bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stable and Reversible Functionalization of the Native Phosphate Groups on Live Cells
Authors: Majumder Joydeb , Chopra Gaurav
Published: November 2018

Surface modification of live cells has important biomedical and therapeutic applications. Current methods to label cells require artificial cell surface engineering (via metabolic, docking or anchoring methods) before conjugative chemistries, which is not always trivial to accomplish and/or not appropriate for multiple cell types. A new method without the need of initial cell surface anchoring will greatly facilitate live cell surface labelling. Herein, we provide a general strategy for live cell functionalization that utilizes the native phosphate groups on every cell. We have designed a dual conjugation cargo molecule with a cationic side chain for non-covalent bonds with the negatively-charged cell surface and a phosphoric acid containing ligand for covalent bonding with the cell membrane phospholipid phosphate. Our dual conjugation strategy on live cell surfaces is non-toxic with enhanced stability to functionalize live cells. This provides a stable, reversible and reusable reagent with direct conjugation strategy to image live cell membranes.

Significance

The ability to label live cell surfaces has many applications ranging fromin vivomonitoring of cell populations to diagnostics and use of cells as drugs. Thus far, most reported strategies to label cell surfaces are not broadly applicable or easy to use for any cell type as it has relied on engineering cells with artificial moieties or conjugations that may affect cellular function. We provide a general solution to this long-standing problem by developing two-sided functionalization of the phosphate moieties that are ubiquitous on all cells. We show one application of our chemical strategy as a general-purpose live-cell membrane imaging reagent with long-time stability. Our strategy is broadly applicable to imaging, sensing, drug delivery, bioengineering, diagnostics and cell therapy.
tartanunderlies the evolution of maleDrosophilagenital morphology
Authors: Hagen Joanna F. D. , Mendes Cláudia C. , Blogg Amber , Payne Alex , Tanaka Kentaro M. , Gaspar Pedro , Jimenez Javier Figueras , Kittelmann Maike , McGregor Alistair P. , Nunes Maria Daniela S.
Published: November 2018

Male genital structures are among the most rapidly evolving morphological traits and are often the only features that can distinguish closely related species. This process is thought to be driven by sexual selection and may reinforce species separation. However, while the genetic basis of many phenotypic differences have been identified, we still lack knowledge about the genes underlying evolutionary differences in male genital organs and organ size more generally. The claspers (surstyli) are periphallic structures that play an important role in copulation in insects. Here we show that natural variation in clasper size and bristle number betweenDrosophila mauritianaandD. simulansis caused by evolutionary changes intartan (trn), which encodes a transmembrane leucine-rich repeat domain protein that mediates cell-cell interactions and affinity differences. There are no fixed amino acid differences intrnbetweenD. mauritianaandD. simulansbut differences in the expression of this gene in developing genitalia suggest cis-regulatory changes intrnunderlie the evolution of clasper morphology in these species. Finally, analysis of reciprocal hemizyotes that are genetically identical, except for which species the functional allele oftrnis from, determined that thetrnallele ofD. mauritianaspecifies larger claspers with more bristles than the allele ofD. simulans. Therefore we have identified the first gene underlying evolutionary change in the size of a male genital organ, which will help to better understand the rapid diversification of these structures and the regulation and evolution of organ size more broadly.

Significance Statement

The morphology of male genital organs evolves rapidly driven by sexual selection. However, little is known about the genes underlying genitalia differences between species. Identifying these genes is key to understanding how sexual selection acts on development to produce rapid phenotypic change. We have found that the genetartanunderlies differences between maleDrosophila mauritianaandD. simulansin the size and bristle number of the claspers - genital projections that grasp the female during copulation. Moreover, sincetartanencodes a protein that is involved in cell affinity, this may represent a new developmental mechanism for morphological change. Therefore, our study provides new insights into genetic and developmental bases for the rapid evolution of male genitalia and organ size more generally.
Spectroscopic study on binding of cationic Pheophorbide-ato antiparallel quadruplex Tel22
Authors: Ryazanova Olga , Zozulya Victor , Voloshin Igor , Glamazda Alexander , Dubey Igor , Dubey Larysa , Karachevtsev Victor
Published: November 2018

Binding of water-soluble cationic Pheophorbide-aderivative (CatPheo-a) to Na+–stabilized antiparallel quadruplex formed by 22-mer oligonucleotide d[AG3(T2AG3)3], a fragment of human telomeric DNA (Tel22, PDB ID: 143D), has been examined using experimental techniques of absorption and polarized fluorescent spectroscopy as well as absorption melting. The binding affinity of CatPheo-ato Tel22 was studied in titration experiments registering the dependence of the dye fluorescence intensity and polarization degree on molar phosphate-to-dye ratio (P/D). CatPheo-awas found to bind effectively to the quadruplex, and two competitive binding modes were detected. The first one predominates at the dye excess and results in the fluorescence quenching, whereas the second one is preferential at the biopolymer excess and results in the enhancement of pheophorbide emission. The effect of CatPheo-aon thermodynamic parameters of Tel22 quadruplex unfolding was estimated using a two-state model. It was found that CatPheo-adestabilizes the quadruplex structure of Tel22 slightly decreasing its 4→1 transition midpoint temperature, gives destabilizing increment into Gibbs standard free energy and 2-fold decrease in the equilibrium quadruplex folding constant at 37°C. In ethanol CatPheo-aexhibits 15% higher efficiency of singlet oxygen generation as compared to the parent Pheo-acompound that makes it a promising photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy.
The GTPase Nog1 couples polypeptide exit tunnel quality control with ribosomal stalk assembly
Authors: Nerurkar Purnima , Gillet Ludovic , Pena Cohue , Schubert Olga T , Altvater Martin , Chang Yiming , Aebersold Ruedi , Panse Vikram
Published: November 2018

Eukaryotic ribosome precursors acquire translation competence in the cytoplasm through stepwise release of bound assembly factors, and proofreading of their functional centers. In case of the large subunit precursor (pre-60S), these essential steps include eviction of placeholders Arx1 and Mrt4 that prevent premature loading of the protein-folding machinery at the polypeptide exit tunnel (PET), and the ribosomal stalk, respectively. Here, we reveal that sequential ATPase and GTPase activities license release factors Rei1 and Yvh1 recruitment to the pre-60S in order to trigger Arx1 and Mrt4 removal. Drg1-ATPase activity extracts the C-terminal tail of Nog1 from the PET, enabling Rei1 to probe PET integrity, and then catalyze Arx1 release. Subsequently, GTPase hydrolysis stimulates Nog1 removal from the pre-60S, permitting Yvh1 to mediate Mrt4 release, and initiate ribosomal stalk assembly. Thus, Nog1 couples quality control and assembly of spatially distant functional centers during ribosome formation.
A sequence-based approach for identifying protein fold switchers
Authors: Mishra Soumya , Looger Loren L. , Porter Lauren L.
Published: November 2018

Although most proteins conform to the classical one-structure/one-function paradigm, an increasing number of proteins with dual structures and functions are emerging. These fold-switching proteins remodel their secondary structures in response to cellular stimuli, fostering multi-functionality and tight cellular control. Accurate predictions of fold-switching proteins could both suggest underlying mechanisms for uncharacterized biological processes and reveal potential drug targets. Previously, we developed a prediction method for fold-switching proteins based on secondary structure predictions and structure-based thermodynamic calculations. Given the large number of genomic sequences without homologous experimentally characterized structures, however, we sought to predict fold-switching proteins from their sequences alone. To do this, we leveraged state-of-the-art secondary structure predictions, which require only amino acid sequences but are not currently designed to identify structural duality in proteins. Thus, we hypothesized that incorrect and inconsistent secondary structure predictions could be good initial predictors of fold-switching proteins. We found that secondary structure predictions of fold-switching proteins with solved structures are indeed less accurate than secondary structure predictions of non-fold-switching proteins with solved structures. These inaccuracies result largely from the conformations of fold-switching proteins that are underrepresented in the Protein Data Bank (PDB), and, consequently, the training sets of secondary structure predictors. Given that secondary structure predictions are homology-based, we hypothesized that decontextualizing the inaccurately-predicted regions of fold-switching proteins could weaken the homology relationships between these regions and their overpopulated structural representatives. Thus, we reran secondary structure predictions on these regions in isolation and found that they were significantly more inconsistent than in regions of non-fold-switching proteins. Thus, inconsistent secondary structure predictions can serve as a preliminary marker of fold switching. These findings have implications for genomics and the future development of secondary structure predictors.
Iron deficiency affects early stages of embryonic hematopoiesis but not the endothelial to hematopoietic transition
Authors: Shvartsman Maya , Bilican Saygin , Lancrin Christophe
Published: November 2018

Iron is an essential micronutrient for hematopoiesis and previous research suggested that iron deficiency in the pregnant female could cause anemia in the offspring. Since the development of all embryonic and adult blood cells begins in the embryo, we aimed to resolve the role of iron in embryonic hematopoiesis. For this purpose, we used an experimental system of mouse embryonic stem cells differentiation into embryonic hematopoietic progenitors. We modulated the iron status in cultures by adding either an iron chelator DFO for iron deficiency, or ferric ammonium citrate for iron excess, and followed the emergence of developing hematopoietic progenitors by flow cytometry. We found interestingly that iron deficiency by DFO did not block the endothelial to hematopoietic transition, the first step of hematopoiesis. However, it had a differential effect on the proliferation, survival and clonogenic capacity of hematopoietic progenitors. Surprisingly, iron deficiency affected erythro-myeloid Kitpos CD41+ progenitors significantly more than the primitive erythroid Kitneg CD41+. The Kitpos progenitors paradoxically died more, proliferated less and had more reduction in colony formation than Kitneg after 24 hours of DFO treatment. Kitpos progenitors expressed less transferrin-receptor on the cell surface and had less labile iron compared to Kitneg, which could reduce their capacity to compete for scarce iron and survive iron deficiency. We suggest that iron deficiency could disturb hematopoiesis already at an early embryonic stage by compromising survival, proliferation and differentiation of definitive hematopoietic progenitors.
Characterization of cefotaxime resistant Escherichia coli isolated from broiler farms in Ecuador
Authors: Vinueza-Burgos Christian , Ortega-Paredes David , Narváez Cristian , Zutter Lieven De , Zurita Jeannete
Published: November 2018

Antimicrobial resistance (AR) is a worldwide concern. Up to a 160% increase in antibiotic usage in food animals is expected in Latin American countries. The poultry industry is an increasingly important segment of food production and contributor to AR. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, AR patterns and the characterization of relevant resistance genes in Extended Spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and AmpC E. coli from large poultry farms in Ecuador. Sampling was performed from June 2013 to July 2014 in 6 slaughterhouses that slaughter broilers from 115 farms totaling 384 flocks. Each sample of collected caeca was streaked onto TBX agar supplemented with cefotaxime (3 mg/l). In total, 176 isolates were analyzed for antimicrobial resistance patterns by the disk diffusion method and for blaCTX-M, blaTEM, blaCMY, blaSHV, blaKPC, and mcr-1 by PCR and sequencing. ESBL and AmpC E. coli were found in 362 flocks (94.3%) from 112 farms (97.4%). We found that 98.3% of the isolates were multi-resistant to antibiotics. Low resistance was observed for ertapenem and nitrofurantoin. The most prevalent ESBL genes were the blaCTX-M (90.9%) blaCTX-M-65, blaCTX-M-55 and blaCTX-M-3 alleles. Most of the AmpC strains presented the blaCMY-2 gene. Three isolates showed the mcr-1 gene. Poultry production systems represent a hotspot for antimicrobial resistance in Ecuador, possibly mediated by the extensive use of antibiotics. Monitoring this sector in national and regional plans of antimicrobial resistance surveillance should therefore be considered.
Moisture adsorption isotherms and quality of seeds stored in conventional packaging materials and hermetic Super Bag
Authors: Bakhtavar Muhammad Amir , Afzal Irfan , Ahmed Basra Shahzad Maqsood
Published: November 2018

Seed moisture content (SMC) is an important attribute to seed quality. Maintaining seed dryness throughout supply chain (The Dry Chain) prevents seed germination and quality losses. Ambient relative humidity (RH) and temperature affect seed moisture and thereof seed moisture isotherm. Present study was conducted to compare the moisture adsorption isotherms of wheat, maize, cotton and quinoa seeds packed in hermetic Super Bag and traditional packaging materials including paper, polypropylene (PP), jute and cloth bags. Seeds were incubated at 60, 70, 80 and 90% static RH. Nearly straight line moisture isotherms for all crop seeds were obtained in Super Bag. Seed moisture contents increased in traditional packaging materials with increasing RH. At higher level of RH, moisture contents increased slightly (1-2%) in Super Bag, whereas this increase was much higher in traditional packaging materials (≈9% higher than original SMC at 90% RH). In second study, seeds were dried to 8 and 14% initial seed moisture contents using zeolite drying beads and were stored in hermetic and traditional bags for a period of 18 months. For all crop seeds, germination was severely affected in all packaging materials both at 8 and 14% initial SMC except storage in Super Bag at 8% SMC. Wheat seed stored in Super Bag at 8% SMC almost maintained initial germination while germination of cotton, maize and quinoa seeds declined 7%, 14% and 30% respectively in Super Bag at 8% SMC. Seed storage in Super Bag can help to prevent the significant increase in seed moisture at higher RH as is evident from moisture isotherm study, thus helps to preserve quality of maize, wheat, cotton and quinoa seeds by maintaining The Dry Chain throughout the storage period.
Role of the Fourth Transmembrane Segment in TRAAK Channel Mechanosensitivity
Authors: Zhang Mingfeng , Yao Fuqiang , Pan Chengfang , Yan Zhiqiang
Published: November 2018

Mechanosensitive ion channels such as Piezo, TRAAK, TRPs and OSCA are important transmembrane proteins that are involved in many physiological processes such as touch, hearing and blood pressure regulation. Unlike ligand-gated channels or voltage-gated ion channels, which have a canonical ligand-binding domain or voltage-sensing domain, the mechanosensitive domain and related gating mechanism remain elusive. TRAAK channels are mechanosensitive channels that convert a physical mechanical force into a flow of potassium ions. The structures of TRAAK channels have been solved, however, the functional roles of the structural domains associated with channel mechanosensitivity remains unclear. Here, we generated a series of chimeric mutations between TRAAK and a non-mechanosensitive silent TWIK-1 K2P channel. We found that the selectivity filter region functions as the major gate of outward rectification and found that lower part of fourth transmembrane domain (M4) is necessary for TRAAK channel mechanosensitivity. We further demonstrated that upper part of M4 can modulate the mechanosensitivity of TRAAK channel. Furthermore, we found that hydrophilic substitutions of W262 and F121 facing each other, and hydrophobic substitutions of Q258 and G124, which are above and below W262 and F121, respectively, greatly increase mechanosensitivity, which suggests that dynamic interactions in the upper part of M4 and PH1 domain are involved in TRAAK channel mechanosensitivity. Interestingly, these gain-of-function mutations are sensitive to cell-poking stimuli, indicating that cell-poking stimuli generate a low membrane mechanical force that opens TRAAK channels. Our results thus showed that fourth transmembrane domain of TRAAK is critical for the gating of TRAAK by mechanical force and suggested that multiple dynamic interactions in the upper part of M4 and PH1 domain are involved in this process.
Task-Related Hemodynamic Responses Are Modulated by Reward and Task-engagement
Authors: Cardoso Mariana M. B. , Lima Bruss , Sirotin Yevgeniy B. , Das Aniruddha
Published: November 2018

Hemodynamic recordings from visual cortex contain powerful endogenous task-related responses that may reflect task-engagement distinct from attention. We tested this hypothesis with hemodynamic measurements (intrinsic-signal optical imaging) from monkey V1, while the animals’ engagement in a periodic fixation task over several hours was varied though reward size, and as animals took breaks. With higher rewards, animals appeared more task-engaged; task-related responses were more temporally precise at the task period (~ 10-20 seconds), and modestly stronger. Surprisingly, 2-5-minute blocks of high-reward trials led to ramp-like decreases in mean local blood volume; these reversed with ramp-like increases during low reward. The blood volume increased even more sharply when the animal shut his eyes and disengaged completely from the task (5-10 minutes). We propose a mechanism that controls vascular tone, likely along with local neural responses, with phasic and tonic components tied to task-engagement.
Dual metabolomic profiling uncovers Toxoplasma manipulation of the host metabolome and the discovery of a novel parasite metabolic capability
Authors: Olson William J. , Stevenson David , Amador-Noguez Daniel , Knoll Laura J.
Published: November 2018

The obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii is auxotrophic for several key metabolites and must scavenge these from the host. It is unclear how Toxoplasma manipulates host metabolism for its overall growth rate and non-essential metabolites. To address this question, we measured changes in the joint host-parasite metabolome over a time course of infection. Host and parasite transcriptomes were simultaneously generated to determine potential changes in metabolic enzyme levels. Toxoplasma infection increased activity in multiple metabolic pathways, including the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the pentose phosphate pathway, glycolysis, amino acid synthesis, and nucleotide metabolism. Our analysis indicated that changes in some pathways, such as the tricarboxylic acid cycle, derive from the parasite, while changes in others, like the pentose phosphate pathway, were host and parasite driven. Further experiments led to the discovery of a Toxoplasma enzyme, sedoheptulose bisphosphatase, which funnels carbon from glycolysis into ribose synthesis through a energetically driven dephosphorylation reaction. This second route for ribose synthesis resolves a conflict between the Toxoplasma tricarboxylic acid cycle and pentose phosphate pathway, which are both NADP+ dependent. During periods of high energetic and ribose need, the competition for NADP+ could result in lethal redox imbalances. Sedoheptulose bisphosphatase represents a novel step in Toxoplasma central carbon metabolism that allows Toxoplasma to satisfy its ribose demand without using NADP+. Sedoheptulose bisphosphatase is not present in humans, highlighting its potential as a drug target.

Author Summary

The obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma is commonly found among human populations worldwide and poses severe health risks to fetuses and individuals with AIDS. While some treatments are available they are limited in scope. A possible target for new therapies is Toxoplasma’s limited metabolism, which makes it heavily reliant in its host. In this study, we generated a joint host/parasite metabolome to better understand host manipulation by the parasite and to discover unique aspects of Toxoplasma metabolism that could serve as the next generation of drug targets. Metabolomic analysis of Toxoplasma during an infection time course found broad activation of host metabolism by the parasite in both energetic and biosynthetic pathways. We discovered a new Toxoplasma enzyme, sedoheptulose bisphosphatase, which redirects carbon from glycolysis into ribose synthesis. Humans lack sedoheptulose bisphosphatase, making it a potential drug target. The wholesale remodeling of host metabolism for optimal parasite growth is also of interest, although the mechanisms behind this host manipulation must be further studied before therapeutic targets can be identified.
Subthalamic nucleus and sensorimotor cortex activity during speech production
Authors: Chrabaszcz A , Neumann WJ , Stretcu O , Lipski WJ , Bush A , Dastolfo-Hromack C , Wang D , Crammond DJ , Shaiman S , Dickey MW , Holt LL , Turner RS , Fiez JA , Richardson RM
Published: November 2018

The sensorimotor cortex is somatotopically organized to represent the vocal tract articulators, such as lips, tongue, larynx, and jaw. How speech and articulatory features are encoded at the subcortical level, however, remains largely unknown. We analyzed local field potential (LFP) recordings from the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and simultaneous electrocorticography recordings from the sensorimotor cortex of 11 patients (1 female) with Parkinson’s disease during implantation of deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes, while patients read aloud three-phoneme words. The initial phonemes involved either articulation primarily with the tongue (coronal consonants) or the lips (labial consonants). We observed significant increases in high gamma (60–150 Hz) power in both the STN and the sensorimotor cortex that began before speech onset and persisted for the duration of speech articulation. As expected from previous reports, in the sensorimotor cortex, the primary articulator involved in the production of the initial consonant was topographically represented by high gamma activity. We found that STN high gamma activity also demonstrated specificity for the primary articulator, although no clear topography was observed. In general, subthalamic high gamma activity varied along the ventral-dorsal trajectory of the electrodes, with greater high gamma power recorded in the more dorsal locations of the STN. These results demonstrate that articulator-specific speech information is contained within high gamma activity of the STN, with similar temporal but less specific topographical organization, compared to similar information encoded in the sensorimotor cortex.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Clinical and electrophysiological evidence suggests that the subthalamic nucleus is involved in speech, however, this important basal ganglia node is ignored in current models of speech production. We previously showed that subthalamic nucleus neurons differentially encode early and late aspects of speech production, but no previous studies have examined subthalamic functional organization for speech articulators. Using simultaneous local field potential recordings from the sensorimotor cortex and the subthalamic nucleus in patients with Parkinson’s disease undergoing deep brain stimulation surgery, we discovered that subthalamic nucleus high gamma activity tracks speech production at the level of vocal tract articulators, with high gamma power beginning to increase prior to the onset of vocalization, similar to cortical articulatory encoding.
Interpretive multi-criteria valuation of flexibility initiatives on direct value chain
Authors: Sushil Sushil
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Activities on direct value chain directly add value to the products/services delivered to the customers. This value addition can be further enhanced by taking up flexibility initiatives on these direct value chain activities. The purpose of this paper is to identify flexibility initiatives on the direct value chain and carry out their valuation.

Design/methodology/approach

Since different value addition criteria (i.e. benefits and costs) may be both tangible and intangible, an interpretive valuation based on multi-criteria framework would be desirable. The paper deploys the efficient interpretive ranking process (IRP) for this purpose. It uses total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) to derive weights of criteria based on their respective driving power. The paper also makes a methodological contribution to assess transitive dominance in IRP based on transitivity check as used in the modified TISM process.

Findings

The paper uses a multi-criteria valuation to examine the proposition that the flexibility initiatives will add a higher value as we go downstream in the value chain. The flexibility initiatives linked with marketing such as product upgradation and switching, customized services and dynamic pricing are found to be most value adding in character.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this study is that it is generic in nature and need to be replicated in multiple case situations. The methodology proposed can be utilized for specific case analysis for flexibility valuation on the direct value chain.

Practical implications

The practitioners may be able to use the proposed method of TISM–IRP with improvements in real-life applications. The proposed multi-criteria valuation is interpretive in nature and can be utilized by practicing managers in group settings even if they do not have complete data.

Originality/value

The strategy and operations researchers will find promise in the methodology to investigate and prioritize the initiatives planned to enhance flexibility in different value chain activities. The researchers on multi-criteria decision making will find the methodological enhancement proposed in terms of graphically deriving the transitive dominance to be useful in other applications as well.
Case study analysis of e-waste management systems in Germany, Switzerland, Japan and India
Authors: Chaudhary Karishma , Vrat Prem
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze e-waste management systems in Germany, Switzerland, Japan and India and benchmark best practices in the Indian scenario.

Design/methodology/approach

The first part of the research paper focuses on the description of e-waste management systems in the above-mentioned countries using a case study analysis approach while the second part analyzes, evaluates and compares e-waste management systems performance based on seven performance indicators using a five-point scale. Finally, the RADAR chart approach is used to benchmark the best practices of e-waste management in these countries in the Indian scenario.

Findings

The study finds that India is lagging far behind from Germany, Switzerland, and Japan in e-waste management despite being the fifth largest e-waste generator across the globe. India must adopt best practices followed in these nations like a dedicated agency to oversee and coordinate the e-waste management, coordination among different value chain partners involved in e-waste management, development of infrastructure to collect and process e-waste, monitoring and control of all processes and stakeholders, etc.

Practical implications

The study suggests the solution to the loopholes in the Indian e-waste management system by adopting the collection, recycling and reporting mechanism followed in German, Swiss and the Japanese e-waste management system. There is a dire need to improve e-waste management systems in India as only 5 percent of e-waste is processed through the organized sector.

Social implications

E-waste is increasing at an alarming rate and most of e-waste in India is being handled by the unorganized sector, where rudimentary methods are used to process e-waste severely damaging the environment and health of workers. The unorganized market employs 0.5m child laborers. Hence, routing the e-waste to the organized sector will result in social benefits by putting a check on unsafe practices and will create green jobs.

Originality/value

This paper’s contribution lies in extracting the best practices followed in nations excelling in e-waste management and recommend their implications in the Indian scenario. This study is aimed at all the stakeholders, but especially at policy-makers and producers, who have the onus to tackle the e-waste problem.
Experiential learning: analyzing success and failures in Indian telecom sector
Authors: Singh Shaili , Guha Mahua
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the self and vicarious learning patterns of organizations through operational success and benchmark failure experiences. The study is specific to the Indian telecom sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses published data of four major telecom firms in India reported by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and analyzed the influence of aspiration performance discrepancy on organizational learning by hypotheses testing. Feasible generalized least square model with year fixed effects is used to run panel data regression.

Findings

In the case of operating experience for performance above aspiration, firms fail to learn from their own experience as well as from others’ experiences. For benchmark failure experience under positive discrepancy, firms learn from their own experience. For performance below aspiration, no significant result was found. These insights allow managers to reconfigure their learning orientation and to develop an effective mechanism for absorbing crucial knowledge from themselves and peer firms.

Practical implications

Practitioners should take into account that their knowledge repertoire is essential for learning in good times. This study also motivates managers involved in operating activities to make use of publicly disclosed reports, engage in vicarious learning or form a coalition for developing coping mechanism under negative discrepancy scenarios.

Originality/value

This paper presents a unique context by studying operational success, and failure experiences of telecom sector in India wherein benchmark for failure was decided by the governing regulatory body, TRAI, unlike other studies where success and failures reference points are intrinsically selected.
Sustainability orientation, supply chain integration, and SMEs performance: a causal analysis
Authors: Shashi Shashi , Cerchione Roberto , Centobelli Piera , Shabani Amir
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The pressure of globalization has raised social concerns related to the protection of the environment, forced companies to use sustainability as a strategic weapon to fulfill the legal obligations and achieve overall competitiveness. It is reported that small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are globally responsible for approximately 70 percent of the industrial pollution, justifying urgent attention to the operations of these businesses. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of sustainability orientation (SO) and supply chain (SC) integration implemented by SMEs on their sustainable procurement (SP) and design. Moreover, this study examines how SMEs’ SP and design affect their environmental and cost performance (CP).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors develop a comprehensive model to test the relationships among SC, SC integration, SP, sustainable design (SD), environmental performance (EP) and CP at the SMEs level. The authors investigate the relationships of the mentoned factors by a data set that is collected from 358 Indian manufacturing SMEs.

Findings

The results indicate that in the SMEs’ context: SO positively influences both SP and SD; external integration positively affects SP; internal integration positively affects SD; SP positively influences EP and has not impact on CP; and SD positively influences both EP and CP.

Originality/value

This study provides a broad view of the relation between driving factors that may direct SMEs toward a better sustainability performance and offers practical managerial insights into these important business entities.
Authentic leadership, career self-efficacy and career success: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chughtai Aamir
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of authentic leadership on employees’ objective (hierarchical status) and subjective (career satisfaction) career success. In addition, this paper attempts to examine the mediating role of career self-efficacy in these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample for this cross-sectional study comprised of 162 Pakistani employees drawn from a leading food and beverage company. Structural equation modelling and the bootstrapping procedure were used to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

Results showed that career self-efficacy fully mediated the relationship between authentic leadership and hierarchical status, while it partially mediated the effects of authentic leadership on career satisfaction.

Practical implications

The findings of this study indicate that authentic leadership behaviours can have a positive impact on employees’ career success. Thus, in order to ensure that employees accomplish their career goals and realise their full potential, it is vital that organisations devise strategies, which are geared towards promoting authentic leadership.

Originality/value

This paper provides a first examination of the relationship between authentic leadership and two indicators of career success: hierarchical status and career satisfaction. In addition, it identifies one possible pathway in the form of career self-efficacy through which authentic leadership relates to employees’ career success.
Top managers and the gendered interplay of organizations and family life: the case of Iceland
Authors: Júlíusdóttir Ólöf , Rafnsdóttir Guðbjörg Linda , Einarsdóttir Þorgerður
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Iceland, along with the other Nordic countries, is seen as an international frontrunner in gender equality and equal sharing of responsibility for paid and unpaid work is part of the official ideology. Nevertheless, the number of women in leadership positions remains low. The purpose of this study is to analyse the practices that (re)produce power imbalances between women and men in business leadership both at the macro and the micro levels. This is done by using two theoretical explanations: gendered organizational practices and the interplay of organizations and family life.

Design/methodology/approach

The mixed methods are applied by analysing 51, semi-structured interviews with female and male business leaders and survey data from CEOs and executives from the 250 largest companies in Iceland.

Findings

The analyses reveal gender differences and asymmetries in work life as well as within the family. Men have longer working hours than women, higher salaries and more job-related travelling. Women carry the dual burden of work and family to a higher degree than do men. By questioning and attempting to resist the organizational culture women risk further disadvantage. The situation of male and female leaders is therefore incomparable. This is a paradox and does not fit with the idea of the Nordic gender equality of a dual breadwinner society.

Originality/value

It is shown that lack of gender diversity in business leadership is based on gendered organizational practices as well as on power relations within families. These two aspects are mutually reinforcing and the originality of the study is to explore the interplay between them. The authors conclude that despite being the country at the forefront of gender equality in the world, neither organizational practices nor family relations recognize the different life experiences of women and men in Iceland. This is expressed in organizational practices and different access to time and support, which may hinder gaining gender equality in top leadership.
Resilience as an entrepreneurial capability: integrating insights from a cross-disciplinary comparison
Authors: Manfield Russell Charles , Newey Lance Richard
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine competing assumptions about the nature of resilience and selects those most appropriate for an entrepreneurial context. Assumptions are integrated into a theoretical framework highlighting how different threats require different resilience responses. Overall organizational resilience results from a portfolio of resilience capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

Akin to theoretical sampling, the authors identify various theoretical insights about resilience across three disciplines of psychology, ecology and engineering. The authors use these insights to distill competing assumptions about what resilience is and evaluate those most appropriate for entrepreneurial contexts. Existing resilience literature in organization science is critiqued in terms of underlying assumptions and an alternative theoretical framework proposed based on more robust assumptions.

Findings

Other disciplines point to resilience being a process that differs for different threats and as either bouncing back, absorbing shocks or bouncing forward. When imported into entrepreneurship these characteristics lead to a conceptualization of resilience as being enacted through a capability portfolio. A routine-based capability response is preferred when threats are familiar, simple, not severe and frequent, following minimal disorganization and where resource slack is available. In contrast, heuristics-based capabilities are preferred when threats are unfamiliar, complex, severe and infrequent, following serious disorganization and where resource slack is unavailable. An absorption threshold point identifies when organizations need to switch from routine-based to heuristics-based resilience capabilities.

Practical implications

Building resilience across a range of adverse situations requires firms to develop a portfolio of resilience capabilities. Firms must learn to match the capability required for the specific threat profile faced. This includes a mix of routinized responses for returning to stability but also more flexible, heuristics-based responses for strategic reconfiguration.

Originality/value

The paper undertakes a first of its kind cross-disciplinary conceptual analysis at the level of identifying competing assumptions about the nature of resilience. These assumptions are found to be somewhat unconscious among organization researchers, limiting the conceptual development of resilience in entrepreneurship. The authors contribute a theoretical framework based on explicit and robust assumptions, enabling the field to advance conceptually.
An integrated FLinPreRa-FQFD approach to leagility assessment: (case study of four industries)
Authors: Moradi Mahmoud , Esfandiari Nima , Keshavarz Moghaddam Majid
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a model to assess leagile strategy effectively as one of the most discussed production and supply chain strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on an integrated FLinPreRa-FQFD approach, which ranks and determines the importance of criteria and indices of the proposed model in an effective way.

Findings

“Cost” has been taken as the most important competitive advantage in the four selected industries. “Customer and market sensitiveness” has been considered as the most important enabler in three industries (“machinery and equipment,” “textile” and “food and beverage”). “Collaborative relationship” has been also considered as the most important enabler in the “material and chemical products” industry to gain leagility.

Practical implication

On the one hand, the proposed research model can be used as a reference guide for firms to reach leagility. This model presents indices of leagility at different levels. On the other hand, with respect to the main activities of the Iran Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, including Qazvin’s, committed to provide requirements for economic development, this work provides an opportunity for the implementation of leagility model in 151 active companies. It also gives new insights into the leagility application in the four industries and Qazvin’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture.

Originality/value

This research has two main contributions. First, it presents a model of enablers and attributes of leagility, combined with four competitive advantages. Second, the research study is equipped with an integrated and consistent methodology that, first, helps decision makers prioritize their goals and agenda by means of fewer paired comparisons without the need of consistency rate and, second, allows for direct evaluation of impact of enablers on attributes of leagility.
Decompression zone deconstructed
Authors: Otterbring Tobias
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Researchers have hypothesized that products located at the decompression zone of a store (the entrance area where customers adjust to the retail environment) do not influence sales of these particular products, because customers do not register things that are too close to store entrances. The purpose of this paper is to examine the validity of such a decompression zone account in actual field settings, and hence investigate whether or not placing products at the store entrance would increase customers’ likelihood to purchase these products.

Design/methodology/approach

Two field studies with a total sample of 715 customers were conducted, in which the entrance area of a home goods store was manipulated using a two-group quasi-experimental design. In Study 1, customers were (vs were not) exposed to candles and candle holders at the store entrance. In Study 2, an employee greeted customers at the store entrance with (vs without) the store’s products nearby.

Findings

Study 1 found that customers who were (vs were not) exposed to candles and candle holders at the store entrance purchased a significantly larger number of both these products. Study 2 replicated and generalized these findings. Although customers in the employee + products condition spent less money than customers in the employee-alone condition, the former group still purchased a significantly larger number of candles and candle holders. These findings go directly against a decompression zone account, but are consistent with research on exposure effects.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to empirically examine the validity of the decompression zone account in real retail settings. The paper also fills a more general gap in the store atmospherics literature, as only a very limited number of studies have dealt with the external parts of the retail environment, such as the store entrance area.
The key role played by intermediaries in the retail insurance distribution
Authors: Dominique-Ferreira Sérgio
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The insurance market has high churn rates because customers’ purchase decision-making process and claims management rely heavily on intermediaries. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role played by insurers and intermediaries in customer satisfaction, as well as in the preferences of customers regarding the purchase decision-making process.

Design/methodology/approach

The first step was to select the most important attributes for Portuguese insurance customers. Three focus groups were conducted (using B2C and B2B markets), and data from Portuguese car insurance customers were gathered through anad hocquestionnaire. Structural equation models and the multidimensional scaling unfolding model were applied.

Findings

Intermediaries play a key role in the retail insurance distribution channels by influencing customer satisfaction, claims management and the purchasing process (premium acceptance).

Practical implications

Because of the influence that intermediaries have on customer satisfaction, insurers should improve their partnerships (back office support) with intermediaries.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the retail distribution literature of the insurance sector by providing empirical evidence of the impact of intermediaries on customers’ satisfaction.
The impact of social, environmental and corporate governance disclosures on firm value
Authors: Aboud Ahmed , Diab Ahmed
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices disclosure and firm value in the Egyptian context. This is done through investigating the influence of being listed and ranked in the Egyptian Corporate Responsibility Index on firm value during the period starting from 2007 to 2016.

Design/methodology/approach

Using univariate and multivariate analyses, the findings support the economic benefits of ESG disclosures.

Findings

The authors find that firms listed in the ESG index have higher firm value, and that there is a positive association between firms’ higher rankings in the index and firm value, as measured by Tobin’s q.

Research limitations/implications

The findings provide feedback to regulators and standard-setters in the developing countries, and more specifically the Egyptian regulators, on the benefits associated with the introduction of the sustainability index (Standard & Poor’s (S&P)/EGX ESG index). This, in turn, clarifies how the government’s efforts to promote ESG provide benefits to publicly traded firms.

Practical implications

By linking ESG to firm value, the ESG index will enable investors to take a leading role in inducing firms to enhance transparency and disclosure, and hence, improving their reporting standards. This, in turn, will ultimately result in improving sustainability and governance practices in Egypt.

Social implications

The reported positive market reactions to social and governance practices disclosures can motivate firms to improve their social and governance performance.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature by addressing the combined economic effects of social and governance disclosures on firm value, and by investigating the economic effects of such disclosures on firm value in an emerging market.