bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strategic flexibility and change: an aid to strategic thinking or another managerial abstraction?
Authors: Skordoulis Rosemary T. 
Published: September 2004

Abstract

Strategic flexibility, both in its conceptual and practical form, has often fallen prey to criticism for the failure to manifest itself in terms of concrete steps of application and structured design. Constant non‐linear change, toying with managerial competence and emotional intelligence skills, aggravates and makes this discussion all the more pertinent.
Quantification and analysis of strategic flexibility have been cumbersome to accomplish. This paper aspires to supplement the existing literature by defining strategic flexibility as indispensable in times of turbulence and ongoing change.
A parallel drawn between organizations and living systems, and their resistance patterns to environmental shocks originating from change, will serve as a background platform to the discussion, as well as an argumentative tool towards refuting the allegation that flexibility in strategy formulation equates to lack of strategic orientation.

Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A taxonomy of e‐business adoption and strategies in small and medium sized enterprises
Authors: Meckel Matthias , Walters David , Greenwood Anthony , Baugh Philip 
Published: September 2004

Abstract

Contemporary research has shown the need for a strategic approach when undertaking a new investment such as e‐business (Pleitner, 1989; Schindehutte and Morris, 2001; Whipp, 1996). In this context, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face special problems as they are often dependent on larger enterprises where they are suppliers of products (goods or services) or buyers of products (Kalakota and Robinson, 1999; Mehrtens et al., 2001). They also tend to neglect strategies more than large enterprises and cannot adopt the strategies of large enterprises because of their different situation (Curran and Blackburn, 2001; Beaver, 2002; Jones and Tilley, 2003).
This paper examines the e‐business adoption of SMEs and their attitude towards the use of strategies when adopting e‐business technology. A comprehensive literature review shows that research in this area is deficient. While the subjects of SMEs, e‐business and strategy are adequately covered in the academic literature, there is not sufficient research available linking all three subjects. A taxonomy that describes e‐business adoption and the use of business strategies and e‐business strategies of SMEs should be used as a starting point for further research.

Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mapping opportunity space: options for a sustainable e‐strategy
Authors: Stace Doug , Holtham Clive , Courtney Nigel 
Published: September 2004

Abstract

As has been widely reflected in the popular and business media, the dot.com crash in April 2000 heralded a collapse of public and business confidence in almost anything associated with the ‘e‐revolution’ of the late 1990s, or the first wave of e‐change.
During 2002 and 2003 a broad‐based, international sample of 281 organizations was surveyed to validate this populist perception. The findings indicated that many organizations have not only continued with their uptake of modern information systems, but that a good number have been quietly intensifying their efforts.
This paper distinguishes between the replicability of core operational systems for internal cost‐efficiencies and the differentiating capability of customer‐facing technologies that enables firms to attract and maintain a loyal customer base. The parameters for managing the dynamic balance between replicability and differentiation shape a new concept of ‘opportunity space’ which is bounded by a high‐touch/high‐technology dimension and the tangible/intangible nature of the customer offering.
The opportunity space model can be applied to a major product/service offering, a business unit, an enterprise or an industry sector. It allows managers to map where their effort can be focused when evaluating strategic options for the effective introduction of customer‐facing information technologies.

Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acquiring relevant knowledge for foreign market entry: the role of overseas trade missions
Authors: Spence Martine , Crick Dave 
Published: September 2004

Abstract

This paper investigates the benefit of experiential knowledge acquired from overseas trade mission participation. Trade missions offer potential assistance to firms by providing less experienced exporters with relevant objective and experiential knowledge about targeted markets.
Findings from a UK study indicate that seasoned exporters benefit more from the scheme, where the activities offered before and during the visits are perceived as targeted more to their needs than less experienced firms. Implications for trade mission organizers and public policies are provided in terms of the way in which support may be changed to more directly benefit firms.

Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Portal vein resection: A modified technique for reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Machado Marcel C.C. , Figueira Estela R.R. , Machado Marcel Autran C. , Jukemura José , Cunha José E.M. , Perini Marcos V. , Bacchella Telesforo 
Published: September 2004

AbstractPancreaticoduodenectomy is the only curative treatment for pancreatic head tumors. The possibility to achieve a potentially curative surgical treatment is limited to patients in which a complete tumor resection can be performed with free surgical margins. In a small number of patients with localized pancreatic cancer, negative margins are only accomplished with portal vein resection. Pancreaticoduodenectomy is often avoided in these patients due to the mistaken concept that venous resection may be followed by higher mortality and carries poorer survival. Actually, these patients present the same survival rate as patients similarly staged in whom portal vein resection was not performed. Therefore, venous resection is worthwhile. The authors describe an alternative technique for venous reconstruction after resection of a long segment of portal or superior mesenteric vein. The use of a venous graft as proposed in this study is feasible, easy to perform, and may simplify the venous reconstruction even in extensive mesentericoportal venous resection. J. Surg. Oncol. 2004;88:52–54. Copyright © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Invasive cutaneous fungal infections requiring radical resection in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy
Authors: Radhakrishnan Ravi , Donato Michele L. , Prieto Victor G. , Mays Steven R. , Raad Issam I. , Kuerer Henry M. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractInvasive fungal infections have emerged as a significant problem in patients with cancer with the development of better systemic therapies for malignancy and more effective antibacterial agents. The currently available world published medical literature was reviewed on invasive fungal infections in cancer patients with specific attention devoted to the multidisciplinary role of surgery in refractory cutaneous cases. Infections can develop on the forearm where peripheral intravenous catheters had been inserted in cancer patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy. Curative intent begins with systemic contemporary anti‐fungal therapy. Following resolution of neutropenia, patients may require radical surgical debridement with negative margins of resection for complete eradication of the fungal infection. Although invasive fungal infections refractory to antifungal systemic therapy in immunocompromised patients undergoing chemotherapy are a rare event, it is critical for surgeons and other multidisciplinary clinicians to recognize these potentially life‐threatening infections that may necessitate radical surgical resection for cure. J. Surg. Oncol. 2004;88:21–26. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection of occult liver metastases in colorectal cancer by measurement of biliary carcinoembryonic antigen concentration: A prospective study
Authors: Tuech Jean‐Jacques , Pessaux Patrick , Regenet Nicolas , Daver Alain , Lorimier Gerard , Bergamaschi Roberto , Arnaud Jean‐Pierre 
Published: September 2004

AbstractBackgroundIt has been suggested that bile CEA levels could be a sensitive index for the detection of occult liver metastases (LM) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The aim of this study was to determine the potential value of biliary CEA assay in the early detection of occult LM from CRC.MethodsFrom 1995 to 1999 biliary and blood CEA levels were determined in three groups of patients undergoing surgery; Group 1 (n = 35) patients with LM from CRC; Group 2 (n = 154) patients with CRC without LM; Group 3 (n = 23) was the control group.ResultsBiliary and serum CEA levels were significantly lower in group 3 than in group 2 (P = 0.008 and P = 0.002) and in group 2 than in group 1 (P = 0.001 and P = 0.005). With a follow‐up of 36 months (group 2), 22 patients (14%) developed LM. For 59 patients, the bile CEA level during laparotomy was less than 5 ng/ml and for 95 patients this level was more than 5 ng/ml, 4 and 18 patients respectively developed metachronous LM; we found a difference (P = 0.03) between these two subgroups. When this analysis was performed with regard to the stage of the tumor, we found no difference for the node negative cancer (n = 79) subgroup (P = 0.6), but we found a significant difference for the node positive cancer (n = 75) subgroup (P = 0.01).ConclusionsOur data suggest that biliary CEA concentrations at the time of resection of the primary tumor cannot be used to identify patients with occult LM in the node‐negative CCR subgroup. However, patients with node‐positive CCR and bile CEA level under 5 ng/ml developed LM in only 3% of cases; it might be therefore, possible to use that as a discriminant in situations where the risk of LM is small. J. Surg. Oncol. 2004;88:27–31. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Docetaxel and hyperthermia: Factors that modify thermal enhancement
Authors: Mohamed Faheez , Stuart O. Anthony , Glehen Olivier , Urano Muneyasu , Sugarbaker Paul H. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractBackgroundHyperthermia enhances the cytotoxicity of some chemotherapeutic agents and recent studies suggest that docetaxel may show improved response at elevated temperatures. Factors that may modify the thermal enhancement of docetaxel were studied to optimize its clinical use with hyperthermia.MethodsThe tumor studied was an early‐generation isotransplant of a spontaneous C3Hf/Sed mouse fibrosarcoma, Fsa‐II. All studies were approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee. Docetaxel was given as a single intraperitoneal injection. Hyperthermia was achieved by immersing the tumor‐bearing foot into a constant temperature water bath. Four factors were studied: duration of hyperthermia, sequencing of hyperthermia with docetaxel, intensity of hyperthermia, and tumor size. To study duration of hyperthermia tumors were treated at 41.5°C for 30 or 90 min immediately after intraperitoneal administration of docetaxel. For sequencing of hyperthermia and docetaxel, animals received hyperthermia treatment of tumors for 30 min at 41.5°C immediately after drug administration, hyperthermia both immediately and 3 hr after docetaxel administration and hyperthermia given only at 3 hr after administration of docetaxel. Intensity of hyperthermia was studied using heat treatment of tumors for 30 min at 41.5 or 43.5°C immediately following docetaxel administration. Effect of tumor size was studied by delaying experiments until three times the tumor volume (113 mm3) was observed. Treatment of tumors lasted for 30 min at 41.5°C immediately following drug administration. Tumor response was studied using the mean tumor growth time.ResultsHyperthermia in the absence of docetaxel had a small but significant effect on tumor growth time at 43.5°C but not at 41.5°C. Hyperthermia at 41.5°C for 90 min immediately after docetaxel administration significantly increased mean tumor growth time (P = 0.0435) when compared to tumors treated with docetaxel at room temperature. Treatment for 30 min had no effect. Application of hyperthermia immediately and immediately plus 3 hr following docetaxel was effective in delaying tumor growth. Treatment at 3 hr only had no effect. No significant difference in mean tumor growth time was observed with docetaxel and one half hour of hyperthermia at 41.5 or 43.5°C. For larger tumors, hyperthermia alone caused a significant delay in tumor growth time. Docetaxel at 41.5°C for 30 min did not significantly increase mean tumor growth time compared to large tumors treated with docetaxel at room temperature.ConclusionsDocetaxel shows a moderate increase in anti‐tumor activity with hyperthermia. At 41.5°C the thermal enhancement of docetaxel is time dependent if hyperthermia is applied immediately following drug administration. With large tumors docetaxel alone or docetaxel plus hyperthemia showed the greatest delays in tumor growth time in the experiments. J. Surg. Oncol. 2004;88:14–20. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Salvage surgical resection after high‐dose ifosfamide (HDIF) based regimens in advanced soft tissue sarcoma (ASTS): A potential positive selection bias—A study of the Spanish Group for Research on Sarcomas (GEIS)
Authors: Maurel Joan , Buesa José , López‐Pousa Antonio , del Muro Xavier García , Quintana María Jesús , Martín Javier , Casado Antonio , Martínez‐Trufero Javier , de las Peñas Ramón , Balañá Carmen 
Published: September 2004

AbstractPurposeTo assess the impact of different factors on response rate (RR), time to tumor progression (TTP), and overall survival time (OS) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (ASTS), included in three protocols with high‐dose ifosfamide (HDIF).Patients and MethodsOne hundred fifty six ASTS patients included in three consecutive phase II trials with HDIF (>10 g/m2), alone or in combination with doxorubicin (DX), were analyzed. Cofactors were institution, trial, gender, age, performance status, histologic type, grade of malignancy, prior radiotherapy, presence of locoregional disease, metastatic site, salvage surgery, number of organs involved, and disease‐free interval.ResultsBy multivariate analysis performance status >0 and lack of salvage surgery correlated with a poorer survival. A good‐risk and a poor‐risk group were identified, with median survival time (OS) of 29, 5, and 10 months, respectively (P = 0.00001). The 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐year OS for 83 good‐risk patients (either with PS = 0 or receiving salvage surgery) was 83, 44, and 29%, respectively, those figures being 37, 7, and 3% for 73 poor‐risk patients.ConclusionThe design of randomized trials in ASTS including HDIF should consider those prognostic factors as stratification variables. J. Surg. Oncol. 2004;88:44–49. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy for patients with serosa‐infiltrating gastric cancer
Authors: Yano Masahiko , Yasuda Takushi , Fujiwara Yoshiyuki , Takiguchi Shuji , Miyata Hiroshi , Monden Morito 
Published: September 2004

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesSerosa‐infiltrating gastric cancer poses a high risk for peritoneal recurrence. This study examined the feasibility and efficacy of preoperative intraperitoneal (i.p.) chemotherapy for such cancer.MethodsPatients with serosa‐infiltrating tumors, diagnosed by conventional examinations as well as by staging laparoscopy, were enrolled in this study. Those with unresectable T4 tumors, visible peritoneal metastasis or distant organ metastasis were excluded. Twenty‐five eligible patients received preoperative i.p. chemotherapy, which consisted of i.p. injection of 20 mg of mitomycin C on day 1 and 10 mg of cisplatin for 5 days, followed by surgery.ResultsOf the 25 patients, 24 underwent gastrectomy with lymph node dissection and 1 underwent palliative gastrojejunostomy. The curability of the surgery was curability A in 6, B in 16, and C in 3. Preoperative T stages (T3 in 21 and T4 in 4) were downstaged postoperatively (T1 in 1, T2 in 10, T3 in 11, and T4 in 3). The 1‐ and 2‐year overall survival was 83.3 and 51.3%, respectively. The median survival time was 24.4 months. The toxicity of the preoperative treatment was tolerable and no serious postoperative complication was seen.ConclusionsPreoperative i.p. chemotherapy seems to be a safe and effective therapy for serosa‐infiltrating gastric cancer. Randomized clinical trials comparing preoperative i.p. chemotherapy followed by surgery and surgery alone are needed. J. Surg. Oncol. 2004;88:39–43. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mapping soil erosion risk in Rondônia, Brazilian Amazonia: using RUSLE, remote sensing and GIS
Authors: Lu D. , Li G. , Valladares G. S. , Batistella M. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThis article discusses research in which the authors applied the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), remote sensing, and geographical information system (GIS) to the maping of soil erosion risk in Brazilian Amazonia. Soil map and soil survey data were used to develop the soil erodibility factor (K), and a digital elevation model image was used to generate the topographic factor (LS). The cover‐management factor (C) was developed based on vegetation, shade, and soil fraction images derived from spectral mixture analysis of a Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus image. Assuming the same climatic conditions and no support practice in the study area, the rainfall–runoff erosivity (R) and the support practice (P) factors were not used. The majority of the study area has K values of less than 0·2, LS values of less than 2·5, and C values of less than 0·25. A soil erosion risk map with five classes (very low, low, medium, medium‐high, and high) was produced based on the simplified RUSLE within the GIS environment, and was linked to land use and land cover (LULC) image to explore relationships between soil erosion risk and LULC distribution. The results indicate that most successional and mature forests are in very low and low erosion risk areas, while agroforestry and pasture are usually associated with medium to high risk areas. This research implies that remote sensing and GIS provide promising tools for evaluating and mapping soil erosion risk in Amazonia. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fear‐pattern analysis supports the fear‐drive model for antispeeding road‐safety TV ads
Authors: Rossiter John R. , Thornton Jennifer 
Published: September 2004

AbstractPrevious studies of fear appeals in advertising have relied on a procedure that measures only the overall level of fear produced by the ad. That procedure cannot validly test the effect of drive reduction, which is the central causal mechanism in Hovland, Janis, and Kelley's (1953) original fear‐drive model. To overcome this limitation, the present research identifies the fear pattern of the ad, based on moment‐to‐moment ratings of fear‐to‐relief taken for its duration. In Study 1, which examines ratings of seven antispeeding TV commercials, it is shown that a postexposure overall rating of fear is in fact measuring the maximum level of fear experienced, not the average level, and that this static rating of fear cannot distinguish very different patterns, such as the pattern of rising fear with no relief, the “shock” pattern of sudden fear with no relief (both representing positive punishment), and the classic fear‐relief pattern (the drivereduction pattern). In Study 2, which is a laboratory experiment using antispeeding road‐safety TV commercials and a dependent variable of speed choice on a realistic simulated driving test, it is demonstrated that the fear‐relief pattern reduces young drivers' speed choice not only initially but after heavy repetition of the ad, whereas fear without relief increases speed choice initially, then, after heavy repetition, it decreases speed choice, although not down to the driving speed produced by fear‐relief. The reason why a shock ad starts to work following heavy repetition is that viewers begin to anticipate the shock and the ad becomes, in effect, a fear‐relief ad. The overall results strongly support the fear‐drive model. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fear appeals in social marketing: Strategic and ethical reasons for concern
Authors: Hastings Gerard , Stead Martine , Webb John 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThis article criticizes the predominant use of fear appeals in social marketing. Laboratory studies, which have been the basis for most of the research on fear appeals and which generally suggest that high fear works, have limitations that include forced exposure, short‐term measurement, and an overdependence on student samples. Although, unfortunately, field research evaluations of fear appeals are few, they usually reveal that fear has both weaker effects and unintended deleterious effects in real‐world social marketing campaigns. Ethical concerns about fear appeals include maladaptive responses such as chronic heightened anxiety among those most at risk and, paradoxically, complacency among those not directly targeted, and increased social inequity between those who respond to fear campaigns, who tend to be better off, and those who do not, who tend to be the less educated and poorer members of society. Alternatives to fear appeals are the use of positive reinforcement appeals aimed at the good behavior, the use of humor, and, for younger audiences, the use of postmodern irony. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An upscaling method and a numerical analysis of swelling/shrinking processes in a compacted bentonite/sand mixture
Authors: Xie M. , Agus S. S. , Schanz T. , Kolditz O. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThis paper presents an upscaling concept of swelling/shrinking processes of a compacted bentonite/sand mixture, which also applies to swelling of porous media in general. A constitutive approach for highly compacted bentonite/sand mixture is developed accordingly. The concept is based on the diffuse double layer theory and connects microstructural properties of the bentonite as well as chemical properties of the pore fluid with swelling potential. Main factors influencing the swelling potential of bentonite, i.e. variation of water content, dry density, chemical composition of pore fluid, as well as the microstructures and the amount of swelling minerals are taken into account. According to the proposed model, porosity is divided into interparticle and interlayer porosity. Swelling is the potential of interlayer porosity increase, which reveals itself as volume change in the case of free expansion, or turns to be swelling pressure in the case of constrained swelling. The constitutive equations for swelling/shrinking are implemented in the software GeoSys/RockFlow as a new chemo‐hydro‐mechanical model, which is able to simulate isothermal multiphase flow in bentonite. Details of the mathematical and numerical multiphase flow formulations, as well as the code implementation are described. The proposed model is verified using experimental data of tests on a highly compacted bentonite/sand mixture. Comparison of the 1D modelling results with the experimental data evidences the capability of the proposed model to satisfactorily predict free swelling of the material under investigation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.