bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impacts of pandemic on urban housing prices: evidence from the outbreak of COVID-19 in Beijing, 2020
Authors: Qin Bo , Peng Yanyan , Feng Luotong
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly raised economic risk and uncertainty worldwide. How does COVID-19 affect urban housing markets? Is there any difference when different areas encounter COVID-19? This study aims to investigate the impacts of the pandemic on housing prices by using Beijing’s housing markets data in 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use transaction-level data from April to September in 2020 to conduct a hedonic price analysis of the housing markets in Beijing. The data included 70,843 transactions scraped from a real estate agent’s website. The authors use the difference-in-differences approach to evaluate the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak from the Beijing Xinfadi market (the largest and most important food wholesale market in Beijing) in 2020.

Findings

This outbreak of COVID-19 caused a 6.3% drop in housing prices in Beijing from April to September in 2020. However, the impacts of COVID-19 on housing prices in different urban neighbourhoods were spatially heterogeneous. Housing prices in neighbourhoods with industries that rely on face-to-face communication were more affected by the pandemic, while those that can work remotely were less affected.

Originality/value

By investigating the impacts of COVID-19 on housing prices in Beijing, this study illustrates that urban housing prices would be impacted by the pandemic, at least in the short term. While the rise and fall of housing prices were found spatially heterogeneous in Beijing, it suggests that urban neighbourhoods with specific socioeconomic characteristics and geographic locations would unfold different resilience when encountering pandemic. By using data scraping and rigorous statistical tools, the study is probably one of the first ones examining the consequences of COVID-19 in intra-urban housing markets.
Workforce upskilling: can universities meet the challenges of lifelong learning?
Authors: Lang Josephine
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Since new digital micro-credential technologies emerged a decade ago, there has been a rapid rise in micro-credentials in the education landscape. Much has been promised about these educational technologies, yet there is much confusion by key stakeholders in the digital micro-credential ecosystem. This confusion has led to significant efforts globally to define micro-credentials to ensure quality learning and generate beneficial impacts to learners, employers, education providers and edtech organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

This commentary reviews relevant literature on digital micro-credentials and other alternative credentials to determine how these educational technologies can meet the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to nurture lifelong learning for working learners.

Findings

Universities are being challenged to address the changing needs and uncertainty being introduced by the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions, particularly with implications for workforce upskilling and lifelong learning. To adapt, universities will need to rethink their roles and shift their institutional mindsets in how they may approach the challenges through mechanisms such as digital micro-credntials.

Research limitations/implications

This paper focuses on the analysis of five policy statements about micro-credentials. While these policy statements represent a sample, there is a representation of Western education-related systems. Thus, they skew the findings towards Western education systems thinking.

Practical implications

Understanding how micro-credentials are being positioned within education-related systems is useful for applying the educational technologies by, for example, universities, learners and employers.

Social implications

Provides an overview of how these educational technologies may provide beneficial impacts for society as it plans to adapt to economic uncertainty and change.

Originality/value

The commentary provides a policy context for the emerging use of micro-credential technologies to examine demands for workforce upskilling.
SCM and SME performance in Australia: the mediating role of HRM practices
Authors: Mamun Mehadi
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The present study seeks to explore the relationships among human resource management (HRM) practices, supply chain management (SCM) implementation and small and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) performance in Australia. It also investigates whether HRM practices have any mediating effect on such relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

In line with the research objective, a quantitative model was applied and a multi-item survey questionnaire was developed to collect primary data. Cross-sectional surveys of a sample of 216 SMEs from different industries were undertaken to collect data, and factor analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM) were used to analyse data and test hypotheses.

Findings

The statistical results inform that SCM implementation and HRM practices improve SMEs' performance in Australia. SCM implementation is also found to be positively linked to HRM practices and has a significant indirect effect on organisational performance when the HRM practices are mediating. HRM practices are, thus, found in this study to mediate the relationship between SCM implementation and Australia's SMEs performance.

Originality/value

The concurrent effects of SCM and HRM practices on SMEs' performance and how businesses' internal management such as HRM practices mediate and affect SCM and SMEs' performances have not been addressed previously in the Australian business context. This study, hence, addresses the gap in the literature concerning the effect of SCM on SMEs by integrating HRM practices as a significant behavioural support system to SCM implementation in Australia's SMEs.
Evaluating the efficiency of defined benefit pension plans in a developing market
Authors: Mazonga Mfoutou Bruvine Orchidée , Danquah Richard
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The cost-to-asset ratio is a vital efficiency ratio for any financial institution, as it measures its operating expenses to its asset base. This study uses this ratio to evaluate the efficiency of defined benefit pension plans (DBPPs) in the Republic of Congo using financial and macroeconomic indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

Under the financial indicator, the authors apply vector autoregression (VAR) to a dataset covering 120 months from 2011 to 2020. In addition, the authors use 12 years of data from 2009 to 2020 and the random effects model under macroeconomic indicators.

Findings

Assets and costs together Granger cause the efficiency of the DBPP. However, there is no Granger causality from the combination of assets and costs on the DB public and industry PP efficiencies. The random effects model results show that macroconnect level variables significantly lower the cost-to-asset ratio, thereby improving the PP's efficiency. Macrodisconnect level variables significantly increase the cost-to-asset ratio, thereby deteriorating PP efficiency.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to a developing economy in sub-Saharan Africa, which may hinder the generalization of the results. Future studies could use panel samples from sub-Saharan Africa so that inferences could be drawn for the continent and comparisons made with others.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors knowledge, this study is the first in sub-Saharan Africa to assess the efficiency of DBPPs using financial and macroeconomic indicators.
Service supply chain risk management in the public healthcare sector
Authors: Getele Gutama Kusse , Ruoliu Xiong
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The study research aims to examine the effects of supply chain management practices on risk mitigating (RM) by studying the correlation between social ties, institutional support, interagency cooperation and external flexibility in public healthcare sectors. Moreover, this research examines the impact of RM on supplier trust, and also the authors examine the relationship among supplier trust and logistics performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a structural equation model (SEM) based on 539 quantitative data from Ethiopian healthcare organizations. The model included control variables like company size and position to understand better how employees perceive risk mitigation.

Findings

The study's findings indicate that interagency collaboration and external flexibility positively affects RM. On the other hand, RM positively impacts supplier trust and also the supplier trust has a positive effects on performance dimensions. This study also shows that RM has not positively impacting institutional support and social ties.

Practical implications

The study investigation may help the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare service SC agencies and other stakeholders better understand the effects of supply chain management practices on RM and obtain information on progress made thus far.

Originality/value

This research helps managers and their organizations to manage the risk associated with their organizations. Though, this study focuses on Ethiopian healthcare SCM. The authors expect the findings might apply to other countries organizations with comparable demographic or SCM features.
Government expenditure structure, technological progress and economic growth
Authors: Liu Zeqi , Tong Zefeng , Zhang Zhonghua
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study examines the differences in the economic stimulus effects, transmission mechanisms, and output multipliers of government consumption, government traditional investment, and government science and technology investment.

Design/methodology/approach

This study constructs and estimates a New Keynesian model of endogenous technological progress embedded in the research and development (R&D) and technology transfer sectors. Using Chinese macroeconomic time series data from 1996 to 2019, this study calibrates and estimates the model and analyzes the impulse response function and a counterfactual simulation of expenditure structure adjustment.

Findings

The results show that compared with the traditional dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model, the endogenous process of technological progress amplifies the impact of government consumption shock and traditional government investment shock on the macroeconomy, leading to greater economic cycle fluctuations. As government investment in science and technology has positive external spillover effects on firm R&D activities and the application of innovation achievements, it can promote more sustainable economic growth than government consumption and traditional investment in the long run.

Originality/value

This study constructs an extended New Keynesian model with different types of government spending, which includes endogenous technological progress within the R&D and technology transfer sectors, thereby linking fiscal policy, business cycle fluctuations and long-term economic growth. This model can study the macroeconomic impact of fiscal expenditure structure adjustment when fiscal expansion is limited. In the Bayesian estimation of model parameters, this study not only uses macroeconomic variables but also adds a sequence of private R&D investment.
Integration of multi-criteria decision-making approaches adapted for quality function deployment: an analytical literature review and future research agenda
Authors: Hariri Ahmad , Domingues Pedro , Sampaio Paulo
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to classify journal papers in the context of hybrid quality function deployment QFD and multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods published during 2004–2021.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual classification scheme is presented to analyze the hybrid QFD-MCDM methods. Then some recommendations are given to introduce directions for future research.

Findings

The results show that among all related areas, the manufacturing application has the most frequency of published papers regarding hybrid QFD-MCDM methods. Moreover, using uncertainty to establish a hybrid QFD-MCDM the relevant papers have been considered during the time interval 2004–2021.

Originality/value

There are various shortcomings in conventional QFD which limit its efficiency and potential applications. Since 2004, when MCDM methods were frequently adopted in the quality management context, increasing attention has been drawn from both practical and academic perspectives. Recently, the integration of MCDM techniques into the QFD model has played an important role in designing new products and services, supplier selection, green manufacturing systems and sustainability topics. Hence, this survey reviewed hybrid QFD-MCDM methods during 2004–2021.
Transparency in corporate social responsibility communication on social media
Authors: Lee Angie , Chung Te-Lin Doreen
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Retailers recently have started communicating their corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitments to their consumers directly on social media. That is to say, CSR communication has expanded to social media that allow two-way communication, distinct from traditional CSR communication channels. As transparency has been recognised as a crucial factor influencing the effectiveness of traditional CSR communication, this study investigated its role in the social media context.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-level, single-factor (i.e. transparency of a mock retail company's CSR communication) between-subjects experimental design was employed, and 237 responses from an online survey were used for PROCESS macroanalysis.

Findings

Transparent CSR communication was found to increase the consumers' perceived CSR credibility and attitude toward the company, which influenced consumers' subsequent purchase intention (functionalistic outcome) and intention to respond to the CSR communication (constitutive outcome). The results of the study also corroborated that consumers' level of elaboration when processing CSR communication on social media depends upon their level of concern over the social issue.

Originality/value

The study extends the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) to CSR communication in the social media context by validating that consumers' level of information elaboration is determined by their level of concern over the social issue. In addition, it provides the first empirical support for the significance of transparent CSR communication on social media and explains the mechanism of transparency's influence. Transparency indirectly affects consumers' behavioural intentions by forming a favourable attitude toward a retailer. The findings can help retail practitioners communicate CSR commitments persuasively on social media. The study also integrates functionalistic and constitutive perspectives of social media CSR communication, which is notable and discussed in depth.
Influence of oil price fluctuations on the network connectedness between oil, GCC Islamic and conventional financial markets
Authors: Mezghani Taicir , Abbes Mouna Boujelbène
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the dynamic spillover effects and network connectedness between the oil prices and the Islamic and conventional financial markets in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The focus is on network connectedness during the 2008–2009 global financial crisis, the 2014–2016 oil crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors use daily data covering the period from January 1, 2007 to April 14, 2022.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies a spillover analysis and connectedness network to investigate the risk contagion among the Islamic and conventional stock–bond markets. The authors rely on Diebold and Yilmaz’s (2012, 2014) methodology to construct network-associated measures.

Findings

The results suggest that overall connectedness among financial market uncertainties increased during the global financial crisis, the oil price collapse of 2014–2016 and the COVID-19 crisis. In addition, the authors show that the contribution of oil shocks to the financial system is limited, as the oil market was a net receiver during the 2014 oil shock and the COVID-19 crisis. On the other hand, the Islamic and conventional stock markets are extensive sources of network effects on the oil market and Islamic and conventional bond markets. Furthermore, the authors found that the Sukuk market was significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas the conventional and Islamic stock markets were the highest transmitters of shocks during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Moreover, oil revealed a weak connectedness with the Islamic and conventional stock markets during the COVID-19 health crisis, implying that it helps provide diversification benefits for international portfolio investors.

Originality/value

This study contributes to this field by improving the understanding of the effect of fluctuations in oil prices on the dynamics of the volatility connection between oil and Islamic and conventional financial markets during times of stress through a network connectedness framework. The main results of this study highlight the role of oil in portfolio allocation and risk minimization when investing in Islamic and conventional assets.
Changes in government procurement: COVID-19 as an opportunity for corruption
Authors: Porporato Marcela , Ruiz Juan Ignacio
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Explore the factors making emergency procurement more prone to corruption by advancing explanations for when rules and transparency are relaxed allowing corrupt practices to emerge. Describe institutional factors, such as corruption syndrome (Johnston, 2005, 2015) and legal system, and their impact on procurement rules changes.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative event study using publicly available data offer a timeline and explanation of government procurement control mechanisms and transparency roles in emergencies by comparing two countries. Argentina and Canada had very similar and advanced food procurement systems prior to COVID-19, but they took different stances when the pandemic broke out.

Findings

Legal systems and corruption syndrome are linked, where Civil Law is related to Elite Cartels (Argentina) and Common Law with Influence Markets (Canada). The study contributes to understand the role of transparency to minimize the opportunity for direct purchases (electronic trails of decisions, justifications and approvals). Judicial system's actions favor corrupt practices and are aligned with elites despite the civil society outcry.

Research limitations/implications

Research on corrupt practices has limited access to primary data due to fear of reprisals. Informal conversations revealing glimpses of corruption were used to identify publicly available documents. Numbers play a role in emergencies and performativity theory literature is enriched by providing an example of different interpretation of information when frameworks differ between civil society and courts.

Originality/value

A comparative analysis that evidences the role of pre-existing institutional and social conditions shows when emergency situations will be used as an excuse to relax procurement control and transparency mechanisms which in turn facilitate corrupt practices.
Workers' remittances and economic growth: new evidence from an ARDL bounds cointegration approach for Sri Lanka
Authors: Mohamed Aslam Ahamed Lebbe , Alibuhtto Mohamed Cassim
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The objective of this study is to examine the long-run relationship between workers' remittances and economic growth in Sri Lanka using time series data spanning 1975–2021.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed both exploratory data analysis (EDA) and inferential data analysis (IDA) tools. EDA includes the scatter plots, confidence ellipse with Kernel fit, whereas IDA covers unit root test, the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds technique, the Granger's causality test, and impulse response function (IRF) analysis.

Findings

EDA confirms that workers' remittances have a positive relationship with per-capita gross domestic product (GDP). All variables used in this study are I(1). This study is exhibited that workers' remittances have a positive long-run relationship with per-capita GDP. The estimated coefficient of the error correction term shows that the dependent variable moves towards the long-run equilibrium path. Workers' remittances have a short-run and long-run causal relationship with per-capita GDP. The IRF analysis indicates that a one standard deviation shock to workers' remittances has initially an immediate significant positive impact on economic growth.

Practical implications

This study provides insights into workers' remittances in economic growth in Sri Lanka. Further, the findings of this study also provide evidence that workers' remittances increase economic growth.

Originality/value

Using ARDL bounds test, Granger's Causality test and IRF analysis for examining the relationship between workers' remittances and economic growth are the originality of this study.
Credit quality determinants of banks: how important are bankruptcy reforms?
Authors: Ghosh Saibal
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Although several microeconomic and macroeconomic factors driving banks' credit quality have been well-studied in the literature, one aspect which appears to have received limited attention is bankruptcy reforms. To address this issue, the author exploits data on Middle East and North Africa (MENA) country banks during the period 2010–2020 and examines the impact of bankruptcy laws on their credit quality.

Design/methodology/approach

In view of the staggered nature of the implementation of legal reforms across countries, the author utilize a difference-in-differences specification to tease out the causal impact.

Findings

The findings reveal that bankruptcy reforms lead to a significant improvement in banks' credit quality. The impact is manifest mainly for conventional banks and driven by an increase in recovery intensity. The author also presents evidence which shows that such reforms exert positive real effects, although this impact differs across country characteristics.

Originality/value

The study is among the early ones for the MENA region to assess the interlinkage between bankruptcy reforms and banks' credit quality.
Impact of mandatory IFRS adoption on foreign direct investment: the moderating role of conflict of interest regulation
Authors: Elhamma Azzouz
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the moderating effect of conflict of interest regulation (CIR) on the relationship between mandatory of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption and foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted based on panel data from 15 MENA countries during the period 2008–2020. Collected data were analyzed by using the generalized method of moments estimation technique.

Findings

This study results show that both mandatory of IFRS adoption and CIR do not have a significant effect on FDI inflows in MENA region; however, their interaction has a positive and significant effect on FDI inflows. This implies that more development of CIR enhances the impact that mandatory of IFRS adoption has on FDI inflows.

Practical implications

This study results are very useful to policymakers and regulators in the MENA region. The mandatory of IFRS adoption on its own does not improve significantly FDI inflows. The MENA countries should look inwards into more developed CIR that would support IFRS adoption to attract more FDI.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first research study to investigate the moderating effect of CIR on the relationship between mandatory of IFRS adoption and FDI inflows. In addition, the empirical researches on the effect of mandatory of IFRS adoption as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) on FDI inflows for MENA countries are almost absent.
Unlocking the complementary effects of multiple strategic orientations on firm performance: an interplay of entrepreneurial, sustainability and market orientation
Authors: Khizar Hafiz Muhammad Usman , Iqbal Jawad , Khalid Junaid , Hameed Zahid
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how the interplay of multiple strategic orientations influences the growth-based performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The authors have specifically examined the direct and complementary effects of multiple strategic orientations [i.e. entrepreneurial orientation (EO), market orientation (MO) and sustainability orientation (SO)] on firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The data have been collected from 410 SMEs operating in Pakistan.

Findings

The results revealed that the multiple strategic orientations (EO, SO and MO) have positive direct as well as complementary effects on SMEs' growth-based performance. Specifically, the joint effects of EO and MO were shown higher than other combinations and complementarities. Moreover, the direct effect of SO is found far lesser than the joint implementation of SO with either EO or MO.

Originality/value

This study provides key insights into corporate sustainability, strategic orientations and SME performance literature. The implications for theory, practice, policy and future research are discussed.
The platform competition with multihoming on both sides in the omnichannel – —fee or subsidy?
Authors: Zhan Wentao , Jiang Minghui , Wang Xueping , Huo Da , Jiang Han
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Omnichannel has become increasingly important with the development of e-commerce. In omnichannel, merchants expect customers to get the products and services at anytime, anywhere and in any way, and the same is true for customers. This drives multihoming in online platforms for both merchants and customers. Thus, once both customers and merchants are multihomed, what price and subsidy decisions should be made between platforms to compete to obtain optimal profits? The main purpose of this paper is to solve these problems and provide decision-making for two-sided platforms in omnichannel.

Design/methodology/approach

This study builds a dual Hotelling model to capture the utility and network effects of customers and merchants on two-sided platforms. This study introduces the exposure effect and convenience effect of multihomed customers and merchants in the model and analyzes the impact of these effects in the market with multihoming on one side. Then, this study extends the model to the market with multihoming on both sides and makes the pricing decision for two-sided platform when considering the exposure effect and convenience effect through an equilibrium solution. Finally, this study also uses numerical analysis to simulate the decision and profit of the platform.

Findings

This paper finds that the convenience effect will only increase social welfare when customers are single-homed and merchants are multihomed. In addition, when both users are multihomed, the platform will subsidize to attract merchants and customers if the convenience effect and exposure effect are relatively high. This study also finds that network effects come not only from the same platform but also from another platform in the case with multihoming on both sides. And network effects in the heterogeneous platform will be reduced by the convenience effect and exposure effect.

Originality/value

According to the behavioral characteristics of merchants and customers in omnichannel, this paper first adopts the dual Hotelling model to study the pricing of two-sided platforms with multihoming on both sides. This paper shows that network effects originate not only from the same platform but also from another platform and that the exposure effect and the convenience effect can exist as cross-platform network effects, which provides a new explanation for network effects in markets with multihoming on both sides. This research extends the theory of network effects and plays an important role in the development of two-sided platforms in omnichannel.
Inter-organisational cooperation in the context of health units: a mixed-method approach
Authors: Franco Mário , Mineiro Carlos
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study focuses on the reasons leading health organisations to adopt a cooperation strategy and the benefits they can draw from that inter-organisational relation.

Design/methodology/approach

To this end, a mixed research approach – qualitative and quantitative – was adopted, taking a real case between a Health Centre Group in inland Portugal (ACeS-CB) and the Faculty of Health Sciences at a university situated in the same region (FCS-UBI). To gather information, a questionnaire survey was directed to medical students in this faculty, together with semi-structured interviews with those in charge of both types of organisation in the inter-organisational cooperation studied here.

Findings

After content analysis of the interviews and descriptive analysis of the questionnaires, it was concluded that this cooperation is based on a relation of a formal nature, as each organisation is independent from the other, as are their administrative and management organs. The benefits obtained from this cooperative relation regard mainly the share of human resources, particularly elements of the clinical staff in ACeS-CB who have taken on teaching duties at FCS-UBI.

Practical implications

Articulation of theoretical training with clinical practice and the exchange of knowledge were other benefits identified. The study also reveals that students perceive this inter-organisational cooperation as satisfactory, corresponding to what was defined by those in charge of the institutions as its main objectives.

Originality/value

This study focuses on the reasons leading health organisations to adopt a strategy of cooperation with other organisations in the same sector and the benefits they can obtain from that relation. It represents a tool to support managers in health organisations and other stakeholders in an inter-organisational cooperation relation, in planning strategies and understanding the impact of this type of cooperation.
Strategic flexibility and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises: a study of enablers and barriers
Authors: Brozović Danilo , Jansson Christian , Boers Börje
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This article investigates how strategic flexibility (SF) is achieved in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), exploring whether SF contributes to firm growth and the associated enablers and barriers of SF.

Design/methodology/approach

To offer a more nuanced view of SF in SMEs, a qualitative approach is applied. Researchers conducted and analyzed 91 interviews with owners and chief executive officers (CEOs) of SMEs exhibiting high growth and explored whether SF contributes to firm growth and the associated enablers and barriers of SF.

Findings

The results show a connection between SF and firm growth and confirm the importance of strategic orientation for SF in SMEs. Contrary to the existing literature, this study found a neutral impact of external networks and a positive impact of slack resources on SF. The lack of competent employees emerged as a considerable barrier to SF in SMEs.

Research limitations/implications

More research focusing on the relationship between SF and firm growth is suggested, as well as further research about the relevance of slack resources and external networks as enablers of SF in SMEs.

Practical implications

Motivating and developing valuable employee competence are the key managerial implications. Additionally, business consultants and business developers in the public sector must find ways to increase business consultants and business developers' relevance to SMEs.

Originality/value

This article explores SF in SMEs, a context of disagreement in previous literature, and finds that SF contributes to SME growth. A qualitative approach is used, enrichening a field dominated by quantitative methodological choices.
Digital natives and streaming TV platforms: an integrated perspective to explain continuance usage of over-the-top services
Authors: Friederich Felix , Palau-Saumell Ramon , Matute Jorge , Meyer Jan-Hinrich
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Digital natives constitute a substantial part of consumers nowadays. Yet, a theoretical understanding of the factors driving their engagement with new-age digital services is lacking. This study therefore aims to examine digital natives’ continuance usage of the proliferating over-the-top (OTT) services. To address these objectives, the study uses a comprehensive model that primarily integrates perceived value, cognitive absorption and customer brand engagement theories.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using an online personal questionnaire targeting active digital natives OTT service users using the online software tool SurveyMonkey. A sample of 1,415 digital natives was analysed using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The findings indicated that continuance usage is predicted by all three theories. The results illustrate that cognitive absorption and customer brand engagement are the most critical in enhancing continuance usage. Gender effects on digital natives’ value perceptions were found. The model explains 57% of the variance in users’ continuance usage.

Originality/value

The study adds valuable contributions to the existing literature that are relevant to digital natives’ engagement with new-age digital services. The proposed integrated model and the role of gender in value formations provide managers with novel insights when designing effective strategies to increase continuance usage for the largest consuming generation.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-03-2022-0133
When WhatsApp changed its privacy policy: explaining WhatsApp discontinuation using an enablers-inhibitors' perspective
Authors: Farooq Ali , Dahabiyeh Laila , Javed Yousra
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the factors that enable and inhibit WhatsApp users' discontinuance intention (DI) following the change in WhatsApp's privacy policy.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the enabler-inhibitor model as a framework, a research model consisting of discontinuation enabler distrust (DT) and the DT's antecedents [(negative electronic word of mouth (NEWOM), negative offline word of mouth (NOWOM) and privacy invasion (PI)], discontinuation inhibitor inertia (INR) and INR's antecedents (affective commitment, switching cost and use habit) and moderator structural assurance was proposed and tested with data from 624 WhatsApp users using partial least square structure equational modeling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The results show that DT created due to NEWOM and a sense of PI significantly impact DI. However, INR has no significant impact on DI. Structural assurance significantly moderates the relationship between DT and DI.

Originality/value

The paper collected data when many WhatsApp users switched to other platforms due to the change in WhatsApp's terms of service. The timing of data collection allowed for collecting the real impact of the sense of PI compared to other studies where the effect is hypothetically induced. Further, the authors acknowledge social media providers' efforts to address privacy criticism and regain users’ trust, an area that has received little attention in prior literature.
“A powerful synergy”: the benefits and challenges of completing a doctoral program part-time while teaching full-time
Authors: Nerlino Erin
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the benefits and challenges of simultaneously participating part-time in a doctoral program and teaching full-time in the K-12 classroom.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the author used autoethnography to examine the benefits and challenges she faced as a part-time doctoral student and full-time, public high-school English language arts teacher.

Findings

The findings included that managing finite personal resources such as time and mental bandwidth constituted a challenge while simultaneously existing in both worlds created a unique perspective derived from the knowledge, ideas and events in each world constantly prompting reflection on the other. Additionally, benefits – the synergy between research and practice – and challenges – the frustration that occurred when potential crossover faced resistance – resulted from the cross-pollination between studying and teaching. Finally, inhabiting both worlds ended up changing the author’s plans, raising questions about where to go upon finishing her degree.

Originality/value

Scant research exists about part-time doctoral students in general, even less research exists on part-time students who work full-time in any profession, and even less broaches teachers’ experiences teaching full time while in a doctoral program. Given the need for classroom realities to better inform research and policy, examining the possibilities regarding part-time doctoral programs for teachers holds potential for both practice and research to speak to one another.
Cardiac involvement in a case of juvenile dermatomyositis with positive anti‐melanoma differentiation associated protein 5 antibody
Authors: Kaplan Melike Mehveş , Çelikel Elif , Güngörer Vildan , Ekici Tekin Zahide , Gürsu Hazım Alper , Polat Sanem Eryılmaz , Cinel Güzin , Çelikel Acar Banu
Published: February 2023

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is an autoimmune disease characterized by muscle weakness and specific skin lesions, as well as non‐muscular involvement such as interstitial lung disease (ILD), cardiac involvement and arthritis. Anti‐melanoma differentiation‐associated protein 5 (anti‐MDA5)‐positive JDM patients are typically characterized by the presence of skin ulcers and rapidly progressing ILD (RP‐ILD). Although cardiac involvement is not an expected involvement in anti‐MDA5‐positive JDM cases, it is significant because it can be fatal. In this report, an anti‐MDA5 myositis‐specific autoantibody‐positive JDM case referred with the diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis in whom cardiomyopathy and arrhythmia were detected in follow‐up is presented. Since cardiac involvement is associated with mortality, it would be useful to follow up anti‐MDA5 positive patients for cardiac involvement in addition to lung involvement. Tofacitinib is a promising treatment option in treatment‐resistant JDM.
The ICFR process: Perspectives of accounting executives at large public companies
Authors: Maksymov Eldar , Pickerd Jeffrey , Wilks T. Jeffrey , Williams Devin
Published: February 2023

The Sarbanes‐Oxley Act charges management with the primary responsibility for internal control over financial reporting (ICFR). However, prior research tells us little about the ICFR process from management's perspective. We develop a theoretical model of the ICFR process from management's perspective and examine that model by surveying 145 and interviewing 35 accounting executives at large US public companies. Our primary finding is that executives feel constrained in their ability to direct ICFR and hold perspectives that reflect these constraints. Specifically, most executives feel compelled by auditors to follow the PCAOB's preferences even though executives believe these preferences often tend to distract management and auditors from riskier areas. Executives also believe that audit committees' involvement in ICFR is too passive and that auditors' assessments are sometimes too severe, prompting executives to push back on auditors. Overall, executives strive to make decisions that are optimal for their ICFR, but limited resources and other business conditions, such as restructuring events and lack of qualified personnel, limit the effectiveness of their ICFR efforts. We discuss the implications of our results for practitioners, regulators, and researchers.
Optimizing buprenorphine training during undergraduate medical education: Medical student feedback and attitudes
Authors: Moses Tabitha E. H. , Waineo Eva , Levine Diane , Greenwald Mark K.
Published: February 2023

Background and Objectives

Strong evidence supports efficacy of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), but stringent prescribing policies impair access. Many physicians report discomfort prescribing MOUD due to inadequate knowledge. Most medical students believe MOUD training should occur during undergraduate medical education (UME). As legislation surrounding buprenorphine prescribing shifts, it is timely to consider how best to incorporate MOUD training into UME.

Methods

At the start of 3rd year, all students (n = 290) received a survey regarding experiences working with people with OUDs, and beliefs and knowledge regarding harm reduction and treatment. During orientation, students completed an 8‐h online MOUD training. Afterwards, students completed another survey, including questions about training perceptions.

Results

One‐third of students (32.8%) completed MOUD training and both surveys. Before training, 60.0% had not heard of the waiver, but 82.1% endorsed interest in prescribing buprenorphine. Despite mixed feelings about training content and delivery, 79.1% believed future classes should receive it. Most thought it should be integrated longitudinally throughout the curriculum rather than as separate online training.

Conclusion and Scientific Significance

Medical students want more MOUD education throughout their training; however, the 8‐h online training may be less‐than‐optimal. As this training is no longer required to prescribe buprenorphine, there is an opportunity to modify the content presented. There is an urgent need for physicians with the knowledge and willingness to treat patients with OUD. Introducing integrated training about MOUD should help future physicians feel confident in their knowledge to treat patients and comfortable applying for the waiver.
Patients' experiences with continuation or discontinuation of buprenorphine before painful procedures: A brief report
Authors: Hathaway David B. , Bhat Jasra‐Ali , Twark Claire , Rodriguez Claudia , Suzuki Joji
Published: February 2023

Background and Objectives

Patients with opioid use disorder may be asked by their clinicians to discontinue maintenance buprenorphine treatment before surgical operations due to concerns that buprenorphine will interfere with acute pain management. However, discontinuation of buprenorphine may not be well tolerated or safe for all patients. We, therefore, administered a survey to better understand the experiences of patients on buprenorphine treatment who had previously undergone painful procedures and had their buprenorphine maintenance treatment either continued or discontinued before the procedure.

Methods

After this study received institutional review board approval, patients were invited to participate if they were being prescribed sublingual buprenorphine for treatment of opioid use disorder and had also previously undergone a painful procedure requiring treatment with full agonist opioids. Patients who were eligible and agreed to participate (n = 32) then completed a survey of basic demographics; medical, psychiatric, and substance use histories; and their experience and satisfaction with the treatment of pain and substance use in the perioperative period, including whether buprenorphine was continued or discontinued before their procedure.

Results

Compared with patients whose home dose of buprenorphine was continued (n = 15), patients whose buprenorphine was discontinued preoperatively (n = 17) reported less satisfaction with pain management and were more likely to be prescribed full agonist opioids upon discharge.

Discussion and Conclusions

Consistent with prior studies, these survey findings suggest that discontinuation of buprenorphine before painful surgeries may be associated with poorer clinical outcomes.

Scientific Significance

This survey study adds patients' perspective to a growing body of scientific literature suggesting that discontinuation of maintenance buprenorphine treatment before painful procedures may decrease patient satisfaction and increase clinical risk.
Market structure and resilience of food supply chains under extreme events
Authors: Hadachek Jeffrey , Ma Meilin , Sexton Richard J.
Published: February 2023

Recent extreme events and the disruptions they caused have made food supply chain resilience a key topic for researchers and policymakers. This paper provides input into these discussions by evaluating the efficiency and resilience properties of the leading policy proposals. We develop a conceptual model of a prototype agricultural supply chain, parameterize the model based on the empirical literature, and conduct simulations to assess the impacts on resilience and economic welfare of four key policy proposals: (i) intensified antitrust enforcement to improve market competition, (ii) subsidization of entry of additional processing capacity, (iii) prevention of price spikes through anti‐price‐gouging laws, and (iv) diversification of production and processing across multiple regions. Results show that some of the policies have potential to improve supply‐chain resilience, but their impacts depend on the existing market structure, and resilience gains often come at the cost of reduced efficiency.
Do undertaking rural placements and place of origin inform where allied health graduates work in South Australia?
Authors: Puah Lee San , Gillam Marianne , Walsh Sandra , Jones Martin , Yisma Engida
Published: February 2023

Objective

To examine the principal place of practice after graduation of students who participated in the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program and allied health students' place of origin.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Participants

Graduates who completed their degree in podiatry, occupational therapy and physiotherapy in 2019.

Main Outcome Measures

Principal place of practice at first and third years after graduation.

Results

In 2020, 40 allied health professionals (AHPs) who graduated from the University of South Australia in 2019 were practising in rural areas but only 26 of them remained in the rural practice in 2022. The retention rate for rural practice was 65% within 2 years. However, in 2022, 25 allied health professionals left their metropolitan employment location and transitioned to rural practice. Of the 25 allied health graduates who joined the rural practice in 2022, most of them (80%, 20/25) had either rural exposure through the RMHT program or were from rural origin.

Conclusions

Rural exposure via the RHMT program and allied health students' rural place of origin have an important role for rural principal place of practice at first and third years after graduation.
Hair today, gone tomorrow: Analysing potential mercury exposure in 19th‐century New Zealand gold miners using Laser Ablation‐Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Parker Ruby M. , King Charlotte L. , Buckley Hallie R. , Petchey Peter , Girvan Elizabeth , Reid Malcolm
Published: February 2023

Toxic metal or element exposure has the potential to cause significant negative health effects in human populations. During the goldrushes of the colonial period, mercury amalgamation was one of the most common methods of extracting gold from alluvial deposits or crushed ore, and exposure to mercury was an occupational health hazard. In this study we examine mercury exposure in mining populations from New Zealand’s first major goldrush, which began in Central Otago in 1861. We explore mercury toxicity through laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometric analysis of archaeological hair and sediment samples associated with the Tuapeka goldfields. Our analysis highlights ubiquitous low‐level mercury exposure on the goldfields, as well as one individual with such high mercury concentrations in their hair that we suspect direct mercury intake, perhaps medicinally, rather than from environmental contamination.