bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nuclear receptor signaling via NHR-49/MDT-15 regulates stress resilience and proteostasis in response to reproductive and metabolic cues
Authors: Sala Ambre J. , Grant Rogan A. , Imran Ghania , Morton Claire , Brielmann Renee M. , Gorgoń Szymon , Watts Jennifer , Bott Laura C. , Morimoto Richard I.
Published: May 2024

The ability to sense and respond to proteotoxic insults declines with age, leaving cells vulnerable to chronic and acute stressors. Reproductive cues modulate this decline in cellular proteostasis to influence organismal stress resilience inCaenorhabditis elegans. We previously uncovered a pathway that links the integrity of developing embryos to somatic health in reproductive adults. Here, we show that the nuclear receptor NHR-49, an ortholog of mammalian peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), regulates stress resilience and proteostasis downstream from embryo integrity and other pathways that influence lipid homeostasis and upstream of HSF-1. Disruption of the vitelline layer of the embryo envelope, which activates a proteostasis-enhancing intertissue pathway in somatic cells, triggers changes in lipid catabolism gene expression that are accompanied by an increase in fat stores. NHR-49, together with its coactivator, MDT-15, contributes to this remodeling of lipid metabolism and is also important for the elevated stress resilience mediated by inhibition of the embryonic vitelline layer. Our findings indicate that NHR-49 also contributes to stress resilience in other pathways known to change lipid homeostasis, including reduced insulin-like signaling and fasting, and that increased NHR-49 activity is sufficient to improve proteostasis and stress resilience in an HSF-1-dependent manner. Together, our results establish NHR-49 as a key regulator that links lipid homeostasis and cellular resilience to proteotoxic stress.
Improving the beam quality of the low-energy muon beamline at Paul Scherrer Institute: Characterization of ultrathin carbon foils
Authors: Janka Gianluca , Mendes Martins Maria , Ni Xiaojie , Salman Zaher , Suter Andreas , Prokscha Thomas
Published: May 2024

The low-energy muon (LEM) beamline at the Paul Scherrer Institute currently stands as the world’s only facility providing a continuous beam of low-energy muons with keV energies for conducting muon spin rotation experiments on a nanometer depth scale in heterostructures and near a sample’s surface. As such, optimizing the beam quality to reach its full potential is of paramount importance. One of the ongoing efforts is dedicated to improving the already applied technique of single muon tagging through the detection of secondary electrons emerging from an ultrathin carbon foil. In this work, we present the results from installing a thinner foil with a nominal thickness of 0.5  μg cm−2 and compare its performance to that of the previously installed foil with a nominal thickness of 2.0  μg cm−2. Our findings indicate improved beam quality, characterized by smaller beam spots, reduced energy loss and straggling of the muons, and enhanced tagging efficiency. Additionally, we introduce a method utilizing blue laser irradiation for cleaning the carbon foil, further improving and maintaining its characteristics.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Leveraging neural control variates for enhanced precision in lattice field theory
Authors: Bedaque Paulo F. , Oh Hyunwoo
Published: May 2024

Results obtained with stochastic methods have an inherent uncertainty due to the finite number of samples that can be achieved in practice. In lattice QCD this problem is particularly salient in some observables like, for instance, observables involving one or more baryons and it is the main problem preventing the calculation of nuclear forces from first principles. The method of control variables has been used extensively in statistics and it amounts to computing the expectation value of the difference between the observable of interest and another observable whose average is known to be zero but is correlated with the observable of interest. Recently, control variates methods emerged as a promising solution in the context of lattice field theories. In our current study, instead of relying on an educated guess to determine the control variate, we utilize a neural network to parametrize this function. Using 1+1 dimensional scalar field theory as a testbed, we demonstrate that this neural network approach yields substantial improvements. Notably, our findings indicate that the neural network ansatz is particularly effective in the strong coupling regime.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Uncovering secret neutrino interactions at tau neutrino experiments
Authors: Bakhti Pouya , Rajaee Meshkat , Shin Seodong
Published: May 2024

We investigate the potential of future tau neutrino experiments for identifying the ντ appearance in probing secret neutrino interactions, which is very important in a variety of fields, such as neutrino physics, dark matter physics, grand unified theories, astrophysics, and cosmology. The reference experiments include the DUNE far detector utilizing the atmospheric data, which is for the first time probing secret interactions, the Forward Liquid Argon Experiment (FLArE100) detector at the Forward Physics Facility, and emulsion detector experiments such as SND@LHC, FASERν, AdvSND, FASERν2, and SND@SHiP. For concreteness, we consider a reference scenario in which the hidden interactions among the neutrinos are mediated by a single light gauge boson Z′ with a mass at most below the sub-GeV scale and an interaction strength gαβ between the active neutrinos να and νβ. We confirm that these experiments have the capability to significantly enhance the current sensitivities on gαβ for mZ′≲500  MeV due to the production of high-energy neutrinos and excellent ability to detect tau neutrinos. Our analysis highlights the crucial role of “downward-going” DUNE atmospheric data in the search for secret neutrino interactions because of the rejection of backgrounds dominated in the upward-going events. Specifically, ten years of DUNE atmospheric data can provide the best sensitivities on geτ and gμτ which are about 2 orders of magnitude improvement. In addition, the beam-based experiments such as FLArE100 and FASERν2 can improve the current constraint on geτ and gμτ by more than an order of magnitude after the full running of the high luminosity LHC with the integrated luminosity of 3  ab−1. For geμ and gee the SHiP experiment can play the most important role in the high-energy region of mZ′>few 100  MeV, and FLArE100 and FASERν2 can set the most stringent constraints for mZ′ less than few keV, in particular, if atmospheric flux uncertainty reduces DUNE sensitivity. Although our analysis is proceeded under our reference scenario of secret Z′, our analysis strategies can be readily applicable to other types of secret interactions such as Majoron models.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Probing nuclear properties and neutrino physics with current and future
CEνNS
experiments
Authors: Rossi R. R. , Garcia G. Sanchez , Tórtola M.
Published: May 2024

The recent observation of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEνNS) with neutrinos from pion decay at rest (π-DAR) sources by the COHERENT Collaboration has raised interest in this process in the search for new physics. Unfortunately, current uncertainties in the determination of nuclear parameters relevant to those processes can hide new physics effects. This is not the case for processes involving lower-energy neutrino sources such as nuclear reactors. Note, however, that a CEνNS measurement with reactor neutrinos depends largely on a (still-missing) precise determination of the quenching factor at very low energies, making its observation more challenging. In the upcoming years, once this signal is confirmed, a combined analysis of π-DAR and reactor CEνNS experiments will be very useful to probe particle and nuclear physics, with a reduced dependence on nuclear uncertainties. In this work, we explore this idea by simultaneously testing the sensitivity of current and future CEνNS experiments to neutrino nonstandard interactions (NSIs) and the neutron root mean square (rms) radius, considering different neutrino sources as well as several detection materials. We show how the interplay between future reactor and accelerator CEνNS experiments can help to get robust constraints on the neutron rms and to break degeneracies between the NSI parameters. Our forecast could be used as a guide to optimize the experimental sensitivity to the parameters under study.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
A Lower Bound on Dark Matter Mass
Authors: Amin Mustafa A. , Mirbabayi Mehrdad
Published: May 2024

We argue that there is a lower bound of order 10−19  eV on dark matter mass if it is produced after inflation via a process with finite correlation length. We rely on nondetection of free-streaming suppression and white-noise enhancement of density perturbations as the observational inputs.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Protecting Quantum Information via Destructive Interference of Correlated Noise
Authors: Salhov Alon , Cao Qingyun , Cai Jianming , Retzker Alex , Jelezko Fedor , Genov Genko
Published: May 2024

Decoherence and imperfect control are crucial challenges for quantum technologies. Common protection strategies rely on noise temporal autocorrelation, which is not optimal if other correlations are present. We develop and demonstrate experimentally a strategy that uses the cross-correlation of two noise sources. Utilizing destructive interference of cross-correlated noise extends the coherence time tenfold, improves control fidelity, and surpasses the state-of-the-art sensitivity for high frequency quantum sensing, significantly expanding the applicability of noise protection strategies.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Analog Information Decoding of Bosonic Quantum Low-Density Parity-Check Codes
Authors: Berent Lucas , Hillmann Timo , Eisert Jens , Wille Robert , Roffe Joschka
Published: May 2024

Quantum error correction is crucial for scalable quantum information-processing applications. Traditional discrete-variable quantum codes that use multiple two-level systems to encode logical information can be hardware intensive. An alternative approach is provided by bosonic codes, which use the infinite-dimensional Hilbert space of harmonic oscillators to encode quantum information. Two promising features of bosonic codes are that syndrome measurements are natively analog and that they can be concatenated with discrete-variable codes. In this work, we propose novel decoding methods that explicitly exploit the analog syndrome information obtained from the bosonic qubit readout in a concatenated architecture. Our methods are versatile and can be generally applied to any bosonic code concatenated with a quantum low-density parity-check (QLDPC) code. Furthermore, we introduce the concept of quasi-single shot protocols as a novel approach that significantly reduces the number of repeated syndrome measurements required when decoding under phenomenological noise. To realize the protocol, we present the first implementation of time-domain decoding with the overlapping window method for general QLDPC codes and a novel analog single-shot decoding method. Our results lay the foundation for general decoding algorithms using analog information and demonstrate promising results in the direction of fault-tolerant quantum computation with concatenated bosonic-QLDPC codes.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Extending CityGML with public input – social ADE
Authors: Zarei Farzaneh , Nik-Bakht Mazdak
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to enrich the 3D urban models with data contributed by citizens to support data-driven decision-making in urban infrastructure projects. We introduced a new application domain extension to CityGML (social – input ADE) to enable citizens to store, classify and exchange comments generated by citizens regarding infrastructure elements. The main goal of social – input ADE is to add citizens’ feedback as semantic objects to the CityGML model.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, we identified the key functionalities of the suggested ADE and how to integrate them with existing 3D urban models. Next, we developed a high-level conceptual design outlining the main components and interactions within the social-input ADE. Then we proposed a package diagram for the social – input ADE to illustrate the organization of model elements and their dependencies. We also provide a detailed discussion of the functionality of different modules in the social-input ADE.

Findings

As a result of this research, it has seen that informative streams of information are generated via mining the stored data. The proposed ADE links the information of the built environment to the knowledge of end-users and enables an endless number of socially driven innovative solutions.

Originality/value

This work aims to provide a digital platform for aggregating, organizing and filtering the distributed end-users’ inputs and integrating them within the city’s digital twins to enhance city models. To create a data standard for integrating attributes of city physical elements and end-users’ social information and inputs in the same digital ecosystem, the open data model CityGML has been used.
Can corporate ESG investing boost zombie firms back to normal? Evidence from Chinese firms
Authors: Ren Guangqian , Li Junchao , Zhao Mengjie , Zheng Minna
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the ramifications of corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing in zombie firms and considers how external funding support may moderate this relationship given the sustainable nature of ESG performance, which often incurs costs.

Design/methodology/approach

Panel regression analyses used data from China’s A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2019, resulting in a data set comprising 6,054 observations.

Findings

Despite firms’ additional financial burdens, corporate ESG investing emerges as a catalyst in resurrecting zombie firms by attracting investor attention. Further analysis underscores the significance of funding support from entities such as the government and banks in alleviating ESG cost pressures and enhancing the efficacy of corporate ESG investing. Notably, the positive impact of corporate ESG investing is most pronounced in non-heavily polluting and non-state-owned firms. The results of classification tests reveal that social (S) and governance (G) investing yield greater efficacy in revitalizing zombie firms compared to environmental (E) investing.

Practical implications

This research enriches the discourse on corporate ESG investing and offers insights for governing zombie firms and shaping government policies.

Originality/value

By extending the domain of ESG research to encompass zombie firms, this paper sheds light on the multifaceted role of corporate ESG investing. Furthermore, this study comprehensively evaluates the influence of external funding support on the positive outcomes of ESG investing, thereby contributing to the resolution of the longstanding debate on the relationship between ESG performance and corporate financial performance, particularly with regard to ESG costs and benefits.
CompEntre 4.0: developing and validating a competency model for Industry 4.0 startups
Authors: Wahl Dario , Münch Jürgen
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Competency models are widespread in entrepreneurship and help develop educational offerings. Although existing models cater to specific sub-disciplines, the field of Industry 4.0 startups still needs a tailored competency. Therefore, this study aims to bridge this gap by developing a specific competency model to address the unique challenges in Industry 4.0 entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach involved a content analysis and interview study in compiling and categorizing the necessary competencies to succeed in the Industry 4.0 domain. The developed model was subjected to different forms of validation using the Content Validity Index and inter-rater reliability incorporating expert feedback.

Findings

The described multi-methodological approach resulted in the proposed “CompEntre 4.0” model, which contains 23 crucial competencies for Industry 4.0 startups. The results of this model validation demonstrate that it meets the necessary threshold values, establishing its reliability and potential for future use and further improvement.

Practical implications

By providing a structured framework tailored to the specific demands of this domain, the competency model has the potential to guide and empower entrepreneurs, improving their prospects for success in the rapidly evolving landscape of Industry 4.0.

Originality/value

While there are specific competency models for the entrepreneurship field and for specific sub-disciplines of entrepreneurship, there is, despite numerous specifics, no competency model for Industry 4.0 entrepreneurship yet.
Examination of the effects of learning capabilities and market orientation of logistics companies on innovation and logistics performance
Authors: Adiguzel Zafer , Sonmez Cakir Fatma , Yesilot Zehir Songul , Zehir Cemal
Published: May 2024

Purpose

In today’s economic conditions, businesses face great challenges related to competitiveness. The effort to respond flexibly to the changing business environment and customers’ demands constantly puts pressure on innovation. For this reason, research purpose to examine the effects of learning capabilities and market orientation in logistics companies during the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, a quantitative method was adopted and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied. The research is based on four variables. A conceptual research model was established through literature review and the model was tested. Within the scope of this research, A sample of 544 participants was taken to construct and test the model, and a 39-statement scale was presented to them. After presenting the reliability and validity values on the model, hypotheses were tested. Analyses were conducted using Smart-PLS 3.3 software.

Findings

As a result of the research conducted in logistics companies, the positive effects of learning orientation on performance outputs and the positive effects of market orientation as both a mediator and an independent variable show that these concepts are important for company management.

Research limitations/implications

Considering the limitations of the research, it would be wrong to generalize the results of the analysis for different sectors because the data were collected from experts working in logistics companies. Therefore, it is necessary to make evaluations taking into account the limitations of the research. In future studies, it is recommended to make comparisons with research in different sectors, taking into account the limitations, and to enrich the literature with more research in this area.

Practical implications

Because of the importance of logistics activities seen in all countries with the pandemic period, it can be explained as a result of the analyses that the performance outputs are positively affected by the learning orientation, the companies’ adaptation to continuous change and development and their emphasis on market orientation at the same time.

Originality/value

The research is an original study as it analyzes the effects of learning orientations of logistics companies on the problems and opportunities experienced in the supply and distribution channel along with the pandemic process.
Cross-validating the measurement scale for consumers’ experience with hospitality and tourism technology: a multi-sector approach
Authors: Shin Hyejo Hailey , So Kevin Kam Fung , Jeong Miyoung
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to cross-validate the technology experience (TE) scale and examine the potential differences in consumer TE across three different sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

Across three separate studies, the TE scale and its psychometric properties and consequences were examined across three distinctive hospitality and tourism (H&T) sectors: accommodations (n = 640), food and beverage (n = 615) and tourism (n = 592).

Findings

The findings consistently show that TE is a second-order formative construct with nine dimensions. Furthermore, the factor structure of consumer TE is consistent across the focal sectors, enhancing the TE scale’s generalizability. While the dimensions consisting of TE were identical across the three sectors, the composites of TE were formed differently across the sectors, demonstrating the differences in consumers’ TE across the three sectors.

Practical implications

This research offers practical implications to the H&T industry regarding the different impacts of various TE dimensions on consumers’ overall experiences, thereby creating overall satisfaction and behavioral intentions.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research was the first attempt to examine the differences in consumers’ TE across the sectors of the H&T industry. By identifying the different impacts of TE dimensions on consumers’ overall experience, this research provides theoretical and practical contributions by confirming the distinct characteristics of the sectors under the H&T industry.
From perception to practice: quality management in multinational company from a Swedish perspective
Authors: Wangwacharakul Promporn
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study explores the interplay between levels of cultures and aspects of quality management (QM), aiming to develop a conceptual framework and introduce propositions regarding managing quality in a multinational company (MNC).

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework delineating the relationship between the levels of cultures in MNCs and various aspects of QM is proposed. Thereafter, based on a theory elaboration approach, a case study in Swedish facilities of MNCs is used to further illustrate the link between constructs of the framework, contributing to the identification of challenges and possibilities in managing quality in MNCs.

Findings

The research identifies key propositions regarding the intricate relationship between levels of cultures and their influences on aspects of QM in MNC. Proposition 1 emphasises the impact of national cultural differences on perceptions of QM principles. Proposition 2 reveals that diverse QM perceptions affect global consistency in QM practices. However, proposition 3 suggests that emphasising technical aspects in common QM practices fosters shared perceptions and a cohesive organisational culture, leading to Proposition 4, that a QM-centric organisational culture mediates national cultural differences, facilitating the management of quality globally.

Research limitations/implications

This research relies on a case study from a Swedish perspective. There is a need for quantitative or mixed method approaches to validate the proposed framework.

Practical implications

This research yields practical insights into cross-cultural QM challenges and possibilities in MNCs.

Originality/value

By integrating national and organisational culture into the QM framework, this research offers a conceptual model and propositions as a foundation for future cross-cultural QM research in MNCs.
The implementation of berth allocation policies that enable Just-in-Time arrival in port calls
Authors: Mubder Abd Alla Ali Mubder
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Just-in-Time (JIT) arrival in the context of port calls can be used to reduce fuel and emissions to achieve environmental targets. The purpose of this paper is to study the implementation process of the Pre-booking Berth Allocation Policy (PBP) and analyze the effectiveness of this policy for the implementation of JIT in port calls.

Design/methodology/approach

The study deploys a single case study approach to empirically analyze port authority’s transition from a first-come-first-served (FCFS) arrival policy to the PBP. Observations, interviews and documents were used to collect data during 2020–2022. The analysis deployed the capability, opportunity, motivation and behavior model.

Findings

The transition from FCFS to PBP requires an inter-organizational approach, engaging external actors to manage diverse needs and preferences. This fosters effective transition and addresses conflicting interests. The PBP enables JIT arrival, enhancing operational and environmental performance, but faces barriers such as resource dependency and lack of trust. Information sharing capability among the actors, supported by Port Community Systems and adjusted operating rules, is crucial. Moreover, the PBP facilitates integration between sea and hinterland transportation, improving planning and efficiency across maritime transportation chains.

Research limitations/implications

The single case study limits the generalizability of the findings.

Practical implications

Implementing the PBP is complex and demands careful planning from managers. Involving port call actors in the transition is helpful for port managers because they provide valuable feedback and highlight overlooked issues.

Originality/value

Five propositions are suggested to highlight the role of inter-organizational collaboration, information sharing and overcoming barriers such as resource dependency to successfully realize the benefits of JIT in maritime transportation chains.
Monetary policy and food price inflation: the case of Hungary
Authors: Bareith Tibor , Fertő Imre
Published: May 2024

Purpose

We analyze the role of monetary policy shocks on food inflation in Hungary from January 2007 to March 2023, including the period of the COVID-19 crisis and the Russo–Ukrainian war.

Design/methodology/approach

We use quantile regression with three different specifications. The structural breaks in the time series and the monetary policy’s lag in response are also taken into account. We use the M0 money supply and the three-month Hungarian National Bank (MNB) deposit rate as monetary measures to check the robustness of our findings.

Findings

We find that neither the money supply nor the exchange rate affected food inflation across quantiles. In the case of high food price inflation, reducing short-term government bond yields may be an effective solution. Household final consumption affected food prices in the lower quantiles, and the global food price index similarly affected Hungarian food inflation. The results are robust to different specifications.

Research limitations/implications

This research has limitations as follows: while Hungary’s food prices provide a valuable case study, expanding to more countries is advisable; although quantile regression captures details, its reliability for non-linear relationships is questionable; additionally, considering various global food price indicators can enhance result robustness.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the longstanding political debate regarding the effectiveness of monetary policy in stabilizing food inflation. The findings emphasize the importance of considering both domestic and global factors in formulating policy responses to food price dynamics.
The role of Covid-19 policy responses on GVC participation: the Turkish experience
Authors: Altun Abdullah , Tat Pınar , Yanikkaya Halit
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper explores the association between a variety of trade and government policy measures of both home and trade partners introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic within the gravity-like framework by using the Turkish bilateral trade statistics at the six-digit product level from February 2020 to March 2022.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical model is estimated by employing the two-way fixed effects (TWFE) estimation technique to get rid of the effects of unobserved time-invariant idiosyncratic country-product effects in the model and to evade the possible autocorrelation problem of trade measures.

Findings

Our empirical analysis suggests that lower Turkish GVC participation during this period can be attributed to lower mobilities and the lack of vaccines globally. Our analysis utilizing the different income groups of countries and technology group of sectors suggests that Turkish high-tech backward participation with developed countries can be more sensitive to any changes in Covid-19-related policy measures, whereas Turkish forward participation with both developed and developing markets can be more volatile during the pandemic because of the containment measures.

Practical implications

Sustaining mobility in the global production process is the key finding to sustain both backward and forward GVC linkages. In addition, enhancing a variety of partner countries is crucial for sustaining the flows of imported intermediates of the Turkish manufacturing sectors. Moreover, the sophistication of Turkish exported products can be the solution to continue the forward GVC participation even in the shock times. Given the product and partner country-level heterogeneities regarding contingency measures implemented by the governments, policymakers should carefully monitor each sub-sample separately and focus especially on enhancement in information, communication and transportation infrastructures to mitigate the contagious effect of any external shocks.

Originality/value

The unique monthly six-digit bilateral product-level trade dataset enables us to observe and utilize heterogeneous effects at the product, sector and partner country levels.
The asymmetric impact of monetary policy and firm leverage on firm investment: some insights from Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Farooq , Rashid Abdul , Shah Anwar
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether negative and positive monetary policy (MP) shocks have asymmetric impacts on corporate firms’ investment decisions in Pakistan using firm-level panel data set. Moreover, the authors emphasized on symmetric effects of MP; the authors examine whether high-leverage and low-leverage firms respond differently to negative and positive unanticipated shocks in MP instruments.

Design/methodology/approach

In contrast to the conventional framework of VAR, it uses an alternative methodology of Taylor rule to estimate unanticipated MP shocks. The two-step system-generalized method of movement (GMM) estimation method is applied to examine the effect of MP shocks on firm investment through leverage-based asymmetry.

Findings

The two-step system-GMM estimation results indicate that unanticipated negative changes (unfavorable shocks) in MP instruments have negative, significant effects on investment. In contrast, unanticipated positive changes (favorable shocks) have statistically insignificant impacts on firm investment. The results also reveal that firm leverage has a significant role in establishing the effect of unanticipated negative changes in MP instruments on investments. Finally, the results indicate that high-leverage firms respond more to negative changes than low-leverage firms. Yet, the results show that only low-leverage firms positively respond to unanticipated positive shocks in MP.

Practical implications

The findings of the paper suggest that MP authorities should pay due attention to the asymmetric effects of MP shocks on firm investment while designing MP. Because firm leverage has a significant influence on the effects of MP shocks, firm managers should take into account such role of leverage while deciding capital structure of their firms.

Originality/value

First, unlike “Keynesian asymmetry” and most of published empirical research work, the authors use both unanticipated negative and positive MP shocks simultaneously. Departing from the conventional empirical literature, the authors differentiate between unanticipated positive and negative shocks in MP using the backward-looking Taylor rule. Second, the authors contribute to the existing literature by investigating the differential effects of positive and negative unanticipated MP shocks on firms’ investment decisions. Unlike the published studies that have emphasized on the symmetric effects of MP, the authors examine whether high-leverage and low-leverage firms respond differently to negative and positive unanticipated shocks in MP instruments.
Assessing Bitcoin, gold and gold-backed cryptocurrencies as safe havens for energy and agricultural commodities: insights from COVID-19, Russia–Ukraine conflict and SVB collapse
Authors: Snene Manzli Yasmine , Jeribi Ahmed
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the safe haven feature of Bitcoin, gold and two gold-backed cryptocurrencies (DGX and PAXG) against energy and agricultural commodities (crude oil, natural gas and wheat) during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia–Ukraine conflict and the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) collapse.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the threshold GARCH (T-GARCH)-asymmetric dynamic conditional correlation (ADCC) model to evaluate the asymmetric dynamic conditional correlation between the return series and compare the diversifying, hedging and safe-haven ability of Bitcoin, gold and the two gold-backed cryptocurrencies (DGX and PAXG) against financial swings in the commodity market during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Russian–Ukrainian military conflict and SVB collapse. The authors also calculate the hedging ratios (HR) and hedging effectiveness index (HE). The authors finally use the wavelet coherence (WC) approach to check our results’ robustness and further investigate the impact of the three crises on the relationship between Bitcoin, gold gold-backed cryptocurrencies and commodities.

Findings

The results show that PAXG serves as a strong hedging instrument while gold, Bitcoin and DGX act as strong diversifiers during normal times. During crises, gold outperforms Bitcoin as a diversifier and a safe haven against commodities. Gold-backed cryptocurrencies also exhibit strong performance as diversifiers and safe havens. HR results indicate that Bitcoin and DGX are more cost-effective for commodities risk mitigation than gold and PAXG. In terms of hedging effectiveness, gold and PAXG emerge as the best hedging instruments for commodities, while DGX is considered the worst one. Bitcoin shows superior hedging against oil compared to wheat and gas risks. Moreover, the results of the WC approach confirm those of the T-GARCH-ADCC results in both the short and long run.

Originality/value

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the diversification ability of gold, Bitcoin and gold-backed cryptocurrencies during different crises (the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia–Ukraine conflict and the SVB collapse). By taking into consideration gold-backed cryptocurrencies, the authors expand the understanding of safe havens beyond conventional assets.
Brand loyalty model for halal fashion brands: integrating quality-loyalty model, information sources and religiosity-loyalty model
Authors: Rafdinal Wahyu , Setiawardani Maya , Raharso Sri , Hardiyanto Nugroho
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate brand loyalty in halal fashion brands through three loyalty routes, namely, quality-satisfaction-loyalty model, information sources and religiosity-loyalty model.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered from 447 customers of halal fashion brands through a survey. The structural equation model partial least square was used to validate the hypotheses empirically.

Findings

From the perspective of customers in halal fashion, brand loyalty is primarily determined by brand satisfaction, which is influenced by the perceived quality, firm-generated content (FGC) and user-generated content (UGC). While religiosity contributes significantly to brand loyalty, it has no direct impact on brand satisfaction. Perceived quality and information obtained through both FGC and UGC channels have a significant effect on brand satisfaction. Finally, perceived quality, FGC, UGC, religiosity and brand satisfaction play important roles in promoting brand loyalty among halal fashion customers.

Research limitations/implications

This study will assist halal fashion companies in evaluating perceived quality, information sources (FGC and UGC) and religiosity to increase brand satisfaction and brand loyalty. This study expands to the existing knowledge about brand marketing literature on halal fashion brands.

Originality/value

This study is a preliminary empirical study that explains the three routes of brand loyalty through the quality-satisfaction-loyalty model, information sources and religiosity-loyalty model in the context of halal fashion brands. This study also provides insights for marketers and business managers to enhance brand loyalty in halal fashion brands.
How transformational leadership shapes employee task performance? A sequential mediation model
Authors: Vila-Vázquez Guadalupe , Castro-Casal Carmen , García-Chas Romina , Álvarez-Pérez Dolores
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to analyze, through a sequential model, the underlying mechanisms connecting transformational leadership with employee task performance. Specifically, it examined the causal chain of transformational leadership-job characteristics (task variety and task significance)-job engagement-task performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses were tested on a sample of 320 employees and their supervisors from Spanish young technology and knowledge-intensive small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) using structural equations.

Findings

The results show that the effect of transformational leadership on task performance (assessed by supervisors) occurs sequentially via task significance and job engagement. Additionally, job engagement mediates the relationship between task variety and task performance.

Practical implications

Findings highlight the relevance for supervisors to employ a transformational leadership style that leads employees directly and indirectly, through task significance, to be more engaged and achieve higher task performance. They also emphasize the importance of proper job design that allows employees to be fully invested in their job performance.

Originality/value

Despite the importance of leadership and employee performance for the survival and growth of these firms, the study of these relationships is largely unexplored. This study proposes and tests a serial model in which supervisor transformational leadership is linked to employee task performance through two sequential mediators: job characteristics (task variety and task significance) and job engagement.
Unveiling the path to employee performance excellence: visionary leadership behavior, vision commitment and organization resource support
Authors: Yang De-Long , Yang Ning
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Drawing on goal setting theory (GST), this study explores the relationship between visionary leadership behavior (VLB) and employee performance, along with the mediating role of vision commitment and the moderating role of organization resource support.

Design/methodology/approach

We conducted two studies to test hypotheses. Study 1 and Study 2 collected data from 212 and 204 full-time employees and their leaders, respectively. The data were analyzed using hierarchical regression and bootstrapping technique.

Findings

We found that VLB is positively related to employee vision commitment and vision commitment mediates the effect of VLB on employee performance. Organization resource support moderates the effect of vision commitment on employee performance and the indirect effect of VLB on employee performance via vision commitment, such that the two effects are stronger when organization resource support is high.

Originality/value

First, this study reveals the mediating role of vision commitment in the relationships between VLB and employee performance. Second, this study explores the moderating role of organization resource support in the relationship between VLB and employee performance. Third, this study enriches the theoretical perspective of VLB research and expands the application scope of GST.
Paradoxical leadership and employee creativity: the roles of harmonious work passion and proactive personality
Authors: Lin Chen , Zhou Xiaohu , Hou De'en
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The process of fostering and enhancing employee creativity (EC) is multifaceted and involves various challenges and contradictions, with paradoxical leadership (PL) playing a crucial role. However, previous research has neglected the importance of employee emotions, resulting in an incomplete understanding of the underlying mechanisms. To address this gap, this study draws upon the triadic reciprocal determinism of social cognitive theory to construct a moderated mediation model. The objective is to investigate the mediating role of harmonious work passion (HP) in the relationship between PL and EC. Furthermore, the study aims to explore the moderating effect of proactive personality (PP).

Design/methodology/approach

Two surveys were carried out in eight enterprises situated in China. A total of 337 employees took part in the questionnaire survey to explore the correlation between PL, PP and HP. Additionally, 42 supervisors participated in evaluating the creativity of their subordinates. To test the proposed hypotheses, this study utilized hierarchical regression analysis on a sample of supervisor-subordinate pairs.

Findings

Paradoxical leadership is positively correlated with employee harmonious work passion. Harmonious work passion is positively correlated with employee creativity. Harmonious work passion plays a mediating role between paradoxical leadership and employee creativity. Proactive personality moderates the relationship between paradoxical leadership and harmonious work passion. Proactive personality moderates the indirect effect of harmonious work passion on the relationship between paradoxical leadership and employee creativity.

Practical implications

The results of this study provide practical suggestions for improving EC. For example, organizations can select supervisors who exhibit PL qualities and enhance the training programs for leaders in the domain of paradoxical thinking. Furthermore, it is crucial for leaders to prioritize the development of employees' HP and to be attentive to the distinct individual variations present within their workforce.

Originality/value

This study enriches the research on the mediating and moderating mechanism between PL and EC and opens the black box from the perspective of emotion. Moreover, this research examines the boundary condition under which PL functions. The study reveals the interaction of environment, personality, cognition and emotion on creativity and provides a new perspective and empirical support for future research.
Mental health, positive psychology and leadership: a positive autoethnographic case study of Claude-Hélène Mayer
Authors: Mayer Claude-Hélène , Gonot-Schoupinsky Freda
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to meet Dr Claude-Hélène Mayer, Professor in Industrial and Organisational Psychology at the University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative positive autoethnographic case study. Mayer uses positive autoethnography to reflect on mental health, positive psychology and leadership across the life span. The first author also responds to ten questions.

Findings

Leadership can be developed and appreciated in others. Leadership can be a positive and transformative force that can assist and contribute to mental health and well-being. Positive leadership can be supported by developing wisdom, creativity, critical thinking and conflict and emotional management.

Research limitations/implications

Qualitative research cannot be generalised. Positive autoethnography reflects the views and experiences of the author, in this case a transdisciplinary and transcultural researcher and practitioner.

Practical implications

Readers will find a range of practical recommendations as to how to develop mental health and leadership and stay positive in challenging times. Academic literature relating to practical recommendations is also shared.

Social implications

Positive leadership has many social implications. It can be a constructive influence that impacts our lives and benefits our personal development, but also one that impacts the lives and benefits the personal development of other people.

Originality/value

In this original paper, Dr Claude-Hélène Mayer shares mental health, positive psychology and leadership experiences and recommendations. Leadership skills are of particular value in times of complex change.
Exploring the psychological and emotional burden of compulsory acquisition: a case study of New Akrade-Mpakadan, Ghana
Authors: Ewusie Isaac , Tannor Oliver , Ahiadu Albert Agbeko , Ntim Olivia Kwakyewaa
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the psychological, emotional and equity implications of compulsory acquisition, evaluate the adequacy of compensation in mitigating those consequences and assess the sustainability of cash compensation for future generations.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach was operationalised to investigate the experiences of 40 project-affected persons (PAPs) four years after a compulsory acquisition project in Ghana’s New Akrade-Mpakadan region for the construction of a railway line. These perspectives were analysed through descriptive statistics and thematic analyses using the NVivo software. Figures and a holistic framework were adopted to report the identified issues.

Findings

Overall, only 25% of PAPs received formal communication prior to the acquisition, and only 10.3% have been fully compensated four years later. Despite the acquiring body initiating the marking of properties and compensation assessment in 2019, no payments were made until 2021. This induced emotional responses of distress, loss, uncertainty, stress and sadness, which was further exacerbated by feelings of hopelessness because there was no platform to voice concerns or pursue arbitration. Although PAPs were only offered compensation in the form of single monetary payments, a third would have preferred re-settlement.

Research limitations/implications

By exploring the emotional and psychological effects of compulsory land acquisition, the study adds a new dimension to understanding its consequences. This may spark more interest, debate and discourse amongst researchers and policymakers and lead to the creation or enhancement of existing policy and legal measures to address the needs of PAPs in compulsory acquisition projects in developing countries.

Originality/value

The financial consequences of eminent domain are well documented, but this study explored the psychological, emotional and equity implications of the practice under conditions of weak regulatory frameworks. The adequacy of single lump-sum compensations was also explored to highlight preferred alternatives to ensure fairness for generations unborn.