bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Value supply chains at the base of the pyramid: studies of past and present textile networks
Authors: Prasad Sameer , Jaffe James , Bhattacharyya Kuntal , Tata Jasmine , Marshall Donna 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
Billions of entrepreneurs at the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) operate as small-scale producers within multi-tiered supply chain networks. Unfortunately, a majority of these entrepreneurs are simply unable to derive sufficient value from the network and are vulnerable to disasters and poverty. The purpose of this paper is to develop a typology that examines dynamic and triadic power relationships in order to create value chains for BoP producers.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper builds upon the available literature and a relevant historical case study to develop a typology. The validity of the typology is ascertained by examining and comparing two current BoP silk weaver communities in India.

Findings
The typology captures essential environmental variables and relates them to mediated and non-mediated forms of power which, in turn, shape the value derived from the supply chain network.

Practical implications
The typology provides specific recommendations for BoP producers, such as the formation of cooperatives, engaging in political unionization and ensuring that their social networks expand beyond local communities.

Originality/value
The typology brings together structuration theory and power and provides a framework for understanding supply value. This typology is generalizable to dynamic multi-tiered supply chain networks.
Exploring audit assistants’ decision to leave the audit profession
Authors: Gertsson Nellie , Sylvander Johanna , Broberg Pernilla , Friberg Josefine 
Published: October 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore why audit assistants leave the audit profession. By including both the perceptions held by audit assistants that left the audit profession and the perceptions of audit assistants still working in the audit profession, this study aims to explore how determinants of job satisfaction are associated with decisions to leave the audit profession.Design/methodology/approachTo explore the association between determinants of job satisfaction and decisions to leave, a survey was developed based on a literature review of determinants of job satisfaction. The survey was sent to both current and former Swedish audit assistants. The subsequent analysis was based on 231 complete surveys, of which 78 were from former audit assistants.FindingsThe main finding of this study is that there is a negative association between the choice to leave the profession and audit assistants’ perceptions of the profession and between the choice to leave and work-life balance. Another finding was that met expectations and Big 4 were found to be positively associated with career change.Originality/valueBy approaching both current and former audit assistants, this study contributes to the literature on audit employee turnover by exploring determinants of actual career change, rather than turnover intentions. It also contributes by identifying and testing a variable not previously used as a determinant of job satisfaction, namely, perceptions of the audit profession.
The halo effect: violent crime and foreign direct investment
Authors: Ramos Miguel A. , Ashby Nathan J. 
Published: October 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop and test theory regarding a geographic halo effect, whereby foreign investors draw overly broad impressions about a country based on high levels of violent crime in specific locations impacting foreign direct investment (FDI) across the country.Design/methodology/approachThe authors analyze the impact of homicides on FDI by source country into Mexican states from 2001 to 2015. They estimate fixed effect and dynamic panel models controlling for several determinants of FDI at the state level and the potential geographic spillover of such violence from adjacent states.FindingsThe authors find robust support for the existence of a geographic halo effect caused by violent crime. The results show that the highest number of state homicides is associated with lower FDI across states.Research limitations/implicationsThe research provides some evidence of the potential role of cognitive biases on FDI decisions. In addition, its focus on Latin America brings attention to an understudied region in international business research.Practical implicationsFor practitioners engaged in FDI decisions, the results imply the need to be more aware of potential cognitive biases that may influence them.Originality/valueFew papers have explored the influence of cognitive biases on FDI.
Strategic motives, institutional environments, and firm’s FDI ownership
Authors: Pan Yigang 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
The study conceptualizes how firms’ strategic motives interact with the heterogeneity of host country institutional environments in determining the subsidiary ownership. The author hypothesizes and tests two interaction effects. The study found that firms with market-seeking motives are more affected by the heterogeneity of host country institutional environments, while firms with resource-seeking motives are less affected by the heterogeneity. The empirical findings are based on a sample of overseas subsidiaries reported in the annual reports of listed firms in China.

Design/methodology/approach
In this study, an empirical investigation was conducted using a sample of subsidiaries of listed firms in China. The data were compiled from 2012 annual reports of listed firms in China. The sample consists of 2,270 subsidiaries of these firms.

Findings
The study conceptualizes that firms with market-seeking motives and resource-seeking motives are influenced differently by the heterogeneity of host country institutional environments in determining their subsidiary ownership. We hypothesize two interaction effects. Firms with market-seeking motives are more subject to the heterogeneity of host country institutional environments in determining their FDI ownership level. In contrast, firms with resource-seeking motives are less subject to this heterogeneity. The findings largely supported the study’s hypotheses.

Originality/value
This study fills an important gap in the literature by incorporating the interaction between strategic motives and host country environments in the analysis of subsidiary ownership. The findings of the study suggest that firms with a market-seeking motive are more particular about the host country institutional environments. They will acquire a high level of ownership in host countries with attractive institutional environments. In contrast, firms with resource-seeking motive are less concerned with the host country institutional environments. Their decision on subsidiary ownership is less affected by the variance in host country institutional environments. This study adds to the stream of studies that have examined outward investments of firms from emerging economies, particularly the outward expansion of Chinese firms with different strategic motives.
A highly sensitive and quantitative detection method for bisphenol A (BPA) by competitive immunoassay based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Lei Zhang , Chen Yingshan , Liu Zhiwen , Ji Wenjin , Zhao Suqing 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
In this study, a highly sensitive and quantitative analysis method using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-labeled immunoassay is adopted for bisphenol A bisphenol A (BPA) detection in water samples.

Design/methodology/approach
Primarily, an excellent SERS immuno-nanoprobe is prepared, which relays on Au/Ag core-shell nanoparticles tagged 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4MBA) and labeled with specific antibody against BPA. Second, the coating antigen of 4,4-Bis(4-hydroxyphenol) valeric acid (BVA) coupling poly-L-lysine (PLL) conjugate (BVA-PLL) is fastened on the substrate. Based on competitive immunoassay, the antibody labeled on SERS immuno-nanoprobe will bind with the free BPA and BVA-PLL competitively.

Findings
A calibration curve was obtained by plotting the intensity of SERS signal of 4MBA at 1007 cm−1 versus the concentration of BPA. The results indicated that the limit of detection (LOD) for BPA is 1 ng/mL and present a great capacity for higher sensitivity. Furthermore, the method was able to quantitatively detect BPA in water samples, which was validated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Originality/value
The method was developed based on competitive immunoassay, and the conjugate (BVA-PLL) was chosen as the coating antigen. Au/Ag core-shell nanoparticles played as the SERS active substrate and were labeled with Raman reporter. The value of this paper is supplying a wide potential for analysis of target analytes in the environmental monitoring and food safety.
Reinforcing high-density polyethylene by polyacrylonitrile fibers
Authors: Zhu Lien , Wu Di , Wang Baolong , Zhao Jing , Jin Zheng , Zhao Kai 
Published: October 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to find a new method to reinforce high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with polyacrylonitrile fibers (PAN). Furthermore, the crystallinity, viscoelasticity and thermal properties of HDPE composites have also been investigated and compared.Design/methodology/approachFor effective reinforcing, samples with different content fillers were prepared. HDPE composites were prepared by melt blending with double-screw extruder prior to cutting into particles and the samples for testing were made using an injection molding machine.FindingsWith the addition of 9 Wt.% PAN fibers, it was found that the tensile strength and flexural modulus got the maximum value in all HDPE composites and increased by 1.2 times than pure HDPE. The shore hardness, storage modulus and vicat softening point of the composites improved continuously with the increase in the proportion of the fibers. The thermal stability and processability of composites did not change rapidly with the addition of PAN fibers. The degree of crystallinity increased with the addition of PAN fibers. In general, the composites achieve the best comprehensive mechanical properties with the fiber content of 9 Wt.%.Practical implicationsThe fibers improve the strength of the polyethylene and enhance its ability to resist deformation.Originality/valueThe modified HDPE by PAN fibers in this study have high tensile strength and resistance to deformation and can be used as an efficient material in engineering, packaging and automotive applications.
Triple-shape memory effect in poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film
Authors: Wu Xue Lian , Yang Chuan Peng , Guo Yu Qin , Wang Hong Yu 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
This paper aims to focus on achieving triple-shape memory effect (triple-SME) of a commercial poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film with the thickness of 100 µm.

Design/methodology/approach
The thermal characteristics and microstructure of PET film were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and wide-angle X-ray diffraction analysis. The dual-shape memory effect (dual-SME) of the PET film was then systematically investigated, and based on that, triple-SME in thin PET film was achieved.

Findings
Investigation of the dual-SME in PET film revealed the difference between recovery temperature and programming temperature reduced with increasing programming temperature. An obvious intermediate shape shifting between the original and final programmed shape was observed during shape recovery in triple-shape memory behaviors.

Research limitations/implications
Compared with dual-SME in polymer, relatively less work has been done on multi-SME in polymer, especially in thin polymer film. In this study, triple-SME in a PET film was investigated based on the results of dual-SME of the film. The main implication of the study is on how to achieve a watermark between the final programmed pattern and the original pattern, for the application of shape memory polymer in anti-counterfeiting label.

Originality/value
Dual- and triple-SMEs were achieved in a PET film that is only 100 µm in thickness, and the underlying mechanism for the difference between programming temperature and recovery temperature was discussed. For the novel application of triple-SME in anti-counterfeit label, the watermark during shape recovery in triple-SME can effectively prevent duplication.
Multi‐scale and antagonist selection on life‐history traits in parasitoids: A community ecology perspective
Authors: Outreman Yannick , Andrade Thiago Oliveira , Louâpre Philippe , Krespi Liliane , Violle Cyrille , van Baaren Joan 
Published: October 2017

Abstract

Life‐history traits within ecological communities can be influenced by regional environmental conditions (external filters) and community‐wide density‐dependent processes (internal filters). While traits in a regional context may converge to a narrow range of values because of environmental filtering, species belonging to a guild may present contrasting traits as a means of niche differentiation, allowing coexistence whilst exploiting the same resources.

To disentangle the role of external and internal filters on phenotypic diversity within ecological communities, we examined the patterns of life‐history trait variation within a guild of insect parasitoids during two successive years across three contrasted regions in relation to several ecological factors.

By combining a mean‐field approach and an analysis of phenotypic variance across organizational levels (from individual to guild), we showed that the patterns of life‐history trait variation across regions are consistent with local adaptation or adaptive phenotypic plasticity while the patterns of phenotypic variation within regions suggested how coexistence modulates life‐history traits expression through niche differentiation.

Within a given region, phenotypic pattern of parasitoid life‐history traits may also arise from bottom‐up effects of trophic webs: insect host species could also control parasitoid life‐history traits in nature. Our results also showed that parasitoid life‐history traits presented contrasting variation patterns according to the sampling year, suggesting temporal variations in evolutionary and ecological dynamics of parasitoid species.

The application of such trait‐based studies to insect parasitoids has the potential to provide further insight on how agricultural environments contribute to differential diversification among natural enemies guilds, highlighting the main role of agricultural landscape management for organisms'responses.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Gravity and magnetic field characteristics and hydrocarbon prospects of the Tobago Basin
Authors: Yuan Bingqiang , Song Lijun , Han Li , An Shaole , Zhang Chunguan 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTThe Tobago Basin, which is located offshore northern Venezuela with a southern margin close to Trinidad and Tobago, has an area of approximately 59,600 km2. The Tobago Basin has relatively favourable hydrocarbon prospects, and to date, exploration work has mainly concentrated on small areas of the southwestern portion of the basin. To conduct a comprehensive study of the structural framework of the basin and the characteristics of the basement in order to identify prospective zones for hydrocarbon exploration, shipborne‐measured and satellite‐measured gravity data, shipborne‐measured magnetic data, and aeromagnetic survey data were analysed. A regularisation filtering method was used to separate and obtain regional and residual gravity and magnetic anomalies. Directional gradients of gravity and magnetic anomalies and the total horizontal gradient and vertical second derivative of gravity anomalies were employed to extract information about fault structures. Regression analysis methods were used to determine the basement depth. The geological significance of the gravity and magnetic fields was examined, the structural framework of the basin was assessed, the basement depth was estimated, and favourable hydrocarbon exploration prospects within the basin were identified. The results show that the Tobago Basin contains complex structures consisting mainly of two groups of faults trending in northeasterly and northwesterly directions and that the major northeasterly trending faults control the main structural configuration and depositional system within the basin. The basement of the Tobago Basin has deep rises and falls. It can be divided into the following four secondary tectonic units: the western sub‐basin, the central uplift area, the southern sub‐basin, and the northeastern sub‐basin. The central uplift area and northeastern sub‐basin are most likely to have developed hydrocarbon accumulations and should be targeted for further exploration.
World Productivity Growth: A Model Averaging Approach
Authors: Duygun Meryem , Hao Jiaqi , Isaksson Anders , Sickles Robin C. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPolicy makers and the economic researchers who provide them estimates of economic activity need to have an informative and scientifically‐based method to develop a consensus estimate for the most basic of the productivity measures, total factor productivity (TFP) growth. We discuss methods to combine the various estimates based on different empirical specifications that model and estimate productivity growth. We also discuss the various econometric approaches used in the profession to estimate productivity growth. Our focus is on world TFP growth.
Urban Fortunes and Skeleton Cityscapes: Real Estate and Late Urbanization in Kigali and Addis Ababa
Authors: Goodfellow Tom 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn many parts of Africa, societies that remain primarily rural are experiencing accelerated urban growth and highly visible booms in property development. In the absence of significant industrialization, investment is pouring directly into what Lefebvre and Harvey characterized as the ‘secondary circuit’ of capital. Debates about the drivers of investment in real estate are longstanding in relation to the global North, but have given little consideration to low‐income and late‐urbanizing countries in Africa. Yet such contexts offer important opportunities to reflect on existing theory. Focusing on Kigali and Addis Ababa (both transformed virtually beyond recognition over the past two decades), this article explores the drivers and consequences of investment in urban real estate in countries striving to structurally transform their economies. It argues that a range of formal and informal incentives and constraints have led to high‐end real estate being viewed as the ‘safest bet’ for those with resources to invest, even where demand is limited and governments are promoting other kinds of investment. While some people are reaping urban fortunes in largely untaxed rents, much of the construction is purely speculative, creating landscapes of unused and underused high‐end properties in contexts where investment is desperately needed elsewhere.
Historicizing Urban Sustainability: The Shifting Ideals Behind Forus Industrial Park, Norway
Authors: Haarstad Håvard , Oseland Stina Ellevseth 
Published: October 2017

AbstractUrban sustainability interventions must always contend with the built environment––the historically accumulated materialization of previous rounds of city building. In this article we argue for a historicized perspective on urban sustainability that allows us to consider how ideals of the past, materialized in the urban built environment, constrain current sustainability interventions. Drawing on the policy mobility literature, science and technology studies, and assemblage thinking, we examine the recursive relationship between mobile ideas on the one hand and urban materiality on the other. Empirically we analyse the historical development of Forus Industrial Park in Stavanger, Norway, and current attempts to transform this into a compact, ‘post‐fossil’ space. We focus on two phases: the late 1960s, following the discovery of oil, when Forus started developing into the core oil cluster in Norway, drawing on ideals from Houston and Milton Keynes; and the current preoccupation with sustainable mobility and density, drawing on ideals from compact European cities like Copenhagen. We show how the inertia of the built environment exercises a form of distributed agency constraining interventions towards sustainable urbanism. Therefore, we argue, truly powerful interventions in urban sustainability are those that effectively reconfigure and retrofit, and reassemble existing materialities into new formations.
Getting Comfortable on Audits: Understanding Firms’ Usage of Forensic Specialists
Authors: Jenkins J. Gregory , Negangard Eric M. , Oler Mitchell J. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTIncreasing financial statement complexity along with an intense focus on audit quality has created challenges for today's auditors. As a result, audit firms are increasingly relying on various specialists to help them perform their audits. To better understand why and how audit firms are using forensic specialists on their audits, we conduct an exploratory survey of experienced audit and forensic professionals. Our results suggest auditors are largely relying on forensic specialists to provide them with additional comfort beyond that obtained from traditional audit procedures. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that the usage of forensic specialists occurs primarily on riskier engagements, such as those involving restatements, initial public offerings, and investigations by regulators or law enforcement agencies. Although their involvement varies, forensic specialists assist audit teams by providing both guidance and direct assistance across the audit in areas including fraud brainstorming, design of procedures to test for fraud, and review of results of fraud‐related testing. In addition, our findings indicate forensic specialist involvement may lead to greater comfort as evidenced by the perceived identification by forensic specialists of additional audit findings related to material misstatements, financial reporting fraud, misappropriation of assets, and internal control deficiencies. Our results also reveal the majority of auditor and forensic specialist participants believe the value of forensic involvement on audits outweighs the associated costs, even in the absence of such additional audit findings. We conclude our paper by offering a theoretical discussion of our findings based on the audit comfort framework and suggestions for future research. In summary, our findings suggest that the discomfort some auditors feel in the contemporary auditing environment is leading to changes in the rituals that underlie traditional audits such that they seek comfort afforded them through forensic specialist involvement.
Industry Effects in Firm and Segment Profitability Forecasting
Authors: Schröder David , Yim Andrew 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTAcademics and practitioners have long recognized the importance of a firm's industry membership in explaining its financial performance. Yet, contrary to conventional wisdom, recent research shows that industry‐specific profitability forecasting models are not better than economy‐wide models. The objective of this paper is to further explore this result and to provide insights into when and why industry‐specific profitability forecasting models are useful. We show that industry‐specific forecasts are significantly more accurate in predicting profitability for single‐segment firms and, to some extent, for business segments. For multiple‐segment firms, the aggregation of segment‐level data for external reporting of firm‐level financials obliterates the industry effects of their segments.