bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The relationship between job redesigning, reskilling and upskilling on organizational agility
Authors: Jamal Amani Fathi , El Nemar Sam , Sakka Georgia 
Published: January 2024

PurposeThis research explores the link between job redesign and skilling in three Lebanese service provider industries, aiming to understand how these factors affect organizational agility, a crucial factor for efficiency and effectiveness and promote long-term interventions through job redesign, upskilling and reskilling.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed two surveys, one for personnel (employees) and one for human aid managers (HR managers). These surveys collected data from 384 employees and 67 HR managers. The study utilized a work design questionnaire (WDQ), skilling application evaluation and the change acceptance model and testing to evaluate job redesign, skilling application effectiveness, technology acceptance and change readiness.FindingsIt was revealed that there is a significant and positive relationship between job redesign and the application of skilling programs. This relationship was shown to enhance organizational agility, with a particular focus on employees' technology acceptance and readiness for change. The integrated framework that combines job redesign, upskilling and reskilling was empirically tested and found to enable organizations to build their agility. The study also identified challenges and offered solutions for implementation, emphasizing the importance of employee responsiveness.Practical implicationsThis research emphasizes the need for organizations to adapt job designs and enhance employee skills to enhance organizational agility, recommending a structured approach that combines job redesign and skill development efforts.Originality/valueThis research integrates job redesign, upskilling and reskilling in Lebanese service provider industries, contributing to organizational change and workforce development. It emphasizes technology acceptance and readiness for change.
Implementing success management on government-to-government projects: an integrated perspective with the PMBOK guide
Authors: Takagi Nilton , Varajão João , Ventura Thiago 
Published: January 2024

PurposeAs in the private sector, public organizational information systems (IS) development is commonly carried out through projects. One of the alternatives followed by governmental organizations to perform their projects is outsourcing (by hiring other public institutions that have expertise in the IS area of the projects to be developed). However, limited research has been conducted on project success regarding these government-to-government (G2G) contexts. Since achieving success is crucial for public management, this paper proposes a model for Success Management of IS projects in G2G context.Design/methodology/approachThe research method was design science research (DSR). In the evaluation step of the DSR, IS projects in a G2G environment were the object of case studies.FindingsThis work presents in detail how Success Management activities can be integrated into the processes and process groups of the Project Management Institute's project management guide. The authors also suggest tools and techniques to be used in each Success Management activity.Practical implicationsManaging success, particularly addressing success criteria and success factors, can help managers focus their efforts on what will really impact the success of a project. In the context of IS projects in G2G contexts, this contributes to decreasing waste and increasing the chances of providing better services to citizens.Originality/valueThis work contributes to theory by providing a new model for IS G2G projects that integrates Success Management and project management processes.
How local dealers benefit from their international participation: evidence from Africa
Authors: Zhang Lian , Wang Qingtao , Zhang Qiyuan , Zhou Kevin Zheng 
Published: January 2024

PurposeAlthough the prior literature has identified the relevance of dealer participation for multinational enterprises (MNEs), it is unclear whether such participation could also be an important means for local dealers to learn from MNEs. By adopting local firms’ viewpoint, our study draws on organizational learning theory to examine how local dealers benefit from their participation with foreign suppliers in Africa.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical setting is a combinative dataset of secondary data and primary survey of 164 small- and medium-sized local dealers with nine subsidiaries of a Chinese motorcycle company in six countries of Sub-Saharan Africa.FindingsThis research shows that dealer participation is positively associated with dealer performance, and this positive effect is stronger when local dealers operate in regions with low government corruption and high government support. However, the positive relationship is weaker when local dealers use the local tongue extensively but becomes stronger when their foreign suppliers have a high dealer coverage.Originality/valueBy taking a local-participant perspective, our study extends the participation literature to show how firms from a resource-constrained region may benefit from their proactive participation with foreign counterparts. Additionally, we identify the boundary conditions of institutional factors and strategic choices of local dealers and foreign suppliers, providing a nuanced understanding of firm behaviors in complex and uncertain markets.
Examination of spatial efficiency in super-tall towers within the Middle Eastern context
Authors: Ilgın Hüseyin Emre 
Published: January 2024

PurposeSuper-tall towers have surfaced as a pragmatic remedy to meet the escalating requisites for both residential and commercial areas and to stimulate economic growth in the Middle East. In this unique regional context, optimizing spatial usage stands as a paramount consideration in the architectural design of skyscrapers. Despite the proliferation of super-tall towers, there exists a conspicuous dearth of comprehensive research pertaining to space efficiency in Middle Eastern skyscrapers. This study endeavors to bridge this substantial gap in the literature.Design/methodology/approachThe research methodology utilized in this paper adopts a case study approach to accumulate data regarding super-tall towers in the Middle East, with a specific focus on investigating space efficiency. A total of 27 super-tall tower cases from the Middle East were encompassed within the analytical framework.FindingsKey findings can be succinctly summarized as follows: (1) average space efficiency was 75.5%, with values fluctuating between a minimum of 63% and a maximum of 84%; (2) average ratio of the core area to the gross floor area (GFA) registered 21.3%, encompassing a spectrum ranging from 11% to 36%; (3) predominantly, Middle Eastern skyscrapers exhibited a prismatic architectural form coupled with a central core typology. This architectural configuration mostly catered to residential and mixed-use functions; (4) the combination of concrete and outrigger frame systems was the most frequently utilized; (5) as the height of the tower increased, space efficiency tended to experience a gradual decline and (6) no significant discernible disparities were detected in the impact of diverse load-bearing systems and architectural forms on space efficiency.Originality/valueDespite the proliferation of super-tall towers, there exists a conspicuous dearth of comprehensive research pertaining to space efficiency in Middle Eastern skyscrapers. This study endeavors to bridge this substantial gap in the literature.
Perceived impacts of social enterprises in scaling effective refractive error coverage in Kenya
Authors: Muma Shadrack Lusi , Naidoo Kovin Shunmugam , Hansraj Rekha 
Published: January 2024

Purpose
Effective refractive error (RE) coverage in a resource-constrained country such as Kenya could possibly be achievable if the current dominant commercial entrepreneurship is supplemented with alternative avenues such as social entrepreneurship. This study aims to explore the perceived impact of social enterprises (SEs) in scaling effective RE coverage in Kenya.

Design/methodology/approach
This was an exploratory study with data collected from representatives of SEs (n = 29), trainees of SEs (n = 112) and beneficiaries of eye care services provided by SEs (n = 674). Participants were recruited purposively with data collected through telephonic calls. Thematic analysis was carried out by categorizing the codes into categories and themes based on the semantic meaning of the codes.

Findings
The perceived impact of SEs from the representative perspective included entrepreneurship and livelihood (n = 3; 10.3%), skills development (n = 20; 69%), technology development (n = 7; 24.1%), access to specialized services (n = 7; 24.1%) and affordability, accessibility and availability of RE services (n = 27; 93.1%). From the perspective of trainees, the themes included economic empowerment (n = 99; 88.4%), improved quality of life (n = 84; 75.0%), sensitizing locals to RE during screening events (n = 112; 100.0%) and enhancing accessibility, availability and affordability (n = 107; 95.5%).

Originality/value
The perceived impact of SEs highlighted in this paper showcases that they are useful for integration into the eye health ecosystem in a resource-constrained country such as Kenya. Integration of SEs into the eye health ecosystem could potentially address the human resource challenge, scale RE service delivery, enhance awareness creation and address the cost barriers to current RE service delivery coverage.
Gen Z consumers’ expectations for smart convenience stores in the USA, South Korea, and Japan
Authors: Jung Summer Dahyang , Claire Sahej , Kim Sohyeong 
Published: January 2024

Purpose
Generation Z will be the leading consumer group in the future. Using convenience stores, the study provides an in-depth analysis on Gen Z’s current experience and future expectations from retail stores. The study further highlights the differences between Gen Z’s perception of convenience stores across three different regions – the USA, South Korea and Japan.

Design/methodology/approach
This study conducted a series of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 36 Gen Z participants from the USA (12), South Korea (11) and Japan (13). All interviews were first coded based on a preselected list of themes and were further coded with new themes that emerged from exploratory coding.

Findings
Each regional cohort varied in terms of how they experienced and what they expected from convenience stores. US participants showed negative or utilitarian attitudes toward convenience stores, whereas South Korean participants had a positive, personal attachment to them. In comparison, Japanese participants had a relatively neutral attitude. However, all three groups showed a common preference for smart technology and health concerns surrounding convenience store foods.

Practical implications
Convenience store chains should consider the cultural nuances when designing future services. The chains should further strive to remove the health concerns about the foods provided at the stores and design smart technologies that enhance user experience.

Originality/value
The present study broadens the knowledge in this budding consumer segment where current research is limited. It further sheds light on the variance among Gen Zers across different cultural contexts.
Different dynamics and controls of enzyme activities of leaf and root litter during decomposition
Authors: Long Chunyan , Yang Fan , Chen Qiong , Zhang Qian , Cheng Xiaoli 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Litter enzyme dynamics are strongly shaped by litter, soil and microbial attributes during decomposition; however, the enzyme dynamics of leaf and root litter remain unresolved due to contrasting differences in rates and controls on leaf and root litter decomposition.

Herein, we conducted a 784‐day field experiment to evaluate the relative importance of litter, alkaline soil and microbial attributes to enzyme activities and their C:N:P stoichiometry of leaf and root litter during decomposition under subtropical land use change in China.

We found that only the C‐ and N‐acquiring enzyme activities of shrub leaves were greater than those of wood and crop, and there was no significant difference in P‐acquiring enzyme activity among the three species of leaves. Both the C‐ and P‐acquiring enzyme activities of crop roots were significantly lower than those of afforested lands (i.e. woodland and shrubland). The N‐acquiring activities of wood roots were significantly lower than those of shrub and crop. At the temporal dynamics, the C‐, N‐ and P‐acquiring enzyme activities of the leaves decreased with mass loss, which was affected by the shift in litter nutrients (e.g. N and P) and soil moisture during decomposition. In contrast, the three enzyme activities of roots increased with mass loss, largely due to the increase in microbial biomass of bacteria regulated by litter stoichiometry. The enzymatic C:nutrient (N and P) ratios declined with mass loss, but the enzymatic P:N ratios remained relatively constant with mass loss during the leaf litter decomposition. Whereas, both of the enzymatic C:nutrient ratios and enzymatic P:N ratios decreased with mass during the root litter decomposition. Our results showed that the enzymatic C:N:P stoichiometry of decaying leaves and roots was predominantly predicted by microbial biomass and bacterial biomass, respectively.

Overall, we outlined the pattern of contrasting contributions of litter, soil and microbial attributes to enzyme dynamics during decomposition, which provided a framework for better understanding litter C, N and P dynamics in relation to microbial resource allocation strategy during decomposition.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Do wildlife crossing structures mitigate the barrier effect of roads on animal movement? A global assessment
Authors: Soanes Kylie , Rytwinski Trina , Fahrig Lenore , Huijser Marcel P. , Jaeger Jochen A. G. , Teixeira Fernanda Z. , van der Ree Rodney , van der Grift Edgar A. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

The widespread impacts of roads on animal movement have led to the search for innovative mitigation tools. Wildlife crossing structures (tunnels or bridges) are a common approach; however, their effectiveness remains unclear beyond isolated case studies.

We conduct an extensive literature review and synthesis to address the question: What is the evidence that wildlife crossing structures mitigate the barrier effect of roads on wildlife movement? In particular, we investigated whether wildlife crossing structures prevented an expected decline in cross‐road movement, restored movement to pre‐construction conditions, or improved movement relative to taking no action.

In an analysis of 313 studies, only 14% evaluated whether wildlife crossing structures resulted in a change in animal movement across roads. We identified critical problems in existing studies, especially the lack of benchmarks (e.g. pre‐road, pre‐mitigation, or control data) and the use of biased comparisons.

Wildlife crossing structures allowed cross‐road movement in 98% of data sets and improved movement in ~60%. In contrast, the decline of wildlife movement was prevented in fewer than 40% of cases. For most structure types and species groups there was insufficient evidence to draw generalisable conclusions.

Synthesis and Applications: The evidence to date suggests that wildlife crossing structures can mitigate the barrier effect of roads on wildlife movement, but in many cases have been poorly implemented or evaluated. The most supported measures were the addition of ledges and vegetation cover to increase movement for small mammals; underpasses to prevent the decline in movement of ungulates following road construction; and improving road‐crossing for arboreal mammals using canopy bridges and vegetated medians. We strongly recommend that future use of crossing structures closely adheres to species‐specific, best‐practice guidelines to improve implementation and be paired with a thorough evaluation that includes benchmark comparisons, particularly for measures and species that lack sufficient evidence (e.g. invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and overpasses).
Environmental filtering and landscape composition drive multifaceted diversity of bird assemblages in vineyards
Authors: Bouvier Jean‐Charles , Lavigne Claire , Sentenac Gilles , Boivin Thomas 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Agricultural landscapes are productive areas with high biodiversity potential, but their conversion to monocultures and intensification of practices are recognised drivers of bird biodiversity loss worldwide. This challenges the compatibility of agricultural land use with bird conservation, as landscape composition affects both the diversity of bird species and traits and the assembly of bird communities.

We address the underlying mechanisms of avian community assembly in vineyards at the plot and landscape levels in relation to landscape composition in one of the major wine producing regions of France. We jointly analyse how the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic facets of bird alpha and beta diversity respond to a gradient of landscape heterogeneity and test for a non‐random assembly rule.

We found that birds tended to avoid vineyard monocultures. There was consistent support for the co‐occurrence of both closely related species and similar functional traits within vineyard plots (namely, phylogenetic and functional clustering, respectively). Landscape composition, both within plots and on a large scale (1000 m), was critical in explaining the occurrence of species and traits within plots. Landscape composition determined a nested pattern of functional and phylogenetic beta diversity from vineyard monoculture to more complex landscapes with increasing seminatural land cover.

Synthesis and applications. Landscape composition in seminatural vegetation features significantly influenced both the alpha and beta bird diversity in vineyard‐dominated agricultural landscapes. Interspersed shrubs and woodland can help increase bird abundance and species richness in vineyards, while large‐scale land cover diversity might help promote functional and phylogenetic bird diversity.
Decoupling of uptake‐ and transport‐related traits in absorptive roots across coexisting herbaceous species in alpine meadows
Authors: Zheng Zhi , Wang Cong , Wang Yidi , Zhang Yurui , Valverde‐Barrantes Oscar J. , Zhang Wen‐Hao , Kong Deliang 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

The anatomical structure of roots determines their function. Coexisting species complementarily forage nutrients by roots themselves (e.g. root strategy) and their fungal partners (e.g. mycorrhizal strategy), leading to a trade‐off between root strategy and mycorrhizal strategy. However, few studies have specifically evaluated whether and how the root anatomical structures are involved in this trade‐off, especially for species in alpine ecosystems limited by extreme climate.

Here, absorptive root anatomical and chemical traits and three key root traits commonly associated with nutrient foraging strategies, that is root strategy indicated by first‐order root length and root branching intensity and mycorrhizal strategy indicated by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization, were examined across 68 herbaceous species in alpine meadows of the Tibetan Plateau.

We observed that absorptive roots with higher branching intensity had more protoxylem poles, thinner cortices and smaller cortical cells, whereas absorptive roots with higher mycorrhizal colonization and longer first‐order roots consistently had thicker cortices and larger cortical cells. Unexpectedly, root cortical traits responsible for nutrient uptake were decoupled from stelar traits specialized in water and nutrient transportation. The decoupling may be related to the non‐coordinated changes in soil water and nutrient availability in the meadows of the Tibetan Plateau. In addition, we found that root cortical thickness and stelar radius increased at a similar rate rather than well‐reported different rates with increasing root diameter.

Synthesis: Our results demonstrate that root internal makeup plays an integral role in forming the diverse nutrient foraging strategies in below‐ground. These findings provide new insights into our understanding of plant coexistence and the responses of alpine meadows to climate change on the Tibetan Plateau.
Assessing the Impact of the 340B Drug Pricing Program: A Scoping Review of the Empirical, Peer‐Reviewed Literature
Authors: LEVENGOOD TIMOTHY W. , CONTI RENA M. , CAHILL SEAN , COLE MEGAN B. 
Published: January 2024

Policy Points
The 340B Drug Pricing Program accounts for roughly 1 out of every 100 dollars spent in the $4.3 trillion US health care industry. Decisions affecting the program will have wide‐ranging consequences throughout the US safety net.

Our scoping review provides a roadmap of the questions being asked about the 340B program and an initial synthesis of the answers. The highest‐quality evidence indicates that nonprofit, disproportionate share hospitals may be using the 340B program in margin‐motivated ways, with inconsistent evidence for increased safety net engagement; however, this finding is not consistent across other hospital types and public health clinics, which face different incentive structures and reporting requirements.
ContextDespite remarkable growth and relevance of the 340B Drug Pricing Program to current health care practice and policy debate, academic literature examining 340B has lagged. The objectives of this scoping review were to summarize i) common research questions published about 340B, ii) what is empirically known about 340B and its implications, and iii) remaining knowledge gaps, all organized in a way that is informative to practitioners, researchers, and decision makers.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review of the peer‐reviewed, empirical 340B literature (database inception to March 2023). We categorized studies by suitability of their design for internal validity, type of covered entity studied, and motivation‐by‐scope category.FindingsThe final yield included 44 peer‐reviewed, empirical studies published between 2003 and 2023. We identified 15 frequently asked research questions in the literature, across 6 categories of inquiry—motivation (margin or mission) and scope (external, covered entity, and care delivery interface). Literature with greatest internal validity leaned toward evidence of margin‐motivated behavior at the external environment and covered entity levels, with inconsistent findings supporting mission‐motivated behavior at these levels; this was particularly the case among participating disproportionate share hospitals (DSHs). However, included case studies were unanimous in demonstrating positive effects of the 340B program for carrying out a provider's safety net mission.ConclusionsIn our scoping review of the 340B program, the highest‐quality evidence indicates nonprofit, DSHs may be using the 340B program in margin‐motivated ways, with inconsistent evidence for increased safety net engagement; however, this finding is not consistent across other hospital types and public health clinics, which face different incentive structures and reporting requirements. Future studies should examine heterogeneity by covered entity types (i.e., hospitals vs. public health clinics), characteristics, and time period of 340B enrollment. Our findings provide additional context to current health policy discussion regarding the 340B program.