bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical drivers for the adoption of wearable sensing technologies (WSTs) for construction safety monitoring in Ghana: a fuzzy synthetic analysis
Authors: Tetteh Portia Atswei , Addy Michael Nii , Acheampong Alex , Akomea-Frimpong Isaac , Ayidana Ebenezer , Ghansah Frank Ato
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The construction industry is one of the most hazardous working environments globally. Studies reveal that wearable sensing technologies (WSTs) have practical applications in construction occupational health and safety management. In the global south, the adoption of WSTs in construction has been slow with few studies investigating the critical drivers for its adoption. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors driving WSTs adoption in Ghana where investment in such technologies can massively enhance health and safety through effective safety monitoring.

Design/methodology/approach

To meet the objectives of this study, research data was drawn from 210 construction professionals. Purposive sampling technique was used to select construction professionals in Ghana and data was collected with the use of well-structured questionnaires. The study adopted the fuzzy synthetic evaluation model (FSEM) to determine the significance of the critical drivers for the adoption of WSTs.

Findings

According to the findings, perceived value, technical know-how, security, top management support, competitive pressure and trading partner readiness obtained a high model index of 4.154, 4.079, 3.895, 3.953, 3.971 and 3.969, respectively, as critical drivers for WSTs adoption in Ghana. Among the three broad factors, technological factors recorded the highest index of 3.971, followed by environmental factors and organizational factors with a model index of 3.938 and 3.916, respectively.

Practical implications

Theoretically, findings are consistent with studies conducted in developed countries, particularly with regard to the perceived value of WSTs as a key driver in its adoption in the construction industry. This study also contributes to the subject of WSTs adoption and, in the case of emerging countries. Practically, findings from the study can be useful to technology developers in planning strategies to promote WSTs in the global south. To enhance construction health and safety in Ghana, policymakers can draw from the findings to create conducive conditions for worker acceptance of WSTs.

Originality/value

Studies investigating the driving factors for WSTs adoption have mainly centered on developed countries. This study addresses this subject in Ghana where studies on WSTs application in the construction process are uncommon. It also uniquely explores the critical drivers for WSTs adoption using the FSEM.
Predicting construction project compliance with machine learning model: case study using Portuguese procurement data
Authors: Jacques de Sousa Luís , Poças Martins João , Sanhudo Luís
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Factors like bid price, submission time, and number of bidders influence the procurement process in public projects. These factors and the award criteria may impact the project’s financial compliance. Predicting budget compliance in construction projects has been traditionally challenging, but Machine Learning (ML) techniques have revolutionised estimations.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, Portuguese Public Procurement Data (PPPData) was utilised as the model’s input. Notably, this dataset exhibited a substantial imbalance in the target feature. To address this issue, the study evaluated three distinct data balancing techniques: oversampling, undersampling, and the SMOTE method. Next, a comprehensive feature selection process was conducted, leading to the testing of five different algorithms for forecasting budget compliance. Finally, a secondary test was conducted, refining the features to include only those elements that procurement technicians can modify while also considering the two most accurate predictors identified in the previous test.

Findings

The findings indicate that employing the SMOTE method on the scraped data can achieve a balanced dataset. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that the Adam ANN algorithm outperformed others, boasting a precision rate of 68.1%.

Practical implications

The model can aid procurement technicians during the tendering phase by using historical data and analogous projects to predict performance.

Social implications

Although the study reveals that ML algorithms cannot accurately predict budget compliance using procurement data, they can still provide project owners with insights into the most suitable criteria, aiding decision-making. Further research should assess the model’s impact and capacity within the procurement workflow.

Originality/value

Previous research predominantly focused on forecasting budgets by leveraging data from the private construction execution phase. While some investigations incorporated procurement data, this study distinguishes itself by using an imbalanced dataset and anticipating compliance rather than predicting budgetary figures. The model predicts budget compliance by analysing qualitative and quantitative characteristics of public project contracts. The research paper explores various model architectures and data treatment techniques to develop a model to assist the Client in tender definition.
All good things come in threes – required skill sets in the graduate labour market in Germany
Authors: Kmiotek-Meier Emilia , Rossié Tonia , Canora Konstantin
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Our work adds to the debate regarding higher education graduates’ skills required in the labour market in Germany and beyond.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Q-methodology and the accompanying narrations, we explore German employers’ and employees’ views (N = 26) on characteristics required at the entry level.

Findings

Our findings show three areas of the labour market with different skill requirements. Whereas the first area, “The world of rules”, applies more likely to the professions and academia, the two other areas, “The middle field” and “The people-oriented and critical market”, can be found throughout the labour market. The disciplinary affiliation does not play a role. In all three areas, soft skills are crucial and specialised knowledge is only highly valued in the area of “The world of rules”.

Originality/value

In contrast to previous findings, we do not focus on singular skills. Instead, we focus on skill sets and discuss their relevance from the background of their usability.
Breaking the silence: career guidance for self-initiated international placement students
Authors: Joseph-Richard Paul , Conroy Kieran M.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Self-initiated international placements by students have been largely ignored in the literature on outward mobility in higher education. The support given to self-initiated international placement students, if any, has received even less attention. This study aims to address this lacuna.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on insights from global mobility literature, we conducted a survey of UK university students who engaged in self-initiated international placements to various countries such as France, China, Brazil and Ghana. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis.

Findings

Findings reveal that these “voluntary” placements can improve language fluency, increase self-confidence, renew stress management abilities and enhance cross-cultural competencies and intercultural sensitivity. The study problematises the lack of support given to these students particularly in terms of career development.

Originality/value

Our paper is one of the first to bring this under-studied population to the attention of career guidance scholars. We propose that scholarly attention should be directed toward the agency of self-initiated international placement students and that targeted career guidance must be provided through more inclusive career services.
Relevance of classical management concepts in the contemporary era – a case study of Fayol’s principles
Authors: Sharma Ashish Kumar , Goyal Ankita , Sharma Anjali
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This hypothetical case study aims to revisit the classical model given by Henri Fayol whereby he put forward a set of 14 principles to guide managers in decision-making across organizations. The case study showcases the dilemma in which the top manager of an automobile company finds himself when some of the very basic principles – on which the whole discipline of management is founded – are ignored. It will also serve as an aid for faculty members in B-Schools to teach students the significance of basic management principles postulated many years back which stand relevant even in contemporary times.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study is based on a hypothetical scenario in the corporate world. Different incidents in a fictitious automobile manufacturing firm are presented and the corresponding principles given by Henri Fayol are inferred.

Findings

This case study highlights that decision-making gets complicated if fundamental principles of management are not complied with. The decision taken during each and every situation which has been discussed in this case study is contrary to the correct course of action as propounded by Fayol. Modern-day managers must acknowledge the relevance and importance of these principles for achieving success in business.

Originality/value

This case study underscores that even in this volatile business environment where most of the management practices are technology-driven, we cannot disregard the most elementary rules of management. The managers working at different levels in the organizational hierarchy may be guided to make the right decisions in situations similar to the ones described.
Energy-efficient growth for sustainability: an empirical analysis of its determinants in industries
Authors: Soni Swapnil , Mungila Hillemane Bala Subrahmanya
Published: May 2024

Purpose

In the process of industrial growth, when existing industries go for technology upgradation and new modernised industries emerge, both capital intensity and energy demand of overall industry tend to rise steadily. This poses a serious challenge for sustainable development objectives. Towards this end, enhancing energy efficiency of individual industries is the only remedy. Against this backdrop, the study aims to probe the trends in capital intensities and energy efficiencies of individual industries in India.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses panel data regression analysis on data of two-digit industries from 1980/1981–2016/2017. The statistical analysis includes relevant macroeconomic variables derived from the literature to ascertain the drivers of energy efficiency in industries.

Findings

The results brought out that capital deepening due to technology upgradation and modernisation and capital productivity growth are the decisive determinants of energy efficiency growth. Furthermore, the ever-increasing fuel price motivated industries to conserve energy on a steady basis, supplemented by energy conservation-specific policy interventions.

Research limitations/implications

This study recommends policy initiatives to ascertain and address technology gaps industry-wise, so that its subsequent efficient capital utilisation, and energy conservation measures of industries would result in energy efficiency growth in industry. The policy must focus on energy-efficient capital intensification in fabricated metals, leather, textile and wood industries that are found less-energy-efficient despite being less-capital-intensive.

Originality/value

This study empirically explores the capital efficiency of industries by investigating the interaction between capital intensity and energy efficiency at a two-digit industry level. It explores the determinants of energy efficiency and proposes industry-specific policies for energy-efficiency-enhancement of the overall industry.
Microcredit and women entrepreneurial success: a moderated mediation effect of household economic status
Authors: Tundui Hawa Petro , Tundui Charles Stephen
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper examines whether household economic status mediates the effect of microcredit on entrepreneurial success amongst women microcredit clients and if this effect is conditional on the borrower’s marital status.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional study uses primary data collected through a structured questionnaire from microcredit borrowers in Tanzania. The selection of the respondents for the survey involved categorising them based on their loan amount and length of membership in the program and randomly picking them for study participation. To realise the study objective, we used the moderated mediation model and employed the Linear-Based Regression Model 8 of the Hayes PROCESS macro V4.1 for SPSS.

Findings

The findings show that the loan amount and household economic status positively and significantly affect entrepreneurial success. However, the effect of microcredit on entrepreneurial success is mediated by household economic status. On the other hand, the direct and indirect effects of microcredit on entrepreneurial success differ depending on the borrowers' marital status, with married borrowers being negatively affected.

Originality/value

Microfinance supporters suggest that microcredit is vital for enterprise development and other socioeconomic outcomes. However, the results are inconclusive, including the role of household economic status. This study provides empirical insights into the moderated mediation effect of household economic status on the relationship between microcredit and entrepreneurial success. The study’s findings and limitations suggest considering not only microcredit and related factors but also the essential role of family factors in future research and design of microfinance services in efforts to support and grow microcredit-assisted women-owned businesses.
Sustainability assurance joint provision and assurance statement readability: does the assurance provider gender diversity matter?
Authors: Mnif Yosra , Kchaou Jihene
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The primary objective of this paper is to investigate the relation between the joint provision of sustainability assurance and the readability of sustainability assurance statements. Additionally, it explores whether the presence of a female assurance partner influences the relation between the joint provision of sustainability assurance and the readability of sustainability assurance statements.

Design/methodology/approach

We analyzed a dataset comprising 882 firm-year observations from companies operating in sustainability sensitive industries for the period that spans the years 2016–2018.

Findings

The research indicates that joint sustainability assurance provision is associated with a more readable sustainability assurance statement, consistent with the “four-eyes” principle. Furthermore, the presence of a female assurance provider influences the joint assurance provision’s impact on sustainability assurance statement readability. Collectively, these results remain robust as they hold unchanged after controlling for endogeneity concerns.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides novel insights into the recent sustainability assurance literature, being the first to examine joint assurance provision, assurance partner gender and sustainability assurance statement readability.

Practical implications

This study has the potential to catalyze regulatory and policy initiatives by providing compelling evidence in favor of mandating joint audits within the area of sustainability assurance practices. Additionally, this research contributes to the ongoing discussion about gender diversity in accounting and nonaccounting assurance firms, providing evidence of the positive impact of female assurance partners on sustainability assurance statement readability.

Originality/value

The regression results provide preliminary evidence on how the presence of a female audit partner influences the relationship between the sustainability assurance joint provision and sustainability assurance statement readability, an issue that has not been examined before.
B2B informal networking influences on relational outcomes in emerging and developed nations: a multiregional empirical study
Authors: Barry James M. , Graca Sandra S. , Maskara Pankaj K. , Benjamin Ramina W.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how indigenous socio-cultural (ISC) practices within informal networks, such as guanxi and wasta, provide benefits beyond mere access. Specifically, the authors explore their global impact on B2B relationships, focusing on reciprocity. A multiregional sample extends research on ISC practices in B2B relationships by examining contingency effects of informal network ties.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors surveyed 404 buyers in two developed (Hong Kong and Portugal) and two emerging economies (Kuwait and Colombia), and also categorized by strong and weak informal network ties. Using structural equation modeling, the authors examined a relationship marketing (RM) model from a typology (Clubs, Sociocracies, Clans and Compadres) for assessing contingency effects.

Findings

The study reveals that in developed economies with strong formal institutions, negative aspects of favor reciprocity norms intensify unless informal networks are driven by strict sociomoral obligations. This supports research indicating that contractual governance competes rather than complements relational governance. Moreover, trust-building processes are crucial in regions with low uncertainty tolerance to mitigate adverse effects.

Practical implications

Suppliers from developed nations need more than cultural communication insights when engaging in business in emerging markets. We acknowledge changes buyers may expect adherence to reciprocity rules embedded in the ISC practices of their informal networks.

Originality/value

This study pioneers a typology of social structures to analyze ISC practices across buyers with varying formal institutional strength and informal network ties. It sheds light on institutional dynamics, trust-building processes, and nuances surrounding both positive and negative aspects of reciprocity practices. Furthermore, it broadens the scope of RM to Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.
Thematic analysis of women entrepreneurship in the internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Authors: Anggadwita Grisna , Indarti Nurul
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The academic literature on women’s entrepreneurship in the internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) continues to increase, possibly due to the enormous potential of women’s entrepreneurship to promote social empowerment and economic growth in a country. This study aims to systematically review existing research on women’s entrepreneurship in the internationalization of SMEs and provide a robust understanding of academic developments in this field. This study also aims to identify and explore key thematic areas within the research field related to women’s entrepreneurship in SME internationalization.

Design/methodology/approach

This study selected 62 articles retrieved from the four databases (Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCO and Google Scholar). Content analysis was conducted to identify key research issues and gaps, which were then mapped on cluster themes. VOSviewer was used to represent the research cluster themes visually.

Findings

This study identifies and discusses six research streams related to the concept of women’s entrepreneurship in SME internationalization: export behavior and gender in SMEs; entrepreneurship and country economic development; gender, innovation and performance in SME internationalization; women entrepreneurship in international business and management research; internationalization process of SMEs; and business experience and export experience. Some topics that emerged as potential for future research include personal and organizational dynamics, internationalization behavior, decision-making, adoption of strategies or technologies and orientation toward international markets.

Originality/value

This study offers valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to foster women’s entrepreneurship within the internationalization landscape of SMEs. The findings provide a roadmap for identifying underexplored areas in women’s entrepreneurship within SME internationalization, guiding future research initiatives.
Exploring the interplay of intellectual capital, environmental compliance, innovation and social media usage in enhancing business performance in Vietnamese manufacturers
Authors: Truong Binh Thi Thanh , Nguyen Phuong V. , Vrontis Demetris , Inuwa Ibrahim
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The objective of this study is to examine the relationships among intellectual capital (IC), environmental compliance, corporate innovation and social media usage with respect to their influence on overall business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model and related hypotheses are offered, all of which are grounded in both the resource-based view and social network theory. The data were collected through a well-structured questionnaire, and 330 responses from manufacturing firms in Vietnam were deemed appropriate for data analysis using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

IC and social media usage have significantly positive effects on corporate innovation and business performance. Moreover, corporate innovation substantially enhances business performance. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that corporate innovation plays a partly mediating role in the research model. Meanwhile, IC fully mediates the relationship between environmental compliance and business performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study offers valuable insights into intellectual capital, innovation, environmental compliance and social media usage for governments, practitioners and academics. Managers can incorporate social media usage strategies into their operational practices, enhancing environmental compliance, fostering innovation and ultimately promoting company success. Furthermore, the findings lead to practical recommendations for manufacturers seeking to adopt the CE model as part of taking a green production approach.

Originality/value

Organizational researchers have an ongoing interest in examining the connections among IC, innovation, environmental compliance and social media usage. Nevertheless, few papers have empirically investigated the interconnections among these constructs and their impact on organizational performance. This study examines these connections and provides concrete evidence for them.
Understanding and managing engagement journeys
Authors: Jaakkola Elina , Alexander Matthew
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Existing research on customer journeys has tended to focus on the customer’s purchase decision-making and firm-controlled touchpoints, overlooking indirect touchpoints where customer resources and behaviors influence the firm and other actors, beyond financial patronage. This article develops the concept of engagement journeys and discusses their implications on journey design and management.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual article synthesizes the customer journey and engagement literature to delineate the concept of engagement journeys. Insights from engagement research are reflected in the current journey management orthodoxy to provide novel implications for the management of engagement journeys.

Findings

The engagement journey is defined as the customer’s process of diverse brand-related resource investments in interactions with the brand/firm and/or other customers, reflecting the customer’s cognitive, emotional and behavioral disposition. The analysis outlines the manifestations and nature of different types of touchpoints along the engagement journey, and the novel requirements for journey management.

Research limitations/implications

The developed conceptualization opens up new avenues in both journey and engagement research.

Practical implications

Some commonly held assumptions regarding journey quality and management do not hold true for engagement journeys, so there is a need for new approaches.

Originality/value

Despite the proliferation of both journey and engagement research, only a handful of studies have considered the link between the concepts. The proposed novel conceptualization of an engagement journey breaks free from a predominant focus on purchase decisions. The analysis of engagement journeys and their management advances both customer journey and engagement research.
The transformative potential of AI-enabled personalization across cultures
Authors: Mehmood Khalid , Verleye Katrien , De Keyser Arne , Lariviere Bart
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The widespread integration of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled personalization has sparked a need for a deeper understanding of its transformative potential. To address this, this study aims to investigate the mental models held by consumers from diverse cultures regarding the impact and role of AI-enabled personalization in their lives (i.e. individual well-being) and in society (i.e. societal well-being).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the theories-in-use approach, collecting qualitative data via the critical incident technique. This data encompasses 487 narratives from 176 consumers in two culturally distinct countries, Belgium and Pakistan. Additionally, it includes insights from a focus group of six experts in the field.

Findings

This research reveals that consumers view AI-enabled personalization as a dual-edged sword: it may both extend and restrict the self and also contribute to an affluent society as well as an ailing society. The particular aspects of the extended/restricted self and the affluent/ailing society that emerge differ across respondents from different cultural contexts.

Originality/value

This cross-cultural research contributes to the personalization and well-being literature by providing detailed insight into the transformative potential of AI-enabled personalization while also having important managerial and policy implications.
Empowering frontline service employees: examining the link between psychological empowerment, prosocial motivation and proactive behavior through the lens of horizontal collectivism
Authors: Iqbal Juman , Shagirbasha Shameem , Madhan Kumar
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Elucidating self-determination and psychological empowerment theories, the current study aims to examine the link between psychological empowerment and proactive behavior. Additionally, it delves into the mediating role of prosocial motivation and assesses the moderating effects of horizontal collectivism between psychological empowerment and proactive behavior, examining the moderated-mediation effects of horizontal collectivism.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was distributed in three waves (T1, T2 and T3) among frontline service hotel workers, out of which only 507 were retained and found useful for analysis. The study employed PROCESS macro models 4 and 8 for the analyses.

Findings

The results indicated that psychological empowerment is connected to proactive behavior through the partial mediation of prosocial motivation. Further, when horizontal collectivism is high, the favorable association between psychological empowerment and proactive behavior via prosocial motivation is stronger.

Originality/value

Proactive service workers have an innate tendency to contribute optimally to their organization. Yet, research is insufficient about the factors that lead to proactive behavior among frontline service hotel workers. To date, there are hardly any empirical studies that have examined the buffering effects of horizontal collectivism between psychological empowerment and proactive behavior, which contributes to the originality and novelty of our research. In addition, this study offers practical implications related to ways to improve psychological empowerment among frontline service hotel workers in the ever-increasing era of automation.
Effect of authentic leadership on nurses’ stress, burnout, presenteeism during COVID-19
Authors: Pillay Preeadashnie , Scheepers Caren Brenda , Diesel Rick
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has burdened the health-care system and exposed nurses to immense stress. This study therefore aims to investigate nurses’ mental well-being who are working with COVID-19-positive patients. Burnout leads to decreased productivity and manifests as emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation (cynicism) and low personal accomplishment (professional efficacy). Authentic leadership is built on a humanistic value system, which is the core value of nurses and other health-care professionals. This study therefore used authentic leadership as the independent variable.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional quantitative research method was adopted by distributing validated online questionnaires to 1,334 nurses in a private pathology laboratory and 241 questionnaires were analysed with 93.4% female respondents. Multiple linear regression model testing was conducted.

Findings

Multiple regression analyses showed statistically significant negative correlations between authentic leadership and emotional exhaustion, cynicism, job stress and job-stress-related presenteeism, and a positive correlation between authentic leadership and professional efficacy.

Practical implications

This study provides empirical data to encourage organisations to focus on developing authentic leaders to decrease nurses’ burnout, job stress and presenteeism. The health-care sector should strive to create an environment where nurses are valued and their talent is recognised to increase employee engagement and commitment.

Originality/value

There were two contributions in this study: first, to determine whether there is a relationship between authentic leadership job stress and job-stress-related presenteeism. Second, to determine whether there is a relationship between authentic leadership and the three sub-constructs of burnout.
Framing effect and disposition effect: investment decisions tools to understand bounded rationality
Authors: Kiky Andreas , Atahau Apriani Dorkas Rambu , Mahastanti Linda Ariany , Supatmi Supatmi
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the development of investment decision tools by understanding the rationality behind the disposition effect. We suspect that not all disposition decisions are irrational. The decisions should be evaluated based on the bounded rationality of the individuals’ target and tolerance level, which is not covered in previous literature. Adding the context of individual preference (target and tolerance) in their decision could improve the classic measurement of disposition effect.

Design/methodology/approach

The laboratory web experiment is prepared to collect the responses in holding and selling the stocks within 14 days. Two groups of Gen Z investors are observed. The control group makes a decision based on their judgment without any system recommendation. In contrast, the second group gets help inputting their target and tolerance. Furthermore, the framing effect is also applied as a reminder of their target and tolerance to induce more holding decisions on gain but selling on loss.

Findings

The framing effect is adequate to mitigate the disposition effect but only at the early day of observation. Bounded rationality explains the rationality of liquidating the gain because the participants have reached their goal. The framing effect is not moderated by days to affect the disposition effect; over time, the disposition effect tends to be higher. A new measurement of the disposition effect in the context of bounded rationality is better than the original disposition effect coefficient.

Practical implications

Gen Z investors need a system aid to help their investment decisions set their target and tolerance to mitigate the disposition effect. Investment firms can make a premium feature based on real-time market data for investors to manage their assets rationally in the long run. Bounded rationality theory offers more flexibility in understanding the gap between profit maximization and irrational decisions in behavioral finance. The government can use this finding to develop a suitable policy and ecosystem to help beginner investors understand investment risk and manage their assets based on subjective risk tolerance.

Originality/value

The classic Proportion Gain Realized (PGR) and Proportion Loss Realized (PLR) measurements cannot accommodate several contexts of users’ targets and tolerance in their choices, which we argue need to be re-evaluated with bounded rationality. Therefore, this article proposed new measurements that account for the users’ target and tolerance level to evaluate the rationality of their decision.
The framing of authority in the ACRL framework on information literacy: multidisciplinary perspectives on truth, authority, expertise and belief
Authors: Rose-Wiles Lisa M.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper engages multidisciplinary perspectives on truth, authority, expertise and belief to unpack and better understand the underlying epistemology and implications of the ACRL Frame “authority is constructed and contextual.”

Design/methodology/approach

Following an overview of the issues confronting us in a “post-truth world,” the paper reviews critiques of the ACRL Frame “authority is constructed and contextual” and examines the related concepts of truth, authority, expertise and belief from multidisciplinary perspectives.

Findings

While the Frame acknowledges the limitations and biases of current scholarly publishing and implicitly supports social justice, it runs the danger of promoting relativism and is ambiguous regarding the relationships between expertise and authority. The critical concepts of truth and belief are conspicuously absent. Engaging a critical discussion and understanding of these concepts is a valuable contribution to information literacy.

Originality/value

This paper offers an important and accessible analysis of the frame “authority is constructed and contextual” and its underlying concepts. It moves beyond the library literature to include multidisciplinary perspectives and will require the engagement of the wider library community to promote discussion of the underlying epistemology and links between the construction of authority and truth, expertise and belief. In particular, the discussion of the construction of belief and the difference between judgments of fact and judgments of value offers important additions to the library literature.
Metaverse: the post--hype future
Authors: Marshall Anthony , Bieck Christian
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Beyond its initial hype, and based on original new surveying, this paper explores the impact of metaverse on business in the medium to long-term.

Methodology

IBM Institute for Business Value, in collaboration with Oxford Economics, surveyed 400 C-Suite executives, (CEOs, CIO/CTOs and CMOs) in the U.S. across 25 industries on their investments in metaverse, business cases and outcomes.

Findings

Despite the media hype, the majority of investment in metaverse is B2B.

Although the biggest impacts of metaverse are medium to long-term, there are benefits immediately accessible in the short-term.

More success is likely if organizations develop metaverse strategies with ecosystem partners.

Research implications

Metaverse was extremely fashionable, now far less so. Both extremes are inappropriate. Metaverse, especially as a B2B strategy, has an important role to play in an organizations' strategy.

Practical implications

Many businesses are making investments in metaverse. They should continue.

Social implications

Metaverse impacts extends beyond B2C applications into the B2B workplace.

Originality and value

This work is completely original, based on new data and analysis that has not been published elsewhere.
A new highly accurate and efficient pure visco‐acoustic wave equation for tilted transversely isotropic attenuating media
Authors: Xiang Lei , Huang Jianping , Mao Qiang , Mu Xinru
Published: May 2024

The propagation of seismic waves in attenuating anisotropic media exhibits amplitude dissipation and phase dispersion. To describe its effects, the fractional Laplacian pure visco‐acoustic wave equations capable of producing stable and noise‐free wavefields have been derived. However, except for acoustic approximation, previous wave equations utilize the approximations with lower accuracy in simplifying the denominator of the approximate complex‐valued dispersion relation, resulting in reduced accuracy. To address this concern, we use a combination of complex stiffness coefficients to replace the denominator term of the approximate complex‐valued dispersion relation. This approximation effectively reduces the loss of accuracy caused by ignoring the influence of the velocity anisotropy parameter ε and the attenuation anisotropy parameter εQ in the denominator term, leading to a wave equation with high accuracy in media with large anisotropic parameters ε and δ. In addition, the new wave equation only contains two high‐order spatial partial derivatives and has high computational efficiency. Theoretical analysis and numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed pure visco‐acoustic tilted transversely isotropic wave equation outperforms the previous pure visco‐acoustic wave equation in terms of simulation accuracy. The newly developed wave equation is well suited for the application of Q‐compensated reverse time migration and full waveform inversion in attenuating anisotropic media.
The spatiotemporal context of individual specialization in resource use and environmental associations
Authors: Costa‐Pereira Raul , Shaner Pei‐Jen Lee
Published: May 2024

1. Individual niche specialization is widespread in natural populations and has key implications for higher levels of biological organization. This phenomenon, however, has been primarily quantified in resource niche axes, overlooking individual variation in environmental associations (i.e. abiotic conditions organisms experience).

2. Here, we explore what we can learn from a multidimensional perspective of individual niche specialization that integrates resource use and environmental associations into a common framework.

3. By combining predictions from theory and simple simulations, we illustrate how (i) multidimensional intraspecific niche variation and (ii) the spatiotemporal context of interactions between conspecifics scale up to shape emergent patterns of the population niche.

4. Contemplating individual specialization as a multidimensional, unifying concept across biotic and abiotic niche axes is a fundamental step towards bringing this concept closer to the n‐dimensional niche envisioned by Hutchinson.
Antenatal oral glucose tolerance test abnormalities in the prediction of future risk of postpartum diabetes in women with gestational diabetes: Results from the LIVING study
Authors: Gupta Yashdeep , Kapoor Deksha , Lakshmi Josyula K. , Praveen Devarsetty , Santos Joseph Alvin , Billot Laurent , Naheed Aliya , de Silva H. Asita , Gupta Ishita , Farzana Noshin , John Renu , Ajanthan Saumiyah , Bhatla Neerja , Desai Ankush , Pathmeswaran Arunasalam , Prabhakaran Dorairaj , Teede Helena , Zoungas Sophia , Patel Anushka , Tandon Nikhil
Published: May 2024

Objectives

To explore associations between type and number of abnormal glucose values on antenatal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with postpartum diabetes in South Asian women diagnosed with gestational diabetes (GDM) using International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria.

Methods

This post‐hoc evaluation of the Lifestyle Intervention IN Gestational Diabetes (LIVING) study, a randomized controlled trial, was conducted among women with GDM in the index pregnancy, across 19 centers in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. Postpartum diabetes (outcome) was defined on OGTT, using American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria.

Results

We report data on 1468 women with GDM, aged 30.9 (5.0) years, and with median (interquartile range) follow‐up period of 1.8 (1.4–2.4) years after childbirth following the index pregnancy. We found diabetes in 213 (14.5%) women with an incidence of 8.7 (7.6–10.0)/100 women‐years. The lowest incidence rate was 3.8/100 women years, in those with an isolated fasting plasma glucose (FPG) abnormality, and highest was 19.0/100 women years in participants with three abnormal values. The adjusted hazard ratios for two and three abnormal values compared to one abnormal value were 1.73 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18–2.54; p = .005) and 3.56 (95% CI, 2.46–5.16; p < .001) respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio for the combined (combination of fasting and postglucose load) abnormalities was 2.61 (95% CI, 1.70–4.00; p < .001), compared to isolated abnormal FPG.

Conclusions

Risk of diabetes varied significantly depending upon the type and number of abnormal values on antenatal OGTT. These data may inform future precision medicine approaches such as risk prediction models in identifying women at higher risk and may guide future targeted interventions.

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Spain: Political Developments and Data in 2023
Authors: FERNÁNDEZ‐PASARÍN ANA MAR , BOHIGUES ASBEL
Published: May 2024

The year 2023 was marked by a dense and turbulent political period. The country faced local and regional elections, snap elections and the reformulation of the left‐wing coalition government. Spain also chaired the Council of the European Union during the second semester. The victory of the right (the Partido Popular and Vox) in the local and regional elections held in May in 12 regions (Autonomous Communities), precipitated the call for general elections in July 2023. This process culminated in the renewal of the Sánchez coalition government with support from the Basque and Catalan pro‐independence parties and the exclusion of Podemos leaders from the new governing coalition. The decline of Podemos, the emergence of Sumar and the disappearance of Ciudadanos characterise the new Parliament. The reform of the law on sexual consent and the start of negotiations on a controversial amnesty law dominated the political agenda. In terms of the Spanish economy, the negotiation of an addendum to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan also stands out.
Differential effects of acute and prolonged morphine withdrawal on motivational and goal‐directed control over reward‐seeking behaviour
Authors: Halbout Briac , Hutson Collin , Agrawal Stuti , Springs Zachary A. , Ostlund Sean B.
Published: May 2024

Opioid addiction is a relapsing disorder marked by uncontrolled drug use and reduced interest in normally rewarding activities. The current study investigated the impact of spontaneous withdrawal from chronic morphine exposure on emotional, motivational and cognitive processes involved in regulating the pursuit and consumption of food rewards in male rats. In Experiment 1, rats experiencing acute morphine withdrawal lost weight and displayed somatic signs of drug dependence. However, hedonically driven sucrose consumption was significantly elevated, suggesting intact and potentially heightened reward processing. In Experiment 2, rats undergoing acute morphine withdrawal displayed reduced motivation when performing an effortful response for palatable food reward. Subsequent reward devaluation testing revealed that acute withdrawal disrupted their ability to exert flexible goal‐directed control over reward seeking. Specifically, morphine‐withdrawn rats were impaired in using current reward value to select actions both when relying on prior action‐outcome learning and when given direct feedback about the consequences of their actions. In Experiment 3, rats tested after prolonged morphine withdrawal displayed heightened rather than diminished motivation for food rewards and retained their ability to engage in flexible goal‐directed action selection. However, brief re‐exposure to morphine was sufficient to impair motivation and disrupt goal‐directed action selection, though in this case, rats were only impaired in using reward value to select actions in the presence of morphine‐paired context cues and in the absence of response‐contingent feedback. We suggest that these opioid‐withdrawal induced deficits in motivation and goal‐directed control may contribute to addiction by interfering with the pursuit of adaptive alternatives to drug use.
Multi‐level prediction of substance use: Interaction of white matter integrity, resting‐state connectivity and inhibitory control measured repeatedly in every‐day life
Authors: Chirokoff Valentine , Pohl Kilian M. , Berthoz Sylvie , Fatseas Melina , Misdrahi David , Serre Fuschia , Auriacombe Marc , Pfefferbaum Adolf , Sullivan Edith V. , Chanraud Sandra
Published: May 2024

Substance use disorders are characterized by inhibition deficits related to disrupted connectivity in white matter pathways, leading via interaction to difficulties in resisting substance use. By combining neuroimaging with smartphone‐based ecological momentary assessment (EMA), we questioned how biomarkers moderate inhibition deficits to predict use. Thus, we aimed to assess white matter integrity interaction with everyday inhibition deficits and related resting‐state network connectivity to identify multi‐dimensional predictors of substance use. Thirty‐eight patients treated for alcohol, cannabis or tobacco use disorder completed 1 week of EMA to report substance use five times and complete Stroop inhibition testing twice daily. Before EMA tracking, participants underwent resting state functional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scanning. Regression analyses were conducted between mean Stroop performances and whole‐brain fractional anisotropy (FA) in white matter. Moderation testing was conducted between mean FA within significant clusters as moderator and the link between momentary Stroop performance and use as outcome. Predictions between FA and resting‐state connectivity strength in known inhibition‐related networks were assessed using mixed modelling. Higher FA values in the anterior corpus callosum and bilateral anterior corona radiata predicted higher mean Stroop performance during the EMA week and stronger functional connectivity in occipital–frontal–cerebellar regions. Integrity in these regions moderated the link between inhibitory control and substance use, whereby stronger inhibition was predictive of the lowest probability of use for the highest FA values. In conclusion, compromised white matter structural integrity in anterior brain systems appears to underlie impairment in inhibitory control functional networks and compromised ability to refrain from substance use.