bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Xyloglucanendo-Transglycosylase-Mediated Xyloglucan Rearrangements in Developing Wood of Hybrid Aspen
Authors: Nishikubo Nobuyuki , Takahashi Junko , Roos Alexandra A. , Derba-Maceluch Marta , Piens Kathleen , Brumer Harry , Teeri Tuula T. , Stålbrand Henrik , Mellerowicz Ewa J.
Published: November 2010

Xyloglucan endo-transglycosylases (XETs) encoded by xyloglucan endo-transglycosylases/hydrolase (XTH) genes modify the xyloglucan-cellulose framework of plant cell walls, thereby regulating their expansion and strength. To evaluate the importance of XET in wood development, we studied xyloglucan dynamics and XTH gene expression in developing wood and modified XET activity in hybrid aspen (Populus tremula × tremuloides) by overexpressing PtxtXET16-34. We show that developmental modifications during xylem differentiation include changes from loosely to tightly bound forms of xyloglucan and increases in the abundance of fucosylated xyloglucan epitope recognized by the CCRC-M1 antibody. We found that at least 16 Populus  XTH genes, all likely encoding XETs, are expressed in developing wood. Five genes were highly and ubiquitously expressed, whereas PtxtXET16-34 was expressed more weakly but specifically in developing wood. Transgenic up-regulation of XET activity induced changes in cell wall xyloglucan, but its effects were dependent on developmental stage. For instance, XET overexpression increased abundance of the CCRC-M1 epitope in cambial cells and xylem cells in early stages of differentiation but not in mature xylem. Correspondingly, an increase in tightly bound xyloglucan content was observed in primary-walled xylem but a decrease was seen in secondary-walled xylem. Thus, in young xylem cells, XET activity limits xyloglucan incorporation into the tightly bound wall network but removes it from cell walls in older cells. XET overexpression promoted vessel element growth but not fiber expansion. We suggest that the amount of nascent xyloglucan relative to XET is an important determinant of whether XET strengthens or loosens the cell wall.
Microbial hazards and critical control points of locally processed soy‐cheese in Nigeria
Authors: Bosede Fasoyiro Subuola , Adeoti Obatolu Veronica , Bosede Fasoyiro Subuola , Adebayo Ashaye Olukayode , Olaniran Adegoke Gabriel , Oluremi Farinde Elizabeth
Published: November 2010

Purpose

In Nigeria, soymilk and fried soy‐cheese are common street‐vended foods sold in market places, motor‐parks, streets and schools. Many processors of these soy‐foods are women using the soy‐food business to generate income in supporting their families. They have little or no knowledge about good manufacturing practices and good hygiene practices. Careless exposure of prepared foods to environmental contamination is quiet noticeable. The purpose of this paper is to assess microbial hazards and critical control points (CCPs) in the processing of locally processed fried soy‐cheese from different areas in Oyo State, South‐West Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Soy‐cheese processors were visited. Samples of water used for processing, fermented maize liquor used as coagulant and fried soy‐cheese were collected for microbial analysis. CCPs were analyzed.

Findings

Higher microbial load was recorded in the coagulant samples (≤106 Cfu/ml) and in the fried soy‐cheese displayed for sale (≤103 Cfu/ml). Pathogenic micro‐organisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli were characterized from the collected samples. Coliforms were present in samples collected.

Originality/value

The paper shows that these processors need to be trained in food safety practices to reduce health risks associated with consumption of these locally processed foods.
The role of simulation case studies in enterprise education
Authors: Tunstall Richard , Lynch Martin
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the role of electronic simulation case studies in enterprise education, their effectiveness, and their relationship to traditional forms of classroom‐based approaches to experiential learning. The paper seeks to build on previous work within the field of enterprise and management education, specifically in relation to the role of simulations and case studies in higher‐education pedagogy, which have previously been considered as distinct techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the use of a specifically designed simulation case study of a small and large business, 57 undergraduate students in a UK university were surveyed using an electronic voting tool and their responses used as the basis for two focus groups, which were conducted with the same students.

Findings

Students saw a link between using the application and learning, found the environment to be immersive and more engaging than a text‐based case study, though opinion was divided over its entertainment value. Focus group results highlighted that students believed the environment felt “real” and that students were encouraged to engage in deep and double‐loop learning. Students preferred the option of a mixed range of classroom learning experiences, though experienced gameplayers were less likely to find the simulation case entertaining than non‐gameplayers.

Research limitations/implications

This article builds on existing research on simulations and case studies, while going some way to show the common issues that these “models of reality” share, in terms of both design and utilisation in the special context of higher education. This paper highlights the value and need for further work appraising emerging educational media and the importance students place on these experiences in their study programmes.

Originality/value

Given the increasing interest in e‐learning within higher education, and subsequent attempts to improve the student experience through electronic media, this paper highlights the importance of focusing on effective learning opportunities in developing experiential enterprise education tools.
Creativity‐based assessment and neural understandings
Authors: Penaluna Andrew , Coates Jackie , Penaluna Kathryn
Published: November 2010

Purpose

Enabling entrepreneurial creativity is a key aim of UK Government; however, there is a dearth of constructively aligned models of teaching and assessment. This paper aims to introduce design‐based pedagogies and to highlight cognitive approaches that develop innovative mindsets; it seeks to indicate their propensity for adoption in entrepreneurship education.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review plus empirical evidence from pedagogical approaches developed through the extended collaboration of specialists in creative design, financial management and brain‐related occupational therapy inform this paper.

Findings

Neuroimaging studies challenge the thesis that learning for creative output is entirely algorithmic; diverse ideas occur when the brain's right cortex has opportunity to bring its findings to the fore, usually via “relaxed cognition”. Design‐based entrepreneurship pedagogies embed these concepts.

Research limitations/implications

The paper offers initial insights into how these understandings can be applied in transdisciplinary entrepreneurship‐education contexts.

Practical implications

Predicable assessment outcomes equal predictable students; which needs more working practices, behaviours and cultural environments that encourage innovation. Any educational environment that excludes these understandings is inherently flawed.

Social implications

The case study/project “Free time is thinking time” implies that traditional 9‐5 working practices are inappropriate for creative mindsets.

Originality/value

This paper links emerging bodies of evidence; it provides a first response to calls for a more creative enterprise curriculum and offers constructively aligned assessment.
Creative disciplines education: a model for assessing ideas in entrepreneurship education?
Authors: Carey Charlotte , Matlay Harry
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore how creative disciplines education is taught, delivered, and assessed, and how this might inform the development of enterprise education UK.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper makes use of empirical data from three main sources across creative disciplines: interviews with entrepreneurs; job adverts for lecturing staff; and a survey of educators. This approach offers multiple perspectives on hypothesis development as well as the validation of emergent result.

Findings

The analysis of the three strands of data highlights the benefits of contextualized enterprise education. It confirms that ideas assessment techniques within creative disciplines are well embedded in practice and applied consistently within the context of an academic framework.

Practical implications

An exploration of delivery styles and ideas assessment in the creative sector has highlighted a potential model which could be adopted by generic enterprise education in business schools and other faculties. Potentially, it offers educators a template for assessment of entrepreneurial ideas.

Originality/value

This paper highlights characteristics of creative discipline education and ideas assessment, which might potentially be a model for teaching enterprise within an academic framework, which could be adopted by enterprise educators.
The path of transformational change
Authors: Nussbaumer Alison , Merkley Wendy
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The paper seeks to document the process and strategies used to create transformational change at the operational, organizational and cultural level.

Design/methodology/approach

The vision of transformational change was guided by three principles: building it today, adding value, and aligning with the university's strategic plan.

Findings

During a 2008‐2009 internal review it became clear that current services and systems were inhibiting the ability to move forward. To overcome this inertia, eight strategies were developed to lay the foundation for transformational change. These included: creating a framework for change, leveraging outside expertise, building a leadership team, designing a new organizational structure, influencing organizational culture, managing transition, forming operational teams and workgroups, and reflections. The greatest challenge has been to manage library staff fears and expectations. Dealing with both passive and active resistance has required flexibility and a commitment on the part of library administration to engage staff in an ongoing dialogue to clarify the vision and to encourage staff to see change as serving both the library's interests and their own self‐interest.

Originality/value

The value of this paper is in showcasing tools and strategies for transforming an academic library's organizational culture and structure.
Trends of labour productivity in Italy: a study with panel co‐integration methods
Authors: Fachin Stefano , Gavosto Andrea
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The main aim of this paper is to examine labour productivity trends in Italy over the period 1981‐2004.

Design/methodology/approach

To this end, relying on recent developments in the analysis of non‐stationary dependent panels, the paper develops a new method for estimating total factor productivity (TFP) trends.

Findings

The conclusions confirm the view that the recent decline in Italian labour productivity growth is mostly due to a widespread fall in TFP growth.

Research limitations/implications

The main assumption underlying the proposed TFP estimation method is that technology growth is driven by a single trend common to all units included in the panel (industries, regions or countries).

Originality/value

The paper provides two distinct contributions: empirically, it provides robust evidence that TFP slow‐down is the main cause of recent negative trends in labour productivity in Italy. Methodologically, the paper proposes an approach to estimating TFP that enjoys several advantages: only basic data for input and output flows are needed, the non‐stationary nature of the data is explicitly taken into account, and confidence intervals for TFP growth can be computed. This method can thus be easily applied to many routinely available datasets, to either corroborate existing growth accounting estimates or to obtain previously unavailable estimates.
The Italian productivity slow‐down: the role of the bargaining model
Authors: Tronti Leonello
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the role of the Protocol '93 bargaining model in favouring the slow‐down of the Italian economy and to design a correction.

Design/methodology/approach

The impact of the Protocol on factor income distribution is assessed through a deterministic dynamic model, and tested for the 1993‐2008 period. The paper explores theoretically and empirically the weakening of the incentives for both workers and employers to engage in fostering productivity.

Findings

In a macroeconomic setting with structural imbalance between the product and the labour markets reforms, the bargaining model has automatically increased up to 2002 the capital share in income, reducing the incentives for both social partners to accelerate productivity, as the labour share in income and the propensity to invest are co‐integrated (Johansen test). An analytical solution for correcting the bargaining distributive bias is proposed.

Research limitations/implications

Further research should provide a picture of the different distributive behaviours of industrial sectors, particularly for industries exposed to/protected from international competition. The actual functioning of the new bargaining model (theAccordo Quadroof 2009) should also be assessed.

Practical implications

The bargaining model should be reformed so as to restore the right incentives for social partners. National industry‐wide wage bargaining should both incentivise and complement insufficient local bargaining.

Social implications

The benefit of increased productivity and resumed growth has vast social implications, especially with reference to the sustainability of the welfare system.

Originality/value

The scientific literature has lacked any formal description of the dynamic operation of the Italian bargaining model, which is particularly valuable to both social partners and policy makers.
Culturally‐linked leadership styles
Authors: Jogulu Uma D.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine whether cultural context facilitates the emergence of different leadership styles. The key objective of the paper is to consider whether leadership styles are culturally‐linked and/or culturally‐biased.

Design/methodology/approach

A multifactor leadership questionnaire was utilised to measure differences in leadership styles and to offer explanations as to why the “one size fits all” view is not appropriate. Analysis of variance and t‐tests were utilised to compare means for more than two managerial groups.

Findings

The analysis found significant differences between leadership styles and cultural groups, hence, supporting the argument that culture and leadership interact in different ways in diverse contexts. Transactional leadership was found to be strongly aligned with the ratings of managers from Malaysia, and transformational leadership scales correlated with the Australian respondents' mean ratings.

Practical implications

Variations in leadership styles are due to cultural influences because people have different beliefs and assumptions about characteristics that are deemed effective for leadership. Therefore, it is fundamental to know what leadership skills and knowledge are valued most by managers on a global level. This information is critical as it offers insight into developing competencies in different workplaces, especially as organisations expand their geographical boundaries into international markets.

Originality/value

The findings of the study provide empirical understanding for culturally‐linked leadership styles. The paper contributes to understanding the importance of workforce diversity and attention to other cultures and, thus, enhances our appreciation of today's “global village”.
Attributing leadership personality and effectiveness from the leader's face: an exploratory study
Authors: Nana Eli , Jackson Brad , St J Burch Giles
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to explore the processes by which individuals make attributions about a leader's personality and effectiveness based upon information contained within a photograph of a leader's face.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methodology approach is taken which combines an individual survey with a follow‐up focus group conducted with five classes of MBA students. In the survey, respondents were asked to rate the photographic images of ten CEOs for personality traits and leadership effectiveness that were apparent in the face; in the focus group, they were asked to reflect upon the processes they had utilized in order to make their attributions.

Findings

The study demonstrated that the vast majority of the participants actively used the face to attribute personality traits of the leaders as well as their ability to lead. The survey revealed that perceived leadership effectiveness was positively correlated to perceived extraversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and narcissism. The focus group revealed three strategies that were used when placing these attributions on a leader. These were drawing on explicit facial traits, using the leader's non‐facial traits and general appearance, and telling stories about the leader.

Research limitations/implications

This was an exploratory study set up in an artificial laboratory‐like environment featuring a limited and homogenous collection of CEO photographs and involving a limited and relatively homogenous group of participants. However, it does show that the face is an important and rich source of information from which individuals can make detailed attributions about a leader's personality and their potential leadership ability. The functionality of making such attributions as well as its moral and ethical basis needs to be properly examined and discussed.

Originality/value

The study highlights the leader's face and the visual portrayal thereof, as a potentially important, yet rarely analyzed, aspect of leadership. It foregrounds photographs of leaders, most notably those taken of CEOs, as organizational artifacts that have been largely ignored but worthy data sources. Leadership scholars could profitably focus upon both the production and consumption processes associated with the visual portrayal of leadership.
The effect of monetary policy on house price inflation
Authors: Gupta Rangan , Kabundi Alain
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to assess the impact of monetary policy on house price inflation for the nine census divisions of the US economy.

Design/methodology/approach

A factor‐augmented VAR (FAVAR) model is estimated using a large data set comprising of 126 quarterly series over the period 1976:01 to 2005:02.

Findings

Overall, the results of this investigation show that house price inflation responds negatively to a positive monetary policy shock, suggesting that the framework does not experience the widely observed price puzzle encountered while analyzing monetary policy shocks with standard sized VARs.

Research limitations/implications

The paper only considers house price inflation and ignores other housing market variables. Moreover, given the recent economy‐wide decline in the house price growth rates, it would be worthwhile to update the data set to a more recent period, to capture the possible breakdown in the relationship of house prices with fundamentals driving the market.

Practical implications

The results based on the impulse response functions indicate that, in general, house price inflation responds negatively to monetary policy shock, but the responses are heterogeneous across the census divisions. In addition, the findings suggest, in particular, the importance of South Atlantic, East South Central, West South Central, Mountain and the Pacific divisions in shaping the dynamics of US house price inflation.

Originality/value

To the best of one's knowledge, this is the first paper to analyze the effect of monetary policy on house price inflation in the nine census divisions of the US economy using a FAVAR model.
Internationalization and innovation in a network relationship context
Authors: Chetty Sylvie K. , Stangl Loren M.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to study how network relationships are used in the internationalization and innovation of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in the software industry. The paper seeks to use the extant literature to develop a matrix consisting of incremental internationalization and innovation and radical internationalization and innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on an in‐depth qualitative study of ten software firms in New Zealand. The unit of analysis is the firm. Multiple sources of data collection are used, but the main method of data collection is semi‐structured interviews.

Findings

The ten firms in the study fall into four distinct groups, depending on the type of internationalization and the type of innovation, and each group has particular types of network relationships. Firms with limited network relationships have incremental internationalization and innovation, but those with diverse network relationships have radical internationalization and innovation. The findings indicate that network relationships are influential in shaping the firm's future as well as sustaining the firm.

Practical implications

The matrix developed could assist managers to identify where they appear and what relationships they need to form in order to internationalize their innovation. Managers need to be aware of the changing dynamics of network relationships, and the impact this will have on the firm.

Originality/value

The paper identifies a gap in current SME research that combines the following three research streams: internationalization, innovation, and networks. The original contribution of the paper is to address this gap so that researchers and practitioners have some understanding of innovation and internationalization of SMEs in the context of networks.
Consumer responses to ecolabels
Authors: Thøgersen John , Haugaard Pernille , Olesen Anja
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and apply a framework for understanding consumer responses to ecolabelling.

Design/methodology/approach

From a consumer perspective, ecolabels are tools for supporting decision making with regard to environmentally significant products. The paper proposes an adoption of innovation framework for understanding consumer responses. The framework is applied in a mall‐intercept survey of the early adoption of a new ecolabel, the MSC label for sustainable fishery, in Denmark.

Findings

Early adopters of a new ecolabel mostly employ a high effort adoption process. Starting the adoption process depends on both motivation (intention to buy sustainable fish products) and ability (issue‐relevant knowledge). Whether and how quickly the consumer completes the adoption depends on his or her motivation, past experience with using ecolabels, and trust in the endorsing organisation.

Research limitations/implications

Environmental and product‐related factors did not differ between respondents. Hence, a complete account of the importance of these factors for the adoption and (especially) diffusion of the label is not provided.

Practical implications

Consumers scoring highly on both issue‐relevant knowledge and motivation are the most likely innovators and early adopters. Their high level of expertise means that they do not need a lot of explanation for understanding the label and its self‐relevance and their strong motivation means that they will search for more if they need it (and if it is not too difficult to get).

Originality/value

The paper makes both a conceptual and an empirical contribution, which are of value both to practitioners (ecolabel promoters and users) and to research on ecolabel effectiveness.
Adsorption and inhibitive properties of ethanol extract of Garcinia kola and Cola nitida for the corrosion of mild steel in H2SO4
Authors: Eddy N.O.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the inhibitive and adsorption characteristics of ethanol extract of Garcinia kola and Cola nitida for the corrosion of mild steel in H2SO4 solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The inhibition efficiencies were evaluated using weight loss and thermometric methods while the adsorption properties were studied using IR spectroscopy.

Findings

The inhibition efficiencies of ethanol extracts of Garcinia kola and Cola nitida were comparable and vary with concentration of the extract, period of immersion and with temperature. The extracts act as adsorption inhibitors because of its phytochemical composition. The extracts are adsorbed spontaneously on the surface of mild steel according to Langmuir adsorption isotherms. The mechanism of physical adsorption is proposed from the trend of the inhibition efficiency with temperature and the values of activation energy and some thermodynamic parameters obtained.

Research limitations/implications

The study provides information on the use of ethanol extract of Garcinia kola and Cola nitida as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel. Electrochemical studies such as polarisation and AC impedance spectra will illuminate the mechanistic aspects of the extract.

Practical implications

Ethanol extract of Garcinia kola and Cola nitida are environmentally friendly inhibitors for the corrosion of mild steel in H2SO4.

Originality/value

These environmentally friendly inhibitors may find possible applications in metal surface anodising and surface coatings.
The principal‐agent problem in economics and in politics
Authors: Kaskarelis Ioannis A.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that the assignment of right between the principal and the agent, under which the latter have the management of the assets that the former own, is similar to that between citizens and politicians in representative democracy, and it could, in both cases, turn in to a state of being a voluntary hostage for the principal.

Design/methodology/approach

Those who take decisions either in the economy or in society/politics, actually through their continuous presence and acting, set the frame under which decisions will be made, i.e. which behaviour is acceptable, rules of the games, codes and terminology, values and hierarchy among participants.

Findings

Since principals abstain from the everyday decision making either in economics or in politics, they lose the ability to influence the frame and the practices on how decisions are made, and therefore decisions are evaluated with the criteria established by agents and they are not those which principals would possibly have.

Practical implications

A part of the management of the assets of principals in the economy or the “asset of vote” of citizens, especially in the long run, actually is conducted by the agents (managers‐politicians) to favour their own pursuits and not those of principals.

Originality/value

Under these circumstances the principal‐agent problem, either in economics or in politics, has two alternative solutions: either principal should take over the management of his assets, or accept the state of being voluntary a hostage of his servants‐agents (managers‐politicians).
Adverse selection and its consequences on medical and health insurance andtakafulin Malaysia
Authors: Abdul Rahman Zuriah , Mohd Daud Norzaidi
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate first, the consumer buying behaviour and claims pattern of medical and health insurance (MHI)/medical and healthtakaful(MHT) policies and second, to determine whether moral hazard exists among policyholders at the time of application for the product and during claiming for compensation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted on respondents from the insurance industry in Malaysia.

Findings

It was found that most claims were rejected due to the discovery of some irregularities by the managed care organizations (MCO) while the Islamic insurer's claims experience, was otherwise. During the buying behaviour stage of MHT, there are fewer tendencies to withhold information but during the claiming stage, due to the generous level of compensation and their awareness of the coverage available naturally influence them to submit excessive claims. To a certain extent moral hazard is present when claims are made for longer disability durations than necessary, and having high average claims per person even for shorter duration disabilities.

Research limitations/implications

The paper concentrates only on the MHI/MHT in Malaysia.

Practical implications

The results provide insights on how the Malaysian insurance industry and other organizations of a similar structure could improve on their business performance.

Originality/value

This paper is perhaps one of the first to address adverse selection and its consequences on MHI/MHT in Malaysia.
Human‐computer interaction: the missing piece of the records management puzzle?
Authors: Bailey Steve , Vidyarthi Jay
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to question why records management is not currently able to fully meet the needs of its users and to explore the potential role of human‐computer interaction (HCI) in helping it to address this weakness.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper has been jointly written by two authors: one a records manager; the other an experienced HCI practitioner. It draws on the experience of the records professional to identify some of the challenges facing records management today, particularly the problems it faces trying to meet the (differing?) needs of both the organization as a whole and of individual users. The HCI practitioner then explores how the application of HCI principles to the design of recordkeeping systems may offer a fresh perspective in meeting these twin demands.

Findings

Records management is heavily reliant on the participation of individual and collective users to achieve its aims, and yet the understanding of their requirements is often basic and simplistic. In part this is due to a concentration on the needs of “the organization” as a whole and of the traditional focus records management has had on standardisation. The authors argue that whilst this organizational perspective remains important, it cannot be addressed at the expense of providing genuine benefits to the individual user. The field of HCI offers a proven, robust and sophisticated way of identifying and meeting the needs of users in ways which could enable records management to meet the needs of both its “masters”.

Practical implications

The application of HCI principles to the design of recordkeeping systems could fundamentally alter the way in which we view the implementation of record management technologies. It also raises questions about the limitations of striving to adopt a purely “standards based” approach to records management which runs counter to much of the prevailing wisdom regarding the perceived objectives of records management.

Originality/value

This paper marks the first exploration of the benefits that might be achieved by applying the field of HCI to records management. As such it represents the first important step towards creating a new inter‐disciplinary approach to achieving records management systems that fully meet the needs of their users.
Satisfaction determinants in the Greek online shopping context
Authors: Maditinos Dimitrios I. , Theodoridis Konstantinos
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to validate empirically the impact of seven literature‐based constructs on customer satisfaction using a sample from the Greek online shopping context.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors test a set of hypotheses about the influence that the constructs have on overall satisfaction. Also tested are a set of hypotheses about the satisfaction influence on post‐purchase behaviour.

Findings

The paper argues that product information quality and user interface quality have a significant impact on overall satisfaction, while service information quality, purchasing process, security perception and product attractiveness have only a positive impact. In addition, the findings reveal that customer satisfaction strongly affects post‐purchase behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

The limited Greek respondent “tank” in combination with low internet and technology infusion in Greece, as well as the limited online market in Greece, are the study's main limitations. Common method bias through the use of Likert scales is also considered an important limitation.

Practical implications

The findings indicate some important determinants of customer satisfaction and present a satisfaction index, the score of which is a valid and objective measurement of e‐commerce success.

Originality/value

This paper offers e‐commerce practitioners an objective standard to measure quantitatively the success of a web store as well as a wide frame of reference for researchers to extend e‐commerce research.
Consumer perceptions of ambiguous price promotions: scratch and save promotions versus tensile price claims
Authors: Choi Sungchul , Ge Xin , Messinger Paul R.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how consumers respond differently to “scratch and save (SAS)” promotions versus “tensile price claims (TPC).” SAS promotions provide a possible discount (determined probabilistically) but conceal the exact amount until purchase. Tensile price claims (e.g. “up to 25 percent off on items marked with a red tag”) make imprecise price promotional claims. In addition to making indefinite price claims, SAS promotions (e.g. scratch and save up to 25 percent off) include gambling elements; the exact discount is determined randomly for individual consumers by a scratch‐off card.

Design/methodology/approach

Two experimental studies are conducted.

Findings

Evidence from two experiments indicates that consumers perceive SAS promotions to be more ambiguous than tensile price claims. In addition, the results demonstrate consumer uncertainty towards SAS promotions but also consumer willingness to gamble: deep discount SAS promotions are perceived as more attractive than limited‐scope tensile price claims.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that consumers perceive SAS offers more enticing than limited tensile price claims as the proposed discount increases. Furthermore, establishing a minimum savings offer could be used to encourage consumers to shop at retailers offering SAS promotions.

Originality/value

Limited work has focused on examining how consumers respond to SAS promotions because SAS promotions are a relatively new store‐level promotional tool. Furthermore, no research effort has been extended to directly compare consumers' perceptions of SAS promotions with tensile price claims.
Enhancing entrepreneurial marketing education: the student perspective
Authors: Peltier James W. , Scovotti Carol
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to report the findings of a large‐scale multinational study of students in a marketing organization that investigates the need to expand entrepreneurship education in the marketing curriculum. Key questions include what is the entrepreneurial mindset of students interested in marketing, what do they think they need to know, should they some day decide to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, and how satisfied are they with their current exposure to entrepreneurial marketing experiences?

Design/methodology/approach

Via e‐mail, a major international collegiate marketing association headquartered in the USA sent the online questionnaire to a random sample of 4,300 students. Content areas included entrepreneurial mindset, desired entrepreneurial marketing learning and experiential activities, and demographics. A total of 605 students participated in the study.

Findings

The findings show that there is a large segment of marketing students who desire to be an entrepreneur and feel strongly about entrepreneurial education. Exposure to entrepreneurial marketing tools, experiential learning activities, and networking opportunities were deemed to be especially important.

Research limitations/implications

The study focused on students in marketing organizations. Additional research is needed at the course level.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that entrepreneurial marketing education is needed in the business curriculum. Training in entrepreneurial marketing will better prepare students interested in being an entrepreneur or small business owner.

Originality/value

Entrepreneurial marketing has received little attention in the business education literature. The study is the first of its kind to study entrepreneurial marketing curriculum needs from the perspective of students in a nearly 11,000 strong international marketing organization.
Entrepreneurial intentions among students: towards a re‐focused research agenda
Authors: Nabi Ghulam , Holden Rick , Walmsley Andreas
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to address the need for a re‐focused research agenda in relation to graduate entrepreneurship. An important theme for some years has been the effort to monitor attitudes and intentions of students towards starting up their own businesses. It is timely, however, to raise some questions about both the impact of this research and likewise the general approach it has taken in understanding the phenomenon of graduate entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on a large data set (over 8,000 students) from one UK region. Specifically, it presents data from the 2007/2008 Entrepreneurial Intentions (EI) survey within the Yorkshire and Humberside region and reflects back over previous iterations of this research.

Findings

The paper identifies three key outcomes. First, it establishes that across all years of the survey a substantial minority of students consistently hold relatively strong start‐up intentions. Second, the paper highlights that, despite considerable efforts to increase the numbers moving to start‐up, little impact is discernible. Third, the paper suggests that, although the EI survey is useful as a stock‐taking exercise, it fails to address critical questions around the impact of higher education on entrepreneurship and the transition from entrepreneurial intent to the act of venture creation.

Originality/value

The paper provides an important positioning perspective on the relationship between higher education and graduate entrepreneurship. While highlighting the importance of the EI research, the paper establishes the need for a re‐focused research agenda; one that is conceptually robust and with a focus on the student journey from higher education to graduate entrepreneur.
Entrepreneurship education and students' internet entrepreneurship intentions
Authors: Millman Cindy , Li Zhengwei , Matlay Harry , Wong Wang‐chan
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to examine factors that motivate Chinese students' attitudes and perceptions relating to their internet entrepreneurship intentions (IEIs).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on the results of a survey of students studying at three universities in China. It explores gender, household incomes, study disciplines, online activities as well as other factors that might influence their internet entrepreneurship intentions.

Findings

It emerges that demographic factors such as gender, household incomes and student status are positively related to their IEIs. The disciplines that a student studies, information and communication technology (ICT) courses and online shopping experiences significantly impact on their IEIs.

Practical implications

The results of this research study provide empirically rigorous evidence for understanding the reasons why some students in Chinese HEIs are more likely than others to become internet entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

Although the survey focuses on respondents studying in Chinese HEIs, the results of this research study could prove useful for entrepreneurship educators in industrially developed and developing countries.
Universities and enterprise education: responding to the challenges of the new era
Authors: Rae David
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to suggest that the international financial and economic crisis in 2008 produced a new economic era with significant implications for enterprise and entrepreneurship education. It aims to explore the changing influences on entrepreneurship education and learning, what is the new era in entrepreneurship, the consequences of changing economic, social and cultural movements, and how entrepreneurship education and learning can respond to these challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach is informed by practitioner‐based educational enquiry, reflective practice and research, education and participation with groups of universities, educators, students, entrepreneurs and other groups during the economic crisis.

Findings

The paper proposes that the nature of entrepreneurship is changing in response to social and cultural movements in the new economic era. Ethical and environmental concerns are creating a discourse of responsible entrepreneurship informed by social entrepreneurship. The paper conceptualises this as the shift from an “old” to a “new” entrepreneurship.

Practical implications

Implications for the future development of enterprise and entrepreneurial education are presented, referring to the factors shaping change, including the social and economic context, learners, learning and teaching, and institutional change.

Originality/value

The paper presents new thinking on the future challenges and directions for entrepreneurship and related education in the context of fundamental economic change.
Robustness of capital flows into the European commercial property markets during the global financial crisis
Authors: Newell Graeme , Adair Alastair , McGreal Stanley
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the robustness of capital flows into European commercial property markets during the global financial crisis (GFC) – over 2007‐2008; particularly highlighting differences between the developed and developing European markets.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the Real Capital Analytics database of over 49,000 commercial property transactions valued at over $1.5 trillion in 2007‐2008, the robustness of capital flows into the European commercial property markets is assessed during the GFC. The impact of the GFC on capital flows is assessed in both a regional context and global context, as well as between the developed and developing markets in Europe.

Findings

This paper assesses the robustness of the capital flows into the commercial property markets in Europe over 2007‐2008. Clear differences emerge regarding the relative impact in Europe in a regional and global context, as well as between the developed and developing European markets. The results highlight the robustness, stature and significant relative contribution of capital flows into the European commercial property markets across a range of property investment characteristics during the GFC.

Practical implications

Given the importance of commercial property as an asset class for institutional investors, this paper assesses the robustness of capital flows into the commercial property markets in Europe. By embedding this in a regional and global context, the robustness, stature, relative impact and significant contribution by European commercial property markets in the uncertainty and volatility of the environment of the global financial crisis is articulated for global property investors. Clear differences between the developed and developing markets in Europe are identified.

Originality/value

Using over 49,000 commercial property transactions, this paper is the first attempt to rigorously and empirically assess the robustness of capital flows into global commercial property markets, with a specific focus on the European commercial property markets during this unique international event of the GFC. Given the significance of commercial property as an institutional asset class, this empirically validated research enables a more informed and critical understanding of the impact of the GFC on capital flows into the commercial property markets in Europe, as well as identifying global property investor considerations regarding the ongoing significance for capital flows in their commercial property investment strategies in Europe and globally.
A second gradient elasto‐plastic model for fatigue of small‐scale metal components
Authors: Stamoulis K. , Giannakopoulos A.E.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

As the dimensions of structures are scaled down to the micro‐ and nano‐domains, the mechanical behavior becomes size dependent and thus, the classical elasticity solutions cannot be expected to hold. In particular, recent experimental investigations of fatigue strength of metals show pronounced strengthening due to the influences of both grain size and small geometrical dimensions. This paper aims to provide a simple, yet rigorous analytical model in order to address the aforementioned size effects.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study employs a framework based on the type II, strain gradient elasticity theory by Mindlin, embedded into a thermodynamics‐based formulation which considers both mechanical behavior parameters and material lengths, as internal variables, in order to model metal fatigue.

Findings

A thermodynamics‐based, second gradient elasto‐plastic formulation with an explicit material length, which captures the size effects in fatigue of small‐scale metal components, has been established. From a physical viewpoint, the evolution of the internal length in the constitutive equations with the evolution of the intrinsic wavelength (e.g. persistent slip bands spacing) can be identified signifying the splitting of the grains into sub‐regions and consequently, the softening of the material.

Originality/value

The major novelty of the proposed modeling is that the internal characteristic length considered is not a fixed parameter, but evolves with the plastic effective strain amplitude obtained from cyclic loading.
Effect of delamination on the nonlinear transient response of composite shells in hygrothermal environments
Authors: Nanda Namita , Sahu S.K. , Bandyopadhyay J.N.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the nonlinear forced vibration response of delaminated composite shells in hygrothermal environments.

Design/methodology/approach

Finite element method using an eight‐noded C0 continuity, isoparametric quadrilateral element is employed. The theoretical formulations are based on the first‐order shear deformation theory and von Kármán type nonlinear kinematics. For modeling the delamination, multipoint constraint algorithm is incorporated in the finite element code.

Findings

The paper finds that the effect of presence of delaminations on the nonlinear transient response of composite shells is dependent not only on the size, but also on the location of the delaminations and the hygrothermal environments.

Research limitations/implications

The present study is limited to cylindrical and spherical shells having rectangular planform containing single delamination. Studies on different shell forms having non‐rectangular planforms containing multiple delaminations can be taken up for future research.

Originality/value

The value in this paper lies in that nonlinear transient response of delaminated shells in hygrothermal environments is studied for the first time. It will assist researchers of nonlinear dynamic behavior of elastic systems.