bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Competitive advantage and processor demand for local and imported food ingredients: analysis from an urban dairy market in West Africa
Authors: Vroegindewey Ryan , Richardson Robert B. , Chung Kimberly , Theriault Veronique , Ortega David L. 
Published: February 2021

PurposeIn Mali, dairy processors mostly use imported powdered milk rather than local fresh milk, constraining the development of a domestic milk sector. We investigate factors motivating a firm's choice of milk input, to identify measures that can encourage demand for fresh milk.Design/methodology/approachWe utilize case study data from nine firms that use fresh and powdered milk to varying degrees, and which are representative of dairy processing in Bamako. To model firm motivations, we assess how each input contributes to or detracts from firm competitive advantage, through its influence on cost and differentiation.FindingsFirms using fresh milk pay a higher input price, incur higher transaction costs and face additional challenges in production and distribution. Firms distinguish themselves from competitors through four potential sources of differentiation: novel product types, quality enhancements, quality-signaling and unique packaging. However, fresh milk firms are less likely to exploit each source of differentiation.Research limitations/implicationsCompetitive advantage is a useful framework for understanding firm behavior in developing markets and can be applied in other contexts to strengthen external validity.Originality/valueThe extant economics literature on African dairy development has been surprisingly silent on the threat of import competition. This research is one of the first to investigate this issue in the under-studied middle segment of food value chains.
The linkages among supplier relationship, customer relationship and supply performance
Authors: Vanichchinchai Assadej 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
This study aims to explore the links among supplier relationship (SR), customer relationship (CR) and supply performance (SP): cost, flexibility, partnership and responsiveness for manufacturing sector in Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach
Having extensively reviewed literature, the survey instruments were proposed and validated by experts and statistical techniques. Path analysis of structural equation modeling was used to assess the hypotheses.

Findings
It revealed that CR has significant positive direct effects on every SP construct. SR has a significant positive direct effect on CR but has no significant positive effects on SP. However, SR has significant positive total effects and indirect effects on every SP through CR.

Originality/value
This study presents insights into the arguments about the links among SR, CR and SP. SR should not be introduced alone. It should be applied together with CR to improve SP.
Ethical misconducts within the invitation to tender and tender evaluation and award stages of construction contracts in Ghana
Authors: Agyekum Kofi , Adinyira Emmanuel , Amudjie Judith 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the views of construction practitioners on the prevalence of ethical misconduct within the invitation to tender and tender evaluation and award stages of construction contracts in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach
Following a critical comparative review of literature resulting in the identification of 18 potential misconducts within the invitation to tender and 11 potential misconducts within the tender evaluation and award stages of construction contracts, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 65 construction professionals. Data obtained from the survey were analysed using both descriptive (i.e. frequencies, mean scores and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (paired t-test), followed by gap analysis.

Findings
The findings revealed that corrupt, fraudulent, collusive or coercive practices, client divulging more information to the preferred bidder and inflating tender prices by tenderers in return for kickbacks are key unethical practices prevalent at the invitation to tender stage. Following these key unethical practices, the findings further suggested through gap analysis that submission of bids on non-working days and inadequate time for preparation and submission of tenders were the top two unethical practices that needed serious interventions at this stage. At the tender evaluation and award stage, the findings revealed that interference by influential people in political positions, fake tendering and bid shopping are prevalent. Again, from the gap analysis, interference by influential people in political positions and poor definition of selection criteria were identified to be the two key unethical practices that need urgent intervention at this stage of construction contracts.

Practical implications
This study holds a significant practical implication in the sense that key unethical practices at the invitation to tender and tender evaluation and award stages of construction contracts have been identified, and this provides a suitable basis for stakeholders that spearhead such activities to offer suitable interventions to control such practices.

Originality/value
This study contributes to the body of knowledge as it uncovers ethical misconducts within two important phases of construction contracts in a developing country setting. As there is a continuous effort by the international community towards finding lasting solutions to such misconducts, the findings from this study can be used as a starting point for appropriate policies to be put in place in Ghana to control such misconducts.
Developing a fuzzy goal programming model for health, safety and environment risks based on hybrid fuzzy FMEA-VIKOR method
Authors: Nabizadeh Masoumeh , Khalilzadeh Mohammad , Ebrahimnejad Sadoullah , Ershadi Mohammad Javad 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
The activities of the oil industry from discovery to distribution of oil products have adverse effects on human and environment. Thus, the companies that are active in this industry should identify and manage their risks. The purpose of this paper is to prioritize the identified risks based on different measures such as cost, occurrence, etc. Then, selecting the most important corrective actions using goal-programming approach is another objective of this study.

Design/methodology/approach
To identify the health, safety and environment (HSE) risks, the Fuzzy Delphi method was used. The failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and fuzzy Vlse Kriterijumsk Optimizacija Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) methods covering the deficits of FMEA were used to rank the HSE risks. Unlike similar researches, in the proposed FMEA–VIKOR method, the risk priority number was not calculated. In addition to severity, occurrence and detection, the parameters such as time, cost and quality, being considered for ranking the risks, were weighted by the Eigenvector method. Then, a fuzzy goal-programming model was developed for determining the best solutions of risk response.

Findings
The research findings indicated that the most important risks include fire and blast because of tank and pipeline, leakage of connections and pipelines and industrial waste. Also, the most important risk responses include using and strengthening the alarm and fire extinguishing systems, using fiberglass tanks to prevent pipeline corrosion, using modern technology to have more efficient oil refining.

Originality/value
The main contribution of this paper is using hybrid approach of FMEA–VIKOR for risk ranking by considering different measures such as time, cost and quality besides severity, occurrence and detection. Providing a fuzzy goal-programming framework for determining the main risk responses is another value for this research.
Institutional ownership of dual-class companies
Authors: Burson Jonathan J. , Jensen Marlin R.H. 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
This study aims to examine institutional ownership of companies that go public with dual-class share structures.

Design/methodology/approach
Several recent studies have discussed the potential advantages and disadvantages of the dual-class structure, which allows founders and insiders to maintain control of the firms they created through superior voting rights. Institutional investors oppose the dual-class structure, arguing that inferior voting rights make it difficult to respond to poor governance or performance. Previous research has shown the early value-added to the dual-class firm declines through time. This study examines institutional ownership of dual-class companies through time and compares institutional investments in initial public offerings with perpetual superior-class structures versus those with provisions to sunset those shares to one-share, one-vote structures.

Findings
Evidence suggests that institutional investors view perpetual dual-class structures as potentially riskier in terms of poor governance or performance and prefer dual-class companies with sunset provisions.

Originality/value
This study suggests that founders and insiders should consider either the dual-class structure with a sunset provision or if they choose the perpetual dual-class, it should include some type of event-driven safeguards.
External debt vulnerability in emerging markets and developing economies during the COVID-19 shock
Authors: Elkhishin Sarah , Mohieldin Mahmoud 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThis paper aims to assess to what extent the COVID-19 shock is expected to create a debt crisis in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) through two main questions: what are the main determinants of EMDEs external vulnerability? How vulnerable are EMDEs to the current COVID-19 shock compared to the global financial crisis (GFC)?Design/methodology/approachIn addition to a descriptive analysis of the determinants of EMDEs external vulnerability, this paper designs two sub-indices of overindebtedness and financial fragility that capture EMDEs’ distinct characteristics. The two sub-indices together illustrate the overall external vulnerability to the current shock.FindingsEMDEs are more vulnerable compared to the GFC era. Current debt threats arise mainly from debt architecture and the domination of volatile debt forms – primarily foreign currency-denominated bonds. Excessive fear of debt-deflation spirals after the GFC prompted EMDEs to expand their growth trajectories through a pattern of cheap private lending, loose measures and unmonitored fiscal expansion.Research limitations/implicationsConclusive post-crisis data are still unavailable.Practical implicationsEMDEs need to balance between temporary accommodative measures and a post-shock policy mix that prevent a deflation spiral without worsening indebtedness and financial fragility. Moreover, financial prudence in face of growing credit demand is crucial, particularly in light of the monetary expansion and injected liquidity.Originality/valueThe indices offer a framework for examining external vulnerability in EMDEs based on theoretical and historical revisions, IMF benchmarks and EMDEs specific debt characteristics. The indices components can be offered for empirical examination in separate future research once conclusive data become available.
Social value cocreation: a mode of value cocreation
Authors: Haase Michaela 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThis paper aims to present a value cocreation framework that furthers understanding of social value cocreation.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is an interdisciplinary conceptual analysis drawing on social enterprise studies, marketing research and philosophical value theory. It applies a visible-hand approach to the study of market relationships and, in line with philosophical research strategies, unfolds its analysis using conceptual distinctions.FindingsThis study provides a framework that substantiates the distinction between two modes of value cocreation and identifies the structure of the social enterprise business model. It explains how social enterprises can be conceived as role models for for-profit organizations, and it elucidates why social value cocreation is a demanding objective.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper develops an integrative, nondichotomist view of value cocreation that does not conceptualize social and economic value cocreation as opposing goals.Practical implicationsSocial enterprises can use the business model structure and two modes of value cocreation and view themselves as role models for for-profit organizations.Social implicationsThis paper applies a visible-hand approach to both for-profit organizations and social enterprises. Using its framework, for-profit organizations can reflect on the consequences of their actions on society and how social value cocreation can improve social enterprise effectiveness.Originality/valueTo the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is the first to bridge service-oriented approaches to marketing and social enterprise studies using philosophical value theory to improve understanding of social value cocreation.
Examining the bidirectional relationship between food insecurity and healthcare spending
Authors: Johnson Karl T. , Palakshappa Deepak , Basu Sanjay , Seligman Hilary , Berkowitz Seth A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo improve food insecurity interventions, we sought to better understand the hypothesized bidirectional relationship between food insecurity and health care expenditures.Data SourceNationally representative sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United States (2016‐2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey [MEPS]).Study DesignIn a retrospective longitudinal cohort, we conducted two sets of analyses: (a) two‐part models to examine the association between food insecurity in 2016 and health care expenditures in 2017; and (b) logistic regression models to examine the association between health care expenditures in 2016 and food insecurity in 2017. We adjusted for demographic and socioeconomic variables as well as 2016 health care expenditures and food insecurity.Data CollectionHealth care expenditures, food insecurity, and medical condition data from 10 886 adults who were included in 2016‐2017 MEPS.Principal FindingsFood insecurity in 2016, compared with being food secure, was associated with both a higher odds of having any health care expenditures in 2017 (OR 1.29, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.60) and greater total expenditures ($1738.88 greater, 95% CI: $354.10 to $3123.57), which represents approximately 25% greater expenditures. Greater 2016 health care expenditures were associated with slightly higher odds of being food insecure in 2017 (OR 1.007 per $1000 in expenditures, 95% CI: 1.002 to 1.012, P =0.01). Exploratory analyses suggested that poor health status may underlie the relationship between food insecurity and health care expenditures.ConclusionsA bidirectional relationship exists between food insecurity and health care expenditures, but the strength of either direction appears unequal. Higher health care expenditures are associated with a slightly greater risk of being food insecure (adjusted for baseline food insecurity status) but being food insecure is associated with substantially greater subsequent health care expenditures (adjusted for baseline health care expenditures). Interventions to address food insecurity and poor health may be helpful to break this cycle.
A review of bread qualities and current strategies for bread bioprotection: Flavor, sensory, rheological, and textural attributes
Authors: Dong YiNing , Karboune Salwa 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe unequivocal economical and social values of bread as a staple food commodity lead to constant interests in optimizing its postproduction quality and extending its shelf life, which is related to the maintenance and enhancement of flavors and textural properties, and finally, to the delay of microbial spoilage. The latter has been the subject of a multitude of studies and reviews, in which the different approaches and views were discussed. However, variations in bread freshness, flavor, and textural quality are still of concerns for the bread making industry, in conjunction with the expectation from consumers for bread products with high‐quality attributes and free of synthetic ingredients that satisfy their pleasure and their sustainable lifestyle. This review mainly focuses on the quality profiles of bread, including flavor, rheological, textural, and sensorial aspects; on the modalities to assess them; as well as on the conventional and emerging approaches developed so far over the past decades. The applications of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and enzymes as bioprotective technologies are examined and discussed, along with active packaging and novel processing technologies for either the maintenance or improvement of bread qualities during storage.
High pressure processing combined with selected hurdles: Enhancement in the inactivation of vegetative microorganisms
Authors: Yang Peiqing , Rao Lei , Zhao Liang , Wu Xiaomeng , Wang Yongtao , Liao Xiaojun 
Published: February 2021

AbstractHigh pressure processing (HPP) as a nonthermal processing (NTP) technology can ensure microbial safety to some extent without compromising food quality. However, for vegetative microorganisms, the existence of pressure‐resistant subpopulations, the revival of sublethal injury (SLI) state cells, and the resuscitation of viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state cells may constitute potential food safety risks and pose challenges for the further development of HPP application. HPP combined with selected hurdles, such as moderately elevated or low temperature, low pH, natural antimicrobials (bacteriocin, lactate, reuterin, endolysin, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase system, chitosan, essential oils), or other NTP (CO2, UV‐TiO2 photocatalysis, ultrasound, pulsed electric field, ultrafiltration), have been highlighted as feasible alternatives to enhance microbial inactivation (synergistic or additive effect). These combinations can effectively eliminate the pressure‐resistant subpopulation, reduce the population of SLI or VBNC state cells and inhibit their revival or resuscitation. This review provides an updated overview of the microbial inactivation by the combination of HPP and selected hurdles and restructures the possible inactivation mechanisms.
Preparation, and physicochemical and biological evaluation of chitosan‐Arthrospira platensis polysaccharide active films for food packaging
Authors: Luo Aiguo , Hu Bianfang , Feng Jia , Lv Junping , Xie Shulian 
Published: February 2021

AbstractActive films from chitosan incorporated with Arthrospira platensis polysaccharide (APP) of various ratios (0.0%, 0.5%, and 1.0%, w/v) were developed by solution casting. The effect of APP on the structural, physicochemical, mechanical, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of the chitosan‐APP films (CA‐film) was investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) confirmed successful incorporation of chitosan and APP. The compact structure of the films was observed clearly in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) images. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns suggest the semi‐crystalline structure was increased upon addition of APP. The composite films showed an improved water resistance and vapor barrier properties, and reduced by at least 27.4% and 32.1% in swelling degree (Sd) and water vapor permeability (WVP) compared with chitosan film (C‐film), respectively. However, the transparency decreased slightly, which may be due to the shrinkage of the spacing of the polymer interchain. The composite films also displayed enhanced the mechanical properties. The antimicrobial activity of the CA‐film showed an increase of at least of 0.41‐fold in inhibition zone diameter for E. coli. At a concentration of 1.2 mg/mL, the antioxidant activity of CA‐film was enhanced by more than threefold compared with C‐film. Therefore, CA‐films have good potential as sources of active packaging material for the food industry.
Characteristic gut microbiota and metabolic changes in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Wang Shuting , Yang Liya , Hu Haiyang , Lv Longxian , Ji Zhongkang , Zhao Yanming , Zhang Hua , Xu Min , Fang Rongfeng , Zheng Lin , Ding Cheng , Yang Meifan , Xu Kaijin , Li Lanjuan 
Published: February 2021

SummaryIntestinal flora provides an important contribution to the development of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). We performed a cross‐sectional study in 52 healthy controls (HCs) and 83 patients with untreated active PTB to assess the differences in their microbiomic and metabolic profiles in faeces via V3‐V4 16S rRNA gene sequencing and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Patients with PTB had considerable reductions in phylogenetic alpha diversity and the production of short‐chain fatty acids, dysbiosis of the intestinal flora and alterations in the faecal metabolomics composition compared with HCs. Significant alterations in faecal metabolites were associated with changes in the relative abundance of specific genera. Our study describes the imbalance of the gut microbiota and altered faecal metabolomics profiles in patients with PTB; the results indicate that the gut microbiota and faecal metabolomic profiles can be used as potential preventive and therapeutic targets for PTB.
Remarkable response to pembrolizumab with platinum‐doublet in PD‐L1‐low pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma: A case report
Authors: Taniguchi Hirokazu , Takemoto Shinnosuke , Ozasa Mutsumi , Honda Noritaka , Suyama Takayuki , Umeyama Yasuhiro , Dotsu Yosuke , Nakao Takumi , Tomohito Kojima , Gyotoku Hiroshi , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki , Miyazaki Taiga , Sakamoto Noriho , Obase Yasushi , Fukuda Minoru , Fukuoka Junya , Mukae Hiroshi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (SC) is an aggressive subtype of lung cancer that exhibits resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Although programmed cell death 1 (PD‐1) inhibitors have been reported to show antitumor effects in patients with high programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expressing SC, the efficacy of combined therapy with PD‐1 inhibitor plus cytotoxic chemotherapy has not previously been clarified. We herein report a case of SC with low expression of PD‐L1 and few pre‐existing tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes which showed a remarkable response to pembrolizumab plus cytotoxic chemotherapy as first‐line treatment. Our findings suggest that combined treatment might enhance the immunogenic response, even in immunologically ignored SCs.