Factors influencing the adoption of knowledge protection strategies by Australian SMEs in the Construction sector

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are major contributors to economies. The construction industry sector is one of the largest contributors towards Australian GDP. This is a sector that has many small businesses who are required to share knowledge as part of their collaboration with business partners and suppliers. In some instances, this necessitates the protection of organizational knowledge to help construction SMEs to sustain competitive advantage and/or inhibit the leakage and spillover of critical knowledge outside the business. However, SMEs in ‘low-tech sectors (such as the construction sector) do not typically pay much attention to the implementation of knowledge protection (KP) strategies. Thus, this study has identified factors that potentially influence KP adoption in construction SMEs, and the types of KP strategies they adopt. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with four SMEs in a metropolitan area of Australia. An important result of the study is the identification of the extent of KP strategies and their enablers and barriers. Various organizational factors (sector [in this case, construction], location, age, organisational structure) and SMEs characteristics (size, owner/manager characteristics, flexibility, relationships) are identified that can potentially influence the adoption of KP strategies in construction SMEs. The results suggest that size, age, flexibility, relationships and organisation structure impact KP adoption, as well as owner/manager characteristics which moderately impacts KP adoption. SMEs in general are inclined towards the implementation of informal and semi-formal protection methods, mostly due to the scarcity of the resources available to them

Factors Influencing Knowledge Protection Strategies in Small Businesses

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are major contributors to economies. SMEs depend on upon knowledge sharing and collaboration with business partners and suppliers, which makes the protection of their knowledge (known as knowledge protection or ‘KP’) critical. KP assists an organisation to sustain competitive advantage, as well as protect organisational knowledge from leakage outside the business. However, specific KP strategies are often not considered in SMEs as the tools required are often costly and difficult for SMEs to use. This study develops a theoretical framework to identify the factors that influence the use of KP strategies by SMEs and the roles that information and communications technologies play in these strategies. The study will examine the extent that SMEs adopt KP strategies; the strategies they use to protect their knowledge, the role of ICTs in KP strategies and, most importantly, the factors that influence the adoption of KP strategies

A Comparison of Blood Viscosity and Hematocrit Levels between Yoga Practitioners and Sedentary Adults

International Journal of Exercise Science 12(2): 425-432, 2019. Elevations in whole blood viscosity (WBV) and hematocrit (Hct), have been linked with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Endurance training has been demonstrated to lower WBV and Hct; however, evidence supporting the efficacy of yoga on these measures is sparse. A cross-sectional study was conducted examining WBV and Hct levels between yoga practitioners with a minimum of 3 years of consistent practice and sedentary, healthy adults. Blood samples were collected from a total of 42 participants: 23 sedentary adults and 19 regular yoga practitioners. Brachial arterial blood pressure (BP) was measured and the averages of 3 measures were reported. The yoga practitioner group had significantly lower WBV at 45 s-1 (p \u3c 0.01), 90 s-1 (p \u3c 0.01), 220 s-1 (p \u3c 0.05), and 450 s-1 (p \u3c 0.05) than sedentary participants. No significant group differences in Hct (p =0.38) were found. A tendency toward lower systolic BP (p=0.06) was observed in the yoga practitioner group; however, no significant group differences in BP were exhibited. A consistent yoga practice was associated with lower WBV, a health indicator related to CVD risk. These findings support a regular yoga practice as a valid form of exercise for improving rheological indicators of cardiovascular health

A Comparison of Blood Viscosity, Hematocrit and Blood Pressure between Yoga Practitioners and Sedentary Individuals

Elevations in whole blood viscosity (WBV) and hematocrit (Hct) have been linked with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coexist with elevations in systolic blood pressure (SBP). Endurance training has been demonstrated to lower WBV and Hct; however, evidence supporting the efficacy of yoga on these measures is sparse. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted examining WBV, Hct and blood pressure among yoga practitioners with a minimum of 3 months of consistent practice and sedentary, healthy adults. Blood samples were collected from a total of 42 participants: 23 sedentary adults and 19 regular yoga practitioners. Brachial arterial blood pressure (BP) was measured and the averages of 3 measures were reported. RESULTS: Yoga practitioners had significantly lower WBV at 45 s-1 (p \u3c 0.01), 90 s-1 (p \u3c 0.01), 220 s-1 (p \u3c 0.05), and 450 s-1 (p \u3c 0.01) than sedentary participants. No significant group differences in Hct (p =0.38) were found. A tendency toward lower systolic BP (p=0.06) was observed in the yoga practitioner group; however, no significant group differences in BP were exhibited. CONCLUSION: A consistent yoga practice was associated with lower WBV and a trend of lower SBP, health indicators associated with CVD risk. These findings support a regular yoga practice as a valid form of exercise for improving rheological indicators of cardiovascular health

Impact of Blood Pressure Cuff Inflation Rates on Flow-Mediated Dilatation and Contralateral Arm Response

Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) is widely used as an index of nitric oxide-mediated vasodilator function, yet its methodology has not been well established. Previous research indicates that rapid inflations of a blood pressure cuff evoke systemic vasoconstriction as it was observed on non-occluded contralateral arm. This would potentially contribute to the well-known variability of FMD readings and could complicate the emerging evidence that non-occluded contralateral arm responses during the FMD procedure is associated with the presence of coronary artery disease. Purpose: To test the hypotheses that fast inflation of a blood pressure cuff could reduce FMD values and influence contralateral vasodilatory states. Method: Thirty-three apparently healthy adults (18 males and 15 females, 29±6 years) were studied in two randomized FMD trials. The blood flow-occluding cuff was inflated fast (\u3c1s with a Hokanson rapid cuff inflation\u3edevice) in one trial or slow (over a period of 10s) in the other during the FMD procedure. Arterial diameter, fingertip temperature, and infrared thermal images were obtained throughout each session. Results: FMD values were not different between the fast and slow cuff inflation trials (5.9±0.6% vs. 5.9±0.4%). There were no differences in fingertip temperature rebound between the trials (1.8±0.3 vs. 1.9±0.3oC). The infrared thermal imaging revealed greater reductions in hand and finger temperature as well as more variable responses in the contralateral arm when the cuff was inflated more rapidly. Conclusion: Rates to inflate a blood pressure cuff do not appear to affect FMD readings although a fast cuff occlusion would evoke greater neurovascular changes in the non-occluded contralateral arm

Effects Of Swimming Training On Blood Pressure And Vascular Function In Adults > 50 Years Of Age

Swimming is ideal for older adults because it includes minimum weight-bearing stress and decreased heat load. However, there is very little information available concerning the effects of regular swimming exercise on vascular risks. We determined if regular swimming exercise would decrease arterial blood pressure (BP) and improve vascular function. Forty-three otherwise healthy adults >50 years old (60 +/- 2) with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension and not on any medication were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of swimming exercise or attention time controls. Before the intervention period there were no significant differences in any of the variables between groups. Body mass, adiposity, and plasma concentrations of glucose and cholesterol did not change in either group throughout the intervention period. Casual systolic BP decreased significantly from 131 +/- 3 to 122 +/- 4 mm Hg in the swimming training group. Significant decreases in systolic BP were also observed in ambulatory (daytime) and central (carotid) BP measurements. Swimming exercise produced a 21% increase in carotid artery compliance (p <0.05). Flow-mediated dilation and cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity improved after the swim training program (p <0.05). There were no significant changes in any measurements in the control group that performed gentle relaxation exercises. In conclusion, swimming exercise elicits hypotensive effects and improvements in vascular function in previously sedentary older adults. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (Am J Cardiol 2012;109: 1005-1010)Kinesiology and Health Educatio