bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the effect of macroeconomic variables on the welfare changes in Iran
Authors: Shahiki Tash Mohammad Nabi , Molaei Saber , Barghandan Kamran 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the level of cardinal welfare based on Sen’s index using both Pareto and non-Pareto states besides evaluating the effective factors on the welfare changes according to a fuzzy least-squares regression model.

Design/methodology/approach
The social welfare functions express the optimal social allocations in the public economics. Therefore, they can be applied as a tool to represent the difference of utility allocations among consumers. There are various criteria on the literature pertaining to the social welfare functions such as those of Dasgupta et al. (1970), Sheshinski (1972), Sen (1974), Yitzhaki (1979), Shorrocks (1983), Kakwani (1984), Dagum (1990, 1993), Mukhopadhaya (2003), and Mukhopadhaya and Rao (2001). The Sen’s welfare function because of strong theoretical basis and enjoying the welfare axioms is more celebrated among others so that it is a function of individual utilities resulting from the individual’s social positions.

Findings
The findings indicate that the welfare level has increased by about 4.8 percent during the period 2002-2007; by nearly 3.1 percent during 1997-2001 and mature to 2.7 percent from 1992 to 1996 such that the period 1997-2007 has had the highest level of social welfare improvement in Iran. The results obtained from the fuzzy regression show that the unemployment rate, inflation rate and Gini coefficient variables have an adverse relation with the cardinal welfare in both Pareto and non-Pareto cases, while the literacy rate and government expenditures have a positive relation with the welfare index. The findings also imply that there is a positive relationship between economic growth and welfare level in Iran.

Originality/value
I verify that this manuscript is an original study.
QR codes as mobile learning tools for labor room nurses at the San Pablo Colleges Medical Center
Authors: Del Rosario-Raymundo Maria Rowena 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of QR codes as mobile learning tools and examine factors that impact on their usefulness, acceptability and feasibility in assisting the nurses’ learning.

Design/methodology/approach
Study participants consisted of 14 regular, full-time, board-certified LR nurses. Over a two-week period, participants used specially generated QR codes to access a mobile website, connect to physicians’ telephone numbers and access alphanumeric text information. Research data in the form of observations and insights on their experience in using the QR codes were collected from participants through individual, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews.

Findings
Findings revealed that QR codes encoded with text information, telephone numbers and URL links to the mobile website all demonstrated a high level of functionality, usability and usefulness. The majority of the participants liked the experience of using the QR codes, citing ease of use of the QR codes; a high level of satisfaction in the kind and amount of supplementary medical information accessed; and the favorable effect the QR codes had on their personal learning.

Research limitations/implications
The study focused on the evaluation of usefulness, acceptability and feasibility due to the limited time available for the conduct of the study.

Practical implications
These findings support the acceptability and feasibility of using QR codes as mobile learning tools in the labor room.

Social implications
It shows the QR codes’ potential for use in a workplace environment in the context of just-in-time learning and continuing nursing education.

Originality/value
The current literature on the use of QR codes in medical and nursing education is limited.
Disability and the criminal justice system in Zambia
Authors: Jacobson Jessica , Sabuni Phillip , Talbot Jenny 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
Drawing on multi-method research conducted in 2013-2014, the purpose of this paper is to consider the extent and nature of disadvantage experienced by individuals with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities (PID) who come into contact with the criminal justice system in Zambia. The research was conducted as part of a wider project aiming to bring about improvements in how people with PID are dealt with by the criminal justice services.

Design/methodology/approach
The research activities included interviews with 29 individuals with PID who had experienced the criminal justice system as suspects, defendants or prisoners (“self-advocates”). A focus group and interviews were also conducted with the family members of people with PID who had criminal justice experience.

Findings
People with PID in contact with the criminal justice services in Zambia are disadvantaged and discriminated against routinely and systematically. Like all detainees, they experience harsh and at times brutal conditions of detention. However, because of their disabilities, such experiences can be more keenly felt: their disabilities may be exacerbated by detention or by limited or non-existent health care; and they are likely to be less resourceful than other detainees and, therefore, less able to cope with the privations of detention.

Originality/value
In drawing on the self-advocate interviews, this paper presents direct, vivid accounts of what it means to be a suspect, defendant or prisoner with disabilities in Zambia. These are extremely marginalised and multiply disadvantaged individuals whose voices are rarely heard.
Well funded and dangerous: assessing the Islamic State’s financing operations
Authors: Tierney Michael 
Published: May 2017

PurposeThe existing literature on Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has thus far focused on the group’s contemporary or previous financing activities. However, there has not been an analysis of the ways in which ISIS’ funding is likely to change moving forward now that it has come under international scrutiny. The purpose of this paper is to assess the ways in which ISIS’ funding is likely to evolve in the future and to also suggest methods for combating its financing activities.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is theoretical in nature. By assessing the existing literature on terrorist financing, it is apparent that terrorist organizations alter their funding sources and methods after coming under intense international scrutiny. Therefore, two hypotheses are put forth for the future of ISIS’ funding activities: the group will become more effective at building social support among its local population, thereby consolidating is funding sources and methods within Syria and Iraq; and the group will increasingly branch out, searching for sources from a transnational network, as its base in Syria and Iraq begins to deteriorate.FindingsCommunity support is essential for sustaining a terrorist network. As a result, it is likely that ISIS will increasingly seek funding from a transnational network as its base of support in Iraq and Syria begins to deteriorate. There is also a distinct third possibility that the group will be able to consolidate its base while also moving abroad for financial support. This third option presents the most complicated outcome for the international community in its fight against ISIS.Originality/valueThis study fills a gap in the literature on terrorist financing, particularly with regards to ISIS, to assist the international community in its fight against the group both now and moving into the future.
Prosecution for illicit enrichment: the Lithuanian perspective
Authors: Bikelis Skirmantas 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present and analyse the issues with which Lithuania is faced through its introduction of a modern legal mechanism for a more efficient confiscation of the proceeds of crime – the criminalization of illicit enrichment.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper analyses issues raised in the Constitutional Court of Lithuania concerning the constitutionality of the country’s Criminal Code, as amended, by means of which illicit enrichment has been criminalized. Then, developments in and statistics for prosecutions and convictions for illicit enrichment are presented, and the legal issues that have been raised in the practice of the higher courts of Lithuania are analysed.

Findings
The concept of the criminalization of illicit enrichment proves to be less promising than that of civil forfeiture. First, it is contentious in the context of proportionality and ultima ratio. Second, it may infringe upon the prohibition of self-incrimination. Third, it appears that collecting sufficient evidence of illicit enrichment on the criminal standard of proof is an extremely difficult task for the prosecution.

Originality/value
Lithuania was the first European Union Member State to introduce general criminal liability for illicit enrichment. This analysis of the five years since the implementation of the enabling legislation should provide useful insights for the other countries considering introducing modern legal instruments to bring about a more effective control of illicit enrichment, as well as inspire additional, vital deliberation on the matter.
Performance assessment on high strength steel endplate connections after fire
Authors: Qiang Xuhong , Wu Nianduo , Jiang Xu , Bijlaard Frans , Kolstein Henk 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
This study aims to reveal more information and understanding on performance and failure mechanisms of high strength steel endplate connections after fire.

Design/methodology/approach
An experimental and numerical study on seven endplate connections after cooling down from fire temperature of 550°C has been carried out and reported herein. Moreover, the provisions of European design standard for steel structures, Eurocode 3, were validated with test results of high strength steel endplate connections.

Findings
In endplate connections, a proper design using a thinner high strength steel endplate can achieve the same failure mode, similar residual load bearing capacity and comparable or even higher rotation capacity after cooling down from fire. It is found that high strength steel endplate connection can regain more than 90 per cent of its original load bearing capacity after cooling down from fire temperature of 550°C.

Originality/value
The post-fire performance of high strength steel endplate connection has been reported. The accuracy of Eurocode 3 for endplate connections is validated against test results.
Using social media posts as resources for engaging in value co-creation
Authors: Sorensen Anne , Andrews Lynda , Drennan Judy 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how organizations create focal engagement objects through posts to their social media community members and how the members engage with these posts in ways that potentially co-create value. Of additional interest is the use of platform, tone and language to determine how they potentially influence value co-creation.

Design/methodology/approach
The research method is netnography. Two Australian-based cause organizations were selected for the study, and posts were collected from Facebook, Twitter and YouTube platforms used by the communities, as well as likes, clicks, shares and retweets. Data was examined using content and thematic analyses.

Findings
Findings for the characteristics of the posts indicate how platforms need to be member-centric and that post tone and language can be used for engaging members effectively. Three consumer engagement objects were thematically derived from the posts: events, donations and fundraising, and social justice that includes shout-outs and thunderclaps. In turn, consumer responses evidenced engagement sub-processes of co-developing, acknowledging, rewarding, sharing, advocating, adding momentum and learning. The likes, clicks, shares and retweets assisted in determining the amount of community interactions with posts in the cause brands’ communities.

Research limitations/implications
This research is limited to the extent it involved two cases. As with any cross-sectional research, the findings are snapshots of interactions on the two sites over the two-week data collection periods. Theoretical implications provide a deeper insights into value co-creation by empirically examining how organizations and their supporters employ and use post resources to co-create value collectively, and how the characteristics of the posts and behavioral interactions potentially facilitates this.

Practical implications
Managerially, this investigation will assist both commercial brand and cause brand organizations to plan and adapt their social media strategies to enhance supporters’ engagement with posts in this digital environment.

Social implications
The social implications of this study are that it provides an understanding of how cause organizations can harness online communities for value co-creation to generate social good.

Originality/value
The study is both original and adds value to the research community. The findings presented provide an insightful conceptual framework to guide future research into this important area of consumer engagement with resources in social media communities leading to potential co-creation of value.
Communications Solutions: cashing in the chips
Authors: White Susan 
Published: May 2017

Synopsis
Communication Solutions (CS), a woman-owned business, experienced fast growth at its inception, and then found itself slowing after the mid-2000s recession. The firm provides consulting services, primarily to government agencies. The owners have brought the business to sales of about $10.5 million in 2012, but revenues declined following that peak year because of cutbacks in government spending and founder Jennifer Madison’s detachment from the business. Even though they recognize that it may not be an ideal time to sell, they are tired of running the business and want to sell now, as long as they can pay off their debts.

Research methodology
This case was researched through multiple interviews with Mark and Jennifer, who provided all of the financial data and background. All financial statements given in the case provide actual CS numbers. The name of the company and the names of the owners have been changed, at their request to disguise the company. At the time this case was written, the owners were in negotiation with a potential bidder, and did not want their names or their company name to be used. Market information and information about comparable companies was researched using publicly available financial data bases.

Relevant courses and levels
This case has the potential to be used in a variety of classes, depending on what the instructor wishes to emphasize. The author uses the case as a valuation case in a corporate finance class (suitable for undergraduates or MBAs), allowing students practice in discounted cash flow valuation and comparable multiples valuation. It could be used in an investments class which teaches business valuation, particularly in teaching valuation using market multiples. The case could be used in an entrepreneurial finance class. The author uses this case to illustrate the difficulties of business valuation with messy (but real) data.

Theoretical bases
This case explores small business valuation and exit strategies for founders. Students can put themselves in the position of small business owners who are ready to exit. Students should value the firm using discounted cash flow and multiples valuation, which includes making assumptions about the future growth of the firm. While there is likely to be reasonable agreement on the “as is” valuation, there may be great variation concerning the assumptions and valuations of the company as it could be. Students can discuss (and implement) adjustments made when using large company comparables to value a much smaller company.
Maipu Communication Technology Co., Ltd: challenges in innovation
Authors: He Zheng , Chen Leida 
Published: May 2017

Synopsis
This case traces through a 20-year history of a Chinese high-tech company, Maipu Communications Technology Company. Throughout the company’s growth, Maipu adjusted its innovation models in order to ensure that they remained compatible with corporate strategies, resources and external environments. However, as the company grew bigger, it was finding it more and more difficult to meet its innovation goals. Its current innovation model is a market-driven platform + distributed innovation. While Maipu has achieved some success under this model, it is faced with a myriad of challenges during the execution of the model. The key questions raised by this case are whether Maipu’s current innovation model is suitable for the company at this stage and how the innovation model should be adjusted to propel new innovation and growth opportunities for Maipu in this increasingly competitive market.

Research methodology
This case was a field research case. The authors paid three visits to Maipu Communications Technology Company, during which the authors conducted in-depth interviews with Mr Zhao, the Head of Maipu’s R&D and Innovation group, and several senior and functional managers of the company. Follow-up communication via telephone and e-mail was conducted to verify the accuracy of the written case.

Relevant courses and levels
This case is well suited for courses in the areas of strategic management, innovation management, high-tech management, entrepreneurship, and international business. The target audiences of the case are primarily MBA students, although this case can also be used in upper-level undergraduate business courses.

Theoretical bases
The theoretical basis for this case includes the following management theories: strategy formulation and strategy implementation, business-level and corporate-level strategies, enterprise life-cycle, corporate strategies at various stages of growth, patterns of innovation and applications, and implementation of innovation strategies.
Virgin Olive Oil as Frying Oil
Authors: Chiou Antonia , Kalogeropoulos Nick 
Published: May 2017

AbstractFrying is one of the oldest cooking procedures and is still among the most popular ones for food preparation. Due to their unique sensory characteristics, fried foods are consumed often and with pleasure. During frying, part of the oil is absorbed by the food, thereby becoming part of our diet; most interestingly, in the Mediterranean area approximately 50% of total fat intake is provided by cooking fats. Olive oil is the key lipid component of the Mediterranean diet, the health‐promoting effects of which have been largely attributed to olive oil intake. Olive oil is unique among vegetable oils due to its desirable lipid profile and some of its minor components. Scientific evidence now indicates that during frying olive oil behavior is usually equal or superior to that of refined vegetable oils. Herein, an overview of virgin olive oil performance under frying is given, with special reference to the fate of olive oil microconstituents. The compositional changes of foods fried in olive oil are also reviewed and discussed in detail.
Identification of the 2‐tridecanonecis‐acting element in the promoter of cytochrome P450CYP6B7inHelicoverpa armigera
Authors: Xu Li , Li Dong‐Zhi , Luo Yuan‐Yuan , Qin Jian‐Ying , Qiu Li‐Hong 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe expression level of cytochrome P450 genes in insects can be induced by plant allelochemicals, which is important for insects to adapt to host plants. Cytochrome P450CYP6B7has been reported to be involved in pyrethroid insecticide resistance inHelicoverpa armigera, and its transcription level was induced by some inducers. Currently, the regulatory mechanism of the induced expression ofCYP6B7remains unknown, although it is very important for understanding the detoxification mechanism to allelochemicals in host plants. The objective of the present study was to investigate thecis‐acting element in the promoter ofCYP6B7mediating the inducible up‐regulation ofCYP6B7inH. armigeraby 2‐tridecanone. The promoter region ofCYP6B7was cloned by genome walking technique and analyzed by transient transfection assay. Progressive 5′ deletion of the promoter region ofCYP6B7revealed that the relative luciferase activity of construct −320/+232 could be significantly induced by 2‐tridecanone. Further stepwise deletion between −320 and −238 bp found that construct −292/+232 could also be significantly induced by 2‐tridecanone, but the adjacent construct −256/+232 could not, suggesting the essential role of the sequence between −292 and −257 bp for 2‐tridecanone induction. Nucleotide mutations between −292 and −281 bp had no influence on the induction effect by 2‐tridecanone, but nucleotide mutations between −280 and −257 bp significantly decreased the induction effect. These results demonstrated that thecis‐acting element for 2‐tridecanone induction was between −280 and −257 bp in the promoter ofCYP6B7.
Larval interference competition between the native Neotropical mosquito Limatus durhamii and the invasive Aedes aegypti improves the fitness of both species
Authors: Talaga Stanislas , Dejean Alain , Mouza Clémence , Dumont Yves , Leroy Céline 
Published: May 2017

AbstractInterspecific competition with native species during biological invasions can sometimes limit alien expansion. We aimed to determine the potential ecological effects of Limatus durhamii Theobald 1901, a native Neotropical mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) species, on the invasive species Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus 1762) that breeds in the same artificial water containers. Development time and adult dry mass were measured in 3 rearing conditions: control (a single larva), intraspecific competition (2 conspecific larvae), and interspecific competition (2 heterospecific larvae). Food was provided ad libitum to eliminate exploitative competition. For Ae. aegypti, development time was not affected by interspecific interference competition (nonsignificant differences with the control) and the adult dry mass was significantly higher, meaning that individual fitness likely increased. Yet, because previous studies showed longer development time and lighter adults during competition with other invasive mosquitoes, it is likely that Ae. aegypti can express a different phenotype depending on the competing species. The similar pattern found for Li. durhamii females and the nonsignificant difference with the control for males explain in part why this species can compete with Ae. aegypti.