bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
POINTS OF VIEW Assessing the scale of the equity gap
Authors: Harding Rebecca , Cowling Marc 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper sets out to assess the market for start‐up finance in the UK for high growth potential entrepreneurial firms.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses data from the UK's Global Entrepreneurship Monitor surveys between 2001 and 2003 to assess the scale of equity finance in the UK. It further examines the strengths and weaknesses of the UK financial markets for supporting high growth potential firms on the basis of an additional survey of 60 experts conducted during September and October 2003.FindingsThe paper suggests that there are areas of the market that are strongly served by existing financial mechanisms. However, there is a perception amongst business support agencies, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs alike that the size of investments in the formal venture capital market has been increasing and that companies seeking investments above this level, up as high as £2 million, may be restricted in their access to finance. The paper tests this qualitative finding on a number of empirical data sources and finds that there is indeed an “equity gap” of between £150,000 and £1.5 million. It concludes that lack of finance in this area represents a brake on the expansion of high growth potential businesses in the UK.Research limitations/implicationsThe empirical data covered in this paper are from three large‐scale surveys of the adult population in the UK. While this is robust as a reflection of what is happening amongst the whole spectrum of business start‐up activity, the methodology was not originally conceptualised as a mechanism for assessing the scale of the equity gap. This evidence was gained from a qualitative survey of actors in the market. Further research should survey high growth potential firms and financiers themselves in more detail to develop the analysis on a more systematic basis.Practical implicationsThe research will be of interest to policy makers who seek appropriate mechanism for developing a funding “ladder” to support businesses through the growth process. It identifies a clear gap in the market for growth finance that is evidence on which to base funding priorities in the future.Originality/valueAcademic and policy attempts to quantify the scale of the equity gap in the UK have been limited by availability of longitudinal and systematic data. As a result, they have tended to be largely qualitative in nature and prone to anecdote. Many of these studies do corroborate the findings reported here, but this does represent a first attempt to provide a quantification of the equity gap and thus should be of interest to policy makers, practitioners and academics alike.
Knowledge‐based benchmarking of production performance
Authors: Denkena B. , Apitz R. , Liedtke C. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeRecently, benchmarking has become a common approach to optimize production processes by comparing certain aspects of a company with its competitors. However, one of the biggest challenges is not only to define suitable benchmarking topics and partners, to gather and statistically evaluate characteristic data, but to derive concrete measures to interpret the results, i.e. to overcome the revealed weaknesses. The purpose of this paper is to present an already implemented and successfully used functional benchmarking methodology for production performance of small and medium batch size processes, that is currently extended by using a knowledge base for reasoning strategies to semi‐automatically support the interpretation of the extracted statistical data.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive approach is presented to develop a new model for the evaluation of a small to medium‐sized enterprise's production performance using an existing European database called BETT Benchmark.FindingsThe knowledge‐based concept enables sophisticated interpretation strategies to be used on an already existing base of real company data. The decisive point of the approach presented is to map production variables on room for improvement by taking varying parameters into account.Originality/valueThe proposed tool is a valuable tool that takes advantage of a statistically firmed analysis of a substantial database and combines it with the comprehensive expertise of experienced specialists in the field of performance assessment.
Will de Gaulle's state planners bite the dust?
Authors: Richardson Jacques 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo examine the survivability, in France, of what may be one of the world's oldest state planning bodies.Design/methodology/approachThis is a straightforward account of what is happening to centralized planning in a democratic state.FindingsFrance's current government found the agency unneeded.Practical implicationsIf the State Planning Agency in Paris is eliminated, France will have no centralized office for strategic planning.Originality/valueThe chronicle records the abolition of an entity recognized by government during the previous 60 years as being essential to its functioning.
The role and effectiveness of continuing education training courses offered by higher education institutions in furthering the implementation of sustainable development
Authors: Wehrmeyer Walter , Chenoweth Jonathan 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo investigate the effectiveness of one‐off short continuing adult education courses for expanding the penetration of sustainable development education beyond current tertiary students.Design/methodology/approachPre‐ and post‐course questionnaires are used to evaluate the effectiveness of a series of short training courses on environment and sustainability issues conducted by the Centre for Environmental Strategy for a UK government department.FindingsThese short continuing education courses were effective at meeting their specific aims of increasing awareness and understanding of sustainability issues, with longer courses being more beneficial and providing qualitatively different experiences. Learning on sustainable development was maximised by overtly drawing on the collective past learning experiences and knowledge of participants though carefully facilitated discussion that encourages the sharing of and building upon this knowledge base.Practical implicationsIf the training effectiveness of short continuing education courses in sustainable development is to be effective then such courses need to exploit existing knowledge bases so that limited time resources are used for maximum benefit through teaching methodologies that promote a constructivist learning environment.Originality/valueThis paper examines a significant means for maximising the effectiveness short continuing education courses in sustainability. Ensuring the effectiveness of such courses is critical to increasing the penetration of sustainable development education in higher education.
Information quality of environmental and chemical databases exemplified by high production volume chemicals and pharmaceuticals
Authors: Voigt Kristina , Brüggemann Rainer , Pudenz Stefan 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to establish that data on chemicals detected in the environment are urgently needed to comply with the future environment and chemicals policy in the European Union. The availability of data on chemicals can be evaluated by environmetrical and chemometrical methods.Design/methodology/approachThe Hasse Diagram Technique (HDT) which originated in discrete mathematics is applied in this paper. It is a multi‐criteria evaluation method which can be used to measure information quality and is therefore also applicable for decision making. The study evaluated 15 environmental and chemical free internet databases with respect to the existence of data on chemicals in these resources. Two test‐sets were used first, 12 high production volume chemicals and, second 12 pharmaceuticals which are proven to enter the environment in considerable concentrations.FindingsThe evaluation indicates a rather disturbing situation in the data availability on existing chemicals, an especially bad result concerning the data availability on pharmaceuticals and hence an alarming signal concerning the chemicals policy of the EEC.Originality/valueThe information gap, especially for pharmaceuticals entering the environment, is demonstrated with a mathematically recognised method. The Hasse Diagram Technique can be applied to different questions in science when several objects are to be ranked by several criteria at the same time. Concerning the topic of the data availability on chemicals, the gaps are identified and should inspire future research to generate new and valuable data.
LIFT: 21st century health care centres in the United Kingdom
Authors: Holmes John , Capper Graham , Hudson Gordon 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo examine the processes used to procure and develop new primary health care premises in the United Kingdom and in particular the use of the private finance initiative and related methods.Design/methodology/approachAn in‐depth study of two local improvement finance trust schemes to procure new primary health care premises. These are contrasted against the ad‐hoc arrangements for the traditional procurement of general practice doctor's surgery premises. Interviews were undertaken with key participants on both sides of the negotiations.FindingsThe process can be an unequal struggle between large consortia and small, inexperienced clients that may result in a wasted opportunity to obtain the optimum design and price.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is limited to early use of the local improvement finance trust process and procedures; client bodies, such as primary care trusts, may benefit from the experience of earlier projects. The method of procurement will evolve and be refined and will become more widely used, not only for health but also in the education sector. Further examination of the procurement of education buildings using similar methods would be beneficial.Originality/valueThis method of procuring buildings is relatively new, and therefore, largely untried.
The Essence of Care in clinical governance
Authors: Badham John , Wall Debbie , Sinfield Maria , Lancaster John 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo review progress of the Essence of Care Programme of Clinical Governance. To describe its development and highlight its achievements.Design/methodology/approachThe background to the programme is outlined and the methods adopted by the Clinical Governance Support Team (CGST) and NHS personnel involved are described.FindingsAt the heart of commitment to improve quality of health care lies Essence of Care to which the fundamental needs and comfort of patients are paramount. This provides a benchmarking tool for national standards of practice across health and social care which is applicable across medical specialties and relevant to all health professionals involved in caring for patients. Fundamental aspects of care were identified based on concerns of patients and professionals; these include communication, personal hygiene, food and nutrition. Standards are agreed between patients, carers, user groups, health care professionals, professional bodies and NHS departments. Systems for feedback and monitoring ensure continual improvement. Wide dissemination has ensured that Essence of Care is embedded in the NHS.Originality/valueThis review summarises the aims, objectives and progress of the work of the Essence of Care Programme of Clinical Governance since its initiation.
RAID methodology: the NHS Clinical Governance Team's approach to service improvement
Authors: Rogers Peter G. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo describe the methodology used to introduce Clinical Governance into the NHS and to review progress.Design/methodology/approachThe RAID (Review, Agreement, Implementation, Demonstration) process and its use in introducing the Clinical Governance Development Programme into the NHS are described.FindingsThe NHS Clinical Governance Programme employs RAID, a modification of an accepted “bottom‐up” approach to achieving successful organisational change, as the means of effecting service improvement. The “Review” stage involves analysis and understanding of the service; “Agreement” ensures that all staff, the organisation and stakeholders are committed to recommended changes; the “Implementation” phase tests effects that the changes have made to the service and “Demonstration” allows evaluation and monitoring. Lessons learned from the process can lead to further improvements. Initially staff from the Clinical Governance Support Team introduced the Programme but thereafter the process can be run internally. Specialised programmes, e.g. The Stroke Programme, have developed out of the general programme and the RAID process has been disseminated to other public sector services. Over half of NHS organisations have participated.Originality/valueRAID is described in the context of the NHS and its implementation is summarised.
Pollution risk management of a natural medium
Authors: Djebabra Mébarek , Bentarcia Toufik , Saadi Saadia , Bahmed Lylia 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper proposes a risk management process that provides general specifications of the impact and hazard studies applied to a natural medium called Oued el‐gourzi (Batna) in Algeria.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed approach can be divided into two phases. First, the diagnosis consists of medium description, analysis and assessment of pollution risk and second, the therapy which includes identification, qualification and implementation of means, follow‐up and continuous amelioration. This approach is supported by the Fault‐tree method.FindingsThe approach defines risks that can affect a natural medium. Improvement of the medium security is required. The establishment of a program for the management and control of these risks is needed.Practical implicationsIn the context of impact studies, solutions required regarding the pollution of a natural medium are going to lead concerned authorities toward the establishment of a policy of preventive and curative measures. Instigators will be influenced by the comparison of indemnities and environmental investments of pollutants.Originality/valueThe diffusion of information about risk management allows the establishment of relations between different actors by the risk management process and consequently ensures its credibility.
Analysis of multinational underwriting cycles in property‐liability insurance
Authors: Leng Chao‐Chun , Meier Ursina B. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe paper sets out to use the loss ratio series of Switzerland, Germany, the USA and Japan, to test whether underwriting cycles still exist internationally and to identify possible structural changes.Design/methodology/approachBased on financial theory and insurance pricing theory, co‐integration analysis was performed to check possible causes of structural changes.FindingsAll four countries have breaks in different years. This result leads to the hypothesis that the factors affecting underwriting cycles are mainly country‐specific, such as economic environment and regulations, rather than global/international. Although the financial theory and the insurance pricing theory suggest that the loss ratio series should be co‐integrated with the interest rate series with co‐integrating coefficient −1, the empirical results do not support the theories.Originality/valueMore detailed analysis for the time series characteristics for countries other than the USA is presented to investigate the possible existence of underwriting cycles.
The use of spectral analysis in insurance cycle research
Authors: Venezian Emilio C. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeAims to address a number of issues related to the use of spectral analysis in the study of insurance cycles.Design/methodology/approachSpectral analysis has seldom been used in the study of insurance cycles. This may be due to the fact that no statistical test is readily available for rejecting the hypothesis that a spectrum is significantly different from random uncorrelated noise in a context in which the period of the alternative is not known. This article suggests one such test.FindingsIn evaluating the proposed test, the relevant critical points, when the number of observations is small, and provided the power of the test is also explored to identify three cyclical processes: a sine process with noise, a second‐order autoregressive process, and the rational expectations process suggested by Cummins and Outreville.Originality/valueThe article provides the first comprehensive analysis and discussion of spectral analysis in the context of insurance‐cycle research.
Optimizing multi‐machining characteristics through Taguchi's approach and utility concept
Authors: Singh Hari , Kumar Pradeep 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTaguchi's technique is best suited to optimize a single performance characteristic yielding an optimal setting of process parameters. A single setting of process parameters may be optimal for one quality characteristics but the same setting may yield detrimental results for other quality features. Thus the purpose of this paper is to describe simultaneous optimization of multi‐characteristics.Design/methodology/approachThe multi‐machining characteristics have been optimized simultaneously using Taguchi's parameter design approach and the utility concept. The paper used a single performance index, utility value, as a combined response indicator of several responses.FindingsA simplified model based on Taguchi's approach and utility concept is used to determine the optimal settings of the process parameters for a multi‐characteristic product. The model is used to predict optimal settings of turning process parameters to yield the optimum quality characteristics of En24 steel turned parts using TiC coated carbide inserts. The optimal values obtained using the multi‐characteristic optimization model have been validated by confirmation experiments. The model can be extended to any number of quality characteristics provided proper utility scales for the characteristics are available from the realistic data.Practical implicationsThe proposed methodology can be applied to those industrial situations where a number of responses are to be optimized simultaneously.Originality/valueThe paper discusses a case study on En24 steel turned parts using titanium carbide coated tungsten carbide inserts. The material, En24 steel, has wide applications in aerospace, machine tools, automobiles, etc. The proposed algorithm is easy to apply.
Development of a web‐based tele‐manufacturing service system for rapid prototyping
Authors: Liu Xiao‐guang , Jin Ye , Xi Jun‐tong 
Published: July 2006

PurposeRapid prototyping (RP) technology is playing an important role in new product development but, because of the RP machines' costliness, many enterprises, especially those small and medium‐sized enterprises, cannot afford them. Accordingly, in this paper, a web‐based tele‐manufacturing service system for RP is proposed, which enables geographically dispersed enterprises to share RP machines.Design/methodology/approachThe system is composed of three parts: online commerce, online manufacturing service, and online data management. In addition, several distinctive supporting software packages are provided, which afford great convenience to enterprises to get RP services.FindingsIt is validated that the system can result in substantial saving in the cost and product development time.Practical implicationsThe system is also a good reference for other similar shared resources.Originality/valueThe system embodies the new notion that an enterprise's full‐course participation in the manufacturing service, and the rapidness of manufacturing, embody the full course of RP manufacturing service and not merely the manufacturing process itself.
Large‐volume endoscopic injection of epinephrine plus normal saline for peptic ulcer bleeding
Authors: Liou Tai‐Cherng , Chang Wen‐Hsiung , Wang Horng‐Yuan , Lin Shee‐Chan , Shih Shou‐Chuan 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Large‐volume endoscopic injection of epinephrine has been proven to significantly reduce rates of recurrent peptic ulcer bleeding. Injection of normal saline may be equally effective for the similar hemostatic effect of local tamponade. The aim of our study was to compare the therapeutic effects of large‐volume (40 mL) endoscopic injections of epinephrine, normal saline and a combination of the two in patients with active bleeding ulcers.Method:  A total of 216 patients with actively bleeding ulcers (spurting or oozing) were randomly assigned to three groups (1:10 000 epinephrine, normal saline or diluted epinephrine plus normal saline). The hemostatic effects and clinical outcomes were compared between the three groups.Results:  The initial hemostatic rate was significantly lower in the normal saline group (P < 0.05). The volume of injected solution required for the arrest of bleeding was significantly larger in the normal saline group (P < 0.01). Mean duration for arrest of bleeding was significantly longer in the normal saline group (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences between the three groups with respect to the rates of recurrent bleeding, surgical intervention, 30‐day mortality, amount of transfusion and duration of hospitalization. Significant elevation of systolic blood pressure (P < 0.05) and persistent high pulse rate after endoscopic injection were observed in the epinephrine group.Conclusions:  For patients with active bleeding ulcers (spurting or oozing), we recommend a large‐volume (40 mL) combination injection using diluted epinephrine to cease bleeding, followed by injection of normal saline to achieve sustained hemostasis.
An Integrated Approach to the Business Cycle
Authors: Kapp K. William 
Published: July 2006

Die Konjunkturschwankungen: Theoretische Gunglagen der Wirtschafts‐politik, Bd. II. The Japanese Village in Transition. By A. F. Raper, T. Tsuchiyama, H. Passin and D. L. Sills. Public Finance and Fiscal Policy. By Richard W. Lindholm. Business and Government. By C. C. Rohlfing, E. W. Carter, B. W. West and J. G. Hervey. The Economy of Latin America. By Wendell C. Gordon. Price Theory. By Sidney Weintraub. Pricing in Planned Economy. By B. V. Krishnamurti. Pressure of Population and Economic Efficiency in India. By D. Ghosh. Studies in Genius. By Walter G.
Performance of Implanted Biogalvanic Pacemakers*
Authors: CYWINSKI JOZEF K. , HAHN ALLEN W. , NICHOLS MICHAEL F. , EASLEY J. ROGER 
Published: July 2006

Seventeen unipolar cardiac pacemakers powered by hybrid biogalvanic cells were implanted in dogs. Long term clinical effects and electrical performance in vivo of the generators were investigated. The biogalvanic cells were designed to provide 50 years of generator operation.No systemic pathological changes which would be attributed to the generator or the biogalvanic cell were observed. Local reaction to implants was mild and not significantly different from the one observed in conventional pacemaker implantations to date. The electrical performance of the biogalvanic cells was very encouraging. Final steady‐state cell voltage levels of .65V to .75V were reached in 100–150 days after implantation and remained constant in 3 units to date which represents over 36 months after implantation for each generator.