bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Household income inequality in Ghana: a decomposition analysis
Authors: Novignon Jacob 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to decompose income inequality across various household income components and to estimate the marginal effects of changes in each of the income components on overall income inequality in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from the fifth and sixth rounds of the Ghana Living Standards Surveys. Gini coefficient was estimated and decomposed across structured income components. The marginal effects were obtained by computing the partial derivatives of the Gini coefficient with respect to a percentage change in a particular income source.

Findings
The results suggest that, in general, income inequality has increased marginally over the years (Gini coefficient of 0.66 in 2013 and 0.62 in 2006). Inequality was, however, higher in urban areas than in rural areas in 2013 with the reverse observed in 2006. The income component decomposition analysis suggests that wage employment income dominated household income in both rural and urban areas, even though the magnitude was higher in urban areas. Farm income was only dominant in rural communities in 2006. Self-employment and remittance income had consistent inequality reducing effects on total household income distribution.

Originality/value
The study goes beyond inequality studies in Ghana to estimate the marginal effect of income components on inequality. Such decomposition will allow for effective policy targeting in a resource-constrained developing country like Ghana.
Agripreneurship development: a strategy for revamping Nigeria’s economy from recession
Authors: Otache Innocent 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore agripreneurship development as a strategy for economic growth and development.

Design/methodology/approach
Though a few related literature were reviewed, this paper relies heavily on the author’s viewpoint regarding how Nigeria can grow and develop its economy through agripreneurship development.

Findings
The present economic challenges that Nigeria is facing are blamed on overdependence on the oil sector, bad governance, corruption, leadership failure, policy inconsistency, overdependence on imported goods and ostensible neglect of the agricultural sector. Also, policymakers, economic analysts and the government have advocated strongly for diversification of the economy. Besides, there is a consensus among scholars, economic analysts and policymakers that “agriculture is the answer.”

Research limitations/implications
This paper addresses specifically one sector of the economy – the agricultural sector. On the other hand, economic crisis needs to be addressed holistically by resolving specific issues that confront different sectors of the economy.

Practical implications
This paper has some insightful policy and practical implications for the Nigerian Government and Nigerians. The government and Nigerians need to take practical steps to grow and develop the economy. On the part of the government, apart from the need to transform the agricultural sector by allocating enough funds to it, the government should establish well-equipped agripreneurship development centers and organize periodically agripreneurship development programmes for the main purpose of training and developing both current and potential agripreneurs who will be able to apply today’s agricultural techniques and practices which involve a great deal of creativity and innovation for a successful agribusiness. The federal government should integrate agripreneurship education into Nigeria’s education system. Similarly, the Nigerian people, particularly the youths or graduates should be encouraged to choose agribusiness as a career.

Originality/value
While previous papers have offered different solutions to the current economic crisis that Nigeria is experiencing, ranging from economic to structural reforms, this paper differs significantly from others by recommending specifically agripreneurship development as a strategy for revamping Nigeria’s economy from its current recession. Moreover, there is a dearth of literature on agripreneurship and agripreneurship development. This paper therefore fills the literature gap.
Brand choice and brand switching: a case study of relocated consumers
Authors: Govender Krishna Kisten 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact on consumer behaviour/brand choice resulting in the relocation of communities from informal to formal settlements.

Design/methodology/approach
A survey conducted among a probability sample of 384 consumers comprising different “socio-income” groups, who were relocated from informal settlements as well as others who relocated voluntarily to Cosmo City, a state designed residential development, to explore their brand choice behaviour.

Findings
It was ascertained that households switch brands if the degree of social change is greater than the perceived strength of the current brand, and an improvement in the space or house size which impacted their lifestyle. There is also a significant relationship between the product format and brand switching; between brand choice and change in the place and type of residence.

Research limitations/implications
It is evident that residential location, changes in social positions, inclusive of place of residence, lifestyle changes, and functional benefits, are essential factors for consideration in the development of a coherent brand strategy that seeks to adequately address the toilet-care product brand needs of consumers in the new democratic South Africa.

Practical implications
Marketers have to move beyond simple demographics and use multifaceted approaches to understanding brand switching behaviour, because consumers adapt quickly to changes in the market. Marketers also need to be cognisant of the rapid changes in consumers’ perception of their lifestyle change, and how they (consumers) relate to these changes.

Social implications
The relocation was viewed as a “social disruption” which in this study was the “relocation” which changed the place of and type of dwelling/home ownership type. Marketers also need to be cognisant of the rapid changes in consumers’ perception of their lifestyle change, and how they (consumers) relate to these changes.

Originality/value
The concept of social disruption in the form or relocated customers has not been studied in South Africa, especially with respect to the impact on brand choice of toilet cleaning products.
Preparing sports graduates for employment: satisfying employers expectations
Authors: Dinning Track 
Published: September 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore from an employer’s perspective the skills, attributes and capabilities required of a sports graduate, whilst also discovering how a student is expected to demonstrate these skills in the context of a sports organisation.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a qualitative interpretive case study approach through the use of face-to-face interviews with six employers from sports organisations involved in the delivery of sport. Interviews lasted between 30 and 42 minutes and were recorded. This was followed by a thematic review to allow for common themes to be selected and represented. The results were then reviewed and evaluated by a further 15 industry professionals and sports educators.FindingsThe results suggest employers seek skills that are characteristically enterprise/entrepreneurship skills, together with an articulation of a “sports graduate” mindset. This mindset is described by the employers as being something which is demonstrated through a combination of behaviours and attributes. The paper concluded that in the classroom, the use of case studies and challenges, where students have to respond to and solve problems by the very nature of the activity, is optimal.Originality/valueThe originality of this paper lies in both the context of study and the integration of enterprise and entrepreneurship skills that are needed for the changing world of work in sport. The value of the papers is in both the employer’s description of the graduate mindset and also examples of how the skills can be applied in the context of sport.
An integrated structural model of gastronomy tourists’ behaviour
Authors: Leong Quee-Ling , Ab Karim Shahrim , Awang Khairil Wahidin , Abu Bakar Ainul Zakiah 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to provide an integrated model to explain the simultaneous impact of gastronomy and destination attractiveness on tourist behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Melaka and Penang, Malaysia, targeting international tourists. Structural equation modelling analysis was used to examine and explain the relationships hypothesized in the proposed model.

Findings
The fit indices indicated the model structure was satisfactory. Examination of the specific paths in the model indicated that gastronomy attractiveness was positively associated with destination attractiveness and tourist behaviour. Meanwhile, the effect of tourists’ variegated gastronomy affection on the perceived attractiveness of a destination and the area’s gastronomy produced mixed results.

Research limitations/implications
The study contributed to the theoretical understanding of two important theories which are recreation specialization and attitude in the context of gastronomy tourism. The linkages in the model were empirically supported by statistical analyses.

Practical implications
The varying degrees of gastronomy affection amongst tourists can be used as an input to examine tourist behaviour within the gastronomy tourism context while simultaneously highlighting the importance of gastronomy to tourist destinations.

Social implications
The findings of this study are also deemed to assist destination marketers who observe that tourists have become more demanding in search of unique experiences offered by destinations. Based on the hypothesized model, tourists’ past gastronomy experience was a superior predictor than gastronomy involvement and knowledge on perceived gastronomy attractiveness which sequentially elevate tourist’s perceived destination attractiveness.

Originality/value
The study provided an integrated model for predicting tourist behaviour using tourists’ gastronomy affection.
Flood caused by driftwood accumulation at a bridge
Authors: Kimura Nobuaki , Tai Akira , Hashimoto Akihiro 
Published: September 2017

PurposeExtreme weather events introduced by climate change have been frequent across the world for the past decade. For example, Takeda City, a mountainous area in the south-western Japan, experienced a severe river flood event caused by the factors of high flow, presence of bridges and driftwood accumulation in July 2012. This study aims to focus on this event (hereafter, Takeda flood) because the unique factors of driftwood and bridges were involved. In the Takeda flood, high flow, driftwood and bridge were the potential key factors that caused the flood. The authors studied to reveal the physical processes of the Takeda flood.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a fundamental laboratory experiment with a miniature bridge, open channel flow and idealized driftwood accumulation. They also performed a numerical simulation by using a smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method, which can treat fluid as particle elements. This model was chosen because the SPH method is capable of treating a complex flow such as a spray of water around a bridge.FindingsThe numerical simulation successfully reproduced the bridge- and driftwood-induced floods of the laboratory experiment. Then, the contribution of the studied key factors to the flood mechanism based on the fluid forces generated by high flow, bridge and driftwood (i.e. pressure distributions) was quantitatively assessed. The results showed that the driftwood accumulation and high flow conditions are potentially important factors that can cause a severe flood like the Takeda flood.Originality/valueSimulated results with high flow conditions may be helpful to consider the countermeasure for future floods under climate change even though the test was simple and fundamental.
A regional collaborative working to improve health care quality, outcomes, and affordability
Authors: Weir Virginia 
Published: September 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the Bree Collaborative’s background, history, structure, and work.Design/methodology/approachThe Bree Collaborative was established by the Washington State Legislature to convene public and private health care stakeholders with the goal of identifying specific mechanisms to improve health care quality, outcomes, and affordability. These members are appointed by the Washington State Governor and represent public health care purchasers for Washington State, private health care purchasers (employers and union trusts), health plans, physicians and other health care providers, hospitals, and quality improvement organizations. Members annually select health care services that show high variation in care delivery, that are highly utilized without leading to better care or patient health, or that have known or suspected patient safety issues and develop recommendations for health care improvement.FindingsRecommendations are meant to be implemented by the Washington State Health Care Authority and used to set a community standard across the state. Successful implementation depends on several factors including engaged health care purchasers, support from diverse partners, and a health care community willing to put the patient at the center of care.Originality/valueBottom-up, collective action through the Bree Collaborative can help achieve the triple aim for Washington State and should be used as a model nationally and internationally.
Can asymmetry impact performance, collaboration and integration? An empirical study
Authors: Michalski Marek , Montes-Botella Jose Luis , Guevara Piedra Washington 
Published: September 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of asymmetric environments on collaboration, integration, and performance during supply chain management processes.Design/methodology/approachThe study conducted in the industrial sector of two markets – Spain and Poland – considering disparate behaviors among organizations and their managers. Using data collected from 133 firms and advanced partial least squares regression modeling, a number of direct and moderating effects are hypothesized and tested.FindingsThe authors found that existing asymmetry may prevent achievement of optimum equilibrium. Seven of the ten research hypotheses were validated, providing strong support for the significant role that asymmetry can play in managing supply chains (SCs). This result suggests that managers need to consider whether maximum collaboration or integration with SC partners is possible under the strong influence of asymmetry. The findings provide rational insights to SC managers regarding adequate measures to reduce imbalanced relationships and establish equilibrium between partners under varying contexts of collaboration and integration.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was conducted in only two countries, so generalizations are limited. Furthermore, there are improvements to be made in sample design to allow for further validation and enhancement of the model and method.Practical implicationsFindings provide rational insights to managers regarding when it is adequate to reduce imbalanced relationships with partners under varying contexts of collaboration and integration.Originality/valueCollaboration and integration have been well studied in many fields but this research suggests that managers in asymmetric environments must understand that development of strategies based on integration might be impossible to realize.
Perceptions of stakeholder pressure for supply-chain social responsibility and information disclosure by state-owned enterprises
Authors: Garde Sánchez Raquel , Rodríguez Bolívar Manuel Pedro , López Hernández Antonio M. 
Published: September 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the influence of perceptions of pressure from stakeholders on the managers of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) regarding the need to implement socially responsible policies in the supply chain and to disclose corporate social responsibility (CSR) information. The authors also analyse the benefits perceived by public managers from applying CSR in the supply chain and from the greater disclosure of CSR information.Design/methodology/approachA structured questionnaire was developed, based on a set of items related to aspects of CSR, and taking into account previous research in this field. The authors also propose a theoretical model with which to analyse relations among the variables studied. This model was verified using structural equation modelling.FindingsThe results obtained are consistent with the proposed model and show that stakeholder pressure has a direct influence on the CSR policies applied by public managers regarding suppliers and information disclosure. The authors also find that public managers believe that applying socially responsible policies in their dealings with suppliers will benefit their business.Originality/valueAlthough the question of CSR has been widely debated in the context of private business, very little research has addressed this question in the public sphere, especially in that of SOEs, regarding the practice of socially responsible management with suppliers. Aspects of social responsibility towards suppliers are of considerable importance and some complexity, particularly in public enterprises, which are sometimes the main or only consumer. A better understanding of the connections between these constructs will allow corporate decision makers, particularly those in public companies, to devise appropriate strategies for social responsibility in the supply chain and for the disclosure of CSR information, and thus incorporate stakeholders’ expectations into the design of these strategies.
Fast or free shipping options in online and Omni-channel retail? The mediating role of uncertainty on satisfaction and purchase intentions
Authors: Ma Siqi 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of a dimension of logistics service quality (delivery time) interacting with shipping charges and purchase importance on customer satisfaction and purchase intentions in an e-commerce context. Uncertainty in terms of perceived ambiguity and perceived riskiness is shown to be the theoretical mechanism that plays a mediating role in the relationships between delivery time and customer satisfaction, as well as between delivery time and purchase intentions.

Design/methodology/approach
This study used a scenario-based role playing experiment. Three variables are manipulated in the design of the study – delivery time, shipping charges, and purchase importance. Participant responses (n=360) were collected through Amazon Mechanical Turk with perceptual measures.

Findings
Results indicated that increased delivery time significantly increased customers’ perceived ambiguity and perceived riskiness which reduced satisfaction as well as negatively impacted purchase intentions. Further, free shipping reduced customers’ perceived ambiguity when delivery time was lengthy, but strengthened the perception of ambiguity when the delivery time was short.

Originality/value
This paper sheds light on how a dimension of logistics service quality (delivery time) interacts with shipping charges and purchase importance to impact customer satisfaction and purchase intentions. It introduces uncertainty in the form of perceived ambiguity and perceived riskiness, to the logistics service literature as the mechanism that can explain how delivery time interacting with shipping charges and purchase importance impact customer satisfaction and purchase intentions. The implications for online retailers are that they should display separate shipping charges for shorter delivery times but for longer delivery times they should display a total price for the product which includes the shipping cost. Also when the purchase is important to the customer, they should offer shorter shipping time choices if they want to increase customer satisfaction.
Portfolio of port-centric supply chain disruption threats
Authors: Loh Hui Shan , Thai Vinh Van , Wong Yiik Diew , Yuen Kum Fai , Zhou Qingji 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a risk assessment of port-centric threats that may have adverse effects on supply chain continuity from the perspectives of port operators and port users, thereby determining the significance of these threats to supply chain disruptions.

Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on literature review and reported cases, 19 port-centric disruptive events were identified. Subsequently, surveys were conducted to collect data from 102 port operators and 123 port users worldwide on the frequencies and consequences of the identified port-centric disruptive events. Risk matrices were then generated to compare the perspectives of port operators and port users.

Findings
The results show that threats related to the planning of port resources require the highest level of attention. This highlights important areas for port managers seeking to improve port resilience and supply chain continuity through a more prudent management of risks.

Research limitations/implications
The results help port managers understand where they should establish strategic capability to increase port resilience and enhance sustainability to benefit port users. However, the study could be further enhanced by evaluating the threats based on different regions of ports and port users and making recommendations for port operators to undertake.

Originality/value
The findings of this paper are significant as they provide an analysis of data gathered from international port operators and port users. Risk matrices have been widely applied in many industries, yet no studies have been conducted to develop a portfolio of port-centric risks at a scale as large as this paper.