Assuming identities:the workings of intertextual metaphors in dating ads

In this article I propose an augmented pragmatic framework for interpreting metaphors of identity, built upon Grice's co-operative principle and incorporating Levinson's concept of uptake and Austin's notion of felicity. The framework is applied to a selection of intertextual identity metaphors drawn from The Guardian's dating ad column, ‘Soulmates’. First I provide a detailed exposition of the textual and discursive workings of a small selection of typical fictional metaphors in these dating ads, to show how co-textual selections steer interpretation and contribute to a metaphor's success, or felicity. Then discussion turns to consideration of how these textual and discursive processes might be mapped onto the proposed pragmatic framework of recognition, uptake and felicity.

Global HR roles and factors influencing their development:evidence from emerging Indian IT services multinationals

The rapid growth of emerging markets’ multinational companies (MNCs) is a recent phenomenon and, as such, their nature and structure of key management processes, functions, and roles need further examination. While an abundance of low-cost labor is often the starting point of competitive advantage for many of the emerging markets’ MNCs, it is the optimum configuration of people, processes, and technology that defines how they leverage their intangible resources. Based on case studies of four Indian IT services MNCs, involving 51 in-depth interviews of business and human resource (HR) leaders at the corporate and subsidiary levels, we identify five key HR roles—namely, strategic business partner, guardian of culture, builder of global workforce and capabilities, champion of processes, and facilitator of employee development. The analysis also highlights that the HR function in Indian IT service MNCs faces several challenges in consolidating the early gains of internationalization, such as lack of decentralized decision making, developing a global mind-set, localization of the workforce, and developing a global leadership pipeline. Based on our exploratory findings, we propose a framework outlining the global HR roles pursued by emerging IT services MNCs, the factors influencing them, and the challenges facing their HR function for future research.

An investigation to determine the influence of illumination sources on colour discrimination in normal subjects and smokers

Accurate colour vision testing requires using the correct illumination. With the plethora of 'daylight' lamps available, is there a cost-effective alternative to the discontinued MacBeth Easel lamp? Smoking is a known risk factor for macula degeneration. As the macula is responsible for colour discrimination, any toxin that affects it has the potential to influence colour discrimination. Aims: To find a costeffective light source for colour vision testing. To investigate the effect of smoking on colour discrimination. To explore how deuteranomalous trichromats compare with normal trichromats. Methods: Using the Ishihara colour vision test subjects were classified into the groups: 'Normal/Control', 'Smoker/Test', and 'Case Study' (subjects who failed the screening test and did not smoke). They completed the Farnsworth Munsell 100 Hue test under each of the three light sources: Phillips EcoHalo Twist (tungsten halogen - THL), Kosnic KCF07ALU/GU10-865 (compact fluorescent- CFL), and Deal Guardian Ltd. GU103X2WA4B-60 (light-emitting diode - LED) Results: 42 subjects took part in the study: 18 in the Normal/Control group, 18 in the Smoker/Test group, and 6 in the Case Study group. For the Normal/Control group the total error scores (TESs) were significantly lower with the CFL than with the THL (p = 0.017) as it was for the Case Study group (p = 0.009). No significant differences were found between the Normal/Control group and the Smoker/Test group for each light source. Decision tree analysis found pack years to be a significant variable for TES. Discussion: All three light sources were comparable with previous studies. The CFL provided better colour discrimination than the LED despite them both being 6500 K. Deuteranomalous trichromats showed a greatest deviation than normal trichromats using the LED. Conclusions: The Kosnic KCF07ALU/GU10-865 is a cost-effective alternative for colour vision testing. Smoking appears to have an effect on colour vision, but requires further investigation.

Misreporting:a glowing report

As a former science writer for several UK national newspapers, I commend Simon Lewis for his balanced and valuable analysis of how to deal with misreporting (Nature 468, 7; 2010). Lewis avoids the common error of assuming that the bylined journalist was responsible for the headline or the final text. As I know all too well, stories can be extensively rewritten without being referred back to the named author. Complaining about this practice is regarded as naive and career-limiting. His experiences show how one can use the rivalries that exist between newspapers to obtain some redress for misreporting. Newspapers delight in reporting egregious examples of misreporting by rivals. Thus, in approaching the UK newspaper The Guardian, Lewis targeted his complaint about the original Sunday Times report perfectly. I am glad that Lewis was able to gain some redress. I am also grateful to him for reminding me how good it is to be out of the newspaper business.