Empowering teams through social network ties

Effective teamwork and knowledge coordination are becoming increasingly important for all kinds of organizations given the growing use of teams to tackle competitive challenges and sustain competitive advantage. In this study, we develop and validate a model of how two types of social network ties – expressive and instrumental – contribute to team efficacy and performance, mediated by three dimensions of a transactive memory system (TMS) – specialization, credibility and coordination within teams. We test the model in an empirical study drawing on data from 66 teams in a variety of organizations. The results suggest that both instrumental and expressive ties within teams can facilitate the formation of TMS and the three dimensions of TMS are all, even though to different extents, positively related to team efficacy. Team efficacy is also a powerful predictor of team performance. The findings in our study bridge the literature gap about social networks and TMS and explain the underlying process and mechanisms by which social network ties exert their influence on team outcomes. The results have implications for organizations that wish to leverage teams to take advantage of team members’ differentiated expertise and coordinate their work more effectively and efficiently.     

Exercise training and impaired glucose tolerance in obese humans

Individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are at greater risk of developing diabetes than in normoglycaemia. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 12-weeks exercise training in obese humans with IGT. Eleven participants (6 males and 5 females; 49±9 years; mean Body Mass Index (BMI) 32.4 kg · m(-2)), completed a 12-week brisk walking intervention (30 min per day, five days a week (d · wk(-1)), at 65% of age-predicted maximal heart rate (HR(max)). Anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, pulse wave velocity (PWV, to determine arterial stiffness) and blood pressure (BP) were examined at baseline and post intervention. Fasting blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, insulin, blood lipids, indices of oxidative stress and inflammation (lipid hydroperoxides; superoxide dismutase; multimeric adiponectin concentration and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) were also determined. Post intervention, PWV (9.08±1.27 m · s(-1) vs. 8.39±1.21 m · s(-1)), systolic BP (145.4±14.5 vs. 135.8±14.9 mmHg), triglycerides (1.52±0.53 mmol · L(-1) vs. 1.31±0.54 mmol · L(-1)), lipid hydroperoxides (1.20±0.47 μM · L(-1) vs. 0.79±0.32 μM · L(-1)) and anthropometric measures decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Moderate intensity exercise training improves upper limb vascular function in obese humans with IGT, possibly by improving triglyceride metabolism, which may subsequently reduce oxidative stress. These changes were independent of multimeric adiponectin modification and alterations in other blood biomarkers.     

Methods for treatment of disorders of speech due to birth injury

HARRY S. TRUMAN: PRESIDENTIAL RHETORIC. By Halford R. Ryan. Foreword by Bernard K. Duffy. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1993; pp. xiii + 213. $47.95.

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER: STRATEGIC COMMUNICATOR. By Martin J. Medhurst. Foreword by Bernard K. Duffy. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1993; pp. xviii + 256. $55.00

SEE IT NOW CONFRONTS McCARTHYISM: TELEVISION DOCUMENTARY AND THE POLITICS OF REPRESENTATION. By Thomas Rosteck. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 1994; pp. x + 247. $29.95.

COMMUNICATION AND LONERGAN: COMMON GROUND FOR FORGING THE NEW AGE. Edited by Thomas J. Farrell and Paul A. Soukup. Foreword by Robert M. Doran. Communication, Culture and Theology Series. Kansas City, MO: Sheed and Ward, 1993; pp. xxxvii + 377. $22.95 paper.

RHETORICAL MOVEMENT: ESSAYS IN HONOR OF LELAND M. GRIFFIN. Edited by David Zarefsky. Evanston: Northwestern University Press, 1993; pp. vii + 258. $39.95.

RHETORIC AND IRONY: WESTERN LITERACY AND WESTERN LIES. By Jan Swearingen. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991; pp. xiv + 323. $35.00.

LION OF THE FOREST: JAMES B. FINLEY, FRONTIER REFORMER. By Charles C. Cole, Jr. Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky, 1994; pp. xv + 271. $32.95.

SEDUCING AMERICA: HOW TELEVISION CHARMS THE MODERN VOTER. By Roderick P. Hart. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994; pp. ix + 230. $25.00.

EXTENSIONS OF THE BURKEIAN SYSTEM. Edited by James W. Chesebro. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press 1993; pp. xxi + 350. $39.95.

GAY NEW YORK: GENDER, URBAN CULTURE, AND THE MAKING OF THE GAY WORLD, 1890–1940. By George Chauncey. New York: BasicBooks, 1994; pp. ix + 457. $25.00

RHETORICAL REPUBLIC: GOVERNING REPRESENTATIONS IN AMERICAN POLITICS. Edited by Frederick M. Dolan and Thomas L. Dumm. Amherst: The University of Massachusetts Press, 1993; pp. vi + 296. $40.00; paper $16.95.     

Between dissonance and grace: the experience of post‐secondary leaders

This study explores what it means for academic leaders to work in post‐secondary institutional contexts. Four themes emerge: balancing daily dissonance; learning experientially to lead; creating learning spaces; and needing moments of grace. The research reveals that leaders seek deeper understandings of their work and their characterization.     

Sexualities of initial teacher education applicants in the Republic of Ireland: addressing the hidden dimension of diversity in teaching

While research and policy recommendations internationally have pointed to the need to diversify teaching populations with regard to ethnicity, social class background and, to a lesser extent, dis/ability, there is a paucity of research addressing sexualities as a diversity dimension in teaching. This article explores initial teacher education (ITE) applicants’ and entrants’ (N = 746) sexualities and the intersections of sexualities with other socio-demographic background variables and career motivations. The analysis suggests that the topic of sexual orientation caused high levels of discomfort among respondents and that sexual minority student teachers are underrepresented in ITE cohorts in Ireland. The socio-demographic and motivational profiles of our non-heterosexual respondents generally mirrored those of their heterosexual counterparts. Non-heterosexual respondents reported a stronger motivation to affect social change and lower levels of participation in religious services. Findings are discussed within the context of persisting cultural and institutional barriers for sexual minority (student) teachers in Irish schools and in ITE.     

A Glimpse Through the Magic Door: Ursula Moray Williams, Gobbolino and the Little Wooden Horse

The first full biography of Ursula Moray Williams has been published to mark the centenary of her birth. In this article, its author, Colin Davison, assesses her work in the context of her life, paying particular attention to the way that her extraordinary childhood influenced her writing. He also examines new evidence about where her ideas came from for some of her best-known works.     

Acute effects of walking on inflammatory and cardiovascular risk in sedentary post-menopausal women

Biochemical markers of inflammation are emerging as new predictors of risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and may alter acutely with exercise. Few studies have been conducted on the effects of walking on these markers or whether different walking intensities elicit varied effects. As there is growing interest in modifiable lifestyle factors such as walking to reduce CVD risk, these inflammatory responses warrant investigation. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of walking at 50% versus 70% of predicted maximal heart rate on C-reactive protein (CRP), plasma fibrinogen, and triglycerides in sedentary post-menopausal women. Twelve post-menopausal women (mean age 58 years, s +/-6; stature 1.62 m, s+/-0.06; body mass 66.8 kg, s +/-6.2) completed two 30-min treadmill walks in a randomized cross-over design. Fasted blood samples were taken (for the determination of plasma fibrinogen, CRP, and lipids) before, immediately after, and 1 and 24 h after exercise. Triglyceride concentrations decreased from pre-exercise to 24 h post exercise at both walking intensities (time x group interaction, P < 0.05). No significant effects were observed for plasma fibrinogen, CRP, total cholesterol, low-density or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (time x group interaction, P > 0.05). The results of this study suggest that fasting plasma triglycerides are decreased on the morning after 30 min of brisk walking at either 50% or 70% of maximal heart rate (moderate and vigorous intensity).     

Indoor 16.1-km time-trial performance in cyclists aged 25- 63 years

In this study, we assessed age-related changes in indoor 16.1-km cycling time-trial performance in 40 competitive male cyclists aged 25-63 years. Participants completed two tests: (1) a maximal ramped Kingcycle ergometer test, with maximal ramped minute power (RMPmax, W) recorded as the highest mean external power during any 60 s and maximal heart rate (HRmax, beats min(-1)) as the highest value during the test; and (2) an indoor Kingcycle 16.1-km time-trial with mean external power output (W), heart rate (beats min(-1)), and pedal cadence (rev min(-1)) recorded throughout the event. Results revealed age-related declines (P < 0.05) in absolute and relative time-trial external power output [(24 W (7.0%) per decade], heart rate [7 beats min(-1) (3.87%) per decade], and cadence [3 rev min(-1) (3.1%) per decade]. No relationships (P > 0.05) were observed for mean power output and heart rate recorded during the time-trial versus age when expressed relative to maximal ramped minute power and maximal heart rate respectively. Strong relationships (P < 0.05) were observed for maximal ramped minute power and time-trial power (r= 0.95) and for maximal heart rate and time-trial heart rate (r= 0.95). Our results show that indoor 16.1-km time-trial performance declines with age but relative exercise intensity (%RMPmax and %HRmax) does not change.