bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chinese consumer preference for processed food quality attributes and the impact of trust in information sources
Authors: Wang Erpeng , Gao Zhifeng , Chen Xuqi
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine important attributes of processed food, consumers’ trust in different information resources, and the impact of trust, demographic and behavior variables on the preference of processed food attributes among Chinese consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

Data of 1,267 participants were collected from four cities in China. A five-point Likert scale was used to measure consumer preference for 12 juice attributes. Consumer trust in nine sources of information on product quality was measured. Cluster analysis was used to segment consumers into groups based on their preference for juice attributes and trust in information sources, respectively. A multinomial logistic model was used to determine the impact of trust, demographic and behavior variables on the preference of juice attributes.

Findings

Consumers rate manufacture date, taste and food safety labels as the most important attributes of fruit juice products. Among different information sources, consumers place more trust in private information sources and traditional media. The low trust in different information sources impedes consumer preference for processed food quality attributes.

Originality/value

This research is among the few that examine consumer preference for processed food, such as juice. It identifies four distinct preference groups and trust groups, respectively, based on consumer preference for juice attributes and trust in different information sources. This paper provides important information for processed food companies and policymakers to effectively enact marketing strategies in China.
Value or image? The effects of restaurant–supplier co-creation on consumers' behavioral intentions
Authors: Lyu Venessa Chan , Roldán José Luis , Chin Wynne , Liu Vincent , Li Congdong
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Highlighting supplier collaboration is a widely adopted practice in tea shops, cafes and other related businesses. However, few studies have examined the effects of supplier-focused food ingredient presentation on consumers' behavioral intentions in food and hospitality research. This study identified the role of restaurant–supplier co-creation and explored its effects on clients' behavioral intention through both value perception and image.

Design/methodology/approach

This study developed and tested a model through a survey with 365 responses, which was carried out in China. The measurement and effects of restaurant–supplier co-creation are explored using composite-based structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results show that restaurant–supplier co-creation has a positive effect on perceptions of food value, service value and image. Though restaurant–supplier co-creation does not directly affect behavioral intention, it can enhance behavioral intention by improving customers' impressions.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the emerging literature by conceptualizing the role of restaurant–supplier co-creation. The research combines image theory and perceived value theory in one empirical model to explore the effects of co-creation. The project provides a paradigm for designing technical artifacts using composite-based structural equation modeling.
The dynamics of Indian energy mix: a two-phase analysis
Authors: Jha Amit Prakash , Singh Sanjay Kumar
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The Indian power sector is dominated by coal. Environmental awareness and advances in techno-economic front have led to a slow but steady shift towards greener alternatives. The distributions of both fossil fuel resources and renewable energy potential are not uniform across the states. Paper attempts to answer how the states are performing in the sector and how the renewable energy and conventional resources are affecting the dynamics.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ a two-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) to rank the performance of Indian states in the power sector. Multi-stage analysis opens up the DEA black-box through disaggregating power sector in two logical sub-sectors. The performance is evaluated from the point-of-view of policy formulating and implementing agencies. Further, an econometric analysis using seemingly unrelated regression equations (SURE) is conducted to estimate the determinants of total and industrial per-capita electricity consumption.

Findings

Efficiency scores obtained from the first phase of analysis happens to be a significant explanatory variable for power consumption. The growth in electricity consumption, which is necessary for economic wellbeing, is positively affected by both renewable and non-renewable sources; but conventional sources have a larger impact on per-capita consumption. Yet, the share of renewables in the energy mix has positive elasticity. Hence, the findings are encouraging, because development in storage technologies, falling costs and policy interventions are poised to give further impetus to renewable sources.

Originality/value

The study is one of the very few where entire spectrum of the Indian power sector is evaluated from efficiency perspective. Further, the second phase analysis gives additional relevant insights on the sector.
Managerial ability and real earnings management in family firms
Authors: Putra Adhitya Agri , Mela Nanda Fito , Putra Ferdy
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of managerial ability on real earnings management (hereafter REM) in family firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 864 firms-years listed in the Indonesian Stock Exchange. REM is measured by abnormal activities. Managerial ability is measured by data envelopment analysis. Data analysis uses random-effect regression analysis.

Findings

Family firms reduce the possibility of higher ability managers to engage in REM. Compare to non-family firms, higher ability managers in family firms are more likely to engage in REM to improve future earnings.

Research limitations/implications

This research only uses efficiency score data envelopment analysis to measure managerial ability while the managerial ability is, by nature, multi-dimensional and unobservable. This research also does not find the role of professional Chief Executive Officer (hereafter CEO) in the family firms in REM behavior because does not consider the professional CEO motivation (e.g. compensation structure).

Practical implications

This research is expected to help family firms formulate managers' selection based on managerial ability. This research also is expected to help investors and creditors to put their funds in the family firms with higher ability managers that reduce earnings information distortion.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this research is the first research that examines the managerial ability on REM in Indonesian family firms. This research also contributes to fil the findings gap in managerial ability and REM.
Leading learning and innovation in organizations: a distributed leadership perspective
Authors: Tandon Ankita
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper explores the role of distributed leadership for learning and innovation in organizations. Learning and innovation being collective interactive processes, individual leadership is not the most effective way to drive them. This paper discusses how developing a distributed approach to leadership can be useful in enhancing the effectiveness of these processes, particularly in the current context of dispersed and remote working spurred by the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on literature from the domains of leadership and learning to discuss how effectiveness of learning and innovation can be enhanced through the application of appropriate leadership models.

Findings

This paper brings out the importance of developing a distributed leadership approach to enhance learning and innovation in organizations. It provides actionable suggestions that can be used by organizations to develop shared leadership capabilities.

Originality/value

Moving away from traditional leadership models, this paper highlights the significant role that distributed leadership can play to enhance the effectiveness of collective processes such as learning and innovation. The approach is even more relevant in the current pandemic context where organizations are operating in a distributed setup with flexible work from home arrangements. Learning and innovation in such virtual, asynchronous work arrangements is a challenge. Development of distributed leadership mindset and approach can enable organizations to operate more effectively in the new normal.
Data set entity recognition based on distant supervision
Authors: Li Pengcheng , Liu Qikai , Cheng Qikai , Lu Wei
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to identify data set entities in scientific literature. To address poor recognition caused by a lack of training corpora in existing studies, a distant supervised learning-based approach is proposed to identify data set entities automatically from large-scale scientific literature in an open domain.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, the authors use a dictionary combined with a bootstrapping strategy to create a labelled corpus to apply supervised learning. Secondly, a bidirectional encoder representation from transformers (BERT)-based neural model was applied to identify data set entities in the scientific literature automatically. Finally, two data augmentation techniques, entity replacement and entity masking, were introduced to enhance the model generalisability and improve the recognition of data set entities.

Findings

In the absence of training data, the proposed method can effectively identify data set entities in large-scale scientific papers. The BERT-based vectorised representation and data augmentation techniques enable significant improvements in the generality and robustness of named entity recognition models, especially in long-tailed data set entity recognition.

Originality/value

This paper provides a practical research method for automatically recognising data set entities in scientific literature. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to apply distant learning to the study of data set entity recognition. The authors introduce a robust vectorised representation and two data augmentation strategies (entity replacement and entity masking) to address the problem inherent in distant supervised learning methods, which the existing research has mostly ignored. The experimental results demonstrate that our approach effectively improves the recognition of data set entities, especially long-tailed data set entities.
Investigation of college student smoking perceptions, behaviors and communication about smoking with smoking friends and family
Authors: Shin YoungJu , Lu Yu
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Communication plays an important role in health decisions and behaviors. Friends and family exert influence through communication and, when considering smoking, this is particularly salient among those friends and family who smoke. Guided by primary socialization theory and integrated behavioral model, the present study examined the effects of having smoking friends and family on smoking beliefs (e.g. negative consequences, positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement), cultural normative beliefs, pro-smoking injunctive norms, smoking intentions and recent smoking behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

Cross-sectional online survey data were collected from college students (N = 227). Multivariate analysis of covariance and path analysis were performed.

Findings

College students who reported having smoking friends were more likely to report higher levels of positive reinforcement, cultural normative beliefs, pro-smoking injunctive norms, positive attitudes, smoking intentions and recent smoking behaviors than those without smoking friends. Frequent communication with smoking friends was significantly related to cultural normative beliefs, pro-smoking injunctive norms, positive attitudes and smoking intentions. The analysis, however, did not yield statistical support for the associations between frequent communication with smoking family and smoking perceptions, norms and behaviors.

Originality/value

The present study highlights the vital roles of friends' influence for college students' smoking behaviors. Communication-based intervention can help better equip college students with communication strategies that prevent tobacco use by promoting more effective conversations with friends.
Magnetohydrodynamic mixed bioconvection of oxytactic microorganisms in a nanofluid-saturated porous cavity heated with a bell-shaped curved bottom
Authors: Biswas Nirmalendu , Manna Nirmal Kumar , Mandal Dipak Kumar , Gorla Rama Subba Reddy
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate thermo-bioconvection of oxytactic microorganisms occurring in a nanofluid-saturated porous lid-driven cavity in the presence of the magnetic field. The heating is provided through a bell-shaped curved bottom wall heated isothermally. The effects of the peak height of the curved bottom wall, bioconvection Rayleigh number (Rb), Darcy number (Da), Hartmann number (Ha), Peclet number (Pe), Lewis number (Le) and Grashof number (Gr) on the flow structure, temperature and the iso-concentrations of oxygen and microorganisms are examined and explained systematically. The local and global, characteristics of heat transfer and oxygen concentration, are estimated through the Nusselt number (Nu) and Sherwood number (Sh), respectively.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing equations of continuity, momentum, energy and additionally consisting of species transport equations for oxygen concentration and population density of microorganisms, are discretized by the finite volume method. The evolved linearized algebraic equations are solved iteratively through the alternate direction implicit scheme and the tri-diagonal matrix algorithm. The computation domain has meshed in non-uniform staggered grids. The entire computations are carried out through an in-house developed code written in FORTRAN following the SIMPLE algorithm. The third-order upwind and second-order central difference schemes are used for handling the advection and diffusion terms, respectively. The convergence criterion for the iterative process of achieving the final solution is set as 10–8 and 10–10, respectively, for the maximum residuals and the mass defect.

Findings

The results show that the flow and temperature distribution along with the iso-concentrations of oxygen and microorganisms are markedly affected by the curvature of the bottom wall. A secondary circulation is developed in the cavity that changes the flow physics significantly. The Nu increases with the peak height of the curved bottom wall and Da; however, it decreases with Ha and Rb. The Sh increases with Da but decreases with Ha and the peak height of the curved wall.

Research limitations/implications

A similar study of bioconvection could be extended further considering thermal radiation, chemical attraction, gravity, light, etc.

Practical implications

The outcomes of this investigation could be used in diverse fields of multi-physical applications such as in food industries, chemical processing equipment, fuel cell technology and enhanced oil recovery.

Originality/value

The insights of bioconvection of oxytactic microorganisms using a curved bottom surface along with other physical issues such as nanofluid, porous substance and magnetic field are addressed systematically and thoroughly.
Do macroeconomic conditions affect corporate cash holdings and cash adjustment dynamics? Evidence from GCC countries
Authors: Guizani Moncef , Ajmi Ahdi Noomen
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the influence of macroeconomic conditions on corporate cash holdings in terms of their influence on the level of cash and the speed of adjustment of cash to target levels in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC).

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs both static and dynamic regression analyses considering a sample of 2,878 firm-year observations drawn from stock markets in GCC countries over the 2010–2018 period.

Findings

Consistent with the precautionary motive, the results show that GCC firms tend to accumulate cash reserves in weak economic periods. Evidence also reveals that the estimated adjustment coefficients from dynamic panel models show that GCC firms adjust more slowly toward their target cash ratio in periods of unfavorable economic conditions.

Practical implications

This study has important implications for managers, policymakers and regulators. For managers, the study is an important reference to understand and design cash management policies by considering financial constraints imposed by macroeconomic conditions. In particular, managers should pay more attention to periods of credit crunch and weak economic conditions in which firms may be exposed to greater bankruptcy risks. For policymakers and regulators, this study may be useful in assessing the effect of macroeconomic factors on firm's cash holding decision. Therefore, in an effort to increase the supply of external financing available to firms, policymakers may devise investment friendly environment by controlling macroeconomic factors.

Originality/value

This paper offers some insights on the macro determinants of cash holdings by investigating emerging economies. It explores the role of macroeconomic conditions on corporate cash holdings in terms of their influence on the costs of external funds and financial constraints.
Machine learning based pervasive analytics for ECG signal analysis
Authors: S. Aarathi , S. Vasundra
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Pervasive analytics act as a prominent role in computer-aided prediction of non-communicating diseases. In the early stage, arrhythmia diagnosis detection helps prevent the cause of death suddenly owing to heart failure or heart stroke. The arrhythmia scope can be identified by electrocardiogram (ECG) report.

Design/methodology/approach

The ECG report has been used extensively by several clinical experts. However, diagnosis accuracy has been dependent on clinical experience. For the prediction methods of computer-aided heart disease, both accuracy and sensitivity metrics play a remarkable part. Hence, the existing research contributions have optimized the machine-learning approaches to have a great significance in computer-aided methods, which perform predictive analysis of arrhythmia detection.

Findings

In reference to this, this paper determined a regression heuristics by tridimensional optimum features of ECG reports to perform pervasive analytics for computer-aided arrhythmia prediction. The intent of these reports is arrhythmia detection. From an empirical outcome, it has been envisioned that the project model of this contribution is more optimal and added a more advantage when compared to existing or contemporary approaches.

Originality/value

In reference to this, this paper determined a regression heuristics by tridimensional optimum features of ECG reports to perform pervasive analytics for computer-aided arrhythmia prediction. The intent of these reports is arrhythmia detection. From an empirical outcome, it has been envisioned that the project model of this contribution is more optimal and added a more advantage when compared to existing or contemporary approaches.
Public leadership behaviors of school principals: does it affect teacher motivation and job satisfaction in Turkish culture?
Authors: Han Bünyamin , Tösten Rasim , Elçiçek Zakir
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The aim of this research is to examine the public leadership (PL) behaviors of principals working in public schools and its effect on teacher motivation (M) and job satisfaction (JS). Moreover, the mediating role of JS in the relationship between PL and M is also explored.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is quantitative and designed in relational survey model conducted with 327 teachers working in Siirt/Turkey in 2020. In the research, Public Leadership Scale, Teacher Motivation Scale and Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire were used. Descriptive analyses were used in data analysis. Moreover, mediating role of job satisfaction between public leadership and teacher motivation was tested.

Findings

According to the results, the public leadership behaviors of school principals, motivation and job satisfaction of teachers are high according to teacher opinions. Additionally, public leadership behaviors of school principals have an effect on teacher motivation and job satisfaction. On the other hand, this study found a negative effect between public leadership and motivation when the effect of job satisfaction is controlled. The possible reasons for this situation were discussed in term of cultural differences.

Practical implications

The results of this study imply that the leadership behaviors of school principals have cultural elements. Future research should be careful in measuring the political loyalty dimension of the public leadership and should take cultural element into consideration.

Originality/value

Although there are many types of leadership, the type of leadership differs depending on the purpose of the organization, environmental conditions and culture. The lifestyle of the society, current developments and the structure of the organization are effective in interpreting the leadership needed in the organization. When looking at the models created about leadership in organizations, the effect of this type of leadership on organizational behavior is generally tried to be explained. This is also the case for motivation or job satisfaction. Therefore, this study also focuses on the effect of public leadership in explaining the job satisfaction and motivation of employees in educational organizations. However, another distinctive aspect of this research is that the cultural structure of the society is emphasized in the model to be created.
Did the Arab Spring lead to economic, institutional and sociopolitical changes? An empirical analysis through the perceptions of Egyptian youth
Authors: Fakih Ali , Ghazalian Pascal L.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Egyptian youth played a central role in the Arab Spring (AS) uprisings, demanding bread, justice and opportunities. This paper examines the perceptions of young Egyptians about the AS through their responses on the economic, institutional and sociopolitical conditions in the pre-AS and post-AS periods.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis relies on a micro-level dataset extracted from the SAHWA Youth Survey. The estimations are carried out through the bivariate ordered probit model.

Findings

The results reveal that the perceptions about the AS-related outcomes are not uniform, and that social values and ideological characteristics matter more than the standard socioeconomic attributes in comprehending the responses. They indicate that individuals with secularist, non-traditionalist and gender equality inclinations have generally formed more favorable perceptions about the AS-related changes. Also, the results suggest that the AS has generated propitious perceived conditions for further global connection, relative to the Arab and Islamic ties. They show that the perceptions of individuals who place credence in entrepreneurial attitude have been relatively unfavorable vis-à-vis the post-AS conditions.

Originality/value

The findings underscore the importance of comprehending the perceptions about the AS-related outcomes. They imply that the AS has produced “winners” and “losers,” and has laid down the basis for social transformations in Egypt.
Tribological properties of MoS2 powder-lubricated interface
Authors: Liu Cong , Yin Yanguo , Tong Baohong , Zhang Guotao
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of MoS2 powder on tribological properties of sliding interfaces.

Design/methodology/approach

Loose MoS2 powder was introduced in the gap of point-contact friction pairs, and sliding friction test was conducted using a testing machine. Friction noise, wear mark appearance, microstructure and wear debris were characterized with a noise tester, white-light interferometer, scanning electron microscope and ferrograph, respectively. Numerical simulation was also performed to analyze the influence of MoS2 powder on tribological properties of the sliding interface.

Findings

MoS2 powder remarkably improved the lubrication performance of the sliding interface, whose friction coefficient and wear rate were reduced by one-fifth of the interface values without powder. The addition of MoS2 powder also reduced stress, plastic deformation and friction temperature in the wear mark. The sliding interface with MoS2 powder demonstrated lower friction noise and roughness compared with the interface without powder lubrication. The adherence of MoS2 powder onto the friction interface formed a friction film, which induced the wear mechanism of the sliding interface to change from serious cutting and adhesive wear to delamination and slight cutting wear under the action of normal and shear forces.

Originality/value

Tribological characteristics of the interface with MoS2 powder lubrication were clarified. This work provides a theoretical basis for solid-powder lubrication and reference for its application in engineering.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-04-2020-0150/
How to be agile: the distinctive roles of IT capabilities for knowledge management and process integration
Authors: Lee One-Ki Daniel , Xu Peng , Kuilboer Jean-Pierre , Ashrafi Noushin
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand how IT capabilities for knowledge management and process integration can build a firm's agile process capabilities for sensing, strategic decision and responding. The study also investigates how the three agile capabilities affect firm performance in different competitive environments.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted a large-scale field survey with firms in the United States. Survey invitations were sent to business executives of the target firms. A total of 254 complete samples were collected for our hypotheses test.

Findings

The results confirm the overall significant roles of IT capabilities in the three agile capabilities. The results further reveal that the IT capability for knowledge management has a higher influence on sensing capability, while the IT capability for process integration has a higher influence on responding capability. Moreover, strategic decision and responding capabilities are more important in the high market competition. However, in the low market competition, sensing capability becomes more important while responding capability demonstrates a negative impact on firm performance.

Originality/value

This study helps both academics and practitioners better understand a firm's IT-agility-performance mechanism. Particularly, our findings guide how to achieve agile capabilities and what to focus on under the different levels of market competition.
Out-of-sample earnings forecasting for OLS and Theil–Sen models relative to a na.ı.ve no-change model
Authors: Francis Rick Neil
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to enlarge the exposure of the Theil–Sen (TS) methodology to the academic, analyst and practitioner communities using an earnings forecast setting. The study includes an appendix that describes the TS model in very basic terms and SAS code to assist readers in the implementation of the TS model. The study also presents an alternative approach to deflating or scaling variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Archival in nature using a combination of regression analysis and binomial tests.

Findings

The binomial test results support the hypothesis that the forecasting performance of the naïve no-change model is at least equal to or better than the ordinary least squares (OLS) model when earnings volatility is low. However, the results do not support the same hypothesis for the TS model nor do the results support the hypothesis that the OLS and TS models will outperform the naïve no-change model when cash flow volatility is high. Nevertheless, the study makes notable contributions to the literature, as the results indicate that the performance of the naïve model is at least as good as the OLS and TS models across 18 of the 20 binomial tests. Moreover, the results indicate that the performance of the TS model is always superior to the OLS model.

Research limitations/implications

The results are generalizable to US firms and may not extend to non-US firms.

Practical implications

The TS methodology is advantageous to OLS in that the results are robust to outlier observations, and there is no heteroscedasticity. Researchers will find this study to be useful given the use of a model (i.e. TS) which has to date received little attention, and the provision of the details for the mechanics of the model. A bonus for researchers is that the study includes SAS code for implementing the procedure.

Social implications

Awareness of alternative forecast methodologies could lead to improved forecasting results in certain contexts. The study also helps the financial community in general, as improved forecasting abilities are important for all capital market participants as they improve market efficiency.

Originality/value

Although a healthy literature exists for examining out-of-sample forecasts for earnings, the literature lacks an answer for a simple question before pursuing additional analyses: Are the results any better than those from a naive no-change forecast? The current study emphasizes the idea that the naïve no-change forecast is the most elementary model possible, and the researcher must first establish the superiority of a more complex model before conducting further analyses.
Impact of knowledge-based organizational support on organizational performance through project management
Authors: Sepúlveda-Rivillas Claudia-Inés , Alegre Joaquin , Oltra Victor
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate how knowledge-based organizational support (KOS) influences organizational performance through project management.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from a survey and from archival sources with a time lag for the dependent variable; structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. The sample was made up of 106 organizations in Colombia, considering two key respondents from each organization: general manager and project manager.

Findings

Results show that KOS is an antecedent of project management and project performance. Furthermore, project management and project performance play a mediating role between KOS and organizational performance.

Research limitations/implications

Research limitations are the following: use of cross-sectional data with a time lag, one single unit of analysis, organizational performance analyzed only from a financial perspective. Despite these limitations, the paper puts forward relevant implications that bridge knowledge management and project management literature by clarifying the conditions under which knowledge organizational support generates a significant impact on organizational performance. Intellectual capital and knowledge management dynamic capabilities play a relevant role in this connection.

Practical implications

The findings have important practical implications: decision-makers are to allocate effectively hard and soft resources to configure a knowledge-based infrastructure, through the development of intellectual capital and knowledge management dynamic capabilities.

Social implications

The findings are generalizable to projects management in the context of non-government organizations or other social-oriented initiatives.

Originality/value

This study assumes and operationalizes organizational support from a knowledge-based perspective, represented by intellectual capital and knowledge management dynamic capabilities, providing empirical evidence of the way KOS influences organizational performance through project management and project performance.
The effect of the industry technology intensity on the drivers of manufacturing backshoring
Authors: Lampón Jesús F. , Rivo-López Elena
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The paper aims to explore the influence of the industry technology intensity on the drivers of manufacturing backshoring.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis of backshoring factors in recent cases of backshoring in the European manufacturing industry based on original qualitative and quantitative information collected from different databases. This analysis was performed using different econometric models applied to samples of firms classified by technology intensity of industries.

Findings

Drivers of backshoring are conditioned by the technology intensity of the industries. The models that analyse firms classified by technology intensity of the industries have a good explanatory capacity with few key factors. In industries with low-technology intensity, backshoring is a cost-oriented strategy and the drivers are linked to internal process optimisation and external factors related to labour and logistics costs in the host location. In industries with high-technology intensity, backshoring is mainly an innovation-oriented strategy and the key drivers are those related to the internal innovation capacity for improvement of the technological level of manufacturing processes. The research also identifies the more suitable theoretical approaches for explaining backshoring drivers in each type of industry according to its technology intensity.

Originality/value

This research analyses the backshoring drivers by means of models applied to firms classified by the technology intensity of industries. It also reinforces the dynamic perspective of time to analyse backshoring as a reassessment of location decisions made after prior offshoring.
ActS – Service design based on human activity sets
Authors: Gummerus Johanna , Mickelsson Jacob , Trischler Jakob , Härkönen Tuomas , Grönroos Christian
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to develop and apply a service design method that allows for stronger recognition and integration of human activities into the front-end stages of the service design process.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a discussion of different service design perspectives and activity theory, the paper develops a method called activity-set mapping (ActS). ActS is applied to an exploratory service design project to demonstrate its use.

Findings

Three broad perspectives on service design are suggested: (1) the dyadic interaction, (2) the systemic interaction and (3) the customer activity perspectives. The ActS method draws on the latter perspective and focuses on the study of human activity sets. The application of ActS shows that the method can help identify and visualize sets of activities.

Research limitations/implications

The ActS method opens new avenues for service design by zooming in on the micro level and capturing the set of activities linked to a desired goal achievement. However, the method is limited to activities reported by research participants and may exclude unconscious activities. Further research is needed to validate and refine the method.

Practical implications

The ActS method will help service designers explore activities in which humans engage to achieve a desired goal/end state.

Originality/value

The concept of “human activity set” is new to service research and opens analytical opportunities for service design. The ActS method contributes a visualization tool for identifying activity sets and uncovering the benefits, sacrifices and frequency of activities.
Conceptualising employee involvement in service innovation: an integrative review
Authors: Engen Marit , Fuglsang Lars , Tuominen Tiina , Sundbo Jon , Møller Jørn Kjølseth , Scupola Ada , Sørensen Flemming
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Employees are considered as important contributors to service innovation, but the literature is not unanimous about what employee involvement in service innovation entails. To advance theoretical understanding of the topic, this paper develops a conceptual framework for analysing employee involvement in service innovations, reviews existing research on the topic and proposes a research agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

Different modes of employee involvement in service innovation are distinguished based on two dimensions: (1) the intensity of employee influence on service innovation and (2) the breadth of the innovation activity in which employees are involved. This conceptual framework is abductively developed through a literature review of empirical service innovation studies to identify and analyse whether and how these modes of employee involvement are manifested in the service innovation literature.

Findings

The findings delineate six modes of employee involvement in the reviewed service innovation studies. Employees are primarily seen as having a strong influence on situated innovation activities but a limited influence on systemic innovation activities. The findings show that more research is needed to assess the connections between different modes of employee involvement.

Practical implications

The findings can be used by practitioners to assess the possibilities different modes of employee involvement may bring to service innovation activities.

Originality/value

The proposed conceptual framework and the analysis of current research and research gaps in service innovation studies provide a clear research agenda for progressing multidimensional understanding of employee involvement in service innovation.
Vulnerability in in-vitro fertilisation transformative services: an interplay of individual and institutional factors
Authors: Robertson Nichola , Tsarenko Yelena , Polonsky Michael Jay , McQuilken Lisa
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the factors driving and mitigating the experienced vulnerabilities of women undergoing the transformative service of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), and how this influences women’s evaluations and intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual framework was tested using quantitative data collected via an online survey of Australian women who have undergone IVF treatment. Hayes’ PROCESS macro was used to analyse the data.

Findings

The results indicate that women’s persistent goal-striving alongside their perceived personal sacrifices influence the association between their need for parenthood and their experienced vulnerability. Institutional factors such as IVF clinic technical and interpersonal quality influence these consumers’ IVF experience evaluations and word-of-mouth (WoM) intentions.

Research limitations/implications

This study’s results are limited to women who are undergoing IVF treatment. Further empirical work is needed to deepen the understanding of the role played by partners and other family members in women’s IVF experiences.

Practical implications

IVF clinics can reduce women’s experienced vulnerability by encouraging women who have a good probability of succeeding to persist in the pursuit of the goal of conceiving a child via IVF. This can be achieved by enabling and empowering them so that they give themselves the best chance during treatment, thus facilitating their control. Managing the expectations of those women with a lower probability of success is also recommended. The importance of the technical and interpersonal quality delivered by IVF clinics in influencing the positive evaluations and behavioural intentions of women experiencing vulnerabilities is further highlighted.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the transformative service research literature by: examining the IVF transformative experience, which has been largely overlooked; focussing on the intersection of transformative services and consumers experiencing vulnerability, which is an emerging research area; and testing a framework quantitatively that intermingles individual and institutional factors as antecedents and consequences of consumers’ experienced vulnerabilities, advancing the existing conceptual and qualitative work.
How do IT affordances support behavioral intention in charitable crowdfunding? The mediating effects of donor perceptions and motivations
Authors: Jiao Huifang , Tang Wenzhi , Liu Tianzhuo , Wang Xuan , Ma Lijun
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Social media technology has changed donors' decision-making process in online philanthropy compared with traditional charity. How do IT affordances support donor perceptions and motivations in charitable crowdfunding? The purpose of this study is to explore how the five sub-dimensions of charitable crowdfunding IT affordances (i.e. visibility, association, meta-voicing, trading and security) afford initiators and platforms in motivating donors to support charitable crowdfunding projects.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a quantitative research approach. An online survey was conducted to collect research data from WeChat users who had experienced charitable crowdfunding. A sample of 344 valid responses were received and analyzed.

Findings

The results show that four of the five IT affordances facilitate donors' perceptions (perceived emotions and trust) and motivations (intrinsic motivations and extrinsic motivations), and thereby increase behavioral intention on supporting charitable crowdfunding projects.

Originality/value

This study advances the affordances and online charity literature by examining the antecedents and outcome of perceptions and motivations that determining behavioral intention in more detail. The authors’ findings not only benefit researchers in explaining how technology helps donors perceiving projects and motivating them to donate online, but also assists practitioners in developing better charitable crowdfunding management strategy.
Will the development of the financial industry cause environmental pollution?
Authors: Xing Lu , Yi Xiaojing , Zhang Ying
Published: July 2021

Purpose

A series of environmental pollution issues and economic improvement go hand in hand. Since financial listed companies contribute significantly to the national economic development, China has been paying increasing attention to the development of the financial industry. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship among the development level of the financial industry, over-investment of the listed companies and environmental pollution through a macro-level and micro-level mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, we adopt the 2011–2017 panel data of listed companies in the manufacturing industry to study the impacts of the financial industry on environmental pollution. Meanwhile, the paper uses a mediator model, and over-investment is introduced to the econometric model as a mediator to explore whether the development of the financial industry can affect the environmental pollution through over-investment.

Findings

A U-shaped relationship between financial industry development and environmental pollution was observed through a macro-perspective; additionally, over-investment of the listed companies significantly increased environmental pollution, along with a significant mediator effect of over-investment. A significant positive correlation was observed between financial industry development and environmental pollution in the East region of China, while the correlation was negative in the Central and West regions. The mitigation effect of financial industry development on environmental pollution was more significant in the low-end manufacturing industry, compared with basic and high-end manufacturing industries.

Originality/value

Strengthening the incentives and supervision toward company managers, reducing over-investment behaviors, encouraging suitable financial industry development to reduce financial risks, improving environmental conservation laws and regulations, and implementing stringent penalty mechanisms for environmental conservation are necessary.
Predictors of self-legitimacy among military police officers in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Cubas Viviane de Oliveira , Castelo Branco Frederico , Oliveira André Rodrigues de , Cruz Fernanda Novaes
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The authors examine predictors of self-legitimacy for police officers belonging to the Military Police force of São Paulo (Brazil). Considering the variables mobilized by the literature on self-legitimacy, the authors seek to identify what explains the self-legitimacy of militarized police officers.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was applied to 298 frontline police officers in the city of São Paulo, analyzing indicators separated into two groups: relationship dimension and organizational dimension. An ordinary least square model is used to test the “relationship” and “organizational” variables on police officers' self-legitimacy.

Findings

Effectiveness is the strongest predictor for self-legitimacy. Organizational justice and distributive justice also present important effects, as the perception of citizens' attitudes toward police reinforces the conception of self-legitimacy as a dialogical construct, comprising here the public's expectations of police work as well as the police officers' perceptions that they are respected and considered important by the public.

Originality/value

There are no other studies on self-legitimacy related to Brazilian police officers or exploring these aspects among police officers submitted to a militarized structure. These results contribute to the ongoing debate on the militarization of police activities and their possible effects on police legitimacy.