bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The shaping of sustainability assurance through the competition between accounting and non-accounting providers
Authors: Farooq Muhammad Bilal , de Villiers Charl
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the competition between accounting sustainability assurance providers (ASAPs) and non-accounting sustainability assurance providers (NASAPs), and how this competition influences the institutionalization of the evolving field of sustainability assurance.

Design/methodology/approach

An interpretivist research methodology, guided by an institutional work perspective, is used to analyze interviews with 15 SAPs and 35 sustainability reporting managers (SRMs) in Australia and New Zealand.

Findings

ASAPs prefer to use International Standard on Assurance Engagements 3000 (ISAE3000), because it is well recognized in the profession, adheres to ASAPs’ regulatory requirements, and mirrors their financial audit methodologies. This preference influences ASAPs’ institutional work as they compete against NASAPs and how they institutionalize sustainability assurance. ASAPs’ institutional works include presenting sustainability assurance as similar to a financial audit, arguing in support of a single provider for financial audits and sustainability assurance, and undermining NASAPs and their preferred sustainability assurance standard, AA1000 Assurance Standard (AA1000AS), by appealing to senior management. In comparison, NASAPs promote AA1000AS as a specialist standard among SRMs, emphasizing the standard’s sustainability enhancing qualities and its flexibility, while discrediting ASAPs and ISAE3000 as out of touch with sustainability objectives.

Research limitations/implications

A new conceptual model is constructed that can be used in institutional work research.

Practical implications

The accounting profession is encouraged to consider more flexible, innovative methods in new assurance markets. This involves using new assurance standards as well as developing specialist standards for new forms of assurance. Regulation over sustainability assurance could be helpful, but regulators should be careful not to stifle competition in this evolving field.

Originality/value

This paper examines how competition between ASAPs and NASAPs influences the institutionalization of sustainability assurance. The paper offers a new model for the analysis of institutional work, which could be used by researchers, new insights into the emerging field of sustainability assurance, as well as a figure and discussion that clarifies the broader implications of the findings.
Role of phytic acid in the corrosion protection of epoxy-coated rusty steel
Authors: Zhang Yingjun , Cui Xue-Jun , Shao Yawei , Wang Yanqiu , Meng Guozhe , Lin Xiu-Zhou , Zhong Dongquan , Wang Dajian
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to prepare a residual rust epoxy coating by adding different quantities of phytic acid (PA) on the surface of the rusty steel and investigate the corrosion protection of PA and its action mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

A residual rust epoxy coating by adding different quantities of PA was prepared on the surface of the rusty steel. The influence of PA on the corrosion resistance of epoxy-coated rusty steel was investigated by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and adhesion testing.

Findings

Results indicated that PA can substantially improve the corrosion resistance of epoxy-coated rusty steel. This improvement is due to the reaction of PA with residual rust and generation of new compounds with protection properties and increased adhesive strength effects on the coating/metal interface. The coating showed better protection performance when 2 per cent PA was added.

Originality/value

Considering the structure of the active groups, PA has strong chelating capability with many metal ions and can form stable complex compounds on the surface of a metal substrate, thereby improving corrosion resistance. In recent years, PA has been reported to be useful in the conversion of coatings or as green corrosion inhibitor. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, few studies have reported the use of PA as a rust converter or residual rust coating. The present work aims to improve the corrosion resistance of residual rust epoxy coating by adding PA.
Exploratory analysis of Publons metrics and their relationship with bibliometric and altmetric impact
Authors: Ortega Jose Luis
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the metrics provided by Publons about the scoring of publications and their relationship with impact measurements (bibliometric and altmetric indicators).

Design/methodology/approach

In January 2018, 45,819 research articles were extracted from Publons, including all their metrics (scores, number of pre and post reviews, reviewers, etc.). Using the DOI identifier, other metrics from altmetric providers were gathered to compare the scores of those publications in Publons with their bibliometric and altmetric impact in PlumX, Altmetric.com and Crossref Event Data.

Findings

The results show that: there are important biases in the coverage of Publons according to disciplines and publishers; metrics from Publons present several problems as research evaluation indicators; and correlations between bibliometric and altmetric counts and the Publons metrics are very weak (r<0.2) and not significant.

Originality/value

This is the first study about the Publons metrics at article level and their relationship with other quantitative measures such as bibliometric and altmetric indicators.
A comparative study on economic production quantity (EPQ) model under space constraint with different kinds of data
Authors: Karbassi Yazdi Amir , Kaviani Mohamad Amin , Sarfaraz Amir Homayoun , Cárdenas-Barrón Leopoldo Eduardo , Wee Hui-Ming , Tiwari Sunil
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a multi-item economic production quantity (EPQ) strategy under grey environment and space constraint. Since the “demand” cannot be predicted with certainty, it is assumed that data behave under grey environment and compare the proposed inventory model with other studies using crisp or fuzzy environments.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is to optimise the cycle time and total cost of the multi-item EPQ inventory model. For this purpose, the Lagrangian coefficient is used to solve the constrained optimisation problem. The grey relational analysis approach and grey data are applied in developing the EPQ inventory model.

Findings

The results are compared with the analysis using crisp and fuzzy data. Sensitivity analysis is done to illustrate the effect of parameter variations on the optimal solution. The results of the study demonstrate that crisp data outperform the other two data in all scales problems in terms of cycle time and cost; grey data perform better in all scales problems than fuzzy data.

Originality/value

The contribution of this research is the use of grey data in developing the EPQ inventory model with space constraint.
An energy efficient load balanced cluster-based routing using ant colony optimization for WSN
Authors: Guleria Kalpna , Verma Anil Kumar
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have emerged as one of the most promising technology in our day-to-day life. Limited network lifetime and higher energy consumption are two most critical issues in WSNs. The purpose of this paper is to propose an energy-efficient load balanced cluster-based routing protocol using ant colony optimization (LB-CR-ACO) which ultimately results in enhancement of the network lifetime of WSNs.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed protocol performs optimal clustering based on cluster head selection weighing function which leads to novel cluster head selection. The cluster formation uses various parameters which are remaining energy of the nodes, received signal strength indicator (RSSI), node density and number of load-balanced node connections. Priority weights are also assigned among these metrics. The cluster head with the highest probability will be selected as an optimal cluster head for a particular round. LB-CR-ACO also performs a dynamic selection of optimal cluster head periodically which conserves energy, thereby using network resources in an efficient and balanced manner. ACO is used in steady state phase for multi-hop data transfer.

Findings

It has been observed through simulation that LB-CR-ACO protocol exhibits better performance for network lifetime in sparse, medium and dense WSN deployments than its peer protocols.

Originality/value

The proposed paper provides a unique energy-efficient LB-CR-ACO for WSNs. LB-CR-ACO performs novel cluster head selection using optimal clustering and multi-hop routing which utilizes ACO. The proposed work results in achieving higher network lifetime than its peer protocols.
Service recovery, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty: evidence from Malaysia’s hotel industry
Authors: Cheng Boon Liat , Gan Chin Chuan , Imrie Brian C. , Mansori Shaheen
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of service recovery dimensions on customer satisfaction and, subsequently, on customer loyalty in the context of the hotel industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 500 respondents who had the experiences of staying in the hotels in Malaysia. The structural equation modelling technique was used to study the relationship between the model and the developed hypotheses.

Findings

The findings revealed that service recovery dimensions are significantly related to customer satisfaction and have a positive relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty.

Practical implications

As the main sector in the hospitality business, hotels play a vital role in the tourism industry. Therefore, the developments in tourism and hotels go hand in hand, as they are mutually dependent on each other. With significant yearly developments in the tourism industry and at a constant rate, hotel operators should reconsider their business strategies to achieve customer loyalty and sustain their businesses. In view of that, the findings of this study not only benchmarks better hotel services but also provides an improved understanding of service recovery that will effectively aid hotel operators in handling service failures; otherwise, customer dissatisfaction may occur if poor service recovery strategies are implemented.

Originality/value

The intense competition in the service industry has driven companies to place extra attention on service recovery so as to ensure continuous success. With a yearly significant development in the tourism industry at a constant rate, hotel providers (one of the major beneficiaries) are driven to reconsider their business strategies to achieve customer loyalty and sustain their business.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its internal consequences on job performance
Authors: Trivellas Panagiotis , Rafailidis Apostolos , Polychroniou Panagiotis , Dekoulou Paraskevi
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of corporate ethical values on the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and work-related outcomes (organizational commitment (OC), organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and in-role job performance) in the case of a Greek port logistics management services organization.

Design/methodology/approach

The field research was carried out by using a structured questionnaire, which was based on empirically validated scales. Employees’ perception of CSR was measured by two dimensions (i.e. social, environmental).

Findings

Statistical analysis (PLS-SEM) confirms the conceptual framework of the study. More specifically, results revealed the association of both CSR dimensions with CEV and OCB. However, CEV proved to act as a full mediating variable between CSR and OC. Thus, CSR impact on OC is realized only through the development of concrete corporate ethical values. Similarly, CEV influences in role job performance, only through OC and OCB.

Research limitations/implications

This study is cross-sectional; thus, causality of the relationships under investigation cannot be justified. The cultural context should also be considered, as field research was conducted in a Greek port logistics organization, at a country suffering from deep financial recession.

Originality/value

Discussion of the importance of corporate ethical values and the underlying mechanisms of organizational policies and practices guiding CSR impact on crucial job-related outcomes.
The endless nexus between ethnic diversity, social exclusion and institutional quality of Pakistan
Authors: Amin Saqib
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between ethnic diversity, social exclusion and institutional quality of Pakistan. Pakistan is enlisted among those countries that are suffering from bad institutional quality, which may be due to the less economic growth along with multifarious ethnic problems, higher misery and social exclusion. This study is an attempt of how ethnic diversity and social exclusion are encompassed to affect the institutional quality.

Design/methodology/approach

This study covers time series data from 1970 to 2015 and uses autoregressive distributed lags modeling approach to explore the underlying nexus among variables.

Findings

The finding of this study reveals that ethnic diversity and social exclusion are the enormous obstacles and deteriorate the institutional quality of Pakistan. In case of Pakistan, ethnic diversity is playing a fundamental role in the deterioration of institutional quality. Ethnic diversity has adverse effect on institutional quality which leads to hamper the economic prosperity; therefore, it has to be managed in efficient way by establishing a dense social network needed for growth promotion. This study also shows that socially excluded people are more involved in breaking the institutional rules (formal and informal) because they are not treated equal in society in all of aspects.

Practical implications

This study suggests that governments should play a vital role in creating secure and peaceful society through strong institutional quality and shaping the economic life of a country in a variety of ways such as to promote society toward more cohesiveness.

Originality/value

This study fills a significant gap in the literature as there is limited research on ethnic diversity and social exclusion in relation with institutional quality of Pakistan.
Modeling of individual customer delivery satisfaction: an AutoML and multi-agent system approach
Authors: Wang W.M. , Wang J.W. , Barenji A.V. , Li Zhi , Tsui Eric
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an automated machine learning (AutoML) and multi-agent system approach to improve overall product delivery satisfaction under limited resources.

Design/methodology/approach

An AutoML method is purposed to model delivery satisfaction of individual customer, and a heuristic method and multi-agent system are proposed to improve overall satisfaction under limited processing capability. A series of simulation experiments have been conducted to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.

Findings

The simulated results show that the proposed method can effectively improve overall delivery satisfaction, especially when the demand of customer orders is highly fluctuating and when the customer satisfaction models are highly diversified.

Practical implications

The proposed framework provides a more dynamic and continuously improving way to model delivery satisfaction of individual customer, thereby supports companies to provide personalized services and develop scalable and flexible business at a lower cost, and ultimately improves the overall quality, efficiency and effectiveness of delivery services.

Originality/value

The proposed methodology utilizes AutoML and multi-agent system to model individual customer delivery satisfaction and improve the overall satisfaction. It can cooperate with the existing delivery resource planning methods to further improve customer delivery satisfaction. The authors propose an AutoML approach to model individual customer delivery satisfaction, which enables continuous update and improvements. The authors propose multi-agent system and a heuristic method to improve overall delivery satisfaction. The numerical results show that the proposed method can improve overall delivery satisfaction with limited processing capability.
Informatics for cultural heritage instruction: an ontological framework
Authors: Yaco Sonia , Ramaprasad Arkalgud
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to suggest a framework that creates a common language to enhance the connection between the domains of cultural heritage (CH) artifacts and instruction.

Design/methodology/approach

The CH and instruction domains are logically deconstructed into dimensions of functions, semiotics, CH, teaching/instructional materials, agents and outcomes. The elements within those dimensions can be concatenated to create natural-English sentences that describe aspects of the problem domain.

Findings

The framework is valid using traditional social sciences content, semantic, practical and systemic validity constructs.

Research limitations/implications

The framework can be used to map current research literature to discover areas of heavy, light and no research.

Originality/value

The framework provides a new way for CH and education stakeholders to describe and visualize the problem domain, which could allow for significant enhancements of each. Better understanding the problem domain would serve to enhance instruction informed from collections and vice versa. The educational process would have more depth due to better access to primary sources. Increased use of collections would reveal more ways through which they could be used in instruction. The framework can help visualize the past and present of the domain, and envisage its future.
Developing the active larval indices surveillance system for dengue solution in low and high dengue risk primary care units, Southern Thailand
Authors: Suwanbamrung Charuai
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an active larval indices surveillance system and compare the outcomes of the implementation in primary care units (PCUs) at low and high risk of dengue.

Design/methodology/approach

The study design was conducted by implementing a community participation action research system in low and high dengue risk PCUs in Lansaka district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, in the Southern Region of Thailand. There were five phases to the process including preparation of all stakeholders, situation assessment, development of the surveillance system, program implementation and evaluation. The system was developed in ten villages that were categorized as either low dengue risk PCUs (comprising six villages) or high dengue risk PCUs (four villages). A village was assigned as being at high or low dengue risk according to pre-determined criteria. The low dengue risk PCU assessments were conducted on a seven-step active larval indices surveillance system where PCU officials were additionally involved in coordinating, teaching, coaching and supporting the village health volunteers (VHVs) for dengue prevention activities. The high dengue risk PCUs, on the other hand, only followed a basic larval indices surveillance system with no follow-up support.

Findings

The outcomes of using intervention systems showed that the VHVs’ dengue knowledge and larval indices understanding in both PCUs increased significantly (p<0.01). Furthermore, the low dengue risk PCUs had a higher larval indices level than the high dengue risk PCU (p<0.01).

Originality/value

This study showed that the low dengue risk PCU followed an active larval indices surveillance system at the sub-district level which is appropriate for villages. This study also revealed that VHVs are needed to strengthen the capacity in terms of knowledge and skills of developing such a system to ensure reduced levels of dengue in the community.
Profitability in the hotel sector: a PLS approach
Authors: Lado-Sestayo Rubén , Vivel-Búa Milagros
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the determinants of hotel profitability through the application of a least squares path modelling (PLS) and to deepen the study of their heterogeneity through clustering techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

An eclectic model that incorporates the dimensions identified as determinants of profitability in the previous literature is estimated by means of PLS. Subsequently, in a second stage the hotels are classified using clustering techniques to study which combination of hotel characteristics, location, competitive environment and tourist destination achieve higher profitability.

Findings

The results show that hotel characteristics, hotel location, competitive environments and tourist destination factors impact on the hotel performance. Also, the results highlight that the eclectic model proposed have to be further developed in future studies, incorporating more theoretical constructs and variables.

Research limitations/implications

The results contribute to identify and quantify the determinants of profitability in the hotel sector and which combination of them achieve higher profitability. Moreover, this paper provides new evidence to support an eclectic theory of profitability determinants in the hotel sector. Consequently, this paper claims the need of a deeper integration of different areas of expertise to analyse hotel profitability.

Originality/value

This research is the first empirical evidence that proposes an eclectic model and uses clustering techniques in the study of profitability differences considering simultaneously hotel characteristics and its location. The variables used allow to measure different aspects of the attributes of the hotel and its location.
Perception of integrated practice in home care services
Authors: Gudnadottir Margret , Bjornsdottir Kristin , Jonsdottir Sigridur
Published: November 2018

Purpose

As a result of demographic changes, older people are increasingly living at home, with multi-morbidity and complex care needs. This calls for enhanced integration of homecare nursing and social services. The purpose of this paper is to describe the clinical collaboration, scope and impact of integration from the perspective of staff in a setting identified as fully integrated.

Design/methodology/approach

In this qualitative study, data consisted of interviews with managers and care workers in social services and homecare nursing (n=14) in daily clinical collaboration, followed by five focus group discussions (n=28). Data were analysed using framework analysis.

Findings

Although the homecare services studied were ostensibly fully integrated, the study showed that the process of integration was incomplete. Interdisciplinary coordination between nursing and social services team managers was described as strong and efficient, but weaknesses were identified in collaboration between care workers. They lacked acquaintance with one another, opportunities for communication and knowledge of the contribution of members of other teams. They felt unclear about their own role in coordinated teamwork and lacked a shared vision.

Originality/value

This paper’s originality lies in the model of integrated care studied and its focus on actual care practices. The findings highlight that integration does not automatically permeate between different levels of service. Time and space must be allowed for conversations between health and social service teams to promote integration.
Country of ownership change in the premium segment: consequences for brand image
Authors: Johansson Ulf , Koch Christian , Varga Nora , Zhao Fengge
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how the ownership transfer from a highly industrialised country to less industrialised countries influences consumers’ brand perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach

Three acquisition cases of premium car brands (Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo) are investigated using qualitative data from online brand communities.

Findings

When country of ownership (COOW) for brands changes, it leads to different effects on consumers’ brand perception. Consumers are disoriented as to which cue to apply when evaluating the brand. They also see that brand values, and how these are communicated, are in conflict, as are sustainability images.

Research limitations/implications

This paper focuses on the perspective of brand community members in Europe and the USA and studies only the car industry and acquisitions by two countries (China and India) using data from the time of ownership transfers. The authors discuss theoretical implications and suggest further research to gain more insights and address limitations.

Practical implications

Following a transfer of ownership, communication campaigns are required for addressing the original brand’s heritage and promoting the new brand owner’s image. Managers need to take advantage of loyal brand fans by turning them into brand ambassadors, spreading information to convince consumers that are more sceptical.

Originality/value

This study fills the knowledge gap regarding change of COOW to developing countries as new owners, and its consequences for consumer perception. The authors also introduce an innovative type of data collection through brand communities, which is less commonly used in international marketing research.
The importance of shared beliefs for social marketing programmes
Authors: Calderon Citlali
Published: November 2018

Purpose

When social marketing tries to influence behaviours to increase societal welfare, erroneous shared beliefs of the target audiences can become impediments to success. The purpose of this paper is twofold: to categorize shared beliefs that can be obstacles for social marketing programmes and to identify the main sources of those shared beliefs.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was used to examine the specific case of Type 1 diabetes. In-depth interviews with 12 experts and focus groups with 17 adults who had been living with Type 1 diabetes for five years or more were performed. The information was analysed applying thematic analysis.

Findings

The results indicated that there are two types of shared beliefs that can hinder social marketing efforts (misconceptions and ideological convictions) and three main influencers (primary groups, communication media and authority figures).

Practical implications

Target audiences can be segmented by their shared beliefs, and a specific message could be designed to reach each group.

Social implications

Obstacles that could prevent the audience from engaging in a desired positive behaviour could be identified.

Originality/value

To the author’s knowledge, this is the first study that uses social representations to categorize erroneous shared beliefs that could be barriers for impacting behaviours, as well as the first to identify the main sources of those beliefs. This approach could provide guidelines for the design of social marketing campaigns that could achieve better public engagement.
Cyber physics system: a review
Authors: Jiang Changbin , Ma Ying , Chen Hong , Zheng Yangyin , Gao Shan , Cheng Shengxue
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Cyber physical system (CPS) has attracted much attention from industry, government and academia due to its dramatic impact on society, economy and people’s daily lives. Scholars have conducted a number of studies on CPS. However, despite of the dynamic nature of this research area, a systematic and extensive review of recent research on CPS is unavailable. Accordingly, this paper conducts an intensive literature review on CPS and presents an overview of existing research on CPS. The purpose of this paper is to identify the challenges of studying CPS as well as the directions for future studies on CPS.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines existing literatures about CPS from 2006 to 2018 in Compendex, presenting its definition, architectures, characteristics and applications.

Findings

This study finds that CPS is closely integrated, diversified and large-scale network with complex multiple time scales. It requires dynamic reorganization/reconfiguration, mass computing, and closed, automated and control circuits. Currently, CPS has been applied in smart manufacturing, medical systems, smart city and smart libraries. The main challenges in designing CPS are to develop, to modify, to integrate abstractions and to set predictable timing of openness and physical interconnection of physical devices. Furthermore, security is a key issue in CPS.

Originality/value

This study adds knowledge to the existing literature of CPS by answering what the current level of development on CPS is and what the potential future research directions of CPS are.
A collective organizational learning model for organizational development
Authors: Lau Kung Wong , Lee Pui Yuen , Chung Yan Yi
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Organizational learning is traditionally structured with conventional in-house learning models aiming to equip employees with practical skills for operational needs. In contrast, contemporary goals emphasize unstructured organizational learning provided with learning environments to facilitate employees’ formal and informal knowledge creation. Therefore, the conventional organizational learning models are facing tremendous challenges, and it is crucial to change the traditional modes of practice into a new approach of collective learning and knowledge transfer. As well, the emergence of innovative business environments and tacit knowledge-based society urges a new form of organizational learning model to cope with employees’ learning, knowledge transfer and even knowledge management. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors’ team applied a typological review for systematically analyzing current organizational learning models aiming to modify and create a new collective model.

Findings

The new model covers the strengths of existing approaches from which the fundamental 3Ps (i.e. principles, purposes and processes of organizational learning) concept is derived from incorporating a development perspective of organizational trajectories and technological innovations.

Originality/value

The authors envisage that the new model can facilitate organizations to assess and adapt their organizational learning needs and orientations by applying this organic and dynamic model which emphasizes assessment in relation to the competitive environment, technological trends and organizational growth.
The moderating effect of team psychological empowerment on the relationship between abusive supervision and engagement
Authors: Kirrane Melrona , Kilroy Steven , O’Connor Clíodhna
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Managers exert considerable effort to foster employee engagement given its positive organisational consequences. However abusive supervision, not uncommon in the organisational context, is said to damage hard-won gains in this arena. The purpose of this paper is to explore how the deleterious effects of abusive supervision on engagement can be attenuated. Specifically, the paper examines the moderating role of team psychological empowerment (TPE) in the negative relationship between abusive supervision and engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs survey data from a diverse sample of 191 employees.

Findings

Abusive supervision is negatively associated with employee engagement. TPE moderates the negative relationship between abusive supervision and engagement (vigour and dedication components).

Research limitations/implications

The use of self-report measures in this cross-sectional study limits the generalisability of the findings and inferences of causality. Future studies should replicate this investigation among intact teams.

Practical implications

Interventions designed to build team effective team dynamics are accessible and fruitful approaches managers can use to counteract the destructive effects of abusive supervision.

Originality/value

Managers need to have multiple routes to address the challenges raised by prevalent abusive supervision. The study highlights that working to enhance team dynamics is a cogent strategy to deal with this destructive feature of many organisational contexts.
Interplay of organizational justice, psychological empowerment, organizational citizenship behavior, and job satisfaction in the context of circular economy
Authors: Singh Sanjay Kumar , Singh Ajai Pratap
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to examine relevant organizational “human” aspects that support circular economy (CE); and second, to investigate the influence of perception of organizational justice (OJ), psychological empowerment on job satisfaction (JS) through mediating role of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB).

Design/methodology/approach

The study used survey questionnaire. The data were statistically analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) to test hypotheses of the study.

Findings

OJ positively and significantly influences psychological empowerment. Also, it was found that OCB and psychological empowerment to positively and significantly influence JS. Furthermore, OCB positively and significantly mediates the influence of OJ and psychological empowerment on JS.

Practical implications

Employees should be provided with fair and empowering environment to derive positive outcomes in terms of organizational citizenship behavior and JS. The study also suggests recognizing the importance of OCB in an organization to enhance JS and support CE.

Originality/value

The study presents empirical evidence in Indian context on how to encourage employees to display voluntary job behaviors and keep them job satisfied.
The impact of gender and ethnic diversity on REIT operating performance
Authors: Hogan Robert , Huerta Daniel
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between gender and ethnic diversity in managerial positions and Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) operating performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ two-stage Heckman correction models on an unbalanced panel of US Equity REITs for the time period from 2000 to 2015. The second-stage model uses multiple operating performance measures regressed on a dichotomous variable that indicates if the REIT promotes diversity in middle management in addition to a vector of control variables.

Findings

The results indicate that REITs that promote diversity in middle management with profit-and-loss responsibilities have lower operating performance than comparable counterparts. That is, gender and demographic diversity is negatively related to REIT performance as measured by return on assets, return on equity and funds from operations.

Practical implications

The analysis indicates that while gender and ethnic diversity is socially responsible and may provide many benefits, diversity among managers and decision makers has to be carefully implemented in order to achieve positive financial results.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by investigating whether diversity in leading managerial positions, other than in top officer ranks and on the board of directors, have an impact on REIT operating performance.
Bibliometric assessment of the global research output inJatropha curcas Linnas reflected by papers indexed in Science Citation Index-Expanded
Authors: Garg Kailash Chandra , Kumar Suresh
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the quantum of research papers and the citations these papers received for the plantJatropha curcas Linn.

Design/methodology/approach

Articles published onJatropha curcas Linnduring 1987–2016 were downloaded from Science Citation Index-Expanded (SCIE) by using the keyword Jatropha* on October 18, 2017. The search resulted in 4,276 records in all. The authors analyzed only 4,111 documents which were published as review articles, research articles and proceeding papers using the complete count methodology. The data were analyzed to examine the pattern of growth of output, most prolific countries, institutions and authors. It also identified highly cited authors and journals used for communicating research results.

Findings

The study indicates that India, China and Brazil are the main contributors to the field and the pattern of growth indicates a steep rise in publication output especially in the last block of 2015–2016. Most of the prolific institutions and authors were also located in these countries. However, the impact of output was different from the pattern of output. The publication output is scattered in more than 1,000 journals published from different parts of the globe.

Originality/value

The plant ofJatropha curcas Linnis a highly useful plant as a source of biofuel energy. This is the second study in English language on this plant and has used a large set of publication data as compared to the first. The findings of the study may be useful for policy makers as well as for researchers working in the field of biofuel energy.
The effect of corruption, seigniorage and borrowing on inflation
Authors: Elkamel Hussein
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Governments may finance its expenditures through multiple resources; however, seigniorage and borrowing are commonly used. The authors think that in the presence of corruption, the use of public finance may result in inflationary effect that leads to higher level of inflation, which in turn affects the whole economy.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper investigates if the variation in corruption levels jointly with public finance means, seigniorage and borrowing, accounts for the variation in the level of inflation. This paper uses panel data of 72 countries through the period 1995-2011.

Findings

The author find that corruption jointly with public finance means, seigniorage and borrowing, increase the level of inflation. This finding can address the misuse of these public finance means where corruption is prevalent.

Originality/value

This paper captures the joint effect of corruption with two different means of public finance, seigniorage and borrowing, on the level of inflation within 72 countries through 1995-2011.
Reflections on 25 years of building social enterprise education
Authors: Austin James , Rangan V. Kasturi
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to reflect on 25 years of the social enterprise initiative at the Harvard Business School, examining the processes and thinking involved at key stages of this pioneering Initiative’s implementation and institutionalization.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt an auto-ethnographical approach, reflexively considering the impact of our actions at key stages.

Findings

Reflecting on the experiences, the authors offer their thoughts on the challenges involved in establishing an educational program. They consider that there were give stages in the development of the program, which ensured its longevity, institutionalization and success: giving birth; starting an experiment; gaining acceptability; being embraced and achieving irreversibility.

Practical implications

The multiple challenges faced, as well as the successes that the authors had over the years, are set out. Awareness of the challenges that the authors faced will support educators to be prepared to overcome the same or similar challenges to implementing and embedding a social enterprise program.

Originality/value

This is the first time that the authors’ reflections on the history of the Social Enterprise Initiative have been brought together. As well as distinctive in their own right, the authors consider that the lessons learned from the work over such a long period could provide valuable insights to those who wish to integrate social enterprise teaching into their settings.
Challenges Facing the World Trade Organization: An Overview
Authors: Sampson Gary P
Published: November 2018

Tensions are running high in the world trading system. Sufficient conditions now exist for a continuing degeneration of trading relations creating a downward spiral and launching a serious trade war with unknown consequences. History has shown this scenario can be avoided if trading relations are based on agreed rules, enforced by an effective compliance mechanism and fully respected by governments. With the World Trade Organization (WTO) now at its heart, the very existence of the rules‐based trading system is under threat. Challenges facing the WTO and the reforms needed to deal with them are addressed in this article.
Central Bank Digital Cash and Cryptocurrencies: Insights from a New Baumol–Friedman Demand for Money
Authors: Masciandaro Donato
Published: November 2018

This article analyses ongoing changes in the supply of alternative media of payments (MOPs). The comparison between old (cash and deposits) and new (cryptocurrencies and central bank digital currencies) MOPs is based on a novel definition of money where a MOP has three properties: the first two are the standard functions of medium of exchange (liquidity costs) and store of value (opportunity costs) and the third is the novel function of store of information (privacy costs). Given such properties and that the evolution of the different MOPs likely depends on individual preferences, the relevance of experimental economics is highlighted.
Cryptocurrencies: A Crash Course in Digital Monetary Economics
Authors: Fernández‐Villaverde Jesús
Published: November 2018

This article reviews what cryptocurrencies are, and it frames them within the context of historical monetary experiences and contemporary monetary economics. The article argues that, as pure fiduciary private money, cryptocurrencies are a bubble without a fundamental value and they will not provide, in general, optimal amounts of money or deliver price stability. Nevertheless, cryptocurrencies can play a role in improving the current means of payments and in disciplining central banks into providing better government‐run fiduciary monies.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation for Mechanism Elucidation of Food Processing and Safety: State of the Art
Authors: Chen Gang , Huang Kai , Miao Ming , Feng Biao , Campanella Osvaldo H.
Published: November 2018

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is a useful technique to study the interaction between molecules and how they are affected by various processes and processing conditions. This review summarizes the application of MD simulations in food processing and safety, with an emphasis on the effects that emerging nonthermal technologies (for example, high hydrostatic pressure, pulsed electric field) have on the molecular and structural characteristics of foods and biomaterials. The advances and potential projection of MD simulations in the science and engineering aspects of food materials are discussed and focused on research work conducted to study the effects of emerging technologies on food components. It is expected by showing key case studies that it will stir novel developments as a valuable tool to study the effects of emerging food technologies on biomaterials. This review is useful to food researchers and the food industry, as well as researchers and practitioners working on flavor and nutraceutical encapsulations, dietary carbohydrate product developments, modified starches, protein engineering, and other novel food applications.
Growth of the Decision Tree: Advances in Bottom‐Up Climate Change Risk Management
Authors: Ray Patrick Alexander , Taner Mehmet Ümit , Schlef Katherine Elizabeth , Wi Sungwook , Khan Hassaan Furqan , Freeman Sarah St George , Brown Casey Matthew
Published: November 2018

There has recently been a return in climate change risk management practice to bottom‐up, robustness‐based planning paradigms introduced 40 years ago. The World Bank's decision tree framework (DTF) for “confronting climate uncertainty” is one incarnation of those paradigms. In order to better represent the state of the art in climate change risk assessment and evaluation techniques, this paper proposes: (1) an update to the DTF, replacing its “climate change stress test” with a multidimensional stress test; and (2) the addition of a Bayesian network framework that represents joint probabilistic behavior of uncertain parameters as sensitivity factors to aid in the weighting of scenarios of concern (the combination of conditions under which a water system fails to meet its performance targets). Using the updated DTF, water system planners and project managers would be better able to understand the relative magnitudes of the varied risks they face, and target investments in adaptation measures to best reduce their vulnerabilities to change. Next steps for the DTF include enhancements in: modeling of extreme event risks; coupling of human‐hydrologic systems; integration of surface water and groundwater systems; the generation of tradeoffs between economic, social, and ecological factors; incorporation of water quality considerations; and interactive data visualization.
The Evolution of Science Diplomacy
Authors: Turekian Vaughan
Published: November 2018

The past decade has witnessed the emergence of science diplomacy, both as a formalized set of operations and new field of study and research (Lord and Turekian , ). A number of factors continue to drive this trend, but the most important one is the recognition that (1) more and more, major challenges are international in nature and that (2) science and its applications are part of the cause as well as the cure. As a result, while much of the international science regime is still focused on discovery, there is an increasing need/demand for the integration of science cooperation in international relations. This article provides a brief overview of the evolution of science diplomacy over the past decades (and beyond) with special focus on recent developments. It will conclude by looking forward.
Telomere length and telomerase activity in T cells are biomarkers of high‐performing centenarians
Authors: Tedone Enzo , Huang Ejun , O’Hara Ryan , Batten Kimberly , Ludlow Andrew T. , Lai Tsung‐Po , Arosio Beatrice , Mari Daniela , Wright Woodring E. , Shay Jerry W.
Published: November 2018

It is generally recognized that the function of the immune system declines with increased age and one of the major immune changes is impaired T‐cell responses upon antigen presentation/stimulation. Some “high‐performing” centenarians (100+ years old) are remarkably successful in escaping, or largely postponing, major age‐related diseases. However, the majority of centenarians (“low‐performing”) have experienced these pathologies and are forced to reside in long‐term nursing facilities. Previous studies have pooled all centenarians examining heterogeneous populations of resting/unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). T cells represent around 60% of PBMC and are in a quiescence state when unstimulated. However, upon stimulation, T cells rapidly divide and exhibit dramatic changes in gene expression. We have compared stimulated T‐cell responses and identified a set of transcripts expressed in vitro that are dramatically different in high‐ vs. low‐performing centenarians. We have also identified several other measurements that are different between high‐ and low‐performing centenarians: (a) The amount of proliferation following in vitro stimulation is dramatically greater in high‐performing centenarians compared to 67‐ to 83‐year‐old controls and low‐performing centenarians; (b) telomere length is greater in the high‐performing centenarians; and (c) telomerase activity following stimulation is greater in the high‐performing centenarians. In addition, we have validated a number of genes whose expression is directly related to telomere length and these are potential fundamental biomarkers of aging that may influence the risk and progression of multiple aging conditions.