bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Succession ofBifidobacterium longumstrains in response to the changing early-life nutritional environment reveals specific adaptations to distinct dietary substrates
Authors: Kujawska Magdalena , La Rosa Sabina Leanti , Pope Phillip B. , Hoyles Lesley , McCartney Anne L. , Hall Lindsay J
Published: February 2020

Diet-microbe interactions play a crucial role in infant development and modulation of the early-life microbiota. The genusBifidobacteriumdominates the breast-fed infant gut, with strains ofB. longumsubsp.longum(B. longum) andB. longumsubsp.infantis(B. infantis) particularly prevalent. Although transition from milk to a more diversified diet later in infancy initiates a shift to a more complex microbiome, specific strains ofB. longummay persist in individual hosts for prolonged periods of time. Here, we sought to investigate the adaptation ofB. longumto the changing infant diet. Genomic characterisation of 75 strains isolated from nine either exclusively breast- or formula-fed (pre-weaning) infants in their first 18 months revealed subspecies- and strain-specific intra-individual genomic diversity with respect to glycosyl hydrolase families and enzymes, which corresponded to different dietary stages. Complementary phenotypic growth studies indicated strain-specific differences in human milk oligosaccharide and plant carbohydrate utilisation profiles of isolates between and within individual infants, while proteomic profiling identified active polysaccharide utilisation loci involved in metabolism of selected carbohydrates. Our results indicate a strong link between infant diet andB. longumsubspecies/strain genomic and carbohydrate utilisation diversity, which aligns with a changing nutritional environment: i.e. moving from breast milk to a solid food diet. These data provide additional insights into possible mechanisms responsible for the competitive advantage of thisBifidobacteriumspecies and its long-term persistence in a single host and may contribute to rational development of new dietary therapies for this important developmental window.
A knock-inDrosophilamodel supports a conserved link between potassium channelopathy and involuntary movement
Authors: Kratschmer Patrick , Buhl Edgar , Chen Ko-Fan , Lowe Simon , Kullmann Dimitri M. , Hodge James J.L. , Jepson James E.C.
Published: February 2020

Background

Genetic and in vitro studies have linked a heterozygous gain-of-function mutation (D434G) in the hSlo1 BK (Big potassium) channel to paroxysmal dyskinesia. However, support for this linkage from in vivo models has been lacking.

Objectives

We aimed to re-create the equivalent mutation to hSlo1 D434G in the fruit fly,Drosophila, and examine how this mutation altered movement and action potential waveforms.

Methods

We generated a knock-inDrosophilamodel of hSlo1 D434G. We used video-tracking and infra-red beam-break systems to test whether locomotion was altered in this model, and patch-clamp electrophysiology to determine how the mutation affected action potential waveforms.

Results

We identified profound motor dysfunction and sporadic leg twitches, as well as a reduced width and an enhancement of the afterhyperpolarization phase of action potentials, in the model background.

Conclusion

Our results support a conserved relationship between enhanced BK channel function and disrupted motor control across distantly related species.
A Multi-Scale Computational Model of Excitotoxic Loss of Dopaminergic Cells in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Muddapu Vignayanandam R. , Chakravarthy V. Srinivasa
Published: February 2020

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by loss of dopaminergic neurons in Substantia Nigra pars compacta (SNc). Although the exact cause of the cell death is not clear, the hypothesis that metabolic deficiency is a key facor has been gaining attention in the recent years. In the present study, we investigate this hypothesis using a multi-scale computational model of the subsystem of the basal ganglia comprising Subthalamic Nucleus (STN), Globus Pallidus externa (GPe) and SNc. The model is a multiscale model in that interactions among the three nuclei are simulated using more abstract Izhikevich neuron models, while the molecular pathways involved in cell death of SNc neurons are simulated in terms of detailed chemical kinetics. Simulation results obtained from the proposed model showed that energy deficiencies occurring at cellular and network levels could precipitate the excitotoxic loss of SNc neurons in PD. At the subcellular level, the models show how calcium elevation leads to apoptosis of SNc neurons. The therapeutic effects of several neuroprotective interventions are also simulated in the model. From neuroprotective studies, it was clear that glutamate inhibition and apoptotic signal blocker therapies were able to halt the progression of SNc cell loss when compared to other therapeutic interventions, which only slows down the progression of SNc cell loss.
Quantitative analyses reveal extracellular dynamics of Wnt ligands inXenopusembryos
Authors: Mii Yusuke , Nakazato Kenichi , Pack Chan-Gi , Sako Yasushi , Mochizuki Atsushi , Takada Shinji , Taira Masanori
Published: February 2020

The mechanism of intercellular transport of Wnt ligands is still a matter of debate. Here, to better understand this issue, we examined distribution and dynamics of Wnt8 inXenopusembryos. While Venus-tagged Wnt8 was found on the surfaces of cells close to Wnt-producing cells, we also detected its dispersal over distances of 15 cell diameters. A combination of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and quantitative imaging revealed that only a small proportion of Wnt8 ligands diffuses freely, whereas most Wnt8 molecules are bound to cell surfaces. Fluorescence decay after photoconversion showed that Wnt8 ligands bound on cell surfaces decreased exponentially, suggesting a dynamic exchange of bound forms of Wnt ligands. Mathematical modelling based on this exchange recapitulates a graded distribution of bound, but not free, Wnt ligands. Based on these results, we propose that Wnt distribution in tissues is controlled by a dynamic exchange of its abundant bound and rare free populations.
Systemic Bone Loss Following Myocardial Infarction in Mice is Mitigated by Treatment with a β3 Adrenergic Receptor Antagonist
Authors: Tjandra Priscilla M. , Paralkar Manali P. , Osipov Benjamin , Chen Yi-Je , Zhao Fengdong , Ripplinger Crystal M. , Christiansen Blaine A.
Published: February 2020

Myocardial infarction (MI) and osteoporotic fracture (Fx) are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and there is epidemiological evidence linking their incidence, suggesting possible crosstalk. MI can exacerbate underlying atherosclerosis through sympathetic nervous system activation and β3 adrenoreceptor-mediated release of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), leading to monocytosis. We hypothesized that this same pathway may initiate systemic bone loss following MI, since osteoclasts differentiate from monocytes. In this study, MI was performed in 12-week-old male mice (n=24), and mice were randomized to treatment with a β3-adrenergic receptor antagonist (SR 59230A) or no treatment for 10 days post-operatively; additional mice (n=21, treated and untreated) served as un-operated controls. Bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and body composition were quantified at baseline and 10 days post-MI using DXA; at 10 days post-MI circulating monocyte and neutrophil levels were quantified, and the L5 vertebral body and femur were analyzed with micro-computed tomography. We found that MI led to increases in circulating monocyte and neutrophil levels, but contrary to our initial hypothesis, β3-antagonist treatment further increased circulating monocytes compared to untreated mice. BMD and BMC of MI mice decreased at the femur and lumbar spine (−6.9% femur BMD, -3.5% lumbar BMD); β3-antagonist treatment diminished this bone loss response (−5.3% femur BMD, -1.2% lumbar BMD). Similarly, trabecular bone volume was decreased in MI mice compared to control mice, and this bone loss was partially attenuated by β3-antagonist treatment. These results suggest that MI leads to bone loss at both the axial and appendicular skeleton, and that the sympathetic nervous system may be a modulator of this response. This study is the first to mechanistically show bone loss following an ischemic injury; these findings suggest that bone loss and increased fracture risk may be important clinical co-morbidities following MI or other ischemic injuries.
Mechanistic Determinants of Slow Axonal Transport and Presynaptic Targeting of Clathrin Packets
Authors: Ganguly Archan , Wernert Florian , Phan Sébastien , Boassa Daniela , Das Utpal , Sharma Rohan , Caillol Ghislaine , Han Xuemei , Yates John R. , Ellisman Mark H. , Leterrier Christophe , Roy Subhojit
Published: February 2020

Clathrin has established roles in endocytosis, with clathrin-cages enclosing membrane infoldings, followed by rapid disassembly and reuse of monomers. However, in neurons, clathrin synthesized in cell-bodies is conveyed into axons and synapses via slow axonal transport; as shown by classic pulse-chase radiolabeling. What is the cargo-structure, and mechanisms underlying transport and presynaptic-targeting of clathrin? What is the precise organization at synapses? Combining live-imaging, mass-spectrometry (MS), Apex-labeled EM-tomography and super-resolution, we found that unlike dendrites where clathrin transiently assembles/disassembles as expected, axons contain stable ‘transport-packets’ that move intermittently with an anterograde bias; with actin/myosin-VI as putative tethers. Transport-packets are unrelated to endocytosis, and the overall kinetics generate a slow biased flow of axonal clathrin. Synapses have integer-numbers of clathrin-packets circumferentially abutting the synaptic-vesicle cluster, advocating a model where delivery of clathrin-packets by slow axonal transport generates a radial organization of clathrin at synapses. Our experiments reveal novel trafficking mechanisms, and an unexpected nanoscale organization of synaptic clathrin.
Tissue-specific profiling reveals distinctive regulatory architectures for ubiquitous, germline and somatic genes
Authors: Serizay Jacques , Dong Yan , Jänes Jürgen , Chesney Michael , Cerrato Chiara , Ahringer Julie
Published: February 2020

Despite increasingly detailed knowledge of gene expression patterns, the regulatory architectures that drive them are not well understood. To address this, we compared transcriptional and regulatory element activities across five adult tissues ofC. elegans, covering ∼90% of cells, and defined regulatory grammars associated with ubiquitous, germline and somatic tissue-specific gene expression patterns. We find architectural features that distinguish two major promoter types. Germline-specific and ubiquitously-active promoters have well positioned +1 and −1 nucleosomes associated with a periodic 10-bp WW signal. Somatic tissue-specific promoters lack these features, have wider nucleosome depleted regions, and are more enriched for core promoter elements, which surprisingly differ between tissues. A 10-bp periodic WW signal is also associated with +1 nucleosomes of ubiquitous promoters in fly and zebrafish but is not detected in mouse and human. Our results demonstrate fundamental differences in regulatory architectures of germline-active and somatic tissue-specific genes and provide a key resource for future studies.
Crystal structure of Senecavirus A 3C protease
Authors: Meng Kaiwen , Zhang Lijie , Meng Geng
Published: February 2020

Senecavirus A (SVA), an emerging picornavirus in porcine population, could infect porcines of all age group and cause FMD-like symptoms. Picornaviridae, a group of RNA viruses do harm to both human and stocks; however, most of picornaviruses are lack of effective vaccines and drugs. Picornaviral 3C protease (3Cpro), as an important role in virus maturation, they basically take charge of poly-protein cleavaging, RNA replication, and multiple interventions on host cells. In this study, we successfully solved the crystal structure of 3Cproat 1.9 Å resolution. The results showed several differences of the binding groove within picornaviral 3Cpro, and prompted that the accommodate ability of the pocket may associate with the cleavage efficiency. The further research on 3Cprocleavage efficiency based on structural biology, will prospectively provide an instruction on designing of efficient 3Cprofor universally proteolysis in picornaviral VLP production.
Developing and validating an innovation drivers' measurement instrument in the agri-food sector
Authors: Kafetzopoulos Dimitrios , Vouzas Fotios , Skalkos Dimitrios
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an instrument that measures a set of dynamic drivers for managing innovation capability; and to validate this instrument in the agri-food sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the innovation drivers identified after an extensive literature review, a measurement instrument was developed and then empirically validated through collecting preliminary data from 434 Greek agri-food companies. Exploratory factor analysis was applied, while their validity was confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

The analysis of the data confirms a valid measurement instrument of innovation drivers which consists of five drivers, namely, collaboration, environmental dynamism, knowledge orientation, quality orientation, and process management. The level of the five innovation drivers by the sample companies is deemed high, though not, however, excellent.

Research limitations/implications

A research challenge is to understand how the five innovation drivers are associated with agri-food business performance taking into consideration the role of environmental uncertainty. Moreover, it is worth validating this measurement instrument using multiple indicators for innovation drivers.

Practical implications

The main contribution of this paper is that it develops a valid measurement instrument that can be used by agri-food companies as a self-assessment tool and a benchmarking tool. In doing so, suitable strategies can be selected in order for an agri-food to improve its innovation capability.

Originality/value

The proposed model provides plausible guidelines that advance innovation management research in the agri-food companies.
Industry 4.0 and supply chain process re-engineering
Authors: Patrucco Andrea , Ciccullo Federica , Pero Margherita
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper contributes to the literature on supply chain process management by discussing how Industry 4.0 technologies can support process re-engineering in the context of the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the impact of Industry 4.0 technologies through an exploratory case study focused on the materials management process, using a coproduction of research approach where the main findings are obtained through the involvement of internal and external process actors.

Findings

The results show that the introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies could radically improve process performance, better supporting the execution of activities, increasing the effectiveness of communication between actors and favoring data collection and sharing. These technologies, characterized by the level of risk connected to their implementation, need to be introduced in combination with new organizational mechanisms, which may be beneficial for several supply chain actors.

Originality/value

Through the adoption of a research coproduction methodology, which is not common in the literature, this paper contributes to the ongoing discussion about how Industry 4.0 technologies contribute to process-centric supply chains, by discussing the benefits of these tools from the perspective of process actors.
The Cable Contract
Authors: Ramamoorthy Ravichandran
Published: February 2020

The case deals with an ethical dilemma of an entrepreneur. Chandran, a qualified contractor, had secured an electrical contract from a premier government organization. It was a turnkey project to be executed in a given period of time. In the process of work, he comes across major problems. He could not abandon the project or compromise on his moral values. He wanted a way out to salvage this project that was slowly slipping from his control. This case examines the ethical issues that confront small businesses, employees, suppliers and key stakeholders of every organization and explores the mindset of participants, their personal values and their decision making rationale. The participants get an opportunity to identify with the difficult choices a business situation may throw when ethical mindset clashes with the decision making process.
Amul – 2014
Authors: Dixit Mukund R.
Published: February 2020

This case describes the challenges faced by Amul in organising dairy farmers into a co-operative and creating continuous opportunities for value addition. Participants in the case discussion are required to review the developments in the organisation and recommend a strategy for the future.
Tyranny of the Dominant Shareholder: Hobson's Choice before ONGC Board
Authors: Barua Samir K. , Balasubramanian N.
Published: February 2020

The case describes a situation where the government as the dominant majority shareholder in a listed Public Sector Enterprise (PSE) directs it through its executive Chairman (a government selected executive) to buy a part of government's stakes in another listed PSE, in which also the government is a majority shareholder. The Chairman is summoned for a meeting in the governing ministry and ‘persuaded' to agree to the proposal, without the proposal having been discussed in the company's board. Being a government appointed employee, the Chairman faces the difficult task of putting the matter for discussion in the board while informing the board that he had already agreed to the proposal. The case describes the events that preceded the board meeting to discuss the proposal. The board faces the unpleasant task of dealing with the Chairman's lapse in not taking the board into confidence prior to his agreement conveyed at the ministry meeting. A bigger difficulty was the possibility that the proposal was not desirable from ONGC's point of view. How will the board then convey the decision to the government? What levers does the board have to deal with the matter?
Assumed stress quasi-conforming formulation for static and free vibration analysis of symmetric laminated plates
Authors: Wang Changsheng , Han Xiao , Yang Caixia , Zhang Xiangkui , Hou Wenbin
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Numerous finite elements are proposed based on analytical solutions. However, it is difficult to find the solutions for complicated governing equations. This paper aims to present a novel formulation in the framework of assumed stress quasi-conforming method for the static and free vibration analysis of anisotropic and symmetric laminated plates.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, an initial stress approximation ruled by 17 parameters, which satisfies the equilibrium equations is derived to improve the performance of the constructed element. Then the stress matrix is treated as the weighted function to weaken the strain-displacement equations. Finally, the Timoshenko’s laminated composite beam functions are adopted as boundary string-net functions for strain integration.

Findings

Several numerical examples are presented to show the performance of the new element, and the results obtained are compared with other available ones. Numerical results have proved that the new element is free from shear locking and possesses high accuracy for the analysis of anisotropic and symmetric laminated plates.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a new QC element for the static and free vibration analysis of anisotropic and symmetric laminated plates. In contrast with the complicated analytical solutions of the equilibrium equations, an initial stress approximation ruled by 17 parameters is adopted here. The Timoshenkos laminated composite beam functions are introduced as boundary string-net functions for strain integration. Numerical results demonstrate the new element is free from shear locking and possesses high accuracy for the analysis of anisotropic and symmetric laminated plates.
Business-to-business referral as digital coopetition strategy
Authors: Zhu Ying , Lynette Wang Valerie , Wang Yong Jian , Nastos Jim
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Based on theories related to coopetition, the purpose of this paper is to examine the patterns of business-to-business digital referrals inscribed in businesses’ digital content.

Design/methodology/approach

A complete industry-wise digital data set is formed by extracting digital referrals in all the content pages. The authors outline how digital referrals are strategically used among peer businesses in the peer-to-peer digital network and in the augmented digital network, taking into consideration geographical framing and physical distance.

Findings

The authors reveal how geographical framing and physical distance influence peer-to-peer referral patterns in the digital space. Quite counter-intuitively, businesses are more likely to give digital referrals for peers residing in the same region, as well as for peers located in closer proximity. Further, results from the augmented digital network show that peer businesses in closer proximity exhibit greater strategic similarity in their digital referring strategy.

Research limitations/implications

The findings extend the understanding of business-to-business coopetition to the digital space and suggest that geographical framing and physical distance can induce reciprocated relationships between peers by offering each other digital referrals.

Practical implications

The findings shed light on the formation of a business-to-business digital coopetition strategy using digital referral marketing.

Originality/value

This study highlights the impact of digital referrals in business-to-business relationship management, especially in the digital coopetition context.
High-performance work systems, innovation and knowledge sharing
Authors: Bhatti Sabeen Hussain , Zakariya Ramsha , Vrontis Demetris , Santoro Gabriele , Christofi Michael
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This article aims to explore the relationship among high performance work systems (HPWS), innovation, and knowledge sharing in project-based organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the ability, motivation, and opportunity (AMO) framework under the theory of HPWS, our article hypothesizes that the AMO enhancing practices of project-based organizations lead to better innovation performance of their employees through the mediating role of knowledge sharing. Time-lagged data of AMO practices and knowledge sharing practices were collected from the employees of these organizations over three weeks. Furthermore, the innovation performance data were collected from the supervisors of these employees over an additional three-week period.

Findings

Our results confirm the initial hypothesis of the causal relationship of two of the AMO HRM practices, that is, ability and motivation with innovation performance with the mediation of knowledge sharing, while the third hypothesis of opportunity enhancing HRM practice was not accepted.

Originality/value

This research has implications for both theory and practice and it can help the project managers of these organizations to better design HRM practices in order to improve the creativity and innovation performance of their employees. Accordingly, this is one of the first studies dealing with the effectiveness of HRM on AMO, and the key role of knowledge sharing.
Climate change impacts on cereal crops production in Pakistan
Authors: Ahsan Faiza , Chandio Abbas Ali , Fang Wang
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effects of CO2emissions, energy consumption, cultivated area and the labour force on the production of cereal crops in Pakistan from the period 1971-2014.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the Johansen cointegration test, the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach and Granger causality test to estimate the long-run cointegration and direction of the relationship between the dependent and independent variables.

Findings

The outcomes of the Johansen cointegration test confirmed the existence of a long-term cointegrating relationship between the production of cereal crops, CO2emissions, energy consumption, cultivated area and the labour force. The results of the long-run coefficients of CO2emissions, energy consumption, cultivated area and labour force have a positive impact on cereal crops production. The long-run relationships reveal that a 1 per cent increase in CO2emissions, energy consumption, cultivated area and labour force will increase cereal crops production by 0.20, 0.11, 0.56 and 0.74 per cent, respectively. Moreover, the findings show that there is a bidirectional causality running from CO2emissions and cultivated area to cereal crops production. Moreover, there is a unidirectional causality running from energy consumption to cereal crops production.

Originality/value

The present study also fills the literature gap for applying the ARDL procedure to examine this relevant issue for Pakistan.
The association among employees' communication skills, image formation and tourist behaviour: perceptions of hospitality management students in Jordan
Authors: Masa'deh Ra'ed , Alananzeh Omar , Jawabreh Omar , Alhalabi Rashed , Syam Hassan , Keswani Faisal
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study aims to quantify the associations among employee’s communication skills (language ability, body language and personal appearance), restaurant image and tourist behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey instrument is used to examine the relationships in the proposed model by using structural equation modelling (SEM) technique. The collected primary data (n = 153) are analysed to test the relationship between exogenous and endogenous constructs expressed in the proposed structural model.

Findings

The results revealed that language ability, body language and personal appearance impacted restaurant image, which, in turn, affected tourist behaviour.

Practical implications

This study will contribute a better understanding towards employee’s communication skills in Aqaba city resorts and restaurants.

Originality/value

This study is considered the first in the region that links the tourist image of a restaurant with its employee’s skills and its impact on tourists’ behaviour.
Prevalence of self-medication and its associated factors: a case study of Kurdistan province
Authors: Ghaderi Ebrahim , Hassanzadeh Kambiz , Rahmani Khaled , Moradi Ghobad , Esmailnasab Nader , Roshani Daem , Azadnia Arian
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Health is one of the most basic human rights. Self-medication not only results in many risks, complications and mortalities but also remains a massive economic burden on governments’ pharmaceutical budgets, insurance companies and the general population. The importance of self-medication as one of the worldwide health problems, this paper aims to investigate the extent of this problem and related factors in Sanandaj, Iran in 2018.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted on 838 people who referred to pharmacies in Sanandaj, Iran in 2018. The subjects were selected in 10 pharmacies, 84 in each, randomly. A self-constructed questionnaire was used to collect information about demographic features, prevalence and reasons for self-medication. The data was analyzed statistically by SPSS software.

Findings

The results show a high prevalence of self-medication, 73.70 per cent among people who referred to the pharmacies in Sanandaj during 2018. There was a significant correlation between self-medication and occupation, education level, age groups, chronic disease, smoking or reasons to refer to pharmacies (p < 0.05). Analgesics, antibiotics; non-steroid anti-inflammatory, cold and gastrointestinal medicines were the most commonly used medicines by the subjects. People with headache, cold, infection, stomach pain, toothache and dysmenorrhea were more likely to act self-medication than people with other complaints. Among people who do self-medication, (85.60 per cent) had already experienced satisfactory results after using medicines. Mild symptoms of the disease (74.11 per cent), availability of medicines (72.98 per cent) and easy access to medicine supplies in pharmacies (71.35 per cent) are other reasons for self-medication.

Research limitations/implications

In general, the study had some limitations. One of the limitations was related to the research period i.e. spring and summer. So, it is suggested to conduct studies in other seasons, too. Furthermore, as the time of self-medication was the past three months, there was a probability of recall bias.

Originality/value

The prevalence of self-medication in Sanandaj is high and alarming, implementing educational programs about this issue is extremely required. Health policymakers should take all necessary steps to tackle self-medication efficiently.
Manufacturing sustainability assessment using a lean manufacturing tool
Authors: Hartini Sri , Ciptomulyono Udisubakti , Anityasari Maria , Sriyanto
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Manufacturers and engineers need a practical and operational way to understand sustainable manufacturing and to apply it to their shop floors. The single index enables manufacturing industries to make decisions considering the continuous improvement to increase sustainability performance. The purpose of this paper is to develop a manufacturing sustainability index (MSI) based on lean and sustainability concepts using sustainable-value stream mapping.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology of this research is linked to Delphi- analytical hierarchy process (AHP) qualitative assessment with sustainable-value stream mapping quantitative analysis for determining MSI. The Delphi method is used with relevant indicator selection, sustainable-value stream mapping is used to score the relevant indicator with efficiency approach and the AHP method is used to determine the indicator weight. To evaluate the applicability of this framework for assessing sustainability in the manufacturing process, a case study in Indonesian Wooden Furniture was developed.

Findings

The findings of this research is the framework for evaluating and assessing the sustainability performance of the manufacturing process. Although evaluation of the framework is limited to the furniture industry, there is a methodology potential to reproduce for the other sectors.

Research limitations/implications

Theoretically, this study has provided a single index to measure performance of the manufacturing sustainability comprehensively at factory level. However, the implementation of the developed model is too limited. More application in different sectors and different industrial sizes is needed.

Originality/value

The value of this research lies in the novelty of the single index in measuring manufacturing sustainability and the relevant indicators for the furniture industry in Indonesia. The selection of the indicators has involved practitioners in the furniture industry and encompassed economic, environmental and social dimensions. The visualization of indicators through sustainable-value stream mapping is proven to be more practical and helpful for industrialists.
An exploratory analysis of the project management and corporate sustainability capabilities for organizational success
Authors: Yazici Hulya Julie
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study investigates whether corporate sustainability capability (CSC) along with project management maturity (PMM) based capability contribute to perceived organizational success. It also studies how this contribution varies by project type employed in the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on survey data collected from 66 managers of mostly small service businesses. The survey instrument consisted of a four-part questionnaire with 41 indicators focusing on CSC, maturity in project management knowledge areas and perceived internal and external organizational success. The SEM methodology, GLM (General Linear Model), and ANOVA are used for the analysis of the causal relationship among the indicators. The moderating effect of Project Type is analyzed using the Multi Group Analysis.

Findings

The findings demonstrate the impact of the successful integration of corporate sustainability and organizational PMM efforts on organizational success. Project management capability strengthens the effects of sustainability efforts, specifically in economic and social sustainability. Moreover, project type ranging from derivative to breakthrough moderates this effect.

Research limitations/implications

The findings demonstrate the strategic importance of corporate sustainability and its integration with organizational project management, valuing project sustainability management.

Practical implications

The study shows the importance of project management and sustainability capabilities for organizations in managing projects and developing vision, policy, and guidance with stakeholders, leading to organizational success.

Originality/value

This study reveals most success is achieved by maturity in stakeholder management, time, quality, communication and human resource management areas, economic and social sustainability capabilities demonstrated by platform and breakthrough projects.
Website communications for campus sustainability: an analysis of Canadian universities
Authors: Amey Leaya , Plummer Ryan , Pickering Gary
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study aims to better understand the communication of sustainability by Canadian universities, specifically the use of websites, interactive features and sustainability plans.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 95 Canadian universities were included in this study. The mixed-methods approach sought to capture the communication of sustainability via websites, the interactive features used, as well as to evaluate the quality of sustainability plans.

Findings

The study revealed that 67% of universities address sustainability on their websites. On average, universities offer three to four interactive features on their sustainability-related Web pages, and the average score of the quality of campus sustainability plans was 29 (out of 41).

Research limitations/implications

This study does not investigate the extent to which interactive features enhance the involvement and participation in sustainability efforts or the extent to which the sustainability plans were put into practice by universities.

Practical implications

The findings assist with understanding how higher education institutions (HEIs) can enhance their sustainability communication via their websites to encourage interaction and engagement in campus sustainability. The findings can also help universities to enhance the effectiveness of sustainability plans.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research to assess sustainability content and the interactive features on sustainability-related pages of Canadian universities’ websites. The quality of sustainability plans is also evaluated. The study informs the present understanding of communicating sustainability by Canadian universities and provides a basis for future investigations in HEIs in Canada and beyond.
Using research methods courses to teach students about sustainable development – a three-phase model for a transformative learning experience
Authors: Müller Patrick A. , Bäumer Thomas , Silberer Jan , Zimmermann Stefan
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Learning about sustainable development in dedicated curricula can be beneficial for students’ personal and professional development and societies alike. However, for various reasons the implementation of sustainable development modules in existing curricula can be difficult in many fields of study. This paper aims to propose an alternative route to give students the chance to learn about sustainable development without the need to change the structure of their study program.

Design/methodology/approach

The current paper elaborates on the idea that many fields of study have mandatory courses on empirical research methods and these courses can function as a platform to teach applied empirical research methods in combination with education on sustainable development. A three-phase model is proposed to implement sustainable development topics in existing curricula, taking students’ current methodological competency level into account.

Findings

The proposed model provides a chance to combine education on sustainability with thorough training in scientific research methods. Example projects and evaluation results from an existing social science curriculum and its integration into a real-world laboratory on sustainable energy use illustrate the different phases and their goals.

Originality/value

The model offers the opportunity to implement education on sustainability into existing curricula without the need for difficult structural changes. It extends students’ learning on sustainability without impairing their learning of research methods. A discussion of the model’s limitations and boundary conditions helps to understand its potential use cases and challenges.
Fiddling while Rome burns? Conducting research with healthcare staff when the NHS is in crisis
Authors: Sheard Laura , Peacock Rosemary
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Health research in the UK is being impeded by a stretched NHS system. The purpose of this paper is to use the Great Fire of Rome as an allegory to understand the difficulties encountered by health researchers when attempting to conduct research within a healthcare system that is currently in crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on both the authors’ own and other research teams’ experiences from the published literature in order to demonstrate that this difficulty is a widespread problem for the health research community in the UK.

Findings

Recruitment and engagement issues across different research studies and clinical environments are often ascribed as being related to individual contexts or settings. Rather, the authors propose that these problems are actually writ large across nearly the entire NHS. The authors offer ideas for what can be done to alleviate the worst of this situation – a change in culture and ways of working alongside employing more pragmatic, rapid methods to engage exceptionally busy healthcare staff.

Originality/value

The paper offers a provocative viewpoint that instead of seeking to individualise recruitment and engagement issues in relation to the local context, the research community should publicly acknowledge the universality of this problem in order to bring about meaningful change.
From the service user association's perspective
Authors: Klinga Charlotte , Hansson Johan , Hasson Henna , Andreen Sachs Magna , Wannheden Carolina
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to identify key components of integrated mental health and social care services that contribute to value for service users in Sweden.

Design/methodology/approach

An explorative research study design was used, based on data from four group interviews conducted in June and August 2017 with service user representatives.

Findings

The analysis resulted in eight subcategories reflecting components that were reported to contribute to value for service users. These subcategories were grouped into three main categories: (1) professionals who see and support the whole person, (2) organizational commitment to holistic care and (3) support for equal opportunities and active participation in society.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are primarily transferable to integrated mental health and social care services, as they emphasize key components that contribute to value for service users in these specific settings.

Practical implications

The complexity of integrated mental health and social care services requires coordination across the individual and organizational levels as well as ongoing dialogue and partnerships between service users, service user associations and health and social care organizations. In this integration, it is important that service users and service user associations not only are invited but also keen to participate in the design of care and support efforts.

Originality/value

Service User Associations (SUAs) can act as a bridge between county and municipal services through their participation in the development of local activities; at the regional and national levels, SUAs can help achieve more equitable integrated services. It is important that SUAs are not only invited but encouraged to actively participate in the design of such care and support efforts.
The immediate effect of corporate social responsibility on consumer-based brand equity
Authors: Muniz Fernanda , Guzmán Francisco , Paswan Audhesh K. , Crawford Heather J.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

In response to consumer and society demands for firms to be socially responsible, brands have been taking a strategic approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR) by integrating socially responsible activities into their brands’ core value propositions to strengthen brand equity. Thus, from a brand building perspective, this paper aims to investigate the immediate effect that brand CSR communications have on the change in brand awareness, perceived quality and loyalty, to provide a deeper understanding of how each dimension affects the overall change in brand equity.

Design/methodology/approach

With evidence from an experiment conducted in three different countries (Australia, United States and Spain), based on an actual brand CSR program, this paper explores the different immediate effects of change in brand awareness, perceived brand quality and brand loyalty, after the exposure to a CSR message, on the overall immediate change in value that consumers give to a brand. Furthermore, it examines the role of brand-cause fit and the influence that differences in cultural, economic and political environments have on this effect.

Findings

The change in brand loyalty due to CSR communication is the key dimension driving the immediate positive change in overall brand equity. In addition, change in brand awareness has an inverted U-shape relationship with change in overall brand equity, whereas the change in perceived brand quality does not have an influence. Finally, the results indicate that this immediate effect holds regardless of the level of brand-cause fit, but is greater in countries where firms are expected to participate and CSR reporting is not mandatory, making such practices be seen as voluntary.

Practical implications

The findings of this study offer research implications for academics, and practical considerations for brand managers, interested in how to rapidly generate changes in consumer perception by leveraging CSR activities for brand building in global settings. Specifically, it indicates that when the aim is to quickly build brand equity, the goal of communicating CSR activities must be to increase the level of attachment that consumers have to the brand since loyalty is the main driver of the immediate change in overall brand equity.

Originality/value

Although many scholars have demonstrated the impact of CSR on various consumer behavior outcomes (e.g., brand attitude, purchase intention, loyalty), from a brand build perspective the implications of the immediate effect of a brand communication of CSR practices on consumer-based brand equity remain less clear. This study addresses this gap to gain a deeper understanding of how to rapidly generate changes in consumer perception to build strong brands while leveraging CSR practices.
Impact of social experience on customer purchase decision in the social commerce context
Authors: Handarkho Yonathan Dri
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the factor of social experience influencing an individual’s purchase decision in the social commerce (SC) environment by proposing a model developed based on the social impact theory. The proposed model consists of the number, closeness and tie strength of the influencing factor and the receiver.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 288 responses were collected from Indonesian SC users to validate the theoretical model, which consists of perceived herd behavior, peer communication, emotional support, parasocial interaction and subjective norms. This study also explores the moderating effects of gender, age, experiences and occupations on the direct effect of model variables, which affect the individual’s intention to purchase in SC.

Findings

The results of this study showed that parasocial interaction is the strongest determinant of intention to purchase in SC, followed by perceived herd behavior and peer communication. However, the direct effect of subjective norms and emotional support were found insignificant in this study. For moderating effects, only gender and occupation were significant in terms of the immediate effect of peer communication, perceived herd behavior and subjective norms on intention to purchase.

Originality/value

The study contributes to theory in the form of insight on immediate effect and the exploratory investigation of moderating effects. It also contributes to practice by suggesting several practical actions based on the findings designed to achieve the objective of improving customers’ intention to purchase in SC.
Increasing the independence of vulnerable consumers through social support
Authors: Beatson Amanda , Riedel Aimee , Chamorro-Koc Marianella , Marston Greg , Stafford Lisa
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of social support on young adults with disabilities (YAWDs) independent mobility behavior with the aim of understanding how better to support this vulnerable consumer segment in their transition into the workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted which examined how social support (high and low) influenced YAWD’s path to independent mobility behavior. The data were analyzed using partial least squares-SEM.

Findings

It was identified that different factors were more effective at influencing independent mobility behavior for high and low socially supported YAWDs. For high social support individuals, anticipated positive emotions and perceived behavioral control were found to drive attitudes to independent mobility with perceived behavioral control significantly stronger for this group than the low socially supported group. For the low socially supported group, all factors were found to drive attitudes which then drove individual behavior. One entire path (risk aversion to anticipated negative emotions to attitude to behavior) was found to be stronger for low supported individuals compared to high.

Originality/value

This study is unique in that it is the first to identify the theoretical constructs that drive vulnerable consumer’s independence behavior and understand how these factors can be influenced to increase independence. It is also the first to identify that different factors influence independent behavior for vulnerable consumers with high and low social support with anticipated negative emotions important for consumers with low social support and perceived behavioral control important for those with high social support.