bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Responsible consumption: addressing individual food waste behavior
Authors: Ang Wei-Zhi , Narayanan Suresh , Hong Meenchee
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Food wastage is a major contributor to pervasive world hunger. Cutting global food waste in half by 2030 is one of the United Nation's top priorities. Hence, this paper aims to provide useful insights on how individual behavior might be influenced to help reduce food wastage and hunger by identifying individual food waste determinants.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 297 useable responses were obtained from a survey using a food diary method. A logit model was employed to estimate the relationship between leftovers and its determinants (preparedness to take own action, price conscious, food review, religiosity, health conscious, cost, marital status and gender).

Findings

Results show that preparedness to be responsible for one's actions, depending on food reviews and being waste conscious had a significant positive relationship with food waste reducing behavior, along with being male and being married.

Research limitations/implications

The study suggests that there is scope for policy initiatives to reduce the individual utility from discarding food and increase the individual utility from food saving activities. Penalizing individual or household food wastage through a tax will directly raise the cost of wastage and reduce the net utility from discarding food. Reducing food waste could help reduce global hunger.

Originality/value

Rationally, no one will have any intention to waste when buying food. Instead, in the context of deciding whether or not to leave leftover food, an individual is posited to weigh the potential utility from saving food or throwing it away. Thus, this study examines food waste behavior by utilizing economic tools, which is rare in the food waste literature.
Saregama Carvaan: a phoenix that rose from the ashes
Authors: Mulla Tausif Amir
Published: August 2021

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of this case are product innovation, the importance of consumer insights and data in marketing and the role of consumer insights in brand revival.

Case overview/synopsis

This case study is a fascinating look into how the shift from music compact disc (CDs) to streaming has completely changed consumer behavior. This change in attitude led many music labels down one of two paths as follows: shutting down the business or embracing new business models. The case study aims to bring out essential learning from a company, Saregama, that was on the verge of shutting down because of the losses incurred with the shift in consumer behavior from buying music CDs to streaming music for free on every smart device. This shift led most record companies to become shuttered. However, not all were as fortunate as Saregama, who threaded its way toward profitability. This case analyzes how Saregama turned from a loss-making business unit into a profit center by launching a breakthrough product backed by innovative thinking and strong consumer research. The researcher opted for secondary research based on reports from Deloitte and McKinsey & Company and other credible sources to understand the music streaming market in India. The study also includes excerpts from the interview of Vikram Mehra (MD of Saregama India Ltd.) to various media houses and customer reviews on e-commerce sites.

Complexity academic level

The case is relevant for learners studying for an undergraduate or graduate program and for discussions for modules such as marketing management and international marketing with a focus on product development and strategy. Applicability the case will provide the following exposure to the learners: the difference between corporate and marketing objectives; Using frameworks such as valuable, rare, inimitable, and organization and SAP-LAP to understand the rationale behind strategic decisions; An understanding of the importance of listening to consumers; Using the right marketing elements such as segmentation, targeting and positioning and marketing mix for a competitive marketing strategy.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS: 8 Marketing.
Yorokobi: assessment of determinants of seaport logistics for the export supply chain of pesticides
Authors: Amonkar Raj V. , Sengupta Tuhin , Patnaik Debasis
Published: August 2021

Learning outcomes

This case introduces the context of seaport logistics supply chain management with a focus on the issues of risk management in handling and transportation of dangerous goods (DG). The authors present the following learning objectives under the overarching framework of Bloom’s Taxonomy as follows: To understand the severity of handling and transportation of DG in the export supply chain context. To understand the relevance of multi-criteria decision-making in risk assessment. To apply Delphi Technique to appropriately explain the process of risk assessment in a supply-chain context.

Case overview/synopsis

It was midnight on December 21, 2020, and Nishadh Amonkar, Chief Executive Officer, Yorokobi, was still awake recollecting his telecon with Tushar Rane, the Head-Materials, Western Maharashtra site of Crop Life Pvt Ltd. The organization was developing and manufacturing pesticides and other specialty chemicals for its clients worldwide. As new and diverse products were being manufactured in the organization, transportation of the products was becoming challenging. The case highlights the need for a data driven risk assessment approach to manage supply chains that were prone to product driven risks such as the handling and transportation of DG.

Complexity academic level

This course is suitable at the Master of Business Administration level for the following courses: Supply Chain Management (Focus/Session: Supply Chain Risk Management), Logistics Management (Focus/Session: Risks in Logistics and Supply Chain), Research Methodology (Focus/Session: Application of Delphi Technique).

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 9: Operations and logistics.
National bank of Fujairah’s digital platform “NBF Connect”
Authors: Jegerson Devid , Ahmad Syed Zamberi
Published: August 2021

Learning outcomes

To understand the goals and key performance indicators of online social media marketing and the primary drivers of interaction in a social community. To analyze the challenges faced by the team during the launch of the new digital platform National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) Connect, interacting with an already online present small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) community. To analyze the concept of community marketing in an emerging country and appreciate the value of digital platforms in customer relationship management. To identify and critically evaluate insights on which ideas for marketing communication activities for NBF Connect can be built upon. To build an operational plan for NBF Connect customer engagement on online social communities.

Case overview/synopsis

In 2020, NBF launched a new digital platform for SMEs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) called “NBF Connect” with the purpose of redefining banking services for the small businesses sector. The digitalization wave in the UAE was revolutionizing various industry sectors. The global banking industry was already impacted by digitalization and some banks in the UAE, especially in the retail segment (Emirates NBD, 2017), had already introduced many technology-led innovations bringing more effectiveness in the processes and better customer experience. However, the SME banking segment was lagging in terms of innovation. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic situation, with compulsory lockdowns and social distancing, changed the way of doing business for entire industries and increased the pressure on banks for the provisioning of new digital products. Rose joined NBF in the first part of 2020 as Product Owner of the project NBF Connect. The new digital platform was ideated by NBF to be differentiated from other banking products. It was co-created with insights from and regular interaction with the SME community. After the deployment of the first version of the platform in April 2020, Rose realized that the user adoption and commercial results were below par. Over the next three months, only a few users were using the platform with shallow interactions. This case study looks at Rose’s journey as NBF refined and evolved its SME banking platform, including developing and positioning the digital platform in the market, identifying competitive advantages and developing the right commercial strategy to monetize NBF’s investment in the digital platform’s development.

Complexity Academic Level

Students are expected to have knowledge of the issues relevant to marketing and communication management, product management and business development.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing
Dish Tv India Limited: the dilemma of celebrity endorsement
Authors: Aggarwal Rashmi Kumar , Rishi Bikramjit
Published: August 2021

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of this paper are as follows: to understand the meaning of celebrity endorser, to understand factors that play a significant role in selecting a celebrity endorser for product endorsement, to decide when a brand needs a celebrity endorser and to generate option analysis factoring in the pros and limitations of celebrity endorsement.

Case overview/synopsis

Dish TV pioneered digital entertainment in India. It was July 2016, the first quarter board meeting of Dish TV India Limited at the company corporate office in Noida, India. One of the agenda items was whether the company needed to rely on celebrity endorsement 12 years after its inception. In three months, time, at its next meeting, the board was expected to come up with a product campaign that would most effectively impact its target customers.

Complexity academic level

The case is targeted at business management students pursuing a postgraduate management program.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing.
The chicken and egg story of a call centre in Malaysia
Authors: Chan Alan Fun-Foo , Tee Keng-Kok , Rathakrishnan Thanuja , Ho Jo Ann , Ng Siew-Imm
Published: August 2021

Learning outcomes

After attempting the case, users are able to: analyse issues and problems faced by a call centre in Malaysia. Determine the root causes of the problems faced by call centre employees and generate alternative solutions to solve the problems faced by the company and to ensure the sustainability of the business.

Case overview/synopsis

This case was about the challenges faced by Daniel, the General Manager of an integrated security protection system company, Secure First (SF). Despite investing in the latest security technologies, conducting a major overhaul of the procedures, introducing an enhanced digital system at the call centre and providing training to the call agents, it was on the verge of losing its important long-term client due to its substandard performance. The client experienced major losses due to break-ins. After a thorough investigation, the problem surfaced in their call centre. Most of the staff were not familiar with the newly adopted system. The circumstances worsened when many of the call centre’s senior employees were tendering their resignations. The case discusses the aspect of employee satisfaction, staff performance that led to the turnover issue amongst employees in a call centre. The case explores what short-term and long-term strategies could Daniel suggest to change the call centre’s course to retain SF’s key account in times of desperation.

Complexity academic level

This case has a moderate level of difficulty and may be used in undergraduate students.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 6: Human resource management.
Standard microfinance bank, Nigeria: developing underserved markets
Authors: Rakshit Sandip , Mehdi Mokhalles Mohammad
Published: August 2021

Learning outcomes

To understand the challenges of building a successful business in an emerging market like Yola, Nigeria. To understand the role of micro-finance banks in doing business in Yola, Nigeria. To comprehend strategies adopted in market segmentation and sales of products or services to the customer. To apprehend strategies adopted to sustain and compete in Nigeria – both rural and urban.

Case overview/synopsis

Standard Microfinance Bank Limited (SMFB) was a private micro-finance bank situated at Yola, Adamawa State of Nigeria. It initially started as a community bank in 1992 to provide loans to individuals and small business owners in Adamawa. It started with the services of payment service and savings account with a limited lending capacity. It had become a full-fledged retail bank and was grown to 13 branches across Nigeria. It planned for expansion such as market development, product development and diversification by the year 2020. It had a customer base of 60,000 till the end of December 2018. Vazheparambil Mani Francis was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SMFB. The SMFB faced challenges such as operating the remote villages, lack of financial literacy among people, recovery of the loan amount, submission of false credentials and change of customer identity after loan by their customer. It was not going to be an easy task for him to operate the business of SMFB in Nigeria. However, in December 2018, Francis was facing a dilemma about the future success of SMFB business in Nigeria by looking into the challenges and complexities of business. Francis was determined to figure out the appropriate growth strategy for managing the challenges.

Complexity academic level

Undergraduate and graduate early-stage program.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Visualising personas as goal models to find security tensions
Authors: Faily Shamal , Iacob Claudia , Ali Raian , Ki-Aries Duncan
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to present a tool-supported approach for visualising personas as social goal models, which can subsequently be used to identify security tensions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors devised an approach to partially automate the construction of social goal models from personas. The authors provide two examples of how this approach can identify previously hidden implicit vulnerabilities and validate ethical hazards faced by penetration testers and their safeguards.

Findings

Visualising personas as goal models makes it easier for stakeholders to see implications of their goals being satisfied or denied and designers to incorporate the creation and analysis of such models into the broader requirements engineering (RE) tool-chain.

Originality/value

The approach can be used with minimal changes to existing user experience and goal modelling approaches and security RE tools.
Green human resource management, perceived green organizational support and their effects on hotel employees’ behavioral outcomes
Authors: Aboramadan Mohammed , Karatepe Osman M.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a research model that explores perceived green organizational support (OS) as a mediator of the effect of green human resource management (GHRM) on job performance (JP) and organizational citizenship behavior toward the organization (OCB-O).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used data obtained from small- and medium-sized hotels in Palestine. The associations given above were tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings reveal that GHRM boosts hotel employees’ perceptions of green OS. That is, the effective implementation of GHRM is a sign of perceived green OS. Congruent with the study predictions, employees’ perceptions of green OS activate their JP and OCB-O. Finally, perceived green OS mediates the impact of GHRM on JP and OCB-O.

Practical implications

Management should take advantage of green human resource practices to acquire and retain talented employees whose environmental goals and values fit those of the company. Employees should be involved in problem-solving on environmental sustainability and green management. They should also participate in continuous training programs and enhance their awareness of environmental sustainability and green management.

Originality/value

There is a lack of evidence appertaining to the effects of GHRM and perceived green OS on non-green positive workplace performance outcomes. More importantly, there is a scarcity of evidence about the mechanism linking GHRM to these performance outcomes.
Are women's entrepreneurial intentions and motivations influenced by financial skills?
Authors: Llados-Masllorens Josep , Ruiz-Dotras Elisabet
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to determine the contribution of financial skills to entrepreneurial intentions among women involved in university education.

Design/methodology/approach

Clustering and logistic regression analyses were used to infer the determinants and motivators of entrepreneurial intention in a sample of women students at a Spanish online university.

Findings

Financial and numerical skills could play a significant role in boosting entrepreneurial culture, overcoming reticence and increasing awareness of business opportunities, particularly when women are motivated to increase their autonomy and income. The study offers meaningful implications for policymakers.

Research limitations/implications

Further research will be needed before these conclusions may be inferred to other settings and circumstances. Comparison with a similar sample of potential male entrepreneurs may also be necessary to deduce the influence of gender.

Practical implications

The introduction of certain financial content into the education system by governments and policymakers would produce remarkable results on entrepreneurship intention among women.

Social implications

Relational capital and positive social influences also contribute to mitigating the effects of risk aversion, one of the main barriers for potential female entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

The role of financial literacy in entrepreneurial intention among women has scarcely been addressed in academic research. The literature also has paid little attention to the analysis of what motivates women into entrepreneurship, and whether women who decide to embark on a business venture show different profiles. The aim of this study is to contribute to closing these gaps, exploring the effect of cognitive skills, personality traits, contextual factors and motivations.
A study on socio-aesthetic value accentuation and marketing performance: an SDL perspective
Authors: Ferdinand Augusty Tae , Zuhroh Siti
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to build a conceptual model based on socio-aesthetic value accentuation (SAVA), positional advantage and sales-network power as the bridging process for enhancing sales performance in the context of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

A structural study methodology is adopted. In all, 200 owner– managers of SMEs were involved in the study and voluntarily spent time for an interview in the data collection process. To test the model and hypotheses, the authors used the analysis moment structure structural equation modeling (AMOS SEM structural model software to analyse 178 usable questionnaires.

Findings

The results demonstrate three strategic pathways to enhanced sales performance, namely, anchors on SAVA, positional advantage and sales-network power and are the basis of the separate contribution of our proposed strategic equilateral triangle model for conceptual bridging.

Research limitations/implications

The rejection of the hypothesis provides a room for further research. The sample frame of Indonesian SMEs limits the generalisation power of SAVA concept, which then calls for replication to achieve a broader generalisation. The theoretical implication of the study relates to strengthening the applicability of the theory of service-dominant logic in marketing studies.

Practical implications

There are several practical managerial implications for SME entrepreneurs seeking to improve sales performance.

Originality/value

This pioneering study explains the role of SAVA – positional advantage and sales-network power to bridge innovation capability and enhanced marketing performance.
Investigation of friction noise properties of M50 matrix curved microporous channel composites filled with Sn-Ag-Cu
Authors: Zhou Bin , Ma Jin , Zhou Hongyan , Shi Xiaoliang , Ibrahim Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the friction noise properties of M50 matrix curved microporous channel composites filled with solid lubricant Sn-Ag-Cu (MS).

Design/methodology/approach

Pure M50 (MA) and MS are prepared by selective laser melting and vacuum-pressure infiltration technology. The tribological and friction noise properties of MA and MS are tested through dry sliding friction and then the influential mechanism of surface wear sate on friction noise is investigated by analyzing the variation law of noise signals and the worn surface characteristics of MS.

Findings

Experimental results show that the friction noise sound pressure level of MS is only 75.6 dB, and it mainly consists of low-frequency noise. The Sn-Ag-Cu improves the surface wear state, which reduces self-excited vibration of the interface caused by fluctuation of friction force, leading to the decrease of friction noise.

Originality/value

This investigation is meaningful to improve the tribological property and suppress the friction noise of M50 bearing steel.
Developing a new deep learning CNN model to detect and classify highway cracks
Authors: Elghaish Faris , Talebi Saeed , Abdellatef Essam , Matarneh Sandra T. , Hosseini M. Reza , Wu Song , Mayouf Mohammad , Hajirasouli Aso , Nguyen The-Quan
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to Test the capabilities/accuracies of four deep learning pre trained convolutional neural network (CNN) models to detect and classify types of highway cracks, as well as developing a new CNN model to maximize the accuracy at different learning rates.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 4,663 images of highway cracks were collected and classified into three categories of cracks, namely, “vertical cracks,” “horizontal and vertical cracks” and “diagonal cracks,” subsequently, using “Matlab” to classify the sample to training (70%) and testing (30%) to apply the four deep learning CNN models and compute their accuracies. After that, developing a new deep learning CNN model to maximize the accuracy of detecting and classifying highway cracks and testing the accuracy using three optimization algorithms at different learning rates.

Findings

The accuracies result of the four deep learning pre-trained models are above the averages between top-1 and top-5 and the accuracy of classifying and detecting the samples exceeded the top-5 accuracy for the pre-trained AlexNet model around 3% and by 0.2% for the GoogleNet model. The accurate model here is the GoogleNet model as the accuracy is 89.08% and it is higher than AlexNet by 1.26%. While the computed accuracy for the new created deep learning CNN model exceeded all pre-trained models by achieving 97.62% at a learning rate of 0.001 using Adam’s optimization algorithm.

Practical implications

The created deep learning CNN model will enable users (e.g. highway agencies) to scan a long highway and detect types of cracks accurately in a very short time compared to traditional approaches.

Originality/value

A new deep learning CNN-based highway cracks detection was developed based on testing four pre-trained CNN models and analyze the capabilities of each model to maximize the accuracy of the proposed CNN.
Bilingual learning strategies to support Chinese EAL business students
Authors: Ashton-Hay Sally Ann , Lamberton Geoffrey , Zhou Yining , von der Heidt Tania
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of bilingual learning strategies designed to support Chinese undergraduate business students facing significant learning challenges in an Australian university capstone curriculum delivered at their Chinese university. These challenges include the students’ difficulty understanding discipline-specific English terminology, using this terminology to discuss disciplinary concepts with their instructors and stress caused by an abnormally high study load.

Design/methodology/approach

In response to these challenges, the project team implemented a suite of bilingual strategies to reduce cognitive load and enhance learning, which included Chinese-English glossaries to build disciplinary-specific vocabularies; a bilingual teaching assistant to enable students to communicate in their language of choice; the use of WeChat to connect students to staff and to provide translanguaging opportunities; and bilateral managerial and academic support for strengthening the institutional cross-cultural relationship through staff exchange and language learning programs. A series of surveys were administered to measure the impact of these strategies on students’ learning, and WeChat logs were analysed to determine students’ linguistic preferences during discussions with staff and students.

Findings

The results of this project show strong support for each bilingual strategy, high academic performance amongst the student cohort, the positive contribution to learning and connection provided by social media technology, students’ language of choice preferences and chosen translanguaging styles and the important role of teaching staff in supporting international students’ intercultural learning and adaptation to a foreign university learning system.

Originality/value

This original evidence-based study helps to address the gap in bilingual education in Australian higher education demonstrating a successful strategy for dealing with language and discipline-specific challenges confronting EAL students.
Drivers of the experience value of mobile money transfer service: Senegaleseuser perspectives
Authors: Fall Ndeye Astou Manel , Diop-Sall Fatou , Poncin Ingrid
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Digital service innovations have enabled service market access, transforming Africa. This paper aims to investigate individual and contextual drivers of experience value of mobile money transfer (MMT) service during post-adoption given impacts of individual/cultural characteristics in Senegal.

Design/methodology/approach

Mixed methods. Study 1 qualitatively investigates the effects of individual-contextual drivers on the experience value of MMT and behavioral intentions. Study 2 quantitatively tests the main causal effects between drivers and MMT.

Findings

Conceptual models of experience value including ethical and social dimensions proposed in MMT are positively related to behavioral intentions. Need for social interaction (NSI), self-efficacy (SEFF) and social pressure (SP) – sources of experience value creation/destruction – must be integrated into business practices. Results show the indirect positive influence of NSI on behavioral intentions through MMTs experience value. Moreover, traditional cultural orientation (TCO) is a source of value creation/destruction. Managers should build ethical relations with users, integrate social functions in MMT and understand users’ cultural and individual characteristics for better customer relationship management policy.

Originality/value

Few studies examine how MMT experience creates/destroys value in a Sub-Saharan African context, specifically in Senegal. The authors show that SP might destroy value and reveal how individual variables such as SEFF, NSI and TCO affect experience value creation/destruction. Surprisingly, NSI creates value, revealing MMT as hybrid self-service technology.
Creating a healthcare variant CYNEFIN framework to improve leadership and urgent decision-making in times of crisis
Authors: Lane Paul James , Clay-Williams Robyn , Johnson Andrew , Garde Vidula , Barrett-Beck Leah
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The complex and occasionally chaotic nature of health care has been previously described in the literature, as has the broadening recognition that different management approaches are required for different types of problems rather than a “one size fits all” approach. The CYNEFIN framework from Snowden outlines a consistent cognitive approach that offers the leader and leadership team an ability to urgently apply the correct actions to a given situation. This paper proposes a variant CYNEFIN approach for healthcare.

Design/methodology/approach

Consistent and accurate decision-making within health care is the hallmark of an effective and pragmatic leader and leadership team. An awareness of how one’s cognitive biases and heuristics may adversely impact on this cognitive process is paramount, as is an understanding of the calibration between fast and slow thinking.

Findings

The authors propose a variant CYNEFIN approach for health care of “act-probe-sense-respond” to resolve complex and time-critical emergency scenarios, using the differing contexts of a cardiac arrest and an evolving crisis management problem as examples. The variant serves as a pragmatic sense-making framework for the health-care leader and leadership team that can be adopted for many time-critical crisis situations.

Originality/value

The variant serves as a pragmatic sense-making framework for the health-care leader that can be adopted for many crisis situations.
Close auditor-client relationships: adverse effects and the potential mitigating role of partner rotation
Authors: Liu Qiliang , Zhao Lei , Tian Li , Xie Jian
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether close auditor-client relationships affect audit quality over the tenure of the audit partner and the potential role of partner rotation in mitigating this effect.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the Chinese mandatory audit partner rotation setting, the authors identify the existence of a close auditor-client relationship if the audit partner tenure with a client is larger than the audit firm tenure with that client. The sample period (1998–2009) is divided into voluntary and mandatory rotation periods when examining the effects of audit partner tenure on audit quality for the normal and close auditor-client relationship subsamples, respectively. The authors also conduct a propensity score matching analysis to address a selection issue.

Findings

The paper finds that under the voluntary partner rotation regime, audit quality decreases with audit partner tenure for the subsample with close auditor-client relationships, whereas this effect is not shown in the normal relationship subsample. However, audit quality no longer declines with audit partner tenure under the mandatory partner rotation regime.

Originality/value

This is the first study that directly examines the effect of audit partner tenure on audit quality associated with close auditor-client relationships under the voluntary and mandatory partner rotation regimes.
Financing and supervisory effects of credit ratings: evidence from mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Xu Qian , Wu Yuhui , Zhai Lingling
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how credit ratings affect corporate financial behavior from the perspective of merger and acquisition (M&A) decisions. The goal is to test the financing and supervisory effects of credit ratings and study the economic consequences of credit ratings in the context of China.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies over the 2008–2017 period, this paper empirically examines the effect of credit ratings on firms’ M&A decisions. The authors used a probit model for regression when they tested the effect of credit rating on M&A likelihood and a tobit model when they tested the effect of credit rating on M&A intensity.

Findings

First, rated enterprises tend to make more acquisitions compared with non-rated enterprises, consistent with the hypothesis that credit ratings alleviate financing constraints. Second, high-rated enterprises are more cautious toward M&As due to concerns about preserving their ratings, which indicates that credit ratings also play a supervisory role in the M&A process. Additional tests show that enterprises reduce M&A activity after a rating downgrade to avoid further deterioration in their ratings; this further supports the supervisory role of credit ratings.

Originality/value

This paper adds incremental evidence to the literature on the impact of credit ratings on corporate financial behavior and extends the literature on the factors influencing M&As. The authors provided empirical evidence from emerging capital markets for the financing and supervisory effects of credit ratings and provided theoretical guidance for promoting the stable, long-term development of China’s credit rating industry.
Making context matter: unraveling functional foods’ constructions by Tunisian consumers
Authors: Lakhdar Saoussen , Smaoui Fatma
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the socio-cultural meanings of functional foods for Tunisian consumers and to understand how these meanings shape their preferences and practices in the particular context of a Middle-East and North African (MENA) region.

Design/methodology/approach

A constructivist perspective based on multi-qualitative methods was designed allowing data collection in a natural setting through focus groups interviews, individual in-depth interviews and projective techniques among Tunisian consumers.

Findings

Findings show the complexity and importance of conscious and unconscious non-health-related socio-cultural factors in the construction and acceptance of functional foods by the Tunisian consumer. Common sense knowledge, social environment and tradition shape the constructions and practices of functional foods. These factors may act as a shortcut to compensate for unhealthy behaviour and as a social marker to reflect trendiness and identity.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are specific to the Tunisian setting and may be not transferable to other settings.

Practical implications

The role of information is central in functional food acceptance. Communication on health effects should consider not only the formal nutritional health benefit but also lay knowledge.

Social implications

The findings of this research contribute in the government’s understanding of Tunisian’s constructions of health and well-being by suggesting that besides health motives, non-health-related factors such as lay knowledge, social influences and conspicuous consumption play an important role in functional foods choice.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to extend functional foods literature by exploring the complex interconnected conscious and unconscious socio-cultural constructions behind functional food choice. It contributes also to the understanding of the food consumer behaviour in the specific cultural context of the Arab-Muslim MENA region, an under investigated setting.
A hybrid of genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization for reducing material waste in extrusion-basedadditive manufacturing
Authors: Feng Ruiliang , Jiang Jingchao , Sun Zhichao , Thakur Atul , Wei Xiangzhi
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report the design of a lightweight tree-shaped support structure for fused deposition modeling (FDM) three-dimensional (3D) printed models when the printing path is considered as a constraint.

Design/methodology/approach

A hybrid of genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) is proposed to address the topology optimization of the tree-shaped support structures, where GA optimizes the topologies of the trees and PSO optimizes the geometry of a fixed tree-topology. Creatively, this study transforms each tree into an approximate binary tree such that GA can be applied to evolve its topology efficiently. Unlike FEM-based methods, the growth of tree branches is based on a large set of FDM 3D printing experiments.

Findings

The hybrid of GA and PSO is effective in reducing the volume of the tree supports. It is shown that the results of the proposed method lead to up to 46.71% material savings in comparison with the state-of-the-art approaches.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed approach requires a large number of printing experiments to determine the function of the yield length of a branch in terms of a set of critical parameters. For brevity, one can print a small set of tree branches (e.g. 30) on a single platform and evaluate the function, which can be used all the time after that. The steps of GA for topology optimization and those of PSO for geometry optimization are presented in detail.

Originality/value

The proposed approach is useful for the designers and manufacturers to save materials and printing time in fabricating complex models using the FDM technique. It can be adapted to the design of support structures for other additive manufacturing techniques such as Stereolithography and selective laser melting.
The effects of circular economy initiative implementation on business performance: the moderating role of organizational culture
Authors: Kwarteng Amoako , Simpson Samuel Nana Yaw , Agyenim-Boateng Cletus
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The study aims to examine the micro-level implications of implementing a circular economy (CE) business model on firms’ financial performance and the effect of organizational culture in this context.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a survey method to obtain 617 usable questionnaires from diverse business sectors in Ghana, a largely unexplored region and relying on institutional and legitimacy theories.

Findings

The study shows that the implementation ofCEpolicies, such as the reducing, reusing, recycling, recovery and restoration of resources used in manufacturing, distribution and consumption processes, contributes to improved financial efficiency. Furthermore, organizational culture moderates by way of strengthening the positive relationship betweenCEand business financial performance.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on circularity and the broader discourse on ecological issues by arguing that institutional and legitimacy theories, which are both from the political economy theory, suggest that firms’ economic activities will be influenced by the political, social and institutional context. Therefore, the firm’s decision to embrace a different business model such asCEshould be seen from the political environment involving rules and regulations, social dynamics both within and outside the organization and the institutional structures within which the firm operates. These mechanisms establish a business case for the implementation ofCEinitiatives and is guided by intent and specific goals. This motivates and encourages employees to be more involved in their duties and interactions leading to high levels of employee satisfaction, which improves productivity and profitability.
Both diversity and functional composition affect productivity and water use efficiency in experimental temperate grasslands
Authors: Walde Manuel , Allan Eric , Cappelli Seraina L. , Didion‐Gency Margaux , Gessler Arthur , Lehmann Marco M. , Pichon Noémie A. , Grossiord Charlotte
Published: August 2021

Many experiments have shown that biodiversity promotes ecosystem functioning and stability and that this relationship varies with resource availability. However, we still have a poor understanding of the underlying physiological and ecological mechanisms driving diversity effects and how they may interact with soil nutrient availability.

We collected data in a grassland experiment factorially manipulating fertilization, species richness (SR), functional composition (slow‐growing vs. fast‐growing species) and functional diversity in resource economic traits. We measured above‐ground productivity (AP), nitrogen (N) uptake, photosynthesis and water use efficiency by combining a 15N labelling approach with productivity, gas exchange and stable isotope measurements in 3 years differing in rainfall.

We found that sown SR increased AP, N uptake and photosynthesis, suggesting that SR is the most important driver of ecosystem productivity and nutrient cycling. Similarly, photosynthesis was affected by functional composition but not by functional diversity. Water use efficiency was reduced by sown SR for communities dominated by slow‐growing species but not for communities dominated by fast‐growing species. Fertilization increased productivity, N uptake and water use efficiency. The positive effects of high SR on ecosystem functions were independent of fertility levels.

Synthesis. Our results provide evidence that high species richness in temperate grasslands could enhance productivity and reduce the negative impacts of drought events. Multiple factors and community characteristics are important in driving enhanced ecosystem functioning in biodiverse grasslands and seem to affect functioning and stability through different mechanisms.
Assessing the knowledge of endometriosis diagnostic tools in a large, international lay population: an online survey
Authors: Leonardi M , Rocha R , Tun‐Ismail AN , Robledo KP , Armour M , Condous G
Published: August 2021

Objective

To assess the general population’s knowledge regarding the utility and availability of tools to diagnosis endometriosis, with a focus on ultrasound.

Design

An international cross‐sectional online survey study was performed between August and October 2019.

Setting and population

5301 respondents, representing 73 countries.

Methods

In all, 23 questions survey focused on knowledge of endometriosis diagnosis distributed globally via patient‐ and community‐endometriosis groups using social media.

Main outcomes and measures

Descriptive data of the knowledge of diagnostic tools for diagnosing endometriosis, including details about diagnosis using ultrasound.

Results

In all, 84.0% of respondents had been previously diagnosed with endometriosis, 71.5% of whom had been diagnosed at the time of surgery. Ultrasound and MRI were the methods of diagnosis in 6.5% and 1.8%, respectively. A total of 91.8%, 28.8% and 16.6% of respondents believed surgery, ultrasound and MRI could diagnose endometriosis, respectively (more than one answer allowed). In those diagnosed by surgery, 21.7% knew about ultrasound as a diagnosis method, whereas in those diagnosed non‐surgically, 51.5% knew (P < 0.001). In all, 14.7%, 31.1% and 18.2% stated superficial, ovarian and deep endometriosis could be diagnosed with ultrasound (32.9% stated they did not know which phenotypes of endometriosis could be diagnosed). Lastly, 58.4% of respondents do not believe they could access an advanced ultrasound in their region.

Conclusions

There is a limited appreciation for the role of non‐surgical diagnostic tests for endometriosis among lay respondents to this survey.

Tweetable abstract

International survey shows limited awareness of lay respondents about non‐surgical endometriosis diagnostic tools.
Duration of medical home participation and quality of care for patients with chronic conditions
Authors: Swietek Karen E. , Domino Marisa Elena , Grove Lexie R. , Beadles Chris , Ellis Alan R. , Farley Joel F. , Jackson Carlos , Lichstein Jesse C. , DuBard C. Annette
Published: August 2021

Objective

To examine whether the length of participation in a patient‐centered medical home (PCMH), an evidence‐based practice, leads to higher quality care for Medicaid enrollees with multiple co‐morbid chronic conditions and major depressive disorder (MDD).

Data Sources

This analysis uses a unique data source that links North Carolina Medicaid claims and enrollment data with other administrative data including electronic records of state‐funded mental health services, a state psychiatric hospital utilization database, and electronic records from a five‐county behavioral health carve‐out program.

Study Design

This retrospective cohort study uses generalized estimating equations (GEEs) on person‐year‐level observations to examine the association between the duration of PCMH participation and measures of guideline‐concordant care, including the receipt of minimally adequate care for MDD, defined as 6 months of antidepressant use or eight psychotherapy visits each year.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Adults with two or more chronic conditions reflected in administrative data, including MDD.

Principal Findings

We found a 1.7 percentage point increase in the likelihood of receiving guideline‐concordant care at 4 months of PCMH participation, as compared to newly enrolled individuals with a single month of participation (p < 0.05). This effect increased with each additional month of PCMH participation; 12 months of participation was associated with a 19.1 percentage point increase in the likelihood of receiving guideline‐concordant care over a single month of participation (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The PCMH model is associated with higher quality of care for patients with multiple chronic conditions and MDD over time, and these benefits increase the longer a patient is enrolled. Providers and policy makers should consider the positive effect of increased contact with PCMHs when designing and evaluating initiatives to improve care for this population.
Product market fluidity and religious constraints: evidence from the US market
Authors: Anwer Zaheer , Mohamad Shamsher , Azmi Wajahat , Shavkatovich Hasanov Akram
Published: August 2021

We use a sample of 5,863 US firms to investigate how religious constraints affect the product market fluidity for Shariah compliant (SC) firms. The study is important as Islamic asset management is emerging as an alternative investment class. We find that SC firms are less exposed to product market threats in relation to Shariah non‐compliant (SNC) firms. They are more competitive in the case of less concentrated markets, lower market share, equity multiplier, market/book assets ratio, experience lower asset growth, and spend little on research and development. Their competitive position is strengthened when their return on assets, sales and retained earnings are lower.
A genome‐wide association study reveals additive and dominance effects on growth and fatness traits in large white pigs
Authors: Yang W. , Wu J. , Yu J. , Zheng X. , Kang H. , Wang Z. , Zhang S. , Zhou L. , Liu J.
Published: August 2021

The dominance effect is a kind of non‐additive effect due to the interaction between alleles at the same locus. Quantitative traits such as growth traits in farm animals have been found to be influenced by dominance effects. However, dominance effects are usually ignored in the genome‐wide association study (GWAS) of complex traits for farm animals. In this study, we performed GWAS and genetic parameters estimation for the two traits age at 100 kg (AGE) and backfat thickness at 100 kg (BF) of 3572 Large White pigs. The pigs were from three breeding farms of China and were genotyped by an in‐house designed 50k SNP chip. Our results showed significant non‐zero variance for the dominance effect of AGE, while the dominance effect of BF was not significant. Using a GWAS model accounting for both additive and dominance effects, we identified three additive and two dominance significant SNPs for the trait AGE. For the trait BF, three genome‐wide significant additive SNPs were detected, but no significant SNP was found for the dominance effect. In total, six important functional genes (NPAS3, USP16, PARN, ARL15, GPC3, ABHD4) near significant SNPs were identified as candidate genes associated with AGE or BF. Notably, ARL15 and PARN were associated with AGE near the dominance association signals. Overall, the newly detected SNPs and newly identified candidate genes in our study added new information about the genetic architectures of growth and fatness traits in pigs, and have the potential to be applied to the pig breeding program in the future.