bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Individual characteristics, work perceptions, and affective reactions influences on differentiated absence criteria
Authors: Kohler Stacey S. , Mathieu John E. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe present study provides support for the utility of studying absence as a multi‐dimensional criterion. Survey responses were collected from 194 bus drivers and paired with categorized archival absences. Seven absence indices were created and linked with three categories of predictors: (1) affective reactions to the work environment; (2) work‐related perceptions; and (3) individual resource characteristis. The relationships between the multiple absence criteria and the three sets of predictors were examined both separately and combined using part canonical, and canonical correlation analyses. Affective responses fully mediated the influence of work perceptions on absence, and partially mediated the influence of individual resource variables. Redundancy coefficients and a rotated structure matrix were employed to identify two significant dimensions labeled, nonwork obligations and stress reactions, that linked the combined predictor sets with the set of absence measures. Together these dimensions accounted for 15 per cent of the variance in absence, with predictors differing in their explanatory power. Implications for the management of employee absence programs were discussed.
Organizational and population level learning as engines for career transitions
Authors: Miner Anne S. , Robinson David F. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBuilding inductively on twenty‐four in depth interviews, the authors argue that boundaryless organizations will alter both career theories and actual career mobility patterns. The paper illustrates how both organizational and population level learning can affect individual job transitions within and cross organizations. The three evolutionary learning steps of variation, selection and retention all remain important, but the impact of variation processes may increase. Boundaryless organizations will thus generate career patterns reflecting an underlying logic of organizational learning rather than producing simple atomistic exchange between unfettered actors.
Burnout in child protective service workers: A longitudinal study
Authors: Savicki Victor , Cooley Eric J. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractChild protective service (CPS) workers experience working conditions that lead to burnout. Although theorists describe burnout as a phenomenon that develops over time, few studies have taken a longitudinal approach to describe its course. To test the hypotheses that (a) burnout remains the same across time, and that (b) environmental conditions are related to change in burnout, 64 CPS workers were followed over an average 18‐month period. All scales of the Maslach Burnout Inventory showed significantly increased burnout. Environmental factors measured by the Work Environment Scale and a Work Hassles scale significantly related to change in burnout with initial levels of burnout controlled (emotional exhaustion R2 = 0.465, depersonalization R2 = 0.432, personal accomplishment R2 = 0.431). Several methodological difficulties in previous longitudinal burnout studies were avoided: namely, only one type of job was used, all subjects remained in the same job across the follow‐up, and subjects were new to the position at the beginning of the study. Developmental models of Leiter and Maslach (1988) and Golembiewski and Munzenrider (1988) were discussed given the methodological issues raised and the results of the current study. The relation of environmental factors to changes in burnout are consistent with previous, non‐quantitative descriptions of the CPS job.
Innovations and personal change: Patterns of adjustment to relocation
Authors: Munton Anthony G. , West Michael A. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe aim of the study was to test hypotheses derived from Nicholson's (1984) theory of work‐role transitions within the context of job relocation. These hypotheses concern the adjustment strategies used by those changing jobs. A total of 121 U.K. employees provided data at three points in time during the process of their relocation. Measures included job characteristics, personal change, role innovation, self‐esteem and subjective well‐being. Data were analysed via non‐recursive structural equation models using LISREL VI. Results were generally consistent with the model of work‐role transitions. Individual differences in self‐esteem were found to influence adjustment strategies over and above the effects of job characteristics.
Why businessmen should be honest: The argument from rational egoism
Authors: Locke Edwin A. , Woiceshyn Jaana 
Published: July 2007

AbstractYou are a business owner who has just taken out a loan to manufacture a new high technology product, for which you have lucrative orders. Although you thought you could make the product to specifications, you have not been able to do so. You will not be able to meet the delivery deadline and cash is running short — so short that it is threatening the viability of the rest of your business. Things are in a critical state, but you desperately want the product to succeed. You have several options. You could tell the customers about your problems, ask for a postponement of the deadline, and hire an outside consultant to help with the product. But this will anger your customers, take time and not solve your cash flow problem.You could also get another bank loan by telling the bank's president that you need it to expand an old line of business. You know he will refuse more money for the new product, but he does not have to be told how you will actually use the money. The loan will take a while to process but you need money now. You can get it from your children's college savings accounts; it would upset your wife (who helped fund the accounts) and the kids, but you do not have to tell them and can repay later. You can also borrow money from the employee pension fund. The employees do not have to know. Finally, you can ship the products even though they do not meet specs, and hope that nobody finds out right away. You can use customers' payment to pay back the various loans and worry about fixing the product later.What should you do? Should you take the honest route or the dishonest route?Clearly, you have to make a moral choice, but you can only do so by reference to a moral code. In this essay we will address three questions: (1) What are the main moral codes that have been accepted throughout the centuries and what are their views on honesty? (2) Why are they inadequate and what would be a rational moral code and its argument for honesty? (3) How would one apply it to the issue of businessmen being honest?
Multilevel Interactions between Ethylene and Auxin inArabidopsisRoots
Authors: Stepanova Anna N. , Yun Jeonga , Likhacheva Alla V. , Alonso Jose M. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractHormones play a central role in the coordination of internal developmental processes with environmental signals. Herein, a combination of physiological, genetic, cellular, and whole-genome expression profiling approaches has been employed to investigate the mechanisms of interaction between two key plant hormones: ethylene and auxin. Quantification of the morphological effects of ethylene and auxin in a variety of mutant backgrounds indicates that auxin biosynthesis, transport, signaling, and response are required for the ethylene-induced growth inhibition in roots but not in hypocotyls of dark-grown seedlings. Analysis of the activation of early auxin and ethylene responses at the cellular level, as well as of global changes in gene expression in the wild type versus auxin and ethylene mutants, suggests a simple mechanistic model for the interaction between these two hormones in roots, according to which ethylene and auxin can reciprocally regulate each other's biosyntheses, influence each other's response pathways, and/or act independently on the same target genes. This model not only implies existence of several levels of interaction but also provides a likely explanation for the strong ethylene response defects observed in auxin mutants.
Is life a balancing act?
Authors: Hughes Nicola 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this case study is to highlight to individuals and businesses the importance of work‐life balance and how it can have a massive impact on one's daily life. It aims to describe the pitfalls of not having a policy in place and also how a business can go about implementing a policy.Design/methodology/approachThe subject scope of the paper is to inform employers and employees of all aspects of work‐life balance from the cause and effect to the methods available to help them achieve a great balance and improve productivity and wellbeing.FindingsThe case study shows that work‐life balance is having a massive impact not only on businesses productivity, but also on the economy as a whole. A massive amount of money is being lost due to illness, etc. The information included from companies such as BT who have already implemented a work‐life balance programme shows that the results are significant. The increase in staff wellbeing and productivity is amazing and shows that implementing these programmes really makes a difference.Originality/valueThe case study is invaluable to any employer who has a team of staff. The findings of the research undertaken with BT shows that companies cannot wait until work‐life balance becomes a “must have” – it needs to be implemented straightaway to ensure that staff are happy in their job and that no aspect of their career is contributing to ill health. BT show that by ensuring that “work‐life” balance is prevalent in their business they have reduced absenteeism, increased productivity and have a more responsive and effective workforce.
Electrical sector suffers from disconnection between Executive's education and vocational training policies
Authors: Wright David 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to present the viewpoint of David Wright, head of External Affairs for SELECT, the Electrical Contractors' Association of Scotland. Its purpose is to highlight the adverse impact on the electrical sector of a disconnection between the Scottish Executive's education and vocational training policies.Design/methodology/approachThe paper chronicles relations between the Scottish Executive vis‐à‐vis its education and vocational training policies and Scotland's electrical sector regarding the funding (or otherwise) of apprenticeships.FindingsThe paper points out that the Executive is simultaneously promoting a rise in the number of apprenticeships and a rise in the number of pupils staying on longer at school. The paper found that this contradiction has arisen largely as a consequence of the Westminster decision to fund apprenticeships for all 16‐18 year‐olds rather than provide social security payments for anyone unemployed within that age group, while the Executive is simultaneously encouraging 16‐18 year‐olds to stay on at school by funding them to do so. It found that an 18 year‐old leaving school seeking to embark on an apprenticeship will be unlikely to receive any funding, while a 16 year‐old will be guaranteed funding.Practical implicationsThe paper covers SELECT's support for the policy promoted by the Scottish Parliament's Enterprise and Culture Committee for lifelong learning through the creation of individual learning accounts, whereby funding for vocational training is available to individuals of any age rather than restricted to narrow age parameters. It calls for funding programmes which recognise the practical consequences of the government's policies and which will enable people in their late teens and early 20s – and older – to train or retrain as apprentices.Originality/valueThis paper is of value to policymakers, employees, school pupils and apprentices.
Ethical reference practice
Authors: Ulvik Synnøve , Salvesen Gunhild 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss whether the outcomes of a reference transaction can be improved by focusing on the ethical dimension of the conversation between user and librarian. The aim is to provide a better understanding of the ethical implications of the reference interview.Design/methodology/approachThe starting point is the ethical questions raised by the results of Gunhild Salvesen's PhD thesis, where she analyses authentic reference interviews by the method Conversation Analysis (CA). She found several traits in the conversations between librarian and user with a negative influence on the quality of the transactions. To visualise the ethical implications of the same conversation, Løgstrup's ethics of proximity are used.FindingsAnalysing the conversations from an ethical perspective revealed that increased ethical consciousness among the librarians clearly would have improved the quality of the actual transactions. It is concluded that the total quality of reference transactions will increase by focusing on the ethical dimension.Research limitations/implicationsUsing data from a researcher to validate the same data in another context might not be considered appropriate. However, using the transcripts from Salvesen's dissertation would serve the purpose of revealing the ethical implications of the interviews and their influence on the quality.Practical implicationsThis work might contribute to increasing the ethical consciousness among reference librarians, and encourage them to improve their communication skills, to raise the quality of the interaction.Originality/valueThis way of using ethical theories in the analysis of authentic conversations between user and librarian is new. Likewise, using CA on reference interviews in a library setting is also new.
Sociotechnical walkthrough: a means for knowledge integration
Authors: Herrmann Thomas , Loser Kai‐Uwe , Jahnke Isa 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to show that for the successful development of socio‐technical systems it is essential that various stakeholders are able to integrate their different knowledge and perspectives. A method that supports knowledge integration in the course of introduction and development of socio‐technical systems is the Socio‐technical Walkthrough (STWT). The paper describes the characteristics of the STWT method and the potential to support knowledge integration.Design/methodology/approachThe theoretical approach of the STWT is closely related to the notion of socio‐technical systems. Starting with the historical development of this term, the authors saw the necessity to adopt elements of newer system theory so as to achieve a better understanding of the conditions under which a social system and a technical system can be integrated. Based on two empirical case studies (university library/logistic enterprise goes Web) the authors show empirical evidence, that the STWT is especially suitable when supporting certain kinds of knowledge integration.FindingsThe STWT is a method which is flexible and has the ability to integrate different viewpoints, to document the results of this integration, and to promote the development of a socio‐technical system which follows common design principles. Using two empirical case studies, the authors derived a list of categories which characterize the knowledge which should be integrated when a socio‐technical system is developed (e.g. agreements concerning the usage of a software system). Those elements of the STWT method which have a positive effect on knowledge integration are highlighted (e.g. continuously combining communication processes and graphical documentations).Originality/valueFurther research is necessary so as to understand how the exchange of knowledge and its integration takes place during workshops to design sociotechnical systems and how the methods can be improved and become more reliable. There also has to be a better understanding of the effect of different kinds of diagrammatic representations and the ways to refer to the representations during an STWT.
The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force: its mission, operations and future prospects
Authors: Wilson Calvin E.J. , Rattray Kurt B. 
Published: July 2007

PurposeTo outline the role of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), which has the remit to spearhead the implementation of internationally recognized anti‐money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) benchmarks in the Caribbean Basin region.Design/methodology/approachThe first part of the paper sets out the mandate and structure of the CFATF, and describes the range of activities in which it has been engaged, together with some triumphs and challenges experienced over its history. The second part focuses on a critical component of the CFATF's remit, namely, the conduct of the mutual evaluation (MVE) programme, a peer review process by which member states within the CFATF family are assessed for compliance with AML/CFT requirements. The third part constitutes the conclusion and offers some observations on the way forward for the CFATF in its ongoing campaign against financial crime.FindingsThe Caribbean Basin region is ad idem with its international partners in the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Member governments of the CFATF have embraced this commitment because it is in the region's best interests to protect first and foremost the regional financial system from criminal activity and by extension the global financial system. In so doing we are able to position ourselves as well regulated, clean jurisdictions which are firmly committed to adherence to international best practices. The ongoing stance of the CFATF is one of constant vigilance with regard to international developments, their potential impact on members and the Caribbean Basin region and the way in which the region's interests could be best protected.Originality/valueThe task of the CFATF is to ensure that throughout the membership all the domestic stakeholders be it the National Anti Money Laundering Committee, the attorney general's department, the central bank, police, customs, immigration, defence departments, the financial intelligence units (FIUs), the judiciary and the magistracy all must take on the responsibility for ensuring that in the AML/CFT arena a culture of compliance is engendered throughout the national consciousness. The MEV reports on all CFATF members as the outcome of the monitoring for compliance process are now being published on the CFATF web site and will be of value to our international partners and in particular to the global investment community. The Caribbean Basin region through concerted action must strive for a positive and responsible international image and reputation and the publication of this paper is a step in that direction.
Anti‐corruption efforts in the Caribbean: are we doing enough?
Authors: Hylton Michael , Young Gladys 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe Caribbean countries referenced in the paper are parties to the Inter‐American Convention against Corruption and to its Follow‐up Mechanism (MESISIC). The convention has been in force for more than a decade, and the follow up mechanism has just completed its first round of review. The purpose of this paper is to provide timely and useful information as to the progress made in reducing corruption.Design/methodology/approachThe paper discusses some of the legislative and other measures to combat corruption taking into account corruption perception indices. The MESISIC reports were the primary source of information for the purposes of this paper. Reference was also made to the corruption perception indices produced by Transparency International and the World Bank as well as reports in the local media in each country.FindingsIt is found that the countries reviewed have taken substantial steps to combat corruption. It is also noted, however, that there were many areas of weakness, in particular lack of enforcement. In the circumstances, it is concluded that the countries reviewed were not doing enough to combat corruption and that much more needed to be done.Originality/valueThe authors are not aware of any similar research or paper. This paper reviews and presents the position in all seven countries, and should be valuable to anyone who wishes to ascertain the steps which have been taken by these countries in relation to the fight against corruption.
Banking crisis and reform: the case of Jamaica
Authors: Rattray Allison C. 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe aim of this paper was to trace the development of the banking sector from post independence (1962) Jamaica to 2002 when the last major revisions were made to banking legislation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper focuses mainly on the banking crisis that the financial sector suffered from 1992 to 1997. It examines the legislative and regulatory framework that existed during that period and the shortcomings that the financial crisis revealed. The impact of the financial crisis on the development of the legislative and regulatory framework and the resultant changes are also examined. The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the regulatory and legislative framework existing in the banking sector in Jamaica. Investigative research was done through interviews, newspaper articles and reviewing papers written on this area in conjunction with the analysis of the banking legislation during this period.FindingsThe present banking and regulatory framework in Jamaica developed in response to the financial crisis and not in a structured and planned way. This conclusion is drawn from the fact that there were three amendments to the banking legislation in five years crisis primarily to close the loopholes and weaknesses the financial crisis revealed that the regulators did not have the legislative power to remedy.Originality/valueWhile papers have been written examining the financial crisis from an economic perspective this paper provides a comprehensive legal analysis of the banking and regulatory framework in Jamaica. This paper will be of interest to regulators and the legal community.
The Standards Australia sizing system: quantifying the mismatch
Authors: Honey Fleur , Olds Tim 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare the three‐dimensional (3D) shapes of a sample of 18‐30 year old Australian women, to the 3D shapes assumed by the Standards Australia (SA) garment sizing system, using the newly developed L‐statistic, to suggest methods of improving current garment sizing systems.Design/methodology/approachThe L‐statistic is a new method for quantifying the lack of fit between two sets of dimensions defining 3D shapes. Using the L‐value, 28 measurements were calculated from 3D scans on 294 18‐30 year old Australian women and compared to the SA sizing system. Each participant was assigned to a best‐fit size, which was the size yielding the lowest L‐value.FindingsThe results showed that there is a significant mismatch between the real 3D shapes of young Australian women and the shapes assumed by the SA sizing system, and that there is a difference of more than two sizes when comparing reported dress sizes and best‐fit clothing sizes.Practical implicationsResults suggest a need for revision of the current system, or development of a new system. Revision of current clothing sizes, or development of new sizes would be optimised by using 3D body scanning technology.Originality/valueThis paper outlines the use of the L‐statistic, a new method of comparing the shape of Australian women to the SA sizing system. The L‐statistic can also be used to compare any individual to any sizing system and to assess the lack‐of‐fit between any sizing system and a sample of scanned bodies.