Strategic planning research:toward a theory-driven agenda

This review incorporates strategic planning research conducted over more than 30 years and ranges from the classical model of strategic planning to recent empirical work on intermediate outcomes, such as the reduction of managers’ position bias and the coordination of subunit activity. Prior reviews have not had the benefit of more socialized perspectives that developed in response to Mintzberg’s critique of planning, including research on planned emergence and strategy-as-practice approaches. To stimulate a resurgence of research interest on strategic planning, this review therefore draws on a diverse body of theory beyond the rational design and contingency approaches that characterized research in this domain until the mid-1990s. We develop a broad conceptualization of strategic planning and identify future research opportunities for improving our understanding of how strategic planning influences organizational outcomes. Our framework incorporates the role of strategic planning practitioners; the underlying routines, norms, and procedures of strategic planning (practices); and the concrete activities of planners (praxis)

The hematopoietic factor GM-CSF (Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) promotes neuronal differentiation of adult neural stem cells in vitro

BACKGROUND: Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a hematopoietic growth factor involved in the generation of granulocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells from hematopoietic progenitor cells. We have recently demonstrated that GM-CSF has anti-apoptotic functions on neurons, and is neuroprotective in animal stroke models. RESULTS: The GM-CSF receptor α is expressed on adult neural stem cells in the rodent brain, and in culture. Addition of GM-CSF to NSCs in vitro increased neuronal differentiation in a dose-dependent manner as determined by quantitative PCR, reporter gene assays, and FACS analysis. CONCLUSION: Similar to the hematopoietic factor Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), GM-CSF stimulates neuronal differentiation of adult NSCs. These data highlight the astonishingly similar functions of major hematopoietic factors in the brain, and raise the clinical attractiveness of GM-CSF as a novel drug for neurological disorders

Enron and the California Energy Crisis: The Role of Networks in Enabling Organizational Corruption

We provide an analytically structured history of Enron's involvement in the California energy crisis, exploring its emergence as a corrupt organization and its use of an interorganizational network to manipulate California's energy supply markets. We use this history to introduce the concept of network-enabled corruption, showing how corruption, even if primarily enacted by a single dominant organization, is often highly dependent on the support of other organizations. Specifically, we show how Enron combined resources from partner firms with its own capabilities, manipulating the energy market and capitalizing on the crisis. From a methodological point of view, our study emphasizes the growing importance of digital sources for historical research, drawing particularly on telephone and email records from the period to develop a rich, fly-on-the-wall understanding of a phenomenon that is otherwise hard to observe

Group cognitive-behavioral therapy in a sample of Dutch intimate partner violence perpetrators:Development of a coding manual for therapist interventions

This qualitative study investigated which types of interventions are made by group therapists during group cognitive–behavioral therapy (GCBT) with individuals who have perpetrated intimate partner violence (IPV) in the “Not ‘Losing It’ Anymore”(NLIA) outpatient programs across the Netherlands. Audio recordings of group sessions (N = 60) facilitated by 13 co-therapist teams across 25 different groups were analyzed using the general inductive approach. Fifteen distinct therapist interventions were identified, categorized, and described using examples from the data. Two categories of interventions could be distinguished: CBT interventions and process-oriented interventions. In future research the coding manual can be tested for interrater reliability and might be used in research on the effectiveness of GCBT therapist interventions

Exploring the performance of strategy in two-way interactions : an analysis of annual general meetings from a practice perspective

Despite an increasing body of research focusing on two-way interactions in strategy events, more empirical insights are needed to fully understand the performative aspects of such interactions. Based on a video- ethnography drawing on recorded data of Annual General Meetings (AGMs) from seven companies across different industry contexts, we explore how these interactions are strategically performed through particular sets of discursive practices. As an answer to the study's driving research question "How do top managers manage two-way interactions with the audience of an AGM?" we provide details on how an emergent model based on two types of interactions was developed from observed themes and aggregate dimensions. Using that emergent model, we build the argument that the performance of top managers in AGMs during two-way interactions follow certain distinct patterns, and these patterns are determined by how the audience members initiate the interactions

The Influence of IL-10 and TNFα on Chondrogenesis of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Three-Dimensional Cultures

Chondrogenic differentiated mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a promising cell source for articular cartilage repair. This study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of two three-dimensional (3D) culture systems for chondrogenic MSC differentiation in comparison to primary chondrocytes and to assess the effect of Interleukin (IL)-10 and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)α on chondrogenesis by MSCs in 3D high-density (H-D) culture. MSCs were isolated from femur spongiosa, characterized using a set of typical markers and introduced in scaffold-free H-D cultures or non-woven polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffolds for chondrogenic differentiation. H-D cultures were stimulated with recombinant IL-10, TNFα, TNFα + IL-10 or remained untreated. Gene and protein expression of type II collagen, aggrecan, sox9 and TNFα were examined. MSCs expressed typical cell surface markers and revealed multipotency. Chondrogenic differentiated cells expressed cartilage-specific markers in both culture systems but to a lower extent when compared with articular chondrocytes. Chondrogenesis was more pronounced in PGA compared with H-D culture. IL-10 and/or TNFα did not impair the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs. Moreover, in most of the investigated samples, despite not reaching significance level, IL-10 had a stimulatory effect on the type II collagen, aggrecan and TNFα expression when compared with the respective controls

Berichte

ctn - Diözesan-Fernsehen in ChikagoChristliche Kommunikationskonferenz in MalawiSalzburger "Seminar '75": Christliche Botschaft in säkularisierten MedienVon der Eigeninitiative zur Gemeinschaftsaufgabe: 25 Jahre Arbeit der Christlichen Presse AkademiePublizistik und Erwachsenenbildung: Erfahrungsbericht aus der Bensberger Thomas-Moros-Akademie"Publik-Forums" (kirchen-)treue Leser: Ergebnisse einer Analys

Sammelrezension

Rezensionen zu: 1) Kirchhof, Steffen: Informelles Lernen und Kompetenzentwicklung für und in beruflichen Werdegängen - dargestellt am Beispiel einer qualitativ-explorativen Studie zu informellen Lernprozessen Pflegender und ihrer pädagogisch-didaktischen Implikationen für die Aus- und Weiterbildung. Münster: Waxmann 2007. ISBN 978-3-8309-1824-0. 2) Dieckmann, Heinrich; Dittrich, Karl-Heinz; Lehmann, Burkhard (Hrsg.): Kompetenztransfer durch selbstgesteuertes Lernen. Bad Heilbrunn: Klinkhardt 2006. ISBN 3-7815-1492-7. 3) Arbeitsgemeinschaft Betriebliche Weiterbildungsforschung e.V./Projekt Qualifikations-Entwicklung-Management (Hrsg.): Kompetenzentwicklung 2006: das Forschungs- und Entwicklungsprogramm "Lernkultur Kompetenzentwicklung". Ergebnisse - Erfahrungen – Einsichten. Münster: Waxmann 2006. ISBN 978-3-8309-1782-1. 4) Bergold, Ralph; Gisbertz, Helga; Kruip, Gerhard (Hrsg.): Treffpunkt Ethik: Internetbasierte Lernumgebungen für ethische Diskurse. Bielefeld: W. Bertelsmann Verl. 2007. ISBN 978-3-7639-3538-9. 5) Federighi, Paolo; Abréu, Carina; Nuissl von Rein, Ekkehard (Hrsg.): Learning among Regional Governments – Quality of Policy Learning and Policy Transfer in Regional Lifelong Learning Policies. Bielefeld: W. Bertelsmann Verl. 2007. ISBN 978-3-7639-3577-2. 6) Knabe, Ferdinand (Hrsg.)/ Bundesverband Alphabetisierung und Grundbildung e.V.: Wissenschaft und Praxis in der Alphabetisierung und Grundbildung. Alphabetisierung und Grundbildung, Bd. 1. Münster: Waxmann 2007. ISBN 978-3-8309-1864-6. 7) Nuissl, Ekkehard; Lattke, Susanne (Hrsg.): Qualifying adult learning professionals in Europe. Bielefeld: W. Bertelsmann Verl. 2008. ISBN 978-3-7639-3623-6. 8) Siebert, Horst: Konstruktivistisch lehren und lernen. Reihe: Grundlagen der Weiterbildung. Augsburg: ZIEL-Verl. 2008. ISBN 978-3-940562-04-3. 9) Wagner, Birgit; Schmid, Alfons; Meden, Barbara von der: Allgemeine Arbeitsweltbezogene Weiterbildung: Ergebnisse eines Innovationsprojekts. München und Mering: Hampp 2007. ISBN 978-3-86618-160-1. 10) Schreiber-Barsch, Silke: Learning Communities als Infrastruktur Lebenslangen Lernens: vergleichende Fallstudien europäischer Praxis. Bielefeld: W. Bertelsmann Verl. 2007. ISBN 978-3-7639-3332-7

Significance of site‐specific radiation dose and technique for success of implant‐based prosthetic rehabilitation in irradiated head and neck cancer patients—A cohort study

Background Radiotherapy aggravates implant‐based prosthetic rehabilitation in patients with head and neck cancer. Purpose To evaluate the impact of radiation dose at implant and parotid gland site for prosthetic rehabilitation. Material and methods The retrospective study includes 121 irradiated head and neck cancer patients with 751 inserted implants. Radiation doses on implant bed and parotid gland site were recorded by 3‐dimensional modulated radiation plans. Implant success was clinically and radiographically evaluated according to modified Albrektsson criteria and compared to treatment‐ and patient‐specific data. Results Implant overall survival after 5 years was 92.4% with an implant success rate of 74.9%. Main reasons for implant failure were marginal bone resorption (20.9%), implant not in situ or unloaded (9.6%) and peri‐implantitis (7.5%). A mean radiation dose of 62.6 Gy was applied with a mean parotid dose of 35 Gy. Modulating radiation techniques went along with lower grades of xerostomia (p 50 Gy (HR 7.9), parotid dose >30 Gy (HR 2.3), bone (HR 14.5) and soft tissue (HR 4.5) transplants, bad oral hygiene (HR 3.8), nonmodulated radiation treatment planning (HR 14.5), and nontelescopic prosthetics (HR 5.2). Conclusion Radiotherapy impedes implant success in a dose‐dependent manner at implant site. Modern radiation techniques effectively reduce xerostomia favoring implant‐based prosthetic rehabilitation. Implantation in bone grafts is more critical and telescopic‐retained overdentures should be preferred

Herd-level animal management factors associated with the occurrence of bovine neonatal pancytopenia in calves in a multicountry study

Since 2007, mortality associated with a previously unreported haemorrhagic disease has been observed in young calves in several European countries. The syndrome, which has been named ‘bovine neonatal pancytopenia’ (BNP), is characterised by thrombocytopenia, leukocytopenia and a panmyelophthisis. A herd-level case-control study was conducted in four BNP affected countries (Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands) to identify herd management risk factors for BNP occurrence. Data were collected using structured face-to-face and telephone interviews of farm managers and their local veterinarians. In total, 363 case farms and 887 control farms were included in a matched multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis. Case-control status was strongly associated with the odds of herd level use of the vaccine PregSure® BVD (PregSure, Pfizer Animal Health) (matched adjusted odds ratio (OR) 107.2; 95% CI: 41.0–280.1). This was also the case for the practices of feeding calves colostrum from the calf’s own dam (OR 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1–3.4) or feeding pooled colostrum (OR 4.1; 95% CI: 1.9–8.8). Given that the study had relatively high statistical power and represented a variety of cattle production and husbandry systems, it can be concluded with some confidence that no other herd level management factors are competent causes for a sufficient cause of BNP occurrence on herd level. It is suggested that genetic characteristics of the dams and BNP calves should be the focus of further investigations aimed at identifying the currently missing component causes that together with PregSure vaccination and colostrum feeding represent a sufficient cause for occurrence of BNP in calves