bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The plakin domain ofC. elegansVAB-10/plectin acts as a hub in a mechanotransduction pathway to promote morphogenesis
Authors: Suman Shashi Kumar , Daday Csaba , Ferraro Teresa , Vuong-Brender Thanh , Tak Saurabh , Quintin Sophie , Robin François , Gräter Frauke , Labouesse Michel
Published: June 2019

Mechanical forces control many cellular processes by eliciting a mechanotransduction response in target cells. The initial steps of mechanotransduction at hemidesmosomes remain undefined in contrast to focal adhesions and adherens junctions. Here, we focus on theC. elegansplectin homolog VAB-10A, the only evolutionary conserved hemidesmosome component. InC. elegans, muscle contractions induce a mechanotransduction pathway in the epidermis through hemidesmosomes. We used CRISPR to precisely remove spectrin repeats (SR) or a partially hidden Src-homology-3 (SH3) domain within the VAB-10 plakin domain. Deleting the SH3 or SR8 domains in combination with mutations affecting mechanotransduction, or just part of SR5 shielding the SH3 domain induced embryonic elongation arrest because hemidesmosomes collapse. Notably, recruitment of GIT-1, the first mechanotransduction player, requires the SR5 domain and the hemidesmosome transmembrane receptor LET-805. Furthermore, Molecular Dynamics simulations confirmed that forces acting on VAB-10 can render the central SH3 domain, otherwise in contact with SR4, available for interaction. Collectively, our data strongly argue that the plakin domain plays a central role in mechanotransduction and raise the possibility that VAB-10/plectin might act as a mechanosensor.

Summary statement

CRISPR-derived deletions reveal the roles of three spectrin repeats and an atypical SH3 domain from the plakin domain of the VAB-10 hemidesmosome component in mechanotransduction duringC. elegansmorphogenesis
A simple graphical method to pinpoint local pseudosymmetries inZ′ > 1 cases
Authors: Baggio Ricardo
Published: June 2019

An intuitive method is presented for detecting pseudosymmetries inZ′ > 1 cases as a complement to well-proven strategies already available in the literature. It is based in the simple idea that the mid-points between equivalent atoms in symmetrically related molecules are disposed according to simple well-known patterns, which are easily recognizable by optical inspection. A number ofZ′ = 4 cases in the literature are analyzed, which allows some of the potentialities of the method to be revealed.
Crystal structure of an iron superoxide dismutase from the pathogenic amoebaAcanthamoeba castellanii
Authors: Dao Oanh , Asaithambi Killivalavan , Na Byeong Kuk , Lee Kon Ho
Published: June 2019

The iron superoxide dismutase found in the pathogenic amoebaAcanthamoeba castellanii(AcFeSOD) may play essential roles in the survival of the parasite, not only by protecting it from endogenous oxidative stress but also by detoxifying oxidative killing of the parasite by host immune effector cells. TheAcFeSOD protein was expressed in a stable form using anEscherichia coliexpression system and was crystallized by the microbatch and hanging-drop vapour-diffusion methods. The structure was determined to 2.33 Å resolution from a singleAcFeSOD crystal. The crystal belonged to the hexagonal space groupP61and contained 12 molecules forming three tetramers in the asymmetric unit, with an iron ion bound in each molecule. Structural comparisons and sequence alignment ofAcFeSOD with other FeSODs showed a well conserved overall fold and conserved active-site residues with subtle differences.
Multipole electron densities and atomic displacement parameters in urea from accurate powder X-ray diffraction
Authors: Svane Bjarke , Tolborg Kasper , Jørgensen Lasse Rabøl , Roelsgaard Martin , Jørgensen Mads Ry Vogel , Brummerstedt Iversen Bo
Published: June 2019

Electron density determination based on structure factors obtained through powder X-ray diffraction has so far been limited to high-symmetry inorganic solids. This limit is challenged by determining high-quality structure factors for crystalline urea using a bespoke vacuum diffractometer with imaging plates. This allows the collection of data of sufficient quality to model the electron density of a molecular system using the multipole method. The structure factors, refined parameters as well as chemical bonding features are compared with results from the high-quality synchrotron single-crystal study by Birkedalet al.[Acta Cryst.(2004), A60, 371–381] demonstrating that powder X-ray diffraction potentially provides a viable alternative for electron density determination in simple molecular crystals where high-quality single crystals are not available.
Sensing for aerospace combustor health monitoring
Authors: Mills Andrew Robert , Kadirkamanathan Visakan
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper proposes new methods of fault detection for fuel systems in order to improve system availability. Novel fault systems are required for environmentally friendly lean burn combustion, but can carry high risk failure modes particularly through their control valves. The purpose of the developed technology is the rapid detection of these failure modes, such as valve sticking or impending sticking, and therefore to reduce this risk. However, sensing valve state is challenging due to hot environmental temperatures, which results in a low reliability for conventional position sensing.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting with the business needs elicited from stakeholders, a quality functional deployment process is performed to derive sensing system requirements. The process acknowledges the difference between test-bed and in-service aerospace needs through weightings on requirements and maps these customer requirements to systems performance metrics. The design of the system must therefore optimise the sensor suite, on- and off-board signal processing and acquisition strategy.

Findings

Against this systems engineering process, two sensing strategies are outlined which illustrate the span of solutions, from conventional gas path sensing with advanced signal processing to novel non-invasive sensing concepts. While conventional sensing may be feasible within a test cell, the constraints of aerospace in-service operation may necessitate more novel alternatives. Acoustic emission (detecting very high frequency surface vibration waves) sensing technology is evaluated to provide a non-invasive, remote and high temperature tolerant solution. Through this comparison, the considerations for the end-to-end system design are highlighted to be critical to sensor deployment success in-service.

Practical implications

The paper provides insight into different means of addressing the important problem of monitoring faults in combustor systems in gas turbines. By casting of the complex design problem within a systems engineering framework, the outline of a toolset for solution evaluation is provided.

Originality/value

The paper provides three areas of significant contributions: a diversity of methods to diagnosing fuel system malfunctions by measuring changes fuel flow distributions, through novel means, and the combustor exit temperature profiles (cause and effect); the use of analytical methods to support the selection (types and quantities) and placement of sensors to ensure adequate state awareness while minimising their impact on the engine system cost and weight; and an end-to-end data processing approach to provide optimised information for the engine maintainers allowing informed decision-making.
Do fisheries and aquaculture production have dominant roles within the economic growth of Pakistan? A long-run and short-run investigation
Authors: Rehman Abdul , Deyuan Zhang , Hena Sehresh , Chandio Abbas Ali
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and explore the connection between aquaculture and capture fisheries production and economic growth in Pakistan. Fisheries play an important role in Pakistan’s national economy, and Pakistan has sufficient fishery resources to be developed. Most of the population in the coastal areas depends on fisheries for their livelihood.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was based on time series data of aquaculture and capture fisheries production and the analysis of their relationship with economic growth in Pakistan. The study used an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach to check the dynamic causality between the study variables.

Findings

The results showed that aquaculture and capture fisheries production have had a positive effect on the economic growth in Pakistan.

Practical implications

Better infrastructure for the fishing industry, increased government expenditure on facilities and financial support for the fish farmers could contribute to economic growth in the future. Recommendations for improvements in these areas have been made.

Originality/value

By using an ARDL bounds testing approach, this study contributes to the literature regarding fisheries production and economic growth in Pakistan.
A velocity corrected unresolved CFD-DEM coupled method to reproduce wake effects at moderate Reynolds number
Authors: Wang Zekun , Walayat Khuram , Liu Moubin
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a corrected unresolved CFD-DEM method that can reproduce the wake effects in modeling particulate flows at moderate Reynolds number.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the velocity field in the wake behind a settling particle is numerically investigated by a resolved method, in which the finite volume method (FVM) is applied to model the fluid flow, discrete element method (DEM) is applied to simulate the motion of particles and immersed boundary method (IBM) is used to tackle fluid solid interaction. Second, an analytical scaling law is given, which can effectively describe the velocity field in the wake behind the settling particle at low and middle Reynolds numbers. Third, this analytical expression is incorporated into unresolved modeling to correct the relative velocity between the particle and its surrounding fluid and enable the influence of the wake of the particle on its neighboring particles.

Findings

Two numerical examples, the sedimentation of dual particles, a list of particles and even more particles are provided to show the effectiveness of the presented velocity corrected unresolved method (VCUM). It is found that, in both examples simulated with VCUM, the relative positions of the particles changed, and drafting & kissing phenomenon and particle clustering phenomenon were clearly observed.

Practical implications

The developed VCUM can be highly beneficial for modeling industrial particulate flows with DKT and particle clustering phenomena.

Originality/value

VCUM innovatively incorporates the wake effects into unresolved CFD-DEM method. It improves the computational accuracy of conventional unresolved methods with comparable results from resolved modeling, while the computational cost is greatly reduced.
Emerging contractual and legal risks from the application of building information modelling
Authors: Almarri Khalid , Aljarman Moshabab , Boussabaine Halim
Published: June 2019

Purpose

There has been a mounting interest in building information modelling (BIM) in the construction industry sector worldwide due to its perceived benefits. However, reliance on information technology is associated with risks. The purpose of this paper is to offer a better understanding of the emerging contractual and legal risks, which might influence the successful adoption of BIM, in order to facilitate the successful implementation of BIM in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The risks used in the study were documented from the literature, and primary data were collected by a questionnaire survey. The analysis of the results was driven by univariate and inferential statistics (Analysis of Variance) to identify the emerging contractual and legal risks.

Findings

The findings showed that there were little significant differences in the mean rating of the occurrence of contractual and legal risks between the respondents. The study confirmed that emerging risks are likely to be related to BIM documentations, intellectual rights and liability, missing data and misplaced assumptions among project stakeholders. The results showed that BIM success depends on close collaboration, at the outset of the project, with the client, designers, contractors and consultants.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that contract documents and contract agreements may need to be created in accordance with the identified risks, so that the questions of contractual and legal responsibilities are appropriately defined and allocated among the participants.

Originality/value

Important legal and contractual risks have been identified in the application of BIM. It renders a new understanding of the risks that might influence the successful adoption of BIM.
Liminal leadership: leading betwixt and between
Authors: Shaw-VanBuskirk Leslie , Lim Doo Hun , Jeong Shin-Hee
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to review the literature on liminal leadership, present a comprehensive perspective of it compared to other types of leadership, propose a conceptual framework of liminal leadership and provide a case on how liminal leadership addresses modern workplace issues in the ever-changing and competitive global environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is conceptual in nature. For this, the authors searched literature on organizational and leadership theories of liminality within organizational settings and analyzed various leadership perspectives to develop a construct of liminal leadership.

Findings

The comparative analysis revealed different and/or similar characteristics of liminal leadership with other types of leadership theories. On the basis of the comparative analysis, a synthesis of liminal leadership and a proposed conceptual framework to pursue future studies of liminal leadership are provided.

Research limitations/implications

First, the notion of liminal leadership is emerging; few have been conducted to investigate the concept. Therefore, the authors’ approach to compose the theoretical background of liminal leadership is limited. Second, they drew a logical framework of leadership components a liminal leader might use from chosen leadership theories which had some kinship and likeness to liminal leadership. However, the comparative analysis of the relationship is limited because of the conceptually based nature of analysis. Third, the proposed model of liminal leadership is tentative and conceptual in nature. Empirical studies are needed to verify the psychometric structure and reliability of the model.

Originality/value

Despite its importance and a sense of urgency, almost no discussion on liminal leadership or liminality can be found in the field of HRD. The limited knowledge associated with liminal leadership places high value on the results of this study. This paper will provide a seminal base that may stimulate future human resource development (HRD) scholars. The purpose for this study is to contribute a conceptualization of liminal leadership as it applies to the field of HRD as leading and facilitating organizational changes.
The benefits and challenges of sustainable buildings in Prishtina, Kosovo
Authors: Hoxha Visar , Shala Fjolla
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the benefits of construction of sustainable buildings and highlight the challenges of achieving sustainable buildings in Kosovo. The present paper not only focuses on social, economic and environmental benefits of the sustainable buildings viewed from the perspective of construction industry experts but also on the challenges that the construction industry in Kosovo faces in achieving sustainable buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study uses a qualitative research method and semi-structured interviews as a research instrument. The present study interviews around 20 experts of real estate management, architecture, civil engineering and sustainability.

Findings

The present research finds that the citizens of Kosovo are not very well informed about the benefits of sustainable buildings due to lack of adequate promotion of such buildings. The present study finds that sustainable buildings from the view of construction professionals in Prishtina, Kosovo, have economic, social, and environmental benefits mainly in the form of energy savings, lower operational costs, reduction of pollution and CO2 emissions and better health and satisfaction of occupants. The challenges are mainly of economic, structural and organizational and regulatory character.

Research limitations/implications

The present study has great implications for the society and construction industry because it shows to the investors all the benefits of building and using sustainable buildings. The findings of the present study, to a certain extent, fill the gap of lack of information that the construction industry in Kosovo faces regarding the benefits and challenges of sustainable buildings. The construction industry, buyers and authorities can benefit from the present study since they can understand the benefits and challenges of sustainable buildings, which can encourage them to invest more in sustainable buildings.

Originality/value

The study is the first qualitative study about the perception of construction professionals in Prishtina, Kosovo, regarding the benefits and challenges of sustainable buildings.
Is timeshare good for firm value and profitability? Evidence from segment reporting
Authors: Penela Daniela Cristina dos Anjos , Morais Ana Isabel , Gregory Amy M.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This study aims to take advantage of segment reporting to provide empirical evidence on the impacts of increasing the share of revenue generated from the timeshare segment in companies’ portfolios for firm value and profitability.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines data from five publicity traded hospitality companies that have a timeshare component and carries out different regression analysis using 69 observations ranging from 1998 to 2016.

Findings

The findings support the idea of an inverted U-shaped relationship between the degree of timeshare business (DOT) and firm value and profitability. However, for positive values of DOT, an increase of DOT consistently has a negative impact on firm value and accounting profitability.

Research limitations/implications

This study adds to previous findings through the addition of new variables and contemporary accounting practices. Though sufficient for the analyses conducted, the limited number of observations raises generalizability issues. Further research with larger data sets is advised.

Practical implications

This study implies that timeshare may continue to grow, but not as a segment in the lodging sector; rather as an industry mainly composed of timeshare-dedicated companies. As firms consider diversification or consolidation, this study may inform decisions related to potential firm value.

Originality/value

This study provides evidence to support previous literature related to spin-off activity in the lodging sector. Perhaps more importantly, this study adds value to research on firm value and profitability by extending traditional models and by developing a new “degree of business” variable using segment reporting.
Personality determinants of consumption of premium seats in sports stadiums
Authors: Chang Yonghwan , Ko Yong Jae , Jang Wonseok (Eric)
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The current study aims to develop a comprehensive hierarchical model of traits and needs to provide a theoretical understanding of personality determinants of luxury-services consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprised 415 single-event buyers of premium seats in sports stadiums. The causal relationships of hierarchically ordered four traits – elemental, compound, situational and surface – were examined.

Findings

Extraversion was found to be an important trait for needs for material resources and status, while conscientiousness and openness were important predictors of need for arousal. Furthermore, needs for material resources, status and uniqueness were found to be important for self-value consciousness. Self-value consciousness was found to be an important predictor of purchase intention.

Originality/value

The study integrates fragmented luxury services research on individual differences. The findings about the personality determinants would provide relatively consistent predictions behind luxury-services consumption potentially applicable to diverse luxury markets.
Becoming a competent teacher in education for sustainable development
Authors: Brandt Jan-Ole , Bürgener Lina , Barth Matthias , Redman Aaron
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a holistic approach to assessing student teachers’ competence development in education for sustainable development (ESD). This is to provide evidence on which teaching and learning formats help to foster which aspects of ESD-specific professional action competence in teachers. The studied competencies consist of content knowledge (CK), pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and the willingness to actively support and implement ESD.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple case study design was used on two sequential modules of a university’s teacher education program. A mixed-methods approach was applied that combined surveys, videotaped and PhotoVoice-supported focus groups, as well as pre- and post-assessment tools. Qualitative data analysis was based on the coding paradigm of the qualitative content analysis, whereas quantitative data were interpreted by means of descriptive statistics and paired samplet-tests.

Findings

The results from this study clearly indicate that the two courses contributed to a shift in students’ non-cognitive dispositions. The study also provides evidence on the students’ competence development and demonstrates how two different learning settings support different dimensions of teachers’ professional action competence in terms of ESD.

Originality/value

The triangulation of data enabled not only a mere competence assessment but also deeper insights into learning processes, as well as into the drivers of and barriers to competence development. Furthermore, the study introduces an innovative approach to assessing the development of PCK.
The arithmetic complexity of online grocery shopping: the moderating role of product pictures
Authors: Desrochers Camille , Léger Pierre-Majorique , Fredette Marc , Mirhoseini Seyedmohammadmahdi , Sénécal Sylvain
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Online grocery shopping possesses characteristics that can make it more difficult than regular online shopping. There are numerous buying decisions to make each shopping session, there are large ranges of product types to choose from and there is varied arithmetical complexity. The purpose of this paper is to examine how such characteristics influence the attitude of consumers toward online grocery shopping websites.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors hypothesized that the product type (search or experience product), the task arithmetic complexity, and the attention and cognitive load associated with browsing through product pictures have an effect on the attitude of online shoppers toward these websites. To test the hypotheses, 31 subjects participated in a within-subject laboratory experiment.

Findings

The results suggest that visual attention to product pictures has a positive effect on the attitude of online shoppers toward a website when they are shopping for experience goods, but that it has a negative effect on their attitude toward a website when the task arithmetic complexity is greater. They also suggest that the cognitive load associated with browsing through product pictures has a negative effect on the attitude of online shoppers toward a website when they are shopping for experience goods, and that greater cognitive load variation has a positive effect on their attitude toward a website when arithmetic task complexity is greater.

Practical implications

When designing online grocery websites, providing clear single unit quantities with pictures corresponding to the sales unit could help establish a clear baseline on which consumers can work out their quantity requirements. For decisions involving experience goods, product pictures may act as an important complementary information source and may even be more diagnostic than text description.

Originality/value

Results reinforce the relevance of enriching the study of self-reported measures of the user experience on e-commerce sites with automatic measures.
Optimal eco-labeling strategy with imperfectly informed consumers
Authors: Fan Tijun , Song Yang , Cao Huan , Xia Haiyang
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find the optimal environmental quality criteria for a strategic eco-labeling authority with three objectives (i.e. maximizing the aggregate environmental quality, maximizing the industry profit and maximizing the social welfare). Particularly, the authors investigate how the existence of imperfectly informed consumers affects labeling criteria determination and competition among firms.

Design/methodology/approach

A game-theoretic modeling approach was adopted in this paper. A three-stage sequential game was modeled and backward induction was used to solve for a subgame perfect Nash equilibrium. To investigate the impacts of the existence of imperfectly informed consumers, the equilibrium, if all consumers are perfectly informed of the eco-label, was studied as a benchmark.

Findings

A more strict eco-labeling criterion improves revenues for both the labeled and unlabeled firms. It is interesting to find that the eco-labeling criteria to maximize industry profits are stricter than the criteria to maximize social welfare. Moreover, when the fraction of imperfectly informed consumers increases, the eco-labeling criteria to maximize aggregate environmental quality or industry profits will be more strict, while the criteria to maximize the social welfare will be looser.

Originality/value

The authors analyze the equilibrium strategies for firms against the eco-labeling criteria certified by authority with different objectives. The obtained optimal labeling strategies could provide insightful guidelines for the certifying authority to select the best suitable labeling criteria to achieve its goals.
What makes the difference? Employee social media brand engagement
Authors: Duncan Sherese Y. , Chohan Raeesah , Ferreira João José
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to explore, using the employee lens of business-to-business firms, word use through brand engagement and social media interaction to understand the difference between employees who rate their employer brands highly on social media and those who don't.

Design/methodology/approach

We conducted a textual content analysis of posts published on the social media job evaluation site glassdoor.com. LIWC software package was used to analyze 30 of the top 200 business-to-business brands listed on Brandwatch using four variables, namely, analytical thinking, clout, authenticity and emotional tone.

Findings

The results show that employees who rate their employer’s brand low use significantly more words, are significantly less analytic and write with significantly more clout because they focus more on others than themselves. Employees who rate their employer’s brand highly, write with significantly more authenticity, exhibit a significantly higher tone and display far more positive emotions in their reviews.

Practical implications

Brand managers should treat social media data disseminated by individual stakeholders, like the variables used in this study (tone, word count, frequency), as a valuable tool for brand insight on their industry, competition and their own brand equity, now and especially over time.

Originality/value

This study provides acknowledgement that social media is a significant source of marketing intelligence that may improve brand equity by better understanding and managing brand engagement.
Instrumental red teaming of “terrorism”: attack-concept gaming to develop comprehension, anticipation and resilience
Authors: Knight Charles
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a gaming approach to making key theoretical ideas accessible, understandable and useful for security practitioners confronting “terrorism” in the real world.

Design/methodology/approach

The tool is instrumental “red-team” matrix gaming: a structured way to first build and then wargame instrumental “terrorist” attack plans. The working assumption is that “terrorist” violence is designed with purpose, and that it reflects Fromkin’s understanding that terrorism is a form of jujitsu to manipulate more powerful opponents into politically and ideologically self-destructive behaviours. By designing and gaming attack plans with political objectives as the focus, practitioners quickly gain a deeper understanding of the processes of violent influence and the role of responders and decision makers. The paper is structured to, first, provide a theoretical explanation of contemporary conflict, focussing on the public support and how violence can be differently designed to political ends. On this foundation, the methods for learning are explained. A “playing-card” technique for setting students objectives in terms of psychological levers, vulnerabilities, political purposes and influence targets is described and options for participants generating scenarios outlined. Then the matrix-gaming approach, where play progresses according to the result of a dice roll applied to a probability based on the merit of participants’ competing arguments is explained with an example.

Findings

The described method of creating and wargaming terrorist attack plans offers a new and engaging method of exploring and understanding the processes of terrorism while preparing practitioners by potentially developing both their decision making and resilience.

Practical implications

The method described has potential value for teaching about terrorism by generally improving student engagement, preparing practitioners to respond to terrorism and wider application (of matrix gaming) to other topics.

Originality/value

This is a novel application of matrix gaming in a simplified format suited for classrooms.
Cultural values and their implications to family business succession
Authors: Anggadwita Grisna , Profityo Werda Bagus , Alamanda Dini Turipanam , Permatasari Anggraeni
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The family business is one of the business entities that contribute to the economy of a country. Succession in the family business occupies a strategic position, especially in maintaining the company’s sustainability. The Chinese family business has unique characteristics in maintaining and growing its business with the cultural values that underlie how their business. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the cultural values of Chinese ethnic and their implications in the succession process in small family businesses in Bandung, Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a qualitative method with the in-depth interview method as a data collection technique. The sampling technique uses purposive sampling, while to test the validity of research data using a triangulation technique. A total of four small Chinese-owned family businesses participated as informants in this study. The study will identify the stage of succession process in the Chinese family business.

Findings

There are several stages identified in the succession planning of small Chinese-owned family business in Bandung which include succession antecedents, succession activities and desired outcomes. The results showed that small Chinese-owned family business in Bandung has not applied the rules and procedures in the succession process. Most of the Chinese family business in this research still holds Confucianism culture; they prioritize boys as business successors, who have a greater responsibility rather than successor with other gender.

Practical implications

Several implications are discussed. One of them is the Chinese family business holding cultural values in the process of family business succession.

Originality/value

This research is expected to provide theoretical and practical implications for academics and family companies with similar cases.
Standard compliance and suitability of classroom capacity in secondary school buildings
Authors: Norazman Norsafiah , Che-Ani Adi Irfan , Ja’afar Nor Haslina , Khoiry Muhamad Azry
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Teaching and learning processes are conducted formally in a classroom as the main learning space for schooling system, where it should be implemented effectively to achieve a desired level of satisfaction and comfort for the students. To encourage and sustain students’ motivation for continuous learning, specifically at secondary school level, classroom capacity is increasing significantly. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the guidelines and regulations of building design standard compliance, specifically for classrooms, and suggest the suitability of classroom capacity based on two main courses offered at the secondary school level.

Design/methodology/approach

Two sets of perimeters were used in this study to gauge the intended results, namely, mixed method was used to carry out the study. The first indicator was a quantitative method whereby the current area of 20 selected classrooms (length × width) was physically measured and recorded. The second indicator used was a qualitative method, through a semi-structured interview.

Findings

The findings showed that 55 per cent of classroom capacity in secondary school buildings complied with the existing guidelines, the stipulated design regulations and the classroom area requirement. The current area of classroom standing is at 2.25 m2 per student with an observable increase in students’ satisfaction during the teaching and learning processes. However, the findings from the semi-structured interview highlighted interesting points in relation to the suitability of classroom capacity. The teachers felt that classroom capacity affected performance of students based on two categories, namely, classroom-centred learning and classroom-less learning. The respondents agreed that the classroom-centred learning approach and classroom-less learning approach worked best with a maximum of 22 and 30 students per classroom, respectively.

Originality/value

This paper provides the current information, knowledge and findings related with real classroom capacity at a secondary school building that may affect students’ performance, while focus had always been on types of classroom, gadgets and qualified teaching staff. Hardly any valuable attention is given to the space these students spend almost a good part of their day for the rest of the week, over their formative learning period. Perhaps like the model of cars and sitting capacity, model classroom area and maximum capacity explored to ensure objectives irrespective of the driver, the teacher of the class. Therefore, these indicators may assist the school building management, building facilities and other professionals to identify and implement suitable of classroom capacity especially for all classroom-based learning in the schools generally.
Developing building information models (BIM) for building handover, operation and maintenance
Authors: Sadeghi Marjan , Elliott Jonathan Weston , Porro Nick , Strong Kelly
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to represent the results of a case study to establish a building information model (BIM)-enabled workflow to capture and retrieve facility information to deliver integrated handover deliverables.

Design/methodology/approach

The Building Handover Information Model (BHIM) framework proposed herein is contextualized given the Construction Operation Information Exchange (COBie) and the level of development schema. The process uses Autodesk Revit as the primary BIM-authoring tool and Dynamo as an add-in for extending Revit’s parametric functionality, BHIM validation, information retrieval and documentation in generating operation and maintenance (O&M) deliverables in the end-user requested format.

Findings

Given the criticality of semantics for model elements in the BHIM and for appropriate interoperability in BIM collaboration, each discipline should establish model development and exchange protocols that define the elements, geometrical and non-geometrical information requirements and acceptable software applications early in the design phase. In this case study, five information categories (location, specifications, warranty, maintenance instructions and Construction Specifications Institute MasterFormat division) were identified as critical for model elements in the BHIM for handover purposes.

Originality/value

Design- and construction-purposed BIM is a standard platform in collaborative architecture, engineering and construction practice, and the models are available for many recently constructed facilities. However, interoperability issues drastically restrict implementation of these models in building information handover and O&M. This study provides essential input regarding BIM exchange protocols and collaborative BIM libraries for handover purposes in collaborative BIM development.
Initial informality as an obstacle to intellectual capital acquisitions
Authors: Costamagna Rodrigo , Idrovo Carlier Sandra , Mendi Pedro
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Most developing countries are characterized by large informal sectors. A substantial proportion of firms in these countries began operations in the informal sector, eventually becoming formal. The purpose of this paper is to study whether, after formalization, firms that began operations in the informal sector are more or less likely to use intellectual capital in the form of disembodied technology licensing than firms that began operations in the formal sector. The moderating roles of being a downstream firm, age and the country’s per capita income are also analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

The effect of initial informality on the probability of licensing is estimated using firm-level data from the World Bank’s Enterprise Survey, conducted in several Latin American countries in 2006–2017.

Findings

Formal firms that began informally are less likely to use licensed technology, suggesting the existence of long-run effects of informality. The effect of initial informality is more negative among downstream firms.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis uses cross-sectional data. Unobservable firm fixed effects could be controlled for using longitudinal data.

Practical implications

Initial informality affecting the innovation strategies of firms should be considered when designing policies that incentivize formality.

Social implications

If, in light of the results of this analysis, policies are designed which foster a better allocation of resources, there will be a tangible impact in the lives of many people in developing countries.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that analyzes the relationship between initial informality status and technology licensing, a relevant channel for the international diffusion of technology.
How organizations implement new practices in dynamic context: role of deliberate learning and dynamic capabilities development in health care units
Authors: Mittal Shashank
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Organizations learn semi-automatically through experience or consciously through deliberate learning efforts. As there seems to be a “black-box” in the possible linkages between deliberate learning and new practice implementation, this paper aims to develop and test a process model, linking deliberate learning and new practice implementation through complementary competencies of task and environmental flexibility.

Design/methodology/approach

As part of a field study, health-care improvement program (to transfer the improvement training program for new practice implementation) of 186 HCUs was used for testing our hypothesis. In addition to descriptive statistics, multiple hierarchical regressions and bootstrapping were used to test the study hypotheses.

Findings

Findings suggest that deliberate learning is positively and significantly related with new practice implementation, and dynamic capabilities in the form of task and environmental flexibility mediates this relationship.

Research limitations/implications

The present study makes theoretical and practical contributions by linking literature from new practice, organizational learning and dynamic capabilities; and by delving into the deliberate learning activities undertaken by health-care units.

Originality/value

Organizational learning in health care has almost become inevitable today due to the ever-changing dynamics of the industry. Barring handful of studies, the current state of literature is almost entirely tilted towards experience-based learning and deliberate learning is not well studied. To address this gap, the study aims to develop and test a process model linking development of dynamic capabilities with deliberate learning and new practice implementation. Further, findings of this study will help organizations and managers to understand and thereby effectively manage new practice implementation process through the use of deliberate activities.
Modeling two-dimensional technology diffusion process under dynamic adoption rate
Authors: Kapur P.K. , Panwar Saurabh , Singh Ompal
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a parsimonious and innovative model that captures the dynamics of new product diffusion in the recent high-technology markets and thus assist both academicians and practitioners who are eager to understand the diffusion phenomena. Accordingly, this study develops a novel diffusion model to forecast the demand by centering on the dynamic state of the product’s adoption rate. The proposed study also integrates the consumer’s psychological point of view on price change and goodwill of the innovation in the diffusion process.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a two-dimensional distribution function has been derived using Cobb–Douglas’s production function to combine the effect of price change and continuation time (goodwill) of the technology in the market. Focused on the realistic scenario of sales growth, the model also assimilates the time-to-time variation in the adoption rate (hazard rate) of the innovation owing to companies changing marketing and pricing strategies. The time-instance upon which the adoption rate alters is termed as change-point.

Findings

For validation purpose, the developed model is fitted on the actual sales and price data set of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) semiconductors, liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors and room air-conditioners using non-linear least squares estimation procedure. The results indicate that the proposed model has better forecasting efficiency than the conventional diffusion models.

Research limitations/implications

The developed model is intrinsically restricted to a single generation diffusion process. However, technological innovations appear in generations. Therefore, this study also yields additional plausible directions for future analysis by extending the diffusion process in a multi-generational environment.

Practical implications

This study aims to assist marketing managers in determining the long-term performance of the technology innovation and examine the influence of fluctuating price on product demand. Besides, it also incorporates the dynamic tendency of adoption rate in modeling the diffusion process of technological innovations. This will support the managers in understanding the practical implications of different marketing and promotional strategies on the adoption rate.

Originality/value

This is the first attempt to study the value-based diffusion model that includes key interactions between goodwill of the innovation, price dynamics and change-point for anticipating the sales behavior of technological products.
Relationship of patient shame to working alliance and satisfaction: a preliminary investigation
Authors: Carabellese Daniel J. , Proeve Michael J. , Roberts Rachel M.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship of two distinct variants of dispositional shame (internal and external shame) with collaborative, purpose-driven aspects of the patient–provider relationship (working alliance) and patient satisfaction. The aim of this research was to conduct a preliminary investigation into the relevance of dispositional shame in a general healthcare population.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 127 community members (mean age 25.9 years) who reported that they had regularly seen a GP over the past year were recruited at an Australian university. Participants were asked to reflect on their relationship with their GP, and completed instruments assessing various domains of shame, as well as working alliance and patient satisfaction.

Findings

Non-parametric correlations were examined to determine the direction and strength of relationships, as well as conducting mediation analyses where applicable. Small, negative correlations were evident between external shame and working alliance. Both external and internal shame measures were also negatively correlated with patient satisfaction. Finally, the relationship of external shame to patient satisfaction was partially mediated by working alliance.

Practical implications

Both the reported quality of patient–provider working alliance, and level of patient satisfaction are related to levels of dispositional shame in patients, and working alliance may act as a mediator for this relationship.

Originality/value

The findings from this preliminary study suggest that internal and external shame are important factors to consider in the provision of medical care to maximise the quality of patient experience and working alliance.
Knowledge is power – conceptualizing collaborative financial risk assessment
Authors: Brunner-Kirchmair Thomas Michael , Wiener Melanie
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Inspired by new findings on and perceptions of risk governance, such as the necessity of taking a broader perspective in coping with risks in companies and working together in interactive groups with various stakeholders to deal with complex risks in the modern world, the purpose of this paper is looking for new ways to deal with financial risks. Current methods dealing with those risks are confronted with the problems of being primarily based on past data and experience, neglecting the need for objectivity, focusing on the short-term future and disregarding the interconnectedness of different financial risk categories.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review of risk governance, financial risk management and open foresight was executed to conceptualize solutions to the mentioned-above problems.

Findings

Collaborative financial risk assessment (CFRA) is a promising approach in financial risk governance with respect to overcoming said problems. It is a method of risk identification and assessment, which combines aspects of “open foresight” and the financial risk management and governance literature. CFRA is characterized as bringing together members of different companies in trying to detect weak signals and trends to gain knowledge about the future, which helps companies to reduce financial risks and increase the chance of gaining economic value. By overcoming organizational boundaries, individual companies may gain the knowledge they would probably not have without CFRA and achieve a competitive advantage.

Research limitations/implications

A conceptual paper like the one at hand wants empirical proof. Therefore, the authors developed a research agenda in the form of five propositions for further research.

Originality/value

This paper discusses the existing problems of financial risk identification and assessment methods. It contributes to the existing literature by proposing CFRA as a solution to those problems and adding a new perspective to financial risk governance.