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1 – 5 of 5Based on the dynamic capability view, this study aims to draw for the first time the missing link between big data analytics capabilities (BDAC) on both green absorptive capacity…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the dynamic capability view, this study aims to draw for the first time the missing link between big data analytics capabilities (BDAC) on both green absorptive capacity (GAC) and green entrepreneurship orientation (GEO). It is theoretically necessary to address how BDAC levels up the GAC to achieve the same level of GEO and then respond to their green business agenda. In addition, the study introduces knowledge sharing (KS) and green organizational ambidexterity (GOA) as potential moderating factors in the relationship between GEO and eco-innovation and explores the mediation role of GAC in the BDAC–GEO relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
The study collected 268 questionnaires from employees working in Chinese manufacturing firms using a self-administered survey and cross-sectional research design. The study applied SmartPLS to analyze the obtained data.
Findings
The findings revealed that BDAC positively and significantly influences GAC and GEO, positively impacting eco-innovation. The KS and GOA's moderation effect strengthens the relationship between GEO and eco-innovation. GAC partially mediates the relationship between BDAC and GEO.
Practical implications
The study advises firms to invest heavily in developing technological aspects of BDAC as a dynamic strategic capability that facilitates tracking and anticipating the future behavior changes of customers, competitors and market demands. BDAC also allows firms to upgrade and reconfigure their dynamic capabilities by responding to managerial, operational and strategic necessities. BDAC is necessary to increase GAC's impact and help drive GEO's eco-business agenda. Notably, the study gave superior attention to KS and GOA as a backbone of GEO to improve eco-innovation economic and managerial outcomes.
Originality/value
The study highlights the necessity to upgrade and integrate technological aspects of BDAC within firms' GEO to enhance green practices. Significantly, green business practices changed quickly as customers' needs and eco-markets fluctuated; BDAC is the crucial dynamic capability fostering GAC and entrepreneurs' green mindset to deal with environmental challenges. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is to predict the potential effect of BDAC on both GAC and GEO. BDAC helps firms to develop GEO eco-business agenda and balance green growth with green issues.
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Susanna Aba Abraham, Obed Cudjoe, Yvonne Ayerki Nartey, Elizabeth Agyare, Francis Annor, Benedict Osei Tawiah, Matilda Nyampong, Kwadwo Koduah Owusu, Marijanatu Abdulai, Stephen Ayisi Addo and Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) goal to end the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic as a public health threat by 2030 emphasises the…
Abstract
Purpose
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) goal to end the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic as a public health threat by 2030 emphasises the importance of leaving no one behind. To determine progress towards the elimination goal in Ghana, an in-depth understanding of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care from the perspective of vulnerable populations such as persons living with HIV in incarceration is necessary. This study aims to explore the experiences of incarcerated individuals living with HIV (ILHIV) and on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in selected Ghanaian prisons to help inform policy.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted a qualitative approach involving in-depth interviews with 16 purposively selected ILHIV on ART from purposively selected prisons. Interviews were conducted between October and December 2022. Thematic analysis was performed using the ATLAS.Ti software.
Findings
Three themes were generated from the analysis: waking up to a positive HIV status; living with HIV a day at a time; and being my brother’s keeper: preventing HIV transmission. All participants underwent HIV screening at the various prisons. ILHIV also had access to ART although those on remand had challenges with refills. Stigma perpetuated by incarcerated individuals against those with HIV existed, and experiences of inadequate nutrition among incarcerated individuals on ART were reported. Opportunities to improve the experiences of the ILHIV are required to improve care and reduce morbidity and mortality.
Originality/value
Through first-hand experiences from ILHIV in prisons, this study provides the perception of incarcerated individuals on HIV care in prisons. The insights gained from this study can contribute to the development of targeted interventions and strategies to improve HIV care and support for incarcerated individuals.
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This study aims to focus on how reactive diluents with mono- and di-functionalities affect the properties of resin formulation developed from bioderived precursors. A hydroxyethyl…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to focus on how reactive diluents with mono- and di-functionalities affect the properties of resin formulation developed from bioderived precursors. A hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) terminated urethane acrylate oligomer was synthesized and characterized to study its application in stereolithography 3D printing with different ratios of isobornyl acrylate and hexanediol diacrylate.
Design/methodology/approach
Polyester polyol was synthesized from suberic acid and butanediol. Additionally, isophorone diisocyanate, polyester polyol and HEMA were used to create urethane acrylate oligomer. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 1H NMR were used to characterize the polyester polyol and oligomer. Various formulations were created by combining oligomer with reactive diluents in concentrations ranging from 0% to 30% by weight and curing with ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The cured coatings and 3D printed specimens were then evaluated for their properties.
Findings
The findings revealed an improvement in thermal stability, contact angle value, tensile strength and surface properties of the product which indicated its suitability for use as a 3D printing material.
Originality/value
This study discusses how oligomers that have been cured by UV radiation with mono- and difunctional reactive diluents give excellent coating characteristics and demonstrate suitability and stability for 3D printing applications.
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Worapan Kusakunniran, Pairash Saiviroonporn, Thanongchai Siriapisith, Trongtum Tongdee, Amphai Uraiverotchanakorn, Suphawan Leesakul, Penpitcha Thongnarintr, Apichaya Kuama and Pakorn Yodprom
The cardiomegaly can be determined by the cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) which can be measured in a chest x-ray image. It is calculated based on a relationship between a size of heart…
Abstract
Purpose
The cardiomegaly can be determined by the cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) which can be measured in a chest x-ray image. It is calculated based on a relationship between a size of heart and a transverse dimension of chest. The cardiomegaly is identified when the ratio is larger than a cut-off threshold. This paper aims to propose a solution to calculate the ratio for classifying the cardiomegaly in chest x-ray images.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed method begins with constructing lung and heart segmentation models based on U-Net architecture using the publicly available datasets with the groundtruth of heart and lung masks. The ratio is then calculated using the sizes of segmented lung and heart areas. In addition, Progressive Growing of GANs (PGAN) is adopted here for constructing the new dataset containing chest x-ray images of three classes including male normal, female normal and cardiomegaly classes. This dataset is then used for evaluating the proposed solution. Also, the proposed solution is used to evaluate the quality of chest x-ray images generated from PGAN.
Findings
In the experiments, the trained models are applied to segment regions of heart and lung in chest x-ray images on the self-collected dataset. The calculated CTR values are compared with the values that are manually measured by human experts. The average error is 3.08%. Then, the models are also applied to segment regions of heart and lung for the CTR calculation, on the dataset computed by PGAN. Then, the cardiomegaly is determined using various attempts of different cut-off threshold values. With the standard cut-off at 0.50, the proposed method achieves 94.61% accuracy, 88.31% sensitivity and 94.20% specificity.
Originality/value
The proposed solution is demonstrated to be robust across unseen datasets for the segmentation, CTR calculation and cardiomegaly classification, including the dataset generated from PGAN. The cut-off value can be adjusted to be lower than 0.50 for increasing the sensitivity. For example, the sensitivity of 97.04% can be achieved at the cut-off of 0.45. However, the specificity is decreased from 94.20% to 79.78%.
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Globally, consumer’s inclination towards functional foods had noticed due to their greater health consciousness coupled with enhanced health-care cost. The fact that probiotics…
Abstract
Purpose
Globally, consumer’s inclination towards functional foods had noticed due to their greater health consciousness coupled with enhanced health-care cost. The fact that probiotics could promote a healthier gut microbiome led projection of probiotic foods as functional foods and had emerged as an important dietary strategy for improved human health. It had established that ice cream was a better carrier for probiotics than fermented milked due to greater stability of probiotics in ice cream matrix. Global demand for ice cream boomed and probiotic ice cream could have been one of the most demanded functional foods. The purpose of this paper was to review the technological aspects and factors affecting probiotic viability and to standardize methodology to produce functional probiotic ice cream.
Design/methodology/approach
Attempt was made to search the literature (review and researched papers) to identify diverse factors affecting the probiotic viability and major technological challenge faced during formulation of probiotic ice cream. Keywords used for data searched included dairy-based functional foods, ice cream variants, probiotic ice cream, factors affecting probiotic viability and health benefits of probiotic ice cream.
Findings
Retention of probiotic viability at a level of >106 cfu/ml is a prerequisite for functional probiotic ice creams. Functional probiotic ice cream could have been produced with the modification of basic mix and modulating technological parameters during processing and freezing. Functionality can be further enhanced with the inclusion of certain nutraceutical components such as prebiotics, antioxidant, phenolic compounds and dietary fibres. Based upon reviewed literature, suggested method for the manufacture of functional probiotic ice cream involved freezing of a probiotic ice cream mix obtained by blending 10% probiotic fermented milk with 90% non-fermented plain ice cream mix for higher probiotic viability. Probiotic ice cream with functional features, comparable with traditional ice cream in terms of technological and sensory properties could be produced and can crop up as a novel functional food.
Originality/value
Probiotic ice cream with functional features may attract food manufacturers to cater health-conscious consumers.
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