bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling the impact of population mobility, post-infection immunity and vaccination on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the Dominican Republic
Authors: Finch Emilie , Nilles Eric J , Paulino Cecilia Then , Skewes-Ramm Ronald , Lau Colleen , Lowe Rachel , Kucharski Adam J
Published: October 2023

COVID-19 epidemic dynamics are driven by a complex interplay of factors including population behaviour, government interventions, new variants, vaccination campaigns and immunity from prior infections. We aimed to quantify the epidemic drivers of SARS-CoV-2 dynamics in the Dominican Republic, an upper-middle income country of 10.8 million people, and assess the impact of the vaccination campaign implemented in February 2021 in saving lives and averting hospitalisations.

We used an age-structured, multi-variant transmission dynamic model to characterise epidemic drivers in the Dominican Republic and explore counterfactual scenarios around vaccination coverage and population mobility. We fit the model to reported deaths, hospital bed occupancy, ICU bed occupancy and seroprevalence data until December 2021 and simulated epidemic trajectories under different counterfactual vaccination scenarios.

We estimate that vaccination averted 5040 hospital admissions (95% CrI: 4750 - 5350), 1500 ICU admissions (95% CrI: 1420 - 1590) and 544 deaths (95% CrI: 488 - 606) in the first 6 months of the campaign. We also found that early vaccination with Sinovac-CoronaVac was preferable to delayed vaccination using a product with higher efficacy. We investigated the trade-off between changes in vaccination coverage and population mobility to understand how much relaxation of social distancing measures vaccination was able to ‘buy’ in the later stages of a pandemic. We found that if no vaccination had occurred, an additional decrease of 10-20% in population mobility would have been required to maintain the same death and hospitalisation outcomes. We found SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics in the Dominican Republic were driven by substantial accumulation of immunity during the first two years of the pandemic but that, despite this, vaccination was essential in enabling a return to pre-pandemic mobility levels without incurring considerable additional morbidity and mortality.
Research Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing the Outcome of the 3D-Printed Patient-Specific-Instrument Assisted Lapidus Fusion vs Conventional Lapidus Fusion for Surgical Correction of Hallux Valgus Deformity
Authors: Ling Samuel Ka-Kin , Wei Rachel Xiaoyu , Chui Elvis Chun-Sing , Chong Boon Hor , Ong Michael Tim-Yun , Lui Pauline Po-Yee , Yung Patrick Shu-Hang
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Hallux valgus (HV) affects up to 30% of the population. Lapidus surgery with 1st tarsal-metatarsal joint arthrodesis is one of the most common surgical options for HV. Despite its popularity, the current procedure is not without complications. This investigation will be the world’s first Lapidus arthrodesis surgery utilising patient-specific instruments (PSI) as an assistive tool. We hypothesise that the PSI will enhance surgical precision, accelerate fusion rates, decrease non-unions, and reduce the need to use bone grafts.

Methods and analysis

This is a single-blinded, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial comparing the outcome of the 3D-Printed PSI Assisted Lapidus Fusion (n=27) vs Conventional Lapidus Fusion (n=27) for HV deformity. Both groups will receive an identical postoperative rehabilitation of protected weight bearing and splinting. Outcomes will include foot function scores, radiological alignment and arthrodesis site assessment with X-ray and High-Resolution Peripheral Quantitative-Computed Tomography, and foot pressure analysis.

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths

This will be the world’s first randomised control trial utilising PSI for hallux valgus surgery.

Surgeries are done by a team of experienced foot and ankle surgeons.

Limitations

A single-centre study with a follow-up of only 1 year. However, the authors believe that traditional Lapidus surgery has known term results, and the chief hypothetical benefit of PSI-assisted surgery is faster bony fusion and less surgical complications, which will be evident within 1 year.
Surviving on limited resources: effects of caloric restriction on growth, gene expression and gut microbiota in a species with male pregnancy (Hippocampus erectus)
Authors: Pappert Freya Adele , Wüst Vincent Alexander , Eguiguren Carmen Fontanes , Roth Olivia
Published: October 2023

The positive health effects of caloric restriction (CR) have been widely studied in a few conventional model species, displaying typically conventional reproductive roles, with females investing more in parental care. This creates a bias in the current literature about the impact of CR between males and females in species with unconventional reproductive strategies. In this study, we investigated the effects of CR on growth, gene expression, and intestinal microbiota in the lined seahorseHippocampus erectus.Juvenile seahorses were subjected to ad libitum (AL) or every other day fasting for 5 months. Total mRNA sequencing of liver, head kidney and gonad tissue, along with 16SrRNA amplicon sequencing of hind intestine samples was done to investigate sex-adverse effects of fasting in a species with male pregnancy and thus distinct life-history strategies leading to sex-specific trade-offs in resource allocation. Our results indicate that fasting caused a general stunting effect and delayed brood pouch development in males, reflecting its energetic demands and possibly delaying reproduction till more resources are available. We found both organ and sex-specific gene expression responses to CR, with liver and ovaries displaying the strongest variation. In the liver of CR female seahorses, numerous genes linked to energy and lipid synthesis were upregulated, and in the ovaries of the same, we found downregulation of inflammatory markers. These results reflect the fasted female’s need to allocate more resources to eggs to increase reproductive chances earlier in life compared to males. There was no sex-specific response to CR in the microbiota, rather both fasted males and females displayed similar higher alpha-diversity and increased abundance of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes compared to AL fed seahorses. Our research suggests that male and female reactions to nutrient scarcity may depend on their resource allocation to reproduction and parental investment, rather than directly on their biological sex. Our findings highlight the importance of using species displaying a broader range of reproductive strategies, sex role, mating system and life-history strategies when studying the sex-specific effects of CR.
The role of promiscuous molecular recognition in the evolution of RNase-based self-incompatibility
Authors: Erez Keren , Jangid Amit , Feldheim Ohad Noy , Friedlander Tamar
Published: October 2023

How do biological networks evolve and expand and which parameters determine their size? We study these questions in the context of the plant collaborative-non-self recognition self-incompatibility system. Self-incompatibility evolved to avoid self-fertilization among hermaphroditic plants. It relies on specific molecular recognition between highly diverse proteins of two families: female and male determinants, such that the combination of alleles an individual possesses determines its mating partners. Though highly diverse, previous models struggled to pinpoint the evolutionary trajectories by which new alleles evolved. Here, we construct a novel theoretical frame-work, that crucially affords interaction promiscuity and multiple distinct partners per protein, empirical findings disregarded by previous models. We demonstrate a dynamic long-term balance between allele emergence and extinction, where their equilibrium number depends on population parameters. Our work highlights the importance of molecular recognition promiscuity to network evolvability. Promiscuity was found in additional systems suggesting that our framework could be more broadly applicable.
Antimicrobial resistance in Arctic soils is mediated by competition and facilitation
Authors: Roy Shamik , Dawson Robin , Bradley James A. , Hernández Marcela
Published: October 2023

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is widespread in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the natural processes shaping the spatial and temporal dissemination of AMR in soils are not well understood. We aimed to determine whether, how, and why AMR varies in recently deglaciated pioneer and developing Arctic soils. We showed that antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs), mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) are abundant, exhibit a non-uniform distribution, and generally increase with soil age. Our analyses suggest a strong positive relationship between soil age and ARG and ARB, which we attribute to increased competition between microbes in older soils. We also observed a weak negative relationship between soil age and ARG diversity mediated by soil organic matter – suggesting facilitation due to the alleviation of nutrient limitation. The microbial processes regulating the spread of AMR in Arctic soils may be further susceptible to the effects of future climate change and human activities.

Teaser

The spatial and temporal spread of antimicrobial resistance in Arctic soils is dependent on microbial interactions for nutrients
Yeast Heterochromatin Only Stably Silences Weak Regulatory Elements by Altering Burst Duration
Authors: Wu Kenneth , Dhillon Namrita , Bajor Antone , Abrahamson Sara , Kamakaka Rohinton T.
Published: October 2023

The interplay between nucleosomes and transcription factors leads to programs of gene expression. Transcriptional silencing involves the generation of a chromatin state that represses transcription and is faithfully propagated through DNA replication and cell division. Using multiple reporter assays, including directly visualizing transcription in single cells, we investigated a diverse set of UAS enhancers and core promoters for their susceptibility to heterochromatic gene silencing. These results show that heterochromatin only stably silences weak and stress induced regulatory elements but is unable to stably repress housekeeping gene regulatory elements and the partial repression did not result in bistable expression states.

Permutation analysis of different UAS enhancers and core promoters indicate that both elements function together to determine the susceptibility of regulatory sequences to repression. Specific histone modifiers and chromatin remodellers function in an enhancer specific manner to aid these elements to resist repression suggesting that Sir proteins likely function in part by reducing nucleosome mobility. We also show that the strong housekeeping regulatory elements can be repressed if silencer bound Sir1 is increased, suggesting that Sir1 is a limiting component in silencing.

Together, our data suggest that the heterochromatic locus has been optimized to stably silence the weak mating type gene regulatory elements but not strong housekeeping gene regulatory sequences which could help explain why these genes are often found at the boundaries of silenced domains.
Improving vocal communication with a ketogenic diet in a mouse model of autism
Authors: Möhrle Dorit , Murari Kartikeya , Rho Jong M , Cheng Ning
Published: October 2023

Background

Deficits in social communication and language development is a hallmark of autism spectrum disorder currently with no cure. Interventional studies using animal models have been very limited in demonstrating improved vocal communication. Autism has been proposed to involve metabolic dysregulation. Ketogenic diet (KD) is a metabolism-based therapy for medically intractable epilepsy, and its applications in other neurological conditions have been increasingly tested. However, how it would affect vocal communication has not been explored. The BTBR mouse strain is considered a model of idiopathic autism. They display robust deficits in vocalization during social interaction, and have metabolic changes implicated in autism.

Methods

We investigated the effects of KD on ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in juvenile and adult BTBR mice during male-female social encounters.

Results

After a brief treatment with KD, the amount, spectral bandwidth, and much of the temporal structure of USVs were robustly improved in both juvenile and adult BTBR mice. Composition of call categories and transitioning between individual call subtypes was more effectively improved in juvenile BTBR mice.

Limitations

Although sharing certain attributes, mouse vocalization is unlikely to model all aspects in the development and deficits of human language. KD is highly restrictive and can be difficult to administer, especially for many people with autism who have narrow food selections. Side effects and potential influence on development should also be considered. Future studies are required to tease apart the molecular mechanisms of KD’s effects on vocalization.

Conclusions

Together, our data provide further support to the hypothesis that metabolism-based dietary intervention could modify disease expression, including core symptoms, in autism.
Design of P110 steel wire beam electrode for high temperature and pressure environment and application for revealing corrosion mechanism
Authors: Xi Yuchen , Wang Qinying , Tan Xinyu , Zhang Xingshou , Dong Lijin , Song Yuhui , Liu Liyang , Zeng Dezhi
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to design the wire beam electrode (WBE) of P110 steel and study its corrosion behavior and mechanism under high temperature and pressure.

Design/methodology/approach

Packaging materials of the new type P110 steel WBE and high pressure stable WBE structure were designed. A metallurgical microscope (XJP-3C) and scanning electron microscopy (EV0 MA15 Zeiss) with an energy dispersive spectrometer were used to analyze the microstructure and composition of the P110 steel. The electrochemical workstation (CS310, CorrTest Instrument Co., Ltd) with a WBE potential and current scanner was used to analyze the corrosion mechanism of P110 steel.

Findings

According to the analysis of Nyquist plots at different temperatures, the corrosion resistance of P110 steel decreases with the increase of temperature under atmospheric pressure. In addition, Rp of P110 steel under high pressure is maintained in the range of 200 ∼ 375 Ωcm2, while that under atmospheric pressure is maintained in the range of 20 ∼ 160 Ωcm2, indicating that the corrosion products on P110 steel under high pressure is denser, which improves the corrosion resistance of P110 steel to a certain extent.

Originality/value

The WBE applied in high temperature and pressure environment is in blank. This work designed and prepared a WBE of P110 steel for high temperature and pressure environment, and the corrosion mechanism of P110 steel was revealed by using the designed WBE.
Regulation and agriculture financing in Kenya
Authors: Murungi Kellen , Alhassan Abdul Latif , Zeka Bomikazi
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The agricultural sector remains the backbone of several emerging economies, including Kenya, where it contributes 34% to its gross domestic product (GDP). However, access to financing for agricultural activities appears to be very low compared to developed economies. Following this, governments in a number of countries have sought to introduce banking sector regulations to facilitate increased funding to the agricultural sector. Taking motivation of the interest rate capping regulations by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) in 2016, this paper examined the effect of these interest rate ceiling regulations on agri-lending in Kenya.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs random effects technique to estimate a panel data of 26 commercial banks in Kenya from 2014 to 2018 using the ratio of loans to agricultural sector to gross loans and the natural logarithm of loans to agricultural sector as proxies for agri-lending. Bank size, equity, asset quality, liquidity, revenue concentration and bank concentration are employed as control variables.

Findings

The results of the panel regression estimations show that the introduction of the interest cap resulted in increases in the proportion and growth in agri-lending compared with the pre-interest cap period. In addition, large banks and highly capitalised banks were found to be associated with lower agri-lending, with differences in the effects across pre-cap and post-cap periods.

Practical implications

From a policy perspective, the findings highlight the effectiveness of interest rate capping in meeting this objective and supports the calls for strengthening cooperation between the government and key stakeholders in the financial sector. This will allow for the effective enforcement of policies by the regulatory powers in a manner that guarantees sound and dynamic financial systems, particularly within the agricultural sector.

Originality/value

As far as the authors are aware, this the first paper to examine the effect of the interest rate cap regulation on agri-lending in Kenya.
Agribusiness capabilities and performance: a systematic literature review and research agenda
Authors: Leitão Fabrício Oliveira , Paiva Ely Laureano , Thomé Karim Marini
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The literature has suggested that capabilities have been used to generate performance and competitive advantage, especially in industries with higher technological dynamism in developed economies. However, knowledge of the topic still needs to be systematically analyzed in agribusiness. Thus, this article fills this gap because it systematically reviews the literature on agribusiness capabilities and performance, classifies and codifies its characteristics, and determines what is known and what gaps there are in the knowledge regarding these subjects.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review of agribusiness capabilities and performance was conducted based on Cronin et al. (2008) protocol. Thirty-six articles from the WoS and Scopus databases were identified and analyzed.

Findings

This article identified, classified and coded 12 capabilities agribusiness firms employ to improve performance. This article reveals several gaps regarding capabilities and performance in agribusiness, especially emphasizing commodity products, in addition to studies with fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, meat, agricultural inputs and biofuels. It was also found that higher-order capabilities are more strongly related to performance than lower-order capabilities, that the performance benefits conferred by capabilities are more evident in developing economies, and that the relationship between capabilities and performance is more robust in agribusinesses with lower levels of technological dynamism.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the debate about agribusiness capabilities and performance in three aspects. First, it systematically reviews the literature on these subjects; second, it classifies and codifies agribusiness capabilities and performance characteristics; third, it provides a research agenda on the theme.
Impact of strategic human resource management on open innovation: a chain mediation analysis of intellectual capital and supply chain integration
Authors: Song Dian , Zhang Pengfei , Shi Rongrong , Yin Yishuai
Published: October 2023

Purpose

In the pursuit of competitive advantage, an increasing number of firms are adopting open innovation (OI) strategies. However, previous studies have often overlooked the role of strategic human resource management (SHRM) in promoting OI. This study aims to fill this gap by examining how SHRM impacts OI through the mediating factors of intellectual capital (IC) and supply chain integration (SCI). This research sheds light on the critical interplay between SHRM, IC and SCI in driving OI success. The findings underscore the importance of adopting a comprehensive and integrated approach to OI that encompasses both resources and dynamic capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

By integrating resource-based view with the dynamic capability perspective, the hypotheses were tested with a survey sample of 136 Chinese manufacture firms using hierarchical regression and bootstrap method.

Findings

The results show that SHRM has a positive effect on OI, and both IC and SCI are partial mediators of the relationship between SHRM and OI. In addition, the chain mediation effect of “SHRM-IC-SCI-OI” has further been verified.

Originality/value

This study uncovers the “black box” between SHRM and OI, and responds to the call for strengthening research on the relationship between SHRM and OI. The study indicates that firms should implement HR practices, including extensive training, team reward and internal promotion to promote the implementation of OI strategy.
Can nostalgia-themed stimuli predict customer loyalty and continued patronage?
Authors: Kim Jong-Hyeong , Kim Seongseop (Sam) , Nosrati Saeid , Badu-Baiden Frank
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The extant literature documents the significance of nostalgia-evoking stimuli in promoting consumer behavior. Despite the prevalent use of nostalgia-evoking stimuli in restaurant service, research on nostalgia-evoking restaurants is significantly lacking. As a result, little is known about customers’ cognitive responses toward nostalgia-themed restaurant stimuli and their influences on customer loyalty behavior. Thus, grounded in an extended stimulus-organism-response model, this study aims to examine the role of nostalgia-evoking restaurant stimuli in explaining an integrated model focusing on nostalgia, in relation to local food consumption value, familiarity with nostalgia-triggering restaurants and loyalty and continued patronage.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data from 544 Taiwanese customers at nostalgia-themed restaurants. Using PROCESS (Model 6), the direct and indirect effect of nostalgia-evoking restaurant stimuli on loyalty and continued patronage were examined.

Findings

The confirmatory factor analysis results showed that five domains of restaurant attributes (i.e., service staff, exterior and interior design, furniture and tableware, local food and atmosphere) are nostalgia-evoking stimuli. The authors also found that these nostalgia-evoking stimuli significantly affected customer loyalty indirectly, through customers’ consumption value and familiarity.

Practical implications

The results of this study help identify the importance of nostalgia-generating cues in nostalgia-themed restaurants and their roles in postpurchase behaviors. The outcomes contribute to an improved understanding of how to exploit nostalgic sentiments in nurturing diners’ consumption value, maintaining customer loyalty and generating greater profits.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the few studies examining restaurant attributes evoking nostalgia and explaining the mechanism by which nostalgia-evoking stimuli affect consumer behavior.
Does shopping values influence consumers' well-being: empirical evidence from e-retail
Authors: Dogra Nikhil , Nasir Mohd , Adil Mohd
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The present study aims to examine how shopping values affect consumers' shopping well-being and, subsequently, their revisit intentions and word-of-mouth. The study also examines how recreational shopping consciousness influences the link between shopping values and consumers' shopping well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors tested the proposed hypotheses using PLS-SEM. Based on data generated from 314 users through an e-survey, the study validated the research model. Further, the study examines how recreational shopping consciousness moderates the link between dimensions of shopping values and shopping well-being.

Findings

The findings show that except for social value, other shopping values influence consumers' shopping well-being, which subsequently influences their revisit intention and word-of-mouth. Moreover, the study also shows that recreational shopping consciousness significantly and positively moderates the relationship between dimensions of shopping values and shopping well-being.

Practical implications

The current study finds that playfulness contributes more to consumers' shopping well-being. Hence, it is imperative for managers to offer enjoyable elements in their e-retailing platforms so that consumers could enjoy navigating their websites. In addition, through metaphorical and sentimental appeals, managers could also use promotional messages that reflect the hedonistic lifestyles that consumers actually follow.

Originality/value

Utilizing the value-satisfaction-loyalty lens, this study is pioneering as it investigates the contribution of shopping values to the overall psychological and emotional state of individuals. As a novel research endeavor, this study sheds light on the intricate relationship between consumers' shopping values and their well-being in the realm of e-retail.
Green human resource management practices and employee innovative behaviour: reflection from Ghana
Authors: Mensah Leonard Emmanuel , Shukla Shalini , Iqbal Hera Fatima
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between green human resource management (GHRM) practices and employee innovative work behaviour in the hospital. Although previous studies have examined the association between GHRM and various organisational outcomes, its nexus with employee innovative work behaviour has been largely unexplored.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a quantitative approach and tested hypotheses. The research design adopted both an explanatory and descriptive approach since there were limited past data or studies to reference. The study population was human resource and administrative managers at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital who have implemented GHRM practices. The sample size consisted of 264 respondents, selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires.

Findings

The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis. The results revealed that green training, green hiring and green compensation were significant predictors of innovative work behaviour among employees.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the understanding of the impact of GHRM practices on employee innovative work behaviour in the healthcare sector. The study recommends that organisations should view their training investments as financial investments and focus on hiring individuals with strong environmental sensibilities. Additionally, effective reward criteria should be developed to promote GHRM practices.
A qualitative study of penetration testers and what they can tell us about information security in organisations
Authors: De Paoli Stefano , Johnstone Jason
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This paper presents a qualitative study of penetration testing, the practice of attacking information systems to find security vulnerabilities and fixing them. The purpose of this paper is to understand whether and to what extent penetration testing can reveal various socio-organisational factors of information security in organisations. In doing so, the paper innovates theory by using Routine Activity Theory together with phenomenology of information systems concepts.

Design/methodology/approach

The articulation of Routine Activity Theory and phenomenology emerged inductively from the data analysis. The data consists of 24 qualitative interviews conducted with penetration testers, analysed with thematic analysis.

Findings

The starting assumption is that penetration testers are akin to offenders in a crime situation, dealing with targets and the absence of capable guardians. A key finding is that penetration testers described their targets as an installed base, highlighting how vulnerabilities, which make a target suitable, often emerge from properties of the existing built digital environments. This includes systems that are forgotten or lack ongoing maintenance. Moreover, penetration testers highlighted that although the testing is often predicated on planned methodologies, often they resort to serendipitous practices such as improvisation.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to theory, showing how Routine Activity Theory and phenomenological concepts can work together in the study of socio-organisational factors of information security. This contribution stems from considering that much research on information security focuses on the internal actions of organisations. The study of penetration testing as a proxy of real attacks allows novel insights into socio-organisational factors of information security in organisations.
Digitization, knowledge conversion and outcomes: conceptual study of prospects and paradigms for HEIs
Authors: Rani Shiva
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Knowledge management (KM) is a process that depends on changes and transfers to different levels of understanding among individuals and acts as a powerful tool to strengthen the organization to remove the barriers, affect the decision-making process and enable individuals and organizations to achieve sustainable advantages. This study aims to explore the role of digitization on knowledge conversion modes and its subsequent impact on related outcomes with reference to higher education institutions (HEIs). Prospects and paradigms of digitation for HEIs have also been explored.

Design/methodology/approach

The systematic review method has been used to organize and analyze the existing literature on digitization, knowledge conversion and related outcomes with reference to HEIs. To increase the scope of the research, the authors anticipated 30 research articles published between 2010 and 2022 in Google Scholar, Scopus, ProQuest and EBSCO databases. The study used PRISMA to conduct a systematic literature review. The study used “knowledge conversion, “SECI model,” “Digitalization” and “Higher education institutions” keywords to search the most suitable articles. To ensure the quality of this research, the study used quality journals.

Findings

The increasing significance of knowledge-building practices and a technology-driven environment insinuates the adoption of information and communication technology (ICT)-enabled equipment and devices to transfer knowledge, which further leads toward enhancing the effectiveness of education. This study offers a review of enabling factors based on Nonaka and Takeuchi’s (1995) knowledge spiral and provides an in-depth insight into the significance of digitization for the higher education sector.

Practical implications

The study’s main contribution was to explore the interrelationship among digitization, knowledge conversion and outcomes. Both technological and non-technological/conventional interventions have been discussed with reference to teaching and knowledge dissemination patterns based on Nonaka’s (1994) Socialization, Externalization, Combination, and Internalization (SECI) knowledge spiral.

Originality/value

The authors synthesize the previous literature research dimensions and recommend future research.
Warmth or competence: understanding the effect of brand perception on purchase intention via online reviews
Authors: Li Baoku , Nan Yafeng
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the main effect of brand perception (brand warmth vs brand competence) on purchase intention, the mediating effect of brand love and the moderating effects of the emotional polarity of online reviews.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilizes experimental design and machine learning to collect and clean data. The ANOVA, t-test and bootstrap analysis methods are used to verify the assumed hypotheses.

Findings

Findings demonstrate that brand perception influences purchase intention with the mediating effect of brand love and the moderating effect of the emotional polarity of online reviews. In particular, brand perception can promote brand love and further enhance purchase intention. When consumers browse positive online reviews, brand warmth (vs brand competence) will lead to higher purchase intention. However, when consumers browse negative online reviews, brand competence (vs brand warmth) will weaken purchase intention more.

Originality/value

The findings of the current research contribute to purchase intention in the context of online reviews by highlighting the importance of brand love and the key role of brand perception, to which prior studies have paid little attention. The authors' research also provides some suggestions for enterprises about how to strengthen brand love by investigating consumers' perceptions of brand warmth and brand competence and further increasing purchase intention while consumers face positive or negative online reviews.
The relationship between the use of technologies and digitalization strategies for digital transformation in family businesses
Authors: Begnini Sérgio , Oro Ieda Margarete , Tonial Graciele , Dalbosco Inocencia Boita
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Analyzing the effect of digitalization strategies and barriers to digital transformation (DT) on the use of technologies, in the Brazilian context, is necessary to broaden the understanding of topics in emerging economies. Thus, empirical research to evaluate and analyze aspects related to DT in small and medium-sized family businesses in an emerging economy is necessary, as it is a necessary strategic alternative in the current context.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from a survey conducted with 210 managers of Brazilian family businesses, the authors analyzed the positive cause and effect relationship between digitalization strategy and technology use. In addition, the authors seek to explore the moderating effect of barriers to digital development on the relationship between digitalization strategy and technology use. This analysis was conducted using the structural equation modeling technique, with the help of SmartPLS 4.0 software.

Findings

The findings confirm the positive relationship between the implementation of digitalization strategies and technology usage in small family businesses, thereby contributing to the broader analysis of how small family businesses employ and define their digitalization strategies. Furthermore, the authors identified barriers that hinder the development and utilization of technology for digitalization purposes.

Originality/value

This study fills gaps in empirical research by explaining the factors that drive barriers to DT in small family businesses. It contributes to advancing the understanding of digitalization strategies used by family SMEs and identifies the real strategic value opportunities that DT represents for businesses.
Risk governance and risk disclosure quality: an empirical evidence
Authors: Erin Olayinka , Okoh Johnson Ifeanyi , Okika Nkiru
Published: October 2023

Purpose

In recent time, stakeholders have called on corporate organizations to develop risk governance (RG) model that could strengthen effective risk disclosure quality (RDQ). Based on this premise, the purpose of this study is to examine the influence of RG on RD quality of 120 corporate organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

RG was measured by board risk committee size, board risk committee independence, board risk committee gender diversity, board risk committee expertise, board risk committee effectiveness, chief risk officer (CRO) presence and enterprise risk management (ERM) framework. This study has used both ordered logistic regression and probit regression to analyze the data set.

Findings

The number of members on the board risk committee, the proportion of women on that committee, the board expertise, the committee’s effectiveness, the presence of a CRO and the existence of an ERM framework were all found to have an impact on the quality of the risk information disclosed.

Practical implications

The study emphasizes the need for strong collaboration between the corporate board and external assurance in enhancing the quality of RD.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to growing literature in the area of RG and RD in Nigeria and by extension other sub-Saharan African countries.
LGBTQ hotel selection criteria: a thematic analysis method
Authors: Herjanto Halimin , Garza Regina Falcon , Amin Muslim
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) hotel selection criteria.

Design/methodology/approach

A thematic analysis was performed to explore 104 LGBTQ traveler comments based on TripAdvisor's top five LGBTQ hotels in Thailand.

Findings

The results indicated that tangible and intangible hotel attributes influence the LGBTQ community's hotel selection.

Practical implications

The results emphasize the need for hoteliers to understand the diversity of the LGBTQ community's hotel selection criteria and adjust or adopt different marketing strategies to engage and attract LGBTQ travelers.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the tourism literature by showing the importance of recognizing the LGBTQ community's hotel selection criteria and providing recommendations to improve product quality and services of hotels.
Exploring the predictive power of ANN and traditional regression models in real estate pricing: evidence from Prishtina
Authors: Hoxha Visar
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to examine the efficiency of linear, nonlinear and artificial neural networks (ANNs), in predicting property prices.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study uses a dataset of 1,468 real estate transactions from 2020 to 2022, obtained from the Department of Property Taxes of Republic of Kosovo. Beginning with a fundamental linear regression model, the study tackles the question of overlooked nonlinearity, employing a similar strategy like Peterson and Flanagan (2009) and McCluskey et al. (2012), whereby ANN's predictions are incorporated as an additional regressor within the ordinary least squares (OLS) model.

Findings

The research findings underscore the superior fit of semi-log and double-log models over the OLS model, while the ANN model shows moderate performance, contrary to the conventional conviction of ANN's superior predictive power. This is notably divergent from the prevailing belief about ANN's superior predictive power, shedding light on the potential overestimation of ANN's efficacy.

Practical implications

The study accentuates the importance of embracing diverse models in property price prediction, debunking the notion of the ubiquitous applicability of ANN models. The research outcomes carry substantial ramifications for both scholars and professionals engaged in property valuation.

Originality/value

Distinctively, this research pioneers the comparative analysis of diverse models, including ANN, in the setting of a developing country's capital, hence providing a fresh perspective to their effectiveness in property price prediction.
Enhancing virtual instruction: leveraging AI applications for success
Authors: Anna Nove E. Variant , Novian Rayhan Musa , Ismail Noraini
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to describe several artificial intelligence (AI)-based applications that librarians can use to serve and design virtual library instruction, so it will be more effective and efficient.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach involves a comprehensive review of AI-based applications that bring benefits to librarian to enhance the virtual instructional services (AI). This study explores the existing papers to reveal the potential use of AI for research consultation, designing the instructional services and conducting evaluation of the program.

Findings

There are some AI-based applications that are available for free that will help instructional librarian jobs. Librarians use the AI to increase effectiveness of the services. The AI-based applications that can be used to support instructional services on research inquiries include virtual assistance, knowledge mapping and note making, and to support designing virtual instruction, librarians can use design apps, image generators, voice generator, grammar checker and paraphrasing.

Originality/value

There are many studies on AI at the library; however, it’s still rare a paper studied AI-based application that potentially will bring benefit for virtual instructional services. This paper will give overview of AI application that will help instructional librarian on transactions with users and help librarians to create innovative instructional media.
Characteristics of platform providers in collaborative consumption: a derivation of archetypes
Authors: Lange Francie , Peters Anna , Kanbach Dominik K. , Kraus Sascha
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate different types of platform providers (PPs) to gain a deeper understanding of the characteristics and underlying logic of this group within collaborative consumption (CC). As CC occurs with three groups of actors (PP, peer service provider and customer) and is predominantly viewed from the customer perspective, this study offers insights from the under-researched PP perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This research applies a multiple case study approach and analyzes descriptively and thematically 92 cases of CC PPs gathered through the Crunchbase database.

Findings

The authors derive four archetypes of CC PPs, namely, the hedonist, functionalist, environmentalist and connector, that differ in their offered values, dominating motives and activities across industries.

Research limitations/implications

The authors conceptualize CC by clearly describing the four archetypes and their characteristics. However, further research would benefit from including databases other than Crunchbase.

Practical implications

PPs need to understand their value offerings and customer preferences to develop convincing value propositions and offer engaging activities. PPs would benefit from a more active social media presence to build strong relations with customers and peer service providers to effectively communicate their values.

Originality/value

The paper is pioneering as it encompasses the perspective of CC PPs and operationalizes the concept of CC. The authors address the lack of research on CC by conducting an extensive case study.
A novel coexistent resilience index to evaluate the supply chain resilience of industries using fuzzy logic
Authors: Narassima M.S. , Gedam Vidyadhar , Gunasekaran Angappa , Anbuudayasankar S.P. , Dwarakanath M.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore supply chain resilience (SCR) and provides a unique resilience index. The work measures the resilience status of 37 organizations across 22 industries and provides insight into accessing the supply chain (SC) vulnerability in an uncertain environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This study involves measuring the resilience status of 37 organizations across 22 industries based on a subjective decision-making approach using fuzzy logic. Experts from industries rated the importance and level of implementation of 33 attributes of SCR, which are used to develop a fuzzy index of implementation that explains the resilience status of organizations.

Findings

A novel coexistent resilience index is computed based on mutualism to exhibit the proportion of contribution or learning of each attribute of an organization in an industry. The research will enhance the response plans and formation of strategic alliances for mutual coexistence by industry.

Research limitations/implications

Evidence-based interpretations and suggestions are provided for each industry to enhance resilience through coexistence.

Originality/value

The work uniquely contributes to academic literature and SC strategy. The novel coexistent resilience index is computed based on mutualism, facilitating researchers to access SC resiliency.
Healthy and quality food attitudes and lifestyle: a generational cohort comparison
Authors: Savelli Elisabetta , Murmura Federica , Bravi Laura
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate how the different generations of consumers behave in the field of healthy and quality food consumption, considering their perceptions about healthy attributes and healthy eating style, what are the main trusted sources influencing consumption or the attention towards healthy and quality food, how do they behave towards healthy and quality foods and which benefits and barriers affect their consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this study were obtained from a questionnaire survey carried out over a six-month period in 2021. The questionnaire was administered online. The sampling procedure was based on a convenient non-random sampling method applied to the Italian population aged between 18 and 75 years old. The data collection process resulted in 1,646 completed questionnaires.

Findings

The results show that, in line with the theory of generational cohorts, each generation has its own specificities regarding food behaviour. The study reveals a highly sensitive approach towards healthy and quality food consumption from both Z-ers and the Baby Boomers, whilst X-ers are quite aligned with the other generations. Millennials show specific, sometimes contradictory, attitudes and habits.

Originality/value

The present results offer new insights into the analysis of healthy and quality food consumption, highlighting significant differences amongst generations, which can inspire public and private intervention aimed at encouraging the overall attention and consumption of healthy and quality food with related implications in terms of society's well-being and longevity improvements.