Managing post-merger corporate culture: A case study of two mergers in the United States transportation industry.

One company proactively sought to recognize and adopt the best cultural characteristics of both pre-merger partners. The other company chose to rapidly integrate two competitors with an expectation that the culture of the acquired organization would be assimilated into the culture of the new owner.The number and value of mergers and acquisitions involving a United States company continue to grow at record rates. The excitement about doing a merger or acquisition is driven by the anticipation of financial success due to reduced competition, operational synergies, and access to larger customer bases. The dark side of mergers and acquisitions, however, is that two-thirds of them either fail or under perform expectations. Although blame is often placed on financial considerations or unrealistic business plans, there has been a recent interest in how the human side of mergers and acquisitions may affect their ultimate success.The creation of these case studies has contributed to the body of knowledge by providing the rationale, results, and consequences that might be analogous to other organizations considering a post-merger culture change. The two mergers selected for this research represent the extreme ends of the change spectrum. The case studies were written based on 23 personal interviews with current and previous employees in a range of positions at both companies. The research also relies heavily on document examination, reference to published materials, and observations of the companies in their natural setting.Since no two mergers are alike, this case study research provides information that may be of value to those considering a merger or acquisition. Merger participants should take into account such factors as the workforce size, geographical distribution, strength of collective bargaining agreements, and tenure of employees when making post-merger culture change decisions of their own.In the second case, no underlying development strategy was used to guide the process. Operating problems attributable to the disregard of job skills developed within months. Many employees who resisted were given an exit opportunity causing a knowledge deficit in territories germane to the acquired company. Severe and costly service disruptions resulted which took years for the company to recover from.This dissertation examines and discusses---in case study format---the different approach the leadership of two organizations took to manage corporate culture in their transportation industry mergers.The second case studies the merger of two competitors that sought to build a larger end-to-end network. Using the Harrison and Stokes (1992) descriptors, the acquired company in this example had an achievement type culture while the acquiring company had and still has a role type culture. In this case the post-merger culture change (P. M. C. C.) methodology consisted simply of requiring that the acquired company adopt the rules and practices of the acquiring company.Using descriptors coined by Harrison and Stokes in 1992, the first case study examines a merger that featured the combination of a company with a power culture with a competitor that had a support culture. According to senior management, both cultures contributed to the financial success of the predecessor companies. With the approaching merger, however, the leadership team recognized that a clash of the different values, attitudes, and driving forces could be detrimental to the new company.One topic often disregarded when a merger is planned is how the corporate cultures of the two companies will react with each other when the companies are brought together. Since every organization has a unique culture, it is possible that the two cultures could clash and undermine the benefits of the merger by reducing productivity, disrupting operations, disturbing the supply chain, or alienating customers.The post-merger culture change (P.M.C.C.) at one company relied on the identification and adoption of best practices from both predecessor companies. That merger has been declared to be successful by senior management based on levels of employee satisfaction, profitability, and share price as indicators

Preliminary analysis of effects of the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games on air quality

This paper presents preliminary results about Turin\u2019s air quality before, during and after the realization of the infrastructure projects for the Turin 2006 XX Winter Olympic Games. We compared the 3-year in-operam (work in progress) period (i.e. 2003\u20132005, when all infrastructures needed for the organization were built) with the periods before (ante-operam) and after (post-operam): 2000\u20132002 and 2006\u20132008, respectively. In particular, we analyzed the concentrations of the primary pollutants (nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and fine particulate matter, PM10) in Turin and Milan. In this way, we could use the measurements from Milan as a control dataset for comparison with the atmospheric pollution conditions in Turin. We found that infrastructural work for the Olympic Games in Turin affected NO2 and PM10 atmospheric concentrations, determining a peak in the average values during the in-operam period (probably due to caterpillar tractor emissions and excavation). This pattern did not emerge from the Milan data, where a decreasing trend can be seen between the ante-operam and the post-operam periods. On the other hand, a negative effect on CO levels was not observed: the decreasing trend, more evident in Turin compared to Milan, can be linked to the expansion during the same period of limited traffic areas created to facilitate the infrastructural work

MODELLAZIONE DISTRIBUITA DEL BILANCIO ENERGETICO E DELL¿ABLAZIONE DI UN GHIACCIAIO ALPINO:IL GHIACCIAIO DEI FORNI

Scopo di questo lavoro \ue8 stata la modellazione distribuita della fusione della neve e/o del ghiaccio sulla superficie di un ghiacciaio alpino (il Ghiacciaio dei Forni, Italia). A questo scopo sono stati applicati diversi metodi partendo dal pi\uf9 semplice (che dipende solo dalla temperatura dell\u2019aria) a quelli pi\uf9 sofisticati (basati sul bilancio energetico). Sono stati applicati e testati, quindi, alcuni modelli per stimare e spazializzare i parametri meteorologici e i flussi energetici. Per ogni variabile analizzata, sono stati confrontati i valori modellizzati con quelli effettivamente misurati: in questo modo \ue8 stato possibile investigare l\u2019affidabilit\ue0 degli approcci scelti. Tutte le elaborazioni per la distribuzione dei parametri in ingresso che permettono la quantificazione del bilancio energetico superficiale sono state applicate a tutte le celle di un modello di elevazione digitale (DEM) con maglia 20 m x 20 m che descrive la superficie del Ghiacciaio dei Forni (Alpi Italiane). In questo modo \ue8 stato possibile i) valutare le condizioni distribuite spazialmente e temporalmente di temperatura dell\u2019aria e di pressione di vapore; ii) predire in determinati intervalli di tempo la distribuzione spaziale sia dell\u2019ombreggiamento dovuto alla topografia circostante che della radiazione solare potenziale e globale; iii) modellare la radiazione infrarossa in arrivo dall\u2019atmosfera; iv) definire i flussi turbolenti distribuiti; v) investigare le variazioni sia spaziali che temporali dei componenti del bilancio energetico; vi) quantificare i tassi di fusione anche nelle porzioni coperte da detrito; e vii) predisporre tutti i dati input necessari per calcolare le variazioni distribuite ad alta risoluzione temporale del bilancio energetico di tutta un\u2019area glacializzata. Il primo passaggio \ue8 consistito nel definire a livello puntuale il modello di bilancio energetico e, quindi, di massa a partire sia da dati misurati (attraverso una stazione meteorologica automatica supraglaciale installata sulla lingua del Ghiacciaio dei Forni, AWS1 Forni) sia da valori stimati. Una volta che sono stati ben definiti a livello puntuale i processi fisici coinvolti nella fusione, si \ue8 passati alla distribuzione degli stessi. Si \ue8 partiti dal modello di ablazione pi\uf9 semplice (T-index o degree-day) focalizzando lo studio sulla scelta della soglia di temperatura media giornaliera dell\u2019aria che testimonia la presenza di fusione. Infatti tali condizioni possono verificarsi anche con temperature medie giornaliere inferiori a 273.15 K, in quanto \ue8 il bilancio energetico che governa i processi di fusione. Successivamente sono stati testati diversi modelli di T-index che includono anche la componente radiativa (e non solo la temperatura dell\u2019aria). In particolare \ue8 stato introdotto un nuovo approccio che considera anche la radiazione infrarossa netta. Inoltre sono stati applicati alcuni metodi per distribuire gli input meteorologici a questi modelli di T-index. In questo modo si \ue8 cercata una maggiore e pi\uf9 ampia applicazione di questi approcci anche su quei ghiacciai che non dispongono di stazioni meteorologiche o in particolare di un radiometro netto, necessario per le misure dirette della radiazione infrarossa. Inoltre sono stati considerati i parametri che possono influenzare la variabilit\ue0 dell\u2019albedo superficiale: il detrito fine e sparso e l\u2019acqua meteorica. In particolare si \ue8 proposto un metodo per investigare le caratteristiche del detrito fino e sparso che ricopre la superficie della lingua d\u2019ablazione e le sue relazioni con l\u2019albedo del ghiaccio. Infatti nonostante l\u2019abbondante letteratura riguardante la deposizione delle polveri e del black carbon nelle zone di accumulo dei ghiacciai, sono disponibili pochi studi che descrivono questi fenomeni sulla superficie d\u2019ablazione. Quindi \ue8 stato sviluppato un protocollo per i) campionare il detrito fine e sparso supraglaciale; ii) quantificare la sua copertura superficiale; iii) descrivere la sua composizione e le sue propriet\ue0 sedimentologiche; iv) misurare l\u2019albedo; e v) identificare le relazioni tra l\u2019albedo e la copertura detritica fine. Si \ue8 passati poi ad analizzare la distribuzione dei flussi turbolenti. Lo scopo principale \ue8 stato quello di distribuire la pressione di vapore e di definire i coefficienti di scambio turbolento sia catabatico che di back-ground. Infine sono state investigate le condizioni di fusione e il tasso di ablazione anche nelle porzioni del ghiacciaio coperte da detrito (ovvero le morene mediane nel caso del Ghiacciaio dei Forni). A questo scopo \ue8 stato applicato un modello semplice basato sul fatto che il flusso di calore conduttivo dipende dal gradiente di temperatura fra la superficie e il ghiaccio.This research deals with the estimation of the distributed snow and ice ablation amounts at an alpine glacier surface with a diurnal or sub-diurnal temporal resolution. Several methods were applied from the easiest one which depends only on the air temperature to the most exhaustive ones based on the energy budget. For this reason we applied and tested some models to estimate and distribute the meteorological parameters and the energy fluxes. For each analysed variable, the modelled values were compared to the ones measured at the surface of the Forni Glacier (Italian Alps) in order to investigate the reliability of the chosen approach. All the computations were aimed at obtaining the distribution of the factors driving the glacier energy budget on a digital elevation model (DEM) 20 x 20 m grid spaced which describes the surface of an Alpine debris free glacier (the Forni Glacier, Italian Alps). In this way i) the spatial and temporal distribution of air temperature and vapour pressure conditions were evaluated; ii) the spatial distribution of topographic shading and of potential and global solar radiation for selected time intervals was predicted; iii) the distributed incoming infrared radiation was modelled; iv) the distributed turbulent fluxes were assessed; v) the spatial and temporal variations of the energy balance components were investigated; vi) the melt amount over the debris-covered areas was quantified as well; and vii) the short-term energy balance variations of a whole glacierized area can be easily computed. Firstly the point energy and mass balance was modelled from measured (from a supraglacial automatic weather station set up on the tongue of the Forni Glacier, AWS1 Forni) and estimated values. Since the physical processes were assessed at the AWS1 Forni site, the distribution of the melting processes over the Forni Glacier surface was considered. In particular initially a simple degree-day model was applied with respect to the snow ablation focussing on the suitability of the chosen temperature threshold which witnesses melting conditions. In fact, melt does not necessarily occur at daily average air temperatures higher than 273.15 K, since it is determined by the surface energy budget which in turn is only indirectly affected by air temperature. Several enhanced T-index models including solar radiation were considered as well. A new enhanced T-index model including infrared radiation was developed to evaluate distributed ice melt and compared with the other T-index methods. Different approaches were further tested to distribute the input meteorological and energy data driving the enhanced T-index methods (i.e. air temperature, solar and infrared radiation), which should allow a wider application of this approach upon glaciers not equipped with AWS, or without a net radiometer, necessary to directly measure infrared flux. Moreover, the parameters affecting temporal and spatial albedo variability were considered: sparse and fine debris and dust, and rainfalls. In particular a method to investigate the characteristics of sparse and fine debris coverage at the glacier melting surface and its relation to ice albedo was proposed. In fact despite the abundant literature dealing with dust and black carbon deposition on glacier accumulation areas, few studies that describe the distribution and properties of fine and discontinuous debris and black carbon at the melting surface of glaciers are available. A protocol to i) sample fine and sparse supraglacial debris and dust, ii) quantify its surface coverage, iii) describe its composition and sedimentological properties, iv) measure ice albedo, and v) identify the relationship between albedo and fine debris coverage, was developed. The distribution of the turbulent fluxes was also investigated. The main focuses were the distribution of the vapour pressure and the assessment of the katabatic and the back-ground turbulent exchange coefficients. Finally the melting conditions and rate were also assessed over the glacier debris-covered area, which in the case of the Forni Glacier corresponds to the medial moraines. In this case a simple approach was applied based on the fact that the conductive heat flux depends on the temperature gradient from debris surface to ice

Preliminary results from antarctic albedo from remote sensing observations

The aim of the study is to analyse the surface albedo of the Ant-arctica and investigate eventual signals of variations in space and time between summer 2000/2001 and 2011/2012 by means of the GLASS albedo product. We followed a step-by-step procedure from micro- to macro-scale. At first, we analysed 95 glaciers around the continent, and we found limited temporal variability. Then, looking at spatial varia-tions, we divided Antarctica based on oceanic basins and by continen-tality. We found spatial signals, since mean albedo values range between 0.79 (Pacific and Atlantic basins) and 0.82 (Indian basin) and between 0.76 (along the shore) and 0.81 (inner continent). An increasing vari-ability was found from the inner continent to the shore, and heteroge-neous patterns among the basins, most likely due to meteorological and environmental conditions (mainly: temperature, precipitation, katabatic winds). Finally, the general patterns observed (considering the specific gla-ciers, the three basins and the three continentality sectors) were verified by the analysis of the whole continent and we did not find a significant change of summer averages over time, as they range between 0.79 and 0.80

An Exploratory Study of Adult Baby-Diaper Lovers’ Characteristics in an Italian Online Sample

Background: Knowledge of the Adult Baby-Diaper Lovers (ABDL) phenomena is quite recent and there are, of yet, few studies on this phenomenon. Aim: This study was conceived to investigate the functions of ABDL behaviours and the characteristics of ABDL in an online Italian community sample. We hypothesized that ABDL phenomena were associated with general psychological maladjustment and with an experience of parental rejection during childhood. It was also assumed that there would be differences in ABDL profiles based on the age of appearance of their first Adult Baby-Diaper Lover (ABDL) fantasies. Method: An internet-based study was conducted and it involved 38 adults aged between 18 and 74 years (M = 34.95; SD = 12.25). Participants were first given an ad hoc questionnaire, which was devised to obtain information about the anamnestic variables related to ABDL. Then, the participants filled out the Cognitive Behaviour Assessment 2.0 battery to obtain anamnestic information regarding their psychological, medical, and personal history and to evaluate primary psychological dimensions in clinical practice. Finally, they filled out the Adult Parental Acceptance–Rejection Questionnaire, to evaluate their recollections of parental perceived rejection, and the Personality Assessment Questionnaire, to evaluate the primary psychological aspects related to parental rejection. Results: The data indicated that adults with ABDL showed the presence of anxious traits and recollections of parental rejection during childhood. Moreover, associations were observed between current or previous ABDL phenomena enuresis and negative mood states. Conclusion: Specific kinds of parental modes, anxiety traits, and enuresis seem to be the source of ABDL interests. Moreover, ADBL behaviours seem to assume different functions and meanings

Prejudices towards people with intellectual disabilities: reliability and validity of the Italian Modern and Classical Prejudices Scale

Background Prejudices and negative attitudes towards intellectual disabilities (IDs) may hinder social inclusion of ID individuals, limiting their well‐being. This study investigated the psychometric characteristics of the Italian Modern and Classical Prejudices Scale (MCPS‐IT) towards people with ID and the effects of gender, age and socio‐economic status (SES) on prejudices. Method The MCPS‐IT was administered to 474 adults (69% women, age range 18–70 years, M = 33.13) in conjunction with a questionnaire evaluating socio‐demographic information (SES), the contact and the education about ID people and the social dominance orientation. Results Results confirmed that Italian MCPS has a two‐factor structure that measures in a reliable and valid way prejudice towards people with ID. Multivariate analyses of variance confirmed a weak gender difference in both scales and age differences in modern scale. No SES differences were found. Conclusion The Italian MCPS represents a valid scale that can be used to monitor the social context of people with ID

Distribution of the surface energy budget: Preliminary analysis on the incoming solar radiation. the case study of the Forni Glacier (Italy)

This study represents a contribution to distribution of the surface energy budget of the Forni Glacier (Ortles-Cevedale Group, Upper Valtellina, Italy). The analyses are based on data acquired at S. Caterina Valfurva (a village in the glacier valley at 1768 m ellipsoidal elevation WGS84) by an Automatic Weather Station (AWS) installed and managed by the Lombardy Agency for the Environment ("ARPA Lombardia"). We focus on the two most important meteorological parameters affecting surface energy budget: air temperature (T) and incoming shortwave radiation (SWin). Data collected from the ARPA AWS are used to evaluate these parameters at the glacier surface during the meteorological summer 2009 (from 1st June to 31st August 2009) and then the computations are validated through comparison with data recorded by an AWS installed at the surface of Forni Glacier tongue ("AWS1 Forni", 2669 m ellipsoidal elevation WGS84). The analysis of the distributed air temperature data enabled identification of the lowest value (-11.9 degrees C), found at the Mount S. Matteo peak (3669 m) on 22nd June at 8: 00 pm, and the highest value (+16.1 degrees C), recorded at the glacier terminus (2497 m) on 23 rd July at 2: 00 pm. The seasonal temperature amplitude (Tmax-Tmin) was 28 degrees C. The hottest week was 20th-26th July 2009 and the coldest was 1st-7th June 2009. Regarding daily SWin distribution, the maximum value (406.9 Wm(-2)) was recorded on 13th June and the minimum (28.5 Wm(-2)) on 6th June. From the analysis of hourly SWin values we could distinguish between days with clear sky conditions and days with intense cloud cover. Weekly mean SWin data showed the greatest value (327.1 Wm(-2)) from 20th-26th July 2009 and the lowest (207.8 Wm(-2)) from 22nd-28th June 2009. Furthermore, in analysing SWin it is critical to take into account the problem of shading. Using the Hillshade tool of ArcGIS, which takes into account only the slope and the aspect of each grid cell neglecting the surrounding topography effect, we compiled 66 shadow maps. Finally this study represents a first approach in modelling the distributed incoming solar radiation. In fact the considered driving factors are the elevation, the slope and the aspect of each grid cell. The next step will consist in taking into account the surrounding topography and the actual atmosphere conditions as well

A Full Variational Calculation Based on a Tensor ProductDecomposition

A new direct full variational approach exploits a tensor (Kronecker) product decomposition of the Hamiltonian. Explicit assembly and storage of the Hamiltonian matrix is avoided by using the Kronecker product structure to form matrix-vector products directly from the molecular integrals. Computation-intensive integral transformations and formula tapes are unnecessary. The wavefunction is expanded in terms of spin-free primitive kets rather than Staler determinants of configuration state functions, and the expansion is equivalent to a full configuration interaction expansion. The approach suggests compact storage schemes and algorithms which are naturally suited to parallel and pipelined machines

The Relationship Between Loneliness and Psychological Adjustment: Validation of the Italian Version of the Interpersonal Acceptance–Rejection Loneliness Scale

In recent literature, many researchers have highlighted that the feeling of loneliness can be considered a sign of relevant distress with short- and long-term consequences on the health of people who needs to be appropriately monitored and treated. In this view, the Interpersonal Acceptance–Rejection Loneliness Scale (IPARLS) has been developed to evaluate the subjective feelings and distress related to interpersonal loneliness and to overcome the limits of the previous scales; however, its psychometric characteristics have not yet been fully investigated. Starting from these considerations, two studies have been conducted. The first study, involving 688 adults (19–69 years; 51% females), assessed dimensionality, reliability, and validity of and tested the measurement invariance (MI) of the Italian version of the IPARLS. The second study, involving 205 adults (20–69 years; 51% females), investigated the relationship between loneliness and psychological adjustment. Results confirmed the unidimensionality of the scale and showed that it is reliable, valid, and fully invariant as a function of age and gender. Moreover, data showed a strong association between perceived loneliness and psychological adjustment. The IPARLS is confirmed to be a valid and reliable measure to investigate loneliness in the life cycle from clinical and research perspectives