bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting the trends and cost impact of COVID-19 OSHA citations on US construction contractors using machine learning and simulation
Authors: Sadeh Hooman , Mirarchi Claudio , Shahbodaghlou Farzad , Pavan Alberto
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the U.S. government ensures that all health and safety regulations, protecting the workers, are enforced. OSHA officers conduct inspections and assess fines for non-compliance and regulatory violations. Literature discussion on the economic impact of OSHA inspections with COVID-19 related citations for the construction sector is lacking. This study aims to investigate the relationships between the number of COVID-19 cases, construction employment and OSHA citations and it further evaluates the total and monthly predicted cost impact of OSHA citations associated with COVID-19 violations.

Design/methodology/approach

An application of multiple regression analysis, a supervised machine learning linear regression model, based on K-fold cross validation sampling and a probabilistic risk-based cost estimate Monte Carlo simulation were utilized to evaluate the data. The data were collected from numerous websites including OSHA, Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.

Findings

The results show that as the monthly construction employment increased, there was a decrease in OSHA citations. Conversely, the cost impact of OSHA citations had a positive relationship with the number of COVID-19 cases. In addition, the monthly cost impact of OSHA COVID-19 related citations along with the total cost impact of citations were predicted and analyzed.

Originality/value

The application of the two models on cost analysis provides a thorough comparison of predicted and overall cost impact, which can assist the contractors to better understand the possible cost ramifications. Based on the findings, it is suggested that the contractors include contingency fees within their contracts, hire safety managers to implement specific safety protocols related to COVID-19 and request a safety action plan when qualifying their subcontractors to avoid potential fines and citations.
Determinants of positive mental health during organizational change: role of continuous learning, mindfulness and change-efficacy
Authors: Budhiraja Sunil , Rathi Neerpal
Published: April 2022

Purpose

By integrating job demands-resource (JD-R) theory and organizational change approach, the paper investigates determinants of positive mental health (PMH) of employees experiencing unpredictable organizational change (i.e. transition from physical work to remote work and other associated changes during the Covid-19 pandemic). The paper aims to examine the direct and indirect effects of continuous learning (CL) and mindfulness (MF) on PMH of employees via their perceived change-efficacy (CE).

Design/methodology/approach

Time-lagged primary data were collected from a cohort of information technology employees experiencing organizational change in the past one year. During the first stage, data was collected on variables, including CF, MF and CE, whereas response on PMH of employees was collected after one month. AMOS-24 has been used to assess the measurement model and perform the analysis.

Findings

At the outset, the study affirms that CL, MF and CE significantly contribute toward PMH of employees. The mediation analysis suggests that CE significantly mediates both relationships (i.e. CL-PMH and MF-PMH).

Practical implications

First, CL and MF are key to recovering from a crisis and enhancing PMH of employees. Second, employees’ CE is an essential ingredient for organizations to successfully implement organizational changes while amplifying the PMH of employees.

Originality/value

The study is one of its kind which examines the antecedents of employees’ mental health during organizational change while examining the mediating role of their CE. The findings contribute substantially to the literature of organizational change and JD-R theory by integrating and extending it to organizational change context.
Multisensory prosumption: how cooking classes shape perceptions of destinations
Authors: Aksenova Diana , Cai Wenjie , Gebbels Maria
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the multisensory experiences of participating in a cooking class and how they shape perceptions of destinations in the pre-trip stage. Performance theory and prosumption provide a theoretical lens to investigate how a cooking class influences the pre-trip destination sensescape.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used participatory action research consisting of an immersive Tatarstan cooking class experience with the supporting materials of music and videos, focus group discussions and participant observations.

Findings

Cooking class participants prosume local culture and (re)construct the perceptions of Tatarstan by partaking in cooking classes through a multisensory experience. The pre-trip destination sensescape formation in the cooking class is dynamic, stimulating and memorable. With active engagement in co-creating in the process, such experience significantly strengthens and reshapes the perceptions of a destination.

Practical implications

Cooking classes can be leveraged in pre-trip marketing as a tool to enhance the competitiveness of tourism destinations and contribute to accessible tourism, such as engaging visually impaired tourists’ other heightened senses in experience design and marketing.

Originality/value

This study revealed that participation in cooking classes involves active, embodied and multisensory engagement, which acts as a vehicle of the destination perception change.
Effects of history, location and size of ethnic enclaves and ethnic restaurants on authentic cultural gastronomic experiences
Authors: Song Hanqun , Kim Jong-Hyeong
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The extant gastronomy literature has rarely examined a connection between authentic gastronomic experiences and destinations. Specifically, ethnic enclaves, which are unique gastronomic and cultural destinations providing ethnic cuisine and cultural experiences to visitors, have been under-researched. Thus, this study aims to address this knowledge gap.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a 2 (history: long vs short) × 2 (location: Central Business District vs rural; main street vs alleyway) × 2 size/ownership type (big vs small; chain vs independent) between-subjects design, two experiments were conducted using a sample of 557 British consumers to test the effect of history, location and size of ethnic enclaves and ethnic restaurants on consumers’ authentic cultural and gastronomic experiences in a UK context.

Findings

In Study 1, ethnic enclave’s size affected consumers’ authentic cultural experiences. In Study 2, restaurants’ history and ownership type positively influenced consumers’ authentic gastronomic experiences. Both studies consistently reported the positive relationship between authentic experiences and behavioural intentions.

Practical implications

For ethnic enclaves, the management team may consider expanding the size of ethnic enclaves to increase consumers’ authentic cultural experience. For those ethnic restaurants within the ethnic enclave, any independent or old ethnic restaurants should actively promote both characteristics in their marketing materials to create a feeling of offering authentic gastronomic experiences to customers.

Originality/value

This study identified important ethnic enclave-related factors and ethnic restaurant-related factors forming consumers’ authentic cultural and gastronomic experiences.
STEM vs non-STEM differences in university teaching and research during the COVID-19 pandemic: the case of Sri Lanka
Authors: de Silva Tiloka , Wickramasinghe Vathsala
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore the differences between science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and non-STEM disciplines in terms of the changes to teaching and research practices caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses survey responses collected between July and November 2020 from 241 academics (excluding library staff) from the five oldest state universities in Sri Lanka. The analysis focuses on the differences between STEM and non-STEM faculty using multiple linear regression to control for demographic characteristics such as age, gender and designation as well as university-specific factors.

Findings

The paper finds significant differences in the teaching practices of STEM and non-STEM academics, both in terms of preparation time for teaching and tools used for online delivery. Significant differences are also observed in research practices, with STEM faculty being significantly more likely to engage in research collaborations, obtain research funding and be involved in more research projects. The authors do not find any evidence of the pandemic having differential impacts on research productivity between the broad disciplines.

Originality/value

This research provides insights into the differences between STEM and non-STEM disciplines in online teaching and research practices adopted since the onset of the pandemic, which are important for formulating appropriate policy responses to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on both students and staff. The contribution is particularly significant for developing countries where the creation of a skilled workforce is a key driver of the development process.
Longitudinal modelling of housing prices with machine learning and temporal regression
Authors: Zhang Yu , Rahman Arnab , Miller Eric
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to model housing price temporal variations and to predict price trends within the context of land use–transportation interactions using machine learning methods based on longitudinal observation of housing transaction prices.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines three machine learning algorithms (linear regression machine learning (ML), random forest and decision trees) applied to housing price trends from 2001 to 2016 in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, with particular interests in the role of accessibility in modelling housing price. It compares the performance of the ML algorithms with traditional temporal lagged regression models.

Findings

The empirical results show that the ML algorithms achieve good accuracy (R2 of 0.873 after cross-validation), and the temporal regression produces competitive results (R2 of 0.876). Temporal lag effects are found to play a key role in housing price modelling, along with physical conditions and socio-economic factors. Differences in accessibility effects on housing prices differ by mode and activity type.

Originality/value

Housing prices have been extensively modelled through hedonic-based spatio-temporal regression and ML approaches. However, the mutually dependent relationship between transportation and land use makes price determination a complex process, and the comparison of different longitudinal analysis methods is rarely considered. The finding presents the longitudinal dynamics of housing market variation to housing planners.
Predicting arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation from electrocardiogram signals using Pivot Range Fitness Scale-Based Machine Learning Model
Authors: Jyothi Sreedhar , Nelloru Geetanjali
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Patients having ventricular arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation, that are early markers of stroke and sudden cardiac death, as well as benign subjects are all studied using the electrocardiogram (ECG). In order to identify cardiac anomalies, ECG signals analyse the heart's electrical activity and show output in the form of waveforms. Patients with these disorders must be identified as soon as possible. ECG signals can be difficult, time-consuming and subject to inter-observer variability when inspected manually.

Design/methodology/approach

There are various forms of arrhythmias that are difficult to distinguish in complicated non-linear ECG data. It may be beneficial to use computer-aided decision support systems (CAD). It is possible to classify arrhythmias in a rapid, accurate, repeatable and objective manner using the CAD, which use machine learning algorithms to identify the tiny changes in cardiac rhythms. Cardiac infractions can be classified and detected using this method. The authors want to categorize the arrhythmia with better accurate findings in even less computational time as the primary objective. Using signal and axis characteristics and their association n-grams as features, this paper makes a significant addition to the field. Using a benchmark dataset as input to multi-label multi-fold cross-validation, an experimental investigation was conducted.

Findings

This dataset was used as input for cross-validation on contemporary models and the resulting cross-validation metrics have been weighed against the performance metrics of other contemporary models. There have been few false alarms with the suggested model's high sensitivity and specificity.

Originality/value

The results of cross validation are significant. In terms of specificity, sensitivity, and decision accuracy, the proposed model outperforms other contemporary models.
Are Industry 4.0 technologies enablers of lean? Evidence from manufacturing industries
Authors: Narula Sanjiv , Puppala Harish , Kumar Anil , Luthra Sunil , Dwivedy Maheshwar , Prakash Surya , Talwar Vishal
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to propose a conceptual model indicating the impact of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies on lean tools. Additionally, it prioritizes I4.0 technologies for the digital transformation of lean plants.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a questionnaire-based survey to capture the perception of 115 experts of manufacturing industries from Germany, India, Taiwan and China. The impact of I4.0 on lean tools, using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Further, the authors drew a prioritization map of I4.0 on the employment of lean tools in manufacturing, using the Best–Worst Method (BWM).

Findings

The findings indicate that cloud manufacturing, simulation, industrial internet of things, horizontal and vertical integration impact 100% of the lean tools, while both cyber-security, big data analytics impact 93% of the lean tools and advanced robotics impact 74% of the lean tools. On the other hand, it is observed that augmented reality and additive manufacturing will impact 21% and 14% of the lean tools, respectively.

Practical implications

The results of this study would help practitioners draw up a strategic plan and roadmap for implementing lean 4.0. The amalgamation of lean with I4.0 technologies in the right combination would enhance speed productivity and facilitate autonomous operations.

Originality/value

Studies exploring the influence of I4.0 on lean manufacturing lack comprehensiveness, testing and validation. Importantly, no studies in the recent past have explored mapping and prioritizing I4.0 technologies in the “lean” context. This study thereby attempts to establish a conceptual model, indicating the influence of I4.0 technologies on lean tools and presents the hierarchy of all digital technologies.
Domain-based ambidexterity for managing a dual business model in the hospitality industry in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic: an exploratory study
Authors: Yassiva Vergine Virsta , Priyono Anjar , Wibowo Wisnu Pambudi
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to analyse how a hotel company manages ambidexterity when operating different business models in different markets located in the same country.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was conducted using a qualitative case study, and the subjects were selected using the theoretical sampling technique. A corporation managing two hotel business units located in the same city but operating different business models – a premium and a low-cost business model – were selected as subjects.

Findings

The empirical evidence revealed that an ambidextrous business model can be realized through integration or separation of appropriate domains of business activities. The empirical findings further showed that exploitations are easier to integrate than explorations.

Practical implications

The authors found that firms using structural separation for managing premium and low-cost business models can avoid market cannibalism and achieve synergies between different business models if business model ambidexterity is well managed.

Originality/value

This study extends research in the area of ambidexterity and business models. It responds to calls to examine how firms using structural separation implement business model ambidexterity in practice, particularly in service sectors. By analysing the details of activities within the business model, the authors advance the understanding of which domains are suitable for an integration or separation approach.
The relationship between sustainable supply chain management and enterprise economic performance: does firm size matter?
Authors: Yang Xiaoyue , Wang Jing
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Based on the extended resource-based view (ERBV), this paper aims to investigate the relationship between sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), dynamic capabilities (DCs) and enterprise economic performance (EEP). Both the direct effects of SSCM on economic performance and the mediation effect of DCs are investigated. This empirical study also examines the moderating role of firm size.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies hierarchical regression analyses to test our hypotheses, and then the mediation test was performed using the macro PROCESS. Data were collected from 178 Chinese manufacturing firms.

Findings

The findings show that SSCM practices significantly and positively influence both economic performance and DCs. The results indicate that DCs partially mediate the relationship between SSCM practices and EEP. Moreover, firm size has a moderating effect on external SSCM practices that influence EEP, but the moderating effect was not found to be significant for the effects of internal SSCM practices on economic performance and SSCM practices on DCs.

Practical implications

This study reveals insights into the potential benefits for large enterprises and SMEs related to the utilization of SSCM practices in China and puts forward differentiated suggestions for SSCM practices in large enterprises and SMEs.

Originality/value

Drawing on the ERBV, this study provides a deeper perspective on the relationship between SSCM and EEP by regarding DCs as a mediating variable and firm size as a moderating variable.
Can Shari’ah supervisory board and Islamic bank characteristics reduce tax avoidance? Evidence in Indonesia and Malaysia
Authors: Taufik Muhammad
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to shed light on Shari’ah supervisory boards (SSBs) and the possibilities of Islamic banks to reduce the tax avoidance. Performance and Shari’ah compliance have been extensively studied; however, tax avoidance remains a challenge.

Design/methodology/approach

SSB characteristics, based on resource dependence theory, influence tax avoidance, including SSB size, educational level, expertise, reputation, remuneration and turnover. The samples were obtained from Islamic banks in Indonesia and Malaysia (2010–2020) using the data panel method.

Findings

Islamic banks avoid taxes through the effective tax rate and book tax difference. SSBs who have more expertise play a role in investigating the complexity of tax avoidance, and SSB reputation, who is a member of the Islamic bank regulator, understands immorality, resulting in reduced tax avoidance. Moreover, the recruitment system has been effective, as SSBs with more expertise have become more prevalent. Meanwhile, SSB from a Shari’ah background works only in regulated areas, simplifying Shari’ah compliance, in particular, attestation of financial reporting. A heavy workload is created by cross-membership, resulting in the neglect of the immoral value of tax avoidance. The calculation of tax avoidance also includes remuneration and bank assets.

Practical implications

Given the uniqueness of Islamic banks contributing to social welfare, tax regulators need to review the appropriateness of fees that can be treated as taxes. Tax regulators can join hands with Islamic bank regulators on this review.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to examine the characteristics of SSBs and Islamic banks on tax avoidance. Separating Islamic banks by country enriches the analysis.
Reducing occupational fraud through reforms in public sector audit: evidence from Ghana
Authors: Agyemang Samuel Kojo , Ohalehi Paschal , Mgbame Oscar Chijoke , Alo Kolawole
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the contributions that public sector audit through reforms can make in dealing with the issues of occupational fraud in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The issues surrounding the Ghana Audit Service (GAS) reports issued to parliament were reviewed using socio-legal methodology. The discussion as well as the theoretical contribution is informed by stakeholder theory.

Findings

The findings show matching of irregularities as reported by regular audit reports to schemes of occupational fraud and abuse as well as how the power to surcharge and disallow would serve as a deterrence mechanism in the fight against occupational fraud.

Practical implications

This paper concludes with discussions on specific requirements including the use of fraud investigators and modern forensic techniques in a collaborative effort with guidelines from the Supreme Audit Institution to minimise fraud.

Originality/value

This study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is the first to explore the role of GAS in minimising occupational fraud.
The effect of intellectual capital on firm performance: the mediating role of family management
Authors: Bataineh Hanady , Abbadi Sinan Suleiman , Alabood Enas , Alkurdi Amneh
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of intellectual capital components on firms’ performance, and also examines the influence of the mediating role of family management on such a relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses are tested using structural equation modeling for a sample of 46 Jordanian service listed firms during 2014–2019.

Findings

The results indicate that intellectual capital efficiency is a key factor that enables firms to achieve higher financial performance and higher market value. Human capital efficiency has a significant positive effect on firms’ profitability as measured by return on assets and earnings per share. No evidence is shown to support that family management has a mediating role on the relationship between intellectual capital and firms’ performance.

Practical implications

The results indicate strong evidence of the important role of intellectual capital on firm performance. Accordingly, this study recommends that the managers of service firms should continue to enhance and improve the components of intellectual capital, especially investing more in the competencies and capabilities of employees, including their skills, education and training programs to achieve competitive advantage and ensure continued success in the future, and investors to pay special attention to the components of intellectual capital to predict the performance of the firm and be able to choose the best investment opportunities.

Originality/value

This study provides additional insights into the literature of both intellectual capital and family businesses by analyzing data from an emerging market.
Saddling effect of underlying contracts on sales performance: a multi-group analysis in the takaful industry
Authors: Shamsudheen Shinaj Valangattil , Mahomed Ziyaad , Muneeza Aishath
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of information overload (referred to as the saddling effect in this study) of underlying contracts on the sales performance of the salesforce at takaful institutions with special reference to addressing the heterogeneous effect among distribution channels.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 311 samples were collected from the sales professionals of the takaful industry in Malaysia using a purposive sampling technique and the empirical analysis was conducted with the measures of model fit and bootstrapping technique using partial least square structural equation modeling and multi-group analysis.

Findings

Empirical results indicate that the saddling effect of the underlying contracts is evident among salesforce and the magnitude of the impact was found to be heterogeneous between the groups of salesforces in different distribution channels.

Practical implications

Findings recommend respective authorities of takaful institutions to intensify capacity building for their salesforce, particularly in the area of shariah knowledge and nature of underlying Islamic contracts used in the takaful products. A significant heterogeneous effect between distribution channels suggests that the actions and policy formulations should be diverse between the salesforce at different distribution channels and higher attention should be catered for the salesforce at the direct selling channel.

Originality/value

The increased information expectation (i.e. underlying contract knowledge) on takaful salesforce and its impact on their sales performance have not been documented before. The increase in information may create a burdening effect or what is referred to in this study as the information or knowledge “saddling effect.” If a saddling effect is identified, this may be a formidable reason for the slowing growth of the takaful industry in the respective market. It is expected that the outcome of this study would assist not only to fill the gap in the literature of personnel selling in the takaful industry but also will assist the takaful institutions in formulating appropriate policies for tackling the issue of the saddling effect of underlying contracts.
People–planet–profits for a sustainable world: integrating the triple-P idea in the marketing strategy, implementation and evaluation of service firms
Authors: Larivière Bart , Smit Edith G.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Numerous requests to also take care of people (i.e. societal impact) and planet (i.e. environmental impact) in addition to making profits (i.e. economic impact) urge service firms to rethink their marketing. In this paper, the authors therefore develop an organizing framework that integrates the people–planet–profits – also referred to as the “Triple-P” – concept in the marketing strategy, implementation and evaluation of service firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a conceptual approach that is rooted in the service marketing, marketing strategy and communication literature.

Findings

The foundations of marketing strategy (Palmatier and Crecelius, 2019) and the Gaps model of service marketing (Parasuraman et al., 1985) guide both academics and practitioners regarding (1) why the Triple-P idea should be part of a company's marketing strategy, (2) how people and planet could play an important role in the implementation stage by integrating the Triple-P concept in the service marketing mix and (3) what impact could be achieved and evaluated by closing the five gaps identified by the Gaps model, while fostering a people–planet–profits mindset.

Research limitations/implications

The authors also identify areas for future research on this important topic.

Practical implications

Transformative value (people and planet) without profits is not attractive to firms. Profit-making organizations are in the best position to transform the world in a societal and environmental rewarding way.

Social implications

The Triple-P affects the marketing strategy, implementation and evaluation of firms and contributes to a better, sustainable world.

Originality/value

Marketing evolves from traditional over service and digital to transformative. Therefore, it is crucial to embrace transformative challenges in combination with economic returns, resulting in a new sustainable service era for marketers and managers.
Service system well-being: scale development and validation
Authors: Laud Gaurangi , Chou Cindy Yunhsin , Leo Wei Wei Cheryl
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Recent marketing research provides conceptual models to investigate the well-being of collectives, but service system well-being (SSW) remains untested empirically. This research conceptualises and develops a measure for SSW at the micro, meso and macro levels.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a series of studies, a multidimensional SSW scale is developed and validated to ensure its generalisability. After the development of preliminary items, Study 1 (N = 435 of service employees) was used to purify items using factor analyses. Study 2 (N = 592 of service employees) used structural equation modelling (SEM) with AMOS and SmartPLS to test the scale's dimensionality, reliability and validity.

Findings

The results confirm the validity and reliability of the nine dimensions of SSW. The measure was validated as a third-order micro-, meso- and macro-level construct. The dimensions of existential and transformative well-being contribute to micro-level well-being. The dimensions of social, community and collaborative well-being contribute to meso-level well-being. Government, leadership, strategic and resource well-being drive macro-level well-being. In addition, a nomological network was specified to assess the impact of SSW on service actor life satisfaction and customer orientation.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to services literature by theorising SSW as a hierarchical structure and empirically validating the dimensions and micro-meso-macro levels that contribute to SSW.

Practical implications

The SSW scale is a useful diagnostic tool for assessing levels of well-being across different systems and providing insights that can help develop interventions to improve the well-being of collectives.

Originality/value

The research is the first study to theorise the micro, meso and macro levels of service system well-being and operationally validate the SSW construct.
Delineating transformative value creation through service communications: an integrative framework
Authors: Tsiotsou Rodoula H. , Diehl Sandra
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Transformative value is a central tenet of transformative service research (TSR) because it affects individual and community well-being, quality of life and sustainability. Although transformative value plays a significant role in well-being, the literature suffers from a lack of sound interdisciplinary conceptual frameworks that delineate how transformative value is created in services throughout the service consumption process. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the nature and role of service communications during the various stages of the service consumption process to enable the creation of transformative value for people and the environment.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the above goal, the authors integrate agenda-setting theory (media theory) combined with framing and relational dialectics (communication theories) as well as TSR.

Findings

In line with the objectives of the study, the authors propose an integrative framework named Transformative Value Creation via Service Communications (TVCSC) that explains how firms set their transformative corporate agendas through their dialectics with consumers, society and media. This transformative agenda is reflected in the marketing mix of their services (7Ps) as communicated with various means, physically and digitally (sales/frontline personnel, advertising, CSR, social media and website). Recommendations for a transformative marketing mix are provided. Furthermore, TVCSC illustrates how value is co-created in all customer–firm interactions via relationship dialectics throughout the service consumption process to result in transformative value outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed framework identifies several research gaps and provides useful future research directions.

Originality/value

This is the first comprehensive framework that explains how transformative value is created through the various communications in services and is the outcome of value co-creation interactions of the service consumption process.
The causal factors influencing repurchase intentions of local tourists in Thailand during COVID-19 crisis
Authors: Laparojkit Sumana , Suttipun Muttanachai
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the causal factors of customer motivation, trust and loyalty, influencing the level of repurchase intentions of local tourists travelling during pandemic COVID-19 crisis in Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

The population of this study comprised all Thai local tourists travelling in Thailand. Using simple random sampling of local tourists on travel in Thailand, quantitative data were collected from 500 tourists as the sampling, representing Northern Thailand, North-Eastern Thailand, Central Thailand, Southern Thailand and Bangkok. Path analysis, including correlation matrix and factor confirmation, was used to test the causal factors influencing the level of repurchase intentions.

Findings

Motivation trust, customer trust, customer loyalty and repurchase intentions of Thai domestic tourism were on a high level. In addition, there were positive influences of customer motivation, trust and loyalty on the level of repurchase intentions by local tourists travelling in Thailand.

Originality/value

The study results demonstrate that the social exchange theory can be used to explain the influences of customer motivation, customer trust and loyalty on repurchase intentions of domestic Thai tourism.
Dietary practice and associated factors among type 2 diabetic patients in Gambella region hospitals, Ethiopia
Authors: Teklemariam Tigist , Bidira Kebebe , Bacha Girma , Zewdie Asrat
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Dietary management is one of the cornerstones of diabetes care and is based on the concept of healthy eating in the context of social, cultural and psychological influences on food choice. In Ethiopia, there is a scarcity of data on diabetic patients’ dietary practices, which undervalues their importance in diabetes management. Hence, this study assessed the level of proper dietary practice and its associated factors among type 2 diabetic patients in Gambella hospitals, Ethiopia.

Design/methodology/approach

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 190 randomly selected diabetic patients in two hospitals in the Gambella region, Ethiopia. Data was entered into Epidata version 3.1 and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Logistic regressions were used to check the association between dietary practice and explanatory variables. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to assess the strength of the association between dependent and independent variables.

Findings

More than half (57.4%) of the study participants followed a healthy dietary practice. Getting nutritional education from doctors (AOR = 4.6; 95% CI: 1.6, 13.2, p = 0.031), having access to fruits and vegetables (AOR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.1, 4.1,p= 0.018) and family involvement during patient counseling (AOR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.9, 6.5,p= 0.021) were factors associated with good dietary practice.

Research limitations/implications

A self-reporting method was used rather than direct observation of patients’ dietary practices, which may result in recall bias.

Practical implications

Adherence to the recommended dietary practice among diabetic patients was relatively low. The integration of diabetes-based nutritional advice with family involvement and strengthening agricultural activities should be emphasized in the study area.

Originality/value

The two-hospital design of this study ensures that a representative sample of study subjects in the Gambella hospitals is obtained, which is useful for intervention strategies and activities. Data gathering tools that were standardized and verified for use by the World Health Organization were used.
Board diversity and corporate performance in a two-tier governance context
Authors: Kusumastati Widyahayu Warmmeswara , Siregar Sylvia Veronica , Martani Dwi , Adhariani Desi
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Diversity in the boardroom is a social factor that spurs public debate in academic and practical arenas. In a two-tier governance system, the question lingers on the impact of board of commissioners and board of directors’ diversity on a company’s performance. This study aims to investigate this issue based on a comprehensive set of diversity variables, namely, age, tenure, gender, education level, culture, functional expertise, industry experience, school of origin and “busyness.”

Design/methodology/approach

The authors constructed diversity indices for board of directors and board of commissioners and used multiple linear regressions to test the hypotheses using samples of companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange from 2014 to 2018.

Findings

Board of director (commissioner) diversity has no significant (a positive) impact on corporate performance. However, the latter does not moderate the relationship between board of director diversity and company performance.

Research limitations/implications

Although the theories of human capital and upper echelons are applied here, the results more likely support a contingency argument, as the effect of diversity may vary by company and period, hence leading to offsetting effects. Thus, the impact of diversity on corporate performance might be better observed through in-depth case studies.

Practical implications

The positive impact of the board of commissioners’ diversity on firm performance might indicate the importance of close monitoring by this board. The results further suggest that appointment decisions of directors and commissioners from diverse backgrounds should be based on criteria other than financial performance.

Originality/value

No study has constructed comprehensive diversity indices of the board of commissioners and directors in a two-tier governance context. The study fills this gap.
Restored saltmarshes have low beta diversity due to limited topographic variation, but this can be countered by management
Authors: Lawrence Peter J. , Sullivan Martin J. P. , Mossman Hannah L.
Published: April 2022

Spatial heterogeneity of species (beta diversity) is an important attribute of ecological communities, but is less frequently considered when assessing restoration success than other aspects of diversity (gamma and alpha). Differences in beta diversity between restored and natural sites may arise due to differences in environmental heterogeneity.

We used a nested sampling design to survey plant communities and environmental conditions (elevation, redox potential and metrics of topography) on four pairs of restored and natural saltmarshes. We assessed whether there were differences in both alpha and beta diversity between natural and restored sites and analysed their environmental drivers.

Topography was an important driver of plant alpha diversity and beta diversity on saltmarshes. The effects of topography were partly indirect, mediated though changes in redox potential, but topography also influenced plant communities independently of both elevation and redox.

Restored saltmarshes were less heterogeneous in topography than natural marshes. This reduced topography was reflected in lower beta diversity; plant communities 1 m apart in natural marshes were as dissimilar as those found 20 m apart in restored marshes.

Large‐scale topographic manipulation carried out at one site a decade after initial restoration successfully increased topographic heterogeneity and increased beta diversity when surveyed 3 years after manipulation. These changes were still evident when resurveyed after a further 2 years.

Synthesis and applications. Increasing environmental heterogeneity can improve restoration outcomes by increasing beta diversity on restored sites. The effect of environmental heterogeneity is likely to be particularly strong within intertidal habitats such as saltmarshes, where small changes in topography can determine whether a species can occur at a given location. Topographic manipulation is a feasible post‐restoration technique that can be applied to ensure restored saltmarshes better meet policy targets of biological, physical and functional equivalence with natural marshes.
Even short‐term revegetation complicates soil food webs and strengthens their links with ecosystem functions
Authors: Wang Bing , Zhu Yuhe , Chen Xiang , Chen Dima , Wu Ying , Wu Liji , Liu Shengen , Yue Linyan , Wang Yang , Bai Yongfei
Published: April 2022

Degradation of dryland ecosystems is a worldwide problem caused by climate change and human activities. To restore these degraded ecosystems, governments have implemented projects that often include revegetation, but we still lack an understanding of how soil food webs and ecosystem functions are affected by revegetation.

By conducting a large‐scale revegetation experiment under two degradation intensities (low and high) on the Inner Mongolian degraded grassland, we tested the effects of revegetation on primary producers (plants), key components of soil food webs (bacteria, fungi and nematodes) and ecosystem functions (soil C and N mineralization).

After 4 years, revegetation greatly increased the biomass of plants and soil bacteria and fungi but had less effects on soil nematode functional groups. Revegetation increased vegetation and bacterial diversity and soil C and N mineralization rates, altered the structures of vegetation and soil microbial communities, but did not affect soil fungal or nematode diversity.

The stronger effects of revegetation on plants, soil bacteria, soil fungi and soil nematodes in plots with low degradation intensity than in plots with high degradation intensity indicated that future revegetation efforts should consider the degree of degradation. Revegetation also increased the interactions among plants, soil food webs and ecosystem functions, indicating that the revegetation‐induced changes in soil food webs could facilitate the recovery of soil nutrients and vegetation productivity in degraded grasslands.

Synthesis and applications. The effects of revegetation were stronger on plants (primary producers) and soil micro‐organisms (intermediate trophic levels) than on soil nematodes (higher trophic levels), and even short‐term revegetation increased the complexity of soil food webs and strengthened their relationships with soil functions in degraded grasslands. These results highlight the effects of restoration on multiple trophic levels in degraded drylands, and suggest that some aspects of plant–soil interactions in global drylands could be rapidly improved by appropriate restoration.
Warming may extend tree growing seasons and compensate for reduced carbon uptake during dry periods
Authors: Grossiord Charlotte , Bachofen Christoph , Gisler Jonas , Mas Eugénie , Vitasse Yann , Didion‐Gency Margaux
Published: April 2022

Warming and drought alter plant phenology, photosynthesis and growth with important consequences for the global carbon cycle and the earth's climate. Yet, few studies have attempted to tease apart their effects on tree phenology, particularly leaf senescence, and on source and sink activity.

We experimentally assessed the single and combined effects of warming and reduced soil moisture on the phenology (leaf‐out and senescence date, growing season length) and above‐ground sink (height and diameter growth, leaf area and Huber values) and source activity (net photosynthesis, photosynthetic efficiency, chlorophyll concentration and total carbon [C] uptake) of two tree species with distinct strategies to deal with drought: European beech and pubescent oak.

Warming advanced leaf‐out, irrespective of soil moisture levels, particularly in oak and to a lower extent in beech, leading to a prolonged growing season in oak but not beech. No impacts of warming on senescence timing were found for both species. Reduced moisture had little impact on the phenology of both species. Warming‐induced advances in phenology and higher photosynthetic efficiency increased the annual C uptake for oak and compensated for the reduced photosynthetic activity in the presence of reduced moisture. Conversely, for beech, source activity, including yearly C uptake, was lower in all treatments than the control, indicating no compensation of the C budget by phenological shifts.

Synthesis. Our results demonstrate that a warming‐driven earlier activity and higher photosynthetic efficiency compensates for reduced photosynthesis during hot and dry periods, but only for pubescent oak, which is a rather drought‐tolerant species. Current predictions of warming‐induced mitigation effects through extended C uptake seem incorrect for beech.
Use of induction of labour and emergency caesarean section and perinatal outcomes in English maternity services: A national hospital‐level study
Authors: Gurol‐Urganci Ipek , Jardine Jennifer , Carroll Fran , Frémeaux Alissa , Muller Patrick , Relph Sophie , Waite Lara , Webster Kirstin , Oddie Sam , Hawdon Jane , Harris Tina , Khalil Asma , van der Meulen Jan ,   National Maternity and Perinatal Audit Project Team
Published: April 2022

Objective

To assess the association between hospital‐level rates of induction of labour and emergency caesarean section, as measures of ‘practice style’, and rates of adverse perinatal outcomes.

Design

National study using electronic maternity records.

Setting

English National Health Service.

Sample

Hospitals providing maternity care to women between April 2015 and March 2017.

Main outcome measures

Stillbirth, admission to a neonatal intensive care unit and babies receiving mechanical ventilation.

Results

Among singleton term births, the risk of stillbirth was 0.15%, the risk of admission to a neonatal intensive care unit was 5.4% and the risk of mechanical ventilation 0.54%. There was considerable between‐hospital variation in the rate of induction of labour (minimum 17.5%, maximum 40.7%) and in the rate of emergency caesarean section (minimum 5.6%, maximum 17.1%). Women who gave birth in hospitals with a higher rate of induction of labour had better perinatal outcomes. For each 5%‐point increase in induction, there was a decrease in the risk of term stillbirth of 9% (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.85–0.97) and a decrease in the risk of mechanical ventilation of 14% (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79–0.94). There was no significant association between hospital‐level induction of labour rates and neonatal unit admission at term (p > 0.05). There was no significant association between hospital‐level rates of emergency caesarean section and adverse perinatal outcomes (all with p > 0.05).

Conclusions

There is considerable between‐hospital variation in the use of induction of labour and emergency caesarean section. Hospitals with a higher rate of induction had a lower risk of adverse birth outcomes. A similar association was not found for caesarean section.
Informing the Alfred Registry for Emergency Care Project: An analysis of presenting complaint documentation in an emergency department
Authors: White Matthew , O'Reilly Gerard M , Mitchell Rob D , Noonan Michael , Hiller Ryan , Mitra Biswadev , Paton Andrew , Pristupa Kathryn , Luckhoff Carl , Smit De Villiers , Cameron Peter A
Published: April 2022

Objective

To assess the feasibility of an ED presenting complaint (PC) tool that categorised all ED PCs into 10 categories.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 1445 consecutive patient encounters was conducted. The primary outcome was the frequency of use of the 10 PC categories.

Results

Of the 1203 patient encounters meeting inclusion criteria, the PC tool was completed by clinicians in 574 (47.7%). When completed, the tool's 10 options were selected for most presentations (72.3%).

Conclusion

The PC tool captured the majority of presenting complaints in 10 categories. External validation is recommended.