Contingency Fit, Institutional Fit, and Firm Performance: A Metafit Approach to Organization–Environment Relationships

In this paper, we attempt to reconcile contingency and institutional fit approaches concerning the organization-environment relationship. While prior scholarly research has examined both theories and compared their impacts on organizational fit and performance, we lay the groundwork for a meta-fit approach by investigating how contingency and institutional fit interact to influence firm performance. We test our theoretical framework using a dataset of 3,259 respondents from 1,904 companies regarding task environmental demands and institutional demands on organizational design across a broad range of industries and firm size classes. Our results show that contingency and institutional fit provide complementary and interdependent explanations of firm performance. Importantly, our findings indicate that for firms under conditions of “quasi-fit” rather than perfect contingency fit or optimal institutional fit, improvements in contingency and/or institutional fit will result in better performance. However, firms with high contingency fit are less vulnerable to deviation from institutional fit in the formation of firm performance, while firms with perfect institutional fit will slightly decrease their performance when they strive to achieve contingency fit.

Service Innovation, Embeddedness and Business Performance: Evidence from Northern Ireland

This paper explores the factors that determine innovation by service firms, and in particular the contribution of intra- and extra-regional connectivity. Subsequently, it is examined how service firms' innovation activity relates to productivity and export behaviour. The empirical analysis is based on matched data from the 2005 UK Innovation Survey - the UK component of the 4th Community Innovation Survey (CIS) - and the Annual Business Inquiry for Northern Ireland. Evidence is found of negative intra-regional embeddedness effects, but there is a positive contribution to innovation from extra-regional connectivity, particularly links to customers. Relationships between innovation, exporting, and productivity prove complex, but suggest that innovation itself is not sufficient to generate productivity improvements. Only when innovation is combined with increased export activity are productivity gains evident.

Joined-up government in Ireland:From un-strategic choices to patriotic imperatives

Over the last decade, joined-up government has assumed a prominent place in the study and practice of public management. In this article, drawing on the Irish case we adopt an institutionalist approach to the issue of joining-up government and bureaucratic reform. We explore how the period of sustained and rapid economic growth in Ireland during the 1990s was also characterised by a fragmentation of the public service and proliferation of agencies. Subsequently, as a consequence of the sharp contraction in public spending brought about by the global financial crisis, we find an accelerated process of public sector recentralisation, retrenchment and de-agencification. Much of this is occurring in an unplanned manner but under the generic banner of 'joining up' government. We identify the drivers behind these dynamics and how they have manifested themselves, as well as the changes to politicaladministrative relationships brought about by new initiatives, the power imbalances they expose, and ultimately their consequences on public service delivery. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Global Production, CSR and Human Rights: The Courts of Public Opinion and the Social License to Operate

This paper takes at its starting point the responsibility placed upon corporations by the United Nations’ Protect, Respect and Remedy Framework as elaborated upon by the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to respect human rights. The overt pragmatism and knowledge of the complex business relationships that are embedded in global production led John Ruggie, the author of the Framework, to adopt a structure for the relationship between human rights and business that built on the existing practices of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). His intention was that these practices should be developed to embrace respect for human rights by exhorting corporations to move from “the era of declaratory CSR” to showing a demonstrable policy commitment to respect for human rights. The prime motivation for corporations to do this was, according to Ruggie, because the responsibility to respect was one that would be guarded and judged by the “courts of public opinion” as part of the social expectations imposed upon corporations or to put it another way as a condition of a corporation’s social license to operate.
This article sets out the background context to the Framework and examines the structures that it puts forward. In its third and final section the article looks at how the Framework requires a corporation’s social license to be assembled and how and by whom that social license will be judged. The success or failure of the Framework in persuading corporations to respect human rights is tied to whether “the courts of public opinion” can use their “naming and shaming power” effectively.

Trust considerations on attitudes towards online purchasing: The moderating effect of privacy and security concerns

The research examines the relationships between three common trust considerations (vendor, Internet and third parties) and attitudes towards online purchasing. The study incorporates privacy and security concerns as a moderating variable and finds that these relationships vary depending on the level of concerns a consumer has when purchasing online. The study suggests that "fears" surrounding the Internet as a place to do business still hinder the use of it for e-commerce purposes, but that the presence of a reputable agent might in some manner mitigate this risk. In the context of business to consumer relationships trust in the vendor is important for the consumer to accept any risk associated with a transaction. Theoretical implications for online customer behavior theory are also discussed. © 2009 Elsevier Inc.

Symbolic violence and the neighbourhood: young working class girls' attitudes to education in Belfast

This article focuses on the experiences of 7-8 year old working-class girls in Belfast, Northern Ireland and their attitudes towards education. It shows how their emerging identities tend to emphasize relationships, marriage and motherhood at the expense of a concern with education and future careers. The article suggests that one important factor that can help explain this is the influence of the local neighbourhood. In drawing upon Bourdieu's concepts of symbolic violence and habitus and Elias' notion of figuration, the article shows how the local neighbourhood represents the parameters of the girls' social worlds. It provides the context within which the girls tend to focus on social relations within their community and particularly on family relationships, marriage and children. It also provides the context within which the girls tend to develop strong interdependent relationships with their mothers that also tend to encourage and reinforce the girls' particular gendered identities. The article concludes by arguing that there is a need for more research on working-class girls and education to look beyond the school to incorporate, more fully, an understanding of the influence of the family and local neighbourhood on their attitudes towards education and their future career aspirations.

Relationships between antioxidant activity, color, and flavor compounds of crystal malt extracts

Aqueous extracts were prepared from five barley crystal malts (color range 15-440 degrees EBC, European Brewing Convention units). Antioxidant activity was determined by using the 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS(.+)) radical cation scavenging method. Antioxidant activity increased with increasing color value although the rate of increase decreased with increasing color value. Color was measured in CIELAB space. Extracts of the 15, 23, and 72 degrees EBC malts followed the same dilution pathway as did the 148 degrees EBC sample at higher dilution levels, indicating that they could each be used to give the same color by appropriate dilution. The 440 degrees EBC sample followed a different dilution pathway, indicating that different compounds were responsible for color in this extract. Fifteen selected volatile compounds were monitored using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Levels of methylpropanal, 2-methylbutanal, and 3-methylbutanal were highest for the 72 degrees EBC sample. When odor threshold values of the selected compounds were taken into account, 3-methylbutanal was the most important contributor to flavor., Relationships between levels of the lipid oxidation products, hexanal and (E)-2-nonenal, and antioxidant activity were complex, and increasing antioxidant activity for samples in the range of 15-148 degrees EBC did-not result in reduced levels of these lipid-derived compounds. When different colored malt extracts were diluted to give the same a* and b* values, calculated antioxidant activity and amounts of 3-methylbutanal, hexanal, and (E)-2-nonenal decreased with increasing degrees EBC value.

Relationships between human sperm protamines, DNA damage and assisted reproduction outcomes

The exchange of histones with protamines in sperm DNA results in sperm chromatin compaction and protection. Variations in sperm protamine expression are associated with male infertility. The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between DNA fragmentation, sperm protamines and assisted reproduction treatment. Semen and spermatozoa prepared by density-gradient centrifugation (DGC) from 73 men undergoing IVF and 24 men undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were included in the study. Nuclear DNA fragmentation was assessed using the alkaline Comet assay and protamines were separated by acid-urea polyacrylamide gels. Sperm DNA fragmentation and protamine content (P1-DNA, P2-DNA, P1 + P2-DNA) decreased in spermatozoa after DGC. Abnormally high and low P1/P2 ratios were associated with increased sperm DNA fragmentation. Couples with idiopathic infertility had abnormally high P1/P2 ratios. Fertilization rates and embryo quality decreased as sperm DNA fragmentation or protamines increased. Sperm DNA fragmentation was lower in couples achieving pregnancies after IVF, but not after ICSI. There was no correlation between protamine content (P1-DNA, P2-DNA, P1 + P2-DNA) or P1/P2 ratios and IVF or ICSI pregnancies. Increased sperm DNA fragmentation was associated with abnormal protamination and resulted in lower fertilization rates, poorer embryo quality and reduced pregnancy rates. During late spermatogenesis, around 85% of the histones in the sperm nucleus are replaced with protamines. This process results in sperm chromatin compaction and also transcription silencing. In the human, protamines are comprised of two types: protamine-1 (P1) and protamine-2 (P2). Variations in sperm protamine expression are associated with male infertility. Similarly, sperm DNA integrity is important for male fertility. The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between DNA fragmentation, sperm protamines and assisted reproduction treatment. Semen and spermatozoa prepared by density-gradient centrifugation (DGC) from 73 men undergoing IVF and 24 men undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were included in the study. Nuclear DNA fragmentation was assessed using the alkaline Comet assay and protamines were separated by acid-urea polyacrylamide gels. Sperm DNA fragmentation and protamine content decreased in spermatozoa after DGC. Abnormally high and low P1/P2 ratios were associated with increased sperm DNA fragmentation. Couples with idiopathic infertility had abnormally high P1/P2 ratios. Fertilization rates and embryo quality decreased as sperm DNA fragmentation or protamines increased. Sperm DNA fragmentation was lower in couples achieving pregnancies after IVF, but not after ICSI. There was no correlation between protamine content or P1/P2 ratios and IVF or ICSI pregnancies. Increased sperm DNA fragmentation was associated with abnormal protamination and resulted in lower fertilization rates, poorer embryo quality and reduced pregnancy rates.

Contact and context: sharing education and building relationships in a divided society

One approach to tackling problems of division in society has been to promote collaboration and engagement between schools separated on ethno-religious lines. Based on some variant of contact theory, the received wisdom is that inter-group encounters can contribute to prejudice reduction and promote more harmonious relationships. Evidence to support this analysis is convincing; however, relatively little is known about the environmental factors that impede or enhance the potential for contact in different contexts. The importance of understanding such factors is underscored in divided jurisdictions, where separate education has been linked to the perpetuation of division and hostility. This paper adopts a qualitative approach to exploring the impact of two inter-school initiatives in Northern Ireland. The projects are located in contrasting socio-political and demographic environments, and research findings point to very different contact outcomes for participants in each. Seemingly relevant factors include the degree of congruence between school and community norms and values, the opportunity to develop relationships outside the school context, the relationships developed between the schools and local communities and the historical, political and social referents used by individuals to navigate the contact experience. The paper concludes with some reflections on factors that may help foster social harmony and on potential policy implications of the findings.

Neonatal pain, parenting stress and interaction, in relation to cognitive and motor development at 8 and 18 months in preterm infants

Procedural pain in the neonatal intensive care unit triggers a cascade of physiological, behavioral and hormonal disruptions which may contribute to altered neurodevelopment in infants born very preterm, who undergo prolonged hospitalization at a time of physiological immaturity and rapid brain development. The aim of this study was to examine relationships between cumulative procedural pain (number of skin-breaking procedures from birth to term, adjusted for early illness severity and overall intravenous morphine exposure), and later cognitive, motor abilities and behavior in very preterm infants at 8 and 18 months corrected chronological age (CCA), and further, to evaluate the extent to which parenting factors modulate these relationships over time. Participants were N=211 infants (n=137 born preterm 32 weeks gestational age [GA] and n=74 full-term controls) followed prospectively since birth. Infants with significant neonatal brain injury (periventricular leucomalacia, grade 3 or 4 intraventricular hemorrhage) and/or major sensori-neural impairments, were excluded. Poorer cognition and motor function were associated with higher number of skin-breaking procedures, independent of early illness severity, overall intravenous morphine, and exposure to postnatal steroids. The number of skin-breaking procedures as a marker of neonatal pain was closely related to days on mechanical ventilation. In general, greater overall exposure to intravenous morphine was associated with poorer motor development at 8 months, but not at 18 months CCA, however, specific protocols for morphine administration were not evaluated. Lower parenting stress modulated effects of neonatal pain, only on cognitive outcome at 18 months.

An Examination of Transformation Techniques to Investigate and Interpret Multivariate Geochemical Data Analysis: Tellus Case Study

This research aims to use the multivariate geochemical dataset, generated by the Tellus project, to investigate the appropriate use of transformation methods to maintain the integrity of geochemical data and inherent constrained behaviour in multivariate relationships. The widely used normal score transform is compared with the use of a stepwise conditional transform technique. The Tellus Project, managed by GSNI and funded by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Development and the EU’s Building Sustainable Prosperity Fund, involves the most comprehensive geological mapping project ever undertaken in Northern Ireland. Previous study has demonstrated spatial variability in the Tellus data but geostatistical analysis and interpretation of the datasets requires use of an appropriate methodology that reproduces the inherently complex multivariate relations. Previous investigation of the Tellus geochemical data has included use of Gaussian-based techniques. However, earth science variables are rarely Gaussian, hence transformation of data is integral to the approach. The multivariate geochemical dataset generated by the Tellus project provides an opportunity to investigate the appropriate use of transformation methods, as required for Gaussian-based geostatistical analysis. In particular, the stepwise conditional transform is investigated and developed for the geochemical datasets obtained as part of the Tellus project. The transform is applied to four variables in a bivariate nested fashion due to the limited availability of data. Simulation of these transformed variables is then carried out, along with a corresponding back transformation to original units. Results show that the stepwise transform is successful in reproducing both univariate statistics and the complex bivariate relations exhibited by the data. Greater fidelity to multivariate relationships will improve uncertainty models, which are required for consequent geological, environmental and economic inferences.

'Big, strong and healthy'. Young children's identification of food and drink that contribute to healthy growth

Growing awareness of the importance of healthy diet in early childhood makes it important to chart the development of children's understanding of food and drink. This study aimed to document young children's evaluation of food and drink as healthy, and to explore relationships with socioeconomic status, family eating habits, and children's television viewing. Data were gathered from children aged 3-5. years (. n=. 172) in diverse socioeconomic settings in Ireland, and from their parents. Results demonstrated that children had very high levels of ability to identify healthy foods as important for growth and health, but considerably less ability to reject unhealthy items, although knowledge of these increased significantly between ages 3 and 5. Awareness of which foods were healthy, and which foods were not, was not related to family socioeconomic status, parent or child home eating habits, or children's television viewing. Results highlighted the importance of examining young children's response patterns, as many of the youngest showed a consistent 'yes bias'; however, after excluding these responses, the significant findings remained. Findings suggest it is important to teach children about less healthy foods in the preschool years. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Linking watershed terrain and hydrology to soil chemical properties, microbial communities and impacts on soil organic C in a humid mid-latitude forested watershed

Understanding the response of humid mid-latitude forests to changes in precipitation, temperature, nutrient cycling, and disturbance is critical to improving our predictive understanding of changes in the surface-subsurface energy balance due to climate change. Mechanistic understanding of the effects of long-term and transient moisture conditions are needed to quantify
linkages between changing redox conditions, microbial activity, and soil mineral and nutrient interactions on C cycling and greenhouse gas releases. To illuminate relationships between the soil chemistry, microbial communities and organic C we established transects across hydraulic and topographic gradients in a small watershed with transient moisture conditions. Valley bottoms tend to be more frequently saturated than ridge tops and side slopes which generally are only saturated when shallow storm flow zones are active. Fifty shallow (~36”) soil cores were collected during timeframes representative of low CO2, soil winter conditions and high CO2, soil summer conditions. Cores were subdivided into 240 samples based on pedology and analyses of the geochemical (moisture content, metals, pH, Fe species, N, C, CEC, AEC) and microbial (16S rRNA gene
amplification with Illumina MiSeq sequencing) characteristics were conducted and correlated to watershed terrain and hydrology. To associate microbial metabolic activity with greenhouse gas emissions we installed 17 soil gas probes, collected gas samples for 16 months and analyzed them for CO2 and other fixed and greenhouse gasses. Parallel to the experimental efforts our data is being used to support hydrobiogeochemical process modeling by coupling the Community Land Model (CLM) with a subsurface process model (PFLOTRAN) to simulate processes and interactions from the molecular to watershed scales. Including above ground processes (biogeophysics, hydrology, and vegetation dynamics), CLM provides mechanistic water, energy, and organic matter inputs to the surface/subsurface models, in which coupled biogeochemical reaction
networks are used to improve the representation of below-ground processes. Preliminary results suggest that inclusion of above ground processes from CLM greatly improves the prediction of moisture response and water cycle at the watershed scale.