bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gene surfing of underdominant alleles promotes formation of hybrid zones
Authors: Gilbert Kimberly J. , Moinet Antoine , Peischl Stephan
Published: May 2021

The distribution of genetic diversity over geographic space has long been investigated in population genetics and serves as a useful tool to understand evolution and history of populations. Within some species or across regions of contact between two species, there are instances where there is no apparent ecological determinant of sharp changes in allele frequencies or divergence. To further understand these patterns of spatial genetic structure and potential species divergence, we model the establishment of clines that occur due to the surfing of underdominant alleles during range expansions. We provide analytical approximations for the fixation probability of underdominant alleles at expansion fronts and demonstrate that gene surfing can lead to clines in 1D range expansions. We extend these results to multiple loci via a mixture of analytical theory and individual-based simulations. We study the interaction between the strength of selection against heterozygotes, migration rates, and local recombination rates on the formation of stable hybrid zones. A key result of our study is that clines created by surfing at different loci can attract each other and align after expansion, if they are sufficiently close in space and in terms of recombination distance. Our findings suggest that range expansions can set the stage for parapatric speciation due to the alignment of multiple selective clines, even in the absence of ecologically divergent selection.
Early Disruption of Photoreceptor Cell Architecture and Loss of Vision in a Humanized Pig Model of Usher Syndrome
Authors: Grotz Sophia , Schäfer Jessica , Wunderlich Kirsten A. , Ellederova Zdenka , Auch Hannah , Bähr Andrea , Runa-Vochozkova Petra , Plutniok Janet , Arnold Vanessa , Ardan Taras , Veith Miroslav , Santamaria Gianluca , Dhom Georg , Hitzl Wolfgang , Kessler Barbara , Kurome Mayuko , Zakharchenko Valeri , Linnert Joshua , Fischer Andrea , Blutke Andreas , Döring Anna , Suchankova Stepanka , Popelar Jiri , May-Simera Helen , Laugwitz Karl-Ludwig , Vandenberghe Luk H. , Wolf Eckhard , Nagel-Wolfrum Kerstin , Motlik Jan , Fischer M. Dominik , Wolfrum Uwe , Klymiuk Nikolai
Published: May 2021

Usher syndrome (USH) is the most common form of monogenic deaf-blindness. Loss of vision is untreatable and, so far, there are no suitable animal models for testing therapeutic strategies. By introducing a human mutation into the harmonin-encodingUSH1Cgene in pigs, we generated the first translational animal model for USH type 1 with characteristic hearing defect, vestibular dysfunction and visual impairment. Changes in photoreceptor architecture, quantitative motion analysis and electroretinography were characteristics of the reduced retinal virtue in USH1C pigs. Primary cells from those animals and USH1C patients showed significantly elongated primary cilia, compared to wild-type, confirming the nature of USH as a true and general ciliopathy and proving the therapeutic capacity of gene supplementation and gene repair approaches.
gcaPDA: A Haplotype-resolved Diploid Assembler
Authors: Xie Min , Yang Linfeng , Jiang Chenglin , Wu Shenshen , Luo Cheng , Yang Xin , He Lijuan , Chen Shixuan , Deng Tianquan , Ye Mingzhi , Yan Jianbing , Yang Ning
Published: May 2021

Generating chromosome-scale haplotype resolved assembly is important for functional studies. However, current de novo assemblers are either haploid assemblers that discard allelic information, or diploid assemblers that can only tackle genomes of low complexity. Here, we report a diploid assembler, gcaPDA (gamete cells assisted Phased Diploid Assembler), which exploits haploid gamete cells to assist in resolving haplotypes. We generate chromosome-scale phased diploid assemblies for the highly heterozygous and repetitive genome of a maize F1 hybrid using gcaPDA and evaluate the assembly result thoroughly. With applicability of coping with complex genomes and fewer restrictions on application than other diploid assemblers, gcaPDA is likely to find broad applications in studies of eukaryotic genomes.
Single-Cell Profiling Resolved Transcriptional Alterations and Lineage Dynamics of Subventricular Zone after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Chen Xiameng , Cao Shuqiang , Wang Yinji , Li Manrui , Guo Yadong , Ye Yi , Wang Zheng , Dai Hao , Yang Wenjie , Sun Yuwen , Ou Xiaofeng , He Min , Xie Xiaoqi , Liang Weibo
Published: May 2021

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is the most common form of brain trauma caused by physical impact. The subventricular zone (SVZ) is a neurogenetic niche that contributes to homeostasis and repair after brain injury. It is particularly challenging to fully elucidate the molecular alterations in the SVZ occurring in response to injury due to its cell diversity and the complex network. In this study, we aimed to address this issue using a novel transcriptomic technique- unbiased single-cell RNA sequencing. We resolved previous unknown cell subpopulations harbored in the niche, and uncovered cell type-specific alterations in gene expression, enriched pathways, and cell-cell crosstalk following mTBI. Notably, we also report novel lineage trajectories and molecular hallmarks that govern neurogenesis. This study dissects the delicate transcriptome changes of individual cell types as well as the reprogramming process of cells in the SVZ niche after mTBI, and our findings are expected to facilitate the development of therapeutic interventions or diagnostic tests for mTBI.
Nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA exosomes and PELOTA1 prevent miRNA-induced secondary siRNA production in Arabidopsis
Authors: Vigh Maria Louisa , Thieffry Axel , Arribas-Hernández Laura , Brodersen Peter
Published: May 2021

Amplification of short interfering RNA (siRNAs) via RNA dependent RNA Polymerases (RdRPs) is of fundamental importance in RNA silencing. In plants, silencing by microRNAs (miRNAs) generally does not lead to engagement of RdRPs, in part thanks to an as yet poorly understood activity of the cytoplasmic exosome adaptor SKI2. Here, we show that mutation of the cytoplasmic exosome subunit RRP45B results in siRNA production very similar to what is observed inski2mutants. Furthermore, loss of the nuclear exosome adaptor HEN2 leads to secondary siRNA production from miRNA targets largely distinct from those producing siRNAs inski2. Importantly, mutation of the Release Factor paralogue PELOTA1 required for subunit dissociation of stalled ribosomes causes siRNA production from miRNA targets overlapping with, but distinct from, those affected inski2andrrp45bmutants. We also show that miRNA-induced illicit secondary siRNA production correlates with miRNA levels rather than accumulation of stable 5’-cleavage fragments. We propose that stalled RNA-induced Silencing Complex (RISC) and ribosomes, but not stable target mRNA cleavage fragments released from RISC, trigger secondary siRNA production, and that the exosome limits siRNA amplification by reducing RISC dwell time on miRNA target mRNAs while PELOTA1 does so by reducing ribosome stalling.
Combined specular and off-specular reflectometry: elucidating the complex structure of soft buried interfaces
Authors: Hafner Aljoša , Gutfreund Philipp , Toperverg Boris P. , Jones Andrew O. F. , de Silva Johann P. , Wildes Andrew , Fischer Henry E. , Geoghegan Mark , Sferrazza Michele
Published: May 2021

Neutron specular reflectometry (SR) and off-specular scattering (OSS) are nondestructive techniques which, through deuteration, give a high contrast even among chemically identical species and are therefore highly suitable for investigations of soft-matter thin films. Through a combination of these two techniques, the former yielding a density profile in the direction normal to the sample surface and the latter yielding a depth-resolved in-plane lateral structure, one can obtain quite detailed information on buried morphology on length scales ranging from the order of ångströms to ∼10 µm. This is illustrated via quantitative evaluation of data on SR and OSS collected in time-of-flight (ToF) measurements of a set of films composed of immiscible polymer layers, protonated poly(methyl methacrylate) and deuterated polystyrene, undergoing a decomposition process upon annealing. Joint SR and OSS data analysis was performed by the use of a quick and robust originally developed algorithm including a common absolute-scale normalization of both types of scattering, which are intricately linked, constraining the model to a high degree. This, particularly, makes it possible to distinguish readily between different dewetting scenarios driven either by the nucleation and growth of defects (holes, protrusionsetc.) or by thermal fluctuations in the buried interface between layers. Finally, the 2D OSS maps of particular cases are presented in different spaces and qualitative differences are explained, allowing also the qualitative differentiation of the in-plane structure of long-range order, the correlated roughness and bulk defects by a simple inspection of the scattering maps prior to quantitative fits.
Multipurpose diffractometer for in situ X-ray crystallography of functional materials
Authors: Gorfman Semën , Spirito David , Cohen Netanela , Siffalovic Peter , Nadazdy Peter , Li Youli
Published: May 2021

Laboratory X-ray diffractometers play a crucial role in X-ray crystallography and materials science. Such instruments still vastly outnumber synchrotron facilities and are responsible for most of the X-ray characterization of materials around the world. The efforts to enhance the design and performance of in-house X-ray diffraction instruments benefit a broad research community. Here, the realization of a custom-built multipurpose four-circle diffractometer in the laboratory for X-ray crystallography of functional materials at Tel Aviv University, Israel, is reported. The instrument is equipped with a microfocus Cu-based X-ray source, collimating X-ray optics, four-bounce monochromator, four-circle goniometer, large (PILATUS3 R 1M) pixel area detector, analyser crystal and scintillating counter. It is suitable for a broad range of tasks in X-ray crystallography/structure analysis and materials science. All the relevant X-ray beam parameters (total flux, flux density, beam divergence, monochromaticity) are reported and several applications such as determination of the crystal orientation matrix and high-resolution reciprocal-space mapping are demonstrated. The diffractometer is suitable for measuring X-ray diffraction in situ under an external electric field, as demonstrated by the measurement of electric-field-dependent rocking curves of a quartz single crystal. The diffractometer can be used as an independent research instrument, but also as a training platform and for preparation for synchrotron experiments.
Alignment facility and software for single-crystal time-of-flight neutron spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Zihao , Lane Harry , Frost Christopher D. , Ewings Russell A. , Attfield J. Paul , Stock Chris
Published: May 2021

An instrument and software algorithm are described for the purpose of characterization of large single crystals at the Alignment Facility of the ISIS spallation neutron source. A method for both characterizing the quality of the sample and aligning it in a particular scattering plane is introduced. A software package written for this instrument is presented, and its utility is demonstrated by way of an example of the structural characterization of large single crystals of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3. Extensions and modifications of characterization instruments for future improved beamlines are suggested. It is hoped that this software will be used by the neutron community for pre-characterizing large single crystals for spectroscopy experiments and that in the future such a facility will be included as part of the spectroscopy suite at other spallation neutron sources.
Corporate disclosures on curbing bribery and the UK Bribery Act 2010: evidence from UK companies
Authors: Islam Muhammad Azizul , Haque Shamima , Henderson Sharon , Jones Michael John , Semeen Homaira
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate whether United Kingdom (UK)-based companies have changed their voluntary disclosures on curbing the bribery of foreign officials in response to the UK Bribery Act 2010, and if so whether and how such disclosure changes substantively reflected allegations of bribery of foreign officials by news media.

Design/methodology/approach

By using the notions of institutional pressure and decoupling and applying content and thematic analysis, the authors examined, in particular, disclosures on curbing bribery by the largest 100 companies listed on the London Stock Exchange in periods before and after the Bribery Act (2007–2012). News media reports covering incidents of bribery of foreign officials and related corporate disclosures before and after the Act were thoroughly examined to problematise corporate anti-bribery disclosure practices.

Findings

The study finds a significant change in disclosure on curbing bribery before and after the enactment of the UK Bribery Act, consistent with the notion of institutional coercive pressure. However, decoupling is also found: organisations' disclosures did not substantively reflect incidents of bribing foreign public officials, mostly from underprivileged developing nations.

Research limitations/implications

This study acknowledges a limitation stemming from using media reports that focus on bribery incidents in identifying actual cases or incidents of bribery. As some of the incidents identified from news media reports appeared to be allegations, not convictions for bribery, companies could have defensible reasons for not disclosing some aspects of them.

Practical implications

Regulators should think why new or more regulations without substantive requirement are not helpful to curb corporate decoupling and injustice. The regulators should address the crisis that multinational companies (MNCs) being suppliers of bribery are much more harmful for the underprivileged communities in developing nations. Accordingly, this paper provides practical insights into how stakeholders ought to critically interpret MNCs' accounts of their involvement in bribery.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the accounting literature by problematising MNCs' operations in underprivileged countries. The findings suggest that not only public officials in developing countries as creators of bribery but also Western-based MNCs as the suppliers of bribery contribute to perpetuating unethical practices and injustices to the underprivileged communities in developing countries. This research is imperative as this is one of the first known studies that provides evidence of the actions including disclosure-related actions companies have taken in response to the UK Bribery Act.
The nexus between agricultural production and agricultural loans for banking sector groups in Turkey
Authors: Kaya Emine , Kadanalı Esra
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to determine the nexus between agricultural production and agricultural loans for the period Q1 2003–Q4 2018 in Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ the time-series analyses within the scope of the study. Firstly, they run the Engle–Granger two-step cointegration test and the Toda–Yamamoto causality analysis. They also use the dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) model estimator and estimate the vector autoregression model for predicting the dynamic structure of time series.

Findings

The results of time series analyses reveal that the variables are cointegrated and there are causal relationships between agricultural loans and agricultural production. Also, the variance decomposition findings indicate that the effect of agricultural loans provided by development-investment banks and participation banks on agricultural production has increased over the years, and the deposit banks have a high impact on agricultural production. The results of the DOLS model indicate that agricultural loans have a positive effect on agricultural production.

Originality/value

This research is one of the few studies that comprehensively determines the direction of nexus between agricultural production and agricultural loans in Turkey economy. This is the first contribution of the study in the literature. Another contribution of this study is to investigate the nexus between agricultural production and agricultural loans for banking sector groups. Unlike other studies in the literature, this study calculates the variance decomposition by going beyond unit root and cointegration tests. Thus, this study has deep findings.
Information needs and services for autism in China: is there any gap between them?
Authors: Lu Quan , Song Bixuan , Chen Jing , Xie Iris , Shen Yutian
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore the gap between information needs and services for autism in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The gap is revealed by investigating the status quo of autism information needs and services. The authors extracted categories and subcategories of information needs through content analysis of academic documents and then supplemented the subcategories through text mining of an online forum. Meanwhile, categories and subcategories of information services were extracted through content analysis of autism websites. Finally, the authors matched the two to explore the gap and designed a quantitative index to measure it.

Findings

A total of eight and ten categories of information needs and services are extracted, respectively. In total, six categories of information needs can be partly matched, but nearly half of the subcategories failed. Huge gaps in economic support, sociality and policy mechanisms categories are observed through the quantitative index and medium gaps in social resource services and employment categories while almost no gaps in psychological/emotional counseling, rehabilitation skills training and professional knowledge/information categories.

Originality/value

This study takes a deep insight into the gap between autism information needs and services in China, providing evidences and suggestions for information providers to improve their services. Academic documents and online forum data are adopted to avoid the impact of stigmatization, which provides a multi-source data analysis approach for the information needs of special groups.
The effect of education on fruit and vegetable purchase disparities in Chile
Authors: Silva Andres , Magana-Lemus David , Godoy Daniela
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The objective of this article is to analyze fruit and vegetable (FV) purchasing decisions between 2011–12 and 2016–17 in Chile, and FV purchases by level of education in this period as determinant to explain dietary disparities across population groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition, the authors analyze FV purchases over time. Taking into consideration censoring, this study uses two waves of the Family Budget Survey (national representative) by the National Statistics Institute of Chile.

Findings

The authors find that when comparing income quintiles 1–4, between 2011–12 and 2016–17, the years of education of the household head cannot explain FV purchases disparities. In contrast, in income quintile 5, between 2011–12 and 2016–17, the marginal effect of education of the household head has significantly decreased FV purchases. When analyzing social determinants, gender and income quintiles in 2016–17, they do not have a significant effect on FV purchase disparities. However, the zone of the household, metropolitan zone vs other urban zones in the country has a significant effect on FV purchase disparities.

Research limitations/implications

The datasets cover food home purchases.

Practical implications

The authors can conclude the relevance of implementing policies and programs to lead for healthier food environments such as offer more FVs in the school feeding program and social protection nutrition sensitive measures.

Originality/value

Using two waves of a nationally representative dataset, this article decomposes the effect of education of the household head to explain FV purchase disparities.
Balancing assembly lines operating with heterogeneous workers under uncertainty in task processing times
Authors: Zacharia Paraskevi Th. , Nearchou Andreas C.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper considers the assembly line worker assignment and balancing problem of type-2 (ALWABP-2) with fuzzy task times. This problem is an extension of the (simple) SALBP-2 in which task times are worker-dependent and concurrently uncertain. Two criteria are simultaneously considered for minimization, namely, fuzzy cycle time and fuzzy smoothness index.

Design/methodology/approach

First, we show how fuzzy concepts can be used for managing uncertain task times. Then, we present a multiobjective genetic algorithm (MOGA) to solve the problem. MOGA is devoted to the search for Pareto-optimal solutions. For facilitating effective trade-off decision-making, two different MO approaches are implemented and tested within MOGA: a weighted-sum based approach and a Pareto-based approach.

Findings

Experiments over a set of fuzzified test problems show the effect of these approaches on the performance of MOGA while verifying its efficiency in terms of both solution and time quality.

Originality/value

To the author’s knowledge, no previous published work in the literature has studied the biobjective assembly line worker assignment and balancing problem of type-2 (ALWABP-2) with fuzzy task times.
Team composition in relational contracting (RC) in large infrastructure projects: a Belbin’s team roles model approach
Authors: Rahmani Farshid , Scott-Young Christina , Tadayon Allen , van der Walt Jacobus Daniel
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study is to broaden the understanding of the set of knowledge, skills, attributes and experience (KSAE) that teams should demonstrate and the necessary roles they need to play within the team in Relational Contracting (RC). This research seeks to answer three questions: first, what KSAEs are required in a team operating under RC, second, which of the identified KSAEs are more important to enable an integrated team to perform effectively and third, how do these required KSAEs correspond to the major role clusters identified in Belbin’s team role model?

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth interviews with 25 experts and key management representatives in infrastructure construction in Australia were conducted to enable detailed discussion of the research questions.

Findings

Sixteen behavioural traits and four knowledge and experience areas were identified. The findings highlight that in RC, team members and especially leaders and managers need to be competent in people-oriented roles, above all others.

Research limitations/implications

This research mainly captured the perspectives of personnel working in state government infrastructure departments. Further research is recommended to explore the perceptions of employees in private construction companies.

Practical implications

By aligning the roles required for RC with the team role clusters of the Belbin’s team roles assessment tool, this study will be useful for identifying suitable members to form high-performance project teams.

Originality/value

The findings of this paper can inform government infrastructure organisations and construction companies as to which roles are more critical when selecting fit-for-purpose teams to successfully deliver large infrastructure projects procured under the RC method.
Quantitative assessment of the impacts of BIM and lean on process and operations flow in construction projects
Authors: Maraqa Musab Jamal , Sacks Rafael , Spatari Sabrina
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The study aims to test, measure and quantify the impacts of lean construction and BIM implementation on flow in construction projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Detailed control data from a set of 18 high-rise residential construction projects executed between years 2011 and 2020 were analyzed using the construction flow index (CFI), a measure of workflow quality. Seven comparable projects with a diverse range of LPS, BIM, VDC and 5S implementation were selected to compare the impacts of these innovations on flow.

Findings

Implementing BIM in the big room and applying the last planner system and other lean construction techniques increased the CFI from 4.31 to 8.12 (on a 10-point scale). Avoiding trades crossing one another's paths between tasks was the most significant aspect of improved flow. Moreover, the benefits of implementing lean practices with BIM or VDC were found to be measurably greater than when these approaches were implemented separately.

Research limitations/implications

The primary limitation of the study is that the degree of confidence in the results is limited by the nature of the case study approach. Although 18 is a respectable number of case study projects, it cannot offer the degree of confidence that a broader, representative sample of projects could. Similarly, the case studies are all drawn from the same construction context (residential apartments) and the same geographic region, which necessarily limits confidence concerning the degree to which the findings can be generalized.

Originality/value

The research is the first of its kind to quantitatively assess the impacts of BIM and lean construction on flow. Use of the CFI to quantify flow quality also highlights the potential value of CFI in providing project managers and planners a clear view of the smoothness or irregularity of flow and of differences between subcontractors' production rates.
Combined influence of exchange quality and organizational identity on the relationship between authoritarian leadership and employee innovation: evidence from China
Authors: Zhang ShanLiang , Wang Yongwei , Ye Jinhua , Li Yiru
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the combined influence of exchange quality (i.e. leader-member exchange or LMX, and coworker exchange or CWX) and organizational identity on the relationship between authoritarian leadership and employee innovation based on social cognition theory and social exchange theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used mediation analysis, moderation analysis and bootstrapping method to test the proposed model with data from 286 supervisor-subordinate dyads in China, covering manufacturing and Internet companies. This study also used the time-lag design, and the questionnaires were collected by means of multi-source and multiphase.

Findings

The results indicate that authoritarian leadership can positively influence employee innovation behavior, and organizational identity mediates this relationship. Both LMX and CWX can significantly moderate the relationship between authoritarian leadership and organizational identity, while the moderating effect is the opposite. To be specific, CWX has appositive effect, while LMX has a negative effect. Furthermore, the indirect effect of authoritarian leadership on employee innovation behavior via organizational identity is also moderated by LMX.

Originality/value

At present, scholars have not yet reached a consensus on the relationship between authoritarian leadership and employee innovation behavior. Based on social cognition theory and social exchange theory, this study incorporates organizational identity and exchange quality into the research model to explore this lack of consensus. By verifying the research model, this study offers original views on when and how authoritarian leadership and exchange quality affect employee innovation behavior, which enriches the current research on employee innovation and the effectiveness of authoritarian leadership in different cultural contexts.
Consumers’ choices between products with different uniqueness duration
Authors: Calderón Urbina Susan Danissa , Stamatogiannakis Antonios , Goncalves Dilney
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to introduce the duration of uniqueness, an important dimension of unique products. It studies how choices between products with long versus short duration of uniqueness are influenced by the interaction between pressure and consumers’ need for uniqueness (NFU).

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a multi-method study approach. A pilot field-study tested the novelty and importance of the research by asking retail professionals to predict the choice of a hypothetical consumer. A retrospective study assessed the importance of duration of uniqueness in unique product choices, by asking consumers about a real and recent unique product purchase. Four additional experimental studies directly tested hypotheses by manipulating pressure and by measuring or manipulating uniqueness motivations.

Findings

The pilot field-study showed the novelty and relevance of this research for professionals. Study 1 revealed that, retrospectively, uniqueness duration was considered important for the choice of unique products, by high-NFU consumers under pressure. Studies 2 and 3 demonstrated that pressure increases the tendency of high-NFU, but not low-NFU, consumers to choose products with long over short uniqueness duration. Study 4 provided initial evidence for the process behind the effect. Study 5 showed that considerations of uniqueness duration when choosing mediated the effects.

Research limitations/implications

The results of the pilot field-study and retrospective study might be affected by recall bias or lay theories. The findings need to be replicated with other sources of pressure and uniqueness. This calls for further research.

Practical implications

Results are important for companies marketing unique products and they suggest that pressure-based marketing appeals can be used strategically to increase sales of products with long uniqueness duration but decrease sales of products with short uniqueness duration. Although the research provides these guidelines, managers should consider the ethical implications of pressure strategies.

Originality/value

This is the first attempt to empirically investigate the duration of uniqueness. Although extant research has examined choices between products with different degrees of uniqueness, this research studies choice of products with similar degrees of uniqueness, but different uniqueness duration. Thus, this research adds to the scarce literature studying the duration of symbolic benefits. Moreover, although pressure and NFU frequently co-exist in uniqueness consumption settings, this study is the first to study their joint effects.
Energy-efficient retrofitting of multi-storey residential buildings
Authors: Sing Michael C.P. , Chan Venus W.C. , Lai Joseph H.K. , Matthews Jane
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Sustainable retrofitting of aged buildings plays a significant role in reducing energy demands and greenhouse gas emissions. This study aims to assess the performance and effectiveness of energy retrofit measures (ERMs) for an archetype of aged multi-storey residential buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology consists of three parts, namely, a desktop study including the selection of a case-study building and identification of ERM options for the building; development of a computer model to simulate the building’s energy use in the baseline scenario and different scenarios of ERMs; and evaluation of the ERMs based on energy-saving rate.

Findings

Among the 13 ERMs tested, lighting-related ERMs were found to be optimal measures while window fin is the least suitable option in terms of energy saving. Based on the research findings, a two-level retrofitting framework was developed for aged multi-storey buildings.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies may take a similar approach of this study to develop retrofitting frameworks for other types of buildings, and further research paper can be extended to study retrofitting for buildings in a district or a region.

Practical implications

The findings of this study can serve as a reference for building owners to select effective ERMs for aged multi-storey buildings, which invariably exist in developed cities.

Originality/value

This study presents a pioneering work where an energy model and a building archetype were used to analyze the energy savings of a variety of ERMs that are applicable to aged multi-storey buildings.
Towards a cross-cultural education framework for online safety awareness
Authors: Herkanaidu Ram , Furnell Steven M. , Papadaki Maria
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine effective online safety awareness education for young people in less developed countries. The research followed an explanatory mixed methods design starting with an online survey (quantitative element) and then interesting or anomalous findings were followed up with one-on-one interviews (qualitative element). The data gathered on the online habits and views of young people were fed into the Young People Online Model. It was also used to create online safety workshops. The standout issue from this research is the prevalence of cyberbullying, and this was used as the core theme. They were carried out using the action-research approach, whereby after each workshop, the facilitators would reflect and analyse and suggest improvements for the next one.

Design/methodology/approach

The majority of online safety awareness education programmes have been developed in and for advanced countries. In less developed countries, there are fewer programmes as well as a lack of research on the factors that influence the online behaviour of young people online. The Young People Online Education Framework seeks to address this and provide educators, researchers and policymakers an evidence driven construct for developing education programmes informed by issues affecting young people in their respective country/region.

Findings

The framework was applied in Thailand. As there were very few previous studies, original research was conducted via surveys and interviews. It was found that a high proportion of young people had experienced negative interactions online with cyberbullying the main concern. This was confirmed during the workshop phase indicating the need for more research and workshops. There is a plan to continue the research in Thailand, and it is hoped that other researchers will make use of the framework to extend its scope and application.

Originality/value

A novel feature of this framework is the cultural mask. The cultural context of learners is often overlooked in education, especially when education programmes are imported from other countries. This research contends that effective learning strategies and programmes will have a better chance to succeed if the cultural makeup of the target audience is considered and that all topics and activities are parsed through the cultural mask element of the framework.
Perceived organizational support on episodic volunteers' affective and behavioral outcomes: a case of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games
Authors: Won Doyeon , Chiu Weisheng , Bang Hyejin , Bravo Gonzalo A.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of perceived organizational support (POS) on the relationships between volunteer job satisfaction, attitude toward volunteering and continuance intention. Also, this study investigated the moderating role of volunteer age in the relationships between study variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants were recruited from volunteers in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and/or the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games (N = 4,824). Data were primarily analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and multigroup analysis (PLS-MGA).

Findings

Results of the PLS-SEM indicated that, firstly, POS had a positive and significant effect on continuance intention, attitude and job satisfaction. Moreover, the influence of job satisfaction on attitude was statistically significant. Paths from attitude and job satisfaction to continuance intention were statistically and positively significant. As a next step, PLS-MGA was conducted using basic bootstrapping to test the age difference in the research model. Significant differences were found in the paths from POS to attitude and from satisfaction to continuance intention. More specifically, the influence of POS on attitude was significantly stronger for the younger group. On the other hand, the impact of satisfaction on continuance intention was significantly stronger for the older group.

Originality/value

The large sample size of this study offered more persuasive empirical evidence on the role of POS in volunteers' perception and behavior. The findings suggest the importance of the event organizer's support for volunteer outcomes and clear communication with volunteers on their needs and wants.
Energy access and foreign direct investment in an emerging market: the Ghanaian perspective
Authors: Anarfo Ebenezer Bugri , Agoba Abel Mawuko , Sare Yakubu Awudu , Gameti Daniel Komla
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of energy access on foreign direct investment (FDI) in an emerging market.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses the two-stage least square instrumental variables estimation approach to compute the parameters of the model to account for any potential endogeneity and time persistence in energy access.

Findings

The results show that energy access significantly influences FDI inflows in Ghana. The results of the study also revealed that natural resources and macroeconomic variables such as real interest rate, gross domestic product growth rate are significant determinants of FDI inflows in Ghana.

Practical implications

The practical implication of this study is that there is a need for energy sector policy reforms in Ghana that would guarantee a secured and continued supply of energy to enhance energy access to boost FDI. Ghana should aim for a cost-effective, stable and environmentally friendly source of energy as an alternative to hydro energy as the main source of its power generation to promote FDI. Also, Ghana should initiate and implement policies aimed at creating an enabling and stable macroeconomic environment, as macroeconomic factors in this study are found to be drivers of FDI.

Originality/value

This study provides firsthand information on energy access and FDI from the Ghanaian perspective.
The effect of Lamaholot culture and role conflict on performance of weaving craftspeople: occupational stress as intervening variable
Authors: Riana Gede , Nurak Lusia Adinda Dua , Rihayana I. Gede
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine and analyze the effect of Lamaholot culture and role conflict on occupational stress and its impact on the performance of ikat weaving female craftspeople. This research is conducted in East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT) based on consideration of the spread of weaving industry center.

Design/methodology/approach

The study population is 388 ikat weaving craftspeople in 20 industrial centers spread over 11 sub-districts in East Flores Regency. Inferential statistics which is often called as inductive statistics or probability statistics is statistical techniques for analyzing sample data and the results are applied to the population. This analysis is used to test the relationship between variables in the hypothesis (Sugiono, 2014, p. 207). This research uses structural equation modeling with variance-based or component-based approach with partial least square to test hypothesis and produce a fit model.

Findings

Lamaholot culture has a negative effect on occupational stress, on the other hand, role conflict has a positive effect on occupational stress. The higher the Lamaholot culture and the lower the role conflict will have an impact on the reduction of weaving workers’ stress. The higher the Lamaholot culture, and the lower the role conflict and the occupational stress will have an impact on the improvement of performance of weaving craftspeople. Occupational stress mediates the effect of Lamaholot culture and role conflict on the performance of weaving craftspeople.

Originality/value

The originality of this research lies in the use of occupational stress as a mediator between relationship of Lamaholot culture and role conflict on performance. On the other hand, the use of Lamaholot culture variable has a function as a derivative of organizational culture theory derived from the local culture of NTT, Indonesia. With the discovery of novelty from this research, it is expected to enrich the literature related to the field of behavioral organizational science, especially about role conflict, occupational stress and organizational culture using local cultural values of Lamaholot.
Stock–bond co-movement in ASEAN-5: the role of financial integration and financial development
Authors: Khalid Airil , Ahmad Zamri
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to observe the extent of asset diversification benefits in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-5 market by examining the effect of financial integration (FI) and financial development (FD) on domestic stock–bond co-movements, SBcorr.

Design/methodology/approach

The dynamic conditional correlation - multivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (DCC-MGARCH) technique is adopted to construct FI and stock−bond co-movement variables. Then, the study uses static panel data analysis to examine the effect of FI on stock−bond co-movements.

Findings

FI does not provide asset diversification benefits due to high country risks in ASEAN-5. However, when FI is moderated by FD, FI × FD, the study shows that FI × FD provides higher asset diversification benefits in ASEAN-5.

Originality/value

This study shows the importance of incorporating the level of FD when assessing the effect of FI on stock–bond co-movements in ASEAN-5. In the presence of FI, a well-diversified investor should always consider the state of FD, which will show a better representation of asset diversification strategy in the emerging markets. Additionally, policymakers of ASEAN-5 countries should prioritise enhancing their financial system to attract more investment into the countries.
Exploring the root causes of servitization challenges: an organisational boundary perspective
Authors: Ziaee Bigdeli Ali , Kapoor Kawaljeet , Schroeder Andreas , Omidvar Omid
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper explains how servitization disrupts long-established internal and external boundaries of product-focused manufacturers and investigates the root causes of servitization challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw from the collective experiences of 20 senior executives from ten multinational manufacturers involved in servitization, using a multiple case study approach, and employ a codebook thematic analysis technique.

Findings

The authors develop an integrative framework based on the theoretical notions of power, competency and identity boundaries to offer insights into the root causes of various servitization-related challenges.

Research limitations/implications

Although the extant literature discusses servitization challenges, it does not examine the underlying root causes that create them in the first place. This study contributes to the extant research by establishing rational links between organisational boundaries (internal and external) and servitization challenges in the interest of building a coherent and systematically integrated body of theory that can be successfully applied and built upon by future research.

Practical implications

This study provides a foundation for managers to recognise, anticipate and systematically manage various boundary-related challenges triggered by servitization.

Originality/value

It is one of the first studies to employ the concept of organisational boundary to understand the challenges created by servitization and to account for both internal (between different functions of the same organisation) and external boundaries (between an organisation and its external stakeholders) to establish a holistic understanding of the impacts of servitization on manufacturers.
A comparative perspective on destination competitiveness through visitors' and stakeholders' perceptions in the region of Cappadocia
Authors: Akin Mehmet Halit , Ozturk Yuksel , Karamustafa Kurtulus
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The aim of the study is to contribute to the body of knowledge with a different and richer approach, by evaluating the competitiveness of the Cappadocia Region, which has a culture-oriented single or limited product variety, with a comparative and holistic approach from the perspective of visitors and stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

This research, designed on the basis of the Cappadocia Region to make original and rich contributions to the literature on destination competitiveness, has the characteristics of a field study based on collecting and analyzing raw data through scales. For this purpose, research was conducted with 401 visitors and 277 tourism stakeholders. Data was analyzed using t-tests to compare two groups and the two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare more than two groups. Cronbach's alpha analysis, nomological validity and a pilot test were conducted for validity and reliability. In addition, descriptive statistics and normality test were used in addition to the exploratory factor analyses.

Findings

Because of the research, it was seen that the competitiveness perceptions of the participants in the region differed and that the region has many strengths such as natural beauties, accommodation facilities and a positive image. However, it was determined that the competitiveness perceptions of visitors who have more touristic experiences in the region have increased in parallel with their touristic experiences. It was established that the competitiveness perceptions of the stakeholders who have comprehensive knowledge of the managerial problems and the destination competitiveness components of the region are generally lower than the visitors.

Practical implications

This study provides some practical implications for touristic destinations based on the research area. In order for destinations to survive in a fierce competitive environment and strengthen their competitive position, it is very important to analyze and evaluate consumers' needs and requests correctly, reveal existing differences, and use resources effectively. In addition to strengthening the image of the destination and adopting a sustainable and innovative approach, the integrated tour programs that offer touristic activities in nearby cities can be diversified with nature and adventure activities.

Originality/value

It is seen that studies that have been conducted with a comparative and holistic approach with data obtained from both visitors and stakeholders are quite limited. In addition, most of these studies have been conducted on destinations that are widely preferred such as mass tourism but which are less competitive than alternative tourism examples. Therefore, this study has a broad perspective and strong implications for destination competitiveness.