bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A conceptual framework of relationship commitment: e‐travel agencies
Authors: “Khal” Nusair Khaldoon , Hua Nan , Li Xu 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe paper aims to develop a theory‐based model of relationship commitment in an online travel domain. The model seeks to explain in detail the antecedents and outcomes of commitment.Design/methodology/approachAn extensive review of relationship marketing and commitment literature helps to develop a model of commitment.FindingsA model is developed based on existing literature. Quality of alternatives, investment size, satisfaction and trust are antecedents of both calculative and affective commitment. Two dimensions of commitment have different impact on word‐of‐mouth communications.Practical implicationsGiven the intense competition among online travel agents, the proposed model can be used by e‐vendors to develop and maintain long‐term relationships with customers.Originality/valueCommitment has been studied as a unidimensional construct in existing marketing relationship literature. Few research studies relating to this topic have been conducted in online travel context. This paper incorporates two dimensions of commitment in a business‐to‐customer travel setting.
Investigating homeowners' interest in property‐level flood protection
Authors: Kazmierczak Aleksandra , Bichard Erik 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe inevitability of climate change and its consequences brings on the need to find new ways of adapting to extreme events, such as floods. One immediate measure would be to make physical improvements to houses to either prevent their inundation or minimise the damage when flood waters enter premises. Currently, the level of implementation of these measures is low. This paper aims to assess the willingness of house owners living in flood risk zones to carry out works that make their homes better protected against flooding.Design/methodology/approachHouseholders (101) in low‐ and medium‐income areas of Salford, north west of England were interviewed on their perceptions of climate change consequences, willingness to make physical improvements to their properties and preparedness to pay for them.FindingsThe homeowners are concerned about the climate change effects on their homes, feel responsible for protection of their properties against flooding and express interest in several flood protection measures. The median value respondents are willing to pay is under £100.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is carried out on a small sample of respondents and national‐scale survey is recommended.Practical implicationsThere is a need for action to increase the motivation to invest in property‐level flood measures among house owners, which should include awareness raising actions, subsidies and incentives promoting sustainable behaviour.Originality/valueThe paper investigates the new subject of property‐level flood protection and provides a comprehensive analysis of homeowners' perceptions of climate change risks and willingness to act.
Assessment of potential tsunamigenic seismic hazard to Sri Lanka
Authors: Wijetunge Janaka 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an assessment of the potential tsunamigenic seismic hazard to Sri Lanka from all active subduction zones in the Indian Ocean Basin.Design/methodology/approachThe assessment was based on previous studies as well as past seismicity of the subducion zones concerned.FindingsAccordingly, four seismic zones capable of generating teletsunamis that could reach Sri Lanka have been identified, namely, Northern Andaman‐Myanmar, Northern Sumatra‐Andaman and Southern Sumatra in the Sunda trench and Makran in the Northern Arabian Sea. Moreover, plausible worst‐case earthquake scenarios and respective fault parameters for each of these seismic zones have been recommended.Research limitations/implicationsHowever, other potential tsunami sources such as seismic activity in the near‐field, submarine landslides and volcanic eruptions have not been considered.Practical implicationsNumerical simulations of tsunami propagation have been carried out for each of the four scenarios in order to assess the potential impact along the coastline of Sri Lanka. Such information relating to the spatial distribution of the likely tsunami amplitudes and arrival times for Sri Lanka would help authorities responsible for evacuation to make a better judgment as to the level of threat in different areas along the coastline, and act accordingly, if a large earthquake were to occur in any of the subduction zones in the Indian Ocean.Originality/valueIn the absence of comprehensive probabilistic assessments of the tsunami hazard to Sri Lanka, this paper's recommendations would provide the necessary framework for the development of deterministic tsunami hazard maps for the shoreline of Sri Lanka.
Market reactions to the first‐time issuance of corporate sustainability reports
Authors: Guidry Ronald P. , Patten Dennis M. 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe paper attempts to determine whether market participants see value in the corporate choice to begin publishing a standalone sustainability report. It also seeks to investigate whether differences in market reactions are associated with the quality of the sustainability report.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses standard market model methods to isolate the unexpected change in market returns in the period surrounding the announcement of the release of a first‐time sustainability report.FindingsThe paper finds, on average, no significant market reaction to the announcement of the release of the sustainability reports. However, in cross‐sectional analyses, it is found that companies with the highest quality reports exhibited significantly more positive market reactions than companies issuing lower quality reports. These results hold when we control for firm size and membership in socially exposed industries.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper examines only the US firms and the measure of quality is based on an assessment of the extent to which reports provide disclosures recommended by the Global Reporting Initiative. The sample is also relatively small. Finally, the analysis examines perceived value for only one potential stakeholder group – shareholders. Future research could address any of these shortcomings.Practical implicationsThe evidence suggests that companies seeking value from their sustainability reporting need to carefully consider the quality of their presentations.Originality/valueThe finding that quality of sustainability reporting is important to investors provides valuable evidence to support improvements in the implementation of sustainability accounting and reporting.
Constructing strategies for sustainable development the communitarian way
Authors: Arunachalam Murugesh , Lawrence Stewart 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe paper aims to draw on recommendations of Agenda 21 and communitarian theory to examine collaboration between local district community and local authorities to formulate strategies for the sustainable development of the Taupo district.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts an interpretative methodology based on philosophical hermeneutic to understand collaboration between local community and local authorities in the Taupo district. Empirical data for this interpretive study comprise public documents, interview transcripts and minutes of meetings attended by the researchers. The paper begins interpretation of empirical data with pre‐understanding of communitarian theory and Agenda 21.FindingsThe findings indicate that historical and political factors and diversity of interests in the community affect processes and outcomes of collaboration. Local authorities play a crucial role in bringing together various groups in the Taupo community which are segregated by diversity of interests, especially between Maori and non‐Maori community groups. Without local authority facilitation, the Taupo community may remain segregated; inhibited by lack of information; and not having the opportunity to participate in sustainable development. Community participation in the Taupo district is at an infancy stage and collaboration intended to empower communities may result in local authorities recentralising their positions.Originality/valueThe paper integrates theory and practice and provides valuable insights for statutory agencies seeking to implement the recommendations of Agenda 21 regarding community participation in sustainable development.
Economic catch‐up and emission reductions
Authors: Lane Jan‐Erik 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that spending on environmental protection will aid, rather than hamper, economic development which is itself sustainable. The paper attempts to show that a more activist role of the governments of Asia‐Pacific countries in the making and implementation of a global emissions regime is much in line with the real situation in this economically vibrant region of the world.Design/methodology/approachThe paper combines information from the Living Planet Report of 2008 with data from the Energy Information Administration to display the energy‐environment conundrum in the Asia‐Pacific region.FindingsEmissions of greenhouse gases can only decrease significantly in this region, if there is a concerted policy change towards the establishment of a green economy. Climate change can only be halted if the predicted increases in energy production induced emissions are halted, especially in the most vibrant region of the world economically.Practical implicationsThe responsibility of Asia‐Pacific Governments to take part in a global energy policy cannot be avoided by the confusion of per capita and total emissions. Huge populous countries with high rates of economic growth have such large total emissions that it is in the interest of these country governments to support schemes like a global carbon tax or a global carbon‐trading scheme.Originality/valueThe paper addresses the energy‐environment conundrum by focussing on total emissions.
Exploring the flicker effect: the influence of in‐flight pulsations on saccadic control
Authors: Baccino Thierry 
Published: August 2010

SummaryThe pulsating illumination of visual display units is known to induce systematic changes in saccade extent. In two experiments reported in this paper, we further examined this effect, by looking at the location of pulsations relative to saccade onset. Both saccade extent and velocity were shown to increase as a function of the number of ‘in‐flight’ pulsations. This result indicates that part of the so‐called ‘flicker effect’ originates during the saccade itself. From a more general point of view, the present data suggest that saccadic control can be modulated by intra‐saccadic visual stimuli.
Fire regimes, fire‐sensitive vegetation and fire management of the sandstone Arnhem Plateau, monsoonal northern Australia
Authors: RUSSELL‐SMITH JEREMY , RYAN PAUL G. , KLESSA DAVID , WAIGHT GORDON , HARWOOD ROBERT 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARY

1. A fire history (1980 to the present) developed for Kakadu National Park, derived mostly from manual interpretation of LANDSAT MultiSpectral Scanner (MSS) imagery, was used as the temporal basis for undertaking rapid assessment of the effects of fire regimes on floristically diverse vegetation containing many regionally endemic species, occupying sandstone formations of the Arnhem Plateau, monsoonal northern Australia.
Three broad vegetation types were identified through TWINSPAN classification of floristic composition at 108 sample plots: Allosyrzcarpia‐dominated closed forest; open forest/woodland savanna with an annual grass understorey; and open shrubby heath interspersed with perennial hummock grasses. All sampled vegetation occurred on freely draining, oligotrophic substrates derived from sandstone parent materials; grazing and browsing of sampled vegetation were not significant factors.
The three fire frequency parameters derived from the assembled fire history (‘years unburnt’, ‘fire frequency’, ‘shortest interfire interval’) were autocorrelated. Correlative analyses between vegetation structure and soil nutrient variables, and ‘years unburnt’, demonstrated generally increasing shrub densities, fuel loads and soil fertilities with increasing time since last burnt. Identified limitations in assembled data included: substantial between‐plot structural variation for respective vegetation types, reflecting diverse ecological and fire histories of individual plots; and inability to describe accurately the important fire regime variable ‘fire intensity’ from the imagery used.
Assessment of the reproductive maturity of obligate seeder shrub species indicated that, whereas vegetation at some sites could tolerate burning after 3‐year intervals without loss of floristic diversity, many species required fire‐free intervals of more than 5 years, particularly those occupying harsher, rocky sites. In contrast, fine grass and litter fuels were sufficient to support intense fires in all representative situations under late dry season climatic conditions within 1–3 years of having been burnt previously.
Published fire history data for the period 1980‐94 show that 40% of vegetation occupying sandstone‐derived landforms in Kakadu National Park have been burnt at frequencies of at least 1 in 3 years; such fire frequencies evidently cannot be sustained without substantial loss of obligate seeder species, comprising 54% of the sampled shrubby heath flora. The data support other observations concerning the catastrophic impact of contemporary fire regimes on fire‐sensitive vegetation types in other sandstone regions of northern and north‐western Australia.
Based on these insights, an established programme for strategic fire management of the Arnhem Plateau is outlined.
Radiocaesium elimination in fish: variation among and within species
Authors: FORSETH T. , UGEDAL O. , NÆSJE T. F. , JONSSON B. 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARY

1. Ecotoxicological models used to assess the effects of radionuclides on freshwater ecosystems and the potential transfer to humans depend on accurate laboratory estimates of the elimination rate of radionuclides in fish.
We determined experimentally the elimination rate (excretion) of caesium (134Cs) of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar (two populations), Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus (two populations), whitefish Coregonus lavaretus and bream Abramis brama by single‐dose caesium labelling and measures of subsequent samples of groups of fish maintained at different temperatures. Elimination rates between populations of the same species and among species were compared.
3. Populations of the same species from similar thermal environments had similar elimination rates (Atlantic salmon) whereas those from different thermal environments differed significantly (Arctic charr).
Caesium elimination rates varied among fish species. Bream had slower elimination rates than the other species at all temperatures, whereas Atlantic salmon had quicker elimination rates than the others at 16 °C. The remaining differences among species were not consistent across temperatures, indicating differences in thermal performance.
Approximately 45% of the estimated elimination rates differed significantly from those predicted by a general caesium elimination model. We conclude that a single model for caesium elimination, valid for a wide range of species and populations, may be difficult to attain.
Control of bracken and restoration of heathland. VIII. The regeneration of the heathland community after 18 years of continued bracken control or 6 years of control followed by recovery
Authors: MARRS R.H. , JOHNSON S.W. , DUC M.G. LE 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARY

This paper describes the effectiveness of a range of bracken* control and heathland restoration treatments, in factorial combination, on heath development over an 18‐year period. Control treatments included cutting once and twice yearly between 1978 and 1996; spraying the herbicide asulam at the recommended rate (4.4kg a.i. ha‐1) in two treatments, 1978 and 1978 plus 1979, each followed by repeat doses in 1984 and 1990; and spraying asulam followed by cutting once yearly. Calluna* seeds were added to half the plots to aid heathland establishment. After 6 years the experiment was split and bracken control was continued/re‐applied on half the plots and stopped on the remainder. The effects of all treatments on the cover of colonizing species between 1986 and 1996 is described.
Twenty‐five species were recorded in the 10 years, but some were present only for a very short time. Initially Calluna establishment was good in some treatments, especially where Calluna seed was added and bracken was controlled; cutting bracken twice yearly was most effective. Other plots developed either a grass heath flora dominated by Agrostis capillaris, Deschampsia flexuosa, Dicranum scoparium, Festuca ovina and Rumex acetosella, or were dominated by either Culamagrostis epigejos or Curex arenaria. Some plots were invaded by Betuln spp.; mortality was high but some survived to overtop the bracken by 1996.
In 1990 and 1991 there was considerable mortality of Rumex acetosella and Calluna, respectively, almost certainly as a direct effect of the weather; these 2 years were the hottest and driest during the experimental period. The grass heath species showed distinct spatial effects during colonization, and tended to have a greater cover where bracken control was continued. Bracken litter was maintained at a low cover where treatment was continued, but increased to near untreated levels within 10 years, except where bracken was cut twice yearly. The cut twice yearly plots started from a lower level, but litter cover was still increasing at the end of the experimental period.
A major influence on the vegetation development was the increasing numbers of rabbits which occurred during the course of the experiment. Rabbits had invaded all treatments by 1996 and increased the amount of bare ground in many treatments. Rabbit activity was greatest where the bracken control was increased.
The original objectives of the restoration scheme ‘to restore a Calluna heathland’ have not been met, as the Calluna died. However, a reasonable Breck grass heath flora developed in many plots, which is a better community from a conservation viewpoint than dense bracken.
The implications for the restoration of heathland on dense bracken communities is discussed and an integrated management approach is suggested.
Effects of environmental parameters on the distribution of bullhead Cottus gobio with particular consideration of the effects of obstructions
Authors: UTZINGER JÜRG , ROTH CHRISTOPH , PETER ARMIN 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARY

1. The bullhead Cottus gobio is a small‐sized fish that occurs in stony streams and lakes in Switzerland. Its numbers have declined and its distribution has become narrower over the last 30 years, most probably due to chemical pollution and/or structural habitat deterioration, and at present it is classified as a potentially endangered species.
This study evaluated whether chemical parameters and/or structural habitat heterogeneity have an effect on the occurrence and density of bullhead in a river system, in order to assess the potential usefulness of this species as an indicator for these parameters. Ten sites were chosen, where chemical parameters were measured monthly over a period of 2 years. Habitat heterogeneity was assessed with respect to river width and maximum depth. Correlations were drawn between the density of bullhead, the chemical water constituents and the structural habitat diversity. The longitudinal distribution of bullhead in the whole river system was determined and all obstructions with a height of at least 10 cm were investigated. In two sites, the total population density of bullhead older than O+ was assessed using both multiple removal collecting and a mark‐recapture method.
Structural habitat diversity appeared not to be important for bullhead, and the only chemical parameter that correlated with the density of this species was dissolved organic carbon.
Obstructions with a height of 18–20 cm were impassable for upstream movement of bullhead and thus acted as migration barriers. The longitudinal connectivity of the main river was interrupted by 48 such obstructions, which were all human‐made.
Multiple removal collecting of bullhead resulted in small catching probabilities of 0.17 and 0.34. The total estimated population densities of bullhead were high, with 118 and 327 in 100 m2. The mark‐recapture method revealed even higher estimated densities, of 121 and 444 in 100 m2.
It is concluded that the bullhead is a useful indicator species for determining to what extent the longitudinal connectivity of a river is interrupted by obstructions. For restoration of rivers, it is recommended that any human‐made obstructions with a height of 20 cm or above are removed, starting at confluences with joining rivers and moving upstream.
Agri‐environment schemes and their contribution to the conservation of biodiversity in England
Authors: OVENDEN GY N. , SWASH ANDY R.H. , SMALLSHIRE DAVE 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARYAgri‐environment schemes were first launched in England in 1987. A number of schemes are now operated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food that invite farmers and landowners to enter formal agreements to change their management practices in order to achieve a range of nature, landscape and archaeological conservation objectives. Agreements are based on payments to compensate for loss of income incurred by adopting less intensive, low‐input practices that offer potential benefits for biodiversity conservation within agricultural landscapes. The UK Government's response to the Convention on Biological Diversity has included producing a list of priority species and habitats for conservation action. Each of these has its own detailed action plan, including time‐limited targets. A significant proportion of these targets can at least in part be met through the agri‐environment schemes; the way this is being done is illustrated through examples of lowland heathland and a bird, the cirl bunting Emberiza cirlus. Linking of biodiversity and agri‐environment objectives is an important step towards achieving a more sustainable agriculture.
The need for management of nature conservation sites designated under Natura 2000
Authors: OSTERMANN OLE P. 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARYThe Natura 2000 Network will consist of sites designated by the Member States of the European Union, under the Habitats and Birds Directives. Many of these sites need an appropriate management to maintain a favourable conservation status; this will often be based on low‐intensity agricultural practices. Out of the 198 listed habitat types of the Habitats Directive, 28 (14%) could be threatened by the abandonment of low‐intensity agricultural practices. The paper gives a comparative outlook over some situations in Europe, after an introduction to the framework set by the European Commission and the Council of Europe.
Ecological and socio‐economic implications of livestock= keeping systems on extensive grasslands in south‐western Germany
Authors: LUICK RAINER 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARYWhen considering low‐intensity farming systems in Europe, one would not normally think of Germany because the farmland in most of its regions is characterized by intensive agriculture. However, there is currently great concern about the situation of extensively used meadows and pastures in mountainous areas. Among the most attractive regions are the common grazings in the southern part of the Black Forest and limestone grassland grazed by sheep on the Swabian Jura. Both regions are located in the Federal State of Baden‐Wuerttemberg. Details of the current agricultural situation, developments to be expected in the years to come, policy measures needed to preserve the cultural and ecological richness of the regions, and options for land‐use‐systems are discussed in relation to one another, for Less Favoured Areas (LFAs) in the Federal State of Baden‐Wuerttemberg.