A note on the transitive Hurwitz action on decompositions of parabolic Coxeter elements

In this note, we provide a short and self-contained proof that the braid group on n strands acts transitively on the set of reduced factorizations of a Coxeter element in a Coxeter group of finite rank n into products of reflections. We moreover use the same argument to also show that all factorizations of an element in a parabolic subgroup of W lie as well in this parabolic subgroup.Comment: 5 page

The impact of strategy and conflict handling on conflict outcomes in the R&D/marketing interface

290 marketing and R&D managers from 188 electronic manufacturing firms participated in a survey that considered three major issues: 1) how firms pursuing unique strategies differ in their conflict handling mechanisms; 2) how conflict handling behaviors relate to constructive conflict outcomes; and 3) how constructive conflict outcomes affect new product success. Findings indicate that conflict handling methods vary significantly between aggressive new product developers (Prospectors) and non-aggressive new product developers (Defenders). For example, aggressive firms have higher levels of integrative behaviors, while non-aggressive firms have higher levels of avoiding and forcing behaviors. Integrative conflict handling behaviors were found to be positively associated with constructive conflict, while forcing and avoiding behaviors negatively impacted positive outcomes. Finally, constructive conflict was found to be positively associated with new product performance. It was concluded that managers could use an understanding of their firm\u27s strategic position to help them manage conflict situations within the new product development process to improve new product success. Based on study results, ten managerial prescriptions for new product managers and their firms are presented

Apparel Import Intermediaries' Secrets to Success: Redefining Success in a Hyper-dynamic Environment

This is the post-print version of the article found in the Journal of Fashion and Marketing Management - http://www.emeraldinsight.com/products/journals/journals.htm?id=jfmm. DOI 10.1108/13612020810857943Purpose: The purpose of this study was to obtain an immediate and deeper understanding of apparel import intermediaries' (AII) secrets to success in the hyper-dynamic US apparel market environment. Design/methodology/approach: Personal in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 US apparel industry experts who provided an insider's lived experience of the industry. Within a holistic hermeneutic analysis, emergent themes were classified into two broad theme categories: the meaning of success and secrets to success. Findings: The study's informants defined success as a long-term presence, a platform from which they could impact the industry through creative expression. AIIs' secrets to success emerged as (1) immersion knowledge management; (2) simultaneous dual relationship management; and (3) flexibility saturation. Research limitations/implications: Although qualitative research methods are designed for a deeper understanding of the topic of interest, the study findings of an immediate and lived experience within the apparel industry should be viewed within a narrower context than survey research. Practical implications: These findings offer timely best practices for apparel firms' success and furnish insights into some of the rarely accessible elements of firm management. The study's results may also offer guidelines for firms in other industries moving toward the apparel industry model of hyper-dynamism. Originality/value: The study offered a definition and description of a new type of industry environment—hyper-dynamism. The study also revealed for the first time the reality of AIIs, especially how these firms defined success and took action to achieve it. Finally, the findings suggested a possible extension of resource-advantage theory

Apparel Import Intermediaries: The Impact of a Hyper-Dynamic Environment on U.S. Apparel Firms

This is the post-print version of the article found in Clothing & Textiles Research Journal.This study's objectives were to clarify the standing of apparel import intermediaries (AIIs) and to obtain an immediate and deeper understanding of them in their real-life settings from the perspective of industry experts with years of immersion in apparel industry phenomena. Based on interpretive analysis of qualitative in-depth interviews with 13 corporate executives of AII firms located in New York City, the authors critically evaluated AIIs' views of their environment, development, and functions. Findings indicated ambivalent reactions to the hyper-dynamic environment that has resulted from the global reordering of the apparel industry and described two development paths of AIIs, transformation or birth. Results also showed that this hyper-dynamic environment has shaped firms' functional responses, leading AIIs to implement design, marketing, sourcing, and service activities in unique ways. The study explicates the critical role that classification systems and terminology play in firm identity, the tracking of economic data, and policy development within the U.S. apparel industry

Framing a Descriptive Profile of a Transformed Apparel Industry: Apparel Import Intermediaries in the United States

This is the post-print version of the article found in the Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management (http://www.emeraldinsight.com/products/journals/journals.htm?id=jfmm). DOI 10.1108/13612020910957699Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to confirm empirically the existence of a US apparel import intermediary (AII) identity crisis, and to provide a detailed descriptive profile of AIIs, differentiating them from apparel firms not primarily engaged in importing activities. Design/methodology/approach: A survey study was conducted using a national sample of US AIIs. Based on these firms' executives' responses, a firm identity issue was analyzed and a detailed profile of these firms' business characteristics was developed, using frequency comparisons. Findings: The study confirmed that US AIIs are currently experiencing an identity crisis, as nearly half of the study respondents misclassified themselves as apparel manufacturers or other business types, suggesting a significant distortion in US Economic Census data. The study also provided a descriptive profile of US AIIs, including geographic location and other business operation characteristics. Research limitations/implications: Three fourths of the survey respondents were located in the state of New York. Whether most US AIIs truly reside in New York cannot be known with certainty. Generalization of the study findings to a greater population should be cautious. Practical implications: Confirmation of an AII identity crisis suggests both aggregate and individual firm-level impacts on import activities. The study offers a new term, "intermediary", to replace the US Census Bureau term "wholesaler" to accurately reflect the industry's transformation. Originality/value: The study provides the first empirical support for a US AII identity crisis. The detailed profile of US AIIs offers industry data not available prior to this study

We Are Alfred: Empathy Learned Through A Medical Education Virtual Reality Project

Poster describing project collaboration among University of New England (UNE) librarians and College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) faculty, whose goal was to adopt technology which will teach UNECOM students to be empathic with older adults and familiarize medical students with information resources from the NIH/NLM related to older adult health. Technology tested was the Alfred Lab developed by Embodied Labs. First year medical students were required to complete the ‘We Are Alfred’ virtual reality module and a pre and post assessment. Descriptive statistics were applied to finite questions on pre and post assessments, and content analysis on open ended answers. Virtual reality was deemed a successful medical education learning tool enhancing empathy for these medical students.https://dune.une.edu/libserv_facpost/1001/thumbnail.jp

Empathy Learned Through An Extended Medical Education Virtual Reality Project

Studies have suggested that empathy in healthcare professionals tends to erode during medical school and residency training. However, a study conducted by Hofat presents outcomes that reveals the opposite effect; instead empathy improves or there is no effect on empathy at all. Despite the contradictory studies, it is generally agreed that empathy is an important aspect in the patient-physician relationship as it is associated with improved patient satisfaction, increased adherence to treatment, and fewer malpractice complaints. This research exposed 346 first year medical students to virtual reality (VR) technology that is intended to elicit empathy for a 74-year-old African American male, Alfred, whom each student embodied to experience what it is like to have macular degeneration and hearing loss. Specifically, pre/post test responses to embodying Alfred were analyzed to determine empathic changes. The VR software, developed by Embodied Labs, Inc., is specifically designed to affect health professions students and staff empathy responses. Results yielded statically significant changes between pre and post assessment across both cohorts of the Alfred Lab.https://dune.une.edu/com_studpost/1002/thumbnail.jp

Older Adult Health: National Library Of Medicine Resources For Health Care Providers And For Patients And Families

This list of resources was designed to complement a project funded by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) New England Region (NER) entitled “Empathy Learned Through an Extended Medical Education Virtual Reality Project. The project used a virtual reality (VR) experience for 1st year medical students developed by Embodied Labs. The interactive “Alfred Lab” immerses users in the story of a 74-year-old patient who has macular degeneration and hearing loss, allowing users to experience these conditions from the patient’s perspective as he interacts with his family and doctor

Open Access: Is OA Ok?

Open Access (OA) publishing is growing exponentially across many disciplines. What do UNE students and faculty need to know about it? UNE Librarian Beth Dyer presents its opportunities and pitfalls, with advice on how to approach OA both as an author and a consumer. UNE College of Pharmacy’s Dr. Dan Brazeau talks about his experiences with OA publishing. UNE Librarian Bethany Kenyon discusses UNE\u27s open access digital repository, DUNE: Digital UNE, where UNE community members can deposit and share original content