EMPOWERING LEADERSHIP: EMBRACING ENDOGENOUS DYNAMICS

Purpose: The article introduces the kind of leadership that fosters bottom-up dynamics, empowering people, groups, teams and societies.Approach: It is documented through literature analysis and case studies.Findings: That this approach, called Empowering Leadership, can achieve success in business and, in the case of social entrepreneurship, a significant social impact. After reviewing the existing definitions of leadership, the complexity theory is delineated, with twelve core attributes defined. Next, case studies demonstrating a new kind of leadership enabling endogenous dynamics both in in the social arena as well as in business are presented and analyzed from the perspective of the complexity theory. Finally, a definition of Empowering Leadership is delineated.Implications: The presented Empowering Leadership is becoming critical in the growing world of multiplicity and unpredictability. It also enables achieving high impact though low investments. The paper is introducing ways of implementing presented Empowering Leadership in practice through building pre-conditions for the process of empowerment. The article concludes with a review of possible future areas of research.Value: The paper brings and in-depth analysis of the bottom-up approach to leadership with the premise of complexity theory, demonstrating that Empowering Leadership is focused on building preconditions for endogenous dynamics, rather than driving change from the top.

LEADERS’ PORTFOLIO: PSYCHO-SOCIAL MECHANISMS AUGMENTING CREATIVITY

Purpose: There is a consensus that creativity is one of the pivotal characteristics of a contemporary leader. There are however no publications indicating how the leader may augment own, as well as the team’s creativity. The article fills this gap, focusing on the type of creativity which is a long-lasting propensity – as opposed to one creative act usually considered in literature.Approach: The article is based on literature review and case studies analysis. After presenting cases illustrating the role of and need for creativity as a longitudinal propensity, a literature analysis follows delineating the mechanisms regulating creativity. We outline the role of brain plasticity in establishing the process of “being creative” as an enduring characteristic, as well as the ambient factors augmenting creativity.Findings: We focus on how to sustain a lasting creative state of mind (as opposed to performing single creative acts) and examine the factors that maintain the creative drive. We look at affective, cognitive and ambient mechanisms that enhance creativity. We specifically look at the role of joy (affective), distance (cognitive) and ambient factors (horizontal networks). We also review several techniques for enhancing teams’ creativity and conclude with recommendations for further studies.Implications: The article provides information useful for leaders and their teams, delineating ways of enhancing creativity.Value/Originality: The article presents a new approach to creativity as enduring phenomenon and to ways of augmenting creativity

First evidence of Late Cretaceous decapod crustaceans from Åsen, southern Sweden

Decapod crustacean remains were uncovered in 2011 at Åsen, the first from this site. Åsens Late Creta-ceous strata are part of the Kristianstad Basin, in southernmost Sweden. Seven cheliped moulds and a number of other remains such as pereiopod imprints were found in carbonate-cemented nodules within the sediments of the Campanian B. balsvikensis zone. Several different morphologies are present, and three of the samples are interpret-ed as belonging to the family Callanassidae of infraorder Axiidea, with a probable association of Protocallianassa. The burrowing mode of life points to the conclusion that the nodules may be fossilized burrows, also explaining why they are constrained to a singular layer in the sequence

Lower and Middle Cenomanian ammonites from the Morondava Basin, Madagascar

Lower and Middle Cenomanian ammonite assemblages have been collected on a bed-by-bed basis from localities at Vohipaly and Mahaboboka, Madagascar, as well as from outcrops around Berekata, all in the Morondava Basin, southwest Madagascar. These collections demonstrate the presence of the upper Lower Cenomanian Mantelliceras dixoni Zone and the lower Middle Cenomanian Cunningtoniceras inerme Zone of the north-western European standard sequence. These records indicate that the striking anomalies in the zonal assemblages of the classic divisions of the Madagascan Cenomanian are based on mixed assemblages, rather than a succession that differs radically from that elsewhere in the world. The dixoni Zone fauna is: Desmoceras cf. latidorsatum (Michelin, 1838), Pachydesmoceras kossmati Matsumoto, 1987, Forbesiceras sp., F. baylissiWright & Kennedy, 1984, F. largilliertianum (d'Orbigny, 1841), Mantelliceras cantianum Spath, 1926a, M. dixoni Spath, 1926b, M. mantelli (J. Sowerby, 1814), M. picteti Hyatt, 1903, M. saxbii (Sharpe, 1857), Sharpeiceras sp., S. falloti (Collignon, 1931), S. mocambiquense (Choffat, 1903), S. cf. florencae Spath, 1925, Acompsoceras renevieri (Sharpe, 1857), A. tenue Collignon, 1964, Calycoceras sp., Mrhiliceras lapparenti (Pervinquičre, 1907), Mariella (Mariella) stolizcai (Collignon, 1964), Hypoturrilites taxyfabreae (Collignon, 1964), Turrilites scheuchzerianus Bosc, 1801, Sciponoceras cucullatum Collignon, 1964, and Sciponoceras antanimangaensis (Collignon, 1964). The presence of Calycoceras in a Lower Cenomanian association represents a precocious appearance of a genus typically Middle and Upper Cenomanian in occurrence, and matches records from Tunisia. The inerme Zone yields a more restricted assemblage: Pachydesmoceras kossmati, Forbesiceras baylissi, Acanthoceras sp. juv., Cunningtoniceras cunningtoni (Sharpe, 1855) and Hypoturrilites taxyfabreae

HOW MUCH DO LEADERS SEEK TO BE INFLUENCED? THE CONCEPT OF SOCIAL INFLUENCE IN REVERSE IN REVERSE

Purpose: Traditionally, the effects of social influence have been delineated in terms of “leaders” exerting influence over “followers.” Here we propose a new concept of social influence in which the leaders are influenced and, in fact, actively seek out that influence and build  personal support networks that generate that influence.Approach: To examine the concept, we conducted both pilot (N=42) and main studies (N=113).The pilot study showed that leaders organize diverse support networks based on three major traits of the influence-givers: their competence, moral standards and creativity.Findings: The research confirmed that leaders cultivate five types of individual support networks or influence-providers: family and close friends, professional connections, colleagues and peers (mostly relating to leisure and entertainment), social engagement, and a local/neighborhood network.The research revealed several dependencies between the subjects’ occupation and their expectations from the influence-providers. We also documented that leaders seek basically two kinds of individual support: support from individuals from whom they expect low-order processed information, i.e., facts and data; (type A), and support from individuals from whom they expect high-order, processed information, i.e., opinions, advice, strategies and predictions; (type B). It also confirmed that selection of type A supporters is primarily based on competencies and type B supporters are typically selected based on moral standing and creativity.Implications: This article will empower leaders to better understand the value of their support networks, also to organize the flow of received information.Value/Originality: We are presenting an original concept of social influence in reverse, broadening the cognition of social influence in positive management

Paradox Mindset in Management: Theory and Measurement

Purpose: This article presents an overview of the constructive functions of embracing (instead of rejecting) contradictions (otherwise known as a paradox mindset or Janusian thinking). It also demonstrates the positive impact of tension resulting from the cognitive consideration of simultaneous contradictions (as opposed to the traditional conviction that such cognitive dissonance isexperienced as uncomfortable and reduced). Additionally, this article highlights the positive impact of a paradox mindset on augmenting teams’ and institutions’ creativity and performance. It also documents a method of evaluating the propensity for embracing contradictions (i.e., a paradox mindset).Design/methodology/approach: This article documents the construction and validation of an assessment tool, i.e., the Influence of Contradictions Questionnaire (ICQ), for evaluating the level of propensity for a paradox mindset.Findings: In the validation process (n = 120 Anglophonic sample), the ICQ proved to have positive psychometric parameters (discrimination power and reliability).Social implications: The ICQ can be used for scientific purposes, e.g., for comparison between segments of society or for finding possible correlations with other personality traits (e.g., empathy). It could also serve as an evaluation tool for teams’ and individuals’ levels of propensity for conceptual blending—especially when measuring the results of training in this area.Originality/value: This is a novel approach, both in the theoretical review of various manifestations of embracing contradictions, as well as in designing a comprehensive evaluation method.Keywords: contradictions, Janusian thinking, conceptual blending, creativity, embracing contradictions, divergent thinkingPaper type: Research pape

MEASURING THE PROPENSITY FOR BUILDING SOCIAL CAPITAL DEPENDING ON TIES-STRENGTH

Purpose: This paper is addressing the question what personal characteristics help a leader to build social capital. The purpose is to present the development of a questionnaire to measure leaders’ propensity for building social capital, depending on the perceived strength of bonds; it is also aimed at presenting the preliminary results of intercultural studies.Design/methodology/approach: This paper starts with a review of the theory on social capital and Granovetter’s concept of the “strength of weak ties.” Next the process of the development of the related questionnaire is presented.Findings: The developed questionnaire is a universal and reliable tool that can be used to study various social problems in different populations. The preliminary results of the questionnaire from 10 European countries suggest that the more distant the relationship is perceived the lower is the level of trust and sense of support. Moreover, data suggest that socio-economic organizations as well as those which are longer on the market obtained the highest results on the questionnaire’s scales. Social implications: In conclusion possible applications are discussed, including measuring the dynamics of change in individuals’ preparedness to build social capital, depending on the social or political context, for example, the presumable “openness” during peaceful social activities or movements.Originality/value: Social capital is commonly seen as a positive value, both in its individual and group dimensions, and several tools exist for measuring both. However, there seems to be a void and a need for a questionnaire measuring individual’s propensity to develop social capital.

Evidence that there are only two tRNA<SUP>Phe</SUP> genes in Escherichia coli

pheV, one of the genes that code for tRNAPhe, was deleted from the chromosome of a strain of Escherichia coli K-12. As a consequence of this mutation, expression of pheA, the gene for chorismate mutase P-prephenate dehydratase, the first enzyme in the terminal pathway of phenylalanine biosynthesis, was derepressed. Similar derepression of pheA has been reported in pheR mutants of E. coli K-12 (J. Gowrishankar and J. Pittard, J. Bacteriol. 150:1130-1137, 1982). Attempts to introduce a pheR mutation into the &#916; pheV strain failed under circumstances suggesting that this combination of mutations is lethal. Southern blot analysis of pheV+ and &#916; pheV strains indicated that there are only two tRNAPhe genes in E. coli. It is recommended that the names pheU and pheV be retained for these genes

Evolutionary adaptation of an AraC-like regulatory protein in Citrobacter rodentium and Escherichia species

© 2015, American Society for Microbiology. The evolution of pathogenic bacteria is a multifaceted and complex process, which is strongly influenced by the horizontal acquisition of genetic elements and their subsequent expression in their new hosts. A well-studied example is the RegA regulon of the enteric pathogen Citrobacter rodentium. The RegA regulatory protein is a member of the AraC/XylS superfamily, which coordinates the expression of a gene repertoire that is necessary for full pathogenicity of this murine pathogen. Upon stimulation by an exogenous, gut-associated signal, namely, bicarbonate ions, RegA activates the expression of a series of genes, including virulence factors, such as autotransporters, fimbriae, a dispersin-like protein, and the grlRA operon on the locus of enterocyte effacement pathogenicity island. Interestingly, the genes encoding RegA homologues are distributed across the genus Escherichia, encompassing pathogenic and nonpathogenic subtypes. In this study, we carried out a series of bioinformatic, transcriptional, and functional analyses of the RegA regulons of these bacteria. Our results demonstrated that regA has been horizontally transferred to Escherichia spp. and C. rodentium. Comparative studies of two RegA homologues, namely, those from C. rodentium and E. coli SMS-3-5, a multiresistant environmental strain of E. coli, showed that the two regulators acted similarly in vitro but differed in terms of their abilities to activate the virulence of C. rodentium in vivo, which evidently was due to their differential activation of grlRA. Our data indicate that RegA from C. rodentium has strain-specific adaptations that facilitate infection of its murine host. These findings shed new light on the development of virulence by C. rodentium and on the evolution of virulence- regulatory genes of bacterial pathogens in general

From knock-out phenotype to three-dimensional structure of a promising antibiotic target from streptococcus pneumoniae

Given the rise in drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, there is an urgent need to discover new antimicrobials targeting this pathogen and an equally urgent need to characterize new drug targets. A promising antibiotic target is dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS), which catalyzes the rate-limiting step in lysine biosynthesis. In this study, we firstly show by gene knock out studies that S. pneumoniae (sp) lacking the DHDPS gene is unable to grow unless supplemented with lysine-rich media. We subsequently set out to characterize the structure, function and stability of the enzyme drug target. Our studies show that sp-DHDPS is folded and active with a kcat = 22 s-1 , KM PYR = 2.55 ± 0.05 mM and KM ASA = 0.044 ± 0.003 mM. Thermal denaturation experiments demonstrate sp-DHDPS exhibits an apparent melting temperature (TM app) of 72 °C, which is significantly greater than Escherichia coli DHDPS (Ec-DHDPS) (TM app = 59 °C). Sedimentation studies show that sp-DHDPS exists in a dimer-tetramer equilibrium with a KD 4→2 = 1.7 nM, which is considerably tighter than its E. coli ortholog (KD 4→2 = 76 nM). To further characterize the structure of the enzyme and probe its enhanced stability, we solved the high resolution (1.9 Å) crystal structure of sp-DHDPS (PDB ID 3VFL). The enzyme is tetrameric in the crystal state, consistent with biophysical measurements in solution. Although the sp-DHDPS and Ec-DHDPS active sites are almost identical, the tetramerization interface of the s. pneumoniae enzyme is significantly different in composition and has greater buried surface area (800 Å2 ) compared to its E. coli counterpart (500 Å2 ). This larger interface area is consistent with our solution studies demonstrating that sp-DHDPS is considerably more thermally and thermodynamically stable than Ec-DHDPS