bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human resource management, commitment and performance links in Iran and Turkey
Authors: Torlak N. Gökhan , Kuzey Cemil , Ragom Maral 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the influences of human resource management (HRM) practices on organizational commitment (OC), individual job performance (IJP) and organizational performance (OP) and the effects of OC on IJP and OP at travel agencies in Iran and Turkey. Given research site observation, improving HRM practices fostering OC, IJP and OP was essential to high service quality in hospitality industry.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through a survey based on interview and e-mail from 440 employees working at travel agencies in both countries. Analysis methodology included demographic statistics, descriptive statistics, factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis.FindingsOnly reward (RE), teamwork (TW), job description (JD), delegation (DL) and career management (CM) influenced affective commitment (AC); JD and CM affected continuance commitment (CC); and recruitment and selection (RS), RE, salary and wage (SW), TW, DL, job security (JS) and CM influenced normative commitment (NC) significantly and positively. Likewise, only RS, TR, SW, TW, DL and CM affected IJP; and TR, JS and CM affected OP significantly and positively. Finally, AC, CC and NC influenced IJP and only AC and CC impacted OP significantly and positively.Research limitations/implicationsSample and number of respondents were limited. Generalization of findings was not possible. E-mail respondents raised the problem of who filled the form. Scales did not include personality traits, socio-cultural features and economic conditions which should be explored. However, the research provided recommendations to travel agencies in both countries.Originality/valueThis study filled the gap in hospitality industry in Iran and Turkey where research works into wide-ranging HRM practices–OC–IJP–OP links were few and far between.
Determinants of liquidity in Malaysian SMEs: a quantile regression approach
Authors: Wasiuzzaman Shaista 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe management of liquidity has always been seen as a critical but often ignored issue in finance. Despite the abundance of studies on liquidity management, these studies mainly focus on developed countries and on large firms. Liquidity is critical for the small firm but studies on liquidity management in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are lacking. The purpose of this paper is to examine the firm-level determinants of liquidity of SMEs in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachData are collected for a total of 986 small firms in Malaysia from 2011 to 2014, resulting in a total of 2,683 observations. Firm-specific variables and the effect of the economy are considered as the possible determinants of liquidity. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis with standard errors adjusted for firm-level clustering and quantile regression analysis are used for this purpose.FindingsAnalysis using OLS regression technique indicates that a firm’s profitability, its growth, asset tangibility, size, age and firm status are significant factors in influencing its liquidity decision. Leverage and economic condition are not found to have any significant influence on liquidity. However, quantile regression analysis provides a different picture especially for SMEs with liquidity at the quantile levels ofθ=0.10 and 0.90. Atθ=0.10, only profitability, tangibility and firm status are significant, while atθ=0.90, tangibility, size, firm status and, to some extent, age are significant in influencing liquidity levels.Originality/valueTo the author’s knowledge, this is the first study analyzing the liquidity decision of SMEs in an emerging market such as Malaysia. Most studies on liquidity management of SMEs are focused on developed countries due to data availability but these studies are also only a handful. Additionally, this study uses quantile regression analysis which highlights the need to analyze financial decisions at different levels rather than at the aggregate level as done in OLS regression analysis.
Cold standby renewal process integrated with environmental factor effects for reliability evaluation of multiple autonomous robot system
Authors: Fazlollahtabar Hamed , Niaki Seyed Taghi Akhavan 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to estimate the required number of robots consisting of some non-repairable components, by employing a renewal model. Considering the importance of the availability of standby autonomous robots for reducing and preventing down-times of advanced production systems, which imposes a considerable loss, the present research tries to introduce a practical model for the determination of the required number of autonomous robots.Design/methodology/approachMost of the available research on the estimation of the required standby components based on the reliability characteristics of components has not considered the environmental factors influencing the reliability characteristics. Therefore, such estimations are not accurate enough. In contrast, this paper focuses on the influence of the environmental and human factors (e.g. the operators’ skill) on the robot reliability characteristics.FindingsA model based on the Weibull renewal process combined with the cold standby strategy is developed for reliability evaluation of the system. The effectiveness of the proposed integrated reliability evaluation model is worked out in some cases.Originality/valueDetermining a required number of robots is an important issue in availability and utilization of a complex robotic production system. In an advanced production system, while the estimation process of a required number of robots can be performed through different approaches, one of the realistic estimation methods is based on the system’s reliability that takes into consideration the system operating environment. To forecast the required number of robots for an existing production system, in some cases, the assumption of a constant failure rate does not differ much from the assumption of a non-constant failure rate and can be made with an acceptable error.
Exploring competitive priorities in the service sector: evidence from India
Authors: Idris Fazli , Naqshbandi M. Muzamil 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explain the components of competitive priorities of Indian service firms, to find out the competitive priorities of different service industries in India and to find out how these competitive priorities change across low- and high-performing service firms.

Design/methodology/approach
An empirical study of 166 firms from five different service industries is undertaken in New Delhi and its surroundings.

Findings
The results reveal the presence of three competitive priorities in the services sector in India: cost, flexibility and quality/delivery, with quality/delivery being the most distinctive competitive priority. Hotel and auto-repair industries are found to be focused on controlling costs, while hospitals, banks and private colleges prioritized quality/delivery. For high-performing firms, cost is the top most competitive priority, followed by quality/delivery and flexibility, while for low-performing firms, quality/delivery remains the top most competitive priority, followed by flexibility and cost.

Originality/value
The paper enhances the understanding of competitive priorities in the Indian services sector. The identification of competitive priorities of different service industries in India and their dynamics across different industries add value to the current literature and fill an important research gap. Additionally, surveying diverse industries in this paper reveals a holistic picture of the Indian service industry and helps achieve some degree of cross-industry perspective.
Experimental investigation of the curing behaviour of fibre composite structures with snap-cure polymer systems
Authors: Stanik Rafal , Langkamp Albert , Müller Michael , Gude Maik , Boczkowska Anna 
Published: October 2018

PurposeNovel snap-cure polymers (SCPs), as matrix systems for high-performance fibre composite materials, provide high potential for manufacturing of component families with small batch sizes and high variability. Especially, the processing of powdered SCP is associated with relatively simple and inexpensive tools. In addition, because of their curing behaviour, they allow short tooling times so that the production of small batch size components is possible in relatively short cycle times. To enable an efficient manufacturing process, an understanding of the curing process is necessary. An adjustment of the process parameters for a uniform design of the temperature field in the material during the manufacturing process is essential. The paper aims to discuss this issue.Design/methodology/approachFor this, a powder SCP resin system was investigated under process-specific conditions. An experimental test approach for determination of various thermal and kinetic material properties was developed. For the adjustment of the process parameters and monitoring of the curing state during the manufacturing process, a kinetic material model was determined. In the end, the validation of the determined model was performed. For this, the temperature distribution under process- specific conditions was measured in order to monitor the curing state of the material.FindingsThe experimental investigation showed an uneven temperature field in the material, which leads to an inhomogeneous curing process. This can lead to residual stresses in the structure, which have a critical impact on the material properties.Originality/valueThe determined kinetic model allows a prediction of the curing reaction and adjustment of the process parameters which is essential, especially for thick-walled components with SCPs.
Design of self-healing catalysts for aircraft application
Authors: Calabrese Elisa , Longo Pasquale , Naddeo Carlo , Mariconda Annaluisa , Vertuccio Luigi , Raimondo Marialuigia , Guadagno Liberata 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight the relevant role of the stereochemistry of two Ruthenium catalysts on the self-healing efficiency of aeronautical resins.Design/methodology/approachHere, a very detailed evaluation on the stereochemistry of two new ruthenium catalysts evidences the crucial role of the spatial orientation of phenyl groups in the N-heterocyclic carbene ligands in determining the temperature range within the curing cycles is feasible without deactivating the self-healing mechanisms (ring-opening metathesis polymerization reactions) inside the thermosetting resin. The exceptional activity and thermal stability of the HG2MesPhSyncatalyst, with the syn orientation of phenyl groups, highlight the relevant potentiality and the future perspectives of this complex for the activation of the self-healing function in aeronautical resins.FindingsThe HG2MesPhSyncomplex, with the syn orientation of the phenyl groups, is able to activate metathesis reactions within the highly reactive environment of the epoxy thermosetting resins, cured up to 180°C, while the other stereoisomer, with the anti-orientation of the phenyl groups, does not preserve its catalytic activity in these conditions.Originality/valueIn this paper, a comparison between the self-healing functionality of two catalytic systems has been performed, using metathesis tests and FTIR spectroscopy. In the field of the design of catalytic systems for self-healing structural materials, a very relevant result has been found: a slight difference in the molecular stereochemistry plays a key role in the development of self-healing materials for aeronautical and aerospace applications.
Corporate social responsibility disclosure level, external assurance and cost of equity capital
Authors: Weber Jessica Lee 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThis study aims to analyze whether corporate social responsibility (CSR) report characteristics, including disclosure level and external assurance, and reporting firms’ CSR performance, explain variation in cost of equity capital among CSR disclosers.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a propensity score matched sample of CSR reports prepared according to the Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) G3/G3.1 Reporting Guidelines.FindingsOverall, there does not appear to be a difference in cost of equity capital among CSR disclosers based on GRI disclosure level. The exception is for poor CSR performers reporting at the highest GRI disclosure levels, but not obtaining assurance. These firms may be suspected of greenwash and therefore have higher cost of equity capital than the reference group. Poor CSR performers, especially those reporting at the highest GRI disclosure levels, obtain the greatest cost of equity capital benefit associated with external assurance.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by showing that the cost of equity capital benefits associated with CSR disclosure and assurance do not accrue equally to all CSR disclosers. Specifically, this study is the first to provide empirical evidence of the cost of equity capital consequences of suspected greenwashing and empirically demonstrate the role of external assurance in mitigating greenwashing concerns among poor performers.
Profiling the international academic ghost writers who are providing low-cost essays and assignments for the contract cheating industry
Authors: Lancaster Thomas 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
Students have direct access to academic ghost writers who are able to provide for their assessment needs without the student needing to do any of the work. These ghost writers are helping to fuel the international industry of contract cheating, raising ethical dilemmas, but not much is known about the writers, their business or how they operate. This paper aims to explore how the ghost writers market their services and operate, based on observable information.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper reviews data from providers actively offering contract cheating services available to the public on Fiverr.com, a low-cost micro outsourcing site. The search term write essay is used to identify providers, finding 103 Gigs from 96 unique providers. Visible information, such as provider marketing, advertised services, pricing information and customer reviews, is analysed.

Findings
The results demonstrate that bespoke essays are readily available to students at a low cost. The majority of providers operate from Kenya. Revenue calculations indicate a price point of US$31.73 per 1,000 words, below the cost of traditional essay mills, but show that these 96 providers have generated around US$270,000 of essay writing business between them.

Originality/value
This study affords a look into a complex and established industry whose inner workings are normally kept private and for which little published information currently exists. The research adds to what is known about the extent, location and operation of the contract cheating industry.
Strategies to identify intercultural competences in community instructors
Authors: Gómez-Zermeño Marcela Georgina 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify intercultural competencies in community instructors who serve in CONAFE in Chiapas, México.

Design/methodology/approach
The study applied a mixed methods method, based on an ethnographic design with a naturalistic approach. The quantitative instrument was applied to 119 community instructors; from these participants, four interviews were conducted with a sample of case-type participants, and four cases are presented.

Findings
The results show differences between community instructors who demonstrate intercultural skills and those who require developing them. It is concluded that teachers should receive training that strengthens their intercultural competences to enable indigenous children to take advantage of the knowledge they acquire in their community and the pedagogical advantage offered by the use of their mother tongue in the teaching–learning process.

Originality/value
This educational research about intercultural competences in the field of indigenous education, community education and intercultural education provides significant learning that advances the understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity.
Transformation of public library websites in Indonesia
Authors: Anna Nove E. Variant 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to observe the province’s public library websites in Indonesia and to give some recommendation about knowledge portal website that can support the creation and invention of knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach
Data and information were gathered by observing library websites at the provincial level to see the digital survey and collection. This survey includes 34 province public library websites in the period from August 1 to 15, 2017. As the survey focuses on the availability of online digital collections, availability of digital services such as the user can have conversation with the librarian through a chat reference service, the availability of trusted external information sources, the availability of user forums for discussion.

Findings
The result of the research showed that the public library websites in Indonesia are still static (less interactive) and only give standard information about the library services, its operational hours, contact numbers and their collection. According to the result, it is recommended for every public library transforms its website into a knowledge portal website that can give a real and direct effect to the users, especially in the creation of innovation.

Originality/value
This paper also recommends a framework for a knowledge portal that includes e-resources, user needs, partnership, internet resources, integrated OPAC and collaboration. A survey on a library website is rarely conducted in Indonesia; therefore, this result will be beneficial for developing library websites.
Optimization of the growth of Lactobacillus in skim milk added with green banana flour and determination functional properties
Authors: Busanello Marli , De Moraes Filho Marsilvio Lima , Guergoletto Karla Bigetti , Garcia Sandra 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThis paper aims to study the effect of addition of green banana flour (GBF) in skim milk, provides a nutritional and functional contribution to this matrix when added. They have biological compounds like resistant starch, phenolic compounds, antioxidant compounds and others. The skim milk containing 1.08 per cent of GBF was chosen after a central composite rotational design and response surface methodology. The response variable was the growth ofLactobacillus plantarum(LP) andLactobacillus helveticus(LH).Design/methodology/approachDuring the fermentation process, the antioxidant activity, plasmid DNA protection capacity, proteolytic activity and inhibitory activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) of the fermented milk was determined.FindingsAll variables were influenced by the fermentation time. The antioxidant activity evaluated by the ABTS radical presented values of 0.83 ± 0.04 µM Trolox.mL−1 and 0.79 ± 0.02 µM Trolox.mL−1, respectively, for the fermented LP and LH. The extracts fermented byL. plantarumandL. helveticuswere able to inhibit the oxidation of plasmidial DNA. The proteolytic activity was higher in the fermented with LH (1.16 ± 0.03) than in the fermented with LP (0.71 ± 0.02). The ACE inhibitory activity was higher in the fermented LH (59.01 per cent) than in the fermented LP (54.45 per cent).Originality/valueFermented milk with 1.08 per cent GBF presented positive results in the analyzed variables and could be studied commercially as a functional food alternative.
Nature and relationship between corporate social performance and firm size: a cross-national study
Authors: Ho Foo Nin , Wang Hui-Ming Deanna , Ho-Dac Nga , Vitell Scott J. 
Published: October 2018

PurposeFirm size has been identified as one of the most important correlates with corporate social performance (CSP). Both conceptual and empirical research has been done to try to explicate and determine this relationship; however, the results from both theoretical and empirical research have indicated a mixed and sometimes inconsistent relationship because of endogeneity between firm size and CSP. This paper aims to add to the body of knowledge by identifying and addressing some of the limitations in determining the relationship between firm size and CSP.Design/methodology/approachUsing the Arellano–Bond method to control for the endogeneity, this study tests the relationship between CSP and firm size using a panel of 380 public companies of various sizes; in various industry types; and across 19 countries in North America, Europe and Asia over a six-year period.FindingsThe results of the study show that firm size positively influences CSP and its subcomponents when endogeneity has been controlled for.Research limitations/implicationsThis study lends support for the theory of the firm framework that CSP attributes are embedded in the production process that leads to higher economies of scale, and the resource-based view of firms where firms that possess valuable and inimitable resources in CSR can lead to a sustainable competitive advantage over competitors. This suggests that as firms grow in size, they can leverage their resources to achieve greater economies of scale that will lead to better CSP over time.Originality/valueThis study addresses the potential endogeneity problem between firm size and CSP and offers a broader testing context.
Environmental Production Factors and Efficiency of Smallholder Agricultural Households: Using Non‐parametric Conditional Frontier Methods
Authors: Adamie Birhanu A. , Balezentis Tomas , Asmild Mette 
Published: October 2018

AbstractExternal environmental factors play a significant role in the agricultural production of smallholder farmers. This is especially the case in developing countries where production is less technologically intensive. These factors are mainly exogenous and affect both the farmers’ input choices and the final output levels. However, previous studies of technical efficiency of smallholder agricultural production either ignore these factors or assume separability between environmental factors and input choice, which is often not the case in developing counties. Using data on smallholder farmers in Ethiopia, we relax this separability assumption and investigate the importance of external environmental factors in farmers’ performance and efficiency variation across regions. The empirical analysis is based on a non‐parametric conditional order‐m estimation method that relaxes some of the traditional strong assumptions in efficiency modeling and, more importantly, the separability between environmental factors and the choice of physical inputs. Using data from four major agricultural regions of Ethiopia, we show the extent that environmental factors contribute to the technical efficiency and the significance of environmental factors in farmers’ performance.