Indexing Reference Holdings Using D-Base III

One of the dilemmas I have faced in providing information to the faculty and students of the E. Claiborne Robins School of Business at the University of Richmond is the lack of subject approach to the annual and special proceedings of conferences. These conference papers often contain information on topics right at the cutting edge of knowledge in a field. My frustration level at having to thumb through the contents pages of proceedings compilations came to a pinnacle when the Management Contents online database dropped coverage of the proceedings of the American and Southern Marketing Associations conferences. There were printed classified indexes of the Educators and Practitioners annual meetings compiled by Robert L. King for the periods 1955-1971. In addition, there was also a classified subject index for 1975-1979 for both series. The practitioner\u27s series was dropped in 1979, though the Educator\u27s series continues and there are a number of special interest regular conferences whose papers are published by the American Marketing Association. The Southern Marketing Association does produce a classified subject index regularly every so many years

Collaborative Epistemic Discourse in Classroom Information Seeking Tasks

We discuss the relationship between information seeking, and epistemic beliefs – beliefs about the source, structure, complexity, and stability of knowledge – in the context of collaborative information seeking discourses. We further suggest that both information seeking, and epistemic cognition research agendas have suffered from a lack of attention to how information seeking as a collaborative activity is mediated by talk between partners – an area we seek to address in this paper. A small-scale observational study using sociocultural discourse analysis was conducted with eight eleven year old pupils who carried out search engine tasks in small groups. Qualitative and quantitative analysis were performed on their discussions using sociocultural discourse analytic techniques. Extracts of the dialogue are reported, informed by concordance analysis and quantitative coding of dialogue duration. We find that 1) discourse which could be characterised as ‘epistemic’ is identifiable in student talk, 2) that it is possible to identify talk which is more or less productive, and 3) that epistemic talk is associated with positive learning outcomes

Methods to Identify Plant Metabolites

This invention provides materials and methods to manipulate the plant genome at the level of single plant cells in culture resulting in the ability to assign metabolic functionality to plant genes involved in the production of biologically active molecules and to create a means of product discovery based on the biosynthetic capacity of plants. The materials to create an activation mutagenesis include incorporation of enhancer sequences from a plant viral promoter at random places in the plant genome via Agrobacterium mediated DNA transfer (T-DNA). The usefulness is that genes in the immediate vicinity of the incorporation were activated which allows for immediate screening of the mutagenized plant cells. Additionally, the usefulness includes relevant areas of the genome were flanked by the inserted T-DNA which allows recovery of this area by standard molecular biology techniques. The method includes a procedure for screening large numbers of mutagenized plant cell cultures for activation of a relevant gene on the basis of the desired protein product on the basis of radioligand binding displacement assay

Business Communication Courses: Continued Problems and Potential Solutions

Why can\u27t business school graduates communicate effectively in spite of the fact that most programs offer a course in business communication? A survey of 112 business executives and personnel managers illustrates our concern and suggest potential solutions. A proposed new course in business communication/research is offered

HAR-TRU Sports: Serving Up Growth in 2011

Randy Futty, the General Manager of HAR-TRU Sports (HTS), a division of the Luck Companies set a deadline of mid August, 2011 to develop a five year strategic/growth plan for his business. In fiscal 2010, the division had achieved net sales of $10 million and Futty\u27s objective was to grow the business to$15 million by fiscal 2015. On the positive side, growth opportunities existed geographically in both the western U.S. and in global markets although it would be organizationally challenging to service such markets. Also, various new tennis accessory products and services were being developed by HTS to complement a myriad of existing products

Markel International: Entry into India

William Stovin, the President and Chief Operating Officer of Markel International (MKLI) was pleased with the rapid growth of his company. Since its acquisition and formation as a subsidiary of the Markel Corporation in 2000, MKLI had written gross premiums of $641 million and produced operating profits of$52 million in fiscal 2009. This growth had come from expanding operations into Sweden, Spain, Canada, Singapore, and the U.K. The challenge for MKLI was to develop an entry strategy into India. Many questions had to be answered including selecting a joint venture Indian partner (required in India) and determining a strategic fit with the partner

Owens & Minor: Growth Plan for Expansion Products

E. V. Clarke, the Executive Vice President, Distribution of Owens & Minor (O & M) faced a complex strategic challenge in 2009—the organization and growth of the Expansion products business. This business comprised several existing product categories (Radiology—Contrast Media, Surgical Instruments, Electrosurgical, Endoscopy and Dialysis), in which O&M had a presence but lacked a clear cut growth strategy. Revenue growth in categories had averaged 15% per annum from 2003 to 2008 without a customer focus; the growth had been achieved through supplying such products to existing customers through existing distribution channels

Brink\u27s Entry into China 2007

This case was prepared from various referenced sources and was developed solely for classroom discussion; the case is not intended to serve as an endorsement, source of primary data or an illustration of either effective or ineffective handling of a business situation. Ron Rokosz, the President of Brink\u27s International was both pleased and distressed as he reviewed the financial results of International operations for fiscal 2006. Revenue had increased by 14% to $1,568.6M, driven by strong gains in both EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) and LA (Latin America). In addition, operating profit in International was up by 68%. (Exhibit 1) On the downside, revenue in the AP (Asian Pacific) region decreased by 6%, primarily due to a loss of a key customer in Australia. However Rokosz was more concerned that revenue in AP represented only 3% of Brink\u27s total revenues and 4.6% of Brink\u27s International revenues. Rokosz reflected on the fact that Brink\u27s had truly become a global company with 66% of its 2006 revenues coming from operations outside of North America. However he knew that in order for Brink\u27s to become a true global power, it must establish a stronger presence in the AP region. The question was how, where and when to do this

Qimonda

On April 1, 2006, German based Infineon Technologies AG, announced that it would split off its semiconductor memory business by forming a wholly owned subsidiary named Qimonda (pronounced key-monda). The effective dates of the split would occur on May 1, 2006, two months prior to the previously announced date of July 1, 2006. Infineon also announced that it would conduct an initial public offering (IPO) of Qimonda at unspecified future date, thereby liquidating its majority interest in the company. After the split, Qimonda would emerge as the 4th largest global manufacturer of DRAM memory components. The company would be headquartered in Munich, Germany and would be organized into 4 Regional locations, including Qimonda North America

Methods to Identify Plant Metabolites

This invention provides materials and methods to manipulate the plant genome at the level of single plant cells in culture resulting in the ability to assign metabolic functionality to plant genes involved in the production of biologically active molecules and to create a means of product discovery based on the biosynthetic capacity of plants. The materials to create an activation mutagenesis include incorporation of enhancer sequences from a plant viral promoter at random places in the plant genome via Agrobacterium mediated DNA transfer (T-DNA). The usefulness is that genes in the immediate vicinity of the incorporation were activated which allows for immediate screening of the mutagenized plant cells. Additionally, the usefulness includes relevant areas of the genome were flanked by the inserted T-DNA which allows recovery of this area by standard molecular biology techniques. The method includes a procedure for screening large numbers of mutagenized plant cell cultures for activation of a relevant gene on the basis of the desired protein product on the basis of radioligand binding displacement assay