bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does on-the-job training help graduates find a job? Evidence from an Italian region
Authors: Ghirelli Corinna , Havari Enkelejda , Santangelo Giulia , Scettri Marta 
Published: February 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate a recent training programme for graduates, implemented in Italy and entitled Work Experience Laureati and Laureate, i.e. Work Experience for Graduates. The aim of the programme was to increase the career prospects of unemployed graduates in the region of Umbria.Design/methodology/approachThe authors rely on administrative data and matching methods to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention in terms of employability of participants.FindingsThe results show that participants are more likely to be employed and to sign an apprenticeship contract within the region boundaries. The authors also find substantial differences in employability and type of contract by gender, with men having a higher probability of finding a job (permanent contract and apprenticeship). The authors show that this may be explained by the different choices in terms of field of study, with males being more prone to enrol in scientific areas and females in the humanities.Research limitations/implicationsIt is an intervention implemented in one Italian region.Originality/valueThis is one of the few studies that analyses the effectiveness of active labour market policies targeting unemployed graduates, especially in the Italian context. The authors rely on different administrative data sources that allow them to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme.
Creating high performance partnerships in Asia: the case of NEH the Philippines
Authors: de Waal André , de Haas Jeroen 
Published: February 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate a previously developed framework for creating so-called high performance partnerships (HPPs), which yields a competitive advantage for all firms in the partnership, in the Asian context.Design/methodology/approachThe HPP framework is evaluated for a Philippine organization that produces, markets and ships bananas in Asia. The evaluation entailed conducting a questionnaire, statistically redeveloping the framework and organizing several feedback workshops with the partner firms, the latter aiming to discuss and agree to improvements that each partner could implement to achieve high performance in the value chain.FindingsThe results showed that the evaluated HPP framework can be used to score the quality of each partner in the chain and to yield targeted recommendations to improve the performance of each partner firm. The subsequent application of the recommendations derived from applying the HPP framework created substantial profits for the partner firms.Originality/valueOriginally developed in a western context and applied to a value chain of European organizations, the HPP framework was successfully applied for the first time in the Asian context, to evaluate the performance of an Asian value chain and identify areas for improvement of the Asian partner firms. As such, the results contribute both to the HPP literature, filling a gap therein, and to practice, as Asian organizations can use with confidence a framework which has been validated in their context.
Estimation of reliability of multicomponent stress-strength of a bathtub shape or increasing failure rate function
Authors: Dey Sanku , Moala Fernando Antonio 
Published: February 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to deal with the Bayesian and non-Bayesian estimation methods of multicomponent stress-strength reliability by assuming the Chen distribution.Design/methodology/approachThe reliability of a multicomponent stress-strength system is obtained by the maximum likelihood (MLE) and Bayesian methods and the results are compared by using MCMC technique for both small and large samples.FindingsThe simulation study shows that Bayes estimates based onγprior with absence of prior information performs little better than the MLE with regard to both biases and mean squared errors. The Bayes credible intervals for reliability are also shorter length with competitive coverage percentages than the condence intervals. Further, the coverage probability is quite close to the nominal value in all sets of parameters when both sample sizesnandmincreases.Originality/valueThe lifetime distributions used in reliability analysis as exponential,γ, lognormal and Weibull only exhibit monotonically increasing, decreasing or constant hazard rates. However, in many applications in reliability and survival analysis, the most realistic hazard rate is bathtub-shaped found in the Chen distribution. Therefore, the authors have studied the multicomponent stress-strength reliability under the Chen distribution by comparing the MLE and Bayes estimators.
The role of virtual try-on technology in online purchase decision from consumers’ aspect
Authors: Zhang Tingting , Wang William Yu Chung , Cao Ling , Wang Yan 
Published: February 2019

Purpose
Online shopping has continued to grow in popularity, and the advance of internet technology has enhanced customers’ experiences. One technology online retailers have been using to increase sales is virtual try-on (VTO). The purpose of this paper is to investigate how such technology affects online consumers’ purchase decision process towards purchase intention, especially from an integration of utilitarian, hedonic and risk perspectives, by using advanced partial least square (PLS) approaches.

Design/methodology/approach
This study applied a web-based survey approach for data collection from online apparel retailing websites. The survey instrument was developed by adapting previously validated measurement items. The valid data collected were analysed using PLS with multi-group analyses. Advanced PLS techniques such as examination of discriminant validity using heterotrait-monotrait ratio, tests of out-of-sample prediction performance, and measurement invariance of composite models were applied.

Findings
The results of examining the proposed model reveal that customers’ attitude towards VTO technology can affect their intention to purchase a garment online, which is affected by perceived usefulness, perceived enjoyment and perceived privacy risk. Perceived ease of use is found to affect perceived usefulness and perceived helpfulness. The results also show no significant differences among age groups and genders in terms of the role of VTO technology in the full decision process towards online purchase intention.

Originality/value
This study enhances the understanding of the roles that VTO technology plays in consumers’ online purchase intention by providing an integrative view of its utilitarian value, hedonic value and risk. This study demonstrates the feasibility of applying advanced PLS techniques to investigate online consumer behaviour, particularly in the field of VTO application in online retailing. Implications for online retailers and designers of VTO technology are also derived from the findings.
Revenue diversification in public higher learning institutions: an exploratory Malaysian study
Authors: Nik Ahmad Nik Nazli , Siraj Siti Alawiah , Ismail Suhaiza 
Published: February 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent of revenue diversification of selected Malaysian public higher learning institutions (HLIs) and the perceptions of senior officers of Malaysian public HLIs on matters related to revenue diversification.

Design/methodology/approach
The study analyses data from the HLIs’ financial statements to compute the Hirschman-Herfindahl Index (HHI) for revenue diversification and a perception survey with senior officers of the Malaysian public HLIs.

Findings
The results suggest that while a majority of the Malaysian public HLIs were still dependent largely on government funding, the more established and larger HLIs had a slightly more diversified revenue structure. The survey suggested that overall the senior officers were receptive to the need for revenue diversification.

Research limitations/implications
The paper is largely based on a perception survey. Future work should utilise in-depth interviews and/or focus groups and a more in-depth analysis of financial statement data to provide richer data.

Practical implications
The study’s findings provide useful baseline data upon which further work may be built, particularly in the less explored developing country context. They will also prove useful to the administrators of public HLIs in other parts of the world facing a similar financial austerity situation.

Originality/value
The present study examines both the extent of revenue diversification of HLIs as well as senior HLI officers’ perceptions on revenue diversification strategies. Most prior studies on revenue diversification have examined non-profit organisations, not HLIs and most were either only perception-based studies or only looked at the extent of revenue diversification using the HHI.
Product knowledge and information processing of organic foods
Authors: Stanton Julie V. , Cook Laurel Aynne 
Published: February 2019

PurposeThis paper aims to examine how product knowledge influences consumers to consider available information before choosing between organic and non-organic options. As “certified organic” is based on a complex standard in the USA, many consumers have only partial understanding of the term. This research shows how that knowledge influences consumer evaluation of the options presented in the market.Design/methodology/approachA two-study experimental survey that offers respondents a choice between two canned soups, one organic and one not, along with front- and back-of-label information which they can decide to use is utilized. The two studies differ in inclusion of national brand.FindingsConsumer behavior with respect to information significantly affects rationale for product choice, and higher levels of knowledge are associated with choice rationale. Objective and subjective knowledge influence information processing differently. Inaccurate knowledge displayed by consumers influences their information processing behavior.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the survey stimuli are a realistic representation of two products, the online survey abstracts from in-store distractors that might influence behavior. The product chosen, while familiar and commonly consumed, is a low-involvement product which may reduce consumer effort.Practical/implicationsMarketers of organic foods must understand the level of knowledge held by consumers, as well as the information that most influences their choices if the industry is to grow further.Originality/valueThis study contrasts subjective and objective knowledge about organic foods and calculates the degree to which consumers under- versus over-estimate “organic” in their ignorance. As such, the research offers insight into a well-established label claim that has yet to achieve significant market share.
How vendor capabilities impact IT outsourcing performance
Authors: Wang Meng-Meng , Wang Jian-Jun 
Published: February 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the underlying mechanisms through which integration capability and learning capability influence IT outsourcing performance from vendor’s perspective.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper develops a moderated mediation model to explain the underlying influence processes of integration capability and learning capability on vendor’s performance. A sample of 237 vendor firms was obtained from China through two separated surveys. The hypotheses were tested with the partial least squares method and bias-corrected bootstrapping method.

Findings
The empirical results indicate that external integration capability (EIC) mediates the effect of internal integration capability (IIC) on vendor outsourcing performance, and the relationship between EIC and vendor performance is positively moderated by learning capability, while learning capability has a negative moderating effect on the link between IIC and vendor performance. Further, the conditional indirect effect is suggested. The indirect effect of IIC on vendor performance through EIC becomes non-significant when learning capability is low.

Originality/value
This study highlights the counterintuitive notion that learning capability may not always have uniformly positive effects and figure out the mechanism through which integration capability and learning capability can effectively improve IT outsourcing performance.
Sensemaking through a storytelling lens
Authors: Heath Michele , Porter Tracy 
Published: February 2019

PurposeDrawing from the extant literature on sensemaking theory, the purpose of this paper is to understand how physicians view health information exchange (HIE) implementation and how their stories frame the situation.Design/methodology/approachThis paper utilizes content analysis with sensemaking theory as a theoretical lens to analyze physicians’ interviews.FindingsThe stories within this study draw attention to how sensemaking might impact the HIE implementation process. The findings demonstrated four well-defined manifest themes specific to sensemaking: bracketing, enactment, social and identity construction. There were sub-themes that cut across major themes: financial implications, practice changes and impact on professional reputation. The data demonstrated that each participant singled out items or events specific to the HIE change process in order to make sense of the change as an entirety.Originality/valueNo other study has applied sensemaking in an effort to gain insight into the ways physicians view the HIE process. Therefore, this study offers a unique perspective which might provide a framework through which to understand the possible barriers to successful implementation of HIE from a physician.
A knowledge-based system for overall supply chain performance evaluation: a multi-criteria decision making approach
Authors: Khan Sharfuddin Ahmed , Chaabane Amin , Dweiri Fikri 
Published: February 2019

Purpose
Existing supply chain (SC) performance models are not able to cope with the potential of intensive SC digitalisation and establish a relationship between decisions and decision criteria. The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated knowledge-based system (KBS) that creates a link between decisions and decision criteria (attributes) and evaluates the overall SC performance.

Design/methodology/approach
The proposed KBS is grounded on the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (fuzzy AHP), which establishes a relationship between short-term and long-term decisions and SC performance criteria (short-term and long-term) for accurate and integrated Overall SC performance evaluation.

Findings
The proposed KBS evaluates the overall SC performance, establishes a relationship between decisions (long-term and short-term) and decision criteria of SC functions and provides decision makers with a view of the impact of their short-term or long-term decisions on overall SC performance. The proposed system was implemented in a case company where the authors were able to develop a SC performance monitoring dashboard for the company’s top managers and operational managers.

Practical implications
The proposed KBS assists organisations and decision makers in evaluating their overall SC performance and helps in identifying underperforming SC functions and their associated criteria. It may also be considered as a tool for benchmarking SC performance against competitors. It can efficiently point to improvement directions and help decision makers improve overall SC performance.

Originality/value
The proposed KBS provides a holistic and integrated approach, establishes a relationship between decisions and decision criteria and evaluates overall SC performance, which is one of the main limitations in existing supply chain performance measurement systems.
Manufacturer structural embeddedness and the network rent: the intervening role of relational embeddedness in the triadic supply chains
Authors: Swierczek Artur 
Published: February 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the manufacturer that occupies the central position in the triadic supply chain is capable of enhancing relationships within both dyads to produce the network rent and extra profit shared among all supply chain actors.Design/methodology/approachThe paper opted for an exploratory study using a survey of triads forming supply chains. To reveal the capability of yielding the network rent in the examined triads, multiple regression analysis with Interaction effects was used. Having confirmed the existence of supernormal profit, the partial least square path model was developed to investigate the effects of manufacturer structural embeddedness on relational embeddedness and the resulting impact on the network rent.FindingsThe obtained findings show that manufacturer structural embeddedness has a direct and positive effect on relational embeddedness and relational embeddedness of two dyads (represented as a higher order factor) has a direct and positive effect on the network rent. In addition, relational embeddedness mediates the positive relationship between manufacturer structural embeddedness and network rent, as the null model with no mediation appears to underestimate the direct and positive effect between manufacturer structural embeddedness and the network rent.Research limitations/implicationsThe study makes three key contributions. First, it extends the application of both relational and structural embeddedness to grasp the network architecture of the triadic supply chain. Second, the concept of manufacturer structural embeddedness is used to elaborate on the role of the manufacturer in establishing relationships of high quality with the supplier and the customer. In connection to the previous point, the calculated network rent demonstrates that establishing collaborative relationships in triadic supply chains may bring a significant supernormal profit, derived as the outcome of mutual interplay between the relational performances of two dyads.Practical implicationsThe study shows that manufacturers intending to use their central position to develop collaborative relationships with both partners, and the supplier and the customer, ought to appreciate the role of social ties embedded in interorganizational networks. The paper also implies that in parallel with using formal contracts as a governance mechanism, the manufacturer centrally positioned in the triadic supply chains ought to deliberately shape relational embeddedness of both dyads. Finally, managers can consider the ways to enhance relational embeddedness in a triad by improving relational embeddedness of a certain dyad.Originality/valueThis study provides a novel framework for studying two basic dimensions of embeddedness (structural and relational) and their impact on the network rent in triadic supply chains that goes beyond the dyadic perspective and incorporates the extended supply chain.
3D printing strategic deployment: the supply chain perspective
Authors: Braziotis Christos , Rogers Helen , Jimo Ajeseun 
Published: February 2019

Purpose
The emergence and application of 3D Printing (3DP) is changing the way products are developed and reach the customer, allowing for unprecedented customisation options. Past research has focussed on the modus operandi of the technology, providing indications for wider future adoption. 3DP is predicted to complement current production processes and is anticipated to have a profound effect on the value chain and, therefore, on supply chain (SC) management. Management-related 3DP research has, however, been largely fragmented in terms of analysing the strategic deployment of 3DP and the corresponding effects on performance objectives. The aim of this paper is to identify, define and exemplify typical 3DP deployment strategies pursued.

Design/methodology/approach
The approach taken is a critical literature review, synthesising and interpreting past research on cross-industry deployment of 3DP, including illustrative examples. This enabled the development of a framework of current stage knowledge.

Findings
Building on past research, the authors propose a conceptual framework to be used as a classification system for 3DP operations, based on process and SC level configurations across different industries. They discuss the potential impact on operations performance objectives and then highlight research gaps, proposing specific research avenues to enhance understanding of the effects of 3DP adoption on SCs.

Practical implications
The proposed framework outlines strategic guidelines for 3DP and provides practitioners with the range of strategic options available for 3DP deployment and anticipated impacts on performance.

Originality/value
The framework can be used to map 3DP deployment at an operational level and identify the likely impact on performance objectives. Relevant implications and a future research agenda are explored.
Assessing General Motors’ innovation strategy over three decades using the “Three Box Solution”
Authors: Barabba Vincent 
Published: February 2019

Purpose
Professor Vijay Govindarajan’s “Three Box Solution” framework provides a useful way of looking at a transformative business innovation initiative started at General Motors almost three decades ago and now being further developed by its current CEO Mary Barra.

Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on 18 years of experience at GM the author offers insights into how the company used the “Three Box” aproach: 10;•9;Box 1: Strengthen the core. 10;•9;Box 2: Let go of the practices that drive the core business but hinder the new one. 10;•9;Box 3: Invented a new business model. 10;

Findings
GM management found creative ways to enable the current business to thrive while exploring the potential market for a visionary business model.

Practical implications
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Originality/value
Based on actual experience of participating in strategy development this paper should help decision makers address their current actions and future strategies simultaneously.
Changes in inflammatory markers correlated with increased testosterone after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in obese Chinese men with acanthosis nigricans
Authors: Zhu Cuiling , Mei Fangyun , Gao Jingyang , Zhou Donglei , Lu Liesheng , Qu Shen 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBariatric surgery is an effective method for severe obesity and its related comorbidities. This study was performed to explore the alterations of sex hormones and inflammatory markers following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) among obese Chinese men with acanthosis nigricans (AN). Sixty‐five obese men who underwent LSG were enrolled, comprising simple obesity without AN (OB group, n = 20) and obesity with AN (AN group, n = 45). There were 31 healthy male controls with normal body mass index (BMI) included. Anthropometry data, inflammatory markers, sex hormones and metabolic parameters were compared preoperatively and 12 months post‐operatively. At baseline, patients in the AN group were associated with more severe metabolic abnormalities than the OB and control groups. Twelve months after surgery, AN patients obtained significant improvement in skin condition and reduction in AN score. BMI, fasting insulin (FINS), and Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA‐IR), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and total testosterone (TT) were significantly changed in both groups, while interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8 and C‐reactive protein were changed significantly only in the AN group. Moreover, FINS, HOMA‐IR, TT and IL‐6 levels were changed more in the AN group than those in the OB group. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that TT increase correlated significantly with reduction in FINS and HOMA‐IR in both groups, but correlated with changes in IL‐6 only in the AN group. In conclusion, LSG is effective in improving the skin condition of obese men with AN. The increased TT in AN patients correlated with amelioration of inflammatory state in addition to insulin resistance after LSG.