bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
International tourists' image of Zhangjiajie, China: content analysis of travel blogs
Authors: Son Aram 
Published: August 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify Western travelers' image of Zhangjiajie, China as a tourist destination, drawing on data from contents of web travel blogs.Design/methodology/approachThe study taps the rich content of travel blogs as an alternative research instrument to measure and understand negative and positive images of destinations formed by travelers. Analysis of content drawn from travel blog data followed qualitative methodology techniques and utilized NVivo software.FindingsThe study shows that travel blogs can form a good basis for measuring Western travelers' image of destination. This was the case for Zhangjiajie, where analysis of travelers' blogs indicated that they were impressed overall by the destination's beautiful natural scenery and were highly satisfied with nature‐based tourism attractions. The study also expounds on certain aspects of the destination that can be improved to satisfy Western travelers.Originality/valueThe majority of destination image studies rely on structured surveys developed from the researchers' point of view. This study attempts to explore tourists' own perspectives on the nature of a tourist destination by using travel blogs.
Cost reduction vs innovative search in R&D
Authors: Bromiley Philip , Washburn Mark 
Published: August 2011

PurposeThis study aims to compare alternative search behaviors managers enact with regard to firm aspirations.Design/methodology/approachThe behavioral theory of the firm predicts that poor performance relative to aspiration levels leads to search for ways to raise performance over aspirations. Most researchers have assumed search leads to risk‐taking or innovation. However, firms might search for ways to raise performance without incurring additional risk, such as reducing expenses. This paper compares the two models of search using data on research and development (R&D) spending.FindingsThe results generally support the cost cutting argument; R&D spending increases monotonically with performance relative to social aspirations.Research limitations/implicationsThese results suggest researchers need to consider searches that emphasize cost reduction, as well as searches that emphasize innovation.Originality/valueOverall, this paper extends behavioral work on risk‐taking and R&D to provide a more complex view of the interactions between kinds of aspiration levels and both innovation and search behavior.
Strategic reorientation and business turnaround: the case of global legacy airlines
Authors: Lawton Thomas , Rajwani Tazeeb , O'Kane Conor 
Published: August 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to illustrate how legacy airlines can reorientate to achieve sharp recoveries in performance following prolonged periods of stagnation, decline and eroding competitiveness.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use a qualitative analysis of five longitudinal case studies of legacy airlines that embarked on strategic change between 1997 and 2006. Data collection spanned ten years and included archival data, public documents, news clippings, accounts in specialist books and internal company documentation.FindingsThe paper identifies two distinct approaches for reorientation in the legacy airline industry. Companies that have fallen behind and are in risk of failure focus on regaining customer trust and loyalty, and restructuring route networks, business processes and costs in an “improvement and innovation” reorienting approach. Underperforming airlines, for whom growth has declined in traditional markets and who note that opportunities exist elsewhere, focus on product and service development and geographical growth in an “extension and expansion” reorienting approach.Practical implicationsThe paper develops a framework for successful reorientation in the legacy airline industry. This framework encourages executives to focus on and leverage profit maximization, quality, leadership, alliance networks, regional consolidation and staff development during periods of strategy formulation and reorientation.Originality/valueThis research addresses the dearth of understanding and attention afforded to the concept of reorientation in the literature on strategic turnaround. The research also serves to emphasize the presence and importance of reorientation as a strategy of change within the legacy airline industry. Furthermore, in demonstrating how this strategy can be implemented in a sharp‐bending or performance improvement context, this study illustrates how reorientation is intertwined with the broader turnaround process.
Managing organizational capabilities: the Keystone step
Authors: Degravel Daniel 
Published: August 2011

PurposeThis paper seeks to contribute to the RBV by focusing on a central construct, the “Keystone step”, within the firms' capability management field. It aims at providing a conceptual framework for top managers to understand the main related issues and steps, and to position their own organizational perspective.Design/methodology/approachThe study explores the associated conceptual and empirical literature, borrowing from a strategic and a cognitive perspective, and defines and characterizes the central construct.FindingsThe author identifies a three‐step managerial process to handle capabilities: the Analytical step, the Action step, and the Keystone step. After briefly reviewing the resource‐based view, he suggests definitions and critical dimensions to design a conceptual frame articulated around the Keystone step, within which top managers can position and build their own approach. The critical founding rationale of capability management, rooted in underlying assumptions and beliefs, often implicit, hidden or neglected, increases the odds of blind managerial conceptual foundations. The author's claim focuses on the criticality of the Keystone step and the necessity of introspection to achieve sound strategic and capabilities‐related decisions.ImplicationsManagers must recognize the importance of the Keystone step, devote resources to understand their own organizational “RBV position”, and acknowledge the mental flexibility to do so. The RBV should shift from an epistemology of “possession” to an epistemology of “embodiment”.Originality/valueThe paper offers an original vision of the capabilities management within the RBV, details out the issues of the current conceptual foundation of that managerial activity, and offers propositions for the Keystone step construct.
Guanxi, structural hole and closure
Authors: Lu Ren , Reve Torger 
Published: August 2011

PurposeUnderstanding China's economic success requires insights into its peculiarguanxi‐based market. Many scholars are confused about how to apply Western network theories to theguanxi‐based Chinese market. This paper aims to contribute to this comprehensive topic by theoretically exploring the differences among three fundamental network concepts:guanxi; structural hole; and closure.Design/methodology/approachFollowing Heide, the present paper categorises networks into three dimensions: network initiation, network maintenance and network termination, each based on different time phases. The three fundamental network concepts in every dimension are compared, laying out their similarities and dissimilarities in detail.FindingsAlthough each of the three networks are initiated either naturally or artificially,guanxiis closely embedded in Chinese institutions. Unlike structural hole and closure, which can be applied at any level,guanxiis a special relation that only exists at the individual level. Structural hole and closure highlight the structures of the networks that bring them various benefits and constraints. Such merits are not evident inguanxi, in which favour exchange plays a crucial role in connecting entities. In addition,guanxihas special rules that affect the strength of ties.Originality/valueThe purpose of this paper is to articulate the differences amongguanxi, structural hole and closure. The systematic framework provides a platform to scholars interested in applying the Western network theory toguanxi‐based markets. The study work also provides new insights to non‐Chinese actors doing business in China.
Assessing the macroeconomic effects of fiscal policy in Colombia
Authors: Lozano Ignacio , Rodríguez Karen 
Published: August 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the short‐term macroeconomic effects of the fiscal policy in Colombia for the 1980‐2007 period using a structural vector autoregression (SVAR) model.Design/methodology/approachThe authors' benchmark is a five‐variable SVAR model which includes government spending, output, tax revenues, inflation and short‐term interest rates. In addition, the authors specified six‐variable VAR models, adding in turn private consumption, private investment, the unemployment rate and the real minimum wage to the last set of variables. Two alternative identification techniques are used in the VARs to check the robustness of the results.FindingsThe following effects of a positive government spending shock are found. First, the GDP responds positively and significantly during the first six quarters. The cumulative output multiplier fluctuates between 1.12 and 1.19. Second, both inflation and nominal interest rates respond positively and significantly. Third, the authors find a significant positive response by both private consumption and private investment. Finally, the unemployment rate reacts negatively and significantly.Research limitations/implicationsThe most surprising result comes from the response of output to a positive shock in taxes. Nonetheless, the positive respond of the GDP is short lived and has little significance.Practical implicationsThe authors' results support the smoothing role of fiscal policy on output fluctuations, which implies its capacity to restore real activity effectively in critical times like the ones currently being forecast.Originality/valueThe negligible results found previously for Colombia could be related to the fiscal data used, which are not keep coherence with national accounting. To solve these obstacles, a quarterly fiscal database is assembled on an approximately accrual basis for the general government.
An analysis of the effects of the severance payment reform on credit to Italian SMEs
Authors: Calcagno Riccardo , Kraeussl Roman , Monticone Chiara 
Published: August 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the impact of the 2007 Italian severance payment reform on the cost and the access to credit for small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachThe authors study the implications of the reform adapting the theoretical credit‐rationing model of Holmstrom and Tirole, then estimate the capital outflows due to the reform and, using the theoretical prediction, assess its impact using mathematical simulations.FindingsThe authors predict that the reform may cause severe credit constraints to SMEs which cannot pledge enough collateral in order to obtain credit. The most direct consequences are to reduce in the long run the amount of liquid assets available to Italian firms, and to reduce their aggregate investment in a more than proportional way, due to access to credit restrictions. However, it will not increase the cost of intermediated finance, ceteris paribus.Practical implicationsThe fact that the reform restricts access to credit, but does not increase the cost of debt, has important policy consequences, as public interventions subsidizing credit through a constant cost of debt may be ineffective.Originality/valueWhile the topic has been analyzed in several respects (e.g. workers' participation to the reform, cost of an access to credit subsidy, etc.), no other study proposed an integrated view of these effects with a rigorous micro‐economic approach.
Ownership structure, corporate governance and corporate liquidity policy
Authors: Bokpin Godfred A. , Isshaq Zangina , Aboagye‐Otchere Francis 
Published: August 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of ownership structure and corporate governance on corporate liquidity policy from a developing country perspective, Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE).Design/methodology/approachThe authors adopt multiple regression analysis in estimating the relationship between ownership structure, corporate governance and corporate liquidity policy as well as the impact of corporate governance on insider ownership.FindingsThe authors find that foreign share ownership significantly predicts corporate cash holding on the GSE. The empirical result also portrays positive and statistically significant relationship between board size, financial leverage, firm size, profitability and corporate liquidity holding, and a negative and statistically significant relationship between board composition and corporate liquidity holding. The authors also document positive and statistically significant relationship between the various industry classifications namely manufacturing, distribution and the pharmaceutical industry and corporate cash holdings on the GSE but did not however find significant relationship between corporate governance and insider ownership on the GSE. The authors found positive relationship between Tobin's Q and inside ownership.Originality/valueThe main value of this paper is to analyze the relationship between ownership structure, corporate governance and corporate liquid policy from a developing country perspective.
Efficacy and safety of dalcetrapib in type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or metabolic syndrome patients, at high cardiovascular disease risk
Authors: Stalenhoef A. F. H. , Davidson M. H. , Robinson J. G. , Burgess T. , Duttlinger‐Maddux R. , Kallend D. , Goldberg A. C. , Bays H. 
Published: August 2011

Aims: Mixed dyslipidaemia, characterized by low levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) and high levels of triglycerides, is common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and/or metabolic syndrome. Dalcetrapib effectively increases HDL‐C levels by modulating cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity. The aim of this analysis was to investigate the lipid modifying efficacy and safety of dalcetrapib in patients with T2DM and/or metabolic syndrome.Methods:
Post hoc analysis of dalcetrapib therapy in five placebo‐controlled, Phase II trials (4–48 weeks of duration) involving T2DM and/or metabolic syndrome, in dyslipidaemic patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) or CHD risk equivalent.Results: Both in patients with and without T2DM and/or metabolic syndrome, dalcetrapib decreased CETP activity by 26–58% and increased HDL‐C levels by 23–34%, depending on dose and duration of treatment. Dalcetrapib did not significantly affect low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) or apolipoprotein B levels. Treatment with dalcetrapib was generally well tolerated with a similar number of adverse events reported between patient groups and between those receiving dalcetrapib compared with placebo.Conclusions: Dalcetrapib similarly decreased CETP activity and increased HDL‐C levels in patients with and without T2DM or metabolic syndrome; the ongoing Phase III dal‐OUTCOMES study will help to determine if dalcetrapib's improvement in lipid levels also reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Preference for dentist’s home visits among older people
Authors: Komulainen Kaija , Ylöstalo Pekka , Syrjälä Anna‐Maija , Ruoppi Piia , Knuuttila Matti , Sulkava Raimo , Hartikainen Sirpa 
Published: August 2011

Komulainen K, Ylöstalo P, Syrjälä A‐M, Ruoppi P, Knuuttila M, Sulkava R, Hartikainen S. Preference for dentist’s home visits among older people. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2012; 40: 89–95. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/SAbstract –  Objectives:  To investigate factors associated with older people’s preference for a dentist’s home visit. Methods: This is a report on 321 home‐dwelling participants (mean age 81.6) in the population‐based Geriatric Multidisciplinary Strategy for Good Care of the Elderly (GeMS) study, conducted in 2004–2005 in the city of Kuopio in eastern Finland. The information about sociodemographic and general health‐related factors and the use of social and health services was collected by two study nurses using a structured interview. Each study subject was given a clinical oral examination and an interview about oral health and the use of dental health care services by one of two dentists. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Of the study subjects, 25.9% preferred a dentist’s home visit. The preference for choosing a dentist’s home visit was associated with a low score (≤24) in the Mini‐Mental State Examination, OR 6.1 (CI: 2.9–13.6), and a low score (<8) on the scale of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, OR 8.0 (CI: 3.6–18.6). It was also associated with living alone, OR 5.9 (CI: 2.7–13.0), and high use of home care services, OR 9.3 (CI: 4.6–19.0). Conclusions: The findings of this study emphasize the need to organize dentists’ home visits in order to increase equality in the use of dental health care services among the older people with disabilities.
Evolutionary History and Functional Characterization of Three Large Genes Involved in Sporulation in Bacillus cereus Group Bacteria
Authors: Reiter Lillian , Tourasse Nicolas J. , Fouet Agnès , Loll Raphaël , Davison Sophie , Økstad Ole Andreas , Piehler Armin P. , Kolstø Anne-Brit 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

The
Bacillus cereus
group of bacteria is a group of closely related species that are of medical and economic relevance, including
B. anthracis
,
B. cereus
, and
B. thuringiensis
. Bacteria from the
Bacillus cereus
group encode three large, highly conserved genes of unknown function (named
crdA
,
crdB
, and
crdC
) that are composed of 16 to 35 copies of a repeated domain of 132 amino acids at the protein level. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that there is a phylogenetic bias in the genomic distribution of these genes and that strains harboring all three large genes mainly belong to cluster III of the
B. cereus
group phylogenetic tree. The evolutionary history of the three large genes implicates gain, loss, duplication, internal deletion, and lateral transfer. Furthermore, we show that the transcription of previously identified antisense open reading frames in
crdB
is simultaneously regulated with its host gene throughout the life cycle
in vitro
, with the highest expression being at the onset of sporulation. In
B. anthracis
, different combinations of double- and triple-knockout mutants of the three large genes displayed slower and less efficient sporulation processes than the parental strain. Altogether, the functional studies suggest an involvement of these three large genes in the sporulation process.
Role of Phase Variation in the Resistance of Myxococcus xanthus Fruiting Bodies to Caenorhabditis elegans Predation
Authors: Dahl John L. , Ulrich Christina H. , Kroft Tim L. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTThe phenomenon of phase variation between yellow and tan forms ofMyxococcus xanthushas been recognized for several decades, but it is not known what role this variation may play in the ecology of myxobacteria. We confirm an earlier report that tan variants are disproportionately more numerous in the resulting spore population of aM. xanthusfruiting body than the tan vegetative cells that contributed to fruiting body formation. However, we found that tan cells may not require yellow cells for fruiting body formation or starvation-induced sporulation of tan cells. Here we report three differences between the yellow and tan variants that may play important roles in the soil ecology ofM. xanthus. Specifically, the yellow variant is more capable of forming biofilms, is more sensitive to lysozyme, and is more resistant to ingestion by bacteriophagous nematodes. We also show that the myxobacterial fruiting body is more resistant to predation by worms than are dispersedM. xanthuscells.
Allometric scaling of peak power output accurately predicts time trial performance and maximal oxygen consumption in trained cyclists
Authors: Lamberts Robert P , Lambert Michael I , Swart Jeroen , Noakes Timothy D 
Published: August 2011

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine if peak power output (PPO) adjusted for body mass0.32is able to accurately predict 40-km time trial (40-km TT) performance.Methods45 trained male cyclists completed after familiarisation, a PPO test including respiratory gas analysis, and a 40-km TT. PPO, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and 40-km TT time were measured. Relationships between 40-km TT performance and (I) absolute PPO (W) and VO2max(l/min), (II) relative PPO (W/kg) and VO2max(ml/min/kg) and (III) PPO and VO2maxadjusted for body mass (W/kg0.32and ml/min/kg0.32, respectively) were studied.ResultsThe continuous ramp protocol resulted in a similar relationship between PPO and VO2max(r=0.96, p<0.0001) compared with a stepwise testing protocol but was associated with a lower standard error of the estimated when predicting VO2max. PPO adjusted for body mass (W/kg0.32) had the strongest relationship with 40-km TT performance (s) (r=−0.96, p<0.0001). Although significant relationships were also found between absolute (W) and/or relative PPO (W/kg) and 40-km TT performance (s), these relationships were significantly weaker than the relationship between 40-km TT performance and PPO adjusted for body mass (W/kg0.32) (p<0.0001).ConclusionsVO2maxcan be accurately predicted from PPO when using a continuous ramp protocol, possibly even more accurately than when using a stepwise testing protocol. 40-km TT performance (s) in trained cyclists can be predicted most accurately by PPO adjusted for body mass (W/kg0.32). As both VO2maxand 40-km TT performance can be accurately predicted from a PPO test, this suggests that (well)-trained cyclists can possibly be monitored more frequently and with fewer tests.
Safety and cost effectiveness of step-down unit admission following elective neurointerventional procedures
Authors: Richards Boyd F , Fleming J Brett , Shannon Chevis N , Walters Beverly C , Harrigan Mark R 
Published: August 2011

ObjectivePost-procedure monitoring in a neurointensive care unit (NICU) after neurointerventional procedures is conventional at most centers. However, NICU resources are scarce and costly. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an intermediate care step-down unit could be a safe and cost-effective alternative to the NICU for patients after uncomplicated neurointerventional procedures.MethodsA retrospective review was undertaken of 127 consecutive patients over a 3-year period undergoing elective neurointerventional procedures including treatment of intracranial aneurysms, tumors, arteriovenous malformations and dural arteriovenous fistulas. Seventy-one patients were admitted to a step-down unit and 56 patients were admitted to the NICU. Endpoints were post-procedural complications, hospital costs and length of stay. Patients admitted to the step-down unit were compared with patients admitted to the NICU.ResultsPatients admitted to the step-down unit did not have more complications than patients admitted to the NICU. Two patients admitted to the step-down unit had neurological complications after the procedure which were immediately recognized by nursing staff and adequately managed. The mean (SD) total cost per patient was $19 299 ($6955) for patients admitted to the step-down unit and $22 716 ($8052) for patients admitted to the NICU, resulting in a statistically significant cost saving for patients admitted to the step-down unit of $3417 (p=0.012). The mean (SD) total cost less procedural costs per patient was $8442 ($4062) for patients in the step-down unit and $10 631 ($4727) for those admitted to the NICU, which was also statistically significant (p=0.005). Length of stay averaged 21.7 h for patients admitted to the step-down unit and 24.9 h for those admitted to the NICU (p=0.016).ConclusionsA step-down unit is a safe and cost-effective alternative to the NICU for patients undergoing elective neurointerventional procedures.