bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fundamental resource specialization of herbivorous butterflies decreases toward lower latitudes
Authors: Nakadai Ryosuke , Nyman Tommi , Hashimoto Koya , Iwasaki Takaya , Valtonen Anu
Published: January 2020

Aim

It is generally assumed that the degree of resource specialization in herbivorous insects increases towards lower latitudes. However, latitudinal patterns in herbivore diet breadth at large spatial scales remain poorly understood. In this work, we investigated drivers of latitudinal variation in lepidopteran “fundamental” resource specialization, which we defined as the host breadth when not limited by interspecific interactions at the same trophic level.

Location

The Japanese archipelago (22°N–45°N), including hemiboreal, temperate, and subtropical zones.

Taxon

Herbivorous butterflies.

Methods

Species-specific fundamental host breadth was calculated based on pooled geographical occurrence and host-use records. We investigated the latitudinal pattern and significant drivers of the degree of specialization in regional species pools at a 10-km grid level. As potential drivers, we focused on geography, current climate, and diversity and body size of butterflies. Through Bayesian structural equation modeling, we investigated the complicated relationships between these variables and community-level resource specialization represented by three different indices of host breadth.

Results

We found that fundamental resource specialization of butterfly communities increases toward higher latitudes. This pattern is contrary to the presumed general trend found in studies based on realized resource specialization within local communities. We found that the observed pattern is driven mainly by factors related to climate, butterfly diversity, and body size in each community. Above all, annual mean temperature most strongly drove community-level fundamental host breadth of butterflies.

Main conclusions

Our findings suggest that fundamental resource specialization may show different latitudinal patterns from the conventional prediction based on knowledge of realized resource specialization. Our results emphasize the importance of the current climate as a major factor regulating butterfly morphology and fundamental host breadth, regardless of whether the impact is direct or indirect.
Millipede genomes reveal unique adaptation of genes and microRNAs during myriapod evolution
Authors: Qu Zhe , Nong Wenyan , So Wai Lok , Barton-Owen Tom , Li Yiqian , Li Chade , Leung Thomas C.N. , Baril Tobias , Wong Annette Y.P. , Swale Thomas , Chan Ting-Fung , Hayward Alexander , Ngai Sai-Ming , Hui Jerome H.L.
Published: January 2020

The Myriapoda including millipedes and centipedes is of major importance in terrestrial ecology and nutrient recycling. Here, we sequenced and assembled two chromosomal-scale genomes of millipedesHelicorthomorpha holstii(182 Mb, N50 18.11 Mb mainly on 8 pseudomolecules) andTrigoniulus corallinus(449 Mb, N50 26.78 Mb mainly on 15 pseudomolecules). Unique defense systems, genomic features, and patterns of gene regulation in millipedes, not observed in other arthropods, are revealed. Millipedes possesses a unique ozadene defensive gland unlike the venomous forcipules in centipedes. Sets of genes associated with anti-microbial activity are identified with proteomics, suggesting that the ozadene gland is not primarily an antipredator adaptation (at least inT. corallinus). Macro-synteny analyses revealed highly conserved genomic blocks between centipede and the two millipedes. Tight Hox and the first loose ecdysozoan ParaHox homeobox clusters are identified, and a myriapod-specific genomic rearrangement including Hox3 is also observed. The Argonaute proteins for loading small RNAs are duplicated in both millipedes, but unlike insects, an argonaute duplicate has become a pseudogene. Evidence of post-transcriptional modification in small RNAs, including species-specific microRNA arm switching that provide differential gene regulation is also obtained. Millipede genomes reveal a series of unique genomic adaptations and microRNA regulation mechanisms have occurred in this major lineage of arthropod diversity. Collectively, the two millipede genomes shed new light on this fascinating but poorly understood branch of life, with a highly unusual body plan and novel adaptations to their environment.
Mathematical investigation of microbial quorum sensing under various flow conditions
Authors: Jung Heewon , Meile Christof
Published: January 2020

Microorganisms efficiently coordinate phenotype expressions through a decision-making process known as quorum sensing (QS). We investigated QS amongst heterogeneously distributed microbial aggregates under various flow conditions using a process-driven numerical model. Model simulations assess the conditions suitable for QS induction and quantify the importance of advective transport of signaling molecules. In addition, advection dilutes signaling molecules so that faster flow conditions require higher microbial densities, faster signal production rates, or higher sensitivities to signaling molecules to induce QS. However, autoinduction of signal production can substantially increase the transport distance of signaling molecules in both upstream and downstream directions. We present approximate analytical solutions of the advection-diffusion-reaction equation that describe the concentration profiles of signaling molecules for a wide range of flow and reaction rates. These empirical relationships, which predict the distribution of dissolved solutes following zero-order production kinetics along pore channels, allow to quantitatively estimate the effective communication distances amongst multiple microbial aggregates without further numerical simulations.

Author Summary

Microbes can interact with their surrounding environments by producing and sensing small signaling molecules. When the microbes experience a high enough concentration of the signaling molecules, they express certain phenotypes which is often energetically expensive. This microbial decision-making process known as quorum sensing (QS) has been understood to confer evolutionary benefits. However, it is still not completely understood how transport of the produced signaling molecules affects QS. Using a mathematical approach investigating QS across a range of environmentally relevant flow conditions, we find that advective transport promotes QS downstream yet also dilutes the concentration of signaling molecules. We quantify the importance of microbial cell location with respect to both other microbes and flow direction. By analyzing complex numerical simulation results, we provide analytical approximations to assess the distribution of signaling molecules in pore channels across a range of flow and reaction conditions.
Silencing of Mu elements in maize involves distinct populations of small RNAs and distinct patterns of DNA methylation
Authors: Burgess Diane , Zhao Meixia , Kim Sang Yeol , Lisch Damon
Published: January 2020

Epigenetic changes involve changes in gene expression that can be heritably transmitted to daughter cells in the absence of changes in DNA sequence. Epigenetics has been implicated in phenomena as diverse as development, stress response and carcinogenesis. A significant challenge facing those interested in investigating epigenetic phenomena is determining causal relationships between DNA methylation, specific classes of small RNAs and associated changes in gene expression. Because they are the primary targets of epigenetic silencing in plants and, when active, are often targeted for de novo silencing, transposable elements (TEs) represent a valuable source of information about these relationships. We use a naturally occurring system in which a single TE can be heritably silenced by a single derivative of that TE. By using this system it is possible to unravel causal relationships between different size classes of small RNAs, patterns of DNA methylation and heritable silencing. Here, we show that the long terminal inverted repeats (TIRs) within Zea mays MuDR transposons are targeted by distinct classes of small RNAs during epigenetic silencing that are dependent on distinct silencing pathways. Further, these small RNAs target distinct regions of the TIRs, resulting in different patterns of cytosine methylation with different functional consequences with respect to epigenetic silencing and heritability of that silencing.
Phylogenetic diversity and activity screening of cultivable actinobacteria isolated from marine sponges and associated environments from the western coast of India
Authors: Baig Ulfat , Dahanukar Neelesh , Shintre Neha , Holkar Ketki , Pund Anagha , Lele Uttara , Gujarathi Tejal , Patel Kajal , Jakati Avantika , Singh Ruby , Vidwans Harshada , Tamhane Vaijayanti , Deshpande Neelima , Watve Milind
Published: January 2020

Phylogenetic diversity of cultivable actinobacteria isolated from sponges (Haliclonaspp.) and associated environments of intertidal zones, along the northern parts of west coast of India, were studied using 16S rRNA gene sequences. A subset of actinobacteria were screened for three activities, namely predatory behavior, antibacterial activity and enzyme inhibition. We recovered 237 isolates of actinobacteria belonging to 19 families and 28 genera, which could be attributed to 95 putative species using maximum likelihood partition and 100 putative species using Bayesian partition in Poisson Tree Processes. Although the trends in the discovery of actinobacterial genera isolated from sponges was consistent with previous studies from different study areas, we provide first report of nine actinobacterial species from sponges. We observed widespread non-obligate epibiotic predatory behavior in eight actinobacterial genera and we provide first report of predatory activity inBrevibacterium,Glutamicibacter,Micromonospora,Nocardiopsis,RhodococcusandRothia. Sponge associated actinobacteria showed significantly more predatory behavior than environmental isolates. While antibacterial activity by actinobacterial isolates mainly affected Gram-positive target bacteria with little to no effect on Gram-negative bacteria, predation targeted both Gram-positive and Gram-negative prey with equal propensity. Actinobacterial isolates from both sponge and associated environment produced inhibitors of serine proteases and angiotensin converting enzyme. Predatory behavior was strongly associated with inhibition of trypsin and chymotrypsin. Our study suggests that sponge and associated environment of western coast of India are rich in actinobacterial diversity with widespread predatory activity, antibacterial activity and production of enzyme inhibitors. Understanding diversity and associations among various actinobacterial activities, with each other and the source of isolation, can provide new insights in marine microbial ecology and provide opportunities to isolate novel therapeutic agents.
DLG2 knockout reveals neurogenic transcriptional programs underlying neuropsychiatric disorders and cognition
Authors: Sanders Bret , D’Andrea Daniel , Collins Mark O. , Rees Elliott , Steward Tom G. J. , Zhu Ying , Chapman Gareth , Legge Sophie E. , Pardiñas Antonio F. , Harwood Adrian J. , Gray William P. , O’Donovan Michael C. , Owen Michael J. , Errington Adam C. , Blake Derek J. , Whitcomb Daniel J. , Pocklington Andrew J. , Shin Eunju
Published: January 2020

Brain development requires a complex choreography of cell proliferation, specialisation, migration and network formation, guided by the activation and repression of gene expression programs. It remains unclear how this process is disrupted in neuropsychiatric disorders. Here we integrate human genetics with transcriptomic data from the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into cortical excitatory neurons. This reveals a cascade of transcriptional programs, activated during early corticoneurogenesis in vitro and in vivo, in which genetic variation is robustly associated with neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive function. Within these early neurogenic programs, genetic risk is concentrated in loss-of-function intolerant (LoFi) genes, capturing virtually all LoFi disease association. Down-regulation of these programs in DLG2 knockout lines delays expression of cell-type identity alongside marked deficits in neuronal migration, morphology and action potential generation, validating computational predictions. These data implicate specific cellular pathways and neurodevelopmental processes in the aetiology of multiple neuropsychiatric disorders and cognition.
Crystal structure of silver strontium copper orthophosphate, AgSr4Cu4.5(PO4)6
Authors: Khmiyas Jamal , Benhsina Elhassan , Ouaatta Said , Assani Abderrazzak , Saadi Mohamed , El Ammari Lahcen
Published: January 2020

Crystals of the new compound, AgSr4Cu4.5(PO4)6, were grown successfully by the hydrothermal process. The asymmetric unit of the crystal structure of the title compound contains 40 independent atoms (4 Sr, 4.5 Cu, 1 Ag, 6 P and 24 O), which are all in general positions except for one Cu atom, which is located on an inversion centre. The Cu atoms are arranged in CuO
n
(n = 4 or 5) polyhedra, linked through common oxygen corners to build a rigid three-dimensional motif. The connection of these copper units is assured by PO4 tetrahedra. This arrangement allows the construction of layers extending parallel to the (100) plane and hosts suitable cavities in which Ag+ and Sr2+ cations are located. The crystal-structure cohesion is ensured by ionic bonds between the silver and strontium cations and the oxygen anions belonging to two adjacent sheets. Charge-distribution analysis and bond-valence-sum calculations were used to validate the structural model.
(N,N-Diallyldithiocarbamato-κ2
S,S′)triphenyltin(IV) and bis(N,N-diallyldithiocarbamato-κ2
S,S′)diphenyltin(IV): crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and computational study
Authors: Haezam Farah Natasha , Awang Normah , Kamaludin Nurul Farahana , Jotani Mukesh M. , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: January 2020

The crystal and molecular structures of the title organotin dithiocarbamate compounds, [Sn(C6H5)3(C7H10NS2)] (I) and [Sn(C6H5)2(C7H10NS2)2] (II), present very distinct tin atom coordination geometries. In (I), the dithiocarbamate ligand is asymmetrically coordinating with the resulting C3S2 donor set defining a coordination geometry intermediate between square-pyramidal and trigonal–bipyramidal. In (II), two independent molecules comprise the asymmetric unit, which differ in the conformations of the allyl substituents and in the relative orientations of the tin-bound phenyl rings. The dithiocarbamate ligands in (II) coordinate in an asymmetric mode but the Sn—S bonds are more symmetric than observed in (I). The resulting C2S4 donor set approximates an octahedral coordination geometry with a cis-disposition of the ipso-carbon atoms and with the more tightly bound sulfur atoms approximately trans. The only directional intermolecular contacts in the crystals of (I) and (II) are of the type phenyl-C—H...π(phenyl) and vinylidene-C—H...π(phenyl), respectively, with each leading to a supramolecular chain propagating along the a-axis direction. The calculated Hirshfeld surfaces emphasize the importance of H...H contacts in the crystal of (I), i.e. contributing 62.2% to the overall surface. The only other two significant contacts also involve hydrogen, i.e. C...H/H...C (28.4%) and S...H/H...S (8.6%). Similar observations pertain to the individual molecules of (II), which are clearly distinguishable in their surface contacts, with H...H being clearly dominant (59.9 and 64.9%, respectively) along with C...H/H...C (24.3 and 20.1%) and S...H/H...S (14.4 and 13.6%) contacts. The calculations of energies of interaction suggest dispersive forces make a significant contribution to the stabilization of the crystals. The exception is for the C—H...π contacts in (II) where, in addition to the dispersive contribution, significant contributions are made by the electrostatic forces.
Exploring smart economic development and competitiveness in Central and Eastern European countries
Authors: Dagilienė Lina , Bruneckienė Jurgita , Jucevičius Robertas , Lukauskas Mantas
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate theoretically and empirically the interactions between smart economic development (SED) and competitiveness in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. The main argument to uphold here is that smartness approach has been traditionally more focused on smart urban planning and smart specialization.

Design/methodology/approach

An evaluation by index, correlation and significance analysis is used to present original empirical evidence from six CEE countries.

Findings

Smartness approach integration into economic development justifies the identification of SED determinants: basics (welfare, digitality, environmental, social responsibility) and enhancers (learning, networking, agility, innovations and knowledge-driven). The interaction between SED and countries’ competitiveness in CEE countries might be described by two approaches, namely, focus-based (several most important basics and enhancers) and balance-based (equal importance of basics and enhancers).

Research limitations/implications

The limitations relate to the particular sample of CEE countries and gathering opportunities of statistical data.

Practical implications

The combination of SED-Index sub-indices and WEF GCI might aid a more accurate ex ante measurement. Despite common global challenges, each country should choose its own combinations for smartness determinants to achieve long-term competitiveness.

Social implications

The findings are important for fostering smartness approach in economic development for long-term competitiveness.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to economic development literature by discovering basics and enhancers for SED. By linking well-known term of competitiveness and economic development with a concept of smartness, the new approaches, namely, focus-based and balance-based, to policy making in CEE countries emerged.
Impact of CRM adoption on organizational performance
Authors: Ullah Abid , Iqbal Shahid , Shams S.M. Riad
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Customer relationship management (CRM) is instrumental to attain and sustain organizational competitive advantage. Innovation in terms of CRM adoption is the key to gain competitive advantage, and being innovative is dependent on how well organizations know about changing demands of customers and their changing ways to gain access to the market. There is hence a need to develop ongoing empirical insights from diverse management perspectives into the effect of CRM adoption on organizational performance. In this context, the purpose of this study is to develop empirical insights in relation to the moderation of technological turbulence in the banking sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data were collected and analyzed from 277 CRM staff-members of the banking sector in Pakistan to test a conceptual model. Frequencies of demographics are calculated with correlation and regression analyses using SPSS. The correlation analysis was performed to identify the direction that exists between the dependent and independent variables, and the regression analysis was performed to study the strength/intensity of the independent variable over the dependent variable. Moderating regression analysis was performed to find the moderation effect of technological turbulence on CRM adoption and organizational performance.

Findings

The CRM adoption has a critical positive impact on organizational performance in the settings of business-to-customer (B2C) perspective in the banking sector. Moreover, the results uncover that improved client satisfaction through CRM adoption prompts better organizational performance in the B2C organization. The authors also have found that technological turbulence has a negative guiding impact on the association linking with CRM adoption, as well as organizational performance.

Research limitations/implications

The conceptual model that is proposed in this study and supported by empirical insights offers researchers to develop future research studies on the moderating role of technological turbulence to analyze the influence of CRM adoption on organizational performance.

Practical implications

The empirical insights of this study are valuable for the professionals in the banking sector and other B2C organizations to enrich their organizational performance through CRM adoption while considering the moderating role of technological turbulence.

Originality/value

Based on an empirical study, in support of an original conceptual model, the insights of this paper contribute to the extant literature in the CRM, bank marketing and management, service management, B2C marketing and the emerging economy knowledge streams.
The effect of perceived CSR effort on consumer brand preference in the clothing and footwear sector
Authors: Achabou Mohamed Akli
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) effort on consumer preference in the case of brands with different CSR histories in the clothing and footwear sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the conjoint analysis method and analyzes a sample of 381 French consumers. Two sports brands were tested in this experiment: Nike and Patagonia.

Findings

The results show that despite the sensitivity of the respondents to the social and environmental conditions involved in the manufacture of the shoes they purchase, they mainly preferred Nike – regardless of its shorter CSR history and significant criticism for social issues in its value chain. Customer recognition of a greater CSR effort by Patagonia does not seem to change this preference.

Research limitations/implications

One fictional product was tested, and the two selected brands have different levels of recognition by French consumers. To strengthen the external validity of the results, it would be interesting to repeat the study using other, real products and other brands with a similar offer on the market and level of consumer awareness.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that the ethical dimension of the product should not be put forward as the main selling point, but rather as an added value for the product.

Originality/value

Although there has been an increasing number of studies of consumer behavior toward ethical attributes in recent years, none to date have compared this behavior for products of ethical brands with different CSR histories.
Reliability analysis for complex systems based on generalized stochastic petri nets and EDA approach considering common cause failure
Authors: Zeng Yining , Duan Rongxing , Huang Shujuan , Feng Tao
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to deal with the problems of failure dependence and common cause failure (CCF) that arise in reliability analysis of complex systems.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, a dynamic fault tree (DFT) is used to capture the dynamic failure behaviours and converted into an equivalent generalized stochastic petri net (GSPN) for quantitative analysis. Secondly, an efficient decomposition and aggregation (EDA) theory is combined with GSPN to deal with the CCF problem, which exists in redundant systems. Finally, Birnbaum importance measure (BIM) is calculated based on the EDA approach and GSPN model, and it is used to take decisions for system improvement and fault diagnosis.

Findings

In this paper, a new reliability evaluation method for dynamic systems subject to CCF is presented based on the DFT analysis and the GSPN model. The GSPN model is easy to capture dynamic failure behaviours of complex systems, and the movement of tokens in the GSPN model represent the changes in the state of the systems. The proposed method takes advantage of the GSPN model and incorporates the EDA method into the GSPN, which simplifies the reliability analysis process. Meanwhile, simulation results under different conditions show that CCF has made a considerable impact on reliability analysis for complex systems, which indicates that the CCF should not be ignored in reliability analysis.

Originality/value

The proposed method combines the EDA theory with the GSPN model to improve the efficiency of the reliability analysis.
The correlation analysis between the service quality of intelligent library and the behavioral intention of users
Authors: Chen Min , Shen Chien-wen
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of innovative service mode of intelligent library on improving the service quality and a series of impacts on user behavior. With the rapid development of information technology, internet of things has become an important carrier of people’s “intelligent life”. The emergence of intelligent library will no longer be limited by space; it is affecting people’s lives and work imperceptibly. This new service mode was studied here, and the relationship between the service quality of intelligent library and users’ behavior was analyzed from the perspective of user acceptance and use behavior of intelligent library. Moreover, this study explores how to optimize the service quality to let users accept this technology and service mode and thus realize the original idea.

Design/methodology/approach

Through 800 questionnaires issued to the users in the Zhejiang Provincial AI Library, the authors obtained the study data. Among the received questionnaires, 676 copies are valid, and 124 responses are either incomplete or not answered, and so, the efficient rate is 84.5 per cent.

Findings

There is a significantly positive correlation between service innovation and service quality. There is a significantly positive correlation between service quality and behavioral intention. There is a significantly positive correlation between service innovation and behavioral intention.

Originality/value

From the point of view of innovative service, this paper analyzes the effect of innovative service mode of intelligent library on improving the service quality and a series of impacts on user behavior. This study confirms that intelligent library is a relatively new service innovation. Users’ curiosity and exploration will make them access some relevant information. As a result, a reasonably innovative service is an important factor in users’ acceptance behavior.
Regendering of dynamic managerial capabilities in the context of binary perspectives on gender diversity
Authors: Kamasak Rifat , Ozbilgin Mustafa , Kucukaltan Berk , Yavuz Meltem
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The interplay between gender and dynamic managerial capabilities is not well studied in the extant literature. This paper aims to explore how dynamic managerial capabilities, as prized qualities in the job market, are framed in gendered ways and how the gendering process disadvantages female and male workers for different reasons and harms the organisations, which use the managerial capabilities approach without proofing it for gender biases.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature review was conducted and a framework that offers a new gender perspective was offered.

Findings

A number of ways dynamic managerial capabilities may be proofed for gender biases and how a gender-balanced framing of dynamic managerial capabilities may be achieved are identified.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the development of a new gender perspective, which is called regendering of dynamic managerial capabilities, which frees the concept from its binary frames of gender, assumptions of gender neutrality, with a view to capture gender diversity in a way which is closer to its nature in theory and practice of dynamic managerial capabilities.
Limiting fear and anger responses to anger expressions
Authors: Rees Laura , Friedman Ray , Olekalns Mara , Lachowicz Mark
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to test how individuals’ emotion reactions (fear vs anger) to expressed anger influence their intended conflict management styles. It investigates two interventions for managing their reactions: hot vs cold processing and enhancing conflict self-efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses were tested in two experiments using an online simulation. After receiving an angry or a neutral message from a coworker, participants either completed a cognitive processing task (E1) or a conflict self-efficacy task (E2), and then self-reported their emotions, behavioral activation/inhibition and intended conflict management styles.

Findings

Fear is associated with enhanced behavioral inhibition, which results in greater intentions to avoid and oblige and lower intentions to dominate. Anger is associated with enhanced behavioral activation, which results in greater intentions to integrate and dominate, as well as lower intentions to avoid and oblige. Cold (vs hot) processing does not reduce fear or reciprocal anger but increasing individuals’ conflict self-efficacy does.

Research limitations/implications

The studies measured intended reactions rather than behavior. The hot/cold manipulation effect was small, potentially limiting its ability to diminish emotional responses.

Practical implications

These results suggest that increasing employees’ conflict self-efficacy can be an effective intervention for helping them manage the natural fear and reciprocal anger responses when confronted by others expressing anger.

Originality/value

Enhancing self-efficacy beliefs is more effective than cold processing (stepping back) for managing others’ anger expressions. By reducing fear, enhanced self-efficacy diminishes unproductive responses (avoiding, obliging) to a conflict.
Political trust, political party preference and trust in knowledge-based institutions
Authors: Saarinen Arttu , Koivula Aki , Keipi Teo
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the association between political party preference and trust in knowledge-based institutions, while also considering how political trust facilitates the association. The authors focus on the opinions of supporters of the six largest parliamentary political parties in Finland.

Design/methodology/approach

The data are based on a population level survey. First, the authors compared party supporters’ trust in universities and YLE media. Second, the authors analyzed how political trust contributes to party supporters’ trust in knowledge-based institutions by estimating predicted probabilities. Third, the authors derived the partial correlations from the non-linear probability models incorporated separately between trust in YLE, Universities and political trust, and compared the correlations across the parties. Finally, the authors conducted the logit models from which the authors post-estimated the predicted probabilities of having high trust in YLE and Universities according to the levels of political trust separately for each party.

Findings

The results showed a cumulation of trust, reflecting especially on the attitudes of the populist party supporters who tended to have lower trust in knowledge-based institutions and distrust was highly associated with low political trust. This cumulation of trust shows an interesting dynamic in how closely institutions are linked together in terms of attitudes on their legitimacy.

Originality/value

This study assesses the cumulation of distrust, while providing an alternative political spectrum to the US two party system that has been the major focus of past research. Furthermore, the study fills a gap in the research by being the first to assess the intersection of the trust dimensions.
Gender and network effects on occupation: a case study of China
Authors: Fung Ka Yi
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ask whether or not social networks can compensate for the disadvantages of being part of an unprivileged group in the job attainment process in urban China, using the 2008 China General Social Survey.

Design/methodology/approach

The author compares the network effects on monthly income of local urban residents and rural migrants.

Findings

First, the results show that social capital exerts no significant effect on monthly income for local residents and rural migrants. Second, having network members who work in state-owned and non-state-owned enterprises helps female rural migrants to obtain higher monthly incomes, compared to those whose network members work only in either state-owned enterprises or non-state-owned enterprises. The same is not true of male rural migrants or local residents.

Originality/value

It can be concluded that a more diversified network may compensate for female rural migrants’ disadvantages, caused by being part of an unprivileged group, in their occupational attainment process.
State ownership and firm value: simultaneous analyses approach
Authors: Musallam Sami R.M.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the endogeneity effect of state ownership on firm value in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 139 Indonesian non-financial listed companies from 2009 to 2013, this study uses two-stage least square (2SLS) methods.

Findings

The results of 2SLS show that state ownership as “continuous measure, dummy variable and after adjusting the outliers” are negatively and significantly influenced firm value, implying that state ownership tends to lower firm value. Moreover, the results also show that U-shaped effect of state ownership with firm value, implying that the size of shareholders by state increases, firm value initially decreases and then increases.

Practical implications

The study intends to provide the shareholders, managers and investors with clear guidance before their investment decisions.

Social implications

This paper provides evidence that the agency costs may increase in firms with state ownership share.

Originality/value

This is the first paper contributes to the corporate governance literature by investigating the endogeneity effect between state ownership and firm value using 2SLS method in Indonesia.
Buyer–seller relational engagement and seller brand equity
Authors: Dwivedi Abhishek , Miles Morgan , Oczkowski Eddie , Weerawardena Jay , Johnson Lester W. , Wilkie Dean
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Relational engagement is offered as a framework to describe how buyers and sellers conduct exchange. Relational engagement is conceptualized as a higher-order construct comprising three dimensions: legal bonds, knowledge exchange and co-production. This paper aims to examine the efficacy of the construct by testing its influence on buyer–perceived seller brand equity.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey of 401 US-based industrial buyers was conducted. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Empirical analysis supports the proposed conceptualization of relational engagement, as well as its influence on seller brand equity through influencing buyer-perceived relationship effectiveness.

Practical implications

Relational engagement offers a template to sellers for engaging organizational buyers. A relational engagement strategy has favorable implications for seller brand equity.

Originality/value

Relational engagement offers a comprehensive strategic perspective on inter-organizational exchange, moving beyond tactical approaches. The framework reflects the continuum of exchange, incorporating transactional-dominant and relationship-dominant forms of inter-organizational marketing practices.
A new matrix for building platform portfolios: how companies can sustain their leadership
Authors: Hensmans Manuel
Published: January 2020

Purpose

An essential corporate decision-making tool, the Boston Consulting Group's growth-share matrix, is due for an upgrade. The purpose of this paper is to upgrade this growth matrix for use by corporate managers in the current platform age. Designed in the conglomerate age of the 1960s and 1970s to help corporate managers make disciplined and systematic portfolio investment decisions, the matrix is ill-adapted to the platform age in which we now live. The most valuable companies in the world are now platform companies, and many companies are transitioning to a more platform-based corporate portfolio. In this paper, the author explains how corporate managers can build and execute a sustainable platform portfolio.

Design/methodology/approach

The author started with a thorough study of the contextual assumptions and theoretical background of the original Boston Consulting Group growth-share matrix (which the author has been teaching for the past decade). He contrasted these with the assumptions and theoretical background developed in the platform strategy literature. To test and refine the framework, the author presented and discussed its applicability at companies such as GSK and with local consultants. He then used five consecutive cohorts of master students [280 students (70 groups)] to test this framework on a total of 20 companies (both “born platform” and “product to platform” companies).

Findings

The platform ecosystem age requires a corporate decision-making matrix that discriminates between businesses on the basis of platform market growth and platform commercialization capability, rather than product market growth and market share. As in the original matrix, these businesses correspond to three different investment horizons (Figure 1): the continuous renewal of blockbuster business, the integration of emerging killer businesses and the experimentation with joint innovation businesses. This paper helps corporate managers build and execute a sustainable platform portfolio by means of a sequence of six decision-making steps and a clear organizational template for successful execution.

Originality/value

The portfolio matrix, decision-making sequence and organizational execution advice presented in this paper are fit for both “born platform” companies such as Google (Alphabet) and “product to platform” hybrids such as Lego. The paper illustrates this with practical examples for both types of companies.
An inductive content analysis of formative feedback given by lived experience assessors in pre-registration mental health nurse education
Authors: Stacey Gemma , Pearson Mark
Published: January 2020

Purpose

In the assessment of student nurses, there is limited research exploring why the contributions of people with lived experience (LE) have an impact on learning. The purpose of this paper is to compare the nature of feedback provided to students by people who have both worked in and used mental health services.

Design/methodology/approach

To explore the nature of qualitative student feedback generated from an assessment involving people who have experience of using and working in mental health services. Therefore, an inductive content analysis conducted on the formative written feedback provided to students following a simulated assessment.

Findings

The results demonstrate significant similarities in the feedback provided by those with LE of using and working within mental health services, suggesting a shared conceptualisation of professionalism.

Research limitations/implications

The research indicates the potential socialisation of professionals and service users to not only the assessment process but also the professional expectations of mental health nurses. These findings resonate with Barker et al.’s (1999) description of the “pseudo ordinary me” and emphasise the principles and importance of person-centred care.

Originality/value

The paper highlights that assessment approaches which incorporate feedback from people with LE offer a vehicle to demonstrate and explore how attributes, subjectively associated with professionalism, can be recognised and developed by student mental health nurses.
Peer supported open dialogue in a UK NHS trust – a qualitative exploration of clients’ and network members’ experiences
Authors: Hendy Corrine , Pearson Mark
Published: January 2020

Purpose

As the evidence base in relation to open dialogue continues to grow and develop, this paper contributes to the growing evidence base within the UK. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the experiences of those who have received the service and reports a qualitative evaluation of an open dialogue service operating within the National Health Service of the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

The opportunity to participate was offered to all those who had received open dialogue within this particular National Health Service (NHS) trust. In total, seven participants, from four different social networks, participated in the research and attended semi-structured focus groups. The audio recordings of all focus groups were transcribed and the data as subjected to inductive thematic analysis.

Findings

The results provide an insight into the lived experience of the individuals who received open dialogue. The analysis of the data gathered in the focus groups revealed three major themes: relational mutuality, dichotomy with other mental health services and dialogical freedom.

Practical implications

The results suggest that individuals and networks positively experienced receiving open dialogue, particularly in relation to the way in which they were able to relate to, and work with practitioners. However, the results did also raise some issues in relation to the complications of introducing the open dialogue model into existing NHS structures.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the emerging evidence base in relation to open dialogue, especially considering the current lack of existing research undertaken within the UK.
Governance as integrity
Authors: Da Veiga Maria do Rosário , Major Maria
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Through a case study on the governance structures of the UN, the purpose of this paper is to develop a critique of Public and Private Bureaucracies Transaction Cost Economics (PPBTCE) (Williamson, 1999) as a theoretical lens to analyze internal oversight structures.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors explore “probity” and “independence” transactions’ attributes through historical narrative case-based research to answer the question – Why did numerous attempts to strengthen the governance of UN internal oversight structures not relieve “probity” hazards?

Findings

The analysis shows that at the UN increasing and strengthening the governance of oversight structures, i.e., incentives, did not relieve probity/ethics hazards as predicted in PPBTCE. Secretaries-General and UN General Assembly, entities charged with oversight powers, systematically trumpeted the UN Charter, breaching probity/ethics and disregarding the supervisory independence prerogative of internal oversight structures, hence failing to contribute to the “common good” and to protect the UN mission.

Originality/value

This paper is the first application of PPBTCE to internal oversight transactions within an International organization context testing probity and independence attributes. The authors find that “independence” outweighs the “asset specificity” attribute whenever decisions on the governance of internal oversight arise. As far as sourcing decisions are concerned, the authority of the sovereign and the independence of the judiciary as well as quasi-judiciary transactions are not transferable attributes and, thus, cannot be contracted along with the actors’ ethics. PPBTCE should be modified to include, e.g. “virtues ethics” behavioral assumption as a transaction costs’ reduction device and explanatory framework for “probity” hazards, abandoning the opportunism behavioral assumption.
Actors and the information flows in the Czech parliamentary budget debate
Authors: Sedmihradská Lucie , Kučera Jan
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a model that allows analyzing exchange and use of fiscal information by the roles of actors involved in the budget process and to apply the proposed model to the 2018 Czech state budget debate. The aim is to identify approaches used by the members of the Chamber of Deputies (members of the parliament (MPs)) when gathering information to be used in their decision making on the state budget, and to evaluate usefulness of the information provided through the executive’s budget proposal.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is the observatory study of the Czech 2018 state budget debate based on a set of unstructured interviews with newly elected MPs.

Findings

When it comes to the MPs deciding about the state budget the executive’s budget proposal seems to be an insufficient source of information as the MPs relied heavily on various information brokers during the budget debate. The use of information and communication technologies in the process of information provision lags behind its potential.

Practical implications

The authors suggest two possible ways to improve the effective transparency of the Czech state budget debate: standardization of the chapter books and making them available to every MP as well as to the general public, and adding the budget proposal to the Monitor budget explorer – a publicly available budget explorer provided by the Ministry of Finance.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper lies in the proposal of the Fiscal Information Ecosystem Model and its application to the 2018 Czech state budget debate which shows how the members of the Czech Chamber of Deputies gathered information they needed in their decision making.
An examination of participative leadership amongst national library directors worldwide
Authors: Lo Patrick , Stark Andrew
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse managerial approaches of a selective group of national library directors, examining their views and perceptions of successful library leadership in the twenty-first century in different sociocultural contexts. This study was carried out based on a series of semi-structured interviews with ten top-level directors of national libraries located on different continents.

Design/methodology/approach

The data collection method for this study consisted of the narrative analysis of the ten interviews coupled with the participative leadership theory, which highlights the leaders’ desire to create a more democratic culture within their library organisations.

Findings

The analysis of these interviews reveals that many of the directors’ responses were supportive to the concepts discussed in participative leadership. National librarians, through their participative leadership philosophies, values and beliefs, contributed to the development of an institutional culture that fostered improving trust, communications, engagement as well as promotion of inter-team relationships by breaking down the traditional “hierarchical” barriers within their organisations.

Research limitations/implications

The participants were predominantly from Europe; only one participant represented the USA, Middle East (Israel) and Northern Africa (Egypt). As a result, there are not many diverse viewpoints from national library directors outside of Europe. Further studies would be needed to obtain a more international perspective in the national library sphere. Furthermore, this study only examines the views and attitudes of ten different library directors. In comparison with the totality of national library directors across the world, this is a relatively small sample. This study may not be representative of all national library directors around the world.

Originality/value

The results of this study would be of interest to library professionals and educators interested in management, as well as Library and Information Science students who want to understand how national library directors view successful traits of participative leadership in different sociocultural contexts.