Innovation has become one of the primary core competencies of effective organizations. This volume includes chapters that explore a variety of methods and settings that show how collaboration can be ...utilized to enable and enhance innovation. It also discusses the importance of collaborative environments to improve innovation.
Collaborative Capital Beyerlein, Michael M; Beyerlein, Susan T; Kennedy, Frances H
2005, 2005-06-01, Letnik:
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eBook
Consists of papers that focus on 'collaborative capital' - broadly defined as the organizational assets that enable people to work together well. This volume is manifested in such outcomes as ...increased innovation and creativity, commitment and involvement, flexibility and adaptability, leveraging of knowledge, and enhanced learning.
Structural equation modeling techniques can use different correlation coefficients and different estimation methods in confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The rationale for examining correlation ...types and estimation methods is related to their effect on the weight matrix (W-1) in the CFA formula for determining the fit function statistics. The results of this study help us to understand that the type of correlation matrix and estimation method effects factor loadings and fit functions. Some suggested alternatives are to use either a limited information estimator for categorical variable analysis or multinomial full information estimators based on modern item response theory.
The purpose of this research project was to develop and test a theoretical model of technical professionals in self-managing work teams using a number of constructs that have not been tested with ...this population. The overall aim was to begin to humbly fill a significant gap in the research literature focused on self-managing work teams. The rationale for the need to address technical professional perspectives in team settings is discussed in the following section.
A two-stage study was conducted which examined role strain and its correlates among technical professional employees in team settings in 14 companies in the United States and Canada. A questionnaire ...was constructed based on the results of interviews with engineers and managers, and the analysis of simple plot data.
We examined biomarkers of selenium status (whole blood Se; serum Se; glutathione peroxidase activity) and thyroid status (concentrations and ratios of thyroxine, T4; tri-iodothyronine, T3; albumin) ...in polar bears to assess variations among cohorts, and relationships to circulating concentrations of contaminants. Concentrations of total mercury (Hg) in whole blood were similar among cohorts (prime aged males and females, older animals, ages ≥16 years, and young animals, ages 1–5 years; 48.44±35. 81; p=0.253). Concentrations of sum of seven polychlorinated biphenyls (∑PCB7) in whole blood were greater in females (with and without cubs, 26.44±25.82ng/g ww) and young (26.81±10.67ng/g ww) compared to males (8.88±5.76ng/g ww, p<0.001), and significantly related to reduced body condition scores (p<0.001). Concentrations of Se and albumin were significantly greater in males than females (whole blood Se, males, 42.34pmol/g ww, females, 36.25±6.27pmol/g ww, p=0.019; albumin, males, 4.34±0.34g/dl, females, 4.10±0.29g/dL, p=0.018). Glutathione peroxidase activity ranged from 109.1 to 207.8mU/mg hemoglobin, but did not differ significantly by sex or age (p>0.08). Thyroid hormones were greater in females (solitary females and females with cubs) compared to males (p<0.001). Biomarkers of Se status and concentrations of T3 were significantly positively related to Hg in all prime aged polar bears (p<0.03). Albumin concentrations were significantly positively related to total TT4, and significantly negatively related to concentrations of ∑PCB7 (p<0.003). Total thyroxine (TT4) was significantly negatively associated with blood concentrations of ∑PCB7 in solitary females (p=0.045). These data suggest that female polar bears were more susceptible to changes in blood-based biomarkers of selenium and thyroid status than males. Further classifications of the physiologic states of polar bears and repeated measures of individuals over time are needed to accurately assess the biological impact of combined toxicant exposures.
► Se and TH biomarkers in blood were examined in polar bears. ► Biomarkers were compared to blood concentrations of Hg and ΣPCB7. ► Females were more susceptible to changes in Se and TH status than males. ► Positive and negative associations among biomarkers and contaminants are discussed. ► Further study of the possible adverse biological impact of combined toxicants is warranted.
The purpose of the study reported here was to validate measurement of free thyroxine (fT4) concentration in equine serum by equilibrium dialysis (fT4D), and to compare values with fT4 concentration ...measured directly and with total T4 (TT4) concentration. The fT4D, fT74, and TT4 concentrations were measured over a range of values in euthyroid horses and horses made hypothyroid by administration of propylthiouracil (PTU). Concentrations of fT4D (<1.8–83 pmol/L) were consistently higher than those of fT4 (<1–40 pmol/L). There was a significant (P < .001) regression of fT4D on fT4 in 503 samples from normal horses (y = 2.086x ‐ 0.430). In baseline samples from 71 healthy euthyroid horses, fT4 concentration ranged from 6‐ 21 pmol/L (median, 11 pmol/L; 95% confidence interval CI10.5–11.8 pmol/L), and fT4D concentration ranged from 7–47 pmol/L (median, 22 pmol/L; 95% CI 20.9–25.1 pmol/L). Free T4D, fT4, and TT4 concentrations were also measured in 34 ill horses. Horses consuming PTU and ill horses had significantly (P < .05) lower serum concentration of TT4, fT4, and fT4D than did clinically normal, healthy horses. If serum samples from ill horses were further subdivided into samples from horses that lived and samples from horses that died, fT4D concentration was not significantly different in ill horses that lived, compared with that in healthy horses, whereas fT4 concentration was still significantly decreased in ill horses that died (P < 0.001). We conclude that measurement of fT4 concentration by equilibrium dialysis is a valid technique in the horse, and its use may provide improved ability to distinguish nonthyroidal illness syndrome from hypothyroidism in that species.
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