bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DFprot: a webtool for predicting local chain deformability
Authors: Garzón José Ignacio , Kovacs Julio , Abagyan Ruben , Chacón Pablo
Published: February 2007

Summary: DFprot is a web-based server for predicting main-chain deformability from a single protein conformation. The server automatically performs a normal-mode analysis (NMA) of the uploaded structure and calculates its capability to deform at each of its residues. Non-specialists can easily and rapidly obtain a quantitative first approximation of the flexibility of their structures with a simple and efficient interface.

Availability:  http://sbg.cib.csic.es/Software/DFprot

Contact:  pablo@cib.csic.es
Magnetohydrodynamic evolution of magnetic skeletons
Authors: Haynes Andrew L , Parnell Clare E , Galsgaard Klaus , Priest Eric R
Published: February 2007

The heating of the solar corona is probably due to reconnection of the highly complex magnetic field that threads throughout its volume. We have run a numerical experiment of an elementary interaction between the magnetic field of two photospheric sources in an overlying field that represents a fundamental building block of the coronal heating process. The key to explaining where, how and how much energy is released during such an interaction is to calculate the resulting evolution of the magnetic skeleton. A skeleton is essentially the web of magnetic flux surfaces (called separatrix surfaces) that separate the coronal volume into topologically distinct parts. For the first time, the skeleton of the magnetic field in a three-dimensional numerical magnetohydrodynamic experiment is calculated and carefully analysed, as are the ways in which it bifurcates into different topologies. A change in topology normally changes the number of magnetic reconnection sites.

In our experiment, the magnetic field evolves through a total of six distinct topologies. Initially, no magnetic flux joins the two sources. Then, a new type of bifurcation, called a
global double-separator bifurcation
, takes place. This bifurcation is probably one of the main ways in which new separators are created in the corona (separators are field lines at which three-dimensional reconnection takes place). This is the first of five bifurcations in which the skeleton becomes progressively more complex before simplifying. Surprisingly, for such a simple initial state, at the peak of complexity there are five separators and eight flux domains present.
Overexpression of Pectin Methylesterase Inhibitors in Arabidopsis Restricts Fungal Infection by Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Lionetti Vincenzo , Raiola Alessandro , Camardella Laura , Giovane Alfonso , Obel Nicolai , Pauly Markus , Favaron Francesco , Cervone Felice , Bellincampi Daniela
Published: February 2007

Pectin, one of the main components of plant cell wall, is secreted in a highly methylesterified form and is demethylesterified in muro by pectin methylesterase (PME). The action of PME is important in plant development and defense and makes pectin susceptible to hydrolysis by enzymes such as endopolygalacturonases. Regulation of PME activity by specific protein inhibitors (PMEIs) can, therefore, play a role in plant development as well as in defense by influencing the susceptibility of the wall to microbial endopolygalacturonases. To test this hypothesis, we have constitutively expressed the genes AtPMEI-1 and AtPMEI-2 in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and targeted the proteins into the apoplast. The overexpression of the inhibitors resulted in a decrease of PME activity in transgenic plants, and two PME isoforms were identified that interacted with both inhibitors. While the content of uronic acids in transformed plants was not significantly different from that of wild type, the degree of pectin methylesterification was increased by about 16%. Moreover, differences in the fine structure of pectins of transformed plants were observed by enzymatic fingerprinting. Transformed plants showed a slight but significant increase in root length and were more resistant to the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea. The reduced symptoms caused by the fungus on transgenic plants were related to its impaired ability to grow on methylesterified pectins.
Overproduction of Abscisic Acid in Tomato Increases Transpiration Efficiency and Root Hydraulic Conductivity and Influences Leaf Expansion
Authors: Thompson Andrew J. , Andrews John , Mulholland Barry J. , McKee John M.T. , Hilton Howard W. , Horridge Jon S. , Farquhar Graham D. , Smeeton Rachel C. , Smillie Ian R.A. , Black Colin R. , Taylor Ian B.
Published: February 2007

Overexpression of genes that respond to drought stress is a seemingly attractive approach for improving drought resistance in crops. However, the consequences for both water-use efficiency and productivity must be considered if agronomic utility is sought. Here, we characterize two tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) lines (sp12 and sp5) that overexpress a gene encoding 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase, the enzyme that catalyzes a key rate-limiting step in abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis. Both lines contained more ABA than the wild type, with sp5 accumulating more than sp12. Both had higher transpiration efficiency because of their lower stomatal conductance, as demonstrated by increases in δ  13C and δ  18O, and also by gravimetric and gas-exchange methods. They also had greater root hydraulic conductivity. Under well-watered glasshouse conditions, mature sp5 plants were found to have a shoot biomass equal to the wild type despite their lower assimilation rate per unit leaf area. These plants also had longer petioles, larger leaf area, increased specific leaf area, and reduced leaf epinasty. When exposed to root-zone water deficits, line sp12 showed an increase in xylem ABA concentration and a reduction in stomatal conductance to the same final levels as the wild type, but from a different basal level. Indeed, the main difference between the high ABA plants and the wild type was their performance under well-watered conditions: the former conserved soil water by limiting maximum stomatal conductance per unit leaf area, but also, at least in the case of sp5, developed a canopy more suited to light interception, maximizing assimilation per plant, possibly due to improved turgor or suppression of epinasty.
Cytokinin Import Rate as a Signal for Photosynthetic Acclimation to Canopy Light Gradients
Authors: Boonman Alex , Prinsen Els , Gilmer Frank , Schurr Ulrich , Peeters Anton J.M. , Voesenek Laurentius A.C.J. , Pons Thijs L.
Published: February 2007

Plants growing in dense canopies are exposed to vertical light gradients and show photosynthetic acclimation at the whole-plant level, resulting in efficient photosynthetic carbon gain. We studied the role of cytokinins transported through the transpiration stream as one of probably multiple signals for photosynthetic acclimation to light gradients using both tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). We show that substantial variation in leaf transpiration parallels the light gradient in tobacco canopies and experimental reduction of the transpiration rate of a leaf, independent of light, is sufficient to reduce photosynthetic capacity in both species, as well as transcript levels of the small subunit of Rubisco (rbcS) gene in Arabidopsis. Mass spectrometric analysis of xylem sap collected from intact, transpiring tobacco plants revealed that shaded leaves import less cytokinin than leaves exposed to high light. In Arabidopsis, reduced transpiration rate of a leaf in the light is associated with lower cytokinin concentrations, including the bioactive trans-zeatin and trans-zeatin riboside, as well as reduced expression of the cytokinin-responsive genes ARR7 and ARR16. External application of cytokinin to shaded leaves rescued multiple shade effects, including rbcS transcript levels in both species, as did locally induced cytokinin overproduction in transgenic tobacco plants. From these data, we conclude that light gradients over the foliage of a plant result in reduced cytokinin activity in shaded leaves as a consequence of reduced import through the xylem and that cytokinin is involved in the regulation of whole-plant photosynthetic acclimation to light gradients in canopies.
The changing role of the trainer
Authors: Sloman Martyn
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to highlight the importance of helping people to learn and look for techniques that really do help people learn

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a case study approach.

Findings

The paper concludes that the dominance of the classroom‐based training course in workplace learning is no longer appropriate for a global economy where change happens so quickly and with such regularity that classroom‐based, fact‐dominated learning soon becomes out of date/not suitable for everyone.

Originality/value

This paper helps organisations recognise the need for training and helps them think about what type of training is best for their organisation and employees.
Enhancing access to digital information resources on heritage
Authors: Sattar Chaudhry Abdus , Pei Jiun Tan
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Due to various historical differences in organising, documenting and managing information across cultural institutions, cross‐domain resource discovery in the cultural heritage sector remains problematic. Leveraging on the lessons learnt from current efforts to enhance access to networked digital cultural resources, this paper seeks to explore the development of a taxonomy for the same purpose.

Design/methodology/approach

A methodology was developed for the construction of a 500‐term taxonomy for a Singapore‐based cultural heritage network. Based on this taxonomy, the benefits and problems of developing such a knowledge organisation system for a cultural network are also discussed.

Findings

Collecting terms and concepts from various external and internal sources was sufficient to kick‐start the taxonomy development process. One of the key aspects of the Integrated Museum and Archives System (IMAS) taxonomy is its ability to show a broad overview of the all the resources held by the National Heritage Board, regardless of originating institution.

Originality/value

No single scheme currently best fits the needs of cultural networks, but all can benefit from each other's learning process. The development of the IMAS taxonomy particularly benefited from the insights provided by faceted classification and the possible relationships between terms and concepts in ontology. Such guidelines and recommendations also provide much ground and basis for the NHB to start a framework for standardising documentation practices.
The social and technological origins of the information society
Authors: Weller Toni , Bawden David
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the theory of a control revolution in nineteenth century England, and its social and technological implications for the information society. It takes up where most historical interpretations of the industrial revolution end, and before most analyses of the digital era begin. The work focuses on three distinct types of technological advance – in transportation, in communication, and in the processing of information – without adopting a technologically deterministic argument.

Design/methodology/approach

Historical analysis, based on both primary and secondary sources.

Findings

The article first considers the introduction of the railways, and makes a case in that there were two crises of control involving railway technology in the nineteenth century: a crisis of communication, and a crisis of organisation. It goes on to assess the growth of bureaucracy and organisation in commerce. The expansion of government surveillance power towards the end of the nineteenth century is also discussed.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is broad in its scope and therefore some necessary omissions and limitations have been made. Many of the terms used throughout have entire literatures on their meanings, but it is not the intention of this paper to engage further with these debates, and it is acknowledged that within this limited discussion there is room for some ambiguity surrounding terms. Such concepts have been defined as far as possible within the article. The impact of warfare and military organisation are key themes, and while extremely relevant, deserve fuller discussion elsewhere. Also, while there would have undoubtedly been effects upon the British Empire from English industrialisation and the resulting crises of control, it has not been possible to discuss the implications of differing socio‐economic and political conditions within the Empire in this paper. The increasing sophistication of other professions such as finance and accounting in this period have not been considered, although again, this is an area which deserves individual study[1].

Originality/value

The research takes a step towards demonstrating that the origins of the information society can be traced back to the structural and organisational implications of the control revolution of the nineteenth century. The methods of control created the basic communication infrastructures still used in 2005, and set the precedent for government intervention and social surveillance. It concludes by discussing the potential crises of control within the information society.
The serendipity of leadership effectiveness in management and business practices
Authors: Svensson Göran , Wood Greg
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to conceptualize the serendipity of leadership effectiveness in management and business practices. The term “serendipity” is defined as the mix of leadership effectiveness by accident and sagacity in management and business practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a conceptual discussion of the serendipity of leadership effectiveness in management and business practices.

Findings

This paper contributes a number of models and a matrix that are introduced to address the underlying criteria of the cause‐effect relationship between leadership effectiveness and organizational achievements.

Research limitations/implications

This paper challenges the idealistic picture that flourishes in the management literature and in management practice of the direct, positive impact of leadership on prosperous management and business practices. In fact, it reinforces and underpins the critical or sceptical views of leadership effectiveness raised in the literature.

Practical implications

Normally, views of organizational achievements are based on the assumption that contextual, timely and skilful precisions in leadership effectiveness are high. Shareholders and stakeholders may benefit from a thorough examination of these issues in organizational achievements. It would not be surprising to find that leadership effectiveness in management and business practices to a minor or major extent is derived from pure luck and coincidence in contextual and timely precisions: right place, right time. This means that such leadership effectiveness may be based on serendipity rather than skilfulness in terms of organizational achievements.

Originality/value

The authors contend that the term “serendipity” contributes to enhance the ongoing discussion in the literature of the link between leadership effectiveness and organizational achievements. It also provides a fundament of understanding, explanation and prediction of leadership effectiveness in management and business practices.
Contextual implications for transformational and servant leadership
Authors: Humphreys John H.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine whether there is historical support for the proposal of Smith, Montagno and Kuzmenko that the specific cultures associated with transformational and/or servant leadership would be more or less applicable, based on context. Moreover, its purpose is also to demonstrate that a historical approach can be used effectively to examine such constructs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a historical examination of the military retreats of Xenophon, a transformational leader, and Chief Joseph, a servant leader, during very similar contextual crises.

Findings

Given similar contexts, the historical record offers support for the proposal of Smithet al.

Research limitations/implications

First, the retreats of Xenophon and Chief Joseph were separated by many hundreds of years and miles. Also inherent with this type of methodology is simple disagreement among readers. Although this author finds great similarity in the retreats of Xenophon and Chief Joseph, there are certainly differences that could be scrutinized as well. Moreover, others might be dissatisfied with the selection of Xenophon and Joseph to represent the leadership styles presented, or with the conclusions regarding their effectiveness. Such debate should be encouraged and could provide additional avenues for future research. Further, the current study considered leader effectiveness only as it related to the achievement of the organizational goal(s). It could be that Joseph's cohorts were more satisfied, committed, etc. than were the followers of Xenophon. This line of inquiry should also be pursued.

Practical implications

This research suggests that transformational leader behavior is likely to be more appropriate during times of significant organizational change.

Originality/value

This is the first study that has examined the speculation of Smithet al.and the first to demonstrate that a historical approach can add to one's understanding of such constructs.
Fatty acid oxidation and other biochemical changes induced by cooking in commonly used Indian fats and oils
Authors: Rastogi Priyanka , Mathur Beena , Rastogi Shweta , Gupta V.P. , Gupta Rajeev
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Cooking can adversely affect chemical characteristics of edible oils. The purpose of this paper is to determine biochemical changes due to cooking in commonly used Indian fats and oils through an experimental study.

Design/methodology/approach

Changes in chemical properties of various edible oils [Indian ghee (clarified butter), hydrogenated oil, coconut oil, mustard‐rapeseed oil, groundnut oil, soyabean oil, cottonseed oil and sunflower oil] were studied. Oils were subjected to various cooking methods (shallow frying, sautéing, single deep frying and multiple deep fryings) using an inert substance. Peroxide content was estimated as index of fatty‐acid oxidation, free fatty acids, iodine value for determination of fatty‐acid unsaturation and trans‐fatty acids at baseline and after cooking using colorimetric and gas‐liquid chromatography methods. Three samples were analyzed for each process (n = 144). Significance of change was determined using t‐test.

Findings

There was a significant increase in peroxide content (mEq/L) of Indian ghee from 1.83±0.03 at baseline to 4.5–6.6 by different cooking methods, hydrogenated oil (0.45±0.07 to 1.7–8.5), coconut oil (1.01±0.01 to 3.2–9.2), mustard‐rapeseed oil (0.90±0.01 to 2.1–5.3), groundnut oil (0.96±0.01 to 1.9–3.7), soyabean oil (0.86±0.02 to 1.9–3.4), cottonseed oil (0.71±0.01 to 2.9–6.4) and sunflower oil (1.09±0.01 to 2.3–10.2) (p<0.05). Free fatty acid content (g/100 g) was in undetectable amounts in all the fats at baseline and increased in Indian ghee (0.16–0.22), hydrogenated oil (0.09–0.23), coconut oil (0.09–1.39), mustard‐rapeseed oil (0.07–0.19), groundnut oil (0.09–0.18), soyabean oil (0.06–0.12), cottonseed oil (0.09–0.22) and sunflower oil (0.08–0.13). Trans‐fatty acids increased from 0.1% at baseline to 14.5% after sautéing and shallow frying and 15.8–16.8% after deep frying in hydrogenated oils (p<0.01). The iodine value decreased, indicating a decrease in unsaturated fats, insignificantly. The largest amount of oxidation was observed by shallow frying and free‐fatty‐acid formation by multiple deep frying. Hydrogenated, coconut and sunflower oils were the most susceptible to oxidation and soyabean oil the most resistant. Single deep frying caused the least changes in chemical composition of various fats and oils. Indian cooking practices significantly increase the peroxides, free fatty acids and trans‐fatty acids in edible oils and fats. Single deep frying appears to be the least harmful method and soyabean oil the least susceptible to degradation.

Originality/value

The paper offers an experimental study to determine biochemical changes due to cooking in commonly used Indian fats and oils.
Cooperation and stress
Authors: Zeffane Rachid , McLoughlin Dominic
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the case study was to examine the varying impact of job‐level and organization‐level characteristics on team‐level cooperation and feelings of stress. In attempting to highlight the relevance of sub‐cultures, it compares these relationships across two departments in an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) company operating in Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

Uses survey data from a medium size company in the ICT industry operating in Australia. There were 397 respondents to the survey.

Findings

Statistical analyses show that job satisfaction and positive communication with managers are strong predictors of feelings of stress and perceived cooperation. Further scrutiny of the data at sub‐unit levels, clearly suggests that the cultural variant is a strong mediator of these relationships.

Originality/value

Adds to the evidence that the social and organizational aspects of the workplace are potential explanatory variables in finding lasting cures for workplace stress.
International human resource management: overcoming disciplinary sectarianism
Authors: Keating Mary , Thompson Karen
Published: January 2007

International human resource management (IHRM) research is becoming an increasingly important topic in light of the relentless pace of globalisation. Three strands of research contribute to our understanding of IHRM, the most dominant being research on human resource management in multinational companies. This paper categorises the literature in the field, highlighting disciplinary introspection within and between each strand. Argues that, by neglecting to embrace the contributions of research from cross‐cultural management and comparative human resource management, the field lacks the necessary conceptual and methodological tools to advance. Concludes by suggesting areas where collaboration and cross‐fertilisation between disciplines can occur before embarking on the integrative process of theory building.
Economic performance and unemployment: evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Berument Hakan , Dogan Nukhet , Tansel Aysıt
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This article seeks to examine whether or not various macroeconomic policy shocks have different effects on overall unemployment and the unemployment by different levels of education in Turkey. These effects are assessed separately for male and female unemployment.

Design/methodology/approach

To examine the relationship, a quarterly VAR model with a recursive order is employed to estimate the effects of real GDP, price, exchange rate and interbank interest rate on unemployment for the period from 1988:01 to 2003:04.

Findings

Main findings indicate that monetary policy does not affect the total unemployment as well as the components of unemployment by educational level and by gender in Turkey. On the other hand, income policies, which include fiscal policies, and unemployment itself, might be the main factors that affect the behavior of total unemployment and its various components.

Research limitations/implications

These findings suggest that policy makers should concentrate on non‐monetary policies to hamper the unemployment in Turkey.

Originality/value

The present study is the first empirical examination of the relationship between various macroeconomic policy shocks and the unemployment both across gender and education levels in a single study.
Inter‐organizational relationship strategies and management styles in SMEs
Authors: Mikhailitchenko Andrei , Lundstrom William J.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to investigate and conceptualize differences in managerial styles and inter‐organizational relationship (IOR) strategies of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in the international environment, and make managerial implications useful for business practitioners and educators.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies comparative management research methodology. The management style dimensions analyzed in the paper are supervision, decision making, information‐sharing styles, and paternalistic orientation. The types of IOR strategies considered are conjugate, confederate, agglomeratic, and organic. Data were collected through surveying managers of entrepreneurial firms from the USA, China, and Russia, operating in the same industry. Factor analysis was applied for scale validation, and regression models were used for hypotheses testing.

Findings

The relationship between managerial styles and types of IOR strategies pursued by SMEs was documented. The cross‐cultural differences in terms of SMEs' orientation towards different types of IOR were also revealed.

Practical implications

The study indicated that it is possible to predict prevailing IOR strategies based on cultural differences in a systematic way. Because of SMEs' rapid globalization, the study findings contribute to the efforts of achieving better correspondence between IOR‐building strategies of small businesses in different countries. Educational and training programs preparing international SME managers to distinguish, substantiate and deal with the revealed cross‐cultural IOR differences will be helpful for achieving this goal.

Originality/value

The major value of the study is that it provides insight into IORs from the small business perspective in a cross‐cultural setting.
Leadership and character
Authors: Sarros James C. , Cooper Brian K. , Hartican Anne M.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine self‐assessed character among Australian managers in relation to selected demographic variables of these managers, and to establish the initial psychometric properties of the Virtuous Leadership Scale used to measure dimensions of character.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a national online survey of managers utilizing the membership base of the Australian Institute of Management.

Findings

The findings reveal that self‐assessed character is multifaceted and varies across specific demographics (gender, age, level of seniority, years as an executive), and is subject to some degree of social desirability bias. Further research is warranted to explore these outcomes and relationships.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited by national culture and management self‐report data that need verification across different national cultures, work settings, and work groups. The findings indicate that integrity is a key character attribute reported by managers, but the present results require further validation across industry sectors and other organizational contexts.

Practical implications

The findings suggest the need for further examination of character as an important component of leadership success, strategy, and impact.

Originality/value

The study identifies attributes of character linked to selected demographic (personal and professional) variables of practising managers, and points the way for further examination of the part character has to play in the leadership of organizations.
At Sam's Club, no girls allowed: the lived experience of sex discrimination
Authors: Besen Yasemin , Kimmel Michael S.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an in‐depth understanding of the lived experience of sex discrimination from the perspective of women in the Wal‐Mart case and unravels the daily mechanisms through which sex discrimination takes place.

Design/methodology/approach

One hundred and ten in‐depth statements from women who are current and former employees of Wal‐Mart, describing in detail their work experience, were employed as the main source of data. We have carried out a detailed content analysis of these in‐depth interviews identifying the mechanisms of sex discrimination.

Findings

Findings identify the specific mechanisms through which sex discrimination takes place. In the context of the current sex discrimination case, the paper provides a rich body of evidence in unraveling the everyday mechanisms of sex discrimination. It observes that instead of individual events, at important thresholds, sex discrimination is a result of small, everyday acts and gendered assumptions, which often appear supportive and harmless.

Research limitations/implications

The richness of the data provides the unique, empirical opportunity to observe the process in detail, but this paper focuses exclusively on the process, and the end‐results remain outside the scope of the paper.

Practical implications

The paper provides a very useful source of information and practical advice for women in the labor force in identifying the supportive, nice and harmless mechanisms and everyday experience of sex discrimination.

Originality/value

This paper exclusively focuses on the process and identifies the mechanisms of sex discrimination using a rich source of qualitative data. It offers empirical evidence in identifying the daily assumptions and everyday mechanisms of sex discrimination. Sex discrimination in the everyday lives are carried out in disguise of harmless, nice and often supportive behavior; therefore this paper offers explanations as to why many women stay in these exploitative jobs as long as they do.
Are organizations shooting themselves in the foot?
Authors: Alexandra Beauregard T.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To examine the direct effects of work domain variables on family‐to‐work conflict (FWC), beyond their indirect effects via the mediating variable of work‐to‐family conflict (WFC), and sex differences in the effects of work role expectations and supervisor support on FWC.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted among 208 UK public sector employees. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis tested main and moderating effects of work domain variables and sex on FWC. To test for mediation, the procedure recommended by Baron and Kenny was used.

Findings

Work domain variables had a significant effect on FWC above and beyond the effects of family domain variables, and independent of WFC. The relationship between work role expectations and FWC was found to be significantly stronger for men than for women.

Research limitations/implications

The cross‐sectional design of the study does not permit firm conclusions regarding causality, and the results may be influenced by common method bias.

Practical implications

In the face of evidence that organizations are causing the very phenomenon that hurts them, the responsibility to assist employees with reducing FWC is enhanced. Particularly for men, management of organizational expectations to work long hours and prioritize work over family is an area in which employers can and should play a key role if gender equity with regard to organizational work‐family climate is to be established.

Originality/value

This study indicates that organizational work demands may have more influence over the degree to which employees’ family lives interfere with their work than has previously been assumed, especially for men.
Professionalizing global management for the twenty‐first century
Authors: Cabrera Ángel , Bowen David
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to argue that global management should be considered by practitioners, educators, regulators and society at large as a true professional discipline. While in its current form it may not meet all the defining criteria of a profession, true professionalism is the best guiding principle as progress is made.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews recent critiques of management education, synthesizes the generally agreed criteria of a profession, and applies that framework to the case of management.

Findings

Global management needs to further develop a body of knowledge that is both theoretically grounded and instrumental for practice; it needs to raise the bar in terms of professional qualification through existing accrediting bodies; and it needs to articulate and formally adopt a set of core values and principles of conduct, determining how it serves the broader interest of society.

Originality/value

It is important that all key actors assume true professionalism as a guiding principle for the future. The challenges ahead need to consider the ongoing construction of a solid body of knowledge, the revision of MBA degree requirements and the establishment of a set of core transcendental values that should guide professional practice. Academic institutions and practising executives alike must share a commitment to building a global management knowledge base that will not only improve the quality of management practice, but also earn management itsprofessionalstatus.
The rankings game: and the winner is …
Authors: Policano Andrew J.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the value of the media rankings of business schools from the perspective of students, business schools and the media.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses the rankings given to various schools by various publications.

Findings

The media rankings give the perception that there are more significant differences between similar MBA programs than actually exist. Indeed, many times it is the arbitrary weighting assigned by the media to the variables in the ranking rather than the quality of the school that accounts for differences across similar programs. A more accurate description of quality would be obtained by rating schools in groups of programs of similar quality.

Originality/value

Business school applicants can utilize media rankings to identify the top 100 MBA programs but should not base their decision between different programs on a specific ranking of one school relative to another. Rather, the applicant should examine the raw data behind the ranking, along with many other non‐quantitative factors, in assessing which is the program best matches their particular interests and aspirations.
Improving the design of tall buildings after 9/11
Authors: Yean Yng Ling Florence , Hong Soh Lay
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Following the terrorist attack on the New York World Trade Center in 2001, this paper seeks to investigate the design features that would enhance the safety of tall buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a questionnaire, data have been collected via e‐mails and by post from architects and civil engineers (AEs) in Singapore. Structured interviews were conducted with public authorities.

Findings

The results show that AEs perceive tall buildings to be generally safe in terms of structural design, fire safety features and means of escape. The results also show that AEs confirm the need to improve the safety of tall buildings further, are making an effort to address the heightened safety concern, will give full support to initiatives to address heightened safety concerns, will agree to conduct risk assessment during the design phase and will welcome a performance‐based design code. AEs do not agree that buildings should be designed to withstand hydrocarbon fires or aircraft attacks. The survey results further reveal that the four most effective methods to improve the safety of tall buildings are providing exit signs with lighting at floor levels, a separate design code for super tall buildings, providing fire refuge and rescue floors, and the decentralization of fire systems.

Originality/value

The importance of this paper is that it investigates the safety features and measures that can shed some light on enhancing the safety of tall buildings. The findings may be used by building authorities to formulate future measures and codes to better enhance the safety of tall buildings. Based on the findings, further research on each feasible method of improving the safety of tall buildings may be undertaken.
Interlending and document supply: a review of the recent literature – 56
Authors: McGrath Mike
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the most recent literature concerning document supply and related matters.

Design/methodology/approach

The reading of over 140 published works, including journals, monographs, reports and web sites.

Findings

Finds that usage statistics are still not giving a clear indication of the importance of document supply, but it is confirmed that the large proportion of demand comes from a small number of titles. Open access continues to be top news, in particular the mass digitisation of books. Quite a lot on document supply – Kuwait, USA, Germany, Norway, UK and South Africa.

Originality/value

Provides a useful source of information for librarians and others interested in document supply and related matters.
World BrainandMundaneum: the ideas of Wells and Otlet concerning universal access
Authors: Araceli Torres‐Vargas Georgina
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the characteristics of Wells' ideas and their differing from those of Otlet, starting from the premise that Otlet was a social scientist with a well‐defined ideological perspective and that Wells was a writer who was recognised first and foremost for his science fiction novels, but who worked in a scientific context that provided him with a greater knowledge of the scientific innovations and expectations of his time, as demonstrated in his books.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology that was used was the comparative and the hermeneutic methods. These ideas are compared in a context where the need to offer universal access to information is more and more frequently discussed. This paper is based on the idea that the works of Wells were independent and different from those of Otlet.

Findings

This analysis concludes that Wells's offers are different from those of Otlet.

Originality/value

This article highlights Wells's contributions for the conformation of a universal access to the digital information.
Globalization and inequality according to Veblen
Authors: Wellington Donald C. , Zandvakili Sourushe
Published: January 2007

Thorstein Veblen's ideas regarding capitalism, particularly as expressed through his view of the American upper classes of the time, are examined. The work of Veblen himself, as well as other, later economic theorists, is discussed. Particular attention is paid to how Veblen's ideas can be applied to today's social economy, especially where globalization and inequality are concerned.
EU enlargement and the effectiveness of conditionality: keeping to the deal?
Authors: Barnes Ian , Randerson Claire
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Accession to the European Union is one of the most powerful foreign policy tools exercised within the European arena and enlargement negotiations have been a major stimulus to reform in Central and Eastern Europe. Conditionality has evolved as over time into a dynamic instrument used to ensure that new members are sufficiently prepared to take on the responsibilities of EU membership, whilst also satisfying existing member states that new members will not prove too burdensome. This paper aims to examine some of the lessons learnt from the first stage of the Fifth Enlargement and the stricter use of conditionality mechanisms for Romania, Bulgaria and beyond.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is based on interviews with EU officials involved in the enlargement process.

Findings

The article finds that the use of conditionality in the 2004 enlargement has had a far from uniform effect on candidates and policy areas and that the commission has learnt much from this experience. The integration of Bulgaria and Romania will offer more significant challenges and conditionality has evolved as a mechanism to address these.

Originality/value

The article offersboth an empirical as well as theoretical evaluation of the use of conditionality in the context of the EU enlargement process.
How professionals learn in practice: an investigation of informal learning amongst people working in professions
Authors: Cheetham Graham , Chivers Geoff
Published: January 2007

Reviews a range of theories, concepts and learning approaches that are relevant to the development of professionals. Goes on to take a look at how professionals actually learn, once they are in practice. The latter is based on empirical research conducted across 20 professions. Reports on the range of experiences and events that practitioners had found particularly formative in helping them become fully competent professionals; this point often not having been reached until long after their formal professional training had ended. An attempt is made to relate the formative experiences reported to particular theoretical approaches to learning. The experiences are classified into a number of general kinds of “learning mechanism” and these are placed within a “taxonomy of informal professional learning methods”. The results of the research should be of use both to professional developers and to individual professionals. They should assist developers in their planning of placements or post‐formal training. They should help individual professionals to maximise their professional learning, by seeking out particular kinds of experience and making the most of those that come their way.
The challenges of utilizing information communication technologies (ICTs) for the small‐scale farmers in Zambia
Authors: Kalusopa Trywell
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper attempts to discuss some of the key challenges that Zambia faces in the application of information communication technologies (ICTs) for the small‐scale farmers.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of information needs of small‐scale farmers in two selected provinces was carried out in order to establish and prioritize their information needs. Evaluation of the existing information infrastructure provided insights into the type of ICTs that can support the provision of information to small‐scale farmers in Zambia.

Findings

The paper highlights some of the salient findings of the research carried out under the African Technology Policy Studies (ATPS), Zambian Chapter and financed by the International Development Research Foundation (IDRC) from 2001 to 2003. These, among others, include: weak human capital and technical infrastructure, lack of clear national information policy and lack of a coordinated agricultural information support system for small‐scale farmers anchored on ICTs.

Research limitations/implications

This study illustrates that it is becoming increasingly evident that the success of any agricultural development programme in Zambia requires a well‐organized and functionally integrated information delivery system propelled by the application of appropriate ICTs. The paper presents recommendations for this to be realized.

Originality/value

The changes in the socio‐economic and political arena in Zambia have had a drastic effect on the management of the agriculture sector. Further, even though it is widely acknowledged that information plays an important role in agricultural and rural development in Zambia, this conception has received less pragmatic attention and seems to have been less consolidated over time. The central role of information in this sector has thus been largely superficial. The need for a clear national policy framework on the use of ICTs for the small‐scale farmers to enhance national development is thus articulated in this paper.
Reaching and Teaching the Digital Natives
Authors: Gaston Jim
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The higher education community is facing a new generation of students – the “Digital Natives”. They are the first generation born into a world of pervasive digital technology. They think and learn differently than the “Digital Immigrants” who are teaching them and educators today should be aware of these differences and how this knowledge can be utilized to create a more effective learning environment.

Purpose

The purpose is to provide a description of the new generation of students in higher education, “Digital Natives” and their technology needs.

Design/methodology/approach

A summary of the characteristics of “Digital Natives.”

Findings

This article provides an overview of who are the “Digital Natives” and their influence on technologies used to support learning environments.

Originality/value

This paper is useful for information management professionals who seek greater understanding of the ever‐changing student population in higher education.
Information Innovations: From the Web to the Blog: A Case Study
Authors: Yuan Haiwang , Meszaros Rosemary L.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Aims to provide a methodology to establishing a campwide‐blog service and the reasons why libraries might consider using blogging software in their institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

A summary of the main features of the blogging software.

Findings

This article provides an overview of blogging software: what it is, how it works, and its benefits and offers a practical approach to implementation including training, marketing and policy development.

Originality/value

This paper is useful for information management professionals who seek greater understanding of blogging software implementations.
Expanding the marriage metaphor in understanding long‐term business relationships
Authors: Johnston Wesley J. , Hausman Angela
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to enrich current and future research on the topic of long‐term business relationships within organizational networks through expansion of the marriage metaphor.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the relationship marketing literature as well as incorporating sociological literature dealing with marriage and the family, specifically with respect to inter‐family working relationships. An extended family metaphor is proposed as a more appropriate metaphor for firms involved in network relationships. The paper is divided into three sections. The first contains a re‐conceptualization of the original stages developed by Dwyer et al. (1987). Next, non‐phase elements of these relationships are discussed. Finally, areas for future research building on this metaphor are suggested.

Findings

The extended family metaphor implies several interesting opportunities for future research, including investing the compensatory nature of relationships and specific factors that might impact relationship discussion.

Practical implications

This paper brings our conceptual thinking more in line with organizational reality, namely that organizations are more likely involved in dyadic relationships embedded in a network of inter‐relationships. Using an extended family metaphor highlights additional stressors on the relationships, suggesting areas that need attention in an effort to maintain the relationship. It also more clearly focuses on the dynamic of interactions outside the dyad and how these affect the dyadic relationship.

Originality/value

The marriage metaphor has been a catalyst for a wide variety of managerially significant research efforts. This extension of the metaphor to include the extended family may do the same.