bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Government size, institutional quality and economic welfare in Africa
Authors: Kunawotor Mark , Ahiabor Godson , Yobo Eric 
Published: July 2024

PurposeMost African countries operate large government sizes but with little corresponding economic outcomes. Institutional economics however, show that strong institution is fundamental in promoting economic growth. This study examines the linkages between government size, institutional quality and economic welfare in Africa.Design/methodology/approachThis study deploys the System Generalized Method of Moments estimation strategy on panel data of 52 African economies from 2000–2018.FindingsThe result shows that government size has a negative impact on economic welfare, while institutional quality has a positive impact on economic welfare. The interaction of government size and institutional quality shows a positive impact on economic welfare, signifying synergy and complementarity. Thus, strong institutions counteract the adverse effects of large government size on economic welfare.Practical implicationsTo promote human development and economic welfare, and attain key Sustainable Development Goals such as good health and well-being, quality education, decent work and economic growth, African policy makers need to keep their government sizes at optimal levels and promote strong institutions.Originality/valueThis paper provides first-hand empirical evidence of the relevance of institutional quality in counteracting the adverse influence of large government size in Africa. It determines the thresholds of government size and uses a composite index as proxy for same. In addition, this study uses the World Governance Indicators and the Fraser Institute Economic Freedom Index as alternative measures of institutional quality and Gross Domestic Product per capita and Human Development Index as proxies for economic welfare.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-01-2024-0075
Investor stewardship disclosure and firm R&D investment
Authors: Routledge James 
Published: July 2024

PurposeThis study explores the association between institutional investors’ stewardship activity, disclosed under Japan’s Stewardship Code, and the R&D investments of their investee companies.Design/methodology/approachRecognizing the pivotal role of R&D investment in long-term value creation, this study uses comprehensive data from institutional investor disclosures to assess the impact of stewardship activity on their investee companies.FindingsThe findings show that investor stewardship activity is a factor that influences strategic R&D investment. Specifically, a positive association is found between code-compliant institutional investor shareholding and R&D investment, contingent on high levels of stewardship activity.Originality/valueBy using stewardship disclosures to measure stewardship activity, this study sheds new light on institutional investors’ role in promoting R&D investment. The findings suggest that stewardship regulation is a valid governance policy mechanism to the extent that it promotes stewardship activity. Moreover, the findings show that stewardship disclosures provide valuable information about the potential value enhancement associated with institutional shareholding.
Ownership structure and integrated reporting quality: empirical evidence from an emerging market
Authors: Fayad Abdallah A.S. , Mohd Ariff Arifatul Husna Binti , Ooi Sue Chern , Aljadba Ali H.I. , Albitar Khaldoon 
Published: July 2024

Purpose
This paper aims to explore the role of ownership structure on integrated reporting quality (IRQ) in an emerging market.

Design/methodology/approach
This study includes a sample consisting of 64 firms from Bursa Malaysia, with 173 firm-year observations from 2017 to 2020. Feasible Generalised Least Square model has been used to test the hypotheses.

Findings
The findings show that government ownership has a positive effect on IRQ and that the integrated reports and <IR> framework are well aligned. Foreign ownership influences IRQ positively. However, the results did not support the effect of family ownership on IRQ as hypothesised.

Practical implications
The findings of this research hold practical implications for companies and regulators in Malaysia. The results demonstrate to investors that both government and foreign ownership have a positive impact on IRQ. Therefore, investors can make well-informed investment decisions regarding companies with a high level of government or foreign ownership.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to explore the effect of ownership structure on IRQ in the Malaysian context.
Do government support correlates enhance financial performance? Rural microenterprises perspectives
Authors: Nkote Isaac , Jakweyo Christopher 
Published: July 2024

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the determinants of financial performance of the rural microenterprises, with microcredit access as the mediating variable.Design/methodology/approachA survey using a self-administered questionnaire to the managers/owners of the rural microenterprises was adopted. The data was collected on the three study variables; financial literacy, credit access and financial performance. A total of 148 fully completed and useable questionnaires were used in the analysis. The researchers performed factor analysis, correlations, regression and mediation analysis to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe study revealed the existence of a statistically significant and positive relationship between financial literacy and microcredit access, microcredit access and financial performance. On the other hand the financial literacy had a significant but negative impact on the financial performance of the rural microenterprises. In the final analysis, financial literacy is only effective in impacting financial performance when mediated by microcredit access. We conclude that policies that emphasize financial literacy are ineffective in fostering the financial performance and growth of the microenterprises.Originality/valueThe study is original as it addresses the combined effect of credit rationing and resource based view theories to explain the financial performance of informal rural microenterprises that are the key livilihood business undertaking in many developing countries.
Osmice at the crossroads: the dialectical interplay of tradition, modernity and cultural identity in family businesses
Authors: Balzano Marco , Marzi Giacomo 
Published: July 2024

Purpose
This study aims to explore the dialectical interplay between traditional roots and contemporary challenges faced by family businesses, specifically focusing on “Osmice” (in Slovenian; in Italian, “Osmize”), which are family enterprises that embody the cultural and historical heritage at the intersection of Italy and Slovenia. In particular, the purpose of this study is to understand how these businesses, deeply rooted in the communal life of the Karst region, evolve amidst changing social, economic and cultural landscapes.

Design/methodology/approach
Building on an alternate template analysis, the research includes the examination of archival data and 34 in-depth narrative interviews. This approach captures details about the historical establishment, persistence and evolution of Osmice, with a particular focus on their ways of facing contemporary challenges while preserving their traditional roots.

Findings
The findings reveal that Osmice navigate the tension between past and present through high sensitivity to the cultural identity of the land in which they are embedded. Thus, the study interprets these dynamics through a dialectical lens as the synthesis of preserving traditional roots and adapting to contemporary challenges, articulated through a particular sensitivity to cultural identity.

Originality/value
This investigation contributes to the discourse on how family businesses can maintain their traditional roots while adapting to contemporary challenges. It offers novel insights into the role of cultural identity in balancing tradition and modernity. Through this lens, the study underscores the capacity of family businesses such as Osmice to thrive amidst change, providing implications for both theory and practice in the field of business studies.
Importance of artificial intelligence in achieving sustainable development goals through financial inclusion
Authors: Fazal Anam , Ahmed Alia , Abbas Sagheer 
Published: July 2024

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence on the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and financial inclusion to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs), an agenda set by United Nations for 2030. Financial inclusion is an enabler of 8 of the 17 SDGs. This paper emphasizes the introduction of AI in the financial sector, which is indispensable for achieving financial inclusion and plays a crucial role in the achievement of SDGs.

Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts qualitative research methodology to highlight the significance of AI in achieving high levels of financial inclusion in an economy. Both narrative and comparative approaches are used to provide empirical evidence for reaching the UN SDGs target through AI-assisted financial inclusion.

Findings
AI implementation in finance enables people to take part in the formal financial sector and thus, enhances economic growth and reduces poverty.

Research limitations/implications
This research is limited in its data. Only five top AI applications are chosen and comparison is made between two countries only. Future research should consider it as an established concept and include more data to strengthen the evidence.

Practical implications
The results of this paper will help policymakers convince governments and institutions to put their efforts toward AI implementation in financial infrastructure of countries.

Originality/value
This research is unique in providing real-life examples and cases demonstrating the significance of AI implementation in the financial sector. Recent literature lacks evidence on the relationship of AI, financial inclusion and SDGs. This study adds to the existing literature by compiling data on top AI applications and comparing the performance of countries in achieving financial inclusion with the help of AI.
A preliminary study of polymer optical fiber’s knittability for smart wear applications
Authors: Raji Rafiu King , Li Ning , Diao Guiqiang , Luo Qin , Liu Hai Jin 
Published: July 2024

Purpose
The purpose of this research is to ascertain the feasibility of fabricating polymer optical fibers (POFs) based textile structures by knitting with Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) based optical fibers for textile sensor application. It has long been established that by using the principles of physics, POFs have the capability to function as sensors, detecting strain, temperature and other variables. However, POF applications such as strain and pressure sensing using knitting techniques has since not been very successful due to a number of reasons. Commercially available PMMA-based optical fibers tend to be fragile and susceptible to breakages when subjected to stress during the knitting processes. Also light transmitted within these fibers is prone to leakage due to the curvature that results when optical fibers are interlaced or interlooped within fabric structures.

Design/methodology/approach
Using Stoll’s multi-gauge CMS 350 HP knitting machine, five fabric structures namely, 1 × 4 float knit structure, tunnel inlay knit structure, 3:1 fleece fabric and 2:1 fleece fabric structure respectively were used to knit sensor samples. The samples were subsequently tested for length of illumination and sensitivity relative to applied pressure.

Findings
The results of this preliminary study establish that embedding plastic optical fibers into a knitted structure during the fabric formation process for soft strain sensor application possible. The best illumination performance was recorded for tunnel inlay structure which had an average of 94 cm course length of POF being illuminated. Sensor sensitivity experiments also establish that the relative spectral intensity of the fiber is sensitive to both light and pressure. Problems encountered and recommendations for further research have also been discussed and proffered.

Research limitations/implications
Due to resource limitations, an innovative technique (use of precision weight set) was used to apply pressure to the sensors. Consequently, information regarding the extent of corresponding sensor deformation has not been used in this initial analysis.

Practical implications
Because the fundamental step toward finding a solution to any engineering problem is the acquisition of reliable data, and considering the fact that most of the popular technologies used for soft textile sensors are still bedeviled with the problem of signal instability and noise, the success of this application thus has the tendency to promote the wide spread adoption of POF sensors for smart apparel applications.

Originality/value
As far as research on soft strain sensors is concerned, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to have attempted to knit deformable sensors using commercially available POFs.
A local logistics business entering a niche market: PTL’s open innovation journey
Authors: Livieratos Antonios D. , Angelakis Antonios 
Published: July 2024

Research methodology
In writing this case, the authors collected both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through personal observation and semi-structured interviews with Konstantinos Papageorgiou Jr, Papageorgiou Transports & Logistics’s (PTL) CEO. In 2014, Konstantinos Jr participated in an entrepreneurship course for executives instructed by the first author at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Since then, the first author has served as an advisor to PTL’s CEO. Furthermore, Konstantinos Papageorgiou Jr presented his case during an undergraduate management course at the Department of Business Administration at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in November 2020. Finally, three semi-structured interviews with the CEO were conducted from December 2020 until March 2021. Secondary data were collected from the company’s website and social media, as well as databases and annual reports. Since the academic year 2021/2022, the authors have each independently taught the case study in various courses, including strategic management (undergraduate and postgraduate), entrepreneurship (undergraduate) and innovation management (undergraduate and postgraduate). Testing the case in class has shaped the instructor’s manual.

Case overview/synopsis
The case study of PTL highlights a remarkable transformation in response to a critical business challenge. Facing the abrupt loss of their main client in 2010, PTL, led by Konstantinos Papageorgiou Jr, swiftly recovered and sought to proactively mitigate future shocks. Operating amid the Greek economic crisis, Konstantinos Jr recognized an opportunity in the niche market of juvenile Mediterranean fish (fry) transport. Despite lacking prior expertise in this field, PTL engaged in open innovation, collaborating with a variety of partners to acquire the necessary knowledge and capabilities. By 2013, PTL had successfully entered the niche market of fry transportation. Over the subsequent years, this venture grew, and by the end of 2022, PTL operated four trucks dedicated to this niche market. The company’s remarkable transformation exemplifies how a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) can adapt, innovate, and diversify its offerings beyond its comfort zone, ultimately achieving a tenfold increase in turnover. PTL’s journey showcases the strategic value of partnerships and the potential for SMEs to evolve into “innovation producers” in the face of adversity.

Complexity academic level
The PTL case is suitable for management, strategic management, innovation management and entrepreneurship courses. The case is recommended for use at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels (a different teaching plan is proposed for each level). It provides both undergraduate and master’s students studying business administration the opportunity to explore issues associated with the management of SMEs, the formulation and implementation of a business strategy and the management of innovation in SMEs.
Treatment patterns and healthcare resource utilization among patients with alopecia areata: A real‐world chart review in South Korea
Authors: Kwon Ohsang , Wallace Matthew , Messina Paolo , Szende Agota , Choi Jee Woong , Newson Rachel S. , Koo Dong Hyun , Lee Joo Hee 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAlopecia areata (AA) is a clinically heterogeneous, immune‐mediated, non‐scarring hair loss disorder. This real‐world chart review sought to characterize treatment patterns and healthcare resource use among patients with severe AA in South Korea. A web‐based chart review of 40 dermatologists was conducted in which the medical charts of 151 adult patients diagnosed with severe AA between May 2019 and April 2021 were reviewed. Anonymized data on patient characteristics, treatment patterns, healthcare resource use, and clinical outcomes were extracted from the date of severe disease diagnosis until the date of data collection (September–November 2022). Sixty‐six percent of patients were diagnosed with severe disease at initial presentation, while 34% were re‐classed to severe during the disease course. Mean estimated patient age at the time of diagnosis of severe AA was 37.1 (range 22–68) years. Fifty‐three percent of patients were male. Most patients (93.4%) received pharmacological treatment for their condition; 45.5% received ≥2 lines of treatment with a mean duration of 24 months. First‐line treatment discontinuation due to lack of efficacy occurred in 46.0% of cases. Hair regrowth occurred in 71.0% of patients, 59.2% of whom experienced major regrowth (≥60%) during the follow‐up period. Median (95% confidence interval) time to regrowth was 13.7 (11.0–20.6) months. Treatment visit rates per person‐year ranged from two (phototherapy) to 10 (topical treatment), dermatologist visits occurred at a rate of 12.9 per person‐year and 6.0% of patients were hospitalized due to alopecia areata. The majority of hospitalizations were related to treatment and occurred in patients who received pulse systemic corticosteroid therapy. The patient and economic burden of AA in South Korea is high and there remains a critical unmet need among patients with severe AA with respect to the effectiveness of commonly used treatment strategies.
Simultaneous seismic data de‐aliasing and denoising with a fast adaptive method based on hybrid wavelet transform
Authors: Zhang Peng , Han Xiaoying , Chen Changle , Liu Xinming 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMissing data and random noise are prevalent issues encountered during the processing of acquired seismic data. Interpolation and denoising represent economical solutions to address these limitations. Recovering regularly missing traces is challenging because of the spatial aliasing, and the extra difficulty is compounded by the presence of noise. Hence, developing an effective approach to realize denoising and anti‐aliasing is important. Projection onto convex sets is an effective method for recovering missing seismic data that is typically used for processing data with a good signal‐to‐noise ratio. The computational attractiveness of the projection onto convex sets reconstruction approach is compromised by its slow convergence rate. In this study, we aimed to efficiently implement simultaneous seismic data de‐aliasing and denoising. We combined a discrete wavelet transform with a seislet transform to construct a hybrid wavelet transform. A new fast adaptive method based on the fast projection onto convex sets method was proposed to recover the missing data and remove random noise. This approach adjusts the projection operator and iterative shrinkage threshold operator. The result is influenced by the threshold value. We enhanced the processing accuracy by adopting an optimal threshold strategy. Synthetic and field data tests indicate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Using artificial neural networks and citizen science data to assess jellyfish presence along coastal areas
Authors: Castro‐Gutiérrez J. , Gutiérrez‐Estrada J. C. , Báez J. C. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Jellyfish blooms along coastal areas can pose significant challenges for beach users and local authorities. Understanding the factors influencing jellyfish presence is crucial for effective management and mitigation strategies.

In this study, citizen science data from the Andalusian coast (232 beaches, in 40 different localities) and machine learning techniques are used to investigate if the presence and absence of jellyfish along coastal areas can be predicted. A multi‐layer perceptron (MLP) neural network was employed to classify user comments regarding jellyfish presence or absence, achieving an accuracy of approximately 96%.

The MLP model demonstrated robustness in handling non‐linear classification problems and noise, although it showed lower precision for predicting jellyfish presence, likely due to an imbalance in the dataset. Environmental data were also incorporated to characterise the influence of sea surface temperature, wind direction and wind speed on jellyfish distribution. The results align with previous studies, suggesting these environmental factors significantly impact jellyfish presence.

Synthesis and applications. This research provides actionable recommendations for beach management. The implementation of continuous monitoring of sea surface temperature and wind conditions will enable more accurate predictions of jellyfish distribution. Adaptive management strategies that respond dynamically to environmental data will help mitigate the impact of jellyfish blooms on coastal tourism and public health.
Metal‐regulated antibiotic resistance and its implications for antibiotic therapy
Authors: Xu Zeling , Lin Xiaoshan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAntibiotic resistance, one of the major medical threats worldwide, can be selected and induced by metals through multiple mechanisms such as co‐resistance, cross‐resistance, and co‐regulation. Compared with co‐resistance and cross‐resistance which are attributed to the physically or functionally linked metal and antibiotic resistance genes, co‐regulation of antibiotic resistance genes by metal‐responsive regulators and pathways is much more complex and elusive. Here, we discussed the main mechanisms by which antibiotic resistance is regulated in response to metals and showed recent attempts to combat antibiotic resistance by interfering with metal‐based signalling pathways. Further efforts to depict the intricate metal‐based regulatory network of antibiotic resistance will provide tremendous opportunities for the discovery of novel anti‐resistance targets, and blocking or rewiring the metal‐based signalling pathways is emerging as a promising stratagem to reverse bacterial resistance to antibiotics and rejuvenate the efficacy of conventional antibiotics.