bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lean manufacturing practices and performance: the role of social and technical factors
Authors: Sahoo Saumyaranjan
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Modern manufacturing systems require tools and techniques that take cognizance of the social (concerning people and relations) as well as the technical environment. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between the social and technical aspects of lean manufacturing practices and their effects on business performance outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypothesized relationships for this study are tested with data collected from 148 Indian manufacturing firms by using SPSS and AMOS statistical software.

Findings

The analysis of the study was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM) technique, which indicated that both “soft” and “hard” lean practices are positively related to business performance parameters. The findings also demonstrated that “hard” lean practices fully mediate the relationship between “soft” lean practices and business performance parameters.

Research limitations/implications

There are some limitations of this study. Although a cross-sectional survey has been applied, the research does not permit us to account for the lag between implementation and performance. It also brings the opinion of a limited number of Indian experts about lean manufacturing systems; hence, the sample size could be increased and the nationality of the respondent could be expanded for future research.

Practical implications

The paper would be of interest to Lean practitioners, and the results of this study can be used in organizations to put a focus on social-cultural changes while applying lean technical tools when it comes to practices as well as importance.

Originality/value

This paper extends theoretical contribution in production and operations management literature, highlighting how social and technical practices have to interact to enable a successful lean manufacturing implementation.
A closed-form equation for steady-state availability of cold standby repairable k-out-of-n
Authors: Yaghoubi Afshin , Niaki Seyed Taghi Akhavan , Rostamzadeh Hadi
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to derive a closed-form expression for the steady-state availability of a cold standby repairable k-out-of-n system. This makes the availability calculation much easier and accurate.

Design/methodology/approach

Assuming exponential distributions for system failure and repair, the Markov method is employed to derive the formula.

Findings

The proposed formula establishes an easier and faster venue and provides accurate steady-state availability.

Research limitations/implications

The formula is valid for the case when the probability density function of the component failure and the repair is exponential.

Originality/value

The Markov method has never been used in the literature to derive the steady-state availability of a cold standby repairable k-out-of-n: G system.
Let us measure, then what? Exploring purposeful use of innovation management self-assessments
Authors: Johansson Peter E. , Blackbright Helena , Backström Tomas , Schaeffer Jennie , Cedergren Stefan
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding regarding how managers attempt to make purposeful use of innovation management self-assessments (IMSA) and performance information (PI).

Design/methodology/approach

An interpretative perspective on purposeful use is used as an analytical framework, and the paper is based on empirical material from two research projects exploring the use of IMSA and PI in three case companies. Based on the empirical data, consisting of interviews and observations of workshops and project meetings, qualitative content analysis has been conducted.

Findings

The findings of this paper indicate that how managers achieve a purposeful use of PI is related to their approach toward how to use the specific PI at hand, and two basic approaches are analytically separated: a rule-based approach and a reflective approach. Consequently, whether or not the right thing is being measured also becomes a question of how the PI is actually being interpreted and used. Thus, the extensive focus on what to measure and how to measure it becomes edgeless unless equal attention is given to how managers are able to use the PI to make knowledgeable decisions regarding what actions to take to achieve the desired changes.

Practical implications

Given the results, it comes with a managerial responsibility to make sure that all managers who are supposed to be engaged in using the PI are given roles in the self-assessments that are aligned with the level of knowledge they possess, or can access.

Originality/value

How managers purposefully use PI is a key to understand the potential impact of self-assessments.
Knowledge-intensive business services and innovation performance in Brazil
Authors: Santos Juliana Bonomi
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the way different economic sectors in Brazil use knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) and explore which features of KIBS use are associated with better innovation outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Clusters and regression analyses were used to analyze data from the national innovation survey (PINTEC) from 2014.

Findings

The results show that most of the 55 sectors of the Brazilian economy studied make little use of KIBS, but industries in which firms that interact with KIBS providers also have better innovation performance and offer more innovative offerings. The relationship with higher education institutions and research institutes proved particularly relevant, while the interaction with consultancy firms seems to be a strategy that leaves firms “stuck in the middle”.

Originality/value

The outcomes confirm the arguments of the literature that the use of KIBS has positive outcomes for customer firms. More importantly, however, the paper complements the existing literature by showing that the type of KIBS used in each country is relevant to understand firms’ innovation performance. The outcomes can guide firms and public policy initiatives oriented at the articulation of the national innovation system.
Production, commercialization, and intellectual property of transgenic crops in Latin America
Authors: Barragán-Ocaña Alejandro , Reyes-Ruiz Gerardo , Olmos-Peña Samuel , Gómez-Viquez Hortensia
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Transgenic crops have been increasingly adopted, produced and commercialized throughout the world. Correspondingly, the management of intellectual property rights concerning transgenic crops has gained importance. In this context, it is necessary to understand the status quo of transgenic crop production, especially in developing countries. The purpose of this paper is to provide a general scenario of transgenic crops and their growth around the world, especially in Latin America.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was carried out to determine the status of intellectual property protection, production and commercialization of transgenic crops.

Findings

Opinions concerning the risks and benefits of adopting transgenics are markedly divided. Its presence in the agricultural sector has undoubtedly taken a firm hold in different parts of the world. Nevertheless, there are some areas of the international transgenics industry that need further and ongoing discussion and assessment, such as biosafety, intellectual property, regulation and legislation, among others. Additionally, in developing countries, and especially in the case of Latin America, other relevant issues to be addressed are associated with the conservation of local plant varieties and the preservation of cultural values, as well as the development of endogenous technology to solve local problems and the integration of farmers and the society at large and their interests into the discussion.

Research limitations/implications

The most significant limitation of the present study was the lack of available data. Future studies using larger data sets will allow for more robust statistical analyses. Additionally, country-specific studies focused on the most important crops, those that each country grows intensively, are necessary for a better insight into the global dynamics of the sector; these studies must stress the intellectual property mechanisms used and address biosafety and regulatory issues, among other areas.

Originality/value

The present study represents a starting point for establishing schemes to facilitate the proper development and management of transgenic technology based on regional interests and the guiding principles of ethics and biosecurity.
Local value chain interventions: a systematic review
Authors: Hainzer Kirt , Best Talitha , Brown Philip Hugh
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper twofold: first, to review the current state of knowledge regarding local value chain (LVC) interventions in the context of international agricultural research and development; and, secondly, by synthesising the empirical findings from LVC projects, to provide guidance for future research and intervention design.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilises systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis guidelines to review and synthesise recent research papers and case studies dealing specifically with the development of LVCs, authored by professionals affiliated with development agencies and international research consortiums.

Findings

The paper identifies a novel two-phase characterisation of LVC interventions. Phase 1 identifies opportunities for interventions, which are characterised as typologies and presented upon a spectrum of value chain functionality from underdeveloped to mature. Phase 2 is the selection and implementation of strategies to achieve the identified opportunities from Phase 1, and the paper characterises these strategies per the domain of value chain functionality which they target.

Research limitations/implications

The interaction between context, socio-economic constraints and intervention strategies is still a poorly understood feature of value chain interventions, and the paper posits that a greater understanding of these interactions is crucial to the success of value chain interventions.

Originality/value

The paper provides the first synthesis of LVC interventions, while outlining research priorities and knowledge gaps required to design interventions which are consummate to the context and functionality of a prioritised chain.
Determinants of GRI-based sustainability reporting: evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Orazalin Nurlan , Mahmood Monowar
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent and determinants of sustainability performance disclosures reported by publicly traded companies in Kazakhstan by using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework. Among the different possible determinants, stand-alone sustainability reporting (SR), reporting language, leverage, cash flow capacity, profitability, size, age and auditor type were selected to investigate their impacts on the quality and scope of sustainability information.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyzes data from publicly traded companies at the Kazakhstani Stock Exchange for the years 2013–2015. To investigate the extent, nature and quality of sustainability reports, the study measures and analyzes economic, environmental and social performance parameters, as suggested in the GRI guidelines.

Findings

The results indicate that determinants such as stand-alone reporting, reporting language, firm profitability, firm size and auditor type substantially influence the extent, nature and quality of sustainability-reporting practices of Kazakhstani companies.

Practical implications

The findings of the study suggest that managers, practitioners, regulators and policy makers in emerging economies should adopt the GRI guidelines to report sustainability performance disclosures and focus on specific factors to improve the quality of sustainability disclosures.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first studies to investigate the extent, nature and possible determinants of corporate SR in central Asian-emerging economies.
Investigating homicide: back to the future
Authors: Allsop Cheryl , Pike Sophie
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to suggest two things: first, that the scientific and technological developments and increased regulation that have shaped homicide investigations in England and Wales over the last few decades have provided today’s investigators with opportunities not available to their predecessors, and play a key role in solving unsolved homicides. Second, however, the authors suggest that such developments have created new challenges for investigators, challenges that impede current investigations, potentially creating the future unsolved cases.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on two qualitative studies that comprised over eight months of ethnographic research, observations, interviews with serving and retired homicide detectives and case file analysis.

Findings

The widespread changes to homicide investigations in England and Wales have been valuable in many respects, notably, they have allowed detectives to look back in time and bring longstanding unsolved cases to a close. However, change, although well intentioned, might actually be creating future cold cases as detectives endeavour to manage the volume of information now generated during investigations, fast evolving scientific and technological techniques and an increase in bureaucracy.

Practical implications

This study is helpful for: improving investigative practice; learning from change; reducing unsolved homicides vs a rise in new cold cases; and innovative and entrepreneurial investigators.

Originality/value

Utilising qualitative research, this paper contributes to the academic literature exploring homicide investigation in England and Wales, offering insight into the challenges facing detectives and the potential impact of these upon solving past and present homicide cases.
Reviewing the situation: practitioner perspectives on the use and effectiveness of 28-day homicide reviews
Authors: Hill Stewart , O’Neill Martin
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report a study of practitioner views on the 28-day homicide review process.

Design/methodology/approach

The research draws upon primary data from interviews with senior investigating officers (SIOs) engaged in homicide investigations and review officers tasked with reviewing homicides unsolved after 28 days.

Findings

The review process was perceived to be meeting the needs of the organization but adding little, or no direct value to SIOs. Despite this, there was agreement as to the potential value and necessity of the homicide review process. Issues such as the purpose and process of reviews were considered, with recommendations providing impetus for the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to review the use of reviewers commensurate with their expertise, the training and development of reviewers, and the aims, format and timing of a review.

Research limitations/implications

The study involved the MPS, and its relevance to review processes elsewhere, whilst likely, is unproven. Further research could identify whether similar issues arise elsewhere, although the findings of this study could encourage other forces to undertake internal reviews of their own systems and processes to understand whether improvements could be made. Whilst over a third of the SIOs and Murder Investigation Team managers took part in the study, a fifth of the review officers were interviewed.

Practical implications

MPS should amend the objectives of a MCR to reflect the role they play in the prevention of miscarriages of justice. The MPS should conduct a skills analysis of existing staff. Reviewers should be appointed to cases within their sphere of expertise, and should all be qualified at Professionalising the Investigative Process (PIP) Level 3. The MPS should consider an arbitration process for contested review recommendations. The College of Policing should consider a PIP development programme for proactive SIOs. The College of Policing should review and support SIO continuing professional development opportunities within the MPS.

Originality/value

The findings are relevant to any police service currently undertaking 28-day reviews of unsolved homicide investigations.
Co-producing and navigating consent in participatory research with young people
Authors: Whittington Elsie
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Research within the fields of youth sexuality and safeguarding, and ethical governance more broadly, has traditionally prioritised risk aversion over the rights of young people to participate in and shape research. This excludes younger people from setting agendas and directly communicating their lived experience to those in power. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes and draws upon findings from an innovative two year participatory action research study exploring sexual consent with young people through embedded and participatory research across seven sites. The project was designed with young people and practised non-traditional approaches to research consent. As well as co-producing research data, the findings highlight how methods of co-enquiry and being explicit about the research consent process enabled young people to develop competence that can be applied in other contexts.

Findings

The paper addresses ethical tensions between young people’s rights to participation and protection. It argues that alongside robust safeguarding procedures, there is equal need to develop robust participation and engagement strategies with an explicit focus on young people’s competence, agency and rights to participate regardless of the perceived sensitivity of the topic.

Originality/value

The paper concludes with proposals for future youth-centred research practice. These relate to research design, ethical governance processes around risk and sensitive topics, emphasis on working collaboratively with young people and practitioners, a greater focus on children and young people’s rights – including Gillick competence and fluid models of consent. In doing so, it presents an essential point of reference for those seeking to co-produce research with young people in the UK and beyond.
Impact of supply chain information sharing on performance of fashion enterprises
Authors: Chen Caixia , Gu Tongyu , Cai Yuru , Yang Yixiong
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel research model to examine the relationship among information sharing (IS), supply chain integration (SCI), operational performance (OP) and business performance (BP) in the fashion supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 247 executives from Chinese fashion brand firms was conducted and the data were analyzed to investigate how IS affects the organizational BP. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to study the relationship among IS, SCI, OP and BP.

Findings

The empirical research results indicate that IS is critical to enhance the SCI and OP, and both SCI and OP exert mediating effects on BP of fashion brands. This result also reveals constructive suggestions that allow fashion brands to strengthen their SCI and OP, as well as BP.

Research limitations/implications

Multiple data sources were applied to develop the sampling frame, and respondents were selected (according to their experience and position) to ensure they had the knowledge and expertise to provide valid response. However, this could not guarantee the adequacy of the sample. This limitation is compounded by the reliance on a simple respondent per firm, which precludes testing for inter-rater reliability.

Practical implications

The empirical findings provide an enhanced understanding of the relationship among IS, SCI, OP and BP in Chinese fashion brand settings. The research results will help fashion brands to improve supply chain efficiency and enhance company performance.

Originality/value

Although previous studies have realized that the value of IS varies in different industries, few have specifically explored the impact on the fashion industry characterized by short life cycles, high volatility, low predictability and high impulse purchasing. To fill this knowledge gap, the present study employed a questionnaire survey and SEM techniques to explore the relationship among IS, SCI, OP and BP in the fashion supply chain. Comprehending the impact mechanism of IS on organizational performance can provide useful management insights into the development of effective strategies that allow enterprise to improve BP.
The effect of infrastructure and taxation on economic growth: new empirical assessment
Authors: de Almeida José Laurindo , de Mendonça Helder Ferreira
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the empirical literature that analyzes the effect of the core infrastructure (telecommunication, electricity and transportation) and indirect taxation on economic growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors present empirical evidence through panel data analysis based on a comprehensive sample of countries (96) over a long period of time (1976 to 2014).

Findings

The findings confirm the assumption that the core of infrastructure is essential to promote economic growth. Furthermore, indirect taxation is not a tool capable of stimulating growth. In particular, new sectors of the core of infrastructure, such as the internet and mobile telephony, are capable of expanding the effect of infrastructure on growth.

Originality/value

Based on a sample of 74 countries, we include new infrastructure sectors into the analysis (transportation, fixed telephony, mobile telephony and internet), and verify changes from the 1990s.
Economic growth and the concept of diminishing marginal governance effect
Authors: Briguglio Lino Pascal , Vella Melchior , Moncada Stefano
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether good governance across countries, utilising the Rule of Law indicator of the Worldwide Governance Indicators, is associated with economic growth, measured in terms of real GDP. It is to be noted that in this paper both variables are measured in terms of changes, comparing like with like. It is hypothesised that a country with a high level of economic development and a high level of good governance (typically an economically advanced country) tends to find it more difficult to improve these two variables, when compared to a country with lower levels GDP per capita and good governance (typically an economically backward country). This assumption is termed the “diminishing marginal governance effect”.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper tests the hypothesis that governance improvements are related to real GDP growth, using the panel data regression approach. In this way both variables are measured in terms of changes, comparing like with like. Relevant control variables are utilised to impose the ceteris paribus condition.

Findings

The paper finds that improvements in good governance are statistically and significantly related to economic growth. This confirms the hypothesised “diminishing marginal governance effect” explained above.

Research limitations/implications

The main research limitation of this paper is that measuring changes in the “Rule of Law” indicator over time may be subject to errors given that the “Rule of Law” score of each year is an average value with related standard deviations, and the latter vary from one year to another and from one country to another.

Practical implications

The major practical implication of this paper is that good governance matters for economic growth and that in order to produce evidence for this the governance score must be measured in terms of changes and not in terms of levels. Another implication is that equations that compare economic growth with levels of governance are misspecified as they would not be comparing like with like.

Social implications

There are various beneficial social implications associated with good governance which is considered as a major pillar for orderly social relationships. Economic growth also has important social implications as it means, if properly distributed, improvements in material well-being of the population.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper is that it measures governance in terms of changes and not of levels. Studies on the relationship between governance and economic growth that measure governance in terms of levels generally do not find a positive relationship between the two variables. In using changes in both governance and real GDP, this paper confirms the “diminishing marginal effect of governance”, hypothesis.
Financial crisis and SME capital structure: Swedish empirical evidence
Authors: Yazdanfar Darush , Öhman Peter , Homayoun Saeid
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine capital structure determinants of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during and after the global financial crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

Statistical methods, including ordinary least squares and the generalised method of moments, were used to analyse a sample of over 40,800 Swedish SMEs operating in four industries during the 2008–2015 period.

Findings

The results indicate that the independent variables – i.e. financial crisis, profitability, size, tangibility and industry affiliation – to various degrees explain changes in short-term debt (STD) and long-term debt (LTD) ratios. In particular, the empirical findings indicate that the sampled SMEs tended to rely more on STD and LTD during (2008–2009) than after (2010–2015) the financial crisis.

Research limitations/implications

Due to data availability, the current study is limited to a sample of Swedish SMEs in four industries covering eight years. Further research could examine the generalisability of these findings by investigating other firms operating in other industries and other countries.

Originality/value

This study is one of few examining determinants of short- and long-term SME debt during and after the global financial crisis, using data from a large-scale cross-sectional database.
Price overreactions in the cryptocurrency market
Authors: Caporale Guglielmo Maria , Plastun Alex
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine price overreactions in the case of the following cryptocurrencies: bitcoin, litecoin, ripple and dash.

Design/methodology/approach

A number of parametric (t-test, ANOVA, regression analysis with dummy variables) and non-parametric (Mann–WhitneyU-test) tests confirm the presence of price patterns after overreactions: the next day price changes in both directions are bigger than after “normal” days. A trading robot approach is then used to establish whether these statistical anomalies can be exploited to generate profits.

Findings

The results suggest that a strategy based on counter-movements after overreactions is not profitable, whilst one based on inertia appears to be profitable but produces outcomes not statistically different from the random ones. Therefore, the overreactions detected in the cryptocurrency market do not give rise to exploitable profit opportunities (possibly because of transaction costs) and cannot be seen as evidence against the efficient market hypothesis (EMH).

Originality/value

The overreactions detected in the cryptocurrency market do not give rise to exploitable profit opportunities (possibly because of transaction costs) and cannot be seen as evidence against the EMH.
Does financial health influence the re-election of local governments?
Authors: Cuadrado-Ballesteros Beatriz , Santis Serena , Citro Francesca , Bisogno Marco
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possible influence of financial health of local governments (LGs) on the re-election of politicians.

Design/methodology/approach

The study investigates a sample of 129 Italian LGs with more than 50,000 inhabitants for the period 2008–2014, resulting in 903 observations. A regression model has been implemented, where the dependent variable refers to the probability of re-election, and different dimensions of financial health are the independent variables.

Findings

Budgetary and service-level solvency influence positively the probability of re-election of the major, while the ability of the government to generate liquidity to pay its short-term debts is not statistically relevant. Moreover, the sustainability dimension of budgetary solvency is more relevant than the flexibility and vulnerability dimensions.

Practical implications

To be re-elected, local politicians are advised to pay attention to and preserve the social welfare of citizens with the available resources.

Originality/value

This study adds fresh insight to the literature on financial health, emphasising the relevance of public financial management in the re-election of local politicians.
Actions speak louder than words
Authors: Kocoglu Ipek , Lynn Gary , Jung Yunho , Dominick Peter G. , Aronson Zvi , Burke Pamela
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to expand our understanding on team listening by incorporating an action component. The authors empirically test the effect of this expanded concept, namely team action listening on team success, and investigate how team commitment moderates the relationship between team trust and team action listening.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors explored listening in teams in the field and in the lab, both qualitatively and quantitatively, through studying 474 team members representing 100 teams. The authors tested the hypotheses by structural equation modeling augmented with in-depth team interviews.

Findings

The findings showed that: teams demonstrate that they listen by taking action, teams that exhibit action listening are more successful, there is a direct relationship between team trust and team action listening and team commitment negatively moderates this relation in larger teams.

Practical implications

Managers should encourage taking action in team discussions. Yet, they should be wary of the detrimental effects of team commitment to team action listening particularly in teams with high trust. Commitment increases the risk of groupthink and decreases the participation to team discussions and listening. In particular, managers may benefit from keeping the team smaller, as in large teams, commitment suppresses the relationship between trust and team action listening.

Originality/value

This study extends research on team listening by adding the action aspect that distinguishes successful teams. It is one of the first to investigate the interrelationships between team trust, commitment, team action listening and success in teams.
An overview of C-SOX and directions for future research
Authors: Bhabra Harjeet S. , Hossain Ashrafee Tanvir , Karmakar Vidyoot Roy
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine existing literature, including both academic and practitioner publications, related to Canadian SOX (or C-SOX as it is popularly known). The study discusses the origins of the Act, the underlying motivations for enacting this legislation in Canada and its impact on corporate decisions since its inception in 2003.

Design/methodology/approach

The principal focus of this literature review is on C-SOX, its inception, reception, compliance and impact in Canada, both from business’ and investors’ critical perspectives. The authors have followed a two-step process to gather all the articles. First, the authors used a keyword search at Google Scholar and ProQuest (e.g. C-SOX, Canadian SOX, Bill 198, etc.) to gather all the articles. Second, the authors retained articles and abstracts that primarily dealt with the background framework and impact of the legislation. It is to be noted that C-SOX was mainly a reactionary legislation following the adoption of US-SOX in 2002. Any discussion of C-SOX is, therefore, incomplete without referencing the literature related to US-SOX.

Findings

In this review paper the evolution of C-SOX over time in Canada, as well as studies on its impacts and criticisms have been summarized. Based on the extensive research that followed the enactment of US-SOX, the authors also provide suggested research directions related to C-SOX in the future.

Research limitations/implications

C-SOX has been relatively underexplored and therefore, not much academic work is available presently. This study highlights this gap in the literature with the hope that researchers will devote their energy to understanding the broader ramifications of major legislations such as C-SOX which will potentially also inform future public policy choices.

Practical implications

This research will help both businesses and investors to understand each other’s perspectives and concerns regarding C-SOX. This paper will also be helpful to policy makers to identify potential areas of improvement in this and future legislative decisions in the future.

Originality/value

Using a qualitative approach this study combines the development of C-SOX as a legislation in Canada, its overall effectivity/drawbacks and explores the areas it impacts, both positively and negatively, along with criticisms and appreciations.
Corporate payouts in dual classes
Authors: Lei Adam Y.C. , Li Huihua , Yu Jin
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the dividend payments and share repurchases of dual-class firms that have both their superior voting shares and inferior voting shares publicly traded.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses matched dual-class and single-class samples from 1994 to 2015 and logit models to evaluate the likelihoods of dividend payment and share repurchase between dual-class firms and single-class firms.

Findings

The results show that dual-class firms are more likely than the matched sample of single-class firms to pay dividends in both share classes. Dual-class firms, however, are more likely to repurchase their superior shares than single-class firms and their inferior shares.

Research limitations/implications

The results suggest that dual-class firms do not use corporate payouts to either mitigate agency problems or maintain the private benefits of control. Instead, dual-class firms use dividend payments to mitigate agency problems while using repurchases of superior shares to maintain the private benefits of control, which supports the agency payout hypothesis.

Practical implications

This paper highlights the differences between dividend payments and share repurchases as forms of corporate payouts and suggests that firms may choose a particular form for a particular purpose.

Originality/value

This paper provides the first piece of empirical evidence on the corporate payouts of dual-class firms separating their superior voting shares and inferior voting shares.
Factors influencing the implementation of electronic records and information management
Authors: Abdullah Azlan Long , Mohammad Yusof Zawiyah , Mokhtar Umi Asma
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore, identify and gain insight into factors related to electronic records and information management (e-RIM) issues and their influence on the implementation of e-RIM initiative in military service in Malaysia. This exploration was conducted via a literature review and case study.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a qualitative approach and used a case study involving two army departments in Malaysia. Interviews triangulated by document content analysis and observations were used for data collection. The data were analysed using a directional content analysis approach.

Findings

This study reveals that people, organizations, technology and processes are the interrelated contexts underlying e-RIM issues which inevitably influence the implementation of e-RIM initiatives. Competency and leadership, governance structure, culture and strategic planning, technology development and record-keeping process are the main factors impacting such efforts, in turn forming potential obstacles for organizations implementing such initiatives.

Research limitations/implications

The research approach and design adopted and the sample size were insufficient for generalization of the findings.

Practical implications

This study shows that e-RIM initiatives pose greater challenges related to various issues that cause difficulties in improving and implementing the initiative. Thus, it is crucial for organizations to ascertain and comprehend the factors that influence e-RIM initiatives prior to formulating strategies and approaches in addressing those factors, which would in turn affect the implementation of e-RIM initiatives.

Originality/value

This study provides insights into the fundamental factors embracing the e-RIM issues which influence the initiatives, and thereby fosters further discussion and research in the subject matter in Malaysia.
Dynamic analysis of the relationship between stock prices and macroeconomic variables
Authors: Chang Bisharat Hussain , Meo Muhammad Saeed , Syed Qasim Raza , Abro Zahida
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is of twofold: first, to empirically examine the short-run and long-run impact of macroeconomic variables such as industrial production, foreign direct investment (FDI), trade balance (TB), exchange rate, interest rate (IR) and consumer price index (CPI) on stock prices (SP) of KSE-100 index; and second, to examine whether this relationship changes as a result of the financial crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses an autoregressive distributed lag model by using the full sample period data from 1997Q3 to 2018Q2 and the post-crisis period data from 2008Q3 to 2018Q2. Moreover, it uses variance decomposition analysis to examine the importance of each variable in explaining SP.

Findings

The findings of the full sample period indicate that in the long run, TB, exchange rate and IR negatively affect SP whereas CPI and industrial production positively affect SP. However, the post-crisis period data indicate that only CPI positively affects the SP in the long run. Finally, variance decomposition analysis indicates 30 percent variance in SP is explained by its own shock.

Practical implications

The study findings suggest that macroeconomic variables have a significant role and can be considered important for taking investment and/or policy decisions. Especially, Governments and other regulators may need to take measures to increase the TB since it can help to increase the performance of the Pakistani stock market. Furthermore, investors may consider that findings change when the financial crisis has been taken into consideration.

Originality/value

This study uses two additional variables, namely FDI and TB by using the robust technique in the context of emerging countries like Pakistan. Furthermore, it takes into account the impact of the financial crisis on the underlying variables.
Zone-based sink mobility in wireless sensor networks
Authors: A. Prasanth , S. Pavalarajan
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to enhance the network lifetime of WSN. In wireless sensor network (WSN), the sensor nodes are widely deployed in a terrestrial environment to sense and evaluate the physical circumstances. The sensor node near to the sink will deplete more energy faster than other nodes; hence, there arises an energy hole and network partitioning problem in stationary sink-based WSN. Even though many mobile sink-based WSN is formulated to mitigate energy hole, inappropriate placement of sink leads to packet drop and affect the network lifetime of WSN. Therefore, it is necessary to have an efficient sink mobility approach to prevent an aforesaid problem.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, zone-based sink mobility (ZBSM) approach is proposed in which the zone formation along with controlled sink mobility is preferred for energy hole mitigation and optimal sink node placement. In ZBSM, the sink decides to move toward strongly loaded zone (SLZ) for avoiding network partitioning problems where the selection of SLZ can be carried out by using Fuzzy Logic.

Findings

The performance results confirm that the proposed scheme reduces energy consumption as well as enhances the network lifetime compared with an existing scheme.

Originality/value

A new optimal sink node placement is proposed to enhance the network lifetime and packet delivery ratio of WSN.
The importance of functional responses among competing predators for avian nesting success
Authors: Ellis Kristen S. , Larsen Randy T. , Koons David N.
Published: September 2019

The relationship between the rate of predation and prey abundance is an important component of predator–prey dynamics. However, functional responses are less straightforward when multiple predators compete for shared prey. Interactions among competing predators can reduce or enhance effects of predation on prey populations. Because many avian populations experience high rates of nest predation, understanding the role of specific predators on nest mortality will lead to more informed conservation and management strategies which attempt to increase productivity by removing certain predators or managing habitat to limit their impact.

Our goal was to evaluate effects of specific predators and the influence of nest abundance on nest mortality.

We monitored snowy ploverCharadrius nivosusnests across 7 years at two study areas in Utah, USA, with remote cameras. We modelled predator‐specific hazard rates for nest mortality in a Bayesian framework to assess relationships between competing predators and the role of nest abundance on predator‐specific hazard rates.

We found that hazard rates for nest mortality by gullsLarusspp. decreased with increasing nest abundance, whereas nest mortality by foxesVulpesspp. and ravensCorvus coraxinitially increased, indicating that dietary switching may occur when nests become more abundant. Nest mortalities of specific predators were often not independent and ranged between compensatory (e.g. mammalian mesopredators) and superadditive (e.g. avian predators) across the breeding season.

The non‐independence between nest mortalities suggests that reductions in some predators may not translate to additive increases in overall nest success. Analyses of cause‐specific mortality are rarely applied to avian nests, but examination of interacting impacts among competing predators on nest survival may provide insight into specific drivers of avian population dynamics.

A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Low‐productivity boreal forests have high conservation value for lichens
Authors: Hämäläinen Aino , Strengbom Joachim , Ranius Thomas
Published: September 2019

Land set aside for preservation of biodiversity often has low productivity. As biodiversity generally increases with productivity, due to higher or more diverse availability of resources, this implies that some of the biodiversity may be left unprotected. Due to a lack of knowledge on the species diversity and conservation value of low‐productivity habitats, the consequences of the biased allocation of low‐productivity land for set‐asides are unknown.

We examined the conservation value of boreal low‐productivity forests (potential tree growth <1 m3 ha−1 year−1) by comparing assemblages of tree‐ and deadwood‐dwelling lichens and forest stand structure between productive and low‐productivity forest stands. We surveyed 84 Scots pine‐dominated stands in three regions in Sweden, each including four stand types: two productive (managed and unmanaged) and two low‐productivity stands (on mires and on thin, rocky soils).

Lichen species richness was the highest in low‐productivity stands on thin soil, which had similar amounts and diversity of resources (living trees and dead wood) to productive unmanaged stands. Stands in low‐productivity mires, which had low abundance of living trees and dead wood, hosted the lowest lichen richness. Lichen species composition differed among stand types, but none of them hosted unique species. The differences in both species richness and composition were more pronounced in northern than in southern Sweden, likely due to shorter history of intensive forestry.

Synthesis and applications. Boreal low‐productivity forests can have as high conservation value as productive forests, which should be reflected in conservation strategies. However, their value is far from uniform, and conservation planning should acknowledge this variation and not treat all low‐productivity forests as a uniform group. Some types of low‐productivity forest (e.g. on rocky soil) are more valuable than others (e.g. on mires), and should thus be prioritized in conservation. It is also important to consider the landscape context: low‐productivity forests may have higher value in landscapes where high‐productivity forests are highly influenced by forestry. Finally, although low‐productivity forests can be valuable for some taxa, productive forests may still be important for other taxa.
The Evolution and Cultural Framing of Food Safety Management Systems—Where From and Where Next?
Authors: Manning Louise , Luning Pieternel A , Wallace Carol A
Published: September 2019

The aim of this paper is to review the development of food safety management systems (FSMS) from their origins in the 1950s to the present. The food safety challenges in modern food supply systems are explored and it is argued that there is a need for a more holistic thinking approach to food safety management. The narrative review highlights that while the transactional elements of how FSMS are developed, validated, implemented, monitored, and verified remains largely unchanged, how organizational culture frames the operation and efficacy of FSMS is becoming more important. The evolution of a wider academic and industry understanding of both the influence of food safety culture (FS‐culture) and also how such culture frames and enables, or conversely restricts the efficacy of the FSMS is crucial for consumer well‐being. Potential research gaps worthy of further study are identified as well as recommendations given for the application of the research findings within the food industry.
The medial breast margin sign: A new sign of pectus excavatum in adult females and comparison with classic signs
Authors: Hapuarachchi Kamal S , Cowan Ian A
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Pectus excavatum (PX) denotes a concavity of the sternum and is the most common chest wall deformity. Many characteristic signs have been described on frontal chest radiographs including increased density of the inferomedial right lung, blurring of the right heart border, steeply angled anterior ribs, horizontal posterior ribs, straight or convex left heart border and loss of silhouette of the descending thoracic aorta. These signs are often subtle and rarely all present in any individual. We describe a further sign in women with PX, the medial breast margin sign. This sign consists of more sharply defined and more vertically oriented medial breast borders on frontal chest radiographs than in those of women with normal chest wall morphology. This study aims to document the sensitivity, specificity and inter‐observer reliability of the new sign, and compare with that of the previously described signs in patients with varying degrees of PX.

Methods

The frontal chest radiographs of 185 women with PX and 50 women with normal chest wall morphology were assessed by two reviewers for the presence of the new sign and previously described signs. All the signs had their sensitivity, specificity and inter‐observer reliability calculated.

Results

The new sign had a sensitivity of 0.48, a specificity of 0.96 and inter‐observer reliability of κ = 0.79, ranking third, second and first among all other signs, respectively.

Conclusion

The medial breast margin sign is useful in diagnosing PX and is comparable to the previously described classic signs.