| 1. |
- Achtenhagen, Leona, et al.
(författare)
-
Fostering growth through business development : Core activities and challenges for micro-firm entrepreneurs
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Journal of Management and Organization. - : Cambridge University Press. - 1833-3672 .- 1839-3527. ; 23:2, s. 167-185
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- As a concept stemming from practice, business development has received scarce academic attention. In this paper, we explore core business development activities of micro-firms and the challenges they perceive in conducting them. Based on interviews with 30 micro-firms, we identify three core business development activities that leverage the firm's resource base, complemented by three support activities that secure and organize the firm's resources. We find the business development activities to be tightly related to the three practices of leveraging, securing and organizing resources. We also identify three important contextual influences on business development in micro-firms: industry, age and if the firm is in an incubator. Our findings contribute to developing a conceptualization and theorization of business development for micro-firms, which is relevant as the vast majority of companies worldwide are micro-firms, but many never embark on a growth path. Based on our results, we outline practical implications, for example, how companies could overcome their perceived lack of time and an agenda for future research encouraging further studies comprising micro-firms with different qualities.
|
|
| 2. |
|
|
| 3. |
- Andelid, Kristina, 1953, et al.
(författare)
-
Systemic cytokine signaling via IL-17 in smokers with obstructive pulmonary disease: a link to bacterial colonization?
- 2015
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1178-2005. ; 10, s. 689-702
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We examined whether systemic cytokine signaling via interleukin (IL)-17 and growth-related oncogene-alpha (GRO-alpha) is impaired in smokers with obstructive pulmonary disease including chronic bronchitis (OPD-CB). We also examined how this systemic cytokine signaling relates to bacterial colonization in the airways of the smokers with OPD-CB. Currently smoking OPD-CB patients (n=60, corresponding to Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease [ GOLD] stage I-IV) underwent recurrent blood and sputum sampling over 60 weeks, during stable conditions and at exacerbations. We characterized cytokine protein concentrations in blood and bacterial growth in sputum. Asymptomatic smokers (n=10) and never-smokers (n=10) were included as control groups. During stable clinical conditions, the protein concentrations of IL-17 and GRO-alpha were markedly lower among OPD-CB patients compared with never-smoker controls, whereas the asymptomatic smoker controls displayed intermediate concentrations. Notably, among OPD-CB patients, colonization by opportunistic pathogens was associated with markedly lower IL-17 and GRO-alpha, compared with colonization by common respiratory pathogens or oropharyngeal flora. During exacerbations in the OPD-CB patients, GRO-alpha and neutrophil concentrations were increased, whereas protein concentrations and messenger RNA for IL-17 were not detectable in a reproducible manner. In smokers with OPD-CB, systemic cytokine signaling via IL-17 and GRO-alpha is impaired and this alteration may be linked to colonization by opportunistic pathogens in the airways. Given the potential pathogenic and therapeutic implications, these findings deserve to be validated in new and larger patient cohorts.
|
|
| 4. |
- Che, K. F., et al.
(författare)
-
The neutrophil-mobilizing cytokine interleukin-26 in the airways of long-term tobacco smokers
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Clinical Science. - : Portland Press Ltd.. - 0143-5221 .- 1470-8736. ; 132:9, s. 959-983
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Long-term tobacco smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or chronic bronchitis display an excessive accumulation of neutrophils in the airways; an inflammation that responds poorly to established therapy. Thus, there is a need to identify new molecular targets for the development of effective therapy. Here, we hypothesized that the neutrophil-mobilizing cytokine interleukin (IL)-26 (IL-26) is involved in airway inflammation amongst long-term tobacco smokers with or without COPD, chronic bronchitis or colonization by pathogenic bacteria. By analyzing bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), bronchail wash (BW) and induced sputum (IS) samples, we found increased extracellular IL-26 protein in the airways of long-term smokers in vivo without further increase amongst those with clinically stable COPD. In human alveolar macrophages (AM) in vitro, the exposure to water-soluble tobacco smoke components (WTC) enhanced IL-26 gene and protein. In this cell model, the same exposure increased gene expression of the IL-26 receptor complex (IL10R2 and IL20R1) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B); a proven regulator of IL-26 production. In the same cell model, recombinant human IL-26 in vitro caused a concentration-dependent increase in the gene expression of NF-kappa B and several pro-inflammatory cytokines. In the long-term smokers, we also observed that extracellular IL-26 protein in BAL samples correlates with measures of lung function, tobacco load, and several markers of neutrophil accumulation. Extracellular IL-26 was further increased in long-term smokers with exacerbations of COPD (IS samples), with chronic bronchitis (BAL samples) or with colonization by pathogenic bacteria (IS and BW samples). Thus, IL-26 in the airways emerges as a promising target for improving the understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms behind several pulmonary morbidities in long-term tobacco smokers.
|
|
| 5. |
- Che, Karlhans Fru, et al.
(författare)
-
The neutrophil-mobilizing cytokine interleukin-26 in the airways of long-term tobacco smokers
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Clinical Science. - 0143-5221. ; 132:9, s. 959-983
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Long-term tobacco smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or chronic bronchitis display an excessive accumulation of neutrophils in the airways; an inflammation that responds poorly to established therapy. Thus, there is a need to identify new molecular targets for the development of effective therapy. Here, we hypothesized that the neutrophil-mobilizing cytokine interleukin (IL)-26 (IL-26) is involved in airway inflammation amongst long-term tobacco smokers with or without COPD, chronic bronchitis or colonization by pathogenic bacteria. By analyzing bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), bronchail wash (BW) and induced sputum (IS) samples, we found increased extracellular IL-26 protein in the airways of long-term smokers in vivo without further increase amongst those with clinically stable COPD. In human alveolar macrophages (AM) in vitro, the exposure to water-soluble tobacco smoke components (WTC) enhanced IL-26 gene and protein. In this cell model, the same exposure increased gene expression of the IL-26 receptor complex (IL10R2 and IL20R1) and nuclear factor κ B (NF-κB); a proven regulator of IL-26 production. In the same cell model, recombinant human IL-26 in vitro caused a concentration-dependent increase in the gene expression of NF-κB and several pro-inflammatory cytokines. In the long-term smokers, we also observed that extracellular IL-26 protein in BAL samples correlates with measures of lung function, tobacco load, and several markers of neutrophil accumulation. Extracellular IL-26 was further increased in long-term smokers with exacerbations of COPD (IS samples), with chronic bronchitis (BAL samples ) or with colonization by pathogenic bacteria (IS and BW samples). Thus, IL-26 in the airways emerges as a promising target for improving the understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms behind several pulmonary morbidities in long-term tobacco smokers.
|
|
| 6. |
- Chen, Lingjing, et al.
(författare)
-
Work Loss Duration and Predictors Following Rectal Cancer Treatment among Patients with and without Prediagnostic Work Loss
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention. - 1055-9965 .- 1538-7755. ; 25:6, s. 987-994
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The number of working-age rectal cancer survivors is increasing due to early detection and improved treatment. However, work loss duration and predictors among them have not been studied thoroughly. Methods: We identified 3,438 patients with stage I-III rectal cancer, 18 to 61 years of age in the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Register 1996-2009. Information on work loss due to sick leave or disability pension was collected from 2 years before diagnosis to 5 years after (until December 31st, 2013). Incidence rate ratios (IRR) of work loss were estimated in a negative binominal model by clinical characteristics for the 1st and 2nd-5th years after diagnosis. Patients were stratified by prediagnostic work loss. Results: Patients without prediagnostic work loss (74%) experienced median 147 days (25th and 75th percentile: 55 and 281) of work loss during the 1st year after diagnosis. Work loss rates (2nd-5th years) were significantly increased among relapse-free patients diagnosed in stage III [IRR = 1.92; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.52-2.43], operated with abdominoperineal resection (IRR = 1.26; 95% CI, 1.03-1.56), and treated with neoadjuvant (chemo) radiotherapy (IRR = 1.46; 95% CI, 1.06-2.02). Patients with prediagnostic work loss (26%) experienced median 336 days (25th and 75th percentile: 183 and 365) of work loss during the 1st year, and rates did not vary clinically till 5 years. Conclusion: Without prediagnostic work loss, disease-and treatment-related factors could help identify rectal cancer patients in need of early interventions to facilitate return to work. Impact: Clinical awareness around prediagnostic and postdiagnostic work loss and individualized cancer rehabilitation programs should be emphasized among cancer survivors.
|
|
| 7. |
- Ekberg, Sara
(författare)
-
The role of organizational integrity in responses to pressures : A case study of Australian newspapers
- 2017
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The purpose of the dissertation is to explore the role of organizational integrity in responses to pressures. Organizational integrity is a concept from old institutional theory; its definition is the fidelity to the organization’s core values, distinctive competence, guiding principles, and mission. Studying this concept empirically will answer calls in institutional theory to focus more on the internal dynamics in terms of the responses to pressures, especially how the people in the organization balance the act to conform or resist pressures while striving for legitimacy. These calls have remained largely unanswered, and the question of how organizations adapt while remaining true to core values and competences remains something of a mystery. Joining the recent resurgence of Selznick’s research, the aim of this dissertation is to contribute to the calls to focus on change and inertia together, and the role of values as the organization responds to pressures. Thus, change can be a threat to the organizational integrity and prompts members of the organization to preserve their familiar environment. However, this behavior creates a dilemma, since the maintenance of organizational integrity can be taken too far, to the point that the organization becomes rigid and unable to survive. Thus, it includes the organization finding a balance of staying true to its proclaimed mission and values without being too rigid and losing track of the changes in its environment. Therefore, by giving emphasis to the role of values, organizational integrity adds a new perspective and extends the understanding of how organizations respond to pressures.To fulfil this aim, this dissertation followed two newspaper organizations, an industry that is marked by a state of flux and disruptive change. The two organizations are The Courier-Mail and The West Australian. By using methods such as interviews, documentation, and observations, I got a first-hand understanding of the perceived pressures the organizational members are facing, the issues that were perceived in the organization, and how the organizational members worked to resolve them. Through these cases, the organizations either conformed and/or resisted pressures, thus allowing this study to explore the role of organizational integrity in this process. The findings suggest that the organization’s values, distinctiveness, and mission were used to evaluate experiments to solve issues rather than solely guiding the strategies to overcome the pressures. Thus, the study highlights the perceived pressures, how organizational members construct issues based on these pressures, and how the organizational members work to resolve them.This dissertation extends the understanding of organizational behavior in terms of balancing change and inertia. Organizational integrity works as a normative rationality, and to uphold legitimacy the role of organizational integrity is either to maintain, defend, or repair the character of the organization. More specifically, this adds to the scholarly discussion of the importance of values in organizational behavior, and this dissertation expands the understanding of responses to pressures by explicating the role of organizational integrity.
|
|
| 8. |
- Esmaeili, Ali, 1983, et al.
(författare)
-
Thermomechanical cracking of railway wheel treads: a combined experimental and numerical approach
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Contact Mechanics and Wear of Rail/Wheel Systems (CM2015). ; , s. 8-
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- In the present study, thermal cracking of railway wheel treads is studied by full-scale brake rig tests and finite element simulations. The focus is on thermomechanical rolling contact fatigue (RCF) life predictions. The wheel tread material is subjected to simultaneous mechanical and thermal loads due to rolling contact and stop braking, respectively. Full-scale tests featuring three series of repeated stop braking cases have been performed at the Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI) in Japan in a brake rig featuring a tread braked wheel that is in rolling contact with a railwheel. The brake rig test conditions have been simulated numerically using the finite element method. To this end, the effect of “hot bands” on the tread is accounted for as indicated by the experimental findings. Thermomechanical stresses induced by braking as well as Hertzian contact loading on the tread including tractive loads based on a partial slip assumption are considered. The mechanical response of the wheel material ER7 is obtained from a viscoplastic Chaboche material model calibrated against data from cyclic experiments with hold-time from room temperatures up to 650 °C. Finally, a strategy for prediction of fatigue life with respect to ratcheting failure is discussed.
|
|
| 9. |
|
|
| 10. |
- Frisk, Gabriella, et al.
(författare)
-
No association between low-dose aspirin use and breast cancer outcomes overall : a Swedish population-based study
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Breast Cancer Research. - : BioMed Central. - 1465-5411 .- 1465-542X. ; 20
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Results from previous studies indicate that use of low-dose aspirin may improve breast cancer prognosis. We evaluated aspirin use and breast cancer outcomes in relation to clinical characteristics as well as dose and duration of aspirin use.Methods: We used information from the Regional Breast Cancer Quality-of-Care Registries in three Swedish regions to identify 21,414 women diagnosed with a first stage I-III breast cancer between 1 April 2006 and 31 December 2012. The cohort was further linked to nationwide registers to retrieve information about dispensing low-dose aspirin before and after breast cancer diagnosis, comorbidity and causes of death. In a separate analysis, we investigated time to breast cancer death among 621 women with stage IV disease at diagnosis. Associations were evaluated using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model.Results: Among women with stage I-III breast cancer, 2660 (12.4%) used low-dose aspirin shortly before breast cancer diagnosis and 4091 (19.1%) were users during follow-up. Women were followed for a median of 3.8years after diagnosis. There was no association between aspirin use and breast cancer-specific death in multivariable analyses (use before diagnosis: hazard ratio (HR) 0.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.77-1.12; use after diagnosis: HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.74-1.37). Similarly, aspirin use was not associated with risk of first recurrence/metastases in a subgroup of stage I-III breast cancer patients (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.86-1.10). However, in analyses stratified by stage, an inverse association between low-dose aspirin use after diagnosis and breast cancer death was found for women with stage I tumors (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.29-0.96). Among women with stage IV disease at diagnosis, aspirin use was not associated with time to breast cancer death (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.67-1.23).Conclusion: In this large population-based cohort study there was no evidence that low-dose aspirin use before or after breast cancer diagnosis is associated with a reduced risk of adverse outcomes overall in breast cancer. However, a potential benefit was noted among women with stage I tumors, warranting further investigation.
|
|
