bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stochastic neural field model of stimulus-dependent variability in cortical neurons
Authors: Bressloff Paul C.
Published: January 2019

We use stochastic neural field theory to analyze the stimulus-dependent tuning of neural variability in ring attractor networks. We apply perturbation methods to show how the neural field equations can be reduced to a pair of stochastic nonlinear phase equations describing the stochastic wandering of spontaneously formed tuning curves or bump solutions. These equations are analyzed using a modified version of the bivariate von Mises distribution, which is well-known in the theory of circular statistics. We first consider a single ring network and derive a simple mathematical expression that accounts for the experimentally observed bimodal (or M-shaped) tuning of neural variability. We then explore the effects of inter-network coupling on stimulus-dependent variability in a pair of ring networks. These could represent populations of cells in two different layers of a cortical hypercolumn linked via vertical synaptic connections, or two different cortical hypercolumns linked by horizontal patchy connections within the same layer. We find that neural variability can be suppressed or facilitated, depending on whether the inter-network coupling is excitatory or inhibitory, and on the relative strengths and biases of the external stimuli to the two networks. These results are consistent with the general observation that increasing the mean firing rate via external stimuli or modulating drives tends to reduce neural variability.

Author Summary

A topic of considerable current interest concerns the neural mechanisms underlying the suppression of cortical variability following the onset of a stimulus. Since trial-by-trial variability and noise correlations are known to affect the information capacity of neurons, such suppression could improve the accuracy of population codes. One of the main candidate mechanisms is the suppression of noise-induced transitions between multiple attractors, as exemplified by ring attractor networks. The latter have been used to model experimentally measured stochastic tuning curves of directionally selective middle temporal (MT) neurons. In this paper we show how the stimulus-dependent tuning of neural variability in ring attractor networks can be analyzed in terms of the stochastic wandering of spontaneously formed tuning curves or bumps in a continuum neural field model. The advantage of neural fields is that one can derive explicit mathematical expressions for the second-order statistics of neural activity, and explore how this depends on important model parameters, such as the level of noise, the strength of recurrent connections, and the input contrast.
Nonlinear transfer and temporal gain control in ON bipolar cells
Authors: Deshmukh Nikhil R. , Berry Michael J.
Published: January 2019

The separation of visual input into discrete channels begins at the photoreceptor to bipolar cell synapse. Current models of the ON pathway describe the time-varying membrane voltage of ON bipolar cells as a linear function of light fluctuations. While this linearity holds under some visual conditions, stimulating the retina with full-field, high contrast flashes reveals a number of nonlinearities already present in the input current of ON bipolar cells. First, we show that the synaptic input to ON bipolar cells is asymmetric in response to equal flashes of opposite polarity. Next, we show that this asymmetry emerges because the responses to dark flashes increase linearly with contrast, whereas responses to bright flashes are highly rectified. We also describe how the outward current saturates in response to dark flashes of increasing duration. Furthermore, varying the inter-flash interval between a pair of high contrast flashes reveals a rapid, transient form of gain control that modulates both the amplitude and time course of the flash response. We develop a phenomenological model that captures the primary features of the ON bipolar cell response at high contrast. Finally, we discuss the implications of these nonlinearities in our understanding of how retinal circuitry shapes the visual signal.
Class II Contact-Dependent growth Inhibition (CDI) systems allow for broad-range cross-species toxin delivery
Authors: Virtanen Petra , Wäneskog Marcus , Koskiniemi Sanna
Published: January 2019

Contact-dependent growth inhibition (CDI) allows bacteria to recognize kin cells in mixed bacterial populations. In Escherichia coli, CDI mediated effector delivery has been shown to be species-specific, with a preference for the own strain over others. This specificity is achieved through an interaction between a receptor-binding domain in the CdiA protein and its cognate receptor protein on the target cell. But how conserved this specificity is has not previously been investigated in detail. Here we show that three different class II CdiA receptor-binding domains and their Enterobacter cloacae analog are highly promiscuous, allowing for efficient effector delivery into several different Enterobacteriaceae species, including Escherichia, Enterobacter, Klebsiella and Salmonella spp. In addition, although we observe a preference for some receptors over others, this did not limit cross-species effector delivery, suggesting that class II CdiA proteins can allow for broad-range and cross-species growth inhibition in mixed bacterial populations.
Deep-sea megabenthos communities of the Eurasian Central Arctic are influenced by ice-cover and sea-ice algal falls
Authors: Elena Rybakova , Antonina Kremenetskaia , Andrey Vedenin , Antje Boetius , Andrey Gebruk
Published: January 2019

Quantitative camera surveys of benthic megafauna were carried out during the expedition ARK-XXVII/3 to the Eastern Central Arctic basins with the research icebreaker Polarstern in summer 2012 (2 August-29 September). Nine transects were performed for the first time in deep-sea areas previously fully covered by ice, four of them in the Nansen Basin (3571-4066m) and five in the Amundsen Basin (4041-4384m). At seven of these stations benthic Agassiz trawls were taken near the camera tracks for species identification. The observed Arctic deep-sea megafauna was largely endemic. Several taxa showed a substantially greater depth or geographical range than previously assumed. Variations in the composition and structure of megabenthic communities were analysed and linked to several environmental variables, including state of the sea ice and phytodetritus supply to the seafloor. Three different types of communities were identified based on species dominating the biomass. Among these species were the actiniarian Bathyphellia margaritacea and the holothurians Elpidia heckeri and Kolga hyalina. Variations in megafaunal abundance were first of all related to the proximity to the marginal ice zone. Stations located closer to this zone were characterized by relatively high densities and biomass of B. margaritacea (mean 0.2-1.7 ind m-2; 0.2-1.5 g ww.m-2). The food supply was higher at these stations, as suggested by enhanced concentrations of pigments, organic carbon, bacterial cell abundances and porewater nutrients in the sediments. The fully ice-covered stations closer to the North Pole and partially under multi-year ice were characterized by lower concentrations of the same biogeochemical indicators for food supply. These stations nevertheless hosted relatively high density and biomass of the holothurians E. heckeri (mean 0.9-1.5 ind m-2; 0.3-0.4 g ww.m-2) or K. hyalina (mean 0.004-1.7 ind m-2; 0.01-3.5 g ww.m-2), which were observed to feed on large food falls of the sea-ice colonial diatom Melosira arctica. The link between the community structure of megafauna and the extent and condition of the Central Arctic sea-ice cover suggests that future climate changes may substantially affect deep ocean biodiversity.
Optimization of reflectometry experiments using information theory
Authors: Treece Bradley W. , Kienzle Paul A. , Hoogerheide David P. , Majkrzak Charles F. , Lösche Mathias , Heinrich Frank
Published: January 2019

A framework based on Bayesian statistics and information theory is developed to optimize the design of surface-sensitive reflectometry experiments. The method applies to model-based reflectivity data analysis, uses simulated reflectivity data and is capable of optimizing experiments that probe a sample under more than one condition. After presentation of the underlying theory and its implementation, the framework is applied to exemplary test problems for which the information gain ΔH is determined. Reflectivity data are simulated for the current generation of neutron reflectometers at the NIST Center for Neutron Research. However, the simulation can be easily modified for X-ray or neutron instruments at any source. With application to structural biology in mind, this work explores the dependence of ΔH on the scattering length density of aqueous solutions in which the sample structure is bathed, on the counting time and on the maximum momentum transfer of the measurement. Finally, the impact of a buried magnetic reference layer on ΔH is investigated.
Crystal structure of 4-[(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)amino]benzoic acid hemihydrate
Authors: Kamaal Saima , Faizi Md. Serajul Haque , Ali Arif , Ahmad Musheer , Gupta Mayank , Dege Necmi , Iskenderov Turganbay
Published: January 2019

In the crystal of the title vanilline derivative, 2C15H15NO4·H2O, the secondary amine molecule is accompanied by half equivalent of water. The molecule is non-planar, with torsion angle Caryl—CH2—NH—Caryl of −83.9 (2)°. In the crystal, the system of O—H...O hydrogen bonds, including bridging water molecules residing on crystallographic twofold axes, results in a two-dimensional layered structure. Within the layers, there are also weak N—H...π interactions involving the vanilline benzene ring.
An unsymmetrical dinuclear scandium complex comprising salophen ligands [H2salophen = N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamine]
Authors: Lorenz Volker , Liebing Phil , Hilfert Liane , Busse Sabine , Edelmann Frank T.
Published: January 2019

Treatment of scandium nitrate tetrahydrate with the tetradentate ligand H2salophen [N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamine] afforded the yellow dinuclear complex Sc(NO3)2(μ-salophen)Sc(salophen)(EtOH) or [Sc2(C20H14N2O2)2(NO3)2(C2H6O)] (systematic name: (ethanol-κO)bis(nitrato-κ2
O,O′){μ-2,2′-[1,2-phenylenebis(nitrilomethanylylidene)]diphenolato-κ4
N,N′,O,O′:κ2
O,O′}{2,2′-[1,2-phenylenebis(nitrilomethanylylidene)]diphenolato-κ4
O,N,N′,O′}discandium). In this compound, one salophen ligand displays a bridging coordination via the two oxygen atoms, while the other salophen ligand is attached to only one Sc center. This arrangement is stabilized by a hydrogen-bonded EtOH co-ligand, and by π–π stacking interactions between the two salophen ligands.
Substance use, comorbid psychiatric disorders and suicide attempts in adult FASD patients
Authors: Dirks Henrike , Francke Lisa , Würz Verena , Kretschmann Constance , Dehghan-Sanij Sonja , Scherbaum Norbert
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are a group of developmental disabilities related to prenatal alcohol exposure. FASD is a life-long lasting condition with various neurocognitive impairments and deficits in daily-life functioning. Research also indicates that FASD patients have an increased prevalence for substance use, substance related disorders and other psychiatric disorders. In Germany, data on adult FASD patients and their mental health are rare. The purpose of this paper is to describe substance use and comorbid psychiatric disorders (in addition to FASD) and suicide attempts in adult FASD patients.

Design/methodology/approach

The German version of the structured “Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)” was administered to a convenience sample of patients attending a specialized FASD diagnostic service at a German university hospital to assess psychiatric disorders. Current and lifetime substance use were examined using sections from the German version of the “European Addiction Severity Index (EUROP-ASI-R)” interview.

Findings

In total, 31 adults with FASD were included. Two patients were diagnosed with a substance related disorder, one for alcohol and one for cannabis. Nearly half of all patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for mild mental retardation, a further 16 per cent fulfilled the criteria for another current comorbid psychiatric disorder. In total, 26 per cent reported at least one suicide attempt.

Originality/value

Given that the body of research literature on FASD in adulthood is sparse, even a clinical sample of thirty individuals expands knowledge on mental health and substance use in the adult FASD population. The sample was comprehensively assessed using validated structured interviews on mental health, substance use and FASD.
Examining the financial performance of agricultural cooperatives in the USA
Authors: Pokharel Krishna Prasad , Regmi Madhav , Featherstone Allen M. , Archer David W.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify financial stress and the causes of financial stress for agricultural cooperatives and provide management recommendations to stakeholders including cooperatives’ managers, boards of directors and lenders.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used the geometric mean of the real rate of return on equity to identify financially stressed agricultural cooperatives. The real rate of return on equity allows the allocation of total financial stress among the return on assets, leverage and interest rate issues.

Findings

This study found that financially non-stressed agricultural cooperatives had a higher rate of return on equity and rate of return on assets, but lower leverage ratios and interest rates than stressed agricultural cooperatives. Further, non-stressed cooperatives had higher total assets and sales compared to stressed cooperatives. This suggests that smaller cooperatives are more likely to face financial stress than larger cooperatives. The decomposition of the financial problem showed that a substantial percentage of financial stress was correlated with a low return on assets or profitability. A smaller percentage of financial stress was due to financing decisions.

Originality/value

This study provides value by measuring the impact of profitability, leverage and interest rate on the financial performance of agricultural cooperatives. Results showed that a substantial proportion of financial stress was associated with a low return on assets. This indicates that profitability is a problem for agricultural cooperatives. This study also examines profitability during a period of volatile returns in production agriculture.
The modified characteristics finite element method for time-dependent Darcy-Brinkman problem
Authors: Liao Cheng , Huang Pengzhan
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This study aims to capture the effective behavior of double-diffusion problem, which arises from the combined heat and mass transfer in porous medium and develop the modified characteristics finite element method.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed finite element method deals with the nonlinear term temporal term by modified characteristics method. Then, the authors compute the velocity, pressure, temperature and concentration using the decoupled technique. Finally, to show the efficiency of the method, the authors give some numerical examples.

Findings

From the numerical results, one can see that the method has a good accuracy, which shows that the method can simulate this Darcy–Brinkman problem well.

Originality/value

The originality lies in the fact that the proposed scheme is the first time for solving the Darcy–Brinkman problem, which is a more complicated model, and includes the velocity, pressure, temperature and concentration.
Children’s agency in building social capital and collective actions
Authors: Stjernqvist Nanna Wurr , Bonde Ane Høstgaard , Trolle Ellen , Sabinsky Marianne , Maindal Helle Terkildsen
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Whole-school approaches emphasising pupil participation are recognised as being conducive for building social capital, yet how participatory health educational processes relate to different types of social capital remains unclear. The purpose of this paper is to explore which mechanisms within a participatory health educational process influence social capital and collective actions in the school context, and to discuss children’s agency in such processes.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple case study design, with the Danish “We Act – Together for Health” intervention, considered as an instrumental case regarding participatory health educational processes for children, principally since it applied the participatory Investigation–Vision–Action–Change (IVAC) methodology. The paper is based on a theory-driven, abductive research strategy. Qualitative methods, including focus group interviews with children, semi-structured interviews with teachers and school principals, and participant observation were used.

Findings

The study’s conceptual framework, which elucidates several mechanisms that interact with types of social capital and collective actions within the school setting, indicates that working with child participation through the IVAC methodology can influence types of social capital and collective actions. It also emphasises children’s limited agency in terms of affecting bridging and linking social capital, norms of reciprocity and collective actions without sufficient support mechanisms at the school and class levels.

Originality/value

The study provides a novel comprehensive conceptual framework identifying the specific mechanisms at different levels that influence social capital and collective actions.
Evaluation of PANS method in conjunction with non-linear eddy viscosity closure using OpenFOAM
Authors: Saroha Sagar , Sinha Sawan S. , Lakshmipathy Sunil
Published: January 2019

Purpose

In recent years, the partially averaged Navier–Stokes (PANS) methodology has earned acceptability as a viable scale-resolving bridging method of turbulence. To further enhance its capabilities, especially for simulating separated flows past bluff bodies, this paper aims to combine PANS with a non-linear eddy viscosity model (NLEVM).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first extract a PANS closure model using the Shih’s quadratic eddy viscosity closure model [originally proposed for Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) paradigm (Shih et al., 1993)]. Subsequently, they perform an extensive evaluation of the combination (PANS + NLEVM).

Findings

The NLEVM + PANS combination shows promising result in terms of reduction of the anisotropy tensor when the filter parameter (fk) is reduced. Further, the influence of PANS filter parameter f on the magnitude and orientation of the non-linear part of the stress tensor is closely scrutinized. Evaluation of the NLEVM + PANS combination is subsequently performed for flow past a square cylinder at Reynolds number of 22,000. The results show that for the same level of reduction in fk, the PANS + NLEVM methodology releases significantly more scales of motion and unsteadiness as compared to the traditional linear eddy viscosity model (LEVM) of Boussinesq (PANS + LEVM). The authors further demonstrate that with this enhanced ability the NLEVM + PANS combination shows much-improved predictions of almost all the mean quantities compared to those observed in simulations using LEVM + PANS.

Research limitations/implications

Based on these results, the authors propose the NLEVM + PANS combination as a more potent methodology for reliable prediction of highly separated flow fields.

Originality/value

Combination of a quadratic eddy viscosity closure model with PANS framework for simulating flow past bluff bodies.
Entrepreneurial success of cottage-based women entrepreneurs in Oman
Authors: Ghouse Suhail M. , McElwee Gerard , Durrah Omar
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate various problems experienced by cottage-based women entrepreneurs to launch and develop their ventures in Oman and to focus on women going beyond their traditional family roles for various reasons to establish themselves in Omani society.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies a mixed research approach using a quantitative survey of 142 cottage-based Omani women entrepreneurs and qualitative face-to-face interviews with ten women entrepreneurs, presented as six short case studies. The intensity of the business-related problems is determined through the exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis is used to confirm the model by determining the goodness of fit between hypothesized model and sample data.

Findings

Access to government for current business needs, access to specialized suppliers for staying ahead of the competition and high cost of raw materials were the problems mentioned as being important, while marketing-oriented problems were of least concern.

Research limitations/implications

This study was undertaken in one region of Oman only and thus poses problems when extrapolating the findings to other areas.

Practical implications

The study suggests how policymakers can support women entrepreneurs to diversify and start new ventures while simultaneously contributing to the socio-economic development of Oman.

Originality/value

Research on cottage entrepreneurship in the context of an Arab country is scarce and the study provides an overview of the obstacles and support required for the development of women entrepreneurship in Oman.
The value of librarians for clinical and health governance (a view from Europe)
Authors: Ibragimova Irina , Korjonen Maria Helena
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Governance of healthcare organisations and health systems requires many different competencies, with a great emphasis on evidence and information governance, which are traditional fields of librarians’ expertise. However, stakeholders are unaware of how health and hospital libraries are contributing with specific activities and what are the trends in library support for health/clinical governance in Europe, mainly because traditional methods of measuring impact are restricted to specific library activities or are not showing direct impact long term. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A model combining components of clinical and health governance (C/HG), related library activity types, and the possible impact was developed based on a literature review and tested by a European expert panel. A web-based survey was offered to the members of the European Association for Health Information and Libraries (EAHIL) to offer further insight into activities and examples of contribution to C/HG.

Findings

Librarians from 25 European countries participated in the survey. The model proves that librarians in Europe are involved in supporting most identified components of C/HG, with examples of clinical effectiveness and research, education and training, patient and public involvement, partnership engagement, formulating strategic direction, etc.

Research limitations/implications

The authors were unable to cover the roles of libraries in all European countries in this paper, but dialogue and research will continue within the EAHIL group.

Originality/value

No such comparative research has been undertaken before, looking at what activities and tasks libraries undertake to support C/HG. This research has highlighted valuable services and tools that can be replicated in libraries across health care organisations and at the same time promote libraries and librarians as significant actors in organisational governance.
Relationships among individual-level correlates of innovation
Authors: Yagolkovskiy Sergey
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate relationships among correlates of individual innovative activity: creativity, innovativeness, novelty seeking and intelligence.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 202 students of the Higher School of Economics (123 females and 79 males).

Findings

The findings revealed significant relations between intelligence and fluency of participants’ creative performances, as well as novelty seeking and innovativeness.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include the correlation design, the sample of students and the self-reported measures for novelty seeking and innovativeness.

Practical implications

The paper proposes a number of implications for researchers and practitioners who deal with innovation. The results of the study can be applied to various procedures and stages of innovation management.

Originality/value

The study contributes to knowledge on psychological correlates of innovation on an individual level, such as creativity, innovativeness, novelty seeking and intelligence, as well as produces an empirically validated model of the relationships among them.
Comprehensive performance measurement systems design and organizational effectiveness
Authors: Lucianetti Lorenzo , Battista Valentina , Koufteros Xenophon
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence regarding the relationship between the level of comprehensiveness of a performance measurement system (PMS) and its respective organizational effectiveness. The extant literature has highlighted that a PMS may successfully contribute to the implementation of the organizational strategy, with the balanced scorecard (BSC) serving as an exemplar of a strategy performance management tool and playing a primary role to this end. However, the reasons for the overall high rate of failure in the implementation of the BSC remain unexplained and, to date, little empirical research exists regarding the design of PMSs such as the BSC and its constituent elements.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a survey of 103 Italian managers, the paper advances a model describing a comprehensive BSC design, after identifying the key attributes from the performance management literature. Data were analyzed using cluster analysis and multiple regression analysis.

Findings

Results suggest that organizations are implementing the BSC following two different approaches, which vary from a less comprehensive to a more comprehensive design. More importantly, the BSC design explains variation across three organizational effectiveness measures: improvements in translating the organizational strategy into operational goals, understanding cause–effect relationships and enhancing internal communication among employees.

Originality/value

The paper builds on and extends the previous literature on performance management in two ways. First, via a literature review, it introduces a model describing a comprehensive BSC design, which includes 12 attributes. Second, it demonstrates that organizational effectiveness varies positively with the level of comprehensiveness of the BSC design.
Motives for implementing ISO 9000 – does enterprise size matter?
Authors: Kakouris Andreas , Sfakianaki Eleni
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the motives for obtaining an ISO 9000-certified quality management system in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and whether such motives differ between large companies and SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a qualitative approach, using multiple case studies. The primary research consisted of interviews with top and middle managers in four organizations and was complemented with direct observation and documental analysis.

Findings

The research findings confirmed the existing literature. The most common motivations for certification came from external pressure such as customer demand and ability to participate in public tender. It therefore validates that the classification of motives adopted for large companies is also appropriate for SMEs. The research also brought to light one implication of ISO certification that has escaped mention in the literature, namely, the distinction between primary and secondary motives. That is, companies driven by externally-driven motives to pursue ISO 9000 certification appreciated other benefits once they realized the full potential of the standard, leading to additional motivations.

Practical implications

The study was restricted to a single region of Greece and a single sector, food and beverage industry. This study may provide key insight for managers to understand and appropriately evaluate motives for ISO 9000 certification and to save them from misinterpretation and hasty conclusions.

Originality/value

Because the data gathered were longitudinal, this study offered a deep understanding of the true motives for ISO 9000 certification.
Overall Task Effectiveness: a new Lean performance indicator in engineer-to-order environment
Authors: Braglia Marcello , Gabbrielli Roberto , Marrazzini Leonardo
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new Lean metric named Overall Task Effectiveness (OTE), which can help analyst to define target task times and to identify the hidden losses that account for most of the recorded time of manual assembly activities.

Design/methodology/approach

An alternative classification structure of the losses is developed to divide them in two classes. In the first one the losses that are external to the project order are included, and in the other one those due to inefficiencies directly ascribable to the project order are considered. Starting from this classification structure of the losses, a novel Lean metric, inspired from the well-known Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), is developed to evaluate the effectiveness of a manual assembly task. A case study, which briefly explains the methodology and illustrates the capability of the corresponding metric, is provided.

Findings

This tool can be considered a suitable method to achieve simultaneously a dual purpose to establish time standards and to identify the hidden losses that account for most of the recorded time of manual assembly activities, estimating the impacts of potential corrective actions in terms of both efficiency and effectiveness.

Practical implications

OTE provides practitioners with an operative tool useful to highlight the points where the major inefficiencies take place in industries producing large complex items via manual assembly lines. Its practical application is demonstrated using a case study concerning a manufacturer of train wagons.

Originality/value

One distinctive, and contemporarily appealing, feature of OTE with respect to other analogous KPIs is that it provides a breakdown structure for process losses that simplifies the task of evaluating the current performances and, at the same time, individuates both the source of losses and the corresponding corrective actions.
Performance dialogue
Authors: Couturier Jerome , Sklavounos Nikolaos
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide guidelines for improving performance dialogue with a specific process and framework, leveraging existing literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Building upon Mengis and Eppler’s (2008) framework for conversation management, this study follows an action research approach, involving a process of co-creation, split into several distinct stages including two series of 20 semi-structured interviews with top executives of a major pharmaceutical company. These executives were directly involved in using the performance measurement system (PMS) in order to provide guidelines for improving performance dialogue. The data were analysed using content analysis, and the authors helped to develop a solution.

Findings

The analysis reveals a variety of recurrent communicative challenges and practices, which all appear to be characteristic for the performance dialogue process. The proposed framework consists of four separate phases, namely: data collection and identification of the main under and over-performance gaps, root cause analysis and action plans formulation, dialogue and solution implementation and dissemination of best practices.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the literature by introducing work on organisational communication into the field of PMS, by proposing a communication model for performance dialogue implementation. Furthermore, it addresses companies’ issues on how to successfully use their PMS and proposes a framework with specific prerequisites to be put into practice. Finally, this study offers a different explanation in the form of the lack of performance dialogue for the failure of PMS, compared to the current explanations found in the literature.
Firms’ continuance intention on SaaS use – an empirical study
Authors: Martins Ricardo , Oliveira Tiago , Thomas Manoj , Tomás Sara
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Although studies have investigated reasons for software as a service (SaaS) adoption, it is unclear how firm-level SaaS use impacts future SaaS intentions. The purpose of this paper is to propose a theoretical model that integrates the technology-organization-environment framework, institutional theory, diffusion-of-innovation theory and the opportunity-risk framework to analyze the drivers of SaaS use and its continuance intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors evaluated the direct, moderating and mediating effects of determinants on SaaS continuance intentions using structural equation modeling and data from 301 firms.

Findings

Results found that top management support and normative pressures influenced SaaS use. Cost saving and security concerns were direct predictors of perceived opportunities and perceived risks, respectively. Perceived opportunities and risks and actual SaaS use influenced SaaS continuance. Interestingly, perceived opportunities were found to be a negative moderator on the relationship between SaaS use and SaaS continuance.

Originality/value

The results reveal insightful and controversial findings for SaaS research.
Moderating effects of institutional factors on relationship quality: a comparative analysis of the US, Brazil, and China
Authors: Barry James M. , Graca Sandra Simas
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to show how institutional factors affect buyer–supplier relationships. Specifically, the authors examine a model of relationship quality and its antecedents across rule-based, relation-based and family-based governance environments.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model and accompanying research hypotheses are tested on data from a survey of 169 US (rule-based), 110 Brazilian (family-based) and 100 Chinese (relation-based) managers and buyers. Structural equation modeling is used to test the relationship quality framework and the hypothesized moderation of governance environment.

Findings

Results suggest that the informal institutions which shape a nation’s governance environment impact the relationship building process between buyers and suppliers. Communication quality was found to influence relationship quality more in developed economies where relationships are protected and managed under rule-based governance. Interaction frequency was found to be more relevant in emerging market firms characterized by relation-based societies. relationship benefits are applied more to relationships in emerging markets operating under family-based governance. No differences were found across governance environments for the influence that conflict resolution has on relationship quality.

Practical implications

Results provide insight into how the fairness and effectiveness of political and economic institutions surrounding a buyer’s nation of operation impact “rules of the game” differently for developed and emerging market firms.

Originality/value

This study extends research on cross-cultural relationship marketing to more than just communications context and cultural heritage. Results demonstrate that a buyer’s quest for legitimacy impacts its sensitivity to what supplier behaviors matter the most.
Keeping boards in the loop: getting directors the right information
Authors: Bruni-Bossio Vincent
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to offers suggested practices for dealing with the challenge of providing relevant and reliable information to boards.

Design/methodology/approach

Notes and reports from formal governance reviews have been considered from five organizations where board information was flagged as a key area for improvement. The cases were chosen from dozens of organizations the author worked with over a 10-year period.

Findings

The paper explains that boards struggle to process information because of challenges such as group dynamics and cognitive biases. Key themes identified reveal that both the type of information and how it is presented matters to boards. Most significantly, giving more information to boards is not always better.

Research limitations/implications

This is not an empirical study but instead seeks to use themes identified in practice as the base for suggestions for boards to consider when seeking relevant and reliable information to make decisions.

Practical implications

This paper makes practical suggestions on how boards and managers can ensure boards receive appropriate information from managers. These include having a clear philosophy for presenting information to the board, being clear on the story that is told, using knowledge visualization when appropriate, explaining how information is relevant to decision items and information items and appointing a steward to oversee the process if needed.

Originality/value

The struggle around board information has been noted in both research and practice. This paper empowers boards and managers with proactive strategies to steward processes and procedures related to board information.
Crowdsourcing 3D cultural heritage: best practice for mass photogrammetry
Authors: Ch’ng Eugene , Cai Shengdan , Zhang Tong Evelyn , Leow Fui-Theng
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the rationale for democratising the digital reproduction of cultural heritage via “mass photogrammetry”, by providing approaches to digitise objects from cultural heritage collections housed in museums or private spaces using devices and photogrammetry techniques accessible to the public. The paper is intended as a democratised approach rather than as a “scientific approach” for the purpose that mass photogrammetry can be achieved at scale.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology aims to convert the art of photogrammetry into a more mechanical approach by overcoming common difficulties faced within exhibition spaces. This approach is replicable and allows anyone possessing inexpensive equipment with basic knowledge of photogrammetry to achieve acceptable results.

Findings

The authors present the experience of acquiring over 300 3D models through photogrammetry from over 25 priority sites and museums in East Asia. The approach covers the entire process from capturing to editing, and importing 3D models into integrated development environments for displays such as interactive 3D, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality.

Practical implications

The simplistic approach for democratised, mass photogrammetry has implications for stirring public interests in the digital preservation of heritage objects in countries where museums and cultural institutions have little access to digital teams, provided that Intellectual Property issues are cared for. The approach to mass photogrammetry also means that personal cultural heritage objects hidden within the homes of various societies and relics in circulation in the antiques market can be made accessible globally at scale.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on the complete practical nature of photogrammetry conducted within cultural institutions. The authors provide a means for the public to conduct good photogrammetry so that all cultural heritage objects can be digitally recorded and shared globally so as to promote the cross-cultural appreciation of material cultures from the past.
Got theory?: Reconceptualizing the nature of the theory-practice gap in K-12 educational leadership
Authors: Roegman Rachel , Woulfin Sarah
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reconceptualize the theory-practice gap in educational leadership, not as a deficit, but as a necessity for legitimacy within institutional contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on institutional theory to reframe the theory-practice gap, which is often seen as a deficit of leaders or preparation programs.

Findings

Three vignettes illustrate how aspiring and current educational leaders engage with theory and practice within specific contexts and in relation to specific aspects of leadership. Importantly, the vignettes show that when school leaders decouple theory from practice, they may be doing so to function as legitimate providers of K-12 educational leadership.

Research limitations/implications

The theory-practice gap, while often perceived as something negative, can have certain benefits within particular contexts. Scholars interested in the interconnections of theory and practice would benefit from considering why and how school leaders engage theory and practice.

Practical implications

Implications for leadership preparation programs highlight developing more complex views of the challenges that leaders face in tightly coupling theory and practice. To support future and current leaders, leadership preparation programs need to ensure that their students understand their institutional contexts and the reasons that leaders may decouple theory from action in various ways.

Originality/value

Instead of viewing the theory/practice gap as a deficit, this paper argues for a new way to consider why school leaders and leadership candidates may engage with theory and practice in different ways.
The power of third sector organizations in public education
Authors: Kolleck Nina
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address school–NGO interactions by analyzing the power of foundations – a specific type of third sector organization or NGO in education.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are collected through a quantitative survey, qualitative interviews, official documents, reports and websites. Social network analysis and grounded theory are used to analyze the data with the aim to develop a theoretical approach.

Findings

The study identifies three dimensions, i.e. relational, structural and discursive dimensions of power. Based on the analysis of an illustrative multi-stakeholder initiative, the paper highlights the role of foundations in framing educational settings, concepts and structures of the education system as such.

Practical implications

The three-dimensional power perspective offered in this paper is particularly useful for scholars investigating school–NGO interactions or multi-stakeholder partnerships in education. Furthermore, it is of crucial importance for practitioners, school principals and education administrators dealing with school–NGO interactions given that foundations seem to be increasingly able to draw on new sources of power in these interactions.

Originality/value

While the number and power of the third sector in education continues to rise worldwide, there is wide consensus that NGO power in education has, to date, hardly been researched. This paper contributes to this dearth of research by uncovering foundations’ different sources of power and by developing a theoretical approach for analyzing the power of third-sector organizations in education.
Autism, intellectual disabilities and additional psychosis, and affiliation to groups with violent ideology: short communication
Authors: Inderberg Ann Magritt Solheim , Horndalsveen Kristin , Elvehaug Arne-Henrik , Mehmi Yugbadal , Jørstad Ingvild , Bakken Trine Lise
Published: January 2019

Purpose

People with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have been associated with criminal acts and affiliation with groups and organisations with violent ideology and practice. The purpose of this paper is to present patients in mental health services with both ASD and psychosis, who are affiliated with such groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Three vignettes are used as examples. Some of the information is combined for the three participants for presentation. They were scored for mental health symptoms and behaviour problems on admission and discharge from inpatient care.

Findings

The combination of ASD and psychosis aggravates the problems of both conditions, which may elicit a collapse of both cognitive functioning and especially impulse control, and of the ability to judge whether situations are dangerous or offensive or not.

Originality/value

The present paper may contribute to a better understanding of the combination of ASD, psychosis and affiliation with groups and organisations as described, especially regarding the importance of identifying psychosis.
Corporate governance, innovation input and corporate performance
Authors: Yin Meiqun , Sheng Lei
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to find the endogenous relationship between innovation input and corporate performance and deepen the study of innovation performance theory in industry and enterprise at the micro level.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper selects the firms listed on A shares in Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges from 2009 to 2015 as samples. The authors cluster these samples according to the factors of production and classify the samples into three types: technology-intensive, capital-intensive and labor-intensive. After obtaining the samples and classifying them, the authors conduct a research on the endogenous relationship between the innovation input and the corporate performance through the simultaneous equations model and 3SLS estimation method. Meanwhile, they also make a study on the influence of executive incentive mechanism on the relationship between the innovation input and the corporate performance.

Findings

In technology-intensive industry, the increase of pre-innovation input will enhance the corporate performance in the current period, however, which will slow down the pace of innovation and lead to lower corporate performance in the future, and then increase innovation input again. In contrast, in capital-intensive industries, innovation input just improves corporate performance in the current period and the promotion of corporate performance will promote the intensity of innovation input in the future. With labor-intensive industries, innovation input also depends on early good returns, but innovation input has no significant impact on the corporate performance both at present and in the future. While in the executive incentive mechanism, salary incentive has a significant positive regulatory effect on the relationship between innovation input and corporate performance.

Originality/value

This paper presents a new research perspective on the relationship between innovation input and firm corporate performance, which is of great value to the listed company in balancing the R&D input with the company’s target performance and the design of executive incentive mechanism.