages and challenges of (r)etailing. Concludes that, although (r)etailing only accounts for a small proportion of total retail sales, it does have potential for growth, and for this potential to be realised (r)etailers will have to concentrate on the fundamentals of quality goods and services and good marketing strategies.
The critical factors for technology absorptive capacity
Authors: Lin Chinho , Tan Bertram , Chang Shofang
Published: October 2002

There are numerous studies concerning the key success factors for technology transfer performance, but little empirical research has been conducted on technology absorptive capacity. In the real world, firms cannot successfully assimilate and apply external knowledge without greater absorptive capacity. It is worthwhile exploring the critical factors of absorptive capacity through its impact on transfer performance. Results reveal significant associations between technology absorptive capacity and the critical factors – technology diffusion channels, interaction mechanisms, and R&D resources. Organizational cultures impact on interaction mechanisms, R&D resources, absorptive capacity and transfer performance. Different organizations will experience different technology transfer performance. Focuses explicitly on technology absorptive capacity within the field of empirical technology transfer research. The findings are important for management practice, especially for firms carrying out technology transfer in developing countries.
Crises and revolutions in information technology: lessons learned from Y2K
Authors: Cannon Alan R. , Woszczynski Amy B.
Published: October 2002

In an environment in which information technology has become a critical link between and among suppliers and customers, organizations were recently threatened by potential systems failures that could have erased the gains of the past decade. Although experts predicted that Y2K could lead to devastating results, those dire predictions turned out to be false. However, we suggest that a careful analysis of IS decision making during the Y2K crisis can provide insights into how and why IS managers make decisions. We argue that two schools of organizational theory provide cogent perspectives on this problem. In particular, the literatures of organizational ecology and institutional theory explain not only the difficulties firms had in recognizing and reacting to the Year 2000 problem, but also the pressures placed on them by constituents aware of this phenomenon. Such conclusions underscore the value of multiple theory bases in exploring what appear to be unprecedented managerial challenges brought on by the changing role of IT.
Plans to utilize electronic marketplaces: the case of B2B procurement markets in Norway
Authors: Gottschalk Petter , Foss Abrahamsen Anne
Published: October 2002

An electronic business to business procurement marketplace is an inter‐organizational information system through which multiple buyers and sellers interact to accomplish market‐making activities for corporate purchases. In this study, the extent to which organizations had plans to utilize electronic marketplaces for purchases was investigated. A survey was conducted in Norway. Survey results indicate that most organizations had plans, only 3 percent had no plans while 34 percent had concrete plans to utilize electronic marketplaces for purchases. Responding organizations planned to purchase significantly more indirect goods than indirect services on electronic marketplaces. The main benefit expected from utilizing electronic marketplaces for purchases was reduced transaction costs. Strategic importance of business to business electronic markets can significantly predict the extent to which responding organizations had plans to utilize electronic marketplaces for purchases.
Manufacturing cell formation problem: a graph partitioning approach
Authors: Selim Hassan M.
Published: October 2002

The design of a cellular manufacturing system requires that a machine population be partitioned into machine groups called manufacturing cells. A new graph partitioning heuristic is proposed to solve the manufacturing cell formation problem (MCFP). In the proposed heuristic, The MCFP is represented by a graph whose node set represents the machine cluster and edge set represents the machine‐pair association weights. A graph partitioning approach is used to form the manufacturing cells. This approach offers improved design flexibility by allowing a variety of design parameters to be controlled during cell formation. The effectiveness of the heuristic is demonstrated by comparing it to two MCFP published solution methods using several problems from the literature.
Service organisations: issues in transition and anxiety containment
Authors: James Kim , Clark Graham
Published: October 2002

In reviewing their service offering, organisations may decide standardised services need to be more flexible whilst exclusive or customised services need to adopt a more consistent house style. In this paper, the emotional challenge to the service providers is identified as a key issue in changing the service provision if the transition is to be smooth. This paper uses a service operations taxonomy that describes four forms of service organisations. Professional service and mass service have distinct characteristics. Using the extended concept of distinct professional and mass service shops enables the management issues to be clearly identified. This paper brings together two concepts; the need to contain organisational anxiety and the need to identify what is appropriate in different circumstances. These are linked to the transition to professional and mass service shops using case examples. To explore anxiety and the containment of anxiety, a psychodynamic perspective, drawing on Kleinian tradition, is adopted.
The deferrable elective patient
Authors: Bowers John , Mould Gillian
Published: October 2002

The orthopaedic trauma session is almost universally adopted as a means of coping with non‐elective orthopaedic demand. Here patients who can be stabilised are treated in a weekday planned theatre session. It allows for greater consultant involvement and a reduction in out‐of‐hours operating. The utilisation of trauma theatre time is typically low. However, there is an opportunity to make better use of this time by including some “deferrable elective patients” in the session. These are elective patients who have been offered earlier treatment in return for accepting the possibility of postponement, if the trauma demand on the day of the appointment is high. Simulation of patient demand was used to explore the balance between maximising the utilisation of the theatre sessions, avoiding too many overruns and ensuring a reasonable quality of care in a typical hospital in the UK.
Green business or community economy?
Authors: Zsolnai Laszlo
Published: October 2002

The paper analyzes two major ways of aiming at ecological sustainability. One is represented by the green business movement while the other is represented by different models of the community economy (e.g. community‐supported agriculture). Ecological sustainability requires quantitative and qualitative limitations both on the supply and demand sides of economic activities. Theoretical and empirical arguments show that the green business paradigm is not sufficient for achieving ecological sustainability but the community economy might be able to meet the requirements of ecological sustainability.
Moral philosophies of marketing managers
Authors: Karande Kiran , Rao C.P. , Singhapakdi Anusorn
Published: October 2002

A recent article pointed out that “past research has paid relatively little attention to the sources of individuals’ moral philosophies from either a conceptual or an empirical standpoint” and investigated the determinants of idealism and relativism among American marketers. A literature review indicates that there is even less theoretical and empirical cross‐cultural investigation of moral philosophies. As more and more companies are expanding into foreign markets, problems related to cross‐national ethics and social responsibility are becoming increasingly prevalent. Therefore, this study proposes a framework explaining the differences in the idealism and relativism of American, Malaysian, and Australian marketers based on: country differences (cultural differences and differences in economic and legal/political environment); corporate ethical values; and gender and age of the marketer. Results indicate that there are differences in the level of idealism and relativism exhibited by marketers from the three countries. Irrespective of country, corporate ethical values are positively related to the idealism and negatively related to the relativism of marketers. Also, irrespective of country, women are more idealistic than men, and relativism increases with age. Implications are offered and avenues for future research suggested.
A cross‐cultural assessment of the satisfaction formation process
Authors: Spreng Richard A. , Chiou Jyh‐shen
Published: October 2002

Consumer satisfaction continues to be an important area of both academic research and managerial interest. Yet most satisfaction research has utilized US subjects to develop and test satisfaction theory. The purpose of this research is to test the basic disconfirmation of expectations model in a very different culture than the USA, and compare the results to a matched sample of subjects in the USA. Specifically, a sample of student subjects from Taiwan is compared to a sample of student subjects in the USA. The results indicate support for the generalizability of the model in this Asian culture.
A social psychological model of relations between marketing and sales
Authors: Dewsnap Belinda , Jobber David
Published: October 2002

This paper highlights the opportunity to investigate relations between the marketing and sales departments of fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies. Drawing on empirical results from social psychology, the authors develop a framework for exploring the social psychological causes and effects of intergroup relations in FMCG marketing. This conceptual model integrates two social psychological theories, the realistic group conflict theory, and the social identity theory. As a development to previous applications of these theories, the model extends beyond the social psychological effects of intergroup relations to consider the implications for organizational effectiveness. A number of research propositions to guide future research are also developed, and the paper concludes with a discussion of managerial and future research implications.
The design of a training programme measurement model
Authors: Tennant Charles , Boonkrong Mahithorn , Roberts Paul A.B.
Published: October 2002

Outlines the key areas which manufacturing organisations should consider in order to improve the effectiveness of training programmes for production operators. The authors carried out a study of UK‐based manufacturing companies to identify current evaluation methods, and identify the predominant barriers to the implementation of effective training programmes. The research concluded that most of the companies believed that their training programmes did not realise the full potential in terms of higher productivity, better on‐the‐job performance, and improved quality. Causal factors were found to be inadequate training objectives and evaluation mechanisms, which stem from a number of barriers. Proposes a training programme measurement model, which has been adapted from existing concepts, and could be applied by manufacturing organisations as a framework for carrying out appropriate evaluation activities. Concludes with some recommendations for future policy, and areas of further research in the implementation of training programmes in manufacturing organisations.