bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The types and effects of feedback received by emergency ambulance staff: protocol for a systematic mixed studies review with narrative synthesis
Authors: Wilson Caitlin , Janes Gillian , Lawton Rebecca , Benn Jonathan
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The primary aim of this systematic review is to identify, describe and synthesise the published literature on the types and effects of feedback received by emergency ambulance staff. The secondary aim will be to describe the mechanisms and moderators of the effects of prehospital feedback in an organisational context.

Design/methodology/approach

The application and effects of feedback for healthcare professionals, to support improved practice, is well researched within the wider healthcare domain. Within a prehospital context, research into feedback has been developing in specific areas such as automated feedback from defibrillators and debrief after simulation. However, to date there has been no systematic review published on the types and effects of feedback available to emergency ambulance staff.

Findings

This study will be a systematic mixed studies review including empirical primary research of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods methodology published in peer-reviewed journals in English. Studies will be included if they explore the concept of feedback as defined in this review, i.e. the systematised provision of information to emergency ambulance staff regarding their performance within prehospital practice and/or patient outcomes. The search strategy will consist of three facets: ambulance staff synonyms, feedback synonyms and feedback content. The databases to be searched from inception are MEDLINE, Embase, AMED, PsycINFO, HMIC, CINAHL and Web of Science. Study quality will be appraised using the mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT) developed by Hong et al. (2018). Data analysis will consist of narrative synthesis guided by Popay et al. (2006) following a parallel-results convergent synthesis design.

Originality/value

Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42020162600)
Bubble economics: how big a shock to China’s real estate sector will throw the country into recession, and why does it matter?
Authors: Michael Bryane , Zhao Simon
Published: February 2021

Purpose

By modelling China’s property price changes and their effect on GDP, this study aims to develop a more general model of the costs and benefits driving price bubbles.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors develop a five-sector dynamic model (using data from China and seven other comparator jurisdictions), resulting in a bubble risk factor. The authors then correlate this risk factor with changes in property prices and resulting changes in GDP.

Findings

The authors find that economic structures (the way GDP, property prices and other variables change relative to each other) can change during/after a financial crisis. The authors also find that price disequilibria can help predict the risk of a property price fall – which thus reverberates into GDP change.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no dynamic models of price bubbles exist (though many exist of financial bubbles). The authors provide both theoretical novelties (such as providing a model of risk using non-linear differential equations) and practical ones (showing when we can expect Chinese GDP to fall).
Applying data mining algorithms to real estate appraisals: a comparative study
Authors: Oliveira Thiago Cesar de , Medeiros Lúcio de , Detzel Daniel Henrique Marco
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Real estate appraisals are becoming an increasingly important means of backing up financial operations based on the values of these kinds of assets. However, in very large databases, there is a reduction in the predictive capacity when traditional methods, such as multiple linear regression (MLR), are used. This paper aims to determine whether in these cases the application of data mining algorithms can achieve superior statistical results. First, real estate appraisal databases from five towns and cities in the State of Paraná, Brazil, were obtained from Caixa Econômica Federal bank.

Design/methodology/approach

After initial validations, additional databases were generated with both real, transformed and nominal values, in clean and raw data. Each was assisted by the application of a wide range of data mining algorithms (multilayer perceptron, support vector regression, K-star, M5Rules and random forest), either isolated or combined (regression by discretization – logistic, bagging and stacking), with the use of 10-fold cross-validation in Weka software.

Findings

The results showed more varied incremental statistical results with the use of algorithms than those obtained by MLR, especially when combined algorithms were used. The largest increments were obtained in databases with a large amount of data and in those where minor initial data cleaning was carried out. The paper also conducts a further analysis, including an algorithmic ranking based on the number of significant results obtained.

Originality/value

The authors did not find similar studies or research studies conducted in Brazil.
The external impacts of historic landmarks and buildings on townhouse prices in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Doan , Nguyen Thu Hong Thi
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the external spillover effects of landmarks and buildings with historic preservation designation in Vietnam, a country marked with a unique property right regime and market transparency. The study contributes to the existing debate over the impact of distance to historic preservation sites and landmarks and property prices.

Design/methodology/approach

The study examines property data of 274 attached townhouses in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and estimates the spillover effects of historic preservation on property prices collected during 2018–2019. The authors test for spatial autocorrelation by using the Global Moran’s I and Lagrange Multiplier diagnostics and deploy different spatial regression models including SAR, SEM and SDM.

Findings

The authors find that there is a premium on the prices of townhouses near formally designated landmarks and buildings. This premium decreases monotonically away from the historic sites. However, this paper also demonstrates that there is a non-linear (U-shape) relationship between housing premium and the distance to the nearest historic building.

Originality/value

This study is the first to take advantage of the surveyed property data to study the external impacts of historic preservation designation on housing prices in Vietnam. The study also contributes to the ongoing scholarly debate over the direction of the impacts. The study suggests that similar to other amenities, the price effect of designation tends to fade away after a certain distance.
House price index (HPI) and Covid-19 pandemic shocks: evidence from Turkey and Kazakhstan
Authors: Aliefendioğlu Yeşim , Tanrivermis Harun , Salami Monsurat Ayojimi
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate asymmetric pricing behaviour and impact of coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic shocks on house price index (HPI) of Turkey and Kazakhstan.

Design/methodology/approach

Monthly HPIs and consumer price index (CPI) data ranges from 2010M1 to 2020M5 are used. This study uses a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag model for empirical analysis.

Findings

The findings of this study reveal that the Covid-19 pandemic exerted both long-run and short-run asymmetric relationship on HPI of Turkey while in Kazakhstan, the long-run impact of Covid-19 pandemic shock is symmetrical long-run positive effect is similar in both HPI markets.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitations of this study are the study scope and data set due to data constraint. Several other macroeconomic variables may affect housing prices; however, variables used in this study satisfy the focus of this study in the presence of data constraint. HPI and CPI variables were made available on monthly basis for a considerably longer period which guaranteed the ranges of data set used in this study.

Practical implications

Despite the limitation, this study provides necessary information for authorities and prospective investors in HPI to make a sound investment decision.

Originality/value

This is the first study that rigorously and simultaneously examines the pricing behaviour of Turkey and Kazakhstan HPIs in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic shocks at the regional level. HPI of Kazakhstan is recognized in the global real estate transparency index but the study is rare. The study contributes to regional studies on housing price by bridging this gap in the real estate literature.
Limit your body area -a COVID-19 mass radicalisation challenging autonomy and basic human rights
Authors: Glasdam Stinne , Stjernswärd Sigrid
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore articulations of how individuals internalise official demands on handling COVID-19 and the function of social media in this process, and further to discuss this from a human rights’ perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

A thematic analysis of qualitative data from an international survey on COVID-19 and social media. The analysis was inspired by Berger and Luckmann's theory of reality as a social construction.

Findings

Articulations expressed an instant internalisation and externalisation of the officially defined “new normal”. However, negotiations of this “new normal” were articulated, whereby everyday life activities could proceed. Resistance to the “new normal” appeared, as routines and common sense understandings of everyday life were threatened. Health-care professionals were put in a paradoxical situation, living in accordance with the “new normal” outside work and legitimately deviating from it at work. The “new normal” calls for individuals’ “oughtonomy” rather than autonomy. Social media were used to push individual’s re-socialisation into the “new normal”. The latter both promoted and challenged human rights as the individual's right to self-determination extends beyond the self as it risks threatening other people's right to life.

Originality/value

With the means of a theoretically based thematic analysis inspired by Berger and Luckmann, the current study shows how articulations on COVID-19 and social media can both support and challenge human rights and reality as a facticity as dictated by dominant organisations and discourses in society.
Cultural diversity drives innovation: modeling in the global pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Jones Graham , Chirino Chace Bernardita , Wright Justin
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The innovative capacity of an organization is typically realized through unit-level teams. Previous studies correlate innovation performance with cultural diversity of teams, but note that team dynamics need to be optimized to derive maximum benefit. Herein, this study offers an assessment of available team building instruments through the lens of diverse innovation teams. In a demonstration project in the pharmaceutical industry, this study then outlines specific tools and approaches which can be successfully deployed through team coaching and mentoring.

Design/methodology/approach

A cluster of nine innovation teams with varying degrees of cultural diversity was provided with assessment and management instruments which had been identified and field tested by a mentoring team. Content included cultural awareness tools, innovation team profiling methods and Team Science (SciTS) ideology. Teams were funded, coached and mentored through a six-month performance period and assessed at regular intervals.

Findings

Team assessments provided correlations between performance (measured by project completion and new intellectual property generated) and diversity together with wealth of information on intra-team culture and dynamics. Concrete recommendations from the study include adoption of appropriate communication standards to promote inclusivity, use of SciTS operational tracking metrics to enhance engagement, use of the FourSight group profiling methodology and cultural quotient scale cultural awareness instruments at team-forming stage to promote effective dynamics and enhance inclusivity.

Practical implications

Cultural diversity has a positive impact on innovation teams. This said, for maximum benefit cultural awareness of team members should be optimized to avoid unintended conflicts developing. Such issues can be exacerbated when teams are deployed remotely and preventative measures should be established. These issues became of heightened significance as a result of telecommuting imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and have longer-term implications, as corporations consider global air travel reduction through environmental concerns. A tracking tool is described to monitor team engagement and promote inclusivity. It is expected that the learnings can influence how teams can best form, normalize and operate within corporate innovation programs and form the basis of long-term impact studies.

Originality/value

This represents the first systematic study on the impact of cultural diversity and team dynamics within innovation programs in the pharmaceutical industry. The tools and methodologies deployed are widely available and can be adopted by innovation teams in many adjacent industries with established innovation ecosystems.
From entrepreneurial education to entrepreneurial intention: a sequential mediation of self-efficacy and entrepreneurial attitude
Authors: Yousaf Usman , Ali Syed Ahmad , Ahmed Muhammad , Usman Bushra , Sameer Izba
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Does entrepreneurship education (EE) really enhance participants’ self-efficacy and influence their attitudes towards starting new business? How does this attitudinal influence relate to participants’ entrepreneurial intention (EI)? Researchers and entrepreneurs alike have been probing into these questions with a view to capacitate the need of EE. This study aims to understand and operationalize a framework for entrepreneurship development by measuring participants’ intention towards entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study proposed a sequential mediation framework to examine the impact of EE on EI mediated by self-efficacy and attitude towards starting new business. Testing the hypotheses on data collected from 380 individuals, the study provided differentiated support for the theoretical propositions.

Findings

The findings of the study reflect that EE, self-efficacy and attitude towards starting new business contribute in establishing EI of audience. It was concluded that a sequential mediation exists between EE and EI by channelizing through entrepreneurs’ self-efficacy level that transforms an attitude towards starting a new business venture.

Research limitations/implications

The study has both theoretical and practical implications that will enable academicians, managers and practitioners to facilitate entrepreneurship by enhancing their knowledge database, skillset and developing a positive and constructive attitude among potential entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

The study inculcates a cultural lens and differentiates Pakistani context with other developing countries in Asia.
Potentials of blockchain technologies for supply chain collaboration: a conceptual framework
Authors: Rejeb Abderahman , Keogh John G. , Simske Steven J. , Stafford Thomas , Treiblmaier Horst
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the potentials of blockchain technologies (BC) for supply chain collaboration (SCC).

Design/methodology/approach

Building on a narrative literature review and analysis of seminal SCC research, BC characteristics are integrated into a conceptual framework consisting of seven key dimensions: information sharing, resource sharing, decision synchronization, goal congruence, incentive alignment, collaborative communication and joint knowledge creation. The relevance of each category is briefly assessed.

Findings

BC technologies can impact collaboration between transaction partners in modern supply chains (SCs) by streamlining information sharing processes, by supporting decision and reward models and by strengthening communicative relationships with SC partners. BC promises important future capabilities in SCs by facilitating auditability, improving accountability, enhancing data and information transparency and improving trust in B2B relationships. The technology also promises to strengthen collaboration and to overcome vulnerabilities related to moral hazard and shortcomings found in legacy technologies.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is mainly focused on the potentials of BC technologies on SCC as envisioned in the current academic literature. Hence, there is a need to validate the theoretical inferences with other approaches such as expert interviews and empirical tests. This study is of use to practitioners and decision-makers seeking to engage in BC-collaborative SC models.

Originality/value

The value of this paper lies in its call for an increased focus on the possibilities of BC technologies to support SCC. This study also contributes to the literature by filling the knowledge gap of how BC potentially impacts SC management.
The impact of buyer–supplier interaction on ambidextrous innovation and business performance: the moderating role of competitive environment
Authors: Wang Yu , Sun Hongyi , Jia Tao , Chen Jinliang
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study is based on knowledge-based view to examine the relationships among buyer–supplier interaction, ambidextrous innovation and business performance. It includes competitive intensity and dysfunctional competition to clarify boundary conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The ordinary least squares regression was conducted to test hypotheses. The survey data were collected from 182 Hong Kong manufacturing firms.

Findings

Buyer–supplier interaction facilitates ambidextrous innovation, namely exploitative innovation and exploratory innovation. In turn, exploitative innovation enhances business performance, whereas exploratory innovation has no influence on business performance. Competitive intensity strengthens while dysfunctional competition weakens the impact of buyer–supplier interaction on ambidextrous innovation.

Research limitations/implications

This study is based on the knowing processes of knowledge-based view. It contends that business performance is derived from ambidextrous innovation, which depends on the utilization of acquired supplier knowledge and the influence of external competitive environment. The test of relationships is constrained by the single-source and cross-sectional data.

Practical implications

Firms should engage in buyer–supplier interaction to acquire and utilize supplier knowledge. Meanwhile, they should monitor competitive environment to seize opportunities and avoid threats.

Originality/value

This study builds a holistic framework for buyer–supplier interaction, which reconciles the mixed arguments by distinguishing its effects on ambidextrous innovation, and by clarifying boundary conditions in terms of competitive intensity and dysfunctional competition.
Exploring the knowledge development trajectories of the supply chain finance domain: a main path analysis
Authors: Yu Dejian , Sheng Libo
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Supply chain finance (SCF), which is able to manage financial flows along the supply chains effectively, has received wide attention from all over the world. Faced with the increasing number of outputs, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the SCF development over the past decades effectively, including the hot topics, knowledge diffusion trajectories and structure.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts the keyword co-occurrence cluster and main path analysis (MPA) including four types of main paths, studying the historical development of SCF based on 2,233 papers retrieved from Web of Science during 1970–2019.

Findings

The results show that: (1) the research focuses on several aspects, including trade credit, supply chain management, procurement, health financing and sustainability, etc. and (2) trade credit financing has been the mainstream and the research focus has shifted from one-level trade credit to two-level trade credit. Recently, there is a trend to use game-theoretic models to find the best solutions for members in the supply chain.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the need to investigate the knowledge evolution in the SCF domain. It provides a framework to study the knowledge diffusion trajectories and structure, which helps scholars to handle thousands of papers effectively and deepen their understanding of the history, present and future trends of SCF development.
Modern divulge in production optimization: an implementation framework of LARG manufacturing with Industry 4.0
Authors: Amjad Muhammad Saad , Rafique Muhammad Zeeshan , Khan Mohammad Aamir
Published: February 2021

Purpose

In the modern manufacturing environment, it is imperative to apply the manufacturing concepts of lean, agile, resilient and green, collectively known as LARG manufacturing, to achieve excellence in which lean manufacturing eliminates wastes; agile manufacturing makes processes fast, efficient and flexible; resilient paradigm deals with countering the uncertainty while green manufacturing improves environmental performance. The objective of this study is to develop an integration framework that synergizes LARG manufacturing with Industry 4.0.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a literature review, the authors have explored the possibility of collaboration between constituents of lean, agile, resilient and green manufacturing with the facets of Industry 4.0.

Findings

The authors have developed a comprehensive integration framework that has been divided into 11 phases and 31 steps in which the various Industry 4.0 facets have supplemented the lean, agile, resilient and green paradigms.

Practical implications

This investigation and adoption of technologically intensive automation shall provide clarity to practitioners regarding the synergy of LARG manufacturing & Industry 4.0, so that fast and efficient manufacturing processes can be achieved.

Originality/value

The framework provides detailed insight towards implementation of LARG practices in a manufacturing organization in coalescence with Industry 4.0 practices.
MNE’s sustainability strategies in emerging and developing markets
Authors: Garri Myropi
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Nowadays, companies abandon their traditional rent-gaining strategies. They pursue triple bottom-line results by implementing economic, environmental and social sustainability strategies. This paper aims to link the main sustainability strategies of multinational enterprises (MNEs) in emerging and developing markets (EDMs) to the strategic, industrial, market and institutional antecedents of sustainability development.

Design/methodology/approach

Positivism and a deductive research approach are used to test propositions through a multiple case study strategy, to identify the sustainability strategies of five MNEs belonging in five different industries, and the antecedents of these strategies.

Findings

Strategic leadership and strategic behavior/orientation are among the most important antecedents of sustainability strategies development in EDMs. The sustainability strategies are partially industry specific. However, all companies had undertaken activities that go beyond the mitigation of their negative impact, acting as regulators of the EDMs.

Originality/value

Previous literature has explained sustainability as an attempt of the MNEs to cover institutional voids and the absence/failings of the state. This paper contributes to the exploration of sustainability strategies of MNEs in EDMs, by identifying the strategic and market influences driving sustainability and by linking this strategic behavior to industrial and institutional idiosyncrasies.
Homesickness: a comparative study of defense and civilian employees and individual differences
Authors: Garg Naval , Punia B.K. , Kakkar Vanshikha , Kumari Sarika
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Most of the studies in the field of homesickness are confined to students; this study aims to explore the feeling of homesickness among working professionals. Also, it tends to examine individual differences in the experience of homesickness across employees of different gender, ages, experience, family type, etc. The study also aspires to compare homesickness among military and civil employees.

Design/methodology/approach

The study explores five dimensions of homesickness, namely, missing family, missing friend, rumination about home, feeling lonely and adjustment problems. The collected data is subjected to reliability, validity and confirmatory factor analysis. Further, t-test and analysis of variance are used to explore homesickness differences across soldiers and corporate employees.

Findings

The study reveals that homesickness is significantly higher for employees in the male, unmarried, nuclear family, above the age of 45 years, and below the graduation category. Also, defense people experience more homesickness than civilian employees.

Originality/value

This study is one of the pioneer studies that compare homesickness among defense and civilian employees. Also, variables such as type of family, the experience of employees and marital status have hardly been explored in the literature of homesickness.
Employee career development and turnover: a moderated mediation model
Authors: Kasdorf Ryan L. , Kayaalp Alper
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Responding to calls for further research, the primary aim of the current study is to examine the employee perceptions of development (EPD) and intent to stay process with potential intervening variables (i.e. job satisfaction and supervisor support) to expand our understanding of how employees will respond to such perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach

A large sample (n = 687) of survey responses from a health-care organization was analyzed. The data set is from an employee experience survey that was distributed to employees after one year of employment. As one of the largest change initiatives in its history, the organization was in the process of merging with another large health-care organization.

Findings

The results indicated that there is a direct and positive relationship between EPD and intent to stay, and that job satisfaction mediated this relationship. These findings provide further evidence that employee development is an effective intervention to reduce turnover and increase job satisfaction.

Originality/value

The current study contributed to the existing literature by providing additional evidence for the positive effects of employee career development perceptions on job satisfaction and intent to stay by examining a large sample in an organizational setting.
Modern slavery in supply chains: insights through strategic ambiguity
Authors: Meehan Joanne , Pinnington Bruce D.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess whether firms' transparency in supply chain (TISC) statements indicate that substantive action is being taken on modern slavery in UK government supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyse 66 of the UK government's strategic suppliers' TISC statements and 20 key documents related to the policy intent of the UK Parliament, 2015 TISC requirements. Qualitative document analysis identifies what suppliers say they are doing and what they are not saying to provide novel insights into how firms employ ambiguity to avoid timely action on modern slavery in their supply chains A set of propositions are developed.

Findings

The authors elaborate the concepts of time and change in socially sustainable supply chains and illustrate how firms use ambiguity in TISC statements as a highly strategic form of action to defend the status quo, reduce accountability and delay action for modern slavery within supply chains. The authors identify three ambiguous techniques: defensive reassurance, transfer responsibility and scope reduction that deviate from the policy intention of collaborative action.

Social implications

The results illustrates how ambiguity is preventing firms from taking collaborative action to tackle modern slavery in their supply chains. The lack of action as a result of ambiguity protects firms, rather than potential victims of modern slavery.

Originality/value

Prior research focuses on technical compliance rather than the content of firms' TISC statements. This qualitative study provides novel insights into the policy-resistant effects of ambiguity and highlights the dynamic and instrumental role of modern slavery reporting. Theoretically, we identify accountability as an essential concept to address the causes of modern slavery in supply chains and for developing collaborative supply chain environments to tackle the issues.
An active model for ranging by deep convolutional neural network and elephant herding optimization algorithm (DCNN-EHOA) in WSNs
Authors: Rajasekhar Reddy Adireddy , Narayana Rao Appini
Published: February 2021

Purpose

In modern technology, the wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are generally most promising solutions for better reliability, object tracking, remote monitoring and more, which is directly related to the sensor nodes. Received signal strength indication (RSSI) is main challenges in sensor networks, which is fully depends on distance measurement. The learning algorithm based traditional models are involved in error correction, distance measurement and improve the accuracy of effectiveness. But, most of the existing models are not able to protect the user’s data from the unknown or malicious data during the signal transmission. The simulation outcomes indicate that proposed methodology may reach more constant and accurate position states of the unknown nodes and the target node in WSNs domain than the existing methods.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper present a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) from the adaptation of machine learning to identify the problems on deep ranging sensor networks and overthrow the problems of unknown sensor nodes localization in WSN networks by using instance parameters of elephant herding optimization (EHO) technique and which is used to optimize the localization problem.

Findings

In this proposed method, the signal propagation properties can be extracted automatically because of this image data and RSSI data values. Rest of this manuscript shows that the ECO can find the better performance analysis of distance estimation accuracy, localized nodes and its transmission range than those traditional algorithms. ECO has been proposed as one of the main tools to promote a transformation from unsustainable development to one of sustainable development. It will reduce the material intensity of goods and services.

Originality/value

The proposed technique is compared to existing systems to show the proposed method efficiency. The simulation results indicate that this proposed methodology can achieve more constant and accurate position states of the unknown nodes and the target node in WSNs domain than the existing methods.
What she said, what he said: local elected officials' views of effective leadership behaviors
Authors: Dula Lauren , Holmes Maja Husar , Jacobson Willow S. , Lambright Kristina T.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study advances understanding of the behaviors local elected officials believe effective leaders display, whether these behaviors tend to be associated with a particular gender and if beliefs vary by gender.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from focus groups with local elected officials in a US state, participants were asked to identify behaviors of effective elected officials. Focus group demographic data allowed for responses to be matched by the participants' gender.

Findings

Men and women local elected officials differ little in their beliefs about what behaviors make leaders effective. The most commonly mentioned behaviors are more likely to be associated with women or are gender-ambiguous.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the leadership literature by examining local elected officials' beliefs about effective leadership behaviors and if these beliefs differ by a respondent's gender.
Applying Industry 4.0 technologies in the COVID–19 sustainable chains
Authors: Acioli Carina , Scavarda Annibal , Reis Augusto
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is 1) to investigate the effects on the crucial Industry 4.0 technological innovations that interact between the real and virtual worlds and that are applied in the sustainable supply chain process; 2) to contribute to the identification of the opportunities, the challenges and the gaps that will support the new research study developments and 3) to analyze the impact of the Industry 4.0 technologies as facilitators of the sustainable supply chain performance in the midst of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Design/methodology/approach

This research is performed through a bibliographic review in the electronic databases of the Emerald Insight, the Scopus and the Web of Science, considering the main scientific publications on the subject.

Findings

The bibliographic search results in 526 articles, followed by two sequential filters for deleting the duplicate articles (resulting in 487 articles) and for selecting the most relevant articles (resulting in 150 articles).

Practical implications

This article identifies the opportunities and the challenges focused on the emerging Industry 4.0 theme. The opportunities can contribute to the sustainable performance of the supply chains and their territories. The Industry 4.0 can also generate challenges like the social inequalities related to the position of the man in the labor market by replacing the human workforce with the machines. Therefore, the man-machine relationship in the Industry 4.0 era is analyzed as a gap in the literature. Therefore, as a way to fill this gap, the authors of this article suggest the exploration of the research focused on the Society 5.0. Also known as “super-smart society,” this recent theme appeared in Japan in April 2016. According to Fukuda (2020), in addition to the focus on the technological development, the Society 5.0 also aims at the quality of life and the social challenge resolutions.

Originality/value

This article contributes to the analysis of the Industry 4.0 technologies as facilitators in the sustainable supply chain performance. It addresses the impacts of the Industry 4.0 technologies applied to the supply chains in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it analyzes the research gaps and limitations found in the literature. The result of this study can add value and stimulate new research studies related to the application of the Industry 4.0 technologies as facilitators in the supply chain sustainable performance. It can encourage the studies related to the COVID-19 impacts on the sustainable supply chains, and it can promote the research development on the relationship among the man, the machine and the labor in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Managers' and auditors' narcissism on the management team's stability and relative corporate performance
Authors: Salehi Mahdi , Rouhi Safoura , Usefi Moghadam Mohana , Faramarzi Faezeh
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Success in corporate relative performance is one of the factors for the growth and durability of firms. Since the relative performance is a function of managers' decisions and such decisions are under the influence of behavioral and psychological characteristics, this paper aims to assess the managers’ and auditors’ narcissism's effect on the management team's stability relative to corporate performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper has used the signature magnitude for examining narcissism and the regression model of Jenter and Kanaan (2015) for assessing relative corporate performance. The logistic regression is used to test the model of the management team's stability, and the multivariate regression is used to test the model of relative corporate performance. Research hypotheses were also examined using a sample of 768 listed year-companies on the Tehran Stock Exchange during 2012–2017 and by employing a panel data approach and fixed effects method.

Findings

The obtained results show a negative and significant relationship between managers' and auditors' narcissism and the management team's stability. The relationship between the narcissism of managers and auditors and relative corporate performance is positive and significant. Moreover, managers' narcissism positively and significantly impacts the relationship between auditors' narcissism and team management stability. A negative and significant relationship is evident between auditors’ narcissism and relative corporate performance.

Originality/value

This study's results can identify the effect of psychological components such as narcissism on people's performance by directing and influencing their decisions. Many studies have been conducted on narcissism, but none of them have examined the impact auditors’ and managers' narcissism has on the management team's stability and the corporate relative performance. Therefore, considering the importance of success in the corporate relative performance and benefits of the management team's stability, this study's results can reveal the importance of such features in accounting research. Also, the results of this research can make it important to know more about financial behavioral theory.
Islamic banking and corporate investment efficiency: empirical evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Guizani Moncef , Ajmi Ahdi Noomen
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether and how Islamic banks' financing affects corporate investment efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the research purpose, an empirical model was constructed to describe the relationship between Islamic banks' financing and corporate investment efficiency. The empirical model was tested through generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation technique using a panel data of 163 Malaysian listed firms for the period 2007–2017.

Findings

This study provides evidence that Islamic banks' financing plays an important role in enhancing investment efficiency and that this positive effect comes mainly from non-PLS contracts. Moreover, the results show that the effect of Islamic banks' financing in preventing suboptimal investments is stronger in the financial crisis period. The results also reveal that the contribution of Islamic banks' financing in reducing suboptimal investments is more prominent when firms face over-investment problems.

Research limitations/implications

This research contributes to the debate on the financial implications of Islamic banks' financing modes by exploring their effect on corporate investment efficiency.

Practical implications

From a managerial perspective, the research findings are beneficial to Islamic bank managers to the extent that they highlight the role of Islamic financial contracts in improving corporate investment efficiency. In addition, the lower effect of PLS contracts on investment efficiency implies that policymakers in Malaysia should multiply their efforts to further expand the PLS financing.

Originality/value

This paper offers some insights on the role of Islamic banks' financing in mitigating agency conflicts and reducing asymmetric information problems. It is the first attempt focusing on the role of Islamic financing in fostering corporate investment decisions.
Assessing the fragmentation of hybrids' performance management systems
Authors: Rajala Tomi , Laihonen Harri , Kokko Petra
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Fragmentation can inhibit joint goals and performance measures. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the level of fragmentation between public, private and third sectors in a hybrid organization's performance management systems and the effects of this fragmentation to propose hypotheses and new research methods for future studies.

Design/methodology/approach

The inductive research design was based on a mixed method approach. As empirical data, a survey, interviews and documents were used in this case study examining a hybrid organization called Welfare Alliance.

Findings

The results showed low-level fragmentation in the performance management system of the hybrid. Although the level of fragmentation was low-level, it affected the hybrid's ability to implement joint performance goals and measures. Performance management practices suffered as a consequence.

Originality/value

As a theoretical contribution to research addressing performance management in hybrids, the study proposes new concepts and theoretical hypotheses concerning fragmented performance management systems in hybrids. These theoretical hypotheses propose how performance goals and measures can become fragmented because they isolate service production units and activities from each other. The proposed hypotheses for future studies also attempt to provide explanations for how fragmentation can spread from one management function to another (i.e. from goal setting to performance measurement).
Critical success factors for lean six sigma in quality 4.0
Authors: Yadav Neeraj , Shankar Ravi , Singh Surya Prakash
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Critical success factors (CSF) for lean six sigma (LSS) using quality 4.0 are not researched so far. This study aims to bridge this gap. It also validates CSF already identified for LSS under conventional technologies.

Design methodology approach

Empirical research using the questionnaire method is conducted. Construct of the questionnaire is checked using Cronbach’s alpha and responses received are analysed usingt-test and exploratory factor analysis.

Findings

In total, 20 factors are evaluated for LSS success. It includes 7 factors related to quality 4.0 technologies and 13 related to the conventional set-up. All 7 quality 4.0 related factors were found critical; whereas, under traditional set-up, 11 factors out of 13 were found critical.

Practical implications

The study will help enterprises in the fast and effective adoption of quality 4.0 and seamless integration with LSS. The post-Covid-19 business scenario is expected to be information technology focussed. The findings of this study will be useful in these circumstances. Consultants and practitioners can prioritise their efforts based on newly identified CSF. The new revelation about CSF for LSS in quality 4.0 enriches theory as well.

Social implications

Developing skills based on newly identified CSF will help people in remaining employable in the era of automation, robotics and artificial intelligence which is otherwise ill-famed for destroying jobs.

Originality value

CSF for LSS using quality 4.0 is a new contribution. It differentiates CSF established earlier for conventional technologies. Moreover, many CSF are common for LSS and industry 4.0, therefore this study will also help in smoother adoption of industry 4.0/quality 4.0 in organisations.
The role of social embarrassment, sustainability, familiarity and perception of hygiene in second-hand clothing purchase experience
Authors: Silva Susana C. , Santos Ana , Duarte Paulo , Vlačić Božidar
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Second-hand clothing (SHC) has kindled a growing interest among researchers and practitioners. However, despite all the benefits that this market presents, consumer adherence still has considerable room for improvement. Several studies have explored the main motivations that lead consumers to buy second-hand clothes (SHCs), but few have focused on the factors that prevent consumers from adopting this consumption behavior. Hence, this study aims to identify barriers through the differences in the perception of experienced and inexperienced consumers in SHC purchases.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collected through an online questionnaire from 127 cases were analyzed using means comparison and binomial logistic regression.

Findings

The findings of this study revealed that having previous experience in purchasing SHCs influences consumers' perception of the barriers. The results also indicate that social embarrassment is the factor that most negatively influences the purchase of SHCs, as well as the consumers' lack of knowledge regarding the available channels.

Originality/value

Considering the importance of the SHC market and its potential, this study reveals what motivates and at the same time prevents consumers from acquiring SHCs. Original findings regarding the importance of channel familiarity and social embarrassment assist companies in defining their marketing strategies and enhancing the consumer experience in the purchase of SHCs.
Factors influencing investor behavior: an empirical study of Saudi Stock Market
Authors: Khawaja Muhammad Junaid , Alharbi Zainab Nasser
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The objective of the study is to determine the factors influencing the behavior of investor in Saudi Stock Market.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses correlation analysis, factor analysis, reliability and multiple regression analysis on the primary data collected from 125 investors in Saudi Stock Market through a questionnaire distributed randomly.

Findings

The results indicate that the factors like past performance of the stocks, financial statements, firm status in industry, the reputation of the firm, and expected corporate earnings have significant influence on the behavior of investors. The factor of the image that a certain company has built for itself over the years on the basis of its financial practices is a large influencer of investor decisions as compared to advocate recommendation factors. The investment behavior is not significantly influenced by gender or age; however, it is significantly influenced by educational qualification, professional experience and investment volume.

Research limitations/implications

This paper limits itself to study the factors that influence the behavior of investors. However, it does not address the issue of investor overconfidence and its implications for Saudi Stock Market.

Practical implications

This research provides a road map for the investors interested in making their investment decisions by understanding the most influencing factors.

Social implications

This research has social implications for government agencies to delineate the required legislation to regulate the investors and also to increase market efficiency. The results show that investors are strongly affected by signals from the government.

Originality/value

This research is an original contribution toward the behavioral finance field in Saudi Arabia and can be used as a reference material for investors, companies and government policymakers in Saudi Arabia. This study incorporates investors' individual characteristics and explores factors that influence investor behavior unlike some previous studies using Saudi data.