bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mutant-selective Degradation by BRAF-targeting PROTACs
Authors: Alabi Shanique , Jaime-Figueroa Saul , Yao Zhan , Gao Yijun , Hines John , Samarasinghe Kusal T.G. , Vogt Lea , Rosen Neal , Crews Craig M.
Published: August 2020

Over 300 BRAF missense mutations have been identified in patients, yet currently approved drugs target V600 mutants alone. Moreover, acquired resistance inevitably emerges, primarily due to RAF lesions that prevent inhibition of BRAF V600 with current treatments. Therefore, there is a need for new therapies that target other mechanisms of activated BRAF. In this study, we use the Proteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) technology, which promotes ubiquitination and degradation of neo-substrates, to address the limitations of BRAF inhibitor-based therapies. Using vemurafenib-based PROTACs, we successfully achieve sub-nanomolar degradation of all classes of BRAF mutants, but spare degradation of WT RAF family members. Our lead PROTAC outperforms vemurafenib in inhibiting cancer cell growth and shows in vivo efficacy in a Class 2 BRAF xenograft model. Mechanistic studies reveal that BRAFWT is spared due to weak ternary complex formation in cells owing to its quiescent inactivated conformation, and activation of BRAFWT sensitizes it to degradation. This study highlights the degree of selectivity achievable using degradation-based therapies by targeting mutant BRAF-driven cancers while sparing BRAFWT and thus expanding the therapeutic window using a new anti-tumor drug modality.
Influenza A virus NS1 protein binds as a dimer to the RNA-free PABP1 but not to the PABP1•Poly(A) RNA Complex
Authors: de Rozières Cyrus M , Joseph Simpson
Published: August 2020

Influenza A virus (IAV) is a highly contagious human pathogen responsible for nearly half a million deaths each year. Non-structural protein 1 (NS1) is a crucial protein expressed by IAV to evade the host immune system. Additionally, NS1 has been proposed to stimulate translation because of its ability to bind poly(A) binding protein 1 (PABP1) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4G (eIF4G). We analyzed the interaction of NS1 with PABP1 using quantitative techniques. Our studies show that NS1 binds as a homodimer to PABP1, and this interaction is conserved across different IAV strains. Unexpectedly, NS1 does not bind to PABP1 that is bound to poly(A) RNA. Instead, NS1 only binds to PABP1 free of RNA, suggesting that translation stimulation does not occur by NS1 interacting with the PABP1 molecule attached to the mRNA 3’-poly(A) tail. We propose that NS1 binds to the eIF4G complex at the 5’-end of the mRNA and recruits the RNA-free PABP1, which may stimulate translation initiation by promoting the association of the ribosomal subunits.
Discovery and biosynthesis of clostyrylpyrones from the obligate anaerobeClostridium roseum
Authors: Li Jeffrey S , Du Yongle , Gu Di , Cai Wenlong , Green Allison , Ng Samuel , Leung Alexander , Del Rio Flores Antonio , Zhang Wenjun
Published: August 2020

Anaerobic bacteria are a promising new source for natural product discovery. Examination of extracts from the obligate anaerobeClostridium roseumled to discovery of a new family of natural products, the clostyrylpyrones. The polyketide synthase-based biosynthetic mechanism of clostyrylpyrones is further proposed based on bioinformatic, gene knockout, biochemical analysis and heterologous expression studies.
A DNA-origami nuclear pore mimic reveals nuclear entry mechanisms of HIV-1 capsid
Authors: Shen Qi , Xu Chaoyi , Jang Sooin , Xiong Qiancheng , Devarkar Swapnil C. , Tian Taoran , Bedwell Gregory J. , Tripler Therese N. , Hu Yingxia , Yuan Shuai , Temple Joshua , Shi Jiong , Aiken Christopher , Engelman Alan N. , Perilla Juan R. , Lusk C. Patrick , Lin Chenxiang , Xiong Yong
Published: August 2020

The capsid of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) plays a pivotal role in viral nuclear import, but the mechanism by which the viral core passages the nuclear pore complex (NPC) is poorly understood. Here, we use DNA-origami mimics of the NPC, termed NuPODs (NucleoPorins Organized by DNA), to reveal the mechanistic underpinnings of HIV-1 capsid nuclear entry. We found that trimeric interface formed via three capsid protein hexamers is targeted by a triple-arginine (RRR) motif but not the canonical phenylalanine-glycine (FG) motif of NUP153. As NUP153 is located on the nuclear face of the NPC, this result implies that the assembled capsid must cross the NPCin vivo. This hypothesis is corroborated by our observations of tubular capsid assemblies penetrating through NUP153 NuPODs. NUP153 prefers to bind highly curved capsid assemblies including those found at the tips of viral cores, thereby facilitating capsid insertion into the NPC. Furthermore, a balance of capsid stabilization by NUP153 and deformation by CPSF6, along with other cellular factors, may allow for the intact capsid to pass NPCs of various sizes. The NuPOD system serves as a unique tool for unraveling the previously elusive mechanisms of nuclear import of HIV-1 and other viruses.
The COVID-19 Early Detection in Doctors and Healthcare Workers (CEDiD) Study: study protocol for a prospective observational trial
Authors: Zargaran Alexander , Radenkovic Dina , Trengrove Chelsea , Arbane Gill , El-Boghdadly Kariem , Martinez-Nunez Rocio , Greenough Anne
Published: August 2020

Background

The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused worldwide disruption with its exponential spread mandating national and international lockdown measures. Hospital-associated transmission has been identified as a major factor in the perpetuation of COVID-19, with healthcare workers at high-risk of becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2 and representing important vectors for spread, but not routinely having their clinical observations monitored or being tested for COVID-19.

Methods

A single-center, prospective observational study of 60 healthcare workers will explore how many healthcare workers in high-risk areas develop COVID-19 infection over a thirty day period. High-risk areas are defined as COVID positive wards, the intensive care unit or the accident and emergency department. Healthcare workers (HCWs) will be recruited and have daily self-administered nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests. They will also be provided with a wearable medical device to measure their clinical observations during non-working hours, and be asked to complete a daily self-reported symptom questionnaire over the study period. Statistical analysis will assess the proportion of healthcare workers who develop COVID-19 infection as a primary objective, with secondary objectives exploring what symptoms are developed, time-to-event, and deviations in clinical observations.

Discussion

At present clinical observations, symptoms and COVID-19 PCR swabs are not routinely undertaken for healthcare workers. If the CEDiD (COVID-19 Early Detection in Doctors and Healthcare Workers) study is successful, it will provide useful information for workforce decisions in reducing hospital-associated transmission of COVID-19. The data will help in determining whether there are early warning signs for development of COVID-19 infections amongst healthcare workers and may contribute to the evidence base advocating for more regular testing of healthcare workers’ observations, symptoms and COVID-19 status.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov,NCT04363489. Registered on 27thJuly 2020
Deciphering the intrinsic dynamics from the beam-induced atomic motions in oxide glasses
Authors: Chushkin Yuriy
Published: August 2020

Probing the microscopic slow structural relaxation in oxide glasses by X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) revealed faster than expected dynamics induced by the X-ray illumination. The fast beam-induced dynamics mask true slow structural relaxation in glasses and challenges application of XPCS to probe the atomic dynamics in oxide glasses. Here an approach that allows estimation of the true relaxation time of the sample in the presence of beam-induced dynamics is presented. The method requires two measurements either with different X-ray beam intensities or at different temperatures. Using numerical simulations it is shown that the slowest estimated true relaxation time is limited by the accuracy of the measured relaxation times of the sample. By analyzing the reported microscopic dynamics in SiO2, GeO2 and B2O3 glasses, it is concluded that the beam-induced dynamics show rich behavior depending on the sample.
Accountants’ perceptions of communication in not-for-profit organisations: inhibitors, enablers and strategies
Authors: Daff Lyn , Parker Lee D.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The not-for-profit (NFP) context displays unique characteristics that include stakeholder diversity, multiple stakeholder agendas, and the pervasiveness of philanthropic values and related organisational mission. This study investigated accountants’ perceptions of NFPs’ characteristics that enable and inhibit their communication along with the strategies they adopt to overcome their communication challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative interview-based study is informed by Giddens’ structuration theory. Thirty NFP accountants, from three Australian states, were interviewed. Thematic analysis was used to identify the relationships between NFP organisational characteristics and accountants’ communication strategies, and their interactions with organisational structures.

Findings

The study reveals important relationships between many stakeholders with limited financial acumen, organisational resource constraints, the currency of NFP information technologies, the dominance of operational mission over financial imperatives, and the supply of organisational accountants. Accountants’ structural adaptations emerge in their adopting multiple forms of communications reframing.

Research limitations/implications

The NFP environment exhibits a mix of characteristics, some of which pose challenges for accountants’ communication while others facilitate their communication.

Social implications

Increasingly, governments are relying on NFPs for the provision of services once provided by the state. Enhancing NFP accountants’ communication has the potential to improve outcomes for NFPs.

Originality/value

The study broadens prior research on accountants’ communication beyond formal written reporting to recognise and articulate their informal communication strategies.
Factors influencing corporate social responsibility disclosures in Nepalese banks
Authors: Bidari Gopi , Djajadikerta Hadrian Geri
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper examines the relationship between selected firm-specific variables and the extent of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures made by Nepalese banks.

Design/methodology/approach

A content analysis approach of the banks' annual reports is applied using a CSR disclosure index based on the Global Reporting Initiative guidelines. The factors identified in this study – bank size, bank age and bank profitability – are analyzed against the extent of CSR disclosures in the Nepalese banks using multiple regression.

Findings

The main finding from the content analysis indicates that the extent of CSR disclosures made by Nepalese banks in their annual reports is mostly descriptive, with charity and donation being the most disclosed items. The main findings from the correlation and regression analyses show that there are positive and significant relationships between both bank size and profitability and the extent of CSR disclosures in the Nepalese banks, while bank age is a partial determinant.

Originality/value

Banks have a significant role in the Nepalese economy. This study offers insights into the CSR disclosure practices of Nepalese banks, examines the potential factors affecting CSR disclosure and expands the pool of CSR knowledge in the developing country context, especially in the banking sector.
The effect of social networking sites use on employees’ knowledge sharing
Authors: Vyas Pallavi Ghanshyala , Pandey Satish
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship of social networking sites (SNSs) use, bridging social capital (BSC) and job satisfaction (JS) with knowledge sharing (KS) of employees. With the advent of social media and its technologies, it becomes opportune for organizations and practitioners to understand if the technology has usefulness for its employees.

Design/methodology/approach

After a thorough literature review, a research model was proposed and tested to identify the possible relationship between the variables. The results were validated using appropriate research tools such as hierarchical regression.

Findings

SNS use, BSC and JS were found to be positively associated with KS and the three variables together influenced KS more favorably. However, there was no significant association of SNS use with JS and BSC of employees, unlike past research conducted in the context of different countries.

Research limitations/implications

The authors identified the workplace implications of SNSs use in enabling KS and also the positive impact of losing network ties and JS of employees in enhancing KS.

Practical implications

These findings can provide insight to managers on the importance of SNSs and the formation of lose – tie networks for aiding in KS.

Originality/value

The study is the first to explore the BSC dimension in the context of SNS use and KS and propose a model to identify the association between SNS use, JS, BSC and KS in a single study.
Influence of building and indoor environmental parameters on designing energy-efficient buildings
Authors: Eromobor Stephen O. , Das Dillip Kumar , Emuze Fidelis
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Arguments for the design of sustainable university buildings have emerged in South Africa. Energy being a major determinant of the sustainability of buildings, the purpose of this study was to examine the influence of various building and indoor environmental parameters on the energy performance of university buildings in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey research method, administered within the context of university buildings in South Africa, was used. Data about 16 buildings from three universities were collected. Relevant, inferential statistical analyses were conducted to examine the relative influence of the building parameters on the energy consumed in the buildings. Also, regression models within building parameters were developed independently and in a combination that could be used to estimate energy consumption in the university buildings.

Findings

Findings suggested that building and indoor environmental parameters of humidity, indoor temperature, volume, illumination, and window width ratio (WWR), in that order, influenced energy consumption significantly, and also, had direct empirical relationships.

Practical implications

Optimising the building and indoor environmental parameters in design will enhance energy-efficiency in university buildings in South Africa.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature in terms of understanding the order of influence of building parameters on energy consumption in university buildings in the temperate climatic zone of South Africa. It also established empirical models between building and indoor environmental parameters and energy consumption, both independently and in combination, that could assist in designing energy-efficient and sustainable university buildings.
Teacher change through cognitive conflicts: the case of an art lesson study
Authors: Calleja James , Formosa Laura
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The paper focuses on lesson study, which generally engages the collaborative work of a group of teachers, as implemented with a primary school art teacher who had limited opportunities for collaboration. Through lesson study, the teacher worked closely with a lesson study facilitator and an art education expert to plan a research lesson. The study explores how this collaboration generated cognitive conflicts and eventually teacher change.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a case study using a thematic approach to data analysis. The lesson study involved weekly face-to-face meetings and daily online communications over a period of eight weeks. In an attempt to reflect upon and resolve conflicts, the teacher kept a journal in which the teacher wrote down lengthy accounts of the discussions with knowledgeable others, the teacher’s struggles and ways of resolving these. Data were complemented by the different lesson plan versions, the post-lesson discussions and a detailed report documenting the lesson study process.

Findings

The paper provides insights into the role that cognitive conflicts play for teacher change. Through ongoing communication, reflection and support to resolve conflicts, the teacher recognised more collaborative opportunities for professional development, freed from rigid lesson planning practices and reported a new conceptualisation to teaching.

Practical implications

Drawing on the literature about effective teacher professional learning, the paper offers implications for supporting teacher change.

Originality/value

This paper provides insights into how lesson study may provide conditions that enable teachers' cognitive conflict and facilitate their consequent resolution.
Graduating students’ standpoints on Wasta as a ‘gateway’ to employment: motives and influences
Authors: Al-Twal Arwa , Aladwan Khaled
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study aims to uncover graduating students’ standpoints on Wasta through exploring their motives to use it and its potential influences on them particularly when they move to a workplace (i.e. after leveraging it to gain employment).

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 graduating students studying at a Jordanian private university.

Findings

Graduating students considered Wasta as a gateway to employment, which rationalised their motives to use it in terms of the perceived lack of equal opportunities in the market, and the absence of rules and regulations that inhibit it. However, they also perceived that being hired through Wasta could have positive and negative impacts on them.

Originality/value

The findings of the study enriched the understanding of various aspects of Wasta, such as why it is used, how it works and how it could have harmful effects on those who benefit from it in addition to those who do not have it, while previous literature primarily focussed on the latter. Although individuals may share similar contextual pressures that encourage them to use Wasta for employment purposes, this research shows that they would accept and justify its use for themselves, yet reject it for others. This study emphasises the need to conduct further research to explain these contradictory views. It also suggests exploring the motives of the patrons of Wasta and its influences on them when they offer it. This is to understand the psychology of offering Wasta and identify the roles of the parties who get involved in it.
Exploration of older prisoner’s social needs, who attended one of two prison initiatives for older people: an inductive phenomenological study
Authors: Brooke Joanne , Rybacka Monika
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore the social needs and experiences of older prisoners who were attending one of two social initiatives in a prison in England.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on an interpretative phenomenological study, conducted in a prison in the South West of England. Older prisoners attending an initiative implemented for those over 55, a purposive activity or a social task group, participated in focus groups, which were audio recorded and thematically analysed.

Findings

Two overarching themes were identified. Firstly, the need to feel safe: prisoners felt attending an initiative provided them with a safe haven away from noisy and boisterous younger prisoners, who they perceived as different from them and who received preferential treatment. Secondly, being provided with a purpose: prisoners felt they belonged among their peers, which motivated them to attend and support group activities.

Research limitations/implications

This study was completed in one prison. However, both initiatives supported the social needs of older prisoners and enabled them to leave their cells, although they felt unsafe when not attending an initiative.

Originality/value

There remains a need to support the process of integrating younger and older prisoners, by the provision of both integrated and separate initiatives, with the aim of developing cross-generational and bi-directional peer support.
Influence of gamification on perceived self-efficacy: gender and age moderator effect
Authors: Polo-Peña Ana Isabel , Frías-Jamilena Dolores María , Fernández-Ruano María Lina
Published: August 2020

Purpose

In advanced societies, lifestyles are increasingly sedentary, and it is important to identify strategies to help people acquire healthy habits, such as exercise. The present study proposes the use of gamification as a strategy for encouraging users to exercise regularly, based on the possibilities offered by “smart” devices such as smartbands.

Design/methodology/approach

The work analyzes how individuals experience their participation in a gamification program, on the premise that it should provide an experience that is intrinsically motivating and fun. Also the moderator effect of the gender and age on the relationship between their experience of participating in a gamification program and perceived self-efficacy.

Findings

The results show that individuals' experience of participating in a gamification program exerts a positive influence on their perceived self-efficacy in the practice of sport or exercise. The study also finds that the variables “gender” and “age” moderate the relationship between their experience of participating in a gamification program and perceived self-efficacy, such that it exerts a greater influence on women and older people.

Practical implications

The practical implications for the professionals and institutions involved in promoting the adoption of regular sport and exercise in society are about taking advantage of the potential of wearable technology such as smartbands. The present study finds that the use of gamification for encouraging people to adopt regular physical activity is more effective for women than for men, and for older people than for younger users.

Originality/value

The findings of this study provide a better understanding of whether gamification is an appropriate strategy for helping participants to perceive themselves as having greater self-efficacy in their chosen sport or exercise, taking into account the moderating effect of participant gender and age.
Fault data screening and failure rate prediction framework-based bathtub curve on industrial robots
Authors: Bai Bin , Li Ze , Wu Qiliang , Zhou Ce , Zhang Junyi
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study aims to obtained the failure probability distributions of subsystems for industrial robot and filtrate its fault data considering the complicated influencing factors of failure rate for industrial robot and numerous epistemic uncertainties.

Design Methodology Approach

A fault data screening method and failure rate prediction framework are proposed to investigate industrial robot. First, the failure rate model of the industrial robot with different subsystems is established and then the surrogate model is used to fit bathtub curve of the original industrial robot to obtain the early fault time point. Furthermore, the distribution parameters of the original industrial robot are solved by maximum-likelihood function. Second, the influencing factors of the new industrial robot are quantified, and the epistemic uncertainties are refined using interval analytic hierarchy process method to obtain the correction coefficient of the failure rate.

Findings

The failure rate and mean time between failure (MTBF) of predicted new industrial robot are obtained, and the MTBF of predicted new industrial robot is improved compared with that of the original industrial robot.

Research Limitations Implications

Failure data of industrial robots is the basis of this prediction method, but it cannot be used for new or similar products, which is the limitation of this method. At the same time, based on the series characteristics of the industrial robot, it is not suitable for parallel or series-parallel systems.

Practical Implications

This investigation has important guiding significance to maintenance strategy and spare parts quantity of industrial robot. In addition, this study is of great help to engineers and of great significance to increase the service life and reliability of industrial robots.

Social Implications

This investigation can improve MTBF and extend the service life of industrial robots; furthermore, this method can be applied to predict other mechanical products.

Originality Value

This method can complete the process of fitting, screening and refitting the fault data of the industrial robot, which provides a theoretic basis for reliability growth of the predicted new industrial robot. This investigation has significance to maintenance strategy and spare parts quantity of the industrial robot. Moreover, this method can also be applied to the prediction of other mechanical products.
The chain effects of service innovation components on the building blocks of tourism destination loyalty: the moderating role of religiosity
Authors: Boon Liat Cheng , Nikhashemi S.R. , Dent Michael M.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Having Middle Eastern tourism industry as the context, this study aims to examine the impact of the four main dimensions within service innovation (i.e. product, process, organizational and marketing innovations) on tourist satisfaction; subsequently, towards the development of destination loyalty. Realized that religiosity prevails as an important social force that shapes individual behaviours, this study, hence, placed further assessment upon its moderating role, specifically in the relationships between tourist satisfaction and destination loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

With adopting the approach of self-structured questionnaire, 214 usable responses had been collected for this study. Obtained data was then analyzed by conducting exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and multiple linear regression analysis through the usage of structural equation modelling.

Findings

Analysis of obtained data has revealed all the investigated dimensions within service innovation as active predictors to tourist satisfaction, with the exception of product innovation, while having marketing innovation being of highest significance. In turn, tourist satisfaction is found to greatly influence the formation of destination loyalty. Findings then provide notable indication on religiosity as a moderating factor to the proposed relationships within the investigated framework, between service innovation and tourist satisfaction, as well as tourist satisfaction and destination loyalty.

Originality/value

This study, thus, revealed the level of religiosity, particularly from the standpoint of Islamic perspectives, in playing a critical role towards predicting capability of service innovation on tourist satisfaction, and further, destination loyalty. Contributions hereby lie on theoretical and pragmatic insights concerning aspects of service and Islamic marketing within today’s tourism front.
The power of personal brand authenticity and identification: top celebrity players’ contribution to loyalty toward football
Authors: Kucharska Wioleta , Confente Ilenia , Brunetti Federico
Published: August 2020

Purpose

In the current era of fake news, illusions, manipulations and other artificial attributes of virtuality and reality, authenticity is a virtue that people highly appreciate. This study aims to examine the influence of the personal brand authenticity of top football players on loyalty to the football discipline in general, via the mediation of personal brand identification.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on data collected from a convenience sample of 562 respondents from Poland via an electronic survey and analyzed using the structural equation modeling method, this study explored, first, the influence of top football players’ personal brand authenticity on consumers’ identification with these football players, and second, how this identification may lead to enhancing loyalty to the football discipline. Finally, it verified how the loyalty effect (attitudinal and behavioral) varies across different categories of spectators.

Findings

Personal brand identification with authentic football stars is a focal factor enabling the creation of loyalty (attitudinal and behavioral) to the whole discipline. Consumers’ perceptions of the authenticity of the personal brands of football players play a role in increasing identification with these personal brands. This identification is essential in achieving loyalty to football as a sports discipline via football celebrities.

Practical implications

Football players perceived as authentic are evaluated more positively, leading to consumer identification with these players, which, in turn, increases consumers’ loyalty to football. Thus, the presence of authentic, skilled players is important for football, but the actual loyalty effect from authenticity can be achieved only by identification. Therefore, football requires exceptional, strong stars who reflect a set of desired personal values. Further research is needed to identify the desired set of values that leads to identification with football stars.

Originality/value

This study presents evidence that the personal brand authenticity of a football star is a driver of loyalty towards football discipline in general if the spectators’ identification with this superstar occurs. Moreover, this study proves that loyalty to football driven by the personal brand authenticity of football stars differs between spectators’ categories.
Making things personal: a project promoting the wellbeing of older residents and staff in sheltered housing and care homes
Authors: Edwards Heather
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to present findings of a project implementing training to enable care staff to create simple audio-biographical resources with older tenants and residents in sheltered housing and care homes.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on written evaluations by participants of training workshops delivered to 136 care home staff within 28 care homes of the NorseCare group in Norfolk, UK and of their experience after three months in the workplace.

Findings

The evaluations showed a high degree of satisfaction with training and impact of the intervention. Successful implementation of training in the workplace depended on factors of time and leadership within individual homes and housing schemes.

Originality/value

Making innovative personal information documents valued carers’ unique understanding of residents and tenants. This creative co-production may have benefits in personalising and enriching the experience of care for both staff and residents.
Using a storytelling intervention in schools to explore death, dying, and loss
Authors: Blake Jessica , Bayliss Anda , Callow Bethan , Futter Grace , Harikrishnan Navaneeth , Peryer Guy
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Experiencing bereavement in childhood can cause profound changes to developmental trajectories. This paper aims to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a public health intervention in schools to encourage pupils aged 12-15 years to independently explore ideas of death, dying, loss and end of life care in a structured and creative format.

Design/methodology/approach

A co-produced storytelling intervention was implemented in an independent school in Norwich, UK. Pupils wrote up to 1,000 words in response to the title, “I Wish We’d Spoken Earlier”. Their participation was voluntary and extra-curricular. Stakeholder feedback was used in addition to the submissions as a measure of acceptability, appropriateness, adoption and feasibility.

Findings

In total, 24 entries were submitted. Pupils demonstrated their ability to engage thoughtfully and creatively with the subject matter. Feasibility for the storytelling intervention was demonstrated. Importantly, the intervention also prompted family conversations around preferences and wishes for end of life care.

Research limitations/implications

To determine whether the intervention has psychological and social benefits will require further study.

Practical implications

Educational settings can be considered as anchor institutions to support a public health approach to end of life care.

Originality/value

The positive response from all stakeholders in delivering and supporting the intervention indicates that schools are a community asset that could be further empowered to support children and families affected by death, dying and loss.
Nurses’ and nurse managers’ perceived transformational leadership behavioural practices: a survey
Authors: Sammut Roberta , Scicluna Amanda
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the perceived transformational leadership practices of charge and staff nurses. Transformational leadership is effective in promoting change in organisations, with the leader guiding followers towards a common vision.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative, descriptive, comparative survey design was used. All charge nurses (N = 151) and staff nurses (N = 1,950) in six health entities in Malta were included. A mixed mode survey design was used. Data were collected using the Leadership Practices Inventory and analysed using ANOVA and the Kruskal–Wallis test.

Findings

An overall response rate of 15% (n = 315) was achieved. Both staff and charge nurses perceived transformational leadership to be practiced. Charge nurses scored consistently higher than staff nurses. In long-term care environments, charge nurses are more likely to “model the way”, while in acute settings, they were more likely to “enable others to act”.

Research limitations/implications

Transformational leadership appears to be applied by charge nurses in Malta. The response rate achieved was low and may limit the generalisability of the results of the study.

Practical implications

Nurse managers need to adapt their transformational leadership style based on the context in which they work.

Originality/value

Regular feedback from nursing staff should be sought for charge nurses to be aware of the extent to which they are implementing transformational leadership.
An exploratory survey measuring burnout among academic librarians in the southeast of the United States
Authors: Colon-Aguirre Monica , Webb Katy Kavanagh
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The main purpose of this work is to uncover and identify the issues that academic librarians consider important in the attainment of work–life balance. This work will focus on exploring their experiences with different dimensions of burnout.

Design/methodology/approach

The topic of burnout is explored by analyzing the results of a survey based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), which was distributed among librarians at a group academic institutions that are members of the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL).

Findings

The findings of this study do not demonstrate evidence of burnout among the sample population. However, the results do present plenty of opportunities for further exploration such as the relationship between burnout and personal factors, including LGBTQA + status and race or ethnic minority status.

Research limitations/implications

Further exploration of the topic of burnout should be followed up with more qualitative studies, especially those employing interviews.

Practical implications

Improvement of human resource practices, which reduces the incidence of burnout among academic librarians, is something that can only be accomplished at the organizational level. Human resource practices can create a work environment that enhances productivity by improving the quality of life of employees.

Originality/value

This work explores and assesses academic librarian burnout, among those working in academic institutions in the southeastern United States. To date, no study has been undertaken that looks at burnout across broad types of work performed by academic librarians and librarians at different institutions.
Revising the warehouse productivity measurement indicators: ratio-based benchmark
Authors: Karim Nur Hazwani , Abdul Rahman Noorul Shaiful Fitri , Md Hanafiah Rudiah , Abdul Hamid Saharuddin , Ismail Alisha , Abd Kader Ab Saman , Muda Mohd Shaladdin
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The literature on warehouse performance assessments is mainly focussed on the efficiency and effectiveness of an action or activity due to customer demand and tailored fulfilment, with less attention being given to the performance measurement of each function of the warehouse and its overall productivity. Therefore, this study was aimed at revising the key warehouse performance metrics to a set of productivity measurement indicators that can be adopted internationally for benchmarking productivity performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review and semi-structured survey questionnaire were used for this study. The importance of warehouse productivity performance was reviewed to revamp the measurement indicators. Through the use of a directed content analysis and descriptive analysis, an extensive study was carried out to analyze existing warehouse productivity indicators.

Findings

The findings of this study provide comprehensive references for practitioners and academicians for improving the classification of productivity measurements from existing key performance metrics for warehousing. Also, this paper highlights the warehouse resources related to the respective warehouse operation activities.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to productivity performance indicators adapted from Staudt et al. (2015). Furthermore, the samples for this study comprised Malaysian academicians and practitioners in the related field. The findings can be adapted on a global scale as this study implemented general warehouse operation processes.

Originality/value

Consequently, the contributions of this study are that it provides relevant benchmarks for key productivity performance indicators in the warehousing sector that has worldwide applicability and the developed model provides a conceptual platform from which further theoretical and empirical developments can be carried out.
Attitudinal commitment in firms’ de-internationalization processes
Authors: Kuiken Andrea , Wentrup Robert , Schweizer Roger
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the de-internationalization process to determine how different forms of attitudinal commitment influence the de-internationalization process.

Design/methodology/approach

Because of the exploratory nature of the study, a case study design is used. Two cases of Swedish companies, which de-internationalize from the French market, are studied.

Findings

Different commitment profiles influence the de-internationalization process. In particular, a general commitment profile, in which affective, normative, instrumental and continuance commitment play a role, influences the timing of de-internationalization, while the effort directed toward the execution of de-internationalization is mainly influenced by normative commitment and the extent of de-internationalization mainly by instrumental commitment.

Research limitations/implications

By offering three propositions regarding the four types of commitment and the effects of these commitment types on the process of de-internationalization, the authors contribute to the literature on de-internationalization and the commitment literature.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that there is a risk that managers continue to commit resources to a market for a longer period without clear benefits because of affective and continuance commitment. As local employees persist in committing to the local market because of continuance commitment, offering viable alternatives reduces commitment to the foreign operations.

Originality/value

Distinguishing between different types of commitment, the paper builds on a more fine-grained typology of commitment than previous internationalization literature. Thereby, the paper opens up for new insights in the de-internationalization process.
Understanding employee responses to COVID-19: a behavioral corporate social responsibility perspective
Authors: Aguinis Herman , Villamor Isabel , Gabriel Kelly P.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to critically synthesize and integrate conceptual and empirical research on the behavioral perspective on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and explain why it is useful and necessary, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors explain why CSR can result in both positive and negative outcomes and provide future research directions and recommendations for practice and policymaking.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focuses on critical literature review and synthesis.

Findings

CSR policies in response to COVID-19 are created by organizations but are implemented by individual employees. The way employees perceive and react to CSR actions are key determinants of CSR’s implementation and success. CSR can be embedded within or peripheral to a firm’s core functioning. While embedded CSR is linked to several positive outcomes if correctly implemented together with employees, peripheral CSR is linked to “the dark side” of CSR and can result in negative employee outcomes.

Practical implications

Using the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors detail types of CSR actions that governments and organizations can implement and their relative effectiveness; why “one size fits all” top-down CSR does not work; how firms can use human resource management practices to re-engage employees through finding meaning in work; and the “dark side” of CSR.

Social implications

Using the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors detail types of CSR actions that governments and organizations can implement and their relative effectiveness; why “one size fits all” top-down CSR does not work; how firms can use human resource management practices to re-engage employees through finding meaning in work; and the “dark side” of CSR.

Originality/value

CSR research has focused mostly on why and when firms choose to engage in CSR. A behavioral perspective on CSR facilitates, through an employee-centric conceptual framework, a deeper understanding of when and why employee reactions lead to positive and unintended negative outcomes, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Studying the institutional framework for the public transport system in Jaipur, India
Authors: Dev Mohit , Biswas Arindam
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The objective of this study is to understand the institutional dynamics of the public transport system in Jaipur. The institutional dynamics of the public transport system includes an understanding of the role of the formal and informal institutions (i.e. the actors) and the relationship between the public bus, external and private city bus operators.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology to achieve the objectives of the study included an institutional mapping method to develop an in-depth understanding of the existing institutional framework for the public transport, secondary data and primary survey processed through focused interviews of Jaipur City Transport Services Limited (JCTSL) and the Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials, representatives of the external operator, drivers and conductors’ union and private city bus service operators. The cooperation level between these organizations was measured on a five-point Likert scale.

Findings

The study indicated significant issues: poor cooperation levels between JCTSL and the RTO; the absence of a horizontal relationship between JCTSL and the RTO; conflict of powers, the competition of public and private minibus service; delays in smart city projects; absence of an integrated transport authority.

Originality/value

In the Indian context, this study can help other Indian cities which are facing similar problems due to the fragmented institutional framework for public transport services and financial losses to the public bus operators due to the direct competition from paratransit or private bus services.
Empirical perspectives of transactive memory systems: a meta-analysis
Authors: Zhou Zikai , Pazos Pilar
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to synthesize the previous empirical studies on transactive memory systems (TMS) through a meta-analytical approach and test the proposed model for the relationships between TMS and different types of team outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

TMS refers to shared memory systems developed among a group of people for encoding, storage and retrieval of their different knowledge domains. They have been widely used in group or organization settings to describe the cumulative knowledge in a group of multi-disciplinary experts. Previous literature suggests TMS as a critical concept for explaining group performance, but few studies were conducted to integrate the literature findings to identify the relationships between TMS and team outcomes.

Findings

The findings suggest that TMS is more strongly linked to affective outcomes than behavioral or performance outcomes. In addition, the authors find that the specific operationalization of TMS does not affect the relationship between TMS and team outcomes. There was not enough support for significant effects of group size and research setting on the relationships between TMS and team outcomes, which indicates that both laboratory and field studies have similar potential to generate valuable results for the research of TMS.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the body of knowledge on team effectiveness by investigating the links between TMS and team effectiveness through a broad definition of outcomes that include tangible constructs, such as performance, as well as behavioral and affective outcomes. By exploring the relationships through this broad conceptualization of team effectiveness, the authors can better understand the particular effects of TMS on different key aspects used to determine success in teams.