bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the impact of global financial crisis on the intermediation efficiency of Indian banks in the presence of non-performing loans
Authors: Goswami Anju
Published: July 2021

Purpose

By incorporating the role of nonperforming loans (NPLs), the study aims to assess the impact of global financial crisis (GFC) on the intermediation efficiency of Indian banks for the period of 1998/99 to 2016/17.

Design/methodology/approach

To obtain efficiency level of Indian banks, this study applied sequential data envelopment analysis (DEA) based directional distance function (DDF) approach, which performed simultaneous expansion of desirable output and reduction of undesirable output in the bank's loan production structure. Additionally, using fixed effect regression approach in the panel data framework, this study assesses both the phenomenon of σ- and unconditional β-efficiency convergence in public sector banks (PSBs), private banks (PBs), foreign banks (FBs) and overall scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) during the pre-crisis, crisis and post-crisis years in India.

Findings

Irrespective of the bank's production model, the evidence suggests that the accounting NPLs as an undesirable output significantly deteriorating the intermediation technical efficiency levels of Indian banks, especially after the crisis years until the last year of the study period. This reflects that Indian banks failed more to achieve their financial intermediation objective in the post-crisis years as compared to the crisis and pre-crisis years. In-depth, statistical evidence of commercial bank ownership groups reveals that public sector banks exhibit a higher level of efficiency in pursuance of traditional loan-based activity followed by private and foreign banks. The study also found the existence of sigma convergence in technical efficiency levels of Indian banks and ownership groups as well.

Originality/value

This study is perhaps the first one, which present the robust evolution of Indian banks intermediation efficiency by taking into account both endogenous (i.e. NPLs as an undesirable output and equity as a quasi-fixed input in the bank production process) crisis and exogenous (i.e. global financial and economic stress) crises. Moreover, none of the existing studies have conducted sub-period wise analysis to show the apparent occurrence of both convergence properties in technical efficiency, adding novelty in the literature.
Board diversity and performance in a masculine, aged and glocal supply chain: new empirical evidence
Authors: Calabrese Giuseppe Giulio , Manello Alessandro
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to contribute to the debate on the relationship between board diversity and performance, a hot topic for scholars and shareholders. A number of studies have found contrasting impacts of board diversity on firm performance and this paper adds new and original evidence in the context of the automotive supply chain focusing on gender, age and nationality diversity.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose a triple stage empirical analysis. First, the authors use linear models according to different performance indexes for investigating diversity (gender, age and nationality) within the board of directors and executives. Second, the authors investigate the issue of diversity in different contexts such as position in the supply chain, nationality of the owner and family/corporate ownership. Finally, the authors use non-linear models to find a better combination of diversity in terms of gender and nationality for retrieving some managerial implications.

Findings

First, the authors demonstrate a robust positive effect of women in board representation on firm performance in terms of profitability and firm risk. In the case of, age and nationality the results are more equivocal in particular for the former. Second, the authors depict board diversity in different contexts as follows: positioning in the supply chain, type and nationality of the final owner. Again, gender heterogeneity is more adequate in the complex firm as Tier 1 suppliers, corporate and foreign company.

Originality/value

The authors focused the analysis on a specific industry, shedding light on the main specificities linked to operating in certain phases of the supply chain, a substantial novelty in this field. The empirical evidence is based on a very large data set containing quantitative and qualitative information on a representative sample of 1,538 firms operating in the Italian automotive supply chain, one of the most relevant in Europe.
A new approach to bypass wire crossing problem in QCA nano technology
Authors: Majeed Ali , Alkaldy Esam
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to replace current multi-layer and coplanar wire crossing methods in QCA technology to avoid fabrication difficulties caused by them.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) is one of the newly emerging nanoelectronics technology tools that is proposed as a good replacement for complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. This technology has many challenges, among them being component interconnection and signal routing. This paper will propose a new wire crossing method to enhance layout use in a single layer. The presented method depends on the central cell clock phase to enable two signals to cross over without interference. QCADesigner software is used to simulate a full adder circuit designed with the proposed wire crossing method to be used as a benchmark for further analysis of the presented wire crossing approach. QCAPro software is used for power dissipation analysis of the proposed adder.

Findings

A new cost function is presented in this paper to draw attention to the fabrication difficulties of the technology when designing QCA circuits. This function is applied to the selected benchmark circuit, and the results show good performance of the proposed method compared to others. The improvement is around 59, 33 and 75% compared to the best reported multi-layer wire crossing, coplanar wire crossing and logical crossing, respectively. The power dissipation analysis shows that the proposed method does not cause any extra power consumption in the circuit.

Originality/value

In this paper, a new approach is developed to bypass the wire crossing problem in the QCA technique.
Investigating the acceptance of distance learning amongst Omani students: a case study from Oman
Authors: Mohamed Abdul Hakim Hassan Mustafa , Abdel Fattah Fadi Abdel Muniem , Bashir Mohamed Izzeldin AbdelRahman , Alhajri Maia , Khanan Akbar , Abbas Zaheer
Published: July 2021

Purpose

In the COVID-19 pandemic, students were subjected to high pressure when they were forced to move to distance learning in a lockdown environment. Such a drastic move for communities living in groups with solid relationship ties comes at a price. This study aims to investigate the acceptance of distance learning amongst Omani higher education institutions (HEI) students during COVID-19 lockdown.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a quantitative research based on an online survey designed to study participants’ acceptance of distance learning during COVID-19 lockdown.

Findings

A sample of 757 Omani students was selected, of which 81.2% were female. About 60% of the students’ Age lies 15–20 years. The highest percentage (38.8%) of students belongs to the College of Arts and Humanities. A total of 80% of the students reported a moderate level of information technology skills, and also more than 80% of the students had never attended eLearning calls. Most of the students affirm the eLearning acceptance (students’ willingness to use eLearning tools for the tasks they are designed for), eLearning usefulness (using eLearning would enhance students’ performance), eLearning ease of use (the degree to which a student believes that using eLearning tools are free from effort), learning from home during COVID-19 and eLearning effectiveness (student’s satisfaction and the benefits student will gain from learning via online platforms). Multiple regression analysis confirms that more than 81% of the variation in the eLearning acceptance was explained by eLearning usefulness, eLearning ease of use, learning from home during COVID-19 and eLearning effectiveness independent variables. Moreover, these independent predictors have a positive association with eLearning acceptance.

Originality/value

This research intends to fill the gap in Omani HEI students’ acceptance of distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Corporate entrepreneurship, employee engagement and innovation: a resource-basedview and a social exchangetheory perspective
Authors: Kassa Afework Getachew , Tsigu Geremew Teklu
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Synthesizing theoretical and empirical literature, this study aims to build a theoretical model linking the constructs; corporate entrepreneurship, employee engagement and innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an integrative review method the current study conducted an examination of related literature on the areas of corporate entrepreneurship, employee engagement, as well as innovation and developed an integrated model which combines the three constructs. The study bases itself on the resource-based view (RBV) for looking into corporate entrepreneurial ecosystems as organizational capabilities and employee engagement as a human resource. The social exchange theory (SET) was also used to analyse the interrelationships.

Findings

An RBV synthesis made on corporate entrepreneurship, employee engagement, as well as innovation literature shows that while corporate entrepreneurship has been recognized as beneficial to bring positive organizational outcomes, attempts to tie it in the core resource, capability and competence input-output linkage are scanty. The study shows that the RBV can be a good way to see human resources as a source of organizational competitive advantage and corporate entrepreneurship as the capability to product innovation as a competence. The study also shows that by combining the RBV with the SET corporate entrepreneurship, employee engagement and innovation can be integrated as a basis for developing organizational competitiveness.

Practical implications

The implication of this paper to future empirical studies is that corporate entrepreneurship can be integrated with the RBV to relate it to the core competitive advantage development endeavour. The implication for policymakers and management practitioners on the other hand is that managers can consider corporate entrepreneurship as a major capability to bring the employee resource on board the innovation process. The study further implies that management practitioners need to provide time, freedom, boundary, reward and support to get their employees engaged in innovation. Hence, managers can integrate the SET into their motivation principles.

Originality/value

The study is original in its attempt to integrate the SET and RBV for studies in the area of corporate entrepreneurship, employee engagement and innovation.
Does intellectual capital and corporate governance have an impact on annual report readability? Evidence from an emerging market
Authors: Dalwai Tamanna , Mohammadi Syeeda Shafiya , Chugh Gaitri , Salehi Mahdi
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study examines the impact of intellectual capital efficiency and corporate governance mechanisms on the annual report readability of Oman's financial sector companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a sample of 150 firm-year observations of listed financial sector companies in the Muscat Securities Market, Oman, from 2014 to 2018. Flesch Reading ease and Flesch Kinkaid Index are used as proxies for annual report readability. As part of sensitivity analysis, the study also uses the natural logarithm of annual report pages as alternative readability measures. The investigation is conducted using random effects regression analysis and supported with system GMM estimation for robustness.

Findings

The findings of this study demonstrate a decrease in intellectual capital efficiency associated with better readability of annual reports for the financial sector firms. Alternatively, banks report a positive association of intellectual capital efficiency with the Flesch Reading ease score of the annual report. The structural capital and capital employed efficiency are also found to be negatively associated with annual report readability. Corporate governance mechanisms such as dispersed ownership and audit committee size also result in easy-to-read annual reports that support agency theory.

Research limitations/implications

The research was conducted for financial firms of Oman, and thereby the findings can be generalized to the financial sector of countries with similar settings, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

Practical implications

The policy implications arising from this study suggest a strengthening of the intellectual capital efficiency and corporate governance mechanisms to improve the readability of the firms and thereby increase investor confidence.

Originality/value

This paper's uniqueness is in the model used to investigate the impact of intellectual capital efficiency and corporate governance mechanisms on the annual report readability of an emerging market.
A history-based framework of servitization and deservitization
Authors: Gomes Emanuel , Lehman David W. , Vendrell-Herrero Ferran , Bustinza Oscar F.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a history-based framework of servitization and deservitization.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on three history-based management theories, i.e. industry lifecycle, strategic pivoting and strategy restoration, to develop a conceptual framework of how servitization and deservitization pivots influence firm performance in different stages of the industry lifecycle. A series of examples involving configurations and reconfigurations in production illustrate the theoretical propositions.

Findings

The proposed framework predicts that servitization pivots positively influence firm performance in the ferment phase, but this effect gradually diminishes as industries advance into transition and mature phases. In contrast, the framework predicts that deservitization pivots negatively influence firm performance in the ferment phase; this effect, too, becomes negligible in the transition phase but positive in the mature phase. Moreover, the proposed framework predicts that deservitization pivoting outperforms servitization pivoting in mature servitized industries to the extent that such pivots are restorative in nature, thereby suggesting that deservitization may represent a strategic opportunity for firms in mature industries.

Originality/value

This study highlights the role of history-based management theories in enhancing our understanding of servitization and deservitization.
The multi-faceted dimensions for the disclosure quality of non-financial information in revising directive 2014/95/EU
Authors: Fiandrino Simona , Gromis di Trana Melchior , Tonelli Alberto , Lucchese Antonella
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to provide the state of the art in the academic and professional debate on the disclosure quality of NFI. This analysis is driven by the need to feature the dimensions of NFI quality that should be considered to improve the current regulatory framework towards a more transparent disclosure.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is an integrative literature review that assesses and synthesizes the scientific knowledge and the annexed documents collected during the public consultation for the Review of Non-financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) on the disclosure quality of non-financial information (NFI).

Findings

Findings show that there is a common consensus between scientific literature and the annexed documents of the consultation process on the Review of the NFRD on the need to enhance a double-materiality perspective, to provide specific contents on sustainability issues, to clarify the relevance of NFI, and to embed NFI into the management report in an integrated manner. Furthermore, there is an alignment related to timeliness in favour of a risk management procedure and a forward-looking approach.

Research limitations/implications

The research engages the debate on the NFI disclosure quality, in light of the recent Review of NRFD and the new Proposal of Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive that extends and enhances the non-binding reporting guidelines of NFI.

Practical implications

The research provides a dashboard of the dimensions of NFI disclosure quality that aggregates the academics' and practitioners' knowledge systematically. It shows the interplay between the scholarly developments and the recent measures arisen in the consultation process to undertake NFI disclosure quality.

Originality/value

The research provides a lens to analyse, classify and interpret the insights emerged during the consultation process of the NFRD.
China-plus-one: expanding global value chains
Authors: Basu Preetam , Ray Partha
Published: July 2021

Purpose

China has emerged as an undisputed leader of global business and as a preferred hub for global value chains. However, recent threats of the trade war, the allegation of violation of intellectual property rights and more recently the COVID-19 pandemic seemed to have dampened China’s attractiveness. Multinational corporations may be contemplating diversifying their dependence on China – a strategy known as “China-Plus-One”. What could be possible destinations in Asia for such a diversification strategy?

Design/methodology/approach

Towards understanding the “China-Plus-One” phenomenon, the authors use a methodology of arriving at an aggregate ranking of the major economies of emerging Asia. This is built on a few standard indices such as World Bank's Logistic Performance Index; World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Indicator; World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index; Economic Complexity Index of the Harvard University; Economist Magazine’s Country Rating of Financial Strength; and Corruption Perception Index compiled by the Transparency International. Accordingly, the authors rank seven countries (namely, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and Bangladesh) next to China as possible destinations for selecting the “Plus one” country.

Findings

In the aggregate ranking, China ranks first followed by Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and then Bangladesh. This sequence gives some pointers on the possible shifts from China as potential hubs of global value chains. The authors observe the following: first, it is challenging to move away from China in the short run; second, corporations could pursue a “China-plus-One” strategy, whereby they may move marginally from China and relocate part of their supply chain elsewhere; third, in looking for alternative locations, corporations may look for the following countries in emerging Asia, namely, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines and Bangladesh.

Originality/value

The aggregate ranking method applied in this paper is one of the first applications in the context of ranking developing Asian economies based on economic, logistics, supply chain, financial and corruption metrics. It is one of the first conceptual works in the domain of identifying possible diversification options for the “China-Plus-One” strategy that can be extended to include many context-specific rankings.
Optimizing stabilization of laterite as walling unit
Authors: Mensah Sarfo , Ameyaw Collins , Abaitey Blondel Akun , Yeboah Hayford Obeng
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Over dependence on river/sea sand as building material has impacted the environment negatively. However, laterite, which is an environment-friendly indigenous building material in sub-Saharan Africa, has been less exploited as a suitable alternative. This paper aims to ascertain the optimum cement–laterite mix proportion at which laterite can be stabilized for production of walling units.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an experimental method, laterite was collected from three borrow pit sites. Sieve analysis was performed to determine the particle size distribution. Also, the degree of workability of the cement–laterite mix was ascertained using slump test. Compressive strengths were determined at cement stabilization percentages of 3%, 7% and 10% on 12 cubes of100 mm cast and cured for 14 and 28 days, respectively.

Findings

The results showed that the lateritic soil investigated, achieves its optimum strength in 28 days of curing, at a stabilization level of 10%. An average compressive strength of 2.41 N/mm2, which is 20.5% greater than the target strength, was achieved.

Practical implications

To meet the desired compressive strength of alternative walling units while achieving environmental sustainability and efficiency in production, cement stabilization of lateritic soils should become a recommended practice by built environment professionals in sub-Saharan Africa.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first research works that attempts to determine the optimum level at which the abundant sub-Saharan laterite can be chemically stabilized for the production of non-load bearing walling units. This research promotes an environment-friendly alternative building material to sea sand, river sand and off-shore sand.
Product–place image and destination brand equity: special reference to “Kerala is an ayurvedic destination”
Authors: Jawahar Deepa , Muhammed M.K. Aslam
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the relationship between the image of a tourism product and destination brand equity in the context of Kerala's Ayurveda. The study also examined the influence of destination image (DI) and hospital brand image (HBI) and the mediating role of total experience (TEX).

Design/methodology/approach

The research analysed 342 primary data from Ayurvedic tourists who visited Kerala for the treatment.

Findings

Results show that product–place image (PPI) and DI significantly influence the brand equity, but the HBI is insignificant towards the brand equity. Even though HBI does not directly influence Kerala's brand equity, it has a strong relationship through TEX (mediating variable).

Practical implications

This study can be implemented by destination marketing organization and tourism authorities while making strategic decisions and plans for the image creation of a tourist place.

Originality/value

People perceive some products from a particular place as having superior quality and uniqueness. As far as a tourist destination is concerned, a “tourism product” associated with the destination will also uplift its popularity. The study has investigated the image of this “product–place” combination in medical tourism.
Undergraduate business students’ perception of auditing: impact of proximity and knowledge on auditors’ stereotype
Authors: Espinosa-Pike Marcela , Aldazabal Edurne , Barrainkua Itsaso
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore undergraduate students’ stereotypes of auditing and the influence of knowledge of the profession and its sources on the stereotype.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a questionnaire distributed among 360 undergraduate business students at 21 higher education institutions in Spain.

Findings

The study reveals that undergraduate business students consider auditors competent and ethical. Auditing is viewed as an interesting and rigorous activity, which requires high responsibility and contributes significantly to society. Students perceive that the auditing career is difficult but contributes to professional development. The knowledge acquired through business studies influences the creation of a positive image of the profession and of auditors.

Practical implications

The profession could benefit from the fact that having more information about the profession improves students’ perceptions of it. The provision of auditing courses through the degree and related activities to increase the visibility of the profession during the first years of the degree could improve the auditor stereotype and enhance students’ intentions to enter this profession.

Originality/value

Previous studies have analyzed the image of the accounting professional as a homogeneous professional status. This study specifically addresses the image of auditors, who are at the core of the traditional accounting domain. It analyzes the influence of sources of knowledge (academic training, having familiars and media) on auditors’ stereotypes. Moreover, it provides evidence concerning the perceptions of the new generations (Gen Z).
Research watch: comment on a report on “race” and ethnic disparities in the UK
Authors: Holttum Sue
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the contents of the 2021 UK document called Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities: The Report, convey some of its key messages and understand why it sparked controversy when its publication was announced.

Design/methodology/approach

The author read the 258-page report, made notes, looked up some of the papers and documents to which it refers to get a more complete understanding and conducted her own limited searches on some topics. The author sought comments on an early draft of the article.

Findings

After reading The Report and other relevant documents, the author feels that she has gained new insights into some challenges and opportunities facing members of different ethnic groups in the UK. However, the author felt that The Report plays down some realities of racism and its effects.

Originality/value

This is one viewpoint on The Report and is original. The Report looks at the circumstances of a range of specific ethnic groups in the UK. Its argument for greater interest and focus on these different experiences rather than thinking of all non-White groups as a single mass seems valuable. It also enables an understanding of some things that people can achieve in the face of adversity. However, the author hopes there is also value in my effort to understand why some aspects of The Report have been seen as controversial.
Wellness, blaming and coping during a pandemic: an analysis of perceptions on reddit
Authors: Callaghan Sarah , Drysdale Maureen T.B. , Lee Jessica
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine Reddit posts regarding the COVID-19 pandemic from a subreddit dedicated to the campus community of a large, research-intensive Canadian University. The goal was to determine what users were sharing regarding their mental health, well-being, problems, coping strategies and perceptions about the health measures taken to prevent further spread.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 1,096 paragraphs were analyzed using the qualitative methodology of thematic analysis.

Findings

Many users expressed struggling with their mental health and well-being during the pandemic. Difficulties with online learning, finding paid study and affording the costs of living were also reported. Coping was largely conducted through online means and included sharing advice, emphasizing connectedness and communicating information. The mixed perceptions regarding health measures focused on responsibility and fairness, with many users blaming the university and public health units.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the evolving understanding of how different populations are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, specifically, university students. Implications for providing assistance to university students during the current pandemic and future waves are also discussed.
Servant leadership informed trauma peer support
Authors: Mahon Daryl
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Peer support has gained increasing attention within the mental health literature, including the trauma informed approaches research where peer support is a key principle. The purpose of this paper is to outline a servant leadership model of trauma peer support.

Design/methodology/approach

A targeted literature search that incorporated systematic reviews, meta-analyses and randomised control trials in the areas of servant leadership, peer support and trauma informed approaches were sourced.

Findings

Servant leadership can be used to provide a theoretical model of trauma peer support. All three constructs share the idea of empowerment as a core principle. An ideographic model of servant leadership trauma peer support is put forward based on eight characteristics from the extant literature.

Research limitations/implications

As with all conceptual papers, a lack of empirical data means the findings need to be investigated using primary data. Future research may wish to use this theoretical model to test effectiveness in equivalence studies.

Practical implications

A theoretical model of trauma informed peer support based on servant leadership theory, with a clear guide to its utilisation.

Originality/value

This is a novel approach, a new addition to the literature.
Short-term effects of milkshake containing polydextrose and maltodextrin on subjective feelings of appetite, energy intake and blood glucose in healthy females
Authors: Alptekin İsmail Mücahit , Erdoğan Ece , İşler Aylin , Yanalak Esma Cansu , Çakiroğlu Funda Pınar , Aras Sevgi
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Previous studies have reported that dietary fibers such as polydextrose and maltodextrin can reduce food intake; however, the studies on the differences of this effect are insufficient. The purpose of this paper is to compare the effects of dietary fibers maltodextrin and polydextrose on alterations of short-term satiety, energy intake and postprandial blood glucose in healthy females.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was designed as a randomized, crossover and double blind research. For this purpose, 21 healthy females consumed a milkshake containing 0 g (control), 15 g polydextrose (PDX) and 15 g maltodextrin (MDX), and an ad libitum lunch meal was served 150 min later. Subjective appetite scores (hunger, satiety, prospective food consumption and desire to eat) were measured using a visual analog scale. Appetite scores and blood glucose were measured before preload and once per 15 min after milkshake consumption.

Findings

Visual analog scale scores showed that PDX had an improved effect on satiety and hunger feelings. Compared to the control, dietary fiber increased the Area Under Curve (AUC) scores of satiety (p < 0.001) and decreased the AUC scores of hunger (p < 0.001), prospective food consumption (p < 0.001) and desire to eat (p < 0.001). Energy intake during ad libitum meal was significantly lower in PDX (Control: 862 (54.3) Kcal versus PDX: 679 (35.4) Kcal and MDX: 780 (49.3) Kcal. Moreover, the blood glucose levels were significantly lower in MDX.

Originality/value

This study conducted with healthy females demonstrated that PDX was more effective in inducing satiety during subsequent food intake, and that postprandial blood glucose were within more healthy levels in MDX.
Assessing university police officers’ uniforms and wearing experiences
Authors: Brandewie Brooke , Kim Injoo , Kim Myoung-Ok
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to suggest opportunities for enhancing the police uniform design with consideration to the emotional and physical satisfaction of the wearers, by assessing the wearing experience.

Design/methodology/approach

University police officers at a University in the Midwestern region of the USA were surveyed to examine both psychological and emotional aspects including performance, comfort, professionalism and empowerment, as well as their satisfaction levels with fit, fabrics, aesthetics and functionality.

Findings

The study found that the wearing experience was poor, and not surprisingly, fabric satisfaction ranked the lowest of all factors. In regard to color, results showed that the uniforms should be in colors that are suitable to the university context, which in this case the wearers preferred the University athletic colors of black and red. It is easier to consider these colors, as they are a part of their organization and also enable the police to stand apart from municipal police, contrary to previous research demonstrating dark colors have negative connotations. Findings suggest that the university police uniform should have an athletic style with a regular fit, using specific performance fabrics that allow for stretch and breathability.

Originality/value

This study assesses the police uniform design and wearing experience and suggests design details to enhance how well officers physically perform in their role and also to inspire them to feel proud of their job and organization.
E-mobility ecosystem innovation – impact on downstream supply chain management processes. Is India ready for inevitable change in auto sector?
Authors: Serohi Ajay
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the specific reasons why developed countries could easily start implementing innovative alternative fuel vehicles (e.g. electric vehicles or EVs) while the implementation in developing countries looks so far-fetched, with respect to infrastructure and downstream activities, and suggest the steps that can be taken to effectively address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This research undertakes case study – Tesla (USA), Mahindra and Mahindra (India) and Tata Motors to bring out the problems being faced by manufacturers from developing countries vis-a-vis the developed countries. The consumers’ side has been adequately represented though an in-depth survey. An analysis is also carried out as to how Tesla has accrued competitive leverage by innovating and vertical integration of up as well as downstream systems.

Findings

EV infrastructure remains grossly inadequate in developing countries like India. Two key areas that remain significantly unexplored are the installation of charging stations at parking lots and at the housing clusters and lack of competitive leverage in the services, processes and other downstream systems due to limited research and development capabilities. The performance metrics of domestic EVs lag those of conventional vehicles as well as foreign competitors like Tesla. Range anxiety is ranked as number one in the major concerns among the potential mass buyers of electric vehicles in India.

Originality/value

The value of the paper lies in an in-depth analysis of the relationship between horizontal and vertical perspectives as well as the impact of the product eco-system innovation on both the upstream as well as downstream nodes in the supply chain. Whereas the consumer attitudes and perspectives on e-mobility are inferred from a survey, the impact analysis matrix is used for analyzing the competitive leverage of Tesla through several features in the upstream, downstream and servitization.
The impact of corporate social responsibility on financial distress: empirical evidence
Authors: Farooq Muhammad , Noor Amna , Qureshi Shahzadah Fahad
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The present study aims to explore the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the likelihood of financial distress for a sample of 139 Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) listed firms throughout 2008–2019.

Design/methodology/approach

Panel logistic regression (PLR) and the dynamic generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator are used to examine the impact of CSR on financial distress. The investment in CSR measures through a multidimensional financial approach which comprises the sum of the contribution made by the company in the form of charitable donation, employees’ welfare and research and development, whereas the Altman Z-score and ZM-Score are used as an indicator of financial distress. The higher the Z-score lower will be the probability of financial distress, whereas the higher ZM score shows a greater probability of financial distress risk.

Findings

The authors find a significant negative impact of CSR on financial distress in both PLR and GMM models. This finding is consistent with the stakeholder view of CSR, as an investment in CSR not only aligns the interest between shareholders and stakeholders but also mitigates the risk of financial distress as well.

Research limitations/implications

Like other studies, the present study is not free from limitations. First, financial firms skipped from the sample, although literature witnesses a lot of studies highlight the financial firms' commitment to achieving CSR goals. Second, financial distress occurs in different stages, the authors fail to establish linkage CSR engagements at different stages of CSR. In the future, researchers can make a valuable addition by covering these missing links in present studies.

Practical implications

The findings of this study provide more insight to corporate managers and investors about the association between the quality of investment in CSR and the degree of financial distress, concerning Pakistani firms. Furthermore, this study contributes to the existing literature by adding new evidence from developing countries such as Pakistan which are helpful for regulatory bodies and policymakers in the formulation of long-term CSR strategies to manage financial distress.

Originality/value

The study extends the body of existing literature on CSR and the likelihood of financial distress in Pakistan. The results suggest that policymakers may pay special attention to the quality of CSR while predicting corporate financial distress.
Retail Managers’ Preparedness to Capture Customers’ Emotions: A New Synergistic Framework to Exploit Unstructured Data with New Analytics
Authors: Pantano Eleonora , Dennis Charles , Alamanos Eleftherios
Published: July 2021

Although emotions have been investigated within strategic management literature from an internal perspective, managers’ ability and willingness to understand consumers’ emotions, with emphasis on the retail sector, is still a scarcely explored theme in management research. The aim of this paper is to explore the match between the supply of new analytical tools and retail managers’ attitudes towards new tools to capture customers’ emotions. To this end, Study 1 uses machine learning algorithms to develop a new system to analytically detect emotional responses from customers’ static images (considering the exemplar emotions of happiness and sadness), whilst Study 2 consults management decision‐makers to explore the practical utility of such emotion recognition systems, finding a likely demand for a number of applications, albeit tempered by concern for ethical issues. While contributing to the retail management literature with regard to customers’ emotions and big data analytics, the findings also provide a new framework to support retail managers in using new analytics to survive and thrive in difficult times.
Combined association of skeletal muscle mass and grip strength with cardiovascular diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Park Sunmin , Kim Sung‐Hoon , Shin Jang Yel
Published: July 2021

Background

Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) and grip strength (GS) have been suggested to be related to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), but their association with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains unclear. Therefore, we examined the combined association of ASM and GS with the prevalence of CVD in patients with T2D.

Methods

A total of 1230 patients with T2D were recruited and divided into four groups based on the sex‐specific median values of ASM adjusted for body mass index (ASM/BMI; short: SM) and GS: high SM/high GS (HSM/HGS), high SM/low GS (HSM/LGS), low SM/high GS (LSM/HGS), and low SM/low GS (LSM/LGS).

Results

The LSM/LGS group was older and had higher values of systolic blood pressure, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, waist circumference, and C‐reactive protein but lower high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations than the HSM/HGS group. After adjusting for potential confounders, the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs for CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD), ischemic stroke, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the LSM/LGS group were 2.90 (1.89‐4.47), 2.39 (1.46‐3.92), 1.77 (0.84‐3.71), and 5.83 (1.58‐21.48), respectively. After adjusting for variable confounders among patients with higher glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (≥7.1%), the ORs and 95% CIs for CVD and CHD in the LSM/LGS group were 7.27 (3.37‐15.67) and 6.17 (2.65‐14.37), respectively.

Conclusions

The combination of low SM and GS was strongly associated with CVD, CHD, and PAD in patients with T2D, especially in those with higher HbA1c levels.
Host plant range of Aproceros leucopoda is limited within Ulmaceae
Authors: Vétek Gábor , Csávás Krisztina , Fail József , Ladányi Márta
Published: July 2021

Although much research has been carried out to develop taxa resistant to Dutch elm disease (DED), newly occurring pests represent a new challenge for the protection of elms (Ulmacae). The invasive zigzag elm sawfly (Aproceros leucopoda) is a recent invader of Asian origin in Europe defoliating elm trees that are otherwise often characterized with major resistance to DED. The range expansion of this pest poses a major threat to elms. The aim of this study was to identify the susceptibility of Ulmus crassifolia, Hemiptelea davidii and Zelkova serrata to this pest by using three different methods (oviposition trials with cut shoots and with plants in pots, and larval feeding trials with plants in pots) to define the performance of A. leucopoda on potential hosts. The fact is that A. leucopoda was unable to complete its development on either of these three taxa of Ulmaceae, whereas Ulmus pumila (the reference during the trials) was again confirmed as a true host of the pest clearly indicating that the host plant range of A. leucopoda is probably limited not only to Ulmus but also within this genus. Our results may be considered in future resistance breeding programmes, pest risk assessments, and for the selection of Ulmaceae species.
Perceptions of institutions and social capital accumulation: A social categorization and shared agency‐based approach. Evidence from the Russian Federation
Authors: Sechi Guido , Tatarko Alexander , Šķilters Jurģis
Published: July 2021

The integration of institutionalist and communitarian views of social capital accumulation is increasingly advocated in order to analyse civil society dynamics, in particular in transitional countries such as former socialist states. The present paper is an attempt at reconciling the two views through a micro level‐focused approach. Such a perspective allows investigating linkages between institutional perception, civic engagement, and trust in society, with the support of social cognition frameworks (social categorization and shared agency). The approach emphasizes the linkages existing between trust toward institutions and perceptions of civic empowerment on the one hand, and civic engagement and trust in society on the other, while also taking into account the role of interpersonal (informal) networking. The analysis, carried out through structural equation modelling, is based on more than 2,000 observations from two federal districts of the Russian Federation. The results show a relevant positive correlation between institutional perception and social capital, and a moderate correlation between bonding (personal networking) and trust in society; on the other hand, civic engagement and trust in society appear to be uncorrelated with each other and with different forms of institutional perception.
Michael Jackson in a Borneo Village; or Autobricolage and Other Acts of Erasure
Authors: Guntarik Olivia
Published: July 2021

This blended genre piece politicizes place through poems, narrative, and musical mash‐ups. It uses ethnography, memoir, and spoken‐word song, a creative technique I call autobricolage. Refusing conventions that create immediate access to meaning, this narrative allows me to present a world in motion and time as non‐linear. Sacred temporality disrupts ordinary instances of time and place and enables the erasure of colonial inscriptions. My returns to and reflections on Borneo life and Dusun kin decolonize and re‐voice a living history. As a metaphor for death, loss, and illness, Michael Jackson is included in my title to express the lure of popular culture in Borneo’s villages. This inclusion shatters the norms constituted in the packaging of cultural heritage and shows how things have a life of their own beyond the West. Acts of collecting stories to reproduce ancestral memories (tangon di gulu gulu) express the fragility and familial in the communal. I am both pilgrim and exile.
Contemporary management of locoregionally advanced melanoma in Australia and New Zealand and the role of adjuvant systemic therapy
Authors: Smithers B. Mark , Saw Robyn P. M. , Gyorki David E. , Martin Richard C. W. , Atkinson Victoria , Haydon Andrew , Roberts‐Thomson Rachel , Thompson John F.
Published: July 2021

Australia and New Zealand have the highest incidence and mortality rates for melanoma in the world. Local surgery is still the standard treatment of primary cutaneous melanoma, and it is therefore important that surgeons understand the optimal care pathways for patients with melanoma. Accurate staging is critical to ensure a reliable assessment of prognosis and to guide treatment selection. Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) plays an important role in staging and the provision of reliable prognostic estimates for patients with cutaneous melanoma. Patients with stage III melanoma have a substantial risk of disease recurrence following surgery, leading to poor long‐term outcomes. Systemic immunotherapies and targeted therapies, known to be effective for stage IV melanoma, have now also been shown to be effective as adjuvant post‐surgical treatments for resected stage III melanoma. These patients should be made aware of this and preferably managed in an integrated multidisciplinary model of care, involving the surgeon, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists. This review considers the impact of a recent update to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system, the role of SNB for patients with high‐risk primary melanoma and recent advances in adjuvant systemic therapies for high‐risk patients.
Short term morphological rescue of the fovea after gene therapy with voretigene neparvovec
Authors: Kortüm Friederike C. , Kempf Melanie , Jung Ronja , Kohl Susanne , Ott Saskia , Kortuem Constanze , Sting Krunoslav , Stingl Katarina
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Leber congenital amaurosis type 2 (LCA2) and early‐onset severe retinal dystrophy (EOSRD) are linked to visual impairment with nyctalopia and visual acuity reduction in early childhood. In 2017, the first gene therapy voretigene neparvovec (Luxturna™) for patients with LCA and EOSRD cause by bi‐allelic mutations in the RPE65 gene has been approved. Here we report on an example of short‐term change in the foveal morphology after functionally successful gene therapy with voretigene neparvovec in a 15‐year old patient.

Methods

The clinical examinations included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and adaptive optics retinal imaging.

Results

During follow‐up over a period of 3 months after the treatment, an improvement of the central foveal morphology could be observed in OCT, with a clear demarcation of the external limiting membrane and changes in the photoreceptor mosaic on adaptive optics retinal imaging. These morphological rescue parameters correlated in part with the improvement in foveal‐mediated vision after the treatment and adaptive optics imaging. Although the visual acuity improved only slightly at month 3, objective central cone evaluation with chromatic pupil campimetry showed an increase in the central sensitivity. In daily life, the patient reported her visional experience after the treatment as ‘brighter’.

Conclusion

Rapid changes in the correlates of photoreceptor morphology after successful gene therapy in patients with LCA/EORD can be quantifiable on individual level.