This article explores the relationship between HR competencies and HR effectiveness as perceived by line managers and employees within 39 surveyed Taiwanese high‐tech firms. The data were collected from multiple constituencies in the form of four targeted surveys, and the analysis was conducted at the firm level. Respondents included 182 high‐level executives, 152 HR managers, 320 line managers, and 1,262 employees. Results suggest that in the Taiwanese high‐tech context, HR competencies of field expertise and change management are strongly related to HR effectiveness as perceived by line managers and employees, while business knowledge is not. Managerial implications and future research direction are also discussed in the article. This study contributes to a better understanding of HRM competencies and HR effectiveness within an international context. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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Nursing management should pay particular attention to retaining permanent, married, and senior nurses. To ensure a sustainable nursing workforce in the future, newly graduated registered nurses should have access to permanent positions and opportunities for long-term professional development. In addition, married nurses should be provided with flexible work-family arrangements to ensure their satisfaction in the nursing profession.

Background To evaluate the effects of prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) on pregnancy outcomes, prevalence of urinary incontinence, and quality of life. Methods The observational cohort included 2210 pregnant women who were divided into 4 groups according to their prepregnancy BMI: underweight (<18.5), normal weight (18.5–24.9), overweight (25–29.9), and obese (≥30). Data were analyzed for pregnancy outcomes, prevalence of urinary incontinence during pregnancy, scores of the Short Form 12 health survey (SF-12) and changes in sexual function. Results Compared with normal weight, overweight and obesity were associated with advanced maternal age, low education level, multiparity, preterm delivery, cesarean section, gestational weight gain above the Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, macrosomia and large fetal head circumference. After adjusting for confounding factors, women with overweight and obesity were more likely to have adverse maternal outcomes (gestational weight gain above the IOM guidelines, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes) and fetal outcomes (large fetal head circumference and macrosomia) compared to normal weight women. Overweight and obese women (BMI ≥ 25) were more likely to have urinary incontinence than normal weight and underweight women. There were no significant differences in SF-12 scores among the 4 BMI groups, but more than 90% of pregnant women had reduced or no sexual activities regardless of BMI. Conclusions Maternal prepregnancy overweight and obesity are associated with greater risks of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, macrosomia and urinary incontinence. Health care providers should inform women to start their pregnancy at a BMI in the normal weight category.

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