bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GIV/Girdin and Exo70 Constitute the Core of the Mammalian Polarized Exocytic Machinery
Authors: Rohena Cristina , Rajapakse Navin , Lo I-Chung , Novick Peter , Sahoo Debashis , Ghosh Pradipta
Published: December 2019

Polarized exocytosis is a fundamental process by which membrane and cargo proteins are delivered to the plasma membrane with precise spatial control; it is essential for cell growth, morphogenesis, and migration. Although the need for the octameric exocyst complex is conserved from yeast to humans, what imparts spatial control is known only in yeast, i.e., a polarity scaffold without mammalian homolog, called Bem1p. We demonstrate that polarity scaffold GIV/Girdin fulfills the key criteria and functions of its yeast counterpart Bem1p. Both Bem1p and GIV bind yeast and mammalian Exo70 proteins via similar short-linear interaction motifs, but each preferentially binds its evolutionary counterpart. In cells where this GIV•Exo-70 interaction is selectively disrupted, delivery of the metalloprotease MT1-MMP to podosomes, collagen degradation and haptotaxis through basement membrane matrix were impaired. GIV’s interacting partners reveal other components of polarized exocytosis in mammals. Findings not only expose how GIV “upgrades” the exocytic process in mammals, but also how the ability to regulate exocytosis shapes GIV’s ability to fuel metastasis.

GRAPHIC ABSTRACT

Graphic Abstract: Schematic comparing the components of polarized exocytosis, i.e., the major polarity scaffold in yeast (Bem1p; left) and humans (Girdin; right) and the various cellular components and signaling mechanisms that are known to converge on them.

The eTOC blurb

Polarized exocytosis is a precision-controlled process that is enhanced in disease states, e.g., cancer invasion; what imparts polarity was unknown. Authors reveal how the process underwent an evolutionary upgrade from yeast to humans by pinpointing GIV/Girdin as the polarity scaffold which orchestrates the exocytosis of matrix metalloproteases during cell invasion.

HIGHLIGHTS

GIV (human) and Bem1p (yeast) bind Exo70; are required for exocytosis

GIV binds and aids PM localization Exo70 via a conserved short linear motif

Binding facilitates MT1-MMP delivery to podosomes, ECM degradation, invasion

Regulatory control over polarized exocytosis is upgraded during evolution
Ribosome recycling factor ABCE1 depletion inhibits nonsense-mediated mRNA decay by promoting stop codon readthrough
Authors: Annibaldis Giuditta , Dreos René , Domanski Michal , Carl Sarah , Mühlemann Oliver
Published: December 2019

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is an essential post-transcriptional surveillance pathway in vertebrates that appears to be mechanistically linked with translation termination. To gain more insight into this connection, we interfered with translation termination by depleting human cells of the ribosome recycling factor ABCE1, which resulted in an upregulation of many but not all endogenous NMD-sensitive mRNAs. Notably, the suppression of NMD on these mRNAs occurs at a step prior to their SMG6-mediated endonucleolytic cleavage. Ribosome profiling revealed that ABCE1 depletion results in ribosome stalling at stop codons and increased ribosome occupancy in 3’ UTRs, indicative of enhanced stop codon readthrough or re-initiation. Using reporter genes, we further demonstrate that the absence of ABCE1 indeed increases the rate of readthrough, which would explain the observed NMD inhibition, since enhanced readthrough has been previously shown to render NMD-sensitive transcripts resistant to NMD by displacing NMD triggering factors like UPF1 and exon junction complexes (EJCs) from the 3’ UTR. Collectively, our results show that improper ribosome disassembly interferes with proper NMD activation.

Highlights

ABCE1 knockdown suppresses NMD of many NMD-sensitive mRNAs

The observed NMD inhibition occurs at a stage prior to SMG6-mediated cleavage of the mRNA

ABCE1 depletion enhances ribosome occupancy at stop codons and in the 3’ UTR

ABCE1 depletion enhances readthrough of the stop codon

Enhanced readthrough inhibits NMD, presumably by clearing the 3’ UTR of NMD factors
The regulatory landscape of early maize inflorescence development
Authors: Parvathaneni Rajiv K. , Bertolini Edoardo , Shamimuzzaman Md , Vera Daniel , Lung Pei-Yau , Rice Brian R. , Zhang Jinfeng , Brown Patrick J. , Lipka Alexander E. , Bass Hank W. , Eveland Andrea L.
Published: December 2019

Background

The functional genome of agronomically important plant species remains largely unexplored, yet presents a virtually untapped resource for targeted crop improvement. Functional elements of regulatory DNA revealed through profiles of chromatin accessibility can be harnessed for fine-tuning gene expression to optimal phenotypes in specific environments.

Result

Here, we investigate the non-coding regulatory space in the maize (Zea mays) genome during early reproductive development of pollen- and grain-bearing inflorescences. Using an assay for differential sensitivity of chromatin to micrococcal nuclease (MNase) digestion, we profile accessible chromatin and nucleosome occupancy in these largely undifferentiated tissues and classify at least 1.6 percent of the genome as accessible, with the majority of MNase hypersensitive sites marking proximal promoters, but also 3’ ends of maize genes. This approach maps regulatory elements to footprint-level resolution. Integration of complementary transcriptome profiles and transcription factor occupancy data are used to annotate regulatory factors, such as combinatorial transcription factor binding motifs and long non-coding RNAs, that potentially contribute to organogenesis, including tissue-specific regulation between male and female inflorescence structures. Finally, genome-wide association studies for inflorescence architecture traits based solely on functional regions delineated by MNase hypersensitivity reveals new SNP-trait associations in known regulators of inflorescence development as well as new candidates.

Conclusions

These analyses provide a comprehensive look into the cis-regulatory landscape during inflorescence differentiation in a major cereal crop, which ultimately shapes architecture and influences yield potential.
Single-crystal diffraction at the high-pressure Indo-Italian beamline Xpress at Elettra, Trieste
Authors: Lotti Paolo , Milani Sula , Merlini Marco , Joseph Boby , Alabarse Frederico , Lausi Andrea
Published: December 2019

In this study the firstin situhigh-pressure single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments at Xpress, the Indo-Italian beamline of the Elettra synchrotron, Trieste (Italy), are reported. A description of the beamline experimental setup and of the procedures for single-crystal centring, data collection and processing, using diamond anvil cells, are provided. High-pressure experiments on a synthetic crystal of clinoenstatite (MgSiO3), CaCO3polymorphs and a natural sample of leucophoenicite [Mn7Si3O12(OH)2] validated the suitability of the beamline experimental setup to: (i) locate and characterize pressure-induced phase transitions; (ii) solveab initiothe crystal structure of high-pressure polymorphs; (iii) perform fine structural analyses at the atomic scale as a function of pressure; (iv) disclose complex symmetry and structural features undetected using conventional X-ray sources.
Impact of beryllium microstructure on the imaging and optical properties of X-ray refractive lenses
Authors: Lyatun Ivan , Ershov Peter , Snigireva Irina , Snigirev Anatoly
Published: December 2019

Beryllium is one of the most transparent materials to hard X-ray radiation and, as a direct consequence, it is the main material for the fabrication of X-ray refractive optics and instrumentation for synchrotron radiation sources and free-electron laser facilities. However, it is known that almost all beryllium currently in use is polycrystalline material. In this paper, the influence of the microstructure of different beryllium grades on the optical properties of X-ray refractive lenses is studied. The experiments were performed at the ESRF ID06 beamline in X-ray coherent transmission microscopy mode in the near- and far-fields. Two sets of refractive lenses made of beryllium O-30-H and IS-50M grades with different internal microstructure were used. It was found that both beryllium grades have a strongly inhomogeneous structure, which inevitably produces speckle patterns under coherent illumination in imaging experiments. It was shown that fine-grained beryllium O-30-H is better suited for imaging applications, whereas beryllium IS-50M with a relatively large grain microstructure is more appropriate for focusing and collimation of X-rays. A discussion on the requirements for X-ray optical materials used at the third- and fourth-generation synchrotrons is also presented.
Structural and theoretical study of four novel norcantharidine derivatives: two new cases of conditional isomorphism
Authors: Tan Xue-Jie , Liu Shuai , Hei Xiao-Ming , Yang Feng-Cun , He Peng-Bing , Guo Feng , Xing Dian-Xiang
Published: December 2019

Structural and theoretical studies of four novel 5,6-dehydronorcantharidine (DNCA)/norcantharidine (NCA) derivatives, namely (3aR,4S,7R,7aS)-2-phenyl-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-epoxy-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione, C14H11NO3(DNCA-A), (3aR,4S,7R,7aS)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-epoxy-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione, C14H10N2O5(DNCA-NA), (3aR,4S,7R,7aS)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1H-4,7-epoxyisoindole-1,3(2H)-dione, C14H12N2O5(NCA-NA), and (3aR,4S,7R,7aS)-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1H-4,7-epoxyisoindole-1,3(2H)-dione, C10H13NO4(NCA-AE), are reported. The supramolecular interactions and single-crystal structural characteristics of these molecules, together with the crystal structures of four other similar molecules,i.e.NCA-A(the 4-phenyl derivative ofNCA-NA),DNCA-AE(the 5,6-unsaturated derivative ofNCA-AE),DNCAandNCA, were analysed. Surprisingly,DNCA-AandNCA-A, as well asDNCA–NAandNCA-NA, proved to be isomorphic, whileDNCA-AEandNCA-AE, as well asDNCAandNCA, have very different crystal structures. These are very rare isostructural examples between unsaturated and saturated oxanorbornene/oxanorbornane derivatives. To further explore how noncovalent interactions (NCIs) affect the degree of isomorphism in this particular series of rigid molecules where there is a fairly limited conformational degree of freedom, all four pairs of crystal structures were analyzed in parallel. The differentiation in NCIs which entails the packing mode of similar molecules is supported by energy calculations based on real or exchanged crystal structures. Our results show that minor structural differences may result in very different supramolecular interactions, and so lead to altered packing modes in the crystalline solids. Even if isostructurality sometimes occurs, the possibility of various molecular packing types cannot be ruled out. On the other hand, isomorphism may just be the result of kinetic possibilities instead of relative thermodynamic stabilities. Though crystal structure prediction is formidable, the comparison method based on existing crystal structures and quantum calculations can be used to predict the probability of isomorphism. This understanding will help us to design new norbornene derivatives with specified structures.
Biological properties of two enantiomorphic forms ofN-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4-hydroxy-2,2-dioxo-1H-2λ6,1-benzothiazine-3-carboxamide, a structural analogue of piroxicam
Authors: Shishkina Svitlana V. , Ukrainets Igor V. , Vashchenko Olga V. , Voloshchuk Natali I. , Bondarenko Pavlo S. , Petrushova Lidiya A. , Sim Galina
Published: December 2019

The title benzothiazine-3-carboxamide, C17H16N2O4S, crystallized in two enantiomorphic crystal forms with the space groupsP32andP31despite the absence of a classic stereogenic atom. The molecular structures are mirror images of each other. Only one sulfonyl O atom takes part in intramolecular hydrogen bonding as a proton acceptor and this atom is different in the two enantiomorphic structures. As a result, the S atom becomes a pseudo-stereogenic centre. This fact is worth taking into account due to the different biological activities of the enantiomorphic forms. One form possesses a high analgesic activity, while the other form revealed a high anti-inflammatory activity.
Prediction of financial distress in the Spanish banking system
Authors: Paule-Vianez Jessica , Gutiérrez-Fernández Milagros , Coca-Pérez José Luis
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to construct the first short-term financial distress prediction model for the Spanish banking sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The concept of financial distress covers a range of different types of financial problems, in addition to bankruptcy, which is not common in the sector. The methodology used to predict financial problems was artificial neural networks using traditional financial variables according to the capital, assets, management, earnings, liquidity and sensibility system, as well as a series of macroeconomic variables, the impact of which has been proven in a number of studies.

Findings

The results obtained show that artificial neural networks are a highly suitable method for studying financial distress in Spanish credit institutions and for predicting all cases in which an entity has short-term financial problems.

Originality/value

This is the first work that tries to build a model of artificial neural networks to predict the financial distress in the Spanish banking system, grouping under the concept of financial distress, apart from bankruptcy, other financial problems that affect the viability of these entities.
Management, productivity and firm heterogeneity in international trade
Authors: Serrano Javier , Myro Rafael
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the relevance of management and productivity in the behaviour of firms in international trade.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a survey of Spanish manufacturing firms, the authors use a management quality index to serve as a proxy for the good management practice of the firm.

Findings

The results demonstrate that exporter and multinationals firms are more productive and better managed than domestic firms. Furthermore, in the periods in which switcher firms decide to export or to invest abroad, they are better managed but are not more productive than in the rest of the periods. Finally, results indicate that regardless of its positive relationship with productivity, management also has a direct impact on the firm’s probability of exporting and involving in foreign direct investment.

Originality/value

This paper aims to reconcile the recent international trade literature, which focusses on the role of productivity heterogeneity in international trade, with the international business literature, concentrated on depicting the key management practices that impact internationalization.
The agency cost of ownership and governance adaptations in farm producer organizations
Authors: Grashuis Jasper
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Many farm producer organizations pursue growth and complexity in response to price volatility, industry consolidation and other external developments. Consequently, as ownership is dispersed and control is delegated, members may face increasing agency cost. In spite of the potential to impact performance and even survival, empirical attention to agency problems in farm producer organizations is limited. The purpose of this paper is to address the gap in the literature with an empirical study.

Design/methodology/approach

With survey responses from 365 farm producer organizations in the USA, the author uses a two-limit tobit model to estimate the relationships of six ownership and governance characteristics (i.e. board size, management size, director independence, manager independence, CEO independence and non-member ownership) to agency cost, which is proxied by the operating expense ratio.

Findings

While controlling for heterogeneity in scale and technology, the author finds positive relationships of board size, management size and CEO independence to agency cost. The novel result illustrates there is a significant cost to the adoption of non-traditional ownership and governance characteristics by farm producer organizations.

Practical implications

The presence of agency cost serves as motivation to farm producer organizations to implement new or adapt old agency mechanisms. One recommendation is to reconsider the payment structure of non-member CEOs. There may not be enough incentive to inspire an upstream bias, which is perhaps possible by linking CEO performance to price, patronage and member-oriented performance measurements.

Originality/value

Agency cost is rarely studied in relation to farm producer organizations. Recent contributions in the empirical literature lacked an explicit connection of ownership and governance characteristics to agency cost.
Efficiency evaluation of agricultural cooperatives in Mpumalanga
Authors: Xaba Sharon Thembi , Marwa Nyankomo , Mathur-Helm Babita
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse performance (on efficiency) of agricultural cooperatives in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The empirical investigation is motivated by the dearth of empirical literature on agricultural cooperatives’ performance measurement and its correlates.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed DEA and applied the input minimisation constraint. The authors used the data from 19 agricultural cooperatives which had complied with reporting on their annual financial statements (AFS) in the financial year 2014/2015. The input variables were total assets and total expenses, and the output variables were revenue and profit.

Findings

The average technical efficiency was found to be 72 per cent efficient indicating the presence of 28 per cent resource wastages. Of the 19 decision-making units, only 5 (26 per cent) were 100 per cent efficient. It should be noted that the 26 per cent that were technically efficient were also operating at constant returns to scale (optimal resource allocation).

Research limitations/implications

Data limitation was with regard to 19 cooperatives, which means that if more agricultural cooperatives could be analysed, the results will be different.

Practical implications

There are more than 60 agricultural cooperatives in the province, and yet only 19 could report on their AFS. This is an indication that there is a gap in governance, and policy makers and government need to revisit support, over and above funding, and issues of governance have to be strengthened.

Social implications

Agricultural cooperatives are created as vehicles that can stimulate the economy and contribute towards job creation. If the cooperatives do not perform or are not sustainable, the socio-economic conditions of the communities in which they operate will never realise the economic gains.

Originality/value

The study was necessitated by the continued focus on government based on the cooperatives, as there is a dearth of empirical literature separating managers’ reports and empirically proven studies/results.
Competing eBook acquisition models: which model best serves a community college library?
Authors: LaMagna Michael , Swenson Danowitz Erica , Rodgers Andrea
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Academic libraries continue to invest in eBooks to ensure access to content in various formats. This paper aims to examine eBook acquisition models, including patron-driven acquisitions, one-time purchases, focused collection subscriptions or large-scale subscriptions, to better understand how users engage with this content based on usage data.

Design/methodology/approach

Usage data provide insights into eBook acquisition and how access models influence use. This study defines the acquisition model for each eBook purchase. Data were examined to determine usage by acquisition model and cost-per-use.

Findings

This paper finds that for a large suburban community college, a large-scale subscription model has the lowest cost-per-use and serves the largest portion of students. Focused collection subscriptions supported small, specialized programs in the Allied Health, Emergency Services, and Nursing fields.

Originality/value

This paper examines how eBooks are acquired to determine which model best serves an academic library community, specifically a community college library, which is currently underrepresented in the literature.
Numerical simulation of the debonding process in pull-out tests of near-surface mounted FRP rod in concrete
Authors: Chen Tie-Lin , Tao Wenbin , Zhu Wenjun , Zhou Mozhen
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Near-surface mounted (NSM) fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) rod is extensively applied in reinforced concrete (RC) structures. The mechanical performances of NSM FRP-strengthened RC structures depend on the bond behavior between NSM reinforcement and concrete. This behavior is typically studied by performing pull-out tests; however, the failure behavior, which is crucial to the local debonding process, is not yet sufficiently understood.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a three-dimensional meso-scale finite element method considering the cohesion and adhesion failures is presented to model the debonding failure process in pull-out tests of NSM FRP rod in concrete. The smeared crack model is used to capture the cohesion failures in the adhesive or concrete. The interfacial constitutive model is applied to simulate the adhesion failures on the FRP-adhesive and concrete-adhesive contact interfaces.

Findings

The present method is first validated by two simple examples and then applied to a practical NSM FRP system. This work studied in detail the debonding process, the bond failure types, the location of peak bond stress, the transmitting deformation in adhesive and the morphology of contact zone. The developed method provides a practical and convenient tool applicable for further investigations on the debonding mechanism for the NSM FRP rod in concrete.

Originality/value

A three-dimensional meso-scale finite element method considering the cohesion and adhesion failures is presented to model the debonding failure in NSM FRP-strengthened RC structures. The smeared crack model and the interfacial constitutive model are introduced to develop a convenient approach to analyze the failures in adhesive, concrete and related interfaces. The developed numerical method is applicable for studying the debonding process, the bond failure types, the location of peak bond stress, the transmitting deformation in adhesive and the morphology of contact zone in detail.
Conjugate forced convection in a semi-cylindrical cavity with entropy generation
Authors: Çiçek Oktay , Baytaş A. Cihat
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to investigate the conjugate forced convection in a semi-cylindrical cavity with air flow. Isotherms, streamlines, Bejan number and local entropy generation number are obtained for the semi-cylindrical cavity. Local Nusselt number, the temperature and the skin friction along the interface wall are calculated with different Reynolds numbers and geometric configurations.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing differential equations discretized by finite volume method are solved using SIMPLE algorithm. In this study, collocated grid, where all flow variables are stored at the same location, is used. Alternating direction implicit method and tri-diagonal matrix algorithm are used to solve linear algebraic equation systems.

Findings

The effects of Reynolds numbers, inlet and exit cross-section, the locations of exit section on fluid flow are also numerically investigated. It has been observed that since the secondary vortices developed near the exit cross-section negatively affect heat transfer, the temperature value is higher at this region. Better cooling inside cavity is provided in the cases of higher Re number, larger inlet and exit cross-section. The minimum average Nu numbers are computed for the location of L = 0.40 and the minimum total entropy generation numbers are founded in the case of L = 0.20.

Originality/value

This study provides insight into proper cooling and entropy generation inside the semi-cylindrical cavity for different conditions.
A micro scale study of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in coastal urban strategic planning for the Jakarta
Authors: Rahayu Harkunti Pertiwi , Haigh Richard , Amaratunga Dilanthi , Kombaitan Benedictus , Khoirunnisa Devina , Pradana Vito
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to describe an in-depth study that aimed to assess and develop a strategic disaster risk reduction plan to integrate climate change adaptation countermeasures in Cilincing, a North Jakarta City sub-district.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a back-casting approach to cover hazard assessment induced by increased susceptibility, as well as vulnerability, both as a baseline study and projected up to 2045 at the micro level. The urban village (Kelurahan) level is the unit of analysis. The capacity analysis is used as baseline data, which is reviewed against the trend of the hazard and vulnerability.

Findings

The results of the study identify short-, medium- and long-term recommendations to integrate disaster risk reduction and climate change adaption. These include capacity building, especially emergency response capabilities, an increase of drainage capacity, improvements to transboundary management and minimising driving forces.

Practical implications

These findings at the micro level are very important to present a more holistic and realistic strategy that can be implemented until 2045, but also provides a basis for up scaling into metropolitan region planning.

Originality/value

This is a unique, micro-scale case study in the Cilincing sub-district of Jakarta that assesses and develops strategic disaster risk countermeasures and a reduction plan that integrates the effects of climate change, thereby addressing future disaster risk in Jakarta.
Changing the Rotterdam-Rijnmond regional fire service
Authors: Koppenjan Joop , van Sluis Arie , van der Meer Frans-Bauke , Kuipers Ben , van Paridon Kees
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify critical success factors for the management of complex change processes in fire service organizations and to apply these in a case study of the Rotterdam-Rijnmond fire service.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides review of literature on organizational change, case study of the Rotterdam-Rijnmond fire service supported by the analysis of policy documents and 30 semi-structured interviews with key persons.

Findings

Combining different theoretical approaches helps to get a more complete picture of important issues and dilemma’s in the management of change processes – which is a first step in the successful implementation of changes – whereas other approaches tend to emphasize only some and overlook others. Applied in a case study, this approach revealed serious weaknesses in the management of change within the Rotterdam-Rijnmond fire service and offered practical guides for solutions.

Originality/value

This paper combines insights from different theoretical approaches into a more integrated perspective that aims to be helpful as a practical tool for designing and implementing complex changes in fire service organizations.
Involving students in lesson study: a new perspective
Authors: Tamura Tomoko , Uesugi Yuko
Published: December 2019

Purpose

While Lesson Studies are usually defined as “teacher-led” collaborative research for the purpose of improving teaching, one Japanese junior high school has conducted “student-led” Lesson Studies (SLS) for the past 20 years. The purpose of this paper is to clarify how this school involves students in the Lesson Study process to identify the importance of learners’ perspectives and create the best learning environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the case study method, the researcher observed the lesson study process, research lessons and pre-lesson and post-lesson discussions with teachers and students at the case school, as well as examining the school’s annual reports. One-on-one interviews were held with the principal and teachers at the case school. A group interview was conducted with 18 students (8th grade), and additional interviews were held with four students and a Homeroom Teacher. All interviews were recorded and analyzed based on self-regulated learning theory.

Findings

In SLS, students observe the learning activities in other classes and compare them with their own learning activities. Thus, they come to view their in-class learning process in a metacognitive way and can collaborate with teachers to reflect on their learning process and to create a more effective learning environment.

Originality/value

While previous studies on Lesson Study have consisted of artificial/experimental one-time practices involving acute researcher-led interventions, this paper uniquely investigates genuine, daily practices that teachers and students developed on their own. This research is of considerable interest as it goes beyond traditional studies in Japan.
Assessing determinants of dividend policy of the government-owned companies in Indonesia
Authors: Basri Hasan
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the influences of financial leverage, profitability, the growth of assets and institutional ownerships on the dividend payout of the Indonesian Government-owned companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Annual data from the period 2007 to 2013 of the 15 listed government-owned companies on the main board in the Indonesian Stock Exchange were analyzed using the multiple regressions.

Findings

Except for the growth of assets that has an insignificant effect on the dividend policy, the financial leverage and institutional ownerships were documented to have negative and significant influences on the dividend policy, while the profitability has a positive and significant effect on the dividend policy. These findings imply that the profitability, financial leverage and institutional ownership should be considered as the important factors by the Indonesian Government-owned companies in determining their dividend policy.

Originality/value

Originality in this paper is to establish a model of leverage, profitability, asset growth and institutional ownership of dividend payments of Indonesian Government-owned companies with a panel regression approach.
Application of graph-theoretic approach for the evaluation of lean-six-sigma (LSS) critical-success-factors (CSFs) facilitating quality-audits in Indian small & medium enterprises (SMEs)
Authors: Lande Manisha , Seth Dinesh , Shrivastava Rakesh L.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

One of the major challenges for developing countries is the lack of mechanisms for the evaluation of critical success factors (CSFs) of quality initiatives, which hampers the journey toward sustainability. Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has been one of the most widely used initiatives supporting quality improvement with wastes reduction and facilitating sustainability. To expedite LSS and its spread, it is important to evaluate key CSFs. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to provide an approach for the evaluation of LSS-CSFs for Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a graph theoretic approach and demonstrates the evaluation of LSS-CSFs by proposing an index. The development of index is illustrated using a set of seven prioritized CSFs based on the literature review paper (Lande et al., 2016).

Findings

This study guides about the translation of CSFs in the form of an index (number) and will benefit both researchers and practitioners, who wish to study the role of key CSFs for implementation and audit requirements for sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

Authors remain confined only to Indian SMEs.

Originality/value

LSS possesses the potential to enhance the performance of manufacturing SMEs, but its evaluation is not easy. This attempt for offering a useful evaluation scheme involving CSFs, in the areas of LSS in developing country contexts, is the first. The approach also facilitates both quality audits and benchmarking between different sets of CSFs. The approach is generalizable and can be extended in other areas.
Improving service quality
Authors: Lasrado Flevy , Nyadzayo Munyaradzi
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of total quality management (TQM) internalization factors on the relationship between the proposed drivers (internal/external motives) and outcomes (external benefits and financial results).

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of quality managers, this study adopts a two-step methodological approach to explore the key components of TQM internalization via an initial exploratory study followed up with a quantitative study to examine the relationships between the proposed drivers using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The qualitative study revealed the key components of TQM implementation factors, namely top management commitment, middle management commitment and audits, training and employees’ commitment. The quantitative results show that a positive relationship between external motives and TQM internalization was not supported; yet, the results supported the influence of internal motives on TQM internalization. Further, the results revealed a significant relationship between TQM internalization and internal benefits but not financial benefits. Finally, a strong positive link between internal and financial benefits emerged.

Research limitations/implications

The study findings are only based on the perceptions of quality managers and future research could test the proposed model using other units of analysis in order to fully capture the role of TQM internalization.

Practical implications

The findings show that award model adoption is a significant tool for quality improvement in organizations, a procedure that drives both internal and financial benefits. Further, the study points out areas that companies should emphasize in order to successfully implement a quality award model and therefore harvest its potential benefits.

Originality/value

The paper proposes an empirically tested conceptual framework that examines vital issues concerning the internalization of the TQM approach through award models, thus providing valuable outcomes for decision makers to improve service quality.
Development and validation of an internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy scale
Authors: Wang Yi-Shun , Tseng Timmy H. , Wang Yu-Min , Chu Chun-Wei
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Understanding people’s intentions to be an internet entrepreneur is an important issue for educators, academics and practitioners. The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a scale to measure internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on an analysis of 356 responses, a scale of internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy is validated in accordance with established scale development procedures.

Findings

The internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy scale has 16 items under three factors (i.e. leadership, technology utilization and internet marketing and e-commerce). The scale demonstrated adequate convergent validity, discriminant validity and criterion-related validity. Nomological validity was established by the positive correlation between the scale and, respectively, internet entrepreneurship knowledge and entrepreneurial intention.

Originality/value

This study is a pioneering effort to develop and validate a scale to measure internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy. The results of this study are helpful to researchers in building internet entrepreneurship theories and to educators in assessing and promoting individuals’ internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy and behavior.
Alone on the ramparts
Authors: Hirsch Peter Buell
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role that corporate political positioning taking is playing in exacerbating political polarization and to suggest that, by contrast, corporations could also play a role in healing some of the increasing divides in democracies around the world.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper looks at recent examples of companies taking political positions on controversial public issues and public reactions to those positions in the media.

Findings

The author’s analysis suggests that with each subsequent political position announced by companies, the stakes for more extreme and noisy pronouncements become higher and higher. This threatens to be an unsustainable journey, and companies will need to find new ways to communicate their commitment to customers and other stakeholders.

Originality/value

While there has been wide discussion of the increasing propensity of companies to take public positions on social and political issues, the author believes this is the first viewpoint to examine the consequences of this trends over the longer term and its impact on polarization.
Mapping educational leadership, administration and management research 2007–2016
Authors: Tian Meng , Huber Stephan Gerhard
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the development of educational leadership, administration and management (EdLAM) research by identifying thematic strands that hallmark key publications and synthesise major research findings and limitations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study combines bibliometric and content analysis methods to review 2,347 publications from 15 core EdLAM journals published from 2007 to 2016.

Findings

The bibliometric analysis identified five EdLAM thematic strands: school leadership for enhancing students’ academic achievement and teachers’ effectiveness; leadership for educational change, accountability and promoting democratic values; leadership for social justice, equal education and narrowing achievement gaps; principal’s instructional leadership for school improvement; and distributed leadership and its impact on organisational climate and teachers’ attitudes and stress. The content analysis revealed that the EdLAM research from 2007 to 2016 further developed the following research areas: the dynamics between leaders and teachers in leadership work, the potential risks of distributed leadership and the EdLAM challenges brought by the New Public Management and neoliberalism.

Originality/value

This study depicts state-of-the-art EdLAM research. It confirms the combination of bibliometric and content analyses as a useful approach for large-scale review studies. Finally, this review suggests future research directions.
The online users’ perceptions toward electronic government services
Authors: Camilleri Mark Anthony
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine the individuals’ perceived usefulness and ease of use of the government’s electronic services (e-government). It also explores the effect of the social influences, as well as of the facilitating conditions, on the individuals’ intentions to use the government’s digital and mobile services.

Design/methodology/approach

The researcher has adapted various measuring items from the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology and from the theory of acceptance model to investigate the participants’ utilitarian motivations to engage with the government’s online services. The analysis involved a two-step, structural equation modeling approach that included a confirmatory factor analysis that verified the constructs’ validity and reliability.

Findings

There was a satisfactory fit for this study’s research model. The findings revealed that there were direct and indirect effects that predicted the individuals’ readiness to use the e-government services. The results suggest that the respondents’ perceived usefulness and ease of use of this digital technology were significant antecedents for their behavioral intention to use it. The strength of these relationships was affected by the moderating variables, including, age, gender and experience. Yet, these demographic variables did not have a significant effect on the link between social influences and behavioral intention.

Originality/value

This study reported that the citizens felt that the e-government systems were useful and easy to use for them. The research participants indicated that they will continue accessing their government’s online services. Therefore, this research implies that the public services should continue improving the facilitating conditions, including the provision of service quality and capability; as well as secure the accessibility to their e-government systems via digital and mobile technologies. In conclusion, this contribution identifies possible research avenues to academia.
Abusive supervision and knowledge hiding: the mediating role of psychological contract violation and supervisor directed aggression
Authors: Pradhan Sajeet , Srivastava Aman , Mishra Dharmesh K.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to test the relationship between abusive supervision and employee’s knowledge hiding behaviour among Indian information technology (IT) employees. The paper also strives to theoretically discuss and then seek empirical evidence to the two mediational paths (namely, psychological contract violation and supervisor directed aggression) that explain the focal relationship between abusive supervision and knowledge hiding.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the proposed hypotheses, the study draws cross-sectional data from Indian IT employees working in various IT firms in India. Data were collected at two time points (T1 and T2) separated by one month to counter the priming effect and neutralize any threat of common method bias. The final sample of 270 valid and complete responses was analysed using SmartPLS 3 to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Results showed that abusive supervision is positively related to employee’s knowledge hiding behaviours. Also, both psychological contract violation and supervisor directed aggression partially mediates the abusive supervision-knowledge hiding behaviour linkage.

Originality/value

First, the current study has tested the positive relationship between abusive supervision and knowledge hiding behaviours unlike most of the previous investigations that have focussed on knowledge sharing behaviour (the two are different constructs having different antecedents). Second, the study also empirically investigated the two parallel mediational routes, namely, psychological contract violation and supervisor directed aggression that explains the blame attributed by the beleaguered employee that led to covert retaliatory behaviour, such as knowledge hiding.
From LBDQXII to LBDQ50: preferred leader behavior measurement across cultures
Authors: Warner-Soderholm Gillian , Minelgaite Inga , Littrell Romie Frederick
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to refine and validate the most widely used leader behavior measurement instrument, LBDQXII, into a more parsimonious instrument for assessing cognitive templates of preferred leader behavior across cultures.

Design/methodology/approach

The 100-item LBDQXII survey was administered to 6,451 participants from 14 countries; these data were used to refine the survey.

Findings

The shorter survey instrument is a valid and reliable tool for assessing preferred leader behavior. Four periods in the LBDQXII “evolution” are identified: emergence, expansion, stagnation and revival.

Research limitations/implications

The new LBDQ50 can be used to collect data across cultures, contributing to both global management development and scholarly studies.

Practical implications

This project corresponds to calls to shorten the well-established leader behavior instrument into a measurement tool that is reliable and valid across cultures and languages. This can be administered by both private and public organizations, contributing to greater effectiveness. Furthermore, it retains its scholarly scope encompassing follower-centric studies of leadership.

Social implications

Leadership processes are found in all aspects of life and can be better understood and improved within and across cultures using the shorter version.

Originality/value

An efficient instrument to measure preferred leadership behavior across and within cultures. The availability of the LBDQ50 will allow practitioners and researchers to advance understanding of preferred leadership behavior as a predictor of organizational effectiveness. Most such instruments are overly-long, which hinders data collection opportunities. This newly developed instrument can lead to better response rates and easier applicability in organizational settings.
Local tourist accommodation and institutional strengthening in the interior of the Algarve, Portugal
Authors: Machado Virgílio , Contreiras Joaquim , Duarte Ana Patrícia
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This study aims to understand how legislation and technology can enhance socio-economic development in low-density population territories, focusing specifically on the dynamics of local tourist accommodation over the past decade.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study was conducted for five municipalities in one of the most significant tourism regions of Portugal – the Algarve – based on a systematic investigation of relevant laws, regulations and electronic platforms. Official statistics were compiled and analyzed for the five territories’ registered local accommodation services, population, overnight stays and additional local services.

Findings

The results reveal that public entities’ regulations favor micro-entrepreneurship initiatives in local accommodation and that digital tools supported by online platforms have quite visible effects on low-density territories. The findings also reveal that the local tourist accommodation supply has experienced an especially dynamic, sustained growth over the past decade. This expansion has been accompanied by an increased supply of other services, suggesting that accommodation can positively influence the existing and/or future socio-economic development of low-density territories.

Research limitations/implications

Further studies focusing on other areas with low-density populations are needed to determine more clearly how local accommodation influences socio-economic development.

Practical implications

Public regulations supported by digital platforms that favor micro-entrepreneurship initiatives in local accommodation can strengthen local development.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to analyze how local tourist accommodation can foster socio-economic development in low-density territories.