bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do clusters follow the industry life cycle?
Authors: Valdaliso Jesús M. , Elola Aitziber , Franco Susana 
Published: January 2016

Purpose– This paper aims to examine whether in old industrial regions, the trajectory of clusters follows that of their corresponding industry or deviates from it and which are the factors that account for cluster evolution. This paper deals with the issue of how established clusters either renew or transform themselves in such regions and how they adapt to changes in their corresponding international industries.Design/methodology/approach– This research paper draws from in-depth case studies on six industrial clusters, takes a longitudinal perspective and uses a multi-level and qualitative analysis. Based on existing literature, the paper suggests and exploratory analytical framework with four alternative scenarios for cluster evolution and three broad factors: cluster knowledge base, social capital at cluster and region-level and public policies.Findings– Clusters do not always follow the life cycle of its dominant industry. The paper clearly shows a diversity of cluster evolution across clusters and even within clusters (at subcluster level). This study suggests that cluster knowledge diversity and heterogeneity allow to broaden the scope of evolutionary trajectories available; the same goes for social capital at cluster and region levels.Research limitations/implications– The main limitation of this paper lies in its qualitative approach that makes its conclusions more suggestive than conclusive. In any case, further research on other Basque clusters may corroborate or question its findings.Originality/value– The paper offers an empirical and longitudinal study on cluster evolution, very much needed to the ongoing theoretical discussion on this issue. So far, there are very few empirical studies on cluster evolution with this perspective. At the same time, it presents a theoretical framework to analyse diversity of cluster evolution in old industrial regions that builds on Menzel and Fornah’s (2010) model.
Competitive industry clusters and transportation in Minnesota
Authors: Munnich Lee W. , Iacono Michael 
Published: January 2016

Purpose
– This study aims to advance the state of knowledge of the relationship between transportation and economic development by investigating how firms in competitive industry clusters use transportation networks and what role those networks play in the competitiveness of these clusters.

Design/methodology/approach
– The approach combines quantitative and qualitative techniques to geographically identify competitive industry clusters and to investigate the role of transportation. The US Cluster Mapping tool is used to identify competitive clusters by employment location quotients in 25 Minnesota metropolitan and micropolitan regions. A total of 12 competitive clusters were selected for further study, and in-depth interviews and site visits were conducted with businesses in each cluster to explore the competitive importance of different modes of transportation.

Findings
– Minnesota’s economic competitiveness is dependent on a well-functioning transportation system in all modes – truck, air, rail, and water. Access to global markets requires rail and truck to reach coastal ports. Air transportation is critical for high-value, low-weight, time-sensitive products such as medical devices or Mayo lab testing samples. Air service is important for customers at Minneapolis – St. Paul, St. Cloud, and Rochester, Duluth, as well as other Minnesota cities. Highway access and reliability is critical for key statewide clusters such as processed food and heavy machinery.

Research limitations/implications
– Study limitations include the representativeness of company interviews in generalizing for a cluster and industry employment as a measure of competitiveness.

Practical implications
– These methods can yield valuable insights into how transportation functions as an input within competitive industry clusters and how it can inform economic development strategies tailored to certain locations and industries.

Originality/value
– This is a first-of-its kind study using industry clusters as a framework for examining the role that transportation plays in economic competitiveness.
Early stage cluster development: a manufacturers-led approach in the aircraft industry
Authors: Steenhuis Harm-Jan , Kiefer Dean 
Published: January 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this study is to explore the early stage of development of a cluster. The literature on early stage of cluster development shows that there are often random effects such as an entrepreneur and spin-off companies, and in this study, a coordinated approach for cluster development is described.Design/methodology/approach– A single exploratory case study approach is followed. The aerospace cluster in the Spokane region, State of Washington, is described. Data from a variety of sources are triangulated to enhance the credibility of the case study findings.Findings– It was found that although there are many types of collaborations occurring in the region, which involve policy and government organizations, the main driver of the early-stage cluster development is manufacturers-led coordinating mechanism. Individual manufacturers are too small to be successful in the aerospace industry, and they are collaborating to present a united “front” to out-of-the-region customers. Once customers place an order, then within this coordinating mechanism, the work is divided among different manufacturers.Research limitations/implications– The research has two main limitations. First, it is a single case study, and therefore, the results may not be generalizable. Second, the cluster is in an early stage of development, so it is not (yet) clear whether this manufacturers-led coordinated approach will have long-term success.Practical implications– The studies offer potential for cluster development that go beyond relying on a single entrepreneur or on mostly government- or policy-driven initiatives. Instead, this is an approach that can be used by industry to lift the overall competitiveness of their region.Social implications– This cluster development approach offers potential for economic development of smaller regions which mainly consist of small- and medium-sized companies without endowment benefits or a large local customer base.Originality/value– This study adds to the existing knowledge on clusters and cluster types. The identified cluster approach does not fit with the main types of clusters that have been identified in the literature. The companies involved are mainly small- to medium-sized companies, but by coordinating their capabilities, they are able to present core capabilities in a much more attractive manner to customers. This cluster development approach is not driven by or achieved through advantages in innovation, vertical or horizontal supply chain competition and advantages, creation of spin-off firms, or a regional demand base as customers are located outside the region. It deviates in terms of the types of companies involved and, mostly, in a sense that it acts as one unit to customers who are located outside the region.
Impact of human resource management on performance in competitive priorities
Authors: Vivares-Vergara Jorge Andrés , Sarache-Castro William Ariel , Naranjo-Valencia Julia Clemencia 
Published: January 2016

Purpose– Human resource management (HRM) is considered an important issue in operations strategy (OS). Furthermore, OS effectiveness depends on performance in competitive priorities (CP). However, little empirical evidence exists about the relationship between them. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of HRM on performance in CP.Design/methodology/approach– The research was conducted by surveying a sample of medium and large manufacturing companies in the Colombian coffee region. Three groups of variables were studied: performance in CP, HRM practices and factors related to employees. A regression analysis was conducted to test the hypotheses.Findings– No significant relationship was found between HRM practices and performance in CP. Regarding the factors related to employees, two findings were relevant: first, when the companies involve features about the individuals in OS decision making (motivations, personal goals, abilities, etc.) better performance can be observed in CP; second, when employees reach a higher level of satisfaction and job performance, the performance in CP improves as well.Practical implications– Considering the importance of HRM practices, appropriate adjustment and application should be sought to improve company performance. Furthermore, factors related to employees (features about the individuals, job satisfaction and employee performance), must be properly aligned with the OS.Originality/value– The paper addresses an issue supported by little empirical evidence. Because few studies have considered the total set of CP identified in the literature review, the authors applied an indicator to establish the global performance of the production system according to the market requirements. Traditionally, HRM has been studied from the perspective of management practices, giving little attention to employees. In this research, the authors consider not only this perspective but also the effects of factors related to employees on performance in CP when they are aligned with the OS.
Harmonizing management accounting in international subsidiaries: beyond national borders
Authors: Endenich Christoph , Hoffjan Andreas , Schlichting Teresa , Trapp Rouven 
Published: January 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this study is to explore if and how companies strive for a harmonization of management accounting systems in their international business units to support company-wide consistent strategy implementation and to analyze the underlying drivers and pitfalls. Our paper is motivated by the tension between the need for consistent strategy implementation in the different international business units of multinational companies and the traditional differences in management accounting practices across countries.

Design/methodology/approach
– The field study comprised semi-structured in-depth interviews with management accounting experts in selected German and Spanish business units of 15 major German multinational companies.

Findings
– The authors identified strong efforts for company-wide harmonization of management accounting practices and found that beside explicit initiatives set by corporate headquarters, more implicit pressures such as the education of management accountants, the work of global consultancies and the use of standardized ERP-systems constitute strong drivers of the identified harmonization.

Practical implications
– The findings highlight implicit pressures as important drivers of the harmonization of management accounting systems in the international business units of multinational companies. Taking these implicit pressures into consideration can help multinational companies striving for a harmonization of business unit management accounting for consistent strategy implementation.

Originality/value
– Building on a unique sample of pairs of German and Spanish business units of 15 major German companies, the field study explores harmonization practices and its drivers in multinational companies.
Reputation on the line: the Starbucks cases
Authors: Hutt Roger W. 
Published: January 2016

Purpose
– The paper aims to increase the understanding of reputational-risk management by examining company responses to potentially reputation-damaging incidents.

Design/methodology/approach
– Incidents with potential for damaging Starbucks Corporation’s reputation were described and summarized as were the company’s responses to those incidents.

Findings
– It was observed that the complexity of resolving a reputation-damaging incident was inversely related to its closeness to the company’s core business. Also, the longevity of incidents suggests the persistent influence of past events.

Research limitations/implications
– Limitations are that findings are not generalizable beyond this case study and that the bulk of the information collected pertained to one of the five incidents examined. Potential hypotheses for future research are suggested.

Practical implications
– Findings provide reference points and a context for managers responding to reputation-damaging incidents.

Originality/value
– The paper illustrates how reputation-damaging incidents can be complex and difficult to resolve the more removed they are from the company’s core business.
Cost of quality: findings of a wood products
'
manufacturer
Authors: Malik Tahir Mumtaz , Khalid Rameez , Zulqarnain Ali , Iqbal Syed Amir 
Published: January 2016

Purpose
– Today substantial investments are made to improve the bottom line and cost of quality (CoQ) is a tool that identifies weaker areas where these investments should be directed. In literature, the authors find various CoQ models and their applications but it is deficient in providing a standard format of a “Quality Cost Procedure” for a CoQ program’s company-wide deployment. A procedure was thus developed and its effectiveness was evaluated implementation. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
– CoQ program was implemented in the production department of a wood products’ manufacturer using the action research approach. Prevention, Appraisal and Failure Cost model was employed. Data collection was challenging, however, stakeholders were interviewed, data were acquired from Management Information System and various reports were reviewed for cost elements.

Findings
– Total CoQ as a percentage of sales was found to be 11, while as a percentage of material cost was 15 percent. It was found through the implementation that development of a quality cost procedure is highly iterative in nature and a standard format is proposed in the Appendix. This procedure worked satisfactorily and the company is confident in moving to the next phase of company-wide deployment of CoQ Program.

Originality/value
– A robust “Quality Cost Procedure” is developed, which not only helped the company but will serve CoQ implementers in their operational as well as tactical levels of management. CoQ implementation prior development of procedure brought conviction and accredited it. Practitioners can mold this procedure as per need, which will further enhance the body of knowledge on CoQ.
An ANP based selective assembly approach incorporating Taguchi’s quality loss function to improve quality of placements in technical institutions
Authors: Upadhayay Lalit , Vrat Prem 
Published: January 2016

Purpose– The performance of technical institutions in India is reflected through the level of campus placements. It is vital for them to have efficient, effective and robust placement policies. Selective assembly is a technique used in manufacturing industry in improving the quality of assemblies from relatively low-quality components. The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology using selective assembly approach to improve the quality of placements of technical institutions in India.Design/methodology/approach– The paper presents a conceptual model for campus placement process by integrating Selective Assembly, Taguchi’s quality loss function (QLF) and analytic network process (ANP). The data used in the study was taken through surveys and expert opinions. In this paper, for “Selective Assembly” the terminology, “Selective Recruitment” has been used at appropriate places in the context of technical education.Findings– Selective matching of students’ skills done through ANP minimizes the total loss in terms of opportunity cost. Taguchi’s QLF concept was used to evaluate the total loss, in terms of opportunity cost, and to validate the superiority of selective assembly technique over the conventional selection process.Practical implications– The paper outlines measures that can help policy makers to successfully implement the suggested methodology to improve the quality of placements.Originality/value– The application of selective recruitment in the campus placement process is a unique feature in the area of technical education in India. The role of ANP in selective recruitment and assessment of the process through Taguchi’s QLF, illustrate the importance of integrated approach adopted in the selection process.
Molecular Autopsy of Desmosomal Protein Plakophilin‐2 in Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome
Authors: Huang Lei , Tang Shuangbo , Peng Longyun , Chen Yili , Cheng Jianding 
Published: January 2016

AbstractPlakophilin‐2 (PKP2) variants could produce a phenotype of Brugada syndrome (BrS), which seems to be most likely the same allelic disorder as some sudden unexplained nocturnal death syndrome (SUNDS). All coding regions of PKP2 gene in 119 SUNDS victims were genetically screened using PCR and direct Sanger sequencing methods. Three novel mutations (p.Ala159Thr, p.Val200Val, and p.Gly265Glu), one novel rare polymorphism (p.Thr723Thr), and eight reported polymorphisms were identified. A compound mutation (p.Ala159Thr and p.Gly265Glu) and a rare polymorphism (p.Thr723Thr) were found in one SUNDS case with absence of the cardiomyopathic features. The detected compound mutation identified in this first investigation of PKP2 genetic phenotype in SUNDS is regarded as the plausible genetic cause of this SUNDS case. The rare incidence of PKP2 mutation in SUNDS (1%) supports the previous viewpoint that SUNDS is most likely an allelic disorder as BrS.
Non‐vitamin K Oral Anticoagulants Versus Warfarin for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: Absolute Benefit and Harm Assessments Yield Novel Insights
Authors: Kumana Cyrus R. , Cheung Bernard M.Y. , Siu David C.W. , Tse Hung‐Fat , Lauder Ian J. 
Published: January 2016

SummaryBackground and ObjectivesBenefits and/or harms (including costs) of non‐vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) versus warfarin therapy need appreciation in relative and absolute terms.MethodsAccordingly, we derived clinically relevant relative and absolute benefit/harm parameters for NOACs (apixaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, edoxaban) compared to warfarin from four clinical trials involving atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. For each trial, we tabulated patient numbers enduring four important outcomes and calculated unadjusted relative risk reduction (RRR) and number needed to treat (NNT)/year values (and 95% confidence intervals) for the NAOC compared to warfarin. These outcomes were as follows: stroke/systemic embolism (primary endpoint), hemorrhagic stroke, major bleeds, and death. We also addressed drug acquisition costs.ResultsEach NOAC was noninferior to warfarin for primary‐outcome prevention; RRRs were 12–33% and NNT/year values were 182–481, and all but one indicated statistically significant superiority. All the NOACs yielded statistically significant reductions in hemorrhagic stroke risk; RRRs were 42–74% and NNT/year values were 364–528. Major bleeding risk was comparable in both groups. Apixaban yielded a lower NNT/year for preventing death than for primary‐outcome prevention. Compared to warfarin, NOAC acquisition costs were 70‐ to 140‐fold greater.ConclusionsFor the primary outcome, the absolute benefits of NOACs were modest (NNT/year values being large). Reduced hemorrhagic stroke rates with NOACs could be due to superior embolic infarct prevention and fewer consequential hemorrhagic transformations. Among apixaban recipients, the absolute mortality benefit exceeded that for the primary outcome, indicating prevention of additional unrelated deaths. The substantially greater NOAC acquisition costs need viewing against probable greater safety and the avoidance of monitoring bleeding risks.
Maternal Exposure to Ethanol During Pregnancy and Lactation Affects Glutamatergic System and Induces Oxidative Stress in Offspring Hippocampus
Authors: Cesconetto Patricia A. , Andrade Camila M. , Cattani Daiane , Domingues Juliana T. , Parisotto Eduardo B. , Filho Danilo W. , Zamoner Ariane 
Published: January 2016

BackgroundAlcohol abuse during pregnancy leads to intellectual disability and morphological defects in the offspring. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of chronic maternal ethanol (EtOH) consumption during pregnancy and lactation on glutamatergic transmission regulation, energy deficit, and oxidative stress in the hippocampus of the offspring.MethodsEtOH was administered to dams in drinking water at increasing doses (2 to 20%) from the gestation day 5 to lactation day 21. EtOH and tap water intake by treated and control groups, respectively, were measured daily.ResultsResults showed that EtOH exposure does not affect fluid intake over the course of pregnancy and lactation. The toxicity of maternal exposure to EtOH was demonstrated by decreased offspring body weight at experimental age, on postnatal day 21. Moreover, maternal EtOH exposure decreased 45Ca2+ influx in the offspring's hippocampus. Corroborating this finding, EtOH increased both Na+‐dependent and Na+‐independent glial [14C]‐glutamate uptake in hippocampus of immature rats. Also, maternal EtOH exposure decreased glutamine synthetase activity and induced aspartate aminotransferase enzymatic activity, suggesting that in EtOH‐exposed offspring hippocampus, glutamate is preferentially used as a fuel in tricarboxylic acid cycle instead of being converted into glutamine. In addition, EtOH exposure decreased [U‐14C]‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose uptake in offspring hippocampus.ConclusionsThe decline in glucose transport coincided with increased lactate dehydrogenase activity, suggesting an adaptative response in EtOH‐exposed offspring hippocampus, using lactate as an alternative fuel. These events were associated with oxidative damage, as demonstrated by changes in the enzymatic antioxidant defense system and lipid peroxidation. Taken together, the results demonstrate that maternal exposure to EtOH during pregnancy and lactation impairs glutamatergic transmission, as well as inducing oxidative stress and energy deficit in immature rat hippocampus.