bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A machine learning-based model for survival prediction in patients with severe COVID-19 infection
Authors: Yan Li , Zhang Hai-Tao , Goncalves Jorge , Xiao Yang , Wang Maolin , Guo Yuqi , Sun Chuan , Tang Xiuchuan , Jin Liang , Zhang Mingyang , Huang Xiang , Xiao Ying , Cao Haosen , Chen Yanyan , Ren Tongxin , Wang Fang , Xiao Yaru , Huang Sufang , Tan Xi , Huang Niannian , Jiao Bo , Zhang Yong , Luo Ailin , Mombaerts Laurent , Jin Junyang , Cao Zhiguo , Li Shusheng , Xu Hui , Yuan Ye
Published: March 2020

The sudden increase of COVID-19 cases is putting a high pressure on healthcare services worldwide. At the current stage, fast, accurate and early clinical assessment of the disease severity is vital. To support decision making and logistical planning in healthcare systems, this study leverages a database of blood samples from 404 infected patients in the region of Wuhan, China to identify crucial predictive biomarkers of disease severity. For this purpose, machine learning tools selected three biomarkers that predict the survival of individual patients with more than 90% accuracy: lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), lymphocyte and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). In particular, relatively high levels of LDH alone seem to play a crucial role in distinguishing the vast majority of cases that require immediate medical attention. This finding is consistent with current medical knowledge that high LDH levels are associated with tissue breakdown occurring in various diseases, including pulmonary disorders such as pneumonia. Overall, this paper suggests a simple and operable formula to quickly predict patients at the highest risk, allowing them to be prioritised and potentially reducing the mortality rate.

Funding

None.
Optimal tuning of weighted kNN- and diffusion-based methods for denoising single cell genomics data
Authors: Tjärnberg Andreas , Mahmood Omar , Jackson Christopher A , Saldi Giuseppe-Antonio , Cho Kyunghyun , Christiaen Lionel A , Bonneau Richard A
Published: March 2020

The analysis of single-cell genomics data presents several statistical challenges, and extensive efforts have been made to produce methods for the analysis of this data that impute missing values, address sampling issues and quantify and correct for noise. In spite of such efforts, no consensus on best practices has been established and all current approaches vary substantially based on the available data and empirical tests. The k-Nearest Neighbor Graph (kNN-G) is often used to infer the identities of, and relationships between, cells and is the basis of many widely used dimensionality-reduction and projection methods. The kNN-G has also been the basis for imputation methods using,e.g., neighbor averaging and graph diffusion. However, due to the lack of an agreed-upon optimal objective function for choosing hyperparameters, these methods tend to oversmooth data, thereby resulting in a loss of information with regard to cell identity and the specific gene-to-gene patterns underlying regulatory mechanisms. In this paper, we investigate the tuning of kNN- and diffusion-based denoising methods with a novel non-stochastic method for optimally preserving biologically relevant informative variance in single-cell data. The framework,Denoising Expression data with a Weighted Affinity Kernel and Self-Supervision(DEWÄKSS), uses a self-supervised technique to tune its parameters. We demonstrate that denoising with optimal parameters selected by our objective function (i) is robust to preprocessing methods using data from established benchmarks, (ii) disentangles cellular identity and maintains robust clusters over dimension-reduction methods, (iii) maintains variance along several expression dimensions, unlike previous heuristic-based methods that tend to oversmooth data variance, and (iv) rarely involves diffusion but rather uses a fixed weighted kNN graph for denoising. Together, these findings provide a new understanding of kNN- and diffusion-based denoising methods and serve as a foundation for future research. Code and example data for DEWÄKSS is available athttps://gitlab.com/Xparx/dewakss/-/tree/Tjarnberg2020branch.
Stripping of the Immunoblot for Reprobing
Authors: Litovchick Larisa
Published: March 2020

For most immunoblots developed with chemiluminescence or with fluorochrome-based detection systems, it is possible to remove the primary and secondary antibodies from the membrane without affecting the bound antigen. This allows you to reuse the membrane for detection of another protein antigen. The blots developed with chromogenic substrates can also be stripped of antibodies and reprobed, but the bands detected in the first round of immunoblotting will remain unaffected. Stripping and reprobing of the membrane are particularly useful when the amount of sample is limited or when it is important to accurately compare the signal between two different protein antigens in the same sample. Examples of such experiments include determining the levels of a protein antigen in a series of samples relative to the loading control and comparison of the phosphorylated form to the total levels of the protein in the sample.
Recovery of DNA from Low-Melting-Temperature Agarose Gels: Organic Extraction
Authors: Green Michael R. , Sambrook Joseph
Published: March 2020

In this protocol, DNA fragments are separated according to size by electrophoresis through low-melting-temperature agarose, and then recovered by melting the agarose and extracting with phenol:chloroform. The protocol works best for DNA fragments ranging in size from 0.5 to 5.0 kb. Yields of DNA fragments outside this range are usually lower, but often are sufficient for many purposes.
In defence of critical realism: a reply to Baxter and Chua and Andrew and Baker
Authors: Modell Sven
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This is a reply to the commentaries by Baxter and Chua (2020) and Andrew and Baker (2020) on a paper previously published in this journal.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual discussion that further clarifies the differences between critical realism (CR), actor–network theory (ANT) and traditional Marxist thought as a basis for critical accounting research.

Findings

The relative merits of CR as a basis for critical accounting research are further elucidated in the light of the criticisms raised in the commentaries. In particular, the discussion of its role as a counterweight to the legacy of empiricism that hampers the possibilities of advancing radical social critique and emancipation is further developed.

Research limitations/implications

The paper clarifies what CR can and cannot do for the critical accounting project and how it may be further developed as a vehicle for emancipation.

Originality/value

The paper extends the debate about what critical accounting research is and could be.
The influence of perceived social media marketing elements on consumer–brand engagement and brand knowledge
Authors: Cheung Man Lai , Pires Guilherme , Rosenberger Philip J.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates the impact of social-media marketing elements, namely entertainment, customisation, interaction, electronic word-of-mouth (EWOM) and trendiness, on consumer–brand engagement and brand knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an online survey, the study collects data in Hong Kong from 214 experienced social-media users, as indicated by their consumption of a durable technology product, a smartphone. We used partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS–SEM) to test the links between social-media marketing elements, consumer–brand engagement and brand knowledge.

Findings

The results reveal that interaction, electronic word-of-mouth and trendiness are the key elements directly influencing consumer brand engagement, then strengthening brand awareness and brand knowledge. This contrasts with the non-significant results found for the influence of entertainment and customisation on consumer–brand engagement.

Research limitations/implications

Having cross-sectional nature, the study focuses on one single product, smartphones, at one location, Hong Kong. Future research may enhance the generalisability of the findings by replication in other countries with diverse cultures, such as countries in Latin America and Africa and examine other industries and other products, such as the service sector and convenience products with a low involvement level.

Practical implications

Marketers may strengthen consumer–brand engagement by using content that is trendy, along with encouraging interaction and positive EWOM on social-media platforms, in order to build strong and positive brand knowledge in consumers' minds.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the branding literature by providing an understanding of the role of social-media marketing elements in the brand-building process. Social media is a marketing channel recognised by its effectiveness in communicating brand-related information and its role as a means to stimulate consumers' brand engagement and brand knowledge. However, how effective these elements are for these purposes remains to be established. By empirically testing a theoretical model, this study confirms that specific social-media marketing elements, namely interaction, EWOM and trendiness, are critical drivers in the brand-building process in Hong Kong.
Expanding customer engagement: the role of negative engagement, dual valences and contexts
Authors: Naumann Kay , Bowden Jana , Gabbott Mark
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to operationalise and measure the effects of negative customer engagement (CE) in conjunction with positive CE. Both valences are explored through affective, cognitive and behaviour dimensions, and, in relation to the antecedent of involvement and outcome of word-of-mouth (WOM). It also explores the moderating influence of service context by examining engagement within a social service versus a social networking site (SNS). Engagement with the dual focal objects of a service brand and a service community are also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modelling is used to analyse 625 survey responses.

Findings

Involvement is a strong driver of positive CE, and positive CE has a strong effect on WOM. These findings are consistent across the “brand” and “community” object, suggesting positive CE is mutually reinforced by different objects in a relationship. Positive CE is also found to operate consistently across the service types. Involvement is a moderately negative driver of negative CE, and negative CE is a positive driver of WOM. These relationships operate differently across the objects and service types. Involvement has a stronger inverse effect on negative CE for the social service, diverging from assumptions that negative CE is reflective of highly involved customers. Interestingly, negative CE has a stronger effect on WOM in the social service, highlighting the active and vocal nature of customers within this service context.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to quantitatively measure positive and negative valences of engagement concurrently, and examine the moderating effect of dual objects across contrasting service types.
Audience leisure involvement, satisfaction and behavior intention at the Macau Science Center
Authors: Li Zhi , Ge Yuemeng , Su Zegang , Huang Xiaohua
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the basic information of visitors of the Macau Science Center to assess their leisure involvement, satisfaction and behavioral intention, along with the interaction of these factors. Suggestions are made for museum policy modifications to improve visitor experience quality.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis methods used in this study included reliability, descriptive statistics, independent-samples t test, ANOVA, correlation analysis and regression analysis.

Findings

The results showed that there was no significant relationship between gender and satisfaction, involvement of leisure or behavioral intention; age and educational level had significant impacts on satisfaction, leisure involvement and behavioral intention; significant differences were found in terms of visitors’ point of geographic origin, namely, local residents, mainland residents and Hong Kong residents; occupation was found to have no significant impact on satisfaction, leisure involvement or behavioral intention; monthly income was found to have no significant impact on leisure involvement and behavioral intention, but did have a significant impact on satisfaction; number of visits had no significant impact; there was no significant difference in leisure involvement and behavioral intention among different types of visitors, but there was a significant difference in terms of satisfaction; and significant correlations were found between leisure involvement and behavioral intentions.

Originality/value

The value of this study is to identify problems and offer potential solutions for the improvement of the Macau Science Center by studying the leisure involvement, satisfaction and behavioral intention of museum visitors. The proposed measures can improve the visibility and quality of the science museum, attract additional visitors and improve Macau’s branding through promoting science education and tourism.
Building and property management framework for state schools in New Zealand
Authors: Le An Thi Hoai , Domingo Niluka , Rasheed Eziaku Onyeizu , Park Kenneth Sungho
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to develop an integrated and comprehensive framework for building and property management (BAPM) for state schools in New Zealand. The results are expected to clarify the complicated process and provide a guide for school boards to manage their property effectively and efficiently. It also seeks to explore the relationship between the key stakeholders and how this impacts the BAPM.

Design/methodology/approach

In addition, to review literature, qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 16 top managers in state schools. The data analysis results were used to develop the framework using the integration definition for process modelling.

Findings

The findings contribute to understanding the processes in the BAPM in state schools of school board members by adding input, output, control and mechanism elements in each activity of the processes. The systematic models with main activities and people involved are presented as a guide for school boards in state schools in New Zealand. Challenges and issues in the processes are also identified to draw further study for both school boards and the Ministry of Education.

Research limitations/implications

The research was conducted with the participation of stakeholders who are sampled from top managers in state schools in New Zealand. A larger scale of participants from other schools may generalise the findings further.

Practical implications

The research findings are based on the needs and requirements of the stakeholders to understand, implement and control the BAPM for their schools and aid them to achieve the best value for money spending on the management.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the complexity of the BAPM in schools, presents the roles and responsibilities of the school stakeholders and proposes a systematic framework to assist the school managers in this management process.
The impact of life cycle stage on firm acquisitions
Authors: Ames Daniel , Coyne Joshua , Kim Kevin
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the authors’ research study is to identify the impact of life cycle stage on firm acquisitions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a series of empirical databases to identify characteristics of acquirers and their targets. The authors then use logistic regressions and joint tests to identify significant differences between declining and non-declining acquirers.

Findings

The authors find that declining acquirers are more likely to pursue diversifying acquisitions and to pay for the acquisition with stock considerations. Acquisitions by declining acquirers result in positive abnormal returns initially, but post-acquisition returns are negative.

Research limitations/implications

The authors’ primary limitation is their data, which only includes public acquirers and targets, and runs from January 1, 1988 to December 31, 2010.

Practical implications

The authors’ research suggests that regulators, stakeholders and prospective stakeholders should consider the life cycle stage of an acquiring firm in setting expectations about motivations for and likely performance subsequent to the acquisition.

Originality/value

The authors’ paper is the first to consider the effect of firm life cycle stage on the motivation and subsequent success of an acquisition. Given the tremendous impact to shareholders of such significant transactions, understanding the acquisition process more completely is important to capital markets participants.
Exploring the antecedents and consequences of impersonal trust
Authors: Safari Ali , Barzoki Ali Shaemi , Heidari Aqagoli Parisa
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Trust and impersonal trust, in particular, are of significant importance both for organizations and for innovative personnel, who are regarded human assets to organizations. The purpose of this study is to investigate the antecedents and consequences of impersonal trust in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The population of this study constituted the managers, specialists and personnel of a pharmaceutical company in Iran. Out of a total of 200 questionnaires having been administered, 187 were returned; and structural equation modelling (SEM) was used for data analysis.

Findings

The findings of the study indicate that personal learning has a significant positive effect (β= 0.64) on impersonal trust, that interpersonal communication has a significant positive effect (β= 0.14) on impersonal trust, and that organizational justice perception, also, has a significant positive effect (β= 0.14) on impersonal trust. In addition, the findings show that impersonal trust has a significant positive effect both on job satisfaction (β= 0.47) and on innovation (B = 0.42) and job satisfaction has a significant positive effect (β= 0.39) on innovation. Moreover, impersonal trust, through job satisfaction, has a significant indirect effect (β= 0.18) on innovation; and personal learning, through organizational justice perception, does not have a significant indirect effect (β= 0.014) on impersonal trust.

Originality/value

This study is among only a few studies having investigated the antecedents and consequences of impersonal trust together. Also, in a developing country like Iran, impersonal trust has rarely been studied.
CEOs' experience and career success in Latin American firms
Authors: Blanco Maria Rita , Sastre Castillo Miguel Angel
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study investigates the influence of experience – organisational tenure, international experience and springboard role – upon Chief Executive Officers’ (CEOs) time to the top and the time taken by CEOs to reach that position. As work and careers are embedded in economic and institutional environments, although prior Western career studies have explored this relationship, this study aims to determine the suitability of experience as a human capital attribute to explain CEO career success in Latin American firms.

Design/methodology/approach

169 Latin American firms were considered (America Economia, 2014). Biographical data about CEOs were manually collected and systematically crosschecked, and multiple hierarchical regressions were employed.

Findings

Organisational tenure and lifetime experience were found to reduce the time to the top. International experience delays the time to the top. International assignments closer to HQ do not exert an influence on time to the top. In multilatinas, promoted CEOs who have held Corporate springboard roles get faster to the top than those having held Divisional positions. Findings offer partial support to the human capital theory experience in Latin America, stressing the relevance of cultural, socio-economic and institutional factors.

Practical implications

The identification of career success predictors may enhance the career decision-making processes of individuals and organisations.

Originality/value

This study contributes to human capital and career literature, being the first one to explore the relationship between experience and time to the top in CEOs working for Latin American firms.
Strategic leadership and ambidextrous learning
Authors: Asif Muhammad
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the dynamics of “leadership and organizational learning” process and the factors that shape this process. Building upon the ideas of transformational and transactional leadership (TFL and TAL), explorative – and exploitative – learning (ERL and ETL), dynamic capabilities (DCs) and intellectual capital architecture (ICA), this paper develops a model of organizational learning. The model explains how leadership styles trigger versatile learning, and how DCs and ICA of a firm influence this process.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper builds upon a systematic review of the literature to develop propositions delineating the complex and poorly understood relationship between leadership styles, organizational learning and the role of DCs and ICA in this process. The paper develops multiple propositions, which together constitute an overarching framework explaining how leadership styles shape organizational learning.

Findings

Leadership approaches, DCs and ICA of a firm all have a differential effect on ERL and ETL. TFL and TAL promote ERL and ETL, respectively. The presence of DCs facilitates the effect of TFL in supporting ERL but negatively influences the role of TAL in ETL. The effect of ICA is discussed in terms of knowledge stocks (generalist vs specialist), social architecture (entrepreneurial vs cooperative) and organizational capital (organic vs mechanistic). The generalist knowledge facilitates TFL → ERL, while the specialist knowledge facilitates TAL → ETL path. Entrepreneurial architectures are suitable for TFL → ERL, while cooperative structures promote TAL → ETL trajectory. Finally, organic systems facilitate TFL → ERL, while the mechanistic systems promote TAL → ETL.

Originality/value

The key contribution of the paper is in developing a model furnishing profound insights into leadership approaches and organizational learning and the role of two critical factors. To the best of the author’s knowledge, these aspects have not been discussed in a unified framework in the previous studies. Hence, the paper is novel in its contribution.
Theoretical and experimental analysis of a water-lubricated rubber journal bearing with a large aspect ratio
Authors: Zhao Zhiming , Zhang Rui
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The hydrodynamic characteristics of liquid film for bearings, especially water-lubricated bearings with a large length-to-diameter ratio, affect the dynamics behavior of rotor bearing systems. The purpose of this study is to carry out theoretical analysis and experiments to determine the hydrodynamic characteristics of water-lubricated journal bearings.

Design/methodology/approach

The finite difference method is adopted for the simulation of the characteristics of water-lubricated bearings. The comparison results between water-lubricated bearings with and without grooves, as well as with and without the consideration of the effects of rubber deformation, are presented. The test bearings, test bench, and monitoring system, especially the force exciter for the bearing experiment, are presented. Dynamic coefficient identification verification experiments were performed in different working situations. The obtained results include the calibration of magnetic force, two kinds of excitation, vibration data of the rotor system and dynamic coefficients.

Findings

The theoretical results demonstrate that the hydrodynamic effect was obvious when the speed was increased and that the water film had improved capability at a working speed of 1800 rpm. The identification results reveal the lubrication situation of the test bearing under low-speed and high-load conditions. Moreover, it was found that the liquid film was not continuous at low speeds.

Originality/value

The theoretical results can lead to the enhancement of the design level of water-lubricated rubber journal bearings with a large aspect ratio. The experimental results can lead to the improvement of the dynamic behavior design of rotor systems supported using water-lubricated bearings with a large length-to-diameter ratio.
Analyzing the living and learning experience of foreign students at Jinan University
Authors: Hashmi Shabir Mohsin , Deng Yongzhong , Alhayki Zainab
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The main objective of this research is to analyze the living and learning experience of foreign students at Jinan University (JNU). The study aims to elicit two basic purposes; first, to help JNU administrators to measure the level of satisfaction of students and response to their needs. Second, to assess the existing facilities in the context of quality of education, the syllabus, credit system, choices of available courses, foreign faculty, teaching resources, effective dissemination of knowledge, behavior of administration and teachers, quality of food versus price, dormitory conditions, library resources, and other necessary facilities for productive learning.

Design/methodology/approach

To recognize the issues of foreign students and obtain their responses, this research has relied on several techniques. We have created a questionnaire and applied a systematic sampling technique. The questionnaire has been divided into several categories and sub-categories.

Findings

Findings of this study have confirmed that majority of the foreign students at JNU are satisfied with the learning and living conditions.

Research limitations/implications

Though our study is subject to limitations, yet it provides some valuable insights. Due to lack of resources and time, we have limited our sample size to 27. However despite having few respondents, the overall feedback represents the entire population. Additionally, this study is mainly focused on foreign student’s living and learning experiences satisfaction. Hence, no dependent and independent variable relationship is being determined or argued.

Practical implications

However, as indicated by the respondents, JNU needs to improve its learning facilities, as well as induction of additional foreign faculty, availability of English text books, security of student dormitories, expansion of sports facilities, renovation of university roads, and installation of new equipment in the laborites. Such conclusion provides the administration and other stakeholders with valuable indicators of how well the JNU is meeting with the expectations of international students and how resources might best be directed to improve further services.

Originality/value

Our approach is unique and inventive, as so far there has been very little research that has been carried out on this topic on Chinese Universities. This study serves as a benchmark in measuring the living and learning experience of foreign students at JNU. The results of the research would be useful for planning and improving the quality of services and help the administration in formulating better policies for international students.
Frontline employees’ motivation to align with value propositions
Authors: Liewendahl Helena Elisabeth , Heinonen Kristina
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Customer value creation is dependent on a firm’s capacity to fulfil its brand promises and value propositions. The purpose of this paper is to explore frontline employees’ (FLEs’) motivation to align with value propositions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explores FLEs’ motivation to align with a firm’s value propositions as operationalised brand promises. A longitudinal, three-phase case study was conducted on a business-to-business company in the building and technical trade sector.

Findings

This study reveals factors that foster and weaken employees’ motivation to align with a firm’s brand promises and value propositions. The findings show that co-activity and authentic, practice-driven promises and value propositions foster FLEs’ motivation to uphold brand promises and value propositions, whereas an objectifying stance and power struggle weaken their motivation.

Practical implications

The study indicates that a bottom-up approach to strategising is needed and that FLE is to be engaged in traditional managerial domains, such as in developing value propositions. By creating space and agency for FLE in the strategising process, their motivation to align with value propositions is fostered. Four motivational modes are suggested to support bottom-up strategising.

Originality/value

The paper is unique in its focus on FLEs’ motivation. Developing value propositions traditionally falls within the domain of management strategising, while employees are ascribed the role of enactment. Contrary to the established norm, this paper highlights employees’ active role in strategising and developing value propositions.
Sustainability assessment of urban water environment treatment public-private partnership projects using fuzzy logic
Authors: Li Huimin , Xia Qing , Wang Lunyan , Ma Ying
Published: March 2020

Purpose

In recent years, with the increasingly serious urban water environmental pollution, the government has exerted considerable effort to promote the comprehensive improvement of the water environment and conducted numerous urban water environment treatment public–private partnership (PPP) projects (UWETP-PPP). The sustainability assessment of UWETP-PPP has important theoretical and practical significance for the public and private sectors to systematically evaluate the sustainability of projects and promote the sustainable development of projects. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to advance a method to evaluate the sustainability of UWETP-PPP.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopted fuzzy logic method to evaluate the sustainability of UWETP-PPP. First, this paper constructed the sustainability assessment indicator system of UWETP-PPP. Second, this paper determined the appropriate linguistic scale for assessing the performance ratings and importance weights of UWETP-PPP sustainability indicators and collected experts’ evaluations of the project through questionnaires. Then, the linguistic variables were approximated as fuzzy numbers through the concept of fuzzy theory. Finally, the sustainability of the project was determined and the weak sustainability aspects of the project were identified by calculation.

Findings

The feasibility of this method was verified by a specific case. And, the results of the case study showed that the UWETP-PPP in Xuchang City, China, was sustainable, and the indicators of weak sustainability of the project were identified, namely, internal return ratio (IRR), sustainable cash flow, provision of employment opportunities, energy efficiency, comprehensive use of water resources, use of innovation materials, renewal of project facilities, adoption of advanced engineering technology, use of construction waste and waste recycling and reuse. This paper also proposed corresponding suggestions for further improving the sustainability of the UWETP-PPP in Xuchang City, China.

Originality/value

This paper makes two contributions: first, the fuzzy logic method is applied to provide new ideas for a sustainability assessment of UWETP-PPP, and the assessment results facilitate ways to monitor and estimate the degree of sustainability. Second, the identified indicators of weak sustainability provide useful references for the public and private sectors regarding implementing appropriate measures to improve the sustainability level of UWETP-PPP.
Delivery mode and strategic management simulation outcomes
Authors: Alstete Jeffrey W. , Beutell Nicholas J.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze learning assurance measures derived from a business simulation as part of capstone business strategy courses delivered via distance learning (DL) compared to traditional classroom (on-ground [OG]) delivery modes using experiential learning theory.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 595 undergraduate capstone business students from 21 course sections taught over a four-year period in a medium-sized private master’s level college is investigated. Variables included learning assurance measures from a competitive online simulation (GLO-BUS), gender, business degree major, capstone course grades and cumulative grade point averages. The analytic strategy included correlations, linear regressions, multiple regressions and multivariate analyses of variance.

Findings

Results reveal that there are significant differences in learning assurance report (LAR) scores, gender differences and differences between academic majors based on delivery mode (OG versus DL). Simulation performance was higher for DL students, although the relationship between simulation performance and final course grades was not significantly different for OG and DL cohorts.

Research limitations/implications

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, implications for courses, programs, curricula and learning assessment are considered. The strengths (actual performance measures) and potential limitations (e.g. possible deficiency of measures) of LAR scores are discussed.

Originality/value

This research compares OG and DL modes for strategic management course outcomes using direct assessments, including simulation learning assurance measures, student characteristics, capstone course grades and student grade point averages.
Muslims’ travel motivations and travel preferences
Authors: Hassani Ali , Moghavvemi Sedigheh
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Many studies have examined the influence of travel motivation on destination preferences; however, little is known about Muslim tourists’ leisure travel behaviour. This study aims to examine the influence of travel motivation on destination preferences using the moderating effect of religiosity from the perspective of Iranian and Malay Muslims.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 422 Malay and Iranian Muslim students using a purposive sampling technique, and later analyzed using Amos.

Findings

Results indicated that generic, Islamic and non-Islamic motivational factors influence social, religious and hedonic avoidance travel preferences. Muslims who are motivated by generic and non-Islamic motivations avoid travels to destinations with the presence of Islamic service and products, while those who are motivated by religious factors prefer destinations with Islamic attributes.

Originality/value

The results of this study highlight the importance of Islamic-related features in destinations for Muslim tourists.
Making the case for procedural justice: employees thrive and work hard
Authors: Kim Minseo , Beehr Terry A.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Procedural justice consists of employees' fairness judgments about decision-making processes used to allocate organizational rewards and has been linked to positive work outcomes. The study drew from social exchange and reciprocity theories to examine a model proposing psychological empowerment and organization-based self-esteem (OBSE) as two psychological processes explaining the relationship of procedural justice with employees' work effort and thriving.

Design/methodology/approach

Three-waves of data with one-month time lags were obtained from 346 full-time US employees. Structural equation modeling tested the hypotheses.

Findings

Results supported the model. Procedural justice at Time 1 was positively related to psychological empowerment and OBSE at Time 2, which both led to employees' work effort and thriving at Time 3.

Originality/value

The study provided a theoretical explanation for procedural justice resulting in better work effort and thriving: Psychological empowerment and OBSE may provide a bridge for the effects of procedural justice on employees’ work effort and thriving.
Development of a lean assessment tool and measuring the effect of culture from employee perception
Authors: Loyd Nicholas , Harris Gregory , Gholston Sampson , Berkowitz David
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Few companies have had the success that Toyota Motor Corporation has experienced over the past 70 years. Many give credit for Toyota's success to the company's famous Toyota Production System. Companies outside of Toyota have tried to implement versions of Toyota's system as Lean production; however, few companies have experienced the success of Toyota, and none have experienced Toyota's sustained success. In 2001, Toyota released a publication entitled The Toyota Way 2001 as a set of globalized standards of the culture that drives the success of the Toyota Production System.

Design/methodology/approach

This research examines the effect of the Toyota Way on the implementation of Lean production outside of Toyota. A survey was developed and a study was performed on a sample of 349 participants with Lean experience. Structural equation modeling was used to test the relationship between the Toyota Way culture, Lean production, and achieving the desired Lean production system results.

Findings

The results of this research discovered that the existence of the Toyota Way culture has a significant and positive mediating effect on a Lean production system achieving the desired Lean results.

Originality/value

This research created a validated survey instrument that can be used to evaluate and understand the status of a Lean implementation initiative based upon employee perception. The results of this study support assertions made by Lean practitioners and previous research stating that culture affects the level of success of Lean production system implementation. While this may not seem like breaking news, prior to this study no statistically validated research supporting such an assertion could be found. Furthermore, this research defines culture very specifically as the Toyota Way culture as outlined in The Toyota Way 2001.
Information integration in libraries
Authors: Chen Yong
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates the latest achievements of studies on industrial information integration engineering (IIIE).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper extends the research by Chen (2016) by reviewing studies from 2016 to 2019 in IEEE Xplore and Web of Science. Altogether, 970 papers related to IIIE are grouped into 27 research categories and reviewed.

Findings

The results obtained in this study indicate that the number of research studies on IIIE rose drastically in the past three years compared with the findings in Chen (2016). Particularly, energy, engineering, industrial control, information and communications technologies, instrumentation, manufacturing and transportation are the hot topics. This change proves that the Internet of things (IoT) and IIIE have integrated closely by providing more applications, such as industrial Internet of things (IIoT), cyber-physical system (CPS), smart grids and smart manufacturing. This change also proves the research direction of IIIE identified by Chen (2016).

Originality/value

The results present up-to-date development of IIIE and provide directions for future research on IIIE. The review identifies that energy, engineering, industrial control, information and communications technologies, instrumentation, manufacturing and transportation are the main fields that most of the reviewed papers focus on. Applications that integrate IoT and IIIE, including IIoT, CPS, smart grids and smart manufacturing, are attracting scholars' and practitioners' attention. Some new technologies, such as 5G and blockchain, have the potential to be integrated with IoT and IIIE.
Impact of liquidity and solvency risk factors on variations in efficiency of US banks
Authors: Sakouvogui Kekoura
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper evaluates the importance of both liquidity and solvency risk factors on variations in efficiency measures of US commercial and domestic banks from 2005 to 2017.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is conducted using the true random effect stochastic cost model to examine the role of both liquidity and solvency risk factors. To this end, the author uses the exponential stochastic cost function and adds new variables, including bank size, crisis as an indicator of the financial crisis and the Dodd–Frank Act and Basel II Accord as regulatory dummies.

Findings

The results show that both liquidity and solvency risk factors positively affect the variance of cost inefficiency measures and thus have negative impact on the cost efficiency measures. In addition, banks increased the cost of financial intermediation during the financial crisis, whereas regulatory factors of Basel II Accord and Dodd–Frank Act play a crucial role in explaining the cost efficiency measures.

Originality/value

These results are the first to quantify the impact of both liquidity and solvency on the variations in cost efficiency measures.
Leapfrogging at work: influencing higher levels in the chain of command
Authors: Segrest Sharon L. , Andrews Martha C. , Geiger Scott W. , Marlin Dan , Martinez Patricia G. , Perrewé Pamela L. , Ferris Gerald R.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Acts of interpersonal influence are observed throughout organizations, and most typically, in direct supervisor–subordinate relationships. However, researchers have focused less on subordinates bypassing the chain of command and targeting their supervisor's supervisor with influence attempts. We conceptualize a new term, “leapfrogging,” as subordinates' attempts to influence and manage the impressions of their supervisor's supervisor. Here we focus on influencing the target's perception of likability (the focus of ingratiation) and competence (the focus of self-promotion). This study focuses on its personal and situational antecedents.

Design/methodology/approach

Given the central role of social exchange and psychological processes within this phenomenon, we build on a social exchange and a social cognition approach. Using a sample of 131 university support personnel service employees, hierarchical regression is used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The following antecedents of leapfrogging are hypothesized and tested: the subordinate personal characteristics of Machiavellianism, need for achievement, and fear of negative evaluation, and the situational/relational characteristic of leader–member exchange (LMX). Of these potential antecedents, subordinate Machiavellianism and LMX were the strongest predictors, and subordinates' need for achievement and fear of negative evaluation were moderate predictors.

Practical implications

Leapfrogging occurs when actors are frustrated with their current situation and desire change. However, influence tactics aimed at a subordinate's supervisor's supervisor may further strain a low-quality leader–subordinate relationship. As actors become increasingly dissatisfied and leave, this may result in increased organizational costs related to the loss of experienced employees and the hiring and training of new ones.

Originality/value

Most upward influence research has largely ignored subordinate influence attempts that go outside of the normal chain of command and target their boss's boss. The present study addresses this gap in the literature by examining leapfrog behaviors. Although acknowledged in a limited manner as a legitimate organizational behavior, this topic has received virtually no empirical attention.
Time-dependent collapse potential of unsaturated collapsible gypseous soils
Authors: Fattah Mohammed Y. , Dawood Basma A.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to predict the volume changes and collapse potential (CP) associated with the changes in soil suction by using the pressure cell and the effect of initial load on soil suction. Three types of gypseous soils have been experimented in this study, sandy gypseous soil from different parts of Iraq. A series of collapse tests were carried out using the oedometer device [single oedometer test (SOT) and double oedometer test (DOT)]. In addition, large-scale model with soil dimensions 700 × 700 × 600 mm was used to show the effect of water content changes in different relations (collapse with time, stress with time, suction with time, etc.).

Design/methodology/approach

A series of collapse tests were carried out using the oedometer device (SOT and DOT). In addition, a large-scale model with soil dimensions 700 × 700 × 600 mm was used to show the effect of water content changes in different relations (collapse with time, stress with time, suction with time, etc.).

Findings

The CP increases with the increasing of the void ratio for each soil. For each soil, the CP decreased when the initial degree of saturation increased. Kerbala soil with gypsum content (30%) revealed collapse value higher than Tikrit soil with gypsum content (55%) under the same initial conditions of water content and density, this is because the higher the Cu value of Kerbala soil is, the more well-graded the soil will be. Upon wetting, the smaller particles or fractions of the well-graded soil tend to fill in the existing voids, resulting in a lower void ratio as compared to the poorly graded one. Consequently, soils with high Cu value tend to collapse more than poorly graded ones. The compressibility of the soil is low when loaded under unsaturated condition, the CP for samples tested in the DOTs under stress level 800 kPa are greater than those obtained from collapse test at a stress level of 200 kPa.

Originality/value

The initial value of suction for all soils increases with initial water content decreases.
Raman‐activated sorting of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria in human gut microbiota
Authors: Wang Yi , Xu Jiabao , Kong Lingchao , Li Bei , Li Hang , Huang Wei E. , Zheng Chunmiao
Published: March 2020

The antibiotic‐resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic‐resistant genes (ARGs) in human gut microbiota have significant impact on human health. While high throughput metagenomic sequencing reveals genotypes of microbial communities, the functionality, phenotype and heterogeneity of human gut microbiota are still elusive. In this study, we applied Raman microscopy and deuterium isotope probing (Raman–DIP) to detect metabolic active ARB (MA‐ARB) in situ at the single‐cell level in human gut microbiota from two healthy adults. We analysed the relative abundances of MA‐ARB under different concentrations of amoxicillin, cephalexin, tetracycline, florfenicol and vancomycin. To establish the link between phenotypes and genotypes of the MA‐ARB, Raman‐activated cell sorting (RACS) was used to sort MA‐ARB from human gut microbiota, and mini‐metagenomic DNA of the sorted bacteria was amplified, sequenced and analysed. The sorted MA‐ARB and their associated ARGs were identified. Our results suggest a strong relation between ARB in human gut microbiota and personal medical history. This study demonstrates that the toolkit of Raman–DIP, RACS and DNA sequencing can be useful to unravel both phenotypes and genotypes of ARB in human gut microbiota at the single‐cell level.