bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trends in international business thought and literature: Filling competence and skills gaps in management education and training in the baltic states
Authors: Paul Jan‐Peter 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAfter a 50‐year Soviet occupation, the three Baltic states, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania gained independence in the early 1990s (Nordberg, 1993: 27). The socialist planned economy left the Baltic countries' economies and industrial structures in a state of disarray. Industries developed during the Soviet occupation were, in fact, inefficient, old‐fashioned, and too large in size for these small countries. The planned industrial and demand base was the Soviet Union. After independence, products could not be sold on Western markets without significant new Western investments (Nordberg, 1993: 37, 68‐69, 110).The underdeveloped industrial sector and the centralized influence of the Gosplan‐system had a significant detrimental influence on the management of the state‐run companies. In the centrally planned system, the skills and competencies of management were not necessarily success factors; political priorities dominated. Large numbers of Russians were sent to all three Baltic states as workers, middle management, and as executives. In 1989 nearly 34 percent of the citizens of Latvia were of Russian origin, in Estonia the figure was 30 percent, and in Lithuania nearly 10 percent (Nordberg, 1993: 38).The companies in the Baltic states were seen as production units of a large centrally managed system. Marketing, sales, finance, and investment decisions were made in Moscow. Management training was production oriented. Most companies were primarily concerned with filling production quotas.With independence, everything changed. Markets, marketing, management, financing, and other normal business skills became essential for success. As privatization of state‐owned industries commenced and Western competitors appeared on the market, the competence and skills gap of the Baltic executive became apparent to international partners as well as to Baltic national governments. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Bargaining with the gringos: An exploratory study of negotiations between Mexican and U.S. firms
Authors: Husted Bryan W. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis study examines the nature of negotiations between Mexican and U.S. business people. It was learned that U.S. negotiators tend to be more structured, less flexible, more direct, more focused on the specific terms of the agreement, and possibly more assertive than their Mexican counterparts. Factor analysis revealed five factors related to the success of negotiations between Mexican and U.S. business people: attributes of communication, knowledge, good faith in arranging countertrades, delivery requirements, and personal relationships. Communication problems appear to have a more important impact on successful negotiations than do the technical or financial aspects of the negotiation. Contexting and reciprocity are related themes that need to be given more attention if negotiations between Mexican and US. business people are to improve. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A public–private model for health service delivery
Authors: Samper Henry Gómez , Malavé José , Piñango Ramón 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAscardio, a not‐for‐profit association formed in 1976, provides organization, staff, physical plant, and economic support to operate the Health Ministry's Regional Cardiovascular Center for west‐central Venezuela, thus combining the management features of a private foundation with the public objectives of a national bureaucracy. A wide range of in‐ and outpatient services are offered, with cardiovascular service growth outpacing that of major public hospitals elsewhere in Venezuela. Management features include novel approaches to staff compensation, employee empowerment, information controls, fee charges, and a wide‐ranging support network that spans private sector medical and public health bureaucracy linkages as well as political, volunteer, and patient groups. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Employee benefits through a trade association
Authors: Mendelewski Francisco Fernández 
Published: April 2007

AbstractChile's Construction Chamber (CCC) operates a network of 13 companies that provide Chamber member firms with employee health care, health and old‐age insurance fund management, vocational training, and sports and recreational programs. By operating these programs successfully long before the introduction of Chile's free market reforms, CCC has shown how private enterprise can replace unwieldy state‐supported social welfare systems with reliable, self‐supporting services. CCC's strong, cohesive corporate culture, largely shaped by managers loaned by member firms to the Chamber and to its companies, has facilitated the timely introduction of new services and contributed to CCC's lobbying and negotiation skills in a changing economic and political system. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The need for local agencies to provide expatriate support programs
Authors: Marlin Matthew R. , Hanson David P. , Hook Marion K. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis study assesses the need for local support services for the families of expatriate employees working in foreign countries. One major finding is that the spouses of expatriate employees have significantly different attitudes toward the need for local services than do company management. Second, our results indicate that the country of origin has a significant effect on the spouses' assessment of the need for local support and assistance. As a result of these findings, we conclude that the existence of local support services may have a significant impact on the location decisions, success, and retention of international firms. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Political risk analysis in north American multinationals: An empirical review and assessment
Authors: Stapenhurst Frederick 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPolitical risk analysis (PRA) emerged during the late 1970s as an important component of environmental assessment. This article replicates a 1987 study that examined the approach to PRA in North American corporations, and assesses the changes that have occurred. The principal finding is that while there has been relatively little change within the “continuing practitioners” regarding organizational approach to, and use of, PRA, there are a number of significant differences between these corporations and “late adopters” of PRA. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Lack of fit between business community and corporate culture: The case of a multinational company in Venezuela
Authors: Berlin Margalit 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe conflict between the culture of a multinational corporation and the culture of the local business environment in Venezuela is the focus of this study. Corporate culture serves as an integrating mechanism for a corporation that is expanding globally. At the same time, local Latin American managers have their own guidelines for achieving personal success in business dealings. As the two philosophies may not be in harmony, long‐time local managers often experience dissatisfaction, causing them to advance their careers through entrepreneurial opportunities at local firms. This loss of management talent is a cost the multinational experiences by adhering to the headquarters culture rather than allowing some adaptation for differences in local business practices. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Functional analysis of Candida albicans genes whose Saccharomyces cerevisiae homologues are involved in endocytosis
Authors: Martin Ronny , Hellwig Daniela , Schaub Yvonne , Bauer Janine , Walther Andrea , Wendland Jürgen 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPCR‐based techniques for directed gene alterations have become standard tools in Candida albicans. To help to increase the speed of functional analysis of Candida albicans genes, we previously constructed and updated a modular set of pFA‐plasmid vectors for PCR‐based gene targeting in C. albicans. Here we report the functional analyses of C. albicans ORFs whose homologues in S. cerevisiae are involved in endocytosis, to explore their potential involvement in polarized cell growth. Three C. albicans genes, ABP1, BZZ1 and EDE1, were found to be non‐essential. Yeast and hyphal morphogenesis were not affected by the individual deletions and the mutant strains appeared wild‐type‐like under the different growth conditions tested. On the other hand, deletion of both alleles of the C. albicans PAN1 homologue was not feasible. Promoter shut‐down experiments using a MET3p–PAN1/pan1 strain indicated severe growth defects and abolished endocytosis, indicating that PAN1 is an essential gene. Subcellular distribution of CaAbp1 and CaPan1 was analysed via GFP‐tagged proteins. Both proteins were found to localize at the cortex and at hyphal tips in a patch‐like manner, supporting their role in endocytosis. Localization patterns of Abp1 and Pan1, however, were distinct from that of the FM4‐64 stained Spitzenkörper. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cardiomyocyte‐restricted over‐expression of C‐type natriuretic peptide prevents cardiac hypertrophy induced by myocardial infarction in mice
Authors: Wang Yong , de Waard Monique C. , Sterner‐Kock Anja , Stepan Holger , Schultheiss Heinz‐Peter , Duncker Dirk J. , Walther Thomas 
Published: April 2007

AbstractObjective:Infused C‐type natriuretic peptide (CNP) was recently found to play a cardioprotective role in preventing myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and improving cardiac remodelling after myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of cardiomyocyte‐specific CNP over‐expression on I/R injury and MI in transgenic mice.Methods and results:We generated transgenic (TG) mice over‐expressing CNP in cardiomyocytes. Elevated CNP expression on RNA and protein levels was demonstrated by RNase‐protection assay and radioimmunoassay. Male TG mice and age‐matched wild‐type (WT) littermates were subjected to 1‐hour global myocardial ischaemia and 23 h of reperfusion or permanent ligation of the coronary artery for 3 weeks.Infarct size did not differ between the WT and TG groups in mice subjected to I/R. In mice that underwent permanent ligation of coronary arteries, both left and right ventricular hypertrophy were prevented by CNP over‐expression 3 weeks post‐MI. Histological analysis revealed less necrosis, muscular degeneration and inflammation in infarcted TG mice. Impairment of cardiac function was less pronounced in transgenic animals than in the wild‐type controls.Conclusions:Over‐expression of CNP in cardiomyocytes does not affect I/R‐induced infarct size but prevents cardiac hypertrophy induced by MI. Therefore, CNP may represent a potent therapeutic target for the treatment of patients with cardiac hypertrophy induced by myocardial infarction or other aetiology.
TLXI, a novel type of xylanase inhibitor from wheat (Triticum aestivum) belonging to the thaumatin family
Authors: Fierens Ellen , Rombouts Sigrid , Gebruers Kurt , Goesaert Hans , Brijs Kristof , Beaugrand Johnny , Volckaert Guido , Van Campenhout Steven , Proost Paul , Courtin Christophe M. , Delcour Jan A. 
Published: April 2007

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) contains a previously unknown type of xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) inhibitor, which is described in the present paper for the first time. Based on its &gt;60% similarity to TLPs (thaumatin-like proteins) and the fact that it contains the Prosite PS00316 thaumatin family signature, it is referred to as TLXI (thaumatin-like xylanase inhibitor). TLXI is a basic (pI≥9.3 in isoelectric focusing) protein with a molecular mass of approx. 18–kDa (determined by SDS/PAGE) and it occurs in wheat with varying extents of glycosylation. The TLXI gene sequence encodes a 26-amino-acid signal sequence followed by a 151-amino-acid mature protein with a calculated molecular mass of 15.6–kDa and pI of 8.38. The mature TLXI protein was expressed successfully in Pichia pastoris, resulting in a 21–kDa (determined by SDS/PAGE) recombinant protein (rTLXI). Polyclonal antibodies raised against TLXI purified from wheat react with epitopes of rTLXI as well as with those of thaumatin, demonstrating high structural similarity between these three proteins. TLXI has a unique inhibition specificity. It is a non-competitive inhibitor of a number of glycoside hydrolase family 11 xylanases, but it is inactive towards glycoside hydrolase family 10 xylanases. Progress curves show that TLXI is a slow tight-binding inhibitor, with a Ki of approx. 60–nM. Except for zeamatin, an α-amylase/trypsin inhibitor from maize (Zea mays), no other enzyme inhibitor is currently known among the TLPs. TLXI thus represents a novel type of inhibitor within this group of proteins.
Regulation of adiponectin and leptin secretion and expression by insulin through a PI3K-PDE3B dependent mechanism in rat primary adipocytes
Authors: Cong Li , Chen Ke , Li Ji , Gao Ping , Li Qiang , Mi Shuhua , Wu Xin , Zhao Allan Z. 
Published: April 2007

Adiponectin is intimately involved in the regulation of insulin sensitivity, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and cardiovascular functions. The circulating concentration of adiponectin is decreased in obesity and Type 2 diabetes. The present study attempts to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the regulation of adiponectin secretion and expression in rat primary adipocytes. The β-agonist, isoprenaline, decreased adiponectin secretion and expression in a dose-dependent manner in primary adipocytes. Importantly, such an inhibitory effect could be blocked by insulin. The opposing effects of isoprenaline and insulin could be explained by differential regulation of intracellular cAMP levels, since cAMP analogues suppressed adiponectin secretion and expression in a fashion similar to isoprenaline, and insulin blocked the inhibitory effects of the cAMP analogue hydrolysable by PDE (phosphodiesterase). A specific PDE3 inhibitor, milrinone, and PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) inhibitors abolished the effects of insulin on adiponectin secretion and expression. In the same studies, leptin secretion and expression displayed a similar pattern of regulation to adiponectin. We conclude that insulin and β-agonists act directly at the adipocytes in opposing fashions to regulate the production of adiponectin and leptin, and that a PI3K-PDE3B-cAMP pathway mediates the effects of insulin to restore β-agonist/cAMP-suppressed secretion and expression of these two adipokines.
Adrenaline is a critical mediator of acute exercise-induced AMP-activated protein kinase activation in adipocytes
Authors: Koh Ho-Jin , Hirshman Michael F. , He Huamei , Li Yangfeng , Manabe Yasuko , Balschi James A. , Goodyear Laurie J. 
Published: April 2007

Exercise increases AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) activity in human and rat adipocytes, but the underlying molecular mechanisms and functional consequences of this activation are not known. Since adrenaline (epinephrine) concentrations increase with exercise, in the present study we hypothesized that adrenaline activates AMPK in adipocytes. We show that a single bout of exercise increases AMPKα1 and α2 activities and ACC (acetyl-CoA carboxylase) Ser79 phosphorylation in rat adipocytes. Similarly to exercise, adrenaline treatment in vivo increased AMPK activities and ACC phosphorylation. Pre-treatment of rats with the β-blocker propranolol fully blocked exercise-induced AMPK activation. Increased AMPK activity with exercise and adrenaline treatment in vivo was accompanied by an increased AMP/ATP ratio. Adrenaline incubation of isolated adipocytes also increased the AMP/ATP ratio and AMPK activities, an effect blocked by propranolol. Adrenaline incubation increased lipolysis in isolated adipocytes, and Compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, attenuated this effect. Finally, a potential role for AMPK in the decreased adiposity associated with chronic exercise was suggested by marked increases in AMPKα1 and α2 activities in adipocytes from rats trained for 6 weeks. In conclusion, both acute and chronic exercise are significant regulators of AMPK activity in rat adipocytes. Our findings suggest that adrenaline plays a critical role in exercise-stimulated AMPKα1 and α2 activities in adipocytes, and that AMPK can function in the regulation of lipolysis.
Replication-Independent Long-Distance Trafficking by Viral RNAs in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Gopinath Kodetham , Kao C. Cheng 
Published: April 2007

Abstract
Viruses with separately encapsidated genomes could have their genomes introduced into different leaves of a plant, thus necessitating long-distance trafficking of the viral RNAs for successful infection. To examine this possibility, individual or combinations of genome segments from the tripartite Brome mosaic virus (BMV) were transiently expressed in leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana plants using engineered Agrobacterium tumefaciens. BMV RNA3 was found to traffic from the initial site of expression to other leaves of the plant, as detected by RNA gel blot analyses and also by the expression of an endoplasmic reticulum–targeted green fluorescent protein. When RNA3 trafficked into leaves containing the BMV replication enzymes, RNA replication, transcription, and virion production were observed. RNA3 trafficking occurred even when it did not encode the movement or capsid proteins. However, coexpression of the movement protein increased the trafficking of BMV RNAs. BMV RNA1 and RNA2 could also traffic throughout the plant, but less efficiently than RNA3. All three BMV RNAs trafficked bidirectionally to sink leaves near the apical meristem as well as to the source leaves at the bottom of the stem, suggesting that trafficking used the phloem. These results demonstrate that BMV RNAs can use a replication-independent mechanism to traffic in N. benthamiana.
The internet and lawyers in Ghana: some initial qualitative perspectives
Authors: Hinson Robert , Atuguba Raymond , Ofori Dan , Fobih Julius 
Published: April 2007

PurposeTo contribute to the internet use literature with particular respect to lawyers. This current study seeks to investigate qualitatively, the impact of the internet on the work of lawyers in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachFollowing several other empirical studies in the general information systems arena, a qualitative design was adopted for this study. A second motivation for adoption of this design was the fact that this research was exploratory in nature and it was the opinion of the researchers that this case study will provide rich insights into the formulations of research propositions for a larger study on internet use and legal practice in Ghana. Interviews were conducted with lawyers who had been called to the bar for before 2003 (we needed to be sure that these lawyers had been practicing for at least two years). Lawyers employed in law chambers, private sector institutions, international organizations, law consultancies, public sector institutions and the Faculty of Law of the University of Ghana were contacted as potential respondents for this qualitative study. The first five lawyers in each category who accepted to do the interviews were used as respondents for the study. In all 25 lawyers were interviewed and their views on internet use in respect of the legal profession in Ghana formed the basis of the empirical discussions in this paper.FindingsSeventy‐eight per cent of the lawyers interviewed agree that the internet improves their productivity. Eighty‐eight per cent of respondents indicated that the internet is useful as a communication tool, whilst 76 per cent of the respondents considered the internet to be very important for getting information. In respect of generating business contacts, it seems the internet (online technologies) is just as important as brick – and – mortar strategies for attracting and retaining clients.Research limitations/implicationsStudy has proved invaluable in hypothesis formulation for a larger study on internet use amongst Ghanaian lawyers in 2006. Ultimately, it could give indications for the conduct of e‐business adoption studies amongst lawyers in Ghana.Originality/valueOne of the few studies that focuses on internet adoption by lawyers in a developing country context.
The role of reference librarians in institutional repositories
Authors: Bailey Charles W. 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThis paper proposes explaining institutional repositories (IRs) and open access, discussing the relationship of open access to IRs, and examining the possible roles of reference librarians in IRs.Design/methodology/approachKey IR and open access concepts are clarified and critiqued. New organizational roles for reference libraries are suggested that build on their current functions.FindingsThe IR concept is defined, and IRs are shown to be different from scholars' personal web sites, academic department/unit archives, institutional e‐print archives, and disciplinary archives. Open access is defined and examined. While the vision of open access is clear, the implementation of the vision is less pure. Open access and IRs are not synonyms: IRs are best seen as an enabling technology for open access. Reference librarians must play a key role in IRs, and ten potential IR support activities for them are identified.Originality/valueThis paper orients reference librarians, library administrators, and others to IRs and open access, providing a context for understanding how reference librarians' jobs may be transformed by the emergence of IRs.
Senior managers’ business knowledge in a transition economy
Authors: Woldesenbet Kassa , Storey John , Salaman Graeme 
Published: April 2007

PurposeTo explore senior managers’ knowledge and thinking about strategy and organisational capabilities, and developments of both during a time of transition.Design/methodology/approachInterpretive case research based on semi‐structured interviews with 44 senior managers in a number of business organisations in Ethiopia supplemented by secondary sources.FindingsSenior managers had a narrow and contingent knowledge of, and interaction with, the external environment. The notion of “strategy” was problematical for them. Managers’ knowing of their environment and organisational aspects were differentiated, context specific and subject to changes and reinterpretations depending on shifting roles, responsibilities and changing contexts.Research limitations/implicationsThis research sheds light on how assumptions about the often “taken‐for‐grantedness” of the strategic “manageability” of change by senior managers may be exaggerated. This was revealed, at one extreme, in this research but it may extend also into other situations in varying degrees. In this and other ways the study of senior Ethiopian managers could be used as a way to reflect back upon conventional thinking about strategizing in other contexts.Practical implicationsThe research can help managers gain insight into how their everyday ways of knowing and seeing are unnecessarily limited and constrained.Originality/valueWork in business knowledge is just commencing and hence its continuity would further both scholars’ and practitioners’ understanding of the knowledge work of managers in varied contexts and environments.