bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smart farming: towards a sustainable agri-food system
Authors: Musa Siti Fatimahwati Pehin Dato , Basir Khairul Hidayatullah
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The objectives of this paper are firstly to investigate the relationship between smart farming and sustainable development goal (SDG) 2 i.e. zero hunger. Secondly, the paper applies SWOT analysis to better understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of implementing smart farming in Southeast Asia (SEA). Finally, the paper provides research and practical implications for smart farming in SEA.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies SWOT analysis to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of smart farming in SEA in its goal to achieve zero hunger. The SWOT analysis is performed by conducting a comprehensive review of past and relevant literature on smart farming and its relationship with SDG 2. The use of SWOT analysis provides a foundation to identify the desired future position, identifies existing issues and better informs leaders and policymakers on how to resolve the weaknesses and take advantage of the opportunities available.

Findings

Smart farming has shown great promise in increasing food production sustainably whilst maintaining a high standard of food safety and quality. Smart farming offers a path towards achieving SDG 2 by providing innovative ways into a more profitable, resilient and green agri-food system. It is also found that a regional approach towards ensuring food security should be taken in SEA due to the dependency of the states on one another for the supply of food and agricultural products. For smart farming to take off in the region, a stronger government initiative is needed to encourage Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning to equip the local workforce.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the role of smart farming in achieving zero hunger. This may assist policymakers to understand the implications of adopting smart farming in the region when compared to other competing trade locations. In addition, this study uses SWOT analysis to evaluate internal and external factors which may assist in formulating strategies by allowing researchers to gain insights and to think of possible solutions for existing or potential problems.
Robotic process automation for industry: adoption status, benefits, challenges and research agenda
Authors: Pramod Dhanya
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study intends to find the industries that have leveraged Robotic Process Automation (RPA) technology and elucidate the extent of the adoption of RPA in various industry domains with benefits. The identification of tasks eligible for RPA itself is a challenge. Therefore, the study further brings out the challenges faced in various industry verticals and postulates the future direction of research and applications in RPA.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focuses on articles from popular databases such as SCOPUS, Web of Science and Google scholar. PRISMA methodology is used for systematic literature review and 113 papers are shortlisted for study. Three questions are framed to carry out the review and set the research direction.

Findings

It is evident from this study that RPA has been widely used in banking and related areas with moderate use in healthcare and manufacturing leading to operational efficiency and productivity. However, there are a lot more opportunities in other domains that need to be taped by leveraging technology advancements and a research agenda has been devised by postulating future directions.

Originality/value

The study brings out a new comprehensive perspective as regards RPA implementation across domains. There is no promising study found that gathers three-dimensional aspects of the meta-themes applications, benefits and challenges. The study summarizes the research agenda and projects the industry domains that have not yet explored, the benefits of RPA. This will be a good reference article for those who develop RPA techniques and organizations that have plans to go for RPA.
Catastrophe risk, reinsurance and securitized risk-transfer solutions: a review
Authors: Zhao Yang , Lee Jin-Ping , Yu Min-Teh
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Catastrophe (CAT) events associated with natural catastrophes and man-made disasters cause profound impacts on the insurance industry. This research thus reviews the impact of CAT risk on the insurance industry and how traditional reinsurance and securitized risk-transfer instruments are used for managing CAT risk.

Design/methodology/approach

This research reviews the impact of CAT risk on the insurance industry and how traditional reinsurance and securitized risk-transfer instruments are used for managing CAT risk. Apart from many negative influences, CAT events can increase the net revenue of the insurance industry around CAT events and improve insurance demand over the post-CAT periods. The underwriting cycle of reinsurance causes inefficiencies in transferring CAT risks. Securitized risk-transfer instruments resolve some inefficiencies of the reinsurance market, but are subject to moral hazard, basis risk, credit risk, regulatory uncertainty, etc. The authors introduce some popular securitized solutions and use Merton's structural framework to demonstrate how to value these CAT-linked securities. The hybrid solutions by combining reinsurance with securitized CAT instruments are expected to offer promising applications for CAT risk management.

Findings

The authors introduce some popular securitized solutions and use Merton's structural framework to demonstrate how to value these CAT-linked securities. The hybrid solutions by combining reinsurance with securitized CAT instruments are expected to offer promising applications for CAT risk management.

Originality/value

This research reviews a broad array of impacts of CAT risks on the (re)insurance industry. CAT events challenge (re)insurance capacity and influence insurers' supply decisions and reconstruction costs in the aftermath of catastrophes. While losses from natural catastrophes are the primary threat to property–casualty insurers, the mortality risk posed by influenza pandemics is a leading CAT risk for life insurers. At the same time, natural catastrophes and man-made disasters cause distinct impacts on (re)insures. Man-made disasters can increase the correlation between insurance stocks and the overall market, and natural catastrophes reduce the above correlation. It should be noted that huge CAT losses can also improve (re)insurance demand during the postevent period and thus bring long-term effects to the (re)insurance industry.
Analytical methodologies for design of segmented permanent magnet consequent pole flux switching machine: a comparative analysis
Authors: Ullah Wasiq , Khan Faisal , Umair Muhammad , Khan Bakhtiar
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to reviewed analytical methodologies, i.e. lumped parameter magnetic equivalent circuit (LPMEC), magnetic co-energy (MCE), Laplace equations (LE), Maxwell stress tensor (MST) method and sub-domain modelling for design of segmented PM(SPM) consequent pole flux switching machine (SPMCPFSM). Electric machines, especially flux switching machines (FSMs), are accurately modeled using numerical-based finite element analysis (FEA) tools; however, despite of expensive hardware setup, repeated iterative process, complex stator design and permanent magnet (PM) non-linear behavior increases computational time and complexity.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews various alternate analytical methodologies for electromagnetic performance calculation. In above-mentioned analytical methodologies, no-load phase flux linkage is performed using LPMEC, magnetic co-energy for cogging torque, LE for magnetic flux density (MFD) components, i.e. radial and tangential and MST for instantaneous torque. Sub-domain model solves electromagnetic performance, i.e. MFD and torque behaviour.

Findings

The reviewed analytical methodologies are validated with globally accepted FEA using JMAG Commercial FEA Package v. 18.1 which shows good agreement with accuracy. In comparison of analytical methodologies, analysis reveals that sub-domain model not only get rid of multiples techniques for validation purpose but also provide better results by accounting influence of all machine parts which helps to reduce computational complexity, computational time and drive storage with overall accuracy of ∼99%. Furthermore, authors are confident to recommend sub-domain model for initial design stage of SPMCPFSM when higher accuracy and low computational cost are primal requirements.

Practical implications

The model is developed for high-speed brushless AC applications.

Originality/value

The SPMCPFSM enhances electromagnetic performance owing to segmented PMs configuration which makes it different than conventional designs. Moreover, developed analytical methodologies for SPMCPFSM reduce computational time compared with that of FEA.
Neuroscience approach for management and entrepreneurship: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Cucino Valentina , Passarelli Mariacarmela , Di Minin Alberto , Cariola Alfio
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study focuses on the role of individuals in the innovation management process, by concentrating on leaders and associated behaviors. Specifically, Entrepreneurial Leadership (EL) represent one of the most important fields of innovation management that has become increasingly multifaceted and interdisciplinary with its evolution. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine a newly emerging research trend with a new lens that is “neuroscience”.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper finds an evidence-based roadmap by reviewing the literature with a quantitative Bibliometric Analysis (BA) employing Co-Citation (Co-C) and bibliographic coupling analysis (BcA) to find linkages between the leadership and entrepreneurship literature and the neuroscience literature.

Findings

This study identifies five promising groups of research areas such as the organizational approach, the biological approach, the cognitive approach, the emotional approach and it identify five future research topics such as dynamic skills in innovation exploitation process, the human aspect of leadership, the building process of leadership, the biological perspective of leadership and the application of neuroscience in the ecosystem. Moreover, we find an evidence-based roadmap for stimulating focused EL within the broad topic of innovation management research, to move the field forward.

Originality/value

Although the past few years have observed the necessity of review studies on the subsets of biological factors, no reviews have sought to bring those different subsets together into a broader biological perspective. This study provides important indications on the interdisciplinary developments between the neuroscience aspects and EL, as a new emerging paradigm within the broad field of innovation management.
Impulsivity and entrepreneurial perseverance: toward an empirical account and entrepreneurship-prone profile
Authors: Pietersen Michael L. , Botha Melodi
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Although emerging research has linked impulsivity with the decision to start a business, scholars have yet to draw implications for later-stage entrepreneurial outcomes. Furthermore, the authors have still to derive a parsimonious profile of the multidimensional impulsivity construct which can be positively linked to the entrepreneurial context. This paper proposes and tests a model to explain how impulsivity may relate to entrepreneurial perseverance—a construct typically regarded as a pivotal later-stage entrepreneurial outcome.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 807 owner-managers using an online survey and augmented with the novel use of longitudinal data from the central registrar of companies in South Africa. Covariance-based structural equation modeling and a D2 indexing approach for forming an entrepreneurship-prone impulsivity profile were employed.

Findings

Results show that multidimensional impulsivity is significantly, but differentially, related to entrepreneurial perseverance; the perceived desirability of entrepreneurship mediates this effect for two of the four impulsivity dimensions. In particular, the authors find evidence that insufficiency of deliberation enhances, while urgency hinders, perseverance—reflected behaviorally through the filing of annual returns over a three-year period. Furthermore, the authors derive a new entrepreneurship-prone impulsivity profile which begins to suggest an intraindividual profile of impulsivity traits which may be beneficial to the entrepreneurial context.

Originality/value

By demonstrating how impulsivity impacts entrepreneurial perseverance over time, this paper advances emerging research on the relationship between impulsivity and entrepreneurship, while contributing to explaining why the perseverance decision is not simply a matter of venture pecuniary benefits and feasibility.
Quality education: industry contributions to embed sustainability in a meeting and event management curriculum
Authors: Venske Esti
Published: August 2021

Purpose

With the global adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), it has become increasingly important for educators to develop a responsive curriculum where future event practitioners understand, value and implement sustainability as a core component of meeting and event management. The purpose of this paper is to explore the viewpoints of industry to embed sustainability as part of developing a Meeting and Event Management curriculum that is responsive to industry needs, and in so doing, contribute to quality education (SDG4).

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative data were generated from 10 key informant interviews amongst top-level meeting and event professionals. Open questions elucidated industry viewpoints to develop content for a Meeting and Event Management curriculum at Advanced Diploma level in South Africa. Content analysis and data interpretation revealed key topics that guided the embedment of SDGs in the curriculum as knowledge, skills, values and attitudes.

Findings

Curriculum content was linked to six specific, corresponding SDGs, namely: good health and well-being; quality education; decent work and economic growth; industry, innovation and infrastructure; climate action and partnerships for the goals.

Originality/value

The paper contributes valuable industry insights into academic educators concerned with responsive curriculum development in the field of meeting and event management by outlining how SDGs can be integrated as competencies and learning outcomes in a tertiary qualification.
Standing on the shoulders of giantesses: how women technology founders use single and mixed gender networks for success and change
Authors: Woodwark Meredith , Wood Alison , Schnarr Karin
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Building on research about entrepreneurship and social capital, the purpose of this paper is to explore how women founders of technology-based ventures in Canada access and use formal external entrepreneurial networks to build their companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on 25 semi-structured interviews with women founders of technology firms and leaders of formal networks.

Findings

The authors demonstrate the positive impact of women only networks (WON) for founders including increasing entrepreneurial diversity, access to financing, and founder credibility and sponsorship. The authors show how women founders use mixed gender and WON to build their businesses and conclude that membership in WON can be a vital step.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size is small and most participants reside in highly urban areas, which may limit generalizability. Findings may not generalize beyond Canada due to cultural and structural differences.

Practical implications

The research suggests that external WON should be encouraged as important resources for founder identity work which may enable positive change.

Social implications

This research can assist in designing initiatives that support women entrepreneurs and promote gender parity.

Originality/value

The authors draw on research in women's leadership development to explain how WONs for entrepreneurs help founders create overlapping strategic networks – a unique form of social capital – and serve as identity workspaces for the identity work women founders must complete. The authors argue that the identity work in WONs can be a mechanism by which gender structures are challenged and eventually changed.
HIOC: a hybrid imputation method to predict missing values in medical datasets
Authors: Rani Pooja , Kumar Rajneesh , Jain Anurag
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Decision support systems developed using machine learning classifiers have become a valuable tool in predicting various diseases. However, the performance of these systems is adversely affected by the missing values in medical datasets. Imputation methods are used to predict these missing values. In this paper, a new imputation method called hybrid imputation optimized by the classifier (HIOC) is proposed to predict missing values efficiently.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed HIOC is developed by using a classifier to combine multivariate imputation by chained equations (MICE), K nearest neighbor (KNN), mean and mode imputation methods in an optimum way. Performance of HIOC has been compared to MICE, KNN, and mean and mode methods. Four classifiers support vector machine (SVM), naive Bayes (NB), random forest (RF) and decision tree (DT) have been used to evaluate the performance of imputation methods.

Findings

The results show that HIOC performed efficiently even with a high rate of missing values. It had reduced root mean square error (RMSE) up to 17.32% in the heart disease dataset and 34.73% in the breast cancer dataset. Correct prediction of missing values improved the accuracy of the classifiers in predicting diseases. It increased classification accuracy up to 18.61% in the heart disease dataset and 6.20% in the breast cancer dataset.

Originality/value

The proposed HIOC is a new hybrid imputation method that can efficiently predict missing values in any medical dataset.
University leadership in climate mitigation: reducing emissions from waste through carbon pricing
Authors: Lee Suyeon , Lee Seyeon
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate potential impact of internal carbon pricing in emission reduction in Higher education institutions (HEIs). Over the past century, human activities have increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the atmosphere. If GHG emissions continue their upward trend, this will disturb the natural balance and trigger abrupt changes in all components of the climate system. Limiting climate change would require a substantial and sustained reduction in GHG emissions from all sectors. HEIs, as major emitters, indeed need to respond to the demand to become more sustainable by making practical changes to the way their institution is run.

Design/methodology/approach

Using emission data associated with campus waste, this study describes how HEIs can take the lead on emission reduction through the implementation of carbon pricing.

Findings

Specifically, this study estimates the cost of emissions from campus waste to illustrate the primary benefits of internal carbon pricing for scaling up campus carbon neutrality initiatives and describes practical implications for enhancing sustainable waste management in a university setting. This study will contribute to identifying the potential for emissions reduction through waste management using a carbon pricing mechanism in university settings.

Originality/value

While carbon pricing has long been regarded as an alternative approach to tackling carbon pollution, it has not been thoroughly explored with regard to waste management.
Integrated reporting and cost of capital in sub-Saharan African countries
Authors: Maama Haruna , Marimuthu Ferina
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Given the significant role of both integrated reporting and cost of capital in the survival and prosperity of a firm, it is essential to understand their relationship by investigating whether integrated reporting influences the cost of capital of a firm. This research paper aims to examine the impact of integrated reporting practice on the cost of capital of listed firms in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Design/methodology/approach

The study covered a period of 10 years from 2009 to 2018. One hundred and forty-seven listed firms in 10 SSA countries were used for the study. The study employed panel data analysis and utilised a dynamic estimation technique called the generalised method of moments.

Findings

The evidence shows that integrated reporting has a negative relationship with cost of capital, indicating integrated reporting can reduce firms' cost of capital. The results further showed that social, governance and environmental disclosures all have negative relationships with cost of capital, suggesting that firms that make these disclosures would have a lower cost of capital. These results are consistent with signalling theory, which holds that firms send a positive signal to the market about their performance and prospects when they provide information relating to value creation, predominantly environmental, social and governance issues.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation of the study is the selection of only English-speaking countries. French-speaking countries may have a different reporting practice, hence a different effect on the cost of capital.

Practical implications

This study contributes to policy development on integrated reporting in SSA and informs key stakeholders involved in promoting and supporting the adoption of integrated reporting in Africa.

Originality/value

The findings from this paper consolidate existing research in integrated reporting and cost of capital by providing empirical evidence on the relationship between integrated reporting, its components and the cost of capital from emerging economies. This study contributes to the understanding of investors' reactions to integrated reporting. Further, it fills a gap in the non-availability of literature on the relative impact of the various components of integrated reporting.
Do corporate social responsibility and bank performance matter for financial inclusion in Vietnam?
Authors: Vo Duc Hong , Tran Ngoc Phu , Hoang Hien Thi-Thu , Van Loan Thi-Hong
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to provide empirical evidence and policy implications on the link between corporate social responsibility, financial inclusion and financial performance of the banking sector in an emerging market.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses data collected from the annual reports of 13 listed banks in Vietnam from 2011 to 2019. CSR is proxied by the ratio between charitable contributions and bank profits. Besides, this study uses the number of branches and the number of agents as the proxies for a level of financial inclusion. The generalized method of moments and various tests are used to ensure the robustness of the findings.

Findings

Findings in this study indicate that CSR activities do matter, and they contribute positively to financial inclusion. In addition, the bank’s size is also associated with an increased level of financial inclusion.

Practical implications

Findings from this study provide important implications for bank executives and policymakers in Vietnam in managing and extending CSR activities with the view of supporting and enhancing financial inclusion.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first empirical study in the context of the banking sector in Vietnam in which the impact of CSR activities and financial performance of the banking sector on financial inclusion at the bank level is examined.
Spillovers and bivariate portfolios of gold-backed cryptocurrencies and gold during the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Nugroho Bayu Adi
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the time-varying connectedness of gold-backed cryptocurrencies and gold. This study determines the volatility spillovers in these two asset classes and the performance of bivariate portfolios based on net pairwise spillovers.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses two Islamic and four conventional gold-backed cryptocurrencies and gold as variables. GJR-GARCH method under corrected DCC (cDCC) of Aielli (2013) evaluates the dynamic connectedness. Additionally, the spillovers are created using the dynamic connectedness of Diebold and Yilmaz (2012). A network-based spillover of Diebold and Yılmaz, (2014) is also made. A dynamic optimal weights strategy optimized with DCC-t-Copula determines bivariate portfolios’ performances. In general, there are 21 bivariate portfolios.

Findings

The outbreak of COVID-19 increases the dynamic connectedness of gold and gold-backed cryptocurrencies, which indicates a contagion effect. The results show that gold is the net volatility receiver during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, a portfolio composed of gold and gold-backed cryptocurrency provides high profitability performance but zero hedge effectiveness under optimal weights strategy.

Practical implications

According to bivariate portfolios based on net pairwise spillovers, gold-backed cryptocurrencies' investors should not add gold to their portfolio during the pandemic because it is a net receiver of risk from the cryptocurrencies.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first paper to create bivariate portfolios composed of gold-backed cryptocurrencies and their underlying asset using DCC-t-Copula.
Fair value accounting practices in the banking industry: a possible opportunity to launder money through manipulated performance
Authors: Perera K.L. Wasantha , Ajward Roshan , Jayasekara Sisira Dharmasri
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the possible money laundering threats in fair value accounting practices giving particular attention to the list of predicate offences under recommendations of Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses case studies related to global accounting scandals and link outcomes of those scandals with the list of predicate offences given in FATF recommendations to build propositions.

Findings

The analysis reveals that legal proceedings on major accounting scandals show that legal proceedings have been restricted owing to a lack of evidence because of the technicality of frauds. Often the authorities have failed to prove cases under the list of current predicate offences which can be linked to accounting malpractices, i.e. fraud. Therefore, policymakers are required to revisit the list of predicate offences and the feasibility of considering accounting malpractices as a predicate offence to strengthen the corporate governance practices in regulated institutions. The adoption of fair value accounting practices provides opportunities to managers to adopt earnings management practices under a fair value accounting regime to maintain stable performance. The fair value practice recognizes unrealized gains which are not based on transactions giving bank managers an opportunity to repeat the outcomes of the discussed accounting scandals. Therefore, it is essential to criminalize accounting malpractices to strengthen the corporate governance practices in the banking industry and prevent possible accounting scandals.

Research limitations/implications

This study was designed to discuss the implications of fair value accounting practices on possible opportunities of money laundering. This paper provides only a viewpoint based on the analysis. Therefore, an empirical analysis is required to establish the authors’ views in a fair value accounting regime.

Originality/value

This paper is an original work done by the authors which discuss the implications of fair value accounting practices on possible money laundering. The views are original ideas of the authors in this context.
Implementing Hoshin Kanri in small manufacturing companies
Authors: Löfving Malin , Melander Anders , Elgh Fredrik , Andersson David
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to develop knowledge on the implementation of Hoshin Kanri (HK) in small manufacturing companies. Two research questions are addressed: (1) what factors influence the implementation of HK in small manufacturing companies? (2) How do the factors influence the implementation of HK in small manufacturing companies?

Design/methodology/approach

The research presented in this paper is based on an extensive literature review and data from the implementation process in five small manufacturing companies. In the literature review, factors influencing the implementation of HK, lean production and total quality management (TQM) in small manufacturing firms are identified. Thereafter, five implementation cases are analyzed. Findings from the cases are then contrasted with the factors identified in the literature and further theorized.

Findings

Seven factors were found to either enable or hamper HK implementation in small manufacturing companies. Management involvement was identified as a critical factor. Management involvement can be typologized as collaborative or demanding, and the types of involvement is decisive in implementation processes within the small manufacturing company context.

Originality/value

In this paper, the authors focus on small manufacturing companies as the starting point and relate theoretical and practical results to the implementation processes in this defined target group. Conceptualizing implementation as a learning process, this research contributes to this emerging perspective on small firm development.
Dealing with resistance to the use of Industry 4.0 technologies in production disturbance management
Authors: Ito Adriana , Ylipää Torbjörn , Gullander Per , Bokrantz Jon , Centerholt Victor , Skoogh Anders
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Resistance is expected to emerge with the implementation and use of new technologies in production systems. This work focuses on identifying sources of resistance to the use of Industry 4.0 technologies when managing production disturbances and suitable managerial approaches to deal with them.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was chosen in this research. The authors conducted a literature review and a series of interviews. Thirty-one papers from the literature review were analysed, and 16 people from five different companies were interviewed.

Findings

The authors identified five different sources of resistance and three managerial approaches to dealing with them. The sources of resistance were based on (1) feelings of over-supervision, (2) unclear values, (3) feelings of inadequacy, (4) concerns about loss of power and jobs and (5) work overload. The three approaches to dealing with resistance are (1) communication, (2) participation and (3) training.

Originality/value

This work identifies the sources and strategies to deal with resistance to the use of Industry 4.0 technologies in the management of production disturbances. The managerial literature in this area is limited, and to the authors's knowledge, the specific sources for resistance and strategies to deal with that in this topic have not been systematically investigated before.
Fire resistance of composite slabs with steel deck under natural fire
Authors: Piloto Paulo A.G. , Balsa Carlos , Macêdo Gomes Felipe Macedo , Matias Bergson
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Most of the numerical research and experiments on composite slabs with a steel deck have been developed to study the effect of fire during the heating phase. This manuscript aims to describe the thermal behaviour of composite slabs when submitted to different fire scenarios, considering the heating and cooling phase.

Design/methodology/approach

Three-dimensional numerical models, based on finite elements, are developed to analyse the temperatures inside the composite slab and, consequently, to estimate the fire resistance, considering the insulation criteria (I). The numerical methods developed are validated with experimental results available in the literature. In addition, this paper presents a parametric study of the effects on fire resistance caused by the thickness of the concrete part of the slab as well as the natural fire scenario.

Findings

The results show that, depending on the fire scenario, the fire resistance criterion can be reached during the cooling phase, especially for the thickest composite slabs. Based on the results, new coefficients are proposed for the original simplified model, proposed by the standard.

Originality/value

The developed numerical models allow us to realistically simulate the thermal effects caused by a natural fire in a composite slab and the new proposal enables us to estimate the fire resistance time of composite slabs with a steel deck, even if it occurs in the cooling phase.
Impacts of Binge-Watching on Netflix during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Rahman Kazi Turin , Arif Md. Zahir Uddin
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to dive into various binge-watching habits of Netflix users amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumers find themselves amidst the COVID-19 lockdown with more free time to indulge in these viewing habits. This study investigates motivational factors, amount of media consumption and negative attributes associated with binge-watching on Netflix during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has employed an exploratory research design and obtained primary data via an online survey using a semistructured questionnaire. Convenience sampling has been used to choose a sample (n = 105) of Netflix binge-watchers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both sample selection and survey administration have been done through social media messaging services owing to the COVID-19 lockdown measures.

Findings

The results indicate that most of the respondents use smartphones for binge-watching on Netflix. Moreover, they have expressed that a wide range of shows available on Netflix incline them to engage in marathon viewing. However, the respondents spend just over 70 h per month binge-watching on Netflix. Finally, the majority of respondents have flagged “one more episode” syndrome as the most challenging aspect of being marathon viewers on Netflix during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Originality/value

This is one of the few papers to exclusively focus on the impacts of binge-watching on Netflix during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings will originate the value with novelty and important implications to the Netflix consumers, telecom service providers and payment gateways.
The role of institutions in private investment: panel data evidence
Authors: Chen Fanyu , Law Siong Hook , Wong Zi Wen Vivien , Azman-Saini W.N.W
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effects of institutions on private investment (PI) using panel data analysis, where the sample countries consist of 100 countries around the world and the time period is covering from 2007 to 2016. The system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator, introduced by Arellano and Bond (1991) and further developed by Blundell and Bond (1998) is used to analyze the data sets.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the panel data approach to estimate the empirical model due to the panel nature of the data. In particular, due to the presence of lagged dependent variables and the ability to capture individual country-specific effects, the system GMM estimator, introduced by Arellano and Bond (1991) and further developed by Blundell and Bond (1998), is adopted to analyze the roles of institutions in PI. The system GMM is developed specifically to solve the problems of weak instruments and persistency (Blundell and Bond, 1998). Jointly, they suggest to adopt additional moment conditions where lagged difference of the dependent variable is orthogonal to the level form of the disturbances. The system GMM estimator is able to combine the moment conditions for the different models, as well as the level model, thereby (is capable of) generate consistent and efficient parameters. Due to the dynamic nature of the data, this study uses one-step and two-step system GMM to investigate the roles of institutions in PI.

Findings

The empirical results based on the two-step system GMM demonstrate that the quality of institutions plays an important role in stimulating PI. The finding is reinforced by the analysis of the institutional sub-components’ effects on PI.

Originality/value

This study is unique as its measurement of institutions is multi-dimensional (including law and order, rules and regulation, government stability, bureaucratic quality, control of corruption, socio-economic condition, etc.), and hence are more comprehensive. Second, it is different than the previous studies as its sample of countries includes both democracies and non-democracies, as well as both developed and non-developed economies in which policy implications are widely acceptable. Third, this study contributes to the policymakers especially those in the debt-ridden economies where governments are budget-tightening (limited capacity for public investment), as to which practical direction should be focused on so as to attract PI and eventually sustainable growth can take place.
Phytoplankton species abundance in Tokyo Bay (Japan) from 1998 to 2019
Authors: Nakada Takashi , Katano Toshiya , Hashimoto Keigo , Kagami Maiko
Published: August 2021

Tokyo Bay is a semienclosed coastal system located in the center of Japan. Eutrophication has progressed since 1950, resulting in red tides and blue tides appearing frequently. This Data Paper reports the abundance of phytoplankton species sampled monthly from April 1998 to March 2019 at 17 stations in Tokyo Bay. Monitoring has been carried out by Chiba Prefectural Government. Phytoplankters were enumerated by microscopy as numbers of cells or colonies. The abundance of each species was expressed as cells per milliliter of seawater. The total cell density ranged from 102 to 106 cells·ml−1. The dominant taxa were diatoms, such as Chaetoceros spp., Skeletonema spp., and Thalassiosira spp. in most of the months. The dominant diatom species reached concentrations of 106 cells·ml−1. Microflagellates or Cryptomonadaceae were also abundant, especially in winter, reaching 106 cells·ml−1. These data can be used to appreciate how anthropogenic disturbances such as eutrophication and global warming affect the density and community composition of phytoplankton. The detailed Metadata for this abstract published in the Data Paper section of the journal is available in MetaCat in JaLTER at http://db.cger.nies.go.jp/JaLTER/metacat/metacat/ERDP-2021-03.1/jalter-en.
Effect of fortification of set‐type yoghurt with different plant extracts on its physicochemical, rheological, textural and sensory properties during storage
Authors: Bulut Menekşe , Tunçtürk Yusuf , Alwazeer Duried
Published: August 2021

The effects of yoghurt fortification with rhubarb (RE), grape seed (GSE), thyme (TE), green tea (GTE) and mint (ME) extracts on the physicochemical, rheological, textural and sensory properties during cold storage were investigated. The syneresis value of the extract‐fortified yoghurts was higher and the colour was lighter in comparison with control sample. The values of texture parameters such as firmness and consistency in RE and TE samples were higher than of CS, and all extract‐fortified samples, except GSE, showed higher cohesiveness and viscosity. The ME‐fortified yoghurt was found tastiest with the highest overall appreciable score. These food‐agriculture wastes could be valorised for improving the nutritional and textural properties of yoghurt.
Development and validation of a patient experience of care survey for emergency departments
Authors: Ye Feifei , Parast Layla , Hays Ron D. , Elliott Marc N. , Becker Kirsten , Lehrman William G. , Stark Debra , Martino Steven
Published: August 2021

Objectives

To (1) develop a survey to assess the patient experience of care in hospital‐based emergency departments (ED) and (2) evaluate the reliability and validity of composite measures of patient experience using data collected through the experimental implementation of the newly developed Emergency Department Patient Experience of Care (EDPEC) Discharged to Community (DTC) Survey.

Data Source

4893 adult patients were treated in the ED of 16 hospitals across the United States in 2018.

Study Design

The study utilized a cross‐sectional survey.

Data Collection

Survey development activities included a literature review, focus groups, and cognitive interviews with recently discharged ED patients, technical expert panels, and multiple field experiments. Survey development resulted in a 34‐item instrument; the analysis reported here focuses on 18 items on patient experience of care. Using data from the EDPEC DTC Survey in the 2018 Feasibility Test, we performed confirmatory factor analysis to group 15 evaluative survey items into composite measures. We examined internal consistency reliability, interunit reliability, and associations between each composite measure and patients' overall rating and willingness to recommend the ED.

Principal Findings

Analyses of 15 evaluative items identified four composite measures: Getting Timely Care, How Well Doctors and Nurses Communicate, Communication about Medications, and Communication about Follow‐up. Patient‐level internal consistency reliability exceeded 0.75 for two of four composites; ED‐level internal consistency reliability exceeded 0.83 for all four composites. Interunit reliability estimates indicated that 450 survey completes per ED results in at least 0.70 reliability for all composites. Higher scores on each composite were associated with higher overall ratings and willingness to recommend the ED.

Conclusions

The composite measures derived from the EDPEC DTC Survey are statistically reliable and valid. These results provide guidance for EDPEC DTC Survey adopters on how to construct meaningful and psychometrically‐sound composite measures for monitoring the quality of care they provide.
The Emerging Drugs Network of Australia: A toxicosurveillance system of illicit and emerging drugs in the emergency department
Authors: Smith Jennifer L , Soderstrom Jessamine , Dawson Andrew , Alfred Sam , Greene Shaun , Isoardi Katherine , McCutcheon David , Oosthuizen Francois , Ezard Nadine , Burcham Jonathon , Fatovich Daniel M ,   the EDNA Investigators
Published: August 2021

Objective

The unprecedented rise in synthetic drugs, many containing unknown toxic agents, has made timely analytical diagnosis more difficult, and has reduced the confidence of clinicians providing ED management to this population of patients. This has also impacted the quality of evidence informing harm reduction responses. The Emerging Drugs Network of Australia (EDNA) brings together emergency physicians, toxicologists and forensic laboratories to establish a standardised ED toxicosurveillance system in Australia.

Methods

Blood analysis of intoxicated patients will be conducted by forensic laboratories to enable precise identification of the substances causing acute toxicity. This will be linked with clinical data collected at the time of ED presentation to enable analysis of the clinical effects and outcomes associated with different illicit and emerging drugs. Toxicological and clinical data collected across sentinel sites will align with a nationally endorsed minimum dataset.

Results

EDNA's collaborative network will establish a national system of surveillance and reporting of illicit and emerging drugs causing acute toxicity. Standardisation of data collection recorded in a national clinical registry will provide more robust data on epidemiology and associated harms. This will facilitate the translation of clinical and toxicological evidence into timely, appropriate harm reduction and policy.

Conclusion

Our work represents a collaborative response to calls for more sophisticated data on emerging drug trends in Australia. EDNA will improve coordination between clinicians and analytical services by way of its standardised approach to surveillance and reporting.
Time to amiodarone administration and survival outcomes in refractory ventricular fibrillation
Authors: Wissa Jessica , Schultz Brendan V , Wilson Daniel , Rashford Stephen , Bosley Emma , Doan Tan N
Published: August 2021

Objective

International guidelines recommend amiodarone for out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in refractory ventricular fibrillation (VF). While early appropriate interventions have been shown to improve OHCA survival, the association between time to amiodarone and survival remains to be established.

Methods

Included were adult OHCA in refractory VF, between January 2015 and December 2019, who received a resuscitation attempt with amiodarone from Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics. Patient characteristics and survival outcomes were described. Factors associated with survival were investigated, with a focus on time from arrest to amiodarone administration. Optimal time window for amiodarone administration was determined, and factors influencing whether amiodarone was given within the optimal time window were examined.

Results

A total of 502 patients were included. The average (range) time from arrest to amiodarone was 25 (4–83) min. Time to amiodarone was negatively associated with survival (adjusted odds ratio 0.93 for event survival; 95% confidence interval 0.89–0.97). The optimal time window for amiodarone was within 23 min following arrest. Patients receiving amiodarone within the optimal time had significantly better survival than those receiving it outside this window (event survival 38.3% vs 20.6%, P < 0.001; discharge survival 25.5% vs 9.7%, P < 0.001; 30‐day survival 25.1% vs 9.7%, P < 0.001). Paramedic response time (adjusted odds ratio 0.96; 95% confidence interval 0.92–0.99) and time from arrest to intravenous access (0.71; 0.67–0.76) were independent factors determining whether patients received amiodarone within the optimal time.

Conclusions

Earlier amiodarone administration was associated with improved survival. Strategies aimed at reducing delay to amiodarone administration have the potential to improve outcome.
A relative‐motion method for parsing spatiotemporal behaviour of dyads using GPS relocation data
Authors: Luisa Vissat Ludovica , Blackburn Jason K. , Getz Wayne M.
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we introduce a novel method for classifying and computing the frequencies of movement modes of intraspecific and interspecific dyads, focusing in particular on distance‐mediated approach, retreat, following and side‐by‐side movement modes.

Besides distance, other factors such as time of day, season, sex or age can be included in the analysis to assess whether they cause frequencies of movement modes to deviate from random. By subdividing the data according to selected factors, our method allows us to identify those responsible for (or correlated with) significant differences in the behaviour of dyadic pairs.

We demonstrate and validate our method using both simulated and empirical data. Our simulated data were obtained from a relative‐motion, biased random‐walk (RM‐BRW) model with attraction and repulsion components. Our empirical data were GPS relocation data collected from African elephants in Etosha National Park, Namibia. The simulated data were primarily used to validate our method while the empirical data were used to illustrate the types of behavioural assessment that our methodology reveals.

Our method facilitates automated, observer‐bias‐free analysis of the locomotive interactions of dyads using GPS relocation data, which are becoming increasingly ubiquitous as telemetry and related technologies improve. It should open up a whole new vista of behavioural‐interaction type analyses to movement and behavioural ecologists.