Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Internal Environment (internal + environment)
Selected AbstractsInformation Processing and Firm-Internal Environment Contingencies: Performance Impact on Global New Product DevelopmentCREATIVITY AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2010Elko Kleinschmidt Innovation in its essence is an information processing activity. Thus, a major factor impacting the success of new product development (NPD) programs, especially those responding to global markets, is the firm's ability to access, share and apply NPD information, which is often widely dispersed, functionally, geographically and culturally. To this end, an IT-communication strength is essential, one that is nested in an internal organizational environment that ensures its effective functioning. Using organizational information processing (OIP) theory as a framework, superior global NPD program performance is shown to result from an effective IT/Communication strength and the commitment components of the firm's internal environment, which are hypothesized to moderate this relationship. IT/Communication strength is identified in this study in terms of two components including the IT/Comm Infrastructure and IT/Comm Capability of the firm, whereas the moderating internal environment of the firm incorporates Resource Commitment and Senior Management Involvement. Data from a major empirical study of international NPD programs (382 SBUs) are used to develop and test this model. Based on a hierarchical regression analysis, the results are substantially supportive, with some unexpected findings. These shed light on the complex relationships of the firm's internal environment, OIP competency, and global NPD program performance. [source] Exploring the Link between Dominant Logic and Company PerformanceCREATIVITY AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2000Georg Von Krogh To revitalize the discussion on dominant logic our paper aims to establish the forgotten link between dominant logic and firm performance. To do so, the concept is enhanced conceptually and operationalized by developing a framework including firms' conceptualization of the business (external environment) and of themselves (internal environment) and performance. The framework is applied to a longitudinal study of two consumer electronics firms. The empirical evidence shows that differences in dominant logic lead to different strategic reactions to developments in the industry, and thus result in performance differences. [source] Reliability and repeatability of thermographic examination and the normal thermographic image of the thoracolumbar region in the horseEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 4 2004B. V. TUNLEY Summary Reasons for performing study: Thermographic imaging is an increasingly used diagnostic tool. When performing thermography, guidelines suggest that horses should be left for 10,20 mins to ,acclimatise' to the thermographic imaging environment, with no experimental data to substantiate this recommendation. In addition, little objective work has been published on the repeatability and reliability of the data obtained. Thermography has been widely used to identify areas of abnormal body surface temperature in horses with back pathology; however, no normal data is available on the thermographic ,map' of the thoracolumbar region with which to compare horses with suspected pathology. Objectives: To i) investigate whether equilibration of the thermographic subject was required and, if so, how long it should take, ii) investigate what factors affect time to equilibration, iii) investigate the repeatability and reliability of the technique and iv) generate a topographic thermographic ,map' of the thoracolumbar region. Methods: A total of 52 horses were used. The following investigations were undertaken: thermal imaging validation, i.e. detection of movement around the baseline of an object of constant temperature; factors affecting equilibration; pattern reproducibility during equilibration and over time (n = 25); and imaging of the thoracolumbar region (n = 27). Results: A 1°C change was detected in an object of stable temperature using this detection system, i.e the ,noise' in the system. The average time taken to equilibrate, i.e. reach a plateau temperature, was 39 mins (40.2 in the gluteal region, 36.2 in lateral thoracic region and 40.4 in metacarpophalangeal region). Only 19% of horses reached plateau within 10,20 mins. Of the factors analysed hair length and difference between the external environment and the internal environment where the measurements were being taken both significantly affected time to plateau (P<0.05). However, during equilibration, the thermographic patterns obtained did not change, nor when assessed over a 7 day period. A ,normal' map of the surface temperature of the thoracolumbar region has been produced, demonstrating that the midline is the hottest, with a fall off of 3°C either side of the midline. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that horses may not need time to equilibrate prior to taking thermographic images and that thermographic patterns are reproducible over periods up to 7 days. A topographical thermographic ,map' of the thoracolumbar region has been obtained. Potential relevance: Clinicians can obtain relevant thermographic images without the need for prior equilibration and can compare cases with thoracolumbar pathology to a normal topographic thermographic map. [source] Expression and localization of P2 nucleotide receptor subtypes during development of the lateral ventricular choroid plexus of the ratEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 11 2007P. A. Johansson Abstract The choroid plexuses secrete cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and regulate the brain's internal environment via the blood,CSF barrier. The permeability properties of the blood,CSF interface have been studied previously in adult and immature brains, however, little is known about the development of CSF secretion and its modulation. ATP influences secretion in other epithelia via ionotropic P2X or metabotropic P2Y receptors. P2 receptors have frequently been found to be down-regulated in the postnatal period, suggesting a developmental role for purinergic and pyrimidine signalling. The present study investigated the expression of P2 receptors in lateral ventricular choroid plexus in relation to recent studies of aquaporin-1 expression and rapid expansion of the lateral ventricles in rat embryos. In the present study mRNAs for all known mammalian nucleotide receptor subtypes, except P2X7, were identified from as early as E15. P2X7 mRNA was detected from E18. Indications of differential expression patterns were observed for the different subtypes during development: an apparent increase in expression for P2Y2 and P2X7, a decline in P2X1-2,4, no detectable difference in expression levels for P2X6 and P2Y12-13 and transient expression peaks for P2X3,5 and P2Y1,4,6,14. P2X4,5,7 and P2Y1,4 receptor proteins were detected immunohistochemically in the choroidal epithelium from early in development (E15 or E18). Their differing developmental profiles suggest specific roles in the development of CSF secretion that may have particular relevance for the rapid expansion of the ventricles that occurs in the embryo. P2X5 and P2Y6 were also detected in the developing neuropendyma from P0 and P9, respectively. [source] Micro-organisms and dust exposure in an Italian grain millJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2005C. Dacarro Abstract Aims:, In order to assess possible occupational risk for workers in a grain mill, we evaluated aerial microbiological contamination in different areas of the mill and at different points of the production line. We also measured the concentration of aerodispersed dust particles. Methods and Results:, An assessment of microbiological contamination levels based on a Global Index of Microbial Contamination per cubic metre (GIMC per m3), an Index of Mesophilic Bacterial Contamination, and an Amplification Index is proposed. The indices were obtained from total and fungal counts. The cleaning sector is the most contaminated area of the mill: the mean GIMC per m3 was 17 213·6. In this area, the average microbial contamination was 11·41 times higher than that in the external environment. The highest concentrations of aerodispersed dust (inhalable 2·763 mg m,3; respirable 1·400 mg m,3) were found in the cleaning area. Conclusions:, The proposed microbiological indices and the concentrations of aerodispersed dust particles show that the most hazardous section of the mill is the cleaning area. The large variation in the data does not depend on seasonal factors, but rather on not easily identifiable conditions of the internal environment which facilitate diffusion and/or proliferation of the micro-organisms. Significance and Impact of the Study:, The proposed microbiological contamination indices and the evaluation of the concentration of dust particles allow the identification of critical positions during the production cycle so that suitable measures to prevent the aerial contamination can be taken. [source] Embryo developmental events and the egg case of the Aleutian skate Bathyraja aleutica (Gilbert) and the Alaska skate Bathyraja parmifera (Bean)JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009G. R. Hoff Embryo development events were correlated with egg-case changes for the Aleutian skate Bathyraja aleutica and the Alaska skate Bathyraja parmifera. Yolk absorption underwent two phases: that of steady absorption during early development and that of rapid yolk absorption during the final development stages. Total length (LT) for 50% of the pre-hatching embryos egg-case jelly disappearance was 92·04 mm (range 81,102 mm) and 99·36 mm (range 81,100 mm) for B. aleutica and B. parmifera, respectively, allowing the inner chamber to open to seawater flow. The tail filament underwent three phases of growth: rapid elongation during early development (<100 mm embryo LT), stasis of tail filament length during the remainder of embryo development and rapid absorption soon after hatching. Complete tail filament development coincided with the disappearance of egg-case jelly. Clasper buds first developed at embryos >70 mm LT for both species and the sex ratio was 1:1 well before hatching. Egg cases that were devoid of an ova or developing embryo were c. 5·0 and 6·5% of the egg cases examined for B. aleutica and B. parmifera, respectively. Measurements showed that egg cases containing only egg jelly were smaller in both width and length than those possessing an ova. Embryo stages were punctuated with distinct events that correlated with egg case changes controlling the internal environment of the developing embryo. [source] The influence of top management team attention patterns on global strategic posture of firmsJOURNAL OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR, Issue 7 2005Orly Levy Drawing upon the managerial cognition and the upper echelons perspectives, this study proposes that the cognitive capabilities of top executives significantly affect globalization efforts. Specifically, the study suggests that managerial attention patterns or the cognitive processes of [noticing and constructing meaning] about the environment influence strategic posture of firms. Based on a longitudinal sample of U.S. firms operating in technologically intensive industries, the results indicate that firms were more likely to develop an expansive global strategic posture when their top management paid attention to the external environment and considered a diverse set of elements in this environment. On the other hand, firms led by top management that paid more attention to the internal environment were less likely to be global. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] THE CONTRIBUTION OF THIRD-PARTY INDICES IN ASSESSING GLOBAL OPERATIONAL RISKS;,JOURNAL OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2010KUNTAL BHATTACHARYYA In the face of global uncertainties and a growing reliance on third-party indices to obtain a snapshot of a country's operational risks, we explore the related questions: How accurately do third-party indices capture a country's operational risk, and how does the operational risk of the country, in turn, affect the volume of its import and export supply chains? We examine these questions by empirically investigating 81 member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) using archival data collected from UN agencies, independent think tanks, the WTO, and the Economist Intelligence Unit. We use seven third-party indices to gauge a country's internal environment and map those indices to corresponding country-specific operational risks to further understand the consequent effects of those operational risks on trading volume. Results provide strong evidence for the use of certain third-party indices in assessing operational risk. In addition, operational risks are found to negatively affect the volume of import and export supply chains, albeit in varying degrees. [source] Managing organisations through a process-based perspective: its challenges and benefitsKNOWLEDGE AND PROCESS MANAGEMENT: THE JOURNAL OF CORPORATE TRANSFORMATION, Issue 4 2005Ruth N. Kiraka The argument presented in this paper is that a process-based view is useful for identifying good management practices because of its holistic multidimensional view of organisations. A process-based view involves identifying both the external and internal factors of the organisation's environment that affect processes. With regard to the external environment two forces driving processes are discussed: (1) processes involve responding to the macro- and task-environment influences; (2) processes focus on stakeholder satisfaction. With respect to the internal environment, the relationship between processes and the internal environment is twofold: (1) processes drive or are driven by the strategy of the organisation; (2) processes determine or should determine organisational structure. The theoretical model developed provides a useful tool for managers to consider in their thinking about and planning for their organisations. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy modulates acidity and interleukin-1, mRNA levels in un-operated stomach and in remnant stomach after gastrectomy in gastric cancer patientsALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 2006S. KATO Summary Background A number of studies have indicated that Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy helps prevent secondary cancers in the stomach. Aim To investigate the risk of secondary cancer in the residual stomach after gastrectomy by comparing molecular biomarkers from stomach mucosa biopsies and the pH of gastric juice between H. pylori patients with and without gastrectomy. Methods Conventional H. pylori eradication therapy was administered to 22 patients who had undergone gastrectomy and to 37 un-operated patients. We measured pH levels of gastric juice, and collected stomach mucosa biopsy specimens by gastrointestinal fiberscopy. The mRNA expression levels of interleukin-1,, interleukin-8 and cyclo-oxygenase 2 in the biopsy tissues were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results Interleukin-1, levels in the antrum of un-operated H. pylori -positive patients showed a reverse correlation with pH levels in the gastric lumen (correlation coefficient: ,0.50, P = 0.007). After eradication, pH levels were strongly associated with interleukin-1, mRNA levels, r = 0.83, P = 0.01, which, in the remnant stomach mucosa, decreased from 22.5 to 4.6 in the anastomosis and from 3.1 to 2.4 in the upper corpus, with a simultaneous and statistically significant decrease in pH. Conclusions Interleukin-1, mRNA levels correlated with pH levels in the remnant stomach. This indicates that eradication therapy may contribute not only to a reduction in these cancer-associated cytokines, but also to an improvement in the internal environment of the remnant stomach. [source] The role of the gut flora in health and disease, and its modification as therapyALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 8 2002A. L. Hart Summary The gut flora is a vast interior ecosystem whose nature is only beginning to be unravelled, due to the emergence of sophisticated molecular tools. Techniques such as 16S ribosomal RNA analysis, polymerase chain reaction amplification and the use of DNA microarrays now facilitate rapid identification and characterization of species resistant to conventional culture and possibly unknown species. Life-long cross-talk between the host and the gut flora determines whether health is maintained or disease intervenes. An understanding of these bacteria,bacteria and bacteria,host immune and epithelial cell interactions is likely to lead to a greater insight into disease pathogenesis. Studies of single organism,epithelial interactions have revealed the large range of metabolic processes that gut bacteria may influence. In inflammatory bowel diseases, bacteria drive the inflammatory process, and genetic predisposition to disease identified to date, such as the recently described NOD2/CARD15 gene variants, may relate to altered bacterial recognition. Extra-intestinal disorders, such as atopy and arthritis, may also have an altered gut milieu as their basis. Clinical evidence is emerging that the modification of this internal environment, using either antibiotics or probiotic bacteria, is beneficial in preventing and treating disease. This natural and apparently safe approach holds great appeal. [source] Passivhaus contra bioclimatic designBAUPHYSIK, Issue 6 2008Constructional Complexes Ales, Head of Chair for Buildings, Krainer Prof. Dr. Scient. In recent years, Passivhaus has become religious movement. It steals into various European strategic documents like Action Plan for Energy Efficiency: Realising the Potential (2006) and Resolution of European Parliament (2007/2106(INI)). This article deals with the concept of internal environment and compares the passive and the bioclimatic concepts. Passivhaus kontra bioklimatische Planung. In den letzten Jahren hat sich um die Passivhausidee eine Bewegung von religiösem Charakter gebildet. Es hat sich den Weg in diverse strategische EU-Dokumente gebahnt, wie etwa in den "Aktionsplan für Energieeffizienz: Das Potenzial ausschöpfen" (2006) und die Entschließung des Europäischen Parlaments dazu (2007/2106(INI)). Dieser Artikel behandelt das Konzept vom Innenraumklima und vergleicht das Konzept des Passivhauses mit bioklimatischen Konzepten. [source] Chiral Encapsulation by Directional InteractionsCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 45 2009Agnieszka Szumna Abstract The complexation of chiral guests in the cavity of dimeric self-assembled chiral capsule 12 was studied by using NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Capsule 12 has walls composed of amino acid backbones forming numerous directional binding sites that are arranged in a chiral manner. The polar character of the interior dictates the encapsulation preferences towards hydrophilic guests and the ability of the capsule to extract guests from water into an organic phase. Chiral discrimination towards hydroxy acids was evaluated by using association constants and competition experiments, and moderate de values were observed (up to 59,%). Complexes with one or two guest molecules in the cavity were formed. For 1:1 complexes, solvent molecules are coencapsulated; this influences guest dynamics and makes the chiral recognition solvent dependent. Reversal of the preferences can be induced by coencapsulation of a nonchiral solvent in the chiral internal environment. For complexes with two guests, filling of the capsule's internal space can be very effective and packing coefficients of up to 70,% can be reached. The X-ray crystal structure of complex 12,((S) -6)2 with well-resolved guest molecules reveals a recognition motif that is based on an extensive system of hydrogen bonds. The optimal arrangement of interactions with the alternating positively and negatively charged groups of the capsule's walls is fulfilled by the guest carboxylic groups acting simultaneously as hydrogen-bond donors and acceptors. An additional guest molecule interacting externally with the capsule reveals a possible entrance mechanism involving a polar gate. In solution, the structural features and dynamic behavior of the D4 -symmetric homochiral capsule were analyzed by variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy and the results were compared with those for the S8 -symmetric heterochiral capsule. [source] Melatonin as a potential therapeutic agent in psychiatric illnessHUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue 5 2009Maria D. Maldonado Abstract The aim of this review was to summarize the potential use of melatonin in the treatment of mental disorders, specifically bipolar disorders, depression, and schizophrenia. To date, melatonin has been most commonly used in psychiatry because of its hypnotic, rhythm resynchronizing, and antioxidant actions. Here, we examine other properties of the melatonin including its anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, anxiolytic, and drug detoxification actions as well as its protective effects against neural loss. The brain is an intricate sensory and motor organ which receives information from both the external and internal environments. It transduces information into complex chemical and electrical signals which are transmitted throughout the central nervous system (CNS) and the organism. The pathogenesis of mental disorders remains ambiguous and neuroinflammation has been proposed as a causative agent. We consider the potential contributions of melatonin as therapeutic agent in CNS and during neuroinflammation in mental disorders. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||||||||