bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The mediating effects of adaptive selling and commitment on the relationship between management control and sales performance
Authors: Altıntas Füsun , Kurtulmusoglu Feride Bahar , Altintas Murat Hakan , Kaufmann Hans-Rudiger , Alkibay Sanem
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive model of the relationship between control and sales performance contingent upon the commitment and adaptive selling variables. Specifically, the study tests the mediator effects of adaptive selling and organizational commitment on the effect of managerial control systems on self-assessed performance of the salespeople working in the field of industrial marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 472 firms active in the industrial marketing field for tangible industry products in Turkey were selected for the research. The proposed model that tested posits relationships among management control variables and adaptive selling, organizational commitment and sales performance measures. Management controls are related to sales performance through the mediating effect of adaptive selling and organizational commitment. Management control styles (output as formal and professional as informal) were the independent variables, while changes in organizational commitment and adaptive selling were tested both as mediators and sales performance as dependent variable, consistent with the reciprocal effects model under analysis.

Findings

The findings demonstrated that “control” is positively associated with “sales performance” and “commitment” and “adaptive selling” mediate this relationship. Findings indicate that control impacts sales performance through a mediating mechanism that involves adaptive selling and commitment. Taken together, results showed that adaptive selling and commitment played a critical role in sales performance.

Originality/value

This research is the first to empirically analyse the model regarding the relationship between sales performance, control, adaptive selling and commitment variables.
Who can have it all and how?
Authors: Mills Maura J. , Grotto Angela R.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine senior executives’ work–life (WL) experiences, perceptions and consequences in light of leader gender.

Design/methodology/approach

Multi-wave data were collected from 133 executives at a large, global technology company. Time 1 assessed need for and usage of flexibility options (flextime, telework and compressed work week), organizational support and work-to-home interference (WHI); Time 2 yielded supervisor-rated performance; and Time 3 assessed commitment.

Findings

Leader gender interacted with childcare and eldercare in predicting organizational support: female leaders perceived less WHI for both types of care demands. Leader gender interacted with eldercare (but not childcare) in predicting the need for flexibility: female leaders reported necessitating less flexibility for eldercare, despite males’ higher perceived interference. Leaders of both genders indicated lower interference when they perceived organizational support, and higher organizational commitment when interference was low and when their employer satisfied their flexibility needs. Hearteningly, performance reviews were not more negative for employees with flexibility needs or using flexibility policies.

Practical implications

This research yields important implications, including empirical justification for WL management initiatives being extended to include men as well as women, and expanded for both genders. This is particularly true for leaders, as high-level employees report especially intense workloads and unclear boundaries between domains.

Originality/value

As gender, work and family roles continue to evolve, research must keep pace with evaluating those trajectories in light of research and practice. This study contributes to filling the gap at that intersection, with a focus on senior executives, a unique but oft-neglected group.
Linking leader anti-prototypes and prototypes to gender stereotypes
Authors: Powell Gary N. , Butterfield D. Anthony
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine factors that may explain the status of women in management by exploring the linkages between leader anti-prototypes and prototypes to gender stereotypes.

Design/methodology/approach

Samples from two populations described either a “bad manager” (representing leader anti-prototypes) or a “good manager” (representing leader prototypes) on two instruments that assessed masculinity and femininity.

Findings

On each instrument, masculinity was endorsed more than femininity in both leader prototypes and anti-prototypes. Both masculinity and femininity were endorsed more in leader prototypes than leader anti-prototypes but only when the purpose of the instrument was disguised rather than transparent.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of a single data collection method, the nature of the samples and a newly designed scale for purposes of the study are acknowledged. Further attention to the linkages of leader anti-prototypes and prototypes to gender stereotypes and the outcomes of these linkages is recommended.

Practical implications

Individuals who make managerial selection and promotion decisions may devote more attention to the presence or absence of masculine traits in candidates than to the presence or absence of feminine traits, thereby leading to female candidates being passed over and male candidates receiving greater scrutiny in determining who gets ahead.

Social implications

The study suggests cognitive mechanisms that may influence the status of women in management.

Originality/value

The study incorporates leader anti-prototypes and leader prototypes to explain the low status of women in management.
Framework of personalized clothing visualization
Authors: Zhu Xin-juan , Wu Xue , Shi Xin , Xu Bu-gao
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The Web 3D virtual display technology for personalized clothing based on Unity3D is studied in this paper. The framework of the technology is described. The development steps including personalized clothing design and modeling, interaction and virtual display technology based on Unity3D are given out. The purpose of this paper is to provide a feasible technical route and support for the virtual display for the customized products.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper opted for an exploratory study using the open-ended approach of grounded theory, including the Web 3D virtual display technology for personalized clothing based on Unity3D.

Findings

A feasible technical route for the virtual display of the customized products is provides in this paper.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills a software and has practical use.
Enriching project organizations with formal change agents
Authors: Eskerod Pernille , Justesen Just Bendix , Sjøgaard Gisela
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Project success requires effective and efficient cooperation between the project organization and the permanent organization in which the project takes place. The purpose of this paper is to discuss potentials and pitfalls from enriching project organizations by appointing peers as formal change agents.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a literature review and a multiple-case study in which six organizations participated in an action-oriented research project. The aim for the organizations was to obtain a better health status among the employees by accomplishing an internal change project that enhanced physical activity at the workplace and in leisure time. Change agents in the form of peer health ambassadors were selected by middle management and hereafter trained by the project representatives.

Findings

The findings suggest that the selection of change agents and middle and top management support are major determinants of success within change projects. To select change agents that the employees respect and can identify with, combined with top management prioritization, is important in order for the project organization to benefit from the additional role.

Practical implications

Selecting the “wrong” change agents can jeopardize a change project, even when the project is supported by top management and the target group members at the starting point are highly motivated to change.

Originality/value

The research contributes to the understanding of project organizing by building theory on how formal peer change agents can enhance project success in change projects.
Sustainable infrastructure development challenges through PPP procurement process
Authors: Agarchand Nilesh , Laishram Boeing
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Infrastructure development through public-private partnership (PPP) route in India has exhibited concerns about not promoting progress toward sustainable development goals, particularly social and environmental perspectives. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to identify the shortcomings in the Indian PPP procurement process using the key principles of sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research inquiry through grounded theory approach by using the literature and interview source was used to identify the challenges encountered in sustainable infrastructure development of PPP projects. These challenges were, first, reviewed from the perspectives of key sustainability principles and then discussed with the key stakeholders through focused interviews. Furthermore, micro-interlocutor analysis was carried to get an insight on the extent of consensus amongst the experts regarding these identified shortfalls.

Findings

The key shortfalls identified from the study that adversely affect progress toward sustainable development include incomprehensive environmental impact assessment and social impact assessment studies; lack of stakeholder and local participation; high bidding and transaction cost; high user charges; improper risk allocation; lack of transparency and accountability; goal conflicts between public and private sector; and lack of skill and knowledge about sustainability.

Practical implications

The study findings will help in devising appropriate strategies for enhancing the mechanisms, policies, and governance structure of PPP process in order to overcome these shortfalls and help in accomplishing the goals of sustainability while developing infrastructure even through PPP route.

Originality/value

The paper presents different insights into PPP from sustainability perspective which has not been the focus of the current studies on PPPs. Sustainability assessment of PPP procurement is an area of research which is in a nascent stage.
A longitudinal study of the efficacy of lean learning experienced through a simulated working environment (SWE)
Authors: van der Merwe Karl R.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the efficacy of lean learning as experienced and demonstrated by a group of students who were exposed to a purpose built simulated working environment (SWE). The study expands on previous research aimed at establishing the student views of the new type of training by including the perceptions of the industry mentors.

Design/methodology/approach

An SWE was developed to allow students to experience an assembly line environment and practice lean tools. The students’ perceptions of the learning process and the perceptions of their industry mentors were then measured to gauge the success of the programme.

Findings

Groups of students indicated that they believed their grasp of the basic lean concepts had been significantly enhanced through exposure to the SWE teaching exercises. The outcome of this initial study was endorsed by the findings of the second study that measured the perceptions of their industry mentors after a six-month experiential learning period.

Research limitations/implications

The research covered in this paper reflects only the findings of these two groups as they progressed from the SWE-type training to industry-based experiential learning. It is acknowledged that expanded research would be beneficial to not only verify initial findings but also to refine the lean learning experienced in the simulated work environment.

Originality/value

The paper describes a lean learning process that is more effective than current processes and could therefore be universally utilised to enhance the lean learning experience in higher education.
Implementing Lean Six Sigma into curriculum design and delivery – a case study in higher education
Authors: Thomas Andrew , Antony Jiju , Haven-Tang Claire , Francis Mark , Fisher Ron
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose the development and adoption of a Lean Six Sigma Framework (LSSF) that attempts to create a more balanced and integrated approach between Lean and Six Sigma and one that is capable of achieving improved efficacy of curriculum and programme development in a higher education environment. The implementation of the LSSF is new to the higher education sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the standard DMAIC cycle as the key driver in the implementation process, most in-depth Lean Six Sigma (LSS) case studies have focussed on manufacturing and engineering-based problems and solutions. This case study offers a detailed analysis of the design and implementation of an integrated LSSF within higher education and focusses primarily on the curriculum design and delivery of a new undergraduate engineering programme in a subject university. As such, this offers a unique perspective of LSS implementation in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) which drives systems improvements in to the heart of the teaching and learning process.

Findings

The design, development and subsequent application of the LSSF enabled the curriculum development team to comprehensively apply LSS in to a subject institution. The Shainin Key Variables Search Technique (KVST) more specifically enabled the team to prioritise the key variables by way of order of importance and, this allowed the team to apply the most appropriate tools and techniques at the key points within the LSSF in order to obtain maximum performance.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst this work provides key information on how LSS initiatives are implemented across different institution types, the work has only focussed at a very small sample of HEIs and the case study only being applied to one institution. The work will need to be extended much more widely to incorporate a larger set of HEIs (both research and teaching focussed) in order to provide a more complete map of LSS development in HEIs.

Practical implications

The aim of the paper is to provide LSS project leaders in HEIs with a coherent and balanced LSSF in an attempt to assist them in implementing comprehensive LSS programmes thus maximising the improvements in efficiency and operational performance of departments within HEIs.

Originality/value

This paper is the first of its kind to study the application of Shainin’s KVST in the implementation of LSS programmes in HEIs. The key features highlighted in this work raise important issues regarding the need and importance of developing a balanced LSSF for HEI project implementation.
Internet financial reporting determinants: a meta-analytic review
Authors: Mokhtar Ekramy Said
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine the association between firm size, profitability, leverage, auditor type and internet reporting and investigate the moderating effect of legal system, investor protection, masculinity, economic development, construction of disclosure index and measurement proxies of independent variables.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducts a meta-analytic review for 59 research papers to synthesise quantitatively the results of previous literature on the determinants of internet reporting. This study uses Hunter and Schmidt’s (2004) procedures to conduct the analysis. There are three main procedures to be followed: calculating the weighted effect size, calculating observed correlation variance and sampling error variance and, finally, testing for homogeneity and moderating effects.

Findings

The results indicate a significant positive association between firm size, profitability, leverage, auditor type and internet reporting. The results confirm the prediction of agency theory, signalling theory, political cost hypothesis and diffusion of innovation theory. Moreover, the results show that investor protection, masculinity, economic development, construction of disclosure index and measurement proxies for independent variables moderate the association between profitability, leverage and internet reporting.

Research limitations/implications

This study suffers from some limitations. First, corporate governance variables such as board size, role duality and board independence were not included in the analysis due to the limited number of studies that discuss the association between corporate governance and internet reporting. Second, the study does not control for the endogeneity problem.

Practical implications

Future research has to consider the moderating effect of investor protection, masculinity, economic development, construction of disclosure index and measurement proxies for independent variables on the association between corporate characteristics and internet reporting. Future research can extend this work by examining the association between corporate governance, ownership structure and internet reporting. The findings regarding the determinants of internet reporting should be on concern of regulatory authorities.

Originality/value

This study contributes to and extends previous meta-analysis literature by examining internet reporting determinants, as previous financial reporting meta-analysis studies give no attention to internet reporting.
Economic and market predictors of solvency of family takaful in Malaysia
Authors: Abduh Muhamad , Zein Isma Syaza Nawwarah
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically study firm-specific and economic factors affecting solvency of family takaful companies in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are extracted from the annual reports of six family takaful companies and Bloomberg for the period from 2008 to 2012. Equity-to-asset and equity-to-technical reserve ratio are used to measure solvency and thus become the dependent variables. Meanwhile, profit rate, Islamic index, company size, risk retention, contribution growth, investment income, takaful leverage, liquidity and expenses are the independent variables.

Findings

The determinants that are positively related to equity-to-asset ratio (EAR) of family takaful include contribution growth, investment income, takaful leverage, liquidity and Islamic equity index. Meanwhile, company size, risk retention, expenses and profit rate are negatively related to EAR of takaful. Equity-to-technical reserves ratio (ETR) of takaful are positively related to risk retention, contribution growth, investment income, takaful leverage, profit rate and Islamic equity index. The other variables including company size, liquidity, and expenses are negatively related to ETR of takaful.

Originality/value

This study explores factors affecting the solvency of family takaful, which to the best of the authors’ knowledge is still lacking empirical research which may improve the understanding of this issue.
Objectives of Islamic banks: a missive from mission statements and stakeholders’ perceptions
Authors: Ahmed Ishfaq , Nawaz Muhammad Musarrat , Danish Rizwan Qaisar , Usman Ahmad , Shaukat Muhammad Zeeshan
Published: April 2017

Purpose

It is believed that the core aim of Islamic institution is idiosyncratic from conventional business entities. Considering this presumption, this study aims to reveal the understandings of various stakeholders about objectives of Islamic banks.

Design/methodology/approach

The research endeavor is based on the findings of two distinctive studies, where Study 1 was aimed at investigating the communication of objectives through mission statements of Islamic banks and conventional banks with window operations. Here, mission statements were analyzed using content analysis and readability and understandability tests. Study 2, on the other hand, was aimed at investigating the understandings of various stakeholders, both internal (employees) and external (Muslim and non-Muslim customers of both Islamic and conventional banks, employees and management of conventional banks and business students). In total, 370 responses were received and analyzed in this study.

Findings

The findings (Study 1) unveil, the fact, that the mission statements of Islamic banks working in Pakistan are not good at communicating the corporate goals clearly. Out of ten banks investigated for Study 1, it is evident that only one bank (HBL, with window operations) was at par with readability threshold standards. Thus, it was imperative to share that mission statements of Islamic banks are difficult to read and comprehend. Study 2 adds further by revealing that most of the stakeholders are not clear about the objectives of these banks, while customers of conventional banks do not value the distinctive objectives of Islamic banks.

Research limitations/implications

This study leaves a valuable message for the policy makers and top management of Islamic banks by focusing on the unattended part on their end, i.e. quality of mission statements and stakeholders’ perception about the objectives of their organization, thus highlighting the needs of greater emphasis on the communication flow to stakeholders, as the clarity of business purpose may change the way customers react toward the business and opt for banking – customer relation in future.

Originality/value

This study covers a multi-dimensional investigation of the understanding and communication of objectives of Islamic banks. There is dearth of literature focusing on the aspects of content analysis, mission statement readability and understandability and investigation of stakeholders’ perception in tandem.
Towards developing service quality index for zakat institutions
Authors: Abd. Wahab Norazlina , Zainol Zairy , Abu Bakar Mahyuddin
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present a conceptual model on service quality of zakat institutions that are responsible for collecting, managing and distributing zakat in Malaysia. Zakat is an Islamic religious “tax” charged on the rich and well-to-do members of the community for distribution to the poor and the needy as well as other beneficiaries based on certain established criteria according to the Qur’an. The main aim of zakat is to protect the socio-economic welfare of the poor and the needy.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews and synthesizes the relevant literature on service quality. The paper then proposed a conceptual model to study the service quality of zakat institutions.

Findings

The paper identifies the appropriate methods to examine the extent of service quality of zakat institutions. Such evaluations are crucial for organizations like zakat institutions to function effectively to achieve the noble objectives of socio-economic justice through proper distribution of wealth.

Originality/value

This paper presents a conceptual model of service quality of zakat institutions which would be useful for further empirical research in this area. The findings are not only relevant and applicable to Malaysia but also to other Muslim countries.
The role of volunteer organizations in leadership skill development
Authors: Gordon Pamela Ann , Gordon Brett Anthony
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of service learning and the use of volunteer organizations as a means for members to learn and hone leadership skills that can be transferred to their full-time corporate positions.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study incorporating a phenomenological design was utilized to interview 30 past presidents of two volunteer organizations in Florida, Junior League and the Masonic Fraternity. The goal was to explore the participants’ thoughts and experiences related to transferable leadership skill development.

Findings

Emerging themes confirmed that accepting leadership roles within volunteer organizations is conducive to learning, testing, and evaluating new methods of leadership and skill enhancement. These skill sets can then be transferred and applied to different corporate settings.

Practical implications

Organizational leaders should consider the value-added benefits of encouraging employees to become involved in volunteer organizations and accepting leadership roles. This not only promotes good corporate social responsibility, but provides the employee with leadership skill development, which may ultimately benefit the firm.

Originality/value

Participants belonging to two separate volunteer organizations presented viewpoints regarding the value of volunteer organizations in developing and honing transferable leadership skills. Previous research has not addressed direct skill transference from leadership experiences in volunteer organizations and therefore, this research is unique in its contribution to the literature.
Brand choice via incidental social media exposure
Authors: Humphrey Jr William F. , Laverie Debra A. , Rinaldo Shannon B.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The paper seeks to establish the effectiveness of social media advertising and participation by brands through incidental exposure. Using experimental design, in a social media environment, this paper aims to extend incidental exposure research in the context of social media.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses an experimental design with controlled image durations using MediaLab and DirectRT, allowing for precise image display times and randomization of screens. Participants were split between high-involvement and low-involvement product categories, and the brand choice exercise was administered in an on-screen experiment.

Findings

The paper provides support that incidental exposure influences brand choice. Further, it indicates that for low-involvement product categories, the type of social media exposure does not influence brand choice significantly between types. For high-involvement product categories, ads perform better than sponsored story executions; consumer-generated brand messages perform better than brand-generated messages; and the influence of reference group affects brand choice.

Research limitations/implications

This paper tests one social media environment using a desktop Web environment. Additional studies would be needed to test other social media environments and mobile technology.

Practical implications

The paper provides evidence that brands benefit by simply participating and advertising in social media, but the execution style matters to a greater extent for high-involvement product categories in influencing brand choice.

Social implications

Mere exposure to a brand message may influence consumers unknowingly. Repeated exposure as short as 5 s per viewing is related to increases in brand choice.

Originality/value

This paper extends research on incidental exposure and establishes a key positive brand outcome for practice and research, and it provides the first exploration on the outcome of incident exposure to brand messages in social media. The results suggest that social media and advertising by brands have positive impacts beyond traditional measures of success online.
Simpler online ratings formats increase consumer trust
Authors: Kostyk Alena , Leonhardt James M. , Niculescu Mihai
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Online customer ratings are ubiquitous in e-commerce. However, in presenting these ratings to consumers, e-commerce websites utilize different formats. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of customer ratings formats on consumer trust and processing fluency.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the latest behavioral research, two empirical experimental studies test whether the format of online customer ratings affects consumer trust and processing fluency.

Findings

The studies offer converging evidence that a simpler ratings format (i.e. mean format) elicits higher processing fluency and, in turn, higher consumer trust than does a more complex ratings format (i.e. distribution format).

Research limitations/implications

Future research could include additional factors that might influence the ease of online ratings processing for consumers. Investigation of possible moderators, such as need for cognition, numeracy and consumer involvement, may also be of value.

Practical implications

These findings have timely practical implications for the design and presentation of customer ratings to enhance e-commerce outcomes.

Originality/value

This paper extends the effects of processing fluency on consumer trust to the increasingly important context of e-commerce. In doing so, it highlights important interactions between the evolving information environment and consumer judgment. The key takeaway for managers is that simpler online customer ratings formats help to enhance consumer trust.
Digital channels for building collaborative consumption communities
Authors: Garrett Alex , Straker Karla , Wrigley Cara
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Collaborative consumption firms leverage networked peers, communicating, collaborating and even delivering services to one another through a central marketplace channel. This raises questions as to the nature of this new form of digital channel strategy and deployment from a firm’s perspective. As a first step, this research seeks to help bridge the gap in knowledge by establishing an understanding of the digital channel usage of collaborative consumption firms.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative content analysis of 30 collaborative consumption firms was conducted using multiple data sources and coded into typologies against a predetermined coding scheme. These results were then compared against existing literature on digital channel usage in regards to a wider company usage.

Findings

This study identifies the digital channel usage and digital channel typology of each of the 30 firms associated within the collaborative consumption domain. The study shows a distinct increase in the use of social and community digital channels between traditional firms and collaborative consumption firms. As a result of this study, a concise definition of a collaborative consumption firm is provided, the digital channel usage of collaborative consumption firms is detailed and insights are provided for each sub-type of collaborative consumption.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the understanding of the collaborative consumption phenomena, the business model of collaborative consumption firms and digital channels. This study assists in describing the shift from traditional firms to peer-to-peer systems. Finally, a theoretical model is provided that demonstrates the nuance of collaborative consumption channel choice within each subcategory for future researchers to test and reflect upon.

Practical implications

This study demonstrates how collaborative consumption firms are allowing customers to drive interaction rather than traditional business-to-customer messages. A theoretical model is provided which shows contemporary marketers how to best dictate a digital channel strategy for a collaborative consumption style initiative.

Originality/value

Contributions include: a definition of what a collaborative consumption firm and its channels pertain to and how to design a collaborative consumption digital channel strategy. This study presents a digital channel comparison between collaborative consumption firms and traditional organisations.
An indicator of the impact of journals based on the percentage of their highly cited publications
Authors: González-Betancor Sara M. , Dorta-González Pablo
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The two most used citation impact indicators in the assessment of scientific journals are, nowadays, the impact factor and the h-index. However, both indicators are not field normalized (vary heavily depending on the scientific category). Furthermore, the impact factor is not robust to the presence of articles with a large number of citations, while the h-index depends on the journal size. These limitations are very important when comparing journals of different sizes and categories. The purpose of this paper is to propose an alternative citation impact indicator, based on the percentage of highly cited articles in the journal.

Design/methodology/approach

This alternative indicator is empirically compared with the impact factor and the h-index, considering different time windows and citation percentiles (levels of citation for considering an article as highly cited compared to others in the same year and category). The authors use four journal categories (Clarivate Analytics Web of Science) which are quite different according to the publication profiles and citation levels (Information Science & Library Science, Operations Research & Management Science, Ophthalmology, and Physics Condensed Matter).

Findings

After analyzing 20 different indicators, depending on the citation percentile and the time window in which citations are counted, the indicator that seems to best homogenize the categories is the one that considers a time window of two years and a citation level of 10 percent.

Originality/value

The percentage of highly cited articles in a journal is field normalized (comparable between scientific categories), independent of the journal size and also robust to the presence of articles with a high number of citations.
Innovative silk dyeing using enzyme and Rubia cordifolia extract at room temperature
Authors: Vankar Padma S. , Shukla Dhara , Wijayapala Samudrika , Samanta Asish Kumar
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Natural dyes are mostly used for dyeing of natural fibre textiles to improve their eco-friendly features. For successful commercial use of natural dyes, the appropriate and standardized dyeing techniques need to be adopted. Appropriate scientific techniques or procedures need to be derived from scientific studies on dyeing methods, dyeing process variables, dyeing kinetics and compatibility of selective natural dyes with minimal use of hazardous chemicals.

Design/methodology/approach

In the present study, different enzymes (protease, amylase, xylanase, pectinase, phytase) were used efficiently with Rubia dye by using simultaneous and two-step processes; both the processes were developed with an aim for conservation of time and energy, for the ease of industrial use. The highlights of the study are twofold: eco-friendly natural dyeing by using enzyme replacing metal mordant and room temperature dyeing, which is a completely new concept.

Findings

Experiments showed that enzymatic treatment can give good colour strength to silk fabric using Rubia as a dye source and has good potential for commercial dyeing. It is a non-toxic dye. Use of enzymes were a deliberate attempt to avoid metal mordanting in silk dyeing, as it would make textile dyeing eco-friendlier. The order of reactivity of enzymes in one-step process was found to be protease > phytase > xylanase > amylase > pectinase. Similarly, for two-step dyeing process, the order of reactivity of enzymes observed was protease > amylase > xylanase = pectinase > phytase. Protease enzyme was the best option in both the cases. Overall, it can be concluded that in the case of enzymatic treatment, the two-step process was better in terms of larger K/S values, colour coordinate values and dye adherence.

Research limitations/implications

A new domain of room temperature dyeing technique has been introduced.

Originality/value

In the present study, different enzymes (protease, amylase, xylanase, pectinase, phytase) were used efficiently with Rubia dye by using simultaneous and two-step processes; both the processes were developed with an aim for conservation of time and energy, for the ease of industrial use. The highlights of the research are twofold: eco-friendly natural dyeing by using enzyme replacing metal mordant and room temperature dyeing, which is a completely new concept. Overall, the ease of use for industrial application. Rubia dye from Sri Lanka has been used in conjunction with different enzymes to show that metal mordanting can be easily replaced by the use of eco-friendly and biodegradable enzymes. The most attractive feature of this study is the low-temperature dyeing at 30-40°C. For any dyeing house, this process can be easily adapted on jigger, winch or even in continuous padding machine. Good fastness properties and dye adherence have been the other highlights of this study.
Customer satisfaction, switching intentions, perceived switching costs, and perceived alternative attractiveness in Bangladesh mobile telecommunications market
Authors: Mannan Mahafuz , Mohiuddin Md. Fazla , Chowdhury Nusrat , Sarker Priodorshine
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to link customer satisfaction, switching intentions, perceived switching costs, and perceived alternative attractiveness in the context of the Bangladeshi mobile telecommunications market (MTM). In addition, this study develops three key formative determinants of customer satisfaction: financial factor, technological factor, and customer service factor.

Design/methodology/approach

A model is developed and tested using PLS-SEM with a sample size of 442 respondents. The three key formative determinants of customer satisfaction were developed using a panel of five industry experts.

Findings

Financial, technological, and customer service factors were found to have significant positive effects on customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction and perceived switching costs were found to have a significant direct effect on switching intentions, and perceived switching costs and perceived alternative attractiveness were found to have significant moderating effects on switching intentions through customer satisfaction. However, no significant direct effect of perceived alternative attractiveness on switching intentions was found.

Originality/value

This is the first study to link customer satisfaction, switching intentions, perceived switching costs, and perceived alternative attractiveness using structural equation modeling in the context of the Bangladeshi MTM. In addition, three key formative determinants of customer satisfaction are developed.
Engaging employees beyond the office freebies
Authors: Eaglebarger Sue
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the key roles played by both human resources and internal communications in developing, implementing and measuring employee engagement strategies and activities. Although the management practice has been widespread since the early 2000s, many are still confused or skeptical of engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper aims to define engagement and its importance with regard to attracting and keeping top talent, highlighting Aon Hewitt’s behavioral model and Gallup’s research.

Findings

Recognizing that employee engagement is a key performance indicator, this paper highlights how Lawson Products is creating growth and sustainability with its number-one asset, employees.

Originality/value

By considering the opportunities Lawson Products is providing for its employees to do meaningful work, to learn, to be involved without being micromanaged and to make an impact, readers will take away proven ideas to draw and engage today’s top talent.
A trap of optimizing skills use when allocating human resources to a multiple projects environment
Authors: Leite Marco , Baptista António J. , Ribeiro António M.R.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight possible hidden risks when allocating multi-skilled human resources to teams working in a multi-project environment. Are allocation strategies maximizing the use of skills for each project, the only way to improve the chances of all projects being successful? What are the risks in this strategy? What are the available alternatives?

Design/methodology/approach

Simulation was used for different allocation strategies to evaluate, using two different metrics, the staffing of human resources in different projects. Three categories of companies were studied, and for each typology, virtual companies were created and several scenarios of collaborators, projects and tasks were simulated to evaluate the staffing process.

Findings

It is shown that for different simulations, different allocation strategies and metrics are possible for evaluation and that there is no golden rule of staffing in organizations with multiple projects and with multiple skills collaborators. The staffing is very much dependent on the context of the company.

Practical implications

The numerical method provides general managers with a useful tool to enable a better distribution of staff collaborators in teams handling multiple projects that require multi-skilled human resources. This method can also be used to evaluate training needs and hiring strategies, as it presents an overview of all human resources skills and motivations.

Originality/value

For academics, the methodology developed enables the study of characteristics of human resources, skills and motivations, which are interesting for team formation. To practitioners, the numerical method is a practical tool for staffing in multiple skills and multiple projects. This tool can also diagnose each company situation regarding current collaborators’ skills and motivations, serving as a tool for training and for hiring.
Melanoma patient response to nivolumab treatment for metastatic lung lesions: Multi‐OMICS analysis in Project HOPE
Authors: Kiyohara Yoshio , Yoshikawa Shusuke , Otsuka Masaki , Kondou Ryota , Iizuka Akira , Nonomura Chizu , Ohshima Keiichi , Urakami Kenichi , Kusuhara Masatoshi , Nagashima Takeshi , Sugino Takashi , Yamaguchi Ken , Akiyama Yasuto
Published: April 2017

A 70‐year‐old woman was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma of the occipital skin which was resected; however, multiple lung metastases were detected. Nivolumab therapy was initiated and partial response was obtained. However, the patient was diagnosed with grade 2 interstitial pneumonitis. Prednisolone administration was initiated and the interstitial pneumonitis shadow disappeared. However, then a right rib metastasis was noticed and given radiation therapy. After progressive disease was obtained, the metastatic lesion was resected, and no relapse occurred until skeletal muscle metastasis was found. According to whole‐exome sequencing and gene expression profiling, the rib and skeletal muscle metastatic lesions showed an upregulated expression of programmed death‐ligand 1 mRNA and a high single‐nucleotide variant (SNV) number. The current melanoma case is representative of a patient who responded to nivolumab therapy, and showed typical immunological markers for responders such as high PD‐L1 expression and high SNV.
Managing trap‐nesting bees as crop pollinators: Spatiotemporal effects of floral resources and antagonists
Authors: Dainese Matteo , Riedinger Verena , Holzschuh Andrea , Kleijn David , Scheper Jeroen , Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf
Published: April 2017

The decline of managed honeybees and the rapid expansion of mass‐flowering crops increase the risk of pollination limitation in crops and raise questions about novel management approaches for wild pollinators in agroecosystems. Adding artificial nesting sites, such as trap nests, can promote cavity‐nesting bees in agroecosystems, but effectiveness could be limited by the availability of floral resources in the surrounding landscape and by natural antagonists.

In two European regions, we exposed artificial trap nests in paired field boundaries adjacent to oilseed rape (OSR) fields or non‐flowering crops for 2 years within 32 landscapes covering two independent gradients of OSR cover and semi‐natural habitat (SNH) cover in the landscape. We analysed the effects of local and landscape‐wide floral resource availability, land‐use intensity, landscape complexity and natural antagonists on community composition and population dynamics of trap‐nesting bees.

Numbers of brood cells showed a strong, three‐fold increase in response to the additional nesting sites. Species richness and abundance of cavity‐nesting bees that were active during OSR flowering increased significantly with increasing amounts of early season landscape‐wide floral resource availability, such as the cultivation of OSR. Later foraging species benefited instead from the availability of late‐season alternative flower resources or SNH cover once the mass‐flowering had ceased. Density‐dependent parasitism increased following mass‐flowering, while no density‐dependent effect was found during mass‐flowering.

Structural equation modelling revealed that the influence of floral resource availability on community growth rate was mediated by community size. Community size showed a strong negative effect on community growth rate. Despite positive density‐dependent parasitism, antagonists had only weak regulating effects on community growth rate.

Synthesis and applications. Trap‐nesting bee populations grow markedly with the increasing availability of food resources in the landscape and effectiveness of trap nests is only marginally limited by natural antagonists. Thus, trap nests could be a simple pollinator‐supporting strategy to accompany the current expansion of mass‐flowering crops and to ensure pollination services for insect‐pollinated crops. Trap nests benefit, not only early season active generalist bees during oilseed rape flowering, but also species with later phenology if accompanied by other pollinator‐supporting practices.
Enhanced ecosystem functioning following stream restoration: The roles of habitat heterogeneity and invertebrate species traits
Authors: Frainer André , Polvi Lina E. , Jansson Roland , McKie Brendan G.
Published: April 2017

Habitat restoration is increasingly undertaken in degraded streams and rivers to help improve biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Follow‐up assessments focused on outcomes for biodiversity have often found scant evidence for recovery, raising concerns about the efficacy of habitat restoration for improving ecological integrity. However, responses of other ecological variables, such as ecosystem process rates and the functional trait composition of biological assemblages, have been little evaluated.

We assessed how the restoration of habitat heterogeneity affected multiple functional parameters in 20 boreal stream reaches encompassing both more and less extensively restored sites, as well as channelised and natural reference sites. We further assessed relationships between our functional parameters and a fluvial geomorphic measure of habitat heterogeneity.

Leaf decomposition was positively related to habitat heterogeneity. This was associated with shifts in the functional composition of detritivore assemblages, with the most obligate litter consumers more prominent in reaches showing higher habitat heterogeneity. The deposition of fine particulate organic matter was consistently higher in restored than channelised sites, and was positively related to the heterogeneity gradient. Algal biomass accrual per unit area did not vary either with restoration or the heterogeneity gradient.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings demonstrate that restoration of river habitat heterogeneity can enhance retention and decomposition of organic matter, key ecosystem properties underpinning ecosystem functioning and service delivery. Significantly, enhanced litter decomposition was linked with a change in the functional composition rather than diversity of detritivore assemblages. Future evaluation of the success of habitat restorations should incorporate quantification of ecosystem processes and the functional traits of biota, in addition to measures of fluvial geomorphology and more traditional biotic metrics, to facilitate a more comprehensive and mechanistic assessment of ecological responses.