bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“It's been a good time to reflect on…who isn't worth keeping around”: COVID-19, adolescent relationship maintenance and implications for health education
Authors: Goldstein Alanna , Flicker Sarah
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper adds to the growing body of research examining the impacts of COVID-19 physical distancing measures on the everyday lives of young people. It draws on theories of “digital intimacies” and “relationship maintenance” to argue that young people’s reflections on COVID-19, physical distancing and online relationships expose larger gaps in sex, relationships and health education pedagogies.

Design/methodology/approach

Five semi-structured online focus groups were conducted with Canadian adolescents aged 16–19 probing their experiences of dating and platonic relationships during COVID-19. Narrative thematic analysis methods were used to develop themes outlining how physical distancing measures have affected young people’s relationship norms, expectations and values.

Findings

COVID-19 physical distancing measures and school closures appeared to create the conditions for some young people to productively reflect on the labor involved in the maintenance of their relationships in relation to considerations of proximity, reciprocity and distance. This labor was particularly articulated by female participants, many of whom expressed that life disruptions caused by COVID-19 catalyzed learning about their own relationship needs, desires and boundaries.

Research limitations/implications

Results from this research are not widely generalizable, as each participant had a unique experience with COVID-19 physical distancing measures, schooling and in-person contact. Due to anonymity measures implemented, participant narratives cannot be confidently associated with demographic surveys that hampered the ability to offer an intersectional analysis of participant experience.

Originality/value

Discussions of relationship maintenance and digital intimacies elucidate the limitations of health education’s tendency to construct adolescent relationships as existing along binaries of “healthy” and “unhealthy.” Health education might benefit from more meaningful integration of these concepts.
Greening crowdfunding campaigns: an investigation of message framing and effective communication strategies for funding success
Authors: Rossolini Monica , Pedrazzoli Alessia , Ronconi Alessandro
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Recognising the growing importance of environmental and sustainable activities and the role of communication strategies in soliciting their financing, this work investigates the influence of message framing, green emphasis and quantitative information on the probability of green crowdfunding campaigns' success.

Design/methodology/approach

This analysis is based on crowdfunding campaigns published between 2015 and 2020 on the Indiegogo platform in the category “Community projects – Environment”. The study develops an in-depth qualitative content analysis of the projects before performing an empirical examination to determine funding causes.

Findings

Communication strategies (message framing, green emphasis and quantitative goals) affect funding success. However, project category moderates the impact of message framing and green emphasis on campaign success. While positive framing increases agri-food campaign success, negative framing is more effective for clean energy and climate preservation projects. Moreover, indication of a quantitative goal and a marked green emphasis in a project's presentation increase campaign success, but a too marked green emphasis is only effective for agri-food projects.

Practical implications

Green entrepreneurs and campaign managers must work carefully on their projects' communication, accounting for the type of product proposed, emphasising green components in its description and utilising quantitative information to present future goals. These strategies maximise backers' responses and enable entrepreneurs to obtain funding. The authors’ findings may be extended to other contexts, including the banking sector, to craft effective communication strategies for green financial products.

Originality/value

By applying framing theory in a new context (i.e. the online financing of green entrepreneurs), this study identifies new campaign success determinants and provides evidence for the moderating role of project category. Furthermore, the study highlights the need to develop different communication strategies for social and environmental-oriented projects.
Interfirm collaboration as a performance-enhancing survival strategy within the business models of ethnic minority-owned urban restaurants affected by COVID-19
Authors: Crick James M. , Crick Dave , Chaudhry Shiv
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Guided by resource-based theory, this investigation examines the extent to which knowledge sharing as part of interfirm collaboration serves as a performance-enhancing strategy; that is, in the context of assisting ethnic minority-owned urban restaurants to survive during a major market disruption. Specifically, the study features owner-managers' perceptions concerning the evolving environmental circumstances associated with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection took place among owner-managers of urban restaurants in a Canadian city during the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2020. This featured semi-structured interviews with restaurants' owner-managers originating from various ethnic origins together with secondary data where possible. Data analysis followed an adapted Gioia approach.

Findings

Examples of interfirm collaboration include restaurants' owner-managers leveraging social capital and sharing knowledge about the effects of legislation and health guidelines on operating procedures, together with good and bad practices where firms have pivoted their business models via take-outs, patio dining and in-room dining. Irrespective of the strength of network ties (within and across ethnic communities), owner-managers were motivated to share information to facilitate their survival. Nevertheless, this study raises questions over the extent that certain decision-makers exhibit strategic flexibility responding to environmental conditions together with their respective ability to engage/retain customers plus service-oriented employees. In addition, a question is whether some owner-managers will continue to collaborate with their competitors after COVID-19 ends, and if so, with whom and the magnitude of activities. In particular, “trust” via psychological contracts and “complementary strategies” among partners across coethnic and different ethnic origins are key considerations.

Originality/value

A body of knowledge exists addressing the notions of both interfirm collaboration and market disruptions in the broader cross-disciplinary literature. However, the interfirm collaborative practices of small firms with ethnic minority ownership that are otherwise rivals remain under-researched. More specifically, interfirm collaboration as a survival strategy for owner-managers during the market disruption arising from a crisis situation features as an original contribution.
Drawing ethical mentation in Islamic banks; addressing operational lines heterogeneity with special reference to Al-Ghazali’s ethical philosophy
Authors: Shamsudheen Shinaj Valangattil , Rosly Saiful Azhar , Aljunid Syed Abdul Hamid
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the decision-making behaviour of Islamic banking practitioners of the United Arab Emirates with special reference to the operational line heterogeneity by employing factors that are religious in nature such as intellect, satanic force and divine knowledge as encapsulated in al-Ghazali’s ethical philosophy.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 337 samples were collected from the Islamic banking practitioners in the United Arab Emirates using a purposive sampling technique, and the empirical analysis was conducted with the measures of model fit and bootstrapping technique using Partial least square Structural equation modelling and multi-group analysis.

Findings

The empirical findings reveal that the dedicated use of intellect in making decisions related to ethical issues where desires and emotions tend to overwhelm reason and human choices. While divine knowledge is found ineffective guidance of the intellect, the element of satanic force is found significantly impacting decision-making. As the lack of religious consciousness is evident among respondents, higher exposure to operational risk is expected. These findings were found identical across the Islamic banking practitioners in different lines of operations.

Research limitations/implications

The span of the study is limited to a single country. Future studies are recommended to replicate the study to more markets where the share of Islamic finance is significant.

Practical implications

Findings of the study highly suggest respective authorities of Islamic financial institutions to intensify the capacity-building programs on the foundation of faith which includes Islamic thought and worldview, to enhance the corporate ethical decision-making. Moreover, equal importance should be given to all the banking practitioners regardless of line of business operations.

Originality/value

With undue emphasis is given to the juristic (fiqh) aspects of Shariah compliance in the Islamic banking and finance industry, less has been attempted to explore its ethical dimension (akhlaq) in the compliance parameters that leave a relatively large gap to address prevailing unethical practices in Islamic finance institutions. Findings from this study can be useful as a warning to the Islamic banking firms to enhance the sense of God-fearing and improve existing measures in the organisation in mitigating operational risks that may arise from people or system and consequently ensure the smooth governance of the Islamic banks.
Tribological behavior of AZ91D magnesium alloy composite: effect of hybrid WC – SiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Fahad Mohammed , B. Bavanish
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Aviation field requires a material with greater tribological characteristics to withstand the critical climate conditions. Hence, it is of paramount importance to enhance the wear resistance of material. AZ91D magnesium alloy is a light weight material used in the aviation field for the construction work. The purpose of this study is to augment the wear properties of AZ91D alloy by reinforcing with hard particles such as tungsten carbide (WC) and silicon dioxide (SiO2).

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, three types of composites were fabricated, namely, AZ91D – WC, AZ91D – SiO2 and AZ91D – (WC + SiO2) by ball milling method, and the tribological properties were analyzed using pin-on-disc apparatus.

Findings

Results showed that the hardness of AZ91D alloy was greatly improved due to the reinforcing effects of WC and SiO2 particles. Wear study showed that wear rate of AZ91D alloy and its composites increased with the increase of applied load due to ploughing effect and decreased with the increase of sliding speed owing to the formation of lubricating tribolayer. Further, the AZ91D – (WC + SiO2) composite exhibited the lower wear rate of 0.0017 mm3/m and minimum coefficient of friction of 0.33 at a load of 10 N and a sliding speed of 150 mm/s due to the inclusion of hybrid WC and SiO2 particles. Hence, the proposed AZ91D – (WC + SiO2) composite could be a suitable candidate to be used in the aviation applications.

Originality/value

This work is original which deals with the effect of hybrid particles, i.e. WC and SiO2 on the wear performance of the AZ91D magnesium alloy composites. The literature review showed that none of the studies focused on the reinforcement of AZ91D alloy by the combination of carbide and metal oxide particles as used in this investigation.
The impact of performance, liquidity and credit risks on banking diversification in a context of financial stress
Authors: Gafrej Oussama , Boujelbéne Mouna
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relation “diversification-risk-performance” for Islamic and conventional banks in different financial stress levels. Also, it aims to investigate the impact of the structure of board directors, macroeconomic variables and banking specific factors on banking diversification.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use generalized least squares regressions to examine the impact of banking specific, macroeconomic and governance variables on investment diversification of 66 Islamic and conventional banks during the period from 2006 to 2018. In addition, this study uses panel threshold regressions to study the impact of banks’ profitability and risks on investment diversification in different financial stress levels.

Findings

The findings show liquidity risk, performance, credit risk and capitalization ratio are significantly related to investment diversification of Islamic banks. On the other hand, liquidity and credit risks, capital to total assets ratio and size have a significant influence on investment diversification of conventional banks. In addition, the diversification strategy of Islamic banks is less sensitive to macroeconomic indicators. As regards to governance variables, the results suggest that the board size, the executive directors and the foreign directors have significant impact on the investment diversification in Islamic banks. On the other hand, chief executive officer duality and foreign directors affect significantly the investment diversification of conventional banks. This study also found that financial stress enables us to develop a better understanding of the relation “performance-risks and diversification.”

Practical implications

It is expected that the findings of this paper can be used by Islamic and conventional banks in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region that seek to manage the diversification strategy by reducing risk-taking and maximizing profitability. This study suggests that bank managers should consider the level of financial stress during the development of diversification strategy. It provides a better understanding for bank managers about the effect of bank specific and macroeconomics factors as well as governance variables on diversification.

Originality/value

This study focuses on providing an extension of the existing literature by studying the impact of financial stress indices on the relation between banks’ risk-performance and investment diversification for Islamic and conventional banks in the GCC region.
Privacy-preserving AI-enabled video surveillance for social distancing: responsible design and deployment for public spaces
Authors: Sugianto Nehemia , Tjondronegoro Dian , Stockdale Rosemary , Yuwono Elizabeth Irenne
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The paper proposes a privacy-preserving artificial intelligence-enabled video surveillance technology to monitor social distancing in public spaces.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposes a new Responsible Artificial Intelligence Implementation Framework to guide the proposed solution's design and development. It defines responsible artificial intelligence criteria that the solution needs to meet and provides checklists to enforce the criteria throughout the process. To preserve data privacy, the proposed system incorporates a federated learning approach to allow computation performed on edge devices to limit sensitive and identifiable data movement and eliminate the dependency of cloud computing at a central server.

Findings

The proposed system is evaluated through a case study of monitoring social distancing at an airport. The results discuss how the system can fully address the case study's requirements in terms of its reliability, its usefulness when deployed to the airport's cameras, and its compliance with responsible artificial intelligence.

Originality/value

The paper makes three contributions. First, it proposes a real-time social distancing breach detection system on edge that extends from a combination of cutting-edge people detection and tracking algorithms to achieve robust performance. Second, it proposes a design approach to develop responsible artificial intelligence in video surveillance contexts. Third, it presents results and discussion from a comprehensive evaluation in the context of a case study at an airport to demonstrate the proposed system's robust performance and practical usefulness.
The interplay of personal values, relational mobile usage and organizational citizenship behavior
Authors: Ahmad Bilal , Iqbal Sajid , Hai Mahnoor , Latif Shahid
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the mediating role of relational mobile usage on the relationship between personal values (individualism, collectivism and academic self-efficacy) and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) among the faculty members of higher education/degree-awarding institutes (DAIs) in Pakistan. The paper also examines the moderating role of gender on the relationship between relational mobile usage and OCB.

Design/methodology/approach

Cross-sectional data from 217 faculty members of higher education/DAIs in Pakistan were collected through an online questionnaire. Structural equation modeling technique using SmartPLS was used to assess the measurement and structural model. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 was used for data normality analysis, missing value analysis and variable calculation. Response and non-response bias were also examined.

Findings

The findings confirmed that individualism was not significantly related to relational mobile usage; however, collectivism and academic self-efficacy were significantly related to relational mobile usage. The relationship of relational mobile usage and OCB was also significant. The mediating role of relational mobile usage on the relationship between individualism and OCB was not significant; however, the mediating role of relational mobile usage between collectivism and OCB, and academic self-efficacy and OCB was significant. The moderating role of gender on the relationship between relational mobile usage and OCB was also significant.

Practical implications

DAIs’ administration should strive to encourage individuals to value group priorities over the individualistic interests. Valuing group interest over the individualistic interest would promote the usage of mobile technology for relational purpose. This relational perspective of mobile usage will ultimately develop OCB among individuals. Also, academic self-efficacy through relational mobile usage can lead to OCB; therefore, another important policy implication for the administration of DAIs is to develop academic self-efficacy among the stakeholders of the institutions.

Originality/value

Although OCB has become a theoretically mature concept, the framework proposed for this study has rarely been discussed in previous scholarships, particularly from the perspective of relational mobile usage. Arguably, this study is the first in testing the mediating role of relational mobile usage between the personal values and OCB within the context of academia in Pakistan.
Bringing order or creating exclusion: systems for managing disability in a university
Authors: Yerbury Hilary , Darcy Simon , Burridge Nina , Almond Barbara
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Classification schemes make things happen. The Australian Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), which derives its classification system from the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), legislates for adjustments to support the inclusion of people with disability. This study explores how students with disability enrolled in a university experience the systems intended to facilitate their studying “on the same basis” as students without disability.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an online questionnaire and interviews comprising open and closed questions made available to students registered with the disability services unit of a university and follow-up interviews with a small number of students, students’ views of their own disability and effects on their participation in learning were gathered, alongside reports of their experiences of seeking support in their learning. Interview data and responses to open-ended questions were analysed using a priori and emergent coding.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that students are aware of the workings of the classification scheme and that most accept them. However, some students put themselves outside of the scheme, often as a way to exercise autonomy or to assert their “ability”, while others are excluded from it by the decisions of academic staff. Thus, the principles of fairness and equity enshrined in legislation and policy are weakened.

Originality/value

Through the voices of students with disability, it is apparent that, even though a student's classification according to the DDA and associated university policy remains constant, the outcomes of the workings of the scheme may reveal inconsistencies, emerging from the complexity of bureaucracy, processes and the exercises of power.
From collaborative research to new product development: why a central or brokered network position is not enough
Authors: Li Jian , Yu Yue
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Although collaborative research is believed to be an important means of accessing external knowledge, research on whether taking a strategic network position benefits new product development (NPD) is inconclusive. This study aims to unravel the conditions under which taking a strategic position within a collaborative research network is conducive for a firm’s NPD.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on social network theory, absorptive capacity theory and knowledge recombinant studies, this study examines how strategic network positions (i.e. degree centrality and structural holes) and knowledge base cohesion (i.e. local and global cohesion) in tandem affect a firm’s NPD. A panel data set of 366 firms in the Chinese automobile sector (2002–2010) is empirically analyzed, using the panel negative binomial approach with random effects and several alternate estimation approaches.

Findings

This study reveals that, rather than the volume of a firm’s knowledge base, its cohesion determines how it absorbs and uses knowledge accrued from collaborative research for NPD. Specifically, this paper finds that centrally positioned firms have greater NPD when their knowledge bases are locally cohesive, while firms spanning structural holes have more NPD when their knowledge bases are globally cohesive.

Originality/value

Successfully transferring collaborative research outcomes into product innovation is difficult. This study contributes to the literature on strategic network positions and NPD. The findings advance the understanding of knowledge base cohesion’s moderating role in explaining how firms absorb and exploit external knowledge for internal innovation. The findings also have important implications for managers who wish to promote product innovation by engaging in collaborative research with external partners.
Collaborative approach to digital transformation (CADT) model for manufacturing SMEs
Authors: Brodeur Jonathan , Pellerin Robert , Deschamps Isabelle
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a collaborative approach model developed based on observations of two aerospace manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) pursuing their digital transformation toward Industry 4.0.

Design/methodology/approach

This research focuses on two manufacturing SMEs in North America, and data were collected using longitudinal case study and research intervention method. Data collection was performed through observation and intervention within the collaborative projects over 18 months.

Findings

A model of a collaborative approach to digital transformation (CADT) for manufacturing SMEs was produced. Based on the study findings, the collaboration manifests itself at various stages of the transformation projects, such as the business needs alignment, project portfolio creation, technology solution selection and post-mortem phase.

Research limitations/implications

Research using the case study method has a limitation in the generalization of the model. The CADT model generated in this study might be specific to the aerospace manufacturing industry and collaboration patterns between manufacturing SMEs. The results could vary in different contexts.

Practical implications

The proposed CADT model is particularly relevant for manufacturing SMEs' managers and consultants working on digital transformation projects. By adopting this approach, they could better plan and guide their collaboration approach during their Industry 4.0 transformation.

Originality/value

This research provides a new perspective to digital transformation approaches in the aerospace industry. It can be integrated into other research findings to formulate a more integrated and comprehensive CADT model in industries where SMEs are significant players.
Emerging knowledge commons in the public libraries in South Africa
Authors: Nwagwu Williams Ezinwa , Matobako Margaret Molaodi
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study was aimed to examine emerging knowledge commons in the public libraries in the Thabo Mofutsanyane District in Free State, South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

A triangulated sample survey was adopted to collect data from the users of the commons using a questionnaire, and data of community member and the library officers were collected using an interview schedule. The study was guided by Hess and Ostrom's Institutional Analysis and Development framework.

Findings

The librarians and the commons users recognise the changing nature, roles and services of the libraries without necessarily attributing the changes to the emergence of knowledge commons. Users viewed the commons by the learning opportunities offered by information and communication technologies. They were, however, willing to contribute their resources to boost and enrich the commons; their contributions presently take the forms of volunteering of their knowledge and skill through offering of training sessions to users of the commons. A critical aspect of the commons, namely, participation in the governance and management of the commons resources appears not to be occurring.

Practical implications

To adequately build knowledge commons in the libraries will require formally introducing knowledge commons in the libraries, doing a systems analysis, deciding on the content and their sources, drawing up a programme for nurturing the system including training of relevant staff and then providing basic infrastructures.

Originality/value

This study used quantitative approach to deploy the institutional analysis development Institutional Analysis and Development framework in the study of public library institution. Studies on knowledge commons in public libraries have not been found.
Achieving Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030 in Bangladesh: the crossroad of the governance and performance
Authors: Rahman Md Mizanur
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the performance of achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by aligning with the recent initiatives taken by different ministries and divisions in Bangladesh. It also examines the institutional challenges associated with the implementation of SDGs.

Design/methodology/approach

Both primary and secondary data were analysed by applying different techniques. The initiatives taken by various ministries and divisions of Bangladesh resonated partially with 84 targets of SDGs.

Findings

Ambiguous mandates of different ministries and divisions have caused overlapping jurisdiction, followed by conflicts of interest and lack of cohesion. Inaccurate stakeholder analysis, data unavailability, lack of competency and accountability, and a top-down policy approach can be considered as the major institutional bottlenecks in achieving SDGs.

Originality/value

This paper advocates revising the map to incorporate the right stakeholders to avoid erroneous monitoring, evaluation, and finally, inaccurate reporting. The reallocation of business for ministries and divisions is warranted to abolish jurisdictional overlapping and conflict of interests and make SDGs friendly. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic recession, Bangladesh may be able to multiply its achievement with the same resources and efforts by addressing those drawbacks.
Policing in the COVID-19 pandemic: are rural police organizations immune?
Authors: Mrozla Thomas J.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study examined how rural police agencies have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from various sources, this study first analyzed what factors influenced agency preparedness to respond to pandemics. Second, it examined how the pandemic influenced specific organizational practices.

Findings

Findings revealed that as coronavirus infections increased in counties, supervisors were more likely be tasked with inspecting personal protective equipment (PPE), agencies were more likely to offer pandemic related training, health tracking of officers was more likely to occur and agencies were more likely to encounter a shortage of officers. In addition, as rurality increased, agencies were more likely to offer training but less likely to experience officers contracting COVID-19 and an officer shortage. Lastly, as the rurality of the county in which the agency resides increased, the ability to supply PPE decreased.

Practical implications

Based on these findings, it is imperative that rural police agencies give attention to risk management and the formulation of policy to prepare for public health emergencies.

Originality/value

While knowledge about how large police agencies in the United States have responded during the coronavirus pandemic is building, little is known about rural policing during pandemics.
An effective polymer nanocomposite based on tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and SiO2-Al2O3 nanoparticles for super protection of damaged ancient Egyptian wall paintings
Authors: Marey Mahmoud Hussein
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This contribution aims to introduce an effective low cost polymer-nanocomposite for possible application to achieve a super protection for highly damaged ancient Egyptian wall paintings.

Design/methodology/approach

SiO2 and Al2O3 nanoparticles were synthesized by the sol-gel method. Then, the polymer-nanocomposite was prepared by simple mixing and dispersing the nanoparticles into the tetraethoxysilane polymer solution, with the aid of an ultrasonic dismembrator. The application of the polymer-nanocomposite and other polymeric nanodispersions, on laboratory models, was performed by the brushing technique. Next, the materials stability was evaluated by means of digital optical microscope, colorimetry, FE-scanning electron microscope, measuring the static contact angle and water absorption rates.

Findings

The results were promising in creating a superhydrophobicity and the static contact angle (?S) measured for the polymer-nanocomposite reached 135o. An average of three measurements of the water absorption rate after polymer-nanocomposite treatment was 0.66 g/m2 s, compared to 2.60 g/m2 s for the control model (untreated). Further, an average of color difference (?E*) for the treated surface was 2.78, and after the accelerated thermal aging was 3.6. Observing the surface morphology, the polymer-nanocomposite enhanced the roughness of the treated surface and showed a high resistance to laboratory salt weathering.

Practical implications

Preparation of a polymer-nanocomposite by adding SiO2 and Al2O3 NPs to tetraethoxysilane polymer has been proposed. As a promising conservation material, the produced polymer-nanocomposite helped to form an efficient protective film.

Originality/value

This paper attains to develop an economic polymer-nanocomposite to maintain a high protection to damaged ancient Egyptian wall paintings and similar objects.
Accounting downside risk measures and credit spreads
Authors: Alam Pervaiz , Hettler Barry , Gao Han
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the association between predictive accounting downside risk measures and changes in credit spreads. Building upon the earnings downside risk (EDR) measure developed in prior literature, this paper introduces cash flow downside risk (CFDR).

Design/methodology/approach

This study modifies an existing empirical framework (root lower partial moment) to calculate CFDR and applies it to a sample of firms between 2002 and 2013 for which credit default swap data are available.

Findings

After validating the measure, this study identifies a positive association between CFDR and changes in credit spreads. This paper further shows the association between CFDR and credit spread changes is stronger than that between EDR and credit spread changes. Financial stability moderates the relationship between CFDR and credit spreads.

Originality/value

This study proposes a novel measure of accounting downside risk, CFDR and demonstrates a negative association between this measure and future cash flow and a positive association between this measure and future credit spreads.
Does CSR disclosure influence financial performance of firms? Evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Singh Aditi , Chakraborty Madhumita
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to empirically examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility disclosure (CSRD) and financial performance (FP) in Indian firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for CSRD is collected by conducting content analysis of CSRD in annual reports of the sampled firms. A multidimensional measure of CSRD is constructed based on the stakeholder theory, consisting of six stakeholder groups – employees, customers, investors, community, environment and others. The aggregate CSRD measure is created by combining disclosure of the six CSR dimensions. Multiple regression analysis is used to examine the CSRD–FP linkage, controlling for the confounding effects of size, risk, age, industry, ownership and period.

Findings

The results of this study indicate that the aggregate CSRD measures, both for quality and quantity, have a positive association with the accounting measures of firms’ FP. However, the market measure of FP is observed to have a statistically insignificant association with aggregate quality and quantity of CSRD of Indian firms.

Practical implications

The results reveal that adopting transparent and extensive CSRD is relevant for the profitability of firms, and that government interventions are required to promote CSR programs, with a specific focus on the CSR dimensions that provide no apparent financial gains.

Social implications

This study recommends the adoption and reporting of CSR practices by Indian firms for their stakeholders.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the scarce literature on the CSRD–FP linkage in the context of emerging economies by using a more inclusive data set, creating a reliable measure of CSRD applicable to a large universe of firms and including relevant control variables that affect the CSRD–FP relationship.
What improves smart meters' implementation? A statistical meta-analysis on smart meters' acceptance
Authors: Gumz Jonathan , Fettermann Diego Castro
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This article aims to compare smart meters' acceptance studies worldwide to consolidate trends and highlight factors that are not a consensus.

Design/methodology/approach

This work performs a statistical meta-analysis, using the Hunter–Schmidt method and the UTAUT2 model, of the factors of acceptance of smart meters in the world literature. A meta-regression was also conducted to verify the moderation exercised by gender, level of education and timeline context of the articles.

Findings

The main results point to hedonic motivation, performance expectancy and effort expectancy as the leading influencers for smart meter's acceptance. Meta-regression indicates that the influence is more significant among the male gender and that over the years, the social influence must gain weight in the smart meter's acceptance.

Social implications

Specific strategies are suggested to improve projects for the implementation of smart meters based on the obtained results.

Originality/value

The contribution given by this work is relevant, considering it is the first meta-analysis focused on smart meters' acceptance published in the literature
Use of facial care products and frontal fibrosing alopecia: Coincidence or true association?
Authors: Leecharoen Waroonphan , Thanomkitti Kanchalit , Thuangtong Rattapon , Varothai Supenya , Triwongwaranat Daranporn , Jiamton Sukhum , Kulthanan Kanokvalai
Published: July 2021

The increasing incidence of frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) suggests that environmental factors may be related to the pathogenesis. Recent studies reported potential association between the use of facial care products and FFA. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between the use of facial care products and FFA in Asian females. A total of 250 females (50 FFA patients, 100 pattern hair loss [PHL] patients, and 100 normal controls) were recruited and completed a questionnaire to obtain information approximately facial care products and various environmental factors. Our study revealed the use of moisturizer to be significantly higher in the FFA group compared to normal controls (p < 0.001), and sunscreen use was significantly higher in the PHL group than in the control group (adjusted p < 0.001). Subjects with FFA or PHL reported significantly higher use of both sunscreen and moisturizer compared to normal controls (p < 0.001). This study focused on Asian populations. Our results revealed a high frequency of moisturizer and sunscreen use in both FFA and PHL among Asian females. Therefore, the use of facial care products appears not to be linked to the true disease mechanism of FFA, but rather to appearance‐related concerns of patients.
Temperature‐mediated variation in selection on offspring size: A multi‐cohort field study
Authors: Marshall Dustin J.
Published: July 2021

Offspring size is a key life‐history trait that often covaries negatively with temperature. Most studies focus on how temperature alters selection on offspring size during early life‐history stages such as embryos or larvae. The degree to which temperature alters the relationship between offspring size and post‐metamorphic performance remains unclear as field studies across multiple temperature regimes are rare.

I deployed over 6,000 individuals of known offspring size, into the field across 28 cohorts spanning 4 years for the model marine invertebrate, Bugula neritina and monitored their survival, growth and reproduction.

Offspring size closely tracked the local environmental temperature across cohorts. This offspring size–temperature covariance appeared to be adaptive, at least from the perspective of mothers. When temperatures were warmer, the relationship between offspring size and performance was weak; when temperatures were cooler, the relationship was strongly positive.

The estimates of selection based on maternal fitness differed from those based on offspring fitness, suggesting temperature‐mediated parent–offspring conflict over offspring provisioning exists. I also found evidence for temporal autocorrelation in temperature and selection on offspring size.

The fact that temperature affects the relationship between offspring size and post‐metamorphic performance further complicates the challenge in understanding the ubiquitous covariance between offspring size and temperature.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Life‐history monographs of Japanese plants 14: Cardamine leucantha (Tausch) O. E. Schulz (Brassicaceae)
Authors: Araki Kiwako S. , Tsujimoto Michiaki , Iwasaki Takaya , Kudoh Hiroshi
Published: July 2021

The life‐history characteristics of Cardamine leucantha (Tausch) O. E. Schulz (Brassicaceae) are described. The species is an herbaceous perennial that favors open but relatively moist habitats. It is distributed from Kyushu to Hokkaido in Japan but also occurs in Korea, Mongolia, China and the Russian Far East. In southwestern Japan, shoots start sprouting from mid‐ to late April, reaching approximately 30–70 cm in height, with 5–10 compound leaves. Ramets simultaneously produce one or more stoloniferous rhizomes that elongate until new ramets are formed at the tips. Cardamine leucantha has a pseudo‐annual life cycle, in which mother ramets wither at the end of each season and only daughter ramets appear aboveground in the next year. As a result, ramet positions change annually. In a study population, the number of flowers averaged 23.9 ± 21.0 per ramet and fruit set was 44.2 ± 24.8% (10.4 ± 10.1 fruits per ramet). Ramets produced 3.8 ± 2.3 rhizomes that were 22.0 ± 15.6 cm long. The species sometimes forms large populations. A single genet develops into a group of disconnected ramets spreading via clonal growth. Reproductive characteristics (e.g., fruit set and numbers of flowers and rhizomes) vary among populations, resulting in interpopulation differences in genet structure. Because the reference genome became available recently, established molecular tools will be applied effectively for the investigations of C. leucantha as a model clonal plant.
Immigration and the sociocultural divide in Central and Eastern Europe: Stasis or evolution?
Authors: LANCASTER CAROLINE MARIE
Published: July 2021

Immigration has historically been of low salience in Central and Eastern Europe. Yet, the region has consistently higher levels of ethnocentrism than the rest of Europe. Scholars argue that the East's limited politicization of immigration is due to its status as a region of emigration and the presence of ethnic minority ‘others’. I argue that this is changing. The politicization of the European refugee crisis by domestic elites has begun to refocus the sociocultural dimension on the immigration issue. Using structural equation models, I compare European Values Study data from 2008 and 2017 across 10 East European EU member states. I find evidence that traditionalist attitudes are more strongly related to anti‐immigration attitudes since the crisis, particularly for those who are interested in politics. Further, immigration attitudes are polarizing across the GAL‐TAN dimension and by education. Hence, immigration is bolstering a pre‐existing, socially structured divide around both nationalist and traditionalist values.
Perceived impacts of a Medicaid rebalancing initiative to increase home‐ and community‐based services
Authors: Siconolfi Daniel , Ahluwalia Sangeeta C. , Friedman Esther M. , Saliba Debra , Shih Regina A.
Published: July 2021

Objective

To assess governmental and nongovernmental stakeholders' perceived impacts of a Medicaid home‐ and community‐based services (HCBS) rebalancing initiative, the Balancing Incentive Program (BIP).

Data Sources

Governmental stakeholders (Medicaid administrators) and nongovernmental stakeholders (service providers and consumer advocates) (n = 30) from eight states that participated in BIP.

Study Design

We conducted key informant interviews.

Data Collection

Interviews followed a semi‐structured guide and were professionally transcribed. We thematically coded transcripts using an iterative codebook with a priori and emergent codes.

Principal Findings

Stakeholders reported that BIP participation had a range of impacts on the HCBS ecosystem, often beyond the mandated structural reforms. BIP activities were believed to have changed the culture of HCBS in some states, for example, at the level of state administration or in the provision of HCBS to consumers. Stakeholders also described significant improvements in cross‐stakeholder relationships and communication, for example, in the context of troubleshooting consumers' unmet needs or improvements in the states' responsiveness to providers' inquiries. Stakeholders believed that within‐state data harmonization undertaken through Core Standardized Assessment (CSA) was a positive impact of BIP, particularly with regard to its utility for administrative data, care planning, and patient‐centeredness. Two stakeholders also voiced concerns regarding the validity of spending‐based rebalancing metrics. The impacts that stakeholders attributed to BIP may help create a more sustained rebalancing environment through their changes to the ecosystem, including infrastructure upgrades, data harmonization, collaboration across stakeholders and agencies, more patient‐centeredness, and greater recognition of HCBS.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight additional BIP impacts to monitor over the longer term and to consider in evaluations of future rebalancing efforts. Some potential impacts of BIP are more readily quantified (e.g., HCBS spending), while others are less likely to be formally assessed (e.g., improved stakeholder cooperation). These latter impacts are likely instrumental to future rebalancing efforts.
Genomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal metabolic complementarity between whiteflies and their symbionts
Authors: Zhu Dan‐Tong , Rao Qiong , Zou Chi , Ban Fei‐Xue , Zhao Juan‐Juan , Liu Shu‐Sheng
Published: July 2021

Nutritional mutualism between insects and symbiotic bacteria is widespread. The various sap‐feeding whitefly species within the Bemisia tabaci complex associate with the same obligate symbiont (Portiera) and multiple secondary symbionts. It is often assumed that some of the symbionts residing in the whiteflies play crucial roles in the nutritional physiology of their insect hosts. Although effort has been made to understand the functions of the whitefly symbionts, the metabolic complementarity offered by these symbionts to the hosts is not yet well understood. We examined two secondary symbionts, Arsenophonus and Wolbachia, in two species of the B. tabaci whitefly complex, provisionally named as Asia II 3 and China 1. Genomic sequence analyses revealed that Arsenophonus and Wolbachia retained genes responsible for the biosynthesis of B vitamins. We then conducted transcriptomic surveys of the bacteriomes in these two species of whiteflies together with that in another species named MED of this whitefly complex previously reported. The analyses indicated that several key genes in B vitamin syntheses from the three whitefly species were identical. Our findings suggest that, similar to another secondary symbiont Hamiltonella, Arsenophonus and Wolbachia function in the nutrient provision of host whiteflies. Although phylogenetically distant species of symbionts are associated with their respective hosts, they have evolved and retained similar functions in biosynthesis of some B vitamins. Such metabolic complementarity between whiteflies and symbionts represents an important feature of their coevolution.