bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What drives mutual fund flows: profit or panic?
Authors: Bu Qiang , Lacey Nelson 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the market‐timing ability of mutual fund flows and how fund investors conduct asset allocation in response to market volatility.Design/methodology/approachThe paper compares the abnormal returns of net inflow funds with those of net outflow funds, and it explores the performance gap between them based on a model that incorporates both market return timing and market volatility timing. The asset allocation pattern of fund investors and its relation to market volatility are also investigated.FindingsThis study finds that funds that receive net money inflows fail to earn risk‐adjusted abnormal returns, while funds with net outflows earn statistically significant negative abnormal returns. Neither the net inflow funds nor the net outflow funds show any ability to time the market return, but there is some evidence that net inflow funds exhibit an ability to time market volatility. Because cash holdings of the net outflow funds are much lower than that of the net inflow funds, it is concluded that the underperformance of net outflow funds is to an extent an asset fire sale.Research limitations/implicationsThe study results show that fund investors on the whole are driven by market volatility, and they do not have an ability to time the market return. The results do not exclude the possibility that a small number of investors possess market timing skills.Originality/valueThe study demonstrates the importance of funds' liquidity management through investor reaction to dynamic market conditions.
Asymmetric long memory volatility in the PIIGS economies
Authors: Kumar Dilip , Maheswaran S. 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to examine the asymmetry and long memory properties in the volatility of the stock indices of the PIIGS economies (Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain).Design/methodology/approachThe paper utilizes the wavelets approach (based on Haar, Daubechies‐4, Daubechies‐12 and Daubechies‐20 wavelets) and the GARCH class of models (namely, ARFIMA (p,d′,q)‐GARCH (1,1), IGARCH (1,1), FIGARCH (1,d,0), FIGARCH (1,d,1), EGARCH (1,1) and FIEGARCH (1,d,1)) to accomplish the desired goals.FindingsThe findings provide evidence in support of the presence of long range dependence in the various proxies of volatility of the PIIGS economies. The results from the wavelet approach also support the Taylor effect in the volatility proxies. The results show that ARFIMA (p,d′,q)‐FIGARCH (1,d,0) model specification is better able to capture the long memory property of conditional volatility than the conventional GARCH and IGARCH models. In addition, the ARFIMA (p,d′,q)‐FIEGARCH (1,d,1) model is better able to capture the asymmetric long memory feature in the conditional volatility.Originality/valueThis paper has both methodological and empirical originality. On the methodological side, the study applies the wavelet technique on the major proxies of volatility (squared returns, absolute returns, logarithm squared returns and the range) because the wavelet‐based estimator exhibits superior properties in modeling the behavior of the volatility of stock returns. On the empirical side, the paper finds asymmetry and long range dependence in the conditional volatility of the stock returns in PIIGS economies using the GARCH family of models.
Agile learning: living with the speed of change
Authors: Miles Andrea 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify whether HR leaders could prepare and train their workforce for tomorrow's skills demand.Design/methodology/approachA survey was commissioned by Lumesse contact database and third party research house, Survey Shack, which ran from 6‐17 August 2012. Respondents were sourced from 24 different countries and worked in SMEs of less than 1,000 employees to enterprise‐sized organisations with more than 50,000 employees.FindingsOver a third of HR leaders believe they cannot sufficiently prepare their workforce for tomorrow's skills demand, leaving one in three employees feeling insecure in their job as a result. Only 10 per cent worldwide believe HR is seen as an “extremely useful partner” by employees for skills development; over 70 per cent of HR leaders believe that employees see HR as providing little or no learning, or just the minimum skills for them to succeed; and 40 per cent of HR leaders believe that employees would not seek help from HR if they needed to develop new knowledge or skills quickly. The majority of employees see their colleagues as a more valuable resource for acquiring new skills or knowledge than their internal Learning Management Systems.Practical implicationsThe paper will help HR leaders understand the benefits of adopting more agile tools and approaches to learning and development programmes in organisationsOriginality/valueThis paper is valuable to HR leaders and learning professionals needing to understand how best to implement valuable learning and skills for employees, to keep up with the speed of change.
Healthcare planning and its potential role increasing operational efficiency in the health sector
Authors: Virtue Anthony , Chaussalet Thierry , Kelly John 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to consider a number of issues around the poor adoption of healthcare simulation models and reflect whether there has been a broad failure of academic healthcare simulation modellers to build models that reflect real healthcare problems as acknowledged by healthcare stakeholders. This paper will also review the role of healthcare planners within the health sector and propose that they are well suited to act as change agents to improve the adoption of simulation within the sector.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reviewed academic evidence around poor adoption of simulation modelling in healthcare, including differences to other sectors, its size and complexity, stakeholder issues and current and future challenges to improve operational efficiency. This paper also reviewed the role of healthcare planning and its valuable links with health stakeholders, suggesting that these links could be exploited to increase simulation modelling within the healthcare sector to improve operational efficiency.FindingsThis paper highlights the strong links between healthcare planning and the healthcare stakeholders and proposes that healthcare planning can play a key role in adoption of healthcare simulation modelling to achieve operational efficiency improvements.Originality/valueThis paper illustrates the potential link between healthcare planning and healthcare stakeholders to achieve operational improvements within the health sector.
Operations research within UK healthcare: a review
Authors: Fakhimi Masoud , Probert Jane 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the existing literature on the wide range of operations research (OR) studies applied to healthcare, and to classify studies based on application type and on the OR technique employed. The scope of the review is limited to studies which have been undertaken in the UK, and to papers published since the year 2000.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 142 high‐quality journal and conference papers have been identified from ISI Web of Knowledge data base for review and analysis.FindingsThe findings categorise the OR techniques employed, and analyse the application type, publication trends, funding, and software packages used in the twenty‐first century in UK healthcare. Publication trends indicate an increasing use of OR techniques in UK healthcare. The findings show that, interestingly, the distribution of the OR techniques employed is not uniform; the majority of studies focus on simulation, either as the only technique employed or as one element of a multi‐method approach.Originality/valueSeveral studies have focused on the use of simulation in healthcare modelling, but none has methodologically reviewed the use of the full range of OR techniques. This research is likely to benefit healthcare decision makers since it will provide them with an overview of the different studies that have utilised multiple OR techniques for investigating problems in the stated domain.
The glass ceiling: a perspective of women working in Durban
Authors: Enid Kiaye Risper , Maniraj Singh Anesh 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine whether the glass ceiling exists in organisations located in Durban. The study specifically concentrated on the barriers to the upward mobility of women, based on constructs such as social roles, personal characteristics and situational barriers. The study was intended to provide guidelines to South African organisations on how to facilitate the growth of women in senior management.Design/methodology/approachThis study comprises a literature review which outlines the various theories related to the glass ceiling and is supported by an empirical study which tested some of the concepts that emerged from the literature. A survey was conducted using an online questionnaire distributed to a group of women who met the respondent specifications. In order to obtain a larger sample, snowball sampling was used.FindingsIt is evident that certain elements of the glass ceiling existed. Situational factors emerged as clear barriers to the progress of women which included gender discrimination, lack of respect from male colleagues and insensitive handling of the multiple roles played by women. Social roles such as family commitment and relocation also inhibited the growth of the respondents. At a personal level, the respondents were all confident, emotionally suited to progress, competitive and enjoyed the confidence of their subordinates.Research limitations/implicationsA larger sample would have ensured more generalisable results to organisations in Durban. Respondents had to evaluate their personal characteristics, which could have been exaggerated; the views of subordinates would present a more balanced view. This study needs to be replicated in other major centres in South Africa, in order to improve the gender equity across the country.Practical implicationsThe study highlights the fact that unless all barriers are removed, women will not progress to higher levels in organisations. It also provides guidelines to break through the invisible barriers.Social implicationsThis study will benefit women in the workplace, giving them due recognition, empowerment and prospects for upward mobility.Originality/valueThis paper highlights localised barriers to the advancement of women within a South African city.
Automated prompting technologies in rehabilitation and at home
Authors: O'Neill Brian , Best Catherine , Gillespie Alex , O'Neill Lauren 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the efficacy of an interactive verbal prompting technology (Guide) on supporting the morning routine. Data have already established the efficacy of such prompting during procedural tasks, but the efficacy of such prompting in tasks with procedural and motivational elements remains unexamined. Such tasks, such as getting out of bed in the morning and engaging in personal care, are often the focus of rehabilitation goals.Design/methodology/approachA single‐n study with a male (age 61) who had severe cognitive impairment and was having trouble completing the morning routine. An A−B−A′−B′−A″−B″ design was used, with the intervention phase occurring both in an in‐patient unit (B, B′) and in the participant's own home (B″).FindingsInteractive verbal prompting technology (Guide) significantly reduced support worker prompting and number of errors in the in‐patient setting and in the participant's own home.Research limitations/implicationsThe results suggest that interactive verbal prompting can be used to support motivational tasks such as getting out of bed and the morning routine. This study used a single subject experimental design and the results need to be confirmed in a larger sample.Originality/valueThis is the first report of use of interactive verbal prompting technology to support rehabilitation of a motivational task. It is also the first study to evaluate Guide in a domestic context.
The benefits framework and eligibility
Authors: Popplewell Jamie 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the main elements of the existing framework of the UK welfare benefit system and the key changes that will be implemented under the Welfare Reform Act 2012 and its socio‐economic effects.Design/methodology/approachThis paper outlines the structure of the key welfare benefits likely to be encountered by those with a neurological disability, the broad qualifying criteria and the interaction between various types of benefit. By comparison, it examines the elements of key significance that will take effect under Welfare Reform and the resulting impact on the various demographics of benefit claimants.FindingsSince the merging of the UK's social security system with unemployment services, welfare legislation has seen countless changes, although the core underlying principles have remained largely the same along the way. The Government has committed to overhauling a complex benefit regime whilst counterbalancing the task of addressing the issues of budget deficit. In principle, the Government aims to deliver a more streamlined, cost‐effective benefit system, which will focus the greatest attention on the most vulnerable elements of our society. The most detrimental affect will be on unemployed, working‐age families; those that are perceived to have a greater advantage in the labour market.Originality/valueThe objective of this paper to raise awareness amongst professionals as to the benefits available to their clients to improve their financial and social position and to go some way to prepare for the potential impact of Welfare Reform.
NIDA engages teens through its blog: lessons learned
Authors: Macario Everly , Krause Carol , Cooke Katt Jennifer , Caplan Shelley , Stevens Payes Robin , Bornkessel Alexandra 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this case study is to examine the National Institute on Drug Abuse's (NIDA) use of its Sara Bellum Blog (SBB) as a means of engaging teens in the science behind drug abuse/addiction.Design/methodology/approachThis case study presents how the SBB was conceptualized and is implemented. Metrics for monitoring the SBB are mostly qualitative and measure the extent of engagement (customer feedback, coverage by others).FindingsTeens want to watch videos, see photos, hear real stories about other teens, be able to ask questions about drugs anonymously, not be preached to, and be stimulated to think for themselves. However, the extent of SBB comments was lower than expected. Multiple communication venues are needed, including engagement among intermediaries and role models for teens, such as teachers.Research limitations/implicationsData presented are process measures of use and types of use, not outcomes based.Practical implicationsThe use of social media is a worldwide phenomenon, as is drug abuse among teens. Governments across countries can use lessons learned to inform the development of their own blogs and/or other social media tools.Originality/valueWhile there are constraints on government agencies' use of social media, NIDA is a Federal institute that has found a way to communicate directly with teens about the sensitive topic of drugs. NIDA works with a Teen Advisory Group composed of a diverse representation of youth to inform the development of teen‐oriented messages and materials. NIDA fuses the use of social media across NIDA channels (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube) with science‐based information to empower teens to make healthy decisions.
Perceived risk mediates the impact of mood on the effectiveness of health PSAs
Authors: Sar Sela , Anghelcev George 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to investigate the impact of pre‐existing audience mood on responses to health public service advertisements (PSAs). The paper also aims to show the practical and theoretical importance of mood as a variable in health communication.Design/methodology/approachHypotheses regarding the impact of audience mood on the outcome of health PSAs were tested experimentally using health PSAs about vaccination and virus detection behaviors.FindingsThe influence of pre‐existing mood was mediated by the perceived risk of contracting the illness mentioned in the health advertisement. Personal estimations of risk mediated the impact of audience mood on behavioral intent and actual behavior. The more negative one's mood, the higher the perceived risk of contracting the disease mentioned in the message, and the more likely one was to adopt the precautionary behavior recommended by the PSA. Positive mood had opposite effects.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest a novel media planning approach to maximizing the effectiveness of health risk messages. Due to the impact of context‐induced mood on perceptions of risk, messages could be more effective if placed in editorial contexts which induce negative mood (e.g. crime investigation reports) versus environments which induce positive mood (e.g. sitcoms), because negative mood makes people think they are more at risk and motivates them to act.Originality/valueThe mood‐and‐risk mediation hypothesis proposed here has never been examined in public health marketing. Findings call for further research on the impact of contextual affect on responses to public health communication. The paper suggests a new placement technique for media planners working in public health advertising.
Future advantages in energetics, activity time, and habitats predicted in a high‐altitude pit viper with climate warming
Authors: Huang Shu‐Ping , Chiou Chyi‐Rong , Lin Te‐En , Tu Ming‐Chung , Lin Chia‐Chen , Porter Warren P. 
Published: January 2013

Summary

A future warmer climate is generally predicted to threaten reptiles. But many high‐altitude reptiles that rely on external heat to survive current cold climate may benefit from future warmth. This prediction can be tested by simulating activity time and energetics of reptiles with a biophysical model.

We modelled the potential response of a high‐altitude snake, Trimeresurus gracilis, to a 3 °C increase in air temperature, using the biophysical/behavioural NicheMapper™ model. Using animal and environmental properties, we first analysed the effects of shade level (i.e. the reduction of solar radiation) on activity time and energetics of T. gracilis. We then computed activity time, energetics and potential habitats in its current range of Taroko National Park, Taiwan (>1800 m in altitude), with a spatial climate, vegetation and topography data set.

In the current climate, increased shade levels were predicted to decrease activity time, maintenance energy requirements and discretionary energy (i.e. energy left after maintenance costs are met). In heavy shade (i.e. 81–100% reduction of solar radiation) at 3000 and 3500 m, T. gracilis was predicted to have impaired digestive capacity and hence to be unable to meet basic maintenance costs for survival. In a warmer climate, the predicted digestive capacity, energetics and activity time of T. gracilis increase. But in heavy shade at 3500 m, the digestive capacity was predicted to remain impaired for supporting basic energy requirements for survival.

In the current climate, the predicted suitable habitat area (i.e. where T. gracilis obtains positive discretionary energy) in coniferous and coniferous–broadleaf forests decreased with increasing elevation. At elevations higher than 3000 m, most suitable habitats were in open areas like grasslands where T. gracilis was also predicted to have more discretionary energy than in heavily forested habitats. Our field sightings agreed with model predictions. A warmer climate was generally predicted to increase the activity time, energetics and habitat area, given the current vegetation pattern.

Overall, we demonstrate that metabolism, digestive function and vegetative shade levels are critical elements affecting T. gracilis' energetics and habitats with climate change. Trimeresurus gracilis is likely to benefit energetically from future warmth.
Telomere length, non‐breeding habitat and return rate in male American redstarts
Authors: Angelier Frédéric , Vleck Carol M. , Holberton Rebecca L. , Marra Peter P. 
Published: January 2013

Summary

Telomeres are long repetitive noncoding sequences of DNA located at the ends of chromosomes. Recently, the study of telomere dynamics has been increasingly used to investigate ecological questions. However, little is currently known about the relationships that link environmental conditions, telomere dynamics and fitness in wild vertebrates.

Using a small migratory bird (American redstart, Setophaga ruticilla), we investigated how telomere dynamics can be affected by non‐breeding habitat quality and to what extent telomere length can predict the return rate of males.

We show that telomeres shorten in most individuals over a 1‐year period and, importantly, that telomeres of individuals wintering in a low‐quality habitat shorten more than those of individuals wintering in a high‐quality habitat.

In addition, we found that longer telomeres are associated with a higher return rate than shorter telomeres, although the relationship between return rate and telomere length did not depend on habitat quality.

Our study suggests that telomere dynamics are affected by environmental conditions and are related to indices of fitness in a migratory bird species.
Female‐biased obligate strategies in a partially migratory population
Authors: Fudickar Adam M. , Schmidt Andreas , Hau Michaela , Quetting Michael , Partecke Jesko 
Published: January 2013

SummaryPartial migration occurs when a breeding population consists of seasonal migrants and year‐round residents. Although it is common among birds, the basis of individual movement decisions within partially migratory populations is still unresolved.Over 4 years, we used state of the art tracking techniques, a combination of geolocators and radio transmitters, to follow individual European blackbirdsTurdus merulayear round from a partially migratory population to determine individual strategies and departure and arrival dates. The individual‐based tracking combined with measures of energetic and hormonal (corticosterone) state enabled us to distinguish between obligate and facultative migration and to test several classical hypotheses of partial migration: the ‘Arrival Time’‐, ‘Dominance’‐ and ‘Thermal Tolerance’‐hypotheses.Two distinct periods of departures from the breeding grounds were observed during the study; one in early autumn, and another during the midst of winter. Although blackbirds that migrated in autumn were never observed overwintering within 300 km of the study site, four individuals that departed in the winter were observed within 40 km. Females were significantly more likely to migrate in autumn than males but there was no difference in the age or body size of migrants and non migrants in autumn. Just prior to autumn migration, migrants had higher fat scores than non migrants and tended to have higher concentrations of baseline corticosterone, but similar concentrations of triglycerides. Unlike autumn migrants, we found no difference between the tendencies of males versus females to depart in winter, nor did we find any difference in body size or age of individuals that departed in the winter.Autumn migration was sex biased and resembled obligate migration. Our results provide strong support for the ‘Arrival Time’ hypothesis for partial migration in the autumn. We found no clear support for the ‘Dominance’ or ‘Thermal Tolerance’ hypotheses. By tracking individuals year round, we were able to identify a second period of departures. Overall, these results suggest the co‐occurrence of obligate autumn migrants, winter movements and sedentary individuals within a single population.