bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The associations of child screen time with psychiatric problems: the role of genetic confounding
Authors: Zhang Yingzhe , Choi Karmel W , Delaney Scott W. , Ge Tian , Pingault Jean-Baptiste , Tiemeier Henning
Published: March 2023

Importance

Children’s exposure to screen time has been associated with poor mental health outcomes, yet the role of genetic factors in this association remains largely unknown.

Objective

We examined (1) the longitudinal phenotypic association between child screen time and mental health outcomes and (2) the potential genetic confounding of this association. We hypothesized that genetics partially account for observed phenotypic associations.

Design

Longitudinal (baseline and one-year follow-up) population-based cohort.

Setting

Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development, 21 sites in the United States.

Participants

This study included 4,262 children of genetically assigned European ancestry with mean age 9.9 years [SD = 0.6 years], 46.8% female.

Exposure

Children’s daily screen time (in hours) was assessed both by child-report and parent-report questionnaires at baseline.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Child psychiatric problems, specifically attention and internalizing problems, were measured with the parent-rated Child Behavior Checklist at the one-year follow-up. We used Genetic sensitivity analyses (Gsens), based on structural equation models using polygenic risk scores (PRS) of both exposure and outcomes, and either single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based heritability or twin-based heritability to estimate genetic confounding of associations between child screen time and attention or internalizing problems, separately.

Results

We found that child screen time was positively associated with the different psychiatric problems. Further, the television time PRS was associated with child screen time (β=0.18 SD, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.23); the ADHD PRS was associated with attention problems (β=0.13 SD, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.16); and the depression PRS was associated with internalizing problems (β=0.10 SD, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.13). These PRSs were associated with cross-traits, suggesting genetic confounding. Using PRSs and SNP-based heritability, we estimated that genetic confounding entirely accounts for the association between child screen time and attention problems, and moderately (42.7%) accounts for the association between child screen time and internalizing problems. When PRSs and twin-based heritability estimates were used, genetic confounding fully explained both associations.

Conclusions and Relevance

Genetic confounding may explain a substantial part of the associations between child screen time and psychiatric problems. Potential interventions to reduce screen time could be less effective in reducing psychiatric problems than previously hypothesized.
Rare genetic variants inSEC24Dmodify orofacial cleft phenotypes
Authors: Curtis Sarah W. , Carlson Jenna C. , Beaty Terri H. , Murray Jeffrey C. , Weinberg Seth M. , Marazita Mary L. , Cotney Justin L. , Cutler David J. , Epstein Michael P. , Leslie Elizabeth J.
Published: March 2023

As one of the most common structural birth defects, orofacial clefts (OFCs) have been studied for decades, and recent studies have demonstrated that there are genetic differences between the different phenotypic presentations of OFCs. However, the contribution of rare genetic variation genome-wide to different subtypes of OFCs has been understudied, with most studies focusing on common genetic variation or rare variation within targeted regions of the genome. Therefore, we used whole-genome sequencing data from the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program to conduct a gene-based burden analysis to test for genetic modifiers of cleft lip (CL) vs cleft lip and palate (CLP). We found that there was a significantly increased burden of rare variants inSEC24Din CL cases compared to CLP cases (p=6.86×10−7). Of the 15 variants withinSEC24D, 53.3% were synonymous, but overlapped a known craniofacial enhancer. We then tested whether these variants could alter predicted transcription factor binding sites (TFBS), and found that the rare alleles destroyed binding sites for 9 transcription factors (TFs), including Pax1 (p=0.0009), and created binding sites for 23 TFs, including Pax6 (p=6.12×10−5) and Pax9 (p= 0.0001), which are known to be involved in normal craniofacial development, suggesting a potential mechanism by which these synonymous variants could have a functional impact. Overall, this study demonstrates that rare genetic variation contributes to the phenotypic heterogeneity of OFCs and suggests that regulatory variation may also contribute and warrant further investigation in future studies of genetic variants controlling risk to OFC.
Partial or complete loss of norepinephrine differentially alters contextual fear and catecholamine release dynamics in hippocampal CA1
Authors: Wilson Leslie R. , Plummer Nicholas W. , Evsyukova Irina Y. , Patino Daniela , Stewart Casey L. , Smith Kathleen G. , Fry Sydney A , Deal Alex L. , Kilonzo Victor W. , Sciolino Natale R. , Cushman Jesse D. , Jensen Patricia
Published: March 2023

Contextual fear learning is heavily dependent on the hippocampus. Despite evidence that catecholamines contribute to contextual encoding and memory retrieval, the precise temporal dynamics of their release in the hippocampus during behavior is unknown. In addition, new animal models are required to probe the effects of altered catecholamine synthesis on release dynamics and contextual learning. Utilizing GRABNEand GRABDAsensors,in vivofiber photometry, and two new mouse models of altered locus coeruleus norepinephrine (LC-NE) synthesis, we investigate norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) release dynamics in dorsal hippocampal CA1 during contextual fear conditioning. We report that aversive foot-shock increases both NE and DA release in dorsal CA1, while freezing behavior associated with recall of fear memory is accompanied by decreased release. Partial loss of LC-NE synthesis reveals that NE release dynamics are modulated by sex. Moreover, we find that recall of recent fear memory is sensitive to both partial and complete loss of LC-NE synthesis throughout prenatal and postnatal development, similar to prior observations of mice with global loss of NE synthesis beginning postnatally. In contrast, remote recall is compromised only by complete loss of LC-NE synthesis beginning prenatally. Overall, these findings provide novel insights into the role of NE in contextual fear and the precise temporal dynamics of both NE and DA during freezing behavior, and highlight a complex relationship between genotype, sex, and NE signaling.
Systematic evaluation of the environmental effect on depressive symptoms in late adolescence and early adulthood: exposome-wide association study and twin modeling
Authors: Wang Zhiyang , Zellers Stephanie , Whipp Alyce M. , Heinonen-Guzejev Marja , Foraster Maria , Júlvez Jordi , van Kamp Irene , Kaprio Jaakko
Published: March 2023

The exposome represents the totality of environmental effects, but systematic evaluation between it and depressive symptoms is scant. We sought to comprehensively identify the association of the exposome with depressive symptoms in late adolescence and early adulthood and determine genetic and environmental covariances between them. Based on the FinnTwin12 cohort (3025 participants in young adulthood and 4127 at age 17), the exposome-wide association study (ExWAS) design was used to identify significant exposures from 12 domains. Bivariate Cholesky twin models were fitted to an exposome score and depressive symptoms. In ExWASes, 29 and 46 exposures were significantly associated with depressive symptoms in young adulthood and at age 17, respectively, and familial exposures were the most influential. Twin models indicated considerable genetic and environmental covariances between the exposome score and depressive symptoms with sex differences. The findings underscore the systematic approach of the exposome and the consideration of relevant genetic effects.
Effect of an enhanced public health contact tracing intervention on the secondary transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in educational settings: the four-way decomposition analysis
Authors: Djuric Olivera , Larosa Elisabetta , Cassinadri Mariateresa , Cilloni Silvia , Bisaccia Eufemia , Pepe Davide , Bonvicini Laura , Vicentini Massimo , Venturelli Francesco , Giorgi Rossi Paolo , Pezzotti Patrizio , Mateo Urdiales Alberto , Bedeschi Emanuela ,   the Reggio Emilia Covid-19 Working Group.
Published: March 2023

Background

We assessed the impact of testing contacts immediately instead of at the end of quarantine on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in schools in Reggio Emilia Province.

Methods

We analysed surveillance data on notification of COVID-19 cases in schools between 1 September 2020 and 4 April 2021.

Results

Median tracing delay decreased from 7 to 3.1 days and the percentage of the known infection source increased from 34% to 54.8% (IRR 1.61 1.40-1.86). Implementation of prompt contact tracing was associated with a 10% decrease in the number of secondary cases (excess relative risk, EER -0.1 95%CI -0.35 to 0.15). Knowing the source of infection of the index case led to a decrease in secondary transmission (IRR 0.75 95% CI 0.63-0.91) while the decrease in tracing delay was associated with decreased risk of secondary cases (1/IRR 0.97 95%CI 0.94-1.01 per one day of delay). The direct effect of the intervention accounted for the 29% decrease in the number of secondary cases (EER -0.29 95% -0.61 to 0.03).

Conclusions

Prompt contact testing in the community seems to reduce the time of contact tracing and increases the ability to identify the source of infection in school outbreaks. Yet, observed differences can be also due to differences in the force of infection and to other control measures put in place.

Funding

This project was carried out with the technical and financial support of the Italian Ministry of Health – CCM 2020 and Ricerca Corrente Annual Program 2023.
Pediatrician and parental evaluation of child neurodevelopment at 2 years of age
Authors: Segre Giulia , Clavenna Antonio , Roberti Elisa , Scarpellini Francesca , Cartabia Massimo , Pandolfini Chiara , Tessarollo Valeria , Costantino Ilaria , Bonati Maurizio
Published: March 2023

Objective

To assess the feasibility of a shared approach combining the clinical expertise of family pediatricians and parents’ perspectives in identifying potential disorders in children using standard clinical practice tools.

Study design

Within the NASCITA birth cohort, in addition to the family pediatrician’s clinical evaluation, the M-CHAT-R was completed by parents to assess the child’s language, social skills, behavior, and sensory areas. Parents were also asked to complete the PSI-SF to verify the magnitude of stress in the parent-child system. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the association between child and parental characteristics and the presence of warning signs.

Results

The follow-up assessment was completed for 435 infants: 69 (15.8%) presented warning signs: 43 in the pediatrician’s assessment and 36 in the M-CHAT-R (10 in both). A total of 16 children (14 with warning signs) received a diagnosis after a specialist evaluation.

Being male (OR=2.42, 95%CI: 1.20-4.86) and having sleep disorders (OR=2.48, 95% CI 1.19-5.71) was associated with a greater likelihood of warning signs in the multivariate analysis, while reading aloud was a protective factor (not exposed versus exposed (OR=3.14; 95% CI 1.60-6.17).

For 73 children (18.4%), at least one parent tested positive for PSI-SF. An increased prevalence of parental distress was observed in children with warning signs (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.27-4.37).

Conclusions

Integrating physician and parental perspectives during well-child visits and in clinical practice appears feasible and can improve the identification of children at risk of developmental disorders.
Macroscale traveling waves evoked by single-pulse stimulation of the human brain
Authors: Campbell Justin M. , Davis Tyler S. , Nesterovich Anderson Daria , Arain Amir , Davis Zac , Inman Cory S. , Smith Elliot H. , Rolston John D.
Published: March 2023

Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of neural signal propagation is fundamental to unraveling the complexities of brain function. Emerging evidence suggests that cortico-cortical evoked potentials (CCEPs) resulting from single-pulse electrical stimulation may be used to characterize the patterns of information flow between and within brain networks. At present, the basic spatiotemporal dynamics of CCEP propagation cortically and subcortically are incompletely understood. We hypothesized that single-pulse electrical stimulation evokes neural traveling waves detectable in the three-dimensional space sampled by intracranial stereoelectroencephalography. Across a cohort of 21 adult patients with intractable epilepsy, we delivered 17,631 stimulation pulses and recorded CCEP responses in 1,019 electrode contacts. The distance between each pair of electrode contacts was approximated using three different metrics (Euclidean distance, path length, and geodesic distance), representing direct, tractographic, and transcortical propagation, respectively. For each robust CCEP, we extracted amplitude-, spectral-, and phase-based features to identify traveling waves emanating from the site of stimulation. Many evoked responses to stimulation appear to propagate as traveling waves (∼14-28%), despite sparse sampling throughout the brain. These stimulation-evoked traveling waves exhibited biologically plausible propagation velocities (range 0.1-9.6 m/s). Our results reveal that direct electrical stimulation elicits neural activity with variable spatiotemporal dynamics, including the initiation of neural traveling waves.

Significance Statement

Using single-pulse stimulation, we identify a subset of intracranial evoked potentials that propagate as neural traveling waves. Our results were robust across a range of distinct but complementary analysis methods. The identification of stimulation-evoked traveling waves may help to better characterize the pathways traversed by spontaneous, pathological, or task-evoked traveling waves and distinguish biologically plausible propagation from volume-conducted signals.
Ric8 proteins as the neomorphic partners of Gαo inGNAO1encephalopathies
Authors: Solis Gonzalo P. , Koval Alexey , Valnohova Jana , Savitsky Mikhail , Katanaev Vladimir L.
Published: March 2023

GNAO1mutated in pediatric encephalopathies encodes the major neuronal G-protein Gαo. Of >40 pathogenic mutations, most are single amino acid substitutions spreading across Gαo sequence. We perform extensive characterization of Gαo mutants showing abnormal GTP uptake and hydrolysis, and deficiencies to bind Gβγ and RGS19. Plasma membrane localization of Gαo is decreased for a subset of mutations that leads to epileptic manifestations. Pathogenic mutants massively gain interaction with Ric8A/B proteins, delocalizing them from cytoplasm to Golgi. Being general Gα-subunit chaperones and binding multiple other proteins, Ric8A/B likely mediate the disease dominance when engaging in neomorphic interactions with pathogenic Gαo. As the strength of Gαo-Ric8B interactions correlates with disease severity, our study further identifies an efficient biomarker and predictor for clinical manifestations inGNAO1encephalopathies.

One-Sentence Summary

Neomorphic mutations in Gαo gain dominant interactions with Ric8A/B, correlating with severity in pediatric encephalopathies.
Aviation risk prediction based on Prophet–LSTM hybrid algorithm
Authors: Su Siyu , Sun Youchao , Zeng Yining , Peng Chong
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The use of aviation incident data to carry out aviation risk prediction is of great significance for improving the initiative of accident prevention and reducing the occurrence of accidents. Because of the nonlinearity and periodicity of incident data, it is challenging to achieve accurate predictions. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a new method for aviation risk prediction with high accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a hybrid prediction model incorporating Prophet and long short-term memory (LSTM) network. The flight incident data are decomposed using Prophet to extract the feature components. Taking the decomposed time series as input, LSTM is employed for prediction and its output is used as the final prediction result.

Findings

The data of Chinese civil aviation incidents from 2002 to 2021 are used for validation, and Prophet, LSTM and two other typical prediction models are selected for comparison. The experimental results demonstrate that the Prophet–LSTM model is more stable, with higher prediction accuracy and better applicability.

Practical implications

This study can provide a new idea for aviation risk prediction and a scientific basis for aviation safety management.

Originality/value

The innovation of this work comes from combining Prophet and LSTM to capture the periodic features and temporal dependencies of incidents, effectively improving prediction accuracy.
A multi-objective grey hierarchical group consensus model and its application
Authors: Gu Sheng-qiang , Liu Yong , Diao Weixue
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The paper attempts to construct a novel multi-objective grey hierarchical group consensus approach to deal with the group consensus problems consisting of hierarchical relationship and non-cooperative behaviors among decision makers (DMs).

Design/methodology/approach

To deal with these group consensus problems consisting of hierarchical relationship and non-cooperative behaviors among DMs non-cooperative behavior in uncertain information systems, considering the influence of coordination cost and the degree of group consensus, based on the idea of grey situation decision-making, the authors establish a multi-objective grey hierarchical group consensus model, and design different invalid decision elimination rules for decision-making groups of different sizes, and use a case verifies the effectiveness and feasibility of the model.

Findings

With the continuous improvement of the coordination cost budget, the degree of consensus of all departments and the overall consensus tend to be stable, and will no longer change with the increase of the coordination cost budget. The cost required by each department is basically consistent with the response trend of the cost required to coordinate the overall situation to the pre-set lower limit of group consensus.

Originality/value

The proposed approach can succeed in identifying DMs' information, and mine the DMs' information and help make a relatively more scientific decision.
The decision-making process regarding the continuance intention of using branded apps: an integrated approach to the PAM and the TPB
Authors: Cho Sun-Ae , Jeon Yu Jung Jennifer
Published: March 2023

Purpose

As branded apps emerge as a marketing tool in the foodservice industry, the effort to manage them increases in the long term. This study aims to explore the determinants to continue the use of foodservice apps by adopting the post-acceptance model (PAM) of information systems continuance and the theory of planned behavior (TPB).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a sample from a survey of 329 participants who use foodservice apps, a structural equation model analysis tested the relationships between the core constructs of both models.

Findings

The findings revealed the user confirmation of expectation leads to continued use of the app through satisfaction. Perceived usefulness, a key technology acceptance measure, however, has no direct effect on usage but on attitude. Among the salient behavioral beliefs of the TPB, only attitude and perceived behavioral control promoted continued use of the foodservice apps.

Practical implications

The study provided a framework to establish a practical strategy for foodservice firms by specifying important aspects, which induce the use of branded apps. Given that it is vital to meet users’ expectations to build branded-app loyalty, continuous interaction with users is required along with customized marketing.

Originality/value

On the basis of the PAM and the TPB, the findings contributed to developing and testing a model that motivates users to continue the use of foodservice branded apps. The study is significant, in that it enriched the PAM by integrating cognitive aspects to explore the psychological mechanisms in the post-adoption phase of foodservice app users.
Digital resilience and new business models in the post-COVID-19 scenario: from B2B perspective in the era of knowledge economy
Authors: Chatterjee Sheshadri , Chaudhuri Ranjan , Vrontis Demetris
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how the pandemic impacted on business-to-business (B2B) cooperation and coordination, as well as on firms' financial and operational performance, from the B2B context in the era of knowledge economy.

Design/methodology/approach

With the help of social network theory, coordination theory and existing literature, a theoretical model was developed conceptually. Later, the conceptual model was validated using structural equation modelling technique with consideration of 712 respondents from different firms who are engaged in managing B2B relationships on behalf of their firms.

Findings

The study found that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a considerable moderating impact on the relationship between B2B cooperation and coordination with B2B relationship satisfaction. The study also highlighted that there is a degradation of financial and operational performance of firms due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on their B2B relationship management.

Practical implications

There is a challenging and ever-evolving global economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it is argued that the pandemic has accelerated the growth of some online firms, it has also had a catastrophic effect, culminating in many firms failing. This study has developed a new business model which helps in improving financial as well as operational performance of the firms in post COVID-19 scenario, especially in the era of knowledge economy.

Originality/value

This is a unique study as this study (1) develops a unique theoretical model with high explanative power, (2) demonstrates how digital reliance and new business model help the firms in post COVID-19 pandemic and (3) adds to the body of literature in the domain of digital reliance, knowledge economy and B2B relationship management.
Identifying the key influencing factors for the growth of air cargo demand
Authors: Karunathilake Amani Natheesha , Fernando Anuja
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Air transport accounts for nearly 40% worth of the global trade cargo volume, where more than 50% of the air cargo is carried on passenger flights. Therefore, this paper aims to focus on identifying the influencing factors for both passenger and cargo demand-driven networks to smoothen the global supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for the study was collected through literature reviews and interviews with industry experts. The analytical hierarchy process was used to analyze the expert's opinions on the critical factors affecting air cargo demand growth. Regression analysis was conducted using the selected variables to develop a model to calculate air cargo demand growth.

Findings

According to the expert opinion, it was identified that facilities under airport capacities and facilities are mainly affected by the air cargo carried by combi carriers. The model was developed considering the air connectivity index and air cargo demand at destination variables.

Research limitations/implications

The factors identified here are mainly related to the current situation in Sri Lanka. Applying this methodology to other economic zones will add new factors related to their economic contexts and could be generalized as the influencing factors for the growth of air cargo demand by finding more results.

Originality/value

Previous studies have been conducted using different factors and models to forecast air cargo demand, and those did not consider demand from combi and all-cargo carriers together. More than 98% of air cargo trades in Sri Lanka are happening through combi carriers. Hence, Sri Lanka will be a best case study to analyze the behavior of combi carriers.
Looking at the tourism industry through the lenses of industry 4.0: a bibliometric review of concerns and challenges
Authors: Gomes Sofia , Lopes João M. , Ferreira Luís
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The technological and digital revolution has introduced important changes in the tourism industry. However, capturing the extent of the new tourism 4.0 paradigm is still difficult. This study aims to assess the dimensions related to the concepts of industry 4.0 in tourism and hospitality, tourism innovation and tourism ecosystem when considered simultaneously, and their role in promoting a new wave of competitiveness in the tourism industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric study was conducted based on tourism 4.0, hotel 4.0, tourism innovation and tourism ecosystem using 120 eligible articles published between 2008 and 2021 from the Web of Science database.

Findings

This study demonstrated the advances in industry 4.0 in tourism and hospitality publications over 13 years and identified five interconnected dimensions: (1) knowledge transfer in tourism; (2) networking tourism innovation; (3) sources of tourism innovation; (4) smart tourism ecosystem and (5) innovation research in tourism. It was also concluded that tourism development should be a regional competence based on strategic networking and externalisation of regional knowledge flows.

Research limitations/implications

This bibliometric review provides important implications and recommendations for several players of industry 4.0 in tourism and hospitality and policymakers. Not only did it make it possible to create a state of art, but also to categorise the existing interconnections between the dimensions of Tourism 4.0, Hotel 4.0, Tourism innovation and Tourism ecosystem to optimise its implementation and generate greater value. In addition, practical implications were inferred that improve the tourism sector’s competitiveness, helping strategic decision-making at the level of policymakers and actors in this sector.

Practical implications

Apart from state of the art, this bibliometric review made it possible to categorise the existing interconnections between the dimensions of tourism 4.0, hotel 4.0, tourism innovation and tourism ecosystem to optimise its implementation and generate greater value. Practical implications were inferred that improve the tourism sector’s competitiveness, helping strategic decision-making at the level of policymakers and several players in this sector.

Originality/value

This study addresses the existing literature gap in the interconnection of industry 4.0 with tourism and hospitality by describing the most relevant conceptual interconnections and setting practical implications for improving the competitiveness of the tourism industry. Furthermore, it integrates previous studies and outlines future lines of investigation.
Leisure time posts on WhatsApp status drive travel and tourism consumption
Authors: Agrawal Shiv Ratan , Mittal Divya
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The present study aims to examine whether leisure time posts shared on WhatsApp status drive to travel and tourism consumption among users.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, discriminant analysis was employed to test hypotheses and identify essential factors.

Findings

The study indicated that the eight most contributing factors are expressing happiness, planning leisure time, views and comments, attractiveness, inquiring about places, preferring to post, nice way of expression and relax. These factors came from the latent variables of attitude, motivation and self-expression. Overall, the main influencing factors are internal (attitude and motivation), followed by an external factor i.e. self-expression. Additionally, the findings indicated that these significantly and positively impact travel and tourism consumption.

Practical implications

The discriminators identified in the study would guide tour and travel agencies and the agencies' managers on how best to adopt WhatsApp and WhatsApp's status application to influence aspiring travelers.

Originality/value

This study enlarges the existing literature by integrating three factors, attitude, motivation and self-expression, into a model to influence the behavioral outcomes of aspirational travelers using WhatsApp status.
Knowledge exchange in SMEs service innovation with design thinking
Authors: Gao Bin , Yu Kaidong
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study, adopting a knowledge perspective, aims to explore how small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engage in service innovation by implementing design thinking.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research methodology and a multiple case study strategy were adopted on account of the exploratory nature of this study. Three cases based in Scotland have been selected. Data were collected from staff, managers and researchers who participated in Create Cultures of Innovation (CCoI), a project sponsored by the Scottish government.

Findings

The research shows that SMEs can be enabled, through design-led interventions, to think collaboratively and leverage knowledge to achieve service innovation.

Research limitations/implications

This research contributes to the service innovation literature by theorising an integrated research framework of “Knowledge exchange in SMEs service innovation with design thinking”. Further, this study enriches the extant understanding of service innovation in the traditional sector (manufacturing and hospitality) and redefines the roles and relations of the dimensions of service innovation.

Practical implications

This study addresses the call on tools and methods for servitisation, suggesting that changing the culture and mindsets of both the top management and the staff are critical for the success of servitisation and the implementation of design thinking. In addition, this research suggests the need to embed design thinking within the leadership prior to rolling it out to the wider public. Support from the top management should focus on both the engagement of staff and the changing of vision from product to service-focused.

Originality/value

This paper gets together service innovation, design thinking and knowledge exchange in the context of manufacturing SMEs offering novel insights into how to succeed in servitisation with the implementation of design thinking.
Creating competitive advantage through entrepreneurial factors, collaboration and learning
Authors: Liu Chih-Hsing , Horng Jeou-Shyan , Chou Sheng-Fang , Zhang Shu-Ning , Lin Jun-You
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of entrepreneurial attitudes, motivation and orientation on the entrepreneurial competitive advantage of innovative entrepreneurs in the tourism and hospitality industry, including those involved with bed and breakfasts, travel agencies and restaurants.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the sample for this study was selected through news media reporting on well-known new entrepreneurs, from lists of those entrepreneurs who have won innovation entrepreneurship loan subsidies from the government and from lists of those who have won innovation awards. Second, a pretest was used to confirm the feasibility of the questionnaire. The pretest survey was distributed to a total of 150 tourism and hospitality entrepreneurs. A total of 8 dimensions/facets and 36 items were confirmed. Finally, data collection took place for 9 months. A total of 1,150 questionnaires were distributed, and 606 questionnaires were recovered.

Findings

This study proposes a new multi-integration model of moderation-mediation analysis. The innovative business model explores the relationship between entrepreneurial factors and competitive advantage. Based on a survey of 606 staff members and managers of tourism and hospitality firms, entrepreneurs in the tourism and hospitality industry with entrepreneurial attitudes and motives had opportunities to increase their entrepreneurial orientation.

Practical implications

In the process of innovative entrepreneurship, whether through organizational learning or other enterprise cooperation, it is necessary to pay more attention and propose different environmental management strategies. In addition, this study also found that marketing uncertainty moderates between entrepreneurial attitudes and entrepreneurial motives. Entrepreneurial motives are more conservative than other motives, and there is increased confidence in investing in innovative entrepreneurship in stable environments.

Originality/value

This study indicates that innovative entrepreneurial tourism and hospitality firms have a mediating or moderating effect on the relationship between entrepreneurial attitudes and positional advantage. If used properly, these resources can help the new entrants in the tourism and hospitality sector avoid the limitations of environmental change, firm size or insufficient information and improve their competitive advantage.
PC vs App vs Mweb: price discounts’ effect on customer purchases across digital channels in China
Authors: Liu Huan , Zheng Shuman , Li Dongjin
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Product discounts have been widely applied in digital commerce as a method to attract and retain customers to purchase in China. Given that digital channels differ in their attributes, customers may behave differently when they respond to the same discount across channels. However, little attention has been paid to explore the heterogeneity of customer responses to discounts across channels. This study aims to fill in the gap by exploring how customers’ purchase responses to price discounts differ across digital channels.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies a Poisson regression to an unbalanced data set of purchasing history from Chinese footwear brands with 3,510 customers in a two-year time window across the three digital channels (i.e. personal computer [PC], app and mobile website), with a correction for endogeneity by using the Gaussian copula method.

Findings

This paper finds that price discounts have the strongest positive effect on consumers’ purchase volumes on the PC channel, followed by the app channel, while discounts show the weakest impact in the mobile website channel. By so, this paper demonstrates that customers respond differently to online and mobile channels, and they also respond differently within mobile channels when they purchase products with price discounts.

Originality/value

This study is original in analyzing the difference in customers’ discount responses across digital channels, offering valuable contributions to existing research on multichannel marketing as well as mobile marketing and providing helpful insights for multichannel merchants to design digital discount strategies.
Preparation of fluorine and silicon modified cationic acrylic resin and its application in cathodic electrodeposition coatings
Authors: Gong Zheqing , Chen Lijun
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Fluorinated silicon polymers are expected to be adopted in specific coatings to afford outstanding advantages, such as high chemical and photochemical resistance, low surface tension and low refractive index. The modified acrylate resin is prepared via solution polymerization of fluorine and silicon monomers, acrylate monomers and other functional monomers. The purpose of this paper is that the fluorine and silicon monomers such as vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) and hexafluorobutyl methacrylate (HFMA) and some cheap monomers such as styrene are used to prepare the cationic acrylic resin.

Design/methodology/approach

The fluorine and silicon modified cationic acrylic resin is prepared via solution polymerization technology, which uses butyl acrylate (BA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), styrene (St), HFMA, VTES, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) as the co-polymerized monomers, propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME) as solvent and 2,2-Azo-bis-iso-butyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator to create a resin to introduce the Si–O and C–F into the polymer chains. The cathodic electrodeposition (CED) coatings were prepared by mixing the synthetic resin and blocked isocyanate.

Findings

The influence of the amounts of HFMA and VETS on the resin and the resultant CED coatings is investigated in detail. The optimum amounts of HFMA and VETS are obtained, which is 7–8% and 4–5%, respectively. The hydrophobicity and the acid and alkaline resistance of the film are improved when VETS and HFMA are introduced to co-polymerize with other monomers.

Originality/value

The fluorine and silicon monomers such as VTES and HFMA and some cheap monomers such as styrene, which are used to prepare the cationic acrylic resin, are seldom reported in the open literature.
Studies on thermal and moisture properties of novel Eri silk knitted structures
Authors: Palaniappan Gopalakrishnan , D. Anita Rachel , C.B. Sentilkumar , Senthil Kumar Selvaraj , Kumar B. Senthil , E. Devaki
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Eri is a short-stapled fibre that possesses an excellent soft feel and warmness to the wearer. Investigation of thermal comfort and moisture properties of Eri silk fabric provides the enhanced commercial scope for Eri silk-based clothing.

Design/methodology/approach

To examine the impact of process factors on thermal and moisture properties, three different single knit Eri silk structures were made, each with a different loop length and yarn count. Three different linear densities of Eri silk spun yarn (15, 20 and 25 tex) were selected. Three distinct knitted constructions, including plain jersey, popcorn and cellular blister, were created, along with two different loop lengths.

Findings

The novel cellular blister structure has shown appreciable thermal comfort properties than the other two structures. Yarn fineness and loop length were significant with most of the thermal comfort properties.

Research limitations/implications

In recent times the Eri silk production is completely domesticated, so the new demand can easily be met by the producers. This research will create a new scope for Eri silk fibres in sportswear and leisure wear.

Originality/value

This study was conducted to explore the influence of knit structure, loop length and yarn count on the thermal comfort properties of the clothing.
Institutional channeling and opportunity recognition: heterogeneous knowledge corridors as pathways to social entrepreneurship
Authors: Lortie Jason , Cox Kevin C. , Roundy Philip T. , Jarvis Lee
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Despite intense scholarly interest in social entrepreneurship, opportunity recognition remains a poorly understood facet of the phenomenon. Linkages between the micro- and macro-level forces shaping social entrepreneurship are particularly unclear. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of institutional channeling, the process by which institutions socialize and direct individuals into specific knowledge corridors, as a key mechanism influencing the ability of entrepreneurs to identify and create different types of opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a synthesis of institutional theory and the knowledge corridor thesis, this research offers a theory explaining why some individuals are able to recognize opportunities for social entrepreneurship.

Findings

The authors develop a conceptual model that explains how non-contested institutions channel entrepreneurs into homogeneous knowledge corridors, which support the creation of purely for-profit and non-profit organizations. By contrast, experiences involving institutional plurality activate and enable heterogeneous knowledge corridors, which are associated with the ability to recognize opportunities, like social entrepreneurship, that blend institutions.

Originality/value

The central contribution of this paper is an explanation of why certain individuals, because of their institutional experiences, are more likely than others to recognize for-profit, non-profit and social opportunities. This article highlights that previous efforts at addressing this issue were predominantly centered at the micro level of analysis and focus on individual entrepreneurs and their identities, personality traits and social networks. Although these studies have shed light on important facets of opportunity recognition, they do not sufficiently explain the influence that institutions can have on the micro processes involved in social entrepreneurship opportunity recognition.
The internal consistency of the Motivating By Appreciation Inventory
Authors: White Paul
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The Motivating By Appreciation (MBA) Inventory is an online assessment that identifies employees’ preferred ways of receiving appreciation from their colleagues, including their primary language of appreciation. This study aims to examine the internal consistency of the MBA Inventory by analyzing the results of over 114,000 employees. Given that the data are categorical, the coefficient alpha τ, a nonparametric measure of internal consistency, was used. The results found the internal consistency for identifying employees’ primary language of appreciation to be at an acceptable level.

Design/methodology/approach

Results of 114,828 individuals who had taken the MBA Inventory were analyzed. The results of the MBA Inventory are nominal data (the languages of appreciation: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Acts of Service, Tangible Gifts); therefore, the commonly used Pearson’s correlation coefficient is not appropriate. Alternatively, a nonparametric measure of internal consistency, Cronbach’s coefficient alpha τ, was used for the analysis to determine the consistency of the items for each appreciation language in identifying employees’ primary language of appreciation.

Findings

While, for the Pearson’s correlation coefficient, correlations of 0.70 or higher are considered acceptable, acceptable coefficient alpha τ correlations range from 0.20 to 0.40. The results of this analysis found the MBA Inventory to have acceptable internal consistency, with a coefficient alpha τ of 0.32. That is, the ability of the assessment items to identify an individual’s preferred appreciation language is significantly more accurate than if the individual had responded randomly.

Research limitations/implications

Even though the MBA Inventory is available in eight languages and has been used globally, the vast majority (>90%) of individuals taking the inventory are primarily English-speaking and located in the USA. Thus, the generalizability of the results is limited for other cultures and languages.

Originality/value

The MBA Inventory has been used by thousands of companies and organizations, and taken by over 350,000 employees, but the psychometric properties of the inventory are still being examined. This study helps solidify one aspect (the internal consistency) of the inventory’s ability to accurately assess the ways employees prefer to be shown appreciation.
Corporate social responsibility and employee engagement: the mediating role of personal environmental norms and employee green behavior
Authors: Nasir Ansari Jamal Abdul , Irfan Saba
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the influence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on employee engagement (EE) through mediating effect of personal environmental norms (PEN) and employee green behavior (EGB).

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model was validated using 360 employees data from manufacturing and service industries.

Findings

The findings confirmed that CSR is the positive and significant driver of EE. The results also demonstrated PEN and green employee behavior partly mediate this relationship.

Practical implications

The finding of this study enriches the existing literature and social outcomes of CSR. Theoretical and practical contributions have been discussed in detail.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates CSR is significantly related to EE, mediated via PEN and EGB, highlighting the necessity for micro-level CSR research. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first and foremost empirical research that establishes the mediating effects of PEN and EGB between CSR and EE in the Indian context.
The role of CSR practices in generating consumer perceived value: empirical evidence from Moroccan banking sector
Authors: Abbass Zakaria , Benjelloun Andaloussi Omar , Rais Fatimazahra
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has a positive impact on consumer behavior; however, how CSR affects consumer perceived value (CPV) has been neglected. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of CSR on CPV. More specifically, this paper investigates how the dimensions of CSR can generate the three types of CPV.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is confirmatory and therefore quantitative. Thus, the choice fell on the questionnaire survey of 108 customers of conventional banks in Morocco. The partial least square method was chosen for the data analysis.

Findings

The results show that the link between CSR and customer perceived value can vary according to the CSR dimension. This study finds that the economic dimension is the only one to contribute the three types of CPV (functional value, emotional value and social value). The environmental dimension affects only the functional value. The social dimension does not generate any value.

Research limitations/implications

CSR is not the only variable that generates CPV. The consideration of other constructs seems to be considered. Restricting this study to a single category of banking customers and to a single sector is another limitation. Future research might replicate this study on a sample of clients from participatory banks as well as from other sectors.

Practical implications

The results can help Moroccan banks identify the dimensions of CSR that can meaningfully generate CPV. This will help them to increase customer loyalty, develop a competitive advantage and improve their performance by prioritizing CSR initiatives capable of creating value for consumers.

Originality/value

No previous research in Morocco, to the best of the author’s knowledge, has explored the effect of CSR on CPV. This paper therefore provides the first empirical evidence in North Africa on the link between CSR and CPV in Morocco. This study also extends previous studies by considering CSR as a multidimensional construct covering three dimensions (social, environmental and economic).