Antecedents,consequences, and moderators of time perspective heterogeneity for knowledge management in MNO teams

Multinational organizations (MNOs), more so than other organizations, are likely to require individuals with different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds to form teams and collaboratively manage knowledge. We develop a framework that shows why variations in time perspectives among members of teams occur and how such differences can exert significant but unacknowledged influences on knowledge management efforts in MNOs, including: (1) innovativeness of knowledge created (2) speed of knowledge creation and (3) speed of knowledge transfer between teams. We also provide new insights into benefits of time perspective heterogeneity for teams managing knowledge. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lead in grass in the Scottish uplands: deposition or uptake?

If it is assumed that the Pb collected in grass samples is derived mainly from atmospheric deposition then grass samples can be used as a convenient and easily analysed monitor for Pb deposition, in particular to establish the isotopic composition of current deposition in remote locations. As some studies have demonstrated a strong correlation between soil and grass Pb concentrations, it was considered important to establish the proportion of soil Pb in the grasses used to monitor atmospheric deposition at upland locations in Scotland. Consideration of earlier studies provided evidence that very little, if any, Pb in grass was derived from soil. Lead isotope analysis, by thermal ionisation mass spectrometry, of grasses grown on soils spiked with enriched (207)Pb in the field situation allowed the relative contribution of atmospheric deposition and soil to the grass Pb to be calculated. In most cases, >80% of Pb in grass was derived from atmospheric deposition and in recent years this value was >90%. Recalculation of the (206)Pb/(207)Pb ratio in grass samples showed that there was very little error in the results, published previously, which were based on the assumption that all the Pb collected with grass was derived from the atmosphere. The trends established by measuring the (206)Pb/(207)Pb ratio in grasses were confirmed and remain valid.     

Adsorption of trace metals on glass fiber filters

Filters, containing glass-fiber (GF) filter material, are commonly used as the primary filter or as the prefilter in sampling natural waters and laboratory experiments with high concentrations of suspended solids. We observed that GF filter material removed substantial quantities of trace metals from solutions of low ionic strength at near neutral and slightly acidic pH. The GF material sorbed essentially all Pb and Ag from 5-mL aliquots of solutions containing 0.054 and 0.093 mM, respectively. Somewhat less Ni was sorbed from a 0.099 mM solution. This material retained about 43 micromol of Ag per gram of GF material (4600 microg/g). The Ag and Ni sorption was highest at low KNO(3) concentrations (as background electrolyte) and decreased to a constant concentration of sorbed metal at approximately 10 mM KNO(3). Glass-fiber filter material should only be used with careful testing for the elements of concern under conditions that closely match expected environmental or experimental conditions.     

Sequence-based source tracking of Escherichia coli based on genetic diversity of beta-glucuronidase

High levels of fecal bacteria are a concern for recreational waters; however, the source of contamination is often unknown. This study investigated whether direct sequencing of a bacterial gene could be utilized for detecting genetic differences between bacterial strains for microbial source tracking. A 525-nucleotide segment of the gene for beta-glucuronidase (uidA) was sequenced in 941 Escherichia coli isolates from the Clinton River-Lake St. Clair watershed, 182 E. coli isolates from human and animal feces, and 34 E. coli isolates from a combined sewer. Environmental isolates exhibited 114 alleles in 11 groups on a genetic tree. Frequency of strains from different genetic groups differed significantly (p < 0.03) between upstream reaches (Bear Creek-Red Run), downstream reaches, and Lake St. Clair beaches. Fecal E. coli uidA sequences exhibited 81 alleles that overlapped with the environmental set. An algorithm to assign alleles to different host sources averaged approximately 75% correct classification with the fecal data set. Using the same algorithm, the percent of environmental isolates assignable to humans decreased significantly between Bear Creek-Red Run (30 +/- 3%) and the beaches (17 +/- 2%) (p < 0.05). Birds accounted for approximately 50% of assignable environmental isolates. For combined sewer isolates, the same algorithm assigned 51% to humans. These experiments demonstrate differences in the frequency of different E. coli strains at different locations in a watershed, and provide a "proof in principle" that sequence-based data can be used for microbial source tracking.     

Stream restoration and enhancement projects: is anyone monitoring?

Declines in salmon stocks and general watershed health in Washington State, USA, have led to an increase in stream restoration and enhancement projects initiated throughout the state. The increasing number of projects has also raised questions regarding the monitoring of these efforts. Project managers receiving hydraulic project approvals (HPAs) were surveyed to determine whether monitoring was taking place on their projects. About half the project managers surveyed reported the collection of baseline data and the use of biological, physical, chemical, or other water quality measures for their projects. Of those who reported collection of monitoring data, only 18% indicated that monitoring was required. Respondents were also asked to rank the importance of various project goals on a Likert scale. Project managers with projects focusing on “engineering” goals (e.g., roadbed stabilization) were less likely than other project managers to collect baseline monitoring data. Project managers with projects focusing on “restoration/ecological” or “fisheries” goals were more likely than other project managers to collect monitoring measures. Although monitoring appears to be taking place in slightly more than half of the projects surveyed, the nature of the data collected varies widely across projects, and in most cases the monitoring effort is voluntary. This suggests that project sponsors, funders, and managers must consider the issues involved in requiring appropriate monitoring, establishing standardized monitoring guidelines, the time frames in which to monitor, providing other incentives for conducting monitoring, and ensuring adequate funding for monitoring efforts.     

Evaluation and Improvement of a Dry Deposition Model using SO2 and O3 Measurements over a Mixed Forest

A dry deposition model (RDM) for operational application has beenevaluated and modified in the present study. Field measurements of friction velocity and dry deposition velocity of SO₂ andO₃ over a mixed forest have been used to evaluate RDM. It was found that RDM predicts friction velocities very close to measurements and thus it can predict reasonable aerodynamic resistance. RDM overestimated O₃ deposition during dry nighttime conditions and underestimated both O₃ andSO₂deposition for early morning hours. It could not predict the mean diurnal variation in deposition velocity for either O₃ or SO₂ deposition under wet surface conditions. Modifications have been made for O₃ and SO₂ dry deposition based on the comparison of results and based upon additional published data. Compared to an earlier version of RDM, the modified versionpredicts better results for O₃ and SO₂ dry deposition,especially under rain and dew conditions.