bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Departmental stores in India: financial performance analysis
Authors: Bansal Rohit , Kar Sanjay Kumar 
Published: September 2021

Learning outcomes
After completion of the case, students will be able to understand the following: how to understand financial statements, income statements and cash-flow statements with the help of ratios; understand the concept of shareholding pattern along with different entities, namely, non-promoters, foreign institutional investor, domestic institutional investor and others; financial ratio analysis with traditional DuPont and extended DuPont analysis; understand the differences between comparable firms; how to analysis return, risk, covariance, correlation, market risk and capital assets pricing model (CAPM) and how to suggest an appropriate investment strategy.

Case overview/synopsis
The case presents company background and financial statements of four companies listed under departmental stores in India, namely, Vmart retail, V2 retail, Avenue Supermarts (known as DMart) and future retail. Students are asked to determine, which company is performing better to make a recommendation for investment. Students learn the tools of financial ratio i.e. profitability, efficiency, liquidity and market-based ratio along with the traditional DuPont decomposition and the extended DuPont analysis. Students also learn how to measure stock return, standard deviation, covariance, correlation, market risk and CAPM.

Complexity academic level
This case is suitable for management accounting, financial analysis and security analysis and portfolio management courses at the post-graduate or graduate levels. The case can be used in similar courses such as in financial statement analysis courses or security analysis and portfolio management courses.

Supplementary materials
Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code
CSS: 1 Accounting and finance.
Political risks and financial markets: emerging vs developed economies
Authors: Ben Ghozzi Bechir , Chaibi Hasna 
Published: September 2021

PurposeThe authors provide a comparative analysis between emerging and developed financial markets in terms of the effects of political risks on stock market returns and volatility. The authors also examine whether this impact depends on the nature of political risks. Therefore, this study aims to detect which financial markets are the most profitable and the riskiest in terms of political risks.Design/methodology/approachThe authors investigate the impact of political risks on the excess stock market return and its conditional volatility using the generalized ARCH model for a sample of 46 developed and emerging markets over a period ranging from 1995 to 2019. In order to test how the nature of political risks affects equity excess returns and volatility differently in different markets, the authors employ (1) a composite political risk score, (2) the four subgroups of political risks as defined by Bekaert et al. (2005, 2014) and (3) the individual dimensions of political risks.FindingsThe findings indicate that the composite political risk is priced into both stock markets. The effect of political risks is positive for excess returns and negative for volatility. The authors show that the political risk leads to more volatility in developed markets. Nevertheless, the effect of individual components varies according to the market category.Practical implicationsThe authors provide a framework for predicting market returns and volatility using changes in the political risk of the country. The findings help investors make investment decisions based on the political decisions of governments. In other words, investors should consider political uncertainty when determining their expected earnings.Originality/valueThe authors engage monthly panel data methodology in terms of the political risk stock market relationship. In addition, the authors consider recent and very long data covering the period 1995–2019. Furthermore, this study combines three various political risk measures, and both equity returns and volatility.
(Mis)match between higher education supply and labour market needs: evidence from Portugal
Authors: Olo Daniela , Correia Leonida , Rego Maria da Conceição 
Published: September 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse whether there is an adjustment between the Portuguese higher education supply and the needs of the labour market.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical study is performed, using a quantitative approach, relating the job offers for graduates registered at the employment centres and the number of graduates by higher education institutions (HEIs) in Portugal, at an aggregate level and NUT II regions, by areas of education and training, over the 2003–2018 period. To understand how job offers and graduates are correlated, bilateral Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated.FindingsThe results show that, in large groups of educational areas, exists a match between the higher education supply and the labour market needs, with an emphasis on the fields of “social sciences, business and law”, “engineering, manufacturing and construction” and “health and welfare”. However, at a more disaggregated level, a mismatch in the sub-areas of “teacher training and education science” and “computing” was found since labour market needs are much greater than graduates by HEIs and the two variables are moving in opposite directions.Practical implicationsThe study has revealed important aspects that the educational policy should take into account in order to create the conditions for a gradual adjustment to the labour market needs. Also, the results demonstrate that some measures should be taken in short/medium term to avoid problems in the medium/long term.Originality/valueOne implication of this empirical study was the elaboration of a correspondence table to standardise the data analysis units from two different sources. As this correspondence did not exist prior to this study, this output is a relevant contribution to the research field. Another important contribution is the demonstration of a mismatch in some educational sub-areas that deserves special attention from educational policymakers.
The dyeability and after-dyeing wearability of TPU-based 3D-printed fabrics
Authors: Sun Zhaoling , Meng Jiaguang , Yang Yanning , Yu Lingjie , Zhi Chao 
Published: September 2021

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to study the dyeing process of three-dimensional-printed (3DP) fabrics, and then study the wearability of the fabrics before and after dyeing to provide a feasible dyeing method of 3DP clothes.Design/methodology/approachIn this regard, the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) was applied during the process of 3DP. Then, the imitation twill weave (ITW) was printed with fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology using TPU and the suspension of Disperse Blue 2BLN (as a dye) was prepared. After that, the single factor analysis and orthogonal experiment of dyeing were combined to obtain the optimized dyeing process. And then, ITW fabrics were dyed through the weak acid-low temperature dyeing method. In the end, in order to discuss the wearability of ITW fabrics, the dyeing experiments, including permeability, wrinkle recovery angle, bending rigidity, crock fastness and washing colorfastness were carried out.FindingsThe surface morphology of TPU before and after spinning was established by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), which was confirmed the surface of TPU getting smoother after spinning. The wearability of the fabric after dyeing was not affected compared with before dyeing. Moreover, both colorfastness grades were above 4–5 with high colorfastness.Originality/valueThe article provides a method for 3DP dyeing, which can solve the problem of a single color. And the wearability demonstrates that 3DP fabrics after dyeing-based TPU have more value for clothing than before dyeing.
Towards the development of a system-wide quality improvement maturity model: a synthesis using systematic review and expert opinion
Authors: Akmal Adeel , Podgorodnichenko Nataliya , Greatbanks Richard , Foote Jeff , Stokes Tim , Gauld Robin 
Published: September 2021

PurposeThe various quality improvement (QI) frameworks and maturity models described in the health services literature consider some aspects of QI while excluding others. This paper aims to present a concerted attempt to create a quality improvement maturity model (QIMM) derived from holistic principles underlying the successful implementation of system-wide QI programmes.Design/methodology/approachA hybrid methodology involving a systematic review (Phase 1) of over 270 empirical research articles and books developed the basis for the proposed QIMM. It was followed by expert interviews to refine the core constructs and ground the proposed QIMM in contemporary QI practice (Phase 2). The experts included academics in two academic conferences and 59 QI managers from the New Zealand health-care system. In-depth interviews were conducted with QI managers to ascertain their views on the QIMM and its applicability in their respective health organisations (HOs).FindingsThe QIMM consists of four dimensions of organisational maturity, namely, strategic, process, supply chain and philosophical maturity. These dimensions progress through six stages, namely, identification, ad-hoc, formal, process-driven, optimised enterprise and finally a way of life. The application of the QIMM by the QI managers revealed that the scope of QI and the breadth of the principles adopted by the QI managers and their HOs in New Zealand is limited.Practical implicationsThe importance of QI in health systems cannot be overstated. The proposed QIMM can help HOs diagnose their current state and provide a guide to action achieving a desirable state of quality improvement maturity. This QIMM avoids reliance on any single QI methodology. HOs – using the QIMM – should retain full control over the process of selecting any QI methodology or may even cherry-pick principles to suit their needs as long as they understand and appreciate the true nature and scope of quality overstated. The proposed QIMM can help HOs diagnose their current state and provide a guide to action achieving a desirable state of quality improvement maturity. This QIMM avoids reliance on any single QI methodology. HOs – using the QIMM – should retain full control over the process of selecting any QI methodology or may even cherry-pick principles to suit their needs as long as they understand and appreciate the true nature and scope of quality.Originality/valueThis paper contributes new knowledge by presenting a maturity model with an integrated set of quality principles for HOs and their extended supply networks.
Happiness and farm productivity: insights from maize farmers in China
Authors: Ma Wanglin , Vatsa Puneet , Zhou Xiaoshi , Zheng Hongyun 
Published: September 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between farmers' happiness and farm productivity, taking maize production in China as an example.Design/methodology/approachThe conditional mixed process model is employed to account for the endogeneity that inevitably arises in regression models studying happiness and estimate the 2015 China Household Finance Survey data.FindingsThe empirical results show that a higher level of farmers' happiness is associated with higher maize productivity. The marginal return in maize productivity changes unevenly with increments in farmers' self-reported happiness on a five-point Likert scale. Farmers' happiness is positively determined by their age, educational level, farm size, machinery ownership, access to agricultural subsidy and car ownership. Machinery ownership and access to credit are two important factors that improve maize productivity.Research limitations/implicationsThe finding suggests that promoting the subjective well-being of farmers is conducive to higher productivity and improved national food security. The results have implications for China and other developing countries aiming for sustainable agricultural development.Originality/valueFirm-level data show that workers' happiness improves productivity. However, it is still unclear whether farmworkers' happiness affects farm productivity. Thus, this study provides the first empirical analysis of the impact of farmworkers' happiness on farm productivity.
Exploring the student perspectives on the barriers of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Rana Shikha 
Published: September 2021

PurposeThe present study aims to gauge the perspectives of students on the difficulties they faced during online learning during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) through the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) technique.Design/methodology/approachThe current study employed IPA, and it was conducted among the students enrolled for professional courses in the government, private and deemed-to-be universities in Uttarakhand, India, using semi-structured interviews for the purpose of data collection.FindingsThe findings have been grouped under five parts referred to as “superordinate themes” or “barriers” which comprises learning in an online class environment, online learning in the home environment, student–teacher relationship in online learning, technical hindrances in online learning and health issues in online learning. These superordinate themes were further grouped under sub-themes.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study focused on the students of various private, public and deemed-to-be universities of the Uttarakhand region and represents the higher education sector only and did not tap the primary, secondary and vocational education. The students of academic courses or degree courses like arts, commerce, basic sciences and humanities, etc. were not included in the research study. Hence, the study lacks generalizability.Practical implicationsThe research findings of the present study have implications for higher education institutions (HEIs), teachers, students and policymakers.Originality/valueThe present study addresses the methodological gap by offering a new line of research where IPA has been used as the methodology to determine the barriers of online learning in the COVID-19 situation, and to the best of the authors’ knowledge, none of the studies have used it so far to ascertain the barriers to online learning from the student perspective.
A nexus between corporate social responsibility disclosure and its determinants in energy enterprises
Authors: Ahmed Rahil Irfan , Zhao Guohao , Ahmad Naveed , Habiba Umme 
Published: September 2021

PurposeCorporate social responsibility (CSR) is a requirement for energy enterprises as different stakeholders deem environmental and social responsibility the duty. This study aims to explore the determinants that affect CSR disclosure in energy enterprises of developing nations.Design/methodology/approachPanel data of energy companies is used that are listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange. A comprehensive CSR disclosure index is developed using seven themes, i.e. environment, employees, energy, emissions, product, community development and other CSR-related activities. A random effect model of regression is used on the sample of data.FindingsThe finding of the study reveals that profitability, financial leverage, board size and being a multinational subsidiary has a significant relationship with CSR disclosure level.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample is confined to a certain number of years and publicly traded energy companies. Further studies can explore the relationship of CSR among different groups of firms, such as SMEs, non-listed companies and state-run enterprises to document whether the findings are significant or not. The opinions and ideas of external stakeholders could also be explored using various qualitative methods such as interviews.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first study of its kind whose only focus is energy sector enterprises. A comprehensive scale is used to measure CSR practices. It is helpful for upcoming studies to examine the various aspects of CSR research and figure sound outcome.
Museum open data ecosystems: a comparative study
Authors: Booth Peter , Navarrete Trilce , Ogundipe Anne 
Published: September 2021

PurposeThis study aims to investigate how, in forming their policy towards open data (OD), art museums interact with the OD ecosystems they are part of, comprising internal and external components such as cultural policy, legal frameworks, user groups and economic conditions and incentives.Design/methodology/approachThe authors structure their research as a multiple case study based on three OD ecosystems, each defined by a mid-sized European art museum at its centre. Qualitative analysis of the case studies proceeds from interviews with museum management staff and policy-related agencies in three European countries, in addition to document analysis.FindingsThe results of this study suggest that museums are sensitive towards their environments and respond to their ecosystem based on what is communicated within their networks. However, museums are not effective in communicating with their users, limiting the informational interdependence necessary for well-functioning OD ecosystems. EU policy appears to be a driving force along with national financial incentives, though institutional conditions are limiting progress. Advancing the field relies instead on an epistemological shift to understand the museum as part of a larger information network.Originality/valueAs the first comparative case study of art museum OD ecosystems that the authors are aware of, the study provides a qualitative analysis of the complex dynamics impacting OD policy within the mid-sized art museum. The authors identify specific dynamics that are thus far restricting further development of the OD ecosystem of the mid-sized European art museum.
An appraisal of financial indicators for local government: a structured literature review
Authors: Iacuzzi Silvia 
Published: September 2021

PurposeConsidering the increased financial responsibility of local government (LG), the impact of global crises and the growing adoption of accrual accounting and common standards such as IPSAS, this work focuses on financial indicators for LGs. It explores whether the literature on financial indicators has grown, investigates whether there is any consensus on which indicators to use for assessing LG's financial condition, develops a critical reading of the literature and offers suggestions for future research and policy agendas.Design/methodology/approachA structured literature review was carried out for publications in English about LG financial indicators.FindingsResults reveal that the number of publications dealing with financial indicators has increased over the past ten years. However, rather than focusing on a set of common indicators, the literature reports a plethora of different ones used for four main purposes: transparency and accountability compliance, performance monitoring and benchmarking, assessing LG's financial health and helping deal with exogenous crises. There is no evidence of convergence towards a common set of indicators, even though liquidity and solvency are the most popular dimensions explored by scholars.Research limitations/implicationsFindings highlight the challenges in converging on financial indicators, yet no claim can be made beyond the reviewed material.Practical implicationsResults provide legislators, public managers, investors and rating agencies with insights about trends in financial indicators, their benefits and limitations.Originality/valueThe article focuses on a less popular aspect of recent financial management reforms for local administration, that is the growing fragmentation in LG indicators, accentuated by the need for common assessment tools during unprecedented widespread crises across countries and sectors.
Modeling mechanical behavior of distributed piezoelectric actuators for morphing wing applications
Authors: Wang Shuai , Zhao Fei , Zhou Bo , Xue Shifeng 
Published: September 2021

PurposeA distributed piezoelectric actuator (DPA) improving the deformation performance of wing is proposed. As the power source of morphing wing, the factors affecting the driving performance of DPA were studied.Design/methodology/approachThe DPA is composed of a substrate beam and a certain number of piezoelectric patches pasted on its upper and lower ends. Utilizing the inverse piezoelectric effect of piezoelectric material, the DPA transfers displacement to the wing skin to change its shape. According to the finite element method and piezoelectric constitutive equation, the structure model of DPA was established, and its deformation behavior was analyzed. The accuracy of algorithm was verified by comparison with previous studies.FindingsThe results show that the arrangement way, length and thickness of piezoelectric patches, the substrate beam thickness and the applied voltage are the important factors to determine the driving performance of DPA.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper can provide theoretical basis and calculation method for the design and application of distributed piezoelectric actuator and morphing wing.Originality/valueA novel morphing wing drove by DPA is proposed to improve environmental adaptability of aircraft. As the power source achieving wing deformation, the DPA model is established by FEM. Then the factors affecting the driving performance are analyzed. The authors find the centrosymmetric arrangement way of piezoelectric patches is superior to the axisymmetric arrangement, and distribution center of the piezoelectric patches determines the driving performance.
The companion effect on adventure tourists’ satisfaction and subjective well-being: the moderating role of gender
Authors: Su Lujun , Cheng Jin , Swanson Scott 
Published: September 2021

Purpose
In an adventure tourism context (i.e. sky diving, bungee jumping) the effect of the absence or presence of a travel companion; companion relative ability (i.e. perception of a companion’s possessed resources useful for the achievement of travel goals); and tourist gender on the impact of companion relative ability on tourists’ satisfaction and subjective well-being is examined. This paper aims to investigate the mediating role of satisfaction that combines companion relative ability, tourist gender, tourist satisfaction and subjective well-being.

Design/methodology/approach
This research uses three situational experiments. A one-factor between-subjects experimental design was used for Study 1. Studies 2 and 3 used a one-factor between-subjects and a 2 × 3 factorial between-subjects design. Participants included tourists visiting a national park in China assigned to scenarios using an anonymous intercept approach and an online survey.

Findings
Having a companion with greater/comparable relative ability produces a greater effect on tourist satisfaction and subjective well-being than having a companion with lower relative ability. Furthermore, the perceived relative ability of a travel companion results in a stronger positive effect on tourist satisfaction and subjective well-being for female tourists. Meanwhile, satisfaction fully mediates the impact of the interaction between companion relative ability and tourist gender on subjective well-being.

Originality/value
The current research validates the companion effect on adventure tourists’ satisfaction and subjective well-being. An additional contribution is an investigation into the effect of companion relative ability. The study is the only one the authors are aware of that examines the moderating role of tourist gender on the effect of companion relative ability on tourist satisfaction and subjective well-being and identifies the mechanism that combines companion relative ability, tourist gender, tourist satisfaction and subjective well-being.