bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The housing demand analysis and prediction of the real estate based on the AWGM (1, N) model
Authors: Xiong Xin , Guo Huan , Hu Xi 
Published: May 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to seek to drive the modernization of the entire national economy and maintain in the long-term stability of the whole society; this paper proposes an improved model based on the first-order multivariable grey model [GM (1, N) model] for predicting the housing demand and solving the housing demand problem.Design/methodology/approachThis paper proposes an improved model based on the first-order multivariable grey model [GM (1, N) model] for predicting the housing demand and solving the housing demand problem. First, a novel variable SW evaluation algorithm is proposed based on the sensitivity analysis, and then the grey relational analysis (GRA) algorithm is utilized to select influencing factors of the commodity housing market. Finally, the AWGM (1, N) model is established to predict the housing demand.FindingsThis paper selects seven factors to predict the housing demand and find out the order of grey relational ranked from large to small: the completed area of the commodity housing> the per capita housing area> the one-year lending rate> the nonagricultural population > GDP > average price of the commodity housing > per capita disposable income.Practical implicationsThe model constructed in the paper can be effectively applied to the analysis and prediction of Chinese real estate market scientifically and reasonably.Originality/valueThe factors of the commodity housing market in Wuhan are considered as an example to analyze the sales area of the commodity housing from 2015 to 2017 and predict its trend from 2018 to 2019. The comparison between demand for the commodity housing actual value and one for model predicted value is capability to verify the effectiveness of the authors’ proposed algorithm.
Powered by blockchain: forecasting blockchain use in the electricity market
Authors: Höhne Stefan , Tiberius Victor 
Published: May 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to formulate the most probable future scenario for the use of blockchain technology within the next 5–10 years in the electricity sector based on today’s experts’ views.Design/methodology/approachAn international, two-stage Delphi study with 20 projections is used.FindingsAccording to the experts, blockchain applications will be primarily based on permissioned or consortium blockchains. Blockchain-based applications will integrate Internet of Things devices in the power grid, manage the e-mobility infrastructure, automate billing and direct payment and issue certificates regarding the origin of electricity. Blockchain solutions are expected to play an important big role in fostering peer-to-peer trading in microgrids, further democratizing and decentralizing the energy sector. New regulatory frameworks become necessary.Research limitations/implicationsThe Delphi study’s scope is rather broad than narrow and detailed. Further studies should focus on partial scenarios.Practical implicationsElectricity market participants should build blockchain-based competences and collaborate in current pilot projects.Social implicationsBlockchain technology will further decentralize the energy sector and probably reduce transaction costs.Originality/valueDespite the assumed importance of blockchain technology, no coherent foresight study on its use and implications exists yet. This study closes this research gap.
News shocks, government subsidies and housing prices in Brazil
Authors: Besarria Cássio , Silva Marcelo , Jesus Diego 
Published: May 2020

PurposeIn recent years, housing prices in Brazil have shown a surprising growth. An important issue is trying to understand what elements can explain this behavior. This study aims to investigate the hypothesis that a generalized optimism associated with government policies directed to the housing sector may be behind the behavior of real estate prices. This study develops a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model to investigate these issues. The results showed that subsidies combined with the easing of credit conditions were able to positively influence real estate prices. Moreover, unanticipated shocks had a greater impact on housing prices than anticipated shocks.Design/methodology/approachThe DSGE model was developed to analyze the relationship between economic agents’ expectations about future economic developments, also known in the literature as “news shocks,” expansionary fiscal policy and housing prices in Brazil. The economy is composed of families, entrepreneurs, final goods firms, a financial sector and a fiscal authority. Families are divided into two groups: patients or savers and impatient or debtors. They differ in terms of their intertemporal discount factors. Both provide labor for firms producing non-durable goods. Impatient families are restricted in the amount of borrowing they can take. The production side of economy model is given by the consumer goods production sector. The financial sector is composed of a representative bank that pays the deposits made by patient families and channels resources for the granting of housing loans with the accumulation of assets subject to regulatory restrictions.FindingsThe results show that both price subsidies and subsidized interest rates exerted a positive influence on housing prices in Brazil. In response to a housing demand shock, housing prices display a greater increase the greater are the subsidies to low income families. The authors show that anticipated shocks have a larger impact on housing prices than unexpected shocks. Therefore, the results support the idea that the wave of good news, optimistic behavior and government policies aimed at the housing sector were behind the behavior of housing prices in Brazil.Originality/valueThere are some studies applied to the Brazilian economy that mention some of these stimuli. In this study, the authors focused on studies proposed by Mendonçaet al.(2011), Mendonça (2013), Silvaet al.(2014) and Besarriaet al.(2016). In general, the authors show that there is a negative relationship between monetary policy instruments and real estate prices. This paper differs from these authors by considering the effects of government subsidies, subsidized interest rates and anticipated shocks from a DSGE model, thus explicitly addressing their effects on housing prices in Brazil.
Six Sigma for improving cash flow deficit: a case study in the food can manufacturing industry
Authors: Sánchez-Rebull Maria-Victòria , Ferrer-Rullan Ramon , Hernández-Lara Ana-Beatriz , Niñerola Angels 
Published: May 2020

Purpose
Cash flow deficit situations and working capital control are major challenges for many companies, especially those whose suppliers and clients have strong bargaining power. This study aims to describe the application of the Six Sigma methodology for solving these problems in a large German food can manufacturing company.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper follows the qualitative methodology of case study research. During different define, measure, analyse, improve and control process phases, the problem and critical aspects are identified to improve the quality of the payment process and improvements are suggested and implemented.

Findings
The results provide evidence of how Six Sigma can be useful in administrative–financial processes that are carried out within a company. This result is particularly interesting because it is about processes that have not applied Six Sigma methodology. For the company studied, this methodology has balanced its cash flow and this meant large amounts of savings, especially in bank interest to avoid having to ask for bank credits.

Originality/value
This case can be extrapolated to other companies, regardless of the company size, that present similar symptoms of cash deficit, especially if their bargaining power with suppliers and customers is low.
Silence is golden: the role of team coordination in health operations
Authors: Stefanini Alessandro , Aloini Davide , Gloor Peter 
Published: May 2020

PurposeThis study investigates the relationships between team dynamics and performance in healthcare operations. Specifically, it explores, through wearable sensors, how team coordination mechanisms can influence the likelihood of surgical glitches during routine surgery.Design/methodology/approachBreast surgeries of a large Italian university hospital were monitored using Sociometric Badges – wearable sensors developed at MIT Media Lab – for collecting objective and systematic measures of individual and group behaviors in real time. Data retrieved were used to analyze team coordination mechanisms, as it evolved in the real settings, and finally to test the research hypotheses.FindingsFindings highlight that a relevant portion of glitches in routine surgery is caused by improper team coordination practices. In particular, results show that the likelihood of glitches decreases when practitioners adopt implicit coordination mechanisms rather than explicit ones. In addition, team cohesion appears to be positively related with the surgical performance.Originality/valueFor the first time, direct, objective and real time measurements of team behaviors have enabled an in-depth evaluation of the team coordination mechanisms in surgery and the impact on surgical glitches. From a methodological perspective, this research also represents an early attempt to investigate coordination behaviors in dynamic and complex operating environments using wearable sensor tools.
Study on high-temperature wear and mechanism of Al-Si/graphite composites prepared by the die-casting process
Authors: Deng Yafei , Pan Xiaotao , Zeng Guoxun , Liu Jie , Xiao Sinong , Zhou Zhenquan 
Published: May 2020

Purpose
This paper aims to improve the tribological properties of aluminum alloys and reduce their wear rate.

Design/methodology/approach
Carbon is placed in the model at room temperature, pour 680°C of molten aluminum into the pressure chamber, and then pressed it into the mold containing carbon felt through a die casting machine, and waited for it to cool, which used an injection pressure of 52.8 MPa and held the same pressure for 15 s.

Findings
The result indicated that the mechanical properties of matrix and composite are similar, and the compressive strength of the composite is only 95% of the matrix alloy. However, the composite showed a low friction coefficient, the friction coefficient of Gr/Al composite is only 0.15, which just is two-third than that of the matrix alloy. Similarly, the wear rate of the composite is less than 4% of the matrix. In addition, the composite can avoid severe wear before 200°C, but the matrix alloy only 100°C.

Originality/value
This material has excellent friction properties and is able to maintain this excellent performance at high temperatures.

Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-10-2019-0454/
Moderating role of patriotism on sales tax compliance among Jordanian SMEs
Authors: Alshira'h Ahmad Farhan , Abdul-Jabbar Hijattulah 
Published: May 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of tax audit, tax rate and tax penalty on sales tax compliance and examine the moderating effect of patriotism on the associations between tax audit, tax rate and tax penalty with sales tax compliance among Jordanian manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachIn this study, 660 questionnaires were distributed by using systematic random sampling to manufacturing SMEs in Jordan, after which a total of 385 useable questionnaires were deemed suitable for analysis. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to validate the measurement model and structural model and the predictive relevance of the study’s model.FindingsThe findings showed that tax audit and tax penalty were positively associated with the level of sales tax compliance, whereas tax rate was insignificantly associated with sales tax compliance. They also demonstrated the moderating significant effect of patriotism on the relationship between tax penalty, tax audit and tax rate with sales tax compliance.Research limitations/implicationsTax authorities and policymakers in developing majority societies in developing countries and in other Arab countries, especially in Jordan may use the results to focus their interest on the formulation of policies founded on the outcomes of the study to strengthen eligible SMEs to comply to further boost their sales collections.Originality/valueThis study extends the deterrence theory in the context of sales tax compliance by proposing the moderating effect of patriotism in the deterrence theory on sales tax compliance among SMEs. Moreover, the suitability for the use of PLS-SEM as a statistical tool in investigating the extended deterrence theory with patriotism as a moderating variable as well as its implications for theory and practice was also discussed.
Performance budgeting as a “creative distraction” of accountability relations in one Russian municipality
Authors: Aleksandrov Evgenii , Bourmistrov Anatoli , Grossi Giuseppe 
Published: May 2020

PurposeThe paper explores how the implementation of performance budgeting unfolds public managers' attention and responses to competing accountability demands over time.Design/methodology/approachThis is a longitudinal study of one Russian municipality's implementation of PB under central government pressures during 2013–2017. Using triangulation of 25 interviews, documentary analysis and field observations, we employed institutional logics to guide the study.FindingsThe paper demonstrates the dynamic properties of PB construction under competing accountability demands via the “creative distraction” metaphor. PB was a “distraction” mechanism, which, on one hand, strengthened external accountability, while, on the other, distracting the municipality from internal municipal demands. Nevertheless, this “distraction” was also “creative,” as it produced proactive responses to competing accountability demands and creative effects over time. Specifically, PB also led to elements of creative PB negotiations between departments when managers started cooperating with redirecting the irrelevant constraints of performance information in budgeting into necessary manipulations for municipal survival. The demonstrated “creative distraction” is explained by the changing institutional logics of public managers supplemented by a set of individual factors.Originality/valueThe paper responds to the recent calls to study PB practice under several accountability demands over time. In this regard, we show the value of public managers' existing institutional logics as they shape PB's capacity to balance competing accountability demands. As we revealed, this capacity can be limited, due to possible misalignment between managers' attention toward “what to give an account for” during budget formation (input orientation driven by OPA logic) and “what is demanded” with the introduction of PB (output orientation driven by NPM logic). Yet, the elements of proactive managerial responses are still evident over time, explained by a set of individual factors within the presented case, namely: learning NPM logic, strengthened informal relationships and a common saturation point reflected by managers.
Managing firm risk through supply chain dependence: an SME perspective
Authors: Liu Feng , Park Kwangtae 
Published: May 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to conduct an empirical investigation into the impact of supply chain dependence (including customer dependence and supplier dependence) on credit risk through the lens of social network theory (SNT) by focusing on how to manage firm risk using supply chain relationships in the context of Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach
Using data from public databases, this study selects a unique sample from a Chinese SME board and uses an ordered logistic regression model to investigate the relationship between the dependence on major customers or suppliers and both credit risk and credit rating. It is found that the results are robust to the use of different empirical methods.

Findings
The main findings of this study are that a firm’s dependence on major customers is positively related to its credit risk but negatively related to its credit rating, while a firm’s dependence on major suppliers is positively related to its credit risk but negatively related to its credit rating.

Originality/value
To broaden the understanding of industrial marketing and purchasing, this study contributes to research on supply chain relationship management and risk management by focusing on SMEs’ dependence on major customers and suppliers and empirically examining the influence of this dependence on both credit risk and credit rating in an emerging market.
Marketing–operations alignment: scale development and validation
Authors: Sombultawee Kedwadee , Boon-Itt Sakun 
Published: May 2020

Purpose
This paper aims to study a scale development and validation process for an integrative marketing–operations alignment (MOA) theory. This theory was derived from several distinct theories that have attempted to explain the interaction between marketing and operations functions of manufacturing organizations. An initial qualitative research and literature review identified five antecedents to the MOA construct (decision coordination, reward system, information exchange, leadership strategy and performance evaluation) as well as two outcomes (customer orientation and competitor orientation).

Design/methodology/approach
The scale was developed and validated using successive testing processes including exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling (LISREL).

Findings
The outcome of the research is a tested and validated model of MOA. While more work needs to be done to test and potentially extend the theory, this research has produced a basic functional model of the MOA process.

Research limitations/implications
The limitations include target populations, choice of industry and geography and cross-sectional time horizon of the study.

Originality/value
This study represents an original contribution to the organizational theory literature, as it provides both a sound theoretical basis and a validated measurement model for the proposed theory of MOA. While this research does draw on existing models, it is more comprehensive and theory-based than the existing models.
Eye on the customer: breaking away from the inside-out mindset
Authors: Yrjölä Mika 
Published: May 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to plot out pathways for organizations to implement a customer focus. These pathways are outlined with the help of illustrative examples. A well-defined customer focus is vital for organizations to ensure that they are positioned to be in line with the customers’ actual needs.

Design/methodology/approach
This is a conceptual paper where the argumentation is built on previous research findings, the authors’ reflections and the use of illustrative case examples of companies managing to instill a customer focus.

Findings
This paper builds a framework of potential pathways toward a customer focus by considering four strategic questions related to competition, products, insights and metrics.

Practical implications
This paper encourages managers to move beyond labeling themselves as customer-oriented and to actually implement a customer focus. This study puts forth a framework with strategic questions and principles designed to help with these endeavors.

Originality/value
Many companies pay lip service to customer focus, and it is often merely part of the corporate jargon without any real connection to strategy, the business model or everyday practices. This paper addresses the issue further by highlighting the potential pathways through which an organization can achieve a customer focus.
Going digital: case study of an Italian insurance company
Authors: Pisoni Galena 
Published: May 2020

Purpose
This paper aims to present the case of an Italian SME in the domain of insurance and how it approached its own digital transformation. Together with the founders of the SME, the author investigated the digital trends the company should adopt and identified where to intervene in the value chain of the company with new technologies available in the market. The research was focused on the following three sub-domains: a strategy for adoption of innovative digital solutions to improve the everyday operations of the company, platform connecting the company with the customers and analysis of cyber insurance policies to include in the portfolio of the company.

Design/methodology/approach
For the part on strategy for adoption of innovative digital solutions, the author performed literature review; for the part in which the study ideates new solution to better connect the company with the customers, the author relied on design thinking, creative facilitation and prototyping; and for the part on cyber insurance policies to include the portfolio, the author relied on data available from other insurance companies the SME collaborates with.

Findings
This paper presented the analysis on how an insurance SME can embrace digital innovation (via internal innovation, buying from startups, partnering with startups or investing in startups), how an SME can do internal innovation and come up with a simple tool to bring closer the insurers and their customers and types of new cyber risk policies to include in the portfolio to respond to the growing demand for cyber risk insurance. This paper provides useful insights and lessons learned from companies of similar size in the domain of insurance and discusses future extensions of inquiry.

Originality/value
Big insurance companies and incumbent for their digitization efforts rely on the freshly created InsurTechs wave of companies. In this paper, the author analyzes what small- and medium-sized insurance enterprises can do in this respect and showcases the approach an Italian SME took in this direction.