bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
American consumers' attitudes towards commercial banks
Authors: Kaynak Erdener , Harcar Talha D. 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThis article demonstrates the application of geodemographic segmentation to the service industry by using commercial banking as a case example.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through self‐administered questionnaires. Two sets of variables were used to profile market segments.FindingsStudy results indicate that there are substantial differences between customers of local and national US banks in their evaluation of the relative importance of bank service charges and overall confidence in the bank. Compared to national banks, local banks were evaluated more positively by customers in areas such as extra services offered by the bank, image of the bank, and convenience of the bank.Originality/valueMore focused and concentrated marketing strategies are suggested to achieve better local bank performance.
Consumer evaluations of sales promotion: the effect on brand choice
Authors: Alvarez Alvarez Begoña , Vázquez Casielles Rodolfo 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThis study evidences the influence that sales promotion has on brand choice behaviour. Establishments wish to influence consumers' buying behaviour, and thus they launch strong promotional campaigns or introduce changes in their price policies, among other actions. However, they are not always capable of achieving their goal, since, although they may reach their objective in the short term, when the longer term is considered there are undesirable consumer actions.Design/methodology/approachThe problem of consumer brand choice can be adequately described with logit models that allow the use of discrete dependent variables. The probability that the consumer chooses a brand depends directly on the capacity of satisfaction that the brand holds for him/her. In this case, the dependent variable is the brand, and the independent variables are price, reference price, losses and gains, and the different types or techniques of sales promotion. With the aim of obtaining the necessary information for the present study, a regional consumer panel was used.FindingsThe results show that it is necessary to consider the product's promotional state at the moment of purchase as an explanatory element of the process. Promotion is a tool that can help manufacturers and/or retailers in the achievement of their objectives (try the brand, help to decide what brand to buy, etc.). Immediate price reduction is the technique that exerts greatest influence on the brand choice process. It is possible that the consumer perceives a promotion, for example, coupons or rebates, but does not modify his or her behaviour. In this case, manufacturers and/or retailers will be investing their resources in promotional actions that do not have any effect on the consumer.Originality/valuePresents a regional consumer panel that has been elaborated and planned by the authors. Because of this, the information collected is just what was necessary for this study. On the other hand, the paper shows that is very important to know the consumer's preferences and the actions that influence his or her behaviour. Considering the results, it seems that promotions based on price have the greatest effectiveness.
How to align Greek Civil Service with European Union public sector management policies
Authors: Sotirakou Tatiana , Zeppou Mary 
Published: February 2005

PurposeIn Europe, the alignment of national public administration policies and practices to EU directions is regarded as a key factor in the process of integration. Administrative convergence within European public administration systems places new demands on human resource managers in every member state. Seeks to show that Greek public administration is aiming to investigate the organizational competencies needed for the successful alignment of the Greek civil service with EU directions.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is survey research conducted within Greek public administration. The STAIR (strategy, targets, assignment, implementation, results) model has been used as the appropriate performance management framework.FindingsSuggests that the HRM role in the contemporary public sector environment is to develop a strategic performance management framework for changing performance at organizational level and make human resources active drivers of this process.The results reveal that convergence with EU policies draws heavily on how human resource executives can manage the following three soft organizational capabilities: competence, commitment and continuity – the STAIR model's 3“Cs”.Originality/valueContributes to the literature on directions for public sector management in Greece.
Universities as communities of fate
Authors: Waggoner David , Goldman Paul 
Published: February 2005

PurposeWhat is the rhetoric that higher education institutions use when they develop and publish policies to improve student retention? Using the organization literature on institutional environments, this study examines the nature and evolution of institutional rhetoric used by three public universities in a single state over a 20‐year period. Consistent with the intent of the larger volume, this study provides an example of how the frameworks and concepts provided by organization theory can be used to complicate thinking about educational organizations.Design/methodology/approachStinchcombe's definition of institutions as “communities of fate” and key concepts from the organizational ecology and institutional literatures provide the framework for this study. Using a qualitative methodology, over 2,800 retention‐oriented statements were used as study data. These were analyzed using codes generated from the institutional theory and student‐retention literatures.FindingsStudy data suggest that, while each institution developed a unique, defining identity over time, an institutional isomorphism emerged around student‐retention in these same institutions. This ideology centered on the creation of a “caring and student‐friendly” campus environment and played an important role in the development of student‐retention policies on each campus.Originality/valueResearch in student retention theory and policy has almost exclusively studied retention practice and student persistence. The research for this paper was deliberately designed to operationalize theoretical concepts in organizational ecology literature and to examine their manifestation in universities over time.
Measuring customer satisfaction in summer courses
Authors: Marzo‐Navarro Mercedes , Pedraja‐Iglesias Marta , Pilar Rivera‐Torres M. 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThe recent changes that have occurred in the Spanish university teaching environment, such as growing competition, have caused these courses to become an important differentiating element of what is offered by each university. Therefore, the authors propose to delve deeper into the relationship existing between satisfaction and the intent to recommend the courses taken by the attendees.Design/methodology/implicationsThe research developed in the paper endeavours to be a first approximation of the factors that determine the satisfaction of the people who attend the summer courses offered by a Spanish public university. Furthermore, this article analyses whether or not the satisfaction levels of the students translate into one of the positive behaviours that are set forth in specialised literature: recommendation. The information is based on the analysis of a self‐administered survey given to the students of the 2003 summer session after completing the course.FindingsThe results obtained show that the teaching staff, enrolment and course organisation are the elements that have an impact on student satisfaction, and they show that this satisfaction is what, to a large extent, explains the intent to recommend the courses. In addition to these three elements, and in order to increase the satisfaction levels of students, it is necessary to know the objectives that the students have.Originality/valueThis paper determines the elements that are potentially capable of generating satisfaction and the subsequent effect of the satisfaction on recommendations for the university (summer courses) have been analysed. Other papers analyse all universities, but this work analyses a university's summer courses.
Bidding ratios to predict highway project costs
Authors: Williams Trefor P. 
Published: February 2005

PurposeRatios were constructed using bidding data for highway construction projects in Texas to study whether there are useful patterns in project bids that are indicators of the project completion cost. The use of the ratios to improve predictions of completed project cost was studied.Design/methodology/approachRatios were calculated relating the second lowest bid, mean bid, and maximum bid to the low bid for the highway construction projects. Regression and neural network models were developed to predict the completed cost of the highway projects using bidding data. Models including the bidding ratios, low bid, second lowest bid, mean bid and maximum bid were developed. Natural log transformations were applied to the data to improve model performance.FindingsAnalysis of the bidding ratios indicates some relationship between high values of the bidding ratios and final project costs that deviate significantly from the low bid amount. Addition of the ratios to neural network and regression models to predict the completed project cost were not found to enhance the predictions. The best performing regression model used only the low bid as input. The best performing neural network model used the low bid and second lowest bid as inputs.Originality/valueThe nature of bid ratios that can describe the pattern of bids submitted for a project and the relationship of the ratios to project outcomes were studied. The ratio values may be useful indicators of project outcome that can be used by construction managers.
Interview with Henry Chesbrough: innovating innovation
Authors: Allio Robert J. 
Published: February 2005

PurposeAsk an expert to describe an innovation system that enables companies to successfully advance valuable technologies that fit their current business model – and those that do not fit it.Design/methodology/approachStrategy & Leadership interviewed Henry Chesbrough author of Open Innovation: The New Imperative for Creating and Profiting from Technology (Harvard Business School Press, 2003). His book is based on numerous research projects he conducted.FindingsHe developed an open innovation model based on the observation that great inventions can come from both inside and outside the company and should then be commercialized both using the current business model and with alternative business models.Research limitations/implicationsCase studies are needed. Tools are needed for bringing the customer into the open innovation process.Practical implicationsCorporate leaders should review and consider the open innovation model as one approach in their search for new growth businesses.Original/valueOpen innovation is a radical approach to business growth that is being pioneered by a number of cutting edge firms.
Market‐oriented resource management in customer relationships
Authors: Anne Skaates Maria , Seppänen Veikko 
Published: February 2005

PurposeTo model how resources and capabilities co‐evolved in a contract research provider's customer relationships and how this affected market orientation, and to develop hypotheses for further testing.Design/methodology/approachSingle qualitative and abductive longitudinal case study.FindingsThe provider focused on generating knowledge of current and near future customer needs through interactions with customers and other key actors. The provider also pursued the building of capabilities which would enable it to broaden the application areas to the needs of a larger group of potential customers. Exchanges with specific customers were used by the provider for the acquisition of resources and capabilities concerning details related to functions and, especially, applications, yet these resources and capabilities were subsequently broadened to all‐around solutions. In contrast, customer interactions were less important in acquiring resources and capabilities. Eight hypotheses were also formulated.Research limitations/implicationsOne cannot be certain of the external validity of the findings.Practical implicationsKnowledge‐intensive firms with a high degree of customer interaction must seek to balance their individual customer relationships and their customer relationship portfolio across time with regard to four customer types, so that the firm achieves the desired levels and balance of mutuality, particularity, mutual relationship capability (in the shorter term) and more generic capability and general market orientation (in the longer term).Originality/valueIt examines the interface between the resource‐based view of strategy and relationship marketing. It is relevant to strategy and marketing scholars as well as to practitioners in knowledge‐intensive organisations that have customer relationships.
An information system model in Chinese herbal medicine manufacturing enterprises
Authors: Zhou Yuejin , Chuah K.B. , Chen Shuping 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThis paper deals with the modelling of an information system for Chinese herbal medicine manufacturing enterprises, describes its structures and functions, and discusses its implementation issues.Design/methodology/approachA case experience is presented.FindingsEnterprises within this industry have big differences in production and management process and practice. The implementing plan must consider these differences and have adaptable solutions to fit the firm's conditions. It has been found that the information system model proposed here is feasible and can be used not only in other Chinese herbal medicine manufacturing enterprises, but also in other flow‐process industries.Originality/valueThe issues discussed in this paper are common to many Chinese enterprises today, particularly the small and medium‐sized enterprises. The experience described here provides a useful reference for such enterprises’ venture into technological and management process innovation.
A constitutive PR‐1::luciferase expression screen identifies Arabidopsis mutants with differential disease resistance to both biotrophic and necrotrophic pathogens
Authors: MURRAY SHANE L. , ADAMS NICOLETTE , KLIEBENSTEIN DANIEL J. , LOAKE GARY J. , DENBY KATHERINE J. 
Published: February 2005

SUMMARYA complex signal transduction network involving salicylic acid, jasmonic acid and ethylene underlies disease resistance in Arabidopsis. To understand this defence signalling network further, we identified mutants that expressed the marker gene PR‐1::luciferase in the absence of pathogen infection. These cir mutants all display constitutive expression of a suite of defence‐related genes but exhibit different disease resistance profiles to two biotrophic pathogens, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato and Peronospora parasitica NOCO2, and the necrotrophic pathogen Botrytis cinerea. We further characterized cir3, which displays enhanced resistance only to the necrotrophic pathogen. Cir3‐mediated resistance to B. cinerea is dependent on accumulated salicylic acid and a functional EIN2 protein.
Haemopoietic stem cell transplantation in autoimmune diseases: a European perspective
Authors: Hough R. E. , Snowden J. A. , Wulffraat N. M. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryThe potential of haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases was originally supported by almost three decades of animal experiments and by the serindipitous remissions of autoimmune disease observed in patients undergoing transplantation for haematological disorders. Improved safety of both autologous and allogeneic HSCT over the last decade has been followed by increasing acceptance of HSCT as an experimental treatment for severe autoimmune diseases that are resistant to conventional treatment. International databases have collated over 700 procedures performed specifically for a variety of autoimmune diseases. Phase III clinical trials are in progress for some diseases. This review provides a comprehensive update on the efficacy and toxicity of HSCT in severe autoimmune disease. Future directions in the context of other evolving therapies are discussed.
Less than half of patients aged 65 years or under with myeloma proceed to transplantation: results of a two region population‐based survey*
Authors: Morris T. C. M. , Velangi Mark , Jackson Graham , Marks David I , Ranaghan Lisa 
Published: February 2005

SummaryIn this population‐based survey covering two geographically distinct UK regions, we evaluated the number of myeloma patients aged ≤65 years who have not undergone transplantation. The combined data from both of these regions showed that 57% of age‐eligible patients were not transplanted. While early death and comorbidity accounted for nearly half of the non‐transplanted patients, we examined the other reasons for non‐transplantation within each region, assessed regional variations in reasons for non‐transplant and looked at possible strategies aimed at increasing the transplantation rate.
Human leucocyte antigen class I and killer immunoglobulin‐like receptor expression patterns in T‐cell large granular lymphocyte leukaemia
Authors: Nowakowski Grzegorz S. , Morice William G. , Phyliky Robert L. , Li Chin‐Yang , Tefferi Ayalew 
Published: February 2005

SummaryT‐cell large granular lymphocyte leukaemia (T‐LGLL) is often associated with suppression of haematopoiesis through unknown mechanisms. Killer immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs) binding human‐leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐I in an allele‐specific manner are frequently expressed by T‐LGLL cells. HLA‐I genotyping was performed in seven T‐LGLL cases in which the neoplastic cells were known to express a single KIR isoform (CD158a, CD158b or CD158e). Five cases showed absence of the cognate HLA‐I antigen for the expressed KIR isoform, resulting in KIR/HLA‐I ‘mismatch’. Cytopenias occurred in all five ‘mismatch’ patients but not in two patients with ‘match’, suggesting that KIR/HLA‐I mismatch may contribute to the suppression of haematopoiesis.
Unique gene expression and clinical characteristics are associated with the 11q23 deletion in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Dickinson John D. , Smith Lynette M. , Sanger Warren G. , Zhou Guimei , Townley Peter , Lynch James C. , Steven Pavletic Z. , Bierman Philip J. , Joshi Shantaram S. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryChromosome abnormalities influence prognosis and tumour progression in B‐cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL). This study sought to determine whether these different disease subgroups were associated with unique gene expression patterns. Thirty‐four cases of CLL were screened for the 11q23, 13q14, 17p13 deletions, and trisomy 12 by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Expression of 205 cell signalling and apoptosis genes were compared by cDNA array among cases with different chromosome abnormalities. A majority of the statistically differentially expressed genes were present in the 11q23 deletion group by hierarchical clustering. CDC2, a serine/threonine kinase, was overexpressed in the 11q23 deletion group (P = 0·0004) and confirmed by TaqmanTM real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Several other genes associated with cell signalling were overexpressed in the 11q23 deletion group. A strong overall correlation existed between the presence of different chromosome abnormalities and a number of prognostic factors including immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region mutation status (P = 0·011), time to treatment (P = 0·025) and lymphocyte doubling time (P = 0·034). This study confirmed the prognostic impact of chromosome abnormalities identified by FISH in CLL, particularly the 11q23 deletion and trisomy 12. In addition, the 11q23 deletion group was associated with a unique gene expression pattern involving cell signalling and apoptosis genes.
Platelet glycoprotein Ib alpha polymorphisms affect the interaction with von Willebrand factor under flow conditions
Authors: Matsubara Yumiko , Murata Mitsuru , Hayashi Tomohiro , Suzuki Keijiro , Okamura Yosuke , Handa Makoto , Ishihara Hiroaki , Shibano Toshiro , Ikeda Yasuo 
Published: February 2005

SummaryInteraction of platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ibα with von Willebrand factor (VWF) is essential for thrombus formation, particularly under high shear conditions. Previous case–control studies indicated that two GPIbα polymorphisms, 145Thr/Met and/or variable number (1–4) tandem repeats of 13 amino‐acid sequences, are associated with arterial thrombosis. The 145Met‐allele and the 3R‐ or 4R‐allele is associated with increased risk. However, there is little clear experimental data to support this association. To elucidate the functional effects of these polymorphisms, we prepared recombinant GPIbα fragments and tested them in vitro. The dissociation constants of ristocetin‐induced 125I‐labelled VWF binding to two forms of soluble recombinant GPIbα [1His–302Ala, either 145Thr (145T) or 145Met (145M)] were not different. Four types of Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing full‐length GPIbαβ/IX, 145T with one repeat (T1R), 145M with one repeat (M1R), 145T with four repeats (T4R), and 145M with four repeats (M4R), were prepared, and cell interactions with immobilized‐VWF were examined under various shear conditions. The cell rolling velocity of M4R under a shear condition of 114/s was significantly slower than that of T1R. Intermediate values were obtained with M1R and T4R. The results suggest that M4R interacts more strongly with VWF under flow conditions.
Effect of IL‐6 promoter polymorphism on incidence and outcome in Hodgkin's lymphoma
Authors: Cordano Pablo , Lake Annette , Shield Lesley , Taylor G. M. , Alexander Freda E. , Taylor Penelope R. A. , White Jo , Jarrett Ruth F. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryA single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is present at position ‐174 of the human interleukin‐6 gene. The risk of developing Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) in young adults decreases with an increasing number of C alleles at this position. We analysed the effect of this SNP on incidence and outcome in HL. DNA samples from 408 cases and 349 controls were screened and analysed following stratification by age, histological subtype and Epstein–Barr virus status. Although the risk of classical HL in young adults decreased with increasing C alleles, case–control differences were not significant. An excess of G alleles was observed for nodular lymphocyte predominant HL in young adults (n = 21), which was significant.