bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spiritual intelligence: a theoretical synthesis and work-life potential linkages
Authors: Vasconcelos Anselmo Ferreira
Published: October 2019

Purpose

As corporate life is influenced by various things, there is no justifiable reason to believe that the spiritual power (capacity) should not be one of them. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to argue that workers need to develop another core competency, knowledge and skill, that is, spiritual intelligence (SI).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on a literature review to support its conclusions. In this sense, this paper carefully examines relevant popular and academic books, handbooks, articles, papers, thesis and doctoral dissertations related to SI. In addition, this paper depicts a conceptual model of SI that is made up of some research propositions, namely, professional moral courage, altruism, hope state, optimism, cooperative capacity, organizational justice mindset and listening skill.

Findings

Overall, the literature review suggests that without such a capacity, we would be enjoying merely impoverished lives (here referred to as the outcome of a set of harmful aspects such as an existence without spiritual compass, meaning, worthy purposes and desire to face the shadows of our own personality).

Practical implications

This paper proposes that SI is the path to reach and develop our own spirituality. When this ability is triggered, we are potentially able to make some important contributions to the people that live around and rely on us.

Originality/value

This paper argues that SI can be regarded as a human capacity that connects us with the ultimate frontier, that is, the spiritual realm. As such, it is proposed that it can be cultivated over time in a careful and disciplined way by anyone that is really interested in developing his or her spirituality.
Relational bonding strategies, customer satisfaction, and loyalty in the container shipping market
Authors: Balci Gökcay , Caliskan Aylin , Yuen Kum Fai
Published: October 2019

Purpose

In recent years, the business of container lines has faced severe challenges such as overcapacity and low profitability. To survive in such a competitive market, container lines need to maintain long-term customer relationships by enhancing the satisfaction and loyalty of customers. The purpose of this paper is to adopt a social exchange theory (SET) approach and investigate the impact of relational bonding strategies on the satisfaction and loyalty of customers in container shipping.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on SET, a theoretical model that specifies the relationships between relational bonding strategies, customer satisfaction and loyalty was proposed. Survey data were collected from 175 freight forwarders. The obtained data were analyzed using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results indicate that financial bonding strategies have the most significant direct effects on customer satisfaction, while social bonding strategies have the strongest direct impact on customer loyalty. Financial bonding strategies, on the other hand, have the strongest total effects on customer loyalty. Intermodal and basic operations are found to have the equal total effects on customer loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

By identifying the most effective relational bonding strategies for enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty, this study’s findings allow container lines to better allocate their resources and implement effective relational marketing policies to satisfy and retain their customers.

Originality/value

This research analyses and validates the determinants of customer satisfaction and loyalty from a relational lens and empirically contributes to the field of relational marketing in the container shipping industry.
Lean Six Sigma for the healthcare sector: a multiple case study analysis from the Indian context
Authors: Bhat Shreeranga , Antony Jiju , Gijo E.V. , Cudney Elizabeth A.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the voice of the customer, key performance indicators, critical to quality characteristics, critical success factors, and commonly used tools and techniques for deploying the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) strategy in Indian private hospitals, with special attention to the medical records.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilizes the action research methodology to obtain a greater understanding of the use of LSS in the Indian healthcare sector. Multiple case studies were designed and successfully deployed to understand and ascertain challenges in LSS implementation. Five case studies were carried out in the Medical Records Departments (MRD) of four private hospitals in India.

Findings

Patients perceive that waiting in queue harms their health, which can be rectified by addressing the cycle time of the system. The research also found that effective leadership, availability of data, involvement of cross-functional team and effective communication are critical to the success of LSS projects. In addition, control charts, cause and effect diagram, 5S, gemba, two-sample t-test, standardization, waste analysis and value stream mapping are some of the common tools used to improve healthcare systems.

Research limitations/implications

The research was restricted to studying the impact of LSS on the workflow and resource consumption of the MRD in Indian allopathic hospitals only. The validity of the results can be improved by including more hospitals and more case studies from the healthcare sector in different countries.

Originality/value

The findings will enable researchers, academicians and practitioners to incorporate the results of the study in LSS implementation within the healthcare system to increase the likelihood of successful deployment. This will provide greater stimulus across other departments in the hospital sector for wider and broader application of LSS for creating and sustaining process improvements.
Robustness of steel moment frames against progressive collapse by means of plastic limit analysis
Authors: Naji Arash
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Progressive collapse refers to a phenomenon, in which local damage in a primary structural component leads to total or partial structural system failure, without any proportionality between the initial and final damage. Robustness is a measure that demonstrates the strength of a structure to resist progressive collapse. Static pushdown and nonlinear dynamic analysis were two main procedures to calculate the capacity of structures to resist progressive collapse. According to previous works, static analysis would lead to inaccurate results. Meanwhile, capacity analysis by dynamic analysis needs several reruns and encountering numerical instability is inevitable. The purpose of this paper is to present the formulation of a solution procedure to determine robustness of steel moment resisting frames, using plastic limit analysis (PLA).

Design/methodology/approach

This formulation utilizes simplex optimization to solve the problem. Static pushdown and incremental dynamic methods are used for verification.

Findings

The results obtained from PLA have good agreement with incremental analysis results. While incremental dynamic analysis is a very demanding method, PLA can be utilized as an alternative method.

Originality/value

The formulation of progressive collapse resistance of steel moment frames by means of PLA is not proposed in previous research works.
Emotions among winery tourists: new vs old wine world
Authors: Pelegrín-Borondo Jorge , Ortiz Ruben Fernández , Meraz-Ruiz Lino
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This study aims to compare the influence of emotions produced by the wine and the winery visit on wine purchase intent at two destinations with different cultural views (old and new wine worlds).

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach was adopted using a total sample of 600 tourists from two different wineries, one in La Rioja (Spain, Europe) and the other in Baja California (Mexico, North America). All the tourists surveyed at the European winery were European, and all the tourists surveyed at the North American winery were North American.

Findings

The results expand on previous research. At the tested wineries, the emotions produced by the wine (product) had a greater influence than those produced by the winery (environment); however, the intensity of their respective influences varied depending on whether the winery was in the new or old wine world.

Research limitations/implications

While the wine description was controlled by showing the same offer at both destinations, the winery visit experience was neither controlled nor controllable because the tours were real. Additionally, although the research variables were very similar in this study, the effect of differences in income between the tourists from the different regions was not considered.

Practical implications

Winery managers wishing to positively influence wine purchases at their establishments should focus their efforts on generating high positive emotions through the wine offer. They should also keep in mind the possible need for different approaches because of cultural differences between the tourists (North American or European) visiting the winery. To sell wine and build their brand, they should identify those tourists truly interested in wine.

Originality/value

Although the literature recognizes the influence of the emotions produced by the product and the environment on wine purchase intent, this is the first study to simultaneously compare the influence of the emotions generated by both the wine on offer (product) and the winery visit (environment) on wine purchase intent in tourists to two different wineries (new vs old wine world).
A method to obtain the linear dynamic coefficients for journal bearing in vertical rotors
Authors: Chen Changmin , Jing Jianping , Cong Jiqing
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The infinitesimal perturbation (IP) method is commonly used in calculating stiffness and damping of journal bearing in horizon rotor systems. The boundary condition (BC) for the perturbed pressure is assumed being zero at leading edge of film, although it is usually not zero because of nonzero pressure gradient. This assumption is sufficiently accurate for most purpose in horizon rotors. However, for journal bearing in vertical rotor-bearing systems, the BC with the assumption in IP method will bring in significant errors in calculating linear dynamic coefficients. This paper aims to propose a method to obtain the dynamic coefficients of journal bearing in vertical rotors.

Design/methodology/approach

The stiffness and damping are approached based on IP method and the modified BC of perturbed pressure. As it is difficult to predict perturbed pressure at leading edge at a fixed coordinate system using IP method, a dynamic coordinate system is introduced in this method, of which the origin on circumferential direction is defined as the leading edge of film.

Findings

The effectiveness and accuracy of proposed IP method in dynamic coordinate (IPMDC) system are verified by comparing the obtained results with analytical solutions. The comparison shows that the results from IPMDC present a good agreement with the analytic solutions.

Originality/value

The proposed method can be applied in obtaining linear dynamic coefficients of journal bearing in vertical rotors with high precisions. Instead of the usual nonlinear analysis of vertical rotors, this method provides a feasibility of predicting the instability threshold of vertical rotor-bearing systems via linear models.
The media, personal digital criminal legacies and the experience of offenders convicted of occupational fraud and corruption
Authors: Shepherd David , Beatty Emma , Button Mark , Blackbourn Dean
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of media coverage on offenders convicted of occupational fraud and corruption in the UK. It examines the extent of media coverage and provides insights into the experiences of offenders.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based upon interviews with 17 convicted offenders, and on a content analysis of one national and two regional newspapers in the UK.

Findings

The findings suggest that offenders convicted of occupational crime and corruption are more likely to experience media coverage than previously assumed and that personal digital criminal legacies create long-term labels which lead to economic strains and social fractures that hinder productive reintegration into society.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited by a small sample frame in the UK. Nevertheless, the findings suggest further research is required as they have important implications for privacy and rehabilitation.

Practical implications

In particular, offenders and their families need support in dealing with their personal digital criminal legacies, accessing their privacy rights and coping with the strains created by online stigmatisation. From a policy perspective, the existing regulatory framework that supports rehabilitation in the UK, especially the increasingly archaic Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, requires close examination and debate to ensure it is fit for the digital era. The findings also suggest that policies, practices and responsibilities of the public sector in employing offenders need to be examined.

Originality/value

It is a rare study of white-collar offenders after their release from prison. The findings are of relevance to criminal justice policy makers, rehabilitation services and academics.
Non-performing loans in European systemic and non-systemic banks
Authors: Ozili Peterson K.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The distinction between systemic banks (GSIBs) and non-systemic banks (non-GSIBs) is driven by policy reasons. This study aims to examine the behaviour of non-performing loans in European GSIBs and non-GSIBs from 2004 to 2013.

Design/methodology/approach

The author uses regression methodology to analyse the association between non-performing loans (NPLs) and the state of the economy.

Findings

The author finds that more profitable banks witness higher NPLs regardless of them being systemic or non-systemic. Secondly, GSIBs have fewer NPLs during economic booms and during periods of increased lending, while non-GSIBs experience higher NPLs during periods of increased lending. The author also observes that European non-GSIBs that exceed regulatory capital requirement also experience higher NPLs. In the post-crisis period, there is a significant and negative relationship between NPLs and the economic cycle for GSIBs in the post-financial crisis period and a significant and positive relationship between NPLs, loan supply and bank profitability for GSIBs in the post-financial crisis period; on the other hand, there is a significant and negative relationship between NPLs and regulatory capital ratios for non-GSIBs in the post-financial crisis period and a significant and positive relationship between NPLs and bank profitability for non-GSIBs in the post-financial crisis period. The findings have implications.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, the literature on the determinants of NPL has not empirically examined the behaviour of NPLs in European GSIBs and non-GSIBs. This paper examines this issue to provide insights to help policymakers and academics understand the peculiarities of NPLs in Europe.
Lifecycle Exchange for Asset Data (LEAD)
Authors: Alnaggar Ahmed , Pitt Michael
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to outline the problems associated with asset information management using the Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBie) standard and to analyse the causes of industry failure to successfully adopt the standard. Based on this analysis, the paper will propose a process model, namely, Lifecycle Exchange of Asset Data (LEAD) to manage asset dataflow between all building stakeholders from design to construction and ultimately to the facility management team. This model aims to help the construction supply chain to produce complete and high-quality asset data that supports the operation phase of the built environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of relevant studies provided a theoretical background for this study. The authors then collected and analysed COBie data from five live construction projects using building information modelling (BIM) projects from different design and construction companies. The process model is based on an industry placement within Bouygues UK construction company, which was a Tier 1 building contractor in London in the period from December 2016 to December 2018. The researcher used an inductive approach observing current practises in two construction projects to produce “LEAD” model. Then a focus group was conducted with industry experts to discuss and refine the process model.

Findings

Analysis of literature and data collected in the course of this study revealed that although COBie is a BIM Level 2 standard in the UK, there is currently a low success rate in producing complete and accurate COBie data in the UK construction industry. This low rate is because of COBie’s rigid data syntax/structure, complexity and ambiguity of its data exchange process, which suggests that COBie may not be the future of the industry. Based on these findings, the study proposed a process model, namely, “LEAD,” to improve COBie output and also to be used with project-specific information requirements.

Practical implications

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is one of the first to focus solely on asset data exchange process using COBie standard and highlights the problems the industry faces in this remit. The study is based on industry placement for two years, so the analysis is based on actual and current industry problems. Current industry practices also informed the “LEAD” model, and the model provides a step-by-step guidance in producing and exchanging BIM asset data in all stages of the building lifecycle.

Originality/value

This paper provides a detailed analysis of the most common problems associated with COBie as an asset data exchange standard. Understanding these problems is of high value for industry practitioners to avoid them in projects. The paper also proposed a novel process model that can be used either to improve COBie quality or can be used with any project-specific data requirements.
Mobile banking adoption in Islamic banks
Authors: Suhartanto Dwi , Dean David , Ismail Tuan Ahmad Tuan , Sundari Ratna
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine mobile banking adoption in Islamic banks by integrating technology adoption model (TAM) and Religiosity-Behavioural Intention Model.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a sample of 300 mobile banking customers of Islamic banks from West Java Province, Indonesia. Partial least square was applied to assess the association between perceived usefulness, perceived ease-of-use, religiosity, satisfaction, and adoption.

Findings

The results of this study disclosed that the integration of TAM and Religiosity-Intention model provides a more complete explanation of Islamic bank consumers’ adoption of mobile banking. Besides perceived usefulness and perceived ease-of-use, the results of this study emphasise the importance of religiosity in mobile banking adoption.

Practical implications

This study offers an opportunity for Islamic bank managers to increase the adoption of their mobile banking services. To increase the adoption of mobile banking services, Islamic banks must not only provide an application that is useful and easy to use but also consider the customer’s religiosity. All of their mobile banking marketing strategies should focus on providing high-quality mobile service while ensuring the bank’s operations are compliant with the Islamic law.

Originality/value

This study is the first attempt to integrate TAM and Religiosity-Intention Model to assess mobile banking adoption.
Lease structures and occupancy costs in eco-labeled buildings
Authors: Gabe Jeremy , Robinson Spenser , Sanderford Andrew , Simons Robert A.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether energy-efficient green buildings tend to provide net lease structures over gross lease ones. It then considers whether owners benefit by trading away operational savings in a net lease structure.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical models of office leasing transactions in Sydney, Australia, with wider transferability supported by analysis of office rent data in the USA.

Findings

Labeled green buildings are approximately four to five times more likely than non-labeled buildings to use a net lease structure. However, despite receiving operational savings, tenants in net leases pay higher total occupancy costs (TOC), benefiting owners. On average, the increase in TOC paid by tenants in a net lease is equal to or greater than savings attributed to an eco-labeled building.

Practical implications

A full accounting of TOC in eco-labeled buildings suggests that net lease structures provide numerous benefits to owners that offset the loss of trading away operational savings.

Originality/value

The principal-agent market inefficiency, or “split incentive,” is a widely cited barrier to private investment in energy-efficient building technology. Here, a uniquely broad look at rental cash flows suggests its role as a barrier is exaggerated.
The role of usability on e-learning user interactions and satisfaction: a literature review
Authors: Gunesekera Asela Indunil , Bao Yukun , Kibelloh Mboni
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to review the effect of usability factors on e-learning user relationships, namely, student–student interaction (SSI), student–instructor interaction (SII) and student–content interaction (SCI), in the existing e-learning literature. Further, this study intended to identify whether usability contributes to the satisfaction of e-learners.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has undertaken a systematic review using the PRISMA methodology to filter the literature in the domain of e-learning with respect to usability concerns using six databases. An analytical framework has been formulated to evaluate the literature against different dimensions of interactions and usability.

Findings

Results reveal that while SSI has grabbed 71.4 per cent research attention with respect to usability factors of e-learning systems, SCI has been given the least focus, i.e. 26.6 per cent. According to the results, e-learning systems’ usability issues influence the user relationships and affect the user satisfaction, which will lead to lack of user continuity.

Practical implications

The findings of this review will provide insights to instructional designers to construct more satisfied learning content for the users. The analysis framework of this study will encourage researchers to drive future research in e-learning along with the concern of usability.

Originality/value

This research emphasizes on the importance of SCI to focus future e-learning research on a different angle, in addition to SSI and SII. The analysis framework of this study will provide different dimensions, specifically for the empirical research in the domain of e-learning.
The effect of actual workplace learning on job satisfaction and organizational commitment
Authors: Ryu Geunpil , Moon Seong-Gin
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of workplace learning experience and intrinsic learning motive on job satisfaction and organizational commitment. In addition, the study examined the moderating effect of intrinsic learning motives on the relationship between learning experience and job satisfaction and organizational commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

The current research used the Human Capital Corporate Panel survey data set, which aimed to explore how human resource development practices influence corporate performance. In all, 10,003 samples from 441 companies were used for data analysis.

Findings

Results indicate that taking part in workplace learning programs positively affects job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Likewise, intrinsic learning motives are also positively related to work attitudes. However, no interaction effect between the intrinsic learning motive and the learning experience was found, which may imply that an autonomous extrinsic learning motive is a better predictor for explaining job satisfaction than is a purely intrinsic learning motive within an organizational context.

Originality/value

Little research has examined the actual effect of workplace learning programs on employees’ attitudes regarding job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Furthermore, to the authors’ knowledge, no research has examined the moderating effect of intrinsic learning motive with workplace learning experience on employees’ positive work attitudes.
An Internet of Things based material delivery model for disaster management in libraries
Authors: Yang Jianliang , Hou Hanping , Chen Yong , Han Lu
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Based on the context of the Internet of Things (IoT), the territorial public emergency supplies will be networked, platform-based management, unified emergency dispatch. The problem of supplies dispatching in the “last kilometer” of emergency is solved, and the supplies needed in the disaster area are promptly delivered to the hands of the victims so that they can quickly be rescued after the disaster and to save valuable time for rapid rescue, which can greatly decrease casualties and property losses. This paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

By analyzing the shortage of existing emergency supplies dispatching research and taking all factors such as disaster area demand, social reserve, road conditions, mode of transport, loading limit, disaster area satisfaction rate and road capacity into consideration under the background of IoT, a variety of the territorial emergency supplies dispatching model with more rescue points, more affected areas are constructed. The objective function of the model is to aim in finding the shortest rescue time, giving the solution algorithm, and finally simulating the simulation case.

Findings

Based on the context of the IoT, the territorial public emergency supplies will be networked, platform-based management, unified emergency dispatch. Considering factors such as road conditions, modes of transport and road capacity, the authors construct a number of emergency rescue plans, multiple disaster scenarios and various emergency supplies dispatching models. The authors simulate the situation through simulation cases with the shortest time being the ultimate goal. The problem of supplies dispatching in the “last kilometer” of emergency is solved, and the supplies needed in the disaster area are promptly delivered to the hands of the victims so that they can quickly be rescued after the disaster and to save valuable time for rapid rescue, which can greatly decrease casualties and property losses.

Originality/value

This paper provides little research on the dispatch of emergency supplies. The problems of direct dispatch from the rescue point to the affected area and dispatch of supplies without relying on the arrival of emergency supplies at the rear are addressed. Therefore, this study does not focus on the arrival of emergency supplies at the rear but on direct dispatching issues during territorial public emergency supplies from the rescue point to the disaster point.
Protecting a new Achilles heel: the role of auditors within the practice of data protection
Authors: La Torre Matteo , Botes Vida Lucia , Dumay John , Odendaal Elza
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Privacy concerns and data security are changing the risks for businesses and organisations. This indicates that the accountability of all governance participants changes. This paper aims to investigate the role of external auditors within data protection practices and how their role is evolving due to the current digital ecosystem.

Design/methodology/approach

By surveying the literature, the authors embrace a practice-oriented perspective to explain how data protection practices emerge, exist and occur and examine the auditors’ position within data protection.

Findings

Auditors need to align their tasks to the purpose of data protection practices. Accordingly, in accessing and using data, auditors are required to engage moral judgements and follow ethical principles that go beyond their legal responsibility. Simultaneously, their accountability extends to data protection ends for instilling confidence that security risks are properly managed. Due to the changing technological conditions under, which auditors operate, the traditional auditors’ task of hearing and verifying extend to new phenomena that create risks for businesses. Thus, within data protection practices, auditors have the accountability to keep interested parties informed about data security and privacy risks, continue to transmit signals to users and instill confidence in businesses.

Research limitations/implications

The normative level of the study is a research limitation, which calls for future empirical research on how Big Data and data protection is reshaping accounting and auditing practices.

Practical implications

This paper provides auditing standard setters and practitioners with insights into the redefinitions of auditing practices in the era of Big Data.

Social implications

Recent privacy concerns at Facebook have sent warning signals across the world about the risks posed by in Big Data systems in terms of privacy, to those charged with governance of organisations. Auditors need to understand these privacy issues to better serve their clients.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to triggering discussions and future research on data protection and privacy in accounting and auditing research, which is an emerging, yet unresearched topic.
Xylophagia: a meta-synthesis of the literature
Authors: Choudhry Fahad Riaz , Munawar Khadeeja , Akram Bushra , Al-Worafi Yaser Mohammed , Bakrin Faizah Safina , Tey Li Ying , Jacob Sabrina Anne , Hing Goh Bey , Khan Tahir Mehmood , Han Lee Learn , Kamal Anila
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into xylophagia, its treatment, intervention options, etiological causes and possible relationship with other diseases.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic search was performed across four scientific databases (i.e. Ovid Medline, Embase via Ovid, PubMed and ProQuest). All of the qualitative studies reporting on xylophagia from the inception of databases until August 2019 have been included. The quality of included studies was assessed through a ten-item checklist given by Kmetet al.(2004).

Findings

A total of 18 studies were included, and five primary themes emerged after analysis: precipitation/onset of xylophagia, co-morbid psychiatric or medical illnesses, assessment and investigation modes to confirm diagnosis, outcomes of xylophagia and treatment options comprising medical care, psychological care, counseling and duration of recovery. There were 16 females and 9 males in included studies. The mean ages and standard deviations of males and females were 29.25(12.17) years and 32.81(11.92), respectively. The mean duration and standard deviation of paper pica were 4.80(4.27) years.

Research limitations/implications

Despite the limitation that this meta-synthesis is based upon findings from case studies, results show that standardized medication regimens for treating xylophagia are still not available or are unknown. There is a dire need for further research in order to better understand the disorder. The healthcare professionals need to use reciprocal, mutually constituent influence of biological and sociocultural factors in order to screen, diagnose and manage complex psychological problems like xylophagia.

Originality/value

The findings advance our understanding of the positive effects of patients and family members undergoing counseling or cognitive behavior therapy in reducing stress and enhancing coping skills thus, avoiding self-damaging behaviors.
Multi-objective optimization for optimum abrasive water jet machining process parameters of Inconel718 adopting the Taguchi approach
Authors: B.V. Dharmendra , Kodali Shyam Prasad , Boggarapu Nageswara Rao
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to adopt the multi-objective optimization technique for identifying a set of optimum abrasive water jet machining (AWJM) parameters to achieve maximum material removal rate (MRR) and minimum surface roughness.

Design/methodology/approach

Data of a few experiments as per the Taguchi’s orthogonal array are considered for achieving maximum MRR and minimum surface roughness (Ra) of the Inconel718. Analysis of variance is performed to understand the statistical significance of AWJM input process parameters.

Findings

Empirical relations are developed for MRR and Ra in terms of the AWJM process parameters and demonstrated their adequacy through comparison of test results.

Research limitations/implications

The signal-to-noise ratio transformation should be applied to take in to account the scatter in the repetition of tests in each test run. But, many researchers have adopted this transformation on a single output response of each test run, which has no added advantage other than additional computational task. This paper explains the impact of insignificant process parameter in selection of optimal process parameters. This paper demands drawbacks and complexity in existing theories prior to use new algorithms.

Practical implications

Taguchi approach is quite simple and easy to handle optimization problems, which has no practical implications (if it handles properly). There is no necessity to hunt for new algorithms for obtaining solution for multi-objective optimization AWJM process.

Originality/value

This paper deals with a case study, which demonstrates the simplicity of the Taguchi approach in solving multi-objective optimization problems with a few number of experiments.
An analysis of women’s self-help groups’ involvement in microfinance program in India
Authors: Joshi Gaurav
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this is to classify the social and economic factors which impact the involvement of women in self-help groups (SHGs) for their economic as well as social empowerment.

Design/methodology/approach

The research has been conducted in Nainital district of Uttarakhand (India) in 2018. Primary data have been gathered from women respondent only on factors relating to the ownership of asset, housing characteristics and other demographic details. Both SHG and non-SHG women members have been chosen as key informants during the survey. Multi-stage purposive and stratified random sampling has been used for the selection of respondents and SHGs. The logit regression model has been formulated to describe the causes that influence the participation of women in SHGs. Also, an empowerment index has been constructed to measure the effect of SHGs on women empowerment.

Findings

The results show that factors including age, education, family type and distance from the market have a significant impact on the participation of women in SHGs. Also, there is a significant difference in both these values which suggests that the value of the empowerment index gets significantly increased after joining the SHGs.

Practical implications

Analytically derived factors have been used to develop an empowerment index. Hence, the present research is valuable for marketing practitioners, entrepreneurs and professionals from the development sector who intend to work amongst SHGs, primarily with women. The paper is valuable for academic researchers in this area so that the limited body of knowledge, on the empowerment index, could be developed.

Originality/value

The present research is unique because the authors did not find work, especially in the context of rural India, in the said area. Factors impacting the participation of women in SHGs along with the impact of participation on empowerment have been explored using the logit regression model, leading to the development of an empowerment index.
An assessment of e-service quality, e-satisfaction and e-loyalty
Authors: Khan Mukaram Ali , Zubair Syed Sohaib , Malik Maria
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine e-service quality (E-SQ) of online shopping in Pakistan using “E-S-QUAL scale.” Moreover, in this study, the relationship of E-SQ with e-customer satisfaction (E-CS) and e-customer loyalty (E-CL) has been studied.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a quantitative research methodology, data were collected from 298 respondents using convenience sampling and survey research design was followed. In order to develop the model and test the hypotheses, structure equation modeling (SEM) was done through AMOS.

Findings

Findings indicate that all of the first latent constructs are significant where E-CS and E-CL (dependent variables) are influenced by E-SQ (independent variable). Using SEM, statistically fit structural model was developed on the basis of confirmatory factor analysis. The analysis shows that there is a strong positive relation between E-SQ and E-CS and E-SQ and E-CL.

Practical implications

Asian markets have been identified as the fastest growing e-commerce markets in present era. Similarly, retail sector in Pakistan is booming, at the same time an exponential increase is being observed in the number of internet users and online shopping. It is important for marketers and retailers to explore new horizons and enter the age of e-commerce for expansion of their businesses.

Originality/value

The increasingly wide use of the internet is influencing everything around the globe and these emerging e-commerce trends have tremendously changed the mode of shopping from brick and mortars to e-stores. The study explores the e-commerce and focuses on E-SQ and its impact on E-CS and E-CL in the context of a developing economy, i.e. Pakistan, uncovering the key dimensions and attributes.
Innovation through implementation of a quality improvement method
Authors: Mättö Toni
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the effectiveness of a quality improvement method in driving innovation in the public sector. The study expands on the concept of innovation and analyses the types and usefulness of the innovations observed.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilizes an action research approach. The aim of the quality improvement method introduced is to generate innovations enhancing efficiency. An interventionist research method is required to produce the findings. Data collection methods include a preliminary question sheet, interview, workshops, observation and the examination of other material concerning the case organization.

Findings

The study supports the notion that innovations created with a quality improvement method can be more oriented towards process improvement, particularly in the public sector. Further, when the method enables professionals from different functions to participate in the process, the innovations created can be more comprehensively designed. Innovations can be classified according to their degree of novelty, type, resource consumption and the projected outcome. A project follow-up makes it possible to compare the projected outcome of the innovation against its actual outcome.

Practical implications

The method applied could be a viable option for practitioners considering public sector quality improvement and innovation capacity building. The paper provides guidelines for prioritizing innovations in terms of their resource consumption and usefulness.

Originality/value

Integrating quality improvement with innovation generation as a potential efficiency source for public-sector organizations has received relatively little research attention. Further, the paper provides a categorization for innovations in the public sector that provides guidelines for prioritizing innovations.
Context‐dependency of synthetic minimal promoters in driving gene expression: a case study
Authors: Jin Liyuan , Nawab Said , Xia Mengli , Ma Xiaoyan , Huo Yi‐Xin
Published: October 2019

Synthetic promoters are considered ideal candidates in driving robust gene expression. Most of the available synthetic promoters are minimal promoters, for which the upstream sequence of the 5′ end of the core region is usually excluded. Although the upstream sequence has been shown to mediate transcription of natural promoters, its impact on synthetic promoters has not been widely studied. Here, a library of chromosomal DNA fragments is randomly fused with the 5′ end of the J23119 synthetic promoter, and the transcriptional performance of the promoter is evaluated through β‐galactosidase assay, fluorescence intensity and chemical biosynthesis. Results show that changes in the upstream sequence can induce significant variation in the promoter strength of up to 5.8‐fold. The effect is independent of the length of the insertions and the number of potential transcription factor binding sites. Several DNA fragments that are able to enhance the transcription of both the natural and the synthetic promoters are identified. This study indicates that the synthetic minimal promoters are susceptible to the surrounding sequence context. Therefore, the upstream sequence should be treated as an indispensable component in the design and application of synthetic promoters, or as an independent genetic part for the fine‐tuning of gene expression.
A family in which people with a heterozygous ABCC8 gene mutation (p.Lys1385Gln) have progressed from hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia to hyperglycemia
Authors: Karatojima Mai , Furuta Hiroto , Matsutani Norihiko , Matsuno Shohei , Tamai Masanori , Komiya Kei , Morita Shuhei , Uraki Shinsuke , Doi Asako , Furuta Machi , Iwakura Hiroshi , Ariyasu Hiroyuki , Nishi Masahiro , Akamizu Takashi
Published: October 2019

Highlights

Inactivating mutations of the ABCC8 gene usually cause hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.

We report a family in which people with the inactivating mutation have progressed hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia to hyperglycemia.

Treatment with incretin‐related drugs might be a useful therapeutic approach to hyperglycemia in people with the inactivating mutation.
Systematic review of potential causes of intraocular lens opacification
Authors: Fernández Joaquín , Sánchez‐García Alicia , Rodríguez‐Vallejo Manuel , Piñero David P.
Published: October 2019

Intraocular lens (IOL) opacification is an infrequent complication of cataract surgery. Surface analysis has demonstrated that the opacification of IOLs is related to calcium or phosphate precipitation on or within the lenses, but the associated mechanisms are unknown, and the scientific literature is heterogeneous and limited to case series and retrospective studies. The purpose of this systematic review was to analyse the most frequent conditions associated with opacification of IOLs reported by studies. A search was carried out using the PubMed MEDLINE, Web of Science and Scopus databases. The quality of the studies selected was evaluated using the Pierson tool. The search provided a total of 811 articles, of which 39 were selected following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The most common opacified lenses were hydrophilic IOLs according to our analysis. The mean time of appearance of lens opacification was 14.93 ± 17.82 months. The most frequent conditions associated with opacification of the IOLs were Descemet Stripping with Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK/DSEK) and diabetes mellitus (DM), followed by pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), blood hypertension (HT), and glaucoma. Concerning the quality analysis, the mean score was 7.00 ± 1.43 (scoring range from 0 to 10), indicating an acceptable quality of the case reports and retrospective studies. In conclusion, DSAEK/DSEK, DM, PPV, glaucoma and hypertension are conditions with potential risk of IOL opacification after cataract surgery, especially when implanting hydrophilic acrylic IOLs.
Understanding and clinical relevance of chronic rhinosinusitis endotypes
Authors: Husain Qasim , Sedaghat Ahmad R.
Published: October 2019

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is the downstream manifestation of heterogeneous pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to chronic sinonasal inflammation. Traditional grouping of patients by symptoms or clinical findings/phenotypes is being replaced by classification of CRS patients based on the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms: endotypes.

Objective of Review

To provide an up‐to‐date review on the current knowledge of CRS endotypes with a focus on how the pathophysiologic mechanisms defined by each endotype may be targeted therapeutically. Special emphasis is placed on the clinical relevance of the material and how it may inform the current practice of otolaryngologists.

Type of Review

A systematic review of contemporary literature review focusing on the latest studies examining the role of endotypes in the management and treatment of CRS.

Search Strategy

A MEDLINE and PubMed Central search were undertaken to perform this review using the keywords “Endotype” and “Sinusitis.”

Evaluation Method

Articles containing the keywords, as well as the references of those articles, were then examined for relevance.

Results

The endotypes for CRS are often defined based on the balance of T‐helper cell patterns of inflammation and can be grouped into Th2 and non‐Th2 inflammation. These groups have shown a variable response to medical and surgical therapy, demonstrating that existing mainstream treatments can be tailored to patients with specific endotypes. The inflammatory mediators of Th2 inflammation, IL‐4, IL‐5 and IL‐13 as well as IgE, are targeted by available biologic drugs that can be used for treatment of refractory disease.

Conclusions

Increased understanding of CRS endotypes has led to the identification of biomarkers that define these endotypes and act as targets for potential therapeutics. Increasing knowledge about characteristics associated with these endotypes and their responses to treatments, including both established mainstream CRS treatments and novel biologic medications, has allowed incorporation of CRS endotypes into the current clinical decision‐making. Treatment of CRS patients based on consideration of their endotypes is therefore not only presently possible but may improve clinical outcomes of those patients as well.