bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Student’s entrepreneurial orientation and intentions
Authors: Kumar Sumit , Paray Zahoor Ahmad , Dwivedi Amit Kumar
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study is aimed to measure and understand the relationship between individual entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) and entrepreneurial intention (EI) among students of higher learning institutions (HLI’s) in India. This study is focused on understanding IEO dimension of proactiveness, innovativeness and risk-taking attitude and EI across gender, academic background, and regions. Many recent and past studies confirm that there is an apparent gap in the literature to understand this phenomenon among students of higher learning institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a sample of 393 students studying in 35 different universities and institutions in the North, South and Western regions of India. The data were analyzed using hierarchical regression and ANOVA.

Findings

The empirical result shows a relationship and a positive impact of individual entrepreneurial orientation dimensions upon entrepreneurial intentions. Controlling for gender, males depict higher perseverance toward individual entrepreneurial orientation and entrepreneurial intentions. The same result was found for management and entrepreneurship students who also depict a higher (mean)t-value than science, engineering students. The findings of this study reveal a significant contribution to the academic literature by highlighting the influencing role of gender, academic background, and region upon entrepreneurial intentions.

Practical implications

The study reveals that institutional culture, lack of academic rigor, regional difference, economic gaps, gender perception, and overall culture may be considered as bothering forces for entrepreneurship to grow via institutions. These forces, if eliminated, can help build an institutional environment helpful for entrepreneurial progression in the country.

Originality/value

There are limited studies available in the context of individual entrepreneurial orientation and entrepreneurial Intention relationship. This study provides the analysis for Indian regions and uses data collected from different universities and institutions of India.
The performance generating limitations of the relationship-banking model in the digital era – effects of customers' trust, satisfaction, and loyalty on client-level performance
Authors: Eriksson Kent , Hermansson Cecilia , Jonsson Sara
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates the viability of the relationship-oriented business model. Specifically, it examines the effects of bank customers' satisfaction, loyalty, and trust in bank advisors on two client-level performance measures; client-level non-interest revenue, and client-level revenue on net interest spread. It further investigates how effects are moderated by differences in clients' risk tolerance and financial literacy.

Design/methodology/approach

The findings are based on analyses of a data set that combines survey data (collected from 13,525 bank clients in 2013) with bank record data from each respondent. The cross sectional data is analyzed using OLS-regression and structural equation modeling.

Findings

Overall, the findings are that the relationship banking model generates non-interest revenue, but not revenue on net interest spread. In more detail, findings show that trust has a positive direct effect on client-level non-interest revenue. Furthermore, trust mediates the entire effect of satisfaction and loyalty on client-level non-interest revenue. Customer satisfaction and loyalty do not lead to enhanced client-level non-interest revenue if there is little trust in bank advisors. Findings further show that the relevance of trust for non-interest revenue is higher for clients with high risk tolerance and high financial literacy. Satisfaction, loyalty, and trust have no effect, however, on client-level revenue on net interest spread.

Originality/value

While previous literature mainly has used subjective intentions (e.g., repurchase behavior) as operationalization of performance, this paper combines subjective survey data and objective performance data, allowing the investigation of how the customer relationship model affects actual performance. Furthermore, the paper investigates the relational banking model's effect on non-interest and net interest spread revenue, and we show that the relational banking model generates only non-interest revenue, and not net interest spread revenue. The fine-grained client-level data also allows the investigation on how the effect of trust on client-level performance differs among client groups with different cognitive characteristics (i.e., risk tolerance and financial literacy).
A gender- and class-sensitive explanatory model for rural women entrepreneurship in Turkey
Authors: Kurtege Sefer Bengu
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer a new gender- and class-sensitive framework for research on rural women entrepreneurship by focusing on the women’s agricultural cooperatives in Turkey. Although these cooperatives have been promoted as ideal bottom-to-top organizations to integrate women into economy as entrepreneurs, there has been significant decline in their numbers. This paper tackles with this contradictory situation and intends to offer an alternative research framework on the viability of the women’s agricultural cooperatives in Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is built on a critical assessment of the existing literature. It argues that a framework that brings together macro-, meso- and micro-factors will provide a springboard to unfold the gendered processes integral to rural female entrepreneurship in Turkey. Drawing on intersectional theory, the multilayered factors which operate to rural women’s (dis)advantages through the cooperatives are unfolded as policymaking, policy implementation and everyday experiences.

Findings

For policymakers and implementers, it points out the need for a holistic and integrated understanding of rural female entrepreneurship and for re-formulation of policies at the state level. For rural women, it draws attention to the measures required to be taken at the cooperative level to overcome inequalities.

Originality/value

This paper is original in making explicit social, political and economic embeddedness of female entrepreneurship in rural Turkey.
Ordering drivers of green supply chain management practices in Indian construction industry
Authors: Singh Arpit , Misra Subhas C.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Increasing pressure from government and consumer to be environmentally conscious has led firms to focus their attention on the assessment and controlling the adverse impacts their operations have on the environment. The current study focuses on identifying the factors and their relative importance in the implementation of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) process.

Design/methodology/approach

The factors influencing the GSCM are ranked from most important to least important using a novel method of ranking relying on rough sets theory. Opinions on the importance of the factors are gathered from the experts from industrial, environmental, and societal domains.

Findings

Involvement of government in promoting the importance of green practices in organizations and societal insistence of being environmentally conscious are the factors that demonstrated maximum potential in establishing a strong GSCM framework.

Practical implications

This study aids the management to discover important factors for the establishment of a strong GSCM framework. This encourages the management to follow and apply green practices in operations. Also, it sheds light on the current situation of environmental awareness in the Indian construction industries.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the existing literature on identification and ordering of factors for GSCM by introducing a novel method of ranking based on Rough set approach. The method includes the preference information of the decision makers to yield the final ranking of the factors.
Total risk evaluation framework
Authors: Kosztyán Zsolt Tibor , Csizmadia Tibor , Kovács Zoltán , Mihálcz István
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to generalize the traditional risk evaluation methods and to specify a multi-level risk evaluation framework, in order to prepare customized risk evaluation and to enable effectively integrating the elements of risk evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

A real case study of an electric motor manufacturing company is presented to illustrate the advantages of this new framework compared to the traditional and fuzzy failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) approaches.

Findings

The essence of the proposed total risk evaluation framework (TREF) is its flexible approach that enables the effective integration of firms’ individual requirements by developing tailor-made organizational risk evaluation.

Originality/value

Increasing product/service complexity has led to increasingly complex yet unique organizational operations; as a result, their risk evaluation is a very challenging task. Distinct structures, characteristics and processes within and between organizations require a flexible yet robust approach of evaluating risks efficiently. Most recent risk evaluation approaches are considered to be inadequate due to the lack of flexibility and an inappropriate structure for addressing the unique organizational demands and contextual factors. To address this challenge effectively, taking a crucial step toward customization of risk evaluation.
Non-traditional marketplaces in the retail apocalypse: investigating consumers' buying behaviours
Authors: Childs Michelle , Blanchflower Tiffany , Hur Songyee , Matthews Delisia
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Revolutionary changes are happening in retail, and the term “retail apocalypse” reflects these dramatic changes. As a growing number of traditional brick-and-motor retailers are closing, the aim of this study is to understand and test the dimensions of specific store and consumer factors that are driving this shift towards non-traditional retail marketplaces (e.g. pop-up stores, fashion trucks), factors that drive consumer loyalty (i.e. re-patronage intentions) and the mediating role of shopping enjoyment in this context.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a consumer panel (n = 237) of previous shoppers of non-traditional retailers. Utilising exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), this study identifies possible store and consumer factors that are associated with consumers' patronage of non-traditional retailers. Based on results, we propose a model for non-traditional retail shopping behaviour.

Findings

EFA revealed that quality of personal experience and consumer curiosity were dominant factors explaining variance. Key findings revealed that in-store factors (in-store ambiance, quality and value of products) and consumer factors (consumer curiosity, quality consciousness) influence consumers' re-patronage intentions. This highlights the importance of maintaining quality elements in shopping experiences. Shopping enjoyment was found to mediate relationships, indicating that while not all factors directly impact loyalty, it can be enhanced through pleasurable shopping experiences.

Practical implications

Our findings help retailers understand which factors are driving this dramatic change in consumer behaviour so they may develop better strategies to attract and retain customers. Retailers need to highlight product quality and in-store atmosphere and spark consumers' quality consciousness and curiosity to enhance consumer loyalty.

Originality/value

Despite the rise in popularity, this is the first study to investigate non-traditional retailers comprehensively.
Cultural innovation, aspirations and success among smallholders in former homelands of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa
Authors: Zantsi Siphe , Mack Gabriele , Mann Stefan
Published: February 2020

Purpose

After unsuccessful attempts of South African governments to carry out a land reform that distributes farmland more justly, this study aims to undertake a stronger segmentation of potential beneficiaries for a better targeting of future reforms.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model has been developed along the axes of cultural innovation and aspirations that identifies the segment of current smallholders who would most likely relocate to become commercial farmers in the future. A survey among smallholders in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa confirms the approach.

Findings

A number of indicators can be identified, particularly for cultural innovation, that predict willingness to relocate to a region where commercial farms can be managed.

Originality/value

The importance of cultural innovation has been neglected both in theoretical frameworks and in practical concepts of land reform.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at:https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-05-2018-0226
An approach to support the construction of adaptive Web applications
Authors: Vasconcelos Leandro Guarino , Baldochi Laercio Augusto , Santos Rafael Duarte Coelho
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to presents Real-time Usage Mining (RUM), an approach that exploits the rich information provided by client logs to support the construction of adaptive Web applications. The main goal of RUM is to provide useful information about the behavior of users that are currently browsing a Web application. By consuming this information, the application is able to adapt its user interface in real-time to enhance the user experience. RUM provides two types of services as follows: support for the detection of struggling users; and user profiling based on the detection of behavior patterns.

Design/methodology/approach

RUM leverages the previous study on usability evaluation to provide a service that evaluates the usability of tasks performed by users while they browse applications. This evaluation is based on a metric that allows the detection of struggling users, making it possible to identify these users as soon as few logs from their interaction are processed. RUM also exploits log mining techniques to detect usage patterns, which are then associated with user profiles previously defined by the application specialist. After associating usage patterns to user profiles, RUM is able to classify users as they browse applications, allowing the application developer to tailor the user interface according to the users’ needs and preferences.

Findings

The proposed approach was exploited to improve user experience in real-world Web applications. Experiments showed that RUM was effective to provide support for struggling users to complete tasks. Moreover, it was also effective to detect usage patterns and associate them with user profiles.

Originality/value

Although the literature reports studies that explore client logs to support both the detection of struggling users and the user profiling based on usage patterns, no existing solutions provide support for detecting users from specific profiles or struggling users, in real-time, while they are browsing Web applications. RUM also provides a toolkit that allows the approach to be easily deployed in any Web application.
Collaborating with technology-based autonomous agents
Authors: Seeber Isabella , Waizenegger Lena , Seidel Stefan , Morana Stefan , Benbasat Izak , Lowry Paul Benjamin
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This article reports the results from a panel discussion held at the 2019 European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS) on the use of technology-based autonomous agents in collaborative work.

Design/methodology/approach

The panelists (Drs Izak Benbasat, Paul Benjamin Lowry, Stefan Morana, and Stefan Seidel) presented ideas related to affective and cognitive implications of using autonomous technology-based agents in terms of (1) emotional connection with these agents, (2) decision-making, and (3) knowledge and learning in settings with autonomous agents. These ideas provided the basis for a moderated panel discussion (the moderators were Drs Isabella Seeber and Lena Waizenegger), during which the initial position statements were elaborated on and additional issues were raised.

Findings

Through the discussion, a set of additional issues were identified. These issues related to (1) the design of autonomous technology-based agents in terms of human–machine workplace configurations, as well as transparency and explainability, and (2) the unintended consequences of using autonomous technology-based agents in terms of de-evolution of social interaction, prioritization of machine teammates, psychological health, and biased algorithms.

Originality/value

Key issues related to the affective and cognitive implications of using autonomous technology-based agents, design issues, and unintended consequences highlight key contemporary research challenges that allow researchers in this area to leverage compelling questions that can guide further research in this field.
Human capital in public research laboratories: a method proposal for assessing actual and target scores
Authors: El Kadiri Boutchich Driss
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This work aims to propose an alternative method of human capital calculation for research laboratories of public university, taking into account some drawbacks of the methods currently applied in this field.

Design/methodology/approach

This method is implemented via a linear program extracted from Data Envelopment Analysis based on slack movement. This is the formulation of Copper et al. (2000), which is used as the starting point for developing the proposed method through important transformations.

Findings

The proposed method is supported by an illustration related to a Moroccan public university. This illustration showed that 57 per cent of the laboratories and all the research activities that they perform are in deficit with respect to target scores.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed method has technical limitations related to scores equal to 1 and to variables when those are numerous. To solve them, it is possible to use peer benchmarking system for the first limitation, and methods of regrouping the variables when those are numerous for the second limitation. Equally, the proposed method does not associate slack with important factors like governance and the impact analysis of research on innovation, competitiveness, and societal aspects. Likewise, it does not use the slack to measure individual efficiency at the same laboratory. Future research can fill these gaps.

Practical implications

This work allows making appropriate budgetary and research policy within university, through budgeting process and management control by using raw and adjusted target values as well as actual ones. Also, the highlighting of the excessive slacks leads the university to take actions to reduce them, according to the most loss-making research activities.

Originality/value

The proposed method is original, since it fills a deficit in terms of human capital target values calculation and of the slack movement concept in relation to the efficient frontier. Additionally, it transforms the Data Envelopment Analysis program into a program that eliminates the slacks linked to the inputs, the radial movement related to the outputs and treats only the outputs and slacks related to these outputs.
Why do network organizations fail?
Authors: Tunisini Annalisa , Marchiori Michela
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine network failures and the main reasons why network organizations, intentionally developed by a group of actors to pursue specific goals, become unfruitful and fail in their goals and expectations of creating collective value. The goal of this paper is thus to contribute a better understanding of the reasons network organizations encounter problems in their dynamics that prevent them from reaching the expected outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is firstly based on a literature review finalized to identify the main variables considered as potentially impacting on network failures. Secondly, the paper is based on a survey conducted on 189 strategic networks that highlighted difficulties in achieving their goals. An analysis of the 24 questionnaires returned generated the results discussed. The empirical study concerns strategic networks intentionally created and signed by Italian SMEs according to a specific law designed to promote the development of inter-firm cooperation (“network contracts”).

Findings

The results of the research highlight the role of specific key items related to individual, structural, legitimacy, interaction and governance variables in explaining failures in network organizations. According to the data, failure can occur immediately before the network start-up, resulting in a blocked network or in a subsequent developmental stage, resulting in a dormant network. The empirical research demonstrated that the items affecting network failure differ between blocked and dormant networks. The authors explain such differences, considering them according to the expected goals declared by the two different types of networks.

Originality/value

The question of why networks fail is relevant in times of disruption and digitalization when new forms of organization are needed to link businesses and various stakeholders and thereby develop innovative and sustainable ideas for an entrepreneurial future. However, very few studies have examined network failure. The study contributes to this field of research by investigating the dynamics of networks intentionally developed to reach shared goals. The findings can be useful to both companies that decide to start up a strategic network and the policymakers that promote, finance and monitor inter-firm collaboration.
Time-constrained interactions in public-private collaboration projects. The case of ENABLE
Authors: Kronlid Carl , Baraldi Enrico
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on time-constrained interactions involving industry and public actors, mainly universities, conducting research. This kind of interaction has become increasingly important to develop new pharmaceuticals, especially antibiotics. The proposed theoretical frame relies on industrial marketing and purchasing’s interactive perspective on inter-organizational relationships and especially the activities, resource, actors model, combined with key concepts on temporary organizing and project management. This study identifies the temporality and time constraints imposed by this project on public–private interactions, specific coordination tools used to create such temporality and time constraints and their consequences, including positive and negative effects for the interacting parties.

Design/methodology/approach

The study builds on a single in-depth qualitative case study of a major antibiotics R&D collaboration project called ENABLE.

Findings

For negative consequences, this model includes the need for constantly rebuilding trust due to fast turnover of actors, difficulties in combining resources as efficiently as possible, resource constraints, bottlenecks and neglect of some activities, such as publishing, which are normally pivotal for universities. Despite these problematic consequences of temporality, resources are rapidly made available and new competencies learned quickly. Another positive effect is the possibility to achieve complex adaptations of resources and activities even in short time frames. Importantly, projects can act as a springboard for the parties to continue collaboration and in the long term develop a continuous business relationship.

Originality/value

Based on the findings the authors develop a model of time-constrained inter-organizational interaction between public and private organizations.
Shared information practices on Facebook
Authors: Mansour Ameera
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study aims to develop an in-depth understanding of the underlying dynamics of an emergent shared information practice within a Facebook group, and the resources the group develops to sustain this practice.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth semi-structured interviews were carried out with twenty members from the group. The findings are based on comparative analysis combined with narrative analysis and were interpreted using theories of situated learning and Community of Practice.

Findings

The study shows that although members of this multicultural mothers group endorsed different, sometimes opposing parenting practices, the group had to find common ground when sharing information. Managing these challenges was key to maintaining the group as an open information resource for all members. The group produced a shared repertoire of resources to maintain its activities, including norms, rules, shared understandings, and various monitoring activities. The shared online practice developed by the community is conceptualised in this article as an information practice requiring shared, community-specific understandings of what, when, and how information can or should be sought or shared in ways that are valued in this specific community. The findings show that this shared information practice is notstaticbut continually evolves as members negotiate what is, or not, important for the group.

Originality/value

The research provides novel insights into the underlying dynamics of the emergence, management, and sustainability of a shared information practice within a contemporary mothers group on Facebook.
Perspectives on social workers from within an integrated setting
Authors: Phillipowsky Darryl James
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This research explores community professionals' opinions concerning social worker's roles and statutory functions. It explores the perspectives of professionals and their understanding of collaborative and cooperative work; experiences of professional support; opinions on the aspects of anti-oppressive practices in social work; views on social work identity within multidisciplinary team structures; and perceptions regarding the challenges of cultural and contextual drivers of social work practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts an interpretivist paradigm and social constructionist epistemology in that there are multiple realities to be understood and different perspectives and perceptions to be explored. This study adopted a data collection approach of thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews.

Setting and participants

Social workers and nurses working within an integrated social care and health NHS trust.

Methods

Six respondents volunteered for interviews in 2017. Data were coded as follows using a multistage approach: (1) coding of comments into general categories (e.g. culture, models of practice), (2) coding of subcategories within main categories (e.g. values, knowledge and skills), (3) cross-sectional analysis to identify themes cutting across categories and (4) mapping of categories/subcategories to corresponding comparable research for comparison.

Findings

Most interviewees (5) were social workers, with one from the nursing field. Respondents provided comments that fell under four overarching themes: cultural theme, the impact of economic austerity, organisational structures and the political drivers of integration.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the evidence regarding the role of social workers within integrated health and adult social care organisations (as opposed to mental health social work) and also contributes to the evidence around social work in times of austerity.
Consumer perception of Halal products
Authors: Farah Maya F.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the effects of religiosity level, ethnocentrism, subjective norms, product judgment and trust in Halal food products on the consumer intention to purchase a Muslim (manufactured in a majority Muslim country) versus a foreign (manufactured in a majority non-Muslim country) product available on the Lebanese market across the two main Muslim sects, namely, Sunnism and Shiism.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a quantitative survey that was administered to a proportionate stratified sample of 607 respondents from the two sects.

Findings

The results indicate that Sunni consumers indicate a greater trust in judgment of and willingness to buy foreign Halal products compared to their Shiite counterparts, while Shiite consumers display a greater trust in judgment of and willingness to buy Muslim products. Moreover, religiosity, ethnocentrism, subjective norms, brand trust and product judgment have been found to significantly influence consumer purchase intention.

Practical implications

The study results exhibit that religious sect plays a key role in consumer purchase intention, which encourages decision makers and marketers to pursue identity, awareness and communication strategies while targeting Muslim consumers of both sects.

Originality/value

Muslim consumers’ perception of Halal products is a sorely under-researched area of study with minimal empirical data supporting such studies. The results of this study offer some insight into consumer behavior differences between members of the two sects.
A framework to improve university–industry collaboration
Authors: Awasthy Richa , Flint Shayne , Sankarnarayana Ramesh , Jones Richard L.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework to improve the effectiveness of university–industry collaboration (UIC). This work enhances the existing body of literature and knowledge regarding collaboration and offers concrete steps to be taken for effective collaboration between universities and industries.

Research Methodology

A literature review to study the best practices, impediments to collaboration and the various models proposed in the past for successful UIC was conducted. A workshop and focus-group meetings of practitioners and academic researchers was designed and organised to explore the current state of the university–industry engagement within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) region and gather inputs regarding possible approaches to improve collaboration. The findings from the literature review and the results from this qualitative research regarding the approaches to improve the effectiveness of the collaboration were analysed.

Results and implications

The study discovers that various measures have been proposed in the form of best practices or models to improve the effectiveness of UIC. However, these measures often address a specific concern such as technology transfer, intellectual property (IP), etc. There is a scope for a comprehensive holistic framework to address many aspects of UIC in order to improve effectiveness and achieve success. A framework for improving the effectiveness of collaboration considering a comprehensive list of factors operating in a broad context within the collaboration system was proposed.

Originality/value

The framework builds on previous literature dealing with measures for successful UIC. However, it is the first of its kind, in the researcher's knowledge, in terms of comprehensiveness of the factors contributing to establishing and sustaining successful collaboration. The value of the individual experience of the participants in this qualitative research, which is on average more than 10 years in the software engineering field, validates the importance and quality of the data collected. The addition of these results to the framework increases its validity.The framework can be utilised by universities and industry practitioners to foster successful and effective collaboration. The results have significant relevance, particularly within the Australian context as the government has intensified the adoption of measures to encourage and improve collaboration between universities and the industry.
Pressures in implementation of circular supply chain management for sustainability
Authors: Saroha Manju , Garg Dixit , Luthra Sunil
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Business organisations are under serious threat to sustain their business due to globalisation, challenging market and recent economic competitiveness. The aim of this study is to address various pressures to circular supply chain management (CSCM) implementation for sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study is based on two research levels. Initially, extensive literature review has been made to identify 31 pressures to CSCM, and eight categories of pressures have been identified. At the second level, fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (F-AHP) has been applied to rank the identified pressures to CSCM implementation for sustainability.

Findings

“Financial Pressures (FP)” has been identified as most significant pressure to CSCM implementation for sustainability. Further, “Lack of support of top management (MP1)”, “Lack of implementation of laws and policies (GP2)” and “Lack of vision for CSCM (GP1)” have been found most critical sub-pressures CSCM implementation for sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

The final results give the prioritised list of all identified 31 sub-pressures and eight main pressure heads, which will be helpful in their removal for achieving the goal of CSCM implementation. It will be helpful for managers to take decisions promoting circular practices in supply chains to achieve truly sustainable supply chains. It will also be help for SC managers to understand the flow of activities and materials in CSC to get good results and remove pressures.

Originality/value

The present study plays an important role in circular activities implementation in supply chain for profit gain, and their pressure ranking may help the mangers to implement the CSCM effectively.
A literature review on the causality between sustainability and corporate reputation
Authors: Gomez-Trujillo Ana Maria , Velez-Ocampo Juan , Gonzalez-Perez Maria Alejandra
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to summarize previous research findings of the relationship between reputation and sustainability at the firm level.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a systematic literature review of 306 retrieved articles that matched the search criteria. After applying filters and narrowing the sample to a total of 156 articles of a 19-year period (2000–2019) that were finally content analyzed for this study in order to identify sources, authors, theories, methodologies, and opportunities for future research.

Findings

Findings demonstrate that in most of the cases, sustainability appears to be an antecedent of corporate reputation and a tool to enhance stakeholders' acceptance and perceptions on companies' activities.

Practical implications

The study shows the potential of sustainability reporting as a tool to enhance corporate reputation; moreover, it also discussed the likely effect of sustainability over brand equity. This research confirms the importance of having strategic management of both corporate sustainability and reputation management. Including both reputational management and sustainability in the corporate strategy can be a potential source to create value, protect against difficulties and liabilities, and maximize business survival.

Social implications

For business, establishing clear positions in relation to environmental and social issues, building collaborative global networks and authentic local relations, giving signals that reaffirm business purposes with all stakeholders, and adhering to the sustainable development agenda enhance positive corporate reputation.

Originality/value

In addition to answering the stated research question and in fact filling a gap in the literature, this study led us to identify 25 research questions classified in seven different areas (measurement and scales; causes and effects; longitudinal studies; geographical contexts; theory building; digital as a novel environment; and new actors and institutions).
Mutualistic symbiosis?
Authors: Obermann Jörn , Velte Patrick , Gerwanski Jannik , Kordsachia Othar
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Although principal–agent theory has gained a prominent place in research, its negative image of self-serving managers is frequently criticized. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to examine how existing theories of agency and stewardship can be combined by using behavioral characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

This study reviewed articles on the behavior of agents and stewards from the domains of finance, economics, management, corporate governance and organizational research. Additional theoretical and meta-analytical empirical literature from the fields of psychology and sociology was used to account for general patterns of human behavior.

Findings

The results indicate that goal congruency and the perception of fairness can serve as moderators distinguishing agency theory and stewardship theory. Goal congruency can be achieved by stipulating psychological ownership. The perception of distributive and procedural fairness is demonstrated by two major corporate governance mechanisms: performance-based compensation and board monitoring. The results are summarized in six hypotheses that allow a situational, customized corporate governance. These hypotheses can be tested in future research.

Originality/value

Prior work either focused on the merits of principal-agent theory or advocates the utilization of positive management theories, such as stewardship theory. However, little work has been done on bridging the gap between both constructs and develop a more extensive view of management theory.
Drivers and barriers to MOOC adoption: perspectives from adopters and non-adopters
Authors: Ma Long , Lee Chei Sian
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Despite the advantages of MOOCs (Massive Online Open Courses), the adoption rate is still low, especially in less developed countries. The present study aims to investigate the drivers and barriers faced by adopters and non-adopters of MOOCs, and examine how these factors influence the intention of MOOC adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey questionnaire was developed to measure how the identified factors may impact adopters and non-adopters' intention of using MOOCs. Through both offline and online channels, 1018 valid questionnaires were collected in China. Multiple regression analysis was applied to test the influential factors for adopters and non-adopters of MOOCs.

Findings

This study found that the drivers (i.e. perceived usefulness, performance-to-cost value, and self-regulation) have similar effects on both adopters and non-adopters on intention to adopt MOOCs. What differs between the two groups are the barriers to MOOC adoption. While adopters considered educational tradition and peers' impact as major barriers, non-adopters regarded lack of publicity and relevant information to be an obstacle. In addition, both adopters and non-adopters were hindered by the lack of accessibility and instructions.

Research limitations/implications

As all the participants of this study were from one country in Asia, the findings may not be applicable to explain the situation of MOOC adoption in other countries with different social and cultural context.

Originality/value

In addition to the perceptions of adopters, this study also reveals the perceptions of non-adopters of MOOCs, which has seldom been investigated. In addition, this study focuses on the context of economically disadvantaged regions which have been neglected in previous studies of MOOC adoption.
A blockchain approach to digital archiving: digital signature certification chain preservation
Authors: Bralić Vladimir , Stančić Hrvoje , Stengård Mats
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The short lifespan of digital signatures presents a challenge to the long-term preservation of digitally signed records. It can undermine attempts to presume, verify or assess their authenticity. This paper aims to investigate the challenges of the expiration of digital signatures in the context of digital archiving.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper identifies requirements for the long-term preservation of digitally signed records and compares them with the existing approaches. The characteristics, operational procedures and requirements of the technologies used for digital signatures are combined with the archival requirements to design a new model.

Findings

The paper proposes a new model of a blockchain-based system, which can be combined with any digital archive to assist the process of long-term preservation of digitally signed records.

Practical implications

The proposed model offers a new alternative to the current practice in the long-term preservation of digitally signed records, such as periodic resigning procedures or periodic wrapping of digitally signed records with archival timestamps.

Originality/value

The proposed TrustChain 2.0 model is based on previous research conducted as part of the InterPARES Trust project. It builds on TrustChain 1.0 by including digital signature certificate chain validity information in a blockchain thus avoiding the issues concerning records confidentiality and privacy information disclosure. The paper contributes not only to the development of archival science but also shows archival institutions on how to approach long-term preservation of digitally signed records.
Learning‐induced switching costs in a parasitoid can maintain diversity of host aphid phenotypes although biocontrol is destabilized under abiotic stress
Authors: Preedy Katharine F. , Chaplain Mark A. J. , Leybourne Daniel J. , Marion Glenn , Karley Alison J.
Published: February 2020

Aphid populations frequently include phenotypes that are resistant to parasitism by hymenopterous parasitoid wasps, which is often attributed to the presence of ‘protective’ facultative endosymbionts residing in aphid tissues, particularly Hamiltonella defensa. In field conditions, under parasitoid pressure, the observed coexistence of aphids with and without protective symbionts cannot be explained by their difference in fitness alone.

Using the cereal aphid Rhopalosiphum padi as a model, we propose an alternative mechanism whereby parasitoids are more efficient at finding common phenotypes of aphid and experience a fitness cost when switching to the less common phenotype.

We construct a model based on delay differential equations and parameterize and validate the model with values within the ranges obtained from experimental studies. We then use it to explore the possible effects on system dynamics under conditions of environmental stress, using our existing data on the effects of drought stress in crops as an example.

We show the ‘switching penalty’ incurred by parasitoids leads to stable coexistence of aphids with and without H. defensa and provides a potential mechanism for maintaining phenotypic diversity among host organisms. We show that drought‐induced reduction in aphid development time has little impact. However, greater reduction in fecundity on droughted plants of symbiont‐protected aphids can cause insect population cycles when the system would be stable in the absence of drought stress.

The stabilizing effect of the increased efficiency in dealing with more commonly encountered host phenotypes is applicable to a broad range of consumer–resource systems and could explain stable coexistence in competitive environments. The loss of stable coexistence when drought has different effects on the competing aphid phenotypes highlights the importance of scenario testing when considering biocontrol for pest management.
Taxonomic review of theDichotomius mamillatusgroup (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), with a description of a new species,Dichotomius(Dichotomius)gandiniisp. nov., from western Amazonia
Authors: Rossini Michele , Vaz‐de‐Mello Fernando Z
Published: February 2020

We conducted a morphologically based taxonomic revision of theDichotomius mamillatusspecies group (Scarabaeinae). A new species,Dichotomius (Dichotomius) gandiniisp. nov., from western Amazonia is described, illustrated and included in this group, along withDichotomius(Dichotomius)mamillatus(Felsche, 1901),Dichotomius(Dichotomius)robustus(Luederwaldt, 1935) andDichotomius(Dichotomius)worontzowi(Pereira, 1942). The external and genital morphology of themamillatusgroup and its species are defined through an in‐depth examination of the surviving type material, as well as hundreds of reference specimens deposited in several natural history collections. An illustrated identification key to theDichotomiusspecies of the group is provided.Pinotus calcaratusArrow, 1913 (currentlyDichotomius calcaratus) is considered to be a junior subjective synonym ofDichotomius (Dichotomius) mamillatus. This research further resolves the many taxonomic questions that are still hampering the correct identification ofDichotomiusspecies in the Neotropics, providing key diagnostic tools for researchers interested in these scarab beetles. The comprehensive morphological study of theD. mamillatusgroup highlights the important taxonomic value of the often‐overlooked endophallic structures, as well as their central role in informing hypotheses of systematic relationships.
An observational study of physical, cognitive and social activities in rehabilitation inpatients
Authors: McRae Prue , Bew Paul , Smith Simon , Mudge Alison
Published: February 2020

Objectives

To describe patient behaviour related to mobility in a rehabilitation inpatient setting and compare intensive and Transition Care Program (TCP, slow‐stream rehabilitation) models.

Methods

Prospective cross‐sectional design including weekday and weekend sampling in two rehabilitation wards (one intensive and one TCP) in a publicly funded facility. A single trained observer undertook behavioural mapping, observing patient location, mobility, activity and company on all inpatients 8 am‐4 pm using a structured 2‐minute observation protocol. Observations were summarised and compared between wards.

Results

We observed 74 inpatients on a Tuesday and 77 on a Sunday. Participants spent 7% (median) of daytime standing or walking. They spent 62%‐87% in their room, 22%‐40% sleeping or resting and 74%‐86% alone. The only significant difference between wards was time spent off ward on Tuesday. Activity was lower on Sunday.

Conclusions

Time spent in physical, cognitive and social activities is low in inpatient rehabilitation and TCP wards.