bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health care management courses in Greek universities
Authors: Kotsifos Vangelis , Alegakis Athanasios , Philalithis Anastas 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe object of this study is to formulate, establish and apply a suitable and reliable tool for measuring the course experience satisfaction of Master graduates. A questionnaire was formulated, based on similar tools, and adjusted to the reality of Hellenic Higher Education, in order to measure the satisfaction of graduates in three Master programmes in the area of health care management.Design/methodology/approachMaster graduates of the study (n=162), 2003‐2007 admission years, filled in the questionnaire either electronically (web‐based) or by phone interview. The overall response rate was 50.6 per cent. In total, 37 statements were used for the measure of satisfaction while other questionnaire parts recorded the demographic, occupational and educational characteristics of the graduates.FindingsAnalysis revealed seven factors, listed as teaching, skills, assessment, feedback, social opportunities, facilities and organization of the course. Gender and first degree content do not affect the produced total satisfaction score. Married participants scored higher than those that are single in three factors and older participants scored higher than younger ones in two factors. The University of Crete's graduates scored higher than other graduates in two factors.Originality/valueThe paper is the first attempt to assess satisfaction, based on the grounds of quality, for Master programs in Hellenic State Universities. In this study are presented the first results and conclusions of the application of the developed questionnaire. Further results, relative to graduates' occupational status changes and professional development, are currently under investigation.
When are integrative tactics more effective? The moderating effects of moral identity and the use of distributive tactics
Authors: Han Inhyun , Kwon Seungwoo , Bae Jonghoon , Park Kyungdo 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThis study aims to investigate when integrative tactics are more effective in generating higher joint outcomes in an integrative negotiation. The authors test whether, first, the moral identity of the negotiators and, second, the concurrent use of distributive tactics increase the effectiveness of integrative tactics on joint outcomes.Design/methodology/approachTwo weeks prior to the experiment, moral identity was measured using SIMI. Participants were classified into three groups: high, medium, and low SIMI. Two participants from the same group played a modified version of the Towers Market negotiation exercise. Distributive and integrative tactics were measured.FindingsResults show that negotiators with high moral identity achieve higher joint outcomes in an integrative negotiation by using integrative tactics more effectively. In addition, the positive effects of integrative tactics on joint outcomes increase as the two negotiators employ distributive tactics along with integrative tactics rather than integrative tactics alone.Research limitations/implicationsResults support the firm‐flexibility rule and dual‐concern model of negotiation. In addition, the results of this study are consistent with the argument of the differentiation‐before‐integration principle.Originality/valueContradictory to the assumption that negotiators should not use distributive tactics to increase joint outcome, negotiators can increase joint outcome when they use distributive tactics along with integrative tactics. In addition, this study shows that negotiators with high morality do a better job in an integrative negotiation not because they adopt integrative tactics more frequently, but because they use them more effectively, especially when coupled with negotiators with a similar level of morality.
The effect of personality traits on private brand consumer tendencies
Authors: Herstein Ram , Tifferet Sigal , Luís Abrantes José , Lymperopoulos Constantine , Albayrak Tahir , Caber Meltem 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the association between three personality traits (individualism, materialism and the “need for cognition”) and two characteristics of shoppers who buy private‐label brands (their predisposition to do so, and the importance they attach to the “brand dimensions”) across four member countries of the Union of the Mediterranean.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire in the local language, using questions, items and scales adapted from previous studies, was completed by 683 undergraduate students. The scaled data were analysed by SPSS, and tested for internal reliability and equivalence.FindingsOverall, the personality traits were significantly associated with both behavioural characteristics. Specifically, materialism and the need for cognition were linked to inclination to purchase private brands, and materialism and individualism to the perceived importance of brand dimensions. Cross‐cultural differences were found.Originality/valueThe demographic profile of the private‐brand consumer is well known, but not the behavioural profile. This study provides retail planners with valuable new marketing intelligence.
Evaluation of environmental noise based upon the percentage of dissatisfied
Authors: Roelofsen Paul 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThis article is a proposal and aims to be a first step to develop a method to evaluate and classify environmental noise, according to EN‐15251 and CR‐1752, in the built environment based on the percentage of dissatisfied related to the equivalent background noise level.Design/methodology/approachIn the European guideline CR‐1752 and the standard EN‐15251 three categories of the indoor environment in buildings are prescribed (category A, B and C). In the recommendations, the limit whereby the percentage of dissatisfied should remain under varies in each category for both the thermal indoor environment and the air quality. The categories for noise and illumination criteria are not yet explicitly related to a percentage of dissatisfied.FindingsUsing the percentage of dissatisfied as the evaluation criterion, when related to the equivalent background noise, produces a more refined evaluation of comfort than an evaluation based on the percentage of seriously disturbed or the effects of sleep deprivation in relation to external noise. Furthermore, this corresponds to the European standards and recommendations concerning quality classification of the indoor environment, based on the percentage of dissatisfied.Originality/valueBased on recent European undertakings concerning the development of categories for the indoor environment based on the percentage of dissatisfied, it is desirable to utilise these categories to noise aspects too, and to relate it to the equivalent background noise level.
Public reporting of HAI rates
Authors: Black Bernard 
Published: April 2012

PurposeHealth‐care associated infections (HAIs) kill about 100,000 people annually; many are preventable. In response, 18 states currently require hospitals to publicly report their infection rates and national reporting is planned. Yet there is limited evidence on the effects of public reporting on HAI rates, and none on what elements of a reporting plan affect its impact on HAI rates. The author aims to review here what little we know, emphasizing his own case study of Pennsylvania.Design/methodology/approachThe paper contains a narrative description of empirical challenges in attributing changes in infection rates to the introduction of public reporting, and the author's own research findings from a case study of Pennsylvania using both infection rates estimated from administrative (billing) data (“inpatient rates”) and public reported rates.FindingsHospitals, faced with public HAI reporting, may respond both by reducing infection rates and through time‐inconsistent reporting (“gaming”). Both effects are likely to be stronger at hospitals with high reported rates, relative to peers. From 2003‐2008, Pennsylvania inpatient CLABSI rates dropped by 14 per cent, versus a 9 per cent increase in control states. The overall drop comes primarily from hospitals in the highest third of reported rates. Reported CLABSI rates fell much faster, by 40 per cent, from 2005 to 2007. This difference suggests time‐inconsistent reporting.Practical implicationsMuch more research is needed before we can have confidence that public reporting affects HAI rates (and for which HAIs), or know how to design an effective reporting scheme. HAI reporting cannot yet be considered to be “evidence based.” National reporting mandates will foreclose the state experiments needed to address these questions.Originality/valueWhat little we know about impact of public reporting on HAI rates comes in significant part from the case study of Pennsylvania described in this article.
Learning how to lead self before leading others: an industry perspective from Australia
Authors: Short Tom 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to present research‐based insight on the significance of building self‐awareness and self‐efficacy as foundation to other forms of leadership developmentDesign/methodology/approachThe research is taken from a two‐year interpretive study conducted in the Australian rail industry aimed at establishing a unified approach to developing rail leaders. Using mixed methods, seven major rail organizations contributed to detailed case studies, online surveys and in‐depth interviews at various levels of management.FindingsThe findings support a new variation of leadership capability that has emerged and is being applied in organizations where managers are empowered to create and define their own work roles. In order to achieve this autonomy, a higher level of self‐awareness and self‐efficacy is essential. Self‐awareness requires the leader to use a wide range of cognitive processes such as: focussing attention and evaluating current behaviour to internal standards and values; recognising their personality characteristics, strengths and weaknesses; and, having a clear perception of their emotions and self‐esteem. Importantly, leaders need to know how they relate to others, how they communicate and what makes them happy.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are contextual and may not fit all settings, but they offer a comparative account of leadership development in an industry facing perpetual change, economic challenges and a shortage of leadership talent.Practical implicationsThe paper has practical implications for human resource practitioners and professionals involved in the implementation of leadership development programs. Leadership is a global priority and organizations need to get much better spotting and developing leadership talent.Originality/valueThis paper will be of value to human resource professionals and managers, assisting them to think differently about leadership by focussing on an emerging underdeveloped area of leadership training and development
Experiential learning – creating learning experiences with business impact
Authors: Moody Ruth 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to show the benefits of experiential learning for delivering business results, and to justify the cost of training in our current economic climate.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is to examine the business and personal results gained from undertaking experiential learning courses across three different companies, and to show how they applied what was learnt to the workplace.FindingsIt was found that individuals from all three companies were able to use what they learnt on the courses and apply it back to the workplace, demonstrating real, measurable results.Practical implicationsThe learning experiences themselves had a profound effect on individuals, however it was the shared experiences, learning from other delegates through feedback and rigorous follow‐up, that delivered business results. It was found that although experiential learning courses might be more expensive than traditional classroom‐based courses, the return on investment is much more significant as individuals learn much more easily through experience, remember what they have learnt for longer, and are more loyal and committed because of them.Originality/valueThe value of this article is to learning and development professionals or organizations wishing to find out about the most economic and engaging ways in which to approach learning and development.
Smart experimentation: moving in‐market with maximum velocity and minimum risk
Authors: Moosa Naveed , Lee Joe 
Published: April 2012

PurposeCompanies lose tolerance for risk in tough economic times. The level of risk inherent in new ideas prevents organizations from investing in big, bold innovations that could unlock valuable new sources of revenue and profit. This paper describes how to apply methods extracted from the scientific approach to experimentation to de‐risk radical new business model innovations.Design/methodology/approachThe ideas presented in the paper were distilled from many years of experience working with organizations such as McDonalds and Best Buy, which have successfully applied the principles of experimentation to developing and launching new business concepts.FindingsRoad‐tested principles from the scientific method, combined with business acumen, define the new science of systemic innovation. Every bold new business concept should be de‐risked and tuned by applying six methods: break it down; sequence learning; iterate; operate at multiple levels of abstraction; create a safe learning environment; and apply experienced hands and new voices.Originality/valueThe paper presents a systemic and rigorous new method for de‐risking radical new business concepts based on well‐known methods extracted from the scientific lab. The approach is particularly important for large companies seeking new sources of growth while facing intense competition in their core businesses from relatively new players.
The Directed Evolution methodology
Authors: Harrington H. James , Voehl Frank , Zlotin Boris , Zusman Alla 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the nature of the Directed Evolution methodology, illustrate its usefulness in creating systemic change, and how it can be implemented in face of strong resistance to change. The paper aims to demonstrate how comprehensive product/program systems redesign for higher organizational effectiveness can be realized through a well‐defined Directed Evolution implementation.Design/methodology/approachA novel model and process for Directed Evolution implementation to facilitate systemic change in organizations and in communities are described. After successful implementation in several types of organizational units, the model was examined for congruence with well‐known frameworks in change management.FindingsThe paper finds that the model has congruence with several systemic change management frameworks. It complements systems thinking by harnessing organizational knowledge through creative involvement of organizational members, employing five‐phase execution to sustain organizational members’ motivation throughout the program; and realizing comprehensive patent and intellectual property redesign while improving program and product functionality.Originality/valueThe study show‐cases system thinking and new innovation tools and techniques as an excellent systemic change intervention.
The breadth and depth of foundation courses in Qatar's only public institution of higher education
Authors: Nasser Ramzi 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the levels of foundation‐year courses at the only public, four‐year institution of higher education in Qatar.Design/methodology/approachA basic crossed design was used to assess the degree to which the number and kind of foundation courses taken related to student enrollment, graduation, academic dismissal and academic performance. A chi‐square statistical analysis, Kruskal‐Wallis analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a repeated measure (MANOVA) were used to address the research questions.FindingsThe results of this study demonstrate that those students who are enrolled in an English foundation course and take at least one or more foundation course are more likely to remain enrolled in the university. In contrast, those students who enroll in more than one mathematics foundation course are more likely to be academically dismissed than to remain at this university. Students who pass through preparatory courses in English have higher scores in both their first and second post‐foundation English courses than those who do not participate in the program. In contrast, students who take foundation courses in mathematics were less likely to do well in post‐foundation courses than those who had not taken foundation courses. Those students who had taken an English foundation course were more likely to fail a post‐foundation course at the university level than to pass such a course. Those students who had taken a mathematic foundation course were just as likely to fail as those students who had not taken one. Generally, those students who went through English and mathematics foundation courses were more likely to perform at a significantly higher level and achieve a higher grade point average than those students who did not complete the preparatory program.Originality/valueA significant role of the preparatory program is to bring students to an academic level that allows them to continue on to regular university programs. This paper is significant because it assesses the worth and benefits of a preparatory program in a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country, which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Peeling the onion: public policy in entrepreneurship education
Authors: Cornwall Jeffrey R. , Dennis William J. 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to examine some basic pathways to bring issues of public policy into entrepreneurship classes.Design/methodology/approachThe paper looks at policy issues related to taxation, regulation and employment which all offer important topics that can be integrated into a variety of standard entrepreneurship courses.FindingsIntegrating policy issues into entrepreneurship classes is important to assist students understand the importance of compliance, to see the linkages to their broader university education, and to help make them more informed citizens.Originality/valueThis paper hopes to foster more integration of public policy into both the entrepreneurship classroom and into more traditional streams of entrepreneurship research.
Influence of preliminary etching on the stability of bonds created by one‐step self‐etch bonding systems
Authors: Taschner Michael , Nato Fernando , Mazzoni Annalisa , Frankenberger Roland , Falconi Mirella , Petschelt Anselm , Breschi Lorenzo 
Published: April 2012

Taschner M, Nato F, Mazzoni A, Frankenberger R, Falconi M, Petschelt A, Breschi L. Influence of preliminary etching on the stability of bonds created by one‐step self‐etch bonding systems.

Eur J Oral Sci 2012; 120: 239–248. © 2012 Eur J Oral SciWe evaluated the effects of preliminary etching of dentine on the stability of the bond created by one‐step self‐etch adhesives under different storage conditions. Adper Easy Bond (3M ESPE) and iBond Self‐Etch (iBond SE; Heraeus Kulzer) were applied with an etch‐and‐rinse (i.e. after preliminary phosphoric acid etching for 15 s) or a self‐etch approach. Resin–dentine bonded specimens were sectioned perpendicularly to the adhesive interface according to the ‘non‐trimming technique’. Beams were stored in artificial saliva for 24 h, 6 months, or 1 yr at 37°C, or in 10% NaOCl for 5 h at room temperature, and then stressed until failure; the microtensile bond strengths were calculated. Interfacial nanoleakage of additional teeth was evaluated using light microscopy or transmission electron microscopy. Adper Easy Bond showed higher bond strength than iBond SE, regardless of the dentine treatment. Similar microtensile bond strength results were obtained for teeth subjected to artificial ageing in 10% NaOCl for 5 h at room temperature and for teeth stored in artificial saliva for 6 months at 37°C. The additional etching step increased the microtensile bond strength for Adper Easy Bond and iBond SE. This study supports the use of one‐step adhesives on etched dentine because of the increased bond strength compared with their application onto smear‐layer‐covered dentine, regardless of storage conditions.
Repetitive sequences in phylogeographic inference: a reply to Saltonstall and Lambertini (2012)
Authors: FREELAND JOANNA , VACHON NICOLE 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIn 2011, Vachon and Freeland presented the results of a study that illustrated the importance of considering mutation patterns, including the potential for homoplasy, when deciding whether to include or exclude repetitive sequences from phylogeographic inferences. Saltonstall and Lambertini (2012) criticized this study by suggesting that some of the analyses and interpretations were flawed. In this reply, we explain why we disagree with most of their criticisms and identify some inconsistencies in their analyses. Most importantly, we reiterate the need to examine underlying assumptions, particularly with respect to mutation patterns, when using molecular genetic data to untangle evolutionary relationships.
Identification of Encephalitozoon and Enterocytozoon (Microsporidia) Spores in Stool and Urine Samples Obtained from Free-Living South American Coatis (Nasua nasua)
Authors: Lallo Maria Anete , Calábria Patrícia , Bondan Eduardo Fernandes , Milanelo Liliane 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

This study emphasizes the importance of free-living coatis as a potential source of microsporidian infection for humans living in large cities. We found 19 (31.7%) positive results among 60 fecal samples analyzed by PCR-based analysis and the Gram-Chromotrope staining technique (11.7% were positive for
Encephalitozoon cuniculi
, 6.7% for
E. intestinalis
, 6.7% for
E. hellem
, and 6.7% for
Enterocytozoon bieneusi
). Only 5 (8.4%) urine samples tested positive for
E. cuniculi
as assessed by the two techniques.
The Monothiol Glutaredoxin Grx4 Exerts an Iron-Dependent Inhibitory Effect on Php4 Function
Authors: Vachon Philippe , Mercier Alexandre , Jbel Mehdi , Labbé Simon 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

When iron is scarce,
Schizosaccharomyces pombe
cells repress transcription of several genes that encode iron-using proteins. Php4 mediates this transcriptional control by specifically interacting with the CCAAT-binding core complex that is composed of Php2, Php3, and Php5. In contrast, when there is sufficient iron, Php4 is inactivated, thus allowing the transcription of many genes that encode iron-requiring proteins. Analysis by bimolecular fluorescence complementation and two-hybrid assays showed that Php4 and the monothiol glutaredoxin Grx4 physically interact with each other. Deletion mapping analysis revealed that the glutaredoxin (GRX) domain of Grx4 associates with Php4 in an iron-dependent manner. Site-directed mutagenesis identified the Cys172 of Grx4 as being required for this iron-dependent association. Subsequent analysis showed that, although the thioredoxin (TRX) domain of Grx4 interacts strongly with Php4, this interaction is insensitive to iron. Fine mapping analysis revealed that the Cys35 of Grx4 is necessary for the association between the TRX domain and Php4. Taken together, the results revealed that whereas the TRX domain interacts constitutively with Php4, the GRX domain-Php4 association is both modulated by iron and required for the inhibition of Php4 activity in response to iron repletion.