bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uncovering the impact of food sharing platform business models: a theory of change approach
Authors: Michelini Laura , Grieco Cecilia , Ciulli Francesca , Di Leo Alessio
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential impact of food sharing platform business models and to identify the limits and barriers in measuring the impact. Using the “theory of change” (ToC) approach, this paper develops a theoretical framework that captures the activities, outputs and outcomes of food sharing platforms and links them to indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a two-step methodology, which includes a website content analysis followed by two focus groups. The purpose of the website content analysis was to list a set of activities that are performed by food sharing platforms. The focus groups allow to design the ToC and to discuss limits and barriers in measuring the impact of food sharing platforms.

Findings

The study provides an overview of the main areas of impact of food sharing platforms (environmental, social, economic and political) and identifies the related outcomes. Furthermore, the paper highlights the need for the platform to manage the multifaceted tensions of food waste recovery vs prevention and the benefits of food recovery to helping hungry people vs the actual need to eradicate poverty by addressing social injustices and inequalities.

Research limitations/implications

The selected sample involved in the focus group comprised a wide but not comprehensive set of stakeholders. Indeed, the obtained information cannot be generalized. In addition, the ToC approach requires a certain discretion of the facilitator and introduces the potential for partiality in conducting the analysis.

Practical implications

The framework helps to unbundle the complex challenge of measuring the impact of food sharing platforms and it provides managers, practitioners and policy makers with a practical tool to direct their activities toward a better impact.

Originality/value

From a theoretical perspective the study advances the literature on (food) sharing platforms and contributes to research on the sustainability in the food sector. It indicates the impacts a novel actor relying on digital technology can have in the food sector and points out the tensions between food recovery and prevention and the impact on poverty. The proposed framework could be a useful tool to support practitioners in understanding the trade-offs among the outcomes they aim to attain, and to identify the proper strategies to manage them.
Working with addiction: an intercultural-integrative approach to substance dependency during a seven-year delivery of a psychotherapy service in North London
Authors: Sigalas Antony
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on a meta-analysis of an applied integrative model of clinical practice at community level in a third-sector organisation. The psychotherapeutic work was exclusively aimed at those who struggled with their abstinence from their substance use.

Design/methodology/approach

The model adapted to the needs of those who accessed the service, combined culturally sensitive psychoanalytic, systemic and relational frameworks.

Findings

The analysis reflects how such a multi-dimensional approach may be used to address the experience of self-destructiveness in the context of inferiorisation. This paper also presents some statistical information as well as three case vignettes.

Originality/value

The analysis reflects how such a multi-dimensional approach may be used to address the experience of self-destructiveness in the context of inferiorisation.
Engaging university students in an ESL live broadcast
Authors: ChanLin Lih-Juan
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the engagement of community members in an English as a second language (ESL) live broadcast. A platform for encouraging language and culture learning in ESL was planned and implemented. Research purposes were to explore the following aspects for engaging students’ participation: operation-monitoring, planning and implementation, incentives and motives, interactions with multiple formats and challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

The platform used for the ESL live broadcast was Open Broadcaster Software Studio. Through the live videos and instant messages delivered by the network, real-time interactions from different virtual sites were achieved. Observations and operation documentation were recorded. Interviews with the teacher, the library administrator and the students were carried out for collecting data. Inductive analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data from the different sources.

Findings

It was observed that the ESL broadcast reached a great number of users weekly. To engage the ESL broadcast community, efforts to monitor and plan for implementation were made. Students were encouraged by both external incentives and internal motivation. Managing the connectivity problems was essential for guaranteeing the quality of the real-time interactions. From their experiences, the participants were positive about the broadcast approach to learning ESL. More diverse topics and alternatives for oral interactions in the class are suggested in future implementations.

Research limitations/implications

The implementation of the ESL live broadcast provides a model for inviting members within the university community to engage in the language and culture learning. The research is preliminary and is limited to a specific university. Future research on diverse learning settings is needed.

Originality/value

The findings of this study will contribute to the research in streaming media interactions. The case might be applied to other settings and other subject domains.
Business coaching for Tunisian entrepreneurs: features and success factors
Authors: Ben-Ahmed Kais
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Little is known about the relationship between an entrepreneur and his business coach, as very few studies have examined this question, in Tunisia or internationally. The purpose of this paper is to develop a better understanding of the relationship that Tunisian entrepreneur has with his business coach, through the study of factors, which are decisive in the success of this relationship, especially trust, communication and commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a questionnaire to gather information about entrepreneurs who created their small businesses between 2015 and 2018. First, factor analysis was conducted on several variables to extract the underlying dimensions. Then, a bivariate analysis was performed to identify and analyse which factors are responsible for the success of the relationship between the entrepreneur and his business coach.

Findings

The findings of the study showed that the factors identified as being critical to the success of the relationship between Tunisian entrepreneur and his business coach, include know-how, the give-and-take strategy, meeting needs of the entrepreneur, sharing knowledge and the involvement of the coach in the project during the business creation process. However, limited trust, comprehensive listening and mutuality of relationships were not statistically significant.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst study results are partially consistent with the literature, it is surprising that some factors as comprehensive listening, knowledge sharing and relationship mutuality do not really consolidate the entrepreneur's relationship with his coach. By harnessing this result, it is desirable that a more in-depth examination of success factors be carried out to allow more accurate inference to be drawn from the survey.

Practical implications

Whilst study results are partially consistent with findings from the literature, it is surprising that some factors, as comprehensive listening, knowledge sharing and relationship mutuality does not significantly contribute to the success of the relationship between Tunisian entrepreneur and his business coach. Taking this into account, it would be desirable that a more in-depth examination of success factors be carried out to allow more accurate inference to be drawn from the survey.

Originality/value

The paper contributes by analysing critical success factors of the relationship between an entrepreneur and his business coach in a less well-researched area since very few studies have examined this question, in Tunisia or internationally. Conceptually, it offers a better understanding of how the entrepreneur and his coach behave during the business creation process.
Informal and socially situated learning: gendered practices and becoming women church leaders
Authors: Grandy Gina , Mavin Sharon
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how informal and socially situated learning and gendered practices impact the experiences of women learning to lead and the gendered dynamics inherent in women’s lived experiences of learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt a becoming ontology and a social constructionist perspective. A qualitative approach guided by feminist principles facilitated the surfacing of rich and reflective accounts from women leaders. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 women leader priests in Canada.

Findings

The authors highlight how gendered practices are concealed and revealed through informal learning processes and illustrate this through two themes, informal and socially situated learning as inductive and gendered, and the jolt of gender discrimination in informal learning.

Research limitations/implications

While each account from the women church leaders is highly valued in its own right and the women’s stories have generated new insights, the overall data set is small and not generalizable. Future research should explore further the types of informal learning initiatives and systems, which acknowledge and best support women learning to lead in (gendered) organizations. It should also explore how informal learning informs leadership styles in this and other contexts.

Originality/value

The research demonstrates how informal learning experiences can serve as a site for invisible and unaccounted for gender bias and inform the becoming of women leaders. The research also advances the limited body of work that seeks to better understand the gender dynamics of women’s leadership in faith-based organizations.
Knowledge sharing in multicultural organizations: evidence from Pakistan
Authors: Raza Irfan , Awang Zainudin
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Taking higher educational institutes (HEIs) operating in Islamabad metropolitan, and Pakistan as research context, the purpose of this paper is to identify the antecedents of knowledge sharing behavior (KSB) and to check their causal effect in perspective of culturally diverse academic staff. In addition, the authors suggest certain policies for HEIs that can raise knowledge sharing practices in multicultural environment.

Design/methodology/approach

It is a cross-sectional study, quantitative in nature, and has used a self-administered questionnaire for data collection. With proportionate stratified random sampling technique, 278 academic employees working in three faculties from six public sector universities operating in Islamabad metropolitan have recorded their responses. This research also applied confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling to examine the proposed hypothesis of this inquiry.

Findings

The empirical results indicate significant and positive effect of cultural diversity management, interpersonal trust, and leader-empowering behavior on KSB, whereas knowledge technology has insignificant effect on KSB of culturally diverse academic staff. Moreover, proposed model has explained 54 percent variation in endogenous construct.

Practical implications

The present research aids academic leadership in designing policies and strategies to enhance knowledge sharing among faculty members and to create a supportive knowledge sharing culture.

Originality/value

This study fills the empirical gap that exists in literature by exploring the antecedents and their effect on KSB of multicultural academic staff associated in public sector HEIs in Islamabad metropolitan, Pakistan.
Participation of students in the project Valorbio
Authors: Mateus Dina M.R. , Pinho Henrique J.O. , Nogueira Isabel M.D.P. , Rosa Manuel A.N.H. , Cartaxo Marco A.M. , Nunes Valentim M.B.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the case of the Valorbio research project, in which students of different high-level programs were involved in the experimental work and in the dissemination of results in collaboration with the research team.

Design/methodology/approach

The inclusion in higher education curricula of content related to the sustainable development should be a preferred mechanism for the dissemination of good practices of sustainability. Another equally important way to achieve this is to involve students in research projects that seek solutions to the societal challenges related to sustainable growth. The Valorbio project aims to meet the needs for treating and reusing wastewater and solid waste. Its main goal was the development of modular systems for wastewater treatment based on constructed wetlands, exploring the possibility of the treatment systems being composed of solid waste and by-products from significant industrial sectors.

Findings

The students’ contribution to the research work was relevant and simultaneously allowed them to acquire skills on sustainable development. Additionally, the students contributed to the dissemination of the results. The Valorbio project can thus be considered a successful application of the concept of project-based learning (PBL), as a way to include sustainability issues content in the higher education curricula.

Originality/value

The applied experimental work had an original approach regarding the equipment design, the waste materials valuation, as well as the integration of waste treatment processes in the circular economy paradigm. This paper is the first reported PBL experience involving students of short-cycle technical–professional programs in partnership with first and second-level students and a research team.
Concept evaluation in new product development
Authors: Blindheim Jørgen , Elverum Christer W. , Welo Torgeir , Steinert Martin
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper proposes the combination of rapid prototyping and physical modelling as a set-based concept evaluation method in the early stage of new product development.

Design/methodology/approach

The concept evaluation method is applied in a case study of a new metal additive manufacturing process for aluminium, where a set of four extruder concepts has been modelled and evaluated. Rapid prototyping was used to produce plastic models of the different designs, and plasticine feedstock material was used to physically model the metal flow during operation. Finally, the selected concept has been verified in full-scale for processing of aluminium feedstock material.

Findings

The proposed method led to several valuable insights on critical factors that were unknown at the outset of the development project. Overall, these insights enabled concept exploration and concept selection that led to a substantially better solution than the original design.

Research limitations/implications

This method can be applied for other projects where numerical approaches are not applicable or capable, and where the costs or time required for producing full-scale prototypes are high.

Practical implications

Employing this method can enable a more thorough exploration of the design space, allowing new solutions to be discovered.

Originality/value

The proposed method allows a design team to test and evaluate multiple concepts at lower cost and time than what is usually required to produce full-scale prototypes. It is, therefore, concluded to be a valuable design strategy for the early development stages of complex products or technologies.
Assessment of early warning signs predisposing building projects to failure in Nigeria
Authors: Adebisi Emmanuel Oluwatobi , Alao Oluwaseyi Olalekan , Ojo Stephen Okunlola
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The continuous failure of construction projects notwithstanding appreciable increase in project management knowledge has necessitated a proactive approach of assessing early warning signs (EWS) of building projects failure. Building projects are expected to show warning signs before experiencing crises, comparable to a patient displaying symptoms of a disease. Thus, this study aims to examine the EWS that predisposed building projects to failure in Nigeria to provide empirical data for enhancing projects delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data were used for the study. Structured questionnaire was administered to consultants and contractors’ personnel within Lagos State, Nigeria. A total of 180 copies of questionnaire were administered and 134 copies (combined response rate of 74.44 per cent) were retrieved. Frequency distribution, percentages, mean item score and Mann–Whitney test were used to analyse the data.

Findings

Most construction professionals applied the EWS approach from project planning and early construction phase. The most significant EWS predisposing building projects to failure were “Management inability and incompetence to proactively detect and manage problems at early project stages”, “Actual expenditure is constantly shooting beyond cost estimates” and “Incurred costs already getting higher than the anticipated benefits”. Project/construction management-related symptoms are most significant to predisposing building projects to failure.

Practical implications

The study provided implications for effective project management of building projects through proactive approach which is very paramount to improving the delivery of building projects in Nigeria.

Originality/value

The study provides implications for proactive management of building projects, thereby enhancing the delivery of building projects.
Investigating conflicts of expert contractors using the last planner system in building information modeling process
Authors: Amany Adib , Taghizade Katayoon , Noorzai Esmatullah
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to increase the integrity of the planning process with the executive process by simulating the Last Planner System (LPS) technique using building information modeling.

Design/methodology/approach

A five-dimensional model was prepared, and after specifying the number of physical conflicts on the plans, all the scenarios of the starting points in the expert contractors’ plans were analyzed. Accordingly, the best scenario was determined by LPS technique. To assess the performance of the study, it was implemented on several tasks of a construction project.

Findings

The results of this research indicate that if this method is used in the planning process, the time conflicts between the expert contractors who are in the critical path are reduced, and the total delay of the scheduled time reaches zero. In addition, the conflicts between contractors whose suspension will cause no incentive and increase the daily cost overruns will reduce to the lowest point.

Originality/value

By simulating LPS in the planning process, time-physical conflicts are considered at the lowest point. Using this approach, conflicts are detected before the execution process, resulting in a significant reduction in the delays and cost overruns in construction projects.
Elderly and care personnel’s user experiences of a robotic shower
Authors: Bäccman Charlotte , Bergkvist Linda , Kristensson Per
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the expectations and experiences regarding a robotic shower, from a dual user perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This was an explorative qualitative study in which elderly and personnel were interviewed before the robotic shower was installed and again after four or five months of usage.

Findings

The elderly participants found the robotic shower empowering. The personnel’s experiences encompassed their own work conditions, as well as the user value for the elderly. A shared experience for both user groups was a more independent shower situation for the elderly.

Research limitations/implications

Low user frequency among the elderly may have affected the results; more frequent use may lead to different user experiences. Understanding whether and to what extent long-term use affects user experience is important for future adoption and implementation.

Practical implications

Implementation of digital assistive technology (DAT) should focus on the user value of the DAT for all possible user groups, as the different users may experience different values over time. In addition, approaching adoption and acceptance issues of DAT from a learned helplessness perspective may help users find value in the DAT and the independence these aim to provide, helping users maintain or increase quality of life.

Originality/value

This study presents a dual user experience of a DAT in an intimate care situation and shows the importance of including both elderly and personnel to fully understand the value of DATs.
Tax avoidance: do board gender diversity and sustainability performance make a difference?
Authors: Jarboui Anis , Kachouri Ben Saad Maali , Riguen Rakia
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate whether board gender diversity and sustainability performance influence tax avoidance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a sample consisting of 300 UK firms over the 2005-2017 period. This study is motivated by structural equations and system models that specify both a direct and an indirect link between board gender diversity and tax avoidance.

Findings

The results show that the level of tax avoidance decrease when the level of women on the board increase. Therefore, we find that sustainability performance is generally associated with greater tax avoidance. In combination, the results suggest that board gender diversity and sustainability performance play a significant role in corporate tax avoidance.

Practical implications

The findings may be of interest to the academic researchers, investors and regulators. For academic researchers, it is interested in discovering board gender diversity, sustainability performance and tax avoidance. For investors, the results show that the existence of female directors on the board reduces the tax avoidance. For regulators, the results advise the worldwide policy makers to give the importance of female roles to improve the engagement firms in sustainability reporting.

Originality/value

This study extends the existing literature by examining the mediating effect of sustainability performance on the relationship between board gender and tax avoidance in the UK context.
Rethinking political warfare in Italy: a bottom-up approach
Authors: Arcobasso Alessandro
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief answer to the following questions: in the arena for State and non-State actors, who and how may guarantee the balance between democracy, State and market? How can the citizens’ economic well-being be prioritized, in terms of national security?

Design/methodology/approach

Adapting both the link analysis approach and the order of Pierce’s inference stages, the author illustrates the state of the art, some economic indices and Italy’s need for countermeasures.

Findings

Starting from the notion of “social sustainability of the political decisions,” given by the author, the paper highlights the opportunity to rethink the concept of political warfare, in view of a productive fabric characterized by both a high number of small and medium-sized enterprises and the pervasiveness of mafia-type organizations. At the end, the author shares some proposal in the fields of Public Law and Social Marketing and a broader definition of the above-mentioned concept.

Originality/value

This study shows the link between security studies, people’s perception of grey areas and polarization of opinions and wealth, giving the reader a bottom-up input to the comprehension of the contemporary complexity.
The need of international Islamic standards for medical tourism providers: a Malaysian experience
Authors: Kamassi Ahmed , Abdul Manaf Noor Hazilah , Omar Azura
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to confirm that there is a great need for international Islamic accreditation body as a response of the growing number of the Islamic-friendly hospitals and Islamic practices among medical tourism providers across the globe, with a specific focus on the Malaysian industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper systematically reviews the content of medical tourism studies and international accreditation organizations for health-care providers from literature to meet its objective.

Findings

The establishment of international Islamic accreditation body becomes necessary nowadays as the response of the growing of Islamic medical tourism market. Creating standards based on Islamic laws and ethics may assess medical tourism providers when dealing with Muslim medical tourists. Furthermore, the most important benefit of Islamic accreditation is the development of uniform standards for Islamic medical tourism practices that combines health care and tourism services together.

Practical implications

An international Islamic accreditation body should be developed to assist practitioners and policymakers to use standards to select policies to improve Islamic medical tourism practices, which in turn may facilitate the identification of effective services that can meet Muslim medical tourists’ needs and expectations.

Originality/value

This study is the first that suggests the need to establish an international Islamic accreditation organization that assesses hospitals to offer Islamic medical tourism practices for Muslim medical tourists. It may contribute and add value to the body of Islamic medical tourism.
Determinants of attitudes towards Halal products
Authors: Ahmadova Emiliya , Aliyev Khatai
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the customer attitude on Halal food products and determine major factors that affect the attitudes towards Halal food products in Azerbaijan. Within the framework of this research, theory of planned behavior was applied and influence of subjective norms, religiosity level, availability of Halal certification and health considerations on attitude toward Halal food products was measured.

Design/methodology/approach

Random sampling technique was used during these studies. Within the framework of current research, the local Muslim population was surveyed. The sample size for current research was 636, and specified models were estimated using Eview by applying a robust least squares method.

Findings

The impact of subjective norms, religiosity level and availability of Halal certification and health considerations upon consumer’s attitude is economically and statistically significant. Empirical findings show that the strength of the association between religiosity level and attitude toward Halal food products is dependent on the level of religiosity and some other factors such as age category, gender status and existence of halal certification.

Practical implications

As a predominantly Muslim country, exploring attitudes toward Halal food products in Azerbaijan can serve as a valuable source of information while developing Halal branding strategy in this market, i.e. insights gaining from this research will guide marketers while tailoring their marketing strategy for efficiently targeting this market.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical research in Azerbaijani market devoted to understanding factors that influence Halal food purchase attitude.
A new weighted fuzzy programming model for supplier selection and order allocation in the food industry
Authors: Kaviani Mohamad Amin , Peykam Alireza , Khan Sharfuddin Ahmed , Brahimi Nadjib , Niknam Raziyeh
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a combined intuitionistic fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (IFAHP) and fuzzy multi-objective optimization approach to select suppliers and allocate the orders to them in the bottled water production context.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the primary weights of criteria associated with the supplier selection problem are calculated using the IFAHP technique. Then a fuzzy multi-objective optimization model is developed to allocate the appropriate amount of orders to each supplier.

Findings

The proposed methodology has been successfully implemented in the case of an Iranian food company in its bottled water factory. Results demonstrate our model is capable of practically handling the uncertainty in DMs’ preference that leads to effective and efficient supplier selection and order allocation decisions.

Originality/value

The authors develop a novel hybrid decision-making tool to tackle the uncertainty in decision-makers’ opinions with a demonstrated applicability and some promising outcomes in efficiently allocating the order quantity to suppliers in the area of bottled water production.
Leadership development trends and challenges in the twenty-first century: rethinking the priorities
Authors: Megheirkouni Majd , Mejheirkouni Ammar
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand challenges facing organizations in the twenty-first century and address these challenges through suggesting future leadership development based on relevant leadership theories, which would motivate and guide future research directions in a streamlined manner.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study adopted the exploratory literature review, using the integrative method, to review the theoretical and empirical literature on leadership development published since the 2000s, primarily focusing on research published in theJournal of Management Development.

Findings

The findings of the current review confirmed that leadership theories are the base for leadership development theories, particularly if the purpose is to address and overcome the current challenges facing organizations. The authors suggest that leadership theories and leadership development theories do not exist in isolation from one another, nor do they exist in isolation from challenges facing organizations.

Research limitations/implications

This review does not cover all studies before the 2000s nor other journals in the field of leadership.

Originality/value

Given that most organizations are suffering from one or more of the following issues: sexual scandals, unethical behaviors, individualism, crises and a low level of performance or productivity, the development of particular leadership skills has become a priority. This study is one of few studies guiding both future leadership development research directions and leadership development initiatives.
Exploratory cases on the interplay between green human resource management and advanced green manufacturing in light of the Ability-Motivation-Opportunity theory
Authors: Yong Jing Yi , Yusliza M.-Y. , Jabbour Charbel Jose Chiappetta , Ahmad Noor Hazlina
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Green human resource management (HRM) has been considered to be a vitally important mechanism for companies to move towards a sustainable organization. By adopting the Ability-Motivation-Opportunity as the underpinning theory, the purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that facilitate the adoption of Green HRM in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative exploratory approach research was adopted in this study. The required data for this study were collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews with human resources directors and managers from four large manufacturing companies in Malaysia. The data collected was then reorganized into four themes.

Findings

Based on the interview, four key factors that influence the adoption of Green HRM include stakeholder pressures, relative advantage, which means the perceived benefits from implementing Green HRM, top management commitment and green intellectual capital, which means the intellectual capital incorporating green innovation or environmental management. Surprisingly, among the three dimensions of green intellectual capital, only green human capital and green structural capital were greatly discussed by the human resources directors and managers, while the role of green relational capital on the adoption of Green HRM was hardly observed.

Originality/value

Research studies on Green HRM in Malaysia are scarce. The originality of this paper lies in its exploration of Green HRM in an environmental sensitive sector and the insight it provides to academics and practitioners involved in the manufacturing sector. Although research findings cannot be generalized, they can be used as insights for both academics and end-users in emerging economies.
Country-specific determinants of FDI inflows to the MENA region
Authors: Dimitrova Anna , Rogmans Tim , Triki Dora
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to synthesize, analyze and categorize the empirical literature on country-specific factors that affect foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Identifying gaps and methodological challenges in the reviewed articles, recommendations are made to guide future research.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying the systematic review methodology, content analysis is conducted of 42 relevant empirical studies that explore country-specific FDI determinants in the MENA region during the period 1998–2018.

Findings

This review study identifies four main research gaps in the extant literature: a lack of consensus on a common definition of the MENA region and a weak understanding of the specificities of its investment environment; a limited set of FDI theories used and a lack of other theoretical perspectives; a recurrent focus on the direct relationship between host country–specific determinants and FDI, thus ignoring the moderating and mediating effects of some variables; and the absence of certain country-specific factors pertaining to the MENA countries.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the international business field by enhancing our understanding of the FDI determinants in emerging and developing markets, especially the MENA countries. It develops a typology of FDI country-specific factors in the MENA region based on four main categories: macroeconomic and financial, institutional and regulatory, natural resource endowment and socio-cultural. Paths for future research are suggested.
Understanding servant leadership dimensions
Authors: Franco Mário , Antunes Augusto
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to identify and discuss the concept of servant leadership, find some dimensions and understand how staffs in organizations make sense of this style of leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple exploratory case studies in six Portuguese organizations/firms were performed. As data-collecting instruments, several interviews, direct observations made on-site and documentary analysis were used.

Findings

From thematic analysis, the authors found nine dimensions associated with servant leadership in the organizations/firms studied: empowering, helping subordinates grow and succeed, putting subordinates first, ethical behaviour, altruistic calling, wisdom or vision, organizational stewardship, family atmosphere and identification with the leader.

Practical implications

Based on these dimensions identified, the authors constructed an analytical framework for servant leadership. This study contributes to theoretical development by integrating the servant leadership literature and organizational behaviour literature and should help servant leadership gain legitimacy as an important and relevant leadership theory.

Originality/value

This study is innovative because contributes to knowledge about organizations that follow a servant style of leadership, and in so doing form consistent dimensions that can represent benchmarking for other organizational structures.
The use of new technologies for corporate marketing communication in luxury retailing
Authors: Passavanti Rosanna , Pantano Eleonora , Priporas Constantinos Vasilios , Verteramo Saverino
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which luxury brand retailers use new technologies as a tool for corporate marketing communication.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a multiple-case study approach consisting of five information-rich cases, with the similar characteristics of large firms selling luxury brands which are aware of the importance of innovation. In each company, the authors interviewed the key person in charge of marketing innovation strategies and collected data from annual reports, press releases and direct observation of all the new technology categories used.

Findings

The findings of this paper reveal that this sector is considerably aware of the benefits of using new media as a marketing communication tool, while the effective use of these new media is still limited.

Research limitations/implications

This paper provides an empirical contribution to the emerging topic of innovation and technology management in retailing, with the emphasis being placed on the luxury sector through an in-depth investigation of the usage of new technologies by the firms studied.

Originality/value

This paper is the first one investigating thoroughly the luxury sector usage of new technologies to improve corporate marketing communication.
Knockdown of circular RNA UBAP2 inhibits the malignant behaviours of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by microRNA‐422a/Rab10 axis
Authors: Wu Yu , Zhi Lingran , Zhao Ying , Yang Lili , Cai Fengmei
Published: February 2020

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a major type of esophageal cancer, accounting for about 90% of cases. Circular RNA UBAP2 (circUBAP2) is involved in the progression of several types of cancers. However, the role of circUBAP2 in ESCC remains unclear. In the present study, circUBAP2 expression was found to be upregulated in ESCC tumour tissues. Knockdown of circUBAP2 through infection with lentiviral vector encoding shRNA targeting circUBAP2 (sh‐circUBAP2) inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of ESCC cells. In addition, circUBAP2 significantly promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of ESCC cells. In vivo xenograft assay demonstrated that circUBAP2 downregulation suppressed the tumour growth of ESCC. Further mechanism investigations proved that circUBAP2 exerted its role via sponging microRNA (miR)‐422a, and miR‐422a directly targeted Rab10 in ESCC cells. These findings suggested that circUBAP2 acted as oncogene through regulating the miR‐422a/Rab10 axis in ESCC.
WNT/β‐catenin signal inhibitor IC‐2–derived small‐molecule compounds suppress TGF‐β1–induced fibrogenic response of renal epithelial cells by inhibiting SMAD2/3 signalling
Authors: Hoi Shotaro , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki , Itaba Noriko , Suzuki Kyosuke , Oka Hiroyuki , Morimoto Minoru , Takata Tomoaki , Isomoto Hajime , Shiota Goshi
Published: February 2020

Renal fibrosis compromises kidney function, and it is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD ultimately progresses to end‐stage kidney disease that can be cured only by kidney transplantation. Owing to the increasing number of CKD patients, effective treatment strategies are urgently required for renal fibrosis. TGF‐β is a well‐established fibrogenic factor that signals through SMAD2/3 signaling pathway. It was shown that there is a cross‐talk between TGF‐β/SMAD and WNT/β‐catenin signaling pathways in renal tubular epithelial cells, and that a WNT/β‐catenin inhibitor, ICG‐001, ameliorates TGF‐β1induced renal fibrosis. IC‐2, a derivative of ICG‐001, has been shown to potently induce hepatocyte differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells by inhibiting WNT/β‐catenin signaling. In the present study, we examined the effect of ICG‐001, IC‐2, and IC‐2 derivatives (IC‐2‐506‐1, IC‐2‐506‐2, IC‐2‐506‐3, IC‐2‐Ar‐Cl, IC‐2‐OH, IC‐2‐OTBS, and IC‐2‐F) on TGF‐β1–induced SMAD activation and fibrogenic response in immortalized human renal tubular epithelial HK‐2 cells. All these compounds inhibited LiCl‐induced WNT/β‐catenin reporter activation to a similar extent, whereas ICG‐001, IC‐2‐OTBS, and IC‐2‐F almost completely suppressed TGF‐β1–induced SMAD reporter activation without apparent cytotoxicity. Phosphorylation of SMAD2/3 by TGF‐β1 was more potently inhibited by IC‐2‐OTBS and IC‐2‐F than by ICG‐001 and IC‐2. IC‐2‐F suppressed TGF‐β1–induced COL1A1 protein expression, whereas IC‐2‐506‐1 and IC‐2‐OTBS suppressed TGF‐β1–induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition. These results demonstrated that IC‐2 derivatives suppress the TGF‐β1–induced fibrogenic response of tubular epithelial cells and thus could be promising therapeutic agents for the treatment of renal fibrosis.
Aung San Suu Kyi at the ICJ
Authors: Prasse‐Freeman Elliott
Published: February 2020

This guest editorial reflects on the complexities underlying Aung San Suu Kyi's appearance at the International Court of Justice.
Religious Conversion in Early Post‐Ottoman Bulgaria: A Case Study of Ruse
Authors: Celik Mehmet
Published: February 2020

Under Ottoman rule, conversion to Islam took place in the Balkans in various forms often described as forced, voluntary or “conversion for convenience.” Islamic law, however, strictly forbade apostasy for Muslims, who risked the death penalty. Although the Ottoman reform of 1844 banned the execution of apostates from Islam and that of 1856 declared freedom of religion, Muslim conversion was carried out discreetly. In 1878, the establishment of the Bulgarian nation‐state paved the way for potential conversion from Islam to Christianity. This study examines the conversion of Muslims, Catholics, and to a lesser extent, Jews, to Bulgarian Orthodoxy and Protestantism in the city of Ruse. It shows that apostasy was a result of a complex interplay of loyalties, political dynamics, and self‐interests rather than purely religious principles. Specifically, it argues that Muslims and, to a lesser extent, Jews, perceived conversion as a way of developing a Bulgarian identity, whereas Catholic conversion to Orthodoxy was mostly marriage‐based and did not necessarily entail an intention to achieve a Bulgarian national identity. Moreover, the way that the Bulgarian Church processed the petitions shows a continuity from the practices that the Ottomans used when Christians and Jews converted to Islam during the Tanzimat Era.
What Osama bin Laden Did Not (Want to) Know: Manly Palmer Hall, Islam, and Conspiracism
Authors: Bigliardi Stefano
Published: February 2020

A copy of The Secret Teachings of All Ages (1928) by Manly Palmer Hall (1901–1990) was listed among the books possessed by Osama bin Laden (1957–2011) in his last lodgings. The prolific Canadian‐born, US‐American author advanced a positive interpretation of Islam within an esotericist worldview. By meticulously scrutinising primary sources, this article aims at mapping his conception of Islam and understanding its role within Hall's interpretation of history. Furthermore, drawing upon scholarly discussions of conspiracism, as well as on examinations of bin Laden's figure and messages, this article assesses whether Hall can be described as a conspiracist author and whether his interpretation of history and Islam could have fascinated the founder of Al Qaeda.
Microbiological safety of ready‐to‐eat foods in low‐ and middle‐income countries: A comprehensive 10‐year (2009 to 2018) review
Authors: Makinde Oluwadamilola M. , Ayeni Kolawole I. , Sulyok Michael , Krska Rudolf , Adeleke Rasheed A. , Ezekiel Chibundu N.
Published: February 2020

Ready‐to‐eat foods (RTEs) are foods consumed without any further processing. They are widely consumed as choice meals especially by school‐aged children and the fast‐paced working class in most low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs), where they contribute substantially to the dietary intake. Depending on the type of processing and packaging material, RTEs could be industrially or traditionally processed. Typically, RTE vendors are of low literacy level, as such, they lack knowledge about good hygiene and food handling practices. In addition, RTEs are often vended in outdoor environments such that they are exposed to several contaminants of microbial origin. Depending on the quantity and type of food contaminant, consumption of contaminated RTEs may result in foodborne diseases and several other adverse health effects in humans. This could constitute major hurdles to growth and development in LMICs. Therefore, this review focuses on providing comprehensive and recent occurrence and impact data on the frequently encountered contaminants of microbial origin published in LMICs within the last decade (2009 to 2018). We have also suggested viable food safety solutions for preventing and controlling the food contamination and promoting consumer health.
Investigations into Enhancing Yersinia pestis Cells Viability following Environmental Sampling for Forensic Analysis
Authors: Rastogi Vipin K. , Smith Lisa S. , Burton Laura L. , Rastogi Pooja R. , Harris Jacquelyn V. , Hurst Savannah , Angelini Daniel J.
Published: February 2020

Following an intentional or accidental bio‐warfare agent (BWA) release, environmental sample analysis is absolutely critical to determine the extent of contamination. When dealing with nonspore forming BWA (e.g., Yersinia pestis), retention of cell viability is central to such analyses. Even though significant advances have been achieved in DNA sequencing technologies, a positive identification of BWAs in environmental samples must be made through the ability of cells to form colony‐forming units upon culturing. Inability to revive the cells between collection and analysis renders such studies inconclusive. Commercial kits designed to preserve the viability of pathogens contained within clinical samples are available, but many of them have not been examined for their ability to preserve samples containing suspected BWAs. The study was initiated to examine the applicability of commercial solutions aiding in retention of Y. pestis viability in samples stored under nonpermissive temperatures, that is, 40 and 37°C. While none of the tested solutions sustained cell viability at 40°C, the results show five out of 17 tested preservatives were capable of supporting viability of Y. pestis at 37°C.
Human resource management practices in the context of rising right‐wing populism
Authors: Cumming Douglas J. , Wood Geoffrey , Zahra Shaker A.
Published: February 2020

We review the relationship between the causes and impact of rising right‐wing populism and human resource management practice, drawing on the recent experiences of the United States and the United Kingdom. Specifically, we explore the links between right‐wing populism and firms and their HRM practices. Although the links between declining standards of work, employment, and populism may be indirect and spatially uneven, each impacts the other in a manner that reinforces existing trends. We pay particular attention to migration and labour mobility, pay dispersion, and job and occupational security. At the level of the workplace, the populist turn undermines workforce diversity and makes transnational mobility more difficult. At the same time, structural pressures mitigating against a greater commitment to employees and their development and well‐being contribute to a general climate of insecurity, which, in turn, reinforces populism.