bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Family-centered postnatal training and adherence to newborn care practices in district hospitals in two Indian states: A quasi-experimental intervention study
Authors: Kashyap Sehj , Spielman Amanda F. , Ramnarayan Nikhil , Sahana SD , Pant Rashmi , Kaur Baljit , Rajkumar N , Premkumar Ramaswamy , Alam Shahed , Murthy Seema
Published: March 2021

Background and Objectives

Globally, 2.5 million newborns die within the first month of life annually. The majority of deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and many of these deaths happen at home. The study assessed if the Care Companion Program (CCP) an in-hospital, skills-based training given to families improves post-discharge maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

Methods

This quasi-experimental pre-post intervention study design compared self-reported behavior and health outcomes among families before and after the CCP intervention. Intention to treat analysis included families regardless of their exposure to the intervention. Mixed effects logistic regression model, adjusted for confounders, was fit for all observations. Effects were expressed as Relative Risks (RR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI).

Results

At 2-weeks post-delivery, telephone surveys were conducted in the pre (n = 3510) and post-intervention (n = 1474) groups from 11 district hospitals in the states of Karnataka and Punjab. The practice of dry cord care improved significantly by 4%, (RR = 1.04, 95%CI [1.04,1.06]) and skin to skin care by 78% (RR=1.78, 95%CI [1.37,2.27]) in the post-intervention group as compared to pre-intervention group. Furthermore, newborn complications reduced by 16% (RR=0.84, 95%CI [0.76,0.91]), mother complications by 12% (RR=0.88, 95%CI [0.79,0.97]) and newborn readmissions by 56% (RR=0.44, 95%CI [0.31,0.61]). Outpatient visits increased by 27% (RR=1.27, 95%CI [1.10,1.46]). However, outcomes of breastfeeding, mother’s diet, hand-hygiene, and process indicator of being instructed on warning signs were not different.

Conclusion

Postnatal care should incorporate pre-discharge multi-pronged training of families to improve essential maternal and newborn care practices. The CCP model runs on a public-private partnership and is integrated into existing health systems. Our findings demonstrate that it is possible to improve outcomes through a family-centered approach in India. The CCP model can be integrated into formalised hospital processes to relieve overburdened healthcare systems in LMIC settings.

ARTICLE SUMMARY

Strengths and Limitations of this study

Study in 11 public health settings in 2 large Indian States and having large sample size

Multiple health behaviours measured post-discharge during the neonatal period

Quasi-experimental study design allows for historical control group in the same setting

Primary limitation is that all behaviours are self-reported

Random allocation was not feasible for this group intervention
Impact of Clinical and Genomic Factors on SARS-CoV2 Disease Severity
Authors: Dey Sanjoy , Bose Aritra , Chakraborty Prithwish , Ghalwash Mohamed , Saenz Aldo Guzman , Utro Filippo , Ng Kenney , Hu Jianying , Parida Laxmi , Sow Daby
Published: March 2021

The SARS-CoV2 virus behind the COVID-19 pandemic is manifesting itself in different ways among infected people. While many are experiencing mild flue-like symptoms or are even remaining asymptomatic after infection, the virus has also led to serious complications, overloading ICUs while claiming more than 2.6 million lives world-wide. In this work, we apply AI methods to better understand factors that drive the severity of the disease. From the UK BioBank dataset we analyzed both clinical and genomic data of patients infected by this virus. Leveraging positive-unlabeled machine learning algorithms coupled with RubricOE, a state-of-the-art genomic analysis framework for genomic feature extraction, we propose severity prediction algorithms with high F1 score. Furthermore, we extracted insights on clinical and genomic factors driving the severity prediction. We also report on how these factors have evolved during the pandemic w.r.t. significant events such as the emergence of the B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV2 virus strain.
FAT4Identified as a Potential Modifier of Orofacial Cleft Laterality
Authors: Curtis Sarah W. , Chang Daniel , Sun Miranda R. , Epstein Michael P. , Murray Jeffrey C. , Feingold Eleanor , Beaty Terri H. , Weinberg Seth M. , Marazita Mary L. , Lipinski Robert J. , Carlson Jenna C. , Leslie Elizabeth J.
Published: March 2021

Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are common (1 in 700 births) congenital malformations that include cleft lip (CL) and cleft lip and palate (CLP). These OFC subtypes are also heterogeneous themselves, with the cleft lip occurring on the left, right, or both sides of the upper lip. Unilateral CL and CLP have a 2:1 bias towards left-sided clefts, suggesting a nonrandom process. Here, we performed a study of left- and right-sided clefts within the CL and CLP subtypes to better understand the genetic factors controlling cleft laterality. We conducted genome-wide modifier analyses by comparing cases that had right unilateral CL (RCL; N=130), left unilateral CL (LCL; N=216), right unilateral CLP (RCLP; N=416), or left unilateral CLP (LCLP; N=638), and identified a candidate region on 4q28, 400 kb downstream fromFAT4, that approached genome-wide significance for LCL vs. RCL (p = 8.4×10−8). Consistent with its potential involvement as a genetic modifier of cleft lip, we found thatFat4exhibits a specific domain of expression in the mesenchyme of the medial nasal processes that form the median upper lip. Overall, these results suggest that the epidemiological similarities in left-to right-sided clefts in CL and CLP are not reflected in the genetic association results.
Atlas of epistasis
Authors: Chatelain Clément , Lessard Samuel , Thuillier Vincent , Carliez Cedric , Rajpal Deepak , Augé Franck
Published: March 2021

We performed a genome-wide epistasis search across 502 phenotypes in case control matched cohorts from the UK Biobank. We identified 152,519 genome wide significant interactions in 68 distinct phenotypes, and 3,398 interactions in 19 phenotypes were successfully replicated in independent cohorts from the Finngen consortium. Most interactions (79%) involved variants that did not present significant marginal association and might explain part of the missing heritability for these diseases. In 10 phenotypes we show the presence of epistasis between common variants with intermediate to large effect size (OR> 2) supporting the hypothesis that common diseases are modulated by common variants. Most of the variants in interactions (82%) were more than 1Mb apart and cis-epistasis was hardly found outside the HLA region. Functional annotation of the variants suggests that most mechanisms behind epistasis occurs at the supra pathway level and that intra-gene or intra-pathway epistasis is rare. Surprisingly we find a significant biais toward antagonistic epistasis, representing 60% to 95% of interactions. In type 1 diabetes, hypothyroidism, disorders of mineral absorption, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and multiple sclerosis more than 50% of interactions were completely compensating the effect of the marginally associated variant. In psoriasis we identified an interaction between a stop gain variant in CCHCR1 with two missense variants in MUC22 and HSPA1L leading to a 3 fold increase of the effect of CCHCR1 variant on disease risk. Our study shows that there is still much to discover in epistasis and we provide the full summary statistics results to researchers interested in studying epistasis.
Accelerated RNA detection using tandem CRISPR nucleases
Authors: Liu Tina Y. , Knott Gavin J. , Smock Dylan C. J. , Desmarais John J. , Son Sungmin , Bhuiya Abdul , Jakhanwal Shrutee , Prywes Noam , Agrawal Shreeya , de León Derby María Díaz , Switz Neil A. , Armstrong Maxim , Harris Andrew R. , Charles Emeric J. , Thornton Brittney W. , Fozouni Parinaz , Shu Jeffrey , Stephens Stephanie I. , Kumar G. Renuka , Zhao Chunyu , Mok Amanda , Iavarone Anthony T. , Escajeda Arturo M. , McIntosh Roger , Kim Shin E. , Dugan Eli J. ,   IGI Testing Consortium, Pollard Katherine S. , Tan Ming X. , Ott Melanie , Fletcher Daniel A. , Lareau Liana F. , Hsu Patrick D. , Savage David F. , Doudna Jennifer A.
Published: March 2021

Direct, amplification-free detection of RNA has the potential to transform molecular diagnostics by enabling simple on-site analysis of human or environmental samples. CRISPR-Cas nucleases offer programmable RNA-guided recognition of RNA that triggers cleavage and release of a fluorescent reporter molecule1,2, but long reaction times hamper sensitivity and speed when applied to point-of-care testing. Here we show that unrelated CRISPR nucleases can be deployed in tandem to provide both direct RNA sensing and rapid signal generation, thus enabling robust detection of ∼30 RNA copies/microliter in 20 minutes. Combining RNA-guided Cas13 and Csm6 with a chemically stabilized activator creates a one-step assay that detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA from nasopharyngeal samples with PCR-derived Ct values up to 29 in microfluidic chips, using a compact imaging system. This Fast Integrated Nuclease Detection In Tandem (FIND-IT) approach enables direct RNA detection in a format amenable to point-of-care infection diagnosis, as well as to a wide range of other diagnostic or research applications.
What Explains the Socioeconomic Status-Health Gradient? Evidence from Workplace COVID-19 Infections
Authors: Godefroy Raphael , Lewis Joshua
Published: March 2021

This paper studies the contribution of the workplace to the SES-health gradient. Our analysis is based on a unique dataset that tracks various health outcomes and workplace risks among healthcare workers during the first four months of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The setting provides an exceptional opportunity to test for work-related disparities in health, while controlling for confounding determinants of the SES-health gradient. We find that low-SES nurses were systematically more likely to contract COVID-19 as a result of workplace exposure. These differentials existed in all healthcare institutions, but were particularly large in non-hospital settings. In contrast, we find no relationship between SES and non work-related infection rates. The differences in workplace infection rates are substantially larger than those implied by standard ‘task-based’ indices of transmission risk, and cannot be attributable to easily identifiable metrics of workplace risk. Together, our results show how subtle differences in work conditions or job duties can substantially contribute to the SES-health gradient.
Clonal dissection of immunodominance and cross-reactivity of the CD4+ T cell response to SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Low Jun Siong , Vaqueirinho Daniela , Mele Federico , Foglierini Mathilde , Perotti Michela , Jarrossay David , Jovic Sandra , Terrot Tatiana , Pellanda Alessandra Franzetti , Biggiogero Maira , Garzoni Christian , Ferrari Paolo , Ceschi Alessandro , Lanzavecchia Antonio , Cassotta Antonino , Sallusto Federica
Published: March 2021

The identification of CD4+ T cell epitopes is essential for the design of effective vaccines capable of inducing neutralizing antibodies and long-term immunity. Here we demonstrate in COVID-19 patients a robust CD4+ T cell response to naturally processed SARS-CoV-2 Spike and Nucleoprotein, including effector, helper and memory T cells. By characterizing 2,943 Spike-reactive T cell clones, we found that 34% of the clones and 93% of the patients recognized a conserved immunodominant region encompassing residues S346-365 in the RBD and comprising three nested HLA-DR and HLA-DP restricted epitopes. By using pre- and post-COVID-19 samples and Spike proteins from alpha and beta coronaviruses, we provide in vivo evidence of cross-reactive T cell responses targeting multiple sites in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. The possibility of leveraging immunodominant and cross-reactive T helper epitopes is instrumental for vaccination strategies that can be rapidly adapted to counteract emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Whenmakes you unique: temporality of the human brain fingerprint
Authors: Van De Ville Dimitri , Farouj Younes , Preti Maria Giulia , Liégeois Raphaël , Amico Enrico
Published: March 2021

The extraction of “fingerprints” from human brain connectivity data has become a new frontier in neuroscience. However, the time scales of human brain identifiability have not been addressed yet. In other words, what temporal features make our brains more “identifiable”? We here explore the dynamics of brain fingerprints (or brainprints) along two complementary axes: 1)what is the optimal time scaleat which brainprints integrate sufficient information, 2)when bestidentification happens. Using dynamic identifiability, we show that the best identification emerges at longer time scales (~300s); however, short transient “bursts of identifiability” persist even when looking at shorter functional interactions. We find that these bursts of identifiability might be strongly associated with neuronal activity. Furthermore, we report evidence that different parts of connectome fingerprints relate to different time scales: i.e., more visual-somatomotor at short temporal windows, more frontoparietal-DMN driven by increasing temporal windows. Finally, using a meta-analytic approach, we show that there is a broad spectrum of associations between brainprints and behavior. At faster time scales, human brain fingerprints are linked to multisensory stimulation, eye movements, affective processing, visuospatial attention. At slower time scales instead, we find higher-cognitive functions, such as language and verbal semantics, awareness, declarative and working memory, social cognition. We hope that this first investigation of the temporality of the human brain fingerprint will pave the way towards a better understanding ofwhatandwhenmakes our brains unique.
Public engagement and dialogic accounting through social media during COVID-19 crisis: a missed opportunity?
Authors: Landi Stefano , Costantini Antonio , Fasan Marco , Bonazzi Michele
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this exploratory study is to investigate why and how public health agencies employed social media during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak to foster public engagement and dialogic accounting.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analysed the official Facebook pages of the leading public agencies for health crisis in Italy, United Kingdom and New Zealand and they collected data on the number of posts, popularity, commitment and followers before and during the outbreak. The authors also performed a content analysis to identify the topics covered by the posts.

Findings

Empirical results suggest that social media has been extensively used as a public engagement tool in all three countries under analysis but – because of legitimacy threats and resource scarcity – it has also been used as a dialogic accounting tool only in New Zealand. Findings suggest that fake news developed more extensively in contexts where the public body did not foster dialogic accounting.

Practical implications

Public agencies may be interested in knowing the pros and cons of using social media as a public engagement and dialogic accounting tool. They may also leverage on dialogic accounting to limit fake news.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to look at the nature and role of social media as an accountability tool during public health crises. In many contexts, COVID-19 forced for the first time public health agencies to heavily engage with the public and to develop new skills, so this study paves the way for numerous future research ideas.
Biased by design – the case of horizontal accountability in a hybrid organization
Authors: Rajala Tomi , Kokko Petra
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study examines unexplored horizontal accountability types between public, private and third sector actors within a hybrid organization. The case organization was applying a novel alliance model to generate service paths for heterogeneous clientele consuming cultural, educational, health and social services. It was first to do so in Finland.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is on a case study that used documents and interviews to examine the design of the horizontal accountability. The descriptive analysis focused on identifying what type of formal accountability system was designed (i.e. who is the account holder, and who is accountable and for what and why).

Findings

An imbalanced accountability system was identified because accountability obligations were unevenly distributed between public, private and third sector actors. The private sector was the most accountable for performance, and the third sector (i.e. voluntary sector) was the least accountable. As account holders, the public, private and third sector actors were judging their conduct as account providers. This created a biased horizontal accountability system. The hybrid's accountability system was dynamic because the contracts made to establish the hybrid included opportunities to change horizontal accountability if future changes to the external environment affect too drastically the potential to achieve the hybrid's goals.

Originality/value

Three new concepts are proposed for studying dysfunctional accountability systems: dynamic, biased and horizontally imbalanced accountability.
Public services: a standard process model following a structured process redesign
Authors: Mukherjee Kamal K. , Reka Laura , Mullahi Rudina , Jani Keldi , Taraj Jonida
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Despite widespread adoption of business process reengineering (BPR) for better delivery efficiency of public services, a structured approach continues to elude the most value-adding phase of BPR: business process redesign. From another viewpoint, the rising currency of Whole-of-Government (WoG) and “shared services” initiatives signal an unmissable trend toward resource reuse across public service agencies (PSAs) through business process standardization (BPS). This research invokes BPS into process redesign to produce a process redesign framework (PRF) and deploys the same to build a standard process model (SPM) for services of the government of Albania (GoA).

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology follows the design science research (DSR) paradigm, wherein best practices extracted from literature are synthesized with stakeholder inputs to design the PRF and SPM, both of which are then evaluated with case study research.

Findings

Adoption of PRF/SPM on a WoG basis will not only reduce service lead time but also enable a variety of public services to share the same process, thereby further saving costs for GoA. The research outputs will accelerate reengineering and subsequent digitalization of public service operations.

Research limitations/implications

Implementing SPM will maximize resource reuse and help offer uniform and integrated public services to GoA's customers. It will also enable demand-driven staff mobilization across GoA agencies. The proposed PRF/SPM have limitations in that they consider only flow aspects of service processes with aspects of conversion being ignored.

Originality/value

This research fulfills the need for a systematic approach to process redesign and prepares GoA for a WoG treatment to its BPR efforts.
Government efforts and roadmaps for building information modeling implementation: lessons from Singapore, the UK and the US
Authors: Jiang Rui , Wu Chengke , Lei Xiang , Shemery Ammar , Hampson Keith D. , Wu Peng
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The government plays a critical role in driving building information modeling (BIM) implementation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the government efforts for driving BIM implementation in three benchmark countries, namely, Singapore, the UK and the US, so as to develop appropriate roadmaps for increasing BIM implementations in other countries.

Design/methodology/approach

This study performs a review on the government efforts and roles in BIM implementation in three benchmark countries, namely, Singapore, the UK and the US.

Findings

Through cross comparison with existing literature, it is found that Singapore and the UK adopt a government-driven approach and a phase-by-phase development pattern is observed. The first phase focuses on the building sector to rapidly increase the use of BIM and the government generally plays the role of an initiator. In the second phase, BIM is expanded to other implementation areas, e.g. smart city. The importance of the initiator role decreases and more attention is paid to supporting roles such as researcher, educator and regulator. In contrast, an industry-driven approach is adopted in the US. The main role of the government is that of a regulator, with research institutions actively supporting the BIM implementation.

Research limitations/implications

General roadmaps of the two mandating approaches are presented. The results can provide a useful reference for countries and regions that intend to develop roadmaps to increase their BIM maturity level and enhance readiness to accept and implement BIM.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first studies that investigate the step-by-step roadmaps for implementing BIM from the perspective of changing government roles.
Hiding but hoping to be found: workplace disclosure dilemmas of individuals with hidden disabilities
Authors: Kulkarni Mukta
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe workplace disclosure dilemmas of individuals with hidden mental health conditions who have privately accepted their mental health condition (anxiety and/or depression), but have chosen not to disclose it in their respective workplaces.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews were conducted with 15 individuals who experience anxiety and/or depression. These individuals work across diverse organizations and sectors in India (e.g. architecture and health care). Data were analyzed using qualitative methods.

Findings

Interviewees grappled with three dilemmas: professionalism versus authenticity (i.e. bringing only a partial professional self or the whole self to work), withdrawal versus participation (i.e. withdrawal from workplace interactions to conceal their condition or participation such that people could know of it) and personal privacy versus general advocacy (i.e. guarding one's privacy or engaging in advocacy for individuals who experience mental health conditions). Overall, findings suggest that the disclosure dilemma can stem from both one's internalized sense of a devalued self and by perceived contextual cues.

Research limitations/implications

Findings imply that perceived contextual conditions that amplify threat of discovery and its anticipated consequences can lead to and reinforce the disclosure dilemma. As individuals internalize others' constructions of themselves, they self-police and do not interrogate assumed normality within their social contexts.

Practical implications

Employers can create inclusive environments. Present findings suggest some examples of inclusive practices such as the employment of dedicated resident counselors or counselors shared across organizations, training of stakeholders (including human resource personnel), allowing for selective disclosure (e.g. only to medical personnel) and cultivating informal support networks comprising similar others.

Originality/value

Such evidence-based research that can inform practices of inclusion for persons with a disability is especially important, considering that research on mental health conditions is conspicuous by its relative absence in mainstream management journals.
COVID-19 pandemic and the poor in the urban spaces of India with special reference to Mumbai
Authors: Bhattacharjee Sujayita , Sattar Sanjukta
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The lives of the poor in the urban spaces of India are filled with hardships. They live amidst poverty and struggle to survive within other problems such as insecure jobs, lack of proper housing, unsanitary conditions and low levels of health immunity. This vulnerable section of the population has been rendered furthermore vulnerable by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in ways that were never imagined before. Taking this into consideration, the purpose of this article is to examine the vulnerability of the poor in the urban settings of India with special reference to Mumbai in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology adopted in the study is based on the analysis of secondary data and content analysis of the existing literature. In addition to this, the study also makes use of certain narratives of the urban poor in Mumbai that have been captured by various articles, reports and blogs.

Findings

The findings of the study reveal how the urban poor of India, with special reference to Mumbai, the financial capital of India, has emerged as the worst sufferers of the socioeconomic crisis caused by the social distancing and lockdown measures imposed for combating the pandemic.

Originality/value

The study tries to explore the reality of the urban poor's right to the city in the wake of the pandemic.
How did COVID-19 impact working professionals – a typology of impacts focused on education sector
Authors: Chakraborty Amrita , Kar Arpan Kumar
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The pandemic COVID-19 brought in large challenges globally among the workforce. There were reports of how employee layoffs and pay-cuts were gradually becoming prominent across industries based on media reports. However, there were no attempts to develop a typology of challenges faced by the workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

This study mined user-generated content from Twitter to bring out a typology of challenges due to the sudden turbulence that is faced from the pandemic. A case study has also been conducted by taking in-depth interviews in the academic sector to deep dive into the nature of these problems.

Findings

The study findings indicate that these challenges are basically stemming from challenges surrounding infrastructure readiness, digital readiness, changing nature of deliverables, workforce demand versus supply problems and challenges surrounding job losses.

Research limitations/implications

There is a need to explore the linkages through inferential research infrastructure readiness, digital readiness, changing nature of deliverables, workforce demand versus supply problems and challenges surrounding job losses on employee welfare during pandemics.

Originality/value

The authors provide inductive insights based on a data-driven research methodology surrounding the sudden challenges faced and possible mechanisms to address these issues faced by a stressed workforce catering to multiple stakeholders.
Role of blockchain in HR's response to new-normal
Authors: Chillakuri Bharat , Attili V S Prakash
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study aims to broaden the understanding of the blockchain for human resource (HR) managers through use cases. The study presents a plausible solution for HR professionals to effectively manage some of the core processes to focus on more strategic work and be a true HR business partner for the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a case research strategy. The case research strategy is well-suited to capture the practitioner’s knowledge, mainly when focusing on contemporary events (such as COVID-19). Data collected from 12 tech organizations through telephonic conversations and the interviews were recorded and transcribed using NoNotes call recording.

Findings

This study identifies five use cases to streamline the critical processes, helping HR professionals such as certificates verification, skill mapping, payroll processing, data protection and performance management. These early use cases offer a plausibly superior alternative in managing critical HR functions and associated business processes with blockchain technology.

Research limitations/implications

Despite the growing number of blockchain applications, its usage in HR activities is limited. By extensive qualitative case study and data triangulation, the study integrates a resource-based view and unified theory of acceptance by explaining how blockchain adoption helps organizations use their internal resources and capabilities to gain a competitive advantage. The study presents five use cases and propositions that can act as building blocks for the HR department in adopting blockchain applications. Lack of empirical validation (quantitative rigor) of the propositions is the limitation and can be a future research scope.

Practical implications

Adopting new technologies is not new for HR managers. However, most of the technologies are disjointed applications, and therefore, the need for an all-pervasive solution assumes significance. Several of the blockchain concepts are still in the nascent stage. Thus, the study highlights the need for HR leaders to work alongside technical architects to create blockchain applications. Unlike other HR applications, blockchain can integrate all the employees, clients, vendors and businesses seamlessly. This study proposes research propositions that provide research directions for future research.

Originality/value

Academic literature on connecting blockchain technology with HR functions and applications is notably absent. This research can be considered one of the first academic articles connecting blockchain and HR processes.
Employee–organisation connectedness and ethical behaviour: the mediating role of moral courage
Authors: Fernando Mario , Akter Shahriar , Bandara Ruwan J.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

How employees connect with their work organisation and how it may play a role in their moral courage and ethical behaviour remain under-explored. This study, using Psychological Contract Theory, aims to explore how employee–organisation connectedness influences employees' moral courage and ethical behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses were tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) on data collected through a questionnaire survey from 212 Australian healthcare professionals.

Findings

Employee connectedness with their work organisations showed a significant and direct impact on ethical behaviour. Along with moral courage, connectedness explained over half of the variance in ethical behaviour. Furthermore, moral courage partially mediated the effect of employee connectedness on ethical behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

The overall theoretical implication of this study is that psychological contracts between employees and their organisations operationalised through employee–organisation connectedness can explain the role of moral courage in ethical behaviour.

Practical implications

With increasing borderless management of organisations, organisational connectedness can be a critical factor in developing employees' moral courage and ethical behaviour within organisations. Socialisation interventions can be useful to promote employee–organisation connectedness.

Originality/value

The study developed a higher-order connectedness model and validated it with PLS-SEM. The study provides novel empirical evidence on the relationships between employee–organisation connectedness, moral courage and ethical behaviour.
Patents valuation in core innovation: case study of a Brazilian public university
Authors: Tukoff-Guimarães Yuri Basile , Kniess Claudia Terezinha , Penha Renato , Ruiz Mauro Silva
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess how technology transfer offices (TTOs) of a public university of the state of São Paulo use patent valuation methods in the process of using developed technology value and transferring technology to industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is an exploratory qualitative investigation based on a case study conducted in a public university in the state of São Paulo. The university has a TTO and an internal structure for technology transfer. In-depth interviews were conducted with the TTO manager about patent valuation and the answers given were analysed.

Findings

The results on how TTOs use patent valuation methods in the process of assigning value to technology indicate which factors facilitate and which factors hinder the valuation of patents in technologies developed at universities.

Research limitations/implications

The possible lack of data disclosure due to confidentiality regarding royalties and trading fees makes further comparisons between Brazilian public universities difficult. Therefore, this study recommends that further studies on patent valuation and technology transfer process at private universities, research institutes and public and private companies should be performed.

Practical implications

In the practice, this study contributes to companies and TTOs by increasing their synergies in licensing negotiations, as well as by reducing the gap of information, between the business parties for assignment and transfer of technologies. With regard to theoretical contribution, this study can cite advances in the methods to measure the financial benefits arising from the valuation of technologies embedded in the patents.

Originality/value

Owing to the lack of research on the methods of valuation used by TTOs of Brazilian universities, the present study can be useful in serving as a theoretical source for future research and in supporting future TTO negotiations in the process of transferring technologies to productive industry.
Social network behavior inappropriateness: the role of individual-level espoused national cultural values
Authors: Gupta Manjul
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the current study is to investigate the effects of individual-level (espoused) cultural values (collectivism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity and long-term orientation) on the individuals' acceptability of inappropriate social network behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs survey data collected from 482 social network users (261 in the United States and 221 from India).

Findings

Results show that individuals with high power distance, masculinity and long-term oriented cultural values are more accepting of inappropriate social network behaviors of others, while those with strong uncertainty avoidance cultural values have high degree of social network behavior inappropriateness, which is defined as the extent to which behaviors of social network users are considered unacceptable by others.

Research limitations/implications

The paper highlights the need for more academic research on the intersection of culture and social network behaviors. This study emphasizes the need for adopting an interdisciplinary approach to understand individuals' social network behaviors.

Practical implications

The paper offers recommendations to global organizations pertaining to the need for creating social network policies in such a way that encourages their global workforce to openly, yet respectfully, share their ideas using social networks.

Originality/value

Using an interdisciplinary approach, the present study extends our understanding of a recently proposed social network behavioral inappropriateness construct and explains how differences in cultural values may lead to differences in individuals' social network behaviors.
Public sector CFOs and CIOs: impacts of work proximity and role perceptions
Authors: Denford James Stephen , Schobel Kurt
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the unique and challenging relationship between the chief financial officer (CFO) and chief information officer (CIO) in the public sector.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors operationalize the CFO–CIO relationship using upper echelon theory (UET) and propose an extension to it by introducing relationship effectiveness and role perception constructs. Applying a configurational approach to paired survey data, the authors use fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis to examine both joint and individual role paths to success.

Findings

The CFO is ultimately responsible for financial reporting, disclosure and financial decision-making; however, regulatory changes in the accounting domain have resulted in the increased use of information technology (IT) thereby bringing the CIO to the forefront of the accounting information discussion. Thus, an improved understanding of the CFO/CIO relationship can have a direct impact on how accounting information is captured and analyzed. The authors find that CFO and CIO proximity can often increase the likelihood of an effective relationship. On an individual level, an ambidextrous approach to strategic value and cost-effectiveness is key to both CFO and CIO success.

Research limitations/implications

This study extends current models of top management team relationships by examining work proximity and role perception in the context of UET. It was conducted within the context of Canadian government and post-secondary education. The authors believe the findings can be generalized for the public sector in general; however, its applicability in the private sector, where the role of the CFO is broader, is uncertain.

Practical implications

The findings identify an opportunity for both accounting (financial) and IT communities to develop education within the context of their respective professional bodies to enhance this special relationship.

Originality/value

Recent regulatory changes in the accounting domain have brought an increased need for IT and therefore increased interaction between the CFO and CIO. This study focuses on the unique relationship between the CFO and CIO, which has a direct impact on accounting functions and highlights the importance of both the CFO and CIO having an ambidextrous approach to strategic value and cost-effectiveness if they want to be successful. In addition, it demonstrates that the relationship between the CFO and CIO is important, but more important for the success of the CIO than the CFO.
Testing the effects of reputation, value congruence and brand identity on word-of-mouth intentions
Authors: You Leping , Hon Linda C.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study developed and tested a consumer relations model to determine linkages among brand identity, reputation and value congruence with positive Word-of- Mouth (WOM) intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

An intercept survey was conducted during which 350 participants were asked about their perceptions of the store from where they are most likely to purchase coffee among options including multi-national corporations (MNCs) that have global brand identity and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with local brand identity.

Findings

Reputation and value congruence were positively related to positive WOM intentions. Unexpectedly, respondents indicated more positive WOM intentions toward SMEs than MNCs.

Research limitations/implications

The findings suggested that value congruence and reputation are positively associated with WOM intentions. Yet, consumers indicated greater WOM intentions toward SMEs than MNCs, which implies that SMEs may be unique and have the ability to create more emotional attachment between businesses and consumers.

Practical implications

To promote consumers' positive WOM intentions, corporate/brand communication practitioners need to build a favorable reputation through effective communication that externalizes organizational values among consumers and includes companies' commitment to the communities in which they operate.

Originality/value

Like SMEs, MNCs should build quality relationships with the local community where they conduct business. Also, based on definitions of values and values congruence in the research literature, an original five-item scale of value congruence was developed and validated to measure the congruence between consumers' personal values and their perceptions of a company's values in the context of consumer relationship management.
Impact of empathy, perceived social impact, social worth and social network on the social entrepreneurial intention in socio-economic projects
Authors: Usman Sumaiya , Masood Fazeelat , Khan Mubashir Ali , Khan Naveed ur Rehman
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to address essential questions regarding social entrepreneurial intentions. Do traits such as perceived social impact, social worth and social network influence, social entrepreneurial intentions among the young populous generation of Pakistan? To get a deeper insight, this paper further raises questions regarding the relationship of these predictors and social entrepreneurial intentions with empathy which is considered as a key determinant and a distinguishing trait to become a social entrepreneur.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper involves a quantitative research design using a partial least square structural equation modeling approach to measure the effects of the structural model. For this, a cross-sectional survey was conducted with a purposive sample of 247 university students from Pakistan.

Findings

Results showed a positive relationship between antecedents and social entrepreneurial intentions. Overall analysis exhibited social worth as a dominant trait and social network as the least influencing trait to impact social entrepreneurial intentions.

Practical implications

It will help micro and macro-level policymakers including government officials and NGOs and educators to create awareness and provide support and encouragement to individuals who aim to initiate social enterprise.

Originality/value

The present study makes significant contributions to the social entrepreneurship literature, as it is one of the first academic studies on social entrepreneurial intentions in Pakistan. This paper enriches the theoretical foundation by assessing the influence of perceived social impact, social worth and social network on social entrepreneurial intentions. Also, the relationship of Empathy with each of these antecedents is examined for the first time in the social entrepreneurial intentions context which is a valuable contribution both theoretically and practically.
Attitudes and responses to corruption in tax systems: peer effects and social influences in transition countries
Authors: Anderson John E.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Analyze how peer effects and social influences affect attitudes and responses to corruption in tax systems, identifying factors that improve tax morale.

Design/methodology/approach

Life in Transition Survey (LITS III, 2016) data are analyzed using ordered probit models of corrupt tax officials, Heckman-style selection models of the extent of corruption, probit models of reasons given for not reporting corruption and ordered probit models of the frequency of informal payments to tax officials.

Findings

Peer effects and social influences significantly affect perceptions of and responses to corruption. Tax morale is supported in communities where people trust one another, where there is greater respect for the law and where people can achieve greater life satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

Results are specific to transition countries represented in the data.

Practical implications

Findings can help improve tax morale and stabilize fiscal systems in transition countries.

Social implications

Enhanced tax morale can be facilitated by building inclusive, respectful and transparent institutions.

Originality/value

This study uses the latest LITS III data with a focus on peer effects and social influences, with improved empirical strategies.
Integrating family, friendship and business networks in family firms
Authors: Seaman Claire , McQuaid Ronald
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper considers the multiple social networks of small family businesses and the dynamic interactions between them. It analyses family, friendship and business networks and the way additional ties within the networks become visible when they are considered together rather than separately.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews of thirteen family-owned and managed businesses are used to establish the patterns of networking. A detailed case study is then presented, allowing a deeper qualitative analysis of the interaction of different types of networks.

Findings

The findings explore multiple rationalities employed in the networking of family businesses and how different aspects of their individual family, friendship and business networks contribute to business development.

Research limitations/implications

The paper suggests that a multi-rational theoretical perspective of the family, rather than a solely business-related perspective, deepens the understanding of the dynamics of family businesses behavior and that different types of businesses may be influenced to varying degrees by different rationalities.

Practical implications

Business networking tends to be deliberately encouraged by business support agencies, often via the deliberate development of events. A deeper understanding of the manner in which small businesses use and develop networks would enhance the direction and effectiveness of such investment.

Social implications

Family businesses, especially micro- small- and SME businesses, are often integral to the communities in which they are based. By viewing family businesses within their social space, we acknowledge the importance of the community around them and the integrated nature of family, business and community in rural areas.

Originality/value

The value of this research lies in the proposition that smaller businesses in rural areas are often surrounded by the inter-woven networks of family, business and community.
Financing costs and barriers to entry in Australia’s electricity market
Authors: Rai Alan , Nelson Tim
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to provide investors’ views on financing costs and barriers to entry into the electricity generation sector, with a focus on investors’ views on potential impacts on cost of capital from adopting nodal pricing and financial transmission rights (FTRs). The implications for policymakers and policy reforms are also discussed in detail.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey-based data collection of investors and developers in electricity generation, consisting of multiple choice questions from a closed list of discrete choices, binary-choice questions, and questions with free-text/open-ended answers.

Findings

Across survey respondents, weighted-average cost of capital (WACCs) were broadly unchanged over 2019, with increases for undiversified/non-integrated participants offset by decreases for horizontally integrated participants. Cost of equity has risen, whereas cost of debt has fallen. Nodal pricing-cum-FTRs were estimated to increase WACCs by 150–200 basis points p.a. (15–20%), reflecting concerns around the firmness of FTRs and ability to automatically access intraregional settlement residues.

Research limitations/implications

These findings have energy policy implications, namely, the need to consider the interaction between economic theory and real-world financing models when designing and implementing fundamental energy sector reforms.

Practical implications

The need to consider implementation and transitional issues (e.g. grandfathering of existing rights, focusing on reducing the largest barriers to entry) is associated with implementing nodal pricing.

Originality/value

Unique set of survey questions and insights that have not previously been addressed in an Australian context; what-if analysis not previously done in an Australian context