bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sustaining competitiveness through information technology outsourcing
Authors: Sadiq Sohail M. 
Published: August 2011

PurposeWith competitive pressures increasing, outsourcing has become a common phenomenon in today's global economy. While there is growing evidence of organizations increasingly seeking to outsource their information technology (IT) functions, there have been few comprehensive studies on this subject from the Middle East region. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the usage of IT outsourcing in Saudi Arabia.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical research is used to study the extent that firms use the services of IT companies, the time period these have been used, the decision‐making process for outsourcing IT function, and its impact on the organization.FindingsResults based on the analysis of data relating to 178 firms in Saudi Arabia indicate that most of these users are satisfied with the service providers and have largely seen positive developments within the organization.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations of this paper relate to the relatively small size of the sample. This somewhat limits generalization of findings to the entire Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Practical implicationsFindings have several practical implications for small startup companies and even larger companies that are deciding to outsource IT function in the Arabian Gulf region. The results provide managers with evidence supporting the benefits of IT outsourcing.Originality/valueThis paper makes a valuable contribution given the fact that there are only a limited number of comprehensive studies dealing with the assessment of IT outsourcing functions.
Mapping a country's competitive position: a real exchange rate approach
Authors: Zambujal‐Oliveira J. , Faria e Castro Miguel 
Published: August 2011

PurposeThe observed real exchange rate, measured as an effective index of real labour costs, may serve as a base for the evaluation of the Portuguese economy's competitiveness. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the positioning of the real exchange rate, throughout time, against a benchmark that guarantees external macroeconomic equilibrium (balanced fundamental account).Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses the effective real exchange rate as an indicator of Portugal's competitive position in relation to its major trading partners (fundamental equilibrium exchange rate approach using the unit labour costs).FindingsThe authors found evidence that the real exchange rate has been persistently overvalued since the early 1990s. The evolution of this situation, which is harmful for the national economy, does not evidence the return to a path that may ensure external equilibrium for Portugal. The results show evidence of significant overvaluation of the Portuguese real exchange rate when compared to its estimated equilibrium level. In order to achieve a balanced fundamental account and considering a margin of error of 5 per cent, the real exchange rate needs to depreciate between 27.69 and 30.61 per cent.Originality/valueThe relevance of the real effective exchange rate as a macroeconomic indicator arises from its role as a measure of national competitiveness. Computed as a measure of the difference of international prices, adjusted to the same unit of measurement, it represents the relative price of goods between countries, determining where this same price may be higher or lower. According to Krugman and Obstfeld, the manipulation of the real effective exchange rate allows one country to adjust its level of competitiveness against its trading partners.
Coherent risk measures in real estate investment
Authors: Brown Roger , Young Michael 
Published: August 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a new way to measure risk in real estate investment, which departs from traditional statistical methodology borrowed from finance.Design/methodology/approachAn argument is advanced for the use of so‐called coherent risk measures for real estate investment decisions. Central to this class of measure is the computation of spectral risk, a measure that covers the spectrum of an individual's risk aversion function. Intuition being hard to observe, empirical data from two large databases are presented as support.FindingsAt the heart of the controversy is a discussion of the nature of risk and how it should be measured. This paper seeks common ground where peace may be made between these two warring factions. Scenarios are tested wherein different risk aversion functions are used to compute spectral risk for different sectors. Ex‐post analysis shows that reasoning of this nature can lead to improved risk‐adjusted investment results.Practical implicationsThe route to finding an appropriate risk measure for real estate investment has been tortuous. It is not certain that the destination has been reached. Complicating the task is a considerable gap between academic and practitioner methodology, the former relying on the mathematics of objective probability, the latter dwelling quite successfully in a habitat of subjective risk measures.Social implicationsIt is widely accepted that risk represents a cost to society. Real estate, as a repository of roughly half the world's wealth, can be viewed as having risk of a structurally different nature. The better understanding of this risk reduces the cost to society.Originality/valueFor practitioners, spectral measures offer formal support for something they have been doing their entire careers: evaluating risk subjectively. The simple dot product of weights and ordered outcomes is an extension of the widely used “Best case – Worse case – Most likely” methodology that has served professionals well for decades. Perhaps a by‐product of spectral measures is to bring academics and field gladiators closer together. If there is merit to a new way of thinking about risk independent of its implementation, real estate investment could benefit from that thinking. Among those who doubt that everything is “normal” are those who believe that previous attempts to explain risk in real estate have fallen far short of the mark. The challenge to those still not satisfied by the spectral approach is to offer an alternative that represents both a departure from and an improvement of the old methods.
Barriers and drivers to green buildings in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Bond Sandy 
Published: August 2011

PurposeImproving energy efficiency of buildings and appliances has been shown to be the most cost‐effective way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The aim of this research is to identify householders' lifestyle choices within homes that impact on energy use and their motivation to conserve energy. The results help to identify methods to increase the uptake of sustainability practices that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in residential buildings.Design/methodology/approachA postal survey was adopted as the quickest and most cost‐effective way of surveying a large sample of householders across Australia. The survey was sent to 2,500 randomly selected residents, 500 in each of the five largest Australian cities by population.FindingsThe results identified that barriers to energy efficiency in households include: larger homes and smaller households; initial costs of sustainable features, and a lack of consumer information about benefits and savings from incorporating energy‐efficient devices. The most common reason why people are not acting in more sustainable ways is inconvenience or laziness.Research limitations/implicationsThe response rate was very low and retired persons were over‐represented, as they are the people with more time to answer surveys. Further research is warranted to achieve a larger, more representative sample.Practical implicationsThese results will be useful to Government policy makers as they help to identify methods to increase the uptake of sustainable features and energy conservation in homes.Originality/valueThis study is the first attempt at a nation‐wide study of residential behavior to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in homes.
The political economy of green office buildings
Authors: Harrison David , Seiler Michael 
Published: August 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to examine whether rental premiums accrue to environmentally certified class “A” office buildings and, further, to what extent such premiums vary with the political ideology of the local market area.Design/methodology/approachUsing standard ordinary least squares (OLS) regression techniques, the paper models rental rates on environmentally certified structures as a function of the space market characteristics, economic environment, and political ideology within each local market area.FindingsThe paper finds significant variation in environmentally certified rental premiums across jurisdiction‐specific political ideology metrics. Specifically, politically liberal locations exhibit green rental premiums of nearly 6 percent, while politically conservative locations exhibit premiums of less than 2 percent.Originality/valueThis paper expands the existing literature by offering further evidence of positive rental premiums accruing to environmental certification, and by systematically exploring the fundamental determinants of these observed value differences.
Embodied leadership: towards a new way of developing leaders
Authors: Hamill Peter 
Published: August 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to critique common practice in leadership development with a view to suggesting an alternative approach based on neuroscience.Design/methodology/approachThe paper references existing research in the field of neuroscience to carry out a critique, before presenting a case study of a different approach to leadership development.FindingsCurrent leadership development practice relies heavily on the use of models and theories, and the development of self‐awareness. The paper uses findings from neuroscience to question whether these approaches produce sustainable changes. These findings suggest that models and theories do not impact the regions of the brain required for behavioral change. They also suggest that self‐awareness, while an essential starting point, may not be enough. The paper goes on to explore approaches involving the body in learning motor skills as a way of developing leadership, and moving from self‐awareness to self‐cultivation.Practical implicationsThis paper suggests that some of the approaches to leadership development will need to change if the results intended are to be achieved.Originality/valueThe emerging field of neuroscience has the potential to increase understanding of leadership development. However, the challenge is that much of the writing on neuroscience is not accessible to those outside the field. This is starting to change, and this article seeks to make some important findings from neuroscience available for practitioners, to improve the efficacy of leadership development approaches. The approaches to leadership critiqued here are commonplace and the embodied leadership development suggested is not mainstream. This offers some new options for leadership developers interested in developing sustainable change.
AZ Essentials emerges from a collective vision
Authors: West Sarah , Sugden John 
Published: August 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a clear outline of how external training and development support helped AZ Essentials, part of AstraZeneca, during a period of major change. This involved bringing nine existing functions together into the single operating unit that was AZ Essentials.Design/methodology/approachOakridge's approach was to better understand current opinions of the proposed new organization and its requirement through one‐to‐one interviews. Using this approach it was able to understand better the current view of the change and decide which development tools to adopt to bring the business functions together to operate as one cohesive group.FindingsInterviews demonstrated there was inconsistency in understanding of the role and purpose of AZ Essentials. What Oakridge understood from this was the need to move acceptance and development forward quicker and more effectively. The leadership team needed to better understand the rationale for the new organization and its purpose in order to accept the change.Practical implicationsA workshop program engaged the leadership team in a highly involved and participative way to achieve the desired outcomes. From here work on the value proposition sought to identify what the different functions had in common and how they could be coordinated and work together. The leadership team worked on the vision for AZ Essentials, which needed to be clear, consistent and one that would drive the organization. Oakridge was totally focused upon the requirement and engaged with each issue ensuring the group remained motivated throughout the development work.Originality/valueThe paper provides useful information on how external training and development support can help during a period of major change.
Clinical risk assessment and management of service users
Authors: Bowers Alexis 
Published: August 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to improve compliance with clinical risk procedures across a United Kingdom based mental health trust.Design/methodology/approachA cross‐sectional audit was carried out in April 2010. In total, 70 Risk Assessment Proformas (RAPS) were measured against an agreed “gold‐standard”. The standards were a combination of Department of Health recommendations as well as the current Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) policy on clinical risk assessment.FindingsOnly 53 (out of a possible 70) RAPS were completed. The acute and community psychiatric service stream samples on the whole provided more information within their RAPS than other parts of the service. There were overall low levels of documentation regarding service user and carer involvement.Practical implicationsTo strengthen the clinical management of risk (and thus reduce harm) in mental health settings a systematic approach to risk assessment should be present. This involves clinicians working in partnership with both service users and carers. Based on the results, more needs to be done to actively involve carers and the service user in formulating the risk management plan. Not only will this promote positive risk management within the organization it will also enable individual “recovery”.Originality/valueBy auditing the organizational processes that underpin the management of risk, deficiencies in clinical care can be identified. Mental Health Trusts can promote positive risk management within their organization by engaging service users and their carers in managing risk.
Strategic thinking and decision making: literature review
Authors: Steptoe‐Warren Gail , Howat Douglas , Hume Ian 
Published: August 2011

PurposeThe paper seeks to examine both management and psychological literature on strategic decision making.Design/methodology/approachA review of the management and psychological literature is undertaken, with particular focus on factors affecting strategic decision making.FindingsThe literature review reveals that managerial cognition as well as individual and corporate values can have an impact on strategic decision making. The review also finds that strategic competencies are important although there is no agreement within the literature on what those competencies are.Originality/valueStrategic thinking and strategic decision making have been discussed within the psychological and management literature for decades. Psychological and management theoretical perspectives and empirical research have been discussed separately and failed to consider both together. The current paper reviews both psychological and management literature to provide an understanding of the strategic thinking and decision making process and factors that may affect the process.
The human factor in 5S implementation: perspectives from Poland
Authors: Urban Wieslaw , Mazurek Agnieszka 
Published: August 2011

Subject area
Production management and personnel management.

Study level/applicability
Production management modules of undergraduate business and management courses.

Case overview
The case describes the implementation of 5S by a Polish production company, namely Bianor. It presents not only the literature base and benefits of 5S but, in particular, shows the specificity of the implementation process, taking into consideration attitudes of employees; moreover, the study devotes some attention to aspects of organizational culture.

Expected learning outcomes
The case shows how to implement the 5S method in a production company, and how effective communication of processes is essential to implementing business change.

Supplementary materials
Teaching note.
The Oberoi resorts: luxury redefined
Authors: Bharwani Sonia 
Published: August 2011

Subject area
Tourism and hospitality.

Study level/applicability
This case has been developed to suit the pedagogical needs of undergraduate and post-graduate students of management in the area of strategic marketing management in the service industry.

Case overview
The case describes the challenge faced by Gautam Raj, Executive Vice President, Strategic Development, The Oberoi Group, in making submissions to the Chairman, P.R.S. Oberoi for giving shape to the company's future strategic plans and developing the blueprint for further growth. The Oberoi Group is a leading India-based hospitality company, which was looking at selective expansion in the five-star deluxe segments by seeking new opportunities for its luxury leisure business in order to achieve a greater geographic spread. The case gives detailed information related to “The Oberoi” resorts ranging from their genesis to their branding and marketing strategies to put into perspective the challenge faced by the protagonist in making appropriate recommendations regarding the optimal choice of location for new-luxury leisure resorts.

Expected learning outcomes
The case is designed to give students an opportunity to demonstrate understanding of generic strategies for sustaining competitive advantage and market selection strategies and to analyse prospective location choices for making recommendations regarding appropriate markets to enter.

Supplementary materials
Teaching note.
Analysis of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and prognosis in patients with septic shock
Authors: Chen Xiaofeng , Ye Jilu , Ye Jun 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTThe purpose of the study is to study the relationship between peripheral blood lymphocyte subset proportion and prognosis in patients with septic shock. Fifty‐two patients with septic shock, admitted to the intensive care unit between March 2007 and December 2010, were enrolled in this study. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subset proportions were measured using flow cytometry. The percentage of CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD19+ lymphocytes, CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio were substantially lower in patients with septic shock compared to the control group (P < 0.01). The percentage of CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes did not differ significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05). The percentage of CD16+CD56+ lymphocytes was higher in patients with septic shock than in the control group (P < 0.01). Compared with the survivor group, the percentage of CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD19+ lymphocytes, CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio were clearly lower in the non‐survivor group (P < 0.01). There was no difference in the percentage of CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes between the non‐survivor and survivor groups (P > 0.05). The percentage of CD16+CD56+ lymphocytes was higher in the non‐survivor group than in the survivor group (P < 0.05). The total maximum SOFA score and the delta SOFA score were much higher in the non‐survivor group than in the survivor group (P < 0.01). Immune imbalance occurs in patients with septic shock. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subset proportion and SOFA scores can be used to assess the treatment and prognosis of septic shock.
Translational Mini-Review Series on B cell subsets in disease. B cells in multiple sclerosis: drivers of disease pathogenesis and Trojan horse for Epstein–Barr virus entry to the central nervous system?
Authors: Meier U-C , Giovannoni G , Tzartos J S , Khan G 
Published: August 2011

SummaryOTHER ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN THIS MINI-REVIEW SERIES ON B CELL SUBSETS IN DISEASETransitional B cells in systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome: clinical implications and effects of B cell-targeted therapies. Clinical and Experimental Immunology 2012, 167: 7–14. Reconstitution after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation – revelation of B cell developmental pathways and lineage phenotypes. Clinical and Experimental Immunology 2012, 167: 15–25.The recent success of therapies directed at B cells has highlighted their potential as central players in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis. Exciting new data showed that B cell depletion led to reduced clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of disease activity. However, the mechanisms of action remain unknown, but could involve autoantibody production, antigen presentation and/or cytokine production by B cells. Another exciting line of investigation in the field of MS comes from latent infection of memory B cells by Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). These cells are hijacked as ‘Trojan horses’ and ‘smuggle’ the virus into the central nervous system (CNS). Thus, these new anti B cell treatments will also be likely to have anti-viral effects. We briefly review recent findings in the field of MS pathogenesis, and highlight promising new targets for therapeutic intervention in MS.
An episodic model of honeydew production in scale insects
Authors: JAMES ALEX , KELLY DAVE 
Published: August 2011

AbstractHoneydew produced by sooty beech scale insects (Ultracoelostoma spp., Homoptera: Coelostomidiidae) is a keystone ecological process in New Zealand beech (Nothofagus spp., Nothofagaceae) forest. This work puts forward a model of honeydew production based on individual insects that presumes feeding and excretion are episodic processes driven by the insect rather than the passive processes that were previously assumed. The model is parameterized using existing data and then compared to an independent pre‐existing dataset. The model suggests that over a 12‐h period, on average the insects suck sap for 2 h, and excrete waste sap for 12 min. Resource uptake by the insects appears to be limited by the time required to process the sap, consistent with the observed relationship between honeydew production rates and ambient temperature. This implies that insect feeding rates may be ultimately limited by the low nitrogen content of phloem sap.
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 Gly388Arg polymorphism is not associated with pre‐eclampsia in Turkish women
Authors: Gunes Emine Gulsen , Pinarbasi Ergun 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAim:  The aim of this study was to assess the association between human fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) Gly388Arg polymorphism and pre‐eclampsia (PE) by carrying out a case–control study in Turkish women.Materials and Methods:  In the present study 159 PE patients and 161 controls were included. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocyte and FGFR4 Gly388Arg polymorphism was investigated using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism methods.Results:  For Gly388Arg polymorphism of FGFR4 we found no significant association between controls and PE patients. The frequencies of GlyGly, GlyArg and ArgArg genotypes were 56.6%, 36.4% and 7% for the study group and 50.3%, 44.7% and 5% for the control group, respectively. The risk of women with the GlyArg (odds ratio = 0.7, 95% confidence interval: 0.45–1.14) and ArgArg (odds ratio = 1.2, 95% confidence interval: 0.47–3.22) genotypes for PE did not differ significantly from that of GlyGly genotype carriers.Conclusion:  As we could not find any association between genetic variability in Gly388Arg of FGFR4 and PE, this specific polymorphism of FGFR4 can be eliminated as a risk factor for PE at least for Turkish women.