No abstract

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) 3-kinase catalyses the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of InsP3 to inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (InsP4). InsP3 3-kinase was purified from rat brain by Blue-Sepharose, phosphocellulose and calmodulin (CaM)-Sepharose affinity chromatography. The purified enzyme was stimulated by Ca2+/CaM by 3-6-fold as compared with the activity measured in the presence of EGTA. Rat brain InsP3 3-kinase activity was associated with two silver-stained bands of about equal activity which migrated with an apparent Mr of 50,000 on SDS/polyacrylamide gels. InsP3 3-kinase activity from rat brain could be immunoprecipitated by an antiserum against the SDS/PAGE-purified 50,000-Mr protein doublet. InsP3 kinase activity from bovine brain and the InsP3 5-phosphatase activity from rat brain were not immunoprecipitated. On Western blot, the human brain crude InsP3 3-kinase reacted specifically, but less strongly than the rat brain enzyme, with the antiserum.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to measure the perceived impact of an accreditation process on organizational effectiveness and culture. Design/methodology/approach -A survey led with 31 deans and directors general of European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) accredited schools measures the impact of EQUIS on those constructs. Findings -The paper shows a positive impact on some dimensions of effectiveness, and no impact related to the bureaucracy dimension of culture. The dimensions of organizational effectiveness that have the highest perceived positive impact are the "programs development and quality of the faculty", the "social openness and community interaction" and the "ability to acquire resources". In particular, two cultural dimensions are strongly correlated to effectiveness: adhocracy and market. Finally, the cultural change induced by accreditation seems to be correlated with a positive impact on performance.Research limitations/implications -This research is based on a small sample of perceived measures, with a single person per institution. Originality/value -The paper looks at the unexplored field of international business schools that have got the EQUIS accreditation. Cultural changes induced by EQUIS are suggested to imply a positive impact on performance.

This study develops an integrative framework that refines and extends current understanding of corporate branding by highlighting its underlying processes and thereby offering guidance to companies on developing their corporate brand. The proposed integrative framework features a reassessment of the critical position of organizational identity in corporate branding. It also explicitly highlights the central role of an organization's construed and intended images in the design and implementation of a credible and successful corporate brand proposition that can foster stakeholders' organizational identification with and support of the organization. To complement our conceptual work and its theoretical propositions, we present an illustrative case study that contextualizes our framework and examines corporate branding practices at the furniture retailer IKEA and the challenges it faces. As a whole, this study helps unravel the key processes at play in corporate branding practices within a more manageable framework.

The notion of impact is becoming important for international business schools, which are under increasing pressures related to their legitimacy. Although the term impact has gained in popularity, common approaches to business school impact rely either on academic publications or alumni’s salaries. To help uncover the potential for other approaches, we develop a conceptual framework as a basis for studying business school impact. The pluralism of approaches in terms of business school impact opens new spaces for original strategic choices, therefore limiting pressures for organizational isomorphism. Nevertheless, the notion of impact also has some limitations that need to be considered.