University of Westminster

About: University of Westminster is a education organization based out in London, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Politics. The organization has 2944 authors who have published 8426 publications receiving 200236 citations. The organization is also known as: Westminster University & Royal Polytechnic Institution.

The big five personality traits and uses of music: A replication in Malaysia using structural equation modeling.

Abstract: The current study set out to replicate and extend a recent paper (Chamorro-Premuzic & Furnham, 2007) on personality and uses of music using structural equation modeling. Responses to questionnaire data from 227 Malaysian university students showed that, in line with our hypotheses, individuals higher in Neuroticism were more likely to use music for emotional regulation (influencing their mood states), Extraversion positively predicted use of music as background or for distraction, and Openness to Experience predicted cognitive use of music. However, contrary to the target paper, Conscientiousness did not predict use of music for emotional regulation and Extraversion was positively rather than negatively linked with that use of music. Results are discussed in terms of the generalizability of previous findings on the Big Five as determinants of uses of music.

Identifying Harmful Marine Dinoflagellates

Abstract: This is a guidebook that uses some of the same material as the CD-ROM of similar name (Faust & Gulledge, Harmful Marine Dinoflagellates). It is aimed at ‘the researcher, instructor and the student’. A brief introduction is followed by coverage of species in alphabetical order. For each species the following sections are given: Species overview, Taxonomical description, Nomenclatural types, Thecal plate description, Morphology and structure, Reproduction, Ecology, Toxicity, Species comparison and Habitat and locality. This information is reasonably detailed and covers 1–2 pages depending on the organism. All the illustratons are given at the end of the volume in a series of 48 plates (one per species). Given the large number of potentially harmful marine dinoflagellates, the book is limited in scope as it covers only 48 species from 12 genera (one quarter of which belong to the genus Prorocentrum). I believe the word ‘Identifying’ in the title is a little misleading. For someone with limited knowledge of dinoflagellates, with an unknown organism in front of them, accessing the information might be problematic, given the alphabetical arrangement of descriptions without any simple guide even to genera. Flicking through the plates is an option, but not a practise, I would wish to encourage in students. Neither are there any species descriptions of morphologically similar organisms that might be confusing or lead to incorrect identifications by the inexperienced observer. The section given on species comparison is useful in this respect but is not accompanied by illustrations to assist ‘identification’. The illustrations (for those using this for identification) are of mixed quality. For example the illustrations for Alexandrium acatenella (and some other Alexandrium species) would be of limited assistance compared to some of the Dinophysis and Prorocentrum species that are illustrated excellently. I found the arrangement of the text somewhat perverse with regard to cyst descriptions. Where these are given in the text, they are included in the section on Ecology, (rather than in either the section entitled Taxonomic description or the section on Reproduction). I found a few errors in the text (e.g. comparison of Alexandrium minutum and A. tamarense). Also, as is inevitable in this fast-moving field, parts of the material given are incorrect because of recent developments – most seriously the taxonomy of the Gymnodinium/Gyrodinium species is out dated. If you treat this volume as a Guidebook, the broad, succinct, coverage (from taxonomy to ecology) will make it a useful initial starting point for learning something quickly of an unfamiliar species. There are plenty of references given to consult for more detailed information. Faust, MA, Gulledge RA (2002) Harmful Marine Dinoflagellates. World Biodiversity Database CDROM Series, ISBN 90-75000-21-9.

Extending the value chain: a conceptual framework for managing the governance of co-created brand equity

Abstract: Successful brands are primary sources of a firm's value and often its most valuable assets. Governance of the considerable equity in them is therefore a critical issue. At the same time, the notion of co-creation, in which value creation for firm, consumers and stakeholders derives from providing a uniquely differentiated and meaningful brand experience, suggests that firms’ capability to create long-term value comes not only from ownership of successful brands, but also from having the ability to consistently deliver the experience they promise. Co-creation therefore offers a whole new perspective on firms’ fundamental ability to create and safeguard long-term value and brand equity. This article briefly discusses the limitations of earlier models of firms’ value-creation capability when considered from this newer vantage point. Co-creation also implies that an organisation's internal value chain is only one part of a larger system in which value is created by managing a virtuous cycle of stakeholder expectations, successful brand delivery, satisfaction and loyalty that combine to generate sustainable and superior industry returns. We therefore propose a conceptual framework that extends the value chain into this wider context and offers a more holistic perspective for managing the creation and governance of brand equity. The main implications of this framework are: (1) to draw attention to the risks of narrowly interpreted value chain analysis that ignores the need for meaningful differentiation; (2) to emphasise the critical importance of successful brand delivery to long-term value creation and competitiveness; and (3) to highlight the need to develop both a more sophisticated conceptualisation and also measures of brand experience quality that are fully consumer- and stakeholder-, rather than firm-centric.