bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Every cloud has a silver lining – leadership interventions in times of uncertainty
Authors: Schmitt Judith , Nielsen Karina , Axtell Carolyn , Vasquez Cristian 
Published: January 2025

PurposeCurrent political, economic and societal developments have led to high uncertainty in organisations, which may negatively impact employee well-being. Leaders play a crucial role in this context. This study explores how interventions support leaders and their followers in times of uncertainty.Design/methodology/approachWe conducted 22 interviews to evaluate the experiences of two interventions, coaching and mental health awareness training, both implemented in two corporate organisations in Czechia during a merger and acquisition and the COVID-19 pandemic.FindingsOur findings show that both interventions equipped participants with resources to manage change, such as increased self-awareness and self-efficacy, and improved coping strategies for stressful situations. Participants gained better leadership skills and knowledge to support employees and themselves when facing mental health issues. Our findings reveal that the contextual factors in the two organisations led to different mechanisms and content for coaching but similar mechanisms in mental health awareness training.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the understanding of targeted interventions to support leaders during times of uncertainty. Implications for practitioners and Human Resources when developing context-specific support strategies are discussed.
Time-optimal trajectory planning for 6R manipulator arm based on chaotic improved sparrow search algorithm
Authors: Jiao Yinjia , Zhao Yujie , Wen Shiguang 
Published: January 2025

Purpose
Trajectory planning is a core aspect of manipulator operation, directly influencing its performance. This paper aims to introduce a chaotic improved sparrow search algorithm (CISSA) to optimize hybrid polynomial-interpolated trajectories, enhancing the efficiency and precision of manipulator trajectory planning.

Design/methodology/approach
The proposed approach leverages 3-5-3 polynomial interpolation to construct the motion trajectory of a 6R manipulator. To optimize the trajectory over time, the sparrow search algorithm is enhanced with chaotic mapping, a discoverer dispersion strategy, positional limiting mechanisms and Brownian motion. These enhancements collectively reduce the manipulator’s runtime while meeting operational requirements.

Findings
The proposed method was applied to the AUBO-i5 robot to evaluate its performance. Simulation results demonstrate that CISSA effectively avoids local optima and achieves more accurate solutions compared to similar algorithms. By integrating CISSA into trajectory planning, the robot’s movement time was reduced by 13.99% compared to the original SSA, and the number of algorithm iterations was significantly decreased, ensuring smoother and more efficient task execution in real production.

Originality/value
A CISSA is proposed and applied to the optimal time trajectory planning of the manipulator, verifying the effectiveness and superiority of the algorithm. Experimental results show that CISSA outperforms comparable algorithms by several orders of magnitude in solving manipulator inverse kinematics, significantly enhancing planning efficiency and reducing trajectory planning time.
The impact of artificial intelligence on corporate greenwashing: evidence from the Chinese listed firms
Authors: Ren Xiaohang , Hu Shuiling , Sun Xianming , Zhou Dan 
Published: January 2025

PurposeThis paper investigates the impact of AI penetration rate on the degree of corporate greenwashing and aims to assess the potential of AI in enhancing firms' environmental performance and reducing false disclosures.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a year and firm fixed-effects model to analyze data from Chinese listed firms from 2012 to 2022. We use the low-carbon city pilot as a quasi-natural experiment to address endogeneity concerns and conduct a series of robustness tests, including adding control variables and transforming the model.FindingsThe results of this paper show that the application of AI can inhibit firms' greenwashing behavior, with green innovation activities further enhancing this inhibitory effect. In state-owned firms and those with Party Organizations, the inhibitory effect of AI on corporate greenwashing is more significant. This reduction in greenwashing is more likely to be observed in firms that are heavily influenced by Confucian culture, receive higher public attention regarding their environmental impact, face less market competition, suffer from more serious pollution and face less financial constraints.Originality/valueWe propose a new research perspective that offers novel insights into promoting the green development of firms by revealing the potential of AI in reducing their greenwashing behavior. Corporate boards can explore specific strategies for applying AI to monitor, prevent and correct greenwashing, thereby enhancing corporate environmental performance and social responsibility.
Technical and allocative efficiency, and the impact of competition: Islamic vs conventional banks
Authors: Ghroubi Mohamed , Ben Khalifa Raouf 
Published: January 2025

Purpose
This study aims to analyze both technical efficiency and allocative efficiency per input within the banking sector, focusing on the interplay among Islamic banks, conventional banks and conventional banks offering Islamic Banking Services (CBIBS). It also investigates the impact of competition on these efficiencies.

Design/methodology/approach
Using data from 37 Islamic banks, 38 CBIBS and 126 conventional banks across 14 countries in the MENA region and Southeast Asia over the period 2002–2022, the authors applied a stochastic frontier production model with first-order conditions, a two-step system generalized method of moments estimator and the Tobit model for robustness checks.

Findings
The findings indicate that Islamic banks demonstrate the highest technical efficiency, whereas CBIBS exhibit the lowest. Despite this, Islamic banks encounter significant challenges in allocative inefficiency, particularly in managing financial capital, which adversely affects their cost efficiency. Interestingly, competition enhances the allocative efficiency of financial capital in conventional banks and CBIBS but diminishes it in Islamic banks. Furthermore, control variables show varied impacts on efficiencies across different banking categories.

Research limitations/implications
These findings emphasize the need for collaboration between regulators and researchers to develop an efficiency measurement method that integrates financial, ethical and social aspects. It also highlights the importance of aligning banking with ethical financing practices and innovating products that optimize resource allocation, thereby enhancing both financial and ethical performance.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to analyze the allocative efficiency per input for the three categories of banks: Islamic, conventional and CBIBS, while highlighting the variety of competition effects.
Interest rate regulation and bank lending behaviour: evidence from Kenya
Authors: Ngaruiya Jane , Obi Pat , Mathuva David 
Published: January 2025

Purpose
This study aims to determine the impact of interest rate regulation on bank lending behaviour. The application of interest rate caps as a financial repression and regulatory measure has sparked debate for decades. This study contributes to the ongoing debate on the consequences of rate caps on banks’ lending behaviour in Kenya.

Design/methodology/approach
This study uses both fixed effects and two-step generalised method of moments techniques to establish the effects of interest rate caps on credit allocation across three sectors of the economy: government, private and interbank lending. To achieve this, the authors used data drawn from 35 licenced commercial banks in Kenya from 2004 to 2021.

Findings
The results, which are robust to endogeneity and other diagnostic checks, reveal shifts in lending behaviour by banks towards the government, and less to the private sector and interbank lending in rate cap periods. This study finds that rate caps have a significant and positive impact on bank lending to the government. This significant positive impact appears subdued for private and interbank lending.

Research limitations/implications
From a policy perspective, the findings highlight that interest rate caps do not benefit the private sector. An important implication of this study is that such policies may have unintended consequences of hindering growth in a broader economy. This study has the potential to inform policymakers and the banking industry in East Africa about the effects of interest rate regulation. High lending interest rates have seen some countries, such as Kenya, imposing interest rate caps and subsequently repealing them. Other countries, such as Uganda, were in the process of considering rate caps but have deferred the decision.

Originality/value
This study contributes to the ongoing debate regarding the implications of interest rate controls in developing economies. The study uses robust estimation approaches to argue its case for a separate examination of rate controls in a single-country setting owing to the unique institutional and contextual realities inherent in every jurisdiction.
Is ownership structure effective in the relationship between ESG and bank performance?
Authors: Dogan Basar Berna , Ekşi İbrahim Halil , Yudaruddin Rizky 
Published: January 2025

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the causality between the environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) score, which is the component of banks’ performance obtained from ESG activities, and the capital costs, market values and bankruptcy risk of banks. For this purpose, 117 banks with fully accessible data from 29 developing countries were included.

Design/methodology/approach
In the methodology part of the study, the panel causality test developed by Emirmahmutoglu and Köse was used based on the periods 2015–2022. First, the cross-section test and delta tests were performed. Then, Levin, Lin and Chu, Breitung, Im, Pesaran, Shin, Fisher ADF and Fisher-PP panel unit root tests and Emirmahmutoglu and Köse panel causality test were performed.

Findings
As a result of the analyses, bidirectional causality was observed between ESG and weighted average cost of capital of private banks. Similarly, bidirectional causality from ESG to company market capitalization and from ESG to the risk indicator ZSCORE was determined in both private and state banks. The results reveal that ESG components should also be considered in relation to financial performance. In this respect, it is expected to guide regulatory and supervisory institutions in the establishment of regulations and guidelines regarding the determination and promotion of ESG practices that will increase capital efficiency and reduce corporate financing costs.

Originality/value
Focusing on ESG activities has ceased to be an arbitrary situation for banks. In today’s competitive conditions, financial institutions are turning to strategies that differentiate them from their competitors, such as ESG, as they have difficulty maintaining customer loyalty. Based on the lack of focus on structure differentiation before, the main research question of this study is whether the private and public structure will cause a difference in the effect of ESG activities on bank performance and cost.
Technological diversification and innovation performance: ownership structure
Authors: Zhao Xingxin , Zhan Xinrui , Su Jiafu 
Published: January 2025

PurposeThis study explores the contingent relationship between technological diversification (TD) and innovation performance, particularly in the context of China’s high-tech firms. It aims to understand how the structure of firm ownership influences the allocation of innovation resources and, consequently, the efficiency of innovation activities.Design/methodology/approachThe research employs a fixed-effect regression model to analyze a unique panel dataset of 1,139 Chinese listed high-tech firms over a nine-year period. The dataset includes firm-year observations from 19 industries, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of the relationships between TD, innovation performance and ownership structure.FindingsThis study finds an inverted U-shaped relationship between TD and innovation performance, indicating that while a certain level of TD can enhance innovation performance, excessive diversification can lead to diminishing returns. The findings also reveal that ownership concentration amplifies this relationship, suggesting that firms with more concentrated ownership structures can quickly reach optimal levels of innovation performance but are also more susceptible to the “over-diversification trap.” In contrast, equity restriction and ownership type (state-owned vs privately owned enterprises) moderate the relationship, indicating that firms with these structures may maintain optimal innovation performance levels for longer periods.Originality/valueThis research provides novel insights by confirming a nonlinear, inverted U-shaped relationship between TD and innovation performance, specifically within the context of Chinese high-tech firms. By integrating corporate governance theory, our study advances understanding of how ownership structure – through ownership concentration, equity restriction and ownership type – moderates the TD-innovation performance relationship. This perspective offers a deeper understanding of resource allocation and innovation efficiency in emerging markets. The findings hold practical implications for managers and policymakers, underscoring the importance of aligning TD strategies with firm ownership structures to optimize innovation outcomes.
Consumerism in health care: is price transparency good for the cause?
Authors: Deutsch Ashley , Thomas Ashley M. 
Published: January 2025

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the consumerism movement in health care and the implications of price transparency for the cause. A document analysis of supplier-side sentiments suggests health-care organizations are concerned this move will hinder not help consumers.

Design/methodology/approach
Document analysis of a supplier community has been applied in an analysis of policy-related communication between the US Government and hospital associations.

Findings
Empirical findings suggest that at both the institutional and cultural level, responsibility for health decision-making is obscured with easily misunderstood price information.

Originality/value
This paper explores the applicability of document analysis as a tool to understand cultural and institutional narratives.
Digital nudge persuasiveness of avatars in restaurants toward healthy choices and happy diners
Authors: Aman Adil Masud , Ng Wailing , Hao Fei , Zhang Chen , Chon Kaye Kye Sung 
Published: January 2025

Graphical abstract

Purpose
Amid rising concerns over unhealthy dietary habits and their impact on public health, this study aims to explore the role of avatars in promoting healthier eating and enhancing customer satisfaction in restaurants. By leveraging the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and nudge theory, this research sought to gain insights into consumer behavior and assess how digital innovations can encourage healthier food choices.

Design/methodology/approach
This study recruited 672 participants in the USA. Participants viewed a video featuring an avatar that informed them about available healthy food options, simulating a restaurant ordering scenario. Following the video, participants completed comprehensive online surveys. The collected data was analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling to assess the effectiveness and implications of the intervention.

Findings
The findings revealed that health consciousness, environmental awareness, social norms and perceived behavioral control significantly influence dietary habits. Restaurant health initiatives and avatar persuasiveness were found to encourage healthier food choices, improve customer satisfaction and loyalty and enhance electronic word-of-mouth. The study confirmed that avatars equipped with attributes such as competence, warmth, trustworthiness and credibility can be an effective digital nudge for consumers toward healthier dietary decisions.

Originality/value
This study’s originality lies in its integration of TPB and nudge theory, bridging the gap between individual psychological factors and external cues. This comprehensive framework provides valuable insights for restaurant managers, artificial intelligence developers and policymakers, offering practical strategies to promote healthier eating and enhance customer experiences through digital innovation.
Religious practices and market anomalies: an inquiry into the persistence of the religious holiday effect
Authors: Sing Nang Biak , Lalropuii  , Singh Rajkumar Giridhari 
Published: January 2025

Purpose
The study aims to investigate the persistence of seasonal anomalies during religious holidays in emerging markets.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors select the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange stock returns from January 1990 to December 2022. The GARCH family models were adopted to examine the mean-variance returns associated with symmetric and asymmetric effects. The ARIMAX model is used to investigate the exogenous order during the pre-mandated and post-mandated trading holidays.

Findings
The results show that the persistence of returns and volatility during religious holidays significantly when subjected to specific religious holidays. The authors also found that volatility during religious festivals dipped during the pre-holiday and gradually increased after the events. The findings suggest that religious holiday anomalies exhibit a trivial significant effect on stock market returns and this effect is waning.

Research limitations/implications
The findings provide investors and market regulators with a better understanding of market anomalies related to religious practices. During these periods, investors may experience substantial fluctuations in their portfolios, potentially leading to significant losses or payoffs. Investors can sustain substantial losses or payoffs and market manipulation by adjusting their strategies around religious holidays to account for potential volatility, albeit temporarily.

Originality/value
This study contributes to behavioural finance literature that suggests that beliefs and cultural aspects determine a country’s stock market inefficiency. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous study has comprehensively examined threshold religious holidays across diverse religions in Indian market using long-memory data.
Sample coverage affects diversity measures of bird communities along a natural recovery gradient of abandoned agriculture in tropical lowland forests
Authors: Kortmann Mareike , Chao Anne , Schaefer H. Martin , Blüthgen Nico , Gelis Rudy , Tremlett Constance J. , Busse Annika , Püls Marcel , Seibold Sebastian , Kriegel Peter , Rabl Dominik , de la Hoz Maria , Şekercioğlu Çağan H. , Schleuning Matthias , Feldhaar Heike , Newell Felicity L. , Kümmet Sonja , Mitesser Oliver , Peters Marcel K. , Müller Jörg 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Tropical old‐growth forests continue to decline worldwide, resulting in a huge loss of biodiversity. The extent to which the expansion of second‐growth forests can counteract biodiversity loss is context‐dependent and controversial.

To test the recovery of bird communities along a gradient from active pastures and cacao plantations, through regenerating forest on land last used for agriculture between 1 and 38 years ago, to old‐growth forest, we sampled simultaneous audio recordings from 66 plots, from which an expert identified all bird species detected at fixed time points throughout the day. The study area is characterized by typical small‐scale agriculture with remnant trees in the Ecuadorian Chocó Forest. To quantify different aspects of biodiversity, we used incidence‐based Hill numbers focusing on infrequent, frequent and highly frequent species in taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity, considering sample coverage (an objective measure of sample completeness).

Bird community composition changed with the regrowth gradient represented on the first axis of the ordination. Differences in bird communities were also very robust to changes in sample coverage.

The sample coverage decreased significantly along the recovery gradient and affected the different measures of alpha diversity. Although the results controlled by sample coverage showed no change in taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity, the functional diversity of infrequent, frequent and highly frequent species decreased along the recovery gradient.

Cacao plantations exhibited particularly high diversity values, highlighting the potential of these patches to support woodland and shrubland species in agriculture. Furthermore, several forest species regularly used the agricultural areas, attracted by remnant trees characteristic of the small‐scale agricultural landscape in our study region.

Synthesis and applications. Our results highlight the importance of standardizing biodiversity measures and incorporating beta diversity in biodiversity monitoring. We demonstrate that taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional bird diversity can be high in secondary forests within smallholder agricultural landscapes. This underscores the potential for natural forest recovery, particularly when recovery patches are embedded within a forest matrix that includes old‐growth stands.
The Most Disproportionate UK Election: How the Labour Party Doubled its Seat Share with a 1.6‐Point Increase in Vote Share in 2024
Authors: Miori Marta , Green Jane 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe Labour Party doubled its seats in the 2024 UK general election, winning a landslide majority with only a 1.6 point increase in its UK vote share and an historically low vote share for a winning party at just under 34 per cent. This article provides new evidence for three constituency‐level explanations for this outcome in the context of anti‐incumbent voting. First, the local race increased tactical voting between Labour and the Liberal Democrats where races were perceived to be competitive. Second, Reform UK lowered the threshold needed for Labour to take more constituencies—particularly from the Conservatives—with greater constituency fragmentation on the political right. Third, Labour outperformed its national success in Scotland, gaining larger swings with a double ‘anti‐incumbent’ vote. These patterns are critical to understanding the 2024 general election and are informative for the stability of Labour's electoral coalition. Labour's 2024 majority rests on factors largely unrelated to its own electoral popularity and which are unlikely to remain stable between now and the next general election.