bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GAPDH controls extracellular vesicle biogenesis and enhances therapeutic potential of EVs in silencing the Huntingtin gene in mice via siRNA delivery
Authors: Dar Ghulam Hassan , Mendes Cláudia C. , Kuan Wei-Li , Conceição Mariana , El-Andaloussi Samir , Mager Imre , Roberts Thomas C. , Barker Roger A. , Goberdhan Deborah C. I. , Wilson Clive , Wood Matthew J.A.
Published: January 2020

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are biological nanoparticles with important roles in intercellular communication and pathophysiology. Their capacity to transfer biomolecules between cells has sparked efforts to bioengineer EVs as drug delivery vehicles. However, a better understanding of EV biogenesis mechanisms and function is required to unleash their considerable therapeutic potential. Here we demonstrate a novel role for GAPDH, a glycolytic enzyme, in EV assembly and secretion, and we exploit these findings to develop a GAPDH-based methodology to load therapeutic siRNAs onto EVs for targeted drug delivery to the brain. In a series of experiments, we observe high levels of GAPDH binding to the outer surface of EVsviaa phosphatidylserine binding motif, designated as G58, and discover that the tetrameric nature of GAPDH promotes extensive EV aggregation. Studies in aDrosophilaEV biogenesis model demonstrate that GAPDH is absolutely required for normal generation of intraluminal vesicles in endosomal compartments and promotes vesicle clustering both inside and outside the cell. Fusing a GAPDH-derived G58 peptide to dsRNA-binding motifs permits highly efficient loading of RNA-based drugs such as siRNA onto the surface of EVs. Such vesicles efficiently deliver siRNA to target cellsin vitroand into the brain of a Huntington’s disease mouse model after systemic injection, resulting in silencing of the huntingtin gene in multiple anatomical regions of the brain and modulation of phenotypic features of disease. Taken together, our study demonstrates a novel role for GAPDH in EV biogenesis, and that the presence of free GAPDH binding sites on EVs can be effectively exploited to substantially enhance the therapeutic potential of EV-mediated drug delivery to the brain.
Improved, two-stage protein expression and purification via autoinduction of both autolysis and auto DNA/RNA hydrolysis conferred by phage lysozyme and DNA/RNA endonuclease
Authors: Menacho-Melgar Romel , Moreb Eirik A. , Efromson John P. , Lynch Michael D.
Published: January 2020

We report improved release of recombinant proteins inE. coli, which relies on combined cellular autolysis and DNA/RNA autohydrolysis, conferred by the tightly controlled autoinduction of both phage lysozyme and the non specific DNA/RNA endonuclease fromS. marcescens. Autoinduction occurs in a two-stage process wherein heterologous protein expression and autolysis enzymes are induced upon entry into stationary phase by phosphate depletion. Cytoplasmic lysozyme and periplasmic endonuclease are kept from inducing lysis until membrane integrity is disrupted. Post cell harvest, the addition of detergent (0.1% Triton-X100) and a single 30 minutes freezer thaw cycle results in > 90% release of protein (GFP). This cellular lysis is accompanied by complete oligonucleotide hydrolysis. The approach has been validated for shake flask cultures, high throughput cultivation in microtiter plates and larger scale stirred-tank bioreactors. This tightly controlled system enables robust growth and resistance to lysis in routine media when cells are propagated and autolysis/hydrolysis genes are only induced upon phosphate depletion.

Highlights

Autoinduction of both cell lysis and nucleotide hydrolysis

>90 % lysis and DNA degradation

Strains are stable to lysis in the absence of phosphate depletion.
Study of the perceived functions and the quality of physical boundaries of public spaces
Authors: G. Saisanath , Gnanasambandam Subbaiyan
Published: January 2020

Purpose

As an underlying entity in the discourses of privatisation of space, urban security and fear, boundary walls are considered as an impediment to the publicness of public spaces. But, the inevitability and potential of their physical attributes and functions is indicative of the lack of systemic knowledge on how to approach boundary walls, so that they contribute positively to the quality of urban spaces. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Since boundary walls are constitutive of physical attributes that are embedded with multiple functions, the contribution of physical boundaries is premised on the interaction between objective and subjective measurements, explored in positive and ambiguous space types. In this study, the quality of physical boundaries is measured by an index and the perceived functions of the physical attributes of boundary walls are measured by a questionnaire survey.

Findings

This study found that positive and ambiguous space types not only affect the quality of physical boundaries but also the perceived functions of the physical attributes of boundary walls. Further, social and visual functions of boundary walls play a significant role in contributing positively to the quality of urban spaces.

Originality/value

By exploring the relation between quality of physical boundaries and their perceived functions, this study extends the meta-understanding of the role of boundary walls.
Explaining the determinants of continual use of mobile financial services
Authors: Adjei Joseph Kwame , Odei-Appiah Solomon , Tobbin Peter Ebo
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Information system continuance model has been used in a number of studies to explain information system continuance in different contexts. However, very little research attention has been given to continuous use of mobile financial services (MFS). The purpose of this study is to fill this research gap by identifying the main factors that influence the continual use of MFS.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample was randomly taken from MFS registered accounts or mobile wallets. A five-point Likert scale survey was conducted in Ghana. Structural equation modelling was used to test the data. Constructs such as continual use, satisfaction, perceived usefulness and confirmation were adapted from information system continuance model to suit the requirement of MFS. A pilot study was then carried out after the questionnaire was developed to gauge the appropriateness of the survey questions.

Findings

Results from the survey indicated that user satisfaction has the greatest impact on the continual use of mobile financial services. Good agent quality and satisfaction were the second most influential determinant. Satisfaction was, in turn, confirmed to be determined by perceived usefulness. Another important contributor to MFS continual use was found to be perceived ease of use (PEOU) with an impact surprisingly higher than that of perceived usefulness. There was a significant impact of good agent quality on satisfaction, which could be attributed to the characteristics of the technology for the study.

Research limitations/implications

Although a relatively high R2 (71%) was indicated by the proposed model, there is need for additional factors to be identified to improve the ability to predict and explain the continual use of MFS. A longitudinal study would have enhanced the identification of determinants and the understanding of their inter-relationships to influence MFS continual use.

Practical implications

To ensure continual use of MFS, PEOU as identified by the study is important to ensure that customers can use the service with little effort. Good agent quality can promote PEOU in the sense that competent agents can render relevant tutorials to customers’ right after the registration process. This will address a major barrier to continual use, which is the lack of understanding of how MFS operate.

Social implications

This study contributes to ensuring financial inclusion such that the unbanked can have access to financial services and also improve digital inclusion.

Originality/value

The study provides empirical evidence to support the substantive differences between acceptance and continual use behaviours, integrating the constructs of good agent quality and PEOU into our understanding of information system continual use literature. The authors also theorized and evaluated a model of MFS continual use.
When do domestic networks cause accelerated internationalization under different decision-making logic?
Authors: Gil-Barragan Juan M. , Belso-Martínez José A. , Mas-Verdú Francisco
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Given the unresolved question about which causal conditions contribute to accelerated internationalization among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from weak institutional environment, this paper aims to combine theoretically relevant antecedents of domestic networks relationships (weak or strong domestic ties) and decision-making logic (effectuation or causation) to explore the configurations that are the most promising for explaining accelerated internationalization.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to examine the accelerated internationalization of 33 contrarian cases of SMEs located in weak institutional environment. The data set has been collected through in-depth interviews with managers in Colombia (21 cases) and Peru (12 cases). Building on the findings, an integrative model for accelerated internationalization is presented.

Findings

The authors found that the combination of weak domestic ties and effectuation logic accelerated the internationalization of SMEs with fewer resource constraints. In contrast, strong domestic ties and causation behavior lead to accelerated internationalization of SMEs with greater resource constraints. They propose a model to help enrich the existing literature about the causal configurations for achieving accelerated internationalization in SMEs from weak institutional environment.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study is to provide empirical evidence to address three shortcomings in the literature. First, the mixed results regarding the impact of strong and weak domestic ties and decision-making logic in the accelerated internationalization of SMEs; second, the limited research on domestic networks; and third, the scarce investigation in weak institutional environment, where the emphasis on constrained resources is higher.
Service-learning
Authors: McNatt D. Brian
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test whether engaging in course service-learning projects can impact interpersonal oral communication confidence and skill development beyond that of traditional course research projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Three sections of a university management course were randomly assigned to have a service-learning team project, while the other three retained the traditional research team project. All projects were student-generated. Survey data were collected at the beginning of the semester and at the end four months later.

Findings

Results indicated that service-learning produces greater oral communication self-efficacy. For female students, service-learning projects also increased their interpersonal communication self-efficacy and interpersonal communication competence (but not for males).

Research limitations/implications

The sample was limited to students in a management course, service-learning projects were only completed by groups and the study did not examine outcomes beyond four months. Future research could examine outcomes from projects by individuals, and examine what service-learning components create differing results between men and women.

Practical implications

Oral communication confidence can be bolstered through service-learning. Benefits may depend upon participant characteristics (like gender). Inasmuch as different service-learning projects positively impacted oral communication, students can be given flexibility in the kinds of projects they undertake.

Originality/value

This study answered the widespread calls for empirical data to support the claims of service-learning as a beneficial pedagogical tool. The experimental and measurement design overcame the limitations of some previous research. In addition, the study examined the crucial skill area of interpersonal oral communication.
Development and validation of counterproductive work behaviour instrument
Authors: Na-Nan Khahan , Pukkeeree Peerapong , Sanamthong Ekkasit , Wongsuwan Natthaya , Dhienhirun Auemporn
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Counterproductive work behaviour (CWB) is a type of behaviour of an individual that works against an organisation or employer, and he/she is usually discretionary (i.e. individuals make conscious choices as to whether they want to commit aberrant work behaviour). To deal with CWB in different contexts, organisations need to both understand and continually measure their employees in terms of behaviour and work. This study aims to develop an instrument to measure CWB for small and medium-sized enterprises in Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted in three stages to develop a measurement scale for CWB. First, 27 questions were developed as a questionnaire based on concepts and theories of CWB and then verified using exploratory factor analysis with three CWB dimensions, namely “poor behaviour”, “misuse of organisational resources” and “inappropriate communication”. The questionnaire surveyed a total of 386 individuals working in SMEs. Finally, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and convergent validity were examined following the three CWB dimensions.

Findings

Three dimensions were developed to measure CWB, including aspects of poor behaviour, misuse of organisational resources and inappropriate communication.

Practical implications

The CWB questionnaire has practical use for assessing employee behaviour and can assist organisations and practitioners to better understand the CWB of employees. This know-how will help practitioners to assess employee behaviour and can be used to manage or develop this into good behaviour as valued members of the organisation.

Originality/value

The validity of the CWB questionnaire questions will facilitate the future research on the boundaries with CWB assessments spanning different SMEs contexts. Empirical study results validated that CWB measurement offered new perspectives to explore vital employee behavioural deviation that are necessary for the inspection employee behavioural deviation. This instrumental support will also help researchers to effectively understand CWB and explore its potential in future studies.
Motivating follower creativity by offering intellectual stimulation
Authors: Thuan Le Cong
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purposes of this paper are first to resolve the inconsistent relationship between leader intellectual stimulation and follower creativity by investigating a promising moderator and then to examine the role of follower creative ability and job autonomy as mediating mechanisms linking leader intellectual stimulation with follower creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

A time-lagged study was undertaken to gather data from employees working in the information technology sector in Vietnam (N= 415). This study used structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the gathered data.

Findings

This study found a positive direct relationship between leader intellectual stimulation and follower creative performance. Moreover, the follower proactive personality moderated this direct relationship. Furthermore, the results illustrated that follower creative ability and job autonomy partially mediated the positive effect of leader intellectual stimulation on follower creativity.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to investigate the moderating role of follower proactive personality in resolving the inconsistent relationship between leader intellectual stimulation and follower creativity. Moreover, with using follower creative ability and job autonomy as mediating mechanisms, this study provides evidence that leader behaviors have a partially indirect association with follower creativity through follower abilities and work characteristics.
Rising commodity prices and welfare in Brazil
Authors: Moncarz Pedro Esteban , Barone Sergio Victor
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Brazil, a large developing economy whose main exports consist of primary commodities, benefited greatly from the boom in commodity prices during the first decade of the current century. However, with a large share of its population with low and very low incomes, there is a potential for some adverse redistributive effects. The purpose of this paper is to address this issue by simulating the ex ante effects using a mixed endogenous–exogenous social accounting matrix (SAM) price model.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology consists of two parts. First, using a mixed endogenous–exogenous SAM price model, the authors obtain the elasticities of domestic prices (goods, services and factors) in response to the increase in international prices of three types of commodities: agricultural, oil/gas and minerals. Second, the authors run micro-simulations at the household level on welfare effects, as well as on some distributive indices. Analysis at the regional level is also carried out.

Findings

Following increases in the international prices of primary commodities, the responses of internal prices (goods, services and factors) mean a welfare loss all over the entire distribution of household per capita expenditure; the least affected are those households at the low end and around the median of the distribution. However, the differences among households are not very important. Moreover, once we take into account government transfers and payments from social security, the magnitude of the effects reduces even further. Also, inequality indices and poverty rates show little responsiveness to the simulated shocks. Finally, poorer regions are the most likely to be affected, but also the distribution of effects across households shows differences between regions.

Originality/value

Economies with comparative advantages in the production of primary commodities can benefit at a macro-level from the increase in the international prices of such commodities. However, when a large part of the population spends a high proportion of its income on goods whose prices may be affected by the increase in commodity prices, there is a room for some undesirable effects from a redistributive standpoint. This study provides valuable results about such potential effects for Brazil, a large developing economy.
Exploring how teachers support students’ mathematical learning in computer-directed learning environments
Authors: Kessler Aaron , Boston Melissa , Stein Mary Kay
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This study explores the teacher’s role for implementing a cognitive tutor (CT) intended to increase students’ knowledge of proportional reasoning and potential impacts on students’ learning.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a mixed methods approach to design-based research, the authors examine results from three different phases of the CT implementation using frameworks from mathematics education research.

Findings

Based on observations of 10 educators, the authors identify 4 different types of interactions among the CT, students and educators. Using observations and student assessment results (n= 134), the authors begin to build an argument that different types of interactions have the potential to impact students’ opportunities to learn in computer-directed learning environments.

Originality/value

The authors conclude that research on the efficacy of computer-directed learning environments should consider differences in implementation of CT materials and that the types of CT, student and educator interactions described herein provide a framework to support such exploration.
The nexus between product market competition and the quality of analysts’ forecasts: empirical evidence from Chinese-listed firms
Authors: Iqbal Amjad , Jebran Khalil , Umar Muhammad
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore the relationship between product market competition (competition hereafter) and the quality of analysts’ forecasts.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses industry-level (i.e. Herfindahl–Hirschman index), as well as firm-level (i.e. Lerner index) measures of competition and uses forecast accuracy and forecasts dispersion as proxies for analysts’ forecast quality. Further, this study considers a sample of Chinese-listed manufacturing companies for the period spanning 2005 to 2016 and uses various estimation techniques to empirically test the hypothesized relationship.

Findings

The results show that firms in highly competitive industries are characterized by greater accuracy and smaller dispersion in forecasts. Further, this positive association is more pronounced in SOEs as compared to NSOEs, and in industries characterized by intense competition. The sensitivity analysis further endorses the main results.

Practical implications

Presenting theoretical and empirical evidence, this study suggests that regulatory bodies should take steps to promote the competitive environment in China. This can help financial analysts in developing more accurate and reliable forecasts and ultimately can bring informational efficiency to the market. Finally, investors would be able to perform their business valuation process in a better way and make economic-useful decisions regarding their capital resource allocation.

Originality/value

The contribution of the current research is threefold: first, it adds to the limited literature available on this specific topic; second, this study examines the issue in China and further single out the influence of state-ownership and intensity of competition on the relation between competition and forecast properties; and third, this study provides theoretical arguments for the positive association between competition and forecasts quality while setting directions for future research on the topic and suggests the potential channels such as the reporting quality channel and the information disclosure channel that need to be explored further, to better understand the mechanism where competition influences the quality of analysts’ forecasts.
Manufacturing SMEs, network governance and global supply chains
Authors: Cragg Tony , McNamara Tom , Descubes Irena , Guerin Frank
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how small manufacturing firms develop and manage relationships with global suppliers and distributors. In so doing the authors aim to contribute to knowledge about SMEs and supply chain management (SCM).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted 12 in-depth case studies of SME final assemblers of machinery in the French farm equipment sector.

Findings

The most effective form of global supply chain governance used by successful SMEs is informal networks involving managers in similar complementary firms, which serve to concatenate links with foreign suppliers and distributors.

Research limitations/implications

The principal limitation of this research is that it is specific to one sector and therefore questions of transferability are raised.

Practical implications

The important implication for managers in manufacturing SMEs is that links with other complementary local firms in the same sector need to be developed, leveraged and valued.

Originality/value

The originality of this case research is that the authors draw on inter-organisational boundaries, power asymmetries and network governance to develop a conceptual framework for the study of SMEs and global supply chains. By focusing on the perceptions of boundary-spanning managers, the authors show how, in circumstances of demand uncertainty, soft network governance is an effective strategic choice.
Integrating collaborative topic modeling and diversity for movie recommendations during news browsing
Authors: Liu Duen-Ren , Chou Yun-Cheng , Jian Ciao-Ting
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Online news websites provide diverse article topics, such as fashion news, entertainment and movie information, to attract more users and create more benefits. Recommending movie information to users reading news online can enhance the impression of diverse information and may consequently improve benefits. Accordingly, providing online movie recommendations can improve users’ satisfactions with the website, and thus is an important trend for online news websites. This study aims to propose a novel online recommendation method for recommending movie information to users when they are browsing news articles.

Design/methodology/approach

Association rule mining is applied to users’ news and movie browsing to find latent associations between news and movies. A novel online recommendation approach is proposed based on latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA), enhanced collaborative topic modeling (ECTM) and the diversity of recommendations. The performance of proposed approach is evaluated via an online evaluation on a real news website.

Findings

The online evaluation results show that the click-through rate can be improved by the proposed hybrid method integrating recommendation diversity, LDA, ECTM and users’ online interests, which are adapted to the current browsing news. The experiment results also show that considering recommendation diversity can achieve better performance.

Originality/value

Existing studies had not investigated the problem of recommending movie information to users while they are reading news online. To address this problem, a novel hybrid recommendation method is proposed for dealing with cross-type recommendation tasks and the cold-start issue. Moreover, the proposed method is implemented and evaluated online in a real world news website, while such online evaluation is rarely conducted in related research. This work contributes to deriving user’s online preferences for cross-type recommendations by integrating recommendation diversity, LDA, ECTM and adaptive online interests. The research findings also contribute to increasing the commercial value of the online news websites.
The change in investor reaction to 10-K filings after Regulation Full Disclosure and the Sarbanes–Oxley Act
Authors: Bharati Rakesh , Crain Susan , Jategaonkar Shrikant
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the investor reaction to 10-K filings has changed since the implementation of Regulation Full Disclosure (FD) and the Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX) and examine whether the market still underreacts to 10-K content and exhibits the continuation of filing day returns (FDRs) documented by You and Zhang (2009) after the passage of these regulations.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 39,270 10-K filings over the sample period of 1996 to 2012. Performance of portfolios created based on FDRs around 10-K filings is examined. Regression models are used for multivariate analysis. Carhart αs are obtained using the four-factor risk adjustment model.

Findings

By comparing investor reaction to 10-K filings pre- and post-regulation, the paper shows a significant change in stock price behavior since the implementation of FD and SOX. Analogous to Burks (2011), results suggest improved price efficiency around 10-K filings. In the long-run of up to one year following the filing, the continuation of FDRs documented by You and Zhang (2009) disappears post-2000, especially after the implementation of SOX. Overall findings suggest that investors price the information in 10-K filings significantly differently after FD and SOX than before.

Research limitations/implications

The sample ends in 2012. Therefore, this study does not examine the implications of the Dodd-Frank Act.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature related to the impact of FD and SOX and market reaction to filings of financial reports. The current literature documents that there is a continuation of FDRs up to a year. This paper shows that the continuation has disappeared since FD and SOX were implemented.
Are independent directors’ political connections valuable?
Authors: Chen Yanyu , Zheng Wenzhe , Huang Yimiao
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use difference-in-difference method (DID) to study the influences of independent directors’ political connection on firm value.

Design/methodology/approach

File No. 18 by the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee requires that the leading cadres in party and government offices are not allowed to act as independent directors; this restriction applies to retired officials as well. As a result, many listed companies lose the political connections of officers as independent directors. This paper takes it as an exogenous shock to evaluate the influence of the political connection of independent directors on firm value, effectively alleviating the endogeneity problem existing in previous studies.

Findings

The research finds the following: under the policy of compelled resignation, the loss of political connection of independent directors has a prominent negative impact on firm value; and compared to state-owned enterprises, the firm value of private enterprises receives a greater negative impact. However, the political advantage of state-owned enterprises is not obviously influenced. In the regions with worse external market environments, due to a greater reliance on resources brought about by political connection, the policy has a much greater influence on their listed companies.

Research limitations/implications

The study faces several limitations, each of which represents a potential research direction. First, our analysis is based on the policy effects on the firm’s current Tobin’s Q and finds a negative effect of losing political connections. However, the long-term effects are still unclear, as some studies find a negative effect of political connections. Second, the paper focuses on one channel in which political connections may affect firm value. Other channels, such as subsidies and loans from state-owned banks, which need more granular data, should be explored in the future.

Practical implications

The use of DID model can better objectively evaluate the implementation effects of ban policies and alleviate endogenous problems, which is also enlightening for further perfection of the system of independent directors in the A-share market.

Social implications

It enriches existing researches of the value of independent directors from the perspective of political connection, which is conducive to understanding the influence and channel on the firm value after the loss of political connection and the value of independent directors in the corporate governance in a more comprehensive and accurate manner.

Originality/value

This paper extends the relevant research on the value of the political connection of independent directors from the perspective of political connection and enlightens the evaluation of the effect of ban policies.
Design and optimization of sensor array for magnetic gradient tensor system
Authors: Chen Shengzhi , Zhu Minghua , Zhang Qing , Cai Xuesong , Xiao Bo
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The differential magnetic gradient tensor system is usually constructed from the three-axis magnetic sensor array. While the effects of measurement error, sensor performance and baseline distance on localization performance of such systems have been widely reported, the research about the effect of spatial design of sensor array is less presented. This paper aims to provide a spatial design method of sensor array and corresponding optimization strategy to localization based on magnetic tensor gradient to get the optimum design of the sensor array. Based on the results of simulation, magnetic localization systems constructed from the proposed array and the traditional array have been built to carry out a localization experiment. The results of experiment have verified the effectiveness of magnetic localization based on the proposed array.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors focus on the localization of the magnetic target based on magnetic gradient by using three-axis magnetic sensor array and combine a design method with corresponding optimization strategy to get the optimum design of the sensor array.

Findings

This paper provides an array design and optimization method for magnetic target localization based on magnetic gradient to improve the localization performance.

Originality/value

In this paper, the authors focus on the magnetic localization based on magnetic gradient by using three-axis magnetic sensors and study the effect of the spatial design of sensor array on localization performance.
Impact of corporate social responsibility practices on employee commitment
Authors: De Silva Keshara Manindri , De Silva Lokuwaduge Chitra Sriyani
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically review the existing literature on corporate social responsibility (CSR) to develop a framework to analyse the impact of CSR on employee commitment to the organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the scoping review, this paper reviewed the published articles on CSR and employee commitment and how CSR and employee commitment were defined, theoretically supported and conceptualised for a comprehensive understanding of current and future research directions in the field.

Findings

This paper presents a framework developed through the analysis of existing literature on the impact of CSR) on employee commitment to the organisation. This framework aims to explore the impact of internal CSR and external CSR on employee commitment while using the contractual position of employees as an intervening variable.

Originality/value

During a time where employee attraction and retention is widely discussed as a competitive advantage, this framework could be used by any industry, especially those with high staff turnover such as mining. The researchers propose to use this framework to explore how perception towards external CSR (directed towards external stakeholders) and perception towards internal CSR (directed towards the own employees) can influence organisational identification and commitment levels. To address several gaps in the literature, this model is based on the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Social-Identity Theory.
The perspective of citizens and the media concerning the responsibility of corporations
Authors: Röttger Ulrike , Dudenhausen Anna , Czeppel Dominik , Adolph-Selke Doreen
Published: January 2020

Purpose

In the public debate, companies are confronted with conflicting expectations regarding their responsibility. An inconsistent understanding of the responsibility of corporations may affect the acceptance of corporate actions. The purpose of this study is to take this observation as a starting point and to analyze corporate responsibility assessments of different actors.

Design/methodology/approach

In the course of two online surveys conducted by a polling institute at the end of January 2017, 1,003 German citizens were asked about their expectations concerning the responsibility of corporations. One survey was mainly focused on clothing manufacturers, the other one on banks. Moreover, a content analysis of nationwide German quality newspapers aims at showing the media perspective. By using an extensive combination of keywords, 1069 articles were analyzed for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2016. The coding revealed 345 relevant articles containing 717 responsibility-related judgments.

Findings

Overall, the systematic comparison of both perspectives show differences between societal perspectives and therefore presents an explanation for conflicting expectations concerning the responsibility of corporations.

Research limitations/implications

The measurement of judgments on responsibility is a complex endeavor. Findings may be limited due to an extensive coding process and a restricted comparability of the two surveys and the content analysis. Moreover, findings are focused on clothing manufacturers and banks only.

Originality/value

A focus on responsibility assessments delivers a deeper understanding of different perspectives concerning the responsibility of corporations in the public debate.
Disentangling the effects of external perturbations on coexistence and priority effects
Authors: Song Chuliang , Rohr Rudolf P. , Vasseur David , Saavedra Serguei
Published: January 2020

A major challenge in ecological research is to identify the tolerance of ecological communities to external perturbations. Modern coexistence theory (MCT) has been widely adopted as a framework to investigate the tolerance to perturbations in relative reductions of per capita growth rates, often using metrics that explicitly eliminate the independent role of intrinsic growth rates. More recently, the structural approach (SA) was introduced to investigate the tolerance of communities to perturbations in intrinsic growth rates as a function of the strength of intraspecific and interspecific competition. Because the external perturbations are likely to happen in both intrinsic growth rates and competition strengths, no framework alone can fully disentangle the effects of external perturbations.

Here we combine MCT and SA to disentangle the tolerance in coexistence and priority effects of a pair of competing species when subject to perturbations in intrinsic growth rates and competition strengths. Through this combination, we reveal the emergence of a key trade‐off: increasing the tolerance to perturbations in intrinsic growth rates typically decreases the tolerance in competition strengths, and vice versa. Furthermore, this trade‐off is stronger under coexistence than under priority effects.

We test this combined framework on competing pairs of 18 California annual plant species. For both coexistence and priority effects, we find that the tolerance to perturbations in intrinsic growth rates is maximized instead of that to perturbations in competition strengths in the studied annual plant communities.

Synthesis. Our combined framework of modern coexistence theory and structural approach illustrates that it is possible to disentangle the impact of different external perturbations on the persistence of species. Importantly, our findings show that species interactions may reveal whether communities are dominated either by changes in intrinsic growth rates or by competition strengths. Overall, this combined framework can open a new perspective to understand and predict the response of populations to changing environmental conditions.
The Inner Circle: What is Diplomatic History? (And Why We Should Study it): An Inaugural Lecture
Authors: OTTE T. G.
Published: January 2020

The debate about the purpose (and uses) of studying diplomatic and international history are as old as the subject itself. This article traces the origins and development of diplomatic history as a specialized field within history as a wider discipline, before exploring more recent challenges to it. The article seeks to highlight both the scope for, and the opportunities to be found in, cross‐fertilization with ideas derived from cognate disciplines. At the same time, it also seeks to show the conceptual and methodological pitfalls of recent attempts at innovation in the field. It concludes by reasserting the essential importance of politics as the core of international history and by underlining its potential for guiding current policy as well as its limitations in that respect.
Crime Scene Behaviors and Characteristics of Offenders with Mental Illness: A Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Sea Jonghan , Beauregard Eric , Lee Sanggyung
Published: January 2020

The current study aimed to identify distinct types of crime scene behaviors based on the criminal planning and motivation of offenders with mental illness in South Korea. Furthermore, our study examined the relationships between the identified types of crime scene behaviors in terms of the offenders’ sociodemographic characteristics, modus operandi, and types of mental illness. Utilizing latent class analysis, the associations between crime scene behavior types and offender characteristics such as demographic factors, crime scene actions, and criminal information were empirically investigated. In particular, based on a sample obtained from a national police database of offenses committed between 2006 and 2014, four offense groups were identified: (i) instrumental–planned, (ii) instrumental–unplanned, (iii) expressive–unplanned, and (iv) hybrid. Additionally, significant relationships were found between offense styles and offender characteristics as well as criminal backgrounds. The findings suggest that mental disorders influence the types of actions exhibited by offenders during the commission of their crime. The results are discussed in terms of their theoretical and practical utility to criminal investigation.
Application of a hemodialysis clearance prediction model using quantitative structure‐pharmacokinetic relationship analysis
Authors: Suzuki Daisuke , Aoyama Takahiko , Nakajima Junki , Miyamoto Aoi , Ako Yumina , Kikkawa Akiyoshi , Hiraki Kouichi , Matsumoto Yoshiaki
Published: January 2020

Hemodialysis (HD) is a method used to remove biogenic substances or blood components that cause disease and some drugs used by patients to treat their diseases. Therefore, dosing schedule must be planned according to HD clearance (CLHD) when medical treatment is provided to patients receiving HD. We aimed to clarify the physical properties (eg, octanol‐water partition coefficient and molecular electronegativity) or pharmacokinetic parameters (eg, volume of distribution) of compounds affecting CLHD and to construct a mathematical model to predict CLHD. The analysis covered individual CLHD data for nine compounds from the literature. The molecular descriptors which are physical properties or pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using the structural formula of each compound, and searched for factors related to CLHD among the calculated 148 molecular descriptors. Nonlinear mixed‐effects model analysis with CLHD as objective variable and molecular descriptors as explanatory variable was conducted to examine the factor affecting CLHD and develop a model for predicting CLHD. The logarithm of the brain/blood partition coefficient was detected as a factor affecting CLHD. The predictive accuracy of CLHD using the constructed mathematical model with the logarithm of the brain/blood partition coefficient as explanatory variable was adequate.
How do US investors perceive the risk of local political corruption? Evidence from acquisition announcement
Authors: Jiang Xuejun , Lu Louise
Published: January 2020

This study examines the impact of local political corruption on investors’ evaluation of firms’ mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the US. Using the number of corruption convictions of government officials reported by the US Department of Justice, we find that acquirers in more corrupt court districts experience lower acquirer announcement returns, lower combined acquirer and target announcement returns, and are less likely to complete acquisitions. We further find that the relation between local political corruption and acquirer announcement returns is worsened when acquirers operate primarily in the headquarters state. Overall, the results suggest that local political corruption has an adverse impact on investors’ evaluation of a firm’s M&A profitability.
Accuracy of clinical suspicion of growth restriction at term despite a normal growth ultrasound: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Green Brittany , Hui Lisa , Hastie Roxanne , Tong Stephen , Brownfoot Fiona C.
Published: January 2020

Background

Small for gestational age (SGA) is a major determinant of poor perinatal outcome. Detecting SGA at term using ultrasound is challenging and we often plan birth based on clinical assessment.

Aims

To determine the incidence of SGA infants with birthweight <10th centile among women undergoing planned birth at term for suspected SGA despite a normal estimated fetal weight (EFW) on ultrasound at 35–37 weeks.

Materials and Methods

We performed a retrospective study including all women with a fetal growth ultrasound at ≥35 weeks reporting an EFW ≥ 10th centile (appropriate for gestational age, AGA) who subsequently had an induction of labour or caesarean birth at ≥37 weeks due to ongoing clinical suspicion of SGA between 2012–2014. The primary outcome was the incidence of SGA newborns using customised centiles.

Results

There were 532 women who had a planned birth for clinical suspicion of SGA during the study period. Of these, 205 (38.5%) had an AGA fetus on ultrasound ≥35 weeks but were subsequently delivered because of a persisting clinical suspicion of SGA on abdominal assessment. Sixty‐eight percent (n = 139/205) delivered an SGA infant. Furthermore, almost half of these SGA infants (47.5%) had a birthweight <3rd centile. Neonatal outcomes were worse for the SGA infants, with 15.1% (n = 21/205) requiring special care nursery compared to 1.5% (n = 1/205) of those AGA at birth.

Conclusions

A reassuring ultrasound with EFW ≥10th centile in the late third trimester should not override clinical concerns of impaired fetal growth at term.
Ultrasound evaluation of pouch of Douglas obliteration and rectal deep endometriosis in women who have had previous combined colorectal and gynaecological laparoscopic surgery for rectal endometriosis: A pilot study
Authors: Alhayo Sam , Leonardi Mathew , Lu Chuan , Gosal Preet , Reid Shannon , Barto Walid , Condous George
Published: January 2020

Background

Ultrasound has been demonstrated to accurately diagnose rectal deep endometriosis (DE) and pouch of Douglas (POD) obliteration. The role of ultrasound in the assessment of patients who have undergone surgery for rectal DE and POD obliteration has not been evaluated.

Aim

To describe the transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) findings of patients who have undergone rectal surgery for DE.

Materials and Methods

An observational cross‐sectional study at a tertiary care centre in Sydney, Australia between January and April 2017. Patients previously treated for rectal DE (low anterior resection vs rectal shaving/disc excision) were recruited and asked to complete a questionnaire on their current symptoms. On TVS, POD state and rectal DE were assessed. Correlating recurrence of POD obliteration and/or rectal DE to surgery type and symptoms was done.

Results

Fifty‐six patients were contacted; 22/56 (39.3%) attended for the study visit. Average interval of surgery to study visit was 52.8 ± 24.6 months. Surgery type breakdown was as follows: low anterior resection (56%) and rectal shaving/disc excision (44%). The prevalence of POD obliteration was 16/22 (72.7%) intraoperatively and 8/22 (36.4%) at study visit, as per the sliding sign. Nine patients (39.1%) had evidence on TVS of recurrent rectal DE. Recurrence of POD obliteration and rectal DE was not associated with surgery type or symptomatology.

Conclusion

Despite surgery for rectal DE, many patients have a negative sliding sign on TVS, representing POD obliteration, and rectal DE. Our numbers are too small to correlate with the surgery type or their current symptoms.
Successful use of topical mitomycin C for the treatment of a putative neoplastic vascular mass on the nictitating membrane of a dog
Authors: Seavers A , Robson D , Weingarth JM
Published: January 2020

A nine‐year‐old female desexed Great Dane presented with a painful, proliferative, soft red putative neoplastic vascular mass on the nictitating membrane. Three 7‐day cycles of the topical cytotoxic drug mitomycin C 0.04%, applied four times daily to the lesion using a low‐dose alternate‐week pulse therapy, brought about rapid remission of the lesion. The lesion was still in remission at time of euthanasia some 13 months later.