bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ribosome provisioning activates a bistable switch coupled to fast exit from stationary phase
Authors: Remigi P. , Ferguson G.C. , Monte S. De , Rainey P.B.
Published: January 2018

Observations of bacteria at the single-cell level have revealed many instances of phenotypic heterogeneity within otherwise clonal populations, but the selective causes, molecular bases and broader ecological relevance remain poorly understood. In an earlier experiment in which the bacteriumPseudomonas fluorescensSBW25 was propagated under a selective regime that mimicked the host immune response, a genotype evolved that stochastically switched between capsulation states. The genetic cause was a mutation incarBthat decreased the pyrimidine pool (and growth rate), lowering the activation threshold of a pre-existing but hitherto unrecognised phenotypic switch. Genetic components surrounding bifurcation of UTP flux towards DNA/RNA or UDP-glucose (a precursor of colanic acid forming the capsules) were implicated as key components. Extending these molecular analyses – and based on a combination of genetics, transcriptomics, biochemistry and mathematical modelling – we show that pyrimidine limitation triggers an increase in ribosome biosynthesis and that switching is caused by competition between ribosomes and CsrA/RsmA proteins for the mRNA transcript of a feed-forward regulator of colanic acid biosynthesis. We additionally show that in the ancestral bacterium the switch is part of a programme that determines stochastic entry into the semi-quiescent capsulated state, ensures that such cells are provisioned with excess ribosomes, and enables provisioned cells to exit rapidly from stationary phase under permissive conditions.
Open source tools and standardized data in cancer systems biology
Authors: Macklin Paul , Friedman Samuel H. ,   MultiCellDS Project
Published: January 2018

To reach the full potential of multicellular systems biology, mathematical and computational modelers must pool their efforts to share and curate biophysical measurements, create and combine mathematical models, analyze and visualize model predictions, and validate and refine against shared data. An ecosystem of open source software that reads standardized data is essential. We review the state-of-the-art in open source software and data standards in multicellular systems biology, and point out areas of needed growth to move beyond isolated models to community-driven frameworks that shed light on complex problems in multicellular systems biology.
A novel long noncoding RNA LINC00844 regulates prostate cancer cell migration and invasion through androgen receptor signaling
Authors: Lingadahalli Shreyas , Jadhao Sudhir , Sung Ying Ying , Chen Mi , Hu Lingling , Chen Xin , Cheung Edwin
Published: January 2018

The majority of the human genome is transcribed, yielding a rich repository of non-coding transcripts that are involved in a myriad of biological processes including cancer. However, how non-coding transcripts such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) function in prostate cancer is still unclear. In this study, we have identified a novel set of clinically relevant androgen-regulated lncRNAs in prostate cancer. Among this group, we showed LINC00844 is a direct androgen-regulated target that is actively transcribed in androgen receptor (AR)-dependent prostate cancer cells. The expression of LINC00844 is higher in normal prostate compared to malignant and metastatic prostate cancer samples and patients with low expression demonstrate poor prognosis and significantly increased biochemical recurrence, suggesting LINC00844 may function in suppressing tumor progression and metastasis. Indeed,in-vitroloss-of-function studies revealed that LINC00844 prevents prostate cancer cell migration and invasion. Moreover, findings from gene expression analysis indicated that LINC00844 functions intrans, affecting global androgen-regulated gene transcription. Mechanistically, we provide evidence to show LINC00844 is important in facilitating AR binding to the chromatin. Finally, we demonstrated LINC00844 mediates its phenotypic effects in part by activating the expression of NDRG1, a crucial cancer metastasis suppressor. Collectively, our findings suggest LINC00844 is a novel coregulator of AR that plays a central role in the androgen transcriptional network and the development and progression of prostate cancer.
Sequential schooling or lifelong learning? International frameworks through the lens of English higher professional and vocational education
Authors: Lester Stan
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review three international frameworks, including the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED), in relation to one country’s higher professional and vocational education system.

Design/methodology/approach

The frameworks were examined in the context of English higher work-related education, and areas of mismatch identified. These were investigated to identify the extent to which they were due to weaknesses in the national system or to limiting assumptions contained in the frameworks.

Findings

Assumptions based on stages of education are problematic in the context of lifelong higher and professional education, while more open, lifelong-learning oriented assumptions can be too skeletal to aid comparisons between systems of initial vocational education and training. Particular problems are identified with assumptions contained in the ISCED that do not reflect the reality of professional education.

Practical implications

International frameworks need to take account of patterns of learning that take place outside of formal institutions and throughout life, but which lead to equivalent outcomes. Nevertheless, it is not adequate to substitute assumptions based only on the level of achievement.

Social implications

The assumptions underpinning the ISCED in particular mean that equivalent achievements in different systems can be classified differently, leading to under-reporting of individual achievements, a lack of comparability in international statistics, and potential for policy distortion.

Originality/value

The paper builds on the work of Hippach-Schneider et al. by providing additional evidence, from a different national context, for issues relating to the ISCED in the context of higher professional and vocational education, and extends this analysis to the two major European frameworks.
Threshold concepts in entrepreneurship – the entrepreneurs’ perspective
Authors: Hatt Lucy
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present research into the entrepreneurs’ perspective of concepts critical to thinking as an entrepreneur, in order to inform enterprise and entrepreneurship course design in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking a social constructivist approach, using a Delphi-style method, semi-structured interviews with entrepreneurs were conducted, transcribed, thematically coded and analysed, and a list of candidate threshold concepts was drawn up. Two rounds of Delphi were conducted with the entrepreneur panel and consensus was reached on a final collection of threshold concepts in entrepreneurship.

Findings

The threshold concepts identified are “I can create value” (or self-efficacy), “I see opportunities” (or opportunity), “I can manage risk” (or risk), “I know what’s important” (or focus) and “I take action” (or impact).

Research limitations/implications

Entrepreneurship is generally regarded as an important factor in economic growth, and higher education is an appropriate place for the development of entrepreneurship. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding how best to educate students for entrepreneurship in higher education or indeed what educating students for entrepreneurship really means. Identifying threshold concepts in entrepreneurship using the lived experience of entrepreneurs is likely to open up new and more effective approaches to teaching this multidisciplinary subject area.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the call for more research-grounded discussion on the quality of entrepreneurship education initiatives, particularly in relation to what makes pedagogical innovations effective by suggesting five entrepreneurship threshold concepts. These entrepreneurship threshold concepts can be used to set out a structure for the design and (re)development of enterprise and entrepreneurship curricula, as well as enabling more constructively aligned assessments.
Rack level transient CFD modeling of data center
Authors: Fulpagare Yogesh , Joshi Yogendra , Bhargav Atul
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The paper aims to capture the rack-level thermal dynamics in data center. It proposes the rack-level response experiments as well as transient Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis to characterize the local thermal environment of the system.

Design/methodology/approach

A single sever simulator rack and its two neighboring racks with its cold and hot aisle containment have been modeled with known cold air supply temperature and flow rate for transient CFD analysis. The heat load was kept constant initially and varied case-to-case basis, which includes capturing the rack-level response with respect to changes in input. However, the response experiments on simulator rack were performed for 14 h by variation of server heat loads as step and ramp input.

Findings

The paper provides the detailed transient CFD analysis of data center racks. The local cold air flow rates and temperature at the vicinity of the racks showed significant effect due to changes in input. It was concluded that the rack-level dynamics impacts the thermal environment of data center and hence cannot be ignored.

Research limitations/implications

The high computing devices and faster internet demands have led to major thermal management concerns for data center operators. To tackle this issue, capturing the system thermal dynamics is imperative. However, the system-level CFD analysis is computationally expensive. Therefore, this paper deals with the rack-level transient CFD study using commercial tool STAR CCM+.

Practical implications

This paper includes the modeling of the servers as a porous media as well as the multigrid method to enhance the computational speed. The successful implementation of this approach validated through experiments. This would help to establish a base for research in any type of data center.

Originality/value

This paper provides the porous media approach to model servers and multigrid method to enhance the computational speed. At the same time, the thought of characterizing the local dynamics at the vicinity of data center racks is unique.
State estimation problems in PRF-shift magnetic resonance thermometry
Authors: Pacheco César , Orlande Helcio R.B. , Colaco Marcelo , Dulikravich George S.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply the Steady State Kalman Filter for temperature measurements of tissues via magnetic resonance thermometry. Instead of using classical direct inversion, a methodology is proposed that couples the magnetic resonance thermometry with the bioheat transfer problem and the local temperatures can be identified through the solution of a state estimation problem.

Design/methodology/approach

Heat transfer in the tissues is given by Pennes’ bioheat transfer model, while the Proton Resonance Frequency (PRF)-Shift technique is used for the magnetic resonance thermometry. The problem of measuring the transient temperature field of tissues is recast as a state estimation problem and is solved through the Steady-State Kalman filter. Noisy synthetic measurements are used for testing the proposed methodology.

Findings

The proposed approach is more accurate for recovering the local transient temperatures from the noisy PRF-Shift measurements than the direct data inversion. The methodology used here can be applied in real time due to the reduced computational cost. Idealized test cases are examined that include the actual geometry of a forearm.

Research limitations/implications

The solution of the state estimation problem recovers the temperature variations in the region more accurately than the direct inversion. Besides that, the estimation of the temperature field in the region was possible with the solution of the state estimation problem via the Steady-State Kalman filter, but not with the direct inversion.

Practical implications

The recursive equations of the Steady-State Kalman filter can be calculated in computational times smaller than the supposed physical times, thus demonstrating that the present approach can be used for real-time applications, such as in control of the heating source in the hyperthermia treatment of cancer.

Originality/value

The original and novel contributions of the manuscript include: formulation of the PRF-Shift thermometry as a state estimation problem, which results in reduced uncertainties of the temperature variation as compared to the classical direct inversion; estimation of the actual temperature in the region with the solution of the state estimation problem, which is not possible with the direct inversion that is limited to the identification of the temperature variation; solution of the state estimation problem with the Steady-State Kalman filter, which allows for fast computations and real-time calculations.
Molecular dynamics simulation of oxygen transport characteristics in the electrolyte membrane of PEMFC
Authors: Kato Mahiro , Henry Asegun , Graham Samuel , Doan Duc Hong , Fushinobu Kazuyoshi
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the oxygen transport characteristics in the electrolyte membrane of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), in particular, the water content dependence and the microscopic view of the molecular transport.

Design/methodology/approach

Molecular dynamics simulation is used to examine the oxygen transport characteristics in the electrolyte membrane of PEMFC that we have experimentally observed in our previous study.

Findings

Molecular dynamics simulation well predicts the diffusion coefficient of oxygen in the membrane. It was found that the oxygen molecules have preference in their transport passage that governs the property.

Originality/value

First attempt is to theoretically examine the experimentally observed water uptake dependence of the oxygen diffusion coefficient in membrane and to explain the mechanism.
Modelling electro-osmotic flow in porous media: a review
Authors: Di Fraia Simona , Massarotti Nicola , Nithiarasu P.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive literature review on modelling electro-osmotic flow in porous media.

Design/methodology/approach

Modelling electro-osmosis in fluid systems without solid particles has been first introduced. Then, after a brief description of the existing approaches for porous media modelling, electro-osmotic flow in porous media has been considered by analysing the main contributions to the development of this topic.

Findings

The analysis of literature has highlighted the absence of a universal model to analyse electro-osmosis in porous media, whereas many different methods and assumptions are used.

Originality/value

For the first time, the existing approaches for modelling electro-osmotic flow in porous have been collected and analysed to provide detailed indications for future works concerning this topic.
The attitudinal and behavioral impact of brand-centered human resource management
Authors: Chiang Hsu-Hsin , Han Tzu-Shian , McConville David
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of brand-centered human resource management (HRM) on employees’ person–brand fit, brand commitment (BC) and brand citizenship behavior (BCB). In addition, the paper tests effects of BCB on customer satisfaction and citizenship behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from managers, front-line employees and customers of 22 international tourist hotels in Taiwan. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to investigate relationships between variables.

Findings

Multilevel results reveal positive connections between brand-centered HRM and BCB, mediated by person–brand fit and BC. Positive relationships were also found between BC and BCB, person–brand fit and BCB; BCB and customer satisfaction; and between customer satisfaction and customer citizenship behavior.

Research limitations/implications

When employees’ personal values are consistent with brand values, employees will feel a closer connection to the brand and be more willing to dedicate themselves to brand-related activity. The model developed here can be tested in different cultures to ascertain the generalizability of the findings to Western contexts.

Practical implications

Support is provided for the positive effects of brand-centered HRM when employees internalize brand values as their own personal values. Hotel managers should ensure that employees are highly committed to the brand values and willing to deliver services to customers accordingly.

Originality/value

The paper provides measurement developments for person–brand fit and BC and deeper understanding of how brand-centered HRM can lead to positive changes in customer behavior.
Drivers of consumers’ behavioral intention toward green hotels
Authors: Teng Chih-Ching , Lu Allan Cheng Chieh , Huang Tzu-Tang
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationships among consumers’ environmental value, low-carbon knowledge, perceived value of green hotels and behavioral intention to stay in green hotels as well as willingness to cooperate with green hotels’ environmentally friendly practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling and indirect effect estimation through bootstrapping technique were performed using 415 valid questionnaires collected from customers who had green hotel stay experiences in Taiwan.

Findings

The analytical results indicate that environmental value and low-carbon knowledge positively affect perceived value of green hotels, which in turn positively affect consumers’ behavioral intention to stay in green hotels and willingness to cooperate with green hotels’ environmentally friendly practices. Perceived value of green hotels also partially mediates the effects of environmental value and low-carbon knowledge on two behavioral intention variables.

Practical implications

This study provides numerous valuable implications for green hotel operators to develop effective strategies to increase consumers’ perceived value of green hotels and their behavioral intention toward green hotels.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to test not only the main effects of environmental value and knowledge on consumer perceptions of the value of green hotels, but also the mediating effect of consumers’ perceived value of green hotels for the relationships between environmental value, environmental knowledge and two behavioral intentions toward green hotels.
High-performance work practices and hotel employee outcomes
Authors: Safavi Homayoun Pasha , Karatepe Osman M.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test career adaptability (CA) as an underlying mechanism linking high-performance work practices (HPWPs) to met expectations, creative performance and extra-role performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from 313 customer-contact employees two weeks apart in three waves in the hotel industry in Iran. The proposed relationships were tested via structural equation modeling.

Findings

Employees who perceive that management offers various HPWPs display elevated levels of CA. These employees in turn find that their jobs have met their expectations. They exhibit higher creative and extra-role performances. In short, CA is a mediator between HPWPs and the aforementioned employee outcomes.

Practical implications

Management should invest in HPWPs to enable employees to manage various work- and career-related demands. Management should also create an environment where employees can take advantage of career opportunities for growth and development. In this environment, employees can prepare themselves for the future in the current organization and gain new skills.

Originality/value

What is known about the factors influencing Savickas’s (2005) notion of CA and CA influencing various employee outcomes is limited.
Examining social customer relationship management among Irish hotels
Authors: Diffley Sarah , McCole Patrick , Carvajal-Trujillo Elena
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a model examining the key factors that emerge from the social customer relationship management (CRM) process. Specifically, this study aims to address the chain-of-effects that occurs as a result of the social CRM process, leading to superior levels of hotel performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a quantitative approach. Using a mail and online questionnaire, data were gathered from 120 key informants in hotels in Ireland. The proposed model was tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling.

Findings

Results demonstrate that the social CRM activities of hotels enhance hotel service innovation activities. This positively impacts the ability to develop a customer-linking capability, resulting in higher levels of customer performance. In turn, higher levels of customer performance leads to higher levels of financial performance.

Practical implications

Service innovation and customer-linking capability are identified as critical outcomes of the social CRM process that lead to enhanced hotel performance.

Originality/value

This study explains the chain-of-effects through which the social CRM process results in higher levels of performance.
Comparing customer perceptions of hotel and peer-to-peer accommodation advantages and disadvantages
Authors: Birinci Hasan , Berezina Katerina , Cobanoglu Cihan
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare customer perceptions of hotel and peer-to-peer (e.g. Airbnb) accommodation advantages and disadvantages and examine their influence on customer satisfaction and repurchase intentions. The advantages of each accommodation type are conceptualized through perceived travel experience authenticity, whereas the disadvantages are evaluated through the risks associated with staying at each accommodation type, including product performance risk, time/convenience risk and safety and security risk.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey was designed and disseminated to gather the data necessary to fulfill the study objectives. A total of 391 usable responses were collected for a multi-group analysis of the structural model designed to test the proposed relationships.

Findings

The multi-group comparison revealed similarities between the peer-to-peer (Airbnb) and hotel guest structural models. Model testing revealed a strong positive relationship between satisfaction and repurchase intention. Perceived authenticity was identified as a statistically significant satisfaction predictor for both accommodation types. Time/convenience and product performance risks were found to be insignificant predictors of guest satisfaction, while safety and security risk appeared to be statistically significant only in the Airbnb sample.

Research limitations/implications

This study’s recruited sample represented a higher concentration of younger travelers, and, therefore, might only be generalized to the corresponding US traveler group population. Additionally, samples recruited via Amazon’s MTurk may be subject to self-selection bias as any other non-probability samples. Consequently, further research with a larger and more diverse sample is recommended.

Practical implications

It is recommended for both hotels and Airbnb to strengthen the authenticity of their accommodation offerings to provide a better guest experience and increase consumer satisfaction.

Social implications

To develop the authenticity component, Airbnb hosts and hotels may offer local experiences to their customers, where guests would be able to engage with the community and to see and feel how the city lives. Such partnerships may not only improve the traveler experiences but also support the local community and strengthen the ties between local businesses.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by advancing understanding of peer-to-peer (Airbnb) versus hotel accommodation consumer preferences. This study offers relevant theoretical constructs for assessing both accommodation types’ advantages and disadvantages.
Customer knowledge sharing, creativity and value co-creation
Authors: Guan Xin-Hua , Xie Lishan , Huan Tzung-Cheng
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to improve understanding of co-creation by focusing on customer knowledge sharing (CKS), which is something that can be influenced by organizational relationship orientation (ORO), employee adaptiveness (EA) and customer expertise (CE), and that influences employee creativity (EC) and customer-perceived economic value (CEV).

Design/methodology/approach

With subjects being conference and meeting organizers for hotel service, a survey was conducted in major Chinese cities. In the survey, high-star-rated hotels’ corporate sales personnel provided data if a sales person got one of their customers to provide data. Only responses for hotels for which two employee–customer matched records were obtained could be used for analysis by using hierarchical linear modeling; so, 217 matched records from 48 hotels were processed.

Findings

Accepting five hypotheses and having coefficients for control variables allow new insights into the importance of CKS. Insights regarding brand familiarity, employee seniority, etc. contribute to theory and improving research.

Practical implications

Action can include fostering benefit from CE, nurturing EA and supporting ORO. Action can be recruiting and training employees with special considerations to their level and use of EA that facilitates acquiring valuable knowledge from customers. For researchers, practical implications relate to improving modeling and recognizing new research.

Originality/value

This study provides new findings on ORO, EA and CE affecting CKS, as well as showing relationships of CKS with EC and CEV. Coefficients of control variables yield insights beyond control that contribute to theory and to identifying new research. Examining response distributions highlights analysis issues, suggesting avenues for new research.
The moderating effect of identification on return on investment from sponsor brand integration
Authors: A. Jensen Jonathan , Walsh Patrick , Cobbs Joe
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The achievement of a requisite return on investment (ROI) from a brand’s investment in sponsorships of sport events is becoming increasingly important. Consequently, evolving trends in the consumption of the live television broadcasts of such events (e.g. increased usage of second screens by consumers) are an important consideration. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of second screen use during sport broadcast consumption on important marketing outcomes (i.e. brand awareness and the perceived value and intrusiveness of sponsor brand integration), and whether effectiveness is dependent on the consumer’s level of identification with the sport being broadcast.

Design/methodology/approach

A 2×2 (experimental/control and high SportID/low SportID) between-subjects experimental design featuring the broadcast of a sport event as the stimuli was utilized to examine a potential interaction effect between sport identification and second screen use on three dependent variables important for sport sponsors.

Findings

Results confirmed that those with a high level of sport identification realized significantly higher levels of brand awareness for sponsors integrated into the broadcast. However, when consumers were asked to engage in second screen use, the experiment revealed a moderating effect of sport identification on the impact of second screen use, for both brand awareness and the perceived value of the brand integration.

Originality/value

Consumers with higher levels of sport identification are an important target of sport sponsorship activities by brand marketers. Given this, the implication that second screen use can reduce the effectiveness of important sponsorship-related outcomes such as brand awareness is a sobering result for marketers expecting a positive ROI from sponsorships of sport events.
Library resources, student success and the distance-learning university
Authors: Nurse Richard , Baker Kirsty , Gambles Anne
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Research at the Open University Library Services has been investigating the relationship between access to online library resources and student success. The purpose of this study/paper is to help to understand whether there is a similar relationship at a distance-learning university to that found in other institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

A small library data project was established to investigate this area. The study analysed online library resource data from access logs from the EZproxy and OpenAthens systems. A data set of 1.7 million online resource accesses was combined with student success data for around 90,000 undergraduate students and a series of analyses undertaken.

Findings

The study found a pattern where students who are more successful are accessing more library resources. A chi-square test indicated a statistically significant association between library resource accesses and module result, while an ANOVA test suggests a medium-sized effect. The study also found that 152 (76 per cent) of the 199 modules had a small, medium or large positive correlation between student success, measured by the overall assessment score, and online library resource accesses.

Originality/value

This study builds on evidence that there is a relationship between library use and student success by showing that this relationship extends to the setting of a non-traditional, innovative library service supporting part-time distance learners.
Assessing the impact of libraries – the role of ISO 16439
Authors: Creaser Claire
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Library impact and how to evaluate it has been debated for a number of years. While the activity – the busy-ness – of the library is now routinely measured and described, the difference the library makes is less tangible and harder to measure. Libraries in all sectors and worldwide are grappling with this issue, and the purpose of this paper is to summarise international standards available to support them.

Design/methodology/approach

The first international standard concerning library impact, ISO 16439 Information and documentation – methods and procedures for assessing the impact of libraries, was published in 2014 after several years in development.

Findings

The standard describes a range of methods for assessing library impact which have been used across the world in a variety of libraries in all sectors.

Originality/value

This paper summarises the key methods described in the standard, and gives references for further reading.
Principles and practice in impact assessment for academic libraries
Authors: Urquhart Christine
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the principles that underpin library assessment, methods used for impact and performance evaluation and how academic libraries should use the findings, and it discusses how value frameworks help.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a literature review covering aspects of value (value propositions, value co-creation), value frameworks (including the 2015 ACRL framework, Holbrook typology with worked example), data analytics and collaborative projects including LibQUAL+ initiatives and the use of balanced scorecard principles (including a values scorecard).

Findings

The use of data analytics in library assessment requires collaboration among library services to develop reliable data sets. Scorecards help ongoing impact and performance evaluation. Queries that arise may require a framework, or logic model, to formulate suitable questions and assemble evidence (qualitative and quantitative) to answer new questions about the value of library services. The perceived value framework of Holbrook’s typology, the values scorecard and the ACRL framework all support the deeper level of inquiry required.

Research limitations/implications

Includes examples of possible application of frameworks.

Practical implications

A value framework might help data analytic approaches in combining qualitative and quantitative data.

Social implications

Impact assessment may require assessing how value is co-created with library users in use of e-resources and open data.

Originality/value

The study contrasts the varying approaches to impact evaluation and library assessment in academic libraries, and it examines more in-depth value frameworks.
Academic libraries break down silos
Authors: Massis Bruce
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate examples of the manner by which the academic library breaks down the silos on a college campus.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review and commentary on this topic have been addressed by professionals, researchers and practitioners.

Findings

On a college campus, the value and impact of the academic library is today more than that of the standard model of libraries in which reference librarians offer available appropriate academic resources; but, the academic library is a place where the teaching and learning model of the standard model meets that of the support model to provide its users the best service by incorporating both aspects of the service.

Originality/value

The significance in exploring this topic is to provide evidence by which the academic library can and does offer a multitude of services that it can serve as the literal and physical center of a college campus.
Workarounds and social support: the saviors for visually impaired bankers in India
Authors: Jain Amit , Sharma Divya
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This research aims to study the coping experience of visually impaired (VI) bankers in India after they have received reasonable accommodation from their employers, that is, the work process or environment has been suitably modified to ensure a barrier-free environment for them.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 VI bankers working with public sector banks in India. A phenomenological approach was adopted during data analysis.

Findings

Despite the provision of reasonable accommodations, VI employees often find it difficult to fulfill their job responsibilities. This is on account of extensive paperwork required for completion of their jobs and the partially accessible information systems available to them. As a result, these VI employees are found resorting to workarounds to carry out their jobs, with the nature of workarounds adopted varying with the type and extent of visual impairment. Furthermore, it is observed that VI employees require social support not only from their superiors and peers but also from their subordinates and customers to carry out their tasks.

Research limitations/implications

Data collection was done through snowball sampling which could have resulted in sampling bias. Due to confidentiality issues, observation of workarounds in practice by VI employees could not be carried out as part of the study.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature on integration of persons with disabilities (PwDs) by examining their coping experience after provision of reasonable accommodations. It emphasizes the role of workarounds, an under-studied area in PwD integration, as well as support of other stakeholders in the experience.
Sustainable supply chain collaboration: incentives in emerging economies
Authors: Pakdeechoho Nutcharee , Sukhotu Vatcharapol
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between sustainable supply chain collaboration (SSCC) and sustainability performance, and examine whether two types of incentives moderate this relationship. This empirical investigation of the Thai food manufacturing industry provides insight in the context of an emerging economy.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 215 food manufacturing firms in Thailand, and the hypotheses were tested by exploratory factor analysis, hierarchical regression analysis, and cluster analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that SSCC leads to better economic and social performance, but not necessarily better environmental performance; incentives provided by firms in the supply chain enhance the effects of SSCC on social performance.

Practical implications

The findings provide useful suggestions for supply chain managers and policy makers about effective collaboration and the use of incentives to improve the sustainability of individual firms in the supply chain. They also reveal the challenges faced by manufacturing firms in improving environmental performance in an emerging economy.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on the implementation of sustainable supply chain management by explaining the role of incentives.
Expected discounted penalty function for a phase-type risk model with stochastic return on investment and random observation periods
Authors: Zhuo Wenyan , Yang Honglin , Chen Xu
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to build a phase-type risk model with stochastic return on investment and random observation periods to characterize the ruin quantities under which the insurance company may take effective investment strategies to avoid bankruptcy.

Design/methodology/approach

By the Markov property and Ito’s formula, this paper derives the integro-differential equations in which the interclaim times follow a phase-type distribution. Using the sinc method, this paper obtains the approximate solutions of the expected discounted penalty function. The numerical examples are given to verify the robustness of the proposed sinc method.

Findings

This paper discloses the relationship between the investment strategy and initial surplus level. The insurance company with a high initial surplus level prefers high risk portfolios to earn more profit. Contrarily, the insurance company would invest low risk portfolios to avoid bankruptcy. In addition, this paper shows that a short observation period would bring higher ruin probability.

Originality/value

The risk model is distinct in that a phase-type risk model is constructed with stochastic return on investment and random observation periods. These considerations in the risk model are in sharp contrast to the setting in which the stochastic return on investment is observed continuously. In practice, the insurance company only can periodically observe the surplus level to check the balance of the book. This setting, therefore, is difficult to adopt. This paper develops a sinc method to solve the approximate solutions of the expected discounted penalty function.
Critical factors affecting students’ satisfaction with higher education in Sri Lanka
Authors: Weerasinghe I.M.S. , Fernando R.L.S.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explain critical factors affecting student satisfaction levels in selected state universities in Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has applied an quantitative survey design guided by six hypotheses. A conceptual framework has been developed to address the research questions on the basis of a literature review. The study is based on an undergraduate sample from four state universities, and it presents results of factor analytics and correlational and regression analyses.

Findings

Evidence to support construct validity and reliability of all survey-based scales measuring the key variables has been found. The quality of the academic staff, university facilities, degree program, administrative staff, university location and university image have been correlated significantly with student satisfaction levels measured at 0.45, 0.47, 0.51, 0.31, 0.39 and 0.66, respectively. The statistically significant predictors are: the quality of university facilities, the quality of the degree program and the university image, with the image being the strongest predictor.

Practical implications

The study offers a conceptual framework to guide future research and validated scales for measuring student satisfaction levels in a national higher education system in a developing region that is aspiring toward a knowledge-based economy where tertiary education is free. Five recommendations are provided for policymakers.

Originality/value

Research shows high variabilities in the models used and the findings of studies on factors affecting student satisfaction levels in universities. The study is among the first large-scale studies of student satisfaction levels in the Sri Lankan state university system, where little data exist on why students are dissatisfied and fail to complete their degrees.
Designing non-cognitive construct measures that improve mathematics achievement in Grade 5-6 learners
Authors: Chatterji Madhabi , Lin Meiko
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to design and iteratively improve the quality of survey-based measures of three non-cognitive constructs for Grade 5-6 students, keeping in mind information needs of users in education reform contexts. The constructs are: Mathematics-related Self-Efficacy, Self-Concept, and Anxiety (M-SE, M-SC, and M-ANX).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors applied a multi-stage, iterative and user-centered approach to design and validate the measures, using several psychometric techniques and three data samples. They evaluated the utility of student-level scores and aggregated, classroom-level means.

Findings

At both student and classroom levels, replicated evidence supported theoretically-grounded validity arguments on information produced by four of five scales tapping M-SC, M-ANX and M-SE. The evidence confirmed a second order, two-factor structure for M-SC, representing positive math affect and perceived competence, and a one factor structure for M-ANX representing negative math affect. Consistent with the literature, these served as precursors to a perceived confidence factor of M-SE which, in turn, positively influenced mathematics achievement scores, off-setting negative effects of M-ANX. Research is continuing on a self-regulatory efficacy factor of M-SE, which yielded mixed results.

Practical implications

The survey scales are in line with current reform policies in the United States calling for schools to monitor changes in cognitive and non-cognitive domains of student development. Validated scales could be useful in serving information needs of teachers, decision-makers and researchers in similar school-based contexts.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates a comprehensive, user-centered methodology for designing and validating construct measures, departing from purely psychometric traditions of scale development.
TQM paradigm for higher education in the Philippines
Authors: Rodriguez Janette , Valenzuela Madonna , Ayuyao Nunilon
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Critical success factors (CSFs) in total quality management (TQM) implementation are vital to the quality improvement of organizations, including higher education institutions (HEIs). The present study aims to attempt to develop a TQM paradigm contextualized to HEIs in the Philippine setting.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 309 randomly selected officials/faculty members from four public and four private HEIs participated in the study. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Factor analysis, using principal components with varimax rotation, was used to extract the main CSFs for TQM.

Findings

Results showed the extraction of two principal components. The first component (accounting for 42.95 per cent of the variance in the model) consisted of 25 quality indicators generally considered to fall under “people empowerment” and “continuous quality improvement” (CQI), while the second component (accounting for 42.31 per cent of the variance in the model) consisted of 24 quality indicators that fall under “leadership commitment” and “stakeholder satisfaction”.

Research limitations/implications

The study was focused on determining the CSFs in the TQM implementation of Philippine HEIs.

Practical implications

Findings of this study may be used by HEIs as basis for planning, decision-making and in directing their strategies and resources in the integration of the paradigm in their business process.

Social implications

The proposed TQM paradigm, upon adoption by Philippine HEIs, may be used as a quality measurement tool to improve performance, embed and sustain quality culture.

Originality/value

This is the first study that developed a TQM paradigm for Philippine HEIs. The identified CSFs are basically the same as those in the cited studies but with relatively greater emphasis on people empowerment.
Analyzing of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) sensor for pumping aggregates
Authors: Milovancevic Milos , Tijan Edvard
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this research paper is to develop and analyze micro-electro-mechanical systems sensor for vibration monitoring of pumping aggregate.

Design/methodology/approach

The system is based on smart sensor and smart mobile phone.

Findings

The numerous measurements on a wide range of turbo aggregates were performed to establish the operating condition of pumping aggregates.

Originality/value

Afterwards, the influence of vibration at different positions on the output vibration of the pumping aggregate was analyzed by adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system method.
Beauty as a factor of economic and social development
Authors: Baggio Rodolfo , Moretti Vincenzo
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss how aesthetic features can be the basis for a virtuous chain that leads to social and economic development.

Design/methodology/approach

The aesthetic characteristics of a destination are an important attractive feature. More than that, they can be considered a key determinant for economic and social growth. A conceptual support to this idea is presented here by following a line which links beauty to creativity, innovation and socio-economic development.

Findings

A purely qualitative and logical-deductive line shows how beauty, creativity and innovation are connected in a chain that leads to socio-economic well-being.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is conceptual in nature. The authors intend to use these considerations as a basis for future research.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature on destination governance highlighting a number of factors that are often underestimated.