bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How do national cultures impact the operations strategy process?
Authors: Lee Park Camila , Paiva Ely Laureano 
Published: February 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the extent to which different patterns of cross-functional integration and the operations strategy (OS) process may be explained by national cultures differences.Design/methodology/approachPerceptual survey data from 105 manufacturing plants in four countries were used to validate the constructs and to test the hypotheses. The plants are located in two Western and two Eastern countries with different industrialization and development backgrounds (Brazil, China, Germany and South Korea). CFA validated the constructs, and ANOVA andt-tests evaluated the differences between levels of four Hofstede’s elements (i.e. power distance, individualism vs collectivism, uncertainty avoidance and long-term vs short-term orientation) on the OS process enablers (i.e. leadership for cross-functional integration and functional integration) and elements (i.e. manufacturing strategy linkage to corporate strategy and formulation of manufacturing strategy).FindingsResults suggest that different OS and OM processes are present in different national cultures. Leadership for cross-functional integration and manufacturing strategy linkage to corporate strategy differ between levels of power distance, individualism vs collectivism and uncertainty avoidance. Functional integration and formulation of manufacturing strategy also present differences according to the degree of individualism vs collectivism and long-term orientation.Originality/valueResults indicate that national culture is a key aspect for the OS process. Prior studies usually do not consider cultural aspects. Therefore, the OS process varies in different countries and contexts. Managers need to adjust their OS process when they are developing a global OS.
The effects of knowledge creation process on organizational performance using the BSC approach: the mediating role of intellectual capital
Authors: Mehralian Gholamhossein , Nazari Jamal A. , Ghasemzadeh Peivand 
Published: February 2018

Purpose
Knowledge is a key success factor in achieving competitive advantage in the current fast-paced and uncertain economic environment. Several studies in the literature have analyzed the relationship between knowledge creation (KC) and organizational success; however, the mechanisms by which KC leads to accumulation of intellectual capital (IC) and thereby affects various dimensions of organizational performance are understudied. The purpose of this paper is to examine how KC and IC and their relationship influence key dimensions of organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach
A research model was developed and tested based on the literature in the areas of KC, IC and organizational performance. This study uses a survey sent to companies in an intensive knowledge-based industry. The balanced scorecard (BSC) approach was used to measure the key dimensions of organizational performance.

Findings
The results from structural equation modeling (SEM) on 470 completed questionnaires received from the pharmaceutical companies in Iran reveal that KC activities lead to the accumulation of organizational IC and IC has a crucial and positive impact on the BSC. Furthermore, the results from the path analysis indicate that IC mediates the effects of KC on the BSC.

Practical implications
The findings of this study contribute to the extant literature on the relationship between knowledge and organizational performance by demonstrating that knowledge and KC lead to performance when organizations utilize KC activities and leverage them to accumulate IC. Once used effectively, IC will result in a better performance in the knowledge-intensive environments.

Originality/value
This is the first study that investigates how KC contributes to firm performance by incorporating the mediating impact of IC on the BSC. The proposed model and results will help organizations to identify the mechanisms through which KC initiatives improve organizational performance.
Learning from failure
Authors: Mendy John , Hack-Polay Dieu 
Published: February 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the high failure among African entrepreneurs post-2008 financial crisis. It evaluates the evidence of actual and perceived disadvantage and endogenous and exogenous factors affecting black and minority ethnic businesses.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on an interpretivist frame which uses a dialogic methodology. It uses in-depth interviews. The researchers framed discussion questions so as to invite the participants to articulate directly their experiences for the benefit of the readership, other existing African businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs.FindingsThe findings from the interviews with 20 leaders of “dead” businesses indicate the impact that place, people and poverty have on business failure and identify reasons for African business failure rates compared to other minorities. This study reveals that culture, an often understated variable, is critical in understanding the deeper reasons for the under-performance of African small entrepreneurs and its impacts on individual and collective lives.Practical implicationsRecovery solutions ought to be formulated from participants’ call for diversification, inter-cultural learning and integration as potential remedies. The research addresses the socio-economic problems encountered by owners of “dead” businesses. Policymakers and financial organisations ought to pay heed to the skills and resources that minorities offer as part of remedies for future enterprises.Originality/valueStudies on failed African businesses are under-represented in the literature. This study identifies the important role of culture on the failure of small businesses owned by African migrants in the UK. It highlights the significant socio-economic and situational barriers that they navigate in quest for recognition and cultural integration through business endeavours.
“Pollution prevention” is the key to drive sustainability
Authors: Kumar Gupta Sandeep , Gupta Sanjeev , Gayathiri S. 
Published: February 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the difference in firm performance between pollution prevention and pollution control strategies using a selected case study from the Indian leather industry.

Design/methodology/approach
This study followed a case study-based inductive research approach to validate the proposed preposition on field. The case-study analysis was based on qualitative and quantitative data. The authors developed a questionnaire and an interview protocol to capture the data about different industrial practices and motivation behind them. The study followed the concept of the triple bottom line approach for assessing the progress of the case firm on sustainability scale.

Findings
With the help of pollution preventive measures, such as replacement of salted skin with fresh skin and chromium salt with a phosphonium-based tanning agent, the case firm could overcome the biggest challenge of bringing down the level of total dissolved solid from 40,000 to 5,000 ppm in the raw effluent. Moreover, the firm has successfully recycled and converted tannery scraps and other waste into organic manure for internal use in its own plantations.

Research limitations/implications
The findings of this study could not be generalized as these are based on a single case study.

Originality/value
This study presents an example of sustainable practices and their benefits to the Indian leather industry to follow.
Brand equity and financial performance
Authors: Narteh Bedman 
Published: February 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between brand equity and financial performance and the moderation role of brand likeability retail banking sector.

Design/methodology/approach
The study is quantitative and employed the survey methodology to sample the views of 550 retail bank customers. Data were analyzed though the structuring equation modeling using AMOS.

Findings
The study found out that service quality, brand association, brand loyalty, and brand relevance positively and significantly predicted financial performance of the retail banks. In addition, brand likeability also moderates the relationship between brand equity and financial performance.

Originality/value
The study contributes to the ongoing research in examining the linkage between brand equity and financial performance. The study has also shown the value of brand likeability as a moderator of the brand equity-financial performance linkage. The strategic implication of the results are discussed in the paper.
Effect of nanoclay, glass fiber volume and orientation on tensile strength of epoxy-glass composite and optimization using Taguchi method
Authors: Zade Shanti Kiran , V. Suresh Babu , K.V. Sai Srinadh 
Published: February 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to manufacture test boards for re-enacting plant or field situations where vacuum chamber for expelling gas bubbles and autoclave equipment would not be accessible. This research focuses on the examination and enhancement of tensile strength for the nanocomposites consisting of uniaxial glass fiber mats, nanoclay (NC) and epoxy.Design/methodology/approachThe parameters considered are the weight content of Cloisite 15A NC, the volume of glass fiber (Vgf) and the direction of glass fibers (θ). The composites are made by hand lay-up technique and tested according to ASTM D 638 standard. Taguchi L9 orthogonal array is used to design the experiments.FindingsThe results imply that the orientation of fibers exhibited high significance with ap-value of 0.001 for the upgrade of strength. NC percentage and the volume of fiber have a low effect as thep-values obtained were 0.375 and 0.294. Confirmation tests were performed at the optimal levels of parameters and the outcomes were in the permissible range of the anticipated values of S/N ratio and mean tensile strength. The negligible effect of nanoclay is due to the lack of infusion of resin into the d-spacing of clay layers due to the low configuration settings of mixing conditions which was confirmed by XRD studies. The negligible effect of glass fiber volume is due to the void content and lack of stress transfer between fibers uniformly due to the void content and improper mixing of nanoclay.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of this study is that a low-speed mechanical stirrer was used to mix NC in the epoxy and the mixture was not subjected to vacuum and ultrasonication for degassing and deagglomeration.Practical implicationsThese composites can be used as substitute materials in place of metallic parts in the aerospace and automobile sector. These composites can be used in civil structures instead of steel and concrete, which have low strength-to-weight ratio and where the requirement of strength is in the range of 60 to 390 MPa.Social implicationsThe composites can be used in a variety of applications, for example, structural works, automotive panels and low-cost housing.Originality/valueThis research gives an idea about the combined contribution of NC,Vgfand “θ” to the improvement of tensile strength of the glass-epoxy composite.
Quantitative proteomics reveals decreased expression of major urinary proteins in the liver of apoE/eNOS‐DKO mice
Authors: Stachowicz Aneta , Olszanecki Rafał , Suski Maciej , Wiśniewska Anna , Kuś Katarzyna , Białas Magdalena , Jawień Jacek , Korbut Ryszard 
Published: February 2018

SummaryEndothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)‐derived nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role, not only in endothelium‐dependent vasodilation but also in lipid and glucose homeostasis in the liver and exerts beneficial effects on mitochondrial biogenesis and respiration. Thus, the aim of our study was to use iTRAQ‐based quantitative proteomics to investigate the changes in protein expression in the mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions isolated from the liver of the double (apolipoprotein E (apoE) and eNOS) knockout (apoE/eNOS‐DKO) mice as compared to apoE KO mice (apoE−/−) – an animal model of atherosclerosis and hepatic steatosis. Collectively, the deficiency of eNOS resulted in increased expression of proteins related to gluconeogenesis, fatty acids and cholesterol biosynthesis as well as the decreased expression of proteins participated in triglyceride breakdown, cholesterol transport, protein transcription & translation and processing in endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Moreover, one of the most downregulated proteins were major urinary proteins (MUPs), which are abundantly expressed in the liver and were shown to be involved in the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism. The exact functional consequences of the revealed alterations require further investigation.
Comparative analyses of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) in 23 mosquito species genomes: Identification, characterization and distribution (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Ting , Zhang Yu‐Juan , Qiao Liang , Chen Bin 
Published: February 2018

AbstractSimple sequence repeats (SSRs) exist in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic genomes and are the most popular genetic markers, but the SSRs of mosquito genomes are still not well understood. In this study, we identified and analyzed the SSRs in 23 mosquito species using Drosophila melanogaster as reference at the whole‐genome level. The results show that SSR numbers (33 076–560 175/genome) and genome sizes (574.57–1342.21 Mb) are significantly positively correlated (R2 = 0.8992, P < 0.01), but the correlation in individual species varies in these mosquito species. In six types of SSR, mono‐ to trinucleotide SSRs are dominant with cumulative percentages of 95.14%–99.00% and densities of 195.65/Mb–787.51/Mb, whereas tetra‐ to hexanucleotide SSRs are rare with 1.12%–4.22% and 3.76/Mb–40.23/Mb. The (A/T)n, (AC/GT)n and (AGC/GCT)n are the most frequent motifs in mononucleotide, dinucleotide and trinucleotide SSRs, respectively, and the motif frequencies of tetra‐ to hexanucleotide SSRs appear to be species‐specific. The 10–20 bp length of SSRs are dominant with the number of 110 561 ± 93 482 and the frequency of 87.25% ± 5.73% on average, and the number and frequency decline with the increase of length. Most SSRs (83.34% ± 7.72%) are located in intergenic regions, followed by intron regions (11.59% ± 5.59%), exon regions (3.74% ± 1.95%), and untranslated regions (1.32% ± 1.39%). The mono‐, di‐ and trinucleotide SSRs are the main SSRs in both gene regions (98.55% ± 0.85%) and exon regions (99.27% ± 0.52%). An average of 42.52% of total genes contains SSRs, and the preference for SSR occurrence in different gene subcategories are species‐specific. The study provides useful insights into the SSR diversity, characteristics and distribution in 23 mosquito species of genomes.
Comparative Study of Gacun and Youre Silver–Lead–Zinc–Copper Deposits in Sichuan, SW China, and their Mineralization Significance
Authors: DANG Yuan , CHEN Maohong , FU Bin , XUE Zhiqiang 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe large Gacun silver–lead–zinc–copper deposit in Sichuan Province is one of the largest volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits in China. The deposit consists of western and central ore bodies, which form a vein–stockwork mineralization system corresponding to hydrothermal channels, and eastern ore bodies, which form an exhalative chemical sedimentary system derived from a brine pool in a submarine basin. The Youre lead–zinc deposit, which is currently under exploration and lies adjacent to the southern part of the Gacun deposit, is characterized by intense silicification and vein–stockwork structures and consists of massive silicified rhyolitic volcanics, banded rhyolitic tuff, and phyllitic sericite tuff. From a comparison of their ore‐bearing horizons, the Gacun and Youre deposits have a continuous and stable hanging wall (calcareous slate and overlying andesite) and foot wall (rhyolite–dacite breccia and agglomerate), and the lithologic sequence includes lower intermediate to felsic rocks and upper felsic rocks. Thus, the Youre deposit, which comprises relatively thinly layered low–grade ore, is regarded as forming a southward extension of the Gacun deposit. A further comparison of the structures of the ore‐bearing belts between the two deposits suggests that the Youre ore bodies are similar to the western ore bodies of the Gacun deposit. Moreover, the characteristics of fluid inclusions and stable isotopes in the Youre deposit are also similar to those of the western ore bodies of the Gacun deposit. Genetic models of the deposits are proposed for the Gacun–Youre ore district, and massive concealed ore bodies may occcur in the Youre deposit at depths that are similar to those of the eastern ore bodies of the Gacun deposit.
Metallogenic Mechanism and Tectonic Setting of Tungsten Mineralization in the Yangbishan Deposit in Northeastern China
Authors: HAO Yujie , REN Yunsheng , ZHAO Hualei , LAI Ke , ZHAO Xuan , MA Yupeng 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe Yangbishan iron–tungsten deposit in the Shuangyashan area of Heilongjiang Province is located in the center of the Jiamusi Massif in northeastern China. The rare earth element and trace element compositions of the scheelite show that it formed in a reducing environment and inherited the rare earth element features of the ore‐forming fluid. The geochemical characteristics of the gneissic granite associated with the tungsten mineralization show that the magma formed in this reducing environment and originated from the partial melting of metamorphosed shale that contained organic carbon and was enriched with tungsten. In addition, in situ Hf isotopic analysis of zircons from the gneissic granite indicates that they probably originated from the partial melting of a predominantly Paleo–Mesoproterozoic crustal source. According to LA‐ICP‐MS zircon dating, the Yangbishan ore‐related gneissic granite has an Early Paleozoic crystallization age of 520.6 ± 2.8 Ma. This study, together with previous data, indicates that the massifs of northeastern China, including Erguna, Xing'an, Songliao, Jiamusi, and Khanka massifs, belonged to an orogenic belt that existed along the southern margin of the Siberian Craton during the late Pan‐African period. The significant continental movements of this orogeny resulted in widespread magmatic activity in northeastern China from 530 Ma to 470 Ma under a tectonic setting that transitioned from compressional syn‐collision to extensional post‐collision.
Palaeoenvironmental Reconstruction of the Early to Middle Miocene Sequence in West Central Sinai, Egypt, as Revealed from Fossil Diatoms
Authors: ZALAT Abdelfattah A. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA detailed analysis of the diatoms from the sedimentary sequence exposed in Abu Qada basin, west central Sinai, was used to determine the palaeoenvironmental changes during the Lower to Middle Miocene. A total of 85 diatom species and varieties belonging to 37 genera were identified from 154 samples collected throughout the stratigraphic succession. The lithological characters of the studied samples varied between sandstone, silty interbeds, sandy shales, shales, and terminated with anhydrite and limestones. These rock units are included in two lithostratigraphic formations (Rudies and Kareem), which are separated by a marked unconformity. The distribution and preservation of fossil diatoms in the sedimentary record are examined with the aim of outlining the temporal and spatial variation in the composition of the diatom assemblages, in order to estimate the changes in depositional environments during the Lower to Middle Miocene. The distributional pattern of the recorded diatom taxa distinguished four diatom eco‐zones. The environment of each eco‐zone is deduced and a proposed paleobathymetric change and depositional history of the Miocene sediments in the studied area are given.
Helicopter vs. ground transportation of patients bound for primary percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Funder K. S. , Rasmussen L. S. , Siersma V. , Lohse N. , Hesselfeldt R. , Pedersen F. , Hendriksen O. M. , Steinmetz J. 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundImplementation of the first Danish helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) was associated with reduced time from first medical contact to treatment at a specialized centre for patients with suspected ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to investigate effects of HEMS on mortality and labour market affiliation in patients admitted for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).MethodsIn this prospective observational study, we included patients with suspected STEMI within the region covered by the HEMS from January 1, 2010, to April 30, 2013, transported by either HEMS or ground emergency medical services (GEMS) to the regional PCI centre. The primary outcome was 30‐day mortality.ResultsAmong the 384 HEMS and 1220 GEMS patients, time from diagnostic ECG to PCI centre arrival was lower with HEMS (median 71 min vs. 78 min with GEMS; P = 0.004). Thirty‐day mortality was 5.0% and 6.2%, respectively (adjusted OR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.44–1.51, P = 0.52. Involuntary early retirement rates were 0.62 (HEMS) and 0.94 (GEMS) per 100 PYR (adjusted IRR = 0.68, 0.15–3.23, P = 0.63). The proportion of patients on social transfer payments longer than half of the follow‐up time was 22.1% (HEMS) vs. 21.2% (adjusted OR = 1.10, 0.64–1.90, P = 0.73).ConclusionIn an observational study of patients with suspected STEMI in eastern Denmark, no significant beneficial effect of helicopter transport could be detected on mortality, premature labour market exit or work ability. Only a study with random allocation to one system vs. another, along with a large sample size, will allow determination of superiority of helicopter transport.