bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring collaborative effectiveness: a conceptual approach
Authors: Mahadevan Kumaraguru 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual supply chain (SC) hierarchical framework to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of the collaborative SC based on the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and supply chain integration (SCI), supply chain visibility (SCV) and information sharing (IS).

Design/methodology/approach
Multimethods were applied. The first part of the research was undertaken using a deductive approach with rigorous and systematic analysis of the research material and the use of a survey instrument. The data collected through the survey are analysed and presented with descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations. The second part of the research is an extension of the analysis of the first part linking with the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to form the basis for development of the SCI hierarchy.

Findings
The levels of SCI, SCV and IS are significantly different for organisation dimensions such as size, industry type and region of operations. The SCI hierarchy based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs provides a number of indices to measure the effectiveness of SCI, IS, SCV in a collaborative SC.

Research limitations/implications
The research focusses only on manufacturing, 3PL, fast-moving consumer goods and retail industries.

Practical implications
The research work provides some insights for practitioners on best practices for SC collaboration and measurement of collaborative effectiveness.

Originality/value
The primary value of this paper is the development of standardized levels of SCI, IS and SCV and the proposed measurement of the collaborative effectiveness of the SC. It could be a proposed approach for empirically evaluating the levels of SCI, IS and SCV subject to organisational dimensions.
The effect of CEOs’ characteristics on forward-looking information
Authors: Alqatamin Rateb , Aribi Zakaria Ali , Arun Thankom 
Published: October 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of CEOs’ characteristics on the level of forward-looking information (FLI) disclosure. In particular, the study examines the effect of CEO age, gender and overconfidence on the disclosure of FLI in Jordan firms.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a disclosure index to measure the level of FLI disclosure and employs random-effect and panel data regressions to examine the relationship between CEOs’ characteristics and the level of FLI disclosure. The sample consists of 201 non-financial companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange for the period 2008-2013.FindingsThe results of the study show that the CEO age has a significant negative relationship with the level of FLI disclosure in annual reports of non-financial Jordanian companies, whereas gender and overconfidence have a significant positive association with FLI disclosure.Research limitations/implicationsThe single country context limits the generalisability of the findings.Practical implicationsThe results of the study could be beneficial for the users of financial information, such as regulators, investors, auditors and lenders. These users might consider the findings of the study when they are using a company’s financial information. Accordingly, they may seek to extend the investigations and verify such reporting practices and consequently make better decisions. In addition, the findings provide empirical evidence that helps managers in assessing their financial transparency and accountability.Originality/valueThe relationship between CEO’s characteristics and the level of FLI disclosure is still ambiguous. This study contributes to the FLI disclosure literature by identifying the role of CEO characteristics on the level of FLI disclosure. Thus, it offers evidence that the level of FLI disclosure is driven by specific CEO characteristics.
Strategic patterns and firm performance: comparing consistent, flexible and reactor strategies
Authors: Anwar Jamil , Hasnu SAF 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
Firms face the paradox of adapting change and remaining stable to control uncertainty simultaneously to maintain their competitive position because both aspects are essential for the firm’s effectiveness. This has raised a debate in the contemporary literature that whether firms should remain consistent or adapt flexibility in their strategic choice to produce better performance? The supporters of both the arguments provide substantial evidence in their favor. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the strategy-performance relationship in this context along with contingent effect of firm size and industry.

Design/methodology/approach
Empirical analysis using seven years financial data of 307 joint stock firms from 12 industries is done by applying Miles and Snow strategic typology. Scoring method is used to classify the strategic orientation of the firms. Univariate and multivariate regression models are applied to investigate the influence of strategy, firm size, and industry on firm performance both individually and collectively.

Findings
The results show that most of the firms in Pakistan are consistent in their strategic stance (43 percent) followed by flexible (40 percent) and reactors (17 percent). The mean differences in the performance of consistent, flexible, and reactor strategies show that both consistent and flexible strategies performed equally well and outperformed the reactors. However, there is significant variation in the performance of the strategic types due to the variation in firm size and industries whereas the contingent effect of firm size, industry, and strategy is statistically insignificant.

Originality/value
The methodology used for the identification of transition of strategic stance of the firms over time to know the consistent, flexible, and reacting behavior of the firms from archived data is the important contribution to the literature. The methodology can be replicated in longitudinal studies for identification of strategic groups in typological research.
Member preference heterogeneity and system-lifeworld dichotomy in cooperatives
Authors: Iliopoulos Constantine , Valentinov Vladislav 
Published: October 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to shed new light on the issue of preference heterogeneity in cooperatives.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the ideas of Habermas and Luhmann, this paper interprets preference heterogeneity of cooperative members in terms of the precarious relationship between the categories of “system” and “lifeworld.” The argument is buttressed with a case study of an agricultural cooperative recently founded in Central Greece.FindingsThe sensitivity of cooperatives to the lifeworld contexts of their members exacts the price in the form of the member preference heterogeneity problem. If this sensitivity is taken to be the constitutive characteristic of cooperatives, then the proposed argument hammers home their fundamental ambivalence, as they are necessarily fraught with the potential for internal conflict.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper urges for a radical rethinking of Georg Draheim’s thesis of the “double nature” of cooperatives. “Double nature” is shown to aggravate the member preference heterogeneity problem.Practical implicationsThe results of this study inform the cooperative leaders’ quest to strike a balance between the interests of their members and the demands of the external socio-economic environment.Originality/valueThis research contributes significantly to the literature on collective decision-making costs incurred by cooperatives. The failure of cooperatives to balance the sensitivity to members’ interests and to the external environment is exposed as the root cause of the divergence and heterogeneity of member preferences. This heterogeneity is shown to boost collective decision-making costs.
Political connections, institutional investors monitoring and stock price synchronicity
Authors: Tee Chwee Ming 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between politically connected (POLCON) firms and stock price synchronicity, and whether this association can be attenuated by institutional investors.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses an ordinary least square regression model to examine the association between POLCON firms and stock price synchronicity; institutional ownership and stock price synchronicity; the moderating role of institutional ownership on the association between POLCON firms and stock price synchronicity; institutional domiciles and stock price synchronicity; and the moderating role of institutional domiciles on the association between POLCON firms and stock price synchronicity.

Findings
The result shows that POLCON firms are positively associated with stock price synchronicity. Further, the author also finds that institutional monitoring, through higher ownership by local institutional investors is associated with lower stock price synchronicity. In addition, this study documents evidence that institutional investors, particularly local institutional investors can improve stock price informativeness in POLCON firms.

Research limitations/implications
The results suggest that POLCON firms are plagued by severe agency problems, resulting in limited flow of firm-specific information to the capital markets. However, the author shows that POLCON firm’s agency problems can be attenuated through effective monitoring by institutional investors. Further, institutional domiciles are shown to be significantly associated with stock price synchronocity. However, effective monitoring is largely driven by local institutional investors, in line with the geographical proximity theory.

Practical implications
The results suggest that regulators should increase their surveillance and monitoring effort, particularly on firms with close ties to the government. In particular, POLCON firms should be required to be more transparent in their corporate dealings. Additionally, auditors should intensify their audit efforts on POLCON firm to provide more reliable financial information to minority shareholders, investors and analysts. Finally, institutional investors should be incentivized by the Malaysian Securities Commission, via, the code of governance to play an effective monitoring role in Malaysian firms.

Originality/value
This study reveals that POLCON firms’ severe agency problems can be alleviated by effective institutional monitoring. Further result identifies institutional domiciles as a significant factor in influencing monitoring effectiveness in POLCON firms. This paper provides insights into the dynamic interaction between political connections, institutional monitoring, firm governance and capital markets behavior of an emerging market.
The Vicilin protein (Vigna radiata L.) of mung bean as a functional food
Authors: Amaral Ana Lucia , Ferreira Ederlan Souza , Silva Maraiza Aparecida , Neves Valdir Augusto , Demonte Aureluce 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
The hypocholesterolemic activity of legume vicilins and the structural homology among mung bean, soybean and adzuki bean vicilins (8S) suggest that this protein may play a role in lipid metabolism. Thus, in the present study, the authors aim to isolate the mung bean vicilin and assess its in vitro effect on 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG CoAr), the enzyme responsible for endogenous cholesterol synthesis.

Design/methodology/approach
Chromatographic and electrophoretic characterization identified the molecular mass and polypeptide composition of mung bean vicilin. The hydrolysate of this globulin was obtained by sequential hydrolysis with pepsin-pancreatin and the fragments were characterized by molecular filtration, SDS PAGE and HPLC.

Findings
The molecular mass of vicilin was estimated as 158.23 at ± 10 kDa and SDS-PAGE revealed that the 8S globulin protein comprises four bands corresponding to polypeptides of 61, 48, 29 and 26 kDa. Fractions 10, 12, 14, 22 and 32 of the eluate from Sephadex G-25 exhibited significant inhibition of HMG CoAr.

Originality/value
The correspondence of the chromatographic profile of the peptide fractions with hypocholesterolemic activity suggests that the composition and chemical structure of these peptides are essential to their physiological effectiveness. The beneficial effects of mung bean vicilin identified in this study will support the characterization of this protein as a functional compound.
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among apparently healthy adults in Ogun state, Nigeria
Authors: Adeyemi Yetunde Aderonke , Onabanjo Oluseye Olusegun , Sanni Silifat Ajoke , Ugbaja Regina Ngozi , Afolabi David Olaulowa , Oladoyinbo Catherine Adebukola 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
There is a global increase in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) with relative paucity of data on the burden of this syndrome in developing countries like Nigeria. This study evaluated the prevalence of MetS among apparently healthy subjects in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach
A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 550 (249 men, 301 women) healthy subjects recruited using multi-stage technique. Anthropometric measurements were taken using standard procedures and instruments. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured in all the subjects. Blood samples were collected from selected subjects and analyzed for hematological variables.

Findings
The prevalence of MetS was 36.8 per cent using the IDF criteria and 34.6 per cent using the NCEP-ATP III criteria. In all, 1.64 per cent (9) of respondents were underweight, 22.55 per cent (124) were of normal body mass index, 49.64 per cent (273) were overweight and 26.17 per cent (144) were obese. The mean waist circumference and waist to hip ratio for male and female were 83.27 ± 2.6 cm and 0.84 ± 0.1 and 86.22 ± 13.9 cm and 0.84 ± 0.1, respectively. Total cholesterol was elevated in 16.04 per cent of the respondents, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was observed in 41.83 per cent of the respondents. High values of triglycerides were observed in 5.79 per cent of respondents. Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was observed in 40.85 per cent of the respondents. This study showed that a huge burden of MetS exists among the study population.

Research limitations/implications
The cross-sectional design of this study limits inference regarding causality and effects. Also, there was no controlled case in the study.

Practical implications
There is the need for accurate knowledge of the MetS of the population to inform public health policy for mitigation.

Social implications
MetS has been described as a global time bomb, with a quarter of the world’s adults estimated to be having the condition. It will place a burden on social services if a lot of working population are forced to retire early due to MetS.

Originality/value
The findings are pointers to the probable magnitude of the co-morbid factors of cardiovascular diseases as encapsulated in the MetS in our environment.
Corporate universities as knowledge management tools
Authors: Scarso Enrico 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
Corporate universities (CUs) are particular educational arrangements that are established in companies to provide specific training to employees. This paper aims to examine the place of CUs in the knowledge-management (KM) field. Particularly, it discusses on how CUs are seen in the KM literature, analyses relevant KM aspects that emerge in CU implementation and management and proposes preliminary classifications based on some fundamental KM notions.

Design/methodology/approach
Given the novelty of the research, the case study methodology was adopted. In particular, a multiple case-study investigation of CUs implemented in medium-sized companies mainly operating in the northeast of Italy was conducted. The analysed companies were selected according to “maximum variation sampling” approach, which aims at generating maximum meaningful heterogeneity within the chosen sample, to highlight similarities and differences between the cases. Data collection was conducted by means of interviews to key observers, interviews to company managers and analysis of documentary materials.

Findings
The empirical investigation proves that KM concepts can be pertinent and useful in understanding the design and functioning of CUs. In particular, the study proposes a classification of CUs based on KM notions.

Research limitations/implications
The study shows that there is a need to conduct further studies to better understand educational arrangements like CUs under a KM viewpoint.

Practical implications
The analysis and the proposed classification can be of help for CU design and management. In addition, it is suggested that companies must achieve better awareness of the importance of CUs as an effective KM tool.

Originality/value
The study contributes to deepen our understanding of an issue that, even if is strictly connected with the cognitive aspects of companies, has not been sufficiently analyzed by the knowledge management literature.
Comparative analysis of core collection sampling methods for mandarin germplasm based on molecular and phenotypic data
Authors: Garcia‐Lor A. , Luro F. , Ollitrault P. , Navarro L. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractGene banks have been established to conserve the genetic diversity of crop species. Large germplasm collections lead to management problems (space, maintenance costs, etc.), especially in collections involving species with recalcitrant seeds that must be maintained as growing plants. Core collections (CCs) are thus developed to reduce the size of large germplasm collections while keeping the maximum variability. This also facilitates fine phenotypic evaluation. In this study, several software packages (DARwin, PowerMarker and MSTRAT) and methods (Max length subtree, M strategy, simulated annealing and MinSD) were compared to define a mandarin (Citrus reticulata) CC. One hundred and sixty‐seven accessions were sampled from two germplasm collections, which were genotyped with 50 SSR, 24 InDel and 68 single nucleotide polymorphism markers. All the CC obtained were tested for the maintenance of the genetic variability parameters (Ho and He) of the initial collection, the level of linkage disequilibrium (LD) and the phenotypic diversity retention. The Max length subtree function from DARWin seemed to be the most appropriate method for establishing a CC in C. reticulata. It maintained 96.82% of the allelic richness and 17.96% of the size of the initial collection with only 30 accessions. Besides it did not increase the LD (r2 value) of the initial collection and retained the vast majority of the phenotypic variability. However, a CC with 70 accessions would be more helpful for genetic association studies.
miR‐155 induces ROS generation through downregulation of antioxidation‐related genes in mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Onodera Yuta , Teramura Takeshi , Takehara Toshiyuki , Obora Kayoko , Mori Tatsufumi , Fukuda Kanji 
Published: October 2017

SummaryInflammation‐induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in cellular dysfunction and an important trigger for aging‐ or disease‐related tissue degeneration. Inflammation‐induced ROS in stem cells lead to deterioration of their properties, altering tissue renewal or regeneration. Pathological ROS generation can be induced by multiple steps, and dysfunction of antioxidant systems is a major cause. The identification of the central molecule mediating the above‐mentioned processes would pave the way for the development of novel therapeutics for aging, aging‐related diseases, or stem cell therapies. In recent years, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play important roles in many biological reactions, including inflammation and stem cell functions. In inflammatory conditions, certain miRNAs are highly expressed and mediate some cytotoxic actions. Here, we focused on miR‐155, which is one of the most prominent miRNAs in inflammation and hypothesized that miR‐155 participates to inflammation‐induced ROS generation in stem cells. We observed mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from 1.5‐year‐old aged mice and determined that antioxidants, Nfe2l2, Sod1, and Hmox1, were suppressed, while miR‐155‐5p was highly expressed. Subsequent in vitro studies demonstrated that miR‐155‐5p induces ROS generation by suppression of the antioxidant genes by targeting the common transcription factor C/ebpβ. Moreover, this mechanism occurred during the cell transplantation process, in which ROS generation is triggering loss of transplanted stem cells. Finally, attenuation of antioxidants and ROS accumulation were partially prevented in miR‐155 knockout MSCs. In conclusion, our study suggests that miR‐155 is an important mediator connecting aging, inflammation, and ROS generation in stem cells.
Integrating dots and spots with COI sequence data reinstatesThoracolophaTurner, 1939 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), for 13 Australian species formerly inProteuxoaHampson, 1903
Authors: Hitchcock Bobbie , Edwards Edward , Mitchell Andrew 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThoracolophawas described by Turner in 1939 forThoracolopha alychnodes,Thoracolopha plaesiospilaandThoracolopha pissonephra, with the last designated as the type species. In 1996, Edwards referred all three taxa toProteuxoaHampson, 1903, thus synonymisingThoracolophawithProteuxoa. However, the genitalia ofProteuxoa pissonephraare not like those of theProteuxoatype speciesProteuxoaamaurodes(Lower 1902), and the results of a phylogenetic analysis, using maximum likelihood, of sequence data from mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase subunit I (COI) also indicate thatProteuxoa(sensuEdwards) is more than one genus. As a consequence, the genitalia of 42 of the species referred toProteuxoaby Edwards were dissected and compared for the first time with those ofP. pissonephraandP. amaurodes. Based on bootstrap branch support provided by COI sequence analysis (84%), as well as morphological evidence,Thoracolophais here removed from synonymy and re‐established as a valid genus with 13 described species. The genitalia of typicalThoracolophaand typicalProteuxoaare illustrated, andThoracolophais redescribed from both sexes, so that the misidentifiedThoracolophaspecies in collections can be reliably distinguished from those ofProteuxoausing adult morphology alone.