bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regionale Versorgungsunterschiede
Authors: Sundmacher Leonie
Published: March 2016

Die Darstellung von Versorgungsunterschieden oder Krankheitsraten in einer Karte erlaubt die Beurteilung des Ausmaßes der Variationen und die Identifikation von regionalen Clustern. Aber ohne eine theoriegeleitete Auswahl und Analyse der regionalen Variationen, kann keine Aussage darüber getroffen werden, wie Variationen entstehen oder ob diese ungewollt sind oder nicht. Ein differenziertes Bild ergibt sich, wenn man drei Kategorien von Versorgung unterscheidet, deren Variationen unterschiedliche, theoriegeleitete Interpretationen zulassen: Effektive Versorgung (effective care), angebotssensitive Versorgung (supply-sensitive care) und präferenzsensitive Versorgung (preference sensitive care). Neben effektiver, angebots- und präferenzsensitiver Versorgung existieren in der Literatur zudem Konzepte, die auf die regionale Analyse sogenannter versorgungssensitiver Gesundheitsergebnisse abzielen. Der kurze Artikel führt in die grundlegenden Theorien zur Analyse von Versorgungsunterschieden ein. Der folgende Beitrag ist ein kurzer Auszug aus dem Artikel „Regionale Variationen in Gesundheit und Gesundheitsversorgung“, erschienen in dem Lehrbuch „Soziologie von Gesundheit und Krankheit“ (Sundmacher L. Regionale Variationen in Gesundheit und Gesundheitsversorgung. In: Richter M, Hurrelmann K, editors. Soziologie von Gesundheit und Krankheit. Wiesbaden: Springer VS, 2016: 197–209.).
Evaluation einer regionalen integrierten Vollversorgung mit GKV-Routinedaten – Probleme und Herausforderungen
Authors: Siegel Achim , Köster Ingrid , Maun Andy R. , Niebling Wilhelm , Schubert Ingrid
Published: March 2016

Die Integrierte Versorgung Gesundes Kinzigtal (IVGK) ist eine regionale integrierte Vollversorgung und wird umfassend extern evaluiert. In einer kontrollierten Längsschnittstudie wird anhand von GKV-Routinedaten untersucht, wie sich die Versorgungsqualität in der Region Kinzigtal im Vergleich zu einer Kontrollgruppe aus dem restlichen Baden-Württemberg entwickelt. Hierfür wurden insgesamt 37 Kennziffern gebildet. An drei Beispielen zeigen wir, dass die Eignung einer Kennziffer als Qualitätsindikator und Endpunkt regional vergleichender Studien sehr voraussetzungsvoll ist.
Gesundheitsversorgung im ländlichen Raum: Ziele, Chancen, Hindernisse
Authors: Ried Walter
Published: March 2016

Die demografische Alterung betrifft im ländlichen Raum dünn besiedelte oder strukturschwache Regionen besonders stark. Um die Gesundheitsversorgung der lokalen Bevölkerung zu sichern, ist die aktuelle Versorgungslage im Hinblick auf die Aspekte Bedarf, Angebot und Zugang abzubilden. Auf dieser Grundlage können neue Konzepte entwickelt und angewendet werden, die zur Verbesserung der Gesundheitsversorgung beitragen und damit die mit dem geo-demografischen Wandel verbundenen Chancen realisieren.
Phonetic notation in foreign language teaching and learning: potential advantages and learners’ views
Authors: Mompean Jose A.
Published: March 2016

This paper focuses on the use of phonetic notation in foreign language teaching and learning. The aim of the paper is twofold: first, we review some of the potential advantages that the use of phonetic notation seems to have in language teaching and learning; and secondly, the paper reports on learner views obtained with a questionnaire anonymously filled in by EFL (English as a foreign language) learners in tertiary education who followed an English course where an extensive use of phonetic symbols was made for pronunciation work in Finland, France and Spain. The results suggest that learners were relatively familiar with phonetic notation prior to their course although there were differences between countries. Phonetic notation was perceived positively by a majority of learners, particularly in terms of its perceived potential for raising awareness of the target language’s pronunciation features and its potential to visually represent sounds. Learners’ answers were also mostly positive regarding the potential of phonetic notation for autonomous learning, as well as the perceived ease and usefulness of phonetic notation.
Influence of aggregate gradation on hma mixes stability
Authors: Kalaitzaki Elvira , Kollaros George , Athanasopoulou Antonia
Published: March 2016

The load transfer capacity of pavements is to a great extend influenced by aggregates. About 85% of the total volume of hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures consists of aggregates; thus, they are greatly influenced by aggregate properties like angularity (shape), roughness (texture), and gradation. Aggregate gradation controls the structure of voids. Current specifications for aggregate properties in HMA pavements require the aggregate blend to fall within a specified range of gradation values. Although the abovementioned requirement has ensured the construction of high quality HMA pavements, the properties are largely empirical and they are not based on performance-related tests. Marshall Stability is in principle the resistance to plastic flow of cylindrical specimens of a bituminous mixture loaded on the lateral surface. It is the load carrying capacity of the mix at 60oC. Aggregates with different gradations from the broader area of Xanthi, Northern Greece, have been used to prepare specimens for stability testing of hot asphalt mixtures in the laboratory. The research focused on the evaluation of the influence of aggregates in the overall stability characteristics of the mixtures. The maximum stability value has been obtained with an open-graded mixture having 5% asphalt and aggregate size 2.36 mm. However, the stability of the dense graded mixture is higher than this maximum value.
Design and research on the first polish FRP composite road bridge
Authors: Siwowski Tomasz , Kaleta Damian , Rajchel Mateusz
Published: March 2016

The main goal of the research project was to develop and demonstrate the first Polish FRP composite road bridge, starting from concept design and material research, and going thru manufacturing technique selection, detailed FEM analysis and structural testing of elements. The R&D project comprises also the proof test of the completed bridge as well as structural monitoring in exploitation period. The objective of the paper is the description of the bridge and its structural solutions, i.e. FRP box girders and lightweight concrete deck slab acting compositely. Further the FEM analysis of the girder and the bridge span made on design stage has been presented. The VARTM manufacturing technique was used for girders production. Its main steps have been also presented. Finally the research on the new FRP box girder with LRC slab (hybrid girder) has been briefly showed. The full scale prototype girder with the total length of 22 m was tested to evaluate its carrying capacity, modes of failure, basic dynamic parameters as well as overall behaviour under ultimate static load. The FRP girder met the prescribed serviceability and safety criteria. The FEM model of the girder was validated against testing results and was further used for bridge design. Thanks to R&D project the first Polish FRP bridge is likely to be built late autumn 2015. The output of the research project gives a very promising future for the FRP composite bridge application. The research works showed in the paper have been partially financed by the Polish National Centre for Research and Development in the frame of the research project “ComBridge” (www.com-bridge.pl).
Mauro Engelmann, Wittgenstein's Philosophical Development: Phenomenology, Grammar, Method, and the Anthropological View
Authors: Pichler Alois
Published: March 2016

Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2013.316 pages. $105 Hardcover. ISBN 978-0-230-28256-8.Reviewed by Alois Pichler.
A novel immunopathological association of IgG4-RD and vasculitis with Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Authors: Minamino Hiroto , Inaba Hidefumi , Ariyasu Hiroyuki , Furuta Hiroto , Nishi Masahiro , Yoshimasu Takashi , Nishikawa Akinori , Nakanishi Masanori , Tsuchihashi Shigeki , Kojima Fumiyoshi , Murata Shin-ichi , Inoue Gen , Akamizu Takashi
Published: March 2016

A 73-year-old man with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) suffered from purpura on the lower legs. He was diagnosed with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) with serum IgG4 elevation and dacryo-sialadenitis confirmed histologically. Serum Th2 and Treg cytokines, interleukin 7 (IL7), IL8 and Th2 chemokine levels were elevated, while skewed Th1 balance was seen in fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Therefore, preferential Th1 balance in HT appeared to be followed by IgG4-RD characterized with Th2 and Treg polarization. The commencement of steroid therapy dramatically exacerbated clinical manifestations including IgG4-RD-associated HT. The measurement of cytokine and chemokine levels as well as FACS analysis in the development of IgG4-RD seemed to be beneficial. In conclusion, an innovative association of HT, IgG4-RD and vasculitis was observed. This report also offers novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for IgG4-RD.

Learning points

Recently, a subtype of HT has been considered to be a thyroid manifestation of IgG4-RD, although the etiology of IgG4-RD is not established yet.

Immunologically a close association between HT and vasculitis was reported.

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis is a rare skin presentation of IgG4-RD.

In the current case, during the course of HT, IgG4-RD and leukocytoclastic vasculitis occurred; thus, innate immunity and acquired immunity seem to be involved in the development of IgG4-RD.

The measurement of cytokine and chemokines appeared to be beneficial in the development of IgG4-RD.

Remarkably, effectiveness of steroid therapy for HT suggested presence of IgG4-RD-associated HT. Therefore, this report highlights the pathogenesis of IgG4-RD and proposes novel therapeutic mechanisms. Clinicians should pay attention to the development of IgG4-RD and vasculitis during long course of HT.
Disability and Human Supports
Authors: McNair Jeff
Published: March 2016

This article provides a brief overview of models of disability growing out of the field of disability studies and leading to a call for interventions going beyond a simply medical model approach. A brief discussion of human supports/services is provided such that readers engaged in the development of services/supports can base them on best principles.
Coupled discrete and finite-element modelling of geosynthetic tubes filled with granular material
Authors: Górniak J. , Villard P. , Delmas P.
Published: March 2016

This paper presents the results of numerical modelling of geosynthetic tubes filled with granular material. In the present study, a numerical model coupling discrete and finite elements was used to describe the behaviour of the encapsulated granular media using clusters and the behaviour of the geosynthetic membrane using finite elements. Initially, a simple compressive loading was applied to the geosynthetic tube to establish the influence of the main parameters governing the mechanical behaviour of the tube. Next, a more complex behaviour was studied by considering an additional lateral action imposed by the backfill of the structure, showing that the influence of the backfill cannot be neglected in the analysis. In the third part of the numerical modelling, a bending test was performed to study the behaviour of the tube in the environment of localised sinkholes. The numerical results were validated by comparison with analytical formulations and were supported by the experimental results described in each section of the analysis. The obtained results and comparisons were reasonably good and a discussion of all the results completes the paper.
EGF Receptor Inhibition by Erlotinib Increases Aquaporin 2–Mediated Renal Water Reabsorption
Authors: Cheung Pui W. , Nomura Naohiro , Nair Anil V. , Pathomthongtaweechai Nutthapoom , Ueberdiek Lars , Lu Hua A. Jenny , Brown Dennis , Bouley Richard
Published: March 2016

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is caused by impairment of vasopressin (VP) receptor type 2 signaling. Because potential therapies for NDI that target the canonical VP/cAMP/protein kinase A pathway have so far proven ineffective, alternative strategies for modulating aquaporin 2 (AQP2) trafficking have been sought. Successful identification of compounds by our high–throughput chemical screening assay prompted us to determine whether EGF receptor (EGFR) inhibitors stimulate AQP2 trafficking and reduce urine output. Erlotinib, a selective EGFR inhibitor, enhanced AQP2 apical membrane expression in collecting duct principal cells and reduced urine volume by 45% after 5 days of treatment in mice with lithium-induced NDI. Similar to VP, erlotinib increased exocytosis and decreased endocytosis in LLC-PK1 cells, resulting in a significant increase in AQP2 membrane accumulation. Erlotinib increased phosphorylation of AQP2 at Ser-256 and Ser-269 and decreased phosphorylation at Ser-261 in a dose-dependent manner. However, unlike VP, the effect of erlotinib was independent of cAMP, cGMP, and protein kinase A. Conversely, EGF reduced VP–induced AQP2 Ser-256 phosphorylation, suggesting crosstalk between VP and EGF in AQP2 trafficking and a role of EGF in water homeostasis. These results reveal a novel pathway that contributes to the regulation of AQP2–mediated water reabsorption and suggest new potential therapeutic strategies for NDI treatment.
The Nephrologist’s Tumor: Basic Biology and Management of Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Hu Susie L. , Chang Anthony , Perazella Mark A. , Okusa Mark D. , Jaimes Edgar A. , Weiss Robert H. ,   for the American Society of Nephrology Onco-Nephrology Forum
Published: March 2016

Kidney cancer, or renal cell carcinoma (RCC), is a disease of increasing incidence that is commonly seen in the general practice of nephrology. However, RCC is under-recognized by the nephrology community, such that its presence in curricula and research by this group is lacking. In the most common form of RCC, clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), inactivation of the von Hippel–Lindau tumor suppressor is nearly universal; thus, the biology of ccRCC is characterized by activation of hypoxia-relevant pathways that lead to the associated paraneoplastic syndromes. Therefore, RCC is labeled the internist’s tumor. In light of this characterization and multiple other metabolic abnormalities recently associated with ccRCC, it can now be viewed as a metabolic disease. In this review, we discuss the basic biology, pathology, and approaches for treatment of RCC. It is important to distinguish between kidney confinement and distant spread of RCC, because this difference affects diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and patient survival, and it is important to recognize the key interplay between RCC, RCC therapy, and CKD. Better understanding of all aspects of this disease will lead to optimal patient care and more recognition of an increasingly prevalent nephrologic disease, which we now appropriately label the nephrologist’s tumor.
Urban Structure, Energy and Planning: Findings from Three Cities in Sweden, Finland and Estonia
Authors: Große Juliane , Fertner Christian , Groth Niels Boje
Published: March 2016

Transforming energy use in cities to address the threats of climate change and resource scarcity is a major challenge in urban development. This study takes stock of the state of energy in urban policy and planning and reveals potentials of and constraints to energy-efficient urban development. The relationship between energy and urban structure provides a framework for discussing the role of urban planning to increase energy efficiency in cities by means of three in-depth case studies of medium-sized cities in Northern Europe: Eskilstuna in Sweden, Turku in Finland and Tartu in Estonia. In some ways these cities go ahead when it comes to their national climate and energy policies and aim to establish urban planning as an instrument to regulate and influence the city’s transition in a sustainable way. At the same time, the cities are constantly facing goal conflicts and limitations to their scope of action, which creates dilemmas in their strategic orientation and planning activities (e.g. regional enlargement and increased commuting vs. compact urban development). Finally, considering urban form and spatial structure along with the policy context as well as regional drivers and functional relations is suggested as a suitable approach for addressing the challenges of energy-efficient urban development.
Ribolovne zone država Europske unije
Authors:   Općinski sud u Splitu, Pivčević Daniela
Published: March 2016

Cilj istraživanja je analiza i prikaz država Europske unije koje imaju proglašenu ribolovnu zonu, odnosno ribolovni ili ribolovno-ekološki pojas. U radu se iznose propisi zemalja Europske unije koji se odnose na ribolovni pojas s ciljem obrade teme s pravnog aspekta, cjelovito na jednom mjestu, izdvojeno od ostalih pravnih režima na moru. Temeljna znanstvena hipoteza rada je dana u obliku tvrdnje da je u interesu obalne države proglasiti ribolovnu zonu i proširiti jurisdikciju na moru radi zaštite i očuvanja prirodnih bogatstava mora i omogućavanja odgovornog iskorištavanja tih bogatstava na održivoj osnovi. Autorica analizira institut ribolovne zone te iznosi prednosti koje država ima u tom pojasu, kako na zaštitu živih morskih bogatstava, zaštitu od prekomjernog lova i ribolova, zaštitu mora od onečišćenja te na gospodarski razvoj obalne države. Analiziraju se i uspoređuju nacionalni propisi država koje imaju proglašenu ribolovnu zonu te posebno prikazuje zaštićeno-ekološko ribolovni pojas Republike Hrvatske.
A Model of Transatlantic Intermodal Freight Transportation Between the European Continent and the United States
Authors:   Department of Road and Urban, Transport Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications, University of Zilina, Slovakia, Kalašová Alica , Kapusta Ján , Toman Petr
Published: March 2016

This paper deals with intermodal transportation of goods from Europe to the United States. The main objective is the development of a mathematical model called Transatlantic multi-mode container routing problem. It provides a tool for network optimization in transportation science. The developed model enables users to determine the optimal collaborative routing in a network system that achieves the minimization of costs for a company that ships a single commodity from multiple origins to multiple destinations. The model consists of network of maritime shipping lines between the ports and then networks of road and railway transportation on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. In order to develop the model it was necessary to make assumptions, define sets, parameters, decision variables, constraints and objective function. Branch and cut algorithm used by GAMS modelling software provides the solution of the model. Short analysis of trends and statistics of road and rail transportation as complements to maritime transportation on both continents is also presented.
The Influence of Energy Consumption of Gas Vapour Reliquefaction on the Structure of the LNG Carrier Power Plant
Authors:   Department of Condition Monitoring    & Maintenance of Machinery, Maritime Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Szczecin, Adamkiewicz Andrzej , Cydejko Jakub
Published: March 2016

This paper discusses the issues of reliquefaction of natural gas vapors on the Q-Flex type LNG tankers. DRL gas carrier power plant has been presented. The principle of operation of a BOG reliquefaction plant has been described. An energy analysis referring to nominal operational conditions has been performed. DRL LNG carrier’s power plant load at laden voyage has been estimated. The results have been confronted with the values typical for conventional LNG carriers. General conclusions on the size of the Q-Flex LNG tanker’s power plant have been drawn.
Sigurnost podataka i informacija u sustavima nadzora i upravljanja pomorskim prometom
Authors:   Pomorski fakultet, Sveučilište u Splitu, Ristov Pančo , Mrvica Ante , Komadina Pavao
Published: March 2016

Suvremeni nadzor i upravljanje pomorskim prometom zahtjeva implementaciju sve složenijih pomorskih procesa podržanih različitim aplikacijama, često uz interakciju s vanjskim svijetom. Informacijsku podršku u nadzoru i upravljanju pomorskim prometom (VTS služba) pruža sustav VTMIS, specijalizirani sustav za nadzor i upravljanje pomorskim prometom u našoj zemlji. S ciljem unaprjeđenja sigurnosti, efikasnosti i raspoloživosti komponenti sustava za nadzor i upravljanja pomorskim prometom potrebno je osigurati mehanizme nadzora i upravljanja sustavom kao cjelinom. Takvi mehanizmi prate ispravnost rada softverskih, hardverskih modula i ispravnost rada operatora, a sposobni su poduzimati i predefinirane korektivne akcije. Uspostava sustava za upravljanje informacijskom sigurnošću može biti od presudne važnosti kako bi se ostvarila i zadržala raspoloživost usluga koje pruža sustav za nadzor i upravljanje pomorskim prometom. Drugim riječima, neophodno je uvođenje sustava za upravljanje informacijskom sigurnošću informacijskih resursa u skladu s definiranim standardima.
The Model for Synergic Effect Between Traffic and Tourism in Dubrovnik-Neretva County of the Republic of Croatia by 2020.
Authors:   Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Split, Vidučić Vinko , Marušić Eli , Plazibat Veljko
Published: March 2016

This paper studies the synergic relationship between traffic and tourism in Croatia’s Dubrovnik-Neretva County by the 2020., based on the idicators detected in 2014. It elects the variables that characterise the synergy of traffic and tourism i, speaking from the standpoint of traffic and geography, in the most problematic county in the Republic of Croatia. The basic hypothesis has been confirmed through scientifically obtained research results, through the quantification of the model’s variables and the direct growth rates of the designed model. On the basis of scientific insights into the sustainable development of traffic and tourism in Dubrovnik-Neretva County, it is possible to propose a new information model for traffic at the service of the sustainable development of tourism in the County for period 2014.-2020.
Issues of trade integration between EU, CIS and Russia: influences of multilateral trade in agricultural commodities
Authors: Erokhin Vasily , Ivolga Anna , Lescheva Marina
Published: March 2016

Trade with agricultural products in last decades becomes more and more internationalized and globalized. A global trading system is now both freer and fairer than ever before and this will boost global prosperity and can make a significant contribution to the global economic development. Favorable conditions for development of international trade with agricultural products are caused by the trade liberalization, development of trade unions and free trade areas all over the world. The paper includes the overview of the WTO threats and opportunities for the Russian agriculture and trade with agricultural products in CIS and EU. This is also related to state support of agricultural production in Russia and CIS and its influence on volumes, directions, structure and effectiveness of bilateral CIS-EU trade with agricultural products.
The necessity of the regional employment policy
Authors: Lipták Katalin
Published: March 2016

I assume that globalization and its regional and local impacts have an important role in nowadays' economics. Paradoxically, challenges arising from the unification of the world have made the necessity for regional and local answers stronger. The transformation of the labour market calls for the revaluation of the notion of labour; it puts the issue of employment in another perspective. The solution for globally existing lack of employment is more and more frequently sought focusing on sustainability and social inclusion at regional and local levels.
State of malnutrition and its fast growing wing in developing countries
Authors: Arega Mulatu
Published: March 2016

Nutrition is one of the most important issues for the well-being of human life. It concerns rich and poor, rural and urban, developed and developing countries. Since, it is not a specific problem for some part of the world only, like most other problems, it should get serious attention as it deserves.. Accordingly, different literatures show that, for millions of people worldwide, hunger and malnutrition are common everyday challenges; for some, even famine is a threat. But in many developed countries, food abundance brings other serious nutritional and health problems. Though these are being addressed, western habits are starting to spread.However, most of literatures focus more on the undernutrition aspect of malnutrition, rather than overnutrition. Malnutrition is a broad term which refers to both undernutrition (sub nutrition) and overnutrition. Individuals are malnourished, or suffer from undernutrition if their diet does not provide them with adequate calories and protein for maintenance and growth, or they cannot fully utilize the food they eat due to illness. People are also malnourished, or suffer from overnutrition if they consume too many calories. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition is the gravest single threat to global public health. And according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the number of people globally who were malnourished stood at 923 million in 2007, an increase of over 80 million since the 1990-92 base -period. In more wealthy industrialized nations malnutrition is usually caused by: Poor diet, mental health problems, Mobility problems, digestive disorders and stomach conditions, alcoholism. In poor, developing nations malnutrition is commonly caused by: Food shortages, Food prices, food distribution and Lack of breastfeeding.In this research nine countries from different continent are included. And the result of this assessment shows that there is high-rate of growth as far as overnutrition is concerned, in both high income and low income countries for both sexes. And the percentage growth of overweight and obesity for some low-income countries is very significant. Cameron is the one that shows high obesity rate from the low-income countries. And, France is the country that shows a low growth rate for overweight from high-income countries. The study also figure out that, there is a high positive relationship between the energy consumption and overweight.
Evolution of cafeteria systems – past-present and future
Authors: Beke Jenő , László Gyula , Óhegyi Katalin , Poór József
Published: March 2016

The authors first review the most important features of the cafeteria system (goals, typical ‘stakeholders’ and strategic HR issues). Then they examine the evolution of the system of flexible benefits since 1996, when the first such systems appeared in Hungary. Authors also analyze how the main drivers caused the changes, and how the key players of the cafeteria systems adapted themselves to these movements. The reader can also find insight into the major changes for 2012 and the potential impact of these changes on benefit policies of Hungarian firms. They also touch upon the findings of empirical surveys that the cafeteria systems are significantly influenced mainly by the size of organizations and to a lesser extent by form of ownership.
Income inequality in low-income countries: reasons and fundamental solutions
Authors: Mavlianov Sanzharbek
Published: March 2016

This paper presents the problem of unequal distribution of income in low-income countries - according to classification of World Bank - through introducing and heavily reviewing theoretical and empirical studies. Exploring the reasons of income inequality in those countries one must assert that there are complex interactions between past and present and between the diverse political, economic and social processes, cultural values, national and external factors and institutions. Keeping in mind all these aspects of historical interaction, many scholars, researchers and policy makers suggest apparent solutions for concerning issue that are , briefly, taxing the poor less, taxing the rich more, and providing more social services for the poor, working, and middle social classes.
A Factorial Analysis Of The Barriers To Market Orientation Adoption Among Small And Medium Enterprises (SMEs) In A Developing Country
Authors: Dubihlela Job , Dhurup M.
Published: March 2016

The purpose of the study was to examine the barriers of market orientation by SMEs in South Africa. Data were collected using the personal face-to-face interviews with the use of a structured questionnaire. A total of 350 SMES were selected randomly and visited within the various municipal areas in South Africa. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the dimensions using the principal component analysis. A four-factor structure emerged accounting for 62% of total variance. The reliability analysis, reflected coefficient values ranging from 0.743 to 0.893, indicating satisfactory internal consistency amongst variables within each dimension. By analysing the barriers, the adoption of market orientation among SMEs, managers, and marketers are presented with recommended strategies and implications on how to embrace market orientation for effective business performance. Marketing capacities of SMEs may be strengthened through the implementing of market orientation. SMEs are vital for socio-economic progress for developing economies. Effective implementation of market orientation can assist SMEs growth and development.
Earnings Forecast Optimism For U.S. Vs. Non-U.S. Firms
Authors: Salerno David , Jeppson Nathan
Published: March 2016

This study examines whether financial analysts are more optimistic in their earnings forecasts for non-U.S. firms than they are for U.S. firms. Several areas of research motivate this examination. First, research shows that global economic influences, such as economic downturns and the desire to increase the international content of portfolios, encourage investors to seek out international investment opportunities in new markets. Second, literature also reveals that emerging markets provide superior growth potential; however, analyzing such firms could introduce task complexity which research finds to be associated with lower forecast accuracy. Finally, research shows that financial analysts cover firms of which they have a favorable opinion. Therefore, because of this literature, it is reasonable to expect that analysts make more optimistic forecasts (over-estimate errors) of the earnings potential of the non-U.S. firms that they choose to follow vs. U.S. firms. Using a summary level measurement of forecast optimism, the authors find that analysts forecasts are more optimistic for non-U.S. firms over both short and long-term horizons. In analyst-level tests, it was found that individual analysts produce more optimistic forecasts for non-U.S. firms in relation to their peers in the long-term; however, that optimism is reduced under short horizons. As portfolios become more internationally diversified, the result of this study will be useful to investors seeking analyst guidance about international investment opportunities.
South African Tax Incentives To Alleviate Unemployment: Lessons From United States Of America Approaches
Authors: Coetzee Liza (ESM) , Preez Hanneke du , Smale Natasha K.
Published: March 2016

A quarter of the labour force in South Africa is currently unemployed with the majority of the unemployed being unskilled youth. One of the major causes seems to be the commanding power of trades union resulting in a high minimum wage for unskilled workers, which results in a reduction in the demand for unskilled labour. To reduce the current unemployment rate in South Africa, policy decisions should be focused on youth employment with emphasis on skills development. Policy should also stimulate growth of small, medium and micro enterprises in order to stimulate job creation. A literature review indicates that current tax incentives in South Africa do not incentivise employers to hire unskilled youth labour, and are not applied on a wide enough scale to significantly impact the overall unemployment statistics. The proposed youth wage subsidy will increase the demand for unskilled labour by reducing the cost of labour. However, to have the desired impact, the participation rate must be high. The proposed subsidy was analysed against the successes and failures of subsidies implemented in the USA. It was found that many of the flaws identified in the USA have been avoided.Based on the above, the recommendation is that the proposed youth wage subsidy is plausible in a South African context and should be implemented. The main concern is that newly employed youth would replace workers who do not meet the qualifications of the subsidy. This would have to be taken into account by policy makers.
Investigating The Financial Implications Of Alternative Water Heating Systems
Authors: Pretorius Anri , Rooyen Surika van
Published: March 2016

Electricity tariffs charged by the South African electricity supplier (Eskom) have sharply increased over the past three years and there is no indication of what to expect in the future with regard to electricity tariffs. Many South Africans are searching for ways to save on their monthly electricity bills by seeking out alternative water heating systems. The purpose of this study is to determine the most financially viable alternative water heating system for a household in South Africa using various investment appraisal techniques and taking into consideration the size of the household. The study found that the five investment options identified in the literature review would all, to some extent, be financially viable to implement within households with high, as well as low, volume hot water consumption. Although some of the water heating systems were found to be more financially viable than others, the conclusion was made that a savings will be generated on the monthly electricity bill no matter what alternative water heating system was to be installed in the place of a conventional geyser.
Investigating The Effect Of Bank Competition On Financial Stability In Ten African Countries
Authors: Hope Christopher James , Gwatidzo Tendai , Ntuli Miracle
Published: March 2016

This paper explores the relationship between bank competition and financial sector stability using 20052010 data for ten African countries. The study utilises a Generalized Method of Moments approach to regress bank stability indices Z-score, non-performing loans ratio and return on banks assets on bank competition indices Lerner-Index, Herfindahl-Hirschman Index total assets and Herfindahl-Hirschman Index total deposits. The findings show a robust positive relationship between market power and financial stability. This unequivocally suggests that there is a trade-off between bank competition and financial sector stability in these countries, as per the competition-fragility view.
Transforming Traditional Bureaucratic Management Practices By Employing The Collegial Leadership Model Of Emancipation
Authors: Singh Prakash
Published: March 2016

The main purpose of this study is to determine whether the Collegial Leadership Model of Emancipation (COLME) can serve as a conceptual framework to transform traditional bureaucratic management practices (TBMPs) in organizations such as schools. The question does arise whether a theory such as the COLME has the potency to introduce leadership change by empowering and emancipating their employees. It is a fallacy to simply assume that experience alone, in the absence of theory, will contribute to this knowledge base to develop collegial leaders. All the respondents in this exploratory qualitative study embraced collegiality to transform TBMPs in their organizations. For the positive effects to be sustained, the collegial practices need to be evolutionary and emancipatory in order to evoke the values of collegial leadership as elucidated by the findings of this study. Interviewees affirmed that the COLME provides an astute framework to develop commendable collegial leadership practices as it clearly outlines procedures to develop and use the leadership potential of all the employees in order to foster joint accountability. They acknowledged that when the principles of collegiality are flexibly applied, they contribute to the creation of a holistic milieu in which all employees are able to express themselves freely without fear of failure and thus feel that they are part of the democratic decision-making process. Evidently, a conceptual framework such as the COLME can serve as a benchmark for leadership effectiveness because organizational outcomes need to be measured against standards of excellence in meeting both employee and customer expectations.
Openness And Inflation: Evidence From Nine Eastern European Nations
Authors: Martinez Rutilio , Iyer Vish
Published: March 2016

Correlation coefficients between inflation and openness were estimated, with data from 1996 to 2010, for Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Ukraine. Eight of the nine coefficients were, as proposed by macroeconomics, negative, although the coefficients for Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia and Ukraine were not significant. Lithuania's positive and significant coefficient suggested that if openness would not have increased, inflation would have been higher. Cross-country coefficients estimated for 1996, 2000, 2005 and 2010 were negative but not significant due to large differences between the inflation rates of countries that had very similar rates of openness.
The Monthly Barometer Of The Indian Stock Market
Authors: Patel Jayen B.
Published: March 2016

The January Barometer or the Other January effect suggests that January returns can predict future performance of the stock market. In this study, it is examined if any particular calendar month return can effectively be used as a monthly barometer to accurately predict future direction of the Indian stock market. The results indicate none of the calendar month returns has consistent ability to accurately predict the performance of the Indian stock market over the next twelve months. The accuracy of prediction did not substantially improve whether the predictor month had generated positive or negative returns. The results continue to remain remarkably consistent when the predictability accuracy was analyzed over time by examining the effect separately over years. The findings of this study clearly demonstrate that the Indian stock market does not possess a monthly barometer that can accurately predict future direction of the stock market.
Quality Education And The Impact Of Public And Independent Schools Writing The National Senior Certificate
Authors: Mouton Nelda , Strydom Gert L.
Published: March 2016

A new education curriculum for a new democratic dispensation was welcomed and unavoidable in South Africa after the first democratic election in 1994. The main reason for this radical change within education was that policymakers needed to move away from the apartheid curriculum with all its attendant political baggage and address the laudable outcomes of skills, knowledge and values for purposes of achieving social justice, equality and development. Within this curriculum, the South African Schools Act (Act 84 of 1996) recognises two broad categories of schools public and independent schools. All public schools follow the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) and independent schools have the freedom to choose which curriculum and which examination body they want their learners to write, as long as the examining body is recognised by Umalusi. This article will reflect on the quality of education provided in schools by analysing the roles and impact of public and independent schools writing the National Senior Certificate in South Africa. It is important, in this context, to provide a historical overview of the background of examination bodies that have impacted on the South African school system. It is also deemed necessary to reflect on and discuss the public and independent school sector by focussing on factors influencing the logistical orientation of these sectors as well as reflecting on indicators influencing the Grade 12 examination. After analysing these factors and reflecting on issues that influence quality education in South Africa, recommendations will be made in an effort to contribute to the improvement of the standard of education in South Africa.
The Impact Of Viral Marketing On Corporate Brand Reputation
Authors: Lekhanya Lawrence Mpele
Published: March 2016

This paper reports on the impact of viral marketing on corporate brand reputation. The study aimed to analyse and evaluate the use of viral marketing and the impact it has on the reputation of corporate branding of South African companies. The study was conducted in four South African provinces. The sample consisted of 75 companies, selected using a stratified sampling method, with respondents completing a five-point Likert scale questionnaire with the assistance of an interviewer. The results revealed that the majority of respondents were either neutral or disagreed that people make positive comments about their companies via viral marketing. The paper will benefit company managers, marketing managers, company owners, and all affiliated stakeholders in emphasizing a new way to consider future viral marketing strategies, understanding its impact on corporate brand reputation, and how to manage negative comments pertaining to corporate brand reputation. Most work on viral marketing has concentrated on viral marketing campaigns, with little emphasis on the impact of viral marketing on corporate brand reputation. The findings are limited by the studys exploratory, quantitative nature and small sample. Generalizing should be done with care and further research with larger samples and consideration of other provinces is therefore recommended.
An Analysis Of The Tolerance For Ambiguity Among Accounting Students
Authors: Steenkamp L. P. , Wessels P. L.
Published: March 2016

Tolerance for ambiguity is a personality characteristic that reflects the general feelings and attitudes of an individual toward ambiguity and ambiguous situations. Prior research has found accounting students to be significantly less tolerant of ambiguity than the general population, with female accounting students less tolerant than their male counterparts. The research on which this article is reporting aimed to examine the personality characteristic tolerance for ambiguity among accounting students to determine whether those currently being attracted to the profession are still less tolerant of ambiguity than the norm as reported by prior research, taking into account the drive from the accounting profession to attract individuals to the profession who are effective communicators, who can think and act strategically, are able to solve unstructured problems, and are aware of business issues. Tolerance for ambiguity was measured using the AT-20 scale, a widely used and validated instrument developed by MacDonald (1970). The results of this study confirm that students enrolled for accounting degree programmes are less tolerant for ambiguity (mean = 7.50) than students enrolled for other business programmes (mean = 8.16). Female students enrolled in accounting degree programmes were significantly less tolerant for ambiguity than their male counterparts.
Impact Of Human Factors On The Labour Process: A Case Study
Authors: Singh Prakash , Twalo Thembinkosi
Published: March 2016

The sustainability of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) in South Africa is being threatened by the reported cases of poor administration, weak management of resources, inappropriate job performance, and inappropriate job behaviour of some of its employees. Since the structural-functionalists assume that formal education is a solution to societal challenges, it therefore means that the BCMM should not be experiencing this threat since many of its workers have various levels of formal education. Consequently, this case study using the mixed method research approach set out to investigate the paradoxical co-existence of inappropriate job behaviour and performance with formal education at the BCMM. It moved from the premise that labour (ability to work) is a product of multifarious forms of capital and thus amalgamated four forms of capital - human, social, cultural, and reputation into a theoretical framework in order to get a broader explanation of the employees job behaviour and performance. This made it possible for job behaviour and performance to be investigated from multiple perspectives, as opposed to the dominant human capital model that predominantly uses schooling to explain the workers performance. This drew attention to the view that the labour process does not take place in a vacuum, but in a particular context that is shaped by several imperatives and it involves humans with particular motives, will, attitudes, ethics, and values. Hence, this exploratory case study demonstrates how the sustainability of the BCMM is undermined by different factors that are human in nature.
The Role Of School Life Expectancy And Urbanization On Adult Literacy Rates In Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Okpala Amon , Okpala Comfort
Published: March 2016

It is important to examine the role of urbanization, government, and school life expectancy (the years of schooling a child is expected to have) on adult literacy because literacy contributes to economic success. Using cross-sectional data on 46 Sub-Saharan African countries, this study examines 1) the impact of school life expectancy on adult literacy, 2) the influence of urban population on adult literacy, and 3) the effectiveness of government educational expenditure on adult literacy. OLS regression analysis showed that the percentage of the population residing in urban centers and the school life expectancy were positively significant at the 5 percent level. Government expenditure, as a percentage of GDP, was positively significant at the 1 percent level.
Household Life Cycle: The Case Of Customer Satisfaction In Restaurants
Authors: Erdis Cindy , Du Toit Michael
Published: March 2016

The restaurant industry is rife with customers experiencing unacceptable levels of customer service, resulting in many customers often deciding to take their patronage elsewhere. Marketing researchers have long been investigating the influence of family on customer behaviour and satisfaction, but very limited research has been done on the influence of the family structure on customer satisfaction in restaurants. This article examines the influence of household life cycle on customer satisfaction in selected restaurants in the Tshwane area of Gauteng, South Africa. An empirical study was conducted with the aim of establishing if the stage in the household life cycle of restaurant patrons has an influence on the level of customer satisfaction experienced when visiting restaurants. A self-administered survey was conducted whereby questionnaires were handed to restaurant patrons with the restaurant bill folder. Based on the research results, it was found that the stage in the household life cycle of restaurant patrons does indeed have an influence on how satisfied customers were with regard to certain aspects relating to customer service, which in turn influences their overall customer satisfaction. This is important for restaurants who want to retain customers based on their loyalty and to ultimately increase profitability.