bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Competitive approach of invasive cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) with native weed species diversity in Northeast China
Authors: Iqbal Mazher , Iram Aafia , Liu Ming Chao , Feng Yu Long
Published: January 2020

Xanthium strumarium is yearly weed local to North America and is presently an obtrusive species. The intrusive weed can contend with local decent variety may turn into a hazardous weed for the agrarian profitability and rangeland biological systems. The present examination researched the challenge of intrusive and local weed populaces inside two straight out variables in matched quadratic rings (treatment/invasive with control/non-invasive). The present investigation was led at four unique areas of northeast China to discover competition of Xanthium strumarium on 40 paired matched vegetations in same condition and living space conditions. The number of species (NOS) occurred in quadratic ring; abundance (A); Simpsons Diversity Index (SDI); Margalef’s Richness Index (MRI) compared between invasive and non-invasive quadrates by t-test was recorded significant (P<0.05) suggestion of competitions between plant communities. The abundance in communities decreased significantly in invasive compared to non-invasive quadrate gave an indication about low productivity of plant species due to Xanthium strumarium. Rarefaction bend with respect to coefficient of determination (R2) explored in the overviewed network (0.86) proposed that there is a solid positive polynomial connection between various weed families. Greatest difference list (87.06%) recorded in Huailai province followed by Yangyuan (44.43%), Zhangjiakou (40.13%) and at Fushun (29.02%). Significant (P<0.05) maximum global R demonstrated high species decent variety was found in Huailai area (0.943) trailed by Zhangjiakou. Significant (P<0.05) density of native weed was recorded in non-invasive quadrate which was comparable to the invasive quadrate. Finally invasive Xanthium strumarium compete with native weeds diversity created significant threat to the natural diversity. Most extreme thickness of weed species gave cautioning that the predominant edaphic and natural states of the uneven regions are profoundly favorable for the dispersion and development of the weed in future.
Crystal structure of a new polyoxometalate (POM) compound with a high level of crystallographic disorder
Authors: Skorepova Eliska , Harchani Ali , Ftini Mohamed Mongi , Dušek Michal , Haddad Amor
Published: January 2020

The crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and spectroscopic analysis of a new polyoxometalate (POM) compound, namely, nonakis(2-methoxyaniline) bis(diphosphopentamolybdate) trihydrate, (C7H9NO)9[P2Mo5O23]2·3H2O, is reported. The title compound was synthesized using the solution method and was structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, which revealedP\overline{1} symmetry. A study of the intermolecular interactions using Hirshfeld surface analysis confirmed that the hydrogen-bonding interactions play the dominant role in the stability of the crystal structure. The refinement was complicated by extensive disorder affecting 11 of the 16 ions and molecules in the asymmetric unit. IR and UV–Vis spectroscopic techniques were used to identify the vibrational modes and to classify this compound as an insulator.
(E)-{[(Butylsulfanyl)methanethioyl]amino}(4-methoxybenzylidene)amine: crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis
Authors: Rusli Aqilah Fasihah , Kwong Huey Chong , Crouse Karen A. , Jotani Mukesh M. , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: January 2020

The title hydrazine carbodithioate, C13H18N2OS2, is constructed about a central and almost planar C2N2S2 chromophore (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0263 Å); the terminal methoxybenzene group is close to coplanar with this plane [dihedral angle = 3.92 (11)°]. The n-butyl group has an extended all-trans conformation [torsion angles S—Cm—Cm—Cm = −173.2 (3)° and Cm—Cm—Cm—Cme = 180.0 (4)°; m = methylene and me = methyl]. The most prominent feature of the molecular packing is the formation of centrosymmetric eight-membered {...HNCS}2 synthons, as a result of thioamide-N—H...S(thioamide) hydrogen bonds; these are linked via methoxy-C–H...π(methoxybenzene) interactions to form a linear supramolecular chain propagating along the a-axis direction. An analysis of the calculated Hirshfeld surfaces and two-dimensional fingerprint plots point to the significance of H...H (58.4%), S...H/H...S (17.1%), C...H/H...C (8.2%) and O...H/H...O (4.9%) contacts in the packing. The energies of the most significant interactions, i.e. the N—H...S and C—H...π interactions have their most significant contributions from electrostatic and dispersive components, respectively. The energies of two other identified close contacts at close to van der Waals distances, i.e. a thione–sulfur and methoxybenzene–hydrogen contact (occurring within the chains along the a axis) and between methylene-H atoms (occurring between chains to consolidate the three-dimensional architecture), are largely dispersive in nature.
Structural characterization and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 2-iodo-4-(pentafluoro-λ6-sulfanyl)benzonitrile
Authors: González Espiet Jean C. , Cintrón Cruz Juan A. , Piñero Cruz Dalice M.
Published: January 2020

The title compound, C7H3F5INS, a pentafluorosulfanyl (SF5) containing arene, was synthesized from 4-(pentafluorosulfanyl)benzonitrile and lithium tetramethylpiperidide following a variation to the standard approach, which features simple and mild conditions that allow direct access to tri-substituted SF5 intermediates that have not been demonstrated using previous methods. The molecule displays a planar geometry with the benzene ring in the same plane as its three substituents. It lies on a mirror plane perpendicular to [010] with the iodo, cyano, and the sulfur and axial fluorine atoms of the pentafluorosulfanyl substituent in the plane of the molecule. The equatorial F atoms have symmetry-related counterparts generated by the mirror plane. The pentafluorosulfanyl group exhibits a staggered fashion relative to the ring and the two hydrogen atoms ortho to the substituent. S—F bond lengths of the pentafluorosulfanyl group are unequal: the equatorial bond facing the iodo moiety has a longer distance [1.572 (3) Å] and wider angle compared to that facing the side of the molecules with two hydrogen atoms [1.561 (4) Å]. As expected, the axial S—F bond is the longest [1.582 (5) Å]. In the crystal, in-plane C—H...F and N...I interactions as well as out-of-plane F...C interactions are observed. According to the Hirshfeld analysis, the principal intermolecular contacts for the title compound are F...H (29.4%), F...I (15.8%), F...N (11.4%), F...F (6.0%), N...I (5.6%) and F...C (4.5%).
Crystal structures of 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octabromo-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin as the chloroform monosolvate and tetrahydrofuran monosolvate
Authors: Kingsbury Christopher J. , Flanagan Keith J. , Kielmann Marc , Twamley Brendan , Senge Mathias O.
Published: January 2020

The crystal structures of the title compounds, two solvates (CHCl3 and THF) of a symmetric and highly substituted porphyrin, C44H2Br8F20N4 or OBrTPFPP, are described. These structures each feature a non-planar porphyrin ring, exhibiting a similar conformation of the strained ring independent of solvent identity. These distorted porphyrins are able to form hydrogen bonds and sub-van der Waals halogen interactions with enclathrated solvent; supramolecular interactions of proximal macrocycles are additionally affected by solvent choice. The crystal studied for compound 1·CHCl3
was refined as an inversion twin. One pentafluorophenyl group was modelled as disordered over two sites [occupancy ratio = 0.462 (7):0.538 (7)]. The chloroform solvate was also modelled as disordered over two orientations [occupancy ratio = 0.882 (7): 0.118 (7).
[Se(CH2C(O)CH3)3][B12F11NH3]: The first selenium cation with three β-ketone substituents
Authors: Jenne Carsten , Nierstenhöfer Marc C.
Published: January 2020

The reaction of [Se8][B12F11NH3]2with acetone and subsequent crystallization from acetone/diethyl ether yielded the selenium cation [Se(CH2C(O)CH3)3]+as a by-product, which is stabilized by the weakly coordinating undecafluorinated anion [B12F11NH3]−. While attempting to crystallize pure [Se8][B12F11NH3]2, the structure of the isolated product, namely, tris(2-oxopropyl)selenium 1-ammonioundecafluorododecaborate, was surprising. The cation [Se(CH2C(O)CH3)3]+represents the first example for a cationic selenium compound with three ketone functional groups located in the β-position with respect to the selenium atom. The cation possesses almost trigonal–pyramidalC3symmetry and forms hydrogen bonds to the ammonio group of the anion.
Crystal structure of 4-methyl-N-(4-methylbenzyl)benzenesulfonamide
Authors: Stenfors Brock A. , Staples Richard J. , Biros Shannon M. , Ngassa Felix N.
Published: January 2020

The title compound, C15H17NO2S, was synthesized via a substitution reaction between 4-methylbenzylamine and p-toluenesulfonyl chloride. In the crystal, N—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules, forming ribbons running along the b-axis direction. One of the aromatic rings hosts two intermolecular C—H...π interactions that link these hydrogen-bonded ribbons into a three-dimensional network.
Growing leaders in schools and out: building internal capacity for the mid-21st-century
Authors: Drago-Severson Eleanor , Blum-DeStefano Jessica
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This article highlights key elements of a developmental approach to leadership development and their promising connections to mid-21st-century capacities.

Methods

To do so, the authors draw from more than three decades of mixed-methods and qualitative research, as well as insights from their teaching and consulting with leaders of all kinds about adult development.

Findings

Specifically, four critical strategies are highlighted for enhancing collaboration that can help build internal capacity in schools and organizations.

Value

This research shows that building internal capacity in this way can help prepare leaders – and those in their schools and communities – for the complexities and opportunities of mid-21st-century leadership and learning.
In the face of digitalization and AI - Organizations need to take an EPIC approach to learning
Authors: Kimmerle Joachim
Published: January 2020

Purpose

In this viewpoint article four areas are considered that are relevant for organizational learning.

Design/methodology/approach

These areas are analyzed against the background of digitalization and AI.

Findings

In introducing the EPIC approach, special attention is paid to the relevance of education, the role of patience, the importance of promoting innovation, and the desirability of supporting collaboration.

Originality/value

Our educational system must aim to prepare us for the challenges of organizational learning. We must learn to have the patience to meet these challenges, for only then will we achieve real innovation which we can develop in collaboration with others, in a learning organization that is truly worthy of the name.
Assessment of user's satisfaction with neighbourhood facilities in public housing estates in Akure, Nigeria
Authors: Fakere Alexander Adeyemi , Duke-Henshaw Oluwadunsin Faith
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This study aims at evaluating the state of neighbourhood facilities and how this influences the well-being of the residents taking into consideration their perception and satisfaction with the facilities. This is because availability and accessibility of neighbourhood facilities in housing estates play important roles in the quality of life of the residents.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a cross-sectional survey of 301 housing units using structured questionnaire and direct observations in three public housing estates in Akure, namely, Ijapo, Alagbaka and Oba-Ile Housing Estates. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive analysis, mean scoring and categorical regression analysis to examine the effects of adequacy, accessibility and physical condition of the neighbourhood facilities on user’s satisfaction.

Findings

The findings showed that religious centres had the highest rating in all aspects of the study in the study estates, whereas fire service station was rated the least. Most of the independent variables significantly explained satisfaction except for accessibility to schools. The model explained 98.2 per cent of the variance in the level of satisfaction with Multiple R2 of 0.982 and p = 0.000.

Practical implications

The findings imply that there should be proper planning and regular maintenance of neighbourhood facilities within the housing estates in Akure to enhance user’s satisfaction with such facilities.

Originality/value

The study highlights the benefits of having neighbourhood facilities that are adequate, accessible and in good condition to enhance user’s satisfaction.
Do agriculture-based economies mitigate CO2emissions?
Authors: Dar Javaid Ahmad , Asif Mohammad
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This study aims to fill the gap in income-environment literature by adding agricultural contribution to the nexus. The authors investigate the short-run and long-run impact of agricultural contribution, renewable energy consumption, real income, trade liberalisation and urbanisation on carbon emissions for a balanced panel of five South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries spanning the period 1990-2013.

Design/methodology/approach

Pedroni and Kao cointegration techniques have been used to test the existence of long-run relationship between the variables. The directions of causal relationships have been verified using Granger causality tests. Further, the long-run parameters of the baseline equation have been estimated by using the fully modified ordinary least squares, the technique developed by Pedroni, (2001a) for heterogeneous cointegrated panels.

Findings

The result reveals that agricultural contribution and renewable energy consumption improve environmental quality in the long run, while urbanisation and per capita real income degrade it. The study did not find any evidence of “pollution heaven hypothesis” in the selected countries. The Granger causality tests confirm bidirectional causality between carbon emissions and income and between carbon emissions and urbanisation. In addition, there is unidirectional causality running from agricultural contribution to renewable energy consumption.

Originality/value

This is the only study to investigate the role of agriculture sector in carbon mitigation from a panel of South Asian economies. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is also the first study to test the applicability of “pollution heaven hypothesis” for SAARC countries.
Corruption, gender inequality and logistics performance
Authors: Larson Paul D.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test theory-driven hypotheses on the influence of corruption and gender inequality on logistics performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops hypotheses based on a review of the literature and theory linking corruption, gender inequality and logistics performance. Testing the hypotheses draws on the following secondary data sources: the World Bank Logistics Performance Index, Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index and the United Nations Development Programme Gender Inequality Index. Regression analysis is used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

A significant direct effect is evident between corruption perceptions and perceived logistics performance. Corruption is detrimental to logistics. Further, there is evidence of an indirect effect, via gender inequality. Gender inequality is also linked directly to lower logistics performance. Gross domestic product/capita enters the analysis as a control variable.

Research limitations/implications

While the analysis uses secondary data, sources are credible and their methods – while not perfect – are logical and appear to be reasonable. It is possible that excluded variables could further explain the relationships under study. This implies future research opportunities, perhaps involving case studies of specific nations.

Practical implications

The results should inspire businesses, non-governmental organizations and governments to invest in, aid, advocate for and legislate toward greater gender equality – and against corruption. Logistics educators have an important role in disseminating this message.

Social implications

Gender inequality and corruption are current, global social issues. Moving forward toward equality and away from corruption are the right moves. Such moves appear to also yield better logistics.

Originality/value

This paper is among the first linking corruption and gender inequality to logistics performance. It shows how social issues impact logistics performance at a national level.
Challenges to strategic planning in public institutions
Authors: Dlamini Nqobile , Mazenda Adrino , Masiya Tyanai , Nhede Norman Tafirenyika
Published: January 2020

Purpose

A strategic plan is a document used to communicate an organisation’s goals and the actions needed to achieve those goals. Strategic planning in public organisations promotes timely decisions, enhances the management of limited resources in a more rational manner, improves service delivery and induces greater satisfaction of customers. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to critically examine the strategic planning challenges facing the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS), and how these impact organisational performance; second, to identify strategies that can be implemented to enhance strategic planning and performance management in the DTPS.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used a qualitative case study design with the aid of document analysis to provide insight into the research questions.

Findings

The paper concludes that public institutions such as the DTPS face a plethora of challenges that militate against successful strategic planning and implementation. A major challenge is resistance to change arising from a desire to maintain the status quo. This paper argues that it is important to promote strategic planning, and aligning organisational objectives with performance in public institutions.

Research limitations/implications

This study is based on documentary research and therefore its findings may lack current findings that would have emerged from direct interviews.

Practical implications

This research contributes towards efforts being made to make strategic planning and implementation effective and credible in public institutions especially in sub Saharan Africa.

Originality/value

In many South African public institutions, strategic planning is viewed as the work of top management, a misconception which compromises service delivery. In addition, strategic planning has been implemented as a direct attempt to inhibit poor budgetary planning and corruption in procurement systems, and in order to effectively manage public resources. There is a need for the department to conduct regular skills development programmes, uproot top-level bureaucracy, and increase innovation, monitoring and evaluation of organisational activities.
Service employees’ personality, customer orientation and customer incivility
Authors: Kiffin-Petersen Sandra A. , Soutar Geoffrey N.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating role customer orientation plays in the relationship between service employees’ personality and their perceived experiences of customer incivility.

Design/methodology/approach

Service workers from a variety of industries were recruited from an online panel service and asked to complete a self-report on-line questionnaire (n = 253). PLS structural equation modeling was used to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

Service employees who are high in agreeableness and core self-evaluations are more customer-oriented and, as a result, report fewer customer incivility experiences. Disagreeable and neurotic service employees are more likely to be selling-orientated, but this was unrelated to customer incivility.

Research limitations/implications

The results are limited because all data are self-report. However, the findings suggest that personality and customer orientation influence employees’ customer incivility experiences.

Originality/value

Service jobs can be stressful, in part, because employees have to deal with rude and abusive customers. However, little is known about the antecedents to customer incivility from the perspective of the service provider. The present study bridges this gap and provides an understanding of the mechanisms by which targeted employees’ personality characteristics and customer-oriented behaviors influence their experiences of customer incivility. The results suggest two possible pathways to reduce employees’ customer incivility experiences including selection and training activities to develop a high core self-evaluation and more customer-oriented behaviors.
Motivation and barriers to access to formal credit of primary cinnamon producers from the perspective of value chain development in Northwestern Vietnam
Authors: Luan Do Xuan
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate borrowing motivation, credit access barriers and their impacts on income of smallholder farmers engaging in cinnamon value chain development in Northwestern Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

A multistage sampling technique using a structural questionnaire and in-depth interviews was applied for collecting primary data from farmers and relevant stakeholders. The Propensity Score Matching was employed to analyze access barriers and examine whether relaxing these barriers can improve farmer income. To deal with the issue of model uncertainty and further increase the robustness of results, Bayesian model average and the bootstrapping approach were applied.

Findings

To fulfill the certain quality standards of cinnamon products which are later used in the medicinal and food industry, farmers as primary producers need credit for intensive investment to increase the value of their products. Still, there are 25.36 percent of farmers who have access constraints to formal credit. In the credit received group, 24.56 percent have not received full credit as demanded. Access problems are relevant to lack of collateral, lack of bank account holdings, inconvenient access to roads, weak chain linkage and limited organic farming. Removing credit access barriers can improve the income for farmers from cinnamon farming activities.

Research limitations/implications

More detailed information on the conditions under which credit serves a more important role in creating value addition for cinnamon products can help the government establish more effective credit policies.

Social implications

Great attention should be paid to smallholder farmers as primary producers in the chain for sustainable value chain development in developing and emerging economies. Policy interventions should facilitate access to bank accounts, speed up the process of granting residential land use certificates, certify organic farming and upgrade the road system. Strengthening the chain linkage can enhance smallholder farmers’ capacity to obtain credit through value chain lending development.

Originality/value

Empirical studies on agricultural credit from the perspective of value chain development remain scarce. A better understanding of credit access constraints allows for the positing of recommendations for policy makers to facilitate value chain lending and a medicinal plant-based agro-forestry system in similar situations.
Matching of expenses in financial reporting: a matching function approach
Authors: Laitinen Erkki Kalervo
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to introduce a matching function approach to analyze matching in financial reporting.

Design/methodology/approach

The matching function is first analyzed analytically. It is specified as a multiplicative Cobb-Douglas-type function of three categories of expenses (labor expense, material expense and depreciation). The specified matching function is solved by the generalized reduced gradient method (GRG) for 10-year time series from 8,226 Finnish firms. The coefficient of determination of the logarithmic model (CODL) is compared with the linear revenue-expense correlation coefficient (REC) that is generally used in previous studies.

Findings

Empirical evidence showed that REC is outperformed by CODL. CODL was found independent of or weakly negatively dependent on the matching elasticity of labor expense, positively dependent on the material expense elasticity and negatively dependent on depreciation elasticity. Therefore, the differences in matching accuracy between industries emphasizing different expense categories are significant.

Research limitations/implications

The matching function is a general approach to assess the matching accuracy but it is in this study specified multiplicatively for three categories of expenses. Moreover, only one algorithm is tested in the empirical estimation of the function. The analysis is concentrated on ten-year time-series of a limited sample of Finnish firms.

Practical implications

The matching function approach provides a large set of important information for considering the matching process in practice. It can prove a useful method also to accounting standard-setters and other specialists such as managers, consultants and auditors.

Originality/value

This study is the first study to apply the new matching function approach.
Testing complexity theory in service research
Authors: Prentice Catherine
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This study aims to draw on the complexity theory and uses a non-an asymmetrical method – fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to test the core tenets of complexity theory, namely, asymmetry, equifinality and causal complexity and valence reversals or conjunction with a focus on testing the relationships between service quality, customer satisfaction and loyalty. Case outcome forecasting accuracy rather than relationships are tested in asymmetric testing.

Design/methodology/approach

Both symmetrical (structural equation modelling or SEM) and non-symmetrical (fsQCA) methods were used to test the proposed relationships (symmetrical testing) and case outcome forecasting accuracy (asymmetric testing). The former was used as a comparison. The study setting was in Australian airports. The data were collected from departure passengers.

Findings

The results from SEM and fsQCA differ substantially. The former provides very simplistic findings of variable directional relationships; whereas the latter presents asymmetrical, equifinal and conjunctional relationships regarding service quality, customer satisfaction and behavioural intentions. These findings support the core tenets of the complexity theory.

Research limitations/implications

The study findings conform to the complexity theory that indicates relationships between variables can be nonlinear and the same causes can produce different effects. The findings suggest the outcomes of interest often result from combined antecedent conditions rather than a single causal factor. The study confirms that asymmetrical thinking relies on Boolean algebra and set theory principles.

Originality/value

This study uses both symmetrical and asymmetrical methods to reveal the nuanced information about the relationship that has been tested primarily using symmetrical methods.
The evolution and impact of qualitative research in Journal of Services Marketing
Authors: Valtakoski Aku
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the evolution of empirical research methods in Journal of Services Marketing (JSM), how the choice of methodology is related to the research topic, and how methodology affects the impact of papers published in JSM.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on citation data from Scopus, bibliometric methods are used to describe the methodological evolution of literature over the period 1987-2017. Indicator correlations and logistic regression are used to test the methodological predispositions of research topics. Negative binomial regression is used to test the impact of paper methodology on paper citations on 1,036 papers.

Findings

Qualitative research methods have remained relatively rarely used in JSM (7.5 per cent qualitative papers, 13.4 per cent mixed methods), with no major changes over the past 15 years. The variety of research methods has slightly increased in the latest years. There are considerable differences in the methodological predispositions of research topics. The methodology does not directly affect the impact of papers. However, use of mixed methods may positively affect paper impact. Papers focusing on conceptual development tend to be cited more.

Research limitations/implications

The review indicates that quantitative methods dominate research in JSM. However, future research challenges in service marketing research call for a reconsideration of the role of qualitative research for JSM. Findings point out that several research topics could benefit from further qualitative research.

Originality/value

Provides an overview of the latest development in research methodologies used in JSM, and direct statistical evidence on how paper methodology and other characteristics influence paper impact. Identifies areas for further qualitative research.
A mixed content analysis model of ethics in the accounting profession
Authors: Namazi Mohammad , Rajabdorri Hossein
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose a contemporary-specific model entitled “sustainable development model of accounting professional ethics (SDM-APE)” and empirically investigate and quantitatively prioritize its components.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts the mixed content analysis research method and integrates both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The necessary data for the initial model are extracted after examining 569 published articles related to professional ethics of accounting in Iran during 2005-2015. Then, the ethical codes are reviewed, summarized and extracted via “content analysis.” Based on the findings of this study, a sustainable accounting model is developed, which consists of four constructs, including personal, social, economic-organizational and environmental factors, with 69 components. Afterward, the model is tested through collecting questionnaires and simple random sampling by 217 academic and professional experts. Accordingly, the second-order confirmatory factor analysis in LISREL software is used.

Findings

The paper clearly demonstrates that ethics in the professional accounting are underpinned by four major constructs: personal, social, economic-organizational and environmental factors; all four mentioned constructs of the model are interconnected and affect professional ethics in accounting and maintain a proper goodness of fit. Meanwhile, social, personal, economic-organizational and environmental features reveal the greatest fit accordingly. The variable of “avoiding the misuse of organizational property and information” is the most important variable of the model. It is followed by deontology, responsibility and accountability for environment, preventing environment degradation and emission of environmental pollutants, promoting the culture of environmental conservation, standing in the second to fifth priority levels, respectively.

Originality/value

This paper has developed a contemporary practical model in professional accounting ethics, which is extensive and applicable to various organizations.
A comparative study of the police code of silence
Authors: Kutnjak Ivković Sanja , Haberfeld Maria , Kang Wook , Peacock Robert Patrick , Porter Louise E. , Prenzler Tim , Sauerman Adri
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the contours of the police code of silence, a critical component of the ability to control misconduct and enhance integrity within any police agency. Unlike the extant research, dominated by single-country studies, this paper provides an in-depth exploration of the code across five countries and tests the relation between the code of science and societal characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

A police integrity survey was used to measure the contours of the code of silence among police officers in Australia (n=856), Croatia (n=966), South Africa (n=871), South Korea (n=379) and the USA (n=664). The respondents evaluated 11 hypothetical scenarios describing various forms of police misconduct.

Findings

Bivariate analyses reveal considerable divergence in the code of silence across the five countries. Multivariate models of the code of silence show that, next to organizational factors (i.e. the respondents’ assessment of peers’ willingness to report, evaluations of misconduct seriousness and expected discipline) and individual factors (i.e. supervisory status), societal factors (i.e. the Corruption Perceptions Index score and the percent of irreligious citizens) are significant predictors of the respondents’ willingness to report.

Research limitations/implications

While the same questionnaire was used in all five countries, the nature of the data collection differed somewhat across the countries (e.g. online survey vs paper-and-pencil survey), as did the nature of the samples (e.g. representative sample vs convenience sample).

Practical implications

Perceived peer pressure, measured as the perceptions of whether other police officers would adhere to the code of silence, is the key variable explaining the police officers’ expressed willingness to adhere to the code of silence. Changing the police officers’ perceptions of peer culture and potentially changing the peer culture itself should be critical elements in the toolbox of any administrator willing to curtail the code of silence.

Originality/value

Whereas the study of the code of silence has started several decades ago, no prior study has tested the effects of organizational and societal variables on the code of silence in a comparative perspective.
Asymmetric impact of exchange rate changes on stock returns: evidence of twode factoregimes
Authors: Ahmed Walid M.A.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This study focuses on Egypt’s recent experience with exchange rate policies, examining the existence of spillover effects of exchange rate variations on stock prices across two differentde factoregimes and whether these effects, if any, are asymmetric.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis is carried out using a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag modeling framework, which permits testing for the presence of short- and long-run asymmetries. Relevant local and global factors are also included in the analysis as control variables. The authors divide the entire sample into a soft peg period and a free float one.

Findings

Over the soft peg regime period, both positive and negative changes in EGP/USD exchange rates seem to have a significant impact on stock returns, whether in the short or long run. Short-term asymmetric effects vanish in the free float period, while long-term asymmetries continue to exist. By and large, the authors find that currency depreciation tends to exercise a stronger influence on stock returns than does currency appreciation.

Practical implications

The results offer important insights for investors, regulators and policymakers. With the domestic currency depreciation having a negative impact on stock prices, investors should contemplate implementing appropriate currency hedging strategies to abate depreciation risks and, hence, preserve their expected rate of return on the Egyptian pound-denominated investments. In the current post-flotation era, the government could pursue a flexible inflation targeting monetary policy framework, with a view to both lowering the soaring inflation toward an announced target rate and stabilizing economic growth. The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) could adopt indirect monetary policy instruments to secure tightened liquidity conditions. Besides, the CBE could raise policy rates to incentivize people to keep their money in local currency-denominated instruments, instead of dollarizing their savings, thereby relieving banks of foreign currency demand pressures. Nevertheless, while being beneficial to the country’s real economy on several aspects, such contractionary monetary measures may temporarily impinge on stock market performance. Accordingly, policymakers should consider precautionary measures that reduce the potential for price distortions and unnecessary volatility in the stock market.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the current study represents the first attempt to explore the potential impact of exchange rate changes under different regimes on Egypt’s stock market, thus contributing to the relevant research in this area.
Restoring the missing context in HRM: Habitus, capital and field in the reproduction of Japanese repatriate careers
Authors: McCann Leo , Monteath Gareth
Published: January 2020

HRM literature often fails to adequately consider the political‐economic context that can strongly influence HR practices and outcomes. This problem is particularly visible as regards international careers. Notions such as “boundaryless careers” privilege HR and employee agency and neglect the complexity, variety, and importance of social structure in influencing careers and constraining agency. Informed by Bourdieu's theory of practice, this paper explores Japanese HRM through the careers of repatriate managers. Through in‐depth and prolonged narrative inquiry, it documents the powerful “forms of capital” that structure the “salaryman” career field. Although tensions and conflicts existed—notably in relation to gender—traditional “lifetime employment” careers remain powerful, highlighting the continued centrality of capital and habitus in reproducing the Japanese white‐collar career field. We conclude by suggesting alternative ways of conceptualizing, researching, and portraying white‐collar careers within varied employment environments that are always shaped by specific and situated contexts.
When Do Leaders Free‐Ride? Business Experience and Contributions to Collective Defense
Authors: Fuhrmann Matthew
Published: January 2020

The logic of free‐riding expects that individuals will underinvest in public goods, but people often behave in ways that are inconsistent with this prediction. Why do we observe variation in free‐riding behavior? This study addresses this question by examining contributions to an important international public good—collective defense in military alliances. It develops a behavioral theory of free‐riding in which the beliefs of world leaders are important for explaining investments in public goods. The argument holds that leaders with business experience make smaller contributions to collective defense because they are egoistic and more comfortable relying on a powerful ally for their defense. An analysis of defense expenditures in 17 non‐U.S. members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization from 1952 to 2014 provides evidence consistent with the theory. The findings suggest that leaders with business experience are more likely than other heads of government to act as self‐interested utility maximizers.
An advanced mock circulation loop for in vitro cardiovascular device evaluation
Authors: Gregory Shaun D. , Pauls Jo P. , Wu Eric L. , Stephens Andrew , Steinseifer Ulrich , Tansley Geoff , Fraser John F.
Published: January 2020

Controlled and repeatable in vitro evaluation of cardiovascular devices using a mock circulation loop (MCL) is essential prior to in vivo or clinical trials. MCLs often consist of only a systemic circulation with no autoregulatory responses and limited validation. This study aimed to develop, and validate against human data, an advanced MCL with systemic, pulmonary, cerebral, and coronary circulations with autoregulatory responses. The biventricular MCL was constructed with pneumatically controlled hydraulic circulations with Starling responsive ventricles and autoregulatory cerebral and coronary circulations. Hemodynamic repeatability was assessed and complemented by validation using impedance cardiography data from 50 healthy humans. The MCL successfully simulated patient scenarios including rest, exercise, and left heart failure with and without cardiovascular device support. End‐systolic pressure‐volume relationships for respective healthy and heart failure conditions had slopes of 1.27 and 0.54 mm Hg mL−1 (left ventricle), and 0.18 and 0.10 mm Hg mL−1 (right ventricle), aligning with the literature. Coronary and cerebral autoregulation showed a strong correlation (R2: .99) between theoretical and experimentally derived circuit flow. MCL repeatability was demonstrated with correlation coefficients being statistically significant (P < .05) for all simulated conditions while MCL hemodynamics aligned well with human data. This advanced MCL is a valuable tool for inexpensive and controlled evaluation of cardiovascular devices.
Scaffold‐ and serum‐free hypertrophic cartilage tissue engineering as an alternative approach for bone repair
Authors: Kronemberger Gabriela S. , Dalmônico Gisele M. L. , Rossi André L. , Leite Paulo Emílio Correa , Saraiva Antonio M. , Beatrici Anderson , Silva Karina Ribeiro , Granjeiro José Mauro , Baptista Leandra Santos
Published: January 2020

Human adipose stem/stromal cell (ASC) spheroids were used as a serum‐free in vitro model to recapitulate the molecular events and extracellular matrix organization that orchestrate a hypertrophic cartilage phenotype. Induced‐ASC spheroids (ø = 450 µm) showed high cell viability throughout the period of culture. The expression of collagen type X alpha 1 chain (COLXA1) and matrix metallopeptidase 13 (MMP‐13) was upregulated at week 2 in induced‐ASC spheroids compared with week 5 (P < .001) evaluated by quantitative real‐time PCR. In accordance, secreted levels of IL‐6 (P < .0001), IL‐8 (P < .0001), IL‐10 (P < .0001), bFGF (P < .001), VEGF (P < .0001), and RANTES (P < .0001) were the highest at week 2. Strong in situ staining for collagen type X and low staining for TSP‐1 was associated with the increase of hypertrophic genes expression at week 2 in induced‐ASC spheroids. Collagen type I, osteocalcin, biglycan, and tenascin C were detected at week 5 by in situ staining, in accordance with the highest expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALPL) gene and the presence of calcium deposits as evaluated by Alizarin Red O staining. Induced‐ASC spheroids showed a higher force required to compression at week 2 (P < .0001). The human ASC spheroids under serum‐free inducer medium and normoxic culture conditions were induced to a hypertrophic cartilage phenotype, opening a new perspective to recapitulate endochondral ossification in vivo.
Review article: the management of heartburn during pregnancy and lactation
Authors: Thélin Camille S. , Richter Joel E.
Published: January 2020

Background

Gestational reflux is common, affecting up to 80% of pregnant women. Most symptoms will abate during lactation. During both of these periods, interventions used to relieve symptoms focus on a “step‐up” methodology with progressive intensification of treatment. This begins with lifestyle modifications.

Aim

To provide guidance in the treatment of reflux in pregnancy and lactation, as well as briefly summarising the pathogenesis, clinical presentation and diagnostic workup.

Methods

A comprehensive search, using online databases PubMed and MEDLINE, along with relevant manuscripts published in English between 1966 and 2019 was used. All abstracts were screened, potentially relevant articles were researched, and bibliographies were reviewed.

Results

Only a small percentage of relevant drugs are contraindicated for use in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. However, not all drug agents have been extensively evaluated in pregnant women or during the breastfeeding period. Antacids, alginates, and sucralfate are the first‐line therapeutic agents. If symptoms persist, any of the H2RAs can be used except for nizatidine (due to foetal teratogenicity or harm in animal studies). PPIs are reserved for women with intractable symptoms or complicated GERD; all are FDA category B drugs, except for omeprazole, which is a category C drug.

Conclusions

The management of heartburn during pregnancy and lactation begins with lifestyle modifications. In situations where disease severity increases, medical providers must discuss risks and benefits of these medicines with the patient in detail.
Risk‐adapted management of low‐grade bladder tumours: recommendations from the International Bladder Cancer Group (IBCG)
Authors: Matulay Justin T. , Soloway Mark , Witjes J. Alfred , Buckley Roger , Persad Raj , Lamm Donald L. , Boehle Andreas , Palou Joan , Colombel Marc , Brausi Maurizio , Kamat Ashish M.
Published: January 2020

Objective

To provide a contemporary update and recommendations for the diagnosis and management of low‐grade non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (BCa) based on current literature and expert consensus of the International Bladder Cancer Group.

Methods

We reviewed published trials, guidelines, meta‐analyses and reviews (up to March 2019) and provide recommendations on baseline evaluations, treatment, endpoints, study design and surveillance protocols.

Results

Low‐grade Ta BCa poses minimal risk to patients in terms of progression and disease‐specific survival. Thus, to minimize patient morbidity, this entity should be managed appropriately. After initial diagnosis of low‐grade Ta tumour, subsequent stable, low‐grade‐appearing recurrences can be managed conservatively with office cystoscopy and fulguration or even followed using an active surveillance protocol. Intravesical therapy other than single‐dose peri‐operative chemotherapy instillation should be used judiciously, and only after assigning appropriate risk points. Routine use of urinary cytology – other than at initial risk stratification, or for patients on active surveillance without therapy – is not recommended; and surveillance cystoscopy may be discontinued after 5 years. Clinical studies in this group of patients should focus on recurrence rates, and time to recurrence, rather than progression events.

Conclusions

The International Bladder Cancer Group has developed formal recommendations regarding the diagnosis, treatment and surveillance of low‐grade non‐muscle‐invasive BCa to minimize morbidity and encourage uniformity among studies in this disease.
The urban effects of the emerging middle class in the global south
Authors: Short John Rennie , Martínez Lina
Published: January 2020

This article explores the implications of a growing middle‐income population on the cities of the global South. The emergence of this group, situated between the poor and the very rich, long the standard binary categorization of understanding the global urban South, has important implications for physical reconfigurations and changing social structures. We discuss the reasons behind the rise of this middle‐income category, note some of its characteristics and review its urban impacts. We focus on just three themes: new consumption patterns, housing markets and, urban politics. We contribute to broader theories of global urbanism by highlighting how an expanding middle‐income‐class are shaping and configuring a new urban realm in the global South.