bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integrating independent microbial studies to build predictive models of anaerobic digestion inhibition by ammonia and phenol
Authors: Poirier Simon , Déjean Sébastien , Midoux Cédric , Lê Cao Kim-Anh , Chapleur Olivier 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAnaerobic digestion (AD) is a microbial process that can efficiently degrade organic waste into renewable energies such as methane-rich biogas. However, the underpinning microbial mechanisms are highly vulnerable to a wide range of inhibitory compounds, leading to process failure and economic losses. High-throughput sequencing technologies enable the identification of microbial indicators of digesters inhibition and can provide new insights into the key phylotypes at stake during AD process. But yet, current studies have used different inocula, substrates, geographical sites and types of reactors, resulting in indicators that are not robust or reproducible across independent studies. In addition, such studies focus on the identification of a single microbial indicator that is not reflective of the complexity of AD. Our study proposes the first analysis of its kind that seeks for a robust signature of microbial indicators of phenol and ammonia inhibitions, whilst leveraging on 4 independent in-house and external AD microbial studies. We applied a recent multivariate integrative method on two-in-house studies to identify such signature, then predicted the inhibitory status of samples from two datasets with more than 90% accuracy. Our study demonstrates how we can efficiently analyze existing studies to extract robust microbial community patterns, predict AD inhibition, and deepen our understanding of AD towards better AD microbial management.HighlightsRobust biomarkers of AD inhibition were tagged by integrating independent 16S studiesIncrease of theClostridialesrelative abundance is an early warning of AD inhibitionCloacimonetesis associated with good performance of biomethane productionMultivariate model predicts ammonia inhibition with 90% accuracy in external data
Agricultural sector value chain and government policy in Nigeria: issues, challenges and prospects
Authors: Olomu Michael Oluwaseun , Ekperiware Moses Clinton , Akinlo Taiwo 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThis paper systematically reviewed the contributions of the recent Nigerian government agricultural policies and the impacts on the agricultural value chain system in line with the structural transformation of the sector and the Nigeria's vision 20:2020. The study also suggest strategies to upgrading various segments of the agricultural value chain and argue that Nigeria's agricultural sector requires huge investments and innovative ideas to increase production and create value addition across the most profitable areas of the value chain.Design/methodology/approachThe authors systematically present evidences and data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (the apex monetary authority of Nigeria) and Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (oversees and publishes statistics for Nigeria) to estimate the impact of Government agricultural policies on the value chains system.FindingsThe study discovers that the various recent government policy interventions to tackle the austere challenges in the agricultural sector are yet to yield much significant solution. Given to the dwindling performance of the sector, the Nigerian agricultural value chain is somewhat affected with systemic and services gaps which underpin the market failures (missing markets and weak markets), although the agricultural value chain has the potential of triggering economic growth in a higher scale with a trickle-down effect to other sectors of the Nigerian economy.Practical implicationsOverall, the findings indicate strategies to upgrading the production and processing segments of the agricultural value chain and argues that Nigeria's agricultural sector requires huge investments and innovative ideas to increase production and create value addition across the most profitable areas of the value chain.Social implicationsThe study proves that enhancing value addition in the agricultural sector is imperative to achieving triple-benefits of increasing productivity by building resilient systems that leverage on finance opportunities, deepening economic inclusive growth and achieving great milestones.Originality/valueThis study is the first attempt to focus on agricultural value chain system in line with the structural transformation and the Nigeria's vision 20:2020.
Increasing online shop revenues with web scraping: a case study for the wine sector
Authors: Jorge Oriol , Pons Adria , Rius Josep , Vintró Carla , Mateo Jordi , Vilaplana Jordi 
Published: March 2020

PurposeWine has been produced for thousands of years and nowadays we have seen a spread in the wine culture. E-commerce sales of wine have increased considerably and online customer's satisfaction is influenced by quality and price. This paper presents a case study of the company “QuieroVinos, S.L.”, an online wine shop founded in 2015 that sells Spanish wines in two main marketplaces.Design/methodology/approachWith the final target of increasing the company profits it has been designed and developed an application to track the prices of competitors for a set of products. This information will be used to set the product prices in order to offer the products both competitively and profitably in each Marketplace. This application must check, by tacking into account information such as the product cost or the minimum product margin, if it is possible to decrease the price in order to reach the top cheapest position and as a consequence, increase the sales.FindingsThe application improved in a notorious way the company's results in terms of sales and shipping costs. It must be said that without the use of the presented application, performing the price comparison process within each one of the marketplaces would have taken a long time. Moreover, as prices change very frequently, the obtained information has a very limited time value, and the competitors prices should be analyzed daily in order to take accurate decisions regarding the company's price policy.Originality/valueAlthough the application has been designed for the wine sector and the two named marketplace, it could be exported to other sectors. For that, it should be implemented new modules to collect information regarding the competitor's price of the products selling on each corresponding marketplace.
Food for thought
Authors: Melović Boban , Dabić Marina , Rogić Sunčica , Đurišić Vladimir , Prorok Vesna 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThis paper seeks to identify the factors that influence the perceptions and attitudes of young people in Montenegro toward organic products.Design/methodology/approachThe results of the research, obtained using the multivariate factor analysis, showed that the vast majority of young consumers identify organic food as healthy and natural and that its higher price is a significant barrier inhibiting their likelihood of purchasing it, along with inaccessibility and the limited options offered.FindingsThe data obtained provides valuable information for managers and decision-makers working in organic food production and sales in Montenegro – a country with the potential to develop in this field.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was carried out in the CEE transition country of Montenegro, with 300 young consumers. Further research is needed to validate the results through longitudinal study.Practical implicationsThe data obtained represents a meaningful contribution to the field of organic food production and sale in Montenegro (which is a country with a lot of potential in this area) and will assist managers and decision-makers in the field.Social implicationUnlike most research that has previously examined issues concerning organic production – such as its standardization, financing, environmental impact, and even its promotion – this paper provides a better understanding of the behavior of young consumers toward organic products in Montenegro by outlining their perceptions and attitudes toward this product category.Originality/valueThis research represents the first academic study of customers' attitudes and perceptions in this area, alongside the main factors affecting the young consumer's choice to purchase organic food in Montenegro.
An enriched formulation of isogeometric analysis applied to the dynamical response of bars and trusses
Authors: Rauen Mateus , Machado Roberto Dalledone , Arndt Marcos 
Published: March 2020

Purpose
This study aims to present a new hybrid formulation based on non-uniform rational b-splines functions and enrichment strategies applied to free and forced vibration of straight bars and trusses.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on the idea of enrichment from generalized finite element method (GFEM)/extended finite element method (XFEM), an extended isogeometric formulation (partition of unity isogeometric analysis [PUIGA]) is conceived. By numerical examples the methods are tested and compared with isogeometric analysis, finite element method and GFEM in terms of convergence, error spectrum, conditioning and adaptivity capacity.

Findings
The results show a high convergence rate and accuracy for PUIGA and the advantage of input enrichment functions and material parameters on parametric space.

Originality/value
The enrichment strategies demonstrated considerable improvements in numerical solutions. The applications of computer-aided design mapped enrichments applied to structural dynamics are not known in the literature.
The strategy of human resource flexibility versus absorptive capacity of knowledge
Authors: Martinez-Sanchez Angel , Vicente-Oliva Silvia , Pérez-Pérez Manuela 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThe study analyzes the relationship between human resources (HR) flexibility and absorptive capacity (AC) of knowledge in a sample of Spanish manufacturing firms. The purpose of the research is to analyze if firms with greater AC are more flexible than other firms and to assess the implications of different combinations of HR flexibility and AC for innovation.Design/methodology/approachThe study sample consisted of 1,666 Spanish industrial firms in 2015 compiled from a large set of statements from the Survey of Business Strategies (SBS) questionnaire. The methodology includes a cluster analysis and a case study of selected firms. First, a k-means clustering analysis was carried out to explore how homogeneous are the SBS firms according to several HR flexibility and AC measures. The authors complement the clustering itself with some descriptive statistics for each cluster. Second, the statistical analysis is followed by a selection of case studies from industrial firms in different positions regarding innovation, AC, and HR flexibility. The information for the cases studies comes from secondary sources such as corporate governance reports and statements of managers and employees from company websites and public reports.FindingsThe empirical evidence indicates that some combinations of HR flexibility and AC are positively related to innovation outputs whereas others are not. Firms with greater AC, R&D effort and innovation outputs have less “bad” HR flexibility (external numerical flexibility from temporary employees and temporary help agencies) and more “good” HR flexibility (internal and external functional flexibility). On the contrary, firms with minimum or non-existent innovation and AC efforts have the highest levels of temporary employment and do not hire external R&D experts.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of the cross-sectional nature of the study make the authors cautious about any proposition that may suggest a causal relationship among the studied variables.Practical implicationsManagers should pay attention to the different implications of each HR flexibility dimension for innovation activities since innovative companies value more those HR flexibility dimensions that contribute to the dispersion of knowledge within the firm.Originality/valueThe authors propose a framework to analyze the combination of HR flexibility and AC most suitable to different types of firms. Based on the statistical analyses and the case studies, the authors propose some strategic implications useful for the management of human resources. The matrix's framework analyzes the firm's innovation strategies according to the interactions between AC and the mix of HR flexibility dimensions.
Economics of trickle-down corruption
Authors: Nuryyev Guych , Hickson Charles 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThis study aims to examine the effect of the crude oil price crash of 2014 on corruption decentralisation. In a corrupt state, a significant decrease in the state revenue might lead to concentration of power in the hands of the political elite who try to maintain their income, or to a weakening of the elite’s control as the bureaucrats compete for bribes.Design/methodology/approachCrude oil price crash provides a rare opportunity to test the effect of reduced state revenue on corruption decentralisation. This study constructs a measure for corruption decentralisation and analyses how it is affected by state income in 18 resource-rich and corrupt states.FindingsThe empirical model suggests that there is a positive relationship between corruption decentralisation and state oil and gas revenue, implying that as the revenue decreases, political elite in the exporting countries manage to maintain their control over the bureaucrats.Originality/valueThe results are important for academics as well as for policymakers, as they allow adjustment of anti-corruption efforts based on the level of corruption decentralisation.
Ethnocentric HRM practices: evidence from Western MNEs in Ghana
Authors: Azungah Theophilus , Hutchings Kate , Michailova Snejina 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThis paper examines Western multinational enterprises’ (MNEs) application of ethnocentrism in human resource management (HRM) practices utilised in their subsidiaries in Ghana. The practices examined include recruitment and selection, training and development, performance management and rewards management.Design/methodologyThe paper draws on interviews with 13 managers and 24 employees as well as documentary analysis in 8 British, European and US MNEs in Ghana.FindingsThe findings indicate that weak institutions in the local context, coupled with the technologically and economically advanced nature of Western countries compared to Ghana, account for ethnocentric HRM practices in MNEs’ Ghanaian subsidiaries.Practical implicationsThe paper highlights that Ghanaian companies might learn from, and adapt, selected Western HRM practices to improve their competitiveness.Originality/valueUtilising institutional theory, the paper extends extant research on ethnocentrism in HRM practices of Western MNE subsidiaries in other developing economies to Ghana; one of the fastest growing African economies.
Study on appropriateness between new development and conservation for Bow Barracks housing in Kolkata
Authors: Bose Shivashish 
Published: March 2020

PurposeIn the rapidly urbanizing Indian cities, large buildings are being built demolishing old buildings often with historic, cultural and architectural merit bringing the conflict between development and conservation. In Kolkata, the authority has taken a unilateral decision to construct high-rise buildings demolishing a hundred-year old Bow Barracks housing complex. The purpose of this paper is to present a research study that empirically explored the appropriateness of the policy decision and a recommendation for appropriate development based on the research result.Design/methodology/approachThe design of the research is formulated on the survey method that encompasses observation, interview and collection of data through questionnaire, and survey, documentation and testing of architecture. All findings are analysed; research question and hypothesis are tested with validation.FindingsThe research has found that the old housing is of cultural heritage and use value, and the inhabitants are a very special community in Kolkata. The new development proposal in terms of space generation and cost involvement over the benefit of conserving the existing housing is not beneficial. Therefore, the decision of the local body, in terms of value for money, architecture, culture, heritage and sustainability is not proper.Originality/valueSuch a research exploring the benefit between development and conservation for choice of appropriate path of development in managing the development of a city in global south stands for its uniqueness.
Blockchain in logistics industry: in fizz customer trust or not
Authors: Jain Geetika , Singh Harjit , Chaturvedi K. R. , Rakesh Sapna 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThe study is an attempt to explore much talked but less understood issue of “blockchain in logistics industry” in modern perspective. The customers' acceptance of blockchain technology in logistics and supply chain is tested through “Technology Acceptance Model” by using attitude, perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), behavioral intention and use behavior.Design/methodology/approachData has been collected through online and offline medium, where active 240 responses have been collected finally using convenience sampling. Confirmatory factor analysis with structural equation modeling (SEM) was carried out for data analysis.FindingsThe customers' acceptance of blockchain technology in logistics and supply chain is tested through “Technology Acceptance Model.” The findings reveal model fit where PEOU, PU and attitude are the major constructs of the model to realize the substantial gains in logistics process efficiency.Research limitations/implicationsConvenience sampling has been considered for the study to collect the data of online users of various technology applications for tracking and shipment detail, whereas a more specified method sampling can be considered for the future research. The study has been conducted in the Indian context, which has been considered as the limitation pertaining to generalization across countries and industries.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study will be helpful for market practitioners to build transparency between customers and industry to overcome the frictions in logistics. Blockchain will help in monitoring the performance history and previous commitments of logistics professionals resulting in selecting a responsible logistics solution provider. Access to critical data by the authorized member of the supply chain will reduce unsubstantiated disputes.Social implicationsBlockchain technology will be available to everyone on the network. This will bring transparency and help logistics professionals such as carriers, shippers and brokers to detect early frauds and prevent thefts. It will increase customer trust toward any financial transaction for tracking the ownership of titles.Originality/valueBlockchain technology is envisioned to be a technology that could be a game-changer for decentralizing infrastructure, introducing transparency and building trust in the supply chain. The current study is a novel addition to the literature where blockchain technology enables the indisputable storage of verified data that was previously kept in safeguarded silos.
An integrative approach for structuring and prioritising eco-innovation determinants with a survey in knowledge-based companies
Authors: Shahin Aryana , Imanipour Narges , Shahin Arash , Wood Lincoln C. 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThis study aims to develop a comprehensive set of determinants and sub-determinant of eco-innovation (EI) and to propose an approach for their structuring and prioritisation.Design/methodology/approachA framework was developed based on a literature review, interpretive structural modelling (ISM) was used to structure the main determinants and the results were transferred into a six-phase quality function deployment (QFD) for prioritising the sub-determinants. The statistical population included 15 experts and the middle/top managers of 130 knowledge-based companies.FindingsBased on the results of the driving power and dependence diagram from the ISM, a seven-level classification of the main determinants has been used. The QFD results indicated ‘meeting environmental law standards’; ‘scale to support innovative strategies’; ‘commitment to continually improve and make eco-innovations’; ‘technological advisory oriented to environment’; ‘product and process EI oriented methods’; ‘improvements in energy efficiency across the company and the market’ and ‘reputation, brand image, and profit margin’ as the priorities of the sub-determinants of eco-innovation in the phases of the developed QFD.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study provide evidence of the usefulness of decision-making approaches such as ISM and QFD in resolving environmental problems, which is helpful to analysts and practitioners in the field of EI.Originality/valueThe novel ISM+EID2 approach proposed distinguishes this study from previous studies. The approach allows elaboration on the model presented by de Pacheco et al. (2017) by adding nine empirically derived sub-determinants.
Knowledge transfer in the football industry: a sectorial analysis of factors and determinants
Authors: Lombardi Rosa , Trequattrini Raffaele , Cuozzo Benedetta , Paoloni Paola 
Published: March 2020

PurposeOver recent decades, knowledge transfer processes and knowledge-intensive organizations have been increasingly investigated from several perspectives. Knowledge translation activated by knowledge-intensive organizations is supported by several factors, among which intangible assets play a significant role. Our research mainly investigates the relationship between the knowledge owned by knowledge workers in source organizations and the process of its translation to recipient organizations. Specifically, this paper aims at analyzing knowledge translation and organizational performance in the football industry, uncovering both the role of professional football players' skills transfer and the determinants of achieving positive performance at the organizational level.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative method is adopted, using both bivariate linear regression analysis and network analysis. Using key aspects of Nakauchiet al.'s (2007) knowledge transfer framework, intra-organizational dynamics are analyzed based on measurements of the performance of professional football players before and after transferring from one club (the source organization) to another (the recipient organization).FindingsOur research results are mainly intended to show the factors that influence knowledge translation in the light of team performance improvement. Our empirical analysis shows the need for the coexistence of a combination of factors, especially the quality of the source and recipient organizations and of the relationship between them, to achieve the transferability of professional football players' capabilities and performance.Practical implicationsThe academic community, practitioners and policymakers can draw on the theoretical and practical advances made by the findings to address knowledge translation issues with an improved understanding of its factors and determinants.Originality/valueDespite some limitations to the study, we identify the factors, determinants and contexts that facilitate the transfer of knowledge and specialist knowledge and thus contribute to the successful operation of contemporary organizations. Moreover, the results of our analysis are applicable to all economic sectors.