bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antecedents of performance of multi‐level channels in transitional economies
Authors: Salciuviene Laura , Reardon James , Auruskeviciene Vilte 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the antecedents of channel performance in a multi‐level marketing (MLM) channel.Design/methodology/approachPersonal interviews with 105 distributors from network marketing companies operating in Lithuania, provided data for this study. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation model (LISREL).FindingsThe findings suggest that trust, locus of control and shared values are moderated by channel commitment of the downstream channel members.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to one country under investigation, therefore further research needs to be extended to other economies. Researchers might also identify additional variables affecting channel performance as well as undertake a longitudinal approach of the focal areas of commitment and channel performance.Practical implicationsThis study is of managerial interest, as the framework suggested in this study may be applied by MLM firms to monitor their networks and evaluate multi‐level channel performance.Originality/valueMLM channels offer a unique alternative and underutilized distribution channel for many companies, yet limited theoretical research has been accomplished in this arena. MLM channels are very interpersonal by their very nature and thus we extend the relationship marketing paradigm to MLM. In addition, transitional economies tend to have less developed marketing channels, and therefore are prime targets for MLM. Thus, this research specifically examines MLM in a transitioning economy.
Expatriates and the institutionalisation of HRM practices
Authors: Steger Thomas , Lang Rainhart , Groeger Friederike 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an in‐depth description of the process of institutionalisation and development of human resource management (HRM) practices in subsidiaries of German multinational companies in Russia.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on nine case studies of Russian subsidiaries including 26 interviews (13 German expatriates and 13 local employees), participative observations and document analyses. The data analysis follows a qualitative methodology.FindingsThe study provides four patterns of institutionalisation processes of HRM practices. They stress the importance of personal, institutional and contextual factors for the institutionalisation of HRM practices. Moreover, the key role of expatriates with their specific value orientations and behaviour in this process is highlighted.Research limitations/implicationsOne suggestion for further research would be to replicate the study quantitatively (in order to get more cases) as well as qualitatively (to get broader inter‐cultural data). Furthermore, it would be valuable to take a more long‐term focus to examine the described institutionalisation paths in the long run.Practical implicationsThe paper highlights the importance of personal characteristics of expatriates that are often underestimated in companies' selection procedures. Moreover, the connection between the parent company's strategy and the pattern of institutionalisation of HRM practices should make the company management reflect upon the preferred pattern before taking the basic decisions. Taking into account the strong economic relationship between Russia and Germany and the expected further development of joint activities, the paper provides also important insights for the use of German expatriates in Russia.Originality/valueThis paper improves our comprehension of the complex process of implementation and institutionalisation of HRM practices abroad. Moreover, it contributes to the HRM literature as it employs the concept of “transnational spaces” as an alternative and additional approach to explain this process. The resulting patterns may not be restricted to the Russian case only but should be adaptable to other emerging countries as well.
Reflection of higher education aspects in the conception of national competitiveness
Authors: Ramoniene Lineta , Lanskoronskis Marius 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to synthesize higher education (HE) elements as expressed in competitiveness literature and provide a comprehensive list of HE aspects found in the conception of competitiveness. In order to achieve this goal, the most acknowledged conceptions, including definitions and measurements, of competitiveness are overviewed and HE components reflected in them are depicted.Design/methodology/approachIn order to achieve the article goal, the most acknowledged conceptions, including definitions and measurements, of competitiveness are overviewed and HE components reflected in them are depicted.FindingsThe reviewed measurements of competitiveness have provided a comprehensive list of HE elements. After reviewing a combination of literature on national competitiveness, it is stated that the following HE elements appear in the conception of national competitiveness – preparation for the HE (as reflected in quantity and quality of secondary education), tertiary education quantity and quality, funding of HE system, quality of scientific research institutions and links of the HE system with the labor and business sectors.Practical implicationsThe article has a practical value for HE policy makers since it detects key HE factors that are included in the most acknowledged competitiveness measurements which means that these factors have been identified to be the most influential for the growth of a country's prosperity. It is important for HE reformers to understand the underlying dynamics of the competitiveness process and factors that drive it so that they can contribute in the most effective ways.Originality/valueThe article provides a comprehensive list of HE aspects found in competitiveness definitions and measurements. This can be useful for researchers in comparative HE research field. They are constantly seeking for common grounds of comparison of HE systems. The article provides the list of HE characteristics that can serve as basis of comparison. It is a complicated task to study similarities and differences between HE systems because it is difficult to find a joining point. In the article, this joining point has become national competitiveness. Thus, the article contributes to the quest for adequate theoretical approaches for HE system analysis, putting forward a list tailored to the study of HE systems in the context of national competitiveness.
Involvement of implementers: missing element in strategy formulation
Authors: Dandira Martin 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to help top managers find ways of involving implementers of strategy at the strategic formulation level.Design/methodology/approachThe author has conducted research in organisations that have come up with strategic plans, identified how top managers fail to include implementers when formulating strategy, and advises them on how to avoid this trap.FindingsGrasping the real reason for involving implementers in strategy formulation for top managers may be a difficult task, though it is a fact that employees contribute better when they are involved in the planning stage.Practical implicationsMethods are provided for top managers to follow when formulating strategy.Originality/valueThis paper gives practical advice from situations in organisations and helps managers to involve all stakeholders holistically when formulating a strategy.
The freshmen assessment: ensuring that your incoming executive talent quickly makes the grade
Authors: Michaud Gregory 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to improve the transition process for key senior executives.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on over 25 years of observations regarding effective and ineffective executive transitions.FindingsThe author identifies five critical components of successful executive transition: surface and eliminate false assumptions; appoint a transition coordinator; develop a transition plan with the new executive; develop a transition plan with the executive team; and review the plan and metrics with all stakeholders while making any changes needed. The author also points out important transition milestones to be observed in a successful transition; The new executive should assess and choose his team, assess the new organization, articulate a vision for the future and establish open, two‐way communications.Originality/valueThis paper is of value to C‐level executives responsible for hiring staff, senior HR staff and new executives.
The impact of executive directors' service contracts on strategic plan
Authors: Dandira Martin 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to help boards of directors to find ways of establishing continuity in the strategic plan when strategists are employed on contract leave before the end of the strategic plan period.Design/methodology/approachThe author has conducted research in organisations that have executives on contracts of three to five years, and identifies how strategic plans are negatively affected when executives on contract – especially top management – leave organisations when their contracts ends. Research in organisations has shown that strategic plans usually have longer periods than the contract of the strategist, and contract renewal is sometimes not obvious.FindingsThe length of the strategist's contract and the length of the strategic plan have not been taken into account when crafting strategic plans in organisations and appointing executive directors. This scenario has caused a lot of strategy failures.Practical implicationsWays are provided for boards of directors and organisations to foster a culture of continuity of the strategic plan even when executives leave the organisation unceremoniously or when their contracts end and are not renewed.Originality/valueThis paper gives practical advice from situations in organisations and helps boards of directors to take into account the duration of strategic plans when employing executives.
The impact of firm reputation on customers’ responses to service failure: the role of failure attributions
Authors: Nikbin Davoud , Ismail Ishak , Marimuthu Malliga , Younis Abu‐Jarad Ismael 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to assess the influence firm reputation on behavioral intentions and to examine the moderating role of failure attributions in the relationship between firm reputation and behavioral intentions.Design/methodology/approachThe sample used in this study consists of 127 airline passengers in an airport in Iran. The data were collected via a structured survey.FindingsBased on the findings firm reputation has a significant and positive relationship with behavioral intention. Additionally, hierarchical regression analyses confirmed the moderating role of failure attributions in the relationship between firm reputation and behavioral intentions.Research limitations/implicationsThis study examines only one service context; consequently, the results cannot be generalized to other service industries.Practical implicationsBy understanding the important role of firm reputation, service organizations understand that carefully building and maintaining reputation is paramount for continued success as this study shows that an excellent reputation directly affects how customers respond to failures.Originality/valueAlthough, prior research has developed an understanding of the role of firm reputation on behavioral intentions, however, this study additionally examined the role of failure attributions as the moderator in this relationship.
Involvement of a putative response regulator FgRrg‐1 in osmotic stress response, fungicide resistance and virulence in Fusarium graminearum
Authors: JIANG JINHUA , YUN YINGZI , FU JING , SHIM WON‐BO , MA ZHONGHUA 
Published: January 2011

SUMMARYResponse regulator (RR) proteins are core elements of the high‐osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway, which plays an important role in the adaptation of fungi to a variety of environmental stresses. In this study, we constructed deletion mutants of two putative RR genes, FgRRG‐1 and FgRRG‐2, which are orthologues of Neurospora crassa RRG‐1 and RRG‐2, respectively. The FgRRG‐1 deletion mutant (ΔFgRrg1‐6) showed increased sensitivity to osmotic stress mediated by NaCl, KCl, sorbitol or glucose, and to metal cations Li+, Ca2+ and Mg2+. The mutant, however, was more resistant than the parent isolate to dicarboximide and phenylpyrrole fungicides. Inoculation tests showed that the mutant exhibited decreased virulence on wheat heads. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction assays indicated that the expression of FgOS‐2, the putative downstream gene of FgRRG‐1, was decreased significantly in ΔFgRrg1‐6. All of the defects were restored by genetic complementation of ΔFgRrg1‐6 with the wild‐type FgRRG‐1 gene. Different from the FgRRG‐1 deletion mutant, FgRRG‐2 deletion mutants were morphologically indistinguishable from the wild‐type progenitor in virulence and in sensitivity to the dicarboximide fungicide iprodione and osmotic stresses. These results indicate that the RR FgRrg‐1 of F. graminearum is involved in the osmotic stress response, pathogenicity and sensitivity to dicarboximide and phenylpyrrole fungicides and metal cations.
Neutrophils of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients on Anti‐TNF‐α Therapy and in Disease Remission Present Reduced Adhesive Functions in Association with Decreased Circulating Neutrophil‐Attractant Chemokine Levels
Authors: Dominical V. M. , Bértolo M. B. , Almeida C. B. , Garrido V. T. , Miguel L. I. , Costa F. F. , Conran N. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractNeutrophils participate in the initiation and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) although the exact mechanisms responsible for neutrophil accumulation in rheumatoid joints are not understood. This study compared the adhesive and chemotactic functions of neutrophils from RA patients in activity (DAS28 > 3.2) and not in activity (DAS28 < 2.6) and observed the effects of different treatment approaches on these functions. Neutrophils were isolated from healthy controls (CON), and patients with active or inactive RA in use of therapy not specific for RA (NSAIDs), in use of DMARDs and in use of anti‐TNF‐α therapy. Adhesive and chemotactic properties were evaluated using in vitro assays; adhesion molecule expression was assessed by flow cytometry and real‐time PCR and circulating chemokines were determined by ELISA. No significant alterations in the adhesive and chemotactic properties of neutrophils from active RA were observed when compared to CON neutrophils, independently of treatment regimen. In contrast, neutrophils from RA patients in disease remission presented reduced adhesive properties and a lower spontaneous chemotactic capacity, in association with decreased adhesion molecule expression, although profiles of alterations differed for those patients on DMARDs and those on anti‐TNF‐α therapy. Circulating levels of the major neutrophilic chemokines, IL‐8 and epithelial neutrophil activating peptide‐78, were also significantly decreased in those patients demonstrating a clinical response. Remission of RA appears to be associated with ameliorations in aspects important for neutrophil adhesion and chemotaxis; whether these alterations contribute to decrease neutrophil migration to the synovial fluid, with consequent improvements in the clinical manifestations of RA, remains to be determined.
FACTORS RELATED TO LATERAL MARGIN POSITIVITY FOR CANCER IN GASTRIC SPECIMENS OF ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION
Authors: KAKUSHIMA NAOMI , ONO HIROYUKI , TANAKA MASAKI , TAKIZAWA KOHEI , YAMAGUCHI YUICHIRO , MATSUBAYASHI HIROYUKI 
Published: January 2011

Background:  With the widespread use of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), more large early gastric cancers (EGC) have become candidates for endoscopic resection. A precise diagnosis of the extent of cancer is indispensable to obtain R0 resection. The aim of the present study was to clarify the factors related to lateral margin positivity for cancer in specimens resected by ESD for EGC.Methods:  Among 1549 EGC treated by ESD during September 2002 to December 2008, lesions that were resected in an en‐bloc fashion and resulted in a pathological diagnosis of lateral margin positive (LM+) for cancer, were extracted. The reason for LM+ and pathological characteristics of the lesions were studied and compared to lesions successfully resected with margins negative for cancer.Results:  There were three types of lesion that resulted in LM+ resection: lesions with a flat spreading area, lesions with an unexpected nearby lesion, and lesions with lateral extension beneath a non‐cancerous mucosa. Compared to lesions resected with margins negative for cancer, diameter of the tumor, recurrent‐type cancer, submucosal cancer, and undifferentiated‐type cancer were factors significantly related to LM+ resection.Conclusion:  Other than misdiagnosing a small portion of cancer extension, lateral margin positivity for cancer by ESD could result from a neighboring lesion and an unexpected lateral submucosal cancer extension. To avoid LM+ resection of EGC by ESD, one should be careful of unexpected lateral extension and simultaneous multi‐lesions.
Relative contribution of weight‐bearing and non‐weight‐bearing effect of adipose tissue to bone mineral density in postmenopausal women
Authors: Kawamura Yukie , Yanazume Yumi , Kuwahata Akiko , Yonehara Yukie , Iwamoto Ichiro , Tsuji Takahiro , Douchi Tsutomu 
Published: January 2011

AbstractAim:  To investigate the relative contributions of weight‐bearing and non‐weight‐bearing effects of adipose tissue to bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women.Material and Methods:  The subjects were 228 postmenopausal women aged 50–75 years. Age, years since menopause (YSM), height, body weight, and body mass index were recorded. Trunk fat mass, body fat mass, bilateral leg BMD and lean (muscle) mass were measured by whole body scanning with dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. The relationships of BMD to trunk and body fat mass were investigated using uni‐ and multivariable analyses.Results:  The amount of trunk fat mass and body fat mass were 8.7 ± 3.6 kg and 19.0 ± 5.9 kg, respectively. On Pearson's correlation test, right leg BMD was positively correlated with trunk fat mass (r = 0.268, P < 0.001) and body fat mass (0.299, P < 0.001). On multiple linear regression analysis, trunk fat mass (t‐value = 3.500, P < 0.001), age (−2.431, P < 0.05), and YSM (−2.564, P < 0.01) were independent significant predictors of right leg BMD. However, body fat mass was not a predictor of BMD (−0.465, P = 0.642). These relationships remained significant after further adjusting for right leg muscle mass.Conclusion:  Trunk fat mass rather than body fat mass is a significant predictor of leg BMD at the most weight‐bearing site, despite being less than half the amount of body fat mass. Thus, adipose tissue contributes more to BMD through non‐weight‐bearing effect rather than weight‐bearing effect.
Oxygen (O2) kinetics during early recovery from peak exercise in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Levinger I. , Varley M. , Jerums G. , Hare D. L. , Selig S. 
Published: January 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 612–617 (2011)AbstractAims  To examine the oxygen (O2) kinetics during early recovery from peak exercise in patients with Type 2 diabetes and to examine whether oxygen O2 recovery is associated with fasting glucose and HbA1c in this population.Methods  Eighty‐nine participants (52 men) aged 51.8 ± 7.1 years (mean ± sd) were divided into three groups: normal weight (BMI ≤ 25.0 kg/m2), overweight/obese without diabetes (BMI ≥ 26 kg/m2) and overweight/obese with Type 2 diabetes. Participants were assessed for their aerobic power (VO2peak) on a cycle ergometer, provided a fasting blood sample and underwent a series of anthropometric measurements. Early recovery period was measured for 60 s from cessation of exercise and expressed as percentage of VO2peak (higher percentage represents slower recovery).Results  No significant differences were observed for age between the three study groups. Both the overweight/obese groups without diabetes and with Type 2 diabetes had higher BMI than the normal weight group, with no significant differences between overweight/obese participants without diabetes and those with diabetes. Participants with Type 2 diabetes had lower VO2peak than overweight/obese participants without diabetes and normal weight individuals (19.6 ± 4.8, 22.6 ± 5.4 and 25.7 ± 5.3 ml kg−1 min−1, respectively, P < 0.004 for overall trends). Participants with Type 2 diabetes also had slower recovery in oxygen O2 kinetics after exercise, compared with both normal weight and overweight/obese individuals without diabetes (56.5 ± 7.7, 49.2 ± 7.2, 47.7 ± 7.4%, P < 0.004 for overall trends). Multiple regression analysis revealed that percentage of oxygen O2 recovery was a stronger predictor than VO2peak, BMI or age for fasting glucose and HbA1c.Conclusions  Patients with Type 2 diabetes have lower VO2peak and prolonged oxygen O2 recovery from peak exercise. However, only prolonged oxygen O2 recovery was associated with fasting glucose and HbA1c.
Cost of privatisation versus government alcohol retailing systems: Canadian example
Authors: POPOVA SVETLANA , PATRA JAYADEEP , SARNOCINSKA‐HART ANNA , GNAM WILLIAM H. , GIESBRECHT NORMAN , REHM JÜRGEN 
Published: January 2011

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. Alcohol retail monopolies have been established in many countries to restrict alcohol availability and thus, minimise alcohol‐related harm. The aim of this study was to estimate the impact of the privatisation of alcohol sales on the burden and direct health‐care, law enforcement costs and indirect costs (lost productivity due to disability or premature mortality) in Canada.Design and Methods. Simulation modelling. International Guidelines for the Estimation of the Avoidable Costs of Substance Abuse were used. All burden and costs were compared with the baseline taken from the aggregate Cost Study on Substance Abuse in Canada 2002.Results. If all Canadian provinces and territories were to privatise alcohol sales we assume that consumption would increase from 10% to 20% based on available Canadian literature. Under the 10% scenario the costs would increase from 6% ($828 million) and under the 20% scenario costs would increase 12% ($1.6 billion). This increase is substantially greater than the tax and mark‐up revenue gained from increased sales, and represents a net loss.Discussion and Conclusions. Alcohol‐attributable burden and associated costs will increase markedly if all Canadian provinces and territories gave up the government alcohol retailing systems. For public health and economic reasons, governments should continue to have a strong role in alcohol retailing. [Popova S, Patra J, Sarnocinska‐Hart A, Gnam WH, Giesbrecht N, Rehm J. Cost of privatisation versus government alcohol retailing systems: Canadian example. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:4–12]