bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bank vole immunoheterogeneity may limit Nephropatia Epidemica emergence in a French non-endemic region
Authors: Dubois Adélaïde , Castel Guillaume , Murri Séverine , Pulido Coralie , Pons Jean-Baptiste , Benoit Laure , Loiseau Anne , Lakhdar Latifa , Galan Maxime , Marianneau Philippe , Charbonnel Nathalie
Published: April 2017

Ecoevolutionary processes affecting hosts, vectors and pathogens are important drivers of zoonotic disease emergence. In this study, we focused on nephropathia epidemica (NE), which is caused by Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) whose natural reservoir is the bank vole,Myodes glareolus. Despite the continuous distribution of the reservoir in Europe, PUUV occurence is highly fragmented. We questioned the possibility of NE emergence in a French region that is considered to be NE-free but that is adjacent to a NE-endemic region. We first confirmed the epidemiology of these two regions using serological and virological surveys. We used bank vole population genetics to demonstrate the absence of spatial barriers that could have limited dispersal, and consequently, the spread of PUUV into the NE-free region. We next tested whether regional immunoheterogeneity could impact PUUV chances to establish, circulate and persist in the NE-free region. Immune responsiveness was phenotyped both in the wild and during experimental infections, using serological, virological and immune related gene expression assays. We showed that bank voles from the NE-free region were sensitive to experimental PUUV infection. We observed high levels of immunoheterogeneity between individuals and also between regions. In natural populations, antiviral gene expression (TnfandMx2genes) reached higher levels in bank voles from the NE-free region. During experimental infections, anti-PUUV antibody production was higher in bank voles from the NE endemic region. Altogether, our results indicated a lower susceptibility to PUUV for bank voles from this NE-free region, what might limit PUUV circulation and persistence, and in turn, the risk of NE.

Graphical abstract
Epistasis in genomic and survival data of cancer patients
Authors: Matlak Dariusz , Szczurek Ewa
Published: April 2017

Cancer aggressiveness and its effect on patient survival depends on mutations in the tumor genome. Epistatic interactions between the mutated genes may guide the choice of anticancer therapy and set predictive factors of its success. Inhibitors targeting synthetic lethal partners of genes mutated in tumors are already utilized for efficient and specific treatment in the clinic. The space of possible epistatic interactions, how-ever, is overwhelming, and computational methods are needed to limit the experimental effort of validating the interactions for therapy and characterizing their biomarkers. Here, we introduce SurvLRT, a statistical likelihood ratio test for identifying epistatic gene pairs and triplets from cancer patient genomic and survival data. Compared to established approaches, SurvLRT performed favorable in predicting known, experimentally verified synthetic lethal partners ofPARP1from TCGA data. Our approach is the first to test for epistasis between triplets of genes to identify biomarkers of synthetic lethality-based therapy. SurvLRT proved successful in identifying the known geneTP53BP1as the biomarker of success of the therapy targeting PARP inBRCA1deficient tumors. Search for other biomarkers for the same interaction revealed a region whose deletion was a more significant biomarker than deletion ofTP53BP1. With the ability to detect not only pairwise but twelve different types of triple epistasis, applicability of SurvLRT goes beyond cancer therapy, to the level of characterization of shapes of fitness landscapes.

Author Summary

Genomic alterations in tumors affect the fitness of tumor cells, controlling how well they replicate and survive compared to other cells. The landscape of tumor fitness is shaped by epistasis. Epistasis occurs when the contribution of gene alterations to the total fitness is non-linear. The type of epistatic genetic interactions with great potential for cancer therapy is synthetic lethality. Inhibitors targeting synthetic lethal partners of genes mutated in tumors can selectively kill tumor and not normal cells. Therapy based on synthetic lethality is, however, context dependent, and it is crucial to identify its biomarkers. Unfortunately, the space of possible interactions and their biomarkers is overwhelming for experimental validation. Computational pre-selection methods are required to limit the experimental effort. Here, we introduce a statistical approach called SurvLRT, for the identification of epistatic gene pairs and triplets based on patient genomic and survival data. First, we show that using SurvLRT, we can deliver synthetic lethal interactions of pairs of genes that are specific to cancer. Second, we demonstrate the applicability of SurvLRT to identify biomarkers for synthetic lethality, such as mutational status of other genes that can alleviate the synthetic effect.
Supplier collaboration practices: implications for focal firm innovation performance
Authors: Kähkönen Anni-Kaisa , Lintukangas Katrina , Ritala Paavo , Hallikas Jukka
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Due to the increasing complexity in supply chains and networks, several key practices have been highlighted as beneficial for supply chain performance. However, it is less known whether adopting such practices affects the innovation performance of the focal firm. This study hypothesises that supplier collaboration practices in four specific areas (green and ethical supply management, early supplier involvement, systemic purchasing and inter-firm learning) may lead to higher focal firm innovation performance, as they require the firm to adopt new business models, processes and product features.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses drawn from previous research are tested with a quantitative survey study of 165 Finnish firms and analysed by means of regression analysis.

Findings

The results show that two examined practices are positively related to focal firm innovation performance: systemic purchasing and green and ethical supply management. Interestingly, early supplier involvement and inter-firm learning did not influence innovation performance.

Originality/value

Little is known about whether adopting certain practices in supply management affects the innovation performance of the firm. In fact, among the performance indicators of supply management, innovation is rarely studied, and more studies using innovation as a performance indicator are called for. Thus, this study focuses on supplier collaboration practices and their relation to the focal firm’s innovation performance.
Human-oriented corporate entrepreneurship
Authors: Elia Gianluca , Li Xiaoyang , Margherita Alessandro , Petti Claudio
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The generation of new ventures within established companies, also known as corporate entrepreneurship (CE), is a process influenced by a set of individual and organizational factors. This paper aims to focus on creativity and human resource management enablers of CE, with the purpose to define an integrative framework and draw a set of related research propositions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper relies on a multidisciplinary literature review in the fields of CE, creativity and organizational innovation.

Findings

The effectiveness of CE depends on a set of individual factors, distinguished into professional and psychological characteristics, and organizational factors, which include the system of values of the organization and the management practices applied in the same.

Research limitations/implications

From a theoretical point of view, the paper develops an integrative framework of conditions that impact on CE and outlines a set of propositions and alternative research methods to test.

Practical/implications

From a practitioner perspective, the study provides managers with a comprehensive set of factors enabling CE by leveraging the creativity of individuals and make it flourish through consistent human resource management practices.

Originality/value

The value of the paper stays in the integration of individual-related and organizational-related determinants of entrepreneurial performance.
An adaptive methodology for multi-GPU programming in OpenCL
Authors: Cavalcanti Bueno Andre Luis , de La Rocque Rodriguez Noemi , Dominguez Sotelino Elisa
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to present a methodology that harnesses the computational power of multiple graphics processing units (GPUs) and hides the complexities of tuning GPU parameters from the users.

Design/methodology/approach

A methodology for auto-tuning OpenCL configuration parameters has been developed.

Findings

This described process helps simplify coding and generates a significant gain in time for each method execution.

Originality/value

Most authors develop their GPU applications for specific hardware configurations. In this work, a solution is offered to make the developed code portable to any GPU hardware.
Cricket South Africa’s Protea Fire brand
Authors: Mazinter Luisa , Goldman Michael M. , Lindsey-Renton Jennifer
Published: April 2017

Subject area

Marketing, Sports marketing and Social media marketing.

Study level/applicability

Graduate level.

Case overview

This case, based on field research and multiple secondary sources, documents the 12-month period since early 2014 during which Cricket South Africa (CSA) developed the Protea Fire brand for their national men’s cricket team, known as the Proteas. In mid-2014, Marc Jury, the Commercial and Marketing manager of CSA set up a project team to take the previously in-house Protea Fire brand public. With the 2015 Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand less than a year away, Jury worked with a diverse project team of Proteas players, cricket brand managers and external consultants to build a public brand identity for the national team, to nurture greater fan affinity and to mobilize South Africans behind their team for the World Cup. The project team developed a range of Protea Fire multimedia content as the core of the campaign. These included video diaries, scripts which were written by the Proteas players themselves, player profile videos, motivational team-talk videos and good luck video messages featuring ordinary and famous South Africans. Having invested in creating this content, the project team faced the difficult task of allocating a limited media budget to broadcast and amplify the content. Another significant challenge was to ensure that the Proteas team values were authentically communicated across all content, including via the social media strategy using Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. As the World Cup tournament kicked off on February 14th 2015, South Africa was well placed to overcome their previous inability to reach a final, although Jury wondered whether another exit in the knockout round would weaken the strong and positive emotions the Protea Fire campaign had ignited. With the last two balls remaining in South Africa’s semi-final game against New Zealand on March 24th 2015, and the home team requiring just five runs to win, Jury joined 60 million South Africans hoping that Protea Fire was strong enough. The case concludes with South Africa losing the semi-final game and Jury turning his attention to how the #ProteaFire campaign should respond.

Expected learning outcomes

This study aimed to analyse the development of a sport team brand and a megaevent campaign; to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of a marketing campaign; and to consider appropriate brand responses to the team’s failure to deliver on expectations.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing.
Using flow diagrams to improve tobacco cessation programs
Authors: Dziadkowiec Oliwier , Jenniges Reese
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how the Wyoming Quit Tobacco Program (WQTP) is used by its subscribers and to better understand how WQTP might be connected to WQTP outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Provider intake and program use data corresponding to the May 2010 to March 2012 enrollment period (n=6,168) were used. All program flows were constructed using frequencies and crosstabs, based on an initial theoretical model prepared by the program provider. Data were adjusted based on analysis that explored all possible uses beyond those specified by the provider’s theoretical model.

Findings

Although the authors could replicate the structure – the theoretical model constructed by the provider – the authors were not able to replicate all relationships between program components. The authors also found that most individuals signed up and used web-based services. Only a few individuals finished their treatment regimens in the way they were designed to be used by the program.

Originality/value

This is the first case study to use a program flow method to investigate an entire comprehensive tobacco cessation program structure and delivery.
R&D investment behavior of US pharmaceutical firms
Authors: Jirásek Michal
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The behavioral theory of the firm (BTOF) has been used to explain the research and development (R&D) investment behavior of firms in numerous multi industry studies. However, their partially contradictory results point to the possible need for a single industry perspective that would reduce heterogeneity of business trends, models and other characteristics. This study aims to test this theoretical assumption within the challenging context of the US pharmaceutical industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses data from 20 firms, which number among the largest in the US pharmaceutical industry, over the period 2002-2014. These data are analyzed using fixed- and random-effect panel models.

Findings

The findings generally support the need for a thorough understanding of the industry under study and its specific characteristics. The firms analyzed in this research behave slightly differently from theoretical assumptions, and it is argued that this is caused by industry specific factors. Moreover, the use of two separate aspiration measures – for historical and social aspirations – is supported as it provides more in-depth insight into the firms’ behavior.

Originality/value

This paper, which is based on research presented at the 4th International Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, represents the first inquiry into the R&D investment behavior of pharmaceutical firms using the BTOF. It also represents an argument for conducting single-industry rather than multi industry studies when using this theory.
Prison health service directors’ views on research priorities and organizational issues in conducting research in prison: outcomes of a national deliberative roundtable
Authors: Simpson Paul Leslie , Guthrie Jill , Butler Tony
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Given that prisoners have significant health needs across most areas, the paucity of prisoner health research, and the difficulties involved in the conduct of research in this setting, there is a need to develop research priorities that align with key stakeholder groups. One such group are those responsible for health service provision in prisons – prison health service directors. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Prison health service directors in each Australian state and territory were invited to participate in a national (deliberative) roundtable where the consensus building nominal group technique was utilized. This involved the identification of research priorities and organizational issues in conducting research with prisoners, and ranking research priorities. A thematic analysis was conducted on organizational issues.

Findings

In total, 13 participants attended the roundtable. Participants identified 28 research priorities and 12 organizational issues. Top ranked research priorities were mental health, cognitive and intellectual disability, post-release health maintenance, ageing prisoners, chronic health conditions and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Themes identified from the organizational issues included prisoner access to research participation, health and research literacy of custodial staff, and institutional protectionism in response to research that may discover negative information about the custodial setting.

Research limitations/implications

These findings should inform future efforts to improve research infrastructures to undertake research to improve the health of people in Australian prisons, and help to align researchers’ efforts with those of a key organizational stakeholder.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to determine the research priorities and organizational issues in conducting research in prisons of prison health service directors.
Understanding loyalty in multichannel retailing: the role of brand trust and brand attachment
Authors: Frasquet Marta , Mollá Descals Alejandro , Ruiz-Molina Maria Eugenia
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand loyalty in the multichannel retail context. The paper analyses the interplay between offline and online loyalty and the direct and indirect effects on loyalty of brand trust and brand attachment, in a cross-cultural study.

Design/methodology/approach

Online survey answered by 761 multichannel apparel shoppers in two countries (UK and Spain). Structural equation model multigroup analysis is performed to test the hypothesized relations and the role of culture as a moderating variable.

Findings

Online loyalty is largely driven by offline loyalty, which is also positively affected by brand trust and brand attachment. These relationships hold across the two different cultures.

Research limitations/implications

The findings confirm the validity of applying the theory of cognitive dissonance to explain multichannel shopping behaviours. The authors did not find culture that affects the relationships in the model; however, the validity of these findings should be tested considering other cultural variables different from nationality.

Practical implications

Multichannel retailers should focus on building trust and attachment towards the brand if they want to get online and offline loyalty. The efforts to build stronger bonds between the customer and the retail brand translate into higher loyalty, particularly towards the offline channels.

Originality/value

This paper extends the literature on the interactions between online and offline behaviour by focussing on the power of the brand to build strong customer bonds. The model considers the role of brand attachment together with brand trust in offline and online loyalty simultaneously.
Effect of the stadium occupancy rate on perceived game quality and visit intention
Authors: Oh Taeyeon , Sung Hojun , Kwon Kisung Dennis
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the stadium occupancy rate on television viewers’ game quality perception and stadium visit intention (VI).

Design/methodology/approach

An experiment was conducted in which two groups were asked to watch video clips of professional soccer games with low- and high-stadium occupancy rates.

Findings

The results indicate that the higher the stadium occupancy, the higher is perceived game quality and the greater is stadium VI.

Originality/value

The paper provides useful information on the effect of the stadium occupancy rate on perceived game quality and VI.
Investigating the different congruence effects on sports sponsor brand equity
Authors: Wang Michael Chih-Hung
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the following relationships in the Asian sports sponsorship context: first, the influence of self-congruity and perceived congruence on sponsor brand identification and sponsor credibility, respectively; second, the influence of sponsor brand identification and sponsor credibility on sponsor brand equity; and third, the mediating effect of sponsor brand identification and sponsor credibility on the relationship that self-congruity and perceived congruence each have with sponsor brand equity.

Design/methodology/approach

A field study was conducted in Taiwan, where 410 questionnaires were collected from baseball fans of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (the local professional baseball league).

Findings

The findings support all of the hypotheses and reveal that self-congruity and perceived congruence leverage sponsor brand equity through sponsor brand identification and sponsor credibility, respectively. Both sponsor brand identification and sponsor credibility partially mediate the relationship that self-congruity and perceived congruence each have with sponsor brand equity.

Practical implications

The findings of this study can assist sponsorship managers in realising how to leverage a sponsor brand equity.

Originality/value

The conceptual model investigated both direct and indirect (i.e. mediated) effects by providing different theoretical explanations to explore how self-congruity and perceived congruence leverage sponsor brand equity in the Asian sports sponsorship context.
Effects of source influence and peer referrals on information diffusion in Twitter
Authors: Kwon Joseph , Han Ingoo , Kim Byoungsoo
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Social media have attracted attention as an information channel for content generated in heterogeneous internet services. Focusing on social media platforms, the purpose of this paper is to examine the factors behind social transmission with content crossover from other services through hypertext link (URL). The authors investigate the effects of source influence and peer referrals on diffusion outcome and address their variations in the case of content crossover.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a Poisson regression model due to the discrete nature of the dependent variable. The authors conduct an empirical study using 233 million real transaction data generated by 1,203,196 Korean users of Twitter.

Findings

Source influence and peer referral have a positive impact on cascade size in the content dissemination process. In the case of content crossover, the impact of source influence decreases. However, the impact of peer referrals increases in the process of external content dissemination.

Research limitations/implications

The authors demonstrate source and peer effects on content diffusion and that these effects vary when shared content is linked from an external service by a URL.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that firms that wish to diffuse information through social media or enter the social media with new services to provide new ways of creating and sharing content should understand the nature of the social transmission process.

Originality/value

Given the growing popularity of social media, particularly SNSs with online social networks as information channels, the authors first consider online social transmission as a user-driven diffusion process. Based on social factors in the diffusion process, the authors derive source and peer effects on the social transmission process.
The Meaning of the Child Interview (MotC) – the initial validation of a new procedure for assessing and understanding the parent-child relationships of “at risk” families
Authors: Grey Ben , Farnfield Steve
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on the initial validation of a new method, called the “Meaning of the Child Interview” (MotC), to assess the psychological meaning all children have for their parents, but which in cases of risk, submerge or distort the child’s identity. The MotC analyses parental discourse using a method developed from the discourse analysis used to classify the Adult Attachment Interview together with patterns derived from the infant CARE-Index, a procedure that evaluates face-to-face parent-child interaction. This allows the MotC to illuminate how the parent’s thinking influences the developing relationship between parent and child.

Design/methodology/approach

Parents are interviewed using the Parent Development Interview (PDI), or an equivalent, and then the interview transcript is classified using the MotC system. The coding method was developed from interviews drawn from the first author’s work with children and families in the family court system, and then tested with a sample of 85 mothers and fathers, 62 of whom were parents drawn from an “at risk” context. The parents were also videoed in a short free play interaction, using the CARE-Index.

Findings

The study found a strong correspondence between the levels of risk as assessed by the MotC patterns of parental representation of care giving, the risk to the parent-child relationship observed using the CARE-Index. There was also corroboration of the patterns of interaction identified by the MotC.

Originality/value

The results of the study provide good evidence for the Meaning of the Child as an identifiable construct, and as an assessment tool to identify and assess the nature of “at risk” parent-child relationships. MotC was developed in a clinical setting within the Family Court justice system, and is designed to offer assistance to child protection and mental health practitioners deciding how to intervene in particular parent-child relationships.
How data use for accountability undermines equitable science education
Authors: Braaten Melissa , Bradford Chris , Kirchgasler Kathryn L. , Barocas Sadie Fox
Published: April 2017

Purpose

When school leaders advance strategic plans focused on improving educational equity through data-driven decision making, how do policies-as-practiced unfold in the daily work of science teachers? The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This ethnographic study examines how data-centric accountability and improvement efforts surface as practices for 36 science teachers in three secondary schools. For two years, researchers were embedded in schools alongside teachers moving through daily classroom practice, meetings with colleagues and leaders, data-centric meetings, and professional development days.

Findings

Bundled initiatives created consequences for science educators including missed opportunities to capitalize on student-generated ideas, to foster science sensemaking, and to pursue meaningful and equitable science learning. Problematic policy-practice intersections arose, in part, because of school leaders’ framing of district and school initiatives in ways that undermined equity in science education.

Practical implications

From the perspective of science education, this paper raises an alarming problem for equitable science teaching. Lessons learned from missteps seen in this study have practical implications for others attempting similar work. The paper suggests alternatives for supporting meaningful and equitable science education.

Originality/value

Seeing leaders’ framing of policy initiatives, their bundling of performance goals, equity and accountability efforts, and their instructional coaching activities from the point of view of teachers affords unique insight into how leadership activities mediate policies in schools.
Light touch, heavy hand: principals and data-use PLCs
Authors: Huguet Alice , Farrell Caitlin C. , Marsh Julie A.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The use of data for instructional improvement is prevalent in today’s educational landscape, yet policies calling for data use may result in significant variation at the school level. The purpose of this paper is to focus on tools and routines as mechanisms of principal influence on data-use professional learning communities (PLCs).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a comparative case study of two low-income, low-performing schools in one district. The data set included interview and focus group transcripts, observation field notes and documents, and was iteratively coded.

Findings

The two principals in the study employed tools and routines differently to influence ways that teachers interacted with data in their PLCs. Teachers who were given leeway to co-construct data-use tools found them to be more beneficial to their work. Findings also suggest that teachers’ data use may benefit from more flexibility in their day-to-day PLC routines.

Research limitations/implications

Closer examination of how tools are designed and time is spent in data-use PLCs may help the authors further understand the influence of the principal’s role.

Originality/value

Previous research has demonstrated that data use can improve teacher instruction, yet the varied implementation of data-use PLCs in this district illustrates that not all students have an equal opportunity to learn from teachers who meaningfully engage with data.
The rationale for responsible supply chain management and stakeholder engagement
Authors: Camilleri Mark Anthony
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Firms are increasingly resorting to responsible supply chain management as they align their economic success with socially responsible initiatives in their value chain. This contribution aims to suggest that there are opportunities for global corporations who are keen on integrating responsible practices into their business operations. It is in their interest to report about their responsible supply chain management, social performance and sustainable innovations to their stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper identifies future research avenues in the promising areas of responsible procurement and global supply chain management.

Findings

The corporations’ differentiated strategies as well as their proactive engagement in responsible supply chain management can lead them to achieve a competitive advantage in the long term. The low-cost producers may be neglecting the marketplace stakeholders, including suppliers, distributors among others. Moreover, the smaller businesses’ could not be in a position to follow responsible procurement practices, as they may lack the scarce resources to do so.

Originality/value

This paper raises awareness about the integration of socially responsible behaviours and sustainable practices in business operations. It contends that a responsible supply chain management necessitates an improved relationship with suppliers and distributors in the value chain. This stakeholder engagement with ultimately create value to the businesses themselves.
Corporate social responsibility and firm performance of Ghanaian SMEs
Authors: Agyemang Otuo Serebour , Ansong Abraham
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the influence of corporate social responsibility on financial performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana by using access to capital and firm reputation as mediating variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected primary data from 423 SMEs within the Accra Metropolis. Partial least squares estimation technique was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The authors documented evidence for a mechanism through which corporate social responsibility results in financial performance of firms: SMEs with improved corporate social responsibility practices are better positioned to achieve enhanced reputation, which translates into improved financial performance. Even though this study did not document a significant relationship between corporate social responsibility and access to finance by Ghanaian SMEs, the authors contend that looking at the positive relationship between them, SMEs can minimize their capital constraints by embarking on CSR practices, which can eventually translate into financial performance.

Practical implications

The authors recommend that for SMEs to enhance their reputation and increase their access to capital, which will eventually result in enhanced financial performance, corporate social responsibility practices should be a major part of their operations.

Originality/value

It contributes to our knowledge on how CSR practices lead to financial performance of SMEs in developing countries. In addition, this is the first of its kind to establish the relationship between CSR practices and financial performance of SMEs in Ghana by using access to capital and firm reputation as mediating factors.
Sustainable business growth: exploring operations decision-making
Authors: Schwab Leila , Gold Stefan , Kunz Nathan , Reiner Gerald
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how operations decision-making may keep the growing firms within the boundaries of corporate and societal sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors classify operations decisions during growth periods according to the three dimensions of the triple bottom line (economic, social and environmental). By means of a longitudinal case study of a family-owned wood construction firm that is in a process of intense growth, the authors identify, visually represent and analyse the complex sequences of selected managerial operations decisions.

Findings

The empirical data suggest that operations decisions made by managers during growth periods follow specific patterns. From the analysis, the authors derive various research propositions that investigate how a well-understood and therefore efficient and effective decision-making process can facilitate sustainable business growth.

Research limitations/implications

The findings offer opportunities for future studies to zoom in on specific parts of the decision-making process during growth periods. Moreover, given the exploratory nature of this study, future research should test hypotheses derived from the research propositions.

Practical implications

This study investigates operations decision-making during growth, which is crucial for guiding companies through this complex transition phase.

Originality/value

This conceptual and empirical analysis explores new theory and contributes to the vastly under-researched subject of sustainable business growth.
Examining the variation in willingness to buy from offending product’s origin among fellow nationals
Authors: Halimi Tariq Abdullatif
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the variation in Arab/Muslim consumers’ willingness to buy (WTB) from product’s origins (POs) involved in the Arab/Muslim-Israeli animosity case despite their common nationality and religious affiliation.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research methodology is used. A total of 30 Arab and Muslim individuals were interviewed, and web documents were analysed. A grounded theory approach is adopted to analyse the data collected.

Findings

The results reveal that the variation in WTB from offending PO among Arab/Muslim consumers is influenced by the intensity of animosity (IOA) as perceived by the individual consumer towards the PO. IOA is a variable affected by the antagonistic emotional impact which is evoked by the egregiousness of the PO’s actions (PO involvement) and consumer connection with the political issue (consumer involvement) and is moderated by the time of the PO’s egregious actions.

Practical implications

Politically favourable POs in the Arab/Muslim world need to target consumers who perceive greater connection with the political issue, whereas politically unfavourable POs need to target consumers who perceive weaker connection with the political conflict, in addition to distancing themselves from it.

Originality value

This is an original attempt to gain insight into the different levels of willingness of fellow nationals to buy a product from an offending nation in the context of Arab/Muslim-Israeli animosity which is explained through the IOA model of foreign product purchase.
The role of religious norms, trust, importance of attributes and information sources in the relationship between religiosity and selection of the Islamic bank
Authors: Usman Hardius , Tjiptoherijanto Prijono , Balqiah Tengku Ezni , Agung I. Gusti Ngurah
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the assumption used in previous studies that all Muslims adopt and believe the same law on the prohibition of bank interest and to investigate the indirect effect of religiosity on customers’ decision for using Islamic banking services.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses an exploratory approach and the natural experimental design with seemingly causal models. A total of 363 questionnaires were distributed to three groups of bank customers, i.e. Islamic banks customers, conventional banks customers and customers of both banks (121 respondents in each group).

Findings

The results show that the role of religiosity in the customers’ decision for using the Islamic banking services depends on religious norms variable. Religiosity affects the decision of customers in the traditional group, but it does not have any effect for the contemporary group. Other findings suggest that religiosity indirectly affects the decision for using the Islamic banks through intervening variables of trust and information source.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to investigate the relationship between religiosity and customers’ decision for using the Islamic banking services by considering the religious norm variable. This paper also examines indirect affects of religiosity to the Islamic banks’ choice through intervening variables of trust and information source.
The relationship between Islamic marketing ethics and brand credibility
Authors: Al-Nashmi Murad Mohammed , Almamary Abdulkarim Abdullah
Published: April 2017

Purpose

In an effort to build a useful conceptual framework that enhances understanding and permits practical application of ethics, this paper aims to understand the relationship and impact of Islamic marketing ethics on brand credibility. Nowadays, recognizing the ethical dilemmas associated with business is an important aspect of marketing strategy (Murphy et al. 2012). As known, the pharmaceutical industry has access to a deep pool of resources with the potential to maintain an esteemed reputation for offering innovative products that improve the public’s health and well-being (Kim and Ball, 2013). However, recent years have yielded several high-profile safety issues associated with particular medications along with a growing perception that pharmaceutical companies are unethical and drive up healthcare costs by prioritizing profits over consumer needs (USA Today/KFF/Harvard SPH, 2008). Therefore, the reputation of the pharmaceutical industry has been damaged with only 11 per cent of individuals considering pharmaceutical companies to be trustworthy (Harris Interactive Poll, 2010). Thus, the pharmaceutical industry in Yemen is the target of this paper and the relationship between its brands’ credibility and Islamic marketing ethics has been highlighted.

Design/methodology/approach

In a study of 106 respondents, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to understand the relationship, between brand credibility and Islamic marketing ethics. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to evaluate the hypothesized relationships between the variables.

Findings

Significant and positive relationships were confirmed between brand credibility and Islamic marketing ethics, namely, Annasihah, Al-Istiqamah, Al-E’etedal, Al-Ihsan, As-Sidq, Attaqwa and Al-Amanah. The eighth Islamic marketing ethic, Attasamoh, has been rejected.

Originality/value

The paper evaluates brand credibility in relation to Islamic marketing ethics in the pharmaceutical industry in Yemen. Islamic marketing ethics have been confirmed as a new variable that correlates with brand credibility and helps in boosting the level of credibility.
Why not a peer worker?
Authors: Jackson Fay , Fong Tim
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a perspective on peer work and insights from Flourish Australia’s journey in growing a thriving peer workforce. Flourish Australia is a large not-for-profit organisation that has been supporting people with their recovery journeys for over 60 years. The organisation provides, predominantly, non-clinical community-based support to enable people who live with a mental health issue and/or psychosocial disabilities to lead contributing lives in their community.

Design/methodology/approach

Flourish Australia developed and implemented a number of strategic directives in order to support the growth of a peer workforce. Central to these directives were policy positions that encouraged a shared understanding of the value and contribution that people with a lived experience of a mental health issue add to an organisation. From this policy foundation, the Why Not a Peer Worker? strategy and Transformation Peer Worker strategy were implemented and embraced by hiring managers across the organisation.

Findings

The “Why Not a Peer Worker?” campaign, coupled with the Transformation Peer Worker strategy, resulted in an increase in Flourish Australia’s peer workforce of almost 600 per cent over an 18-month period to now number 145 positions.

Research limitations/implications

This paper provides organisations who are seeking to develop or grow their peer workforce with practical ideas that have been successfully implemented by Flourish Australia that can be discussed and debated when developing a peer workforce.

Originality/value

This paper provides unique insights into Flourish Australia’s peer workforce journey.
A novel projection based electro-stereolithography (PES) process for production of 3D polymer-particle composite objects
Authors: Pan Yayue , Patil Abhishek , Guo Ping , Zhou Chi
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Polymer-particle composites, which have demonstrated wide applications ranging from energy harvesting and storage, biomedical applications, electronics and environmental sensing to aerospace applications, have been investigated for decades. However, fabricating polymer-particle composites with controlled distribution of particles in polymer continues to be a fundamental challenge. As to date, a few additive manufacturing (AM) technologies can fabricate composites, however, with a limited choice of materials or limited dispersion control. Against this background, this research investigated a hybrid polymer-particle composite manufacturing process, projection electro-stereolithography (PES) process, which integrates electrostatic deposition and projection based stereolithography (SL) technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

In PES process, a photoconductive film collects charged particles in the regions illuminated by light. Then, collected particles are transferred from the film to a polymer layer with defined patterns. Lastly, a digital mask is used to pattern the light irradiation of the digital micromirror device chip, selectively curing the photopolymer liquid resin and particles of that layer. By transferring particles from the photoconductive film to the photopolymer in a projection-based SL system, multi-material composites with locally controlled dispersions could be produced. A proof-of-concept PES testbed was developed. Various test cases have been performed to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the developed approach.

Findings

Challenges in this novel AM process, including process design, particle patterning and transferring, are addressed in this paper. It is found that particles can be transferred to a layer of partially cured resin completely and accurately, by using the stamping approach. The transferring rate is related to stamping force and degree of conversion of the recipient layer. The developed hybrid process can fabricate polymer-particle composites with arbitrary dispersion pattern, unlimited printable height and complicated geometries.

Originality/value

Although an electrostatic deposition process has been investigated as a 3D printing technology for many years, it is the first attempt to integrate it with projection SL for fabricating multi-material polymer composite components. The novel hybrid process offers unique benefits including local dispersion control, arbitrary filling patterns, wide range of materials, unlimited printable height and arbitrary complicated geometries.
Characteristic length of the solidified melt pool in selective laser melting process
Authors: Ahn Il Hyuk , Moon Seung Ki , Hwang Jihong , Bi Guijun
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to propose methods to evaluate the characteristic length of the melt pool for accurate fabrication and to identify the optimal process parameters in the selective laser melting process.

Design/methodology/approach

Specimens with the types of the scans by controlling the degree of the overlap with hatch spacing are fabricated. The scan modes are classified by statistically analyzing the results of hardness tests. According to the classification of the scans, the evaluation methods are proposed based on the observation of the shape of the solidified melt pool.

Findings

The control of the hatch spacing can reproduce all modes of the scan conditions, and hardness can be used to classify the scan modes.

Originality/value

The proposed evaluation methods are based on the analysis of the experimental observation so that they can be easily used for the real evaluation.
3D printed bio-models for medical applications
Authors: Yap Yee Ling , Tan Yong Sheng Edgar , Tan Heang Kuan Joel , Peh Zhen Kai , Low Xue Yi , Yeong Wai Yee , Tan Colin Siang Hui , Laude Augustinus
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The design process of a bio-model involves multiple factors including data acquisition technique, material requirement, resolution of the printing technique, cost-effectiveness of the printing process and end-use requirements. This paper aims to compare and highlight the effects of these design factors on the printing outcome of bio-models.

Design/methodology/approach

Different data sources including engineering drawing, computed tomography (CT), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were converted to a printable data format. Three different bio-models, namely, an ophthalmic model, a retina model and a distal tibia model, were printed using two different techniques, namely, PolyJet and fused deposition modelling. The process flow and 3D printed models were analysed.

Findings

The data acquisition and 3D printing process affect the overall printing resolution. The design process flows using different data sources were established and the bio-models were printed successfully.

Research limitations/implications

Data acquisition techniques contained inherent noise data and resulted in inaccuracies during data conversion.

Originality/value

This work showed that the data acquisition and conversion technique had a significant effect on the quality of the bio-model blueprint and subsequently the printing outcome. In addition, important design factors of bio-models were highlighted such as material requirement and the cost-effectiveness of the printing technique. This paper provides a systematic discussion for future development of an engineering design process in three-dimensional (3D) printed bio-models.