bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Country of Origin on Buying Behaviour
Authors: Purwar Prem C. , Mathur Nupur 
Published: June 2016

This study on the effects of Country of Origin (COO) on buying behaviour seeks to examine how consumers respond to products imported from another country; designed in one country yet assembled in another country; and manufactured in one country but branded in another. Here the differential effects of Country of Assembly (COA) and Country of Design (COD) in combination with two other potentially important cues, namely brand and price have been examined on two types of products - Television and Car. Consumers, while choosing products/services, make complex trade-off between more than one characteristic. Given this multi-attribute nature of products, conjoint measurement technique has been used. The methodology used here consists of conjoint analysis through design of orthogonal plan cards using SPSS Package. Data Collection was done by administering the plan cards (product profiles) along with the questionnaire to the selected sample of consumer individually. Our sample consisted of students of Management Institutes. The findings suggest that the brand name and image are the most important piece of information cue used by consumers, while the country of assembly has the least importance. The country of design has been found to be the second most important piece of information in case of car, while price is the second most important information cue in case of TV. The implications of the study are basically two: Firstly, marketing strategy should lay emphasis upon brand communications in all product categories; and secondly, the country of manufacture/assembly is no longer important to consumers. Hence, manufacturing/assembly should be outsourced to low cost countries.
Service Encounters in Value Networks: Dimensions for Pure Service Offerings
Authors: Hamilton John , Selen Willem 
Published: June 2016

This discussion forum addresses the concept of service encounters for pure services over the Web, when businesses are organized along a value network. For these types of pure service offerings, the se.vice encounter is positioned in a holistic value network framework, leading towards the identification of particular service encounter dimensions. First, possible bullwhip or upstream amplification effects may be reduced/avoided by ensuring high process quality to avoid rework of customer requests and service fulfilment. Bottlenecks may be overcome by designing excess capacity within the information system network. Second, a number of particular factors related to web-interface development, are discussed. This leads to a further discussion of issues in relation to customer targeting, information communication technology, and web-related financial metrics. Finally, strategic positioning and strategic alignment issues are discussed in a value network, using Porter's five forces model applied to the Internet, as well as an adaptation of Kaplan and Norton's balanced scorecard.
Optimal Utilization and Sustainable Development of Common Property Resources Through Private-Public Participation: Reference To Rural India
Authors: Mohapatra Khetra Mohan 
Published: June 2016

Common Property Resources (CPRs) are now considered as employment-income generating social assets, a meager alternative to agriculture for the poorer sections in rural economies of developing countrie. It is allso felt that a sustainable development of these resouces is necessary for maintaining ecological balance and minimizing environmental hazards. A contradictory implication is marked when objectives of CPRs development are compared. On the one hand, CPRs as major part of natural resources are to be developed and preserved for ecological balance. On the other, so me part of CPRs are to be exploited and utilized for employment-income generation for the rural poor as well as for social consumption. Both are included in social utility function. In order to solve the abov e contradiction, we conceivc a process of optimal utilization of CPRs, which Can ensure CPRs' sustainable development. This need some special types of management procedure and management organization in which both public and private cooperation is necessary. In this paper, an attempt is made to provide a suggestive model for managing CPRs by properly addressing the above issues. We suggest for the formation of a three-tier CPRs management organiZiltion in which public and private parties can participate actively in decision making towards CPRs' growth, preservation and consumption. The village level managment unit is called as Village Common Resource Management Organization (VCRMO). The procedural and funtional aspects of CPRs management at village level are s uggested by considering the prevailing social , economic and political environments in Indian villages. The functional aspects of CPRs management mainly cover the matters of planning for development of both waste/semi-waste CPRs lands and productive CPRs lands; and the matters of operation, direction and coordination in order to implement the plans by addressing the grass-root issues, such as people accessibility to CPRs, local and community demands, negative externalities, and so on. For an effective management of CPRs, it would require a proper valuation of CPRs and detemlination of optimal limits of exploitation of CPRs for consumption and production, and determination of the periodical investment requirements for CPRs' Sustainable development. In separate sections, the above matters are discussed and alternative methods are sugges ted for the above exercises on the basis of our grass-root experiences.
Inter-Sectoral Analysis of Announcement Returns in Share Buyback Decisions in India
Authors: Hyderabad R.L. 
Published: June 2016

Do announcement returns in buybacks vary across industrial sectors? Which industrial sectors participate in buyback announcements? These are questions which elude exact answers. The action and reaction among competitive firms may be a reason as to why there could be more clustering of buyback decisions in some sectors than in others. The present research attempts to find inter-sectoral announcement returns for buybacks in India. Using data from SEBI's Status Report on Buybacks in India and share price information from Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and CMIE sources, computation of ratio of market performance to buyback announcement has been done using standard event market model approach. An attempt has been made to understand market performance of share repurchases in India through inter-sectoral analysis.
Relationship of Brand Extension With Selected Aspects of Information Processing
Authors: Sachdeva Ruchika , Bawa Anupam 
Published: June 2016

The specific objectives of this research effort are to ascertain the importance of a familiar brand name; to determine the major sources of information about brand extension; to find out the relationship of assessment of core brand, and evaluation of original brand with evaluation of brand extension. The role of exposure and over exposure is also examined vis-à-vis brand extension evaluation. The relevant population for this study is youth i.e. those in the age of 15-24 years. Data was collected from 583 respondents selected with the help of multi-stage random sampling conducted on the population of educational institutions in a large urban area in North West India. Even though information processing is a culture related phenomena the Indian youth are exhibiting behavior very similar to that described in foreign literature. Five out of the six hypotheses are accepted. Familiar brand name is an important cue for consumers. Just as advertising is an important source of information about brand extension. Brand extension evaluation is positively related with assessment of core brand, evaluation of original brand and exposure to brand extension. Price is an important cue for the Indian youth and over exposure does not negatively affect evaluation of brand extension.
Impact of Microfinance on the Rural Households: Empirical Evidence From a Coastal District of Orissa
Authors: Panda Debadutta Kumar 
Published: June 2016

An empirical study was conducted to understand the impact of microfinance interventions on change in income, asset position, and consumption pattern of the rural households. Under the study, an attempt was made to understand the inequality of income distribution among the microfinance clients by employing statistical model. Also the pattern of income distribution after the microfinance intervention among the households was compared with that of before the microfinance intervention. The study revealed that there was an increase in income and consumption pattern among the rural households due to microfinance programmes. Also the study found out that the income among the rural households after the microfinance programmes was much fairly distributed, and the Lorenz Curve was much nearer after the microfinance programmes than that of before microfinance programmes.
An Analysis of Responsible Factors for Merchandiser's Performance and Role in Apparel Industry
Authors: Gandhi Archana , Sharma Sunil 
Published: June 2016

Fashion industry requires talented executives with a keen sense of the marketplace and finely honed management skills that enable them to make the critical decisions needed to keep a company's product line competitively marketable and profitable. The driving force in today's apparel business is merchandising. A merchandiser is defined as a person who ensures that the right product at the right price reaches in right quantity and at the right time to the final destination. A merchandiser is the responsible person to make the product according to the buyer's parameters and satisfaction. Merchandisers have to look after every job right from buying the raw material, components and accessories, making the apparel, finishing the apparel, documentation and communication to and from all business partners to finally shipping and much more. The merchandisers play the role of a ‘fulcrum’ within apparel export organisations, coordinate and balance the business needs of the supplier on one end and buyer on the other. Their performance affects the business results of apparel export companies. The paper aims to identify the key parameters for assessing merchandisers' performance in apparel export companies. The recommendations based on key findings of the research show that merchandiser selection process, training and performance appraisal could significantly contribute towards improving the performance of merchandisers in the apparel industry.
Exploring physicians’ extended use of electronic health records (EHRs)
Authors: Wang Wen , Zhao Xiping , Sun Jinglei , Zhou Guangquan 
Published: June 2016

Background: Once electronic health records (EHRs) have been fully implemented and integrated into the daily work of a healthcare organisation/hospital, there is considerable pressure on management to demonstrate the benefits that these systems can deliver to the organisation. One practical way to maximise the value and highlight the benefits of EHRs is to encourage physicians to increase and extend their use of EHR functions. Objective: This study used a social influence theory context to examine the impact of mechanisms of social influence on the intentions of physicians to extend their use of EHRs. Method: A survey of physicians ( n = 205) in a first-class comprehensive hospital in southern China was conducted approximately 2 years after the hospital’s introduction of EHRs. A 16-item questionnaire was developed to measure the impact of four social influence factors (reward, punishment, social image and group norm) on physicians’ intentions to extend their use of EHRs. The research model included two additional control variables (perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use) to account for potential covariance among social influence measures. Results: The study’s research model showed significant relationships between physicians’ responses on two of the social influence measures (rewards and group norm) and their intentions to extend their use of EHRs. Punishment and social image measures did not influence physicians’ intentions to increase their use of EHRs. Conclusion: These findings have suggested that for healthcare organisations to maximise the benefits of EHRs, the efforts of hospital management should be directed towards rewarding those physicians who increase their use of EHRs; and to promoting and reinforcing the increased usage of EHRs among physicians as a group norm.
Impact of Disease Management Programs on HbA1c Values in Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Germany
Authors: Kostev Karel , Rockel Timo , Jacob Louis 
Published: June 2016

Background: The aim was to analyze the impact of disease management programs on HbA1c values in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in Germany. Methods: This study included 9017 patients followed in disease management programs (DMPs) who started an antihyperglycemic treatment upon inclusion in a DMP. Standard care (SC) patients were included after individual matching (1:1) to DMP cases based on age, gender, physician (diabetologist versus nondiabetologist care), HbA1c values at baseline, and index year. The main outcome was the share of patients with HbA1c <7.5% or 6.5% after at least 6 months and less than 12 months of therapy in DMP and SC groups. Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted with HbA1c level as a dependent variable and the potential predictor (DMP versus SC). Results: The mean age was 64.3 years and 54.7% of the patients were men. The mean HbA1c level at baseline was equal to 8.7%. In diabetologist practices, 64.7% of DMP patients and 55.1% of SC patients had HbA1c levels <7.5%, while 23.4% of DMP patients and 16.9% of SC patients had HbA1c levels <6.5% ( P values < .001). By comparison, in general practices, 72.4% of DMP patients and 65.7% of SC patients had HbA1c levels <7.5%, while 29.0% of DMP patients and 25.4% of SC patients had HbA1c levels <6.5% ( P values < .001). DMPs increased the likelihood of HbA1c levels lower than 7.5% or 6.5% after 6 months of therapy in both diabetologist and general care practices. Conclusion: The present study indicates that the enrollment of T2DM patients in DMPs has a positive impact on HbA1c values in Germany.
Efficacy of Osteoconductive Ceramics in Bioresorbable Screws for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Barth Johannes , Akritopoulos Panagiotis , Graveleau Nicolas , Barthelemy Renaud , Toanen Cécile , Saffarini Mo 
Published: June 2016

Background: Osteoconductive additives are used in resorbable interference screws for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction to improve graft incorporation and mitigate adverse effects. There are no published studies that compare biological performances of bioresorbable and biocomposite screws without artifacts due to different follow-up times and intrinsic patient characteristics. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of osteoconductive agents in bioresorbable screws for ACL reconstruction at minimum follow-up of 2 years by intrapatient comparison. The hypothesis was that osteoconductive ceramics would result in slower resorption, improved ossification, and less tunnel widening. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 28 ACL reconstructions at 2 centers were randomly assigned into 2 comparable groups: (1) the graft was fixed in the tibia using standard bioresorbable screws and in the femur using biocomposite screws with osteoconductive agents (biphasic calcium phosphate), and (2) the graft was fixed in the femur using a standard bioresorbable screw and in the tibia using a biocomposite screw with osteoconductive agents. Results: Twenty-seven patients completed evaluations at 29.9 ± 4.0 months. Resorption was complete for more bioresorbable (81%) than biocomposite (37%) screws ( P = .0029), whereas satisfactory ossification was observed in more biocomposite (52%) than bioresorbable (15%) screws ( P = .0216). The tunnel shape was normal in more biocomposite (81%) than bioresorbable (48%) screws ( P = .0126), and marked cortical formation was twice more frequent for biocomposite (78%) than bioresorbable (37%) screws ( P = .0012). Bioresorbable screws exhibited faster resorption in the femur ( P = .0202) but not in the tibia (not significant). Conversely, biocomposite screws demonstrated better ossification, less tunnel widening, and more cortical formation in the tibia ( P < .0001, P = .0227, and P < .0001, respectively) but not in the femur (not significant for all). Conclusion: Osteoconductive additives can reduce the extent of resorption while improving ossification, reducing tunnel widening, and increasing cortical formation. Clinical Relevance: The benefits of osteoconductive agents justify their associated costs for ACL reconstruction, particularly in the tibia.
Clinical risk scores for predicting stroke-associated pneumonia: A systematic review
Authors: Kishore Amit K , Vail Andy , Bray Benjamin D , Chamorro Angel , Napoli Mario Di , Kalra Lalit , Langhorne Peter , Montaner Joan , Roffe Christine , Rudd Anthony G , Tyrrell Pippa J , de Beek Diederik van , Woodhead Mark , Meisel Andreas , Smith Craig J 
Published: June 2016

Purpose Several risk stratification scores for predicting stroke-associated pneumonia have been derived. We aimed to evaluate the performance and clinical usefulness of such scores for predicting stroke-associated pneumonia. Method A systematic literature review was undertaken in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, with application of the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy-2 tool. Published studies of hospitalised adults with ischaemic stroke, intracerebral haemorrhage, or both, which derived and validated an integer-based clinical risk score, or externally validated an existing score to predict occurrence of stroke-associated pneumonia, were considered and independently screened for inclusion by two reviewers. Findings We identified nine scores, from eight derivation cohorts. Age was a component of all scores, and the NIHSS score in all except one. Six scores were internally validated and five scores were externally validated. The A2DS2 score (Age, Atrial fibrillation, Dysphagia, Severity [NIHSS], Sex) was the most externally validated in 8 independent cohorts. Performance measures were reported for eight scores. Discrimination tended to be more variable in the external validation cohorts (C statistic 0.67–0.83) than the derivation cohorts (C statistic 0.74–0.85). Discussion Overall, discrimination and calibration were similar between the different scores. No study evaluated influence on clinical decision making or prognosis. Conclusion The clinical prediction scores varied in their simplicity of use and were comparable in performance. Utility of such scores for preventive intervention trials and in clinical practice remains uncertain and requires further study.
Specific combinations of donor and recipient KIR-HLA genotypes predict for large differences in outcome after cord blood transplantation
Authors: Sekine Takuya , Marin David , Cao Kai , Li Li , Mehta Pramod , Shaim Hila , Sobieski Catherine , Jones Roy , Oran Betul , Hosing Chitra , Rondon Gabriela , Alsuliman Abdullah , Paust Silke , Andersson Borje , Popat Uday , Kebriaei Partow , Muftuoglu Muharrem , Basar Rafet , Kondo Kayo , Nieto Yago , Shah Nina , Olson Amanda , Alousi Amin , Liu Enli , Sarvaria Anushruti , Parmar Simrit , Armstrong-James Darius , Imahashi Nobuhiko , Molldrem Jeffrey , Champlin Richard , Shpall Elizabeth J. , Rezvani Katayoun 
Published: June 2016

Key PointsPatients homozygous for HLA-C2 group alleles have worse outcomes after CBT. CB selection based on the combination of NK licensing and activating KIRs may improve outcomes after CBT.
Idelalisib given front-line for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia causes frequent immune-mediated hepatotoxicity
Authors: Lampson Benjamin L. , Kasar Siddha N. , Matos Tiago R. , Morgan Elizabeth A. , Rassenti Laura , Davids Matthew S. , Fisher David C. , Freedman Arnold S. , Jacobson Caron A. , Armand Philippe , Abramson Jeremy S. , Arnason Jon E. , Kipps Thomas J. , Fein Joshua , Fernandes Stacey , Hanna John , Ritz Jerome , Kim Haesook T. , Brown Jennifer R. 
Published: June 2016

Key PointsIdelalisib as upfront therapy for CLL caused an early hepatotoxicity in a subset of primarily younger patients with IGHV-mutated disease. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that this adverse effect is immune mediated, perhaps through inhibition of regulatory T cells.
Natural experiments and large databases in respiratory and cardiovascular disease
Authors: Vestbo Jørgen 
Published: June 2016

A number of scientific questions cannot be tested in a laboratory, clinic or clinical trial setting. In many cases, observational data can be used to test such hypotheses.This article illustrates how epidemiology can contribute and shows the different ways of using observational data through three approaches: 1) prospective cohort study design; 2) time series analysis; and 3) a nested case–control design in pharmacoepidemiology.In a prospective cohort study design, three cohorts were merged to study lung function decline, testing the importance of different trajectories of lung function decline for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Using these three well-described cohorts it was documented that maximally attained lung function in early adulthood is as important as excess decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s for the development of COPD. Time series analysis is used to examine exposures and disease over time. In a recent review of cardiovascular disease some interesting associations, and not least lack of associations, were presented. Assessing effects of drugs in database studies is challenging. In a nested case–control design in a large cohort study, statins were found to reduce the risk of COPD exacerbations. These findings will be discussed.Observational data from large databases, as well as carefully collected data in cohort studies, can be used to test hypotheses that may not be addressed in a traditional experimental setting.