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This study focuses on investigating the existence and application of HPWS in the context of Chinese SMEs, given HPWS have been studied mainly in large enterprises rather than in small and medium-sized enterprises. Moreover, there is an inadequate amount of study with regard to the motivations for enterprises adopting HPWS. Therefore, considering the significant role of SMEs in China practically, and the knowledge contribution to HPWS within this particular research context academically, Chinese SMEs are selected as the research context in which to explore the application of HPWS. In particular, this thesis first assesses the extent and nature of the uptake of HPWS. The influential factors mainly associated with the adoption of HPWS are then discussed. Specifically, factors related to willingness to adopt HPWS, and reasons associated with the different types of application of HPWS are discussed respectively. Finally, related outcomes after the application of HPWS are presented. In order to effectively answer these questions, mixed methods are employed. Precisely, quantitative data from 207 Chinese SMEs, supplemented by qualitative data from 15 SMEs in China, are analysed to answer the above questions. The results demonstrate that HPWS are being adopted by Chinese SMEs. The extent of application is at a moderate level and the nature of the adoption shares something in common with SMEs in western countries but also shows unique characteristics. Moreover, findings suggest that employing management innovation theory as a theoretical underpinning to explain the reasons for the adoption of HPWS seems promising. It turns out that internal factors have more explanatory power than external factors for the adoption of HPWS. In particular, top management support, organisational size, business strategies, perceived impacts of HPWS, and pressures from the business community have been found to be significantly related to the adoption of HPWS. In addition, pressures from national legislation have limited power in explaining the adoption of HPWS. Lastly, related positive outcomes, such as increased productivity, lower turnover rate and enhanced economic performance, can be obtained through the application of either HPWS systematically, or some of its elements individually.

In patient tissues, STAT1, STAT3and STAT5 were observed in normal bladder epithelium, while expression of phosphorylated proteins was essentially absent. In contrast, phospho-STAT3 in superficial tumours and phospho-STAT1, 3 and 5 in muscle invasive tumours were present. Thus their increased expression, activation and nuclear localisation, may be associated with bladder tumour progression. Three epithelial bladder cancer lines (RT112, RT4, HT1376) had constitutive phospho-STAT5, while three mesenchymal lines (J82, T24, UMUC3) had activated STAT3. Specific knockdown of STAT3 in J82 cells increased STAT1 expression and phosphorylation. STAT1 and/or STAT3 knockdown led to inhibition of cell-matrix adhesion to fibronectin or collagen and suppression of cell migration. The dietary molecules, Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) (≥100microM) or 3, 3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) (≥50microM) induced apoptosis in J82 and RT112 cells by 48 hours. DIM-induced apoptosis in J82 cells was accompanied by downregulation of STAT1, 5a and 5b and inhibition of phospho-STAT1 and phospho-STAT3. In RT112 cells, DIM inhibited STAT5a, 5b and phospho-STAT5, but had no effect on STAT3. DIM (≥10microM) inhibited J82 cell adhesion to fibronectin and collagen, accompanied by decreased N-cadherin, P-cadherin and beta-catenin expression. Furthermore, DIM (1microM) was able to significantly decrease cell adhesion following STAT1 and/or STAT3 knockdown, suggesting inhibition of cell adhesion by DIM may involve the STAT pathway. Phosphorylated STATs may be a potential marker of invasiveness in human bladder cancer. Elucidation of the effects of indoles and DIM in particular, at a molecular level has given an insight as to how these dietary agents may be useful in the therapy and/or prevention of bladder tumours.