bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Testing times: governing a pandemic with numbers
Authors: Ahmad Salman , Connolly Ciaran , Demirag Istemi 
Published: February 2021

PurposeUsing Dean's (2010) analytics of government, this research explores how regimes of governing practices are linked to the underlying policy rationalities in dealing with the UK government's COVID-19 testing policies as a strategy for governing at a distance, including how targets were set and operationalized.Design/methodology/approachThis paper draws on the UK government's policy documents, other official publications (plans) and parliamentary discourse, together with publicly available media information related to its COVID-19 policies.FindingsThis research reveals that, with respect to the governance of COVID-19 in the UK, testing has the dual role of inscription for the government's performance and classification for the pandemic risks. The analysis illustrates that the central role of testing is as a technology for classification for identifying and monitoring the virus-related risks. Moreover, our discourse analysis suggests that initially COVID-19 testing was used by the UK government more for performance communication, with the classificatory role of testing and its performativity as a strategic device evolving and only being acknowledged by government gradually as the underlying testing infrastructure was developed.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is based upon publicly available reports and other information of a single country's attempts to control COVID-19 over a relatively short period of time.Originality/valueThis paper provides a critical understanding of the role of (accounting) numbers in developing an effective government policy for governing COVID-19.
The role of national service in enhancing employability skills of tertiary graduates in Ghana: a case of national service personnel in the Central Region
Authors: Segbenya Moses , Oppong Nana Yaw , Baafi-Frimpong Sally Abena 
Published: February 2021

PurposeOne of the means to enhance the employability skills of tertiary graduates transiting into the job market has been the compulsory national service instituted by the Government of Ghana. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to examine the contribution of the mandatory national service to enhance the employability of tertiary graduates in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study used the longitudinal descriptive survey design to sample 375 national service personnel (2018 and 2019 batches) of 13,874 service personnel posted to the Central Region of Ghana, and 31 employers.FindingsThe study found human relation, communication and experience to enter the job market were perceived higher by tertiary graduates in Ghana. It was also found that the preferred employers amongst tertiary graduates were the government, multinational companies and public schools. Skills mismatch between the acquired skills of tertiary graduates and the skills required by employers was also found. Responsible factor identified was the posting of personnel for national service without considering their academic background and future job aspirations. Tertiary graduates transiting into the job market after the national service preferred to be employed by the government because of the lack of entrepreneurial skills.Practical implicationsTherefore, it was recommended that the national service secretariat post national service personnel to organisations that reflect personnel's career aspiration.Originality/valueThis is original research carried out by the researchers and was not sponsored by any organisation/institution.
Design and implementation of high-speed and low-power consumption Moore-based loopback adder on FPGA
Authors: Mohan Kumar B.N. , Rangaraju H.G. 
Published: February 2021

PurposeFinite impulse response (FIR) digital filters are a general element in several digital signal processing (DSP) systems. In VLSI platform, FIR is a developing filter because the complexity of design grows with the length of the FIR filter and also it has less latency. Generally, the FIR filter is designed dominated by the multiplier and adder. The conventional FIR filters occupy more area because of several numbers of adders and multipliers for filter designs.Design/methodology/approachTo overcome this issue, the Vedic Multiplier (VM) and Moore-based LoopBack Adder (MLBA) approach-based optimal FIR filter were designed in this research. Normally, the coefficient has been generated manually, which performs the FIR filter operation. So, the coefficient was generated from the MATLAB filter design and analysis tool. All pass coefficient was introduced in this research, which performs the processing element (PE). The VM approach was utilized in the PE to multiply the filter inputs and coefficients. This research employs the Moore-based LBA (MLBA) in the accumulator for the adding output of the PE. An MLBA approach is a significantly reduced area and increases speed by applying a looping transform function. Here, the proposed method is called a VM-MLBA-FIR filter. In this research, the FIR filter was done in Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) Xilinx by using Verilog code on various Virtex devices.FindingsThe experiment results showed that VM-MLBA-FIR filter reduced 26.88% of device utilization and 0.32 W of minimum power consumption compared to the existing PSA-FIR filter.Originality/valueThe experiment results showed that VM-MLBA-FIR filter reduced 26.88% of device utilization and 0.32 W of minimum power consumption compared to the existing PSA-FIR filter.
Making performance management relevant in complex and inter-institutional contexts: using outcomes as performance attractors
Authors: French Max , Mollinger-Sahba Ali 
Published: February 2021

PurposeModern public service systems tackle many complex issues by operating across institutional boundaries. Performance management must operate in this context without clear lines of accountability or central authority. This paper introduces and develops the theoretical mechanism of “performance attraction” to describe how outcomes and associated performance indicators can operate as organising instruments in inter-institutional contexts by attracting, rather than directing, institutional behaviour.Design/methodology/approachWe explore the “performance attractor” role played by outcomes through a multiple case study analysis of three prominent outcomes frameworks operating at the regional, national and international levels: the Scottish Government's National Performance Framework, the Western Australian Alliance to End Homelessness Outcomes Measurement and Evaluation Framework and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.FindingsWe find support for two theorised mechanisms facilitated by the performance attractor concept: (1) that performance attractors enable coordination by creating a shared sense of responsibility for interdependent goals while also permitting autonomous navigation of individual contexts and (2) that performance attractors support performance improvement by motivating collective learning and adaptation informed by institutional interdependencies. Cases relied primarily on voluntary adoption of outcomes frameworks, rather than utilising more coercive forms of accountability. Further studies should explore the institutional response to performance attractors to better understand the potential of this mechanism.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to a growing body of critical literature that has explored alternatives to traditional control-oriented performance management in complex and inter-institutional settings. We describe design principles that policymakers and practitioners can adopt to construct more effective performance frameworks in these conditions.
How are emotions about COVID-19 impacting society? The role of the political elite and grassroots activism
Authors: Gravante Tommaso , Poma Alice 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the role of emotions in the polarization that emerged during the first months of the pandemic. So, the authors will analyze the social response of two opposing social actors: political elites that have minimized the risks of the pandemic and grassroots groups that have promoted mutual support for vulnerable people suffering from the various effects of the pandemic.Design/methodology/approachFor the analysis, the authors will primarily refer to Hochschild's proposal and the recent literature on emotions and protest. The method is to analyze official statements by politicians from the UK, USA, Mexico, Brazil, Spain and Italy and the social responses that have emerged from different mutual support groups and solidarity networks in those countries, as well as in Chile and Argentina.FindingsThe authors will show how the conflicting responses can exacerbate social polarization in our societies. This polarization goes beyond the political spectrum, and in some cases even social classes, and reaches into the realms of values, emotions and practices. The authors will also show how the response from grassroots activism makes it possible to overcome guilt, shame and other emotions of trauma, among other things.Originality/valueAn analysis of the emotional dimension of two opposing responses to the pandemic will show how these responses have a deep impact on society, ranging from demands for values and practices that legitimize a status quo, to discussing, breaking away from or overcoming social behavior based on individualism and social determinism.
Effects of polymers concentration on EHL film-forming in point contacts
Authors: Qiu Liangwei , Chen Xiaoyang , Dong Fakai 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
This paper aims to experimentally investigate the film-forming capability of base oils containing poly-methacrylate (PMA) and poly-isobutene (PIB), in a point contact under pure rolling.

Design/methodology/approach
By using the relative light intensity method, the film thickness is calculated from the interferometer images which are captured by multiple-contact optical elastohydrodynamic lubricated test rig.

Findings
The test results reveal that polymers, both PMA and PIB, have a significant contribution to the film-forming capability of base oils and the film thickness increases with concentration. The forming-film capabilities for PMA and PIB in base oils are similar at low concentration, while PIB gives a higher film thickness than PMA at high concentration. Shear-thinning phenomenon are observed in all polymer-based oils.

Originality/value
The polymer usually as an additive is added into the low viscosity base oils to improve the properties of lubricant oil. This paper reports the lubricated properties of PMA and PIB with different concentrations in base oils and to evaluate their functional mechanism in a point contact.

Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-07-2020-0263/
Jumping over the network threshold of information diffusion: testing the threshold hypothesis of social influence
Authors: Wang Cheng-Jun , Zhu Jonathan J.H. 
Published: February 2021

PurposeSocial influence plays a crucial role in determining the size of information diffusion. Drawing on threshold models, we reformulate the nonlinear threshold hypothesis of social influence.Design/methodology/approachWe test the threshold hypothesis of social influence with a large dataset of information diffusion on social media.FindingsThere exists a bell-shaped relationship between social influence and diffusion size. However, the large network threshold, limited diffusion depth and intense bursts become the bottlenecks that constrain the diffusion size.Practical implicationsThe practice of viral marketing needs innovative strategies to increase information novelty and reduce the excessive network threshold.Originality/valueIn all, this research extends threshold models of social influence and underlines the nonlinear nature of social influence in information diffusion.
Multi-continuum manipulators shape reconstruction using inertial navigation sensors and cameras
Authors: Guo Hao , Ju Feng , Wang Ning , Chen Bai , Wei Xiaoyong , Wang Yaoyao , Wang Dan 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
Continuum manipulators are often used in complex and narrow space in recent years because of their flexibility and safety. Vision is considered to be one of the most direct methods to obtain its spatial shape. However, with the improvement of the cooperation requirements of multiple continuum manipulators and the increase of space limitation, it is impossible to obtain the complete spatial shape information of multiple continuum manipulators only by several cameras.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes a fusion method using inertial navigation sensors and cameras to reconstruct the shape of continuum manipulators in the whole workspace. The camera is used to obtain the position information, and the inertial navigation sensor is used to obtain the attitude information. Based on the above two information, the shape of the continuum manipulator is reconstructed by fitting Bézier curve.

Findings
The experiment result of single continuum manipulator shows that the cubic Bézier curves is applicable to curve fitting of variable curvature, the maximum fitting error is about 2 mm. Meanwhile, the experiment result shows that this method is not affected by obstacles and can still reconstruct the shape of the continuum manipulators in 3-D space by detecting the position and attitude information of the end.

Originality/value
According to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study on spatial shape reconstruction of multiple continuum manipulators and the first study to introduce inertial navigation sensors and cameras into the field of shape reconstruction of multiple continuum manipulators in narrow space. This method is suitable for shape reconstruction of manipulator with variable curvature continuum manipulator. When the vision of multiple continuum manipulators is blocked by obstacles, the spatial shape can still be reconstructed only by exposing the end point. The structure is simple, but it has certain accuracy within a certain range.
Formation of clusters in cultural heritage – strategies for optimizing resources in museums
Authors: Moreno - Mendoza Héctor , Santana - Talavera Agustín , Molina - González José 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to affirm that it is possible to segment visitors of cultural heritage into homogeneous groups according to a series of characteristics to detect the variables that have statistical significance to identify visitor clusters.Design/methodology/approachFour case studies were selected, where a total of 500 questionnaires were made to visitors. The authors proceeded with cluster analysis using SPSS software to differentiate visitor segments. Four groups of visitors were first identified and which have subsequently been reduced to three, according to several factors.FindingsThe main contributions of this paper are: (1) the segment to which each one of the determinants of the cultural tourism product is dedicated; (2) the variable object of the analysis, i.e. the formation of visitor segments; and (3) the inclusion of less studied variables such as type of accommodation contracted, treatment offered in the museums or entrance price.Research limitations/implicationsThe analysis has been developed in different museums, with different management models, in a specific place. However, the results are generalizable to other places and to other institutions that manage cultural heritage. The implications are management strategies for a sustainable cultural development in institutions of tourism and heritage.Practical implicationsFrom a practical point of view, the results are useful for cultural managers, travel agencies, tour operators, tourism companies or political offices, among others, because they generate new ideas and strategies focused on maximizing the use of the resources of cultural institutions.Social implicationsFor both local and non-local agents, the knowledge of the factors that make up the groups of visitors in the heritage sites represents a strategy in aspects of marketing, promotion and distribution, thus generating capacities for the different intermediaries, and the possibility of negotiating lower prices with better benefits. It is also possible to create new products destined for other publics.Originality/valueThe study is original because this has not been published.
Deconstructing the shared leadership emergence process in entrepreneurial teams
Authors: Lyndon Shiji , Pandey Ashish 
Published: February 2021

PurposeEntrepreneurship literature has not sufficiently explored the process of how, at different points in time, different members of the co-founding team emerge as leaders. The purpose of this paper is to deconstruct the phenomenon of shared leadership emergence process amongst co-founders in entrepreneurial teams.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a qualitative approach. 21 co-founders from 7 entrepreneurial teams participated in the study. In-depth interviews were conducted. The data were analysed using Nvivo 11 software.FindingsThe study elaborates the process model of shared leadership emergence. The study found that shared interpersonal cognition and trust amongst the co-founders lead to claiming and granting of leadership. The findings also illustrate various strategies used by co-founders to emerge as leaders.Practical implicationsThe findings provide key insights to entrepreneurial teams by illuminating what kind of leadership dynamics should be developed, right from the initial stages of the venture. Also, the findings would be beneficial to investors, mentors and coaches of the entrepreneurial teams and ventures, by highlighting team dynamics to be considered before making any investment or team development decisions.Originality/valueThe inductive approach adopted in the study helps in understanding the process of shared leadership emergence in entrepreneurial teams, which is not adequately answered by previous studies. The study extends both shared leadership and entrepreneurship literature by providing a process theory of leadership emergence.
Developing a catch-up model of technology: a grounded theory approach
Authors: Saghafi Fatemeh , Mohaghar Ali , Kashiha Monireh 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
Catch-up is a process during which the countries that are behind the technological borders try to reduce their technological gaps. For a company or country in the catch-up process, a suitable level of technological capabilities and absorption capacity is necessary as a fixed advance requirement. This paper aims to develop a catch-up model of technology.

Design/methodology/approach
This study reviewed 90 published articles in the field of business management in Q1 and Q2 journals from the very beginning to the year of 2018 so that a framework can be presented for a catch-up. This framework has been obtained according to the process of grounded theory and by combining the previous studies.

Findings
Accordingly, a framework of six categories has been presented including causal factors, main category, background factors, intervening factors, strategies and consequences. Finally, three general approaches including independence, collaboration and cooperation, are introduced and each of these categories has been described in a spectrum of this approach.

Originality/value
This is the first study to conceptualize a catch-up model of technology by grounded theory.
Facilitating transmuters' acquisition of data scientist knowledge based on their educational backgrounds: state-of-the-practice and challenges
Authors: Ramzan Muhammad Javed , Khan Saif Ur Rehman , ur-Rehman Inayat , Rehman Muhammad Habib Ur , Al-khannaq Ehab Nabiel 
Published: February 2021

PurposeIn recent years, data science has become a high-demand profession, thereby attracting transmuters (individuals who want to change their profession due to industry trends) to this field. The primary purpose of this paper is to guide transmuters in becoming data scientists.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory study was conducted to uncover the challenges faced by data scientists according to their educational backgrounds. An extensive set of responses from 31 countries was received.FindingsThe results reveal that skill requirements and tool usage vary significantly with educational background. However, regardless of differences in academic background, the data scientists surveyed spend more time analyzing data than operationalizing insight.Research limitations/implicationsThe collected data are available to support replication in various scenarios, for example, for use as a roadmap for those with an educational background in art-related disciplines. Additional empirical studies can also be conducted specific to geographical location.Practical implicationsThe current work has categorized data scientists by their fields of study making it easier for universities and online academies to suggest required knowledge (courses) according to prospective students' educational background.Originality/valueThe conducted study suggests the required knowledge and skills for transmuters to acquire, based on their educational background, and reports a set of motivational factors attracting them to adopt the data science field.
Big data and data analytics in auditing: in search of legitimacy
Authors: De Santis Federica , D’Onza Giuseppe 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThis study aims to analyze the utilization of big data and data analytics (BDA) in financial auditing, focusing on the process of producing legitimacy around these techniques, the factors fostering or hindering such process and the action auditors take to legitimate BDA inside and outside the audit community.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis bases on semi-structured interviews with partners and senior managers of Italian audit companies.FindingsThe BDA’s legitimation process is more advanced in the audit professional environment than outside the audit community. The Big Four lead the BDA-driven audit innovation process and BDA is used to complement traditional audit procedures. Outside the audit community, the digital maturity of audit clients, the lack of audit standards and the audit oversight authority’s negative view prevent the full legitimation of BDA.Practical implicationsThis research highlights factors influencing the utilization of BDA to enhance audit quality. The results can, thus, be used to enhance the audit strategy and to innovate audit practices by using BDA as a source of adequate audit evidence. Audit regulators and standards setters can also use the results to revise the current auditing standards and guidance.Originality/valueThis study adds to the literature on digital transformation in auditing by analyzing the legitimation process of a new audit technique. The paper answers the call for more empirical studies on the utilization of BDA in financial auditing by analyzing the application of such techniques in an unexplored operational setting in which auditees are mainly medium-sized enterprises and family-run businesses.