bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population genomics of Australian indigenous Mesorhizobium reveals diverse nonsymbiotic genospecies capable of nitrogen-fixing symbioses following horizontal gene transfer
Authors: Colombi Elena , Hill Yvette , Lines Rose , Sullivan John T. , Kohlmeier MacLean G. , Christophersen Claus T. , Ronson Clive W. , Terpolilli Jason J. , Ramsay Joshua P.
Published: January 2023

Mesorhizobia are soil bacteria that establish nitrogen-fixing symbioses with various legumes. Novel symbiotic mesorhizobia frequently evolve following horizontal transfer of symbiosis-gene-carrying integrative and conjugative elements (ICESyms) to indigenous mesorhizobia in soils. Evolved symbionts exhibit a wide range in symbiotic effectiveness, with some fixing nitrogen poorly or not at all. Little is known about the genetic diversity and symbiotic potential of indigenous soil mesorhizobia prior to ICESym acquisition. Here we sequenced genomes of 144

Mesorhizobium

spp. strains cultured directly from cultivated and uncultivated Australian soils. Of these, 126 lacked symbiosis genes. The only isolated symbiotic strains were either exotic strains used previously as legume inoculants, or indigenous mesorhizobia that had acquired exotic ICESyms. No native symbiotic strains were identified. Indigenous nonsymbiotic strains formed 22 genospecies with phylogenomic diversity overlapping the diversity of internationally isolated symbiotic

Mesorhizobium

spp. The genomes of indigenous mesorhizobia exhibited no evidence of prior involvement in nitrogen-fixing symbiosis, yet their core genomes were similar to symbiotic strains and they generally lacked genes for synthesis of biotin, nicotinate and thiamine. Genomes of nonsymbiotic mesorhizobia harboured similar mobile elements to those of symbiotic mesorhizobia, including ICESym-like elements carrying aforementioned vitamin-synthesis genes but lacking symbiosis genes. Diverse indigenous isolates receiving ICESyms through horizontal gene transfer formed effective symbioses with Lotus and Biserrula legumes, indicating most nonsymbiotic mesorhizobia have an innate capacity for nitrogen-fixing symbiosis following ICESym acquisition. Non-fixing ICESym-harbouring strains were isolated sporadically within species alongside effective symbionts, indicating chromosomal lineage does not predict symbiotic potential. Our observations suggest previously observed genomic diversity amongst symbiotic

Mesorhizobium

spp. represents a fraction of the extant diversity of nonsymbiotic strains. The overlapping phylogeny of symbiotic and nonsymbiotic clades suggests major clades of

Mesorhizobium

diverged prior to introduction of symbiosis genes and therefore chromosomal genes involved in symbiosis have evolved largely independent of nitrogen-fixing symbiosis.
Comparative efficacy of exercise therapy for patellofemoral pain: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Ji Yu-Xiu , Xie Yu-Jie , Zhou Xiao-Zhu , Wang Shuang , Li Ling , Miyamoto Akira , Zhang Chi
Published: January 2023

Objective

To investigate the effective exercise prescription in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for patellofemoral pain (PFP).

Design

A network meta-analysis.

Data sources

PubMed (including Medline), Embase, Web of Science, PEDro,Clinicaltrials.govand other resourses for RCTs.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

RCTs of exercise interventions for PFP with outcomes of pain intensity or functional improvement.

Primary outcome measure

Pain intensity is measured by ‘worst pain in the past week’ on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) or Numerical Rating Pain Scale (NRS).

Data extraction

Two researchers independently extracted data and assessed the bias of risks. We used Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation to appraise the strength of the evidence.

Results

A total of 45 trials with 42,319 patients were included in this network meta-analysis (NMA). For the primary outcomes, all included treatments were superior to a wait-and-see approach: PNF + exercise (SMD -2.88, 95%CIs -4.75 to -1.02), whole body exercise (-1.57, -3.15 to -0.00), hip-and knee-focused exercise therapy (-1.32, -2.57 to -0.06), foot orthoses + exercise (-1.06, -2.92 to -0.06), hip exercise (-1.10, -2.44 to 0.24), knee brace + exercise(-0.91, -2.54 to 0.72), gait retraining exercise (-2.55, -4.72 to -0.37), knee exercise (-0.92, -2.16 to 0.33), knee arthroscopy + exercise (-0.61, -2.44 to 1.22), target exercise (-0.52, -2.38 to 1.33), kinesiotaping + exercise (-0.54, -2.07 to 0.99), education + exercise (-0.47, -2.31 to 1.38), feedback exercise (-0.22, -1.86 to 1.43). Exercise therapy with education (SMD -0.25, 95%CIs -1.76 to 1.26) was better than exercise alone in alleviating pain intensity.

Conclusion

The knee and hip combination strength training is highly effective in muscle strength improvement. All treatments in our NMA were superior to nontreatment, we recommend avoiding a wait-and-see approach. Comprehensive therapy based on individual evaluation can effectively improve the symptoms of patients.

Key points (what are the new findings?)

The combination of knee and hip strength training is highly effective in pain relief and function improvement for PFP.

The exercise therapy with biomechanical devices, such as foot orthoses, braces, and kinesiotaping can improve knee function.

Education with exercise therapy shows a great effect on pain relief and function improvement than exercise alone.

Target exercise based on individual evaluation is superior to general exercise therapy for keen function.
The effect of using group-averaged or individualized brain parcellations when investigating connectome dysfunction: A case study in psychosis
Authors: Levi Priscila T. , Chopra Sidhant , Pang James C. , Holmes Alexander , Sassenberg Tyler A. , DeYoung Colin G. , Fornito Alex
Published: January 2023

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is widely used to investigate functional coupling (FC) disturbances in a range of clinical disorders. Most analyses performed to date have used group-based parcellations for defining regions of interest (ROIs), in which a single parcellation is applied to each brain. This approach neglects individual differences in brain functional organization and may inaccurately delineate the true borders of functional regions. These inaccuracies could inflate or under-estimate group differences in case-control analyses. We investigated how individual differences in brain organization influence group comparisons of FC using psychosis as a case-study, drawing on fMRI data in 121 early psychosis patients and 57 controls. We defined FC networks using either a group-based parcellation or an individually-tailored variant of the same parcellation. Individualized parcellations yielded more functionally homogeneous ROIs than group-based parcellations. At individual connections level, case-control FC differences were widespread, but the group-based parcellation identified approximately 9% more connections as dysfunctional than the individualized parcellation. When considering differences at the level of functional networks, the results from both parcellations converged. Our results suggest that a substantial fraction of dysconnectivity previously observed in psychosis can be attributed to erroneous ROI delineation, rather than a pathophysiological process related to psychosis.
Time-to-event analysis of factors influencing delay in discharge from a subacute Complex Discharge Unit during the first year of the pandemic (2020) in an Irish tertiary centre hospital
Authors: Rajendran Nithya , Rameli Puteri Maisarah , Malomo Keneilwe , Byrne Declan , Browne Joseph , Ntlholang Ontefetse
Published: January 2023

Background

There is a paucity of data investigating delays in discharges from subacute complex care units exclusively dealing with complex cases. We aimed to analyse factors causing delays in discharges and explore their implications on the healthcare system in terms of length of stay (LOS), during the COVID-19 pandemic, using time-to-event analysis, to assist in future pandemic healthcare planning decisions.

Methods

Single-centre, retrospective, cross-sectional study. Demographics, clinical characteristics and length of stay (LOS) of all patients admitted to our subacute Complex Discharge Unit at our model 4 hospital during the pandemic were retrieved from electronic patient records. The outcome variable in our time-to-event analysis was a delay in discharge with a LOS >15 days. A cox proportional hazards regression model delineated factors contributing to delays.

Results

390 patients were admitted between March 2020 - February 2021 to the subacute complex discharge unit. Among these, 326 (83.6%) patients were >65 years of age, and 233 (59.7%) patients were female. The median (IQR) age was 79 (70-86) years, with a median (IQR) LOS of 19.4 (10-41) days. A total of 237 (60.7%) events were uncensored, LOS > 15 days of which 138 (58.2%) were female, 124 (52.32%) had >4 comorbidities, and 153 (39.2%) were censored into LOS ≤15 days and death 19 (4.8%). Kaplan Meier’s plot allowed the comparison of factors causing a delay in discharge to single factors: age, gender, and multimorbidity. A multivariate cox regression analysis adjusted to each strata age, gender and multimorbidity predicted factors affecting LOS: Age strata 65 - 75 & 75 - 85 [HR 0.233; 95% CI (0.077-.708); p=.010] & [HR .301; 95% CI(.155-.588); p<.001] had common factor patient-centred needs prolonging LOS. The common factors complications arising from comorbidities in male [HR .145; 95 % CI (.081 -.261); p<.001] and female [HR .479; 95% CI (.311 -.737); p<.001], and patient-centred needs in male [HR .472; 95 % CI (.243 -.917); p.027] female [HR .361; 95% CI (.215 -.608); p<.001] exhibited statistically significant results.

Conclusion

Reducing LOS is imperative for better patient outcomes and hospital management. The most common factors delaying discharge were complexities that arose from primary diagnoses and patient-centred needs such as cognition, psychosocial needs and carer needs. Further research is needed into exploring multimorbidity as a risk factor for mortality in patients who experience prolonged LOS within a complex discharge unit.
Identification of noninvasive and disease-specific biomarkers in hereditary angioedema using urinary proteomics
Authors: Wu Jianqiang , Tang Xiaoyue , Wang Xue , Liu Peng , Zhou Nan , Zhang Zejian , Cao Yang , Zhang Shuyang , Zhi Yuxiang
Published: January 2023

Background

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare and potentially life-threatening disease. Noninvasive and disease-specific biomarkers are needed for the early diagnosis and clinical management of HAE.

Objective

We sought to apply untargeted proteomics profiling and targeted proteomics validation to identify pathogenic mechanisms and candidate biomarkers of HAE.

Methods

Data-independent acquisition (DIA)-based proteomics profiling was performed in urine samples of HAE patients and healthy controls. Bioinformatics analysis was used for functional annotation and pathway enrichment of differentially expressed proteins. Furthermore, promising biomarker candidates were validated in another independent clinical cohort using parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) targeted proteomics quantification.

Results

Different urinary proteomics profiles were identified among type 1 HAE, type 2 HAE and healthy controls. A total of 401 differentially expressed proteins were identified between type 1 HAE and healthy controls. Bioinformatics analysis showed that several biological processes and pathways were significantly enriched in HAE, including complement and coagulation cascades, cell adhesion molecules, immune response, proteolysis, and bradykinin catabolic process. Moreover, a promising biomarker panel (C1-INH, KNG1 and EGF) were validated in another independent clinical cohort. The area under the curve (AUC) value of this biomarker panel reached 0.910 for HAE diagnosis (sensitivity: 91.7, specificity: 88.9,P<0.001).

Conclusions

This study describes the first application of a DIA-PRM workflow to identify noninvasive and disease-specific biomarkers in HAE patients. These findings will contribute to the pathogenesis research and biomarker discovery of HAE.

Key Messages

Different urinary proteomics profiles were identified among type 1 HAE, type 2 HAE and healthy controls.

Several biological processes and pathways were significantly enriched in HAE, including complement and coagulation cascades, cell adhesion molecules, immune response, proteolysis, and bradykinin catabolic process.

A urinary biomarker panel (C1-INH, KNG1, and EGF) could be a promising noninvasive diagnostic tool for HAE.
A comparison between early presentation of dementia with Lewy Bodies, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease: evidence from routine primary care and UK Biobank data
Authors: Nedelec Thomas , Couvy-Duchesne Baptiste , Darves-Bornoz Aube , Couronne Raphaël , Monnet Fleur , Gantzer Laurène , Lekens Béranger , Wu Yeda , Villain Nicolas , Schrag Anette , Durrleman Stanley , Corvol Jean-Christophe
Published: January 2023

Objective

To simultaneously contrast prediagnostic clinical characteristics of individuals with a final diagnosis of dementia with Lewy Bodies, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease compared to controls without neurodegenerative disorders.

Methods

Using the longitudinal THIN database in the UK, we tested the association of each neurodegenerative disorder with a selected list of symptoms and broad families of treatments, and compared the associations between disorders to detect disease-specific effects. We replicated the main findings in the UK Biobank.

Results

We used data of 28,222 patients with PD, 20,214 with AD, 4,682 with DLB and 20,214 controls. All neurodegenerative disorders were significantly associated with the presence of multiple clinical characteristics before their diagnosis including sleep disorders, falls, psychiatric symptoms and autonomic dysfunctions. When comparing DLB patients with patients with PD and AD patients, falls, psychiatric symptoms and autonomic dysfunction were all more strongly associated with DLB in the five years preceding the first neurodegenerative diagnosis. The use of statins was lower in patients who developed PD and higher in patients who developed DLB compared to AD. In PD patients, the use of statins was associated with the development of dementia in the five years following PD diagnosis.

Interpretation

Prediagnostic presentations of falls, psychiatric symptoms and autonomic dysfunctions were more strongly associated with DLB than PD and AD. This study also suggests that whilst several associations with medications are similar in neurodegenerative disorders, statin usage is negatively associated with Parkinson’s Disease but positively with DLB and AD as well as development of dementia in PD.
Behavior-change interventions to improve antimicrobial stewardship in human health, animal health, and livestock agriculture: A systematic review
Authors: Craig Jessica , Sadoff Rachel , Bennett Sarah , Bahati Felix , Beauvais Wendy
Published: January 2023

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an economic, food security, and global health threat that is driven by a multitude of factors including the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials in the human health, animal health, and agriculture sectors. Given the rapid emergence and spread of AMR and the relative lack of development of new antimicrobials or alternative therapies, there is a need to develop and implement non-pharmaceutical AMR mitigation policies and interventions that improve antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) practices across all sectors where antimicrobials are used. We conducted a systematic literature review per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to identify peer-reviewed studies that described behavior-change interventions that aimed to improve AMS and/or reduce inappropriate antimicrobial use in the human health, animal health, and livestock agriculture stakeholders. We identified 301 total publications – 11 in the animal health sector and 290 in the human health sector – and assessed these interventions using metrics across five thematic areas- (1) antimicrobial use (AMU), (2) adherence to clinical guidelines, (3) AMS, (4) AMR, and (5) clinical outcomes. The lack of studies in the animal health sector precluded a meta-analysis. Among studies in the human health sector, 35.7% reported significant (p<0.05) pre- to post-intervention decreases in AMU, 73.7% reported significant improvements in adherence of antimicrobial therapies to clinical guidelines, 45% demonstrated significant improvements in AMS practices, 45.5% reported significant decreases in the proportion of isolates that were resistant to antibiotics or the proportion of patients with drug-resistant infections across 17 antimicrobial-organism combinations, and few studies reported statistically significant changes in clinical outcomes. We did not identify any overarching intervention type nor characteristics associated with successful improvement in AMS, AMR, AMU, adherence, nor clinical outcomes.
Sequential unfolding mechanisms of monomeric caspases
Authors: Joglekar Isha , Clark A. Clay
Published: January 2023

Caspases are evolutionarily conserved cysteinyl proteases that are integral in cell development and apoptosis. All apoptotic caspases evolved from a common ancestor into two distinct subfamilies with either monomeric (initiators) or dimeric (effectors) oligomeric states. The regulation of apoptosis is influenced by the activation mechanism of the two subfamilies, but the evolution of the well-conserved caspase-hemoglobinase fold into the two subfamilies is not well understood. We examined the folding landscape of monomeric caspases from two coral species over a broad pH range of 3 to 10.5. On an evolutionary timescale, the two coral caspases diverged from each other approximately 300 million years ago, and they diverged from human caspases about 600 million years ago. Our results indicate that both proteins have overall high stability, ∼ 15 kcal mol-1near the physiological pH range (pH 6 to pH 8), and unfold via two partially folded intermediates, I1and I2, that are in equilibrium with the native and the unfolded state. Like the dimeric caspases, the monomeric coral caspases undergo a pH-dependent conformational change resulting from the titration of an evolutionarily conserved site. Data from molecular dynamics simulations paired with limited proteolysis and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry show that the small subunit of the monomeric caspases is unstable and unfolds prior to the large subunit. Overall, the data suggest that all caspases share a conserved folding landscape, that a conserved allosteric site can be fine-tuned for species-specific regulation, and that the subfamily of stable dimers may have evolved to stabilize the small subunit.
Identification of the Bravais lattice and cell parameters through quantitative model-based transmission electron microscopy and Niggli cell reduction theory: the case of intermetallic Ni5Pb2Te3
Authors: Kumar Dipanjan , Ravishankar N. , Chattopadhay Kamanio
Published: January 2023

This article demonstrates a simple and effective way to accurately determine the Bravais lattice type and cell parameters of an unknown phase by combining quantitative model-based high-resolution (scanning) transmission electron microscopy and Niggli cell reduction theory. This method was applied to the Ni5Pb2Te3 phase in the Ni–Pb–Te ternary system, which exists at high temperatures and forms from the interaction of Ni contacts with PbTe thermoelectric materials. The structure was identified to be triclinic with the space group P1 and cell parameters a = 5.43 ± 0.09 Å, b = 3.93 ± 0.03 Å, c = 3.75 ± 0.01 Å, α = 115.4 ± 0.2°, β = 93.4 ± 0.6° and γ = 91.1 ± 0.1°. The methodology is particularly beneficial for the class of problems where the phase under study coexists in a multiphase environment.
Hearing the voice of child welfare social workers: planning safe care for a child with or suspected of having fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs)
Authors: Curran William Christopher , Danbrook Matthew C.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

In the early 1970s, clinical evidence emerged documenting causal links between prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and children’s behaviors as observed by child welfare social workers (CWSWs). Unfortunately, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) remain on the margins of public health priorities. The purpose of this study was to elicit the views of child welfare social workers when responding to case of or suspected FASD.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample (N = 18) of CWSWs, allied health professionals and foster parents were interviewed.

Findings

Findings indicate that social workers struggle with their statutory duty to plan safe care for children with or suspected of having FASD. Emergent themes include struggling with advocacy, professional devaluation and lack of procedural guidance.

Practical implications

Social workers need a clear pathway and FASD knowledge to guide their interventions and enhance their capacity to advocate for affected children.

Originality/value

An abundance of research documents the direct effect of PAE on physical, cognitive and behavioral outcomes. However, few studies focus on the critical interface of children with an FASD entering public care and the social workers responsible for planning their safe care. This study sought to document social workers’ response to this vulnerable cohort of children.
Political–economic instability and earnings management in an emerging market: the case of the 2016 Presidential Impeachment in Brazil
Authors: Andrade Douglas , Viana Dante , Ponte Vera , Domingos Sylvia
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study analyzes earnings management among Brazilian public firms during the 2016 Presidential Impeachment.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprises, as a treatment group, 721 firm-quarter observations relating to Brazilian listed firms. It also considers a control group of listed firms from Mexico, which were not affected by the exogenous shock analyzed (i.e. the 2016 Presidential Impeachment in Brazil). The firms' quarterly financial data cover the period between 2013 and 2018.

Findings

Considering several proxies related to earnings management by accruals, the main findings suggest a negative relationship between the 2016 impeachment event and the level of discretionary accruals, suggesting that Brazilian firms tended to reduce their earnings management levels during the impeachment process. The results are robust whether the control group is considered or not.

Originality/value

This study brings new empirical evidence to the literature on accounting information quality about the role of the economic and political environment in earnings management, especially in weak institution countries characterized by institutional voids and higher levels of corruption.
Exploring the readiness of a Brazilian technological university during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Scur Gabriela , Alliprandini Dario H. , Chinaglia Eliane F. , Santos Roberto Baginski Batista
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The paper investigates the learning practices carried out by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the transition from strictly face-to-face to remote teaching in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It also analyses how these practices could be used as a baseline to support new perspectives on learning in the technological education field.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a single-case study of a Brazilian technological university.

Findings

This study’s findings indicate that institutional planning and providing support to faculty and students were essential measures for a successful transition from face-to-face teaching to emergency remote teaching. Planning includes careful selection by the HEI of the tools that make a virtual learning environment and the strategies used to replace face-to-face teaching with emergency remote teaching. Our study points out the lessons learned during the pandemic. It presents guidelines for HEIs on how to prepare for a return to face-to-face teaching, embodying some learning dimensions such as synchronous or asynchronous, active or passive, individual or collective, and mediated or not mediated by information and communication technologies (ICTs).

Originality/value

The paper provides reflections on the four dimensions to support decisions to leverage learning in each educational institution. This paper's main contribution is that the concept of teaching and learning must be comprehensive and inclusive according to the particular HEI context.
The role of marketing agility and risk propensity in resilience and survival of eastern European immigrant entrepreneurs in Denmark
Authors: Golgeci Ismail , Arslan Ahmad , Kentosova Veronika , Callaghan Deborah , Pereira Vijay
Published: January 2023

Purpose

While extant research has increasingly examined minority entrepreneurs, less attention has been paid to Eastern European immigrant entrepreneurs and the role that marketing agility and risk propensity play in their resilience and survival in Nordic countries. This paper aims to highlight the importance of these factors for Eastern European immigrant entrepreneurs in the developed Nordic economy of Denmark.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts the dynamic capabilities view as a theoretical framework and uses a qualitative research approach with interviews as the main data collection method. The empirical sample comprises 12 entrepreneurs originating from Hungary, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania, who operate in Denmark.

Findings

The findings show that contrary to prior studies that have highlighted a reliance among the migrant entrepreneurial community on ethnic networks as their dominant target market, Eastern European immigrant entrepreneurs located in Denmark, in contrast, focused on attracting Danish consumers as their target market audience. Leveraging multiple networks was therefore found to be critical to the survival of these immigrant ventures. Additionally, the entrepreneurs' marketing agility, underpinned by their optimistic approach, growth ambitions and passion for entrepreneurship, was found to play a pivotal role in their survival. Finally, despite the stable institutional environment in Denmark and the ease of doing business (both of which are influential factors in shaping the risk propensity and risk perception of entrepreneurs), the authors found immigrant entrepreneurs' risk propensity to be rather low, which was contrary to the expectations.

Originality/value

The current paper is one of the first studies that explicitly analyzes the roles of marketing agility and risk propensity in the resilience and survival of the ventures of relatively skilled immigrant entrepreneurs from Eastern Europe in a developed Nordic economy (Denmark). The paper's findings also challenge the notion associated with immigrant entrepreneurial ventures being primarily focused on ethnic customers or enclaves. The paper also specifies the peculiarities of marketing agility in immigrant entrepreneurial contexts and solidifies the importance of diverse networks in immigrant business survival and development.
Assessment of energy efficiency investment in Onitsha business cluster, Nigeria
Authors: Dimnwobi Stephen Kelechi , Nwokoye Ebele Stella , Igbanugo Clement Izuchukwu , Ekesiobi Chukwunonso Sylvester , Asongu Simplice A.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This paper empirically assesses energy efficiency (EE) adoption among firms by examining the factors that drive investment in EE in the Onitsha plastic cluster, South-East, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Self-administered questionnaires were delivered to the selected enterprises. A total of 450 questionnaires were administered of which 423 were certified valid and used for the analysis. A Heckit model was developed and estimated.

Findings

Gender, firm size, Joneses effect and expected cost reduction benefits are the significant determinants of EE investment. However, firm structure, government incentives, regulatory requirements and reduction of carbon emission are insignificant drivers of EE investment decisions in the Onitsha plastic cluster.

Originality/value

This paper presents a foremost attempt at analysing the determinants of energy investment in a cluster in Nigeria.
How do food supply chain performance measures contribute to sustainable corporate performance during disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic emergency?
Authors: Le Thanh Tiep
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aims to the development of the scale of supply chain performance measures (SCPMs), food supply chain resilience (FSCS) and sustainable corporate performance (SCP) in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in an emerging market. Based on this purpose, the study examines the relationships between SCPMs and SCP by exploring the mediating role of FSCS in emerging markets.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a comprehensive literature review on the SCPMs, FSCS and SCP, the author evaluates the nexus of these constructs on disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency in an emerging market. The article follows a quantitative approach. A total of 567 valid responses from managers at senior and middle levels were received and used for data analysis. The Smart PLS version 3.3.2 was employed to analyse Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to investigate the relationships between constructs and latent variables.

Findings

This study provides some theoretical contributions to expand the extant literature on the domain of SCPMs. First, the findings determine that multidimensional measures of flexibility, diversity, agility, inventory efficiency, redundancy and robustness are appropriate for measuring food SC performance in disruptions during the COVID-19 emergency. Besides, this study enriches the existing literature on SC disruption by providing extensive empirical evidence on SCPMs in disruptions during the COVID-19 emergency. Finally, this research provides an integrated empirical model that explores the link between the identified food SCPMs to FSCS and SCP.

Originality/value

The contributions may be of interest to business practitioners, business leaders and academics. In addition, this study provides empirical evidence to demonstrate that food SC performance, as measured by these measures, is strongly related to the firm's food supply chain resilience. This is the novel contribution of this study to the current literature on food SC management. Furthermore, this study provides further empirical evidence demonstrating the partial mediating role of the firm's food supply chain resilience in the nexus between food SC performance and SCP. The unique contribution of this study is an extension of the body of knowledge of SC management literature from a comprehensive approach by providing a proven set of performance measures of SC management to which it can drive SC resilience and SCP for food manufacturing SMEs in an emerging economy that hardly found in the current literature.
From recycling to sustainability principles: the perceptions of undergraduate students studying early childhood education of an education for sustainability course
Authors: Gal Adiv
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the perceptions of undergraduate students studying early childhood education who took an academic course in which transformative pedagogy is adopted as part of a holistic approach designed to create transformative change and strengthen the students’ self-efficacy for sustainability, and thus, help reduce the environmental crisis in which we live.

Design/methodology/approach

By means of a phenomenological approach, this exploratory qualitative research used three research tools, reflection analysis, drawing analysis and analysis of course summary work, to identify changes in the perceptions of students undertaking the course. Data analysis was based on an inductive approach and included first- and second-cycle coding.

Findings

The results of the study show that the transformative pedagogy adopted in the course created transformative change in the students’ knowledge, attitudes, emotions and self-efficacy to act to reduce the climate crisis, not just through recycling.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted with a relatively small, single class of undergraduate early childhood education students. The impact of certain activities may be different in larger classes. The gender imbalance, with the majority of students being female adds a further limitation. Male students may have different perspectives than female students, and those with different backgrounds and interests may respond differently.

Practical implications

This study provides some important insights into how sustainability education can be applied in a higher education curriculum. The study also contributes to the current dialogue on sustainability education by providing a rich description of how students experience alternative approaches to teaching in the field.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates how environmental action can be integrated in higher education.
A bibliometric review of research in wine tourism experiences: insights and future research directions
Authors: Kotur Anupama S.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to systematically map the nature of research in the field of wine tourism experiences and suggest research agenda based on the thematic mapping.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 112 articles on wine tourism experiences published between 2000 and 2022 from Scopus and Web of Science databases were analysed. Bibliometric analyses, namely, performance analysis and science mapping, were done using Biblioshiny, an R-tool.

Findings

The results indicate that post-2015, the subject diversified into specialised sub-themes and empirical studies were widely adopted research methods. International Journal of Wine Business Research emerged as a leading outlet for scholarly publications. The study recommends key research themes for future research in the area.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first bibliometric analysis-based study on wine tourism experiences. The research agenda discussed can help initiate scholarly discussions in this area.
Online or offline? Spillover effect of customer-to-customer interaction in a multichannel background
Authors: Liu Yucheng , Fu Xiaorong , Ren Xiangming
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Enterprises' multichannel operations provide various avenues for customer interaction; however, existing literature investigating customer-to-customer interaction (CCI) mainly focuses on a single channel. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the spillover effect of CCI and potential underlying mediating mechanisms in different information channels.

Design/methodology/approach

Three between-subjects experiments with 946 participants were employed to empirically validate the proposed hypotheses in the context of an experiential product and a material product.

Findings

Results suggest the clear spillover effect of CCI, indicating that positive CCI improves focal customers' satisfaction and purchase intention, whereas negative CCI reduces focal customers' satisfaction and purchase intention. Moreover, CCI's spillover effect varies based on the CCI channel. Offline CCI has a stronger positive spillover effect than online CCI. Contrarily, online CCI has a stronger negative spillover effect than offline CCI. Customer experience and trust are demonstrated to have mediating roles in this process.

Originality/value

This study is the first to comprehensively understand and compare the CCI spillover effect of the two information channels. The findings add to the existing knowledge of information processing in the psychological mechanisms influencing the belief in addition to providing insights for companies engaged in multichannel operations management across different channels.
Andragogical principles in a gamification concept: how does it work for adult learners in an online class?
Authors: Zainuddin Zamzami , Rasyidin Rasyidin , Zanzibar Zanzibar , Aruni Fidhia , Nurmasyahyati Nurmasyahyati
Published: January 2023

Purpose

A lack of research has reported how playful gamification is applied to adult learners as an idea of andragogical instruction. Thus, this study aims to identify how the concept of gamification was used for adult learners in an online class during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on learning performance and motivation with the guidance of Knowles' andragogical principle.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applied an explanatory sequential mixed method in collecting the data. Assessments' scores during the experimental research and questionnaires were used as the quantitative data. For the qualitative data, personal semi-structured interviews were employed.

Findings

The findings indicate that gamification raises student enthusiasm and interest and improves learning outcomes. Students who previously lacked attentiveness to the online class are now waiting for game quiz activities during the class meeting. Furthermore, the experimental groups reported statistically improved assessments compared to their counterparts. Indeed, some recommended other courses with whole activities of gamification and discussion rather than listening to talks.

Originality/value

For its implications, this study has enriched the literature on gamification implementation for adult learners. Regarding its originality, it has discussed an old issue of Knowles' andragogical principle from the novelty angle of gamification.
Implications of AI-based robo-advisory for private banking investment advisory
Authors: Dietzmann Christian , Jaeggi Timon , Alt Rainer
Published: January 2023

Purpose

AI-based robo-advisory (RA) represents a FinTech application that is already replacing retail investment advisors. In private banking (PB), clients also increasingly expect service provision across different digital channels, but with a higher degree of personalization. Hence, the present study investigates the impact of intelligent RA on the PB investment advisory process to derive both process (re)design knowledge and strategic guidance for artificial intelligence (AI) usage for PB investment advisory.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study applies an AI process impact analysis approach by decomposing AI-based RA into three AI application types: conversational agent, customer segmentation and predictive analytics. The analysis results along a reference PB investment advisory process reveal sub-process transformations which are applied for process redesign integrating AI.

Findings

The study results imply that AI systems (1) enable seamless client journeys, (2) increase advisor flexibility, (3) support the client–advisor relationship by applying an omnichannel approach and (4) demand advisor skills to be augmented with technical and statistical knowledge.

Originality/value

The research study contributes (1) an AI process impact analysis approach, (2) derives process (re)design knowledge for AI deployment and (3) develops strategic guidance for AI usage in PB investment advisory.
Political connections and cost of debt: a meta-analysis
Authors: Khelil Imen
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to conduct a meta-analysis regarding the association between political connections and the cost of debt and tests for the moderating effect of the level of creditor protection on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Keywords used to collect relevant empirical papers include “political connections, political ties, and political connectedness” from the one side, and “cost of loan finance, and cost of debt” from the other side. The search yields 24 published empirical papers from 2005 to 2022.

Findings

Findings show that there is a significant negative association between political connections and the cost of debt; this relationship is more pronounced only for countries characterized by a strong level of creditor protection. This moderating effect is further confirmed using meta-regression.

Originality/value

Findings are relevant for policymakers and managers in settings where relationship-based capitalism represents a prevailing feature as they highlight the important legal and institutional characteristics when considering the impact of political connections on the cost of debt. The paper also discusses some limitations inherent to this stream of research and proposes future research perspectives.
Moderated mediation between organizational culture and employee performance: the role of similarities in religious teachings and high-performance managerial practices
Authors: Deogaonkar Anant , Nanoty Sampada
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the moderated mediation between organizational culture (OC) and employee performance (EP), with a focus on how high-performance managerial practices (HPMPs) affect OC’s indirect effect via similarities in religious teachings (SRT), which was put to the test.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 275 working professionals. Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used for data analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that SRT mediate the relationship between OC and EP. HPMPs enhance EP by increasing the effect of OC on SRT.

Research limitations/implications

As a part of people and performance management as a function of the human resource management team this study contributes to OC literature by exploring the role of similarities in religious teaching in enhancing EP and OC. The HPMPs are complemented by the SRT that enhance OC thereby improving EP.

Practical implications

This study paves way for addressing the OC problems being faced by the organizations. Organizational development interventions to enhance the OC and its effectiveness in overall performance enhancement are complemented by SRT. This becomes a trigger point for practitioners to initiate interventions based SRT.

Originality/value

Till now, there is no evidence examining the role of moderated mediation based on the SRT complementing HPMPs.
An analysis of customer-based and supplier-based trade credit gaps
Authors: Luo Haowen , Hanke Steven A. , Hanke Hui
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the customer-based and supplier-based trade credit gaps for USA firms from 1970 to 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors' study examines USA companies from 1970 to 2020. The authors begin with an analysis of the trends in aggregate working capital, the capital's components and the trade credit gaps. Various regression models are used to estimate the impacts of identified firm characteristics and unidentified sources on customer-based and supplier-based trade credit gaps over time. The authors then decompose the impacts of firm characteristics to further understand whether changing firm characteristics and/or changing sensitivity to firm characteristics drive the variation in trade credit gaps.

Findings

There is a gradual reduction in the customer-based trade credit gap and a substantial expansion in the supplier-based trade credit gap. Though identified firm characteristics have dominant impacts on observed trade credit gaps, there is evidence of the effects of time and unobservable factors. The main source of changes in customer-based and supplier-based trade credit gaps lies in changes in sensitivity to firm characteristics. In addition, the authors find that firm age is the factor with the largest average effect on both trade credit gaps when examining the full sample period. However, different firm characteristics appear to be the key driver of variations in trade credit gaps over time and across the two types of trade credit gaps. The authors also find that financial distress has the least impact on both customer-based and supplier-based trade gaps. There are variations in the firm characteristics with the largest impacts when evaluating decade-long evaluation periods.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first paper to examine the customer-based and supplier-based trade credit gaps. The connection between trade credit and the trade credit's corresponding inventory (INV) component extends prior literature on the joint management of trade credit and INV. The authors analyze both identified firm characteristics and unidentified sources in the search for explanations of the trade credit gaps. Furthermore, the authors' study explores the channels through which firm characteristics affect different types of trade credit gaps. The authors' findings help identify relevant and irrelevant risk factors of corporate working capital policy.
Prudence as an ethical foundation for risk management
Authors: Marshall Alasdair , Ojiako Udechukwu , Abdoush Tony , Vasilakos Nicholas , Chipulu Maxwell
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to draw on historical conceptions of true and false prudence within the broader context of virtue ethics ideas, to create a prudence framework for developing risk-and-ethics cultures in organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a theoretical analytical approach as a means of examining plausible representations of risk as ethical practice.

Findings

While the ethical ideal of true prudence is explained primarily with reference to psychological theories of generativity, false prudence is explained as undesirable, primarily with reference to psychological problems of narcissism and the broader dark triad. True and false prudence are represented as centring upon very different motivations for foresight, each of which might set the cultural tone for organisational risk management.

Originality/value

This paper’s main contribution is therefore to call attention to the benefits for organisations of reflecting upon differences between true and false prudence when planning the risk management they want.
Big data in tourism marketing: past research and future opportunities
Authors: Blanco-Moreno Sofía , González-Fernández Ana M. , Muñoz-Gallego Pablo Antonio
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to uncover representative emergent areas and to examine the research area of marketing, tourism and big data (BD) to assess how these thematic areas have developed over a 27-year time period from 1996 to 2022. This study analyzed 1,152 studies to identify the principal thematic areas and emergent topics, principal theories used, predominant forms of analysis and the most productive authors in terms of research.

Design/methodology/approach

The articles for this research were all selected from the Web of Science database. A systematic and quantitative literature review was performed. This study used SciMAT software to extract indicators. Specifically, this study analyzed productivity and produced a science map.

Findings

The findings suggest that interest in this area has increased gradually. The outputs also reveal the innovative effort of industry in new technologies for developing models for tourism marketing. Ten research areas were identified: “destination marketing,” “mobility patterns,” “co-creation,” “gastronomy,” “sustainability,” “tourist behavior,” “market segmentation,” “artificial neural networks,” “pricing” and “tourist satisfaction.”

Originality/value

This work is unique in proposing an agenda for future research into tourism marketing research with new technologies such as BD and artificial intelligence techniques. In addition, the results presented here fill the current gap in the research since while there have been literature reviews covering tourism with BD or marketing, these areas have not been studied as a whole.