bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenges and prospects of linked data technology: a qualitative study of Pakistani LIS professionals’ insights
Authors: Warraich Nosheen Fatima , Rasool Tayayba , Rorissa Abebe
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore the perceived challenges and prospects of linked data (LD) technology along with the skills required among library professionals to take LD initiatives in Pakistani libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research design with the phenomenology approach was used to meet the objectives of the study. Data was collected through in-depth interviews from 18 senior libraries and information science (LIS) professionals who were well versed with technology. This sample consisted of informants who provided rich and privileged information about the topic and had been involved in the implementation of new technologies in libraries. Qualitative data analysis software NVivo was used to analyze data and to create themes.

Findings

Results indicated that LIS professionals should have advanced technical skills to adopt LD technology in their libraries. Respondents opined that the visibility of library resources and services should be increased on the Web for a wider audience. Findings identified the following challenges in the implementation of LD initiatives in the information environment: MARC standards, low level of awareness, lack of skills among professionals, privacy issues and time barrier. Moreover, information professionals have been contending uncertainties to implement emergent technologies in libraries. However, they are still willing to adopt LD technologies, though these initiatives are at an infancy level in libraries.

Social implications

Findings may be helpful and supportive for professional associations to design training content and for library schools for offering advanced technology courses.

Originality/value

This study will contribute to LIS literature especially in the context of developing countries. It will enhance library professionals’ awareness regarding the significance of LD initiatives in libraries.
What Pakistani doctoral students want? A qualitative exploration of their research experiences
Authors: Hina Batool Syeda , Ali Amna Farzand , Safdar Muhammad
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate social sciences PhD scholars’ research experiences through a qualitative lens. Researchers explored the doctoral students’ research conceptions, supervision-related expectations, reasons to join PhD, key learning areas and advantages of PhD in this study. Education sector is rigorously seeking PhD faculty and simultaneously offering a number of research degree programs and scholarships to boom the research culture. The amount of time, energy, finance and dedication involved in it urges researchers to investigate this phenomenon holistically.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research approach, phenomenology (semi-structured interviews) is used to conduct this research, and interpretative phenomenological analysis technique is used to analyze the collected data.

Findings

Findings have been reported comprehensively through interpretative phenomenological analysis. Respondents had a number of expectations from supervisors and viewed this journey as challenging and at the same time beneficial for their professional and personal life.

Originality/value

This study is unique in nature, as it depicts research conceptions of doctoral students, benefits of PhD, challenges in pursuing PhD and supervision expectations from a developing country perspective. This study’s outcomes have impressions for policymakers, researchers and supervisors. The findings have insights for educators to produce more constructive researchers and scholars.
Water–copper nanofluid flow in flat and ribbed microchannels: numerical modeling and optimization
Authors: Dibaji Alireza , Bagherzadeh Seyed Amin , Karimipour Arash
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to simulate the nanofluid forced convection in a microchannel. According to the results, at high Reynolds numbers and higher nanofluid volume fractions, an increase in the rib height and slip coefficient further improved the heat transfer rate. The ribs also affect the flow physics depending on the Reynolds number so that the slip velocity decreases with increasing the nanofluid volume fraction and rib height.

Design/methodology/approach

Forced heat transfer of the water–copper nanofluid is numerically studied in a two dimensional microchannel. The effects of the slip coefficient, Reynolds number, nanofluid volume fraction and rib height are investigated on the average Nusselt number, slip velocity on the microchannel wall and the performance evaluation criterion.

Findings

In contrast, the slip velocity increases with increasing the Reynolds number and slip coefficient. Afterwards, a non-parametric function estimation is performed relying on the artificial neural network.

Originality/value

Finally, the Genetic Algorithm was used to establish a set of optimal decision parameters for the problem
Building resilience for food service businesses in times of crisis: a Four-F action plan
Authors: Bhattacharya Ananya , Zutshi Ambika , Bavik Ali
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a “Four-F (finding facts, fostering alternates, fulfilling implementation and feasibility testing)” action plan to global food service businesses (FSB) such as restaurants (dine-in/take away) to build resilience during times of global crises. The 2019 Coronavirus disease and FSBs apply as working examples elaborating the proposed Four-F action plan with several managerial implications for the internal and external stakeholders of FSBs.

Design/methodology/approach

The method involves reviewing and coding 108 articles using the PRISMA approach, then applying findings to develop the Four-F action plan integrating multiple theoretical concepts (such as stakeholder, crisis management and dynamic capabilities).

Findings

There are two key findings. First, though all four crisis phases should be considered by decision-makers as part of their contingency planning process, the pre and post-crisis stages need higher attention. Second, the Four-F action plan provides specific recommendations to FSBs stakeholders (consumers, suppliers and government) for each crisis phase (pre-crisis, crisis emergence, crisis occurrence and post-crisis).

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper that has incorporated multiple theoretical frameworks (stakeholder theory, crisis management and dynamic capabilities) within the FSBs context and provided the Four-F action plan for decision-makers to understand and manage crisis phases.
Idiosyncratic deals and occupational well-being in the hospitality industry: the mediating role of organization-based self-esteem
Authors: Sun Ning , Song Haiyan , Li Hui
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how different types of idiosyncratic deals (i-deals) in the hospitality industry enhance occupational well-being (OWB) through organization-based self-esteem (OBSE).

Design/methodology/approach

In 2019, 679 questionnaires were distributed to middle- and high-level managerial staff who had worked in high-end hotels in China for at least 1 year, and 642 valid responses were collected. The survey data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 20 hotel managers to verify and lend additional support to the survey findings.

Findings

Both task i-deals and career and incentives i-deals positively affected OBSE and OWB, whereas flexibility i-deals negatively affected OBSE. OBSE positively affected OWB, thereby mediating the relationships between the three types of i-deals and OWB.

Originality/value

This study is groundbreaking in its exploration of how various i-deals contribute to OWB through OBSE among middle- and high-level managerial staff. The findings provide initial evidence of the links between i deals, OBSE and OWB and demonstrate how i-deals can address the practical problem of the shortage and loss of competent operational and administrative talent in the hospitality industry.
Mobile payment technology in hospitality and tourism: a critical review through the lens of demand, supply and policy
Authors: Cheng Nancy Tsz Yin , Fong Lawrence Hoc Nang , Law Rob
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to offer a comprehensive review of mobile payment (m-payment) research in hospitality and tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

This study systematically reviews 105 m-payment-themed publications retrieved from five research engines including EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and Scopus. Content analysis is used to draw insights from the articles.

Findings

Results show that research on m-payment in hospitality and tourism is generally categorized into consumer, supplier and policy dimensions. This study proposes a framework to summarize the demand–supply research standpoints and conditions that qualify research outcomes while providing contemporary policy-related discussions. Four research priorities for future studies are recommended.

Practical implications

Knowledge accumulation and policy-related discussions identified in this study equip practitioners with the opportunities and challenges brought by m-payment. This study provides recommendations according to the factors that drive adoption of m-payment.

Originality/value

This study addresses the academic gaps by critically analyzing m-payment research in hospitality and tourism and identifying four research priorities for future studies.
Diversity and consumer dispositions towards foreign countries in an emerging market
Authors: Güngördü Belbağ Aybegüm
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The current study builds on social identity theory and realistic conflict theory aims to identify the relationships amongst consumers' ethnocentrism, animosity, discomfort with differences – a factor of universal-diverse orientation (UDO) – and reluctance to purchase German (RELG) and French automobiles (RELF) in the Turkish automobile market which is dominated by foreign brands.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical data were collected via face-to-face surveys from 400 respondents in the emerging market Turkey. Structural equation modelling was employed to examine the direct and indirect effects between the variables.

Findings

The main predictors of the RELG are consumer ethnocentrism, discomfort with differences and economic animosity towards Germany, respectively. Furthermore, RELF in the Turkish market is positively affected by consumer ethnocentrism, war animosity towards France and discomfort with differences, respectively. Discomfort with differences mediates the relationship between consumer ethnocentrism and RELG and RELF.

Practical implications

International collaborations with local manufacturers have huge strategic impacts when establishing reliable relationships with Turkish consumers. Foreign companies can initiate socially responsible projects that will relay the message of similarities between cultures to decrease perceived cultural differences. Highlighting the similarities of Turkish consumers with a foreign company in promotional campaigns will be much beneficial.

Originality/value

Despite there are many studies regarding antecedents and consequences of consumer ethnocentrism, extant research overlooks the effect of animosity on this concept. Additionally, studies examining UDO in the marketing literature are scarce. This paper integrates UDO, consumer ethnocentrism, animosity and reluctance to purchase foreign products in one study.
Host country corruption and headquarters-subsidiary relationships in emerging economies
Authors: Mubarik Muhammad Shujaat , Miao Miao , Mubarak Muhammad Faraz , Zaman Syed Imran , Alam Kazmi Syed Hasnain , Naghavi Navaz
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the impact of a host country's corruption on the autonomy of a foreign subsidiary from a country with lower tolerance for corruption. In doing so, the study examines the moderating role of subsidiary-headquarters communication and multinational corporation's (MNC's) prior international experience in countries with a higher tolerance for corruption.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 182 foreign subsidiaries of 57 Malaysian MNCs operating in 16 host countries. The study employed ordinary least square (OLS) using Stata16.1 to analyze the modeled relationships.

Findings

The findings of this study reveal a significant positive association between the extent of corruption in the host country and the subsidiary's autonomy. The findings illustrate that an MNC's prior experience in the country with an increased tolerance for corruption does not moderate the association between corruption and subsidiary autonomy. However, the findings also confirm that the extent of headquarters-subsidiary communication negatively moderates the association between corruption and subsidiary autonomy.

Originality/value

The study uses unique data collected from Malaysian MNCs. Furthermore, the study contributes to the literature by bringing forth subsidiary autonomy as a counter strategy to potential risks that can arise due to weak institutions and widespread corruption in a host country.
Which financial earmarking policy is more effective in promoting FinTech innovation and regulation?
Authors: Xu Yueling , Bao Haijun , Zhang Wenyu , Zhang Shuai
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Recently, the concept of financial technology (FinTech) has attracted extensive attention from international organisations and regulators, in particular, how to achieve a “win–win” situation between financial institutions' FinTech innovation and effective regulation has become a hot topic. This study purposes to explore the evolutionary game relationship between FinTech innovation and regulation by constructing both static and dynamic earmarking game models.

Design/methodology/approach

A simulation experiment was conducted using primary data obtained from a commercial bank in China.

Findings

The results of the theoretical analysis of evolutionary game models were consistent with the corresponding simulation results, proving the validity of the proposed evolutionary game models. It was also found that the dynamic earmarking game model was more stable and effective than the static earmarking game model in promoting FinTech innovation and regulation. Furthermore, when the regulators utilised a dynamic earmarking mechanism, the evolutionary path of financial institutions and regulators' behaviour strategies took the shape of a spiral and eventually converged to a central point, indicating the existence of an evolutionary stable strategy and Nash equilibrium. Finally, because the behaviour strategies of financial institutions were mainly influenced by the regulators' policies, the regulators were inspired to adjust the corresponding regulation policies on FinTech innovation.

Originality/value

This study bridges the knowledge gap in the existing literature on financial innovation and regulation, in particular by establishing evolutionary game models from the perspective of financial earmarking policies. Also, the case study for simulation experiments can gain a more intuitive insight into FinTech innovation and financial earmarking policies.
Short-term and long-term learners’ motivation modeling in Web-based educational systems
Authors: Shabbir Shahzad , Ayub Muhammad Adnan , Khan Farman Ali , Davis Jeffrey
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Short-term motivation encompasses specific, challenging and attainable goals that develop in the limited timespan. On the other hand, long-term motivation indicates a sort of continuing commitment that is required to complete assigned task. As short-term motivational problems span for a limited period of time, such as a session, therefore, they need to be addressed in real time to keep the learner engaged in the learning process. Similarly, long-term learners’ motivation plays an equally important role to retain the learner in the long run and minimize the risk of dropout. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to incorporate a comprehensive learner motivation model that is based on short-term and long-term aspects of the learners' motivation. This approach enables Web-based educational systems to identify the real-time motivational state of the learner and provide personalized interventions to keep the learners engaged in learning process.

Design/methodology/approach

Recent research regarding personalized Web-based educational systems demonstrates learner’s motivation to be an essential component of the learning model. This is because of the fact that low motivation results in either students’ less engagement or complete drop out from the learning activities. A learner motivation model is considered to be a set of perceptions and beliefs that the system has developed about a learner. This includes both short-term and long-term motivations of leaners.

Findings

This study proposed a framework of a domain independent learners’ motivation model based on firm educational theories. The proposed framework consists of two modules. The primary module deals with real-time identification of motivation and logging off activities such as login, forum participation and adherence to assessment deadline. Secondary module maintains the profile of leaners associated with both short-term and long-term motivation. A study was conducted to verify the impact of learners’ motivation model and personalized interventional strategies based on proposed model, using Systematical Information Education Method assessment standards. The results show an increase in motivational index and the characteristics associated with motivation during the conducted study.

Originality/value

Motivational diagnosis is important for both traditional classrooms and Web-based education systems. It is one of the major elements that contribute in the success of the learning process. However, dropout rate among online students is very high, which leads to incorporate motivational elements in more personalized way because motivated students will retain the course until they successfully complete it. Hence, identifying learner’s motivation, updating learners’ motivation model based on this identification and providing personalized interventions are the key for the success of Web-based educational systems.
Demand or supply shock during the COVID-19 crisis: empirical evidence from public firms in Indonesia
Authors: Sinamo Timothy Maholi , Hanggraeni Dewi
Published: August 2021

Purpose

In examining an economic fluctuation, researchers often refer to the theories of impaired access to capital which mostly explain, from the perspective of bank lending supplies, a shock in firm’s access to investment would decrease its capital expenditures and net debt issuance during crisis period. However, some studies show that this is not always the case. A demand shock theory can explain the decrease in firm’s capital expenditures and net debt issuance during crisis period, but there should be no causal link between the two. This is because firms naturally do not invest during crisis period because of a decrease in investment wealth during crisis period. This paper aims to examine these theories with respect to the Covid-19 crisis in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

The change in firms’ capital expenditure and net debt issuance is analyzed using a non-parametric difference-in-difference and matching estimator across four firm-dimensions to see whether the implications of the supply shock theory apply to the current crisis or if that firms naturally do not invest during the crisis. In addition, this paper provides the result of panel regression to confirm the causal link between firms’ investment funds and capital expenditure, with an addition of consumer confidence index to accommodate the implications of the demand shock theory.

Findings

The results of this paper show that the implications of the supply shock theory cannot explain the economic fluctuation during the Covid-19 crisis. Rather, the results suggest that firms naturally do not want to invest during the crisis and that the demand shock can better explain the economic fluctuation during the Covid-19 crisis. This is confirmed by the result of panel regression which shows that only consumer confidence index has a significant positive relationship with firms’ capital expenditure.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine the theory of impaired access to capital with respect to the Covid-19 crisis in Indonesia.
Factors driving IPO variability: evidence from Pakistan stock exchange
Authors: Mehmood Waqas , Mohd-Rashid Rasidah , Ong Chui Zi , Abbas Yasir Abdullah
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The objectives of this study are twofold. First, it intends to investigate the symmetric link between initial public offering (IPO) variability and the determinants of the stock market index, treasury bill rate, inflation, GDP growth rate and foreign direct investment. Second, this study intends to examine the asymmetric link between IPO variability and the aforementioned determinants, namely the stock market index, treasury bill rate, inflation, GDP growth rate and foreign direct investment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 1992 to 2018 were gathered from the country of Pakistan in order to achieve the above objectives. Augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) and Phillips Perron (PP) unit root tests were employed to determine the data's stationarity properties. The Auto Regressive Distributive Lags (ARDL) model was utilized to examine the symmetric links, and the Non-Linear Auto Regressive Distributive Lag Model (NARDL) was employed to determine the asymmetric links. While the long-run co-integration was examined using the ARDL bound test, the short-run dynamics were tested using the error correction method (ECM).

Findings

The macroeconomic variables of the stock market index, treasury bill rate, inflation, GDP growth rate and foreign direct investment are found to pose significant short-run and long-run symmetric and asymmetric effects on IPO variability. These results indicate the significance of the aforementioned variables in enhancing IPO variability. The findings also demonstrate the typical reactions of inflation, GDP and FDI towards negative and positive shocks in IPO variability and inflation. This evidence implies that Pakistan's poor capital market development is reflected in the country's weak macroeconomic factors. At the same time, the reduced IPO variability in the country also reflects the lack of confidence among prospective issuers and investors due to Pakistan's weak macroeconomic indicators.

Originality/value

This is the first study of its kind to properly investigate the symmetric and asymmetric effects of the macroeconomic variables on Pakistan's IPO variability.
No room at the top? A system dynamics view of the recursive consequences of women's underrepresentation in international assignments
Authors: Bastida Maria , Pinto Luisa Helena Helena Ferreira , Harzing Anne-Wil
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The expatriation literature has developed an insightful body of research on the reasons why women are not assigned abroad as frequently as men. However, the authors know very little about the systemic and recursive consequences of women's underrepresentation in international assignments (IAs), which are examined in this conceptual paper.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing upon expatriation research and a system dynamics perspective, the authors propose a conceptual model to explain both women's underrepresentation in IAs and its recursive consequences.

Findings

The authors highlight how women's underrepresentation in IAs results from a complex system of recursive effects that jeopardizes women's professional development and undermines both their own career progression to top management and firms' competitive advantage and international growth. The authors argue that organizations make decisions that contravene their own interest in a competitive global context. First is that they are limiting their talent pool by not considering female candidates. Second is that they are missing the opportunity to use IAs to advance women's careers.

Research limitations/implications

The model provides a solid grounding for future research on selecting the most effective organizational actions and designing supportive measures to disrupt the persistent dynamics contributing to women's underrepresentation in IAs. Future research could also expand our study by incorporating individual differences and the proactive role that women may take.

Practical implications

The model points to specific managerial interventions (e.g. increased access to job training and specific training ahead of the assignment, dual-career support, women's mentoring and affirmative action) which have the potential to reduce women's underrepresentation in IAs and in top management.

Originality/value

The system dynamics approach enables a broader understanding of why women are underrepresented in IAs, how this underrepresentation further exacerbates gender segregation in international business, and how these recursive outcomes can be averted to the advantage of firms' sustainable growth.
Estimating the destination of Mexican-based laundered funds: an application of the modified Walker-Unger model
Authors: Roman Juan , Machuca Ana , Schaefer Thomas
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to apply the modified Walker-Unger model to show the degree of attractiveness of a country for Mexican-based money launderers to send their illicit funds for the 2000–2015 time period.

Design/methodology/approach

The modified Walker-Unger model is used to conduct the analysis, as it combines several independent variables related to an illicit financial activity. These allow the researcher to investigate the attractiveness of a market to money launderers and the possible economic effects of money laundering. In total, 13 categories of indicators were used, namely, gross national product per capita; banking secrecy; government attitude; society for worldwide interbank financial telecommunication membership; financial deposits; conflict; corruption; Egmont group membership; language; trade; culture, colonial background; and physical distance.

Findings

Model results suggest the preferred destinations for Mexican-based money launderers from 2000 to 2015 were Bermuda (i.e. from 2000–2004), Canada (i.e. in 2005 and 2006) and Monaco (i.e. from 2007–2015).

Research limitations/implications

Timing and availability of reliable data after 2015.

Practical implications

Aids in continuing to empirically validate the Walker-Unger model. There is little literature on models that quantify money laundering activity.

Social implications

May aid policymakers in targeting anti-money laundering policy to more relevant countries.

Originality/value

The first empirical investigation that looks to quantify money launderer activity in Mexico. Contributes to the limited literature of quantitative investigations on money laundering.
The role of talent intermediaries in accessing and developing refugee talent pools
Authors: Speed Francesca , Kulichyova Anastasia
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the role talent intermediaries can play in supporting the access and development of talent from forcibly displaced backgrounds.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw on a single case study design of UK charitable organisation, the Council for At-Risk Academics, to consider the global talent management of academics in exile.

Findings

This paper finds that specialised intermediaries can facilitate access to and the successful performance (individual and organisational) of refugee talent. Findings reveal a major shift in talent recruitment processes that are required in order for refugees to take up international work opportunities and highlight the importance of viewing individual potential, organisational support and opportunity access as a precursor for talent development and impact.

Practical implications

This paper shows that profession-specific intermediary support that fosters cross-sector partnerships, better addresses the talent development and workforce integration challenges of refugees.

Originality/value

Application of a multi-level relational framework shows the reasons for, and reality of forced displacement for academics in exile. Focusing on the academic sector demonstrates the importance of protecting both individuals and values at the heart of professions subject to persecution during war and unrest. In highlighting how refugee talent intermediaries can support individuals to breach the canvas ceiling and facilitate the global mobility of refugee talent, a contribution is made to existing debates in diversity, global talent management and migration studies.
A Kraljic and competitive rivalry perspective on hospital procurement during a pandemic (COVID-19): a Dutch case study
Authors: Tip Barbara , Vos Frederik Guido Sebastiaan , Peters Esmee , Delke Vincent
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Procurement professionals widely use purchasing portfolio models to tailor purchasing strategies to different product groups’ needs. However, the application of these approaches in hospitals and the impact of a pandemic shock remain largely unknown. This paper aims to assess hospital purchasers’ procurement strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of factor-market rivalry (FMR) on strategies and the effectiveness of purchasing portfolio categorizations in this situation.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study of hospital purchasing in the Netherlands is supported by secondary data from official government publications. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 hospital purchasers at large hospitals. An interpretative approach is used to analyze the interviews and present the results.

Findings

The findings reveal that product scarcity forces purchasers to treat them as (temporary) bottleneck items at the hospital level. The strategies adopted largely aligned with expected behavior based on Kraljic’s commodity management model. Adding the FMR perspective to the model helped to further cluster crisis strategies into meaningful categories. Besides inventory management, increasing supply, reducing demand and increasing resource coordination were the other common strategies. An important finding is that purchasers and governments serve as gatekeepers in channeling FMR, thereby reducing potential harmful competition between and within hospitals.

Social implications

The devastating experience of the COVID-19 pandemic is unveiling critical weaknesses of public health-care provision in times of crisis. This study assesses the strategies hospital purchasers apply to counteract shortages in the supply chain. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of gatekeepers in times of crisis and present strategies purchasers can take to assure the supply of resources.

Originality/value

No research has been conducted on purchasing portfolio models and FMR implications for hospitals during pandemics. Therefore, the authors offer several insights: increasing the supply risk creates temporary bottleneck strategies, letting purchasers adopt a short-term perspective and emphasizing the high mobility of commodities in the Kraljic commodity matrix. Additionally, despite more collaboration uncovered in other studies regarding COVID-19, strong rivalry arose at the beginning of the pandemic, leading to increased competition and less collaboration. Given such increased FMR, procurement managers and governments become important gatekeepers to balance resource allocation during pandemics both within and between hospitals.
Researcher development models and library research support
Authors: Fazal Fathima Azra , Chakravarty Rupak
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss with an introductory narrative on the models and its role in the context of librarianship.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explores the relationship between researcher development and library research support. The authors observed the interconnectedness of the two concepts and how this should be studied more with respect to librarianship. Five major higher education and researcher development–related models are examined to assess which would be more suited for library’s research support activities. Accordingly, Prof Linda Evans’ conceptual researcher development model, the Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF), the Research Skill Development Framework, Society of College, National and University Libraries Seven Pillars of Information Literacy model and Association of College and Research Libraries’ Standards for Libraries in Higher Education were reviewed. Review and examination of the frameworks, along with relevant literature on the topic, were examined.

Findings

The authors found that the Vitae RDF seemed most ideal, as it was comprehensive and detailed in presentation and could be used not just by the academic staff but also by librarians and researchers to their benefit.

Research limitations/implications

Further studies and thorough review of recent educational and library-related frameworks and models are required from the lens of library research support.

Practical implications

Application of frameworks needs to be actively adopted by librarians.

Originality/value

There are few studies that have examined researcher development and research support in librarianship in conjunction. The present study has aimed to bridge this gap.
Additive manufacturing of anti-SARS-CoV-2 Copper-Tungsten-Silver alloy
Authors: Robinson John , Arjunan Arun , Baroutaji Ahmad , Martí Miguel , Tuñón Molina Alberto , Serrano-Aroca Ángel , Pollard Andrew
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic emphasises the need for antiviral materials that can reduce airborne and surface-based virus transmission. This study aims to propose the use of additive manufacturing (AM) and surrogate modelling for the rapid development and deployment of novel copper-tungsten-silver (Cu-W-Ag) microporous architecture that shows strong antiviral behaviour against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Design/methodology/approach

The research combines selective laser melting (SLM), in-situ alloying and surrogate modelling to conceive the antiviral Cu-W-Ag architecture. The approach is shown to be suitable for redistributed manufacturing by representing the pore morphology through a surrogate model that parametrically manipulates the SLM process parameters: hatch distance (h_d), scan speed (S_s) and laser power (L_p). The method drastically simplifies the three-dimensional (3D) printing of microporous materials by requiring only global geometrical dimensions solving current bottlenecks associated with high computed aided design data transfer required for the AM of porous materials.

Findings

The surrogate model developed in this study achieved an optimum parametric combination that resulted in microporous Cu-W-Ag with average pore sizes of 80 µm. Subsequent antiviral evaluation of the optimum architecture showed 100% viral inactivation within 5 h against a biosafe enveloped ribonucleic acid viral model of SARS-CoV-2.

Research limitations/implications

The Cu-W-Ag architecture is suitable for redistributed manufacturing and can help reduce surface contamination of SARS-CoV-2. Nevertheless, further optimisation may improve the virus inactivation time.

Practical implications

The study was extended to demonstrate an open-source 3D printed Cu-W-Ag antiviral mask filter prototype.

Social implications

The evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic brings new and unpredictable challenges where redistributed manufacturing of 3D printed antiviral materials can achieve rapid solutions.

Originality/value

The papers present for the first time a methodology to digitally conceive and print-on-demand a novel Cu-W-Ag alloy that shows high antiviral behaviour against SARS-CoV-2.
Benchmarking corporate water reporting in emerging economies: the case of Peru
Authors: Bunclark Lisa Annita , Scott Gregory J.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a framework to examine corporate water reporting (CWR) that considers the context in emerging economies and determine if and how companies are addressing the distinct water-related challenges and opportunities that they face in any given location.

Design/methodology/approach

This study combines a concise profile of the context of water resources management in Peru with a review of CWR guidelines and thematic content analysis of water information in sustainability reports for 34 companies operating in Peru. These data are then used to inform the development of a CWR typology via the use of a cluster analysis complemented by within-case and cross-case qualitative analysis of companies.

Findings

This study highlights the incomplete nature of most CWR practices of companies in Peru, with an emphasis on internal firm operations. Where companies do provide information on water risk and stakeholder engagement, there is insufficient detail to provide a clear picture of contributions to sustainable water management at the local level. The main drivers for CWR in Peru appear to be pressure from international markets, regulation and other normative issues.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that companies need to place more emphasis on the local context when reporting on water risks and activities, which could be achieved through the use of CWR frameworks that integrate both international and sectoral CWR guidelines, along with indicators related to good water governance, water, sanitation and hygiene service delivery and the sustainable development goals, as together they provide a more comprehensive reflection of the broader challenges and opportunities related to corporate water management.

Originality/value

This paper presents the first framework specifically developed to evaluate CWR practices with consideration of the context of an emerging economy.
Are leaf, stem and hydraulic traits good predictors of individual tree growth?
Authors: Rosas Teresa , Mencuccini Maurizio , Batlles Carles , Regalado Íngrid , Saura‐Mas Sandra , Sterck Frank , Martínez‐Vilalta Jordi
Published: August 2021

A major foundation of trait‐based ecology is that traits have an impact on individual performance. However, trait–growth relationships have not been extensively assessed in trees, especially outside tropical ecosystems. In addition, measuring traits directly related to physiological processes remains difficult and the differences between inter‐ and intraspecific relationships are seldom explored.

Here, we use individual‐level data on a set of hydraulic, leaf and stem traits to assess their ability to predict basal area increment (BAI) and growth efficiency (BAI per unit of tree leaf area, GE) among and within species for six dominant tree species along a water availability gradient under Mediterranean climate (Catalonia, NE Spain). Measured traits include: leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf nitrogen concentration (N), leaf C isotopic composition (δ13C), the leaf water potential at turgor loss (Ptlp), stem wood density (WD) and branch‐level estimates of the Huber value (Hv), sapwood‐ and leaf‐specific hydraulic conductivity (KS and KL) and resistance to xylem embolism (P50).

Trait–growth associations were generally weak, particularly for BAI and within species. High values of both growth metrics were associated with ‘conservative’ leaf and hydraulic traits. In particular, BAI was negatively associated with KL (and wood density), while GE increased with LMA, allocation to sapwood relative to leaves (Hv) and resistance to xylem embolism (P50). Climate effects on BAI and GE were indirectly mediated by changes in traits, stand structure and tree basal area. Overall, these results suggest that maintaining functionality over extended periods of time may be more important than maximum gas exchange or hydraulic capacity to achieve high radial growth under Mediterranean climates.

Our study reveals that widely used ‘functional traits’ may be poor predictors of tree growth variability along environmental gradients. Moreover, trait effects (when present) do not necessarily conform to simple hypotheses based on our understanding of organ‐level processes. An improved understanding of trait coordination along common axes of variation together with a revaluation of the variables that better reflect whole‐tree performance can greatly improve our understanding of trait–growth relationships.

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Processing of multi‐well offset vertical seismic profile data acquired with distributed acoustic sensors and surface orbital vibrators: Stage 3 of the CO2CRC Otway Project case study
Authors: Yavuz Sinem , Isaenkov Roman , Pevzner Roman , Gurevich Boris , Tertyshnikov Konstantin , Yurikov Alexey , Correa Julia , Wood Todd , Freifeld Barry
Published: August 2021

Time‐lapse seismic reservoir monitoring is used as a way to gain insight into subsurface processes. Yet, the application of standard 4D technology onshore faces challenges, such as high cost, significant environmental footprint and, consequently, relatively infrequent surveys. As part of the Otway Project Stage 3 CO2 injection study, continuous automated borehole‐based monitoring using distributed acoustic sensing has been paired with permanently deployed surface sources, referred to as surface orbital vibrators, as a way to monitor the spreading CO2 plume. The injection of 15,000 tonnes of CO2 in a saline reservoir at a depth of 1550 m is monitored using five boreholes instrumented with enhanced sensitivity fibre optic cables and nine surface orbital vibrators, creating an array of 45 well–source pairs. The data are processed with an offset vertical seismic profiling processing workflow developed to address key challenges of the continuous distributed acoustic sensing acquisition using surface orbital vibrators. The processing flow includes deconvolution with a source sweep recorded by a pilot geophone installed below the surface orbital vibrators. A second deconvolution with a wavelet estimated from direct arrivals compensates for the difference between distributed acoustic sensing measurements and the pilot geophone as well as near‐surface variations. Image quality is noted to be best for short offsets and decreases with increasing offsets and well deviations. As surface orbital vibrators generate unique sweeps in two rotation directions, further processing is applied to stack these rotation signals together, which further improves the images. The resulting 2D transects of each well–source pair visually provide good illumination of the subsurface, suggesting continuous monitoring of the spreading CO2 plume should be possible with some further tuning of the processing workflow for time‐lapse repeatability.
Validamycin treatment significantly inhibits the glycometabolism and chitin synthesis in the common cutworm,Spodoptera litura
Authors: Yu Hai‐Zhong , Zhang Qin , Lu Zhan‐Jun , Deng Ming‐Jie
Published: August 2021

Validamycin, as a broadly applied antibiotic, has been used to control rice sheath blight disease. Furthermore, validamycin was considered as an insecticide to control agricultural pests. Insight into the mechanism of validamycin's action on insects can provide molecular targets for the control of agricultural pests. In this study, a toxicological test analysis revealed thatSpodoptera lituralarval growth and development was significantly inhibited and the pupation rate was significantly reduced with the increase of the concentration of validamycin. According to the NMR‐based metabolomic analysis, a total of 15 metabolites involved in glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) pathways were identified. Additionally, trehalase activities, glucose and chitin contents were significantly downregulated, but the trehalose content was upregulated after exposure to validamycin. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR analysis revealed that the expression level of genes involved in glycolysis, TCA and chitin synthesis were upregulated after treating with validamycin. Further chitin staining also confirmed that chitin content was downregulated at 12 h after validamycin treatment. Our results indicated that validamycin worked via two different molecular mechanisms, one through inhibiting glycometabolism and the other by inhibiting chitin synthesis inS. litura. The information lays a theoretical foundation for further control ofS. litura.
Integration of social media with targeted emails and in‐person outreach for exception from informed consent community consultation
Authors: Hsu Cindy H. , Fowler Jennifer , Cranford James A. , Thomas Michael P. , Neumar Robert W.
Published: August 2021

Background

Exception from informed consent (EFIC) enables the enrollment of research subjects with emergent conditions to clinical trials without prior consent. EFIC study approval requires community consultation and public disclosure. We hypothesized that the integration of social media with targeted emails and in‐person outreach is an effective community consultation strategy.

Methods

We utilized social media with targeted emails and in‐person outreach for the community consultation of the ACCESS cardiac arrest trial. Study advertisements were disseminated using Facebook and Instagram, and targeted emails were sent to emergency medicine, prehospital, and cardiology providers. We also interviewed at‐risk individuals with cardiac conditions, their caretakers, and patient advocacy groups. Participants were asked to complete a survey about their opinions about the study.

Results

We collected 559 surveys over an 8‐week period, and 70.5% of the surveys were obtained using social media. The median (IQR) age of survey respondents was 44 (33‐57) years; 89.9% were White and 60.1% were women. A total of 91.3% believed ACCESS was an important study. Compared to the in‐person group, more from social media (81.8% vs. 63.3%, p < 0.05) and targeted email (77.4% vs. 63.3%, p < 0.05) groups said they would include their loved ones in the study. More from the in‐person group believed that their opinion would be considered seriously compared to the social media (75.9% vs. 62.6%, p < 0.05) and targeted email (75.9% vs. 54.5%, p < 0.05) groups. The incorporation of social media and targeted emails for community consultation reduced the cost per survey by fourfold compared to an in‐person–only strategy.

Conclusions

The integration of social media with targeted emails and in‐person outreach was a feasible and cost‐saving approach for EFIC community consultation. Future work is necessary to determine the perception and best utilization of social media for community consultation.