bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinct components of nucleoside-modified messenger RNA vaccines cooperate to instruct efficient germinal center responses
Authors: Bettini Emily , Chudnovskiy Aleksey , Protti Giulia , Nakadakari-Higa Sandra , Ceglia Simona , Castaño Diana , Chiu Joy , Muramatsu Hiromi , Mdluli Thandiswa , Abraham Edit , Lipinszki Zoltan , Maillard Ivan , Tam Ying K. , Reboldi Andrea , Pardi Norbert , Spreafico Roberto , Victora Gabriel D. , Locci Michela
Published: May 2024

Nucleoside-modified mRNA vaccines elicit protective antibodies through their ability to promote T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. The lipid nanoparticle (LNP) component of mRNA vaccines possesses inherent adjuvant activity. However, to what extent the nucleoside-modified mRNA can be sensed and contribute to Tfh cell responses remains largely undefined. Herein, we deconvoluted the signals induced by LNP and mRNA that instruct dendritic cells (DCs) to promote Tfh cell differentiation. We demonstrated that the nucleoside-modified mRNA drives the production of type I interferons that act on DCs to induce their maturation and the induction of Th1-biased Tfh responses. Conversely, LNP favors the acquisition of a Tfh cell-inducing program in DCs, a stronger Th2 polarization in Tfh cells, and allows for rapid mRNA translation by DCs within the draining lymph node. Our work unravels distinct adjuvant features of mRNA and LNP necessary for the induction of Tfh cells, with implications for vaccine design.
Highly sensitive mapping ofin vitrotype II topoisomerase DNA cleavage sites with SHAN-seq
Authors: Morgan Ian L. , McKie Shannon J. , Kim Rachel , Seol Yeonee , Xu Jing , Harami Gabor , Maxwell Anthony , Neuman Keir C.
Published: May 2024

Type II topoisomerases (topos) are a ubiquitous and essential class of enzymes that form transient enzyme-bound double-stranded breaks on DNA called cleavage complexes. The location and frequency of these cleavage complexes on DNA is important for cellular function, genomic stability, and a number of clinically important anticancer and antibacterial drugs, e.g., quinolones. We developed a simple high-accuracy end-sequencing (SHAN-seq) method to sensitively map type II topo cleavage complexes on DNAin vitro. Using SHAN-seq, we detectedEscherichia coligyrase and topoisomerase IV cleavage complexes at hundreds of sites on supercoiled pBR322 DNA, approximately one site every ten bp, with frequencies that varied by two-to-three orders of magnitude. These sites included previously identified sites and 20-50 fold more new sites. We show that the location and frequency of cleavage complexes at these sites are enzyme-specific and vary substantially in the presence of the quinolone, ciprofloxacin, but not with DNA supercoil chirality, i.e., negative vs. positive supercoiling. SHAN-seq’s exquisite sensitivity provides an unprecedented single-nucleotide resolution view of the distribution of gyrase and topoisomerase IV cleavage complexes on DNA. Moreover, the discovery that these enzymes can cleave DNA at orders of magnitude more sites than the relatively few previously known sites resolves the apparent paradox of how these enzymes resolve topological problems throughout the genome.
Sensation is Dispensable for the Maturation of the Vestibulo-ocular Reflex
Authors: Leary Paige , Bellegarda Celine , Quainoo Cheryl , Goldblatt Dena , Rosti Basak , Schoppik David
Published: May 2024

Vertebrates stabilize gaze using a neural circuit that transforms sensed instability into compensatory counter-rotation of the eyes. Sensory feedback tunes this vestibulo-ocular reflex throughout life. Gaze stabilization matures progressively, either due to similar tuning, or to a slowly developing circuit component. Here we studied the functional development of vestibulo-ocular reflex circuit components in the larval zebrafish, with and without sensation. Blind fish stabilize gaze normally, and neural responses to body tilts mature before behavior. Instead, synapses between motor neurons and the eye muscles mature with a timecourse similar to behavioral maturation. Larvae without vestibular sensory experience, but whose neuromuscular junction was mature, had a strong vestibulo-ocular reflex. Development of the neuromuscular junction, and not sensory experience, determines the rate of maturation of an ancient behavior.
A chromosome region linked to neurodevelopmental disorders acts in distinct neuronal circuits in males and females to control locomotor behavior
Authors: Kim Jaekyoon , Vanrobaeys Yann , Davatolhagh M. Felicia , Kelvington Benjamin , Chatterjee Snehajyoti , Ferri Sarah L. , Angelakos Christopher , Mills Alea A. , Fuccillo Marc V. , Nickl-Jockschat Thomas , Abel Ted
Published: May 2024

Biological sex shapes the manifestation and progression of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). These disorders often demonstrate male-specific vulnerabilities; however, the identification of underlying mechanisms remains a significant challenge in the field. Hemideletion of the 16p11.2 region (16p11.2 del/+) is associated with NDDs, and mice modeling 16p11.2 del/+ exhibit sex-specific striatum-related phenotypes relevant to NDDs. Striatal circuits, crucial for locomotor control, consist of two distinct pathways: the direct and indirect pathways originating from D1 dopamine receptor (D1R) and D2 dopamine receptor (D2R) expressing spiny projection neurons (SPNs), respectively. In this study, we define the impact of 16p11.2 del/+ on striatal circuits in male and female mice. Using snRNA-seq, we identify sex- and cell type-specific transcriptomic changes in the D1- and D2-SPNs of 16p11.2 del/+ mice, indicating distinct transcriptomic signatures in D1-SPNs and D2-SPNs in males and females, with a ∼5-fold greater impact in males. Further pathway analysis reveals differential gene expression changes in 16p11.2 del/+ male mice linked to synaptic plasticity in D1- and D2-SPNs and GABA signaling pathway changes in D1-SPNs. Consistent with our snRNA-seq study revealing changes in GABA signaling pathways, we observe distinct changes in miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) in D1- and D2-SPNs from 16p11.2 del/+ male mice. Behaviorally, we utilize conditional genetic approaches to introduce the hemideletion selectively in either D1- or D2-SPNs and find that conditional hemideletion of genes in the 16p11.2 region in D2-SPNs causes hyperactivity in male mice, but hemideletion in D1-SPNs does not. Within the striatum, hemideletion of genes in D2-SPNs in the dorsal lateral striatum leads to hyperactivity in males, demonstrating the importance of this striatal region. Interestingly, conditional 16p11.2 del/+ within the cortex drives hyperactivity in both sexes. Our work reveals that a locus linked to NDDs acts in different striatal circuits, selectively impacting behavior in a sex- and cell type-specific manner, providing new insight into male vulnerability for NDDs.

Highlights

-

16p11.2 hemideletion (16p11.2 del/+) induces sex- and cell type-specific transcriptomic signatures in spiny projection neurons (SPNs).

-

Transcriptomic changes in GABA signaling in D1-SPNs align with changes in inhibitory synapse function.

-

16p11.2 del/+ in D2-SPNs causes hyperactivity in males but not females.

-

16p11.2 del/+ in D2-SPNs in the dorsal lateral striatum drives hyperactivity in males.

-

16p11.2 del/+ in cortex drives hyperactivity in both sexes.

Graphic abstract
Aging leads to sex-dependent effects on pair bonding and increased number of oxytocin-producing neurons in monogamous prairie voles
Authors: Kelberman Michael A. , Winther Kelly E. , Medvedeva Yana M. , Donaldson Zoe R.
Published: May 2024

Pair bonds powerfully modulate health, which becomes particularly important when facing the detrimental effects of aging. To examine the impact of aging on relationship formation and response to loss, we examined behavior in 6-, 12-, and 18-month male and female prairie voles, a monogamous species that forms mating-based pair bonds. We found that older males (18-months) bonded quicker than younger voles, while similarly aged female voles increased partner directed affiliative behaviors. Supporting sex differences in bonding behaviors, we found that males were more likely to sample both partner and novel voles while females were more likely to display partner preference during the initial 20 minutes of the test. Using partner separation to study loss, we observed an erosion of partner preference only in 12-month females, but an overall decrease in partner-directed affiliation in females across all groups, but not in males. Finally, we found that the number of oxytocin, but not vasopressin, cells in the paraventricular hypothalamus increased during aging. These results establish prairie voles as a novel model to study the effects of normal and abnormal aging on pair bonding.

Highlights

18-month male voles demonstrate accelerated bond formation

18-month female voles increase partner-directed huddling after 2 wks

Bonds erode faster in 12-month female voles after partner separation

Female behavior from partner preference tests is reflected in free interaction

The number of paraventricular hypothalamus oxytocin cells increase during aging
Computational analysis of the plasmodium falciparum-induced intraerythrocyte deformations: insights into malaria parasite egress mechanics and eryptosis
Authors: Msosa Chimwemwe , Motchon YD
Published: May 2024

In malaria infection, early eryptosis eliminates the protective niche provided by the infected erythrocyte, thus potentially interfering with the parasite’s survival rate in the human host, consequently presenting a putative target mechanism for antimalarial therapeutic interventions. The malaria parasite-induced oxidative stress is the primary trigger of eryptosis. Despite being barely investigated, erythrocyte membrane mechanical deformations induced by the malaria parasites during the intraerythrocyte development stage, represent a potential eryptosis trigger.

A finite element model of the plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocyte was developed and calibrated in Abaqus using pre-determined optical tweezer data of the trophozoite-infected erythrocyte. The developed model computationally predicts mechanistic correlations between erythrocyte membrane areal strain, eryptosis, erythrocyte membrane shear modulus and the volume fraction of malaria parasites in the infected erythrocyte.

The model predicts the erythrocyte membrane areal strain of 3.1 % at the established rupture volume fraction (VF) of 83%, which falls within the pre-determined erythrocyte membrane lysis threshold of 2-4 %. When the erythrocyte membrane in-plane shear modulus is increased from 2.84 µN/m to 131 µN/m, the erythrocyte areal strain increases from 1.55 % to 3.2 % at the same rupture volume fraction (VF) of 83% implying that increasing the erythrocyte membrane stiffness during the malaria intra-erythrocytic development stage can potentially induce early lysis while decreasing the erythrocyte membrane stiffness can potentially induce late lysis.

Understanding the mechanisms governing the exit of malaria parasites from infected erythrocytes during the late schizont stage is crucial for developing effective therapeutic interventions. Existing studies lack a comprehensive exploration of how malaria parasite-induced remodelling affects the areal strain of the erythrocyte membrane. Experimental challenges in studying infected erythrocytes have limited progress, making computational models a valuable tool. This research provides valuable insights into the mechanics of malaria-induced erythrocyte remodelling, offering a computational framework for studying parasite egress to inform potential therapeutic strategies.
Dispersal, maturation and recruitment in a long-lived, trans-continentally migrating bird
Authors: Mirski Paweł , Vansteelant Wouter , Byholm Patrik
Published: May 2024

Natal dispersal is a multi-step process. It commences when a juvenile departs from its natal site and concludes when it settles to breed for the first time. During this interim period, dispersing individuals of long-lived species undergo a wandering phase, which may span years. This phase remains one of the least studied aspects of species’ life history. We utilized a unique GPS-telemetry dataset on a slow-life history migratory bird of prey – the European honey buzzard, tracked for multiple years after fledgling. Our aim was to assess how phenology, ranging behaviour and philopatry change as individuals gain experience. Individuals exhibited variability in the age at which they first returned to their breeding range, yet all survivors settled at sites proximate to their natal nests. In subsequent returns, immatures increased the time spent within the breeding range and narrowed down their ranging to smaller areas situated even closer to their natal nests. Our study unveils the complexity and protraction inherent in natal dispersal, emphasizing the importance of individual experience and migratory improvement for successful recruitment in long-lived species.

HIGHLIGHTS

We used a unique GPS telemetry dataset on honey buzzards to track their natal dispersal and recruitment in this long-lived avian migrant.

All individuals gradually decreased their ranging areas, moved closer to natal sites, and increased the time spent on the breeding grounds to synchronize with adults and begin recruitment.

Mortality during return migration was high and acted as a bottleneck.

We found both processes to be complex and lengthy, with the overall duration depending on individual decisions regarding the timing of return migration.
Dimerization activates the Inversin complex inC. elegans
Authors: Beyrent Erika , Wei Derek T. , Beacham Gwendolyn M. , Park Sangwoo , Zheng Jian , Paszek Matthew J. , Hollopeter Gunther
Published: May 2024

Genetic, colocalization, and biochemical studies suggest that the ankyrin repeat-containing proteins Inversin (INVS) and ANKS6 function with the NEK8 kinase to control tissue patterning and maintain organ physiology. It is unknown whether these three proteins assemble into a static “Inversin complex” or one that adopts multiple bioactive forms. Through characterization of hyperactive alleles inC. elegans, we discovered that the Inversin complex is activated by dimerization. Genome engineering of an RFP tag onto the nematode homologs of INVS (MLT-4) and NEK8 (NEKL-2) induced a gain-of-function, cyst-like phenotype that was suppressed by monomerization of the fluorescent tag. Stimulated dimerization of MLT-4 or NEKL-2 using optogenetics was sufficient to recapitulate the phenotype of a constitutively active Inversin complex. Further, dimerization of NEKL-2 bypassed a lethal MLT-4 mutant, demonstrating that the dimeric form is required for function. We propose that dynamic switching between at least two functionally distinct states—an active dimer and an inactive monomer—gates the output of the Inversin complex.
Force-activated zyxin assemblies coordinate actin nucleation and crosslinking to orchestrate stress fiber repair
Authors: Phua Donovan Y.Z. , Sun Xiaoyu , Alushin Gregory M.
Published: May 2024

As the cytoskeleton sustains cell and tissue forces, it incurs physical damage that must be repaired to maintain mechanical homeostasis. The LIM-domain protein zyxin detects force-induced ruptures in actin-myosin stress fibers, coordinating downstream repair factors to restore stress fiber integrity through unclear mechanisms. Here, we reconstitute stress fiber repair with purified proteins, uncovering detailed links between zyxin’s force-regulated binding interactions and cytoskeletal dynamics. In addition to binding individual tensed actin filaments (F-actin), zyxin’s LIM domains form force-dependent assemblies that bridge broken filament fragments. Zyxin assemblies engage repair factors through multi-valent interactions, coordinating nucleation of new F-actin by VASP and its crosslinking into aligned bundles by ɑ-actinin. Through these combined activities, stress fiber repair initiates within the cores of micron-scale damage sites in cells, explaining how these F-actin depleted regions are rapidly restored. Thus, zyxin’s force-dependent organization of actin repair machinery inherently operates at the network scale to maintain cytoskeletal integrity.
CellWalker2: multi-omic discovery of hierarchical cell type relationships and their associations with genomic annotations
Authors: Hu Zhirui , Przytycki Pawel F. , Pollard Katherine S.
Published: May 2024

CellWalker2 is a graph diffusion-based method for single-cell genomics data integration. It extends the CellWalker model by incorporating hierarchical relationships between cell types, providing estimates of statistical significance, and adding data structures for analyzing multi-omics data so that gene expression and open chromatin can be jointly modeled. Our open-source software enables users to annotate cells using existing ontologies and to probabilistically match cell types between two or more contexts, including across species. CellWalker2 can also map genomic regions to cell ontologies, enabling precise annotation of elements derived from bulk data, such as enhancers, genetic variants, and sequence motifs. Through simulation studies, we show that CellWalker2 performs better than existing methods in cell type annotation and mapping. We then use data from the brain and immune system to demonstrate CellWalker2’s ability to discover cell type-specific regulatory programs and both conserved and divergent cell type relationships in complex tissues.
Diclofenac sensitizes multi-drug resistantAcinetobacter baumanniito colistin
Authors: Bisaro Fabiana , Jackson-Litteken Clay D. , McGuffey Jenna C. , Hooppaw Anna J. , Bodrog Sophie , Jebeli Leila , Ortiz-Marquez Juan C. , van Opijnen Tim , Scott Nichollas E. , Di Venanzio Gisela , Feldman Mario F.
Published: May 2024

Acinetobacter baumanniicauses life-threatening infections that are becoming difficult to treat due to increasing rates of multi-drug resistance (MDR) among clinical isolates. This has led the World Health Organization and the CDC to categorize MDRA. baumanniias a top priority for the research and development of new antibiotics. Colistin is the last-resort antibiotic to treat carbapenem-resistantA. baumannii. Not surprisingly, reintroduction of colistin has resulted in the emergence of colistin-resistant strains. Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. In this work, we show that diclofenac sensitizes colistin-resistantA. baumanniiclinical strains to colistin,in vitroand in a murine model of pneumonia. Diclofenac also reduced the colistin MIC ofKlebsiella pneumoniaeandPseudomonas aeruginosaisolates. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed an upregulation of oxidative stress-related genes and downregulation of type IV pili induced by the combination treatment. Notably, the concentrations of colistin and diclofenac effective in the murine model were substantially lower than those determinedin vitro, implying a stronger synergistic effectin vivocompared toin vitro. ApilAmutant strain, lacking the primary component of the type IV pili, became sensitive to colistin in the absence of diclofenac. This suggest that the downregulation of type IV pili is key for the synergistic activity of these drugsin vivoand indicates that colistin and diclofenac exert an anti-virulence effect. Together, these results suggest that the diclofenac can be repurposed with colistin to treat MDRA. baumannii.
The pypadf package: computing the pair angle distribution function from fluctuation scattering data
Authors: Martin Andrew V. , Adams Patrick , Binns Jack
Published: May 2024

The pair angle distribution function (PADF) is a three- and four-atom correlation function that characterizes the local angular structure of disordered materials, particles or nanocrystalline materials. The PADF can be measured using X-ray or electron fluctuation diffraction data, which can be collected by scanning or flowing a structurally disordered sample through a focused beam. It is a natural generalization of established pair distribution methods, which do not provide angular information. The software package pypadf provides tools to calculate the PADF from fluctuation diffraction data. The package includes tools for calculating the intensity correlation function, which is a necessary step in the PADF calculation and also the basis for other fluctuation scattering analysis techniques.
Reconstructing the reflectivity of liquid surfaces from grazing incidence X-ray off-specular scattering data
Authors: Shen Chen , Zhang Honghu , Ocko Benjamin M.
Published: May 2024

The capillary wave model of a liquid surface predicts both the X-ray specular reflection and the diffuse scattering around it. A quantitative method is presented to obtain the X-ray reflectivity (XRR) from a liquid surface through the diffuse scattering data around the specular reflection measured using a grazing incidence X-ray off-specular scattering (GIXOS) geometry at a fixed horizontal offset angle with respect to the plane of incidence. With this approach the entire Qz
-dependent reflectivity profile can be obtained at a single, fixed incident angle. This permits a much faster acquisition of the profile than with conventional reflectometry, where the incident angle must be scanned point by point to obtain a Qz
-dependent profile. The XRR derived from the GIXOS-measured diffuse scattering, referred to in this paper as pseudo-reflectivity, provides a larger Qz
range compared with the reflectivity measured by conventional reflectometry. Transforming the GIXOS-measured diffuse scattering profile to pseudo-XRR opens up the GIXOS method to widely available specular XRR analysis software tools. Here the GIXOS-derived pseudo-XRR is compared with the XRR measured by specular reflectometry from two simple vapor–liquid interfaces at different surface tension, and from a hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide monolayer on a water surface. For the simple liquids, excellent agreement (beyond 11 orders of magnitude in signal) is found between the two methods, supporting the approach of using GIXOS-measured diffuse scattering to derive reflectivities. Pseudo-XRR obtained at different horizontal offset angles with respect to the plane of incidence yields indistinguishable results, and this supports the robustness of the GIXOS-XRR approach. The pseudo-XRR method can be extended to soft thin films on a liquid surface, and criteria are established for the applicability of the approach.
Behavioral traits of fund managers: a systematic literature review
Authors: Majumdar Sudipta , Chandra Abhijeet
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to investigate, synthesize and critically evaluate empirical research findings on the behavioral traits of fund managers from 1994 to 2024. The ultimate goal is to provide a unified body of literature on three broad topics: first, fund managers' demographic and professional characteristics, such as age, gender, level of education and years of industry experience; second, fund managers' social and political connections; and third, fund managers' behavioral biases that lead to irrational investment decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

The relevant papers from selected journals were discovered and manually validated using the Scopus database. From 317 retrieved documents, 57 relevant articles were chosen and analyzed after the forward and backward search of the existing articles.

Findings

This paper presents a categorized summary of behavioral factors that have gained a foothold in influencing the behavior of fund managers in fund management research, with several studies demonstrating their significance leading to improved prediction and model precision, as this review indicates. In addition, the study summarized the contributions of prior empirical studies within the aforementioned three major categories and illustrated their consequences.

Originality/value

The present study contributes to the understanding of the effects of behavioral finance theories on fund managers by providing meaningful explanations of their behavioral traits based on empirical evidence and existing trends and knowledge gaps, both of which can influence the future direction of research.
Empowering migrant women's entrepreneurship: stakeholder perspectives from the entrepreneurial ecosystem
Authors: Aman Raushan , Elo Maria , Ahokangas Petri , Zhang Xiaotian
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) research has focused on high-growth scale-up entrepreneurship, whereas the role of EEs in nurturing the ventures of marginalised groups like migrant women entrepreneurs (MWEs) has often been elided from extant discussions. This research explores how the EE's structure, policies and programmes advance diversity, equity and inclusion to foster MWEs, and MWEs' contribution to the dynamics and sustainability of the host country's EE based on EE actors' perspectives. We contribute to EEs' diversity, equity and inclusion, which are important but neglected social aspects of sustainable EEs.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative data was collected through thematic interviews with EE actors, including NGOs and entrepreneurial support-providing organizations based in Finland. The collected data was complemented by interviews with MWEs, archival data and published supplementary materials on ecosystem actors.

Findings

EE structure, policies, programmes and individual agency, coupled with MWEs' proactivity in lobbying the necessary actors in the required places for their interests, enhance their businesses' development. There were both impeding and fostering dynamics, which may have idiographic and contextual features. Evidently, by being occupied in various sectors, from science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to socially beneficial niche service sectors, MWEs contribute to the host country's EE dynamics not only through their productive entrepreneurship but by enriching the ecosystem's resource endowments and institutional arrangements.

Originality/value

We argue that exploring the gender and inclusivity aspects of EEs as the accommodating context is particularly relevant, given that the United Nation's sustainable development goals 5, 8 and 10 aim to improve women's empowerment at all levels, promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and ensuring equal opportunities and reduced inequalities within the population. Inclusion and embeddedness in EEs positively affect diversity and sustainability in the host country. Theoretically, our contribution is twofold. First, by exploring female migrants' entrepreneurial experiences within the EE based on EE actors' perspectives, we broaden the research on inclusivity in EEs and gender aspects and enrich the research on their societal impact, which has received scant attention from scholars. More specifically, we contribute to EE research with (1) a novel understanding of MWEs and EE elements, their interconnections and dynamism, (2) identifying previously ignored elements shaping MWE and (3) providing EE actor insights into the co-creation of EE for MWE. Second, by analysing the impact of MWEs' businesses on the host country's EE, we contribute to calls for research on MWE contributions to its economic environment.
A design science approach to manage spare parts distribution: combining design logic and Goldratt’s thinking processes
Authors: Gupta Mahesh , Lowalekar Harshal , Chaudhari Chandrashekhar V. , Groop Johan
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Design Science (DS) is a relatively new paradigm for addressing complex real-world problems through the design and evaluation of artifacts. Its constituent methodologies are currently being discussed and established in numerous related research fields, such as information systems and management (Hevner et al., 2004). However, a DS methodology that describes the “how to” is largely lacking, not only in the field of OM but in general. The Theory of Constraints (TOC) and its underlying thinking processes (TP) have produced several novel artifacts for addressing ill-structured real-world operations problems (Dettmer, 1997; Goldratt, 1994), but they have not been analyzed from a DS research standpoint. The purpose of this research is to demonstrate how TOC’s thinking process methodology can be used for conducting exploratory DS research in Operations and Supply Chain Management (OSCM).

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of spare parts replenishment illustrates the use of TOC’s thinking processes in DS to structure an initially unstructured problem context and to facilitate the design of a novel solution.

Findings

TOC’s thinking processes are an effective methodology for problem-solving DS research, enabling the development of novel solutions in initially unstructured and wicked problem situations. Combined with structured CIMO design logic TOC’s thinking process offers a systematic method for exploring wicked problems, designing novel solutions, and demonstrating theoretical contributions.

Research limitations/implications

The implication for research is that TOC’s thinking process methodology can provide important elements of the lacking “how to” methodology for DS research, not only for the field of OM but in general for the field of management.

Practical implications

The practical outcome of the research is a novel design for dynamic buffer-based replenishment that extends beyond organizational boundaries.

Originality/value

This work shows how the thinking processes can be used in DS research to develop rigorous design propositions for ill-structured problems.
Absorptive capacity, entrepreneurial orientation and organizational performance in state-owned companies
Authors: Pinho Paulo Henrique Studart , Sousa-Filho José Milton de , Lessa Bruno de Souza , Costa Josimar Sousa
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The objective of this article is to analyze the relationship between absorptive capacity, entrepreneurial orientation, and performance within Brazilian federal state-owned companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data were obtained using survey research. Secondary data were obtained using the Federal State-owned Companies Bulletin and the website State-owned Companies Overview. Tested and validated scales were selected to reflect Absorptive Capacity (ACAP), Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO), and Organizational Performance (OP) variables applied to a sample of 119 managers and advisors of federal state-owned companies. Structural Equation Modeling techniques were applied to identify the statistical significance of the direct, indirect, and total effects. The final measurement and structural model presented convergent and discriminant validity with acceptable adjustment indexes.

Findings

ACAP was found to be directly related to the ability to identify, recognize, transform, and especially implement new knowledge. EO is related to the institution’s ability to take risks, be proactive, and innovate. Those are fundamental processes for fulfilling the mission of state-owned companies, for their survival, and for improving the quality of public services provided to society. These findings differ from studies carried out in private companies since the ACAP-exploration dimension in private businesses displays a relevant relationship between the factors composing EO, a feature not observed here.

Originality/value

The paper’s main contribution is to confirm the influence of ACAP on EO and EO on OP, considering the environment of Brazilian federal state-owned companies. Such results expand the scarce academic studies on absorptive capacity, entrepreneurial orientation, and performance in the public area, in addition to offering perspectives of specific training direction to expand the competencies of public managers.
Beyond the numbers: assessing the risk of management motives for fraud in external audits
Authors: Kassem Rasha
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore how the risk of management motives for fraud can be assessed in external audits.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 experienced external auditors to explore their perspectives on the methods they employ to assess the risk of management motives for fraud.

Findings

The study identifies six methods external auditors can use to assess management motives for fraud. It emphasises that assessing management motives requires auditors to go beyond understanding these motives and necessitates a sceptical and analytical mindset. Auditors need to identify the accounts most vulnerable to management manipulations, observe management attitudes and assess the credibility of management assertions. The auditors in this study highlight specific accounts frequently manipulated by management. Still, manual year-end journal entries are the most vulnerable to management manipulations as they are subject to fewer controls. They recommend increasing the sample size to 100% and assigning more experienced staff, particularly, those with qualifications in fraud examination or anti-fraud training, to audit these vulnerable accounts thoroughly. They also provided examples of how auditors can identify management motives for fraud, observe management attitudes and assess the credibility of management assertions.

Practical implications

Audit standards (e.g. ISA 240, SAS99) lack explicit guidance on assessing management motives for fraud, but auditors are required to consider it in fraud risk assessment. This study proposes guidance recommendations to improve auditors' ability to assess this risk, which could be integrated into professional audit standards and training materials to improve auditors' professional scepticism, ability to challenge management and skills in fraud risk assessment.

Originality/value

Assessing the risk of management motives for fraud in external audits has received limited attention in the literature. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to address this knowledge gap.
Earnings management: the influence of peer group and the corporate governance intervention
Authors: Banerjee Ameet Kumar , Akhtaruzzaman Md , Chatterjee Soumen
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Our study investigates the influence of peer performance on the earnings management decisions within publicly traded Indian companies. There is mixed evidence in the literature, with the impact of peer performance on earnings management in emerging markets being notably underexplored. Additionally, the study explores whether robust corporate governance mechanisms can mitigate earnings management practices. Our study offers policy insights into these areas.

Design/methodology/approach

Our study used a longitudinal panel dataset from 2011 to 2020, utilising idiosyncratic returns of peer firms as an external measure of peer performance. This approach is further enhanced by the usage of alternative discretionary accrual metrics, which could be a robust measure for both market leaders and followers.

Findings

Our study employs two distinct methods, accrual and real earnings management, to assess earnings management. The findings indicate that peer performance triggers earnings management within peer groups, showcasing managerial opportunism in financial reporting to align with peer achievements. Furthermore, the evidence suggests that robust corporate governance effectively curtails earnings management, especially in industries where peer influence is significant.

Practical implications

Our study offers valuable insights for regulators, highlighting that enhancing the institutional framework with stringent corporate governance mechanisms can effectively reduce earnings management in companies within emerging markets.

Originality/value

The paper is a novel attempt in emerging markets to show that managers engage in opportunistic reporting to align with the performance of their peers and that governance strategies effectively mitigate these practices in such markets.
Evaluating the relationship between entrepreneurial ecosystem, resilience and SME performance in post-pandemic period
Authors: Sahu Chinmaya Kumar , Panda Rajeev Kumar
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The literature on entrepreneurship implicitly suggests that developed nations' entrepreneurial ecosystems (EE) are positively related to small and medium enterprise performance. However, few theoretical and empirical studies explicitly investigate this relationship in emerging economies. Also, earlier studies have concentrated on the EE–SME performance association in a stable environment without any uncertainties. Hence, the current study analyses the relationship between EE and SME performance in an emerging economy. Entrepreneurial resilience (ER) has been introduced (mediator) to understand the EE–SME performance relationship in the post-pandemic period.

Design/methodology/approach

The research sample comprises 359 Indian SMEs. The owners/managers of each SME were contacted to obtain responses. The research employs a multifaceted method Partial Least Squares-structural equation modelling that permits the investigation of several concurrent associations for data analysis.

Findings

The findings reveal that EE significantly impacts ER and SME performance. Additionally, ER partially mediates the relationship between EE and SME performance. The findings indicate that post-pandemic India's EE positively influences SME performance directly, as well as indirectly through ER.

Research limitations/implications

The results provide implications for policymakers from economies similar to India's. It suggests that policymakers can enhance ER and, consequently, SME performance during periods of uncertainty by focusing on developing an EE with strong institutional foundations, supportive frameworks and a culture of adaptability.

Originality/value

SMEs and entrepreneurial activities in India are relatively new, but they are rising rapidly. This investigation adds to our knowledge of EE and allows us to comprehend its components in developing countries. This article contributes to the knowledge of India’s SME performance from an EE and ER perspective in the post-pandemic scenario.
The effects of hawker influence and local gastronomy involvement on authenticity, personal nostalgia, and hawker cultural identity
Authors: Chua Bee-Lia , Kim Seongseop (Sam) , Badu-Baiden Frank , Yong Rachel Yuen May , Kim Bona , Gedecho Ermias Kifle , Han Heesup
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study elucidated the connections among the influence of Singaporean hawkers, local gastronomy involvement, and the three dimensions of authenticity (objective, constructive, and existential). Furthermore, it investigates how personal nostalgia affects the cultural identity of hawkers.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered questionnaire was created to assess hawker influence, gastronomy involvement, authenticity, personal nostalgia, and hawker cultural identity. Survey data was gathered from 401 Singapore residents aged 18 and older.

Findings

Results of the structural equation modeling revealed various significant aspects of hawker influence, including physical and social environments, uniqueness and cultural significance, and hygiene and food safety. Hawker influence and local gastronomy contributed to objective authenticity, which, in turn, affected constructive and existential authenticity, ultimately shaping personal nostalgia and hawker cultural identity.

Practical implications

The study offers guidance for stakeholders in sustaining hawker culture, emphasizing authenticity’s role and the importance of nostalgia in identity formation. By aligning with the progressive nature of Singapore, these implications aim to ensure the continued thriving of this invaluable legacy for generations to come.

Originality/value

The study affirms relationships between hawker influence, local gastronomy involvement, and authenticity constructs. It emphasizes the hawker’s role and gastronomy involvement in influencing individuals’ perceived authenticity and accentuates the potential for authenticity in strengthening national branding.
Bibliometric analysis on green hotels: past, present and future trends
Authors: Fauzi Muhammad Ashraf , Han Heesup , Loureiro Sandra Maria Correia , Ariza-Montes Antonio , Wider Walton
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Service providers and tourism players have introduced the green hotels concept to mitigate detrimental environmental impact. This study aimed to review the literature on green hotels based on bibliometric analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

In analyzing the potential and significant subject of the tourism industry and concern on environmental issues, this study evaluates the themes based on the past, present and future trends in green hotels from a bibliographic database retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS).

Findings

Several themes were identified from the role of the theory of planned behavior and predictors of consumers' intention to visit green hotels.

Practical implications

Implications were discussed mainly related to green hotels contribution towards sustainable tourism and its role in shaping the tourism sector's landscape. Among the practical implications include rewards by the authorities in the form of incentives or tax relief to green hotel operators, which will encourage conventional hotel transformation into green hotels. Furthermore, green hotels will be at the forefront of tourism and hospitality brands, requiring substantial green marketing initiatives. Sooner or later, opting for green hotels while traveling will be the norm among travelers.

Originality/value

The green hotels have emerged as a way to tackle the environmental issues related to tourism and hospitality while at the same time, allowing the industry to flourish. This research is one of the scant studies that provide a comprehensive overview about green hotel studies and offer future research agendas.
Capturing group dynamic faultlines with Yule’s Q
Authors: Han Jaeyun , Farruggia Susan , Stieff Mike
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Understanding group dynamics is essential for promoting institutional change. The purpose of this brief article is to introduce the use of Yule’s Q to quantify group dynamics in a way that allows an individual’s tendency to associate with others based on their shared attributes to be captured as they evolve.

Design/methodology/approach

Two academic departments at a large public urban university participated in ongoing meetings as part of the year-long change initiative. Field notes of these meetings were recorded for information on participants and the flow of conversations. Yule’s Q was calculated with responsive interaction network and attribute data coded from the field notes.

Findings

Yule’s Q can be used to quantify group dynamics with a visualization of interactions among group members. The differences in the triggered divisions or faultlines in organizational change initiatives by shared common attributes (e.g. levels of positions within departments) can be related to group interactions and/or disruptions in collaboration.

Originality/value

This study can contribute to broadening the research community’s analytic approaches to utilizing network and attribute data for understanding group dynamics and their patterns across meetings.
Activists and volunteers organising amid constraints: the key role of time
Authors: Combes Simon
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This article emphasises the role of constraints when humans establish organisations. Previous research explains organisations because of individuals’ motivations. Here, I answer the question regarding the role of constraints in organising/organisations. In this article, the studied individuals face various constraints and want to avoid being targeted. Consequently, they establish horizontal organisations. I discuss the role of time in organising.

Design/methodology/approach

This research builds on an ethnographical study of activists and volunteers at the border between France and Italy where migrants cross the border. The area is mountainous, and the police, the judiciary and the far-right impede the actions of the activists and volunteers.

Findings

I argue that activists and volunteers establish non-hierarchical organisations to circumvent potential obstacles. To achieve this, they dedicated a significant amount of time to facilitate the formation of these horizontal structures. This approach allows them to operate without a designated leader, thereby reducing the risk of being targeted by law enforcement, judicial system or far-right groups. As a result, they successfully welcomed migrants.

Originality/value

This article presents new results on how activists and volunteers organise to welcome migrants.
The relationship between objective overqualification, perceived overqualification and job satisfaction: employment opportunity matters
Authors: Pan Runsheng , Hou Zhijin
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the boundary conditions between objective overqualification and perceived overqualification. In addition, we aim to investigate the mediation patterns between objective overqualification, perceived overqualification and job satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-wave survey was conducted with 382 new entrants of job market. Data was analyzed with Process 3.5 in SPSS 26.0 to test the hypothesized moderated mediation model.

Findings

Results indicated that perceived overqualification fully mediated the relationship between objective overqualification and job satisfaction. In addition, the relationship between objective overqualification and perceived overqualification was significant unless employees perceived high internal employment opportunities but low external employment opportunities at the same time. Same moderating pattern was also evident in the indirect effect of objective overqualification? Perceived overqualification? Job satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

This study has theoretical and practical implications for personnel management. Theoretically, this study contributed to the understanding of the relationship between objective overqualification and perceived overqualification. Practically, this study found that offering internal employment opportunities can mitigate the perception of overqualification when employees perceive limited external employment opportunities.

Originality/value

This is one of few studies that stressed the boundary conditions between objective overqualification and perceived overqualification under the framework of relative deprivation theory. In addition, this study provided time-lagged evidence of the relationship between objective overqualification, perceived overqualification and job satisfaction.