bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel R-type Lectin Domain-Containing Cytotoxins Comprise a Family of Virulence-Modifying Proteins in PathogenicLeptospira
Authors: Chaurasia Reetika , Marroquin Alan , Matthias Michael A. , Vinetz Joseph M.
Published: May 2020

Leptospirosis is a globally important neglected zoonotic disease subject to both small scale outbreaks and weather-driven, large-scale epidemics. Due to gaps in our understanding ofLeptospirabiology, pathogenetic mechanisms of leptospirosis remain largely unknown. Previous data suggest that a gene family, PF07598, unique amongst most known bacterial pathogens and encoding so-called “Virulence-Modifying (VM)” proteins, are important virulence determinants. Here, we show that VM proteins are potent cytotoxins, sharing a distinct domain organization while exhibiting varied mechanisms of cellular toxicity. Structural homology searches using Phyre2 suggest that VM proteins are novel R-type lectins containing an N-terminal ricin B chain-like domain. As is known for native ricin B-chain, recombinant full-lengthrLA3490(most highly up-regulatedin vivo) and an N-terminal fragment,t3490, containing a partial ricin B-domain, bound to asialofetuin and directly competed for asialofetuin binding with recombinant ricin B chain. Whilet3490bound to the HeLa cell surface but was neither internalized nor cytotoxic,rLA3490bound to the HeLa cell surface, was rapidly internalized, translocated to the nucleus inducing chromosomal fragmentation, and was rapidly cytolethal, providing strong evidence thatLeptospiraVM proteins arebona fidecytotoxins. Because monoclonal antibodies impeding cell entry or intracellular trafficking of ricin holotoxin clearly mitigate its toxicity, that VM proteins share binding and intracellular trafficking mechanisms suggests that anti-VM-protein antibody-based (anti-toxin) therapeutics could ameliorate severe complications of leptospirosis thereby improving prognosis. As most VM proteins are restricted to high-virulenceLeptospiraspecies with some, e.g., LA3490, being exceptionally potent, their level in serum might be a potentially useful indicator of a poor prognosis, thus identifying high risk patients.

Author Summary

The PF07598 gene family encoding Virulence-Modifying (VM) proteins in pathogenicLeptospiraspecies is associated with severe manifestations of leptospirosis. Structural homology searches indicate that VM proteins contain an N-terminal ricin B chain-like domain, biochemically confirmed in asialofetuin binding and competitive-binding assays suggesting that VM proteins bind to terminal galactosyl residues of this model ricin B domain binding protein. The leptospiral N-terminal ricin B chain-like domain mediated VM protein binding to HeLa cells. Full-length recombinant protein rapidly led to cell death. Amino acid conservation among PF07598 family members at the N-terminal ricin B chain-like domain suggests that VM protein levels in serum might be a useful biomarker for quickly identifying at-risk patients, and that novel “anti-toxin”-based therapeutics could ameliorate severe complications of leptospirosis, both of which remain to be explored.
Nucleolin is essential for rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus replication by providing a physical link in replication complex formation
Authors: Zhu Jie , Miao Qiuhong , Guo Hongyuan , Qi Ruibin , Tang Aoxing , Dong Dandan , Tang Jingyu , Tong Guangzhi , Liu Guangqing
Published: May 2020

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is an important member of theCaliciviridaefamily and cannot be propagatedin vitro, which has greatly impeded progress of investigating its replication mechanism. Construction of an RHDV replicon system has recently provided a platform for exploring RHDV replication in host cells. Here, aided by this replicon system and using two-step affinity purification, we purified the RHDV replicase and identified its associated host factors. We identified rabbit nucleolin (NCL) as a physical link required for the formation of RHDV replication complexes (RCs), by mediating the interaction between other host proteins and the viral RNA replicase, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). We found that RHDV RdRp uses an amino acid (aa) region spanning residues 448–478 to directly interact with NCL’s RNA-recognition motif 2. We also found that the viral p16 protein uses a highly conserved region (35Cys–Ile–Arg–Ala38or CIRA motif) to specifically bind the N-terminal region of NCL (aa 1–110) and that RHDV p23 uses a specific domain (aa 90–145) to bind NCL’s RNA-recognition motif 1. Disrupting these protein–protein interactions severely weakened viral replication. Furthermore, NCL overexpression or knockdown significantly increased or severely impaired, respectively, RHDV replication. Collectively, these results indicate that the host protein NCL is essential for RHDV replication and plays a key role in the formation of RHDV RCs. The mechanisms by which NCL promotes viral replicase assembly reported here shed light on viral RC biogenesis and may inform antiviral therapies.

Author summary

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is the causative agent of highly contagious and lethal hemorrhagic disease in the European rabbit, but the host factors involved in RHDV replication remain poorly understood. In the present study, we isolated RHDV replication complex (RC) for the first time and identified its main components. We found that nucleolin (NCL) plays a key role in the formation of the RHDV RC. NCL not only interacts with viral replicase (RdRp), it also specifically binds to other important host factors. In addition, we proved that NCL is necessary for RHDV replication because the level of RHDV replication is significantly affected by knocking down the NCL gene in cells. Together, our data suggest that RHDV completes its replication by hijacking NCL to recruit other viral proteins and host factors, thereby assembling the RC of RHDV.
Characterization of miRNAs encoded by Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus
Authors: Wang Jinwen , Xing Ke , Xiong Peiwen , Liang Hai , Zhu Mengxiao , Huang Shaojuan , Zhao Jin , Yu Xinghua , Ning Xiaolian , Li Runcai , Wang Xunzhang
Published: May 2020

Two Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) encoded miRNAs, AcMNPV-miR-1 and -miR-3, have been reported in 2013 and 2019. Here, we present an integrated investigation of AcMNPV-encoded miRNAs. Six candidate miRNAs were predicted through small RNA deep sequencing and bioinformatics, of which, five validated by experiments. Three miRNAs perfectly matched the coding sequence of viral genes. The other two are located in coding sequences of viral genes. Targets in both virus and host were predicted and subsequently tested using dual-luciferase reporter assay. The validated targets were found mainly in AcMNPV, except for the targets of AcMNPV-miR-4, which are all host genes. Based on reporter assays, the five miRNAs predominantly function by down-regulating their targets, though individual target is slightly up-regulated. The transcription start sites of these miRNAs were analyzed. Our results suggest that AcMNPV-encoded miRNAs function as fine modulators of the interactions between host and virus by regulating viral and/or host genes.

Author summary

Virus-encoded miRNAs have been widely reported as modulators participating in almost all biological processes. However, amongBaculoviridae, which consists of a large family of dsDNA viruses that infect numerous beneficial insects and agricultural pests, only several have been reported encoding miRNAs. To clarify the roles of AcMNPV-encoded miRNAs in host–pathogen interactions, we employed RNA deep sequencing and series of experimental approaches identifying AcMNPV-encoded miRNAs, followed by target validation and function deduction. Among them, AcMNPV-miR-1 and AcMNPV–miR-3 have been reported in 2013 and 2019, respectively. This study reveals the sites of these miRNAs in the genome, both in coding sequences and complements, suggesting diverse functions. These miRNAs target genes in the virus itself and in the host, largely by suppressing expression, with some enhancing it. The transcription initiations of the miRNAs were analyzed. Our results provide some insight into the finely regulated process of baculovirus infection.
A rapid, point of care red blood cell agglutination assay for detecting antibodies against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Kruse Robert L. , Huang Yuting , Smetana Heather , Gehrie Eric A. , Amukele Tim K. , Tobian Aaron A.R. , Mostafa Heba H. , Wang Zack Z.
Published: May 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world to a halt, with cases observed around the globe causing significant mortality. There is an urgent need for serological tests to detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, which could be used to assess the prevalence of infection, as well as ascertain individuals who may be protected from future infection. Current serological tests developed for SARS-CoV-2 rely on traditional technologies such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and lateral flow assays, which may lack scalability to meet the demand of hundreds of millions of antibody tests in the coming year. Herein, we present an alternative method of antibody testing that just depends on one protein reagent being added to patient serum/plasma or whole blood and a short five-minute assay time. A novel fusion protein was designed that binds red blood cells (RBC) via a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) against the H antigen and displays the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on the surface of RBCs. Upon mixing of the fusion protein, RBD-scFv with recovered COVID-19 patient serum and RBCs, we observed agglutination of RBCs, indicating the patient developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 RBD. Given that the test uses methods routinely used in hospital clinical labs across the world, we anticipate the test can be rapidly deployed with only the protein reagent required at projected manufacturing cost at U.S. cents per test. We anticipate our agglutination assay may find extensive use in low-resource settings for detecting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
Genome-wide alternative splicing profiling in the fungal plant pathogenSclerotinia sclerotiorumduring the colonization of diverse host families
Authors: Ibrahim Heba M. M. , Kusch Stefan , Didelon Marie , Raffaele Sylvain
Published: May 2020

Sclerotinia sclerotiorumis a notorious generalist plant pathogen that threatens more than 600 host plants including wild and cultivated species. The molecular bases underlying the broad compatibility ofS. sclerotiorumwith its hosts is not fully elucidated. In contrast to higher plants and animals, alternative splicing (AS) is not well studied in plant pathogenic fungi. AS is a common regulated cellular process that increases cell protein and RNA diversity. In this study, we annotated spliceosome genes in the genome ofS. sclerotiorumand characterized their expressionin vitroand during the colonization of six host species. Several spliceosome genes were differentially expressedin planta, suggesting that AS was altered during infection. Using stringent parameters, we identified 1,487S. sclerotiorumgenes differentially expressedin plantaand exhibiting alternative transcripts. The most common AS events during the colonization of all plants were retained introns and alternative 3′ receiver site. We identifiedS. sclerotiorumgenes expressedin plantafor which (i) the relative accumulation of alternative transcripts varies according to the host being colonized and (ii) alternative transcripts harbor distinct protein domains. This notably included 42 genes encoding predicted secreted proteins showing high confidence AS events. This study indicates that AS events are taking place in the plant pathogenic fungusS. sclerotiorumduring the colonization of host plants and could generate functional diversity in the repertoire of proteins secreted byS. sclerotiorumduring infection.
Prebiotically Plausible Activation Chemistry Compatible with Nonenzymatic RNA Copying
Authors: Zhang Stephanie J. , Duzdevich Daniel , Szostak Jack W.
Published: May 2020

The nonenzymatic replication of ribonucleic acid (RNA) oligonucleotides may have enabled the propagation of genetic information during the origin of life. RNA copying can be initiated in the laboratory with chemically activated nucleotides, but continued copying requires a source of chemical energy forin situnucleotide activation. Recent work has illuminated a potentially prebiotic cyanosulfidic chemistry that activates nucleotides, but its application to nonenzymatic RNA copying remains a challenge. Here we report a novel pathway that enables the activation of RNA nucleotides in a manner that is compatible with template-directed nonenzymatic polymerization. We show that this pathway selectively yields the reactive imidazolium-bridged dinucleotide intermediate required for nonenzymatic template-directed RNA copying. Our results will enable more realistic prebiotic chemical simulations of RNA copying based on continuous in situ nucleotide activation.
The cryo-electron microscopy structure of the human CDK-activating kinase
Authors: Greber Basil J. , Perez-Bertoldi Juan M. , Lim Kif , Iavarone Anthony T. , Toso Daniel B. , Nogales Eva
Published: May 2020

The human CDK-activating kinase (CAK), a complex composed of cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) 7, cyclin H, and MAT1, is a critical regulator of transcription initiation and the cell cycle. It acts by phosphorylating the C-terminal heptapeptide repeat domain of the RNA polymerase II subunit Rpb1, which is an important regulatory event in transcription initiation by Pol II, and it phosphorylates the regulatory T-loop of CDKs that control cell-cycle progression. Here, we have determined the three-dimensional structure of the catalytic module of human CAK, revealing the structural basis of its assembly and providing insight into CDK7 activation in this context. The unique third component of the complex, MAT1, substantially extends the interaction interface between CDK7 and cyclin H, explaining its role as a CAK assembly factor, and it forms interactions with the CDK7 T-loop, which may contribute to enhancing CAK activity. We have also determined the structure of the CAK in complex with the covalently bound inhibitor THZ1 in order to provide insight into the binding of inhibitors at the CDK7 active site and aid in the rational design of therapeutic compounds.

Significance

Control of gene expression and the cell cycle is critical for appropriate cell growth and timely cell division. Failure of the mechanisms regulating these processes can result in proliferative diseases. A molecular complex termed the CDK activating kinase (CAK) impinges on both of these regulatory networks in human cells and is thus a possible drug target for treatment of cancer. Here, we use cryo-electron microscopy to describe the detailed molecular structure of the human CAK, revealing its architecture and the interactions between its regulatory elements. Additionally, we have obtained the structure of the CAK in complex with a small-molecule inhibitor.
In situstructure and organisation of the type IX secretion system
Authors: Gorasia DG , Chreifi G , Seers CA , Butler CA , Heath JE , Glew MD , McBride MJ , Subramanian P , Kjær A , Jensen GJ , Veith PD , Reynolds EC
Published: May 2020

TheBacteroidetestype IX secretion system (T9SS) consists of at least 19 components that translocate proteins with a type A or type B C-terminal domain (CTD) signal across the outer membrane. The overall organisation and architecture of this system including how the secretion pore (Sov) interacts with the other components is unknown. We used cryo-electron tomography to obtain the first images of the T9SS including PorK/N rings inside intactPorphyromonas gingivaliscells. Using proteomics, we identified a novel complex between Sov, PorV and PorA and showed that Sov interacts with the PorK/N rings via PorW and a new component PGN_1783. A separate complex comprising the outer membrane β-barrel protein PorP, PorE, and the type B CTD protein PG1035 was also identified. Similarly, theFlavobacterium johnsoniaePorP-like protein, SprF was found bound to the major gliding motility adhesin, SprB. Based on these data, we propose cell surface anchorage for type B CTD proteins to PorP-like proteins and a unique model where the PorK/N rings function as an outer membrane barrier to maintain the close proximity of the translocon to the shuttle and attachment complexes inside the rings, ensuring the harmonized secretion and cell surface attachment of the T9SS substrates.
S-phase independent silencing establishment inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Goodnight Davis , Rine Jasper
Published: May 2020

The establishment of silent chromatin, a heterochromatin-like structure atHMLandHMRinSaccharomyces cerevisiae, depends on progression through S phase of the cell cycle, but the molecular nature of this requirement has remained elusive despite intensive study. Using high-resolution chromatin immunoprecipitation and single-molecule RNA analysis, we found that silencing establishment proceeded via gradual repression of transcription in individual cells over several cell cycles, and that the cell-cycle-regulated step was downstream of Sir protein recruitment. In contrast to prior results,HMLandHMRhad identical cell-cycle requirements for silencing establishment, with no apparent contribution from a tRNA gene adjacent toHMR. We identified the cause of the S-phase requirement for silencing establishment: removal of transcription-favoring histone modifications deposited by Dot1, Sas2, and Rtt109. These results revealed that silencing establishment was absolutely dependent on the cell-cycle-regulated interplay between euchromatic and heterochromatic histone modifications.
Rational Design of Minimal Synthetic Promoters for Plants
Authors: Cai Yaomin , Kallam Kalyani , Tidd Henry , Gendarini Giovanni , Salzman Amanda , Patron Nicola J.
Published: May 2020

Promoters serve a critical role in establishing baseline transcriptional capacity through the recruitment of proteins, including transcription factors (TFs). Previously, a paucity of data forcis-regulatory elements in plants meant that it was challenging to determine which sequence elements in plant promoter sequences contributed to transcriptional function. In this study, we have identified functional elements in the promoters of plant genes and plant pathogens that utilise plant transcriptional machinery for gene expression. We have established a quantitative experimental system to investigate transcriptional function, investigating how identity, density and position contribute to regulatory function. We then identified permissive architectures for minimal synthetic plant promoters enabling computational design of a suite of synthetic promoters of different strengths. These have been used to regulate the relative expression of output genes in simple genetic devices.
A centrifuge-based method for identifying novel genetic traits that affect root-substrate adhesion inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Eldridge Bethany M , Larson Emily R , Weldon Laura , Smyth Kevin M , Sellin Annabelle N , Chenchiah Isaac V , Liverpool Tanniemola B , Grierson Claire S
Published: May 2020

The physical presence of roots and the compounds they release affect the cohesion between roots and their environment. However, the plant traits that are important for these interactions are unknown and most methods that quantify the contributions of these traits are time-intensive and require specialist equipment and complex substrates. Our lab developed an inexpensive, high-throughput phenotyping assay that quantifies root-substrate adhesion inArabidopsis thaliana. We now report that this method has high sensitivity and versatility for identifying different types of traits affecting root-substrate adhesion including root hair morphology, vesicle trafficking pathways and root exudate composition. We describe a practical protocol for conducting this assay and introduce its use in a forward genetic screen to identify novel genes affecting root-substrate interactions. This assay is a powerful tool for identifying and quantifying genetic contributions to cohesion between roots and their environment.
Gastronomic clusters in an Ecuadorian tourist destination: the case of the province of Manabí
Authors: Pérez Gálvez Jesús Claudio , Torres-Matovelle Pablo , Molina-Molina Gina , González Santa Cruz Francisco
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Gastronomy is currently becoming a predominant factor for understanding and taking part in the cultural heritage of a destination. The enjoyment of culinary pleasures has become a primary motivating factor when choosing a travel destination. Gastronomy is, therefore, a fundamental part of the satisfaction that the traveller experiences when visiting a location.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection for the research was based on the completion of fieldwork with a sample of tourists who visited the Ecuadorian province of Manabí. Based on this understanding and completed fieldwork, the study analyses the gastronomic experiences of tourists visiting the province of Manabí (Ecuador).

Findings

study shows the existence of three types of tourists, based on their higher or lower interest in the local gastronomy when travelling: survivors, enjoyers and experiencers. The results also reveal that there are different levels of satisfaction regarding local gastronomy in terms of interest and the previous cultural motivation of the tourist.

Practical implications

The characterisation of the different tourist segments identified and the assessments that these dictate regarding the destination’s gastronomy allow tourist managers to develop and offer tourist products adapted to the wishes and needs of tourists.

Originality/value

Research involves the innovation in the use of segmentation models for culinary tourism widely considered in Europe but applied in this case to developing countries in Latin America.
Internet use and rural residents' income growth
Authors: Zhou Xiaoli , Cui Yiwen , Zhang Shaopeng
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the direct effects of Internet use on rural residents' income growth and the indirect effects of increasing their income by promoting rural residents' entrepreneurial and non-agricultural employment.

Design/methodology/approach

Regarding the implementation of the rural revitalization strategy, based on the 2016CFPS data, multiple linear regression analysis and mediation effect analysis are used. To decrease the potential endogeneity of the model, we used the instrumental variable in the model.

Findings

The results show that: (1) Internet use has a direct effect on rural residents' income growth; (2) rural residents' entrepreneurial or non-agricultural employment affects the mechanism of Internet use and their income growth, so that can perform an indirect promotion effect; (3) the direct promotion effect of Internet use is stronger than the indirect promotion effect of entrepreneurship and non-agricultural employment.

Originality/value

The effect of using Internet for the income growth of Chinese farmers has been confirmed by some scholars, but the specific mechanism is still relatively vague. The originality is to consider the intermediary transmission effect of entrepreneurship and non-agricultural employment in the study of the impact of Internet use on Chinese farmers' income growth, and use the mediation effect model for empirical analysis. The empirical research results further reveal this mechanism.
Understanding entrepreneurial deviance through social learning and entrepreneurial action theory: an empirical study
Authors: Duarte Alonso Abel , Kiat Kok Seng , O'Brien Seamus , Geneste Louis
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine entrepreneurial deviance from the perspective of New Zealand's commercial honey producers. The study adopts entrepreneurial action and social learning theories and proposes a theoretical framework in the context of entrepreneurial deviance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through online surveys from 52 professional beekeepers.

Findings

Overstocking of beehives, encroachment, biosecurity threats and unfair competition were most common forms of deviance affecting participants. While these predominantly responded through investing in disease prevention, security equipment or by reporting deviant incidents, finding proper solutions remains elusive. The findings revealed robust alignments with both theories. Overall, offenders’ perceived incentives to act illustrate alignment with social learning theory’s four key constructs. Entrepreneurial action emerged through individual perpetrators’ evaluation and subsequent maximisation of potentially lucrative opportunities.

Originality/value

The study addresses an important and under-researched dimension, notably, the negative or “dark” side of entrepreneurs, in this case, illustrated through greed and disregard for fair and proper ways of conducting business. This knowledge gap is even more obvious among small and medium business, which is also the focus of the research.
Time lags, non-linearity and asymmetric effects in an extended service-profit chain
Authors: Strydom Gregory , Ewing Michael T. , Heggen Campbell
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to present an extended service-profit chain (SPC) framework for assessing service performance. This framework is then used to investigate non-linear and asymmetric links between service delivery investments and customer satisfaction, as well as time lags in organisational performance outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on panel data with repeated measures from a sample of automotive after sales service departments. Data collected comprises both objective and survey-based data, including operational inputs, productivity, service quality, service experience, behavioural intentions, customer retention and organisational performance.

Findings

Non-linear and asymmetric effects are identified, suggesting that customers’ evaluations of service performance are more sensitive to negative performance (dissatisfaction) than positive performance (satisfaction). Accordingly, focusing on attributes for which customers are experiencing negative performance first, and then allocating resources to attributes for which customers are experiencing positive performance, can be far more consequential for improving customer satisfaction.

Practical implications

From a practical perspective, the findings deepen current understanding of the relationships between service performance metrics. They also provide guidance for managers seeking to better deploy service resources to enhance service quality, customer satisfaction and customer retention to improve profitability over time.

Originality/value

Drawing on a unique and rich data set, this study provides a significant improvement on previous SPC frameworks by adding new dimensions identified in recent meta-analyses and addresses calls for more research into non-linear, asymmetric and longitudinal effects within the SPC.
Forecasting Pakistan's electricity based on improved discrete grey polynomial model
Authors: Luo Dang , Ambreen Muffarah , Latif Assad , Wang Xiaolei
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Electricity plays an important role in the economic condition of any country. Nowadays, Pakistan is badly affected by shortage of electricity, which directly affected the economic growth of state. The purpose of this study is to propose an improved grey model DGPM(1,1,N) to forecast Pakistan's production of electricity, installed capacity and consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

To significantly simulate and predict accuracy, the discrete grey polynomial model DGPM(1,1,N) is improved with new information priority accumulation. The particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is used for parameter optimization. The value of parameter is adjusted into improved grey model. By adjusting the parameter value in the model, the accuracy of prediction is enhanced.

Findings

The installed capacity of electricity needs more attention to improvement through implementation of effective polices, resolving major issues and funding scheme to fulfill the electricity demand of country. And improved DGPM(1,1,N) has better accuracy than original DGPM(1,1,N), DGM(1,1), nongrey models, linear regression and Holt–Winters methods.

Practical implications

This paper provides a practical and efficient improved grey method to predict the electricity production, consumption and installed capacity in Pakistan. This research and suggestion will help Pakistani government to formulate better policies to decrease the consumption of electricity and increase the installed capacity of electricity.

Originality/value

This paper not only improves the grey model with accumulation generation operator but also forecasts Pakistan's electricity production, installed capacity and consumption. It is a new idea to predict the installed capacity of electricity and the findings provide suggestions for the government to make policies.
High performance work systems in the tourism and hospitality industry: a critical review
Authors: Kloutsiniotis Panagiotis V. , Mihail Dimitrios M.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to provide an up-to-date theoretically based qualitative review regarding the “high-performance work systems” (HPWS) approach in the area of the tourism and hospitality management. The aim is to classify the so-far studies between those that examine the general “black-box” issue and those that investigate the actual process of the “black-box.” Finally, this study identifies the “gaps” in the literature and provides avenues for further research.

Design/methodology/approach

This review is based on a systematic critical analysis of the HPWS research that has been conducted explicitly on the tourism and hospitality industry during the years 2004-2019 (N= 28), published in core HRM and management journals.

Findings

This study identifies a significant gap in the progress of the HPWS research in the tourism and hospitality sector, contrary to the so-far research in the generic human resource management (HRM) literature. Hence, recommendations and suggestions are provided for advancing the HPWS research in the particular sector, including the need for more advanced conceptual and statistical models by focusing specifically on the process of the “black-box.”

Practical implications

The present review contributes considerably to the HPWS research in the tourism and hospitality sector and recommends avenues for further research in enhancing the overall HPWS literature.

Originality/value

This is the first study that reviews the HPWS literature in the tourism and hospitality sector, in an effort to reconcile the differences between the present sector and the generic HRM literature.
Destination image restoration through local gastronomy: the rise of Baja Med cuisine in Tijuana
Authors: Castillo-Villar Fernando Rey
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Developing an effective destination branding strategy in places that have a negative image is still a difficult challenge to overcome for place marketers. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to analyze how developing and promoting a new cuisine can transform a negative destination image into a positive one. The main premise is that food can be an effective way of rebranding a destination.

Design/methodology/approach

The research method used for this exploratory study was the qualitative content analysis of 50 articles from newspapers and magazines in English and websites from the Mexican tourism boards websites.

Findings

The results of the qualitative content analysis showed that local chefs (who are proud of their city and aim to promote their cuisine through the use of local products and the organization of food events) are fundamental for the development of a new and successful cuisine able to change the negative image of a destination.

Originality/value

The paper provides an innovative approach to destination image restoration by analyzing local gastronomy as an important means to offset the negative media projection of a damaged destination image.
Lesson study for students with intellectual disability
Authors: Klefbeck Kamilla
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aim was to analyze how lesson study can enhance learning for students with intellectual disability, and how teachers' collaboration affects the design and analysis of the intervention.

Design/methodology/approach

Lesson study was used as a methodological framework. Ten special educational needs teachers met the researcher for three collaborative meetings. Between meetings, teachers performed and adjusted a lesson on a particular mathematical issue: quantity and size judgment. To evaluate the lesson design, students completed pre- and post-lesson examinations and attitude tests with Likert-type scales.

Findings

Students' knowledge increased during the study. The mean scores for the first group (six students) were 4.3 in the pre-test and 6.5 in the post-test (effect size 0.9). For the second group (four students), the mean score was 3.8 in the pre-test and 4.3 in the post-test (effect size 0.2). Attitude measurement showed split opinions; seven students had a positive experience and three had a predominantly negative experience. Assessment of teacher certainty using transcribed audio recordings of teachers' statements during the collaborative meetings indicated a positive relation between teacher expressions of certainty and student learning. The teacher–researcher collaboration increased teachers' focus on student learning and deepened the researcher's analysis.

Originality/value

There is an urgent need to explore collaborative development in special educational needs teaching. Lesson study is an effective way of examining teachers' collaborative processes using data on teachers' reasoning about teaching and students' learning.
How deep is your love? Brand love analysis applied to football teams
Authors: Velicia Martín Félix , Toledo Luis Dona , Palos-Sanchez Pedro
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The central objective is to determine the main components of a brand that become a “beloved” brand in the minds of consumers applied to football teams.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a quantitative causal study using partial least squares (PLS) with a sample of 824 participants using an online questionnaire.

Findings

Brand love is a construct composed of five dimensions: passion, connection with the brand, intrinsic rewards, emotional attachment and thinking and frequent use. It also demonstrates that the consequences of brand love for football teams are loyalty, willingness to invest and word-of-mouth communication.

Research limitations/implications

Managers of large football clubs must emphasize achieving an emotional connection with their fans and develop their marketing strategies on building long-term emotional relationships which will result in greater investments.

Practical implications

Given the competitive and international environment of the sports sector, the conclusions will be of use for managers of sports clubs and companies that develop sponsorship strategies. Another important contribution is the theoretical contribution of the brand in football teams and the psychological understanding of fans as consumers.

Originality/value

This is the first attempt to establish a model of the background and causes of brand love with respect to football teams and a context also not analysed as is the Spanish one. The analysis does not only focus on the emotional relationship but also include how the possible investment of the fans is modelled.
Elevating self-esteem through sport team identification: a study about local and distant sport fans
Authors: Lianopoulos Yannis , Theodorakis Nicholas D. , Tsigilis Nikolaos , Gardikiotis Antonis , Koustelios Athanasios
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The concept of sport team identification has been widely used as a theoretical framework in explaining sport fan behavior. However, limited attention has been devoted to the consequences of distant (i.e., foreign) team identification. The purpose of the current research was to examine the way in which fans (local and distant) can increase their levels of collective and personal self-esteem due to their team identification.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were accumulated from three Greek websites (N = 742). Among them, 623 subjects were grouped as local and 119 as distant football fans. A structural invariance analysis was followed.

Findings

The results revealed how team identification, enduring team-related social connections, and basking in reflected glory are interrelated to affect collective and finally personal self-esteem. Moreover, no differences were found between local and distant fans regarding the paths from eam identification to collective self-esteem and from collective self-esteem to personal self-esteem.

Originality/value

This is one of the first endeavors to examine the psychological consequences of distant team identification and to test the invariance across local and distant fans concerning the mechanisms that their personal self-esteem can be enhanced because their psychological connection to their favorite sport team.
Factors influencing committee effectiveness in public higher education institutions: evidence from Ghana
Authors: Okofo - Darteh Daniel , Asamoah Emmanuel
Published: May 2020

Purpose

With the spate of growth in public and private institutions, higher education systems are also getting more complex, so the task of managing and monitoring the sector is becoming more specialized and demanding. Public higher education institutions (HEIs) operate through committees, and the effectiveness of the committees will determine whether the institutions will achieve their vision and mission. This study aims to identify the critical factors that contribute to committee effectiveness in HEIs in Ghana as well as the factors that constrain committee effectiveness in HEIs in Ghana. The present study sought to measure the contribution of trust, communication, roles, goals, relationships and mutual respect to committee effectiveness in HEIs.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 805 respondents were sampled from ten public universities in Ghana. All the respondents are part of statutory committees in their institutions. Team effectiveness survey by Azmy with Kwofie et al.’s survey for measuring effectiveness in teams was used for data collection and was analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis.

Findings

The study found that mutual trust and effective communication significantly contribute to committee effectiveness in HEIs. It also exposed that committee roles, committee goals, committee relationship and committee leadership constrained committee effectiveness in HEIs.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited by the fact that only six team effectiveness factors were considered for the study when many others could have been considered. It also does not measure probable moderators or mediators that might have had some effect on the influence of the factors under consideration on committee effectiveness.

Practical implications

This study will help managers of public universities to strengthen the factors considered in the committee to build solid, creative and productive committees and universities through team-building seminars and training workshops. It provides practical knowledge of factors that promote and those that hinder team effectiveness so that appropriate preventive measures can be taken to ensure team effectiveness in all committees.

Originality/value

The study departs from research in the private sector corporate entities into a unique area of HEI governance. It should be of great value to the higher education governance discourse in Ghana and Africa.
How companies evaluate the ROI of social media marketing programmes: insights from B2B and B2C
Authors: Silva Susana C. , Duarte Paulo Alexandre Oliveira , Almeida Sara Resende
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand and compare how business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) companies evaluate the return on investment (ROI) on their social media marketing (SMM) programmes and how the investment is handled in these type of marketing programmes.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods approach involving multiple cases and a survey was used. Data were collected from personal interviews with eight professionals responsible for SMM management, from four B2B and four B2C companies, complemented with responses to a web-based survey by the other 28 companies’ marketing managers.

Findings

The results show that there are some differences between B2B and B2C companies regarding SMM evaluation and investment but in general marketing managers for both types of firms use simple metrics to evaluate their SMM programmes. The main measures used relate to awareness, engagement and reach and most of the metrics identified are interaction-related.

Research limitations/implications

Given the complex and sensitive nature of the subject, more research is needed focussed on providing additional evidence from a larger sample of B2B and B2C organizations to allow the extension of the finding to the population as the non-probabilistic nature and size of the current sample impose that the findings should be interpreted carefully. Future research should focus on understanding what the firm’s characteristics predict the importance and level of effort placed in SMM and the barriers to ROI measurement in SMM programmes, especially in B2B firms.

Practical implications

The current findings confirm that the topic of SMM ROI evaluation is not a priority for B2C or B2B companies. There is a need for an update of their online marketing strategy, namely, on budget definition and allocation. Furthermore, companies should increase the autonomy of SM managers, as they are dependent from marketing managers and hire specialized professionals devoted to SMM in both B2C and B2B companies.

Originality/value

The findings of this study contribute to improve the understanding of the evaluation of SMM and to extend the literature on the subject. It also provides a relevant advance into the assessment and understanding on the measures used to evaluate the effectiveness of SMM programmes by offering a comparison on how B2B and B2C use metrics and allocate resources to the SMM management.
The role of analytical CRM on salesperson use of competitive intelligence
Authors: Nelson Christopher A. , Walsh Michael F. , Cui Annie Peng
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the impact of analytical customer relationship management (CRM) on salesperson information use behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the aim of this paper, a vignette experiment was undertaken. The data used for the final analysis included 125 professional salespeople across multiple industries.

Findings

This paper focuses on the personal use of competitive intelligence. The authors find that to maximize the effectiveness of using competitive intelligence, the salesperson must become adept at both choosing the correct pa`rtners to trust and properly valuing information. Properly valuing information can be accomplished through the use of analytical CRM.

Practical implications

The managerial implications of this paper are straightforward yet important. CRM providers have improved the tools available to salespeople (e.g., heat maps) and have partnered with other large scale providers of customer and market information (e.g., global marketing research firms) to provide a analytical tool that is user friendly to salespeople. Yet, many firms still use simplified CRM platforms, which do little more for the salesperson than offer an opportunity to document notes. Sales firms should move toward this analytical CRM system because it improves the salesperson’s ability to value information and increases the salesperson’s ability to use intelligence to link products to buyer needs.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to theory through confirming the importance of analytical CRM on salesperson’s information use behavior by using a motivation, opportunity and ability framework. Additionally, a methodological contribution was made through the development of an information value scale.
Online privacy as an integral component of strategy: allaying customer fears and building loyalty
Authors: Liyanaarachchi Gajendra
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate how building competency in privacy can be used to transform the corporate strategy to generate a sustainable competitive advantage. A novel framework is presented as a guide to redesigning strategy by striking a balance between customer expectation and organizational objectives. In doing so, the paper offers four possible outcomes of accommodation, accumulation, association and affiliation, providing illustrations to each scenario for strategy formulation.

Design/methodology/approach

The relationship between privacy paradox and corporate strategy was examined through a qualitative research study. The author conducted 30 in-depth interviews on grounded theory methodology investigating customer insights on the nature and extent of privacy protection associated with e-commerce and organizational approach.

Findings

The customers are dissatisfied with existing data security strategies adopted by firms in protecting privacy. The over-reliance on systems has negatively influenced the communication between the organization and customers, leading to a possible competitive disadvantage. The firms need to redesign privacy strategy shifting from a system-driven approach to providing personalized service.

Originality/value

This paper presents a novel framework the privacy strategy matrix (PSM), introducing privacy as a strategic expedient in transforming corporate strategy facilitating privacy protection as a metaphor for differentiation. PSM framework provides a standard to evaluate the effectiveness of the corporate strategy in managing privacy manifesting a path toward deriving a sustainable competitive advantage.
A psychological approach to regaining consumer trust after greenwashing: the case of Chinese green consumers
Authors: Wang Dandan , Walker Thomas , Barabanov Sergey
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to suggest an approach to regain consumer trust after negative effects of greenwashing that draws corporations and consumers into a conflicted relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collect and interpret qualitative data from in-depth interviews to develop a theoretical approach that enables the rebuilding of trust between greenwashing corporations and their consumers using the concept of psychological resilience.

Findings

This analysis indicates that the approach is an interaction between consumers with green brand loyalty and greenwashing corporations. This type of consumer demands emotional factors, functional factors and legitimate factors in the process of psychological resilience, and after greenwashing, corporations should select appropriate recovery strategies to stimulate these protective factors.

Originality/value

Previous research studied green consumer trust in the marketing field but did not explore the core of trust which was regarded as a cognitive process. This paper investigates green consumer behaviour under the perspective of psychological resilience and makes an innovative attempt to understand drivers of regaining consumer trust. Previous research works put forward a series of strategies related to regaining trust, but they did not discuss the mechanisms by which these strategies work. Using the method of grounded theory, we attempt to reveal the “black box” of consumers cognition after greenwashing and propose a strategy for regaining consumer trust.