bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A low-cost and easy-to-use cell preservation reagent for 4°C or room temperature sample storage
Authors: Shankar Sidharth , Roy Shreya , Geary-Teeter Ari , Martin George M. , Ladd Paula D.
Published: August 2019

Current biospecimen storage and preservation methods no longer meet the demands of basic research and clinical diagnostics. Biospecimen preservation methodology has not advanced to accommodate cutting edge molecular analysis technologies that target single cells and full-length transcripts. Traditional methods, such as flash freezing and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedding (FFPE), were designed to provide information on cell structure and spatial relationships in whole tissues. These methods, however, do not maintain the integrity of proteins and nucleic acids. In this proof-of-concept study we examine preservation mechanisms utilized in nature for survival during cold seasons or periods of drought. Plants, brine shrimp, and tardigrades rely on components such as disaccharides or intrinsically disordered proteins to maintain cellular structure and biological activity in the settings of these environmental stresses. Our study demonstrates that these reagents aid in mammalian cell preservation for at least one week when a sample is stored in solution at 4°C, or as a dried sample in a low humidity desiccator.
Deubiquitination of phosphoribosyl-ubiquitin conjugates by PDE domain-containingLegionellaeffectors
Authors: Wan Min , Sulpizio Alan , Akturk Anil , Beck Wendy H.J. , Lanz Michael , Faça Vitor M. , Smolka Marcus B. , Vogel Joseph P. , Mao Yuxin
Published: August 2019

Posttranslational protein modification by ubiquitin (Ub) is a central eukaryotic mechanism that regulates a plethora of physiological processes. Recent studies unveiled an unconventional type of ubiquitination mediated by the SidE family ofLegionella pneumophilaeffectors, such as SdeA, that catalyzes the conjugation of Ub to a serine residue of target proteins via a phosphoribosyl linker (hence named PR-ubiquitination). Comparable to the deubiquitinases (DUBs) in the canonical ubiquitination pathway, here we show that twoLegionellaeffectors, named DupA (deubiquitinase forPR-ubiquitination) and DupB, reverse PR-ubiquitination by specific removal of phosphoribosyl-Ub (PR-Ub) from substrates. Both DupA and DupB are fully capable of rescuing the Golgi fragmentation phenotype caused by exogenous expression of SdeA in mammalian cells. We further show that deletion of these two genes results in significant accumulation of PR-ubiquitinated species in host cells infected withLegionella. In addition, we have identified a list of specific PR-ubiquitinated host targets and show that DupA and DupB play a role in modulating the association of PR-ubiquitinated host targets withLegionellacontaining vacuoles (LCV). Together, our data establish a complete PR-ubiquitination and deubiquitination cycle and demonstrate the intricate control thatLegionellahas over this unusual Ub-dependent posttranslational modification.

Statement of significance

Ubiquitination is a vital posttranslational modification in eukaryotes. A variety of microbial pathogens exploit this pathway during their infection.Legionella pneumophila, the causative bacterial pathogen of Legionnaires’ disease, has been show to hijack host ubiquitination pathway via a large number of effectors. Recent studies revealed a family of effectors catalyzing a novel type of Ub-dependent posttranslational modification, namely PR-ubiquitination. Here we report two new players, DupA and DupB, involved in this unconventional pathway. We found that DupA and DupB function as PR-Ub specific DUBs and play a role in regulating the PR-ubiquitination levels of host targets. Our results not only provide an expanding view of the PR-ubiquitination pathway, but may also facilitate the future identification of PR-ubiquitination pathways in eukaryotes.
A novel PAK3 pathogenic variant identified in two siblings from a Japanese family with X-linked intellectual disability: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Iida Aritoshi , Takano Kyoko , Takeshita Eri , Abe-Hatano Chihiro , Hirabayashi Shinichi , Inaba Yuji , Kosugi Shunichi , Kamatani Yoichiro , Momozawa Yukihide , Kubo Michiaki , Nakagawa Eiji , Inoue Ken , Goto Yu-ichi
Published: August 2019

Intellectual disability (ID) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous developmental brain disorder. The present study describes two male siblings, aged 7 and 1 yr old, with severe ID, spastic quadriplegia, nystagmus, and brain atrophy with acquired microcephaly. We used the exome sequencing to identify the causative gene in the patients and identified a hemizygous missense variant, c.1282T>A (p.W428R), in the p21-activated serine/threonine kinase 3 gene (PAK3), which is associated with X-linked ID. p.W428R is located within the highly conserved kinase domain and was predicted to induce loss of enzymatic function by three mutation prediction tools (SIFT, PolyPhen-2, and MutationTaster). In addition, this variant has not been reported in public databases (as of the middle of December 2018) or in the data from 3275 individuals of the Japanese general population analyzed using high-depth whole-genome sequencing. To date, only 13 point mutations and deletions in PAK3 in ID have been reported. The literature review illustrated a phenotypic spectrum of PAK3 pathogenic variant, and our cases represented the most severe form of the PAK3-associated phenotypes. This is the first report of a PAK3 pathogenic variant in Japanese patients with X-linked ID.
Denoising of crystal orientation maps
Authors: Hielscher R. , Silbermann C. B. , Schmidl E. , Ihlemann Joern
Published: August 2019

This paper compares several well known sliding-window methods for denoising crystal orientation data with variational methods adapted from mathematical image analysis. The variational methods turn out to be much more powerful in terms of preserving low-angle grain boundaries and filling holes of non-indexed orientations. The effect of denoising on the determination of the kernel average misorientation and the geometrically necessary dislocation density is also discussed. Synthetic as well as experimental data are considered for this comparison. The examples demonstrate that variational denoising techniques are capable of significantly improving the accuracy of properties derived from electron backscatter diffraction maps.
Correlative vibrational spectroscopy and 2D X-ray diffraction to probe the mineralization of bone in phosphate-deficient mice
Authors: King Helen E. , Tommasini Steven M. , Rodriguez-Navarro Alejandro B. , Mercado Brandon Q. , Skinner H. Catherine W.
Published: August 2019

Bone crystallite chemistry and structure change during bone maturation. However, these properties of bone can also be affected by limited uptake of the chemical constituents of the mineral by the animal. This makes probing the effect of bone-mineralization-related diseases a complicated task. Here it is shown that the combination of vibrational spectroscopy with two-dimensional X-ray diffraction can provide unparalleled information on the changes in bone chemistry and structure associated with different bone pathologies (phosphate deficiency) and/or health conditions (pregnancy, lactation). Using a synergistic analytical approach, it was possible to trace the effect that changes in the remodelling regime have on the bone mineral chemistry and structure in normal and mineral-deficient (hypophosphatemic) mice. The results indicate that hypophosphatemic mice have increased bone remodelling, increased carbonate content and decreased crystallinity of the bone mineral, as well as increased misalignment of crystallites within the bone tissue. Pregnant and lactating mice that are normal and hypophosphatemic showed changes in the chemistry and misalignment of the apatite crystals that can be related to changes in remodelling rates associated with different calcium demand during pregnancy and lactation.
Soldering of silicon to Invar for double-crystal monochromators
Authors: Auricchio Mayara Maria Beltani , Mei Paulo Roberto , Bagnato Osmar Roberto
Published: August 2019

At the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), new double-crystal monochromators are under development for use at the new Brazilian fourth-generation synchrotron, Sirius. The soldering technique used for the double-crystal monochromators ensures the union of monocrystalline silicon with FeNi alloy, Invar36 (64Fe–36Ni) from Grupo Metal and Invar39 (61Fe–39Fe) from Scientific Alloys, through SnSb (92.8Sn–7.2Sb), SnCu (Sn–0.3Cu) and SnBiCu (Sn–1.4Bi–0.7Cu) alloys from Nihon Superior. Following soldering tests and quantitative analysis, the Invar39/SnBiCu/Si samples were selected using base materials coated with different depositions – gold and copper. X-ray diffraction identified the formation of intermetallic compounds, such as AuSn2 and AuSn4 in base materials coated with gold and Cu3Sn and Cu6Sn5 with copper. Before thermal cycling, the average force obtained in shear tests was 1131 N with copper deposition and 499 N with gold deposition. After five consecutive thermal cycles from room temperature down to cryogenic temperature (−196.15°C), specimens with gold deposition presented cracks in the interface region and those with copper deposition showed no defects. Based on this, qualitative and semi-quantitative analyses of specimens with copper deposition were carried out by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy techniques to identify the composition, distribution and morphology of the elements.
Coordination shells and coordination numbers of the vertex graph of the Ammann–Beenker tiling
Authors: Shutov Anton , Maleev Andrey
Published: August 2019

The vertex graph of the Ammann–Beenker tiling is a well-known quasiperiodic graph with an eightfold rotational symmetry. The coordination sequence and coordination shells of this graph are studied. It is proved that there exists a limit growth form for the vertex graph of the Ammann–Beenker tiling. This growth form is an explicitly calculated regular octagon. Moreover, an asymptotic formula for the coordination numbers of the vertex graph of the Ammann–Beenker tiling is also proved.
A new method forin situstructural investigations of nano-sized amorphous and crystalline materials using mixed-flow reactors
Authors: Hoeher Alexandria , Mergelsberg Sebastian , Borkiewicz Olaf J. , Dove Patricia M. , Michel F. Marc
Published: August 2019

Structural investigations of amorphous and nanocrystalline phases forming in solution are historically challenging. Few methods are capable ofin situatomic structural analysis and rigorous control of the system. A mixed-flow reactor (MFR) is used for total X-ray scattering experiments to examine the short- and long-range structure of phasesin situwith pair distribution function (PDF) analysis. The adaptable experimental setup enables data collection for a range of different system chemistries, initial supersaturations and residence times. The age of the sample during analysis is controlled by adjusting the flow rate. Faster rates allow for younger samples to be examined, but if flow is too fast not enough data are acquired to average out excess signal noise. Slower flow rates form older samples, but at very slow speeds particles settle and block flow, clogging the system. Proper background collection and subtraction is critical for data optimization. Overall, this MFR method is an ideal scheme for analyzing thein situstructures of phases that form during crystal growth in solution. As a proof of concept, high-resolution total X-ray scattering data of amorphous and crystalline calcium phosphates and amorphous calcium carbonate were collected for PDF analysis.
Using the singular value decomposition to extract 2D correlation functions from scattering patterns
Authors: Bender Philipp , Zákutná Dominika , Disch Sabrina , Marcano Lourdes , Alba Venero Diego , Honecker Dirk
Published: August 2019

The truncated singular value decomposition (TSVD) is applied to extract the underlying 2D correlation functions from small-angle scattering patterns. The approach is tested by transforming the simulated data of ellipsoidal particles and it is shown that also in the case of anisotropic patterns (i.e. aligned ellipsoids) the derived correlation functions correspond to the theoretically predicted profiles. Furthermore, the TSVD is used to analyze the small-angle X-ray scattering patterns of colloidal dispersions of hematite spindles and magnetotactic bacteria in the presence of magnetic fields, to verify that this approach can be applied to extract model-free the scattering profiles of anisotropic scatterers from noisy data.
Methods for merging data sets in electron cryo-microscopy
Authors: Wilkinson Max E. , Kumar Ananthanarayanan , Casañal Ana
Published: August 2019

Recent developments have resulted in electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) becoming a useful tool for the structure determination of biological macromolecules. For samples containing inherent flexibility, heterogeneity or preferred orientation, the collection of extensive cryo-EM data using several conditions and microscopes is often required. In such a scenario, merging cryo-EM data sets is advantageous because it allows improved three-dimensional reconstructions to be obtained. Since data sets are not always collected with the same pixel size, merging data can be challenging. Here, two methods to combine cryo-EM data are described. Both involve the calculation of a rescaling factor from independent data sets. The effects of errors in the scaling factor on the results of data merging are also estimated. The methods described here provide a guideline for cryo-EM users who wish to combine data sets from the same type of microscope and detector.
Effective anti-collision algorithms for RFID robots system
Authors: Wang Honggang , Wang Shanshan , Yao Jia , Pan Ruoyu , Huang Qiongdan , Zhang Hanlu , Yang Jingfeng
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study how to improve the performance of RFID robot system by anti-collision algorithms. For radio frequency identification (RFID) robots operating in mobile scenes, effective anti-collision algorithm not only reduces missed reading but also enhances the speed of RFID robots movement.

Design/methodology/approach

An effective anti-collision algorithm is proposed to accelerate tag identification in RFID robots systems in this paper. The tag collisions in the current time slot are detected by a new method, and then further resolve each small tag collision to improve system throughput, rather than the total tags number estimation. After the reader detected the collision, three different collision resolution methods were described and studied, and the situation of missing tag caused by reader moving is also discussed.

Findings

The proposed algorithm achieves theoretical system throughput of about 0.48, 0.50 and 0.61 and simulates to show that the proposed algorithm performance is significantly improved compared with the existing ALOHA-based algorithm.

Originality/value

The proposed RFID anti-collision algorithm is beneficial to improve the moving speed and identification reliability of the RFID robots in complex environments.
Convergence to shareholder primacy corporate governance: evidence from a leximetric analysis of the evolution of corporate governance regulations in 21 countries, 1995-2014
Authors: Samanta Navajyoti
Published: August 2019

Purpose

For the past two and half decades, there has been a marked shift in the corporate governance regulations around the world. The change is more remarkable in developing countries where countries with little or no corporate governance regime have adopted “world class” standards. While there can be a debate on whether law in books actually translates into law in action, in the meantime it might be interesting to analyse the law in books to understand how the corporate governance regime has evolved in the past 20 years. This paper quantitatively tracks 21 countries, most of them being developing and emerging economies, over a period of 20 years. The period covers 1995 to 2014; thus, it traverses the pre and post crisis period in 1999 and 2008. Thus, the paper also provides a snapshot of the macrolegal changes that the countries engage in hoping to stave off the next crisis. The paper uses over 50 parameters modelled on the OECD Principles of Corporate Governance. The paper confirms the suspicion that corporate governance norms around the developing economies are converging on shareholder primacy end of the continuum. The rate of convergence was highest just before the financial crisis of 2008 and has since then slowed down.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses data collected from experts. They filled up detailed questionnaire which quizzed them on the rules relating to corporate governance norms in their country and asked them to retrospectively check their data every five years for the past 20 years. This provided an excellent overview as to how the law has evolved in the past two decades on corporate governance. The data were then tabulated using a scoring sheet and then was put together using item response theory (IRT) which is a Bayesian method similar to factor analysis. The paper then follows a comparative approach using heatmaps to analyse the evolution of corporate governance in developing countries.

Findings

Corporate governance norms around the developing economies are converging on shareholder primacy end of the continuum. The rate of convergence was highest just before the financial crisis of 2008 and has since then slowed down.

Originality/value

This is the first time that corporate governance panel data analysis has been carried out on top developing countries across so many parameters for such a long period. This paper also uses Bayesian IRT modelling to analyse the evolution which is novel in its approach especially in the corporate governance literature. The paper thus provides a clear view on the evolution of corporate governance norms and how they are converging on a particular ideology.
Experimental technique for high-frequency conductivity measurement
Authors: Marák Károly , Bilicz Sándor , Pávó József
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to introduce a novel method for the measurement of electromagnetic material parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

The main idea behind the approach is the fact that for slabs with elongated shapes, the intensity of the backscattered field and the electromagnetic resonance frequency corresponding to the length of the sample are dependent on the conductivity of the sample’s material.

Findings

It is shown that for a known scattered field and resonance frequency, it is possible to formulate an inverse problem as to the calculation of the conductivity of the sample’s material at the considered frequencies. To investigate the applicability of the method, demonstrative experiments are performed during which the micro-Doppler effect is used to increase the measurement accuracy. The idea is extended to the case of anisotropic samples, with slight modifications proposed to the experimental setup in the case of significant anisotropy in the investigated material.

Practical implications

The measurement method may prove useful for the investigation of the high-frequency conductive properties of certain materials of interest.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time the use of the micro-Doppler effect is proposed for the purpose of the measurement of material parameters.
Information literacy capabilities of upper secondary students: the case of Vietnam
Authors: Ngo Huyen Thi , Pickard Alison Jane , Walton Geoff
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on investigating information literacy (IL) capabilities and IL self-assessment of Vietnam’s upper secondary students.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigation was conducted in two upper secondary schools in the country using a multiple-choice questionnaire. The questionnaire was based on the IL competency-level assessment toolkit of high schools in the USA, the tool for real-time assessment of IL, to measure students’ IL in terms of developing search strategies, evaluating information sources, using information ethically and using English to engage with information effectively.

Findings

The findings reveal that students’ IL has not been well equipped. There is a real need to work toward improving the IL capability of Vietnam’s upper secondary students. The findings also reveal gender differences in IL capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

The research used a closed-response questionnaire, which is considered appropriate to engage with Vietnamese high-school students, to explore students’ lower-level IL skills and their self-assessment rather than higher-level thinking competencies.

Practical implications

This research may help Vietnam’s educators understand high-school students’ IL competency and raise their awareness of the importance of IL to encourage the implementation of an IL programme.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing knowledge by adding substantially to current understanding of IL level of Vietnamese upper secondary students – a context which has not been explored to date. It also indicates gender inequality in IL capabilities.
Effect of innovativeness on supply chain integration and performance
Authors: Kalyar Masood Nawaz , Shafique Imran , Ahmad Bashir
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential role of innovativeness in determining supply chain (SC) integration and to foster the SC performance of manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The study also proposes that the SC integration–performance relationship is contingent to the degree of environmental uncertainty (EU).

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 321 manufacturing SMEs working in Pakistan. Respondents were owners/CEOs/managers of the firms. Considering the formative nature of indicators of SC efficiency and effectiveness, partial least square-based structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The results indicate that innovativeness positively influences the dimensions of SC integration which in turn affects SC efficiency and effectiveness. The results support the presence of moderation for the relationship between the dimensions of both SC integration and performance. The findings suggest that firms should endeavor to accomplish innovativeness and SC integration, as they jointly promote SC performance.

Practical implications

SMEs can use innovativeness as an important tool to increase SC integration and SC performance. For SMEs with a highly volatile and dynamic environment, managers should achieve SC integration and include external integration orientation at the strategic level in order to reap the greatest advantages from SC integration.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the SC literature by exploring the effect of the nascent determinant (innovativeness) of SC practices and performance to expand and deepen current understanding of the potential role of innovativeness in the SC context. Furthermore, considering EU as a moderator opens up new avenues of research to elucidate the SC integration–performance nexus in the emerging market context.
When does the developing country brand name alleviate the brand origin effect? Interplay of brand name and brand origin
Authors: Lee Sangwon
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how developing country brand name and brand origin affect the customer’s evaluation of the brand in radically new high-tech products. Using processing fluency as a theoretical underpinning, this study can answer the following questions: first, does foreign brand name (developed vs developing Asian brand name) affect the customer’s attitude toward the brand? Second, does the brand origin (developed vs developing country) moderate the effect of foreign brand name on attitude toward the brand? Third, does the individual difference (knowledge and technological sophistication) matter in determining the brand origin and fit effect on willingness to buy?

Design/methodology/approach

A 2×2 between subject experiment was conducted in which two factors were manipulated: foreign brand name (developed: Japan vs developing: China) and brand origin (developed: Japan vs developing: China).

Findings

The fit between brand origin and brand name leads to better evaluation of the brand than no fit. On the other hand, for developing country brand origin (e.g. China), the brand naming effect is mitigated by enhanced processing fluency caused by fit, which leads to better evaluation of developing country brand. Fit effect is more pronounced for more knowledgeable consumers. Technologically more sophisticated consumers are more willing to buy the developing country brand origin than technologically less sophisticated consumers due to the processing fluency effect.

Originality/value

This paper introduces the two dimensions of foreign brand name (developed vs developing) and examines the interaction with the brand origin. This research fills the gap of under-researched area in brand naming literature, which is the effect of developing country brand naming on attitude toward the brand of radically new high-tech products. This research extends the previous literature by applying linguistic mechanism, processing fluency to examine the Asian brand naming including emerging market. This research makes an important theoretical contribution by identifying an underlying individual-level construct, “knowledge” and “technological sophistication,” which explains and influences the effects of brand name and brand origin on willingness to buy the brand.
Entrepreneurship in Islamic communities
Authors: Rehan Farooq , Block Joern , Fisch Christian
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Prior research has investigated the development of Islamic communities. The authors contribute to this line of research by analyzing the effects of Islamic values and Islamic religious practices on entrepreneurship intentions in Islamic communities. Using theory of planned behavior as a theoretical lens, they also take into account that the relationship between religion and entrepreneurial intentions can be mediated by individual’s attitude toward entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyze primary data obtained from a sample of 1,895 Pakistani university students. They also use structural equation modeling to perform a nuanced assessment of the relationship between Islamic values and practices and entrepreneurship intentions and to account for mediating effects.

Findings

The results show that both Islamic values and Islamic practices positively influence entrepreneurship intentions. Both effects are mediated by the attitude toward entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to prior research on entrepreneurship in Islamic communities by applying a more fine-grained approach to capture the link between religion and entrepreneurship. Further, they contribute to the literature on entrepreneurship intentions by showing that the influence of religion on entrepreneurship intentions is mainly due to religious values and practices, which shape the attitude toward entrepreneurship and thereby influence entrepreneurship intentions in religious communities.
Disentangling the driving factors of logistics outsourcing: a configurational perspective
Authors: Wan Qingyao , Yuan Yang , Lai Fujun
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how external pressures, internal capability and transaction attributes of logistics outsourcing synergically influence the extent of asset-based and non-asset-based logistics outsourcing.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the data surveyed from 250 manufacturing companies in China, this study employed fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to deduce multiple configurations for logistics outsourcing decisions.

Findings

The results suggest that asset-based logistics outsourcing is primarily driven by external imitation pressures or internal demands for logistics technologies, while non-asset-based logistics outsourcing is mainly driven by the demands for external management-based logistics services. Asset specificity plays a positive role in promoting both asset-based and non-asset-based logistics outsourcing. The requirement for third-party logistics (3PL) management capability depends on the outsourcing types and outsourcing causes.

Practical implications

This study provides guidance to practitioners for them to make outsourcing decisions. It suggests that asset-based logistics outsourcing is more appropriate when there are high external imitation pressures or more internal logistics demands, while non-asset-based logistics outsourcing should be used only when a firm needs management-based logistics services. Besides, 3PL users are suggested to outsource their logistics when their 3PL providers are required to make specific investments. In addition, managers should carefully evaluate firms’ capabilities in managing outsourcing relationships.

Originality/value

Previous studies largely ignored the interaction effects of a set of factors on logistics outsourcing decisions, and to date, little research empirically examined how outsourcing is driven in terms of different types of outsourcing. Drawing on the institutional theory, dynamic capability view, and transaction cost theory and overarching under the complexity theory, this study examines how institutional, organizational and transactional factors interplay with each other to influence different types of logistics outsourcing (i.e. asset based and non-asset based). Methodologically, the configural analysis (i.e. fsQCA) is applied to explore complex causal configurations that drive logistics outsourcing.
Online retailers’ return policy and prefactual thinking
Authors: Yu Yanan , Kim Hye-Shin
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how return policies from online fashion retailers from different countries (USA, China and Western European) support consumer need for uncertainty avoidance and lower negative prefactual thinking in two different markets: China and USA.

Design/methodology/approach

A content analysis of eight international online fashion retailers’ return policies in both the China and USA markets was conducted.

Findings

US, Chinese and Western European online fashion retailers have more detailed return policies in the USA market compared to the China market. The results also indicate that US, Chinese and Western European online fashion retailers are more inclined to offer lenient return policies in the USA market which helps to lower consumer perceptions of uncertainty and negative prefactual thinking.

Practical implications

Exploring online retailers’ return policies and how retailers respond to consumers’ level of comfort with uncertainty and tendencies to engage in negative prefactual within the context of different cultural markets offer valuable insight into standard retail practices necessary to retain profitability. Despite the perception of a “global” marketplace, nonstandardization of customer service is found.

Originality/value

Although the ability of online retailers to reach global markets has increased, few scholars have studied return policies within different cultural contexts. This study focuses on return policy as a major influencer of prefactual thinking by reducing anticipated regret and increasing online purchase intention in a global cultural context. The research is not only beneficial to managers who seek to increase the profitability through globally strategic implementation of return policies but also contributes to the consumer regret and risk literature.
The moderating role of age and gender on the attitude towards new luxury fashion brands
Authors: Ajitha Soundararaj , Sivakumar V.J.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

There is a significant growth in the consumption of new luxury fashion brands in developing price-sensitive markets like India. Not only does this growth demonstrate how the “new” luxury brands have become a success, but is also illustrative of the perception and practice of style and status among the middle classes. The purpose of this paper is to argue that the consumer’s attitude for buying a branded product entails the need for uniqueness and self-monitoring. It also contends that gender and age moderate the consumer’s attitude.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a self-monitored survey to collect the data from the customers of new luxury fashion retail brand stores in Chennai, India for empirical validation of the model. Data collected from 394 new luxury brands shoppers were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling.

Findings

The need for uniqueness and self-monitoring had significant positive influences on social-adjustive attitude and value-expressive attitude. However, the relationship between self-monitoring and value-expressive attitude was weak when compared to other relationships. Significant differences were seen in the strengths of the relationships between gender and age.

Originality/value

New luxury is significantly different from traditional luxury. Analyses regarding age group, gender and attitude can provide unique understanding related to new luxury trends, especially in a price sensitive and emerging market like India. This would help managers in segmenting the market based on consumer demographics, and devise strategies based on their characteristics to influence their attitudes and other behavioural patterns.
Repeated selection of supplier, factors and results: the Czech Republic
Authors: Plaček Michal , Schmidt Martin , Ochrana František , Vaceková Gabriela , Soukopová Jana
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The paper aims to deal with the analysis of the factor leading to the repeated selection of the specific supplier and the effect of this recurrent selection on overpricing of public contracts.

Design/methodology/approach

A mix of quantitative and qualitative methods is used to achieve this goal. To analyze the chances of obtaining repeated contracts, the logistic regression method is used. To analyze the factor of overpriced contracts, the classic ordinary least squares regression model is used. The focus group method is then used to explain the factors acting on the part of the contracting authorities.

Findings

The results show that the prior procurement of a given contracting authority, or work for the public sector in general, has a statistically significant effect on the conclusion of contracts. The use of less-transparent forms of input has a strong impact. The non-transparent selection of suppliers rather than repetition of contracts generally results in the over-pricing of contracts. The IT sector is an exception.

Social implications

This research is also essential for real public policy. Given the amount of GDP allocated to the public procurement market, it makes sense to continually seek room for improvement. Here is an attempt to find this by examining the contracting authorities’ behavior when awarding repeated contracts.

Originality/value

This research is original because it looks at the problem of the contracting authority in the wider context and optics of the path dependency theory, which has not yet been applied to the public procurement environment. The focus is also on IT procurement, which according to this study has not been empirically investigated in this way, is also innovative.
Predicting high and low levels of positive mental health among people living alone in the Lapland region of Finland
Authors: Solin Pia Crista Milana , Reinikainen Jaakko , Martelin Tuija , Tamminen Nina
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate positive mental health (PMH) and factors related to it among those living alone in the sparsely populated area of the Lapland region.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilises data from the Mental Health Survey of the Lapland region in Finland, covering 12 municipalities. The scores of short Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (sWEMWBS) were categorised into three levels of PMH. Logistic regression models were used to separately estimate the odds ratios for the high level of PMH compared with the moderate level of PMH and the low level of PMH compared with the moderate level.

Findings

Social support seemed to be very strongly associated with both low and high levels of PMH among people living alone. Participating in activities provided by organisations or societies decreased the odds of having low PMH. Among men, young age predicted low PMH.

Originality/value

The number of people living alone in Finland and other parts of Europe is increasing, yet there are few studies focusing on their positive mental health (PMH). Using scales such as sWEMWBS adds to the authors’ knowledge about the positive mental well-being of those living alone, especially in rural areas, thus making it possible to utilise mental health promotion interventions effectively and accordingly.
Brand equity of commoditized products of famous brands
Authors: Mainardes Emerson Wagner , Soares Júnior Atílio Peixoto , Andrade Daniel Modenesi
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, to identify the influence of brand equity (BE) of commoditized products of famous brand on purchase intention and willingness to pay a premium price in an emerging market; second, to identify the relationship between the BE of these products and their antecedents; and third, to identify the influence of subjective norms on purchase intention and BE. Commoditized products are bought due to necessity and not desire, are homogeneous, produced on a large scale, and have low added value.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model is proposed contemplating the constructs: BE, purchase intention, premium price, perceived quality, brand recall, perceived value and subjective norms. We performed a quantitative study with 432 respondents. We used questionnaires, and we analyzed the data using the structural equation modeling with partial least squares.

Findings

The results indicate a positive relationship between BE and purchase intention, BE and premium price, perceived value and BE, subjective norms and purchase intention and subjective norms and BE. It should be noted that an emerging market has characteristics distinct to that of a mature market, justifying specific research in this context.

Originality/value

The study brought a theoretical model relating antecedents and consequents of BE in the segment of commoditized products. Furthermore, it indicated the strength of the brand of the commoditized products in an emerging market scenario.
Study of factors influencing the decision to adopt the blockchain technology in real estate transactions in Kosovo
Authors: Hoxha Visar , Sadiku Sara
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore, from the view of buyers and sellers, the relationship between the blockchain technology and various important aspects of real estate transactions such as transparency, security and cost reduction.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study uses a quantitative research method. For the purpose of this study, a questionnaire with close-ended questions is used. The questionnaire was distributed to both buyers and sellers alike. The study included 1,000 people using the stratified probability sampling. The study uses factor analysis to analyze the relationship between the blockchain technology and other research variables such as such as transparency, security and cost reduction.

Findings

The findings of this study indicate that the buyers and sellers perceive that the transparency and cost reduction have the highest influence on the intention to adopt blockchain technology in a real estate transactions system, followed by the security of transactions.

Practical implications

The study has great implications for the real estate transactions system in Kosovo and society in general. The study shows that the blockchain technology can provide for a transparent and errorless interaction between buyers and sellers of real estate. Since smart contracts eliminate the need for third parties in real estate transactions, the cost of transactions shall be considerably reduced due to elimination of intermediaries and due to process speed and efficiency. Finally, the blockchain technology can increase the trust between parties and shall serve as a means to fight corruption and money laundering in real estate investments.

Originality/value

The study is the first quantitative study that studies the causal link between the blockchain technology and important aspects of real estate transactions system such as transparency, security and transaction costs.
In search of perfect boundaries? Entrepreneurs’ work-life balance
Authors: Adisa Toyin Ajibade , Gbadamosi Gbolahan , Mordi Tonbara , Mordi Chima
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Does the self-employed nature of entrepreneurs’ business ventures mean that they have perfect boundaries between their work and nonwork lives? Drawing on border theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine entrepreneurs’ work–life balance (WLB) in terms of how they construct and manage the borders between their work and nonwork lives.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt a qualitative research approach to enhance their insight into entrepreneurs’ WLB using border theory. The study benefits from its empirical focus on Nigerian migrants in London who represent a distinct minority group living in urban areas in the developed world. Data for the study was collected over a three-month period, utilising semi-structured interviews as the primary method of data collection.

Findings

The study’s findings indicate that entrepreneurs prioritise “work” over “life” and reveal that entrepreneurs have little desire for boundaries as they work everywhere, which makes long working hours prevalent among them. Furthermore, the findings bring to the fore the prevalent social anomaly of entrepreneurs preferring to be unmarried, single and even divorced as a result of or associated with the entrepreneurs’ boundaries creation and management.

Research limitations/implications

The extent to which the findings of this research can be generalised is constrained by the limited and selected sample of the research.

Practical implications

Research on human resource management (HRM) in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or businesses in which entrepreneurs operate is still under developed. The issue of the size and the nature of an organisation (i.e. labour or product market influences, ownership structures, etc.) have profound implications for human resources (HR) structures, policies and practices and the quality of the WLB of entrepreneurs. Research on HRM and entrepreneurship is still evolving. Consequently, HRM in several entrepreneurial business ventures is sometimes (if not often) organisationally fluid and ad hoc. The main implication for this work environment is that there may be little structure in HRM policies and processes to help self-employed entrepreneurs in their ability to comprehensively manage border crossing and to achieve WLB.

Originality/value

This paper provides valuable insights into entrepreneurs’ work/nonwork boundaries, which is hugely influenced by the commodification of time and money. It also enriches work–life border theory and its social constructionist perspective.
Strategic approaches to value investing: a systematic literature review of international studies
Authors: Battisti Enrico , Miglietta Nicola , Salvi Antonio , Creta Fabio
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to present a systematic literature review (SRL) on the topic of value investing (VI) in the international studies. The purpose of this study is twofold: to highlight the strategic approaches followed in recent contributions in the field of finance connected to the main approaches of the pioneering authors (Graham and Dodd, 1934; Fisher, 1958; Fama and French, 1992; Lakonishok, Shleifer and Vishny, 1994) who have investigated VI; and to analyse whether scholars follow a qualitative approach in studying VI that enables companies to achieve greater competitive advantage..

Design/methodology/approach

From a SLR of peer-reviewed papers covering the period 2007-2017, 45 papers were identified and analysed to present a better understanding of the adopted approaches and methodologies compared to the pioneering contributions on the topic.

Findings

This search found that 24 out of 45 papers specifically analyse VI. In particular, this work highlights 20 out of 24 papers that directly or indirectly, follow the approaches of “Graham and Dodd” or “Lakonishok, Shleifer and Vishny”/“Fama and French”, and 4 out of 24 that do not follow one of the main approaches identified. After the descriptive findings of the review, this paper highlights that none of the contributions takes into account qualitative analysis of a company to define whether the firm itself does or does not have a sustainable competitive advantage.

Practical implications

This paper suggests to international investors who intend to invest in one or more markets to revise the basic principles of VI, while also considering qualitative elements related to strategic aspects and behavioural finance. In particular, this study suggests that the investor introduce a qualitative analysis to allocate equity in value firms with a lasting competitive advantage.

Originality/value

This study contributes to advance the knowledge of VI from a theoretical point of view. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first study that systematises the international literature on this topic by highlighting the main contributions written in the period 2007-2017, analysing the development of the pioneering strategic approaches and examining their method of assessing firms.
Working with older people with dementia: motivations and demotivations among health carers
Authors: Cheloni Sara , Tinker Anthea
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Motivation is central to the ongoing professional development, performance and retention of healthcare workers. Despite the increasing prevalence of people with dementia (PwD) and the associated demand for geriatric nurses, there exists a paradoxical shortage. The purpose of this paper is to explore the motivation and demotivation of healthcare professionals for working with older PwD, challenges faced, factors influencing intention to leave the field of work and methods to enhance staff motivation to continue working with this group.

Design/methodology/approach

This grounded-theory study used thematic analysis to synthesise data from 13 semi-structured interviews relating to the motivating and demotivating factors of healthcare professionals (nurses and healthcare assistants) for working with older PwD in a hospital setting.

Findings

Staff were motivated by previous personal experiences, personal characteristics and the fulfilment of the carer–patient relationship. Conversely, staff were mostly demotivated by organisational and working environment factors (e.g. poor leadership characteristics, inadequate staffing levels, lack of development opportunities), negatively influencing their intention to remain in employment.

Research limitations/implications

The generalisability of the results is limited by the size of the sample. Different organisational strategies/interventions (i.e. support, training, recognition and rewards) are necessary to nurture staff motivation, improve retention, create positive working environments and enhance patient care.

Originality/value

This study offers numerous ways in which to address factors contributing to demotivation in working with PwD, thereby helping to improve staff retention and support the needs of a growing population.