Employer and employee perspectives of HRM practices within SMEs

This paper examines the perspectives of employers and employees within nano, micro, small, medium, and large firms in relation to HRM practices. The study draws upon a large sample of respondents from firms of all size categories. An online questionnaire comprising established HRM measures was used to collect the data. A multivariate discriminant analysis procedure was used to identify the interrelationships between the employer and employee groups, across firms by size, and how they viewed the importance of the HRM measures. The study found a strong congruence between employers and employees across most constructs and provides insights into the role firm size plays in the formalization of HRM practices and the relative importance of such factors within SMEs

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Profiling micro-enterprises: The case of home-based businesses in New Zealand

Micro-enterprises represent significant proportions of small firms in most economies yet they are not routinely profiled or studied. This paper examines business processes and activities of micro home-based businesses (HBB) from an empirical study of 522 firms in New Zealand. Key findings profile the microscopic scale of HBB and their flexibility in operating both at and away from home. The importance of sources of finance, marketing activities, relationships, and business indicators for HBB are evaluated. Aspirations for growth were very high, with HBB reporting personal factors as the most important resources for growth, followed by functional business activities and expertise. Furthermore, high levels of GST registration and international business activities indicate that many HBB are quite business savv

Information and communication technology adoption and diffusion in micro-enterprises: the case of techno-savvy home-based businesses

The effective use of ICTs for business activities is of significant interest in a digital economy. This paper examines the adoption and diffusion of ICTs by micro home-based businesses (HBB) from an empirical study of 522 firms. Key findings include very high levels of internet, e-mail and cell phone usage for HBBs' business activities; and increasing website adoption levels with increasing geographic sales reach (from local, regional, national, to international). In spite of micro size and limited resources, many of these HBB were techno-savvy and capable of utilising the full range of ICTs to facilitate electronic business communications and online transactions. These findings are significant given the lack of prior research on the HBB sector and the scale of micro-enterprises in economies around the globe

The horticulture and food research institute of New Zealand Ltd

The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Limited engages in the development and production of fruit and food products. Its products and services include agrichemicals; flavor and fragrance; food and ingredients; fruit packaging and labeling; health and performance; instrumentation and sensors; new fruit varieties; nutraceuticals; optimizing fruit production; orchard management; plant biotechnology; post harvest tools; and sustainable land use. It operates in the European Union, Japan, the United States, and Australia. The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Limited was founded in 1992 and is based in Auckland, New Zealand

Virtual team learning: An introductory study team exercise

This article outlines the design, implementation, and evaluation of an innovative virtual team exercise. Cognitive, affective, and action-learning outcomes highlight the relevance of this grounded experiential exercise for management education and practice. Details are provided to enable the exercise to be adopted in a wide range of programs. Prior online experience, motivation, resistance to online environment, and trade-offs were found affect an overall positive experience reported by students

Simulation of Organic Chemical Movement in Hawaii Soils with PRZM: 2. Predicting Deep Penetration of DBCP, EDB, and TCP

PRZM was employed to simulate deep leaching of three fumigant chemicals beneath a central Oahu pineapple field. Our results suggest that PRZM, although not deployed here within the range of conditions for which the model was developed, can be a useful tool for making pesticide leaching assessments in Hawaii

SMEs in the Digital Economy: Surviving the Digital Revolution

Our small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are currently facing the challenges and opportunities of the global trend towards digital, online and mobile technologies. However, many SMEs are not prepared to engage with these digital technologies, while others seem unwilling to embrace them. 'SMEs in the Digital Economy: Surviving the Digital Revolution' explores the many benefits, but also some of the risks, for SMEs in the digital economy. The overall message is that it is crucial to engage with the digital economy. Ignoring it is not an option. Owner-managers need to improve their knowledge and acquire the skills to effectively participate in the emerging digital market. This book contains ten chapters from a range of specialist authors. Each chapter has a unique but important message on the impact of the digital economy on SMEs in Australia and New Zealand, and the various ways in which SMEs are engaging in this economy. It reflects the diversity of issues and the complexity of small business as an area for government, industry and academics seeking to shape effective policies to support this important sector