bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does goal setting matter? The impact of employee-level and organizational-level goal properties on public employees' perception of performance appraisal fairness
Authors: Harrington James , McCaskill John 
Published: August 2021

PurposeThis study examines the relationship between goal properties, both at the employee and organizational-level, and the perceived fairness of the performance appraisal system by federal employees.Design/methodology/approachWe describe the theoretical framework regarding goals and employee perceptions of performance appraisal fairness. We then develop and test four hypotheses, exploring the relationships among variables using five years of the FEVS data. To strengthen the research design, we created an agency-level dataset, by calculating agency-level averages for all the covariates. Instead of examining 500,000 federal employees each year, we are examining 80 federal agencies. Creating a panel dataset at the agency level allows us to make stronger statements about causality than using cross-sectional data.FindingsThis study finds a significant positive relationship between goal setting factors and employees' perceived fairness of performance appraisals: perceived employee-level goal difficulty and perceived organizational-level goal specificity at the agency level. The study results show that certain control variables, such as intrinsic motivation, play important roles in predicting public employees' perceived fairness of performance appraisals. Federal employees who have a higher level of intrinsic motivation show a more positive perception toward performance appraisal fairness. The appropriate use of extrinsic rewards and intrinsic motivation, combined with effective goal setting strategies in public organizations, may enhance public employees' perceived fairness of performance appraisal systems.Research limitations/implicationsThis study used the FEVS, necessitating the reduction of the sample size to agency level averages to create a panel dataset. Also, this study was limited to federal agencies in the United States, so research results may lack generalizability.Originality/valueThis paper fulfills an identified need to avoid cross-sectional research design and leverage longitudinal panel data.
Sustainability university rankings: a comparative analysis of UI green metric and the times higher education world university rankings
Authors: Galleli Barbara , Teles Noah Emanuel Brito , Santos Joyce Aparecida Ramos dos , Freitas-Martins Mateus Santos , Hourneaux Junior Flavio 
Published: August 2021

Purpose
This study aims to answer the research question: How to evaluate the structure of global university sustainability rankings according to the Berlin Principles (BP) framework.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors investigated two global sustainability rankings in universities, The UI green metric World University Ranking (WUR) and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE-WUR). The authors performed content analysis regarding their evaluation criteria and assessed both rankings using the BP framework.

Findings
Results show that there is still a gap to be filled regarding the specificity of global university sustainability rankings. Although the THE-WUR had a better performance in this research, there are several items for improvement, especially regarding the methodological procedures. There are structural differences, limitations and points for improvement in both rankings. Besides, it may not be possible to have a unique and more appropriate ranking, but one that can be more suitable for a contextual reality.

Practical implications
This study can be helpful for university managers when deliberating on the most appropriate ranking for their institutions and better preparing their higher education institutions for participating in sustainability-related rankings. Besides, it suggests possible improvements on the rankings’ criteria.

Social implications
The authors shed light on challenges for improving the existing university sustainability rankings, besides generating insights for developing new ones. In a provocative but constructive perspective, the authors question their bases and understandings of being “the best university” regarding sustainability.

Originality/value
This is the first study that provides an in-depth analysis and comparison between two of the most important global university sustainability rankings.
Building personas from phenomenography: a method for user-centered design in education
Authors: Huynh Tra , Madsen Adrian , McKagan Sarah , Sayre Eleanor 
Published: August 2021

Purpose
Personas are lifelike characters that are driven by potential or real users’ personal goals and experiences when interacting with a product. Personas support user-centered design by focusing on real users’ needs. However, the use of personas in educational research and design requires certain adjustments from its original use in human-computer interface design. This paper aims to propose a process of creating personas from phenomenographic studies, which helps us create data-grounded personas effectively.

Design/methodology/approach
Personas have features that can help address design problems in educational contexts. The authors compare the use of personas with other common methodologies in education research, including phenomenology and phenomenography. Then, this study presents a six-step process of building personas using phenomenographic study as follows: articulate a design problem, collect user data, assemble phenomenographic categories, build personas, check personas and solve the design problem using personas. The authors illustrate this process with two examples, including the redesign of a professional development website and an undergraduate research program design.

Findings
The authors find that personas are valuable tools for educational design websites and programs. Phenomenography can productively help educational designers and researchers build sets of personas following the process the authors propose.

Originality/value
The use and method of personas in educational contexts are scarce and vague. Using the example contexts, the authors provide educational designers and researchers a clear method of creating personas that are relatable and applicable for their design problems.
Effects of plasma nitriding interlayer on adhesion and tribological behaviors of AlTiSiN coating
Authors: Yin Mengjuan , Liang Wenping , Miao Qiang , Zuo Shiwei , Yu Haiyang , Cheng Jiale 
Published: August 2021

Purpose
This study aims to the service life of TA15 alloy by solving the problem of the binding force between the matrix and AlTiSiN coating. The effect of a plasma nitriding (PN) interlayer on the magnetron-sputtered AlTiSiN coating was also investigated in detail.

Design/methodology/approach
The double-glow plasma alloying (DGPA) and magnetron sputtering (MS) techniques were combined as a new approach to realize a bilayer on TA15 consisting of an AlTiSiN layer with a PN interlayer. A TiN interlayer was formed via co-diffusion during the PN conducted at 1050°C for 3 h.

Findings
The PN interlayer can effectively improve the adhesion between coating and matrix; the PN/AlTiSiN coating presented excellent adhesion (80.1 N) and anti-wear property with a nano-hardness of 18.62 GPa. The resulting three-dimensional wear-track morphology exhibited a shallow depth and a narrow width.

Originality/value
The novel combination of the DGPA and MS technologies, using an infiltration layer rather than a coating one as the intermediate layer, can effectively enhance the adhesion between AlTiSiN coating and TA15 matrix. Meanwhile, the gradient layer can effectively improve both surface bearing and wear resistance.
New product success through big data analytics: an empirical evidence from Iran
Authors: Shirazi Farid , Tseng Hsiao-Ting , Adegbite Olu , Hajli Nick , Rouhani Saeed 
Published: August 2021

PurposeInnovative firms leverage big data analytics (BDA) benefits in optimising value creation, particularly in business-to-business (B2B) contexts. Examples of this are found in new product success and product innovation performance. However, knowledge of how innovative firms and their corporate customers generate insights from big data, develop new products and gain higher-quality service from intra- and inter organisations' resources is limited. This knowledge manifests in the form of opportunities available in BDA and through the adoption of the co-creation approach to generate value in the form of new product innovation. BDA reflects an excellent means of enhancing a firm's customer agility, but how this is possible remains largely unknown.Design/methodology/approachIn this research, the authors hypothesise that new product success is a function of a firm's customer agility and product innovation performance moderated by environmental turbulences. In turn, the firm's customer agility is enhanced by the effect of big data aggregation and analytical tools. These hypotheses have been confirmed by a survey in an emerging market.FindingsThe authors use structural equation modelling to test the authors’ hypotheses. The main contribution of this research is the conceptualisation and test of an integrative framework identifying the links among a firm's customer agility, new product success and BDA capabilities.Practical implicationsThe study established that BDA tools – the effective use of data aggregation tools and the effective use of data analysis tools – shape customer agility in achieving new product success. This study contributes to one’s understanding of the relevance of BDA in B2B value creation contexts.Originality/valueThe study findings show that BDA shapes a firm's customer agility in achieving new product success.
Universal credit, gender and structural abuse
Authors: Parker Jonathan , Veasey Kelly 
Published: August 2021

PurposeThis paper aims to explore Joint couple payments under Universal Credit which tend to privilege male partners. This may entrap women in abusive relationships, foster poverty which are indicative of gendered structural abuse.Design/methodology/approachThrough a critical review of the literature and qualitative interviews with third sector support workers, the authors explore the impacts that Universal Credit has on women, especially those in abusive partnerships.FindingsCurrent welfare processes reinforce patriarchal assumptions and are indicative of the structural abuse of women. This has increased during the lockdowns imposed to tackle COVID-19.Practical implicationsChanges are needed in the ways in which welfare benefits are disbursed. Gendered structural abuses should be explicitly considered when working with women who experience domestic violence and abuse.Originality/valueThis paper argues that there needs to be a wider a recognition of gender power relations and the concept of structural abuse in policy formation and implementation.
Pricing and CEOs: why top executives need to get involved
Authors: Liozu Stephan M. , Hinterhuber Andreas 
Published: August 2021

Purpose
Despite its increased adoption by small, medium and large firms, pricing continues to be ignored in the C-suite. C-suite executives have minimal understanding of what pricing can do and how it impacts a firm’s performance. After two years in the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis, consultants agree that the next wave of strategies and business models will require the development of strategic pricing capabilities, including analytics and software.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted 49 interviews with CXOs, VPs of pricing and CEOs of pricing software vendors to understand how the best-performing companies use pricing to drive profits and select pricing technologies. Then, supported by the Professional Pricing Society, the world’s largest organization dedicated to pricing, the authors conducted a 2020 survey of 540 pricing professionals to understand the perceptions of pricing in the C-suite and how top executives prioritize pricing investments. The authors complemented their own research with analysis of publicly available data, analyst presentations and public comments by CEOs on pricing.

Findings
The authors propose a portfolio of 15 activities to include in the CEO’s strategic agenda and 10 actions to get started with in the short term. The next normal will not be based on business-as-usual. For the next three to five years, developing strategic pricing capabilities will give firms a competitive advantage over those who continue to neglect this hidden gem.

Originality/value
In the context of the accelerating economic recovery, the authors address one of the most pressing priority for the C-suite. The authors focus on a series of actions and activities that the C-suite can take to accelerate recovery and focus on profitable growth.
Determinants of the firm performance of returnee entrepreneurs in Somalia: the effects of external environmental conditions
Authors: Mohamed Mohamed-Abdullahi , Abdul-Talib Asmat-Nizam , Ramlee AfifahAlwani 
Published: August 2021

PurposeThis study aims to examine the role of returning Somali diaspora entrepreneurs on firm performance and their perceived environmental obstacles.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on a broad literature review and covers a theoretical background to develop a research framework. It presents several propositions to be empirically tested to determine the influence of returnee entrepreneurs’ success and the challenges they face in the process.FindingsThe paper offers an overview of how Somali diaspora returnee entrepreneurs can use their resources to succeed in their business and the possible environmental uncertainties that could hinder them. The study highlights some under-researched areas and provides future research directions.Research limitations/implicationsA research investigation is needed to test the proposed conceptual framework empirically. Further research is also recommended to use other predictors when investigating the perceived environmental uncertainty faced by returnee entrepreneurs.Practical implicationsIn the diaspora entrepreneurship literature, returnee entrepreneurs in post-conflict African countries did not get enough attention. Hence, the study will contribute theoretically to the literature.Originality/valueThe paper provides a conceptual framework that will help understand returnee entrepreneurs in post-conflict states in Africa, paving the way for empirical studies on the topic.
Challenges and drivers to data sharing among stakeholders in the South African construction industry
Authors: Ayodele Timothy Oluwafemi , Kajimo-Shakantu Kahilu 
Published: August 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges to data sharing among construction stakeholders in the South African construction industry and also assess stakeholders’ perceptions of the benefits of data sharing.

Design/methodology/approach
This study is a cross-sectional survey administered via a Web-based online survey on construction professionals registered with the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP). The respondents rated on a five-point Likert scale the level of influence of the challenges of, and the benefits derivable from data sharing. These were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques.

Findings
The results of the principal component analysis (PCA) presented a five-factor structure of the challenges to data sharing, including reporting context/framework/lack of expertise, cost considerations/clients’ influences, data interoperability, stakeholders conservative attitude and personal interest/data confidentiality. These have percentage variances 17.124%, 16.929%, 13.786%, 13.353% and 12.961%, respectively. For the benefits of data sharing, the constructs were categorized into four themes, namely, optimal project decisions/stakeholders’ confidence, benchmarking/ collaboration among firms, time and cost benefits and enhanced market intelligence. These have respective variances of 24.598%, 18.393%, 16.160% and 14.685%.

Practical implications
It is expected that this study will provide information to stakeholders towards implementation policies and practices that could eliminate the challenges to data sharing and assemblage, thereby enhancing the level of data sharing in the construction industry.

Originality/value
Given the increasing global and technological changes, it might be expected that there will be an increased appeal by construction stakeholders towards embracing data sharing and assemblage owing to the inherent benefits and value.
Potential, challenges and pitfalls of pay-for-performance schemes: a narrative review evaluating the merits for the Australian home care sector
Authors: Veen Alex , Bartram Timothy , Cooke Fang Lee 
Published: August 2021

PurposeThis qualitative narrative review aims to identify and evaluate the potential, challenges and pitfalls of pay-for-performance (P4P) schemes for the home care of adults with a disability. Due to a limited experimentation with P4P schemes in the context of the home and disability care sectors, the authors conducted a narrative review focusing on related areas of care, primarily nursing home care, to better understand the effectiveness of P4P schemes as a care intervention and evaluate the challenges associated with the introduction of these schemes.Design/methodology/approachThe authors employed a narrative review approach to examine the effectiveness of P4P schemes as a care intervention. The approach included a manual content analysis of the relevant academic and grey literature, focusing on the potential, challenges and pitfalls of P4P for care funders and providers.FindingsThere is some, albeit limited, evidence from other related areas of care to support the effectiveness of P4P to improve the quality of care or the efficiency of its delivery for the home care sector. The results of prior studies are, however, often mixed and inconclusive, due to flaws with the design of schemes, including the nature of the incentives. Limited duration and poor-quality evaluations have further hampered the ability of studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of P4P schemes, which diminishes the credibility of these care interventions. When undertaken systematically, there seems to be some evidence that P4P can work; however, it requires careful design, implementation, measurement and evaluation.Practical implicationsBased on the challenges associated with the successful implementation of P4P schemes, the authors identified lessons for the design, implementation, measurement and evaluation of P4P schemes for care funders and policymakers.Originality/valueThis study critically evaluates the potential of P4P as a care intervention for the home care and disability sectors. By evaluating the potential, challenges and pitfalls associated with P4P in related areas of care, the study provides guidance to home care funders, providers and policymakers in care settings.
Engaging African American parents: insights from a cultural arts after school program
Authors: Brand Brenda , Barksdale Mary Alice , Wallace Tamara , Avent Yolanda Latrice 
Published: August 2021

Purpose
Literature indicates African American parents can feel real or perceived discrimination that strains their interactions with teachers, resulting in them feeling alienated from their children’s school.

Design/methodology/approach
This is an exploratory case study of two African American parents, who although guarded in their relationships with teachers, exposed their vulnerabilities to Project ESTEEM faculty as they requested support in resolving behavioral and academic challenges with their children. It is an exploratory case study in that the field notes were taken prior to defining the research question, positioning it as research that sets the stage for a future more comprehensive study. The researchers, as participant observers recorded field notes of events and interactions that occurred. The research question was, “What were the factors that influenced the relationships between the Project ESTEEM faculty and African American Parents? The subquestions were “What were the distinctions of alienation that challenged the parents’ relationships in the schools? and "How were the factors that challenged the parents’ relationships with teachers mitigated in Project ESTEEM faculty’s relationships with the parents?” A constant comparative method was used beginning with open coding, followed by identifying patterns, themes and subthemes reflecting the specific needs of the parents in relationship to the overall theme.

Findings
The stories highlight sociocultural contexts influencing the alienation of some African American parents in their children’s education through an analysis of the relationships fostered with Project ESTEEM faculty.

Research limitations/implications
This case study reports the experiences of two parents from one community and school, participating in a specialized program.

Originality/value
The significance resides in the representation of alternate viewpoints in understanding the alienation experiences of African American parents from schools.
Bidding despite corruption: evidence from Honduras
Authors: Sabet Daniel M. 
Published: August 2021

PurposeIn addition to lower value for money and the loss of trust in government, procurement corruption threatens to produce a vicious cycle whereby honest firms self-select out of public procurements, further increasing corruption and decreasing value for money. This paper aims to explore this vicious cycle hypothesis.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a survey of businesses registered with the procurement regulator in Honduras, a country with high grand corruption but low levels of administrative procurement corruption. The study uses the survey to test the effects of experiences and perceptions of corruption and personal connections on perceptions of fairness and intention to bid on future procurements.FindingsThis study finds that experiences with bribery and the perceived importance of personal and party connections undermine perceptions of fairness, particularly for firms bidding with Honduras’s public works agency. While firms that have not bid recently view the process as less merit-based than those that have, the study does not find that perceptions of fairness influence intention to bid in the future as the vicious cycle hypothesis would suggest.Social implicationsThis research suggests that even firms that are frustrated with procurement irregularities are willing to tolerate them to access government markets.Originality/valueThe study benefits from a unique survey of businesses on issues of corruption and connections in a challenging procurement environment.