bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation of circular economy principles during pre-construction stage: the case of Sri Lanka
Authors: Wijewansha Amodith Supunmal , Tennakoon G.A. , Waidyasekara K.G.A.S. , Ekanayake B.J.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Despite the positive impacts of the construction sector on enhancing economic growth and ensuring societal well-being, its negative impacts on the environment from unsustainable resource consumption levels, emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and waste generation is monumental. Circular economy (CE) concept is identified globally as an avenue to address problems regarding adverse impacts of construction on the environment. This paper presents the principles of CE as an avenue for enhancing environmental sustainability during the pre-construction stage within Sri Lankan construction projects.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was approached through a qualitative research method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with subject matter experts. The number of experts were limited due to lack of experts with knowledge on the subject area in Sri Lanka. Data were analysed using content analysis.

Findings

Findings revealed a range of activities under each R principle of CE, that is, reduce, reuse, recycle, redesign, reclassification and renewability that could be implemented during the pre-construction stage, thereby providing a guide for construction professionals in implementing CE at the pre-construction stage. The need to expand knowledge on CE concepts within the Sri Lankan construction sector was recognized.

Originality/value

This study provides a qualitative in-depth perspective on how 6R principles of CE could be integrated to a construction project during the pre-construction stage. By adopting the proposed activities under CE principles, construction professionals can enhance the environmental sustainability of construction projects.
A vegetarian educator in a meat obsessed country
Authors: Sturgeon Delia Cassandra
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Food consumption is a result of a choice that is influenced by economic status, society, culture, psychosomatic elements (Bisogni et al., 2002) and religious factors (Dewan, 2017) creating an identity based on one's beliefs (Mennell et al., 1992). Although many versions exist, this diet is often established on an ideology to abstain from using animals for dietary needs (Smart, 2004). There has been much research to explore vegetarian motivation and impacts of this diet on health; however, first-hand accounts are few.

Design/methodology/approach

Autoethnography was undertaken to understand my experience as a vegetarian living within a primarily meat consuming country. The theoretical framework driving the research uses social cognitive theory (SCT), the transtheoretical model (TTM) and ethical theory to address the vegetarian experience and emotions generated through such encounters.

Findings

Data collected, including conversations, headnotes and teaching material, were transcribed and categorised into four emerging themes including vegetarian experience, culture, identity as an educator; and impacts of beliefs. The author also discusses the motives for converting to vegetarianism and the experiences that came with behavioural change. Obstacles and opportunities presented by living in a dominant meat society are explored and the author’s influence on others as an educator, as a citizen in society and as a member of a family.

Research limitations/implications

Being new to autoethnography proved to be a limitation in the study.

Practical implications

This research may prove useful for researchers to gain an insider's view of a vegetarian's experience, and how the lifestyles impact students and others in a social context from the author's perspective.

Social implications

Autoethnography regarding vegetarianism from an educator's perspective is lacking and hence may give an insight to help fill the literature gap and change perspectives towards the vegetarian community.

Originality/value

Autoethnography regarding vegetarianism from an educators perspective is lacking; hence, this would be a valuable insight to add to the literature gap.
An integrative model to understand consumers' trust and willingness to buy imported fresh fruit in urban China
Authors: Feng Ningning , Zhang Airong , van Klinken Rieks D. , Cui Lijuan
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrative model where perceived competence, perceived warmth and “clean green image” of an exporting country are drivers for Chinese consumers' trust in food quality and food safety, which in turn predict their willingness to buy fresh fruit from this country.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants (N = 1,583) from the three metropolises in China were surveyed on their perceptions of the competence, warmth and clean green image of seven contrasting exporting countries and their trust in quality, trust in safety and willingness to buy fresh fruit imported from those countries.

Findings

Results support the proposed integrative model, explaining 39%–55% of the variance in willingness to buy. Clean green image was the strongest predictor of willingness to buy through enhanced trust in food quality. The effects of country competence and warmth on willingness to buy through trust in food safety and quality varied with exporting country.

Research limitations/implications

The integrative model and findings of this study can help agri-food industries develop an in-depth understanding of Chinese consumers and to develop targeted strategies to increase willingness to buy through improving consumer trust in food quality and safety.

Originality/value

This study extends the country image framework which previously only consisted of human characteristics (i.e. perceived competence and warmth) by incorporating environmental characteristics (i.e. clean green image) in examining consumers' willingness to buy imported fresh fruit.
Farmers' land allocation responses to the soybean rejuvenation plan: evidence from “typical farm” in Jilin, China
Authors: Guo Shijuan , Lv Xinye , Hu Xiangdong
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the impact of the soybean rejuvenation plan and the subsidy on farmers' land allocation decisions, which may reference policy adjustment from a micro perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops a multi-objective optimized programming model on farm-level, which simulated the land-use changes, as well as the resulting changes in benefits of the rational “typical farm”. The simulation scenarios include changes in subsidy policy and production efficiency, and the baseline scenario was the production status in 2018.

Findings

The results show that an increase in soybean producer subsidy will encourage farmers to allocate more land for soybean planting, which can be considered as a policy tool in promoting soybean production in China. Besides, the effect of subsidy in adjusting soybean acreage for farms is further affected by external conditions such as production technology (such as breeding technology, pesticide and fertilizer application efficiency). Meanwhile, large-scale farms show more significant land adjustments when facing changes in policies and external conditions.

Originality/value

The value of this paper is to simulate the effects of soybean policy and subsidy change on farmers' land-allocation decisions through a multi-objective farmer decision-making model, which provides a micro perspective to understand the implementation effect of the soybean revitalization plan.
The 100 most-cited articles on malaria: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Ghamgosar Arezoo , Zarghani Maryam , Nemati-Anaraki Leila
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The use of citation analysis to identify the first 100 articles on malaria offers unique insights into understanding the disease and subsequent follow-up treatment innovations over time. In this study, the 100 most-cited articles on malaria were analyzed, and key studies were highlighted.

Design/methodology/approach

The data of the most-cited articles for the period of four decades were extracted from the Web of Science database. The search terms malaria, plasmodium infection and remittent fever were used to identify the related articles for the study.

Findings

The preliminary data of the 100 most-cited articles were recorded and analyzed. The total number of retrieved articles was 55,517. Dondrop and colleagues wrote the most-cited articles focusing on a new treatment for falciparum malaria resistant to existing medications. The author, with the most publications, was N. J. White. The most-cited articles on malaria were published in 35 journals. The USA had published most of the influential articles, while the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit was the leading institute active in malaria research. The experimental method was the most frequent method used by the most-cited articles. There was a significant relationship between the number of authors, the presence of the corresponding author on Research Gate, the availability of the full text of the article on Research Gate, the impact factor of the journal in which the article was published and the international collaboration of authors and the number of citations on malaria. The most influential authors, countries, institutes, journals and articles were specified. Most of the notable articles on malaria were published in journals with high impact factors. A group of journals was introduced as the core journals.

Originality/value

It was found that having co-authors, the presence of the corresponding author on Research Gate, the availability of the full text of the article on Research Gate, the impact factor of the journal in which the article was published and international collaboration contributed to the publication of high-quality scientific products. Updated information on malaria is needed to present and expand the screening strategies to improve health and reduce burden of malaria.
Moderating effects of national culture on the psychological contract breach and outcome relationship: a meta-analysis
Authors: Jayaweera A. Thushel , Bal Matthijs , Chudzikowski Katharina , de Jong Simon
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper contains a meta-analysis of the psychological contract literature published in the last two decades. The aim of this paper was to investigate the moderating role of national culture in the individual-level relationships between psychological contract breach (PCB) and two important work outcomes, namely job performance (in-role and organizational citizenship behaviors) and turnover (actual and intended).

Design/methodology/approach

After an extensive literature search, 134 studies were found which matched the authors’ aim. The authors then incorporated national cultural scores based on the GLOBE study to include country-level scores to identify how the PCB relationships with these four outcomes vary across cultures.

Findings

The findings indicate that national cultural practices moderated the associations between PCB and the four outcomes, yet, no significant moderations for uncertainty avoidance practices.

Originality/value

While existing research has examined the impact of the breach on work outcomes such as job performance and turnover, there are few empirical studies that examine how national cultural practices influence the relationships between psychological contract breach and job performance and turnover. The authors address this need by investigating and creating a deeper insight into how cultural practices such as institutional collectivism, performance-orientation, power-distance, future orientation and gender egalitarianism moderate the relationships between PCB and job performance and turnover.
Corporate governance and financial distress: Asian emerging market perspective
Authors: Younas Noman , UdDin Shahab , Awan Tahira , Khan Muhammad Yar
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of corporate governance index (PAKCGI) on firm financial distress for a sample of 152 non-financial firms listed at Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) over the period from 2003 to 2017.

Design/methodology/approach

To examine the impact of PAKCGI on financial distress (Altman Z-Score), random effect model is applied. The PAKCGI is a self-constructed index based on the five important factors of corporate governance practices, i.e. board of directors, audit committees, right of shareholders, disclosures and risk management. The binary coding approach is adopted for the construction of PAKCGI. Altman Z-Score model is used as a proxy for financial distress indicator. The absolute value of Altman Z-score has been taken as financial distress indicator.

Findings

The outcomes of the study indicate a positive impact of PAKCGI on risk of firms’ financial distress. The positive coefficient of PAKCGI implies that the good corporate practices work as catalyst to reduce risk of financial distress in Pakistan. A significant negative impact of block holders on financial distress suggests that the concentrated block ownership take monopolistic decision to protect their interests. It has also been observed that significant positive impact of institutional ownership on financial distress exists in the Pakistani listed firms. Furthermore, this study also reveals that significant negative association between board size, CEO duality and financial distress indicator.

Research limitations/implications

The findings may encourage the Pakistani listed companies to follow and implement good corporate governance practices, which would lead to increase the confidence of investors, regulators and stakeholders.

Originality/value

The current study extends the corporate governance literature by examining the relationship between the corporate governance attributes and the financial distress status of Pakistani listed companies. From the academic perspective, this paper adds to the knowledge concerning the association between corporate governance practices and risk of financial distress in emerging markets.
Risk-based internal audit: factors related to its implementation
Authors: Lois Petros , Drogalas George , Nerantzidis Michail , Georgiou Ifigenia , Gkampeta Eleni
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the factors associated with the implementation of risk-based internal audit (RBIA).

Design/methodology/approach

As a first step, a literature review of the relevant literature is performed and five potential factors related to the implementation of RBIA are identified. Based on that, this paper constructs a questionnaire survey sent out to 185 internal auditors, executives and accountants in Greece to receive 90 responses during the period of November 2019–January 2020. Multiple regression analysis is conducted to identify the factors related to the implementation of RBIA.

Findings

This paper shows that there is a statistically significant positive relationship between the implementation of RBIA and: the provision of risk management training, an active audit committee role and the establishment of a formalized risk management system.

Practical implications

The results have important implications for internal auditors, chief executive officers and accountants who wish to enhance internal audit effectiveness and the accuracy and quality of financial information.

Originality/value

Empirical studies on the factors related to the implementation of RBIA are rare. This is the first study to create empirical variables based on a thorough review of the relevant literature to empirically investigate the factors that are related to the implementation of RBIA in an emerging economy. By focusing on the Greek context, this study also sheds light to other countries with similar corporate governance systems, thus providing insights to settings where the Type II agency problem exists (La Porta et al., 1999).
Simulation of vehicle movements for planning construction logistics centres
Authors: Ying Fei Jin , O’Sullivan Michael , Adan Ivo
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Materials supply is one of the important elements in construction operation and a major factor affecting the quality of construction projects. Many industries look to manage materials effectively by attempting to integrate logistics processes into logistics chains of suppliers and customers. Logistics processes, being crucial for successful completion of construction projects, but in fact, auxiliary, are often entrusted to external professionals specialised in logistic services, such as logistics centres. However, this tendency is yet to be developed in construction. The purpose of this paper is to develop a simulation framework for the examination of potential improvements of logistics performance using logistics centres.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach was adopted with computer simulation using Flexsim. Data of vehicle movements were collected during construction on-site from the start of construction to “hand-over” to the building owner.

Findings

The ideal location of a logistics centre is identified using vehicle movements data collected on the site. The potential improvements of the planned centre are then evaluated by simulating various scenarios of vehicle movements. The enclosed results from the simulations indicate that using a logistics centre will reduce waste for the construction project considered.

Originality/value

The paper emphasises that creating a logistics centre for a project can improve construction logistics performance, by consolidating and optimizing both off-site and on-site logistics, especially when the site condition is prohibitive (small footprint with limited loading bay area). Establishing logistics centres may help find ways of making the overall construction project more effective by improving the management of materials.
Impact of proactive behaviour antecedents on construction project managers’ performance
Authors: Kapogiannis Georgios , Fernando Terence , Alkhard Ahmed Mohammed
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Many aspects of social behaviour are manifested in project managers in interaction with team members in the construction sector. Proactive behaviour as a social behaviour impacts on project and organizational effectiveness. This paper aims to explore and explain how project managers’ proactive behaviour could be enhanced in a project by the use of integrated collaborative environments. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate this interrelationship, researchers used a survey methodology involving gathering both quantitative and qualitative data, and used regression analysis to assess the strength of impact of proactive behaviour antecedents on project manages’ performance on a construction project when using integrated collaborative technologies. For the qualitative data, researchers used content analysis.

Findings

The research showed that by developing a proactive personality, the construction project manager is more likely to pre-identify “accurately” project time and costs, and to identify project culture, collaboration strategy and project risks. Moreover, co-worker trust as a proactive behaviour antecedent has been shown to impact on raising quality issues in a project. Furthermore, project managers’ flexibility could assist them in designing procurement strategies as well as designing a project business plan and avoiding conflict. Nevertheless, flexibility, including self-efficacy, control appraisal, change orientation, job autonomy and supportive supervision, plays a significant role in the development of proactive behaviour in construction project managers and enhances project performance.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is limited, but the research methodology is acceptable because the authors use mixed approach to check the correlation.

Practical implications

How project managers can use integrated collaborative technologies on developing their proactive behaviour and thus impacting project performance is observed.

Originality/value

The value of this paper is to contribute understanding of the impact of the use of integrated collaborative technologies on developing project managers’ proactive behaviour and thus impacting project performance.
Developing a predictive model of construction industry-university research collaboration
Authors: Sutrisna Monty , Tjia Dewi , Wu Peng
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to identify and examine the factors that influence construction industry-university (IU) collaboration and develop the likelihood model of a potential industry partner within the construction industry to collaborate with universities.

Design/methodology/approach

Mix method data collection including questionnaire survey and focus groups were used for data collection. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods to identify and examine factors. These findings were then used to develop the likelihood predictive model of IU collaboration. A well-known artificial neural network (ANN) model, was trained and cross-validated to develop the predictive model.

Findings

The study identified company size (number of employees and approximate annual turnover), the length of experience in the construction industry, previous IU collaboration, the importance of innovation and motivation of innovation for short term showed statistically significant influence on the likelihood of collaboration. The study also revealed there was an increase in interest amongst companies to engage the university in collaborative research. The ANN model successfully predicted the likelihood of a potential construction partner to collaborate with universities at the accuracy of 85.5%, which was considered as a reasonably good model.

Originality/value

The study investigated the nature of collaboration and the factors that can have an impact on the potential IU collaborations and based on that, introduced the implementation of machine learning approach to examine the likelihood of IU collaboration. While the developed model was derived from analysing data set from Western Australian construction industry, the methodology proposed here can be used as the basis of predictive developing models for construction industry elsewhere to help universities in assessing the likelihood for collaborating and partnering with the targeted construction companies.
Unpacking the chain mediation process between transformational leadership and knowledge worker creative performance: evidence from China
Authors: Wadei Kwame Ansong , Lu Chen , Wu Weijun
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to draw upon motivated information processing theory to examine the sequential mediating roles of perspective taking and boundary spanning between transformational leadership and the creative performance of knowledge workers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was carried out on a sample, including a dyad of 398 knowledge workers and their immediate supervisors in four research institutes in southwest China. The authors tested the theoretical model using structural equation modeling (SEM) and Mplus 7.0 software.

Findings

The results support the mediation model in which perspective taking was found to significantly and positively mediate the relationship between transformational leadership and boundary spanning. Boundary spanning was found to significantly and positively mediate the relationship between perspective taking and creative performance. Moreover, both perspective taking and boundary spanning were found to mediate the relationship between transformational leadership and creative performance.

Practical implications

The study findings imply that the transformational leadership behaviors of managers or supervisors nurture knowledge workers' perspective taking and their boundary spanning activities leading to creative performance.

Originality/value

The findings contribute new knowledge to the relationship between transformational leadership and creative performance by uncovering the causal chain of a cognitive mechanism (perspective taking) with a behavioral mechanism (boundary spanning).
Analytical calculations of electromagnetic quantities for wound rotor salient-pole synchronous machines
Authors: Delirani Zohreh , Rahideh Akbar , Mardaneh Mohammad
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to present an analytical electromagnetic model for wound rotor synchronous machines with a salient-pole rotor structure based on the two-dimensional subdomain technique.

Design/methodology/approach

The machine is divided into five active sub-regions: stator slots, stator slot openings, air gap, rotor slots and rotor slot openings. For each sub-region, the governing partial differential equations are derived and solved analytically.

Findings

The magnetic flux density distributions in all active sub-regions are analytically computed and other quantities such as back-emf, inductances, electromagnetic torque and unbalanced magnetic forces are also analytically calculated. The results of the analytical model are compared to those obtained from the finite element analysis to show the accuracy of the proposed model.

Originality/value

The two-dimensional analytical model of a wound rotor salient-pole synchronous machine using the sub-domain technique is the main contribution of the research.
Internalising and internationalising country specific CSR practices of a Japanese multinational company
Authors: Perera Chamila R. , Hewege Chandana R.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Applying mainstream, Western-centric corporate social responsibility (CSR) theory to make sense of CSR practices of multinational firms of non-Western origin seems to be problematic for CSR theory and practice. The purpose of this study is to critically analyse the CSR integration journey of a Japanese multinational firm with a view to understanding CSR integration in a global business context.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a qualitative research method using a single case study approach to investigate a contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context. A theoretical lens of seven patterns of CSR integration interwoven with Japanese and mainstream CSR discourses is used to make sense of internalisation and internationalisation process.

Findings

Main findings are presented under four themes: product harm crisis as a call for CSR, CSR governance and bottom up initiatives, recycling oriented CSR and product designing, co-existing Japanese CSR in the global marketplace. An external misfit of a firm’s practice in the domestic market can lead to internalising country-specific CSR through CSR integration resulting in successful internationalisation of country-specific CSR practices.

Research limitations/implications

Country-specific CSR integration follows context-specific routines and practices; this process can be shaped and reshaped by the prevailing international CSR discourse due to internationalisation of a firm’s operation.

Originality/value

Although CSR is viewed as a fundamental strategic priority driving firms to focus on shared value-creating products and services, how best a firm can integrate CSR into an existing business model is unclear. This gap is addressed in this current study.
The effect of online activity on SMEs’ competitiveness
Authors: Lányi Beatrix , Hornyák Miklós , Kruzslicz Ferenc
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the importance of websites and social media platforms to find out how they contribute to the improvement of business performance. A new automated data collection method is developed to determine the technology maturity level of websites. These website quality indicators are linked to and compared against small and medium enterprise (SME) competitiveness data set to find competency pillars having significant impacts on the online presence, and to identify most important factors for online digital transformation. In this way, periodic analysis of websites can signal early warnings if competitiveness data of an SME is worth to refresh. Continuous maturity monitoring of competitors’ websites provides useful benchmark information for an enterprise as well.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model was developed for the examination of the online presence and its effect on the competitiveness of small- and medium-sized businesses. An innovative, automatically generated WebIX indicator was developed through technical and content analysis of websites of 958 SMEs’ included in the Global Competitiveness Project (GCP) network data set. A series of ANOVA analysis was used for both data sources to determine the relationships between Web quality and competitiveness levels to define the online presence maturity categories.

Findings

Both the existence and the quality of the websites proved to have positive impact on the SME’s competitiveness. Different online presence maturity categories contribute to different competitiveness pillars; therefore, key factors of online digital transformation were identified. According to the findings, company websites are more related to marketing functions than information technology from the point of competitiveness.

Originality/value

Competency relationships were identified between online activity and competitiveness. The foundations of automated competitiveness measures were developed. The traditional survey based subjective data collection was combined with objective data collection methodology in a reproducible way.
Innovation and exports: different markets, different outcomes
Authors: Barrère Gabriela , Jung Andrés , Karsaclian Diego
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify different outcomes in the relation innovation–exports for a firm located in a developing country, depending upon the destination market of its exports (i.e. a developed or a developing economy).

Design/methodology/approach

The specification strategy is a bivariate probit regression model applied to 640 Uruguayan manufacturing firms. Two simultaneous equations are used to estimate the probability of being an exporting or innovating firm. For both equations, the firm’s innovative activity and export status in the past are introduced as explanatory variables to solve endogeneity issues.

Findings

When firms located in a developing economy export to another developing country, the authors find that innovation precedes exports, in line with what they would expect according to theory. When the export market is a developed economy, firms are not able to cope with both innovation and export strategies simultaneously, whether innovating to access export markets or transforming knowledge from exports into innovation.

Research limitations/implications

Causality could not be found and endogeneity problems were not solved. The data are limited to a sample of Uruguayan manufacturing firms during six years between 2010 and 2015, and authors do not know when did the firms began to export either to a developed or a developing economy. Furthermore, the database indicates if a developed economy is between the three main export markets of the firm or not, but authors do not know what kind of products (i.e. their technological level) are exported by the firm to that destination.

Originality/value

Although the link between innovation and exports is an important topic for firms and policymakers, the main bulk of empirical studies has ignored the role of destination markets. This study attempts to fill this gap contributing to a better understanding of the differences in the relation between innovation and exports (i.e. its sequence), when the destination market is a developed or a developing economy.
Rotated majority gate-based 2n-bit full adder design in quantum-dot cellular automata nanotechnology
Authors: Kassa Sankit , Gupta Prateek , Kumar Manoj , Stephan Thompson , Kannan Ramani
Published: February 2021

Purpose

In nano-scale-based very large scale integration technology, quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) is considered as a strong and capable technology to replace the well-known complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology. In QCA technique, rotated majority gate (RMG) design is not explored greatly, and therefore, its advantages compared to original majority gate are unnoticed. This paper aims to provide a thorough observation at RMG gate with its capability to build robust circuits.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a new methodology for structuring reliable 2n-bit full adder (FA) circuit design in QCA utilizing RMG. Mathematical proof is provided for RMG gate structure. A new 1-bit FA circuit design is projected here, which is constructed with RMG gate and clock-zone-based crossover approach in its configuration.

Findings

A new structure of a FA is projected in this paper. The proposed design uses only 50 number of QCA cells in its implementation with a latency of 3 clock zones. The proposed 1-bit FA design conception has been checked for its structure robustness by designing various 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64-bit FA designs. The proposed FA designs save power from 46.87% to 25.55% at maximum energy dissipation of circuit level, 39.05% to 23.36% at average energy dissipation of circuit-level and 42.03% to 37.18% at average switching energy dissipation of circuit level.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills the gape of focused research for RMG with its detailed mathematical modeling analysis.
Concentration of tetrahidrocannabinol in joints
Authors: Tejedor Tejada Eduardo , De la Fuente Marcos Domiciana , Cuesta Lozano Maria Jesus , Benedí González Juana , Moro Aguado Jesús , Tejedor Muñoz Jesús Miguel
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims to assess the potency and dose of Δ-9-Tetrahidrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) in cannabis joints. This will enable better estimates of the degree of exposure in a user and contribute towards a better understanding of potential harmful effects.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of intact joints confiscated by law enforcement on the street in the autonomous region of Castilla y León (Spain) during the years 2017–2019.

Findings

This study analysed THC, CBN and CBD in marijuana joints (N = 744). Joints contain cannabis and tobacco (N = 729), had a median net weight 0.69 g (IQR = 0.28); concentration THC median was 6.30%(IQR = 4.51) and THC median dose 42 mg (IQR = 32.75). A total of 35.5% mixed joints contained CBN – median percentage 0.61% (IQR = 0.51). CBD was detected 10.3% of mixed joints – median percentage 0.13% (IQR = 0.12) and median dose 1 mg (IQR = 0.92). CBD/THC ratio presented median value of 0.02 (IQR = 0.02). The samples analysed comprised pure cannabis joints (N = 15), with THC median 11.86% (IWR = 6.30) or median dose of 118 mg.

Originality/value

The study found high values for concentration and dose of THC and CBD in cannabis joints, warning of high exposures for the user and associated potential consequences. The results obtained contribute new perspectives on the definition of a standard cannabis unit.
Learning styles in the digital library and their application in academic communities in the biomedical and health areas
Authors: Méndez-Govea Silvia , Mireles-Cárdenas Celia , Tarango Javier
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to confirm the importance of developing knowledge, skills and attitudes in the permanent use of digital scientific information, which complements the training of professionals in the biomedical and health areas, considering that this type of user communities require up-to-date and truthful information for future decision-making which will directly affect the health of patients.

Design/methodology/approach

The study started from the elaboration of a diagnosis on learning styles in a student community at the undergraduate level in the area of biomedical and health sciences of the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí (Mexico) (UASLP), through the application of the Honey-Alonso Learning Styles questionnaire (CHAEA), and by using such results it was possible to derive learning strategies for the achievement of digital information competencies that were effective in practice.

Findings

According to the diagnostic results, the learning styles with the greatest presence in students in the area of Biomedical and Health Sciences were identified and from this, precise didactic strategies were derived to enhance information skills in the use of digital sources. For this case, the Big6 Model was used and its implementation was combined (face-to-face and virtual) in the academic community studied, integrating an information skills development program in the digital library of the Center for Information in Biomedical Sciences (CICBI) from the university itself.

Originality/value

A practical experience is presented, which also offered concrete solutions, based on particular characteristics of the users. There is a low presence of studies of digital libraries’ users that consider aspects related to learning styles, especially applied from the perspective of information sciences and the digital library.
Optimum design of composite structures with ply drop-offs using response surface methodology
Authors: Diniz Camila Aparecida , Méndez Yohan , de Almeida Fabrício Alves , da Cunha Jr Sebastião Simões , Gomes G.F.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Many studies only take into account the ply stacking sequence as the design variable to determine the optimal ply drop-off location; however, it is necessary to optimize other parameters that have a direct influence on the ply drop-off site such as which plies should be dropped and in which longitudinal direction. That way, the purpose of this study is to find the most significant design variables relative to the drop-off location considering the transversal and longitudinal positions, seeking to achieve the optimal combination of ply drop-off locations that provides excellent performance for the laminate plate.

Design/methodology/approach

This study aims to determine the optimal drop-off location in a laminate plate using the finite element method and an approach statistical with design of experiments (DOE).

Findings

The optimization strategy using DOE revealed to be satisfactory for analyzing laminate structures with ply drop-offs, demonstrating that not all design factors influence the response variability. The failure criterion response variable revealed a poor fit, with an adjusted coefficient of determination lower than 60%, thus demonstrating that the response did not vary with the ply drop-off location. Already the strain and natural frequency response variables presented high significance. Finally, the optimization strategy revealed that the optimal drop-off location that minimizes the strain and maximizes the natural frequency is the ply drop-off located of the end plate.

Originality/value

It was also noted that many researchers prefer evolutionary algorithms for optimizing composite structures with ply drop-offs, being scarce to the literature studies involving optimization strategies using response surface methodology. In addition, many studies only take into account the ply stacking sequence as the design variable to determine the optimal ply drop-off location; however, in this study, the authors investigated other important parameters that have direct influence on the ply drop-off site such as which plies should be dropped and in which longitudinal direction.
A numerical method of lower bound dynamic shakedown analysis for 3D structures
Authors: Zhang Guichen , Peng Heng , Zhang Hongtao , Tang Juzhen , Liu Yinghua
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The safety assessment of engineering structures under repeated variable dynamic loads such as seismic and wind loads can be considered as a dynamic shakedown problem. This paper aims to extend the stress compensation method (SCM) to perform lower bound dynamic shakedown analysis of engineering structures and a double-closed-loop iterative algorithm is proposed to solve the shakedown load.

Design/methodology/approach

The construction of the dynamic load vertexes is carried out to represent the loading domain of a structure under both dynamic and quasi-static load. The SCM is extended to perform lower bound dynamic shakedown analysis of engineering structures, which constructs the self-equilibrium stress field by a series of direct iteration computations. The self-equilibrium stress field is not only related to the amplitude of the repeated variable load but also related to its frequency. A novel double-closed-loop iterative algorithm is presented to calculate the dynamic shakedown load multiplier. The inner-loop iteration is to construct the self-equilibrated residual stress field based on the certain shakedown load multiplier. The outer-loop iteration is to update the dynamic shakedown load multiplier. With different combinations of dynamic load vertexes, a dynamic shakedown load domain could be obtained.

Findings

Three-dimensional examples are presented to verify the applicability and accuracy of the SCM in dynamic shakedown analysis. The example of cantilever beam under harmonic dynamic load with different frequency shows the validity of the dynamic load vertex construction method. The shakedown domain of the elbow structure varies with the frequency under the dynamic approach. When the frequency is around the resonance frequency of the structure, the area of shakedown domain would be significantly reduced.

Research limitations/implications

In this study, the dynamical response of structure is treated as perfect elastoplastic. The current analysis does not account for effects such as large deformation, stochastic external load and nonlinear vibration conditions which will inevitably be encountered and affect the load capacity.

Originality/value

This study provides a direct method for the dynamical shakedown analysis of engineering structures under repeated variable dynamic load.
Understanding how social responsibility drives social innovation: characteristics of radically innovative projects
Authors: Turker Duygu , Ozmen Y. Serkan
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyze how corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives address sustainability challenges by focusing on the congruence between process and outcome variables of CSR.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a theory-driven model, a content analysis was conducted on 63 award-winning social responsibility projects.

Findings

The study reveals that the adoption of a proactive approach during environmental assessment, which manifests itself in a focus on emerging sustainability challenges with a deeper interest, affects the centrality of social responsibility initiative by increasing its learning and partnership potential and leads organizations to produce radical innovations.

Practical implications

The findings provide a valuable understanding for practitioners on organizing the decision making process of CSR initiatives in order to unlock its learning potentials.

Social implications

Radically innovative projects with their higher levels of proactivity, centrality and generalizability are better than incremental ones at transferring and integrating company resources and capabilities to address emergent sustainability challenges.

Originality/value

The impact of CSR on society and nature has been a neglected area of literature. To reduce this gap, this study analyzes how the configuration of process variables shapes the outcomes of socially responsible initiatives on sustainability. It also provides a new typology on the relevance of CSR initiatives to company mission/model that can show how CSR can unlock organizational learning and innovation potentials.
Well-being in times of ill-being: how AMO HRM practices improve organizational citizenship behaviour through work-related well-being and service leadership
Authors: Salas-Vallina Andres , Pasamar Susana , Donate Mario J.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of ability, motivation and opportunity (AMO) practices on organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB), in medical staff working in specialized units. In addition, we check the mediating role of work-related well-being, understood as engagement, trust and exhaustion, in the relationship between AMO practices and OCB. Furthermore, the moderating role of service leadership is analysed in the relationship between AMO practices and work-related well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the AMO framework under the job demands-resources (JD-R) model, and based on a sample of 214 employees from public healthcare, a time-lagged moderation-mediation model was performed.

Findings

Results provide evidence that AMO practices have a positive effect on OCB. Further, work-related well-being mediated the effect of AMO practices on OCB. In addition, service leadership exerted a moderating role between AMO practices and work-related well-being.

Originality/value

Building on recent research which has emphasized the knowledge gap regarding how human resource practices might positively affect both employees and organizations, this is the first study that indicates that said practices positively affect both employee well-being and OCBs in the public healthcare context.
Human capital neurodiversity: an examination of stereotype threat anticipation
Authors: Priscott Tamsin , Allen Robert Anthony
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to test the assumption of similarities between neurodivergents and other minority groups regarding their reaction to stereotype threat. In addition, it aimed to identify the source of stereotype threat and the neurodivergent's response to it.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies were conducted. Study 1 employed three exercises consisting of brochures, learning sets and posters to test organisational cues, notions of intelligence and situational cues. It collected data from 53 participants to establish whether stereotype threat observed in visible difference such as race, gender and intelligence is equally relevant to neurodiversity. Study 2 consisted of interviews with 44 participants to establish stereotype threat source, reaction and effect on declaration of invisible difference.

Findings

Neurodivergents, defined by their invisible difference, react similarly to those with a visible difference with respect to organisational cues and stereotype threat. They will cognisantly define their behaviours depending upon those cues and stereotype threat. In doing so, they draw upon previous personal and work experiences. After the event, they will make a comparison to their assessment. If it is similar to their assessment, it reinforces it; however, if it is dissimilar, the neurodivergent will make an adjustment to the assessment. In both cases, the experience will form part of a future threat assessment.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited by its interpretivist nature and sample comprising personnel within a UK government organisation.

Practical implications

The research has practical implications for employers, providing managers with a model to understand the impact a neurodivergents' previous experiences can have on their ability to interact within the workplace. Such understanding can provide insight into how best to utilise human capital.

Originality/value

This study makes a contribution to theory by expanding knowledge of neurodiversity in the workplace and by identifying the neurodivergents' reaction to the anticipation of a stereotype threat. In addition, it offers the stereotype threat anticipation conceptual model as a representation of the cognitive decisions made by neurodivergents to conceal or reveal their invisible difference.