bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Including sustainability factors in the derivation of eater profiles of young adults in Canada
Authors: Mollaei Sadaf , Minaker Leia M. , Robinson Derek T. , Lynes Jennifer K. , Dias Goretty M.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to (1) identify factors affecting food choices of young adults in Canada based on environmental perceptions, personal and behavioral factors as determinants of eating behaviors; (2) segment Canadian young adults based on the importance of the identified factors in their food choices.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was administered to Canadians aged between 18 and 24 to collect data on socio-demographic factors and eating behaviors (N = 297). An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to identify the main factors affecting eating behaviors in young adults, followed by K-means clustering to categorize the respondents into consumer segments based on their propensity to agree with the factors.

Findings

Six factors were extracted: beliefs (ethical, environmental and personal); familiarity and convenience; joy and experience; food influencers and sociability; cultural identity; and body image. Using these factors, six consumer segments were identified, whereby members of each segment have more similar scores on each factor than members of other segments. The six consumer segments were: “conventional”; “concerned”; “indifferent”; “non-trend follower”; “tradition-follower”; and “eat what you love”.

Originality/value

Identifying major factors influencing eating behaviors and consumer segmentation provides insights on how eating behaviors might be shaped. Furthermore, the outcomes of this study are important for designing effective interventions for shaping eating behaviors particularly improving sustainable eating habits.
Does organisational politics always hurt employee performance? Moderating–mediating model
Authors: Turek Dariusz
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Drawing on the job demands-resources theory, this study investigates the mediating role of job satisfaction and the moderating roles of abusive supervision and perceived organisational support (POS) in the relationship between perception of organisational politics (POP) and employee job performance. This study hypothesised that employees with high POS and low abusive supervision can function effectively even in organisations with a high level of organisational politics.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted anonymously on 408 employees, from companies operating in Poland which were completed using the computer-assisted telephone interview method. Statistical verifications of the moderation and mediation analyses were conducted with PROCESS macro.

Findings

The results showed that a high level of POP does not diminish employee performance when employees perceive low levels of abusive supervision and a high level of POS. Furthermore, the results revealed that job satisfaction mediates between POP and employee performance.

Originality/value

This study integrated research on politics, abusive supervision and POS to examine the collective impact of these variables on employee performance. The findings have important implications in terms of the potential buffering that can be applied to reduce the negative impacts resulting from POP.
Optimization and control strategy of electric vehicles access to power grid
Authors: Yin Wanjun , Qin Xuan
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to reduce the impact of disordered charging of large-scale electric vehicles (EVs) on the grid. EV is great significance for environmental protection, energy conservation and emission reduction to replace fuel vehicles with EVs. However, as a kind of random mobile load, large-scale integration into the power grid may lead to power quality problems such as line overload, line loss increase and voltage reduction. This paper realizes the orderly charging of electric vehicles and the safe operation of the distribution network by optimizing the dispatching scheme.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper takes the typical IEEE-33 node distribution system as the research object, adopts the improved particle swarm optimization algorithm and takes the minimum operation cost, the minimum environmental pollution, the minimum standard deviation of daily load, the minimum peak valley difference of load, the minimum node voltage offset rate and the minimum system grid loss rate as the optimization objectives.

Findings

Controlling the disordered charging of large-scale electric vehicles by optimizing the dispatching algorithm can realize the full consumption of renewable energy and the safe operation of the power grid.

Originality/value

Results show that the proposed scheme can realize the transfer of charging load in time and space, so as to stabilize the load fluctuation of distribution grid, improve the operation quality of power grid, reduce the charging cost of users and achieve the expected research objectives.
Influence of subcontractors' “strategic capabilities” on “power”, “dependence” and “collaboration”: an empirical analysis in the context of procurement decisions
Authors: Deep Shumank , Gajendran Thayaparan , Jefferies Marcus , Uggina Venkata Suresh , Patil Sanjay
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Research on strategic procurement was mostly focussed on the clients' and main contractors' perspectives, while limited work had been done from a subcontractor's perspective. The paper hypothesises that “strategic capability” influences the latent constructs of power, dependence and collaboration in the main contractor–subcontractor relationship. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of a subcontractor's strategic capabilities on power, dependence and collaboration.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey questionnaire was developed and distributed amongst the subcontractors in Australia, and 212 complete responses were received. Then second order confirmatory factor analysis and partial least square structure equation modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis were performed to test the hypothesised relationships.

Findings

The findings support “strategic capabilities” as a construct expressive of a subcontractor's unique market position and good business reputation. The findings also suggest that strategically capable subcontractors enhance their potential for forming partnerships with main contractors through dependence (StratC. → Dep.,β = 0.84; Effect Size (ES) = 0.713;p < 0.01), collaboration (StratC. → Collab.,β = 0.84; ES = 0.697;p < 0.01) and bargaining power (StratC. → Pow.,β = 0.83; ES = 0.672;p < 0.01).

Originality/value

The study is one of its kind to explore the impact of a subcontractor's strategic capability on their bargaining power, dependability and ability to form collaborations. Furthermore, results indicate that the “strategic capabilities” of subcontractors can strongly influence their ability to create “dependence”, foster “collaboration” and exert “power” over a main contractor. The findings can help improve the strategic procurement decision-making processes of both subcontractors and main contractors to build better business relationships.
Developing and validating protean and boundaryless career scale for college passing out students
Authors: Purohit Divyang , Jayswal Rachita
Published: October 2022

Purpose

With changing employment conditions, technological advancement, frequent manpower reduction and global competition, the relevance of the protean and boundaryless career concepts is increasing. With this, the country’s culture plays a pivotal role in career choice. The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate protean and boundaryless career scales for college passing out students and in the Indian context. The protean career scale was measured by self-directed and values-driven dimensions, while the boundaryless career scale was measured by boundaryless mindset and organizational mobility preference.

Design/methodology/approach

The first step involved defining construct and determining face validity. The data collected via questionnaire from India’s final year engineering students were subjected to exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis in the second and third steps, respectively. Finally, the nomological validity was tested by establishing the relationship between factors influencing career choice and newly developed protean and boundaryless career.

Findings

The result suggested using a two-factor model with a protean career (combining self-directed and values-driven items) and a boundaryless career as a separate construct for college passing out students.

Research limitations/implications

The developed scale has nine items that can be used to conduct surveys at the time of campus hiring by academic scholars, HR managers, and practitioners who are working on the identification, development and management of human talent as a part of any human resource management system.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first approach to developing the protean and boundaryless career scale for college passing out students and in the Indian context which can be replicable for South Asian countries.
Outcomes of servant leadership among flight attendants: test of parallel and serial multiple mediating effects
Authors: Kim Taegoo Terry , Karatepe Osman M.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the parallel and serial multiple mediating effects of job insecurity (JIS) and occupational self-efficacy (OSE) in the association between servant leadership and work engagement (WENG).

Design/methodology/approach

Data collected from 296 flight attendants in Korea were tapped to assess the study hypotheses. The linkages were tested via structural equation modeling. The phantom variable was used to estimate the parallel and serial indirect impacts of JIS and OSE.

Findings

Servant leadership fosters OSE and WENG, while it alleviates JIS. Both JIS and OSE parallelly mediate the effect of servant leadership on WENG. Contrary to what has been hypothesized, the findings lend no credence to the serial multiple mediating impact.

Practical implications

Management should pay utmost attention to the promotion of employees to supervisory positions based on “stringent selection and hiring of people.” Flight attendants high on WENG should have job security. This is important because such employees exhibit good performance at work. Management should also organize training programs that would enhance flight attendants’ OSE.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the relevant knowledge base by relating servant leadership to flight attendants’ WENG through JIS and OSE. Because of the number of rising disengaged service workers across the globe, this study also gauges the factors influencing flight attendants’ WENG and reports whether servant leadership, JIS and OSE influence their WENG at the same time. Unlike the preponderance of the empirical pieces, this study contributes to the literature by assessing the indirect effect of servant leadership on WENG via JIS and OSE as the parallel and serial multiple mediators using the phantom variable.
Connecting EFL curriculum reforms with teacher and student learning: insights from two lesson studies
Authors: Zhang Yumei , Luo Shaoqian
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Combining empirical insights from two lesson studies (LSs), this research aims to investigate EnEFL (English as a foreign language) teachers’ development in understanding and practical skills regarding the recent national English curriculum reform in China. It also strives to incorporate students’ performance and perceptions in the evaluation of the effectiveness of these LSs and teachers’ development.

Design/methodology/approach

Two LSs were conducted in the same school with 3 years in between. Standardized procedures were followed in the two LSs, including pre-LS interviews, talk-lesson session, rehearsal lessons, and one public lesson. Triangulated data were collected from lesson plans, reflective journals, discussion notes, and interviews to probe into teachers’ learning and development. Students’ task performance and perceptions were analyzed to help reexamine the influence of teachers’ development on student learning.

Findings

The teachers in the two LSs encountered similar problems in both understanding and implementing the curriculum reform. The LSs helped them reach a contextualized understanding of the key concepts. Besides, developments were also seen in their instructional skills to adopt innovative methods and activities. The students’ task performance and perceptions endorsed the teachers’ efforts.

Originality/value

First, this research combines data from two standardized LSs at different periods of curriculum implementation in the Chinese EFL context, which provides insights into teachers’ difficulties and development regarding curriculum reforms on a longer timeline. Second, students’ performance and perceptions are included as important data sources to assess the effectiveness of the LSs and teachers’ development.
Making RealDolls regulation at the border work
Authors: Yi Jisoo , Lee Jun Hee
Published: October 2022

Purpose

In an effort to reduce ambiguity around customs clearance of items deemed pernicious to public morality and present lessons for customs administration, this research aims to explore ways to improve customs clearance for RealDolls. Furthermore, by suggesting specific ideas to improve the process, this research also aims to contribute to the future customs clearance of socially controversial and legally ambiguous items.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have decided to review studies from ethical and legal perspectives to focus on the legislation and its enforcement issues. The literature review is designed to provide insights on how to incorporate legal and ethical reasoning in the customs clearance process for RealDolls. Supplementary interviews were also conducted with criminal lawyers and customs officials to obtain expert knowledge on domestic legislation and customs control against the sex toys industry.

Findings

As a result of the study, it is found that a complete ban on RealDoll infringes on individuals' right to pursue happiness guaranteed by the Constitution and in most cases, cannot be implemented without loopholes. Therefore, it is suggested that the import regulation on RealDolls should be changed to the negative list system, which selectively disapproves certain RealDolls based on a list of RealDolls previously denied clearance by either the Supreme Court or the Customs Clearance Screening Committee. In addition, to have sufficient ethical and legal grounds, it is necessary to expand research on RealDolls regulation and actively introduce the process of obtaining social consensus.

Originality/value

There has been little discussion on regulating RealDolls on the customs clearance level; no specific criterion exists except the public morality clause. This study is vital in that it reviews issues of RealDolls customs clearance from legal and ethical perspectives. Doing so also has a practical significance of providing implications for the customs policies regarding items deemed pernicious to public morality.
Does financial development has (a)symmetric effect on environmental quality: insights from South Africa
Authors: Dada James Temitope , Ojeyinka Titus Ayobami , Al-Faryan Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper investigates the (a)symmetric effects of financial development in the presence of economic growth, energy consumption, urbanization and foreign direct investment on environmental quality of South Africa between 1980 and 2017.

Design/methodology/approach

A robust measure of financial development is generated using banking institutions and non-banking institutions market-based financial development indicators, while environmental quality is measured using carbon footprint, non-carbon footprint and ecological footprint. The objectives of the study are captured using linear and non-linear autoregressive distributed lag.

Findings

The result from the symmetric analysis suggests that financial development stimulates carbon footprint and ecological footprint in the short run; however, financial development abates non-carbon footprint. In the long run, financial development has a significant negative effect on carbon footprint and ecological footprint. However, the asymmetric analysis established strong asymmetric effect in the short run, while no asymmetric effect is found in the long run. The short run asymmetric analysis reveals that positive shock in financial development increases carbon footprint and ecological footprint; however, positive changes in financial development reduce non-carbon footprint. Negative shocks in financial development, on the other hand, have a positive impact carbon footprint, non-carbon footprint and ecological footprint.

Practical implications

The study's outcome implies that the concept of “more finance, more growth” could also be applied to “more finance, better environment” in South Africa. The study offers vital policy suggestions for the realization of sustainable development in South Africa.

Originality/value

This empiric adds to the body of knowledge on the influence of financial development on various components of environmental quality (carbon footprint, non-carbon footprint and ecological footprint) in South Africa.
What can I do for you? Line managers’ behaviors to support return to work for workers with common mental disorders
Authors: Nielsen Karina , Yarker Jo
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Sustainable return to work remains challenging for workers returning after long-term sick leave due to common mental disorders (CMDs): stress, anxiety and depression. Line managers play a significant role in supporting returned workers. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the supportive behaviors of line managers in supporting returned workers.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a longitudinal study with up to three semi-structured interviews with 20 line managers with experience managing returned workers. In these interviews, the authors asked questions about the supportive behaviors line managers enacted to support workers and the role of the context. The authors conducted reflexive thematic analysis.

Findings

The analyses revealed five key strategies, including managing workload, flexible working time arrangements, location of work, mental health check-ups and long-term support. The interviewed line managers reported their own lived experiences and that being aware of the limitations of their role, together with training and support from senior management and human resources (HR), enabled them to provide appropriate support.

Practical implications

The five strategies and the barriers and facilitators to implementing these may enable HR to develop policies and procedures to support line managers, including training of line managers.

Originality/value

This is the first study in the UK on line managers’ behaviors to support workers who have returned to work after a period of long-term sickness absence due to CMDs. The identification of such behaviors is paramount to developing organizational policies and practices. The question, however, remains whether employees see these behaviors as effective.
Becoming immortal: future wellness and medical tourism markets
Authors: Wright Daniel William Mackenzie , Zascerinska Santa
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Is humanity heading to immortal living? If so, what areas of society are playing an active role in achieving this? In order to understand this, the study explores the relationship between immortality and the wellness and medical tourism industry to seek potential relationships between them and ultimately, asks difficult questions about the growth of these tourism sectors and the potential need for greater regulation of them.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking a pragmatic philosophical approach and through the examination of refined information from secondary sources and published material and reports, the study presents original theoretical knowledge and a model exploring tourism and human immortality.

Findings

This paper argues that continued growth in the wellness and medical markets today could lead to a world where transhumanists and cyborgs are present in our world, even taking over from Homo sapiens. The study presents a model highlighting the potential role of wellness and medical tourism markets, illustrating the potential for future consumer services that could further fuel the search for immortality. Thus, how such markets and consumer desires are (in)directly supporting humanities desire for (non-human) immortal existence.

Originality/value

Today, individuals are driven by wellness practices and medical and cosmetic desires and are willing to travel the globe in search of companies who are either capable of carrying out the desired procedures or seeking prices more affordable to them. This research offers novel insights into these complex relationships and maps the affiliation between wellness and medical practices and the concept of immortality.
Examining the effect of consumption values on mobile banking adoption in Bangladesh: the moderating role of perceived security
Authors: Hafez Md.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of consumption values (functional, social, epistemic, and emotional value) on mobile banking (m-banking) usage intention and intention to recommend m-banking services in the context of the Bangladeshi banking sector. Furthermore, this study examines how perceived security moderates the effects of consumption values on m-banking usage intention and recommendation intention.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-structured questionnaire had been used to obtain survey data from a sample of 237 m-banking users in Bangladesh using a convenience sampling method. Data were analyzed by structural equation modeling based on AMOS 23.0.

Findings

The findings show that all the dimensions of consumption values (functional, epistemic, and emotional value) except social value have a significant impact on mobile banking usage intention. In turn, mobile banking usage intention has a substantial direct effect on users' recommendation intention. Furthermore, the results also demonstrate that perceived security moderates the effects of functional values on m-banking usage intention as well as m-banking usage intention on recommendation intention.

Practical implications

These research findings offer insightful guidelines to bank marketers to increase m-banking usage intention and recommendation intention by emphasizing the functional, epistemic, and emotional value of m-banking services as well as safeguarding consumers' perceived security in m-banking transactions.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the body of knowledge by measuring the effects of consumption values dimensions on the m-banking usage intention and recommendation intention which were hardly investigated particularly in the m-banking context. To date, this study is the first attempt to examine how perceived security moderates the effects of consumption values dimensions on the m-banking usage intention as well as m-banking usage intention on recommendation intention. The findings contribute to a theoretical understanding of the importance of consumption values in consumer decision-making, particularly in the rarely studied domain of mobile banking.
Data sharing concepts: a viable system model diagnosis
Authors: Perko Igor
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Artificial intelligence (AI) reasoning is fuelled by high-quality, detailed behavioural data. These can usually be obtained by the biometrical sensors embedded in smart devices. The currently used data collecting approach, where data ownership and property rights are taken by the data scientists, designers of a device or a related application, delivers multiple ethical, sociological and governance concerns. In this paper, the author is opening a systemic examination of a data sharing concept in which data producers execute their data property rights.

Design/methodology/approach

Since data sharing concept delivers a substantially different alternative, it needs to be thoroughly examined from multiple perspectives, among them: the ethical, social and feasibility. At this stage, theoretical examination modes in the form of literature analysis and mental model development are being performed.

Findings

Data sharing concepts, framework, mechanisms and swift viability are examined. The author determined that data sharing could lead to virtuous data science by augmenting data producers' capacity to govern their data and regulators' capacity to interact in the process. Truly interdisciplinary research is proposed to follow up on this research.

Research limitations/implications

Since the research proposal is theoretical, the proposal may not provide direct applicative value but is largely focussed on fuelling the research directions.

Practical implications

For the researchers, data sharing concepts will provide an alternative approach and help resolve multiple ethical considerations related to the internet of things (IoT) data collecting approach. For the practitioners in data science, it will provide numerous new challenges, such as distributed data storing, distributed data analysis and intelligent data sharing protocols.

Social implications

Data sharing may post significant implications in research and development. Since ethical, legislative moral and trust-related issues are managed in the negotiation process, data can be shared freely, which in a practical sense expands the data pool for virtuous research in social sciences.

Originality/value

The paper opens new research directions of data sharing concepts and space for a new field of research.
Exploring gender differences in foreign domestic helpers' mobile information usage
Authors: Ezeamuzie Noyenim Mercy , Rhim Anthony Hae Ryong , Chiu Dickson K.W. , Lung Mavis Man-Wai
Published: October 2022

Purpose

With the increasing computation and communication speed of mobile devices, their use and roles have been repositioned to act more than a communication tool. Around 0.4 million foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) form an integral part of Hong Kong society and have the highest concentrations of FDHs worldwide, but scant studies focus on their mobile technology usage. This study aims to discuss the aforementioned issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This research investigated mobile technology usage by 145 FDHs in Hong Kong with a quantitative survey, covering their actual mobile technology usage, perceptions, influences and adoption barriers.

Findings

Besides communication and connection with friends and family, participants used mobile technology for information seeking, productivity, utility and entertainment. Perception of usefulness was the greatest influence, and they would use any mobile technology once its basic function supports their daily needs. They considered no “very serious barrier,” though data tariff was their biggest concern. Overall, there were some significant differences between genders in the usage of mobile technologies.

Originality/value

Scant studies focus on the mobile technology usage of FDHs. The results reveal the usefulness of mobile technologies to FDHs for government policy-making and for employers and employment agencies to better support the FHDs' daily lives.
Effects of green human resource management practices on green innovation and behavior
Authors: Shah Naimatullah , Soomro Bahadur Ali
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study explores green human resource management in Pakistan's automobile industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The nature of the study is quantitative, with cross-sectional data collected through a survey questionnaire. A convenience sampling strategy is employed to trace employees working in the automobile industry. In total, 400 surveys are distributed, with 190 responses received. The response rate is recorded as 47%.

Findings

By employing structural equation modeling (SEM), the study finds positive and significant effects of green employee involvement (GEI), green compensation and reward (GCR), green performance management (GPM), green training and development (GTD), and green recruitment and selection (GRS) on task-related green behaviors (TRGB), voluntary green behaviors (VGB), and green innovation (GI).

Practical implications

The study's findings add greater depth to the knowledge about green human resource management (HRM) practices, with a focus on the developing country context. The proposed framework will provide guidelines to policymakers with recommendations on how to influence and implement task-related green behaviors, voluntary green behaviors, and green innovation within green HRM practices.

Originality/value

The conclusions of the study offer empirical confirmation of green HRM practices, task-related green behaviors, voluntary green behaviors, and green innovation in a developing country setting.
Political connections, media coverage and firm performance: evidence from an emerging market
Authors: Hassan Mostafa Kamal , Lahyani Fathia Elleuch , Elgharbawy Adel
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of politically connected directors (PCDs), media coverage and their interaction on firm performance in an emerging market economy (UAE).

Design/methodology/approach

This study relies on the agency theory and the resource dependency theory and uses a panel data set of a sample of non-financial firms listed in the UAE stock market from 2009 to 2016. Data were analyzed using fixed-effects regression. Instrumental variable regression was used to address potential endogeneity.

Findings

PCDs and media are positively associated with firm performance (ROE and Tobin’s q). Media moderates the PCDs–performance relationship, as the interaction between PCDs and media coverage is negatively associated with firm performance. Under growing media attention, reputational concerns prevent PCDs from using their connections to gain particular advantages to their firms to avoid damaging their image.

Practical implications

Regulators need to acknowledge and define the roles of PCDs and media in business governance.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this study is the first empirical examination testing the effect of the interplay between PCDs and media on firm performance in an emerging market economy such as UAE.
High-performance work systems in public service units: examining the social capital and ambidexterity as mediating process
Authors: Ali Muhammad , Freeman Susan , Shen Lei , Xiong Lin , Chudhery Muhammad Adnan Zahid
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study clarifies how intra-organizational social capital (IOSC) and unit-organizational ambidexterity (UOA), using resource-based view and dynamic capability theory, together support organizational value creation. While there is research in strategic human resource management (SHRM) exploring the role of resources and its uses, there remains limited understanding of how resources are linked and their effective utilization in the service sector. This study aims to examine the mediating process linking employee-experienced service-oriented high-performance work systems (SHPWS) experienced by employees and service performance by integrating IOSC and UOA.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses time lagged data from managers and employees of different branches of Chinese state-owned banks. To test the proposed hypotheses, path analysis was applied.

Findings

The path analysis results reveal that employee-experienced SHPWS is an important antecedent of service performance. Moreover, IOSC (as resources) and UOA (uses) strongly mediate the theorized relationship.

Originality/value

This study attempts to refine theory and practice with clearer, more insightful and coherent means to better understand and help unpack the ‘black box’ between SHPWS-performance relationships through a new linkage model.
Erythema nodosum with incidental calciphylaxis secondary to zoledronic acid and denosumab
Authors: Pérez Haded Iván , Bayona D'vera Juan Sebastián , Blanco Espinoza Andrea Sofía , Llamas Castellanos Bruny Carolina , Rolón Cadena Mariam Carolina
Published: October 2022

Erythema nodosum (EN) is the most common clinical presentation of panniculitis, an inflammatory process that affects subcutaneous cellular tissue, characterized by the acute appearance of painful erythematous nodules predominantly in the lower extremities. An unusual case of EN is presented below, secondary to the administration of zoledronic acid (ZA) and denosumab, in which incidental histopathological findings of calciphylaxis were also found.
Private family firms, generations and bank debt
Authors: Díaz‐Díaz Nieves Lidia , García‐Teruel Pedro J. , Martínez‐Solano Pedro
Published: October 2022

This paper focuses on the use of bank debt by private family firms and whether it is higher for the first generations of family businesses than for their descendants and subsequent generations. We use a unique hand‐collected data set of 4,041 private Spanish firms for the years 2004 to 2013. We find statistical evidence that family‐controlled firms make greater use of bank credit. Moreover, we show that first‐generation family firms acquire more bank debt than those of second and subsequent generations. Furthermore, during financial crises, family‐controlled firms were subjected to less rationing, with increased bank financing for first generations.
Diet disparity and diversity predict extinction risk in primates
Authors: Machado F. F. , Jardim L. , Dinnage R. , Brito D. , Cardillo M.
Published: October 2022

Species vary in their vulnerability to extinction according to their biology, ecology, environmental factors and threats to which they are exposed. Diet is an important ecological trait that affects many aspects of a species' biology, including its vulnerability to extinction. Despite the importance of diet as a species' trait, its influence on extinction risk has only been studied in a coarse way, in part due to a lack of detailed diet data covering a large breadth of species or geographic areas. We examined the association between diet and extinction risk in primates, using a high‐resolution dataset covering all major primate lineages and habitats on a global scale. The resolution of the dataset allowed us to calculate multiple biologically informative metrics for diet composition and diversity, allowing us to tease apart what aspects of diet were most important for predicting the risk of extinction, whilst accounting for phylogeny, body mass and geographic range size. Our results showed that both diet disparity and diet diversity predict primate extinction risk, showing that primates that are able to consume more types of items, and items that are more disparate from one another, are less prone to extinction. Furthermore, we found that although closely related species tend to have similar dietary diversity and disparity, these metrics vary widely amongst primate families. Primates with a high diet diversity and disparity may be able to cope better with fluctuations in food availability than species with homogeneous diet items, through a portfolio effect. Understanding the degree of dietary specialization of the species may help guide new studies relating to extinction risk and threats and be useful in future species assessments.
Alcohol and marijuana co‐use among adults with chronic low back pain: Associations with substance misuse, mental health, and pain experience
Authors: Ferrie Mara L. , Rogers Andrew H. , Zvolensky Michael J. , Buckner Julia D.
Published: October 2022

Background and Objectives

Individuals with chronic lower back pain (CLBP) report using alcohol and marijuana to cope with pain. Little research has tested whether co‐use is associated with worse psychological outcomes.

Methods

Participants had CLBP and past‐month alcohol/marijuana co‐use (n = 192), alcohol use (n = 148), marijuana use (n = 78), or no use (n = 101).

Results

Co‐use was associated with more drinking‐related problems, anxiety, and pain anxiety compared to alcohol‐(but not marijuana‐) only, whereas marijuana‐only use was associated with worse psychological outcomes than alcohol use‐only; effect sizes were small to medium.

Discussion and Conclusions

Co‐use and marijuana‐only were associated with worse outcomes than alcohol‐only.

Scientific Significance

The present findings extend current understanding of co‐use by finding that marijuana use among people with CLBP (a group with especially high rates of use of these substances) is associated with worse alcohol‐related problems and psychological outcomes.
Concern for animals, other farmers, or oneself? Assessing farmers' support for a policy to improve animal welfare
Authors: Läpple Doris , Osawe Osayanmon Wellington
Published: October 2022

Public acceptance of farming practices relating to animal welfare is becoming increasingly important for dairy farmers. In this study, we assess dairy farmers' willingness to pay to support a policy aimed at improving calf welfare and link this to farmers' social preferences. We conceptualize the farmer's decision into private reasons and motivations to improve animal welfare or industry reputation. Our data come from a survey with over 400 Irish dairy farmers that included an experimental component. Specifically, we utilized a contingent valuation referendum method to elicit farmers' willingness to pay. We also used a financially incentivized social value orientation scale based on competitive, individualistic, prosocial, and altruistic preferences. Our findings indicate that most farmers are supportive of a policy scheme to improve animal welfare, and higher social value orientation (i.e. more altruistic preferences) is positively associated with higher willingness to pay. More detailed analysis suggests that industry concern is associated with more altruistic preferences but not concern for animal welfare. Our findings have important policy implications as we show that the majority of farmers are willing to financially support the implementation of a policy that can help to prevent public bads.
Upside risk, consumption value, and market returns to food safety
Authors: Hoffmann Vivian , Kariuki Sarah , Pieters Janneke , Treurniet Mark
Published: October 2022

We investigate the effect of a modest food safety premium on semisubsistence farmers' investment in a food safety technology. We demonstrate theoretically that in the face of production uncertainty, a market incentive below the marginal production cost of achieving the safety standard can increase food safety investment among farmers motivated by private health returns. We test this prediction through a randomized controlled trial in Kenya through which members of existing farmer groups were offered an opportunity to purchase a food safety input, and half were offered a 5% market premium for produce that met the associated regulatory standard. Access to the premium more than doubled investment in the food safety technology. In line with the model's prediction, most premium‐induced adoption was by farmers motivated by a combination of health and financial rewards.
Long‐term adverse effects and healthcare burden of rectal cancer radiotherapy: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Morton Alastair J. , Rashid Adil , Shim Joanna S. C. , West Joe , Humes David J. , Grainge Matthew J.
Published: October 2022

Background

As rectal cancer survival increases, more patients survive with potentially severe, long‐term gastrointestinal and genitourinary complications from radiotherapy. The burden of these complications for patients and healthcare services is unclear, which this review aims to quantify.

Methods

Systematic search of Medline and Embase for randomized‐controlled trials (RCTs) and multicentre observational studies published since 2000, reporting hospitalization/procedural intervention for long‐term (>6 months post‐treatment) gastrointestinal or genitourinary complications after radiotherapy and surgery for rectal cancer. Prevalence values were pooled in a meta‐analysis assuming random effects. Organ‐preservation patients were excluded.

Results

4044 records screened; 24 reports from 23 studies included (15 RCTs, 8 Observational), encompassing 15 438 patients. Twenty‐one studies (median follow‐up 60 months) reported gastrointestinal complications post‐radiotherapy: pooled prevalence 11% (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 8–14%). Thirteen reported small bowel obstruction: prevalence 9% (95% CI 6–12%), a 58% increased risk compared with surgery alone (RR 1.58, 95% CI 1.26–1.98, n = 5 studies). Seven reported fistulas: prevalence 1% (95% CI 1–2%). Thirteen reported genitourinary complications: prevalence 4% (95% CI 1–6%); RR 1.10 (95% CI 0.88–1.38, n = 3 studies) compared with surgery alone.

Conclusions

Over 10% of patients are hospitalized for long‐term complications following rectal cancer radiotherapy. Serious gastrointestinal complications are commonplace; late small bowel obstruction is more common in patients having radiotherapy and surgery compared with surgery alone. Patients and clinicians need to be aware of these risks.
Oncological outcome after lateral pelvic lymphadenectomy for low rectal carcinoma: not only an N‐status matter
Authors: Peparini Nadia
Published: October 2022

Tumour deposits (TDs), novel pathological entities, should be considered when estimating the regional and systemic spread of rectal carcinoma and formulating treatment strategies. In fact, TDs may have more severe prognostic impact than lymph node positivity or the lymph node ratio. The assessment of the presence of TDs can be performed only through accurate postoperative pathological examination; however, the detection of TDs is not part of any of the procedures currently used to assess preoperative or intraoperative staging. This review aims to analyse and discuss the impact of TDs on the oncological outcome of patients who undergo surgery for advanced low rectal carcinoma. No prospective study has evaluated the impact of lateral pelvic TDs on oncological outcomes following total mesorectal excision with lateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. Although adequate total mesorectal excision allows for the excision of intramesorectal TDs, lateral pelvic lymph node dissection cannot guarantee the removal of lateral pelvic TDs; moreover, it remains to be determined whether surgical excision of lateral pelvic TDs can impact long‐term outcomes. However, the identification of lateral pelvic TDs strengthens the ‘staging effect’ and limits the ‘therapeutic effect’ of lateral pelvic lymphadenectomy, supporting the rationale for the use of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer. When evaluating the oncological outcomes after total mesorectal excision with lateral pelvic lymphadenectomy, the impact of lateral pelvic TDs should be considered.
Vascular surgery patients in intensive care: a bi‐national cohort study over 15 years
Authors: Doherty Zakary , Savage Nicholas , Milne Charles , Pilcher David
Published: October 2022

Background

To describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted to Intensive Care following vascular surgery, and their subsequent usage of Intensive Care resources, over a 15‐year period in Australia and New Zealand.

Methods

This was a retrospective, bi‐national study of 69 676 adult patients admitted to 179 Intensive Care Unit (ICUs) following vascular surgery between January 2005 and December 2019, using the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Adult Patient Database.

Results

The proportion of ICU bed days used by vascular surgery patients decreased during the study period from 3.6% in 2005 to 2.9% in 2019 (P < 0.001). The cohort had a median age of 73 years, and were most frequently admitted after a carotid endarterectomy (22%) or elective open aneurysm repair (20%). A total of 5.2% of patients did not survive to discharge. Mean annual adjusted mortality decreased during the study period from 6.1% in 2005 to 3.7% in 2019 (P < 0.001). Multiple factors were associated with higher mortality, including gender, hospital case volume and hospital type.

Conclusions

Between 2005 and 2019 survival for vascular surgery patients requiring ICU admission in Australia and New Zealand improved. During the same time the proportion of ICU bed days used by these patients decreased.
Socioeconomic disadvantage and its impact on colorectal cancer in Australia: a scoping review
Authors: Tham Nicole Li , Skandarajah Anita , Hayes Ian Paul
Published: October 2022

Background

Social disparities in cancer survival have been demonstrated in Australia despite a universal healthcare insurance system. Colorectal cancer is common, and reasons for survival disparities related to socioeconomic status need to be investigated and addressed. The aim is to evaluate the current Australian literature concerning the impact of socioeconomic status on colorectal cancer survival and stage at presentation.

Methods

A systematic search of PUBMED, EMBASE, SCOPUS and Clarivate Web of Science databases from January 2010 to March 2022 was performed. Studies investigating the impact of socioeconomic status on colorectal stage at presentation or survival in Australia were included. Data were extracted on author, year of publication, state or territory of origin, patient population, other exposure variables, outcomes and findings and adjustments made.

Results

Of the 14 articles included, the patient populations examined varied in size from 207 to 100 000+ cases. Evidence that socioeconomic disadvantage was associated with poorer survival was demonstrated in eight of 12 studies. Evidence of effect on late stage at presentation was demonstrated in two of seven studies. Area‐level measures were commonly used to assess socioeconomic status, with varying indices utilized.

Conclusion

There is limited evidence that socioeconomic status is associated with late‐stage at presentation. More studies provide evidence of an association between socioeconomic disadvantage and poorer survival, especially larger studies utilizing less clinically‐detailed cancer registry data. Further investigation is required to analyse why socioeconomic disadvantage may be associated with poorer survival.
Sketching local development: Graphic methods at the intersection of democratic and representational experimentalism
Authors: Bertoncin Marina , Pase Andrea , Peterle Giada
Published: October 2022

Recent debates on ‘graphic’ geographies and the reinterpretation of the notion of ‘democratic experimentalism’ in local development suggest the rise of a new ‘representational experimentalism’ that explores graphic methods for place‐based approaches. Graphic methods of research can assist geographers in conducting and presenting the results of place‐based research to wider audiences. Graphic products of research function as tools for storytelling and spatial planning. They can also provide intersubjective dialogue between researchers, local communities, and local governments to create more inclusive place‐based narratives. In this paper, we present a verbo‐visual manifesto and an illustrated fieldwork journal as two empirical examples of possible ways to engage with graphic methods and realise the potential graphic outputs of research. These graphic products are the result of a collaboration between geographers, students in Local Development and Sustainable Territorial Development (at the University of Padua), two professional illustrators, and a group of local stakeholders; they used scribing and observational drawing as place‐based graphic methods during a residential seminar at the Po Delta, in north‐eastern Italy. This paper contributes to both recent debates on creative methods in local development and the study of the use graphic and visual methods in geography. It proposes graphic methods as a way for embracing place‐based approaches to local development in peripheral, fragile, and contested areas, making hidden voices visible.