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1 – 10 of 459Yu Wang, Zulqurnain Ali, Aqsa Mehreen and Khawar Hussain
In this age of digitalization, organizations are generating large data from the organizations' manufacturing processes that are valuable for capturing a competitive edge. Chinese…
Abstract
Purpose
In this age of digitalization, organizations are generating large data from the organizations' manufacturing processes that are valuable for capturing a competitive edge. Chinese small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can bring organizations radical innovation by investing in innovation projects (i.e. big data use; BDU) using the SMEs' scarce resources. Thus, the authors' research aims to predict Chinese SMEs' radical innovation (RI) through BDU using the theoretical lenses of the resource-based view. Moreover, the authors' study also pursues to realize the undermining mediating process of business strategy alignment (BSA) and the buffering role of information sharing in BDU–RI linkage.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 297 Chinese SMEs entrepreneurs and managers were recruited from the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China using a survey approach. In Mplus 7.4, the authors tested the proposed hypotheses.
Findings
The sample of 297 shows that BDU is directly and indirectly (via BSA) related to RI. Further, information sharing moderates the linkage between BDU and BSA and BSA and RI. The association between BSA and RI is only significant and stronger when information sharing is high.
Practical implications
This research is beneficial for SME entrepreneurs/managers to enhance the understanding of BDU, eliminate challenges of BSA via BDU and align business strategies to bring RI to Chinese SMEs.
Originality/value
SMEs always search for new ways to enhance SMEs' productivity using scarce resources. This is the first research that advances big data and innovation literature by predicting firm RI through BDU using a resource-based view. Moreover, this study is novel because the study investigates the mediation role of BSA and the moderating role of information sharing in the linkage between BDU and firm RI in Chinese SMEs.
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Gaetano Matonti, Jon Tucker and Aurelio Tommasetti
This paper aims to investigate auditor choice in those Italian non-listed firms adopting the “traditional” model of corporate governance. In Italy, non-listed firms can choose…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate auditor choice in those Italian non-listed firms adopting the “traditional” model of corporate governance. In Italy, non-listed firms can choose between two types of auditor: the Board of Statutory Auditors (BSA), that is the statutory auditors, or an “external” auditor. At the same time, a BSA conducts the administrative auditing for all companies with equity exceeding €120,000.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper estimates a logistic regression model of firm auditor choice between an external auditor and the BSA, which incorporates variables proxying for both agency conflict and organizational complexity effects.
Findings
The results show that of the potential agency factors, only board independence drives auditor choice, whereas organizational complexity and risk factors including firm size, investment in inventories, subsidiary status and complexity drive auditor choice. These results may be explained in the administrative audit role of the BSA, which monitors both day-by-day firm operations and the financial statements preparation “project”. Stakeholders as a result are reassured that, in general, their interests are protected. Finally, it was found that legal form and voluntary International Financial Reporting Standards compliance exert an impact on auditor choice.
Originality/value
The paper provides support for an internal yet independent auditing body such as the Italian BSA as a wider model for corporate governance in European non-listed firms (OECD, 2004 and 2015). The BSA as an administrative and financial auditing body made up solely of independent highly qualified professionals can work within the firm on an operational basis, and in so doing can increase stakeholder protection.
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Yucong Ma, Mohd Talha, Qi Wang, Zhonghui Li and Yuanhua Lin
The purpose of this paper is to study systematically the corrosion behavior of AZ31 magnesium (Mg) alloy with different concentrations of bovine serum albumin (BSA) (0, 0.5, 1.0…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study systematically the corrosion behavior of AZ31 magnesium (Mg) alloy with different concentrations of bovine serum albumin (BSA) (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 5.0 g/L).
Design/methodology/approach
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potential dynamic polarization tests were performed to obtain corrosion parameters. Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was used to analyze the local electrochemical activity of the surface film. Atomic force microscope (AFM), Scanning electron microscope-Energy dispersive spectrometer and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to determine the surface morphology and chemical composition of the surface film.
Findings
Experimental results showed the presence of BSA in a certain concentration range (0 to 2.0 g/L) has a greater inhibitory effect on the corrosion of AZ31, however, the presence of high-concentration BSA (5.0 g/L) would sharply reduce the corrosion resistance.
Originality/value
When the concentration of BSA is less than 2.0 g/L, the corrosion resistance of AZ31 enhances with the concentration. The adsorption BSA layer will come into being a physical barrier to inhibit the corrosion process. However, high-concentration BSA (5.0 g/L) will chelate with dissolved metal ions (such as Mg and Ni) to form soluble complexes, which increases the roughness of the surface and accelerates the corrosion process.
David Keatley, Abbie J. Marono and David D. Clarke
Behaviours occur across complex, dynamic timelines. Research methods to analyse these complex timelines have repeatedly used behaviour sequence analysis (BSA) as a primary method…
Abstract
Purpose
Behaviours occur across complex, dynamic timelines. Research methods to analyse these complex timelines have repeatedly used behaviour sequence analysis (BSA) as a primary method. Traditional BSA outputs, however, are limited in that they do not show how prevalent a behaviour sequence is throughout a sample or group. Until now, how many people in a sample showed the sequence was not analysed and reported. This paper aims to provide a new metric to calculate prevalence scores in BSA data sets.
Design/methodology/approach
Open access recorded responses including nonverbal communication of deceptive and truthful individuals were analysed initially with a standard BSA approach and then the prevalence scores of transitions were calculated.
Findings
Prevalence scores offered new insights into the distribution of sequences across groups. The prevalence score showed differences in which transitions were seen across the truthful and guilty samples. This offers new approaches to analysing nonverbal communication.
Originality/value
This is the first paper to provide a prevalence score for BSA research and show how it can be used in applied research. The current prevalence score metric is provided and suggested for all future research into sequences.
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Annelise Nairne Schamne, André Nagalli and Alfredo Augusto Vieira Soeiro
The construction sector is increasingly engaged to explore the potential application of building information modelling (BIM) for the sustainability of the buildings. BIM can be…
Abstract
Purpose
The construction sector is increasingly engaged to explore the potential application of building information modelling (BIM) for the sustainability of the buildings. BIM can be applied conjugated to certification methods to evaluate the sustainability of the buildings, and it is known as building sustainability assessment (BSA). This article aims to explore applications of BIM in the sustainability analysis of buildings, including five types of BSA.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review from 2009 to 2020 considering a combination of search terms related to BIM and BSA complemented the analysis. The bibliometric analysis indicates an increase in the number of publications on this topic of study in the last five years. A peak occurred in 2015 and 2020, with 51 and 66 publications, respectively.
Findings
The results showed that BIM contributes to achieving part of the sustainability requirements from BSA, especially quantitative requirements that are related to material and resources. However, a complete analysis between BIM and BSA is still a challenge since part of BSA's have a lack information in their requirements and BIM softwares present interoperability problems that difficult an integrated analysis to extract information directly from the software to attend BSA's requirements.
Originality/value
The results contribute to analysing the evolution of studies about BIM and to understand the limitation in the applicability with sustainability rating systems. Future directions of research indicate the necessity to improve the use of BIM in the sustainability analysis of the buildings, but with a good perspective regarding the application of BIM in material and resources requirements, and waste management in construction sites.
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David Keatley and David D. Clarke
While behaviour sequence analysis (BSA) is popular, it is not without limitations, namely, the level of detail required and time taken to run analyses; therefore, this paper aims…
Abstract
Purpose
While behaviour sequence analysis (BSA) is popular, it is not without limitations, namely, the level of detail required and time taken to run analyses; therefore, this paper aims to outline a novel method, using 30 serial homicide cases as a worked example.
Design/methodology/approach
Temporal analysis methods are becoming increasingly popular in applied forensic and criminological research. In recent years, BSA has become a widely used approach.
Findings
Waypoint sequencing provides a streamlined version of the traditional BSA approach, allowing for fewer behaviours to be included and providing a clearer overview of the main behaviours of interest.
Practical implications
Waypoint sequencing is shown in the current paper through serial killer research to show how to conduct the analyses and how it is effective in current investigations by expediting the process and allowing quicker analysis to facilitate current investigations.
Originality/value
The current research provides a novel approach to sequence analysis that is more useful in applied settings as it requires fewer behaviours or events than traditional BSA.
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Piotr Firek, Michal Cichomski, Michal Waskiewicz, Ireneusz Piwoński and Aneta Kisielewska
The purpose of this paper is to present possibility of fast and certain identification of bovine serum albumin (BSA) by means of ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present possibility of fast and certain identification of bovine serum albumin (BSA) by means of ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) structures. Because BSA can cause allergic reactions in humans, it is one of reasons for development of sensitive sensors to detect residual BSA. BSA is commonly used in biochemistry and molecular biology in laboratory experiments. Therefore, to better understand the mechanism of signal transduction in simulated biological environment and to elucidate the role of adsorption of biomolecules in the generation of a signal at the interface with biological systems, the measurements of ISFET current response in the presence of BSA as a reference protein molecule were performed.
Design/methodology/approach
To fabricate transistors, silicon technology was used. The ISFET structures were coupled to specially designed double-side printed circuit board holder. After modification of the field effect transistor (FET) device with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), a sensor with high sensitivity toward reference biomolecules was obtained. The current–voltage (I-V) characteristics of structures with and without gate modification were measured. Keithley SMU 236/237/238 measurement set was used. Deionized water solution and 0.05 per cent BSA were used.
Findings
In this research, a method of preparation of a biosensor based on a FET was developed. Sensitivity of APTES-modified FET device toward BSA as a biomolecule was investigated. I-V relationships of FET devices (with and without modification), being the effect of the interactions with the solution containing 0.05 per cent BSA, were measured and compared to the measurements performed for solutions without BSA.
Originality value
Compared to SiO2-containing ISFETs without modification or other different dielectrics, the application of APTES as the part of the membrane induced significant increase in their sensitivity to BSA.
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Douglas N. Hales, Samia M. Siha, V. Sridharan and Judith I. McKnew
The purpose of this paper is to test a method for improving decision‐making at a tactical level – i.e. at the shop floor level. This is done by testing the use of the binary…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to test a method for improving decision‐making at a tactical level – i.e. at the shop floor level. This is done by testing the use of the binary sorting algorithm (BSA) to improve decisions concerning quality improvement efforts among machine operators in a plastics manufacturer.
Design/methodology/approach
The method used was the “action‐research” approach since the researchers were actively involved in the training, implementation, and use of the BSA.
Findings
It was found that using the BSA to prioritize quality improvement efforts by machine operators reduced the “scrap‐from‐line” rate in a plastics manufacturer.
Research limitations/implications
The study should be replicated in different companies and industries using multiple methods because action‐research is limited in its generalizability. Also, since the researchers are actively involved in the process, our observations could not be considered objective.
Originality/value
To the authors' knowledge, this is the first application of the BSA to improve decision‐making at a tactical shop‐floor level in a manufacturing company.
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Luluk Lusiantoro and Nicola Yates
Maintaining a safe and available supply of blood requires a mindfully coordinated supply chain (SC) and is fundamental to the effective operation of health systems across the…
Abstract
Purpose
Maintaining a safe and available supply of blood requires a mindfully coordinated supply chain (SC) and is fundamental to the effective operation of health systems across the world. This study investigates how blood supply chain (BSC) actors demonstrate collective mindfulness (CM) principles in their operations and how these demonstrations lead to improvements in blood safety and availability (BSA) in different operational contexts.
Design/methodology/approach
Six case studies drawn from two contrasting BSCs, the UK and Indonesia, which differ in structure and regulation are investigated in this research. Qualitative data are collected and analysed using template analysis.
Findings
The cases reveal how the CM principles are demonstrated in the supply chain context in a range of operational conditions and their impact on BSA. The BSC actors in the more centralised and tightly regulated cases display more behaviours consistent with more of the CM principles over a greater range of operational conditions compared to those in the more decentralised and loosely regulated cases. As such, more improvements in BSA are found in the former compared to the latter cases.
Originality/value
This paper is considered the first to investigate the demonstration of CM principles at the SC as opposed to the single organisational level. It proposes an alternative approach to understanding and evaluating reliability performance using behavioural rather than statistical principles.
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Yasmin Richards and David Keatley
When investigating missing persons cases, witness and suspect statements are often the only available evidence to investigators. As such, forensic linguistics can be useful to…
Abstract
Purpose
When investigating missing persons cases, witness and suspect statements are often the only available evidence to investigators. As such, forensic linguistics can be useful to police when seeking information from individuals during investigative interviews. The presumption of innocence must be maintained in an investigation, and therefore this study aims to use a method focused on veracity detection, rather than the majority of studies using deception detection approaches.
Design/methodology/approach
The current research uses criteria-based content analysis (CBCA), a method that has been applied to a variety of criminal cases. Real-world statements of individuals convicted or found innocent of their involvement in missing persons cases were used in the analyses. Additionally, behaviour sequence analysis (BSA) was used to map language patterns within individuals’ statements.
Findings
Results indicated that two individual markers occurred at a high frequency across all four groups (the guilty and innocent statements of both case types); however, differences were noted in the sequences based on an individual’s ability to provide experiential details.
Research limitations/implications
The current research contributes to the growing literature that aims to test CBCA in adult samples across crimes that do not pertain to sexual abuse, in addition to aiding researchers and practitioners to understand better the linguistic differences that occur in missing persons cases.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this type of research, using CBCA to assist with missing person's cases with a temporal method (BSA), has never before been tested. BSA has previously been used in forensic linguistics, and shown support for the method. The current research builds on this in terms of missing persons cases.
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