External Environmental Information Research Articles

The Impact of External Environmental Information Characteristics on the Possibility of Applying Word – Class Manufacturing Requirements A Pilot Study of the Managers Opinions in the State Company for Drugs Industries and Medical Appliances in Nineveh

The Impact of External Environmental Information Characteristics on the Possibility of Applying Word – Class Manufacturing Requirements A Pilot Study of the Managers Opinions in the State Company for Drugs Industries and Medical Appliances in Nineveh

Environmental Scanning Initiatives of SMEs in Singapore

Due to rapid changes and more intense competition happening in today's marketplace, the business environment is increasingly becoming uncertain and volatile. As a result, the ability to conduct effective environmental scanning is becoming critical for organizations to survive and succeed. This study investigates environmental scanning and information sharing practices of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore. The objectives of the study included looking into the information needs of SMEs, the sources frequently utilized for the acquisition of environmental information and how this information is processed, stored, disseminated and utilized. A pre-tested questionnaire was used for collecting data and 45 SMEs, representing different industries, participated in the study. It was found that a majority of the participating companies perceived external environmental information as critical to their survival and growth and conduct frequent environmental scanning activities. However, improvements should be made to the effectiveness of environmental scanning, as the collected information may not be disseminated to the end-users in a timely manner.

Determinantes psicobiológicos do comportamento alimentar: uma ênfase em fatores ambientais que contribuem para a obesidade

O comportamento alimentar é multideterminado e somente uma análise psicobiológica é capaz de abordar as interações entre os fatores fisiológicos, psicológicos, genéticos e condições ambientais de um indivíduo. Assim, a capacidade para controlar a ingestão requer mecanismos especializados para harmonizar informações fisiológicas do meio interno com informações nutricionais do ambiente externo. Dentre os fatores externos merece destaque a questão ligada à propaganda de alimentos e a influência cada vez maior da mídia na determinação da dieta dos indivíduos de países desenvolvidos ou em desenvolvimento. Assim, o presente trabalho tem por objetivo analisar as influencias dos fatores ambientais na determinação do comportamento alimentar humano, com especial ênfase naqueles fatores que podem predispor à obesidade.

Leptin TRH and Ghrelin: Influence on Energy Homeostasis at Rest and During Exercise

The hypothalamus has long been recognized as a major site in the central nervous system (CNS) where a spectrum of internal and external environmental information is integrated for energy homeostasis. The isolation and sequencing of leptin in the mid 90 s, together with the demonstration of leptin administration's ability to correct the obesity syndrome in leptin-deficient ob/ob mice and humans by suppressing food intake and weight gain in laboratory rodents, confirmed the hypothesized existence of a direct humoral signal from adipose tissue to the hypothalamus, thus integrating the energy-related signals. In the 80 s, neuropeptide Y (NPY) was identified as a potent appetite-stimulating neuropeptide produced, released and acting locally within the hypothalamus. This is recognized as a major physiological appetite transducer and central neurochemical substrate receiving, interpreting and processing incoming information on energy status. More recently, ghrelin, produced in the stomach and released into the general circulation, has drawn attention as the other limb of the feedback circuit that stimulates appetite at NPY network level. Prolonged fasting suppresses serum leptin, while suppressing TSH secretion. Intervention with leptin replacement can prevent fasting-induced changes in TSH, suggesting that leptin regulates TSH. Low leptin levels in sportsmen and sportswomen as well as in recreational runners are consistent with reduction in body fat, but are also influenced by the presence of low insulin, hypothyroxemia, and elevated cortisol levels. These metabolic adaptations to chronic energy deficits indicate a role in leptin regulation. A study within the general population found that activity levels and leptin were significantly negatively associated in both sexes. Circulating ghrelin levels, however, do not change during energy expenditure.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone activates ERK1/2 MAPK in specific brain areas

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) coordinates hormonal and behavioral responses to stress. The mitogen-activated protein kinase extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) mediates several functions in different forebrain structures and recently has been implicated in CRH signaling in cultured cells. To study in vivo CRH-mediated activation of central ERK1/2, we investigated the expression pattern of the phosphorylated ERK1/2(p-ERK1/2) in the mouse brain after intracerebroventricular CRH injections. As shown by immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy analysis, CRH administration increased p-ERK1/2 levels specifically in the CA3 and CA1 hippocampal subfields and basolateral complex of the amygdala, both structures related to external environmental information processing and behavioral aspects of stress. Other regions such as hypothalamic nuclei and the central nucleus of the amygdala, also related to central CRH system but involved in the processing of the ascending visceral information and neuroendocrine-autonomic response to stress, did not show CRH-mediated ERK1/2 activation. To dissect the involvement of CRH receptor 1 (CRHR1) and CRHR2, we used conditional knockout mice in which Crhr1 is inactivated in the anterior forebrain and limbic structures. The conditional genetic ablation of Crhr1 inhibited the p-ERK1/2 increase, underlining the involvement of CRHR1 in the CRH-mediated activation. These findings underscore the fact that CRH activates p-ERK1/2 through CRHR1 only in selected brain regions, pointing to a specific role of this pathway in mediating behavioral adaptation to stress.

Some UK and USA Comparisons of Executive Information Systems in Practice and Theory

This study draws on relevant literature from Europe and the USA to show that there have been a number of reported failures of Executive Information Systems (EISs) in practice over the last decade. Design concerns, such as data access, ease of use, and graphical presentation, have been emphasised, but there is no consensus in the literature as to what may be critical to EIS success. The results of a survey of UK executives is used to suggest that the central focus of EIS design and implementation should be on the scanning of corporate external environmental information and the provision of meaningful strategic information.

The effect of task uncertainty, decentralization and AIS characteristics on the performance of AIS: an empirical case in Taiwan

This study investigated the fit between contingency variables (e.g. task uncertainty and decentralization) in accounting information systems (AIS); a good fit is assumed to improve user satisfaction. We divided task uncertainty into two dimensions: variability and analyzability. We chose information scope, timeliness, and aggregation as the AIS characteristics to be studied within each dimension. User satisfaction was adopted as a surrogate to measure the performance of AIS. The responses of 126 managers were drawn from a cross-industry sample in Taiwan. Multiple regression models were employed to test the hypotheses. The results of the empirical test led us to two results: (1) broad-scope information (external environment or future-oriented information) promotes user satisfaction in high task variability situations, and (2) in a highly decentralized organization, broad-scope, timely, and aggregated information will also facilitate user satisfaction.

Doing it Right?

The results of a survey of UK executives is used to suggest that the central focus of EIS design and implementation should be on the scanning of corporate external environmental information and the provision of meaningful strategic information.

Environmental scanning in an emerging industry

The article reports the findings of a study of environmental scanning in an emerging industry, Traffic Management Technology (TMT). The study identifies: The information that provided the stimulus to enter the industry. The types of external information that are seen as most important to the initiative and its development. The importance of various sources of external environmental information. The uncertainties that remained for the decision. Scanning activity is found to be characterised by attention to the task environment and the use of personal sources of information. Proposals are made for the development of scanning techniques. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Visceral perception versus visceral detection: disentangling methods and assumptions.

A within-subject experiment compared three paradigms commonly used in visceral perception: self-report, heartbeat tracking, and signal detection. Eighteen undergraduates estimated heart rate using each technique while engaging in a number of separate tasks conducted a week apart. Although all three techniques significantly tapped accuracy of heart rate perception, only the self-report and signal detection methods were reliable over time. Most important, there was no relationship involving any of the methods in measuring accuracy. The findings suggest some fundamental differences in the assumptions and perceptual properties of the various paradigms. A distinction is made between visceral perception and detection. Perception implies the subject's use of both internal physiological and external environmental information in the perception of visceral state. Detection connotes the subject's use of only physiological information--to the exclusion of all other factors. The relevance of these approaches for biofeedback and real-world symptom perception is discussed.

A Strategic Framework for Profit Planning: Concepts, Systems, and Structure

A framework for providing a long-term strategic perspective for profit planning exercises is suggested. The recommended corporate policy guidelines spell out strategic planning parameters, e.g., a) future external environment, regulatory policies, end-user operations, past performance, etc., which are likely to have a substantial bearing on the organization's planned operations and b) the desired level of performance, by way of tentative financial and nonfinancial targets. These guidelines (translated in regional or product-group terms) provide the basis for formulating draft budgets which are then analysed and settled on the basis of the original guidelines. Recommendations are made relating to the nature and content of such guidelines, the iterative process of budget formulation and settlement, and development of contingency plans. A structural back-up is provided by way of quarterly Policy Review Committee meetings to review the initial planning assumptions. An external environment scanning and information system is suggested for providing the required data and information for updating the assumptions and identifying the policy and tactical shifts necessary for achieving the original financial and non-financial targets.

A pilot search for environmental factors influencing diarrheal disease in young children in Panama.

A pilot survey of 13 family interviews and 70 record reviews from 3 different health facilities in Panama showed that the nutritional state of the population at risk is a vital epidemiologic factor in acute diarrheal disease. Panamas malnutrition problem is reflected by the fact that majority of the children can be diagnosed as malnourished on the criteria of low weight and low hemoglobin. In addition diarrhea and other illnesses appear as chronic health problems. Type of antibiotics prescribed and method of food preparation were implicated in the spread of th disease. Recommendations for more extensive study of diarrhea includes the following: 1) collection of data on normal newborns and follow up for at least 6 months to 1 year; 2) collection of data relating to nutritional parameters (eg hemoglobin weight height and sugar intolerance) to determine extent of malnutrition as to specific type of diarrhea; 3) collection and analysis of samples of water cereals and milk in the home to see if they serve as reservoirs for pathogens or massive doses of organisms normally not pathogenic; 4) collection and analysis of stools for pathogenic and nonpathogenic organisms; and 6) enlarging personal interviews used in previous Panama study by including additional external environmental information.