bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can metabarcoding resolve intraspecific genetic diversity changes to environmental stressors? A test case using river macrozoobenthos
Authors: Zizka Vera Marie Alida , Weiss Martina , Leese Florian
Published: March 2020

Genetic diversity is the most basal level of biodiversity and determines the evolutionary capacity of species to adapt to changing environments, yet it is typically neglected in routine biomonitoring and stressor impact assessment. For a comprehensive analysis of stressor impacts on genetic diversity, it is necessary to assess genetic variants simultaneously in many individuals and species. Such an assessment is not as straight-forward and usually limited to one or few individual species. However, nowadays species diversity can be assessed by analysing thousands of individuals of a community simultaneously with DNA metabarcoding. Recent bioinformatic advances also allow for the extraction of exact sequence variants (ESVs or haplotypes) in addition to Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs). By using this new capability, we here evaluated if the analysis of mitochondrial genetic diversity in addition to species diversity can provide insights into responses of stream macrozoobenthic communities to environmental stressors. For this purpose, we analysed macroinvertebrate bulk samples of three German river systems with different stressor levels using DNA metabarcoding. While OTU and haplotype number were negatively correlated with stressor impact, this association was not as clear when looking at haplotype diversity. Here, stressor responses were only found for sensitive EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera) taxa, and those exceedingly resistant to organic stress. An increase in haplotype number per OTU and haplotype diversity of sensitive taxa was observed with an increase in ecosystem quality and stability, while the opposite pattern was detected for pollution resistant taxa. However, this pattern was less prominent than expected based on the strong differences in stressor intensity between sites. To compare genetic diversity among river systems, only OTUs could be used, which were present in all systems. As OTU composition differed strongly between the rivers, this led to the exclusion of a high number of OTUs, especially in diverse river systems of good quality, which potentially diminished the genetic diversity patterns. To better understand responses of genetic diversity to environmental stressors for example in river ecosystems, it would be important to increase OTU overlap between sites of comparisons, e.g. by sampling a narrower stressor gradient, and to perform calibrated studies controlling for the number and individual genotypes. However, this pioneer study shows that the extraction of haplotypes from DNA metabarcoding datasets is a promising tool to simultaneously assess mitochondrial genetic diversity changes in response to environmental impacts for a metacommunity.
Nutrient-dependent trade-offs between ribosomes and division protein synthesis control bacterial cell size and growth
Authors: Serbanescu Diana , Ojkic Nikola , Banerjee Shiladitya
Published: March 2020

Cell size control emerges from a regulated balance between the rates of cell growth and division. In bacteria, simple quantitative laws connect cellular growth rate to ribosome abundance. However, it remains poorly understood how translation regulates bacterial cell size and shapes under growth perturbations. Here we develop a whole-cell model for growth dynamics in rod-shaped bacteria that links ribosomal abundance with cell geometry, division control, and the extracellular environment. Our study reveals that cell size maintenance under nutrient perturbations requires a balanced trade-off between ribosomes and division protein synthesis. Deviations from this trade-off relationship are predicted under translational perturbations, leading to distinct modes of cell morphological changes, in agreement with single-cell experimental data onEscherichia coli. Furthermore, by calibrating our model with experimental data, we predict how combinations of nutrient-, translational- and shape perturbations can be chosen to optimize bacterial growth fitness and antibiotic resistance.
Exploring the outcomes of the external revealing of knowledge
Authors: Baima Gabriele , Santoro Gabriele , Busso Donatella , Quaglia Roberto
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper explores the outcomes of the external revealing of knowledge. More specifically, we aim to understand how external revealing of knowledge can be seen as value creation in the craft beer industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A single-case study methodology is used to answer the research question “What are the outcomes of the external revealing of knowledge?”

Findings

The research highlights several dynamics and outcomes regarding the external revealing of knowledge, mainly connected to creating value for the industry, strengthening a firm's network, enhancing the culture of the territory, gaining access to knowledge, and guaranteeing market competitiveness.

Originality/value

A few studies have addressed a specific aspect of outbound open innovation, which involves free revealing of knowledge to external stakeholders. Previous works are mostly conceptual; thus, there is a lack of empirical studies about revealing strategies. This research empirically analyzes the outcomes of the external revealing of knowledge and, more generally, of an open innovation approach.
The synergistic combination of fuzzy C-means and ensemble filtering for class noise detection
Authors: Nematzadeh Zahra , Ibrahim Roliana , Selamat Ali , Nazerian Vahdat
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to enhance data quality and overall accuracy and improve certainty by reducing the negative impacts of the FCM algorithm while clustering real-world data and also decreasing the inherent noise in data sets.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study proposed a new effective model based on fuzzy C-means (FCM), ensemble filtering (ENS) and machine learning algorithms, called an FCM-ENS model. This model is mainly composed of three parts: noise detection, noise filtering and noise classification.

Findings

The performance of the proposed model was tested by conducting experiments on six data sets from the UCI repository. As shown by the obtained results, the proposed noise detection model very effectively detected the class noise and enhanced performance in case the identified class noisy instances were removed.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no effort has been made to improve the FCM algorithm in relation to class noise detection issues. Thus, the novelty of existing research is combining the FCM algorithm as a noise detection technique with ENS to reduce the negative effect of inherent noise and increase data quality and accuracy.
Line management attributions for effective HRM implementation
Authors: Bos-Nehles Anna , Van der Heijden Beatrice , Van Riemsdijk Maarten , Looise Jan Kees
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Many HRM practices are never thoroughly implemented, or are implemented ineffectively. To better understand what line managers need to implement HRM practices effectively, the authors have developed and validated a psychometrically sound measurement instrument dealing with line managers' attributions for effective HRM implementation. Based on the theory of causal attributions, the authors distinguish between internal and external attributions that determine how line managers implement HRM practices on the work floor.

Design/methodology/approach

A multidimensional approach has been used, and, after collecting data from 471 line managers, thorough scale development guidelines and validation procedures have been applied for instrument development.

Findings

The instrument's psychometric qualities have been assessed by calculating the reliability and validity of line managers' internal attributions – including its composing dimensions of desire and competences – and their external attributions – including the dimensions of support, capacity and policy and procedures. In particular, both convergent and discriminant validity as well as intra-class correlations have been established. The newly developed measures are found to be of good quality. The scales appear to discriminate well between the distinguished groups and show a good variation within groups.

Practical implications

The developed measurement instrument helps HRM professionals to better understand line managers' attributions to effectively implement HRM practices and to provide them with support and training for effective HRM implementation.

Originality/value

Previous research has already identified weaknesses in HRM implementation, but lacked addressing the causes of this. The study presents antecedents for HRM implementation effectiveness, based on the causal attribution theory, and a psychometrically validated instrument to measure these antecedents.
HRM systems and employee affective commitment: the role of employee gender
Authors: Shin DuckJung , Garmendia Alaine , Ali Muhammad , Konrad Alison M. , Madinabeitia-Olabarria Damian
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Despite decades of studies on high-involvement human resource management (HRM) systems, questions remain of whether high-involvement HRM systems can increase the commitment of women. This study aims to contribute to the growing body of research on the cross-level effect of HRM systems and practices on employee affective commitment by considering the moderating role of gender.

Design/methodology/approach

Integrating social exchange theory with gender role theory, this paper proposes that gender responses to HRM practices can be different. The hypotheses were tested using data from 104 small- and medium-sized retail enterprises and 6,320 employees from Spain.

Findings

The findings generally support the study’s hypotheses, with women’s affective commitment responding more strongly and positively to employees’ aggregated perceptions of a shop-level high-involvement HRM system. The findings imply that a high-involvement HRM system can promote the affective commitment of women.

Originality/value

This study investigates the impact of both an overall HRM system and function-specific HRM sub-systems (e.g. training, information, participation and autonomy). By showing that women can be more positively affected by high-involvement HRM systems, this paper suggests that high-involvement HRM systems can be used to encourage the involvement and participation of women.
A transaction cost explanation of the card-or-cash decision among Vietnamese debit card holders
Authors: Hoang Dung Phuong , Vu Thong Huy
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This research provides a new perspective in explaining cardholders' willingness to use debit cards instead of cash by applying the transaction costs economic theory. This study also expands the adaptation of transaction cost economics theory in explaining consumer behaviour by investigating the moderating effects of income and education level on the relationship between perceived transaction costs and willingness to use debit cards.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual framework was developed primarily from the transaction cost economics theory. An in-depth interview method was employed to further support hypothesis development and the development of measurement scales. A structural equation model linking asset specificity, behavioural uncertainty, environmental uncertainty, frequency of payment, perceived monitoring costs, perceived adaptation costs and willingness to use debit cards was tested using data from a sample of 384 Vietnamese debit card holders.

Findings

This study's results support the transaction cost economics theory that asset specificity, uncertainty and frequency of payment all positively contribute to the perceived transaction costs associated with debit card usage. However, only environmental uncertainty and perceived adaptation costs have significant negative impact on willingness to use debit cards, with the relationship between environmental uncertainty and willingness to use debit cards being totally mediated by perceived adaptation costs. Moreover, the relationship between perceived adaptation costs and willingness to use debit cards becomes less negative among richer and better-educated cardholders.

Practical implications

The research provides insights into the hidden obstacles for developing cashless economies, thereby supporting policy makers in designing more effective and comprehensive strategies to make debit cards more widely used as a true substitute for cash.

Originality/value

This study provides a new lens in explaining customer willingness to use debit cards, while expanding the transaction costs economics theory by incorporating demographic factors as moderators in the relationship between transaction costs and the card-or-cash choice.
The academic “glass-ceiling”: investigating the increase of female academicians in Italy
Authors: Roberto Fabiana , Rey Andrea , Maglio Roberto , Agliata Francesco
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study addresses gender composition in universities. The purpose of this study is to define the vertical and horizontal gender segregation in both public and private universities. In particular, it measures the gender distribution throughout academic careers across levels and time, and among fields of science in Italian academia.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopted the framework of Blackburn et al. (2002) as a theoretical lens through which they examine and explain occupational gender segregation in the university context. A mixed methodology of both document analysis and examining some statistical indicators was used to create gender-disaggregated measures to help the authors answer their research questions. The data collected represent academia in Italy for the period 2010-2018. The data were obtained from the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research.

Findings

The authors show the gendered nature of academic institutions in Italy. In particular, the authors acknowledge that hierarchies of power exist that privilege men and the masculine and devalue women and the feminine within academic institutions.

Practical implications

This paper provides theoretical and practical findings that support the literature on gender issues in universities and other public and/or private institutions. The academic community, practitioners and policymakers can use the results to design measures to address gender inequality in academia.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is novel because it provides gender-relevant insights on the gender composition in universities in the Italian context. These insights are also relevant for academic institutions that operate in an international setting.
Working capital management, firm performance and nature of business
Authors: Sawarni Kumar Sanjay , Narayanasamy Sivasankaran , Ayyalusamy Kanagaraj
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impact of the efficiency of working capital management (WCM) on the performance of a sample of Indian companies and explore how the nature of the firm's business influences the significance and direction of this impact.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for this study were collected for the period of 2012–2018 for 414 non-financial firms listed on the Bombay Stock exchange. Fixed-effect regression models were run by taking Tobin's Q and return on equity (ROE) as dependent variables, and net trade cycle (NTC) and its components as explanatory variables in the presence of liquidity, leverage, size, age and growth as control variables. Sample firms were segregated into manufacturing, trading and service groups, and regression models were used for all the groups to understand the effect of the nature of a firm's business.

Findings

WCM efficiency has a significant impact on the performance of the sample firms. Non-financial Indian firms deliver better financial performance by maintaining lower NTC. Like NTC, its components also impact firm value and profitability. The results report that the significance of the relationship varies depending upon the nature of the firm's business.

Originality/value

The previous research studies had not used a sample of large number of Indian firms. Unlike previous studies, this study reports the influence of the nature of business on the relationship between WCM and firm performance. Further, this paper also examines how the individual components of working capital influence the performance of Indian firms.
An autonomous driving controller with heading adaptive calibration for agricultural robots
Authors: Qiao Nan , Wang Lihui , Liu Mingjie
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a new autonomous driving controller to calibrate the absolute heading adaptively. Besides, the second purpose of this paper is to propose a new angle-track loop with a mass regulator to improve the adaptability of the autonomous driving system under different loads and road conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the error model of heading is built and a new autonomous driving controller with heading adaptive calibration is designed. The new controller calculates the average lateral error by the self-adjusting interval window and calibrates the absolute heading through the incremental proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller. A window-size adjustment strategy, based on the current lateral error and the derivative of lateral error, is proposed to improve both the transient and the steady-state responses. An angle-tracking loop with mass regulator is proposed to improve the adaptability of autonomous steering system under different loads and road conditions.

Findings

The experiment results demonstrate that this method can compensate the heading installation error and restrain the off-track error from 13.8 to 1.30 cm. The standard error of new controller is smaller than fuzzy-PID calibration controller and the accuracy of autonomous driving system is improved.

Originality/value

The accuracy of heading calibrated by the new controller is not affected by external factors and the efficiency of calibration is improved. As the model parameters of steering system can be obtained manually, the new autonomous steering controller has more simple structure and is easy to implement. Mass regulator is adjusted according to the road conditions and the mass of harvester, which can improve the system adaptability.
Job and community embeddedness on voluntary turnover
Authors: Thome Michael J. , Greenwald Jessica M.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to unite research on migration patterns and job and community embeddedness to examine how the distance an employee has relocated to take a job affects voluntary turnover behavior and how that behavior is impacted by both on-the-job and off-the-job factors.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper tests these relationships in a longitudinal field study of 2,297 engineers.

Findings

The distance an employee relocates for a job has an impact on their voluntary turnover behavior, and one form of embeddedness (educational reimbursement) moderates the distance–voluntary turnover relationship. In addition, direct effects of other types of embeddedness reduce the likelihood of voluntary turnover (assimilation programs and employee contributions to local non-profits).

Practical implications

This paper provides practitioners with information to supplement employee retention activities through the use of company-offered benefits.

Originality/value

By finding support for the hypothesis that employees who relocated a greater distance from where they earned their last degree are more likely to voluntarily terminate their employment, support was found for a link between turnover models and repeat migration. Support was also found for company-offered benefits as forms of embeddedness, reducing voluntary turnover behavior.
Are hospitality/tourism curricula ready for big data?
Authors: Ogbeide Godwin-Charles , Fu Yao-Yi , Cecil Amanda Kay
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish a conceptual framework on how hospitality and tourism educators could incorporate new technology and big data analytics into program curriculum.

Design/methodology/approach

The research developed a logic model to visualize the benefits/impact of hospitality and tourism data analyst via a literature review approach.

Findings

The incorporation of statistics, research and the knowledge of data exploration, analysis and insight into hospitality programs would enhance students’ data analysis competencies.

Research limitations/implications

This is a literature review paper, based on philosophical perspectives from literature review. It would be nice to conduct an empirical study with regard to data analytics in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Practical implications

The hospitality and tourism program coordinators and/or directors are urged to inspire more students who are interested in adding statistics and accounting studies to the hospitality and tourism field. Also, the hospitality and tourism data analyst would secure attractive job offers as well as enhance the average salary of hospitality and tourism graduates.

Social implications

Hospitality and tourism data analytics would secure attractive job offers as well as enhance the average salary of hospitality and tourism graduates.

Originality/value

The paper explored the impact of big data analytics in the hospitality and tourism industry and made recommendations for hospitality and tourism data analytics curricula.
A competitive resource: consumer-perceived new-product creativity
Authors: Xu Bing
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the influences of consumer-perceived new-product creativity (NPC) on consumers’ purchase intentions (PIs), along with the mediating effects of NPC meaningfulness between NPC novelty and PI, and between NPC communicableness and PI.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a self-administrated survey approach in the South West of the USA. Hypotheses were tested by using structural equation modeling and a sample consisted of 463 respondents.

Findings

The study shows that new-product novelty and communicableness are positively related to consumers’ PIs while new-product meaningfulness mediates these relationships.

Research limitations/implications

This research advances the existing creativity literature by probing the core component among different creativity constructs. The study also contributes to the consumer-behavior literature, which has rarely examined consumers’ perceived creativity.

Practical implications

This research offers theoretical foundations and guidelines for entrepreneurs and small firms to develop new products and promotion strategies. Usefulness as a dominant product/service factor should be emphasized in practice.

Originality/value

A research gap at the interface of new product development and consumer behavior is addressed by investigating the effect of consumer-perceived NPC on consumers’ purchase behaviors.
Data-driven decision-making in creating class rosters
Authors: Wolf Rebecca , Reilly Joseph M. , Ross Steven M.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This article informs school leaders and staffs about existing research findings on the use of data-driven decision-making in creating class rosters. Given that teachers are the most important school-based educational resource, decisions regarding the assignment of students to particular classes and teachers are highly impactful for student learning. Classroom compositions of peers can also influence student learning.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was conducted on the use of data-driven decision-making in the rostering process. The review addressed the merits of using various quantitative metrics in the rostering process.

Findings

Findings revealed that, despite often being purposeful about rostering, school leaders and staffs have generally not engaged in data-driven decision-making in creating class rosters. Using data-driven rostering may have benefits, such as limiting the questionable practice of assigning the least effective teachers in the school to the youngest or lowest performing students. School leaders and staffs may also work to minimize negative peer effects due to concentrating low-achieving, low-income, or disruptive students in any one class. Any data-driven system used in rostering, however, would need to be adequately complex to account for multiple influences on student learning. Based on the research reviewed, quantitative data alone may not be sufficient for effective rostering decisions.

Practical implications

Given the rich data available to school leaders and staffs, data-driven decision-making could inform rostering and contribute to more efficacious and equitable classroom assignments.

Originality/value

This article is the first to summarize relevant research across multiple bodies of literature on the opportunities for and challenges of using data-driven decision-making in creating class rosters.
Electronic health records for better health in the lower- and middle-income countries
Authors: Kumar Manish , Mostafa Javed
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Electronic health records (EHR) can enable collection and use of data for achieving better health both at the patient and population health levels. The World Health Organization's (WHO) draft 2019 four-year global digital health strategy aims to “improve health for everyone, everywhere by accelerating the adoption of appropriate digital health” and EHRs are key to achieving better health goals. Despite the fact that EHRs can help to achieve better health, there is lack of evidence explaining national and sub-national EHR development in the limited resource settings.

Design/methodology/approach

We conducted a landscape study to describe the EHR development and use in the low- and middle-income countries for achieving better health. We reviewed literature from four scientific databases and analyzed gray literature identified in consultation with 17 international experts.

Findings

The findings of this literature review are presented in three subsections. The first two subsections describe key stakeholders for development of national and sub-national EHR and health information architecture which includes status of ehealth foundations, EHR, and sub-systems in the country. The third subsection presents and discusses key challenges related to sustainability of national and sub-national EHRs. The findings in these three subsections are further explored through examples of health information flow in Uganda, and electronic medical record/EHR implementation in Sierra Leone and Malawi. These examples briefly describe stakeholders, information architecture, and sustainability challenges.

Originality/value

This paper fills an important research gap and clearly explains the urgent research need to build context-specific EHR development models to enable use of data for better health.
Diversity and firm performance: role of corporate ethics
Authors: Porcena Yves-Rose , Parboteeah K. Praveen , Mero Neal P.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Empirical evidence concerning the relationship between diversity and firm performance continues to produce mixed results that are context-dependent (Guillaumeet al., 2017). Additionally, little is known about the relationship between workplace diversity management and corporate ethics and whether diversity management is a contextual factor to consider in ethics research. This study assesses whether diversity management's contributions to firm performance are maximized through its effects on the firm's ethical processes. This paper examines three manifestations of diversity management (diversity recruitment, diversity staffing, and valuing diversity) and their relationship with firm performance as mediated by internal and external ethics.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a sample from the Fortune 500 list of companies. The variables were constructed using several relevant indicators and applied to archival data collected from corporations' websites. The hypotheses on the relationship among diversity management, corporate ethics, and firm performance were tested using regression from the data gathered on 109 firms.

Findings

The analysis indicated that diversity management relates to both aspects of corporate ethics (internal and external ethics) but that only external ethics relate to firm performance. Results also found that external ethics partially mediate the relationship between diversity management and firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

There are limitations to using corporate websites as sources of data. Furthermore, the research design assumed that diversity is an antecedent of ethics. Nevertheless, the findings convincingly demonstrate that diversity management has a strong positive relationship with both aspects of corporate ethics. Recommendations for further research are offered.

Practical implications

The paper shows the value of diversity management and its impact on corporate ethics. Knowing that diversity management efforts contribute positively beyond their intended purpose may encourage managers to continue or implement such efforts, which could lead to more diverse and ethical workplaces and increased firm performance.

Originality/value

The paper addresses critical gaps in research and responds to repeated calls for studies integrating the business case for workplace diversity with its moral imperative (Alder and Gilbert, 2006; van Dijket al., 2012; Yang and Konrad, 2011). The paper also provides evidence of a link from diversity management to firm performance through external ethics.
Conferred ownership: approval of financial statements by small charities
Authors: Thompson Jane , Morgan Gareth G.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how trustees of small English registered charities understand and own the reporting and accounting requirements with which their charities must comply.

Design/methodology/approach

The research described is a multi-pronged qualitative and inductive study of three small Yorkshire charities as they approve their annual accounts. The case studies are based on observations of trustee meetings and interviews with a range of trustees and their independent examiner or auditor. The use of a practice lens focuses on the behaviours of individuals to understand the sense that they make of their charity’s accounts.

Findings

Trustees' understanding of their financial statements is limited; they tend to rely on key individuals who have knowledge. Group responsibility creates a shared way of understanding the financial statements. Treasurers and independent examiners simplify information for the trustees even resorting to corner cutting and rule bending. Narrative reporting is given very little attention. Trustees read their financial statements as a report to them not by them; accountability notwithstanding, thus ownership of their financial statements is conferred not intrinsic.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are drawn from three specific case studies and therefore cannot be generalised, but they offer rich qualitative insights into small charities’ accounting and reporting.

Originality/value

This research provides a unique multi-viewpoint analysis of charity practices, and through its use of a practice lens dives deeper into examining trustees’ understanding and behaviour.
The Creative Business Model Canvas
Authors: Carter Michelle , Carter Chris
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Creative and cultural producers, like social enterprises, operate in a complex business environment where the value proposition is difficult to define, and the organisational motivations are not always financially driven. In the case of Australian visual artists, low incomes and limited access to government funding magnify the importance of developing sustainable business models. This paper aims to present the Creative Business Model Canvas (CBMC), a reinterpretation of Osterwalder and Pigneur’s CBMC (2010), for the benefit of a visual artist’s business planning.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study uses data from semi-structured interviews to analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of the Osterwalder and Pigneur’s BMC (2010) for use by creative artists to understand the value of their artwork beyond traditional profit-driven business models. A modified canvas is presented to capture a clearer snapshot of creative arts practice with a focus on value propositions that possess dimensions of symbolic value.

Findings

This study found that the symbolic value of an artist’s practice is difficult to capture using Osterwalder and Pigneur’s CBMC (2010). An artist value proposition is composed of the artifact, artistic services and the artist’s identity. The creative CBMC, as a modified CBMC, captures aspects of the artistic identity such as professional achievements, personal life and the artist’s authenticity.

Originality/value

This study builds on Osterwalder and Pigneur’s CBMC and reimagines it for use by visual artists and art-based social enterprise organisations where the notion of value can be challenging to articulate.
Be a part of it: promoting WOM, eWOM, and content creation through customer identification
Authors: Romero Jaime , Ruiz-Equihua Daniel
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Customer identification leads to behaviors that are beneficial for firms. This paper aims to analyze the effect of firm identification and community identification on content creation, which indirectly may affect offline word of mouth and online word of mouth.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a research model that is tested using data from 491 users of online travel agencies. To do so, partial least squares method is used.

Findings

The results show a positive relationship between firm identification and community identification. Moreover, both variables exert a positive effect on content creation. Furthermore, content creation positively influences offline and online word of mouth. This influence is moderated by self-enhancement in the case of online word of mouth.

Practical implications

Firm managers must enhance customer identification, as it can turn in behaviors that are beneficial for the company. Moreover, firms that own online communities must apply segmentation strategies based on identification and self-enhancement to encourage positive behaviors from customers.

Originality/value

This research tests the relationship between firm identification and community identification. Additionally, this study jointly analyzes the impact of these variables on several beneficial behaviors.
Substrate quality drives fungal necromass decay and decomposer community structure under contrasting vegetation types
Authors: Beidler Katilyn V. , Phillips Richard P. , Andrews Erin , Maillard François , Mushinski Ryan M. , Kennedy Peter G.
Published: March 2020

Fungal mycelium is increasingly recognized as a central component of soil biogeochemical cycling, yet our current understanding of the ecological controls on fungal necromass decomposition is limited to single sites and vegetation types.

By deploying common fungal necromass substrates in a temperate oak savanna and hardwood forest in the midwestern USA, we assessed the generality of the rate at which high‐ and low‐quality fungal necromass decomposes; further, we investigated how the decomposer ‘necrobiome’ varies both across and within sites under vegetation types dominated by either arbuscular or ectomycorrhizal plants.

The effects of necromass quality on decay rate were robust to site and vegetation type differences, with high‐quality fungal necromass decomposing, on average, 2.5 times faster during the initial stages of decay. Across vegetation types, bacterial and fungal communities present on decaying necromass differed from bulk soil microbial communities and were influenced by necromass quality. Moulds, yeasts and copiotrophic bacteria consistently dominated the necrobiome of high‐quality fungal substrates.

Synthesis. We show that regardless of differences in decay environments, high‐quality fungal substrates decompose faster and support different types of decomposer micro‐organisms when compared with low‐quality fungal tissues. These findings help to refine our theoretical understanding of the dominant factors affecting fast cycling components of soil organic matter and the microbial communities associated with rapid decay.
Search platforms: showrooming and price parity clauses
Authors: Wang Chengsi , Wright Julian
Published: March 2020

We provide a model in which consumers search for firms directly or through platforms. Platforms lower search costs but charge firms for the transactions they facilitate. Platform fees raise the possibility of showrooming, in which consumers search on a platform but then switch and buy directly to take advantage of lower direct prices. In settings like this, search platforms like Booking.com have adopted price parity clauses, requiring firms to offer their best prices on the platform, arguing this is needed to prevent showrooming. However, despite allowing for showrooming in our model, we find that price parity clauses often harm consumers.
Predicting alcohol dependence treatment outcomes: a prospective comparative study of clinical psychologists versus ‘trained’ machine learning models
Authors: Symons Martyn , Feeney Gerald F. X. , Gallagher Marcus R. , Young Ross McD. , Connor Jason P.
Published: March 2020

Background and aims

Clinical staff are typically poor at predicting alcohol dependence treatment outcomes. Machine learning (ML) offers the potential to model complex clinical data more effectively. This study tested the predictive accuracy of ML algorithms demonstrated to be effective in predicting alcohol dependence outcomes, compared with clinical judgement and traditional linear regression.

Design

Prospective study. ML models were trained on 1016 previously treated patients (training‐set) who attended a hospital‐based alcohol and drug clinic. ML models (n = 27), clinical psychologists (n = 10) and a ‘traditional’ logistic regression model (n = 1) predicted treatment outcome during the initial treatment session of an alcohol dependence programme.

Setting

A 12‐week cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)‐based abstinence programme for alcohol dependence in a hospital‐based alcohol and drug clinic in Australia.

Participants

Prospective predictions were made for 220 new patients (test‐set; 70.91% male, mean age = 35.78 years, standard deviation = 9.19). Sixty‐nine (31.36%) patients successfully completed treatment.

Measurements

Treatment success was the primary outcome variable. The cross‐validated training‐set accuracy of ML models was used to determine optimal parameters for selecting models for prospective prediction. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, area under the receiver operator curve (AUC), Brier score and calibration curves were calculated and compared across predictions.

Findings

The mean aggregate accuracy of the ML models (63.06%) was higher than the mean accuracy of psychologist predictions (56.36%). The most accurate ML model achieved 70% accuracy, as did logistic regression. Both were more accurate than psychologists (P < 0.05) and had superior calibration. The high specificity for the selected ML (79%) and logistic regression (90%) meant they were significantly (P < 0.001) more effective than psychologists (50%) at correctly identifying patients whose treatment was unsuccessful. For ML and logistic regression, high specificity came at the expense of sensitivity (26 and 31%, respectively), resulting in poor prediction of successful patients.

Conclusions

Machine learning models and logistic regression appear to be more accurate than psychologists at predicting treatment outcomes in an abstinence programme for alcohol dependence, but sensitivity is low.
Sustained and delayed noisy miner suppression at an avian hotspot
Authors: Crates Ross , Rayner Laura , Webb Matthew , Stojanovic Dejan , Wilkie Colin , Heinsohn Robert
Published: March 2020

To mitigate the impact of noisy miners Manorina melanocephala on Australia’s woodland birds, there is a need to identify locations where noisy miner suppression can be affordable, sustainable and facilitate woodland bird recovery. In 2017, we suppressed noisy miners from the Goulburn River, NSW for at least three months. During this period, six pairs of critically endangered regent honeyeaters nested in the treatment area. In 2018, we continued monitoring the original noisy miner treatment area, which was expanded to include our 2017 control area, and established a new control area downstream. In 2019, the removal effort was again expanded to include the 2018 control area. In the 2017 treatment area, noisy miners remained suppressed up to 27 months post‐removal. Their numbers here were lower 1 year after the initial cull than in the week after it. In the 2018 and 2019 treatment areas, noisy miner abundance was significantly lower after respective culls than at all pre‐removal periods. In 2018, around 20 vulnerable painted honeyeaters occupied the 2018 treatment area. In 2019, two regent honeyeater pairs nested in and at least 40 painted honeyeaters occupied the treatment area. Songbird abundance increased within seasons and also up to a year following noisy miner removal, and plateaued thereafter. We show how, in strategic locations, a week of noisy miner suppression each spring can sequentially create ever‐larger landscapes where noisy miner impacts on threatened woodland birds are minimal.
Baseline bioavailable strontium isotope values for the investigation of residential mobility and resource‐acquisition strategies in prehistoric Cambodia
Authors: Shewan L. G. , Armstrong R. A. , O'Reilly D.
Published: March 2020

Strontium (Sr) isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr) measured in human skeletal material can increase one's understanding of the residential behaviour and resource‐acquisition strategies of past populations. The paper maps bioavailable 87Sr/86Sr variation in 183 plant and soil samples across Cambodia. Bioavailable 87Sr/86Sr, as measured in plants, differs significantly between four major geological units. The data set will support future investigations of skeletal material from Cambodian archaeological sites. Baseline 87Sr/86Sr data should be applied judiciously to skeletal populations, and in concert with other lines of evidence, to identify potential geographical outliers rather than to ascribe specific locations from which individuals may have moved.
International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature. 4th edition
Authors: Theurillat Jean‐Paul , Willner Wolfgang , Fernández‐González Federico , Bültmann Helga , Čarni Andraž , Gigante Daniela , Mucina Ladislav , Weber Heinrich
Published: March 2020

The fourth edition of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (ICPN) was prepared by the Steering Committee of the IAVS Working Group for Phytosociological Nomenclature (GPN). The edition consists of 14 Definitions, 7 Principles, 53 Articles, and 7 Appendices. When compared with the previous edition, the main amendments are: (a) the acceptance of electronic publications (Art. 1); (b) the introduction of binding decisions (Definition XIV, Principle II, Articles 1, 2b, 3c, 29b, 40, 42, 44, Appendices 6 and 7); (c) the mandatory use of the English or Latin terminology for syntaxonomic novelties (Definition II, Principle II, Articles 3d and 3i); (d) the introduction of autonyms for the main ranks when the corresponding secondary ranks are created (Articles 13b and 24); (e) the automatic correction of the taxon names (name‐giving taxa) used in the names of syntaxa in accordance with the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN) (Article 44); (f) the possibility to mutate the name of a syntaxon in using other correct, alternative names for the name‐giving taxa (Article 45); (g) the introduction of inadequate names, a new category of rejected names (Definition V, Articles 43 through 45); and (h) the introduction of a conserved type (Definition XIII, Article 53). The fourth edition of ICPN was approved by the GPN on 25 May 2019 and becomes effectively binding on 1 January 2021.
Fourier nonlinear quantile unit root test and PPP in Africa
Authors: Bahmani‐Oskooee Mohsen , Chang Tsangyao , Niroomand Farhang , Ranjbar Omid
Published: March 2020

We test the PPP hypothesis in 29 African countries using a newly developed nonlinear Quantile unit root test with a Fourier function which accounts for smooth breaks. Simulation indicates that the proposed new test has higher power than the conventional Quantile unit root test as proposed by Koneker and Xiao (2004). Our empirical results provide support for the PPP hypothesis in 21 out of 29 African countries, a unique discovery using their real effective exchange rates. It appears that incorporating Fourier function to nonlinear Quantile unit root test gets us closer and closer to solving the PPP puzzle in Africa.
Wearable sensors to improve activities in individuals with cerebral palsy
Authors: Dan Jonathan
Published: March 2020

This commentary is on the original article by Michelsen et al. on pages 714–722 of this issue.
Flies on vacation: evidence for the migration of Australian Syrphidae (Diptera)
Authors: Finch Jonathan T. D. , Cook James M.
Published: March 2020

1. Hover flies (Syrphidae: Diptera) are a cosmopolitan group of insects that provide important ecosystem services including pollination and pest control. The seasonal migration of hover flies is probably best known in Europe, but it remains unstudied in many other parts of the world.

2. Australia is believed to be home to around 160 hover fly species, some of which are common in urban and agricultural environments. The current evidence for hover fly migration in Australia is scarce and anecdotal, yet migration may be critical to the success of pollination and the biological control of aphids.

3. In this study, species occurrence records from an online biodiversity database (Atlas of Living Australia) were used to look for evidence of migratory behaviours in all Australian hover flies with more than 200 occurrence records.

4. Four of the 10 species displayed seasonal changes in their distribution consistent with migration, including Australia's two most abundant species: Melangyna viridiceps and Simosyrphus grandicornis. This work is an important first step in understanding the prevalence of migration in Australian hover flies. However, confirmation of our findings requires additional evidence to rule out other plausible explanations for the observed patterns.

5. Based on changes in summer and winter latitudinal distribution, it is estimated that some Australian hover flies may make annual migrations of 400–1800 km.

6. This work suggests that the management of beneficial insects requires consideration of factors at both local and continental scales, as landscape use changes may have an impact on ecosystem services delivered hundreds of kilometres away.