Two-way learning in west/east mergers & acquisitions: Short term and long term viewpoints

This paper reviews the literature in the fields of learning, knowledge creation and storage in organisations and links the theories in these fields to mergers and acquisitions. Specifically, mergers and acquisitions (M&As) of East German ex-combines by western firms are examined from the viewpoint of - does the dominant culture always win or is it possible for two-way learning? The answer to these questions seems to depend upon the mode of acquisition, the level of acculturation and on the length of time elapsed. These three factors and others are combined into a model to predict potential results of M&As. The theory section is supported by data collected from six western M&As in East Germany where a total of 36 in-depth, open ended interviews were held. Dem vorliegenden Artikel wird ein Literaturüberblick zum organisationalen Lernen sowie der Wissenserzeugung und -speicherung von Wissen in Organisationen vorangestellt. Die entsprechenden Theorien werden auf das Spezialthema dieser JEEMS-Ausgabe übertragen. Es werden Übernahmen von ostdeutschen Kombinaten durch westliche Unternehmen untersucht. Folgende Frage steht dabei im Mittelpunkt: Gewinnt immer die dominante Kultur oder ist auch ein wechselseitiges Lernen möglich? Die Art des Zukaufs, der wahrgenommene Grad der Akkulturation und die seit der Übernahme vergangene Zeit scheinen hierauf Einfluß zu haben. Es wird ein Arbeitsmodell entwickelt, um die möglichen Folgen von Unternehmenszusammenschlüssen vorhersagen zu können. Aussagen aus 36 Interviews in sechs untersuchten ostdeutschen Betrieben bekräftigen die theoretischen Vorannahmen

Two-way learning in west/east mergers & acquisitions: Short term and long term viewpoints

This paper reviews the literature in the fields of learning, knowledge creation and storage in organisations and links the theories in these fields to mergers and acquisitions. Specifically, mergers and acquisitions (M&As) of East German ex-combines by western firms are examined from the viewpoint of - does the dominant culture always win or is it possible for two-way learning? The answer to these questions seems to depend upon the mode of acquisition, the level of acculturation and on the length of time elapsed. These three factors and others are combined into a model to predict potential results of M&As. The theory section is supported by data collected from six western M&As in East Germany where a total of 36 in-depth, open ended interviews were held. Dem vorliegenden Artikel wird ein Literaturüberblick zum organisationalen Lernen sowie der Wissenserzeugung und -speicherung von Wissen in Organisationen vorangestellt. Die entsprechenden Theorien werden auf das Spezialthema dieser JEEMS-Ausgabe übertragen. Es werden Übernahmen von ostdeutschen Kombinaten durch westliche Unternehmen untersucht. Folgende Frage steht dabei im Mittelpunkt: Gewinnt immer die dominante Kultur oder ist auch ein wechselseitiges Lernen möglich? Die Art des Zukaufs, der wahrgenommene Grad der Akkulturation und die seit der Übernahme vergangene Zeit scheinen hierauf Einfluß zu haben. Es wird ein Arbeitsmodell entwickelt, um die möglichen Folgen von Unternehmenszusammenschlüssen vorhersagen zu können. Aussagen aus 36 Interviews in sechs untersuchten ostdeutschen Betrieben bekräftigen die theoretischen Vorannahmen

Effect of Farm-Level Constraints, Existing and Prospective Policies on Expansion of Coconut-Based Intercropping in Sri Lanka

Coconut-based intercropping (CBI) in Sri Lanka was introduced some 20 years ago to overcome the two main limitations of traditional coconut monocropping, inefficient land use and low incomes to farmers, but it has not been widely adopted. This study analyses the effect of farm-level resource constraints, and government policies on the intensity of adoption of CBI. A multiperiod linear programming (MLP) model was applied for three farmer groups - resource poor, medium endowed, well endowed - categorised using cluster analysis. Data was collected from a survey of randomly selected 113 intercroppers. Empirical results reveal that expansion of CBI is mainly constrained by seasonal labour shortages for all farmer groups, particularly the well endowed, and by the scarcity of cash in the case of resource-poor farmers. CBI policies aimed at subsidising inputs or intercrop prices are not likely to be efficient in raising adoption, but alternative policies aimed at alleviating resource constraints would be more effective. The study concluded that the low adoption of CBI is mainly attributable to the scarcity of different farm-level resources (other than land), at varying degrees among different farmer groups. Hence a targeted approach to alleviate them is suggested.Crop Production/Industries,

Review of kidney disease among Indigenous people

Kidney disease is a significant health problem for all Australians, but severe kidney disease is more common among Indigenous people than among non- Indigenous people. In particular, the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the overall levels of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are consistently reported as significantly higher than among other Australians. Information on CKD among Indigenous Australians is available from self-reported survey data, as well as from community-based studies and screening programs [10-20] but the main focus in the literature has been on ESKD. The incidence of ESKD is especially high for Indigenous people living in remote and very remote areas of Australia [Derived from 5] with rates of ESKD highest in northern Australian Indigenous communities. People with CKD require extensive hospital services, particularly those patients with ESKD who require kidney replacement therapy (KRT) to survive. As such, CKD is a significant cause of hospitalisation for the Indigenous Australian population; this is particularly the case for dialysis, the form of KRT on which far greater proportions of Indigenous people with ESKD than their non-Indigenous counterparts rely. In 2009-10, care involving dialysis was the most common reason for the hospitalisation of Indigenous Australians: they were hospitalised at 11 times the rate of other Australians. Indigenous people have substantially higher death rates than other Australians from most causes and diseases of the kidney and urinary system are one of the top ten leading causes of death overall, for all Australians, including Indigenous people. Indigenous people are more likely to die from kidney disease that non-Indigenous people, with the death rate ratios being particularly high after the age of 25 years for both Indigenous males and females compared with rates for non-Indigenous Australian

Review of ear health and hearing among Indigenous Australians

Indigenous Australians experience some of the highest levels of ear disease and hearing loss in the world, with rates up to ten times more than those for non-Indigenous Australians [4]. Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to ear infections. The most common ear disease among Indigenous children is otitis media (OM), which is inflammation/infection of the middle ear typically caused by bacterial and viral pathogens. Indigenous children living in urban, rural and, particularly, remote areas, are more likely than their non-Indigenous counterparts to have OM at younger ages, more often, at a greater level of severity, and with more likelihood of further complications. Ear infections are responsible for the bulk of hearing problems with lifelong consequences, many of which are preventable and treatable. Hearing loss can be a major contributor to poor education and to unemployment, which are risk factors for contact with the justice system

The role of structural and electronic factors in shaping the ambipolar properties of donor-acceptor polymers of thiophene and benzothiadiazole

The influence of different thiophene donor units on electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of benzothiadiazole based donor–acceptor π-conjugated organic materials is studied. Two different structure modification vectors of the donor units are being considered – one addressing the intermolecular interactions through off-conjugation side chain architecture, and the other focusing on intramolecular interactions tuned by in-conjugation substituents. Electrochemical and simultaneous in situ EPR-UV-Vis-NIR spectroelectrochemical studies of the oxidative (p-) and reductive (n-) doping processes, which are responsible for the optoelectronic properties of these materials, revealed their disparate course and dissimilar effects of redox reactions of the conjugated π-bond. While p-doping prevalent species were found to comprise intensively interacting spin bearing and spinless charge carriers, the n-doping state was found to involve only one type of negatively charged carrier, with spin carrying species being selectively generated at due cathodic potentials. No spin pairing of these negative polarons was observed with their increasing population behaving like a collection of localised charge carriers. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons between the p- and n-doping carrier populations provided independent support for the spin pairing phenomena of positive charge carriers. Steric effects of varying alkyl side chain substitution have demonstrated predominant impact on the electrochemical properties of investigated polymers, and, thereto related, stability of n-doped state, while mesomeric effects of different 3,4-ethylenechalcogenide thiophene functionalities have been found to shape the energy level related spectral properties of these polymers, with particular reference to p-doping induced charged states. These findings provide new insights into the factors requiring attention during structure tailoring of donor–acceptor assemblies for organic optoelectronic applications

A cooperative knock-on mechanism underpins Ca2+-selective cation permeation in TRPV channels

The selective exchange of ions across cellular membranes is a vital biological process. Ca2+-mediated signaling is implicated in a broad array of physiological processes in cells, while elevated intracellular concentrations of Ca2+ are cytotoxic. Due to the significance of this cation, strict Ca2+ concentration gradients are maintained across the plasma and organelle membranes. Therefore, Ca2+ signaling relies on permeation through selective ion channels that control the flux of Ca2+ ions. A key family of Ca2+-permeable membrane channels is the polymodal signal-detecting transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels. TRP channels are activated by a wide variety of cues including temperature, small molecules, transmembrane voltage, and mechanical stimuli. While most members of this family permeate a broad range of cations non-selectively, TRPV5 and TRPV6 are unique due to their strong Ca2+ selectivity. Here, we address the question of how some members of the TRPV subfamily show a high degree of Ca2+ selectivity while others conduct a wider spectrum of cations. We present results from all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of ion permeation through two Ca2+-selective and two non-selective TRPV channels. Using a new method to quantify permeation cooperativity based on mutual information, we show that Ca2+-selective TRPV channel permeation occurs by a three-binding site knock-on mechanism, whereas a two-binding site knock-on mechanism is observed in non-selective TRPV channels. Each of the ion binding sites involved displayed greater affinity for Ca2+ over Na+. As such, our results suggest that coupling to an extra binding site in the Ca2+-selective TRPV channels underpins their increased selectivity for Ca2+ over Na+ ions. Furthermore, analysis of all available TRPV channel structures shows that the selectivity filter entrance region is wider for the non-selective TRPV channels, slightly destabilizing ion binding at this site, which is likely to underlie mechanistic decoupling.</p

Review of physical activity among Indigenous people

Physical activity is important for all Australians, particularly in the prevention, management and treatment of chronic conditions, and for social and emotional wellbeing. Chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular conditions, endocrine conditions (such as diabetes), and certain cancers, account for 70% of the observed difference in the burden of disease between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. Modifiable risk factors, particularly behavioural determinants such as physical activity, can help to reduce the extent and impact of these conditions, and assist in the prevention, management and treatment of disease. The levels and impacts of physical inactivity are greater for Indigenous people than they are for other Australians. Physical inactivity has been cited as the second leading cause of disease burden in Australia, and the third leading cause of disease burden for Indigenous people