bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TheArabidopsisPLEIOTROPIC DRUG RESISTANCE8/ABCG36 ATP Binding Cassette Transporter Modulates Sensitivity to the Auxin Precursor Indole-3-Butyric Acid
Authors: Strader Lucia C. , Bartel Bonnie 
Published: August 2009

AbstractPlants have developed numerous mechanisms to store hormones in inactive but readily available states, enabling rapid responses to environmental changes. The phytohormone auxin has a number of storage precursors, including indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), which is apparently shortened to active indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in peroxisomes by a process similar to fatty acid β-oxidation. Whereas metabolism of auxin precursors is beginning to be understood, the biological significance of the various precursors is virtually unknown. We identified an Arabidopsis thaliana mutant that specifically restores IBA, but not IAA, responsiveness to auxin signaling mutants. This mutant is defective in PLEIOTROPIC DRUG RESISTANCE8 (PDR8)/PENETRATION3/ABCG36, a plasma membrane–localized ATP binding cassette transporter that has established roles in pathogen responses and cadmium transport. We found that pdr8 mutants display defects in efflux of the auxin precursor IBA and developmental defects in root hair and cotyledon expansion that reveal previously unknown roles for IBA-derived IAA in plant growth and development. Our results are consistent with the possibility that limiting accumulation of the IAA precursor IBA via PDR8-promoted efflux contributes to auxin homeostasis.
Libraries as a common denominator
Authors: Carnaby Penny 
Published: August 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show how libraries in New Zealand have developed their digital strategies in order to serve its citizens, the country and the world.Design/methodology/approachA description of various New Zealand initiatives is given, many of which involve the National Library of New Zealand.FindingsThe four components of the New Zealand Digital strategy: connection; content; confidence; and collaboration have been driven by the library and information sector.Originality/valueThe paper provides a personal insight, by the National Librarian, into key digital developments in New Zealand
Information literacy and Web 2.0: is it just hype?
Authors: Godwin Peter 
Published: August 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that Web 2.0 provides an exciting set of tools for librarians to help their students become more information‐literate.Design/methodology/approachRecently, information overload and Web 2.0 have led librarians to adopt practices labelled as Library 2.0. Information literacy can be the key to affecting the learning attitudes and characteristics adopted by the users, caricatured as the “Web generation”. Web 2.0 tools provide new, interactive ways to engage them. The literature is reviewed to provide examples of librarians using Web 2.0 tools to improve the information literacy of their users.FindingsLibrarians are embracing Web 2.0 as it becomes more mainstream and experimenting with the tools to supplement their information literacy interventions. Many of these are being well received but their quantity and measures of their impact on learning have yet to be assessed.Originality/valueThe link between information literacy and Web 2.0 is novel, encourages constructive learning and enables respected educational methods (e.g. reflection) to be used in different ways.
Open source, crowd source: harnessing the power of the people behind our libraries
Authors: Trainor Cindi 
Published: August 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the use of Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 technologies so that librarians can combine open source software with user‐generated content to create a richer discovery experience for their users.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a description of the current state of integrated library systems (ILS) and the developments with Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 technologies, examples are given of library suppliers and libraries which are making use of these technologies.FindingsLibraries are moving away from the traditional, vendor‐sourced library catalogue software in favour of open source software that can be tailored to meet the community's needs by the people who are most familiar with those needs: library staff. Open source products and some vendor products outside the traditional ILS market allow libraries to pool data created by users: tags, reviews, comments. This allows the smallest libraries to harvest richer data than those of their own communities.Originality/valueThe paper provides a “snapshot” of current developments in this fast‐moving area.
Virtual communities in Europe: the European Library approach
Authors: Stigter Fleur 
Published: August 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of The Bridging Worlds Conference which was held in October 2008 in Singapore.Design/methodology/approachOne of the main topics the National Library Board of Singapore, the organising party, wished to address was the roles cultural institutions, such as libraries, may play in (virtual) communities and how they can build audience share based on these communities. In this context The European Library – gateway to Europe's national library resources – explained how it markets its services to academic communities in and, to some degree, outside Europe. The European Library focuses its portal on the European academic community and fits its services primarily within academic working processes. Other mechanisms and channels help it reach other types of user groups from all over the world. For example, it is the main library contributor in Europeana, the cross‐domain portal that launched its first public beta‐version in November 2008.FindingsEmphasising the value of using different channels to serve different communities – either via Europeana or by plugging‐in existing virtual environments via application programming interfaces (APIs) and widgets – The European Library is a great example of how important (channel) marketing is to online public institutions. Further references are made to the “test, measure and (re)act” methodology and challenges in presenting a crawler and user‐friendly portal.Originality/valueOverall the paper provides an interesting insight in the marketing approach of one of the biggest digital libraries, and how it tries to work with cultural differences and changing user requirements. Calling for the adoption of a more market‐oriented approach by public institutions, it is of interest to all information professionals, but especially marketers of public institutions and other market‐oriented, certainly those interested in channel marketing.
Library 2.0: balancing the risks and benefits to maximise the dividends
Authors: Kelly Brian , Bevan Paul , Akerman Richard , Alcock Jo , Fraser Josie 
Published: August 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a number of examples of how Web 2.0 technologies and approaches (Library 2.0) are being used within the library sector. The paper acknowledges that there are a variety of risks associated with such approaches. The paper describes the different types of risks and outlines a risk assessment and risk management approach which is being developed to minimise the dangers while allowing the benefits of Library 2.0 to be realised.Design/methodology/approachThe paper outlines various risks and barriers which have been identified at a series of workshops run by UKOLN (a national centre of expertise in digital information management based in the UK) for the cultural heritage sector. A risk assessment and risk management approach, which was initially developed to support use of Web 2.0 technologies at events organised by UKOLN, is described and its potential for use within the wider library community, in conjunction with related approaches for addressing areas such as accessibility and protection of young people, is described.FindingsUse of Library 2.0 approaches is becoming embedded across many libraries which seek to exploit the benefits which such technologies can provide. The need to ensure that the associated risks are identified and appropriate mechanisms implemented to minimise such risks is beginning to be appreciated.Practical implicationsThe areas described here should be of relevance to many library organisations which are making use of Library 2.0 services.Originality/valueThe paper should prove valuable to policy makers and web practitioners within libraries who may be aware of the potential benefits of Library 2.0 but have not considered the associated risks.
Developing a metrics‐based online strategy for libraries
Authors: Pagano Joe 
Published: August 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to the various web metrics tools that are available, and to indicate how these might be used in libraries.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes ways in which web metrics can be used to inform strategic decision making in libraries.FindingsA framework of possible web metrics is provided that can be adapted for use as appropriate in libraries.Originality/valueThe paper offers assistance to any web site manager in planning new developments, given limited resources.
The impact of international designers on firm innovation capability and consumer interest
Authors: Dell'era Claudio , Verganti Roberto 
Published: August 2009

PurposeThe increasing importance that customers give to the aesthetic, symbolic and emotional value of products leads companies to approach the product design as a means to create a competitive advantage. Considering that competing through design involves the development of new product languages and signs, the ability to develop products that convey innovative meanings and values to users becomes a critical factor of success. Each product has a particular language and meaning on which companies can innovate. This kind of innovation requires access to dispersed and tacit knowledge about socio‐cultural trends and emerging phenomena in society, which lends itself to a discourse on design. Designers can support companies by accessing, interpreting and exploiting the knowledge about emerging socio‐cultural models and latent market needs. The purpose of this paper is to explore and analyse the characteristics of designer portfolios developed by innovative and successful companies.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical study is conducted on the designers of 91 Italian furniture companies to analyse the contribution of designers to company innovation and to consumer preferences. By analysing 630 different collaborations between companies and designers over the development of 1,722 products, the paper explores different strategies adopted by companies to collaborate with designers. Specifically, the authors compare three dimensions of the designer portfolio that are developed by different groups of companies: size, internationalisation and multi‐nationality. The authors use the analysis of variance formula to identify characteristics of designer portfolios that were significantly distinct in their achievement of innovation and consumer interest.FindingsThe empirical results suggest interesting managerial applications in terms of modalities to access designers: for example, innovative companies often collaborate with designers coming from different nations. One possible explanation for this is that the combination of different approaches and cultural frameworks may allow innovators to capture stimuli and emerging phenomena in socio‐cultural contexts far from their territorial boundaries, consequently developing innovative product languages and meanings.Originality/valueThis is one of the few quantitative studies that analyze the relationships between collaborative innovation strategies and performances.
Nature of functional involvement in make or buy decision processes
Authors: Moses Anna , Åhlström Pär 
Published: August 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the nature of functional involvement in the cross‐functional make or buy decision process.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on literature within the areas of cross‐functional make or buy decision processes as well as cross‐functional process research in general. The empirical part of the paper is a longitudinal and in‐depth case study, where the data are collected using interviews, documentation and observations. The data are analyzed using chronological patterns.FindingsFindings indicate a changing pattern between close collaborative integration during decision‐making phases and more interaction‐focused integration during data‐gathering phases. The benefits of this integration pattern mainly lay in the effective use of resources combined with increased decision quality.Research limitations/implicationsThe results are based on a large manufacturing company that produces complex products. It can be suggested that the scene researched by the authors may be common for companies in the same environment. However, it is a limited sample and future research would benefit from investigating different environments to establish whether the results are context‐specific or not.Practical implicationsFive phases are found in the make or buy decision process where resources are used differently. Also, different functions have different roles during these phases in order not to drain resources.Originality/valueThe paper helps clarify how functions integrate and use resources during different phases of the make or buy decision process and the cross‐functional benefits and effects. A conceptual model is developed that explains the effect of functional involvement during different types of integration.
Evolutionary patterns in e‐business strategy
Authors: Caniato Federico , Cagliano Raffaella , Kalchschmidt Matteo , Golini Ruggero , Spina Gianluca 
Published: August 2009

PurposeIn 2003 the authors investigated the level of adoption of e‐business by manufacturing firms in Europe. Four company strategies were identified based on different extents of adoption of internet‐based tools for interaction with customers and/or suppliers. The purpose of this paper is to replicate, those analyses using the new release of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS) IV. These new results are compared with previous ones in order to determine whether modeling previously described in the literature remains valid.Design/methodology/approachData collected in Europe through IMSS III and IV are used. In particular, companies are clustered according to e‐business practices adopted in supply chain management (SCM) and the degree of adoption of e‐business between the two editions of the research is compared. A longitudinal analysis is also conducted using data from companies participating in both editions of the survey.FindingsIt is shown that the fundamental aspects of the modeling approach earlier proposed in the literature remain valid, with a higher average level of adoption of e‐business tools in the more recent edition of the study. However, the four‐cluster model is shown to be no longer valid. In the more recent dataset, three clusters emerge. They are characterized by different levels of adoption of e‐business, balanced between e‐commerce and e‐procurement. The longitudinal analysis shows that the firms participating in both editions of the research have changed their strategy, coherently to what the overall sample does.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is focused on the assembly industry and only part of the sample is strictly longitudinal. Further research is needed to relate e‐business strategy with performance and to distinguish among the various tools available.Practical implicationsThis paper also shows that the adoption of e‐business is increasing among small and medium firms, even if the practices adopted by any individual company remain limited. Results show that a cautious adoption is preferable to more radical implementation, since some firms have actually reduced their initial efforts to adopt e‐business.Originality/valueThe literature currently lacks extensive, longitudinal studies on e‐business strategies in SCM. The paper shows how the concept has rapidly evolved recently, and it modifies models that are proposed only a few years ago in the face of new data.
Supply chain flexibility: an inter‐firm empirical study
Authors: Stevenson Mark , Spring Martin 
Published: August 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an empirical study of supply chain flexibility, asking: what specific inter‐firm practices are used to achieve increased flexibility in buyer‐supplier pairs and in the wider supply chain or network, and how do these practices and effects interact?Design/methodology/approachThe approach taken is a qualitative study of a network of 16 inter‐related manufacturing companies. Semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews with senior representatives from each company.FindingsA wide range of supply chain flexibility practices are identified, some confirming existing research, some additional. These are grouped into ten categories, and two over‐arching themes are found. First, firms use various forms of outsourcing and subcontracting to reduce their own need for internal flexibility. The second related insight is that, having externalised the need for flexibility, firms improve flexibility of the whole chain by engaging in committed relationships with counterparts. The authors term the ability to change counterparts “configuration flexibility” and the ability to change the timing, volume and design of supply “planning and control flexibility”. Therefore, it is suggested that firms make complex trade‐offs between the two in the interest of achieving overall supply chain flexibility. These are presented in a model to allow for future refinement and testing.Research limitations/implicationsSupply chain flexibility is a strategic objective, but is not achieved by all members of supply chains aiming for as much flexibility as possible on all dimensions. The identification of the supply chain flexibility practices provides a starting point for further theoretical developments as well as for practice. In particular, further work is required to understand the interplay between the two types of flexibility identified.Originality/valueStudy of inter‐connected supply chains, model linking practices to performance, and the main notions of configuration and planning and control flexibilities.
The implementation and performance outcomes of ISO 9000 in service organizations
Authors: Lee Peter K.C. , To W.M. , Yu Billy T.W. 
Published: August 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the patterns with which ISO 9000:2000 was implemented in service organizations, and to examine the performance outcomes and contextual factors which are associated with different ISO 9000:2000 implementation patterns.Design/methodology/approachBased on a literature review of quality management practice, a questionnaire was developed based on quality management principles of ISO 9000:2000 and three propositions. The propositions were tested using responses from managers or executives in 45 service organizations.FindingsCluster analysis shows that there are two markedly different ISO 9000:2000 implementation patterns among sample organizations. The analysis results also indicate that organizations with different ISO 9000:2000 implementation patterns performed differently in the two outcomes analysed.Research limitations/implicationsManagers in service organizations must realize that ISO 9000:2000 is capable of generating a competitive advantage only if top management is fully committed to the program implementation from a strategic perspective.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the literature by offering new insights on the implementation patterns of ISO 9000:2000 in service organizations and their relationships with performance outcomes and contextual factors.
System dynamics approach to analysing the cost factors effects on cost of quality
Authors: Kiani Behdad , Shirouyehzad Hadi , Khoshsaligheh Bafti Fahime , Fouladgar Hamidreza 
Published: August 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a model for analysing the influence of costs of quality.Design/methodology/approachA model is designed by using a causal loop diagram and is analysed through a system dynamics approach. The model simulation is prepared by Vensim software.FindingsPrevention and appraisal costs are the two effective cost factors. The model represented in this paper reveals that prevention costs have the most effect on total cost of quality and especially external failure costs. Hence, in order to achieve the customer expected quality level, prevention and appraisal costs should be considered.Research limitations/implicationsCalculating and measuring non‐conformance costs is very difficult in organizations and some errors and mistakes may happen.Practical implicationsA system dynamics approach can analyse and measure the amount of prevention cost effects on cost of quality in different organizations.Originality/valueThe proposed methodology demonstrates the use of an innovative approach in developing a cost of quality concept and constructing a practical framework for system dynamics in a real case.
User's perceived service quality of mobile communications: experience from Ethiopia
Authors: Negi Rakshit 
Published: August 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the causal relationship between service quality dimensions and overall service quality, and to identify service quality gaps as experienced by the subscribers of the mobile services of Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation (ETC).Design/methodology/approachThe seven modified dimensions of SERVQUAL, namely tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, empathy, assurance, network aspect, and convenience were used to measure customers' perceptions and expectations of mobile telecommunications services by drawing a sample of 220 respondents using stratified random sampling.FindingsOverall service quality of mobile communications was perceived to be as below average by over half (52.7 percent) of the respondents, followed by less than one‐third (28 percent) who mentioned it as average, and about one‐fifth (19.3 percent) as above average. The highest service quality gap was reported with the added dimension of network aspect, while the lowest score obtained was for convenience. Finally, two regression models predicting overall service quality with reliability and network aspect dimensions were obtained.Research limitations/implicationsThe scope (geographical) of the study is limited to the subscribers of mobile services of Addis Ababa (capital city of Ethiopia).Practical implicationsData representing customer perceptions and expectations with mobile services in delivering quality have been used to identify (in terms of quality gaps) areas needing improvement. ETC should concentrate on providing superior reliability, particularly, accuracy and dependability in mobile services. An extended focus on the items of network aspect dimension (transmission quality and network coverage) is also helpful in improving customers' perceived quality of mobile services.Originality/valueSince most quality features in the SERVQUAL scale are related with customer handling, this study incorporated, and investigated further, the added two dimensions of network aspect and service convenience for their contribution to overall service quality of mobile communications.