Search

HRMJ is a business and management journal: we seek to publish excellent work that deals not simply with people and organisations, but with the management of people and the issues and tensions around the latter. As such, the journal is broadly multidisciplinary, the key focus being on advancing theory through empirical evidence, through consolidations and extensions of conceptual knowledge, through revisiting and extending existing theory, literature reviews, as well as the development of salient research methods. This extended editorial brings together a range of perspectives from and beyond the editorial team to advance understanding around developing work for publication. As such, it is intended not only to guide authors interested in publishing in HRMJ, but all with an interest in advancing their scholarly work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is uncertainty in the relative benefits and harms of hyperthermic intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) when added to cytoreductive surgery (CRS) +/− systemic chemotherapy or systemic chemotherapy alone in people with peritoneal metastases from colorectal, gastric, or ovarian cancers. Methods: We searched randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the medical literature until April 14, 2022 and applied methods used for high‐quality systematic reviews. Findings: We included a total of eight RCTs (seven RCTs included in quantitative analysis as one RCT did not provide data in an analyzable format). All comparisons other than ovarian cancer contained only one trial. For gastric cancer, there is high uncertainty about the effect of CRS + HIPEC + systemic chemotherapy. For stage III or greater epithelial ovarian cancer undergoing interval cytoreductive surgery, CRS + HIPEC + systemic chemotherapy probably decreases all‐cause mortality compared to CRS + systemic chemotherapy. For colorectal cancer, CRS + HIPEC + systemic chemotherapy probably results in little to no difference in all‐cause mortality and may increase the serious adverse events proportions compared to CRS +/− systemic chemotherapy, but probably decreases all‐cause mortality compared to fluorouracil‐based systemic chemotherapy alone. Interpretation: The role of CRS + HIPEC in gastric peritoneal metastases is uncertain. CRS + HIPEC should be standard of care in women with stage III or greater epithelial ovarian cancer undergoing interval CRS. CRS + systemic chemotherapy should be standard of care for people with colorectal peritoneal metastases, with HIPEC given only as part of a RCT focusing on subgroups and regimes. PROSPERO Registration: CRD42019130504. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) imaging can provide comprehensive quantitative and spatial information for multiple immune markers for tumour immunoprofiling. However, application at scale to clinical trial samples sourced from multiple institutions is challenging due to pre‐analytical heterogeneity. This study reports an analytical approach to the largest multi‐parameter immunoprofiling study of clinical trial samples to date. We analysed 12,592 tissue microarray (TMA) spots from 3,545 colorectal cancers sourced from more than 240 institutions in two clinical trials (QUASAR 2 and SCOT) stained for CD4, CD8, CD20, CD68, FoxP3, pan‐cytokeratin, and DAPI by mIF. TMA slides were multi‐spectrally imaged and analysed by cell‐based and pixel‐based marker analysis. We developed an adaptive thresholding method to account for inter‐ and intra‐slide intensity variation in TMA analysis. Applying this method effectively ameliorated inter‐ and intra‐slide intensity variation improving the image analysis results compared with methods using a single global threshold. Correlation of CD8 data derived by our mIF analysis approach with single‐plex chromogenic immunohistochemistry CD8 data derived from subsequent sections indicates the validity of our method (Spearman's rank correlation coefficients ρ between 0.63 and 0.66, p ≪ 0.01) as compared with the current gold standard analysis approach. Evaluation of correlation between cell‐based and pixel‐based analysis results confirms equivalency (ρ > 0.8, p ≪ 0.01, except for CD20 in the epithelial region) of both analytical approaches. These data suggest that our adaptive thresholding approach can enable analysis of mIF‐stained clinical trial TMA datasets by digital pathology at scale for precision immunoprofiling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research investigating training and firm performance is currently at an inflection point; capable of recognising previous achievements but also having a focus on the future. Based on our review of 207 quantitative papers over a 40‐year period, we find that the field has converged in terms of theory and methods. Important insights have been generated yet there is scope to better understand the complex, interrelated and dynamic nature of the relationship between training and firm performance. We propose that open systems theory (OST) provides the potential to move the field forward and encourage researchers to investigate interactions and linkages between training and performance components, the role of temporal dynamics in inputs and processes, reverse causality and to broaden conceptualisations of firm performance. We consider six principles of OST, highlight productive avenues for future research and identify methodological challenges and implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histological 'phenotypic subtypes' that classify patients into four groups (immune, canonical, latent and stromal) have previously been demonstrated to stratify survival in a stage I–III colorectal cancer (CRC) pilot cohort. However, clinical utility has not yet been validated. Therefore, this study assessed prognostic value of these subtypes in additional patient cohorts along with associations with risk of recurrence and response to chemotherapy. Two independent stage I–III CRC patient cohorts (internal and external cohort) were utilised to investigate phenotypic subtypes. The primary endpoint was disease‐free survival (DFS) and the secondary endpoint was recurrence risk (RR). Stage II–III patients, from the SCOT adjuvant chemotherapy trial, were utilised to further validate prognostic value and for exploratory analysis assessing associations with adjuvant chemotherapy. In an 893‐patient internal cohort, phenotypic subtype independently associated with DFS (p = 0.025) and this was attenuated in stage III patients (p = 0.020). Phenotypic subtype also independently associated with RR (p < 0.001) in these patients. In a 146‐patient external cohort, phenotypic subtype independently stratified patients by DFS (p = 0.028), validating their prognostic value. In 1343 SCOT trial patients, the effect of treatment type significantly depended on phenotypic subtype (pinteraction = 0.011). Phenotypic subtype independently associated with DFS in stage III patients receiving FOLFOX (p = 0.028). Furthermore, the immune subtype significantly associated with better response to FOLFOX compared to CAPOX adjuvant chemotherapy in stage III patients (p = 0.013). In conclusion, histological phenotypic subtypes are an effective prognostic classification in patients with stage III CRC that associates with risk of recurrence and response to FOLFOX adjuvant chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate assessment of record extreme wind gusts is important for building design standards and for industries such as insurance and forestry. Here, we show that the current record wind gust for Northern Ireland – 108kn (56ms−1) recorded at Kilkeel on 12 January 1974 – is almost certainly incorrect and may have arisen from an instrumental error or a power surge. We deduce this from direct anemograph inspection and from a variety of indirect supporting evidence. We recommend that other longstanding UK record wind gusts should also be independently re‐examined to assess their veracity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Human populations exhibit substantial geographical variability in body size and shape. However, the ecological stresses underlying this morphological variability remain poorly understood. The prevailing evolutionary explanation, "Bergmann's rule" assumes that morphological variability represents an adaptive response to average thermal conditions. We hypothesized that other climate factors—annual average precipitation, a marker of ecological productivity and inter‐annual temperature volatility, a marker of infectious disease spikes—may also contribute to variability in body composition. Materials and Methods: We explored this hypothesis by examining associations between these climate factors and geographic variability in body composition across 133 male and 105 female populations from nonindustrialized settings. We used monthly climate data over 113 years (1901–2013) to develop new climate indices for all worldwide land areas. We stratified our analyses by hot/cold setting (>/<20°C). Results: In hot environments, lean mass increased as predicted in association with ecological productivity, and decreased in association with ecological volatility. Conversely, levels of body fat increased in association with temperature volatility and precipitation. However, in cold settings, equivalent associations were only partially consistent with our hypotheses, and there was suggestive evidence of sex differences in these associations. Discussion: Beyond associations with mean annual temperature predicted by Bergmann's rule, variability in human body composition is also associated with mean annual temperature and inter‐annual temperature volatility, with these associations further differing between hot and cold settings. Collectively, our results suggest that associations of human body composition with climate are complex for both physique (fat‐free mass) and energy stores (adiposity). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We review the methodological rigor of empirical quantitative studies that have investigated the training and organizational performance relationship. Through a content analysis of 217 studies published in quality journals, we demonstrate significant validity threats (internal, external construct, and statistical conclusion validity) that raise questions about the methodological rigor of the field. Our findings suggest that the time is appropriate for a renewed methodological endeavor to understanding the relationship between training and organizational performance. We make specific recommendations to enhance methodological rigor and generate research findings that will enhance operationalization of theory, help researchers to make inferences about causality, and inform the decision‐making of Human Resource Development (HRD) practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fisheries sustainability is recognized to have four pillars: ecological, economic, social (including cultural) and institutional (or governance). Although international agreements, and legislation in many jurisdictions, call for implementation of all four pillars of sustainability, the social, economic and institutional aspects (i.e., the “human dimensions”) have not been comprehensively and collectively addressed to date. This study describes a framework for comprehensive fisheries evaluation developed by the Canadian Fisheries Research Network (CFRN) that articulates the full spectrum of ecological, economic, social and institutional objectives required under international agreements, together with candidate performance indicators for sustainable fisheries. The CFRN framework is aimed at practical fisheries evaluation and management and has a relatively balanced distribution of elements across the four pillars of sustainability relative to 10 alternative management decision support tools and indicator scorecards, which are heavily focused on ecological and economic aspects. The CFRN framework has five immediate uses: (a) It can serve as a logic frame for defining management objectives; (b) it can be used to define alternate management options to achieve given objectives; (c) it can serve as a tool for comparing management scenarios/options in decision support frameworks; (d) it can be employed to create a report card for comprehensive fisheries management evaluation; and (e) it is a tool for practical implementation of an integrated social–ecological system approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates how multiple dimensions of power each facilitate knowledge integration within innovation projects in supply chains and their interrelationships. Adopting a process perspective of knowledge, we offer an alternative to much of the existing debate, which has focussed on the possession of resources. We collected data from four case-study Original Equipment Manufacturers and six associated suppliers and analysed these using Template Analysis and cross-case analysis. Our findings reveal how the power of the system, operationalized through relative performance measures, performance measurement mechanisms and the individuals in-charge of them, provides a facilitative context within which other dimensions of power operate. Here, the power of resources (expert and legitimate power), processes (associated with raising issues, cross-functional teams, early supplier involvement and reviews) and meaning (creating legitimacy through reviews) interact to support knowledge integration within innovation projects in supply chains. This, we argue, emphasises the plurality of power dimensions deployed and importance of their interrelationships in facilitating knowledge integration within hierarchical supply chain networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaining physical access to potential respondents is crucial to human resource development (HRD) survey research. Yet a review of the HRD, human resource management, and best-selling business and management research methods texts in the United States, and United Kingdom reveals that, even where the process of gaining access is discussed and its cruciality stressed, inside accounts and insights regarding the daunting and problematic nature and its impact on data collected are rarely emphasized. More specialist methods literature, although outlining some potential issues, again offers few insights into the actual realities likely to be faced in the real world. Consideration of recent articles in HRD journals highlights also that, despite the widespread use of surveys, often via the Internet, such issues of physical access are rarely mentioned, reporting at best merely summarizing from whom and how data were obtained. We speak to this problem by offering two inside accounts of multiorganization research studies utilizing a survey strategy and Internet questionnaire, where gaining access to people across a large number of organizations threw up many challenges. These accounts offer clear insights into the issues and implications for rigor associated with gaining access when undertaking Internet surveys using both purchased lists (databases) and volunteer panels. In particular, they highlight the importance of recognizing that gaining access is often problematic, and provide a context for our recommendations for research practice, thereby assisting the mitigation of potential problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we examine established practice regarding the reporting, justification and number of interview participants chosen within organization and workplace studies. For such qualitative research there is a paucity of discussion across the social sciences, the topic receiving far less attention than its centrality warrants. We analysed 798 articles published in 2003 and 2013 in ten top and second tier academic journals, identifying 248 studies using at least one type of qualitative interview. Participant numbers were contingent on characteristics of the population from which they were chosen and approach to analysis, but not the journal, its tier, editorial base or publication year, the interview type or its duration. Despite lack of transparency in reporting (23.4% of studies did not state participant numbers) we reveal a median of 32.5 participants, numbers ranging from one to 330, and no justification for participant numbers in over half of studies. We discuss implications and, recognizing that different philosophical commitments are likely to imply differing norms, offer recommendations regarding reporting, justification and number of participants. Acknowledging exceptions, dependent upon study purpose and data saliency, these include an organization and workplace research norm of 15−60 participants, alongside credible numbers for planning interview research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study which aims to increase the evidence base around hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people which is also an important cause of illness and death in Australia. It says that researchers provide an analysis of routine clinical encounter data. According to the study, these people experience a rate of liver cancer up to 10 times compared to non-lndigenous population.

The induced expression of carboxylesterase (CE) enzymes, which convert the prodrug irinotecan (CPT-11) into its active cytotoxic metabolite SN-38, constitutes a promising strategy for cancer gene therapy. By incorporating hypoxia-responsive elements (HREs) in conjunction with the transgene, expression can be targeted specifically to hypoxic tissues (such as solid tumours), expressing the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1). We have constructed a recombinant adenoviral vector, AdHRE-rCE, encoding the cDNA for the highly efficient rabbit liver CE (rCE), under the control of a HRE derived from the human phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK-1) gene in conjunction with a minimal SV40 promoter. In vitro, HT1080 fibrosarcoma and SW480 colon carcinoma cells demonstrated an approximately 10-fold hypoxia-dependent induction in CE expression following pre-infection with AdHRE-rCE, which led to a15-30-fold increased sensitivity to CPT-11. Furthermore, in vivo, SW480 tumour xenografts infected with AdHRE-rCE demonstrated a 2-fold decrease in tumour doubling time, when combined with 7 days of CPT-11 treatment, in comparison to mock-infected controls, with rCE expression shown to be limited to hypoxic regions only. As the cytotoxicity of CPT-11 is reduced under hypoxic conditions, over-expression of a highly efficient CE such as rCE under hypoxia control within these hypoxic cells could reverse this effect and, therefore, form the basis for future clinical treatment strategies. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated nitrogen (N) inputs into terrestrial ecosystems are causing major changes to the composition and functioning of ecosystems. Understanding these changes is challenging because there are complex interactions between ‘direct’ effects of N on plant physiology and soil biogeochemistry, and ‘indirect’ effects caused by changes in plant species composition. By planting high N and low N plant community compositions into high and low N deposition model terrestrial ecosystems we experimentally decoupled direct and indirect effects and quantified their contribution to changes in carbon, N and water cycling. Our results show that direct effects on plant growth dominate ecosystem response to N deposition, although long-term carbon storage is reduced under high N plant-species composition. These findings suggest that direct effects of N deposition on ecosystem function could be relatively strong in comparison with the indirect effects of plant community change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The UK has no shortage of business start-ups: the Small Business Service estimated that at the start of 2003 there were 4.0 million active enterprises and of these, approximately 99% were classified as small (0-49 employees). The Bank of England (2004) estimate that during 2003 there were 465 000 start-ups, an increase of 19% on 2002. Average survival rates for businesses (1992-2001) indicate that more than half fail within three years of formation. Further, there is a general agreement that for micro businesses the failure rate is higher, one-third failing within the first year. • Much of this failure has been blamed on a lack of business and management skills amongst owner managers. These people often describe themselves by their technical discipline rather than as a business person or manager, and tend to have an unwillingness to engage with training providers. It is suggested that this unwillingness is symptomatic of a culture of self-deception, which pervades the sector. This is despite 77% of owner managers believing their own business management capabilities to be the most important factor for business survival and growth. • Where business and management training has been taken up, its impact has proven sub-optimal, with little evidence of benefit perceived by owner managers. To this extent providers could be viewed as complicit in the maintenance of a culture of fire fighting within micro firms. • This paper discusses an alternative training programme -- Sustainability Support for Small Business (S³). This provides help to new businesses over a four-month pre-start-up period and the first three years of operations. The programme addresses participants' short-term, immediate business needs by focusing on key business documents and facilitating reflection on the part of the owner manager, developing a more professional approach to start-up. This programme was trialled throughout 2003 using a cohort of 147 micro businesses. Subsequent evaluation revealed a one-year business survival rate of 86%. The programme received a 95% approval rating from participants in their postprogramme evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduces a series of articles related to the complexities and challenges inherent in human resource and change management.

In a prospective study of 78 patients with nasopharyngeal cancer, we examined the prognostic significance of T stage, histology, parapharyngeal involvement, and lymph node dimensions, size, and level concerning distant metastasis. AU patients were treated with radical radiotherapy alone and completed 3 to 7 years of follow-up. In univariate analysis of time to metastasis, there was a significant difference stratifying for T stage (T1 and 2 versus T3 and 4), node dimensions (less than 6 versus more than or equal to 6 cm), neck level (above versus below the thyroid notch), and parapharyngeal involvement, but not for bilaterality of lymphadenopathy. Histology was an important prognostic factor related to distant metastasis since none of the 24 World Health Organization class I cases showed distant metastasis versus 14 (26%) of 54 patients with World Health Organization class II/III carcinoma. A multivariate duration model of time to metastasis within the later histologic group suggested that lymph node dimensions, node level, and T stage were the most important factors related to distant metastases, with the hazard ratios being 3.98, 3.23, and 1.76, respectively. Multivariate analysis within the T3- to T4-stage group showed that node dimension was the only significant variable, with an associated hazard ratio of 4.09. Cases with upper-neck lymphadenopathy and node dimensions of less than 6 cm had a distant metastasis rate of <5%. We conclude that adjuvant chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer is justified in T3- and T4-staged cases with nonkeratinizing or undifferentiated histology and with lymph nodes larger than 6 cm and/or located below the thyroid notch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the need to manage survivors' reactions to downsizing in order to seek to fulfill other organizational goals related to employee commitment and the achievement of high quality. • Variables are identified which affect survivors' reactions to a downsizing situation, including those which can be influenced by an organization within which this event occurs. • A model of the key areas where managerial action should be focused to manage survivors' reactions, which has been derived from research involving senior human resource management practitioners, is described. • A diagnostic tool developed from this model and the research under-pinning it is presented. • The use of this diagnostic tool, including its validity, is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the disastrous condition of flood in Thailand that took place in 2011, its causes and possibility of returning. It discusses several facts which include highest annual rainfall recorded in 2011 was the maximum in the country's precipitation record, nature, impacts and historical ranking of the floods and heavy rainfall from four tropical storms crossing the north of the country.