bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does IPO prospectus in Malaysia disclose relevant risk?
Authors: Ng Sin Huei , Lee Chen Suen 
Published: November 2019

PurposeThe study intends to shed lights on whether the risk factors disclosed in the initial public offering (IPO) prospectus in Malaysia are able to reflect the actual risks of stocks once they are traded on the exchange. In other words, the purpose of this paper is to explore whether prospective investors will be able to benefit, in terms of the more accurate risk information, from the risk disclosures in the IPO-prospectus.Design/methodology/approachUsing data obtained from 118 IPO prospectuses of Malaysian companies that issued shares on Bursa Malaysia in the period from 2009 to 2016, the authors investigated whether the “risk factor” section in the IPO prospectuses provides sufficient risk-relevant information to investors. To determine whether companies disclose risk-relevant information, a detailed content analysis of the risk sections was carried out to obtain an aggregate measure of risk disclosure.FindingsThe findings revealed that the aggregate measures of risk extracted from these texts did not successfully predict the following outcomes: the volatility of companies’ future stock prices, the sensitivity of future stock prices to market-wide fluctuations and the severe declines in future stock prices.Practical implicationsAs indicated by the findings, the authors, therefore, deduce that the IPO prospectuses of Malaysian companies do not provide sufficient risk-relevant information in the risk factor section. The findings imply that overall the management of Malaysian companies would neither be able nor willing to disclose the right and relevant information to the public via IPO prospectus.Originality/valueMany corporate risk disclosure studies focus primarily on the disclosures of annual reports of companies. The study intends to fill the gap by focusing on the risk disclosure in the IPO-prospectus. Risk disclosures in IPO-prospectus are farmore extensive than annual reports and, therefore, provide a richness of information that will not be available in the annual reports.
Unfair milk prices? Lessons from a split-sample choice experiment
Authors: Höhler Julia , Schreiner Julia A. 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
In times of “milk price crises”, “fair” milk prices are repeatedly demanded. Various studies indicate an increased willingness to pay (WTP) for the additional attribute of price fairness. Nevertheless, market shares have been low so far. The purpose of this paper is to discuss three possible reasons for this: low reference prices, socially desirable responses in choice experiments and the lack of justification of the claim “fair” by further attributes.

Design/methodology/approach
In a split sample, one group facing alternatives with a higher price range and the other with a lower price range, the consumer’s choices are examined. This study uses a social desirability scale for controlling biases in the stated WTP. In addition, the claim “fair” is complemented with a guaranteed price, grazing, regional production and CO2-reduction. A random parameter logit model specified in WTP space is employed to estimate milk consumers’ (n=480) preferences for “fair” milk. Furthermore, a latent class approach reveals information about the source of preference heterogeneity for fair milk attributes among the two groups of the split sample.

Findings
This study finds statistically significant differences between the two price ranges. In the low price range, additional attributes can trigger an additional WTP. In the high price range, there is no statistically significant additional WTP. WTP’s dependence on price levels could explain why the market share for “fair” milk has so far been low.

Originality/value
This paper contributes to the study of the effect of split samples in choice experiments. In addition, it promotes the understanding of price fairness in milk and its determinants.
The impact of corporate social responsibility on firms’ financial performance, evidence from the food and beverage industry
Authors: Nirino Niccolò , Miglietta Nicola , Salvi Antonio 
Published: November 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on firms’ financial performance (FP) in the food and beverage (F&B) sector.Design/methodology/approachThe authors developed a conceptual model that hypothesizes a positive effect of CSR governance on CSR outcomes (environmental and social) and these on firm’s FP. Gathering data from 190 F&B companies, the authors empirically tested the validity of the model through an ordinary least squares regression analysis.FindingsThe findings highlight the positive impact of CSR governance on environmental and social outcomes, showing real societal concerns among companies’ stakeholders in the F&B industry. Studies on the effect of CSR outcomes on FP have shown mixed results. On one side, the social outcomes positively impact a firm’s performance; on the other side, environmental outcomes show insignificant or non-positive effects depending on different measurements of FP.Originality/valueDespite the mixed set of results between CSR and a firm’s performance in the literature, this research provides a new framework in which the impact of CSR on FP is analysed through the effectiveness of CSR governance on CSR outcomes (social and environmental). Moreover, this study contributes to the CSR literature understanding the impact of both environment and social concerns by companies on firm’s FP in F&B context.
Behavior-based pricing between organic and general food enterprises
Authors: Liu Kanying , Lan Yong , Li Wei 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
The pursuit of healthy and high-quality organic food has gradually become a trend. However, some researchers do not believe that the quality of organic food is higher than general food. Consumers’ changed preference for different quality food will also affect the sales strategy of food producer. The purpose of this paper is to consider behavior-based pricing (BBP) and decision-making problems between organic and general food enterprises, based on consumers’ heterogeneity.

Design/methodology/approach
In this study, two different types of consumers are considered: consumers without preference difference and consumers with an organic food preference. This paper sets up two two-stage hoteling differential pricing models in the duopoly market, including organic and general food enterprises. Then, the optimal loyal price and poaching price of the two types of enterprises are solved, and the influence of each parameter on the pricing, market and profit of the two enterprises is analyzed.

Findings
This paper finds that, with the increase of the initial market share, the pricing strategies of organic food enterprises change from a loyal price lower than the poaching price to a loyal price higher than the poaching price, whereas the general food producer has the opposite pricing strategy. Furthermore, the difference in consumption utility between the two food types has a positive influence on the price of organic food, and a negative influence on the price of general food. In contrast, the consumer share without preference difference has a negative effect on organic food prices and a positive impact on the price of general food.

Originality/value
The contribution is constructive as no prior research has focused on the BBP and decision-making problems between organic and general food, and it considers the two types of consumers. Besides, the results also provide guidelines for choosing marketing strategies for organic and general food enterprises.
Research on the relationship between institutional investor research meeting and the performance of listed companies
Authors: Zhang Jingqin , Ye Yong 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze the relationship between institutional investors research meeting and performance of companies being researched.

Design/methodology/approach
Using empirical research method, this study designs and conducts an empirical research according to empirical research’s basic norms. Thus, the authors acquire needed and credible empirical data.

Findings
By analyzing the empirical data, there is a significant positive effect between institutional investors research meeting and the earnings per share of company being researched. Improvement in the level of the research meetings of the institutional investors strengthens the external supervision of management, alleviates the information asymmetry between management and shareholders, improves the management efficiency of the company and ultimately increases the performance of the company. When the performance of a company is better, we can find that the role of II research meetings is more significant. In addition, II research meetings are better able to improve the performance of state-owned enterprises.

Originality/value
This study empirically analyzes and verifies the roles of institutional investors research meeting in improve the performance of the company being researched. The authors expand the channel of institutional investors research behaviors to improve the performance of listed companies by strengthening the supervision and restraint of management behavior. Additionally, via a reverse study, it is found that the situation of the researched company itself is also one of the factors that determine the results of institutional investors research meetings.
Improved similarity measure in case-based reasoning: a case study of construction cost estimation
Authors: Hyung Won-Gil , Kim Sangyong , Jo Jung-Kyu 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
Applied a hybrid approach using genetic algorithms (GAs) for a case-based retrieval process in order to increase the overall improved cost accuracy for a case-based library. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach
A weight optimization approach using case-based reasoning (CBR) with proposed GAs for developing the CBR model. GAs are used to investigate optimized weight generation with an application to real project cases.

Findings
The proposed CBR model can reduce errors consistently, and be potentially useful in the early financial planning stage. The authors suggest the developed CBR model can provide decision-makers with accurate cost information for assessing and comparing multiple alternatives in order to obtain the optimal solution while controlling cost.

Originality/value
The system can operate with more accuracy or less cost, and CBR can be used to better understand the effects of factor interaction and variation during the developed system’s process.
A stepping gait trajectory design based on hip height variation of swing leg for the balance of lower extremity exoskeleton
Authors: Yang Canjun , Wang Hansong , Zhu Qihang , Liu Xiangzhi , Yang Wei , Ma Zhangyi , Wei Qianxiao 
Published: November 2019

PurposeLower extremity exoskeletons have drawn much attention recently due to their potential ability to help the stroke and spinal cord injury patients to regain the ability of walking. However, the balance of the human-exoskeleton system (HES) remains a big challenge. Usually, patients use crutches to keep balance when they wear exoskeleton. However, the balance depends greatly on the patient's balance ability and will be inevitably poor occasionally, which often causes the landing in advance of HES. The purpose of this paper is to propose a real-time stepping gait trajectory planning method based on the hip height variation of the swing leg to solve the problem.Design/methodology/approachThe hip height of the swing leg was analyzed and measured. The simulation with MATLAB and the experimental test with the prototype of the proposed gait were conducted to verify its feasibility.FindingsWith the proposed method, HES can achieve successful step even when the balance kept by crutches is poor.Research limitations/implicationsInstead of actively avoiding the poor balance due to the instability caused by gravity, the method just modifies the stepping gait passively to avoid the landing in advance when the poor balance appears. In addition, it may not work well when the balance is too poor. Moreover, the proposed gait is just used in the initial stage of rehabilitation training. Besides, the step length of the gait must be limited for comfort.Originality/valueA real-time stepping gait trajectory planning method based on the hip height variation of the swing leg is first proposed and its feasibility to avoid the landing in advance when the balance kept by the crutches is poor has been preliminary verified.
The effect of internal control on tax avoidance: the case of Indonesia
Authors: Bimo Irenius Dwinanto , Prasetyo Christianus Yudi , Susilandari Caecilia Atmini 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of internal control on tax avoidance analyzing internal (family ownership) and external (environmental uncertainty) factors on the effectiveness of internal control in preventing tax avoidance.

Design/methodology/approach
First, the authors examine the direct effect of the effectiveness of internal control on tax avoidance. Second, the authors examine the effect of moderation of family ownership and environmental uncertainty on the relationship of the effectiveness of internal control on tax avoidance. Third, the authors divide the full sample into two groups, high and less effectiveness of internal control to examine the direct effect of internal control effectiveness on tax avoidance and when considering moderating variables. Fourth, the authors use two different measures of the effectiveness of internal control.

Findings
This research found that effective internal control can reduce tax avoidance. Family ownership affects the relationship between internal control and tax avoidance, but environmental uncertainty does not influence the relationship between internal control and tax avoidance.

Practical implications
Internal control increases compliance with rules and policies, so companies must design and implement effective internal control to prevent tax avoidance activities in violation of tax regulations.

Originality/value
In contrast to previous studies, this study measures the effectiveness of internal control using the index of internal control practice disclosure and considers internal and external factors that can affect the effectiveness of internal control to prevent tax avoidance.
Adoption of information systems in organizations
Authors: Arshad Muhammad , Farooq Mariam , Afzal Sadia , Farooq Omer 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine the factors influencing the adoption of new information systems (IS) in organizations. Based on the institutional theory, this research proposes that organizations may induce their employees to adopt new IS by creating three types of institutional pressure: coercive, normative and mimetic. It is further argued that the effects of these three institutional pressures on employees’ new IS usage depend on their cultural orientations.

Design/methodology/approach
Model testing relies on data collected from 370 banking sector employees during the implementation of a new “customer relationship management” system. The hypothesized model was tested by using the structural equation modeling technique in MPlus 7.0.

Findings
The findings of this research reveal that institutional pressures (coercive, normative and mimetic) have positive effects on employees’ attitudes to using the new IS, which, in turn, positively influences their IS usage. In addition, collectivism strengthens the positive effect of coercive and normative forces on attitudes to using the new IS. Conversely, collectivism weakens the effect of the mimetic force on employees’ attitudes to using the new IS.

Originality/value
This research is among pioneering studies that explain the effect of institutional pressures (coercive, normative and mimetic) on employees’ IS usage. It is the first study of its nature that demonstrates that each of the three institutional pressures has differential effects on employees with highly collectivist orientations in comparison with employees with low collectivist orientations.
Studying the importance of change leadership and change management in layoffs, mergers, and closures
Authors: Holten Ann-Louise , Hancock Gregory Robert , Bøllingtoft Anne 
Published: November 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the importance of change leadership (informing, communicating, involving and supporting) and change management (reasons and competencies for change) for organisational change processes and their outcomes across public and private organisations. The study includes three specific change situations: first, layoffs; second, mergers; and third, closures, relocations and outsourcing, focusing on how change leadership and change management relate to employees’ experience of the change processes and their outcomes across these change situations.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on panel data forming a representative sample of the Danish working population. A total of 2,120 responses were collected, 1,000 from public organisations and 1,120 from private organisations. Structural equation modelling was used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe study findings show that both change leadership and change management predict positive change experiences and change consequences – and that they do so similarly across public and private sectors. Despite this similarity, the study reveals important sectorial differences, with public sector employees reporting less positive change experiences and consequences.Originality/valueThe paper provides valuable knowledge for researchers and public and private leaders interested in the impact of change leadership and change management on change outcomes.
The effect of foreign firms’ population density on exit likelihood in a host country
Authors: Zeng Yuping , Xu Dean 
Published: November 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between a foreign firm’s likelihood to exit a host country and the population density of foreign firms in its industry in that county, as well as the moderating influences of this relationship. The authors hypothesize that a foreign firm’s likelihood to exit has a U-shaped relationship with foreign firms’ population density in the industry and this relationship will be weakened when: the foreign firm is located in a region where foreign firm presence is high; the foreign firm is in an industry that has a longer history of foreign direct investment; the firm has a longer tenure in the host country; and the firm is more adapted to the market and institutional environments of the host country.Design/methodology/approachThe authors test the hypotheses using a data set containing over 45,000 foreign firms in China between 1998 and 2007.FindingsThe results show that the exit likelihood of a foreign firm has a U-shaped relationship with foreign firms’ population density in the firm’s industry in the host country. Furthermore, this relationship is moderated by the population density of foreign firms in the region where the firm resides, the length of time since the first foreign entrant in the industry and the extent of the focal firm’s local adaptation.Originality/valueThe study contributes to organizational ecology theory and the international business literature by extending the density-dependence model to the study of foreign firm survival/exit. Whereas a foreign firm’s fate in the host country is heavily influenced by the population density of foreign firms in its industry, it can borrow legitimacy from other sources, or try to create legitimacy through its own actions, to reduce the impact of such density effects.
Towards an ecology of soil microplastics
Authors: Helmberger Maxwell S. , Tiemann Lisa K. , Grieshop Matthew J. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Microplastic pollution is a topic of increasing concern for the world's oceans, freshwaters and, most recently, soils. Microplastics have been found in soils across the globe. Like other anthropogenic pollutants, they can negatively affect a range of soil organisms through several mechanisms, though often dependent on particle size, shape and polymer type.

However, microplastics are unique among pollutants due to the diversity of ways in which soil organisms may themselves be able to affect their occurrence and distribution and mediate their effects on the rest of the soil food web.

In this review, we argue for a more explicitly ecological framing of this novel issue for the soil environment and discuss their potential interactions with soil communities, including microplastic formation via microbial and faunal fragmentation of large plastic debris and organisms such as earthworms placing microplastic particles in unique pedological contexts they could not otherwise reach. Ecological interactions may be crucial for dictating microplastics’ ultimate fate and effect on terrestrial ecosystems.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Casamino acids slow motility and stimulate surface growth in an extreme oligotroph
Authors: Samuels Toby , Pybus David , Cockell Charles S. 
Published: November 2019

SummaryEnvironmental cues that regulate motility are poorly understood, but specific carbon and nitrogen sources, such as casamino acids (CAA), are known to stimulate motility in model organisms. However, natural environments are commonly more nutrient‐limited than laboratory growth media, and the effect of energy‐rich CAA on the motility of oligotrophic microorganisms is unknown. In this study, an extreme oligocarbotroph, Variovorax paradoxus YC1, was isolated from weathered shale rock within a disused mine level in North Yorkshire, UK. The addition of 0.1% CAA to minimal media significantly reduced the motility of YC1 after 72 h and inhibited swimming motility resulting in enhanced surface growth. We propose this response to CAA is a physiological adaptation to oligotrophy, facilitating the colonization of nutrient‐rich environments.
Osmolyte transporter expression is reduced in photoaged human skin: Implications for skin hydration in aging
Authors: Foster April R. , El Chami Cecile , O'Neill Catherine A. , Watson Rachel E. B. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAging is characterized by the deterioration of tissue structure and function. In skin, environmental factors, for example, ultraviolet radiation (UVR), can accelerate the effects of aging such as decline in barrier function and subsequent loss of hydration. Water homeostasis is vital for all cellular functions and it is known that organic osmolyte transport is critical to this process. Therefore, we hypothesized that as we age, these tightly controlled physiological mechanisms become disrupted, possibly due to loss of transporter expression. We investigated this in vivo, using human skin samples from photoprotected and photoexposed sites of young and aged volunteers. We show a reduction in keratinocyte cell size with age and a downregulation of osmolyte transporters SMIT and TAUT with both chronic and acute UVR exposure. Single‐cell live imaging demonstrated that aged keratinocytes lack efficient cell volume recovery mechanisms possessed by young keratinocytes following physiological stress. However, addition of exogenous taurine significantly rescued cell volume; this was corroborated by a reduction in TAUT mRNA and protein in aged, as compared to young, keratinocytes. Collectively, these novel data demonstrate that human epidermal keratinocytes possess osmolyte‐mediated cell volume regulatory mechanisms, which may be compromised in aging. Therefore, this suggests that organic osmolytes—especially taurine—play a critical role in cutaneous age‐related xerosis and highlights a fundamental mechanism, vital to our understanding of the pathophysiology of skin aging.