bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Marketing performance measurement systems and firm performance
Authors: Liang Xiaoning , Gao Yuhui 
Published: February 2020

PurposeDriven by the growing pressure to justify the contributions of marketing activities, marketers have shown considerable interest in improving their marketing performance measurement systems (MPMSs). The purpose of this study is to examine the neglected mediating effect of marketing capabilities on the MPMS–firm performance relationship and to focus on specific aspects of MPMSs that have been largely omitted in the prior research, namely, the comprehensiveness and uses of MPMSs.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted with marketing and senior managers from 210 Irish-based companies. The proposed research model was tested by using the SPSS Process macro and structural equation modeling in AMOS 24.FindingsThe three characteristics of MPMSs influence firm performance in different manners: while the diagnostic use of MPMSs hinders the development of market-linking capability and thus negatively influences firm performance; the comprehensiveness of MPMSs positively influences firm performance through its impact on architectural marketing capability; and the interactive use of MPMSs via externally focused learning and market-linking capabilities.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough this study used objective firm performance data to validate subjective data, the use of single-informant and self-reported measures may still be a concern, as the strong relationships between variables may be because of single-informant bias.Practical implicationsThis study provides insights into how companies can use a comprehensive MPMS to cultivate specific crucial marketing capabilities and thereby enhance firm performance.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the marketing performance measurement literature by proposing and empirically validating the mediating effect of marketing capabilities on the MPMS–firm performance relationship.
Do organisational culture and national culture mediate the relationship between high-performance human resource management practices and organisational citizenship behaviour?
Authors: Lockhart Pamela , Shahani Nusrat Khan , Bhanugopan Ramudu 
Published: February 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of high-performance human resource management practices (HPHRMPs) on organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and the influences of national culture (NC) and organisational culture (OC) on this relationship.Design/methodology/approachUsing a self-administered survey, data were collected from a sample of 420 public sector employees. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling and hierarchical regression analysis.FindingsThe findings of this study offer new insights into the ability to improve OCB through greater consideration of NC and OC in the design of HPHRMP. The results indicated that NC fully mediates the relationship between HPHRMP and OCB, whilst OC has a partial mediating influence.Research limitations/implicationsHPHRMP includes a wide variety of functional areas; however, this study has only examined three (reward management, performance appraisal and promotion practices) and contributes to understanding the importance of institutional theory in HRM.Practical implicationsThis study highlights the need for HR professionals to ensure that they consider the impact of cultural differences (national and organisational) on how these HR practices will be perceived by employees.Originality/valueThe present study seeks to extend research into the link between cultural context and HPHRMP and posits that culture plays a crucial role in this relationship.
Towards development and validation of scale for ethical decision-making model in marketing
Authors: Shamsudheen Shinaj Valangattil , Azhar Rosly Saiful 
Published: February 2020

Purpose
This paper aims to develop and validate scale for ethical decision-making model in marketing that confirms religious–humanistic approach with special reference to ethical philosophy in Islam. Synthesized model of Ferrell and Gresham contingency framework for ethical decision-making in marketing and Al-Ghazali’s ethical philosophy are considered as theoretical background of this study.

Design/methodology/approach
“Content validity test” and “factor analysis” are used to refine measurement items and define as well as validate the scale, respectively. A total of 362 samples were collected from Islamic banking practitioners in the United Arab Emirates.

Findings
Item scale of the constructs comprised in the conceptual model defined and validated by using content validity test (CVT). Underlying theoretical dimensions of the constructs were extracted through exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and evidence of validation of scale/construct reported through CFA.

Research limitations/implications
The scope of this paper is limited to development and validation of scale. Future studies are suggested to use the newly validated scale/construct in descriptive model, and examine the hypotheses prescribed in the model. Further, explanations on theoretical background of this paper is limited as the main objective of this paper is to statistically validate the conceptual model adopted.

Practical implications
Proper application of validated scale of ethical decision-making model in marketing should enable concerned authorities of marketing department to gauge and understand the ethical aspects of individuals in the organizations. Apparently, apprehension of ethical perception of workforces in organizations should benefit in enhancing competence and minimize the costs from unethical behaviour, and, thus, better governance in whole level of management.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is an initial attempt to develop and validate the scale of ethical decision-making model in marketing that accommodates both religious and humanistic aspects into a single model to examine the decision-making behaviour related to ethical issues of individuals in organizations.
Urban mobility modeling to reduce traffic congestion in Surabaya: a system dynamics framework
Authors: Suryani Erma , Hendrawan Rully Agus , Adipraja Philip Faster Eka , Wibisono Arif , Dewi Lily Puspa 
Published: February 2020

Purpose
This paper aims to address the urban mobility and traffic congestion problem under environmental dynamics to improve mobility and reduce traffic congestion using system dynamics (SD) simulation and scenarios.

Design/methodology/approach
SD simulation was used to analyze urban mobility and traffic congestion. Data were collected from the Transportation Department of Surabaya City. Several scenarios to improve urban mobility and reduce traffic congestion were developed by modifying the structures and parameters of the model.

Findings
Several factors influence urban mobility, including modal split, trip frequency, delay performance and the ratio of public transport supply and demand. Urban mobility, daily traffic and road capacity are some factors that affect traffic congestion. Scenarios can be designed based on the assumptions of the proposed strategy.

Research limitations/implications
The study was conducted at Surabaya City, East Java, Indonesia, which is the fourth most-congested city in the world.

Practical implications
By implementing several strategies (mass rapid transit and bus rapid transit development and public transport delay reduction), mobility performance is projected to be improved by 70.34-92.96%. With this increased mobility, traffic congestion is projected to decline by 52.5-65.8%.

Originality/value
The novel contributions of this research are: formulating relationships between several variables; modeling dynamic behavior of urban mobility and traffic congestion; and building scenario models to improve mobility and reduce traffic congestion in Surabaya. With the increase in urban mobility and the decrease in average daily traffic, traffic congestion could be reduced by a minimum of 57.6% and a maximum of 69%.
Strategic analysis using SWOT-AHP: a fibre cement sheet company application
Authors: Ashutosh Ashutosh , Sharma Ashok , Beg Masroor Ahmad 
Published: February 2020

PurposePurpose of study: Indian fibre cement industry is at crossroads on account of the dropping margins attributed to the dynamic internal and external challenges faced by it. The ever-changing technology, the increasing availability of substitutes and changing demographic consumption profiles have questioned the survival of this industry. Internal and external factors affecting an organization provide inputs to the strategic decision-making. Diversity of factors and prioritization is a major challenge encountered for developing a strategy for the organization.Design/methodology/approachStrategic analysis in the paper proposes to rank important key variables through SWOT-AHP methodology affecting a fibre cement company. Computed priorities of SWOT factor could help in formation of management approach to key decisions facing the firm. It is a descriptive research design. The problem itself has multiple SWOT criteria that have been evaluated in three phases with the help of industry experts and AHP criteria.FindingsSWOT-AHP analysis has been a strategic fit for qualitative analysis of factors. The important ranked factors affecting the organization have been found to be brand name, capability of both the management and technical, quality of the product, and the efficient customer service and marketing reach/distribution.Research limitations/implicationsRanking of key SWOT factors found through AHP methodology will help the firm under study to develop and plan strategic alternatives to counter all challenges faced by them.Practical implicationsThe management of the firm under study shall be benefited in fine-tuning the overall strategy of the organization.Originality/valueThis paper proposes a hybrid SWOT-AHP strategic analysis first time in this sector. The affecting factors have been quantified and ranked to identify priority factors for the firm to focus.
Igbo management philosophy: a key for success in Africa
Authors: Osiri J. Kalu 
Published: February 2020

Purpose
This paper aims to present the Igbo management philosophy as having the potential to bring about success in Africa and propose a framework that comprises a set of values and three key institutions: the marketplace, the family and the apprenticeship system. The paper shows that effective leaders are servant-leaders who sacrifice for others.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper relied on earlier and contemporary peer-reviewed, news media and books. These materials offered insight into what Igbos believed, how they behaved and how they historically organized their lives. Materials authored by both African and non-African authors were considered.

Findings
The researcher concluded that Igbos developed a management system based on a philosophy that is African, which is different from the Western system. A framework for the Igbo management philosophy is derived from complex interactions of values and institutions in Igbo societies. The researcher finds that a set of values, particularly, the value of sacrifice, is crucial for ensuring effective business leadership.

Originality/value
Western influence on management has persisted. However, with the economic rise of China, Asian philosophical thought has taken a more center stage in academic management scholarship. Even though human civilization occurred in Africa, it is perplexing that African management systems are not mainstream. There has been research on indigenous African systems and African management philosophy in general. Previous scholarship has also explored the Igbo culture as a whole and their apprenticeship system; however, to the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first time a framework for an Igbo management philosophy is proposed.
Development of a firm export performance measurement model using a hybrid multi-attribute decision-making method
Authors: Dahooie Jalil Heidary , Meidute-Kavaliauskiene Ieva , Vanaki Amir Salar , Podviezko Askoldas , Beheshti Jazan Abadi Elham 
Published: February 2020

PurposeThe present study is aimed to develop a firm export performance measurement model. Increased levels of globalization are forcing firms, especially SMEs (i.e. small and medium-sized enterprises) and entrepreneurial firms, to enter new markets and increase their exports. Consequently, export performance measurement has become a vital tool for achieving competitive advantages, and this type of measurement is considered an important topic of research in the field of international marketing. However, the literature lacks a comprehensive framework for measuring export performance, even though many criteria for gauging this performance's parameters have been discovered and applied.Design/methodology/approachA literature review was conducted, and the most important criteria for export performance measurement was identified using weights obtained by stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis method. Then, the export performance of five firms was evaluated using the additive ratio assessment method with interval-valued triangular fuzzy numbers.FindingsThe 15 most significant criteria were identified and categorized into three dimensions: economic, strategic, and other. The strategic dimension was identified as the most important, while the criteria “strategic goals achievement” and “return on investment” were found to be the most relevant.Practical implicationsA comprehensive framework including a definitive set of the most prominent, useful evaluation criteria was established which enables both scholars and practitioners to assess export performance.Originality/valueThe current study attempts to fill the gaps in the literature by presenting a comprehensive framework for export performance measurement.
Performance evaluation of MRAS and SMO based sensorless PMSM drives
Authors: Singh Shweta , Tiwari Amar Nath , Singh S.N. 
Published: February 2020

Purpose
For vector control of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) requires motor speed and rotor position estimation. The precision of the open-loop techniques of the stator flux and speed for vector control PMSM drive drops as mechanical speed decreases. The stator resistance and estimated stator flux values crisscross have a huge effect on the transient and steady-state performance of the drive at lower speed. The framework turns out to be increasingly strong against parameter crisscross and signal noises by using adaptive observers for estimation of speed and flux.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents a comparison of two-speed observers for the vector control PMSM drive: the sliding mode observer (SMO) and the model reference adaptive system (MRAS). A comprehensive analysis of SMO and MRAS respects dynamic, steady-state performance and robustness, affectability, stability and computational complexity has been introduced. The abstract of the advantages and disadvantages of both observer and their comparative analysis have also been discussed.

Findings
Dynamic performance steady-state performance and robustness, affectability and stability.

Originality/value
This paper presents a sensorless scheme, namely, MRAS and SMO for control of PMSM drive. These sensorless techniques have been tested for a PMSM motor drive and the motor performance was compared for both techniques. Matlab/Simulink based simulation results conclude that the adaptive methods improve dynamic response, reduces torque ripples and extended speed range.
Capturing threshold responses of marine benthos along gradients of natural and anthropogenic change
Authors: Couce Elena , Engelhard Georg H. , Schratzberger Michaela 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Ecologists and managers need to understand what types of communities emerge with continued human alterations to ecosystems against a background of natural change. Both natural and anthropogenic drivers are well known to affect organisms’ distributions; however, it often remains unclear where along a range of environmental and anthropogenic gradients important compositional community changes occur.

We used a big‐data approach, including over 175,000 presence records of benthic genera for the North Sea, to identify environmental (bed shear stress, sediment grain size, temperature) and anthropogenic parameters (trawling effort) driving benthic community composition over a 21‐year period. We applied a Gradient Forest analysis, based on Random Forests, to estimate the locations and importance of thresholds where small cumulative increases in the predictors drive a much greater change in genus composition than would be expected from linear effects.

Shear stress was the most important predictor of benthic community composition. Trawling effort, temperature gradients and sediment grain size were of intermediate importance. This corroborates that current and wave effects (typically associated with seabed substrate types) are primary determinants of benthic communities.

Our results suggest that a genus composition threshold for both infauna and epifaunal benthic communities is crossed when the seafloor is trawled as little as once every 4 years. Higher trawling levels corresponded with gradual compositional change without obvious thresholds, which would be consistent with chronic fishing in the North Sea over the last two centuries having caused persistent, long‐term changes in ecosystem structure and functioning. This was corroborated by the large‐scale spatial patterns of benthic community composition undergoing limited temporal changes during the 21‐year study period.

Synthesis and applications. Although well established in theory, threshold effects are poorly validated in the field. We generated new information on multi‐organism responses to environmental change at the scale of a continental shelf ecosystem and over a multi‐decadal time period. This will help pure and applied scientists better understand the conditions under which community thresholds are crossed and provide environmental managers with empirical evidence that is expected to reduce uncertainty regarding decisions on the protection and sustainable use of the marine environment.
Ontogenetic consistency in oak defence syndromes
Authors: Moreira Xoaquín , Abdala‐Roberts Luis , Galmán Andrea , Bartlow Andrew W. , Berny‐Mier y Teran Jorge C. , Carrari Elisa , Covelo Felisa , de la Fuente María , Ferrenberg Scott , Fyllas Nikolaos M. , Hoshika Yasutomo , Lee Steven R. , Marquis Robert J. , Nakamura Masahiro , Nell Colleen S. , Pesendorfer Mario B. , Steele Michael A. , Vázquez‐González Carla , Zhang Shuang , Rasmann Sergio 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Plant species allocate resources to multiple defensive traits simultaneously, often leading to so‐called defence syndromes (i.e. suites of traits that are co-expressed across several species). While reports of ontogenetic variation in plant defences are commonplace, no study to date has tested for ontogenetic shifts in defence syndromes, and we know little about the ecological and evolutionary drivers of variation in plant defence syndromes across ontogeny.

We tested for ontogenetic variation in plant defence syndromes by measuring a suite of defensive and nutritional traits on saplings and adult trees of 29 oak (Quercus, Fagaceae) species distributed across Europe, North America, and Asia. In addition, we investigated if these syndromes exhibited a phylogenetic signal to elucidate the nature of their macro‐evolutionary variation, whether they were associated with levels of herbivore pressure and climatic conditions, and if any such evolutionary and ecological patterns were contingent on ontogeny.

Our analyses revealed three distinct oak defence syndromes: the first included species with high defences, the second species with high defences and low nutrient levels, and the third species with high nutrients and thinner leaves. Interestingly, these defence syndromes remained virtually unchanged across the two ontogenetic stages sampled. In addition, our analyses indicated no evidence for a phylogenetic signal in oak syndromes, a result consistent across ontogenetic stages. Finally, with respect to ecological factors, we found no effect of climatic conditions on defences for either ontogenetic stage, whereas defence syndromes were associated with differing levels of herbivory in adults but not saplings suggesting an association between herbivore pressure and syndrome type that is contingent on ontogeny.

Synthesis. Together, these findings indicate that defence syndromes remain remarkably consistent across oak ontogenetic stages, are evolutionarily labile, and while they appear unrelated to climate, they do appear to be associated with herbivory levels in an ontogenetic‐dependent manner. Overall, this study builds towards a better understanding of ecological and evolutionary factors underlying multivariate plant defensive phenotypes.
Laodelphax striatellus Atg8 facilitates Rice stripe virus infection in an autophagy‐independent manner
Authors: Yu Yuan‐Ling , Zhang Meng‐Ting , Huo Yan , Tang Ji‐Liang , Liu Qing , Chen Xiao‐Ying , Fang Rong‐Xiang , Zhang Li‐Li 
Published: February 2020

AbstractRice stripe virus (RSV) is the causative agent of rice stripe disease and is completely dependent on insect vectors for its plant‐to‐plant transmission. Laodelphax striatellus is the major insect vector for RSV. In this study, we explored the interactions between RSV infection and L. striatellus autophagy, a potential intrinsic antiviral mechanism in insects. We found that L. striatellus autophagic activity did not affect RSV infection; however, the autophagy‐related‐8 (Atg8) gene significantly enhanced virus infection. During RSV initial infection within the L. striatellus midgut, silencing of Atg8 expression significantly decreased the phosphorylation of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (p‐JNK); however, when RSV infection is absent, silencing of Atg8 did not alter p‐JNK levels. These results indicated that Atg8 might activate the JNK machinery by allowing more virus infection into cells. We further revealed that Atg8‐deficiency significantly decreased RSV accumulation on the surface of the insect midgut epithelial cells, suggesting a receptor trafficking function of the γ‐aminobutyric acid receptor‐associated protein family. Using the RSV ovary entry as a model, in which vitellogenin receptor (VgR) mediates RSV cell entry, we clarified that Atg8‐deficiency decreased the abundance of VgR localizing on the cytomembrane and disturbed the attachment of RSV in the germarium zones. Collectively, these results revealed an autophagy‐independent function of L. striatellus Atg8 that enhances RSV initial infection by increasing virus attachment on the infection sites.