bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unlocking e-commerce potential: micro and small enterprises strike back in the food and beverage industry
Authors: Macca Luca Simone , Shehzad Nazia , Kovacova Maria , Santoro Gabriele 
Published: January 2024

PurposeThe recent pandemic period (COVID-19), while negatively impacting many companies, has contributed to the growth and adoption of online platforms such as marketplaces and e-commerce. This environment has led many companies, which previously acted only through offline channels, to adopt new technologies and online channels and develop new e-commerce strategies. Small and micro enterprises are most vulnerable due to their limited resources and lack of capabilities. For this reason, the main objective of this paper is to unveil the e-commerce implementation capabilities that micro and small enterprises should build and the challenges they must face when managing an e-commerce strategy.Design/methodology/approachThe authors adopted an inductive qualitative research design approach focused on multiple case studies. The firms operate in the food and beverage industry.FindingsThe findings identify several e-commerce implementation capabilities that micro and small enterprises operating in the food and beverage industry should build to manage e-commerce strategies. These are related to outsourcing management, multichannel management, time management, internal stock management and marketplace choice. Moreover, the paper identifies key e-commerce implementation challenges these firms must cope with. These regard distribution management, potential loss of control, fresh product management and lack of resources, time and capabilities.Originality/valueThis research shows that proper capacity management in the implementation of micro and small enterprises e-commerce strategies is critical to achieving efficient results and preventing challenges that threaten such strategies. The research offers guidelines and frameworks for micro and small enterprises to understand how to manage e-commerce and face its challenges.
Augmented reality is the new digital banking – AR brand experience impact on brand loyalty
Authors: Butt Asad Hassan , Ahmad Hassan , Muzaffar Asif 
Published: January 2024

PurposeConsumers are increasingly embracing innovative technologies for enhanced experiences. This study delves into the banking consumer brand experience through the lens of augmented reality (AR). The focus is on mobile augmented reality applications within financial institutions, which contribute to a more enjoyable and immersive customer experience. Specifically, the research highlights the utilisation of mobile augmented reality applications by a Pakistani bank and examines its influence on consumer loyalty and sustained engagement, with a particular emphasis on the AR brand experience.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a comparative study between married and unmarried consumers with sample sizes of 178 and 172, respectively. The results were analysed through structural equation modelling using SmartPLS.FindingsThe study's outcomes show that AR brand experience for the unmarried sample category is positive and higher than a married one. This is an excellent opportunity for the banking sector in Pakistan to invest more in innovative technologies.Originality/valueThe current study investigates the brand experience in the banking sector from the perspective of AR technology which contributes to the AR literature.
Supply chain job and vocational fit: links to supervisor ability, benevolence and integrity
Authors: Meurs James A. , Lowman Graham H. , Gligor David M. , Maloni Michael J. 
Published: January 2024

PurposeSupply chain has long faced a persistent workforce shortage. To help both organizations and the field create environments that are more conducive to employee retention, the authors investigate the outcomes of supply chain employee trust in their supervisor.Design/methodology/approachApplying person-environment fit theory, the authors evaluate the well-established antecedents to trust in supervisor ability, benevolence and integrity (ABI) relative to person-job (P-J) fit and person-vocation (P-V) fit of US supply chain employees.FindingsConfirmatory factor analysis indicates that ABI is best modeled as dimensions of a second-order formative trust construct rather than as its antecedents. However, PLS-SEM provides somewhat unconvincing support for the impacts of ABI-trust. Instead, qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) delineates that all three ABI dimensions are not always needed for P-J and P-V fit in supply chain. Some employees respond to affective-based (i.e. benevolence) trust and others to cognitive-based (i.e. ability and integrity) trust.Practical implicationsThe QCA results offer specific recommendations for supply chain organizations to enhance employee trust in supervisors to succeed in the struggle for labor.Originality/valueThe results counter extant trust theory, encouraging scholars to consider ABI as distinct dimensions of trust. The study also demonstrates the importance of considering QCA in supply chain research to meaningfully expand contributions to theory and practice.
Societal factors impacting young Black men in South Africa
Authors: Ntsanwisi Samuel 
Published: January 2024

PurposeThis study employs the social ecology model to comprehensively explore the complex challenges young Black men face in South Africa and aims to highlight the importance of collaboration in addressing these multifaceted issues.Design/methodology/approachA multidisciplinary approach combines insights from sociology, education and the health literature with regard to government reports and academic data, and provides a holistic analysis of challenges faced by young Black men. Furthermore, it emphasises formal and informal learning, social and environmental influences and health disparities.FindingsYoung Black men in South Africa encounter complex challenges throughout their developmental journey, including limited family support, educational barriers, financial constraints, societal expectations and health disparities. Therefore, collaboration among stakeholders is essential for creating an equitable and inclusive environment that supports their development.Originality/valueThis research provides a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by young Black men in South Africa by emphasising the interconnectedness of informal education, economic empowerment and healthcare. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies, cultural influences and international comparisons, informing evidence-based interventions for a more equitable society.
Learning design ecosystems thinking: defying the linear imperative and designing for higher education at-scale
Authors: Bryant Peter 
Published: January 2024

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to posit an alternative learning design approach to the technology-led magnification and multiplication of learning and to the linearity of curricular design approaches such as a constructive alignment. Learning design ecosystem thinking creates complex and interactive networks of activity that engage the widest span of the community in addressing critical pedagogical challenges. They identify the pinch-points where negative engagements become structured into the student experience and design pathways for students to navigate their way through the uncertainty and transitions of higher education at-scale.Design/methodology/approachIt is a conceptual paper drawing on a deep and critical engagement of literature, a reflexive approach to the dominant paradigms and informed by practice.FindingsLearning design ecosystems create spaces within at-scale education for deep learning to occur. They are not easy to design or maintain. They are epistemically and pedagogically complex, especially when deployed within the structures of an institution. As Gough (2013) argues, complexity reduction should not be the sole purpose of designing an educational experience and the transitional journey into and through complexity that students studying in these ecosystems take can engender them with resonant, deeply human and transdisciplinary graduate capabilities that will shape their career journey.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is theoretical in nature (although underpinned by rigorous evaluation of practice). There are limitations in scope in part defined by the amorphous definitions of scale. It is also limited to the contexts of higher education although it is not bound to them.Originality/valueThis paper challenges the dialectic that argues for a complexity reduction in higher education and posits the benefits of complexity, connection and transition in the design and delivery of education at-scale.
Dealing with work overload in the IT industry
Authors: Mosquera Pilar , Soares Maria Eduarda 
Published: January 2024

PurposeWork overload has become a relevant issue in the Information Technology (IT) industry, with negative effects for individuals and organizations alike. This study aims to analyse the role of personal resources in a broad model regarding the effects of work overload on performance and well-being for the particular case of IT professionals. Considering the specificities of the IT industry, three personal resources were included in this study: one stable personality variable (conscientiousness) and two more malleable variables (work-life balance and psychological detachment).Design/methodology/approachTo test the model, the authors use a sample of 144 IT Portuguese professionals. The authors collected data through an online questionnaire shared in social networks and IT social network communities. The authors use partial least squares (PLS) for data analysis.FindingsThe results show that work overload negatively impacts on employees’ life satisfaction, psychological detachment, work-life balance and task performance. Conscientiousness is positively related with two positive outcomes: task performance and life satisfaction. Work-life balance has a mediating effect in the relationship between work overload and life satisfaction.Practical implicationsThese findings emphasize the need to promote conscientiousness in IT professionals, as well as reduce workload and promote family-friendly working environments to foster work-life balance and life satisfaction.Originality/valueBy testing this model, the authors aim to contribute to the current knowledge on the role of personal resources in the Job Demands-Resources model, which is still unclear and under-researched.
Electrical analysis of normal and aged high voltage transformer oil considering different size effects of Al2O3
Authors: Khodsuz Masume , Mashhadzadeh Amir Hamed , Samani Aydin 
Published: January 2024

Purpose
Electrical characteristics of transformer oil (TO) have been studied during normal and thermal aging conditions. In this paper, breakdown voltage (BDV), partial discharge (PD), heat transfer results and the physical mechanisms considering the impact of varying the diameter of Al2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) have been investigated. Different quantities of the two sizes of Al2O3 were added to the oil using a two-step method to determine the positive effect of NPs on the electrical and thermal properties of TO. Finally, the physical mechanisms related to the obtained experimental results have been performed.

Design/methodology/approach
The implementation of nanoparticles in this paper was provided by US Research Nanomaterials, Inc., USA. The provided Al2O3 NPs have an average particle size of 20–80 nm and a specific surface area of 138 and 58 m2/g, respectively, which have a purity of over 99%. Thermal aging has been done. The IEC 60156 standard has been implemented to calculate the BDV, and a 500-mL volume test cell (Apar TO 1020) has been used. PD test is performed according to Standard IEC 60343, and a JDEVS-PDMA 300 device was used for this test.

Findings
BDV tests indicate that 20 nm Al2O3 is more effective at improving BDV than 80 nm Al2O3, with an improvement of 113% compared to 99% for the latter. The analysis of Weibull probability at BDV indicates that 20 nm Al2O3 performs better, with improvements of 141%, 125% and 112% at probabilities of 1, 10 and 50%, respectively. The results of the PD tests using the PDPR pattern also show that 20 nm Al2O3 is superior. For the heat transfer test, 0.05 g/L of both diameters were used to ensure fair conditions, and again, the advantage was with 20 nm Al2O3 (23% vs 18%).

Originality/value
The effect of Al2O3 NP diameter (20 and 80 nm) on various properties of virgin and aged TO has been investigated experimentally in this paper to examine the effect of proposed NP on electrical improvement of TO.
Special feature on ecosystem engineers: Cross‐scale and cross‐system perspectives
Authors: Briones M. J. I. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Ecosystem engineers are those organisms that shape our ecosystems (directly and/or indirectly) by modulating the resource availability to other species. This definition has broadened our views of the different roles species play in their environments through a greater appreciation of organism‐mediated abiotic changes.

However, the term is still under debate due to misunderstandings in its interpretation and application. One of the reasons for the source of ambiguity is the difficulty of imagining an organism that does not affect its surrounding environment in a particular way.

Despite the controversy over the semantics, the concept has quickly gained acceptance as an important ecological driver of ecosystem functioning across different disciplines, most notably by expanding the original definition to include interactions among several species with ecosystem engineering capabilities.

The papers compiled in this special feature outline the new path for addressing not only how to measure/monitor these complex species interactions, including those with alien ecosystem engineers, but also to integrate their impactful legacy effects in enhancing ecosystem processes. This knowledge will lead the way to integrate ecosystem engineers into future protection, management and restoration efforts.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Interaction effects of pH and land cover on soil microbial diversity are climate‐dependent
Authors: Labouyrie Maëva , Ballabio Cristiano , Romero Ferran , Panagos Panos , Jones Arwyn , Tedersoo Leho , van der Heijden Marcel G. A. , Orgiazzi Alberto 
Published: January 2024

AbstractFactors regulating the diversity and composition of soil microbial communities include soil properties, land cover and climate. How these factors interact at large scale remains poorly investigated. Here, we used an extensive dataset including 715 locations from 24 European countries to investigate the interactive effects of climatic region, land cover and pH on soil bacteria and fungi. We found that differences in microbial diversity and community composition between land cover types depended on the climatic region. In Atlantic, Boreal and Continental regions, microbial richness was higher in croplands and grasslands than woodlands while richness in Mediterranean areas did not vary significantly among land cover types. These differences were further related to soil pH, as a driver of bacterial and fungal richness in most climatic regions, but the interaction of pH with land cover depended on the region. Microbial community composition differed the most between croplands and woodlands in all regions, mainly due to differences in pH. In the Mediterranean region, bacterial communities in woodlands and grasslands were the most similar, whereas in other regions, grassland and cropland‐associated bacteria showed more similarity. Overall, we showed that key factors interact in shaping soil microbial communities in a climate‐dependent way at large scale.
Prediction of preterm birth in growth‐restricted and appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age infants using maternal PlGF and the sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio—A prospective study
Authors: Hong Jesrine , Crawford Kylie , Cavanagh Erika , da Silva Costa Fabricio , Kumar Sailesh 
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the utility of placental growth factor (PlGF) levels and the soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1/placental growth factor (sFlt‐1/PlGF) ratio to predict preterm birth (PTB) for infants with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and those appropriate for gestational age (AGA).DesignProspective, observational cohort study.SettingTertiary maternity hospital in Australia.PopulationThere were 320 singleton pregnancies: 141 (44.1%) AGA, 83 (25.9%) early FGR (<32+0 weeks) and 109 (30.0%) late FGR (≥32+0 weeks).MethodsMaternal serum PlGF and sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio were measured at 4‐weekly intervals from recruitment to delivery. Low maternal PlGF levels and elevated sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio were defined as <100 ng/L and >5.78 if <28 weeks and >38 if ≥28 weeks respectively. Cox proportional hazards models were used. The analysis period was defined as the time from the first measurement of PlGF and sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio to the time of birth or censoring.Main outcome measuresThe primary study outcome was overall PTB. The relative risks (RR) of birth within 1, 2 and 3 weeks and for medically indicated and spontaneous PTB were also ascertained.ResultsThe early FGR cohort had lower median PlGF levels (54 versus 229 ng/L, p < 0.001) and higher median sFlt‐1 levels (2774 ng/L versus 2096 ng/L, p < 0.001) and sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio higher (35 versus 10, p < 0.001). Both PlGF <100 ng/L and elevated sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio were strongly predictive for PTB as well as PTB within 1, 2 and 3 weeks of diagnosis. For both FGR and AGA groups, PlGF <100 ng/L or raised sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio were strongly associated with increased risk for medically indicated PTB. The highest RR was seen in the FGR cohort when PlGF was <100 ng/L (RR 35.20, 95% CI 11.48–175.46).ConclusionsLow maternal PlGF levels and elevated sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio are potentially useful to predict PTB in both FGR and AGA pregnancies.
Fibrinogen levels in severe trauma: A preliminary comparison of Clauss Fibrinogen, ROTEM Sigma, ROTEM Delta and TEG 6s assays from the FEISTY pilot randomised clinical trial
Authors: Auty Travis , McCullough James , Hughes Ian , Fanning Jonathon P , Czuchwicki Sarah , Winearls James 
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the relationships between different methods of measuring functional fibrinogen levels in severely injured, bleeding trauma patients across multiple timepoints during hospitalisation.MethodsIn 100 adult trauma patients enrolled in the FEISTY pilot randomised clinical trial at four tertiary trauma centres in Australia, blood samples were collected prospectively. Consistency of agreement was calculated, comparing functional fibrinogen levels measured by four methods – ROTEM® Delta and Sigma FIBTEM A5, TEG® 6s CFF MA, and gold‐standard Clauss Fibrinogen.ResultsComparing the ROTEM® Delta and new‐generation ROTEM® Sigma machine, consistency of agreement for FIBTEM A5, measured by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), was ≥0.73 across all analysed timepoints, with mean differences (Sigma minus Delta) of 0.10–3.57 mm. Corresponding values comparing the ROTEM® Sigma FIBTEM A5 and TEG® 6s CFF MA were ICC = 0.55–0.82 and ICC = 4.69–7.97 (CFF MA minus A5). Comparing ROTEM® Sigma FIBTEM A5 and Clauss Fibrinogen Analysis (CFA), among statistically significant simple linear regression models, R2 was 0.25–0.67, and comparing TEG® 6s CFF MA and CFA (CFA) 0.65–0.82, although not all differences were significant with the latter comparison. Relationships across all timepoints combined were Clauss Fibrinogen (CF) (g/L) = 0.21𝑥 + 0.004 (where 𝑥 = ROTEM® Sigma FIBTEM A5 in mm) and (g/L) = 0.16𝑥 − 0.06 (where 𝑥 = TEG® 6s CFF MA in mm).ConclusionsThe present study revealed acceptable agreement between four different assays measuring functional fibrinogen, with current‐ and previous‐generation ROTEM® machines (Sigma, Delta) performing similarly measuring functional fibrinogen via FIBTEM assay. This suggests that haemostatic resuscitation algorithms designed for the ROTEM® Delta can be applied to the ROTEM® Sigma to guide fibrinogen replacement.
A pilot, randomized clinical trial: Left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex intermittent theta burst stimulation improves treatment outcomes in veterans with alcohol use disorder
Authors: Padula Claudia B. , McCalley Daniel M. , Tenekedjieva Lea‐Tereza , MacNiven Kelly , Rauch Andrew , Morales Jairelisse Morales , Knutson Brian , Humphreys Keith , Williams Leanne M. , Durazzo Timothy C. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundTranscranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) offers a promising treatment avenue to modulate brain function in alcohol use disorder (AUD). To the best of our knowledge, this pilot study is the first randomized, double‐blind, sham‐controlled trial to deliver intermittent theta burst stimulation to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) among US veterans with AUD. We hypothesized that 20 sessions of real TMS are tolerable and feasible. As a secondary line of inquiry, we hypothesized that, relative to sham TMS, individuals receiving real TMS would experience greater reductions in 6‐month relapse rates, anhedonia, and alcohol cue‐reactivity.MethodsVeterans (n = 17, one woman) were enrolled in a double‐blind, sham‐controlled trial (2–3 sessions/day; 7–10 days; 600 pulses/session; 20 sessions). Pre‐ and posttreatment assessments included responses to self‐report questionnaires and functional magnetic resonance imaging measures of alcohol cue‐reactivity. Alcohol consumption was assessed for 6 months. Linear mixed‐effects models were constructed to predict posttreatment craving, mood, and cue‐reactivity.ResultsIndividuals who received active iTBS (n = 8) were less likely to relapse within 3 months after treatment than the sham‐treated group (n = 9) (OR = 12.0). Greater reductions in anhedonia were observed following active iTBS (Cohen's d = −0.59), relative to sham (d = −0.25). Alcohol cue‐reactivity was reduced following active iTBS and increased following sham within the left insula (d = −0.19 vs. 0.51), left thalamus (d = −0.28 vs. 0.77), right insula (d = 0.18 vs. 0.52), and right thalamus (d = −0.06 vs. 0.62).ConclusionsRelative to sham, we demonstrate that 20 sessions of real left DLPFC iTBS reduced the likelihood of relapse for at least 3 months. The potential utility of this approach is underscored by observed decreases in anhedonia and alcohol cue‐reactivity—strong predictors of relapse among veterans. These initial data offer a valuable set of effect sizes to inform future clinical trials in this patient population.
Transparency or ambiguity? Voluntary IFRS adoption and earnings management in Japan
Authors: Tohara Yosuke 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study examines the mechanism of voluntary IFRS adoption on earnings management in Japan. Limited research clarifies how IFRS adoption influences earnings management. Using data from listed firms between 2011 and 2018, the multivariate regression results suggest that voluntary IFRS adoption in Japan increases the extent of discretionary accruals. Furthermore, the relation becomes more pronounced when firms have greater accounting opportunities and stronger cost incentives. The main findings hold after various robustness tests. This study fills the gap in the literature by investigating the mechanism that IFRS adoption enhances opportunities and motivation for earnings management through accounting ambiguity.