bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The more attention you get, the better you feel? A study on the influence of being envied on inconspicuous consumption
Authors: Wang Siyun , Li Feng , Wang Huanzhang 
Published: January 2024

PurposeFrom a relational maintenance perspective, this study explores the impact of being envied (benignly vs maliciously) on consumers' feelings of social anxiety and its influence on their tendencies toward inconspicuous consumption, based on the resource conservation theory and the model of “Sensitivity about Being the Target of a Threatening Upward Comparison.” (STTUC)Design/methodology/approachFour studies were conducted in this paper. Studies 1a and 1b tested the main hypothesis that being maliciously envied (vs benignly) can increase consumers' inconspicuous consumption of luxury products and luxury hotel experiences. Study 2 replicated this finding and examined the mediating role of social anxiety. Study 3 investigated the moderating effect of ideal self-congruity (low vs high).FindingsThe findings reveal that being maliciously envied (vs benignly) is associated with higher levels of inconspicuous consumption and social anxiety acts as a mediating role. Moreover, when individuals have a strong sense of ideal self-congruity, the positive impact of being maliciously envied (vs benignly) on inconspicuous consumption is further amplified, confirming the moderating role of ideal self-congruity.Originality/valueThis study sheds light on a novel mechanism that elucidates how different types of being envied influence consumers' inconspicuous consumption and the conditions under which this impact is heightened.
Semianalytical modeling of squirrel-cage induction machines with consideration of iron permeability and eddy-currents using elementary subdomain technique
Authors: Roubache Lazhar , Boughrara Kamel , Dubas Frédéric , Ladghem Chikouche Brahim , Ibtiouen Rachid 
Published: January 2024

Purpose
This paper aims to propose a semianalytical model of a squirrel-cage induction machine (SCIM), considering local magnetic saturation and eddy-currents induced in the rotor bars.

Design/methodology/approach
The regions of the rotor and stator are divided into elementary subdomains (E-SDs) characterized by general solutions at the first harmonic of the magneto-harmonic Maxwell’s equations. These E-SDs are connected in both directions (i.e., along the r- and θ-edges).

Findings
The calculation of the magnetic field has been validated for various values of slip and iron permeability. All electromagnetic quantities were compared with those obtained using a two-dimensional finite-element method. The semianalytical results are satisfactory compared with the numerical results, considering both the amplitude and waveform.

Originality/value
Expansion of the recent analytical model (E-SD technique) for the full prediction of the magnetic field in SCIMs, considering the local saturation effect and the eddy-currents induced in the rotor bars.
Influence of policies on stakeholders to drive the success of modular integrated construction in Hong Kong
Authors: Jin Xin , Shen Geoffrey , Luo Lizi , Zhou Xin 
Published: January 2024

PurposeModular integrated construction (MiC) is an innovative and effective manufacturing-based method of construction that has become the mainstream development direction of projects in Hong Kong (HK). However, large-scale promotion of MiC practice still needs efforts. A pressing concern is that the impact of relevant policies on stakeholders during project implementation is rarely explored in depth. Therefore, to fill the research gap, this study aims to investigate the influence of policies on stakeholders to drive the successful implementation of MiC in HK.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a strategy of multiple methods. First, a comprehensively literature review and survey were adopted to identify critical policies and stakeholders. Second, semi-structured interviews with 28 experts were conducted to quantify their relationships. Third, three policy–stakeholder networks at initiation, planning and design and construction stages were established using social network analysis.FindingsEnvironmental protection policy, COVID-19 pandemic policy and environmental protection policy and quality acceptance standard for project completion are found to be the most important policies of the three stages, respectively. The HK government and developers are highlighted as prominent stakeholders influencing policy implementation at all three stages. The dynamics of the influence stakeholders receive from critical policies at different stages of MiC are discussed. Valuable recommendations are accordingly proposed to enhance the successful implementation of MiC projects from the perspective of various stakeholders.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the body of knowledge by considering the mediating influence of stakeholders during policy implementation in the MiC uptake, and is valuable in helping policymakers to deeply understand the influence of policies to further forward successful MiC implementation and practicality in HK.
Leveraging blockchain to anchor information for supervision in PPP projects: a conceptual framework
Authors: Du Yanhui , Yuan Jingfeng , Wang ShouQing , Liu Yan , Zeng Ningshuang 
Published: January 2024

PurposeThe information used for supervision by regulatory departments in public-private partnership (PPP) projects is primarily transmitted and processed by the PPP implementation department, which negatively impacts the information quality, leading to information asymmetry and undermining the overall effectiveness of supervision. This study aims to explore how to use blockchain to anchor the information used for supervision in PPP projects to the original information, to strengthen the oversight.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts the principles of design science research (DSR) to design a conceptual framework that systematically organizes information along the information dissemination chain, ensuring the reliable anchoring of original information. Two-stage interviews involving experts from academia and industry are conducted, serving as formative and summative evaluations to guide the design.FindingsThe framework establishes a weak-centralized information organizing mode, including the design of governance community and on-chain and off-chain governance mechanisms. Feedback from experts is collected via interviews and the designed framework is thought to improve information used for supervision. Constructive suggestions are also collected and analyzed for further development.Originality/valueThis paper provides a novel example exploring the inspirations blockchain can bring to project governance, like exercising caution regarding the disorderly expansion of public sector authority in addressing information disadvantages and how to leverage blockchain to achieve this. Technical details conveyed by the framework deepen understanding of how blockchain benefits and the challenges faced in successful implementation for practitioners and policymakers. The targeted evaluation serves as rigorous validation, guiding experts to provide reliable feedback and richer insights by offering them a more cognitively convenient scenario.
The effect of bra design on wearing appearance
Authors: Wang Yilun , Ji Xiaofen , Pang Chen , Zhai Lina 
Published: January 2024

PurposeEsthetic trend changes with the development of society and cultural differences. A minimizer bra designed to make breasts appear smaller is now popular with large-breasted women in China. To conform to the requirements of modern aesthetics in China, this paper aims to investigate vital features of breast appearance that influence people’s subjective evaluation of breast size and analyze how bra design parameters affect breast shape and make breasts appear smaller.Design/methodology/approachThis study used 3D scanning technology and reverse engineering software to obtain objective breast measurements in detail. A subjective evaluation experiment was conducted to evaluate the overall performance of seven minimizer bras compared to a basic comparison bra. Around 20 design parameters of 8 sample bras were identified to make a further study about the correlation between bra design features and breast shaping effect. To gain a deeper understanding of how bras interact with breast tissue, this study presented heat maps of the breast surface to visualize the deformation of breast shape.FindingsNine breasts' characteristics, such as the distance between bust points, breast depth, outer breast curvature and slope, etc. have been determined to be highly correlated with the visual reduction effect of breasts. In addition, for the bras in this experiment, the high-performance bra for women with large breasts tends to have a wider side panel, a wider under band, higher gore and a stronger transverse rigidity of the bra cup. According to the observation of heat maps of the breast surface, soft full-figure bras provide a wider range of compression to the breasts and effectively flatten the breasts.Originality/valueThis paper first aimed at the need to shape the ideal breast appearance for large-breasted women and make a further study of several hot-selling minimizer bras in China. The suggestions given in this paper help lingerie manufacturers better understand how design features of bras can affect their shaping effect and improve the wearing effect of minimizer bras for large-breasted women.
Affect-based dimensions of trust: a study of buyer-supplier relationships in Thai manufacturing
Authors: Rungsithong Rapeeporn , Meyer Klaus E. 
Published: January 2024

Purpose
Trust is an important facilitator of successful B2B relationships. The purpose of this study is to investigate affect-based antecedents of both interpersonal and interorganizational trust, and their impact on the performance of buyer–supplier relationships. The authors ask two research questions: (1) What are affect-based dimensions of interpersonal and interorganizational trust? (2) How do interpersonal and interorganizational trust influence buyers’ operational performance?

Design/methodology/approach
The authors use data from an original survey of 156 buyer–supplier relationships between multinational enterprise subsidiaries and local suppliers in the Thai manufacturing sector to develop a structural model in which the authors test the hypotheses.

Findings
Consistent with social exchange theory and social psychology, the empirical analysis shows that affect-based dimensions at the individual level, namely, likeability, similarity and frequent social contact, and at the organizational level, namely, supplier firm willingness to customize and institutionalization of cooperation, are important for establishing trust. In addition, interpersonal trust enhances buyers’ operational performance indirectly via interorganizational trust.

Practical implications
Buying and selling firms may develop organizational trust by developing processes that enhance organizational trust. Individuals with purchasing or sales responsibilities may enhance trust in their personal relationship. However, such interpersonal trust needs to be translated to the organizational level to benefit organizational performance.

Originality/value
The findings contribute to the literature on affect-based antecedents and outcomes of trust. Specifically, the authors offer theory and empirical evidence regarding the contribution of salespersons toward affect-based dimensions of trust and its impact on buyer’s operational performance.
Is there a green discount in commercial real estate lending?
Authors: Leutner Sebastian , Gloria Benedikt , Bienert Sven 
Published: January 2024

PurposeThis study examines whether green buildings enjoy more favorable financing terms compared to their non-green counterparts, exploring the presence of a green discount in commercial real estate lending. Despite the extensive research on green premiums on the equity side, lending has received limited attention in the existing literature, even as regulations have increased and ambitious net-zero targets have been set in the banking sector.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, the authors leverage a unique dataset comprising European commercial loan data spanning from 2018 to 2023, with a total loan value exceeding €30 billion. Hedonic regression analysis is used to isolate a potential green discount. Specifically, the authors rely on property assessments conducted by lenders to investigate whether green properties exhibit lower interest rate spreads and higher loan-to-value (LTV) ratios.FindingsThe findings reveal the existence of a green discount in European commercial real estate lending, with green buildings enjoying a 5.35% lower contracted loan spread and a 3.92% lower target spread compared to their non-green counterparts. However, this analysis does not indicate any distinct advantage in terms of LTV ratios for green buildings.Practical implicationsThis research contributes to a deeper understanding of the interaction between green properties and commercial real estate lending, offering valuable insights for both lenders and investors.Originality/valueThis study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, represents the first of its kind in a European context and provides empirical evidence for the presence of a green discount.
Towards a more flexible SMEs: can HR flexibility spur the nexus between capacity-enhancing HR practices and job performance?
Authors: Elbendary Israa , Mohamed Shehata Gamal 
Published: January 2024

PurposeThe study investigates the mediating effect of HR flexibility in the relationship between capacity-enhancing HR practices and job performance in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in Egypt.Design/methodology/approachOn the basis of the literature review, the results imply a quantitatively tested conceptual model. The model is empirically validated using the partial least squares method to structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) with survey data from 270 SME owners and managers in Egypt. The sample was selected using a quota sampling approach for small and medium-sized businesses and a proportionate stratification sampling method for the industry and region.FindingsFindings for the sample revealed that capacity-enhancing HR practices affected job performance positively and significantly. The findings also revealed a direct, positive and significant impact of capacity-enhancing HR practices on HR flexibility and HR flexibility on job performance. Functional flexibility was identified as a significant mediator of the capacity-enhancing HR practices-job performance link, whereas behavioural and skill flexibility were not significant mediators for such a relationship.Research limitations/implicationsThe study's cross-sectional design is an evident weakness. All variables were self-reported; this may raise issues regarding method bias. Other limitations include the generalisability of the study's findings outside the setting in which it was conducted. The accuracy of the field study results would have been enhanced if they had not been limited exclusively to the geographical confines of Egypt.Originality/valueThe paper proposes many implications emphasising the role of HR flexibility in enhancing the performance of SMEs. The study developed a mediation model to understand how SMEs boost the performance of human resources by focusing on flexibility dimensions. Accordingly, companies may strategically employ flexible practices and provide an environment that encourages skill and behavioural development.
Isolation and whole‐genome sequencing analysis of Escherichia fergusonii harboring a heat‐labile enterotoxin gene from retail chicken meat in Okinawa, Japan
Authors: Kakita Tetsuya , Lee Kenichi , Morita Masatomo , Okuno Miki , Kyan Hisako , Okano Sho , Maeshiro Noriyuki , Ishizu Momoko , Kudeken Tsuyoshi , Taira Haruno , Teruya Morimi , Ogura Yoshitoshi , Akeda Yukihiro , Ohnishi Makoto 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study aimed to reveal the prevalence of heat‐labile enterotoxin (LT) gene‐positive Escherichia fergusonii in retail chicken meat and genetically characterize these strains. E. fergusonii harboring LT gene was isolated from 6 out of 60 (10%) retail chicken samples in Okinawa, Japan. Whole‐genome sequencing analysis revealed that LT gene‐positive E. fergusonii from chicken meat and feces contain an IncFII plasmid harboring elt1AB, and suggested to spread clonally to retail chicken through fecal contamination. Additionally, it was found that these strains harbor multidrug‐resistant genes on their plasmids. Their pathogenicity and continuous monitoring are required for confirmation.
Hungry herbivores and thirsty plants: Browsing wildlife shape savanna tree transpiration independently of water use strategies
Authors: Herkenrath T. , Blaum N. , Roth J. , Shilula K. N. , Geißler K. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Plant transpiration is a key component of the hydrological cycle that moves water from the soil through plants to the atmosphere and is largely determined by environmental conditions. The challenges of highly variable climatic conditions and water scarcity in the semi‐arid savannas of southern Africa drive trees to exhibit different water use strategies.

An additional challenge for savanna trees arises from the browsing of large mammals, and its potential impact on transpiration has largely been overlooked.

To assess water use strategies and the impact of browsing on transpiration in three common savanna woody species (Colophospermum mopane, Catophractes alexandri, Senegalia mellifera), we conducted an extensive field experiment in a wildlife reserve in Namibia. We established a browsing gradient ranging from 0% to 100% leaf removal to disentangle complex relationships, and we measured sap flow representing whole‐tree transpiration, stomatal conductance as a proxy for leaf level transpiration, and environmental factors including soil moisture, solar radiation, air temperature and air humidity.

We discovered a unimodal relationship between browsing intensity and sap flow, consistent across all species, and peaking at low to moderate browsing levels equivalent to approximately 30% leaf removal. This universal pattern is remarkable since we found water use strategies to differ among species: Colophospermum mopane and C. alexandri exhibit a water‐saving behaviour to reduce water loss under unfavourable conditions while S. mellifera demonstrates water‐spending characteristics.

The deviation from a negative linear effect of browsing does not meet the functional expectation when browsing is translated into a simple leaf area reduction. Instead, it can be attributed to stomatal adjustments that partially compensate for transpiratory surface loss. We propose that this conceptual mechanism can be generalised to other woody species and various ecosystems. In addition, common transpiration models relying solely on leaf area indices and abiotic factors can be improved by including a non‐linear relationship to reproduce the effect of browsing accurately.

Our findings highlight the role of herbivores in shaping the connection between the Earth's spheres and improve our understanding of ecohydrological and vegetation dynamics in Southern African savannas.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Reducing nitrogen inputs mitigates Spartina invasion in the Yangtze estuary
Authors: Xu Xiao , Li Songshuo , Zhang Yan , Zhang Xi , He Qiang , Wan Nian‐Feng , Liu Hao , Guo Haiqiang , Ma Jun , Zhang Qun , Wang Qing , Wu Jihua , Li Bo , Nie Ming 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Plant invasions driven by global environmental changes (e.g. nutrient enrichment) increasingly threaten natural ecosystems. It is unclear whether reducing nitrogen (N) inputs helps to mitigate plant invasions in natural ecosystems.

Using ongoing, landscape‐scale N reductions in the Yangtze River, we combined spatiotemporal surveys before and after reducing N inputs and manipulative experiments to explore how N reductions contributed to native community recovery in estuarine marshes degraded by plant invasions.

We found that native Phragmites australis patches gradually recovered in Spartina alterniflora‐invaded marshes after reducing N inputs. The competitive advantage of S. alterniflora over P. australis decreased with N reduction, shifting the competitive outcomes away from P. australis exclusion to their coexistence.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings reveal that the reversal of nitrogen enrichment may shift ecosystems from being more susceptible to invasion toward successional recovery, offering a promising approach for facilitating native community recovery in the invaded ecosystems. These findings have important implications for restoring invaded ecosystems, especially as global environmental change escalates the extent and impact of invaders by exacerbating current invasions and facilitating new ones.
Unravelling the clonal trait space: Beyond above‐ground and fine‐root traits
Authors: Chelli Stefano , Klimešová Jitka , Tsakalos James Lee , Puglielli Giacomo 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Plant trait variation is constrained by mechanical and energetic trade‐offs as attested by the global spectrum of plant form and function and the fine‐root economics space for above‐ and below‐ground traits. However, traits that are key for fitness maintenance in some plant groups, such as clonal and bud bank traits, have not yet been integrated within the frameworks provided by the above‐ground and the fine‐root economics space.

By using an extensive dataset encompassing above‐ground, fine‐root, clonal and bud bank traits of 2000 species of Central European herbs, we asked whether clonal and bud bank traits correspond to the placement of species in the above‐ground or fine‐root trait space.

Perennial clonal and non‐clonal herbs show indistinct positioning within the above‐ground and fine‐root trait spaces. This extends and reinforces previous fragmentary evidence of weak correlations between clonal and bud bank traits and above‐ground trait dimensions. Additionally, we identify for the first time a limited correlation between clonal and fine‐root traits as well. This disconnection suggests that clonal traits operate independently from other trait spectra. For this reason, we introduce the concept of a ‘clonal trait space’ for clonal herbs. The first dimension of this space is defined by bud bank size and the persistence of clonal connection, reflecting a gradient of species specialisation for on‐spot persistence and tolerance to disturbance (persistence dimension). The second dimension, defined by multiplication rate and lateral spread, reflects a specialisation axis for clonal multiplication and horizontal size dimension (clonal multiplication dimension). Clonal trait dimensions add non‐redundant information to the above‐ground or fine‐roots trait space.

Synthesis: We champion the integration of the persistence and clonal multiplication dimensions from the ‘clonal trait space’ into the frameworks provided by the above‐ground trait and the fine‐root economics spaces, thereby enhancing our comprehension of the multifaceted trait strategies exhibited by plants.