bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AXL limits the mobilization of cholesterol to regulate dendritic cell maturation and the immunogenic response to cancer
Authors: Belabed Meriem , Park Matthew D. , Blouin Cédric M. , Balan Sreekumar , Moon Chang Y. , Boumelha Jesse , Peros Ante , Mattiuz Raphaël , Reid Amanda M. , Azimi Camillia S. , LaMarche Nelson M. , Troncoso Leanna , Amabile Angelo , Le Berichel Jessica , Chen Steven T. , Matthias Wilk C. , Brown Brian D. , Radford Kristen , Ghosh Sourav , Rothlin Carla V. , Yvan-Charvet Laurent , Marron Thomas U. , Puleston Daniel J. , Bhardwaj Nina , Lamaze Christophe , Merad Miriam
Published: December 2023

We previously found that uptake of cellular debris prompts conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) to undergo maturation. This transformation results in DCs entering the molecular state termed ‘mregDC’. In this state, mregDCs dampen their ability to acquire new antigens, upregulate chemokine receptors to migrate to lymphoid organs, and upregulate MHC-I and -II, co-stimulatory, and -inhibitory molecules to promote the differentiation of antigen-specific T cells. Here, we show that cholesterol mobilization – through bothde novosynthesis and the acquisition of the metabolite during debris uptake – drives cDCs to mature into mregDCs. This cholesterol is used to assemble lipid nanodomains on the plasma membrane of mregDCs to support cell surface expression of maturation markers. This process is dependent on bothde novosynthesis and Niemann-Pick disease type C1 (NPC1), which shuttles cholesterol from the endolysosomal pathway. Specifically, NPC1 mediated the accumulation of IFN-ɣ receptor (IFNɣR) in cell surface lipid nanodomains, enabling optimal IFNɣR signaling required for IL-12 production and efficient T cell activation. Importantly, we also show that the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL constitutively dampens the cholesterol-dependent construction of lipid nanodomains on mregDCs; its deletion from cDCs enhance mregDC immunogenicity and yielded potent anti-tumor immunity in an experimental model of lung cancer. Altogether, our findings present novel insights into the mobilization of cholesterol for proper immune receptor signaling as a basis for cDC maturation and the novel role of AXL as a central regulator of this process that can be therapeutically targeted to leverage the immunostimulatory features of mregDCs.
CLSY docking to Pol IV requires a conserved domain critical for small RNA biogenesis and transposon silencing
Authors: Felgines Luisa , Rymen Bart , Martins Laura M. , Xu Guanghui , Matteoli Calvin , Himber Christophe , Zhou Ming , Eis Josh , Coruh Ceyda , Böhrer Marcel , Kuhn Lauriane , Chicher Johana , Pandey Vijaya , Hammann Philippe , Wohlschlegel James , Waltz Florent , Law Julie A. , Blevins Todd
Published: December 2023

Eukaryotes must balance the need for gene transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) against the danger of mutations caused by transposable element (TE) proliferation. In plants, these gene expression and TE silencing activities are divided between different RNA polymerases. Specifically, RNA polymerase IV (Pol IV), which evolved from Pol II, transcribes TEs to generate small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that guide DNA methylation and block TE transcription by Pol II. While the Pol IV complex is recruited to TEs via SNF2-like CLASSY (CLSY) proteins, how Pol IV partners with the CLSYs remains unknown. Here we identified a conserved CYC-YPMF motif that is specific to Pol IV and is positioned on the complex exterior. Furthermore, we found that this motif is essential for the co-purification of all four CLSYs with Pol IV, but that only one CLSY is present in any given Pol IV complex. These findings support a “one CLSY per Pol IV” model where the CYC-YPMF motif acts as a CLSY-docking site. Indeed, mutations in and around this motif phenocopypol ivnull mutants. Together, these findings provide structural and functional insights into a critical protein feature that distinguishes Pol IV from other RNA polymerases, allowing it to promote genome stability by targeting TEs for silencing.
Accountability in permissioned blockchains: through the ledger, the code and the people
Authors: Fortin Mélissa , Pimentel Erica , Boulianne Emilio
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study explores how introducing a permissioned blockchain in a supply chain context impacts accountability relationships and the process of rendering an account. The authors explore how implementing a digital transformation impacts the governance of network transactions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors mobilize 28 interviews and documentary analysis. The authors focus on early blockchain adopters to get an insight into how implementing a permissioned blockchain can transform information sharing, coordination and collaboration between business partners, now converted into network participants.

Findings

The authors suggest that implementing a permissioned blockchain impacts accountability across three levers, namely through the ledger, through the code and through the people, where these levers are interconnected. Blockchains are often valued for their ability to enable transparency through the visibility of transactions, but the authors argue that this is an incomplete view. Rather, transparency alone does not help to satisfy a duty of accountability, as it can result in selective disclosure or obfuscation.

Originality/value

The authors extend the conceptualizations of accountability in the blockchain literature by focusing on how accountability relationships are enacted, and accounts are rendered in a permissioned blockchain context. Additionally, the authors complement existing work on accountability and governance by suggesting an integrated model across three dimensions: ledger, code and people.
Environmental values and self-identity as a basis for identifying seaweed consumer segments in the UK
Authors: Govaerts Florent , Olsen Svein Ottar
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to identify and profile segments of seaweed consumers in the United Kingdom.

Design/methodology/approach

Hierarchical k-means cluster analysis was used to identify consumer segments based on consumers' self-identity and environmental values. In addition, the study used subjective knowledge, intentions and consumption to profile different consumer segments. The data were collected in 2022 through a consumer survey with a representative sample from the United Kingdom (n = 1,110).

Findings

Cluster analysis segmented consumers into three groups: progressive (39%), conservative (33%) and egoistic (28%). The progressive segment was most likely to consume seaweed food products. Consumers in the progressive segment identify themselves as food innovative and healthy; they also highly value the environment and their pleasure. Conservative and egoistic consumers were significantly less likely to consume seaweed food products.

Practical implications

The results suggest that public policy officers and marketers promote seaweed food products by emphasizing biospheric values for innovative (younger) consumers, as well as seaweed’s good taste and nutritional/health qualities.

Originality/value

This study identifies and examines the profiles and characteristics of seaweed consumers based on their values and self-identity. Through this research, the authors have discovered how environmental values and self-identity can effectively group consumers into homogeneous segments. Moreover, the authors have identified a specific consumer group in the UK that is more likely to consume seaweed food products.
Lean tools used in administrative processes across sectors: a systematic review and insights for the construction industry
Authors: Ruwanpura U.D.R.E. , Perera B.A.K.S. , Ranadewa Tharusha
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Administrative processes play a crucial role in various sectors, often contributing to cost overruns and delays. While lean concept has been extensively applied in many industries, there is a recognized need for further research on the integration of lean in administrative processes. To address this research gap, this study aims to systematically analyse the implementation of lean in administrative processes, providing a sector-wise comparison to explore its prospects for the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was conducted by adapting the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method. Eighty-six research papers are subjected to descriptive and content analysis on different tools applied in lean integrated administrative processes in health care, education, public administration and other sectors.

Findings

The research study reveals common lean tools irrespective of sector. Moreover, specific tools used for a particular sector are analysed. Out of the various lean tools and techniques, value stream mapping, 5S and Kaizen are highly acknowledged tools in every sector of lean intervention. Furthermore, ECRS is applied explicitly in the education sector. Furthermore, it is noted that Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs and Customers (SIPOC), 5whys, load levelling and control charts are identical to administrative processes in lean health care. Furthermore, Spaghetti charts and Kaikaku are only adapted to administrative processes in the public administration sector, and causal loop diagrams are used explicitly in administrative processes in the construction sector.

Originality/value

This study contributes to research by developing a guideline to design lean intervention for a lean-integrated administrative process in any sector which still needs to be transformed into lean. Hence, this study will be a cornerstone for incorporating lean principles for administrative processes in construction sector.
Impact of person-environment fit on construction project managers' turnover intention: a moderated mediation model
Authors: Jiang Shan , Li Jintao
Published: December 2023

Purpose

High turnover of project managers is a common phenomenon in the construction industry, which has a negative impact on the productivity and performance of construction firms. The study investigates the mechanisms of person-environment fit on turnover intention of construction project managers and the mediating role of job embeddedness. The authors also tested the moderating role of perceived organizational support in the influence of job embeddedness on turnover intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from managers of 62 construction and infrastructure projects in Wuhan. Based on person-environment fit theory, job embeddedness theory and social exchange theory (SET), the authors employ structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the hypotheses.

Findings

Results show that if project managers are not well-fitted with the environment of organizations, it reduces their embeddedness in jobs, which in consequence makes them more inclined to leave. Job embeddedness mediates the relationship between person-environment fit and turnover intention. In addition, the authors validated the moderating effect of perceived organizational support, showing that the higher the employee's job embeddedness, the lower the employee's turnover intention.

Originality/value

Construction companies can retain project managers and stabilize management teams through effective management strategies, thus effectively reducing the separation costs of construction companies.
Investigating the mechanism of international contractors' fraud from a moral perspective: evidence from Chinese international contractors
Authors: Luo Min , Hwang Bon-Gang , Zhao Xianbo , Deng Xiaopeng
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to clarify the psychological mechanism of international contractors' fraud by linking performance pressure to fraudulent intention through the displacement of responsibility and addressing the moderating role of moral intensity.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on moral disengagement theory, performance pressure was hypothesized to be positively associated with fraudulent intention by mediating the displacement of responsibility. Drawing on the issue-contingent theory, moral intensity was hypothesized to inhibit the relationship between performance pressure and displacement of responsibility in three aspects: magnitude of consequences (MC), probability of effect (PE) and social consensus (SC). The scenario-based questionnaire was conducted to collect information from contractors spread across 50 countries. The partial least squares structural equation modeling was employed to assess the proposed model.

Findings

The results demonstrated that performance pressure was positively associated with the fraudulent intention, and displacement of responsibility exerted a positive partial mediating impact between performance pressure and fraudulent intention. Regarding moral intensity in the moderating analysis, the negative moderating role of MC and PE was significant, while that of SC was insignificant.

Practical implications

This study provides international construction practitioners with a deep understanding of the formation mechanism of fraud at the psychological level.

Originality/value

It clarifies the psychological mechanism from performance pressure to fraudulent intention by integrating a mediation impact from the displacement of responsibility and a moderation effect from MC and PE. It contributes to the sparse research on how situational factors shape individuals' fraudulent intentions in the international context. It provides a fresh perspective on fraud by constructing a formation model from moral psychological theories.
A fuzzy model for financial performance measurement of real estate investment trusts: comparison of investment areas
Authors: Kazanci Oguzhan , Ulubeyli Serdar , Dogan Emrah
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to present the financial performance of companies and investment areas in the real estate investment trust (REIT) industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A fuzzy model for financial performance measurement (FM-FPM) was proposed through the collaboration of fuzzy axiomatic design (FAD) and fuzzy entropy weighting (FEW). For the data, financial ratios were used, and their importance and functional requirements were collected via a questionnaire survey.

Findings

The FM-FPM is a beneficial model to be used for a REIT industry based on the structured procedures of FAD and FEW techniques. It can be suitable to regularly evaluate the performance of REITs and their investment areas in financial means, especially in today’s turbulent business environment. The Turkish market that was considered to show the practical applicability of the FM-FPM demonstrated specifically that diversified real estate was found to rank first, followed by mixed-buildings, warehouses, shopping malls and hotels, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The FM-FPM can be employed for REIT industries in other countries and adapted to different industries. However, more respondents or a different set of criteria might lead to different outputs.

Practical implications

The FM-FPM may guide REIT managers and investors while making their decisions and controlling the performance of REITs and investment areas.

Social implications

The FM-FPM may encourage low- and middle-income investors to make good use of their savings.

Originality/value

The research is first (1) to offer a FPM model in order to determine investable areas in a REIT industry and (2) to employ multiple criteria decision-making tools in order to measure the financial performance of individual companies and investment areas in a REIT industry.
The effect of interpersonal conflict on employee behaviors: the role of perception of politics and competence uncertainty
Authors: Prince R , Vihari Nitin Simha , Udayakumar Gayatri , Rao Mukkamala Kameshwar
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Conflict, between individuals and groups, in organizations is a common phenomenon and can have varied implication for the employee and the organization. This paper aims to determine whether experiencing interpersonal conflict drives employees to engage in prosocial behavior (prohibitive voice) and antisocial behavior (interpersonal deviance). Using Stressor–Emotion Model, Uncertainty Management Theory and Impression Management Motives, this study examines the relationship and explores competence uncertainty as a mediator and perception of politics as a moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a cross-sectional design where data collected is from 386 employees working in nine different public sector enterprises in India. Structural equation modeling using SPSS AMOS was used to analyze the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The results show that interpersonal conflict leads to both prohibitive voice behavior and interpersonal deviance. However, the mediating role of competence uncertainty is valid only for the effect of conflict on interpersonal deviance. Also, the perception of politics strengthens the positive relationship between interpersonal conflict and competence uncertainty.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first empirical studies to have validated prosocial and antisocial work behavior as outcomes of interpersonal conflict. Again, this is one of the first few studies to examine the mechanism through which interpersonal conflict impacts interpersonal deviance.
Social practices and placemaking: the case of theBons Sonsfestival, in Portugal
Authors: De Almeida Maria Luciana , de Brito Marisa P. , Wanderley Lilian Soares Outtes
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The study aims to understand the meaning of event-based and place-based community practices, as well as the resulting social impacts.

Design/methodology/approach

An ethnomethodological approach was followed (participant observation and interviews were supplemented by secondary data), with the analysis being exploratory and interpretative.

Findings

The festival and the place reinforce the community’s social practices, which have impacts beyond the festival, benefiting individuals, the community and the place, becoming a means for valorisation and diffusion of the rural way of life, and placemaking.

Research limitations/implications

In this study the authors focus on social practices in the context of an event and of a place (the village where the event occurs). The authors connect to theories of practice, which they apply in the analysis. The value of the study lies on the underlying mechanisms (how communities exercise social practices in the context of festivals, and what social impacts may lead to) rather than its context-dependent specific results.

Practical implications

National and regional authorities can play a role in providing local communities with adequate tools to overcome the challenges they encounter. This can be done by issuing appropriate (events) plans and policies while giving room for the locals to voice their opinions.

Social implications

Community-based festivals are key social practices that can strategically impact placemaking, strengthening community bonding, forging connections with outsiders and promoting well-being practices that discourage rural depopulation.

Originality/value

There is a scarcity of research that deepens the understanding of the role of festivals in placemaking and their social impacts, particularly in the rural context. This study contributes to closing this gap by focussing on the social practices of a community-based festival in a village in the interior of Portugal.
Labor cost stickiness and managerial decisions on human capital adjustment
Authors: Kong Dongmin , Liu Shasha , Shen Rui
Published: December 2023

Purpose

On the basis of labor economics theories, this study examines how adjustment in human capital accounts for labor cost stickiness.

Design/methodology/approach

This study makes use of employee education level as a measure of the quality of human capital and relies on data from Chinese public firms to conduct the empirical test. This study focuses on two important components of labor cost changes: one corresponding to the adjustment in the number of employees (capacity adjustment) and another corresponding to the adjustment in the mix of employee education levels (quality adjustment).

Findings

This study reveals that labor cost changes driven by the adjustment of employee education level are sticky. This stickiness cannot be explained by the standard adjustment cost theory. This further shows that firms that actively adjust their employee quality during downturns experience improved future performance. The findings are robust to alternative measures and specifications.

Originality/value

This study provides new evidence for and insights into the cost behavior literature. Previous studies treat input resources in a homogenous way and focus on the effect of capacity adjustment. This study considers the heterogeneity of resources and examines three dimensions of salary cost adjustment: capacity, structure, and unit cost. In line with the economic theory of sticky costs proposed by Banker et al. (2013a), the study’s evidence sheds light on the additional underlying economic mechanisms driving cost stickiness behavior. Specifically, managers asymmetrically adjust both employee structure and average salaries, in addition to employee number. This study also adds to the existing knowledge of the consequences of managers' actions regarding cost behavior.
Cultivating the 21st-century learners' competencies by considering the education components of the curricula: a step towards realizing sustainable development
Authors: Ghorbani Somayeh , Jafari Seyed Ebrahim
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The present study aimed to develop the competencies of 21st-century learners by considering the characteristics of the education element in the curricula.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a qualitative research design and a content analysis technique. The research population consisted of 20 curriculum design professors selected via a snowball sampling method until data saturation was reached. The research instrument was semistructured interviewing. The content validity of the interview questions was determined according to 5 curriculum design experts' opinions. Four credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability criteria were used to increase the accuracy of qualitative data. The findings were analyzed using thematic analysis (structural-interpretive) through open, axial and selective coding.

Findings

Education characteristics in competency-based curricula were categorized into knowledge, skills, attitude and educational values. Knowledge includes pedagogical knowledge, content knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge and pedagogical technological knowledge; teaching skills include organization, facilitation, care and flexibility; educational attitudes consist of educational and pedagogical attitudes; and educational values include individual and group-social values.

Originality/value

The present research put three critical dimensions together: the competencies of the new-age learners from the perspective of the curriculum, which is the heart of the education process and is aimed at sustainable development, which is the priority of the countries today.
Integrating views on building performance from different stakeholder groups
Authors: Patel Hiral , Zapata-Lancaster Gabriela
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to highlight a broader definition of good building performance that goes beyond the traditional emphasis on technical aspects, only adopting the lens of the social construction of technology (SCOT) in the empirical space of the workplace sector. Several building performance evaluation (BPE) methods focus on technical aspects such as energy consumption, indoor environmental conditions and compliance with building regulations and standards. Technical aspects, albeit important goals, only embed a partial component of what buildings are expected to deliver. There is growing interest in considering the organisational and experiential expectations of building performance, particularly integrating various views of performance as expected by different user groups.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts an archival research method to analyse the archive of the workplace consultants DEGW, particularly focusing on their work on London’s Broadgate development in the 1980s and the 1990s.

Findings

The findings reveal how voices from a pluralistic client organisation can be addressed to articulate a broad definition of building performance that integrates different viewpoints encompassing technical, organisational and experiential expectations. In DEGW’s work, the views on building performance of various stakeholders involved in the everyday use and management of buildings are identified without imposing predetermined agendas or research notions of performance. Particular emphasis is given to understanding clients as not a homogenous entity but consisting of different interest groups, which implies multiple conceptualisations of building performance and the building itself.

Research limitations/implications

The performance expectations of a building vary between organisations and even within any organisation. Moreover, the needs of an organisation will change over time, and the BPE criteria need to be changed to ensure better alignment between organisations and the physical spaces they occupy. A critical reflection on the conceptualisation of “users” and “building” in BPE methods is required to create an integrated approach towards building performance.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights by adopting the theoretical lens of SCOT to explore an integrated approach to building performance that captures the varied needs of building users through the example of London’s Broadgate development.
Espoused model of women entrepreneurship: antecedents to women entrepreneurial intention and moderating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy
Authors: Sharma Naman , Sinha Ekta , Shalender Kumar
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and propose an espoused model of women's entrepreneurship (EMWE) and test its predictive power on women's entrepreneurial intentions. Also, the authors examine the moderating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy, given its dynamic nature that can be influenced by training.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 303 female students from undergraduate/postgraduate programs in reputed Indian higher education institutions using a self-administered questionnaire.

Findings

The study confirmed that all four factors – perceived entrepreneurial potential, perceived relational support, perceived educational support and perceived structural support – were positively related to the women’s entrepreneurial intentions. Simultaneously, results confirmed the moderating effect of entrepreneurial self-efficacy.

Research limitations/implications

The study presents that more women may be inclined towards adopting entrepreneurship as their career based on their potential and self-efficacy if adequate educational, relational and structural support was provided.

Originality/value

Existing studies in entrepreneurship have focused primarily on men. This work fills this gap and not only proposes but empirically examines the EMWE in the Indian context. It also provides evidence of a significant impact of perceived entrepreneurial potential and perceived relational support on women’s entrepreneurial intentions and posits the role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy as an important moderator, unlike past studies.
Gender differences in FinTech adoption: What do we know, and what do we need to know?
Authors: Rani Vinki , Kumar Jitender
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to identify the determinants of adopting financial technology (FinTech) in Haryana (India). Further, the authors also compare the behavioural intention among male and female respondents to deliver a comprehensive understanding of the adoption of FinTech.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study contains two cross-sectional surveys about males and females. Study M is completed with (333) males, and Study F is conducted on (317) female users towards FinTech adoption. This study used “Partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM)” for data analysis.

Findings

The outcomes indicate that in both (Studies M and F), perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use substantially impact attitude and behavioural intention. Moreover, the results show that perceived value significantly influences, while perceived risks insignificantly influence behavioural intention. Surprisingly, relative advantage (in Study M) and trialability (in Study F) has insignificant impact on behavioural intention. Further, the outcomes also confirm that in both studies (M and F), attitude and behavioural intention substantially influence the actual use of FinTech.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the preliminary research on FinTech to inspect the role of gender in the technology adoption process. The adoption difference between males and females and the insightful result that the authors found help shed light on the uniqueness of the context. This study is also one of the initial to test three credible technology determinant theories and then offer a robust model for the actual use of FinTech that is to be used by both practitioners and researchers.
Relational neurostrategy
Authors: Lavanderos Leonardo , Fiol Eduardo , Gonzalez Sergio , Malpartida Alejandro
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Neurostrategy is an abductive decision-making process developed from the knowledge generated within the network of decision-makers. It links cognitive style with the team's decisional adaptability in relation to the organization's purpose. Neurostrategy differs from traditional methods, in which it addresses negative utility or decisional trauma, highlighting the variety of interests that are the main cause of team misalignment and allowing for the development of strategies to address them. Neurostrategy enables the classification of strategy deficiencies based on cohesion, coordination, communication and conduction (Co4).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper introduces a novel approach called relational neurostrategy (RNS) to elucidate the knowledge processes influencing decision-making. RNS aims to “capture” the intricate processes guiding decisions, enabling the network's decisional plasticity in both forms and contents. This adaptability is crucial for effectively addressing posed challenges, while simultaneously mitigating the impact of diverse interests. The methodology also ensures transparency in the decision-making process and generates an effective solution strategy.

Findings

The RNS addresses two critical aspects of the decision-making process. Firstly, it reduces unnecessary variety stemming from multiple interpretations and secondly, it minimizes the adverse impact of diverse interests within the decision-making network. This approach results in strong and credible decisions that reflect the collective intelligence, cooperation and collaborative efforts of the network, rather than being imposed as absolute truths.

Originality/value

The RNS stands out as a distinctive decision-making method, setting itself apart from existing approaches. Its uniqueness becomes evident in its ability to address the question “what prevents the authors from … ?” from this inquiry, RNS successfully integrates unrequired variety and negative utility. By doing so, it strategically narrows down the search field to the universe of distinctions that truly constitute the problem. This innovative process not only enhances efficiency but also fosters a high level of participation in the strategic design of potential solutions. In essence, RNS brings unprecedented value by effectively navigating the intricacies of decision-making and maximizing the relevance of the identified problem space.
Scoping review of peer support for adults and young people experiencing loneliness and social isolation
Authors: Mahon Daryl
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Loneliness and social isolation are risk factors for morbidity and mortality and a growing health concern. Peer support is an intervention that has shown efficacy in the wider health-care arena. However, little is known about its effectiveness when working with adults and adolescents experiencing these issues. The purpose of this study is to conduct a scoping review on loneliness and social isolation in adult and youth populations.

Design/methodology/approach

A preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews was conducted. Five databases, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, Embase, PsycINFO and Scopus were searched for peer-reviewed literature published in English from inception to 2023.

Findings

The search yielded 2,402 articles of which (N = 12) met the inclusion criteria for this review. Peer support interventions for loneliness and social isolation are a relatively new topic of interest for academics. However, it is apparent that loneliness and social isolation cut across populations experiencing various health and social issues. More experiential research is needed to evidence the effectiveness of peer support in these areas with both adults and adolescents. Emerging areas of interest include the use of technology to deliver interventions and the use of technology to facilitate peer support implementation with populations difficult to reach.

Research limitations/implications

Peer support may be a promising social intervention to help those experiencing loneliness and social isolation associated with a range of health conditions. However, further research needs to be undertaken in this emerging area of practice.

Originality/value

Loneliness and social isolation are of increasing concern. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first scoping review conducted in this area
Three approaches to school-university partnerships among teacher residencies: can HBCUs lead the way to an equity-centric model?
Authors: Hill-Jackson Valerie
Published: December 2023

Purpose

School-university partnerships (SUPs) probe a range of P12 challenges and interests, with teacher residencies being chief among them. Because historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have impressive track records (Hill-Jackson, 2017) and knowhow (Marchitello & Trinidad, 2019; Petchauer & Mawhinney, 2017) in preparing teacher candidates to work effectively in diverse schools, this paper seeks deeper understandings of the types of SUPs for teacher residency collaborations employed by traditional versus HBCU programs.

Design/methodology/approach

This article draws upon the self-study as a methodology to review a SUP for a teacher residency at an HBCU in the southwestern United States to illustrate an equity-centric model.

Findings

Leveraging an equity and third space perspective, three separate approaches to the SUPs are unpacked to establish the outline for this proposal: ceremonial, conventional and communal teacher residency approaches.

Originality/value

A novel typology of three distinct approaches to SUPs for teacher residencies is outlined to establish the extent to which equity is foregrounded among teacher residencies.
Exploring how to trigger the use of patient-reported information for quality improvement in multi-stakeholder governance
Authors: Ferrè Francesca
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Value-based healthcare suggested using patient-reported information to complement the information available in the medical records and administrative healthcare data to provide insights into patients' perceptions of satisfaction, experience and self-reported outcomes. However, little attention has been devoted to questions about factors fostering the use of patient-reported information to create value at the system level.

Design/methodology/approach

Action research design is carried out to elicit possible triggers using the case of patient-reported experience and outcome data for breast cancer women along their clinical pathway in the clinical breast network of Tuscany (Italy).

Findings

The case shows that communication and engagement of multi-stakeholder representation are needed for making information actionable in a multi-level, multispecialty care pathway organized in a clinical network; moreover, political and managerial support from higher level governance is a stimulus for legitimizing the use for quality improvement. At the organizational level, an external facilitator disclosing and discussing real-world uses of collected data is a trigger to link measures to action. Also, clinical champion(s) and clear goals are key success factors. Nonetheless, resource munificent and dedicated information support tools together with education and learning routines are enabling factors.

Originality/value

Current literature focuses on key factors that impact performance information use often considering unidimensional performance and internal sources of information. The use of patient/user-reported information is not yet well-studied especially in supporting quality improvement in multi-stakeholder governance. The work appears relevant for the implications it carries, especially for policymakers and public sector managers when confronting the gap in patient-reported measures for quality improvement.
Does ethical climate of the organization foster entrepreneurial marketing? The role of work engagement and effective knowledge transfer
Authors: Khasmafkan-Nezam Mohammah Hossein
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore how an organization’s ethical climate determines the type and effectiveness of entrepreneurial marketing activities. Also, this study seeks to identify the most critical intra-organizational capabilities related to entrepreneurial marketing components and explain their role in the path of ethical climate to entrepreneurial marketing, which means moving from the intra- to the extra-organizational environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from managers working in 100 scientific and research companies in Iran through survey questionnaires. Latent variable structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The findings reveal that the linkage between the ethical climate of the organization and entrepreneurial marketing is partially mediated by work engagement. In addition, the mediating role of knowledge transfer was not confirmed. These results imply that the ethical climate of the organization fosters entrepreneurial marketing by enabling employees with absorption, vigor and dedication.

Research limitations/implications

Scientific and research companies in this research are different in size, resources, knowledge management system, organizational structure and products offered to the market; they have different emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship as well. This issue increases the variety of data and the ability to generalize the results. Still, on the other hand, it reduces the ability to categorize data and increases the amount of outlier data. Future research in a comparative manner between different industries is needed.

Practical implications

This study indicates that an organization’s ethical climate can be a critical predictor of its entrepreneurial marketing as well as effective knowledge transfer and work engagement. In this regard, organizations should pay attention to employee’s perception of the organization’s ethical climate and create an environment that supports productive behaviors, commitment, trust, communication, work dedication, etc., to facilitate knowledge transfer effectively so that the organization can identify market opportunities and turn it into customer-oriented innovation, cocreate value for their customers and increase market share.

Originality/value

In turbulent markets, companies need to introduce quality and reliable products. Still, because the life cycle of products has shortened and the speed of introducing new products has increased, the supply of products will fail if companies are not equipped with new marketing methods. In this regard, the current research will seek to provide a mechanism for organizational capabilities on the road to entrepreneurial marketing by expressing entrepreneurial marketing as an innovative approach and trying to identify factors affecting it.
Not all sweetness and light: Non‐structural carbohydrate storage capacity in tree stems is decoupled from leaf but not from root economics
Authors: Zhang Guangqi , Mao Zhun , Maillard Pascale , Brancheriau Loïc , Gérard Bastien , Engel Julien , Fortunel Claire , Heuret Patrick , Maeght Jean‐Luc , Martínez‐Vilalta Jordi , Stokes Alexia
Published: December 2023

Non‐structural carbohydrates (NSC) are considered as indicators of the balance between tree carbon sources and sinks and reflect functional strategies throughout different biomes. However, little is known about the contribution of NSC to tree economics, and in particular, whether leaf, stem and coarse root traits co‐ordinate together into a whole‐tree economics spectrum.

Twenty‐four functional traits (including NSC content) were measured in leaves, stem and coarse root xylem of up to 90 angiosperm tree species in temperate, Mediterranean and tropical climates. By performing principal component analysis and standardized major axis regression, we explored the relationships between NSC and other functional traits, as well as the effects of climate and phylogeny on these relationships.

Our results revealed a covariation between leaf and coarse root NSC content and leaf economic traits, whereas stem NSC content was largely decoupled from the leaf economics spectrum that was mostly driven by leaf nitrogen content and leaf mass per area. Coarse root xylem traits were closely correlated with leaf traits, while most stem xylem traits were independent from the leaf economics spectrum but covaried with coarse root traits. Trade‐offs among traits in tropical species opposed those from other climates. Evolutionary history affected relationships among certain traits but did not change overall patterns.

We conclude that due to leaf habit, an extended growing season and heightened defences, tropical species form distinct conservative resource acquisition strategies. Across all climates, as the stem must provide an efficient transport route between roots and leaves, while maintaining the display of branch and leaf organs, stem xylem design and NSC storage capacity lead to a stem economics spectrum that is largely independent from the leaf spectrum, but is coupled with that of coarse roots due to anatomical continuity.

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The amenity value of constructed wetlands
Authors: Fernandez Mario A. , Sanchez Gonzalo , Thorsnes Paul
Published: December 2023

Natural wetlands in urbanised areas provide practical services, including flood control and amenity values such as views, wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities. But cities also construct wetlands to improve flood control and ecosystem services, the value of which might change property prices. This paper reports analyses of property prices that provide estimates of wetlands' localised amenity values in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. A major challenge is that the selection of sites for wetlands’ construction is not random; amenity value is potentially confounded by property and neighbourhood characteristics that vary across space and over time. We use a combination of repeat‐sales models, difference‐in‐differences and matching models to control for unobserved heterogeneity in property and neighbourhood characteristics. The results indicate that local benefit from constructed wetlands ranges from about 5% to 9% depending on the location of the property in areas adjacent to the wetlands or in a larger catchment of interest. Our results have a causal interpretation if the selection criteria are applied uniformly across Auckland and are valuable in assessing the benefits of constructed wetlands.
Evaluating energy cost performance in China's thermal power industry: A global cost Malmquist approach
Authors: Zhuang Weiwei , Zhang Jiayu , Zhang Taisheng , Chen Xiang
Published: December 2023

With the inclusion of carbon neutrality in the Government Work Report for the first time at the two sessions held in March 2021 and the strengthening of environmental regulation as well as the increase of limits on polluting gas emissions, it has become increasingly important for China to effectively save energy and reduce carbon for sustainable growth under the “dual carbon” target. Since thermal power generation is the most important source of carbon emissions in China, the thermal power industry is the key to achieving the goal of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. Therefore, it is of great theoretical and practical importance to study the performance of thermal power generation from the micro perspective of power plants. This paper provides a new perspective on the environmental efficiency measurement of thermal power plants by introducing the cost factors of inputs into the model and constructing a global cost Malmquist productivity index, which can effectively solve the problem of the infeasibility of linear programming and different measures of productivity change, to obtain the productivity performance of China's thermal power industry from 2013 to 2017. The empirical results indicate that: (1) The significant decrease in price effect (PE) is the main driving factor of this situation. (2) Except for the central region, the production technology, technical efficiency, and allocative efficiency related to thermal power generation have increased in the eastern and western regions. Therefore, improving CMG productivity in the central region is more challenging than in the other two regions and improving the PE can significantly improve CMG productivity in China's thermal power industry. This study reveals the spatiotemporal characteristics and influencing factors of production efficiency in China's thermal power industry, which can provide targeted policy guidance for managers to improve the sustainable development of power enterprises.