bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing how the South African National Standard 15489 improve the importance and usability of the archive: case of the Universities of Venda and WItwatersrand
Authors: Netshakhuma Nkholedzeni Sidney
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to assess how the South African National Standard (SANS) 15489 improves the importance and usability of the archives at the University of Venda (UNIVEN) and the University of Witwatersrand (WITS).

Design/methodology/approach

Both quantitative and qualitative methods are used to assess how the standards improve the importance and usability of the archives. A total of 34 participants were selected to participate in the study; the choice of the population was because they are responsible for records management decisions in various divisions, departments and units. Data was obtained through structured interviews and observation. The study has established that there was much dissonance concerning records and archives management standards. Ethics approval was obtained from both the WITS and the UNIVEN research department. Informed consent was obtained from university staff members.

Findings

The research found that only the WITS adopted SANS 15489. This was shown by the availability of a classification system (file plan) and retention schedule while the UNIVEN did not value SANS 15489 standards to manage all records created.

Research limitations/implications

Although South Africa has 26 public universities, this study is only confined to the UNIVEN and the WITS. The researcher only focusses on the classification of records and disposal of records elements of SANS 15489.

Practical implications

The findings have practical implications in that they can be used for assessing the archives and records management programmes. Other related universities can also use the findings as a reference point in the planning of university archives and records management programmes.

Social implications

The findings were to assist the university authorities as decision and policymakers to ensure that records and archives management practices adhere to SANS 15489.

Originality/value

Few studies related to the assessment of records management programme in universities in South Africa is not yet fully conducted in South Africa public universities. This study could be a valuable input for universities to adopt SANS 15489 standards to develop and implement records management programmes.
“Game on!” Pushing consumer buttons to change sustainable behavior: a gamification field study
Authors: Mulcahy Rory Francis , McAndrew Ryan , Russell-Bennett Rebekah , Iacobucci Dawn
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Marketers have begun to investigate the potential of gamification for influencing consumer behavior by using game design elements in realms varying from branding, retail, sales and health services. Marketers have also begun to explore consumer behavior in sustainability. This paper aims to provide contributions to build on both literatures.

Design/methodology/approach

This research tests gamification principles in a large field study on real consumers that includes data from pre-post surveys, gamified app analytics and household energy meters. The data are analyzed using ANOVA’s and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings demonstrate: gamification significantly enhanced consumers’ knowledge, attitudes, behavioral intentions and realized bill savings compared to a control group; reward-based game design elements including points, badges and other rewards contribute to enhancing sustainable behavior outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

Future research in settings outside of sustainability may extend upon the findings of the current research to further understanding the impact of reward-based game design elements in marketing.

Practical implications

The findings have important practical implications for how organizations might use serious games to promote sustainable and other desirable behavior. In particular, how reward-based game design elements, points, trophies and badges, can be used to create a chain of relationships that leads to reduced electricity consumption.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills the need to understand if the impact of gamification extends outside of controlled environments and into the field. Further, it demonstrates how reward-based game design elements contribute to consumers changing their behavior, a relationship that is not yet thoroughly understood in the marketing literature.
A framework for management of digital records on the cloud in the public sector of South Africa
Authors: Shibambu Amos , Marutha Ngoako Solomon
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a framework for management of digital records on the cloud in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative case study used semi-structured interviews and document analysis to collect data from regulatory documents, records practitioners and chief information officers in the national government departments in South Africa.

Findings

This study reveals that despite the advent of cloud computing, government is still struggling with manual paper-based records challenges, as they have not developed a government-owned cloud in which to manage and dispose records.

Practical implications

Technological advancements have brought about dramatic changes to the management and disposition of records since cloud computing emerged. The traction gained by cloud computing influences how records are managed and disposed in the cloud storage. Currently, the South African Government manages and disposes records in the government premises as stipulated by the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa Act (1996). This is enforced by the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa, which is the government records regulator because records are on paper-based, microfilms and audio-visual formats. It is hoped that the recommendations and framework proposed in this study may assist the government and related sectors in the adoption and implementation of the cloud computing system for records management and disposal. This may assist in resolving challenges such as missing files, damaged records and archives and long turnaround time for retrieval of records.

Social implications

In South Africa, the digital records are securely stored in storage mediums such as hard drives and USBs, to mention but a few. In addition to digital obsolescence faced by the storage mediums, global access to information is hindered because information is limited to those who can visit the archival holdings. The alternative option is to manage and dispose of records in the cloud. The framework and recommendations in this study may also assist in improving information, archives and records management policies and service delivery to the community at large. The framework proposed may be applied as a theory for framing future studies in the same area of cloud computing and used as a resource to guide other future studies and policymakers.

Originality/value

This study provides a framework for management of digital records on the cloud in South Africa. It also proposes the promulgation of the Cloud Act to promote unlimited access to state heritage, regardless of time and location. This study is framed on the Digital Curation Centre Life Cycle Model.
HIV patient access to healthcare services in post-austerity era in Greece
Authors: Tsiakalakis George , Golna Christina , Dedes Nikos , Papageorgiou George , Athanasakis Kostas , Souliotis Kyriakos
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The ten-year economic crisis and the ensuing fiscal adjustment that Greece experienced between 2009 and 2018 has had a major impact on patient access to health-care services and resulted in an increase in unmet population health needs. The present study aims to assess the impact of economic crisis and ensuing austerity on HIV patient access to health-care services.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study was carried out between February and April 2019 to assess barriers in access to HIV care faced by people living with HIV. A total of 329 HIV positive individuals participated in the study. An online, self-reporting questionnaire was developed and adapted to the specific clinical and societal characteristics of HIV.

Findings

A total of 94.2% of respondents were male and 67.80% lived in Athens. Most of them were diagnosed with HIV-1 10 years ago. Out of the total respondents, 37.40% reported obstacles in accessing HIV care over the past year. A total of 24.30% reported they were not tested for viral load in the past six months and received a result. Individuals, who self-evaluate their financial status as very bad or bad, were more likely to be unaware of their viral load (55.60%) than those with better financial status (33.5%) (P < 0.01). Only 33.3% of uninsured participants were aware of their viral load, and this figure rose to 63.30% (P <0.01) amongst insured participants.

Originality/value

The ten-year economic crisis that Greece experienced in the period 2009–2018 had significant effects on the quality of services of the National Health System. This study attempts to fill the research gap regarding the impact of one of the severest economic crises during the past century with complex social extensions, in one of the most vulnerable patient groups. In this context, the study assesses barriers to access to optimal care of people living with HIV in Greece after a decade of austerity and the variables that impact on such access.
Impact of artificial intelligence on employees working in industry 4.0 led organizations
Authors: Malik Nishtha , Tripathi Shalini Nath , Kar Arpan Kumar , Gupta Shivam
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study attempts to develop a practical understanding of the positive and negative employee experiences due to artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and the creation of technostress. It unravels the human resource development-related challenges with the onset of Industry 4.0.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 professionals with average work experience of 7.6 years and working across nine industries, and the transcripts were analyzed using NVivo.

Findings

The findings establish prominent adverse impacts of the adoption of AI, namely, information security, data privacy, drastic changes resulting from digital transformations and job risk and insecurity brewing in the employee psyche. This is followed by a hierarchy of factors comprising the positive impacts, namely, work-related flexibility and autonomy, creativity and innovation and overall enhancement in job performance. Further factors contributing to technostress (among employees): work overload, job insecurity and complexity were identified.

Practical implications

The emerging knowledge economy and technological interventions are changing the existing job profiles, hence the need for different skillsets and technological competencies. The organizations thus need to deploy strategic manpower development measures involving up-gradation of skills and knowledge management. Inculcating requisite skills requires well-designed training programs using specialized tools and virtual reality (VR). In addition, employees need to be supported in their evolving socio-technical relationships, for managing both positive and negative outcomes.

Originality/value

This research makes the unique contribution of establishing a qualitative hierarchy of prominent factors constituting unintended consequences, positive impacts and technostress creators (among employees) of AI deployment in organizational processes.
AI technologies and their impact on supply chain resilience during COVID-19
Authors: Modgil Sachin , Gupta Shivam , Stekelorum Rébecca , Laguir Issam
Published: June 2021

Purpose

COVID-19 has pushed many supply chains to re-think and strengthen their resilience and how it can help organisations survive in difficult times. Considering the availability of data and the huge number of supply chains that had their weak links exposed during COVID-19, the objective of the study is to employ artificial intelligence to develop supply chain resilience to withstand extreme disruptions such as COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

We adopted a qualitative approach for interviewing respondents using a semi-structured interview schedule through the lens of organisational information processing theory. A total of 31 respondents from the supply chain and information systems field shared their views on employing artificial intelligence (AI) for supply chain resilience during COVID-19. We used a process of open, axial and selective coding to extract interrelated themes and proposals that resulted in the establishment of our framework.

Findings

An AI-facilitated supply chain helps systematically develop resilience in its structure and network. Resilient supply chains in dynamic settings and during extreme disruption scenarios are capable of recognising (sensing risks, degree of localisation, failure modes and data trends), analysing (what-if scenarios, realistic customer demand, stress test simulation and constraints), reconfiguring (automation, re-alignment of a network, tracking effort, physical security threats and control) and activating (establishing operating rules, contingency management, managing demand volatility and mitigating supply chain shock) operations quickly.

Research limitations/implications

As the present research was conducted through semi-structured qualitative interviews to understand the role of AI in supply chain resilience during COVID-19, the respondents may have an inclination towards a specific role of AI due to their limited exposure.

Practical implications

Supply chain managers can utilise data to embed the required degree of resilience in their supply chains by considering the proposed framework elements and phases.

Originality/value

The present research contributes a framework that presents a four-phased, structured and systematic platform considering the required information processing capabilities to recognise, analyse, reconfigure and activate phases to ensure supply chain resilience.
The autonomy of public defender's offices: a systematic comparison between Latin American countries
Authors: Buta Bernardo Oliveira
Published: June 2021

Purpose

In most Latin American countries, the provision of legal assistance to the vulnerable population is carried out by public defender's offices (PDOs), agencies composed of state-paid career lawyers. The aim of this paper is to explain the cross-country variation in regarding the autonomy levels of Latin American PDOs.

Design/methodology/approach

A scale to measure autonomy was built allowing access to the autonomy of sixteen different PDOs. Data were gathered through content analysis of the statutes that organize the PDOs and analyzed through qualitative comparative analysis (QCA).

Findings

The results demonstrate different levels of autonomy among Latin American PDOs. Furthermore, conditions related to institutional and social contexts, such as levels of income, human development, democracy, and the complexity of the political systems, presented sufficient relationships for high levels of autonomy.

Research limitations/implications

It was not possible to interview representatives of the PDOs analyzed. This could help the interpretation of the legislation applied to PDOs, as well as the observation of regulations that may not have come to the knowledge of researchers. Thus, analyses were made according to what was observed in the legislation of each country. It is also noteworthy that this research covered only nationwide PDOs, not involving subnational PDOs. In addition, the data have only internal validity, and cannot be extrapolated to the population.

Practical implications

The creation of a scale to measure the autonomy of public agencies stands out as an original comparative data set of PDOs covering a large amount of Latin American countries.

Social implications

This study was able to characterize the institutional arrangements of sixteen national PDOs, allowing broad comparison between legal aid agencies for the vulnerable population in a region of the world that still suffers from high levels of poverty.

Originality/value

The article presents possible explanations on the variations of PDOs' level of autonomy, showing PDOs' idiosyncrasies, whose autonomy is influenced also by social context variables, in view of the nature of their mission. It should be noted that factors related to the social context are not widely considered by the literature on autonomy of public agencies.
Long-term buyer-supplier relationships in IT services
Authors: Sombultawee Kedwadee , Pasunon Prasopchai
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore an integrative model of supplier success, using a case study of the Thai high-technology firms. The study focuses on buyer-supplier relationships of information systems (IS), including bundles of hardware, software and services because these relationships are dependent on both immediate performance quality of the IS and long-term maintenance of a strong buyer-supplier relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used an integrative model that incorporated the DeLone and McLean (2003) IS success model, representing system quality and Clauss and Tangpong’s (2018) impregnable exchange relationship model, representing relationship quality. Exploratory mixed methods study incorporated interviews with supplier relationship managers at five Thai high-technology firms (n = 15) and a quantitative survey of buyer firms (n = 393).

Findings

Results supported the integrative system-supplier success model. The most significant limitation is that the study was only conducted in a single industry (high tech) when the IS buyer-supplier relationships modeled here are ubiquitous in modern business.

Research limitations/implications

Despite this limitation, the research contributes to the literature by developing and testing a long-term buyer-supplier relationship success model that incorporates both the characteristics of an IS and the supplier characteristics that lead to positive outcomes.

Originality/value

This study makes intuitive sense and being demonstrated statistically – the fact that the overall quality of an IS, coupled with a well-liked, non-substitutable supplier with a history of good performance, would be considered to be a successful supplier relationship is not especially controversial. The value of the study lies in the integration of the two models to represent different aspects of supplier performance, which could have a different effect on the buyer-supplier relationship in the long-term.
The influence of culture on consumer perceptions of deceptiveness
Authors: Zourrig Haithem , Zhang Mengxia , El Hedhli Kamel , Becheur Imene
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to apply McCornack’s (1992) information manipulation theory to the context of fraud and investigates the effects of culture on perceived deceptiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 400 Chinese consumers and an equal-size sample of Canadian consumers were recruited to fill an online survey. The survey integrates four scenarios of insurance fraud and measures of perceived deceptiveness, cultural tightness and horizontal-vertical idiocentrism allocentrism, in addition to some control variables.

Findings

Results show that at the societal level of culture, perceived deceptiveness is higher in individualistic than in collectivistic cultures. When accounting for the level of situational constraint, cultural tightness was found to magnify the perceived deceptiveness. At the individual level of culture, vertical-allocentrism and vertical-idiocentrism were found to weigh against the perception of deceptiveness.

Originality/value

Understanding cultural differences in perceived deceptiveness is helpful to spot sources of consumers’ vulnerability to fraud tolerance among a culturally diverse public.
Assessment of cost management practices of civil engineering (project procurement) organisations in Ondo State, Nigeria
Authors: Ojo Adedotun , Ogunsina Olusola , Ogunsemi Deji R.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the work presented here is to assess the cost management practices of civil engineering organisations in Nigeria, with an overall aim of developing a generic cost management process map. The first objective is to compare existing frameworks theoretically to highlight their strengths and weaknesses. The second objective is to use the findings of the first objective to assess or benchmark the developed process map obtained from the multiple cases. The third objective is to compare the generic process map with the traditional building cost management process map to evaluate the strengths and shortcomings of the generic process map, which resulted in conclusions and recommendations made at the end of the research.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for the work was collected via semi-structured interviews, review of literature and official documents of the civil engineering organisations visited. To achieve the stated objectives, comparative analysis technique was used to compare existing frameworks on cost management to obtain the basis to benchmark the generic process map. The single case narrative technique was used to present each case; and the cross-case synthesis technique was used to present the multiple cases on each cost management process examined. Then, process maps were deployed to represent the homogeneous sets of civil engineering organisations, out of which the generic process map was developed. Comparative analysis was again deployed to compare the generic process map with the traditional building process map of cost management practice to evaluate the findings.

Findings

It was found out that the generic civil engineering process map is not as detailed and effective as the building process map in providing best value for money, accurate early cost estimates, accurate cost certainty and post-contract cost control.

Originality/value

This research study provides an industrial impetus to push for the involvement of more quantity surveyors (QS) as cost management process owners in the procurement of civil engineering projects in Nigeria, hence encouraging government’s efforts in the enforcement of more accurate project cost estimates and promoting the QS’s project-specific advice on capital, operational, maintenance and life cycle costs.
“Standing out” and “fitting in”: understanding inspiration value of masstige in an emerging market context
Authors: Das Manish , Saha Victor , Balaji M.S.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the role of middle-class consumers’ need for uniqueness (CNFU), consumer susceptibility to interpersonal influence (CSII), inspiration and behavioral intentions toward masstige products. Specifically, this study examines the differential effects of CNFU dimensions, the underlying mechanism of consumer inspiration and the moderating role of CSII in the purchase intentions toward masstige products.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies were carried out to test the proposed relationships. Study 1 examines the differential effect of CNFU dimensions and the mediating role of consumer inspiration for data collected from Tier 1 cities in India. Study 2 replicated Study 1 findings for the jewelry masstige products and tested the moderating role of CSII for data collected from Tier 2 cities. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The study findings confirm the differential effects of CNFU dimensions on inspiration and its mediating role in masstige products’ purchase intentions. Furthermore, the study found that CSII moderates the effect of CNFU dimensions on inspiration toward masstige (jewelry) purchase intentions. Status does not determine masstige purchase intention.

Research limitations/implications

The present study was carried out in the emerging market of India. Future studies should replicate the study findings in other emerging markets.

Practical implications

The study findings have important implications for marketers of masstige brands in developing effective marketing strategies in the emerging markets.

Originality/value

The study is among the few studies to investigate the differential role of CNFU dimensions and inspiration for masstige brands in an emerging market context.
Editorial: When service technologies and human experiences intersect
Authors: Rosenbaum Mark Scott , Russell-Bennett Rebekah
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to identify future research opportunities that address human–technology service interactions.

Design/methodology/approach

This editorial is based on the author’s personal reflections and conceptualizations of ideas from past previous research and theory.

Findings

The authors identify three opportunities for further research on technology and humanity: service technology and social interaction and service technology and societal prosperity.

Research limitations/implications

Service researchers need to realize that topics such as technology, robots, artificial intelligence are not mutually exclusive from topics that seek to improve the human condition, such as transformative service research. We encourage service researchers to explore how digital technologies in service domains impacts consumers, communities, and even, global humanity.

Practical implications

Researchers have guidance on areas in which pioneering theoretical and methodological opportunities abound.

Originality/value

This editorial offers new perspectives on technology and humanity considering the effect of the global pandemic.
When capital markets discount R&D expenditures: the problemistic search effect
Authors: Markovitch Dmitri G. , O'Brien Jonathan
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Research finds that investors initially under-react to increases in R&D intensity. The phenomenon is commonly viewed as mispricing. We draw on behavioral theory of the firm (BTF) to propose an alternative explanation that increased R&D intensity is often indicative of problemistic search in firms. We empirically explore three contextual factors that may help discriminate between mispricing and problemistic search effects when capital markets frown on increased R&D intensity.

Design/methodology/approach

We use econometric methods to analyze longitudinal data on 4,561 US manufacturing firms.

Findings

We find that market reactions to R&D investments are consistent with the view that managers often engage in R&D-based search to correct anticipated problems. We show that increased R&D intensity is a stronger indicator of diminished expected future performance for firms with greater inertia, including larger firms and high-performing firms. However, greater R&D intensity is less indicative of problemistic search in slack-rich firms.

Originality/value

Whilst the BTF has been used extensively in management research, ours is one of the few studies which link the BTF to stock market phenomena.
A qualitative analysis of vertical leadership development amongst NHS health-care workers in low to middle income country settings
Authors: Streeton Ann-Marie , Kitsell Fleur , Gambles Nichola , McCarthy Rose
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The improving global health (IGH) programme is a leadership development programme that aims to develop leadership skills and behaviours alongside quality improvement methodology in National Health Service (NHS) employees in a global health setting. Through collaboration, experiential learning and mentorship, the programme aims to produce both vertical and horizontal leadership development in its participants. This paper aims to describe the programme and its impact, in terms of leadership development, in a sample of participants.

Design/methodology/approach

Open coding and thematic analysis of leadership development summaries (LDS) completed by 39 returned IGH participants were conducted. LDS are written on completion of the overseas placement; participants reflect on their personal leadership development against the nine dimensions of the NHS Healthcare Leadership Model (2013).

Findings

These IGH programme participants have reported a change in the way they think, behave and see the world. A development in sense of self and experience in developing team members are the two most commonly reported themes. Adaptability, communication, overcoming boundaries, collaborative working, “big picture” thinking and strategic thinking were also identified.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited by the relatively low number of completed LDS. More work is needed to understand the long-term effect of this type of leadership development on the NHS. Other leadership development programmes should consider focussing on vertical and horizontal leadership development.

Originality/value

This more granular understanding of the leadership skills and behaviours developed and how it is the programme’s design that creates it, has not previously been described.
Physical adaptations of butterfly proboscises enable feeding from narrow floral tubes
Authors: Lehnert Matthew S. , Johnson Daytona D. , Wu Jianing , Sun Yu , Fonseca Rena J. , Michels Jan , Shell Jamie S. , Reiter Kristen E.
Published: June 2021

Butterflies use a proboscis, a microfluidic probe engineered by natural selection, to feed on nutritive fluids. The structural configuration of proboscises relates to feeding habits; however, the adaptations that enable proboscis entry into narrow floral corollas lack experimental evidence.

Here, we investigated proboscis adaptations that enable entry into corollas using funnel‐shaped glass capillary tubes and performed feeding trials with six butterfly species of different feeding habits. Proboscises were either guided (natural treatment) or forced (forced treatment) into the capillary tubes that were filled with a 20% sucrose solution. The treatments were video‐recorded to determine the depth the proboscises reached into the tube and how long they remained there. The results were interpreted in terms of proboscis morphology, friction forces and the material properties of the cuticle.

In the natural treatment, butterflies classified as flower visitors were more efficient at feeding from the tubes, reaching an average 1.83× deeper into the tubes than the other species and never getting their proboscises stuck. The non‐flower‐visiting species, in contrast, had their proboscises remain in the tube 17× longer than the flower‐visiting species, with 90% of them getting their proboscises at least partially stuck. The butterfly species with generalist feeding habits fed more efficiently than the non‐flower visitors, but less than the flower visitors. A similar pattern was observed in the forced treatment.

Flower‐visiting butterflies had smoother and more tapered proboscises, lower friction forces and a semi‐circular cross‐section that would reduce bendability and was augmented by a more sclerotized cuticle. Proboscises of flower‐visiting butterflies, therefore, have a suite of adaptations that operate synergistically to optimize their feeding habits.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Breaking the carbon curse: The role of financial development in facilitating low‐carbon and sustainable development in Algeria
Authors: Nwani Chinazaekpere , Effiong Ekpeno L. , Okpoto Sunday Ituma , Okere Ikechukwu Kingsley
Published: June 2021

This paper investigates the oil resource abundance and environmental quality nexus in Algeria, with emphasis on the role of oil export receipts and domestic oil consumption, and whether financial development is a policy option for reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the economy. Using time series data from 1971 to 2016, the Bayer–Hanck test for cointegration confirms the presence of a long‐run equilibrium relationship among the variables. Further analyses based on the auto‐regressive distributed lag (ARDL) model, fully modified least square (FMOLS), dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS), canonical cointegration regression (CCR) and Granger causality based on the vector error correction model (VECM) confirm the oil resource abundance curse in Algeria via the impact of domestic oil consumption on environmental quality. The estimates also show that financial development reduces CO2 emissions and has both short‐run and long‐run causal impact on economic growth. Thus, deepening financial sector development can be instrumental for achieving a low‐carbon and sustainable economy in Algeria.
Medicaid home‐ and community‐based services and discharge from skilled nursing facilities
Authors: Wang Sijiu , Temkin‐Greener Helena , Simning Adam , Konetzka R. Tamara , Cai Shubing
Published: June 2021

Objective

To examine the association between the generosity of Medicaid home‐ and community‐based services (HCBS) and the likelihood of community discharge among Medicare‐Medicaid dually enrolled older adults who were newly admitted to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs).

Data Sources

National datasets, including Medicare Master Beneficiary Summary File (MBSF), Medicare Provider and Analysis Review (MedPAR), Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX), minimum data set (MDS), and publicly available data at the SNF or county level, were linked.

Study Design

We measured Medicaid HCBS generosity by its breadth and intensity and described their variation at the county level. A set of linear probability models with SNF fixed effects were estimated to characterize the association between HCBS generosity and likelihood of community discharge from SNFs. We further stratified the analyses by the type of index hospitalizations (medical vs surgical events), age group, and the Medicaid cost‐sharing policy for SNF services.

Data Extraction Methods

The final analytical sample included 224 229 community‐dwelling dually enrolled older duals who were newly admitted to SNFs after an acute inpatient event between October 1, 2010, and September 30, 2013.

Principal Findings

We observed substantial cross‐sectional and over‐time variations in HCBS breadth and intensity. Regression results indicate that on average, a 10 percentage‐point increase in HCBS breadth was associated with a 0.7 percentage‐point increase (P < 0.01) in the likelihood of community discharge. Such relationship could be modified by individual factors and state policies: significant effects of HCBS breadth were detected among medical patients (0.7 percentage‐point, P < 0.05), individuals aged older than 85 (1.5 percentage‐point, P < 0.01), and states with and without lesser‐of policies (0.5 and 2.3 percentage‐point, respectively, P < 0.05). No significant relationship between HCBS intensity and community discharge was detected.

Conclusions

Higher Medicaid HCBS breadth but not intensity was associated with a greater likelihood of community discharge, and such relationship could be modified by individual factors and state policies.
Chromosome‐level genome assembly of Sichuan pepper provides insights into apomixis, drought tolerance, and alkaloid biosynthesis
Authors: Wang Mingcheng , Tong Shaofei , Ma Tao , Xi Zhenxiang , Liu Jianquan
Published: June 2021

Sichuan pepper is a commonly used spice in Asian cuisine. Sanshools and wgx‐50/gx‐50 isolated from it have been shown to possess a wide spectrum of medicinal properties. Here we generated a chromosome‐level genome assembly of one Sichuan pepper species Zanthoxylum armatum characterized by drought tolerance and apomixis. Analyses of functionally related genes suggested that increased gene copy number and expression level of drought‐tolerant genes might play an important role in improving drought tolerance of Z. armatum. Moreover, a gene encoding an RWP‐RK domain‐containing protein was shown to contribute to apomixis in Z. armatum, which was further characterized by overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana. Furthermore, based on gene homology searching and co‐expression patterns of metabolite concentration and gene expressions, we identified a number of candidate genes involved in the biosynthesis of sanshools and wgx‐50/gx‐50. Taken together, our results yield valuable insights for understanding the evolution of apomixis, drought tolerance, and alkaloid biosynthesis in Z. armatum.
Policy Norms, the Development Finance Regime Complex, and Holding the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to Account
Authors: Park Susan
Published: June 2021

Created to facilitate the transition of economies of Central and Eastern Europe towards democracy and the free market, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is a regional institution in the development finance regime complex. This article examines how the EBRD’s independent accountability mechanism (IAM) emerged and changed to demonstrate how policy norms filter through regime complexes. This is important because new ideas can change behavioural expectations and institutional practices across a complex. Tracing where the idea originated from and how it took hold is therefore central to understanding member state interests, the EBRD’s response considering its organisational preferences, and how the policy norm solidified through inter‐institutional learning. This deepens our understanding of the development finance regime complex in two ways: first, it, shows how ideas can filter through to seemingly independent institutions via member states, bureaucrats, and stakeholders. This supports the argument that the development finance regime complex is coherent with increasingly consistent rules and obligations. Second, it reminds us not to reify states; while they demanded institutional change nonstate actors influence what constitutes appropriate behaviour for development financiers.
Institutional Complexity and Opportunity Structures: Weaker Actor Influence in International Intellectual Property Regulation
Authors: Dreyling Justus
Published: June 2021

Overlap among international institutions affects the strategic options that are available to actors. Yet no existing approach fully explains who benefits from regime complexity. While some point to materially powerful actors, others highlight weaker challengers of the status quo. Drawing on historical institutionalism, I conceptualize two dimensions of complexity. I argue that depending on the mode of interaction among the institutions in and the degree of institutional fragmentation of a governance area, opportunity structures for weaker challengers are more open or closed. Shifts on these dimensions over time thus lead to an opening or a closure of opportunity structures for challengers. I assess this argument by focusing on such shifts in two areas intellectual property regulation. The article contributes to the overall topic of the special issue and advances the literature on regime complexity by highlighting the divergent effects of different forms of institutional complexity on different classes of actors.
Near work, screen time, outdoor time and myopia in schoolchildren in the Sunflower Myopia AEEC Consortium
Authors: Lanca Carla , Yam Jason C. , Jiang Wen‐Jun , Tham Yih‐Chung , Hassan Emamian Mohammad , Tan Chuen‐Seng , Guo Yin , Liu Hu , Zhong Hua , Zhu Dan , Hu Yuan‐Yuan , Saxena Rohit , Hashemi Hassan , Chen Li‐Jia , Wong Tien‐Yin , Cheng Ching‐Yu , Pang Chi‐Pui , Zhu Hui , Pan Chen‐Wei , Liang Yuan Bo , Fotouhi Akbar , Bi Hong‐sheng , Jonas Jost B. , Saw Seang‐Mei ,   The Asian Eye Epidemiology Consortium (AEEC)
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To examine the association between near work, screen time including TV and outdoor time with myopia in children from the Sunflower Myopia Asian Eye Epidemiology Consortium (AEEC).

Methods

We analysed AEEC cross‐sectional data (12 241 children) on risk factors (near work, screen time including TV and outdoor time) and myopia of six population‐based studies (China, Hong Kong and Singapore). Cycloplegic refraction and axial length (AL) measurements were included. Risk factors were determined using questionnaires. Data were pooled from each study, and multivariable regression analysis was performed to evaluate the associations between risks factors and myopia, spherical equivalent (SE) and AL.

Results

Among the included children, 52.1% were boys, 98.1% were Chinese and 69.7% lived in urban areas. Mean±standard deviation (SD) for age was 8.8 ± 2.9 years, for SE was −0.14 ± 1.8 D and for AL was 23.3 ± 1.1 mm. Myopia prevalence was 30.6%. In multivariate analysis, more reading and writing (OR = 1.17; 95% CI, 1.11–1.24), more total near work (OR = 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02–1.09) and less outdoor time (OR = 0.82, 95% CI, 0.75–0.88) were associated with myopia (p’s < 0.05). These factors were similarly associated with SE and AL (p’s < 0.05), except for total near work and AL (p = 0.15). Screen time including TV was not significantly associated with myopia (p = 0.49), SE (p = 0.49) or AL (p = 0.83).

Conclusion

In this study, increased reading and writing and decreased outdoor time were associated with myopia. Screen time may be a surrogate factor of near work or outdoor time, but further research is needed to assess its role as an independent risk factor for myopia.
Benign course and clinical features of COVID‐19 in hospitalised febrile infants up to 60 days old
Authors: Yarden Bilavski Havazelet , Balanson Sarit , Damouni Shalabi Ranaa , Dabaja‐Younis Halima , Grisaru‐Soen Galia , Youngster Ilan , Glikman Daniel , Ben Shimol Shalom , Somech Eli , Tasher Diana , Stein Michal , Gottesmanm Giora , Megged Orli , Livni Gilat
Published: June 2021

Aim

Minimal data exist regarding the severity of COVID‐19 in febrile infants under 60 days old. This multicentre prospective study explored the clinical course and outcomes of this hospitalised patient population, as, to date, the best approach has not been specifically addressed.

Methods

This study focused on the clinical features, laboratory parameters and outcomes of febrile infants up to 60 days old who tested positive for the virus and were hospitalised in Israel from March 2020 to January 2021. The data were extracted from a real‐time prospective surveillance network for COVID‐19 that includes 20 of the country's 26 hospitals.

Results

We identified 75 febrile young infants (60% female) with COVID‐19 at a median age of 28 days (range 8–56 days). Of these, 84% had an unremarkable medical history, 29% had respiratory symptoms, and 96% had a mild illness. The Rochester criteria showed that 44% were considered at high‐risk for serious bacterial infections, and we found that eight infants actually had concomitant bacterial infections. Outcomes were excellent, and no complications or fatalities were reported.

Conclusion

The excellent outcomes of young febrile infants with COVID‐19 closely resembled other respiratory viral aetiologies of fever in this age group, and there were no fatalities.
WiSER: Robust and scalable estimation and inference of within‐subject variances from intensive longitudinal data
Authors: German Christopher A. , Sinsheimer Janet S. , Zhou Jin , Zhou Hua
Published: June 2021

The availability of vast amounts of longitudinal data from electronic health records (EHRs) and personal wearable devices opens the door to numerous new research questions. In many studies, individual variability of a longitudinal outcome is as important as the mean. Blood pressure fluctuations, glycemic variations, and mood swings are prime examples where it is critical to identify factors that affect the within‐individual variability. We propose a scalable method, within‐subject variance estimator by robust regression (WiSER), for the estimation and inference of the effects of both time‐varying and time‐invariant predictors on within‐subject variance. It is robust against the misspecification of the conditional distribution of responses or the distribution of random effects. It shows similar performance as the correctly specified likelihood methods but is 103 ∼ 105 times faster. The estimation algorithm scales linearly in the total number of observations, making it applicable to massive longitudinal data sets. The effectiveness of WiSER is evaluated in extensive simulation studies. Its broad applicability is illustrated using the accelerometry data from the Women's Health Study and a clinical trial for longitudinal diabetes care.
Prognostic effect of gender on outcome of treatment for adults with acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Wiernik Peter H. , Sun Zhuoxin , Cripe Larry D. , Rowe Jacob M. , Fernandez Hugo F. , Luger Selina M. , Lazarus Hillard M. , Paietta Elisabeth M. , Tallman Martin S. , Litzow Mark R.
Published: June 2021

There are conflicting reports in the literature suggesting that one gender or the other has a better survival with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The present study was done in an attempt to resolve the issue. The effect of gender was examined on 3546 newly diagnosed patients with AML, including 548 patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) enrolled in 10 multi‐institutional treatment studies from March 1984 to November 2008. Kaplan–Meier estimates were used to estimate event‐time distributions for survival and multivariate models were used to examine the gender effect after adjusting for multiple risk factors. P values were based on two‐sided tests. Non‐APL female patients had a significantly better overall (OS) but not disease‐free survival (DFS) than males, irrespective of age, initial white blood cell count, or dose of daunorubicin. No differences were observed for obese or FMS‐like tyrosine kinase 3‐internal tandem duplication (FLT3‐ITD)‐positive patients. Female patients with APL had a significantly better OS and DFS than male patients with APL, and differences in survival were greater for patients with t(15;17) + other cytogenetic abnormalities compared with those with t(15;17) only. Gender is an independent prognostic variable in patients with AML. Whether these survival differences are due to hormonal, genetic or pharmacokinetic differences between the sexes or differential toxin exposure such as smoking is unknown. However, the former seems less likely as patient age did not influence the survival advantage for female patients.
Employee behaviours beyond innovators in internal crowdsourcing: What do employees do in internal crowdsourcing, if not innovating, and why?
Authors: Beretta Michela , Søndergaard Helle Alsted
Published: June 2021

Firms increasingly implement internal crowdsourcing to access the creative inputs of their wider crowd of distributed employees. Although internal crowdsourcing initiatives have attracted increasing attention from research, there is still a limited understanding about employee participation in these platforms. Previous studies have mainly focused on the participation of employees as innovators, disregarding other forms of employee participation occurring in these interactive platforms. Building on the literatures on employee‐driven innovation and motivation, the main goal of this study is to investigate the behaviours performed by employees to support and refine others' ideas and their underlying motivations to do so, thus going beyond the role of innovators. Based on data collected from an internal crowdsourcing platform of a large European organization, we combine cluster analysis, social network analysis, interpretative content analysis and qualitative interviews to explore the content of employees' supporting behaviours in these initiatives and their underlying motivations. Overall, by looking at what employees contribute in these initiatives and why, this study contributes to generate a more comprehensive understanding of how internal crowds can be leveraged not only for idea generation but also for the support and refinement of others' ideas. Implications for innovation management research and practice are discussed.