bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of Influenza virus andStreptococcus pneumoniaein air sampled from co-infected ferrets and analysis of their influence on pathogen stability
Authors: French Andrea J. , Rockey Nicole C. , Le Sage Valerie , Mueller Brown Karina , Shephard Meredith J. , Frizzell Sheila , Myerburg Mike M. , Hiller N. Luisa , Lakdawala Seema S.
Published: February 2023

Secondary infection withStreptococcus pneumoniaehas contributed significantly to morbidity and mortality during multiple influenza virus pandemics and remains a common threat today. During a concurrent infection, both pathogens can influence the transmission of each other, but the mechanisms behind this are unclear. In this study, condensation air sampling and cyclone bioaerosol sampling were performed using ferrets first infected with the 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza virus (H1N1pdm09) and secondarily infected withS. pneumoniaestrain D39 (Spn). We detected viable pathogens and microbial nucleic acid in expelled aerosols from co-infected ferrets, suggesting that these microbes could be present in the same respiratory expulsions. To assess whether microbial communities impact pathogen stability within an expelled droplet, we performed experiments measuring viral and bacterial persistence in 1 μL droplets. We observed that H1N1pdm09 stability was unchanged in the presence of Spn. Further, Spn stability was moderately increased in the presence of H1N1pdm09, although the degree of stabilization differed between airways surface liquid collected from individual patient cultures. These findings are the first to collect both pathogens from the air and in doing so, they provide insight into the interplay between these pathogens and their hosts.

Importance

The impact of microbial communities on transmission fitness and environmental persistence is under-studied. Environmental stability of microbes is crucial to identifying transmission risks and mitigation strategies, such as removal of contaminated aerosols and decontamination of surfaces. Co-infection withS. pneumoniaeis very common during influenza virus infection, but little work has been done to understand whetherS. pneumoniaealters stability of influenza virus, or vice versa, in a relevant system. Here, we demonstrate that influenza virus andS. pneumoniaeare expelled by co-infected hosts. Our stability assays did not reveal any impact ofS. pneumoniaeon influenza virus stability, and a trend towards increased stability ofS. pneumoniaein the presence of influenza viruses. Future work characterizing environmental persistence of viruses and bacteria should include microbially-complex solutions to better mimic physiologically relevant conditions.
Escherichia coliB-strains are intrinsically resistant to colistin and not suitable for characterization and identification ofmcrgenes
Authors: Schumann Anna , Cohn Alexa R. , Gaballa Ahmed , Wiedmann Martin
Published: February 2023

Antimicrobial resistance is an increasing threat to human and animal health. Due to the rise of multi- and extreme drug resistance, last resort antibiotics, such as colistin, are extremely important in human medicine. While the distribution of colistin resistance genes can be tracked through sequencing methods, phenotypic characterization of putative antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes is still important to confirm the phenotype conferred by different genes. While heterologous expression of AMR genes (e.g., inE. coli) is a common approach, so far, no standard method for heterologous expression and characterization ofmcrgenes exists.E. coliB-strains, designed for optimum protein expression, are frequently utilized. Here we report that fourE. coliB-strains are intrinsically resistant to colistin (MIC 8 – 16 μg/mL). Additionally, the three tested B-strains that encode T7 RNA show growth defects when transformed with empty or gene-expressing pET17b plasmids and grown in the presence of IPTG; K-12 or B-strains without T7 RNA polymerase do not show these growth defects. TheE. coliShuffle T7 express strain carrying empty pET17b also showed a heteroresistance phenotype when exposed to colistin in the presence of IPTG. These phenotypes could explain why B-strains were erroneously reported as colistin susceptible. Analysis of existing genome data identified one nonsynonymous change in eachpmrAandpmrBin all fourE. coliB-strains; the E121K change in PmrB has previously been linked to intrinsic colistin resistance. We conclude thatE. coliB-strains are not appropriate heterologous expression hosts for identification and characterization ofmcrgenes.
Structural Characterization of TRAF6 N-terminal for Therapeutic Uses
Authors: Guven Omur , Ciftci Halilibrahim , Tateishi Hiroshi , Koga Ryoko , Radwan Mohamed O. , Sever Belgin , Inoue Jun-ichiro , Otsuka Masami , Fujita Mikako , DeMirci Hasan
Published: February 2023

Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Associated Factors (TRAFs) are a protein family with a wide variety of roles and binding partners. Among them, TRAF6, a ubiquitin ligase, possesses unique receptor binding specificity and shows diverse functions in immune system regulation, cellular signaling, central nervous system (CNS), and tumor formation. TRAF6 consists of an N-terminal Really Interesting New Gene (RING) domain, multiple zinc fingers, and a C-terminal TRAF domain. RING domain and zinc fingers mediate the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), which has essential roles in the regulation of inflammatory responses, proliferation, differentiation, migration, cell adhesion, and apoptosis. Therefore, it has been found that TRAF6 is overexpressed in various types of cancer including pancreatic, liver, lung, head and neck, breast, colorectal cancers, and melanoma along with inflammatory, autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, TRAF6 is an important therapeutic target for numerous disorders and structural studies of this protein are crucial for the development of next-generation therapeutics. Here, we present a TRAF6 N-terminal structure determined at the Turkish Light Source “Turkish DeLight” to 2.6 Å resolution at cryogenic temperature. This structure offers insight into the domain organization and zinc-binding, which are critical for protein function. Since the RING domain and the zinc fingers are key targets for TRAF6 therapeutics, structural insights are crucial for future research.
Development of Cell Permeable NanoBRET Probes for the Measurement of PLK1 Target Engagement in Live Cells
Authors: Yang Xuan , Smith Jeffery L , Beck Michael T , Wilkinson Jennifer M , Michaud Ani , Vasta James D. , Robers Matthew B. , Willson Timothy M.
Published: February 2023

PLK1 is a protein kinase that regulates mitosis and is both an important oncology drug target and a potential anti target of drugs for the DNA damage response pathway or anti-infective host kinases. To expand the range of live cell NanoBRET target engagement assays to include PLK1 we developed an energy transfer probe based on the anilino-tetrahydropteridine chemotype found in several selective PLK inhibitors. Probe 11 was used to configure NanoBRET target engagement assays for PLK1, PLK2, and PLK3 and measure the potency of several known PLK inhibitors. In cell target engagement for PLK1 was in good agreement with the reported cellular potency for inhibition of cell proliferation. Probe 11 enabled investigation of the promiscuity of adavosertib, which had been described as a dual PLK1/WEE1 inhibitor in biochemical assays. Live cell target engagement analysis of adavosertib by NanoBRET demonstrated PLK activity at micromolar concentrations but only selective engagement of WEE1 at clinically relevant doses.
Environmental drivers behind the genetic differentiation in mountain chickadees (Poecile gambeli)
Authors: Srikanthan P , Burg TM
Published: February 2023

Anthropogenic climate change has a large impact on wildlife populations and the scale of the impacts have been increasing. In this study, we utilised ddRAD sequence data to investigate genetic divergence and identify the environmental drivers of genetic differentiation between 12 populations of mountain chickadees, family Paridae, sampled across North America. To delineate populations and identify potential zones of hybridisation, we conducted a discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC), admixture analysis, and calculated pairwise Fst values. The DAPC revealed four clusters: southern California, eastern Rocky Mountains, northwestern Rocky Mountains and Oregon/northern California. We then used BayeScEnv to highlight significant outlier SNPs associated with the five environmental variables. We identified over 150 genes linked to outlier SNPs associated with more than 15 pathways, including stress response and circadian rhythm. We also found a strong signal of isolation by distance. Local temperature was highly correlated with genetic distance. Maxent simulations showed a northward range shift over the next 50 years and a decrease in suitable habitat, highlighting the need for immediate conservation action.
YAP-controlled MHC-I and CXCL10 expression potentiates antitumor immunity independently of IFNγ signaling
Authors: Peng Linyuan , Zhou Liang , Li Huan , Lu Desheng , Qian Minxian , Wang Zhongyuan
Published: February 2023

Many efforts are underway to improve immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy including potentiating MHC-I antigen processing and presentation. Accumulating evidence links the Hippo pathway to immunotherapy response, but the understanding of how the tumor-intrinsic Hippo signaling regulating antitumor immunity is limited. Here, we report that inhibition of the Hippo pathway coactivator YAP in tumor cells increases the expression of genes involving in MHC-I antigen processing and presenting machinery (APM) and CXCL10, promoting robust tumor-infiltrating of cytotoxic CD8+T lymphocytes (CTLs) and overcoming tumor resistance to anti-PD1 ICB therapy. Mechanically, we find that YAP/TEAD complex directly binds and recruits NuRD complex to the NLRC5 promoter to repress NLRC5 transcription, thereby blunting MHC-I antigen presentation. Patient cohort analysis revealed that YAP expression negatively correlated with the expression of NLRC5 and MHC-I APM and intratumoral infiltration of CTLs. Collectively, our results suggest that a novel tumor- promoting function of YAP depends on NLRC5 to impair MHC-I antigen processing and presentation and provide a rationale for inhibiting YAP activity in ICB therapy for cancer.
Light inducible protein degradation inE. coliwith the LOVdeg tag
Authors: Tague Nathan , Coriano-Ortiz Cristian , Sheets Michael B. , Dunlop Mary J.
Published: February 2023

Molecular tools for optogenetic control allow for spatial and temporal regulation of cell behavior. In particular, light controlled protein degradation is a valuable mechanism of regulation because it can be highly modular, used in tandem with other control mechanisms, and maintain functionality throughout growth phases. Here, we engineered LOVdeg, a tag that can be appended to a protein of interest for inducible degradation inEscherichia coliusing blue light. We demonstrate the modularity of LOVdeg by using it to tag a range of proteins, including the LacI repressor, CRISPRa activator, and the AcrB efflux pump. Additionally, we demonstrate the utility of pairing the LOVdeg tag with existing optogenetic tools to enhance performance by developing a combined EL222 and LOVdeg system. Finally, we use the LOVdeg tag in a metabolic engineering application to demonstrate post-translational control of metabolism. Together, our results highlight the modularity and functionality of the LOVdeg tag system, and introduce a powerful new tool for bacterial optogenetics.
Confinement with Myosin-II suppression increases heritable loss of chromosomes, using live-cell ChReporters
Authors: Hayes Brandon H , Zhu Peter Kuangzheng , Wang Mai , Pfeifer Charlotte R , Xia Yuntao , Phan Steven , Andrechak Jason C , Du Junhong , Tobin Michael P , Anlas Alisya , Dooling Lawrence , Vashisth Manasvita , Irianto Jerome , Lampson Michael A. , Discher Dennis E
Published: February 2023

Matrix around cells exerts many effects, some of which depend on the putative tumor suppressor Myosin-II, but whether such factors affect DNA sequences in a cell remains unclear. Here, live-cell monitoring of changes to chromosome copy numbers is developed and studied under diverse perturbations, including Myosin-II inhibition in confined mitosis. Squeezing of mitotic cells is seenin vivoand killsin vitro, but stem cells and cancer cells that survive show heritable loss of mono-allelic GFP/RFP-tagged constitutive genes that function as novel Chromosome-reporters (ChReporters). Myosin-II suppression increases such loss in 3D & 2D confinement but not in standard 2D, with “lethal” multipolar divisions proving myosin-dependent. Viable chromosome loss after confined mitosis associates more with mis-segregation than with multipolars or division number. Solid human tumors and teratomas in mice also show ChReporter loss and a confinement-signature of Myosin-II suppression, although losses are selected against in 2D culture. Heritable loss in rigid-confinement also appears independent of a spindle assembly checkpoint that functions in 2D. Confinement and myosin-II thus regulate pathways of heritable mechanogenetic change.
Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis GABA neurons are necessary for changes in foraging behavior following an innate threat
Authors: Ly Annie , Barker Alexandra , Prévost Emily D. , McGovern Dillon J. , Kilpatrick Zachary , Root David H.
Published: February 2023

Foraging is a universal behavior that has co-evolved with predation pressure. We investigated the role of bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) GABA neurons in robotic and live predator threat processing and their consequences in post-threat encounter foraging. Mice were trained to procure food in a laboratory-based foraging apparatus in which food pellets were placed at discrete and incrementally greater distances from a nest zone. After mice learned to forage, they were exposed to either a robotic or live predator threat, while BNST GABA neurons were chemogenetically inhibited. Post-robotic threat encounter, mice spent more time in the nest zone, but other foraging parameters were unchanged compared to pre-encounter behavior. Inhibition of BNST GABA neurons had no effect on foraging behavior post-robotic threat encounter. Following live predator exposure, control mice spent significantly more time in the nest zone, increased their latency to successfully forage, and their overall foraging performance was significantly a ltered. I nhibition o f BNST GABA neurons during live predator exposure prevented changes in foraging behavior from developing after live predator threat. BNST GABA neuron inhibition did not alter foraging behavior during robotic or live predator threat. We conclude that while both robotic and live predator encounter effectively intrude on foraging behavior, the perceived risk and behavioral consequence of the threats are distinguishable. Additionally, BNST GABA neurons may play a role in the integration of prior innate predator threat experience that results in hypervigilance during post-encounter foraging behavior.
Recent developments in the production of 2D- and 3D colon and stomach adenocarcinomas primary cell models
Authors: Tokarchuk Igor , Mushii Oleksandr , Dreus Alona , Koziaruk Anastasia A. , Shapochka Dmyto O. , Ryzhak Oleg A. , Venhryk Serhii O. , Golovko Iurii S. , Ryabuhin Sergey V. , Hanopolskyi Anton I. , Judd Duncan B. , Volochnyuk Dmitriy M.
Published: February 2023

Gastric and colorectal cancer models are essential for the advancement of precision medicine discovery and development. 2D attached monolayer, spheroid and organoid approaches have all been used in the formation of biobanks containing primary patient-derived cells. Here, we report an assessment of those procedures for a panel of nine patient-derived adenocarcinoma samples, along with the most applicable method for the bio-banking of these cell types. A live cell biobank of tumour specimens would facilitate drug discovery laboratories to evaluate drugs on the population of cell cultures, prior to the clinical phase.
External audit quality: its meaning, representations and potential conflict in practice
Authors: Sulaiman Noor Adwa
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study provides insights into the meanings given to audit quality (AQ) by audit partners responsible for delivering audit services. It explores the influence of contextual factors in the auditing setting on constructing such meanings and its representations.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on a symbolic-interactionist framework, this study takes an interpretive approach, employing semi-structured interviews with audit partners from the United Kingdom (UK).

Findings

Three primary meanings of AQ are identified. First, in contradiction to that offered by “mainstream” AQ research, audit partners in this study predominantly regarded the meaning of AQ as an economic concept in the context of the “business” of auditing, delivering the service quality (e.g. value-added auditing and value-for-money) that is expected by their audit clients. Second, the audit partners also espouse the meaning of AQ to be “fit for purpose” audit documentation and adherence to quality control that meets the standards of compliance demanded by independent audit inspections. Third, and similar to the classic convention of AQ, audit partners consider “inputs” to AQ, attributes related to individual auditors (e.g. qualifications, experience and training) as one of the key AQ meanings. A range of stimuli underlies AQ meaning construction, including the audit firm's commercial interests, legitimacy, image management and social identity resulting from audit partners' interactions with audit clients, regulators, and their own self-reflexivity. Interestingly, this study identifies a considerable potential conflict between the meanings assigned to AQ, which suggests that auditors are struggling to strike a balance between the competing demands of those meanings.

Research limitations/implications

This exploratory study addresses only the audit partners' perceptions concerning the meaning of AQ. Findings of this study are relevant to auditors and other parties, such as regulators, in addressing competing dimensions of AQ and potential choices involving conduct and content in any individual audit engagement.

Originality/value

The study complements existing research into AQ by exposing the rationales and potential behaviours that underlie commitments to quality by those involved in commissioning audit engagements. It also adds detailed evidence of how contextual factors in the auditing environment interact with auditors' notions of AQ.
Valuing soccer players: on the valuation dynamics of an online user community
Authors: Detzen Dominic , Löhlein Lukas
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper studies the interactive valuation discourses of an online user community (transfermarkt.de) that seeks to determine market values for soccer players. Despite their seemingly casual nature, these values have featured in newspapers, transfer negotiations, academic research, and capital market communication – and have thus become reified.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs netnographic research methodology to collect and thematically analyze a wide range of user entries on the platform. These entries are studied using theoretical insights from the sociology of quantification and valuation.

Findings

The analysis reveals how values are constructed in constant interaction between value-proposing users and value-justifying “experts.” This dynamic form of relational valuation positions players relative to one another as well as to actual transactions on the transfer market. In the absence of authoritative guidelines, it is this possibility and affordance for interaction that enacts a coherent valuation regime. The paper further reveals the platform's response to a disruptive event, which risked bringing the user-expert dynamics to a halt, requiring intervention from the platform to repair its valuation frame.

Originality/value

The paper responds to increased scholarly interests in the valuation of professional athletes. It contributes to the extant literature on valuation, first, by analyzing the dynamic valuation work that feeds into the social construction of values and, second, by studying platform participation and user interaction in a socially engineered online space.
State-owned enterprises' board characteristics and audit fees: an international perspective in view of economic freedom, political democracy and protection of minority shareholders
Authors: Shaat Iman , Aldamen Husam , Kercher Kim , Duncan Keith
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The paper examines the relationship between board effectiveness and audit fees for state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Furthermore, given the unique nature of SOEs, the paper assesses country-level influences, such as economic freedom, political democracy and protection of minority shareholders, which can impact board effectiveness and audit fees.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of two-stage and ordinary least squares regression is used to examine the board characteristics-audit fee relationship for SOEs in a multinational setting during the period from 2016 to 2018.

Findings

The results indicate that board characteristics that represent a high level of effectiveness are associated with higher audit fees in SOEs. Furthermore, the findings suggest SOE's operating in countries evidencing medium levels of democracy and economic freedom and medium to high levels of protection of minority shareholders may be motivated to reduce agency conflicts by promoting accountability and transparency, thereby demanding increasing levels of corporate governance, monitoring and audit quality, thereby increasing audit fees.

Practical implications

The results provide further support for the OECD (2015) guidelines promoting the use of high-quality external audits in SOEs.

Originality/value

As a result of the scarceness of research in this area, the current study extends the literature by examining the role of corporate governance and audit fees in SOEs, while examining the influence of economic freedom, political democracy and protection of minority shareholders.
A regulatory framework for the use of small unmanned aircrafts (SUAs) in the construction industry
Authors: Wang Xiaowei , Yang Yang , Chan Albert P.C. , Chi Hung-lin , Yung Esther H.K.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

With the increasing use of small unmanned aircrafts (SUAs), many countries have enacted laws and regulations to ensure the safe use of SUAs. However, there is a lack of industry-specific regulations accounting for the unique features of construction-related SUA operations. Operating SUAs in the construction industry is attributed to specific risks and challenges, which should be regulated to maximize the utility of SUAs in construction. This study, therefore, aims to develop a multi-dimensional regulatory framework for using SUAs in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods was used to compare seven selected national/regional SUA regulations to identify the applicability of implementing the existing regulations in construction. The interview surveys were then conducted to diagnose the challenges of construction-related SUA operations and gather interviewees' suggestions on the regulatory framework for SUA uses in construction.

Findings

The research found that some challenges of construction-related SUAs operations were not addressed in the current regulations. These challenges included the complex and time-consuming SUA operation permit, lack of regulation for special SUA operations in construction, insufficient regulatory compliance monitoring and a lack of construction-related remote pilots' training. A regulatory framework was then developed based on the findings of comparative analysis and interview surveys.

Research limitations/implications

This study mainly compared seven representative countries/regions' regulations, leading to a small sample size. Further research should be carried out to study the SUA regulations in other places, such as South Africa, South America or Middle East countries. Besides, this study's respondents to the interviews were primarily concentrated in Hong Kong, which may cause the interview results to differ from the construction industry in other countries/regions. A large-scale interview survey should be conducted in other places in the future to validate the current findings.

Practical implications

The proposed regulatory framework provides a reference for the policy-makers to formulate appropriate industry-specific SUA regulations and improve the applicability of SUA regulations in the construction industry. It sheds light upon the future of SUA regulations and the development of regulatory practice in this area.

Originality/value

This study is the first to propose a multi-dimensional regulatory framework for operating SUAs in construction by comprehensive policy comparisons and interviews. The regulatory framework offers a fresh insight into the unexplored research area and points out the direction for subsequent studies on SUA regulations in the construction industry.
The theoretical framework of enterprise digital innovation: insights from a qualitative meta-analysis
Authors: Lin Qin
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to excavate the external and internal driving factors of enterprise digital innovation and further condense the function mechanisms and response actions of the innovation process as well as the final innovation outcomes to propose the theoretical framework of enterprise digital innovation with the logic thread of “innovation motivation–innovation process–innovation result”.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the digital background and integrating previous case studies on enterprise digital innovation, this study uses qualitative meta-analysis to explore the motivations of enterprise digital innovation, the function mechanisms and response actions of innovation process as well as the innovation outcomes.

Findings

This study finds that digitally transformed enterprises driven by external environmental factors and internal organizational factors follow the logic of adaptive and open innovation, and finally accomplish the digital innovation results of products, services, processes, business models, technology and social responsibility through the response actions of adaptation and interaction mechanisms.

Originality/value

In the digital economy era, digital innovation has become the key strategic choice for enterprise transformation, upgrading and innovation. Why and how enterprises realize digital innovation with the help of emerging digital technology remain to be explored. This study has important theoretical significance and practical value for the digital innovation and transformation of enterprises under the digital background.
Industry 4.0 technologies as a lever for sustainability in the communication of large companies to stakeholders
Authors: Piccarozzi Michela , Stefanoni Alessandra , Silvestri Cecilia , Ioppolo Giuseppe
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Technological innovation, digitalisation and the Industry 4.0 revolution radically changed business management and contributed to the achievement of sustainability goals. While many studies analyse technological innovation, and Industry 4.0 in particular, the technical aspects of its contribution/impact on sustainability remains partially analysed, especially in relation to Industry 4.0 enabling technologies. This study investigates the contribution of Industry 4.0 enabling technologies on sustainability in innovative firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The sustainability reports of the 50 most innovative companies based on Boston Consulting Group (BCG)'s 2022 raking is analysed through a content analysis. In the reports, enabling technologies are analysed in relation to their contribution to sustainability.

Findings

The results shed light on the application of Industry 4.0 enabling technologies in sustainability practices based on the communication in the firms' sustainability reports. The results indicate that enabling technologies support the three pillars of sustainability in different business processes.

Research limitations/implications

The results have theoretical and managerial implications that broaden the study of enabling technologies and sustainability while also suggesting a future research agenda.

Originality/value

This study aims to address the gap in the literature regarding the contribution of Industry 4.0 enabling technologies to sustainability.
Career planning and workforce preparation during economic downturn: perceptions of graduating business students
Authors: Benati Kelly , Lindsay Sophie , O'Toole Jacqueline , Fischer Juan
Published: February 2023

Purpose

To gather insight into how graduating business students are preparing for the workplace and their future careers and how this has been impacted by COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 144 business students at an Australian university who had recently completed an internship and were nearing graduation took part in the study. Group A was surveyed before COVID-19 had emerged and Group B undertook their internships during a COVID-19 lockdown when the related economic downturn had become apparent. The responses were analysed using career construction theory (CCT).

Findings

This study concludes that graduating students do not generally place greater emphasis on career planning in times of economic downturn. However, they do devote more effort to job search and networking activities. They also display more career decisiveness and are less willing to seek out information about potential careers or their suitability for them. Their confidence in embarking on a career was not impacted.

Research limitations/implications

This enables us to form a more complete picture of how graduating students perceive their work-readiness and the action they feel is important in order to improve their employability.

Practical implications

This has implications for career practitioners and employers of graduates as it adds to the knowledge of employability and the decision-making process in times of economic crisis and is particularly important for the tertiary education sector as it seeks to better target initiatives to aid employability in graduates.

Originality/value

The results increase the understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on early career development and argue that early-career decision-making is a specific area requiring investigation.
Women, polygamy and family entrepreneuring in southwest Benin: the role of endogenous knowledge
Authors: Dagoudo Bienvenu Akowedaho , Vershinina Natalia , Murithi William Karani
Published: February 2023

Purpose

As families engage in entrepreneurship, particularly in developing economies, women's engagement in such activities is subject to the traditional cultures, norms and values of the communities to which they belong. This paper aims to investigate how the socio-cultural context influences women's entrepreneurship as women engage in “family entrepreneuring”.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on an inductive qualitative approach to explore how multiple cultural, social and economic contexts encourage women's entrepreneurship and, thus, position them at the centre of family entrepreneuring within this community. Using snowballing techniques, we analyse narratives from 51 women entrepreneurs, generated through semi-structured interviews, to reveal key insights into the practice of family entrepreneuring.

Findings

The findings reveal the complex socio-cultural context within the “Adja” community, where polygamy, a traditional and cultural practice, enables the transfer of culturally and socially embedded informal knowledge. The study explains how women's entrepreneuring activities are supported by informal in-family apprenticeships, resulting in family members learning specific skills while also experiencing the feeling of belonging to the family. Showcasing the heterogeneity of contexts, particularly those found in Africa, this study challenges the normative view within the Global North and the dominance of the “heroic male” in entrepreneurship by showcasing how women (especially matriarchs) are significant actors in training other women, co-wives, daughters and relatives in family entrepreneuring.

Originality/value

Thus, this study contributes to the extant literature on family entrepreneuring by revealing an unusual case of women from polygamous families becoming the focal actors in family entrepreneuring activity and challenging the culturally ascribed gender roles to evolve into the breadwinners in their households, as well as focusing on how this process is driven by endogenous knowledge exchange.
Understanding the relevance of family business, gender and value chains for SMEs' innovation in the context of COVID-19
Authors: Clemente-Almendros José Antonio , González-González Inés , Cerdá-Suárez Luis Manuel , Seguí-Amortegui Luis Alberto
Published: February 2023

Purpose

In this paper, the authors present an empirical framework that incorporates different factors of the impact of COVID-19 on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in La Rioja, Spain, in relation to the value chain, gender and family business and allows the evaluation of these impacts on the SMEs' outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct exploratory research based on phone interviews with 329 business managers from SMEs in La Rioja (Spain), from June 1 to June 30 2021, using ordinary least squares linear regression and matching procedures to test the study hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that the impact of COVID-19 related to primary activities in adding value, such as inbound logistics, operations and marketing, have a positive influence on innovation outcomes in SMEs, as do female managers. Family SMEs present poorer innovation outcomes.

Practical implications

At the organizational level, this paper may be of interest to management, and at the national and regional levels to policymakers, since it could help to develop policies that support SMEs' sourcing, operations and marketing in order to prepare for potential value chain disruptions. Additionally, this research may help decision-makers to foster and promote innovation in SMEs as a way of ensuring their resilience.

Originality/value

In this paper, the authors provide novel evidence about the effect of COVID-19 in SMEs. Moreover, it has been shown that the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered the redefinition of supply chains at the organizational level.
Teacher self-efficacy and student misbehaviour: the moderating role of gender–classroom management
Authors: Kengatharan Navaneethakrishnan , Gnanarajan Ariyaratnam Harry
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Drawing on Bandura's social cognitive theory, the present study examines the relationship between teacher self-efficacy and student misbehaviour, while exploring the moderating effects of teacher gender using gender schema theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The structural equation modelling examined the study model. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires from 464 teachers in secondary schools in Sri Lanka.

Findings

The results revealed that teachers' self-efficacy in overall teaching negatively correlated with student misbehaviour. Teacher gender had no moderating effects, implying an indistinct patriarchal influence on which the hypothesis was based.

Practical implications

The present study offers suggestions and practical recommendations in the areas of classroom management, school leadership, teacher education, and education administration on ways to enhance teachers' self-efficacy, particularly their self-efficacy in managing students' problematic behaviours. The findings of the study may also imply that the patriarchal dominance in Sri Lankan households may be waning.

Originality/value

This research is the first ever to apply gender schema theory to explore the moderating effects of gender in the self-efficacy–student misbehaviour relationship.
Is rising pharma market a new burden? Introspecting the implications of India’s healthcare journey from public to a private good
Authors: Boddu Srujana , Tobi Anagha
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The paper demonstrates prejudicial effects of the rising private participation and the lacuna of state in ensuring the accessibility and affordability of healthcare.

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary data analysis from national and international databases is employed to demonstrate the low government spending and the alternate healthcare financing mechanisms in the country. The company reports of six Indian pharma companies are examined to map the profits and revenues, and also taking into account the sales growth and return on investment.

Findings

The paper observes the pharmaceutical sector, via its spiralling drug prices, is the primary contributor to the huge out-of-pocket expenses borne by households. The study findings indicate that there is an increased divergence between the out-of-pocket expenses of households and exorbitant profits of the private drug companies in the country over the years.

Research limitations/implications

Amidst debates on the importance of public health in the aftermath of the pandemic, the paper examines the rising hands of private sector in healthcare, and implores – who benefits? The authors study the implications via looking into the rise in the wealth of pharma giants; at the time of crisis when the lives of common citizens in the country were at stake.

Originality/value

The paper emphasises the repercussions of the higher markup of the pharma industry in raising the healthcare costs of households. The authors emphasise that the nonregulation of the pharma sector leads to high medical debts/poverty, in the wake of growing out-of-pocket expenditures of the citizens.
A study on next-generation digital tool for health data management: the e-Pulse portal
Authors: Bostancı Seda H. , Yıldırım Seda , Yildirim Durmus Cagri
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the working way of the e-Pulse portal in Türkiye as a sample of a next-generation digital tool for health data management. Accordingly, this study focuses on explaining the structure and key services of the e-Pulse portal in the context of health data management.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is a technical paper that will explain how the e-Pulse portal works in Türkiye. Accordingly, the data are based on secondary sources and mostly the official website of the e-Pulse portal. As a sample case, this study investigates the e-Pulse portal from Türkiye. The data are categorized by tables, and some key factors are classified based on review results.

Findings

As a result of the review of the e-Pulse portal's sample account, it is seen that the e-Pulse portal provides comprehensive data for personal health data for both individuals and healthcare professionals. By permitting healthcare professionals, users or patients can share their personal health data on specific dates and numbers whenever they need and want. When sharing recorded personal health data, citizens or patients can get more efficient healthcare service on the time.

Research limitations/implications

By giving descriptive evidence and review through the e-Pulse portal, countries with high-populated can see the key e-services and elements to manage health data through digital tools. On the other side, this study has some limitations. This study investigated the e-Pulse portal and its e-services for Türkiye and gave some findings mostly based on subjective deduction. Another digital portal can give different findings for the literature.

Practical implications

Based on the e-Pulse portal case, it is determined that by creating a digital portal with recorded personal up-to-date health data, healthcare services can be ensured more efficiently among high-populated countries in the long term. While population growth and pandemic possibilities such as COVID-19 increase throughout the world, serving more patients with these portals will increase efficiency and service quality, provided that patient information is well protected.

Originality/value

This study reveals key e-services and segments to provide personal health data management by a next-generation digital tool based on the e-Pulse portal. The main contribution of this study is expected to guide other countries when adapting next-generation technology or systems to manage health data in the future.
Culture meets commitment: how organizational culture influences affective commitment
Authors: Dunger Susann
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Organizational culture has been identified as an important factor in increased employee commitment. Particularly during a shortage of skilled workers, commitment is a meaningful indicator of higher loyalty and retention. However, limited research has studied the relationship between organizational culture and commitment from a global perspective. Most research focuses on specific aspects of culture and examines the aspects' effects on commitment separately. The author's objective is to identify influential organizational culture's dimensions and assess dimensions' relationship to commitment holistically.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, the author analyzed a data set with 241,648 participants from 9 industries in Germany. The survey captures individual attitudes toward certain aspects of organizational culture and assesses workers' commitment to their organizations.

Findings

The results of a linear regression show that all cultural dimensions considered, namely transformational leadership behavior, team cohesion, compensation, fairness and caring attitude, if well-developed, positively and significantly influence organizational commitment. Interestingly, team cohesion has the greatest effect on commitment, followed by transformational leadership behavior, compensation, caring attitude and fairness.

Originality/value

This paper aims to examine the relationship between organizational culture and commitment holistically, thereby revealing which aspects of corporate culture are particularly important for increasing workers' commitment.
Measuring QSR service quality on behavioral intentions of gen Z customers using QUICKSERV–mediating effect of service value and satisfaction
Authors: Ghosh Pratik , Jhamb Deepika , Dhiman Rahul
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to measure the service quality, satisfaction, service value and behavioral intentions of Gen Z in leading global Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) in India by integrating QUICKSERV into an established model of consumer behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study design was used for the hypothesis testing. Service quality perceptions with satisfaction, service value and behavioral intentions were measured using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The outcomes suggest a direct effect of the service quality of QSRs on the satisfaction, service value and behavioral intentions of Gen Z customers. Satisfaction further influenced customers' behavioral intentions. However, customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions were not directly influenced by service value. Finally, the association between service quality and behavioral intentions was mediated by satisfaction.

Practical implications

Managers should encourage a pleasant attitude, good grooming and friendliness in QSR employees as Gen Z highly values these aspects. At the same time, QSRs should focus to elevate the service value of Gen Z customers by lowering their sacrifice perceptions and fostering initiatives.

Originality/value

Although many studies have considered millennials along with Gen Z to analyze the relationship between service quality and behavioral intentions in different service settings, few researchers have considered the impact of Gen Z consumer features in service quality research separately. The findings of the study will help both practitioners of different QSR brands and facilitators in hospitality academia to better understand the nuances and uniqueness of Gen Z consumer behavior in the QSRs.
Reassuringly British: consumer engagement with domestic products and brands
Authors: Atkinson-Toal Aarron
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper investigates consumer engagement, evaluation and beliefs of domestic products and the influence of such associated attributes communicated via domestic COO labelling within the United Kingdom.

Design/methodology/approach

A visual ethnographic approach utilising the methods of autophotography and photo elicitation interviews was conducted to explore consumers' interaction with the domestic COO label and provenance advertising.

Findings

The results of photo elicitation interviews revealed both positive and negative cognitive, affective and normative implications of domestic provenance labelling of influence emerging within consumers.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are applied to the context of the United Kingdom, with contextual limitations acknowledged of doing so. Convenience sampling limitations are also acknowledged.

Practical implications

The findings provide UK-based FMCG manufacturers and retailers insight into the associated attributes of domestic brand and products interpreted by consumers, communicated via a COO label, to assist in their purchasing strategies.

Originality/value

This paper seeks to contribute towards the understanding of provenance labelling influence on consumers for products within the FMCGs sector, whilst specifically commenting upon attributes of reliance and influence that may assist navigation of changing priorities and national sentiments.
Do consumers always believe humans create better boxes than AI? The context-dependent role of recommender creativity
Authors: Im Hyunjoo , Lee Garim
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The recent surge of subscription box services calls for research to understand how consumers respond to curation services. This study aims to develop and test a theoretical model to predict consumer response to AI (vs human). Particularly, the authors tested the role of stereotyping in shaping consumer perception of creativity in this context while considering the contextual moderators, shopping goals (hedonic vs utilitarian) and product category (fashion vs meal).

Design/methodology/approach

Two preliminary studies and the main study (totaln = 761) tested the assumptions and hypotheses of the study. Preliminary study 1 (n = 511 Amazon mTurk, online survey) confirmed consumer stereotypes of humans and machines. Preliminary study 2, a single-factor between-subjects online experiment (recommender: human vs AI), was conducted at a large Midwestern university in the US (n = 56). The main study was conducted as a 2(recommender: human vs AI) × 2(product: fashion vs meal) × 2(goal: utilitarian vs hedonic) between-subjects online experiment (n = 194, Amazon mTurk).

Findings

The results confirmed that consumers are more likely to follow recommendations made by a human more than recommendations made by AI and the perceived creativity of the recommender explained the effect. Significant differences across product categories and shopping goals of the consumers were observed, calling for attention to the context of consumption.

Originality/value

This study extends the understanding of consumers' responses to recommendations in curation subscription services by highlighting the role of perceived creativity of humans versus AI.