bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal thyroid hormone increases neural cell diversity during zebrafish spinal cord neurodevelopment
Authors: Silva Nádia , Campinho Marco António
Published: February 2022

Maternally derived thyroid hormone (MT3) is a fundamental factor for vertebrate neurodevelopment. In humans, mutations on the T3 exclusive transporter monocarboxylic acid transporter 8 (MCT8) lead to the Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome (AHDS). Patients with AHDS present severe underdevelopment of the central nervous system with cognitive and locomotory consequences. Functional impairment of the zebrafish T3 exclusive membrane transporter MCT8 has been shown to phenocopy the symptoms observed in human patients with AHDS, thus providing an outstanding animal model to study this human condition. In this zebrafish model, MT3 acts as an integrator of different key developmental pathways during zebrafish neurodevelopment. Here we expand this knowledge by determining the developmental time of action of MT3 that occurs in very defined temporal intervals during zebrafish neurodevelopment. We have determined that MT3 is not involved in neural specification but is fundamental for developing particular neural progenitors and the consequent neural lineages that originate from them. Our data provide evidence that MT3 achieves this likely by modulation NOTCH signalling in a cell non-autonomous way. The findings show that MT3 expands the cell diversity output of neural progenitor cells, establishing a cellular background behind human AHDS and inherited limited CNS development.
Designing an optimized confidential-data management system using preeminent access-control and block-chain
Authors: Madhura K. , Mahalakshmi R.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The blockchain system is required for coordinating and managing the information across the organizations. The internal assurance of the information system is under threat and requires a defined and arbitrary system for protective information sharing. The primary analysis of defining and providing the access to the data or information is proposed in this article. The major challenge faced by organizations is providing and maintaining security to the cumulated data infrastructure, protecting the confidential data flow within the infrastructure and to ascertain ethical operations within the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a top-down approach is utilized to solve the issues faced during confidential data storage, track and alert internal malignant access. The web content management system (WCMS) market is growing and the challenging desideratum of solving security issues are incrementing. This research proposes a top-down security implementation methodology which alters the access control of the organization running the WCMS, it is a highly secure access-control with activity tracker that records who did what activity and who is responsible for malignant access tracker.

Findings

The upgraded access control system is implemented utilizing the most influential blockchain technology where the hash engendered by the Inter Planetary File System (IPFS) cloud is stored on the block to implement a confidential data tracker; a supplemental level of security is integrated to the admin by verifying its account ID by storing it on to the astute contracts and applying two-step authentication. A caliber of security is integrated during storage by integrating RHS encryption.

Research limitations/implications

This system is proposed for the confidential student data storage (for e.g. educational documents, marks cards etc.) and tracking maleficent access.

Originality/value

The upgraded access control system is implemented using the most influential blockchain technology where the hash generated by the IPFS cloud is stored on the block to implement a confidential data tracker, an additional level of security is added to the admin by verifying its account ID by storing it on to the smart contracts and applying two-step authentication.
Bank stock valuation theories: do they explain prices based on theories?
Authors: Leong Ken-Yien , Ariff Mohamed , Alireza Zarei , Bhatti M. Ishaq
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to investigate the validity of stock valuation theories and their forecasting ability by conducting an empirical study. It employs four most commonly used theories which are then tested using 19-year banking-firm market data. The usefulness of these models demonstrates with promising results.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper conducts a multi-country study using the multi-model testing approach to evaluate validity of theories and forecast accuracy of banking firms. It employs four methodology models used in finance literature; (1) P/E multiples model, (2) accounting-information-based clean surplus model, (3) theoretical model based on Gordon and Shapiro (1956) method and (4) the Damodaran-Kottler Free Cash Flow or FCF theory based on discounting model.

Findings

The tests show that the four theories under tests have a significant fit with actual price formation. The explained variation ranges from 72 to 92%, so the explanatory power of the theories accounting for variations in bank prices over 19-year period is substantial. The models fit suggest that the P/E model has superior predictive power followed by the RIM, DDM and FCFE. These findings shed new lights on the relative performance of valuation models.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited in terms of the sample period size for 1999–2019. The availability of essential financial data prior to 2000 is very limited, so one can understand interpretation of statistical results under certain assumptions.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that one-factor model is better than the two-factor model.

Originality/value

The work done in this paper is unpublished and original contribution to banking and finance literature and also not under consideration for publication in any other journal.
No recourse to public funds: a qualitative evidence synthesis
Authors: Jolly Andy , Singh Jasber , Lobo Sunila
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to outlines the findings of the first qualitative evidence synthesis of empirical research on the impact of the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) rule which prevents most temporary migrants from accessing social security benefits in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

The review used the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol guidelines. Data were analysed by using Thomas and Harden’s (2008) thematic synthesis methodology. An initial 321 articles were identified from 13 databases, of which 38 studies met the inclusion criteria.

Findings

The key insights were that NRPF causes destitution and extreme poverty and has a disproportionate impact on racialised women. Studies found that support services were underdeveloped, underfunded, inconsistent and had a culture of mistrust and racism towards migrants. Migrants were often fearful of services due to concerns around deportation, destitution and state intervention around children.

Research limitations/implications

The review focussed on qualitative research. Future empirical and theoretical research is needed in the following areas: NRPF as a practice of everyday bordering, the role of the Home Office in creating and sustaining the policy; differing gendered experiences of NRPF; and a broader geographical scope which includes all four UK nations and takes an international comparative approach.

Originality/value

Despite an estimated 1.4 million people in the UK with NRPF (Citizens Advice, 2020), there is little policy or theoretical discussion of the experience of having NRPF or the implications of the rule. This lack of analysis is a significant gap in both our understanding of the landscape of poverty in the UK, and the ways in which immigration policies create extreme poverty. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first systematic qualitative review on NRPF, bringing together the research evidence on how NRPF negatively affects outcomes for migrants, local authority and voluntary sector responses to NRPF and theoretical perspectives on NRPF.
Medical tourism brand equity in emerging markets: scale development and empirical validation
Authors: Guha Roy Diya , Bhattacharya Sujoy , Mukherjee Srabanti
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This research theoretically proposed and empirically validated a Customer-Based Brand Equity (CBBE) scale specifically for Medical Tourism for emerging economies including recent findings from tourism theories such as gravity model and signalling theory, but more specifically accommodating political, cultural, economic, legal and social influences.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth literature reviews from tourism, medical tourism, healthcare and hospitality domains are used to propose the theoretical model. The authors have used the lavaan package in R for the empirical analysis and model verification.

Findings

The research included, tested and verified the established latent variables such as “brand awareness”, “brand association”, “perceived quality” and “loyalty”, along with new observed variables for the CBBE scale from the theoretical perspectives of this research. “Infrastructure” has emerged as a new scale construct and “culture” was found to be a moderating variable for “perceived quality” in the CBBE scale, which are novel additions to the literature.

Originality/value

The research contributed to scale refining, latent construct assessment, and fine-tuning of the observed variables for the mentioned theoretical gaps.
Explicating the microfoundation of SME pro-environmental operations: the role of top managers
Authors: Zhao Li , He Qile
Published: February 2022

Purpose

By recognizing the decisive role of top managers (TMs) of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this study attempts to explicate the microfoundation of pro-environmental operations of SMEs by examining the influence of institutional pressure on managerial cognition and subsequent SME pro-environmental operations. This study highlights the personal ethics of TMs, so as to examine the moderating effect of TMs' place attachment on SMEs' pro-environmental operations.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical data are collected from a questionnaire survey of 509 SMEs in China. Hierarchical regression results are subject to cross-validation using secondary public data.

Findings

This study demonstrates that coercive and mimetic pressures have invertedU-shaped effects, whilst normative pressure has aU-shaped effect on the threat cognition of TMs. The results also show that TMs' threat cognition (as opposed to opportunity cognition) positively influences SMEs' pro-environmental operations. Moreover, both the emotional (place identity) and functional (place dependence) dimensions of place attachment have positive moderating effects on the relationship between threat cognition and SMEs' pro-environmental operations.

Practical implications

Findings of this study lead to important implications for practitioners such as regulators, policy makers and trade associations. Enabling better understanding of the nature of SMEs' pro-environmental operations, they allow for more targeted development and the provision of optimal institutional tools to promote such operations.

Originality/value

This study allows some important factors that differentiate SMEs from large firms to surface. These factors (i.e. institutional pressures, managerial cognition and place attachment) and the interactions between them form important constituents of the microfoundations of SMEs' pro-environmental operations.
Bisindo-based rational emotive behaviour therapy model: study preliminary prevention of sexual harassment in women with deafness
Authors: Marlina Marlina , Ningsih Yuninda Tria , Fikry Zulian , Fransiska Dea Resti
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Women with deafness are one of the vulnerable groups who experience sexual harassment. As a result, they experience psychological disorders such as stress, anxiety, fear and trauma. This problem is made worse because women with deafness have language and speech disorders. This paper aims to explore sexual harassment of women with deafness and develop Bisindo-based rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT) to deal with sexual harassment against women with deafness.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation model of the R&D approach, this preliminary research study was carried out in four stages. The research respondents for the need assessment were 166 people with ten professional backgrounds spread throughout Indonesia. Respondents for model validation tests are ten people: REBT experts, psychologists, Bisindo experts, teachers, lecturers, Head of Women's Organization (WCC) and Head of the Deaf Community (Gerkatin) in West Sumatra. Data were collected by questionnaire.

Findings

The results showed that many women with deafness experienced sexual harassment. The handling model using REBT mediated by Bisindo is needed in further research to test its effectiveness. The validity test results show that the Bisindo-based REBT model has been declared feasible, helpful, accurate and practical to be used as a response model for sexual harassment in women with deafness.

Originality/value

The results of this study imply the need for the application of therapies that follow the characteristics of victims, such as Bisindo-based REBT for female sexual victims.
Improvements or deteriorations? A bibliometric analysis of corporate governance and disclosure research (1990–2020)
Authors: Effah Nana Adwoa Anokye , Asiedu Michael , Otchere Octavia Ama Serwaa
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This work aims to analyze and observe the trends in the literature on corporate governance and disclosure. The study presents bibliometric analyses from the Scopus database for the period 1991–2020.

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric analysis is conducted on 1,697 studies on corporate governance and disclosure across several countries. The articles were assessed and visualized with Vosviewer based on the authors, sources and countries with the highest publication rate, journals with the most published research and highly cited articles and authors.

Findings

The analyses provide a comprehensive outlook of the field, and the results show the dominance of documents on corporate governance and disclosure in 2020. The results have been discussed with avenues for further research.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on corporate governance and disclosure research from the Scopus database to highlight the extensive and somewhat ignored areas in extant literature. This would aid upcoming researchers in identifying scholars in the field when exploring future research avenues to close ensuing gaps.
Citizens' information behavior in relation to electronic-government services: a systematic review
Authors: Hertzum Morten
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Government information and services are increasingly delivered online through the Internet or other digital means. To benefit citizens, such electronic government (e-government) must be incorporated in their government-related information behavior. This study reviews citizens' information behavior in relation to e-government.

Design/methodology/approach

Following procedures for systematic reviews, this study reviews 53 papers about citizens' e-government information behavior.

Findings

The review finds that citizens (1) employ a rich set of quality, accessibility and non-utilitarian criteria in their perception of e-government; (2) use e-government in combination with offline channels; (3) choose channels on the basis of demographic and situational factors; (4) make frequent use of interpersonal sources and (5) may or may not achieve the intended outcome of their e-government information behavior. E-government information behavior has a lot in common with information behaviors in other domains, but it also accentuates certain facets of information behavior, such as the simultaneous use of multiple channels. In addition, mixed findings are common.

Research limitations/implications

Interpersonal sources, both lay and professional, are integral to citizens' e-government information behavior. Yet, theoretical frameworks for understanding information behavior tend to focus on the individual citizen.

Practical implications

On its own, e-government is most suited for simpler problems. More complex problems require an information behavior that combines e-government with interpersonal sources.

Originality/value

E-government shapes how citizens satisfy their government-related information needs. This study provides an overview of the otherwise scattered research on this information behavior.
Investigate the impact of human capital, economic freedom and governance performance on the economic growth of the BRICS
Authors: Duan Cheche , Zhou Yicheng , Cai Yuanqing , Gong Wei , Zhao Chunzhen , Ai Jian
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper investigates the relationship between human capital, economic freedom, governance performance, and economic growth and whether institutional factors such as governance performance and economic freedom mediate the association between human capital and economic growth.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors apply the panel data regression method to verify five hypotheses and check the robustness of the empirical findings from four aspects (chow test, panel unit root test, granger test and generalized method of moments) based on the data covering China, India, Russia, Brazil and South Africa from 2000 to 2018.

Findings

After multiple tests with mixed methods, the empirical results show that the relationship between human capital and economic growth is not linear but invertedU-shaped. Furthermore, human capital has a positive effect on economic growth only in a certain period of time, and governance performance positively moderates the effect of human capital on economic growth in BRICS.

Originality/value

First, the impact of human capital on economic growth is not linear but an invertedU-shaped and governance performance moderates the effect of human capital on economic growth in BRICS. The study and research model enhances the authors’ insights on the advantage and challenges of human capital in the future. Second, the proposed multi-methods in the study accurately forecast economic growth which partially solves endogenous problems because of reverse causality.
Developing a strategic viability-fit model of mobile technology adoption in hotels
Authors: Han Hyunjeong “Spring” , Lee Jungwoo , Edvardsson Bo , Verma Rohit
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Notwithstanding the expected apparent benefits of mobile technologies (MTs) in the hotel industry, their adoption is slower than forecasted. This study aims to identify the challenges faced by hotel managers in adopting MTs in their industry, such that the authors may determine the strategic positions for adopting and managing MTs and build a frame of reference for hotel management practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a series of focus group interviews (FGIs) with the managers and executives of luxury hotels. FGIs were conducted in groups in a semi-structured format, asking questions about MT adoption in their hotels and the challenges they faced. The FGI transcripts were analyzed using a grounded theory approach.

Findings

Open and axial coding of FGI scripts revealed 15 underlying categories of challenges in adopting MTs in hotels. Subsequent selective coding revealed two underlying dimensions: viability-fit. With these two underlying dimensions, a strategic model for MT adoption is developed. This model identifies four MT adoption strategies in hotels: lookers, experimenters, explorers and leaders.

Originality/value

The model developed and presented herein may help analyze a hotel’s strategic positioning in adopting MT’s. Depending on the positional analysis results, hotel managers can appropriately decide resource mobilization priorities and deployment timing.
Antecedents of human-robot collaboration: theoretical extension of the technology acceptance model
Authors: Parvez M. Omar , Arasli Huseyin , Ozturen Ali , Lodhi Rab Nawaz , Ongsakul Viput
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to extend the technology acceptance model (TAM) to examine whether the introduction of robots influences employees’ behavioral intentions to use robots and awareness of robots to promote human–robot collaboration (HRC). Besides, the role of strategic human resource management (HRM) involvement as a moderator in the perception of robots as a team member was investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 500 respondents via the Amazon Mechanical Turk platform. After data cleaning, 329 valid responses were analyzed. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was applied using Smart PLS Ver. 3.0 to test the study’s measurement and proposed research model.

Findings

The study results show that robots’ perceived usefulness and ease of use positively influence employees’ behavioral intentions to use robots. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of robots have a positive impact on robot awareness. Employees’ behavioral intentions and awareness contribute positively to HRC. On the other hand, the moderating role of strategic human resources (HR’s) involvement in the relationships was insignificant.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides an exclusively applied understanding of robot presence and embodiment relevant to real-world HRC. In the travel, tourism and hospitality (TTH) industry, employees’ intention to use robots and robot awareness are significant factors. However, HRM involvement without the acceptance of robots could not enhance HRC.

Originality/value

Based on the literature review, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first on this topic and extends TAM with new antecedents related to robot use, robot awareness and HRC in the TTH industry. In addition, this model attempts to determine the factors that favor HRC in the industry. This study also assessed the moderating role of strategic HR’s involvement in the behavioral intention of robot use, robot awareness and HRC.
Antecedents of giving charitable donations (Sadaqah) during the COVID-19 pandemic: does Islamic religiosity matter?
Authors: Chetioui Youssef , Satt Harit , Lebdaoui Hind , Baijou Maria , Dassouli Sara , Katona Sara
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the antecedents of giving charitable donations (Sadaqah) during the pandemic in a majority-Muslim country. This paper proposes and tests a theoretical framework in which attitude toward giving donations mediates the effects of perceived behavioral control, subjective norms and past behavior on giving charitable donations (Sadaqah). The authors also investigate the mediating effect of attitude toward giving donations and the moderating effect of Islamic religiosity in an emerging nation characterized by the dominance of the Islamic doctrine. Gender, age and income have been examined as control variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data from a sample of 377 respondents from Morocco were analyzed to test the hypotheses using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicate that past behavior, subjective norms, attitude toward giving donations and intention to donate are key predictors of giving charitable donation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper also confirms the mediating effect of attitude toward giving donations, e.g. subjective norms trigger positive attitude toward giving donations, which increases respondents’ donation frequency. The results also suggest a significant moderating effect of Islamic religiosity, e.g. individuals who feel themselves as highly religious are more likely to develop a favorable attitude toward giving donations and are therefore more likely to donate during the pandemic.

Practical implications

The findings suggest practical and social implications for both academics and practitioners. As attitude, subjective norm, past behavior and intention are found to significantly influence giving charitable donations (Sadaqah), fundraising organizations should give serious attention on these factors to improve individuals’ charitable giving (Sadaqah). Such organizations should also consider the use of faith-based messages and religious morals when planning their advertising campaigns in majority-Muslim markets.

Originality/value

Although preliminary studies have already attempted to provide knowledge about the factors influencing giving donations among both Muslims and nonMuslims, potential antecedents of giving donations (Sadaqah) during the COVID-19 pandemic have not been considered and are yet to be empirically investigated. This paper provides new perceptions on factors influencing giving donations on a majority-Muslim majority country where no zakat institution operates. Such findings can be useful for both academicians, fundraising organizations and policymakers in Morocco to promote charitable actions and boost its socio-economic affects.
Police stops in Germany – between legal rules and informal practices
Authors: Aden Hartmut , Bosch Alexander , Fährmann Jan , Thurn Roman
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper analyzes micro-political strategies that police officers use during police stops, mostly based on their professional or personal life experience. Police stops take place in an asymmetric power relationship. Actions of police officers during a stop are backed by strong legal powers, and citizens typically do not negotiate how the stop should be carried out.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on ethnographic observation, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with German patrol officers.

Findings

The authors demonstrate that micro-political strategies relying on the officers' personal experience, rather than on strategies developed by the police agency based on empirical evidence, are highly problematic. Depending upon the acting officer, micro-political strategies can vary considerably according to the individual officer’s experience and attitudes. This leads to a risk of discrimination in police stops and of potential infringements on the citizens’ fundamental rights.

Research limitations/implications

See the paper’s methodology section on the limitations of the empirical approach.

Practical implications

The paper suggests improvements for the practice of police stops.

Originality/value

The article provides new empirical insights in the practice of police stops in Germany and situates the findings in a broader international debate on police stops and shortcomings of the legal rules that govern the police stops.
Determinants of the prices of residential properties in Pakistan
Authors: Wahid Abdul , Kowalewski Oskar , Mantell Edmund H.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This research aims to identify the statistically significant characteristics of a hedonic model to explain the pricing of residential properties in two cities in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology applies extreme bounds analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. Estimators of efficient pricing were measured via stochastic frontier analysis.

Findings

The study findings show that the market valuation of residential properties in Islamabad and Rawalpindi is systematically related to numerous factors, including property location, neighborhood characteristics, environmental characteristics, structural characteristics and administrative qualities of local housing societies. The authors also find statistical evidence that suggests that residential estate properties in the two cities are overpriced in the sense that the market transaction prices tend to be higher than the fair prices of the properties in the two cities.

Practical implications

In Pakistan, the term “real estate” is used rather synonymously with the word “investment.” The findings of this research will help investors to identify the measurable factors that affect the transaction prices of residential real estate. These identifications will facilitate the development of strategic plans toward achieving sustainable rates of return in residential real estate markets.

Social implications

The residential real estate sector in Pakistan is constantly changing. There are myriad causes for these changes, including changes in social structure, cultural attitudes and technology. Customary methods for forecasting market prices for residential properties have been rendered unreliable because of the dynamics of the market. This study will contribute to the understanding of the changing dynamics of residential real estate pricing.

Originality/value

Although Pakistan's residential real estate market is growing very rapidly, there is little published research identifying the drivers of this growth. This study covers these aspects to fill the theoretical gap in a real estate context.
Depending on the web: discussing the technological support for parties' survival
Authors: Mourao Paulo
Published: February 2022

Purpose

In this article, the author discusses the influence of technological development on the survival of European parties since the Second World War.

Design/methodology/approach

The database comprises more than 200 parties and the political forces observed in 20 countries.

Findings

The author find that Internet users as a proportion of the population and a higher value of secure servers in an economy tend to strengthen the duration of parties since their first electoral participation.

Originality/value

This is the first paper discussing parties' survival in democratic regimens as depending on the technological development.
Board gender diversity and firm risk: international evidence
Authors: Li Zhongtian , Jia Jing , Chapple Larelle
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to uncover the global trend on the relationship between board gender diversity and firm risk. In addition, this paper investigates how country characteristics affect the relationship between board gender diversity and firm risk.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a large sample of firms in 45 countries for the period from 2002 to 2018. Ordinary least square regression is used as a baseline methodology, along with firm fixed effects. Difference-in-differences regression, two-stage least squares regression (instrumental variables approach) and change-on-change regression are adopted to better mitigate endogeneity.

Findings

This study finds that board gender diversity is associated with lower firm risk worldwide. In addition, the negative effect of board gender diversity on firm risk is more pronounced for firms that can more easily attract female directors, and for countries with lower power distance and greater preference for individualism.

Practical implications

The findings offer insights into the intense debate in recent years among academics and practitioners on the effect of board gender diversity on firm outcomes. Shareholders and directors may take the findings into account when they consider appointing female directors. The findings should be of interest to policymakers in countries that have not yet promoted board gender diversity.

Originality/value

By using an international sample with board gender quotas in different countries, this paper provides novel and persuasive evidence regarding the impact of board gender diversity on firm risk. This paper also adds to the literature by showing that the relationship between board gender diversity on firm risk is influenced by country characteristics.
Understanding opportunism in buyer–supplier–supplier triadic relationships: the role of power asymmetry
Authors: Zou Qi , Wang Yuan
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Firms often struggle with opportunistic behavior from supply chain partners. Relying on Transaction Cost Economics and its extensions, this study developed a conceptual model theorizing the antecedence, consequences and conditional factors of opportunism within a buyer–supplier–supplier triadic relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a cross-sectional survey data collected from 200 U.S. firms. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS and AMOS, the two statistical software, for reliability, validity, confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modeling.

Findings

First, opportunism negatively influences operational performance and business performance, and such an effect is fully mediated by relationship stability. Second, this study classified power asymmetry as asymmetrical power discrepancy and asymmetrical power advantage with these two forms playing different roles in influencing opportunism. Results indicate that asymmetrical power discrepancy induces opportunism while asymmetrical power advantage strengthens the negative influence that opportunism has on relationship stability. Additionally, the mediated moderating effect of asymmetrical power advantage by relationship stability is confirmed.

Originality/value

The results provide significant academic and managerial insights that can guide managerial efforts in distinguishing types of power asymmetry, controlling opportunism and further mitigating the consequences of opportunism within a triadic relationship.
Imagining positive workplaces: extrapolating relationships between job crafting, mental toughness and authentic happiness in millennial employees
Authors: Ruparel Namita , Choubisa Rajneesh , Seth Himanshu
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Millennial managers are required to adopt to contemporary management practices and continually evolve to manage the workforce. To help them evolve and create positive workplaces, this study aims to extrapolate the associations between job crafting, mental toughness and authentic happiness (AH) among millennials and derive implications.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 496 millennial employees at Time-1 (March 2018), Time-2 (November 2018) and Time-3 (August 2019) from multiple sectors. A combined structural equation modelling and artificial neural networks approach was implied to test the strength of the proposed associations.

Findings

With reference to the relationships thus obtained between job crafting, mental toughness and AH, the results specifically conclude that challenging job demand is significant predictor of AH. Mental toughness partially mediates the relationship between challenging job demands and AH, indicating that mental toughness is an essential component for employee happiness.

Practical implications

Millennial managers and policymakers must challenge the skills of employees for obtaining optimal performance. When employees perceive adequate workload and have a set deadline for the completion of tasks assigned to them, they carry out the tasks with greater efficacy, in turn, leading them to find greater meaning (focusing on essential tasks), purpose and engagement in life (enthusiastic, interested, engaged). Overall, when millennial managers focus on such associations, they can help enhance productivity and constitute happier workplaces.

Originality/value

This study explores constructs such as mental toughness to support the job crafting and happiness relationship. A hybrid statistical analysis strengthens the accuracy of the proposed model and enhances its empirical and implied value.
Bringing children and older people together through food: the promotion of intergenerational relationships across preschool, school and care home settings
Authors: Jones Mat , Ismail Sanda Umar
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how food-focused social activities are a route for promoting intergenerational relationships, well-being and dietary benefits among residents in care homes and children in preschool/schools.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a case study methodology, this study undertook staff-focused research on a 26-month UK programme in 12 partnership clusters, involving a range of growing, cooking, eating and community activities.

Findings

Staff reported benefits for older people, including improved mood, surfacing positive memories, new personal connections and relief from feelings of boredom and loneliness. Children were reported to develop in-depth relationships, greater empathy and overcame negative preconceptions. Food-based activities enabled all parties to express caring and nurturing in tangible and often non-verbal ways.

Originality/value

Food-based activities appear to have specific material and emotive characteristics that resonate with the intergenerational interests of older people and children. Using mainly in-house resources, this study showed that it is feasible to generate novel food-based practices between children’s education and care home sectors. A “test-and-learn” programme model is recommended, given sensitivities and complexity associated with food-based activities and the limited organizational capacity of care home and early education service providers.
Do family learning phonics courses improve parents' reading‐related skills and ability to support their children's reading?
Authors: Hulme Rachael C. , Webber Charlotte E. , Fox Amy C. , Ricketts Jessie ,   National Family Learning Forum, Shapiro Laura R. , Taylor J. S. H.
Published: February 2022

Background

Parents play a crucial role in supporting children's literacy, especially in the first years of school. However, parents can find this challenging if they struggle with reading themselves. We explore whether family learning phonics courses boost parents' reading‐related skills and ability to support their children's reading, in a collaboration between UK academics and the National Family Learning Forum.

Methods

Prior to data collection, academics and course leaders identified key skills for courses to target: phonological awareness, letter‐sounds, segmenting and blending, and awareness of irregular words. Family learning teams recruited parents of Reception children (4–5 years old) for the phonics group (N = 50), targeting parents who were likely to need literacy support. Parents received 6 weeks of 1‐ to 2‐hour phonics sessions in groups. Control participants (N = 76) were recruited online and had a Reception‐age child (4–5 years old); controls received no training. All participants completed phonics‐related tests at weeks 1 and 6.

Results

The phonics group significantly improved on letter‐sound knowledge (by 4.64 letters; 51 total items); the control group did not significantly improve on this measure. Both groups showed some improvement in phonological awareness and word reading (likely due to practice effects), and neither group improved on nonword reading. The reading questionnaire showed that the phonics group reported giving their children more regular support with literacy activities and placed a higher level of importance on homework, with no increase for the control group.

Conclusions

We provide evidence that family learning phonics courses can improve crucial reading skills (letter‐sound knowledge) and increase parents' confidence to support their children's reading. Some reading skills (phonological awareness, whole word reading, and decoding) may be slower to change and require longer term support. Future work should explore long‐term consequences of such courses for parents' and their children's reading habits and skills.
Competency oriented management for sustainable artisanal andsmall‐scalemining sector development in Ethiopia
Authors: Hassen Anwar Endris
Published: February 2022

The continued decline of artisanal and small‐scale mining (ASM) sector gold supply through the legal scheme in Ethiopia reflects sector management framework failure. The current result‐based management framework tends to focus on monitoring and tracking mining activities with the main objective of collecting revenue, and it has been demonstrated to be a bad approach. Therefore, this study proposed a competency‐oriented sector management framework. The concept behind the proposed framework revolves around identifying sector elements that help define appropriate sector structure, institutions, processes, and organizational interlinks where a subtle balance between economic, social, and environmental aspects of the ASM sector is maintained. To identify the elements, the research follows two‐step analysis approaches. First, the study conducted a problem analysis in the ASM in Ethiopia and identified key sectorial challenges from literature and the perceptions, opinions, and beliefs of stakeholders through individual interviews and focused group discussion in a semi‐structured context. From collected resources, initial codes were generated, and then themes were identified from the codes. The identified ASM sector themes/elements are governance in ASM, community development, methodological advancement, technology transfer, and environmental conservation. The study discusses the scope and the source through which the elements have been defined. Established sector elements are employed to perform a gap analysis of the legal and organizational structures of the sector's institutional framework. And the assessment found there is a serious mismatch between sector elements and sector institutional formation, where the study found sector planning, monitoring, and evaluation lack to encompass social and environmental aspects of the sector. Therefore, the study recommends rewiring the current sector management where sector competencies gain representation in the ASM institutional formation. This will facilitate a clear sector evaluation and establish a sense of accountability in sector management.
Pan‐risk factor for a comprehensive cardiovascular health management
Authors: Zheng Ruizhi , Xu Yu , Li Mian , Lu Jieli , Xu Min , Wang Tiange , Zhao Zhiyun , Wang Shuangyuan , Lin Hong , Zhang Xiaoyun , Bi Yufang , Wang Weiqing , Ning Guang
Published: February 2022

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have become the leading cause of death in China. CVDs are mainly caused by multiple well‐known modifiable risk factors that are affected by socioeconomic and environmental determinants, lifestyle and behavioral choices, and familial and genetic predispositions. With more risk factors proved to be associated with CVD occurrence, the concept “pan‐risk factor” is proposed in this review to indicate all discovered and yet‐to‐be‐discovered CVD risk factors for comprehensive primary prevention of CVD. Recognizing more factors and their roles in CVD development and progression is the first step in reducing the ever‐increasing burden of CVD. This review is an overview of the pan‐risk factor whose associations with CVD outcomes have been established. Along with the accumulation of scientific evidence, an increasing number of risk factors will be discovered and included in the list of pan‐risk factors.
The innate immune stimulant Amplimune® is safe to administer to young feedlot cattle
Authors: Alexander AL , Doyle E , Ingham AB , Colditz I , McRae G , Alkemade S , Cervantes MP , Hine BC
Published: February 2022

Background

Infectious disease has a significant impact on livestock production. Availability of alternatives to antibiotics to prevent and treat disease is required to reduce reliance on antibiotics while not impacting animal welfare. Innate immune stimulants, such as mycobacterium cell wall fractions (MCWF), are used as alternatives to antibiotics for the treatment and prevention of infectious disease in a number of species including cattle, horses and dogs. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of Amplimune®, an MCWF‐based immune stimulant, for weaner Angus cattle.

Methods

On day −1 and 0, sixty mixed‐sex Angus weaner cattle were transported for 6 h before being inducted and housed in a large single pen, simulating feedlot induction conditions. The cattle were assigned to one of six treatment groups (n = 10 per group): 2 mL Amplimune intramuscularly (2IM); 2 mL Amplimune subcutaneously (2SC); 5 mL Amplimune intramuscularly (5IM); 5 mL Amplimune subcutaneously (5SC); 5 mL saline intramuscularly (SalIM) and 5 mL saline subcutaneously (SalSC) on day 0 following transportation. Body temperature, body weight, concentrations of circulating pro‐inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL‐1β, IL‐6 and IL‐12) and haematology parameters were measured at various times up to 96 h post‐treatment.

Results

No adverse effects from Amplimune treatment were observed. Amplimune induced an increase in circulating cytokine TNFα concentrations, total white blood cell count and lymphocyte counts indicative of activation of the innate immune system without causing an excessive inflammatory response.

Conclusions

Results confirm that Amplimune can be safely administered to beef cattle at the dose rates and via the routes of administration investigated here.
The flooded habitat adaptation, niche differentiation, and evolution of Myristicaceae trees in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot in India
Authors: Shivaprakash K. Nagaraju , Rajanna Jagadish M. , Gunaga Srikanth V. , Ravikanth Gudasalamani , Vasudeva Ramesh , Shaanker Ramanan Uma , Dayanandan Selvadurai
Published: February 2022

Environmental heterogeneity is considered as one of the main drivers of habitat specialization and niche evolution among tropical plant lineages, and local‐scale habitat specialization promotes niche differentiation among sister taxa. In this study, we examined the degree to which habitat specialization leads to niche differentiation across the distribution range of a given species using five species of the family Myristicaceae native to Western Ghats, India, as an example. In the Western Ghats, Myristicaceae species occur in two main habitat types, namely, freshwater swamps (flooded habitat) and terra firme forest (non‐flooded habitat), distributed across a seasonal flooding gradient. First, we reconstructed the evolutionary history of flooded habitat specialization among global and Western Ghats Myristicaceae by mapping flooded habitat association and traits conferring flood tolerance (e.g., aerial roots) on a dated phylogeny. Then, we investigated climatic niche differences among lineages occupying flooded and terra firme habitats using occurrence data and environmental variables. Our analysis revealed swampy habitat occurrence as the probable ancestral state with subsequent speciation events leading to adaptation to non‐swampy habitats. We also show that traits conferring flood tolerance have evolved independently several times during the evolution of Myristicaceae. Furthermore, phylogenetically distantly related Myristicaceae taxa occupying different habitats (flooded and terra firme habitat) in Western Ghats show significant niche divergence. Overall, the repeated gain of swampy habitat specialization and associated morphological traits and evidence for habitat‐associated climatic niche divergence among Myristicaceae taxa suggest that seasonal flooding may have been an important driver of ecological diversification in this primitive plant family.