bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of female participation in top management teams on the growth performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Authors: Wu Peiyan , Yao Xiaofang , Muhammad Shakeel
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the relationship between the female participation in top management team (TMT) and the growth performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Chinese economic environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting resource dependence theory, this paper tests the hypotheses using panel data from 469 Chinese-listed SMEs during the period of 2011 to 2013.

Findings

The results show that female participation in TMT significantly promotes the growth performance of SMEs, and there is significantly inverted U-shaped relationship between these two variables.

Originality/value

This paper finds that education level weakens the inverted U-shaped relationship between the female’s participation in TMT and the growth performance of SMEs.
Women in the boardroom and their impact on default risk: a pitch
Authors: Ali Searat
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this pitch research letter (PRL) is to apply the pitching template developed by Faff (2015) to an academic project on boardroom gender diversity and default risk.

Design/methodology/approach

The pitching template helps the pitcher to identify the core elements that form the framework of the research project. The PRL encloses a brief background about the pitcher and pitch, followed by a brief commentary on the pitch and personal reflections of the pitcher on the pitch exercise itself.

Findings

One of the best aspects of the pitching template is that it forced the researchers to think each item over and over, enabling a synthesis of scattered ideas in a systematic way. Hence, it is strongly recommend learning and applying the pitching template as a tool to refine embryonic research ideas and to track the progress on the research projects.

Originality/value

This PRL is novel as it highlights the worth of performing the pitching exercise (i.e. quality publication), potential adoptability challenge and solutions (i.e. unfamiliarity and training), systematic process of learning the pitching template and application of the “rule of three” in pitching research. Such reflections are believed to be useful for early career researchers (ECRs).
No advertising, but more sponsorship?
Authors: Zhang Qian , Wu Chao , Qiao Han , Wang Shouyang
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper is dedicated to answer two questions: What is the business model of interactive television (iTV) ad at China’s Spring Festival Gala; and Why the business model of iTV ad creates different commercial values for different firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The two questions can be summarized as what and why problems; so, this paper adopts the method of the qualitative case study. For the first question, this paper uses the method of system activity diagram to design the business model. For the second question, this paper proposes a new analytical method – voice, incentive and convenience (VIC) model, which is used to analyze the commercial value of iTV ad. The proposal of VIC model is based on Wang et al.’s Iceberg theory.

Findings

The effect of interactive advertising is significantly better than that of traditional advertising, and interactive advertising is becoming the first choice for marketers. The business model innovation of iTV ad brings new business opportunities. In addition, the larger the area of the triangle surrounded by the three elements of VIC, the higher the commercial value of iTV ad.

Originality/value

Current business model studies focus on business model definitions and innovations, whereas the studies on business model evaluation and its influential factors are rare. A new analytical model named VIC is proposed. It explores the effect of VIC on the commercial value of iTV ad and provides a reference for the quantitative empirical analysis. The combination of activity system theory and VIC model contributes to the understanding of the explicit knowledge and tacit knowledge of iTV ad business model. This framework can be used to guide TV stations and stakeholders for business model innovations and optimizations.
How middle managers’ participation in decision-making influences firm innovation performance
Authors: Cheng Hong , Song Feifei , Li Dandan
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to re-examine the effect of middle managers’ participation in decision-making (DM) on the innovation performance of Chinese manufacturing firms. It also testifies the intermediation channels regarding how middle managers’ participation influences firm innovation performance by testing the mediating effect.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper constructs a model that determines firm innovation and tests the hypotheses with econometric regressions using first-hand data from the China Employer–Employee Survey. Semiparametric and intersectional regressions are used to show how middle managers’ participation in DM influences Chinese firm innovation after controlling for the characteristics of middle manager personnel, entrepreneurs, frontline workers, firm, industry and country.

Findings

This paper empirically shows that middle managers’ participation in DM has a significantly positive effect on firm innovation. After testing the mediating effect, the findings show that the improvement of middle managers’ DM participation leads to a certain increase in technicians and a reduced dependence on government. In this regard, middle managers’ participation is complementary to the human capital of entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

This paper measures the degree of middle managers’ participation in DM according to four indicators. It focuses on the influence mechanisms of middle managers’ participation in DM on firm innovation performance, based on their ability to allocate external and internal resources. These findings will be useful for investigating management resource reallocation within firms for developing countries.
Purchase decision: does too much choice leave us unhappy?
Authors: Tang Yun-Chia , Hsieh Yi-Ching , Chiu Hung-Chang
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine how and when choice variety influences consumers’ willingness to purchase, according to a personal emotion perspective. The choice paradox indicates that although having many choices can be beneficial, it can also cause customer decision paralysis and unhappiness. This article proposes that the desire and motivation to process information vary from person to person, and emotional factors are relevant.

Design/methodology/approach

With a 2 × 2 experimental design, this study examines the influence of the interaction of choice variety with need for cognition (NFC) on positive and negative emotions, and then tests the mediating effects on purchase intentions. The sample includes 214 college students, assigned randomly to self-assessment questionnaires.

Findings

Both high NFC respondents in the high variety condition and low NFC respondents in the low variety condition exhibit more positive emotions than low NFC respondents in the high variety condition but not more than high NFC respondents in the low variety condition. Positive (negative) emotions increase (decrease) consumers’ purchase intentions.

Research limitations/implications

The experiment was conducted in a virtual store, which may not match real-life store environments or reflect participants’ actual purchase behaviours, so additional research should consider the influence of involvement further.

Practical implications

The results offer suggestions for developing more effective communication with emotions, increasing involvement to maintain consumers’ positive emotions and relieve their confusion, and managing product variety.

Originality/value

This article meets the identified need to study how choice variety influences consumers’ willingness to purchase from a personal emotion perspective.
Closed-ended and open-ended fit articulation
Authors: Skard Siv , Thorbjornsen Helge
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Previous research suggests that firms should articulate incongruent sponsorships to provide a rationale for the relationship between sponsor and sponsorship object. Fit articulation is a strategy that communicates shared associations between sponsor and object. Based on conclusion explicitness theory, this paper aims to conceptualize and tests two fit articulation strategies in sponsorships: open-ended and closed-ended.

Design/methodology/approach

Research hypotheses were tested in two experiments.

Findings

Only open-ended fit articulation improved brand attitudes. Mediation analyses show that while open-ended articulation influenced brand attitudes through brand image (Study 1 and Study 2) and altruistic motive attributions (Study 2), there was an indirect effect of closed-ended articulation on brand attitudes through global fit perceptions (Study 2).

Practical implications

The results from two experiments suggest that incongruent sponsors should use open-ended conclusions about a shared image dimension. Although explicit arguments may increase global perceptions of fit, they may impede a positive impact on the articulated brand image dimension and generation of altruistic motive attribution. Therefore, sponsorship managers should be careful in terms of using explicit arguments for fit when the sponsorship is incongruent because such arguments may hinder articulation from generating goodwill and a positive brand image.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to develop and test different types of fit articulation strategies in sponsorships.
Mobile masculinities: performances of remasculation
Authors: Cruz Angela Gracia B. , Buchanan-Oliver Margo
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how marketplace-enabled performances help reconstitute masculinity in the context of transnational mobility.

Design/methodology/approach

Grounded in consumer acculturation theory, this paper draws on theories of gender performance to inform a hermeneutic analysis of depth interviews with skilled migrant men.

Findings

To navigate experiences of emasculation, participants performed three remasculation strategies: status-based hypermasculinity, localised masculinity and flexible masculinity.

Research limitations/implications

This study offers insights for the design of migrant settlement policy. Further research should investigate the remasculation strategies of low resource migrant men.

Originality/value

This paper makes two contributions to theories of gendered acculturation. First, while studies of acculturation as a gendered performance have shown how marketplace resources support the gendered identity projects of female migrants and the children of migrants, this paper provides the missing perspective of skilled migrant men. Beyond acting as “resistant” cultural gatekeepers of their family members’ gendered acculturation practices, first-generation migrant men emerge as creative, agentic and skilled negotiators of countervailing gender regimes. Second, transnationally dispersed families, migrant communities and country of origin networks emerge not only as acculturating agents which transmit gender regimes but also as audiences which enable the staging of remasculating performances.
Analysing information security in a bank using soft systems methodology
Authors: Damenu Temesgen Kitaw , Beaumont Chris
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the use of soft systems methodology (SSM) to analyse the socio-technical information security issues in a major bank.

Design/methodology/approach

Case study research was conducted on a major bank. Semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of key stakeholders in the business, comprising senior managers, security professionals and branch employees were conducted.

Findings

SSM was particularly useful for exploring the holistic information security issues, enabling models to be constructed which were valuable analytical tools and easily understood by stakeholders, which increased the receptiveness of the bank, and assisted with member validation. Significant risks were apparent from internal sources with weaknesses in aspects of governance and security culture.

Research limitations/implications

This research uses a single case study and whilst it cannot be generalised, it identifies potential security issues others may face and solutions they may apply.

Practical implications

Information security is complex and addresses technical, governance, management and cultural risks. Banking attacks are changing, with greater focus on employees and customers. A systemic approach is required for full consideration. SSM is a suitable approach for such analysis within large organisations.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates how important benefits can be obtained by using SSM alongside traditional risk assessment approaches to identify holistic security issues. A holistic approach is particularly important given the increasing complexity of the security threat surface. Banking was selected as a case study because it is both critical to society and is a prime target for attack. Furthermore, developing economies are under-represented in information security research, this paper adds to the evidence base. As global finance is highly interconnected, it is important that banks in such economies do not comprise a weak link, and hence, results from this case have value for the industry as a whole.
The fair sex and unfair treatment in management of community-based organizations
Authors: Freund Anat
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of gender on the organizational commitments of managers in community-based organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 327 managers in community-based organizations were asked about their work attitudes. LISREL analysis was performed. The dependent variable was the intention to withdraw from the organization. The questionnaires were mailed to the sampled population. In all, 202 questionnaires were returned, representing a 62 percent response rate.

Findings

Findings show that for women, job involvement was related to affective organizational commitment and to career commitment, but not to continuance organizational commitment. The current research offers an alternative path structure to that of Randall and Cote’s (1991) original model, which does not relate job involvement to continuance organizational commitment. As for men, the author found a significant relationship between job involvement, career commitment, and affective organizational commitment. Hence, men’s work attitudes in this study are consistent with those elicited in the original research model. Regarding the factors influencing withdrawal intentions among women, the author found that career commitment influenced the initial intention to withdraw from the organization and thinking of quitting. The author also found that affective organizational commitment influenced initial intention to withdraw, thinking of quitting, and search intentions. Among men, there was a significant relationship between job involvement, career commitment, and affective organizational commitment.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should use multiple informants for assessing the model as well as a longitudinal design. Another potential avenue of research is to examine whether the findings hold true across professions and sectors.

Practical implications

The findings are important for community-based organizations because they are not-for-profit organizations; therefore, the provision of good service to the community is based on managers’ high levels of commitment. In addition, results could assist managers in developing a policy to bolster adequate work attitudes by considering the differences between men and women, in order to retain high-quality workers in the organization.

Social implications

The social contribution of this study derives from the demographic differences found between men and women, and according to the literature that supports the inclusion of different genders, cultures, and social groups in community-based organizations.

Originality/value

The findings are important for community-based organizations because they are not-for-profit organizations and therefore good service to the community is based on high commitment of managers.
Organisational learning in SMEs: a process improvement perspective
Authors: Matthews Rupert Lawrence , MacCarthy Bart L. , Braziotis Christos
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how organisational learning (OL) can occur through process improvement (PI) activities, leading to sustained improvements over time in the context of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors study PI practices in six engineering-oriented SMEs via interview-based case studies. The authors draw from a range of literature and use an OL conceptual framework informed by Crossan et al.’s (1999) 4I framework as an analytical lens.

Findings

The OL perspective provides new insights to conceptualise the nature of PI as a multi-level practice in SMEs. Effective PI practices within SMEs are shown to be consistent with OL concepts, enabling firms to translate individually identified improvement opportunities into organisational-level changes that result in sustained benefits. A new conceptual model is presented that explains how SMEs can learn through improvement activities. The key role of management support, both operational and strategic, is highlighted. It is necessary for management to provide sufficient PI opportunities to enable and sustain beneficial learning.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on a sample of engineering-oriented SMEs located in the UK. Further case-based, longitudinal, and survey-based research studies with firms of different types will enhance the generalisability of the findings, allowing the confirmation and extension of the new conceptual model.

Practical implications

The findings provide a theoretically underpinned framework for achieving OL in engineering-oriented SMEs through PI activities. The new model highlights the key mechanisms that enable learning from improvement activities. The findings highlight the key role played by management in introducing additional learning opportunities in the form of new business that requires exploratory learning. Without this, the reduction in improvement opportunities reduces the benefits that can be realised from PI.

Originality/value

OL provides a multi-level perspective to understanding how smaller firms are able to undergo systematic improvements and the support required to continually improve.
Manufacturer-supplier relationships and service performance in service triads
Authors: Karatzas Antonios , Johnson Mark , Bastl Marko
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of the manufacturer-supplier relationship in service performance within service triads.

Design/methodology/approach

An abductive case-research approach was adopted, using three embedded cases and 26 interviews in complex, multilevel manufacturer-supplier relationships within the same service network. Cannon and Perreault’s (1999) multidimensional relationship framework was deployed to achieve granular and nuanced insight.

Findings

This study corroborates the idea that relational relationships within service triads and servitization improve performance. The role of each relationship dimension in service performance is discerned and their interplay is captured in an analytic model. Information exchange, supplier relationship-specific adaptations, and the degree of formalization of the relationship directly influence performance, while cooperative norms and operational linkages are further back in the causal ordering. The study also highlights the importance of contingent factors (the size of the service site, the proportion of its revenues coming from service contract activities) and how they affect the relationship dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

The work was conducted in one network and the findings were generalized to theory rather than additional empirical settings.

Originality/value

This study is the first to derive a contextualized causal ordering of the Cannon and Perreault (1999) framework of relationship connectors and link it with service performance.
Exploring the meaningfulness of healthcare organizations: a multiple case study
Authors: Palumbo Rocco , Annarumma Carmela , Musella Marco
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Patient empowerment has been variously depicted as a new paradigm inspiring the patient-provider relationship. To the authors’ knowledge, scholars have focused most of their attention on patient enablement. Alternatively, the ability of health care organizations to establish a comfortable and co-creating partnership with the patients has been overlooked. In an attempt to fill this gap, the purpose of this paper is to delve into the meaningfulness of health care organizations, embracing the “organizational health literacy” perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

In line with the exploratory nature of this research, a multiple case study approach was taken. It concerned three large public hospitals operating within the Italian National Health Service. The meaningfulness of health care organizations was investigated drawing on the organizational health literacy construct.

Findings

The health care organizations were unaware of several crucial issues to improve their meaningfulness. Problematic organizational health literacy was found to prevent patient involvement and to negatively affect the quality of interaction between the patients and the health care professionals.

Practical implications

Inadequate organizational health literacy impoverishes the ability of health care organizations to empower the patients and to engage them in value co-creation. The institutional purposes of empowering the patients and involving them in the provision of care require tailored interventions intended to improve organizational meaningfulness.

Originality/value

This is one of the first attempts to examine the meaningfulness of health care organizations through the lenses of organizational health literacy. Both quality of care and health outcomes are expected to benefit from the enhancement of organizational health literacy.
Modeling errors in parts supply processes for assembly lines feeding
Authors: Caputo Antonio Casimiro , Pelagagge Pacifico Marcello , Salini Paolo
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a quantitative model to assess probability of errors and errors correction costs in parts feeding systems for assembly lines.

Design/methodology/approach

Event trees are adopted to model errors in the picking-handling-delivery-utilization of materials containers from the warehouse to assembly stations. Error probabilities and quality costs functions are developed to compare alternative feeding policies including kitting, line stocking and just-in-time delivery. A numerical case study is included.

Findings

This paper confirms with quantitative evidence the economic relevance of logistic errors (LEs) in parts feeding processes, a problem neglected in the existing literature. It also points out the most frequent or relevant error types and identifies specific corrective measures.

Research limitations/implications

While the model is general purpose, conclusions are specific to each applicative case and are not generalizable, and some modifications may be required to adapt it to specific industrial cases. When no experimental data are available, human error analysis should be used to estimate event probabilities based on underlying modes and causes of human error.

Practical implications

Production managers are given a quantitative decision tool to assess errors probability and errors correction costs in assembly lines parts feeding systems. This allows better comparing of alternative parts feeding policies and identifying corrective measures.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to develop quantitative models for estimating LEs and related quality cost, allowing a comparison between alternative parts feeding policies.
Open and closed knowledge sourcing
Authors: Ham Juyeon , Choi Byounggu , Lee Jae-Nam
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Many studies have investigated the relationship between the adoption of open innovation and performance in large firms. However, limited research is available with regard to the use of open innovation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). SMEs are important because of their contribution to innovation in almost all economies. The purpose of this paper is to extend the current literature by focusing on SMEs. Using complementarity and knowledge-based theories, this study develops three hypotheses to identify the effect of knowledge sourcing approaches for innovation on SMEs’ innovation performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Surveys collected from 196 SMEs in Korea were analyzed using the supermodularity function to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Results indicate that an external knowledge-oriented approach has no significant effect, whereas an internal knowledge-oriented (i.e. closed) approach has a positive effect on innovation performance. Interestingly, this study found that open innovation has a negative effect on SMEs’ innovation performance (i.e. both internal knowledge-oriented and external knowledge-oriented approaches have a substitutive relationship).

Originality/value

This study sheds new light on open innovation and knowledge management research by identifying the relationship between knowledge sourcing approaches for innovation, and innovation performance in SMEs. Practical implications highlight that open innovation could impede SMEs’ innovation performance.
Europe leads the way in assistive robots for the elderly
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to provide details of European research projects and product developments involving robots that can assist the ageing population.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an introduction, the role of assistive robots and research into the nature of the human–robot interaction are considered. The paper then discusses a selection of European research projects and a number of companies producing or developing assistive robots. Finally, brief conclusions are drawn.

Findings

In recognition of the fact that the growing, ageing population has needs that place an unsustainable burden on carers and healthcare providers, Europe is investing heavily in assistive robots. Many European Union-funded, collaborative projects have been conducted and several continue today which build on the extensive body of earlier research. Significant progress is being made, and assistive robot research has moved on from purely technological developments to field trials involving real people in realistic environments. Several products exist or are at an advanced stage of development and have often benefited or arisen from these projects. Europe is in a very strong position to capitalise on this emerging market opportunity.

Originality/value

This provides a detailed insight into European assistive robot development activities.
Toward a unified model of human information behavior: an equilibrium perspective
Authors: Liu Jiqun
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to build a unified model of human information behavior (HIB) for integrating classical constructs and reformulating the structure of HIB theory.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs equilibrium perspective from partial equilibrium theory to conceptualization and deduction, starting from four basic assumptions.

Findings

This paper develops two models to incorporate previous HIB research approaches into an equilibrium-analysis-oriented information supply-demand (ISD) framework: first, the immediate-task/problem-based and everyday life information-seeking (ELIS)-sense-making approaches are incorporated into the short-term ISD model; second, the knowledge-construction-oriented and ability-based HIB research approaches are elaborated by the long-term ISD model. Relations among HIB theories are illustrated via the method of graphical reasoning. Moreover, these two models jointly reveal the connection between information seeking in immediate problematic situations and long-term ability improvement.

Originality/value

The equilibrium framework enables future research to explore HIB from three perspectives: stages: group the classical concepts (e.g. anomalous state of knowledge, uncertainty) into different stages (i.e. start state, process, goal state) and see how they interact with each other within and across different stages; forces: explore information behaviors and information-related abilities as information supply and demand forces, and see how different forces influence each other and jointly motivate people to pursue the equilibriums between outside world and mental model; and short term and long term: study the connections between short-term information seeking and long-term ability improvement at both theoretical and empirical levels.
“A wound that has been festering since 2007”
Authors: Luyt Brendan
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The Burma/Myanmar naming controversy on Wikipedia stands as an exemplary debate at least in terms of the politeness and civility of discourse. It was also one of the longer running debates on Wikipedia beginning almost at the same time as the creation of the article in 2003. But this debate has other lessons for those interested in one of the world’s key pieces of information infrastructure. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The author’s approach to the study of the Wikipedia talk pages devoted to the Burma/Myanmar naming controversy is qualitative in nature and explores the debate over sources through textual analysis.

Findings

Editors brought to their work a number of underlying assumptions including the primacy of the nation-state and the nature of a “true” encyclopedia. These were combined with a particular interpretation of neutral point of view (NPOV) policy that unnecessarily prolonged the debate and, more importantly, would have the effect, if widely adopted, of reducing Wikipedia’s potential to include multiple perspectives on any particular topic.

Originality/value

The study clearly shows how editors tend to uncritically reproduce the dominant assumptions of their societies. When combined with positivist readings of NPOV policy, this has grave implications for Wikipedia’s potential to open up representation to a wider set of knowledge producers and perspectives. Much of this potential cannot be realized if the assumptions of editors, especially their flawed understanding of NPOV, cannot be challenged effectively.
A “think piece” on intelligence, investigation and prosecution
Authors: Fitzpatrick David
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to expose the failure of the criminal justice system of England and Wales to provide an effective response to widespread fraud and to point to sources from which a new doctrine may be created. The author’s approach draws on public sources, in particular, recent Home Office publications, the work of the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee and studies undertaken by the Mayor of London’s offices in 2014/2015.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a critical assessment of the criminal justice system based on the author’s own experience as a fraud prosecutor.

Findings

Among the findings is that, while the failings of the current system have been apparent for some years, the extent and depth of the same failings have not been publicly realised, nor sufficiently acknowledged by the authorities. It has become obvious that the traditional response of the criminal justice system, when employed against fraud, will fail for want of anything corresponding to the resources required. A new doctrine will emerge as the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 is revised and more flexibly employed. The Criminal Finances Bill also holds much promise, in particular, with its new offences akin to money laundering and the provision of powers of investigation at a significantly lower level of command among investigators. However, there remains an apparent reluctance in law enforcement to explain its methodology or to support reform, which would allow a fuller sharing of intelligence and appreciations of threats posed by fraud derived from intelligence with the financial services sector and the victim public.

Originality/value

The value of the paper is derived from the author’s long experience as a fraud prosecutor and as an adviser to the government, on fraud and organised crime, in a closely related jurisdiction with similar problems, but where greater success has been achieved, namely, Hong Kong.
Classification shifting: impact of firm life cycle
Authors: Nagar Neerav , Sen Kaustav
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether firms in the decline stage of lifecycle manipulate core or operating income through misclassification of operating expenses as income-decreasing special items.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprises of firms from an emerging market, India with data from 1996 to 2011. The paper uses the methodology given in McVay’s (2006) work and multiple regressions.

Findings

Managers of Indian firms also engage in classification shifting, primary incentive being the desire to avoid reporting of operating losses. Furthermore, the use of classification shifting is dependent upon the stage of lifecycle in which firm is in. Specifically, firms in the decline stage of lifecycle are more likely to use classification shifting to avoid reporting of operating losses.

Practical implications

The paper sheds light on a critical phase of the firm lifecycle, decline, which increases the possibility of the use of classification shifting, an earnings management technique which is tough to detect. Firms in decline, thus, may be trying to fool the investors who are infusing capital to save the company from going bankrupt; regulators, who are likely to focus less on troubled firms; and auditors, who may not be expecting core income manipulation in such firms.

Originality/value

The paper extends the literature on classification shifting and presents first evidence that such shifting is more likely to take place during the decline phase of firm lifecycle.
Adenovirus vector expressing keratinocyte growth factor using CAG promoter impairs pulmonary function of mice with elastase‐induced emphysema
Authors: Oki Hiroshi , Yazawa Takuya , Baba Yasuko , Kanegae Yumi , Sato Hanako , Sakamoto Seiko , Goto Takahisa , Saito Izumu , Kurahashi Kiyoyasu
Published: May 2017

Pulmonary emphysema impairs quality of life and increases mortality. It has previously been shown that administration of adenovirus vector expressing murine keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) before elastase instillation prevents pulmonary emphysema in mice. We therefore hypothesized that therapeutic administration of KGF would restore damage to lungs caused by elastase instillation and thus improve pulmonary function in an animal model. KGF expressing adenovirus vector, which prevented bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis in a previous study, was constructed. Adenovirus vector (1.0 × 109 plaque‐forming units) was administered intratracheally one week after administration of elastase into mouse lungs. One week after administration of KGF–vector, exercise tolerance testing and blood gas analysis were performed, after which the lungs were removed under deep anesthesia. KGF‐positive pneumocytes were more numerous, surfactant protein secretion in the airspace greater and mean linear intercept of lungs shorter in animals that had received KGF than in control animals. Unexpectedly, however, arterial blood oxygenation was worse in the KGF group and maximum running speed, an indicator of exercise capacity, had not improved after KGF in mice with elastase‐induced emphysema, indicating that KGF‐expressing adenovirus vector impaired pulmonary function in these mice. Notably, vector lacking KGF‐expression unit did not induce such impairment, implying that the KGF expression unit itself may cause the damage to alveolar cells. Possible involvement of the CAG promoter used for KGF expression in impairing pulmonary function is discussed.
Hypertension Induced by Tyrosine‐Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma in Hemodialysis Patients: A Single‐Center Experience and Review of the Literature
Authors: Nakai Kentaro , Fujii Hideki , Kono Keiji , Goto Shunsuke , Nishi Shinichi
Published: May 2017

Malignancy is a major cause of mortality in dialysis patients. Although molecular‐targeted anticancer drugs, including tyrosine‐kinase inhibitors, are used for advanced renal cell carcinoma treatment, there are few reports on their effectiveness and safety in dialysis patients. Renal cell carcinoma dialysis patients treated at our hospital from 2010 to 2013 participated in this study. Thirteen patients were treated with tyrosine‐kinase inhibitors and 15 patients with surgery only (control group). During treatment, blood pressure changes and dry weight reduction tended to be greater in the tyrosine‐kinase inhibitor group than in controls. More intensive management of hypertension was necessary in the tyrosine‐kinase inhibitor group than in the controls. Renal cell carcinoma treatment by tyrosine‐kinase inhibitors increased blood pressure in hemodialysis patients. We should prevent and manage hypertension carefully by adjusting antihypertensive drugs and dry weight in renal cell carcinoma patients.
CEO Power and Relative Performance Evaluation
Authors: Dikolli Shane S. , Diser Viktoria , Hofmann Christian , Pfeiffer Thomas
Published: May 2017

We model relative performance evaluation (RPE) when a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has the power to opportunistically influence the design of RPE by choosing the weight on an index‐based peer group or by customizing the selection of peers comprising a peer group. A powerful CEO compares the benefits of reducing common risk affecting his compensation with the benefits of receiving a higher bonus by economizing on expected peer‐group performance. As a consequence, the Board of Directors (BoD) is less likely to use RPE. Our analytical model yields hypotheses predicting that powerful CEOs choose to reduce common risk only partially and that BoDs choose to not implement RPE if expected peer performance is sufficiently high. Our model has further empirical implications in (i) providing new interpretations of tests for detecting strong‐form and weak‐form RPE in the presence of powerful CEOs, and (ii) suggesting a new empirical measure of CEO power with a focus on the delegation of RPE decision rights.
Drivers of present and lifetime natural resource use in a tropical biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Reuter K. E. , Sewall B. J. , Di Minin E.
Published: May 2017

Effective biodiversity conservation requires an understanding of the drivers of natural resource use. Few studies, however, have examined how motivations of natural resource users and attributes of local social organizations affect resource extraction over time. We aimed to identify which characteristics of individuals (taboos, food security, resource‐related income), groups (village size, ease of access to education, proximity to park), and institutions (presence of enforcement mechanisms) best predicted use of multiple types of natural resources near a protected area during the past 1.5 years and during respondents’ lifetimes. Data were collected in 2013 via semi‐structured interviews with 360 people across ten villages along the perimeter of Ankarana National Park (northern Madagascar). All recent and lifetime uses of natural resources examined were higher in villages close to the park and for respondents with a history of earning money from extracting natural resources. In addition, individuals with ancestral meat‐related taboos were less likely to have extracted natural resources over their lifetime, while individuals who recently consumed meat were more likely to have extracted natural resources over the past 1.5 years. All other variables were less important in explaining the use of natural resources. The results highlight that some drivers can be consistently important in predicting natural resource use and that simple models can have relatively high explanatory power even in the context of the (sometimes) illegal extraction of five different types of natural resources.
Repetitive Supra‐Physiological Shear Stress Impairs Red Blood Cell Deformability and Induces Hemolysis
Authors: Horobin Jarod T. , Sabapathy Surendran , Simmonds Michael J.
Published: May 2017

The supra‐physiological shear stress that blood is exposed to while traversing mechanical circulatory assist devices affects the physical properties of red blood cells (RBCs), impairs RBC deformability, and may induce hemolysis. Previous studies exploring RBC damage following exposure to supra‐physiological shear stress have employed durations exceeding clinical instrumentation, thus we explored changes in RBC deformability following exposure to shear stress below the reported “hemolytic threshold” using shear exposure durations per minute (i.e., duty‐cycles) reflective of that employed by circulatory assist devices. Blood collected from 20 male donors, aged 18–38 years, was suspended in a viscous medium and exposed to an intermittent shear stress protocol of 1 s at 100 Pa, every 60 s for 60 duty‐cycles. During the remaining 59 s/min, the cells were left at stasis until the subsequent duty‐cycle commenced. At discrete time points (15/30/45/60 duty‐cycles), an ektacytometer measured RBC deformability immediately after shear exposure at 100 Pa. Plasma‐free hemoglobin, a measurement of hemolysis, was quantified via spectrophotometry. Supra‐physiological shear stress impaired RBC properties, as indicated by: (1) decreased maximal elongation of RBCs at infinite shear stress following 15 duty‐cycles (P <0.05); (2) increased real‐time RBC deformability during application of the supra‐physiological shear stress protocol (100 Pa) following exposure to 1 duty‐cycle (F (1.891, 32.15) = 12.21, P = 0.0001); and (3) increased plasma‐free hemoglobin following 60 duty‐cycles (P < 0.01). The present study indicates that exposure of RBCs to short‐term, repeated supra‐physiological shear stress, impairs RBC deformability, with the extent of impairment exacerbated with each duty‐cycle, and ultimately precipitates hemolysis.
Impact of genotype on leukaemic transformation in polycythaemia vera and essential thrombocythaemia
Authors: Alvarez‐Larrán Alberto , Senín Alicia , Fernández‐Rodríguez Concepción , Pereira Arturo , Arellano‐Rodrigo Eduardo , Gómez Montse , Ferrer‐Marin Francisca , Martínez‐López Joaquín , Camacho Laura , Colomer Dolors , Angona Anna , Navarro Blanca , Cervantes Francisco , Besses Carlos , Bellosillo Beatriz , Hernández‐Boluda Juan Carlos
Published: May 2017

The influence of driver mutations on leukaemic transformation was analysed in 1747 patients with polycythaemia vera or essential thrombocythaemia. With a median follow‐up of 7·2 years, 349 patients died and 62 progressed to acute leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. Taking death as a competing risk, CALR genotype was associated with a lower risk of transformation [subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR): 0·13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0·2–0·9, P = 0·039], whereas JAK2 V617F showed borderline significance for higher risk (SHR: 2·05, 95% CI: 0·9–4·6, P = 0·09). Myelofibrotic transformation increased leukaemic risk, except in CALR‐mutated patients. Next generation sequencing of 51 genes at the time of transformation showed additional mutations (median number: 3; range: 1–5) in 25 out of 29 (86%) assessable cases. Mutations (median: 1; range: 1–3) were detected in 67% of paired samples from the chronic phase. Leukaemia appeared in a JAK2 V617F negative clone in 17 (58%) cases, eleven of them being previously JAK2 V617F‐positive. JAK2 V617F‐mutated leukaemia was significantly associated with complex karyotype and acquisition of TP53 mutations, whereas EZH2 and RUNX1 mutations were more frequent in JAK2 V617F‐negative leukaemia. Survival was longer in JAK2 V617F‐unmutated leukaemia (343 days vs. 95 days, P = 0·003). In conclusion, CALR genotype is associated with a lower risk of leukaemic transformation. Leukaemia arising in a JAK2 V617F‐negative clone is TP53 independent and shows better survival.
Exchange Rate Uncertainty and R&D Investment: Evidence from Japanese Firms
Authors: Ito Keiko , Haneda Shoko
Published: May 2017

The Japanese yen is one of the most volatile among developed country currencies. In this paper, we investigate how real effective exchange rate (REER) uncertainty affects firms’ research and development (R&D) investment, using firm‐level panel data for Japanese manufacturing firms for the period 1994–2011. Our results show that firms that are more exposed to REER uncertainty are less responsive to changes in demand conditions. Uncertainty makes firms more cautious when investing, since high uncertainty increases the chances of making a costly mistake. Our finding thus provides evidence of the caution effect of uncertainty. The caution effect also increases the persistence of R&D, implying that R&D investment does not increase much even if firms face favorable demand conditions. Reducing REER uncertainty is important to stimulate R&D investment, especially for firms that are more exposed to international competition and REER uncertainty.
HarmVect – a simulation‐based tool for pathway risk maps of invasive arthropods in Belgium
Authors: Berkvens N. , Jansen F. , Casteels H. , Witters J. , Van Damme V. , Berkvens D.
Published: May 2017

HarmVect is a tool simulating the introduction of arthropods into Belgium. The tool is designed to guide the user to divide the complex arrival of the arthropod into all its potential pathways, which in turn are further subdivided into individual pathway segments. These manageable pathway segments are then used to specify which detailed data the user needs to gather to input into the tool. This information is used to simulate the magnitude of the arthropod population during the successive pathway segments throughout each potential introduction pathway. The tool simulates the fluctuating propagule pressure throughout the successive segments of each pathway to calculate risk indices, which are then used to generate pathway risk maps of the arthropod for Belgium. The tool generates 2 types of pathway risk map: (a) a point of entry pathway (POE) risk map consisting of concentrated hotspots relating to the arthropod's entry at national borders, and (b) a point of appearance (POA) pathway risk map, succeeding the POE and visualizing the locations and level at which undetected propagules of the arthropod are exposed to the outside environment throughout Belgium. In conclusion, the tool produces an establishment risk map for the arthropods, which is generated by combining the POA with a map of climate suitability and host availability.