bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Widespread distribution of collagens and collagen-associated domains in eukaryotes
Authors: Linden Tess A. , King Nicole
Published: October 2021

The origin of collagen, the dominant structural component of metazoan extracellular matrix, has long been cited as a critical step in the evolution of metazoan multicellularity. While collagens were once thought to be found only in metazoans, scattered reports of collagen domains in Fungi, and more recently in close relatives of metazoans, have called into question whether collagens are truly unique to metazoans. Here, we take advantage of recently sequenced genomes and transcriptomes of diverse holozoans (the clade encompassing metazoans and their close relatives), as well as publicly available proteomes from diverse non-holozoan eukaryotes, to conduct a systematic search for collagen domains across eukaryotic diversity. We find that collagen domains are ubiquitous in choanoflagellates, the sister group of metazoans, and widespread across many other major eukaryotic taxa. Many predicted collagens in non-metazoans are comparable to metazoan collagens in length and proline content. Moreover, most are present in species that also encode putative prolyl 4-hydroxylase domains, suggesting that, like metazoan collagens, they may be stabilized through the hydroxylation of prolines. Fibrillar collagen and collagen IV appear to be unique to metazoans, and we posit that their ability to assemble into superstructures may have contributed to the origin of metazoan multicellularity.
A protocol for the reduction of applied torque on parent vessel during elastase-induced aneurysm formation using rabbit animal models
Authors: Pineda-Castillo Sergio A. , Laurence Keely A. , Homburg Hannah , Fung Kar-Ming , Bohnstedt Bradley N. , Lee Chung-Hao
Published: October 2021

Endovascular therapies for intracranial aneurysms requires animal models for testing the safety and effectiveness prior to translation to the clinic. Rabbits combined with the elastase and right common carotid artery (RCCA) ligation methods is currently a widely used animal model for endovascular device testing. However, the injection of elastase utilizing angiocatheters may potentially exerts adverse torque to the parent vessel and the optimal aneurysm creation period has not been well investigated. In this study, we present a modification to the elastase/RCCA-ligation method by replacing the angio-catheter with a butterfly catheter. Formation of saccular aneurysms was introduced in New Zealand white rabbits (n = 6), and were maintained for 2, 4 and 6 weeks. The formed aneurysms exhibited an elongated geometry and were stable during the study period. We found that the modification in the animal surgery procedure provides improved manipulation of the surgical area, prolonged injection of elastase, and effective degradation of the vascular elastic lamina. Compared to the traditional elastase/RCCA-ligation method, the present technique can more effectively reduce unwanted injury to the parent vessel and, therefore, improved stability of the vasculature for testing the efficacy of newly developed endovascular embolization devices.
Evolving in the darkness: phylogenomics ofSinocyclocheiluscavefishes highlights recent diversification and cryptic diversity
Authors: Mao Tingru , Liu Yewei , Vasconcellos Mariana M. , Pie Marcio R. , Ellepola Gajaba , Fu Chenghai , Yang Jian , Meegaskumbura Madhava
Published: October 2021

Troglomorphism— any morphological adaptation enabling life to the constant darkness of caves, such as loss of pigment, reduced eyesight or blindness, over-developed tactile and olfactory organs—has long intrigued biologists. However, inferring the proximate and ultimate mechanisms driving the evolution of troglomorphism in freshwater fish requires a sound understanding of the evolutionary relationships between surface and troglomorphic lineages. We use Restriction Site Associated DNA Sequencing (RADseq) to better understand the evolution of theSinocyclocheilusfishes of China. With a remarkable array of derived troglomorphic traits, they comprise the largest cavefish diversification in the world, emerging as a multi-species model system to study evolutionary novelty. We sequenced a total of 120 individuals throughout theSinocyclocheilusdistribution. The data comprised a total of 646,497⍰bp per individual, including 4378 loci and 67,983 SNPs shared across a minimum of 114 individuals at a given locus. Phylogenetic analyses using either the concatenated RAD loci (RAxML) or the SNPs under a coalescent model (SVDquartets, SNAPP) showed a high degree of congruence with similar topologies and high node support (> 95 for most nodes in the phylogeny). The major clades recovered conform to a pattern previously established using Sanger-based mt-DNA sequences, with a few notable exceptions. We now recognize six major clades in this group, elevating the blind cavefishS. tianlinensisand the micro-eyedS. microphthalmusas two new distinct clades due to their deep divergence from other clades. PCA plots of the SNP data also supports the recognition of six major clusters of species congruent with the identified clades based on the spatial arrangement and overlap of the species in the PC space. A Bayes factor delimitation (BFD) analysis showed support for 21 species, recognizing 19 previously described species and two putative new cryptic ones. Two species whose identities were previously disputed,S. furcodorsalisandS. tianeensis, are supported here as distinct species. In addition, our multi-species calibrated tree in SNAPP suggests that the genusSinocyclocheilusoriginated around 10.5 Mya, with most speciation events occurring in the last 2 Mya, likely favored by the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and cave occupation induced by climate-driven aridification during this period. These results provide a firm basis for future comparative studies on the evolution ofSinocyclocheilusand its adaptations to cave life.
Annotation of Hox cluster and Hox cofactor genes in the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, reveals novel features
Authors: Shippy Teresa , Hosmani Prashant S , Flores-Gonzalez Mirella , Mueller Lukas A , Hunter Wayne B , Brown Susan J , DeliaFIXX Tom , Saha Surya
Published: October 2021

Hox genes and their cofactors are essential developmental genes that specify regional identity in animals, including insects. A particularly interesting feature of Hox genes is their conserved arrangement in clusters in the same order in which they specify identity along the anterior-posterior axis. Among insects, breaks in the cluster have been reported in a few species, but these seem to be the exception rather than the rule. We have annotated the ten Hox genes of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, and determined that there is a split in its Hox cluster between the Deformed and Sex combs reduced genes. This is the first time a break at this position has been observed in an insect Hox cluster. We have also annotated the D. citri orthologs of the Hox cofactor genes homothorax, PKNOX and extradenticle. Interestingly, we found an additional copy of extradenticle in D. citri that appears to be a retrogene. Expression data and sequence conservation suggest that the extradenticle retrogene may have retained the original extradenticle function and allowed the parental extradenticle gene to diverge.
Reset and prescribed performance approach to spacecraft attitude regulation
Authors: Zhang Chengxi , Dong Peng , Leung Henry , Wu Jin , Shen Kai
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the attitude regulation for spacecraft in the presence of time-varying inertia uncertainty and exogenous disturbances.

Design/methodology/approach

The high gain approaches are typically used in existing researches for theoretical advantages, bringing better performance but sensitive to parameter selection, making the controller conservative. A reset-control policy is presented to achieve the spacecraft attitude control with easy control parameter tuning.

Findings

The reset-control policy guarantees satisfying control performance despite using performance tuning function and saturation function besides reducing the conservativeness of the controller, thus reducing the effort in tuning control parameters.

Originality/value

Notably, the adaptive function owns a reset mechanism, which is reset to a preset condition when the controlled variable crosses zero. The mathematical analysis also shows the system trajectory can converge to a set centered at the origin.
Money supply, inflation and output: an empirically comparative analysis for Vietnam and China
Authors: Long Pham Dinh , Hien Bui Quang , Ngoc Pham Thi Bich
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study focuses on analyzing the relation between money supply, inflation and output in Vietnam and China.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the error correction model and the vector autoregression model (ECM and VAR) and the canonical cointegration regression (CCR), the study shows similar patterns of these variable relations between the two economies.

Findings

The study points out the difference in the estimated coefficients between the two countries with different economic scales. While inflation in Vietnam is strongly influenced by expected inflation and output growth, inflation in China is strongly influenced by money supply growth and output growth.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical and comparative research on the relation between money supply, inflation and output for Vietnam and China. The study demonstrates that the relationship between money supply, inflation and output is still true in case of transition economies.
International backpackers' experiences of precarious visa-contingent farmwork
Authors: Kossen Chris , McDonald Nicole , McIlveen Peter
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Australia's agricultural industry has become highly dependent on young low-cost, overseas “working holiday” visa workers known as “backpackers”, who are notoriously subject to exploitative workplace practices. This study aimed to explore backpackers' experiences in terms of how job demands, job resources and personal resources influence their appraisals of working in agriculture.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth semi-structured interviews were used to explore the work experiences of N = 21 backpackers employed under the Australian Working Holiday visa (subclass 417). Data were analyzed by thematic analysis and organized in terms of job demands and resources.

Findings

This study revealed job demands commonly experienced by agricultural backpacker workers (e.g. precarity, physically strenuous work, low pay), and job resources (e.g. adequate training, feedback) and personal resources (e.g. attitude, language) that buffer the demands. The findings indicate that backpackers' appraisals of their experiences and performance decline when demands outweigh resources.

Originality/value

This study offers an emic perspective on the work of an understudied segment of the agricultural workforce. The findings have implications for improving work practices and policies aimed at attracting and retaining this important labor source in the future.
Interruptions: imagining an analytical otherwise for disaster studies in Latin America
Authors: Tironi Manuel , Campos-Knothe Katherine , Acuña Valentina , Isola Enzo , Bonelli Cristóbal , Gonzalez Galvez Marcelo , Kelly Sarah , Juzam Leila , Molina Francisco , Pereira Covarrubias Andrés , Rivas Ricardo , Undurraga Beltrán , Valdivieso Sofía
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Based on the research, the authors identify how four key concepts in disaster studies—agency, local scale, memory and vulnerability—are interrupted, and how these interruptions offer new perspectives for doing disaster research from and for the South.

Design/methodology/approach

Meta-analysis of case studies and revision of past and current collaborations of authors with communities across Chile.

Findings

The findings suggest that agency, local scale, memory and vulnerability, as fundamental concepts for disaster risk reduction (DRR) theory and practice, need to allow for ambivalences, ironies, granularization and further materializations. The authors identify these characteristics as the conditions that emerge when doing disaster research from within the disaster itself, perhaps the critical condition of what is usually known as the South.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to a reflexive assessment of fundamental concepts for critical disaster studies. The authors offer research-based and empirically rich redefinitions of these concepts. The authors also offer a novel understanding of the political and epistemological conditions of the “South” as both a geography and a project.
Optimum design of two-material bending plate compliant devices
Authors: Romero Augusto
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the optimum design of bending plate compliant mechanisms subjected to pure mechanical excitations using topological-derivative-based topology optimization. The main objective is to design the reinforcement in a plate of base material.

Design/methodology/approach

The optimum design is performed by means of a level-set representation method guided by topological derivatives. Kirchhoff and Reissner–Mindlin models are used to solve the linear bending plate problem. A qualitative comparison has been carried out between the optimal obtained topologies for each model.

Findings

The proposed methodology was able to design reinforcement in a plate of the base material. The obtained reinforcements notably improve the device’s behavior. The shape and topology of the reinforcements vary depending on the mechanical plate model considered. In fact, in the Reissner–Mindlin solutions, very thin flexo-torsional hinges connecting big zones of the reinforcement material are designed.

Originality/value

Up to date, the synthesis of ortho-planar mechanisms by means of continuum topology optimization was only boarded within a multi-physics context. In this work, the optimal design of pure ortho-planar compliance actuators is addressed. The best performance is found by analyzing the results for two classical mechanical plate models.
Information literacy, information use and sustainable development of higher education in Nigeria
Authors: Adekoya Clement Ola
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The need for sustainable development (SD) of higher education (HE) is recognized in the UN 2030 Agenda for SD. Central to the SD of HE is information literacy and information use. This study aims to investigate information literacy, information use and SD of HE in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The population for the study was the staff of public higher educational institutions in Southern Nigeria. A self-structured online questionnaire was sent to the respondents via social media. The data generated were analysed using mean, frequency count and percentages.

Findings

It was reflected that information literacy played a significant role in the SD of HE and that the extent of information use was high. It was revealed that the areas of HE that require SD include economic/finance and investment priorities; administration, mission and planning; and research and scholarship.

Originality/value

The study emphasizes that SD of HE in the current educational enterprise requires that people are information literate and information is extensively used.
A bibliometric analysis of Halal and Islamic tourism
Authors: Suban Syed Ahamed , Madhan Kumar , Shagirbasha Shameem
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Halal and Islamic tourism is gaining attention in the tourism literature in recent years. This study uses bibliometric analytical techniques to explore all the publications indexed in the Scopus database in the broad subject of Halal and Islamic tourism from 2004 to 2021.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors found 238 publications that fit the function, subject and set criteria. The papers were analysed in terms of publication by knowledge area, number of studies published every year, contribution by countries, number of authors and most influential journals. VOS viewer was used to perform a visual analysis on co-occurrence of keywords and document citations.

Findings

According to the findings, the Scopus database includes 151 (34.40%) documents on business, management and accounting, and 89 (20.27%) documents on social science. It was reported that 29 documents were published in 2018, followed by 54 documents in 2019 and 56 documents in 2021. Malaysia has contributed 86 documents on Islamic tourism, whereas Indonesia has contributed 64 documents. The paper also discusses other interesting findings.

Research limitations/implications

The bibliometric analysis carried out was confined to Scopus data. Other national and international databases were not taken into account for this research.

Originality/value

Between 2004 and 2021, this study examined relevant studies on Halal and Islamic tourism. The study presents a concise review of the literature accessible to researchers working in this area and provides recommendations for future research.
Analysis of signature reliability of ring-shaped network system
Authors: Ram Mangey , Tyagi Subhi , Kumar Akshay , Goyal Nupur
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design a ring network topology system and alter it into a series–parallel type framework. Then, reliability of the framework is analysed and authors also discussed the signature to analyse the most sensitive component.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a ring-shaped network system where this type of topology forms a single continuous pathway for signals through every node. In this study, a system consists of ring network topology is generalized in the series–parallel mixed configuration and reliability characteristics are evaluated with the assistance of universal generating function (UGF) technique. The system consists of wires, repeaters, components or computers and power supply. The wires and repeaters are in series, so, if they fail the whole system will fail and the signals will not go further. The components or computers are connected to each other in parallel configuration. So, the whole system will not fail until the last computer is working. There is also a two-unit power supply system which has one unit in a standby mode. On the failure of first power supply, the second one will start functioning and the whole system fails on the failure of both power supply.

Findings

By the assistance of UGF technique, reliability function of the framework is evaluated. Also, Barlow–Proschan index and expected lifetime for the designed system is estimated by considering a numerical example for the general ring-shaped network system.

Originality/value

UGF technique is very effective for estimating the reliability of a system with complex structure and having two performance rates, i.e. completely failed and perfectly working, or more than two, i.e. multi-state performance. This technique enables to estimate every components contribution in the working and failure of the whole system. A general model of ring-shaped network system is taken and generalized algorithm is drawn for the system. Then a particular numerical example is solved for illustrating the use of this technique.
Being a retailer: narratives not on display
Authors: Ruth Damian , Gunn Frances , Elms Jonathan
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the everyday tasks and activities undertaken by retailer entrepreneurs and owner/managers when they strategize. Specifically, it interrogates the nature of the intuitive, idiosyncratic strategic agency of a retail owner/manager.

Design/methodology/approach

Through adopting a combination of phenomenological and narrative approaches, focussing on illuminating the everyday operational and strategic practices of one retail entrepreneur and owner/manager, a richly contextualized, ideographic account of the procedures and outcomes of their strategizing is provided.

Findings

By revealing narratives that are seldom obvious – often kept behind the counter, and not on display – the authors are able to unravel the social reality of the retailer's decision-making, and the influences of identity, connections with customers and community, emotions and the spirit, and love and family. This study also illuminates how entrepreneurs retrospectively make sense out of the messiness of everyday life particularly when juggling the melding of personal and business realities.

Research limitations/implications

This paper explores the experiences and reflections of the decision-making of one retail entrepreneur manager within a particular business setting. However, the use of an ideographic approach allowed for an in depth investigation of the realities of strategic practices undertaken by a retail owner that may be extrapolated beyond this immediate context.

Originality/value

This paper develops original insights into the retailer as an individual, vis-à-vis an organization, as well as nuanced understanding of the actual nature of work undertaken by retail entrepreneurs and owner/managers. To this end, this paper contributes to the “strategy-as-practice” debate in the strategic management literature, and to narrative analysis and advances insights to the perennial question: “what is a retailer?”.
Investigating the impact of home-sharing on the traditional rental market
Authors: Zhang Xiuzhi , Lin Zhijie , Maeng Junghyun
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The sharing economy has enjoyed rapid growth in recent years, and entered many traditional industries such as accommodation, transportation and lending. Although researchers in information systems and marketing have attempted to examine the impacts of the sharing economy on traditional businesses, they have not yet studied the rental housing market. Thus, this research aims to investigate the impact of the sharing economy (i.e. home-sharing) on traditional businesses (i.e. rental housing market).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors assemble rich data from multiple sources about the entry of a leading Chinese home-sharing platform (i.e. Xiaozhu.com) and local housing rental price index. Then, econometric models (i.e. linear panel-level data models) are employed for empirical investigation. Instrumental variables are used to account for potential endogeneity issues. Various robustness checks are adopted to establish the consistency of the findings.

Findings

Overall, the estimation results show that the entry of a home-sharing platform will decrease the local housing rental price. Moreover, this impact would be strengthened in a more developed city. Additionally, this impact would be strengthened with higher prices of new houses or second-hand houses.

Originality/value

First, this research is one of the first to study the impact of the sharing economy (i.e. home-sharing) on traditional markets (i.e. housing rentals). Second, it contributes to the relevant literature by documenting that the impact of a platform's entry is not uniform but contingent on city and housing market characteristics. Third, practically, the findings also offer important implications for platform operators and policy makers.
Packages of management control systems, entrepreneurial orientation and performance in Brazilian startups
Authors: Frare Anderson Betti , Cruz Ana Paula Capuano da , Lavarda Carlos Eduardo Facin , Akroyd Chris
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to understand the relationship between the elements of a startup firms’ management control system (MCS) package, its entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected survey data from a sample of 100 Brazilian startups who had exited technology-based parks and incubators. The authors used two data analysis techniques, namely, partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA).

Findings

The findings show that cultural and planning controls were the only two MCS elements that were included in all high-performing startup firms’ MCS packages. The authors also found that EO has a positive influence on firm performance through the MCS package.

Research limitations/implications

The mixed-method approach allowed for a holistic view of the analyzed phenomenon. PLS-SEM analysis was applied to the symmetric relationships between the proposed relationships while fsQCA was used to analyze the asymmetric combinations between EO dimensions and MCS package elements, which promoted high firm performance.

Practical implications

The authors show how different combinations of MCS elements form a package, mediating EO, which can enable high performance.

Originality/value

Using fsQCA and PLS-SEM, the authors were able to better understand the important role that MCS package adoption has on a startups’ performance and provide new evidence regarding the interface between MCS and EO. This extends the understanding of the importance that cultural and planning controls have in an MCS package to support startup performance.
A new blockchain system design to improve the supply chain of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) companies – a case study in the oil and gas sector
Authors: Amiri Ara Rashid , Paardenkooper Klara , van Duin Ron
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a new blockchain system design to improve engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) companies’ supply chain for constructing oil and gas infrastructure, by mitigating cost and time inefficiencies.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study analyses the supply chain of a sample EPC company. First, a literature review is conducted to explore the subject in academic literature. Second, information flows are mapped using responsible, accountable, consulted and informed analysis and cross-functional process mapping. Third, inefficiencies are identified. Fourth, the root causes of the inefficiencies are pinpointed using fishbone and five-times-why analysis. Fifth, a comparison is made between the linear and the blockchain information system via force-field analysis. Sixth, a specific blockchain system design is identified based on three external expert interviews. Finally, the new system is designed and a cost-benefit analysis is conducted.

Findings

Major cost and time inefficiencies in oil and gas infrastructure developments are caused by a poor information flow in the supply chain. The new blockchain system design is a feasible solution, reducing cost inefficiencies by 12.4% and operation lead-times by 36.5%.

Research limitations/implications

The confidentiality of the sample EPC company’s information represents a limitation.

Originality/value

The research introduces a new blockchain system design, reducing cost and time inefficiencies in the project-development supply chain, including implementation processes.
Providing project management knowledge and skills through scaffolding and project-based learning strategy
Authors: Pokharel Shaligram
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Project management skills are important for today’s engineers, as they get involved in various project-based employment roles. The purpose of this paper is to discuss a learning model to provide project management knowledge through scaffolding and project-based learning (PjBL) methods in the project engineering course.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses a generic learning model that includes how scaffolding and project-based methods are integrated to provide project management skills to the students. The paper uses the survey method to collect and analyze data on the applicability of the model.

Findings

Statistical analysis of the collected data shows that the respondents positively perceive the value of the learning model to gain project management knowledge and skills. The response shows that the model is useful not only to the current students but also the graduates who use project management skills in their employment.

Practical implications

The learning model can be used by the instructors to provide project management skills to undergraduate and graduate students from all education disciplines.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on the development of a unique learning model, and artifacts used by the students and the instructors for interactive learning and gaining skills on project management.
Mechanical and microstructural behavior of concrete containing marble and nano silica
Authors: Kashyap Vikram Singh , Sancheti Gaurav , Yadav Jitendra Singh
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to perform comprehensive investigation to assess the mechanical properties of nano-modified ternary cement concrete blend. Nano silica (NS) (1%, 2% and 3%) and waste marble dust powder (MD) (5%, 10% and 15%) was incorporated as a fractional substitution of cement in the concrete matrix.

Design/methodology/approach

In this experimental study, 10 cementitious blends were prepared and tested for compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength and static modulus of elasticity. The microstructural characteristics of these blends were also explored using a scanning electron microscope along with energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray reflection.

Findings

The results indicate an enhancement in mechanical properties and refinement in pore structure due to improved pozzolanic activities of NS and the filling effect of MD.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study has reported the mechanical and microstructural behavior of concrete containing marble and NS.
Design and evaluation of a refractance window lab-scale dryer
Authors: Ssenyimba Shaffic , Kigozi Julia , Tumutegyereize Peter , Muyonga John H. , Mutumba Raymonds
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Refractance window drying (RWD) has been identified as the method that can give high-quality products at a relatively low production cost. However, knowledge about its use and adoption remains lacking both in academic curricula and industry in the developing world.

Design/methodology/approach

A lab-scale batch RWD of a closed-loop control system was designed, fabricated and evaluated for drying rates, evaporation rate, the energy of evaporation, energy efficiency and throughput. Testing was done using mango and tomato pulps.

Findings

Drying rates at 95°C of 1.32 gg−1min−1 and 0.854 gg−1min−1 at 2 and 3 mm, respectively, for tomato, 0.6 gg−1min−1 and 0.33 gg−1min−1 at 2 and 3 mm for mango pulp were obtained. The dryer had an evaporation rate of 4.63 × 10–4 kg/s and 4.25 × 10–4 kg/s, the energy of evaporation of 1.05 kW and 0.96 kW and thermal energy efficiency of 25.64% and 21.73% while drying tomato and mango pulps, respectively. Dryer throughput of 0.6 kg/h of dried mango Pulp and 0.47 kg/h of dried tomato pulp was obtained.

Originality/value

The designed RWD can be adequately used in laboratory experiments on different products to produce powders. This will enable the transfer of knowledge about RWD technology in developing countries.
Fuzzy preference programming formulation in data envelopment analysis for university department evaluation
Authors: Mirasol-Cavero Dyanne Brendalyn , Ocampo Lanndon
Published: October 2021

Purpose

University department efficiency evaluation is a performance assessment on how departments use their resources to attain their goals. The most widely used tool in measuring the efficiency of academic departments in data envelopment analysis (DEA) deals with crisp data, which may be, often, imprecise, vague, missing or predicted. Current literature offers various approaches to addressing these uncertainties by introducing fuzzy set theory within the basic DEA framework. However, current fuzzy DEA approaches fail to handle missing data, particularly in output values, which are prevalent in real-life evaluation. Thus, this study aims to augment these limitations by offering a fuzzy DEA variation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a more flexible approach by introducing the fuzzy preference programming – DEA (FPP-DEA), where the outputs are expressed as fuzzy numbers and the inputs are conveyed in their actual crisp values. A case study in one of the top higher education institutions in the Philippines was conducted to elucidate the proposed FPP-DEA with fuzzy outputs.

Findings

Due to its high discriminating power, the proposed model is more constricted in reporting the efficiency scores such that there are lesser reported efficient departments. Although the proposed model can still calculate efficiency no matter how much missing and unavailable, and uncertain data, more comprehensive data accessibility would return an accurate and precise efficiency score.

Originality/value

This study offers a fuzzy DEA formulation via FPP, which can handle missing, unavailable and imprecise data for output values.
Retaining social and cultural sustainability in the Hudson river watershed of New York, USA, a place-based participatory action research study
Authors: Balsas Carlos J.L.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Societal problems have impacted the northeast of the USA for various generations. This paper aims to analyse various sustainability aspects in the Hudson River watershed of New York by highlighting a temporal progression from environmental sustainability at the watershed level in the 1970s to growing concerns with more localized cross-border social and cultural sustainability in recent decades. We discuss an engagement with the Rapp Road Historic District and a documentary screening series as potential ways to eliminate racism and embrace diversity.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was based on fieldwork and classroom teaching conducted mostly since summer 2014. It included mixed methods combining document analysis and reviews with the examination of case studies, and the assessment of public policy priorities.

Findings

Formal training has to be combined with a substantial dose of realism, humility and motivation to recognize that what the authors teach and research in the community matters. Future learning experiences within a place-based education paradigm could include: Having students help devise urban rehabilitation strategies whilst suggesting integrative measures with the surrounding built and natural environments; students could also help improve public spaces in the neighbourhood; and finally, they could also help to strengthen the cultural identity of the district by augmenting urban design features endogenous to the African American community.

Practical implications

Opportunities could be further augmented with service-learning projects and programmes, internships and even full-time jobs for recent graduates in local community development organizations.

Social implications

The study served to raise the community’s awareness of its own natural, ecological and human assets, and to create place-based real-world opportunities for students and faculty in environmental and cultural sustainability studies.

Originality/value

Environmental sustainability is discussed with the creation of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, whilst the public engagement with the Rapp Road Historic Association in the Capital Region of upstate New York, the identification of an emerging creative cluster in the Berkshires-Hudson region, and a documentary and discussion series on striving for diverse cities serve to demonstrate current concerns with social and cultural sustainability.
Relationship between psychological suzhi and internet addiction among chinese college students
Authors: Hu Yuan-yan , Wang Peng , Wang Xin-qiang , Hu Tian-qiang
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Despite concerns about the effect of internet addiction, little is known about how psychological suzhi impacts the internet addiction of college students. This paper aims to investigate the relationship between psychological suzhi and internet addiction among college students.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the college student psychological suzhi scale and internet addiction test, 2,070 college students from 11 universities in North China, East China, South China and Southwest China were tested.

Findings

The detection rate of internet addiction in this college sample of students was 18.8%. There was a significant negative correlation between students’ psychological suzhi and internet addiction (r = −0.408, p < 0.01). Hierarchical regression analysis showed that adaptability and individuality in psychological suzhi significantly negatively predicted college students’ internet addiction tendency (p < 0.001).

Originality/value

This study is the first to show a relationship between psychological suzhi and internet addiction in college students. In detail, the adaptability and individuality of college students’ psychological suzhi are protective factors related to internet addiction. The results also suggested that the authors can prevent and intervene in internet addiction by modifying college students’ adaptability and individuality.
Gift card types and willingness to spend more
Authors: Lim SangGon (Edward) , Ok Chihyung “Michael”
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to provide a better understanding of how gift card receivers react to the types of gift cards. This study examined the effect of gift card types (intangible experiences vs less intangible experience vs tangible goods) on a recipient’s willingness to spend more through emotions and perceived effort (Study 1) and on feeling of appreciation (Study 2).

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 adopted a scenario-based 2 (tangible vs intangible) × 3 ($100 vs $200 vs $300) between-subjects design. Study 2 narrowed the scope of gift card type (intangible vs less intangible).

Findings

Receivers tended to perceive less effort in gift card selection and feel less emotion when receiving gift cards for intangible experiences than when receiving gift cards for both tangible and less intangible products. However, as face value increased, gift card receivers for intangible experiences felt more pleasure and, in turn, rated higher willingness to spend more money than face value than those with gift cards for tangible products.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies can rule out alternative explanations related to brand-related effects, previous experiences and personal preferences.

Practical implications

Service providers should put more effort into tangibilizing the intangibles to reduce receivers’ uncertainty. Also, they can increase their profitability by stimulating gift card receivers’ willingness to spend more money through pleasure.

Originality/value

Answering research calls for examining consumers’ perceptions of different gift card types, this study might be the first to unveil the differential effect of gift card types associated with the tangibility of products on purchase behavior and the underlying emotional mechanism.
The impact of cloud-based human resource and supply chain management systems on the performance of multinational organizations
Authors: Dong Xiaobo , Salwana Ely
Published: October 2021

Purpose

One of the significant dimensions in organizations is the human resource discussion and its related procedures. Human beings have a special place and particular importance in modern management to focus on organizational behavior and human resource management. The cloud-based human resource (CBHR) can be converted into human capital and impressive contributions to health, education and moral valence. Also, one of the most robust operational paradigms is the cloud-based supply chain management (CBSCM) for developing the competitive pros of service and manufacturing organizations to give the same attention to those who manage the supply chain or those operating in it. The present investigation's target is to check out whether CBHR and CBSCM enhance the performance of multinational organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Multinational organizations consist of numerous integrated applications, including manufacturing, logistics, marketing, accounting, distribution, human resources, finance, supply chain, etc. This paper proposes using CBHR and CBSCM to improve financial, marketing and collaborative performances. We focus on the applications in multinational organizations. This study has utilized the SEM to estimate the measurement model's validity and reliability and assess the causal model. The offered model and the questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS and LISREL.

Findings

The research results showed that CBSCM influences the companies' performance. Additionally, the outcomes showed that CBHRM affects the performance of companies. The results support the proposition that CBSCM and CBHRM are both necessary and good for financial performance, marketing performance and collaborative performance.

Research limitations/implications

Using a questionnaire to mentally measure some of the variable dimensions of a firm's financial performance and market performance for which objective data are available can be helpful. However, since such information is considered confidential in companies, it is not possible to access it.

Originality/value

Our innovation is the primary attempt of applying CBHR and CBSCM to elevate performance in multinational organizations.
Integrated reporting and analyst behaviour in diverse institutional settings
Authors: Rossignoli Francesca , Stacchezzini Riccardo , Lai Alessandro
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Given the limited studies that have started to focus on contexts where integrated reporting (IR) is voluntarily adopted, this paper aims to explore the moderating role of institutional characteristics on the association between voluntary report release and analyst forecast accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a quantitative empirical research method grounded on voluntary disclosure theory to provide empirical evidence on an international sample of companies choosing to release integrated reports. Preliminarily, a cluster analysis is used to group countries according to institutional patterns. Multivariate analyses detect the associations between report release choice and analysts’ forecast accuracy across clusters. Multiple econometric approaches are used to address the endogeneity concerns.

Findings

IR release is not informative for the market unless considering systematic variations across different institutional settings. Analysts’ forecast is more accurate for IR adopters located in strong institutional enforcement settings than for all the other companies. In the strong institutional setting that is also characterized by a pluralistic society, IR release benefits for the market are conditioned by the fact that the choice to release IR depends on environmental, governance and social disclosure-based managers remuneration and disclosure requirements. In weak institutional settings, IR release is not beneficial for the forecast accuracy.

Research limitations/implications

Academics and practitioners can gain understanding of the usefulness of voluntary IR across different institutional settings.

Originality/value

The study advances the understanding of the IR’s informativeness, overcoming the common dichotomous distinctions between strong and weak institutional settings.
The effects of coating colours on base papers
Authors: Engin Merve , Sönmez Sinan , Özden Öznur
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influences of coating colours and their contents on the fundamental properties of base papers and also evaluate these results in terms of mechanical and wood-free papers.

Design/methodology/approach

A design research approach has been based on the application of various coating colours and analysis of mechanical and optical tests results of the coated mechanical and wood-free base papers.

Findings

This study is confirmed that the coating colours can be easily applied to the surface of the papers. The experimental data have revealed that significant improvements exist in the values of tear resistance (strength), brightness and opacity of the mechanical base papers, especially by the application of the coating colours including kaolin pigment. The results show that mechanical papers can also be used in areas with high brightness expectations by applying coating colour.

Originality/value

The originality of this work is based on understanding and comparing the effects of applying similar coating formulations on mechanical and wood-free base papers.
Intangible assets and business performance in Latin America
Authors: Lopes Fernanda Cristina , Carvalho Luciana
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The intangible assets of a company have been presented by national and international surveys as a resource to influence the creation of value and the increase in organizational performance. In view of this, this study aims to analyze the relationship between intangibility and the performance of companies in Latin America.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, multiple regression with panel data was used and three perspectives for measuring intangible resources were defined: representativeness of the intangible asset, accounting measure for measuring the intangible, degree of intangibility and Tobin’ Q, the latter two representing economic and financial measures to determine intangibility. The study covered the period from 2011 to 2017 with a sample of 1,236 publicly traded companies located in some Latin American countries, namely, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.

Findings

The results demonstrated the existence of a significant and positive relationship between the variables of intangibility, degree of intangibility and Tobin’s Q, and the performance variables, return on assets, operating margin and asset turnover, reinforcing the study hypothesis that the greater the investment in intangible resource, the greater the company’s performance.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this study involve the lack of complete information about intangible resources in the financial statements of some companies and some countries, making it hard to analyze the proposed relationship more broadly and accurately. Another limitation involves the causal relationship that may have existed between the regressors of the models defined in the study and their error, thus generating an endogeneity problem in the proposed models. It is recommended for future research to use specific methods to mitigate possible problems of endogeneity in regressions.

Practical implications

Mainly the possibility of deepening the relationship between intangibility and business performance, thus obtaining new knowledge through the reflexes of this relationship on companies in Latin American countries, finding more consistent results.

Social implications

The study contributes to the decision-making process in the business world by informing the primary users of accounting information such as investors, administrators, accountants, regulators and creditors.

Originality/value

This research contributes by addressing a theme whose studies present many gaps, making it possible to deepen the relationship between intangibility and business performance and gain new knowledge through the reflexes of this relationship on companies in Latin American countries.