bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cross-Repressive Interactions between SOC1 and the GATAs GNC and GNL/CGA1 in the Control of Greening, Cold Tolerance, and Flowering Time in Arabidopsis
Authors: Richter René , Bastakis Emmanouil , Schwechheimer Claus 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe paralogous and functionally redundant GATA transcription factors GNC (for GATA, NITRATE-INDUCIBLE, CARBON-METABOLISM INVOLVED) and GNL/CGA1 (for GNC-LIKE/CYTOKININ-RESPONSIVE GATA FACTOR1) from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) promote greening and repress flowering downstream from the phytohormone gibberellin. The target genes of GNC and GNL with regard to flowering time control have not been identified as yet. Here, we show by genetic and molecular analysis that the two GATA factors act upstream from the flowering time regulator SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS1 (SOC1) to directly repress SOC1 expression and thereby repress flowering. Interestingly, this analysis inversely also reveals that the MADS box transcription factor SOC1 directly represses GNC and GNL expression to control cold tolerance and greening, two further physiological processes that are under the control of SOC1. In summary, these findings support the case of a cross-repressive interaction between the GATA factors GNC and GNL and the MADS box transcription factor SOC1 in flowering time control on the one side and greening and cold tolerance on the other that may be governed by the various signaling inputs that are integrated at the level of SOC1 expression.
Are cracks now appearing in the boardroom glass ceiling?
Authors: Hurn Brian J. 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe aim is to review the progress as well as the setbacks that have occurred since the author's first article “Removing the boardroom glass ceiling” in Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 44 No. 3, 2012, in the appointment of more women to the boards of companies.Design/methodology/approachThe article is a review of current developments including initiatives pursued by companies and governments. It covers developments in the UK and the rest of Europe and in Asia.FindingsThe article shows that the trend toward more equality and greater diversity is most likely to continue as the momentum for change is now fully established.Research limitations/implicationsThe article covers published articles and statistics 2011‐2012.Practical implicationsThe imposition of mandatory quotas is discussed, problems in particular sectors highlighted, as well as developments in increasing equality regarding gender and pay. The merits of women providing the “human face” in business and suggestions how to remove the barriers that inhibit their progress to senior appointments are also discussed.Social implicationsCurrent sociological trends are discussed including the “trailing male”, more self‐sufficient and independent career women, and the need for affordable child‐care.Originality/valueThe article provides a comprehensive review of the current developments with suggestions for further progress in the future.
Leadership deficiencies in rapidly changing organizations: multisource feedback as a needs assessment tool – part II
Authors: Longenecker Clinton O. , Yonker Robert D. 
Published: June 2013

PurposEPart I of this research study identified the top five leadership deficiencies that confront managers in periods of rapid organizational change and transformation. This article aims to discuss the remainder of the top 10 leadership deficiencies and to provide a call to action for both individual leaders and professionals responsible for leadership training.Design/methodology/approachThe leadership deficiencies were identified using a multisource feedback (MSF) methodology that was employed as a needs assessment tool which was a component of a formal leadership development program.FindingsThe leadership deficiencies include ineffective coaching/feedback and employee development practices, and ineffective problem‐solving and decision‐making practices.Originality/valueThis article provides a call to action for both individual leaders and professionals responsible for training and development of leaders needed for driving organizational change and improvement.
Mind your language training
Authors: Little Bob 
Published: June 2013

PurposeGlobalisation has made English today's international business language. This article aims to explore what this means for suppliers of English language training – and how corporate buyers of this training can get value for money from them.Design/methodology/approachThe article outlines research by goFLUENT – a leading provider of Business English training.FindingsCompanies are looking for employees who can perform well in today's multi‐cultural, multi‐lingual business environment. For those speaking another language there will be more job opportunities, higher pay and faster careers. Increasingly, companies require or give higher priority to employees who speak a second or even a third language – and that is making language learning essential to one's professional growth.Practical implicationsBecause of the variety of products and services available, it is helpful for suppliers to respond to companies' RFP requirements in free form and through their own company brochures and materials. However, in order for respondents to understand these companies' scoring systems ‐ and for suppliers to be able to make equivalent comparisons across criteria – suppliers should ask them to answer specific questions.Social implicationsOnly 400 million or so of the world's seven billion people speak English as their native tongue but, currently, it is the Chinese who are learning English. Despite the rise of India and China as global economic powers, over two billion people speak English in these countries alone ‐ and the demand for English speakers continues to grow. With emerging markets, there is an appreciable influx of speakers of Mandarin, Hindi, Spanish and Portuguese but, for these people to work on an international scale, proficiency in English is the inevitable standard.Originality/valueThis article focuses on a theme for which there is currently little information of any real substance.
Continuous changes, organizational burnout and the implications for HRD
Authors: Rumbles Sally , Rees Gary 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the relationship between continuous change, organizational burnout and the role of the HR/HRD profession in facilitating activities that can aid organizations in better managing the process.Design/methodology/approachAn e‐survey was sent to a random sample of 100 medium to large companies located within a 50 mile radius of Portsmouth that asked HR professionals questions around the issues of organizational stress and potential burnout.FindingsThe survey findings suggest that despite having policies and procedures organizations communicate change badly; do very little to protect employee wellbeing and manage stress in times of change. In some responses, managers state that they are aware that employees are experiencing high stress, but managers do not do anything to alleviate employee stress.Originality/valueThe role of the HRD professional in managing change and helping to prevent burnout has not previously been highlighted. Recommendations for HRD professionals are provided by addressing various levels when improving employee engagement and wellbeing
Advances in robot interfacing technologies
Authors: Bogue Robert 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide details of recent developments in human‐robot interfacing technologies.Design/methodology/approachThis paper considers recently developed or emerging technologies which allow humans to interact with robots in novel ways. It first considers inexpensive robots which are simple to programme and which can work alongside humans in a manufacturing environment. It then discusses assistive robots, which aim to help the aged or infirm and finally, the latest progress in controlling robots with the human brain is reported.FindingsThis shows that new and improved human‐robot interfacing technologies are the topic of a major development effort. Low‐cost robots that can readily be commissioned and operated in close proximity to humans are starting to impact the market. Assistive robot technology is progressing due to novel man‐machine interfacing techniques and the first instances of quadriplegic patients using their mind to control robots to manipulate object in three‐dimensional space is discussed.Originality/valueThis paper provides details of significant, recent developments in human‐robot interfacing.
SwarmItFIX: a multi‐robot‐based reconfigurable fixture
Authors: de Leonardo Luis , Zoppi Matteo , Xiong Li , Zlatanov Dimiter , Molfino Rezia M. 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe use of thin sheets with 3D geometries is growing in quantity, due to current progress towards life‐cycle design and sustainable production, and growing in geometrical complexity, due to aesthetic and quality concerns. The growth in manufacturing equipment flexibility has not kept pace with these trends. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new reconfigurable fixture to shorten this gap.Design/methodology/approachThe design implements a novel concept of fixturing. Without interrupting the machining process, a swarm of adaptable mobile agents periodically reposition and reconfigure to support the thin‐sheet workpiece near the tool‐point. The technology has been developed by adopting a multi‐disciplinary, life‐cycle approach. Modularity and eco‐sustainability paradigms have informed the design.FindingsThe performance of the physical prototype in an industrial scenario is highly satisfactory. Experiments demonstrate the ability of the system to reconfigure while maintaining machining accuracy in scenarios typical for aircraft part production.Research limitations/implicationsCoordination between the machine‐tool numerical control and the fixture control is not complete and its improvement will make the manufacturing process more robust and autonomous.Practical implicationsThe system allows reduction of shop‐floor fixturing inventory. Compared to other reconfigurable fixtures, SwarmItFIX is smarter, more flexible, lighter, and offers shorter reconfiguration times, easier set‐up, and better adaptability to a wider range of workpiece shapes.Originality/valueThis is a breakthrough idea, answering the challenges of hyper‐flexible manufacturing and the proliferation of thin‐sheet use. It is of significant value to mass‐customized industry and of special significance for small‐series production.
The value of values
Authors: McMullen Anthony 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe paper's aim is to provide insights into issues encountered in maintaining library technologies and electronic collections on a limited budget and with limited personnel.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses real‐world experiences and evidence from the body of literature to provide commentary on the importance of clearly defined missions and goals in an era of shrinking budgets and changing user expectations.FindingsHaving a clearly defined library mission statement with underlying goals and outcomes is vital in this time of accountability and assessment in higher education. Librarians must be mindful of the need to connect the goals and outcomes to the overall institutional goals in order to provide measurable and meaningful value.Originality/valueThe paper examines one library's struggle to establish an identity in an era where traditional methods of determining value are no longer suitable. The article uses dialogue from departmental meetings coupled with evidence from the library literature to state the importance of finding and communicating value in an era of accountability.
Data‐driven services marketing in a connected world
Authors: Kumar V. , Chattaraman Veena , Neghina Carmen , Skiera Bernd , Aksoy Lerzan , Buoye Alexander , Henseler Joerg 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the benefits of data‐driven services marketing and provide a conceptual framework for how to link traditional and new sources of customer data and their metrics. Linking data and metrics to strategic and tactical business insights and integrating a variety of metrics into a forward‐looking dashboard to measure marketing ROI and guide future marketing spend is explored.Design/methodology/approachA detailed synthesis of the literature is conducted and contemporary sources of marketing data are categorized into traditional, digital and neurophysiological. The benefits and drawbacks of each data type are described and advantages of integrating different sources of data are proposed.FindingsThe findings point to the importance and untapped potential of data in its ability to inform tactical and strategic marketing decisions. Future challenges, including top management support, ethical considerations and developing data and analytic capabilities, are discussed.Practical implicationsThe results demonstrate the need for executive service marketing dashboards that include key metrics that are service‐relevant, complementary and forward‐looking, with proven linkages to business outcomes.Originality/valueThis paper provides a synthesis of data‐driven services marketing and the value of traditional and contemporary metrics. Since the true potential of data‐driven service management in a connected world is still largely unexplored, this paper also delineates fruitful avenues for future research.
Open education resources and higher education academic practice
Authors: Bradshaw Peter , Younie Sarah , Jones Sarah 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to report on an externally‐funded project and forms part of its dissemination.Design/methodology/approachThe objectives are achieved through a theoretical framing of the project and an alignment of these with the contexts for the project – namely the Professional Standards Framework of the HEA, its use in postgraduate programmes of Academic Practice in England and the development of teacher resources by the IT in Teacher Education association.Findings –The result of the design process is a nine‐unit course which carries 30 credits on the English Higher Education Framework at level 7.Research limitations/implications –The limitations of the paper are that it reports only on the design and production of a course of postgraduate education. It does not report on the actual implementation as this has not yet happened at the time of writing.Practical implicationsThe intention is for this course to be adaptable for use in a range of different contexts. This is facilitated by its design being carried out with a community of practitioners supported by an online space for discussion and development.Originality/valueThe design of a course using a collaborative community drawn from across higher education institutions is considered to be original. The paper is of value to all those working in higher education, those working on programmes of academic practice and those interested in the use of Open Educational Resources (OERs) in such contexts.
The relationship between moral hazard and insurance fraud
Authors: Okura Mahito 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the insurance market in which moral hazard and insurance fraud coexist. In this situation, this research examines the relationship between moral hazard and insurance fraud. Also, this research shows how the amount of policyholder's effort to lower accident probability changes when insurance firm increases their investment in preventing insurance fraud.Design/methodology/approachUsing a theoretical model containing five‐stages, the author sheds light on how the possibility of insurance fraud affects the amount of policyholder's effort.FindingsThe main results of this research are as follows. First, the amount of policyholder's effort is a weakly monotone decreasing function of the insurance firm's investment in preventing insurance fraud. Second, unlike in previous moral hazard models, the policyholder chooses a strictly positive amount of effort even in the full insurance case because the possibility of insurance fraud gives an incentive to realize policyholder's effort. Third, the amount of insurance firm's investment in preventing insurance fraud depends on whether it wants to give an additional incentive to policyholder's effort in exchange for realizing the possibility of insurance fraud.Originality/valueThis is the first paper to investigate the relationship between moral hazard and insurance fraud by using the microeconomic theory.
Comparison of temperature models using heating and cooling degree days futures
Authors: Göncü Ahmet 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare the ability of popular temperature models, namely, the models given by Alaton et al., by Benth and Benth, by Campbell and Diebold and by Brody et al., to forecast the prices of heating/cooling degree days (HDD/CDD) futures for New York, Atlanta, and Chicago.Design/methodology/approachTo verify the forecasting power of various temperature models, a statistical backtesting approach is utilised. The backtesting sample consists of the market data of daily settlement futures prices for New York, Atlanta, and Chicago. Settlement prices are separated into two groups, namely, “in‐period” and “out‐of‐period”.FindingsThe findings show that the models of Alaton et al. and Benth and Benth forecast the futures prices more accurately. The difference in the forecasting performance of models between “in‐period” and “out‐of‐period” valuation can be attributed to the meteorological temperature forecasts during the contract measurement periods.Research limitations/implicationsIn future studies, it may be useful to utilize the historical data for meteorological forecasts to assess the forecasting power of the new hybrid model considered.Practical implicationsOut‐of‐period backtesting helps reduce the effect of any meteorological forecast on the formation of futures prices. It is observed that the performance of models for out‐of‐period improves consistently. This indicates that the effects of available weather forecasts should be incorporated into the considered models.Originality/valueTo the best of the author's knowledge this is the first study to compare some of the popular temperature models in forecasting HDD/CDD futures. Furthermore, a new temperature modelling approach is proposed for incorporating available temperature forecasts into the considered dynamic models.
Differences in the risk management practices of Islamic versus conventional financial institutions in Pakistan
Authors: Shafique Owais , Hussain Nazik , Taimoor Hassan M. 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the differences in the risk management practices of Islamic financial institutions (IFI) and conventional financial institutions (CFI) in Pakistan.Design/methodology/approachThe study makes use of primary data collection method using a questionnaire survey.FindingsLiterature review discovered that the types of risks faced by both types of financial institutions can be classified under six categories. The research concludes that credit risk, equity investment risk, market risk, liquidity risk, rate of return risk and operational risk management practices in IFI are not different from the practices in CFI. Whereas the overall risk management practices of IFI and CFI are alike in Pakistan.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research with a larger sample size is recommended.Practical implicationsThe paper opens our eyes to the fact that much is unknown about the risk management practices in Pakistani financial system, creating a need for empirical studies for further discoveries to formulate better frameworks and to prevent an impending financial crisis that might be unravelling at the time this paper is being read.Originality/valueThis is the first empirical study of its kind that addresses the unmarked topic of RMP in IFI and CFI in Pakistan. The research was conducted because few studies have been executed to understand differences in the risk management practices in Pakistan, exclusively among Islamic financial institutions. This study is expected to expand the existing literature by providing novel empirical evidence.
Exploring the effectiveness of inventive principles of TRIZ on developing researchers' innovative capabilities
Authors: Jafari Mostafa , Akhavan Peyman , Reza Zarghami Hamid , Asgari Naser 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the efficacy of 40 inventive principles of TRIZ for developing researchers' innovative capabilities and to evaluate the extent of application of “40 inventive principles” by inventors in the Research Center of Intelligent and Signal Processing (a successful research center that is producing new products in the field of signal processing and medical engineering).Design/methodology/approachA range of relevant literature is explored initially. A questionnaire about 40 inventive principles of TRIZ was developed based on literature review. Finally, a data analysis including descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis was designed by using SPSS software.FindingsThe results showed that about 71 percent of the researchers have employed TRIZ above the average in their innovative products. Also these studied researchers used TRIZ principles unintentionally. Therefore, if this research center and similar institutes want to make full use of their researchers' abilities, they can facilitate innovation through offering courses on TRIZ, the principles of TRIZ and its other tools to them.Originality/valueThis study is probably the first to provide an exploring of TRIZ inventive principles applications through a research center.
IT practices within maintenance from a systems perspective
Authors: Kans Mirka 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe aim with this paper is to describe current IT practices within maintenance in Swedish industry, and to outline the future possible developments.Design/methodology/approachThe study is performed as a web‐based questionnaire survey consisting of 71 participants. A systems perspective is applied for capturing the most relevant aspects of IT utilisation.FindingsThe IT practices are characterised by high use of business‐specific IT solutions, low use of company‐wide IT solutions, low IT intensity and the client‐server architecture is dominating. The purchase decision and ownership of IT is to high extent tied to the maintenance function. Moreover, IT systems are apprehended as beneficial and connected to real needs. The findings imply a decentralised IT governance form and a mainly vertical (functional) IT support.Research limitations/implicationsThe socio‐technical approach suggested in this paper helps us to identify which areas to study, and also shows the tight interrelationship between different factors, layers and systems.Practical implicationsThe study results could be used for benchmarking purposes or to highlight state‐of‐the‐art of IT utilisation in maintenance, and thereby set the topic on the corporate agenda.Originality/valueStudies describing IT utilisation within maintenance in the form of case studies and surveys exist, but they mainly focus on one aspect. This study approached the problem from a socio‐technical perspective, covering several aspects connected to IT utilisation.