bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One-trial learning in larval Drosophila
Authors: Weiglein Aliće , Gerstner Florian , Mancini Nino , Schleyer Michael , Gerber Bertram
Published: March 2019

Animals of many species are capable of “small data” learning, that is, of learning without repetition. Here we introduce larval Drosophila melanogaster as a relatively simple study case for such one-trial learning. Using odor-food associative conditioning, we first show that a sugar that is both sweet and nutritious (fructose) and sugars that are only sweet (arabinose) or only nutritious (sorbitol) all support appetitive one-trial learning. The same is the case for the optogenetic activation of a subset of dopaminergic neurons innervating the mushroom body, the memory center of the insects. In contrast, no one-trial learning is observed for an amino acid reward (aspartic acid). As regards the aversive domain, one-trial learning is demonstrated for high-concentration sodium chloride, but is not observed for a bitter tastant (quinine). Second, we provide follow-up, parametric analyses of odor-fructose learning. Specifically, we ascertain its dependency on the number and duration of training trials, the requirements for the behavioral expression of one-trial odor-fructose memory, its temporal stability, and the feasibility of one-trial differential conditioning. Our results set the stage for a neurogenetic analysis of one-trial learning and define the requirements for modeling mnemonic processes in the larva.
Ex post impact evaluation of PPP projects: an exploratory research
Authors: Oliveros-Romero Jose , Aibinu Ajibade A.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore, in literature and practice, the use of ex post impact evaluations within the public–private partnership (PPP) context and understand the major considerations for developing a PPP ex post impact evaluation method.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applies exploratory research through expert interviews from Chile and Australia to describe: the relevance of this kind of evaluation, and the challenges of designing and conducting a PPP ex post evaluation.

Findings

The study confirms the lack of a formal method for evaluating the impact of a PPP project. Experts agree on the relevance of performing ex post evaluations to PPP projects and that in practice there is no formal procedure to follow. Among other challenges, experts discussed four general ex post evaluation aims: transparency and accountability, PPP legitimization, industry learning and government agency learning.

Research limitations/implications

This study confirms the gap in knowledge and contributes to the developments of approaches to perform ex post impact evaluation of PPP projects. It also provides several suggestions that need to be addressed when attempting to evaluate PPPs beyond the financial and contractual parameters.

Originality/value

The topic is not fully addressed in the literature, and this study contributes to the initial discussion and development of this evaluation method, which is considered significant for the development of public infrastructure.
Severe or lenient contracting with friends: the shadow of the past on contractual governance
Authors: Wang Longwei , Li Xiaodong , Zhang Min
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the effects of cooperation history on contractual governance and the moderating effects of dependence asymmetry on those relationships from the perspective of a weaker firm in emergent economies. Drawing from resource dependence theory and contingency theory, this paper develops a conceptual model to investigate the impact of cooperation history on contractual governance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use data from 188 buyer–supplier relationships in China

Findings

The authors find that cooperation history is positively associated with contractual governance when dependence asymmetry is high but negatively associated with contractual governance when dependence asymmetry is low. Furthermore, the negative moderating effect of dependence asymmetry on the relationship between cooperation history and contractual complexity is stronger than the relationship between cooperation history and contract enforcement.

Originality/value

This study contributes to a better understanding of how cooperation history affects contractual governance with respect to the various levels of dependence on partners by incorporating a contingency view. This study also advances the literature on interfirm governance by distinguishing contractual governance into contractual complexity and contract enforcement.
Uncertainty-based design optimization of NLF airfoil for high altitude long endurance unmanned air vehicles
Authors: Zhao Huan , Gao Zhenghong
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The high probability of the occurrence of separation bubbles or shocks and early transition to turbulence on surfaces of airfoil makes it very difficult to design high-lift and high-speed Natural-Laminar-Flow (NLF) airfoil for high-altitude long-endurance unmanned air vehicles. To resolve this issue, a framework of uncertainty-based design optimization (UBDO) is developed based on an adjusted polynomial chaos expansion (PCE) method.

Design/methodology/approach

The γ ̄Re-θt transition model combined with the shear stress transportk-ω turbulence model is used to predict the laminar-turbulent transition. The particle swarm optimization algorithm and PCE are integrated to search for the optimal NLF airfoil. Using proposed UBDO framework, the aforementioned problem has been regularized to achieve the optimal airfoil with a tradeoff of aerodynamic performances under fully turbulent and free transition conditions. The tradeoff is to make sure its good performance when early transition to turbulence on surfaces of NLF airfoil happens.

Findings

The results indicate that UBDO of NLF airfoil considering Mach number and lift coefficient uncertainty under free transition condition shows a significant deterioration when complicated flight conditions lead to early transition to turbulence. Meanwhile, UBDO of NLF airfoil with a tradeoff of performances under both fully turbulent and free transition conditions holds robust and reliable aerodynamic performance under complicated flight conditions.

Originality/value

In this work, the authors build an effective uncertainty-based design framework based on an adjusted PCE method and apply the framework to design two high-performance NLF airfoils. One of the two NLF airfoils considers Mach number and lift coefficient uncertainty under free transition condition, and the other considers uncertainties both under fully turbulent and free transition conditions. The results show that robust design of NLF airfoil should simultaneously consider Mach number, lift coefficient (angle of attack) and transition location uncertainty.
Principals’ experiences of changes in relationships with newly qualified teachers resulting from a teacher registration reform
Authors: Frelin Anneli , Fransson Göran
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand, from principals’ points of view, how a teacher registration reform is enacted by examining the potential changes in the relationships between principals and newly qualified teachers (NQTs). The reform entailed principals performing an aptitude assessment of new teachers in their probationary year.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five principals from two Swedish municipalities on three occasions in one academic year. A third follow-up interview was conducted one year later with four of the principals, the fifth no longer being in post.

Findings

The assessment appears to be downplayed by the principals, whereas the supportive dimension and the facilitation of NQTs’ professional development seem to be acknowledged and made explicit. For some of the principals, their creative translation of the reform’s intentions transformed these relations and strengthened their leadership.

Research limitations/implications

The study is small-scale and was carried out in a specific period of policy implementation from the principals’ perspectives. Future studies would benefit from involving both principals’ and teachers’ perspectives.

Practical implications

Policymakers appear to have underestimated the structural aspects of the reform, even though in general the reform enactments had some kind of positive effect on these relations.

Social implications

For some principals, their creative translation of the reform’s intentions transformed relations and strengthened their leadership.

Originality/value

The data are from a unique period when a reform was implemented and later partly withdrawn. The study deepens the understanding on how principals tries to enact and balance their roles as evaluators of NQTs and pedagogical and instructional leaders.
Segmenting public universities based on their stakeholder orientation
Authors: Casablancas-Segura Carme , Llonch Joan , Alarcón-del-Amo María-del-Carmen
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend existing research on stakeholder orientation (SO) on higher education institutions (HEIs) by segmenting Spanish public universities based on their perceived levels of SO and describing the profiles of the different segments identified. Given that being stakeholder-oriented, as well as being market-oriented, is a matter of degree and not an absolute condition, the authors expect to find heterogeneity among public universities in terms of their levels of SO.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors designed a mail survey that was e-mailed to all managers of Spanish public universities, resulting in 795 usable questionnaires. A latent segmentation methodology was used to define the segmentation and profiling of the individuals.

Findings

Through latent class segmentation analysis, two clusters were identified: high stakeholder-oriented universities (HSOs) and low stakeholder-oriented universities (LSOs). Interestingly, HSOs universities perceive themselves to have greater organisational complexity and a lower level of reputation than LSOs, but that they are more active in terms of resource acquisition. LSOs universities are larger than HSOs and have a superior ranking.

Practical implications

This study will help university managers by providing useful information that will enable them to be more sensitive to the wants and needs of their stakeholders. It will also assist policy-makers who wish to support strategic decisions to promote differentiation among public universities, avoiding the mimetic effect.

Originality/value

Latent class segmentation can be a very useful technique to segment public universities based on their SO. Wherever heterogeneity exists, the latent class analysis will facilitate identification of the clusters of public universities and the profile of these different clusters according to their level of SO (either responsive or proactive).
Toward a better understanding of the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC) list and its rankings
Authors: Hair Joe , Wood Bob , Sharland Alex
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the variables that drive the rating within the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC) list. The list is used in so many different ways throughout academic research that a better understanding of its component parts is essential.

Design/methodology/approach

The 2016 list was used as a base and additional variables added. The resulting database was subjected to statistical analysis using the PLS methodology.

Findings

The overall finding is that the most significant driver of the ratings system is the impact factor. When this number is not available, the Cabell’s rating may be a weaker proxy.

Research limitations/implications

The researchers used a set of additional variables that were limited in nature. Other variables not included in the study may be included in later work and be found to have some correlation with the ABDC rating.

Originality/value

Given the use of the ABDC list and the paucity of work in this area, the reported research may have significant value; especially for authors working in areas where journals are “crossover” in nature.
The practices of quality management in Norwegian higher education
Authors: Stensaker Bjørn , Hovdhaugen Elisabeth , Maassen Peter
Published: March 2019

Purpose

In recent decades, higher education institutions have been encouraged to develop their own internal management systems as a response to perceived quality challenges in the sector. These quality management (QM) systems have often been found to mainly reflect external accountability requirements, with less focus on coherent study programme development. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between QM practices and study programme delivery in Norwegian higher education institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study examined how coordination and control of quality work with respect to educational activities take place, using data from a survey to study programme leaders in a large sample of Norwegian higher education institutions.

Findings

The main findings show that a majority of institutions have established formal advisory bodies with a QM mandate, contributing to more coherent thinking, even though the division of labour between these bodies and formal decision-making structures often is unclear. The study also shows a high level of diversity in the collaboration practices among different actors involved in QM work, indicating that QM practices are adapted to local needs.

Originality/value

The paper provides new knowledge as to how QM is conducted in practice at the local level. It nuances earlier studies by showing the involvement of collegial bodies in QM although such bodies may have unclear mandates and, thus, an unclear role in the QM process.
Teachers as reform leaders in Chinese schools
Authors: Bryant Darren A. , Rao Chunping
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of teacher leadership on the enactment of educational reforms in southeastern China. It considers how the work of middle and teacher leaders in schools is structured to support reform enactment at the school level.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted in three case study sites in one school district in Shenzhen, China. Low, moderate and high academic achieving schools which had engaged teacher leaders in instructional reforms were selected. A combined total of 34 senior, middle and teacher leaders participated in semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed through a comparative coding process.

Findings

Across the three schools, teacher leaders without positional authority strongly influenced the instructional reforms. Their influence was strongest when bolstered by a combination of formal recognition systems, opportunities to lead projects that were directly related to the reform efforts, and mentorship systems that skilled novice teachers in reform-related skills and experienced teachers in leading reform enactment. Mechanisms and structures embedded in schools, when coherently focused on selected reforms, supported the efficacy of teachers without formal authority. And, middle leaders’ impact was enhanced when working collaboratively with formal and teacher leaders.

Originality/value

This research yields insight on teacher leaders’ influence of reform. It considers how the work of middle and teacher leaders can be structured as a collective that impacts on reform enactment at the school level. And, it illuminates teacher leadership in a Chinese context other than the scrutinized Shanghai school system.
Offset-based curvilinear path estimation for mid vehicle collision detection and avoidance system using MARS
Authors: N. Prabhakaran , M.S. Sudhakar
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel curvilinear path estimation model employing multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) for mid vehicle collision avoidance. The two-phase path estimation scheme initially uses the offset (position) value of the front and the mid (host) vehicle to build the crisp model. The resulting crisp model is MARS regressed to deliver a closely aligned actual model in the second phase. This arrangement significantly narrows the gap between the estimated and the true path analyzed using the mean square error (MSE) for different offsets on Next Generation Simulation Interstate 80 (NGSIM I-80) data set. The presented model also covers parallel parking by encompassing the reverse motion of the host vehicle in the path estimation, thereby, making it amicable for real-road scenarios.

Design/methodology/approach

The two-phase path estimation scheme initially uses the offset (position) value of the front and the mid (host) vehicle to build the crisp model. The resulting crisp model is MARS regressed to deliver a closely aligned actual model in the second phase.

Findings

This arrangement significantly narrows the gap between the estimated and the true path studied using MSE for different offsets on real (Next Generation Simulation-NGSIM) data. The presented model also covers parallel parking by encompassing the reverse motion of the host vehicle in the path estimation. Thereby, making it amicable for real-road scenarios.

Originality/value

This paper builds a mathematical model that considers the offset and host (mid) vehicles for appropriate path fitting.
Exploring learning conversations between mentors and associate teachers in initial teacher education
Authors: Jones Luke , Tones Steven , Foulkes Gethin
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the learning conversations that take place in the context of secondary initial teacher education (ITE) in England. More specifically, it aims to examine the learning conversations that occurred between physical education subject mentors and their associate teachers (ATs) during a one-year postgraduate programme.

Design/methodology/approach

Self-completion questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, with 11 ATs within a university ITE partnership, were used to explore ATs’ perceptions of the learning conversations that occurred between them and their mentors. A process of content analysis was used to identify and analyse themes in the data.

Findings

Meaningful learning conversations are not exclusively based on mentors’ feedback on ATs’ teaching. The ongoing everyday dialogue that occurs between mentors and ATs has a direct impact on the ATs’ teaching and a more indirect effect of nurturing collaborative relationships and providing access to a learning community. Successful mentoring is not realised through an isolated weekly lesson observation of the ATs’ teaching. It is an immersive process where the AT and the mentor face the ongoing challenge of exploring aspects of pedagogy and developing a relationship that is conducive to shared learning.

Practical implications

These findings have implications for providers of ITE and more specifically how they approach mentor training. Examining learning conversations, and in particular the more informal everyday dialogue that occurs between the mentor and the AT, may have significant impact on the learning of those who are training to teach.

Originality/value

Informal learning conversations are central to the mentoring process. These findings highlight the value of learning conversations and in particular the impact of informal everyday dialogue that may otherwise be overlooked.
The role of multinational enterprises in global valuation
Authors: Agmon Tamir
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The research proposition of this paper is that multinational enterprises (MNEs) were important in the process of growth and divergence that took place in the world in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The rate of growth of GDP per capita was unprecedented, but it was coupled with an increasing gap between the developed and the developing countries. MNEs are even more important in the growth and convergence process that started at the beginning of the twenty-first century where the gap is closing. Global sourcing is the strategy that has led to closing the gap while high growth continues. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on macroeconomics general equilibrium model in an imperfect market and on looking at the inventive process as the driving process of the development and the location of MNEs. Using a financial economics model of assets and liabilities, it is shown that MNEs affect the geopolitical distribution of income and wealth through expanding their liabilities. The methodology is a combination of applying economic model and using historical and current data to motivate the use of the model and to validate the models and the conclusions derived from them.

Findings

MNEs and major global companies before the name MNE was used were shaped by major macroeconomic processes like the inventive process and the same time they were the prime movers of the two major economic processes of the last 200 years: growth and divergence and growth and convergence. The ideas-led growth model shows why MNEs are becoming larger. As MNEs became bigger they start to import inputs through value maximizing strategy of global sourcing. This led to transfer of value to suppliers in emerging markets that grow over time and eventually it led to new MNEs from emerging markets large countries like China and from smaller countries in Asia and elsewhere. The growth convergence process and the resulting changes in the geopolitical distribution of MNEs is assisted by rapid changes in technology that reduces transactions cost. The continuation of rapid changes in transactions costs is likely to change the current structure, strategy and the location of MNEs and may reverse the growth convergence process once more.

Originality/value

The study begins with aggregate macroeconomic processes and relates them to the development of MNEs and in particular to the development of MNEs from emerging markets. It highlights the importance of global value chains and global sourcing in the process of growth and divergence and the turning of the “Wheel for Fortune” toward China and India as it has been prior to the sixteenth century.
Dimensions of identity strength and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) in establishing good university governance and performance of religious ideology-based higher educations
Authors: Munawir Munawir , Raharjo Kusdi , Djalil Muslim A. , Syahputra Hendra , Muslim Buhori , Adam Muhammad
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of identity strength and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) on good university governance and its impact on performance of religious ideology-based universities.

Design/methodology/approach

The design of this study was an explanatory design. This study had a deductive theoretical direction; therefore, the core method was quantitative. The “import” strategy served as a complement to the main method. With the time horizon, the selection of research objects in religious ideology-based universities managed by foundations, where the funds management of universities are sourced from the people, is based on the consideration that at present, the identity strength that is inherent in a higher education is funded by the people, as well as OCB is reflected in the behavior of people in the organization so that it has an impact on good university governance and performance, as described in the background at the beginning of this paper.

Findings

The successful the OCB is, the successful the good university governance and performance will be. The successful the good university governance is, the successful the university performance will be. In the mediation effect testing, it was found that good university governance had a significant mediation effect on relationship between OCB and university performance. It shows that good university governance strengthens the relationship between OCB and university performance.

Originality/value

Originality in this study is testing the mediating effect of good university governance that collaborates with OCB and performance variables, which are carried out at religious ideology-based universities in Indonesia that have different characteristics from universities in other regions. Originality in this study is as follows: good university governance and performance have been studied in a lot of previous research, but in this study, the focus of research is on religious ideology-based higher educations, where it is known that religious ideology-based universities are full with ideological values that become brands, if ideological identity used as one of the formers of good university governance and performance, it is expected that the accountability and performance of higher education will be better.
Craftsman, informal heritage management and social capital in conserving chini-tikri work of Kosaituli mosque, Old Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed Iftekhar
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a community-led “informal heritage management” of the chini-tikri work of Kosaituli mosque, Old Dhaka, Bangladesh. It critically explores the interrelationship between the craft, existing social capital and informal heritage management.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper assesses the existing local policies, strategies and the top-down conservation efforts led by government and identifies the shortcomings. The study uses Kosaituli mosque as a case study as it displays some of the finest surviving examples of the chini-tikri work. Using observation, open-ended interview and focus group discussion as research tools, the study explores the challenges that the craft and craftsman faces, how existing social capital supports the informal heritage management process and the interrelationship between these critical elements.

Findings

The results shows two clear issues. First, the informal heritage management system has been continuing to protect and manage the local heritage while fighting several challenges. Second, though they require external support, they want to keep the “community ownership.” The study recommends how the craftsman can be revived through incentives and capacity building to facilitate the survival of the craft with a three-step process: identifying the rare craftsmen, providing them due recognition and transferring the traditional knowledge to the next generation.

Originality/value

No similar prior studies were carried out in Old Dhaka that focus on this subject. This paper can contribute in new policy formation not only for Bangladesh but also will potentially guide other cities that face similar challenges of disappearing craft and craftsman.
Design and development of a novel knowledge-based decision support system for industrial safety management at drilling process
Authors: Asad Muhammad Mujtaba , Hassan Razali Bin , Sherwani Fahad , Aamir Muhammad , Soomro Qadir Mehmood , Sohu Samiullah
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Annually, hundreds of drilling crew suffer from major injuries during performing oil and gas drilling operation because of the deficiency of an adequate hazard safety management system for real-time decision-making in hazardous conditions. According to previous studies, there is a sheer industrial need for an effective industrial safety management decision support system for accident prevention at oil and gas drilling sites at both drilling domains. Therefore, this paper aims to focus on the design and development of knowledge base decision support system (KBDSS) for the prevention of hazardous activities at Middle Eastern and South Asian origins’ onshore and offshore oil and gas industries during drilling operations.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, data were gathered from safety and health professionals from targeted oil and gas industries in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan through quantitative and qualitative approaches. Based on identified data, KBDSSs (HAZFO Expert 1.0) were systematically developed and designed by adopting Database Development Life Cycle and Waterfall Software Development Life Cycle models. MySQL and Visual Studio 2015 software were used for developing and designing knowledge base and graphical user interface of the system.

Findings

KBDSS (HAZFO Expert 1.0) for accident prevention at onshore and offshore oil and gas drilling industries based on identified potential hazards and their suitable controlling measures aligned with international safety standards and regulations. HAZFO Expert 1.0 is a novel KBDSS that covers all onshore and offshore drilling operations with three and nine outputs, respectively, to achieve the current trend of Industry Revolution 4.0 and Industrial IoTs for workforce safety.

Practical implications

This industrial safety management system (HAZFO Expert 1.0) will be efficiently used for the identification and elimination of potential hazards associated with drilling activities at onshore and offshore drilling sites with an appropriate hazard controlling strategy.

Originality/value

Moreover, the developed KBDS system is unique in terms of its architecture and is dynamic in nature because it provides HAZFO Expert 1.0 data management and insertion application for authorized users. This is the first KBDSS which covers both drilling domains in Malaysian, Saudi Arabian and Pakistani industries.
Barriers to the incorporation of BIM into quantity surveying undergraduate curriculum in the Nigerian universities
Authors: Babatunde Solomon Olusola , Ekundayo Damilola
Published: March 2019

Purpose

In developing countries, adoption of building information modelling (BIM) concept within the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) curricula in universities is a relatively new effort, and subsequently, studies on the status of BIM implementation in universities are rare. This study, therefore, becomes imperative with a view to identifying and examining the barriers to the incorporation of BIM into quantity surveying (QS) undergraduate curriculum in Nigerian universities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a questionnaire survey, which was targeted at the academia and students from two selected universities offering QS honours degree programme. Data collected were analysed using mean score, Mann–Whitney test and factor analysis.

Findings

The study identified 30 barriers, and the analysis of the ranking revealed that 17 (out of 30) identified barriers were considered as the most serious barriers. The study, through factor analysis, grouped the 30 identified barriers into six major factors.

Practical implications

The findings provide greater insights and empirical evidence on the major barriers to implementation of BIM education in developing countries.

Originality/value

The identified barriers are relevant not only to QS education but also to other related disciplines within the AEC context. These findings would be of great value to academic staff and university management board to develop strategies for incorporating BIM into AEC disciplines curricula in developing countries at large.
Reviewing Pillar 2 regulations: credit concentration risk
Authors: Prorokowski Lukasz , Prorokowski Hubert , Bongfen Nteh Georgette
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the recent changes to the Pillar 2 regulatory-prescribed methodologies to classify and calculate credit concentration risk. Focussing on the Prudential Regulation Authority’s (PRA) methodologies, the paper tests the susceptibility to bias of the Herfindahl–Hirscham Index (HHI). The empirical tests serve to assess the assumption that the regulatory classification of exposures within the geographical concentration is subject to potential misuse that would undermine the PRA’s objective of obtaining risk sensitivity and improved banking competition.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the credit exposure data from three global banks, the HHI methodology is applied to the portfolio of geographically classified exposures, replicating the regulatory exercise of reporting credit concentration risk under Pillar 2. In doing so, the validity of the aforementioned assumption is tested by simulating the PRA’s Pillar 2 regulatory submission exercise with different scenarios, under which the credit exposures are assigned to different geographical regions.

Findings

The paper empirically shows that changing the geographical mapping of the Eastern European EU member states can result in a substantial reduction of the Pillar 2 credit concentration risk capital add-on. These empirical findings hold only for the banks with large exposures to Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The paper reports no material impact for the well-diversified credit portfolios of global banks.

Originality/value

This paper reviews the PRA-prescribed methodologies and the Pillar 2 regulatory guidance for calculating the capital add-on for the single name, sector and geographical credit concentration risk. In doing so, this paper becomes the first to test the assumptions that the regulatory guidance around the geographical breakdown of credit exposures is subject to potential abuse because of the ambiguity of the regulations.
Factors influencing satisfaction and revisit intention among international exchange students in Malaysia
Authors: Chelliah Shankar , Khan Mohammad Jamal , Krishnan Thilagavathy , Kamarulzaman Muhammad Erzat Bin Md , Goh Ning Ee
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Although studies have examined the role of physical factors such as physical environment, price/fee and personal safety in the satisfaction of international students, the effect of social factors such as emotional support, ethical conduct and student–lecturer attachment in international student’s satisfaction has yet to be explored. This study aims to investigate the effect of physical and social factors associated with the satisfaction of international university exchange students that leads to revisit intention.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered questionnaire survey was used to collect data from 166 international exchange students from a large public university in Malaysia using convenience sampling. The structural equation modelling through partial least square approach was used to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The findings revealed that the physical environment, price/fee, personal safety and student–lecturer attachment had a positive relationship with student satisfaction. Also, student’s satisfaction significantly influenced their revisit intention to the university.

Practical implications

The findings of the study provide insight into the administration of higher education institutions about the factors that lead to the satisfaction of international exchange students. Marketing managers can also use the findings to develop strategies to attract more foreign students.

Originality/value

Previous studies discussed the physical factors that influence the satisfaction of international students. However, this study included the social factors which have not been tested in the context of international student satisfaction. The study provides a comprehensive framework that can be used to develop satisfaction among international exchange students.
Fear dynamics in public places: a case study of urban shopping centers
Authors: Badiora Adewumi Israel , Odufuwa Bashir O.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationships among some important factors and perceived personal safety in public places, using Nigerian urban shopping centers as case studies. Following the evidence from previous studies, the present study hypothesizes that individual characteristics influence perceived personal safety in shopping centers, and users’ perceived safety is affected by the shopping centers’ environmental attributes.

Design/methodology/approach

Two shopping centers were selected as cases for the study. Systematic sampling technique was used to select participants. Respondents were asked to answer closed-ended questions pertaining to environmental-design satisfaction, socio-economic and demographic characteristics and shopping center use. In total, 784 users participated in the survey. However, only 440 users properly completed the interview: 219 from Aleshinloye and 221 from Gbagi. Environmental design, socio-economic and demographic characteristics and shopping center use are independent variables, whereas perceived safety is a dependent variable. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis and Man–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests.

Findings

Results show that fear of crime is the most important factor, explaining 28.16 per cent of the total variance in perceived safety. Nevertheless, findings show that demographic factors have a significant impact on perceived safety as well. There is also a strong association between perceived safety and the use of shopping centers, as Aleshinloye, which is perceived safer, has been more frequently used than Gbagi. Furthermore, environmental design appears as a significant factor for perceived safety in shopping centers, as users of Aleshinloye’s facilities have a better perceived safety from crime, better way-finding ability and more environmental-design satisfaction than users of Gbagi.

Practical implications

The study recommends the provisions of design or security precautions that prevent the fear of crime and improve way-finding capacity and environmental-design satisfaction in urban shopping facilities. Specifically, it is important to have environmental security precautions such as closed circuit televisions, good and functional lighting and private security staff, especially for women and the elderly, in urban commercial centers as these precautions could enhance their sense of personal safety.

Originality/value

Previous studies on shopping centers’ security have mainly concentrated on the relationship between fear of crime, perceived safety and associated factors. No studies to date have explored how way-finding ability affects perceived safety of users of shopping centers. This study contributes to the existing literature, revealing way-finding anxiety to be another important dimension of perceived safety in urban shopping centers.
Training leaders for a culture of quality and safety
Authors: Feldman Sue S. , Buchalter Scott , Zink Dawn , Slovensky Donna J. , Hayes Leslie Wynn
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the degree to which a quality and safety culture exists after healthcare workers in an academic medical center complete a quality improvement and patient safety education program focused on developing leaders to change the future of healthcare quality and safety.

Design/methodology/approach

The safety attitudes questionnaire (SAQ) short-form was used for measuring the culture of quality and safety among healthcare workers who were graduates of an academic medical center’s healthcare quality and safety program. A 53 percent response rate from program alumni resulted in 54 usable responses.

Findings

This study found that 42 (78 percent) of the respondents report that they are currently working in a healthcare quality and safety culture, with 25 (59 percent) reporting promotion into a leadership role after completion of the quality improvement education program. This compares favorably to AHRQ culture of safety survey results obtained by the same academic medical center within the year prior revealing only 63 percent of all inpatient employees surveyed reported working in a quality and safety culture.

Research limitations/implications

The study design precluded knowing to what degree a quality and safety culture, as measured by the SAQ, existed prior to attending the healthcare quality and safety program.

Originality/value

This study has practical value for other organizations considering a quality and safety education program. For organizations seeking to build capacity in quality and safety, training future leaders through a robust curriculum is essential. This may be achieved through development of an internal training program or through attending an outside organization for education.
Innovative work behaviors, employee engagement, and surface acting
Authors: Wu Tung-Ju , Wu Yenchun Jim
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between positive and negative emotional contagion by supervisors and innovative behavior by employees in the marketing department at China Mobile, as well as investigating the mediating roles of work engagement and surface acting in this path.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyzed emotional contagion on innovative behavior and investigated the mediation effect of work engagement and surface acting, and used structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses. Subjects in this study comprised 263 dyads of supervisors and employees (131 supervisors and 263 employees) in the marketing department at China Mobile.

Findings

The results indicated that positive emotions by employees mediated the positive effect of supervisors’ expression of positive emotions about employees’ work engagement; work engagement mediated the positive effect of employees’ positive emotions on their innovative behavior; and employees’ negative emotions mediated and did not significantly mediate the effect of supervisors’ negative emotions on employees’ surface acting and innovative behavior, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

This study recommends that future studies examine emotional labor by team members and investigate the types of mechanisms (such as psychological safety and team learning) adopted by such teams to increase their members’ levels of emotional contagion.

Practical implications

The authors recommend that enterprises implement courses that are relevant to emotional management for supervisors to enhance their ability to regulate and manage their own emotions. The authors also suggest that organizations offer adequate job resources to employees to inspire work engagement among employees.

Originality/value

This study explored the role of work engagement among employees, which serves as a motivational mechanism between positive emotional labor by supervisors and innovative behavior by employees. In addition, it investigated the role of surface acting by employees, which serves as an energetic mechanism between negative emotional labor by supervisors and innovative behavior by employees.
Circular business models: level of maturity
Authors: Sehnem Simone , Campos Lucila M.S. , Julkovski Dulcimar José , Cazella Carla Fabiana
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze circular business models of Brazilian companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyzed 105 business models of adopting companies from the perspective of the circularity of resources. These were classified as analytical sector category, business model design aligned with sustainability, sustainable practices adopted, level of maturity of business models and determinants of the circularity of resources.

Findings

The results show that companies belonging to the service sector predominate, which, above all, offer the virtualization of processes, sharing, ecological products, socially responsible and emphasis on recycling. Of these, 92.38 percent were already aligned with the sustainability assumptions, which contribute decisively to the operationalization in a circular perspective. Therefore, the materialization of the circular economy (CE) in Brazil is occurring, although there is potential for a stronger engagement with the determinants of the CE, especially in the perspective of the biological cycle and in the short cycles of technical levels.

Originality/value

In addition, the authors promote advances in the maturity levels of business models to optimize the optimal level, where processes are predictable, critically analyzed and continuously improved.
Value co-creation through actor embeddedness and actor engagement
Authors: Wajid Anees , Raziq Muhammad Mustafa , Malik Omer Farooq , Malik Shahab Alam , Khurshid Nabila
Published: March 2019

Purpose

It is argued that the service-dominant (S-D) view of the value co-creation concept is mainly of a macro nature and is difficult to examine empirically. In this regard, marketing research using the micro-foundation theory proposes some conceptual models, through which relationships (involving value co-creation) at a micro/meso level may be studied. The purpose of this paper is to add to such exchanges regarding value co-creation and conceptualize the link of embeddedness of an actor (in a service-ecosystem) to their engagement in the value co-creation process.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw on the S-D logic and the value co-creation concept and make propositions with regard to two micro-foundational concepts: actor engagement and actor embeddedness.

Findings

The authors show that actor embeddedness can be considered as an antecedent of actor engagement, which leads to value co-creation at a macro level and perceived value in context at the micro level.

Originality/value

The authors fill some gaps in literature with regard to S-D logic and value co-creation by combining two micro-foundational concepts: actor engagement and actor embeddedness and propose how through these, some macro-level outcomes such as value co-creation and resource integration may be determined.
Sustainable brand image: an examination of ad–brand incongruence
Authors: Arbouw Paula , Ballantine Paul W. , Ozanne Lucie K.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how consumer attitudes are affected by corporate brands that have newly adopted a sustainable brand image. Specifically, this paper examines consumer responses to ad–brand incongruity and tests whether two-sided messages yield greater acceptance of incongruence.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 528 responses were collected via an online experiment using a 3×2 between-subjects factorial design which manipulated three levels of perceived ad–brand congruence (congruent, moderately incongruent and extremely incongruent) and two levels of message sidedness (one- and two-sided).

Findings

Results indicate that brand managers have to be careful not to create ad–brand incongruence after adopting new brand values and should avoid two-sided messages during this period.

Originality/value

This paper tests the use of two-sided messages as resolution hints for ad–brand incongruence and furthers the corporate branding literature incorporating sustainability.
Game theory modelling of retail marketing discount strategies
Authors: Taylor Mark , Kwasnica Vince , Reilly Denis , Ravindran Somasundaram
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use the game theory combined with Monte Carlo simulation modelling to support the analysis of different retail marketing strategies, in particular, using payoff matrices for modelling the likely outcomes from different retail marketing strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretical research was utilised to develop a practical approach for applying game theory to retail marketing strategies via payoff matrices combined with Monte Carlo simulation modelling.

Findings

Game theory combined with Monte Carlo simulation modelling can provide a formal approach to understanding consumer decision making in a retail environment, which can support the development of retail marketing strategies.

Research limitations/implications

Game theory combined with Monte Carlo simulation modelling can support the modelling of the interaction between retail marketing actions and consumer responses in a practical formal probabilistic manner, which can inform marketing strategies used by retail companies in a practical manner.

Practical implications

Game theory combined with Monte Carlo simulation modelling can provide a formalised mechanism for examining how consumers may respond to different retail marketing strategies.

Originality/value

The originality of this research is the practical application of game theory to retail marketing, in particular the use of payoff matrices combined with Monte Carlo simulation modelling to examine likely consumer behaviour in response to different retail marketing approaches.