bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel chaotic bat algorithm based on catfish effect for engineering optimization problems
Authors: Xiao Wensheng , Liu Qi , Zhang Linchuan , Li Kang , Wu Lei
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Bat algorithm (BA) is a global optimization method, but has a worse performance on engineering optimization problems. The purpose of this study is to propose a novel chaotic bat algorithm based on catfish effect (CE-CBA), which can effectively deal with optimization problems in real-world applications.

Design/methodology/approach

Incorporating chaos strategy and catfish effect, the proposed algorithm can not only enhance the ability for local search but also improve the ability to escape from local optima traps. On the one hand, the performance of CE-CBA has been evaluated by a set of numerical experiment based on classical benchmark functions. On the other hand, five benchmark engineering design problems have been also used to test CE-CBA.

Findings

The statistical results of the numerical experiment show the significant improvement of CE-CBA compared with the standard algorithms and improved bat algorithms. Moreover, the feasibility and effectiveness of CE-CBA in solving engineering optimization problems are demonstrated.

Originality/value

This paper proposed a novel BA with two improvement strategies including chaos strategy and catfish effect for the first time. Meanwhile, the proposed algorithm can be used to solve many real-world engineering optimization problems with several decision variables and constraints.
Energy absorption properties of thin-walled square tube with lateral piecewise variable thickness under axial crashing
Authors: Liu Shutian , Ding Xueshan , Tong Zeqi
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to study the energy absorption properties of the thin-walled square tube with lateral piecewise variable thickness under axial crashing and the influence of the tube parameters on energy absorption.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, the energy absorption properties of the thin-walled square tube were analyzed by theoretical, numerical and experimental approach. The numerical results are obtained based on the finite element method. The explicit formulation for predicting the mean crushing force of the tube with lateral piecewise variable thickness was derived based on Super Folding Element method. The limitation of the prediction formulation was analyzed by numerical calculation. The numerical calculation was also used to compare the energy absorption between the tube with lateral piecewise variable thickness and other tubes, and to carry out the parametric analysis.

Findings

Results indicate that the thin-walled tube with lateral piecewise variable thickness has higher energy absorption properties than the uniform thickness tubes and the tubes with lateral linear variable thickness. The thickness of the corner is the key factor for the energy absorption of the tubes. The thickness of the non-corner region is the secondary factor. Increasing the corner thickness and decreasing the non-corner thickness can make the energy absorption improved. It is also found that the prediction formulation of the mean crushing force given in this paper can quickly and accurately predict the energy absorption of the square tube.

Originality/value

The outcome of the present research provides a design idea to improve the energy absorption of thin-walled tube by designing cross-section thickness and gives an explicit formulation for predicting the mean crushing force quickly and accurately.
Evaluating critical success factors for implementing smart devices in the construction industry
Authors: Silverio-Fernandez Manuel Alexander , Renukappa Suresh , Suresh Subashini
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The decentralisation of information and high rate of mobile content access in the construction industry provides an ideal scenario for improvement of processes via the implementation of the paradigm of the Internet of Things (IoT). Smart devices are considered as the objects interconnected in the IoT; therefore, they play a fundamental role in the implementation of digital solutions during the execution of construction projects. The purpose of this paper is to assess the critical factors for a successful implementation of smart devices in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study was performed in the Dominican Republic. This country, located at the heart of the Caribbean, presents an economy that strongly relies on the construction industry. Following a systematic approach, a qualitative data collection and analysis was performed based on semi-structured interviews and content analysis to professionals of construction companies in the Dominican Republic, enquiring the concept of smart devices and critical success factors for implementing the devices in the industry.

Findings

The key success factors obtained from the contestants were leadership, technology awareness, company size, usability of proposed solution, cost of implementation and interoperability.

Originality/value

This paper provides information to clients of the construction sector regarding the benefits of embedding smart devices into their business activities. Furthermore, this study provides a better understanding of the key factors to be considered by construction organisations when embedding smart devices into their projects. This study also provides recommendations for distinct stakeholders of the construction sector, such as policy makers, clients and technology consultants. Policy makers should especially consider factors such as technology awareness and leadership to develop the right policies for the integration of the IoT in construction projects. Technology consultants should be aware of the latest case studies of successful implementation of smart devices and IoT systems in the world in order to adapt and implement smart devices and IoT in their projects.
Using 4D BIM to assess construction risks during the design phase
Authors: Jin Ziyu , Gambatese John , Liu Ding , Dharmapalan Vineeth
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The prevention through design (PtD) concept has been widely recognized as one of the most effective approaches to eliminate or reduce construction site hazards. It encourages engineers and architects to consider occupational safety and health during the planning and design phases. Nevertheless, the implementation of PtD is often inhibited because designers lack adequate knowledge about construction safety and the construction process, and limited design-for-safety tools and procedures are available for designers to use. The purpose of this paper is to provide designers a tool for assessing construction risks during early phases of multistory building projects at an activity level and on a daily basis in a 4D environment. By using the tool, proactive measures could be taken in the design and planning phase to reduce site hazards.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method consists of four steps including risk quantification at a design element level, 4D model integration with risk values, risk assessment, and design alternative selection and model acceptance. A case study was carried out to test and verify the proposed method.

Findings

The proposed tool has the capability to assess the safety risk for an entire multistory project and visualize safety risk in a particular time period, work space and task prior to construction. It benefits designers in conducting risk assessments and selecting design alternatives concerning safety. Contractors could also utilize the visualization and simulation results of the 4D model for site safety planning so that a range of risk mitigation strategies could be implemented during construction.

Originality/value

The study provides an innovative PtD tool targeting designers as primary end-users. The proposed tool helps designers assess construction risks and has potential to incorporate the top levels of the hierarchy of risk controls.
Servitization strategy adoption: evidence from Italian manufacturing firms
Authors: Leoni Luna
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Despite the widespread application and implementation of servitization strategy by manufacturing firms worldwide, little attention has been devoted to its adoption by European-Mediterranean countries, such as Italy. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to fill this gap by investigating if and how Italian manufacturing firms adopt a servitization strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

According to the paper’s aim, the survey methodology has been chosen and a specific questionnaire has been constructed by adopting and adapting the questions used by Baineset al.(2010). Key respondents were CEOs and General Managers of the manufacturing firms surveyed.

Findings

Findings show the main features and determinants of the adoption of a servitization strategy by Italian manufacturers as well as a comparison between them and UK manufacturers, determining both theoretical and practical implications.

Research limitations/implications

This paper investigates the manufacturing firms located exclusively in the Italian region of Lazio. Thus, even though it is reasonable to believe that they can be considered as representative of the Italian reality, future enrichment of the sample could provide further insights into the investigation of the Italian case.

Originality/value

The paper examines the little-researched adoption of servitization by Italian manufacturing firms, contributing to the servitization research and providing evidence on its trends in a specific European-Mediterranean region.
Facilities management education in the Four Asian Dragons: a review
Authors: Lai Joseph , Tu Kung-Jen , Lian Jonathan K.M. , Kim Jun Ha
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to reveal and compare the characteristics of the facilities management (FM) education programs in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea (i.e. the Four Asian Dragons) and makes suggestions for their future development.

Design/methodology/approach

A team consisting of academics from the Four Asian Dragons held a face-to-face meeting to discuss and define the scope and framework of the review, followed by an extensive search to identify literature and information germane to the study. Individual parts of reviews, prepared by the team members for their respective places, were cross-reviewed before refinement and consolidation into the current paper.

Findings

The term “facility (or facilities) management” appears in most of the programs reviewed, but terms such as “environment” and “property” also appear in some programs’ titles. The programs reviewed range from certificate level to doctorate level; those between diploma level and master level are more common. Most of the programs have obtained professional accreditations, but some are accredited by FM-related rather than FM-specific professional bodies.

Research limitations/implications

Further research should investigate issues such as the performance of the programs reviewed, extent to which they have met the market needs and how they compare with the counterparts in other regions (e.g. Europe, America). For such research, the process of the study reported here and its findings about the status quo of the programs can serve as references.

Practical implications

To strengthen FM as a well-established discipline, it is imperative to have the programs accredited by FM-specific professional bodies.

Originality/value

Providing the first-ever international review on the major FM programs in Asia, this paper is useful to program planners, educators and researchers in the FM field.
Qualitative analysis of coupling effect of fluid velocity distribution in microchannels on the performance of the LED water cooling system
Authors: Chen Yuanlong , Hou Tingbo , Zhou Xiaochao
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ensure adequate thermal management to remove and dissipate the heat produced by a light-emitting diode (LED) and to guarantee reliable and safe operation.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-dimensional (3-D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was used to analyze the distribution of fluid velocities among microchannels at four different aspect ratios.

Findings

The results showed that at the same inlet flow rate, the larger the aspect ratio of the microchannels, the better the uniformity of the internal fluid velocity and thus better the heat dissipation performance on the surface of the high-power LED chip. In addition, the thermal performance of a high-power LED water cooling system with four different aspect ratios’ microchannel structures is further studied experimentally. Specifically, the coupling effect between the fluid velocity distribution in the microchannels and the heat dissipation performance of a high-power LED water cooling system is qualitatively analyzed and compared with the simulation results of the fluid velocity distribution. The results fully demonstrated that a larger aspect ratio of the microchannels results in better heat dissipation performance on the surface of the high-power LED chip.

Originality/value

Optimizing the structural parameters to facilitate a relatively uniform velocity distribution to improve the water cooling system performance may be a key factor to be considered.
A multiphase SPH framework for supercooled large droplets dynamics
Authors: Cui Xiangda , Bakkar Ahmed , Habashi Wagdi George
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce a three-dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) framework for simulating supercooled large droplets (SLD) dynamics at aeronautical speeds.

Design/methodology/approach

To include the effects of the surrounding air, a multiphase model capable of handling high density-ratio problems is adopted. A diffusive term is incorporated to smooth the density field and avoid numerical instabilities. Additionally, a particle shifting technique is used to eliminate anisotropic particle distributions.

Findings

The framework is validated against low-speed droplet impingement experimental results and then applied to the droplet impingement at high speeds typical of SLD conditions. Preliminary parametric studies are conducted to investigate the post-impact splashing. It is observed that a thicker water film can decrease the crown diameter and a smaller impact angle can suppress upward and forward splashing.

Originality/value

A three-dimensional multiphase SPH framework for SLD dynamics at a wide range of impact speed is developed and validated. The effects of particle resolution, water film thickness and impact angle on the post-impact crown evolution are investigated.
Scrutinization of 3D flow and nonlinear radiative heat transfer of non-Newtonian nanoparticles over an exponentially sheet
Authors: K. Ganesh Kumar
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the consequence of chemical reaction on three-dimensional flow, heat and mass transfer of a Casson nano liquid over exponentially stretching surface. A numerical technique of RKF-45 method is applied to resolve the nonlinear ordinary differential equations, which are obtained by applying the similarity transformation to the nonlinear partial differential system.

Design/methodology/approach

Role of significant parameters on flow fields are observed graphically. Also, the strength of heat exchange (Nusselt number) and the strength of mass exchange (Sherwood number) are analyzed.

Findings

The results of numerical modeling showed that, the Prandtl number plays a key role in reducing the temperature of the system. Further, the radiation parameters manufacture a lot of heat to operating fluid and higher temperature exponent parameter and enhance the temperature of the fluid.

Originality/value

The results of numerical modeling showed that, the Prandtl number plays a key role in reducing the temperature of the system. Further, the radiation parameters manufacture a lot of heat to operating fluid and higher temperature exponent parameter and enhance the temperature of the fluid.
A predictive analytics of physicians prescription and pharmacies sales correlation using data mining
Authors: Sohrabi Babak , Raeesi Vanani Iman , Nikaein Nastaran , Kakavand Saeideh
Published: June 2019

Purpose

In the pharmaceutical industry, marketing and sales managers often deal with massive amounts of marketing and sales data. One of their biggest concerns is to recognize the impact of actions taken on sold-out products. Data mining discovers and extracts useful patterns from such large data sets to find hidden and worthy patterns for the decision-making. This paper, too, aims to demonstrate the ability of data-mining process in improving the decision-making quality in the pharmaceutical industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is descriptive in terms of the method applied, as well as the investigation of the existing situation and the use of real data and their description. In fact, the study is quantitative and descriptive, from the point of view of its data type and method. This research is also applicable in terms of purpose. The target population of this research is the data of a pharmaceutical company in Iran. Here, the cross-industry standard process for data mining methodology was used for data mining and data modeling.

Findings

With the help of different data-mining techniques, the authors could examine the effect of the visit of doctors overlooking the pharmacies and the target was set for medical representatives on the pharmaceutical sales. For that matter, the authors used two types of classification rules: decision tree and neural network. After the modeling of algorithms, it was determined that the two aforementioned rules can perform the classification with high precision. The results of the tree ID3 were analyzed to identify the variables and path of this relationship.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to provide the real-world direct empirical evidence of “Analytics of Physicians Prescription and Pharmacies Sales Correlation Using Data Mining.” The results showed that the most influential variables of “the relationship between doctors and their visits to pharmacies,” “the length of customer relationship” and “the relationship between the sale of pharmacies and the target set for medical representatives” were “deviation from the implementation plan.” Therefore, marketing and sales managers must pay special attention to these factors while planning and targeting for representatives. The authors could focus only on a small part of this study.
Digital labelling in the retail environment: a domain-specific innovativeness perspective
Authors: Tanner Sean A. , McCarthy Mary B. , O’Reilly Seamus J.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This is an exploratory study leveraging a domain-specific innovativeness (DSI) perspective to understand adoption of QR code delivered mobile marketing. Specifically, the purpose of this paper is to explore the roles of “innovativeness” and “risk aversion” on QR code adoption and usage in the low-involvement context to address tensions between risk and innovation literatures.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants were assigned to “laggard” (n=19) and “innovator/early adopter” (n=19) segments using the DSI scale. A combination of qualitative reductionism (means-end chain analysis) and qualitative holism (semi-structured interviewing) was employed.

Findings

Confusion regarding the functionality and purpose of QR codes adversely affected willingness to use and utility perceptions. Source trust and information credibility emerged as key concerns for those considering QR codes, with consumer risk aversion and innovativeness orientations influencing the nature of trust concerns. A perceived lack of complementarity between QR codes and retail environments reduced perceived relevance. For low-involvement products, marketers should consider moving beyond brand-level communication to align offerings to the broader foodscape.

Research limitations/implications

Findings are limited to the low-involvement product context. Although DSI was considered, the impact of technological innovativeness was not explored. Future research may consider the impact of information provision at the broader foodscape rather than product-specific level when exploring QR code applications in the food domain.

Originality/value

This is the first study to explore the role of product category innovativeness, as distinct from technological innovativeness on the acceptance and usage of mobile marketing applications in the low-involvement context. This research builds on existing risk and innovation literatures and addresses tensions between these literatures presented by QR codes within the low-involvement context.
Governing the university in the perspective of the United Nations 2030 Agenda
Authors: Paletta Angelo , Bonoli Alessandra
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Starting from the experience of the University of Bologna, this paper provides an innovative framework to analyse how universities are rethinking courses and curricula, teaching, research programmes, campus operation and partnership to address the Agenda 2030.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposes a methodological approach to represent direct and indirect impacts produced by all universities’ activities.

Findings

The commitment to sustainability of the University of Bologna was made clear through the last Strategic Plan approach explicitly aimed at the consideration of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Parallel to the process of integration of the SDGs in strategic planning, the University has an additional tool for reporting on the extended performance, which was presented during the G7 Environment held in Bologna in June 2017.

Research limitations/implications

This study focussed on the University of Bologna experience, according with HEIs sustainability approach over the world. A bit too technical sometimes to explain each practical point of activity related with the commitment in SDGs.

Practical implications

The multi-year experience acquired by the University of Bologna through a process of reporting that combines the economic dimension with the social and environmental, has as a natural outlet questioning the priorities to be pursued in teaching, research and the third mission to contribute to the Agenda 2030.

Social implications

It is shown as Alma Mater promotes actively the principles of sustainability also in terms of enhancement of collectivity welfare, the economic growth, the social equity and the capability of involved people to actually work together for the common good.

Originality/value

On the basis of the experience of the University of Bologna, an innovative framework can be provided to analyse how universities are rethinking all their activities to address the Agenda 2030.
Business process reengineering in developing economies
Authors: Nkurunziza Gideon , Munene John , Ntayi Joseph , Kaberuka Will
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between organizational adaptability, institutional leadership and business process reengineering performance using the tested complexity theory in a developing economy setting.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is correlation and cross-sectional and adopts institutional-level data collected via questionnaires from reengineered microfinance institutions in Uganda. Cluster analysis as data mining technique was used to classify cases based on respondents’ opinions into homogeneous clusters. Nvivo was used to understand the perceptions of business process reengineering performance based on qualitative data. The authors used structural equation modeling to derive the predictive model of business process reengineering performance in a developing world setting.

Findings

The authors find that organizational adaptability and institutional leadership are key predictors of business process reengineering performance. Results reveal a predictive model of 61 per cent based on structural equation modeling for the study variables. Cluster analysis as data mining approach explored complex patterns of reengineered business processes.

Research limitations/implications

The use of cluster analysis is susceptible to problems associated with sampling error and absence of fit indices. However, the likelihood of these problems is reduced by the interaction with the data, practical implications and use of smart partial least square to generate structural equations based on derived measurement models of each study variable.

Practical implications

Policymakers of Bank of Uganda, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, should develop sound policies in relation to knowledge management, institutional leadership and adaptive mechanisms to enhance business process reengineering performance to take advantage of new knowledge opportunities for the improvement of their businesses.

Social implications

Given the results from structural equations generated, managers need to consider institutional leadership and organizational adaptability as key drivers of business process reengineering performance in microfinance institutions. The results confirm the significant role of institutional leadership, organizational adaptability in determining business process reengineering performance outcomes.

Originality/value

Unlike most of the business process reengineering literature, this study contributes to literature by domesticating and testing complexity theory to explain business process reengineering performance in developing economies.
Developing a risk/need assessment tool for women offenders: a gender-informed approach
Authors: Wardrop Kaitlyn , Wanamaker Kayla A. , Derkzen Dena
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Recently, correctional agencies have argued that there are differences between factors influencing men and women’s involvement in the criminal justice system. The purpose of this paper is to examine the validity of a gender-informed risk/need assessment tool.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consisted of 620 women offenders admitted to federal Canadian custody, as well as a matched-comparison group of 647 men. Items were selected from routine assessments in an administrative database based on an extensive literature review of factors related to criminal risk for women.

Findings

Results showed that the items included in this assessment and the overall rating of risk/need significantly predicted any return to custody for both women and men. As well, ratings incrementally predicted any return to custody over and above other established tools.

Practical implications

The gender-informed risk/need assessment tool, informed by the literature, performed well for both men and women. The research highlights the complementary, not competing, perspectives of gender-neutral and gender-responsive risk and need factors.

Originality/value

Factors commonly considered gender-salient predicted risk for men and women. The present study demonstrates that risk assessments tools for men and women should look beyond the factors routinely assessed in the research to identify novel dynamic factors that contribute to risk for men and women and could be targeted for intervention.
Family equity as a transgenerational mechanism for entrepreneurial families
Authors: Bierl Philipp , Kammerlander Nadine H.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the process of family equity creation and its role for transgenerational entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper combines a systematic literature review on family equity with conceptual theory building, resulting in a model of family equity creation.

Findings

The proposed model contains three phases of equity creation that ulitmately leads to transgenerational entrepreneurship: harvesting, institutionalization (via a single family office) and reinvestment.

Originality/value

This paper conceptually introduces the family equity creation model, which may serve as integrative framework for future research on transgenerational value creation by entrepreneurial families. The presented findings are of relevance for family entrepreneurship scholars, entrepreneurial families, as well as for practitioners.
Research progress on virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in tourism and hospitality
Authors: Wei Wei
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the main developments of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) research in hospitality and tourism. It also aims to pinpoint fruitful directions for tourism and hospitality research on VR and AR applications.

Design/methodology/approach

A selective literature review of full-length papers published in the period from 2000 to 2018 was conducted. A total of 60 journal papers were retrieved and thoroughly reviewed.

Findings

This paper first presents a summary of the distribution of published papers. Then, this paper synthesizes the stimuli, dimensions and consequences of VR/AR-related user behavior experience, upon which a theoretical framework is developed. Additionally, this paper provides a detailed report for the progress on the theories and research methodologies, offering a useful background concerning what remains to be achieved. Finally, this paper puts forward fruitful directions for advancing the current understanding of VR/AR and its management.

Practical implications

This research presents diverse positive outcomes of using VR/AR technologies, which encourage industry practitioners such as destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and marketing firms to incorporate recent technological developments into their strategic plans.

Originality/value

This paper represents one of the first endeavors that critically reviews research progress on VR/AR in tourism and hospitality from 2000 to 2018. Not only are information technology researchers provided with a comprehensive guide to the latest, influential VR/AR literature but also the proposals of wide-ranging directions for future research would stimulate further investigation of VR/AR.
Iranian firms in biopharmaceutical value chain: where to go now?
Authors: Afshari-Mofrad Masoud , Salim Ali
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Motivated by the huge potential of biosimilars in the near future and rapid growth of Iranian biosimilar producing firms in recent two decades, this paper aims to explore the positioning of these firms in biopharmaceutical value chain and their path of technological capability building to extract policy-relevant advice.

Design/methodology/approach

As part of a two-year research project, an online questionnaire was designed and sent to biopharmaceutical experts in Iran between May and October 2016. Respondents came from biopharmaceutical firms. Also, 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted to analyze the path of capability building in Iranian biosimilar-producing firms.

Findings

The findings show that Iranian biopharmaceutical firms (BPFs) are mostly concentrated on “pharmaceutical development,”, “drug manufacturing” and “ after-sales services’ activities.” The study also demonstrates that most BPFs in Iran are at the “assimilative” level of capability and a few of them have recently moved toward the “adaptive” level.

Originality/value

The findings show that Iranian BPFs are mostly concentrated on “pharmaceutical development,” “drug manufacturing” and “after-sales services” activities. The study also demonstrates that most BPFs in Iran are at the “assimilative” level of capability and a few of them have recently moved toward the “adaptive” level.
Can coaching leadership encourage subordinates to speak up? Dual perspective of cognition-affection
Authors: Yuan Chuqin , Wang Yanfei , Huang Wenyuan , Zhu Yu
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the influencing mechanism of coaching leadership (CL) on employee voice behavior (VB) based on cognitive-affective system theory of personality (CAPS). Specifically, the study intends to build a model of psychological security (PS) and openness to change (OC) that mediate the relationship between CL and employee VB at an individual-level and group-level from cognitive-affective dual perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

CL, employee VB, PS and OC were assessed in an empirical study based on a supervisor–subordinate dyads sample of 287 employees and 72 team leaders from enterprises in Southern China.

Findings

From CAPS theory perspective, the authors found that CL promotes employee VB and that PS and OC mediate the relationship between CL and VB.

Practical implications

Results underscore the importance of encouraging managers to engage in CL behaviors, which are conductive to enhancing employee PS and OC thereby improving employee VB. These results also highlight the significance of managerial attention to a secure voice atmosphere and the improvement of employees’ affective commitment to organizational change.

Originality/value

The research findings provide a significant contribution to the literature in that it shows PS and OC as crucial dual mediating mechanism through which CL influences VB. Moreover, this paper is one of the few studies answering the call to examine the effect of leadership at multiple levels.
Assessment of quality of information available over the internet about vegan diet
Authors: El Jassar Olivia Genevieve , El Jassar Isobel Nadia , Kritsotakis Evangelos I.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the quality of health information available to patients seeking online advice about the vegan diet.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional sample of patient-oriented websites was selected by searching for “Vegan diet” in the three most popular search engines. The first 50 websites from each search were examined. Quality of information was assessed using the DISCERN instrument, a questionnaire tool designed to judge the quality of written information on treatment choices. Readability was determined with the Flesch Reading Ease score (FRES) and Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL). Relevance to health and disease was assessed by counting the appearances of ten related keywords, generated by searching the query term “Vegan diet” into PubMed and recording the top ten health-related words.

Findings

Of 150 websites retrieved, 67 (44.7 per cent) met inclusion criteria. Of these, 42 (62.7 per cent) were non-pharmaceutical commercial, 7 (10.4 per cent) institutional, 6 (9.0 per cent) magazines or newspapers, 4 (6.0 per cent) support websites, 4 (6.0 per cent) charitable websites, 2 (3.0 per cent) encyclopedias and 2 (3.0 per cent) personal blogs. The overall DISCERN rating of the websites was fair (mean 41.6 ± 15.4 on an 80-point scale), but nearly half (31/67) of the websites were assessed as having “poor” or “very poor” quality of information. FRES and FKGL readability indices met the recommended standards on average (means 63.3 ± 9.6 and 6.6 ± 1.7, respectively), but did not correlate with high DISCERN ratings. Analysis of variance on DISCERN scores (F(6,60) = 6.536, p < 0.001) and FRES (F(6,60) = 2.733, p = 0.021) yielded significant variation according to website source type.

Originality/value

Quality standards of health information available on the internet about the vegan diet vary greatly. Patients are at risk of exposure to low quality and potentially misleading information over the internet and should be consulting dietitians or physicians to avoid being misled.
The global rise of “fake news” and the threat to democratic elections in the USA
Authors: Lee Terry
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Since the end of 2016, “fake news” has had a clear meaning in the USA. After years of scholarship attempting to define “fake news” and where it fits among the larger schema of media hoaxing and deception, popular culture and even academic studies converged following the 2016 US presidential election to define “fake news” in drastically new ways. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In light of the recent elections in the USA, many fear “fake news” that have gradually become a powerful and sinister force, both in the news media environment as well as in the fair and free elections. The scenario draws into questions how the general public interacts with such outlets, and to what extent and in which ways individual responsibility should govern the interactions with social media.

Findings

Fake news is a growing threat to democratic elections in the USA and other democracies by relentless targeting of hyper-partisan views, which play to the fears and prejudices of people, in order to influence their voting plans and their behavior.

Originality/value

Essentially, “fake news” is changing and even distorting how political campaigns are run, ultimately calling into question legitimacy of elections, elected officials and governments. Scholarship has increasingly confirmed social media as an enabler of “fake news,” and continues to project its potentially negative impact on democracy, furthering the already existing practices of partisan selective exposure, as well as heightening the need for individual responsibility.
Child care stress and anxiety in police officers moderated by work factors
Authors: McCanlies Erin C. , Mnatsakanova Anna , Andrew Michael E. , Violanti John M. , Hartley Tara A.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Balancing work and family in dual-earner households can be stressful. Research suggests that increased work-family conflict (WFC) significantly predicts poor psychological health and increased stress in police officers. The purpose of this paper is to assess whether child care stress was associated with anxiety symptoms and if stressful work events and shift work modified this relationship among 163 Buffalo, NY police officers.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants indicated child care stress by reporting how much stress they felt (0 – none to 10 – high) when making child care/daily living arrangements. Shiftwork was assessed from pay-roll data (1994 to date of exam) and by asking, “Do you work opposite shift from your spouse/partner to care for your children?” to assess partner’s shift. The Beck Anxiety Scale and Spielberger Police Stress Survey were used to assess anxiety and work stress, respectively. Effect modification was assessed by stratifying on police stress scores using their median values, and on partner’s shift. All models were adjusted for age, alcohol intake, sex and smoking status.

Findings

Results suggest that child care stress was positively associated with anxiety symptoms and that this relationship was moderated by high (>median) work stress factors and afternoon/midnight shift-work, but not having a partner who works opposite shift. These results indicate that child care stress is associated with anxiety symptoms and that this relationship may be modified by work factors.

Research limitations/implications

A number of limitations should be considered while interpreting the results. This study is cross-sectional, which prevents causal inferences; therefore, the temporal pattern between exposure and outcome cannot be determined. The independent, dependent and moderating variables are all self-report measures, which may introduce recall bias. Lastly, generalizability is limited to police departments of similar size and geographic area.

Practical implications

Police experience high stress as part of their jobs, these results indicate that similar to other professions, WFC can also affect police officers, and is associated with higher levels of anxiety.

Originality/value

Few research studies have evaluated the affects of family issues in police. Specifically, the relationship between child care stress and anxiety, and how this relationship may be modified by high work stress.
Automated storage and active cleaning for multi-material digital-light-processing printer
Authors: Matte Christopher-Denny , Pearson Michael , Trottier-Cournoyer Felix , Dafoe Andrew , Kwok Tsz Ho
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a novel technique for printing with multiple materials using the DLP method. Digital-light-processing (DLP) printing uses a digital projector to selectively cure a full layer of resin using a mask image. One of the challenges with DLP printing is the difficulty of incorporating multiple materials within the same part. As the part is cured within a liquid basin, resin switching introduces issues of cross-contamination and significantly increased print time.

Design/methodology/approach

The material handling challenges are investigated and addressed by taking inspiration from automated storage and retrieval systems and using an active cleaning solution. The material tower is a compact design to facilitate the storage and retrieval of different materials during the printing process. A spray mechanism is used for actively cleaning excess resin from the part between material changes.

Findings

Challenges encountered within the multi-material DLP technology are addressed and the experimental prototype validates the proposed solution. The system has a cleaning effectiveness of over 90 per cent in 15 s with the build area of 72 inches, in contrast to the previous work of 50 per cent cleaning effectiveness in 2 min with only 6 inches build area. The method can also hold more materials than the previous work.

Originality/value

The techniques from automated storage and retrieval system is applied to develop a storage system so that the time complexity of swapping is reduced from linear to constant. The whole system is sustainable and scalable by using a spraying mechanism. The design of the printer is modular and highly customizable, and the material waste for build materials and cleaning solution is minimized.
Do mergers and acquisitions create value?
Authors: Reddy Krishna , Qamar Muhammad , Yahanpath Noel
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study whether mergers and acquisitions (M&As) create value in Indian and Chinese markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors study abnormal returns (AR) created by the acquiring firms in Indian and Chinese markets relating to M&A announcements, using the following three different statistical methods: i.e. mean, market and ordinary least squares adjusted return models.

Findings

On average, M&A announcements do not create value for the firms in Chinese and Indian economies. For the mean model, M&As create value for Chinese firms, whereas for the Indian firms no such value is created for the same event windows. The regression results showed that debt has a positive impact on the AR and cumulative average abnormal returns at 1, 5 and 10 per cent significance levels, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

This study suggests increasing the sample size and period and using the instrumental variables regression to ensure the estimator’s impartiality, consistency and efficiency. With the investigative period surrounding a financial crisis, the estimators may have omitted bias.

Originality/value

Multiple methods used in this paper made it possible to capture the level of method variance in the AR, which is unusual in the Chinese and Indian context. Hence, the current study provides local knowledge and further strengthens the literature about M&As. The authors also regress AR with firm-specific factors, the consideration of which is scarce in the previous literature. Furthermore, much of what the authors know about M&A is relevant to developed economies.
Liquidity hedging with futures and forward contracts
Authors: Shin Yong Jae , Pyo Unyong
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to develop hedging strategies using both futures and forward contracts and issuing risky debt when financially constrained firms are forced to operate in long horizon.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors present a model for developing hedging strategies using both futures and forward contracts and issuing risky debt. A theoretical model employing stochastic differential equations for forward hedging is illustrated with a numerical example over parameter values consistent with the literature.

Findings

A financially constrained firm with limited cash balance must hedge its liquidity with both future and forward contracts and issue risky debt to support its long-term operations. The firm can issue a minimal amount of risky debt by adding forward contracts into hedging and can increase its value higher than that when hedging with only futures contracts. We show numerically that hedging with both futures and forward contracts allows the firm to issue minimal risky debt in increasing its firm value.

Practical implications

When Metallgesellschaft nearly collapsed in 1993, it offered long-term forward contracts to its customers and attempted to hedge its risk by rolling over series of short-term futures contract. It created the situation of inherent mismatch in maturity structure. A financially constrained firm operating in a long horizon appears to commit its liquidity as long-term forward contracts, which cannot be fully hedged with series of futures contacts. The firm should hedge its liquidity with both futures and forward contracts and avoid liquidation with deadweight costs in its long-term operation.

Originality/value

This is the first study examining hedging strategies with both futures and forward contracts.
Acquirer size, political connections and mergers and acquisitions performance
Authors: Zhao Xi , Ma Huanyu , Hao Ting
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the relationships between acquirer size and performance outcomes of the different process of acquisition in the Chinese context and the moderating effect of political connections on the size-performance relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Building upon agency theory, the paper examines the relationship between acquirer size and acquisition announcement returns to find whether the acquirer size effect exists in China. Moreover, the paper investigates whether large firms can perform better in the long run arising from scale economy. Finally, the paper examines the moderating effect of political connections on the size-performance relationship. Accounting for the complexity of political connections in China, the paper uses two methods to capture political connections.

Findings

The paper finds that acquirer size plays a significant negative role on announcement returns, suggesting that the acquirer size effect also exists in China. However, acquirer size has a significant positive impact on long-term performance, indicating that large acquirers perform better in the integration process. Although no evidence shows that political connections can bring some off-setting benefits to acquirer size effect argued by Humphery-Jenner and Powell (2014), political connections, indeed, have a positive effect on mergers and acquisitions (M&As) announcement returns.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the corporate characteristic, political connections and M&A performance literature. Due to agency problem and scale economy, the effect of firm size on acquisition performance varies with the stage of M&A. Political connections can bring some benefits to M&A deals.