bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An ontology‐assisted analysis in aligning business process with e‐commerce standards
Authors: Seng Jia‐Lang , Lin Woodstock 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to articulate an analysis framework and a method for the cross‐national business‐to‐business integration electronic commerce (B2Bi EC) by exploring an ontology‐assisted schema and semantics resolution in the business process alignment with electronic commerce standards.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents an ontology‐assisted analysis method and alignment model in the implementation of the B2B electronic commerce standard specification over the existing trading partners' public processes in the syntactic and semantic integration and interoperability. An application of the Unified Modeling Language is made to analyze the public process in the domain and in the standard. Terms, concepts, relations, and links are created from the analysis results and converted into an ontology representation. Web Ontology Language is introduced to formulate the analyzed knowledge and experience to align the domain and the standard. There are correspondences and conflicts in the process of alignment. They are resolved via the shared and reusable ontology which is a convergence of the domain ontology and the standard ontology. The converged and shared ontology is achieved via a set of rules and heuristics that are created in the research.FindingsThe key of success in the B2Bi EC lies in the ability to accomplish the process interoperability and the schema comparability. Three main tasks have to be achieved to fulfill the requirements. This research constructs a prototype to implement the method. The prototype is used to illustrate the feasibility and validity of the method. A set of starter experiments has been conducted in use of a straight‐through example of a purchase order process in the alignment with the RosettaNet standard and the ebXML standard. The starter experiment serves as the baseline to demonstrate that the method is feasible and valid.Originality/valueA syntactic and semantic analysis method and alignment model are developed and demonstrated in the research. Integration and interoperability are accomplished in use of the systematic and analytic method.
An intelligent condition‐based maintenance scheduling model
Authors: Baek Jun‐Geol 
Published: March 2007

PurposeCondition‐based maintenance (CBM) has increasingly drawn attention in industry because of its many benefits. The CBM problem is a kind of state‐dependent scheduling problem, and is very hard to solve within the conventional Markov decision process framework. The purpose of this paper is to present an intelligent CBM scheduling model for which incremental decision tree learning as an evolutionary system identification model and dynamic programming as a control model are developed.Design/methodology/approachTo fully exploit the merits of CBM, this paper models CBM scheduling as a state‐dependent, sequential decision‐making problem. The objective function is formulated as the minimization of the total maintenance cost. Instead of interpreting the problem within the widely used Markovian framework, this paper proposes an intelligent maintenance scheduling approach that integrates an incremental decision tree learning method and deterministic dynamic programming techniques.FindingsAlthough the intelligent maintenance scheduling approach proposed in this paper does not guarantee an optimal scheduling policy from a mathematical viewpoint, it is verified through a simulation‐based experiment that the intelligent maintenance scheduler is capable of providing a good scheduling policy that can be used in practice.Originality/valueThis paper presents an intelligent maintenance scheduler. As a system identification model, we devise a new incremental decision tree learning method by which interaction patterns among attributes and machine condition are disclosed in an evolutionary manner. A deterministic dynamic programming technique is then applied to select the best safe state in terms of the total maintenance cost.
Complainer characteristics when exit is closed
Authors: Tronvoll Bård 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe paper seeks to investigate whether the demographic and socio‐economic characteristics of complainers in a monopolistic market are different from those in a competitive market.Design/methodology/approachA literature review is undertaken, with particular emphasis on the socio‐economic characteristics of complainers. An empirical study is then presented. The empirical study consists of a large survey of satisfaction among consumers of the Norwegian Office for Social Insurance – a monopolistic governmental service provider.FindingsThe study reveals that complainers in this monopolistic market belong to lower socio‐economic groups. They typically have low incomes, are outside the labour market, have a modest standard of accommodation, and live alone.Research limitations/implicationsThe study analyses only one type of monopolistic institution in only one country. The generalisability of the findings might, therefore, be limited. The study demonstrates that consumer complaint behaviour in this monopolistic market differs from behaviour reported in competitive markets. Moreover, the study indicates that complainers in this monopolistic market are confronted with different complaint barriers when exit is closed.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study suggest that a monopolistic institution should encourage dissatisfied consumers to complain, and should make internal switching possibilities known to consumers.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to study complainer characteristics in a monopolistic market structure empirically. The paper questions previous assumptions that complainers necessarily belong to upper socio‐economic groups.
IBM's “tangible culture” approach can smooth the way to successful transformation
Authors: Moulton Reger Sara J. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeDescribes the “tangible culture” approach in promoting culture change, and smoothing the way to successful integration, which consultants and researchers devised to resolve some of the issues IBM faced over the $3.5 billion acquisition of PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting in 2002.Design/methodology/approachDetails the three concepts – “business practices”, “right vs. right”, and “outcome narratives” – which lie at the heart of the tangible‐culture approach, and some of their practical applications.FindingsDemonstrates that tangible culture specifically targets the culture issues associated with mergers and acquisitions, alliances (e.g. outsourcing), major restructuring (e.g. shared services) and transformation. It can provide the clarity to help companies to reduce their risks and achieve full operations more quickly, while avoiding the delays, strife, additional costs and lost revenues that can erode a business case.Practical implicationsShows that organizations can now do something about culture clash and no longer need simply to hope for the best.Originality/valueAccepts that tangible culture is not a silver bullet, and is still proving itself, but advances the view that it is bringing benefits to IBM and to the author's clients.
BHSF taps into the graduate talent‐bank
Authors: Chapman Michael 
Published: March 2007

PurposeDescribes how UK healthcare‐insurance provider BHSF Ltd successfully recruits, trains and retains talented graduates.Design/methodology/approachDetails the qualities the company looks for in its graduate recruits, the development program they are offered and the skills they put into operation. Highlights, in particular, the role of corporate social responsibility projects in helping the graduates to develop. Describes in detail the experiences of one graduate recruit in the company.FindingsShows that graduate projects have included the development of the customer relationship management (CRM) system, implementation of performance metrics in customer service and revision of the staff performance‐appraisal system.Practical implicationsDemonstrates that small and medium‐size companies (SMEs) can benefit greatly from the enthusiasm and fresh talent graduates bring to a business.Originality/valueDemonstrates that the graduate‐development program benefits the business because managers are able to delegate projects to graduates, saving operational time and resources. Often graduates can research in depth and report on a particular business issue, providing new perspectives. Such reports focus attention and can be used as a management tool for decision‐making.
Space‐time management and office floorspace demand
Authors: Fawcett William , Chadwick Andrew 
Published: March 2007

PurposeTo model the floorspace demand of office‐based organisations in which employees spend periods of time working at off‐site locations, and identify the scope for efficiency improvements.Design/methodology/approachThe paper compares the experience gained in applying an innovative method of space‐planning in practice, with mathematical simulations of activity‐space scenarios. Both approaches are described.FindingsExperience in practice demonstrates that significant reductions can be made in the floorspace demand of many office‐based organisations, but the simulations show that is not feasible to achieve a perfect activity‐space “fit” when the pattern of activities is uncertain. Space‐time management becomes increasingly critical as office floorspace is used more efficiently.Originality/valueShows that there are opportunities for reducing the floorspace demand of most organisations compared to current usage, but there is a limit on achievable efficiency gains.
Service quality in outsourced facility maintenance services
Authors: Marja Rasila Heidi , Florian Gersberg Nils 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess service quality of outsourced facility maintenance services (FMS) from end‐user perspective. For this purpose, a two‐dimensional model for service quality in a FMS context is presented.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on interviews in case study organizations.FindingsThe findings suggest that FMS quality may be divided into two industry‐specific dimensions – service recovery quality (response to a service failure) and observed maintenance quality (technical outcome). It seems that the main quality problems are linked to service recovery quality. These problems are caused by personalities of service personnel and lack of communication between end‐users and the service provider.Practical implicationsFor FMS providers and building owners it is important to understand the nature of end‐user perceived FMS quality formation. This makes it possible to assess the service provision and to improve the performance of FMS if necessary. If the service recovery processes and observed maintenance quality are not understood well, the improvements may be directed to the wrong processes.Originality/valueThe quality of outsourced FMS is important for employers, employees, building owners and FMS providers. Still, there is very little research on end‐user perceived FMS quality. This paper creates a basis for further research on this important topic.
Perceptions of the impact of primary care organizations on GP prescribing
Authors: Prosser Helen , Walley Tom 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis qualitative study aims to examine key stakeholders' perspectives of primary care group/trust prescribing strategies. Within the context of general practice prescribing, the paper also debates the wider issue of whether GPs' prescribing autonomy is under threat from managerial expansion following recent organisational changes in primary care.Design/methodology/approachData were obtained from focus groups and a series of individual semi‐structured interviews with GPs and key primary care organisation stakeholders.FindingsThe data underlie a tension between the managerial objective of cost‐restraint and GPs' commitment to quality improvement and individual clinical patient management. In presenting both managerial and medical narratives, two divergent and often conflicting discourses emerge, which leads to speculation that managerial attempts to constrain prescribing autonomy will achieve only limited success. The contention is that GPs' discourse features as a challenge to a managerial discourse that reflects attempts to regulate, standardise and curtail clinical discretion. This is due not only to GPs' expressed hegemonic ideals that clinical practice centres on the interests of the individual patient, but also to the fact that the managerial discourse of evidence‐based medicine encapsulates only a limited share of the knowledge that GPs draw on in decision making. However, while managers' discourse presented them as unwilling to impose change or directly challenge clinical practice, evidence also emerged to suggest that is not yet possible to be sufficiently convinced of the future retention of prescribing autonomy. On the other hand, the use of peer scrutiny posed an indirect managerial influence on prescribing, whilst the emergence of prescribing advisors as analysts of cost‐effectiveness may threaten doctors' dominance of medical knowledge.Research limitations/implicationsThere is a continuing need to analyse the impact of the new managerial reforms on primary care prescribing.Originality/valueThis study provides a snapshot of managerial and GP relations at a time of primary care transition.
NASD expands broker‐dealer's duty of best execution
Authors: Yim Soo J. , Farris Öberg Christie 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to explain amendments to NASD Rule 2320(a), commonly known as the “best execution rule”, approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 21, 2006.Design/methodology/approachExplains the scope of the best execution obligation, as amended; outlines factors relevant to a best execution determination; and suggests questions broker‐dealers should consider as they review their best execution policies and procedures in light of the amendments.FindingsMost significantly, the amendments make the rule applicable to “any transaction for or with a customer or a customer of another broker‐dealer”, thus imposing the duty of best execution on a member that executes a customer order received from another broker‐dealer. The NASD also has reiterated that debt transactions are subject to the rule. In addition, the rule amendments update certain language and add new Interpretive Material regarding certain aspects of the rule.Originality/valueA useful interpretation of recent amendments to the best execution rule.
FASB statement on fair value measurements
Authors: Zacharski Anthony H. , Rosenblat Alan , Wagner Erin , Teufel Adam 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper sets out to describe the FASB Statement on Fair Value Measurements (FAS 157).Design/methodology/approachExplains the Statement's definition of fair value, the three valuation techniques pre‐scribed by the Statement, a fair value hierarchy established by the Statement, a valuation method used when inputs are based on bid and ask prices, and disclosures required by the Statement to enable users to assess the inputs used to develop fair value measurements.FindingsThe Statement identifies three valuation techniques: the market approach, the income approach, and the cost approach. The Statement establishes a fair value hierarchy based on whether the inputs are “observable” or “unobservable”.Originality/valueExplains a new accounting statement that may change some accounting practices of investment companies and broker‐dealers.
Exploring the role of music on young health and fitness club member loyalty: an empirical study
Authors: Oliver John 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe importance of music in the advertising industry has been long established and is well known to induce consumer emotion, enjoyment, attention and recall. This research aims to develop this positive association theme by investigating whether the type of music played in studio classes would have any impact on the loyalty attitudes of young health and fitness club members toward classes and their service provider.Design/methodology/approachThis study was exploratory in nature and thus employed a qualitative research methodology were 18 in‐depth interviews were conducted. A non‐probability, judgment sample of 16‐24 year old health and fitness club members who had a particular interest in studio classes was conducted.FindingsThe findings indicated that young health and fitness club members were music conscious and that current studio class music was considered by respondents to be standardised. Furthermore, incorporating different music genres in classes can act as a point of consumer differentiation between service providers, therefore, resulting in higher levels of customer loyalty.Research limitations/implicationsAs the research is based on a non‐probability sample, the findings of this paper need to be considered with caution. However, the research may provide some insight or inspiration for future researchers to develop, and or, replicate the findings in order to produce generalisations on the role that music in studio classes can play in developing young consumer loyalty.Originality/valueThis paper takes the mutually exclusive bodies of literature in music and advertising, and customer loyalty and examines them together in a way that seeks to gain insight into loyalty in young consumers. As a result this paper is unique in this sense.
Evaluating eReverse auctions (EeRA)
Authors: Hackney Ray , Loesch Andrea , Irani Zahir , Ghoneim Ahmad , Ozkan Sevgi 
Published: March 2007

PurposeTo evaluate issues relating to the implementation of electronic reverse auctions (eRA) within local government procurement processes.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is a structured case analysis approach to enable qualitative data to be modelled through a visual toolset simulation.FindingsThe paper identifies a set of business scenarios to demonstrate the impact of different eRA strategies in this respect.Practical implicationsThe case research described in this paper proposes a detailed, achievable and valid approach to evaluating the complex issues associated with eRAs.Originality/valueThe outcome of the investigation will provide valuable insights into the complexities associated with the eProcurement process.
032 Transcriptional Profiling of Wound Healing Progression
Authors: Murad A. , Sierra‐Honigmann M.R. 
Published: March 2007

The complexity of cellular and molecular events that occur during wound healing is given by the rapid and continuous changes of matrix structure, cell population, local cytokine composition, nutrient and oxygen availabilities and overall metabolic activity. Angiogenesis is an essential event in the repair of injured tissue. Transcriptional events leading to wound neovascularization begin immediately after the injury has occurred and continue throughout the process until scar remodeling becomes quiescent. This study investigated progression of wound angiogenesis by quantitatively measuring transcripts of multiple genes that participate in wound angiogenesis. The studies were done using a murine model of bilateral 3 mm excision wounds. Wound tissues were collected from 6 hours up to 10 days post‐wounding. Each time point consisted of 8 wounds pooled from four different mice. After RNA purification, the samples were analyzed by quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR using specific TaqMan probe/primer sets for selected transcripts that included the following groups: a) angiogenic factors; b) anti‐angiogenic factors; c) receptors; d) cytokines and enzymes; e) matrix proteins; f) signaling molecules and transcription factors; g) apoptosis and proliferation markers; and h) housekeeping genes. A total of 58 genes were profiled including four housekeeping genes. The transcripts revealed several patterns of expression. Some genes such as angiopoietin 1(Ang1), e‐selecting, placental growth factor (PlGF), MMP‐9 and thrombospondin 1(TSP1) had a clear biphasic pattern where early peaks were detected within the first 24 hours after wounding and were followed by dowregulation and a second increase in transcription after several days. Other transcripts appeared early and had a sustained expression and they include fibroblast growth factor two (FGF2), FGF7, hypoxia inducile factor alpha (HIF‐1a) and STAT3. Examples of late transcripts included HOXD3 and alpha smooth muscle actin. Results derived from this study largely confirm previous studies profiling a small number of individual genes such as VEGF, TSP1 and 2 and others. However, the present study integrates complete transcriptional profiles of large number of genes known to have a critical role in healing progression with a particular emphasis on revascularization. A more detailed model of event sequences that lead to tissue reperfusion after injury is derived from the results.Funded by a Cedars‐Sinai grant from the Skirball‐Kenis Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and RO1GM066292 to MRSH.
060 The Effect of Localized Intra‐abdominal Infection on Colon Anastomotic Healing in Rats
Authors: Kurt T. , Tatar A. , Vladimir F. , Cassaro S. , Cioroiu M. , Grossi R. 
Published: March 2007

Previous studies have demonstrated a decrease in intestinal healing in intra‐abdominal infection. Currently, the effect of localized intra‐abdominal infection on anastomotic healing and strength is not known. This study was designed to evaluate anastomotic wound healing in the presence of intra‐abdominal abscess.30 male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 270–300 grams were used for this experiment. 20 animals underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) with 16 gauge needle. They were followed for 14 days. 9 of them died in the first week. The CLP animals had an initial 20% weight loss; however by day 10 they had a gradual return toward control weight. At the end of 14 days, rats from CLP group (n = 11) and control group (n = 10) underwent laparotomy and single‐layer left colonic anastomosis. Blood cultures and abdominal swab cultures were sent from both groups. Post‐operatively, animals were allowed to recover, food and water were offered ad libitum. At post‐operative day five, animals were euthanized by thiopental overdose. Following anastomotic bursting pressure measurements, two samples were taken from the anastomotic line for subsequent determination of hydroxyproline content. Groups were compared with Students’t test. Data were expressed as means ± SEM.In the post‐operative period, all rats lost 10% to 12% of their body weight. No bacterial growth was detected in cultures. Hydroxyproline content measurements were significantly higher in the CLP group (11.2 ± 0.3 vs. 9.8 ± 0.5 ug HPO/mg dry tissue weight. P < 0.05). On the other hand, no significant difference was observed in bursting pressure measurements between the groups (177 ± 6.3 vs. 164 ± 10.4 mmHg. P > 0.05).These findings suggest that localized intra‐abdominal infection without sepsis doesn’t inhibit intestinal anastomotic healing.Supported by a grant from Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Council.