bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AD-NET: Age-adjust neural network for improved MCI to AD conversion prediction
Authors: Gao Fei , Yoon Hyunsoo , Xu Yanzhe , Goradia Dhruman , Luo Ji , Wu Teresa , Su Yi ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: April 2020

Abstract

The prediction of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) patients who are at higher risk converting to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is critical for effective intervention and patient selection in clinical trials. Different biomarkers including neuroimaging have been developed to serve the purpose. With extensive methodology development efforts on neuroimaging, an emerging field is deep learning research. One great challenge facing deep learning is the limited medical imaging data available. To address the issue, researchers explore the use of transfer learning to extend the applicability of deep models on neuroimaging research for AD diagnosis and prognosis. Existing transfer learning models mostly focus on transferring the features from the pre-training into the fine-tuning stage. Recognizing the advantages of the knowledge gained during the pre-training, we propose an AD-NET (Age-adjust neural network) with the pre-training model serving two purposes: extracting and transferring features; and obtaining and transferring knowledge. Specifically, the knowledge being transferred in this research is an age-related surrogate biomarker. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, AD-NET is compared with 8 classification models from literature using the same public neuroimaging dataset. Experimental results show that the proposed AD-NET outperforms the competing models in predicting the MCI patients at risk for conversion to the AD stage.
The value of security cooperation in Sino–South American relations
Authors: Jenne Nicole
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Relations between the People's Republic of China and Latin America have gradually expanded from commerce and finance to cover different aspects of security. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview over security cooperation between China and South America. Specifically, it analyses the motivations for security cooperation on both sides and its value added for Sino–South American relations.

Design/methodology/approach

The article describes four dimensions of security cooperation between China and South America: functional cooperation, defence diplomacy, long-term cooperation initiatives and arms sales. For each dimension of security cooperation, the main motivations on the two sides are discussed, together with the value added of security cooperation to the “comprehensive and cooperative partnership” China's policy papers on Latin America and the Caribbean have called for.

Findings

Security and defence considerations have not caused the development of Sino–South American security cooperation. Instead, it were the rapidly growing economic links from the 2000s on that facilitated China's broader political engagement with South America, including in the field of security. There are a number of important motivations that indicate security cooperation between China and South American states will further expand in the future.

Practical implications

Security cooperation should not only be practiced as an end in itself but also serve tangible outcomes to reduce insecurity.

Originality/value

In the context of Sino–Latin American relations, security cooperation has received relatively little attention beyond a comparatively small group of pundits despite the fact that military diplomacy has become increasingly important in bolstering China's growing international profile. This article makes an original contribution in discussing four dimensions of security cooperation between China and South America.
Current trends in China's international development cooperation to Latin America: potential opportunities and challenges with the belt and road initiative
Authors: Gélvez Rubio Tatiana Andrea , Gachúz Maya Juan Carlos
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper enquires into general trends of China's International Development Cooperation over the past decade in Latin America and provides insights into the challenges with the Belt and Road Initiative.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyses quantitative data for Chinese Official Development Assistance (ODA) and Other Official Flows (OOF) for projects in Latin America based on recent data contributions including Bluhm et al. (2018) and Gallagher & Myers (2019).

Findings

Based on the data available, it can be concluded that the cooperation between China and Latin America has been increasing. For instance, the value of China's cooperation increased by 4.5% per year on average from 2000 to 2014. Moreover, China's economic and political motivations in the region indicate that the cooperative relationship has been changing from a South–South to a North–South framework. Two main factors are involved in this transition: the evolution of China from a developing country to a global emerging power and the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative to strengthen political and economic ties with the governments of the region.

Practical implications

This investigation suggests that the increasing number of loans in the region and Beijing's growing interest in trade and natural resources are structural factors that guide the Chinese foreign policy.

Originality/value

There are few analyses of China's cooperation for development in Latin America that involve the evaluation of concessional and non-concessional loans for projects in the region in the last decade. This paper also analyses the challenges and opportunities that the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative represents for the region.
Italian millennials' preferences for wine: an exploratory study
Authors: Nassivera Federico , Gallenti Gianluigi , Troiano Stefania , Marangon Francesco , Cosmina Marta , Bogoni Paolo , Campisi Barbara , Carzedda Matteo
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the wine consumption among young people belonging to the so-called millennial generation

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a questionnaire and a choice experiment (CE) with a multinomial logit model (MNL), implementing a random parameter logit model (RPL), to investigate the attitudes of millennials towards wine consumption, their purchasing behaviours and their willingness to pay for attributes of the products; in particular regarding the follwing: region of origin, “winescape”, certification, carbon footprint claim and price.

Findings

Millennials appear to drink wine less frequently; they consume it more often in social on-premise settings, having a slightly higher willingness to pay and preferring carbon-neutral brands when choosing wine.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this research was the analysis of a simulated situation where consumers declared their intention to purchase and not the effective purchase behaviour in the market.Further research should investigate wider millennials groups, also using the new media communication tools that characterise the communication behaviour of Generation Y. In this way, it would be possible to interview a millennial group at the national or international level.

Practical implications

The research identifies some characteristics of millennials’ habits that can take into account the strategies of wine companies in order to develop a constructive relationship with Generation Y in Italy.

Social implications

This research contributes to knowledge regarding the wine consumption habits of Italian millennials.

Originality/value

This paper applies discrete choice models to consumption situations in order to analyse millennials' preference and their willingness to pay for some innovative attributes of wine, in particular the carbon footprint.
A simulated annealing algorithm for the allocation of production resources in the food catering industry
Authors: Tufano Alessandro , Accorsi Riccardo , Manzini Riccardo
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper addresses the trade-off between asset investment and food safety in the design of a food catering production plant. It analyses the relationship between the quality decay of cook-warm products, the logistics of the processes and the economic investment in production machines.

Design/methodology/approach

A weekly cook-warm production plan has been monitored on-field using temperature sensors to estimate the quality decay profile of each product. A multi-objective optimisation model is proposed to (1) minimise the number of resources necessary to perform cooking and packing operations or (2) to maximise the food quality of the products. A metaheuristic simulated annealing algorithm is introduced to solve the model and to identify the Pareto frontier of the problem.

Findings

The packaging buffers are identified as the bottleneck of the processes. The outcome of the algorithms highlights that a small investment to design bigger buffers results in a significant increase in the quality with a smaller food loss.

Practical implications

This study models the production tasks of a food catering facility to evaluate their criticality from a food safety perspective. It investigates the tradeoff between the investment cost of resources processing critical tasks and food safety of finished products.

Social implications

The methodology applies to the design of cook-warm production. Catering companies use cook-warm production to serve school, hospitals and companies. For this reason, the application of this methodology leads to the improvement of the quality of daily meals for a large number of people.

Originality/value

The paper introduces a new multi-objective function (asset investment vs food quality) proposing an original metaheuristic to address this tradeoff in the food catering industry. Also, the methodology is applied and validated in the design of a new food production facility.
Relocalisation for degrowth and disaster risk reduction
Authors: Ajulo Oluwadunsin Moromoke , von Meding Jason , Tang Patrick
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Vulnerability is understood as susceptibility to hazards born out of the complex interaction within the system scales. The current global economic system focuses on persistent growth and a top-down approach to wealth distribution, which not only puts a strain on the Earth's resources but also on communities by increasing vulnerability. Localised economy, on the other hand, uses a bottom-up approach to wealth distribution, whereby local resources are harnessed for sustainability of the local economy. Localising economies facilitate degrowth by shifting our focus to the quality of economies and the redefinition of growth and prosperity. The purpose of this study is to highlight the potentials of localisation and degrowth for vulnerability reduction.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors conducted a case study of the Lyttelton community in New Zealand, their local initiatives and how these efforts have been used to build capacities and reduce vulnerabilities in the community. Data were sourced from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were sourced through observation of the day-to-day running of the community and interviews with community members, while secondary data were sourced from existing literature on the community and related concepts.

Findings

Lyttelton community provides a good example of a community where bottom-up initiatives are particularly felt, and there is very limited dependence on the conventional economic system to solve their problems. The study shows that degrowth initiatives within the community have gained momentum because initiators see the value in their coming together as a community and doing what is right for themselves and the environment. Furthermore, localisation fosters innovation, personal growth and development and care for the environment.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the existing knowledge by discussing some local initiatives that serve an underlying purpose for degrowth based on a study carried out in Lyttelton, New Zealand. The study findings established that there is need for more focus on sensitisation about the risks of growth mania and the potential for degrowth in bringing about actual prosperity, for saving the environment and disaster risk reduction. Also, the encouragement of local production and existing institutions like the timebank, which give members access to the needed resources and skills contribute to vulnerability reduction.
Adaptive anisotropic response surface method based on univariate dimension-reduction model and its high-order revision
Authors: Fan Wenliang , Zhang Wentong , Li Min , Ang Alfredo H.-S. , Li Zhengliang
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Based on univariate dimension-reduction model, this study aims to propose an adaptive anisotropic response surface method (ARSM) and its high-order revision (HARSM) to balance the accuracy and efficiency for response surface method (RSM).

Design/methodology/approach

First, judgment criteria for the constitution of a univariate function are derived mathematically, together with the practical implementation. Second, by combining separate polynomial approximation of each component function of univariate dimension-reduction model with its constitution analysis, the anisotropic ARSM is proposed. Third, the high-order revision for component functions is introduced to improve the accuracy of ARSM, namely, HARSM, in which the revision is also anisotropic. Finally, several examples are investigated to verify the accuracy, efficiency and convergence of the proposed methods, and the influence of parameters on the proposed methods is also performed.

Findings

The criteria for constitution analysis are appropriate and practical. Obtaining the undetermined coefficients for every component functions is easier than the existing RSMs. The existence of special component functions is useful to improve the efficiency of the ARSM. HARSM is helpful for improving accuracy significantly and it is more robust than ARSM and the existing quadratic polynomial RSMs and linear RSM. ARSM and HARSM can achieve appropriate balance between precision and efficiency.

Originality/value

The constitution of univariate function can be determined adaptively and the nonlinearity of different variables in the response surface can be treated in an anisotropic way.
Policy instrument choice for construction and demolition waste management: the case study of Shenzhen, China
Authors: Li Jingru , Zuo Jian , Jiang Weiping , Zhong Xizeng , Li Jinggang , Pan Yulun
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to identify and quantitatively evaluate the factors that influence the construction and demolition waste (CDW) policy instrument choice, and provide a systematic framework for local governments to select the appropriate policy instruments with a consideration of their specific situations.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review and expert interviews were conducted to identify the key factors. These factors were quantitatively evaluated via a questionnaire survey. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was employed to explore the underlying structure of these variables and organize the factors into a systematic framework.

Findings

Resource, clarity of policy problem and goal, legitimacy, acceptance of targeted group and environmental concern of public are the five top variables, which should be emphasized in the selection of CDW policy. The respondents with experience in policymaking and those without experience had slightly different views on the importance of these variables. A total of six latent factors were identified and organized into a framework.

Research limitations/implications

The questionnaire survey was conducted with government staff via a snowball sampling method, which may affect the representativeness of conclusions to a certain extent.

Practical implications

This study provides a useful reference for local government to choose appropriate policies to address the CDW problem. Matching attributes of policy instruments with the policy goal and the problem is the starting point in choice of the CDW policy. The matched instruments will be further narrowed by social context, i.e. environmental concern and socioeconomic situation. The final selection must undergo bargaining between policymakers and targeted groups.

Originality/value

Policy instruments choice is a complicated process, which is shaped by the interaction of many influential factors. However, the impact of these factors on CDW policy choice is largely overlooked. This study will contribute to the knowledge body pertaining to policy selection in the CDW field.
Mediating role of perceived festival value in the relationship between experiences and satisfaction
Authors: Aşan Kübra , Kaptangil Kerem , Gargacı Kınay Aysun
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating effect of perceived festival value on the relationship between satisfaction and experiences in the context of a music festival. The study presented herein also examined festival experiences based on the experience economy model.

Design/methodology/approach

A face-to-face survey was performed at the rock music festival Kuzey Fest in Sinop/Turkey, where 336 questionnaires were completed. The statistical analyses conducted to establish the relationship between experiences, perceived value and satisfaction comprised explanatory factor analyses and multiple regression analysis.

Findings

This study showed that the experience economy in the context of music festivals consists of four experience dimensions. According to the findings, the participants had predominantly entertainment and aesthetics experiences through passive participation. The study concluded that there were partial and full mediating roles of perceived festival value in the relationship between some experience dimensions and satisfaction; however, it was also found that escape experiences did not significantly affect satisfaction. Finally, the aesthetics, education, entertainment and festival value variables were important pioneer variables for satisfaction.

Practical implications

This study provides industry practitioners with meaningful insight on how to build rich festival experiences and satisfaction.

Originality/value

Perceived value is a critical factor for developing satisfaction and gaining a competitive edge. While much is known about the effect of festival experiences on satisfaction, there is little research examining festival value within the framework of experiences and satisfaction. This research also provides valuable insights for applying the experience economy within the context of events management.
“What should I say to my employer… if anything?”- My disability disclosure dilemma
Authors: Marshall Jennifer Elizabeth , Fearon Colm , Highwood Marianne , Warden Katy
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the key issues surrounding teacher/staff disability disclosures in the UK's further education (FE) sector.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted in a medium-sized FE college (case study) setting in the South East of England. To compare the experiences, views and perceptions of leaders, managers and teachers, interviews were carried out with leaders and managers who are accountable for ensuring disability legislation is adhered to, and with teachers who are responsible for complying with equality and disability legislation. The 15 interviewees who volunteered to take part in this research represent the various layers of the organisational structure and different academic departments in the college.

Findings

Two major themes discussed include: the desire for teaching staff to “come out” and make a disability disclosure and the perception of disability as a “deficit”. A number of staff that disclosed their hidden disabilities stated they would not do so again. To avoid the negative side effects, developing a “culture of disability disclosure” and providing long-term employer support are required.

Research limitations/implications

This is an exploratory qualitative case study that highlights some of the key issues from a teacher/staff perspective. It is not meant to be generalisable research, but the ideas therein should help to develop a wider (empirical) research agenda.

Originality/value

There is an abundance of critical and sociological research concerning disability disclosure in general; there are also a number of scholarly studies that focus on disability issues from the student perspective. However, this is the first scholarly study that explores the key issues involving FE staff.
Merit selecting school leaders: Australian principals' perspectives
Authors: Steed Kevin , De Nobile John , Waniganayake Manjula
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This research paper explores the perspectives of Australian school principals in the state of New South Wales (NSW) regarding what they believe constitutes “merit” when selecting deputy principals, assistant principals (primary) and head teachers (secondary).

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was utilised to collect qualitative and quantitative data from school principals across the state of NSW to investigate their understanding of, and approach to, the merit selection of their respective school leadership cadres.

Findings

Study findings indicated a statewide variance in the perceptions of principals when identifying merit for the purposes of recruiting school leadership teams. These findings question the widely held view that candidates compete for school leadership positions on a level playing field.

Practical implications

In practical terms, the findings indicate that NSW school principals would benefit from more intensive professional learning opportunities designed to enhance their ability to objectively identify and assess merit when selecting school leaders.

Originality/value

This study contributes to an enhanced understanding in an area where there is a paucity of research-based evidence focusing upon the perspectives of school principals regarding their understanding of meritocratic theory and its influence on their school leadership selection practice.
Motivating teachers’ commitment to change through distributed leadership in Chinese urban primary schools
Authors: Liu Peng
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Understanding the relationship between distributed leadership and teachers commitment to change in the Chinese urban primary school context was the purpose of this study.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative research method is used in this study. For ensuring comprehensiveness, this research employed a random sampling method. This study took place in Chinese urban primary schools. A total of 350 questionnaires were circulated, 318 questionnaires were returned, and 291 questionnaires were valid, with a response rate of 90.9 per cent and a validity rate of 91.5 per cent.

Findings

The results of path analysis indicated that various dimensions of distributed leadership, including collaboration and cooperation, responsibility and accountability, and values and beliefs, had significant effects on group competence. Collaboration and cooperation and decision making had significant relationships with task analysis. Collaboration and cooperation, responsibility and accountability, and values and beliefs had significant effects on collective teacher efficacy as a single variable.

Originality/value

These findings contribute to the understanding of educational management in the Chinese context and advance knowledge about distributed leadership theories in an East Asian context.
Spillover effects of financial development on the informal economic activity
Authors: Katircioglu Salih , Imamoglu Hatice
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the role and spillover effects of the financial sector on the size of the informal economic activity in Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

Time series analysis has been adopted for annual data of the 1970-2017 period. New approaches in unit root and cointegration tests have been used in this study. Estimations have been done via dynamic ordinary least squares and fully modified ordinary least square approaches.

Findings

Results confirm the existence of a long-run equilibrium relationship between the financial system and informal economic activities in Turkey. At the earlier stages of financial development (FD), informality tends to rise while in further stages, informality tends to decline over time. This study confirms the U-shaped relationship between FD and the informal economy in Turkey.

Research limitations/implications

This study has used logarithmic values of series in the econometric analysis except for real interest rates because of negative values in some periods. Thus, by using level forms of real interest, missing values would be avoided.

Practical implications

Increasing efficiency, control and institutional quality, as well as the quality of governance environment, would be useful tools in reducing the size of informality, as this study finds that spillover effects of financial services on the informal economic activity are adverse.

Originality/value

This study is the first of its kind to the best of the knowledge in the case of Turkey, which estimates the spillover effects of FD on informal economic activity.
Do control mechanisms always promote collaborative performance: the role of formal institutions and business ties
Authors: Qian Liping , Wang Yiyao , Yang Pianpian
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effectiveness of control mechanisms in promoting collaborative performance by exploring the moderating effects of formal institutions (government support and legal enforcement in this study) and informal ties (business ties in this study) on the relationship between control mechanisms and collaborative performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model is developed with the direct effects of contractual execution and relational norms on collaborative performance and the moderating effects of government support, legal enforcement and business ties on the above relationships. Hierarchical regression analysis is used to test the hypotheses based on 393 responses from Chinese computer and computer components distributors.

Findings

The empirical results generally support the conceptual model. First, consistent with most previous studies, both contractual execution and relational norms contribute to collaborative performance. Second, government support and business ties weaken the role of contractual execution, whereas legal enforcement strengthens it. Third, business ties enhance the effects of relational norms, and, unexpectedly, government support also fosters the relationship between relational norms and collaborative performance.

Originality/value

First, this study solves the problem of conflicting findings on the relationship between contract and performance by examining the effect of contractual execution, rather than contract design, on collaborative performance. Second, this study contributes to institutional theory by examining the moderating role of formal institutions. Third, this study deepens the understanding of the role of business ties by exploring its moderating effect on the relationship between control mechanisms and collaborative performance.
Spillover effects of the US monetary policy normalization on African stock markets
Authors: Kalu Ebere , Okoyeuzu Chinwe , Ukemenam Angela , Ujunwa Augustine
Published: April 2020

Purpose

We study the contemporaneous effects of US monetary policy normalization on African stock market using panel data from six African countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Daily data from May 1, 2013 to December 31, 2018 were used in order to accommodate the announcement effects since the US monetary policy normalization announcement was made in May 2013, while the rate hike was in December 2015. The study used the FE, RE and PMG models.

Findings

The results revealed that US 10-year bond yield and Treasury bill rate shocks negatively affect stock prices in Africa. S$P500 shock positively affects African stock prices.The result revealed that the integration of African financial market to the global financial market is a major source of vulnerability. The finding that US Treasury bill rate is a major depressant of the African stock prices reveals the short-termism of foreign polio inflows into African economies.

Originality/value

We provide inexorably insight into the interplay of financial systems globally. It can be useful for the purposes of generalization in developing economies in the shape of African countries. More so, this study could be replicated in another economic bloc or region with the aim of further exposing the far-reaching spillover effects of the US monetary policy normalization.
Impacts of higher tobacco tax on output and employment in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Hien Thu Thi , Giang Long Thanh , Pham Toan Ngoc
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how higher tax on tobacco would influence output and employment in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used micro-simulation techniques proposed by Walbeeck (2010). Both national data (from Input–Output Table) and household data (Vietnam Household Living Standard Survey) were utilized.

Findings

The results showed that any increase in the excise tax for tobacco would have positive net impacts on both national output and employment. The tobacco industry would not be significantly affected due to its small contribution to national economy and employment. More importantly, money released from reduced tobacco consumption would be reallocated to other goods and services, and thus outputs and jobs in nontobacco sectors would increase.

Research limitations/implications

The key limitation of this study was due to unavailability of updated data, especially Input–Output Table as well as household living standard survey.

Practical implications

This study concluded that government should increase tax on cigarette along with a well-planned roadmap to avoid unexpected consequences on income and employment of laborers in this sector.

Originality/value

This study replicated a popular approach in order to verify an important government policy (i.e. effect of tax on tobacco on output and employment) under Vietnamese context.
Matching in the Kolm triangle: interiority and participation constraints of matching equilibria
Authors: Buchholz Wolfgang , Cornes Richard , Rübbelke Dirk
Published: April 2020

Purpose

In this paper we show how the Kolm triangle method, which is a standard tool for visualizing allocations in a public good economy, can also be used to provide a diagrammatical exposition of matching mechanisms and their effects on public good supply and welfare. In particular, we describe, on the one hand, for which income distributions interior matching equilibria result, and on the other hand, for which income distributions the agents voluntarily participate in a matching mechanism. As a novel result, we especially show that the “participation zone” is larger than the “interiority zone”

Design/methodology/approach

We employ the Kolm triangle approach, which has – compared to most other graphical methods for representing allocations in a public good economy – the advantage that it allows for showing the aggregate budget constraint, the levels of considered agents' private consumption, and the level of public good supply directly in the same diagram.

Findings

The Kolm triangle method can be used to visualize important effects of matching in an elegant way, so basically the increase of public good supply through matching. The interiority of matching depends on the income distribution and especially, on how the “interiority zone” is shrinking when the matching rate increases. Moreover, we were able to delimit the “participation zone” in the Kolm triangle. An important and novel insight is that the participation zone is larger than the interiority zone, which means that also corner matching equilibria in which only one agent makes a positive flat contribution to the public good may make both considered agents better off.

Research limitations/implications

Corner matching equilibria in which only one agent makes a positive flat contribution to the public good may improve all considered agents' welfare. How this welfare effect can be generalized to the case of different utility functions and matching rates will be an issue of future research.

Practical implications

The examined matching mechanism finds application in many policy fields where public good undersupply is pending. International climate policy is one of these fields of application, for example.

Originality/value

The Kolm triangle method has been particularly helpful to describe the Nash equilibrium in the case of non-cooperative public good provision and to compare this outcome with Pareto efficient public good allocations. Furthermore, the Kolm triangle approach facilitates the analysis of mechanisms for attaining an efficient public good allocation like the Lindahl equilibrium as well as the study of preconditions and limitations faced by such mechanisms. An important and novel insight of our study is that the participation zone is larger than the interiority zone.
Relational age and leader–member exchange: mediating role of perceived trust
Authors: Gupta Megha , Bhal Kanika T. , Ansari Mahfooz A.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Drawing on similarity-attraction hypothesis and generational gap literatures, this study aims to examine the impact of age difference in a leader–member dyad on leader–member exchange (LMX). The study hypothesized that relational age would impact the subordinates-reported LMX. However, given that leaders have structural power over subordinates and hence have mechanisms of interaction available to them, the age difference might not determine their perception of quality of LMX. The study also hypothesized that generation gap in values and beliefs leads to lack of trust, on the part of subordinates, which in turn might be the reason for poor quality of LMX.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 200 leader–member dyads from five organizations in the National Capital Region of India were used in this study. Data were collected via separate structured questionnaires for leaders and members, which comprised of standard scales of LMX and perceived trust, and demographics.

Findings

Hypotheses received substantial support from the data with a few exceptions. Only the loyalty dimension of perceived trust mediates the relationship between relational age and member perception of LMX.

Research limitations/implications

Results have implications for relational age and LMX interventions. However, the results are to be viewed in the light of members’ perspective. While this is a common practice in LMX research, it would be interesting to explore leaders’ trust and psychological reactions as well, for additional insights into leadership practice.

Originality/value

Limited work has been done to explore the impact of relational age on LMX, that too mediated by trust. An attempt has been made in this study to do so via leader–member dyads.
Knowledge sharing, intellectual capital and organizational results in SMES: are they related?
Authors: Oliveira Mírian , Curado Carla , Balle Andrea Raymundo , Kianto Aino
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relations among knowledge sharing (KS), intellectual capital (IC), absorptive capacity (AC), innovation (IN) and organizational performance (OP).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper empirically tests a model that uses structural equation modeling (SEM) based on a partial least squares (PLS). The sample is composed of 351 Brazilian and 135 Portuguese enterprises. They are micro, small and medium enterprises.

Findings

The results show that: the relation between KS and AC is partially mediated by IC; the relation between IC and IN is partially mediated by AC and the relation between KS and IN is mediated by AC and IC or both. There are relations among KS, IC, AC, IN and OP.

Research limitations/implications

The study does not control for industry effects and technological differences among the firms.

Practical implications

The use of KS mitigates the loss of knowledge associated to employees' retirement or job changes. The knowledge appropriation by the organization (turning human capital (HC) into structural capital (SC)), the knowledge achieved from connections (relational capital, RC) and the trust embedded in an organization's relation with employees are important for AC and IN. Moreover, KS can positively influence all elements of IC. OP depends directly on IN and indirectly on the others constructs.

Originality/value

This study is relevant because it explores the relations among KS, IC, AC, IN and OP in one model. Moreover, it focuses on small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) with data from two countries.
Mobile money usage and continuance intention among micro enterprises in an emerging market – the mediating role of agent credibility
Authors: Odoom Raphael , Kosiba John Paul
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Currently, mobile payments have become pervasive in electronic commerce and are steadily increasing in many regions worldwide. In the literature, however, its continued usage among consumers is deemed equivocal, particularly among small businesses. This study uses the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) to examine mobile money continuance intention among micro enterprises in an emerging/less-developed economy. This study aims to explore the mediating role of agent credibility on this relationship, given that these agents are contingent actors between service providers and mobile money users.

Design/methodology/approach

After a preliminary qualitative enquiry, quantitative data collected from 584 micro enterprises were tested from the UTAUT perspective, using structural equation modelling.

Findings

Findings from the study establish the applicability of the UTAUT in explaining the antecedents, motivations and continuance intention of mobile money usage among micro enterprises. Further, beyond their direct effects, the UTAUT conditions have indirect effects on the continuance intention through their effect on perceived agent credibility.

Originality/value

The findings provide evidence to issues of research and managerial interest, offering insightful implications to the academic and practitioner communities, respectively.
Time-sensitive markdown strategies for perishable products based on dynamic quality evaluation
Authors: Wang Jiang-Tao , Zhang Shufen , Wu Chia-Huei , Yu Jian-Jun , Chen Chang-Bin , Tsai Sang-Bing
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to provide a time- and price-sensitive market strategy for merchants to handle the markdown price strategy. The market demand for perishable products is usually price – and quality (freshness) – sensitive. The proper handling of markdown-price strategies can help merchants enhance competitiveness and maximize operational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A markdown strategy consisting of price and markdown time was developed to explore the properties of market strategies based on the dynamic quality evaluation. The strategy considers multiple price discounts and multiple markdown times. The optimal price decisions in each stage and the optimal markdown times were derived during the selling season.

Findings

The results showed the following. A retailer always raises the initial price if it wants to adopt multiple price-markdown strategies. A high initial price may lead to a high inventory at the early stage and bring the next price reduction in advance. Large price discounts can be used to reduce the inventory later. The higher the previous price, the shorter the interval between the next price reduction. The markdown strategies showed that the regular discount as a new business model is not the best pricing model for perishable products. A time- and price-sensitive strategy, however, can increase operational performance and provide new insights for perishable products.

Originality/value

The results showed the following. A retailer always raises the initial price if it wants to adopt multiple price-markdown strategies. A high initial price may lead to a high inventory at the early stage and bring the next price reduction in advance. Large price discounts can be used to reduce the inventory later. The higher the previous price, the shorter the interval between the next price reduction. The markdown strategies showed that the regular discount as a new business model is not the best pricing model for perishable products. A time- and price-sensitive strategy, however, can increase operational performance and provide new insights for perishable products.
Nutrient composition and anti-nutritional properties of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) calyx flour
Authors: Omoniyi Saheed Adewale , Muhammad Adamu Musa , Ayuba Ruth
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Calyx of okra pods is usually cut off and discarded as a waste during processing, whereas the pulp and seeds are being used. This study aims to investigate the nutrient composition and anti-nutritional properties of okra calyx flour.

Design/methodology/approach

Calyces from four varieties (Ex-kwadon, Solar, Chalawa and Syria) of okra pods were processed into flour. The proximate composition, mineral content, vitamin content and anti-nutritional composition of the flour samples were analysed by using standard methods.

Findings

There were significant differences in moisture content (p= 0.012), crude fat (p= 0.001), crude fibre (p= 0.002), carbohydrate (p= 0.002), sodium (p< 0.001), magnesium (p< 0.001), iron (p< 0.001), zinc (p= 0.006), vitamin A (p< 0.001) and vitamin C (p= 0.001) contents of okra calyx flour. The values of proximate composition ranged 8.1-8.9%, 8.4-9.0%, 14.3-15.3%, 1.4-2.1%, 16.9-18.2% and 47.1-49.4% for moisture content, ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre and carbohydrate, respectively, whereas the values of mineral contents ranged 7.6-8.7 mg/100g, 35.7-41.2 mg/100g, 26.5-28.1 mg/100g, 93.2-95.8 mg/100g, 1.6-1.8 mg/100g and 5.2-5.7 mg/100g for sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron and zinc, respectively. The values of vitamin contents of okra calyx flour ranged 0.2-0.3 µg/100g, 7.1-8.9 mg/100g and 0.1-0.2 mg/100g for vitamin A, vitamin C and thiamine contents respectively. Also, there were significant differences in the values of phytate (p= 0.023), oxalate (p= 0.011) and saponin (p< 0.001) contents with the values of anti-nutritional properties ranging 1.3-1.5 mg/100g, 2.5-3.3 mg/100g, 7.4-9.7 mg/100g and 2.3-3.6 mg/100g for tannin, phytate, oxalate and saponin contents, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

There are scanty published works/information on proximate composition, mineral content, vitamin content and anti-nutritional composition of okra calyx flour.

Practical implications

The study showed that okra calyx flour could be useful in fortification/supplement of carbohydrate-based foods in food system.

Originality/value

Okra calyx flour comprises high crude fibre, crude protein, ash and vitamin C contents. Also, calcium is the major mineral content of okra calyx flour followed by magnesium and potassium. However, the tannin content reported higher in okra leaf flour, and okra flour is low in okra calyx flour.
Deep eutectic solvent: a green and sustainable alternative for the synthesis of copper phthalocyanine blue and its value added applications
Authors: Joglekar-Athavale Amruta , Shankarling Ganapti S.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a simple, effective and environmentally benign method for the synthesis of commercially important pigment copper phthalocyanine (PC) blue has been developed using deep eutectic solvent (DES).

Design/methodology/approach

DES prepared from choline chloride and urea is used as a reaction medium, as well as a source of ammonia. The design of the experiment and factorial design study has proved that the milder reaction conditions with high yields and reusability of DES are the key features of the present study.

Findings

The synthesized pigment is obtained at milder reaction conditions with excellent yield, which can be seen from the design of experiments done for the optimization of results.

Practical implications

The synthesized pigment was used as a colorant in epoxy-based paint and in screen ink, which gave satisfactory results with respect to color values and stability.

Social implications

The screen ink prepared was formulated considering environmental aspects to avoid the use of solvents. Biodegradable components were added to the colorant to make the ink environment friendly.

Originality/value

Reactions occur at moderate temperatures without affecting the time factor, thus, it saves energy. A simple, effective and environmentally benign method for the synthesis of commercially important copper PC has been developed using DES. After the first batch, DES synthesized can be reused as a reaction medium where only a stoichiometric amount of urea is to be added. Simple work up, high yield and purity are achieved.
Assessing the service quality of department store using RSQS an Empirical study of Albaha Region, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Zia Adil
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore the factors responsible for influencing the service quality (SQ) of department stores in Albaha region, Saudi Arabia. This study also examines the level of influence on SQ.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data was collected from 600 customers out of which 508 questionnaires were included for analysis using retail service quality scale (RSQS). Quota sampling technique was adapted for data collection from different cities of Albaha province. SPSS software was used to analyse the data using multiple linear regression analysis.

Findings

Three dimensions have a positive significant impact on SQ (physical aspect, problem-solving and reliability), whereas one dimension (personal interactions) has a negative significant influence and one dimension (policy) is found to be a highly insignificant factor.

Research limitations/implications

Further investigation is required for the negative but significant behaviour of personal interaction and insignificant impact of policy as factors.

Practical implications

This study outlines the dimensions having positive and significant influence of SQ on the department stores.

Social implications

This study suggests socially and culturally acceptable methods to improve SQ in Albaha.

Originality/value

The research suggests that personal interaction has a negative influence on SQ; this deviation of results from the literature may be due to the cultural variances in KSA which needs to be further investigated, as customers in Albaha are not willing to converse and interact with the seller.