bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First Report of Southern Blight of Mexican Petunia (Ruellia brittoniana) Caused by Sclerotium rolfsii in Taiwan
Authors: Fu C. H. , Huang Y. P. , Lin F. Y. 
Published: August 2012

Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittoniana) is an herbaceous flowering perennial with strikingly colored flowers, widely cultivated commercially as a potted plant and a popular garden plant. In July of 2010, root and stem rot that caused death was observed on Mexican petunia at the flower nursery of the Council of Agriculture & Chiayi County in Taiwan. Plants had rotted and girdled stem bases. Necrotic areas were covered with fans of white mycelium as well as abundant spherical sclerotia. A fungus was isolated from infected tissue and sclerotia, and maintained on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates incubated at 25°C without light. Colonies were white, cottony, often forming fans; pure cultures were prepared by transferring hyphal tips to PDA. Sclerotia formed after 10 days, initially white becoming dark brown with age, and 0.5 to 0.6 mm in diameter. To confirm identity of the causal fungus, the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA region of the causal fungus was amplified using the primers ITS4 and ITS5 (2) and sequenced. The resulting sequence of 687 bp was uploaded in NCBI. The sequence was 98% similar to sequences of Athelia rolfsii (Sclerotium rolfsii) in NCBI (Accession No. JN543691.1). Koch's postulates were performed using two inoculation techniques. The soil near the base of healthy Mexican petunia plants (four plants per pot) were exposed to recently matured sclerotia (10 sclerotia per plant) developed from pure fungal cultures or 10-mm-diameter agar plugs of mycelium (one plug per plant). Noninoculated plants, in a separate pot, were used as a control. All plants were incubated in a growth chamber at 28 to 33°C. Disease symptoms occurred on all inoculated plants by 5 to 7 days and included yellowing of leaves, basal stem rot, and wilt. Ten days after inoculation, inoculated plants were dead whereas control plants remained healthy. The pathogenicity test was repeated twice with similar results and S. rolfsii was reisolated from infected plants in each test. The pathogen has been reported to cause substantial loss of Mexican petunia in Louisiana (1). The disease is becoming more common in Taiwan and could cause losses in Mexican petunia production. To our knowledge, this is the first report of disease on Mexican petunia caused by S. rolfsii in Taiwan. References: (1) G. E. Holcomb. Plant Dis. 88:770, 2004. (2) T. J. White et al. Page 315 in: PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. M. A. Innis et al., eds. Academic Press, 1990.
An analytical framework for a behavioural analysis of non‐compliance in food supply chains
Authors: Hirschauer Norbert , Bavorová Miroslava , Martino Gaetano 
Published: August 2012

PurposeBusiness malpractice in supply chains raises the food safety risks for downstream buyers, including consumers. This paper aims to analyse the multiplicity of behavioural factors influencing producers' motivation to break the food safety norms intentionally.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews existing disciplinary approaches for the analysis of behavioural risks. Based on this review, an analytical framework is developed which provides a base for an interdisciplinary institutional analysis of behavioural risks in food chains.FindingsThe reviewed approaches on behavioural risk share the view that deviance is the result of multi‐goal and (potentially) opportunistic decision making of bounded rational individuals. The analytical framework presented in this paper integrates these approaches.Research limitations/implicationsThe analytical framework provides a rough categorisation of behavioural drivers. It neither details the context‐dependent subcomponents that determine the utility outcome within each category nor the methods that should be used to analyse them.Originality/valueA behavioural economic analysis based on the framework means opening up the black box of the regulatees' action situation by incorporating the subjectively perceived material incentives in addition to immaterial motivations such as reputation effects, social norms and community pressure into the analysis. Based on an understanding of producers' motivation, proper institutional solutions can be implemented to enhance producers' compliance with food safety norms.
Factors important for the selection of fast food restaurants: an empirical study across three cities of Pakistan
Authors: Ehsan Usman 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThere are different factors that affect customers' experiences at restaurants, and this could lead towards the selection or rejection of a fast food restaurant. The primary purpose of this study is to explore the factors that are important for the selection of restaurants and also to identify the cultural or regional differences in consumer behaviours amongst student customers in relation to international fast food restaurants.Design/methodology/approachA total of 447 questionnaires were randomly distributed among university students of three cities. Data analysis was done in SPSS Version 17. Important factors were identified by factor analysis and ANOVA was used to measure the differences (among cities).FindingsAccording to the findings, customers considered price, variety of food, promotional deals and timely service as the important factors for the selection of fast food restaurants. Different factors were found in different cities. This implies that the choice and selection criteria of customers from different cities in the same country for fast food restaurants may vary.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this study should only be generalised to the fast food sector as the research only explored the fast food industry. The respondents were selected only from university students of three cities in Pakistan. Other customer segments and geographical areas should be included in future studies.Practical implicationsThe results enable marketers to focus on key points in formulating different strategies, like designing the pricing strategy, the service blueprint, the menu, and positioning and promotional strategies, so that they can provide memorable experiences to customers. The findings also suggest that while operating in multicultural countries, customers need to observe closely. Also, adaptation to local cultures should not be limited to the national level; it should also be tailored to the regional level (cities).Originality/valueThis paper puts forward the selection criteria for fast food restaurants in a large and ethnically diverse country like Pakistan. The paper also provides useful information for both academicians and marketers about new and emerging areas in how consumer choices vary in culturally diverse nations.
Contribution of vegetable soup to total vegetables intake and its determinants among mothers in Portugal
Authors: Franchini B. , Poínhos R. , Klepp K. , de Almeida M.D.V. 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThis paper's aim is to assess vegetable soup intake and its contribution to total vegetable intake among mothers of Portuguese schoolchildren as well as to examine the association between relative vegetable soup intake and sociodemographic characteristics.Design/methodology/approachA cross‐sectional survey was carried out in Portugal as part of the Pro Children study. In total 1,673 women, mothers of 11‐13 year old children, took part in the study. The vegetable intake and sociodemographic characteristics were collected with a self‐administered questionnaire in which a precoded 24‐hour recall was applied. The analysed sociodemographic characteristics were the number of people and composition of household, educational level, social class and region of residence. The associations between preferential or exclusive consumer mothers of vegetable soup (i.e. ≥50 per cent of total vegetable intake) and sociodemographic characteristics were analysed by a logistic regression model.FindingsThe mean intake of vegetable soup was 76.1 g/d and its contribution to total vegetable intake was approximately 45 per cent. The percentage of mothers that were preferential or exclusive consumers of vegetable soup was 41 per cent. Preferential or exclusive vegetable soup intake was less likely among mothers when the number of people in the household was less than four (vs 4; OR: 0.734, 95 per cent CI: 0.577‐0.934) and that did not live with their spouse/partner (OR: 0.617, 95 per cent CI: 0.424‐0.878).Originality/valueThe paper focuses on the consumption of vegetable soup, a traditional culinary preparation among Portuguese people. Also, it identifies factors associated with its consumption.
SOAP‐M: a training evaluation model for HR
Authors: Passmore Jonathan , Velez Maria 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to critically review existing models for evaluating organizational human resource (HR) interventions and to develop a practical but robust model for use by practitioners and researchers.Design/methodology/approachA literature review was undertaken of existing models developed to evaluate organizational HR interventions. Based on these a new model was developed.FindingsThe paper suggests that many of the existing models are either outdated or lack practical focus. The SOAP‐M model offers five levels for evaluation, four suitable for HR professionals and a fifth level for researchers.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is conceptual and the model needs to be tested by organizations to assess whether this has utility for HR practitioners.Practical implicationsThe model offers a framework for conducting evaluations of organizational interventions and encourages HR practitioners to improve their practice by conducting robust evaluations of the interventions they use.Originality/valueThe paper offers a new and previously unpublished model, which could help HR practitioners improve their use of evaluation.
Workplace bullying: consequences, causes and controls (part two)
Authors: Appelbaum Steven H. , Semerjian Gary , Mohan Krishan 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThis paper's aim is to examine workplace bullying – what it is and its causes, consequences – and to offer managers control systems on how to counter, reduce or eliminate it. The scale of bullying in the workplace is quite alarming – it is estimated that 1.7 million Americans and 11 percent of British workers have experienced bullying at work in the last six months. Until now the topic has many problems identified but limited solutions. This article attempts to close that gap.Design/methodology/approachThe two‐part article begins with a review of definitions/descriptions of workplace bullying. Next, an exploratory look at the consequences of workplace bullying is presented and demonstrates its impact on victims and organizations. Moreover, a summary of potential sources will be exposed ranging from personality traits to organizational constructs. Finally, the article will approach three organizational strategies that have been proven to act as control systems towards workplace bullying.FindingsIt is found that transformational and ethical leadership are both very effective tools for managers to counter workplace bullying and that the instauration of an ethical climate in the workplace appears to be the most effective in avoiding workplace bullying from forming.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper does not compare control systems against one another and does not explore the effectiveness of bullying predictors.Originality/valueThe paper offers a comprehensive approach in understanding workplace bullying, its causes and its consequences. As well, it offers tools to managers on control systems designed to counter it. The topic is quite new in the literature and very relevant in terms of incidents that are repeated in the popular press but limited in terms of research articles.
Open source optical character recognition for historical research
Authors: Blanke Tobias , Bryant Michael , Hedges Mark 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to present an evaluation of open source OCR for supporting research on material in small‐ to medium‐scale historical archives.Design/methodology/approachThe approach was to develop a workflow engine to support the easy customisation of the OCR process towards the historical materials using open source technologies. Commercial OCR often fails to deliver sufficient results here, as their processing is optimised towards large‐scale commercially relevant collections. The approach presented here allows users to combine the most effective parts of different OCR tools.FindingsThe authors demonstrate their application and its flexibility and present two case studies, which demonstrate how OCR can be embedded into wider digitally enabled historical research. The first case study produces high‐quality research‐oriented digitisation outputs, utilizing services that the authors developed to allow for the direct linkage of digitisation image and OCR output. The second case study demonstrates what becomes possible if OCR can be customised directly within a larger research infrastructure for history. In such a scenario, further semantics can be added easily to the workflow, enhancing the research browse experience significantly.Originality/valueThere has been little work on the use of open source OCR technologies for historical research. This paper demonstrates that the authors' workflow approach allows users to combine commercial engines' ability to read a wider range of character sets with the flexibility of open source tools in terms of customisable pre‐processing and layout analysis. All this can be done without the need to develop dedicated code.
Managing asymmetry in franchise contracts: transparency as the overriding rule
Authors: Lapiedra Rosa , Palau Felipe , Reig Isabel 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe aim of this article is to provide solutions to protect the weaker party in management and distribution contracts, especially in the field of franchising.Design/methodology/ approachThe paper is based on a review of literature, legislation and practices concerning management and franchise contracts. The regulation of this field at a national level consists of laws that are both private and mandatory in nature. Certain questions are raised concerning the obligatory nature of regulations when applied to the management of international franchise contracts.FindingsThis article studies the question of whether the imperative application of laws to international contract management is appropriate. These contracts are concluded through the form of adhesion contracts, which have been prewritten by the dominant party and by which the adherent, the distributor, the franchisee or the agent, are placed in a weaker legal position. Considering the absence of international tuitive rules, this article suggests a way to guarantee the protection of parties in a weaker position.Practical implicationsThis research provides entrepreneurs, managers and other members of the business community with legal tools and mechanisms for the protection of the franchisee's position.Originality/valueThis approach may well be helpful in finding solutions to legal issues that are of great importance in the negotiation of service contracts, as a way to overcome the difficulty of finding solid arguments to extend the rules that protect consumers and workers in service agreements.
For an international clearing union
Authors: Correa Romar 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to make a case for an international clearing house.Design/methodology/approachThe systems postulate is used: the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Specifically, the 2007 Godley‐Lavoie model is exploited.FindingsDomestic banking arrangements are institutionally fragile; they import stability from their central banks. In like manner, relations between central banks must be conducted under a common metric, a world money.Originality/valueThe paper shows that a technical argument for a multilateral clearing house will not be found. The author teases “implicit dynamics” (Stephen Turnovsky) out of national income identities.
Determinants of the property‐liability insurance market: evidence from Portugal
Authors: Medeiros Garcia Maria Teresa 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate empirically the relationship between property‐liability insurance premiums and economic and financial development in the case of Portugal, assuming a supply‐leading causality pattern of development. In other words, the expansion of the financial system precedes the demand for services.Design/methodology/approachThe paper conducts OLS estimations between premiums and the gross domestic product (GDP) in order to evaluate the economic growth, in addition to the ratio of the broader definition of money (M2) to GDP and the ratio of currency to demand deposits (M1/M2), in order to assess financial development.FindingsThe level of the gross domestic product is the only factor explaining the level of property‐liability insurance demand in Portugal.Originality/valueTo the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first attempt to examine determinants of property‐liability casualty insurance in Portugal, using time series data.
The new Construction Act: views and perceptions of construction industry stakeholders
Authors: Sinden Gary F. , Mason James R. , Proverbs David G. , Booth Colin A. 
Published: August 2012

PurposePart II of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 introduced major changes to the way in which construction contracts are administered. The payment and adjudication provisions, in particular, have been well received by the United Kingdom construction industry and can be viewed as a success. However, avoidance tactics aimed at reducing liability for payment and discouraging payees away from adjudication became commonplace. The response from Parliament is contained in the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, which came into force on 1 October 2011. The purpose of this paper is to analyse stakeholders’ first impressions of the new Act and disseminate the insights gained to the industry and policymakers.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a review of the current and proposed legislation, industry views were collected by an electronically administered survey. The views of construction industry stakeholders on how the new Act will operate and its prospects of delivering the intended outcomes were ascertained and are presented.FindingsThe survey findings indicate there is broad support for the original Act and for the amendments made in the new Act, tempered with pessimism about the likely inability of the new measures to address issues around entrenched industry practice. Avoidance and evasion of key terms is contemplated, for instance in relation to extending payment terms and drafting contracts in favour of the paying party.Originality/valueThe conclusions reached call into question the extent to which improvement of this aspect of the construction industry can be achieved by statutory intervention alone, particularly in testing economic circumstances.
Board member development in the public, voluntary and social housing sectors
Authors: Ward Carolyn , Preece David 
Published: August 2012

PurposeGiven a number of recent and ongoing changes to the role and responsibilities of executive and non‐executive board members of UK social housing organisations, the paper aims to offer a literature review which explores the development provision for board members within such organisations. The paper's key question is: “How are executive and non‐executive board members being prepared for these changes?”Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review was undertaken, based on the main business and management databases. This was followed by a thematic analysis to uncover what we know about executive and non‐executive board member training and development within the public and voluntary sectors, in particular within UK social housing organisations.FindingsDespite the increasingly important role of boards in the not‐for‐profit sector, only a limited number of publications focusing on human resource development (HRD) issues were found. The literature did provide some insight into the HRD experiences of executive and non‐executive board members. The majority of papers centred on leadership and governance matters, mainly board effectiveness, performance and “board capital”, rather than human capital. In so far as board member development is discussed, it is mainly in relation to their recruitment to the board and the sort of skills required, with little attention given to matters such as succession planning and member development.Research limitations/implicationsGiven the limited extent of research to date into executive and non‐executive board development in social housing organisations, it follows that there is limited knowledge of what is – or is not – happening in practice. This highlights the need for more empirical research, on the basis of which it should be possible to offer suggestions for changes to/improvements in board member development activities.Originality/valueThe paper reviews the current state of knowledge relating to executive and non‐executive board member development in not‐for‐profit and social housing organisations.
Unsettling the gender binary: experiences of gender in entrepreneurial leadership and implications for HRD
Authors: Patterson Nicola , Mavin Sharon , Turner Jane 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThis feminist standpoint study aims to make an empirical contribution to the entrepreneurial leadership and HRD fields. Women entrepreneur leaders' experiences of gender will be explored through a framework of doing gender well and doing gender differently to unsettle the gender binary.Design/methodology/approachAgainst a backcloth of patriarchy, a theoretical gender lens is developed and a feminist standpoint research (FSR) approach taken in this study. There are five case studies of women entrepreneur leaders operating small businesses across North East England in sectors of IT, law, construction, beauty, and childcare. In each case study a two‐stage semi‐structured interview process was implemented and the women's voices analysed through a framework of doing gender well and differently.FindingsThis paper highlights the complexities of gender experiences offering four themes of women entrepreneurs' experiences of gender within entrepreneurial leadership: struggling with entrepreneurial leadership; awareness of difference; accepting and embracing difference; and responding to difference, which are offered to challenge the gender binary and capture the complexities of how gender is experienced.Research limitations/implicationsThe field must begin to shift its focus from the dominant masculine discourse to foster understandings of gender experiences by using gender as an analytical category to enable the field to truly progress.Social implicationsWomen are still an under‐represented group within entrepreneurship and within the higher echelons of organisations. This requires greater attention.Originality/valueThis feminist study calls for both scholars and practitioners to analyse critically their underlying assumptions and bring a gender consciousness to their HRD research and practice to understand gender complexities within entrepreneurial leadership and organisational experiences more widely.