bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rural populations exposed to Ebola Virus Disease respond positively to localised case handling: evidence from Sierra Leone
Authors: Mokuwa Esther Yei , Maat Harro
Published: July 2019

At the height of the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone in November 2014, a new decentralized approach to ending infection chains was adopted. This approach was based on building local, small-scale Community Care Centres (CCC) intended to serve as triage units for safe handling of patients waiting for test results, with subsequent transfer to Ebola Treatment Centers (ETC) for those who tested positive for Ebola. This paper deals with local response to the CCC, and explores, through qualitative analysis of focus group data sets, why communities see CCC in a positive light. The responses of 562 focus group participants in seven villages with CCC and seven neighbouring control villages without CCC are assessed. These data confirm that CCC are compatible with community values concerning access to, and family care for, the sick. Mixed reactions are reported in the case of “safe burial”, a process that directly challenged ritual activity seen as vital to maintaining good relations between socially-enclaved rural families. Land acquisitions to build CCC prompted divided responses. This reflects problems about land ownership unresolved since colonial times between communities and government. The study provides insights into how gaps in understanding between international Ebola responders and local communities can be bridged.

Author Summary

Control of Ebola Virus Disease requires facilities where patients can be isolated and treated safely, without risk to medical personnel or family members. In the 2014-15 Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone emphasis was at first placed on large field hospitals known as Ebola Treatment Centers (ETC). These were often located far from areas where new cases were being discovered. Patients were distrustful of their purpose and slow to report, and the disease continued to spread. Six months into the epidemic a new approach was tried, based on much smaller and more rapidly constructed centres (Community Care Centres (CCC) located where new cases were occurring. This paper examines community reactions to the CCC. There was a much greater sense of community ownership of these small, localised centres, and reporting times improved. Families were able easily to visit and observe activities, even though restricted from crossing red lines. The staff were often local and provided trustworthy information on the progress of patients. Families were able to prepare home food for patients, and this was thought to improve their morale and chances of survival. CCC were also appreciated for treating other disease, and not only Ebola. Referral of patients to ETC was easier to accept when the outcome of an Ebola blood test was known. There were some differences of opinion over “safe burial” procedures and acquisition of sites for the CCC, but on balance CCC were well accepted by communities, and were seen locally as a positive development in Ebola control.
Expression of telomerase prevents ALT and maintains telomeric heterochromatin in juvenile brain tumors
Authors: Idilli Aurora Irene , Cusanelli Emilio , Pagani Francesca , Kerschbamer Emanuela , Berardinelli Francesco , Bernabé Manuel , Cayuela María Luisa , Piazza Silvano , Poliani Pietro Luigi , Mione Maria Caterina
Published: July 2019

The activation of a telomere maintenance mechanism (TMM) is an essential step in cancer progression to escape replicative senescence and apoptosis. Paediatric brain tumors frequently exhibit Alternative Lengthening of Telomere (ALT) as active TMM, but the mechanisms involved in the induction of ALT in brain tumor cells are not clear.

Here, we report a model of juvenile zebrafish brain tumor that progressively develops ALT. We discovered that reduced expression of tert and increase in Terra expression precedes ALT development. Additionally, tumors show persistent telomeric DNA damage and loss of heterochromatin marks at chromosome ends. Surprisingly, expression of telomerase reverts ALT features. Comparative analysis of gene expression after the rescue of ALT with telomerase and analysis of telomerase positive paediatric brain cancers showed increase of telomeric heterochromatin and maintenance of telomere length compared to ALT tumors, with reduced expression of genes of the pre-replicative complex as hallmark. Thus our study identifies telomere maintenance mechanisms as major drivers of telomeric DNA replication and chromatin status in brain cancers.
Delineation of post-phloem assimilate transport pathway into developing caryopsis of Brachypodium distachyon
Authors: Solomon Charles Ugochukwu , Drea Sinead
Published: July 2019

Assimilates stored in mature cereal grains are mobilized from source tissues and transported towards developing grains through the vascular bundle. Due to the lack of direct vascular connection between maternal grain vascular bundle and filial tissues, post-phloem transportation of assimilates into grain endosperm relies on transfer cells that lie between the grain vascular bundle and the endosperm. Here, we propose Caryopsis Endosperm Assimilate Acquisition Route (CEAAR) models that describes the exact path of assimilate import into caryopsis endosperms. Using fluorescent tracer dyes we also delineated the route of assimilate delivery into Brachypodium distachyon endosperm and classified it as ventral circuitous (vc-CEAAR), an assimilate import model also found in rice. Furthermore, we report a detailed anatomical study of post-phloem assimilate transport pathway in developing grains of Brachypodium distachyon. Our results highlight major anatomical similarities and differences between the grain post-phloem transfer cells of Brachypodium and those of crop species such as rice, wheat, and barley relevant to post-phloem assimilate transport.

Highlights

Based on existing work, we propose Caryopsis Endosperm Assimilate Acquisition Route (CEAAR) models, that describes the exact path of assimilate import into caryopsis endosperms.

The structure of the post-phloem transfer cells of Brachypodium distachyon mirrors temperate and tropical cereals.

Assimilate delivery into Brachypodium distachyon endosperm is identical to assimilate import into rice endosperm.
Towards standardization of immune functional assays
Authors: Mouton William , Vega Chloé Albert , Boccard Mathilde , Bartolo François , Oriol Guy , Lopez Jonathan , Pachot Alexandre , Textoris Julien , Mallet François , Brengel-Pesce Karen , Trouillet-Assant Sophie
Published: July 2019

Recent advances in the immunotherapy field require evaluation of the immune function to adapt therapeutic decisions. Immune functional assays (IFA) are able to reveal the immune status and would be useful to further adapt/improve patient’s care. However, standardized methods are needed to implement IFA in clinical settings. We carried out an independent validation of a published method used to characterize the underlying host response to infectious conditions using an IFA. We evaluate the reproducibility and robustness of this IFA and associated readout using an independent healthy volunteers (HV) cohort. Expression of a 44 genes-signatures and IFNγ protein secretion and gene-expression was assessed after stimulation. We observed a strong host-response correlation between the two cohorts. We also highlight that standardized methods for immune function evaluation exist and could be implemented in larger-scale studies. This IFA could be a relevant tool to reveal innate/adaptive immune dysfunction in immune-related disorders patients.
An Escherichia coli ST131 pangenome atlas reveals population structure and evolution across 4,071 isolates
Authors: Decano Arun Gonzales , Downing Tim
Published: July 2019

Escherichia coli ST131 is a major cause of infection with extensive antimicrobial resistance (AMR) facilitated by widespread beta-lactam antibiotic use. This drug pressure has driven extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) gene acquisition and evolution in pathogens, so a clearer resolution of ST131’s origin, adaptation and spread is essential. E. coli ST131’s ESBL genes are typically embedded in mobile genetic elements (MGEs) that aid transfer to new plasmid or chromosomal locations, which are mobilised further by plasmid conjugation and recombination, resulting in a flexible ESBL, MGE and plasmid composition with a conserved core genome. We used population genomics to trace the evolution of AMR in ST131 more precisely by extracting all available high-quality Illumina HiSeq read libraries to investigate 4,071 globally-sourced genomes, the largest ST131 collection examined so far. We applied rigorous quality-control, genome de novo assembly and ESBL gene screening to resolve ST131’s population structure across three genetically distinct Clades (A, B, C) and abundant subclades from the dominant Clade C. We reconstructed their evolutionary relationships across the core and accessory genomes using published reference genomes, long read assemblies and k-mer-based methods to contextualise pangenome diversity. The three main C subclades have co-circulated globally at relatively stable frequencies over time, suggesting attaining an equilibrium after their origin and initial rapid spread. This contrasted with their ESBL genes, which had stronger patterns across time, geography and subclade, and were located at distinct locations across the chromosomes and plasmids between isolates. Within the three C subclades, the core and accessory genome diversity levels were not correlated due to plasmid and MGE activity, unlike patterns between the three main clades, A, B and C. This population genomic study highlights the dynamic nature of the accessory genomes in ST131, suggesting that surveillance should anticipate genetically variable outbreaks with broader antibiotic resistance levels. Our findings emphasise the potential of evolutionary pangenomics to improve our understanding of AMR gene transfer, adaptation and transmission to discover accessory genome changes linked to novel subtypes.
Calcium-permeable AMPA receptors mediate timing-dependent LTP elicited by low repeat coincident pre- and postsynaptic activity at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses
Authors: Cepeda-Prado Efrain A. , Khodaie Babak , Quiceno Gloria D. , Beythien Swantje , Edelmann Elke , Lessmann Volkmar
Published: July 2019

High-frequency stimulation induced long-term potentiation (LTP), or low frequency stimulation induced LTD are considered as cellular models of memory formation. Interestingly, spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) can induce equally robust timing-dependent LTP (t-LTP) and t-LTD in response to low frequency repeats of coincident action potential (AP) firing in presynaptic and postsynaptic cells. Commonly, STDP paradigms relying on 25-100 repeats of coincident AP firing are used to elicit t-LTP or t-LTD, but the minimum number of repeats required for successful STDP is barely explored. However, systematic investigation of physiologically relevant low repeat STDP paradigms is of utmost importance to explain learning mechanisms in vivo. Here, we examined low repeat STDP at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses by pairing one presynaptic AP with either one postsynaptic AP (1:1 t-LTP), or a burst of 4 APs (1:4 t-LTP) and found 3-6 repeats to be sufficient to elicit t-LTP. 6x 1:1 t-LTP required postsynaptic Ca2+ influx via NMDARs and L-type VGCCs and was mediated by increased presynaptic glutamate release. In contrast, 1:4 t-LTP depended on postsynaptic metabotropic GluRs and ryanodine receptor signaling, and was mediated by postsynaptic insertion of AMPA receptors. Unexpectedly, both 6x t-LTP variants were strictly dependent on activation of postsynaptic Ca2+-permeable AMPARs but were differentially regulated by dopamine receptor signaling. Our data show that synaptic changes induced by only 3-6 repeats of mild STDP stimulation occurring in ≤ 10 s can take place on time scales observed also during single trial learning.
Neural crest cells bulldoze through the microenvironment using Aquaporin-1 to stabilize filopodia
Authors: McLennan Rebecca , McKinney Mary C. , Teddy Jessica M. , Morrison Jason A. , Kasemeier-Kulesa Jennifer C. , Ridenour Dennis A. , Manthe Craig A. , Giniunaite Rasa , Robinson Martin , Baker Ruth E. , Maini Philip K. , Kulesa Paul M.
Published: July 2019

Neural crest migration requires cells to move through an environment filled with dense extracellular matrix and mesoderm to reach targets throughout the vertebrate embryo. Here, we use high-resolution microscopy, computational modeling, and in vitro and in vivo cell invasion assays to investigate the function of Aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) signaling. We find that migrating lead cranial neural crest cells express AQP-1 mRNA and protein, implicating a biological role for water channel protein function during invasion. Differential AQP-1 levels affect neural crest cell speed, direction, and the length and stability of cell filopodia. Further, AQP-1 enhances matrix metalloprotease (MMP) activity and colocalizes with phosphorylated focal adhesion kinases (pFAK). Co-localization of AQP-1 expression with EphB guidance receptors in the same migrating neural crest cells raises novel implications for the concept of guided bulldozing by lead cells during migration.
Pseudomonas can survive bacteriocin-mediated killing via a persistence-like mechanism
Authors: Kandel PP , Baltrus David A. , Hockett Kevin L.
Published: July 2019

Phage tail-like bacteriocins (tailocins) are bacterially-produced protein toxins that can mediate competitive interactions between co-colonizing bacteria. Both theoretical and empirical research has shown there are intransitive interactions between bacteriocin-producing, bacteriocin-sensitive, and bacteriocin-resistant populations, whereby producers outcompete sensitive, sensitive outcompete resistant, and resistant outcompete producers. These so-called ‘rock-paper-scissor’ dynamics explain how all three populations can be maintained in the same environment, without one genotype driving the others extinct. Using Pseudomonas syringae as a model system, we demonstrate that otherwise sensitive bacterial cells have the ability to survive bacteriocin exposure through a physiological mechanism. This mechanism is similar to the persister phenotype that allows cells to survive antibiotic exposure, without acquiring antibiotic resistance. We show that a significant fraction of the target cells that survive a lethal dose of tailocin did not exhibit any detectable increase in survival in subsequent exposure (i.e. they survived through a persistence-like mechanism). Tailocin persister cells were more prevelant in stationary rather than log phase cultures. Of the fraction of cells that gained detectable tailocin resistance, there was a range of resistance from complete (insensitive) to incomplete (partially sensitive). By genomic sequencing and genetic engineering we showed that a mutation in a hypothetical gene containing 8-10 transmembrane domains causes tailocin high-persistence and genes of various glycosyl transferases cause incomplete and complete tailocin resistance. Importantly, of the several classes of mutations, only those causing complete tailocin resistance compromised host fitness. This result, combined with previous research, indicates that bacteria likely utilize persistence as a means to survive bacteriocin-mediated killing without suffering the costs associated with resistance. This research provides important insight into how bacteria can escape the trap of fitness trade-offs associated with gaining de novo tailocin resistance, and expands our understanding of how sensistive bacterial populations can persist in the presence of lethal competitors.
Rab28 is localised to photoreceptor outer segments, regulates outer segment shedding but is not linked to retinal degeneration in zebrafish
Authors: Carter Stephen P. , Moran Ailís L. , Matallanas David , McManus Gavin J. , Blacque Oliver E. , Kennedy Breandán N.
Published: July 2019

The photoreceptor outer segment is the canonical example of a modified and highly specialised cilium, with an expanded membrane surface area in the form of discs or lamellae for efficient light detection. Many ciliary proteins are essential for normal photoreceptor function and cilium dysfunction often results in retinal degeneration leading to impaired vision. Herein, we investigate the function and localisation of the ciliary G-protein RAB28 in zebrafish cone photoreceptors. CRISPR-Cas9 generated rab28 mutant zebrafish display a reduction in shed outer segment material in the RPE at 1 month post fertilisation (mpf), but otherwise normal retinal structure and visual function up to 12 mpf. Cone photoreceptor-specific transgenic reporter lines show Rab28 localises almost exclusively to outer segments, independently of nucleotide binding. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrates tagged Rab28 interacts with components of the phototransduction cascade, including opsins, Phosphodiesterase 6C and Guanylate Cyclase 2D. Our data shed light on RAB28 function in cones and provide a model for RAB28-associated cone-rod dystrophy.
8,13-Diisopropyl-10,11-dimethyl-bis([1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:6,7]naphtho)[1,2-d;2,1-f][1,3]dioxepine
Authors: Täufer Amely , Köckritz Angela , Quint Stephan , Spannenberg Anke
Published: July 2019

The title compound, C31H30O6, was obtained by protecting the six hydroxy groups of apogossypol by acetalization with dichloromethane. The molecule has a bridging dioxepine unit which hinders the rotation around the 2,2′-internaphthyl bond. The dihedral angle between the naphthyl units is 55.73 (3)°. In the crystal, very weak C—H...O interactions may help to consolidate the packing.
Influence of milling toolpaths in machining of the turbine blade
Authors: Jarolmasjed Seyedamin , Davoodi Behnam , Pourebrahim Alamdari Babak
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to machine the pressure surface of the turbine blade made of A286 iron-based superalloy by using four directions of raster strategy, including horizontal upward, horizontal downward, vertical upward and vertical downward, to achieve appropriate surface roughness and to investigate the tool wear in each strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, all cutting tests were performed by DAHLIH-MCV 1020 BA vertical 3-axis machining center with ball nose end mill. After milling by each strategy, according to the surface slope, the surface was divided into 27 meshes, and roughness of surface was studied and compared. Roughness measuring after machining was implemented by using portable Mahr ps1 roughness tester, and surface texture was photographed by CCD 100× optical zoom camera. Also, to measure tool flank wear in each strategy as an indication of tool life, the surface of workpiece was divided into four equal areas. The wear of the inserts was measured by ARCS vertical non-contact measuring system at the end of each area.

Findings

The results indicate that cutting directions and toolpath strategies have significant influence on tool wear and surface roughness in machining processes and that they can be taken into consideration individually as determinative parameters. In this case, the most uniform surface texture and the lowest surface roughness are obtained by using horizontal downward direction; in addition, abrasion is a dominant tool wear mechanism in all experiments, and tool wear in the horizontal downward is lower than other strategies.

Practical implications

Machining of turbine blades or other airfoil-shaped workpieces is quite common in manufacturing aerospace and aircraft products. The results of this research contribute to increasing quality of machined surface and tool life in machining of turbine blade.

Originality/value

This work proves the significance of milling strategies in machining of the turbine blade made of A286 superalloy and, consequently, exhibits the proper strategy in terms of surface roughness and tool life. Also, this work explains and elaborates the behavior of A286 superalloy in machining processes, which has not been studied much in recent research works.
“Hard to find”: information barriers among LGBT college students
Authors: Stewart Brenton , Kendrick Kaetrena Davis
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine collegiate information barriers and perceptions of academic library climate among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) college students in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

The primary method used for this investigation was an online crowdsourced survey of 105 participants who attended two and four-year colleges in the USA. The questionnaire used free word association where participants shared information barriers encountered on colleges’ campuses. Responses from each questionnaire were interpreted using open coding.

Findings

Information barriers around sexuality continue to be a challenge for non- heteronormative information seekers on college campuses. One-third of students had distinctive information needs around their sexuality and experienced information barriers from both the institution and social stigma. The study reveals an evolution in sexual minority students’ sense of self, which has moved beyond the binary identity of gay/lesbian explored in previous studies; students identified bisexuality as a salient information need, and described a campus environment that often erased bisexuality. The academic library was described as an information barrier due to inadequate sexual minority-related resources.

Practical implications

Academic librarians as well as higher education professionals, such as recruitment/admissions officers, student counseling services, student health and student affairs, can leverage the results of this study to help establish a more inclusive and welcoming information environment that empowers students for academic and personal success.

Originality/value

A limited number of studies in information science have focused on sexual minority college students’ information behaviors and even fewer on information barriers. This study presents new insight and deeper understanding of the collegiate information environment of LGBT identified students in the USA.
Is Microsoft Academic a viable citation source for ranking marketing journals?
Authors: Moussa Salim
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the viability of the scholarly search engine Microsoft Academic (MA) as a citation source for evaluating/ranking marketing journals.

Design/methodology/approach

This study performs a comparison between MA and Google Scholar (GS) in terms of journal coverage, h-index values and journal rankings.

Findings

Findings indicate that: MA (vs GS) covers 96.80 percent (vs 97.87 percent) of the assessed 94 marketing-focused journals; the MA-based h-index exhibits values that are 35.45 percent lower than the GS-based h-index; and that the MA-based ranking and the GS-based ranking are highly consistent. Based on these findings, MA seems to constitute a rather viable citation source for assessing a marketing journal’s impact.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses on one discipline, that is, marketing.

Originality/value

This study identifies some issues that would need to be fixed by the MA’s development team. It recommends some further enhancements with respect to journal title entry, publication year allocation and field classification. It also provides two up-to-date rankings for more than 90 marketing-focused journals based on actual cites (October 2018) of articles published between 2013 and 2017.
Reconfigurable manufacturing system: a state-of-the-art review
Authors: Khanna Kamal , Kumar Rakesh
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an organized review of existing research on reconfigurable manufacturing system (RMS). The paper considers majority of the prominent research articles in the domain of RMS published ever since RMS was envisaged in 1997.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper systematically reviews, classifies and analyses the published literature on postulations and design of RMSs. The general observations from the literature and research gaps recognized thereon are highlighted at the end of each section/sub-section.

Findings

The paper reveals important aspects related to RMS research since its inception. It also recognizes the areas of RMS research requiring more focus. The study also highlights open issues and future directions for further research.

Practical implications

The literature in the domain of RMS has so far been narrow. This paper reviews the prominent research in this field and presents an overview of its conceptual developments and various mathematical models for the RMS design and its optimization so far developed by the researchers. Further, manufacturing advancements and future directions have also been proposed for the efficient execution of RMS paradigm in manufacturing industries.

Originality/value

The paper provides an organized listing of published research work in the field of RMS. This work will provide an insight to the researchers, practitioners and others related directly or indirectly to this field to develop and understand better strategies for supervising and controlling the smooth implementation of RMS.
Servitization impact on performance moderated by country development
Authors: Moreno Renata , Marques Leonardo , Arkader Rebecca
Published: July 2019

Purpose

In recent years, “servitization” has been studied extensively; however, as studies of the impact of servitization on firm performance offer mixed results, the conditions under which the relationship between servitization and performance becomes more significant are contested in the literature. These mixed results have led to the term “service paradox.” The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates servitization in the assembly industry based on a multi-country survey covering 539 industry plants in 22 countries.

Findings

The study contributes to the research on servitization by adding a contextual perspective to this relationship, taking into account level of development of the country in which a firm is located. Besides confirming the correlation between the servitization and performance, our study unveils a counter-intuitive result: a medium level of development of the country in which a firm is based corresponds to a stronger relationship between servitization and firm performance, whereas higher levels of development seem to diminish the increase in performance.

Social implications

This study balances out the focus in servitization on advanced economies and help to unveil its benefits in developing countries. Fostering servitization in developing economies can lead to social impact resulting from job shifts from manufacturing to service and the correlated implications for workers’ training and higher motivation experienced in service-based jobs.

Originality/value

Our study unpacks the “service paradox” and indicates that industry plants in developing countries can still harness the benefits of being first-movers, whereas, in developed countries, servitization may have become an order qualifier rather than a factor of differentiation.
What are the barriers to integrating displaced populations into labor markets and what are possible steps to overcome them?
Authors: Oguzertem Isik
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find the answers of the following question: what are the barriers to integrating displaced populations into labor markets and what are possible steps to overcome them?

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on government statistics, published reports and independent research that the author conducted in Turkey regarding the crisis in Syria from 2016 to 2018.

Findings

A reactionary government policy toward Syrian refugees lacks an overarching rights-based approach that includes the participation of all stakeholders and considers local dynamics. This results in a bleak prospect for enhancing the livelihood security of Syrian refugees and vulnerable members of host communities in Turkey. An alternative approach leveraging opportunities for synergies between refugee and host communities is proposed.

Originality/value

This piece proposes an original framework for integrating displaced populations into labor markets through the acronym CLEAR: certainty of status, language training, education opportunities, aid as an investment and the right to work.
Why lessons learnt are lost
Authors: Haris Muhammad , Cheema Abdur Rehman , Subasinghe Chamila
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reduce the gap in understanding the complexity of barriers, their modifiers and how these barriers and their modifiers result in malpractices and missed good practices in post-earthquake reconstruction contexts. This paper provides insights to the often asked question: why the lessons learnt from one earthquake event are not actually learnt and many of the mistakes around housing reconstruction are repeated?

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on the review of the literature of the top deadliest earthquakes in the developing countries and the two case studies of the 2005 Kashmir and 2015 earthquake in Pakistan.

Findings

Multifarious barriers, their modifiers, malpractices and missed good practices are deeply interwoven, and endemic and include weak financial standing, lack of technical know-how, vulnerable location, social and cultural preference, affordability and availability of materials, over-emphasis on technical restrictions, inefficient policies, lack of clarity in institutional roles, monitoring and training.

Research limitations/implications

The study is desk based.

Practical implications

A better understanding of barriers can help disaster-related organisations to improve the planning and implementation of post-earthquake housing reconstruction.

Social implications

The study contributes to the understanding concerning various social and cultural preferences that negotiate the Build Back Better (BBB) process.

Originality/value

The study offers a distinctive perspective synthesising the literature and the two case studies to sharpen the understanding of the complexity of barriers to BBB.
Whom to appease and whom to circumvent: analyzing knowledge sharing with social networks
Authors: Issac Abraham Cyril , Thomas Tina Susan
Published: July 2019

Purpose

In an academic and research institution of repute, where the student researcher’s creative mind and innovative potentials are the kingpin factors, it is of primary interest to segregate and pool competencies at an individual level and to create dynamic synergetic effects. Knowledge about potential core competencies and own resources, facilitation of existing personal relationships and the development of new personal relations and cooperation are necessary prerequisites. This is where social network analysis (SNA) acts as a useful tool for measuring the performance of knowledge sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study makes a detailed analysis of the knowledge sharing network among the student researchers. The research study estimates different parameters such as knowledge sharing in various departments, the motivation for research and research environment. This work mainly attempts to undertake a differential analysis of the knowledge sharing pattern among the research scholars with the aid of Pajek software and R programming.

Findings

A holistic knowledge sharing network for the entire set of research scholars is established and the centrality features of the network and among the departments are analyzed, leading to a road map which deliberates on whom to appease and whom to circumvent.

Research limitations/implications

Every institute or organization can use the SNA to identify the key stakeholders in the knowledge sharing environment or the kingpin actors who are prone to knowledge hiding. Such useful identification of the vital stakeholders can give information on how to eliminate the barriers in the knowledge management systems, so that enhanced level of collaboration happens.

Originality/value

This is the first comprehensive SNA to decipher the knowledge sharing pattern among researchers. This work characterizes knowledge management research literature and thereby offers to reduce redundant research by delineating the possible avenues in the area of knowledge sharing.
The relationship between managerial ability, earnings management and internal control quality on audit fees in Iran
Authors: Salehi Mahdi , Mousavi Shiri Mahmoud , Hossini Seyedeh Zahra
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the relationship between managerial ability, earnings management, internal control quality and audit fees to establish whether or not there is a significant relationship between the variables of managerial ability, earnings management, internal control quality and the audit fees.

Design/methodology/approach

The study sample includes 190 listed companies on the Tehran Stock Exchange during 2009–2016. Research hypotheses were tested using the statistical methods of multivariable linear regression and data envelopment analysis pattern.

Findings

The obtained results indicate that there is a significant and direct relationship between managerial ability and internal control quality as well as real earnings management and internal control quality. Based on the results obtained from the second hypothesis, the authors could claim that there is an inverse and significant relationship managerial ability and audit fees. The third hypothesis also revealed that in companies with lower audit fees, there is a stronger relationship between managerial ability and internal control quality. The results of related tests show no significant relationship between accrual-based earnings management and internal control quality.

Originality/value

This paper is the first study in Iran whose main focus is on the relationship between managerial ability, earnings management, internal control quality and audit fees.
Quantitative target setting in balanced scorecard method using simultaneous equations system and goal programming
Authors: Farokhi Sorour , Roghanian Emad , Samimi Yaser
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the accurate cause and effect relationships among strategic objectives and also to demonstrate how decision makers can be guided in the process of defining quantitative strategic target values in the framework of balanced scorecard (BSC) and performance measurement system.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the proposed method in this research, after determining strategic objectives and developing an initial strategy map according to decision makers’ opinions, simultaneous equations system (SES) was used to determine the significance of the relationships among strategic objectives in higher perspectives of the BSC and corresponding strategic objectives in lower perspectives. Afterward, desirable values for performance measures were determined based on the equations and relationships obtained through SES and were optimized by goal programming method.

Findings

By applying the proposed method, a clearer picture of the associations among strategic objectives is obtained and the influence of strategic objectives on one another is determined. Afterward, optimal values for strategic objectives are determined to achieve the organization’s goals.

Research limitations/implications

This paper proposes a framework for constructing a strategy map and setting quantitative targets in the framework of BSC. Indeed, this paper presents a case study to demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed approach. However, SES technique requires a greater amount of data to generate more accurate results. Although the advent of the Information Age has forced organizations’ decision makers to provide sufficient information and data for business analysis, the data requirements are met.

Practical implications

The presented quantitative approach is a supporting approach for improving decision makers’ opinions and enabling them to reach a more accurate picture of the relationships, valuing strategic objectives and achieving strategic goals. This research also presents a case study to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach. The application and implication of the proposed method in banking services show that the contributions of the paper are not only theoretical, but also practical.

Originality/value

The proposed method provides a novel approach for determining the most appropriate targets and applies a comprehensive and scientific model together with decision makers’ opinions and experiences and has two main contributions: first, the associations among strategic objectives are investigated and obtained in an effective way by conducting the SES for the first time in the framework of BSC. Second, quantitative targets have been determined to help in achieving the long-term goals. This task has been accomplished through a combination of SES, the three-stage least squares regression analysis and optimization by using weighted goal programming method.
Replenishment decision and coordination contract in cluster supply chain
Authors: Yan Bo , Chen Xiaoxu , Liu Yanping , Xia Chang
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The cluster supply chain is widely used in the professional towns in China, and improves the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises through integrating the supply chain with the industrial cluster. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper studies a cluster supply chain under vendor managed inventory (VMI) system, which includes vendors, third-party logistics (TPL) enterprises and retail enterprises, and aims to study the replenishment decisions and coordination contracts in the supply chain. The economic order quantity model is applied to analyze the influence of marginal transportation cost factor under two replenishment modes – direct delivery and milk-run delivery, in order to find out the optimal replenishment decisions corresponding to different marginal transportation cost factors. And then, the revenue sharing contract is used to identify the change of profits of enterprises in the supply chain before and after the coordination contract.

Findings

It is concluded that the marginal transportation cost factor is an important factor influencing the replenishment decision especially in milk-run delivery, and the introduction of the revenue sharing contract can improve the revenue in the supply chain.

Originality/value

This is the first study that explores the relationship between a single transport cost and a single transport batch of cluster supply chain in centralized VMI & TPL system. The conclusions of the study have certain theoretical significance for the decision making and coordination of cluster supply chain.
Closing the gap: the Chinese electric vehicle industry owns the road
Authors: Zhao Shuyan , Kim Seong-Young , Wu Han , Yan Jie , Xiong Jie
Published: July 2019

Purpose

After three decades of development, the Chinese electric vehicle industry became the world’s largest electric vehicle market in 2015. However, little is understood about how the Chinese electric vehicle industry, as a latecomer in this strategic newly emerged industry, could catch up with international incumbents. The purpose of this paper is to study how the windows of opportunity emerge and interactively influence the catch-up process of Chinese electric vehicle industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper conducted a case study to examine how Chinese electric vehicle latecomers use the windows of opportunity along with the development of a sectoral system of innovation to reduce the gaps.

Findings

The results indicate that windows of opportunity appeared in the introduction stage (2005) and the transition from the introduction stage to the growth stage (2015) because of the sectoral changes in technologies, demand, policies and the interaction among these factors. Domestic electric vehicle latecomers currently follow the catch-up pattern of duplication, creative imitation and innovation.

Practical implications

To capture the previous windows of opportunity, domestic electric vehicle latecomers rely on technology transfer through international joint ventures, government support and local advantages from cheap labor. To seize future windows of opportunity, apart from progressively accumulating innovation capabilities, it is also essential for managers to recognize, break through and extend the windows of opportunity by anticipating and monitoring the process of changes of the sectoral system.

Originality/value

This paper provides a fine-grained study on how latecomers in a new industry with emerging markets can seize windows of opportunities to catch up with the international leaders.
Employee resilience: development and validation of a measure
Authors: Näswall Katharina , Malinen Sanna , Kuntz Joana , Hodliffe Morgana
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new measure of employee resilience. Employee resilience is a key capability enabling employees to manage and adapt to continually changing circumstances. While there is an increasing body of research on how to best promote resilience among employees in organizations, the measurement of the construct has received less research attention. The measure introduced in this paper focuses on employee resilience as a work-related capability that can be developed.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents three survey-based studies describing the development of a new measure, the Employee Resilience Scale and its preliminary validation. Study 1 concerns the scale development and testing, along with a confirmatory analysis of the measurement structure in a different sample. Study 2 investigates the discriminant validity of the scale in relation to a well-known measure of personal resilience, the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale. Study 3 was concerned with work-related outcomes of employee resilience (e.g. job engagement).

Findings

Support was found for the unidimensionality of the scale in Study 1. Study 2 showed a clear differentiation between the two measures of resilience: employee resilience and personal resilience, supporting the discriminant validity of the measure. Study 3 provided evidence for the criterion-related validity of the scale.

Research limitations/implications

The three studies presented here provide preliminary support that the Employee Resilience Scale can be used to measure resilience among employees.

Originality/value

While the concept of employee resilience has gained attention in the literature, a measure of the construct has lacked. The study presents a valid measure of employee resilience which can be used to diagnose and develop a more adaptive workplace.
Exploring Chinese millennials’ experiential and transformative travel: a case study of mountain bikers in Tibet
Authors: Folmer Akke , Tengxiage Ali (Tanya) , Kadijk Hanny , Wright Alastair John
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore domestic experiential travel by Chinese millennials, a group of consumers who will increasingly influence the global travel and tourism industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research method was adopted to explore motivations and memorable experiences of Chinese millennials who successfully mountain biked the Qinghai–Tibet Highway in China.

Findings

For Chinese millennial mountain bikers in Tibet, experiential travel motivations and experiences are important. During the trip, they challenged their mental and physical abilities, enjoyed nature, bonded with friends and perceived a warm welcome by Tibetan families. This study adds to existing knowledge on experiential travel, as it was found that transformation was perceived as important outcome of the trip. Participants perceived personal change in attitude and behaviour, which will help them face everyday life challenges.

Research limitations/implications

Further research could focus on gaining insight into other types of Chinese adventure tourists, on comparing wishes and demands of Chinese with other mountain bikers and on developments in transformative travel.

Practical implications

Adventure tourism organisations could adjust their tourism product range to cater more for Chinese millennials who aim to improve their physical and mental skills.

Originality/value

In-depth research into motivations and experiences of Chinese millennials is scarce. The influence of Chinese millennials on the tourism market is already large and will continue to increase.
A practitioner researcher’s opportunities and challenges in accessing interpretive case participants in a public healthcare setting
Authors: Doyle Louise
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to document the opportunities and challenges of a practitioner researcher in accessing interpretive case participants in the public healthcare sector in Ireland.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper documents the research design and implementation phases of a longitudinal interpretive research project with specific focus on, research ethics, preparing for data collection, identifying and recruiting the research participants and analysis of the findings based on the specific nuances of the public health context and design considerations. Considerations as an insider researcher in a large public organisation are also presented.

Findings

Conducting interpretive research in a healthcare setting presents both opportunities and some challenges; key amongst these is agreed access to research participants. In addition, with research taking place in a healthcare environment, the potential for disclosure of information regarding something harmful to patients or of a criminal nature exists. This risk can be addressed through the ethical approval process documented in this paper. Insider researcher considerations are also explored focussing on the specific nuances affiliate to carrying out a longitudinal interpretive study in a public healthcare setting.

Research limitations/implications

Insights for those wishing to conduct longitudinal interpretive case research in the public healthcare setting are included. The implications for enhanced engagement with interpretive research in this context are addressed.

Originality/value

Through documenting the opportunities and challenges of a practitioner researcher in accessing research participants in the public healthcare sector, this paper discusses insider researcher considerations and seeks to address concerns in the literature regarding insufficient detail relating to interpretive research design and implementation in healthcare contexts.