Showing papers by "Georgia State University published in 2001"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report the findings from in-depth interviews of consumers to determine their views concerning the social responsibilities of companies and develop a typology of consumers whose purchasing behavior ranges from unresponsive to highly responsive to corporate social responsibility.
Abstract: Companies are facing increasing pressure to both maintain profitability and behave in socially responsible ways, yet researchers have provided little information on how corporate social responsibility impacts profitability. This paper reports the findings from in-depth interviews of consumers to determine their views concerning the social responsibilities of companies. A typology of consumers whose purchasing behavior ranges from unresponsive to highly responsive to corporate social responsibility was developed from the analysis.
1,915 citations
TL;DR: If and how the field has advanced in instrument validation is determined, and approaches are suggested for reinvigorating the quest for validation in IS research via content/construct validity, reliability, and manipulation validity.
Abstract: Over 10 years ago, the issue of whether IS researchers were rigorously validating their quantitative, positivist instruments was raised (Straub 1989). In the years that have passed since that time, the profession has undergone many changes. Novel technologies and management trends have come and gone. New professional societies have been formed and grown in prominence and new demands have been placed on the field's research and teaching obligations. But the issue of rigor in IS research has persisted throughout all such changes. Without solid validation of the instruments that are used to gather data upon which findings and interpretations are based, the very scientific basis of positivist, quantitative research is threatened.
As a retrospective on the Straub article, this research seeks to determine if and how the field has advanced in instrument validation. As evidence of the change, we coded positivist, quantitative research articles in five major journals over a recent three year period for use of validation techniques. Findings suggest that the field has advanced in many areas, but, overall, it appears that a majority of published studies are still not sufficiently validating their instruments. Based on these findings, approaches are suggested for reinvigorating the quest for validation in IS research via content/construct validity, reliability, and manipulation validity.
996 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a conceptual model is proposed which examines the potential influence of atmospheric qualities of a virtual store, and two individual traits, involvement and atmospheric responsiveness, are hypothesized to moderate the relationship between atmospheric cues and shoppers' affective and cognitive reactions.
970 citations
TL;DR: Four kinds of traceability link types are identified and critical issues that must be resolved for implementing each type and potential solutions are discussed, and implications for the design of next-generation traceability methods and tools are discussed and illustrated.
Abstract: Requirements traceability is intended to ensure continued alignment between stakeholder requirements and various outputs of the system development process. To be useful, traces must be organized according to some modeling framework. Indeed, several such frameworks have been proposed, mostly based on theoretical considerations or analysis of other literature. This paper, in contrast, follows an empirical approach. Focus groups and interviews conducted in 26 major software development organizations demonstrate a wide range of traceability practices with distinct low-end and high-end users of traceability. From these observations, reference models comprising the most important kinds of traceability links for various development tasks have been synthesized. The resulting models have been validated in case studies and are incorporated in a number of traceability tools. A detailed case study on the use of the models is presented. Four kinds of traceability link types are identified and critical issues that must be resolved for implementing each type and potential solutions are discussed. Implications for the design of next-generation traceability methods and tools are discussed and illustrated.
954 citations
TL;DR: The Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R) as mentioned in this paper is an extension of the APS-R. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and data exploring the reliability and construct validity of the sub-scale are presented in this paper.
Abstract: This article describes the development of the Almost Perfect Scale—Revised (APS—R). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and data exploring the reliability and construct validity of the sub...
870 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors measured the transverse momentum spectra for charged hadrons and neutral pions in the range 1 Gev/c < P-T < 5 GeV/c.
Abstract: Transverse momentum spectra for charged hadrons and for neutral pions in the range 1 Gev/c < P-T < 5 GeV/c have been measured by the PHENIX experiment at RHIC in Au + Au collisions at rootS(NN) = 130 GeV. At high p(T) the spectra from peripheral nuclear collisions are consistent with scaling the spectra from p + p collisions by the average number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions. The spectra from central collisions are significantly suppressed when compared to the binary-scaled p + p expectation, and also when compared to similarly binary-scaled peripheral collisions, indicating a novel nuclear-medium effect in central nuclear collisions at RHIC energies.
803 citations
TL;DR: A new hybrid theoretical framework is developed which combines insights from organizational-level research on technology implementation with constructs from traditional innovation adoption models and captures both implementation events and the factors that influence them.
Abstract: This paper explores the applicability of traditional innovation adoption and diffusion models to contingent, authority innovation processes occurring within an organizational context (Zaltman, Duncan & Holbeck, 1973); that is, when employees in organizations adopt an innovation that has been chosen by an authority figure. This paper identifies existing gaps in traditional innovation adoption models and concludes that a new framework is required --- one that incorporates the unique processes and factors related to organizational adoption and assimilation of innovations. A new hybrid theoretical framework is developed which combines insights from organizational-level research on technology implementation (Cooper & Zmud, 1990; Orlikowski, 1993) with constructs from traditional innovation adoption models (Rogers, 1983; Prescott & Conger, 1995). The resulting theory is a hybrid process/variance theory, which captures both implementation events and the factors that influence them (Shaw & Jarvenpaa, 1997). Data from a longitudinal case study of a firm that implemented client/server development are used to illustrate the framework and to develop propositions for future research.
695 citations
TL;DR: Together, these multiple regulatory controls orchestrate overall and region‐specific adipose tissue cellularity responses associated with the development of hyperplastic obesity.
Abstract: Expanded adipose tissue mass increases the risk for many clinical conditions including diabetes, hypertension, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, and some forms of cancer. Therefore, it is imperative that we understand the mechanisms by which fat pads expand. The enlargement of fat cells during the development of obesity has been previously hypothesized to be a triggering factor for the proliferation of new fat cells. There is now a preponderance of evidence that adipose tissue is a source of growth factors such as IGF-I, IGF binding proteins, TNF alpha, angiotensin II, and MCSF that are capable of stimulating proliferation. The relative importance of these autocrine/paracrine factors in the normal control of preadipocyte proliferation is unknown. In addition, the proliferative response of preadipocytes to the paracrine milieu is undoubtedly modulated by neural inputs to fat tissue and/or serum factors. Together, these multiple regulatory controls orchestrate overall and region-specific adipose tissue cellularity responses associated with the development of hyperplastic obesity. Both in vivo and in vitro studies are needed to understand the complex, interacting physiological mechanisms by which growth of this important organ is regulated.
685 citations
TL;DR: For the period from 1958 to 1996, streamflow characteristics of a highly urbanized watershed were compared with less-urbanized and nonurbanized watersheds within a 20000 km 2 region in the vicinity of Atlanta, Georgia: in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge physiographic provinces of the southeastern USA.
Abstract: For the period from 1958 to 1996, streamflow characteristics of a highly urbanized watershed were compared with less-urbanized and non-urbanized watersheds within a 20000 km 2 region in the vicinity of Atlanta, Georgia: in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge physiographic provinces of the southeastern USA. Water levels in several wells completed in surficial and crystalline-rock aquifers were also evaluated. Data were analysed for seven US Geological Survey (USGS) stream gauges, 17 National Weather Service rain gauges, and five USGS monitoring wells. Annual runoff coefficients (RCs; runoff as a fractional percentage of precipitation) for the urban stream (Peachtree Creek) were not significantly greater than for the less-urbanized watersheds. The RCs for some streams were similar to others and the similar streams were grouped according to location. The RCs decreased from the higher elevation and higher relief watersheds to the lower elevation and lower relief watersheds: values were 0! 54 for the two Blue Ridge streams, 0! 37 for the four middle Piedmont streams (near Atlanta), and 0! 28 for a southern Piedmont stream. For the 25 largest stormflows, the peak flows for Peachtree Creek were 30% to 100% greater than peak flows for the other streams. The storm recession period for the urban stream was 1‐2 days less than that for the other streams and the recession was characterized by a 2-day storm recession constant that was, on average, 40 to 100% greater, i.e. streamflow decreased more rapidly than for the other streams. Baseflow recession constants ranged from 35 to 40% lower for Peachtree Creek than for the other streams; this is attributed to lower evapotranspiration losses, which result in a smaller change in groundwater storage than in the less-urbanized watersheds. Low flow of Peachtree Creek ranged from 25 to 35% less than the other streams, possibly the result of decreased infiltration caused by the more efficient routing of stormwater and the paving of groundwater recharge areas. The timing of daily or monthly groundwater-level fluctuations was similar annually in each well, reflecting the seasonal recharge. Although water-level monitoring only began in the 1980s for the two urban wells, water levels displayed a notable decline compared with non-urban wells since then; this is attributed to decreased groundwater recharge in the urban watersheds due to increased imperviousness and related rapid storm runoff. Copyright ! 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
507 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that the median earnings surprise has shifted rightward from small negative (miss analyst estimates by a small amount) to zero (meet analyst estimates exactly) to small positive (beat analyst estimates on average) during the 16 years, 1984 to 1999, and that when managers of growth firms are relatively more likely than managers of value firms to report good news profits.
Abstract: I show that median earnings surprise has shifted rightward from small negative (miss analyst estimates by a small amount) to zero (meet analyst estimates exactly) to small positive (beat analyst estimates by a small amount) during the 16 years, 1984 to 1999. I show that a rightward temporal shift in median surprise from negative to positive describes earnings, but neither profits nor losses. Median profit surprise shifts within the positive quadrant, from zero to one cent per share. Median loss surprise shifts within the negative quadrant from extreme negative (about -33 cents per share) to zero. I show that the median surprise for profits exceeds that for losses in every year. I document significant positive temporal trends in both meet and beat analyst estimates for both profits and losses, but I find a greater frequency of profits that either meet or beat analyst estimates in every year. I find a significant positive temporal trend in positive profits that are “a little bit of good news,” and a significant negative temporal trend in managers who report losses that are an “extreme amount of bad news.” My results are robust to the four internal validity threats I consider—namely temporal changes in: (1) analyst forecast accuracy, (2) the mix of earnings of one sign preceded by earnings of another sign four quarters ago, (3) the timeliness of the most recent analyst forecast, and (4) the I/B/E/S definition of actual earnings. I find that managers of growth firms are relatively more likely than managers of value firms to report good news profits. I show that when they do report positive profit surprises, managers of growth firms are more likely to report “a little bit of good news” in every year.
498 citations
TL;DR: This paper used a person-environment-fit framework to examine the interaction of psychological vulnerabilities and perceptions of school climate to explain the emergence of behavioral and emotional problems during the middle school years.
TL;DR: The map's power to explore, analyze and visualize spatial datasets to understand patterns better has been explored in cartography as discussed by the authors, with the focus on the genealogy of power in mapping practices, and enabling multiple, contingent and exploratory perspectives of data.
Abstract: Two developments in cartography mark an epistemic break with the assumption that maps are unproblematic communication devices. These are 1) investigations of maps as practices of power-knowledge; and 2) 'geographic visualization' (GVis) which uses the map's power to explore, analyze and visualize spatial datasets to understand patterns better. These developments are key components of a 'maps as social constructions' approach, emphasizing the genealogy of power in mapping practices, and enabling multiple, contingent and exploratory perspectives of data. Furthermore, this approach is an opportunity for cartography to renew its relationship with a critical human geography.
TL;DR: This article found that people with high public service motivation are more likely than others to choose government jobs, to perform better on the job, and to respond more to nonutilitarian incentives once in government.
Abstract: Perry and Wise (1990) argued that people with high public service motivation (PSM) are more likely than others to choose government jobs, to perform better on the job, and to respond more to nonutilitarian incentives once in government. Using multiple regression and logit analyses on responses by 35,000 federal, white-collar employees to the 1991 Survey of Federal Employees and the 1996 Merit Principles Survey, this article tests the link between PSM and job performance in the federal service. There is mixed evidence on whether PSM positively affected grades and performance ratings, clearer evidence that employees who expected to receive a material reward for exceptional performance attained higher grades and performance ratings, and no evidence that the link between material rewards and performance mattered any less to those with high PSM.
TL;DR: Parents whose child had a serious mental health problem had normative patterns of educational and occupational attainment and marriage, but elevated levels of physical symptoms, depression, and alcohol symptoms at mid-life, compared with parents who had a child with a developmental disability.
Abstract: We contrasted parents who had a child with a developmental disability, a serious mental health problem, and a normative comparison group with respect to parental attainment and well-being at mid-life. Data are from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, collected when the respondents were 18, 36, and 53 or 54, on average. Although similar at age 18, group patterns of attainment and well-being diverged thereafter. Parents of a child with a developmental disability had lower rates of employment, larger families, and lower rates of social participation but were similar to parents without a child with a disability in educational and marital status, physical health, and psychological well-being. Parents whose child had a serious mental health problem had normative patterns of educational and occupational attainment and marriage, but elevated levels of physical symptoms, depression, and alcohol symptoms at mid-life.
TL;DR: This article examined the economics of such interventions and the available empirical evidence and concluded that development interventions are hindered by indirect and ambiguous conservation incentives that they generate, the complexity of their implementation, and their lack of conformity with the temporal and spatial dimensions of ecosystem conservation objectives.
Abstract: Conservation biologists, policy makers, and citizens have identified the protection of native ecosystems in low-income nations as a global social objective. Among the more popular initiatives toward this objective is the use of development interventions in the peripheral areas of endangered ecosystems. Such interventions indirectly provide desirable ecosystem services by redirecting labor and capital away from activities that degrade ecosystems (e.g., agricultural intensification) and by encouraging commercial activities that supply ecosystem services as joint products (e.g., ecotourism). I examined the economics of such interventions and the available empirical evidence and concluded that development interventions are hindered by (1) the indirect and ambiguous conservation incentives that they generate, (2) the complexity of their implementation, and (3) their lack of conformity with the temporal and spatial dimensions of ecosystem conservation objectives. In contrast, paying individuals or communities directly for conservation performance may be a simpler and more effective approach. In recent years there has been widespread experimentation with contracting approaches to ecosystem conservation. Conservation contracting can (1) reduce the set of critical parameters that practitioners must affect to achieve conservation goals, (2) permit more precise targeting and more rapid adaptation over time, and (3) strengthen the links between individual well-being, individual actions, and habitat conservation, thus creating a local stake in ecosystem protection. In situations where performance payments are unlikely to work, indirect development interventions are also unlikely to work. Thus, despite the potential barriers to developing a system of conservation contracts in low-income nations, my analysis suggests that performance payments have the potential to improve the way in which ecosystems are conserved in these nations.
Resumen: Los biologos conservacionistas, los legisladores y los ciudadanos han identificado la proteccion de ecosistemas en naciones con bajos ingresos como un objetivo social global. Entre las iniciativas mas populares para alcanzar este objetivo se encuentra el uso de intervenciones para el desarrollo en areas perifericas de ecosistemas en peligro. Estas intervenciones proveen servicios deseables del ecosistema indirectamente al re-direccionar actividades y capital lejos de las actividades que degradan el ecosistema ( por ejemplo, intensificacion agricola) y alentando actividades comerciales que provean servicios del ecosistema como los productos de coyuntura ( por ejemplo, ecoturismo). Examine la economia de estas intervenciones los y las evidencias empiricas disponibles y conclui que las intervenciones de desarrollo son entorpecidas por (1) incentivos indirectos y ambiguos que generan; (2) la complejidad de su implementacion y (3) la carencia de concordancia con las dimensiones temporales y espaciales de los objetivos de conservacion del ecosistema. En contraste, el pago directo a individuos o comunidades por la ejecucion de la conservacion podria ser una estrategia mas simple y mas efectiva. En anos recientes, ha habido amplia experimentacion con las estrategias de contratacion para la conservacion de ecosistemas. Los contratos para conservacion pueden (1) reducir el conjunto de parametros criticos que los practicantes deben afectar para alcanzar las metas de conservacion; (2) permitir el establecimiento de metas mas precisas; y (3) fortalecer los vinculos entre el bienestar individual, las acciones individuales y la conservacion del habitat, creando asi un interes local en la proteccion del ecosistema. En situaciones donde los pagos por rendimiento no son viables de funcionar, las intervenciones de desarrollo indirecto probablemente tampoco funcionen. Por ello, a pesar de las barreras potenciales al desarrollo de desarrollar un sistema de contratos de conservacion en naciones de bajos recursos, mi analisis sugiere que los pagos por rendimiento tienen el potencial para mejorar la forma en la que los ecosistemas son conservados en estas naciones.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compare two methods for estimating the size of personal networks using a nationally representative sample of the United States and conclude that both methods rely on the ability of respondents to estimate the number of people they know in specific sub-populations of the U.S. (e.g., diabetics, Native Americans) and people in particular relation categories (i.e., immediate family, coworkers).
Abstract: In this paper we compare two methods for estimating the size of personal networks using a nationally representative sample of the United States. Both methods rely on the ability of respondents to estimate the number of people they know in specific subpopulations of the U.S. (e.g., diabetics, Native Americans) and people in particular relation categories (e.g., immediate family, coworkers). The results demonstrate a remarkable similarity between the average network size generated by both methods (approximately 291). Similar results were obtained with a separate national sample. An attempt to corroborate our estimates by replication among a population we suspect has large networks (clergy), yielded a larger average network size. Extensive investigation into the existence of response effects showed some preference for using certain numbers when making estimates, but nothing that would significantly affect the estimate of network size beyond about 6 percent. We conclude that both methods for estimating person...
TL;DR: A model is proposed and explored that links the coming-out process to the psychological functioning and sexual behaviors of gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths recruited from gay-focused community-based and college organizations in New York City and finds limited involvement in gay/lesbian activities was associated with more unprotected sex.
Abstract: A model is proposed and explored that links the coming-out process to the psychological functioning (i.e., self-esteem and distress) and sexual behaviors of gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths recruited from gay-focused community-based and college organizations in New York City. The coming-out process is multidimensional, consisting, as defined here, of involvement in gay/lesbian activities, attitudes toward homosexuality, comfort with homosexuality, self-disclosure of sexual identity to others, and sexual identity. The coming-out dimensions were related to self-esteem, distress, and unprotected sexual behaviors. In addition, the relations between the coming-out dimensions and unprotected sexual behaviors were explained by psychological functioning. In particular, limited involvement in gay/lesbian activities was associated with more unprotected sex. Negative attitudes toward homosexuality were related directly to more unprotected sex, and they were related indirectly to more unprotected sex by means of increasing emotional distress. These and other findings have implications for designing preventive interventions to increase the youths' psychological functioning and reduce their unprotected sexual behaviors.
TL;DR: From a partial-differential eigenproblem, without use of dipole approximation, it is shown that the eigenmodes of disordered nanosystems are not universally localized, but can have properties of both localized and delocalized states simultaneously.
Abstract: From a partial-differential eigenproblem, without use of dipole approximation, we show that the eigenmodes (surface plasmons) of disordered nanosystems (modeled as random planar composites) are not universally Anderson localized, but can have properties of both localized and delocalized states simultaneously. Their topology is determined by separate small-scale "hot spots" that are distributed and coherent over a length that may be comparable to the total size of the system. Coherence lengths and oscillator strengths vary by orders of magnitude from mode to mode at nearby frequencies. The existence of dark vs luminous eigenmodes is established and attributed to the effect of charge- and parity-conservation laws. Possible applications are discussed.
TL;DR: Three commentaries are presented concerning the AMR paper "The Promise of Entrepreneurship As a Field of Research" by Shane and Venkataraman, including a response from the authors to all three commentaries as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Three commentaries are presented concerning the Academy of Management Review (AMR) paper “The Promise of Entrepreneurship As a Field of Research” (January 2000), by Shane and Venkataraman, including a response from the authors to all three commentaries. An exchange pertaining to Fisher and White's AMR note, “Downsizing in a Learning Organization: Are There Hidden Costs?” (January 2000) is also presented.
TL;DR: The findings suggest that the neuroanatomical substrates for left-hemisphere dominance in speech production were evident at least five million years ago and are not unique to hominid evolution.
Abstract: Brodmann's area 44 delineates part of Broca's area within the inferior frontal gyrus of the human brain and is a critical region for speech production, being larger in the left hemisphere than in the right - an asymmetry that has been correlated with language dominance. Here we show that there is a similar asymmetry in this area, also with left-hemisphere dominance, in three great ape species (Pan troglodytes, Pan paniscus and Gorilla gorilla). Our findings suggest that the neuroanatomical substrates for left-hemisphere dominance in speech production were evident at least five million years ago and are not unique to hominid evolution.
TL;DR: Investigating the correlates and predictors of adaptive functioning as measured by the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales in high- and low-functioning children with autism and their age and nonverbal IQ matched controls suggests that IQ may act as a limiting factor for lower functioning children but higher functioning children are impaired by specific deficits, including autistic symptomology and impaired language and verbal memory.
Abstract: Autism is a developmental disorder marked by impairments in socialization, communication, and perseverative behavior and is associated with cognitive impairment and deficits in adaptive functioning. Research has consistently demonstrated that children with autism have deficits in adaptive functioning more severe than their cognitive deficits. This study investigates the correlates and predictors of adaptive functioning as measured by the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales in high- and low-functioning children with autism and their age and nonverbal IQ matched controls. Thirty-five 9-year-old children with high-functioning autism (HAD) were compared with 31 age-matched children with developmental language disorder (DLD), and 40 9-year-old children with low-functioning autism (LAD) were compared with 17 age-matched children with low IQ on adaptive functioning, IQ, autistic symptomology, and tests of language and verbal memory. Results indicate that both groups with autism were significantly impaired compared to their matched controls on Socialization and Daily Living, but not Communication and that these impairments were more pronounced in the HAD group than in the LAD group. Adaptive behavior was strongly correlated with autistic symptomology only in the HAD group. Regression analyses indicated that IQ was strongly predictive of adaptive behavior in both low-functioning groups, but tests of language and verbal memory predicted adaptive behavior in the higher functioning groups. Results suggest that IQ may act as a limiting factor for lower functioning children but higher functioning children are impaired by specific deficits, including autistic symptomology and impaired language and verbal memory.
TL;DR: This paper examined whether the foreign-born and foreign-educated are disproportionatelyrepresented among individuals making exceptional contributions to science and engineering (S & E) in the U.S. and found that foreign-trained individuals are disproportionately represented among those who made exceptional contributions.
Abstract: This paper contributes to the debate on high-skilled migration byexamining whether the foreign-born and foreign-educated are disproportionatelyrepresented among individuals making exceptional contributions to science and engineering (S & E) in the U.S. Six indicators of scientific achievement areused: individuals elected to the National Academy of Sciences and/or National Academy of Engineering, authors of citation classics, authors of hot papers, the 250 most-cited authors, authors of highly cited patents, and scientistswho have played a key role in launching biotechnology firms. We do not claim that this list is exhaustive, merely illustrative.
TL;DR: The article examines the two primary dyadic net-enabled relationships in the marketplace: B2C and B2B, and considers issues that extend beyond these two relationships.
Abstract: The conduct of net-enabled business, known variously as electronic commerce (EC) or e-Business, has changed the landscape and opportunities for IS research by shifting the focus from internal to customer/partnering systems. The article examines the two primary dyadic net-enabled relationships in the marketplace: B2C and B2B. It also considers issues that extend beyond these two relationships. B2C practice and research are analyzed from: (1) consumer, (2) service, and (3) risk perspectives. Three central issues of B2B or supply chain practice and research are next considered: (1) beyond simple efficiencies, (2) innovations in B2B technology, and (3) information visibility. Finally, four overarching research issues are examined: (1) strategy, (2) organizational design, (3) metrics, and (4) managing IS.Not all research on the net-enabled organization (NEO) is IS research, and it is critical that IS journals maintain their distinctive focus. Within the bounds of the net-enabled revolution, though, the IS field has an opportunity to shape the phenomenon with timely, theory-based work that will disseminate beyond the IS academic and practitioner communities.
TL;DR: In this paper, a cultural influence model of information technology transfer in the Arab world is proposed, where cultural beliefs and values are one major construct while a counterbalancing variable is the external influence of technologically advanced societies.
Abstract: The complex societal beliefs and values of the Arab world provide a rich setting to examine the hypothesized influence of culture on information technology transfer (ITT). Two research questions arise in this context: (1) Do cultural beliefs and values affect the transference of information technology in the Arab world? and (2) Does contact with technologically advanced societies impact ITT and systems outcomes? The present study addresses these research questions by conceptualizing and testing a cultural influence model of ITT. In this model, cultural beliefs and values are one major construct while a counterbalancing variable is the external influence of technologically advanced societies. These constructs along with the variable “national IT development†form the conceptual basis for the model. This study is the second part of a program of research investigating ITT. The setting of the study was Arab society, which allowed us to test our “cultural influence†model in, perhaps, one of the more complex cultural and social systems in the world. The program of research took place in several phases. In the early phases, Arab-American businessmen and women as well as Arabs studying in American universities were studied. In the latter phases, the cross-disciplinary research team gathered primary data in the Arab cultures of Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and the Sudan. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques were used to explore the phenomenon of ITT. This paper reports quantitative findings from the latter phase. Findings suggest that the model has explanatory power. Arab cultural beliefs were a very strong predictor of resistance to systems and thus ITT; technological culturation was also a factor. These results have implications for future theory-testing and for technology policy-setting by responsible Arab leaders. Additionally, there are implications for transnational firms and managers charged with introducing IT in foreign ports, subsidiaries, offices, and plants.
TL;DR: Data is presented showing that most of the early strength loss results from a failure of excitation-contraction coupling and a slow loss of contractile protein in the days after injury prolongs the recovery time.
Abstract: WARREN, G.L., C.P. INGALLS, D.A. LOWE, and R.B. ARMSTRONG. Excitation-contraction uncoupling: major role in contraction-induced muscle injury. Exerc. Sports Sci. Rev., Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 82-87, 2001. The mechanisms that account for the strength loss after contraction-induced muscle injury remain co
TL;DR: This paper found that subjects often sacrifice wealth to make honest or partially honest reports, and they generally do not lie more as the payoff to lying increases, suggesting that the extent of honesty may depend on how the surplus is divided between the manager and the firm.
Abstract: This study reports the results of three experiments that examine how preferences for wealth and honesty affect managerial reporting. We find that subjects often sacrifice wealth to make honest or partially honest reports, and they generally do not lie more as the payoff to lying increases. We also find less honesty under a contract that provides a smaller share of the total surplus to the manager than under one that provides a larger share, suggesting that the extent of honesty may depend on how the surplus is divided between the manager and the firm. The optimal agency contract yields more firm profit than a contract that relies exclusively on honest reporting. However, a modified version of the optimal agency contract, which makes use of subjects' preferences for honest reporting, yields the highest firm profit. These results suggest that firms may be able to design more profitable employment contracts than those identified by conventional economic analysis.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used a cross-sectional regression model based on prior audit fee research to provide evidence that internal audit contribution is a significant determinant of the external audit fee.
Abstract: Despite extensive research on the determinants of external audit fees, there is little empirical evidence on the effect of internal audit contribution on the external audit fee. Using a cross-sectional regression model based on prior audit fee research, this study provides evidence that internal audit contribution is a significant determinant of the external audit fee. Further, a second model that provides evidence on the determinants of internal audit contribution is developed and tested. This second model indicates that internal audit contribution is influenced by internal audit quality and, conditional on the level of inherent risk, the availability of internal audit and the extent of coordination between internal and external auditors. These results are based on a unique data-set comprised of publicly available data matched with survey responses from internal and external auditors affiliated with 70 non-financial services Fortune 1000 firms. The sample includes all of the former “Big 6” international accounting firms and clients from twenty-nine different industries.
TL;DR: Investigation of executive functioning in children with developmental language disorder and high-functioning autistic disorder indicates that although impaired executive functioning is a commonly associated feature of autism, it is not universal in autism and is unlikely to cause autistic behaviors or deficits in adaptive function.
Abstract: Executive functioning was investigated in 34 children (24 boys and 10 girls) with developmental language disorder (DLD) and 21 children (18 boys and 3 girls) with high-functioning autistic disorder (HAD) matched on Full Scale IQ, Nonverbal IQ, age (mean age 9 year, 1 month), and SES. The DLD group had a Verbal IQ that was 10 points higher than the HAD group. These children were given the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), the Mazes subtest from the WISC-R, the Underlining test, and the Rapid Automatized Naming test. In addition, these children were given the Vineland Scales of Adaptive Functioning and the Wing Diagnostic Symptom Checklist in order to assess severity of autistic symptomatology. Results indicated that the only significant difference between the two groups on the cognitive tasks was perseverative errors on the WCST; there was no significant difference on total number of categories achieved or total number of errors on the WCST or on the other executive function measures. There was also significant overlap in the scores between the two groups and the difference in perseverative errors was no longer significant when Verbal IQ was partialled out. Executive functioning was strongly related to all IQ variables in the DLD group and particularly related to Verbal IQ in the HAD group. Although there was a relationship in the HAD group between executive functioning and adaptive functioning, as well as between executive functioning and autistic symptomatology, these relationships were generally no longer significant in the HAD group after the variance due to Verbal IQ was accounted for. The results are interpreted to indicate that although impaired executive functioning is a commonly associated feature of autism, it is not universal in autism and is unlikely to cause autistic behaviors or deficits in adaptive function.
TL;DR: The relationship between life satisfaction, social interest, and participation in extracurricular activities was assessed among adolescent students as discussed by the authors, finding that higher social interest was associated with higher levels of overall satisfaction, as well as satisfaction with friends and family.
Abstract: The relationship between life satisfaction, social interest, and participation in extracurricular activities was assessed among adolescent students. A total of 321 high school adolescents (Grades 9–12) were administered a multidimensional measure of life satisfaction and a scale that assessed social interest. Adolescents were also asked to list the number of extracurricular activities that they participated in since their enrollment in high school. Higher social interest was significantly related to higher levels of overall satisfaction, as well as satisfaction with friends and family. Significant race differences were noted. Adolescents who participated in greater numbers of structured extracurricular activities reported higher school satisfaction. The relationship between social interest and actual participation in extracurricular activities was negligible. Implications of these findings, as well as suggestions for future research are provided.
TL;DR: A review on the discovery and characterization of haem-sequestering protein-receptor interactions can be found in this article, where connections between haem transport and the emerging field of metal transport via metallochaperones are outlined.
Abstract: Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria have evolved novel strategies to obtain iron from host haem-sequestering proteins. These include the production of specific outer membrane receptors that bind directly to host haem-sequestering proteins, secreted haem-binding proteins (haemophores) that bind haem/haemoglobin/haemopexin and deliver the complex to a bacterial cell surface receptor and bacterial proteases that degrade haem-sequestering proteins. Once removed from haem-sequestering proteins, haem may be transported via the bacterial outer membrane receptor into the cell. Recent studies have begun to define the steps by which haem is removed from bacterial haem proteins and transported into the cell. This review describes recent work on the discovery and characterization of these systems. Reference is also made to the transport of haem in serum (via haemoglobin, haemoglobin/haptoglobin, haemopexin, albumin and lipoproteins) and to mechanisms of iron removal from the haem itself (probably via a haem oxygenase pathway in which the protoporphyrin ring is degraded). Haem protein-receptor interactions are discussed in terms of the criteria that govern protein-protein interactions in general, and connections between haem transport and the emerging field of metal transport via metallochaperones are outlined.