bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dermal appendage-dependent patterning of zebrafish atoh1a+ Merkel cells
Authors: Brown Tanya L. , Horton Emma C. , Craig Evan W. , Hewitt Madeleine N. , Yee Nathaniel G. , Goo Camille E.A. , Fan Everett T. , Black Erik C. , Raible David W. , Rasmussen Jeffrey P.
Published: August 2022

Touch system function requires precise interactions between specialized skin cells and somatosensory axons, as exemplified by the vertebrate mechanosensory Merkel cell-neurite complex. Development and patterning of Merkel cells and associated neurites during skin organogenesis remains poorly understood, partly due to the in utero development of mammalian embryos. Here, we discover Merkel cells in the zebrafish epidermis and identify Atonal homolog 1a (Atoh1a) as a marker of zebrafish Merkel cells. We show that zebrafish Merkel cells derive from basal keratinocytes, express neurosecretory and mechanosensory machinery, extend actin-rich microvilli, and complex with somatosensory axons, all hallmarks of mammalian Merkel cells. Merkel cells populate all major adult skin compartments, with region-specific densities and distribution patterns. In vivo photoconversion reveals that Merkel cells undergo steady loss and replenishment during skin homeostasis. Merkel cells develop concomitant with dermal appendages along the trunk, and preventing dermal appendage formation reduces Merkel cell density by affecting both cell differentiation and maintenance. By contrast, altering dermal appendage morphology changes the distribution, but not density, of Merkel cells. Overall, our studies provide insights into touch system maturation during skin organogenesis and establish zebrafish as an experimentally accessible in vivo model for the study of Merkel cell biology.
Effect of baffles on hydrodynamic ram and damage of storage tank under fragment impact
Authors: Tang Yuxin , Liu Ang , Zhao Chen , Ren Peng , Guo Zitao
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Fragment impact is one of the main threats for the safety of storage tank in aircraft. This study aims to investigate the influence of inserted baffle on hydrodynamic ram (HRAM) and damage of storage tank to optimize the protective performance of storage tank under fragment impact.

Design/methodology/approach

The characteristics of initial shock wave, cavity evolution, velocity attenuation of fragment and anti-penetration performance of baffle-inserted tanks were evaluated by experimental and numerical methods.

Findings

Results indicated that the inserted baffle in tank could significantly increase the velocity attenuation rate of fragment in water. The volume of the second cavity caused by the inserted baffle rapidly decreased with the baffle position moving backward. For the baffle-inserted tank, the deformation of the front and rear walls was substantially weakened, and the alleviating effect for front wall was more significant. Comparing with the ordinary storage tank, the inserted baffle at normalized position 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 in tank made the ballistic limit velocity of storage tank increasing by 118.3%, 20.0% and 54.0%, respectively.

Originality/value

The findings of this work illustrating the HRAM history and damage map of storage tanks after inserted baffle could provide a convenient approach to improve the anti-penetration performance of storage tanks effectively.
Life cycle and metrics to measure the resilience of business processes by considering resources
Authors: Stocker Joachim , Herda Nils , Jürjens Jan
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Enterprises often face a wide variety of adverse events. Adverse events can have negative effects on organizations like failures of resources. In case resources fail, they are not available and cannot perform the assigned work. Enterprises are therefore especially interested in how resilient processes and workflows are in case adverse events occur and resources may fail. For this purpose, process resilience measurement approaches are needed.

Design/methodology/approach

To measure the resilience of processes and workflows, a life cycle and five quantitative metrics have been developed. The metrics have been validated using five real-world production and logistics cases to show their applicability on process models and paths. Furthermore, workshops have been conducted with professionals to get additional feedback on the contributions.

Findings

Based on the results obtained from applying the metrics to five real-world cases, view-based resilience improvements can be derived. Overall, only one of the five real-world cases can be considered as completely resilient. Furthermore, the metrics and life cycle have been especially valued by professionals with respect to transparency, independency, comparability as well as the ability to determine critical process paths.

Originality/value

Several authors have dealt with different aspects related to the measurement of business processes, resilience or a combination thereof. However, a life cycle or metrics to quantitatively measure the resilience of processes by considering resources has not been found yet. The life cycle and metrics are therefore novel. As a future research direction, they can be applied in different domains for further validation purposes.
Topology optimization of shell-infill structures for natural frequencies
Authors: Liu Kang , Bai Yingchun , Yao Shouwen , Luan Shenggang
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a topology optimization algorithm considering natural frequencies.

Design/methodology/approach

To incorporate natural frequency as design criteria of shell-infill structures, two types of design models are formulated: (1) type I model: frequency objective with mass constraint; (2) type II model: mass objective with frequency constraint. The interpolation functions are constructed by the two-step density filtering approach to describe the fundamental topology of shell-infill structure. Sensitivities of natural frequencies and mass with respect to the original element densities are derived, which will be used for both type I model and type II model. The method of moving asymptotes is used to solve both models in combination with derived sensitivities.

Findings

Mode switching is one of the challenges faced in eigenfrequency optimization problems, which can be overcome by the modal-assurance-criterion-based mode-tracking strategy. Furthermore, a shifting-frequency-constraint strategy is recommended for type II model to deal with the unsatisfactory topology obtained under direct frequency constraint. Numerical examples are systematically investigated to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Originality/value

In this paper, a topology optimization method considering natural frequencies is proposed by the author, which is useful for the design of shell-infill structures to avoid the occurrence of resonance in dynamic conditions.
An association rule mining model for evaluating the potential correlation of construction cross operation risk
Authors: Chen Qianqian , Tian Zhen , Lei Tian , Huang Shenghan
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Cross operation is a common operation method in the building construction process nowadays. Due to the crossover, each other's operations are disturbed, and risks also interact. This superimposed relationship of risks is worthy of attention. The study aims to develop a model for analyzing cross-working risks. This model can quantify the correlation of various risk factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The concept of cross operation and the cross types involved are clarified. The risk factors were extracted from cross-operation accidents. The association rule mining (ARM) was used to analyze the results of various cross-types accidents. With the help of visualization tools, the intensity distribution and correlation path of the relationship between each factor were obtained. A complete cross-operation risk analysis model was established.

Findings

The application of ARM method proves that there are obvious risk correlation deviations in different types of cross operations. A high-frequency risk common to all cross operations is on-site safety inspection and process supervision, but the subsequent problems are different. Cutting off the high-lift risk chain timely according to the results obtained by ARM can reduce or eliminate the danger of high-frequency risk factors.

Originality/value

This is the first systematic analysis of cross-work risk in the construction. The study determined the priority of risk management. The results contribute to targeted cross-work control to reduce accidents caused by cross-work.
Entrepreneurial e-equity crowdfunding platforms: antecedents of knowledge acquisition and innovation performance
Authors: Alalwan Ali Abdallah , Baabdullah Abdullah M. , Mahfod Joma Omran , Jones Paul , Sharma Anshuman , Dwivedi Yogesh K.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The crowdfunding concept and activities have recently been the focus of attention of many researchers and practitioners over different business contexts. However, there is a dearth of literature considering the main aspects of e-equity crowdfunding activities and their impact on the innovation performance for entrepreneurial business. Therefore, this study aims to explore how entrepreneurs' engagement in e-crowdfunding activities could enhance both knowledge acquisition and innovation performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual model will be proposed based on three main theoretical perspectives: relationship marketing orientation (RMO); Kirzner's alertness theory; and the DeLone and McLean model of information systems. The data of the current study were collected using an online questionnaire from a sample of 500 entrepreneurs who have actively engaged in e-crowdfunding in Saudi Arabia.

Findings

The statistical results of structural equation modelling (SEM) approved the impacting role of RMO, entrepreneurial alertness, system quality and service quality on the entrepreneurs' engagement in e-equity crowdfunding, which in turn, predicts both knowledge acquisition and innovation performance.

Research limitations/implications

There are several limitations which could be addressed in future studies, for example, this study has only considered one form of crowdfunding (equity based crowdfunding) and due to its nature these findings would not be easily generalized to other kinds of crowdfunding (i.e. donation-based crowdfunding; rewards-based crowdfunding; and debt-based crowdfunding). Future studies could consider these kinds of crowdfunding activities.

Originality/value

This study has contributed to the understanding of e-equity crowdfunding in several aspects. For example, this study presents results that assist both researchers and practitioners in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia to develop an in-depth knowledge of e-equity crowdfunding by considering new dimensions such as RMO and information system success factors.
A quantitative study on utilizing electronic resources to engage children’s reading and learning: parents’ perspectives through the 5E instructional model
Authors: Cheung Lily Sin Nga , Chiu Dickson K.W. , Ho Kevin K.W.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This pilot study aims to investigate how parents use electronic resources to encourage children’s reading and learning interests through the 5E instructional model. Moreover, this study explores the public’s current electronic reading (e-reading) preferences, parents’ teaching process and the effectiveness of electronic resources in encouraging children to read and learn.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a quantitative research method with a 5- to 10-min online survey based on the 5E instructional model. A total of 101 respondents participated in the survey.

Findings

Technology has changed the public’s current e-reading preferences. More than 65% of parent respondents preferred to use the electronic reading format for their children’s teaching and learning. Parents generally agreed on the teaching and learning effectiveness of using electronic resources, especially for engaging their children. However, the parents showed no significant gender differences.

Originality/value

This pilot study is a new attempt to use the 5E instructional model to quantitatively analyse the parenting process of using electronic resources to encourage children to read and learn, especially in an Asian context.
Audit committee and impression management in financial annual reports: evidence from Jordan
Authors: Makhlouf Mohammed Hassan
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The current paper aims at exploring the audit committee characteristics’ effect on impression management.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is based on the use of the content analysis of financial annual reports, as data of a 69-company sample study from 2015 to 2019 attained from “Amman Stock Exchange” has been analyzed. Moreover, multiple regression analysis on panel data was employed.

Findings

The results show that the independence of the audit committee, the financial expertise of the audit committee and female members negatively affect impression management, implying that these characteristics mitigate financial reporting manipulation and decrease the practices of impression management. However, the findings detect no significant influence for committee meetings on impression management.

Research limitations/implications

Notably, the current work is applicable and useful for understanding the audit committee’s role in enhancing the financial reporting’s quality, along with the significance of the audit committee in growing the stakeholder’s confidence in financial reporting. In light of these results, regulatory bodies’ efforts are encouraged to create additional strategies and instructions to ensure the trustiness and credibility of financial reporting.

Originality/value

This paper will be useful to companies that want to improve the quality of financial reporting and decrease the impression of management’s effect on financial reporting’s readers. Moreover, this paper contributes to the literature on impression management by exploring the effect of audit committees on impression management of annual financial reports of the users in the context of emerging markets and Middle East countries, particularly Jordan.
The effects of GDL anisotropic transport properties on the PEFC performance
Authors: Okereke Isaac Chukwuemezu , Ismail Mohammed S. , Ingham Derek , Hughes Kevin J. , Ma Lin , Pourkashanian Mohamed
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to numerically investigate the impact of gas diffusion layer (GDL) anisotropic transport properties on the overall and local performance of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs).

Design/methodology/approach

A three-dimensional numerical model of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell with a single straight channel has been developed to investigate the sensitivity of the fuel cell performance to the GDL anisotropic transport properties – gas permeability, diffusivity, thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity. Realistic experimentally estimated GDL transport properties were incorporated into the developed PEFC model, and a parametric study was performed to show the effect of these properties on fuel cell performance and the distribution of the key variables of current density and oxygen concentration within the cathode GDL.

Findings

The results showed that the anisotropy of the GDL must be captured to avoid overestimation/underestimation of the performance of the modelled fuel cell. The results also showed that the fuel cell performance and the distributions of current density and oxygen mass fraction within the cathode GDL are highly sensitive to the through-plane electrical conductivity of the GDL and, to a lesser extent, the through-plane diffusivity, and the thermal conductivity of the GDL. The fuel cell performance is almost insensitive to the gas permeability of the GDL.

Practical implications

This study improves the understanding of the importance of the GDL anisotropy in the modelling of fuel cells and provides useful insights on improving the efficiency of the fuel cells.

Originality/value

Realistic experimentally estimated GDL transport properties have been incorporated into the PEFC model for the first time, allowing for more accurate prediction of the PEFC performance.
Faculty readiness for online crisis teaching: The role of responsible leadership and teaching satisfaction in academia
Authors: Islam Md Shamirul , Haque Amlan
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the role of responsible leadership in faculty readiness for online crisis teaching (FROCT) in higher education institutions (HEIs). Additionally, the paper investigates the mediating effect of teaching satisfaction on the relationship between responsible leadership and FROCT.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted to collect responses from 437 faculty members from Bangladeshi HEIs. A partial least square structural equation model was employed to examine the research hypotheses.

Findings

Responsible leadership has no direct relationship with FROCT; however, responsible leadership increases teaching satisfaction. Teaching satisfaction acts as a significant mediator between responsible leadership and FROCT. A symbiotic relationship between responsible leadership and teaching satisfaction is essential for improving FROCT. The findings of this study, in general, emphasise the importance of teaching satisfaction in facilitating the implementation of the responsible leadership model in HEIs.

Originality/value

Despite numerous studies on faculty online teaching, extant literature lacks empirical evidence on the relationship between responsible leadership, teaching satisfaction, and FROCT in HEI settings. This study provides evidence for implementing the responsible leadership model in developing countries' HEIs.
Exploring first-year university students' blended learning experiences during the COVID-19 through the community of inquiry model
Authors: Huang Qingqing , Lee Vivian W.Y.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

While blended learning has been proved to be successful in learning outcomes, the landscape of blended learning has changed under coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Hence, the present study aims to explore first-year university students' perceptions of wholly blended learning during the pandemic, through the three constructs in the community of inquiry (CoI) instrument, namely teaching, social and cognitive presences (CPs).

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data (N = 449) were collected from the 2020 Fall Cohort in Hong Kong for quantitative analysis. Reliability and validity of the CoI model is examined, followed by correlation and independent-samples t-tests.

Findings

First-year students perceived overall low teaching, social and CPs with social presence (SP) scoring the highest. Findings also indicated that teaching presence (TP) significantly determined CP and SP; SP was a mediating variable in CoI. Students' gender and prior learning experience (online/blended) were not associated with perceptions of presences.

Practical implications

Students today are more familiar with technology-based communication, and staying up to date in educational technology is crucial for teachers. Trainings in online teaching should be provided to teachers. Also, interactive technology should focus on improving peer interaction.

Originality/value

The proposed study is novel in that it used the CoI model among first-year students in Hong Kong during the pandemic. Findings are valuable to higher education in understanding students' perception of bended learning and in addressing issues.
Implementing Lean Six Sigma methodology to reduce the logistics cost: a case study in Turkey
Authors: Şişman Gülşah
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose the implementation of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) framework in supply chain by providing an actual case study of how to reduce the logistics cost.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, it is shown how LSS approach, basic tools and Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control methodology can significantly improve a company by enhancing the supply chain and reducing the logistics expenditures.

Findings

Root causes to the main problem of this study were analyzed to identify appropriate solutions. After the implementation of solutions, the company’s product quality and internal communication were improved. Correspondingly, the percentage of customer orders that have to be transported by road instead of maritime reduced to 5% from 13% and the percentage of the road transportation cost paid unnecessarily by the company decreased to 1% from 5%.

Practical implications

This case study provides a roadmap and step-by-step implementation of LSS framework for especially companies in plastics industry.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is the first example of a LSS case study conducted in Turkey to improve the supply chain of a company by targeting primarily a reduction on logistics costs.
Capital mobility in Latin American and Caribbean countries: alternative view on the “Feldstein-Horioka” coefficient
Authors: Yersh Valeryia
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine two issues, namely the degree of current account deficit (CAD) sustainability and the degree of capital mobility.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample for this study comprises 24 Latin American and Caribbean countries, including three regional agreements: Andean Community, MERCOSUR (Mercado Común del Sur), and SICA (Central American Integration System). This study employs the dynamic common correlated effects mean group (DCCEMG) estimator in a panel data set to investigate the long-run relationship between savings and investment along with short-run dynamics.

Findings

The findings indicate that CAD is weakly sustainable in the Latin American and Caribbean region, MERCOSUR, and SICA, while CAD is strongly unsustainable in the Andean Community. The sub-period analysis reveals that CAD has been adversely affected by the 2008 crisis. However, in the post-crisis period, CAD has been slowly decreasing in the Latin American and Caribbean region and Andean Community, whereas CAD has continued increasing in MERCOSUR and SICA. Further, the estimates of error-correction terms and short-run coefficients indicate that the Andean Community and MERCOSUR observe a higher degree of long-run and short-run capital mobility than SICA.

Practical implications

The results carry fundamental implications for policy-making processes aimed at maintaining sustainable CADs.

Originality/value

This study gives an alternative interpretation of the “Feldstein-Horioka” coefficient in terms of CAD sustainability and analyses the saving–investment relationship in light of Chudik and Pesaran (2015).
Two-way knowledge spillovers in the presence of heterogeneous foreign subsidiaries: evidence from an emerging country
Authors: Albis Salas Nadia , Alvarez Isabel , Cantwell John
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper explains the mechanisms underlying the generation of two-way knowledge spillovers through the interaction of subsidiaries with differentiated local responsibilities and domestic firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on firm-level panel data from a census of Colombian manufacturing firms for the period 2003–2012. The estimation procedure involves two stages. In the first one, total factor productivity (TFP) of foreign and domestic firms is estimated. In a second step, we estimate conventional spillovers (from foreign-owned to local firms) and reverse spillovers (from local to foreign-owned firms) separately, using a random effect approach.

Findings

This study’s findings reveal that only locally creative subsidiaries enjoy positive and significant two-way knowledge spillover effects. The connectivity of subsidiaries to local and international networks is reinforced by reciprocal relationships among actors that enhance bidirectional knowledge flows, these being favored by the dynamics of clustering effects.

Originality/value

The paper contributes with new empirical evidence about the mechanism explaining how the technological heterogeneity of subsidiaries plays a determinant role in the generation of both knowledge flows from foreign to domestic firms and to the reverse, all integrated into the same framework.
Connected portfolios: open assessment practices for maker communities
Authors: Keune Anna , Peppler Kylie , Dahn Maggie
Published: August 2022

Purpose

In contrast to traditional portfolio practices that focus on the individual, this paper aims to reenvision portfolio practices to encompass sociocultural aspects of learning by considering how young makers, both in- and out-of-school, imbue digital cultural practices into the documenting and showcasing of their work, as well as observe the extent to which their portfolios are used to build community inside and outside their local settings.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from a connected learning approach, the authors engaged in qualitative and ethnographic study of youth’s digital maker portfolios in an out-of-school and a school-based makerspace. Through qualitative and thematic coding of portfolio walkthroughs, the authors identified four underlying characteristics within portfolio artifacts (i.e. personal and shared projects) and capturing practices (i.e. personal and shared capturing practices) that differently presented projects.

Findings

The analysis showed that portfolios that included shared productions and shared portfolios (i.e. projects and portfolios contributed to by more than one youth) and that were shared in open-ended ways across communities valued connected learning principles. These connected portfolios made community building within and beyond maker-educational communities of the young makers possible. In particular, openly shared and collaboratively captured work showed individual achievements (e.g. projects and techniques) and made visible connective and social engagement (e.g. opportunities for feedback and refinement, possibilities to narrate work to multiple audiences).

Originality/value

This paper has implications for the design of portfolio assessment in makerspaces and expands the role of portfolios as a way to capture individual and cognitive achievements alone toward connected community-building opportunities for youth as well as maker-centered settings within and beyond the youth’s local maker-centered settings.
Explaining and predicting click-baitiness and click-bait virality
Authors: Chatterjee Swagato , Panmand Meghraj
Published: August 2022

Purpose

In the age of social media, when publishers are vying for consumer attention, click-baits have become very common. Not only viral websites but also mainstream publishers, such as news channels, use click-baits for generating traffic. Therefore, click-bait detection and prediction of click-bait virality have become important challenges for social media platforms to keep the platform click-bait free and give a better user experience. The purpose of this study is to try exploring how the contents of the social media posts and the article can be used to explain and predict social media posts and the virality of a click-bait.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has used 17,745 tweets from Twitter with 4,370 click-baits from top 27 publishers and applied econometric along with machine learning methods to explain and predict click-baitiness and click-bait virality.

Findings

This study finds that language formality, readability, sentiment scores and proper noun usage of social media posts and various parts of the target article plays differential and important roles in click-baitiness and click-bait virality.

Research limitations/implications

The paper contributes toward the literature of dark behavior in social media at large and click-bait prediction and explanation in particular. It focuses on the differential roles of the social media post, the article shared and the source in explaining click-baitiness and click-bait virality via psycho-linguistic framework. The paper also provides explanability to the econometric and machine learning predictive models, thus performing methodological contribution too.

Practical implications

The paper helps social media managers create a mechanism to detect click-baits and also predict which ones of them can become viral so that corrective measures can be taken.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first papers which focus on both explaining and predicting click-baitiness and click-bait virality.
The challenges of implementing evidence-based strategies to inform building and urban design decisions: a view from current practice
Authors: Stanitsa Avgousta , Hallett Stephen H. , Jude Simon
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to raise awareness of the key challenges, opportunities and priorities for evidence-based strategies’ application to inform building and urban design decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses deductive qualitative content and manifest analysis, using semi-structured interviews undertaken with building and urban design professionals who represent a UK-based organisation.

Findings

The challenges associated with the practical implementation of frameworks, potential application areas and perceived areas of concern have been identified. These not only include the need to practically test their use, but also to identify the most appropriate forums for their use. Participant responses indicate the need to further develop engagement strategies for their practical implementation, clearly communicating the benefits and efficiencies to all stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications

Implications/ limitations of this study come with the fact that some of the respondents may possess inadequate professional experience in properly evaluating all the questions. Additionally, the information gathered is restricted to the UK geographical context, as well as coming from one organisation, because of data accessibility.

Practical implications

The findings of the study can be adopted by designers in the strategic definition level to overcome the key challenges associated with the use of evidence-based strategies, enhancing their decision-making processes.

Originality/value

As a theoretical contribution to knowledge, this study enhances the body of knowledge by identifying the challenges associated with the practical implementation of evidence-based strategies to inform building and urban design decisions. In practice, the findings aid urban planners, designers and academics in embedding and adopting strategies that enhance decision-making processes.
Asymmetric and threshold effects of FinTech on poverty in SSA countries
Authors: Emara Noha
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the dynamic asymmetric relationship between financial technology (FinTech) adoption and poverty alleviation on annual data for the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region over the period from 2004 to 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted the general method of moments (GMM) method on annual data for 127 countries including 45 countries from the SSA region over the period from 2004 to 2020.

Findings

The study’s findings show that improvement in FinTech may initially decrease the rate of extreme poverty, leading to a decrease in total poverty as a percent of the population. While there is an initial decrease in the rate of extreme poverty with improvements of FinTech, once the FinTech index reaches its threshold level of 37.18 points, further improvement in FinTech tends to decrease as penetration increases, giving rise to an decrease in the rate of poverty alleviation.

Research limitations/implications

Policymakers should design more aggressive and comprehensive policies directed at recouping the maximum gains of FinTech adoption, with a reasonable threshold target.

Practical implications

Policymakers in the SSA region must be aware of a FinTech threshold level of 37.18 points. To ensure the highest reduction in extreme poverty, policymakers must keep investing in FinTech to reach this threshold level.

Social implications

FinTech improvement leads to poverty alleviation. Policymakers in the SSA region can fully recoup the benefits of FinTech by achieving a pre-set threshold level.

Originality/value

This paper addresses that gap in the literature by studying the impact of FinTech, instead of the traditional financial inclusion measures, on poverty in the 45 countries in the SSA region, exploring the potential dynamic asymmetry of this poverty-FinTech link, and testing the presence and statistical significance of the threshold level of FinTech.
The non-linear effects of fixed broadband on economic growth in Africa
Authors: Kouam Jean C. , Asongu Simplice
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The study assesses the non-linear nexus between fixed broadband and economic growth. The study focuses on data from 33 African countries for the period 2010 to 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical evidence is based on unit root tests, panel smooth transition regression and the generalized method of moments.

Findings

The following findings are established in this study. (1) The proportion of the population with access to electricity above and below which the relationship between fixed broadband and economic growth changes in sign is about 60%. (2) Below this threshold, each 1% increase in fixed broadband subscriptions induces a decline in economic growth of about 2.58%. Above the threshold, economic growth would increase by 2.43% when fixed broadband subscriptions increase by 1%. Sensitivity analyses and generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation show that these results are robust.

Practical implications

Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which requires countries to take adequate measures to curb the spread of the pandemic, especially by means of virtual economic activities, any national policy aiming at improving the access of populations to high levels of fixed broadband services should be preceded by the implementation of an electrification program for at least 60% of the total population. Otherwise, providing a good quality internet connection for the benefit of the population would not produce the expected effects on economic growth and would, therefore, be counterproductive.

Originality/value

This study complements the extant literature by providing thresholds at which fixed broadband affects economic growth.
The challenges of health volunteers management in COVID19 pandemic in Iran
Authors: Pirani Davoud , Safi-Keykaleh Meysam , Farahi-Ashtiani Iman , Safarpour Hamid , Jahangiri Katayoun
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The use of volunteers is one of the approaches to capacity building, preparedness and the response of the health system in disasters. Appropriate management of volunteers during disasters and emergencies is essential. This study aimed to explain the challenges of volunteer management in the Pandemic COVID-19 in Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research was conducted using the content analysis based on the Graneheim method. The participants' selection was done based on purposeful sampling and theoretical sampling until data saturation. Direct field observation and 26 interviews were applied to collect data.

Findings

Four categories and 15 sub-categories emerged to describe the challenges of volunteer management during the COVID-19 crisis including policymaking barriers (including legal barriers, insurance and support coverage and risk governance), managerial barriers (including planning, coordinating and organizing, training and awareness, command and leadership and information management and documentation), socio-cultural barriers (personal safety attitude and culture, attitudes and expectations of the community and perspectives on volunteers) and executive-operational barriers (monitoring and evaluation, cost and needs assessment).

Originality/value

It is essential to increase managers', officials' and volunteers' perceptions of COVID19 risk through education and information. Preparing a database for volunteers' information, including non-governmental organization and governmental organization volunteers, planning for needs assessment, establishing a mechanism for recruiting volunteers and using their capacities and appropriate organizing, tracking and monitoring of volunteers can be among effective strategies.
Does information source interact with information content and valence in influencing employer attractiveness and job pursuit intention?
Authors: Ahamad Faiz , Saini Gordhan K.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

While the information source is likely to affect job search process, it is still unknown how the information source interacts with the information content and information valence. In this study, first, the authors examine the influence of information source, information content, and information valence on employer attractiveness and job pursuit intention; and second, the authors estimate the interaction of information source with content and valence of information on employer attractiveness and job pursuit intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopted a 2 (information source: company-independent vs company-dependent) x 2 (information content: instrumental vs symbolic) x 2 (information valence: positive vs negative) between-subject factorial design to achieve the study’s research objectives, using a sample of 240 job applicants; and applied multivariate analysis of covariance for estimating the main and interaction effects.

Findings

The authors find a significant interaction of information source with the content and valence of information, indicating a differential effect of content and valence, depending on the information source. The study reveals that the effect of information content (i.e. symbolic vs instrumental) on employer attractiveness varies depending on the source of information (i.e. company-independent vs company-dependent), with the company-independent source having a higher effect than the company-dependent source.

Practical implications

Considering that the information source has a differential effect on job seekers, it would be useful to account for such differences in designing recruitment communications. Results guide managers in deciding the appropriate recruitment information outlet for communicating symbolic and instrumental attributes. The use of symbolic attribute content is recommended for generating favourable evaluations about an employer.

Originality/value

This study is a novel attempt to examine on how information source interacts with information content type and information valence in influencing recruitment outcomes. The authors provide valuable insights to human resource managers or employer brand managers to design effective recruitment communications and leverage the company-independent information sources appropriately.
Practice Briefing The future of the UK turnover-based lease in the world of omni-channel retail
Authors: Harper Angus Lachlan Elliott
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Historically supply and demand have set the rent level for shops. Turnover rents were brought over from America in the 1980s as a way for landlords to benefit from the tenant's success without having to wait for the next rent review. In addition, from a property management viewpoint, landlords soon realised the benefit of having access to the turnover information of each store as it meant landlords could easily see who and which category of goods was doing well and who was failing. However, in the 2010s, there has been a huge change in shopping habits with many retailers adopting a business model that incorporates online transactions into the use of the physical store with, for example, click and collect. As a result, some landlords are beginning to see turnover rents as redundant for retailers with strong e-commerce strategies as they are only able to capitalise on the sales that happen in the physical store. Other landlords see the turnover information as crucial for running their centres and are searching for new ways to include all relevant sales, online and in-store in the lease. This briefing discusses the issues and challenges brought about by this change in retail practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This practice briefing is based on a series of interviews with the principal stakeholders in the retail market.

Findings

This briefing is a review of the UK retail market at the end of the 2010s and offers insights into the market going forward.

Practical implications

This briefing looks at how the change in sales technique used by retailers to encourage online sales will affect the future of the turnover rent leasing model used in UK shopping centres and other retailing locations.

Originality/value

Landlords are seeking to adopt leasing strategies where they have access to the turnover information without any loss of profit. This briefing identifies leasing models that will, with the agreement and partnership of the tenant allow agreements that include factors such as the halo effect, click and collect and multi-channel in-store purchases in the rent.
The role of user centric measures in the use of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs)
Authors: Haverila Matti , Haverila Kai Christian , McLaughlin Caitlin
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Health authorities have introduced non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) with the aim of reducing the spread of viruses. Against the backdrop of social marketing, normative and utility theories, the purpose of the paper is to examine the relationships between user centric measures such as perceived effectiveness, user satisfaction, and value for effort on intentions to continue to use NPIs. Furthermore, the moderating role of value for effort on user satisfaction and, subsequently, intentions to continue to use NPIs was also considered.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional online survey was completed in British Columbia, Canada (N = 287). Analysis was done with partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results show that the relationships between user centric measures are positive and significant on intentions to continue to use NPIs. Furthermore, value for effort moderated the relationship between user satisfaction and intentions to continue to use NPIs – but the relationship was negative. Thus, the higher values of the value for effort construct cause the relationship between user satisfaction and reuse intention to somewhat diminish.

Originality/value

The results confirm the positive and significant relationships between user centric measures in the context of the use of NPIs and introduce a new understanding of the effect of value for effort on the relationship between user satisfaction and intentions to use NPIs. This enables health officials to better understand how to encourage the use of NPIs.
What about leader engagement? A preliminary analysis of this forgotten variable
Authors: Hayden Colleen , Miura Yoko
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Since the early 2000s, employee engagement has become a growing point of interest for scholars, organizations, and consultants alike due to its association with a variety of organizational outcomes, such as job satisfaction, burnout, and turnover intent. Though there is much focus surrounding the measurement of employee engagement within the literature, there is a notable absence in research related to a leader's own level of engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

This study aimed to address this gap in the literature, utilizing the Employee Engagement Scale (EES) to measure for leader engagement. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate the data from 147 formal leaders who completed the EES measure.

Findings

Results indicated that the model goodness-of-fit indices did not provide irrefutable evidence that leader engagement could be assessed with the 12-item EES. Using EFA results, the 12 items were rearranged and an additional run of CFA indicated better model fit with the modified EES, specifically focused on assessing leader-level engagement.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample size (n = 147) limits the generalizability of the results. Additional studies using the revised EES structure indicated in this study is necessary to inform the validity and reliability in measuring for leader engagement with this modified tool.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for future researchers to pay attention to assessing leader-level engagement within the workplace and what organizational outcomes leader engagement may impact, specifically the financial impact of leader engagement.

Originality/value

This paper sought to address the gap in the literature surrounding measuring for leader engagement and its potential association with organizational outcomes.
The role of entrepreneurial skills as a vehicle for business growth: a study in Spanish start-ups
Authors: Botella-Carrubi Dolores , Ribeiro-Navarrete Samuel , Ulrich Klaus , Blanco González-Tejero Cristina
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Business growth is one of the most studied areas over the years. However, with the current uncertainty and entrepreneurial dynamism it becomes relevant to consider new variables such as entrepreneurial skills and competencies that influence its development. Accordingly, this research refers to the impact that the individual's skills have on the entrepreneurial environment. For this purpose, a survey has been developed of employees of different organizations considering the variables of high degree of proactivity in the employees' attitude, entrepreneurial training, innovation, previous experience or risk aversion.

Design/methodology/approach

The research has been conducted through fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and the result shows the differences between the combination of variables for business growth through the consideration of sales growth and profit.

Findings

The results of this research provide new insights that allow the development and boosting of business growth.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this work is to pay attention to the human team of startups and show the role that this has in their growth.