bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishing combination PAC-1 and TRAIL regimens for treating ovarian cancer based on patient-specific pharmacokinetic profiles using in silico clinical trials
Authors: Cardinal Olivia , Burlot Chloé , Fu Yangxin , Crosley Powel , Hitt Mary , Craig Morgan , Jenner Adrianne L.
Published: March 2022

Ovarian cancer is commonly diagnosed in its late stages, and new treatment modalities are needed to improve patient outcomes and survival. We have recently established the synergistic effects of combination tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and procaspase activating compound (PAC-1) therapies in granulosa cell tumours (GCT) of the ovary, a rare form of ovarian cancer, using a mathematical model of the effects of both drugs in a GCT cell line. Here, to understand the mechanisms of combined TRAIL and PAC-1 therapy, study the viability of this treatment strategy, and accelerate preclinical translation, we leveraged our mathematical model in combination with population pharmacokinetics (PopPK) models of both TRAIL and PAC-1 to expand a realistic heterogeneous cohort of virtual patients and optimize treatment schedules. Using this approach, we investigated treatment responses in this virtual cohort and determined optimal therapeutic schedules based on patient-specific pharmacokinetic characteristics. Our results showed that schedules with high initial doses of PAC-1 were required for therapeutic efficacy. Further analysis of individualized regimens revealed two distinct groups of virtual patients within our cohort: one with high PAC-1 elimination, and one with normal PAC-1 elimination. In the high elimination group, high weekly doses of both PAC-1 and TRAIL were necessary for therapeutic efficacy, however virtual patients in this group were predicted to have a worse prognosis when compared to those in the normal elimination group. Thus, PAC-1 pharmacokinetic characteristics, particularly clearance, can be used to identify patients most likely to respond to combined PAC-1 and TRAIL therapy. This work underlines the importance of quantitative approaches in preclinical oncology.
WDR5 promotes breast cancer growth and metastasis via KMT2-independent translation regulation
Authors: Cai Wesley L , Chen Jocelyn F , Chen Huacui , Wingrove Emily , Kurley Sarah J , Chan Lok Hei , Zhang Meiling , Arnal-Estapé Anna , Zhao Minghui , Balabaki Amer , Li Wenxue , Yu Xufen , Dou Yali , Liu Yansheng , Jin Jian , Westbrook Thomas F , Nguyen Don , Yan Qin
Published: March 2022

Metastatic breast cancer remains a major cause of cancer related deaths in women and there are few effective therapies against this advanced disease. Emerging evidence suggests that key steps of tumor progression and metastasis are controlled by reversible epigenetic mechanisms. Using an in vivo genetic screen, we identified WDR5 as an actionable epigenetic regulator that is required for metastatic progression in models of triple-negative breast cancer. We found that knockdown of WDR5 in breast cancer cells independently impaired their tumorigenic as well as metastatic capabilities. Mechanistically, WDR5 promotes cell growth by increasing ribosomal gene expression and translation efficiency in a KMT2-independent manner. Consistently, pharmacological inhibition or degradation of WDR5 impedes cellular translation rate and the clonogenic ability of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, combination of WDR5-targeting with mTOR inhibitors leads to potent suppression of translation and proliferation of breast cancer cells. These results reveal novel therapeutic strategies to treat metastatic breast cancer.
SARS-CoV-2 accessory protein ORF8 decreases antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity
Authors: Beaudoin-Bussières Guillaume , Arduini Ariana , Bourassa Catherine , Medjahed Halima , Gendron-Lepage Gabrielle , Richard Jonathan , Pan Qinghua , Wang Zhen , Liang Chen , Finzi Andrés
Published: March 2022

SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein is the major target of host neutralizing antibodies and the most changing viral protein in the continuously emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants as a result of frequent viral evasion from host antibody responses. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 encodes multiple accessory proteins that modulate host antiviral immunity by different mechanisms. Among all SARS-CoV-2 accessory proteins, ORF8 is rapidly evolving and a deletion in this protein has been linked to milder disease. Here, we studied the effect of ORF8 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Specifically, we found that ORF8 can bind monocytes as well as NK cells. Strikingly, ORF8 binds CD16a (FcγRIIIA) with nanomolar affinity and decreases the overall level of CD16 at the surface of monocytes and, to a lesser extent, NK cells. Strikingly, this decrease significantly reduces the capacity of PBMCs and particularly monocytes to mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Overall, our data identifies a new immune-evasion activity used by SARS-CoV-2 to escape humoral responses.
Controlling taxa abundance improves metatranscriptomics differential analysis
Authors: Ji Zhicheng , Ma Li
Published: March 2022

A common task in analyzing metatranscriptomics data is to identify microbial metabolic pathways with differential RNA abundances across multiple sample groups. With information from paired metagenomics data, current differential methods control for either DNA or taxa abundances to address their strong correlation with RNA abundance. We discovered that when either DNA or taxa abundance is controlled for, RNA abundance still has a strong partial correlation with the other factor. Thus, both factors need to be controlled for in the differential model. In both simulation studies and a real data analysis, we demonstrated that controlling for both DNA and taxa abundances leads to superior performance compared to only controlling for one factor.
Longer metaphase and fewer chromosome segregation errors in modern human than Neandertal brain development
Authors: Mora-Bermúdez Felipe , Kanis Philipp , Macak Dominik , Peters Jula , Naumann Ronald , Sarov Mikhail , Winkler Sylke , Oegema Christina Eugster , Haffner Christiane , Xing Lei , Wimberger Pauline , Riesenberg Stephan , Maricic Tomislav , Huttner Wieland B. , Pääbo Svante
Published: March 2022

Since the ancestors of modern humans separated from those of Neandertals, around one hundred amino acid substitutions spread to essentially all modern humans. The biological significance of these changes is largely unknown. Here, we examine all six such amino acid substitutions in the three proteins known to have key roles in kinetochore function and chromosome segregation and to be highly expressed in the stem cells of the developing neocortex. When we introduce these modern human-specific substitutions in the mouse, three substitutions in two of these proteins, KIF18a and KNL1, cause a prolongation of metaphase and a reduction in chromosome segregation errors in apical progenitors of the developing neocortex. Conversely, the ancestral substitutions cause a reduction in metaphase length and an increase in chromosome segregation errors in human brain organoids. Our data also show that, in these aspects, Neandertals were more similar to chimpanzees than to modern humans. Thus, the fidelity of chromosome segregation during neocortex development improved in modern humans after their divergence from Neandertals.
The genetics and epigenetics of satellite centromeres
Authors: Talbert Paul B. , Henikoff Steven
Published: March 2022

Centromeres, the chromosomal loci where spindle fibers attach during cell division to segregate chromosomes, are typically found within satellite arrays in plants and animals. Satellite arrays have been difficult to analyze because they comprise megabases of tandem head-to-tail highly repeated DNA sequences. Much evidence suggests that centromeres are epigenetically defined by the location of nucleosomes containing the centromere-specific histone H3 variant cenH3, independently of the DNA sequences where they are located; however, the reason that cenH3 nucleosomes are generally found on rapidly evolving satellite arrays has remained unclear. Recently, long-read sequencing technology has clarified the structures of satellite arrays and sparked rethinking of how they evolve, and new experiments and analyses have helped bring both understanding and further speculation about the role these highly repeated sequences play in centromere identification.
Crystal structures of three β-halolactic acids: hydrogen bonding resulting in differing Z′
Authors: Gordon Matthew N. , Liu Yanyao , Shafei Ibrahim H. , Brown M. Kevin , Skrabalak Sara E.
Published: March 2022

The crystal structures of three β-halolactic acids have been determined, namely, β-chlorolactic acid (systematic name: 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropanoic acid, C3H5ClO3) (I), β-bromolactic acid (systematic name: 3-bromo-2-hydroxypropanoic acid, C3H5BrO3) (II), and β-iodolactic acid (systematic name: 2-hydroxy-3-iodopropanoic acid, C3H5IO3) (III). The number of molecules in the asymmetric unit of each crystal structure (Z′) was found to be two for I and II, and one for III, making I and II isostructural and III unique. The difference between the molecules in the asymmetric units of I and II is due to the direction of the hydrogen bond of the alcohol group to a neighboring molecule. Molecular packing shows that each structure has alternating layers of intermolecular hydrogen bonding and halogen–halogen interactions. Hirshfeld surfaces and two-dimensional fingerprint plots were analyzed to further explore the intermolecular interactions of these structures. In I and II, energy minimization is achieved by lowering of the symmetry to adopt two independent molecular conformations in the asymmetric unit.
Total quality leadership and organizational innovativeness: the role of social capital development in American schools
Authors: Birasnav M. , Gantasala Swapna Bhargavi , Gantasala Venugopal Prabhakar , Singh Abhishek
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between total quality leadership, social capital development and organizational innovativeness in the school environment. While there are research studies focused on the impact of leadership on implementing quality management practices, innovation and organizational performance, the mediating effect of social capital development has not been explored on the influence of the school leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the purpose of this study, data collected from 158 principals, who participated in the Teaching and Learning International Survey 2018, were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

This study found that total quality learning-oriented school leaders are supportive of developing social capital in their schools, and such social capital development is very useful to improve organizational innovativeness. Interestingly, social capital development has been found to mediate the relationship between total quality learning-oriented school leadership and organizational innovativeness.

Practical implications

This study submits evidence for two major activities that school leaders perform: learning- and control-oriented activities, both being important for improving and measuring quality in the educational sector. This study clearly shows that control-oriented activities lean toward negatively on social capital while learning-oriented activities strongly and positively influence social capital development. From this study, practitioners can be aware and consciously promote social capital development in schools and that social capital development mediates the influence of total quality leadership and innovation in schools.

Originality/value

Schools can be visualized as guarded communities for creating a secure environment for students in support of learning. This research study shows that the combined cognitive capital, structural capital and relational capital mediate the impacts of total quality leadership on innovativeness in schools. Thus, school leaders should first establish a mechanism to develop social capital among their employees to bring up innovative initiatives.
Farm to School of Park County: A Journey from Program to Nonprofit (A)
Authors: Cates Karen L. , Howard Liz Livingston
Published: March 2022

This case series describes the startup of Farm to School of Park County, an emerging nonprofit organization in the US state of Montana. Case (A) describes the community, the need, and the origins of Farm to School in Livingston, Montana. The leaders of Farm to School face a budget crisis and need to evaluate four options to decide whether, when, and how it should become an independent organization. As Case (B) begins, Farm to School has decided to enter into a fiscal sponsorship agreement with the local community foundation. The next task for the organization's leaders is recruiting founding board members. They need to decide whom to ask and how to do it. In Case (C), the board develops a strategic plan and establishes committees. However, the board members and leaders start to feel fatigue in the face of the demands of a startup organization, leading to questions about what is truly strategic and how work will get done. The Farm to School organization in Case (D) has just issued its first annual report, filled with meaningful accomplishments. The leaders of the organization begin to plan to build an organization that will outlast them and the founding board members.
A linear smoothed meshfree method with intrinsic enrichment functions for 2D crack analysis
Authors: Ban Can , Pu Na Na , Zhang Yi Fei , Wentao Ma
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This article aims to develop an accurate and efficient meshfree Galerkin method based on the strain smoothing technique for linear elastic continuous and fracture problems.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposed a generalized linear smoothed meshfree method (LSMM), in which the compatible strain is reconstructed by the linear smoothed strains. Based on the idea of the weighted residual method and employing three linearly independent weight functions, the linear smoothed strains can be created easily in a smoothing domain. Using various types of basic functions, LSMM can solve the linear elastic continuous and fracture problems in a unified way.

Findings

On the one hand, the LSMM inherits the properties of high efficiency and stability from the stabilized conforming nodal integration (SCNI). On the other hand, the LSMM is more accurate than the SCNI, because it can produce continuous strains instead of the piece-wise strains obtained by SCNI. Those excellent performances ensure that the LSMM has the capability to precisely track the crack propagation problems. Several numerical examples are investigated to verify the accurate, convergence rate and robustness of the present LSMM.

Originality/value

This study provides an accurate and efficient meshfree method for simulating crack growth.
The impact of acculturation process and the institutional isomorphism on IFRS adoption
Authors: Ben Salem Rahma , Damak Ayadi Salma
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explain why some countries have quickly embraced IFRS standards while others have partially adopted IFRS and others have been resisting using a model borrowed from social psychology that appeals to cultural differences.

Design/methodology/approach

After selecting a sample of 30 countries, the data were analyzed through hierarchical cluster analysis. The results indicate that the sampled countries are classified into seven categories according to the degree of application of international standards. The ordinal regression is used to identify cultural and institutional factors that influence the adoption of IFRS.

Findings

The findings show that interpersonal communication promotes the application of international standards while open-mindedness, ethnocentrism and knowledge of the host culture prevent the transition to a strategy of adoption. The authors have also found out an empirical support for the two institutional isomorphic pressures (coercive and mimetic) on the adoption of IFRS at the national level. While the opening to the international economy encourages countries to set a strategy of adoption, civil liberties and political rights, taxation and innovation impede such adoption.

Practical implications

The study contributes to a better understanding of the factors influencing the implementation of IFRS. It provides to institutional theorists, accounting scholars and policymakers a cultural and institutional model for effective IFRS adoption conditions: promote intercultural interactions; master IFRS does not automatically mean applying them; encourage openness to the global economy; review the taxation system and accounting education programs and especially; and allow some flexibility for standard setters. This study can also assist regulators to verify their policies for the enforcement of IFRS. This paper will also be useful for future research studying the links between human behavior and the choice of new accounting standards through acculturation theory.

Originality/value

Through the acculturation theory, five new cultural dimensions developed by Ben Salem et al. (2019) are used for the first time to define the choice of accounting systems developed to international standards. This study empirically verified the predictive validity of these dimensions on the adoption of IFRS. Previous research have been based on the relationship between culture and disclosure using mainly the Hofstede dimensions. There is, therefore, a shortage of studies analyzing the culture and adoption of IFRS in individual countries. This study provides a cultural and institutional model of IFRS implementation conditions. Similarly, the research included taxation, which is not addressed by previous research, and their relevance in explaining the recourse to IFRS standards is confirmed.
The impact of exclusivity in talent identification: sources of perceived injustice and employee reactions
Authors: Peterson Jonathan , Tahssain-Gay Loubna , Laila Benraiss-Noailles
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper examines antecedents to perceived injustice in exclusive talent identification practices.

Design/methodology/approach

31 in-depth interviews with individuals working in for-profit organizations in France were conducted and analyzed. Interviewees represented a variety of sectors such as transportation, aerospace, energy and telecommunications.

Findings

The use of exclusivity in talent identification influences perceived organizational justice through ambiguous advancement policies, support from hidden networks, lack of diversity in the talent identification process, frequent gender discrimination, and premature labeling of talent. These practices suggest breaches in procedural, distributive and interactional justice by allocating advantages to some employees over others. Exclusivity yielded frustration, jealousy and potential retaliatory behavior against those individuals deemed to be unfairly identified as talent.

Practical implications

The challenge of ensuring fair and equitable talent identification is a growing issue for organizations. For managers, it requires paying close attention to how some forms of exclusivity in talent identification may create unfair treatment of employees.

Originality/value

While organizational justice research focuses on the background and practices that promote justice, our research finds its originality in examining the sentiments of injustice that remain contextual, subjective and comparative.
Self-service technologies (SSTs) in airline services: multimediating effects of flow experience and SST evaluation
Authors: Moon Hye Young , Lee Bo Youn
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effects of consumers’ motivations on behavioral intention to use self-service technology (SST) in airline services exploring multimediating effects of flow experience and SST evaluation in Stimulus-Organism-Response model.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted with quota sampling based on age group who had experiences of SSTs usage at the Incheon International Airport in South Korea. A total of 286 responses were used for the data analysis with structural equation modeling to examine the proposed model and the multimediating effects.

Findings

The results showed that consumers’ intrinsic and extrinsic motivations had positive impacts on their flow experience, SST evaluation and behavioral intention to use airline SSTs. Their flow experience had a positive influence on SST evaluation, and their SST evaluation influenced behavioral intention to use airline SSTs. Consumers’ flow experience and SST evaluation mediated the relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic motivations and behavioral intention to use airline SSTs.

Practical implications

It is important for customers to perceive extrinsic motivation such as speed, convenience and efficiency for the smooth process of airline SSTs at the airport. SST evaluation plays a key role to increase customers’ behavioral intention to use airline SSTs.

Originality/value

This study extends the understanding of consumers’ intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, flow experience, SST evaluation and behavioral intentions to use SST in airline services by building on a model. Especially, findings of the (multi)mediating effects of customers’ perceived flow and SST evaluation on the relationship between motivations and behavioral intention to use airline SSTs might provide better guidelines for managers to incorporate SSTs, to increase operational efficiency and to boost customer experiences.
Enablers of technology agility in higher education
Authors: Menon Shalini , Suresh M.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is two-fold. First, to identify and encapsulate the enablers that can facilitate technology integration in higher education and second, to understand and analyze the interplay between technology agility enablers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the Total Interpretive Structural Modeling (TISM) approach to construct a theoretical model of the technology agility enablers in higher education and MICMAC analysis for ranking and segregating the enablers based on their dependence power into four categories: Autonomous, Dependent, Linkage and Independent.

Findings

The study helped identify eight technology agility enablers, with the Covid-19 pandemic as the most significant enabler. The Covid-19 pandemic has catalyzed the diffusion of technology across the education sector in India, including tertiary higher education. The study revealed government initiatives and institutional commitment as other enablers that can promote technology agility in higher education.

Practical implications

The results of this study would assist the policymakers and management of universities and colleges in understanding the important enablers that can facilitate technology integration in higher education.

Originality/value

Research in the past on technology adoption in higher education has looked into each enabler in isolation. This research provides a comprehensive view of the enablers and has attempted to establish a multidirectional interplay between the enablers.
Home-based work or non-home-based work? Factors influencing work choices of women in the informal sector
Authors: Dadheech Reetika , Sharma Dhiraj
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to determine the factors influencing the job choices of Indian women working in the informal manufacturing sector. The informal sector has always played a significant role in emerging and developing countries. This study investigates the effect of social cultural norms influencing women informal workers in the manufacturing sector to participate in home-based work (HBW) or non-home-based work (non-HBW) .

Design/methodology/approach

Both Quantitative and Qualitative methodology have been used. In accordance with descriptive statistics, a multinomial logistic regression model was employed to assess women's likelihood of participation in home-based activities. To gain a more in-depth insight, semi-structured interviews were used to collect the perspectives of both men and women workers. The data were analysed using narrative analysis.

Findings

The findings reveal that a high fixed cost is a key driver of HBW. Workers prefer to work from home when the loss of joint household production due to working outside is substantial. Social and cultural standards play a significant effect in job selection for women. These conventions limit women's employment options, and the current study demonstrates that strong social and cultural standards limit women to home-based jobs only.

Social implications

Enhancing women's involvement in the public realm is critical and may be accomplished by affirmative action; but, for women to be treated equally in their homes and in society, an attitude shift is necessary. Despite the government's initiatives and regulations aimed at protecting informal women workers, many of the programmes and legislation fall short. The position of women in this environment cannot be improved until and unless the norms of society are flexible and liberal for Indian women. The first step would be to educate people and make them aware of the need to abandon outdated practices and embrace new progressive ideals. It will not be achievable just via government efforts; rather, both the government and society must work together to achieve the same goal.

Originality/value

The author hereby declares that this submission is their own work and to the best of their knowledge it contains no materials previously published or written by another person, except where due acknowledgement is made in the thesis. The author would like to undertake the above-mentioned manuscript has not been published elsewhere or under editorial review for publication elsewhere; and that all co-authors have agreed to have seen and approved the manuscript for submission.
Developing strategies for international celebrity branding: a comparative analysis between Western and South Asian cultures
Authors: Shah Zahra , Olya Hossein , Monkhouse Lien Le
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This empirical research conceptualises the impact of celebrity effectiveness on consumer purchase intention, with customer perception and attitude as mediators. A cross-cultural approach is adopted to analyse consumer response to celebrity branding across Britain and Pakistan containing non-explicit and explicit sex appeals.

Design/methodology/approach

A within-subject experimental design (2 countries × 2 ad designs) is employed to test the research model across Western and South Asian cultures. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and multi-group analysis (MGA) are used to test proposed hypotheses.

Findings

SEM results confirm the theoretical model: perception and attitude towards the advert and brand mediate the impact of celebrity effectiveness on purchase intention. Celebrity-endorsed advertising without explicit sex appeals elicited an overall favourable response across markets. British consumers respond to both adverts similarly. Yet, Pakistani consumers filter advert themes through salient cultural values and respond negatively to explicit sex appeals whilst, interestingly, accepting sexuality in associations of a celebrity endorser.

Practical implications

International celebrities can have cross-cultural appeal, and commonalities exist between the markets. A global or domestic marketing strategy can be utilised across the cultures based upon the environmental conditions and the themes and appeals incorporated within advert design.

Originality/value

The conceptual model is developed by consolidating existing models within celebrity endorsement and considering the mediating influence of both the advert and brand. The model is validated across theoretically different cultures. The comparative approach and selection of an underrepresented market provide novel insight into international branding strategies and global consumer culture.
Fostering exploration and exploitation behavior in management teams to enhance organizational performance: the LearnOvation leadership development program
Authors: Kjellström Sofia , Areskoug Josefsson Kristina , Fabisch Anna , Forsberg Charlotte , Schneider Thomas , Avby Gunilla
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact and effectiveness of the LearnOvation leadership development program in the welfare services sector in Sweden.

Design/methodology/approach

LearnOvation was based on ambidexterity theory for the program content and the research study design. A mixed-method design was applied, using questionnaires among staff (n = 523) and written evaluations with the management teams (n = 60).

Findings

Quantitative analysis of the questionnaires indicated little change in managers' and staffs' innovation behaviors, though employee exploration behaviors were strongly and positively correlated with their innovation behaviors. Qualitative leader-written evaluations reported increased understanding of innovation management and the use of exploration and exploitation activities to involve staff in the implementation of creative ideas within the organization.

Practical implications

The authors argue that innovating is about creating a fertile ground for exploration and exploitation processes of learning that support staff's willingness to meet goals, as well as their capability to explore new ideas and experiment in new ways of working. Leadership development activities that engage the entire management team can build the necessary capacity and power to lead innovation processes in highly structured welfare services and free the employees' innovativeness, potentially leading to improved services and employee satisfaction.

Originality/value

With the goal of enhancing the innovation capacity in daily practice, this study adds to the scarcity of research in welfare services on how to actually support management's work on leading successful implementation of creative ideas.
Counting nature: some implications of quantifying environmental issues in corporate reports
Authors: Morrison Leanne J. , Wilmshurst Trevor , Shimeld Sonia
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the role numbers play in corporate environmental reporting. To deeply examine the ontological meanings of enumeration in the context of nature, the histories of number and accounting are explored. Some key tropes emerge from these histories, namely, distancing and control.

Design/methodology/approach

To explore some of the implications of quantifying nature, three years of environmental reports of ten companies from the ASX200 are analysed through a Barthsian lens. Examples of enumerating nature are highlighted and explored in terms of what this means for the corporate relationship with nature. This study has focussed on some specific aspects of nature that are commonly counted in corporate environmental reporting: carbon, energy, water, biodiversity and waste. This study explores how monetisation and obfuscation are used and how this informs the myth that nature is controllable.

Findings

This study finds that quantifying nature constructs a metaphorical distance between the company and the natural world which erodes the sense of connection associated with an authentic care for nature. These findings are critical in light of the detrimental impact of corporate activity on the natural world. The reports themselves, while promoted as a tool to help mitigate damage to the natural environment, are implicitly perpetuating its harm.

Research limitations/implications

Given the extent to which companies are responsible for environmental damage and the potential capacity embedded in corporate communications, better understanding the implications of quantifying nature could powerfully instigate a new but necessary approach to nature.

Originality/value

The insights of this paper are relevant to those aiming to improve the underpinning approaches used in corporate environmental reporting. This paper provides new understandings of the ways quantitative expression of environmental values constructs the myth that nature is controllable.
Using Schmid–Leiman solution with higher-order constructs in marketing research
Authors: Sharma Piyush , Sivakumaran Bharadhwaj , Mohan Geetha
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce the Schmid–Leiman solution (SLS) as a useful tool to interpret the results of higher-order factor analyses in marketing research irrespective of the type of higher-order factor structure used (formative or reflective).

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies, one with retail shoppers in India and another with undergraduate students in Hong Kong, are used to compare different types of higher-order factor structures to test the utility of SLS.

Findings

The authors show that whether a reflective or a formative model is used to operationalize a higher-order construct, using SLS as an additional analysis gives useful insights into the factor structure at different levels and helps isolate their unique contributions to the explained variance.

Research limitations/implications

The authors test higher-order models for store environment and consumer impulsiveness with data from retail shoppers and undergraduate students in two Asian countries, which may restrict the generalizability of the study findings. Future research may try to replicate our findings with other higher-order constructs and consumers in other countries.

Practical implications

The authors offer a checklist that can be used by future researchers to evaluate alternate higher-order factor structures and choose the appropriate one for their research context.

Originality/value

The authors show that using SLS is especially useful when there is a lack of clarity on the nature of relationships between the factors at different levels or about the independent contribution of the factors at different levels, in a higher-order factor structure.
Sustainable, therefore reputable: linking sustainability, reputation, and consumer behaviour
Authors: Unal Umut , Tascioglu Mertcan
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to test the effect of sustainability-driven reputation on purchase intention and willingness to pay a price premium along with the mediating roles of consumer trust and perceived risk.

Design/methodology/approach

A structural equation model was used on survey data collected from 660 participants to test the model and corresponding hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that sustainability has a positive effect on reputation, which in turn, while enhancing trust, decreases consumers' perceived risk. Further, trust is positively related to purchase intention and price premium, while perceived risk is negatively related to them. Finally, mediation analyses show the mediating roles of both trust and perceived risk between sustainability reputation and consumer behaviour.

Originality/value

This paper makes three major contributions: First, it takes all three dimensions of sustainability into account simultaneously in an empirical study in contrast with the disposition in the academic literature to address each dimension separately. Second, it explores the impact of reputation obtained primarily through sustainability on consumer behaviour. Third, it sheds light on the inner mechanism of the relational outcomes by testing the mediating effect of trust and perceived risk.
Impact of retailing technology during business shutdown
Authors: Rajagopal Rajagopal
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study explores the causes and effects of technology usefulness on shopping behavior of consumers in Mexico by measuring inter-relationships between the constructs of shopping with new-normal following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) business shutdown and online retail technology.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has been conducted in six online retail stores with the online survey of 342 buyers in Mexico. Data have been analyzed using two regression models with dependent variables, perceived usefulness of technology and buying decision of customers. Multiple correlations across the variables were computed.

Findings

Results of this study reveal that as customers found higher ease of use of online shopping, they perceived higher usefulness of online retailing technology. The perceived quality of retailing website positively influences impulsive buying behavior of customers. The study observed that increase in coupon promotions has positively enhanced the perceived buying impulsiveness of consumers in online stores. The perceived usefulness of online redemption of coupons has also positively benefited the attitude of customers toward buying.

Research limitations/implications

Online shopping has attracted a large section of customers during the COVID-19 business shutdown, and peer interactions have motivated them to experience the retailing technology of virtual stores. This study offers important insights for managers working in the retailing industries. Online strategies of retailers with unified customer experiences during the pandemic and business shutdown has provided extensive online retail space.

Practical implications

Managers of virtual retail stores need to build their business on customer-centric propositions, encourage 3D visions of products, develop “do-it-yourself” kiosks with augmented reality technology and enhance the value-based online business model. Online retailers need to prioritize developing an easy to navigate and quality website with comprehensive product information and instant messaging facilities over the sales promotion strategies. Online retailers need to establish quick response (QR) technology to improve the ease of use for navigation.

Originality/value

This study finds out the perceived usefulness in using online retail technology, and how customers have experienced it as a single wide option during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Crafting a performance-focused strategy of “Deep Purpose”
Authors: Denning Stephen
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Research has found that firms with deep purpose treat purpose as an existential intention that informed every decision, practice and process. They adopted purpose as their operating system, perceiving it as a vital animating force. As a result, they navigated the tumultuous terrain of multi-stakeholder capitalism far more adeptly than most, increasing value for all stakeholders, including investors, over the long-term.

Design/methodology/approach

The author analyses Professor Ranjay Gulati’s new book “Deep Purpose” and his HBR article, “The Messy but Essential Pursuit of Purpose” that introduce the concept of “deep purpose,” which has enabled some firms to “operate with heightened passion, urgency, and clarity”.

Findings

Firms with deep purpose treat ‘purpose as an existential intention that informed every decision, practice and process’.

Practical/implications

Purpose serves as an organizing principle that shapes decision-making and binds stakeholders to one another.

Originality/value

This is a very timely article that will held senior executives develop and articulate their firms purpose statement and connect it to their operating practices.
Comparison of adaptive pitch control strategies for a wind turbine benchmark model
Authors: Sahu Shrabani , Behera Sasmita
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The wind turbine (WT) is a complex system subjected to wind disturbances. Because the aerodynamics is nonlinear, the control is thus challenging. For the variation of wind speed when rated power is delivered at rated wind speed, the power is limited to the rate by the pitching of the blades of the turbine. This paper aims to address pitch control with the WT benchmark model. The possible use of appropriate adaptive controller design that modifies the control action automatically identifying any change in system parameters is explored.

Design/methodology/approach

To deal with pitch control problem when wind speed exceeds the rated wind speed of the WT, six digital self-tuning controller (STC) with different structures such as proportional integral (PI), proportional derivative (PD), Dahlin’s, pole placement, deadbeat and Takahashi has been taken herein. The system model is identified as a second-order autoregressive exogenous (ARX) model by three techniques for comparison: recursive least square method (RLS), RLS with exponential forgetting and RLS with adaptive directional forgetting identification methods. A comparative study of three identification methods, six adaptive controllers with the conventional PI controller and sliding mode controller (SMC), are shown.

Findings

As per the results, the best improvement in control of the output power by pitching in full load region of benchmark model is achieved by self-tuning PD controller based on RLS with adaptive directional forgetting method. The adaptive control design has a future in WT control applications.

Originality/value

A comparative study of identification methods, six adaptive controllers with the conventional PI controller and SMC, are shown here. As per the results, the best improvement in control of the output power by pitching in the full load region of the benchmark model has been achieved by self-tuning PD controller. The best identification method or the system is RLS with an adaptive directional forgetting method. Instead of a step input response design for the controllers, the controller design has been carried out for the stochastic wind and the performance is adjudged by the normalized sum of square tracking error (NSSE) index. The validation of the proposed self-tuning PD controller has been shown in comparison to the conventional controller with Monte-Carlo analysis to handle model parameter alteration and erroneous measurement issues.
Exploring the diets of mothers and their partners during pregnancy: Findings from the Queensland Family Cohort pilot study
Authors: Wilkinson Shelley A. , Schoenaker Danielle A. J. M. , de Jersey Susan , Collins Clare E. , Gallo Linda , Rollo Megan , Borg Danielle , Dekker Nitert Marloes , Truby Helen , Barrett Helen L. , Kumar Sailesh , Clifton Vicki
Published: March 2022

Aim

Modifiable behaviours during the first 1000 days of life influence developmental trajectories of adult chronic diseases. Despite this, sub‐optimal dietary intakes during pregnancy and excessive gestational weight gain are common. Very little is known about partners' dietary patterns and the influence on women's pregnancy dietary patterns. We aimed to examine dietary intake during pregnancy among women and their partners, and gestational weight gain patterns in the Queensland Family Cohort pilot study.

Methods

The Queensland Family Cohort is a prospective, observational study piloted at a Brisbane (Australia) tertiary maternity hospital from 2018 to 2021. Participant characteristics, weight gain, dietary and nutrient intake were assessed.

Results

Data were available for 194 pregnant women and their partners. Poor alignment with Australian Guide to Healthy Eating recommendations was observed. Highest alignment was for fruit (40% women) and meat/alternatives (38% partners) and lowest for breads/cereals (<1% women) and milk/alternatives (13% partners). Fewer women (4.4%–60.3%) than their partners (5.4%–92.3%) met guidelines for all micronutrient intakes from food alone, particularly folic acid, iodine, and iron. Women were more likely to meet daily recommendations for fruit, vegetables, dairy, bread/cereals, and meat/alternatives when their partners also met recommendations. Women with a higher pre‐pregnancy body mass index were more likely to gain above recommended weight gain ranges.

Conclusions

In this contemporary cohort of pregnant women and their partners, sub‐optimal dietary patterns and deficits in some nutrients were common. There is an urgent need for evidence‐informed public health policy and programs to improve diet quality during pregnancy due to intergenerational effects.
Carbon controls in a New Zealand electricity utility: An application of theoretical triangulation
Authors: Bui Binh , Fowler Carolyn
Published: March 2022

This article examines the drivers and process of change in carbon controls within a New Zealand electricity utility, using a meta‐triangulation approach that employs three theoretical perspectives (transactional cost economics, the resource‐based view and new institutional sociology). Results suggest three main objectives motivate carbon controls: cost control, competitiveness and legitimacy. Multiple environmental demands and expectations were met by focusing controls on a particular stakeholder group or objective. Further, the research identifies the conditions under which carbon controls are integrated and institutionalised within an organisational management control system. The theoretical interplay provides insight into inter‐relationships between institutional environments, organisational resources and carbon transactional characteristics.
Auditors’ scepticism in response to audit committee oversight behaviour
Authors: Aghazadeh Sanaz , Kang Yoon Ju , Peytcheva Marietta
Published: March 2022

We use two experiments and a survey to examine how audit committee (hereafter, AC) oversight behaviour, particularly AC sceptical attitude and proactive behaviour, affects auditor scepticism, and whether the influence is driven by the risk aspect of auditors’ assessment of AC oversight behaviour. We find that when ACs exercise insufficient scepticism, auditors (junior auditors, managers, and partners) perceive AC oversight as weak, and increase their scepticism. However, AC proactive behaviour does not significantly influence auditor scepticism. Our findings suggest auditors view weak AC oversight as a risk indicator and respond by exercising greater scepticism.
Collaborating with qualitative researchers to co‐design social‐ecological studies
Authors: Keith Ryan J. , Given Lisa M. , Martin John M. , Hochuli Dieter F.
Published: March 2022

In recent years, ecologists have embraced the human dimensions of their discipline and expanded their remit to explore issues traditionally addressed by the social sciences and environmental humanities. This expansion offers opportunities to engage with diverse methodologies, some of which challenge the orthodoxies of conservation research; however, ecologists do not have the expertise to use social science methodologies in their work. In this Toolkit, we outline ways to improve social‐ecological research and outcomes through partnerships with qualitative researchers. Ecologists – who lack the epistemological and methodological preparation needed for productive qualitative or mixed methods study design – have often used quantitative methods to investigate social‐ecological systems. Though this has enhanced our ecological knowledge and led to the development of evidence‐based conservation practices, the biodiversity crisis continues to worsen as a result of human behaviours. Qualitative inquiry offers powerful insights into the drivers of social and behavioural phenomena but remains under‐represented in ecological research despite its broadening demographic. This presents a substantial missed opportunity that warrants rectifying. Here, we outline the qualitative research paradigm and highlight its benefits to ecology and ecologists. We also discuss a range of pitfalls and caveats ecologists encounter by not using appropriate qualitative research designs to support the exploration of their questions. We conclude by providing guidance for ecologists who intend to conduct research embracing qualitative or mixed paradigm designs. In order to address the human dimensions of ecology and conservation, it is essential to engage qualitative experts within and beyond the ecological science community. When fruitful collaborations form, research teams are able to approach some of ecology's most challenging problems from new perspectives, incorporating the views and knowledge of stakeholders on whom we rely for success.