bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Approximating deformation fields for the analysis of continuous heterogeneity of biological macromolecules by 3D Zernike polynomials
Authors: Herreros David , Lederman Roy R. , Krieger James , Jiménez-Moreno Amaya , Martínez Marta , Myška David , Strelak David , Filipovic Jiri , Bahar Ivet , Carazo Jose Maria , Sanchez Carlos Oscar S.
Published: October 2021

Structural biology has evolved greatly due to the advances introduced in fields like electron microscopy. This image-capturing technique, combined with improved algorithms and current data processing software, allows the recovery of different conformational states of a macromolecule, opening new possibilities for the study of its flexibility and dynamic events. However, the ensemble analysis of these different conformations, and in particular their placement into a common variable space in which the differences and similarities can be easily recognized, is not an easy matter. To simplify the analysis of continuous heterogeneity data, this work proposes a new automatic algorithm that relies on a mathematical basis defined over the sphere to estimate the deformation fields describing conformational transitions among different structures. Thanks to the approximation of these deformation fields, it is possible to describe the forces acting on the molecules due to the presence of different motions. It is also possible to represent and compare several structures in a low-dimensional mapping, which summarizes the structural characteristics of different states. All these analyses are integrated into a common framework, providing the user with the ability to combine them seamlessly. In addition, this new approach is a significant step forward compared with principal component analysis and normal mode analysis of cryo-electron microscopy maps, avoiding the need to select components or modes and producing localized analysis.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of (Z)-2-{[(2,4-dimethylphenyl)imino]methyl}-4-methylphenol
Authors: Kansiz Sevgi , Gul Adem , Dege Necmi , Agar Erbil , Saif Eiad
Published: October 2021

The title compound, C16H17NO, is a Schiff base that exists in the enol–imine tautomeric form and adopts a Z configuration. The molecule is non-planar, with the twisted rings making a dihedral angle of 39.92 (4)°. The intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond forms an S(6) ring motif. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H...π interactions and very weak π-π stacking interactions also help to consolidate the crystal packing. A Hirshfeld surface analysis was performed to investigate the contributions of different intermolecular contacts within the supramolecular structure. The major contributions are from H...H (65%), C...H (19.2%) and O...H (6.6%) interactions.
Dimethyl 4,5-dichlorophthalate
Authors: Hickstein Daniel D. , Reinheimer Eric W. , Johnson Adam R. , O'Leary Daniel J.
Published: October 2021

While endeavoring to synthesize new chlorinated ligands for ruthenium-based metathesis catalysts, the title compound dimethyl 4,5-dichlorophthalate, C10H8Cl2O4, was prepared from commercially available 4,5-dichlorophthalic acid in ∼77% yield. The title molecule, which also finds utility as a precursor molecule for the synthesis of drugs used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, shows one carbonyl-containing methyl ester moiety lying nearly co-planar with the chlorine-derivatized aromatic ring while the second methyl ester shows a significant deviation of 101.05 (12)° from the least-squares plane of the aromatic ring. Within the crystal, structural integrity is maintained by the concerted effects of electrostatic interactions involving the electron-deficient carbonyl carbon atom and the electron-rich aromatic ring along the a-axis direction and C—H...O hydrogen bonds between neighboring molecules parallel to b.
1,3,5-Trifluoro-2,4,6-triiodobenzene–piperazine (2/1)
Authors: Hajjar Christelle , Ovens Jeffrey S. , Bryce David L.
Published: October 2021

The single-crystal structure of the title compound, C4H10N2·2C6F3I3, features a moderately strong halogen bond between one of the three crystallographically distinct iodine atoms and the nitrogen atom. The iodine–nitrogen distance is 2.820 (3) Å, corresponding to 80% of the sum of their van der Waals radii. The C—I...N halogen bond angle is 178.0 (1)°, consistent with the linear interaction of nitrogen via a σ-hole opposite the carbon–iodine covalent bond. The other two iodine atoms do not engage in halogen bonding. Some weak C—H...F and —H...I interactions are also observed. The complete piperazine molecule is generated by symmetry.
Torque vectoring control system for distributed drive electric bus under complicated driving conditions
Authors: Su Liang , Wang Zhenpo , Chen Chao
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose a torque vectoring control system for improving the handling stability of distributed drive electric buses under complicated driving conditions. Energy crisis and environment pollution are two key pressing issues faced by mankind. Pure electric buses are recognized as the effective method to solve the problems. Distributed drive electric buses (DDEBs) as an emerging mode of pure electric buses are attracting intense research interests around the world. Compared with the central driven electric buses, DDEB is able to control the driving and braking torque of each wheel individually and accurately to significantly enhance the handling stability. Therefore, the torque vectoring control (TVC) system is proposed to allocate the driving torque among four wheels reasonably to improve the handling stability of DDEBs.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed TVC system is designed based on hierarchical control. The upper layer is direct yaw moment controller based on feedforward and feedback control. The feedforward control algorithm is designed to calculate the desired steady-state yaw moment based on the steering wheel angle and the longitudinal velocity. The feedback control is anti-windup sliding mode control algorithm, which takes the errors between actual and reference yaw rate as the control variables. The lower layer is torque allocation controller, including economical torque allocation control algorithm and optimal torque allocation control algorithm.

Findings

The steady static circular test has been carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness and control effort of the proposed TVC system. Compared with the field experiment results of tested bus with TVC system and without TVC system, the slip angle of tested bus with TVC system is much less than without TVC. And the actual yaw rate of tested bus with TVC system is able to track the reference yaw rate completely. The experiment results demonstrate that the TVC system has a remarkable performance in the real practice and improve the handling stability effectively.

Originality/value

In view of the large load transfer, the strong coupling characteristics of tire , the suspension and the steering system during coach corning, the vehicle reference steering characteristics is defined considering vehicle nonlinear characteristics and the feedforward term of torque vectoring control at different steering angles and speeds is designed. Meanwhile, in order to improve the robustness of controller, an anti-integral saturation sliding mode variable structure control algorithm is proposed as the feedback term of torque vectoring control.
Marketing mix strategies during and after COVID-19 pandemic and recession: a systematic review
Authors: Nikbin Davoud , Iranmanesh Mohammad , Ghobakhloo Morteza , Foroughi Behzad
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to answer two important questions: (1) Whether companies should reduce or increase the marketing expenses to face the recession caused by COVID-19? and (2) What marketing mix strategies should companies undertake to shine in the post-pandemic world?

Design/methodology/approach

As recession caused by the COVID-19 crisis is one of the main drivers of business environment and customer behaviour changes, the authors systematically reviewed articles on marketing mix strategies during recessions. Out of 1,128 documents extracted from the Scopus database, 41 English-written articles were selected and analysed.

Findings

This study illustrates: (1) marketing budgets should not be cut during COVID-19 and (2) the marketing mix practices and strategies that firms should undertake during COVID-19 pandemic in terms of product, price, promotion, and place were explained.

Originality/value

The findings of this study advance the understanding of marketing strategies and practices that should be adopted and put into practice to deal with the impacts of COVID-19 on the business environment and shine in the post-COVID-19 world.
The impact of employment relationships on firm sustainability
Authors: Rincon-Roldan Francisco , Lopez-Cabrales Alvaro
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of different employment relationships (ERs) on the sustainability results of cooperatives. The authors approached the type of ER comparing the inducements offered by the firm with the contributions that the manager expects from employees. In this way, the authors study how the orientation toward the employment relationship influences the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the firm.

Design/methodology/approach

This article presents a theoretical and empirical research model about the relationship between ERs and sustainability. The necessary information was obtained through a questionnaire that was completed by the human resource (HR) managers and chief executive officers (CEOs) of 124 cooperative companies, and structural equation modelling was applied to evaluate the relationships between the proposed constructs, using the partial least squares technique (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The obtained results suggest that mutual investment and overinvestment ERs favour economic, social and environmental sustainability, whereas quasi spot contract and underinvestment ERs have a negative influence on all three types of sustainability. Therefore, it is confirmed that the type of ER adopted can condition the sustainability of the company, either favouring or worsening it.

Originality/value

This work contributes to covering the lack of studies about which ERs impact the sustainability of organisations, and it provides information on the role of ERs in the search for a more sustainable organisation, demonstrating that the type of employment relationship developed by the firm has a relevant impact on its sustainability.
Interaction and acoustics of separated flows from a D-shaped bluff body
Authors: Huang Guangyuan , Seid Ka Him , Yang Zhigang , Leung Randolph Chi Kin
Published: October 2021

Purpose

For flow around elongated bluff bodies, flow separations would occur over both leading and trailing edges. Interactions between these two separations can be established through acoustic perturbation. In this paper, the flow and the acoustic fields of a D-shaped bluff body (length-to-height ratioL/H= 3.64) are investigated at height-based Reynolds numberRe= 23,000 by experimental and numerical methods. The purpose of this paper is to study the acoustic feedback in the interaction of these two separated flows.

Design/methodology/approach

The flow field is measured by particle image velocimetry, hotwire velocimetry and surface oil flow visualization. The acoustic field is modeled in two dimensions by direct aeroacoustic simulation, which solves the compressible Navier–Stokes equations. The simulation is validated against the experimental results.

Findings

Separations occur at both the leading and the trailing edges. The leading-edge separation point and the reattaching flow oscillate in accordance with the trailing-edge vortex shedding. Significant pressure waves are generated at the trailing edge by the vortex shedding rather than the leading-edge vortices. Pressure-based cross-correlation analysis is conducted to clarify the effect of the pressure waves on the leading-edge flow structures.

Practical implications

The understanding of interactions of separated flows over elongated bluff bodies helps to predict aerodynamic drag, structural vibration and noise in engineering applications, such as the aerodynamics of buildings, bridges and road vehicles.

Originality/value

This paper clarifies the influence of acoustic perturbations in the interaction of separated flows over a D-shaped bluff body. The contribution of the leading- and the trailing-edge vortex in generating acoustic perturbations is investigated as well.
The development of SUCCEED: urban sustainability assessment tool for developing countries with focus on Nigeria
Authors: Momoh Job , Kangwa Joseph Chelemu , Udeaja Chika , Ruoyu Jin , Seidu Rafiu Dimeji
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Developing countries are currently on the verge of adopting principles used in achieving a sustainable urban future. As the urban population increases due to factors like urban–rural migration, increase in birth rate, migration, industrialisation, commercialisation, amongst others, there is a drastic need to adopt sustainability principles within urban spaces. To understand how sustainability can be achieved, there is a need to recognise how developed countries have designed assessment tools that work within their context which can inform how developing countries can work on their assessment tool. Urban neighbourhood sustainability assessment tools are used to reflect on the overall goal of the project and the most important indicators needed to be implemented within the project. Sustainability indicators are used to measure the levels and progress at which sustainability has been implemented within a project based on the data collected and these results can be used to make informed decisions. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the development of urban sustainability assessment tool.

Design/methodology/approach

This research investigates the techniques utilised in developing an urban sustainability assessment tool Sustainable Composite Cities Environmental Evaluation and Design (SUCCEED-ND) tool within the Nigerian context. The data instrument used includes a questionnaire survey that sampled 50 correspondents, and the results were used to develop an urban assessment tool tailored for the Nigerian countries.

Findings

The findings used social, environmental, economic and planning sustainability dimensions in the design of the assessment tool which composes of 21 core sustainability indicators and 105 indicators to develop SUCCEED-ND tool.

Originality/value

This work developed the first urban sustainability assessment tool for the Nigerian urban environment. The result is meant to evaluate and implement sustainability within existing and proposed neighbourhood development.
Attitudes toward service robots: analyses of explicit and implicit attitudes based on anthropomorphism and construal level theory
Authors: Akdim Khaoula , Belanche Daniel , Flavián Marta
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Building on both the uncanny valley and construal level theories, the analyses detailed in this paper aims to address customers’ explicit and implicit attitudes toward various service robots, categorized by the degree of their human-like appearance, namely, mechanoids (low human-likeness), humanoids (medium human-likeness) and realistic robots (high human-likeness).

Design/methodology/approach

The analyses reflect a mixed-method approach, across three studies. A qualitative study uses focus groups to identify consensual attitudes. An experiment measures self-reported, explicit attitudes toward the three categories of robots. Another experiment explores customers’ implicit attitudes (unconscious and unintentional) toward robots, using three implicit association tests.

Findings

Customers express both positive and negative attitudes toward service robots. The realistic robots lead to both explicit and implicit negative attitudes, suggesting that customers tend to reject these robots in frontline service settings. Robots with lower human-likeness levels generate relatively more positive attitudes and are accepted to nearly the same extent as human employees in hospitality and tourism contexts.

Practical implications

Because customers reject, both consciously and unconsciously, very human-like robots in service encounters, managers should leverage this key finding, along with the more detailed results, to inform their strategic introduction of robots into hospitality frontline service settings.

Originality/value

The combined qualitative and quantitative studies specify and clarify customers’ implicit and explicit attitudes toward robots with different levels of human-likeness, in the real-world setting of hospitality and tourism services. Such insights can inform continued research into the effects of these service innovations.
Strategies of communicating health-related risks to vulnerable groups of immigrants during a pandemic: a scoping review of qualitative and quantitative evidence
Authors: Koval Olena , Engen Ole Andreas , Kringen Jacob , Wiig Siri
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this rapid scoping review was to map existing literature on risk communication strategies implemented by authorities and aimed at vulnerable immigrants in the context of pandemics.

Design/methodology/approach

Existing literature on the topic was charted in terms of its nature and volume by summarizing evidence regarding the communication strategies. Literature searches were conducted in Academic Search Premier and CINAHL, databases were searched from 2011 to present on March 31, 2021.

Findings

Five articles met the criteria and were included in this review, pointing at limited research in this area. The findings indicated that a close interaction between communication authorities and immigrants is important. Community education, building trust in communication sources, clear risk communication and inclusive decision-making among all were found to be important when communicating health risks to immigrants.

Research limitations/implications

The primary limitation of this rapid scoping review is that the literature searches were conducted in only two databases, namely, Academic Search Premier and CINAHL. A wider search across several other databases could have given more profound results. Furthermore, some studies where immigrants were conceptualized as, for instance, “disadvantaged groups” might be overseen due to a choice of the search strategy used in this study. There are also certain limitations related to the studies included in this review.

Practical implications

Identifying efficient ways of conveying recommendations may further assist authorities and scientists in developing more effective health-related risk communication.

Originality/value

This study covered health-related risk communication in the context of pandemics, addressing the need to investigate different groups of immigrants and the challenges related to communicating risks to these groups.
Sustainable food supply chains: overcoming key challenges through digital technologies
Authors: Mahroof Kamran , Omar Amizan , Kucukaltan Berk
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer a consolidative approach in exploring the potential contribution of digital technologies in sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) for the sustainable performance of food supply chain business, through the circular economy concepts.

Design/methodology/approach

As a single case study, this qualitative, interpretivist research was based on one of the largest food producers in the United Kingdom. The research utilises semi-structured interviews and applies thematic analysis to offer rich insights into SSCM challenges and their relationship with the business performance, through ten in-depth interviews.

Findings

Findings derived from thematic analysis of the interview transcripts suggest four main critical success factors underpinning SSCM practices and businesses performance – i.e. business continuity, waste reduction, performance measurement approach, and organisational learning, which could use the help of digital technologies to improve. This led to seven propositions to be addressed in the future research.

Originality/value

This research offers real, practical insights into SSCM challenges, within the context of food supply chain and explores the potential of digital technologies in overcoming them. Accordingly, the primary contribution of this work is grounded in the identification of critical success factors in SSCM for food supply chains (FSC). Hence, this work contributes further to the literature on SSCM, as well as circular economy, by providing a study of a business in the context of the highly pertinent and valuable food industry.
Employee loyalty during slowdown of Covid-19: Do satisfaction and trust matter?
Authors: Aristana I Nengah , Arsawan I Wayan Edi , Rustiarini Ni Wayan
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This research aims to test employee loyalty in the hotel industry, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. This study examines the relationship between leader support in building job satisfaction, trust and employee loyalty. Also, this research aims to test and explain the role of satisfaction and trust as mediator variables.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used a quantitative design by distributing questionnaires to 206 employees of the 97 hotels in Bali, Indonesia, particularly during pandemic Covid-19. The research data were then analyzed by using WarpPLS software.

Findings

The results revealed that leader support did not have a significant effect on loyalty. Satisfaction and trust act as double mediators in leaders’ support and loyalty relationships.

Research limitations/implications

Employees need leaders’ support to remain loyal to their organization in a slowdown situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic and its various challenges.

Originality/value

Research on the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on various sectors has been comprehensive. However, the research that invests in employee loyalty in the hospitality industry is still rare. This study analyzes the loyalty of hotel employees, particularly when the tourism sector is experiencing a slowdown. This study also examines the role of trust and satisfaction as mediating relationships between leaders’ support and loyalty, which have not been widely analyzed in previous studies.
Effect of surface micro-groove texture on lubrication performance of tripod universal coupling
Authors: Yang Fuqin , Xiao Q.H. , Geng Chunhui
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to study the effect of micro-groove texture geometric parameters on the lubrication characteristics of the tripod universal coupling.

Design/methodology/approach

The Navier–Stokes equation was used to analyse the influence of micro-groove geometric parameters on the coupling’s lubrication performance. Further, Kriging approximate model and neighborhood cultivation genetic algorithm (NCGA) were used to optimise the micro-groove geometric parameters and improve the coupling’s lubrication performance.

Findings

The results show that as the micro-groove depth and width increase, respectively, the oil film-bearing capacity first increases and then decreases; on the contrary, the friction coefficient first decreases and then increases. With the increase of the micro-groove inclination angle, the bearing capacity of the oil film first increases and then remains unchanged. At the same time, the friction coefficient first decreases and then increases slightly. The lubricating performance of the optimised coupling is significantly improved: the optimised oil film-bearing capacity increases by 12.5%, the friction coefficient reduces by 14% and the maximum oil film pressure increases by 4.3%.

Originality/value

At present, the grease lubrication performance of the micro-groove textured tripod universal coupling has not been studied. The micro-groove parameters are optimised, and the coupling’s lubrication performance is improved greatly by the Kriging model and NCGA algorithm. It is of great significance to extend the coupling’s fatigue life.
Mechanical arm obstacle avoidance path planning based on improved artificial potential field method
Authors: Xu Tianying , Zhou Haibo , Tan Shuaixia , Li Zhiqiang , Ju Xia , Peng Yichang
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to resolve issues of the traditional artificial potential field method, such as falling into local minima, low success rate and lack of ability to sense the obstacle shapes in the planning process.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, an improved artificial potential field method is proposed, where the object can leave the local minima point, where the algorithm falls into, while it avoids the obstacle, following a shorter feasible path along the repulsive equipotential surface, which is locally optimized. The whole obstacle avoidance process is based on the improved artificial potential field method, applied during the mechanical arm path planning action, along the motion from the starting point to the target point.

Findings

Simulation results show that the algorithm in this paper can effectively perceive the obstacle shape in all the selected cases and can effectively shorten the distance of the planned path by 13%–41% with significantly higher planning efficiency compared with the improved artificial potential field method based on rapidly-exploring random tree. The experimental results show that the improved artificial potential field method can effectively plan a smooth collision-free path for the object, based on an algorithm with good environmental adaptability.

Originality/value

An improved artificial potential field method is proposed for optimized obstacle avoidance path planning of a mechanical arm in three-dimensional space. This new approach aims to resolve issues of the traditional artificial potential field method, such as falling into local minima, low success rate and lack of ability to sense the obstacle shapes in the planning process.
Meaning and willingness to pay: the role of expectation disconfirmation
Authors: Assadi Peyman , Assadi Pooria
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Pursuit of meaning is at the heart of much of organizational life. It has implications for how different organizational stakeholders associate value to various organizational initiatives. Research on meaning has generally shown that effort increases meaning and favorable valuation of and willingness to pay for economic activities by organizational stakeholders. The authors build on and advance this research by offering theory and experimental evidence showing that effort, particularly at high levels, results in enhanced meaning and favorable valuation when effort does not threaten the focal stakeholders' resources through expectation disconfirmation.

Design/methodology/approach

Three experimental studies are designed and conducted in this research. In one study, the authors replicate prior research findings that establish labor generally increases meaning and favorable valuation. In the two subsequent studies, the authors test the proposed hypothesis in this research and check for robustness of the empirical analysis.

Findings

The authors find that any internalized threat to the focal stakeholder's resources coupled with a high exertion of effort decreases, rather than increases, meaning and favorable valuation of and willingness to pay for economic activities.

Originality/value

The theory and empirical evidence in this research advance the understanding of how organizational stakeholders may associate effort-induced meaning with various economic activities in counter-intuitive ways. The findings also highlight the importance of recognizing and shaping the expectations of organizational stakeholders in influencing willingness to pay in organizational settings.
Stability in the banking industry and commodity price volatility: perspective from developing economies
Authors: Abaidoo Rexford , Agyapong Elvis Kwame , Boateng Kwame Fosu
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effect of volatility in prices of internationally traded commodities (the backbone of most economies) on the stability of the banking industry from three main perspectives; bank liquidity reserves, overall bank risk and bank capital adequacy.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were compiled from various sources for 30 emerging economies from 2002 to 2018 and were analyzed using the two-step system generalized method of moments estimation technique.

Findings

The study finds that all things being equal, the magnitude and direction of impact of commodity price volatility on bank stability among economies in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) depend on the type and nature of the commodity in question; and the bank stability proxy used. For instance, an increase in crude oil prices is found to foster stability in the banking industry (proxied by bank liquid reserves) but insignificant when stability in the banking industry is proxied using other banking sector parameters. Additionally, government effectiveness and corruption control have varying moderating influences on how volatility associated with prices of internationally traded commodities influence various proxies for banking industry stability.

Originality/value

This study highlights the effect of fluctuations in prices of key internationally traded commodities (adjusted for foreign exchange impact) that are important sources of revenue among economies in SSA on banking sector stability from liquidity, overall risk and capital adequacy perspectives. The influential role of governance in the relationship between volatility in the price of commodities and bank stability is also revealed by the study.
Role of corporate governance in constraining earnings management practices: a study of select Indian and Chinese firms
Authors: Pandey Aprajita , Pattanayak J.K. , Singh Prakash
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of corporate governance on both accrual-based and real earnings management practices in select firms of the two world's largest economies, i.e. India and China.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has implemented a feasible generalized least square regression (FGLS) method to analyse the effect of corporate governance on accrual-based and real earnings management.

Findings

The study exhibits the significant contribution of large board sizes and independent boards in constraining the use of both accruals as well as real earnings management practices. However, audit quality had an impact on accrual earnings management only. The study also documents that accrual earnings management practices are controlled when the government’s potential to develop and enactment of policies increases.

Practical implications

The findings of the study provide insights to analysts, prospective investors and regulators to evaluate the effectiveness of the board in a new issue firm and help the firm to enhance its corporate governance policies.

Originality/value

Unlike previous studies who mostly examined the impact of corporate governance factors on accrual earnings management, the present study has, first, considered both accruals as well as real earnings management. Second, the present study has used the unique sample of new issue firms listed on the Indian and Chinese stock market, and third, the study did an additional analysis to examine the impact of country-level governance factors on accrual earnings management.
Bad time to be humble! When and why leaders should not be humble
Authors: Xu Jiang , Mao Jih-Yu , Zhang Ye
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Although leader humility is generally considered a positive leadership behavior, this study aims to examine when the positive influences of leader humility are likely weakened.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a two-wave survey. Ordinary least squares regression analyses were conducted to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Although leader humility is positively related to perceived leader support, this relationship is weakened when the environment is uncertain, resulting in comparatively lower follower performance.

Practical implications

Leaders should be aware that environmental constraints may weaken the desired outcomes of humility and therefore adapt leadership to situational needs.

Originality/value

Contrasting to predominant research on leader humility, this study examines a critical boundary condition by which its positive influences are compromised. In light of the disruption caused by the ongoing COVID-19, this study suggests that what usually are considered positive characteristics of leader humility are likely perceived as little leader support when the environment is uncertain. Findings of this study echo contingency leadership theories, which suggest that effective leadership should be context-dependent.
Understanding how and when workplace ostracism jeopardizes work effort
Authors: Anjum Muhammad Adeel , Liang Dapeng , Ahmed Ammarah , Parvez Anjum
Published: October 2021

Purpose

While the performance consequences of workplace ostracism (WO) have been examined in many studies, relatively little is known about WO's relationship with work effort (WE), which is a vital part of the performance domain. Moreover, the literature is largely silent regarding how WO translates into reduced effort and when such effects are less likely. The purpose of the study is to bridge these gaps. Specifically, the paper examines the relationship between WO and WE, taking into account the mediating role of emotional exhaustion (EE) and the moderating role of work centrality (WC).

Design/methodology/approach

Data for the study came from an online survey of 310 full-time employees of service-sector organizations in Pakistan. The PROCESS macro, a robust computational tool for research models involving both mediating and moderating mechanisms, was used for analysis.

Findings

WO was found to be a risk factor for organizations in that it not only induces/aggravates strain in employees, but also hampers them in expending effort in given roles. Findings further highlight that the negative relationship between WO and WE is mediated by EE and moderated by WC.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to the cross-sectional data and correlational research design, the study has limited power to make causal inferences about the relationships between the constructs (e.g. WO and WE). Further, the study is conducted in a collectivist culture where people are particularly sensitive to WO; it is, therefore, possible that the strength of relationships between the constructs might differ in individualistic cultures.

Practical implications

Apart from informing management practices in relation to minimizing the occurrence of WO, the study also offers valuable insights into how employees can protect themselves from the negative effects of WO.

Originality/value

The study is among the very few empirical works that simultaneously explicate how and when WO jeopardizes employees' WE.
The use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: a scoping review
Authors: Adu Medard Kofi , Eboreime Ejemai , Sapara Adegboyega Oyekunbi , Greenshaw Andrew James , Chue Pierre , Agyapong Vincent Israel Opoku
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the relevant literature available regarding the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a mode of treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); to evaluate the evidence to support the use of rTMS as a treatment option for OCD.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors electronically conducted data search in five research databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Psych INFO, SCOPUS and EMBASE) using all identified keywords and index terms across all the databases to identify empirical studies and randomized controlled trials. The authors included articles published with randomized control designs, which aimed at the treatment of OCD with rTMS. Only full-text published articles written in English were reviewed. Review articles on treatment for conditions other than OCD were excluded. The Covidence software was used to manage and streamline the review.

Findings

Despite the inconsistencies in the published literature, the application of rTMS over the supplementary motor area and the orbitofrontal cortex has proven to be promising in efficacy and tolerability compared with other target regions such as the prefrontal cortex for the treatment of OCD. Despite the diversity in terms of the outcomes and clinical variability of the studies under review, rTMS appears to be a promising treatment intervention for OCD.

Research limitations/implications

The authors of this scoping review acknowledge several limitations. First, the search strategy considered only studies published in English and the results are up to date as the last day of the electronic data search of December 10, 2020. Though every effort was made to identify all relevant studies for the purposes of this review per the eligibility criteria, the authors still may have missed some relevant studies, especially those published in other languages.

Originality/value

This review brought to bare the varying literature on the application of rTMS and what is considered gaps in the knowledge in this area in an attempt to evaluate and provide information on the potential therapeutic effects of rTMS for OCD.
Transactional leadership and success of international development projects (IDP): mediating effects of cooperative style to conflict resolution and team potency
Authors: Sané Seydou , Abo Pascaline
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the mediating role of cooperative style to conflict resolution and team potency in the relationship between transactional leadership style and the success of international development projects (IDP). The study draws on full range leadership theory and contextualizes transactional leadership style to the IDP environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was administered to a convenience sample of 111 IDP managers in Benin. The data obtained from the survey were subjected to principal component analysis using the SPSS and confirmatory factor analysis using XLSTAT-PLSM. The research hypotheses are tested according to the partial least squares method.

Findings

The hypothesis test shows that transactional leadership has a direct and indirect positive influence (through team potency) on the success of IDP. Contrary to the cooperative style of conflict resolution, team potency plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between transactional leadership and the success of IDP. Also, considering the effect of the specific dimensions of transactional leadership on the success of IDP, only the “active management by exception” dimension influences directly and indirectly (through team potency) on the latter.

Practical implications

As a result, this research is of great value to IDP managers who are aware of the positive consequences associated with transactional leadership without knowing the role played by its dimensions. Indeed, it provides them with information necessary to identify the appropriate transactional leadership behaviors to improve the success of projects.

Originality/value

The relevance of this study is to consider team potency as intermediary mechanisms between transactional leadership and the success of IDP and examine the effect of the dimensions of transactional leadership on the success of IDP by integrating the mediating action of team potency. Besides, this research highlights a mechanism through which transactional leadership influences the success of IDPs and shows that the use of the construct of transactional leadership rather than its specific dimensions does not capture the specificities of the mechanism that links transactional leadership and its consequences.
The microstructure and mechanical properties of Co/YCF102 composite coating
Authors: Xi Wenchao , Song Boxue , Dong Jinlong , Zhang Tianqi , Yu Tianbiao , Wang Jun
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Laser cladding has been used in the field of repairing damaged parts of machine tools due to its advantages of less processing restrictions and easy formation of a good metallurgical bond with the base material. However, the mechanical properties of the coating sometimes cannot meet the process requirements. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to prepare coatings with high microhardness and flexural strength.

Design/methodology/approach

The YCF102 alloy powder was mixed with different contents of Co and tested for laser cladding on AISI 1045 substrate under the same process parameters. The main phase composition of the coating was revealed by the XRD results. The main chemical composition of the coating was determined by the SEM and EDS results. In addition, the effect of Co content on the microstructure, microhardness and flexural strength of the coatings was investigated.

Findings

The results show that when the Co content is 2 wt% and 4 wt%, Co does not form compounds with other elements, but is uniformly distributed in the coating. And when the Co content is 6 wt% and 8 wt%, the Co reacts with Fe in the coating and generates Co3Fe7 in situ. The increase in Co did not result in a monotonic change in microhardness, but significantly improved the flexural strength and the flatness of the microstructure of the coating. When the Co content of the mixed powder is 8 wt%, the coating has high microhardness and flexural strength.

Originality/value

Co/YCF102 composite coating with high microhardness and flexural strength was prepared. This paper provides a theoretical and practical basis for research in the area of repairing damaged parts of machine tools by laser cladding.
Measuring institutional pressures in a supply chain context: scale development and testing
Authors: Kauppi Katri , Luzzini Davide
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Increasing amount of empirical research in operations and supply chain management is using institutional theory as its theoretical lens. Yet, a common scale to measure the three institutional pressures – coercive, mimetic and normative – is lacking. Many studies use proxies or a single, grouped, construct of external pressures which present methodological challenges. This study aims to present the development of multi-item scales to measure institutional pressures (in a purchasing context).

Design/methodology/approach

First, items were generated based on the theoretical construct definitions. These items were then tested through academic sorting and an international survey. The first empirical testing failed to produce reliable and valid scales, and further refinement and analysis revealed that coercive pressure splits into two separate constructs. A second q-sorting was then conducted with purchasing practitioners, followed by another survey in Italy to verify the new measurement scale for four institutional pressures.

Findings

The multimethod and multistage measurement development reveals that empirically the three institutional pressures actually turn into four pressures. The theoretical construct of coercive pressure splits into two distinct constructs: coercive market pressure and coercive regulatory pressure.

Originality/value

The results of the paper, namely, the measurement scales, are an important theoretical and methodological contribution to future empirical research. They present a much-needed measurement for these theoretical constructs increasingly used in management research.
Putting risk management into the corporate sustainability context
Authors: Haywood Lorren Kirsty
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This research investigates what is driving corporate sustainability within South African organisations and to what extent these drivers intersect with risk management. This is important as new and emerging business risks are proving to be directly linked to sustainability issues having implication on long-term organisational performance. This implies that sustainability and risk should not be mutually exclusive.

Design/methodology/approach

By means of semi-structured interviews, sustainability managers of 11 South African organisations were engaged to gain insight relating to the immediate sustainability issues, risk landscape and the possible intersection between these issues within their organisations. Questions posed were around drivers of sustainability, risks to an organisation, changes in risks, relationship between sustainability and risk. By means of thematic analysis key issues emerging from the responses of the sustainability managers could be identified and themes determined based on similarities. This was followed by trend analysis of the frequency of responses to different sustainability and risk themes to interpret the data.

Findings

Results reveal that sustainability and risk management are similar in their intent purpose and output both aligned towards reducing impacts and managing uncertainty. However even though sustainability has increasingly become integral to business its value contribution and linkage with risk management differ significantly amongst organisations. This suggests that sustainability and risk management remain two distinct frameworks for managing uncertainty in business.

Originality/value

Research on integrating a sustainability perspective in risk management is at an early stage. To understand and respond to emerging risks, organisations need to integrate sustainability and risk management into their decision strategies – not only to minimize potential losses but also to exploit new business opportunities arising from the sustainability agenda. Future research should be directed towards advancing systematic methods for identifying and managing sustainability risks such that key sustainability challenges are firmly embedded in the risk management of the business. In this regard, organisations would be in a position to build resilience into their business models and operations.
Audits and Government Hiring Practices
Authors: Lauletta Maximiliano , Rossi Martín A. , Ruzzier Christian A.
Published: October 2021

We exploit the random assignment of Brazilian municipalities to an audit programme to explore the link between audits and government hiring practices. We find that audited municipalities employ less labour to provide a given level of public services, and change the way in which they screen their employees—relying less on discretion and more on merit. Given that audits reduce corruption in the activities under scrutiny, our results suggest that different types of corruption can be complements rather than substitutes.
‘Fitted both Morally and Physically to Fulfil his Proper Duties in the Battle of Life’? – The Effectiveness or Otherwise of Penal Servitude and Imprisonment 1853–2021
Authors: COX DAVID J.
Published: October 2021

This article is a response to two questions posed in an article published in the first volume of the Howard Journal. That article asked, ‘should penal servitude be abolished?’ and also discussed the merits of ‘preventive detention’, in which so‐called ‘habitual’ criminals could be imprisoned for up to ten years after their original sentence had expired, in order to keep the public safe for an extended time. The current article therefore looks at the limitations and problems of penal servitude (which operated from 1853 until 1948) together with a brief examination of the success or otherwise of preventive detention.
‘Prisons and the Public’ by Margaret Bondfield, JP
Authors: SPARKS RICHARD
Published: October 2021

This short article revisits the address that Margaret Bondfield gave to the Howard League for Penal Reform's inaugural annual general meeting, a little over 100 years ago. It seeks both to illuminate the framing of her argument, and note some features of the moment and situation to which it was addressed. I argue that while it is true that Bondfield's speech reveals certain tensions that have remained somewhat intractable in the field of penal reform ever since, it also demonstrates a conviction and ambition that contemporary actors might well wish to seek to recover.