bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Caenorhabditis elegans nck-1 and filamentous actin-regulating protein pathway mediates a key cellular defense against bacterial pore-forming proteins
Authors: Sitaram Anand , Yin Yunqiang , Zamaitis Tammy , Zhang Bo , Aroian Raffi V.
Published: June 2022

Pore-forming proteins (PFPs) comprise the largest single class of bacterial protein virulence factors and are expressed by many human and animal bacterial pathogens. Cells that are attacked by these virulence factors activate epithelial intrinsic cellular defenses (or INCEDs) to prevent the attendant cellular damage, cellular dysfunction, osmotic lysis, and organismal death. Several conserved PFP INCEDs have been identified using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the nematicidal PFP Cry5B, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. Here we demonstrate that the gene nck-1, which has homologs from Drosophila to humans and links cell signaling with localized F-actin polymerization, is required for INCED against small-pore PFPs in C. elegans. Reduction/loss of nck-1 function results in C. elegans hypersensitivity to PFP attack, a hallmark of a gene required for INCEDs against PFPs. This requirement for nck-1-mediated INCED functions cell-autonomously in the intestine and is specific to PFPs but not other tested stresses. Genetic interaction experiments indicate that nck-1-mediated INCED against PFP attack is independent of the major MAPK PFP INCED pathways. Proteomics and cell biological and genetic studies further indicate that nck-1 functions with F-actin cytoskeleton modifying genes like arp2/3, erm-1, and dbn-1 and that nck-1/arp2/3 promote pore repair at the membrane surface and protect against PFP attack independent of p38 MAPK. Consistent with these findings, PFP attack causes significant changes in the amount of actin cytoskeletal proteins and in total amounts of F-actin in the target tissue, the intestine. nck-1 mutant animals appear to have lower F-actin levels than wild-type C. elegans. Studies on nck-1 and other F-actin regulating proteins have uncovered a new and important role of this pathway and the actin cytoskeleton in PFP INCED and protecting an intestinal epithelium in vivo against PFP attack.

Author Summary

The mechanism of action for a significant number of bacterial protein toxins is the formation of pores in the membrane of target cells. Host cells contain programmed defenses against such attacks. Here we use the model system of the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans and crystal proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis to demonstrate a new defense pathway mediated by the activity of the NCK-1 protein. Consistent with its known function in mammalian cells, the NCK-1-mediated defense involves various actin-interacting proteins and affects the kinetics of pore repair. This pathway is novel in its independence from MAPK signaling. Furthermore, the NCK-1 activity is found to be generally needed for defense against multiple pore-forming proteins and yet is specific to defense against such proteins but not against other environmental stressors.
Gut microbiota modulation in response to combination of Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 and sugars: Lessons from comparative analysis of fecal microbiota of two healthy donors from 2019-2021
Authors: Bhowmik Debaleena , Heer Kiran , Kaur Manpreet , Raychaudhuri Saumya , Paul Sandip
Published: June 2022

The Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 strain (EcN) has shown its probiotic efficacy against many enteric pathogenic bacteria infecting human, including Vibrio cholerae, either alone or in combination with prebiotics. Understanding of these mechanisms of infection control requires the basic knowledge of probiotic mediated gut microbial community alterations especially in presence of different prebiotics. The present study has used the ex-vivo microbiota model and Next Generation Sequencing techniques to demonstrate the effect of EcN along with different sugars, namely glucose, galactose and starch, on the human gut microbiome community composition. The microbiome compositional changes have been observed at two different time-points, set one and a half years apart, in fecal slurries obtained from two donors. The study has indicated that the extent of microbiome alterations varies with different carbohydrate prebiotics and EcN probiotic and most of the alterations are broadly dependent upon the existing gut microbial community structure of the donors. The major distinct compositional changes have been found in the conditions where glucose and starch were administered, both with and without EcN, in spite of the inter-donor microbial community variation. Several of these microbiome component variations also remain consistent for both the time-points, including genus like Bacteroides, Prevotella and Lactobacillus. Altogether, the present study has shown the effectiveness of EcN along with glucose and starch towards specific changes of microbial community alterations independent of initial microbial composition. This type of model study can be implemented for hypothesis testing in case of therapeutic and prophylactic use of probiotic and prebiotic combinations.
DivIVA phosphorylation at threonine affects its dynamics and cell cycle in Deinococcus radiodurans
Authors: Chaudhary Reema , Kota Swathi , Misra Hari S.
Published: June 2022

RqkA, a γ radiation responsive Ser/Thr quinoprotein kinase, is characterized for its role in radioresistance in Deinoocccus radiodurans. DivIVA is a cell division protein involved in determination of cell pole and division site in bacteria. RqkA phosphorylated cognate DivIVA (drDivIVA) at Threonine 19 (T19) residue located in its pole recognition motif. The phospho-mimetic replacement of T19 (T19E) functioned differently than phospho-ablative (T19A) and drDivIVA proteins. T19E-RFP expressing in wild type background showed arrest in dynamics of drDivIVA, and loss of interaction with genome segregation protein. divIVA is shown to be an essential gene in this bacterium. The allelic replacement of divIVA with T19E-RFP was not tolerated unless drDivIVA was expressed episomally while there was no effect of this replacement with T19A-RFP and drDivIVA-RFP. These results suggested that the T19 phosphorylation in drDivIVA by RqkA has affected in vivo functions of DivIVA that would render cell cycle arrest in this bacterium.
Fundamental limits to progression of cellular life in frigid environments
Authors: Trip Diederik S. Laman , Maire Théo , Youk Hyun
Published: June 2022

Life on Earth, including for microbes and cold-blooded animals, often occurs in frigid environments. At frigid temperatures, nearly all intracellular processes slow down which is colloquially said to decelerate life’s pace and, potentially, aging. But even for one cell, an outstanding conceptual challenge is rigorously explaining how the slowed-down intracellular processes collectively sustain a cell’s life and set its pace. Here, by monitoring individual yeast cells for months at near-freezing temperatures, we show how global gene-expression dynamics and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) act together as the primary factors that dictate and constrain the pace at which a budding yeast’s life can progresses in frigid environments. We discovered that yeast cells help each other in surviving and dividing at frigid temperatures. By investigating the underlying mechanism, involving glutathione secretion, we discovered that ROS is the primary determinant of yeast’s ability to survive and divide at near-freezing temperatures. Observing days-to-months-long cell-cycle progression in individual cells revealed that ROS inhibits S-G2-M (replicative) phase while elongating G1 (growth) phase up to a temperature-dependent threshold duration, beyond which yeast cannot divide and bursts as an unsustainably large cell. We discovered that an interplay between global gene-expression speed and ROS sets the threshold G1-duration by measuring rates of genome-wide transcription and protein synthesis at frigid temperatures and then incorporating them into a mathematical model. The same interplay yields unbeatable “speed limits” for cell cycling – shortest and longest allowed doubling times – at each temperature. These results establish quantitative principles for engineering cold-tolerant microbes and reveal how frigid temperatures can fundamentally constrain microbial life and cell cycle at the systems-level.
Phase variation as a major mechanism of adaptation inMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex
Authors: Vargas Roger , Luna Michael J. , Freschi Luca , Murphy Kenan C. , Ioerger Thomas R. , Sassetti Christopher M. , Farhat Maha R.
Published: June 2022

Phase variation induced by insertions and deletions (INDELs) in genomic homopolymeric tracts (HT) can silence and regulate genes in pathogenic bacteria but this process is not characterized in MTBC adaptation. We leverage 31,428 diverse clinical isolates to identify genomic regions including phase-variants under positive selection. Of 87,651 INDEL events that emerge repeatedly across the phylogeny, 12.4% are phase-variants within HTs (0.02% of the genome by length). We estimated thein-vitroframeshift rate in a neutral HT at 100x the neutral substitution rate at 1.1 × 10−5frameshifts/HT/year. Using neutral evolution simulations, we identified 4,098 substitutions and 45 phase-variants to be putatively adaptive to MTBC (P<0.002). We experimentally confirm that a putatively adaptive phase-variant alters the expression ofespA,a critical mediator of ESX-1 dependent virulence. Our evidence supports a new hypothesis that phase variation in the ESX-1 system of MTBC can act as a toggle between antigenicity and survival in the host.
Innate Conformational Dynamics Drive Binding Specificity in Anti-Apoptotic Proteins Mcl-1 and Bcl-2
Authors: Wolf Esther , Lento Cristina , Pu Jinyue , Dickinson Bryan C. , Wilson Derek J.
Published: June 2022

The structurally conserved B-cell Lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins function to promote or inhibit apoptosis through an exceedingly complex web of specific, intrafamilial protein-protein interactions. The critical role of these proteins in lymphomas and other cancers has motivated a widespread interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms that drive specificity in Bcl-2 family interactions. However, the substantial structural similarity amongst Bcl-2 homologues has made it difficult to rationalize the highly specific (and often divergent) binding behavior exhibited by these proteins using conventional structural arguments. In this work, we use millisecond hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry to explore shifts in conformational dynamics associated with binding partner engagement in Bcl-2 family proteins Bcl-2 and Mcl-1. Using this approach, we reveal that, specifically for Mcl-1, binding specificity arises largely from protein-specific dynamic modes that are accessed in the unbound state. This work has implications for exploring the evolution of internally regulated biological systems composed of structurally similar proteins, and for the development of drugs targeting Bcl-2 family proteins for promotion of apoptosis in cancer.

General Interest Statement

This work reveals how a group of proteins, which are highly similar in structure, can form a complex web of highly specific protein-protein interactions that drive programmed cell death (apoptosis) in cancer.
Genome-wide analysis of heat stress-stimulated transposon mobility in the human fungal pathogenCryptococcus deneoformans
Authors: Gusa Asiya , Yadav Vikas , Roth Cullen , Williams Jonathan D. , Shouse Eva Mei , Magwene Paul , Heitman Joseph , Jinks-Robertson Sue
Published: June 2022

We recently reported transposon mutagenesis as a significant driver of spontaneous mutations in the human fungal pathogenCryptococcus deneoformansduring murine infection. Mutations caused by transposable element (TE) insertion into reporter genes were dramatically elevated at high temperature (37° versus 30°) in vitro, suggesting that heat stress stimulates TE mobility in the Cryptococcus genome. To explore the genome-wide impact of TE mobilization, we generated transposon accumulation lines by in vitro passage ofC. deneoformansstrain XL280α for multiple generations at both 30° and at the host-relevant temperature of 37°. Utilizing whole-genome sequencing, we identified native TE copies and mapped multiplede novoTE insertions in these lines. Movements of the T1 DNA transposon occurred at both temperatures with a strong bias for insertion between gene-coding regions. By contrast, the Tcn12 retrotransposon integrated primarily within genes and movement occurred exclusively at 37°. In addition, we observed a dramatic amplification in copy number of the Cnl1 (C. neoformansLINE-1) retrotransposon in sub-telomeric regions under heat-stress conditions. Comparing TE mutations to other sequence variations detected in passaged lines, the increase in genomic changes at elevated temperature was primarily due to mobilization of the retroelements Tcn12 and Cnl1. Finally, we found multiple TE movements (T1, Tcn12 and Cnl1) in the genomes of singleC. deneoformansisolates recovered from infected mice, providing evidence that mobile elements are likely to facilitate microevolution and rapid adaptation during infection.

Significance Statement

Rising global temperatures and climate change are predicted to increase fungal diseases in plants and mammals. However, the impact of heat stress on genetic changes in environmental fungi is largely unexplored. Environmental stressors can stimulate the movement of mobile DNA elements (transposons) within the genome to alter the genetic landscape. This report provides a genome-wide assessment of heat stress-induced transposon mobilization in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus. Transposon copies accumulated in genomes more rapidly following growth at the higher, host-relevant temperature. Additionally, movements of multiple elements were detected in the genomes of cryptococci recovered from infected mice. These findings suggest that heat stress-stimulated transposon mobility contributes to rapid adaptive changes in fungi both in the environment and during infection.
ALegionellatoxin mimics tRNA and glycosylates the translation machinery to trigger a ribotoxic stress response
Authors: Subramanian Advait , Wang Lan , Moss Tom , Voorhies Mark , Sangwan Smriti , Stevenson Erica , Pulido Ernst H. , Kwok Samentha , Krogan Nevan J. , Swaney Danielle L. , Floor Stephen N. , Sil Anita , Walter Peter , Mukherjee Shaeri
Published: June 2022

Pathogens often secrete proteins or nucleic acids that mimic the structure and/or function of molecules expressed in their hosts. Molecular mimicry empowers pathogens to subvert critical host processes and establish infection. We report that the intracellular bacteriumLegionella pneumophilasecretes the toxin SidI (substrate of icm/dot transporter I), which possesses a transfer RNA (tRNA)-like shape and functions as a mannosyl transferase. The 3.1 Å cryo-EM structure of SidI reveals an N-terminal domain that exhibits a characteristic ‘inverted L-shape’ and charge distribution that is present in two other known protein mimics of tRNAs, the bacterial elongation factor EF-G and the mammalian release factor eRF1. In addition, we show that SidI’s C-terminal domain adopts a glycosyl transferase B fold similar to a mannosyl transferase. This molecular coupling of the protein’s fold and enzymatic function allows SidI to bind and glycosylate components of the host translation apparatus, including the ribosome, resulting in a robust block of protein synthesis that is comparable in potency to ricin, one of the most powerful toxins known. Additionally, we find that translational pausing activated by SidI elicits a stress response signature reminiscent of the ribotoxic stress response that is activated by elongation inhibitors that induce ribosome collisions. SidI-mediated effects on the ribosome activate the stress kinases ZAKα and p38, which in turn drive an accumulation of the protein activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3). Intriguingly, ATF3 escapes the translation block imposed by SidI, translocates to the nucleus, and orchestrates the transcription of stress-inducible genes that promote cell death. Thus, usingLegionellaand its effectors as tools, we have unravelled the role of a ribosome-to-nuclear signalling pathway that regulates cell fate.
Current Situation of Breeding Bird Species in the Gediz Delta, Turkey
Authors: Arslan Şafak , Kaya Ahmet , Akyol Adem , Kaya Mehmet
Published: June 2022

Gediz Delta, one of the most important wetland ecosystems in the Mediterranean Basin, also is one of the most important areas for birds in Turkey. Breeding bird atlas studies were carried out in 2002, and 2006 and extensive breeding species were revealed. In 2021, we conducted an atlas of breeding birds using the same method as previous studies and observed the change over the last 15 years. Bird species seen and heard between May 3 and June 15 in 294 1x1 square kilometres were recorded and classified with internationally accepted breeding codes. Breeding codes were given to 113 species belonging to 48 families throughout the study. Of these, 32 species are classified as possible breeding, 34 species as probable breeding and 47 species as confirmed breeding. Threat factors of species and habitats are grouped under five main topics. According to previous studies, we observed that the number of breeding bird species increased. It is thought that the number of breeding bird species will increase with the elimination of threats and carrying out the necessary restoration works.
Sturgeons: An Evolutionary Insight to The α-globin Protein Speciation and Diversification
Authors: Ariaeenejad Shohreh , Kavousi Kaveh , Elahi Elaheh , Banaei-Moghaddam Ali Mohammad , Moosavi-Movahedi Ali A.
Published: June 2022

Sturgeons are living fossils and among the oldest surviving vertebrate species, and Caspian Sea is habitat of the vast majority of sturgeon species. It is tempting to assume that speciation of sturgeons occurred in response to the severe environmental changes during the formation of Caspian Sea from the ancient Paratethys Sea. Hemoglobin (Hb) reflects the evolutionary history of fishes. Changes in the Hb sequences will affect the protein structure and consequently the vital function of oxygen delivery. As complete sequence data for any sturgeon hemoglobin gene or protein was hitherto not available, we determined the complete gene and protein sequences of an α-globin chain (as one of the constituents of Hb complex) from six Caspian Sea sturgeons of different species and compared these sequences mutually and with all available fish α-globin sequences. The phylogenetic analyses based on alpha globin sequences can highlight the essentiality of proper changes in globin chains in the speciation process. Estimating the divergence time of α-globin genes for different fish families discloses important facts about the rate of evolution and decodes. The results support the hypothesis of simultaneity between the time of morphological speciation of fish families and their α-globin divergence. The correlation and concurrency between morphological and molecular changes can be interpreted as a sign of struggling to acquire more fitness to changing environment.
Envisioning legitimacy: visual dimensions of NGO annual reports
Authors: Dhanani Alpa , Kennedy Denis
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This paper explores the communication of legitimacy in the annual reports of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), focusing specifically on the function of images. The visual mode of discourse and meaning construction has to date only scarcely been explored in legitimacy research, especially in the NGO context.

Design/methodology/approach

Distinguishing between normative, regulatory, cognitive and outcome legitimacy, the paper inquires into the kinds of legitimacy that NGOs communicate to their constituents and the claims that predominate. Turning to research on impression management, the paper explores whether and how organizations use images as symbolic mechanisms of legitimacy. Finally, the paper considers the socio-cultural implications of these legitimation strategies for beneficiary groups, donor communities and the organizations themselves.

Findings

A qualitative content analysis of images in the reports of the eight influential members of the US-based Global Emergency Response Coalition confirms the widespread presence of legitimacy claims in NGO visual communications, with normative (especially need) and output (especially implementation) categories predominating. However, these practices are potentially contradictory; measures to increase legitimacy to and of donors result in forms of beneficiary exclusion and reduction. Strategies of impression management, namely self-promotion, ingratiation and exemplification, appear to shape these NGO representative logics.

Originality/value

The results of this study extend prior research into legitimacy, legitimation and impression management in and beyond the non-governmental sector by differentiating among categories of legitimacy and incorporating images as the object of analysis. In this capacity, they also support and augment the emerging literature on imagery use in NGO annual reports.
Thrust modelling of a target drone engine with nonlinear least – squares estimation based on series expansions
Authors: Kaba Aziz , Yurdusevimli Metin Ece , Turan Onder
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to build a high accuracy thrust model under various small turbojet engine shaft speeds by using robust, ordinary, linear and nonlinear least squares estimation methods for target drone applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The dynamic shaft speeds from the test experiment of a target drone engine is conducted. Then, thrust values are calculated. Based on these, the engine thrust is modeled by robust linear and nonlinear equations. The models are benefited from quadratic, power and various series expansion functions with several coefficients to optimize the model parameters.

Findings

The error terms and accuracy of the model are given using sum of squared errors, root mean square error (RMSE) and R-squared (R2) error definitions. Based on the multiple analyses, it is seen that the RMSE values are no more than 17.7539 and the best obtained result for robust least squares estimation is 15.0086 for linear at all cases. Furthermore, the R2 value is found to be 0.9996 as the highest with the nonlinear Fourier series expansion model.

Originality/value

The motivation behind this paper is to propose robust nonlinear thrust models based on power, Fourier and various series expansion functions for dynamic shaft speeds from the test experiments.
Can the digital transformation of manufacturing enterprises promote enterprise innovation?
Authors: Zhao Xueqi , Sun Xiaozhe , Zhao Longwen , Xing Yibing
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relations between the digital transformation of manufacturing enterprises and enterprise innovation to provide inspiration for promoting the digitization and upgrading of China's manufacturing industry and facilitate enterprises' innovative development.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a panel data of 584 listed manufacturing companies in China from 2016 to 2020, and using a fixed effects approach, this paper empirically examines the impact of digital transformation on corporate innovation in manufacturing enterprises, as well as examining the influential mechanisms and heterogeneity.

Findings

The research shows that the digital transformation of manufacturing enterprises has effectively improved the innovation capacity of enterprises and verifies different situations through heterogeneity. At the same time, the research clarifies the mediating effect of the innovation investment mechanism, cost control mechanism, and profit guarantee mechanism on the relations between the digital transformation of manufacturing enterprises and the innovation capacity of enterprises.

Originality/value

Based on Chinese manufacturing enterprise samples, this paper empirically tests the influential mechanism of digital transformation on the innovation capability of manufacturing enterprises, therefore clarifying the main mediating effects. This paper could provide inspiration for manufacturing companies to make good use of digital transformation rules according to their own situation and improve their innovation capabilities, thereby enhancing competitiveness in the digital economy era.
Understanding the BIM actor role: a study of employer and employee preference and availability in the construction industry
Authors: Adekunle Samuel Adeniyi , Aigbavboa Clinton Ohis , Ejohwomu Obuks Augustine
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The implementation of BIM in the construction industry requires the coevolution of the various aspects of the BIM ecosystem. The human dimension is a very important dimension of the ecosystem necessary for BIM implementation. It is imperative to study this aspect of the BIM ecosystem both from the employer perspective and employee availability to provide insights for stakeholders (job seekers, employers, students, researchers, policymakers, higher education institutions, career advisors and curriculum developers) interested in the labour market dynamics.

Design/methodology/approach

To understand the BIM actor roles through the employer lens and the actual BIM actors in the construction industry, this study employed data mining of job adverts from LinkedIn and Mncjobs website. Content analysis was employed to gain insights into the data collected. Also, through a quantitative approach, the existing BIM actor roles were identified.

Findings

The study identified the employers' expectations of BIM actors; however, it is noted that the BIM actor recruitment space is still a loose one as recruiters put out open advertisements to get a large pool of applicants. From the data analysed, it is concluded that the BIM actor role is not an entirely new profession. However, it simply exists as construction industry professionals with BIM tool skills. Also, the professional development route is not well defined yet.

Originality/value

This study presents a realistic angle to BIM actor roles hence enhancing BIM implementation from the human perspective. The findings present an insight into the preferred against the actual.
Knowledge management enablers and knowledge management processes: a direct and configurational approach to stimulate green innovation
Authors: Shehzad Muhammad Usman , Zhang Jianhua , Dost Mir , Ahmad Muhammad Shakil , Alam Sajjad
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Given the critical importance of green innovation (GI) for organizations in developing economies, this study aims to examine the interrelationship between knowledge management (KM) enablers, KM processes and GI. The research also indicates that certain combinations of KM enabler dimensions and KM processes can lead to better GI.

Design/methodology/approach

The study sample consists of 328 participants from Pakistan's medium- and large-sized manufacturing enterprises. Smart PLS 3.2.9 is used to verify the relationships. Moreover, the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) investigates configurational paths for improving GI.

Findings

The results demonstrate that KM enablers significantly affect two aspects of GI – green product and process innovation – and KM processes. Moreover, KM processes significantly enhance two aspects of GI. The fsQCA findings indicate multiple combinations of KM enablers and KM processes dimensions that result in better GI.

Research limitations/implications

To better understand the critical role of knowledge resources, future studies should explore the potential mediating mechanisms of KM processes or the moderating effects of strategic organizational factors in the relationship between KM enablers and GI.

Practical implications

The study offers valuable insight and a unique approach for policymakers and executives of corporations in developing countries to enhance their organizations' GI capacity through KM enablers and KM processes.

Originality/value

This research contributes to bridging research gaps in the literature and advances insights into the interrelationship among KM enablers, KM processes and GI. In addition, the study offers methodological significance by combining direct and configurational techniques to address two distinct facets of GI.
Negative Airbnb reviews: an aspect-based sentiment analysis approach
Authors: Vassilikopoulou Aikaterini , Kamenidou Irene , Priporas Constantinos-Vasilios
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The current paper aims at exploring negative aspects in reviews about Airbnb listings in Athens, Greece.

Design/methodology/approach

The aspect-based sentiment approach (ABSA), a subset of sentiment analysis, is used. The study analyzed 8,200 reviews, which had at least one negative aspect. Based on dependency parsing, noun phrases were extracted, and the underlying grammar relationships were used to identify aspect and sentiment terms.

Findings

The extracted aspect terms were classified into three broad categories, i.e. the location, the amenities and the host. To each of them the associated sentiment was assigned. Based on the results, Airbnb properties could focus on certain aspects related to negative sentiments in order to minimize negative reviews and increase customer satisfaction.

Originality/value

The study employs the ABSA, which offers more advantages in order to identify multiple conflicting sentiments in Airbnb comments, which is the limitation of the traditional sentiment analysis method.
The influence of learner characteristics, instructional design and work environment on the transfer of training
Authors: Bhat Zahid Hussain , Mir Rouf Ahmad , Rameez Raja , Rainayee Riyaz Ahmad
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to highlight the role of individual and instructional design factors on training transfer and explore and review focal training factors that influence the transfer of training.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework has been developed for this study to better present the prevalent factors that have been empirically validated.

Findings

The facets of transfer encompassed in this study have gathered enough evidence to demonstrate a positive association with the transfer. This review points out that all predictor variables (learner characteristics, instructional design and environmental factors) positively and significantly influence the transfer of training. A mix of variables is proposed, with further investigation recommended to develop a robust training transfer hypotheses.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the training transfer literature in three ways. First, the authors have shown the positive influence of pre-training factors on training transfer. This study is grounded in a robust theoretical framework, thus fulfilling the previous gaps. This conceptual study elaborates on the importance of factors to establish the training transfer hypothesis. Future studies should test the suggested framework and look for other things that could help learners be more effective and motivated so that training can be more effective and transferable.

Practical implications

This study has significant findings for organizations operating in the current business scenario to enhance learning transfer, where the transfer is very low and a significant cause of concern for every organization. By making management aware of the success factors of training transfer, they can ensure a better training transfer. In this study, the transfer design considerations are discussed in detail, and their practical consequences are provided for training transfer in general and training professionals in particular.

Originality/value

The training transfer literature showcases two significant gaps; first, it lacks appropriate characteristics, and second, there is variability in the results. This study bridges the gaps and attempts to advance our understanding of training transfer grounded in the theoretical framework by focusing on learner characteristics, instructional design and work environment in training transfer, which predictor variables can improve training transfer. This study also contributes to the current training transfer literature by proposing a combination of factors that provide a theoretical foundation for developing a solid training transfer theory.
More general panel data models for hospitality and tourism research
Authors: Assaf A. George , Tsionas Mike , Kock Florian
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This paper introduces more advanced panel data specifications that would exploit heterogeneity and allow for arbitrary forms of autocorrelation and heteroskedasticity in the error terms.

Design/methodology/approach

In line with Assaf and Tsionas (2019a, 2019b), this paper builds on the Mundlak device to propose panel data models to allow for random slope coefficients, as well as time slope coefficients. This paper allows for arbitrary heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation, thus mitigating possible model misspecification. This paper develops and estimates the model in a Bayesian framework. This paper’s methods can be generalized to many nonlinear models including limited dependent variable models.

Findings

This paper compares several competing models such as a classical panel data model, which has only firm effects. This paper also examines the role of standard deviations in the formation of firm effects and time effects in the Mundlak device. This paper clearly shows that our framework introduces the best flexibility and model fit.

Research limitations/implications

This paper illustrates the importance of using more flexible models (i.e. unit-specific and time-varying coefficients) for future estimation of panel data in the field.

Originality/value

This paper discusses techniques that will improve panel data estimation in the hospitality and tourism literature.
Flight attendants staying positive! The critical role of career orientation amid the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Xiao Jincen , Mao Jih-Yu , Quan Jing
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The airline industry has been one of the hardest-hit industries during the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aims to examine which flight attendants are likely to positively reappraise job insecurity and subsequently elevate their performance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-wave (i.e. Time 1 and Time 2), multi-source (i.e. flight attendants and chief flight attendants) survey was conducted. The final sample consists of 408 flight attendants matched with 57 chief flight attendants. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Flight attendants with an organization-centered career orientation are likely to positively reappraise job insecurity and, in turn, have better job performance than those with a self-centered career orientation.

Originality/value

Flight attendants are likely to experience job insecurity during the COVID-19 crisis. This study highlights a potential positive coping mechanism that is contingent upon flight attendants’ career orientations, facilitating the interaction of the stress-coping and vocational literature in a hospitality context.
Physical to virtual: challenges and opportunities for a neighbourhood-based employment support initiative
Authors: Taylor Abigail , Green Anne , Gloster Rosie , Bramley George
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore challenges and opportunities of shifting from physical to virtual employment support delivery prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic. It investigates associated changes in the nature and balance of support and implications for beneficiary engagement with programmes and job search.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on longitudinal interviews conducted with beneficiaries and delivery providers from a neighbourhood-based employment support initiative in an English region with a strong manufacturing heritage between 2019 and 2021. The initiative established prior to the Covid-19 pandemic involved a strong physical presence locally but switched to virtual delivery during Covid-19 lockdowns.

Findings

Moving long-term to an entirely virtual model would likely benefit some beneficiaries closer to or already in employment. Conversely, others, particularly lone parents, those further from employment, some older people and those without computer/Internet access and/or digital skills are likely to struggle to navigate virtual systems. The study emphasises the importance of blending the benefits of virtual delivery with aspects of place-based physical support.

Originality/value

Previous studies of neighbourhood-based employment policies indicate the benefits of localised face-to-face support for transforming communities. These were conducted prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and the more widespread growth of virtual employment support. This study fills a gap regarding understanding the challenges and opportunities for different groups of beneficiaries when opportunities for physical encounters decline abruptly and support moves virtually.
Business model innovation for sustainability: a new framework
Authors: Ferlito Rosaria , Faraci Rosario
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Sustainable business model innovation (SBMI) is a change in the way a firm operates in order to create positive impacts or to reduce negative consequences for the environment and the society. The aim of this paper is to explain what pathways a firm can take when it implements a sustainable business innovation process in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Design/methodology/approach

The article starts with the analysis of the existing literature about BMI and SBMI in order to extrapolate the main elements of these topics.

Findings

Thanks to the combined information from academic and nonacademic sources, the study proposes a new framework. It is divided into three sectors: value proposition, value capture delivery and value capture according to the main studies about the business model.

Research limitations/implications

Regarding theoretical implications, this study contributes to developing a theory of both BMI and sustainable innovation. Indeed it helps in the understanding of the dynamic vision about how the business model changes in order to incorporate triple sustainability.

Practical implications

From a practical view, the paper can serve as a guideline for corporate reorganization.

Originality/value

The new framework differs from some recent academic efforts first of all for its theoretical characteristics: BMI construct and not business model concept is the core of the framework. The business model represents the subject of innovation, not its vehicle. Another unique aspect that can be derived from the approach adopted is that it links theoretical with practical sources.
Mobile payment in omnichannel retailing: dynamics between trust and loyalty transfer processes
Authors: Wu Li-Wei , Tang Yun-Chia
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study presents an integrated research model to test the relationships between trust in retailers, trust in mobile payment, loyalty to retailers and loyalty to mobile payment as well as the antecedents of trust in retailers and trust in mobile payment. Thus, this study investigates how customer journey design, relationship investment, structure assurance and perceived ubiquity build trust in retailers and trust in mobile payment and how trust affects loyalty to each aspect. At the same time, this study analyzes the reinforcement of trust and loyalty transfer between a retailer and its mobile payment system.

Design/methodology/approach

From the perspective of mobile payment in omnichannel retailing, the authors proposed a framework with several hypotheses and verified the model with structural equation modeling that involves LISREL and SPSS process and based on questionnaire data collected from mobile payment users.

Findings

This study confirms the positive influences of customer journey design and relationship investment on trust in retailers and the positive impacts of structure assurance and perceived ubiquity on trust in mobile payment. Meanwhile, the findings validate the effects of trust in retailers and mobile payment on loyalty to both retailers and mobile payment and how trust in retailers transfers to trust in mobile payment and loyalty to retailers transfers to loyalty to mobile payment.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the marketing literature by filling the research gap and offering a complete model that explicates customers' trust and loyalty in omnichannel context. The findings help businesses better understand the omnichannel retailing landscape and thereby develop effective marketing strategies in order to gain customers' trust in both retailer and mobile payment and retain more loyal customers.
Effect of board quality on the financial performance of conventional and Islamic banks: international comparative study after the Subprime crisis
Authors: Haddad Achraf
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to compare the board quality's (BQ) impacts on the financial performance (FP) of conventional and Islamic banks (IBs) after the Subprime financial crisis. The main reason is to help financial stakeholders choose the best performing and most appropriate bank type with its engagement based on the BQ index.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the existing gap in previous researches and by using the GLS method (Generalized Least Squares method), the author compared the BQ's impacts on the FP of conventional and IBs. Settings of the FP and BQ were collected from 30 countries located on 4 continents. Two equal samples were tested; each of them is composed of 112 banks. The author concentrated only on the banks that have published regularly the banks' annual reports over the period 2010–2018.

Findings

Cylindrical panel results revealed that in conventional banks (CBs), the BQ has negatively affected banks' FP, while in IBs the BQ's impacts on the banks’' FP is ambiguous. Nevertheless, the positive impacts are more significant on the IBs' FP than the negative impacts on the IBs' FP.

Practical implications

The main practical contribution is the identification and distinction between the impacts of board determinants' quality on the shareholders' profits in the case of conventional and IBs. Hence, conventional or IBs which have a bad BQ will generate less FP and will be classified as a lender of bankruptcy danger for the bank customer. Besides, whatever the bank type, in a financial stable period, good BQ positively influences FP and provides a good impression to stakeholders. Otherwise, FP indicates that the banks suffer from the weaknesses of the board quality determinants.

Originality/value

Returning to the finance and banking governance literature, the author's article provides the first conditional and demonstrative analysis that detailed a logical comparative process to analyze the correlation between the board determinants' quality and the financial performance of conventional and IBs. However, previous research has always discussed the main role of the board as an internal governance mechanism on the FP separately in each bank type.
Destination marketing through film-induced tourism: a case study of Otaru, Japan
Authors: Nakayama Chihiro
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to test the utility of Pearce et al.'s (2003) framework on film tourism in Otaru, Japan. This framework involves marketing the attraction according to five stages: resource identification, marketing emphasis, interpretation, sales and merchandising and broader community use. The existing studies have failed to adapt this framework to films. Subsequently, this study uncovers the necessity of an additional stage involving sustainability aspects.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study method was adopted, and Otaru, Japan – a popular film location – was chosen. Semi-structured interviews with the major stakeholders of film tourism, such as film commissions, representatives of the film and the tourism industries, tourists and the community, were conducted, and the participants were observed. Data were collected using the snowball sampling technique.

Findings

The study reveals that Pearce et al.'s (2003) model is applicable to film tourism by adding a sixth stage to address sustainability, such as the issue of overtourism.

Practical implications

The transferability of the framework to different film tourism cases is plausible. It is also critical for governments and tourism practitioners to consider the community's perspective for sustainability and maximize the use of films as promotional tools for destinations.

Originality/value

This study is the first to apply Pearce et al.'s (2003) model to film tourism, adding value to the literature by extending the framework to include an additional sixth stage to address sustainability.
Critical review of the role of accounting in the decision-making process
Authors: Salehi Allah Karam
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the accounting role’s deficiencies in managers’ decision-making processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The current research applies a critical review method, which along with a deductive approach – based on a library review of existing sources – examines the underlying causes for the deficiencies of accounting role in the decision-making process of managers; moreover, based on the results obtained, the current study proposes a structural model to explain the issue.

Findings

The results exhibit the inadequacies of the accounting role in the decision-making process of managers into three sections: “dilution of financial reporting information content,” “malpractice of accounting information providers” and “managers’ unwillingness to use accounting information.”

Practical implications

This research provides a new perspective on critical accounting studies for the accounting profession, policymakers and managers and invites them to examine the roles of accounting information in more depth and breadth.

Originality/value

This article is the first study that critically expounds upon the literature on the deficiencies of accounting role in the decision-making process of managers and presents these deficiencies in the form of a structural model from three different perspectives.
Earnings management in municipal firms: evidence from Portugal
Authors: Serra Coelho Luís
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This paper investigates the earnings management (EM) practices of Portuguese municipal firms (MFs), which are a special type of public-sector entity.

Design/methodology/approach

MFs are identified using a dedicated list maintained by the Portuguese Government. Accounting data are collected from the Bureau Van Dijk's AMADEUS database. The Burgstahler and Dichev's (1997) methodology and panel data regression methods are employed to examine the EM practices of Portuguese MFs.

Findings

Portuguese MFs manage earnings to report small and positive net earnings and to avoid disclosing losses. There is evidence that such companies are more likely to engage in EM practices when facing higher liquidation risk and financial leverage, lower liquidity and in certain periods of the local election cycle.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies investigating the EM practices of MFs, directly contributing to the literature that explores the relationship between state ownership and the quality of financial statements. The paper has important implications for the MFs' stakeholders, especially regulators and supervising authorities.