bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BGDMdocker: a Docker workflow for analysis and visualization pan-genome and biosynthetic gene clusters of bacterial
Authors: Cheng Gong , Lu Quan , Zhou Zongshan , Ma Ling , Zhang Guocai , Yilei WU , Chen Chao
Published: January 2017

Motivation

At present Docker technology has received increasing level of attention throughout the bioinformatics community. However, its implementation details have not yet been mastered by most biologists and applied widely in biological researches. In order to popularizing this technology in the bioinformatics and sufficiently use plenty of public resources of bioinformatics tools (Dockerfile and image of scommunity, officially and privately) in Docker Hub Registry and other Docker sources based on Docker, we introduced full and accurate instance of a bioinformatics workflow based on Docker to analyse and visualize pan-genome and biosynthetic gene clusters of a bacteria in this article, provided the solutions for mining bioinformatics big data from various public biology databases. You could be guided step-by-step through the workflow process from docker file to build up your own images and run an container fast creating an workflow.

Results

We presented a BGDMdocker (bacterial genome data mining docker-based) workflow based on docker. The workflow consists of three integrated toolkits, Prokka v1.11, panX, and antiSMASH3.0. The dependencies were all written in Dockerfile, to build docker image and run container for analysing pan-genome of total 44Bacillus amyloliquefaciensstrains, which were retrieved from public? database. The pan-genome totally includes 172,432 gene, 2,306 Core gene cluster. The visualized pan-genomic data such as alignment, phylogenetic trees, maps mutations within that cluster to the branches of the tree, infers loss and gain of genes on the core-genome phylogeny for each gene cluster were presented. Besides, 997 known (MIBiG database) and 553 unknown (antiSMASH-predicted clusters and Pfam database) genes of biosynthesis gene clusters types and orthologous groups were mined in all strains. This workflow could also be used for other species pan-genome analysis and visualization. The display of visual data can completely duplicated as well as done in this paper. All result data and relevant tools and files can be downloaded from our website with no need to register. The pan-genome and biosynthetic gene clusters analysis and visualization can be fully reusable immediately in different computing platforms (Linux, Windows, Mac and deployed in the cloud), achieved cross platform deployment flexibility, rapid development integrated software package.

Availability and implementation

BGDMdocker is available athttp://42.96.173.25/bapgd/and the source code under GPL license is available athttps://github.com/cgwyx/debian_prokka_panx_antismash_biodocker.

Contact

chenggongwyx@foxmail.com

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at biorxiv online.
Evidence for a Large-Scale Brain System Supporting Allostasis and Interoception in Humans
Authors: Kleckner Ian R. , Zhang Jiahe , Touroutoglou Alexandra , Chanes Lorena , Xia Chenjie , Simmons W. Kyle , Quigley Karen S. , Dickerson Bradford C. , Barrett Lisa Feldman
Published: January 2017

Large-scale intrinsic brain systems have been identified for exteroceptive senses (e.g., sight, hearing, touch). We introduce an analogous system for representing sensations from within the body, called interoception, and demonstrate its relation to regulating peripheral systems in the body, called allostasis. Employing the recently introduced Embodied Predictive Interoception Coding (EPIC) model, we used tract-tracing studies of macaque monkeys, followed by two intrinsic functional magnetic resonance imaging samples (N= 280 andN= 270) to evaluate the existence of an intrinsic allostatic/interoceptive system in the human brain. Another sample (N= 41) allowed us to evaluate the convergent validity of the hypothesized allostatic/interoceptive system by showing that individuals with stronger connectivity between system hubs performed better on an implicit index of interoceptive ability related to autonomic fluctuations. Implications include novel insights for the brain’s functional architecture, dissolving the artificial boundary between mind and body, and unifying mental and physical illness.
Glutamate release is inhibitory and unnecessary for the long-term potentiation of presynaptic function
Authors: Padamsey Zahid , Tong Rudi , Emptage Nigel
Published: January 2017

Long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) of transmitter release probability (Pr) are thought to be triggered by the activation of glutamate receptors. Here, we demonstrate that glutamate release at CA3-CA1 synapses is in fact inhibitory and unnecessary for increases in Pr. Instead, at active presynaptic terminals, postsynaptic depolarization alone can increase Prby promoting the release of nitric oxide from neuronal dendrites in a manner dependent on L-type voltage-gated Ca2+channels. The release of glutamate, in contrast, decreases Prby activating presynaptic NMDA receptors (NMDAR). Thus, net changes in Prare determined by the combined effect of both LTP-promoting and LTD-promoting processes, that is, by the amount of glutamate release and postsynaptic depolarization that accompany presynaptic activity, respectively. Neither of these processes directly depends on the activation of postsynaptic NMDARs. We further show that presynaptic changes can be captured by a simple learning rule, in which the role of presynaptic plasticity is to ensure that the ability for a presynaptic terminal to release glutamate is matched with its ability to predict postsynaptic spiking.
Local Control of Intracellular Microtubule Dynamics by End Binding Protein 1 (EB1) Photo-Dissociation
Authors: van Haren Jeffrey , Ettinger Andreas , Wang Hui , Hahn Klaus M. , Wittmann Torsten
Published: January 2017

Dynamic remodelling of the microtubule cytoskeleton and local interactions with intracellular targets are central to many polarized cell biological processes, an idea first formalized as search-and-capture hypothesis three decades ago1. However, because of the rapid timescale of microtubule polymerization dynamics, it is difficult to directly ask how, when and where dynamic microtubules participate in specific biological processes. Here, we employ a blue light-sensitive interaction with the oat phototropin LOV2 domain2to generate a photo-inactivated variant of the microtubule end-binding protein EB1, a small adaptor that is central to the interaction of functionally and structurally diverse proteins with growing microtubule ends3,4, that can replace endogenous EB1 function. Acute and reversible blue light-mediated n-EB1 photo-dissociation allows spatially and temporally precise control of intracellular microtubule polymerization dynamics. In addition to demonstrating that neither the GTP cap nor the MT polymerase CKAP5 are sufficient to sustain persistent MT polymerization at physiological growth rates, our data illustrate accurate subcellular control of a freely diffusible, cytoplasmic protein at the second and micrometer scale. This novel design may serve as a template for precise control of many other intracellular protein activities.
Action learning approach to teaching business engineering methodology
Authors: Leyer Michael , Moormann Jürgen
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The business engineering (BE) methodology is used to design process-oriented and customer-centred companies in a systematic and holistic way. However, BE demands a high learning effort with regard to the logical flow, instruments and supporting software. The purpose of this paper is to explore which elements of action learning are most useful regarding BE.

Design/methodology/approach

To enable students to learn BE, a graduate-level course based on action learning is designed. Within a one-week schedule, participants are guided through the three phases of BE covering 31 learning elements. A post-test measures the learning experience. Regression analysis identifies elements that lead to high learning performance.

Findings

Results from five courses with 79 students reveal that action learning is useful to obtain declarative and procedural knowledge of BE. Learning elements delivering theoretical input and the use of an exemplary case could be reduced, while more time should be devoted to group work on a self-developed case study.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is based on a specific course design for the topic of BE, which might limit the results’ transferability to other business process management (BPM) teaching areas. However, it provides implications about the decisive elements for learning how to design process-oriented companies.

Practical implications

The results can be used by instructors to design more meaningful courses on BE.

Originality/value

The paper delivers new insights into how issues of BPM should be taught. This area, particularly regarding BE, has received little research attention.
Modelling information flow and sharing matrix for fresh food supply chains
Authors: Nakandala Dilupa , Samaranayake Premaratne , Lau Henry , Ramanathan Krishnamurthy
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Despite much research on supply chain (SC) integration and the growing emphasis on recent information technology advancements as an enabler of improved performance, there has been limited research focussed specifically on information integration in supply chains (SCs). The purpose of this paper is to systematically review the literature on information integration in the fresh food supply chain (FFSC) from a holistic perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review is done by systematically collecting and analysing the recent literature to identify various participant entities of the FFSC information network and their specific information needs.

Findings

The information needs of FFSC entities are diverse but the needs are common across multiple entities.

Research limitations/implications

This study only reviewed the FFSC-related literature; an extended study of the food industry may reveal a more comprehensive view.

Practical implications

These findings are useful for practitioners in understanding the participant entities in the information network and their information needs and for policymakers in formulating FFSC development initiatives.

Originality/value

The authors are not aware of another study that investigates the FFSC in a holistic approach, one that identifies the actors, their interactions and information needs.
The BPM lifecycle
Authors: Bernardo Ronaldo , Galina Simone Vasconcelos Ribeiro , Pádua Silvia Inês Dallavalle de
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework that incorporates factors external to the organization into the business process management (BPM) lifecycle through dynamic capabilities (DCs), beginning with strategy and persisting through the business process transformation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study comprised four distinct phases. First, a literature review was conducted to identify validated theoretical models related to the topic. Then, a systematic review of the literature was conducted by accessing the EBSCOhost, ISI/Web of Science and Scopus databases, for the purpose of understanding how the relationship between BPM and DCs has been addressed. The third step was the identification of the meta-capabilities involved in the relationship between DC and BPM, the fourth step was the construction of a framework that integrated an external view into BPM through DC, and the final step evaluated these framework through a case study.

Findings

Ten texts were selected after a systematic literature review. The following main points of convergence were identified: DC contributes to the conceptualization and understanding of BPM, DC assists in the process of organizational change by promoting the adaptation of the company to the environment, and DC enhances BPM performance. A framework was developed and presented.

Practical implications

The proposed framework, which incorporates an external perspective into the BPM lifecycle through DCs, can be used by managers and researchers interested in the promotion of BPM.

Originality/value

The study shows how the sensing, seizing and transforming meta-capabilities can act to evaluate the outside-in perspective, serve as a benchmark for the alignment of business processes and enable the operationalization of emerging demands through the dynamic adaptation of processes.
Post-disaster resettlement and livelihood vulnerability in rural China
Authors: Chen Yong , Tan Yan , Luo Yong
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Livelihood recovery is a top priority to sustain resettled communities. The purpose of this paper is to assess livelihood vulnerability of those displaced and resettled in the aftermath of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, China, based on a newly constructed locational adjustable framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The study takes two resettlement villages in Sichuan Province as case study areas. Face-to-face surveys using a structured questionnaire and semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted to collect primary data in 2012-2013.

Findings

The findings show that distant resettlement of people post the Wenchuan earthquake has resulted in an increased livelihood vulnerability within resettlers and that they face more hazards post-resettlement when compared to host residents in the resettlement areas.

Research limitations/implications

The indicators considered for the livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) are only a subset that represents typical factors applicable in the context of rural settings of China. The LVI may vary if more indicators are incorporated or coefficients obtained using different methods.

Social implications

Highlights should be placed on livelihood assets and hazards to livelihood of the displaced people. During the transition period there is a pressing need for greater efforts to enhance migrants’ employment skills and assist them to restore viable livelihood activities.

Originality/value

This paper constructs a locational adjustable framework for analyzing and assessing livelihood vulnerability of disaster-induced resettlers from three aspects: livelihood hazards, livelihood assets and coping strategies.
Media attention and corporate disaster relief: evidence from China
Authors: Ouyang Zhe , Wei Jiuchang , Xiao Yu , Wang Fei
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of media attention on corporate disaster relief.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a matched sample research design, which is considered more appropriate than a random sample design for studying events that have low-occurrence rates in general. For each donor firm in the Yushu earthquake, the authors matched the firm with a non-donor firm in the same industry and with a firm size of within ±30 percent of the total assets in the year prior to the year of the occurrence of the Yushu earthquake. Then, using the Baidu engine, which is the most popular Chinese search engine, the authors captured the online media attention to the donor firms and their disaster relief.

Findings

The authors found that media attention drove corporate disaster relief.

Research limitations/implications

Although the authors highlighted the role of the media as an important stakeholder in influencing corporate disaster relief, the authors did not fully explore the media’s influence. Future research should delve more deeply into the impact of the tenor of media coverage on corporate disaster relief.

Originality/value

This study reveals that the media, a particularly powerful stakeholder, can be a corporate disaster relief driver in China.
The role of justice for cooperation and contract’s moderating effect in construction dispute negotiation
Authors: Lu Wenxue , Li Zhi , Wang Siqi
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Justice, although well developed in the organisational field, has not been given adequate attention in the area of construction project dispute negotiations. Based on previous studies, the purpose of this paper is to more elaborately discuss whether each dimension of justice (distributive, procedural and interactional) is important for negotiators to cooperate in construction project dispute negotiation and whether their impact was moderated by the completeness of construction contract.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 164 prime negotiators from different construction projects was conducted. A stepwise multiple regression was employed to test the impact of each dimension of justice, and then a moderated multiple regression model was used to test the moderating effect of contract completeness.

Findings

The results indicated that, while distributive justice is related to cooperative behaviours, the impact of procedural justice and interactional justice also have great impact, and even more significantly related to cooperative behaviours. Moreover, while contractual obligatoriness positively moderates the relationship between procedural justice and cooperative behaviours, the term specificity negatively moderates the relationship between procedural and interactional justice and cooperative behaviours.

Research limitations/implications

First, the authors aimed to test the effect of justice on cooperative behaviours in construction dispute negotiations originally, but did not determine whether their relationship is mediated by any other factors. Second, contractual governance was chosen as the moderator; other factors may also influence behaviours in project dispute negotiations.

Practical implications

First, project dispute negotiators should not focus their attention solely on the distribution of the negotiation issues. For a cooperative approach, negotiators should also give strong consideration to whether their offers reflect procedural justice and whether their opponents are being treated fairly. Second, while contractual design may affect the frame surrounding the negotiations to help negotiators achieve an integrated outcome, they should give more attention to certain forms of justice.

Originality/value

In contrast to previous studies, the authors defined all three forms of justice in project dispute negotiations, and by adding all three forms of justice into the model, the authors attempted to investigate whether distributive, procedural and interactional justice were all related to cooperative behaviours in project dispute negotiations and to ascertain the extent to which each form of justice is important. Furthermore, the authors explored variations in the importance of each form of justice in negotiations under different contractual conditions.
Effects of a major disaster on skills shortages in the construction industry
Authors: Chang-Richards Yan , Wilkinson Suzanne , Seville Erica , Brunsdon David
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the effects of a major disaster on the management of human resources in the construction sector. It sets out to identify the construction skills challenges and the factors that affected skills availability following the 2010/2011 earthquakes in Christchurch. It is hoped that this study will provide insights for on-going reconstruction and future disaster response with respect to the problem of skills shortages.

Design/methodology/approach

A triangulation method was adopted. The quantitative method, namely, a questionnaire survey, was employed to provide a baseline description. Field observations and interviews were used as a follow-up to ascertain issues and potential shortages over time. Three focus groups in the form of research workshops were convened to gain further insight into the feedback and to investigate the validity and applicability of the research findings.

Findings

The earthquakes in Christchurch had compounded the pre-existing skills shortages in the country due to heightened demand from reconstruction. Skills shortages primarily existed in seismic assessment and design for land and structures, certain trades, project management and site supervision. The limited technical capability available nationally, shortage of temporary accommodation to house additional workers, time needed for trainees to become skilled workers, lack of information about reconstruction workloads and lack of operational capacity within construction organisations, were critical constraints to the resourcing of disaster recovery projects.

Research limitations/implications

The research findings contribute to the debate on skills issues in construction. The study provides evidence that contributes to an improved understanding of the industry’s skills vulnerability and emerging issues that would likely exist after a major disaster in a resource-limited country such as New Zealand.

Practical implications

From this research, decision makers and construction organisations can gain a clear direction for improving the construction capacity and capability for on-going reconstruction. Factors that affected the post-earthquake skills availability can be considered by decision makers and construction organisations in their workforce planning for future disaster events. The recommendations will assist them in addressing skills shortages for on-going reconstruction.

Originality/value

Although the study is country-specific, the findings show the nature and scale of skills challenges the construction industry is likely to face following a major disaster, and the potential issues that may compound skills shortages. It provides lessons for other disaster-prone countries where the resource pool is small and a large number of additional workers are needed to undertake reconstruction.
Defining success in action learning: an international comparison
Authors: Bong Hyeon-Cheol , Cho Yonjoo
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to explore how the two groups of action learning experts (Korean and non-Korean experts) define success of action learning to see whether there are any cultural differences. To this end, the authors conducted a total of 44 interviews with action learning experts around the world. Research questions guiding our inquiry included: How do action learning experts around the world define the success of action learning? Are there any cultural differences in action learning experts’ definitions of success? What do we learn from action learning experts’ definitions of success?

Design/methodology/approach

The authors approached willing participants first and then recruited more participants using a snowball sampling technique by requesting them to help us make contact with additional participants. Due to interview participants’ busy schedule at an international conference and work, individual interviews took approximately 30 min to complete using an interview protocol of 10 questions regarding the definitions of success in action learning.

Findings

To answer RQ1 (How do action learning experts around the world define the success of action learning?) and RQ2 (Are there any cultural differences in action learning experts’ definitions of success?), the authors analyzed interview data using a content analysis method. Analysis of interview participants’ narratives generated four themes including: definitions of success in action learning, the context where action learning is being practiced, challenges in action learning practice and the comparison of action learning with other approaches. The authors compared and contrasted cultural differences in the review of non-Korean and Korean experts’ narratives.

Research limitations/implications

The authors presented four significant discussion agendas including: cultural differences, relationships between interview questions, typology of definitions of success and comparing action learning with other approaches. Based on the discussion, the authors presented four propositions, three research questions, two methodological questions and two more questions for cultural differences for future investigation.

Practical implications

To answer RQ3 (What do we learn from action learning experts’ definitions of success?), the authors provided at least three practical implications for action learning practitioners.

Originality/value

Previous studies, using research methods such as Delphi and surveys, have not captured a complete picture of the meaning of success in action learning, and the interview method was used for a small number of experts only. In addition, as action learning originally emerged from the UK and Europe, and Korean companies adopted a US approach to action learning with little effort at indigenization, international comparison studies were called for, so the authors turned to action learning experts around the world to learn how they define success in action learning.
Community participation in rural Ecuador’s school feeding programme
Authors: Torres Irene , Simovska Venka
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the debate concerning community participation in school-based health education and health promotion, with regard to food and nutrition.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on empirical data generated over the course of one year of fieldwork in three rural communities and schools in Ecuador, the study examines community participation related to the implementation of the school feeding programme (SFP) in rural schools in Ecuador. The conceptual framework for the study is shaped by the concepts of student and community participation within the health promoting school (HPS) paradigm.

Findings

The findings help identify and portray different forms of community participation, ranging from a total absence of meaningful participation, though very limited, to consequential participation determined as community influence on the SFP practices to meet the community needs, priorities and systems of meanings.

Research limitations/implications

The study shows that the meaningful participation of the parents and community members in small rural schools in a low- to middle-income country such as Ecuador can be linked to an empowered stance towards the SFP so that it is better tuned to local conditions, priorities and systems of meaning. School leadership, geographical characteristics and internal community organization seem to influence how participation is valued and enacted. Challenges remain in the interpretations of community participation, including counter- and non-participation of members.

Originality/value

The study contributes to an understanding of policy implementation and the implications of a HPS approach to health education and health promotion in small rural schools.
Nordic children’s conceptualizations of healthy eating in relation to school lunch
Authors: Berggren Linda , Talvia Sanna , Fossgard Eldbjørg , Björk Arnfjörð Unnur , Hörnell Agneta , Ólafsdóttir Anna Sigríður , Gunnarsdóttir Ingibjörg , Wergedahl Hege , Lagström Hanna , Waling Maria , Olsson Cecilia
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Pupils’ perspective should be better taken into account when developing nutrition education at school. The purpose of this paper is to explore Nordic children’s perspectives on the healthiness of meals in the context of school lunches.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 78 focus group discussions were conducted with 10-11-year-old girls and boys (n=457) from schools in Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, which were participating in the Nordic school meal project ProMeal during the school year 2013-2014. A flexible discussion guide and stimulus material in the form of 14 photographs displaying different school lunch contexts were used. The discussions were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Findings

These Nordic children seem to share the adult-set aim of healthy eating in the school context as a socio-cultural norm. Although healthy eating was constructed as a rational, normative and acceptable way to eat at school, unhealthy eating was emphasized as negotiably acceptable when eaten occasionally and under certain circumstances (e.g. at special occasions). Unhealthy eating also comprised emotionally laden descriptions such as enjoyment and disgust.

Practical implications

Children’s conceptualizations of healthy eating are connected to nutritional, socio-cultural, emotional and normative dimensions, which should be reflected also when developing nutrition education in school.

Originality/value

The need for research exploring children’s experiences of, and understandings about, school lunch motivated this unique multicenter study with a large number of participating children. In the focus groups a child-oriented, photo-elicitation method was used.
Understanding teleworkers’ technostress and its influence on job satisfaction
Authors: Suh Ayoung , Lee Jumin
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a theoretical model that predicts a teleworker’s job satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

By drawing on the technostress model and job characteristics theory, this study proposed a theoretical model. The proposed model was tested through a survey of 258 teleworkers from two global IT companies that have adopted telework programs.

Findings

The results show that technology and job characteristics jointly induce teleworkers’ technostress, which in turn reduces their job satisfaction. The results also indicate that the manner in which technology and job characteristics influence teleworkers’ technostress varies depending on the intensity of teleworking (IOT). Interestingly, this study finds that teleworkers with a low IOT are more vulnerable to technostress than those with a high IOT.

Research limitations/implications

By discussing the magnitude of the different factors that determine teleworkers’ technostress and job satisfaction, this study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of teleworkers’ challenges. The study provides insights and prescriptive guidelines that will help managers and companies develop strategies to maximize the benefits of teleworking implementation.

Practical implications

This study provides insights and prescriptive guidelines for managers or companies to develop strategies to maximize the benefits of teleworking implementation.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to develop and empirically test an integrated model of technostress and job characteristics. The paper outlines relevant research avenues for researchers investigating remote work and virtual collaboration.
Determinants of cyberloafing: a comparative study of a public and private sector organization
Authors: Huma Zill-e- , Hussain Saddam , Thurasamy Ramayah , Malik Muhammad Imran
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Cyberloafing is the personal use of internet while at work. The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors affecting cyberloafing between public and private sector organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the multiple motivational factors with the help of a theoretical paradigm, renowned as theory of interpersonal behavior (TIB). Data were collected through questionnaire to investigate the different behavioral factors between the public and private sector organizations. PLS path modeling and PLS-MGA are used to access the results on SMARTPLS 2.0 software.

Findings

Results show that the three factors of habit, intention, and social influences taken from the TIB model are important and have a higher path coefficient in a public sector organization setting. The factors of affect, facilitating condition and perceived consequences from TIB are greater in a private sector organization and have a higher path coefficient. By contrast, in multiple group analysis, results show that some factors are more predictive of cyberloafing behavior in a public sector organization, whereas other factors are more predictive for a private sector organization.

Practical implications

The findings of the current research are beneficial for both organizations and contribute toward policy-making decisions. These results help the managers of public and private sector organizations to decide how to control cyberloafing behavior by focusing on the important factors that lead to it.

Originality/value

This study shows strong and significant differences between the two types of organizations in terms of path coefficient. This implies that cyberloafing factors have different impacts on different organizations. The study fills an important gap in comparing public and private sector organizations with respect to cyberloafing behavior and clarifying which factors are more effective in predicting cyberloafing behavior according to type of organization. The paper is of great value for both kinds of organizations that face cyberloafing behavior issues.
Contact sport participation predicts instrumental aggression, not hostile aggression, within competition: quasi-experimental evidence
Authors: Sherrill Andrew M. , Bradel Lauren T.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Findings are mixed with regard to the link between contact sport participation and aggression. One possibility is that contact sport participation may be associated with instrumental aggression but not hostile aggression. The purpose of this paper is to employ a quasi-experimental design to investigate the prediction that young men who regularly participated in contact sports during high school, compared to those who did not, exhibit a greater disposition toward aggression in response to a non-provoking situation (instrumental aggression) and no dispositional difference in response to a provoking situation (hostile aggression).

Design/methodology/approach

The Taylor Aggression Paradigm was used to manipulate three levels of provocation (no provocation, low provocation, high provocation) and observe aggressive behavior in participants who varied in contact sport participants (yes, no).

Findings

Results indicated a significant two-way interaction between provocation level and contact sport participation such that contact sport participation positively predicted aggression before provocation was initiated (instrumental aggression), not after (hostile aggression).

Originality/value

This is one of only a limited number of studies to examine the link between contact sport participation and aggression at varying levels of provocation. Findings suggest the form of aggression associated with contact sport participation is predominately instrumental.
Exploration of the risk factors contained within the UK’s existing domestic abuse risk assessment tool (DASH): do these risk factors have individual predictive validity regarding recidivism?
Authors: Almond Louise , McManus Michelle , Brian David , Merrington Daniel Peter
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore risk factors contained in the existing UK domestic abuse (DA) risk assessment tool: domestic abuse, stalking and harassment and honour-based violence (DASH) for individual predictive validity of DA recidivism using data from Devon and Cornwall Constabulary.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 1,441 DA perpetrators were monitored over a 12-month period, and 270 (18.7 per cent) went on to commit a further DA offence. The individual risk factors which were associated and predictive of increased risk of recidivism were identified.

Findings

Only four of the individual risk factors were significantly associated with an increased risk of DA recidivism: “criminal history”, “problems with alcohol”, “separation” and “frightened”. Therefore, 21 of the risk factor items analysed could not discriminate between non-recidivist and recidivist perpetrators. Only two risk factors were able to significantly predict the recidivist group when compared to the non-recidivist group. These were identified as “criminal history” and “separated”. Of those who did commit a further DA offence in the following 12 months, 133 were violent and 137 were non-violent. The risk factors associated with these types of recidivism are identified.

Practical implications

The implications for UK police practice and the DASH risk assessment tool are discussed. By identifying key individual factors that can prioritise those individuals likely to recidivate and the severity of that recidivism, this could assist police decision making regarding the response and further prevention of DA incidents. The validation of association between individual factors and DA recidivism should improve the accuracy of risk levels.

Originality/value

This is the first large-scale validation of the individual risk factors contained within the UK’s DA risk assessment tool. It should be noted that the validity of the DASH tool itself was not examined within the current study.
Personality dimensions and attitudes towards peace and war
Authors: Blumberg Herbert H. , Zeligman Ruth , Appel Liat , Tibon-Czopp Shira
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between major personality dimensions and attitudes towards peace and war.

Design/methodology/approach

Three samples – two consisting of British psychology students (n=64 and 121) and one of Israeli students (n=80), responded to measures of some or all of: five-factor inventory, SYMLOG trait form, general survey including authoritarianism; attitudes towards peace and war; specific attitudes towards peace and war policy.

Findings

The general attitude measures were associated with the specific attitudes. Both were associated with authoritarianism but not consistently with other personality dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

Descriptive findings might not generalize and need contextualization. Authoritarianism should be measured in any studies of attitudes related to peace, war, conflict, and structural violence.

Practical implications

Practitioners of peace education may first need to address high authoritarianism and low integrative complexity. Also, countering structural violence related, for instance, to poverty or prejudice/discrimination may require a comprehensive approach including collaborative work with clinical psychologists applying both implicit and explicit assessment tools.

Originality/value

Documenting links (and lack of them) among personality variables and attitudes towards peace and war has practical and theoretical value – and may contribute to organizational schemes shaped by personality structure and bearing implications for negotiations. In terms of a paradigm by Morton Deutsch, our results show individual differences in, and associations among, variables relating to the remediable likelihood of parties being differentially likely to find themselves in negatively vs. positively interdependent situations; and carrying out effective instead of “bungling” actions.
Killing the balanced scorecard to improve internal disclosure
Authors: Nielsen Christian , Lund Morten , Thomsen Peter
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Two drawbacks to current management information practices are identified. First, the level of abstraction from which internal management disclosures are constructed using current frameworks is too generic; and second, the current process of identifying relevant management disclosures is outdated. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to discuss whether contemporary conceptions of value creation from the field of business models can improve the currently applied frameworks used for generating internal management disclosures on intellectual capital. Hence, this paper offers a timely critique of the balanced scorecard, and other performance measurement concepts developed over the last 25 years.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews contemporary literature on the balanced scorecard, and related concepts, for generating internal management disclosures relating to intellectual capital. Furthermore, the problems that balanced scorecard type frameworks have as vehicles for constructing relevant internal management disclosures are explored.

Findings

This essay argues that internal management disclosures need more precise underpinnings of value creation than offered by current frameworks. An empirically validated structure that establishes alignment between value creation and internal management disclosures, through the mechanism of business model configurations, is applied to overcome the two identified drawbacks of current practices.

Research limitations/implications

This is a conceptual/normative offering.

Practical implications

Following the critique, this essay prompts a new way forward for identifying internal management disclosures and performance measures, their validation, and subsequent benchmarking by expanding upon the concept of business model configurations. This concept offers a value driver platform with related clusters of KPIs connected to each of the 71 identified business model configurations as a starting point for management’s identification of relevant KPIs, and their analysis, benchmarking, and application for performance management.

Originality/value

The arguments offered in this essay illustrate how it is possible to enhance the relevance of internal management disclosures by challenging and changing the normative level of abstraction applied.
Furthering the thought on Islamic work ethic: how does it differ?
Authors: Mohammad Jihad , Quoquab Farzana
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the underlying values of Islamic work ethic (IWE) that distinguish it from other ethical perspectives such as Protestant work ethic (PWE), Hindu work ethic (HWE) and/or Buddhist work ethic (BWE).

Design/methodology/approach

The present study utilized the critical review approach to answer the research questions. In this regard, guidance was sought from the Holy Quran and Sunnah to understand the Islamic ordainments pertaining to IWE. Moreover, articles related to different ethical systems are exhaustively reviewed.

Findings

Based on the literature review pertaining to the different ethical systems, this study highlights five specific distinguishing values and behavior: emphasis on halal and haram, emphasis on the purity of intention, seeking of employment, the nature of employer–employee relationship and dealing with sexual harassment.

Practical implications

Multinational and local organizations are strongly recommended to comprehend and grasp different ethical background of their employees to meet and satisfy their physical and spiritual needs. As a result, it may enhance and boost the effectiveness, efficiency and productivity of the organizations.

Originality/value

This study has its merits in term of identifying the distinguishing aspects of IWE from other ethical systems. There is a paucity of research that examines these differentiating values. Therefore, the research question “what are the underlying factors that differentiate IWE from PWE, HWE and/or BWE?” is still unanswered. The present research is an attempt to answer this question. The findings of this study will enable the researchers to come out with a comprehensive and complete definition of IWE construct. Moreover, it will be useful to refine the existing IWE scale by emphasizing the distinguishing aspects of the construct.
How does altruistic leader behavior foster radical innovation? The mediating effect of organizational learning capability
Authors: Domínguez Escrig Emilio , Mallén Broch Francisco Fermín , Chiva Gómez Ricardo , Lapiedra Alcamí Rafael
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence of the relationship between altruistic leader behavior and radical innovation, using organizational learning as an explanatory variable.

Design/methodology/approach

To confirm the hypotheses, structural equations were used on a data set from a survey carried out on Spanish firms with recognized excellence in human resources management.

Findings

The study empirically validates the conceptual model. Results suggest that organizational learning capability fully mediates the relationship between altruistic leader behavior and radical innovation.

Research limitations/implications

The database used in the study is very heterogeneous. Future research might delimit the database by organization size or sector.

Practical implications

Results suggest ideas for organizations that want to implement a working environment that fosters innovation performance in order to achieve radical innovations.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies to concentrate on altruistic leader behaviors as such. This paper contributes to understanding how altruistic leader behavior affects radical innovation and the key role played by organizational learning capability.
Culpable leaders, trust, emotional exhaustion, and identification during a crisis
Authors: Kovoor-Misra Sarah , Gopalakrishnan Shanthi
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate followers’ judgments of the culpability of their leaders and the organization’s external stakeholders in causing a crisis. The authors study the differences in effects of these judgments on their trust toward their leaders, their emotional exhaustion, and their levels of organizational identification.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the survey method the authors collected data from 354 individuals from an organization that filed for bankruptcy. Respondents’ comments also provided qualitative data that was used to triangulate the findings.

Findings

The authors find that individuals’ judgments that their leaders were culpable led to reduced trust, increased emotional exhaustion, and contrary to expectations reduced organizational identification. Therefore, it appears that in situations of perceived leader culpability during a crisis, followers tightly couple their leaders with the organization as a whole. In contrast, their judgments that external stakeholders were culpable were associated with increased trust toward their leaders, increased organizational identification, and they had no relationship with their levels of emotional exhaustion. The analysis of the qualitative data provides some insights into their judgments and the dependent variables.

Research limitations/implications

Organizational members’ judgments of culpability are important factors that should be considered in crisis management research, and in research on trust, emotional exhaustion, and organizational identification. A limitation of the study is that it is cross-sectional in nature. Therefore, future research could test the findings in a longitudinal study.

Practical implications

Leaders need to understand the judgments of their followers during an organizational crisis. These judgments have implications for when and how leaders can mobilize their followers and the leadership tasks during crisis containment.

Originality/value

Extant research tends to focus on the judgments of external stakeholders during a crisis. This study is one of the first to examine the effects of internal stakeholders’ judgments of culpability for causing a crisis on their trust, emotional exhaustion, and organizational identification. Further, existing empirical studies on followers’ attributions during a crisis tend to be laboratory based. The study provides empirical evidence from individuals in an actual organization in crisis.