bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CRISPRs for strain tracking and its application to microbiota transplantation data analysis
Authors: Lam Tony J. , Ye Yuzhen
Published: June 2018

CRISPR-Cas systems are adaptive immune systems naturally found in bacteria and archaea. Bacteria and archaea use these systems to defend against invaders, including phages, plasmids and other mobile genetic elements. Relying on integration of invader sequences (protospacers) into CRISPR loci (forming spacers flanked by repeats), CRISPR-Cas systems store genetic memory of past invasions. While CRISPR-Cas systems have evolved in response to invading mobile elements, invaders have also developed mechanisms to avoid detection. As a result of arms-race between CRISPR-Cas systems and their targets, the CRISPR arrays typically undergo rapid turnover of the spacers with removal of old spacers and acquisition of new ones. Additionally, different individuals rarely share spacers amongst their microbiome. In this paper, we developed a pipeline (called CRISPRtrack) for strain tracking based on CRISPR spacer content, and applied it to fecal transplantation microbiome data to study the retention of donor strains in recipients. Our results demonstrate the potential use of CRISPRs as a simple yet effective tool for donor strain tracking in fecal transplantation, and also as a general purpose tool for quantifying microbiome similarity.
Does being a grateful person increase one’s level of well-being? The mediating role of indebtedness
Authors: Bernabé-Valero G , Moret-Tatay C , Navarro-Sancho T
Published: June 2018

In this work, we define gratitude, paying attention to interpersonal gratitude and its relationship with dispositional debt. We examined the disposition to feel indebted through analysis of convergence and divergence, exploratory and confirmatory analysis of the most used measurement instrument. The Revised Indebtedness Scale depicted a four factor solution interrelated with a high consistency of content, which allows their labeling and describing. To do this, two samples of university students were selected; one of the sample sizes had 229 Spanish participants and the other 200 participants. Subsequently, a mediation model was tested in which the “Self-sufficiency and discomfort in receiving help” factor mediates the relationship between interpersonal gratitude and the “Positive relations with others” dimension of the Wellbeing scale. The results are discussed in relation to the need for conceptual definition of the constructs in Positive Psychology.
From Cadbury to Kay: discourse, intertextuality and the evolution of UK corporate governance
Authors: Price Michael , Harvey Charles , Maclean Mairi , Campbell David
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to answer two main research questions. First, the authors ask the degree to which the UK corporate governance code has changed in response to both systemic perturbations and the subsequent enquiries established to recommend solutions to perceived shortcomings. Second, the authors ask how the solutions proposed in these landmark governance texts might be explained.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors take a critical discourse approach to develop and apply a discourse model of corporate governance reform. The authors draw together data on popular, corporate-political and technocratic discourses on corporate governance in the UK and analyse these data using content analysis and the historical discourse approach.

Findings

The UK corporate governance code has changed little despite periodic crises and the enquiries set up to investigate and make recommendation. Institutional stasis, the authors find, is the product of discourse capture and control by elite corporate actors aided by political allies who inhabit the same elite habitus. Review group members draw intertextually on prior technocratic discourse to create new canonical texts that bear the hallmarks of their predecessors. Light touch regulation by corporate insiders thus remains the UK approach.

Originality/value

This is one of the first applications of critical discourse analysis in the accounting literature and the first to have conducted a discursive analysis of corporate governance reports in the UK. The authors present an original model of discourse transitions to explain how systemic challenges are dissipated.
Effects of blackening parameters on the formation and adhesion of oxide on AISI 4140 steel
Authors: Chandra-ambhorn Somrerk , Srihirun Sermsak , Siripongsakul Thamrongsin
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the aesthetic blackening coating formed by a hydrothermal process, focusing on the formation of magnetite and the oxide adhesion for improving the corrosion resistance of the steel.

Design/methodology/approach

The aesthetic black coating was applied on AISI 4140 steel using a hydrothermal process with a non-toxic solution consisted of ferrous sulphate hydrate (FeSO4·7H2O), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrazine hydrate (N2H4·H2O). Upon process parameters temperature and time, the morphology of the coatings and oxidation kinetics were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Furthermore, the samples with coatings were subjected to the adhesion test using a tensile testing machine equipped with a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera.

Findings

From the formation parameters due to temperature and time for the conversion coatings, it was found that the oxidation kinetics had special characteristics which were in accordance with a linear rate law and Arrhenius relation. For the samples blackened, the XRD analysis results revealed that the magnetite was successfully formed on the surface of the steel. On the other hand, increasing the blackening temperature worsened the scale adhesion as observed by the lower strain provoking the first spallation and the higher sensitivity of the oxide to spall out with the imposed strain.

Originality/value

The effects of parameters of the formation of conversion coatings were investigated to understand the kinetics of the coatings. Furthermore, a tensile adhesion test using a CCD camera was applied to evaluate the adhesion between the native oxide formed by conversion coating.
The role of spirituality in alcohol abstinence self-efficacy amongst alcoholics anonymous members
Authors: Bluma Liene
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Previous research indicates that Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) can play an effective role in alcohol use disorder recovery (Kelly, Stout, Magill, Tonigan and Pagano, 2011). Acceptance of a “Higher Power” and experiencing a “spiritual awakening” are essential components of AA recovery programme (Alcoholics Anonymous World Service, 2014). The purpose of this paper is to identify if there are high associations in levels of spirituality and alcohol abstinence self-efficacy (AASE) measures amongst AA members.

Design/methodology/approach

Self-reported measures were collected from members of AA of their spiritual and religious beliefs and their everyday experiences of alcohol abstinence. Demographic information of participant’s ethnical background, age and length of AA membership was also obtained.

Findings

The analysis revealed high levels of spirituality amongst participants with a mean of 70.14 (2dp). There was no difference in participant high or low spiritual beliefs and their attitude towards alcohol abstinence. The frequency measures of spiritual activities showed that 73.7 per cent of participants engage in private spiritual or religious activities more than once a week.

Originality/value

Overall the study supports previously conduced researches in the field of spirituality and AASE amongst AA members when considering other variables associated with sustained sobriety. The implications of the results of this study are discussed and suggestions have been made for further investigation.
Respecting the language: digitizing Native American language materials
Authors: Wise Mary , Kostelecky Sarah R.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Many academic libraries use digital humanities projects to disseminate unique materials in their collections; during project planning, librarians will consider platforms, scanning rates and project sustainability. Rarely, though, will academic librarians consider how members from the communities that created the materials can contribute to digitization projects. The purpose of this study is to explain how collaboration with Zuni Pueblo (a Native American tribe in the southwest) community members improved a digital humanities project to disseminate Zuni language learning materials.

Design/methodology/approach

Methodologically relying on critical making, which involved community member feedback throughout the process, the Zuni Language Materials Collection will provide digital access to 35 language learning items.

Findings

The authors argue that collaboration with members of the community of creation dramatically improved item description, collection discoverability and collection interactivity. This study historicizes CONTENTdm and describes how the team modified this content management system to meet user needs. This project produced a prototype digital collection, collaboratively authored metadata and an interactive portal that invites users to engage with the collection.

Practical implications

Libraries continue to struggle to reach and reflect their diverse users. This study describes a process that others may use and modify to engage nearby Native American communities.

Originality/value

This piece shares a unique strategy of partnering with Native American community members on all aspects of digital humanities project development and design. This case study attempts to fill a gap in the literature as the first study to describe a digitization process using CONTENTdm with a Native American community.
Factors inhibiting the internet adoption by base of the pyramid in India
Authors: Chauhan Sumedha , Gupta Parul , Jaiswal Mahadeo
Published: June 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the factors inhibiting the internet adoption among base of pyramid (BoP) and to develop further insights of such factors.

Design/methodology/approach

Researchers used a mixed-method study with QUAL/QUAN sequence in this research. Given the dearth of research on the internet usage by the BoP segment in India, the authors began with the exploratory qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews in local language were carried out with the people belonging to the BoP segment in India using common interview protocol. Face-to-face interviews were conducted for 20-30 min with ten people. Thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006) was conducted on the interview transcripts which lead to five themes. These themes were identified as the potential inhibitors to the internet adoption by the BoP segment in India. This step was further followed by a confirmatory quantitative study.

Findings

The results confirm that the factors such as lack of digital literacy, complexity and language barrier play a significant role in inhibiting the internet adoption by the BoP segment. However, there is no impact of perceived risk and cost on the internet adoption. The significant relationship between lack of digital literacy and intention to use implies that if the BoP segment is capable to locate, evaluate and use digital information, it is more likely to use the internet. Similarly, the relationship between complexity and the intention to use suggests that if the BoP segment finds it easy to use and understand the internet, it is more likely to use it.

Practical implications

This research has the implications for government departments and policymakers that are responsible for promoting use of the internet. Therefore, such departments and policymakers are advised to channelize their effort on resting the digital literacy, especially in terms of internet adoption. Findings of this study show that digital literacy, complexity and language barriers are major inhabitants in the internet adoption. Directed and focused government policies and initiatives such as subsidized seminars and training programmes specially designed for the BoP segment can help in increasing internet adoption.

Social implications

The adoption and use of the internet services by BoP have major implications for digital equality. Therefore, it would be important to explore the factors inhibiting the internet adoption among BoP.

Originality/value

This paper not only explores the factors inhibiting internet adoption among BoP in developing countries such as India but also provides deeper insights to these factors by collecting first-hand information from target segment. The finding of this research provides meaningful inputs to policymakers and also to industry to remove digital divide in the target population. This is how this research adds value to the existing knowledge available in this domain and it also provides agenda for future research.
The effect of perceived security and grievance redressal on continuance intention to use M-wallets in a developing country
Authors: Kumar Anup , Adlakaha Amit , Mukherjee Kampan
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Many developing countries, including India, are committed to curbing black money from the economy. Therefore, these countries are focusing on a transparent online transaction facility. M-wallets are one online option facilitated by various companies using a mobile application. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of perceived usefulness, perceived security, perceived ease of use, trust, grievance redressal and satisfaction on young users’ intention to continually use M-wallet in India.

Design/methodology/approach

A research framework based on the expectation–confirmation theory has been formulated and tested empirically using data from M-wallets young users in India using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The analysis reveals that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use significantly affect user satisfaction and intention to continually use M-wallets. The effect of perceived security on user satisfaction is significant, and grievance redressal mediates the effect of perceived security on intention to continually use M-wallets.

Practical implications

The outcome of the research will help M-wallet service providers and policy makers in planning the service and increasing customer’ continuance intention.

Originality/value

The uniqueness of this research is that it adds two important constructs for mobile payment systems (grievance redressal and perceived security) that were missing in the earlier model proposed by Zhou (2013). The addition of the two constructs helped in formulating a better model.
Developing the fifth generation port concept model: an empirical test
Authors: Lee Paul Tae-Woo , Lam Jasmine Siu Lee , Lin Cheng-Wei , Hu Kai-Chieh , Cheong Inkyo
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the 5GP concept with measurement of the performance of Busan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai ports, employing a hybrid method of consistent fuzzy preference relation (CFPR), VIsekriterijumska Optimizacija i KOmpromisno Resenje (VIKOR) and PROMETHEE.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed the concept of the fifth generation ports (5GPs), and apply CFPR, VIKOR and preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluations (PROMETHEE) to evaluate the 5GPs.

Findings

The performance of the ports of Hong Kong and Singapore is close to meet the definition of 5GP criteria. On the contrary, ports of Busan and Shanghai are still behind the 5GP stage in light of the majority of the evaluation criteria’s performance.

Research limitations/implications

This paper studies four ports. More empirical tests are needed to verify the applicability of the 5GP concept toward other ports.

Practical implications

The findings provided port managers with the insight of how to improve their port to meet the criteria of 5GP.

Social implications

New criteria and higher expectations of existing requirements present challenges to port managers for a need to raise the bar of service standards and develop new competencies.

Originality/value

The authors developed the concept of the 5GPs. Newly developed 5GP contributes to expanding the concepts of first to fourth generation ports developed by UNCTAD.
Sports brand positioning
Authors: Lee J. Lucy , Kim Yukyoum , Won June
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the location of sport brands in sport consumers’ minds using a perceptual map of multiple positions; and examine whether there is congruence between the sport brands’ purported images and the targeted consumers’ perception of the brands’ images.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed method was used. Four steps of data collections (i.e. face-to-face, focus group interviews, and questionnaires) and analyses (i.e. content analysis, MDS analysis, PROXSCAL analysis, multiple regressions analysis, frequency analysis, and congruence score) were performed.

Findings

Four positioning typologies (i.e. great quality equipment, equipment for professionals, innovation, and tradition) were identified; each brand’s positions in consumers’ minds were distinctly portrayed in the perceptual map; and the congruence between intended and perceived positions was found in two brands – Titleist and Ping – implying they established a high position-congruity and providing evidence of positioning effectiveness.

Practical implications

The findings will aid practitioners and scholars in positioning and its effectiveness: the results provide information for managers to select, implement, and manage effective positioning strategies and the study provides initial evidence about whether companies and their brands are well-positioned in the sport consumer’s perception.

Originality/value

The authors attempt to examine how consumers perceive brands and how effectively brand positions are portrayed in consumers’ minds. The effectiveness and competitiveness of positioning strategies were examined via a perceptional map.
Engaging collaborative communities: dialogue and campus sexual assault
Authors: Madden Stephanie
Published: June 2018

Purpose

While universities continue to grow increasingly sophisticated in their communication functions, issues like sexual assault continue to pose a challenge. One reason is that these issues are emotional, complex, and often only dealt with at the point that they have become a crisis for the institution. The purpose of this paper is to understand the role that dialogue can play in proactively communicating about issues of sexual assault.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilized 32 in-depth interviews with university officials from 21 different universities across the USA with responsibility for communicating about issues of sexual assault, including Title IX officers, victims advocate services, student affairs, and university communications.

Findings

Issues managers worked to create opportunities for dialogue on their campus communities by highlighting shared values. Within a dialogic framework, university issues managers were creating spaces for dialogue and developing alternative forms of engagement in an effort to empower students with the necessary skills to engage in dialogue with their peers. There was a recognition that dialogue is most effective when it is peer-to-peer vs coming from an authoritative or administrative position. Issues managers helped students to develop the skills necessary for engaging in dialogue with each other.

Originality/value

To advance public relations scholarship, there is a need to consider emotional and gendered issues that are often stigmatized. This can help practitioners to develop better, and proactive, communication strategies for handling issues of sexual assault as to avoid negative media attention and work to change organizational culture.
The effects of conventional and unconventional FDI on the host country
Authors: Parc Jimmyn , Jung Jin Sup
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and compare the effects of conventional and unconventional FDI on the host country in a more comprehensive and systematic way.

Design/methodology/approach

Both the OLI paradigm and the imbalance theory are linked to the diamond model in order to compare the effects of conventional and unconventional FDI on the host country. This methodology is then applied to the real world as a case study, FDI toward the Korean automobile industry.

Findings

Conventional FDI is often said to be more beneficial to the host country than the unconventional type. However, the actual effect of unconventional FDI is shown to be more positive with better management and is often larger than perceived. Therefore, unconventional FDI emerges as important as conventional FDI for sustainable economic development.

Practical implications

In general, unconventional FDI has often been criticized severely because of misperceptions derived from the dominance of conventional FDI on theoretical aspects, incomprehensive perspectives toward assessing the effects of FDI, and negative political views. Therefore, rigorous and holistic case study analyses based on solid analytical tools are needed in order to better understand the effects of unconventional FDI and to draw up effective and proper FDI promotion policies.

Originality/value

This paper provides a way to better understand the effect of unconventional FDI on the host country comprehensively and systematically by expanding and deepening existing theories. Based on this, the effects of conventional and unconventional FDI on the host country are compared theoretically and empirically, particularly with the case of the Korean automobile industry.
Exploring consumer attitudes and purchasing intentions of cross-border online shopping in Korea
Authors: Han Bangwool , Kim Minho , Lee Jaehoon
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Using the theory of planned behavior as its basis, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships among beliefs about electronic service quality (E-S-QUAL); consumers’ need for uniqueness (CNFU); and beliefs about perceived behavioral control, expectations of important others, and cross-border online purchasing behavioral intention. The effects of E-S-QUAL and CNFU on attitude are examined with data collected from Korean consumers who have cross-border online purchasing experience.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors evaluate the research model in this study and test the hypotheses using partial least squares, an OLS regression-based estimation method that focuses on predicting independent variables hypothesized to have a causal relationship that maximizes the explanatory variance of the dependent variable.

Findings

Analysis of the data emphasizes that beliefs about E-S-QUAL and CNFU positively affect attitudes toward buying online from international sites, which in turn positively affect purchasing intention. Also, beliefs about self-efficacy and normative structure regarding cross-border online purchasing positively affect behavioral intentions.

Originality/value

This paper develops a conceptual model explaining consumers’ intentions to shop online across national borders. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, none of the previous studies have particularly mentioned the associations between beliefs about e-service quality and actual behavioral intentions in the context of cross-border online shopping. Also, the important role of CNFU has been ignored as one of the factors that can affect consumers’ decisions to shop online beyond national borders. In regard to this matter, the authors aim to investigate cross-border online shopping factors that can help international e-commerce gain a better understanding of the needs of their consumers.
Insider dealer or unknowing participant: HK court of appeal confirms SFC’s broad powers to pursue insider dealing and fraud offences
Authors: Hughes Gareth , Comber James , Austin Emily
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of a recent Court of Appeal case regarding the Securities and Futures Commission’s (SFC’s) powers to seek remedial orders with respect to market misconduct.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper summarises the decision of the Court of First Instance and the judgement on appeal to the Court of Appeal, and the practical implications for financial institutions in preventing and detecting the disclosure and use of confidential material price-sensitive information.

Findings

The Court of Appeal’s decision reconfirms the extensive powers of the SFC to pursue conduct involving insider dealing, including where this involves trading in overseas-listed shares and a substantial measure of the elements of the offence that occurred in Hong Kong. The decision also affirms the breadth of the SFC’s powers to seek remedial orders against anyone involved in such offences, even where the person is unaware of the particular contravention.

Practical implications

Organisations should ensure they have adequate systems and controls established to prevent and detect the disclosure or use by employees of confidential material price-sensitive information, including strong information barriers. Insider dealing policies should also expressly cover both Hong Kong and overseas-listed securities, and employees should be given regular training to ensure that they are aware of their obligations with respect to such inside information.

Originality/value

This paper presents a summary that assesses developments in the case of law regarding the SFC’s powers to pursue remedial orders by experienced contentious regulatory lawyers.
Emotional intelligence, management of subordinate’s emotions, and leadership effectiveness
Authors: Edelman Peter , van Knippenberg Daan
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address two of the major questions in the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and leadership effectiveness: does EI conceptualized and assessed as an ability influence leadership effectiveness when controlling for cognitive intelligence and Big Five personality traits? And, what are mediating processes in this relationship?

Design/methodology/approach

Ability test data for EI for 84 leaders in an assessment center were used to predict unobtrusive observations of leader responses to subordinate’s emotions in a role play, and expert ratings of leadership effectiveness, controlling for cognitive ability and Big Five personality traits.

Findings

EI predicted the appropriateness of leader responses to subordinate’s emotions, and these responses mediated the relationships of EI and leadership effectiveness, controlling for cognitive ability and Big Five personality traits.

Research limitations/implications

The assessment center context represents a relatively artificial environment and follow-up research in field settings would be particularly valuable.

Practical implications

EI can be assessed as a selection tool for leadership positions. Leadership development programs can also focus on developing the skills associated with EI.

Originality/value

The study provides stronger evidence for the relationship between EI and leadership effectiveness than previous research, bolstering the confidence in conclusions regarding this relationship. The study also contributes to the development of process models of the influence of EI on leadership effectiveness by providing evidence regarding mediation.
The robustness of portfolio efficient frontiers
Authors: Pavlou Antonis , Doumpos Michalis , Zopounidis Constantin
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The optimization of investment portfolios is a topic of major importance in financial decision making, with many relevant models available in the relevant literature. The purpose of this paper is to perform a thorough comparative assessment of different bi-objective models as well as multi-objective one, in terms of the performance and robustness of the whole set of Pareto optimal portfolios.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, three bi-objective models are considered (mean-variance (MV), mean absolute deviation, conditional value-at-risk (CVaR)), as well as a multi-objective model. An extensive comparison is performed using data from the Standard and Poor’s 500 index, over the period 2005–2016, through a rolling-window testing scheme. The results are analyzed using novel performance indicators representing the deviations between historical (estimated) efficient frontiers, actual out-of-sample efficient frontiers and realized out-of-sample portfolio results.

Findings

The obtained results indicate that the well-known MV model provides quite robust results compared to other bi-objective optimization models. On the other hand, the CVaR model appears to be the least robust model. The multi-objective approach offers results which are well balanced and quite competitive against simpler bi-objective models, in terms of out-of-sample performance.

Originality/value

This is the first comparative study of portfolio optimization models that examines the performance of the whole set of efficient portfolios, proposing analytical ways to assess their stability and robustness over time. Moreover, an extensive out-of-sample testing of a multi-objective portfolio optimization model is performed, through a rolling-window scheme, in contrast static results in prior works. The insights derived from the obtained results could be used to design improved and more robust portfolio optimization models, focusing on a multi-objective setting.
Optimal multiobjective design of a vehicle restraint system using pre-acting control
Authors: Moita Paulo Jorge Pires , Aguilar Madeira José Firmino , Valido Aníbal J.J. , Cardoso João Barradas
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to perform the limiting performance analysis of a vehicle restraint system (seat belt) in order to find the optimal control force, and its pre-acting time that minimizes the risk of injury.

Design/methodology/approach

A discrete model of the human thorax is used. A multiobjective optimum design problem is formulated in order to minimize the risk of injuries in case of impact. Several injury criteria are minimized and are required to remain below a safety threshold value.

Findings

The authors found which of the objectives are contradictory and which are not. Several of the optimal sets of design variables are analyzed and their performance compared to one another. The results are also compared to the case of not taking in account the pre-acting time. As expected, the results in this case are worse.

Research limitations/implications

As with all limiting performance analysis, the technological implementation restraints of the control force are not taken into account. As such, the solutions must be considered a benchmark to which the actual solution can be compared to.

Practical implications

The limiting performance analysis concept allows us to have a theoretical benchmark to which the real control performance can be compared to.

Originality/value

As far as the authors know, the pre-acting time, and its implications on the improvement of the performance of the control system, is an original contribution to the problem the authors tried to solve.
Research on e-commerce customer repeat purchase behavior and purchase stickiness
Authors: Lu Meili , Ye Zuoliang , Yan Yufei
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the regularity of the e-commerce customer repeat purchase behavior, and provide new ideas and methods for e-commerce vendor’s e-commerce customer management.

Design/methodology/approach

Through analysis of the priority in activity mechanism and new customers’ dynamic growth in customer’s purchase behavior, this paper builds a model of the customer’s purchase frequency, which can be verified by the empirical data gathered from www.taobao.com, www.jd.com, www.yhd.com and www.amazon.com.

Findings

This paper discovers the regularity that the customer’s purchase frequency obeys power law distribution. Empirical data show that this model can represent the real repeat purchase process well. At the same time, it provides the theoretical basis for the vendor regional management by introducing the concept of stickiness and the corresponding methods of calculation.

Research/limitations/implications

This study only focuses on the basic model of e-commerce customer’s repeat purchase and lack of study on influence factors about the characteristics of different vendors and it needs to make extensions considering fluctuation of new customers, or customer aging and loss.

Practical/implications

This study provides a theoretical basis for vendor to take different marketing strategies through classifying customers based on the characteristic of purchase stickiness.

Originality/value

The definition and calculation method of purchase stickiness is put forward for the first time, and the value of purchase stickiness changes with the number of purchase. It provides the theoretical basis for the vendor regional management, and will be good for further studying the e-commerce market about customer’s purchase behavior.
The impact of corporate environmental responsibility strategy on brand sustainability
Authors: Long Chengzhi , Lin Jing
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Though enormous research studies were conducted on corporate environmental responsibility (CER), few of them could empirically justify how CER helps to improve firm’s competitive advantage and firms are still hesitant to incorporate CER with their business strategy at present. The purpose of this paper is to theoretically and empirically explore how the CER strategy could help the firm to gain competitive advantage in Chinese context, particularly in terms of achieving brand sustainability (BS).

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, 310 listed companies in China were chosen as research sample. First, the CER strategies were classified into developing eco-friendly products, adopting EMAS or other eco-management, enhancing the impact of CER through value chain and charitable CER. Second, BS is constructed as two dimensions, i.e. resource-acquisition and consumer impact. Accordingly, this paper analyzed the relationship between CER and BS with regression model analysis, taking account of several moderating and control variables.

Findings

The results indicate that CER strategies have positive effect on BS. Among all CER strategies, developing eco-friendly products and charitable CER undertakings are the most effective ones to promote BS performance. Also, the paper found that the length of time in adopting CER strategy moderates the effect of CER on BS. The empirical evidence proves that CER strategies could enhance the brand value in terms of BS and help the company to gain competitive advantage.

Research limitations/implications

First, most of our samples are of the state-owned enterprises, so our assumption might not be applicable to other types of business. Second, corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication is an important factor in the relation between CSR and corporate performance, but it is not taken into account in this study. Third, the difference in industries and ownership in this research is out of concern.

Practical implications

As this paper has provided empirical evidence to reveal the effectiveness of different CER strategies, firms in China could be more motivated to undertake CER not only for the sake of environment but also for their brand value and competitive advantage. More importantly, this paper could be a valuable reference for the firms in China to choose suitable and effective CER strategies, as proved in this study, to gain competitive advantage in the market.

Originality/value

At first, while public environmental awareness has improved gradually, we introduce the BS concept to explain how the CER strategies affect CCA. This approach gives us another perspective to highlight the relationship between these two constructs. Second, we conducted our research from practical perspective to explore how to apply the CER undertakings as the company’s strategy. Third, we conducted our empirical research in Chinese context, which will enrich the theoretical CER and CSR literature.
Doing good deeds at a constant speed
Authors: Zhang Lin , Mo Shenjiang , Chen Honghui
Published: June 2018

Purpose

From an institutional perspective, this study empirically examines whether institutional pressures, such as industry pressures and public attention, significantly influence corporate philanthropic disaster responses (CPDRs). Furthermore, this paper aims to examine the moderating role of a company’s prior history of philanthropic donation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses secondhand data from 217 Chinese listed companies that responded philanthropically to the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake.

Findings

This paper finds that both industry pressure and public attention are positively associated with companies’ donations; their prior history of philanthropic donations significantly moderates these relationships such that these relationships become stronger and for companies that have prior histories of small philanthropic donations.

Originality/value

First, this paper contributes to the philanthropy literature by identifying two kinds of institutional pressures (i.e. industry pressure and public attention) that exert great influences on CPDR contributions. Second, by studying the moderating role of firms’ prior philanthropic history, this study contributes to the understanding of companies’ different reactions to institutional pressures. In addition to the theoretical contribution, this paper encourages companies to proactively establish a sustainable philanthropic giving plan rather than being passively driven by external stakeholders.
An overview of textile and apparel business advances in Ethiopia
Authors: Khurana Karan
Published: June 2018

Purpose

One of the oldest civilizations of Africa, Ethiopia is today at the advent of industrialization in various business sectors. Agriculture being a primary source of income (50 per cent of the GDP) is now transforming into more dynamic and new sectors. Textile and apparel is one of the sectors that has received a lot of attention from the government and the objective is to become sourcing destinations of the world. The purpose of the paper is to provide an overview of the current advances to the stakeholders, academia and industry from concept to the consumer. The aim of the paper is to present a transition of advances made in textile and apparel business that the country has made in the past decade and also to examine the potential of the consumer for this country. The consumer in the country is young and brings a lot of novel opportunities for textile and apparel industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This analysis is an empirical journey of the author’s research in academia and textile and apparel industry in Ethiopia.

Findings

This paper establishes a connection between the stakeholders, academia, industry and beneficiaries of this business so that it could become a guideline for future business investors. It also highlights the problems within this sector and provides a clear idea for domestic companies to compete with global competitors in terms of upcoming future business trends.

Originality/value

Presently, in the atmosphere of fashion and textiles, there is air about Ethiopia being the next manufacturing hub of the world in Africa. However, no academic literature is available which summarizes the opportunities and tasks in this industry, and this paper caters to the need of the hour.
Enhancing the performance of supplier involvement in new product development: the enabling roles of social media and firm capabilities
Authors: Cheng Colin C.J. , Krumwiede Dennis
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Drawing on complementarity theory, the purpose of this study is to posit that social media use enhances the effect of supplier involvement on new product development (NPD) performance, while two key firm capabilities further enhance the moderating effect of social media use: market and technological knowledge-processing capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypotheses, the authors used a longitudinal survey of 367 firms, from seven major manufacturing industries: information technology (22.1 per cent), automotive industry (19.6 per cent), chemicals (18.2 per cent), textiles (13.3 per cent), machinery (12.5 per cent), energy (10.1 per cent) and others (4.1 per cent).

Findings

The results support the expectation that social media use and two firm capabilities (market and technological knowledge-processing capabilities) enhance the effect of supplier involvement on NPD performance in terms of product innovativeness, market performance and financial performance. Interestingly, post-hoc analyses indicate that supplier involvement has an inverted U-shaped relationship with product innovativeness. In addition, social media use not only strengthens the positive effect of, but also alleviates the negative effect of, supplier involvement in product innovativeness.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study provide new evidence that supply chain members’ use of social media better enables them to enhance their innovation performance with supplier involvement.

Practical implications

This study provides practical direction to help manufacturing managers enhance innovation performance outcomes of supplier involvement.

Originality/value

This study makes an original contribution to the supply chain literature by empirically demonstrating the key enablers that increase the efficacy of supplier involvement.
An improved diagnosis technique for breast cancer using LCFS and TreeHiCARe classifier model
Authors: Nagthane Deepika Kishor , Rajurkar Archana M.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

One of the main reasons for increase in mortality rate in woman is breast cancer. Accurate early detection of breast cancer seems to be the only solution for diagnosis. In the field of breast cancer research, many new computer-aided diagnosis systems have been developed to reduce the diagnostic test false positives because of the subtle appearance of breast cancer tissues. The purpose of this study is to develop the diagnosis technique for breast cancer using LCFS and TreeHiCARe classifier model.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed diagnosis methodology initiates with the pre-processing procedure. Subsequently, feature extraction is performed. In feature extraction, the image features which preserve the characteristics of the breast tissues are extracted. Consequently, feature selection is performed by the proposed least-mean-square (LMS)-Cuckoo search feature selection (LCFS) algorithm. The feature selection from the vast range of the features extracted from the images is performed with the help of the optimal cut point provided by the LCS algorithm. Then, the image transaction database table is developed using the keywords of the training images and feature vectors. The transaction resembles the itemset and the association rules are generated from the transaction representation based ona priorialgorithm with high conviction ratio and lift. After association rule generation, the proposed TreeHiCARe classifier model emanates in the diagnosis methodology. In TreeHICARe classifier, a new feature index is developed for the selection of a central feature for the decision tree centered on which the classification of images into normal or abnormal is performed.

Findings

The performance of the proposed method is validated over existing works using accuracy, sensitivity and specificity measures. The experimentation of proposed method on Mammographic Image Analysis Society database resulted in classification of normal and abnormal cancerous mammogram images with an accuracy of 0.8289, sensitivity of 0.9333 and specificity of 0.7273.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a new approach for the breast cancer diagnosis system by using mammogram images. The proposed method uses two new algorithms: LCFS and TreeHiCARe. LCFS is used to select optimal feature split points, and TreeHiCARe is the decision tree classifier model based on association rule agreements.
Measuring the Rarity of Fingerprint Patterns in the Dutch Population Using an Extended Classification Set
Authors: de Jongh Arent , Lubach Anko R. , Lie Kwie Sheryl L. , Alberink Ivo
Published: June 2018

Latent print examiners often use their experience and knowledge to reach a conclusion on the identity of the source. Their conclusion is primarily based on their personal opinion on the rarity of the matching fingerprint features. Fingerprint patterns, if present, can play a significant role in the final assessment of a match. The authors believe that statistical data on the rarity of fingerprint patterns strengthens the subjective evaluation of the corresponding information. In order to provide fingerprint examiners with additional numerical support, fingerprint patterns were manually classified in a set of 24,104 fingerprints. In this study the frequencies of occurrence of 35 different fingerprint patterns have been obtained. The frequency data presented in this study can be used in the ACE‐V process applied in forensic casework, allowing for the assessment of the evidential strength related to a specific fingerprint pattern type.
COMPETITION AND MEMORY IN AN EPHEBIC VICTOR LIST FROM HERACLEA PONTICA
Authors: KENNELL NIGEL M.
Published: June 2018

An inscription from Heraclea Pontica recording the names of victors in competitions in the city's gymnasium provides a glimpse into the activity and ideology of its citizen training system in the Roman period. Unusually for the time, several of the competitions are military in nature. In this article I present a new restoration of the text, which removes several anomalies in the published version, and explore the text's implications for our understanding of the later Greek ephebate.
A morphometric and stereological study on cervical spinal cord segment of goose
Authors: Çakmak Gamze , Karadağ Hüseyin , Ragbetli Murat Cetin , Yildirim Serkan , Yilmaz Osman
Published: June 2018

In this study, volume density of white matter and grey matter areas of cervical segment of spinal cord in adult geese weighing 3–4 kg was examined using stereological methods. 10 geese were used as material without sex discrimination. All animals underwent perfusion with 10% buffered formaldehyde. Following the perfusion, animals were kept in 10% formaldehyde for 1 week. Geese were then dissected. Cervical area of spinal cord was revealed removing cervical spine. Tissue samples were obtained from each segment of cervical area. 5 μm thick cross‐sections were taken from these tissue samples via microtome. Series of cross‐sections were obtained by sampling in the ratio of 1/250 including 12 cross‐sections from each cervical segment of every animal. Cross‐sections were stained by haematoxylin eosin. They were photographed under microscope. Volume density (volume fractions) of both whole tissue and white matter and grey matter parts in each cervical segment of spinal cord were calculated using Cavalieri’s Principle. In the study, total volume of cervical segment, volume of white matter and grey matter, and ratios of these volumes one another were assessed in goose.