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Book part
Publication date: 18 July 2016

Ran Xie, Olga Isengildina-Massa and Julia L. Sharp

Weak-form rationality of fixed-event forecasts implies that forecast revisions should not be correlated. However, significant positive correlations between consecutive forecast…

Abstract

Weak-form rationality of fixed-event forecasts implies that forecast revisions should not be correlated. However, significant positive correlations between consecutive forecast revisions were found in most USDA forecasts for U.S. corn, soybeans, wheat, and cotton. This study developed a statistical procedure for correction of this inefficiency which takes into account the issue of outliers, the impact of forecast size and direction, and the stability of revision inefficiency. Findings suggest that the adjustment procedure has the highest potential for improving accuracy in corn, wheat, and cotton production forecasts.

Article
Publication date: 30 May 2023

Chuleshwar Naik and Bijuna C. Mohan

The provision of fair and remunerative prices to farmers through government intervention is one of the key debates to address the farmers' distress in India. This article…

Abstract

Purpose

The provision of fair and remunerative prices to farmers through government intervention is one of the key debates to address the farmers' distress in India. This article identifies how different marketing channels are responsible for higher price realization over the officially announced minimum support price (MSP).

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses the NSSO-SAS, 2012–13 and NSSO-SAS, 2018–19 for Aggregate level data and Unit Level Data on the Situation Assessment Survey of Farmers' households. It uses logit regression to determine the factors responsible for better price realization.

Findings

Our major findings indicate that two factors importantly determine better price realization than MSP. Firstly, government agencies provide better prices for crops covered by MSP, such as paddy, wheat and cotton. However, the probability of receiving higher prices increases for some crops if the farmers belong to the upper land size classes and upper social category. Secondly, jowar, bajra, maize and ragi, other important crops that don't benefit from government agencies, may require higher levels of procurement at the state level.

Research limitations/implications

The present study only analyzes selected major crops. Distance is an important factor in choosing a marketing channel that is not incorporated due to unavailability in NSS Data.

Originality/value

The study is based on the latest original empirical evidence and sheds light on the variation in price realization in different agricultural marketing channels in India.

Details

Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-0839

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 January 2010

Christiane Prange and Bodo B. Schlegelmilch

The purpose of this paper is to show that innovation success builds on consistency between a firm's innovation DNA, its innovation strategy framework, and the alignment of

1937

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that innovation success builds on consistency between a firm's innovation DNA, its innovation strategy framework, and the alignment of operational elements. In order to identify a future innovation strategy, it is vital to check each individual element and develop a roadmap for change.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature relating to different innovation strategies and coordination mechanisms is reviewed to identify four different ambidextrous designs in support of implementing innovation. These build on organizational and individual approaches and match them with different types of coordination. Case vignettes are used to illustrate the different designs.

Findings

The discussion shows that firms have an innate propensity to adhere to specific types of innovation, which compose their archetypes. While change between archetypes is possible, it only yields success if both innovation strategy and operational elements are consistently readjusted to the new archetype design. Like every change process, this is not an easy undertaking.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the need to examine innovation from a holistic perspective and helps to overcome pitfalls arising from coordination deficits. These pitfalls may relate to an overemphasis on personal qualities, a disconnected or detached approach to other organizational members, or a misperception of reality.

Details

Journal of Business Strategy, vol. 31 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0275-6668

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 August 2010

Rosanne M. Cordell and Linda F. Fisher

The purpose of this paper is to present a study which was designed to use questions asked at an Information Commons Desk as an authentic assessment to determine if an information…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a study which was designed to use questions asked at an Information Commons Desk as an authentic assessment to determine if an information literacy course actually changes research behavior outside of information literacy course assignments.

Design/methodology/approach

For four years, the initial reference question asked at the Information Commons Desk was recorded, along with demographic information and whether the user had taken the required introduction to information literacy course. A taxonomy of research questions was developed, based on Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives Handbook I: Cognitive Domain, and each question was assigned a sophistication level, according to the authors' taxonomy.

Findings

Over a four‐year period, means of the taxonomy levels of questions showed a clear trend upward each spring semester over the previous spring semester.

Research limitations/implications

Statistically significant differences were not found in the data comparing categories of students. The nature of the study left it open to influence by such unexpected factors as a sharp rise in enrollment and transfers to campus, possibly diluting the overall effect of the course on the student population.

Practical implications

The information literacy course has undergone regular pre‐ and post‐test assessments, which show a highly significant difference between the scores. Feedback from campus faculty indicates greater satisfaction in the research abilities of undergraduate students who have taken this course. This study further supports the value of a required information literacy course as part of the general education program for all undergraduate students.

Originality/value

The taxonomy of research questions used in this study was designed by the authors and is unique in the depth in which it differentiates levels of research knowledge. Other researchers are encouraged to modify, expand, or use this taxonomy in their own research to further the profession's understanding of the cognitive levels of research behaviors.

Details

Reference Services Review, vol. 38 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0090-7324

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 18 October 2018

Li Wang, Allison Williams and Peter Kitchen

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of various employment characteristics on the health of Canadian caregiver-employees (CEs), who are working full-time in the…

1987

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of various employment characteristics on the health of Canadian caregiver-employees (CEs), who are working full-time in the labor market while also providing informal/family care to adults.

Design/methodology/approach

Framed with Pearlin et al.’s (1990) stress model and using data from Statistic Canada’s General Social Survey Cycle 26 (2012), several work-related variables for caregivers were considered, including the availability of various forms of caregiver-friendly workplace policies (CFWPs), and a series of work interferences (WIs) experienced as a result of the caregiving role.

Findings

This study provides evidence for the value of CFWPs in all workplaces. Counter-intuitively, family and other forms of support were found to negatively relate to both physical and mental health.

Originality/value

This suggests that CFWPs will not only have an impact on CEs’ physical health outcomes, but will likely decrease the effect of the WIs experienced.

Details

International Journal of Workplace Health Management, vol. 11 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8351

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 May 2012

Michael Braun and Scott Latham

In this paper, the authors aim to build a prescriptive framework to help managers in turning around their ailing organizations. Their framework focuses on the extent of

1923

Abstract

Purpose

In this paper, the authors aim to build a prescriptive framework to help managers in turning around their ailing organizations. Their framework focuses on the extent of contractionary and expansionary initiatives needed to rebuild long‐term competitive advantage. They make the case that managers engaging in a pro‐active and balanced approach to scaling down and growing their organizations can boost the success of their recovery efforts.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors build their framework based on academic research on corporate turnarounds, their scholarly work on corporate restructuring, and their combined experiences and observations in industry. Their framework proposes four possible outcomes of the turnaround process: comeback, adrift, running‐on‐empty, and collapse. They provide examples to describe each outcome.

Findings

The authors' framework suggests that the interaction between two restructuring actions – retrenchment and repositioning ‐ determines the outcome of corporate turnarounds. By overemphasizing downsizing, managers fail to jumpstart entrepreneurial growth that can propel the firm towards long‐term competitive advantage. Similarly, stresses arising from excessive growth programs can quickly drain firm resources. As such, all managers need to assess the alignment between downsizing efforts and growth‐oriented initiatives. By bringing awareness to the interdependency between retrenchment and repositioning, the authors' framework can guide managers in making necessary adjustments on the way to fixing their organization.

Originality/value

Retrenchment and repositioning represent the means available to managers attempting corporate turnaround. However, corporate turnarounds often fail due to an overemphasis on one phase of the restructuring process, at the expense of the other. This framework points to the delicate retrenchment‐repositioning required to achieve successful turnaround.

Details

Journal of Business Strategy, vol. 33 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0275-6668

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 June 2019

Melissa Anne Fernandez, Sophie Desroches, Marie Marquis, Alexandre Lebel, Mylène Turcotte and Véronique Provencher

The purpose of this paper is to explore associations between different food literacy dimensions and diet quality among a sample of Canadian parents and examine differences in the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore associations between different food literacy dimensions and diet quality among a sample of Canadian parents and examine differences in the prevalence of food literacy items between mothers and fathers.

Design/methodology/approach

Parents responsible for food preparation (n=767) completed an online survey including dietary intakes and 22 items across five dimensions of food literacy (knowledge, planning, cooking, food conceptualisation and social aspects). Differences between genders for each item were analysed with χ2 tests. The healthy eating index (HEI) adapted to the Canadian Food Guide (CFG) was computed from a food frequency questionnaire. Associations between HEI scores and each item were analysed with linear regression models, controlling for sociodemographic variables and multiple testing.

Findings

Of parents responsible for food preparation, 81 per cent were mothers. The mean HEI score was 76.6 (SD: 10.6) and mothers reported healthier diets in comparison to fathers (p=0.01). More mothers than fathers used CFG recommendations, selected foods based on nutrition labels, made soups, stews, muffins and cakes from scratch and added fruits and vegetables to recipes (p<0.05). More fathers reduced the salt content of recipes than mothers (p=0.03). Two knowledge items and seven food conceptualisation items were significantly associated with better HEI, after controlling for covariates and multiple testing. Planning items, cooking skills and social aspects were not significantly associated with HEI.

Originality/value

This study investigates multiple dimensions of food literacy and identifies knowledge and food conceptualisation as potential targets for future interventions involving parents responsible for household meal preparation. This study highlights the importance of considering gender differences in food literacy.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 121 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

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