bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling the emergency health-care supply chains: responding to the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Hossain Md Kamal , Thakur Vikas , Mangla Sachin K.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Due to the rapid surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in India, the health-care supply chain (HCSC) disruptions and uncertainties have increased manifold posing severe challenges to health-care facilities and significantly hampering the functioning of the health industry. This study aims to propose a hierarchical structural model of enablers of HCSC in the COVID-19 outbreak and identifies inter-relationships among them in the health-care market.

Design/methodology/approach

Enablers of emergency HCSC have been identified through extensive literature review and experts’ opinions. Subsequently, total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) and cross-impact matrix-multiplication (MICMAC) analysis have been implemented to determine the hierarchical inter-relationships among enablers and classify them according to their contribution to the overall system.

Findings

The research has identified and validated 15 enablers of the emergency supply chain in health-care businesses. The study resulted in a seven-level hierarchical structural model based on enabler’s driving and dependence powers. Further, the application of MICMAC analysis resulted in the classification of enablers into four groups, namely, autonomous, dependent, linkage and independent group.

Research limitations/implications

This study would help health professionals, policymakers and academia to implement the theoretical model constructed to alleviate the effect of COVID-19 by improving the HCSC performances in pandemic situations. This study has social and economic implications in terms of cost-effective and efficient delivery of care services in health emergencies.

Originality/value

The proposed theoretical model constructed is a new effort addressing the issues of HCSC in the COVID-19 crisis. Procedural implementation of TISM and MICMAC analysis in this study would help researchers to grasp concepts in a very lucid manner. The present study is one of the very few studies analyzing enablers in pandemic situations by implementing the TISM approach.
There’s a change in the weather: corporate reputation and climate change
Authors: Hirsch Peter Buell
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine recent developments in climate change solutions to determine their impact on corporate reputation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a review of recent literature and commentary on corporate and governmental climate change initiatives.

Findings

It is likely that as climate change initiatives move further from voluntary to compliance status, the reputational value of environmental responsibility for corporate reputation will diminish.

Research limitations/implications

There are no verifiable objective metrics to validate the opinions expressed.

Practical implications

Companies may reconsider the reputational “real estate” they devote to environmental issues and invest more effort in other social areas.

Social implications

The shift predicted may cause more companies to turn their reputational attention more emphatically to employees and communities.

Originality/value

The author is not aware of any work in evaluating the reputational impact of greater regulatory focus on climate change disclosure and compliance.
Technological development, financial development, and economic growth in India: Is there a non-linear and asymmetric relationship?
Authors: Giri Arun Kumar , Mohapatra Geetilaxmi , Debata Byomakesh
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The main purpose of the present research is to analyze the relationship between technological development, financial development and economic growth in India in a non-linear and asymmetric framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs the nonlinear autoregressive distributed lags model (NARDL) and Hetemi J asymmetric causality tests to explore nonlinearities in the dynamic interaction among the variables. The stationarity properties of data are checked by using Ng–Perron and ADF structural break unit root tests. The unit root test confirms that the variables are non-stationarity in level and are differenced stationary.

Findings

The study finds that there is a cointegrating relationship between technological development, financial development and economic growth in the long run. The findings suggest that a positive shock in technological development increases economic growth (coefficient value 1.497 at 1% significance level) and a negative shock will harm economic performance (coefficient value −0.519 at 1% significance level). A long-term positives shock in financial development boosts the economy (coefficient value 1.08 at 5% significance level) and negative shock hampers the economic performance (coefficient value −1.09 at 5% significance level). The asymmetric causality test result confirms bi-directional causality between technological development and economic growth and unidirectional causality from negative economic growth to negative technological development and bi-directional causality between economic growth and financial development, unidirectional negative financial development to economic growth.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this research can significantly facilitate stakeholders and policymakers in devising short-term as well as long-term policies for financial development and technological innovation to achieve sustainable long-run economic growth in India.

Originality/value

This paper is the first of its kind to empirically examine the cointegrating and causal relationship between technology, financial development and economic growth in India using non-linear asymmetric cointegration and causality tests.
Development of self-compacting concrete using Bailey aggregate grading technique in comparison with Indian standard code of practice
Authors: Tantri Adithya , Nayak Gopinatha , Shenoy Adithya , Shetty Kiran K.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to present the results of an experimental evaluation of low (M30), mid (M40) and high (M50) grade self-compacting concrete (SCC) with three nominal maximum aggregate sizes (NMAS), namely, 20 mm, 16 mm and 12.5 mm, with Bailey gradation (BG) in comparison with Indian standard gradation (ISG).

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted in a laboratory by testing the characteristics of fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting concrete.

Findings

Rheological and mechanical properties of SCC were evaluated in detail and according to the results, a concrete sample containing lower NMAS with BG demonstrated improvement in modulus of elasticity and compressive strength, while improving the rheological properties as well. Meanwhile, SCC demonstrated poor performance in split tensile and flexural strengths with lower NMAS gradations and a direct correlation was evident as the increase in NMAS caused an increase in the strength and vice-versa.

Originality/value

Upon comparison of BG with ISG, it was revealed that BG mixes succeeded to demonstrate superior performance. From the material optimization, rheological and mechanical performance study, it is recommended that BG with NMAS 16 mm can be used for conventional SCC.
Exploring the intentional behaviour of refugees in participating in micro-enterprise support programmes (MESP): is theory of planned behaviour (TPB) still relevant?
Authors: Kachkar Omar , Djafri Fares
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relevance of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in predicting the intentional behaviour of refugee entrepreneurs. This paper uses key components of the theory on attitude, subjective norms and perceived control to explore the willingness of refugees to participate in microenterprise support programmes (MESP) in refugee camps.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a positivist research approach, comprising a quantitative basis of enquiry and gathered data via survey questionnaires. In total, 400 usable questionnaires were completed and used for analysis. This study uses descriptive and inferential analysis with SPSS and confirmatory factor analysis with AMOS to test three key TPB hypotheses.

Findings

The structured model revealed acceptable high goodness-of-fit indices. Also, the findings indicated that out of three hypotheses, two hypotheses (attitude and perceived control) were substantial, positive and significant. However, the relationship between subjective norms of refugees and their intention to participate in MESP was insignificant. The findings of this study indicate the low-profile refugees give to the views and opinions of the surrounding communities when it comes to determining their intentional behaviour. As such, some poignant implications may relate to microfinance and microcredit programmes targeting refugees.

Practical implications

The present study illustrates the interrelationships between the proposed variables. Also, by understanding the relationships between the selected variables, the findings would be useful for the concerned authorities to ameliorate and upgrade the well-being of refugees along with empowering their environment, which would facilitate their engagement in business and entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

This study explores the relevance of TPB and its components in the context of the intentional behaviour of refugee entrepreneurs. It further illuminates the distinction of refugee behaviour towards entrepreneurship and MESP.
Examining consumers' perceptions of a 3D printing integrated apparel: a functional, expressive and aesthetic (FEA) perspective
Authors: Cui Tianyu , Chattaraman Veena , Sun Lushan
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study adopted the functional, expressive and aesthetic (FEA) consumer needs model, aimed to examine the influence of consumers' FEA perceptions of three-dimensional printing (3DP) integrated apparel products on their product satisfaction and purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was employed with a sample of 332 participants (165 female and 167 male) aged 19 to 76, mean age of 35 years. A gender-neutral, 3DP integrated hooded sweatshirt was developed for this study featuring flexible, white 3D printed insets fabricated with an FDM 3D printer and white TPU filament sewn with traditional gray knit fleece.

Findings

The findings of this study suggest that the FEA model is appropriate in predicting consumers' satisfaction with 3DP integrated apparel products. Specifically, aesthetic (perceived beauty) and expressive (perceived coolness) dimensions are more influential than functional factors, except for the positive influence of perceived fit, in predicting consumers' satisfaction and purchase intentions for 3DP integrated apparel products.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies could consider data collection from participants' physical fit testing or try on evaluation to determine the importance of the functional dimension in consumer response to 3DP integrated apparel product. Future studies could also examine full 3D printed apparel, or other 3DP integrated wearable products to expand the understanding of consumer perception of the application of 3DP technology.

Originality/value

Despite the increasing exploration of 3DP integrated apparel products and industry attempts to make this innovation in apparel more mainstream, research on how mainstream consumers perceive such 3DP integrated apparel products is limited. This study addresses this gap, providing critical implications for future research and design.
Person-centred integrated care with a health promotion/public health approach: a rapid review
Authors: Burdett Teresa , Inman Joanne
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Due to the need for the development of person-centred integrated models of care with a population health approach, this paper explored contemporary literature in this arena.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Papers included in this review focused upon person-centred integrated care and a health promotion/public health approach (January 2018–October 2020). Papers were excluded due to not being written in English, not fitting the age criteria and not being peer reviewed.

Findings

Eight studies met the inclusion criteria and three overarching themes were identified with regards to person-centred integrated care as a health promotion/public health approach: Core components; Development, implementation, and evaluation of models of care and relationship to population health and wellbeing outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

The need for person-centred integrated care as a health promotion/public health approach, to enhance population health and well-being outcomes requires further research to continue to develop, implement and evaluate models of care.

Originality/value

The international scope of this contemporary review brought together the three concepts of person-centred integrated care and public health, exploring the translation of policy into practice (WHO, 2016). The juxtaposition of public health approaches in the background/consequential or foreground/active agent demonstrates how promotion, prevention and population health can be re-valued in integrated people-centred health services (WHO, 2016).
The new European crowdfunding regulation: facilitating cross-border services
Authors: Brand Marco
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To explain the new Crowdfunding Regulation to market participants and to describe the impact of the Crowdfunding Regulation on current crowdfunding business models in the European Union.

Design/methodology/approach

This article provides an overview of the new Crowdfunding Regulation with a focus on the provisions concerning cross-border services (“European Passport”) and the new authorization requirements for crowdfunding service providers.

Findings

In particular the introduction of the European passport will open new funding sources for project owners. This together with the harmonized authorization requirements of crowdfunding service providers is expected to contribute to further growth of the crowdfunding market in the European Union. The Crowdfunding Regulation is a further step on the way to a Capital Markets Union in Europe and regulates crowdfunding for the first time on a European level.

Practical implications

The Crowdfunding Regulation does not cover all existing crowdfunding business models in Europe (e.g., consumer as project owners and qualified subordinated loans are exempted). Insofar, the rules of the Member States continue to apply with the consequence of a partial fragmentation of applicable regulations.

Originality/value

Expert guidance from experienced financial-services lawyer.
Factors influencing public procurement during disasters: the cases of Chile and New Zealand
Authors: Aparicio-Arias Raúl , Moreno Jenny
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore public procurement frameworks during disasters in Chile and New Zealand, identifying the factors that affect government procurement performance in disaster response.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopted a case study methodology following a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with government officers from Chile and New Zealand who had practice-relevant knowledge of public procurement and disaster management. Data was complemented by document reviews, including government reports and the records of disaster management organizations.

Findings

This paper finds public procurement to be negatively affected by several factors during disasters, including celerity and flexibility of response; market and supplier restrictions; pressures over procurement teams; centralism of procurement structures; lack of technical knowledge; competition and crossover of agreements; corruption; and price variations.

Practical implications

This paper includes policy recommendations on how to increase the effectiveness of disaster management and public procurement systems in countries at high risk of earthquakes and other disasters.

Social implications

This paper can help public procurement officers to provide a better response during disasters, supplying the goods and services required to the affected population in a timely and effective manner.

Originality/value

This paper addresses a gap in research by identifying factors which negatively impact government procurement and response during a disaster.
Gamification in tourism and hospitality research in the era of digital platforms: a systematic literature review
Authors: Pasca Maria Giovina , Renzi Maria Francesca , Di Pietro Laura , Guglielmetti Mugion Roberta
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The present study aims to synthesize and conceptualize, through a systematic literature review (SLR), the current state of gamification knowledge in the tourism and hospitality (T&H) sector, providing a roadmap for future research recommendations for service research and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on a systematic literature review and adopts a systematic quantitative approach to summarize existing evidence on gamification usage in the T&H sector, focusing on relevant service literature on gamification. The authors analyze 36 papers published between 2011 and 2019.

Findings

The authors synthesize existing knowledge into five themes describing gamification's role in T&H (Edutainment, Sustainable behavior, Engagement factors, Service provider-generated content and User-generated reviews). Then, a cross-analysis of the five themes reveals the pivotal elements (affordances, behavioral and psychological outcomes, and benefits) generated by gamification mechanics in T&H, simultaneously highlighting potential implications and relevant insights for service literature. The review identifies critical issues affecting gamification research and provides a future research agenda, considering opportunities for T&H and service research.

Originality/value

The study provides the first SLR investigating gamification in T&H. The findings present potential implications and relevant insights for T&H contributing to the construction of a more holistic understanding of gamification adoption in service research.
The effectiveness of workplace coaching: a meta-analysis of contemporary psychologically informed coaching approaches
Authors: Wang Qing , Lai Yi-Ling , Xu Xiaobo , McDowall Almuth
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The authors examine psychologically informed coaching approaches for evidence-based work-applied management through a meta-analysis. This analysis synthesized previous empirical coaching research evidence on cognitive behavioral and positive psychology frameworks regarding a range of workplace outcomes, including learning, performance and psychological well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors undertook a systematic literature search to identify primary studies (k = 20,n = 957), then conducted a meta-analysis with robust variance estimates (RVEs) to test the overall effect size and the effects of each moderator.

Findings

The results confirm that psychologically informed coaching approaches facilitated effective work-related outcomes, particularly on goal attainment (g = 1.29) and self-efficacy (g = 0.59). Besides, these identified coaching frameworks generated a greater impact on objective work performance rated by others (e.g. 360 feedback) than on coachees' self-reported performance. Moreover, a cognitive behavioral-oriented coaching process stimulated individuals' internal self-regulation and awareness to promote work satisfaction and facilitated sustainable changes. Yet, there was no statistically significant difference between popular and commonly used coaching approaches. Instead, an integrative coaching approach that combines different frameworks facilitated better outcomes (g = 0.71), including coachees' psychological well-being.

Practical implications

Effective coaching activities should integrate cognitive coping (e.g. combining cognitive behavioral and solution-focused technique), positive individual traits (i.e. strength-based approach) and contextual factors for an integrative approach to address the full range of coachees' values, motivators and organizational resources for yielding positive outcomes.

Originality/value

Building on previous meta-analyses and reviews of coaching, this synthesis offers a new insight into effective mechanisms to facilitate desired coaching results. Frameworks grounded in psychotherapy and positive appear most prominent in the literature, yet an integrative approach appears most effective.
Does entrepreneurs’ improvisational behavior improve firm performance in time of crisis?
Authors: Charoensukmongkol Peerayuth
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper examines the effect of improvisational behavior of entrepreneurs on firm performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand during the economic crisis following the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also explores external factors in terms of competitive intensity and internal factors in terms of financial and human resources possessed by firms that could enhance the impact of improvisational behavior on firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered online questionnaire survey was used to collect the data from the random sample of 312 SMEs in Thailand. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The analysis supports the positive relationship between the improvisational behavior of entrepreneurs and firm performance. Moreover, the moderating effect analysis shows that the positive impact of improvisational behavior on firm performance tends to be stronger for firms that encountered a higher level of competitive intensity and for firms that possessed a higher level of financial and human resources.

Originality/value

This research extends the knowledge from prior research by confirming some moderating factors that could strengthen the benefit of improvisational behavior during the crisis.
COVID-19 news in USA and in China: which is suitable in explaining the nexus among Bitcoin and Gold?
Authors: Derbali Abdelkader , Naoui Kamel , Jamel Lamia
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine empirically the impact of COVID-19 pandemic news in USA and in China on the dynamic conditional correlation between Bitcoin and Gold.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper offers a crucial viewpoint to the predictive capacity of COVID-19 surprises and production pronouncements for the dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) among Bitcoin and Gold returns and volatilities using generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity-DCC-(1,1) through the period of study since July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. To assess the unexpected impact of COVID-19, this study pursues the Kuttner’s (2001) methodology.

Findings

The empirical findings indicate strong important correlation among Bitcoin and Gold if COVID-19 surprises are integrated in variance. This study validates the financialization hypothesis of Bitcoin and Gold. The correlation between Bitcoin and Gold begin to react significantly further in the case of COVID-19 surprises in USA than those in China.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature on assessing the impact of COVID-19 confirmed cases surprises on the correlation between Bitcoin and Gold. This paper gives for the first time an approach to capture the COVID-19 surprise component. Also, this study helps to improve financial backers and policymakers' comprehension of the digital currencies' market elements, particularly in the hours of amazingly unpleasant and inconspicuous occasions.
An econometric analysis of modernized cereal production in reducing multidimensional poverty in Uganda, 1975-2014
Authors: Herbert Robert Emong
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to develop an econometric analysis of how modern agriculture can be a fundamental instrument for reducing the levels of multidimensional poverty in Uganda. It demonstrates the importance of agriculture in reducing inequalities amongst the poor while focusing on the relationship between increasing productions from modern agricultural practices and the poverty level across the country.

Design/methodology/approach

The study explores Box–Jenkins approach to cereal production data with the use of econometric analysis as the main tool to determine the implications of modern agricultural practices in Uganda. Most poor people around the world are in marginalized rural environments, and agriculture provides for their livelihoods. This makes agricultural development crucial for reducing multidimensional poverty on a large scale and needs development within agriculture to be enhanced. Education, health and standard of living are the three dimensions considered from the weighted indicators, amounting to 30%, to be categorized poor in the three dimensions.

Findings

Modernization of agriculture is an ultimate solution to multidimensional poverty reduction in Uganda through employment generation and the effects of food prices. Shreds of evidence support the theories that agricultural incomes together with the actual wages increase with a general rise in the rural non-agricultural economy. Results depict a close correlation between national income and GDP per capita which is a very significant indication that more application of agricultural technology would lead to a sub sequential improvement of livelihoods engaged in agricultural practices.

Originality/value

Agriculture remains a vital sector that employs a greater portion of the population in Uganda’s economy. Major roles have been played by the sector in the economy including employment opportunities, rural household incomes, food supplies and a reduction in poverty from a multidimensional front. Exploring the behavior of poverty level using modern agriculture as an indicator and its relationship with the poverty level arising from improved agricultural practices could provide a meaningful display of variation in poverty across the regions at the country level.
Impact of menstruation-related stigma and behavior on female employee performance in Bangladesh: mediating role of non-work related stress
Authors: Zaman Raisa Tasneem , Mohiuddin Md. Fazla
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how menstruation specific stigma and behavior impacts female employee performance in Bangladesh. Besides, it aims to investigate if nonwork-related stress has any mediating role in the menstruation-related stigma–employee performance and menstruation-related behavior–employee performance relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model is developed and tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) using Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) 25. A total of 400 respondents participated in a self-administered survey, of which 375 questionnaires were retained after discarding questionnaires with incomplete responses.

Findings

Stigma and behavior related to menstruation were found to have a significant negative effect on female employee performance. Menstruation specific nonwork-related stress was found to partially mediate between menstruation-related stigma–employee performance and menstruation-related behavior–employee performance relationship.

Originality/value

This is the first study to link menstruation specific stigma and behavior and female employee performance using SEM in the context of the Bangladeshi women employees. It is also the first study to investigate the mediating role of nonwork-related stress in the menstruation specific stigma–employee performance and menstruation specific behavior–employee performance relationship in the context of Bangladeshi women employees.
Role strain: a duo-ethnography of fathers in online doctoral education in the United States
Authors: McAvoy Jr John P. , Thacker Russell
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Within the USA, current trends in higher education show more women than men achieving graduate degrees. Among the potential reasons for this disparity is that fathers are reporting challenges in balancing their additional responsibilities while increasing their housework and childcare investment. Many fathers are turning to online graduate education to more effectively balance home and school responsibilities. However, limited portrayals of fathers' experiences in online education exist.

Design/methodology/approach

In this duoethnography of two online doctoral student fathers, the authors add to the limited literature on both fathers and online students in navigating home, school and work responsibilities. The authors use Goode’s role strain theory to examine the challenges to achieving a balance between each sphere of responsibility and explore strategies for managing these tensions.

Findings

The authors discuss the need for ongoing flexibility and change, the process of navigating feelings of guilt and self-doubt and the ability to engage in daily role bargains. They argue that online education is generally not a panacea for easing role conflict and find that integration is an effective strategy to aid online students' persistence in their programs.

Practical implications

The authors conclude with policy and practice recommendations for future online doctoral student fathers and doctoral program designers.

Originality/value

Little research has been conducted from the online doctoral student father lens. This research fills in this gap and lends a voice to fathers who are navigating the doctoral journey.
Reorienting the sharing economy for social benefit: the nonprofit digital platform business model
Authors: Mancha Rubén , Nersessian David , Marthinsen John
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Digital platforms enable the sharing economy and have become dominant business models in many industries. Despite their many benefits, negative externalities associated with the growth of for-profit digital platforms, such as Uber and Google, have ignited concerns among market participants, policymakers and society as a whole, without corrective market forces in sight. One way to address this problem is through a combination of government regulation, criminal enforcement actions and private antitrust litigation. This study aims to analyze an alternative approach, called the nonprofit digital platform (NDP), which is an emerging business model capable of unleashing free-market forces and enhancing the sharing economy’s social benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

This study documents the negative externalities (actual and potential) of for-profit digital platforms, uses the product attributes model to explain the market position and strategy of NDPs with respect to for-profit digital platforms and provides recommendations for the successful launch and management of NDPs.

Findings

An NDP is a market-based alternative to antitrust, regulation and litigation that enhances the social value created by the sharing economy, but its success requires startup-like management that attracts and retains talent, capital, effective advertising and positive network externalities.

Social implications

NDPs can force free-market adjustments in the industries they enter, reduce the negative spillovers of for-profit digital platforms and increase social value by incrementally raising the level of competition.

Originality/value

This study conceptually explores the value that nonprofits could bring to the sharing economy in fulfilling its promise and provides strategic recommendations for social-digital entrepreneurs and nonprofits.
Exploration and prioritization of just in time enablers for sustainable health care: an integrated GRA-Fuzzy TOPSIS application
Authors: Kaswan Mahender Singh , Rathi Rajeev , Singh Mahipal , Garza-Reyes Jose Arturo , Antony Jiju
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The increased health-care costs, improved service quality and sustainability-oriented customer demand have forced the health-care sector to relook their current process. The present work deals with the identification, analysis and prioritization of just in time (JIT) enablers in the health-care sector.

Design/methodology/approach

JIT leads to waste reduction, improves productivity and provides high-quality patient care. The practical implementation of JIT depends on vital factors known as enablers. The enablers have been found through the comprehensive literature review and prioritized using responses from different health-care facilities of the national capital region of India. Grey relational analysis (GRA) has been used in the present study to rank enablers and ranks were further validated using the fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and sensitivity analysis.

Findings

It has been found that top management support, teamwork and real-time information sharing are the most significant enablers of JIT in health care with grey relational grades 0.956, 0.832 and 0.718, respectively. The corresponding closeness coefficients of the fuzzy TOPSIS for the enablers were found as 0.875, 0.802 and 0.688, respectively. The findings of the present research work will facilitate the health-care organizations to implement a comprehensive JIT approach that further leads to improved patient care at a low cost.

Originality/value

The present study is unique in terms of the exploration of the readiness measures or enablers of JIT using GRA and fuzzy TOPSIS. The findings of the present research work will facilitate the health-care organizations to optimize their resources for better patient care.
Effects of a trophic cascade on a multi‐level facilitation cascade
Authors: Yakovis Eugeniy , Artemieva Anna
Published: June 2021

The role of cascades in natural communities has been extensively studied, but interactions between trophic and facilitation cascades are unexplored. In the White Sea (65°N) shallow subtidal, bivalve primary facilitators provide hard substrate for secondary facilitator barnacles, that, in turn, provide substrate for conspecifics, ascidians, red algae and multiple associated organisms, composing a multi‐level facilitation cascade. Previous research revealed that predation by the whelk Boreotrophon clathratus accounts for ~7% of adult barnacle mortality. Low whelk abundance limits their effect, with barnacles living on conspecifics several times more vulnerable to predation than those living on primary substrate.

Trophic cascades can selectively shield foundation species from consumers, and hence may affect the structure and length of facilitation cascades. We tested the hypothesis that low abundance of the whelks results from mesopredator predation on their juveniles. Depending on the magnitude of the effect, this would mean that a trophic cascade controls the abundance of barnacles on all substrates or only barnacles living on conspecifics. We also suggested that barnacles on primary substrates and conspecifics facilitate different dependent assemblages.

We manipulated the presence of crab and shrimp mesopredators in field caging experiments to assess their effect on whelk recruitment. In a field survey, we compared the assemblages of sessile macrobenthic organisms associated with barnacles living on different substrates.

Caging experiments evidenced that crab and shrimp mesopredators reduce whelk recruitment by 4.6 times. Field data showed that barnacles on primary substrate and on conspecifics promote different dependent assemblages including secondary facilitator ascidians.

Although mesopredators do not shield barnacles from elimination, their absence would restrict them from living on conspecifics. Barnacles on conspecifics are functionally different from barnacles on primary substrate, and can be considered a separate level of the facilitation cascade. Trophic cascades thus can generate community‐wide effects on facilitation cascades by affecting their structure and possibly length.
Interaction between warming and landscape foraging resource availability on solitary bee reproduction
Authors: Zaragoza‐Trello Carlos , Vilà Montserrat , Bartomeus Ignasi
Published: June 2021

Solitary bees comprise around 90% of bee species, playing an essential role in both wild and crop plant pollination. Bee populations are jeopardized by different global change pressures such as climate change and landscape transformation. However, the interactive effects of global change components have been little explored, especially for solitary bees.

We conducted a factorial experiment using artificial nest‐traps to analyse the combined effect of climate warming and landscape transformation on Osmia bicornis reproduction and offspring body size.

The number of bee cocoons increased with temperature and flower abundance in the landscape. However, the sex ratio was biased towards males with warming, especially at low flower abundances.

Male body size increased with temperature. Conversely, female body sizes showed strong interactive responses, increasing in size with high flower abundance in the landscape, but only at low temperatures. The abortion rate of larvae and parasitization were not significantly affected by neither flower abundance nor temperature.

Because the body size of females in O. bicornis is key for the next generation's progeny success, our results indicate that the simultaneous exposure to a shortage of floral resources and high temperatures may have adverse direct fitness effects.
Cooperating Through Competition: EU Challenge and Support to the World Bank Focality in Multilateral Development Finance
Authors: Baroncelli Eugenia
Published: June 2021

Building on previous research on the relations between the European Union (EU) and the World Bank, this paper contributes to the debate on the World Bank focality in the regime complex for multilateral development finance. Adopting a historical‐institutionalist perspective, the analysis focuses on the determinants and mechanisms of micro‐institutional changes that have occurred in the context of EU‐World Bank's interaction in non‐core lending, particularly in World Bank trust funds and EU blending facilities. Most of the existing literature has focused on the ascendancy of new regional development banks outside the Bretton Woods camp, qualifying it as mostly conflicting or mostly cooperative. In contrast, this paper contends that a challenge has arisen also from within the group of core Bretton Woods‐inspired institutions. In addition, it shows how the EU has both competed and cooperated with the World Bank in the area of fiduciary funding, across three broad phases, and in response to specific critical junctures and tipping points. The EU’s innovation and quest for leadership in blended finance has replicated the World Bank’s good practices on some counts, yet it has also challenged its focality in non‐core lending.
The International Discourses and Governance of Fake News
Authors: Neo Ric
Published: June 2021

Since the 2016 US presidential elections, fake news and misinformation have been recognised as a major problem of the modern, connected world. However, this increased salience has been accompanied by an expansion in voices articulating different approaches towards the issue. This article presents an examination of the range of societal discourses of fake news advanced by four types of hegemonic societal actors: international organisations, states, civil society and large business interests, focusing on the following. First, how do existing discourses conceive of the nature of fake news and the societal objects it threatens? Next, what are the solutions proposed? Through an analysis of policy interventions and texts, this article presents a taxonomy of the current most salient understandings of fake news, showing that present conceptualisations of the issue can be categorised into three competing discourses: discourses constructing fake news as an existential threat, a political problem or a minor issue. The analysis highlights important variations in how different regimes conceptualise fake news, revealing how authoritarian governments have sought to construct fake news as a security threat in order to justify constraints on free speech. On the flipside, leaving fake news completely unregulated leads to conflict‐of‐interest issues and an accountability gulf implicating ‘Big Tech’. This article calls for more analytical focus on the discourses of fake news, which constitutes a significant but under‐examined factor in comprehending the long‐term consequences of the problem of fake news.
Quantification of prenatal marijuana use: evaluation of the correlation between self‐report, serum, urine and umbilical cord assays among women delivering at two urban Colorado hospitals
Authors: Metz Torri D. , McMillin Gwendolyn A. , Silver Robert M. , Allshouse Amanda A. , Heard Kennon , Jensen Triniti L. , Wymore Erica M. , Stickrath Elaine , Conageski Christine , Kinney Gregory L. , Binswanger Ingrid A.
Published: June 2021

Background and Aims

To estimate during pregnancy correlations between frequency of self‐reported use of marijuana and quantified marijuana metabolite in biospecimens including urine, sera and umbilical cord homogenate.

Design

Prospective cohort.

Setting

Two urban hospitals in Colorado with legal recreational and medicinal marijuana.

Participants

Pregnant women (<16 weeks gestation) self‐reporting marijuana use.

Measurements

Participants completed a written self‐report survey and provided biospecimens at <16 weeks gestation (n = 46), 18 to 22 weeks gestation (n = 43), 32 to 36 weeks gestation (n = 39), and delivery (n = 37). Self‐reported marijuana use frequency was calculated based on past‐month days of use multiplied by number of daily uses. Maternal urine and sera were tested for presence (>5 ng/mL) of 11‐nor‐9‐carboxy‐delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC‐COOH). Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry quantified THC‐COOH in umbilical cord homogenate (ng/g). Last marijuana use by any measure was recorded to evaluate the time frame over which THC‐COOH remains detectable (>0.10 ng/g) in cord.

Findings

From December 2017 through May 2019, 51 pregnant women enrolled, and 46 were included in analyses (2 withdrew and 3 had a spontaneous abortion). The majority were normal weight, White or Black race, and insured by Medicaid. At the time of enrollment between 7 to 15 weeks’ gestation, 87% had ongoing use by self‐report, or positive urine or serum. The majority (33 [66%]) stopped using before delivery. Sera and urine results were strongly correlated with self‐reported use frequency (Spearman correlation coefficient [r] range 0.70–0.87 across visits, P < 0.001), and with each other. There was only one positive cord result when use stopped before 22 weeks. Frequency of self‐reported marijuana use at delivery had strong correlation with quantified cord THC‐COOH (r = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.62–0.89).

Conclusions

Quantified umbilical cord THC‐COOH appears to strongly correlate with frequency of maternal marijuana use in the last month of pregnancy. Earlier use can be measured by either quantitative urine or serum assay.
The impact of compliance among patients with diabetic macular oedema treated with intravitreal aflibercept: a 48‐month follow‐up study
Authors: Angermann Reinhard , Hofer Markus , Huber Anna Lena , Rauchegger Teresa , Nowosielski Yvonne , Casazza Marina , Falanga Valeria , Zehetner Claus
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to compare anatomical and functional outcomes between patients with non‐proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) with diabetic macular oedema (DME) who adhered to intravitreal aflibercept therapy and patients lost to follow‐up (LTFU).

Methods

We enrolled 200 patients and recorded the interval between each procedure and the subsequent follow‐up visit. Moreover, visual acuity (VA) and anatomical outcomes were measured at each follow‐up examination.

Results

Among the patients, 103 (51%) patients adhered to intravitreal aflibercept therapy and follow‐up examination while 97 (49%) patients were LTFU. Forty‐six (47%) patients LTFU who returned for further treatment showed a significant decrease in VA from 0.51 (±0.46) to 0.89 (±0.38) logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) after 48 months (p = 0.004). Compared with the adherent group, the return group showed a worse VA at 48 months (p = 0.036). Further, 1 (1%) patient in the adherent group and 8 (17%) patients in the return group developed a proliferative DR. Patients who were LTFU had a 13.0 times greater chance to develop a proliferative DR (p = 0.022).

Conclusions

Patients who did not adhere to intravitreal aflibercept therapy for DME showed significantly worse visual outcomes compared to patients with good therapy adherence. Moreover, patients with LTFU had a 13 times higher risk of developing a proliferative DR. Considering the potential disease progress, better strategies should be applied to optimize the functional outcome of patients at risk of reduced adherence.
Judicial interventions in health policy: Epistemic competence and the courts
Authors: Morales Leticia
Published: June 2021

The judiciary is a key policy actor that is involved in deciding health rights and policy by intervening in the policy process through a variety of judicial mechanisms, yet the appropriate extent of its involvement remains contentious. Taking the competence objection seriously requires understanding it as an epistemic problem about how courts assess empirical and scientific evidence in order to competently adjudicate controversial health claims. This paper examines recent advances in social epistemology to develop insights for the epistemic competence of the judiciary from a system‐oriented approach. I outline three epistemic features that set the judiciary and the judicial decision‐making process apart from other types of decision‐makers in health policy: the distribution of epistemic power, the epistemic authority of a justified believer, and the principle of disinterestedness. Finally, I relate these insights back to the judicial decision‐making process with a specific focus on recent court decisions in health rights and health policy in Chile.