bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A review of the effectiveness of blanket curtailment strategies in reducing bat fatalities at terrestrial wind farms in North America
Authors: Adams Evan M. , Gulka Julia , Williams Kathryn A.
Published: August 2021

Blanket curtailment of turbine operations during low wind conditions has become an accepted operational minimization tactic to reduce bat mortality at terrestrial wind facilities. Site-specific studies have demonstrated that operational curtailment effectively reduces impacts, but the exact nature of the relationship between increased cut-in speed and fatality reduction in bats remains unclear. To evaluate the efficacy of differing blanket curtailment regimes in reducing bat fatality, we examined data from turbine curtailment experiments in the United States and Canada in a meta-analysis framework. We tested multiple statistical models to explore possible linear and non-linear relationships between turbine cut-in speed and bat fatality reduction while controlling for control cut-in speed. Because the overall sample size for this meta-analysis was small (n = 36 control-treatment studies from 16 field sites from the American Wind Wildlife Information Center and a recent review), we conducted a power analysis to assess the number of control-impact curtailment studies that would be needed to understand the relationship between fatality rate and change in cut-in speed under different fatality reduction scenarios. We also identified the characteristics of individual field studies that may influence their power to detect fatality reduction due to curtailment. Using a response ratio approach, we found any curtailment strategy reduced fatality rates by 56% for studies included in this analysis (p < 0.001). However, we did not find strong evidence for linear (p =0 0.07) or non-linear (p > 0.11) associations between increasing cut-in speeds and fatality reduction. The power analyses showed that the power to detect effects in the meta-analysis was low if fatality reductions were less than 50%. Synthesizing across all analyses, we need more well-designed curtailment studies to determine the effect of increasing curtailment speed and the effect size is likely of a magnitude that we had limited power to detect.
Machine learning predicts translation initiation sites in neurologic diseases with expanded repeats
Authors: Gleason Alec C. , Ghadge Ghanashyam , Chen Jin , Sonobe Yoshifumi , Roos Raymond P.
Published: August 2021

A number of neurologic diseases, including a form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and others associated with expanded nucleotide repeats have an unconventional form of translation called repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation. Repeat protein products accumulate and are hypothesized to contribute to disease pathogenesis. It has been speculated that the repeat regions in the RNA fold into secondary structures in a length-dependent manner, promoting RAN translation. Additionally, nucleotides that flank the repeat region, especially ones closest to the initiation site, are believed to enhance translation initiation. Recently, a machine learning model based on a large number of flanking nucleotides has been proposed for identifying translation initiation sites. However, most likely due to its extensive feature selection and limited training data, the model has diminished predictive power. Here, we overcome this limitation and increase prediction accuracy by a) capturing the effect of nucleotides most critical for translation initiation via feature reduction, b) implementing an alternative machine learning algorithm better suited for limited data, c) building comprehensive and balanced training data (via samplingwithoutreplacement) that includes previously unavailable sequences, and, d) splitting ATG and near-cognate translation initiation codon data to train two separate models. We also design a supplementary scoring system to provide an additional prognostic assessment of model predictions. The resultant models have high performance, with 85.00-87.79% accuracy exceeding that of the previously published model by >18%. The models presented here are then used to identify translation initiation sites in genes associated with a number of neurologic repeat expansion disorders. The results confirm a number of experimentally discovered sites of translation initiation upstream of the expanded repeats and predict many sites that are not yet established.
Primate-specific cis- and trans-regulators shape transcriptional networks during human development
Authors: Pontis Julien , Pulver Cyril , Planet Evarist , Grun Delphine , Offner Sandra , Duc Julien , Manfrin Andrea , Lutolf Matthias , Trono Didier
Published: August 2021

The human genome contains more than 4.5 million inserts derived from transposable elements (TE), the result of recurrent waves of invasion and internal propagation throughout evolution. For new TE copies to be inherited, they must become integrated in the genome of the germline or preimplantation embryo, which requires that their source TE be expressed at these stages. Accordingly, many TEs harbor DNA binding sites for the pluripotency factors OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, KLFs and are transiently expressed during embryonic genome activation. Here, we describe how many primate-restricted TEs have additional binding sites for lineage-specific transcription factors driving their expression during human gastrulation and later steps of fetal development. These TE integrants serve as lineage-specific enhancers fostering the transcription, amongst other targets, of KRAB-zinc finger proteins of similar evolutionary age, which in turn corral the activity of TE-embedded regulatory sequences in an equally lineage-restricted fashion. Thus, TEs and their KZFP controllers play broad roles in shaping transcriptional networks during early human development.
The human ribosomal DNA array is composed of highly homogenized tandem clusters
Authors: Hori Yutaro , Shimamoto Akira , Kobayashi Takehiko
Published: August 2021

The structure of the human ribosomal DNA (rDNA) cluster has traditionally been hard to analyze owing to its highly repetitive nature. However, the recent development of long-read sequencing technology, such as Oxford Nanopore sequencing, has enabled us to study the large-scale structure of the genome. Using this technology, we found that human cells have a quite regular rDNA structure. Although each human rDNA copy has some variations in its noncoding region, contiguous copies of rDNA are similar, suggesting that homogenization through gene conversion frequently occurs between copies. Analysis of rDNA methylation by Nanopore sequencing further showed that all the noncoding regions are heavily methylated, whereas about half of the coding regions are clearly unmethylated. The ratio of unmethylated copies, which are speculated to be transcriptionally active, was lower in individuals with a higher rDNA copy number, suggesting that there is a mechanism that keeps the active copy number stable. In addition, the rDNA in progeroid syndrome patient cells with reduced DNA repair activity had more unstable copies compared with control normal cells, although the rate was much lower than previously reported using a fiber-FISH method. Collectively, our results clarify the view of rDNA stability and transcription regulation in human cells, indicating the presence of mechanisms for both homogenizations to ensure sequence quality and maintenance of active copies for cellular functions.
Estimation and fingerprinting of the size distribution of non-interacting spherical particles from small-angle scattering data
Authors: Sen Debasis , Kumar Ashwani , Das Avik , Bahadur Jitendra
Published: August 2021

A new method to estimate the size distribution of non-interacting colloidal particles from small-angle scattering data is presented. The method demonstrates that the distribution can be efficiently retrieved through features of the scattering data when plotted in the Porod representation, thus avoiding the standard fitting procedure of nonlinear least squares. The present approach is elaborated using log-normal and Weibull distributions. The method can differentiate whether the distribution actually follows the functionality of either of these two distributions, unlike the standard fitting procedure which requires a prior assumption of the functionality of the distribution. After validation with various simulated scattering profiles, the formalism is used to estimate the size distribution from experimental small-angle X-ray scattering data from two different dilute dispersions of silica. At present the method is limited to monomodal distributions of dilute spherical particles only.
Experimental noise in small-angle scattering can be assessed using the Bayesian indirect Fourier transformation
Authors: Larsen Andreas Haahr , Pedersen Martin Cramer
Published: August 2021

Small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering are widely used to investigate soft matter and biophysical systems. The experimental errors are essential when assessing how well a hypothesized model fits the data. Likewise, they are important when weights are assigned to multiple data sets used to refine the same model. Therefore, it is problematic when experimental errors are over- or underestimated. A method is presented, using Bayesian indirect Fourier transformation for small-angle scattering data, to assess whether or not a given small-angle scattering data set has over- or underestimated experimental errors. The method is effective on both simulated and experimental data, and can be used to assess and rescale the errors accordingly. Even if the estimated experimental errors are appropriate, it is ambiguous whether or not a model fits sufficiently well, as the `true' reduced χ2 of the data is not necessarily unity. This is particularly relevant for approaches where overfitting is an inherent challenge, such as reweighting of a simulated molecular dynamics trajectory against small-angle scattering data or ab initio modelling. Using the outlined method, it is shown that one can determine what reduced χ2 to aim for when fitting a model against small-angle scattering data. The method is easily accessible via the web interface BayesApp.
Bubble-induced fast crystal growth of indomethacin polymorphs in a supercooled liquid
Authors: Shi Qin , Li Fang , Xu Jia , Wu Lingling , Xin Junbo , Chen Hao , Ling Bai
Published: August 2021

Physical stability is one of the main challenges when developing robust amorphous pharmaceutical formulations. This article reports fast crystal growth behaviors of the γ and α forms of indomethacin (IMC) initiated by bubbles in the interior of a supercooled liquid. Bubble-induced crystal growth of γ-IMC exhibits approximately the same kinetics as its surface crystal growth, supporting the view that bubble-induced crystal growth is a surface-facilitated process. In contrast, the rates of bubble-induced crystal growth of α-IMC are much faster than those of its surface crystal growth. These results indicate that the bubble-induced crystal growth not only depends on the interface created by the bubble but also strongly correlates with the true cavitation of the bubble. Moreover, bubble-induced fast crystal growth of γ- and α-IMC can be terminated at different temperatures by cooling. These outcomes are meaningful for the in-depth understanding of physical stability and pre-formulation study of amorphous pharmaceutical solids showing surface-facilitated crystal growth.
Influence of high-temperature aluminizing treatment on the corrosion resistance of 90/10 copper-nickel alloy
Authors: Gao Yuhang , Chen Xiaohong , Liu Ping , Zhou Honglei , Fu Shaoli , Li Wei , Liu Xinkuan , Ma Fengcang , Zhu Yanbo , Wu Jiayan
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of coatings prepared by the addition of copper-aluminum alloy powder on the corrosion behavior of 90/10 copper-nickel alloy.

Design/methodology/approach

Coatings of copper-aluminum alloy powder at different contents (Wt.% = 50%, 60%, 70% and 80%) were prepared by the high-temperature heat treatment process. The microstructure and component of the coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectrometer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties of the coating were explored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Findings

The results show that the aluminized layer was successfully constructed on the surface of 90/10 copper-nickel alloy, the composition of the coating was composed of copper-aluminum phase and aluminum-nickel phase, the existence of the aluminum-nickel phase was formed by the diffusion of Ni elements within the substrate and because of the diffusion, the Al-Ni phase was distributed in the middle and bottom of the coating more. The Al-Ni phase is considered to be the enhanced phase for corrosion resistance. When the copper-aluminum alloy powder content is 70 Wt.%, the corrosion resistance is the best.

Originality/value

The enhancement of corrosion resistance of 90/10 copper-nickel alloy by the copper-aluminum alloy powder was revealed, the composition of the aluminized layer and the mechanism of corrosion resistance were discussed.
Design improvement of air deployable parachute for high altitude launch ofpayload based on investigationand experimentation
Authors: Pratap Mahendra , Agrawal Anil Kumar , Sati Subhash Chandra , Saxena Arun Kumar
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the design of a solid square canopy of a parachute. The design improvements are brought out by providing minor slits in the canopy area. Proper designing of the parachute was carried out using theoretical investigation coupled with experimentation. This parachute is designed for launch of sonobuoy from fixed wing aircraft.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review was carried out on the design of such parachutes for the launch of a sonobuoy from a high altitude to the water entry. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis provided the value of the coefficient of drag for the slit-cut square canopy parachute, with and without sonobuoy for different lengths of the slit. Besides the theoretical investigation, experimentation was also carried out to validate the design.

Findings

The experimentation was carried out on 58 and 75 gsm fabric canopies with the slit edge plain-cut with thermally sealed edges, stitched and strengthened. In the case of plain-cut slits on the canopy made of 75 gsm fabric, no tearing of the slit edge was observed in dynamic and flight tests.

Research limitations/implications

The present work has been carried out considering various assumptions and limited trial data specific to precision drop of 9 kg payload. The work can be adopted for bigger parachute for dropping of higher payloads.

Originality/value

Lab strength test, track dynamic and flight trials were conducted to acquire useful data for the present analysis. Besides the theoretical investigations and CFD analysis inherently based on numerous assumptions, experimentation was carried out as the sonobuoy deployment conditions are full of uncertainty. Dynamic and airdrop tests were conducted for this reason to determine design changes in the slits, both at the material level and on improvisations.
Levels of critique in models and concepts of human information behaviour research
Authors: Savolainen Reijo
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To elaborate the nature of critique presented in the models and concepts of human information behaviour (HIB) research by identifying the issues to which the critique is directed and the ways in which the critique is conducted.

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptual analysis focusing on 58 key studies on the topic. First, the objects and ways of conducting the critique were identified. Thereafter, three levels of depth at which the critique is conducted were specified. The conceptual analysis is based on the comparison of the similarities and differences between the articulations of critique presented at these levels.

Findings

At the lowest level of depth, critique of HIB research is directed to the lack of research by identifying gaps and complaining the neglect or paucity of studies in a significant domain. At the level of critiquing the shortcomings of existing studies, the attention is focused on the identification and analysis of the inadequacies of concepts and models. Finally, constructive critiques of research approaches dig deeper in that they not only identify weaknesses of existing studies but also propose alternative in which the shortcomings can be avoided, and the conceptualizations of HIB enhanced.

Research limitations/implications

As the study focuses on critiques addressed to HIB models and concepts, the findings cannot be generalized to concern the field of Library and Information Science (LIS) as a whole. Moreover, due to the emphasis of the qualitative research approach, the findings offer only an indicative picture of the frequency of the objects critiqued in HIB research.

Originality/value

The study pioneers by providing an in-depth analysis of the nature of critiques presented in a LIS research domain.
Sustainability and short-term profitability in the agri-food sector, a cross-sectional time-series investigation on global corporations
Authors: Cupertino Sebastiano , Vitale Gianluca , Riccaboni Angelo
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether being sustainable is also profitable for agri-food companies in the short-term.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analysed the impacts of sustainability multiple issues on one-year lagged return on assets, developing a longitudinal analysis focused on best and worst companies' samples for a timeframe of ten years. Notably, we performed OLS regressions on unbalanced panels data collecting overall 1,760 annual observations from 318 companies. Moreover, we examined the moderating effects of slack resources on the relationship between sustainability and the short-term firms' profitability.

Findings

The results show that the best sustainable companies usually improve future profitability. Conversely, the worst ones should prioritize efforts in specific initiatives (i.e. responsible products, eco-innovation, management and governance commitment to sustainability), which positively affect their profitability and compensate possible short-term financial losses due to CSR strategy execution and sustainable production/supply chain management. Finally, the study found mixed results regarding the moderating effects of slack resources on the scrutinized relationships.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the key environmental, social and governance aspects to be addressed for consolidating and enhancing the virtuous relationship between non-financial and financial performance, distinguishing between best and worst sustainability performers.

Originality/value

This study is among the first that decomposed sustainability in multiple micro aspects (i.e. sustainable strategy, products and processes) investigating the effects of each of them on the short-term agri-food firms' profitability.
ABC analysis using Particle Swarm Optimization and its performance evaluation with other models
Authors: Selvaraju Kathirvel , Murugesan Punniyamoorthy
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to develop a cost-effective model for Multi-Criteria ABC Inventory Classification and to measure its performance in comparison to the other existing models.

Design/methodology/approach

Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is exclusively designed for Multi-Criteria ABC Inventory Classification wherein the inventory is classified based on the objective of cost minimization, which is achieved through the inventory performance index – total relevant cost. Effectiveness of classification of the proposed model and the other classification models toward two inventory performance measures, that is, cost and inventory turnover has been computed, and the results of all models are relatively compared by arriving at the cumulative performance score of each model.

Findings

This study reveals that the ABC Inventory classification based on the proposed PSO approach is more effective toward cost and inventory turnover ratio in comparison to the twenty existing models.

Practical implications

The proposed model can be easily adapted to the industrial requirement of inventory classification by cost as objective as well as other inventory management performance measures.

Originality/value

The conceptual model is more versatile which can be adapted for various objectives and the effectiveness of classification in comparison to the other models can be measured toward each objective as well as combining all the objectives.
Corporate governance practices and the pandemic crisis: UK evidence
Authors: Sivaprasad Sheeja , Mathew Sudha
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the corporate governance practices in the UK. The authors adopt a case study approach and use content analysis, using internal and external media releases as well as annual reports to analyse the impact of the pandemic on governance practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design is qualitative in nature and adopts a case study approach. HSBC, an international bank, is used as the case study and a content analysis of internal and external information released after the COVID-19 outbreak is used. Themes arising from the analysis are discussed and recommendations are made.

Findings

Results from the thematic analysis show that firms must be resilient in difficult times, follow sustainable practices and are attentive to the well-being of their employees. Firms must address the adequacy of IT Infrastructure and assess the IT related risks during these times.

Practical implications

The pandemic crisis triggered unprecedented changes in the manner the firms are governed and managed. The recommendations made by the study have practical implications for firms who can adopt them to be make the business resilient and sustainable.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to explore the impact of the pandemic and analyse firms’ responses to the crisis in the corporate governance context. This study contributes to the corporate governance literature by providing insights of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Holistic configural models for sustainable entrepreneurs
Authors: Huarng Kun-Huang , Yu Tiffany Hui-Kuang
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This research explores causal combinations (personal traits, external factors and self-fulfillment) that could provide holistic views leading to sustainable start-ups via data collected from Taiwanese entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ five-point Likert scale measurements in the questionnaires and fuzzy-set/Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) for the investigation.

Findings

The study finds four types of sustainable entrepreneurs. Conservative resilient entrepreneurs have an absence of both openness and neuroticism. Conservative achieving entrepreneurs have an absence of openness and the presence of conscientiousness. Conservative-hired entrepreneurs have an absence of both openness and unemployment. Lastly, conservative opportunistic entrepreneurs exhibit an absence of openness and the presence of business opportunity.

Originality/value

The results add to the authors’ knowledge and understanding of the entrepreneurship literature and also offer implications for people who are interested in entrepreneurship as well as to policymakers wanting to promote new start-ups.
Operational coordination and mass customization capability: the double-edged sword effect of customer need diversity
Authors: Sheng Hongyan , Feng Taiwen , Chen Lucheng , Chu Dianhui
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore how operational coordination affects mass customization capability (MCC) via organizational agility, the double-edged sword effect of customer need diversity and the moderating effect of competitive intensity based on dynamic capabilities perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines the research hypotheses using hierarchical regression analysis by collecting data from 277 Chinese firms.

Findings

The results reveal that organizational agility partially mediates the impacts of operational coordination on product-oriented and service-oriented MCC. Customer need diversity is positively related to operational coordination, whereas negatively moderates the relationship between operational coordination and organizational agility. Moreover, competitive intensity negatively moderates the relationship between organizational agility and service-oriented MCC.

Research limitations/implications

This study mainly used perceptual scales to measure organizational agility. There is a need to measure agility through Agility Index which consists of features' combination that enables agility.

Practical implications

Managers would thus do well to integrate business activities with supply chain partners and strive to foster an agile organization. Additionally, managers should take the leadership to assess the customer need and invest time and resources to respond to it when needed even though the response may be difficult.

Originality/value

Although the importance of MCC in meeting personalized customer needs has been recognized, whether and how customer need diversity affects MCC remains unclear. This study provides a framework to study the relationships between customer need diversity and MCC, which deepens our understanding of how to enhance MCC to respond to diverse customer needs.
Contributions of Industry 4.0 to supply chain resilience
Authors: Tortorella Guilherme , Fogliatto Flavio S. , Gao Shang , Chan Toong-Khuan
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims at identifying the contribution of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) integration into supply chains (SCs) to the enhancement of SC resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

A scoping review was conducted so that the relevant literature on SC resilience, and I4.0 integrated into SC management was examined.

Findings

The authors summarize the main findings from existing research and propose three research directions: (1) empirical validation of the contribution of I4.0 ICTs to SC resilience; (2) explore the role of processing-actuation technologies in enhancing restorative capacity; and (3) integration between I4.0 ICTs and omni-channel strategy as a means to resilience development at consumer and retail levels. The literature on the design of resilient smart SCs is far outnumbered by works reporting applications of I4.0 ICTs at different SC tier levels. However, the authors’ scoping review organizes the information available on these themes, setting the ground for the development of new theoretical propositions.

Originality/value

The integration of digital technologies from I4.0 can fundamentally change the SC management, acting as enablers of a more effective response to disruptions. However, the digital transformation of SCs is still incipient, and literature is particularly sparse when considering the contribution of I4.0 to the resilience of SCs.
Green human resource management, leader–member exchange, core self-evaluations and work engagement: the mediating role of human resource management performance attributions
Authors: Gim Gabriel C.W. , Ooi Say Keat , Teoh Siau Teng , Lim Hui Ling , Yeap Jasmine A.L.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Sustainable development concern, coupled with changes in the talent landscape, has led to a heightened focus on green human resource management (GHRM). Drawing on attribution theory and conservation of resources theory, this study examined GHRM, leader–member exchange (LMX) and core self-evaluations (CSE) in relation to work engagement together with human resource management (HRM) performance attributions as a mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse the data collected from 110 respondents working in ISO 14001 certified organisations in Malaysia.

Findings

Results revealed that GHRM and LMX were positively related to HRM performance attributions that were intended to improve employee performance. However, CSE was not found to be related to HRM performance attributions. Consequently, HRM performance attributions were positively related to work engagement. Furthermore, GHRM and LMX had positive indirect effects on work engagement through HRM performance attributions as a mediator.

Research limitations/implications

Since the data collected were from Malaysia only, it limits the generalisability of the results to other regions.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that organisations should adopt GHRM and train its leaders to forge stronger social bonds with their subordinates to elicit higher work engagement by positively influencing employee attributions on the motives of HRM practices.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the acknowledged gap on GHRM and HRM attributions by examining the non-green employee outcomes of GHRM and the antecedents of HRM performance attributions. This study also contributes by integrating attribution theory with conservation of resources theory to provide the mediation mechanism in linking GHRM and LMX towards higher work engagement through HRM performance attributions as a mediator; thus empirically illustrating the resource gain spirals.
Does goal setting matter? The impact of employee-level and organizational-level goal properties on public employees' perception of performance appraisal fairness
Authors: Harrington James , McCaskill John
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study examines the relationship between goal properties, both at the employee and organizational-level, and the perceived fairness of the performance appraisal system by federal employees.

Design/methodology/approach

We describe the theoretical framework regarding goals and employee perceptions of performance appraisal fairness. We then develop and test four hypotheses, exploring the relationships among variables using five years of the FEVS data. To strengthen the research design, we created an agency-level dataset, by calculating agency-level averages for all the covariates. Instead of examining 500,000 federal employees each year, we are examining 80 federal agencies. Creating a panel dataset at the agency level allows us to make stronger statements about causality than using cross-sectional data.

Findings

This study finds a significant positive relationship between goal setting factors and employees' perceived fairness of performance appraisals: perceived employee-level goal difficulty and perceived organizational-level goal specificity at the agency level. The study results show that certain control variables, such as intrinsic motivation, play important roles in predicting public employees' perceived fairness of performance appraisals. Federal employees who have a higher level of intrinsic motivation show a more positive perception toward performance appraisal fairness. The appropriate use of extrinsic rewards and intrinsic motivation, combined with effective goal setting strategies in public organizations, may enhance public employees' perceived fairness of performance appraisal systems.

Research limitations/implications

This study used the FEVS, necessitating the reduction of the sample size to agency level averages to create a panel dataset. Also, this study was limited to federal agencies in the United States, so research results may lack generalizability.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to avoid cross-sectional research design and leverage longitudinal panel data.
Sustainability university rankings: a comparative analysis of UI green metric and the times higher education world university rankings
Authors: Galleli Barbara , Teles Noah Emanuel Brito , Santos Joyce Aparecida Ramos dos , Freitas-Martins Mateus Santos , Hourneaux Junior Flavio
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to answer the research question: How to evaluate the structure of global university sustainability rankings according to the Berlin Principles (BP) framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors investigated two global sustainability rankings in universities, The UI green metric World University Ranking (WUR) and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE-WUR). The authors performed content analysis regarding their evaluation criteria and assessed both rankings using the BP framework.

Findings

Results show that there is still a gap to be filled regarding the specificity of global university sustainability rankings. Although the THE-WUR had a better performance in this research, there are several items for improvement, especially regarding the methodological procedures. There are structural differences, limitations and points for improvement in both rankings. Besides, it may not be possible to have a unique and more appropriate ranking, but one that can be more suitable for a contextual reality.

Practical implications

This study can be helpful for university managers when deliberating on the most appropriate ranking for their institutions and better preparing their higher education institutions for participating in sustainability-related rankings. Besides, it suggests possible improvements on the rankings’ criteria.

Social implications

The authors shed light on challenges for improving the existing university sustainability rankings, besides generating insights for developing new ones. In a provocative but constructive perspective, the authors question their bases and understandings of being “the best university” regarding sustainability.

Originality/value

This is the first study that provides an in-depth analysis and comparison between two of the most important global university sustainability rankings.
Building personas from phenomenography: a method for user-centered design in education
Authors: Huynh Tra , Madsen Adrian , McKagan Sarah , Sayre Eleanor
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Personas are lifelike characters that are driven by potential or real users’ personal goals and experiences when interacting with a product. Personas support user-centered design by focusing on real users’ needs. However, the use of personas in educational research and design requires certain adjustments from its original use in human-computer interface design. This paper aims to propose a process of creating personas from phenomenographic studies, which helps us create data-grounded personas effectively.

Design/methodology/approach

Personas have features that can help address design problems in educational contexts. The authors compare the use of personas with other common methodologies in education research, including phenomenology and phenomenography. Then, this study presents a six-step process of building personas using phenomenographic study as follows: articulate a design problem, collect user data, assemble phenomenographic categories, build personas, check personas and solve the design problem using personas. The authors illustrate this process with two examples, including the redesign of a professional development website and an undergraduate research program design.

Findings

The authors find that personas are valuable tools for educational design websites and programs. Phenomenography can productively help educational designers and researchers build sets of personas following the process the authors propose.

Originality/value

The use and method of personas in educational contexts are scarce and vague. Using the example contexts, the authors provide educational designers and researchers a clear method of creating personas that are relatable and applicable for their design problems.
Effects of plasma nitriding interlayer on adhesion and tribological behaviors of AlTiSiN coating
Authors: Yin Mengjuan , Liang Wenping , Miao Qiang , Zuo Shiwei , Yu Haiyang , Cheng Jiale
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to the service life of TA15 alloy by solving the problem of the binding force between the matrix and AlTiSiN coating. The effect of a plasma nitriding (PN) interlayer on the magnetron-sputtered AlTiSiN coating was also investigated in detail.

Design/methodology/approach

The double-glow plasma alloying (DGPA) and magnetron sputtering (MS) techniques were combined as a new approach to realize a bilayer on TA15 consisting of an AlTiSiN layer with a PN interlayer. A TiN interlayer was formed via co-diffusion during the PN conducted at 1050°C for 3 h.

Findings

The PN interlayer can effectively improve the adhesion between coating and matrix; the PN/AlTiSiN coating presented excellent adhesion (80.1 N) and anti-wear property with a nano-hardness of 18.62 GPa. The resulting three-dimensional wear-track morphology exhibited a shallow depth and a narrow width.

Originality/value

The novel combination of the DGPA and MS technologies, using an infiltration layer rather than a coating one as the intermediate layer, can effectively enhance the adhesion between AlTiSiN coating and TA15 matrix. Meanwhile, the gradient layer can effectively improve both surface bearing and wear resistance.
New product success through big data analytics: an empirical evidence from Iran
Authors: Shirazi Farid , Tseng Hsiao-Ting , Adegbite Olu , Hajli Nick , Rouhani Saeed
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Innovative firms leverage big data analytics (BDA) benefits in optimising value creation, particularly in business-to-business (B2B) contexts. Examples of this are found in new product success and product innovation performance. However, knowledge of how innovative firms and their corporate customers generate insights from big data, develop new products and gain higher-quality service from intra- and inter organisations' resources is limited. This knowledge manifests in the form of opportunities available in BDA and through the adoption of the co-creation approach to generate value in the form of new product innovation. BDA reflects an excellent means of enhancing a firm's customer agility, but how this is possible remains largely unknown.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, the authors hypothesise that new product success is a function of a firm's customer agility and product innovation performance moderated by environmental turbulences. In turn, the firm's customer agility is enhanced by the effect of big data aggregation and analytical tools. These hypotheses have been confirmed by a survey in an emerging market.

Findings

The authors use structural equation modelling to test the authors’ hypotheses. The main contribution of this research is the conceptualisation and test of an integrative framework identifying the links among a firm's customer agility, new product success and BDA capabilities.

Practical implications

The study established that BDA tools – the effective use of data aggregation tools and the effective use of data analysis tools – shape customer agility in achieving new product success. This study contributes to one’s understanding of the relevance of BDA in B2B value creation contexts.

Originality/value

The study findings show that BDA shapes a firm's customer agility in achieving new product success.
Universal credit, gender and structural abuse
Authors: Parker Jonathan , Veasey Kelly
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore Joint couple payments under Universal Credit which tend to privilege male partners. This may entrap women in abusive relationships, foster poverty which are indicative of gendered structural abuse.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a critical review of the literature and qualitative interviews with third sector support workers, the authors explore the impacts that Universal Credit has on women, especially those in abusive partnerships.

Findings

Current welfare processes reinforce patriarchal assumptions and are indicative of the structural abuse of women. This has increased during the lockdowns imposed to tackle COVID-19.

Practical implications

Changes are needed in the ways in which welfare benefits are disbursed. Gendered structural abuses should be explicitly considered when working with women who experience domestic violence and abuse.

Originality/value

This paper argues that there needs to be a wider a recognition of gender power relations and the concept of structural abuse in policy formation and implementation.
Pricing and CEOs: why top executives need to get involved
Authors: Liozu Stephan M. , Hinterhuber Andreas
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Despite its increased adoption by small, medium and large firms, pricing continues to be ignored in the C-suite. C-suite executives have minimal understanding of what pricing can do and how it impacts a firm’s performance. After two years in the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis, consultants agree that the next wave of strategies and business models will require the development of strategic pricing capabilities, including analytics and software.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted 49 interviews with CXOs, VPs of pricing and CEOs of pricing software vendors to understand how the best-performing companies use pricing to drive profits and select pricing technologies. Then, supported by the Professional Pricing Society, the world’s largest organization dedicated to pricing, the authors conducted a 2020 survey of 540 pricing professionals to understand the perceptions of pricing in the C-suite and how top executives prioritize pricing investments. The authors complemented their own research with analysis of publicly available data, analyst presentations and public comments by CEOs on pricing.

Findings

The authors propose a portfolio of 15 activities to include in the CEO’s strategic agenda and 10 actions to get started with in the short term. The next normal will not be based on business-as-usual. For the next three to five years, developing strategic pricing capabilities will give firms a competitive advantage over those who continue to neglect this hidden gem.

Originality/value

In the context of the accelerating economic recovery, the authors address one of the most pressing priority for the C-suite. The authors focus on a series of actions and activities that the C-suite can take to accelerate recovery and focus on profitable growth.
Determinants of the firm performance of returnee entrepreneurs in Somalia: the effects of external environmental conditions
Authors: Mohamed Mohamed-Abdullahi , Abdul-Talib Asmat-Nizam , Ramlee AfifahAlwani
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the role of returning Somali diaspora entrepreneurs on firm performance and their perceived environmental obstacles.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on a broad literature review and covers a theoretical background to develop a research framework. It presents several propositions to be empirically tested to determine the influence of returnee entrepreneurs’ success and the challenges they face in the process.

Findings

The paper offers an overview of how Somali diaspora returnee entrepreneurs can use their resources to succeed in their business and the possible environmental uncertainties that could hinder them. The study highlights some under-researched areas and provides future research directions.

Research limitations/implications

A research investigation is needed to test the proposed conceptual framework empirically. Further research is also recommended to use other predictors when investigating the perceived environmental uncertainty faced by returnee entrepreneurs.

Practical implications

In the diaspora entrepreneurship literature, returnee entrepreneurs in post-conflict African countries did not get enough attention. Hence, the study will contribute theoretically to the literature.

Originality/value

The paper provides a conceptual framework that will help understand returnee entrepreneurs in post-conflict states in Africa, paving the way for empirical studies on the topic.
Challenges and drivers to data sharing among stakeholders in the South African construction industry
Authors: Ayodele Timothy Oluwafemi , Kajimo-Shakantu Kahilu
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges to data sharing among construction stakeholders in the South African construction industry and also assess stakeholders’ perceptions of the benefits of data sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is a cross-sectional survey administered via a Web-based online survey on construction professionals registered with the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP). The respondents rated on a five-point Likert scale the level of influence of the challenges of, and the benefits derivable from data sharing. These were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques.

Findings

The results of the principal component analysis (PCA) presented a five-factor structure of the challenges to data sharing, including reporting context/framework/lack of expertise, cost considerations/clients’ influences, data interoperability, stakeholders conservative attitude and personal interest/data confidentiality. These have percentage variances 17.124%, 16.929%, 13.786%, 13.353% and 12.961%, respectively. For the benefits of data sharing, the constructs were categorized into four themes, namely, optimal project decisions/stakeholders’ confidence, benchmarking/ collaboration among firms, time and cost benefits and enhanced market intelligence. These have respective variances of 24.598%, 18.393%, 16.160% and 14.685%.

Practical implications

It is expected that this study will provide information to stakeholders towards implementation policies and practices that could eliminate the challenges to data sharing and assemblage, thereby enhancing the level of data sharing in the construction industry.

Originality/value

Given the increasing global and technological changes, it might be expected that there will be an increased appeal by construction stakeholders towards embracing data sharing and assemblage owing to the inherent benefits and value.