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There has been a heavy emphasis in new product development (NPD) research on intrateam issues such as communication, trust, and conflict management. Interpersonal cohesiveness, however, has received scant attention. In addition, there are conflicting findings regarding the effects of close-knit teams, which seem to have a beneficial effect up to a point, after which the tight bond becomes a detriment. This paper addresses these issues by introducing an exploratory model of interpersonal cohesiveness→NPD performance that includes antecedents, consequences, and moderating factors. Antecedents of interpersonal cohesiveness include clan culture, formalization, integration, and political dominance of one department, while consequences are groupthink, superordinate identity, and, ultimately, external/internal new product (NP) performance. The relationships among interpersonal cohesiveness, groupthink, and superordinate identity appear to be influenced by two moderating factors: team norms and goal support. Additionally, product type is identified as a moderator on the effects of both groupthink and superordinate identity on external NP performance. The model is built from two sources: a synthesis of the literature in small group dynamics and NPD, and qualitative research conducted across 12 NPD teams. Individual team leaders were interviewed first, followed by interviews with two additional members on each team, for a total of 36 interviews. In keeping with the goals of qualitative research, the interviews and analysis were used to identify and define aspects of interpersonal cohesiveness rather than to test a preconceived model. Representation of different industries and product types was sought intentionally, and variance in NP innovativeness as well as in NP market success/profitability became key criteria in sample selection. The exploratory model and propositions developed in this study provide a framework for understanding the role of interpersonal cohesiveness in NPD teams and its direct and indirect effects on NP performance. Although a significant amount of research on cohesiveness has been conducted in previous studies of small groups, the narrow laboratory settings of that research have limited the generalizability of the findings. This study therefore serves as a useful starting point for future theory development involving interpersonal cohesiveness in NPD. It also provides a guide for managers in dealing with team cohesiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore service user and community mental health nurses views on responses to voice hearing experiences. BACKGROUND: People who hear distressing auditory hallucinations (voices) are often in contact with mental health services. Nursing responses to this experience have been limited, although emerging evidence suggests some utilitarian alternative interventions, such as discussing the content and meaning of the voices. DESIGN: Using exploratory interviews, this study investigated the response to voice hearing, with a purposive sample of community mental health nurses (n = 20) and service users (n = 20). This paper reports on a thematic content analysis of transcribed interviews, which highlighted differences in perspectives of voice hearers and the nurses supporting them. RESULTS: Voice hearers reported that interventions from community mental health nurses were limited to reviews of medication, access to the psychiatrist and non-directive counselling. They identified alternative needs, which involved talking more about the content and meaning of their voices. Conversely, community mental health nurses regarded their responses to voice hearing as being considered, titrated and demonstrating an awareness of the personal contexts of service users. These responses were however restricted by their perception of skill limitations. CONCLUSIONS: The contrasting views of nurses and users of services demonstrated in this study, reveal multiple social realities that represent a challenge to accepted professional responses in the provision of mental health care. RELEVANCE TO PRACTICE: People who hear voices express an interest in more helpful responses from community mental health nurses. The findings of this study indicate that nurses must begin to orientate themselves towards a more critical practice stance that encompasses available knowledge on the voice hearing experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To summarize findings from a systematic exploration of existing literature and views regarding interdisciplinarity, to discuss themes and components of such work, and to propose a theoretically based definition of interdisciplinary research. Data Sources/Study Setting. Two major data sources were used: interviews with researchers from various disciplines, and a systematic review of the education, business, and health care literature from January 1980 through January 2005. Study Design. Systematic review of literature, one-on-one interviews, field test (survey). Data Collection/Extraction Methods. We reviewed 14 definitions of interdisciplinarity, the characteristics of 42 interdisciplinary research publications from multiple fields of study, and 14 researcher interviews to arrive at a preliminary definition of interdisciplinary research. That definition was then field tested by 12 individuals with interdisciplinary research experience, and their responses incorporated into the definition of interdisciplinary research proposed in this paper. Principal Findings. Three key definitional characteristics were identified: the qualitative mode of research (and its theoretical underpinnings), existence of a continuum of synthesis among disciplines, and the desired outcome of the interdisciplinary research. Conclusion. Existing literature from several fields did not provide a definition for interdisciplinary research of sufficient specificity to facilitate activities such as identification of the competencies, structure, and resources needed for health care and health policy research. This analysis led to the proposed definition, which is designed to aid decision makers in funding agencies/program committees and researchers to identify and take full advantage the interdisciplinary approach, and to serve as a basis for competency-based formalized training to provide researchers with interdisciplinary skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional planning for and management of the environment and natural resources are the new foci of the Australian Government's funding initiative, the Natural Heritage Trust Phase Two (NHT2). NHT2 attempts to integrate and coordinate the efforts of the many local environmental community groups that work on-ground. By operating at the regional scale, it is expected that more strategic and targeted outcomes will be achieved. This paper examines how the shift to regional-scale delivery has affected key stakeholders in South Australia, focussing on the experiences of a sub-regional environmental community group. Interviews with key regional stakeholders, participant observation and document analysis highlighted difficulties in the transition to regional delivery, for both regional and local groups. Limited funding, restrictive timelines, vague guidelines and prescriptive information, slowed the development of the regional plan and frustrated regional groups. A lack of communication and limited community participation in developing the regional plan created uncertainty and confusion in the sub-regional community group, resulting in mistrust of and alienation from the regional groups. Concern was also expressed over the loss of the local-scale focus, particularly as community leaders moved to higher decision-making positions within the region. It is too early too assess the effectiveness of the regional groups. However, if the issues identified during the transitional phase are not addressed, then the regional groups may struggle to achieve their objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the management of R&D units established by foreign companies in China, investigating R&D missions, site build-up, integration with the parent organization, and overall performance measurement. The research is based on 37 qualitative expert interviews with local R&D directors and managers conducted between 2001 and 2004, using a semi-structured research questionnaire, and semi-quantitative research done on 199 foreign R&D labs in China. Cultural influences on R&D management, location advantages, expatriate involvement, and organizational evolution of local laboratories are discussed. We find that foreign R&D laboratories in China are not only important vehicles for local market development but also increasingly important sources of locally developed technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health nurses have traditionally been discouraged from engaging with service users' experiences of hearing voices and to reinforce reality. However, this may not be a helpful way of intervening in what can be a very distressing symptom. There is little evidence of service users' experiences of community mental health nurses' (CMHNs) responses to their voices. This paper presents the findings of an exploratory interview study of a sample (n = 20) of service users to ascertain their perception of CMHN responses to their experience of hearing voices. Data are both quantitative and qualitative in nature. Content analysis of the qualitative elements of the study suggests responses can be conceptualized as facilitators, barriers and attributions. CMHNs are considered to be allies and the quality of the relationship is deemed important. The therapeutic repertoire of CMHNs, however, is seen as limited and rarely extends beyond facilitating access to the psychiatrist for review of medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Whilst research has been undertaken in relation to the lecturer practitioner role in nursing, there have been no cross-professional studies. There is an explicit political agenda in the United Kingdom on interprofessional education and enhancing the status of those who provide practice-based teaching. AIM: This paper reports a study to investigate the commonalities and differences between lecturer practitioners across professions and to generate hypotheses about the role, which follows different models of practice in the different professions. METHODS: An exploratory research design was adopted, using semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of lecturer practitioners from six professions (architecture, clinical psychology, law, medicine, nursing and social work). A grounded theory approach was used. FINDINGS: All lecturer practitioners perceived a clear dichotomy between their professional practice role and their university role. All used similar strategies to adapt to and deal with combining two very differently perceived cultures. There were striking similarities in response to the consequences of serving 'two masters' in the areas of time management and role identity/definition. CONCLUSIONS: The role not only bridges theory and practice, but has to operate within very different organizational cultures. Further research is needed to test the generalizability of the findings. Relevance to clinical practice. This investigation aims to inform higher education and health service policy on lecturer practitioners, and also provide support for those undertaking this challenging role. The study poses challenging questions for policymakers in the current climate of interprofessional learning, which need to be addressed if future initiatives in this area are to be successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an introduction to papers published in the May 2004 issue of the periodical "The International Journal of Selection and Assessment. One of the most curious and enduring features of personnel selection research was until recently the voluminous range of studies into recruiter decision making on one side and the near absence of research on the other. In the last few years, however, this balance of research into attention by industrial, work and organizational psycologists active in employee selection has begun to shift. And to shift perceptibly and on the basis of simultaneously emergent, international research efforts.

This paper examines the reactions to personnel selection methods in Spain and Portugal using a sample composed of 125 and 104 students, respectively. The results found are very similar in both countries. The best rated and most favorable methods are interviews, résumés and work sample tests, while contacts, integrity tests and graphology were the least favorable ones. With regard to the process dimensions used, face validity and opportunity to perform are the most important bases for considering personnel techniques favorably. The results show some similarities with the ones found by Steiner and Gilliland (1996) in French and American samples. The similarities among the countries are examined and directions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), which incorporated the WHO DOTS strategy was introduced in India in the mid-1990s. An operational research project was conducted between 1996 and 1998 to assess the needs and perspectives of patients and providers in two chest clinics in Delhi, Moti Nagar and Nehru Nagar, during the introduction of the new strategy. This paper reports on the findings of the project, concentrating on information collected from 40 in-depth interviews with patient defaulters and from non-participant observations in clinics and directly observed treatment centres. In Moti Nagar chest clinic, 117 of 1786 (6.5%) patients and 195 of 1890 (10%) patients in Nehru Nagar left care before their treatment was complete. It was argued that the reasons for default stem from a poor correlation between patient and programme needs and priorities, and from particular characteristics of the disease and its treatment. Patient needs that were not met by the health system included convenient clinic timings, arrangements for the provision for treatment in the event of a family emergency and provision for complicated cases like alcoholics. The problems facing the provider were poor interpersonal communication with the health staff, lack of attention and support at the clinic, difficulty for patients to re-enter the system if they missed treatment and, in certain areas, long distances to the clinic. Problems related to diseases were inability of the staff to deal with drug side-effects, and patients' conception of equating well-being with cure. Simple, practical measures could improve the provision of tuberculosis (TB) treatment: more flexible hours, allowances for poor patients to reach the clinics and training health care staff for respectful communication and monitoring drug side-effects. The findings indicate a need to rethink the label of 'defaulter' often given to the patients. The important areas for future operational research is also highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Recently the relevance of the philosophy of Martin Heidegger has been critiqued in nursing literature. However, this critique is based primarily upon an appropriation of Heidegger that does not reflect an understanding of meaning as grounded in temporality. Therefore, this paper aims to (1) explicate Heidegger's grounding of meaning, (2) briefly contrast Heidegger's and Husserl's notions of the origin of meaning, (3) describe how Heidegger was first introduced to nursing, and (4) illustrate through examples from a research study how the philosophy of Heidegger might inform the phenomenological researcher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent emphasis on community care for those with mental illness has changed working patterns and modified inter-professional role boundaries within multi-disciplinary teams. Clients with serious mental illness are usually prescribed medications, which have a wide range of side effects. However, it is uncertain who is responsible for monitoring clients for the side effects of their medications, ensuring clients' and carers' understandings of their prescribed medications and optimizing compliance with medication. This paper discusses the findings of the first phase of an ongoing study designed to assess the role of community mental health nurses (CMHNs) in managing clients' medication and the provision of appropriate continuing professional education. Our respondents were 14 CMHNs, seven of whom were preparing to undertake a pharmacology module as part of a higher education diploma, and seven who were to act as comparators. Data from questionnaires, interviews and clinical observations were triangulated. All respondents felt that issues surrounding clients' medication were not accorded a sufficiently high profile and that it was, in part, their responsibility to expand their roles to meet these unmet needs of clients. Administering and managing clients' medications were considered to be the main area of 'occupational territory' which distinguished CMHNs from social workers. However, the nurses felt that their practice was limited by lack of appropriate educational preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ward sister role is increasingly coming understudy. This paper summarizes research into learning in the ward environment. The study being one of several on a similar theme, to have been published in the past 2 years. The research concentrated in particular on the behavioural characteristics of trained nurses perceived as good teachers. Attitudes and perceptions of teaching and teaming were investigated by interviewing trained and trainee nurses. The data concerning good teachers collected at interviews were developed into a questionnaire and the results factor analysed+ In the third phase of the study trained nurse-trainee verbal communications were observed and analysed to determine any relationship between verbal behaviours and effective teaching. The findings of the study led to the conclusion that on the job teaching of nurses is a complex global act in which the role model presented to the Learner has a powerful influence while it could nor be said conclusively that a link between effective teaching and verbal behaviour was identified, a trend towards a more participative mode of communication was noted in two identified good teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moral certainty and uncertainty have a profound impact on nurses' ethical choices. In order to describe these concepts, the author examined long-term care nurses' convictions about the issue of withholding or withdrawing artificial nutrition and hydration from elders. A convenience sample of 25 BSN and MSN-prepared long-term care nurses were interviewed and asked to describe their experiences with this issue. A qualitative analysis utilizing Colaizzi's (1978) methodology was performed. Five categories of conviction emerged from the data. These five categories included absolute moral conviction, strong moral conviction, moderate moral conviction, moral uncertainty with conviction and moral uncertainty. Eighty-four per cent of the sample was convinced that tube feeding was not always in the resident's best interest. Sixteen per cent of the sample were uncertain, but were convinced that the resident should not suffer. A pattern emerged from the interview results and the answers to three additional questions. The pattern suggests that the more experience a nurse has with nontreatment the more likely she or he is to agree with it. In this paper. the five categories of conviction are compared and contrasted, the pattern of conviction described, and the implications of the findings for nursing discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within a framework which includes a review of the comparative strengths of questionnaire and interview based research and of the use of the telephone within both traditions, an account is given of an apparently innovative technique used to evaluate the trials of an educational database. As work had to be conducted quickly to a low budget and in respect of dispersed respondents, a postal questionnaire followed by telephone interview technique was devised and implemented. The paper concentrates on a critical review of the processes involved, and points to areas of future research development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the paper by DiCicco-Bloom and Crabtree which provides a valuable overview of the methodological advantages of employing qualitative interviews as an approach to data collection. The authors suggest that qualitative interviews are important in generating rich, in-depth data that promote understanding of complex social, behavioral and educational issues. The paper and other contributions in the "Making Sense of Qualitative Research" series show the growing use and acceptability of qualitative methodologies within the medical education community.

The purpose of this paper is present the issues facing social research in Japan and how the Certification Board for Social Researcher is trying to address these issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the introduction of changes in the "Journal of Software Maintenance." The focus of these changes is to increase the emphasis on the practice of software maintenance which commonly involves software, systems, people, methods, techniques, tools and many others. Two major categories of papers which being emphasized are research and practice. Each paper will include a short biography of each author. Authors are encouraged to send a soft copy with three hard copies which will be send to the reviewers. Some interviews with people involved in software maintenance, are also being planned.

Interviewing in qualitative research allows, indeed encourages, participants to tell their story. Although the researcher might want to hear a certain part of the story, it is not unusual for participants from vulnerable populations to tell the researcher their entire story. This paper explores the dilemmas faced by a researcher when interviewing in a non-sensitive area and explicates the ethical decision-making that occurred during the interviews to prevent blurring of boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]