bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The hidden side of sustainable operations and supply chain management: unanticipated outcomes, trade-offs and tensions
Authors: Matos Stelvia V. , Schleper Martin C. , Gold Stefan , Hall Jeremy K. 
Published: December 2020

PurposeThe research is based on a critically analyzed literature review focused on the unanticipated outcomes, trade-offs and tensions of sustainable operations and supply chain management (OSCM), including the articles selected for this special issue.Design/methodology/approachThe authors introduce the key concepts, issues and theoretical foundations of this special issue on “The hidden side of sustainable operations and supply chain management (OSCM): Unanticipated outcomes, trade-offs and tensions”. The authors explore these issues within this context, and how they may hinder the authors' transition to more sustainable practices.FindingsThe authors present an overview of unanticipated outcomes, trade-offs, tensions and influencing factors from the literature, and identify how such problems may emerge. The model addresses these problems by highlighting the crucial effect of the underlying state of knowledge on sustainable OSCM decision-making.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors limited the literature review to journals that ranked 2 and above as defined by the Chartered Association of Business Schools Academic Journal Guide. The main implication for research is a call to focus attention on unanticipated outcomes as a starting point rather than only an afterthought. For practitioners, good intentions such as sustainability initiatives need careful consideration for potential unanticipated outcomes.Originality/valueThe study provides the first critical review of unanticipated outcomes, trade-offs and tensions in the sustainable OSCM discourse. While the literature review (including papers in this special issue) significantly contributes toward describing these issues, it is still unclear how such problems emerge. The model developed in this paper addresses this gap by highlighting the crucial effect of the underlying state of knowledge concerned with sustainable OSCM decision-making.
The after-sales strategy of an industrial equipment manufacturer: evaluation and control
Authors: Sellitto Miguel Afonso 
Published: December 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the after-sales strategy of an industrial equipment manufacturer.Design/methodology/approachThe research study’s object is the Brazilian operation of a company belonging to a multinational group that designs, manufactures and installs technology-based equipment. The research method is qualitative modeling with a quantitative analysis. A literature review and a focus group with managers organized the after-sales strategy of the company in four constructs measured by 24 indicators. The constructs are technical assistance (TA), reliability management (RM), customer relationships (CRs) and spare part logistics (SL). A total of seven managers evaluated the importance and performance of the indicators.FindingsTA, RM and CRs are lagging constructs (the importance is greater than the performance), whereas SL is a leading construct (the opposite). The study proposed four strategic actions that change the type of emphasis that the company poses to service: from in-house to field maintenance service, from correction to prevention reliability improvement, from technical- to customer-focused relationships and from direct to integrated logistics service.Research limitations/implicationsThe study limits to the case of a technology-based manufacturing company.Practical implicationsThe strategic movement reallocates resources from leading indicators to lagging indicators in a sharp, clear movement of forces in the company.Originality/valueThe main contribution is a structured method to evaluate and control the strategic performance of an industrial equipment manufacturer in after-sales activities.
“COVID-19 and students perception about MOOCs” a case of Indian higher educational institutions
Authors: Anand Shankar Raja Manivannan , Kallarakal Tomy K. 
Published: December 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the outcomes of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in the light of COVID-19 concerning the students of higher educational institutions (HEIs) in India. The COVID-19 has disrupted the normal teaching-learning role across the world and has put everyone in a nightmare. HEIs are now requesting students to take up MOOCs to explore and attain knowledge and the same is even followed by the corporate institutions. MOOCs are one of the crisis management solutions to ensure that education is continuous and not disrupted.

Design/methodology/approach
The data included in this research has been collected from students of HEIs across India using a convenient sampling method. The collected data was exposed to a factor analysis using a principal component analysis (PCA) technique to reduce multiple dimensions.

Findings
The various stakeholders such as the government, HEIs and the MOOC providers have to play a crucial role in developing intellectual human assets for the nation’s growth and progression by extending flexible and cost-effective learning facilities. Education should be free to boost up the learning motivation, and hence it is the responsibility of the stakeholders to provide few courses free of cost, which will increase the rate of enrolment and student participation.

Research limitations/implications
From the research, it is well understood that MOOCs are useful to keep oneself updated with the market and industry trends especially when the world is focusing on business analytics, artificial intelligence and other technologically driven topics and concepts.

Practical implications
The present study contributes to the growing body of evidence that MOOCs play an important role in providing flexibility in learning. In the future, if there are similar crisis, which will disrupt education, then the best alternative will be MOOC through which many stakeholders will benefit. Education should be free to boost up the learning motivation, and hence it is the responsibility of the stakeholders to provide few courses free of cost, which will increase the rate of enrolment and student participation.

Social implications
Education is a service for the society which will have a long-term positive impact on improving the standard of living of the people. Hence, MOOCs can be one of the educational elements to provide learning opportunities to all age groups.

Originality/value
This study has explored the perception of MOOCs among the students of HEIs in India in the COVID-19 pandemic. The fresh data collected from the students is a reflection of their experiences during the COVID-19 lockdown. Indeed, it is quite surprising to know that majority of the respondents have arranged to learn during the pandemic, which shows the thirst and urge to learn. Digital technology and tools are welcomed and accepted by the student community.
Initial response to COVID-19: a mixed-methods analysis of media and school communications to identify pedagogical implications for remote teaching
Authors: Eutsler Lauren , Antonenko Pavlo D. , Mitchell Chrystine 
Published: December 2020

Purpose
Immediately following the declaration of the national emergency of the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA, the purpose of this study was to examine one month of social media, news media, school district websites’ continuity plans and educational affiliate organizations, to unveil K-12 stakeholders’ initial response to K-12 remote teaching.

Design/methodology/approach
Framed by connectivism theory, the authors used a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design to conduct a systematic content analysis of 43,870 tweets, news media, school district websites’ continuity plans and educational affiliate organizations.

Findings
Initial responses focused on community lockdown procedures, sustaining education, adapting to a remote lifestyle and political tension. The authors revisited included tweets one week later to measure their connectedness, which revealed that educational organizations, which have the largest number of followers, also have the greatest outreach and visibility.

Practical implications
Based on the collective decision-making of education stakeholders, the authors provide three remote teaching recommendations and pedagogical implications for sustainable remote teaching practices.

Originality/value
The authors construct a blueprint from some of the largest school districts, and consequently the COVID-19 hotspots, to broadly examine emergency preparedness and remote instruction plans.
M&As in Germany: measuring success for the pharma and biotech industries
Authors: Leschik Damian , Rossberger Robert , Oczkowski Eddie 
Published: December 2020

Purpose
This study aims to identify and assess the use of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) performance metrics for small- and medium-sized German pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Design/methodology/approach
In depth qualitative interviews with senior key informant executives involved with recent M&A were conducted. Unlike previous studies, the role of the interviews was to identify and uncover the use of a broad set of success metrics to add to a fuller understanding of post-M&A behaviour, leading to a more accurate evaluation of post-M&A performance.

Findings
Results from interviews suggest that important M&A success metrics include having a successful organisation, integrated cultures, a high employee retention rate, gaining new technology knowledge, overall economic enhancement, increases in patent-protected products, increases in clinical success rates (perished rate assessment) and increases in the share price. In general, expert interviewees stated that they would use a combination of the success metrics and monetary tools to assess post-M&A success.

Originality/value
This study identifies and uncovers a series of different M&A performance success metrics being in prominent use. The use of a combination of metrics is highlighted as being a relatively unique research finding.
Sports bra use, preferences and fit issues among exercising females in the US, the UK and China
Authors: Brown Nicola , Burbage Jenny , Wakefield-Scurr Joanna 
Published: December 2020

PurposePrevious research suggests that many active females are not engaging in sports bra use, despite the positive health benefits. The aim of this study was to establish and compare sports bra use, preferences and bra fit issues for exercising females in some of the largest and most diverse global underwear markets (the US, the UK and China).Design/methodology/approachA survey covering activity levels, sports bra use and preferences, bra issues and demographics was administered via Qualtrics and completed by 3,147 physically active females (aged ≥ 18 years) from the US (n = 1,060), UK (n = 1,050) and China (n = 1,037).FindingsIn general, participants were 25–29 years, 121 to 140 pounds, 34B bra size and pre-menopausal. “I cannot find the right sports bra” was the most frequent breast barrier to exercise (25.4%). Three-quarters of women wore a sports bra during exercise, with significantly higher use in China (83.9%), compared to the UK (67.2%). A third of all participants reported sports bra shoulder straps “digging into the skin”. Sports bra preferences were: compression sports bras with a racer back, wide straps and thick straps in the US and the UK; thin straps in China and adjustable straps and underband, no wire and maximum breast coverage in the US and the UK, including nipple concealment and with padded/moulded cups.Originality/valueInformation provided on differences in sports bra use, preferences and bra issues across three major global markets could be utilised by brands and manufacturers to optimise bra marketing and fit education initiatives and inform future sports bra design and distribution strategies.
Localisation of logistics preparedness in international humanitarian organisations
Authors: Frennesson Lina , Kembro Joakim , de Vries Harwin , Van Wassenhove Luk , Jahre Marianne 
Published: December 2020

PurposeTo meet the rising global needs, the humanitarian community has signed off on making a strategic change toward more localisation, which commonly refers to the empowerment of national and local actors in humanitarian assistance. However, to this date, actual initiatives for localisation are rare. To enhance understanding of the phenomenon, the authors explore localisation of logistics preparedness capacities and obstacles to its implementation. The authors particularly take the perspective of the international humanitarian organisation (IHO) community as they are expected to implement the localisation strategy.Design/methodology/approachA phenomenon-driven, exploratory and qualitative study was conducted. Data collection included in-depth interviews with 28 experienced humanitarian professionals.FindingsThe findings showed the ambiguity inherent in the localisation strategy with largely different views on four important dimensions. Particularly, the interviewees differ about strengthening external actors or internal national/local offices. The resulting framework visualises the gap between strategy formulation and implementation, which forms major obstacles to the localisation aims.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research is required to support the advancement of localisation of logistics preparedness capacities. Important aspects for future research include triangulation of results, other stakeholder perspectives and the influence of context.Practical implicationsThe authors add to the important debate surrounding localisation by offering remedies to overcoming obstacles to strategy implementation. Further, the authors’ proposed framework offers a language to precisely describe the ways in which IHOs (should) view localisation of logistics preparedness capacities and its operationalisation.Originality/valueTo the best of authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first academic article on localisation within the humanitarian logistics context.
Replacing exams with research papers: chronicles of a higher education institution (HEI) amidst COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: El-Bassiouny Noha , Mohamed Ehab K.A. 
Published: December 2020

Purpose
Exam administration during the COVID-19 pandemic represents a challenge for most schools. This paper aims to document the experience of a business school in a developing country context.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper is conceptual in its approach highlighting how exam administration was handled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings
Notably, exams were replaced by research assessments. This paper presents best practices and lessons learnt in this domain.

Originality/value
This practice paper represents one of the few research studies that highlighted the mechanisms underlying the replacement of exams with research projects during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The transmission mechanism of idea generation on idea implementation: team knowledge territoriality perspective
Authors: Li Xianmiao , Xu Zhenting , Men Chenghao 
Published: December 2020

PurposeThis study aims to explore the transmission mechanism of individual idea generation on team idea implementation and elucidate the relationships among team knowledge territoriality, team information exchange and team trust, which can better improve team knowledge sharing, decrease individual knowledge hiding or territoriality and assist the team in solving the predicament of idea implementation.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected by the paired method from 56 Chinese companies’ R&D teams, which comprised 356 valid samples. Besides, structure equitation modeling and hierarchical linear modeling were used to test the hypotheses.FindingsTeam knowledge territoriality had a significant positive impact on individual idea generation, team information exchange and team idea implementation. Team information exchange mediated the relationship between team knowledge territoriality and team idea implementation. Moreover, team information exchange positively moderated the relationship between team knowledge territoriality and individual idea generation. Furthermore, the relationship between individual idea generation and team idea implementation was mediated by team trust.Originality/valueThis study augments the theoretical research of territoriality and innovation process. From the viewpoint of knowledge territoriality to describe the coexistence of knowledge sharing and knowledge hiding in the organization, this study reveals the influence mechanism of team knowledge territoriality on team innovation process. Overall, this study provides empirical support that team territoriality can weaken the adverse impact of individual territoriality on innovation to a certain extent.
Teaching English as an additional language: a case study approach
Authors: Tsaliki Evanthia 
Published: December 2020

PurposeThis paper aims to deal with the processes and experiences of teaching English as an additional language (AL). More specifically, it deals with the research question of which teaching methods are used when teaching English as AL and why.Design/methodology/approachIt concerns a case study approach conducted in an English primary school situated in North Yorkshire, where bilingual pupils also participate. The research methods used include observations in the classroom and in the playground, interviews with the teachers and the bilingual pupils of the school, as well as analysis of policy school documentation related to the topic examined.FindingsThe picture revealed by this study suggests that a number of different approaches and teaching methods, which contribute to teaching English as an AL, are used. The results indicate that great importance is attributed to teacher-pupil and pupil-pupil interaction, as well as to the employment of specific teaching techniques such as key visuals, corrective feedback. In addition, certain types of questions are addressed to bilingual pupils depending on their current language proficiency level. Teachers seem to emphasise the significance of activating the prior knowledge of non-native speakers (NNS). Progression in the content of the activities set, motivation and differentiation are seen as important. The implementation of the aforementioned approaches and teaching methods are supported by the policy and organisation of the school, where the research study was conducted.Originality/valueAs stated in the National Curriculum and within the framework of inclusion, all pupils for whom English is not their first language have to be provided with opportunities to develop the English language, the acquisition of which will help them to have access and take part in all subject areas. The present study explores what certain teaching approaches and methods can provide NNS with equal opportunities to develop English as an AL and why.
Virtual learning: a disruptive service in academic libraries
Authors: Ajibade Patrick , Mutula Stephen M. 
Published: December 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the alignment of disruptive technologies into library and information science (LIS) and libraries as virtual learning spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown as alternative trajectories to end the disruption caused by the COVID-19; however, the educational systems are still facing challenges in achieving these lofty objectives.

Design/methodology/approach
A living-lab methodology was adopted for this paper as an innovative approach, in which technologies that are in the development stages or full deployments are integrated with social research design to test the viability of such technologies for the intended purposes.

Findings
The LIS alignment of virtual learning technologies showed that disruptive technology could benefit academic libraries, with minimum training of staff. However, internet bandwidth, digital divide and lack of built-in functionality on the Zoom, compared with Moodle, for assessment and grading are huge setbacks. Nevertheless, library platforms must be mobile-response and agile software algorithm to include voice-over and voice recognition search functionality to access all the databases.

Research limitations/implications
For this paper, use of disruptive technology was limited to virtual online learning, Zoom and Moodle; however, the alignment of blockchain and big data and the libraries services was not covered.

Practical implications
This paper showed that the LIS could mitigate the COVID-19 global pandemic with disruptive IT alignment with learning management systems (LMS) and for the libraries to remain open during the coronavirus lockdown.

Social implications
Academic libraries can deploy disruptive technologies as virtual library spaces.

Originality/value
Disruptive technology alignment with LMS as virtual library space was posited for the academic librarians to mitigate the effect of COVID-19 pandemic.
A generalized finite-time analytical approach for the synchronization of chaotic and hyperchaotic systems
Authors: Haris Muhammad , Shafiq Muhammad , Ibrahim Adyda , Misiran Masnita 
Published: December 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop some interesting results in the field of chaotic synchronization with a new finite-time controller to reduce the time of convergence.Design/methodology/approachThis article proposes a finite-time controller for the synchronization of hyper(chaotic) systems in a given time. The chaotic systems are perturbed by the model uncertainties and external disturbances. The designed controller achieves finite-time synchronization convergence to the steady-state error without oscillation and elimination of the nonlinear terms from the closed-loop system. The finite-time synchronization convergence reduces the hacking duration and recovers the embedded message in chaotic signals within a given preassigned limited time. The free oscillation convergence keeps the energy consumption low and alleviates failure chances of the actuator. The proposed finite-time controller is a combination of linear and nonlinear parts. The linear part keeps the stability of the closed-loop, the nonlinear part increases the rate of convergence to the origin. A generalized form of analytical stability proof is derived for the synchronization of chaotic and hyper-chaotic systems. The simulation results provide the validation of the accomplish synchronization for the Lu chaotic and hyper-chaotic systems.FindingsThe designed controller not only reduces the time of convergence without oscillation of the trajectories which can run the system for a given time domain.Originality/valueThis work is originally written by the author.