bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive factors for unfavourable treatment in MDR-TB and XDR-TB patients in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, 2000-2016
Authors: Bhering Marcela , Duarte Raquel , Kritski Afrânio
Published: May 2019

Setting

The State of Rio de Janeiro stands out as having the second highest incidence and the highest mortality rate due to TB in Brazil. This study aims at identifying the factors associated with the unfavourable treatment of MDR/XDR-TB patients in that State.

Method

Data on 2269 MDR-TB cases reported in 2000-2016 in Rio de Janeiro State were collected from the Tuberculosis Surveillance System. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were run to estimate the factors associated with unfavourable outcomes (failure, default, and death) and, specifically, default and death.

Results

The proportion of unfavourable outcomes was 41.9% among MDR-TB and 81.5% among XDR-TB. Having less than 8 years of schooling, and being an Afro-Brazilian, under 40 years old and drug user were associated with unfavourable outcome and default. Bilateral disease, HIV positive, and comorbidities were associated with death. XDR-TB cases had a 4.7-fold higher odds of an unfavourable outcome, with 29.3% of such cases being in the first treatment for multidrug resistance.

Conclusion

About 30% of XDR-TB cases may have occurred by primary transmission. The high rates of failure and death in this category reflect the limitation of treatment options. This highlights the urgency to incorporate new drugs in the treatment.
A kinase-dependent checkpoint prevents escape of immature ribosomes into the translating pool
Authors: Parker Melissa D. , Collins Jason C. , Korona Boguslawa , Ghalei Homa , Karbstein Katrin
Published: May 2019

Premature release of nascent ribosomes into the translating pool must be prevented, as these do not support viability and may be prone to mistakes. Here we show that the kinase Rio1, the nuclease Nob1, and its binding partner Pno1 cooperate to establish a checkpoint that prevents the escape of immature ribosomes into polysomes. Nob1 blocks mRNA recruitment, and rRNA cleavage is required for its dissociation from nascent 40S subunits, thereby setting up a checkpoint for maturation. Rio1 releases Nob1 and Pno1 from pre-40S ribosomes to discharge nascent 40S into the translating pool. Weakly binding Nob1 and Pno1 mutants can bypass the requirement for Rio1, and Pno1 mutants rescue cell viability. In these strains, immature ribosomes escape into the translating pool, where they cause fidelity defects and perturb protein homeostasis. Thus, the Rio1-Nob1-Pno1 network establishes a checkpoint that safeguards against the release of immature ribosomes into the translating pool.
A massively parallel 3′ UTR reporter assay reveals relationships between nucleotide content, sequence conservation, and mRNA destabilization
Authors: Litterman Adam J. , Kageyama Robin , Le Tonqueze Olivier , Zhao Wenxue , Gagnon John D. , Goodarzi Hani , Erle David J. , Ansel K. Mark
Published: May 2019

Compared to coding sequences, untranslated regions of the transcriptome are not well conserved, and functional annotation of these sequences is challenging. Global relationships between nucleotide composition of 3′ UTR sequences and their sequence conservation have been appreciated since mammalian genomes were first sequenced, but the functional relevance of these patterns remain unknown. We systematically measured the effect on gene expression of the sequences of more than 25,000 RNA-binding protein (RBP) binding sites in primary mouse T cells using a massively parallel reporter assay. GC-rich sequences were destabilizing of reporter mRNAs and come from more rapidly evolving regions of the genome. These sequences were more likely to be folded in vivo and contain a number of structural motifs that reduced accumulation of a heterologous reporter protein. Comparison of full-length 3′ UTR sequences across vertebrate phylogeny revealed that strictly conserved 3′ UTRs were GC-poor and enriched in genes associated with organismal development. In contrast, rapidly evolving 3′ UTRs tended to be GC-rich and derived from genes involved in metabolism and immune responses. Cell-essential genes had lower GC content in their 3′ UTRs, suggesting a connection between unstructured mRNA noncoding sequences and optimal protein production. By reducing gene expression, GC-rich RBP-occupied sequences act as a rapidly evolving substrate for gene regulatory interactions.
3D grain reconstruction from laboratory diffraction contrast tomography
Authors: Bachmann Florian , Bale Hrishikesh , Gueninchault Nicolas , Holzner Christian , Lauridsen Erik Mejdal
Published: May 2019

A method for reconstructing the three-dimensional grain structure from data collected with a recently introduced laboratory-based X-ray diffraction contrast tomography system is presented. Diffraction contrast patterns are recorded in Laue-focusing geometry. The diffraction geometry exposes shape information within recorded diffraction spots. In order to yield the three-dimensional crystallographic microstructure, diffraction spots are extracted and fed into a reconstruction scheme. The scheme successively traverses and refines solution space until a reasonable reconstruction is reached. This unique reconstruction approach produces results efficiently and fast for well suited samples.
Detailed surface analysis of V-defects in GaN films on patterned silicon(111) substrates by metal–organic chemical vapour deposition
Authors: Gao Jiang-Dong , Zhang Jian-Li , Zhu Xin , Wu Xiao-Ming , Mo Chun-Lan , Pan Shuan , Liu Jun-Lin , Jiang Feng-Yi
Published: May 2019

The growth mechanism of V-defects in GaN films was investigated. It was observed that the crystal faces of both the sidewall of a V-defect and the sidewall of the GaN film boundary belong to the same plane family of \{ {{{10\bar 11}}} \}, which suggests that the formation of the V-defect is a direct consequence of spontaneous growth like that of the boundary facet. However, the growth rate of the V-defect sidewall is much faster than that of the boundary facet when the V-defect is filling up, implying that lateral growth of \{ {{{10\bar 11}}} \} planes is not the direct cause of the change in size of V-defects. Since V-defects originate from dislocations, an idea was proposed to correlate the growth of V-defects with the presence of dislocations. Specifically, the change in size of the V-defect is determined by the growth rate around dislocations and the growth rate around dislocations is determined by the growth conditions.
Crystal structure of a polymorph of μ-oxido-bis[(5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrinato)iron(III)]
Authors: Peters Morten K. , Näther Christian , Herges Rainer
Published: May 2019

The title compound, [Fe2(C44H28N4O)2O], was obtained as a by-product during the synthesis of FeIII tetraphenylporphyrin perchlorate. It crystallizes as a new polymorphic modification in addition to the orthorhombic form previously reported [Hoffman et al. (1972). J. Am. Chem. Soc.
94, 3620–3626; Swepston & Ibers (1985) Acta Cryst. C41, 671–673; Kooijmann et al. (2007). Private Communication (refcode 667666). CCDC, Cambridge, England]. In its crystal structure, the two crystallographically independent FeIII cations are coordinated in a square-planar environment by the four N atoms of a tetraphenylporphyrin ligand. The FeIII-tetraphenylporphyrine units are linked by a μ2-oxido ligand into a dimer with an Fe—O—Fe angle close to linearity. The final coordination sphere for each FeIII atom is square-pyramidal with the μ2-oxido ligand in the apical position. The crystal under investigation consisted of two domains in a ratio of 0.691 (3): 0.309 (3).
Crystal structure of 3,14-diethyl-2,13-diaza-6,17-diazoniatricyclo[16.4.0.07,12]docosane dinitrate dihydrate from synchrotron X-ray data
Authors: Moon Dohyun , Jeon Sunghwan , Ryoo Keon Sang , Choi Jong-Ha
Published: May 2019

The crystal structure of title salt, C22H46N4
2+·2NO3
−·2H2O, has been determined using synchrotron radiation at 220 K. The structure determination reveals that protonation has occurred at diagonally opposite amine N atoms. The asymmetric unit contains half a centrosymmetric dication, one nitrate anion and one water molecule. The molecular dication, C22H46N4
2+, together with the nitrate anion and hydrate water molecule are involved in an extensive range of hydrogen bonds. The molecule is stabilized, as is the conformation of the dication, by forming intermolecular N—H...O, O—H...O, together with intramolecular N—H...N hydrogen bonds.
Crystal structure, synthesis and thermal properties of tetrakis(4-benzoylpyridine-κN)bis(isothiocyanato-κN)iron(II)
Authors: Wellm Carsten , Näther Christian
Published: May 2019

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Fe(NCS)2(C12H9NO)4], consists of an FeII ion that is located on a centre of inversion, as well as two 4-benzoylpyridine ligands and one thiocyanate anion in general positions. The FeII ions are coordinated by two N-terminal-bonded thiocyanate anions and four 4-benzoylpyridine ligands into discrete complexes with a slightly distorted octahedral geometry. These complexes are further linked by weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds into chains running along the c-axis direction. Upon heating, this complex loses half of the 4-benzoylpyridine ligands and transforms into a compound with the composition Fe(NCS)2(4-benzoylpyridine)2, that might be isotypic to the corresponding MnII compound and for which the structure is unknown.
Enabling management control systems, situated learning and intellectual capital development
Authors: Coyte Rodney
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how an enabling management control system (MCS) affected intellectual capital (IC) development in an organisation. The study explores the effect of a change from a coercive to an enabling control system on situated learning and the development of IC.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study was conducted in a large manufacturing organisation to explore the effect of a redesigned MCS on IC development. Semi-structured interviews were used to elicit understanding of the effect of the new system on situated learning and valuable local knowledge and relationship development.

Findings

The enabling way in which the MCS was designed introduced empowerment and accountability for financial and operational performance at all levels of the organisational hierarchy, which stimulated situated learning in a way that developed the organisation’s IC.

Originality/value

New insight is provided into the way management accounting practice can deliver valuable outcomes to organisations. First, into how MCSs design can stimulate the development of valuable local knowledge and relationships as IC. Second, into how MCS design can affect non-management employees. While prior studies have focussed on managers, this research is novel in showing how enabling controls affect non-management employees.
Information encountering and sharing behaviour of research students in an online environment
Authors: Awan Waqar Ahmad , Ameen Kanwal , Soroya Saira Hanif
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Information behaviour exists in two forms: first when information is sought with a clear purpose and second, when we encounter it accidentally or serendipitiously. The purpose of this paper is to estimate the information encountering (IE) and encountered information sharing (EIS) behaviour of research students in an online environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative research approach was applied to carry out this research. The authors selected 120 MPhil and PhD research students (who research information as a part of their assignments) from six departments as sample for the study. Out of 120 research students, 93 returned the filled questionnaires. The collected data were analysed in SPSS version 22. First, descriptive statistics to estimate the IE and sharing behaviour; and later one-way ANOVA andpost hoccomparisons using the Tukey HSD tests were applied to investigate the EIS based on the frequency of internet usage.

Findings

The findings indicate that the mean scores of the responses remain between “sometimes” and “often”, in all the behavioural sub-constructs of the model of IE, i.e. noticing, stopping, examining, capturing, storing (keeping), sharing and returning. The extended model proved to be valid in an online environment in the context of Pakistani culture. While estimating EIS, the results indicated significantly higher sharing and large effect size among the research students who used the internet from 11 to 15 h a week than those who used it between 6 and 10 h.

Practical implications

Keeping in view the results the research students and parent organisations (universities) working for the improvement of research ranking and research students’ better performance, should know that research information is not only actively acquired but also huge amount of information is accidentally encountered and shared. Therefore, the universities should train their research students to enhance the information sharing of encountered information. That will promote the research culture and may enhance the speed of learning, research work and ultimately result in competitive advantage, without any extra effort.

Originality/value

This is the first study of its type in Pakistan to measure the IE behaviour of research students in an online environment. Moreover, it is the first study which investigates the extended model of IE using a quantitative approach in the Pakistani research environment, which originated in Japan via qualitative research approach.
Does consumer customization strategy always benefit the platform firm’s profit?
Authors: Wang Can-you , Li Cheng-long , Su Qin
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the price decisions and profits of two firms in a competitive market in which one platform firm considers whether to adopt a consumer customization strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops the consumer’s utility function, which captures consumers’ behavioural and emotional factors in the self-customizing process, and it adopts a game theory approach to analyze the equilibrium price and equilibrium profit for each firm.

Findings

The results show that increased sensitivity in consumer customization might not benefit the platform, especially when the size of the consumer group deriving positive additional utility from the self-customizing process is small. Interestingly, if the consumer customization sensitivity is high, increasing sensitivity can benefit both firms by relaxing competition between them, while it can hurt consumer surplus. The study also further identifies the conditions under which platforms can adopt a consumer customization strategy.

Research limitations/implications

Two major limitations of the study are that the model does not involve price discrimination or explore the value of adopting a consumer customization strategy in a vertically differentiated market.

Practical implications

This study offers managerial insights for the platforms that intend to invest in a consumer customization strategy, including providing a more simple, more efficient self-customizing process for consumers; empowering consumers to broadcast their creations to a large network by social media technologies; addressing how to determine what consumers really need and want; and so on.

Originality/value

Little research has been performed to analyze the impacts of adopting a consumer customization strategy on pricing decisions in a duopoly market by capturing consumers’ behavioural and emotional factors. While this study explores the above research issue, it also illustrates the effect of the adoption of a consumer customization strategy from a consumer surplus perspective.
The Baldrige Award’s falling fortunes
Authors: Cook David , Zhang Weiyong
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore two explanations for the Baldrige Award’s decline. The management fashion literature suggests that it is a waning management fad, and the marketing choice literature suggests the likely presence of an ISO 9000 substitution effect.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory study utilizes data collected on Baldridge Award applications, publications, ISO 9000 certifications and economic indicators. These data are contrasted to explore patterns and trends, and correlation analyses conducted to reveal the plausibility of the fad and substitution effect explanations for the Baldrige Award’s decline.

Findings

Data analysis confirms the Baldrige Award’s prolonged decline and strongly suggests it is in the final stage of a management fashion life cycle with support provided for the presence of an ISO 9000 substitution effect.

Research limitations/implications

Many organizations have shifted their attention away from the Baldrige as a means to quality and performance excellence, and there is evidence that the ISO 9000 standards are a viable substitute.

Practical implications

The Baldrige Program has served its purpose with the Baldrige Award being the pinnacle of recognition for performance excellence achievement. However, the Award is in decline and the Baldrige Program is on a path to financial exigency. The Baldrige must be reframed to recover its role as the preeminent approach to performance excellence.

Originality/value

The paper satisfies the need to examine potential causes for the diminishing role of the Baldrige Award and challenges both academicians and practitioners to reexamine the Baldrige Program.
Supply chain capabilities and competitiveness of high-tech manufacturing start-ups in India
Authors: Ghosh Debabrata , Mehta Peeyush , Avittathur Balram
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the practices and policies unique to high-tech manufacturing start-ups in emerging economies, such as India. The study analyzes the main features and challenges of the high-tech manufacturing sector, and the way in which enabling environment including policy making, supply chain capability and related technologies through Industry 4.0 could be leveraged to foster growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper undertakes an exploratory approach through in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with high-tech manufacturing firms in various stages of their growth. The paper provides evidence of the challenges that high-tech manufacturing firms face in India, the strategies they adopt and highlights the role of institutional structures and policies.

Findings

Findings show that high-tech manufacturing start-ups in India face various challenges in the upstream, production and downstream supply chain processes. Further, issues related to availability of quality material, quality suppliers, contracts, funding and access to markets remain. Results also show that enabling operational and financial levers could be created by policy makers and other stakeholders to help the high-tech manufacturing start-ups scale faster and create value.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the R&D intensive industry and high-tech manufacturing literature in the context of emerging economies, such as India, and provides a rigorous overview of the start-up ecosystem in high-tech manufacturing.
The potential of IoT in redesigning the bank branch protection system
Authors: Ammirato Salvatore , Sofo Francesco , Felicetti Alberto Michele , Raso Cinzia
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Most recent developments in the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies can boost the efficacy of business process management (BPM) to improve process performance. The purpose of this paper is to describe a method for redesigning bank branch (BB) protection systems contributing to make BBs “smarter.”

Design/methodology/approach

Based upon a multiple case study approach, the paper deployed a four-step business process reengineering design from an information system development perspective. To overcome limitations of information scarcity required for modeling activities, a multimethod approach to data gathering and results validation was adopted. The approach was based on a comprehensive literature review and an in-depth qualitative survey involving a sample of six security managers of primary Italian banking groups.

Findings

The intelligent protection system resulting from the application of the methodology to the Italian BB sector was able to improve the security management process. Lead time and actors’ workload were reduced; running costs decreased; quality of information improved as well as the overall effectiveness of the protection system against criminal attacks.

Originality/value

The specific IoT technologies proposed are new. Additionally, to date, their application to BB security management has not been analyzed in the BPM literature. The value resides in the highly applicable results of the methodology to the BB network of a banking group both inside and outside of Italy.
A conceptual framework for waste identification and reduction in Nigerian sandcrete blocks production process
Authors: Aka Adefemi , Bamgbade Abosede Adebisi , Saidu Ibrahim , Balogun Oladimeji Moses
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Non-value adding activities or waste have been a major challenge for the construction industry. Researchers worldwide have investigated how such activities can be reduced or overcome in the industry. However, much has not been done regarding waste in the production process of building blocks. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the various waste in sandcrete blocks production process (SBPP). The study also aims to find out the causes of the waste and their impacts on the factory performance.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the aims of this study, a qualitative study was conducted in five sandcrete blocks firms in Minna. Physical observation and interviews were the main instruments used for data collection. The data obtained were analyzed through content analysis. Samples of blocks (low standard only) were also taken to the laboratory for compressive and porosity tests. Thereafter, questionnaires were administered to other sandcrete blocks producers in six firms. The essence of this was to investigate the applicability of the identified waste in other factories in the study context and for further data analysis.

Findings

Typical forms of waste in SBPP are excessive stocking of sand and cement, long distance covered from the store to the mixing or production location, excessive quantity or over design of materials and over vibration or compaction of the newly produced blocks. It is anticipated that adoption of lean concepts, tools and techniques in the production of sandcrete blocks will help to eradicate the identified waste in the process and stimulate a future state value stream mapping (VSM). The practicality of the expected future state VSM is presently being investigated by one of the five firms in the study context.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of the study mainly provide further insights on the various process waste in Nigerian sandcrete blocks production.

Practical implications

The study provides knowledge on how lean thinking can be adopted to identify and reduce waste in SBPP. Such knowledge may be beneficial to the present and prospective sandcrete blocks producers. The study also provides insight on how the overall cost of production of sandcrete blocks and the quantity of CO2 that is being released into the atmosphere in the production process can be reduced. The VSM in the proposed framework also serves as a tool that can be globally adopted for waste identification by producers of other forms of blocks such as bricks.

Originality/value

This paper satisfies all the tenets of originality as it has not been previously published and all the information obtained from other studies have been duly referenced. The study is also original as it is first in the study context to propose for a lean framework that can be used to reduce waste in SBPP.
Multi-brand loyalty in consumer markets: a qualitatively-driven mixed methods approach
Authors: Arifine Ghizlane , Felix Reto , Furrer Olivier
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Although multi-brand loyalty (MBL) in consumer markets has been identified in previous brand loyalty research, empirical studies have not yet explored the facets of its different types. This paper aims to have a deeper understanding of MBL by investigating its different types and facets.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a sequential, qualitatively driven mixed-method design consisting of in-depth interviews and supplementary survey research.

Findings

The findings of this study suggest that mood congruence, identity enhancement, unavailability risk reduction and market competition are the most important facets that explains the two types of MBL (complementary-based and product substitutes). Furthermore, the findings show that the family factor can motivate consumers to be multi-brand loyal by adding brands to an initially family-endorsed brand.

Research limitations/implications

This study advances the conceptual foundations of MBL and extends previous research on brand loyalty. Some of the findings may be limited to the economic and cultural context of relatively affluent countries with an abundance of market offers.

Practical implications

Marketing managers gain insights into how to manage brand loyalty and how to transition from MBL to single-brand loyalty.

Originality/value

The study generates novel insights into the facets of different types of MBL.
Customer engagement with websites: a transactional retail perspective
Authors: Connell Cara , Marciniak Ruth , Carey Lindsey I. , McColl Julie
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on customer engagement (CE) in the underexplored context of transactional retailing websites, providing insight into the drivers, manifestations and dimensionality of the construct. The website is viewed as a collection of environmental stimuli, and focus is placed on identifying the website environmental cues that promote CE.

Design/methodology/approach

This focussed study follows an exploratory research design. A total of 22 semi-structured interviews were conducted with one segment group: over-55-year-old female online shoppers in the most commonly purchased product category online, clothing. The stimulus–organism–response model forms the theoretical framework.

Findings

The unique findings identify that product-related environmental cues drive CE on a website, suggesting that CE occurs at the level of the product, as opposed to the website.

Research limitations/implications

CE with websites exists beyond the customer–brand dyad, with the website forming the third node in a triadic relationship between customer, brand (at level of the product) and website (at level of the product-related cues).

Practical implications

This study reveals the relationship between website environmental cues and the manifestation of CE, providing managers with insight on how best to drive CE. Confirmation is provided that the website represents a vital touchpoint in the engagement journey of a retail customer.

Originality/value

Websites as a focal object for CE are markedly under-researched. This study empirically supports the relevance of considering CE in this context and reveals the influence online environments have on CE.
Google Scholar Citation metrics of Pakistani LIS scholars: an overview
Authors: Ali Muhammad Yousuf , Richardson Joanna
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the use of Google Scholar Citations’ profiling platform by library and information science (LIS) scholars in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

Purposive sampling was used to collect Google Scholar Citations profiles between 15 November 2017 and 31 January 2018. Resultant data were analyzed in SPSS Version 21.

Findings

In terms of demographical data, the study results were consistent with previous studies of Pakistani LIS scholars. There were strong correlations between Google Scholar Citations metrics (publications, citations, h-index and i10-index). The results indicate that, compared with a 2011 survey of LIS academics in Pakistan, the overall uptake for this cohort remains relatively low. This cohort is not maximizing the opportunity provided by this specific online profiling system to increase research visibility.

Research limitations/implications

As the study was limited to those Pakistani LIS scholars who already had a profile on ResearchGate, it would be useful to broaden the research to encompass all Pakistani LIS scholars.

Practical implications

The role of the librarian as an adviser in scholarly communication and impact can be extended to support scholars in the adoption of new online platforms for scholarly communication and visibility.

Originality/value

There have been no published research studies on Google Scholar Citations metrics in the context of Pakistani LIS scholars as a whole.
The synergetic effect of knowledge management and business model innovation on firm competence
Authors: Bashir Makhmoor , Farooq Rayees
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic review of the linkage between knowledge management, business model innovation and firm competence. The study attempts to summarize a few important and essential issues which future research should address.

Design/methodology/approach

Researchers have conducted an extensive review of the literature covering 50 journals from various databases like Scopus, ProQuest and Emerald. A total of 88 articles from 1997 to 2018 on knowledge management and business model innovation were selected and analyzed.

Findings

The study found that the integration of knowledge management and business model innovation leads to a sustainable competitive advantage. The relationship between knowledge management, business model innovation and firm competence seems to be fragmented because of various meaning and conceptualizations. The study endeavors to examine the relationship between the dimensions (knowledge acquisition, knowledge conversion, knowledge dissemination, knowledge application and knowledge reuse) of knowledge management and business model innovation (value proposition, assets and capabilities, revenue and cost architecture and actors in business networks). The study highlights that chief knowledge officers have a vital role to play in enhancing knowledge management orientation of a company so that knowledge regarding new ways of value creation and value capture is heard within an organization.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides a distribution schema of knowledge management and business model innovation articles based on different search criteria by highlighting different future research avenues. The study is believed to serve as a basis and be a valuable tool for researchers to understand the current and future scenarios about knowledge management and business model innovation. Researchers also acknowledge the limitations of this study with regard to exclusive search criteria, which might affect its generalizability.

Practical implications

The study argues that better knowledge sharing between departments could benefit value creation and therefore drive the organization toward business model innovation which would automatically boost firm competence. The study has made an attempt to highlight the role of Chief Knowledge Officer with regard to business model innovation. Therefore, the proposed model developed in this review will help the organization to better understand the role of knowledge management and business model innovation.

Originality/value

This is one of the first systematic reviews of knowledge management and business model innovation which provides a detailed understanding of the past and future research on the two.
Farmer training to simultaneously increase productivity of soybean and rice in Indonesia
Authors: Mariyono Joko
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the effect of enhanced knowledge and technology innovations, which were resulted from training, on the simultaneous production of rice and soybean in Java, Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

A model of product possibility frontier with two outputs produced using the same resources was employed. Based on the model, supply responses of soybean and rice were derived. Aggregate data consisting of 12 regions during the ten years of 2000–2009 were compiled from relevant agricultural institutions at the provincial level.

Findings

Improvement in farmers’ capacity has been able to increase production of soybean and rice simultaneously. Farmers’ capacity increased after completion of the school. Knowledge and skill gained from the school have been applied to both rice and soybean farming. Other economic factors also affected the supply response of both commodities.

Research limitations/implications

Available data covered periods 2000–2009. However, the outcomes are still relevant to the current situation because food crops are the basic necessity. This study used secondary aggregate data, which might be less accurate than primary data. However, secondary data have the advantage concerning coverage and time span.

Practical implications

The Government, in collaboration with non-government organisations and the private sectors, should continue to enhance farmers’ capacity to increase the production of food crops to feed people in Indonesia, and over the world in general.

Originality/value

An analysis of joint production using a concept of product transformation curve can measure the impact of training on multi products.
Long-run dynamics between cost of quality and quality performance
Authors: Sturm Sebastian , Kaiser Gernot , Hartmann Evi
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The dynamics of quality performance and quality cost are gaining renewed interest in quality management literature. Using large sample secondary data, the purpose of this paper is to build up empirical evidence for increasing quality performance in manufacturing in the long-run. The authors then examine whether it is possible to reduce internal and external failure cost over time without increasing prevention and appraisal expenditures in return. Finally, a scale effect in reducing quality cost is measured to clarify the long-run dynamics between quality cost and quality performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct statistical analysis on a large sample secondary data set to reveal relationships between total cost of quality, its components and overall quality performance.

Findings

Significantly higher quality performance and lower quality cost are observed in the long-run. Quality costs grow less than half as fast as sales volume, pointing to a significant scale effect in quality cost reduction.

Practical implications

Businesses can use these implications for targeting failure costs and budgeting appraisal and prevention costs. Based on company-specific historical learning behavior through prevention and appraisal activities, an increasingly reliable prognosis of failure cost shall be possible.

Originality/value

For the first time, quality performance and cost dynamics are assessed using a secondary data set with more than 400 observations. A scale effect for quality cost reduction is measured. The results are of great importance to quality management practice and research.
Failure investigation of Cu-DHP tubes due to ant-nest corrosion
Authors: Vazdirvanidis Athanasios , Papadopoulou Sofia , Papaefthymiou Spyros , Pantazopoulos George , Skarmoutsos Dionysios
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the main aspects of ant-nest corrosion failure mechanism of a Cu tube in heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) installations and analyze the possible root causes through various case studies presented.

Design/methodology/approach

Failure investigation process includes mainly stereo-, light optical and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy for elemental microanalysis, as the main analytical techniques for material characterization and root-cause analysis.

Findings

The investigation findings, obtained from corrosion products’ analysis in conjunction to metallographic evaluation in transverse sections, illustrate the principal characteristics (“fingerprints”) of ant-nest (formicary) corrosion mechanism.

Originality/value

This paper which deals with the presentation of applied failure analysis/case histories’ investigation, summarizing the main aspects of an important and insidious type of Cu corrosion, taken place in HVAC installation systems and, on the other hand, presenting a complementary analysis of the chemical processes involved in the progressive failure mechanism constitutes an integrated approach, aiming to become a concise contribution to this subject.
Ballistic impact of steel fiber-metal laminates and plates
Authors: Bikakis George , Tsigkros Nikolaos , Sideridis Emilios , Savaidis Alexander
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the ballistic impact response of square clamped fiber-metal laminates and monolithic plates consisting of different metal alloys using the ANSYS LS-DYNA explicit nonlinear analysis software. The panels are subjected to central normal high velocity ballistic impact by a cylindrical projectile.

Design/methodology/approach

Using validated finite element models, the influence of the constituent metal alloy on the ballistic resistance of the fiber-metal laminates and the monolithic plates is studied. Six steel alloys are examined, namely, 304 stainless steel, 1010, 1080, 4340, A36 steel and DP 590 dual phase steel. A comparison with the response of GLAss REinforced plates is also implemented.

Findings

It is found that the ballistic limits of the panels can be substantially affected by the constituent alloy. The stainless steel based panels offer the highest ballistic resistance followed by the A36 steel based panels which in turn have higher ballistic resistance than the 2024-T3 aluminum based panels. The A36 steel based panels have higher ballistic limit than the 1010 steel based panels which in turn have higher ballistic limit than the 1080 steel based panels. The behavior of characteristic impact variables such as the impact load, the absorbed impact energy and the projectile’s displacement during the ballistic impact phenomenon is analyzed.

Originality/value

The ballistic resistance of the aforementioned steel fiber-metal laminates has not been studied previously. This study contributes to the scientific knowledge concerning the impact response of steel-based fiber-metal laminates and to the construction of impact resistant structures.
Can search engine data improve accuracy of demand forecasting for new products? Evidence from automotive market
Authors: Kim Dongha , Woo JongRoul , Shin Jungwoo , Lee Jongsu , Kim Yongdai
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between new product diffusion and consumer internet search patterns using big data and to investigate whether such data can be used in forecasting new product diffusion.

Design/methodology/approach

This research proposes a new product diffusion model based on the Bass diffusion model by incorporating consumer internet search behavior. Actual data from search engine queries and new vehicle sales for each vehicle class and region are used to estimate the proposed model. Statistical analyses are used to interpret the estimated results, and the prediction performance of the proposed method is compared with other methods to validate the usefulness of data for internet search engine queries in forecasting new product diffusion.

Findings

The estimated coefficients of the proposed model provide a clear interpretation of the relationship between new product diffusion and internet search volume. In 83.62 percent of 218 cases, analyzing the internet search pattern data are significant to explain new product diffusion and that internet search volume helps to predict new product diffusion. Therefore, marketing that seeks to increase internet search volume could positively affect vehicle sales. In addition, the demand forecasting performance of the proposed diffusion model is superior to those of other models for both long-term and short-term predictions.

Research limitations/implications

As search queries have only been available since 2004, comparisons with data from earlier years are not possible. The proposed model can be extended using other big data from additional sources.

Originality/value

This research directly demonstrates the relationship between new product diffusion and consumer internet search pattern and investigates whether internet search queries can be used to forecast new product diffusion by product type and region. Based on the estimated results, increasing internet search volume could positively affect vehicle sales across product types and regions. Because the proposed model had the best prediction power compared with the other considered models for all cases with large margins, it can be successfully utilized in forecasting demand for new products.
The transaction costs of intra-organizational captive buying and selling relationships
Authors: de Waard Erik , de Bock Peter , Beeres Robert
Published: May 2019

Purpose

A typical governance challenge that has emerged with the introduction of shared service centers and other forms of service-related centralization within organizations is how to balance horizontal integration with vertical accountability. From a transaction costs perspective, this study aims to analyze the relationship between intra-organizational demand and supply linkages, asset specificity and coordination costs.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, a case study has been conducted within a European military organization that has undergone major budget cuts, forcing it to start following a strategy of functional concentration with captive buying and selling relationships between internal customers and suppliers.

Findings

The research findings clarify that organizational hybridity may be the result. In a supplier role, the organizational elements are primarily concerned with efficiency, while operational effectiveness predominates when they are in the customer position. Also, the results show that focusing on standardized service delivery may sometime carry too far. When services are treated as being standard, while in reality, they ask for a more tailored approach, productive internal demand and supply collaboration will be put at risk. Moreover, the organizational actions needed to restore the internal supply chain’s efficacy will seriously increase transaction costs.

Originality/value

Despite being mentioned as a key governance category, actual research on the practicalities of internal captive buying and selling, in relation to the functioning of SSCs, is still lacking. To advance on this topic, the present research introduces knowledge from supply chain management theory, where dedicated inter-organizational buyer–supplier interaction in the automotive industry has already received academic attention.
Public libraries as an infrastructure for a sustainable public sphere
Authors: Audunson Ragnar , Aabø Svanhild , Blomgren Roger , Evjen Sunniva , Jochumsen Henrik , Larsen Håkon , Rasmussen Casper Hvenegaard , Vårheim Andreas , Johnston Jamie , Koizumi Masanori
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the shaping of public libraries as an infrastructure for a sustainable public sphere through a comprehensive literature review.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to capture the whole picture of this research field, we utilize comprehensive review methodology. The major research questions are: first, to what extent have research topics regarding libraries as public sphere institutions expanded and diversified? Which theoretical perspectives inform research? Second, which challenges and topics does the research focus upon, such as: social inclusion and equal access to information; digital inequalities; censorship and freedom of expression; and access to places and spaces with a democratic potential and the role of libraries in that respect? Third, what influence has social media exerted on libraries in the context of the expanding digital world?

Findings

The authors identified mainly four themes regarding the public library and public sphere, such as: the importance of public libraries by using Habermas’s theory; the function of meeting places within the public library and setting those places in the center of the library in order to enhance and encourage democracy; the relationship between social inclusion and public libraries and its functions in current society such as diminishing the digital divide; and the emerging electronic resources and arena of SNS in public libraries and utilizing them to reach citizens.

Originality/value

Capturing the recent history of this research field through comprehensive review is valuable.
The future of work: disciplined useful activity
Authors: Cottey Alan
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the importance of the current global ecological overload (GEO) for the future of work in the twenty-first century and to propose a new understanding of what work is.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this purpose, the author uses qualitative methods to assess what is likely and what is possible. The author presents three broad-brush future scenarios, dubbed chaos, muddle and wisdom. The approach adopted depends on two basic normative principles, named Liveable Global Habitat and Necessities as of Right.

Findings

The neoliberal commitment to economic growth is a driver for GEO. A liveable future requires a decisive turn away from neoliberal values. As part of this, the author proposes a new understanding of work, disciplined useful activity, which differs radically from the current understanding. “Useful” means contributing to two basic principles: to maintain and enhance a civilised human society and a liveable global habitat for a rich variety of species; and to accord to all people, as of right, in practice and not merely in name, the basic necessities of a civilised life.

Social implications

AI and robots will probably continue to replace today’s kinds of human employment. But this need not render any humans unemployed, whose work (in the new sense) will be wanted in, for two examples, caring (including self-care) and participatory democracy.

Originality/value

This paper offers a contribution to the resolution of the current and anticipated problems of GEO and of disruptive technologies.