Leadership and succession in Trinidadian family businesses

This research examines the qualities required for establishing effective leadership succession in private Family Businesses (pFB) in Trinidad, private meaning those still wholly-owned by family members. Trinidad’s pFB are major employers and contributors to economies globally and, yet, prior research shows that only around a quarter to a third survive to a second generation and only one-in-ten to a third. Therefore, identifying and developing the factors that support pFB continuity and transition are important both locally and internationally. This study identifies the key leadership and related elements for successful pFB continuity and succession in the Caribbean nation of Trinidad. The research is based on a qualitative approach, using in-depth, semi-structured, and open-ended interviews with eleven purposively-selected local pFB leaders. Interviewees comprised first- and second-generation leaders with ten existing pFB’s and one now-dormant pFB. The results show that none had established formal succession plans, but achieved success principally through effective face-to-face conversations between the leader, typically the parent, and the successor, typically one of the parents’ children. The research provides a valuable insight into the critical qualities deemed necessary for leaders to achieve continuity in their family business. The eight qualities identified for pFB success emanated from the data gathered (capability; honesty; and integrity), from the conceptual framework developed based on prior literature (vision; and effective communication), and from the discussions held (industry knowledge; a sound knowledge of the pFB organisational structures; and the support of the incumbent leader). These, alongside some measures of financial performance, lead to long-term success, and therefore generational continuity. This research extends current knowledge on how pFB continuity in Trinidad may be achieved, based on identifying the leadership qualities required. Further research is recommended on refining such knowledge across the Caribbean and into different territories, sectors, markets and industries

Beta defensin-2 is reduced in central but not in distal airways of smoker COPD patients

Background: Altered pulmonary defenses in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may promote distal airways bacterial colonization. The expression/activation of Toll Like receptors (TLR) and beta 2 defensin (HBD2) release by epithelial cells crucially affect pulmonary defence mechanisms. Methods: The epithelial expression of TLR4 and of HBD2 was assessed in surgical specimens from current smokers COPD (s-COPD; n = 17), ex-smokers COPD (ex-s-COPD; n = 8), smokers without COPD (S; n = 12), and from non-smoker non-COPD subjects (C; n = 13). Results: In distal airways, s-COPD highly expressed TLR4 and HBD2. In central airways, S and s-COPD showed increased TLR4 expression. Lower HBD2 expression was observed in central airways of s-COPD when compared to S and to ex-s-COPD. s-COPD had a reduced HBD2 gene expression as demonstrated by real-time PCR on micro-dissected bronchial epithelial cells. Furthermore, HBD2 expression positively correlated with FEV1/FVC ratio and inversely correlated with the cigarette smoke exposure. In a bronchial epithelial cell line (16 HBE) IL-1β significantly induced the HBD2 mRNA expression and cigarette smoke extracts significantly counteracted this IL-1 mediated effect reducing both the activation of NFkB pathway and the interaction between NFkB and HBD2 promoter. Conclusions: This study provides new insights on the possible mechanisms involved in the alteration of innate immunity mechanisms in COPD. © 2012 Pace et al

Limitations of Water Resources Infrastructure for Reducing Community Vulnerabilities to Extremes and Uncertainty of Flood and Drought

Debate and deliberation surrounding climate change has shifted from mitigation toward adaptation, with much of the adaptation focus centered on adaptive practices, and infrastructure development. However, there is little research assessing expected impacts, potential benefits, and design challenges that exist for reducing vulnerability to expected climate impacts. The uncertainty of design requirements and associated government policies, and social structures that reflect observed and projected changes in the intensity, duration, and frequency of water-related climate events leaves communities vulnerable to the negative impacts of potential flood and drought. The results of international research into how agricultural infrastructure features in current and planned adaptive capacity of rural communities in Argentina, Canada, and Colombia indicate that extreme hydroclimatic events, as well as climate variability and unpredictability are important for understanding and responding to community vulnerability. The research outcomes clearly identify the need to deliberately plan, coordinate, and implement infrastructures that support community resiliency.Fil: McMartin, Dena W.. University of Regina; CanadáFil: Hernani Merino, Bruno H.. University of Regina; CanadáFil: Bonsal, Barrie. Environment Canada; CanadáFil: Hurlbert, Margot. University of Regina; CanadáFil: Villalba, Ricardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Cientifícas y Tecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Ocampo, Olga L.. Universidad Autónoma de Manizales; ColombiaFil: Upegui, Jorge Julián Vélez. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Poveda, Germán. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Sauchyn, David J.. University of Regina; Canad

Trends in Biometric Techonology

Biometrics is playing a major role in automating personal identification system deployed to enhance security in several applications including use of passports, cellular telephones, automatic teller machines computer systems and driver licenses. The use of biometric features for identification purposes requires that a particular biometric factor be unique for each individual, that it can be readily measured, and that it is invariant over time. When used for personal identification, biometric technologies measure and analyze human physiological and behavioural characteristics. A person’s physiological characteristics are based on direct measurement of a part of the body such as, fingerprint, hand geometry, facial geometry, and eye retinas and irises. Behavioural characteristics are based on data derived from actions, such as speech and signature. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the field of biometrics including the current trends. The commonly-used biometrics have been evaluated and some future research directions have been identified.Keywords: Biometric, Fingerprint, Face, Iris, Hand, Ea

Financialisation and the management of people: are leveraged buyouts bad for intrinsic job quality?

This paper provides the first nationally representative assessment of intrinsic job quality in leveraged buyouts (LBOs). We propose a workforce re‐contracting perspective, which views LBOs as having negative implications for some aspects of intrinsic job quality (job demands) but positive implications for others (job resources), and employee wellbeing and affective outcomes that are no different than in comparable non‐LBOs. Our empirical findings support this perspective. Nevertheless, we find some evidence that certain LBO types have more negative implications for specific elements of intrinsic job quality than others. However, our overall findings contribute towards studies suggesting that the impact of LBOs on employees is modest, while also highlighting the varying implications of different LBO types for employees