bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public–private partnerships: implications from policy changes for practice in managing risks
Authors: Wu Jin , Liu Henry J. , Sing Michael C.P. , Humphrey Richard , Zhao Jianfeng
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates the policy changes made towards infrastructure public–private partnerships (PPPs). The purpose of this study is to empirically identify the policy risks associated with the development of PPPs and to assess their impacts on the projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of the policy changes that have been implemented for PPPs in China over the past seven years has been undertaken and is presented in this study. The causal loop diagrams are applied to assess and illustrate the potential impacts of the risks as a result of such changes on PPPs.

Findings

A sequence of the policy risks, which relate to PPP risk allocation, contract management and implementation, payment and abatement mechanisms and financing, has been identified. It is also found that the identified risks will generate significant but negative impacts on PPPs, leading to an ineffective project delivery, low revenue, poor service quality and even contract breach.

Practical implications

This research provides the private-sector entities that will embark on PPPs with an insight into managing and controlling policy risks over the project's lifecycle.

Originality/value

PPPs have been critical for infrastructure development worldwide. Nevertheless, they have been a controversy, as many of them were subjected to poor outputs. Consequently, a variety of political mechanisms has been implemented to enhance the governance for PPPs. Policy can bring not only benefits but also risks and, however, policy risks of PPPs with a particular assessment for their potential impacts have received limited attention. Therefore, the study presented in this paper will contribute to the identification and assessment of policy risks within the context of PPPs.
Privacy, security, legal and technology acceptance elicited and consolidated requirements for a GDPR compliance platform
Authors: Tsohou Aggeliki , Magkos Emmanouil , Mouratidis Haralambos , Chrysoloras George , Piras Luca , Pavlidis Michalis , Debussche Julien , Rotoloni Marco , Gallego-Nicasio Crespo Beatriz
Published: May 2020

Purpose

General data protection regulation (GDPR) entered into force in May 2018 for enhancing personal data protection. Even though GDPR leads toward many advantages for the data subjects it turned out to be a significant challenge. Organizations need to implement long and complex changes to become GDPR compliant. Data subjects are empowered with new rights, which, however, they need to become aware of. GDPR compliance is a challenging matter for the relevant stakeholders calls for a software platform that can support their needs. The aim of data governance for supporting GDPR (DEFeND) EU project is to deliver such a platform. The purpose of this paper is to describe the process, within the DEFeND EU project, for eliciting and analyzing requirements for such a complex platform.

Design/methodology/approach

The platform needs to satisfy legal and privacy requirements and provide functionalities that data controllers request for supporting GDPR compliance. Further, it needs to satisfy acceptance requirements, for assuring that its users will embrace and use the platform. In this paper, the authors describe the methodology for eliciting and analyzing requirements for such a complex platform, by analyzing data attained by stakeholders from different sectors.

Findings

The findings provide the process for the DEFeND platform requirements’ elicitation and an indicative sample of those. The authors also describe the implementation of a secondary process for consolidating the elicited requirements into a consistent set of platform requirements.

Practical implications

The proposed software engineering methodology and data collection tools (i.e. questionnaires) are expected to have a significant impact for software engineers in academia and industry.

Social implications

It is reported repeatedly that data controllers face difficulties in complying with the GDPR. The study aims to offer mechanisms and tools that can assist organizations to comply with the GDPR, thus, offering a significant boost toward the European personal data protection objectives.

Originality/value

This is the first paper, according to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to provide software requirements for a GDPR compliance platform, including multiple perspectives.
Farmer’s adoption tendency towards drought shock, risk-taking networks and modern irrigation technology: evidence from Zhangye, Gansu, PRC
Authors: Tan Yongfeng , Qian Lu , Sarkar Apurbo , Nurgazina Zhanar , Ali Uzair
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure Farmer’s adoption tendency towards drought shock, risk-taking networks and modern irrigation technology.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on this assumption, this paper evaluated the data gathered from 498 household surveys of Zhangye, Gansu province, PRC, by using the binary probit model. First, the empirical data was analyzed for evaluating the impact of drought shock and risk-taking tendencies on the adoption of modern irrigation technology by farmers. Second, the authors introduced informal risk-bearing networks with formal risks. Final, based on the empirical results, the sustainability test, along with the marginal effect analysis and the degree of impact was carried out.

Findings

The results show that the drought shock has a significantly deferent effect on the modern irrigation technology of the farmers. The probability of using technology for each level of drought loss is reduced by 15.02%. The risk-taking network has a significant role in promoting the modern irrigation technology of farmers. The probability of adoption for each additional unit of rural household labor security supply, the likelihood of adoption by farmers increased 23.11%, the probability of approval for each level of relative support, and neighborhood assistance by farmers increased by 13.11% and 17.88% respectively. This study further revealed that insurance purchases enabled farmers to adopt new irrigation technology with the probability increased by 24.99%; easily available bank loans increased the probability of farmers using irrigation technology by 31.89%. From the perspective of interactions between farmers, the risk-taking network can alleviate the inhibitory effect of drought impact towards the adoption of irrigation technology. Among the control variables, the number of years of education, the age of farming, the degree of arable land, the distance from home to the market, and the price of water all has significant effects on the adoption of modern irrigation technology by farmers.

Originality/value

The novelty of the study is that it illustrated the interactive influence of drought shock and risk-taking networks on the farmer’s adoption tendencies of modern irrigation technologies, the inner relationship among drought impact, the risk-taking network and the farmer’s adoption behavior and provide an interactive relationship between the formal risk-taking network and the non-risk-taking network in farmer’s technology adoption.
Examining the relationships between face concerns and dissent
Authors: Croucher Stephen M. , Kelly Stephanie , Chen Hui , Ashwell Doug
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between face concerns, articulated (upward) dissent and organizational assimilation. In this study, articulated dissent was conceptualized as a type of dissent.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was distributed to 370 working adults in the USA via Qualtrics. The questionnaire measured five face concerns, namely, self, other and mutual-face, articulated dissent and organizational assimilation. Before hypothesis testing, each measure was subjected to a confirmatory factor analysis to ensure that the hypothesized factor structure held. Pearson correlation and ordinary least squares estimation were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Conceptualizing dissent as a type of conflict, the findings of the current study are as follows: self-face and assimilation are positively correlated, other-face and assimilation are positively correlated, mutual-face and assimilation are positively correlated, assimilation and articulated dissent are positively correlated and organizational assimilation mediated the relationship between mutual-face and articulated dissent.

Research limitations/implications

Theoretically, the self-presentation process (face) is more critical as a person becomes part of an organization; it is through assimilating into an organization that members become familiar with the norms of an organization and more comfortable dissenting to their superiors (articulated dissent); and the more the authors integrate with the work colleagues the more the authors engage in mutual face-saving.

Practical implications

The results of this study demonstrate that self-presentation is critical as a person becomes part of an organization, particularly when it comes to managing conflict.

Originality/value

This is the first study to link facework with organizational dissent. The results add to the understanding of how face affects whether we choose to express this kind of conflict behavior.
Extraction of natural colorants fromAraucaria columnaris,Macaranga peltataandAverrhoa bilimbifor textile coloration
Authors: Manicketh Tintu Jose , Francis Mannancheril Sebastian
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the feasibility of developing natural dyes from the barks ofAraucaria columnarisand leaves ofMacaranga peltata,Averrhoa bilimbi. The paper also deals with the application of natural dyes in textile coloration.

Design/methodology/approach

Dye extraction was carried out using the aqueous method. The dyeability of the aqueous extract was assessed on cotton, silk and polyester yarns using different mordants (alum, acetic acid, CuSO4, lemon juice) and without mordant. UV–Visible spectral analysis and pH of different natural dyes were determined. Percent absorption, K/S values, CIELab values and fastness properties of the selected dyed yarns were also assessed.

Findings

The percentage values for dye exhaustion differed with various mordants. The K/S values were found to be influenced by the addition of mordants. Different hues were obtained with the usage of different mordants. Fastness results exhibited good to very good grades.

Research limitations/implications

The effective application of aqueous method of dye extraction in the study avoids solvent toxicity. The current results proved that the dyeing could be achieved at room temperature for different yarns (cotton, silk, polyester). At present, no report exists in the literature of research work on the extraction of natural dyes from the leaves ofM. peltata,A. bilimbiand their dyeing potential on cotton, silk and polyester.

Practical implications

The present work offers new environment-friendly dye as well as simple dyeing method. Barks and leaves are promising sources of dye. Enormous availability of barks and leaves avoids the exploitation of the plant parts for the extraction of natural dyes.

Originality/value

The important feature of this study was the effective dyeing of natural and synthetic fibers at room temperature. The novel sources of natural dyes would contribute significantly to the existing knowledge of dyeing, and the natural dyes reduce the environmental impact of synthetic dyes.
Smooth power: identifying high-level leadership skills promoting organizational adaptability
Authors: Ohlsson Alicia , Alvinius Aida , Larsson Gerry
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The study aims to gain a deeper understanding of what leadership skills are important for leaders in gaining adaptability in a hierarchical organization along with antecedent factors that influence the potential development of these skill sets.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study was conducted by interviewing fifteen high-level military officers (Brigadiers and Colonels). Data were analyzed according to the grounded theory method and a theoretical model was generated.

Findings

A core variable was identified in the data analysis, the leader's use of organizational smooth power, using structural, emotional and relational smoothness, to gain organizational adaptability. The leader's professional background, experience and the organizational environment characteristics respectively interact as antecedent variables shaping the leader's contextual appraisal in order to implement smooth power. Further research suggestions are pointed out and practical and ethical implications are included.

Research limitations/implications

The study was completed in a specific context, a higher-level military staff, which makes it context specific. We hypothesize that similar behaviors may be found in other organizations but further research should be conducted to test this. The sample size is relatively small due to the chosen qualitative research method.

Practical implications

Practical considerations should be given to ethical and moral reflection within leadership training for ongoing use in leadership praxis, such as implementation and ongoing reflection of ethical leadership (Treviñoet al., 2000; Treviñoet al., 2003). Other practical impacts of this research may be for selection and retention efforts of high-level military staff workers. The model may also be useful for education purposes in order to increase awareness and abilities of smooth power concepts in an attempt to increase adaptability in military leadership. It may increase their awareness of skills rendered as necessary for collaborative efforts in multinational staff environments.

Originality/value

The research contribution is the detailed descriptions of the ways high-level leaders use organizational smooth power in order gain organizational adaptability.
Cross-docking or traditional warehousing: what is the right distribution strategy for your product?
Authors: Benrqya Yassine , Babai Mohamed Zied , Estampe Dominique , Vallespir Bruno
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to investigate the impact of products' characteristics on the performance of three distribution strategies: traditional warehousing (TW), cross-docking pick by line (XDPL) and cross-docking pick by store (XDPS).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a case study of an FMCG “Fast Moving Consumer Goods” company and a major French retailer, we empirically analyse the impact of the products' characteristics on the performance of the three distribution strategies. We consider a three-echelon supply chain composed of one supplier DC, one retailer DC and multiple retailer stores. The inventory at each echelon is controlled according to an order-up-to (OUT) level policy. The demand is forecasted by means of a single exponential smoothing method. A sensitivity analysis is also conducted to analyse the impact of the supply chain parameters on the comparative performance of the strategies when the parameters' values deviate from the empirical base case.

Findings

The empirical investigation shows that the use of XDPL results leads to an increase in the supply chain total cost, whereas XDPS reduces the cost. Moreover, we show that for a service-level target, cross-docking strategies should be selected for products with low variability, high shelf space, low value and short lead-time. For an inventory reduction target, these strategies should be selected for products with high demand volume. We also propose a managerial framework for choosing the right strategy for each product.

Originality/value

This paper fills a gap in the literature by presenting empirical results based on a real business case of a multi-echelon supply chain. Both cost and service are used to evaluate the performance of the strategies.

Research limitations/implications

Our work has the limitation to ignore the transportation cost implications when selecting the right distribution strategy. Hence, including such cost in the analysis would constitute an interesting extension of this work. Moreover, our empirical analysis represents a practical rich context that makes the scope for transferability of findings learned from this article substantial. However, for the generalisability of the findings, larger datasets in the retail supply chain would be interesting to consider
The triple-a supply chain and strategic resources: developing competitive advantage
Authors: Gligor David , Feizabadi Javad , Russo Ivan , Maloni Michael J. , Goldsby Thomas J.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Scholars have recently begun to empirically evaluate the triple-A supply chain, which emphasizes concurrent capabilities in agility, adaptability and alignment across the supply chain to develop sustainable competitive advantage. Complexity theory suggests however that other combinations of triple-A capabilities may be equally effective, especially given a firm's strategic orientation relative to its market and its supply chain. Our research objective was to examine what combinations of these capabilities lead to the same outcome (i.e. high firm performance).

Design/methodology/approach

We collected 182 survey responses from a global sample of supply chain managers. Qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) was employed to assess effective recipes of agility, adaptability, alignment, supply chain orientation, and market orientation.

Findings

Our results revealed four distinct “recipes” (i.e. combinations of agility, adaptability, alignment, supply chain orientation and market orientation) that lead to high levels of firm performance.

Originality/value

Our results indicate that firms currently do not necessarily have to concomitantly develop capabilities across all triple-A components. Considering the costs associated with developing each of these capabilities, the findings allow us to derive several theoretical and managerial insights.
Understanding the virtual tours of retail stores: how can store brand experience promote visit intentions?
Authors: Baek Eunsoo , Choo Ho Jung , Wei Xiaoyong , Yoon So-Yeon
Published: May 2020

Purpose

As consumers spend more time shopping online, traditional retailers are facing a decline in on-site shoppers. To help the industry in the omnichannel era, we propose that a virtual tour of a store could affect brand equity and promote store visit intentions, based on a well-established brand experience account.

Design/methodology/approach

The virtual tour stimuli were created using 360-degree photos of real stores. Participants explored the store virtually and then completed an online survey. With 240 responses drawn from the general population in the US, structural equation modelling (SEM) was used.

Findings

Results showed that store brand experiences significantly affected consumers and the four brand experience dimensions exerted differentiated effects. Sensory and behavioural experiences directly increased intentions to visit the store, whereas intellectual and emotional experiences promoted visit intentions via enhanced brand equity.

Originality/value

This is the first retail study investigating a virtual tour through the lens of brand experience. It is also one of a handful that examined the distinctive effects of the four brand experience dimensions, which deserve scholars’ attention and further inquiry. The virtual tour can be a powerful branding tool in the online-dominant retailing era. Retailers can employ a virtual tour not only to increase brand equity but also to cultivate consumers’ intentions to visit their stores. Furthermore, the use of 360-degree interactive media to evoke the virtual experience of a store renders higher generalizability and extendibility in future research and practice.
The effect of customer orientation coaching on employee’s individual performance and financial and non-financial performance
Authors: Abedini Koshksaray Amir , Ardakani Allahyar (Arsalan) , Ghasemnejad Naeimeh , Qhodsikhah Azbari Ateneh
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Recently, banks have focussed on teaching marketing skills, especially customer orientation. This issue, according to previous studies, has led to improved employee and bank performance. In this regard, Tejarat bank (an Iranian Bank) also organised specialised customer orientation courses for its employees with the help of the Iranian Scientific Marketing Association. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to examine the effect of customer orientation coaching on employee’s individual performance and financial and non-financial performance of the bank.

Design/methodology/approach

Accordingly, by using theoretical foundations, this study attempted to present a comprehensive conceptual and theoretical model on the effect of customer orientation coaching on employee and bank performance. The structural equation modelling was run to test the relevant hypotheses.

Findings

The results showed the significant effect of customer orientation coaching on employee performance either directly or indirectly. Customer orientation, competitor orientation, sales orientation and the long-term orientation of the employees were mediating factors between customer orientation coaching and employee performance. The effect of employee’s performance on the financial and non-financial performance of the bank was also significant.

Originality/value

These results help to understand the importance of coaching for developing customer orientation and perception about competitor orientation, sales orientation and long-term orientation of employees and their effect on individual and organisational performance.
Uncontested: electoral competition in American school board elections
Authors: Ford Michael , Ihrke Douglas
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this research was to determine the extent to which American school board members faced electoral competition, as well as the factors influencing the likelihood of competition.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors utilized original national survey data of American school board members linked with school district demographic data obtained from the National Center for Education Statistics. Several hypotheses were tested using three state-level fixed-effects logistic regression models predicting electoral competition.

Findings

The authors found that 39.6% of American school board members reported not having an opponent in their most recent election. School board members serving larger urban school districts with higher percentages of special needs students and racial minorities were more likely to have faced electoral competition.

Originality/value

The authors highlighted potential flaws in the traditional model of local democratic governance and helped expand understanding of the dissatisfaction theory of American democracy and continuous participation theory. The authors concluded with several suggestions on how the results can be used to inform future local governance reforms that increase electoral competition and/or create more effective governance models.
School leaders' and teachers' leadership perceptions: differences and similarities
Authors: Daniëls Ellen , Hondeghem Annie , Heystek Jan
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer insight into school leaders' and teachers' perspectives on leadership behaviour and its impact on their mutual relationships. Research papers that include perspectives from both school leaders and teachers are relatively scarce in the field of education. However, it is important to take account of both perspectives because if they align, school leaders can be expected to be more successful. Moreover, positive teacher perceptions about school leaders result in lower levels of teacher burnout and enhanced teacher collaboration.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study employed qualitative data drawn from 24 primary schools in Belgium. The data set was assembled from 24 interviews with school leaders and 22 focus groups with teachers. The research analyses the interviews and focus groups from an inductive approach in order to let theory emerge, to refine existing theories in the field of education and to get an in-depth understanding of agreements and disagreements in the perspectives of school leaders and teachers.

Findings

The results show that school leaders and teachers perceive school leadership principally as relation- and task-oriented. However, there are differences in the perceptions about the subcategories of relation-oriented behaviour between school leaders and teachers. School leaders refer to consulting with members when making decisions and providing feedback. On the other hand, teachers indicate the importance of support and encouragement and recognition. The perceptions of the relationships between school leaders and teachers seem to match, with both valuing trust, openness and contribution.

Originality/value

This study addresses the relative scarcity of research relating to school leaders’ and teachers’ perspectives regarding school leadership. The study clarifies concepts in order to facilitate further research on school leaders' effectiveness.
Design and control of grid connected inverter for harmonic suppression
Authors: Fei Congliang , Xiahou Pengfei , Wang Fujun
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to focus on the grid connected inverter.

Design/methodology/approach

The grid connected inverter for harmonic suppression was designed, the topological structure of the inverter and the design of LCL filter were analyzed, then a PIR controller was proposed and finally simulation and experiment were carried out.

Findings

The simulation results showed that the distortion rates of the 5th, 7th and 11th harmonics under PIR control were 0.14%, 0.13% and 0.06%, respectively, which were significantly lower than that under PI control. The system test results also showed that the current waveform under PI control was rough and total harmonic distortion (THD) content was 3.8%; under PIR control, the grid connected current waveform was relatively smooth, with fewer spikes and burrs, and the THD content was 1.9%, indicating that the harmonics were effectively suppressed.

Originality/value

The experimental results verify that the inverter and PIR controller designed in this study are effective for harmonic suppression. This work makes some contributions to the improvement of the effect of harmonic suppression and promotion of the better application of grid connected inverter.
From PLM 1.0 to PLM 2.0: the evolving role of product lifecycle management (PLM) in the textile and apparel industries
Authors: Conlon Jo
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Product lifecycle management (PLM) is an enterprise-wide strategy gaining prominence across manufacturing. The fashion industry is a late adopter of PLM, yet within global fashion and textile organisations PLM is now becoming a mainstream approach to optimize core processes. This literature review analyses the latest academic research to establish a broad basis of understanding of PLM in the sector and identify potential future research directions.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was conducted to investigate the current state and main perspectives of research on PLM in the textiles and apparel sector. The paper adopts the three features (managerial, technological and collaborative) of the definition of PLM by Corallo et al. (2013) as the analytic framework for the 27 papers to illustrate how PLM is framed and conceptualised in the RFA sector.

Findings

PLM is at an interesting phase as it evolves from classical PLM 1.0 to connected PLM 2.0. The evolution of PLM from its PDM origins as an IT tool to a critical component of the strategy for digital transformation is reported. The strategic role of suppliers is noted as a critical success factor. Key inhibitors relating to PLM adoption and optimization in the sector are identified as limited holistic and theoretical perspective of PLM coupled with a deficiency in relevant industry skills. It is argued that the transformational potential of PLM 2.0 may not be fully realised without a more coordinated development effort through industrial and academic collaboration.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this study are that it is a literature review of academic papers in the RFA sector papers within the timescale 2000–2018. PLM 1.0 has dominated in this time period however the potential trajectory of connected PLM 2.0 is beginning to emerge.

Practical implications

The results from this paper indicate that there is a lack of research on PLM in the sector and concludes by suggesting promising future research possibilities: further empirical and case studies on organisations implementing a PLM strategy; studies reporting on the contribution of PLM to address the challenges of sustainability, traceability and transparency in the industry and inter-industry collaborations; studies with knowledge management theories specifically applied to the textile and apparel sector; and the opportunity for academic and industry collaboration on the development of PLM to meet these needs.

Originality/value

To the best of the author's knowledge, no systematic literature review on this topic has previously been published in academic journals. Given levels of investment in PLM platforms in the sector, both practitioners in companies and the academic community might find the review and agenda for future research useful.
Halal certification for tourism marketing: the attributes and attitudes of food operators in Indonesia
Authors: Katuk Norliza , Ku-Mahamud Ku Ruhana , Kayat Kalsom , Abdul Hamid Mohd. Noor , Zakaria Nur Haryani , Purbasari Ayi
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Halal tourism is a subset of tourism activities geared towards Muslim which are aligned with the Islamic principles. As a response to this, many food operators have realised the importance of having a halal certification to establish a better market position. In the context of Indonesia, it is yet to be known what attitudes the food operators have towards halal certification and what attributes characterised those who have obtained the certification. Therefore, this study aims to examine the attributes of food operators and their attitudes towards halal certification in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey and structured interview were conducted on 298 food operators in Bandung, a city in Indonesia, between August and December 2018. Seven hypotheses were proposed and tested to evaluate the association between halal certification and food operators’ attributes and their attitudes towards it.

Findings

The results of the study suggested that food operators who had halal certification can be characterised by the number of branches the businesses have, the knowledge of halal tourism and knowledge on the market segment. However, the age of their business was found not related to halal certification. In terms of attitudes, the study found that performance beliefs, intention to apply and target market segment had associated with halal certification.

Practical implications

The outcomes of the study could provide information to entities and agencies involved in the tourism industry that consider targeting Muslim travellers as their market segment. Halal certification could be an approach to facilitate tourism marketing and consequently increase the performance of food-related business sectors.

Originality/value

This study provides evidence that could lead to a better understanding of the attributes of food operators and their attitudes towards halal certification in the context of Indonesia’s tourism industry.
Detecting customers knowledge from social media big data: toward an integrated methodological framework based on netnography and business analytics
Authors: Del Vecchio Pasquale , Mele Gioconda , Passiante Giuseppina , Vrontis Demetris , Fanuli Cosimo
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate how the integration of netnography and business analytics can support companies in the process of value creation from social big data by leveraging on customer relationship management and customer knowledge management (CKM).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts the methodology of a single case study by using desk analysis, netnography and business analytics. The context of analysis has been identified into the case of Aurora Company, a well-known producer of fountain pens.

Findings

The case demonstrates how the integration of big data analytics and netnography is relevant for the development of a customer relationship management strategy. The results obtained have been categorized according to the three main categories of customer knowledge, such as knowledge for, from and about customer.

Research limitations/implications

This paper presents implications for the advancement of the theory on CKM by demonstrating, as the acquisition, storage and management of data generated by customers on social media require the adoption of a cross-disciplinary approach resulting from the integration of qualitative and quantitative approaches. The framework is structured as methodological tool to detect knowledge in virtual community.

Practical implications

Practical implications arise for managers and entrepreneurs in terms of value creation from knowledge assets generated on social big data through the management of the customers’ relationship and data-driven innovation patterns.

Originality/value

This paper offers an original contribution of integration of well-established research streams. The focus on the knowledge under the perspectives of information assets for, from and about customers in the debate on value creation and management of big data is an element of value offered by this study in addition to the comprehension of strategies of social customer relationship management as actual initiative embraced by a company in the leveraging of innovation and tradition.
The generative role of curiosity in soft skills development for contemporary VUCA environments
Authors: Horstmeyer Alison
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper examines the role of curiosity in volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) work contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual article relied upon an examination of literature about curiosity, VUCA and soft skills.

Findings

Curiosity, when encouraged and supported within the workforce, may aid organizations in closing soft skill gaps and better navigating ambiguity, perpetually changing business landscapes, and rapidly advancing technology.

Research limitations/implications

Empirical research is needed to validate, confirm and further explicate the specific mechanisms and value of curiosity within VUCA environments.

Practical implications

Organizations need to move beyond espousing a value of curiosity to deliberately and effectively cultivating and supporting it within their employees.

Originality/value

Although ample research and literature has examined curiosity, soft skills and VUCA environments independently, the body of literature on the specific role of curiosity in such environments is limited.
Driving users’ behaviours and engagement in co-creating services
Authors: Oertzen Anna-Sophie , Odekerken-Schröder Gaby , Mager Birgit
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates factors that determine users’ behaviours during services co-creation, as well as those that influence their engagement in such efforts.

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 relies on partial least squares structural equation modelling and between-subjects, scenario-based experiments with 633 participants to examine users’ co-creation behaviours. Study 2 uses interactive research workshops with 38 design professionals to analyse the drivers and inhibitors of users’ co-creation engagement and the likelihood of different user types to engage in it.

Findings

Dispositional and demographic factors can predict users’ behaviours during services co-creation. A proposed framework details drivers and inhibitors of users’ engagement in co-creation, and a typology predicts the likelihood of different users to engage in co-creation, based on their traits and demographics. This likelihood to co-create, according to traits, then can be predicted according to elemental, compound and situational traits.

Practical implications

Service providers and service designers can use these findings to design better co-creation activities for various users, build a conducive working environment and select suitable participants for co-creation activities.

Originality/value

The current study addresses the dearth of research pertaining to how to encourage users to co-create services and drive their engagement in such efforts.
Optimization of meat slices from buffalo veal and chevon
Authors: Singh Pradeep Kumar , Ahlawat Satyavir Singh , Sharma Diwakar Prakash , Jairath Gauri , Pathera Ashok Kumar , Yadav Sanjay
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to optimize meat slices for processing attributes to produce better sensory features in developed products from buffalo veal and chevon. The processing parameters such as meat particle size, fat content and binding ability without chopping were the subject of this study.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involved three experiments where the particle size, fat content and tumbling time were optimized for optimum binding and improvement in different sensory attributes of product followed by physico-chemical analysis.

Findings

The sensory scores clearly indicated that meat slices prepared from 3 mm meat particle size, 10% fat content and 1 h tumbling time were having best sensory features. The selected product was analyzed for different physico-chemical properties. Emulsion stability and cooking yield revealed significantly (p = 0.01) higher values of 91.6% and 89.7%, respectively, in buffalo veal than in values of 87.6% and 84.9%, respectively, in the chevon product. Similarly the results showed that buffalo veal slices had significantly (p = 0.01) higher (17.4%) protein than the chevon (15.2%), whereas chevon slices had significantly (p = 0.01) higher (10.3%) fat content. The texture profile analysis indicated that cohesiveness (p = 0.01) and chewiness (p = 0.05) were significantly higher in chevon product than in buffalo veal.

Originality/value

The study was conducted to explore the buffalo veal as a potential source of quality meat, as majority of buffalo meat produced in India from spent animals have compromised quality attributes. The comparison was done with chevon, the most popular red meat in the country for the comparative study.
Ethnic networks and multinational firms’ location decisions
Authors: Alcaraz Jorge , Salamanca Elizabeth , Regalado-Pezúa Otto
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the effect of ethnic networks on firms’ location decisions using social network theory and the homophily principle.

Design/methodology/approach

A traditional gravity model is used on a sample composed of high-skilled and low-skilled ethnic networks and multinational enterprises (MNEs) from Latin America, North America and the European Union.

Findings

Contrary to findings of previous studies, ethnic networks do not appear to influence location decisions of Latin American firms expanding into countries from North America and the European Union. This might be because of weak ethnic connections among the players.

Practical implications

Managers must be aware that ethnic networks not always can be used for the strategy of the firm, at least regarding location.

Social implications

Governments and entrepreneurial and immigrant associations from home and host countries could develop initiatives addressed to strengthening the links between the members of the networks.

Originality/value

This study extends the social network theory in the sense that ethnic networks do not always positively affect firms’ location. Moreover, it is important to consider the specific context or features of the members of a network before analyzing its effects on firms’ location.
Mobile chat servitization in the customer journey: from social capability to social suitability
Authors: Lo Presti Letizia , Maggiore Giulio , Marino Vittoria
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Mobile instant messaging (MIM) is changing how we communicate with customers transforming what we used to buy as products into services. Servitization is the strategy by which the services offered in combination with a product become a central part of the offer and the value. This paper aims to focus on a new way to do business by means of mobile conversational commerce identified as a unique touchpoint for customers who wish to experience the product/service.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses the case study method and mobile content analysis of WhatsApp conversations between customer and manufacturing firm to illustrate how an artisan company succeeded with customers using MIM to track the customer journey and engage the customer during the conversation. The customer journey theory and customer engagement cycle were used to detecting the main themes

Findings

The results demonstrate that by channeling a mix between engagement and service practices into one direct touchpoint, it is possible to follow the customers throughout their journey and detect their satisfaction. Nevertheless, the research finds that new skills are needed: two-way communication skills, suitability and social CRM skills.

Practical implications

The results provide guidance for services providers on how to improve customer experience management by allocating investment to conversational commerce as a new way of promoting the customer experience for the digital transformation of manufacturing firms.

Originality/value

This research investigates the importance of human interaction in the digital servitization as a pillar of commerce in this type of service. The paper analyzes the results from the perspective of the supplier of the service and from the perspective of customer experience.
An examination of issues related to tourism and health and well-being as a sustainable development goal by tourism providers in Tobago
Authors: Alexis-Thomas Caroline
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to examine the issues related to the ability of the tourism sector in Tobago to contribute towards the health and well-being of the nation in support of the sustainable development goal from the perspective of the tourism providers.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research methodology using semi-structured interviews was used to collect data from 29 tourism providers in Tobago. The sociological perspective of symbolic interactionism guided the study with a grounded theory approach for data analysis.

Findings

The results revealed that the dominant themes that came out of the study were issues related to the process of knowledge acquisition, social production of vulnerability, controversies and challenges and collective capacity action that articulated the connection between the tourism sector in Tobago and health and well-being as a sustainable development goal. The study recommended the creation of a formal platform for discussion and knowledge sharing, support for key tourism providers involved in health and wellness activities, infrastructure development and the creation of a reporting mechanism that would facilitate the framing of the sustainability strategy for the tourism sector in Tobago.

Practical implications

The paper contributed to the ongoing discourse on tourism and sustainable development with special emphasis on tourism contributing to realizing the health and well-being as a sustainable development goal for Tobago.

Originality/value

The findings provided the original views of tourism providers based on their experiences, feelings and opinions concerning the tourism sector in Tobago and its ability to contribute to health and well-being as a sustainable development goal by 2030.
The ecological implications of rubber‐based agroforestry: Insect conservation and invasion control
Authors: Lee Roger Ho , Wang Chase Liu‐Wei , Guénard Benoit
Published: May 2020

Protected areas are increasingly threatened by biological invasions, especially in tropical Asia where extensive areas of natural habitats have been converted to monoculture plantations. Such disturbance provides a gateway for exotic species invasions, highlighting an urgent need for cross‐boundary solutions to mitigate invasion impacts.

Agroforests, with multi‐storied trees and crops resembling the complex structure of natural forest, are known to promote native species compared to monoculture plantations. Yet, our knowledge on their roles in controlling exotic species is limited to plant invaders, with effects on animal invaders still unknown. Given that protected areas are increasingly threatened by invaders from surrounding plantations, with a majority of them represented by insects, it is important to evaluate the effect of agroforestry practice, and mechanisms of associated management to control invasions.

By using both taxonomic and functional trait‐based approaches, we studied leaf litter ant communities in 12 rubber monoculture (mono‐rubber), 9 rubber plantation with understory crops (agro‐rubber), 16 secondary and 12 old‐growth secondary forest plots in and around protected areas in Hainan, China. Sampled ants were further classified into groups based on their invasive potential (tramp vs. non‐tramp) to determine the ecological values of agro‐rubber.

We found that despite mono‐rubber and agro‐rubber presenting similar species richness, the latter (a) supports species composition and functional diversity more similar to secondary forests and (b) reduces tramp ant species occurrence, a novel management incentive. Nonetheless, agro‐rubber is not comparable to secondary forest in terms of non‐tramp ant species composition.

Synthesis and applications.Against the increasing threat of biological invasions, preserving natural forests in human‐dominated landscapes is crucial. Increasing the area of agro‐rubber at the periphery of protected areas as a proactive mitigation can, however, be perceived as an additional measure to reduce invasive species' establishment and spread across the landscape. Plantation‐based agroforestry has emerged as a potential management avenue and incentive for transforming monoculture plantations into a less ‘harmful’ alternative.
Methyl/alkyl‐coenzyme M reductase‐based anaerobic alkane oxidation in archaea
Authors: Wang Yinzhao , Wegener Gunter , Ruff S. Emil , Wang Fengping
Published: May 2020

Methyl‐coenzyme M reductase (MCR) has been originally identified to catalyse the final step of the methanogenesis pathway. About 20 years ago anaerobic methane‐oxidizing archaea (ANME) were discovered that use MCR enzymes to activate methane. ANME thrive at the thermodynamic limit of life, are slow‐growing, and in most cases form syntrophic consortia with sulfate‐reducing bacteria. Recently, archaea that have the ability to anaerobically oxidize non‐methane multi‐carbon alkanes such as ethane and n‐butane were described in both enrichment cultures and environmental samples. These anaerobic multi‐carbon alkane‐oxidizing archaea (ANKA) use enzymes homologous to MCR named alkyl‐coenzyme M reductase (ACR). Here we review the recent progresses on the diversity, distribution and functioning of both ANME and ANKA by presenting a detailed MCR/ACR‐based phylogeny, compare their metabolic pathways and discuss the gaps in our knowledge of physiology of these organisms. To improve our understanding of alkane oxidation in archaea, we identified three directions for future research: (i) expanding cultivation attempts to validate omics‐based metabolic models of yet‐uncultured organisms, (ii) performing biochemical and structural analyses of key enzymes to understand thermodynamic and steric constraints and (iii) investigating the evolution of anaerobic alkane metabolisms and their impact on biogeochemical cycles.