The Implementation of Innovation by a Multinational Operating in Two Different Environments: A Comparative Study

The aim of the paper is to examine the innovation initiatives and processes followed by two subsidiaries of a German multinational company operating in Europe and Asia and to compare the innovativeness of their operations in these two locations. The study examined the innovation processes followed by the two subsidiary firms operating in Germany and Malaysia, the actual problems faced by them, the critical success factors involved in the implementation, and the work climates of the firms. Interestingly, it was found that both firms followed similar innovation processes. Nevertheless, different types of problems and critical success factors were applicable to both firms. The results showed that the Malaysian subsidiary faced more behavioural problems while the German subsidiary encountered more technical problems. Further, the study showed that a lack of knowledge was the common problem faced equally by both firms. The study demonstrated that the German subsidiary had better working climate compared to its counterpart in Malaysia. Finally, the German subsidiary was found to be more innovation–active than the Malaysian subsidiary as it introduced more types of innovation, interacted with more types of entity in the external environment and introduced more types of training.     

Hydrodynamics of asymmetrical film thinning

The thinning of the film beneath a liquid drop is often faster than predicted by radial drainage. This could be explained by asymmetrical drainage, but mathematical difficulties are then encountered. However, analytical solutions may be obtained for the two-dimensional case and expressions are derived here for the asymmetric viscous drainage of films trapped between convex and concave wedges. Solutions for the symmetrical drainage beneath wedges and parabolae are also presented which are analogous to the three-dimensional drainage beneath cones and paraboloids previously derived.     

Informed consent: how much information is enough?

BACKGROUND: Recent judicial decisions involving informed consent have led to some medical practitioners altering the way they obtain consent. The aim of this study was to determine the degree to which patients understood the risks associated with a surgical procedure after giving routine consent and whether providing additional detailed verbal and/or written information improved their understanding. It was further determined whether the provision of more extensive information altered patients' anxiety levels. METHODS: Patients undergoing femoral popliteal bypass or carotid surgery were randomized to obtain either routine consent only or routine consent with verbal or written or verbal and written consent. Patients undertook a pre-operative risk and complication questionnaire, a pre- and postoperative anxiety and depression evaluation and a follow-up questionnaire 6 weeks after discharge. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were included in the trial. The comprehension questionnaire resulted in a correct percentage response of 48% for the routine information only, 59% with added verbal information, 59% with added written information and 55% with added written and verbal information. Twenty-five per cent of patients stated that they had a poor understanding of the risks and complications of the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Additional written or verbal information did not improve a patient's understanding of risks and complications of the procedure. It also did not improve patients' perceived understanding of the operation or its complications. Patients' anxiety levels were unaltered by the increase in the information they were given. The information provided to patients should be simple, easy to understand and list any possible major complications to enable the patient to determine whether to undergo or decline a procedure.     

What does a man want?

Discusses the changing roles and expectations held of men in modern society and the confusion this has engendered, a confusion that at times may be linked with resulting domestic and societal problems. The author discusses the emergence of the men's movement and the quest for a clearer masculine identity and a greater connection and communication between men. Also treated is the inability of many men to engage in intimacy. Psychology has provided some healing techniques to bridge the gap between men and women (e.g., sensitivity training for men and assertiveness training for women), but the author cites the need for training in good manners, decency, and good will. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Solids flow between interconnected shallow fluidized beds

Many industrial processes utilising two or more fluidized beds are connected such that one bed flows through an opening into the other. By operating regions of the two beds at different superficial gas velocities, a bulk density difference can be created between them to effect a solids transfer through a submerged opening. The resultant flow of solids between fluidized beds of sand (194 μm and 224 μm) is modelled on the basis of a liquid analogy and force-momentum balances. The correct functional dependency of the solids flow rate is predicted for a range of gas velocities; experimental results are 70–90% of the predicted values. The prediction of the solids flow rate for changes in the size of the openings between the beds is less satisfactory, possibly because of the return flow of solids which is associated with the forward flow.     

LEC18, a dominant Chinese hamster ovary glycosylation mutant synthesizes N-linked carbohydrates with a novel core structure

The dominant Chinese hamster ovary cell glycosylation mutant, LEC18, was selected for resistance to pea lectin (Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA)). Lectin binding studies show that LEC18 cells express altered cell surface carbohydrates with markedly reduced binding to 125I-PSA and increased binding to 125I-labeled Datura stramonium agglutinin (DSA) compared with parental cells. Desialylated [3H]Glc-labeled LEC18 cellular glycopeptides that did not bind to concanavalin A-Sepharose exhibited an increased proportion of species that were bound to DSA-agarose. Most of these glycopeptides bound to ricin-agarose and were unique to LEC18 cells. This fraction was purified from approximately 10(10) cells and shown by 1H NMR spectroscopy and methylation linkage analysis to contain novel N-linked structures. Digestion of these glycopeptides with mixtures of beta-D-galactosidases and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidases gave core glycopeptides that, in contrast to cores from parental cells, were mainly not bound to concanavalin A-Sepharose or to PSA-agarose. 1H NMR spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time of flight mass spectrometry, electrospray mass spectrometry, and collision-activated dissociation mass spectrometry showed that the LEC18 core glycopeptides contained a new GlcNAc residue that substitutes the core GlcNAc residues. Methylation linkage analysis of the parent compound provided evidence that the GlcNAc is linked at O-6 to give the following novel, N-linked core structure. [formula: see text]     

Discrepancies and correlations of reported autoignition temperatures

Why are significant discrepancies reported in the autoignition temperatures of materials, and which values should be used for fire protection purposes? These are questions to which the authors addressed themselves.