bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Emerging contractor's management and planning skills to overcome business risk factors
Authors: Amoah Christopher , Bikitsha Linda 
Published: April 2021

PurposeEmerging construction companies often liquidate due to their inability to institute strategies to handle their business risks. This study investigated the skills and strategies adopted by emerging contractors to overcome business risk factors to make their businesses sustainable.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research approach was adopted for the study. Semi-structured interview questions were used to solicit information from emerging contractors within the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Grade one (1) to four (4) in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. The data gathered were analysed using qualitative content analysis to identify the main themes.FindingsThe study's findings indicate that emerging contractors face business risk factors that impact their project execution hugely. Thus to overcome these risk factors, they implement various strategies to curtail the risk they encounter in their businesses. These strategies include; human resource management (employing experienced and skilled labour and training of staff); communication management (with other employees about set goals); financial management (effective pricing of tender documents); procurement management (ensuring materials are available as and when necessary in their projects) and quality management (ensuring effective work supervision); among others.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the study concentrated on the emerging construction firms in the Gauteng Province of South Africa, the findings may be applicable in other provinces and beyond South Africa.Practical implicationsIn order for emerging contractors to prevent the collapse of their businesses, there is the need to be educated on effective project risk management to identify potential business risk, the mirage associated with the notion of the construction business profitability, effective tender pricing and strategic business partnership. These strategies, if well thought, will help sustain their businesses and growth in the construction industry.Originality/valueThe study has identified the management strategies used by emerging contractors to sustain their businesses in the construction industry. Thus, the finding will guide both emerging contractors who are already in the construction business and those planning to enter the construction market.
The stability of dividends and its predictability: a cross-country analysis
Authors: Pathak Rajesh , Gupta Ranjan Das 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe authors examine the stability of dividend payout and the consistency in its predictability using sample of firms from 18 different countries amid their prevailing heterogeneous formal institutions (such as the legal system, corporate governance), the distinct state of economic development (developing vs developed) and changing times (during the crisis vs the noncrisis periods).Design/methodology/approachThe authors use tobit regression models with distinct specifications for the authors’ investigations. The authors alternately analyze the study’s results using Fama–Macbeth (FM) (1973) and generalized least square (GLS) regressions.FindingsThe authors show a sharply declining stability in dividend payout with time using DeAngelo and Roll’s (2015) framework. In terms of predictive consistency, the authors report that only a few idiosyncratic factors predict dividends consistently, and these results hold qualitatively true across the robustness analysis. The firm's liquidity appears to be the most consistent predictor of dividends payout, whereas firm's size being on the other extreme. The results signify that the idiosyncratic factors that matter for firm's dividend policy are not country specific. Instead, it reveals commonality of predictors grounded on characteristics of countries such as legal environment, investor's protection, economic state (ES) and economic cycle.Originality/valueThe authors contribute to the dividends literature by providing the evidence of dividend instability through time and disapproving the stylized fact of sticky dividends. Besides, the authors provide international evidence of inconsistent predictability of dividends.
Affordable luxury consumption: an emerging market's perspective
Authors: Shahid Shadma , Islam Jamid Ul , Farooqi Rahela , Thomas George 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThis study aims to focus on proposing and empirically validating a model that captures certain critical socio-psychological factors that nurture consumers' attitude towards affordable luxury brands in an emerging market context of India.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected via a cross-sectional questionnaire survey from 491 customers of different fashion accessory luxury products in India. The data were analyzed through structural equation modelling (SEM) using AMOS 23.0 SEM software.FindingsThe findings of this study reveal that conspicuousness, status consumption, brand name consciousness, need for uniqueness and hedonism positively affect consumer attitude towards affordable luxury, which consequently affects consumers' purchase intention. The findings further reveal that age acts as a moderator in driving consumers' neo-luxury consumption.Originality/valueBy uniting various socio-psychological factors with consumer attitude and purchase intention in a conceptual model, along with studying the moderating role of age, this study responds to the calls for further research regarding affordable luxury and offers a more granular understanding of specific consumer motivations that guide Indian consumers' affordable luxury consumption.
Board composition and value relevance of Ghanaian firms: a seemingly unrelated regression approach
Authors: Agyemang Badu Ebenezer , Nyarko Assabil Ebenezer 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the connection between board composition and value relevance of financial information in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a panel data of 144 firm-year observations of listed firms in Ghana.FindingsThe study finds that a higher fraction of independent directors is associated with lower firm value. The study further finds that board size is positively related to firm value, whereas duality is negatively associated with firm value.Practical implicationsThe practical implication of this paper is that investors and regulators should be mindful that specifying governance composition should not only be based on “so-called” codes of best practices but also the level of the country's or the sector's development and local institutional structures.Originality/valueThis study uses five different measurements of market share and considers the impact of the provision of the Code of Best Practices in Ghana.
Mapping the scientific research on alternative momentum investing: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Singh Simarjeet , Walia Nidhi , Saravanan Sivagandhi , Jain Preeti , Singh Avtar , jain Jinesh 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThis study aims to recognize the current dynamics, prolific contributors and salient trends and propose future research directions in the area of alternative momentum investing.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a blend of electronic database and forward reference searching to ensure the incorporation of all the significant studies. With the help of the Scopus database, the present study retrieves 122 research papers published from 1999 to 2020.FindingsThe results reveal that alternative momentum investing is an emerging area in the field of momentum investing. However, this area has witnessed an exponential growth in last ten years. The study also finds that North American, West European and East Asian countries dominate in total research publications. Through network citation analysis, the study identifies five major clusters: industrial momentum, earnings momentum, 52-week high momentum, time-series momentum and risk-managed momentum.Research limitations/implicationsThe present review will serve as a guide for financial researchers who intend to work on alternative momentum approaches. The study proposes several unexplored research themes in alternative momentum investing on which future studies can focus.Originality/valueThe study embellishes the existing literature on momentum investing by contributing the first bibliometric review on alternative momentum approaches.
Analysis of the factors influencing adoption of 3D design digital technologies in Colombian firms
Authors: Henao‐Ramírez Ana María , López-Zapata Esteban 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to analyse the factors influencing intention to adopt 3D design digital technologies (3DDTs) by Colombian firms.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual framework was developed using technology-organization-environment (TOE) and technology acceptance model (TAM) theoretical frameworks. From a sample of 138 firms, a structural equation model was analysed with partial least squares (SEM-PLS).FindingsThe study identified that perceived usefulness in the technological dimension; technological competence and top management support in the organizational dimension; and competitive pressures in the environmental dimension, are variables affecting intention to adopt 3DDT. The effects of the mediating variables with respect to intention to adopt the technology are also analysed, such as perceived usefulness on the effect of ease of use; top management support on the effect of technological competence and financial readiness; and competitive pressures on the effect of stakeholder pressure. The model explained 71.1% of the 3DDT intention to adopt.Practical implicationsThe model can be used as a guideline to ensure a positive outcome of the 3DDT adoption in organizations. The results could be useful to understand a technological adoption process for digital transformation.Originality/valueThe proposed model integrates some contributions from the TAM and TOE theories and identifies some novel mediating effects that improve its predictive and explanatory power. Furthermore, this is a pioneering study in empirical research on 3DDT in the context of a developing country, specifically in Colombia. The findings from this study provide a foundation for other studies, as well as constructive insights for digital transformation, due to its infancy in an emerging economy.
A novel heuristic approach for sustainable social and economic development based on green computing technology and big data
Authors: Wu Xiaoman , Liu Jun , Peng Yulian 
Published: April 2021

PurposeWithout damaging and consuming natural resources, green computing technology can meet the needs of society for a long time. This paper discusses how to realize the sustainable development of social economy through the innovation of green computing technology.Design/methodology/approachFor the green computing technology and sustainable social and economic development problems, it builds back propagation (BP) neural network model and analyzes the topological structure of the network model as well as the impact of the training errors allowed by the network on its performance.FindingsBy optimizing the number of input nodes, the number of hidden nodes and the target value, the genetic algorithm (GA) can get the optimal neural network model. The simulation experiment proves that the proposed model is effective.Originality/valueIt can not only reduce the possibility of falling into local optimum, but also optimize the initial weights and thresholds of BP neural network and further improve the stability and test effect of BP neural network model.
You can't make me! The role of self-leadership in enhancing organizational commitment and work engagement
Authors: Knotts Kevin G. , Houghton Jeffery D. 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the role of self-leadership in enhancing work engagement through the mediating mechanisms of affective, normative and continuance organizational commitment.Design/methodology/approachData collected from 258 transportation workers were examined in a parallel mediation model in PROCESS.FindingsThe results of these analyses suggest that the positive relationship between self-leadership and work engagement is partially mediated by affective commitment and normative commitment, but not by continuance commitment.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings imply that organizational decision makers should implement practices designed to increase self-leadership in the workplace and enhance employee work engagement. These practices include empowering leadership, recruitment and selection of self-leading employees, and self-leadership training interventions. The study was subject to limitations common to attitudinal survey research.Originality/valueThis study responds calls to explore the mediating mechanisms through which self-leadership affects organizational outcomes and helps explain why self-leadership affects employee work engagement.
Halal logistics in a rentier state: an observation
Authors: Ab Talib Mohamed Syazwan , Wahab Siti Norida 
Published: April 2021

PurposeBrunei Darussalam, a rentier state, aims to be one of the leading nations in the global halal industry, and logistics play a key role in realising the goal. However, even though logistics is a vital aspect of the halal supply chain, little is known about the halal logistics scene in Brunei. Therefore, this paper aims to discuss and uncover the various strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats surrounding the country's halal logistics sector.Design/methodology/approachThe paper employs a subjective environmental scanning approach and a SWOT analysis technique through the author's observation of Brunei's halal logistics ecosystem from both intrinsic and extrinsic lenses.FindingsThe paper argues that substantial institutional support is an apparent strength, but the lack of halal logistics experts is a distinct weakness. Meanwhile, the growing use of technology presents an opportunity for the industry, but formidable regional competition poses a significant threat.Research limitations/implicationsDespite the paper's qualitative approach, insights from it could offer a better understanding of halal logistics in Brunei and serve a platform for future research endeavours.Originality/valueBeing a rentier state that depends on a non-renewable source, this paper offers an alternative strategy to diversify the economy and venture into the halal economy.
Pulling levers in New Haven, CT: an analysis of the TimeZup initiative and its impact on murder, robbery, and assault
Authors: Levchak Philip J. 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThis study examines the effect of TimeZup – a lever pulling strategy designed to reduce gun violence in New Haven, Connecticut.Design/methodology/approachA series of ARIMA and dynamically complete models are estimated to determine if TimeZup was associated with any significant changes in New Haven's murder, firearm robbery and firearm assault rates. A quasi-experimental design is also used to compare New Haven to six, similarly situated cities in the Northeastern United States.FindingsThe results indicate that New Haven experienced a significant decrease in its firearm robbery rate in the summer of 1997 – a date that preceded TimeZup but coincided with other lever pulling strategies implemented by the New Haven Police Department.Originality/valueAlthough an older program, TimeZup was not rigorously analyzed. After the conclusion of the program, basic pre- and post-comparisons suggested TimeZup was effective. Using a rigorous methodology, this study shows it was not. This study points out that interventions such as TimeZup often coincide with pre-existing crime reduction strategies. Evaluators should account for those pre-existing strategies because it may be those strategies – and not the intervention being examined – that are impacting crime rates.
EFL students' attitudes toward corrective feedback: a study conducted at undergraduate level
Authors: Halim Tanzina , Wahid Rizwana , Halim Shanjida 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study is mainly to find out the EFL learners' attitude towards corrective feedback. This paper also investigates types of learners who prefer the online or offline corrective feedback, and how feedback should be tailored to the needs of the learners.Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted on sixty female participants who were students of levels 7 and 8 of the B. A. program (English) at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia. They were administered a questionnaire comprising eight questions about corrective feedback from teachers individually and independently so that they could identify their own choices without any influence from other participants. The items in the questionnaire were closed items.FindingsIt was found that both types of feedbacks are essential to enhance learners' linguistic accuracy. Learners have shown their positive attitude towards teachers' corrective feedback because they consider it a motivating learning tool. Not only that the learners have expressed the view that corrective feedback is very useful in enhancing the learning process for EFL learners. On the other hand, some of the learners are not serious about going through corrective feedback given by teachers because sometimes they are unable to differentiate between what helps or hampers progress towards language learning. However, they preferred both online (immediate/automated) feedback and offline (delayed) feedback. In general, the results state that the learners have expressed the view that corrective feedback is very useful in enhancing the learning process for EFL learners.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has some limitations. The first one is the sample size. Only students from levels 7 and 8 (undergraduates) were taken into consideration. The second limitation is that the researchers focused on only one university in Saudi Arabia. The third limitation is that no male students participated in this study. The results might be different if the male students participated as well.Originality/valueOne vital point in employing CF in the language classrooms is timing. Considering the timing of corrective feedback, teachers face the problem of whether CF should be immediate (online) or delayed (offline).
Direct transfer of zinc between plants is channelled by common mycorrhizal network of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and evidenced by changes in expression of zinc transporter genes in fungus and plant
Authors: Cardini Alessio , Pellegrino Elisa , Declerck Stéphane , Calonne‐Salmon Maryline , Mazzolai Barbara , Ercoli Laura 
Published: April 2021

SummaryThe role that common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs) play in plant‐to‐plant transfer of zinc (Zn) has not yet been investigated, despite the proved functions of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in crop Zn acquisition. Here, two autotrophic Medicago truncatula plants were linked by a CMN formed by Rhizophagus irregularis. Plants were grown in vitro in physically separated compartments (Donor‐C and Receiver‐C) and their connection ensured only by CMN. A symbiosis‐defective mutant of M. truncatula was used as control in Receiver‐C. Plants in both compartments were grown on Zn‐free medium, and only the leaves of the donor plants were Zn fertilized. A direct transfer of Zn was demonstrated from donor leaves to receiver shoots mediated by CMN. Direct transfer of Zn was supported by changes in the expression of fungal genes, RiZRT1 and RiZnT1, and plant gene MtZIP2 in roots and MtNAS1 in roots and shoots of the receiver plants. Moreover, Zn transfer was supported by the change in expression of MtZIP14 gene in AM fungal colonized roots. This work is the first evidence of a direct Zn transfer from a donor to a receiver plant via CMN, and of a triggering of transcriptional regulation of fungal‐plant genes involved in Zn transport‐related processes.
Mobile genetic elements mediate the mixotrophic evolution of novel Alicyclobacillus species for acid mine drainage adaptation
Authors: Liu Zhenghua , Liang Zonglin , Zhou Zhicheng , Li Liangzhi , Meng Delong , Li Xiutong , Tao Jiemeng , Jiang Zhen , Gu Yabing , Huang Ye , Liu Xueduan , Yang Zhendong , Drewniak Lukasz , Liu Tianbo , Liu Yongjun , Liu Shuangjiang , Wang Jianjun , Jiang Chengying , Yin Huaqun 
Published: April 2021

SummaryAlicyclobacillus species inhabit diverse environments and have adapted to broad ranges of pH and temperature. However, their adaptive evolutions remain elusive, especially regarding the role of mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Here, we characterized the distributions and functions of MGEs in Alicyclobacillus species across five environments, including acid mine drainage (AMD), beverages, hot springs, sediments, and soils. Nine Alicyclobacillus strains were isolated from AMD and possessed larger genome sizes and more genes than those from other environments. Four AMD strains evolved to be mixotrophic and fell into distinctive clusters in phylogenetic tree. Four types of MGEs including genomic island (GI), insertion sequence (IS), prophage, and integrative and conjugative element (ICE) were widely distributed in Alicyclobacillus species. Further, AMD strains did not possess CRISPR‐Cas systems, but had more GI, IS, and ICE, as well as more MGE‐associated genes involved in the oxidation of iron and sulfide and the resistance of heavy metal and low temperature. These findings highlight the differences in phenotypes and genotypes between strains isolated from AMD and other environments and the important role of MGEs in rapid environment niche expansions.
Interconnection of the mycobacterial heparin‐binding hemagglutinin with cholesterol degradation and heme/iron pathways identified by proximity‐dependent biotin identification inMycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: Veyron‐Churlet Romain , Saliou Jean‐Michel , Locht Camille 
Published: April 2021

SummaryDeciphering protein–protein interactions is a critical step in the identification and the understanding of biological mechanisms deployed by pathogenic bacteria. The development ofin vivotechnologies to characterize these interactions is still in its infancy, especially for bacteria whose subcellular organization is particularly complex, such as mycobacteria. In this work, we used the proximity‐dependent biotin identification (BioID) to define the mycobacterial heparin‐binding hemagglutinin (HbhA) interactome in the saprophytic bacteriumMycobacterium smegmatis.M.smegmatisis a commonly used model to study and characterize the physiology of pathogenic mycobacteria, such asMycobacterium tuberculosis. Here, we adapted the BioID technology toin vivoprotein–protein interactions studies inM.smegmatis, which presents several advantages, such as maintaining the complex organization of the mycomembrane, offering the possibility to study membrane or cell wall‐associated proteins, including HbhA, in the presence of cofactors and post‐translational modifications, such as the complex methylation pattern of HbhA. Using this technology, we found that HbhA is interconnected with cholesterol degradation and heme/iron pathways. These results are in line with previous studies showing the dual localization of HbhA, associated with the cell wall and intracytoplasmic lipid inclusions, and its induction under high iron growth conditions.