bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The integration of Maqasid Shariah in evaluating stablecoins and traditional cryptocurrencies for Islamic portfolios diversification
Authors: Izadin Ahmad Al Izham , Mohd. Yusof Rosylin , Mazlan Ahmad Rizal 
Published: January 2025

Purpose
This study aims to examine the integration of Maqasid Shariah principles in evaluating stablecoins and traditional cryptocurrencies within Islamic investment portfolios. The focus is on enhancing returns and reducing risk, providing a Shariah-compliant framework for Islamic investors.

Design/methodology/approach
This study uses quantile regression and Monte Carlo simulation to analyse the diversification benefits of stablecoins (Tether [USDT] and Tether Gold [XAUT]) and traditional cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin [BTC]) across different Islamic indices by market capitalisation size from 31 December 2020 to 1 July 2024.

Findings
BTC increases returns but with higher volatility, which may conflict with the principles of Islamic finance. However, when viewed from a portfolio perspective, pairing BTC with stablecoins like USDT and XAUT can provide stability and risk mitigation. This strategy aligns better with Maqasid Shariah by minimising excessive uncertainty (Gharar) and offering tangible asset backing. These strategies are particularly relevant to large-cap indices. However, the increased risk in Islamic Mid and Islamic Small portfolios suggests that the diversification benefits are less pronounced for these indices.

Practical implications
The results offer practical insights for investors, portfolio managers, Shariah advisors and policymakers in asset allocation and risk management. Incorporating stablecoins and cryptocurrencies can optimise risk-adjusted returns in Islamic portfolios.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors knowledge, this study is the first to integrate Maqasid Shariah principles in the evaluation of stablecoins and traditional cryptocurrencies, extending the literature on Islamic finance and digital assets. This research offers empirical evidence on the performance and compliance of these assets within Islamic portfolios, providing a comprehensive framework for Shariah-compliant investment strategies.
Air movement operations planning heuristic improvement
Authors: Nelson Russell , Werner Jack , Daniels Rebecca , Kay Michael G. , King Russell E. , McConnell Brandon M. , Thoney-Barletta Kristin 
Published: January 2025

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to improve the air movement operations planning heuristic in the literature to generate better solutions in a shorter time period.Design/methodology/approachThrough a rigorous design of experiments (DOEs), we make significant heuristic improvements by evaluating alternative modular methodologies and tuning heuristic parameters for two scenarios. This includes a new approach to considering refueling operations.FindingsWe find the fine-tuned heuristic averages a 33% objective improvement and 70% reduction in computation time over the heuristic with original parameters for one of the scenarios. Additionally, we analyze the heuristic's quality of solution over time.Research limitations/implicationsFurther analysis is required to generalize heuristic settings, which would require significant access to operational data or a portfolio of scenarios of interest.Practical implicationsTuned heuristic parameters reduce the computation time from hours to minutes. This also makes it practically feasible to adjust parameters in the objective function to generate multiple courses of action (COAs) for a given instance.Originality/valueThis research provides novel vehicle assignment and routing heuristic improvement alternatives and demonstrates a DOEs-based heuristic tuning procedure.
Smart technology’s potential in smart destinations: a comprehensive UTAUT model with privacy and safety risk moderation
Authors: Omar Azizah , Tiwari Veenus , Saad Mazni 
Published: January 2025

Purpose
This study aims to develop a model that explains the relationship between broad personality traits and specific aspects of smart technology acceptance among visitors to smart destinations. It incorporates privacy and safety risks as moderating factors within the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model, thereby advancing research in this area.

Design/methodology/approach
The cross-sectional study collected data from 519 respondents using purposive sampling. The questionnaire was administered across two smart destinations to validate the study’s findings.

Findings
Performance expectancy, effort expectancy and facilitating conditions significantly influence behavioral intentions for smart technology use, emphasizing the importance of user-centric design. While social influence’s impact is modest compared to the practical benefits users gain from the technology. Privacy and safety concerns act as barriers, reducing the influence of these drivers and underscoring the need for their mitigation in technology adoption.

Research limitations/implications
This study enhances smart destination theory and practice by emphasizing the critical role of privacy and data security in the deployment of smart technologies. By addressing both the benefits and challenges of these technologies, it offers valuable insights into improving visitors’ overall experience and satisfaction, contributing to more effective smart tourism strategies.

Originality/value
The originality of this research lies in integrating the UTAUT model with risk theory by incorporating perceived privacy and safety risks as moderating factors in the context of smart destinations. This approach deepens the understanding of smart technology acceptance and offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of technology adoption in tourism environments.
Intellectual capital disclosure and firm performance in India: unfolding the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Authors: Singhania Abhisheck Kumar , Panda Nagari Mohan 
Published: January 2025

PurposeThis paper aims to analyze the impact of intellectual capital disclosure (ICD) and its components on firm performance (FP) while discovering the recent Indian ICD trend and pattern.Design/methodology/approachVisualizing intellectual capital (IC) through the interpretive lens of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the study uses agency and signaling theories to elucidate the empirical relationship between ICD and FP of Indian knowledge-sector firms using partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Content analysis is used to capture the ICD of 72 NSE-listed firms for five years.FindingsWhile revealing an increasing ICD trend, the study confirms that the Indian knowledge sector firms strategically design the component-wise ICD in hierarchical alignment with their value creation. Despite human capital disclosures favorably influencing FP, the overall ICD negatively impacts FP. Structural and relational capital disclosure contribute to this negative relationship due to apprehended loss of competitive advantage.Practical implicationsThe paper provides information that may assist companies in identifying the specific intellectual capital components that drive financial performance. We suggest firms be strategically responsive in intellectual capital management and disclosure practices considering the value effect due to transparency and loss of competitive advantage.Originality/valueContradicting the scanty literature, this study provides a realistic conclusion to the ICD–FP relationship in alignment with ICD trends. The study contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive and accurate view of ICD in the study setting through improved ICD framework and methodological advancement. It adds value in the contemporary market where the competition is intellectual capital-driven.
Adjudicating the nexus of environmental, social and governance performance with dividend payout: the moderating role of firm’s size
Authors: Karki Uttam , Seth Himanshu 
Published: January 2025

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the effect of environmental, social and governance performance on dividend payout and whether this association is influenced by the size of the firm.Design/methodology/approachOur sample involves 1,040 firm-year observations of Indian-listed firms from 2017 to 2021. This study uses a panel data fixed effects model, a two-step system generalized method of moments and a two-stage least squares regression approach. We also use a different proxy for dividend payout in our models to ensure the robustness of our findings.FindingsOur results reveal a positive association of environmental, social and governance performance with dividend payout. The individual components, i.e. environmental performance, social performance and governance performance, also highlight similar positive relationships, stating that sustainable firms prefer more dividend payments. After introducing the moderating factor as the firm’s size, the findings indicate that large-size sustainable firms prefer lower dividend payouts.Practical implicationsOur results have vital implications for potential investors, policymakers, managers and other stakeholders, given that the firm’s size impacts the sustainability and dividend payout practices.Originality/valueTo the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to capture the moderating role of a firm’s size on the nexus of environmental, social and governance performance and dividend payout in the Indian context.
Cross-border higher education and quality assurance: the role of international organisations
Authors: Carvalho Nathan , Rosa Maria J. , Amaral Alberto 
Published: January 2025

Purpose
Over the years, International Organisations have started to look at Cross Border Higher Education (CBHE) with more attention, namely, at the impact and challenges entailed by this type of educational provision due to the emergence of low-quality offers and degree mills. This paper aims to discuss the role of these organisations in the development and promotion of CBHE and its quality assurance in Europe.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper conducts interviews using a previously drafted guideline with top-level managers of seven relevant international organisations involved in quality assurance at European and international level, namely, INQAAHE, EUA, ENQA, ESU, EQAR, ECA and EURASHE. It analysed the data collected using a grid created through the articulation of the guidelines’ questions and the empirical data.

Findings
The interviews’ content analysis indicated that these international organisations are important stakeholders in the development of CBHE quality assurance in Europe, particularly through the promotion of cooperation and trust between the different actors involved in it. These organisations can assume two different roles: a Technical-Professional Role and a Community Building Role.

Originality/value
This work’s originality stems from the fact that at least to our knowledge there is no other empirical work so far on the role and the views of different international organisations on the challenges CBHE entails for quality at the European level.
The other rules of the game: a normative social contract for English football
Authors: Middling Mark , Plumley Daniel , Wilson Rob 
Published: January 2025

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the views of English football supporter representatives on the implicit club–supporter relationship, pertaining to a normative social contract which can be used to help improve football club governance.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews were conducted within an exploratory enquiry, intentionally investigating the fan perspective to understand supporters’ views without the influence of owner self-interest which often leads to commercialisation and/or mis-management.FindingsFindings show evidence of a normative social contract that reflects many supporters’ dissatisfaction with current practice and provides guidance for the expectations of both parties.Research limitations/implicationsThis research aims to stimulate further academic discussion on the underlying principles behind good club and industry governance. It provides a new lens with which to view the club–supporters relationship, adding to previous studies in the area of club governance.Practical implicationsThere are implications for both clubs and the forthcoming Independent Football Regulator following a parliamentary Bill that recognises the community importance of clubs and supporters’ unique stakeholder position.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first academic paper linking social contract theory to football. By implementing the research findings, clubs can improve their governance, social capital, accountability and engagement practices in ways considered equitable by both parties.
Using behavioural contracting to reduce behaviours that challenge in a school setting: case studies
Authors: Hawkins Emma , Leow-Dyke Natalie , Locke Hayley , Jones Rhys 
Published: January 2025

Purpose
Behaviours that challenge in a school setting can lead to responses from teachers that are restrictive. It can impact learning and can limit opportunities for the future. These types of behaviours can also lead to exclusion from school. The purpose of this paper was to review the effectiveness of a non-restrictive strategy, behavioural contracting, in reducing behaviours that challenge.

Design/methodology/approach
Three case studies are included in this paper, showing how behavioural contracting can be used flexibly and individually to reduce behaviours that challenge. The specific behaviours focused on include pinching, hitting, grabbing, hair-pulling, disrobing, kicking, spitting and biting.

Findings
In all three case studies, the behaviours that challenge reduced significantly. This positively impacted the quality of life for these three individuals and has led to more opportunities for learning in the school setting.

Originality/value
Previous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of behavioural contracting to reduce a number of different behaviours that challenge. This paper showed how behavioural contracting can be simplified to make it more applicable to individuals with complex needs. It is important that non-restrictive strategies are used to address behaviours that challenge, and behavioural contracting can be a simple strategy that can be used across many different settings.
Evaluating the role of frequency‐dependent selection in controlling the expansion of clonal aggregations in the tropical forest's understorey: Insights from a decade‐long experiment
Authors: Lasso Eloisa , Vargas Marta , Paz Andrea 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Sexual reproduction, despite its associated costs and risks, is prevalent among many organisms, presumably to generate and maintain genetic diversity. This diversity is vital for adapting to environmental changes and combating natural enemies. Paradoxically, several clonal species also exhibit high genetic diversity. One theory for the maintenance of this genetic diversity is frequency‐dependent selection, which favours rare genotypes over common ones, limiting the extent and dominance of a single clone, thereby preserving genetic diversity. Empirical evidence for this theory under natural conditions is sparse.

Twelve years ago, we established in the forest 14 genetically diverse plots where all plants had a unique genotype (rare genotypes) and paired with them clonal plots where all plants had the same genotype (common genotypes) to test whether common genotypes have a disadvantage and frequency‐dependent selection is in action. Clones were created from cuttings from Piper cordulatum, a naturally clonally reproducing understorey plant. We aimed to test whether common genotypes are disadvantaged and whether frequency‐dependent selection is effective in limiting the dominance of clones and preserving genetic diversity.

Over the experiment's first 10 years, herbivory, pathogen attacks and plant size remained similar across both genotype categories. Intriguingly, clones exhibited superior survival during the initial 5 years. Survival rates equalized for rare and common genotypes by the decade's end. By year 12, survival remained similar for rare and common genotypes. However, modelled survival projections based on the 12‐year‐long trend suggest that common genotypes might experience increased mortality in the long run, consistent with the hypothesis of negative frequency‐dependent selection. Moreover, plants in clonal plots exhibited lower fitness in terms of infructescence production at the plot level by the tenth year.

Our findings suggest that having low genetic diversity in the neighbourhood does not increase disease or herbivory susceptibility or reduce short‐term survival. The impact of negative frequency‐dependent selection is not immediate. However, it could eventually restrict the survival and reproduction of Piper clones in a tropical forest's understorey, curbing the dominance of any single genotype and potentially maintain genetic diversity.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Stronger dispersal potential of alkaline phosphatase‐encoding bacteria ensures higher organic phosphorus mineralization rate
Authors: Wan Wenjie , Gadd Geoffrey Michael , Xiong Xiang , Zhang Weihong , Liu Wenzhi , He Donglan , Cheng Yarui , Yang Yuyi 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Scientific theory largely neglects linkage between organic phosphorus (Po) mineralization rate and dispersal potential of alkaline phosphatase‐encoding bacteria (PEB) containing the phoD gene.

Different densities of substrates (i.e. compacted soils, culture media, and soil aggregates) were prepared and molecular tools were used to unveil relationship between dispersal potential of PEB and Po mineralization rate.

According to morphological observations and ecological studies, we found that the stronger dispersal potential of PEB ensured a higher Po mineralization rate. Higher Po mineralization rates were found in soil microaggregates than in macroaggregates and silt + clay, and soil Po mineralization rate was related closely to P fractions distributed heterogeneously in aggregates. The phoD gene abundance was notably correlated with Po mineralization rate, and rare PEB mediated Po mineralization. The Bradyrhizobium as identified genus dominated in dramatically heterogeneous PEB community, and stochasticity (70.5%–89.5%) affected more on community assemblages of PEB. The PEB showed a stronger dispersal potential in microaggregates than the other aggregates, as indicated by weaker community stability, stronger species replacement, higher migration rate, lower environmental constraint and broader niche breadth.

Overall, our results emphasize that a stronger dispersal potential of PEB ensure a higher Po mineralization rate, and these findings broaden our understanding of how PEB maintain landscape and function in soils.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Financial Reporting Around Private Firms' Securities Offerings
Authors: KANG YIRAN 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates how U.S. private firms communicate with investors around private securities offerings. Using multiple research methods including survey, interview, and archival analysis, I provide systematic evidence on private firms' public and private disclosure practices. I find that despite engaging in a low level of public disclosures, private firms actively communicate with investors through private communication channels, with notable variation across firms in terms of content and frequency. Consistent with managers providing relevant information, financial information is disclosed when it is particularly useful for investors' decision‐making. Furthermore, I explore the relation between private communication and public disclosure preferences and find a substitutive effect, suggesting that private firms may strategically manage communication channels to effectively engage with investors. This study contributes to the literature by describing the existing disclosure landscape of private firms.
Winter fruit contribution to the performance of the invasive fruit fly Drosophila suzukii under different thermal regimes
Authors: Larges Jordy , Deconninck Gwenaëlle , Ulmer Romain , Foray Vincent , Le Bris Nathalie , Chorin Marion , Colinet Hervé , Chabrerie Olivier , Eslin Patrice , Couty Aude 
Published: January 2025

AbstractPolyphagous insect species develop using multiple host plants. Often considered beneficial, polyphagy can also be costly as host nutritional quality may vary. Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) is an invasive species that can develop on numerous fruit species over the annual cycle. Here, we assessed the contribution of winter‐available fruit to the development of seasonal populations of D. suzukii, under fluctuating late winter/early spring temperature regimes. We infested an artificial diet and three suitable fruit species available in winter/early spring (Aucuba japonica, Elaeagnus ×submacrophylla, Viscum album) with D. suzukii larvae under three temperature regimes: constant 20 °C, fluctuating controlled regime of 8–15 °C (12 h of light at 8 °C and 12 h of dark at 15 °C), and uncontrolled outdoor regime during spring. As expected, fly performance was impaired by early spring‐like environmental conditions, whatever the development diet, and the winter fruit were suboptimal diets compared to the artificial diet, whatever the thermal regime. However, under cold fluctuating temperature regimes, the ranking of fruit supporting the best performance changed, highlighting the occurrence of physiological trade‐offs. Winter‐acclimated females preferentially oviposited in A. japonica and/or E. ×submacrophylla, whatever the thermal regime, which does not support the preference–performance hypothesis. This finding is also discussed in the context of D. suzukii management strategies.
Genetic diversity and virulence traits of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae isolated from various hosts in Serbia
Authors: Popović Milovanović Tatjana , Kosovac Andrea , Jelušić Aleksandra , Scortichini Marco , Trkulja Nenad , Stanković Slaviša , Iličić Renata 
Published: January 2025

AbstractIn this study, we assessed the genetic relatedness of 11 representative Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss) strains isolated in Serbia from different herbaceous and woody plant species, as well as one reference Pss strain, using various molecular tools such as repetitive element palindromic PCR, arbitrarily primed PCR, insertion sequences 50 PCR (IS50‐PCR) and multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA). Their virulence traits were also assessed by inoculating detached pear and lilac leaves, as well as immature cherry fruitlets. The results indicated genetic heterogeneity among the strains, which formed a complex network with prominent clustering patterns. While four distinct groups could be recognised when comparative Pss strains from the database were included in the analyses, the strains in focus of this study segregated into two distinct genetic groups labelled PssG‐2 and PssG‐3. MLSA findings mostly matched the IS50‐PCR results, while virulence assays helped distinguish sweet cherry (RE05, RE3) and pumpkin (PS‐T71) strains as the most virulent. Only strain Pss25, originating from pear, exhibited host specificity.