Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Drivers of supplier sustainability: : moving beyond compliance to commitment

type="main" xml:id="jscm12067-abs-0001"> Mounting pressure for sustainable business practices has led to a greatly increased focus on highlighting sustainability drivers throughout the supply chain. While the literature has concentrated on why downstream original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and retailers become “sustainable,” much less is known regarding why and how upstream suppliers implement sustainability practices. Based on findings from a cross-case analysis of eight first-tier (FT) suppliers and an integration of resource dependency theory (RDT), this study explores the drivers and mechanisms of FT supplier engagement in sustainable supply chain management. Suppliers need to understand the sustainability priorities of customers and stakeholders to derive the effective focus and depth of further upstream integration with subsuppliers. Therefore, the integration between the two functions that manage the relevant external interfaces, namely marketing (downstream and stakeholder communication) and procurement (upstream), appears to be the essential cornerstone to move beyond FT supplier compliance to actual commitment to sustainability practices. We present findings on how (1) stakeholder-related, (2) process-related, and (3) product-related drivers influence the choice and effectiveness of the procurement–marketing integration (PM integration) mechanisms. Stakeholder pressures are considered to be the principal drivers of sustainability efforts. However, on their own, they rarely provide sufficient grounds for permanent and embedded PM integration initiatives at FT suppliers. Evidence suggests that suppliers' commitment to PM integration is motivated by the opportunity to leverage sustainability initiatives in their product offerings and sustainability certificates recognizable by customers and secondary stakeholders.
Foreign Ownership and Long-term Survival

Does foreign ownership enhance or decrease a firm’s chances of survival? Over the 100 year period 1895-2001 this paper compares the survival of foreign subsidiaries in Denmark to a control sample matched by industry and firm size. We find that foreign-owned companies have higher survival probability. On average exit risk for domestic companies is 2.3 times higher than for foreign companies. First movers like Siemens, Philips, Kodak, Ford, GM or Goodyear have been active in the country for almost a century. Relative foreign survival increases with company age. However, the foreign survival advantage appears to be eroded by globalization, it decreases over time and disappears at the end of the century.
Audio Coding Improvement Using Evolutionary Speech/Music Discrimination

Automatic speech/music discrimination is an important tool used in many multimedia applications, becoming a research topic of interest in the last years. This paper presents our last works in the speech/music discrimination field, aiming to improve the coding efficiency of standard audio coders (i.e. MP3, AAC) when speech and music signals are involved. In order to discriminate between speech and music, a fuzzy rules-based expert system is incorporated into the decision-taking stage of traditional speech/music discrimination systems. The knowledge base of the fuzzy expert system has been obtained by means of a typical genetic learning algorithm (the Pittsburgh algorithm). The proposed speech/music discrimination scheme manages the operation of an intelligent audio coder, which selects a GSM coder for speech frames and an AAC coder for music ones, resulting in a lower bit rate regarding the case of using a standardized audio coder (AAC in this work). Further, the intelligent audio coder has been designed aiming to obtain a similar subjective audio quality than AAC. GSM operates at 13 kbits/s, while in the experiments the bit rate specification for AAC has been 32 kbits/s for one-channel audio signals.
Cultural Influence on the Adoption of Social Networking Sites

The main objective of this paper is to understand user interaction behaviour on social networking sites (SNS), and to investigate cultural influence on acceptance and use behaviour. SNS are growing in importance, and the many advantages they offer to companies are on the increase. The model described in this paper has been defined on the basis of a technology acceptance model (TAM) to examine the adoption and use of SNS, by adding trust and perceived risk constructs. To analyse the culture as a moderating effect of the causal relationships proposed, we focus on two European countries, using a multi-group structural equation model (SEM). This study shows that extended TAM (ETAM) is appropriate for use in predicting the acceptance of voluntary-use technologies, and it focuses on social relationships. The cultural effects may moderate some theoretical relationships in the adoption process.
A Statistical Diagnosis of Customer Risk Ratings in Anti-Money Laundering Surveillance

A statistical framework is presented to assess customer risk ratings used in anti-money laundering (AML) surveillance. We analyze data on a sample of 494 customers from a U.S. national bank where the customers are rated from Low to High over 13 time periods. We model these ratings using an ordinal panel data regression framework with random effects, using a set of covariates provided by the bank. We derive the likelihood of the model and provide maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of the model parameters. Our findings unveil key policy-related insights about AML surveillance. We provide evidence to support more granular monitoring of suspicious customers, especially those characterized as higher risk, and we argue that this granular surveillance optimizes finite resources in bank operations. Furthermore, we provide two applications using these data, one concerning predictive inference and the other about log-linear modeling. Our analysis provides an approach to diagnose potential limitations with real-time AML surveillance systems. We argue that statistical diagnosis in AML surveillance has invaluable benefits within the microsphere of a single financial institution, and, more importantly, that these benefits help address important public policy issues.
Efficacy and safety of warfarin in dialysis patients with atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To systematically review and meta-analyse the risk–benefit ratio of warfarin users compared with non-warfarin users in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), who are undergoing dialysis. Methods We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, grey literature, conference proceedings, trial registrations and also did handsearch. Cohort studies without language restrictions were included. Two investigators independently conducted a full abstraction of data, risk of bias and graded evidence. Effect estimates were pooled using random-effect models. Main outcome measure All-cause mortality, total stroke/thromboembolism and bleeding complications. Results 14 studies included 37 349 dialysis patients with AF, of whom 12 529 (33.5%) were warfarin users. For all-cause mortality: adjusted HR=0.99 (95% CI 0.89 to 1.10; p=0.825), unadjusted risk ratio (RR)=1.00 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.04; p=0.847). For stroke/thromboembolism: adjusted HR=1.06 (95% CI 0.82 to 1.36; p=0.676), unadjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR)=1.23 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.61; p=0.133). For ischaemic stroke/transient ischaemic attack, adjusted HR=0.91 (95% CI 0.57 to 1.45; p=0.698), unadjusted IRR=1.16 (95% CI 0.84 to 1.62; p=0.370). For haemorrhagic stroke, adjusted HR=1.60 (95% CI 0.91 to 2.81; p=0.100), unadjusted IRR=1.48 (95% CI 0.92 to 2.36; p=0.102). Major bleeding was increased among warfarin users; adjusted HR=1.35 (95% CI 1.11 to 1.64; p=0.003) and unadjusted IRR=1.22 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.40; p=0.003). Conclusions Among dialysis patients with AF, warfarin therapy was not associated with mortality and stroke/thromboembolism, but significantly increased the risk of major bleeding. More rigorous studies are essential to demonstrate the effect of warfarin for stroke prophylaxis in dialysis patients with AF.
PRESSURE EFFECTS ON FLOW CHANNELS IN THE LINING ENDOTHELIUM OF SCHLEMM'S CANAL

A quantitative investigation, using transmission electron microscopy, was conducted to determine the relative incidence of nuclei, giant vacuoles and their pores, non‐vacuolar transcellular channels and minipores in the endothelium lining the trabecular aspect of Schlemm's canal at various levels of intraocular pressure in the range 0–50 mmHg. The eyes of twelve rhesus monkeys were used and prior to intracameral fixation, the intraocular pressure was maintained at the appropriate level for one hour. The results obtained from a single section analysis showed that the incidence of giant vacuoles, vacuolar and non‐vacuolar transcellular channels and minipores could be related to pressure. An analysis of serial reconstructions of samples of the vacuoles indicated that vacuolar transcellular channels became more numerous and more enlarged as pressure was increased. We concluded that the transcellular pore system serves as a major outflow route for aqueous humour.
MNEs’ Legitimation Strategies and the Role of Institutional Distance in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of Electricity Provision

Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing epochal changes, arguably becoming the new frontier for business. Multinational enterprises (MNEs) wishing to operate there need to adopt legitimation strategies, showing their social and long-term commitment with local context. We argue that, a viable approach would be promoting access to electricity for local population. However, MNEs will be more able to implement this strategy whenever from countries institutionally closer, as they are more likely to possess capabilities and knowledge required to deal with local environments. An econometric analysis is performed on foreign investments undertaken in Sub-Saharan Africa from 2005 to 2011. Results support the positive role of institutional closeness in promoting access to electricity, but only when considering formal institutions, while similarity between informal institutions appears to be a barrier.
The Effect of Perceived Information Control on the Knowledge Sharing Intention of the Social Network Service Users

The evolution of IT facilitated the communication and knowledge sharing between the social network service (SNS) users. When the more information about SNS users had been posted in SNS site, SNS users had sometimes exposed in the risk of privacy invasion. To remedy this problem, we had introduced the information control mechanisms from the prior studies in data management to the SNS area and empirically validated the effect of these mechanisms in this research. Three information control mechanisms had been elected as access control, reference control and diffusion control. We had conducted a survey to the Facebook users which is the most famous SNS site. 459 data had been gathered and analyzed by PLS algorism. As the results, reference control and diffusion control has significantly increased the trust on SNS providers and decrease the privacy concern. This change could significantly affect on the satisfaction with the SNS site and knowledge sharing intention of SNS users. This study could introduce the new perspective about privacy protection issues in SNS area. Also, the information control mechanisms suggested in this study could contribute to make more robust privacy protection mechanisms in SNS site in practice.
Using Video to Build an Organization's Identity and Brand: A Content Analysis of Nonprofit Organizations' YouTube Videos

Organizational scholarship has increasingly focused its attention to how nonprofit, for-profit, and government agencies develop their unique organizational identity through their strategic communication efforts. As social media continues to become more prominent in communication campaigns due to the high levels of public usage and public involvement with organizations on social media sites, it is important to examine these social media messages as they relate to organizational identity. YouTube videos increasingly are being used by organizations to educate and inform just as much as they are to entertain. Through a content analysis of the most viewed videos on the top 100 official nonprofit YouTube channels, this study found that nonprofit organizations primarily use their YouTube videos to inform and educate viewers about their missions, programs, and services. While the videos also occasionally discuss the organizations' advocacy, volunteering, and fundraising efforts, nonprofit organizations were not living up to their potential in terms of engagement through direct appeals for involvement. Additionally, the organizations were more likely to use outsiders' words and stories to build the videos' narratives rather than using internal stakeholders. The benchmark numbers provided by this study reiterate key rules that are stressed in practitioner-oriented work on video production for branding and identity-building efforts.
Hypermarkets in Oman: a study of consumers’ shopping preferences

Purpose – Hypermarkets have emerged as an important retail format in many parts of the world. The purpose of this paper is to explore consumer behaviour towards store preferences, particularly hypermarkets, in Oman. Design/methodology/approach – Following a mixed method approach, primary data, collected mainly using questionnaires and focus groups, were analysed to reveal consumer preferences. After pilot testing, 300 structured questionnaires were administered, of which 164 completed questionnaires were accepted for analysis. Data on store choice attributes were collected and analysed to reveal respondents’ preferences. Respondents’ characteristics were also measured using socio-demographic variables and were compared with their purchasing behaviour. Findings – By offsetting traditional markets, hypermarkets have emerged as one of the important retail formats in the urban areas of Oman. Their emergence has impacted trade in the traditional markets, the souqs. A weekly trip to the hypermarket is becoming .
A foot drop correcting fes envelope design method using tibialis anterior EMG during healthy gait with a new walking speed control strategy

Restoring walking functions will greatly improve the foot-drop patients' life quality. In this work, we sampled 10 healthy subjects' gait data when walking in 4 different stride frequency overground and developed a dynamic Functional Electrical Stimulation (dFES) system for foot-drop patients' walk training, using the processed tibialis anterior (TA) muscle EMG signal. The data sampled under the new strategy can be used by FES system directly. And the dFES system can provide dynamic Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) FES serial according to the healthy subjects' TA EMG intensity features.
SME Management - What Can We Learn from Entrepreneurship Theory?

Small business is often regarded as entrepreneurship-driven. There are many reasons for this, e.g.: (1) The entrepreneur as a person plays a much more vital role than in large firms and (2) entrepreneurial spirit is not weakened by considerable hierarchies and can more easily pervade the firm. Welsh & White's (1981) statement on the differences between small and big business seems to apply. Management research, in particular in the area of small business, is by now not sufficiently linked with entrepreneurship theory. However, entrepreneurship theory offers a lot regarding the evolutionary management of SMEs. It is the intention of this conceptual and theory-based paper to scrutinize this linkage and to identify useful insights for the management of SMEs. Entrepreneurship theory is not a homogenous body. We can find research streams in economic theory and in other disciplines as well (e.g. Baum et al., 2007). For the purpose of delineation, this paper deals with the economic theory of entrepreneurship which builds on a long tradition (e.g. the seminal work of Cantillon 1755, for a historical overview: Hebert & Link 1988). This paper intends to identify those parts of entrepreneurship research which help to recognize those entrepreneurial functions being relevant to understand and structure the managerial challenges of the small business and to develop a managerial framework rooted in entrepreneurship theory. To this end, the paper starts with a literature review identifying the most important strands of entrepreneurship research concerning entrepreneurial functions. The different approaches are scrutinized in order to assess their relevance to SME management. The paper concludes that a multi-functional approach fits the managerial challenges of the small business best. Based on market process theory an integrated model is developed that addresses all the relevant functions in a commensurable way regarding the fundamental assumptions, the cause and effect structures and the underlying reasoning. The model developed builds on the work of Barreto (1989) and Schneider (1987). It responds to the challenges of system renewal, system exploitation, and system protection as anchor points being particularly relevant to SME management. As a part of the integrated model, the execution of the following functions contribute to coping with the managerial challenges: (1) the innovation function regarding system renewal, (2) the coordination function (internally) and the market-making function (externally) concerning system exploitation, and (3) the risk management function with regard to system protection. A causal model, developed within the scope of the paper, proposes that the situation-specific mix of the entrepreneurial functions explains the entrepreneurial performance of the firm which explains the strategic and financial performance of the small firm. By the help of this model, it is possible to identify managerial challenges connected with the execution of the respective functions as well as the management of a specific situation the small firm is in.
The effect of walking on lower body disability among older blacks and whites.

OBJECTIVES This study investigated the association between regular physical activity and risk of or increase in lower body disability in older, community dwelling Blacks and Whites. METHODS The present study used the 1984 to 1990 Longitudinal Study on Aging, which included 413 Black and 3428 White self-respondents 70 years of age or older. Discrete-time hazard models provided estimates of the effects of self-reported walking frequency, and regular exercise on lower, body disability among Black and White self-respondents. RESULTS Whites who reported walking 4 to 7 days per week at baseline vs those who reported never walking 1 mile (1.6 km) or more experienced a one-third lower risk of increased disability. Blacks who reported walking 4 to 7 days per week experienced a two-thirds lower risk. Walking 4 to 7 days per week reduced the risk of disability onset by 50% to 80% on all five disability items within the Black sample and by 50% on two items within the White sample. CONCLUSIONS Among older Blacks, walking 4 to 7 days per week had a greater protective effect against lower body decline than any of the other factors, including age and chronic conditions.
Modelling flexible asset management in industrial maintenance companies and networks

Salla Marttonen Modelling flexible asset management in industrial maintenance companies and networks Lappeenranta 2013 75 p. Acta Universitatis Lappeenrantaensis 544 Diss. Lappeenranta University of Technology ISBN 978-952-265-495-3, ISBN 978-952-265-496-0 (PDF), ISSN-L 1456-4491, ISSN 1456-4491 The tightening competition and increasing dynamism have created an emerging need for flexible asset management. This means that the changes of market demand should be responded to with adjustments in the amount of assets tied to the balance sheets of companies. On the other hand, industrial maintenance has recently experienced drastic changes, which have led to an increase in the number of maintenance networks (consisting of customer companies that buy maintenance services, as well as various supplier companies) and inter-organizational partnerships. However, the research on maintenance networks has not followed the changes in the industry. Instead, there is a growing need for new ways of collaboration between partnering companies to enhance the competitiveness of the whole maintenance network. In addition, it is more and more common for companies to pursue lean operations in their businesses. This thesis shows how flexible asset management can increase the profitability of maintenance companies and networks under dynamic operating conditions, and how the additional value can then be shared between the network partners. Firstly, I have conducted a systematic literature review to identify what kind of requirements for asset management models are set by the increasing dynamism. Then I have responded to these requirements by constructing an analytical model for flexible asset management, linking asset management to the profitability and financial state of a company. The thesis uses the model to show how flexible asset management can increase profitability in maintenance companies and networks, and how the created value can be shared in the networks to reach a win-win situation. The research indicates that the existing models for asset management are heterogeneous by nature due to the various definitions of ‘asset management’. I conclude that there is a need for practical asset management models which address assets comprehensively with an inter-organizational, strategic view. The comprehensive perspective, taking all kinds of asset types into account, is needed to integrate the research on asset management with the strategic management of companies and networks. I will show that maintenance companies can improve their profitability by increasing the flexibility of their assets. In maintenance networks, reorganizing the ownership of the assets among the different network partners can create additional value. Finally, I will introduce flexible asset management contracts for maintenance networks. These contracts address the value sharing related to reorganizing the ownership of assets according to the principles of win-win situations.