bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do labels influence purchase decisions of food products? Study of young consumers of an emerging market
Authors: Kumar Niraj , Kapoor Sanjeev
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the usage and influence of food labels by the young consumers of an emerging market where food labeling regulation is comparatively recent phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

A purposely developed questionnaire was administered to 300 randomly selected youths of age between 18 and 30 years. The first part of the questionnaire sought information on socio-demographic profile, whereas the second part of the questionnaire had questions related to consumers’ perception of importance, their reading behavior, and their responses on the information content of food labels. Appropriate statistical tools were used to analyze the data.

Findings

Results revealed that young Indian consumers attached considerable importance to the food labels and read it before making a final purchase decision. In addition to price, all the product attributes which had implications for the consumers’ health were considered as extremely important by the young consumers. Information regarding different important product attributes can be broadly clubbed in two categories, namely, “product specification” and “product quality.” The final decision to purchase a product based on the food labels varied significantly based on the consumers’ gender, age, food habit, and residential locality.

Research limitations/implications

Nature of study does not allow drawing a conclusion regarding the causal relationship between food labels and consumers’ purchase decisions.

Originality/value

As labeling regulation is a comparatively recent phenomenon in India, study of the usage and influence of food labels on young consumers’ purchase decision, a hitherto not much-studied subject, will contribute significantly to the literature on food labels.
Does electrolyzed water have different sanitizing effects than sodium hypochlorite on different vegetable types?
Authors: Ju Se-Young , Ko Jin-Ju , Yoon Hee-Sun , Seon Su-Jin , Yoon Yu-Ri , Lee Da-In , Kim So-Yeon , Chang Hye-Ja
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the efficacy of microbial elimination using different sanitizers in raw vegetables (cherry tomatoes, spring onions, Chinese chives, and chicory) and to analyze the efficacy ofEscherichia coliO157:H7 reduction by type of sanitizer and vegetable.

Design/methodology/approach

To assess the sanitizing effects of microbial elimination by variety of vegetable, the samples were grouped into four different washing methods: control (no sanitizer), 100 ppm chlorine, 100 ppm electrolyzed water, and 200 ppm electrolyzed water after prewashing. Subsequently, quantitative microbiological experiments were conducted to assess aerobic mesophilic plate count (APC), coliform,E. coli, andBacillus cereus, and sensory changes of the sanitized vegetables were tested. Thereafter, measurement of the sanitizing effects on bacterial reduction after inoculation withE. coliO157:H7 was conducted.

Findings

The microbial levels of four types of vegetables ranged from 3.37 to 5.24 log CFU/g for APC, 2.41 to 5.57 log CFU/g forE. coli, 0.25 to 5.40 log CFU/g for coliform, and 0.83 to 5.44 log CFU/g forB. cereus. After three types of sanitizing treatments, microbial reduction effects showed 0.94-1.84 log CFU/g for APC, 0.56-1.00 log CFU/g forE. coli, 0.18-1.26 log CFU/g for coliform, and 0.56-1.23 log CFU/g forB. cereus(p<0.05). In sensory evaluation, there were no significant differences in taste and flavor between with and without sanitizing treatments. Regarding bacterial reduction after inoculation withE. coliO157:H7, the microbial reduction on vegetables was shown to be in the range of 0.27-1.57 log CFU/g with 100 ppm sodium hypochlorite, 0.66-3.07 log CFU/g with 100 ppm electrolyzed water, and 0.79-2.55 log CFU/g with 200 ppm electrolyzed water. Chicory, cherry tomato, and spring onion showed significant reduction levels ofE. coliO157:H7 after sanitation (p<0.05).

Originality/value

This study revealed that different sanitization methods are required for different types of vegetables. Electrolyzed water treatment (100 ppm) is a more effective and safe method of washing raw vegetables. Given that the main purpose of sanitizing fresh-cut produce is to maximally reduce microorganism levels, different methods of sanitizing fresh-cut produce with an adequate washing method should be used according to vegetable type.
The microbiological quality of Slovenian raw milk from vending machines and their hygienic-technical conditions
Authors: Godic Torkar Karmen , Kirbiš Andrej , Vadnjal Stanka , Biasizzo Majda , Galicic An , Jevšnik Mojca
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the microbiological quality of raw milk delivered by 17 vending machines (VM) owned by different Slovenian milk producers.

Design/methodology/approach

For the determination of hygiene-technical conditions of VM, an observation list that included criteria for estimation of hygiene-technical suitability was made. A total of 51 milk samples were collected in three different seasons. The swabs and the cleaning liquid (eluates) of dispensing nozzles and chambers were also sampled. The main groups of microorganisms were determined by colony count technique according to international standards in all collected samples.

Findings

The aerobic colony count was higher than 100,000 CFU/mL in 20 (39.2 per cent) of milk samples. Its mean value was 4.8 log10 CFU/mL. The mean values of Enterobacteriaceae, psychrotrophic microorganisms, lipolytes, proteolytes, yeasts and moulds together, coagulase-positive staphylococci and somatic cell count were 3.3 log10 CFU/mL, 4.1 log10 CFU/mL, 3.2 log10 CFU/mL, 3.9 log10 CFU/mL, 2.2 log10 CFU/mL, 2.8 log10 CFU/mL and 5.3 log10 cells/mL, respectively. E. coli was found in 33.3 per cent of milk samples, while Listeria monocytogenes and antibiotics were not detected. The inner surface contamination of the dispensing nozzles and chambers was estimated in the range from 1.8 log10 CFU to 6.0 log10 CFU/cm2. The presence of detergents and disinfectants in supply valve eluates was determined in more than one-third of the samples. The hygienic-technical conditions of observed VM show some deviations from specified hygienic-technical requirements which could influence the safety of raw milk.

Research limitations/implications

The data about construction and the cleaning practice of VM, included in the experiment, were not available during the inspection facility.

Originality/value

In the paper the pathogenic and also the spoilage microorganisms in milk in the combination with hygienic conditions of inside surfaces of VM were studied.
Nutrition label experience and consumption of transitional foods among a nationwide cohort of 42,750 Thai adults
Authors: Rimpeekool Wimalin , Kirk Martyn , Yiengprugsawan Vasoontara , Banwell Cathy , Seubsman Sam-ang , Sleigh Adrian
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the usefulness of nutrition labels in Thailand during nutrition transition from traditional to modern diets that increase salt, sugar, and calorie intake and to note socio-demographic interactions and associations with consumption of transitional processed foods.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors studied 42,750 distance learning Open University adults aged 23-96 years in 2013 residing nationwide and participating in an ongoing community-based prospective cohort study. The authors used multivariable logistic regression to relate nutrition label experiences (“read”, “good understand”, “frequent use”), socio-demographic factors, and consumption of four transitional foods. These foods included “unhealthy” instant foods, carbonated soft drinks, and sweet drinks, or “healthy” milk.

Findings

Overall, two-thirds reported good understanding and frequent use of nutrition labels. Unhealthy transition-indicator processed foods were frequently consumed: instant foods (7 per cent), (carbonated) soft drinks (15 per cent), and sweet drinks (41 per cent). Frequent users of nutrition labels (e.g. females, older persons, professionals) were less likely to consume unhealthy indicator foods. Those with the most positive overall nutrition label experience (“read” + “good understanding” + “frequent use”) had the best indicator food profiles: instant foods (odds ratio (OR) 0.63; 95%CI, 0.56-0.70); soft drinks (OR 0.56; 95%CI, 0.52-0.61); sweet drinks (OR 0.79; 95%CI, 0.74-0.85); milk (OR 1.87; 95%CI, 1.74-2.00).

Originality/value

Knowledge protected – those with most nutrition label experience were least likely to consume unhealthy foods. Results support government regulated nutrition labels, expanding to include sweet drinks. The study is remarkable for its large size and nationwide footprint. Study subjects were educated, represent Thais of the future, and show high awareness of transition-indicator foods.
Influence of storage time and packaging on the sensory profile of functional diet guava preserve
Authors: Mesquita Karina Scatolino , Souza Vanessa Rios de , Rodrigues Jéssica Ferreira , Menezes Camila Carvalho , Borges Soraia Vilela , Carneiro João de Deus Souza , Pinheiro Ana Carla Marques
Published: January 2017

Purpose

People are increasingly concerned about food and health and seek for functional and sugar-free products. However, there are technological challenges when adding functional components and substituting sugar in foods. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the influence of packaging and storage time on the sensory profile of functional diet guava preserve added with prebiotics, supporting the development of functional and sugar-free products and contributing to the product variety in the market.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-factor full factorial design was conducted in triplications that evaluated transparent and opaque packaging vs storage time (six months). The products were stored in packages with different light permeability (transparent and opaque). Quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) and acceptance tests were performed.

Findings

The packaging material did not affect the sensory changes of functional diet guava preserve during the six months of storage. QDA test showed that from three months of storage the original characteristics of the product were lost and a slight decrease in overall acceptance was observed after four and six months. However, during the six months the products had good acceptance; consequently, it was not possible to establish their rejection before this period.

Research limitations/implications

More detailed studies regarding a longer storage period, including the physical and chemical measurements must be done to clarify other points about the influence of packaging and storage time on the sensory profile of functional diet guava preserve added with prebiotics. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further.

Practical implications

The development of a functional and sugar-free preserve is a good alternative to provide a product that meets the actual consumer desires and adds value to the product. However, there are technological challenges when adding functional components and substituting sugar in foods. Thus, this study provides important information for the development of sugar-free and functional products, and to prolong their shelf life.

Originality/value

There are few studies with respect to the sensory aspects during the storage of functional preserves. Thus, this work will aid future studies, supporting the development of functional and sugar-free products and contributing to the product variety in the market.
An investigation of the relationship between supply chain management practices (SCMP) on supply chain performance measurement (SCPM) of Indian retail chain using SEM
Authors: Gawankar Shradha Ashok , Kamble Sachin , Raut Rakesh
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between two major constructs (supply chain management practices (SCMP) and supply chain performance measures), which determines the efficiency and efficacy of retail-supply chain management, using a rigorous empirical method to validate the instrument scale for measuring the validity and reliability of the identified constructs. Additionally, the paper further tests the relationship between SCMP and supply chain performance measures using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were compiled and collected from 213 operations and supply chain (SC) heads from leading retail stores in India. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the validity of the proposed measurement scale and the relationship is tested using SEM.

Findings

The results of the research will help the decision makers in the SC/procurement field to understand the importance of the association between SCMP and supply chain performance measures. Statistical tests show that the implementation of SCMP are associated with supply chain performance measures, which leads to overall improvements; moreover, there is a statistically significant association between the five SCMP and eight SCPM.

Research limitations/implications

This research is also needed to provide more understanding about the SCMP along with the supply chain performance measures and the positive association among them. Overall, this research provides an additional insight into the growing field of the relationships between SCMP and SCPM. Clearly, the field has ample space to grow in terms of research and practice.

Originality/value

This research paper contributes to the literature on supply chain performance measurement.
Personal moral values of directors and corporate governance
Authors: Grant Patricia , McGhee Peter
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how directors understand the “how” and “why” of their personal moral values in their task of governing the organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a qualitative study. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews of 33 New Zealand directors.

Findings

Three major themes emerged: Directors’ personal moral values are a powerful driver in ethical decision-making of directors; codes of ethics are seen to be effective to the extent that individuals have a strong moral compass; great value is placed on their personal moral code as being consistent with it, defines who they are.

Research limitations/implications

This study reveals how and why directors’ personal ethics are important in their task of governance and demonstrates that they are extremely influential in their ethical decision-making.

Practical implications

Appraisal processes could also make sure this factor is given equal importance along with other skills and competencies. In the area of director selection, proven moral integrity could become a point to investigate prior to the appointment of a director.

Originality/value

There have been very few studies investigating the subjective ethical experience in ethical decision-making. Investigating the antecedents of ethical or unethical outcomes only provides a partial understanding of the ethical experience.
The impact of protectability and proactiveness on the environmental performance of new ventures
Authors: Dickel Petra
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Building on the natural resource-based view, this paper aims to explore the effects of technological protectability and proactiveness on new ventures’ environmental performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 150 clean-technology ventures are analyzed using hierarchical and logistic regression analyses.

Findings

Empirical findings show that both protectability and proactive behavior increase environmental performance. Results further indicate a negative but not significant moderator effect of proactiveness on the protectability – environmental performance relationship.

Research limitations/implications

The research has been limited to clean-technology ventures. Findings provide empirical evidence on the link between proactiveness, a key dimension of entrepreneurial orientation, and environmental performance. The study further contributes to sustainable entrepreneurship research by showing that higher ecological gains can be achieved by proactive firms that are based on protected technologies.

Practical implications

The study provides a deeper understanding of the success factors of young firms with regard to their environmental impact. Findings suggest that policy makers and investors can use protectability and proactiveness as key characteristics to evaluate and foster a venture’s ecological potential.

Originality/value

The paper adds to existing literature on sustainable entrepreneurship by establishing a relationship between protectability, proactiveness and environmental performance.
Institutional investors and voluntary disclosure and transparency: the case of Egypt
Authors: El-Diftar Doaa , Jones Eleri , Ragheb Mohamed , Soliman Mohamed
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Disclosure and transparency are major pillars of corporate governance which need to be greatly promoted in Egypt. This research aims to understand how different kinds of institutional investors affect levels of voluntary disclosure and transparency.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted on the most active Egyptian companies over a period of five years. A voluntary disclosure checklist was first developed to assess levels of voluntary disclosure and transparency.

Findings

Empirical results support significant positive impacts of both bank ownership and foreign ownership on voluntary disclosure and transparency. Among the four firm characteristics controlled for in the research, firm size was the only one with a highly significant positive impact on voluntary disclosure and transparency.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this research may not be generalized to all companies, as it was only conducted on the most active firms on the Egyptian Exchange. Therefore, it is recommended that future researches integrate a more diversified sample.

Practical implications

The research provides empirical evidence that institutional investors are not a homogeneous group and that different kinds of institutional ownership impact differently on voluntary disclosure and transparency. As such, some institutional investors are more influential than others when it comes to increasing corporate voluntary disclosure and transparency and in reducing agency problems.

Originality/value

This research offers assistance to policy makers interested in enhancing corporate disclosure and transparency. It is particularly important during any adjustment to ownership policies in Egypt.
The influence of Bolsa Familia conditional cash transfer program on child labor in Brazil
Authors: Pais Paloma Santana Moreira , Silva Felipe de Figueiredo , Teixeira Evandro Camargos
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The Brazilian Government created the Bolsa Familia program to combat poverty and the insertion of so many children into the labor market. This program is an income transfer program subject to certain conditions such as a minimum school attendance for children under 17 years of age. In 2006, almost half of the people with an income per capita of R$300.00 (US$139.53) per month declared that they received this benefit. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of Bolsa Familia on child labor in Brazil in 2006.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a propensity score matching model with data from the National Household Sample Survey PESQUISA NACIONAL POR AMOSTRA DE DOMICÍLIOS (PNAD), for 2006.

Findings

Results indicate that the program increased the number of hours of child labor in Brazil. However, this outcome might be explained by the fact that those families who received Bolsa Familia were also those with higher socioeconomic vulnerability. Thus, they need to guarantee their survival with the income generated via child labor.

Social implications

The Brazilian Government needs to invest not only in monetary transfer policies but also in the improvement of the job market to create opportunities for the social development of children.

Originality/value

The contribution of the paper is the investigation into the effect of the Bolsa Familia program on the average time allocated to child labor; the authors find that this time allocation could be reduced by requiring a compulsory school attendance.
How unequal is the size of middle class in the rural urban areas of Punjab province
Authors: Shahzadi Mariam , Riaz Muhammad Faraz , Anwar Sofia , Nasreen Samia
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Strengthening the middle class has become a major policy goal in both developed and developing economies due to its social, economic, cultural and political importance. Keeping in view the importance of middle class, the purpose of this paper is to measure the size of the middle class in the province of Punjab (the biggest province of Pakistan by population).

Design/methodology/approach

The study calculates a weighted composite index to measure the size of the middle class in the province of Punjab using the microcosmic data set, and the Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement 2010-2011 survey data set. The index is composed of five major socioeconomic dimensions, that is, income, occupation, education, lifestyle and housing. The above-mentioned dimensions are weighted through “principal component analysis”.

Findings

The results show that 46 percent of the population of Punjab falls in the middle class. Furthermore, the findings explain that middle class is generally an urban phenomenon in Punjab with relatively high level of education and non-manual occupations.

Originality/value

Only a limited research is available for measuring the middle class in Pakistan. The current research is an attempt to fill this gap by providing some important insight to the research in this area.
Interpretive approach to applied archaeology and its status in Iran
Authors: Afkhami Behrouz
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an approach to applied archaeology and interpretive methods for Iranian traditional archaeology. Applied archaeology is based on a holistic approach providing rational approaches in the field of cultural heritage preservation and sustainable use of the potential of cultural heritage with the participation of the people. This paper aims to create social good standing archaeology knowledge with respect to Iranian archaeology experts.

Design/methodology/approach

In this survey study, data collection was accomplished using a questionnaire. The sample consists of professors, PhD students, post-graduate fellows, and educated experts of the Iranian Tourism, Handicrafts and Cultural Heritage Organization.

Findings

Applied archaeology as a provider of situations, positions and employment opportunities for archaeologists has not been considered seriously in the Iranian archaeological education. Traditional education emphasizes the cultural history and field techniques; hence it does not consist of critical areas of heritage codes, protection and budget management, business skill and the most important, interpretation and consequently sustainable development. Iranian archaeologists agree with the findings of the applied archaeology. Evaluation of their opinions reveals that they agree with all applied archaeology items of the questionnaire.

Originality/value

As an approach, applied archaeology can be proactive and improve the status of archaeology in the Iranian field of cultural heritage, and representations of outputs such as site-museum and sustainable use of them which ultimately fulfil social, economic and even political-identity purposes, then applied archaeology can be a constructive element in archaeology and prevent vandalism and looting in cultural heritage.
Perceptions about cultural heritage and recreational sites among older adults in Bahia Blanca, Argentina
Authors: Pinassi Andrés , Van Hoof Hubert B. , Ercolani Patricia Susana
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on a study that was done among older adults in the city of Bahia Blanca, Argentina regarding their awareness and use of cultural heritage and commercial recreational sites.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory study among this historically understudied segment of the population used interviews and historical images to analyze their perceptions about such spaces and to establish a link between those perceptions and their civic identity.

Findings

The study found that appreciation of local cultural heritage sites was considerably lower than appreciation of commercial recreational areas and suggests possible interventions to enhance the use and appreciation of cultural heritage sites.

Social implications

This paper about Bahia Blanca derives its relevance from venturing into an analysis of the opinions about such sites among an age segment, the elderly, that has been poorly addressed in other studies, in particular in the Latin American context. The study reported here generated firsthand information that may serve public servants in making decisions in the context of locally developed cultural policies and presents a methodological model and data collection and analysis techniques that may be of interest for development elsewhere.

Originality/value

In Argentina there is a lack of research studies in the “older adults” age bracket. The contribution of this manuscript lies in creating a connectivity among concepts such as recreation/leisure, heritage and lived space, by using new contributions in the geography of leisure that are associated with the geography of everyday life. The concepts are integrated in the study of subjective spaces of individuals.
Evaluation of vacant and redundant public properties and risk control
Authors: Tajani Francesco , Morano Pierluigi
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a decision-support methodology for public and private subjects involved in the enhancement of public properties. In particular, with reference to cases in which the disused public property can be sold and the range of functions that define the highest and best use of the conversion was identified, the developed model allows for the assessment of the financial feasibility of the initiatives, in relation to the corresponding investment risks.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model integrates the mathematical logic of goal programming for the evaluation of the financial conveniences of the parties (public and private) involved in the enhancement of a public property with statistical approaches (value at risk+exponentially weighted moving average) so as to determine the investment risk of the private investor. The application of the model to a real case study highlighted the potentialities of the proposed methodology.

Findings

The model allows to determine: the optimal mix of intended uses to be realized in the public property under analysis; the fair value of the public property for the parties involved in the transaction; and the Pareto-optimal frontier of the expected profits, as a function of the risk appetite of the private investor.

Practical implications

The defined model responds to the growing international interest in the enhancement of public buildings, satisfies the objectives of the substantial reduction of soil sealing and urban sustainability, stimulates the urban regeneration of deprived areas of the cities through the reactivation of large buildings that have been disused or underused for too long.

Originality/value

The present research allows to provide effective evaluation tools capable of outlining the opportunities of redevelopment initiatives and examines the risk factors that often invalidate the initial forecasts of the private entrepreneur and/or stop the activation of investments.
Lifelong learning and library programming for third agers
Authors: Sabo Robin M.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine library programming for active older (“third age”) adults and give suggestions for future improvements. In addition to covering research specific to library programming for these adults, which is limited, this review will also survey the literature on lifelong learning for this population.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper includes a literature review on library programming geared specifically to active, older adults and a survey of literature on lifelong learning for the “third agers”.

Findings

Demographics show that older adults are a growing population, not only in the USA, but worldwide. Many baby boomers have already entered or soon will be entering the “third age”. Most libraries are not providing specific programming to support these older lifelong learners. In the USA, baby boomers have the highest net worth of any generation, and as such, are an important fundraising source. Research indicates that older adults participate in lifelong learning activities and will attend library programs of interest. Topics of interest include hobbies/leisure pursuits, humanities, social/international issues, religion/philosophy, arts, technology and nutrition/health/stress management.

Practical implications

Libraries are missing a prime opportunity to expand services, develop library advocates and fundraise by ignoring the growing population of active older adults. Suggestions are given for how both public and academic libraries can take advantage of these opportunities.

Social implications

Older adults are a rapidly growing population. Providing library programming for this group benefits both older adults and libraries.

Originality/value

There are no known previous comprehensive literature reviews on library programming for older adults. Offering specific programming to this population has benefits for older adults, libraries and their communities.
Supporting start-up business model design through system dynamics modelling
Authors: Cosenz Federico
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how system dynamics (SD) modelling can provide a methodological support to business model (BM) design with the intent to better communicate business strategy and manage performance.

Design/methodology/approach

After a literature review of the field and an analysis of the strengths and limitations of conventional BM frameworks, the paper illustrates and discusses an approach that combines such a framework with SD modelling. A single-case study design was selected to explore the implications and limitations of using this combined approach to business modelling.

Findings

The methodological support provided by SD to BM design may effectively improve business strategy communication and performance management through both the adoption of a systemic and flexible perspective able to identify and analyse the main cause-and-effect relationships between the key-elements of the business strategy, and the use of a simulation technique that contributes in understanding how a firm operates, and its prospective performance over time.

Originality/value

Growing interest for BMs appears in the recent strategic management literature with research highlighting strengths and shortcomings. However, few attempts have been produced to overcome such limitations, while the adoption of SD is relatively new in supporting BM design.
Evaluation and decision making in social media marketing
Authors: Keegan Brendan James , Rowley Jennifer
Published: January 2017

Purpose

As organisations are increasing their investment in social media marketing (SMM), evaluation of such techniques is becoming increasingly important. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to knowledge regarding SMM strategy by developing a stage model of SMM evaluation and uncovering the challenges in this process.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews were conducted with 18 key informants working for specialist SMM agencies. Such informants are a particularly rich source, since they manage social media campaigns for a wide range of clients. An exploratory research was conducted and thematic analysis surfaced the key components of the SMM evaluation process and associated challenges.

Findings

The SMM evaluation framework is developed. This framework has the following six stages: setting evaluation objectives, identifying key performance indicators (KPIs), identifying metrics, data collection and analysis, report generation and management decision making. Challenges associated with each stage of the framework are identified, and discussed with a view to better understanding decision making associated with social media strategies. Two key challenges are the agency-client relationship and the available social analytics tools.

Originality/value

Despite an increasing body of research on social media objectives, KPIs and metrics, no previous study has explored how these components are embedded in a marketing campaign planning process. The paper also offers insights in the factors that make SMM evaluation complex and challenging. Recommendations for further research and practice are offered.
A meta-analysis of the impact of privatization on firm performance
Authors: Bachiller Patricia
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Despite the vast literature on privatization, the relationship between change of ownership and performance is not clear. The purpose of this paper is to understand why divergences are found between the empirical results of papers analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

The author applies a meta-analysis to a sample of 60 empirical studies that analyze the performance of privatized companies. The author checks whether different results on performance can be explained by the method of privatization and the level of development of the country of privatized companies.

Findings

The findings indicate that companies privatized by public offerings obtain a better performance than companies privatized using other methods, such as private sale or voucher privatization, and do not support the common-place assumption that privatization in developing countries does not improve financial performance.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature on privatization because it adds new empirical evidence about the privatization programs and it first applies a meta-analysis to a sample about privatization on state-owned companies. The author discusses theoretical and managerial implications and offers suggestions for future research on privatization.
Significant education factors in creating local safety maps
Authors: Nakamura Hiroki , Murae Fumitoshi
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on local safety map creation education activities for crime prevention and to quantitatively identify the relationships between the elements that determine the expected effects of local safety maps.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to clarify the effects following and the significant factors involved in creating local safety maps, questionnaire surveys were given to participants in map-creation activities held in Kitakyushu City, Japan. The results were analyzed with structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results showed that safety maps may improve an understanding of the characteristics of dangerous and safe places, but they may not enhance knowledge of places sufficiently for someone to ask for help if they are in danger or are likely to be a crime victim. Of the factors most important in both the creation and effectiveness of safety maps, intergenerational exchanges and communication rank the highest, as they relate to an understanding of safety and crime prevention, and to familiarity with the region.

Practical implications

In the future, we should establish a system and design for safety map creation in which intergenerational discussion and communication with various people, including university students, is possible.

Originality/value

Although the production of local safety maps has been said to improve participants’ abilities, it was unclear who gained abilities in the map-making process to the extent to which the participants could effectively produce the maps. This paper discovered the effects and the significant factors involved in map creation.
Whatever happened to the family? England’s new gang strategy
Authors: Pitts John
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the evolution of HM government’s gang strategy from 2011 to the present. It considers why an initial emphasis upon the “troubled family” as the progenitor of gang violence has given way to more tightly focussed modes of intervention in which concerns about gang violence are conflated with other policy concerns.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on a range of policy documents over the relevant period to demonstrate a shift in rhetoric and focus and assesses this trajectory against the evidence base suggested by other relevant literature.

Findings

The argument contained in the paper attributes this shift in focus to a combination of the insights provided by new research, dwindling budgets and the reformulation of the original policy objectives in terms of recent policy priorities.

Social implications

It is suggested that in times of austerity, policy initiatives are reformulated to fit available resources but changes are presented as an improvement on what went before.

Originality/value

The paper uses secondary sources to develop and original analysis and argument.
Finish line plant–insect interactions mediated by insect feeding mode and plant interference: a case study of Brassica interactions with diamondback moth and turnip aphid
Authors: Soufbaf Mahmoud , Fathipour Yaghoub , Harvey Jeffrey A. , Hui Cang
Published: January 2017

There are gaps in our understanding of plant responses under different insect phytophagy modes and their subsequent effects on the insect herbivores’ performance at late season. Here we compared different types of insect feeding by an aphid, Lipaphis erysimi, and a lepidopteran, Plutella xylostella, and how this affected defensive metabolites in leaves of 2 Brassica species when plants gain maturity. Thiocyanate concentrations after P. xylostella and L. erysimi feeding activities were the same. Total phenolics was higher after the phloem feeder feeding than the folivore activity. The plants compensatory responses (i.e., tolerance) to L. erysimi feeding was significantly higher than the responses to P. xylostella. This study showed that L. erysimi had higher carbon than P. xylostella whereas nitrogen in P. xylostella was 1.42 times that in L. erysimi. Population size of the phloem feeder was not affected by plant species or insect coexistence. However, there was no correlation between plant defensive metabolites and both insects’ population size and biomass. This suggests that plant root biomass and tolerance index after different insect herbivory modes are not necessarily unidirectional. Importantly, the interaction between the folivore and the phloem feeder insects is asymmetric and the phloem feeder might be a trickier problem for plants than the folivore. Moreover, as both plants’ common and special defenses decreased under interspecific interference, we suggest that specialist insect herbivores can be more challenged in ecosystems in which plants are not involved in interspecific interference.
Tracking global change using lichen diversity: towards a global‐scale ecological indicator
Authors: Matos Paula , Geiser Linda , Hardman Amanda , Glavich Doug , Pinho Pedro , Nunes Alice , Soares Amadeu M.V.M. , Branquinho Cristina
Published: January 2017

Lichens have been used to efficiently track major drivers of global change from the local to regional scale since the beginning of the industrial revolution (sulphur dioxide) to the present (nitrogen deposition and climate change). Currently, the challenge is to universalize monitoring methodologies to compare global change drivers’ simultaneous and independent effects on ecosystems and to assess the efficacy of mitigation measures.

Because two protocols are now used at a continental scale North America (US) and Europe (EU), it is timely to investigate the compatibility of the interpretation of their outcomes. For the first time, we present an analytical framework to compare the interpretation of data sets coming from these methods utilizing broadly accepted biodiversity metrics, featuring a paired data set from the US Pacific Northwest.

The methodologies yielded highly similar interpretation trends between response metrics: taxonomic diversity, functional diversity and community composition shifts in response to two major drivers of global change (nitrogen deposition and climate). A framework was designed to incorporate surrogates of species richness (the most commonly used empirical trend in taxonomic diversity), shifts in species composition (compositional turnover) and metrics of functional diversity (link between community shifts to effects and ecosystem structure and functioning). These metrics are essential to more thoroughly comprehend biodiversity response to global change. Its inclusion in this framework enables future cross‐continental analysis of lichen biodiversity change from North America and Europe in response to global change. Future works should focus on developing independent metrics for response to global change drivers, namely climate and pollution, taking us one step closer to a lichen‐based global ecological indicator.
Modest overexpression of FOXO maintains cardiac proteostasis and ameliorates age‐associated functional decline
Authors: Blice‐Baum Anna C. , Zambon Alexander C. , Kaushik Gaurav , Viswanathan Meera C. , Engler Adam J. , Bodmer Rolf , Cammarato Anthony
Published: January 2017

Heart performance declines with age. Impaired protein quality control (PQC), due to reduced ubiquitin‐proteasome system (UPS) activity, autophagic function, and/or chaperone‐mediated protein refolding, contributes to cardiac deterioration. The transcription factor FOXO participates in regulating genes involved in PQC, senescence, and numerous other processes. Here, a comprehensive approach, involving molecular genetics, novel assays to probe insect cardiac physiology, and bioinformatics, was utilized to investigate the influence of heart‐restricted manipulation of dFOXO expression in the rapidly aging Drosophila melanogaster model. Modest dFOXO overexpression was cardioprotective, ameliorating nonpathological functional decline with age. This was accompanied by increased expression of genes associated predominantly with the UPS, relative to other PQC components, which was validated by a significant decrease in ubiquitinated proteins. RNAi knockdown of UPS candidates accordingly compromised myocardial physiology in young flies. Conversely, excessive dFOXO overexpression or suppression proved detrimental to heart function and/or organismal development. This study highlights D. melanogaster as a model of cardiac aging and FOXO as a tightly regulated mediator of proteostasis and heart performance over time.
Cluster microRNAs miR‐194 and miR‐215 suppress the tumorigenicity of intestinal tumor organoids
Authors: Nakaoka Toshiaki , Saito Yoshimasa , Shimamoto Yuriko , Muramatsu Toshihide , Kimura Masaki , Kanai Yae , Saito Hidetsugu
Published: January 2017

Tumor stem cells with self‐renewal and multipotent capacity play critical roles in the initiation and progression of cancer. Recently, a new 3‐D culture system known as organoid culture has been developed, allowing Lgr5‐positive stem cells to form organoids that resemble the properties of original tissues. Here we established organoids derived from intestinal tumors of Apcmin/+ mice and normal intestinal epithelia of C57BL/6J mice and investigated the roles of microRNA (miRNA) in intestinal tumor organoids. The results of microarray analyses revealed that expression of the cluster miRNAs, miR‐194 and miR‐215 was markedly suppressed in intestinal tumor organoids in comparison with organoids derived from normal intestinal epithelia. Enforced expression of miR‐194 resulted in inhibition of E2f3, a positive regulator of the cell cycle and growth suppression of intestinal tumor organoids. In addition, enforced expression of miR‐215 suppressed the cancer stem cell signature through downregulation of intestinal stem cell markers including Lgr5. These findings indicate that the miRNA cluster including miR‐194 and miR‐215 plays important roles in suppressing the growth and attenuating the stemness of intestinal tumor organoids.
Children and young people's conceptualizations of depression: a systematic review and narrative meta‐synthesis
Authors: Georgakakou‐Koutsonikou N. , Williams J. M.
Published: January 2017

Background

There is an increasing research interest in conceptualizations of mental illness, examined in association with help‐seeking, stigma and treatment preferences. A recent focus on young people's concepts has been identified, with depression being one of the most examined conditions.

Methods

The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize evidence on children and adolescents' conceptualizations of depression, adopting the model of illness representations. The review further aims to examine developmental trends, gender differences and the role of experience. A systematic review and narrative meta‐synthesis were conducted, reviewing 36 studies identified through a systematic search of six databases in March 2016.

Results

Thirty‐six quantitative and qualitative studies were included. Half of the young people are able to recognize depression, and recognition increases when symptoms are more severe (e.g. suicidality). Young people are able to name a variety of causes for depression. Mental health professionals are considered the appropriate source of help by half of the young people, followed by family and peers. However, stigma constitutes a major barrier to help‐seeking. There are developmental trends and gender differences in young people's conceptualization of depression, while experience with depression is associated with a broader conceptualization.

Conclusions

Young people's concepts of depression resemble aspects of adult conceptualizations, however are sometimes incomplete. Further research on younger children and clinical populations is needed. Research on young people's conceptualizations informs both clinical practice and mental health literacy interventions.
Comparing human resource planning models in dentistry: A case study using Canadian Armed Forces dental clinics
Authors: Shaw Jodi L. , Farmer Julie W. , Coyte Peter C. , Lawrence Herenia P.
Published: January 2017

Objectives

To compare two methods of allocating general dentists to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) dental detachments: a dentist‐to‐population ratio model and a needs‐based model.

Methods

Data obtained from CAF sources were analysed to compare models. Times assigned to treatment plan procedures were used as a proxy for treatment needs. Full‐time equivalents (FTEs) were used as an indicator for the number of dentists allocated to each detachment. FTE values were adjusted for military dentists to account for time spent on compulsory nonclinical duties. The paired‐samples t test was used to assess differences between the models for all clinics (dental detachments) and by clinic size.

Results

The dentist‐to‐population ratio model for the CAF population (n=68 183) estimated an allocation of 83.25 FTE general dentists to CAF dental detachments. Based on a systematic sample of the CAF population (n=2226), the needs‐based model estimated the requirement for 64.71 FTE general dentists. The average difference between models was 0.71 FTE (SE=0.273), which was statistically significant (P=0.015). In terms of differences by clinic size, differences were more pronounced in clinics serving more than 4000 CAF personnel (2.63 FTEs, SE=0.613, P=0.008).

Conclusions

The findings reveal differences between estimation models of <1 FTE, with higher estimates produced from the dentist‐to‐population ratio model. A larger difference was found in clinics with larger populations. The perceived overestimation of dental human resource requirements suggests that changing to a needs‐based model may result in cost savings.