bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The reef-building coral
Acropora
conditionally hybridize under sperm limitation
Authors: Kitanobo Seiya , Isomura Naoko , Fukami Hironobu , Iwao Kenji , Morita Masaya
Published: August 2016

Multi-specific synchronous spawning risks both sperm limitation, which reduces fertilization success, and hybridization with other species. If available sperm of conspecifics are limited, hybridization with heterospecific sperm could be an alternative. Some species of the reef-building coral
Acropora
produce hybrid offspring
in vitro
, and therefore hybridization between such species does sometimes occur in nature. Here, we report that the interbreeding species
Acropora florida
and
A. intermedia
preferentially bred with conspecifics at optimal gamete concentrations (10
6
cells ml
−1
), but when sperm concentration was low (10
4
cells ml
−1
),
A
.
florida
eggs displayed an increased incidence of fertilization by sperm of
A
.
intermedia
. However,
A
.
intermedia
eggs never crossed with heterospecific sperm, regardless of gamete concentrations. It appears that
A
.
florida
eggs conditionally hybridize with heterospecific sperm; in nature, this would allow
A
.
florida
to cross with later-spawning species such as
A
.
intermedia
. These results indicate that hybridization between some
Acropora
species could occur in nature according to the number of available sperm, and the choice of heterospecific sperm for fertilization could be one of the fertilization strategies in the sperm-limited condition.
Kenneth Langstreth Johnson. 19 March 1925 — 21 September 2015
Authors: Smith Roderick A.
Published: August 2016

Kenneth Johnson, born in Barrow in 1925, studied mechanical engineering at Manchester during World War II. After some years in industry and an early appointment back in Manchester, he spent most of his academic career teaching and researching at the Engineering Department of Cambridge University. He was also a long-serving Fellow of Jesus College. He was renowned for the insightful analysis of meticulous experiments in contact mechanics. He was widely acknowledged as the doyen of this area, particularly after the publication of his seminal work of the same name. His major publications included topics in friction and wear, rheology and lubrication, rolling contact and adhesion. Important applications of his insights included the prediction of corrugations and cracks in railway lines. He was gratified when, after many years of dormancy, his ideas in adhesion were used by others to explain the climbing behaviours of insects and other small animals with soft feet. He was a devoted family man, characterized by warm personal qualities that won him many friends around the world.
Co-occurrence of ecologically equivalent cryptic species of spider wasps
Authors: Kurushima Hiroaki , Yoshimura Jin , Kim Jeong-Kyu , Kim Jong-Kuk , Nishimoto Yutaka , Sayama Katsuhiko , Kato Manabu , Watanabe Kenta , Hasegawa Eisuke , Roff Derek A. , Shimizu Akira
Published: August 2016

Many cryptic species have been discovered in various taxonomic groups based on molecular phylogenetic analyses and mating experiments. Some sympatric cryptic species share equivalent resources, which contradicts the competitive exclusion principle. Two major theories have been proposed to explain the apparent lack of competitive exclusion, i.e. niche-based coexistence and neutral model, but a conclusive explanation is lacking. Here, we report the co-occurrence of cryptic spider wasp species appearing to be ecologically equivalent. Molecular phylogenetic analyses and mating experiments revealed that three phylogenetically closely related species are found sympatrically in Japan. These species share the same resources for larval food, and two of the species have the same niche for nesting sites, indicating a lack of competitive exclusion. This evidence may suggest that ecologically equivalent species can co-occur stably if their shared resources are sufficiently abundant that they cannot be over-exploited.
Sea anemones modify their hiding time based on their commensal damselfish
Authors: Lim Alexandra N. , De La Guerra Justin A. , Blumstein Daniel T.
Published: August 2016

Animals often retreat to refugia when alarmed and the time they spend hiding reflects an economic decision that trades off reducing predation risk with other beneficial activities. Typically, refugia such as burrows are static, but some refugia are dynamic. For species with defensive mutualisms, hiding might be contingent on their mutualist's behaviour. We disturbed and quantified hiding time in magnificent sea anemones,
Heteractis magnifica,
and their associated domino damselfish,
Dascyllus trimaculatus
. We found that sea anemone hiding behaviour was dependent on the number and behaviour of their commensal fish: anemones emerged sooner when they had more associated fish and faster returning fish. Together, these results demonstrate that hiding behaviour can be influenced by the behaviour of a commensal; such dynamic mutualisms may be found in other systems.
Play-solicitation gestures in chimpanzees in the wild: flexible adjustment to social circumstances and individual matrices
Authors: Fröhlich Marlen , Wittig Roman M. , Pika Simone
Published: August 2016

Social play is a frequent behaviour in great apes and involves sophisticated forms of communicative exchange. While it is well established that great apes test and practise the majority of their gestural signals during play interactions, the influence of demographic factors and kin relationships between the interactants on the form and variability of gestures are relatively little understood. We thus carried out the first systematic study on the exchange of play-soliciting gestures in two chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) communities of different subspecies. We examined the influence of age, sex and kin relationships of the play partners on gestural play solicitations, including object-associated and self-handicapping gestures. Our results demonstrated that the usage of (i) audible and visual gestures increased significantly with infant age, (ii) tactile gestures differed between the sexes, and (iii) audible and visual gestures were higher in interactions with conspecifics than with mothers. Object-associated and self-handicapping gestures were frequently used to initiate play with same-aged and younger play partners, respectively. Our study thus strengthens the view that gestures are mutually constructed communicative means, which are flexibly adjusted to social circumstances and individual matrices of interactants.
Not what it looks like: mate-searching behaviour, mate preferences and clutch production in wandering and territory-holding female fiddler crabs
Authors: Peso M. , Curran E. , Backwell P. R. Y.
Published: August 2016

Risks inherent in mate-searching have led to the assumption that females moving sequentially through populations of courting males are sexually receptive, but this may not be true. We examined two types of fiddler crab females: wanderers moving through the population of courting males and residents that were occupying and defending their own territories. Sometimes residents leave territories to look for new burrows and we simulated this by displacing wanderers and residents and observing their behaviour while wandering. We predicted that the displaced wanderers would exhibit more mate-searching behaviours than resident females. However, wandering and resident females behaved nearly identically, displaying mate-searching behaviours and demonstrating matching mate preferences. Also, males behaved the same way towards both female types and similar proportions of wanderers and residents stayed in a male's burrow to mate. But more wanderers than residents produced egg clutches when choosing a burrow containing a male, suggesting females should be categorized as receptive and non-receptive. Visiting and rejecting several males is not the defining feature of female mate choice. Moving across the mudflat by approaching and leaving a succession of burrows (mostly occupied by males) is an adaptive anti-predator behaviour that is useful in the contexts of mate-searching and territory-searching.
Forward modelling the rubber hand: illusion of ownership modifies motor-sensory predictions by the brain
Authors: Aymerich-Franch Laura , Petit Damien , Kheddar Abderrahmane , Ganesh Gowrishankar
Published: August 2016

The question of how we attribute observed body parts as our own, and the consequences of this attribution on our sensory-motor processes, is fundamental to understand how our brain distinguishes between self and other. Previous studies have identified interactions between the illusion of ownership, and multi-sensory integration and cross-sensory predictions by the brain. Here we show that illusory ownership additionally modifies the motor-sensory predictions by the brain. In our preliminary experiments, we observed a new numbness illusion following the classical rubber-hand illusion (RHI); brushing only the rubber hand after induction of the RHI results in illusory numbness in one's real hand. Previous studies have shown that self-generated actions (like tickling) are attenuated by motor-sensory predictions by the so-called
forward model
. Motivated by this finding, here we examined whether the numbness illusion after the RHI is different when the rubber hand is brushed oneself, compared with when the brushing is performed by another. We observed that, all other conditions remaining the same, haptic perception in the real hand was lower (numbness higher) during self-generated brushing. Our result suggests that RHI reorganizes the forward model, such that we predict haptic consequences of self-generated motor actions on the rubber hand.
Geometric flow control of shear bands by suppression of viscous sliding
Authors: Sagapuram Dinakar , Viswanathan Koushik , Mahato Anirban , Sundaram Narayan K. , M'Saoubi Rachid , Trumble Kevin P. , Chandrasekar Srinivasan
Published: August 2016

Shear banding is a plastic flow instability with highly undesirable consequences for metals processing. While band characteristics have been well studied, general methods to control shear bands are presently lacking. Here, we use high-speed imaging and micro-marker analysis of flow in cutting to reveal the common fundamental mechanism underlying shear banding in metals. The flow unfolds in two distinct phases: an initiation phase followed by a viscous sliding phase in which most of the straining occurs. We show that the second sliding phase is well described by a simple model of two identical fluids being sheared across their interface. The equivalent shear band viscosity computed by fitting the model to experimental displacement profiles is very close in value to typical liquid metal viscosities. The observation of similar displacement profiles across different metals shows that specific microstructure details do not affect the second phase. This also suggests that the principal role of the initiation phase is to generate a weak interface that is susceptible to localized deformation. Importantly, by constraining the sliding phase, we demonstrate a material-agnostic method—passive geometric flow control—that effects complete band suppression in systems which otherwise fail via shear banding.
Marine
Phytophthora
species can hamper conservation and restoration of vegetated coastal ecosystems
Authors: Govers Laura L. , Man in ‘t Veld Willem A. , Meffert Johan P. , Bouma Tjeerd J. , van Rijswick Patricia C. J. , Heusinkveld Jannes H. T. , Orth Robert J. , van Katwijk Marieke M. , van der Heide Tjisse
Published: August 2016

Phytophthora
species are potent pathogens that can devastate terrestrial plants, causing billions of dollars of damage yearly to agricultural crops and harming fragile ecosystems worldwide. Yet, virtually nothing is known about the distribution and pathogenicity of their marine relatives. This is surprising, as marine plants form vital habitats in coastal zones worldwide (i.e. mangrove forests, salt marshes, seagrass beds), and disease may be an important bottleneck for the conservation and restoration of these rapidly declining ecosystems. We are the first to report on widespread infection of
Phytophthora
and
Halophytophthora
species on a common seagrass species,
Zostera marina
(eelgrass), across the northern Atlantic and Mediterranean. In addition, we tested the effects of
Halophytophthora
sp. Zostera and
Phytophthora gemini
on
Z. marina
seed germination in a full-factorial laboratory experiment under various environmental conditions. Results suggest that
Phytophthora
species are widespread as we found these oomycetes in eelgrass beds in six countries across the North Atlantic and Mediterranean. Infection by
Halophytophthora
sp
.
Zostera,
P. gemini
, or both, strongly affected sexual reproduction by reducing seed germination sixfold. Our findings have important implications for seagrass ecology, because these putative pathogens probably negatively affect ecosystem functioning, as well as current restoration and conservation efforts.
Global mammal beta diversity shows parallel assemblage structure in similar but isolated environments
Authors: Penone Caterina , Weinstein Ben G. , Graham Catherine H. , Brooks Thomas M. , Rondinini Carlo , Hedges S. Blair , Davidson Ana D. , Costa Gabriel C.
Published: August 2016

The taxonomic, phylogenetic and trait dimensions of beta diversity each provide us unique insights into the importance of historical isolation and environmental conditions in shaping global diversity. These three dimensions should, in general, be positively correlated. However, if similar environmental conditions filter species with similar trait values, then assemblages located in similar environmental conditions, but separated by large dispersal barriers, may show high taxonomic, high phylogenetic, but low trait beta diversity. Conversely, we expect lower phylogenetic diversity, but higher trait biodiversity among assemblages that are connected but are in differing environmental conditions. We calculated all pairwise comparisons of approximately 110 × 110 km grid cells across the globe for more than 5000 mammal species (approx. 70 million comparisons). We considered realms as units representing geographical distance and historical isolation and biomes as units with similar environmental conditions. While beta diversity dimensions were generally correlated, we highlight geographical regions of decoupling among beta diversity dimensions. Our analysis shows that assemblages from tropical forests in different realms had low trait dissimilarity while phylogenetic beta diversity was significantly higher than expected, suggesting potential convergent evolution. Low trait beta diversity was surprisingly not found between isolated deserts, despite harsh environmental conditions. Overall, our results provide evidence for parallel assemblage structure of mammal assemblages driven by environmental conditions at a global scale.
Number sense and state-dependent valuation in cuttlefish
Authors: Yang Tsang-I , Chiao Chuan-Chin
Published: August 2016

Identifying the amount of prey available is an important part of an animal's foraging behaviour. The risk-sensitive foraging theory predicts that an organism's foraging decisions with regard to food rewards depending upon its satiation level. However, the precise interaction between optimal risk-tolerance and satiation level remains unclear. In this study, we examined, firstly, whether cuttlefish, with one of the most highly evolved nervous system among the invertebrates, have number sense, and secondly, whether their valuation of food reward is satiation state dependent. When food such as live shrimps is present, without training, cuttlefish turn toward the prey and initiate seizure behaviour. Using this visual attack behaviour as a measure, cuttlefish showed a preference for a larger quantity when faced with two-alternative forced choice tasks (1 versus 2, 2 versus 3, 3 versus 4 and 4 versus 5). However, cuttlefish preferred the small quantity when the choice was between one live and two dead shrimps. More importantly, when the choice was between one large live shrimp and two small live shrimps (a prey size and quantity trade-off), the cuttlefish chose the large single shrimp when they felt hunger, but chose the two smaller prey when they were satiated. These results demonstrate that cuttlefish are capable of number discrimination and that their choice of prey number depends on the quality of the prey and on their appetite state. The findings also suggest that cuttlefish integrate both internal and external information when making a foraging decision and that the cost of obtaining food is inversely correlated with their satiation level, a phenomenon similar to the observation that metabolic state alters economic decision making under risk among humans.
Sperm morphology, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration and swimming velocity: unexpected relationships in a passerine bird
Authors: Bennison Clair , Hemmings Nicola , Brookes Lola , Slate Jon , Birkhead Tim
Published: August 2016

The relationship between sperm energetics and sperm function is poorly known, but is central to our understanding of the evolution of sperm traits. The aim of this study was to examine how sperm morphology and ATP content affect sperm swimming velocity in the zebra finch
Taeniopygia guttata
. We exploited the high inter-male variation in this species and created extra experimental power by increasing the number of individuals with very long or short sperm through artificial selection. We found a pronounced quadratic relationship between total sperm length and swimming velocity, with velocity increasing with length up to a point, but declining in the very longest sperm. We also found an unexpected negative association between midpiece length and ATP content: sperm with a short midpiece generally contained the highest concentration of ATP. Low intracellular ATP is therefore unlikely to explain reduced swimming velocity among the very longest sperm (which tend to have a shorter midpiece).
Influenza A virus PB1-F2 protein prolongs viral shedding in chickens lengthening the transmission window
Authors: James Joe , Howard Wendy , Iqbal Munir , Nair Venugopal K. , Barclay Wendy S. , Shelton Holly
Published: August 2016

Avian influenza is a significant economic burden on the poultry industry in geographical regions where it is enzootic. It also poses a public health concern when avian influenza subtypes infect humans, often with high mortality. Understanding viral genetic factors which positively contribute to influenza A virus (IAV) fitness – infectivity, spread and pathogenesis – is of great importance both for human and livestock health. PB1-F2 is a small accessory protein encoded by IAV and in mammalian hosts has been implicated in a wide range of functions that contribute to increased pathogenesis. In the avian host, the protein has been understudied despite high-level full-length conservation in avian IAV isolates, which is in contrast to the truncations of the PB1-F2 length frequently found in mammalian host isolates. Here we report that the presence of a full-length PB1-F2 protein, from a low pathogenicity H9N2 avian influenza virus, prolongs infectious virus shedding from directly inoculated chickens, thereby enhancing transmission of the virus by lengthening the transmission window to contact birds. As well as extending transmission, the presence of a full-length PB1-F2 suppresses pathogenicity evidenced by an increased minimum lethal dose in embryonated chicken eggs and increasing survival in directly infected birds when compared to a virus lacking an ORF for PB1-F2. We propose that there is a positive pressure to maintain a full-length functional PB1-F2 protein upon infection of avian hosts as it contributes to the effective transmission of IAV in the field.
Edlib: a C/C++ library for fast, exact sequence alignment using edit distance
Authors: Šošić Martin , Šikić Mile
Published: August 2016

We present Edlib, an open-source C/C++ library for exact pairwise sequence alignment using edit distance. We compare Edlib to other libraries and show that it is the fastest while not lacking in functionality, and can also easily handle very large sequences. Being easy to use, flexible, fast and low on memory usage, we expect it to be a cornerstone for many future bioinformatics tools.

Source code, installation instructions and test data are freely available for download athttps://github.com/Martinsos/edlib, implemented in C/C++ and supported on Linux, MS Windows, and Mac OS.

Contact:mile.sikic@fer.hr
Dynamic updating of hippocampal object representations reflects new conceptual knowledge
Authors: Mack Michael L. , Love Bradley C. , Preston Alison R.
Published: August 2016

Concepts organize the relationship among individual stimuli or events by highlighting shared features. Often, new goals require updating conceptual knowledge to reflect relationships based on different goal-relevant features. Here, our aim is to determine how hippocampal (HPC) object representations are organized and updated to reflect changing conceptual knowledge. Participants learned two classification tasks in which successful learning required attention to different stimulus features, thus providing a means to index how representations of individual stimuli are reorganized according to changing task goals. We used a computational learning model to capture how people attended to goal-relevant features and organized object representations based on those features during learning. Using representational similarity analyses of functional magnetic resonance imaging data, we demonstrate that neural representations in left anterior HPC correspond with model predictions of concept organization. Moreover, we show that during early learning, when concept updating is most consequential, HPC is functionally coupled with prefrontal regions. Based on these findings, we propose that when task goals change, object representations in HPC can be organized in new ways, resulting in updated concepts that highlight the features most critical to the new goal.

Significance Statement

A cosmopolitan couple looking for a home may focus on trendy features. But, with news of a baby on the way, they must quickly learn which features make for a child-friendly home to conceptually reorganize their set of potential homes. Here, we investigate how conceptual knowledge is updated in the brain when goals change and attention shifts to new information. By combining fMRI with computational modeling, we find that object representations in the human hippocampus are dynamically updated with concept-relevant information during learning. We also demonstrate that when concept updating is most consequential, the hippocampus is functionally coupled with neocortex. Our findings suggest that the brain reorganizes when concepts change and provide support for a neurocomputational theory of concept formation.
Effects of plant evolution on nutrient cycling couple aboveground and belowground processes
Authors: Loeuille Nicolas , Le Mao Tiphaine , Barot Sébastien
Published: August 2016

Plant strategies for nutrient acquisition and recycling are key components of ecosystem functioning. How the evolution of such strategies modifies ecosystem functioning and services is still not well understood. In the present work, we aim at understanding how the evolution of different phenotypic traits link aboveground and belowground processes, thereby affecting the functioning of the ecosystem at different scales and in different realms. Using a simple model, we follow the dynamics of a limiting nutrient inside an ecosystem. Considering trade-offs between aboveground and belowground functional traits, we study the effects of the evolution of such strategies on ecosystem properties (amount of mineral nutrient, total plant biomass, dead organic matter and primary productivity) and whether such properties are maximized. Our results show that when evolution leads to a stable outcome, it minimizes the quantity of nutrient available (following Tilman's R* rule). We also show that considering the evolution of aboveground and belowground functional traits simultaneously, total plant biomass and primary productivity are not necessarily maximized through evolution. The coupling of aboveground and belowground processes through evolution may largely diminish predicted standing biomass and productivity (extinction may even occur), and impact the evolutionary resilience (ie, the return time to previous phenotypic states) of the ecosystem in face of external disturbances. We show that changes in plant biomass and their effects on evolutionary change can be understood by accounting for the links between nutrient uptake and mineralization, and for indirect effects of nutrient uptake on the amount of detritus in the system.
Further confirmation for unknown archaic ancestry in Andaman and South Asia
Authors: Mondal Mayukh , Casals Ferran , Majumder Partha P. , Bertranpetit Jaume
Published: August 2016

In a recent paper1, we have derived three main conclusions: i) that all Asian and Pacific populations share a single origin and expansion out of Africa, contradicting an earlier proposal of two independent waves; ii) that populations from South and Southeast Asia harbor a small proportion of ancestry from an unknown extinct hominin – different from the Neanderthal and the Denisovan – which is absent in Europeans; and, iii) that the characteristic distinctive phenotypes (including very short stature) of Andamanese do not reflect an ancient African origin, but have resulted from strong natural selection on genes related to human body size. Although the single wave out of Africa2and single origin for Asian and Pacific populations have been confirmed3, the existence of admixture with an extinct hominin has been challenged by Skoglund et al.4, as they were unable to replicate our results in their data sets. While we had used a wide variety of statistical methods and data sets from diverse populations to draw our inference, Skoglund et al.4have used only one method (D-stats5, for the whole genome, not specifically for the relevant genomic regions) and compared only with the Asians, not even with the Europeans. Skoglund et al.4have alleged that our statistical treatment of the data was faulty and have pointed out some possible sources of error. We have reexamined our data focusing on possible sources of error flagged by Skoglund et al4. We have also performed new analyses. The reexamination and new analyses have bolstered our confidence that our earlier inferences were correct and have resulted in an improved model of introgression of modern humans with a hitherto unknown archaic ancestry. We also propose a possible reason for the inability of Skoglund et al.4to validate our inference.
Ohana, a tool set for population genetic analyses of admixture components
Authors: Cheng Jade Yu , Mailund Thomas , Nielsen Rasmus
Published: August 2016

Motivation

Structure methods are highly used population genetic methods for classifying individuals in a sample fractionally into discrete ancestry components.

Contribution

We introduce a new optimization algorithm of the classical Structure model in a maximum likelihood framework. Using analyses of real data we show that the new optimization algorithm finds higher likelihood values than the state-of-the-art method in the same computational time. We also present a new method for estimating population trees from ancestry components using a Gaussian approximation. Using coalescence simulations modeling populations evolving in a tree-like fashion, we explore the adequacy of the Structure model and the Gaussian assumption for identifying ancestry components correctly and for inferring the correct tree. In most cases, ancestry components are inferred correctly, although sample sizes and times since admixture can influence the inferences. Similarly, the popular Gaussian approximation tends to perform poorly when branch lengths are long, although the tree topology is correctly inferred in all scenarios explored. The new methods are implemented together with appropriate visualization tools in the computer package Ohana.

Availability

Ohana is publicly available athttps://github.com/jade-cheng/ohana. Besides its source code and installation instructions, we also provide example workflows in the project wiki site.

Contact

jade.cheng@birc.au.dk
An extended model of employees’ service innovation behavior in the airline industry
Authors: Lee Kwang-Ho , Hyun Sunghyup Sean
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationships between three styles of conflict management [cooperative conflict management (COP), competitive conflict management (COM) and avoidance conflict management (AVO)], the subjective relational experience, perceived insider status, organization-based self-esteem and employees’ service innovation behavior in the airline industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Through both offline and online survey methods, a total of 304 Korean employees of eight airline firms in Asia were asked to complete the questionnaire. A structural equation modeling analysis was conducted to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

COP and AVO had significant positive effects on the subjective relational experience, and COM had a significant negative effect on the subjective relational experience. In the subsequent process, the subjective relational experience had a significant positive effect on the perceived insider status but not on organization-based self-esteem and employees’ service innovation behavior. Finally, the perceived insider status and organization-based self-esteem had significant positive effects on employees’ service innovation behavior.

Social implications

The results have important practical implications for developing human resource management (HRM) practices in airline firms. More specifically, airline firms should provide management training courses that encourage team leaders to create environments in which employees can form an attitude of “we are in it together”, collect conflict issues from employees in a unanimous manner and then resolve them smoothly without further problems and avoid treating conflicts as win-lose contests. These guidelines may help employees unwind from conflict situations and maintain positive relationships with their colleagues.

Originality/value

Previous studies have paid little attention to effects of conflict management styles on employees’ service innovation behavior through positive psychological experiences based on a holistic model. The results offer new insights into the extended model and have valuable implications for HRM practices in the airline industry.
An extended technology acceptance model in behavioral intention toward hotel tablet apps with moderating effects of gender and age
Authors: Kim Jungsun (Sunny)
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether a customer’s perceptions of hotel tablet apps serve as determinants of customers’ behavioral intention in terms of the app’s ease of use, usefulness, credibility and subjective norm. It also explored age and gender as moderators of the relationships between these determinants and customers’ behavioral intention as well as customers’ likelihood of using specific app functions across age and gender.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model, grounded in the technology acceptance model (TAM), used data collected from 751 hotel customers in the USA. The model was tested using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results showed that three of the four proposed determinants positively influenced customers’ behavioral intention toward hotel tablet apps. Neither gender nor age played significant moderating roles in the relationships between the four determinants and the behavioral intention. The study also revealed age- and gender-related differences in preferences for specific hotel tablet app functions.

Practical implications

This study helps operators successfully plan for investing in and implementing hotel apps. It assists operators in developing effective marketing strategies by understanding factors influencing customers’ app adoption and between group differences in their preferences on app functions.

Originality/value

This is the first tablet app adoption study that extends TAM to the hotel industry. Thus, it extends the literature on technology adoption by exploring both existing and new variables and testing them in a new context.
Survival strategy of OEM companies: a case study of the Chinese toy industry
Authors: Chen Dezhi , Wei William , Hu Daiping , Muralidharan Etayankara
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Although there have been many discussions on the status and development of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), theory on how they survive is minimal. Little is known about how OEMs survive and upgrade to other business models, such as original design manufacturers (ODMs) and original brand manufacturers (OBMs), in emerging economies. The purpose of this paper is to extend the theory on the survival path of OEMs from the perspective of emerging countries by examining how OEMs survive cost pressures and upgrade to ODMs or OBMs.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a multi-case study method, this study analyzes the survival path employed by OEMs by examining eight firms in the Chinese toy industry.

Findings

This study shows that OEMs remain weak in the global toy industry chain due to labor costs. While some OEMs move to low-cost regions, others turn to OBM management, after transitioning through an ODM model, by investing in research and development and marketing.

Originality/value

This study explores the survival paths of OEM enterprises, showing that OEMs can first upgrade to ODMs and then to OBMs, or they can directly upgrade to OBMs. Shifting from OEM to ODM is an important step in the transition process, although the contract that OEMs have with their foreign partners does not change significantly.
Human capital, service innovation advantage, and business performance
Authors: Prajogo Daniel I. , Oke Adegoke
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of human capital (HC) on service innovation advantage (SIA) and business performance (BP) in service sector firms, and how external environmental factors influence these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilized a cross-sectional mail survey of a random sample of Australian service firms with the unit of analysis being at the firm level. In total, 228 usable responses were received.

Findings

The overall findings of this study show that HC is positively related to the creation of value or SIA which in turn results in rent generation for firms. The results further show that the effect of SIA on BP is influenced by environmental dynamism and competitiveness with dynamic environments enhancing the effect while competitive environments weakening it.

Research limitations/implications

The findings demonstrate the complementarity between the resource based theory and contingency theory as they clearly shows that the value of innovation as a firm’s capability is enhanced or weakened within a business environment that is more dynamic or competitive.

Practical implications

The findings demonstrate the importance of HC, and, thus, encourage managers to seek ways to harness and leverage HC for improving innovation and BP. In addition, the study also helps managers to understand the contingency effect of business environment on the effectiveness of innovation, hence, helping them in deliberating firms’ strategy in different business environments.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study which examines the effectiveness of HC as organizational resource for building SIA as a source of organizational competitive advantage.
Drivers of user engagement in eWoM communication
Authors: Rossmann Alexander , Ranjan Kumar Rakesh , Sugathan Praveen
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to complement the current understanding about user engagement in electronic word-of-mouth (eWoM) communications across online services and product communities. It examines the effect of the senders’ prior experience with products and services, and their extent of acquaintance with other community members, on user engagement with the eWoM.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a sample of 576 unique user postings from the corporate fan page of two German firms: a service community of a telecom provider and a product community of a car manufacturer. Multiple regression analysis is used to test the conceptual model.

Findings

Senders’ prior experience and acquaintance positively affect user engagement with eWoM, and these effects differ across communities for products and services and across their influence on “likes” and “comments”. The results also suggest that communities for products are orientated toward information sharing, while those discussing services engage in information building.

Research limitations/implications

This research explains mechanisms of user engagement with eWoM and opens directions for future research around motives, content and social media tools within the structures of online communities. The insights on information-handling dimensions of online tools and antecedents to their use contribute to the research on two prioritized topics by the Marketing Science Institute – “Measuring and Communicating the Value of Online Marketing Activities and Investments” and “Leveraging Digital/Social/Mobile Technology”.

Practical implications

This research offers insights for firms to leverage user engagement and facilitate eWoM generation through members who have a higher number of acquaintances or who have more experience with the product or service. Executives should concentrate their community engagement strategies on the identification and utilization of power users. The conceptualization and empirical test about the role of likes and comments will help social media managers to create and better capture value from their social media metrics.

Originality/value

The insights about the underlying factors that influence engagement with eWoM advance our understanding about the usage of online content.
Powerful or powerless customers: the influence of gratitude on engagement with CSR
Authors: Mattila Anna S. , Wu Laurie , Choi Choongbeom
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how gratitude appeals and consumers’ sense of power jointly influence customer engagement in a service firm’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Based on previous literature, the authors propose that power moderates the effect of gratitude expression on consumers’ attitudes and behavioral intention to engage in matching donations.

Design/methodology/approach

A 2 (power: powerful vs powerless) × 2 (gratitude expression: included in the request vs none) between-subjects experiment was conducted to test the proposed hypotheses. Participants were asked to imagine that they recently saw a donation request while dining at a local restaurant and they then complete scales that measured their attitude and donation intention to engage in a restaurant’s CSR practice.

Findings

The findings of this study indicate that an expression of gratitude enhanced powerless but not powerful customers’ intention to engage in CSR practices. In addition, moderated mediation tests revealed social worth concerns as the underlying mechanism between gratitude expression and customer engagement for powerless consumers. However, such mediation effects were not observed for powerful consumers.

Originality/value

The current study identifies sense of power as a new psychological state that can influence donation behaviors in the context of CSR. In addition, the current study shows that the serial mediating role of social worth between gratitude expression and prosocial behaviors only holds true for individuals with a low sense of power.
Involuntary career transition and identity within the artist population
Authors: Hennekam Sophie , Bennett Dawn
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine artists’ experiences of involuntary career transitions and its impact on their work-related identities.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews with 40 artists in the Netherlands were conducted. Self-narratives were used to analyze the findings.

Findings

Artists who can no longer make a living out of their artistic activities are forced to start working outside the creative realm and are gradually pushed away from the creative industries. This loss of their creative identity leads to psychological stress and grief, making the professional transition problematic. Moreover, the artistic community often condemns an artist’s transition to other activities, making the transition psychologically even more straining.

Originality/value

This study provides in-depth insights into how artists deal with changes in their work-related identities in the light of involuntary career transitions.
Rewarding employees in turbulent economies for improved organisational performance
Authors: Prouska Rea , Psychogios Alexandros G. , Rexhepi Yllka
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the application of total reward practices in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the South-Eastern European (SEE) region and the reward elements positively affecting organisational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 199 SMEs operating in SEE countries which are either under economic crisis or transition: Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Kosovo and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Findings

SMEs in the SEE region are implementing a total rewards model which is characterised by a weaker application of individual aspects and by a stronger application of transactional, relational and communal aspects. Within the communal aspects of the model, the study found three elements of the work environment that positively affect organisational performance; work-life balance, employee involvement voice mechanisms, and organisational culture supporting personal and professional development.

Practical implications

The study contributes to HR practice; the authors found that a better work environment is positively related to improved organisational performance in these SMEs. This means that in times of economic crisis or transition when HR budgets are limited such non-financial strategies can be a viable alternative to costly financial rewards to such organisations.

Originality/value

The study contributes to both theory and HR practice by shedding light on how employee rewards are affected in economies under crisis and transition, how SMEs can motivate their employees when faced with significant financial limitations, as well as explores which reward elements can lead to enhanced organisational performance in such organisations.
Modeling patient care quality: an empirical high-performance work system approach
Authors: Mihail Dimitrios M. , V. Kloutsiniotis Panagiotis
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Following a social identity approach focussed in the Greek healthcare sector, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating effects of social identification on the relationship between high-performance work systems (HPWS) and psychological empowerment, and the mediating role of psychological empowerment between HPWS and quality of patient care.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least squares-structural equation modeling was used in a sample of 297 nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals across seven hospitals in Greece.

Findings

The findings suggest that HPWS has a strong effect on healthcare professionals’ social identification, which in turn partially mediates the relationship between HPWS and psychological empowerment. In addition, psychological empowerment indirectly mediates the relationship between HPWS and quality of patient care.

Practical implications

The findings not only validate previous studies’ conclusions, but also provide evidence for the potential fruitfulness of the HPWS approach from a social identity perspective. In addition, it is also confirmed that without the presence of psychological empowerment, HPWS may have limited impact on the quality of patient care.

Originality/value

Although HPWS have been generally connected with positive employee attitudes and behaviors, few studies choose to follow a social identity approach in examining these relationships. Finally, this study confirms the argument that HPWS can be a fruitful approach even in a country severely affected by Europe’s debt crisis over the last five years.
The link between e-HRM use and HRM effectiveness: an empirical study
Authors: Obeidat Shatha M.
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present results from an empirical study at the a Telecommunication company in Jordan on the impact of electronic-human resource management (e-HRM) use on human resource management (HRM) effectiveness. Moreover, by applying the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, the study seeks to examine the mediating effect of the intention to use e-HRM on the relationship between e-HRM determinants (i.e. performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence) and e-HRM use. This study adds a major contribution to the e-HRM literature by empirically examining the effect of e-HRM use on HRM effectiveness at both the policy and practice levels.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from employees working in Telecommunication company in Jordan about their perception towards the use of the e-HRM system and HRM effectiveness of policies and practices.

Findings

The findings provide support for the positive contribution of the use of e-HRM on HRM effectiveness at both the policy and practice levels. It also confirms mediating effects of user intention on the link between e-HRM determinants (both performance expectancy and social influence) and e-HRM use.

Research limitations/implications

This study emphasises the relevance of e-HRM in increasing HRM effectiveness. limitations of the study include cross-sectional data and the difficulty to form generalisation from the research restricted to a single company.

Originality/value

This study represent a first attempt to examines the impact of e-HRM use on HRM effectiveness at both levels: policy and practice. It also reveals that relationship between e-HRM determinants and e-HRM use is mediated with e-HRM user intention.
Transformational leadership and social identity as predictors of team climate, perceived quality of care, burnout and turnover intention among nurses
Authors: Cheng Cindy , Bartram Timothy , Karimi Leila , Leggat Sandra
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of transformational leadership (TL) in developing social identity and its subsequent impact on team climate, intention to leave, burnout and quality of patient care among nurses.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this cross-sectional study were collected from a sample of 201 registered nurses in Australia through questionnaires. Structural equation modelling was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Results illustrate that social identification appears to be the psychological mechanism through which TL impacts important employee outcomes, including perceived quality of patient care.

Practical implications

This study provides valuable insights into understanding the critical role of human resource management (HRM) practice and policy in healthcare environments. Findings from this study indicate that human resource managers can assist nurse unit managers to deliver their HRM roles effectively when adequate support and relevant HRM infrastructures are put in place.

Originality/value

This research considers the role of first-line nurse managers in healthcare organisations. It provides evidence-based knowledge about the type of leadership style required to achieve desirable employee outcomes and the essential HRM opportunities to facilitate this.