bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benchmarking the Lean Six Sigma performance measures: a balanced score card approach
Authors: Raval Shruti J. , Kant Ravi , Shankar Ravi
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop the balance score card (BSC) approach based Lean Six Sigma (LSS) performance measurement system and investigate the critical measures currently practiced by Indian manufacturing organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study offers insights of LSS performance measurement from manufacturing industry. Initially, the BSC-based framework is developed to recognize the adoption of LSS performance measures. Then, the framework is applied to nine Indian manufacturing organizations to assess the LSS performance measure practice.

Findings

The BSC-based framework of LSS performance evaluation for manufacturing industry is formulated. Then, adoption of these LSS performance measures is investigated with nine Indian manufacturing organizations. The result indicates significant variability in terms of practicing level of LSS measures. However, the majority of organizations are more sensitive to the customer perspectives.

Practical implications

This study reveals a background as to why the performance measurement is required for the success of LSS and for providing practical guidelines for designing performance metrics. The framework interrelates and captures various LSS perspectives and indicator measures, and furnishes a comprehensive outlook of the organization for strategic analysis. This study provides BSC-based template for performing the benchmarking study. This analysis may serve as a reference point for manufacturing organization to determine their system weaknesses, and assist them to concentrate on their most vital and suitable criteria and objectives. However, the analysis contributes to the knowledge on LSS performance measurement system and catches differences in theory and practice, paving the approach to newer research.

Originality/value

This study renders an industry-oriented LSS performance measurement practical approach and suggests the easily adopted vital performance measures for different manufacturing organizations.
Does gender diversity on boards influence stock market liquidity? Empirical evidence from the French market
Authors: Loukil Nadia , Yousfi Ouidad , Yerbanga Raissa
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the gender diversity on boards and its effect on stock market liquidity in French boardrooms.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of French firms between 2002 and 2012 listed on the Paris Stock Exchange (SBF120), the study uses ordinary least squares and three-stage least squares (3SLS) regressions to address endogeneity concerns on the board gender diversity.

Findings

The results show that stock market liquidity is positively and significantly associated with the presence of women directors. The authors find that investors’ decisions vary according to their positions in the board: women independent members decrease illiquidity costs, while the presence of female inside directors increases daily trading volume. In addition, the presence of female inside directors increases the firm’s ability to implement better strategies that cope with economic, social and environmental constraints which leads investors to positively react. Surprisingly, the presence of female independent directors reduces company involvement in sustainable development projects.

Practical implications

The empirical findings contribute to the current debate on the benefits of gender diversity on corporate boards and the effectiveness of gender-quota laws. It shows that appointing insider female’ directors incite investors to trade more stocks while appointing independents ones reduces their trading costs.

Social implications

This paper shows that the benefits of female directors appointing depend on their independence of management team.

Originality/value

This study addresses the endogeneity between stock market liquidity, corporate governance and gender diversity. It is the first study to distinguish between the effects of women inside and independent directors on investors’ trading decisions.
A virtual element method for frictional contact including large deformations
Authors: Wriggers Peter , Rust Wilhelm T.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the application of the virtual element method (VEM) to contact problems between elastic bodies.

Design/methodology/approach

Polygonal elements with arbitrary shape allow a stable node-to-node contact enforcement. By adaptively adjusting the polygonal mesh, this methodology is extended to problems undergoing large frictional sliding.

Findings

The virtual element is well suited for large deformation contact problems. The issue of element stability for this specific application is discussed, and the capability of the method is demonstrated by means of numerical examples.

Originality/value

This work is completely new as this is the first time, as per the authors’ knowledge, the VEM is applied to large deformation contact.
Dhuan ‘n’ Dukhaan: a case of successful green venture start-up in Pakistan
Authors: Fatima Tehreem , Bilal Ahmad Raza , Imran Muhammad Kashif
Published: June 2019

Learning outcomes

The case will offer insight to the students regarding the idea generation and development of a viable sustainable venture. It will promote the understanding of students regarding SDGs and how SMEs can contribute towards their attainment. They will learn to develop the action plan for a green business venture and understand how each of the business activity in each phase of value chain contributes towards environmental, economic and social sustainability.

Case overview/synopsis

Rana Waseem, a young business graduate started a small ecopreneurial venture to offer sustainable food from raw material till disposal in developing nation context named as Dhuaan ‘n’ Dukhaan (D ‘n’ D) in Sargodha, Pakistan. He had an aim to create a model of business that not only supports the local economy in terms of offering decent employment but also promotes a food business that generates nutritional self-sufficiency as per the triple bottom line concept. This case gives an exploratory insight into the actual sustainable operations that have survived eight months successfully and on the path of growth without profit being the sole aim. D ‘n’ D has benefited the lives of people in Sargodha by offering job opportunities, a decent wage, healthy food at affordable rates, reduction in diseases, reducing food wastage and efficient resource usage with a positive impact on the environment.

Complexity academic level

The case is suitable for undergraduate and post graduate students studying entrepreneurship and small business management.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or emailsupport@emeraldinsight.comto request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship
Numerical optimization of obstructed high temperature heat exchanger for recovery from the flue gases by considering ash fouling characteristics
Authors: Abbasian Arani Ali Akbar , Arefmanesh Ali , Ehteram Hamidreza
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to recommend a validated numerical model for simulation the flue gases heat recovery recuperators. Due to fulfill of this demand, the influences of ash fouling characteristics during the transient/steady-state simulation and optimization of a 3D complex heat exchanger equipped with inner plain fins and side plate fins are studied.

Design/methodology/approach

For the particle dispersion modeling, the discrete phase model is applied and the flow field has been solved using SIMPLE algorithm.

Findings

According to obtained results, for the recuperator equipped with combine inner plain and side plate fins, determination of ash fouling characteristics is really important, effective and determinative. It is clear that by underestimating the ash fouling characteristics, the achieved results are wrong and different with reality.

Originality/value

Finally, the configuration with inner plain fins with characteristics of: di =5 mm, do = 6 mm, dg = 2 mm, dk = 3 mm and NIPFT = 9 and side plate fins with characteristics of: TF = 3 mm, PF = 19 mm, NSPF = 17·2 = 34, WF = 10 mm, HF = 25 mm, LF = 24 mm and ß = 0° is introduced as the optimum model with the best performance among all studied configurations.
Flow–pressure drop characteristics of perforated plates
Authors: Tanner Phillip , Gorman John , Sparrow Eph
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to quantify the relationship between the fluid flow and pressure drop for perforated plates. The homogenization of non-uniform fluid flows is often accomplished by passing the fluid through perforated plates. The underlying principle for the accomplishment of flow homogenization is a tradeoff of pressure drop for flow uniformity.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigation, implemented by numerical simulation, is based on turbulent flow in pipes and across perforated plates. The approach is as follows: (a) to devise a model to determine pressure drop’s fluid flow information from a single-aperture, (b) to obtain this information for apertures of different shapes, (c) to determine this type of information for perforated plates situated in a circular pipe, (d) to compare the entire perforated-plate pressure drop with that for a single-aperture modular and (e) to analyze two identical perforated plates in series.

Findings

The pressure drop results for the single-aperture modular model agreed very well with those for a whole perforated plate in a round pipe, therefore negating the need to simulate the more complex situation. In addition to the parametric study with aperture shape and Reynolds number, porosities (20-60 per cent) and plate thicknesses were also varied. The results obtained here compared favorably with experimental data.

Originality/value

This work demonstrates an efficient method for analyzing and obtaining useful pressure drop information for perforated plates. For the first time, the porous media approach for modeling perforated plates is compared directly to complete, full-scale perforated plate applications and identical plates in series.
An experimental evaluation of bow-tie analysis for security
Authors: Meland Per Håkon , Bernsmed Karin , Frøystad Christian , Li Jingyue , Sindre Guttorm
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Within critical-infrastructure industries, bow-tie analysis is an established way of eliciting requirements for safety and reliability concerns. Because of the ever-increasing digitalisation and coupling between the cyber and physical world, security has become an additional concern in these industries. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate how well bow-tie analysis performs in the context of security, and the study’s hypothesis is that the bow-tie notation has a suitable expressiveness for security and safety.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a formal, controlled quasi-experiment on two sample populations – security experts and security graduate students – working on the same case. As a basis for comparison, the authors used a similar experiment with misuse case analysis, a well-known technique for graphical security modelling.

Findings

The results show that the collective group of graduate students, inexperienced in security modelling, perform similarly as security experts in a well-defined scope and familiar target system/situation. The students showed great creativity, covering most of the same threats and consequences as the experts identified and discovering additional ones. One notable difference was that these naïve professionals tend to focus on preventive barriers, leading to requirements for risk mitigation or avoidance, while experienced professionals seem to balance this more with reactive barriers and requirements for incident management.

Originality/value

Our results are useful in areas where we need to evaluate safety and security concerns together, especially for domains that have experience in health, safety and environmental hazards, but now need to expand this with cybersecurity as well.
Dynamics of banking sector integration in South Asia: an empirical study
Authors: Pandey Piyush , Sehgal Sanjay , Ahmad Wasim
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Banks in the South Asian region are the fulcrum of economic growth and development as they provide means to development credit and working capital, trade and infrastructure finance and are seen as custodians of the trust in the financial system. This paper aims to study the nature of banking sector linkages for the region.

Design/methodology/approach

The dependence structure between deposits and lending rates individually for the banks of the South Asian countries are studied using time invariant and time varying family of copula functions. The degree of connectedness is further studied by Diebold and Yilmaz methodology.

Findings

Results indicate poor levels of banking integration in the region as the dependence parameter for both deposits and lending rates was around 0 for the sample countries, thereby confirming poor banking sector integration in the region.

Practical implications

Policymakers of the region are interested in the co-movements of the interest rates to understand the cross-sector risk management and any systemic risk pressures for the regional economies. Corporates in these countries are scouting out for competitive borrowing rates to lower their cost of capital.

Social implications

Rationale for examining the banking sector linkages is that the South Asian countries are at different stages of economic growth and development and this region in particular is the fastest growing region in the world and has largely increased its trade integration with the world albeit having lowest levels of intra-regional trade integration.

Originality/value

This is a first of a kind of studies to examine the banking sector linkages in South Asia.
Hoteliers’ service design for mobile-based value co-creation
Authors: Lei Sut Ieng , Wang Dan , Law Rob
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how hoteliers leverage mobile technologies to shape services that allow customers to create their own unique and personalized experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

Guided by service-dominant logic and sociomateriality, this study analyzes hoteliers’ reasoning behind the design of mobile-based services through qualitative research. Data were collected from interviews with hotel managers representing best-practice companies in the industry.

Findings

The findings provide a rich description of mobile-based value co-creation in the hotel context. They delineate hoteliers’ understanding of mobile technologies as a means to co-create value, their strategic considerations and the forms in which value is expected to be co-created.

Research limitations/implications

This study unearths the new roles of hoteliers, unique forms of value co-creation and their underlying structures in the specific context of mobile-based value co-creation. Practical implications based on industry best practices are provided for hospitality companies seeking to innovate by co-creating value with customers using mobile technologies.

Originality/value

This research paper contributes to the hospitality literature on IT-enabled service innovation and value co-creation by comprehensively explaining the underlying structure and design of co-created experiences facilitated by mobile-based services.
The project manager core competencies to project success
Authors: Alvarenga Jeferson Carvalho , Branco Robson Rosa , Guedes André Luis Azevedo , Soares Carlos Alberto Pereira , Silva Wainer da Silveira e
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The past few decades have produced a number of investigations into the correlation between project managers’ competencies and project success. As a result, competencies lists have become extensive “shopping lists.” The purpose of this paper is to define the most important competencies to project success and investigate their correlations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors surveyed project managers on the importance of 28 project manager competencies to project success. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate procedures.

Findings

Data show that communication, commitment and leadership appear as the three most relevant aspects. Multivariate analysis identified seven groups of competencies: leadership, self-management, interpersonal, communication, technical, productivity and managerial.

Practical implications

The results confirm a growing trend toward soft skills and reinforce the need for an update on project management education to fill the gap between theory and practice.

Originality/value

Project manager competencies lists have become too extensive, and the field is in constant change; therefore, this study updates the discussion and downsizes the number of competencies to fewer, more relevant items.
Dynamics of Muslim consumers’ behavior toward Halal products
Authors: Al-Kwifi Osama Sam , Abu Farha Allam , Ahmed Zafar U.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Since Islamic markets are growing substantially, there is an urgent need to gain a better understanding of how Muslim consumers perceive products from a religious perspective. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the brain responses of Muslim consumers to Halal and non-Halal products using a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology.

Design/methodology/approach

The research model is a simplified version of the theory of planned behavior. The initial experiment began by asking participants to divide a set of images into two groups: Halal and non-Halal products. The fMRI experiment uses a blocked design approach to capture brain activities resulting from presenting the two groups of images to participants, and to record the strength of their attitudes toward purchasing the products.

Findings

Across all participants, the level of brain activation in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex increased significantly when Halal images were presented to them. The same results emerged when the Halal images showed raw and cooked meat. The variations in the results may be due to the high emotional sensitivity of Muslim consumers to using religious products.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses a unique approach to monitor brain activity to confirm that consumers from specific market segments respond differently to market products based on their internal beliefs. Findings from this study provide evidence that marketing managers targeting Muslim markets should consider the sensitivity of presenting products in ways that reflect religious principles, in order to gain higher acceptance in this market segment.

Originality/value

Although the literature reports considerable research on Muslim consumers’ behavior, most of the previous studies utilize conventional data collection approaches to target broad segments of consumers by using traditional products. This paper is the first to track the reactions of the Muslim consumer segment to specific types of market products.
The role of structural assurance on previous satisfaction, trust and continuance intention
Authors: McCole Patrick , Ramsey Elaine , Kincaid Andrew , Fang Yulin , LI Huifang
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Varied accounts exist regarding the role of trust and satisfaction in online continuance intention and contexts within which this occurs. The purpose of this paper is to consider the moderating effect of structural assurance (SA) on satisfaction and trust and trust and continuance intention in a pure e-service context (online betting).

Design/methodology/approach

UK online bettors were surveyed with an instrument developed using validated variables and measurements, including continuance intention, satisfaction, trust (in vendor) and SA. Structural equation modeling with partial least squares was used to evaluate the measurement and structural model simultaneously.

Findings

SA positively moderates the trust–continuance intention relationship but not the satisfaction–trust relationship. SA is positively associated with trust.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to research focused on exploring the moderating effects of trust and satisfaction on continuance intention where institution-based mechanisms are perceived to be effective and framed to assure success.

Practical implications

An over-reliance on context-specific mechanisms is inadequate; strategic approaches to trust must consider contextual and institutional mechanisms interdependently.

Originality/value

The paper addresses the need for research relating to the institutional context within which trust mechanisms operate. This research provides a novel contribution through an exploration of the moderating effects of SA on: trust and continuance intention; and satisfaction and trust (the authors also measure the direct effect of SA on trust). This paper is one of the first studies to examine these important concepts in this context. The online betting case allows for the exploration of risk where vendor-specific and contextual risk are both high.
The employability of human resources management graduates from a selected university of technology in the Western Cape, South Africa
Authors: Jowah Larry Enoch , Beretu Tendency
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the need to provide an industry-relevant curricula to higher learning institutions, which addresses the needs of the industries so that unemployment is addressed.

Design/methodology/approach

The researcher sought to look for a cause and consequence relationship, which resulted in the usage of a mixed-methods approach whereby both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used. Correspondingly, the study was conducted in two phases, literature analysis and experimental study, including field work.

Findings

The paper provides experiential visions about how institutions of higher learning can provide industry-relevant education. It proposes that for graduates to be employable, there should be synergy between what industries want and what the institutions of higher learning are providing, hence the need to redesign the curricula.

Research limitations/implications

The research focused exclusively on Cape Peninsula University of Technology HR graduates from 2014 to 2017 instead of considering all graduates of HR in the workplaces in Cape Metropolis.

Practical implications

Tertiary institutions as the custodians of knowledge will have to go out to the customers (recipients of their products) and inquire for relevant operational requirements.

Social implications

HR graduates will be properly empowered through proper industry-relevant curriculum which enables them to be employable or to create employment instead of waiting to be employed.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills a recognized need to study how the curriculum offered by universities contributes to the employability of human resources management graduates.
Optimal capacity utilisation of transmission lines network in power flow operations: a survey
Authors: Okojie Daniel Esene , Jimoh Adisa Abdul-Ganiyu , Hamam Yskandar , Yusuff Adebayo Ademola
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to survey the need for full capacity utilisation of transmission lines in power systems network operations. It proposes a review of the N-1 security criterion that does not ensure reliable dispatch of optimum power flow during outage contingency. The survey aims to enlarge the network capacity utilisation to rely on the entire transmission lines network operation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper suggests transmission line switching (TLS) approach as a viable corrective mechanism for power dispatch. The TLS process is incorporated into a constraint programming language extension optimisation solver that selects the switchable line candidates as integer variables in the mixed integer programming problem.

Findings

The paper provides a practical awareness of reserve capacity in the lines that provide network security in outage contingency. At optimum power flow dispatch, the TLS is extended to optimal transmission line switching (OTLS) that indicates optimal capacity utilisation (OCU) of the available reserve capacity (ARC) in the network lines.

Practical implications

Computational efficiency influenced the extension of the OTLS to optimal transmission switching of power flow (OTSPF). The application of OTSPF helps reduce the use of flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) and construction of new transmission lines..

Originality/value

The paper surveys TLS efforts in network capacity utilisation. The suggested ARC fulfils the need for an index with which the dispatchable lines may be identified for the optimal capacity utilisation of transmission lines network.
Mediating effect of innovation with market orientation and performance relationship
Authors: Yadav Seemant Kumar , Tripathi Vikas , Goel Geetika
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of market orientation on performance and to figure out the mediator effect of incremental innovation on this relationship with an implementation on Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

Following a survey among 333 owners/managers of SMEs in Indian, six research propositions were framed. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and regression analysis was used for the purpose of data analysis.

Findings

The outcome of the study demonstrates a significant effect of market orientation on SMEs performance. In addition, the mediating effect of innovation between market orientation and business performance was not supported in the context.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses cross-sectional research, which limits the ability to test the causality; hence, such studies should be replicated in other settings also to get more evidences about the relationship.

Practical implications

The research will help managers especially in manufacturing SMEs of developing countries to understand benefits of being market-oriented to improve performance.

Originality/value

The study attempts to enrich the market orientation literature especially in developing economies. It identifies the significant effect of interfunctional coordination on performance of small and medium enterprises working in more volatile environment. Further, the study also examines mediating role of innovation between market orientation and performance linkage.
Educating management accountants as business partners
Authors: Jakobsen Morten , Mitchell Falconer , Nørreklit Hanne , Trenca Mihaela
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a paradigmatic foundation for educators to prepare students of management accounting for the new demands of the role of trusted business partner in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper argues for the use of pragmatic constructivism as a basis for development of a paradigmatic foundation for educating advanced students of management accounting. Furthermore, it contains an empirical insight through a case example of how pragmatic constructivism can be used as a pedagogical tool in different management accounting educational situations.

Findings

The analysis shows how pragmatic constructivism can be used as a less reductionist paradigm than realism to tackle the research-teaching-practice deficiencies found in conventional thinking on accounting education. Pragmatic constructivism is shown to provide important methodological and conceptual elements in developing, understanding and guiding the application of management accounting techniques in dynamic business practices. Placing an emphasis on teaching methodological skills relevant for management accountants is shown to have an important impact on students and their ability to act as business partners.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis is exploratory in the sense that a new paradigmatic framework for educating students of management accounting to be business partners is outlined and illustrated through its implementation in a specific master’s degree programme. However, this analysis should be viewed as only a first step towards developing pragmatic constructivism as a paradigmatic foundation for teaching management accounting as a basis for a business partner role.

Originality/value

The proposed use of research on pragmatic constructivism as a basis for management accounting education to support a future business partner role is novel in the literature on management accounting. The value of its application lies in its potential to create successful utilisation of the practices of management accounting.
Brazil’s image and Brazilian personality: a systematic review from the viewpoint of cordiality
Authors: Lourenção Marina Toledo de Arruda , Montanari Maria Gabriela , Giraldi Janaina de Moura Engracia , Costa André Lucirton
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the characteristics of Brazilian personality, associating them with the cordial man of the book Raízes do Brasil (Roots of Brazil). In addition, it aims to present an agenda for future management studies, suggesting works in several managerial areas which may be influenced by traits of the Brazilian personality.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review of studies on Brazil’s image was developed, so that it was possible to identify the main characteristics of the Brazilian personality. The main personality traits found were compared to those identified in the cordial man, from the book Raízes do Brasil.

Findings

The results indicate the main traits of Brazilians’ personality: sensual, cunning, cheerful, creative, hospitable, friendly and cordial. These traits are directly related to cordiality, mentioned in some studies, and also indirectly through words alluding to the character of the cordial man. These traits are related to the Brazilians image abroad and have created a confused image of Brazil.

Research limitations/implications

Regarding the theoretical contribution, the future studies agenda presented suggests the development of papers that relate Brazilians’ personality traits to other areas besides tourism, such as negotiation, organizational culture, exports, foreign direct investment, talent attraction and public diplomacy.

Practical implications

This study indicated that in practice, the Brazilian Government should develop marketing actions to promote a more consistent image of Brazil, reinforcing its positive aspects and creating new associations that allow Brazil to bring not only tourists but also residents, companies and investors for the country. These positive aspects, regarding the country citizens, can be their affability, hospitality, extraversion and generosity, which can improve the foreigners’ impressions on Brazil.

Originality/value

The originality of the study is to relate the concept of cordial man to the Brazilian people, showing the main features of their personality and also in the elaboration of an agenda indicating suggestions for future studies that relate the personality traits of Brazilian people with other areas.
Online sustainability reporting at universities: the case of Hong Kong
Authors: An Yi , Davey Howard , Harun Harun , Jin Zebin , Qiao Xin , Yu Qun
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the current state of online sustainability reporting in the Hong Kong higher education sector from a variety of perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The multiple case study was the research method for this research. Content analysis of the university website, as well as interview with university management, personnel in the sustainability office, academics and students, were adopted for data collection. An assessment framework for sustainability reporting was developed as an instrument for content analysis, based on G4 guidelines and prior literature.

Findings

The authors observe that most Hong Kong public universities have a specific webpage for sustainability reporting on the website, which consists of an amount of sustainability-related information in terms of general aspects, specific aspects and stakeholder participation. Moreover, they notice that Hong Kong public universities attach importance to sustainability and its reporting, and they would like to communicate their sustainability activities to various stakeholders and the community where they operate.

Practical implications

This paper indicates some practical implications for academics, university management, policymakers and sustainability education amongst universities in Hong Kong and beyond.

Social implications

This paper argues that universities, as a central place to foster talents and future leaders, should operate in a sustainable manner at the first place and then report their sustainability-related activities taking full advantage of the current information and communication technologies, so as to discharge accountability to various stakeholders and meet the expectations of the community where they operate.

Originality/value

This paper uses a multiple case study approach to explore the status of online sustainability reporting at Hong Kong universities, which contributes to limited research in the area, particularly for online sustainability reporting in the higher education institutions, and makes some contributions to the extant literature.
Therapeutic communities and new social movements in Latin America, Southeast Asia, Oceania and Australia
Authors: Spencer Les
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce prolonged therapeutic community action research and compare research on new social movements in both Latin America and throughout the Australasia Southeast Asia Oceania Region where the later region’s new social movements emerged in large part from Therapeutic Community Outreach.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative method used combined prolonged depth interviews, action research, gathering warm data (N Bateson) and archival research and triangulated the findings. In writing this paper, a connoisseur derived narrative method is used consistent the socio-cultural contexts involved.

Findings

The characteristics and significant implications and values of these new social movements are outlined. These new social movements are not taking familiar forms with political power as an identifier – rather, a core feature is their transformatory potential in re-forming socio-cultural and socio-psychic patterns of everyday social relating penetrating the micro-structures of society. New forms of social movement are lively in unexpected public places within everyday socio-cultural life.

Research limitations/implications

The research implications extend to providing processes used in pioneering TCs in Australia in the 1960s.

Practical implications

Co-action outlined may be a resource for therapeutic communities under threat in parts of the world.

Social implications

The transformatory potential within new social movements is not political, but socio-cultural and any focus on power relations would miss this shift.

Originality/value

The action research overviewed in this paper is perhaps a unique example of prolonged engagement in integrated action research on TC processes over more than 60 years.
Project governance and portfolio management in government digitalization
Authors: Lappi Teemu Mikael , Aaltonen Kirsi , Kujala Jaakko
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to increase the current understanding of the connection between operational level information and communication technology (ICT) projects and national level digital transformation by researching how project governance structures and practices are applied in an e-government context.

Design/methodology/approach

An elaborative qualitative study through public documentary analysis and empirical multi-case research on Finnish central government is used.

Findings

The study constructs a multi-level governance structure with three main functions and applies this in an empirical setting. The results also describe how different governance practices and processes, focusing on project portfolio management, are applied vertically across different organizational levels to connect the ICT projects with the national digitalization strategy.

Originality/value

This study integrates project governance and portfolio management knowledge into public sector digitalization, thus contributing to project management, e-government and ICT research streams by improving the current understanding on the governance of ICT projects as part of a larger-scale digitalization. This study also highlights perceived gaps between current governance practices and provides implications to managers and practitioners working in the field to address these gaps.
Modulatory effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus KLDS 1.0738 on intestinal short‐chain fatty acids metabolism and GPR41/43 expression in β‐lactoglobulin–sensitized mice
Authors: Wang Jun‐juan , Zhang Qi‐min , Ni Wei‐wei , Zhang Xin , Li Ying , Li Ai‐li , Du Peng , Li Chun , Yu Su‐su
Published: June 2019

We investigated the correlation between the beneficial effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus on gut microbiota composition, metabolic activities, and reducing cow's milk protein allergy. Mice sensitized with β‐lactoglobulin (β‐Lg) were treated with different doses of L. acidophilus KLDS 1.0738 for 4 weeks, starting 1 week before allergen induction. The results showed that intake of L. acidophilus significantly suppressed the hypersensitivity responses, together with increased fecal microbiota diversity and short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentration (including propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, and isovalerate) when compared with the allergic group. Moreover, treatment with L. acidophilus induced the expression of SCFAs receptors, G‐protein–coupled receptors 41 (GPR41) and 43 (GPR43), in the spleen and colon of the allergic mice. Further analysis revealed that the GPR41 and GPR43 messenger RNA expression both positively correlated with the serum concentrations of transforming growth factor‐β and IFN‐γ (p < .05), but negatively with the serum concentrations of IL‐17, IL‐4, and IL‐6 in the L. acidophilus–treated group compared with the allergic group (p < .05). These results suggested that L. acidophilus protected against the development of allergic inflammation by improving the intestinal flora, as well as upregulating SCFAs and their receptors GPR41/43.
Profit and equity trade‐offs in the management of small pelagic fisheries: the case of the Japanese sardine fishery*
Authors: Jang Ho Geun , Yamazaki Satoshi , Hoshino Eriko
Published: June 2019

The management of small pelagic fisheries is difficult due to environmental regime changes that generate multi‐decadal cyclic fluctuations in stock abundance. Lagged management responses to environmental factors can amplify the effects of fishing and may even result in stock collapse. In this paper, we develop an age‐structured bioeconomic model to explore the effectiveness of alternative management approaches for cyclically fluctuating small pelagic fish stocks. The fishery outcomes are evaluated against the overall profit of the fishery and the intertemporal distribution of fishing profits. The model is parameterised for the Japanese sardine fishery, once the largest fishery in Japan, which has experienced a prolonged period of stock collapse over the last 100 years. The results show that the duration of fishery collapse is mostly determined by the extent of cyclic fluctuations in the recruitment of immature sardines, but the effects of the fluctuations on the fishery are heightened by the cumulative impact of fishing. We further show that restricting fishing reduces the fishery’s overall profits, but smooths the intertemporal distribution of profits, resulting in greater intergenerational equity. This income smoothing effect is particularly pronounced when the stock exhibits high levels of cyclic fluctuations.
Beyond the Ode to Joy? The Politics of the European Anthem
Authors: Farrington Conor
Published: June 2019

Anthems are conventionally viewed as helping to unify and mobilise populations by generating a sense of shared identity. Beethoven's Ode to Joy, which currently serves as the European anthem, occupies a more equivocal place in the European Union's symbolic armoury. Whether performed with or without Schiller's original text, the piece raises important questions regarding the nature of the European Union and the purpose of Beethoven's music within contemporary European politics. Nevertheless, given that any practical alternatives also raise significant difficulties, Beethoven's Ode to Joy can be regarded as a useful prompt for reasoned discussions regarding the future of the European Union, especially if reunited with the text of Schiller's An die Freude.
A systematic review of the validity and reliability of patient‐reported experience measures
Authors: Bull Claudia , Byrnes Joshua , Hettiarachchi Ruvini , Downes Martin
Published: June 2019

Objectives

To identify patient‐reported experience measures (PREMs), assess their validity and reliability, and assess any bias in the study design of PREM validity and reliability testing.

Data Sources/Study Setting

Articles reporting on PREM development and testing sourced from MEDLINE, CINAHL and Scopus databases up to March 13, 2018.

Study Design

Systematic review.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Critical appraisal of PREM study design was undertaken using the Appraisal tool for Cross‐Sectional Studies (AXIS). Critical appraisal of PREM validity and reliability was undertaken using a revised version of the COSMIN checklist.

Principal Findings

Eighty‐eight PREMs were identified, spanning across four main health care contexts. PREM validity and reliability was supported by appropriate study designs. Internal consistency (n = 58, 65.2 percent), structural validity (n = 49, 55.1 percent), and content validity (n = 34, 38.2 percent) were the most frequently reported validity and reliability tests.

Conclusions

Careful consideration should be given when selecting PREMs, particularly as seven of the 10 validity and reliability criteria were not undertaken in ≥50 percent of the PREMs. Testing PREM responsiveness should be prioritized for the application of PREMs where the end user is measuring change over time. Assessing measurement error/agreement of PREMs is important to understand the clinical relevancy of PREM scores used in a health care evaluation capacity.
Loperamide as a Potential Drug of Abuse and Misuse: Fatal Overdoses at the Medical University of South Carolina
Authors: Powell John W. , Presnell Susan Erin
Published: June 2019

Loperamide is an over‐the‐counter, μ‐opioid receptor agonist commonly used as an antidiarrheal agent. Loperamide was thought to have minimal abuse potential due to its low bioavailability and limited central nervous system activity; however, there have been increasing reports of loperamide misuse in supratherapeutic doses to achieve euphoria and/or avoid opioid withdrawal. A literature review suggests a rise in loperamide abuse was inevitable, with substantial increases in reported cases over the last decade. Five fatal cases of toxic medication use where loperamide was listed as a primary or contributory cause of death were identified at the Medical University of South Carolina. The characteristic autopsy demographics and findings are described, and the mechanisms of abuse and toxicity of loperamide are reviewed. Loperamide overdoses are a growing concern from both a forensic and clinical standpoint, and the frequency of reported cases will likely increase as awareness grows within the medical and toxicological communities.
Effects of Multiple Freeze–Thaw Cycles on Biochemical and Physical Quality Changes of White Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) Treated with Lysine and Sodium Bicarbonate
Authors: Wachirasiri Kulraphat , Wanlapa Sorada , Uttapap Dudsadee , Puttanlek Chureerat , Rungsardthong Vilai
Published: June 2019

Freezing and thawing occur during storage, transportation, and retail display, leading to deterioration of frozen shrimp. The objective of this research was to investigate the change in quality of frozen white shrimp treated by lysine and NaHCO3 after multiple freeze–thaw cycles. Shrimp were soaked in lysine and lysine/NaHCO3 each at 1% (w/v) frozen in an air‐blast freezer at −30 °C, and kept in a chest freezer (−18 ± 2 °C) for a week before they were thawed using tap water before the analysis (freeze–thaw cycle 1). The samples were subjected to five freeze–thaw cycles, which were repeated every week. Qualities of the samples were determined for thawing loss, cutting force, and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N), as well as oxidation stability by using Rancimat. The use of lysine/NaHCO3 could significantly reduce thawing loss at all freeze–thaw cycles compared to the control and lysine treatment (P < 0.05). Similar results were found with TVB‐N and the oxidation stability of the samples. A difference in cutting forces of the shrimp between lysine and lysine/NaHCO3 treatment was found when the frequency of freeze–thawing was increased to three cycles; it was lower than that in the control at all cycles. Histological study showed that the treatment with lysine/NaHCO3 led to the swelling of muscle fibers and fewer fragments at five freeze–thaw cycles. The results showed that lysine/NaHCO3 could effectively retard the quality loss from repeated freeze–thawing during frozen storage.

Practical Application

Repeated freezing and thawing usually occur during storage, transportation, retail display or in restaurants, and in consumers’ kitchens. The temperature at the manufacturing site and during transportation in a tropical country like Thailand is relatively high, and frozen food producers come across quality deterioration resulting from multiple freeze–thaw cycles occurring during transportation and storage. Frozen shrimp producers require research to improve product quality by adding nonphosphate food additives or, if possible, by using natural food ingredients instead of polyphosphate or sodium bicarbonate.