bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge transfer and innovation in multinationals: a review of the literature using SCM-TBFO framework
Authors: Singh Shiwangi , Dhir Sanjay
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Business research has highlighted the importance of knowledge transfer and innovation in multinational firms for better performance outcomes. However, the existing body of literature is characterized by differentiated theories, antecedents and outcomes. This study aims to address this gap by adopting a systematic approach to analyze knowledge transfer and innovation literature from the perspective of multinational organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study follows “preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses” (PRISMA) guidelines for conducting a systematic literature review. The study adopts a systematic approach for analyzing the literature using School of thought (S), Contexts (C), Methodologies (M), Triggers (T), Barriers (B), Facilitators (F) and Outcomes (O) framework (SCM-TBFO framework) devised for holistic literature review. The study analyzes 75 articles from reputed journals from 2000 to 2022.

Findings

In general, knowledge transfer and innovation in multinationals is a relatively new area and is evolving rapidly. There are many opportunities to study the various perspectives that are included in the SCM-TBFO framework. The key schools of thought included the evolutionary theory of innovation, institutional theory and internationalization theory. The studies had differing settings or contexts, including China, Europe, the USA and Taiwan. Further, key methodologies that were used included regression, case studies, structural equation modeling (SEM) and theoretical studies. Knowledge transfer and innovation triggers included competitive advantage, competitive pressure, constant requirements for better products and services, foreign direct investment (FDI) and globalization. Knowledge transfer and innovation facilitators were categorized into strategy-related facilitators, organization culture and orientation-related facilitators, and resource-related facilitators. Knowledge transfer and innovation barriers included autonomy, international knowledge dispersion, risk of knowledge leakage, search breadth, ambiguity and institutional voids. Key outcomes of knowledge transfer and innovation in multinationals included financial performance, innovation performance, knowledge flow, transfer effectiveness, patents and new product development.

Originality/value

By synthesizing the literature, the study aims to provide an overview of the current state of research on knowledge transfer and innovation in multinationals. The study develops a holistic model for fostering knowledge transfer and innovation in multinationals. The proposed novel framework can also be applied to perform a holistic assessment of the current literature in various research domains. Further, the study suggests future theory development and research agendas. The study also provides implications for practitioners using the framework to achieve more desirable outcomes.
Arab authorities use digital surveillance to control press freedom: journalists’ perceptions
Authors: AlAshry Miral Sabry
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent of digital surveillance by Arab authorities, which face risks and threats of surveillance, and how journalists seek to press freedom by using tools and techniques to communicate securely.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used focus group discussions with 14 journalists from Syria, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Yemen, Oman, Jordan and Egypt. While in Egypt, questionnaires were distributed to 199 journalists from both independent and semi-governmental outlets to investigate how Egyptian journalists interpret the new data protection law and its implications for press freedom.

Findings

The study indicated that journalists from these countries revealed severe censorship by their respective governments, an element inconsistent with the Arab Constitution. The recommendation of the study encourages media organisations to play a more active role in setting policies that make it easier for journalists to adopt and use digital security tools, while Egyptian journalists see the law as a barrier to media independence because it allows the government to exercise greater information control through digital policy and imposes regulatory rules on journalists.

Practical implications

The study identifies practical and theoretical issues in Arab legislation and may reveal practices of interest to scientists researching the balance between data protection, the right of access to information and media research as an example of contemporary government indirect or “soft” censorship methods.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is one of the first research contributions to analyse the relationships between Arab authoritarians who used surveillance to restrict freedom of the press after the Arab Spring revolutions of 2011 to keep themselves in power as long as they could. In addition, Egypt's use of surveillance under new laws allowed the regimes to install software on the journalists’ phones that enabled them to read the files and emails and track their locations; accordingly, journalists can be targeted by the cyberattack and can be arrested.
Do digital platforms promote or hinder corporate brand prestige?
Authors: Tse Sin Yan , Wang Danny T. , Cheung Man Lai , Leung Wilson K.S.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

In the era of digital evolution, companies are increasingly deploying digital platforms to optimize operational efficiencies and to connect with customers more directly. However, little is known about whether and how companies can leverage digital platforms to enhance their brand prestige. Integrating insights from the resource-based view of the firm into the branding literature, this study aims to compare and distinguish the effects of the two digital platform functions, technical and social functions, on a company’s brand prestige. This study also assesses the moderating roles of two institutional factors, market uncertainty and brand imitation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study estimates a moderated regression model using a survey of 240 companies in China that deploy digital platforms. This study uses SPSS 24.0 to perform regression analysis.

Findings

The study finds that technical functions positively, whereas social functions negatively affect brand prestige. Moreover, the technical functions of digital platforms are more beneficial for companies to build their brand prestige when the market is turbulent and the extent of brand imitation is high, whereas, under the same conditions, social functions lead to lower brand prestige.

Research limitations/implications

There are several limitations of this study that offer future research opportunities. First, due to the difficulties of data collection, measures were taken from the same source for which common method bias could be a potential concern. Second, this study considered two institutional boundary conditions in these models. Future research should consider mediators as well as other potential moderators to understand the underlying mechanisms of how digital platforms affect brand prestige. Third, future studies may develop better constructs to manifest these two types of digital platform functions. Finally, this sample was limited to companies in China.

Practical implications

This study provides important implications for companies leveraging digital platforms to build brands. First, companies must distinguish between the different functions of digital platforms. The findings reveal that companies that leverage digital platforms to build brand prestige are suggested to make greater use of technical functions yet should be cautious in developing social functions. Second, this research suggests although market uncertainty and brand imitation are not conducive to enhancing brand prestige, it is possible for companies to take advantage of these unfavorable environments to better serve niche customers.

Originality/value

Prior marketing studies emphasize the benefits of digital platforms and largely overlook the double-edged sword effect of digital platforms on companies’ brand building. This study contributes to the marketing literature by revealing the benefits of technical function and the challenges of social function in driving brand prestige in complex institutional settings.
Utilization and criticality based fault-tolerant scheduling in multicore mixed critical systems
Authors: Godabole Preeti , Bhole Girish
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The main purpose of the paper is timing analysis of mixed critical applications on the multicore system to identify an efficient task scheduling mechanism to achieve three main objectives improving schedulability, achieving reliability and minimizing the number of cores used. The rise in transient faults in embedded systems due to the use of low-cost processors has led to the use of fault-tolerant scheduling and mapping techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper opted for a simulation-based study. The simulation of mixed critical applications, like air traffic control systems and synthetic workloads, is carried out using a litmus-real time testbed on an Ubuntu machine. The heuristic algorithms for task allocation based on utilization factors and task criticalities are proposed for partitioned approaches with multiple objectives.

Findings

Both partitioned earliest deadline first (EDF) with the utilization-based heuristic and EDF-virtual deadline (VD) with a criticality-based heuristic for allocation works well, as it schedules the air traffic system with a 98% success ratio (SR) using only three processor cores with transient faults being handled by the active backup of the tasks. With synthetic task loads, the proposed criticality-based heuristic works well with EDF-VD, as the SR is 94%. The validation of the proposed heuristic is done with a global and partitioned approach of scheduling, considering active backups to make the system reliable. There is an improvement in SR by 11% as compared to the global approach and a 17% improvement in comparison with the partitioned fixed-priority approach with only three processor cores being used.

Research limitations/implications

The simulations of mixed critical tasks are carried out on a real-time kernel based on Linux and are generalizable in Linux-based environments.

Practical implications

The rise in transient faults in embedded systems due to the use of low-cost processors has led to the use of fault-tolerant scheduling and mapping techniques.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to have multi-objective task scheduling in a mixed critical system. The timing analysis helps to identify performance risks and assess alternative architectures used to achieve reliability in terms of transient faults.
Engaging the customer with augmented reality and employee services to enhance equity and loyalty
Authors: Butt Asad , Ahmad Hassan , Ali Fayaz , Muzaffar Asif , Shafique Muhammad Noman
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to understand customer equity and loyalty using augmented reality (AR) and employee services in a physical retail environment. The current study investigated how customers’ experiences with AR-based and employee service affect their satisfaction, equity and loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework was developed by reviewing AR and employee services literature. The Smart PLS-SEM technique was used to test the responses of 620 Chinese respondents empirically.

Findings

The findings provided valuable insights into AR and employee services in a physical retail environment. Customers are more inclined to use AR services in the current business climate.

Research limitations/implications

This study’s sample was drawn from a single city, with a total of 620 respondents, which may not be a complete representation of China as a whole. As a result, the results may not be generalizable to a single city.

Practical implications

Retail brand managers should emphasize implementing innovative technologies in the physical retail environment to retain and attract customers. Pandemic consumers are opting for innovative technologies as part of their shopping experience due to changes in business models.

Originality/value

The researchers recognized AR and employee services as innovative domains in physical retail stores because they can increase sales, customer equity and loyalty. As a result, the framework results are precious to practitioners interested in implementing such innovative technologies for retail stores.
I do not want to be perfect: investigating generation Z students' personal brands on social media for job seeking
Authors: Trang Nguyen M , McKenna Brad , Cai Wenjie , Morrison Alastair Maclean
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This research aims to explore generation (Gen) Z's personal branding on social media when job seeking.

Design/methodology/approach

Gen Z students, in their final year of university, were interviewed about personal branding, as well as recruiters and career advisors to gain insights into the recruitment process and expectations of online personal brands. Before interviewing, Gen Z students' LinkedIn profiles were examined, and then fed into the interview process.

Findings

Using impression management theory, the findings show that Gen Z perceive online personal brands as a crucial tool to gain more advantage in job markets. A gap was found between desired and perceived selves in Gen Z's online personal brands. Strategies such as effective self-reflection, authentic communication, self-promotion processes, awareness of risks and constantly controlling digital footprints were suggested to build stronger and more coherent personal brands. Gen Z are in favour of a more dynamic, interactive, work-in-process of authentic personal brands.

Originality/value

This research demonstrates the importance of authentically building online personal branding strategies and tactics to bridge the divide between Gen Z's desired and perceived images in personal branding on social media when job seeking.
Quantum game perspective on green product optimal pricing under emission reduction cooperation of dual-channel supply chain
Authors: Chang Yu-Chung
Published: March 2023

Purpose

From the quantum game perspective, this paper aims to study a green product optimal pricing problem of the dual-channel supply chain under the cooperation of the retailer and manufacturer to reduce carbon emissions.

Design/methodology/approach

The decentralized and centralized decision-making optimal prices and profits are obtained by establishing the classical and quantum game models. Then the classical game and quantum game are compared.

Findings

When the quantum entanglement is greater than 0, the selling prices of the quantum model are higher than the classical model. Through theoretical research and numerical analysis results, centralized decision-making is more economical and efficient than decentralized decision-making. Publicity and education on carbon emission reduction for consumers will help consumers accept carbon emission reduction products with slightly higher prices. When the emission reduction increases too fast, the cost of emission reduction will form a significant burden and affect the profits of manufacturers and supply chain systems.

Originality/value

From the perspective of the quantum game, the author explores the optimal prices of green product and compares them with the classical game.
Strategic pivoting: how organizations can shift attention whatever their size
Authors: Wexler Mark N. , Oberlander Judy
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Strategic pivoting, the decision to invest in shifting the attention of an organization, is no longer limited to early-stage organizations and entrepreneurs but has, without a discussion of complications, been applied to large corporations and public agencies.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper defines strategic pivoting, highlights the centrality of pivoting in new and entrepreneurial organizations and critically examines its application as a strategy fostering organizational agility in corporations.

Findings

Pivoting in the corporate context complicates the ease of executing an attention shift by introducing a path-dependent momentum that requires modification of the time horizon, stakeholder strategy and the frequency of pivoting.

Practical implications

This comparative examination of pivoting highlights the importance of organizational size, complexity, degree of specialization and path-dependent history when deciding to pivot.

Originality/value

The present ease with which the strategic pivot is treated as an adaptive strategy to corporate leaders seeking greater flexibility overstates the ease of execution.
Coping with uncertainties: challenges for decision makers in healthcare
Authors: Aarninkhof-Kamphuis Anke , Voordijk Hans , Dewulf Geert
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Health care organizations’ decision-making for the future relies on anticipating changes. Reliable predictions are becoming increasingly difficult, creating anxiety and requires long-term adaptive planning to cope with unforeseen circumstances. The purpose of this study is to gain insights into the awareness of uncertainties that decision makers in healthcare have, particularly when making long-term investments.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative study with an explorative purpose. The data were collected through semi-structured and open interviews with board members of long-term care organizations.

Findings

The study revealed that respondents are most uncertain about the future financing of their real estate system. Another concern revealed is about the shortage of care professionals combined with an increasing demand for future care. Despite most decision makers do recognize uncertainties during the decision-making process, decision makers hardly address the level of these uncertainties. Although this study did find that some decision makers are aware of deep uncertainties, in terms of “unknown unknowns,” they have no actual approaches for dealing with such situations.

Originality/value

Decision makers at healthcare organizations are uncertain as to their ability to anticipate technological, economic, social and political developments, as well as predict future healthcare system transformations. Some decision makers are aware of deep uncertainties, in terms of “unknown unknowns” and “unidentified unknowns,” but they lack an actual approach to deal with such situations. This study examines how strategies adapt to unforeseen developments or how to deal with deep uncertainties in healthcare as complex adaptive system.
Investigating the determinants of money laundering risk
Authors: Ghulam Yaseen , Szalay Blandina
Published: March 2023

Purpose

With the growing interconnectedness of global markets brought about by globalization and technological innovation, there is a heightened worldwide risk of money laundering, posing a considerable negative impact on economies and social equality. Therefore, the primary purpose of this research is to examine factors that underpin the pervasiveness of money laundering risk.

Design/methodology/approach

By using a cross-section sample of 84 countries, the study uses ordered logit and multinomial logit regression to test and explain the role of main and varied determinants of money laundering risk covering countries’ economic, social, regulatory and corporate environment.

Findings

The authors conclude that, overall, the macroeconomic indicators are less relevant in influencing money laundering risk than the other factors adopted from the Basel report. Nonetheless, the volume of exports and the exchange rate were robust in both the ordered and multinomial regression analyses alongside financial secrecy, auditing standards and corporate transparency. While more financial secrecy and a higher volume of exports were found to increase this risk, the other variables showed a negative relationship. The authors further conclude that it is mostly less secrecy, more transparency and better auditing that could gradually transform a high-risk country into medium risk.

Practical implications

This study recommends the implementation of publicly accessible ownership registries to address the issues around secrecy, transparency and auditing misconducts. Additionally, the general strengthening of laws and policies in these three domains is also necessary alongside the application of current technologies, such as machine learning, for the detection of money laundering.

Originality/value

The authors believe this study uses advanced econometric techniques rarely used in the literature on money laundering. Separating the impact of economic and social/regulatory is also valuable
Tackling the wicked challenge of climate change risks to property: are Australian valuers prepared?
Authors: Warren-Myers Georgia , Cradduck Lucy
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This research investigated Australian property valuers' identification and consideration of physical climate change risks in valuation practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Thirty Australian valuer members of the Australian Property Institute from a variety of specialisations were interviewed. The semi-structured interviews explored climate change risks and the extent of risk investigation and consideration in valuation practice. The analysis utilised the Moser and Luers (2008) climate risk preparedness framework as a lens to evaluate current valuation practice in Australia.

Findings

The analysis reflects that while physical risks are easily identified and engaged with by valuers, correspondingly, there is a lack of understanding of and engagement with, climate change risks. This supports the need for better information sources and guidance to inform valuers of climate change risks and the development of specific mechanisms for the consideration of such risks to be included in valuation processes, practices and reports.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited by its sample size and qualitative approach. Therefore, the research is not a representative opinion of the Australian profession; however, the analysis provides the perspective of a range of valuers from across Australia with different valuation specialisations.

Practical implications

This research has established that valuers have the potential to be prepared to address climate change in their professional capacity, as described by Moser and Luers (2008). However, they are constrained by information communication, access and detail and subsequent market awareness of information on climate change risk exposure on properties. There is a need for further support, guidance, information and tools, as well as awareness-raising, to enable valuers to accurately identify and reflect all risks affecting a property in the process of valuation.

Originality/value

This research provides the first investigation into the consideration of climate change in valuation practice. Property stakeholders—owners, investors, financiers and occupiers—are escalating their climate change risk analysis and reporting for property portfolios and organisations. This research suggests that valuers also need to be aware of the changing dynamics of market reporting and decision-making related to climate change risks to ensure appropriate reflection in valuation practice.
Drivers of environmental sustainability: environmental capabilities and supply chain integration
Authors: Tarifa-Fernández Jorge , Céspedes-Lorente José , de Burgos Jiménez Jerónimo
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper examines the moderating effect of environmental capability development on the relationship between supply chain integration and both environmental and financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use empirical data collected from three diverse sources in the horticultural marketing sector. A total of 97 responses were used. An ordered logit analysis and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression were employed to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results confirm that firm environmental capability development enhances the effects of supply chain integration on firm environmental performance. Additionally, supplier integration and environmental capabilities may be considered firm strategic capabilities that are positively related to financial performance. Thus, public policies should encourage the development of firms' individual environmental capabilities and supply chain integration to improve environmental sustainability.

Originality/value

This study recognizes the importance of environmental capability development as a strategic objective and its fundamental role as a complementary capability with supply chain integration. This paper contributes by empirically analyzing how firms along the supply chain can promote environmental sustainability through the development of environmental and integration capabilities.
A modal analysis based optimal mounting support locations of a printed circuit board
Authors: N. Muthuram , S. Saravanan
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to improve the life of the printed circuit boards (PCB) used in computers based on modal analysis by increasing the natural frequency of the PCB assembly.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, through experiments and numerical simulations, an attempt has been made to increase the fundamental natural frequency of the PCB assembly as high as practically achievable so as to minimize the impacts of dynamic loads acting on it. An optimization tool in the finite element software (ANSYS) was used to search the specified design space for the optimal support location of the six fastening screws.

Findings

It is observed that by changing the support locations based on the optimization results the fundamental natural frequency can be raised up to 51.1% and the same is validated experimentally.

Research limitations/implications

Manufacturers of PCBs used in computers fix the support locations based on symmetric feature of the board not on the dynamic behavior of the assembly. This work might lead manufacturers to redesign the location of other surface mount components.

Practical implications

This work provides guidelines for PCB manufacturers to finalize their support locating points which will improve the dynamic characteristics of the PCB assembly during its functioning.

Originality/value

This study provides a novel method to improve the life of PCB based on support locations optimization which includes majority of the surface mount components that contributes to the total mass the PCB assembly.
Cobalt-containing diopside pigments based on granulated blast furnace slag
Authors: Zaichuk Аleksandr Viktorovich , Amelina Аleksandra Andreevna , Hordieiev Yurii Sergeevich
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to the low-temperature synthesis of cobalt-containing diopside pigments based on granulated blast furnace slag and to study the characteristics of the mineral formation processes, changes in the structure and colour indices.

Design/methodology/approach

Synthesis of cobalt-containing diopside pigments based was carried out by the directional formation of the mineralogical composition with the introduction of part of the components using granulated blast-furnace slag.

Findings

It has been established that the formation of the diopside phase in pigments containing blast-furnace slag as the main component proceeds at low temperatures (1,100°C–1,150 °C). The colour of diopside pigments is formed because of the isomorphic substitution of Si4+ ions for Al3+ ions and Mg2+ ions for Co2+ ions. It is expedient to add CoO in an amount of 0.9 mol (18 Wt.%) into the composition of diopside pigments based on blast-furnace slag to obtain defect-free violet glazes.

Practical implications

The developed diopside pigments enable obtaining of high-quality violet glazes for ceramics. The application of the obtained results can significantly reduce the consumption of traditional raw materials in the composition of silicate ceramic pigments, as well as reduce their firing temperature.

Originality/value

Calcium, magnesium and silicon oxides are the main components of blast-furnace slag. In addition, granulated blast furnace slag is mainly represented by the glassy phase, which determines its high activity during the firing process. These factors are prerequisites for using the blast-furnace slag as a valuable substitute for chemically pure or natural raw materials in silicate pigments and reducing their firing temperature.
Sectoral and institutional characteristics of acquirers and targets: a dyadic approach to deal completion
Authors: Zakaria Rimi , Ersal Kiziler Eylem
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study takes a dyadic approach to explaining merger and acquisition (M&A) deal outcomes. Acknowledging the socio-cognitive (e.g. intangible and macro-environmental) idiosyncrasies, the authors theorize that some acquirer–target dyads have a superior ability to complete complex relational transactions in an M&A deal. Specifically, deals are successful when an acquirer and a target: are similar considering their sectoral characteristics, have contextually-informed deal-making competencies, and are familiar with one another given their sectoral and institutional features.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses logistic regression analysis to examine how sectoral and institutional characteristics in the acquiring and target company dyads relate to the likelihood of merger and acquisition deal completion.

Findings

Analyzing a sample of 37,560 M&A deals, the authors find empirical evidence in support of the dyadic to deal completion. The authors find that sectoral similarity and institutional familiarity in an M&A dyad can predict the likelihood of deal completion. Specifically, service multinational acquirers are more competent than their manufacturing counterparts in general, and in same-sector and same-country deals in particular. In contrast, service sector acquirers also are at a relative disadvantage vis-à-vis their manufacturing counterparts in cross-national deals.

Research limitations/implications

Considering the theoretical and managerial implications, the authors identify new avenues for future research on service and manufacturing M&A dyads that can deepen the knowledge of inter-firm transaction processes.

Originality/value

First, the authors draw on the socio-cognitive, behavioral, and relational models to explain M&A deal process in both domestic and cross-border settings. Drawing on service vis-à-vis manufacturing sector business models, the authors predict deal completion. Second, the authors propose that familiarity between the acquiring and target companies in the form of sectoral and cross-national factors becomes pivotal to the inter-firm processes. Finally, the authors empirically demonstrate how inter-firm dynamics in a dyad can pose complex deal-making challenges, which make some acquirers especially susceptible to contextual shocks.
Enabling supply chain efficacy through SC risk mitigation and absorptive capacity: an empirical investigation in manufacturing firms in the Middle East region – a moderated-mediated model
Authors: Al-Shboul Moh'd Anwer , Alsmairat Mohammad A.K.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to contribute to the supply chain management (SCM) literature differently. It offers insightful information about the main enablers that affect supply chain efficacy (SCE). Therefore, this study examines the significant roles and the relationships between SC absorptive capacity, SC risk mitigation, supply chain agility (SCA) and supply chain integration (SCI) among manufacturing firms (MFs) in the Middle East region.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper performed a quantitative survey-based study to analyze the substantial roles of SC absorptive capacity, SC risk mitigation, SCA and SCI on SCE. Thus, the authors conducted an online survey through 260 MFs that are listed in the Chamber of the industries of Jordan, Egypt and Turkey that only responded by email. The main respondents were chief executive managers, operations managers, managers and logistics employees from both mid and top levels. The conceptual model was tested by using a hypothesis-testing deductive approach. The findings are based on covariance-based analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) using partial least squares (PLS)-SEM software.

Findings

The PLS-SEM clearly shows a significant relationship between SC absorptive capacity, SCA and SCI on SCE, while surprisingly still, SC risk mitigation does not significantly affect SCE. Further, the outcomes of this study indicate that there is a significant effect of SCA as a mediating factor in the relationship between SC absorptive capacity and SCE directly and indirectly, as well as a moderating effect of SCI in the relation, whereas there is a nonsignificant effect by SC risk mitigation. Finally, there is a significant effect of SCI in the relationship between SC absorptive capacity and SC risk mitigation on SCE as a moderating factor.

Originality/value

This study introduces a theoretical insight and empirically presents that both SCA and SCI are proper logistics characteristics for mediating and moderating the impact of SC absorptive capacity on SCE. Such findings of this study can provide insightful implications for managers at different levels in MFs, stakeholders and policymakers regarding the importance of using the three mentioned enablers on SCE in MFs, in the Middle East firms, in particular, and in developing countries, in general.
Transformational leadership and learning flows
Authors: Hariharan Krishnan , Anand Vivek
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine how transformational leadership impacts learning flows that are critical for enhancing the learning capabilities of organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 502 employees of business organizations located in India. A cross-sectional design was adopted, and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used for data analysis.

Findings

Transformational leadership behavior positively influences feed-forward learning flows in organizations and strengthens their learning stock. Learning stock held by the individuals emerged as a predictor of feed-forward learning flows in organizations and a partial mediator of the relationship between transformational leadership and feed-forward learning flows. The study’s findings suggest transformational leadership encourages feed-forward learning flows through the development of individual learning stock.

Originality/value

This study empirically supports the theoretical claim of transformational leadership behaviors as an important antecedent to fostering organizational learning.
Influencing workforce engagement using ad hoc team huddles
Authors: Chrusciel Donald
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the benefits of monitoring and enhancing engagement to impact the overall effectiveness and future success by using the combination of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale along with a daily employee vote to trigger an appropriate ad hoc huddle that can be proactive in addressing any engagement issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A fieldwork case study is used to examine engagement interventions based upon the use of a trigger (daily vote) and the overall impact is measured with the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale.

Findings

All indications from this study are that the ad hoc gatherings triggered by the daily vote do have a favorable impact on workforce engagement. This effect was measured by doing a Utrecht Work Engagement Scale survey at the beginning of the pilot followed by another a year later. The results presented in this case appear to show that a learning organization can have an impact on the engagement culture of the workforce if desired.

Research limitations/implications

Recognizing that the sample size is small, a longitudinal study of over a year was done to help mitigate the concerns of such a small sample size. The reader is cautioned about extrapolating these findings beyond this study without appropriate considerations.

Practical implications

This research provides evidence which aided the organization during the changing times in using interventions, ad hoc gatherings to improve workforce engagement. These interventions are triggered by using a timely lagging indicator, a daily log which serves as a monitor of workforce engagement for the benefit of the organization and the employee.

Originality/value

This study uses two methods to measure and track workforce engagement. The known Utrecht Work Engagement Scale is used to determine the impact of the ad hoc huddles and to determine whether this intervention has a favorable impact on workforce engagement. The use of these two methods helps to spark continued interest to not only monitor but also to help identify the interest in using a timely indicator to determine when an intervention may be warranted.
Mapping changes in human mobility for dining activities: a perceived risk theory perspective
Authors: Shin Seunghun , Lee Eunji , Yhee Yerin , Kim Jungkeun , Koo Chulmo
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explain how the impact of COVID-19 on human mobility is affected by the perceived risk of the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a statistical analysis and a geographic visualization technique, we investigate whether and how changes in people’s restaurant visiting patterns during COVID-19 vary with their level of risk perception.

Findings

The changes in people’s restaurant visiting patterns vary with their risk perception: the tendency to increase the number of visits to restaurants located in non-popular areas is related to the level of perceived risk.

Originality/value

This research confirms the importance of risk perception when examining the pandemic’s multi-dimensional impacts.
Selecting among land sparing, sharing and Triad in a temperate rainforest depends on biodiversity and timber production targets
Authors: Harris Scott H. , Betts Matthew G.
Published: March 2023

As demand for wood products increases in step with global population growth, balancing the potentially competing values of biodiversity conservation, carbon storage and timber production is a major challenge. Land sparing involves conserving forest while growing timber in intensively managed areas. On the other hand, land sharing utilizes ecological forestry approaches, but with a larger management footprint due to lower yields. While the sparing‐sharing framework has been widely tested and debated in agricultural settings to balance competing values, such land‐allocation strategies have been rarely studied in forestry.

We examined whether a sparing, sharing or Triad strategy best achieves multiple forest objectives simultaneously. In Triad, management units (stands) in forest landscapes are allocated to one of three treatments: reserve (where conservation is the sole objective), intensive (timber production is the sole objective) and ecological (both objectives are combined). To our knowledge, ours is the first Triad study from the temperate zone to quantify direct measures of biodiversity (e.g. species' abundance).

Using a commonly utilized forest planning tool parameterized with empirical data, we modelled the capacity of a temperate rainforest to provide multiple ecosystem services (biodiversity, carbon storage, timber production and old‐growth forest structure) over 125 years based on 43 different allocation scenarios. We then quantified trade‐offs between scenarios, taking into account the landscape structure, and determined which strategies most consistently balanced ecosystem services.

Sparing strategies were best when the services provided by both old‐growth and early seral (young) forests were prioritized, but at a cost to species associated with mid‐seral stages, which benefitted most from Triad and sharing strategies. Therefore, sparing provides the greatest net benefit, particularly given that old‐growth‐associated species and ecosystem services are currently of the greatest conservation concern.

Synthesis and applications. We found that maximizing multiple elements of biodiversity and ecosystem services simultaneously with a single management strategy was elusive. The strategy that maximized each service and species varied greatly by both the service and the level of timber production. Fortunately, a diversity of management options can produce the same wood supply, providing ample decision space for establishing priorities and evaluating trade‐offs.
Astragalus polysaccharide alleviates angiotensin II‐induced glomerular podocyte dysfunction by inhibiting the expression of RARRES1 and LCN2
Authors: Peng Ling , Zhang Chunhu , Xiao Gong
Published: March 2023

Podocyte loss is a predictor of kidney disease development, including diabetic nephropathy. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) was considered a renoprotective drug, whereas the mechanisms operated by APS on podocyte dysfunction are rarely mentioned. This study aims at the mechanistic underlying of APS on angiotensin II (Ang II)‐induced podocyte dysfunction. Mouse glomerular podocytes MPC5 were induced with Ang II, the morphologic changes were observed and nephrin, desmin and Wilms’ tumour protein‐1 (WT‐1) levels were determined. The MPC5 cells were treated with APS (50, 100 and 200 μg/mL) and transduced with retinoic acid receptor responder protein 1 (RARRES1) overexpression vectors. The expression of RARRES1, lipocalin‐2 (LCN2), nephrin and desmin was tested, MPC5 cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated, and the levels of an endocytotic receptor megalin, Bcl‐2, Bax, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐1β and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α were assessed. The binding of RARRES1 to LCN2 was predicted and verified. Mice were infused with Ang II to evaluate histopathological alterations and 24‐h urinary albumin content. Ang II induction suppressed MPC5 cell viability, reduced the expression of nephrin, WT‐1, megalin and Bcl‐2, and augmented the expression of desmin, Bax, IL‐6, IL‐1β and TNF‐α, which were significantly nullified by APS treatment. RARRES1 interacted with LCN2, and APS treatment inhibited RARRES1 and LCN2 expression in a dose‐dependent manner, thereby alleviating Ang II‐induced podocyte dysfunction. Ang II infusion in mice facilitated pathological alterations in renal tissues and increased urinary albumin content, which were attenuated after APS treatment. Overall, APS treatment alleviated Ang II‐induced podocyte dysfunction by inhibiting RARRES1/LCN2 expression and blocked kidney injury development in vivo.
Engineered bacteria producing aryl‐hydrocarbon receptor agonists protect against ethanol‐induced liver disease in mice
Authors: Kouno Tetsuya , Zeng Suling , Wang Yanhan , Duan Yi , Lang Sonja , Gao Bei , Hartmann Phillipp , Cabré Noemí , Llorente Cristina , Galbert Chloé , Emond Patrick , Sokol Harry , James Michael , Chao Chun Cheih , Gao Jian‐Rong , Perreault Mylene , Hava David L. , Schnabl Bernd
Published: March 2023

Background and Purpose

Gut bacteria metabolize tryptophan into indoles. Intestinal levels of the tryptophan metabolite indole‐3‐acetic acid are reduced in patients with alcohol‐associated hepatitis. Supplementation of indole‐3‐acetic acid protects against ethanol‐induced liver disease in mice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of engineered bacteria producing indoles as Aryl‐hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) agonists.

Methods

C57BL/6 mice were subjected to chronic‐plus‐binge ethanol feeding and orally given PBS, control Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) or engineered EcN‐Ahr. The effects of EcN and EcN‐Ahr were also examined in mice lacking Ahr in interleukin 22 (Il22)‐producing cells.

Results

Through the deletion of endogenous genes trpR and tnaA, coupled with overexpression of a feedback‐resistant tryptophan biosynthesis operon, EcN‐Ahr were engineered to overproduce tryptophan. Additional engineering allowed conversion of this tryptophan to indoles including indole‐3‐acetic acid and indole‐3‐lactic acid. EcN‐Ahr ameliorated ethanol‐induced liver disease in C57BL/6 mice. EcN‐Ahr upregulated intestinal gene expression of Cyp1a1, Nrf2, Il22, Reg3b, and Reg3g, and increased Il22‐expressing type 3 innate lymphoid cells. In addition, EcN‐Ahr reduced translocation of bacteria to the liver. The beneficial effect of EcN‐Ahr was abrogated in mice lacking Ahr expression in Il22‐producing immune cells.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that tryptophan metabolites locally produced by engineered gut bacteria mitigate liver disease via Ahr‐mediated activation in intestinal immune cells.
The value of communication: Evidence from in‐depth investor relations management data
Authors: Yu Shilei , Hu Ning , Chen Wanyi
Published: March 2023

This study investigated the value of investor communication in a firm's market valuations. The higher the frequency of communication and degree of investor involvement, the greater the increase in firm value. This effect is more prominent in companies with less information transparency, more volatile performance, and investor relations officers holding multiple executive positions and are highly experienced. Furthermore, investor relations (IR) activities can affect market valuations, including liquidity, market visibility, and institutional holdings. This study provided a new approach to measuring IR management and practical implications for governments to actively encourage companies to improve IR.
Mutation c.−379 C>T in DGAT1 affects intramyocellular lipid content by altering MYOD1 binding affinity
Authors: Zhao Jindi , Wei Wei , Zhao Yuelie , Lin Weimin , Tang Yonghang , Yu Wensai , Zhang Lifan , Chen Jie
Published: March 2023

Intramuscular fat (IMF) is one of the most important indexes of pork taste quality. Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1), belonging to the acyl‐coenzyme A: DGAT enzymes family, is a rate‐limiting enzyme responsible for the final step of triglyceride (TG) synthesis. It is involved in TG storage in skeletal muscle; however, the underlying mechanism is not well understood. This study aimed to uncover functional mutations that can influence DGAT1 expression and consequently affect IMF deposition in pork. Two experimental groups containing individuals with high and low IMF content (6.23 ± 0.20 vs. 1.25 ± 0.05, p < 0.01) were formed from 260 Duroc × Large White × Yorkshire (D × L × Y) cross‐bred pigs. A novel SNP c.−379 C>T was uncovered in the DGAT1 gene using comparative sequencing with pool DNA of high‐ and low‐IMF groups. The IMF content of CT genotype individuals (3.19 ± 0.11%) was higher than that of CC genotype individuals (2.86 ± 0.11%) when analyzing 260 D × L × Y pigs (p < 0.05). The DGAT1 expression levels revealed a significant positive correlation with IMF content (r = 0.33, p < 0.01). Luciferase assay revealed that the DGAT1 promoter with the c.−379 T allele has a higher transcription activity than that bearing the C allele in C2C12 myoblast cells, but not in 3T3‐L1 pre‐adipocytes. Online prediction followed by chromatin immunoprecipitation‐polymerase chain reaction assay confirmed that myogenic determination factor 1 (MYOD1) binds to the DGAT1 promoter with the c.−379 C allele but not the T allele. In vitro experiments demonstrated that MYOD1 represses DGAT1 transcription and lipogenesis. As a muscle‐specific transcription factor, MYOD1 can inhibit the transcription of DGAT1 with the c.−379 C allele in muscle cells. However, in the absence of MYOD1 binding to the mutated DGAT1 promoter with the c.−379 T allele, DGAT1 expresses at a higher level in the muscle cells of the c.−379 T genotype, leading to more intramyocellular lipid accumulation than in the muscle cells of the c.−379 C genotype. The SNP c.−379 C>T in the promoter region of the DGAT1 gene provides a promising molecular marker for improving pork IMF content without affecting other fat depots.