bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antecedents of green purchase behavior of cosmetics products
Authors: Jaini Azila , Quoquab Farzana , Mohammad Jihad , Hussin Nazimah
Published: January 2020

Purpose

There is a growing need to conduct more studies to understand the green purchase behavior of cosmetics products because of its increasing trend in the emerging markets. Considering this, the study aims to shed some light on the factors that affect green purchase behavior of Malaysian consumers in the context of cosmetics product purchase. More specifically, the objective of this study is to examine the effect of altruistic and hedonic values and the mediating effect of personal norm and pro-environmental belief toward green purchase behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey using judgmental sampling technique was used to gather responses from green cosmetics consumers. A questionnaire was designed to measure the study variables, which was then tested for content, and face validity and reliability prior to its administration. The structural equation modeling using the partial least squares approach (SmartPLS, version 3.7) was used to test the study hypotheses.

Findings

The results revealed that hedonic value has a significant and positive effect on pro-environmental belief. However, altruistic value did not exert any significant effect on pro-environmental belief. It is also found that pro-environmental belief positively affects personal norm, and as a consequence, personal norm affects green purchase behavior. The data also support the mediating effect of pro-environmental belief in the relationship between “hedonic value and personal norm.” Nevertheless, pro-environmental belief did not mediate the relationship between altruistic value and personal norm. Lastly, personal norm mediates the relationship between “pro-environmental belief and green purchase behavior”.

Practical implications

The findings from this study enable managers, marketers and policy makers to execute better green strategies that would boost consumers’ green purchase behavior toward cosmetics products.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature on green purchase behavior by testing hedonic value as the antecedent and pro-environmental belief as the mediator by using the value-belief-norm theory. Moreover, this is a pioneer study to consider personal norm as the mediator of green purchase behavior.
Flexible leadership in the manufacturing sector
Authors: Alat Priya , Suar Damodar
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore leader flexibility in the manufacturing sector. The objectives are to understand the nature of uncertainties that leaders face and how their personal attributes facilitate them in responding to uncertain situations.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 20 middle- and senior-level executives were interviewed, using seven semi-structured questions, from four states in India. Responses were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Findings

In this paper, two themes were identified: the need for flexibility and competencies. The need for flexibility included the factors that warrant adaptability and the performance requirements, such as changes in external environment, reconciling opposing demands, unpredictability of human resources and day-to-day contingencies. Performance requirements included monitoring the environment, anticipating changes, creating shared meanings, developing adaptability in human resources, understanding contradictions and generating alternate solutions. Competencies included balancing different values, roles, and behaviors, coaching and team building skills, planning skills, systems thinking, social skills, conflict management skills and openness to learning.

Research limitations/implications

Interviews were conducted with only executives; interviewing their subordinates may have revealed different perspectives. With the accounts being retrospective, few details may have been missed or exaggerated.

Practical implications

The findings can be used to apprise leaders of the challenges they may face and develop competencies required for leader flexibility.

Originality/value

Leadership research in the manufacturing sector is mostly focused on leaders’ responses to environmental uncertainties. This research identifies the task demands associated with unpredictability of human factors and daily contingencies, and the competencies used to respond.
Relationship between earnings management, CEO compensation, and stock return on Tehran Stock Exchange
Authors: Moardi Mahdi , Salehi Mahdi , Poursasan Simin , Molavi Homa
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between earnings management and chief executive officers’ (CEOs) compensation. Owing to the fact that earnings management does not have only opportunistic effects, but signaling effects, this study focuses on accruals quality to examine earnings management incentives. Thus, accruals quality is described against future cash flow. The empirical evidences suggest that a positive relationship between discretionary accruals and future cash flow provides predictive elements for earnings management, whereas a negative relationship between discretionary accruals and future cash implies to opportunistic elements for earnings management. Should there is no significant relationship between discretionary accruals and future cash flow, there will be no earnings management, and such a result suggests that incentives and managers’ performance in these firms differ.

Design/methodology/approach

The statistical population of this research consists of all listed companies on the Tehran Stock Exchange during 2009–2016. Panel data method is applied in order to estimate the research model.

Findings

Findings of the study show that there is no significant relationship between discretionary accruals and future cash flow in pharmaceutical and food industries, thus they have neither predictive nor opportunist earnings management, while the results evidence a negative significant relationship between discretionary accruals and future cash flow in machineries, automobile, mineral and chemical industries. Furthermore, it can be alleged that there is no significant difference between CEOs’ compensation in firms with opportunistic earnings management (OEM) and other types of earnings management. It shows that firms do not have appropriate plans for CEOs’ compensation. Moreover, the relationship between earnings management and stock return has been investigated in this study. We document that stock return is influenced by accruals quality and its components. In other words, stock return significantly differs in firms with OEM and firms without any kind of earnings management.

Research limitations/implications

The authors’ findings provide contributions; for managers, it is noticeable that stock markets have sufficient comprehension about financial statements and the undertaken procedures on them, resulting in a higher return base on fair information. For investors and regulators, using the findings, may have deeper understanding to distinguish between industries that are recognized as opportunistic and non-opportunistic, which, in turn, results in better decision and regulation.

Originality/value

Previous studies have been mostly investigated OEM, while the current study examines both signaling and opportunistic aspects of earnings management.
Leadership/management factors impact on employee engagement and discretionary effort
Authors: Sharafizad Jalleh , Redmond Janice , Morris Robyn
Published: January 2020

Purpose

There is strong and growing evidence of the importance of leadership and management factors influence on employee engagement and discretionary effort. However, the problem is that there has been limited recent effort to review where research gaps exit and provide a direction to guide future research. The purpose of this paper is to provide an integrated perspective on the influence of leadership and management factors on employee engagement and discretionary effort.

Design/methodology/approach

The review of the literature includes empirical research and case studies related to employee engagement and discretionary effort from various databases such as Business Premier, Cambridge University Press, JSTOR, Springer, Emerald, Wiley, ProQuest and ISI Web of Science. Supporting material was also accessed from reference books regarding similar concepts and theories.

Findings

The review provides a current view of the key topics, identifies three key research gaps, suggests a refined, up-to-date definition of both employee engagement and discretionary effort, and proposes a conceptual framework to inform future research. In doing so, it offers new directions for progressing studies on these critical workplace practices and behaviours particularly the inclusion of national culture as a moderating variable when investigating or implementing employee engagement and discretionary effort strategies.

Research limitations/implications

Findings are based on existing literature and require empirical testing. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.

Originality/value

Undertaking a review of the literature is an important part of any research and this review aims to organise, describe and appraise the current literature with a view to gaining a critical perspective for the benefit of researchers.
Perceived trustworthiness in using B2B digital services
Authors: Hallikainen Heli , Hirvonen Saku , Laukkanen Tommi
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the perceived trustworthiness of a B2B service provider relates to a business customer’s intention to use digital services from that provider. The study investigates whether perceived trustworthiness, composed of ability, integrity and benevolence, explains behavioral intentions equally among all business customer segments, and how characteristics such as job level, decision-making role, technology readiness age and gender moderate these effects.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on a model of trust transfer mechanism, the study explores how perceived trustworthiness established in face-to-face interaction influences the use of digital services in making B2B purchases. Hypotheses are tested using a sample of 1,866 responses collected from customers of four B2B firms.

Findings

Ability is the most influential on the customer’s intention to transact through digital channels, while the effects of integrity and benevolence show more variation. The effect of perceived trustworthiness on the intention to use digital services is remarkably stronger among senior and middle management, high-level decision makers, the younger age segment, men and individuals high in technology readiness, compared to other segments studied.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the scant research on B2B customer behavior in the digital environment and incorporates individual characteristics specific to the industrial domain.
Design of Blockchain-based Precision Health-Care Using Soft Systems Methodology
Authors: Sharma Ravi , Zhang Charcy , Wingreen Stephen C. , Kshetri Nir , Zahid Arnob
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the application of soft systems methodology (SSM) to address the problematic situation of low opt-in rates for Precision Health-Care (PHC).

Design/methodology/approach

The design logic is that when trust is enhanced and compliance is better assured, participants such as patients and their doctors would be more likely to share their medical data and diagnosis for the purpose of precision modeling.

Findings

The authors present the findings of an empirical study that confronts the design challenge of increasing participant opt-in to a PHC repository of Electronic Medical Records and genetic sequencing. Guided by SSM, the authors formulate design rules for the establishment of a trust-less platform for PHC which incorporates key principles of transparency, traceability and immutability.

Research limitations/implications

The SSM approach has been criticized for its lack of “rigour” and “replicability”. This is a fallacy in understanding its purpose – theory exploration rather than theory confirmation. Moreover, it is unlikely that quantitative modeling yields any clearer an understanding of complex, socio-technical systems.

Practical implications

The application of Blockchain, a platform for distributed ledgers, and associated technologies present a feasible approach for resolving the problematic situation of low opt-in rates.

Social implications

A consequence of low participation is the weak recall and precision of descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytic models. Factors such as cyber-crime, data violation and the potential for misuse of genetic and medical records have led to a lack of trust from key stakeholders – accessors, participants, miners and regulators – to varying degrees.

Originality/value

The application of Blockchain as a trust-enabling platform in the domain of an emerging eco-system such as precision health is novel and pioneering.
Platform ecological circle for cold chain logistics enterprises: the value co-creation analysis
Authors: Peng Benhong , Wang Yuanyuan , Zahid Sardar , Wei Guo , Elahi Ehsan
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework of value co-creation in platform ecological circle for cold chain logistics enterprises to guide the transformation and development of cold chain logistics industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper establishes a conceptual framework for the research on the platform ecological circle in cold chain logistics, utilizes a structural equation model to investigate the influencing factors of the value co-creation of the platform ecological circle in the cold chain logistics enterprises and elaborates the internal relations between different influencing factors regarding the value co-creation and enterprises’ performance.

Findings

Results show that resource sharing in logistics platform ecological circle can stimulate the interaction among enterprises and this produces a positive influence on their dynamic capabilities, which, in turn, affects the they to work together to plan, implement and solve problems, so as to achieve the goal of improving enterprise performance.

Practical implications

The shared resources and value co-creation activities in the platform ecological circle are very important for the transformation and development of cold chain logistics enterprises. Therefore, enterprises should promote value co-creation through realizing resource sharing and creating a win-win cooperation mechanism.

Originality/value

This paper targets at incorporating the resource sharing in platform ecological circle for cold chain logistics enterprises, explores from an empirical perspective the role of the resource sharing in cold chain logistics enterprises in enhancing the dynamic capabilities of enterprises, thereby encouraging the value co-creation behavior, and ultimately boosts enterprise performance and stimulates business development.
Robust fuzzy sliding mode control based on low pass filter for the welding robot with dynamic uncertainty
Authors: Wang Pengcheng , Zhang Dengfeng , Lu Baochun
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Considering the external disturbances and dynamic uncertainties during the process of the trajectory tracking, this paper aims to address the problem of the welding robot trajectory tracking with guaranteed accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

The controller consists sliding mode control, fuzzy control and low pass filter. The controller adopts low-pass filter to reduce the high frequency chattering control signal in sliding mode control. The fuzzy control model is used to simulate the external disturbance signal and the dynamic uncertainty signal, so that the controller can effectively restrain the chattering caused by the sliding mode control algorithm, realizing the track of the welding robot effectively and improving the robustness of the robot.

Findings

An innovative experiment device was adopted to realize the performance of the proposed controller. Considering the kinematic and dynamic uncertainty during the process of robot tracking, the tracking accuracy was realized within 0.3 mm.

Originality/value

This paper uses Lyapunov stability theory and Barbalat theorem to analyze the stability of the proposed controller.
How the social dimension of fitness apps can enhance and undermine wellbeing
Authors: Whelan Eoin , Clohessy Trevor
Published: January 2020

Purpose

While the positive health benefits of fitness apps, which motivate and track physical exercise, are widely acknowledged, the adverse connection between these technologies and wellbeing has received little attention. The purpose of this paper is to determine how the social dimensions of fitness apps predict the type of passion (harmonious and obsessive) one has for physical exercise, and what the resulting positive and negative implications are for wellbeing.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from the theoretical frameworks of social influence and the dual model of passion (DMP), this study develops a model depicting how fitness apps relate to the causes and consequences of harmonious and obsessive passion for exercise. Survey data were collected from 272 fitness app using cyclists and analysed with partial least squares structural equation modelling techniques.

Findings

Different social influence aspects of fitness apps appeal to different types of exercisers. A harmonious passion for physical exercise is predicted by the positive reciprocal benefits attained from one’s fitness app community, while an obsessive passion is predicted by positive recognition. In turn, a harmonious passion for exercise is negatively associated with life burnout, while an obsessive passion strongly affirms that relationship. In addition, the relationship between social influence and life burnout is fully mediated by the type of passion a fitness app user possesses.

Originality/value

Underpinned by the DMP, the study provides a theoretical framework explaining how the use of fitness apps can result in opposing wellness outcomes.
Measuring brand-related content in social media: a socialization theory perspective
Authors: Sabermajidi Naghmeh , Valaei Naser , Balaji M.S. , Goh See Kwong
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Building on consumer socialization theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine antecedents and consequences of generating and sharing brand-related content on social media in a restaurant context.

Design/methodology/approach

A scale development process was undertaken to develop the scale for brand-related user-generated content (BRUGC). Then the authors tested the antecedents and consequences of BRUGC using 375 responses obtained through a mall-intercept survey. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling with AMOS.

Findings

Study findings revealed that age, time on Facebook, number of Facebook friends, Facebook usage intensity, and need for self-enhancement were key antecedents of both the generation and sharing of BRUGC. The results also indicated that gender, race and need for self-affirmation were not significantly related to generating and sharing BRUGC. Both generating and sharing BRUGC were positively associated with attitude and intentions toward the restaurants.

Originality/value

This study is the first to develop a BRUGC scale through a rigorous scale development process. It thus contributes to consumer socialization theory literature in considering social media as a socialization agent. The findings provide valuable insights for both academicians and social media managers and aid in enhancing BRUGC.
Coercive, normative, and mimetic isomorphisms as drivers of corporate tax disclosure
Authors: Depoers Florence , Jérôme Tiphaine
Published: January 2020

Purpose

International Accounting Standard (IAS) 12 requires the disclosure of a tax reconciliation (TR). The purpose of the TR is to explain the differences between the corporate effective tax expense and the corporate theoretical tax expense. In this paper, the authors investigate which institutional pressures influence the level of disclosure of the TR.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on an empirical archival approach in which the level of disclosure is first measured and then associated with institutional pressures. The sample comprises 120 companies listed on the Paris stock exchange, i.e. a highly institutionalized setting.

Findings

The findings show a wide variation in the level of disclosure of the TR across the sample and that all three types of isomorphism (coercive, normative and mimetic) are associated with disclosure.

Research limitations/implications

The paper deals exclusively with TR given its importance to a wide range of users. Additional tax information available in annual reports, most of the time at an expert level, may be the subject of further research.

Practical implications

The results have important implications for standard setters, regulators, and practitioners as the research outlines the institutional pressures at work in corporate reporting policies and pushes forward the debate on fiscal transparency.

Originality/value

This paper documents the influence of institutional pressures on the level of the TR disclosure at a country level. It contributes to the literature on corporate tax disclosure which mainly focuses on differences across countries. An innovativead hocindex is used to measure information completeness.
The impact of institutional ethics and accountability on voluntary assurance for integrated reporting
Authors: Kılıç Merve , Uyar Ali , Kuzey Cemil
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the ethics and accountability environment influences the voluntary assurance demand for integrated reports through the lens of institutional theory.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used an international sample of 192 companies that have registered in the International Integrated Reporting Council’s (IIRC) early examples database and that published integrated reports during the years 2011–2016. Binary logistic regression as well as Instrumental Variables (IV) regression with Probit and GMM estimators were employed to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The results confirm that assurance of integrated reports serves as a response to the absence or incompetence of formal and informal institutions that facilitate private contracting. Specifically, the authors found that firms tend to assure their integrated reports in business environments that are characterized by weaker ethical behaviors, less effective boards, poorer auditing and reporting standards, and insufficient protection of the rights of minority shareholders by the legal system.

Research limitations/implications

This study responds to the research calls upon integrated reporting assurance by investigating the underlying drivers of and motives for voluntary assurance on integrated reports.

Practical implications

The findings provide practical implications for firms, regulators and assurance firms. Firms can utilize the results of the study in determining their corporate policies and strategies regarding whether to undertake assurance on integrated reports. Regulators can also consider the results in shaping and improving the institutional ethical and accountability environment of their countries. Further, assurance firms can use these results to help position themselves and guide their market entry decisions.

Originality/value

This study adds to the understanding of institutional factors that impact the assurance of integrated reports which has been rarely examined by prior research. In particular, this is one of the few attempts to examine the link between institutional ethics and accountability environment and the voluntary assurance demand in an international context.
Whistleblowing system, Machiavellian personality, fraud intention
Authors: Triantoro Hanrin Damas , Utami Intiyas , Joseph Corina
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The objective of this study is: 1) to examine the effect of whistleblowing system and fraud intention, 2) the impact of Machiavellianism personality and fraud intention, 3) the interaction effect between whistleblowing system, Machiavellianism personality and fraud intention.

Design/methodology/approach

This study carried out a 2 × 2 between-subjects true experimental research design, using the Web-based tool. The subjects were 75 accounting undergraduate students from seven universities in Indonesia who were enrolled for auditing courses.

Findings

This study shows that fraud intention increases with the absence of a whistleblowing system. This research also shows that higher Machiavellianism increases individual fraud intention.

Research limitations/implications

The poor internet connection contributes to obstruction in accessing the experimental website. Few participants were required to repeat the completion of the experimental module.

Practical implications

This study contributes to developing the whistleblowing system to mitigate fraud intention in organizations considering the personality trait of the individual.

Social implications

This study suggests the importance of a better understanding of fraud mechanisms to enhance the awareness of the whistleblowing system.

Originality/value

This study uses the whistleblowing system as a proxy for an opportunity in the fraud triangle concept. There is limited empirical research conducted on examining the whistleblowing system to fraud intention and the interaction of Machiavellian personality and whistleblowing system to fraud intention.
Unethical practices peer-to-peer lending in Indonesia
Authors: Hidajat Taofik
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to highlight the existence of illegal peer-to-peer (P2P) lending in Indonesia, unethical practices of P2P lending operators to borrowers, regulatory weaknesses and offer recommendations to reduce unethical practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a general discussion through desk research using secondary data from journal papers, research reports, books and papers online.

Findings

There are regulatory weaknesses in regulating illegal P2P lending. There are no strict legal sanctions for P2P lending operators who act unethically to borrowers.

Originality/value

This paper discusses the unethical actions of P2P lending operators and the inability of regulations to take legal action against illegal P2P operators.
Testing the fraud triangle: a systematic review
Authors: Homer Emily M.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the existing literature on the fraud triangle. The fraud triangle framework, popularized by Donald Cressey and W. Steve Albrecht, has been used to explain financial crimes since the 1940s. The theory includes that workplace financial crime and fraud occurs only when an offender has sufficient opportunity, pressure and rationalization to commit the crime. The fraud triangle has been empirically applied to the array of criminal behaviors and specific financial crimes and offenders internationally to determine if all three elements are necessary for the crimes to occur.

Design/methodology/approach

This systematic review summarized 33 empirical studies that have applied all three components of the fraud triangle to study financially criminal behavior committed by both corporations and individuals. The review included published and non-published papers and manuscripts from a variety of sources internationally.

Findings

Of the 33 studies included, 32 found support for at least one element of the fraud triangle and 27 found support for all three elements. Overall, these studies have shown that the fraud triangle has generally received support across different subjects, industries and countries.

Research limitations/implications

This research only examined papers using the “fraud triangle” term.

Originality/value

This paper systematically reviewed different types of studies internationally, concluding that the fraud triangle is largely valid internationally as an explanation for financial crimes.
Customer identification in currency exchange companies as per FATF recommendations
Authors: Clavijo Suntura Joel Harry
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine if customers due to diligence measures laid down in Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendation no. 10 can be applied to customers of currency exchange companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Currency exchange financial entities undertake financial transactions with occasional customers, for this reason, this research work is aimed at carrying out a study of the content of FATF Recommendation no. 10 regarding the applicability of due diligence measures to occasional customers. For this purpose, the analytical and interpretative methods have been used.

Findings

FATF Recommendation No. 10 about customer due diligence measures has been designed primarily for financial entities with regular customers, however, most customers of financial currency exchange companies are occasional customers. For such financial entities, customer identification is mandatory only for transactions above 15,000 USD/EUR, leaving a potential risk of money laundering for financial transactions below that threshold. Furthermore, within currency exchange companies, risk factor analysis and customers’ identity verification are performed only on regular customers.

Originality/value

Customer due diligence measures in currency exchange financial entities should not be subject to the transaction threshold. Moreover, it is necessary to adopt a centralized control system to avoid currency exchange companies infringement of their control systems.
Segmentally aware: know when to merge and when to purge
Authors: Ma Yao , Xu Jiahua
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to hone in on the degree of segment-level integration relative to corporate post-merger performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 89 segments in 29 combined companies resulting from large mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions between 2001 and 2014 in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries worldwide. The authors track the change through M&A in performance of segments with different integration forms as well as performance of entire companies with different integration levels.

Findings

The authors find that integrating the segments from the target significantly improves the acquirer’s overall performance, as well as the concerned segments’ performance, following an M&A transaction. Whereas the segments from the target company, when left unintegrated, not only exhibit subpar performance among all the segments, but also appear responsible for the worsening corporate performance. Various possible reasons for this contrast are discussed.

Originality/value

This paper raises awareness of the significance of segment-level analyses, and contributes to the post-merger integration (PMI) research by examining the influence of structural integration on operating segments. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first to investigate integration forms and the post-merger financial performance of various segments within companies.
Influence of elevated temperature on alkali-activated ground granulated blast furnace slag concrete
Authors: Kumar Virendra , Kumar Amit , Prasad Brajkishor
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to present an experimental investigation on the performances of alkali-activated slag (AAS) concrete and Portland slag cement (PSC) concrete under the influence of elevated temperature. In the present study, the alkali-activated binder contains 85% of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and 15% of powder blended as chemical activators.

Design/methodology/approach

For the purpose, standard size of cube, cylinder and prism have been cast for a designed mix of concrete. The AAS concrete specimens were kept for water as well as air curing. After attaining the maturity of 28 days, the samples were first exposed to different elevated temperatures, i.e. 100°C, 200°C, 300°C, 400°C, 500°C, 600°C, 700°C and 800°C. Later on, the tests were conducted on these samples to find the change in weight and the residual strength of the concrete.

Findings

After 500°C exposure, a considerable amount of the strength loss has been observed for AAS concrete. It has been evaluated that the performance of AAS concrete is better than that of the PSC concrete at elevated temperature.

Research limitations/implications

The present research work is being applied on the material for which the experimental result has been obtained.

Practical implications

The author has tried to develop a new type of binder by using steel industry waste material and then tested at elevated temperature to sustain at high temperatures.

Social implications

This research may give a social impact for developing mass housing project with a lower cost than that of using a conventional binder, i.e. cement.

Originality/value

A new type of binder material is being developed.
Can senior management sustain engagement and identification to support learning? Designing communities and defining goals
Authors: Macpherson Allan , Kiersch Christa , Antonacopoulou Elena
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the premise that organizationally defined communities of practice can be a valuable strategic learning tool for management.

Design/methodology/approach

It is a quantitative study in a single organization. The authors analyzed data from 1,082 employees using hierarchical (multi-level) linear modeling.

Findings

Management can support learning and influence engagement and identification by defining communities of practice and establishing goals, but this is not always successful. Engagement may be a short-term phenomenon, dependent significantly on the type of practice or project in which community members are allowed or decide, to participate. Identification, on the other hand, may need practices that support longer-term individual development aims allowing and supporting the achievement of personal ambition or competence.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies of organizationally defined communities of practice could use established scales to measure leadership, engagement and identification.

Practical implications

When implementing this type of organizationally defined community of practice, attention to the types of practices or projects to which the employees can contribute seems to be most important.

Originality/value

The authors show that: the dynamics within communities of practice (CoP) designed by top management teams have an impact on CoP members’ identification and engagement; organizationally defined CoP may be part of a broader landscape of professional practice (LoP); engagement, objectives and practices, and not only identification and knowledgeability, are key to the dynamics of CoP and LoP; senior management’s leadership role in setting up successful CoP is equivocal.
How do women maximize the value of mentorship? Insights from mentees, mentors, and industry professionals
Authors: Read Dustin C. , Fisher Patti J. , Juran Luke
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of women working in the commercial real estate industry to assess how they approach mentoring relationships and take steps to maximize the value derived therefrom.

Design/methodology/approach

Through thematic analysis of 39 interviews conducted with women serving as local chapter presidents of CREW Network, the paper offers insights as to how women position themselves to receive mentorship throughout their careers and engage with mentors to address their evolving needs. In particular, three themes of commitment, reciprocity in the mentoring relationship and mentee motivation emerged.

Findings

The results suggest that this is a strategic process and one in which many women are proactively engaging to ascend to leadership positions in the corporate world. While the study is limited to those working in commercial real estate, clear implications exist for other industries.

Originality/value

By identifying and exploring these themes, the paper serves as a starting point for future research considering how women inside and outside of the commercial real estate industry can more strategically pursue mentorship and use it to attain leadership roles.
Organizations and sustainability: a field of knowledge
Authors: Borim-de-Souza Rafael , Zanoni Beatriz Lima , Jan-Chiba Jacques Haruo Fukushigue , Borinelli Benilson
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between organizations and sustainability as a field of knowledge possible to be accessed by descriptive and thematic representations extracted from administration area published papers about the subject.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper consists in a bibliometric study. It was considered five bases of journals indexation: AOM, Emerald, Elsevier, Sage and Wiley. By judgmental sampling, 11 journals were selected, in which, at the end of data collection, 192 papers were eligible to be analyzed by content and thematic analysis techniques.

Findings

In quantitative data analysis, it was implied that the field of knowledge identity was colonized by the Euro-American axis. In qualitative analysis, it was found that the investigated field of knowledge was built by 15 thematic representations, understood by three forms of comprehensions, enabled by four different debates.

Practical implications

In a political and ideological perspective of sustainability, the socioenvironmental interests are silenced by a dominant power. Along these lines, the theme is managed, instrumentalized and commercialized by a dominant power. This paper aims to make these relations between organizations and sustainability public. The investigated field of knowledge houses a dominant discursive representation interest in respect to the investigated relations.

Originality/value

This paper innovates by considering conceptual frameworks of sustainable development and sustainability developed from contributions extracted from organizational theories, sociological reflections and political science orientations. The selection was necessary to ensure the theoretical viability of the discussion proposed by this paper.
Bitmap generation from computer-aided design for potential layer-quality evaluation in electron beam additive manufacturing
Authors: Wong Hay
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Electron beam additive manufacturing (EBAM) is a popular additive manufacturing (AM) technique used by many industrial sectors. In EBAM process monitoring, data analysis is focused on information extraction directly from the raw data collected in-process, i.e. thermal/optical/electronic images, and the comparison between the collected data and the computed tomography/microscopy images generated after the EBAM process. This paper aims to postulate that a stack of bitmaps could be generated from the computer-aided design (CAD) at a range of Z heights and user-defined region of interest during file preparation of the EBAM process, and serve as a reference image set.

Design/methodology/approach

Comparison between that and the workpiece images collected during the EBAM process could then be used for quality assessment purposes. In spite of the extensive literature on CAD slicing and contour generation for AM process preparation, the method of bitmap generation from the CAD model at different field of views (FOVs) has not been disseminated in detail. This article presents a piece of custom CAD-bitmap generation software and an experiment demonstrating the application of the software alongside an electronic imaging system prototype.

Findings

Results show that the software is capable of generating binary bitmaps with user-defined Z heights, image dimensions and image FOVs from the CAD model; and can generate reference bitmaps to work with workpiece electronic images for potential pixel-to-pixel image comparison.

Originality/value

It is envisaged that this CAD-bitmap image generation ability opens up new opportunities in quality assessment for the in-process monitoring of the EBAM process.
Dimensional analysis of 3D-printed acetabular cups for hip arthroplasty using X-ray microcomputed tomography
Authors: Dall’Ava Lorenzo , Hothi Harry , Henckel Johann , Di Laura Anna , Bergiers Sean , Shearing Paul , Hart Alister
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is increasingly used to produce orthopaedic components for hip arthroplasty, such as acetabular cups, which show complex lattice porous structures and shapes. However, limitations on the quality of the final implants are present; thus, investigations are needed to ensure adequate quality and patients safety. X-ray microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) has been recognised to be the most suitable method to evaluate the complexity of 3D-printed parts. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of a micro-CT analysis method comparing it with reference systems, such as coordinate measuring machine and electron microscopy.

Design/methodology/approach

3D-printed acetabular components for hip arthroplasty (n = 2) were investigated. Dimensions related to the dense and porous regions of the samples were measured. The micro-CT scanning parameters (voltage – kV, current – µA) were optimised selecting six combinations of beam voltage and current.

Findings

Micro-CT showed good correlation and agreement with both coordinate measuring machine and scanning electron microscopy when optimal scanning parameters were selected (130 kV – 100 µA to 180 kV – 80 µA). Mean discrepancies of 50 µm (± 300) and 20 µm (± 60) were found between the techniques for dense and porous dimensions. Investigation method such as micro-CT imaging may help to better understand the impact of 3D printing manufacturing technology on the properties of orthopaedic implants.

Originality/value

The optimisation of the scanning parameters and the validation of this method with reference techniques may guide further analysis of similar orthopaedic components.
Proactive personality, goal orientation and meta-skills as predictors of protean and boundaryless career attitudes
Authors: Lochab Anshu , Nath Vishnu
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between proactive personality (PP), goal orientation (GO), meta-skills and the underlying dimensions of protean (self-directed and value-driven) and boundaryless (boundaryless mobility and mobility preference) career attitudes among Indian IT professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 600 IT professionals working in six IT companies in the Delhi-NCR (National Capital Region) in India. Structural equation modeling was used to validate the measures of the selected constructs and for testing the hypothesis.

Findings

The results of the study revealed that PP significantly affects individuals’ protean and boundaryless career attitudes. Moreover, GO significantly affects protean career attitudes, and meta-skill significantly affects boundaryless mobility, respectively.

Practical implications

The study serves as a guide for the HR managers to devise the company’s strategies keeping in mind the employees’ requirements in parallel with the policies for IT industries in India.

Originality/value

The study enriches the protean and boundaryless career literature by identifying and empirically establishing the relationship between various personality traits and career patterns opted in the context of the Indian IT industry.
Professional learning and development initiatives for postdoctoral scholars
Authors: Nowell Lorelli , Ovie Glory , Kenny Natasha , Hayden K. Alix , Jacobsen Michele
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Postdoctoral scholars are increasingly pursuing diverse career paths requiring broad skill sets. This study aims to create a more comprehensive understanding of current approaches and strategies for postdoctoral scholars professional learning and development.

Design/methodology/approach

This literature review is a systematic examination and synthesis of the current literature describing professional learning and development pertaining to postdoctoral scholars. The objectives and components of initiatives were extracted and narratively synthesized to identity important patterns and themes across the literature.

Findings

Commonalities amongst professional learning and development initiatives for postdoctoral scholars included skills development in the following areas: teaching and learning, mentorship, academic careers, academic writing, industry careers, networking, career planning, project management, time management, communication, leadership and balancing work-life demands.

Originality/value

In synthesizing the literature that describes professional learning and development opportunities for postdoctoral scholars, it is apparent that opportunities look different in every setting with no empirical evidence that one strategy is more effective than another. Given the significant resources often required to support professional learning and development initiatives, a deeper understanding of the benefits and deficiencies of various components is needed to ensure scarce resources are invested in the most effective strategies.
So tall within: sojourner truth’s long walk to freedom
Authors: Brodey Sari , Tidd La Wanda , Serriere Stephanie
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to support teachers in utilizing the 2019 National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Notable Tradebook, “Sojourner Truth’s Long Walk to Freedom” (Schmidt, 2018). The authors found this book to be useful, beautiful and well-written but with several complex and dense literary aspects. Thus, this lesson offers supports for students in decoding similes and metaphors within “juicy sentences” (Fenner and Snyder, 2017, p. 131). These tools are especially important for English language learners’ (ELLs) unlocking the meaning of a book. Through this lesson, learners are supported in understanding Schmidt’s “So Tall Within” retelling the life of an extraordinary citizen, Sojourner Truth, who worked for the enforcement of emancipation promised in the 13th amendment.

Design/methodology/approach

In this lesson, students learn to recognize similes and metaphors in texts as a tool to decode a text’s meaning. In the beginning of the lesson, students listen to a rap about Sojourner Truth’s life to initially recognize in-text similes and metaphors. Then, students apply this new skill to unlock the meaning of metaphors and similes in the “So Tall Within” book to better understand the author’s message about Sojourner’s life. Last, students each make an illustrated and written postcard to Sojourner Truth called “Walking Tall Postcards” with their given metaphor or simile and add reflections on how they do or can “walk tall.” Finally, students chronologically re-construct the postcard statements and create a class book called, “Postcards of Walking Tall.”

Findings

Students, especially ELLs, must be given supports to unlock the meaning of dense texts (Fenner and Snyder, 2017). To promote equity in the classroom, the lesson was created to make this text more understandable for all learners.

Originality/value

Like many NCSS Tradebooks that are beautiful in illustrations and lyrical prose, this book requires supports for young learners to decode and understand. This lesson plan scaffolds students’ understanding, especially ELLs’ understanding, of simile and metaphor as a tool to unlock a text’s meaning toward increased historical understanding of Sojourner’s life. Understanding the legacy of Sojourner Truth is evermore important to teach today – she was a woman empowered with knowledge of the law to recognize human rights violations and act on behalf of others.