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Higlights - Open-pit coal mine truck activity is scheduled to minimise energy consumption. - A solution technique is developed to solve the model in reasonable time. - A case study is performed to validate the practical utility of the methodologies. - Opportunities for aiding short to long term decisions are presented. Abstract Mining companies are increasingly being challenged to improve energy efficiency, as a method of reducing both the cost and environmental impact of their operations. The haulage activity at an open-pit mine represents a large proportion of total energy consumption. In many other industries, state-of-the-art operations research techniques, such as advanced scheduling, have been applied to support energy efficiency improvements. Despite this, only a limited amount of research using these techniques has been conducted, to face the challenge of energy efficiency in mining. This research contributes an original mixed integer linear programming formulation that schedules haulage activity to minimise the truck and shovel energy consumption required to meet production targets. Since solving the model is found to be NP-hard and intractable for exact methods, a constructive algorithm and tabu search solution technique is developed to solve the model quickly enough for practical use. An operating mine in South East Queensland is used as a case study, to verify and validate the proposed model and solution technique using sensitivity and scenario analysis where significant potential for improvement is found. Several opportunities for using the model as a decision support tool are discussed, including examples of how it can be used for short, medium and long-term decision making.

The provision of efficient and effective urban public transport and transport policy requires a deep understanding of the factors influencing urban travellers’ choice of travel mode. The majority of existing literature reports on the results from single cities. This study presents the results of a nationwide travel survey implemented to examine multiple modes of urban passenger transport across five mainland state capitals in Australia, with a focus of urban rail. The study aims to explore differences in mode choices among surveyed travellers sampled from the five cities by accounting for two types of factors: service quality and features of public transport, and socio demographic characteristics. A stated preference approach is adopted to elicit people’s valuation of specified mode-choice related factors and their willingness to pay. In particular, the availabilities of wireless and laptop stations – two factors rarely examined in the literature, were also considered in the SP survey. The survey data were analysed using mixed logit models. To test for preference heterogeneity, socio-demographic factors were interacted with random parameters, and their influences on marginal utilities simulated. The analysis reveals that intercity differences, user group status, gender, income, and trip purposes partially explain observed preference heterogeneity.

This article contributes an original integrated model of an open-pit coal mine for supporting energy-efficient decisions. Mixed integer linear programming is used to formulate a general integrated model of the operational energy consumption of four common open-pit coal mining subsystems: excavation and haulage, stockpiles, processing plants and belt conveyors. Mines are represented as connected instances of the four subsystems, in a flow sheet manner, which are then fitted to data provided by the mine operators. Solving the integrated model ensures the subsystems’ operations are synchronised and whole-of-mine energy efficiency is encouraged. An investigation on a case study of an open-pit coal mine is conducted to validate the proposed methodology. Opportunities are presented for using the model to aid energy-efficient decision-making at various levels of a mine, and future work to improve the approach is described.

In the public transport industry, travellers' perceived satisfaction is a key element in understanding their evaluation of, and loyalty to ridership. Despite its notable importance, studies of customer satisfaction are under-represented in the literature, and most previous studies are based on survey data collected from a single city only. This does not allow a comparison across different transport systems. To address this underrepresentation, this paper reports on a study of train passengers' satisfaction with the fare paid for their most recent home-based train trip in five Australian capital cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. Two data sources are used: a nation-wide survey, and objective information on the train fare structure in each of the targeted cities. In particular, satisfaction with train fares is modelled as a function of socio-economic factors and train trip characteristics, using a random parameters ordered Logit model that accounts for unobserved heterogeneity in the population. Results indicate that gender, city of origin, transport mode from home to the train station, eligibility for either student or senior concession fare, one-way cost, and waiting time as well as five diverse interaction variables between city of origin and socio-economic factors are the key determinants of passenger satisfaction with train fares. In particular, this study reveals that female respondents tend to be less satisfied with their train fare than their male counterparts. Interestingly, respondents who take the bus to the train station tend to feel more satisfied with their fare compared with the rest of the respondents. In addition, notable heterogeneity is detected across respondents' perceived satisfaction with train fare, specifically with regard to the one-way cost and the waiting time incurred. An intercity comparison reveals that a city's train fare structure also affects a traveller's perceived satisfaction with their train fare. The findings of this research are significant for both policy makers and transport operators, allowing them to understand traveller behaviours, and to subsequently formulate effective transit policies.

Background In 2015, the Tabbot Foundation launched a nationwide direct-to-patient telemedicine service to enable women to obtain medical abortion without visiting an abortion provider. Aims We aimed to describe results from the first 18 months of this service. Materials and methods To have an abortion through the Foundation, a woman obtained screening tests locally and had a telephone consultation with a Foundation doctor. If she was eligible, mifepristone, misoprostol and other medications were sent to her by mail. After taking the drugs, the woman obtained follow-up tests at local facilities and had a consultation with Foundation professionals. The Foundation charged $250 to patients with Medicare eligibility and $600 otherwise. We summarised clinical data collected by the service. Results Between June 2015 and December 2016, 1010 women received medications, of whom 56% lived outside of major cities. Ninety-five percent of packages were sent within 15 days after registration. Of the 965 women who took misoprostol, outcomes were definitively documented for 754 (78%), of whom 96% had a complete abortion without surgical intervention, and 95% had no face-to-face clinical encounter after treatment. Of women with Medicare cards, 72% paid no out-of-pocket charges other than to the Foundation. Nearly all women (781/802; 97%) were highly satisfied. Conclusions The direct-to-patient telemedicine medical abortion service was effective, safe, inexpensive and satisfactory. It disproportionately served women in parts of Australia with limited access to abortion facilities. This experience may be instructive for others desiring to use telemedicine to enhance access to abortion.

Significant investments in developing technological innovations have been made in the Australian beef industry but with low adoption rates. By modelling the key variables and their interactions in the innovation adoption process, this research seeks to demonstrate the complexity and dynamics of the process. This research uses causal loop modelling and develops a holistic model of the current innovation adoption system in the Australian beef industry to show the complexity of dynamic interactions among multiple variables. It is suggested that innovation adoption is such an extremely complex issue, and we need to shift our views on this issue from a paradigm of linear thinking to systems thinking. Innovation adoption is more likely to be enhanced based on a full understanding of the complexity and dynamics of the system as a whole. The paper demonstrates to practitioners and developers of innovation the multiple variables and interactions impacting innovation adoption.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to gain a better understanding of the types of relationships that exist along the supply chain and the capabilities that are needed to manage them effectively.Design/methodology/approachThis is exploratory research as there has been little empirical research into this area. Quantitative data were gathered by using a self‐administered questionnaire, using the Australian road freight industry as the context. There were 132 usable responses. Inferential and descriptive analysis, including factor analysis, confirmatory factor and regression analysis was used to examine the predictive power of relational factors in inter‐firm relationships.FindingsThree factors were identified as having significant influence on relationships: sharing, power and interdependency. “Sharing” is the willingness of the organisation to share resources with other members of the supply chain. “Power” relates to exercising control based on experience, knowledge and position in the supply chain. “Interdependency” is the relative levels of dependency along the supply chain.Research limitations/implicationsThe research only looks at the Australian road freight industry; a wider sample including other industries would help to strengthen the generalisability of the findings.Practical implicationsWhen these factors are correlated to the types of relationship, arm's length, cooperation, collaboration and alliances, managerial implications can be identified. The more road freight businesses place importance on power, the less they will cooperate. The greater the importance of sharing and interdependency, the greater is the likelihood of arm's length relationships.Originality/valueThis paper makes a contribution by describing empirical work conducted in an under‐researched but important area – supply chain relationships in the Australian road freight industry.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the role of cross‐functional teams in the alignment between system effectiveness and operational effectiveness after the implementation of enterprise information systems (EIS). In addition, it aims to explore the contribution of cross‐functional teams to improvement in operational performance.Design/methodology/approachThe research uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, in a two‐stage methodological approach, to investigate the influence of cross‐functional teams on the alignment between system effectiveness and operational effectiveness and the impact of the stated alignment on the improvement in operational performance.FindingsInitial findings suggest that factors stemming from system effectiveness and the performance objectives stemming from operational effectiveness are important and significantly well correlated factors that promote the alignment between the effectiveness of technological implementation and the effectiveness of operations. In addition, confirmatory factor analysis has been used to find the structural relationships and provide explanations for the stated alignment and the contribution of cross‐functional teams to the improvement in operational performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe principal limitation of this study is its small sample size.Practical implicationsCross‐functional teams have been used by many organisations as a way of involving expertise from different functional areas in the implementation of innovative technologies. An appropriate use of the dimensions that emerged from this research, in the context of cross‐functional teams, will assist organisations to properly utilise cross‐functional teams with the aim of improving operational performance.Originality/valueThe paper presents a new approach to measure the effectiveness of EIS implementation by adding new dimensions to measure it.

Organisations are increasingly investing in complex technological innovations such as enterprise information systems with the aim of improving the operations of the business, and in this way gaining competitive advantage. However, the implementation of technological innovations tends to have an excessive focus on either technology innovation effectiveness (also known as system effectiveness), or the resulting operational effectiveness; focusing on either one of them is detrimental to the long-term enterprise benefits through failure to achieve the real value of technological innovations. The lack of research on the dimensions and performance objectives that organisations must be focusing on is the main reason for this misalignment. This research uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative, three-stage methodological approach. Initial findings suggest that factors such as quality of information from technology innovation effectiveness, and quality and speed from operational effectiveness are important and significantly well correlated factors that promote the alignment between technology innovation effectiveness and operational effectiveness.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the level of consideration given to unlearning during human resource development interventions and to identify the methods being used to reinforce training and development.Design/methodology/approachA self‐administered questionnaire was given to a convenience sample of employers in regional Queensland and the Northern Territory, Australia. Analysis of responses using descriptive statistics was conducted to identify whether approaches differed in relation to unlearning and reinforcement between large and small organisations, and between those with high labour turnover and those with low labour turnover.FindingsResults reveal that larger organisations give far more consideration to unlearning than smaller organisations. Those organisations with high labour turnover focus less on unlearning that those with a more stable workforce. Coaching and performance feedback were reported as the most commonly used method of reinforcement of learning and unlearning.Research limitations/implicationsLow response rates mean that results are not statistically generalisable. Owing to the regional location of respondents there may be differences in findings in large metropolitan centres.Practical implicationsReinforces to practitioners the need to consider unlearning, and also indicates a need for further research in this area. From a managerial perspective the results show that managers need to employ a range of tools and techniques to ensure unlearning can occur.Originality/valueThis paper reports on a study examining unlearning; and begins to address the lack of empirical research on this important concept.

This paper reports on the outcomes of a replication study of a survey of British employers that requested information on the qualifications sought when recruiting employees and on subsequent training and development. While the British survey was interested in the uptake and use of the British National Vocational Qualifications, the study reported in this article is primarily focused on the uptake and use of the Australian Qualifications Framework qualifications by North Australian employers. This study was prompted by the skills shortages and recruitment difficulties being experienced by organizations throughout rural and regional Australia. Previous studies have found that vocational qualifications were not valued by UK employers and few employers were encouraging employees to undertake vocational awards. If this is also the case in Australia, it may in part explain problems in recruiting skilled workers. This research clearly demonstrates that employees in regional and rural Australia are seeking to improve their knowledge and skills through vocational training and higher education qualifications. Also, employers are providing access to training and are supporting managerial and professional employees to gain higher educational qualifications. When recruiting all types of worker other than unskilled labourers, the majority of organizations prefer to recruit workers with qualifications. In rural and regional centres, however, a more pragmatic stance of recruiting unqualified employees in some areas is observed. Clearly, employers will attempt to minimize training costs by recruiting skilled employees, but in the end they will have to provide access to training and education to ensure that they have a skilled workforce that can deliver essential services and products.

Introduction Decisions relating to the selection of Information Systems (IS) are becoming increasingly complex and at the same time critical to many organisations. Decisions are the outcomes from the process of assessing and evaluating factors and decision making is the act of choosing among alternatives (O'Reilly, 1990). The informing systems that affect decision making are influenced by a number of contextual organisational factors including cost, time and resource availability (Simons & Thompson, 1998). Though a wide body of literature exists on decision making processes and models (see for example March & Simon, 1958; Mintzberg, Waters, Pettigrew & Butler, 1990; Simon, 1997), little research has been conducted about the informing systems and influences affecting senior managers making decisions relating to IS: one such group of influences is bias. Biases distort and filter the information available to decision makers and though there is considerable literature from the management and psychology disciplines describing the effects of bias on decision making, the nexus between such biases and IS decision making outcomes is poorly documented and understood. The limited amount of research into IS decision making has revealed that IS decision making is rarely logical or rational (Bannister & Remenyi, 1999). This is contrary to conventional thinking that the decision to purchase or implement an Information System follows standard large capital acquisition practices and is the result of a formal evaluation with logical and rational justifications (Ballantine & Stray, 1999; Doherty & King, 2001; Irani & Love, 2001; Lin & Pervan, 2001; Verville & Halingten, 2002). The lack of rationality in many IS decision making processes can often be traced back to contextual influences, many of which are intangible biases (Jamieson & Hyland, 2004). This study seeks to highlight and describe the effects of these biases on IS decisions outcomes by examining their role in two large IS projects. This research aims to establish ways of mitigating negative effects of bias, while modelling its role in complex IS evaluations. The paper begins with an overview of this study where a model of the interaction between information, bias and decision making is described. The theoretical background to the research is detailed by describing four groups of biases that affect informing systems. The case study methodology and analysis techniques are then outlined. The paper then presents findings of empirical research with a focus on the bias groupings identified from the literature. The paper concludes with a discussion and analysis of the findings and presents a revised version of the theoretical model. Theoretical Background As Simon (1987) noted, intuition does not operate independently of logical analysis as the two elements are complementary in a decision making processes. While Simon understood that elements such as stress play a part in the rationality of decision making processes, he also noted that there are a number of cognitive and environmental biases that also affect decisions. These biases, in combination with other contextual factors, can radically affect the way information is gathered and processed within the informing system. Four groupings of biases that affect decision making are prevalent in the literature. These are information biases, cognitive biases, risk biases and uncertainty biases. For the purposes of this study, their effects on informing systems, information and the way information is processed has been developed into a model as depicted in Figure 1. In this model, bias affects decision making in two ways. Firstly, information flows into a decision making process and in doing so may pass through one or more bias lenses of filters. A bias lens is a conceptual view through which decision-makers process information. …

Over the past decade there have been a large number of significant innovations in manufacturing which have resulted in more flexible and cost efficient methods and higher quality products, as manufacturers have set about upgrading their processes, systems and performance. This study compares the use of technologies and improvement programs between OECD and Non-OECD countries, and also between small and large firms, and examines differences in the use and outcomes across the economies and different sized firms. The empirical analysis provides an opportunity to test whether the ‘capabilities’ or strengths of a firm can be linked to these activities and examines if developing economies are using technology or management programs such as quality management and business process re-engineering to catch up to manufacturers in developed economies. The analysis utilises data from the second International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS), which encompasses 703 firms in 23 countries.

Innovation within logistics organizations does not occur in isolation. Most innovation occurs in response to environmental factors outside the direct control of management. Factors such as the location of the organizations, the available technologies, the accessibility of knowledge and globalization can all have an impact on how a business responds in innovative ways that ensure it can remain competitive. The logistics function is increasing in its strategic importance as more and more firms in developed economies such as Singapore and Australia are forced to complete globally to survive. In such a dynamic environment, logistics business must innovate; and to benefit from innovative technologies, systems, processes and practices they must consider the external contingencies that will have the greatest impact on the business operation. This paper provides important lessons from managers in logistics organisations in Australia and Singapore; and demonstrates how contingent factors can affect how firms differ in their strategies and capacities to innovate.

The WebCT Discussion List and How it is Perceived Beth TENNENT Dr. Paul HYLAND Central Queensland University Rockhampton-AUSTRALIA ABSTRACT Students today have an increasingly complex array of educational media that they can use to access educational material. While universities are under pressure to find cheaper, faster and hopefully better ways to interact with students, it is the responsibility of teachers to ensure that these media meet the educational and learning needs of students. The Internet is being increasingly used by universities to deliver learning materials. This research examines university students perceptions of the usefulness of a web-based discussion list as a learning tool. The study examines different student characteristics and seeks to establish linkages between students characteristics and their perceptions of a WebCT discussion list.

Successful product innovation and the ability of companies to continuously improve their innovation processes are rapidly becoming essential requirements for competitive advantage and long-term growth in both manufacturing and service industries. It is now recognized that companies must develop innovation capabilities across all stages of the product development, manufacture, and distribution cycle. These Continuous Product Innovation (CPI) capabilities are closely associated with a company’s knowledge management systems and processes. Companies must develop mechanisms to continuously improve these capabilities over time. Using results of an international survey on CPI practices, sets of companies are identified by similarities in specific contingencies related to their complexity of product, process, technological, and customer interface. Differences between the learning behaviors found present in the company groups and in the levers used to develop and support these behaviors are identified and discussed. This paper also discusses appropriate mechanisms for firms with similar complexities, and some approaches they can use to improve their organizational learning and product innovation.

Polymorphism of the human leukocyte antigen has been implicated in a number of autoimmune disorders including ageing. In the course of the present study, no association of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A1, B8, DR3 haplotype with a male Irish aged population, as previously reported, was observed. Two polymorphic nucleotides in the TNF cluster (G-308A TNF-alpha and G+252A TNF-beta), associated with increased TNF-alpha production, were shown to be in tight linkage disequilibrium with the class I and II HLA loci, generating HLA haplotypes with extended linkage disequilibrium. However, no age-related allele or genotype frequencies were observed for either polymorphic nucleotide.

The quality of individual and collective learning has been held to be a key determinant of organisational success. It has been strongly advocated that the “continuously learning organisation” is perhaps the greatest business asset in an organisation. Organisations are becoming more systematic in identifying measures to overcome losses caused by downsizing by proactively developing learning systems to capture, record and manage the knowledge of operational employees and engineering/technical staff. This paper discusses the nature of the planned “brain‐drain” phenomenon, the concept of the learning organisation, and the conceptual relationship between the two, and by analysing an empirical case study demonstrating that restructuring and organisational learning are not necessarily mutually exclusive concepts.

The purpose of this article is to examine the role of the alignment between technological innovation effectiveness and operational effectiveness after the implementation of enterprise information systems, and the impact of this alignment on the improvement in operational performance. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine structural relationships between the set of observed variables and the set of continuous latent variables. The findings from this research suggest that the dimensions stemming from technological innovation effectiveness such as system quality, information quality, service quality, user satisfaction and the performance objectives stemming from operational effectiveness such as cost, quality, reliability, flexibility and speed are important and significantly well-correlated factors. These factors promote the alignment between technological innovation effectiveness and operational effectiveness and should be the focus for managers in achieving effective implementation of technological innovations. In addition, there is a significant and direct influence of this alignment on the improvement of operational performance. The principal limitation of this study is that the findings are based on investigation of small sample size.

‘The conviviality of the narrative premise’ is Steven Earnshaw’s felicitous phrase for the theme that suffuses this book. It is ‘a crawl through the drinking places of English literary history,’ in the company of Chaucer, Langland, Shakespeare, Dekker, Jonson, Pepys, Ned Ward (author of The London Spy), Goldsmith, Gray, Fielding, Cowper, Crabbe, Dickens, Eliot (G.), Hardy, Eliot (T. S.), Coppard, Hampson, Hamilton, Orwell and Amis (M.). It also ‘attempts to weave a pattern out of the strands of “pub”, English literature and England’. It is a labour of love, the product of years of hoarded references and inspired cups and we must be grateful. It will become a standard resort for literary scholars seeking quotable material on pubs (Piers Plowman ‘pissed a pottel in a pater-noster while’), and for anyone who likes to savour ‘the pub moment’ through the medium of print.

Much has been made of the need to empower employees at all levels of an organisation. There must be a genuine willingness on the part of management and workers to work together to ensure that empowerment will be accepted and succeed. Among those organisations which are prepared to bear the cost of training and multiskilling their employees, training is often ineffective and firms do not realise benefits from their investment. How can training be delivered to maximise the probability that the workers will learn and be able to implement new skills? Reports on a success story in a multi‐site manufacturing organisation which was able to train operations workers on the job, and by using active learning techniques demonstrate to the organisation the benefits of training. The reasons behind these changes, the effectiveness of the training programme, and the views of workers on the factory floor are examined. Interviews indicate that the success of the training programme, combined with other tactics, has seen real cultural change taking pace in the organisation, and workers believe they have been empowered.

In recent years⁄ the Indian economy has undergone a number of reforms, resulting in a more marketoriented economy. These reforms have also seen the emergence of a growing middle class with a high disposable income. This increased prosperity has led to increases in demand for both durable and nondurable consumer items. This paper by Tolar⁄ Hyland, and O'Mara reports upon a study of Australian consumers that is designed to provide manufacturers, retailers, and distributors of nondurable goods and services with an insight into what information influences consumers to purchase these items. In doing so, the paper also reports upon India's developing consumer markets. The results of the survey are then applied to the Indian experience with a view to presenting Indian managers with an insight into what determinants consumers take into consideration when purchasing non-durable goods and services.

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine empirically, an industry development paradox, using embryonic literature in the area of strategic supply chain management, together with innovation management literature. This study seeks to understand how, forming strategic supply chain relationships, and developing strategic supply chain capability, influences beneficial supply chain outcomes expected from utilizing industry-led innovation, in the form of electronic business solutions using the internet, in the Australian beef industry. Findings should add valuable insights to both academics and practitioners in the fields of supply chain innovation management and strategic supply chain management, and expand knowledge to current literature.Design/methodology/approach– This is a quantitative study comparing innovative and non-innovative supply chain operatives in the Australian beef industry, through factor analysis and structural equation modeling using PAWS Statistical V18 and AMOS V18 to analyze survey data from 412 respondents from the Australian beef supply chain.Findings– Key findings are that both innovative and non-innovative supply chain operators attribute supply chain synchronization as only a minor indicator of strategic supply chain capability, contrary to the literature; and they also indicate strategic supply chain capability has a minor influence in achieving beneficial outcomes from utilizing industry-led innovation. These results suggest a lack of coordination between supply chain operatives in the industry. They also suggest a lack of understanding of the benefits of developing a strategic supply chain management competence, particularly in relation to innovation agendas, and provides valuable insights as to why an industry paradox exists in terms of the level of investment in industry-led innovation, vs the level of corresponding benefit achieved.Research limitations/implications– Results are not generalized due to the single agribusiness industry studied and the single research method employed. However, this provides opportunity for further agribusiness studies in this area and also studies using alternate methods, such as qualitative, in-depth analysis of these factors and their relationships, which may confirm results or produce different results. Further, this study empirically extends existing theoretical contributions and insights into the roles of strategic supply chain management and innovation management in improving supply chain and ultimately industry performance while providing practical insights to supply chain practitioners in this and other similar agribusiness industries.Practical implications– These findings confirm results from a 2007 research (Ketchenet al., 2007) which suggests supply chain practice and teachings need to take a strategic direction in the twenty-first century. To date, competence in supply chain management has built up from functional and process orientations rather than from a strategic perspective. This study confirms that there is a need for more generalists that can integrate with various disciplines, particularly those who can understand and implement strategic supply chain management.Social implications– Possible social implications accrue through the development of responsible government policy in terms of industry supply chains. Strategic supply chain management and supply chain innovation management have impacts to the social fabric of nations through the sustainability of their industries, especially agribusiness industries which deal with food safety and security. If supply chains are now the competitive weapon of nations then funding innovation and managing their supply chain competitiveness in global markets requires a strategic approach from everyone, not just the industry participants.Originality/value– This is original empirical research, seeking to add value to embryonic and important developing literature concerned with adopting a strategic approach to supply chain management. It also seeks to add to existing literature in the area of innovation management, particularly through greater understanding of the implications of nations developing industry-wide, industry-led innovation agendas, and their ramifications to industry supply chains.

Background The research literature has documented age-related increases in genetic damage, including oxidative DNA damage, in human T lymphocytes, in vitro and ex vivo. Such damage has the potential to interfere with the ability of the T cells to proliferate at times when they need to, such as when antigen challenged. The consequence of this could be a sub-optimal immune response in vivo. Context and purpose The purpose of the research reported in this paper was to investigate the impact of two antioxidants, which can be administered in vivo, Ebselen and N-acetyl L-cysteine, on the age-related increase in genetic damage, and on T cell proliferation and lifespan. In vitro human T cell clones, ex vivo peripheral blood mononuclear cells or T cells were supplemented with different concentrations of antioxidants, under standard conditions and for different periods of time. A range of assays were then applied in order to determine any impact of the antioxidants. Results 30 μM ebselen or 7.5 mM N-acetyl L-cysteine supplementation resulted in a significantly higher intracellular GSH: GSSG ratio. This increased ratio was accompanied by reduced levels of oxidative DNA damage in established CD4+ human T cell clones, from a young or a middle-aged donor. Additionally, cultures of primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and CD4+ T cells from donors aged 25–30 or 55–60 years were also supplemented with these agents. Cells from all sources exhibited increased proliferation, and in the case of the T cell clones, an increase in cumulative population doublings. Neither ebselen nor N-acetyl L-cysteine had such effects on clones supplemented from the midpoint of their in vitro lifespan. Conclusions Ebselen and N-acetyl L-cysteine, under certain conditions, may have anti-immunosenescent potential in T cells in in vitro clonal and ex vivo polyclonal culture models.

Agriculture has adopted many scientific innovations that have improved productivity. The majority of innovations in agriculture have been communicated to end users through a simple diffusion and dissemination model. However, as the science underpinning the innovations becomes more complex, research and development organizations need to look at better ways to communicate their innovation to end users. This paper examines innovations in the beef industry in Australia and investigates how complex innovations are being communicated and identifies the nature and level of communication with end users and the role of intermediaries. The findings support the need for greater involvement of end users in the innovation development process and a more vibrant two-way communication process between scientists, intermediaries and end users. The results also suggest that the traditional diffusion processes are insufficient to ensure high levels of awareness and adoption.

A substantial body of literature exists identifying factors contributing to under-performing Enterprise Resource Planning systems (ERPs), including poor communication, lack of executive support and user dissatisfaction (Calisir et al., 2009). Of particular interest is Momoh et al.’s (2010) recent review identifying poor data quality (DQ) as one of nine critical factors associated with ERP failure. DQ is central to ERP operating processes, ERP facilitated decision-making and inter-organizational cooperation (Batini et al., 2009). Crucial in ERP contexts is that the integrated, automated, process driven nature of ERP data flows can amplify DQ issues, compounding minor errors as they flow through the system (Haug et al., 2009; Xu et al., 2002). However, the growing appreciation of the importance of DQ in determining ERP success lacks research addressing the relationship between stakeholders’ requirements and perceptions of ERP DQ, perceived data utility and the impact of users’ treatment of data on ERP outcomes.

(1994). Technology Policy in the Post-Cold War World. Journal of Economic Issues: Vol. 28, No. 2, pp. 597-608.

Organisations are increasingly investing in complex technological innovations, such as enterprise information systems, with the aim of improving the operation of the business, and in this way gaining competitive advantage. However, the implementation of technological innovations tends to have an excessive focus on either technology innovation effectiveness, or the resulting operational effectiveness. Focusing on either one of them is detrimental to long-term performance. Cross-functional teams have been used by many organisations as a way of involving expertise from different functional areas in the implementation of technologies. The role of boundary spanning actors is discussed as they bring a common language to the cross-functional teams. Multiple regression analysis has been used to identify the structural relationships and provide an explanation for the influence of cross-functional teams, technology innovation effectiveness and operational effectiveness in the continuous improvement of operational performance. The findings indicate that cross functional teams have an indirect influence on continuous improvement of operational performance through the alignment between technology innovation effectiveness and operational effectiveness. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

There is little empirical research on the relational capabilities and competences in supply chain relationships, and the important links that exist between relational capabilities, competences and supply chain innovation. This study addresses some of that knowledge gap gained through a case study of the Australian freight services sector. Findings suggest that different competences developed by supply chain participants support different ways to enable operational effectiveness. Road freight businesses should acquire knowledge of how to select and manage inter-firm relationships that provide the greatest benefit, acquiring competences that either improve their current capabilities or assist them to explore strategies that ensure incremental innovation and supply chain performance objectives are met.

In Australia rural research and development corporations and companies expended over $AUS500 million on agricultural research and development. A substantial proportion of this is invested in R&D in the beef industry. The Australian beef industry exports almost $AUS5billionof product annually and invest heavily in new product development to improve the beef quality and improve production efficiency. Review points are critical for effective new product development, yet many research and development bodies, particularly publicly funded ones, appear to ignore the importance of assessing products prior to their release. Significant sums of money are invested in developing technological innovations that have low levels and rates of adoption. The adoption rates could be improved if the developers were more focused on technology uptake and less focused on proving their technologies can be applied in practice. Several approaches have been put forward in an effort to improve rates of adoption into operational settings. This paper presents a study of key technological innovations in the Australian beef industry to assess the use of multiple criteria in evaluating the potential uptake of new technologies. Findings indicate that using multiple criteria to evaluate innovations before commercializing a technology enables researchers to better understand the issues that may inhibit adoption.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the issues relating to recruiting highly skilled managerial and professional staff experienced by multinational companies (MNCs) manufacturing in six Asian countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. Design/methodology/approach: Data collected from 529 MNCs were used to examine critical human resource planning and recruitment concerns of companies operating in high growth “Dragon” and newly developed “Tiger” economies. The study examined the differences in recruitment practices between manufacturing and service companies and the issues relating to how manufacturers maintain an adequate skills basis. Findings: There appears a considerable extent of battle for talent among Dragon and Tiger economies with the latter required to be more aggressive as they attempt to sustain growth. Manufacturing companies are experiencing a higher demand for more job‐related managerial and technical capabilities whilst competing with service companies that are also in need for more talent. To succeed, manufacturing MNCs will need to adopt a strategic approach for recruitment and retention, and internal capability training to maintain their skilled employees in order to sustain competitive advantage. Originality/value: The results shown in the paper provide manufacturing MNCs with insights into managerial and professional recruitment trend in Asia. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

The objective of this paper is to take a first step in developing a theoretical framework describing the role of HRM in successful CI, based on the current literature from both fields. To this end, elements from the CI Maturity Model and a framework depicting the role of HRM in innovation serve as a foundation for examining how specific bundles of HRM practices utilised during different phases of the CI implementation process may contribute to sustained organisational and enhanced operational performance. The primary contribution of this paper is theoretical; however, the framework has practical value in that it suggests important relationships between HRM practices and behaviours necessary for successful CI. A preliminary test of the framework in an empirical setting is summarised at the conclusion of this paper, where a number of possible research avenues are also suggested.

In rapidly changing environments, organisations require dynamic capabilities to integrate, build and reconfigure resources and competencies to achieve continuous innovation. Although tangible resources are important to promoting the firm's ability to act, capabilities fundamentally rest in the knowledge created and accumulated by the firm through human capital, organisational routines, processes, practices and norms. The exploration for new ideas, technologies and knowledge – to one side – and – on the other one – the exploitation of existing and new knowledge is essential for continuous innovation. Firms need to decide how best to allocate their scarce resources for both activities and at the same time build dynamic capabilities to keep up with changing market conditions. This in turn, is influenced by the absorptive capacity of the firm to assimilate knowledge. This paper presents a case study that investigates the sources of knowledge in an engineering firm in Australia, and how it is organised and processed. As information pervades the firm from both internal and external sources, individuals integrate knowledge using both exploration and exploitation approaches. The findings illustrate that absorptive capacity can encourage greater leverage for exploration potential leading to radical innovation; and reconfiguring exploitable knowledge for incremental improvements. This study provides an insight for managers in quest of improving knowledge strategies and continuous innovation. It also makes significant theoretical contributions to the literature through extending the concepts of absorptive capacity and how knowledge constructs capabilities for innovation. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Knowledge has been recognised as a source of competitive advantage. Knowledge-based resources allow organisations to adapt products and services to the marketplace and deal with competitive challenges that enable them to compete more effectively. One factor critical to using knowledge-based resources is the ability to transfer knowledge as a dimension of the learning organisation. There are many elements that may influence whether knowledge transfer can be effectively achieved in an organisation such as leadership, problem-solving behaviours, support structures, change management capabilities, absorptive capacity and the nature of the knowledge. An existing framework was applied in a case study to explain how knowledge transfer can be managed effectively and to identify emerging issues or additional factors involved in the process. As a result, a refined framework is proposed that provides a better understanding for the effective management of knowledge transfer processes that can provide a competitive advantage. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

To maintain or achieve competitiveness and profitability, a manufacturing firm or enterprise must respond to a range of challenges, including rapid improvements in technology; declining employment and output; globalisation of markets and environmental requirements. In addition, substantial changes in government policy have had important impacts in many countries, as have the increasing levels of global trade. Manufacturing enterprises need to have a clear understanding of what their customers want and why customers purchase their products rather than purchase from their competitors. They need to fully understand the aims of the business in terms of its customers, market segments, product attributes, geographical markets and performance. Continuous Improvement (CI) methods have become widely adopted and regarded as providing an important component of increased company competitiveness. This article examines the extent to which continuous improvement activities have contributed to the different areas of business performance.

The selection of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems requires a complex series of decisions. These decisions are influenced and informed by a number of factors. In this paper, we explore the consideration given to the core factors used in ERP selection decision making. A balanced decision making model is proposed that provides an explanation of organisational outcomes from decisions based on the interactions among core factors, context and environmental factors, and organisational structures. It is proposed that decisions that lead to good organisational outcomes have a balance of elements where no particular factor is given undue emphasis. In this study, the balanced model is used to analyse the organisational outcomes from a case study involving the selection of an Enterprise Resource Planning System at an academic institution. It is proposed that the model may assist decision makers in understanding the core factors and influences that affect their ERP selection decisions.

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore a range of training practices adopted by multinational companies (MNCs) operating in Asia. It investigated the level of training expenditure, the nature of training programs offered and the concerns about training in MNCs.Design/methodology/approach – Data were obtained through a survey of 529 MNCs operating in six Asian countries to examine the average cost spent on training and the type of training programs offered to different groups of employees. The respondents were also asked to indicate their perceptions on the training provided and how effective the training has on firm performance.Findings – It appears that MNCs invested significantly in training. Training was found to be more widespread in service organisations than manufacturing organisations operating in Asia. The majority of training emphasised managerial and professional staff development; and was generally conducted externally. Respondents were concerned mainly with the quality and relevance...

Background Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is a posttranslational modification of nuclear proteins catalysed by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs), using NAD+ as a substrate. Activation of PARP-1 is in immediate response to DNA damage generated by endogenous and exogenous damaging agents. It has been implicated in several crucial cellular processes including DNA repair and maintenance of genomic stability, which are both intimately linked with the ageing process. The measurement of cellular poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation capacity, defined as the amount of poly(ADP-ribose) produced under maximal stimulation, is therefore relevant for research on ageing, as well as for a variety of other scientific questions. Results This paper reports a new, robust protocol for the measurement of cellular poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation capacity in PBMC or Jurkat T-cells using flow cytometry, based on a previously established immuno-dot-blot assay. In order to validate the new assay, we determined the dose-response curve of 3-aminobenzamide, a well-known competitive PARP inhibitor, and we derived an IC50 that is very close to the published value. When testing a set of PBMC samples taken from fifteen healthy young human donors, we could confirm the presence of a substantial interindividual variation, as previously observed using a radiometric assay. Conclusion The methodology described in this paper should be generally useful for the determination of cellular poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation capacity in a wide variety of settings, especially for the comparison of large sets of samples, such as population studies. In contrast to previously published radiometric or immuno-dot-blot assays, the new FACS-based method allows (i) selective analysis of mononuclear cells by gating and (ii) detection of a possible heterogeneity in poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation capacity between cells of the same type.

PurposeThe launch of a new product into the marketplace involves substantial risk and management planning. Information and tools are required to efficiently test‐market the product price, segment‐based price, and competitive price benchmark. The traditional approach to pricing such products has been on a cost‐plus basis with subsequent adjustments as sales develop. This paper aims to look at a more rigorous method using statistical analyses of survey data and is based on a case study of a company which seeks to differentiate itself by providing fresh cut fresh fruit of exceptional quality.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical research conducted involved surveys of sampling consumers in a regional centre (Rockhampton) and a capital city (Brisbane) in Queensland, Australia. The surveys involved a taste test, feedback on the product, questions on appearance and pricing options, and collection of socio‐economic data. Further statistical tests were conducted to establish the price range for market launch in the two regions.FindingsThe findings identify the key demographics of the sample, the price and the main product offering. The price for the cut fresh fruit should be set in the range $2.50 to $2.95 in order to maximise both volume sales and profitability.Originality/valueThe study makes significant theoretical contributions to the literature and also identifies implications for managers. It provides good information for developing an appropriate marketing plan, identifying key demographics, reducing the risk of product failure and implementing strategies effectively, particularly with reference to the critical decision of a launch price.

This paper examines a sample of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) firms in Australia drawn from a wide range of product and service providers in the Sydney region. It researches the sources of information and ideas that firms utilize to sustain their competitive position through innovation. While the firms in the survey varied in size in terms of turnover, number of employees and level of business activity, most see themselves as innovative. Not all firms utilized the same sources of innovation-related knowledge and most used research and technology organizations (RTOs) or other publicly funded sources of information for help with ‘technical’ (standards etc) or trade issues. While ICT firms are often regarded as leading-edge developers of new ideas, this research indicated that ICT firms still see their sales force, customers and suppliers as the most important sources of innovation knowledge and ideas.