bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
When and how big data analytics and work practices impact on financial performance: an intellectual capital perspective from banking industry
Authors: Hussain Azhar , Nisar Qasim Ali , Khan Waqas , Niazi Umair Imran , Malik Maida 
Published: May 2023

PurposeThis study aims to determine the role of intellectual capital (IC) on financial performance (FP), the mediating effect of high-performance work practices (HPWPs) and the moderating role of big data analytics on the banking sector operating in Pakistan.Design/methodology/approachThis study collected quantitative and cross-sectional data using structured questionnaire forms distributed to selected targeted respondents using a convenient sampling technique. The 518 useable questionnaires were analysed using the SmartPLS software through a structural equation modelling technique to test the proposed research hypotheses.FindingsThe study results revealed that IC has shown an impact on FP. The role of HPWP significantly mediates between IC and FP, while the moderating role of big data analytics remains insignificant.Practical implicationsThis study highlights IC's role in enhancing FP in the Pakistani banking sector. It will bring a higher quality IC in the banking sector, and they will be better positioned to serve the community. Policymakers need to invest in IC and HPWP and utilise BDA, which will boost FP and uplift the quality of the banking sector.Originality/valueThis study extends the concept of IC and adds the theoretical role of HPWPs and big data analytics in the literature on IC, along with the contextual application. The study also develops a unique role of the integrated IC model theory with a relationship to the banking sector of Pakistan.
Reorganization of a very small academic library: a case study of Maine maritime academy's Nutting Memorial Library
Authors: Dyer Ann MacMillan , Starbird Lauren 
Published: May 2023

PurposeThis case study evaluates the success of a change management process in a very small academic library at a public, rural college. It considers the existing literature on the subject and how it applies to this setting and details the change process.Design/methodology/approachThe authors developed a new tool for assessment of work and its relationship to the organization design, dubbed a “Penny Chart.” The relationship between work areas uncovered by this charting led the change efforts and determined how jobs would be described and marketed.FindingsConducting a work reorganization within the confines of a very small library staff has extensive benefits, but does not come without the existing drawbacks of working with limited and shrinking resources in the current climate of higher education. However, intentionally charting the relationship between areas of work and determining natural areas of overlap and authority had significant benefits to the organization as a whole.Originality/valueThere is little to no existing literature on conducting a significant reorganization of this size of academic library. This paper contributes significantly to the literature by proposing a new method for reorganization when there is no change to the official reporting structure due to the size of the institution. In addition, this method will be valuable to institutions of all sizes conducting any significant reorganization.
The dilemmas of relevance: exploring the role of natural resources and energy consumption in managing climate crisis in Africa
Authors: Shobande Olatunji , Asongu Simplice 
Published: May 2023

PurposeThe study examines the role of natural resources (NRs) and energy consumption in managing the climate crisis in Africa, using annual series data from the World Bank from 1980 to 2019.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical strategy is based on the second-generation panel techniques that account for cross-sectional dependency in the series. Specifically, the empirical evidence is based on the Westerlund (2017) panel cointegration test, panel augmented mean group, common correlated effects mean group and the vector autoregressive (VAR)-vector error correction (VEC) approaches.FindingsEvidence from the panel analysis confirmed the existence of Carbon Kuznets Curve (CKC) U-shaped nexus in Africa, but the country-level results are mixed. Furthermore, results using the VAR-vector correction model indicate possible convergence among the variables across the African countries. NR unidirectionally Granger-causes carbon emissions. The authors suggest the consideration of environmental factors in the utilisation of NRs. Similarly, energy efficiency is crucial to decouple carbon from energy usage.Originality/valueThe study complements the extant literature by assessing the role of NRs and energy consumption in managing climate crisis in Africa.
Stakeholder accountability in the era of big data: an exploratory study of online platform companies
Authors: Amonoo Nkrumah Beatrice , Qian Wei , Kaur Amanpreet , Tilt Carol 
Published: May 2023

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the nature and extent of disclosure on the use of big data by online platform companies and how these disclosures address and discharge stakeholder accountability.Design/methodology/approachContent analysis of annual reports and data policy documents of 100 online platform companies were used for this study. More specifically, the study develops a comprehensive big data disclosure framework to assess the nature and extent of disclosures provided in corporate reports. This framework also assists in evaluating the effect of the size of the company, industry and country in which they operate on disclosures.FindingsThe analysis reveals that most companies made limited disclosure on how they manage big data. Only two of the 100 online platform companies have provided moderate disclosures on big data related issues. The focus of disclosure by the online platform companies is more on data regulation compliance and privacy protection, but significantly less on the accountability and ethical issues of big data use. More specifically, critical issues, such as stakeholder engagement, breaches of customer information and data reporting and controlling mechanisms are largely overlooked in current disclosures. The analysis confirms that current attention has been predominantly given to powerful stakeholders such as regulators as a result of compliance pressure while the accountability pressure has yet to keep up the pace.Research limitations/implicationsThe study findings may be limited by the use of a new accountability disclosure index and the specific focus on online platform companies.Practical implicationsAlthough big data permeates, the number of users and uses grow and big data use has become more ingrained into society, this study provides evidence that ethical and accountability issues persist, even among the largest online companies. The findings of this study improve the understanding of the current state of online companies’ reporting practices on big data use, particularly the issues and gaps in the reporting process, which will help policymakers and standard setters develop future data disclosure policies.Social implicationsFrom these findings, the study improves the understanding of the current state of online companies’ reporting practices on big data use, particularly the issues and gaps in the reporting process – which are helpful for policymakers and standard setters to develop data disclosure policies.Originality/valueThis study provides an analysis of ethical and social issues surrounding big data accountability, an emerging but increasingly important area that needs urgent attention and more research. It also adds a new disclosure dimension to the existing accountability literature and provides practical suggestions to balance the interaction between online platform companies and their stakeholders to promote the responsible use of big data.
Sustainability reporting, universities and global reporting initiative applicability: a still open issue
Authors: Moggi Sara 
Published: May 2023

Purpose
The porpose of this study is to critically consider the use of global reporting initiative (GRI) guidelines in universities’ sustainability reports.. In light of the recent literature and Habermas’s thinking, the study advances the research field by considering the process of internal colonisation from steering institutions and makes suggestions regarding the future role of GRI in the higher education (HE) context.

Design/methodology/approach
This study presents a systematic literature review and content analysis for enhancing the critical reading of GRI applications in HE studies. The results are analysed in light of Habermas’s thinking, considering the GRI as a steering institution and its guidelines as steering mechanisms.

Findings
This study updates the literature review on sustainability reporting (SR) at universities and underlines the general trend in the employment of the GRI in this context. The results highlight the need to adapt the GRI to enhance its applicability in the HE context by considering additional dimensions such as research, teaching and operations. In doing so, the framework loses effectiveness and weakens the role of the GRI as a steering institution.

Practical implications
The results suggest that the GRI guidelines should be reframed to enhance comparability among reports and increase its wider employment at universities.

Social implications
Universities need to be guided in their accountability process towards SR by dedicated frameworks. This study suggests the potentially pivotal role that the GRI could play in providing dedicated tools for HE to steer and enhance the development of SRs at universities.

Originality/value
This study presents an updated review of studies on SR at universities and suggests possible paths for the future of the GRI framework applicability to universities’ SR.
Socio-economic disparities in greenspace quality: insights from the city of Melbourne
Authors: Ghanem Ali , Edirisinghe Ruwini 
Published: May 2023

PurposeThis paper takes a prudent approach to assessing the quality of greenspace in low- and high socio-economic status (SES) settings. Socio-economic data from deprivation indexes were used to systematically define low- and high-SES suburbs. A Geographical Information System (GIS) observation of greenspaces was used to score spaces according to a scoring criterion contingent on six quality facets. Statistics were then synthesised, producing a Cohen effect score highlighting disparities in each criterion between the two SES groups.Design/methodology/approachAs the phenomena of locational prejudice and meritocratic inequality continue to garner global attention, this paper extrapolates this to a world-renown metropolis, Melbourne. This paper endeavours to provide invaluable insights into the environmental injustice paradigm within greenspace and its respective quality.FindingsConclusive results affirmed a concerning disparity in the quality of greenspace between Melbourne's low- and high-SES settings. Cohen's effect size found that on average, there was a “medium” distinction between the spaces, whilst an individual focus on the quality facets concluded diverse findings.Research limitations/implicationsThe core of study adopted a meticulous virtual assessment to critique the quality of selected greenspaces opposed to an in-person-real world assessment which could garner more nuanced findings.Originality/valueExisting literature on Melbourne has prioritised distribution, proximity and accessibility domains when assessing inequitable greenspace and, consequently, has catalysed a research gap in greenspace quality. This is also one of the first papers to provide insight into the “Plan Melbourne” policy regarding urban regeneration and ameliorating public open spaces.
Landscape composition and pollinator traits interact to influence pollination success in an individual‐based model
Authors: Kortsch Susanne , Saravia Leonardo , Cirtwill Alyssa R. , Timberlake Thomas , Memmott Jane , Kendall Liam , Roslin Tomas , Strona Giovanni 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

The arrangement of plant species within a landscape influences pollination via changes in pollinator movement trajectories and plant–pollinator encounter rates. Yet the combined effects of landscape composition and pollinator traits (especially specialisation) on pollination success remain hard to quantify empirically.

We used an individual‐based model to explore how landscape and pollinator specialisation (degree) interact to influence pollination. We modelled variation in the landscape by generating gradients of plant species intermixing—from no mixing to complete intermixing. Furthermore, we varied the level of pollinator specialisation by simulating plant–pollinator (six to eight species) networks of different connectance. We then compared the impacts of these drivers on three proxies for pollination: visitation rate, number of consecutive visits to the focal plant species and expected number of plants pollinated.

We found that the spatial arrangements of plants and pollinator degree interact to determine pollination success, and that the influence of these drivers on pollination depends on how pollination is estimated. For most pollinators, visitation rate increases in more plant mixed landscapes. Compared to the two more functional measures of pollination, visitation rate overestimates pollination service. This is particularly severe in landscapes with high plant intermixing and for generalist pollinators. Interestingly, visitation rate is less influenced by pollinator traits (pollinator degree and body size) than are the two functional metrics, likely because ‘visitation rate’ ignores the order in which pollinators visit plants. However, the visitation sequence order is crucial for the expected number of plants pollinated, since only prior visits to conspecific individuals can contribute to pollination. We show here that this order strongly depends on the spatial arrangements of plants, on pollinator traits and on the interaction between them.

Taken together, our findings suggest that visitation rate, the most commonly used proxy for pollination in network studies, should be complemented with more functional metrics which reflect the frequency with which individual pollinators revisit the same plant species. Our findings also suggest that measures of landscape structure such as plant intermixing and density—in combination with pollinators' level of specialism—can improve estimates of the probability of pollination.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Source time functions and interference from blast arrays
Authors: Bleibinhaus Florian , Trabi Bernd 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn this study, we review the principles of blast array design for vibration reduction and we present a parametric Laplace‐domain model to predict source time functions for mine blasts that accounts for the relation between charge weight and frequency. We developed the model for one of Europe's largest iron ore mines, Mt. Erzberg, Austria, where we repeatedly monitored production blasts with arrays of 80–125 seismic sensors. Our model enables us to simulate not only resonance modes and Doppler shifts but also time‐domain waveforms. We use the normalized cross‐correlation coefficient of observed and synthetic waveforms to calibrate the model. The overall good match of our predictions suggests that our modelling of the source time functions could be used for more advanced predictions of the peak ground velocity, which is essential to designing charge weight distributions in modern mining operations.
Tensor tree decomposition as a rank‐reduction method for pre‐stack interpolation
Authors: Manenti Rafael , Sacchi Mauricio D 
Published: May 2023

AbstractTensors have been proposed to represent pre‐stack seismic data, particularly for seismic data denoising and reconstruction. They naturally permit describing multi‐dimensional seismic signals that depend on time (or frequency) and source and receiver coordinates. A tensor representation aims to preserve the information embedded in the multi‐linear array in a reduced space. Such a representation is part of many algorithms for seismic data reconstruction via tensor completion methodologies. We investigate and apply one particular tensor tree representation to seismic data reconstruction. The Tensor Tree decomposition methodology permits decomposing a high‐order tensor into third‐order tensors. The technique relies on the truncated singular value decomposition, which branches the tensors into low‐dimensional tensors. As a benefit, the tensor tree allows us to reorganize the tensor into a matrix that demands the least singular values to have an optimal low‐rank approximation. We have developed an algorithm that uses the tensor tree for data reconstruction in an iterative optimization scheme and directly compared it to the parallel matrix factorization. At first, we demonstrated the proposed methodology results with five‐dimensional synthetic shot data and then moved forward with five‐dimensional field data, where we analysed it both pre and post‐stack. The tensor tree performs well in reconstructing both synthetic and field data with high fidelity, at the same level as the well‐established parallel matrix factorization.
Common beans as a source of food ingredients: Techno‐functional and biological potential
Authors: Alfaro‐Diaz Arturo , Escobedo Alejandro , Luna‐Vital Diego A. , Castillo‐Herrera Gustavo , Mojica Luis 
Published: May 2023

AbstractCommon beans are an inexpensive source of high‐quality food ingredients. They are rich in proteins, slowly digestible starch, fiber, phenolic compounds, and other bioactive molecules that could be separated and processed to obtain value‐added ingredients with techno‐functional and biological potential. The use of common beans in the food industry is a promising alternative to add nutritional and functional ingredients with a low impact on overall consumer acceptance. Researchers are evaluating traditional and novel technologies to develop functionally enhanced common bean ingredients, such as flours, proteins, starch powders, and phenolic extracts that could be introduced as functional ingredient alternatives in the food industry. This review compiles recent information on processing, techno‐functional properties, food applications, and the biological potential of common bean ingredients. The evidence shows that incorporating an adequate proportion of common bean ingredients into regular foods such as pasta, bread, or nutritional bars improves their fiber, protein, phenolic compounds, and glycemic index profile without considerably affecting their organoleptic properties. Additionally, common bean consumption has shown health benefits in the gut microbiome, weight control, and the reduction of the risk of developing noncommunicable diseases. However, food matrix interaction studies and comprehensive clinical trials are needed to develop common bean ingredient applications and validate the health benefits over time.
Human resource management in recession: Restructuring and alternatives to downsizing in times of crisis
Authors: Johnstone Stewart 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn just over a decade two global crises have created significant instability across the world and plunged many national economies into recession. While studies of HRM during economic downturns are limited, the global impact of COVID‐19 on employment adds impetus to the debate. Though downsizing and mass layoffs attract most attention, redundancies are just one potential response to challenging economic conditions, and various other employment adjustments might be viewed as complements or alternatives to workforce reductions. However, little is known about the implementation of HR practices or enactment of HR strategies during recession. Drawing upon 56 in‐depth interviews, this article presents three case studies of recessionary restructuring in British manufacturing firms. The cases share a concern with mitigating redundancies and highlight the importance of actor agency as well as institutional and organisational context in shaping restructuring outcomes. The article contributes to HR theory regarding HRM in recession and employment restructuring.
Structural Variation between the Western and Eastern Kuqa Fold‐and‐thrust Belt, China: Insights from Seismic Interpretation and Analog Modeling
Authors: WANG Wei , XIE Huiwen , YIN Hongwei , JIA Dong , XU Zhenping , LUO Haoyu , HE Wanhui , YUAN Rui , DUAN Yunjiang 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe Kuqa fold‐and‐thrust belt exhibits apparent structural variation in the western and eastern zone. Two salt layer act as effective decollements and influence the varied deformation. In this study, detailed seismic interpretations and analog modeling are presented to construct the suprasalt and subsalt structures in the transfer zone of the middle Kuqa and investigate the influence of the two salt layers. The results reveal that the relationship of the two salt layers changes from separated to connected, and then overlapped toward the foreland in the transfer zone. Different structural models are formed in the suprasalt and subsalt units due to the interaction of the two salt layers. The imbricate thrust faults form two broomlike fault systems in the subsalt units. The suprasalt units develop detached folds terminating toward the east in the region near the orogenic belt. Whereas, two offset anticlines with different trends develop at the frontal edge of the lower salt layer and the trailing edge of the upper salt layer, respectively. According to exploration results in this region, the relationship between suprasalt and subsalt structures has an influence on hydrocarbon accumulation. We believe that the connected deformation contains high‐risk plays while the decoupled deformation contains well‐preserved plays.
Nutrients mediate caffeine inhibition of Escherichia coli
Authors: McConnell Megan N. , Bakermans Corien 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe consumption of coffee and other caffeinated drinks is increasingly popular across the globe. In the United States, 90% of adults consume at least one caffeinated beverage a day. While caffeine consumption of up to 400 mg/d is not generally associated with negative effects on human health, the impact of caffeine on the gut microbiome and individual gut microbiota remains unclear. We examined the effect of caffeine on the growth rate of Escherichia coli, a bacterium commonly found in the human gut, when grown aerobically or anaerobically in nutrient‐rich or minimal medium. A significant negative correlation was observed between caffeine concentration and growth rate under all conditions, suggesting that caffeine can act as an antimicrobial agent when ingested. Caffeine reduced growth rates significantly more in nutrient‐poor, but not in anoxic, conditions. Given the highly variable nutrient and oxygen conditions of the gut, these results suggest a need to further explore caffeine's inhibitory effects on the gut microbiome and its relation to human health.
Iceland: Political Developments and Data in 2022
Authors: HARDARSON ÓLAFUR TH. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn 2022, Icelandic politics returned to normal. In the two previous years, Covid‐19 had dominated the political agenda—ideology and politics as normal were largely absent. In the 2021 parliamentary elections, the three‐way coalition of the Left Greens, Independence Party, and Progressive Party (PP) kept its majority in Althingi—the first majority government to do so since the bank crash of 2008. This victory was clearly the result of a successful fight against the epidemic, and the government parties decided to continue their coalition cooperation. In 2022, support for the government and for the government parties went down, just as had been the case for all governments since the financial crisis of 2008. One of the opposition parties, the Social Democratic Alliance, made huge gains in the opinion polls—under a new leadership. Increasing ideological tensions could be observed within the government coalition, which includes both the parliamentary party furthest to the left and furthest to the right.