bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Limited support for the X-linked grandmother hypothesis in pre-industrial Finland
Authors: Chapman Simon N. , Pettay Jenni E. , Lummaa Virpi , Lahdenperä Mirkka
Published: January 2018

The level of kin help often depends on the degree of relatedness between a helper and the helped. In humans, grandmother help is known to increase the survival of grandchildren, though this benefit can differ between maternal grandmothers (MGMs) and paternal grandmothers (PGMs) and between grandsons and granddaughters. The X-linked grandmother hypothesis posits that differential X-chromosome relatedness between grandmothers and their grandchildren is a leading driver of differential grandchild survival between grandmother lineages and grandchild sexes. We tested this hypothesis using time-event models on a large, multigenerational dataset from pre-industrial Finland. We found that the presence of an MGM increases grandson survival more than PGM presence, and that granddaughter survival is higher than that of grandsons in the presence of a PGM. However, there was no support for the key prediction that the presence of PGMs improves granddaughter survival more than that of MGMs, diminishing the overall support for the hypothesis. Our results call for alternative explanations for differences in the effects of maternal and paternal kin to grandchild survival in humans.
Dynamics of non-holonomic systems with stochastic transport
Authors: Holm D. D. , Putkaradze V.
Published: January 2018

This paper formulates a variational approach for treating observational uncertainty and/or computational model errors as stochastic transport in dynamical systems governed by action principles under non-holonomic constraints. For this purpose, we derive, analyse and numerically study the example of an unbalanced spherical ball rolling under gravity along a stochastic path. Our approach uses the Hamilton–Pontryagin variational principle, constrained by a stochastic rolling condition, which we show is equivalent to the corresponding stochastic Lagrange–d’Alembert principle. In the example of the rolling ball, the stochasticity represents uncertainty in the observation and/or error in the computational simulation of the angular velocity of rolling. The influence of the stochasticity on the deterministically conserved quantities is investigated both analytically and numerically. Our approach applies to a wide variety of stochastic, non-holonomically constrained systems, because it preserves the mathematical properties inherited from the variational principle.
Direct and indirect effects of early-life environment on lifetime fitness of bighorn ewes
Authors: Pigeon Gabriel , Pelletier Fanie
Published: January 2018

Cohort effects, when a common environment affects long-term performance, can have a major impact on population dynamics. Very few studies of wild animals have obtained the necessary data to study the mechanisms leading to cohort effects. We exploited 42 years of individual-based data on bighorn sheep to test for causal links between birth density, body mass, age at first reproduction (AFR), longevity and lifetime reproductive success (LRS) using path analysis. Specifically, we investigated whether the effect of early-life environment on lifetime fitness was the result of indirect effects through body mass or direct effects of early-life environment on fitness. Additionally, we evaluated whether the effects of early-life environment were dependant on the environment experienced during adulthood. Contrary to expectation, the effect on LRS mediated through body mass was weak compared to the effects found via a delay in AFR, reduced longevity and the direct effect of birth density. Birth density also had an important indirect effect on LRS through reduced longevity, but only when adult density was high. Our results show that the potential long-term consequences of a harsh early-life environment on fitness are likely to be underestimated if investigations are limited to body mass instead of fitness at several life stages, or if the interactions between past and present environment are ignored.
Gradual plasticity alters population dynamics in variable environments: thermal acclimation in the green alga
Chlamydomonas reinhartdii
Authors: Kremer Colin T. , Fey Samuel B. , Arellano Aldo A. , Vasseur David A.
Published: January 2018

Environmental variability is ubiquitous, but its effects on populations are not fully understood or predictable. Recent attention has focused on how rapid evolution can impact ecological dynamics via adaptive trait change. However, the impact of trait change arising from plastic responses has received less attention, and is often assumed to optimize performance and unfold on a separate, faster timescale than ecological dynamics. Challenging these assumptions, we propose that gradual plasticity is important for ecological dynamics, and present a study of the plastic responses of the freshwater green algae
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
as it acclimates to temperature changes. First, we show that
C. reinhardtii
's gradual acclimation responses can both enhance and suppress its performance after a perturbation, depending on its prior thermal history. Second, we demonstrate that where conventional approaches fail to predict the population dynamics of
C. reinhardtii
exposed to temperature fluctuations, a new model of gradual acclimation succeeds. Finally, using high-resolution data, we show that phytoplankton in lake ecosystems can experience thermal variation sufficient to make acclimation relevant. These results challenge prevailing assumptions about plasticity's interactions with ecological dynamics. Amidst the current emphasis on rapid evolution, it is critical that we also develop predictive methods accounting for plasticity.
The worldwide importance of honey bees as pollinators in natural habitats
Authors: Hung Keng-Lou James , Kingston Jennifer M. , Albrecht Matthias , Holway David A. , Kohn Joshua R.
Published: January 2018

The western honey bee (Apis mellifera) is the most frequent floral visitor of crops worldwide, but quantitative knowledge of its role as a pollinator outside of managed habitats is largely lacking. Here we use a global dataset of 80 published plant–pollinator interaction networks as well as pollinator effectiveness measures from 34 plant species to assess the importance ofA. melliferain natural habitats.Apis melliferais the most frequent floral visitor in natural habitats worldwide, averaging 13% of floral visits across all networks (range 0–85%), with 5% of plant species recorded as being exclusively visited byA. mellifera. For 33% of the networks and 49% of plant species, however,A. melliferavisitation was never observed, illustrating that many flowering plant taxa and assemblages remain dependent on non-A. melliferavisitors for pollination.Apis melliferavisitation was higher in warmer, less variable climates and on mainland rather than island sites, but did not differ between its native and introduced ranges. With respect to single-visit pollination effectiveness,A. melliferadid not differ from the average non-A. melliferafloral visitor, though it was generally less effective than the most effective non-A. melliferavisitor. Our results argue for a deeper understanding of howA. mellifera, and potential future changes in its range and abundance, shape the ecology, evolution, and conservation of plants, pollinators, and their interactions in natural habitats.
A case of oropharyngeal Ureaplasma urealyticum infection in a human immunodeficiency virus positive bisexual male co-infected with human papilloma virus and Treponema pallidum
Authors: Suri Nazneen Arif , Sebastian Sujeesh , Yadav Deepika , Khanna Neena , Dhawan Benu
Published: January 2018

Introduction. Management strategies for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in their extragenital forms address Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis alone; whereas increased rates of isolation of other STI agents have been reported from various parts of the world. Their extragenital presence as a reservoir of infection emphasizes the need to screen and treat them at these sites.

Case presentation. A 35-year-old human immunodeficiency virus 1 infected bisexual male presented with urethral discharge and multiple ano-genital warts. He was reactive for the venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test. He tested positive for Ureaplasma spp. both by culture and PCR at urethral and oropharyngeal sites, but was negative at the rectal site. The patient was successfully treated with doxycycline and penicillin, and was followed up with a test of cure at 6 weeks.

Conclusion. In view of the disseminating infections that can be caused by Ureaplasma spp., it makes it important to screen for these infections even at non-genital sites, especially in the immunocompromised. STIs may be asymptomatic and can serve as a reservoir of infection in a population. This report should promote all efforts to formulate guidelines for extragenital screening of all STI pathogens.
Insect wings and body wall evolved from ancient leg segments
Authors: Bruce Heather S. , Patel Nipam H.
Published: January 2018

The origin of insect wings has long been debated. Central to this debate is whether wings evolved from an epipod (outgrowth, e.g., a gill) on ancestral crustacean leg segments, or represent a novel outgrowth from the dorsal body wall that co-opted some of the genes used to pattern the epipods. To determine whether wings can be traced to ancestral, pre-insect structures, or arose by co-option, comparisons are necessary between insects and arthropods more representative of the ancestral state, where the hypothesized proximal leg region is not fused to the body wall. To do so, we examined the function of five leg patterning genes in the crustacean Parhyale hawaiensis and compared this to previous functional data from insects. By comparing gene knockout phenotypes of leg patterning genes in a crustacean with those of insects, we show that two ancestral crustacean leg segments were incorporated into the insect body, moving the leg’s epipod dorsally, up onto the back to form insect wings. Thus, our data shows that much of the body wall of insects, including the entire wing, is derived from these two ancestral proximal leg segments. This model explains all observations in favor of either the body wall origin or proximal leg origin of insect wings. Thus, our results show that insect wings are not novel structures, but instead evolved from existing, ancestral structures.

One Sentence Summary

CRISPR-Cas9 knockout of leg gap genes in a crustacean reveals that insect wings are not novel structures, they evolved from crustacean leg segments
PacBio library preparation using blunt-end adapter ligation produces significant artefactual fusion DNA sequences
Authors: Griffith Paul , Raley Castle , Sun David , Zhao Yongmei , Sun Zhonghe , Mehta Monika , Tran Bao , Wu Xiaolin
Published: January 2018

Pacific Biosciences’ (PacBio) RS II sequencer, utilizing Single-Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT) technology, has revolutionized next-generation sequencing by providing an accurate long-read platform. PacBio single-molecule long reads have been used to delineate complex spliceoforms, detect mutations in highly homologous sequences, identify mRNA chimeras and chromosomal translocations, accurately haplotype phasing over multiple kilobase distances and aid in assembly of genomes with complex structural variation. The PacBio protocol for preparation of sequencing templates employs blunt-end hairpin adapter ligation, which enables a short turnaround time for sequence production. However, we have found a significant portion of sequencing yield contains chimeric reads resulting from blunt-end ligation of multiple template molecules to each other prior to adapter ligation. These artefactual fusion DNA sequences pose a major challenge to analysis and can lead to false-positive detection of fusion events. We assessed the frequency of artefactual fusion when using blunt-end adapter ligation and compared it to an alternative method using A/T overhang adapter ligation. The A/T overhang adapter ligation method showed a vast improvement in limiting artefactual fusion events and is now our recommended procedure for adapter ligation during PacBio library preparation.
Minimizing activation of overlying axons with epiretinal stimulation: The role of fiber orientation and electrode configuration
Authors: Esler Timothy , Kerr Robert R. , Tahayori Bahman , Grayden David B. , Meffin Hamish , Burkitt Anthony N.
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Objective. Currently, a challenge in electrical stimulation of the retina is to excite only the cells lying directly under the electrode in the ganglion cell layer, while avoiding excitation of the axons that pass over the surface of the retina in the nerve fiber layer. Since these passing fibers may originate from distant regions of the ganglion cell layer. Stimulation of both target retinal ganglion cells and overlying axons results in irregular visual percepts, significantly limiting perceptual efficacy. This research explores how differences in fiber orientation between the nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell layer leads to differences in the activation of the axon initial segment and axons of passage. Approach. Axons of passage of retinal ganglion cells in the nerve fiber layer are characterized by a narrow distribution of fiber orientations, causing highly anisotropic spread of applied current. In contrast, proximal axons in the ganglion cell layer have a wider distribution of orientations. A four-layer computational model of epiretinal extracellular stimulation that captures the effect of neurite orientation in anisotropic tissue has been developed using a modified version of the standard volume conductor model, known as the cellular composite model. Simulations are conducted to investigate the interaction of neural tissue orientation, stimulating electrode configuration, and stimulation pulse duration and amplitude. Main results. The dependence of fiber activation on the anisotropic nature of the nerve fiber layer is first established. Via a comprehensive search of key parameters, our model shows that the simultaneous stimulation with multiple electrodes aligned with the nerve fiber layer can be used to achieve selective activation of axon initial segments rather than passing fibers. This result can be achieved with only a slight increase in total stimulus current and modest increases in the spread of activation in the ganglion cell layer, and is shown to extend to the general case of arbitrary electrode array positioning and arbitrary target neural volume. Significance. These results elucidate a strategy for more targeted stimulation of retinal ganglion cells with experimentally-relevant multi-electrode geometries and readily achievable stimulation requirements.
A mixed quantum chemistry/machine learning approach for the fast and accurate prediction of biochemical redox potentials and its large-scale application to 315,000 redox reactions
Authors: Jinich Adrian , Sanchez-Lengeling Benjamin , Ren Haniu , Harman Rebecca , Aspuru-Guzik Alán
Published: January 2018

A quantitative understanding of the thermodynamics of biochemical reactions is essential for accurately modeling metabolism. The group contribution method (GCM) is one of the most widely used approaches to estimating standard Gibbs energies and redox potentials of reactions for which no experimental measurements exist. Previous work has shown that quantum chemical predictions of biochemical thermodynamics are a promising approach to overcome the limitations of GCM. However, the quantum chemistry approach is significantly more expensive. Here we use a combination of quantum chemistry and machine learning to obtain a fast and accurate method for predicting the thermodynamics of biochemical redox reactions. We focus on predicting the redox potentials of carbonyl functional group reductions to alcohols and amines, two of the most ubiquitous carbon redox transformations in biology. Our method relies on semi-empirical quantum chemistry calculations calibrated with Gaussian Process (GP) regression against available experimental data. Our approach results in higher predictive power than the GCM at a low computational cost. We design and implement a network expansion algorithm that iteratively reduces and oxidizes a set of natural seed metabolites, and demonstrate the high-throughput applicability of our method by predicting the standard potentials of more than 315,000 redox reactions involving approximately 70,000 compounds. Additionally, we developed a novel fingerprint-based framework for detecting molecular environment motifs that are enriched or depleted across different regions of the redox potential landscape. We provide open access to all source code and data generated.
Quantum chemistry reveals the thermodynamic principles of redox biochemistry
Authors: Jinich Adrian , Flamholz Avi , Ren Haniu , Kim Sung-Jin , Sanchez-Lengeling Benjamin , Cotton Charles A. R. , Noor Elad , Aspuru-Guzik Alán , Bar-Even Arren
Published: January 2018

Thermodynamics dictates the structure and function of metabolism. Redox reactions drive cellular energy and material flow. Hence, accurately quantifying the thermodynamics of redox reactions should reveal key design principles that shape cellular metabolism. However, only a limited number of redox potentials have been measured experimentally, and mostly with inconsistent, poorly-reported experimental setups. Here, we develop a quantum chemistry approach for the calculation of redox potentials of biochemical reactions. We demonstrate that our method predicts experimentally measured potentials with unparalleled accuracy. We calculate the reduction potentials of all redox pairs that can be generated from biochemically relevant compounds and highlight fundamental thermodynamic trends that define cellular redox biochemistry. We further use the calculated potentials to address the question of why NAD/NADP are used as the primary cellular electron carriers, demonstrating how their physiological redox range specifically fits the reactions of central metabolism and minimizes the concentration of reactive carbonyls. The use of quantum chemistry tools, as demonstrated in this study, can revolutionize our understanding of key biochemical phenomena by enabling fast and accurate calculation of large datasets of thermodynamic values.
Exploring the role of cellular homologous of the 30K-superfamily of plant virus movement proteins
Authors: Carrasco José L. , Sánchez-Navarro Jesús A. , Elena Santiago F.
Published: January 2018

Genes orthologous to the 30K-superfamily of movement proteins (MP) from plant viruses have been recently discovered by bioinformatics analyses as integrated elements in the genome of most vascular plants. However, their functional relevance for plants is still unclear. Here, we undertake some preliminary steps into the functional characterization of one of these putative MP genes found in Arabidopsis thaliana. We found that the AtMP gene is expressed at different stages of the plant development, with accumulation being highest in flowers but lowest in mature siliques. We also found down-regulation of the gene may result in a small delay in plant development and in an exacerbation of the negative effect of salinity in germination efficiency. We have also explored whether changes in expression of the endogenous AtMP have any effect on susceptibility to infection with several viruses, and found that the infectivity of tobacco rattle tobravirus was strongly dependent on the expression of the endogenous AtMP. Finally, we have cloned the endogenous MP from four different plant species into an expression vector that allows for specifically assessing their activity as cell-to-cell movement proteins and have shown that though some may still retain the ancestral activity, they do so in a quite inefficient manner, thus suggesting they have acquired a novel function during adaptation to the host genome.
Plasticity of the Mre11–Rad50–Xrs2–Sae2 nuclease ensemble in the processing of DNA-bound obstacles
Authors: Wang Weibin , Daley James M. , Kwon Youngho , Krasner Danielle S. , Sung Patrick
Published: January 2018

The budding yeast Mre11–Rad50–Xrs2 (MRX) complex and Sae2 function together in DNA end resection during homologous recombination. Here we show that the Ku complex shields DNA ends from exonucleolytic digestion but facilitates endonucleolytic scission by MRX with a dependence on ATP and Sae2. The incision site is enlarged into a DNA gap via the exonuclease activity of MRX, which is stimulated by Sae2 without ATP being present. RPA renders a partially resected or palindromic DNA structure susceptible to MRX–Sae2, and internal protein blocks also trigger DNA cleavage. We present models for how MRX–Sae2 creates entry sites for the long-range resection machinery.
Does foreign direct investment enhance or inhibit regional innovation efficiency?
Authors: Li Zheng , Li Jun , He Bin
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow impacts on regional innovation efficiency in China and whether the impacts of FDI are contingent on regional conditions that may maximize the effect of FDI on regional innovation efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

Using panel data of 30 provinces from 2000 to 2010, the authors first used data envelopment analysis to measure regional innovation efficiency, followed by a spatial panel model to test research hypotheses concerning the effect of FDI on regional innovation efficiency and the direct and moderating effects of regional characteristics such as regional innovation environment, regional absorptive capacity and regional complementary assets.

Findings

The paper finds that there are considerable inter-regional and intra-regional variations in innovation efficiency in China and that regional variations in innovation efficiency in China can first be explained by the differences in inflow FDI and then be accounted for by the direct and moderating effect of regional innovation environment, absorptive capacity and complementary assets.

Research limitations/implications

The research findings have three policy implications. First, governments should continue their efforts to increase the transparency and predictability of the framework for inward FDI and align FDI with the region’s strategic priorities of development to improve innovation efficiency. Second, governments should develop holistic and coherent policies that address the key aspects of regional conditions conducive to the inflow of FDI. Third, governments at the regional level should cultivate an open innovation environment and support the development of financial markets to maximize the positive effect of FDI technology spillover and externalities.

Originality value

This paper fills a gap in research on the spatial heterogeneity characteristics of spillover effects of FDI on regional innovation efficiency.
“Lost births,” service delivery, and human resources to health
Authors: Cardinal Melissa Cora
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to advocate for improved service delivery of maternal-newborn care in northern Indigenous communities. This is done through critical examination of the loss of pregnancy and birthing knowledge and practice in these communities, from both a historical and contemporary lens. Supporting the return of traditional midwifery practices to the communities is the recommended solution.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a general review of the available literature regarding Indigenous birthing practices, historical and contemporary Canadian maternal health service provision, and midwifery.

Findings

Current maternal health care practice in these northern communities is not resolving service delivery and human resource inadequacies, highlighting the need for a community-based and midwifery-driven primary health care approach. Potential recommendations include implementing a comprehensive birthing initiative, innovative midwifery training, and promotion and support of the role of the community midwife.

Originality/value

“Lost births” is a largely unrecognized issue in Canadian public health literature. The value of this paper lies in its potential to stimulate discourse and advocacy.
Examining the perceived impact of financial investment in AEO certification on performance through trade facilitation and public and private partnership
Authors: Park Hong Gyue , Park YoungJae
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of financial investment (FI) in Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification on performance of Korean logistics companies through public and private partnership (PPP) and trade facilitation (TF).

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire survey was conducted to collect the data for this study, out of which 285 were adopted for the analysis using structural equation modeling for quantitative analysis. Also, it is based on professionals in Korean logistics companies that are AEO certified only.

Findings

FI on AEO certification had positive impacts on performance via PPP, while TF variable had no significant impact on the overall performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses on the FI in AEO certification and its impact on performance in Korea. There should be more quantitative and confirmatory research on other countries with AEO certification to validate the findings of this study. It may be possible to generate contrary findings in different economies or countries.

Practical implications

These findings imply that public managers should focus more on TF aspects of the program with the Mutual Recognition Agreement with major trading partners and growing economies around the world in order to make the AEO program more popular and global with supply chain members overseas.

Originality/value

This study has offered original discovery and practical, academic implications for AEO program in terms of testing and suggesting factors provided by previous studies as a confirmatory and quantitative research.
An innovation diffusion perspective of e-consumers’ initial adoption of self-collection service via automated parcel station
Authors: Wang Xueqin , Yuen Kum Fai , Wong Yiik Diew , Teo Chee Chong
Published: January 2018

Purpose

As an application of self-service technology, automated parcel station (APS) is emerging as a logistics innovation to address the inefficiency and delivery failure in conventional home delivery. However, the long-term viability of APS depends on the consumers’ acceptance of such concept. In response, the purpose of this paper is to conduct a behavioural study on consumers’ adoption of self-collection service via APS.

Design/methodology/approach

By synthesising theoretical insights from the innovation diffusion literature and attitude theories, a conceptual model is developed and empirically validated. Perceived characteristics of APS are present to directly influence the consumers’ adoption intention, or indirectly through attitude. A total of 170 valid responses are collected from a survey conducted in Singapore and the data are analysed using structural equation modelling.

Findings

Consumers’ favourable attitude and perceived relative advantage of APS directly lead to stronger adoption intention. On the contrary, consumers’ perceptions on compatibility and trialability and on complexity indirectly influence their adoption intention via attitude, in a positive and in a negative way, respectively. Additionally, attitude is found to be the most influential factor contributing to consumers’ adoption intention.

Research limitations/implications

The scope of this paper is limited to e-consumers’ initial adoption decision. Future research should examine the consumers’ adoption behaviour further down the innovation adoption process, such as continuance and commitment.

Originality/value

This research conceptualises and validates the consumers’ adoption behaviour of APS from a synthesised view of innovation diffusion and attitude theories, theoretically and empirically contributing to the field of study on logistics innovations from the consumers’ perspective.
A review of supply chain risk management: definition, theory, and research agenda
Authors: Fan Yiyi , Stevenson Mark
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the extant literature on supply chain risk management (SCRM, including risk identification, assessment, treatment, and monitoring), developing a comprehensive definition and conceptual framework; to evaluate prior theory use; and to identify future research directions.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review of 354 articles (published 2000-2016) based on descriptive, thematic, and content analysis.

Findings

There has been a considerable focus on identifying risk types and proposing risk mitigation strategies. Research has emphasised organisational responses to supply chain risks and made only limited use of theory. Ten key future research directions are identified.

Research limitations/implications

A broad, contemporary understanding of SCRM is provided; and a new, comprehensive definition is presented covering the process, pathway, and objectives of SCRM, leading to a conceptual framework. The research agenda guides future work towards maturation of the discipline.

Practical implications

Managers are encouraged to adopt a holistic approach to SCRM. Guidance is provided on how to select appropriate risk treatment actions according to the probability and impact of a risk.

Originality/value

The first review to consider theory use in SCRM research and to use four SCRM stages to structure the review.
Improving warehouse labour efficiency by intentional forecast bias
Authors: Kim Thai Young , Dekker Rommert , Heij Christiaan
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that intentional demand forecast bias can improve warehouse capacity planning and labour efficiency. It presents an empirical methodology to detect and implement forecast bias.

Design/methodology/approach

A forecast model integrates historical demand information and expert forecasts to support active bias management. A non-linear relationship between labour productivity and forecast bias is employed to optimise efficiency. The business analytic methods are illustrated by a case study in a consumer electronics warehouse, supplemented by a survey among 30 warehouses.

Findings

Results indicate that warehouse management systematically over-forecasts order sizes. The case study shows that optimal bias for picking and loading is 30-70 per cent with efficiency gains of 5-10 per cent, whereas the labour-intensive packing stage does not benefit from bias. The survey results confirm productivity effects of forecast bias.

Research limitations/implications

Warehouse managers can apply the methodology in their own situation if they systematically register demand forecasts, actual order sizes and labour productivity per warehouse stage. Application is illustrated for a single warehouse, and studies for alternative product categories and labour processes are of interest.

Practical implications

Intentional forecast bias can lead to smoother workflows in warehouses and thus result in higher labour efficiency. Required data include historical data on demand forecasts, order sizes and labour productivity. Implementation depends on labour hiring strategies and cost structures.

Originality/value

Operational data support evidence-based warehouse labour management. The case study validates earlier conceptual studies based on artificial data.
Involving customers in innovation: knowledgeability and agency as process variables
Authors: Peters Linda D. , Pressey Andrew D. , Gilchrist Alan J.P. , Johnston Wesley J.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Recent research places an increased emphasis on the inclusion of the customer in value creation, learning and innovation processes; yet, there remains a gap in the understanding of just how such customer involvement may work. This paper aims to address this gap by examining two aspects of customer involvement – their knowledgeability and their agency. In addition, three boundaries (semantic, syntactic and pragmatic) across which relationship development occurs and which may facilitate and/or inhibit value co-creation, collaborative learning and innovation processes have been explored.

Design/methodology/approach

Three case studies have been used. Two were large-scale construction projects in the UK, and one was a global professional accounting firm in the USA.

Findings

Customers may become frustrated if not allowed to exercise their agency. However, their involvement can create tensions for suppliers who may have to become more tolerant of divergent goals. In respect of knowledgeability, it was found that constraint satisfaction is important in allowing customers to reconcile their personal knowledge schema with the collective schema. However, it was also noted that customer knowledgeability brings with it challenges for suppliers, who must find ways to add value for such customers.

Research limitations/implications

A number of further questions relating to the agency and knowledgeability of customers and their inclusion in value co-creation, collaborative learning and innovation processes have been posed. The need for guidance in identifying and minimising the barriers to crossing semantic, syntactic and pragmatic boundaries between customers and suppliers has also been highlighted.

Originality/value

This study makes an important contribution to research in the field, in that how the inclusion of the customer in business networks alters current assumptions and practices is investigated.
Interorganizational drivers of channel performance: a meta-analytic structural model
Authors: Kang Jun , Asare Anthony K. , Brashear-Alejandro Thomas , Granot Elad , Li Ping
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This meta-analysis aims to explore the true effect sizes of major channel performance drivers from different theoretical perspectives and how these true effects are organized in a theoretically integrated structural analysis to predict performance.

Design/methodology/approach

First, it offers a quantitative summary on the drivers of channel performance through pairwise correlation analysis. Second, it tests an integrative framework of various performance drivers based on the relational view by using structural equation modeling. Last, it examines the potential moderation on the effects of performance drivers.

Findings

The synthesized effects of various channel performance drivers confirm the effectiveness of underlying theoretical perspectives of channel performance. The relational view is effective to identify immediate interorganizational drivers of channel performance. The contexts and methods of performance assessment have an impact on the appraisal of performance drivers.

Research limitations/implications

The performance drivers included in this meta-analysis are constrained to variables that exist in empirical channels literature and have sufficient primary data for analysis. Moderation tests are constrained by the report of research contexts and methods in original studies. Future research should broaden the theoretical perspectives on channel performance.

Practical implications

First, leveraging key routines and processes embedded in marketing channel relationships is critical to improve channel performance. Second, more targeted effort to manage channels in different markets may improve the efficiency of channel performance enhancement. Last, a comprehensive performance assessment process is necessary to avoid biased estimation of performance drivers.

Originality/value

This meta-analysis provides a systematic review of factors influencing marketing channel performance by synthesizing and correcting the effect sizes of performance drivers from different theoretical perspectives. It further develops and tests an integrative model of four immediate interorganizational drivers of channel performance.
Preventive conservation tools in southern Ecuador
Authors: Cardoso Fausto , Achig-Balarezo Maria Cecilia , Barsallo Gabriela
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present tools to support the preventive conservation of heritage buildings as part of the results of the vlirCPM research project. The tools presented are inventory systems, damage registration system, monitoring and control system, which include preventive conservation manuals and maintenance booklets.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology proposes the design of tools that support the preventive conservation of heritage buildings, which have been designed, tested and applied in the south of Ecuador through the use of maintenance campaigns in rural and urban areas.

Findings

The project developed and tested some important analysis methodologies that are now part of the research and documentation activities of the monuments of Cuenca, which have been addressed in this paper, such as the damage registration system of heritage buildings (SISREDA), the monitoring and control system, the preventive conservation manuals, the maintenance booklets and its application in the maintenance campaigns.

Originality/value

The city of Cuenca, recognized as Cultural Heritage of Humanity (UNESCO, 1999), has a wealth of heritage buildings which are susceptible to several threats that cause its deterioration. The vlirCPM (World Heritage City) research project of the faculty of architecture of the University of Cuenca has contributed to the development of tools to improve the management of world heritage sites in southern Ecuador. These tools are the result of ten years of research.
Engaging customers in value co-creation or co-destruction online
Authors: Zhang Tingting , Lu Can , Torres Edwin , Chen Po-Ju
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a theoretical model to understand co-creation/co-destruction of value through customer engagement in online channels. It also investigates the contributing factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative approach uses the critical incidents technique to answer the research questions. The authors identify 350 critical incidents in which customers expressed online customer engagement-induced value co-creation or co-destruction experiences. The factors and resulting propositions are identified through data analysis. Data coding and analysis are facilitated by using MAXQDA 12.

Findings

Co-creation through positively valenced engagement behaviors may occur when customers are delighted, feel valued, experience reciprocity, receive organizational incentives, are solicited for feedback, can count on service recovery efforts and interact with helpful, empathetic, polite and responsive employees. Co-destruction through negatively valenced engagement behaviors emerges from rude employee behaviors, indifference, confrontation with company representatives, technological failure, the lack of complaint outlets and customers’ desire for revenge.

Practical implications

Selecting and training employees to be helpful, polite, responsive and empathetic toward online visitors can trigger co-creation. Communication between firms and customers should boost customer approval and delight. Organizations can offer incentives, reliable service delivery and a recovery design to stimulate visitor participation. Soliciting feedback requires sound technological support and direct communication links with visitors.

Originality/value

This study presents the conditions and framework contributing to the duality of customer engagement-induced co-creation and co-destruction values in online channels from the customer, organizational, employee, service design and technological perspectives. It also addresses how value is co-created or co-destructed through examples.
The influence of leadership behavior, organizational commitment, organizational support, subjective career success on organizational readiness for change in healthcare organizations
Authors: Al-Hussami Mahmoud , Hammad Sawsan , Alsoleihat Firas
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of leadership behavior, organizational commitment, organizational support and subjective career success on organizational readiness for change in the healthcare organizations. The authors want to determine if nurses who had higher levels of organizational commitment, organizational support and subjective career success relationships were more open and prepared for change.

Design/methodology/approach

Cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational survey design was conducted using self-reported questionnaires to collect data from registered nurses.

Findings

The subjective career success was the strongest predictors (β = 0.36, p < 0.001) followed by leadership behavior (β = –0.19, p = 0.03) and participants’ age (β = −0.13, p = 0.049).

Research limitations/implications

This study highlights the influence of leadership behavior, organizational commitment, organizational support and subjective career success on the organizational readiness for change in healthcare organizations. Therefore, this study forms baseline data for future local and national studies. Moreover, it will strengthen the research findings if future research includes a qualitative approach that explores other healthcare professionals regarding readiness for organizational change.

Practical implications

This study provides information to policymakers and healthcare leaders who seek to improve management and leadership skills and respond to organizational change efforts.

Social implications

It is important to know the extent to which healthcare professionals, especially nurses, understand how the influence of organizational support and organizational commitment on organizational readiness for change, as well as why specific leadership behavior and subjective career success, is important in implementing the change.

Originality/value

This study examined the nurses’ readiness for change in hospitals. Organizational readiness for change could occur in situations where nurses can exert extra efforts at work because of leaders’ behaviors and the relationship between nurses and the institution.
Determinants of forward-looking disclosures in integrated reporting
Authors: Kılıç Merve , Kuzey Cemil
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the nature and extent of forward-looking disclosures in early examples of integrated reporting and to investigate the determinants of those disclosures.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample for research involved 55 non-financial companies whose reports are available in the Integrated Reporting Examples Database for the year 2014. The authors used content analysis to investigate the quantitative and qualitative forward-looking disclosures among early adopters of integrated reporting. The forward-looking disclosure index (FLDI) was categorized into two main groups, quantitative and qualitative, including 30 items in total. Multivariate ordinary least squares regression was used to investigate the associations proposed in the research hypotheses.

Findings

The authors determined that the majority of the entities tended to provide qualitative forward-looking disclosures rather than quantitative. Further, the findings showed that gender diversity and firm size are positively related to forward-looking disclosures, whereas leverage is negatively related to forward-looking disclosures. Contrary to expectations, the authors did not find a significant impact created by board size, board composition, profitability or industry on forward-looking disclosures.

Originality/value

The research contributes to the current integrated reporting and forward-looking disclosure literature. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no prior study that has investigated forward-looking disclosures in integrated reports. This study contributes to the current literature by examining the determinants of forward-looking disclosures by categorizing them as quantitative and qualitative. Further, this research adds empirical findings to the literature on the association found between female directors and forward-looking disclosures.
Averting a tragedy of the commons: revenue sharing and competitive balance in the NHL
Authors: York Kenneth M. , Miree Cynthia E.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure the effect of the National Hockey League (NHL) collective bargaining agreement (CBA) of 2005 between the NHL owners and the NHL Players Association, to determine whether competitive balance in the NHL increased after the CBA.

Design/methodology/approach

Competitive balance in the NHL was compared between 11 seasons before the NHL Lockout Season in 2004-2005 and 11 seasons after, with a new CBA and a new revenue sharing plan. Competitive balance was measured in multiple ways, within seasons, across multiple seasons, by the margin of victory in individual games, by the concentration of teams winning and playing in the NHL championship, in the correlation of winning percentage of a season with subsequent seasons, and the number of consecutive winning or losing seasons.

Findings

There was greater competitive balance after the Lockout Season and the new CBA than before on all of the measures of competitive balance. The NHL has found a management solution to the effective management of a common pool resource and avoided a tragedy of the commons.

Practical implications

While this research builds on previous work which examines the presence of competitive balance in the NHL, it encourages those engaged in labor policy to consider not only the merit of design when negotiating labor policy, but also to explore the impact of policy on organizational outcomes over time.

Originality/value

This paper combines perspectives and insights from multiple disciplines including economists’ ideas about competitive balance in a sports league, ecologists’ ideas about effective management of a common pool resource, and strategic management ideas about management solutions to a sustainability problem.
Analysis of Vibrio seventh pandemic island II and novel genomic islands in relation to attachment sequences among a wide variety of Vibrio cholerae strains
Authors: Nguyen Tuan Hai , Pham Tho Duc , Higa Naomi , Iwashita Hanako , Takemura Taichiro , Ohnishi Makoto , Morita Kouichi , Yamashiro Tetsu
Published: January 2018

Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor, the pathogen responsible for the current cholera pandemic, became pathogenic by acquiring virulent factors including Vibrio seventh pandemic islands (VSP)‐I and −II. Diversity of VSP‐II is well recognized; however, studies addressing attachment sequence left (attL) sequences of VSP‐II are few. In this report, a wide variety of V. cholerae strains were analyzed for the structure and distribution of VSP‐II in relation to their attachment sequences. Of 188 V. cholerae strains analyzed, 81% (153/188) strains carried VSP‐II; of these, typical VSP‐II, and a short variant was found in 36% (55/153), and 63% (96/153), respectively. A novel VSP‐II was found in two V. cholerae non‐O1/non‐O139 strains. In addition to the typical 14‐bp attL, six new attL‐like sequences were identified. The 14‐bp attL was associated with VSP‐II in 91% (139/153), whereas the remaining six types were found in 9.2% (14/153) of V. cholerae strains. Of note, six distinct types of the attL‐like sequence were found in the seventh pandemic wave 1 strains; however, only one or two types were found in the wave 2 or 3 strains. Interestingly, 86% (24/28) of V. cholerae seventh pandemic strains harboring a 13‐bp attL‐like sequence were devoid of VSP‐II. Six novel genomic islands using two unique insertion sites to those of VSP‐II were identified in 11 V. cholerae strains in this study. Four of those shared similar gene clusters with VSP‐II, except integrase gene.