Relevant Areas (relevant + area)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Integrating intelligent systems into marketing to support market segmentation decisions

INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS IN ACCOUNTING, FINANCE & MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2006
Sally MckechnieArticle first published online: 13 MAR 200
For the last 50 years market segmentation has been considered to be a key concept in marketing strategy. As a means of tackling market heterogeneity, the underlying logic and managerial rationale for market segmentation is well established in the marketing literature. However, there is evidence to suggest that attempts by organizations to classify customers into distinct segments for whom product or services can be specifically tailored are proving to be difficult to implement in practice. As the business environment in which many organizations operate becomes increasingly uncertain and highly competitive, greater importance is now being attached to marketing knowledge. The purpose of this paper is to highlight market segmentation problems as a relevant area for a greater level of engagement of intelligent systems academic researchers and practitioners with their counterparts within the marketing discipline, in order to explore how data mining approaches can assist marketers in gaining valuable insights into patterns of consumer behaviour, which can then be used to inform market segmentation decision-making. Since the application of data mining within the marketing domain is only in its infancy, a research agenda is proposed to encourage greater interdisciplinary collaboration between information systems and marketing so that data mining can more noticeably enter the repertoire of analytical techniques being employed for segmentation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


A review of the benefits of whole body exercise during and after treatment for breast cancer

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 1 2007
Marilyn N Kirshbaum PhD RN (NY) RGN DipAdultOnc
Aim., A current critical review of the literature was deemed necessary to evaluate the strength of evidence to inform clinical practice. Background., Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in empirical literature surrounding the benefits of exercise for breast cancer patients. Methods., A systematic search strategy was used to identify relevant literature. Twenty-nine articles were retained for critical review, appraised for quality and synthesized. Results., Many early studies had limited internal and external validity. Recent studies were considerably more rigorous and robust. Consistent support for all types of aerobic exercise was most evident in studies of patients during adjuvant cancer treatments (chemotherapy and radiotherapy), compared with post-treatment studies. The evidence which suggested that aerobic exercise limits cancer-related fatigue was particularly strong. For other patient concerns, the empirical support was less robust, however, the potential for beneficial and measurable patient outcomes was indicated for cardiopulmonary function, overall quality of life, global health, strength, sleep, self-esteem and reduced weight gain, depression, anxiety and tiredness. Conclusions., Additional studies with higher methodological quality are required in this clinically relevant area to substantiate current indications particularly for patient subgroups (e.g. older people, those with advanced cancer and the disadvantaged). Relevance to clinical practice., It is important for all healthcare professionals involved in the care of individuals affected by breast cancer to be aware of the evidence surrounding the benefits of exercise and to encourage patients to increase physical activity and improve their overall health and well-being. [source]


The Emergence of Corporate Governance from Wall St. to Main St.: Outside Directors, Board Diversity, Earnings Management, and Managerial Incentives to Bear Risk

FINANCIAL REVIEW, Issue 1 2003
M. Andrew Fields
Recent corporate events have brought a heightened public awareness to corporate governance issues. Much work has been accomplished to date, but it is clear that much more remains to be done. This paper provides a review of empirical research in four relevant areas of corporate governance. Specifically, the paper provides an overview of (a) the role that outside directors play in monitoring managers, (b) the emerging literature on the impact of board diversity, (c) the existence of and incentives for corporate executives to manage firm earnings, and (d) managerial incentives to bear risk. [source]


Assessment and Intervention to Teach Age Recognition Skills: a Suggested Programme Using the Example of a Case Study to Illustrate

JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, Issue 3 2000
Dorothy M. Bell
A 43-year-old man with mild intellectual disabilities was referred after several contacts with the law when he had been seen in the street talking to children who were unknown to him. Some staff members feared that he had a sexual interest in children. Other colleagues considered that the behaviour was innocent, reflecting his friendly nature, but that it was a behaviour which was misinterpreted by others. The present paper charts the assessment of this man's difficulties and abilities over a wide range of relevant areas, and a reassessment following an intensive period of one-to-one training on age-recognition skills. Although the training was unsuccessful, the measures used assisted in making a detailed assessment and providing clear instructions to care staff, all of which was to the subject's long-term benefit. The present paper also illustrates the way in which difficulties of this nature can be assessed and uses allied assessment measures which may be helpful in looking at the whole picture of any person with such problems. It also considers how these areas may then be addressed. Although, in this case, the subject was unable to learn to discriminate specific age groups despite intensive training, he was consequently able to be advised in a manner which should keep him from getting into trouble in the future and the now detailed knowledge of his abilities in all these areas is valuable for his long-term support in the community. [source]


Second Language Acquisition, Applied Linguistics, and the Teaching of Foreign Languages

MODERN LANGUAGE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2000
Claire Kramsch
Given the current popularity of Second Language Acquisition (SLA) as a research base for the teaching and learning of foreign languages in educational settings, it is appropriate to examine the relationship of SLA to other relevant areas of inquiry, such as Foreign Language Education, Foreign Language Methodology, and Applied Linguistics. This article makes the argument that Applied Linguistics, as the interdisciplinary field that mediates between the theory and the practice of language acquisition and use, is the overarching field that includes SLA and SLA-related domains of research. Applied Linguistics brings to all levels of foreign language study not only the research done in SLA proper, but also the research in Stylistics, Language Socialization, and Critical Applied Linguistics that illuminates the teaching of a foreign language as sociocultural practice, as historical practice, and as social semiotic practice. [source]


Conceptual Contributions of New Social Movements to Development Communication Research

COMMUNICATION THEORY, Issue 4 2001
Robert Huesca
The field of development communication faces a critical juncture regarding its theoretical and pragmatic relevance due to both internal debates and criticisms, and external restructuring of political, economic, and social systems on a global scale. The internal debates and criticisms indicate, at best, that the field is in some degree of conceptual disarray and, at worst, that it is detrimental to the goals of improving the human condition materially and symbolically. The concomitant external changes to social systems constitute a daunting context that questions the legitimacy and rationale of development efforts while fostering new forms of social change. This article argues that the field must redirect its attention in order to respond to the persistence of substandard living conditions that demonstrate the continued relevance of development efforts in general, specifically by drawing from the findings of scholarship of new social movements, combining them with relevant areas from participatory communication for development research. [source]