bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fosters Bakery puts HR in the mix
Authors: Pollitt David 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– This paper aims to relate how “good” human resources (HR) practice is characterized in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and what the drivers are for adopting this good practice. This paper explores methods for measuring the impact of HR practices that are helpful and realistic in the context of an SME.

Design/methodology/approach
– This paper studies practices at a family-owned bakery. The study takes the form of an action-research project using semi-structured interviews, participant observation on the factory floor and analysis of company documentation in the diagnosis phase. It reflects action interventions that have informed the findings, together with post-project semi-structured interviews with key actors three years after the completion of the project.

Findings
– Discovers that the drivers of good HR practice are size, market position, external “coercive networks”, presenting issues, the ideology of the managing director and the energy of an HR champion.

Practical implications
– Demonstrates that the impact of “good” HR practice can be best evaluated in SMEs through one-shot cost-based metrics or more strategic qualitative measures.

Originality/value
– Develops an original model to show the relationship between the drivers, the HR practices adopted and measurable outcomes. Makes an important contribution to the debate about HRM in SMEs and has practical value for informing the development of good HR practice in SMEs.
Implementing the citizen focus agenda: a case study in police leadership
Authors: Fisher Andrew , Kirby Stuart 
Published: November 2014

Purpose– Although the private sector has long understood that a customer-focused service is synonymous with success, the concept is less embedded in public agencies such as the Police. Cultural studies consistently argue that police practitioners perceive “citizen focused” or “quality of service” approaches as distant to “real policing”, making the concept difficult to implement. The purpose of this paper is to explore the complex infrastructure required for the implementation of this approach, specifically focusing on senior police leadership.Design/methodology/approach– Using semi-structured interviews across a diversity of police officers and staff it provides a case study of a city Police Force in England, who attempted to introduce a citizen focused approach between 2006-2010.Findings– Senior police leaders were reported to exhibit distinct and consistent leadership styles with a “transformational” style more positively associated with the implementation of this agenda.Practical implications– The study argues specific leadership styles are critical to the delivery of “quality” approaches.Originality/value– No other case studies currently exist that have explored the role of police leadership in the field of quality service/citizen focused approaches.
Herding behaviour and volatility in the Athens Stock Exchange
Authors: Messis Petros , Zapranis Achilleas 
Published: November 2014

Purpose– This study aims to investigate the existence of herding in the Athens Stock Exchange over the 1995-2010 period and examine its effects on market volatility.Design/methodology/approach– Herding is examined over portfolios formed on beta and size of the selected stocks. The detection of herding has been done using the state space model of Hwang and Salmon (2004). Four volatility measures are employed.Findings– The findings depict the presence of herding over two different periods of time. Large differences are observed among the portfolios regarding the herding periods. The results confirm a linear effect of herding on all volatility measures considered. Stocks exhibiting higher levels of herding or adverse herding will also present higher volatility, and from this point of view, herding can be regarded as an additional risk factor.Originality/value– The fact that herding is considered to be an additional risk factor, can lead market participants and investors to a better understanding of market risk, asset pricing and asset allocation.
The impact of personality on pay satisfaction among small business managers in the United States and China
Authors: C. Shrader Jonathan , Singer Luke 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect personality has on pay satisfaction among small business managers in China and the USA.

Design/methodology/approach
– This research is in attempt to further understanding and provide application of how companies can better incentive talent through compensation and benefit programs. The goal is to extend and deepen the comprehension of how to encourage talent pools to increase intrinsic performance through compensation programs.

Findings
– The measures that were used in this study were the Big Five Personality Test and the Pay Satisfaction Questionnaire.

Originality/value
– Similar results were found across the two countries, and having primary empirical data such as these is original.
Intelligence and job satisfaction in the USA and China
Authors: Thompson Cassandra , Lane Samuel 
Published: November 2014

Purpose– This study aims to evaluate both intelligence and job satisfaction of workers in the USA and China. Each topic will be studied individually, first, to determine the relationship between intelligence and job satisfaction. The statistics between China and the USA will then be compared and contrasted to assess how different cultures will affect emotional intelligence and job satisfaction of those in the workforce.Design/methodology/approach– A review of the empirical studies on intelligence and job satisfaction was performed and used to develop a model to guide future research.Findings– There is a negative relationship between intelligence and job satisfaction in the USA, but no studies have been done to compare both constructs cross-culturally.Research limitations/implications– The proposed study can be used to gain an understanding of the relationship between intelligence and job satisfaction across different cultures.Practical implications– The link between job satisfaction and intelligence can be used by employers to determine information about other aspects of their business, such as turnover rates of productive employees.Originality/value– Although there has been some research on the relation between intelligence and job satisfaction, notably by Ganzach (1998), very little has been done across cultures.
Increasing productivity in the Big 4: a research note
Authors: Pasha Chereen 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this article is to examine the idea of increasing employee productivity and retention within the Big 4 accounting firms through the inclusion of sleeping pods to allow napping.

Design/methodology/approach
– I have reviewed multiple sources of information and data including Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development data to conclude that allowing napping within Big 4 accounting firms could increase productivity.

Findings
– As a research note suggesting future research, I am hoping that future research shall find support for the idea that there may be a relationship between being well rested and increase in performance.

Practical implications
– Higher quality of workers will increase their productivity and the company’s profits. Conservative leaders in large audit firms may reject the idea of incorporating “energy pods”. New ideas always come with push back and criticism.

Originality/value
– Big 4 firms have developed a working system that could be improved to remove the negative stigma of overworking their employees. The value this research strives to reveal is a structure that reduces turnover and increases retention after two years. “Energizing pods” have been introduced into technology and airline companies. Taking naps in a fast-paced, stressful work environment is not common, but it is a concept that should further explored for the sake of business professionals.
Barriers to lean implementation in the construction industry in China
Authors: Shang Gao , Sui Pheng Low 
Published: November 2014

Purpose– This study aims to build on previous research into lean practices and the associated barriers reported in various contexts to empirically address the question of what possible barriers exist to hinder the implementation of lean practices in the construction industry in China. Despite the potential that lean practices have to improve quality and productivity while reducing costs, successful stories of lean deployment are not frequently heard of.Design/methodology/approach– A large-scale survey of Chinese building professionals is used to identify these barriers.Findings– The results suggest that the most crucial barriers to implementation of lean practices, as perceived by Chinese building professionals, include “their lack of a long-term philosophy”, “the absence of a lean culture in their organizations”, “the use of multi-layer subcontracting” and others. This study also reports the findings using a factor analysis that shows the six underlying factors hindering the implementation of lean practices in the Chinese construction industry, namely, people and partner issues, managerial and organizational issues, lack of support issues, culture and philosophy issues, government issues and procurement issues.Originality/value– This study offers a thorough overview of the barriers to implementing lean practices in various contexts, with a focus on construction. This study also contributes to the knowledge by recommending the measures that can be taken to appropriately overcome the barriers identified.
Behavioral patterns in born-again global firms
Authors: Schueffel Patrick , Baldegger Rico , Amann Wolfgang 
Published: November 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to identify factors that influence so-called born-again global firms’ internationalization behavior. Specifically, this article explores the following questions: why do mature, domestically focused firms suddenly turn into born-again global firms, how do they do so and what elements are needed for born-again global firms to be sustainable.Design/methodology/approach– Using an established international entrepreneurship model as a starting point, we extract relevant factors for a conceptual framework on born-again global firms’ internationalization activities. Case study research among a cross-sectional sample of born-again global firms is being applied for that purpose.Findings– Driven by the insufficient size of their domestic market, born-again global firms typically embark on internationalization after a generational change at the chief executive officer level. Throughout their internationalization journey, they flexibly adapt toward new needs of their foreign environments. Due to their idiosyncratic characteristics, born-again global firms deserve consideration as a separate group of research objects in the field of international entrepreneurship.Research limitations/implications– The investigated sample of case study firms was drawn across a variety of industries. As such, industry-specific conditions could not be observed and the findings from case study research run the risks of being generalized too broadly. In addition, the accuracy of the case study results may suffer from a certain degree of hindsight bias as the internationalization event took place in the past.Practical implications– Openness to learning from other markets and the flexibility to modify products according to client needs strengthen born-again global firms’ competitiveness. To endure, born-again global firms have to be innovative in adapting to changes, which makes it easier for them to launch their products in new markets.Originality/value– To date, international entrepreneurship has focused on the activities of small and newly established firms, largely neglecting the behavior of somewhat larger and established firms in traditional sectors. This study shows that established companies can exhibit the same innovative, proactive and risk-seeking behavior across borders as new ventures do. Despite their strongly rooted structures, strategies and cultures, born-again globals can flexibly adapt to new environments.
Policy effectiveness and “misalignment” with firms’ strategies
Authors: Torres Miguel M. , Clegg L. Jeremy 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– This paper aims to seek to demonstrate that a non-scientific approach to policy design causes policymakers to persist in the development and use of conventional and inefficient “top-down” policies. This paper takes the case of the design of official pro-internationalization policy, intended to promote internationalization through outward investment, to reveal inadequacies and inefficiencies in policy design. Through an analysis of the merits of introducing a “bottom-up” approach, it also aims to show how policy redesign would better yield the desired specific and effective impacts sought by policymakers.

Design/methodology/approach
– A framework was developed, comprising a set of real policy measures, two indexes to quantify the alignment between government policies and firms’ strategies and a regression model to test the impact of the misalignment on firm performance. This framework uses primary empirical data.

Findings
– The results are obtained through an item-by-item comparison between use and revealed, or perceived, importance of each type of public support and then, through the indexes, which rank the different types of incentives according to their importance and use. Analysis of these suggests that some measures could be more efficient, and that firms with higher levels of foreign market commitment tend to be more aligned with public policy, and benefit from it most, while those firms with a lower degree of internationalization are the least well served by policy support measures.

Originality/value
– These results identify systematic weaknesses in policy design and point to the reasons for these weaknesses. The findings suggest that governments tend to craft “top-down” policy, based on high-level presumptions about the nature of all firms’ strategies towards internationalization and international expansion. We propose that these presumptions result from flawed evaluations of policy effectiveness overly influenced by existing foreign investors, to the detriment of the true and intended strategies of the actual target group of the least internationalized firms. It is concluded that to improve both the efficiency and the effectiveness of policy actions, the traditional “top-down” intervention paradigm of policy-making should be complemented by policy designed from the “bottom-up”, making use of reliable information about all firms’ strategies, and taking care to better identify natural target groups of firms according to their existing or potential resources and capabilities.
Developing international leadership talent and stimulating significant culture change
Authors: Montague Fran , van der Lee Willem , Masson Lindsey 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach
– This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings
– This paper examines the growth in international sport marketing, considers factors such as globalisation which have fuelled the process, looks at practical implications and provides research avenues for future exploration.

Practical implications
– The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organisations.

Originality/value
– The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Ionizing irradiation inhibits keloid fibroblast cell proliferation and induces premature cellular senescence
Authors: Ji Jiang , Tian Ye , Zhu Ya‐qun , Zhang Li‐yuan , Ji Sheng‐jun , Huan Jian , Zhou Xiao‐zhong , Cao Jian‐ping 
Published: November 2014

AbstractKeloids are one of the common refractory conditions in dermatology and aesthetic plastic surgery. The most effective treatment is superficial radiotherapy followed by surgical removal. The rate of recurrence is strongly associated with the total dose of ionizing irradiation, and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we used primary keloid fibroblasts (KFb) isolated from patient samples to investigate the effects of X‐ray radiation on cell proliferation, cell toxicity and cell cycle, as detected by CCK‐8 assay kit and flow cytometer. In addition, we examined senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase activity and the associated gene expression using real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blot in KFb exposed to X‐ray radiation. X‐ray radiation inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell senescence in KFb in a dose‐dependent manner. Inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of cellular senescence were mediated by interruption of the cell cycle with an extended G0/G1 phase. Furthermore, the expressions of senescence‐associated genes p21, p16 and p27 were upregulated both at mRNA and protein levels in KFb exposed to X‐ray radiation. Taken together, our data indicate that X‐ray radiation may prevent the recurrence of keloids by controlling fibroblast proliferation, arresting the cell cycle and inducing premature cellular senescence.
Tree colonization by the Asian longhorn beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae): effect of habitat and tree suitability
Authors: Faccoli Massimo , Favaro Riccardo , Concheri Giuseppe , Squartini Andrea , Battisti Andrea 
Published: November 2014

AbstractTree colonization and feeding activity of the invasive wood‐borer Asian longhorn beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis), an Asian pest introduced into North America and Europe, was studied in a newly invaded area in Italy. The hypothesis being tested was that the reproductive success of the insect depend on habitat type and tree suitability. Adult beetles were caged on branches of host and nonhost species, in both urban and forest habitats. Two months later, number and size of feeding patches on plant tissues, eggs laid, and surviving larvae were assessed. Bark concentration of C and N was also measured from the same trees. Results indicated that the mean area of plant tissues consumed by adult feeding was significantly larger on trees growing in forest than in urban habitat, although within the same habitat there were no differences between susceptible and nonsusceptible trees. ALB tree colonization, in terms of number of eggs laid and young larvae survival, was not affected by habitat while it was higher on susceptible trees. Although trees growing in forests had a lower nitrogen concentration, they allowed colonization rates similar to those of trees growing in the urban habitat. Hence, the amount of carbon and nitrogen did not fully explain tree suitability or habitat selection. We suggest compensatory feeding as a potential mechanism that might explain this peculiar situation, as supported by a more intensive feeding activity recorded on trees in the forest. Suitability of different trees may be due to other factors, such as secondary chemical compounds.
Use of fine‐needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of parotid neoplasms
Authors: Henrys Courtenay E. , Grigg Roger 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to assess the accuracy of fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in diagnosing parotid lesions, differentiating non‐neoplastic lesions from neoplastic lesions and identifying benign and malignant lesions.MethodRetrospective data were collected from a single‐surgeon practice in Toowoomba, a regional centre of Queensland. The FNAC results of 97 parotidectomy patients from 2006 to 2013 were compared with final histopathologic diagnosis, and statistical analysis of these results was carried out.ResultsThe study found that FNAC could reliably differentiate between neoplastic and non‐neoplastic lesions with a sensitivity and specificity of 95.4 and 100%. FNAC was less accurate in diagnosing malignancy, with sensitivity only 75% and specificity 97.5%. In the setting of squamous cell carcinoma, the most common malignancy identified, FNAC demonstrated even lower sensitivity of 58.8%.ConclusionFNAC is a useful tool in the evaluation of parotid masses but should be used with caution in identifying neoplastic subtypes.
DO POLICY MEASURES IMPACT THE POSITION AND PERFORMANCE OF FARMERS' COOPERATIVES IN THE EU?
Authors: BRUSSELAERS Jan , POPPE Krijn , AZCARATE Tomas Garcia 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTThe European Commission wants to create a favourable policy environment for supporting the establishment and development of farmers’ cooperatives and other producer organizations. This paper – for the first time – presents the results of an effectiveness measurement of the existing support measures for farmers’ cooperatives throughout the EU (in eight agricultural sectors). More in particular, it is investigated whether the cooperatives market share is positively or negatively influenced by policy measures. The study identifies general trends, strengths, and weaknesses among the policy measures applied in the EU and the cooperatives’ performance.
POST‐SOCIALIST FARMERS’ COOPERATIVES IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
Authors: HAGEDORN Konrad 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTThe emergence, transformation and sustainability of farmers’ cooperatives in post‐socialist societies of Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) require complex and diverse processes of institutional change. In this paper we discuss the conditions under which cooperatives develop and sustain and also the role of local and central actors using a case study approach. Since cooperatives in the socialist system provided numerous social services and contributed to rural development, another research question concerns the survival of this tradition. Through twin case studies in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Lithuania, Bulgaria and East Germany we present the conditions and strategies for achieving sustainability of co‐operatives. The results reveal important requirements for cooperatives to be sustainable: overcoming the communist legacy of mistrust against cooperative organizations, convincing members by building trust, coping with fundamental collective action problems, constructive communication that takes the problems and ideas of members seriously, finding cooperative leaders able to cope with members’ opportunism and a facilitating state encouraging the development of cooperatives.