bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Probing the effect of microstructural difference of AZ91D magnesium alloys on the corrosion resistance of phosphate conversion coatings
Authors: Zhou Peng , Chen Zikun , Wang Duo , Yu Baoxing , Zhang Chunyan , Zhang Tao , Xiao Jintao , Sun Jingli , Wang Xiaoxue , Yuan Yong , Wang Fuhui 
Published: December 2024

Purpose
The purpose of this paper was to compare the electrochemical homogeneity of AZ91D after various heat treatment processes, and its influence on the growth, composition, microstructure and corrosion resistance of phosphate conversion coatings.

Design/methodology/approach
The electrochemical activity of different heat-treated Mg alloys was evaluated via scanning vibrational electrode technique; the characterization of the microstructure and phase composition of coatings was conducted using a scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. The corrosion resistance was evaluated by electrochemical tests and accelerated neutral salt spray tests.

Findings
T6 treatment increased the electrochemical homogeneity, while T4 treatment decreased the microstructure homogeneity of AZ91D magnesium alloy, due to the existence of residual Al-Mn impurity phase. The phosphate conversion coating (PCC) on T6 heat-treated Mg alloys showed the most compact microstructure and the best corrosion resistance, while the coating on the T4 heat-treated Mg alloy exhibited the worst microstructure and corrosion resistance.

Originality/value
The microstructure and protectiveness of coatings are related to the homogeneousness of Mg alloy: an Mg substrate with a more heterogeneous electrochemical reactivity yields a PCC with less protectiveness, which could be explained by the difference of precipitation kinetics at the metal/electrolyte interface.
The impact of parental stress, executive function and communication skills on challenging behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Ranjbar Fatemeh , Dadgar Hooshang , Azizi Masoud , Dalvand Hamid 
Published: December 2024

Purpose
This study aims to examine the concurrent influence of parental stress, executive functions and communication skills on challenging behaviors in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). These behaviors are frequently exhibited by children with ASD and can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the child’s environment and their own level of development.

Design/methodology/approach
The current investigation was cross-sectional. Based on the inclusion criteria, 74 children with ASD were chosen, including those aged 4–7 years and 11 months, those with a moderate level of ASD and those without medical conditions or accompanying issues. Convenience sampling was implemented.

Findings
In children with ASD, challenging behaviors were observed to be significantly correlated with all three factors of parental stress, executive functions and communication skills (p < 0.05). Additionally, the executive functions were the most effective predictor of the frequency of challenging behaviors in these children. Furthermore, parental stress was the most effective predictor of the severity of challenging behaviors.

Originality/value
In previous research, the examination of the concurrent impact of factors that influence challenging behaviors demonstrated by children with ASD was restricted to the child’s level (executive functions and communication skills), whereas environmental factors such as parental stress were disregarded. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research to look at the concurrent influence of three crucial factors: parental stress, executive functioning and communication abilities on challenging behaviors in children with ASD. The findings suggest that interventions targeting challenging behaviors in children with ASD may benefit from addressing the child’s executive function difficulties and parental stress.
Adaptation to climate change in pastoral communities: a systematic review through a social-ecological lens
Authors: Cho Matilda Azong , Mutanga Onisimo , Mabhaudhi Tafadzwanashe 
Published: December 2024

Purpose
This paper aims to apply a socio-ecological systems framework to demonstrate that pastoral adaptation to climate change necessitates a comprehensive approach.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors evaluated the depth of knowledge regarding pastoral adaptation in Africa using bibliometric and content-based analyses.

Findings
The analysis of 40 eligible articles, conducted through R Studio, revealed a significant emphasis on climate change adaptation measures. However, there was a noticeable scarcity of research on the role of governance, policy and institutional interventions.

Research limitations/implications
The scope of the research is limited to the African continent.

Practical implications
This research shed light on how inadequate governance structures and insufficient institutional support, particularly in terms of skills and capacity-building, hinder pastoral communities’ resilience. These limitations may potentially affect pastoral livelihoods adversely, with severe consequences for food security and poverty levels in Africa.

Social implications
A comprehensive understanding of the challenges pastoralists face in Africa to adapt to climate change will assist in defining high-level policies and interventions to improve pastoral communities’ adaptation actions.

Originality/value
The study used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses approach to ensure a thorough and systematic investigation. Furthermore, using an established framework and clearly defined methods will greatly aid in replicating the research.
Identification of feature selection techniques for software defect prediction by using BCF-WASPAS methodology based on Einstein operators
Authors: Rehman Ubaid ur , Mahmood Tahir 
Published: December 2024

PurposeThis research focuses on a very important research question of determining the appropriate feature selection methods for software defect prediction. The study is centered on the creation of a new method that would enable the identification of both positive and negative selection criteria and the handling of ambiguous information in the decision-making process.Design/methodology/approachTo do so, we develop an improved method by extending the WASPAS assessment in the context of bipolar complex fuzzy sets, which leads to the bipolar complex fuzzy WASPAS method. The approach also uses Einstein operators to increase the accuracy of aggregation and manage complicated decision-making parameters. The methodology is designed for the processing of multi-criteria decision-making problems where criteria have positive and negative polarities as well as other ambiguous information.FindingsIt is also shown that the proposed methodology outperforms the traditional weighted sum or product models when assessing feature selection methods. The incorporation of bipolar complex fuzzy sets with WASPAS improves the assessment of selection criteria by taking into account both positive and negative aspects of the criteria, which contributes to more accurate feature selection for software defect prediction. We investigate a case study related to the identification of feature selection techniques for software defect prediction by using the bipolar complex fuzzy WASPAS methodology. We compare the proposed methodology with certain prevailing ones to reveal the supremacy and the requirements of the proposed theory.Originality/valueThis research offers the first integrated framework for handling bipolarity and uncertainty in feature selection for software defect prediction. The combination of Einstein operators with bipolar complex fuzzy sets improves the DM process, which will be useful for software engineers and help them select the best feature selection techniques. This work also helps to enhance the overall performance of software defect prediction systems.
Continued engagement intention with social media influencers: the role of experience
Authors: Pandit Ameet , McLeay Fraser , Zaveri Moulik M. , Al Mursalin Jabir , Rosenberger Philip J. 
Published: December 2024

PurposeThe emergence of social media platforms has revolutionized how brands develop partnerships with social media influencers (SMIs). However, users are seeking more meaningful engagement with SMIs, and little is known about how brands can shift their focus from transient engagements to continued engagement that builds long-term brand–consumer relationships. Extant research has provided inconsistent findings regarding consumer engagement behavior. To address this knowledge deficit, we contribute to the consumer engagement literature by developing and testing a conceptual model that explores and explains the relationships between the factors that influence continued engagement intention (CEI), a form of behavioral intention.Design/methodology/approachA literature review was conducted to identify gaps and develop a theoretically informed conceptual model and hypotheses. Survey data from 604 Instagram SMI followers were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling using SmartPLS 3.3.3 to assess the structural model relationships and conduct post hoc analysis.FindingsThe findings suggest that it is important to positively influence consumer responses to elicit CEI. Furthermore, homophily attitudes toward SMIs moderate the relationship between SMI experience and CEI.Practical implicationsBrands must work with SMIs to create positive SMI experiences and develop CEI. Furthermore, SMIs should focus on brands that fit their lifestyles to enhance homophily attitudes and forge CEI.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by combining social exchange and flow theories to develop and test a holistic framework for examining CEIs regarding SMIs and brands. The findings show that creating positive SMI experiences benefits brands seeking CEI.
Reframing crisis and crisis management: examining three urban superintendents’ COVID-19 experiences
Authors: Scribner Jay Paredes , Sanzo Karen L. , Cossey Kimberley M. 
Published: December 2024

PurposeThis paper explored the intersection of leadership, crisis and context to understand the social and political dimensions of crisis as a phenomenon.Design/methodology/approachThis multiple case study of three urban superintendents used crisis and complexity theory literature to inform analysis of superintendent interviews, board observations and social/media content.FindingsCOVID-19 exhibited attributes—crisis origin, breadth and severity, clarity of action and time horizon—that shaped how leaders led and managed. And stakeholder composition, values and motivations shaped how superintendents engaged with actors in their efforts to balance the competing values of safety and choice.Originality/valueParacrisis and complexity theory literature offer important insights into crises and crisis leadership. These conceptual perspectives illuminate how stakeholders shape macro- and local-level crisis contexts. Further, they underscore the importance of accurate and timely feedback that informs the social and political dimensions of crisis management.
Does ethical leadership shape employee conduct in hotels and restaurants?
Authors: Syed Obed Rashdi , Siyal Saeed , Zafar Abdullah , Pahi Munwar Hussain , Rasool Shahid 
Published: December 2024

PurposeDrawing on the equity theory, this study examines the influence of ethical leadership on counterproductive work behaviors. Furthermore, it tests the mediating influences of organizational citizenship behavior and psychological entitlement on the relationship between ethical leadership and counterproductive work behavior.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a survey questionnaire employing a random sampling technique to collect the data from hotels and restaurants. Data were collected from 329 supervisors and employees working in different hotels and restaurants in Karachi, Pakistan. For the purpose of analysis and to predict hypothesized relationships, the study used PLS-SEM techniques.FindingsThe study’s results indicated support for all hypothesized relationships. We found a negative relationship between ethical leadership and counterproductive work behavior. The findings also suggest that organizational citizenship behavior positively mediates between ethical leadership and counterproductive work behavior, which was unexpected. Furthermore, the findings also reveal that psychological entitlement positively mediates between ethical leadership and counterproductive work behavior.Originality/valueThe study examines the direct relationship between ethical leadership and counterproductive work behaviors and through the lens of organizational citizenship behavior and psychological entitlement. The relationships were founded on the theoretical underpinning of equity theory.
How does negative workplace gossip influence receivers’ interaction avoidance and willingness to cooperate? The role of attributed self-serving motives
Authors: Zhu Qianlin , Cheng Ken , Zou Nanqi 
Published: December 2024

PurposeAlthough negative workplace gossip is ubiquitous, we know little about how it influences the sender–receiver relationship. Drawing on attribution theory and the warmth–competence framework, we develop a theoretical model to examine how receivers’ self-serving motives attribution affects their judgments (i.e. warmth and competence) of senders who share negative workplace gossip and their subsequent responses (i.e. interaction avoidance and willingness to cooperate) to these senders.Design/methodology/approachWe collected multi-wave data from 273 employees in China and tested our hypotheses using path analysis.FindingsOur results revealed that when receivers attributed negative workplace gossip to self-serving motives, they perceived the senders to be less warm and competent and subsequently showed more interaction avoidance and less willingness to cooperate with the senders.Practical implicationsThese findings suggest that organizations should commit to implementing communication training programs to improve employees’ interpersonal communication skills and guide employees to interpret senders’ intentions with multiple cues.Originality/valueThe finding regarding the moderating role of self-serving motives attribution adds to the literature examining when receivers respond destructively to senders. Analysis of the mediating effects of warmth and competence further revealed the mechanisms of these effects.
Workplace spirituality concept specifications: inadequate clarity, adverse implications and a proposed resolution
Authors: Pawar Badrinarayan Shankar 
Published: December 2024

PurposeThis paper evaluates the existing main workplace spirituality concept specifications and points out their inadequacies and the resulting adverse implications. It also outlines a set of workplace spirituality concept specifications as a resolution.Design/methodology/approachThis paper does a detailed evaluation of chronologically evolved existing main workplace spirituality concept specifications to point out their inadequacies and outlines a resolution to address the inadequacies.FindingsThis paper reveals that there are differences, inconsistencies, and inadequate clarity in workplace spirituality concept specifications and that these have had adverse implications. This paper yields a proposed resolution with its associated merits.Research implicationsThis paper can potentially improve the future workplace spirituality research as reflected in its six theoretical implications and three directions for future research.Practical implicationsThis paper’s description of the inadequacies in the existing workplace spirituality concept specifications and the proposed resolution can improve the practice of workplace spirituality research.Social implicationsImprovement in the research on a socially relevant topic of workplace spirituality is likely to benefit the society.Originality/valueThis is, to the author’s best knowledge, the first paper to evaluate workplace spirituality concept specifications and to propose a resolution to address their inadequacies.
Organic farming: mapping the perceptual landscape of business competence
Authors: Lone Aashiq Hussain , Rashid Irfana 
Published: December 2024

PurposeWith organic farming (OF) emerging as a pivotal and sustainable farm enterprise globally, its adoption – particularly through sustainable organic farming practices (SOFP) – underscores the crucial role played by the competencies of organic farmers. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive perceptual assessment of the competencies essential for SOFP in the unique agricultural landscape. The focus is on exploring the entrepreneurial, managerial, personal and technical competencies of farmers engaged in OF.Design/methodology/approachEmploying a sequential mixed-methods approach, this study began with a quantitative phase (structured questionnaire) and seamlessly transitioned into a qualitative phase (focus group interviews). A total of 513 usable responses were received in the quantitative phase, and data from seven focus group interviews (FGIs) were recorded in the qualitative phase. The respondents were registered organic farmers affiliated with various farmer producer organizations (FPOs) in the Kashmir Valley, India. Methodological triangulation was used to interpret the results.FindingsThrough perceptual analysis, the study systematically identified and assessed the competencies held by the organic farmers. The study uncovered that farmers in the Kashmir Valley demonstrate competencies across personal, entrepreneurial, managerial and technical domains. Despite an overall moderate competence level, technical and managerial competencies were perceived as low and are focal points for improvement.Research limitations/implicationsThe study sheds light on OF competencies in the Kashmir Valley, caution is warranted due to its regional focus. The reliance on self-reported data introduces potential bias in competency assessments. The sample, drawn from FPOs, can be a lacuna. The study’s static snapshot captures competencies at a specific time, limiting insights into potential temporal changes.Practical implicationsThe findings advocate for targeted competency development programs tailored to elevate varied competencies among farmers. Collaborative initiatives, market-oriented training and locally customized extension services are proposed to effectively address and bridge competence gaps. Policymakers are urged to consider incentivizing competency development and crafting integrated agricultural policies that comprehensively support competency enhancement.Originality/valueThis research contributes significantly to the existing theory and literature by advancing the understanding of competencies of organic farmers. It unveils perceptual assessment on four key competence dimensions that are very vital for SOFP and also explores the extent to which these competencies are evident. Furthermore, this study provides interventions for competence development for successful sustainable organic agri-ventures and entrepreneurial avenues.
Facilities management practices in gated communities in Ghana: a study of selected gated communities in Accra
Authors: Twum-Bobie Ansaa Nana Yaa , Issah Farida Daphne , Alhassan Tahiru , Kidido Joseph Kwaku 
Published: December 2024

PurposeFacilities management (FM) has increasingly become crucial in the built environment. However, it is often overlooked as a crucial aspect of overall management. This study examined FM practices in gated communities (GCs), and challenges impeding the effective implementation of these practices.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a qualitative approach involving the use of purposive sampling technique. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants. Data gathered from the participants were analyzed thematically using MAX Qualitative Data Analysis (MAXQDA) Analytics Pro 2024 software.FindingsFM in GCs played a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of the GCs. These roles were vendor management, security management, maintenance and repairs, communication, tenancy agreements administration, and ensuring environmental sustainability. Non-adherence to the rules and regulations by occupants, lack of policies, unreliable vendors, lack of training and lack of funds are the major challenges FM faces in GCs.Practical implicationsThe findings from this paper can be leveraged by stakeholders to help streamline FM activities in GCs to provide that conducive environment expected by tenants. It will also help owners of GCs obtain the maximum returns for their investments.Originality/valueThis paper provides information on FM practices and challenges in GCs from the Ghanaian perspective. The study adds to the literature on the emergence and growth of GCs in the African context.
Experimental transplants demonstrate shifts in predation favour evolution of aggressive behaviours in Trinidadian killifish
Authors: Korte Meghan , Walsh Matthew R. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Theory asserts larger brains facilitate behaviours that enhance fitness. Research has demonstrated that increased brain size improves cognition and survival. However, the majority of research has focused on cross‐species comparisons. Experiments that manipulate selection to investigate the connection between brain size, behaviour and fitness are needed.

Trinidadian killifish (Anablepsoides hartii) live in communities with (high predation: HP) and without (killifish only: KO) predators. Predator absence is associated with high population densities, increased intraspecific competition and evolved larger brain sizes.

We tested for evolutionary shifts in behaviour by subjecting second‐generation lab‐reared killifish to a mirror aggression assay. We also quantify selection on brain size and behaviour by transplanting wild HP killifish to KO sites and tracking individual fitness (growth rates) with a mark‐recapture design.

Lab‐reared killifish from KO sites—specifically males—exhibited higher levels of aggression than HP killifish. In the transplant experiment, HP killifish exhibited strong increases in aggression following the introduction to KO sites. Increased brain size was correlated with increased growth in transplanted HP killifish, yet there was no association between brain size, aggression and growth.

Our results indicate that declines in predation and increased competition favour increases in aggression but further research is needed to determine if and how brain size and behaviour are linked through natural selection.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Defined‐benefit pension plan funding: Does managerial ability matter?
Authors: Jory Surendranath Rakesh , Ngo Thanh , Wang Hongxia 
Published: December 2024

AbstractWe examine the impact of managerial ability on defined‐benefit pension plans in US firms and find that plan funding levels increase with their sponsors' managerial ability. The finding is robust to various model specifications and control for endogeneity. Further analyses show that high‐ability managers make higher employer contributions and adopt more conservative and prudent plan assumptions and investment strategies, and that their pension management is value‐enhancing. We conclude that more able managers are cognisant of obligations toward pension beneficiaries and fulfil such obligations with better‐funded plans, which ultimately benefits shareholders.