bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rifamycins revisited.
Authors: Boeree M. J. 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

This chapter reviews several rifamycins against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The history, microbiological activity, clinical efficacy, pharmacokinetics and adverse effects of rifampicin, rifapentine and rifabutin are described. The minimum inhibitory concentration and suspension of development of rifalazil are briefly discussed.
Self-interaction of transmembrane helices representing pre-clusters from the human single-span membrane proteins
Authors: Kirrbach Jan , Krugliak Miriam , Ried Christian L. , Pagel Philipp , Arkin Isaiah T. , Langosch Dieter 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Motivation: Most integral membrane proteins form dimeric or oligomeric complexes. Oligomerization is frequently supported by the non-covalent interaction of transmembrane helices. It is currently not clear how many high-affinity transmembrane domains (TMD) exist in a proteome and how specific their interactions are with respect to preferred contacting faces and their underlying residue motifs.
Results: We first identify a threshold of 55% sequence similarity, which demarcates the border between meaningful alignments of TMDs and chance alignments. Clustering the human single-span membrane proteome using this threshold groups ∼40% of the TMDs. The homotypic interaction of the TMDs representing the 33 largest clusters was systematically investigated under standardized conditions. The results reveal a broad distribution of relative affinities. High relative affinity frequently coincides with (i) the existence of a preferred helix–helix interface and (ii) sequence specificity as indicated by reduced affinity after mutating conserved residues.
Contact: langosch@tum.de
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Functional Characterization and Determination of the Physiological Role of a Calcium-Dependent Potassium Channel from Cyanobacteria
Authors: Checchetto Vanessa , Formentin Elide , Carraretto Luca , Segalla Anna , Giacometti Giorgio Mario , Szabo Ildiko , Bergantino Elisabetta 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Despite the important achievement of the high-resolution structures of several prokaryotic channels, current understanding of their physiological roles in bacteria themselves is still far from complete. We have identified a putative two transmembrane domain-containing channel, SynCaK, in the genome of the freshwater cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, a model photosynthetic organism. SynCaK displays significant sequence homology to MthK, a calcium-dependent potassium channel isolated from Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum. Expression of SynCaK in fusion with enhanced GFP in mammalian Chinese hamster ovary cells’ plasma membrane gave rise to a calcium-activated, potassium-selective activity in patch clamp experiments. In cyanobacteria, Western blotting of isolated membrane fractions located SynCaK mainly to the plasma membrane. To understand its physiological function, a SynCaK-deficient mutant of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, ƊSynCaK, has been obtained. Although the potassium content in the mutant organisms was comparable to that observed in the wild type, ƊSynCaK was characterized by a depolarized resting membrane potential, as determined by a potential-sensitive fluorescent probe. Growth of the mutant under various conditions revealed that lack of SynCaK does not impair growth under osmotic or salt stress and that SynCaK is not involved in the regulation of photosynthesis. Instead, its lack conferred an increased resistance to the heavy metal zinc, an environmental pollutant. A similar result was obtained using barium, a general potassium channel inhibitor that also caused depolarization. Our findings thus indicate that SynCaK is a functional channel and identify the physiological consequences of its deletion in cyanobacteria.
The dark side of the movie. The difficult balance between risk and return
Authors: Teti Emanuele 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to analyse the risk and return trade‐off in the film industry, and to explain the managerial decisions justifying significant investments in such a risky and uncertain sector.Design/methodology/approachAn extensive dataset of movies released in US theatres over a period of 12 years along with descriptive statistics, frequency analysis and scatter plot methodology are used.FindingsThe findings highlight: a positive relationship, although with high levels of variance, between production budgets and revenues; and a random association between costs and rates of return.Practical implicationsDifferently from other commodities, whose demand can be quite accurately estimated, the success of a new film production is extremely uncertain. Therefore, the reason why major film companies have been successful over the last decades, in spite of the extreme variance that is characteristic of the industry, must be found in the management decision approach that they employ to deal with this uncertainty.Originality/valueThe paper uses statistical evidence to draw management implications, rather than only identifying the economic and financial behaviour of the firms running the film industry, in recognising that correct management decision approaches are behind the success of such an uncertain and volatile industry.
Can competitive advantage be predicted?
Authors: Hinterhuber Andreas 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe fundamental problem of the resource‐based view (RBV) of the firm is its lack of predictive ability and its inability to identify, ex ante, those resources and capabilities leading to competitive advantage and superior profitability. This paper aims to propose an extension of the RBV model that incorporates the demand‐based variables of customer needs and size of addressable market segment in the definition of the resources and capabilities that enable competitive advantage and superior profitability.Design/methodology/approachThe paper's approach is to use a literature review and two case studies.FindingsIn this model a company has a competitive advantage if its resources and capabilities are valuable, rare, non‐imitable, organized, and if these resources and capabilities address unmet customer needs in market segments large enough to cover organizational fixed costs.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed extension of the RBV is based on current literature and two qualitative case studies. Future longitudinal studies should establish causal links between current resources and capabilities meeting the proposed criteria and future performance.Practical implicationsThe model appears to be able to guide decisions about investment in resources and capabilities to further develop existing competitive advantages and to build new ones. The benefit of this model lies in its ability to identify, ex ante, those resources and capabilities leading to competitive advantage and superior firm profitability.Social implicationsAn improved ability to predict future firm performance based on more rigorous tests of current resources and capabilities improves the resource allocation process in firms and thus benefits society.Originality/valueThe benefit of this model lies in its ability to identify, ex ante, those resources and capabilities leading to competitive advantage and superior firm profitability.
Organizational resources and intrapreneurial activities: an international study
Authors: Urbano David , Alvarez Claudia , Turró Andreu 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to analyse the influence of resources and capabilities on the probability of becoming an intrapreneur, using resource‐based theory as a conceptual framework.Design/methodology/approachThe research uses a logistic regression analysis and data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) for 39 countries and 36,325 individuals.FindingsResults show that companies' resources and capabilities are a key factor in the development of intrapreneurship. Entrepreneurial resources and capabilities, such as previous entrepreneurial experience, entrepreneurial competences and the ability to detect business opportunities, influence intrapreneurial behaviour.Research limitations/implicationsThe contributions of this research are both conceptual (advancing corporate entrepreneurship theory) and practical (relating to the design of policies to foster intrapreneurial activities).Originality/valueThe importance of entrepreneurship for social and economic growth is generally accepted. In addition, intrapreneurship or corporate entrepreneurship is recognized as one of the key elements for organizational development. Despite this, there are very few empirical articles using an explicit and integrated theoretical framework such as resource‐based theory for the analysis of intrapreneurial phenomenon.
Influence of customer verbal aggression on employee turnover intention
Authors: Li Xiaoyan , Zhou Erhua 
Published: May 2013

PurposeTo discover new explanatory variables for employee turnover in call centres, this study seeks to examine the impact of customer verbal aggression on employee turnover intention and the mediating role of employees' emotional exhaustion. Furthermore, it aims to analyse the moderating effect created by perceived organisational support (POS) in a team climate on the relationship between customer verbal aggression and employees' emotional exhaustion.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used a deductive logic approach to develop hypotheses and analytical frameworks. Interviews and questionnaires were employed to collect data from two call centres, 81 units, and 1,112 employees in China. Finally, the data were analysed and the hypotheses were tested via descriptive analysis and hierarchical linear modeling analysis using SPSS and HLM, respectively.FindingsFirst it was found that customer verbal aggression significantly predicted employee turnover intention. Second, that employees' emotional exhaustion fully mediated the relationship between customer verbal aggression and employee turnover intention. Third, the correlation between customer verbal aggression and employee emotional exhaustion was found to be weaker for teams with higher levels of emotional POS, but not weaker for those with higher levels of instrumental POS.Practical implicationsThese results suggest that service‐oriented enterprises (such as call centres) should consider employee turnover intention from the perspective of customer behaviour and improve the climate of organisational support to more efficiently reduce employee turnover.Originality/valuePrevious studies on workplace behaviours in call centres focused on customer relationship management. However, research concerning employee emotions during customer interactions is lacking. This study examined the influence of customer verbal aggression on the emotional exhaustion of call centre employees and the resultant turnover intention stemming from the conservation of resources theory. The results extend the Price–Mueller turnover model and explain how a team climate of organisational support can affect employee emotions..
Relationship quality in business to business: a cross‐cultural perspective from universities
Authors: Segarra‐Moliner Jose‐Ramon , Moliner‐Tena Miguel‐Angel , Sánchez‐Garcia Javier 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe objective of this study is to analyse relationship quality in a business‐to‐business context. Given that the relationship between market orientation and customer‐perceived service quality is well known in the area of higher education, this paper draws on its antecedents to examine relationship quality in cultural services.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 68 customers (cultural entities) was obtained from a postal survey (April 2010). Partial least squares (PLS) models were used to test the proposed hypotheses. This is a structural equation (SEM) technique based on variances that is suited to working with small and medium sized samples.FindingsThe authors’ results show that satisfaction, trust and commitment are key components of relationship quality. While service quality is a determining factor of satisfaction, relationship quality can be improved by taking into account that customer‐perceived market orientation acts as a precursor for service quality, satisfaction and commitment.Originality/valueThis article attempts to expand upon the previous relationship quality literature on business‐to‐business relationships to: study behaviours conducive to lasting relationships between two different sectors (higher education and cultural industry); understand the antecedents of relationship quality; confirm relationship quality dimensions; and compare the hypothesized relationships from the customer's perspective.
The role of price satisfaction in managing customer relationships: the case of financial services
Authors: Lymperopoulos Constantine , Chaniotakis Ioannis E. , Soureli Magdalini 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe financial services market is constantly changing in terms of both competition and consumer behaviour. Customer switching is increasing, while bank marketers attempt to maintain a loyal customer base, in order for the banks to survive and be profitable. The aim of this research was to provide deeper insight into the direct effect of price satisfaction as expressed by its various dimensions on bank customer switching behaviour.Design/methodology/approachThe research involved a review of the literature on factors affecting customer switching behaviour, with a particular emphasis on the role of price. In order to obtain the necessary data, a survey was designed and conducted in the greater Athens area. The questionnaire was administered to 306 bank customers by means of personal interviews.FindingsThe data analysis suggests that bank customer “intentions to switch banks” are affected by the level of their “price satisfaction”. “Price satisfaction” in turn is affected positively by “transparency”, “price quality ratio”, “relative price”, “reliability” and “price fairness”. In addition, “information search” exerts a positive impact on “price satisfaction”.Originality/valueThis study extends previous academic research, by analysing “price satisfaction” in depth, through its various dimensions and by examining the relationships between these variables and consumer switching intention. In addition, statistical evidence of these relationships and their synergies is provided.
Perspectives of SMEs on knowledge sharing
Authors: Cyril Eze Uchenna , Guan Gan Goh Gerald , Yih Goh Choon , Ling Tan Tiong 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the factors (trust, formalization, knowledge technology, empowering leadership, effective reward systems and motivation) that influence knowledge sharing among the small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia, in order to meet the challenges of today's dynamic business environment.Design/methodology/approachSystematic sampling was used to select 680 manufacturing sector participants from the SME Corporation Malaysia business directory to participate in the survey, out of which 250 valid responses were returned, yielding a response rate of 36.75 percent. Factor analysis and reliability analysis were conducted before testing the seven hypotheses formulated for this study using regression analysis.FindingsThe results indicate that knowledge technology, motivation, effective reward systems, trust and empowering leadership explain up to 60.2 percent of the variance observed in attitude towards knowledge sharing. It was also found that attitude towards knowledge sharing influences intention to share knowledge with anR2of 0.387.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample for this study is based on manufacturing sector SMEs only and it is suggested that future studies enlarge the scope to include the SMEs in the service sector.Practical implicationsIn order to encourage knowledge sharing within SMEs, firms need to ensure that both the technical (knowledge technology) and social (motivation, effective reward systems, trust and empowering leadership) elements are addressed. Hence, a socio‐technical approach needs to be adopted to ensure the effectiveness of the knowledge management strategies formulated by SMEs.Originality/valueThis study highlights the importance of six factors in encouraging knowledge sharing intentions in SMEs operating within the manufacturing sector and confirms that knowledge technology, which encompasses a range of information and communication technologies does play a pivotal rolevis‐à‐visensuring that SMEs have favorable attitudes towards knowledge sharing for their sustained competitive advantage.
Earnings quality and the adoption of IFRS‐based accounting standards
Authors: Adibah Wan Ismail Wan , Anuar Kamarudin Khairul , van Zijl Tony , Dunstan Keitha 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the differences in earnings quality of Malaysian companies after the adoption of IFRS‐based accounting standards named FRS.Design/methodology/approachIt is hypothesize that under the new set of accounting standards, the quality of earnings reported by these companies is relatively higher. Specifically, the study tests whether the level of earnings management is significantly lower after the adoption of IFRS, and reported earnings is more value relevant during the IFRS period. This study uses a large sample of 4,010 observations over a three‐year period before and a three‐year period after the adoption of the new set of accounting standards.FindingsThe results show that IFRS adoption is associated with higher quality of reported earnings. It is found that earnings reported during the period after the adoption of IFRS is associated with lower earnings management and higher value relevant.Originality/valueThe results of this study contribute additional evidence to the literature on earnings quality and the impact of IFRS adoption. As most of the existing studies on earnings quality and IFRS have been conducted on data from the U.S and European countries, this study fills a gap in the existing literature by studying the effect of adoption of IFRS on earnings quality in an emerging market.
Customer value disclosure and cost of equity capital
Authors: Orens Raf , Aerts Walter , Lybaert Nadine 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThis paper seeks to examine the association between a firm's extent and precision of customer value disclosure and its implied cost of equity capital. In addition, it aims to investigate whether industry competition intensity attenuates this association.Design/methodology/approachThe content of corporate websites from four continental European countries is analysed on the presence and precision of customer value information and empirically test whether content and precision are associated with the firm's implied cost of equity capital measurement.FindingsThe results show a negative association between cross‐sectional differences in the extent of customer value disclosure and cross‐sectional differences in a firm's cost of equity capital. In addition, the precision of the customer value information disclosed affects this association. It is observed that a negative relationship between quantitative (or hard) customer value disclosure and a firm's cost of equity capital, but not for qualitative (or soft) customer value disclosure. As expected, industry competition intensity attenuates the association between quantitative customer value disclosures and a firm's cost of equity capital.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper considers web placement of customer value disclosure although a firm might disclose such information through other information channels as well.Practical implicationsA firm tends to benefit economically from more precise customer value disclosure.Originality/valueThe paper extends existing evidence by considering the capital market implications of disclosing customer value information. In addition, it examines whether industry competition affects the association between customer value disclosure and the firm's cost of equity capital.
Understanding the work done by NHS commissioning managers
Authors: Checkland Kath , Harrison Stephen , Snow Stephanie , Coleman Anna , McDermott Imelda 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the practical daily work undertaken by middle‐level managers in Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), focusing upon the micro‐processes by which these managers enact sensemaking in their organisations.Design/methodology/approachThe research took a case study approach, undertaking detailed case studies in four PCTs in England. Data collection included shadowing managers, meeting observations and interviews.FindingsThe research elucidated two categories of enactment behaviour exhibited by PCT managers: presence/absence; and the production of artefacts. Being “present” in or “absent” from meetings enacted sensemaking over and above any concrete contribution to the meeting made by the actors involved. This paper explores the factors affecting these processes, and describes the situations in which enactment of sense is most likely to occur. Producing artefacts such as meeting minutes or PowerPoint slides also enacted sense in the study sites in addition to the content of the artefact. The factors affecting this are explored.Practical implicationsThe study has practical implications for all managers seeking to maximise their influence in their organisations. It also provides specific evidence relevant to managers working in the new Clinical Commissioning Groups currently being formed in England.Originality/valueThe study expands the understanding of sensemaking in organisations in two important ways. Firstly, it moves beyond discourse to explore the ways in which behaviours can enact sense. Secondly, it explores the distinction between active and unconscious sensemaking.
Senior management leadership, social support, job design and stressor‐to‐strain relationships in hospital practice
Authors: Buttigieg Sandra C. , West Michael A. 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of the quality of senior management leadership on social support and job design, whose main effects on strains, and moderating effects on work stressors‐to‐strains relationships were assessed.Design/methodology/approachA survey involving distribution of questionnaires was carried out on a random sample of health care employees in acute hospital practice in the UK. The sample comprised 65,142 respondents. The work stressors tested were quantitative overload and hostile environment, whereas strains were measured through job satisfaction and turnover intentions. Structural equation modelling and moderated regression analyses were used in the analysis.FindingsQuality of senior management leadership explained 75 per cent and 94 per cent of the variance of social support and job design respectively, whereas work stressors explained 51 per cent of the variance of strains. Social support and job design predicted job satisfaction and turnover intentions, as well as moderated significantly the relationships between quantitative workload/hostility and job satisfaction/turnover intentions.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are useful to management and to health employees working in acute/specialist hospitals. Further research could be done in other counties to take into account cultural differences and variations in health systems. The limitations included self‐reported data and percept‐percept bias due to same source data collection.Practical implicationsThe quality of senior management leaders in hospitals has an impact on the social environment, the support given to health employees, their job design, as well as work stressors and strains perceived.Originality/valueThe study argues in favour of effective senior management leadership of hospitals, as well as ensuring adequate support structures and job design. The findings may be useful to health policy makers and human resources managers.