bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Emotional intelligence as predictor of cultural adjustment for success in global assignments
Authors: Shmueli Gabel Racheli , Dolan Shimon L. , Luc Cerdin Jean 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a new framework for assessing the human resource strategy for international assignment (IA) of managers.Design/methodology/approachThe approach posits the construct of emotional intelligence (EI) as a critical predictor for intercultural adjustment thereby leading to success. A theoretical model and the respective preliminary empirical test of a series of hypotheses pertaining to the relationships between several dimensions of EI, their impact on cross‐cultural adjustment and success of international managers overseas assignments, is presented. Analyses is based on cross sectional data of 67 cases (based on questionnaires), and on 39 cases with rectangular data where both supervisory input and questionnaires were used.FindingsA significant correlation was found between the interpersonal emotional component and specific performance. Thus the capacities of empathy, social responsibility and social relations may predict better performance in the specific characters of IA. Moreover, the correlation between EI and adjustment dimensions showed significantly higher correlations; while cultural adjustment is not correlated with any EI dimensions, interaction fit correlates with all the EI dimensions except for stress management; adjustment at the work place was only correlated with intrapersonal emotional component. The correlation between adjustment variables and success variables shows that cultural adjustment is positively correlated with satisfaction among global managers. Adjustment at work correlates negatively with the wish to terminate the assignment. In other words, those who adjust less well to work show greater interest in terminating their assignment.Research limitations/implicationsFindings are based on the self‐reported questionnaires and should be treated with caution due to the possibilities of “method‐variance”. The findings are based on a small sample of international assigned managers operating within the Latin American theatre.Practical implicationsIt is proposed that EI assessment be used in the selection of internationally assigned managers, in addition to the traditional selection criteria in order to improve the predictive ness of the assignee success.Originality/valueThe use of soft skills rather than hard skills as part of the selection decision of expatriates or any other internationally assigned professionals was long debated. In this study, for the first time, EI scores were used to predict cultural adjustment and subsequence success for managers.
Valuing the adult learner in e‐learning: part two – insights from four companies
Authors: Waight Consuelo L. , Stewart Barbara L. 
Published: August 2005

PurposeTo investigate how the adult learner is valued in e‐learning corporate settings.Design/methodology/approachCase study methodology was used for this research. Four Fortune 500 companies that had active e‐learning initiatives for a minimum of four years were selected. Data for the development of the four cases were collected via semi‐structured telephone interviews. The questions that guided data collection and case development are: what is the e‐learning context in your organization?; How is the adult learner valued in the e‐learning environment?; What considerations must be addressed when valuing the adult learner in e‐learning environments within corporate settings?FindingsFour case studies emerged from data collection and revealed that adult learners are being valued and supported in corporate e‐learning settings. A comparative analysis of the case studies with the Waight and Stewart conceptual model showed that the e‐learning teams are complying with all factors for the exception of transfer and return on investment.Research limitations/implicationsA primary limitation inherent in this study is its inclusion of only four large corporations. Future investigation can extend understanding of how the adult learner is valued by researching more companies and their e‐learning teams.Practical implicationsThese cases provide evidence that adult learners are being valued. They can serve as models for e‐learning teams in their efforts to value the adult learner in e‐learning within corporate settings.Originality/valueAlthough a body of literature related to valuing adults in academic settings exists, little investigation has been done in corporate contexts. This study confirms that adult learners are valued in e‐learning in corporate settings.
The spatial pattern of industrial rents and the role of distance
Authors: Dunse Neil , Jones Colin , Brown Jim , Fraser William D. 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to re‐appraise intra‐urban rent models in the context of a multi‐nodal landscape. Primarily, the study focuses on the early work of Alonso and, more recently, Di Pasquale and Wheaton. Although the latter use a more sophisticated approach, both models lead to similar outputs, notably a declining rent gradient from the central business district (CBD). However, throughout the twentieth century there has been a considerable process of urban industrial change. Di Pasquale and Wheaton recognise this and argue that this has led to an almost flat industrial rent gradient.Design/methodology/approachTo assess the current impact on industrial rents a hedonic rent regression model is applied which enables us to standardise for property characteristics.FindingsThe results support the hypothesis that the rent gradient from the CBD for a large city is still downward‐sloping, albeit very shallow. More interesting is the significance of proximity to motorway junctions. The analysis supports the hypothesis of a multi‐nodal rent surface. Proximity to a motorway junction is the most important locational variable with a much steeper and negative gradient than that to the CBD, albeit over a shorter distance.Originality/valueThese results imply that the draw of the CBD in terms of agglomeration economies and its accessibility to labour for a city the size of Glasgow still remains, but its attractions are much denuded with the development of a national motorway network.
Intellectual capital‐in‐action and value creation
Authors: Cuganesan Suresh 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThis paper investigates the inter‐relationships between different components of intellectual capital (IC) and value creation.Design/methodology/approachA single in‐depth case‐study of an innovation project within an Australian financial services firm (“TransactCo”) is conducted.FindingsThe actual IC inter‐relationships and transformations that occurred were different to those originally envisaged by organisational participants, and reflected choices about IC deployment and transformation. Considering IC‐in‐action, inter‐relationships between different IC elements and value creation were found to be pluralistic and temporally contingent.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of the paper are as follows: the use of a single case study design limits its generalisability; the empirical analyses was conducted at a project‐level and may not be transferable to other levels of analyses; and a narrow conception of value was utilised, grounded in economic value and shareholder value terms. Extending the analyses conducted to other settings represent future research opportunities.Originality/valueTheoretically, in contrast to prior empirical studies which depict IC inter‐relationships as primarily consisting of multiple relations of cause‐and‐effect in a one‐to‐one or one‐to‐many manner, the narrative presented herein shows how IC resources transform each other, often in a pluralistic and fluid manner. In addition, the paper calls for a perspective on IC‐in‐action. Specifically, more narrative on the use of IC and its deployment should be incorporated within extant models to highlight the contingent and precarious IC and value creation relationship. Firms that fail to consider this adequately may face unintended value destruction consequences similar to those observed at TransactCo.
The imaging of root canal obturation using micro‐CT
Authors: Jung M. , Lommel D. , Klimek J. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractAim  To examine the potential and accuracy of micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) for imaging of filled root canals.Methodology  The root canals of five extracted maxillary teeth were shaped manually with K‐files. After irrigation and drying, the root canals were filled by lateral condensation using gutta‐percha cones and AH plus (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) as sealer. The filled root canals were examined by micro‐CT at resolutions <11 μm. Three‐dimensional reconstructions of the root canal fillings were made. The roots were sectioned histologically and standard photographs of the sectioned surfaces were taken. Digitized photographic images and the corresponding micro‐CT sections were correlated qualitatively by superimposition. Quantitative morphometric data were obtained with respect to the surface area of the root canal filling and the individual gutta‐percha points of the histological and the micro‐CT sections. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated.Results  There was a good qualitative correlation between the images from the histological and the micro‐CT sections. The fillings were clearly differentiated from the root canal walls. Individual gutta‐percha cones and sealer were discernable. Pearson correlation coefficients showed a highly significant correlation between the two methods (P < 0.001) with respect to the area of the complete root canal filling (r = 0.992) and the gutta‐percha cones (r = 0.968).Conclusions  The micro‐CT technique was a highly accurate and nondestructive method for the evaluation of root canal fillings and its constituents. Qualitative and quantitative correlation between histological and micro‐CT examination of root canal fillings was high.
Water Framework Directive: ecological classification of Danish lakes
Authors: SØNDERGAARD MARTIN , JEPPESEN ERIK , PEDER JENSEN JENS , LILDAL AMSINCK SUSANNE 
Published: August 2005

Summary

The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires that all European waterbodies are assigned to one of five ecological classes, based primarily on biological indicators, and that minimum good ecological quality is obtained by 2015. However, the directive provides only general guidance regarding indicator definitions and determination of boundaries between classes.
We used chemical and biological data from 709 Danish lakes to investigate whether and how lake types respond differently to eutrophication. In the absence of well‐defined reference conditions, lakes were grouped according to alkalinity and water depth, and the responses to eutrophication were ordered along a total phosphorus (TP) gradient to test the applicability of pre‐defined boundaries.
As a preliminary classification we suggest a TP‐based classification into high, good, moderate, bad and poor ecological quality using 0–25, 25–50, 50–100, 100–200 and > 200 µg P L−1 boundaries for shallow lakes, and 0–12·5, 12·5–25, 25–50, 50–100 and > 100 µg P L−1 boundaries for deep lakes. Within each TP category, median values are used to define preliminary boundaries for the biological indicators.
Most indicators responded strongly to increasing TP, but there were only minor differences between low and high alkalinity lakes and modest variations between deep and shallow lakes. The variability of indicators within a given TP range was, however, high, and for most indicators there was a considerable overlap between adjacent TP categories. Cyanophyte biomass, submerged macrophyte coverage, fish numbers and chlorophyll a were among the ‘best’ indicators, but their ability to separate different TP classes varied with TP.
When using multiple indicators the risk that one or more indicators will indicate different ecological classes is high because of a high variability of all indicators within a specific TP class, and the ‘one out – all out’ principle in relation to indicators does not seem feasible. Alternatively a certain compliance level or a ‘mean value’ of the indicators can be used to define ecological classes. A precise ecological quality ratio (EQR) using values between 0 and 1 can be calculated based on the extent to which the total number of indicators meets the boundary conditions, as demonstrated from three Danish lakes.
Synthesis and applications. The analysis of Danish lakes has identified a number of useful indicators for lake quality and has suggested a method for calculating an ecological quality ratio. However, it also demonstrates that the implementation of the Water Framework Directive faces several challenges: gradual rather than stepwise changes for all indicators, large variability of indicators within lake classes, and problems using the one out – all out principle for lake classification.
Assessing the host disease status of wildlife and the implications for disease control:Mycobacterium bovisinfection in feral ferrets
Authors: CALEY PETER , HONE JIM 
Published: August 2005

SummaryEstimating the basic reproductive rate (R0) of disease and/or the related threshold population density (KT) for disease establishment is fundamental to determining the host status of wildlife for disease, and thus the effective management of pathogens in free‐ranging wildlife. The strength of inference of host status is largely dependent on the precision with which eitherR0orKTis estimated, yet only a small proportion of studies of disease in wildlife have estimated the precision of these parameters.We used a combination of observations, field experiments and modelling to estimate the basic reproductive rate ofMycobacterium bovisinfection in ferretsMustela furoin New Zealand. Estimates ofR0ranged from 0·18 at the lowest standardized annual density (0·5 ferrets km−2) recorded, to 1·2 at the highest standardized annual density (3·4 ferrets km−2) recorded. The estimates ofR0were moderately imprecise, with a coefficient of variation of 37%.The estimated threshold standardized annual density (&#x004b;̂T) for disease establishment was 2·9 ferrets km−2(95% confidence interval 1·7–10·6 ferrets km−2); however, only in limited geographical areas of New Zealand do ferret population densities exceed this. In these areas, ferrets would be considered maintenance hosts (R0 > 1) for the disease, and active management (e.g. density reduction or vaccination) of ferrets would be required to eradicateM. bovisfrom ferret populations, in addition to the elimination of sources of interspecific transmission, notably brushtail possumsTrichosurus vulpecula.Synthesis and applications. The results have considerable implications for the management ofM. bovisin ferret populations in New Zealand and elsewhere in the world. In areas of high ferret density, ferrets are probably a maintenance host of bovine tuberculosis, so active management is required to reduce disease incidence. More widely, the results demonstrate clearly how modelling and field observations may be combined to better inform managers of a wildlife disease.
The recovery of populations of bush rat Rattus fuscipes in forest fragments following major population reduction
Authors: LINDENMAYER DAVID B. , CUNNINGHAM ROSS B. , PEAKALL ROD 
Published: August 2005

Summary

Understanding the recovery of populations after disturbance is critical to many aspects of applied population management, ranging from the development of conservation strategies to pest control. We used a controlled and replicated field experiment linked to a genetic study to examine the rate and mechanism of population recovery of the Australian bush rat after severe experimental population reduction.
The main factors examined were perturbation treatment (removal of animals, removal followed by restocking, no removal), patch size and patch isolation. Although large numbers of animals were removed from many patches, on average populations recovered to pretreatment levels within 2 years. Populations rebounded to levels that appeared to approximate patch carrying capacity. Initially small populations recovered to a small size and those that were large were also large 24 months later. No significant relationships between population recovery and patch size and isolation were identified.
There was an effect of initial population size on proportional trapping success: a higher proportion of initially large populations was trapped than smaller ones.
Genetic analyses revealed a significant genetic change following experimental perturbation. Rapid population recovery was mostly via residual animals (and their offspring) that escaped capture, rather than colonization from neighbouring populations.
Synthesis and applications. This study has implications for vegetation and habitat management in fragmented landscapes where disturbances such as fire occur. Parts of a habitat fragment that escape disturbance, or are partially disturbed, may continue to support suitable habitat and be a source of animals, thereby facilitating population recovery. Post‐disturbance human activities (e.g. salvage harvesting of fire‐damaged trees) can modify refugial habitats and, in turn, impair population recovery and species persistence in fragmented landscapes. These activities require careful management to ensure biota are not negatively impacted.
Reduced herbivore resistance from a novel grass–endophyte association
Authors: HUNT MATTHEW G. , NEWMAN JONATHAN A. 
Published: August 2005

Summary

Endophytic fungi in agricultural grasses confer agronomic advantages but can be detrimental to the health and production of grazing mammals. Attempts have been made to resolve this dilemma by creating novel associations of high‐yielding grass cultivars and ‘safe endophytes’ that do not naturally co‐occur. Recently, researchers created a novel association by combining a Moroccan strain of Neotyphodium coenophialum, called AR542, with the tall fescue Festuca arundinacea cultivar Georgia 5. This novel association is marketed commercially and has no doubt become naturalized; it is therefore important to assess its impact on other organisms.
The bird‐cherry‐oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi uses tall fescue as an alternative host. We assessed the performance of R. padi feeding on Georgia 5 that had been artificially infected with AR542, naturally infected by the common strain (CS) of N. coenophialum or was endophyte‐free (EF). We cross‐factored these three levels of endophyte infection with four levels of nitrogen fertilizer, and used two different methods of assessing aphid performance, clip‐cages and enclosed populations.
Endophyte‐infected plants produced approximately 20% more dry mass than EF plants. In both the clip‐cage and enclosed‐population experiments, aphid populations grew fastest on the EF plants, slower on AR542‐infected plants and slowest (or not at all) on the CS‐infected plants.
Synthesis and applications. Our results suggest that AR542 infection does not provide the same degree of protection from aphids as the commonly occurring CS infection. If similar results are found for other invertebrate herbivores, then the use of this novel endophyte association may be less useful than previously thought. The widespread conversion of tall fescue pastures, currently infected with the CS endophyte, to pastures infected with AR542 could result in a general increase in the prevalence of cereal aphids and, potentially, the diseases that they spread. However, such conversion might be beneficial to native invertebrate herbivores.
Vulnerable Baby Scale: Development and piloting of a questionnaire to measure maternal perceptions of their baby's vulnerability
Authors: Kerruish Nicola J , Settle Kerryn , Campbell‐Stokes Priscilla , Taylor Barry J 
Published: August 2005

Objectives: To develop and provide initial data to validate a contemporary measure of maternal perceptions of infant vulnerability. Methods: Questions that address current concerns of mothers regarding their young children (such as the risk of sudden infant death syndrome) were added to an existing Vulnerable Child Questionnaire. Questions not relevant to either current concerns or to young infants were removed. The modified questionnaire, along with standard measures of maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms, were administered to mothers of 39 healthy full‐term babies, 17 mothers of ‘medically fragile’ babies and 19 mothers of jaundiced babies. Babies were approximately 12 weeks of age at the time of completion of the questionnaire. Results: Three questions were removed from the questionnaire on the basis of poor item‐total correlations, leaving the final version with 10 questions, scored on 1–5 rating scales. Cronbach alpha for the revised scale was 0.7. There was a significant difference (P = 0.002) in mean vulnerable baby scores between the control group and the ‘medically fragile’ group. There was a moderately strong correlation between vulnerable baby score and maternal state anxiety (r = 0.6) and a weaker correlation with maternal depressive symptoms (r = 0.3). Conclusions: The modified questionnaire has good internal consistency. The difference in mean scores between the three groups, and correlations with maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms, lend construct validity to the scale. The Vulnerable Baby Scale appears to be suitable for assessing maternal perceptions of the vulnerability of their young babies in clinical and research settings although further research, with larger samples, may be necessary to fully establish the scale's psychometric properties.
Survey of complementary and alternative medicine use at a tertiary children's hospital
Authors: Lim Alissa , Cranswick Noel , Skull Susan , South Mike 
Published: August 2005

Objective: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) within the Australian community is common. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of CAM usage in children attending a tertiary children's hospital. Methods: We conducted a cross‐sectional survey of children attending the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. Children were identified by consecutive acute admissions and attendance at outpatient clinics. A structured questionnaire with items about the use of CAM in the preceding year was administered by means of a face‐to‐face interview. Results: Based on the 503 children surveyed, 51% reported CAM use in the preceding year. Forty‐three percent had used at least one CAM medication. The most common medicinal CAM used were multivitamins, vitamin C, herbal remedies and homeopathic treatments. Non‐medicinal CAM was used by 23% of the participants. The most commonly used therapies were chiropractic, naturopathy, aromatherapy, therapeutic massage and dietary restriction. The main reasons stated for CAM usage included promotion of general health and treatment of colds. Sixty‐three percent of those reporting CAM use had not discussed this with their treating doctor. Conclusion: The use of CAM by children is common. Complementary and alternative medicine is particularly used for the treatment of common illnesses and conditions of childhood. Importantly, use is not always conveyed to treating physicians. Given the potential risk of adverse events associated with the use of CAM or interactions with conventional management, doctors should ask about their use as a part of routine history taking.