bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On the role of worksite fitness policy for developing intellectual capital
Authors: Aura O. , Ahonen G. , Sveiby K‐E. 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe paper's aim is, in a framework of intellectual capital (IC), to study the interactions of a worksite fitness program (WFP) policy with a multidisciplinary approach in an IT‐company of 220 employees.Design/methodology/approachIn a five years follow‐up setting, the associations of physical activity and the company's worksite fitness policy (WFP) effects on different elements of IC were studied. Qualitative methods were applied in constructing indicators and a scorecard type IC measure.FindingsIn a cross‐sectional and follow‐up setting, several findings with respect to IC were observed regarding physical activity in general and activity in WFP in particular. The findings were relatively strong regarding health‐ and wellness‐related indicators as part of human capital, where also relational capital indicators such as project feedback, revealed positive associations. Overall, WFP was seen to be an integrated part of structural capital.Research limitations/implicationsThis case study was carried out in Finland, where the traditions of WFP are relatively long. This will, to some extent, restrict the implications of the results in countries or business cultures where WFP is not general.Practical implicationsThe results emphasize first the need for company specific IC measures, and second the importance of humane, soft management procedures (like WFP) in developing a company's IC.Originality/valueThe paper is the first to examine the relations of IC and WFP and will thus provide new insights in developing a company specific IC.
Creating flex‐lean‐agile value chain by outsourcing
Authors: Mohammed Ilyas R. , Shankar Ravi , Banwet D.K. 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the characteristics of flexible, agile and lean supply chains and establish, by factor analysis, that outsourcing can be a key intervention achieving the triple objective of flexibility, agility and leanness.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is a blend of theoretical framework and practical application and employs structural analysis to draw an interventional roadmap to facilitate value chain outsourcing.FindingsThe paper finds that by outsourcing activities processes, organizations can deliver better value to the customer.Originality/valueThe paper is of value in identifying the variables for effective value chain outsourcing.
The pros and cons of computing the h‐index using Google Scholar
Authors: Jacso´ Pe´ter 
Published: June 2008

PurposeA previous paper by the present author described the pros and cons of using the three largest cited reference enhanced multidisciplinary databases and discussed and illustrated in general how the theoretically sound idea of the h‐index may become distorted depending on the software and the content of the database(s) used, and the searchers' skill and knowledge of the database features. The aim of this paper is to focus on Google Scholar (GS), from the perspective of calculating the h‐index for individuals and journals.Design/methodology/approachA desk‐based approach to data collection is used and critical commentary is added.FindingsThe paper shows that effective corroboration of the h‐index and its two component indicators can be done only on persons and journals with which a researcher is intimately familiar. Corroborative tests must be done in every database for important research.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the very time‐consuming process of corroborating data, tracing and counting valid citations and points out GS's unscholarly and irresponsible handling of data.
What's happening in coaching and mentoring? And what is the difference between them?
Authors: Clutterbuck David 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a summary of the latest developments in the field of corporate coaching and mentoring.Design/methodology/approachProvides a viewpoint on the coaching and mentoring field drawing on research from Europe and the US.FindingsStructured or supported coaching and mentoring within organisations is evolving rapidly and research is at last beginning to provide valuable insights into effective practices. Some strongly‐held assumptions are being challenged along the way. Greater definitional clarity, within specific contexts, contributes to efficacy. Increasing professionalisation with the coaching and mentoring sector is being helped by dialogue between the various bodies representing coaches and mentors and by the spread of supervision.Originality/valueThe article provides a succinct overview of the current position of the corporate coaching and mentoring arena and offers insights into how the field will develop in the future.
Socio‐cultural analysis of personal information leakage in Japan
Authors: Orito Yohko , Murata Kiyoshi 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse incidents of personal information leakage in Japan based on Japanese socio‐cultural characteristics of information privacy and to consider how best to develop an effective personal information protection policy that conforms to Japanese situations as well as to the global requirement of personal information protection.Design/methodology/approachAfter describing recent incidents of personal information leakage in Japan, the paper examines the defects of the Act on Protection of Personal Information (APPI) that permit these incidents to continue. Subsequently, these incidents and the responses of the Japanese people in a manner that reflects the unique Japanese socio‐cultural characteristics of information privacy are analysed. Finally, the paper proposes a revision of APPI that conforms to these Japanese socio‐cultural characteristics as well as to the global requirement for personal information protection.FindingsPersonal information leakage cases and social responses in Japan reflect three Japanese socio‐cultural characteristics: Uchi/Soto awareness, insular collectivism and Hon'ne/Tatemae tradition. An effective law protecting personal information in Japan's cultural environment cannot be made simply by copying the privacy protection laws in western nations. Instead, legal protection of personal information should be drafted that reflects and takes into account these socio‐cultural characteristics.Originality/valueThis paper conducts analysis of incidents of personal information leakage in Japan based on Japanese socio‐cultural characteristics. A revision of APPI is proposed on the basis of the analysis. The paper's analysis and proposal would provide a good clue to develop effective measures to protect personal information and the right to information privacy in the global, multicultural information society.
Artificial intelligence in Buddhist perspective
Authors: Promta Somparn , Einar Himma Kenneth 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the possibility and desirability of artificial intelligence (AI) by considering western literature on AI and Buddhist doctrine.Design/methodology/approachThe paper argues that these issues can best be considered examined from a variety of philosophical and religious viewpoints and that resolution of those issues depends on which point of view the questions are addressed from. There are a number of philosophical questions involving AI usually considered by philosophers: what is the definition of AI, what is a status of an AI as compared with human intelligence, is there a legitimate purpose for creating AI; if so, what is that purpose? Buddhism is a religion that is deeply philosophical and, perhaps to the surprise of western readers, has a lot to say about the nature of human mind and human intelligence. Although Buddhism does not talk explicitly about AI, the richness of its philosophical views concerning human nature and the nature of the physical world sheds considerable light on the philosophical questions stated above.FindingsThe paper explains how Buddhist teaching would answer the four questions above.Originality/valueThe paper is the first to clarify the Buddhist position on AI, and perhaps represents the first attempt to explore the relationships between any major religion and the AI agenda.
Adaptive ontology re‐use: finding and re‐using sub‐ontologies
Authors: Stecher Rodolfo , Niederée Claudia , Nejdl Wolfgang , Bouquet Paolo 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe discovery of the “right” ontology or ontology part is a central ingredient for effective ontology re‐use. The purpose of this paper is to present an approach for supporting a form of adaptive re‐use of sub‐ontologies, where the ontologies are deeply integrated beyond pure referencing.Design/methodology/approachStarting from an ontology draft which reflects the intended modeling perspective, the ontology engineer can be supported by suggesting similar already existing sub‐ontologies and ways for integrating them with the existing draft ontology. This paper's approach combines syntactic, linguistic, structural and logical methods into an innovative modeling‐perspective aware solution for detecting matchings between concepts from different ontologies. This paper focuses on the discovery and matching phase of this re‐use process.FindingsOwing to the combination of techniques presented in this general approach, the work described performs in the general case as well as approaches tailored for a specific usage scenario.Research limitations/implicationsThe methods used rely on lexical information obtained from the labels of the concepts and properties in the ontologies, which makes this approach appropriate in cases where this information is available. Also, this approach can handle some missing label information.Practical implicationsOntology engineering tasks can take advantage from the proposed adaptive re‐use approach in order to re‐use existing ontologies or parts of them without introducing inconsistencies in the resulting ontology.Originality/valueThe adaptive re‐use of ontologies by finding and partially re‐using parts of existing ontological resources for building new ontologies is a new idea in the field, and the inclusion of the modeling perspective in the computation of the matches adds a new perspective that could also be exploited by other matching approaches.
The emergence of the pharmaceutical industry in the developing world and its implications for multinational enterprise strategies
Authors: Rao P.M. 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper, focusing mainly on India – and a lesser extent on China – is to examine, broadly, two related issues concerning the rise of pharmaceutical industry in the emerging economies: the strategic response of the emerging‐country pharmaceutical firms to the new patent regime that recognizes and enforces product patents; and its implications for multinational enterprise (MNE) strategies.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on extensive review of the relevant conceptual and empirical literature and secondary data.FindingsThe strategic response of pharmaceutical firms in the emerging economies (India and China, for example,) to the new patent regime is to develop multiple competencies and position themselves to simultaneously compete and collaborate globally with the MNEs – large firms rapidly moving towards discovery and development of new drugs, and medium and small firms engaged in the production of off‐patent generics and contract manufacturing, respectively.Practical implicationsThe trend towards greater collaboration between the emerging‐country firms and the MNEs in the new patent regime raises serious concern about prescription drug prices in the developing as well as developed countries. Given the importance of the pharma industry to thehealth of nations, firms in rich and poor countries alike will continue to come under public pressure to develop and market the needed drugs at affordable prices.Originality/valueThe paper would be of value to practitioners and scholars interested in the implications – for MNE pricing, outsourcing and R&D strategies, for example – of the rapid rise of pharmaceutical industry in the developing countries such as India and China.
Energy and climate policies to 2020: the impacts of the European “20/20/20” approach
Authors: Stankeviciute Loreta , Criqui Patrick 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to quantify the possible interactions among the three European objectives in the horizon of 2020: the reduction of 20 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG); the saving of 20 per cent of the European energy consumption; and a share of 20 per cent of renewable energies in the overall energy consumption. Particular focus is, however, placed on the influence of the CO2 emission reduction targets and on their consequences on the carbon price in 2020.Design/methodology/approachIn order to explore the interactions among the three European objectives and their induced effects, a number of scenarios are tested within a combination of two modeling tools: the POLES world energy model and ASPEN, an auxiliary model dedicated to the analysis of quota trading systems. With reasonable assumptions for the burden sharing among the member states, the energy efficiency objectives and the renewable energy targets are achieved using national quota systems in each European country (white and green certificate systems and their implicit prices), while the CO2 emission reduction is carried out within the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in line with the objective of 20 per cent emission reduction.FindingsThe paper shows, in particular, that the two quota policies (white certificates and green certificates) decrease significantly the European marginal emission reduction cost and consequently, the compliance costs for ETS participants. The high‐renewable target compliance cost could be reduced significantly if carbon price signal and energy saving policies are in place. The paper also shows that the sole carbon price signal has a limited influence for stimulating renewable energies and energy savings and thus concludes on the need for specific policies targeting these two areas.Originality/valueThis paper is a first attempt to comprehensively deal with the economic fundamentals of the 3D regulatory system proposed by the Commission for Energy and Climate and is of value in proposing a comprehensive approach of the economics of the “20/20/20” European policy.
The value of health and the power of prevention
Authors: Loeppke Ronald 
Published: June 2008

PurposeHealth is inextricably linked to the productivity and therefore the economic viability of individuals, populations and nations. A global strategy for health enhancement would yield a multitude of benefits for humankind. The root cause of the escalating healthcare cost crisis is driven by a health crisis from a growing burden of health risks that are leading to an expanding burden of chronic illness yielding an unsustainable economic burden. This paper aims to present a general review of the business value of health and the power of prevention in addressing solutions for managing total health and productivity costs.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the scientific and economic business case for investing in health enhancement.FindingsHighlights of employer case studies and published research demonstrate that comprehensive, integrated population health enhancement can lower health risks, reduce the burden of illness, improve productivity and lower total health‐related costs. The dominant components of the solution are a substantial commitment to prevention and a culture of health rather than just more treatment and cure. In addition there needs to be a focus on the quality and effectiveness of care rather than just the quantity and efficiency of the care.Originality/valueThe healthcare cost conundrum can be impacted by reducing the burden of chronic illness and health risk in populations, thereby improving the health and productivity of the workforce, the health of the bottom line for engaged employers and ultimately the health of a nation's economy. Ultimately, the broader value proposition of integrated population health and productivity enhancement should drive this strategy by leveraging the value of health and the power of prevention.
Asian wellness in decline: a cost of rising prosperity
Authors: Tsui Audrey H.H. 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to provide a general review of the state of wellness in Asia's growing economies.Design/methodology/approachThe paper looks at wellness issue in a number of Asian countries.FindingsThe rising prosperity of Asia's growing economies has drawn adverse consequences on employee wellness and the work‐life balance of many people. Intensified global competition and the expanding wealth gaps in Asia induce stress and create tension. A growing segment of Asia's working population reports being overworked and excessively strained, along with symptoms of fatigue, depression/anxiety, musculo‐skeletal pains, sleeping disorders and a rapid increase in chronic diseases. Long working hours, excessive workload, weekend duties, inadequate physical activity and an unhealthy lifestyle are often cited as the key sources of chronic fatigue and work stress. Mounting incidents of occupational illnesses/accidents, and the growing number of karoshi and suicides among prime‐aged working adults further raise concerns regarding individuals' health awareness and corporate effectiveness in employee wellness management.Originality/valueThe paper provides a valuable overview of the situation of declining wellness in Asia.
Trade and regional integration: analysis of the effectiveness in the GCC
Authors: Hossain Kamal Naser Amzad 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the effectiveness of the GCC integration.Design/methodology/approachBoth descriptive and comparative analyses are used. In order to measure the effectiveness, indicators like trends of trade, FDI inflows, joint venture project activities and technology diffusion are considered.FindingsThe analyses revealed that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regularly reviews the collective process of all the proposals to be executed. It also conducts an in‐depth analysis of all issues concerning the GCC states and their societies. The analyses also showed increasing trends in exports and imports, and high‐tech manufacturing after implementing customs union. In the same fashion, the number of joint venture projects, total capital investment and capital investment per project increase dramatically after executing customs union. The analysis further shows that the investment in large‐scale joint venture projects increases during the same period. The paper finds a sharp increase in FDI during the period between 2001 and 2004; within this period, the customs union has been implemented. This increased FDI is mainly due to the fact that the GCC attains enlarged domestic market size and stable economic growth after the GCC integration. The GCC integration also contributes to improve the push and pull factors of FDI that have further attracted increased FDI. The paper shows that the GCC countries have adapted and deployed new technology considerably quickly during the period 1999 to 2005 compared with the 1990s.Practical implicationsThe study noticed improvements in all indicators as well as the push and pull factors that enhance effectiveness of the GCC integration. To attain more effective regional integration, a periodic review of all the issues concerning the GCC states and their societies in light of the advancement taking place in the Arab world and international arenas is vital.Originality/valueThe study finds that the effectiveness of the GCC integration is progressive. The integrators that measure effectiveness such as trends of trade, FDI inflows, joint venture project activities and technology diffusion show increasing trends.
Site‐specific incorporation of unnatural amino acids into urate oxidase in Escherichia coli
Authors: Chen Mingjie , Cai Lei , Fang Zhengzhi , Tian Hong , Gao Xiangdong , Yao Wenbing 
Published: July 2008

AbstractUrate oxidase catalyzes the oxidation of uric acid with poor solubility to produce 5‐hydroxyisourate and allantoin. Since allantoin is excreted in vivo, urate oxidase has the potential to be a therapeutic target for the treatment of gout. However, its severe immunogenicity limits its clinical application. Furthermore, studies on the structure–function relationships of urate oxidase have proven difficult. We developed a method for genetically incorporating p‐azido‐L‐phenylalanine into target protein in Escherichia coli in a site‐specific manner utilizing a tyrosyl suppressor tRNA/aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetase system. We substituted p‐azido‐L‐phenylalanine for Phe170 or Phe281 in urate oxidase. The products were purified and their enzyme activities were analyzed. In addition, we optimized the system by adding a “Shine‐Dalgarno (SD) sequence” and tandem suppressor tRNA. This method has the benefit of site‐specifically modifying urate oxidase with homogeneous glycosyl and PEG derivates, which can provide new insights into structure–function relationships and improve pharmacological properties of urate oxidase.
Purification, Characterization, and Gene Cloning ofCeriporiopsissp. Strain MD-1 Peroxidases That Decolorize Human Hair Melanin
Authors: Nagasaki Kenji , Kumazawa Masaro , Murakami Shuichiro , Takenaka Shinji , Koike Kenzo , Aoki Kenji 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTCeriporiopsissp. strain MD-1, isolated from forest soil, produced several extracellular enzymes that decolorized human hair melanin. Among them, three enzymes (E1, E2-1, and E2-2) were purified to homogeneity and characterized. The enzymes required hydrogen peroxide in their enzyme reactions and, typical of other fungal peroxidases, oxidized various phenol compounds such as guaiacol, but not 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol. The spectra of the three enzymes showed an absorption maximum at 406 nm, indicating that they were heme proteins. However, theA406/A280values of the enzymes were below 0.4, which was lower than those of other peroxidases. E2-1 and E2-2 were similar to each other in their molecular and catalytic properties, and they possibly represent products of posttranslational modifications and/or allelic variants of the same gene,mdcA. The corresponding cDNA was cloned and sequenced; the deduced amino acid sequence showed high identities to the manganese peroxidases from other microorganisms. The specific activities andKmvalues of E2-1 and E2-2 for synthetic and human hair melanins were much higher than those ofPhanerochaete chrysosporiummanganese peroxidase and lignin peroxidase.
Identification and Characterization of
Bacillus anthracis
Spores by Multiparameter Flow Cytometry
Authors: Schumacher William C. , Storozuk Craig A. , Dutta Prabir K. , Phipps Andrew J. 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACT

In response to the need for methods that can rapidly detect potentially virulent
Bacillus anthracis
spores, we developed a two-color flow cytometric assay capable of simultaneously identifying
B. anthracis
spores and the presence of spore-associated protective antigen, a virulence marker for strains harboring the pXO1 plasmid.