bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determining the impact of quality management practices and purchasing‐related information systems on purchasing performance
Authors: Hemsworth David , Sánchez‐Rodríguez Cristóbal , Bidgood Bruce 
Published: March 2005

PurposeMany studies claim that the implementation of quality management practices and specific information systems can help organizations to improve performance. The objective of this article is to provide insights into current quality management and information systems theory and practice in the purchasing function and their impact on purchasing performance.Design/methodology/approachHypotheses derived from the key features of quality management practices in purchasing (QMPP) and related information systems (IS) practices presented by previous authors are tested using Structural Equation Modelling through field research on a sample of 306 manufacturing companies in Spain.FindingsFindings from this study indicate that there is significant evidence to support the hypothesized model in which QMPP has a direct impact on related IS practices and purchasing performance, as well as an indirect impact on purchasing performance mediated through IS.Research limitations/implicationsUse of a single key informant is a possible limitation as opposed to information directly obtained from actual suppliers and internal customers. Also a more stringent test of the relationship between QMPP, IS and purchasing performance requires a more protracted time‐span rather than a singlular point in time. Finally, future research could include SRM, ERP, MRP, etc. in the purchasing departmentPractical implicationsA survey of QMPP and IS practices in manufacturing suggests how firms and other organisations should focus their investments to improve purchasing performance.Originality/valueWhile many researchers have studied information systems and total quality management operations strategies individually, the relationship between the adoption of quality management practices in purchasing and purchasing‐related information systems and QMPP's effect on purchasing performance has not yet been analyzed.
Assessing the benefits of using an enterprise system in accounting information and management
Authors: Spathis Charalambos , Ananiadis John 
Published: March 2005

PurposeThis paper examines the impact of decisions stemming from the new ERP system on the accounting information and management implemented at a large public university in Greece, based on perceived benefits according to users’ expectations and perceptions.Design/methodology/approachStructured questionnaires were used in two measurement points (pre‐ and post‐implementation) in the frame of longitudinal research. The statistical analysis methods employed factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha to evaluate the scale and t‐test to assess the significance of the means values between the two periods.FindingsThe results show that, one‐year post‐implementation, users’ perceptions are more positive compared with their expectations from the pre‐implementation period. The empirical data confirm a number of benefits derived from the new ERP system, particularly in relation to accounting information and management. The new ERP system significantly contributes towards increased flexibility in information provision, through effective monitoring and exploitation of the university's assets and revenue‐expenditure flow, and improved decision making.Originality/valueThe empirical evidence can help the university and other public organisations to establish the best way forward in fully exploiting the ERP system's potential as an innovative tool for management.
The relationship between system usage and user satisfaction: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Bokhari Rahat H. 
Published: March 2005

PurposeSystem usage and user satisfaction are widely accepted and used as surrogate measures of IS success. Past studies attempted to explore the relationship between system usage and user satisfaction but findings are mixed, inconclusive and misleading. The main objective of this research is to better understand and explain the nature and strength of the relationship between system usage and user satisfaction by resolving the existing inconsistencies in the IS research and to validate this relationship empirically as defined in Delone and McLean's IS success model.Design/methodology/approach“Meta‐analysis” as a research approach was adopted because of its suitability regarding the nature of the research and its capability of dealing with exploring relationships that may be obscured in other approaches to synthesize research findings. Meta‐analysis findings contributed towards better explaining the relationship between system usage and user satisfaction, the main objectives of this research.FindingsThis research examines critically the past findings and resolves the existing inconsistencies. The meta‐analysis findings explain that there exists a significant positive relationship between “system usage” and “user satisfaction” (i.e.r=0.2555) although not very strong. This research empirically validates this relationship that has already been proposed by Delone and McLean in their IS success model. Provides a guide for future research to explore the mediating variables that might affect the relationship between system usage and user satisfaction.Originality/valueThis research better explains the relationship between system usage and user satisfaction by resolving contradictory findings in the past research and contributes to the existing body of knowledge relating to IS success.
The importance of management practices in IS project performance
Authors: Art Gowan J. , Mathieu Richard G. 
Published: March 2005

PurposeThe literature on software project management is extended into the broader domain of large‐scale IS management by studying enterprise‐wide system upgrade projects. In particular; examines the role that the intervention of project management practices (formal project methodologies and outsourcing) play in large and/or complex IS projects, which result in good project performance.Design/methodology/approachA survey instrument was completed by 449 information systems managers about a specific upgrade project. The primary analytical approach used was structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsIt was found that neither project complexity nor project size are good indicators of meeting a project's target date. Large projects that adopted formal project management practices were more probable to meet the project target date. Projects with a high degree of complexity which involved outsourcing and adopted formal project management practices, were more likely to meet the project target date.Practical implicationsClearly, the message to managers of IS projects is to establish a project methodology, especially in large, enterprise‐wide projects, and when some degree of outsourcing is required.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should consider additional measures of performance such as cost, end‐user satisfaction and business value.Originality/valueMuch had been written in the literature about how large, complex IT projects have high failure rates. Our study provides conclusive evidence that, the greater the degree of methodology implementation, the greater the chance for meeting the project's target date. Prior to this research, this had not been explicitly shown in the research literature.
Promoting requirement identification quality
Authors: Al‐Karaghouli W. , Alshawi S. , Fitzgerald G. 
Published: March 2005

PurposeReflects on experiences when traditional IT approaches were used to design large IT systems and ended in failure.Design/methodology/approachThe requirements‐gathering process is usually a very complex affair and can represent a major obstacle to successful system development. It is argued here that one reason for systems development projects' poor performance, or even failure, is the mismatch between the customer and the developer technical knowledge/understanding instigated by the differences in the cultural background of both sides. The main argument focuses on the reasons for system failure and how they relate to the diversity of knowledge and the understanding gaps that may exist between the business customers and the system developers.FindingsThe study reveals that the understanding gaps mainly result from lack of business operations knowledge on the developer side, matched by lack of technical appreciation and knowledge on the user side.Originality/valueA practical approach using diagramming and Set mapping techniques is described, with an explanation of how it can be used to enhance human interaction in requirement identification and consequently help address the knowledge‐gap problem.
Delivering the English smoking treatment services
Authors: Bauld Linda , Coleman Tim , Adams Catherine , Pound Elspeth , Ferguson Janet 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTBackground  This paper describes how smoking treatment services in England were delivered beyond the initial set‐up phase and explores key factors affecting their development. Services were expected to treat smokers in line with the evidence‐base and were issued with government guidance regarding the type of interventions that should be offered. One factor complicating this was the issue of service funding. Funding was initially issued for a 3‐year period and although this was extended on two occasions, these extensions were both announced close to the end of funding periods.Objectives  To critically assess key elements in the delivery of the English cessation services, including the nature of treatments offered and the impact of short‐term funding on staffing.Methods  A national postal survey of smoking cessation coordinators in April 2002. Semi‐structured interviews with 50 smoking cessation staff in two health regions in autumn 2001, followed by further interviews with 28 staff in the same areas in the autumn of 2002.Results  Treatment was delivered in a wide range of venues, ranging from primary care to local authority‐owned premises such as town halls and libraries. Most services offered both one‐to‐one and group support, although interviewees reported an increase in demand for one‐to‐one support from clients. Pharmacotherapies were used widely; by 2002, 99% of coordinators reported that their advisers recommended nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to clients, and 95% bupropion. However, prior to April 2001 bupropion was available on prescription, but NRT was not and this variable access to pharmacotherapies posed problems for services. Coordinators reported that the short‐term nature of funding made recruiting and retaining staff difficult and interviews revealed that they believed a longer period of protected funding was required for services to demonstrate their effectiveness.Conclusions  As English smoking treatment services developed, lessons were learned that could inform the development of services in other health systems. First, early guidance from government can encourage services to adhere to evidence‐based treatment. Secondly, treatment needs to be accessible to smokers and thus there must be a flexible approach to implementation at local level. Thirdly, the availability of nicotine addiction and behavioural therapies should be coordinated to minimize barriers and maximize uptake. Finally, fixed‐term funding can exacerbate staff recruitment and retention difficulties and countries establishing treatment services need to consider carefully the initial funding period that is required for stable services to become established within their health systems.
The English smoking treatment services: short‐term outcomes
Authors: Judge Ken , Bauld Linda , Chesterman John , Ferguson Janet 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTAims  To examine the impact of socio‐demographic factors, smoking‐related behaviour and service characteristics on CO‐validated quit rates at 4‐week follow‐up in English smoking treatment services, and to compare the results with those for self‐reported quitters.Design  Observational study of administrative information linked with survey data for 6959 recipients of smoking treatment services who set a quit date between October 2001 and March 2003.Setting  Two contrasting areas of England, Nottingham and North Cumbria, consisting of nine primary care trust (PCT) localities.Measurements  Routine monitoring data specified by the Department of Health included information about basic demographic characteristics, postcode of residence from which a deprivation category was identified, nature of intervention and smoking status at 4‐week follow‐up. These data were supplemented with additional information about referral pathways, socio‐economic status and smoking‐related behaviours obtained from consenting service recipients by NHS advisers.Findings  More than one‐half of clients (53%) were CO‐validated as quitters at 4 weeks, rising to 60.7% when self‐reported cases were included. Age (OR 1.026; CI 1.022–1.029) and being extremely determined to quit (OR  1.46;  CI 1.26–1.71) were associated positively with CO‐validated cessation, whereas women (OR 0.85; CI 0.77–0.94), users with lower socio‐economic status (OR 0.92; CI 0.88–0.95), those smoking 31 or more cigarettes daily (OR 0.75; CI   0.64–0.88)   and   those   with   relatively   poor   health   status   (OR   0.72; CI  0.63–0.82) were less likely to quit. Although the vast majority of users received one‐to‐one support, those who had group counselling were more likely to be successful in their quit attempt (OR 1.38; CI 1.09–1.76). Self‐report and CO‐validated quitters were similar in terms of their characteristics.Conclusions  These results obtained from routine services support those obtained from clinical trials and confirm the effectiveness of counselling combined with pharmacotherapies to assist smokers to quit in the short term. However, the relative effectiveness of group interventions raises questions about why one‐to‐one counselling is used much more commonly. The importance of socio‐demographic and nicotine‐related dependency factors also suggests that local service targets for smoking cessation need to take account of the social distribution of these characteristics.
The disposition of oral amodiaquine in Papua New Guinean children with falciparum malaria
Authors: Hombhanje F.W. , Hwaihwanje I. , Tsukahara T. , Saruwatari J. , Nakagawa M. , Osawa H. , Paniu M.M. , Takahashi N. , Lum J.K. , Aumora B. , Masta A. , Sapuri M. , Kobayakawa T. , Kaneko A. , Ishizaki T. 
Published: March 2005

AimsWe assessed the disposition of oral amodiaquine (AQ) and CYP2C8 polymorphism in 20 children with falciparum malaria.MethodsAQ and DEAQ concentrations were determined with SPE‐HPLC method. CYP2C8 genotypes were assessed by PCR‐RFLP method.ResultsAQ was not detectable beyond day 3 postdose. Cmax for DEAQ was reached in 3.0 days. The mean values for t1/2, MRT, and AUCtotal were 10.1 days, 15.5 days and 4512.6 µg l−1 day, respectively. All the children were CYP2C8* homozygous.ConclusionOur data are consistent with those previously reported, and the AQ regimen seems pharmacokinetically adequate in the absence of CYP2C8 polymorphism.
Melphalan pharmacokinetics in children with malignant disease: influence of body weight, renal function, carboplatin therapy and total body irradiation
Authors: Nath Christa E. , Shaw Peter J. , Montgomery Kay , Earl John W. 
Published: March 2005

AimTo analyse the pharmacokinetics of melphalan in 52 children (0.3–18 years) and determine whether any clinical factors affect the pharmacokinetic parameters Additionally, to examine whether a test melphalan dose can predict the pharmacokinetics of a full dose, when there are 5 intervening days of carboplatin therapy.MethodsMelphalan concentrations were measured in 14 blood samples collected from each child following doses ranging from 30 to 180 mg m−2. The pharmacokinetics were analysed with Kinetica 4.0.ResultsChildren who did not have carboplatin (n = 27) had median melphalan clearance (CL) of 15.5 l h−1 m−2 (interquartile range: 12.4–19.9 l h−1 m−2) and steady state volume of distribution (Vss) of 14.9 l m−2 (interquartile range: 12.7–18.3 l m−2). Children who had carboplatin (n = 25) had 34% lower median CL (10.2 l h−1 m−2) and 18% lower median Vss (12.2 l m−2) (P < 0.001). Melphalan elimination was impaired in a separate group of three children given concomitant carboplatin and etoposide. Stepwise multiple linear regression indicated that weight, carboplatin, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and total body irradiation (TBI) significantly affected CL, while weight and carboplatin influenced Vss. A test dose (10 mg m−2) tended to underpredict the area‐under‐the‐concentration‐vs.‐time‐curve for a full (180 mg m−2) dose in 19 individuals given carboplatin.ConclusionsIn children, melphalan CL is influenced by weight, carboplatin, TBI and GFR. Vss is influenced by weight and carboplatin.
A predictive model for exemestane pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics incorporating the effect of food and formulation
Authors: Valle Marta , Di Salle Enrico , Jannuzzo Maria Gabriella , Poggesi Italo , Rocchetti Maurizio , Spinelli Riccardo , Verotta Davide 
Published: March 2005

AimsExemestane (Aromasin®) is an irreversible aromatase inactivator used for the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of formulation comparing a sugar‐coated tablet (SCT) with a suspension and food on the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) with respect to plasma estrone sulphate (E1S) concentrations of exemestane, using a PK/PD approach.MethodsThis was an open, three‐period, randomized, crossover study. Twelve healthy postmenopausal women received single oral doses of 25 mg exemestane as a SCT after fasting or food and as a suspension after fasting. Exemestane and E1S concentrations were determined before and up to 14 days after drug administration. Population analysis was performed in two steps: (i) a compartmental PK model was selected incorporating the effect of food and formulation; (ii) conditional on the PK model, a PD model was developed employing indirect response models. Model selection was performed using standard statistical tests. Validation and assessment of the predictive capability of the selected model was performed using real test data sets obtained from the literature.ResultsA three‐compartment model with first‐order elimination rate best described exemestane disposition (k12 0.454, k21 0.158, k13 0.174, k31 0.016 and k 0.738 h−1). Absorption was described by a mono‐exponential function [ka 2.3 (SCT after fasting), 1.1 (SCT after food) and 7.6 h−1 (suspension); lag time 0.2 h]. The PD model assumed that E1S  plasma  concentrations  are  determined  by  a  zero‐order  synthesis  rate  (6.5 pg ml−1 h−1)  and  a  first‐order  elimination  constant  (0.032 h−1).  Exemestane  inhibited E1S synthesis with a C50 value of 22.1 pg ml−1. The mean population estimates were used to simulate the administration of different doses of the drug (0.5, 1, 2.5, 5 and 25 mg day−1). The model predictions were in agreement with historical data.ConclusionsExemestane absorption is influenced by the formulation of the drug and by food, but its disposition is independent of both. PK differences do no translate into clinically important differences in the PD. The PK/PD model developed was able to predict successfully the response to different doses and administration schedules with respect to oestrogen suppression.
The importance of long‐distance dispersal in biodiversity conservation
Authors: Trakhtenbrot Ana , Nathan Ran , Perry Gad , Richardson David M. 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTDispersal is universally considered important for biodiversity conservation. However, the significance of long‐ as opposed to short‐distance dispersal is insufficiently recognized in the conservation context. Long‐distance dispersal (LDD) events, although typically rare, are crucial to population spread and to maintenance of genetic connectivity. The main threats to global biodiversity involve excessive LDD of elements alien to ecosystems and insufficient dispersal of native species, for example, because of habitat fragmentation. In this paper, we attempt to bridge the gap in the treatment of LDD by reviewing the conservation issues for which LDD is most important. We then demonstrate how taking LDD into consideration can improve conservation management decisions.
Long‐distance dispersal research: building a network of yellow brick roads
Authors: Nathan Ran 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTThis special issue of Diversity and Distributions presents six papers that contribute to the assembly of a general research agenda for studying long‐distance dispersal (LDD) across a variety of taxonomic groups (e.g. birds, fish, aquatic invertebrates and plants), ecosystems (e.g. terrestrial and marine ecosystems, wetlands and grasslands) and thematic fields (e.g. biological transport, marine biology, biogeochemistry and biodiversity conservation). This editorial emphasizes the need to develop a network integrating different research approaches (‘yellow brick roads’) to address the great challenge (‘finding the end of the rainbow’) of quantifying, understanding and predicting LDD and its implications. I review the key avenues for future research suggested in the special issue contributions, and stress the critical importance of properly considering the spatial and temporal scales relevant to the process and system of interests. I propose combining absolute and proportional definitions of LDD as a default practice in any investigation of LDD processes. When LDD is defined primarily by an absolute critical distance that characterizes key feature(s) of the system of interest, a quantitative assessment of the proportion of dispersal events expected to move beyond this critical threshold distance should also be provided. When LDD is defined primarily by a certain small fraction of dispersal events that travel longer than all others, an estimate of the absolute distance associated with this high percentile at the tail of the dispersal curve should also be added.
Mild hypothermia reduces expression of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and the accumulation of neutrophils after acid‐induced lung injury in the rat
Authors: Kira S. , Daa T. , Kashima K. , Mori M. , Noguchi T. , Yokoyama S. 
Published: March 2005

Background:  The pathophysiology of the acute phase of acid‐induced lung injury (AILI) has been elucidated. However, once acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) develops, the mortality rate remains high and there is, as yet, no effective therapy. There are reports that application of mild hypothermia is an effective treatment for ARDS. In this study, we hypothesize that mild hypothermia inhibits activation of neutrophils and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) in an injured lung. We studied the effects of mild hypothermia on the expression of ICAM‐1 and the accumulation of neutrophils after AILI in the rat.Methods:  Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly allocated to one of the four groups: control normothermic group, induced mild hypothermia group, acid‐instilled normothermic group, and acid‐instilled group with mild hypothermia. At 6 h after instillation of acid, lungs were removed to measure neutrophil activity and to detect the expression of ICAM‐1 in each group.Results:  Oxygenation in acid‐instilled rats was significantly impaired as compared to that in non‐instilled groups, but induction of mild hypothermia gradually improved oxygenation. Expression of ICAM‐1 was enhanced in the acid‐instilled normothermic group. By contrast, no overexpression of ICAM‐1 and its mRNA was detected in the acid‐instilled hypothermic group. In addition, accumulation of neutrophils was markedly inhibited after exposure to mild hypothermia irrespective of the instillation of acid.Conclusion:  Our data suggest mild hypothermia can inhibit the adhesion, activation, and accumulation of neutrophils during the acute phase of AILI in the rat and may have the potential to reduce ongoing inflammation of ALI or ARDS.