bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Live-Attenuated Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness in Children From 2009 to 2015–2016: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Caspard Herve , Mallory Raburn M. , Yu Jing , Ambrose Christopher S.
Published: July 2017

Background

This systematic review and meta-analysis describes and consolidates findings from all studies that assessed the effectiveness of live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) against laboratory-confirmed influenza since the 2009 pandemic in children and young adults.

Methods

A MEDLINE search was conducted for articles published from January 1, 2010 to November 30, 2016. All original publications reporting an effectiveness estimate of LAIV against cases of influenza confirmed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction or culture were retained for analysis. Effectiveness estimates were categorized by LAIV formulation (monovalent, trivalent, and quadrivalent) and strain (any influenza strain, A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2), and B strains). Consolidated estimates were obtained with a random-effects model.

Results

A total of 24 publications presenting 29 observational studies were retained for meta-analysis. Live-attenuated influenza vaccine was not shown to be effective against A(H1N1)pdm09 strains as a monovalent formulation in 2009–2010 or as a trivalent formulation from 2010–2011 to 2013–2014, but consolidated sample sizes were small. It was effective as a quadrivalent formulation but less effective than inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV). Live-attenuated influenza vaccine was consistently effective against B strains and matched A(H3N2) strains but was not shown to provide significant protection against mismatched A(H3N2) strains in 2014–2015.

Conclusions

These findings confirm that effectiveness of LAIV against A(H1N1)pdm09 strains has been lower than IIV. A systematic investigation has been initiated to determine the root cause of the difference in effectiveness between pre- and postpandemic A(H1N1) vaccine strains and to identify a more consistently effective A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine strain.
Harmonic brain modes: a unifying framework for linking space and time in brain dynamics
Authors: Atasoy Selen , Deco Gustavo , Kringelbach Morten L. , Pearson Joel
Published: July 2017

A fundamental characteristic of spontaneous brain activity is coherent oscillations covering a wide range of frequencies. Interestingly, these temporal oscillations are highly correlated among spatially distributed cortical areas forming structured correlation patterns known as the resting state networks, although the brain is never truly at ‘rest’. Here, we introduce the concept of“harmonic brain modes”– fundamental building blocks of complex spatiotemporal patterns of neural activity. We define these elementary harmonic brain modes as harmonic modes of structural connectivity; i.e. connectome harmonics, yielding fully synchronous neural activity patterns with different frequency oscillations emerging on and constrained by the particular structure of the brain. Hence, this particular definition implicitly links the hitherto poorly understood dimensions of space and time in brain dynamics and its underlying anatomy. Further we show how harmonic brain modes can explain the relationship between neurophysiological, temporal and network-level changes in the brain across different mental states; (wakefulness, sleep, anaesthesia, psychedelic). Notably, when decoded as activation of connectome harmonics, spatial and temporal characteristics of neural activity naturally emerge from the interplay between excitation and inhibition and this critical relation fits the spatial, temporal and neurophysiological changes associated with different mental states. Thus, the introduced framework of harmonic brain modes not only establishes a relation between the spatial structure of correlation patterns and temporal oscillations (linking space and time in brain dynamics), but also enables a new dimension of tools for understanding fundamental principles underlying brain dynamics in different states of consciousness.
Blockade of insulin-like growth factors increases efficacy of paclitaxel in metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Ireland Lucy , Santos Almudena , Campbell Fiona , Figueiredo Carlos , Ellies Lesley , Weyer-Czernilofsky Ulrike , Bogenrieder Thomas , Schmid Michael , Mielgo Ainhoa
Published: July 2017

Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in women due to metastasis and the development of resistance to established therapies. Macrophages are the most abundant immune cells in the breast tumor microenvironment and can both inhibit and support cancer progression. Thus, gaining a better understanding of how macrophages support cancer could lead to the development of more effective therapies. In this study, we find that breast cancer associated macrophages express high levels of insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2 (IGFs) and are the main source of IGFs within both primary and metastatic tumours. 75% of breast cancer patients show activation of Insulin/IGF-1 receptor signaling and this correlates with increased macrophage infiltration and advanced tumor stage. In patients with invasive breast cancer, activation of Insulin/IGF-1 receptors increased to 87%. Blocking IGF in combination with paclitaxel, a chemotherapeutic agent commonly used to treat breast cancer, showed a significant reduction in tumor cell proliferation and lung metastasis in a pre-clinical breast cancer model compared to paclitaxel monotherapy. Our findings provide the rationale for further developing the combination of paclitaxel with IGF blockers for the treatment of invasive breast cancer, and Insulin/IGF1R activation and IGF+ stroma cells as potential biomarker candidates for further evaluation.
Polygenic Adaptation has Impacted Multiple Anthropometric Traits
Authors: Berg Jeremy J. , Zhang Xinjun , Coop Graham
Published: July 2017

Our understanding of the genetic basis of human adaptation is biased toward loci of large pheno-typic effect. Genome wide association studies (GWAS) now enable the study of genetic adaptation in polygenic phenotypes. We test for polygenic adaptation among 187 world-wide human populations using polygenic scores constructed from GWAS of 34 complex traits. We identify signals of polygenic adaptation for anthropometric traits including height, infant head circumference (IHC), hip circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Analysis of ancient DNA samples indicates that a north-south cline of height within Europe and and a west-east cline across Eurasia can be traced to selection for increased height in two late Pleistocene hunter gatherer populations living in western and west-central Eurasia. Our observation that IHC and WHR follow a latitudinal cline in Western Eurasia support the role of natural selection driving Bergmann’s Rule in humans, consistent with thermoregulatory adaptation in response to latitudinal temperature variation.

Author’s Note on Failure to Replicate

After this preprint was posted, the UK Biobank dataset was released, providing a new and open GWAS resource. When attempting to replicate the height selection results from this preprint using GWAS data from the UK Biobank, we discovered that we could not. In subsequent analyses, we determined that both the GIANT consortium height GWAS data, as well as another dataset that was used for replication, were impacted by stratification issues that created or at a minimum substantially inflated the height selection signals reported here. The results of this second investigation, written together with additional coauthors, have now been published (https://elifesciences.org/articles/39725along with another paper by a separate group of authors, showing similar issueshttps://elifesciences.org/articles/39702). A preliminary investigation shows that the other non-height based results may suffer from similar issues. We stand by the theory and statistical methods reported in this paper, and the paper can be cited for these results. However, we have shown that the data on which the major empirical results were based are not sound, and so should be treated with caution until replicated.
Managing the exploitation-exploration tradeoff: how leaders balance incremental and discontinuous innovation
Authors: Baškarada Saša , Watson Jamie
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain how leaders balance exploitation (incremental innovation) and exploration (discontinuous innovation).

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study with 11 senior leaders in Australian Defence Force.

Findings

The study identifies a number of factors that leaders take into account when deciding whether to focus on exploitation or on exploration.

Originality/value

The study concludes that transactional leadership is appropriate in the context of exploitation, while transformational leadership is appropriate in the context of exploration.
When performance improvement coaching for your salesperson goes badly: a conceptual approach to dealing with negative reactions
Authors: Mallin Michael L.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework and conceptualization of approaches to salespersons’ negative reactions to performance-improvement coaching. This is done by first depicting “negative reaction to coaching” (such as defensiveness, reluctance, fear, confusion, or apathy) as the manifestation of an underlying psychological “basic issue” held by the salesperson. Next, from the sales coaching and psychology literature, the theoretical underpinnings of the following coaching approaches are introduced: humanistic, behavioral, cognitive, and psychodynamic. Finally, applications of coaching conversations are presented for each “basic issue” and “coaching approach” pairing.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is conceptual and is depicted using a framework illustration (table) of how each negative reaction to coaching (i.e. basic issue) maps to a theoretical approach rooted in the psychology and coaching literature.

Findings

Dealing with a rep’s negative reaction to performance-improvement coaching should be treated like the process of handling any sales objection, issue, or concern. This process consists of, first, recognizing, clarifying, or attempting to better understand the rep’s negative reaction; and second, responding to the negative reaction using the appropriate psychology-rooted coaching approach to clarify or explain the purpose or rationale for coaching. Examples and sample coaching conversations are presented for each negative reaction–coaching approach pairing.

Research limitations/implications

The conceptual research presented in this paper provides scholars one way to view and understand such negative reactions to performance-improvement coaching from salespeople, as it maps to the underlying psychological basic issues (behind negative reactions) and theoretical basis (to coaching approaches). Using the framework of Argyris and Schon, this paper conceptualizes these negative reactions to coaching as “action strategies” as a rep’s means to protect him/herself psychologically.

Practical implications

For practicing sales managers (coaches), a better understanding of negative reactions to performance-improvement coaching and underlying theoretical approaches to responding to them could better help shape the most constructive coaching conversations with reps. These conversations should follow the same format as responding to a customer objection (e.g. better understand the reaction and then respond to it).

Originality/value

This conceptual paper blends the theory and practice of sales coaching by providing a framework to aid sales managers in overcoming and minimizing the obstacles posed by salespeople when they are not open to coaching conversations.
Pairing intangible cultural heritage with tourism: the case of Mediterranean diet
Authors: Sotiriadis Marios
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: to suggest a conceptual framework for linking intangible cultural heritage (ICH) to tourism for managerial actions at destination level; and to empirically investigate and validate the value of this framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposes a conceptual framework for pairing ICH with tourism. The utility of this framework was empirically investigated by means of case study (Cretan Diet Festival, Greece) using the technique of interview.

Findings

Findings suggest that: the proposed framework constitutes a good as a planning tool useful in achieving an integrated approach and as a management tool in assessing the effectiveness of ICH projects; the crucial success factors in this area; and culinary-based festival could be a constructive platform on certain conditions.

Research limitations/implications

Because of its exploratory nature, the study has inherent drawbacks. The suggested framework should be finalised. Future studies could explore the perspective of visitors. More empirical studies are needed to provide further corroboration of the findings.

Practical implications

Practical implications of this is in the field of strategic management. It contributes to consider approach and adopt managerial action plans in the field of developing and implementing a mutually beneficial partnership between ICH and tourism.

Originality/value

It is the first study that suggests and empirically investigates a framework for linking ICH to tourism at destination level, taking a strategic management perspective. It provides an integrated approach incorporating the main issues.
Regulating the sharing economy to prevent the growth of the informal sector in the hospitality industry
Authors: Williams Colin C. , Horodnic Ioana Alexandra
Published: July 2017

Purpose

To tackle one of the main negative consequences of the sharing economy, namely, the growth of the informal sector, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate for the first time the impacts of the informal sector on the hospitality industry and then to discuss what needs to be done to prevent the further growth of the informal sector in this industry.

Design/methodology/approach

To evaluate the impacts of the informal sector on the hospitality industry, data are reported from 30 East European and Central Asian countries collected in 2013 in the Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey.

Findings

The finding is that 23 per cent of hotels and restaurants in Eastern Europe and Central Asia report competing against unregistered or informal operators, and 13 per cent view these informal competitors as a major or severe obstacle. The larger the business, the greater is the likelihood that the informal sector is considered their biggest obstacle.

Practical implications

To prevent the further growth of the informal sector in the hospitality industry, regulation of the sharing economy will be required. To achieve this, it is shown that state authorities need to adopt both direct control measures that alter the costs of operating in the informal sector and the benefits and ease of operating formally, as well as indirect control measures that reduce the acceptability of operating in the informal sector.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to evaluate the impacts of the informal sector on the hospitality industry and to outline the policy measures required to prevent its further growth with the advent of the sharing economy.
Network hospitality in the share economy
Authors: Wiles Allison , Crawford Alleah
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study was utilize the experience economy to assess the value of the network hospitality experience for the guest and to develop a better understanding of network hospitality as a unique alternative to traditional lodging.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a mixed-methods approach, relying on content analysis and interpretive phenomenological analysis to answer the research questions. Guest reviews of hosts for a lodging-specific network hospitality website were used as the data source for this study.

Findings

The educational dimension of the experience economy was most represented during network hospitality experiences. Additionally, the factors that create value for network hospitality users include verbal communication, a sense of feeling at home, engagement in entertainment, food and beverage and the functional experience while the spirit of network hospitality, reciprocity and desire for continuation through future intention can have a great impact on the travel and tourism industry.

Originality/value

This research adds value to the current literature by providing a better understanding of the experience economy at work in network hospitality, primarily education and esthetics. Additionally a better understanding of what factors of the network hospitality experience create value for guests is developed. This work focuses on a fast-growing substitute for traditional lodging and therefore needs to be better understood.
Inside the sharing economy
Authors: Zhu Ge , So Kevin Kam Fung , Hudson Simon
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate what motivates consumers to adopt one of the emerging mobile applications of the sharing economy, ridesharing application. Using social cognitive theory as the theoretical framework, this study develops a value adoption model to illustrate important factors that influence adoption of ridesharing applications.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on prior literature, a quantitative methodology was adopted using a survey questionnaire that allows for the measurement of the nine constructs contained in the hypothesized theoretical model. Data collected from a sample of 314 respondents in Beijing, China provided the foundation for the examination of the proposed relationships in the model.

Findings

First, the results indicate that self-efficacy is a fundamental factor that has a direct effect on consumers’ perceptions of value and an indirect effect on behavioral intentions. Second, the study demonstrates that functional value, emotional value and social value are critical antecedents of overall perceived value of ridesharing applications. On the other hand, learning effort and risk perception are not significant perceived costs for consumers in adopting ridesharing applications.

Research limitations/implications

Although typical adopters of internet applications constitute a significant portion of younger consumers, the use of a college student sample in this study may affect the generalizability of the results.

Practical implications

The findings provide critical insight into consumer motivations behind adoption of ridesharing applications specifically, and for sharing economy platforms in general.

Originality/value

This study provides important theoretical implications for innovation adoption research through an empirical examination of the relationship between personal, environmental and behavioral factors in a framework of social cognitive theory.
Barriers to innovation activities as determinants of ongoing activities or abandoned
Authors: Duarte Filipe AP , Madeira Maria Jose , Moura Dulcineia Catarina , Carvalho Joao , Moreira Jacinta Raquel Miguel
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to analyses barriers as a determinant of ongoing or abandoned innovation activities. The literature exploits barriers as the nature of innovation and its influence on firm’s. The main focus is the Portuguese SMEs and the impacts that act as barriers in the development of innovation activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The database was obtained through the Community Innovation Survey 2010 (CIS 2010) that was coordinated by EUROSTAT. In this sense, a logistic regression model is proposed, which makes it possible to analyse the relations between three or more variables, depending on whether the relationship is one of dependence or interdependence, thus allowing the application of distinct statistical techniques, using 6,160 firms

Findings

There are several sources of information that are associated with the development of innovation projects.

Practical implications

The importance of barriers to the development of innovation activities, as well as it being a decisive factor in the impediment to and abandon of the same, was noted.

Originality/value

This study also demonstrated that each case is different and that a barrier in one firm can at the same time be a window of opportunity for another firm.
Innovation and the development of exportable supply in non-traditional goods
Authors: Pulgarin-Molina Sergio-Andres , Castro Andres Mauricio , Ballesteros Alejandra , Barrera Juan Manuel
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims, first, to advance the current understanding about the impact of innovation in non-traditional exports, and, second, to provide insights about the structure of emergent economies often not regarded by traditional innovation and export theories.

Design/methodology/approach

A longitudinal analysis using panel data based on Box Jenkins’ theory was conducted, so to identify statistically significant variables on export performance, regarding expenditure on research, development and innovation (R&D + I) activities, ICT and specialized training and formation.

Findings

This study suggests the need to design public policies aimed at stimulating innovation in potential export sectors, as a mechanism for competitive development and growth in emergent economies such as Colombia.

Originality/value

The introduction of innovations in goods and services exports has become more important in economies, such as the Colombian ones, where globalization openness processes force to establish minimum competitiveness levels regarding the international standards.
A comparative analysis of competitive priorities and business performance between manufacturing and service firms
Authors: Bouranta Nancy , Psomas Evangelos
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and contrast the levels of focus on competitive priorities (CPs) between service and manufacturing firms in Greece during an economic crisis and the influence of those CPs on business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical data were collected from 298 company representatives of Greek firms with an approximately equal proportion of the firms being from the manufacturing (n=157) and service (n=141) industries. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to validate the proposed first-order latent constructs as well as to determine the second-order latent construct (CPs). The CPs were employed to represent the hypothetical structural relationship of business performance. The fit and predictive accuracy of the model was estimated using AMOS software.

Findings

The proposed CPs model consists of five latent constructs: quality, delivery, cost, innovation, and customer focus. It was also verified regardless of industry (manufacturing or service) that the same set of CPs was used. However, these two sectors differed on the emphasis they paid to the selected CPs.

Originality/value

The major contributions of the paper are fourfold. First, this study represents the first empirical investigation, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, into CP issues in the service and manufacturing industries, to determine whether there are differences in CPs between these two sectors. Second, the paper focused on the operations strategy of service enterprises in a field where the empirical evidence remains scarce. Third, the current research is conducted in a developing country with economic problems and political instability, while previous empirical research was mainly conducted in large and highly industrialized countries. Knowing about the Greek economy’s economic crisis and the CPs of different industries within it provides a unique and interesting perspective to this research. Finally, the findings introduced a set of common CPs as being applicable to both sectors (services and manufacturing), as the number and the nature of its dimensions seems to be independent of the type of sector examined.
Psychological contract, engagement and employee discretionary behaviours
Authors: Kasekende Francis
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediation effect of employee engagement on the relationship between employer obligations, employee obligations and state of the psychological contract and employee discretionary behaviours.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical data were collected using self-administered questionnaires with 278 participants from 11 commissions and three agencies in the public service in Uganda. The authors used hierarchical regression analysis to investigate the hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate that employer obligations, employee obligations and state of the psychological contract were positively related to employee discretionary behaviours. In addition, employee engagement was found to be a partial mediator between employee obligations, employer obligations and state of the psychological contract and discretionary behaviours among for both subordinate and supervisory staffs.

Originality/value

Since little is known about the process by which public service commissions and agencies in Uganda promote employer obligations, employee obligations and state of the psychological contract on discretionary behaviours, this paper contributes to the literature by examining human resource management practices in a developing country context.
Group acceptance sampling plan for resubmitted lots based on life tests for odds exponential log logistic distribution
Authors: K. Rosaiah , Gadde Srinivasa Rao , K. Kalyani , D.C.U. Sivakumar
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a group acceptance sampling plan (GASP) for a resubmitted lot when the lifetime of a product follows odds exponential log logistic distribution introduced by Rao and Rao (2014). The parameters of the proposed plan such as minimum group size and acceptance number are determined for a pre-specified consumer’s risk, number of testers and the test termination time. The authors compare the proposed plan with the ordinary GASP, and the results are illustrated with live data example.

Design/methodology/approach

The parameters of the proposed plan such as minimum group size and acceptance number are determined for a pre-specified consumer’s risk, number of testers and the test termination time.

Findings

The authors determined the group size and acceptance number.

Research limitations/implications

No specific limitations.

Practical implications

This methodology can be applicable in industry to study quality control.

Social implications

This methodology can be applicable in health study.

Originality/value

The parameters of the proposed plan such as minimum group size and acceptance number are determined for a pre-specified consumer’s risk, number of testers and the test termination time.
The life cycle of a feature: modelling the transitions between feature states
Authors: Batarfi Raaid , Guergachi Aziz , Wahab M.I.M.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Studies have suggested that attributes are dynamic and a life cycle of product and service attributes exists. When an innovative feature is introduced, the feature might attract and delight customers. However, with the passage of time the state of the attractiveness of this feature may change, for better or for worse. The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed model that shows the factors and related sub-factors that affect the life cycle of a feature and thereby explain the changes that may happen to a feature over time.

Design/methodology/approach

This model provide detailed explanations of the direct and indirect factors that affect the states of a feature, the ones that affect the rate of adoption, and the ones that trigger the changes between states. The model uses a current-market product’s feature to discuss the effects of these factors on the life cycle of this feature in detail.

Findings

This paper extends the theory of attractive quality attributes by identified seven states of the feature in its life cycle. These states are as follows: unknown/unimportant state, honey pot state, racing state, required state, standard state, core state, and dead state. This paper also identified eight major factors that affect the transition of the feature from one state to another. These factors include demographic, socioeconomic, behavioural, psychological, geographical, environmental, organisational, and technological factors.

Originality/value

The findings of this paper provide additional evidence that product and service attributes are dynamic. This paper also increases the validity of the attractive quality attributes theory and the factors that affect the state of the feature in its life cycle. The understanding of the state of the feature in its life cycle, and the factors that influence this change, helps not only in the introduction of completely new features but also in knowing when to remove obsolescent ones.
An integrated approach for multivariate statistical process control using Mahalanobis-Taguchi System and Andrews function
Authors: Sikder Sagar , Panja Subhash Chandra , Mukherjee Indrajit
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a new easy-to-implement distribution-free integrated multivariate statistical process control (MSPC) approach with an ability to recognize out-of-control points, identify the key influential variable for the out-of-control state, and determine necessary changes to achieve the state of statistical control.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed approach integrates the control chart technique, the Mahalanobis-Taguchi System concept, the Andrews function plot, and nonlinear optimization for multivariate process control. Mahalanobis distance, Taguchi’s orthogonal array, and the main effect plot concept are used to identify the key influential variable responsible for the out-of-control situation. The Andrews function plot and nonlinear optimization help to identify direction and necessary correction to regain the state of statistical control. Finally, two different real life case studies illustrate the suitability of the approach.

Findings

The case studies illustrate the potential of the proposed integrated multivariate process control approach for easy implementation in varied manufacturing and process industries. In addition, the case studies also reveal that the multivariate out-of-control state is primarily contributed by a single influential variable.

Research limitations/implications

The approach is limited to the situation in which a single influential variable contributes to out-of-control situation. The number and type of cases used are also limited and thus generalization may not be debated. Further research is necessary with varied case situations to refine the approach and prove its extensive applicability.

Practical implications

The proposed approach does not require multivariate normality assumption and thus provides greater flexibility for the industry practitioners. The approach is also easy to implement and requires minimal programming effort. A simple application Microsoft Excel is suitable for online implementation of this approach.

Originality/value

The key steps of the MSPC approach are identifying the out-of-control point, diagnosing the out-of-control point, identifying the “influential” variable responsible for the out-of-control state, and determining the necessary direction and the amount of adjustment required to achieve the state of control. Most of the approaches reported in open literature are focused only until identifying influencing variable, with many restrictive assumptions. This paper addresses all key steps in a single integrated distribution-free approach, which is easy to implement in real time.
Ruth N. Bolton: Autobiographical reflections
Authors: Bolton Ruth N.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

My goal is to describe my life in marketing over more than 36 years and to help readers better understand (from my personal perspective) the history of marketing. I also aim to lift the curtain on some aspects of service within the marketing community.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is an autobiographical sketch. It describes some key moments in my career, as well as describing how my most cited articles came to be written. It emphasizes the contextual factors at work in different periods, so readers can better understand how and why my research evolved in certain ways. I aim to convey the nature and variety of career experiences that were (and are) open to marketing academics. I discuss my experiences at theJournal of Marketingand the Marketing Science Institute.

Findings

Marketing changed rapidly between 1974 and 2017. Although change can be uncomfortable, I urge marketers to seek exposure to new ideas and practices; they are essential to learning and growth. Unexpected opportunities will come along and an alert individual can learn much from them. My time in industry was a learning experience for me. There are many kinds of interesting and successful careers.

Practical implications

The marketing field advances, not by the work of a single individual, but from the accumulated work of the entire marketing community. Everyone has a role to play. I encourage each individual to look for ways to contribute. I offer thoughts on how to build a research career based on my own experience.

Social implications

My thoughts may shed some light on the experiences of a woman academic and the globalization of marketing academia between 1974 and 2017.

Originality/value

My hope is that this paper contributes to a better understanding of the history of marketing, when it is considered together with other articles on this topic. It may also be useful to people who are embarking upon a career, as well as those seeking to understand the work of earlier marketing scholars.
Pricing of Sukuk Musharakah with joint venture as underlying, beyond the use of PLS ratio
Authors: Ahroum Rida , Achchab Boujemaa
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Participatory contracts reflect the true spirit of Islamic finance. However, these contracts face several challenges during their implementation. This is reflected by the low volume of contracts processed by Islamic banks and the low number of Sukuk issued. This study aims to introduce a new parameter related to the valuation of Sukuk Musharakah when the underlying asset is a joint venture.

Design/methodology/approach

The author applies the Gordon & Shapiro model on the valuation of Sukuk Musharakah with a joint venture as underlying. A new pricing framework is introduced with several usual parameters such as the profit and loss sharing ratio, besides a new parameter, which is the dividend payout ratio. The framework shall contain price, duration and convexity computation. The new framework differs from the classic bond pricing methodology broadly used nowadays in determination of Sukuk prices.

Findings

The results indicate that negotiating only the profit and loss sharing ratio is not sufficient to have a fair price of Sukuk Musharakah when the underlying is a joint venture. It is due to the mismatch of interest between investors and issuers. Thus, another parameter should be negotiated which is the dividend payout ratio.

Research limitations/implications

The research focuses exclusively on Sukuk Musharakah with joint venture as underlying. Also, the choice of Gordon & Shapiro formula, by definition of the model, restricts the calculation of the net asset value by using only the future expected dividends with constant growth. This choice is made primarily to explain the objective of this paper in a simple way.

Practical implications

For investors, a compatible pricing framework with the underlying flows and risks of an asset is essential to create a liquid market. This work would help investors to boost the Sukuk Musharakah market.

Originality/value

Several studies have analyzed the various challenges in Sukuk markets. Few of them dealt with specificities of Sukuk Musharakah by focusing on the underlying nature. So far, the profit and loss sharing ratio is the only parameter analyzed in these studies. Thus, the authors contribute to the literature by studying other parameters that can solve the various challenges of Sukuk Markets.
Beliefs about Islamic advertising: an exploratory study in Malaysia
Authors: Shafiq A. , Haque A. , Abdullah K. , Jan M.T.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to explore people’s beliefs towards Islamic advertising.

Design/methodology/approach

Being exploratory in nature, this paper applies qualitative method of research by adapting thought elicitation technique of data collection. This method rests in the projective techniques of data collection and is also known as “word association technique”. It allows free thinking of respondents that helps in generating rich data which is most required in qualitative studies.

Findings

Various beliefs regarding Islamic advertising were extracted and categorized into different dimensions. These dimensions pertained to Islamic advertising’s possibility, nature, characteristics, real-time decisions and potential outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

Being an exploratory study, the data are collected from a small sample, hence raising generalization issues. Though, the same opens avenue for future research in that these dimensions should be subject to validation via large sample size.

Practical implications

This research will help in developing a scale to measure attitudes towards Islamic advertising, which the researchers can use to find justification for using Islamic advertising. Such application has great implications for businesses, as Islamic advertising concept stands contrary to the contemporary practices.

Social implications

With a growing concern for business ethics, this research is an attempt to bring Islamic ethics into advertising practice. This will not only eradicate the ill-effects of contemporary advertising but also provide sound evidence for revising advertising policies.

Originality/value

It adds to the developing field of Islamic marketing, by being the first attempt of its kind in paving the way for Islamic advertising.
Intention of and commitment towards purchasing luxury products
Authors: Khan Nur Jahan , Razzaque Mohammed Abdur , Hazrul Nik Mohd
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically probe into the impact of product-related factors on the purchase intention (PI) of luxury products by Muslim consumers in Malaysia and their commitment to purchase (CP) these products. It tests if PI influences CP and how moderating variables affect the PI–CP relationship in the context of purchase of such products.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a sample of 186 Muslim consumers drawn through a series of carefully conducted mall intercept interviews in six major shopping malls located in different parts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, using a structured, self-administered survey questionnaire. Data were analyzed using a moderated regression analysis.

Findings

Although Islam does not seem to encourage spending on luxuries, sampled Muslim consumers did not seem to have much inhibition about purchasing luxury products. Their PI was found to be significantly influenced by product advantage and brand awareness, while PI–CP relationship pertaining to luxury products appeared to be positive. Of the two moderating variables examined in the study, only advertising exposure was found to strengthen the PI–CP relationship, while perceived risk, the other moderating variable, seemed to weaken it.

Research limitations/implications

As the study was conducted in a single country setting (i.e. Malaysia), the findings may lack generalizability. Future researchers may enlarge the scope of the study by including other countries, particularly other Muslim countries, to obtain generalized findings.

Practical implications

Manufacturers as well as marketers of luxury products should emphasize the product-related factors in their promotional efforts and increase familiarity of the brand through repeated exposures for brand recognition and brand recall.

Social implications

This study also provides food for thought for Muslim scholars and researchers about the Muslim consumer psyche.

Originality/value

To date, this is the first research undertaking to empirically study the PI–CP relationship in the context of purchase of luxury products in a predominantly Muslim country. The study will be useful to marketers, academics and other researchers working in this area.
Multi-agent target searching with time constraints using game-theoretic approaches
Authors: Hazra Tanmoy , Kumar C.R.S. , Nene Manisha
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a model for a target searching problem in a two-dimensional region with time constraints. The proposed model facilitates the search operation by minimizing the mission time and fuel usage, and the search operation is performed by a set of agents divided into a number of groups.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have applied optimization techniques, Cartesian product, inclusion–exclusion principle, cooperative strategy, Shapley value, fuzzy Shapley function and Choquet integral to model the problem.

Findings

The proposed technique optimizes the placement of base stations that minimizes the sortie length of the agents. The results show that the cooperative strategy outperforms the non-cooperative strategy. The Shapley values quantify the rewards of each group based on their contributions to the search operation, whereas the fuzzy Shapley values determine the rewards of each group based on their contributions and level of cooperation in the search operation.

Practical implications

The proposed model can be applied to model many real-time problems such as patrolling in international borders, urban areas, forests and managing rescue operations after natural calamities, etc. Therefore, defence organizations, police departments and other operation management sectors will be benefitted by applying the proposed approach.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, determining the optimal locations of base stations in a region is not explored in the existing works on target searching problems with fuel constraints. The proposed approach to cooperatively search the targets in a region is new. Introducing the Shapley function and fuzzy Shapley function is a novel idea to quantify the rewards of each group based on their contributions and level of cooperation in the search operation. This paper addresses these unexplored areas.
Financial evaluation of the convergent technologies development in a digital economy
Authors: Pižmoht Franja , Györkös József , Močnik Dijana
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the digital economy in the fields of the most promising new technologies: information and communication technologies, biotechnology and nanotechnology. It highlights the convergence of nano-, bio-, info- and cognitive (NBIC) technologies by developing a model for the accurate evaluation of different types of options in the development process of convergent technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical research is based on theoretical analysis and case studies. The authors conducted six in-depth interviews. The study covered different research projects led by centres of excellence, competence centres and institutions that support the transfer of innovations in the economic and business environment.

Findings

The research findings prove that there is a convergence of NBIC technologies that can be observed and modelled. The created evolutionary model of NBIC convergence, also based on the theory of real options, allows a proper evaluation of the entire convergence process.

Practical implications

For enterprises and scientific research institutions, the NBIC model could represent the starting point for developing further concepts of investment evaluation. The model also considers the indicators of the innovation system, which, in addition to the marketing area, include regulatory challenges of companies (competition, copyrights, patents, taxation, etc.).

Originality/value

This paper enhances the understanding of new technologies in a digital economy. The purpose of this study is to clarify the principal factors for the effective observation and measurement of the convergence phenomenon. It also offers suggestions for improvement of the research and innovation system in the new economy.
Succeeding a family business in a transition economy: is this the best that can happen to me?
Authors: Ljubotina Predrag , Vadnjal Jaka
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Family business successors have three career options. They may find a job, start their own business or join their family business and eventually take it over. This broadens the scope of a common entrepreneurial dilemma of whether to start a new venture or seek hired employment. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the problem from multiple angles in two different socio-political environments.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted among senior students in 34 countries with 109,000 participants. Several influencing variables such as family business background, motivation for self-employment, university environment and family business performance were defined. The used multinomial logistic regression with categorical three-dimensional independent variable allows to capture the complexity of an individual’s approach to career choice intention taking into consideration family business performance, personal motives for self-employment and university support for entrepreneurship.

Findings

All hypotheses include succession intention as a central category. There is significant correlation between friendly and supportive environment for entrepreneurship at university and the successor’s career choice. Performing family business is positively connected with the succession preference compared to the other two career alternatives. In the market economy group, students, who attended at least one entrepreneurial course, exhibit a significant preference for succession compared to employment. Male students are more likely to choose succession career than employment and founding a new own venture than succession. Students with family business background exhibit significant preference towards succession.

Originality/value

Some EU countries have a common denominator of almost 50 years of communist regime experience, which broke the entrepreneurial tradition and for a couple of decades prolonged the development the market economy. The value of the study is in the model comparison of transition and market based economies in the EU.