bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discovering dynamical models of human behavior
Authors: Jaffe Paul I. , Poldrack Russell A. , Schafer Robert J. , Bissett Patrick G.
Published: March 2022

Response time (RT) data collected from cognitive tasks are a cornerstone of psychology and neuroscience research, yet existing models of these data either make strong assumptions about the data generating process or are limited to modeling single trials. We introduce task-DyVA, a deep learning framework in which expressive dynamical systems are trained to reproduce sequences of RTs observed in data from individual human subjects. Models fitted to a large task-switching dataset captured subject-specific behavioral differences with high temporal precision, including task-switching costs. Through perturbation experiments and analyses of the models’ latent dynamics, we find support for a rational account of switch costs in terms of a stability-flexibility tradeoff. Thus, our framework can be used to discover interpretable cognitive theories that explain how the brain dynamically gives rise to behavior.
Exploring links between climatic predictability and the evolution of within- and transgenerational plasticity
Authors: Halali Sridhar , Saastamoinen Marjo
Published: March 2022

In variable environments, phenotypic plasticity can increase fitness by providing tight environment-phenotype matching. However, adaptive plasticity is expected to evolve only when the future selective environment can be predicted based on the prevailing conditions. That is, the juvenile environment should be predictive of the adult environment (within-generation plasticity) or the parental environment should be predictive of the offspring environment (transgenerational plasticity). Here, we test links between environmental predictability and evolution of adaptive plasticity by combining time series analyses and a common garden experiment using temperature as a stressor in a temperate butterfly (Melitaea cinxia). Time series analyses revealed that across season fluctuations in temperature over 48 years is overall predictable. However, within the growing season, temperature fluctuations showed high heterogeneity across years with low autocorrelations and timing of temperature peaks were asynchronous. Most life-history traits showed strong within-generation plasticity for temperature and traits such as body size and growth rate broke the temperature-size rule. Evidence for transgenerational plasticity, however, was weak and detected for only two traits each in an adaptive and non-adaptive direction. We suggest that low predictability of temperature fluctuations within the growing season likely disfavours the evolution of adaptive transgenerational plasticity but instead favours strong within-generation plasticity.
Pore-forming protein βγ-CAT promptly responses to fasting with capacity to deliver macromolecular nutrients
Authors: Shi Zhi-Hong , Zhao Zhong , Liu Ling-Zhen , Bian Xian-Ling , Zhang Yun
Published: March 2022

During animal fasting, the nutrient supply and metabolism switch from carbohydrates to a new reliance on the catabolism of energy-dense lipid stores. Assembled under tight regulation, βγ-CAT is a pore-forming protein and trefoil factor complex identified in toad Bombina maxima. Here, we determined that this protein complex is a constitutive component in toad blood, that actively responds to the animal fasting. The protein complex was able to promote cellular albumin and albumin-bound fatty acid uptake in a variety of epithelial and endothelial cells, and the effects were attenuated by a macropinocytosis inhibitor. Endothelial cell-derived exosomes containing largely enriched albumin and fatty acids, called nutrisomes, were released in the presence of βγ-CAT. These specific nutrient vesicles were readily taken by starved muscle cells to support their survival. The results uncovered that pore-forming protein βγ-CAT is a fasting responsive element able to drive cell vesicular import and export of macromolecular nutrients.
Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis reveals the molecular mechanism of subchondral bone cell heterogeneity in the development of osteoarthritis
Authors: Hu Yan , Cui Jin , Liu Han , Wang Sicheng , Zhou Qirong , Zhang Hao , Guo Jiawei , Cao Liehu , Chen Xiao , Xu Ke , Su Jiacan
Published: March 2022

The cellular composition and underlying spatiotemporal transformation processes of subchondral bone in osteoarthritis (OA) remain unknown. Herein, various cell subsets from tibial plateau of OA patients are identified, and the mechanism of subchondral microstructure alteration is elaborated using single-cell RNA sequencing technique. We identified two novel endothelial cell (EC) populations characterized by either exosome synthesis and inflammation response, or vascular function and angiogenesis. Three osteoblast (OB) subtypes are introduced, separately related to vascularization, matrix manufacturing and matrix mineralization. The distinct roles and functions of these novel phenotypes in OA development are further discussed, as well as interaction network between these subpopulations. The variation tendency of each population is testified in a DMM mouse model. The identification of cell types demonstrates a novel taxonomy and mechanism for ECs and OBs inside subchondral bone area, provides new insights into the physiological and pathological behaviors of subchondral bone in OA pathogenesis.
Genome mining, phylogenetic, and functional analysis of arsenic (As) resistance operons in Bacillus strains, isolated from As-rich hot spring microbial mats
Authors: Flores Aurora , Valencia-Marín María F. , Chávez-Avila Salvador , Ramírez-Díaz Martha I. , de los Santos-Villalobos Sergio , Meza-Carmen Victor , del Carmen Orozco-Mosqueda Ma. , Santoyo Gustavo
Published: March 2022

The geothermal zone of Araró, México, is located within the trans-Mexican volcanic belt, an area with numerous arsenic (As)-rich hot springs. In this study, the draft genome sequence of two endemic Bacillus strains (ZAP17 and ZAP62) from Araró microbial mat hot springs was determined, which were able to grow on arsenate (up to 64 mM) and arsenite (up to 32 mM). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA and gyrB sequences, as well as genome sequence analysis based on average nucleotide identity (>96%) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (>70%), indicated that these strains belong to the Bacillus paralicheniformis ZAP17 and Bacillus altitudinis ZAP62. Furthermore, through genome mining, it was identified two arsenic resistance operons, arsRBC, and arsRBCDA in both strains as potential determinants of arsenic (As) resistance. Predicted ArsA (arsenial pump-driving ATPase), ArsB (Arsenical efflux pump protein), ArsC (Arsenate reductase), ArsD (Arsenical efflux pump protein) and ArsR (Metalloregulator/ars operon repressor) proteins, clearly grouped with their respective clades corresponding to other characterized bacterial species, mainly Firmicutes. To further evaluate the functionality of the ars operons in ZAP17 and ZAP62 strains, our results showed that arsRBC and arsRBCDA genes were expressed in the presence of arsenite (III). Finally, the presence of ars operons in the genome of Bacillus species residing in As-rich environments, such as the Araró hot springs, might be a potential mechanism to survive under such harsh conditions, as well as to design sustainable bioremediation strategies.
PrrA modulates Mycobacterium tuberculosis response to multiple environmental cues and is critically regulated by serine/threonine protein kinases
Authors: Giacalone David , Yap Rochelle E. , Ecker Alwyn M. V. , Tan Shumin
Published: March 2022

The ability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) to adapt to its surrounding environment is critical for the bacterium to successfully colonize its host. Transcriptional changes are a vital mechanism by which Mtb responds to key environmental signals experienced, such as pH, chloride (Cl-), nitric oxide (NO), and hypoxia. However, much remains unknown regarding how Mtb coordinates its response to the disparate signals seen during infection. Utilizing a transcription factor (TF) overexpression plasmid library in combination with a pH/Cl--responsive luciferase reporter, we identified the essential TF, PrrA, part of the PrrAB two-component system, as a TF involved in modulation of Mtb response to pH and Cl-. Further studies revealed that PrrA also affected Mtb response to NO and hypoxia, with prrA overexpression dampening induction of NO and hypoxia- responsive genes. PrrA is phosphorylated not just by its cognate sensor histidine kinase PrrB, but also by serine/threonine protein kinases (STPKs) at a second distinct site. Strikingly, a STPK phosphoablative PrrA variant was significantly dampened in its response to NO versus wild type Mtb, disrupted in its ability to adaptively enter a non-replicative state upon extended NO exposure, and attenuated for in vivo colonization. Together, our results reveal PrrA as an important regulator of Mtb response to multiple environmental signals, and uncover a critical role of STPK regulation of PrrA in its function.
Screening of hydrocarbon-stapled peptides for inhibition of calcium-triggered exocytosis
Authors: Lai Ying , Tuvim Michael J. , Leitz Jeremy , Peters John , Pfuetzner Richard A. , Esquivies Luis , Zhou Qiangjun , Czako Barbara , Cross Jason B. , Jones Philip , Dickey Burton F. , Brunger Axel T.
Published: March 2022

The so-called primary interface between the SNARE complex and synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1) is essential for Ca2+-triggered neurotransmitter release in neuronal synapses. The interacting residues of the primary interface are conserved across different species for synaptotagmins (Syt1, Syt2, Syt9), SNAP-25, and syntaxin-1A homologs involved in fast synchronous release. This Ca2+-independent interface forms prior to Ca2+-triggering and plays a role in synaptic vesicle priming. This primary interface is also conserved in the fusion machinery that is responsible for mucin granule membrane fusion. Ca2+ stimulated mucin secretion is mediated by the SNAREs syntaxin-3, SNAP-23, VAMP8, synaptotagmin-2, and other proteins. Here, we designed and screened a series of hydrocarbon-stapled peptides consisting of SNAP-25 fragments that included some of the key residues involved in the primary interface as observed in high-resolution crystal structures. We selected a subset of four stapled peptides that were highly α-helical as assessed by circular dichroism and that inhibited both Ca2+-independent and Ca2+- triggered ensemble lipid-mixing with neuronal SNAREs and Syt1. In a single-vesicle content-mixing assay with reconstituted neuronal SNAREs and synaptotagmin-1 or with reconstituted airway SNAREs and synaptotagmin-2, the selected peptides also suppressed Ca2+-triggered fusion. Taken together, hydrocarbon-stapled peptides that interfere with the primary interface consequently inhibit Ca2+-triggered exocytosis. Our inhibitor screen suggests that these compounds may be useful to combat mucus hypersecretion that is a major cause of airway obstruction in the pathophysiology of COPD, asthma and cystic fibrosis.
Regulation of EGF-stimulated activation of the PI-3K/AKT pathway by exocyst-mediated exocytosis
Authors: An Seong J. , Anneken Alexander , Xi Zhiqun , Choi Changseon , Schlessinger Joseph , Toomre Derek
Published: March 2022

The phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI-3K)/AKT cell survival pathway is an important pathway activated by EGFR signaling. Here we show, that in addition to previously described critical components of this pathway, i.e., the docking protein Gab1, the PI-3K/AKT pathway in epithelial cells is regulated by the exocyst complex, which is a vesicle tether that is essential for exocytosis. Using live-cell imaging, we demonstrate that PI(3,4,5)P3 levels fluctuate at the membrane on a minutes time scale and that these fluctuations are associated with local PI(3,4,5)P3 increases at sites where recycling vesicles undergo exocytic fusion. Supporting a role for exocytosis in PI(3,4,5)P3 generation, acute promotion of exocytosis by optogenetically driving exocyst-mediated vesicle tethering upregulates PI(3,4,5)P3 production and AKT activation. Conversely, acute inhibition of exocytosis using Endosidin2, a small-molecule inhibitor of the exocyst subunit Exo70, impairs PI(3,4,5)P3 production and AKT activation induced by EGF stimulation of epithelial cells. Moreover, prolonged inhibition of EGF signaling by EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors results in spontaneous reactivation of AKT without a concomitant relief of EGFR inhibition. However, this reactivation can be negated by acutely inhibiting the exocyst. These experiments demonstrate that exocyst-mediated exocytosis – by regulating PI(3,4,5)P3 levels at the plasma membrane – subserves activation of the PI-3K/AKT pathway by EGFR in epithelial cells.
Professional judgement in accounting and Aristotelian practical wisdom
Authors: West Andrew , Buckby Sherrena
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Recognising the growing importance of professional judgement within professional accounting, this paper examines how it relates to Aristotelian practical wisdom, with reference to the ethical failure at Carillion plc in 2018. This includes an examination of how these concepts are similar and how they differ and a reconceptualisation of professional judgement in Aristotelian terms.

Design/methodology/approach

The conventional understanding of professional judgement is articulated with reference to accounting standards, professional accounting institutions and academic research. This is compared to Aristotelian practical wisdom, as presented in the Nicomachean Ethics. Both of these conceptualisations are analysed with reference to the failure of Carillion plc.

Findings

Some similarities as well as significant differences between the conventional conceptualisation of professional judgement and Aristotelian practical wisdom are identified. Application to the accounting failure of Carillion plc shows how an Aristotelian reconceptualisation of professional judgement, as an ethical concept, provides a more adequate understanding of unethical accounting behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis identifies aspects of professional judgement in accounting that have not previously been explored empirically, but which nevertheless have empirical support in other domains.

Practical implications

Professional judgement is reconceptualised in ethical terms, which informs how professional bodies and firms should conceive and apply this concept.

Originality/value

Although there has been research on judgement informed by psychology, there has been little research linking judgement and wisdom in an accounting context. This paper utilises a philosophically informed perspective on wisdom to reconceptualise professional judgement in a way that provides a more adequate understanding of ethical failures.
Hermeneutic phenomenology for spatial analysis
Authors: El-Kholei Ahmed O.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

From scholars' view, there are various research approaches to investigate the city and its spaces. However, there is a need to examine the city and its spaces from the residents' perspective. Hermeneutic phenomenology might be applicable and valuable. Also, communication is a requirement for successful participatory planning and spatial analysis. Architects, urban designers and landscape architects must possess intersubjective competencies to communicate and engage with the public. Hermeneutic knowledge is the source for developing these intersubjective capabilities essential for communication. All design preparation and execution steps require distorted-free communication, starting with defining a problem and ending with implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper aims to test the applicability of hermeneutic phenomenology in urban studies. The author examines the right to the city and producing space in Cairo, Egypt. Besides web pages, documents and social networks, data sources vary, including proverbs and poems. Semiotics is the qualitative research technique used to interrogate the collected material using qualitative data analysis software.

Findings

Cairo's growth is the outcome of the division of labor, administration and power dynamics. Egyptians' right to take part in Cairo's planning and management is the issue. Hermeneutic phenomenology is an approach to perform spatial environmental investigations. It could inform decision-making, ensure the planning process's validity and guarantee people's ownership of planned projects.

Originality/value

Phenomenology allows for inside and outside the understanding of a spatial phenomenon. The current focus of architectural and planning schools' curricula is on technical actions. These schools consider increasing the dose of social sciences in their curricula. Educators could teach students how to use hermeneutic phenomenological research methodologies. Using hermeneutic knowledge in communication encourages public engagement in formulating and implementing projects, thus ensuring their long-term viability.
Behavioral intention to order food and beverage items using e-commerce during COVID-19: an integration of theory of planned behavior (TPB) with trust
Authors: Hamid Sheeba , Azhar Mohd , Sujood
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine consumers’ behavioral intention (BI) to order food and beverage items using e-commerce during COVID-19 by incorporating trust (TRU) with the theory of planned behavior (TPB).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected via an online questionnaire, and the study used a total of 306 accurate and usable responses. The population of the study includes Indian consumers. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25 and AMOS 22.0. The proposed hypotheses were statistically tested.

Findings

The empirical results show that attitude (ATT), subjective norms (SN) and trust significantly and positively influence behavioral intention, while perceived behavioral control (PBC) is insignificant. This study reveals that the proposed model explained approximately 51% of the variance in the behavioral intention.

Research limitations/implications

Several theoretical and practical implications are drawn on the basis of the findings of the current study that can be used to make recommendations to e-commerce companies and help them understand the behavioral intention of consumers during COVID-19. Since the research is primarily focused on India, it is difficult to extrapolate the findings to other countries.

Originality/value

To the best of researchers’ knowledge, no single study was carried out in the Indian context that tested the influence of trust on the behavioral intention of ordering food and beverage items using e-commerce during COVID-19. Hence, the present study attempts to understand the factors influencing purchase intention in e-commerce and analyzes the relationship between these factors in the backdrop of COVID-19.
Costco wholesale: the global expansion dilemma
Authors: Kumar Abhishek , Kar Sanjay Kumar , Mishra Saroj Kumar , Bansal Rohit , Harichandan Sidhartha
Published: March 2022

Learning outcomes

This case will enable students to understand the operations and business model of an international retailer. The case offers enough insights and learning on a retailer who enters a different market and collaborates with the local players to gain market access; and to understand the marketing techniques and strategies of an international retailer to capitalise on market opportunities.

Case overview/synopsis

The case is about a third largest US-based multinational Costco Wholesale corporation which is a giant retailer. The company operated at 803 locations with a revenue of $166.7bn, which makes it the third largest global retailer in 2020. The case offers comprehensive insight into Costco Wholesale’s business model, distribution strategy, marketing techniques and internationalisation. The authors further discuss that how Costco put forth its model among different range of customers and provided them with high-quality products at a comparatively lower price. The focus of the case is towards the Asian expansion of Costco. In subsequent parts, the strategies and challenges of Costco with respect to its Asian competitors have also been discussed. After generating experience in Asian markets, Costco has considered China as its next destination. The case also discusses the foreign retailers’ success, failure and retail format.

Complexity academic level

This case is designed for undergraduate and postgraduate classes of management and business administration.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing.
From riding high to lying low: Hyundai Colombia Automotriz S.A.
Authors: Zwerg-Villegas Anne Marie , Gutiérrez Ana María , Baker David S.
Published: March 2022

Learning outcomes

Determine when to resolve conflict through arbitration and when to resolve conflict through the court system. Reflect upon the types of organizational misconduct and determine what behaviors constitute organizational misconduct. Argue whether the behaviors that constitute organizational misconduct are universal or may vary according to the context. Analyze whether actions that might be considered misconduct might be acceptable in certain situations and contexts. Build additional definitions of organizational misconduct that might pertain to non-Western, developed country contexts. Analyze how media and popular opinion might influence perceptions of organizational misconduct.

Case overview/Synopsis

Carlos Mattos (he/him/his) was the founder/president/CEO of Hyundai Colombia Automotriz S.A. from 1992 to 2015. He and his company introduced the Hyundai brand to the Colombian market and made it one of the best-selling automobile brands in the nation. When the company began experiencing losses, Hyundai headquarters terminated the contract and awarded the distribution to an Ecuadorian firm.The contract between Hyundai Colombia Automotriz S.A. and Hyundai Motor Company stipulates that arbitration is the appropriate dispute mechanism. However, Mattos contemplates whether arbitration is his best option or if he should take Hyundai Motor Company to court. He also contemplates suing the Ecuadorian firm for unfair competition.As students analyze Mattos’ decision, they will determine whether the actions of the any of the parties might be considered organizational misconduct. This case is not about assigning blame. It is not about deciphering whether anyone is guilty. Instead, the case is designed to promote critical thinking about the concept of organizational misconduct. Most literature and understanding of organizational misconduct are from a Western, developed country point of view. In this case, there are three key actors, all from emerging markets. Each may have participated in some sort of misconduct, depending on how the term is defined.

Complexity academic level

This case is appropriate for advanced, undergraduate or master's level international business students in classes such as international management, intercultural management, international negotiation or business ethics.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 5: International Business.
Skills mismatch and change confidence: the impact of training on change recipients’ self-efficacy
Authors: Ferrari Filippo
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Drawing on Bandura’s social learning theory (SLT), the purpose of this paper is to investigate, analytically, the impact that after-training skills level (i.e. perceived skill match) has on change self-efficacy. Moreover, this research also aims to identify which specific skills sets (if any) act as a protective factor during organizational change, supporting the change confidence (CC) level of the people involved.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative research was carried out on a sample of 200 workers in the bank sector.

Findings

Findings of this study suggest that skill match has a significant impact on the CC level. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that, even in front-office jobs, a perceived skill match of soft skills does not have a significant impact on staff CC, unlike that suggested by common sense and by literature.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should investigate if and how a training process enables change self-efficacy over time or instead shows its utility only when it is relating to a specific and limited period.

Practical implications

This study suggests that in designing training, top and middle management should pay specific attention to change recipients’ needs by adopting a bottom-up approach. Moreover, to improve training effectiveness, it would be advisable to also train change recipients’ supervisors.

Social implications

This study has social implications in suggesting how to foster the adaptive capabilities of change recipients in current turbulent times. In doing so, it suggests how to prevent some undesirable change consequences such as anxiety, intention to quit, work-related stress and change cynicism.

Originality/value

This paper shows that, from a methodological point of view, it is necessary to evaluate training effectiveness at the level of a specific skill area and not simply by comparing the trained/not trained people, as typically practiced until now.
Collaborative data analysis: examining youths’ literacy practices in YPAR
Authors: Marciano Joanne E. , Beymer Alecia
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how youth from varied cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds came together to collaboratively analyze data they collected across two research projects in a community-based Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) initiative, a less understood aspect of YPAR. Specifically, this study discusses how youth enacted collaborative data analysis to foreground lived experience and experiential knowledge while enacting critical literacy practices and building toward an open and reflective form of relationality.

Design/methodology/approach

The examination of youths’ data analysis practices is situated in a larger qualitative research study of the Central City Youth Participatory Action Research initiative, a six-month, community-based, out-of-school program. This study discusses the relational and humanizing practices of youth through collaborative data analysis practices.

Findings

This study focuses on two small-group research teams, examining how youth enacted critical literacy practices and humanizing modes of learning through relational practices as data analysis. This study discusses two themes in the findings: making sense of data through personal experience and negotiating researcher roles as stancetaking in collaborative data analysis

Originality/value

In analyzing students’ collaborative data analysis practices across the small-group YPAR projects they enacted, this study contributes new understandings about how youth analyzed data to examine aspects of educational equity important to them.
Corporate governance and voluntary disclosures in annual reports: a post-International Financial Reporting Standard adoption evidence from an emerging capital market
Authors: Boateng Richard Nana , Tawiah Vincent , Tackie George
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an empirical evidence concerning the influence of Corporate governance and voluntary disclosures in annual reports: a post-International Financial Reporting Standards adoption evidence from an emerging capital market.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from the annual reports of all 22 listed non-financial firms over a five-year period. Using content analysis, the audited annual reports of the firms were scored on the extent of overall and four specific types of voluntary disclosures made. The panel data obtained were analyzed using a generalized ordinary least squares regression model.

Findings

The findings of the study show that voluntary disclosures among the firms are low even after the adoption of IFRS. Corporate governance attributes of board size and board leadership structure are significant determinants of the extent of voluntary disclosures made by the firms. However, board independence and auditor type exhibit only a significant positive effect on voluntary financial and forward-looking information disclosures.

Research limitations/implications

Firms’ voluntary information disclosure and governance variables were restricted to those in annual reports, which may partially reflect the reality of firms’ disclosure and governance practices.

Practical implications

The present study offers useful insights to regulators of the capital market to strengthen monitoring of firms to ensure strict adherence to corporate governance best practice guidelines as a means of improving information environment.

Originality/value

This study is one of the very few ones in Africa, especially in the context of Ghana Stock Exchange, to use post-IFRS data and examine a disaggregated voluntary disclosure by firms.
GSA-based support vector neural network: a machine learning approach for crop prediction to provision sustainable farming
Authors: Ashwitha A. , Latha C.A.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Automated crop prediction is needed for the following reasons: First, agricultural yields were decided by a farmer's ability to work in a certain field and with a particular crop previously. They were not always able to predict the crop and its yield solely on that idea alone. Second, seed firms frequently monitor how well new plant varieties would grow in certain settings. Third, predicting agricultural production is critical for solving emerging food security concerns, especially in the face of global climate change. Accurate production forecasts not only assist farmers in making informed economic and management decisions but they also aid in the prevention of famine. This results in farming systems’ efficiency and productivity gains, as well as reduced risk from environmental factors.

Design/methodology/approach

This research paper proposes a machine learning technique for effective autonomous crop and yield prediction, which makes use of solution encoding to create solutions randomly, and then for every generated solution, fitness is evaluated to meet highest accuracy. Major focus of the proposed work is to optimize the weight parameter in the input data. The algorithm continues until the optimal agent or optimal weight is selected, which contributes to maximum accuracy in automated crop prediction.

Findings

Performance of the proposed work is compared with different existing algorithms, such as Random Forest, support vector machine (SVM) and artificial neural network (ANN). The proposed method support vector neural network (SVNN) with gravitational search agent (GSA) is analysed based on different performance metrics, such as accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, CPU memory usage and training time, and maximum performance is determined.

Research limitations/implications

Rather than real-time data collected by Internet of Things (IoT) devices, this research focuses solely on historical data; the proposed work does not impose IoT-based smart farming, which enhances the overall agriculture system by monitoring the field in real time. The present study only predicts the sort of crop to sow not crop production.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a novel optimization algorithm, which is based on the law of gravity and mass interactions. The search agents in the proposed algorithm are a cluster of weights that interact with one another using Newtonian gravity and motion principles. A comparison was made between the suggested method and various existing strategies. The obtained results confirm the high-performance in solving diverse nonlinear functions.
What has been done and what has not – the government of Canada’s economic policy response to the coronavirus pandemic
Authors: Fedotov Dmitriy
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine Canadian government measures to support country’s economic recovery and sustainable development. The goal is to examine whether all orders of government are working well to deliver the required help to Canadians.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical foundations for this article are drawn from liberal and institutionalist approaches to comparative politics. Specifically, the proposed study draws on political tensions that occur because of actions of self-centered regional (provincial) governments who legitimize individual policies based on their self-centered economic and political objectives.

Findings

Nowadays, we can observe the primary role of the state in supporting and regulating the health governance systems, the economy and social life. Many informal groups have unstructured approach, which does not require them to follow existing strategies. The challenges caused by COVID-19 have led to the resurgence of collective, state-based approaches to the recovery. The key findings illuminate the importance of crisis communication activities which should be implemented properly. This implies that all disclosures must be timely and truthful.

Practical implications

The study helps to better understand the events that disrupt parts of the Canadian economy during pandemic. It reviews the essential functions that are critical for reliable operation of infrastructure services to ensure safety and well-being of the population. During the COVID-19, federal–provincial–territorial collaboration runs into resistance because of competing interests, resource constraints, legacies from past conflicts and lack of coordination. In contrast to managers, who often focus on tangible short-term results, today’s leadership more often seeks intangible long-term results. This means that the central–local government relations tend to be more informal.

Originality/value

In the face of external shock, such as COVID-19, it did not take much time for Canadian provincial governments to realize that they cannot cope with a wide range of challenges alone. In these circumstances, the narratives of how governments work together during the challenging time to impact their desired outcomes are of crucial importance.
Impeding factors for the generation of collaborative innovation performance in ecosystem-based manufacturing
Authors: Ates Aylin
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Although there is a growing body of literature on the benefits of innovation ecosystem participation for keystone/focal firms, there are limited studies on what motivates or impedes other actors’ participation (i.e. suppliers and complementors) in collaborative innovation. Hence, this study aims to address the root causes of collaborative innovation failure and develop a better understanding of the hindering factors for the generation of collaborative innovation performance in ecosystem-based manufacturing.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a qualitative research study with 45 managers involving an online survey with open-ended questions followed by an expert focus group with seven managers from a UK-based high value manufacturing ecosystem. Data analysis and coding followed a highly iterative process using a thematic analysis approach.

Findings

This study identified six common barriers to collaborative innovation from the perspective of supplier firms. Particularly, this study found unique impeding factors in relation to revealed and deterring barriers in an ecosystem-based manufacturing context. This paper argues that suppliers and small- and medium-sized enterprises not only require financial support but also need to develop a strategic mindset, confidence, effective partnerships and knowledge about risks and returns to participate in collaborative innovation.

Originality/value

The extant literature identifies the motivations for joining innovation ecosystems and the prominence of value co-creation activity from the perspective of focal firms or orchestrators. However, this study offers insights into the need for an effective value co-appropriation setup amongst the ecosystem actors including suppliers. Importantly, this study proposes that effective value co-appropriation is essential for making collaborative innovation happen in manufacturing ecosystems.
Structural changes in meat consumption in Vietnam: evidence from household survey data
Authors: Quach Vuong Dai , Yabe Mitsuyasu , Nomura Hisako , Takahashi Yoshifumi
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to provide empirical insight into the trends and structural changes in meat consumption in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies the Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System model on multiple cross-sectional data sets derived from the Vietnam Household Living Standards Survey (VHLSS) of 2004–2016 and follows a consistent two-step procedure to deal with the zero consumption issue. The estimated demand elasticities are then compared and analyzed over time.

Findings

The empirical results show that in the last decade, meat consumption patterns in Vietnam have undergone a remarkable structural change, with poultry and beef increasingly taking important roles in the meat consumption structure of households. In addition, demographic characteristics, including settlement type, household size and the age of the household head, have significantly influenced meat expenditure patterns in Vietnam.

Research limitations/implications

The paper considers the demand for meat consumed at home but not meat consumed away from home.

Originality/value

In many developing countries, increased disposable income, together with rapid urbanization and international integration, has significantly changed consumers' food consumption behaviors. This is one of the first studies using household survey data, which permits the exploration of heterogeneous preferences between consumers, to explore structural changes in food consumption patterns in Vietnam.
Evaluation of the implementation of merit criteria in the selection of senior bureaucratic officials in Egypt
Authors: Mohamed Al-Saba Refai Al-Qarni
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The paper aimed to identify the extent of the implementation of merit criteria in the selection of senior bureaucratic officials in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

The design of the study is both descriptive in the theoretical part and quantitative in the applied one. The study is based on a literature review and adopts an analytical approach to clarify the related concepts. Besides, an empirical study to investigate the correlations in practice, based on a sample of 380 senior officials to obtain the primary data.

Findings

The results of the study reveal that there are no statistically significant differences between the respondents' perspectives towards the implementation of merit criteria in selecting senior officials. This means that merit criteria are not always applied, but sometimes. Moreover, the results showed no statistically significant differences between the respondents' perspectives towards the implementation of merit criteria attributed to gender and age, while there were differences attributed to educational qualification and experience. The study recommended the necessity of adhering to the provisions of the civil service system and reconsidering the procedures of competitive examinations and interviews.

Originality/value

With respect to the Middle East, very limited studies have focused on the implementation of the merit system in recruitment. There is a lack of research and academic articles on this topic (Budhwar and Mellahi, 2016; Afiouni et al., 2014). The study addresses this gap in research and provides several recommendations that may improve the implementation of the merit system in Egypt. Moreover, this study adds to the limited literature on this topic in the Middle East.
Customer incivility and employee outcomes in the new service marketplace
Authors: Hwang Hansol , Hur Won-Moo , Shin Yuhyung , Kim Youngjin
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Due to volatile changes and crises in the business environment, frontline service employees (FSEs) are faced with increasing work stressors in the new service marketplace. Of these, customer incivility has been found to negatively affect their work outcomes. This study aims to examine the moderating effect of experiencing an imminent environmental crisis (i.e. the COVID-19 pandemic) on the relationship between customer incivility, work engagement and job crafting, using pre- and postpandemic samples.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors administered two-wave surveys to 276 FSEs (prepandemic sample) in July and October 2019 and to 301 FSEs (postpandemic sample) in March and April 2020.

Findings

Moderation analyses showed that the relationship between customer incivility, work engagement and job crafting varied between FSEs who experienced the pandemic and those who did not; the relationship was stronger for the postpandemic than the prepandemic sample. There was a positive relationship between work engagement and job crafting; it was weaker for the postpandemic sample.

Research limitations/implications

The deleterious effect of customer incivility exacerbated after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the authors did not explore why the pandemic aggravated the negative effect. The mechanism underlying the moderating effect of the pandemic and the effect of more diverse types of incivility should be explored in future research.

Practical implications

It is critical to provide FSEs with instrumental and emotional support to cope with the crisis brought on by the pandemic. Service organizations must monitor customers’ uncivil behaviors to identify their causes and develop interventions to improve service quality. Furthermore, service organizations are advised to enhance the coping capabilities of FSEs by using diverse interventions, such as emotion regulation training, debriefing sessions, short breaks and job crafting.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to reveal the moderating effect of the pandemic on the relationships between customer incivility, work engagement and job crafting, using pre- and postpandemic samples. This study offers necessary insights to improve FSEs’ engagement at work and enhance their job crafting in the new service marketplace.
Optimal service quality and pricing for App service supply chain with network externality based on four different scenarios
Authors: Xing Peng , Wang Meixia , Yao Junzhu
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the optimal service quality and pricing for a mobile application (App) service supply chain (SSC) and analyze the impact of network externality on App SSC members' utilities. After that, the corresponding management inspirations and suggestions are put forward.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper developed a SSC consisted of an App service supplier and an App service operator. Our models aim to maximize the SSC members' utilities. By utilizing the game theory, equilibrium solutions are obtained. Numerical examples are used to manifest the impact of parameters on decisions by Matlab. Some management enlightenment could be obtained by comparison analysis.

Findings

Cooperating with an App service operator that asks for a lower revenue sharing ratio will enable the App service supplier to have sufficient funds to provide high-quality update service. With the increase of network externality, adopting a high-quality service strategy can bring higher utility to the App service operator and users. Pouring attention into consumer welfare moderately will improve the App service supplier's utility. Scenario CRS can achieve a win–win goal for App SSC members and consumers.

Originality/value

The innovations of this paper are as follows: Firstly, the authors investigate the optimal service quality and pricing for the App SSC, which has been discussed little in previous literature. Secondly, the authors discuss how network externality and enterprises' attention to consumer welfare affect the optimal decisions and utilities of App service supply chain members. Thirdly, this paper considers four different circumstances and determines the optimal operation scenario for App SSC through comparative analysis.
Complex characteristics analysis of time-delay digital supply chain driven by cybersecurity
Authors: Dai Daoming , Wu Xuanyu , Si Fengshan , Feng Zhenan , Chu Weishen
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the short-term development pattern and long-term development trend of the digital supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the combination of short-term game and long-term evolutionary game theory.

Findings

Findings of this study suggest that irrational decisions can make the evolutionary path of the digital supply chain complex and unpredictable.

Originality/value

This study proposes an evolutionary game model for the digital supply chain that can provide good guidance for the digitalization process of enterprises.
Spirituality in the workplace: a systematic review
Authors: Singh Reetesh K. , Singh Saumya
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the extant literature of workplace spirituality (WPS) in a manner that helps us trace its emergence in management practices in the past twelve years and to identify the gaps to be addressed by researchers in near future.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-step screening process was followed to extract the papers from various databases. The paper reviews one hundred fifty-nine conceptual and empirical articles published in more than fifty journals from 2010 to 2021. Leading databases like EBSCO, Scopus and ProQuest were extensively searched. The papers were analysed and grouped to arrive at the themes and classification criteria.

Findings

Despite numerous studies and extensive research in the past decade, the construct of WPS lacks a conclusive definition and has overlapping dimensions. It is a multidimensional concept having personal, psychological and social aspects. It is a dominant field in organisational behaviour domain.

Research limitations/implications

The review explains the multidisciplinary nature of WPS, having roots in organisational behaviour, psychology and theology. Further, the paper provides a clear picture of the present state of literature and enumerates future research avenues which will enable the researchers to further expand the area of WPS.

Practical implications

The review highlights multiple positive attitudinal outcomes that managers can attain through WPS-related initiatives. Various techniques like prayer breaks, meditation and yoga can be used by the managers for spiritual incorporation process.

Originality/value

This study acquires significance, for, unlike previous studies, it does not propose that inclusion of WPS will always be gainful, rather it also broaches its potential harm, if incorporated sans due caution. Considering the complexity of spiritual beliefs, it will enable managers to weigh the pros-cons of such inclusion. The research gaps identified in the review will help future researchers in furthering the field of WPS.