bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sentinel Surveillance for Expedited Partner Therapy Prescriptions Using Pharmacy Data, in 2 New York City Neighborhoods, 2015
Authors: Okah Ebiere , Arya Vibhuti , Rogers Meighan , Kim Michelle , Schillinger Julia Ann
Published: January 2017

Background

Expedited partner therapy (EPT) for Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the practice of providing Ct-infected patients with medication, or prescription (prescription-EPT) to deliver to their sex partners without first examining those partners. New York City (NYC) providers commonly use prescription-EPT, yet NYC pharmacists report only occasional receipt of EPT prescriptions. This project assessed the frequency of EPT prescriptions filled in 2 NYC neighborhoods.

Methods

The 2 NYC facilities reporting the most frequent use of prescription-EPT were identified from Ct provider case reports and contacted to ascertain their EPT practices. Providers at the first facility (facility 1) prescribed two 1-g doses of azithromycin, including sex partner treatment on the index patient's electronic prescription. Providers at the second facility (facility 2) gave patients paper prescriptions for sex partners. We reviewed prescriptions filled in 2015 for azithromycin, 1 or 2 g at pharmacies near these facilities; prescriptions indicating partner therapy were classified “EPT prescriptions”.

Results

Facility 1 providers submitted 112 Ct case reports indicating prescription-EPT, compared with 114 submitted by facility 2 providers. Twelve of 26 identified pharmacies agreed to participate. At 7 pharmacies near facility 1, we found 61 EPT prescriptions from facility 1 and 37 from other facilities. At 5 pharmacies near facility 2, we found only 1 EPT prescription from facility 2 and 3 from other facilities.

Conclusions

Expedited partner therapy prescriptions were received in NYC pharmacies near to EPT-prescribing facilities, but with great variability and at a lower frequency than suggested by provider case reports. Provider EPT prescribing practices may impact the likelihood that partners receive medication and should be further evaluated.
“Out of Care” HIV Case Investigations: A Collaborative Analysis Across 6 States in the Northwest US
Authors: Dombrowski Julia C. , Bove Joanna , Roscoe James C. , Harvill Jessica , Firth Caislin L. , Khormooji Shireen , Carr Jason , Choi Peter , Smith Courtney , Schafer Sean D. , Golden Matthew R. ,   for The Northwest Health Department—Centers for AIDS Research (CFAR) Consortium
Published: January 2017

Background:

HIV care continuum estimates derived from laboratory surveillance typically assume that persons without recently reported CD4 count or viral load results are out of care.

Methods:

We conducted a multistate project (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming) to ascertain the status of HIV cases that appeared to be out of care during a 12-month period. We used laboratory surveillance to identify cases in all states but Idaho, where viral load reporting is not mandatory, requiring us to rely on clinic records. After complete investigation, we assigned each case one of the following dispositions: moved out of state, died, in HIV care, no evidence of HIV care, or data error.

Results:

We identified 3866 cases with no CD4 count or viral load result in a ≥12-month period during 2012–2014, most (85%) of which were in Washington or Oregon. A median of 43% (range: 20%–67%) of cases investigated in each state had moved, 9% (0%–16%) had died, and 11% (8%–33%) were in care during the 12-month surveillance period. Only 28% of investigated cases in the region and a median of 30% (10%–57%) of investigated cases in each state had no evidence of care, migration, or death after investigation.

Conclusions:

Most persons living with HIV in the Northwest United States who appear to be out of care based on laboratory surveillance are not truly out of care. Our findings highlight the importance of improving state surveillance systems to ensure accurate care continuum estimates and guide Data to Care efforts.
Identification of new members of the Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 SlyA regulon
Authors: Curran Thomas D , Abacha Fatima , Hibberd Stephen P , Rolfe Matthew D , Lacey Melissa M , Green Jeffrey
Published: January 2017

SlyA is a member of the MarR family of bacterial transcriptional regulators. Previously, SlyA has been shown to directly regulate only two operons in Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655, fimB and hlyE (clyA). In both cases, SlyA activates gene expression by antagonizing repression by the nucleoid-associated protein H-NS. Here, the transcript profiles of aerobic glucose-limited steady-state chemostat cultures of E. coli K-12 MG1655, slyA mutant and slyA over-expression strains are reported. The transcript profile of the slyA mutant was not significantly different from that of the parent; however, that of the slyA expression strain was significantly different from that of the vector control. Transcripts representing 27 operons were increased in abundance, whereas 3 were decreased. Of the 30 differentially regulated operons, 24 have previously been associated with sites of H-NS binding, suggesting that antagonism of H-NS repression is a common feature of SlyA-mediated transcription regulation. Direct binding of SlyA to DNA located upstream of a selection of these targets permitted the identification of new operons likely to be directly regulated by SlyA. Transcripts of four operons coding for cryptic adhesins exhibited enhanced expression, and this was consistent with enhanced biofilm formation associated with the SlyA over-producing strain.
The effect of new product design and innovation on South Korean consumer’s willingness to buy
Authors: Lee Sangwon , Johnson Zachary S.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how consumers’ willingness to buy is influenced by two essential design elements: form and functional design. Form design refers to appearance and can be categorized as typical or non-typical. Function design relates to product features and can be the basis of whether a new product is perceived as a radically new product (RNP) vs an incrementally new product (INP). An interaction between form (typical vs non-typical) and function (RNP vs INP) was hypothesized and examined based on consumers’ knowledge of a product category and level of technological innovativeness.

Design/methodology/approach

Two between subject experiments were conducted in which two factors were manipulated (2×2 ANOVA): the degree of technological innovation (RNP vs INP) and form (more typical vs less typical).

Findings

Findings reveal that form design has a minimal impact on consumers’ evaluations of INPs, but less typical form design is preferred over typical form design for RNPs. Moreover, form design matters more to consumers who are technologically more innovative (vs less innovative) and more knowledgeable (vs less knowledgeable).

Practical implications

The managerial implications are multiple. Depending on the degree of the technological innovation, new design form can be strategically aligned to the function of a new product to increase perceived value – an effect observed among South Korean consumers that we anticipate will extend upon other cultures high in uncertainty avoidance.

Originality/value

This research will shed some light on an area of marketing that has been previously under-researched: form-based design in global innovation diffusion focusing on Asian countries and provide a more systematic approach to the empirical studies of form design issues in global marketing. This research extends the current design and innovation literature by examining the two dimensional types of design (visceral form and functionality) and potential moderators: degree of product innovation (RNP vs INP), consumer innovativeness, and consumer knowledge.
Nostalgic advertising in India: a content analysis of Indian TV advertisements
Authors: Srivastava Ekta , Maheswarappa Satish Sasalu , Sivakumaran Bharadhwaj
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the presence of nostalgic advertising in Indian television and its execution with reference to extent of information disclosure, level of involvement, type of products and stages in product life cycle (PLC).

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a content analysis of 700 TV advertisements aired between January-December 2013 from top five Indian TV channels based on their rank according to Gross Viewership in Thousands.

Findings

Humour/happiness was the most commonly used emotional appeal and nostalgic ads constituted 12 per cent of the emotional ads in Indian television. “References to past family experiences” was the most commonly used nostalgic element. As hypothesised, nostalgic ads use low information disclosure strategy (vis-à-vishigh/medium information disclosure strategy) and are more commonly used for low involvement products (vis-à-vishigh involvement products), experience products (vis-à-vissearch products), and non-durables (vis-à-visdurables). Also, nostalgic appeals are more commonly used at maturity stage of PLC (vis-à-visintroduction stage).

Originality/value

This is the first research to analyse the content and execution of nostalgic advertising in India. This study is also one of the first to provide a comprehensive framework on nostalgic advertising. The interrelationships among variables such as product category, process of emotional appeal, degree of information disclosure and stage in PLC has not been investigated earlier, in the context of nostalgic advertising. Moreover, this study is the first attempt to present a snapshot of TV ads in India.
The influence of perceived social media marketing activities on brand loyalty
Authors: Ismail Ahmed Rageh
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of social media marketing activities on brand loyalty, value consciousness and brand consciousness.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered questionnaire was developed and administered to a convenience sample of 346 undergraduate students

Findings

The findings of this research indicated that social media marketing has a significant effect on brand loyalty; brand consciousness and value consciousness mediate the relationship between social media marketing and brand loyalty.

Originality/value

This study confirms the growing importance of social media marketing. It also provides insights for marketers on envisioning brand loyalty.
Discriminant analysis in export research: an imperative for methodological rigor
Authors: Kahiya Eldrede T.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to appraise methodological rigor in the application of discriminant analysis (DA) in export-focused research and to offer guidelines for future studies.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample includes 89 empirical peer-reviewed studies, comprising 102 models published over the period 1979-2014. Content analysis and vote counting are used to evaluate each of these studies.

Findings

This review highlights major flaws in the application of DA in export research. The shortcomings are self-evident particularly concerning suitability of DA for research context, completeness in the reporting of descriptive results, and validity and reliability of predictive results.

Practical implications

The study takes the position that the lack of methodological rigor may be undermining the eminence of knowledge in exporting, and this has extensive implications for both researchers and practitioners.

Originality/value

This review outlines steps to assess methodological rigor associated with DA and offers guidelines for scholars seeking to enhance rigor in future research.
Integrating ERP and enterprise social software
Authors: Greasley Andrew , Wang Yucan
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of a hybrid enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, combining an ERP system with enterprise social software (ESS). The study will provide a critical assessment of the implementation of this process technology.

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple case studies of organisations based in China were conducted to understand the use of ERP systems in different contexts. Following an evaluation of the context of each ERP implementation (within-case analysis) the research draws a cross-case conclusion that defines the nature of a hybrid ERP system and then synthesises the propositions related to the benefits and challenges of implementation.

Findings

The authors find that a hybrid ERP system is able to support efficiency in business process management and also provide a flexible response to changes in business requirements. It does this by allowing for the continued use of informal processes that cannot be incorporated into the ERP system.

Practical implications

This research indicates how ERP systems in conjunction with ESS can provide a flexible response to changing business requirements and increase collaboration within the organisation. Key lessons include the need to perform informal activities under the guidance of managers and provide clear boundaries for the implementation of informal activities.

Originality/value

This study has found that the use of case studies can provide a valuable insight into the use of a hybrid ERP system from the perspective of its use within the organisation as a work system that requires an assessment of the context within which organisational members perform their work.
Altitude illness
Authors: Bayer Roman G.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Altitude illness can be a severe to even life-threatening condition for individuals ascending to altitudes higher than 2,500 m without proper acclimatization, a process that requires at least a couple of days. Considering disaster scenarios in high-altitude settings where humanitarian aid workers need to be deployed immediately, altitude illness may pose a relevant risk factor. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Population data on people living in high-altitude risk areas worldwide were matched with data on natural hazards in these areas.

Findings

Globally, more than 140 million people live in the risk zone for altitude illness and at least 19 cities with a population of more than 100,000 people exist above 2,500 m. These cities are situated in countries that are highly vulnerable to various natural hazards, and most of these cities have already been affected by hazardous events in the past. The relevance of considering altitude illness is underlined by a report on the emergency operation after the 2010 earthquake in Yushu County, China, where at least 200 aid workers had to be withdrawn due to this condition.

Originality/value

There are possible disaster scenarios where altitude illness can become a serious issue for aid workers, however, the only available preventive measures are not feasible with proper acclimatization requiring a couple of days and chemoprophylaxis not being 100 percent efficient. Therefore, this work intends to raise awareness within the humanitarian community for and to proactively engage with the topic of altitude illness in order to ensure the security and well-being of staff.
Making friends with Frankenstein: hybrid practice in BIM
Authors: Davies Kathryn , McMeel Dermott J. , Wilkinson Suzanne
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Although the potential of Building Information Modelling (BIM) to generate process and performance improvement in the construction industry has been widely documented, very few projects operate in a wholly BIM environment. The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that lead to hybrid practice in BIM across disciplines or project stages, and accommodations that must be reached within BIM project frameworks to allow for it.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth semi-structured interviews were carried out with 38 BIM specialists from Australia and New Zealand, representing a variety of construction industry disciplines and roles. Data on current practice and experiences in BIM were analysed using a thematic approach within a qualitative framework.

Findings

Hybrid BIM practice is shown to be a common experience for practitioners in New Zealand and Australia. It is presented as a valid model of BIM adoption; both as a development stage in the process towards more complete BIM implementation, and also as an adoption model in its own right.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is based on data from New Zealand and Australia, which are currently developing BIM markets. Although surveys have demonstrated many similarities in BIM adoption processes internationally, results may be less applicable to more mature markets.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that instead of regarding hybrid BIM negatively as an unsuccessful implementation, companies should seek to identify and manage the causes and effects of hybridisation in order to improve project outcomes.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the management of transitional stages of BIM implementation, which is often overlooked in research.
A deterministic contractor selection decision support system for competitive bidding
Authors: Semaan Nabil , Salem Michael
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The construction industry today is one of the biggest industries in the world. As projects continue to grow in complexity, project management continues to evolve. Contractor selection is a difficult task that owners and project managers face. Although previously researchers have worked on the subject of contractor selection, a comprehensive decision support system for contractor selection has not yet been developed. Recent reports of major delays and cost overruns in mega projects highlight the need for a model that is able to be flexible and comprehensive becomes evident. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The research focuses on obtaining insights from field experts using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Then, a model was developed in the light of the data collected. Accordingly, the model was tested on a case study.

Findings

This paper presents a model for contractor selection that is wholesome in its take on the topic. The model incorporates both managerial and technical aspects of the problem. The model was tested on a case study and it was proven to be feasible in real world applications. The contractor selection decision support system serves the needs of both academics and industry managers, as an integral part of project management.

Originality/value

The model presented in this paper is innovative in its take on the problems. MCDA tools have been uniquely modified in this paper to cater to the needs of the selection problem while accounting for the criteria hierarchy that incorporates aspects that are instrumental for proper evaluation of a contractor’s likelihood of success.
Predicting likelihood of cost overrun in educational projects
Authors: Asiedu Richard Ohene , Frempong Nana Kena , Alfen Hans Wilhelm
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Being able to predict the likelihood of a project to overrun its cost before the contract signing phase is crucial in developing the required mitigating measures to avert it. Known parameters that permit the timely prediction of cost overrun provide the basis for such predictions. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to develop a model for forecasting cost overruns.

Design/methodology/approach

Ten predictive variables known before the contract signing phase of a project are identified. Based on a survey approach, information on 321 educational projects completed are compiled. A multiple linear regression analysis is adopted for the model development.

Findings

Five variables – initial contract sum, gross floor area, number of storeys, source of funds and contractors’ financial classification are observed to influence cost overruns. The model, however, yields a fairly weak coefficient of determination with a mean absolute percentage error of 30.22 and 138 per cent, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The model developed focussed on data only educational projects sampled from three out of the ten administration regions in Ghana based on a purposive sampling approach.

Practical implications

Policy makers and construction managers working on public projects stand to gain tremendous assistance in formulating and strengthening their own in-house cost forecasting at the precontract phase based on “what if” analysis to generate various alternative predictions of cost overruns.

Originality/value

Considering the innate nature of cost overruns within the Ghanaian construction industry often resulting to project abandonment, this research presents a unique dimension for tackling cost overruns based on a predictive approach.
Factors that influence Australian community buildings’ sustainable management
Authors: Kalutara Pushpitha , Zhang Guomin , Setunge Sujeeva , Wakefield Ron
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Australia has a huge stock of community buildings built up over decades. Their replacements consume a large sum of money from country’s economy which has called for a strategy for their sustainable management. For this, a comprehensive decision-making structure is an utmost requirement. The purpose of this paper is to capture their sustainable management from four aspects, i.e. environmental, economic, social and functional.

Design/methodology/approach

The design process follows an extensive review of environmental and life cycle assessments and company context documents. Extracted factors are tailored to community buildings management following expert consultation. However, the resulted list of factors is extremely large, and “factor analysis” technique is used to group the factors. For this, an industry-wide questionnaire across Australian local councils is employed to solicit opinions of the list of factors.

Findings

The analysis has pinpointed 18 key parameters (criteria) to represent all four aspects. This paper presents the preliminary findings of the factors and the analysis results based on the questionnaire responses.

Practical implications

The final decision-making structure incorporates all these aspects and criteria. This can be used to develop a decision-making model which produces a sustainability index for building components. Asset managers can mainly use the sustainability index to prioritise their maintenance activities and eventually, to find out cost-optimisation options for them.

Originality/value

Most notably, this is the first study to apply all four sustainability aspects (environmental, economic, social and functional) to develop a decision-making structure for Australian community buildings’ sustainable management.
Evaluation of training programs in Russian manufacturing companies
Authors: Kucherov Dmitry , Manokhina Daria
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine the features of training evaluation process in Russian manufacturing companies. On the basis of three assumptions regarding the differences in group of employees involved in training, duration and costs of a training program, the authors tried to find out the peculiarities of training evaluation tools and levels in Russian manufacturing companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The HR professionals from 24 Russian manufacturing companies completed the author’s online questionnaire.

Findings

The results revealed that the respondents perceived training evaluation as highly important, but their satisfaction level toward existing evaluation was low. The most significant training evaluation goal was recognized as raising the efficiency of training process and the most widely used training evaluation model was Kirkpatrick’s, with focus on the reaction level. It was confirmed that training evaluation tools used in Russian manufacturing enterprises differed among the employee groups and different levels of training evaluation depended on duration and cost of the training program.

Originality/value

This is the first study which focuses on current training evaluation processes and gaps in Russian manufacturing companies. The recommendations proposed by the authors could be used by an HR team to improve training evaluation depending on employee group involved in training, duration and costs of the training program.
Healthy universities: mapping health-promotion interventions
Authors: Sarmiento Juan Pablo
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to map out and characterize existing health-promotion initiatives at Florida International University (FIU) in the USA in order to inform decision makers involved in the development of a comprehensive and a long-term healthy university strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

This study encompasses a narrative literature review on health promotion in higher education institutions and the identification and characterization of the various health-promotion initiatives associated with the subject of healthy universities at FIU. The characterization of health-promoting initiatives relied on the stakeholder analysis approach. Using the information obtained from this study, a map for promoting health initiatives with their location, capacities, leadership, and resources was established.

Findings

Most publications on health-promoting universities are limited to partial experiences’ reproduction. Self-financing health-promoting initiatives foster competition and work in silos. Gains of health-promotion interventions require governance, participation, and academic considerations. This study highlights the need for standards and minimum requirements for the mapping and characterization of health-promoting initiatives within institutions of higher education. The health-promotion strategy should fall within the university’s social responsibility policy.

Originality/value

This study helps identify organizational strengths and weaknesses and can inform decision makers seeking to establish policies and strategies as well as defining priorities and courses of action for healthy universities.
Promotion of physical activity of adolescents by skill-based health education
Authors: Simbar Masoumeh , Aarabi Zeinab , Keshavarz Zohreh , Ramezani-Tehrani Fahimeh , Baghestani Ahmad Reza
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Insufficient physical activity leads to an increase in chronic diseases. Skills-based health education methods are supposed to be more successful than traditional methods to promote healthy behaviors. Skills-based health education is an approach to create healthy lifestyles and skills using participatory methods. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of skill-based education method on physical activities of female adolescents.

Design/methodology/approach

This was an experimental study on 80 female public high school students aged 12-14 years old in Tehran. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: experimental group of 40 girls who were educated using “Skills-based education method,” and control group of 40 girls who were educated by lecture as a routine educational method for health promotion. Data were collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire to assess physical activity-related knowledge, attitudes and behavior. Data were gathered three times; before, immediately after (Phase 1) and two months after educational intervention (Phase 2). Data analysis was performed using SPSS 20.

Findings

Intra-group comparison demonstrated that both educational methods can increase knowledge, attitude and behavior of the students after intervention comparing to before intervention (RMANOVA;p<0.05). However, the comparison between groups demonstrated a significant higher increase of knowledge (t-test;p<0.01 andp<0.0; phase 1 and 2, respectively), and behavior (t-test;p<0.01 andp=0.002; phase 1 and 2, respectively) but not attitude (p=0.083 andp=0.125, phase 1 and 2, respectively) among the students participated in the experimental “skilled based health education” group rather than the control “lecture” group.

Originality/value

Skill-based health education comparing to routine lecture-based education creates deep and long lasting knowledge and behavior and is highly recommended for promoting physical activity and other health-related knowledge and among adolescents.
Positive educative programme
Authors: Elfrink Teuntje R. , Goldberg Jochem M. , Schreurs Karlein M.G. , Bohlmeijer Ernst T. , Clarke Aleisha M.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on a process and impact evaluation of the Positief Educatief Programma (Positive Education Programme (PEP)), a whole school approach to supporting children’s well-being and creating a positive school climate in primary schools in the Netherlands. PEP adopts a competence skill enhancement approach with a focus on developing children’s positive emotions and strengths.

Design/methodology/approach

A process and impact evaluation was performed within the context of two schools piloting the programme. Employing questionnaires and interviews, the evaluation sought to examine the implementation of PEP, participants’ experiences with key components and the programme impact of PEP.

Findings

The findings reveal largely positive attitudes towards PEP. Staff and parents were positive about the core components of PEP. Results from standardised questionnaires provide preliminary evidence about the positive impact of PEP on children’s self-reported well-being and problem behaviour, teachers’ awareness of children’s strengths and overall school climate. The provision of practical strategies and activity-based resources was considered essential to the ongoing implementation of PEP.

Research limitations/implications

This study reports on findings from two implementation schools and therefore lacks generalisability. Further research using more robust research methods exploring the effectiveness of PEP when compared with “business as usual” is needed.

Originality/value

School frameworks aimed at creating a positive school climate and promoting well-being at the whole school level have not been carried out in the Netherlands to date. The results from this study provide a unique insight into the implementation and perceived impact of a whole school framework in the context of two primary schools.
Sexual sadism and criminal versatility: does sexual sadism spillover into nonsexual crimes?
Authors: DeLisi Matt , Drury Alan , Elbert Michael , Tahja Katherine , Caropreso Daniel , Heinrichs Timothy
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Sexual sadism is a well-known risk factor for severe forms of sexual violence including sexual homicide and serial sexual homicide. The research is decidedly mixed about the association between sexual sadism and other, nonsexual forms of criminal conduct. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on data from a census of 225 federal sex offenders from a jurisdiction in the Midwestern USA, the current study examined whether sexual sadism had a spillover effect into nonsexual crimes using correlation, ANOVA, and negative binomial regression models.

Findings

Sexual sadism was strongly associated with diverse forms of nonsexual criminal behavior, and sexual sadists had more extensive and versatile criminal careers than sex offenders without a formal diagnosis.

Practical implications

Practitioners should be aware of sexual sadism as a criminogenic risk factor. Sexual sadism is associated with sexual deviance and sexual violence. Sexual sadism also has spillover effects where it is associated with nonsexual offending.

Originality/value

Sexual sadism can be a useful risk factor for other forms of crime and recidivism and has broad application in applied correctional and research settings.
The moderating effect of culture on e-filing taxes: evidence from India
Authors: Zaidi Syed Kashif Raza , Henderson Cassy Daniels , Gupta Gaurav
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine factors that affect the adoption of an electronic tax filing system in an emerging economy. Using the theory of planned behavior, the technology acceptance model (TAM), the information systems success model (ISSM), and Hofstede’s cultural values as the theoretical basis, this paper examines the influence that computer skills (CS), perceived ease of use (PEoU), perceived usefulness (PU), information systems quality, and espoused national culture have on the adoption of an electronic tax filing system in an emerging economy.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was used to collect the data from individuals who e-filed theirs or someone else’s (individual and/or business) income taxes using government or private vendor websites. Snowball sampling technique is used to collect the data. A total of 201 usable questionnaires were analyzed.

Findings

Results indicate that PEoU and PU have a positive impact on user satisfaction (US), and higher US is linked to higher intentions of adopting online tax filing. Results show that high-power distance positively influences US.

Practical implications

The study provides insight for policymakers in emerging economies involved in diffusion of technology decisions. Considerations for requisite CS, perceptions of usefulness and ease, and culture should be included in the diffusion process.

Originality/value

This paper provides evidence supporting the predictability of TAM and ISSM in technology adoption. In addition, the study examines the moderating effect of culture on technology adoption. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to develop and test a holistic technology adoption model in context of a multicultural and emerging economy.
Exploring voluntary external disclosure of intellectual capital in listed companies
Authors: Giacosa Elisa , Ferraris Alberto , Bresciani Stefano
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to create a conceptual model that practically assists companies to produce an effective voluntary external intellectual capital disclosure (ICD) and valorises both the company’s and the stakeholders’ role. It illustrates the relationship among voluntary ICD mechanisms and it takes into consideration the feedback mechanism from external stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

Nielsen and Madsen’s (2009) study constitutes the framework of the conceptual model, as it refers to a “sender to receiver” model, which is particularly useful for the research.

Findings

An effective ICD may only be achieved through a combination of decisions taking into account each individual company’s needs and those of stakeholders’ ones. In addition, the dimensions on which the conceptual model is based are already in use in other widespread disclosure models, and this favours the company.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations concern design features, recipients and validity of the conceptual model. In terms of theoretical implications, the model emphasizes an “integrated ICD” approach; in addition, the model is based on some dimensions which characterize widespread and general communication models already in use.

Practical implications

First, this relates to the production of an effective ICD when considered as “one-way information”, from the company to the stakeholders. Second, this relates to the interaction between the company and its stakeholders, within a dyadic exchange.

Originality/value

The conceptual model is based on some dimensions which characterize widespread and general communication models already in use, which in the model are applied to ICD. Therefore, companies may favour making an ICD, as they are already confident and familiar with these dimensions.
Social media networks as drivers for intellectual capital disclosure
Authors: Lardo Alessandra , Dumay John , Trequattrini Raffaele , Russo Giuseppe
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between popularity in a social media network and a company’s revenue, expenditure and market value. Additionally, social media networks are analysed as tools for both voluntary and involuntary intellectual capital (IC) disclosure.

Design/methodology/approach

These aims are analysed in the context of the football industry. An empirical analysis evaluates the correlations between team and player social media metrics from Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Instagram and their football club’s market value, revenue and player transfer fees. Examples of timely IC disclosure are also reported.

Findings

The results indicate that popularity metrics in social media are determinants of the value of human and relational capital in professional football clubs. Popularity in social media positively correlates to market capitalisation, revenue and player transfer fees. Additionally, examples are provided to show how social media can be a tool for disclosing IC information in a relevant and timely manner.

Practical implications

From a strategic management perspective, the authors find that there are economic opportunities to be gained from managing social media platforms appropriately and that knowledge derived from social media needs to be used effectively by club managers, so that fans and followers can be transformed into consumers. One practical implication of this research is the need to hire social media experts that are able to develop, coordinate and manage digital communication strategies.

Originality/value

This paper presents an analysis of emerging changes in technology and communication platforms and different types of disclosure. It aims to demonstrate that the metrics derived from social media can be used as tool to disclose voluntary and involuntary information about IC – information that is particularly useful to investors because their shortage of tangible assets can make football clubs difficult to evaluate.
Role of religious beliefs in blood donation behavior among the youngster in Iran
Authors: Charsetad Parvaneh
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The main purpose of this research is investigating the role of religion in sculpting blood donation behavior in younger adults by using the theory of planned behavior (TPB).

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was developed to collect data, and in total, 242 questionnaires of undergraduate students from four large universities in Iran were analyzed. The suggested research model was tested by structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings indicate that religious beliefs have a positive influence on the attitude toward blood donation. Therefore, it seems that the influence of religion on prosocial activities such as blood donation is considerable. Moreover, attitudes, perceived behavioral control and subjective norms have a positive influence on the intention to blood donation. The research findings are consistent with the TPB model.

Originality/value

Previous research on blood donation has not considered religious beliefs in the TPB. The contribution of this study is examining the relationships between attitude and behavior with respect to religious beliefs as a silent shaping agent of attitude.
The history of the modernisation construct
Authors: Seifried Chad S. , Novicevic Milorad M.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to trace and/or historicise modernisation as a conceptual framework from the antecedents to present times. It also highlights the recent and past attention provided to modernisation by business and economic history scholars to recognise their contribution.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a literature review which offers a sample of debate from foundational scholars regarding the concept of modernisation emanating from sociologists, historians and business scholars. To present an analysis of the recent activity from business scholars on modernisation from highly recognizable journals and draw conclusions about the conceptual framework regarding its future as a framing device, the authors used search functions in the Business Source Complete database and specific journal search engines.

Findings

A keyword search of modernisation produced 45 published articles from 2000 to 2016 in business-related history andFinancial Timestop 50 journals. The foremost recognizable aspect of modernisation, as a construct presented here, demonstrates the concept that aims to illustrate a basic and/or universal pattern of the social processes that primarily affect development (e.g. cultural, economic, organisational, ecological, technological, etc.). Moreover, the authors demonstrate that economic and business scholars helped identify and explain different types of modernisation, reinforce or connect specific characteristics to modernisation, develop modernisation as an index capable of measurement and provide evidence of modernisation as a rhetorical strategy.

Originality/value

Little to no previous studies on modernisation emphasised on the contribution of business and economic historians; instead, they focused on the contributions of sociologists and social historians. Business and management historians served as an important voice in the development of modernisation as a conceptual frame. They highlighted the opportunities that are available to position modernisation as a useful tool to predict the future of traditional and advanced organisations.
The Hawthorne studies: an analysis of critical perspectives, 1936-1958
Authors: Muldoon Jeffrey
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to analyse the academic context of the Hawthorne studies from 1936. More specifically, great attention was paid towards those articles that were critical of the Hawthorne studies. This study aimed to analyse why the Hawthorne studies were so criticized during the time period.

Design/methodology/approach

The author analysed various critical articles/books from the time period. The author developed the sample through the use of Landsberger’s Hawthorne Revisited. The author used one of the first critical articles, Daniel Bell’s, as a means to analyse the critics. In addition, secondary literature was used to place the articles in context.

Findings

The author found that the majority of the critics were sociologists; these criticisms reflected larger debates in sociology in terms of theory, method and ethics of research. They reflected the great changes that occurred in sociology during the time period, as opposed to industrial/organizational psychology, for example, where there was little criticism at the time.

Originality/value

The purpose of this study was to continue the work of Muldoon (2012) and Hassard (2012) and place the work of the Hawthorne studies in a larger academic context.
The overlooked influence of personality, idiosyncrasy and eccentricity in corporate mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Park Kathleen Marshall , Gould Anthony M.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Merger waves have typically been viewed through the prism of either corporate strategy or macro-economics. This paper aims to broaden debate about factors that cause – or are associated with – mergers/merger waves over a 120-year period. It ascribes “personalities” to six distinct waves and draws an overarching conclusion about how merger architects are viewed.

Design/methodology/approach

Databases and interviews are used to piece together detail about CEOs associated with six distinct and recognized merger-waves during a 120-year focal period. The study establishes and defends, a priori, principles for interrogating data to get a sense of each wave-era’s corporate personality/idiosyncrasy. For each era, two exemplar CEO-profiles are presented and – through inductive-reasoning – held out as representative.

Findings

Distinct personalities are associated with six merger waves. Each wave is given a summary anthropomorphic description which conveys a sense that it may be viewed as the non-rationale expression of aggregate and historically distinct CEO behavior within a circumscribed timeframe.

Research limitations/implications

The work’s key limitation – explicitly acknowledged – is that it amassed data/evidence from disparate historical sources. However, the authors have developed and defended principles for addressing this concern.

Practical implications

Improved investment analyses, in particular. The work prefigures formal establishment of a new variable-set impacting share-price prediction.

Social implications

The paper offers a perspective on how psychological/personality-related variables impact management decision-making, creating something of a bridge between mostly non-overlapping research disciplines.

Originality/value

The paper broadens debate about how and why merger waves occur. It removes the exclusive analysis of merger waves from the hands of economic historians and strategic management theorists.
How boards influence business performance: developing an explanation
Authors: Crow Peter R. , Lockhart James C.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between boards and board activity and subsequent business performance, in the context of high-growth companies, through the lens of decision making and business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A critical realist approach was used to conduct a longitudinal multiple-case study of two medium-sized, quasi-public high-growth companies. Data collection included first-hand observations of boards in session, semi-structured interviews with key actors and the inspection of board and company documentation. An iterative approach to analysis was used to gain an in-depth understanding of how the boards worked and how they sought to exert influence.

Findings

The paper provides empirical insight about board involvement in strategic management. A proactive involvement by boards in the strategy development process and assessment of strategic options, and a collaborative form of board involvement in strategic management together with management is indicated as being important if the board is to exert influence beyond the boardroom. A conceptual model of a collaborative form of board-management interaction is developed.

Practical implications

The paper provides guidance for boards, suggesting that a more direct level of involvement in strategic management by the board together with management may be material to improved business performance.

Originality/value

The paper responds to calls for more research on the relationship between boards and business performance. It contributes much-needed first-hand evidence from within the boardroom.
Demographics, attitudes, and technology readiness
Authors: Rojas-Méndez José I. , Parasuraman A. , Papadopoulos Nicolas
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the cross-cultural validity of the Technology Readiness Index (TRI) (Parasuraman, 2000) and explore how demographics and attitudinal variables may help to explain adoption and use of technology-based products and services.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on surveys conducted with probabilistic samples from two culturally distant countries, the USA and Chile.

Findings

Results support the TRI’s cross-cultural validity. They also suggest that demographic variables do matter when explaining people’s willingness to adopt new technology, with education being the most consistent predictor. Moreover, some of the findings seem to challenge the attitude-behavior consistency implied by conventional theory – while attitudinal variables are better predictors of pro-technological behavior in the USA, with technology-related insecurity being the most important of four attitudinal dimensions included in the analysis, demographic variables perform as better predictors in Chile, with educational level outperforming age and gender.

Originality/value

This is the first-ever cross-cultural test of the TRI using actual consumer samples from two culturally very different countries.