bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Flow in a rapidly rotating cone‐shaped PCR‐tube
Authors: Skote Martin , Mårtensson Gustaf E. , Johansson Arne V. 
Published: July 2011

PurposeA precise and rapid temperature cycling of a small volume of fluid is vital for an effective DNA replication process using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The purpose of this paper is to study the velocity and temperature fields inside a rotating PCR‐tube during cooling of the enclosed liquid.Design/methodology/approachThe velocity and temperature fields inside a rotating PCR‐tube during cooling of the enclosed liquid are studied. By using computational fluid dynamics, the time development of the flow can be investigated in detail. Owing to the rotation, the flow exhibits features which could never arise in a non‐rotating system.FindingsAn intricate azimuthal boundary layer flow is presented and explained. The inherent problem of stratification of the temperature is discussed, and different methods towards a remedy are presented. By analyzing the governing equations, some properties of the flow observed in the simulations are explained. It is shown that increasing the rate of rotation does not improve temperature homogenization.Research limitations/implicationsThe simulations were performed for a limited number of temperature boundary conditions, as well as a specific simulation geometry.Practical implicationsThe analytical and simulation results offer fundamental insight into the physics behind increased DNA duplication. Further simulations offer possible design improvements.Originality/valueWhile many studies have probed the effects of buoyancy in rotating cylinders and the development of boundary layers in stratified flows in conical containers rotating around their axis of symmetry, little work has been specifically focused on the case where the axis of rotation is normal to the direction of the stratification, which is the case in the present study.
How to attract people who are in sync with your culture
Authors: Weyland Anita 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to underline the importance of organizations attracting people who are synchronized with the organizational culture.Design/methodology/approachDeals with defining the company's culture, recruitment advertising, and the interviewing and selection of candidates.FindingsExplains how appointing someone whose values, beliefs and behaviors are compatible with those of the organization can contribute to increased productivity and, ultimately, corporate success.Practical implicationsContends that an employee who is in sync with the company culture is more likely to be committed, perform better, stay longer and promote the company than someone who joined just for the job.Social implicationsArgues that ethics, working practices, social dynamics and community involvement are all important selection criteria for the candidate.Originality/valueUrges that an emotional connection with the brand/product/service is crucial if the organization wants an employee who truly flies the flag for the company.
Board of directors' independence and executive compensation disclosure transparency
Authors: Ben‐Amar Walid , Zeghal Daniel 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the relationship between board of directors' independence and executive compensation disclosures transparency.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines compensation disclosure practices of a sample of 181 firms listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Board independence from management is assessed through an aggregate score which takes into account the proportion of independent directors, board leadership structure (i.e. CEO is the board chairperson), and the existence and independence of board committees. A cross‐sectional regression analysis is used to examine the relationship between board independence and the extent of compensation disclosure.FindingsThe paper finds that board independence from management is positively related to the transparency of executive compensation‐related information. In addition, this study documents a positive (negative) relation between firm size, US cross‐listing, growth opportunities (leverage) and the extent of executive compensation disclosure.Research limitations/implicationsThe study's results provide support to the managerial opportunism hypothesis in executive compensation. These findings highlight the importance of the board of directors as an effective governance mechanism which limits managerial rent‐seeking in the design as well as the disclosure of executive compensation practices.Originality/valueThis paper extends prior disclosure studies by examining the impact of board characteristics on the transparency of executive compensation disclosures in a principles‐based governance regime. Furthermore, executive compensation disclosure provides an interesting setting in which to examine the ability of the directors to act independently from managers in a conflict of interests situation.
The landscape of cybercrime in Greece
Authors: Vlachos Vasileios , Minou Marilena , Assimakopouos Vasillis , Toska Androniki 
Published: July 2011

PurposeCybercrime is a serious threat for most modern societies as it hinders the necessary adoption of information and communication technologies (ICT). This paper seeks to analyze a large number of real cases related to the cybercrime in Greece.Design/methodology/approachAll cases were voluntarily submitted from Greek users, who asked for assistance to a special task force, composed of public sector employees and servants. By analyzing more than 1,000 similar cases, the paper derives a taxonomy of security‐related incidents that the Greek users encountered during the past years. Greece only recently embraced broadband technologies and, therefore, this paper is able to observe the corresponding increase of cybercriminal activities.FindingsAn analysis of the reports received by the task force indicate a clear shift in the type of reported content. A large number of recent reports from Greek users concern financial fraud schemes and phenomena of cyberbullying and cyber‐extortions, activities related primarily to the newly emerged social networking sites.Originality/valueThe paper offers insights into cybercrime in Greece via real case studies.
Countering code injection attacks: a unified approach
Authors: Mitropoulos Dimitris , Karakoidas Vassilios , Louridas Panagiotis , Spinellis Diomidis 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a generic approach that prevents a specific class of code injection attacks (CIAs) in a novel way.Design/methodology/approachTo defend against CIAs this approach involves detecting attacks by using location‐specific signatures to validate code statements. The signatures are unique identifiers that represent specific characteristics of a statement's execution. The key property that differentiates the scheme presented in this paper is that these characteristics do not depend entirely on the code statement, but also take into account elements from its execution context.FindingsThe approach was applied successfully to defend against attacks targeting structured query language (SQL), XML Path Language and JavaScript with positive results.Originality/valueDespite many countermeasures that have been proposed the number of CIAs has been increasing. Malicious users seem to find new ways to introduce compromised embedded executable code to applications by using a variety of languages and techniques. Hence, a generic approach that defends against such attacks would be a useful countermeasure. This approach can defend attacks that involve both domain‐specific languages (e.g. SQL) and general purpose languages (e.g. JavaScript) and can be used both against client‐side and server‐side attacks.
Workplace learning and its organizational benefits for small enterprises
Authors: Panagiotakopoulos Antonios 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore small firm owners' perceptions of the impact of employee training on small firm competitiveness in the context of Greece.Design/methodology/approachThe research adopts a qualitative orientation. Empirical data were collected from 43 owners of small and micro‐firms operating in various sectors of the Greek manufacturing industry through personal semi‐structured interviews.FindingsThe empirical evidence reveals that informal staff training can help Greek small firms face the challenges of the future. More specifically, the interview findings indicated that workplace training can: reduce employee errors in the production process; help small firms to meet skill shortage needs; facilitate the introduction of new technology; and enhance worker employability.Practical implicationsThe paper argues that a key challenge for policy makers and employers in this area is to facilitate informal learning within small firms in order to improve firm performance. In the same manner, work‐integrated learning (WIL) seems to have a vital role to play in the performance of Greek small enterprises since WIL programs have the potential to address skills mismatch issues.Originality/valueThe study brings new insights around the benefits of informal staff training and work‐integrated learning for small and micro‐firm performance in the context of a small European country like Greece, where there has been scant research and very limited understanding.
Method and tools for building maintenance plan arbitration
Authors: Taillandier Franck , Sauce Gérard , Bonetto Régis 
Published: July 2011

PurposeBuildings maintenance is a complex activity: importance of issues, scales crossing, diversity of civil engineering domains … The key point of this activity is the elaboration of the maintenance. This paper seeks to present a method and the associated tools to elaborate a building maintenance plan considering the complexity of the facility management.Design/methodology/approachThe risk notion can be a solution to handle the complexity. Specialists may specify each decision in terms of risk form in order to purchase (reflecting the probability and the associated consequences) a rich view about the global situation. The principle is to use a simulation logic, to compare the situation in terms of risk, with or without the realization of an action (work, equipment replacement, formation, etc.). This simulation logic must be based on efficient software tools, which enable one to manage the risk database ergonomically.FindingsThe method took the form of an experiment in a leading French company. The experiment's results and plan were highly beneficial. Although the method was based on personal choices rather than on a mathematical function, the final maintenance plan was considered sound and seemed to correspond to the expectations of all the participants.Originality/valueMost facilities management methods and tools find answering the complexity problem difficult. They ignore the complexity by focusing only on the technical aspect. The work takes place at the highest facility management level, therefore shedding new light on this domain. The risk notion enables one to consider the complexity of the maintenance and to formalize it into an understandable form for the decision‐maker.
Do stealth restatements convey material information?
Authors: Irani Afshad J. , Xu Le (Emily) 
Published: July 2011

PurposeEffective August 23, 2004, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires all firms to disclose restatements via an item 4.02 Form 8‐K filing. However, a significant number of firms continue to disclose restatements using means other than an 8‐K. Commonly referred to as stealth restatements, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the materiality of restatements disclosed in either the 10‐K or the 10‐Q by comparing them to those disclosed via 8‐K.Design/methodology/approachUnivariate and multivariate analyses compare the characteristics of and the market reaction to 10‐K/10‐Q restatements to those of 8‐K restatements.FindingsThe authors find stealth restatements are more likely to be those not affecting net income, with longer filing delays, not subject to SEC investigation and made by firms audited by non‐big four accounting firms. The authors document a negative market reaction to 8‐K restatements around the restatement disclosure date. However, for stealth restatements they find no market reaction around the 10‐K/10‐Q filing date and for up to 22 trading days after the 10‐K/10‐Q filings. Research limitations/implications – The study shows a significant difference in materiality between stealth and 8‐K restatements.Practical implicationsThe study is important to investors, regulators and academics because it supports the notion that stealth restatements include less significant information relative to that disclosed in 8‐K restatements. This result is in line with the SEC disclosure requirement.Originality/valueThe significant number of stealth restatements since 2004 begs the question as to what kind of information is being disclosed in these restatements. The paper responds to this question.
The “Great Satan” talks with the “Evil”
Authors: Yeganeh Hamid 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis article aims to analyze the Iranian and American national cultures and to discuss the implications of cultural differences for communication/negotiation styles.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the concept of culture is framed and an integrative model of cultural analysis is constructed. Then, building on the extant literature and secondary data, the various traits of American and Iranian national cultures are analyzed and the implications for communication/negotiation are discussed.FindingsIt is found that Iran and America portray dissimilar and somewhat opposed cultural orientations that might create substantial obstacles to their bilateral communications/negotiations. Recommendations for more effective communications/negotiations are provided and avenues for future research are pointed out.Research limitations/implicationsBoth Iran and the USA are diverse societies and obviously cannot be considered as monolithic cultures. Moreover, any generalization about the national culture is inherently approximate and does not take into account the intra‐country variations. Another major limitation of this study is that it considers culture as static and unchangeable, however, every culture is in constant transformation.Practical implicationsBy bringing insights into the American and Iranian cultures, this study provides a better understanding of cross cultural differences and thus it may lead to effective bilateral communications/negotiations.Originality/valueWhile this paper provides valuable insights into the Iranian‐American communication patterns, its main originality resides in offering a cross cultural approach to understanding international affairs. Moreover, the results can be extrapolated to other similar situations when Eastern/Islamic and Western cultures are involved.
Conflict in strategic decision making: do the setting and environment matter?
Authors: Elbanna Said , Ali Abbas J. , Dayan Mumin 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThere are two goals of this study. First, it seeks to offer a cultural perspective with regard to the aspects of conflict in strategic decision making in Egypt. Second, it aims to examine the impact of conflict on decision effectiveness, taking into account the moderating effect of environmental uncertainty and environmental munificence.Design/methodology/approachThe study is a multi method one in which both semi‐structured interviews and survey questionnaires were utilized. In total, 36 semi‐structured interviews were conducted and 135 usable questionnaires were collected from manufacturing firms. Various statistical techniques were used to validate the instrument and analyze the data.FindingsThis article offers new insights into the perception of conflict in Egypt. It also corroborates prior research in that conflict was found to significantly influence decision outcomes and strategic decision‐making process matters.Practical implicationsBoth task and affective conflicts are treated in the context of their cultural and economic underpinnings and thus enable managers and researchers to have realistic views on the nature and impact of conflict in strategic decision making.Originality/valueThis article is designed to address a management concept which may be perceived differently across cultures – conflict. It also contributes to fill a gap in the strategic management literature by examining the perception of conflict and its impact on decision effectiveness considering the effects of setting and environment.
Brand creation vs acquisition in portfolio expansion strategy
Authors: Damoiseau Yana , Black William C. , Raggio Randle D. 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper seeks to address the following question: What causes firms to choose brand creation vs brand acquisition for brand portfolio expansion?Design/methodology/approachA multilevel interdisciplinary conceptual model is developed with nine factors at three levels of influence: the market, firm, and brand portfolio. Using 125 brand acquisitions and creations for 22 firms between 2001 and 2007, the model is tested using logistic regression to determine which factors significantly influence brand portfolio expansion strategy and whether they encourage acquisition or creation.FindingsSignificant factors were found at the market and firm levels, with competitive intensity of the market having the strongest effect, followed by the firm's financial leverage, market concentration, and market growth.Practical implicationsContrary to prior expectations, external factors at the market and firm levels have an impact on choice of acquisition vs creation. However, internal firm factors may serve as moderators of strategy effectiveness.Originality/valueThis is the first study to empirically examine factors affecting the brand portfolio expansion strategy via brand creation versus brand acquisition across a variety of industries. From a methodological standpoint, one of the more serious and persistent problems facing prior brand research is the lack of brand‐level data, but this paper's approach overcomes this limitation by using media expenditures in the AdSpender database to represent brands within a category/market.
Effects of promotional‐based advertising on brand associations
Authors: Clayton Michael , Heo Jun 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate how value‐based messaging affects brand associations within a durable goods category.Design/methodology/approachBrand associations are conceptualized in this paper as brand image, brand attitudes, and consumer quality perceptions. A 2×2 factorial design was employed with cognitive involvement (high/low) and advertising message (brand/value) as the experimental factors.FindingsResults suggest that promotional‐based messaging is detrimental to all three brand associations, with quality ratings witnessing the most significant declines. In addition, the current study observed no significant effects of involvement, as measured by attention to the message, on brand association measures for value‐based messaging when compared with brand messaging.Originality/valueThe current study suggests that promotional‐messaging can be detrimental to brand association measures, compared with non‐value‐based brand messaging within a durable goods category. More research is needed to understand the long‐term effects of different levels of usage of promotional‐based messaging as part of the marketing mix.
Bridging school‐subjects and distances in upper secondary schools
Authors: Ola Lindberg J. , Sahlin Susanne 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to report how Swedish upper secondary schools involved in a European Union‐financed collaborative project intertwined aspects of subject integration and international collaboration with the use of ICT.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology used is a case study in which aspects of subject integration and international collaborative ambitions are intertwined with the use of ICT. Data consist of interviews with participants, texts concerning the project, the participating school, and the Swedish upper secondary schools system.FindingsTeachers and students have worked towards the objectives in the project and in the national curricula, and the case shows how difficult and how many barriers there are to overcome. Even though the curricula seem difficult to coordinate, students appear to have learnt more about the European perspective, as well as about themselves, through the approach. The teacher describes student motivation as high – authenticity and real people to collaborate with support the students' experience of a holistic education, which applies to real life. The teacher tried to change the role towards providing students with structure and advice, monitoring their progress, and assessing their accomplishments, but reported to be struggling with the teacher role.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrates originality and value by providing important insight into the use of ICT in upper secondary schools for the purpose of collaboration and at the same time working towards joint curricular themes.
The impact of online teaching videos on Canadian pre‐service teachers
Authors: Karsenti Thierry , Collin Simon 
Published: July 2011

PurposeOne of the major challenges in teacher training programs is the gap between the theory that is presented to pre‐service teachers and actual classroom practice. Many researchers, educators, and pre‐service teachers have emphasized the difficulty of linking theory and practice in teacher education programs. The purpose of this study is to better understand the impact of online teaching videos on the development of self‐efficacy beliefs in pre‐service teachers.Design/methodology/approachOver 400 student teachers participated in this study. Statistical analyses of questionnaires were conducted to assess the impact of online teaching videos. The results reveal that online videos did affect the self‐efficacy beliefs of pre‐service teachers.FindingsOnline videos of teaching practices appear to contribute positively to feelings of self‐efficacy in pre‐service teachers.Practical implicationsGiven the importance of self‐efficacy for teachers' professional development, online videos could prove highly useful to this end. Apart from the impact of the videos themselves, self‐directed learning has the benefit of flexibility in terms of time and space, which is typical of open and distance learning in general. Furthermore, online videos can be readily adapted to individual professional development plans, according to the teacher's needs, in contrast to more formal training programs (either initial or continuing) with their relatively rigid, predetermined contents.Originality/valueThis study presents an original self‐training online video device that could easily be integrated in teacher training to support effectively their professional development.