bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unrestrained growth of correctly oriented microtubules instructs axonal microtubule orientation
Authors: Jakobs Maximilian AH , Zemel Assaf , Franze Kristian
Published: June 2021

In many eukaryotic cells, directed molecular transport occurs along microtubules. Within neuronal axons, transport over vast distances particularly relies on uniformly oriented microtubules, whose +-ends point towards the distal axon tip (+end out). However, axonal microtubules initially have mixed orientations, and how they orient during development is not yet fully understood. Using live imaging of primaryDrosophila melanogasterneurons and physical modelling, we found that +end out microtubules are less likely to undergo catastrophe near the advancing axon tip, leading to their persistent long-term growth. In contrast, oppositely oriented microtubules remain short. Using chemical and physical perturbations of microtubule growth and genetic perturbations of the anti -catastrophe factor p150, which was enriched in the distal axon tip, we confirmed that the enhanced growth of +end out microtubules is critical for achieving uniform microtubule orientation. Computer simulations of axon development mimicking the enhanced +end out microtubule growth identified here along with previously proposed mechanisms correctly predicted the long-term evolution of axonal microtubule orientation as found in our experiments, highlighting the importance of the reduced catastrophe rate of +end out microtubules near the advancing axon tip in establishing uniform microtubule polarity. Our study thus leads to a holistic explanation of how axonal microtubules orient uniformly, a prerequisite for efficient long-range transport essential for neuronal functioning.
Stimulus features that elicit activity in object-vector cells
Authors: Andersson Sebastian O. , Moser Edvard I. , Moser May-Britt
Published: June 2021

Object-vector (OV) cells are cells in the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) that track an animal’s distance and direction to objects in the environment. Their firing fields are defined by vectorial relationships to free-standing 3-dimensional (3D) objects of a variety of identities and shapes. However, the natural world contains a panorama of objects, ranging from discrete 3D items to flat two-dimensional (2D) surfaces, and it remains unclear what are the most fundamental features of objects that drive vectorial responses. Here we address this question by systematically changing features of experimental objects. Using an algorithm that robustly identifies OV firing fields, we show that the cells respond to a variety of 2D surfaces, with visual contrast as the most basic visual feature to elicit neural responses. The findings suggest that OV cells use plain visual features as vectorial anchoring points, allowing vector-guided navigation to proceed in environments with few free-standing landmarks.
Telocytes regulate macrophages in periodontal disease
Authors: Zhao Jing , Sharpe Paul T.
Published: June 2021

Background

Telocytes (TCs) or interstitial cells are characterised in vivo by their long projections that contact other cell types. Although telocytes can be found in many different tissues in luding the heart1, lung2 and intestine3, their tissue-specific roles are poorly understood. Here we identify a cell signalling role for telocytes in the periodontium whereby telocytes regulate macrophage activity.

Methods

We performed scRNA-seq and lineage tracing to identify TCs in mouse periodontium in homeostasis and periodontitis and carried out HGF signalling inhibition experiments using Tivantinib.

Results

We demonstrated that TCs are quiescent in homeostasis, however, they proliferate and serve as a major source of HGF in periodontitis. Macrophages receive telocyte-derived HGF signals and shift from an M1 to a M1/M2 hybrid state.

Conclusions

Our results reveal the source of HGF signals in periodontal tissue and provide new insights into the function of TCs in regulating macrophage behaviour in periodontitis through HGF/c-Met cell signalling, that may provide a novel approach in periodontitis treatment.

Graphic abstract

A population of telocytes (TC) have been identified in the periodontium. They are quiescent in homeostasis, however, in periodontitis, they are activated and send HGF signals to LPS activated iNOS+ (M1) macrophages. Macrophages receive the HGF signals via c-Met, which results in the expression of M2 marker Arg1, representing in an increase of M1/M2 hybrid macrophages. The expression of Arg1 can be inhibited by a HGF/c-Met selective inhibitor Tivantinib.
RNA inhibits dMi-2/CHD4 chromatin binding and nucleosome remodelling
Authors: Ullah Ikram , Thoelken Clemens , Zhong Yichen , John Mara , Rossbach Oliver , Lenz Jonathan , Großringer Markus , Nist Andrea , Stiewe Thorsten , Hartmann Roland , Vazquez Olalla , Chung Ho-Ryung , Mackay Joel P , Brehm Alexander
Published: June 2021

The ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeller Mi-2/CHD4 broadly modulates epigenetic landscapes to repress transcription and to maintain genome integrity. Here we use individual nucleotide resolution crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (iCLIP) to show that Drosophila Mi-2 associates with thousands of mRNA molecules in vivo. Biochemical data reveal that recombinant dMi-2 preferentially binds to G-rich RNA molecules using two intrinsically disordered regions of previously undefined function. Pharmacological inhibition of transcription and RNase digestion approaches establish that RNA inhibits the association of dMi-2 with chromatin. We also show that RNA inhibits dMi-2-mediated nucleosome mobilization by competing with the nucleosome substrate. Importantly, this activity is shared by CHD4, the human homolog of dMi-2, strongly suggesting that RNA-mediated regulation of remodeller activity is an evolutionary conserved mechanism. Our data support a model in which RNA serves to protect actively transcribed regions of the genome from dMi-2/CHD4- mediated establishment of repressive chromatin structures.
Cooperative behavior evokes inter-brain synchrony in the prefrontal and temporoparietal cortex: A systematic review and meta-analysis of fNIRS hyperscanning studies
Authors: Czeszumski Artur , Liang Sophie Hsin-Yi , Dikker Suzanne , König Peter , Lee Chin-Pang , Koole Sander L. , Kelsen Brent
Published: June 2021

Single-brain neuroimaging studies have shown that human cooperation is associated with neural activity in frontal and temporoparietal regions. However, it remains unclear whether single-brain studies are informative about cooperation in real life, where people interact dynamically. Such dynamic interactions have become the focus of inter-brain studies. An advantageous technique in this regard is functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) because it is less susceptible to movement artifacts than more conventional techniques like EEG or fMRI. We conducted a systematic review and the first quantitative meta-analysis of fNIRS hyperscanning of cooperation, based on thirteen studies with 890 participants. Overall, the meta-analysis revealed evidence of statistically significant inter-brain synchrony while people were cooperating, with large overall effect sizes in both frontal and temporoparietal areas. All thirteen studies observed significant inter-brain synchrony in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), suggesting that this region is particularly relevant for cooperative behavior. The consistency in these findings is unlikely to be due to task-related activations, given that the relevant studies used diverse cooperation tasks. Together, the present findings support the importance of inter-brain synchronization of frontal and temporoparietal regions in interpersonal cooperation. Moreover, the present article highlights the usefulness of meta-analyses as a tool for discerning patterns in inter-brain dynamics.
Impacts of price, weather and policy changes on maize and rice farming in Togo
Authors: Hodjo Manzamasso , Ram Acharya , Blayney Don , Nakelse Tebila
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how climatic, market and policy factors interact to determine food production in Togo. Specifically, we estimate acreage and yield response to market prices, weather and policy changes for maize and rice.

Design/methodology/approach

We use panel data estimators in a Seemingly Unrelated Regressions Equation (SURE) model with region-level data from the Food and Agriculture Organization statistics department and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the US Department of commerce.

Findings

We found lower fertilizer price and higher grain price effects on maize acreage and yield. In addition, we found a positive effect of expected rice price on both its acreage and yield. As expected, rainfall during planting months has a significant impact on both maize (April) and paddy (May) acreage allocations. Similarly, total rainfall during the growing season has a positive impact on both maize and paddy yields. Moreover, recent agricultural policy initiative designed to boost domestic food production has significantly increased acreage and yield for maize, and yield for paddy, especially the strategy for agricultural growth.

Research limitations/implications

The dataset includes region-level observations from 1991 to 2012 which limits the observation span. However, we had enough variability in key variables to determine the estimated coefficients.

Practical implications

Although the dataset is limited in time (1991–2012) and uses national-level output prices, this investigation reveals that cropland allocation to maize and rice is sensitive to fertilizer and grain prices, weather expectations and policy interventions. These findings provide evidence for sustainable food production and productivity enhancement in Togo.

Social implications

Understanding drivers of cropland allocation and cereal yield contribute to better food security and poverty reduction in developing countries, especially Togo.

Originality/value

Prior to this study, little was known on the effect of price, climate and policy on cropland allocation in Togo. This investigation contributes significantly to filling this knowledge gap and provides insights for effective interventions.
Learning to effectively manage your emotions: the impact of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in caring roles
Authors: Mukundan Smarty P. , M. Dhanya
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Psychological constructs like emotional labor, emotional intelligence etc. are gaining importance now to understand employee outcomes such as job satisfaction in a health care setting. The study aims to investigate the relationship between Surface Acting (SA) an emotional labor strategy, and Job satisfaction, and the moderating effect of Emotional intelligence (EI) among practicing nurses.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data through self-reporting questionnaires administered to a sample of 141 nurses working in multi-specialty hospitals in a prominent city in India and analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

A negative relationship was found between surface acting and job satisfaction but was found positive when EI was introduced as a moderator.

Research limitations/implications

The respondent population was females only and diversity in terms of gender was not obtained.

Practical implications

The study finds significant practical and theoretical contributions to the primary caregivers in a health care setting. It helps to understand the interplay of emotions in this job and use EI as an internal resource to mitigate the harmful effects of continued SA emotional labor strategy to job satisfaction.

Social implications

It gains a better understanding of the emotion-related parameters in the nursing profession and gives inputs to the community. It throws light on how internal resources can be used for better job satisfaction which in turn leads to better quality care in the health care industry.

Originality/value

Extant literature has been discussing SA as a negative strategy for positive employee outcomes, but the present study gives insights on how this can be mitigated by using EI as a resource.
Theory of planned behaviour and boycotting: the moderating role of socio-political control and demographics
Authors: Delistavrou Antonia
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study examines the predictive ability of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to explain consumers' intentions to boycott “unethical”super market (S/M) products. It aims to expand the TPB by investigating the moderating role of politics and selected demographics in the formation process of behavioural intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey with personal interviews was conducted in the urban area of Thessaloniki, Greece. The two-stage area, in combination with the stratified sampling, resulted in a representative sample of 420 useable questionnaires.

Findings

Consumers were found to be mostly influenced by subjective norms to participate in a boycott campaign against “unethical” products, the next time they visited an S/M. Moderation analyses revealed that the effect of subjective norms gets higher in the group of consumers with lower policy control (PC) scores; the effect of attitudes gets higher in those with higher leadership competence (LC) in the society. Furthermore, the effect of attitudes on intentions gets stronger in men, younger than 44 years old, better educated and earning relatively higher incomes.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study to the boycotting research agenda concerns the expanded TPB model; it introduces scantly so far exogenous variables, namely politics and demographics.
Exploring motivations and satisfaction of ecolodge patrons in desert areas of Iran
Authors: Chogan Pouya
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper explores travel motivations and characteristics of European ecotourists who visit ecolodges in desert areas of Iran. It also evaluates 26 ecolodge attributes from the perspective of the European patrons.

Design/methodology/approach

Different methods were adopted for the aim of this study, comprising the importance-performance analysis technique and a questionnaire survey.

Findings

A survey of 386 patrons in 12 selected ecolodges found that most European ecotourists were middle-aged to old adults (36–65 years old) and highly educated who traveled with their spouses or friends. Ecotourists generally stayed in ecolodges for 2–5 days to learn and explore nature and be in the wilderness and undisturbed nature. This study also showed that the ecolodges are successful to a large extent, yet they need to focus more on their services and facilities.

Practical implications

Due to the significance of international tourists for the economy, decision-makers and managers must learn about tourists' motivations and travel satisfaction to be able to compete against their rivals in the marketplace. The result of this study may help the owners and managers of ecolodges in desert areas understand the needs and priorities of European tourists.

Originality/value

This study expanded the existing literature of motivations and satisfaction of tourists in the ecolodge industry.
Causal modelling of failure fears for international entrepreneurs in tourism industry: a hybrid Delphi-DEMATEL based approach
Authors: Hashemi Shide Sadat , Amoozad Mahdiraji Hannan , Azari Mostafa , Razavi Hajiagha Seyed Hossein
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to recognise and identify fears of failure in the international entrepreneurship ecosystem and find the effects of these fears on each other to reduce these increasing effects and minimise the mental barriers for potential entrepreneurs. Therefore, this research is beneficial to strengthen international entrepreneurial personality and to reduce the shadows of fears on entrepreneurs’ minds. To address this purpose the international tourism industry has been investigated in the emerging economy of Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is organised based on experts' opinions, and then factors are identified by literature review and are finalised through the Delphi method with a panel of practical and academic experts. These fears are categorised using a questionnaire and factor analysis (FA) technique. The respondents were entrepreneurship students and tourism entrepreneurs. Subsequently, the effect and importance of fears of failure are scored and ranked by some experts. These fears were analysed through decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method. The results presented the effects of fears of failure in the international entrepreneurial in the tourism industry and the relationship amongst them.

Findings

The first two fears are respectively “fears of future” which are caused by the unclear situation; and “fear of losing credit” that is due to the importance of “personal relationships” in Iranians culture. As pointed out by results, “fear of future” is the most effective group of factors that may lead to other fears too. This fear seems important in the international entrepreneurial tourism industry because of future ambiguity.

Originality/value

This study indicates the relations between groups of fears and offers some practical and applicable solutions to reduce these effects. To the best knowledge of the authors, analysing the relationship between fears amongst the entrepreneurs has not been investigated previously.
CB vs CVB – what is the difference between the tasks and roles of European and North American convention bureaux?
Authors: Latuszek Natalia
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the divergence between the tasks and roles of convention bureaux (CB) in North America and Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey among 55 CB’ managers was conducted. A total of 75% of respondents represented institutions operating in European cities, 25% – in North American ones. This research mainly focused on managers’ opinions about the importance of tasks and roles performed by CB and the degree to which the institutions manage to fulfil them. Therefore, importance-performance analysis was used in the study.

Findings

CB in North America and Europe broadly differ as to the characteristics of both groups of institutions. They include their time of operation, number of employees, annual budget and types of events that CB try to attract to the cities that they represent. There are no such differences when it comes to the importance and performance of institutions’ tasks and roles. The way in which managers evaluate them is quite similar because the respondents pay the closest attention to the roles of a marketer and an agent of a city played by a convention bureau. Differences lie in the meaning assigned by managers to the particular tasks of surveyed institutions.

Originality/value

The survey was carried out on a relatively small sample dominated by European institutions. However, the study attempts at investigating the roles and tasks of CB, with only few previous studies on this topic, including the ones comparing CB’ activity in different countries or on different continents. Moreover, proposed recommendations might be useful for a large group of managers and do not have to be limited only to institutions from Europe and North America.
What is the value of entrepreneurial orientation on the network and performance? An examination in trade fairs context
Authors: Silva Pedro , Teixeira Vale Vera Teixeira , Moutinho Victor Ferreira
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of entrepreneurial orientation on the network and exhibitor’s performance. The entrepreneurial orientation is seen as a highly competitive factor for the company, which can foster its trade fair business.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey-based quantitative approach was adopted, including a questionnaire (n= 362) applied to companies participating in trade fairs. To arrive at results, the study developed structural equations modeling techniques, using SPSS 24 and AMOS 20 software.

Findings

The study demonstrates positive impacts of entrepreneurial orientation on network capability and consequent exhibitor’s non-sales performance and exhibitor’s sales performance. A conceptual model is presented.

Research limitations/implications

The study was carried out mainly on Portuguese companies, restricting its generalization. In addition, the exhibitor’s performance was measured based on the exhibitors’ level of satisfaction and not on real sales results.

Practical implications

The study offers a process which the results highlight such as innovativeness, proactivity, risk-taking, competitiveness and autonomy (dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation) as a mix of important ingredients for the exhibitor’s networking. The networking promotes intangible results (non-sales performance) that can generate sales (sales performance).

Originality/value

The study is the first research to apply entrepreneurial orientation in the trade fair context and it also presents a relationship between non-sales performance and sales performance.
Public sector accounting in emerging economies: a review of the papers published in the first decade of Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies
Authors: van Helden Jan , Adhikari Pawan , Kuruppu Chamara
Published: June 2021

Purpose

A review of papers on public sector accounting in emerging economies, as published in the Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies' (JAEE) first decade.

Design/methodology/approach

A reflection on the issues covered and achievements made in the reviewed papers in the context of extant knowledge in this domain.

Findings

A majority of the research in JAEE is dominated by accounting reforms inspired by New Public Management (NPM). Performance management, budgeting and accrual accounting are the main topics in the reviewed research. NPM claims, which can range from usability and use of a new accounting repertoire to desirable impacts on efficiency and service delivery, are often not fulfilled. Many papers attempt to explain failing accounting innovations by the local context in which they are embedded, including political instability, poor governance and a lack of capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

The paper reviews research in a niche journal, but the findings are related to wider public sector accounting literature.

Practical implications

Public sector practitioners, but also researchers, need to move away from a focus on public sector reforms due to contextual circumstances leading to built-in failures and concentrate instead on understanding how the accounting repertoire works in practice, including routes for improvements therein.

Originality/value

An original framework for analysing public sector accounting research in emerging economies is proposed, which, among others, distinguishes between various ambition levels for achieving NPM reforms.
Revitalizing the historical center of Al-Najaf city in Iraq: learning from the British conservation experiences
Authors: Farhan Sabeeh Lafta , Akef Venus Suleiman , Nasar Zuhair
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The objective of this paper is mainly to contribute to and activate, the process of saving and preserving the rich tangible and intangible heritage embraced in the historic center of Al-Najaf city. This was possible through examining the existing historic urban and architectural structures of the city, unveiling the major issues that are threatening both its traditional cultural and architectural identity, and finally analyzing similar examples that proved to be successful in addressing similar problems in order to derive possible strategies for saving, preserving and revitalizing the historical center of Al-Najaf Old City.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper addresses the major problems of heritage preservation in Al-Najaf City (750 AD), which is one of the historical and most sacred religious centers especially for Shia Muslims around the world. Despite its importance, the rich cultural and architectural heritage of the city is dramatically neglected and seriously threatened to be lost.

Findings

Preservation in Al-Najaf City is proposed as a sustainable development strategy. Top-down and bottom-up strategies are proposed not only for preserving the historic architectural and urban characteristics of the city but also for reviving its social and cultural activities and traditions.

Originality/value

The major issues addressed in this paper include the fragmentation and decentralization of the cohesive traditional urban fabric, the disruption of the spatial organization, the deformation of the traditional architectural characteristics of the city and its skyline, the discontinuity of facades' patterns, the destruction and demolition of historical buildings, the transformation of land use, and the regression of traditional social and cultural activities.
Pensionable age vs cross-country diversity of economic activity of the near-elderly
Authors: Chybalski Filip
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether cross-country differences in pensionable age explain such differences in economic activity of people at near-retirement age.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study uses regression models for macro-panel encompassing 21 European countries in the period 2008–2014.

Findings

Empirical results indicate that pensionable age is a determinant of cross-country differences in employment rate in the near-retirement age group, and less a factor differentiating average effective retirement age. It turns out that other factors matter, including salaries and wages as percentage of GDP (treated as a proxy for the occupational composition of populations across the countries studied), self-employment, participation in education and training, or self-perceived health.

Social implications

The problem of economic activity at the near-retirement age is complex and cannot be limited to legal regulations concerning pensionable age. The policy aiming at stimulating the economic activity of the near-elderly should include actions on many sides including labour market, pension system, education, training, or health care.

Originality/value

The results complement studies based on the single-country approach and demonstrate that pensionable age does not account for cross-country differences in terms of average effective age of retirement when controlling for other factors. Moreover, factors differentiating effective retirement age and employments rates across countries studied are not similar.
Problematic customer behaviours and their triggers: the perspective of restaurant employees
Authors: Özekici Yakup Kemal , Ünlüönen Kurban
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The present work attempts to investigate how restaurant staff perceive problematic customer behaviours (PCBs), the causes for PCBs and the core reasons that trigger such behaviour in restaurants.

Design/methodology/approach

The root causes were determined by systematic grading and then aggregated in a fishbone diagram to illustrate the real antecedents. First, the data obtained from in-depth interviews based on the grounded theory approach, conducted with 29 frontline employees in restaurants, were categorised using open, axial and selective coding. Then the 26 causes identified were graded and arranged into six levels, forming a chained hierarchy for each behaviour.

Findings

Ego-derived faults are among the key factors stemming from the personality of the customer, and the use of money as power is evident in such behaviours. In terms of issues related to social systems, the main factors were the structure of the sector, the “customer is always right” philosophy, other factors resulting from the local culture and the occupational image.

Research limitations/implications

First, more frequent and effective addressing of the sector structure can help employees feel more comfortable. Second, the study uncovers emotional and psychological aspects as core factors causing PCBs, paving the way for future studies.

Practical implications

To prevent PCBs, it may be necessary to provide relevant training for employees, empower leadership for middle-level managers and set up a customer crediting system as well as a customer blacklist based on smart technologies.

Originality/value

This research is the first attempt to reveal the root causes of the factors behind PCBs by forming graded-reason chains and representing integrated PCBs in a fishbone diagram. Using this instrument, the paper investigates the insights of employees to address a topic that few studies have dealt with thus far.
Identifying export opportunities for China in the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ group of countries: a decision support model approach
Authors: Cameron Martin , Cuyvers Ludo Juul , Fu Dahai , Viviers Wilma
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to identify China’s realistic export opportunities (REOs) among the “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI) group of countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used is a decision support model (DSM) that filters data based on country risk; macro-economic country performance; market potential in terms of import growth and import market size; and market access conditions. The high-potential REOs are revealed.

Findings

Out of the 84 BRI countries, 79 countries represent 42.5% of China’s REOs globally and 26.9% of China’s globally untapped potential value. Interestingly, 17.9% of this untapped potential is in the BRI countries Poland, Austria and the Czech Republic, thus providing a potentially important route into the European Union.

Research limitations/implications

If China wants to develop additional or new markets, focus should be put on the BRI markets outside of the top 20. China should also invest in the development of most BRI economies, to ensure their future growth and increased demand for import of products and services from China.

Practical implications

The shortlist of China’s REOs in the individual BRI countries makes for more efficient planning and prioritising of export development activities. It also highlights the need for policymakers to look beyond international trade and focus on how to also improve the domestic economies of the BRI partners.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to use the DSM to identify China’s REOs at HS6-digit level within the BRI group. The findings have important implications for China’s export promotion agencies, industry associations and individual companies.
Multilevel influences on individual knowledge sharing behaviours: the moderating effects of knowledge sharing opportunity and collectivism
Authors: Nguyen Tuyet-Mai , Siri Nang Sarm , Malik Ashish
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to draw upon social cognitive theory to develop a conceptual framework of four types of factors: individual, social, organisational and cultural that influence an individual’s knowledge sharing behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 298 employees in Myanmar’s banking industry were analysed using the structural equation modelling (SEM) approach.

Findings

The results reveal that an individual’s absorptive capacity, trust and social interaction significantly impact knowledge-sharing behaviour. Additionally, the study found the moderating influence of knowledge sharing opportunity and collectivism in examining the impact of absorptive capacity, trust and social interaction on knowledge sharing behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

Future research may consider other dimensions of cultural dimensions, and extending the model by adding outcomes of knowledge sharing behaviour such as innovation or productivity could also be considered.

Practical implications

Organisations need to consider absorptive capacity in the recruitment process, increase trust and social interaction among employees, promote knowledge-sharing opportunities and collectivism to promote knowledge-sharing behaviour.

Originality/value

The study’s distinctive contribution is the Myanmar bank sector's under-researched context for investigating the reverse relationship between absorptive capacity and knowledge sharing behaviour. The moderating effects of knowledge sharing opportunity and collectivism ignored mainly in the knowledge sharing literature were investigated in this study.
Drivers and barriers for employee ownership – why is the United States in a positive circle while Denmark is not?
Authors: Mygind Niels
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Drivers and barriers for employee ownership vary between countries because of differences in Politics, Institutions and the Economy (PIE). By analyzing this variation, the purpose of this study is to answer why employee ownership has developed fast in the United States and not in Denmark.

Design/methodology/approach

The drivers and barriers for employee ownership are identified from the scientific literature, and the main societal dynamics are identified through the PIE model covering the dynamics between politics, institutional change and the economy. Politics focuses on different social groups influencing the development of institutions driving or hindering employee ownership in the economy.

Findings

United States has followed a self-enforcing circle with broad political support of “shared capitalism,” including the employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) type of employee ownership. In Denmark, the labor movement rejected worker cooperatives as a main strategy and focused on building up the welfare state. Center-right parties favored employee stocks, but the institutional framework never overcame the barriers for employee ownership.

Originality/value

This is the first study to perform an analysis of politics, institutional change and economic development to explain drivers and barriers for employee ownership and to make a comparison between the development of employee ownership in the United States and Denmark.
Organizational justice, life satisfaction, and happiness: the mediating role of workplace social courage
Authors: Mert İbrahim Sani , Sen Cem , Alzghoul Amro
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Workplace social courage is a courageous behavior that can damage the actor's social relationships, social image and accrue face-loss costs. Sometimes, it is difficult to differentiate courageous behavior from incivility that predicts higher levels of psychological distress. While workplace social courage is widely discussed in the management literature, less is known about the conditions under which individuals are more or less likely to exhibit courageous behaviors. Given the theoretical considerations, in the present study, the authors consider two indicators of quality of life, which are life satisfaction and happiness, and set the aim of the study as to investigate the relationships between organizational justice and two dimensions of quality of life – life satisfaction and happiness – with particular attention to the mediation function performed by courage.

Design/methodology/approach

Cross-sectional survey data (n = 408) were obtained from employees working in Turkey Fortune companies and analyzed with variance-based structural equation modeling (VB-SEM) technique.

Findings

The results showed that perceived organizational justice is a strong antecedent for workplace social courage. Workplace social courage emerges as a facilitator for subjective happiness and life satisfaction. Workplace social courage mediated the association between perceived organizational justice and subjective happiness, and between perceived organizational justice and life satisfaction. Prescriptions for theory development and practitioners are highlighted, research limitations and future directions are acknowledged.

Originality/value

So far, most of the work done in this subject is mainly in western countries, and it is considered as a virtue, feature, emotion and behavior in the studies of social scientists, and mainly focused on how employees need the courage to perform the desired behaviors that affect organizational outcomes positively such as organizational citizenship behavior, job performance, job satisfaction, life satisfaction, psychological well-being. Also, the authors studied how social courage positively relates to beneficial voice and silence, as well as negatively relates to detrimental voice and silence, how courage is correlated with psychological empowerment, coaching and how courage mediates on quality of life. As can be seen, there is little empirical work when it comes to the antecedents of courage in business life. Therefore, this study, which has been done with different variables in a different culture and country, aims to support and bring a new breath to the subject. Besides, the mediating effect of courage on the organizational variables is also among the trendiest subjects.
Bibliometric analysis of the VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems: 2000–2020
Authors: Islam Md Anwarul , Widen Gunilla
Published: June 2021

Purpose

VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems (VJIKMS) is one of the oldest and leading journals in the knowledge management (KM) field. The purpose of this study is to conduct bibliometrics analysis of publications published in VJIKMS for the past two decades. For doing this, this paper covered the past two decades of publications and carried out a science mapping analysis of publications.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology included bibliometrics and the science mapping analysis process. This paper imported the bibliographic information of VJIKMS from the abstract and citation database Scopus. Through bibliometrics method, this paper examined the citation results, author productivity, authorship pattern, research collaboration and other parameters of the selected publications. Afterward, this paper used VOSviewer software to carry out the science mapping of bibliometric networks.

Findings

The findings showed that VJIKMS published 718 publications during 2000–2020, which got cited 4,311 times (6 times per article) till date. Joint authorship and international collaboration have been increasing where 1,417 authors from 66 countries have published. The USA, the UK and Iran lead the KM publications in this journal. Nonaka’s publications and Journal of Knowledge Management (JKM) are highly cited references and journals in the VJIKMS.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study would help the KM students, researchers and practitioners to see the diffusion of KM globally, what are the promising areas to work and helps to know the various patterns of publications if they aim to publish in VJIKMS.

Originality/value

This is the first time a bibliometric analysis has been conducted to analysis of research publications published in VJIKMS. This presents a comprehensive analysis of publications between 2000 and 2020.
An interview with Romira Young: opportunities and challenges for local small business owners in the tourism and hospitality industries in times of disaster
Authors: Bledsoe-Gardner Anita
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this interview aims to offer a means to better understand tourism as it relates to small businesses within a global network.

Design/methodology/approach

A semi-structured interview was used.

Findings

The key findings are in line with Masco’s (2017) research that asserts “change can be selective and/or optional for the tourism stakeholders (e.g. tourists, operators, destination organizations, policymakers, local communities, employees), the nature and degree of crises-led transformations depend on whether and how these stakeholders are affected by, respond to, recover and reflect on crises”, particularly small minority-owned tourist companies.

Practical implications

This interview provides a lens to better understand how small businesses operate within the global market and remain at the cornerstone for sustaining domestic and international markets.

Originality/value

This study highlights small minority-owned business and their ability to become resilient. This interview illustrated that grounded small businesses, while implored with challenges from natural disasters, also have the resiliency to overcome such challenges when the agency has the ability to provide “turn-key” services for their clients thereby providing clients a sense of agency and value-laden experiences via personalization of services.
Conclusion: going digital is the only way forward for the Indian tourism and hospitality industry
Authors: Munjal Sandeep , Singh Anjana
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review and summarize the theme issue outcomes in relation to the strategic question: How is the hospitality and tourism industry in India responding to the dynamic digital era?

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on the findings of the theme issue contributors to identify the response of the Indian hospitality and tourism industry towards the rapid pace of digitization and use of technology.

Findings

The summary highlights the research on various facets of digital push with respect to marketing of products and services, role of data analytics, use of technology tools in operations to impact customer experience. It has implications for industry practitioners, researchers and policymakers.

Practical implications

It is quite clear that technology needs to be embraced by the hospitality and tourism Industry in India at a faster pace to compete well globally, deployment of digital technology has potential to positively impact efficiencies and quality of customer experience. There are huge implications for how digital marketing is going to become a critical part of the marketing strategy at large.

Originality/value

The research in this theme provides insight from both practitioner and academic perspectives provide a take on the ground realities with respect to how the hospitality and tourism businesses in India are changing how they work in the digital era.
Charting the role of digital platforms for cultural heritage tourism in India
Authors: Munjal Parul G.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

With the growth of number of smart phone users in India, digital interfaces such as android applications are easy to access and operate. While conventional websites have been in existence over the past few decades, government schemes as well as non-government entities have emerged over the recent years that create opportunities for connecting digital interfaces with cultural heritage tourism. The purpose of this study is to attempt to cover the various facets of interaction between the two dimensions, in an attempt to identify possibilities in the near future.

Design/methodology/approach

The research process included review of government scheme guidelines and proposal documents, and various digital interfaces as available on the World Wide Web and in the form of mobile applications. The data collection and analysis process included interviews with the founders of two mobile application developing start-ups in India.

Findings

India is positioned to take the leap into the creating unparalleled visitor experiences and opportunities for local communities and other stakeholders through use of technology and digital interfaces that can sustain the cultural heritage resources and create new developmental models that have not been possible otherwise. The need is to create synergies across the various opportunities, not only though time bound schemes and projects but embedding the same into the heritage management and governance model.

Originality/value

This paper provides an insight into the issues and opportunities in developing digital interfaces towards enhancing cultural heritage tourism in India.
Evaluation of safety and pharmacokinetics of bismuth‐containing quadruple therapy with either vonoprazan or lansoprazole for Helicobacter pylori eradication
Authors: Huh Ki Young , Chung Hyewon , Kim Yu Kyong , Lee SeungHwan , Bhatia Siddharth , Takanami Yohei , Nakaya Ryou , Yu Kyung‐Sang
Published: June 2021

Aims

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication plays a key role in the treatment and prevention of peptic ulcer diseases. Increasing clarithromycin resistance in Hp necessitates more effective treatments for eradication, such as bismuth‐containing quadruple therapy. We aimed to compare the safety and pharmacokinetics (PK) of bismuth between vonoprazan‐ and lansoprazole‐containing quadruple therapy in Hp‐positive subjects.

Methods

In this randomised, double‐blind, parallel‐group study, Hp‐positive subjects were randomised to receive vonoprazan‐ or lansoprazole‐containing quadruple therapy. Each subject received vonoprazan 20 mg or lansoprazole 30 mg combined with bismuth 220 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg and amoxicillin 1000 mg twice daily for 14 days. Blood sampling and urine collection for bismuth PK were conducted predose and up to 12 hours postdose at steady‐state. The PK parameters of bismuth were derived using a noncompartmental method and compared between treatments. An exploratory breath test for Hp was conducted at screening and at the follow‐up visit on day 42. Safety was assessed by adverse event monitoring, physical examinations, vital signs, 12‐lead electrocardiograms and clinical laboratory tests.

Results

A total of 30 subjects were randomised and 26 subjects completed the study (12 in the vonoprazan group and 14 in the lansoprazole group). The systemic exposure of bismuth in the 2 treatments was comparable (~5% difference). All subjects turned negative for Hp at the follow‐up visit. No significant difference in safety profiles was noted between the 2 treatments.

Conclusion

The systemic exposure of bismuth was similar between vonoprazan‐ and lansoprazole‐containing quadruple therapy. Vonoprazan‐containing quadruple therapy was safe and well tolerated.
Effects of virtual reality application on skill learning for optical‐fibre fusion splicing
Authors: Chang Yu‐Shan
Published: June 2021

This study explored the effects of virtual reality (VR) application on the process and outcome of skill learning. The participants consisted of 60 new employees in the customer network cable service division of a telecommunications company, and the study focused on the learning of optical‐fibre fusion splicing skills. The skill‐learning test results revealed the following: (a) the skill‐learning effect associated with VR application was greater than that of conventional lecturing and demonstration approaches; (b) VR application had a considerable negative effect on the perception level of skill learning but a moderately positive effect on adaptation and origination levels; and (c) in the VR operation stage of learning, the behavioural transition from the cognitive phase to the associative phase was the most prominent.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Virtual reality (VR) can transmit complex knowledge

Virtual reality (VR) can facilitate the skill learning

What this paper adds

How to apply VR to skill learning

Effects of VR teaching on steps of skill learning process and learning levels

Effects of VR teaching on stages of skill learning

Implications for practice and/or policy

Using VR teaching to improve skill learning effects

Using VR teaching to improve skill learning stages and levels.