bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leveraging the circular economy with a closed-loop supply chain and a reverse omnichannel using blockchain technology and incentives
Authors: De Giovanni Pietro 
Published: June 2022

PurposeThis paper aims to analyze the benefits of the blockchain to the circular economy (CE), which is composed of both closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) systems and reverse omnichannel solutions. By ensuring transparency, traceability, visibility and security, the blockchain allows firms to acquire operational capabilities through a CLSC and service capabilities through a reverse omnichannel, which can boost business performance considerably. The related network of relationships can be reinforced by establishing incentives, which entail both smart contracts in the blockchain and active return approaches in CE.Design/methodology/approachAfter identifying the boundaries of the theoretical framework, several research hypotheses are developed according to the literature review and emerging gaps. These gaps link to the impact of the blockchain on CE systems (CLSC and reverse omnichannel), as well as the influence on business performance. The hypotheses are then tested using structural equation modeling and adopting a partial least squares-path modeling technique on a dataset composed of 157 firms. Finally, multigroup analysis is used to test the impact of incentives on the research hypotheses.FindingsThe blockchain facilitates a more efficient CE system, although reverse omnichannel solutions seldom bring any benefits to performance. The shift from a passive to an active return approach must be carefully evaluated. The CLSC network can benefit from an active return approach by developing appealing incentives for collectors and enhancing the positive effects of the blockchain. In contrast, consumer incentives can have detrimental effects on the blockchain. Various combinations of incentives can only bring a few business performance increases, while collector incentives are vital to reinforce the CE system's operational and service capabilities.Originality/valueThis paper takes a new approach toward the study of CE, which considers a dual circular system composed of a CLSC and a reverse omnichannel. The research explores whether the adoption of blockchain technology enables better return processes by improving the operations in CLSC and services in reverse omnichannel. Finally, this is the first empirical work to evaluate the benefits emerging from incentives, which can activate smart contracts in the blockchain and enable active return approaches in CE.
Hybrid cumulative approach for localization of nodes with adaptive threshold gradient feature on energy minimization using federated learning
Authors: I. Adumbabu , Selvakumar K. 
Published: June 2022

Purpose
Localization of the nodes is crucial for gaining access of different nodes which would provision in extreme areas where networks are unreachable. The feature of localization of nodes has become a significant study where multiple features on distance model are implicated on predictive and heuristic model for each set of localization parameters that govern the design on energy minimization with proposed adaptive threshold gradient feature (ATGF) model. A received signal strength indicator (RSSI) model with node estimated features is implicated with localization problem and enhanced with hybrid cumulative approach (HCA) algorithm for node optimizations with distance predicting.

Design/methodology/approach
Using a theoretical or empirical signal propagation model, the RSSI (known transmitting power) is converted to distance, the received power (measured at the receiving node) is converted to distance and the distance is converted to RSSI (known receiving power). As a result, the approximate distance between the transceiver node and the receiver may be determined by measuring the intensity of the received signal. After acquiring information on the distance between the anchor node and the unknown node, the location of the unknown node may be determined using either the trilateral technique or the maximum probability estimate approach, depending on the circumstances using federated learning.

Findings
Improvisation of localization for wireless sensor network has become one of the prime design features for estimating the different conditional changes externally and internally. One such feature of improvement is observed in this paper, via HCA where each feature of localization is depicted with machine learning algorithms imparting the energy reduction problem for each newer localized nodes in Section 5. All affected parametric features on energy levels and localization problem for newer and extinct nodes are implicated with hybrid cumulative approach as in Section 4. The proposed algorithm (HCA with AGTF) has implicated with significant change in energy levels of nodes which are generated newly and which are non-active for a stipulated time which are mentioned and tabulated in figures and tables in Section 6.

Originality/value
Localization of the nodes is crucial for gaining access of different nodes which would provision in extreme areas where networks are unreachable. The feature of localization of nodes has become a significant study where multiple features on distance model are implicated on predictive and heuristic model for each set of localization parameters that govern the design on energy minimization with proposed ATGF model. An RSSI model with node estimated features is implicated with localization problem and enhanced with HCA algorithm for node optimizations with distance predicting.
Franchising: a signaling perspective
Authors: Panda Swati , Thapa Sajani , Paswan Audhesh K. , Mishra Sailendra Prasanna 
Published: June 2022

Purpose
This paper aims to outline different signals that franchisors can use to communicate their value proposition to prospective franchisees. It also tests whether these signals can enable franchisors to charge a premium from their franchisees.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses a mixed-methods approach to arrive at the findings. It uses a combination of open-ended survey and archival data to arrive at the findings.

Findings
Franchisees consider franchisor’s characteristics such as its “capability,” “support offered” and “franchisee membership criteria” significant while buying into their franchises. The results suggest that franchisors can leverage some of their capability signals to obtain a higher franchise fee if they use the right signals as desired by franchisees.

Research limitations/implications
Signals identified in this study are specific to this study. The relationship between the signals and franchise fee is applicable for high-performing franchises operating in the American context only. Future research can address this limitation by collecting more data, testing additional signals and using alternative methods to verify the findings.

Practical implications
Franchisors can take cues from the evaluative criteria used by franchisees to design their signaling strategies. Franchisors can leverage some of their capabilities to extract higher fees from their franchisees. Prospective franchisees should engage in due diligence before purchasing a franchise unit and avoid franchises with higher support fees and loose franchisee recruitment criteria.

Originality/value
This study contributes to research on the evaluative criteria used by franchisees. It contributes to the signaling theory by offering insights into the performance outcomes of signals in the franchising context. It also contributes to our understanding of franchising by adopting a mixed-methods approach that includes information about franchisors and franchisees.
Preserving the historical heritage by burying new constructions underground: the Segovia Bridge and the M-30 motorway tunnel in Madrid
Authors: Rosado García María Jesús , Crespo Delgado Daniel 
Published: June 2022

PurposeThis work aims to demonstrate the feasibility of fully preserving the historical heritage at the same time reordering the cities and their traffic.Design/methodology/approachThis paper describes the sustainable solution designed for the landscape change required and to maintain the bridge integrity by excavating under the pier with the maintenance of traffic during its execution.FindingsIt is concluded that the elimination of urban motorways on the surface often leads to the excavation of tunnels under the existing buildings, with little coverage in most of them. This complicates the implementation of burials in cities with an important historical heritage, which must be given conservation priority in the choice of technical solutions.Originality/valueThe Segovia Bridge over the Manzanares River, the oldest bridge in Madrid, was built in the 16th century. With the burial of the M-30 motorway, it has been necessary to build a tunnel immediately under one of the bridge piers, practically without lining between the foundations and the upper slab of the tunnel.
Intention to adopt mobile-based online payment platforms in three Asian countries: an application of the extended Technology Acceptance Model
Authors: Jawad Abdullah Ibrahim , Parvin Tania , Hosain Md Sajjad 
Published: June 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of selected factors in adopting mobile-based online payment platforms (MOPP) in three Asian countries: China, India and Bangladesh through the application of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The factors considered were: perceived trust (PT), perceived risk (PR), social influence (SI), perceived ease of use (PEU) and perceived usefulness (PU).Design/methodology/approachThe authors purposively selected 1,289 individuals from those three countries who regularly use MOPP as the medium of monetary transactions. The authors utilized SPSS 24 for descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling (SEM) technique through AMOS 24 for testing the hypothesized relationships.FindingsThe authors found that four factors: PT, SI, PEU and PU have significant positive impact on the intention to adopt MOPP whereas PR has insignificant negative impact on the intention to adopt MOPP.Originality/valueAs per the authors' knowledge, this is the first study ever conducted to identify the factors impacting the adoption of MOPP in more than one country. Such an exploratory study can inspire the scholars to initiate further investigations as well as the service providers to extend their service effectiveness according to the users' opinion.
The influence of foreign direct investment on the Egyptian audit market: what do Big 4 partners’ perceptions tell us?
Authors: Eldaly Mohamed Khaled , Elamer Ahmed A. , Abdel-Kader Magdy 
Published: June 2022

Purpose
This study aims to examine the effects of the entry of foreign direct investments (FDIs) on the audit markets in developing countries (i.e. Egypt). There is a long-standing debate on the impact of FDIs on developing markets, but little is still known about the effect of FDI on national suppliers, such as audit firms.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper reports the results of a study that used qualitative research methods. It involves interviews with senior management teams of the Big 4 audit firms, to find out how these firms deal simultaneously with conflicting global and local influences. The interviews were complemented by the publicly available data on the firms’ websites as well as published reports related to the Egyptian economy and current investment regulations.

Findings
Drawing on the institutional theory, the findings suggest that an increased litigious environment, compliance with developed markets’ regulations, auditor regulatory sanctions and improved local accounting and auditing standards are highly significant consequences of foreign investment inflows. The findings indicate that more emphasis has been given to the quality of audit and auditors’ independence when auditing FDIs. Both audit regulators and audit firms in the domestic market pay higher attention to improving the quality of financial reports when FDIs have entered the market. More inspections and reviews for audit firms have been conducted, and local auditing and accounting standards have been revised to be in compliance with international standards.

Research limitations/implications
Our results have important implications for investors, regulatory authorities and governments in relation to the development, implementation and enforcement of international financial reporting and auditing standards.

Originality/value
Policymakers and regulators in Egypt have responded to international pressure by revitalizing their local accounting and auditing standards and adopting international financial reporting and auditing standards. The authors identify strategies that have been adopted by audit firms to face the FDIs’ challenges.
Will goal clarity lower team innovation? A moderated mediation model of inter-team trust
Authors: Lui Steven , Lai John , Luo Ben Nanfeng , Moran Peter 
Published: June 2022

Purpose
Based on two dominant perspectives, team climate and knowledge integration, on team innovation, this study aims to propose a moderated mediation model to examine the interactive effect of inter-team trust and goal clarity on team innovation through knowledge inflows into a team. Considering the two perspectives at the same time will provide a more complete picture on our understanding on team innovation.

Design/methodology/approach
The research model is tested on 150 retail teams of a large apparel firm. Data are collected from two separate surveys, one to store managers and one to store staff members. Moderation mediation regression analysis is conducted on the survey data.

Findings
The regression analysis identified both a positive direct effect of goal clarity on innovation, and a negative moderating effect of goal clarity on the mediation of knowledge inflows between inter-team trust and innovation. In other words, inter-team trust is positively related to team innovation through knowledge inflows when goal clarity is low.

Originality/value
In this study, the authors identify an indirect and negative role of goal clarity on team innovation, and examine the mechanism and boundary of inter-team trust on team innovation. Managers are advised to foster a trusting environment and be aware of cognitive bias in their teams so that their teams can be more innovative.
Development model of gender socialization: school textbooks gender analysis in Georgia
Authors: Tabatadze Shalva , Gorgadze Natia 
Published: June 2022

Purpose
This study aims to explore gender equality in school textbooks in Georgia.

Design/methodology/approach
The research had the following questions: To what extent are women and men visible and represented equally in school textbooks? How do school textbooks promote gender socialization of boys and girls to be treated equally in terms of power and privileges, superiority and inferiority? Do school textbooks promote critical thinking and analysis of gender issues and problems? The content analysis of the qualitative research method was used to answer the research questions.

Findings
The research revealed that males remain more visible in school textbooks; however, the authors mainly attempt to balance the gender representation in textbooks quantitatively. The textbooks do not socialize girls and boys as equals in power, privileges, superiority and inferiority. The textbooks do not provide room for discussing gender and social justice issues.

Originality/value
The study is an original work. The study contributes to the development of the field of multicultural education, as it develops the three levels model of gender socialization based on the empirical research data. The first, detection level, implies the visibility of both boys and girls equally in school textbooks. The second, the recognition level of gender socialization, acknowledges gender equality in occupations, activities and power and privileges. The third, the affirmation level, develops a critical understanding of gender issues and gender equality in society.
Recognition of prior learning: implications for quality assurance in higher education
Authors: Stephens Simon 
Published: June 2022

Purpose
A diverse range of initiatives in relation to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) have been introduced in higher education systems over the past 20 years. This paper aims to explore the implementation of RPL initiatives, in an Irish context, and the implications for quality assurance in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative approach is adopted, to provide an enhanced understanding of the impact of RPL initiatives. Data is presented from interviews with key stakeholders: six academics, six coordinators and six learners who availed of RPL.

Findings
The introduction of RPL requires higher education institutions to adopt new approaches to the design and delivery of their programmes and also to review and revise quality assurance frameworks. This paper presents key insights across five over-arching themes (ambitions and outcomes; caution and suspicion; in the classroom; assessment and examinations; and life after university).

Originality/value
The introduction of RPL evokes a mixed reaction from stakeholders, and there is a range of differing experiences, leading to differences in attitudes and unintended impacts. This study provides insights both at an individual and institutional levels using experiential learning theory.
Sex‐specific strategies of nutrient resorption associated with leaf economics in Populus euphratica
Authors: Yu Lei , Huang Zongdi , Li Zhijun , Korpelainen Helena , Li Chunyang 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

There are differences between sexes in physiological and functional traits and possibly in nutrient resorption, particularly in nutrient‐poor environments. However, little is known about the extent of nutrient resorption from fine stems and fine roots, and about how nutrient resorption is related to leaf economics in the males and females of dioecious trees.

We investigated nutrient resorption of different organs and explored whether nutrient resorption is associated with nutrient conservation traits of leaves (e.g. leaf thickness, leaf mass per area, LMA) in Populus euphratica females and males in four natural forests along the Tarim River, China.

Both female and male leaves had the highest N resorption efficiency (NRE), than stems and roots. We found sexual dimorphism in leaf nutrient resorption at Shaya, Luntai and Yuli forest sites, where P. euphratica males had higher leaf NRE than females, whereas females had a higher leaf P resorption efficiency (PRE). Moreover, the different nutrient resorption strategies were related to leaf economics. P. euphratica males possess a conservation strategy with a higher leaf thickness, LMA and leaf vein density, which positively correlated with leaf NRE, while females with higher leaf PRE resorbed disproportionately more P for the reproductive investment.

Synthesis. Populus euphratica males possess a conservation strategy with higher leaf NRE, while females have higher leaf PRE for the reproductive investment. Due to spatial sexual segregation across environmental gradients, dioecious plants are especially vulnerable under future climate change. The differences in nutrient uptake and utilization strategies between females and males may result in a situation where one sex is more prone to future climate change than the other one. Such sex‐specific nutrient resorption strategies are associated with leaf economics. The present study deepens our understanding of the nutrient balance and adaptation strategies of plants under climate change.
Pathotypes of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae express discrete repertoires of accessory genes and induce distinct host transcriptional responses during root infection
Authors: Jenner Bradley N. , Henry Peter M. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractConvergent evolution of phytopathogenicity is poorly described, especially among multiple strains of a single microbial species. We investigated this phenomenon with genetically diverse isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae (Fof) that cause one of two syndromes: chlorosis and wilting (the ‘yellows‐fragariae’ pathotype), or only wilting (the ‘wilt‐fragariae’ pathotype). We challenged strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) plants to root infection by five fungal isolates: three yellows‐fragariae, one wilt‐fragariae and one that is not pathogenic to strawberry. All Fof isolates had chromosome‐level assemblies; three were newly generated. The two pathotypes triggered distinct host responses, especially among phytohormone‐associated genes; yellows‐fragariae isolates strongly induced jasmonic acid‐associated genes, whereas the wilt‐fragariae isolate primarily induced ethylene biosynthesis and signalling. The differentially expressed genes on fungal accessory chromosomes were almost entirely distinct between pathotypes. We identified an ~150 kbp ‘pathogenicity island’ that was horizontally transferred between wilt‐fragariae strains. This predicted pathogenicity island was enriched with differentially expressed genes whose predicted functions were related to plant infection, and only one of these genes was also upregulated in planta by yellows‐fragariae isolates. These results support the conclusion that wilt‐ and yellows‐fragariae cause physiologically distinct syndromes by the expression of discrete repertoires of genes on accessory chromosomes.
Role conflict, job crafting, stress and resilience among nurses during COVID‐19
Authors: Sahay Surabhi , Gigliotti Ralph A. , Dwyer Maria 
Published: June 2022

AbstractCrises have the potential to heighten stress levels among frontline employees. In general, to cope with crisis‐related stress, employees often improvise or job craft to meet the demands of the crisis. In addition to this, they need resources and directions to support their innovation by lowering role conflict. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, nurses too were compelled to improvise as they struggled with multiple challenges related to the uncertainty associated with the virus and the assignment of atypical job functions. These concerns affected nurses' wellbeing and impacted their jobs. This two‐phase sequential study began with interviews (n = 14), followed by a survey (n = 152) exploring nurses' perspectives regarding this noncausality crisis and the impact of organizational variables on their stress levels. While improvisation and job crafting were found to be important for adaptive resilience, the process involved in achieving resilience ended up increasing stress for nurses. Additionally, nurses faced role conflict, which contributed to greater levels of stress. To support nurses and enhance resilience, organizations should provide resources, role direction and training for effective job crafting and orientation.