The role of resources in achieving target competitive positions

Competitive positioning has become an essential component of modern marketing management. For a firm to target effective positions for its products and services, it needs to decide on the market segment (where it will compete) as well as the differential advantage it will emphasise (how it will compete). Until recently, empirical research on positioning has received little attention, while substantial insight has been gained with respect to the concept of competitive positioning. Furthermore, Hooley, Moller and Broderick have highlighted the lack of empirical studies relative to theoretical ones related to positioning in general and to the relationship between positioning and the different components of each competitive positioning that a firm might choose. This study focuses on product competitive positioning in over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceuticals in the British market. It was found that certain resources underpin specific competitive positions.

Effects of yellow filters on visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and reading under conditions of forward light scatter

Background Yellow filters are sometimes recommended to people with low vision. Our aim was investigate the effects of three commercial yellow filters on visual acuity and contrast sensitivity (with and without glare) and reading (without glare) under conditions of forward light scatter (FLS). Method Fifty-five healthy subjects were assessed with Corning Photochromic Filters (CPFs) 450, 511 and 527 and a filter producing FLS. The effects on log MAR visual acuity, Pelli–Robson contrast sensitivity with and without glare, and reading (measured with MNRead charts) without glare were determined. Results Statistically significant differences were found between the overall effect of glare and between CPFs for visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. A gradual decline in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and reading with increasing CPF absorption was noted. Conclusion Effects of CPF450, 511, 527 on visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and reading under conditions of FLS were negative but not clinically significant.

Organizational culture, organizational climate, and collaborative capacity for planning

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship of organizational culture and organizational climate on participant perceptions of collaborative capacity for planning, within the context of the Florida School Readiness Coalitions (FSRCs). Three hypotheses were proposed for study: First, that organizational culture would be correlated to organizational climate; second, that organizational culture would be correlated to collaborative capacity for planning; and the third that organizational climate would be correlated to collaborative capacity for planning. ^ A cross-sectional survey research design was used to obtain data from participants in 25 Florida School Readiness Coalitions. Pearson product-moment correlations were used to examine the association between the dependent variable, collaborative capacity for planning, and the independent variables, organizational culture and climate. Bivariate analyses revealed a significant level of association for five culture indicators to collaborative capacity for planning: motivation, interpersonal, service, supportive and individualistic indicators, and four climate indicators: cooperation, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and role clarity. Findings suggest (a) a constructive culture and positive climate were present within the FSRCs during the period of study and (b) participants perceived that the collaborative capacity for planning existed. Hierarchical multiple regression, controlling for effects of participant demographics, were used to examine the degree to which organizational culture and climate predict collaborative capacity. The culture indicators, supportive and individualistic, and the climate indicator job satisfaction accounted for 46% of the variance in collaborative capacity for planning. No other indicators of the independent variables demonstrated significance. The findings suggests that (a) culture and climate should be studied together, (b) culture and climate are two constructs that may provide knowledge about the way community groups work together, and (c) the collaborative capacity of groups planning services such as the FSRCs may benefit through consideration of how culture and climate affect service planners' relationships, communication, and ability to achieve a mission or goal. Culture and climate may offer social workers new information about internal factors affecting the collaborative process. Further investigation of these constructs with other types of groups is warranted. ^

Hospitality Research: How to Plan, Fund, Execute, and Publish

Researchers interested in exploring topics of concern to the hospitality industry can discover a wide range of areas to be explored and a variety of sources to fund the research. The authors discuss a four-step plan for conducting and publishing quality research, including tips for the writing process.

A Dispersed People: Social and Cultural Dimensions of the Cuban Diaspora, Book Presentation with Volume Editor Jorge Duany

This flyer promotes the event "A Dispersed People: Social and Cultural Dimensions of the Cuban Diaspora, Book Presentation with Volume Editor Jorge Duany, comments by Lillian Manzor" sponsored by the School of International and Public Affairs at Florida International University. This event was held at Books and Books in Coral Gables.

Aspects of the transplantation, storage and maintenance of corals (Montastraea Faveolata, Acropora Cervicornis and A. Palmata)

The purpose of this study is to explore aspects of coral transplantation for restoration. Montastraea faveolata cores of 2.54 and 5.0 cm were stored in aquaria, on an array and on the substrate. Survival on the array and substrate were 100% for 12 and 11 months respectively. Branches of Acropora cervicornis had 75.0 % survival on the substrate and 91.7% on the array. Disease caused mortality for the A. cervicornis and the 2.54 cm cores in the aquaria but not for the 5.0 cm cores. Growth was significantly higher for A. cervicornis and A. palmata branches stored on an array than in an open seawater system. The storage type affected growth patterns of both species. M. faveolata fed three times/week increased in surface area significantly more than those fed once and twice/week. Corals fed once per week significantly increased their polyp density. Corals had intermittent respiration while under sub-aerial conditions.

Avaliação tribológica de novas modificações superficiais para cilindros de laminação a frio

The present work analyzed the tribological behavior of coatings/surface modifications traditionally used in cold rolling mill rolls and new coatings/surface modificationswith potential to replace the carcinogenic hard chrome. The study started with identification of wear mechanisms occurring in real coldrollingmill rolls. Due the high cost and dimensions of the rolls, thereplication technique was used. Replicas were obtained from 4 different rolling millBrazilian companies before and after a normal rolling campaign. Initial sliding tests were conducted using spherical and cylindrical counter bodies in order to verifywhichtribological conditions allowed to reproduce the wear mechanisms found in the replicas. These tests indicated the use of reciprocating sliding tests with cylindrical counter bodies (line contact), normal load of 100 N, and test times of and 1 h and 5 h. Different surface modifications were carried out on samples produced from a fragment of a rolling mill roll. The specimens were heat treated and ground on both sides. After, some specimens were surface textured by electrical discharge texturing (EDT). For both groups (ground and EDT), subsequent treatments of chromium plating, electroless NiP coating and plasma nitriding were carried out. The results of the reciprocating tests showed that specimens with electroless NiP coating presented the lowest friction coefficients, while plasma nitrided specimens showed the highest. In general, previous surface texturing before the coating/surface modification increased the wear of the counter bodies. Oneexceptionwas for EDT with subsequent electroless NiP coating, which presented the lowest counter bodies wear rate. The samples withelectroless NiP coating promoted a tribolayer consisting of Nickel, Phosphorus and Oxygen on both the specimens andthecounter bodies, which was apparently responsible for the reduction of friction coefficient and wear rate. The increase of the test time reduced the wear rate of the samples, apparently due the stability of the tribolayers formed, except for the nitrided samples. For the textured specimens, NiP coating showed the best performance in maintaining the surface topography of the specimens after the sliding tests.