bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of cross-cultural training on expatriates’ adjustment
Authors: Okpara John O. , Kabongo Jean D. 
Published: September 2017

PurposeOne of the most important issues multinational corporations (MNCs) face in their global operations is expatriate failure. It is estimated that between 10 and 80 percent of expatriates sent on overseas assignments return home early. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of cross-cultural training (CCT) on different facets of expatriate managers’ adjustment in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 212 western expatriate managers working in Nigeria was surveyed. Respondents were selected from four cities where they had been working for at least one year.FindingsThe main finding of this study was that expatriates’ adjustment could be predicted from different types of CCT. The findings of this research confirm the view expressed by researchers over the last two decades that both conventional and specific experimental CCT have positive effect on the facets of cross-cultural adjustment.Research limitations/implicationsGiven that the authors did not collect their data over time, the cross-sectional nature of the design limits them from making definitive causal statements. In the future, more resources and efforts could be applied to safeguard larger samples of respondents, thus potentially resulting in better statistical power. A longitudinal approach could be used; such an approach may have generated a richer data source, where different patterns of adjustment could have been identified and compared over time. Data for the study were collected through questionnaire, thus any observed relations might be due in part to common method effects. Since the data were collected from four cities, there may be some concern as to the generalizability of the findings to expatriates working in other cities in Nigeria.Practical implicationsMNCs should pay more attention to CCT and management development. Ineffective CCT and management development have an adverse impact on MNCs’ effectiveness. Developing CCT programs could add value to corporations and employees especially employees who are destined for foreign assignments. In addition, developing CCT for expatriates’ spouses and children would facilitate adjustment process and may reduce failure rate.Originality/valueOnce corroborated by further studies, this exploratory research may contribute to the understanding of the adjustment of western expatriates in Nigeria. Few, if any, prior studies, have examined CCT and expatriate adjustment in Nigeria.
Unpacking the combined effects of job scope and supervisor support on in-role performance
Authors: Mushtaq Rabia , Raja Usman , Khan Mohammad Bashir 
Published: September 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore how the relationship between job scope and in-role performance is contingent upon the level of social support (i.e. supervisor support) received in the workplace.Design/methodology/approachA total of 640 questionnaires were distributed to employees of Pakistani companies, yielding 328 useable responses for analysis. Regression analysis was used to test for both hypotheses.FindingsThe results support the role of supervisor support as a moderator in the relationship between in-role performance, a dimension of job performance and job scope. The findings show that a higher job scope would facilitate higher job performance from employees who receive high levels of supervisor support.Practical implicationsThe results provide useful insights for managers and consultants, especially HR professionals involved in job design and redesign. Organizations that encourage high levels of social support can help employees improve their job performance as they foster an environment where employees can get direct assistance and advice from their supervisors.Originality/valueThis paper makes three key contributions to the literature on job design. First, this inquiry shows that a strong link does exist between job scope and job performance; previous studies have failed to find a strong relationship. Second, it highlights how social context, especially in highly challenging work settings, can shape employees’ proficiencies and behaviors. Third, this paper offers a novel perspective in job design research by incorporating a contextual moderator (i.e. supervisor support).
Does team orientation matter? Linking work engagement and relational psychological contract with performance
Authors: Rahman Ubaid Ur , Rehman Ch. Abdul , Imran M. Kashif , Aslam Usman 
Published: September 2017

PurposeThe cultural transformation introduces team orientation as a powerful tool to reconfigure the human capital to become more productive. The purpose of this paper is to try to uncover two folds: first is to check the direct effects of employees’ work engagement and rational psychological contract on contextual performance and job satisfaction and second is to investigate the moderating effect of team orientation in-between above-stated relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe self-administrated questionnaires and simple random sampling are used to collect data from 380 employees of banking and insurance sector.FindingsThe findings reveal that work engagement and relational psychological contract have positive relationships with employees’ contextual performance and job satisfaction. Furthermore, the presence of team orientation has strengthened effect on direct existing relationships.Practical implicationsThis study adds the body of knowledge by providing insights into team orientation in different avenues. For practice side, it is important to discourse the work engagement of employee and their relational psychological contract to enhance the contextual performance. Moreover, high work engagement leads to high commitment level and ultimately increases the level of job satisfaction.Originality/valueThe contemporary research is lacking with respect to the empirical investigation of team orientation, more particularly, in relationship to human psychology factors. This unique model is addressing the real time issue by providing insights to relational psychological contract, employees work engagement, contextual performance and job satisfaction.
De/motivations in housing microfinance delivery in Ghana
Authors: Bondinuba Francis K. , Hedidor Devine , Opoku Alex , Teye Alfred L. 
Published: September 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the de/motivation variables in the delivery of housing microfinance (HMF) in the low-income housing market in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe paper relied on a survey of 125 respondents of microfinance institutions (MFIs) to understand the interactions and effects of these variables on HMF delivery in Ghana. Descriptive and bivariate statistical methods were used to analyse the data.FindingsThe findings revealed that both internal and external variables motivate MFIs to engage in the low-income housing market. These variables are: MFIs desire for expansion, the potential size of the low-income housing market, the market potential for MFIs growth, the availability of local resources, unique features and products of the market, low-income housing offering an opportunity for leveraging resources and the preference for homeownership than rental among individuals in the low-income segment of the population. However, variables such as capital lock-up in HMF delivery, high-interest rates in the country, high cost and land prices, high cost and price of building materials, lack of sufficient collaterals and the different interest rates required on HMF loans also served as demotivation in the low-income housing market in Ghana.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper findings are limited in context to Ghana.Practical implicationsThe paper, although limited to Ghana, contributes to the much-needed body of knowledge on low-income housing finance in developing countries.Originality/valueThe paper is the first of its kind in using empirical data to explore the motivational and demotivational variables in the delivery of HMF in a developing country context such as Ghana.
A commentary on pop up shops in the UK
Authors: Jones Peter , Comfort Daphne , Hillier David 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to outline the origins and nature of the pop up retail phenomenon, examine the development and characteristics of pop up shops within the UK and offer some reflections on the impact of pop up shops within the UK’s town and city centres and on the role of pop up shops within the wider retail economy.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper begins with a brief review of the pop up retail phenomenon and this is followed by an examination of the development and characteristics of pop up shops in the UK. The information on which the paper is based is drawn from the corporate websites of pop up shop operators and property management companies and agencies.

Findings
The paper reveals that pop up shops have been developed in a variety of formats and locations within the UK and a number of factors driving pop up shop development are identified including high retail vacancy rates in shopping centres, relaxations in planning regulations, the opportunity for retailers and entrepreneurs to market test products and brands and changes in customer behaviour and consumer culture. Looking to the future pop up shops may make but a small physical contribution to increasing the number of retail units on the High Street but by enhancing the experiential environment for consumers, they may make an important contribution to the quality of shopping.

Originality/value
The paper provides an accessible review of the origins, development and possible impact of pop up shops within the UK and as such will interest property professionals, academics and students interested in changes in the retail environment.
Proximal nail plate destruction in subungual melanoma could be a possible predictor of invasiveness thicker than 1.25 mm
Authors: Kim Jun Young , Kim Moon‐Bum , Park Byung Cheol , Chung Kee Yang , Kim You Chan , Yun Sook Jung , Won Chong Hyun , Han Man‐Hoon , Lee Won Kee , Lee Seok‐Jong 
Published: September 2017

AbstractVarious patterns of nail plate destruction are common features in subungual melanoma (SUM), but there has been no reports regarding their clinical significance according to the pattern of nail plate destruction in terms of tumor thickness. We tried to find a relationship between dermal invasion of SUM and proximal nail plate destruction (PNPD). Clinical information of patients with SUM was reviewed retrospectively from seven dermatology training hospitals in Korea. The PNPD was defined as a visible loss of full thickness of nail plate touching the eponychium at the most proximal part of it. We evaluated whether there are correlations between patients' age, sex, location of SUM, Breslow thickness (BT) and the presence of PNPD. Among 93 patients with SUM, 36 (38.7%) showed PNPD. Sex and BT showed significant correlations with the presence of PNPD in univariate analysis (P < 0.05). BT, age and sex showed significant correlations with the presence of PNPD in multivariate analysis (P < 0.05). Among them, BT showed the strongest correlation with the presence of PNPD (area under the curve, 0.722) and the cut‐off value was 1.25 mm. In conclusion, we suggest that PNPD in SUM could be a possible predictor of invasiveness of more than 1.25 mm BT.
Measuring Economic Change in the Illawarra, New South Wales: An Integrated Framework
Authors: Masouman Ashkan , Harvie Charles 
Published: September 2017

AbstractMerging input–output (IO) and econometric (EC) models has gained increased attention in regional science literature because it combines the dynamic characteristics of time series with the detailed intersectoral disaggregation of IO to model the time path of the economy. It provides more accuracy in representing economic structure and structural shifts within an economy. This article applies IO analysis and integrated IO–EC modelling to analyse the Illawarra economy. The integrated framework is found to be superior based on its forecasting abilities and impact analysis accuracy. It is applied to forecast the effects of BlueScope Steel shutdown in the Illawarra.
An Introduction to Data Cleaning Using Internet Search Data
Authors: Greenwood‐Nimmo Matthew , Shields Kalvinder 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis article considers the issue of data cleaning. We use state‐level data on internet search activity in the United States to illustrate several common data cleaning tasks, including frequency conversion and data scaling as well as methods for handling sampling uncertainty and accommodating structural breaks and outliers. We emphasise that data cleaning relies on informed judgement and so it is important to maintain transparency through careful documentation of data cleaning procedures.
Changes in anti‐müllerian hormone levels as a biomarker for ovarian reserve after ultrasound‐guided high‐intensity focused ultrasound treatment of adenomyosis and uterine fibroid
Authors: Lee J‐S , Hong G‐Y , Lee K‐H , Kim T‐E 
Published: September 2017

ObjectiveTo assess the changes in antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels after ablation for symptomatic uterine fibroids and adenomyosis using ultrasound‐guided high‐intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU).DesignA prospective study.SettingGynaecological department in multiple hospitals in South Korea.PopulationPatients with uterus fibroids and adenomyosis.MethodsSeventy‐nine women with symptomatic uterine fibroids and adenomyosis who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in our study between January 2014 and December 2014. All patients underwent USgHIFU ablations. Each patient was examined before and after treatment, and at 6 and 12 months after treatment by T2‐weighted MRI imaging (T2WI) and T1‐weighted MRI imaging (T1WI) with gadolinium injection. Symptom severity scores (SSS), Uterine Fibroid Symptom Quality of Life (UFS‐QOL) questionnaire subscales, and reductions of treated volume were assessed. AMH levels before and 6 months after HIFU ablation were compared to determine whether USgHIFU ablation affected ovarian reserve.Main outcome measuresHIFU treatment did not affect the ovarian function.ResultsHIFU treatment time (mean ± standard deviation), HIFU ablation time, and treatment energy were 73.5 ± 25.6 minutes, 9994.7 ± 386.8 seconds, and 364 713.8 ± 156 350.7 Joules, respectively. AMH levels before and 6 months after HIFU ablation were 2.11 ± 2.66 and 1.84 ± 2.57 μg/l, respectively. There was no significant difference in AMH level between the two time points (P > 0.05).ConclusionsUSgHIFU ablation for uterine fibroid and adenomyosis was effective without affecting ovarian reserve.Tweetable abstractHIFU ablation is a safe and effective treatment for patients with uterine fibroids and adenomyosis that does not affect ovarian function.
Pregnancy outcomes in patients with uterine fibroids treated with ultrasound‐guided high‐intensity focused ultrasound
Authors: Zou M , Chen L , Wu C , Hu C , Xiong Y 
Published: September 2017

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation for uterine fibroids on pregnancy.DesignA retrospective observational study.SettingDepartment of Gynaecology in a single centre in China.PopulationPatients with uterine fibroids who wish to become pregnant.MethodsPatients with uterine fibroids who wished become pregnant and have children, were treated using HIFU from April 2011 to March 2016 at Chongqing Haifu Hospital. Pregnancy outcomes were analysed.Main outcome measuresPregnancy outcomes after undergoing USgHIFU.ResultsAfter the HIFU treatment, the 78 patients had 80 pregnancies, in which 76 cases were natural pregnancies and four were test‐tube pregnancies. Of the 78 patients who became pregnant, nine patients had complicated primary or secondary infertility before the HIFU treatment, 13 patients had had at least two miscarriages or missed miscarriages, one patient had had a stillbirth; none had undergone other special treatment. After the HIFU treatment, the average time to pregnancy was 5.6 ± 2.7 months. There were 15 cases of full‐term normal delivery and 56 cases of caesarean, including three cases of premature caesarean. After the treatment, three patients had a miscarriage (one patient's progesterone level was lower than the normal value; and the other two miscarriages were for unknown reasons), two patients became pregnant 3 months after complete curettage of uterine cavity and had full‐term normal deliveries, one patient planned to use contraception after complete curettage of the uterine cavity; and one patient had her labour induced (after 13‐weeks pregnancy). The fetuses of all the patients developed well during both the pregnancy and child‐bearing without uterine rapture or perinatal and postpartum complications.ConclusionHIFU treatment can effectively treat patients with uterine fibroids who wish to have children; it could significantly reduce the preparation period for pregnancy after the operation. It can also improve the fertility of patients with a history of infertility and abnormal pregnancy and child‐bearing, with no additional obstetric risks.Tweetable abstractAs a noninvasive therapeutic technique, HIFU safely can be used to treat patients with uterine fibroids who wish to become pregnant.
High‐intensity focused ultrasound combined with hysteroscopic resection for the treatment of placenta accreta
Authors: Ye M , Yin Z , Xue M , Deng X 
Published: September 2017

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a combination of high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and hysteroscopic resection while treating placenta accreta (PA).DesignA retrospective study.SettingA university teaching hospital in China.MethodsThis study included 25 patients diagnosed with PA who underwent HIFU followed by hysteroscopic resection in our hospital between January 2014 and December 2015. All patients had completed follow‐up data. Treatment efficacy and safety were evaluated retrospectively.Main outcome measuresPlacenta accreta could be removed with hysteroscopic resection after HIFU.ResultsAll patients received one session of HIFU ablation therapy. The median total HIFU treatment time was 18 minutes and the median exposure time was 600 seconds. During treatment, 23 lesions showed massive grey‐scale changes and two lesions modest grey‐scale change. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound showed signs of reduced perfusion in all lesions. During treatment, all patients tolerated the HIFU procedure well and completed the treatment. All patients complained of mild lower abdominal and sacrococcygeal pain, with a pain score ranging from 1 to 4 points. Seven patients complained of a ‘hot’ skin sensation. No serious complications were encountered during or after the procedure. All patients received hysteroscopic operations with a median of 2 days after HIFU treatment. The average depth of the uterus was 10.36 ± 2.14 cm. The median volume of intraoperative blood loss was 20 ml, and no blood transfusions were given. Sixteen patients underwent only one session of hysteroscopic resection and nine patients underwent a second session of hysteroscopic resection operation 11–61 days after the first operation. All patients preserved their uterus and tolerated the hysteroscopic operation well. Of the 25 patients, two had uterine perforation during the first operation. No other severe hysteroscopic complication was observed. The average hospital stay was 8.4 ± 1.6 days. After treatment the median duration of vaginal bleeding was 10 days. Twenty‐one patients recovered normal menstruation 34 days after the operation. The other four patients continued breastfeeding and therefore exhibited abnormal menstruation.ConclusionsHIFU treatment followed by hysteroscopic resection is safe and effective in treating patients with PA.Tweetable abstractFor patients with placenta accreta, HIFU treatment before hysteroscopic resection could help reduce risk during the procedure of hysteroscopic resection.
Enhancing ablation effects of a microbubble contrast agent on high‐intensity focused ultrasound: an experimental and clinical study
Authors: Cheng C , Xiao Z , Huang G , Zhang L , Bai J 
Published: September 2017

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between SonoVue ablation enhancement effects on high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and the concentration of SonoVue and timing of HIFU.DesignTwo randomised controlled trials.SettingAn animal centre in a university and a gynaecological department in a university hospital in China.Population or sample63 rabbits and 143 patients with a solitary uterine fibroid.MethodsAmong the 63 rabbits, three were assigned to the control group. The other 60 were evenly assigned to three study groups pretreated with 0.03, 0.05 or 0.07 ml/kg of SonoVue before HIFU treatment. Two points in each liver were selected to be treated with HIFU and sonication started at 10, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 250 or 300 seconds after the administration of SonoVue, respectively. The 143 patients with solitary uterine fibroids were assigned to four groups: 30 patients were treated using only HIFU; the other patients were pretreated with same dosage of SonoVue and 32, 38 and 43 were treated with HIFU at 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐minutes after administration of SonoVue, respectively.Main outcome measuresThe relation between SonoVue ablation enhancement effects on HIFU and the concentration of SonoVue and timing of HIFU.ResultsIn the experimental study, the highest temperature and the largest necrotic volume in the liver were observed when HIFU sonication started at 60 seconds after administration of SonoVue. In the clinical study, the rate of significant grey‐scale changes in the 1‐minute SonoVue group was significantly greater than in the other three groups. The sonication time to reach massive grey‐scale changes measured in the 1‐minute SonoVue group was significantly shorter than in in the other three groups. The sonication time for ablating 1 cm3 of fibroid volume in the 1‐minute SonoVue group was significantly shorter than in the other three groups. The acoustic energy used in treating 1 mm3 of uterine fibroid in the 1‐minute SonoVue group was significantly less than that used in the other three groups. No major complications occurred in this study.ConclusionsSonoVue could safely be used to enhance the ablation effects of HIFU treatment, and the optimal time to begin HIFU sonication seems to be 1 minute after the administration of SonoVue.Tweetable abstractSonoVue, a microbubble contrast agent, enhanced the ablation effects of HIFU treatment; the optimal time to begin HIFU sonication appears to be 1 minute after the administration of SonoVue.
Data Management Dimensions of Social Water Science: The iUTAH Experience
Authors: Flint Courtney G. , Jones Amber Spackman , Horsburgh Jeffery S. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIntegrating social and hydrologic sciences for understanding water systems is challenged by data management complexities. Contemporary mandates for open science and data sharing necessitate better understanding of the implications of social science data types. In the context of an interdisciplinary water research program that endeavors to integrate and share social science and biophysical data, we highlight the array of data types and issues associated with social water science. We present a multi‐dimensional classification of social water science data that provides insight into data management considerations for each data type. Recommendations for cyberinfrastructure, planning, and policy are offered.