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1 – 10 of 21Majid Monajjemi and Fatemeh Mollaamin
Early prediction of any type of cancer is important for the treatment of this type of disease, therefore, our target to evaluate whether monitoring early changes in plasma human…
Abstract
Purpose
Early prediction of any type of cancer is important for the treatment of this type of disease, therefore, our target to evaluate whether monitoring early changes in plasma human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) levels (using EIS), could help in the treatment of breast cancer or not? Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression is an important biomarker for treatment selection in earlier stages of cancers. The combined detection of the HER2 gene in plasma for blood cancer provides an important reference index for the prognosis of metastasis to other tissues. For this purpose, the authors fabricated and characterized a model wireless biosensor-based electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for detecting HER2 plasma as therapeutics.
Design/methodology/approach
Most sensors generally are fabricated based on a connection between component of the sensors and the external circuits through wires. Although these types of sensors provide suitable sensitivities and also quick responses, the connection wires can be limited to the sensing ability in various devices approximately. Therefore, the authors designed a wireless sensor, which can provide the advantages of in vivo sensing and also long-distance sensing, quickly.
Findings
The biosensor structure was designed for detection of HER2, HER3 and HER-4 from lab-on-chip approach with six units of screen-printed electrode (SPE), which is built of an electrochemical device of gold/silver, silver/silver or carbon electrodes. The results exhibited that the biosensor is completely selective at low concentrations of the plasma and HER2 detection via the standard addition approach has a linearity plot, therefore, by using this type of biosensors HER2 in plasma can be detected.
Originality/value
This is then followed by detecting HER2 in real plasma using standard way which proved to have great linearity (R2 = 0.991) proving that this technique can be used to detect HER2 solution in real patients.
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Priya Grover, Nidhi Phutela and Manish Yadav
The research paper explores the role of faculties in teaching collaborative online international learning (COIL) courses as a pedagogical tool toward Internationalization at Home…
Abstract
Purpose
The research paper explores the role of faculties in teaching collaborative online international learning (COIL) courses as a pedagogical tool toward Internationalization at Home. The study examines what motivates faculties to teach COIL courses and what is their experience in designing and delivering a COIL course as a pedagogical tool for Internationalization at Home.
Design/methodology/approach
The research paper explores the role of faculties in conducting a COIL course through qualitative research of 16 faculties selected through purposive sampling. The verbatim transcripts of the interviews taken were analyzed through Braun and Clarke thematic analysis.
Findings
COIL is an innovative Internationalization at Home initiative built on the internationalization of curriculum. Faculties perceived COIL as an innovative pedagogical tool enhancing their professional advancement and providing equal global learning opportunities to all students at home, thereby ensuring inclusivity. COIL promotes enhanced cross-cultural student engagement and cultural understanding, thereby developing the global competency of students.
Research limitations/implications
This research is a qualitative study done with a sample of 16 faculties using the in-depth interview as a tool. The outcome may not be applicable to the population at large.
Practical implications
This research would guide higher education institutions (HEIs) to enhance Internationalization at Home and enable inclusivity in providing international exposure to a large number of place-bound students. The findings of the research would encourage HEIs to train faculties to design innovative COIL courses and enhance cross-cultural student engagement. The research would motivate policymakers in the higher education sector to design policies and practices to embed COIL in the curriculum of HEIs.
Social implications
COIL ensures quality of education (SDG 4) and reduces inequalities (SDG 10). Therefore, this research would pave a pathway for HEIs to attain sustainable development goals, especially SDG 4 and SDG 10.
Originality/value
The study is original in the area of the international virtual education sector.
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COVID entered the world in 2019 as a pandemic and the intensity of this health crisis is only increasing in several regions. Therefore, it is critical to study and detect the…
Abstract
COVID entered the world in 2019 as a pandemic and the intensity of this health crisis is only increasing in several regions. Therefore, it is critical to study and detect the public's frame of mind, government and economists' perception regarding the COVID crisis, as well as the primary worries that the public has expressed, and how this evolves over time. Responsive measures towards COVID-19 from the Indian economy have been explored as a key objective. Moreover, efforts have been made to explore recovery in India through economists and policymakers. Data have been explored through online interviews of key economists which were published in leading newspapers and covered through media channels such as NDTV, CNBC, etc. Moreover, various newspapers and reports were explored to understand government initiatives to address COVID-19 in India. The study's findings show how essential economic recovery from the second wave is in India, and how it may be achieved by strong fiscal and monetary policies, as well as specific attention to impoverished households, small and micro-businesses and increased employment. The short-term focus of the developing economic strategy must be on giving crisis relief to the most unprotected segments of society since long-term system stimulation is impossible.
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Moniruzzaman Sarker, Siti Munerah, Angie Teh Yinyi, Nafisa Kasem and Imranul Hoque
This paper aims to understand consumption values buying from informal retail markets (i.e., street vendor retailing). It also explores why consumers prefer daily necessary goods…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to understand consumption values buying from informal retail markets (i.e., street vendor retailing). It also explores why consumers prefer daily necessary goods from the informal compared to the formal retail market (such as supermarkets, retail chain outlets and e-commerce).
Design/methodology/approach
Employing the qualitative research approach, this study collected data from nine respondents in two areas in Malaysia. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed using the thematic analysis technique. Only representative verbatim codes were presented under five themes of consumption value theory.
Findings
Consumers are triggered by the convenience, ease, and exclusive products (conditional value), friendly and known relationship with informal sellers, as well as the availability of some particular food items (emotional value) and lower price and freshness of groceries (functional value) while buying from informal compared to formal retail vendor.
Research limitations/implications
This study provides knowledge implications to the consumption value theory. Functional, emotional, and conditional values are the dominant components of purchase behaviour in informal compared to formal retail channels. Social values are common, whereas epistemic value is more substantial in formal retailing.
Practical implications
Findings are helpful for informal retail businesses to understand consumers' buying behaviour. Informal retail owners should ensure that commodities are fresh, highly affordable and available in the local communities. Building a friendly relationship with consumers would be a key to the success of this retail sector.
Social implications
Authorities should support informal sellers to set up mobile retail stores in residential areas. This effort would offer greater convenience to both parties in informal businesses and ensure informal sellers' financial and social well-being.
Originality/value
Despite the widespread acceptance of buying goods from informal retail vendors, research on consumption value in informal retailing is largely overlooked. Previous research primarily deals with formal market phenomena due to their size and economic contribution. Consequently, current literature lacks an understanding of why consumers prefer to buy from informal retail vendors for their daily groceries when the formal retail channel could fulfil similar needs. Using a qualitative research design, this research uncovers consumers' buying motives from informal compared to formal vendors.
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Although there is a growing body of work on immigrants' information behavior, little is known about the pre-arrival information experiences of immigrants who consult formal…
Abstract
Purpose
Although there is a growing body of work on immigrants' information behavior, little is known about the pre-arrival information experiences of immigrants who consult formal information sources such as immigration agents. Drawn from a larger study on the information behavior of immigrants, this paper mainly reports the semi-structured interview findings on the pre-arrival information experiences of Bangladeshi immigrants who used formal information sources with discussion on how that affected their post-arrival settlement into Canada.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a mixed method approach with semi-structured interviews (n = 60) and surveys (n = 205) with participants who arrived in Canada between the years of 1971 and 2017. Data were collected from May 2017 to February 2018.
Findings
Although the overall scope of the original study is much larger, this paper features findings on the pre-arrival information experiences derived mainly from an analysis of interview data. This study provides insights into the pre-arrival information experiences of Bangladeshi immigrants consulting formal information sources such as immigration firms, individual immigration consultants and more formal government agencies. The author introduces a new concept of “information crafting” by exploring the negative consequences of selective information sharing by immigration consultants/agents in newcomers' settlements in Canada, primarily positive information about life in Canada, sometimes with exaggeration and falsification. The interview participants shared story after the story of the settlement challenges they faced after arriving in Canada and how the expectations they built through the information received from immigration consultants and government agencies did not match after arrival. This study emphasizes the importance of providing comprehensive information about life in Canada to potential newcomers so that they can make informed decisions even before they apply.
Originality/value
The findings of this study have theoretical and practical implications for policy and research. This study provides insights into the complicated culturally situated pre-arrival information experiences of Bangladeshi immigrants. Moreover, the study findings encourage researchers in various disciplines, including psychology, migration studies and geography, to delve more deeply into newcomers' information experiences using an informational lens to examine the information newcomers receive from diverse sources and their effects on their post-arrival settlement in a new country. The study challenges the general assumptions that formal information sources are always reputable, useful, and comprehensive, and it provides some future directions for research that seeks to understand the culturally situated information behavior of diverse immigrant groups.
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Since the liberalization policy of 1991, India has focused on export-led growth. However, the performance of international trade remains poor. This study aims to examine the role…
Abstract
Purpose
Since the liberalization policy of 1991, India has focused on export-led growth. However, the performance of international trade remains poor. This study aims to examine the role of credit constraints on the choice of Indian manufacturing firms to borrow in foreign currency. First, it explores the role of export activities in foreign currency borrowing (FCB). Second, it investigates how credit constraints forced these firms for foreign currency loans.
Design/methodology/approach
The study analysed data from 1,412 firms listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange in the manufacturing sector, covering the period from 1991 to 2022. A random effects probit model was used to examine the role of credit constraints on FCB, incorporating the influence of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) status and export activities. Additionally, a two-step system-generalized method of moment was used for robustness checks.
Findings
Export activities significantly influence FCB, with exporting firms showing a higher propensity to borrow foreign currency compared to domestically operating firms because of the increased funding needs of export activities. Larger firms are more likely to secure FCB than MSMEs, benefiting from collateral advantages. MSME exporting firms exhibit a higher tendency to borrow in foreign currency compared to large exporting firms.
Research limitations/implications
This study focuses on firm-level data and considers only demand-side credit constraints. It does not examine supply-side credit constraints affecting FCB.
Social implications
This study underscores the credit constraints faced by MSME exporters in the domestic market, leading them to rely on FCB. These insights are valuable for policymakers aiming to reduce MSMEs' dependency on FCB and enhance their export performance.
Originality/value
The findings highlight that MSME exporting firms are more inclined to borrow in foreign currency than their larger counterparts. This tendency is driven by the credit constraints MSMEs face because of asymmetric information and underdeveloped financial markets, which compel them to seek FCB.
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Deske W. Mandagi and Dave Centeno
Anchored in the theories of brand gestalt and stakeholder perspectives, this study aims to undertake a comprehensive examination of the brand gestalt concept, emphasizing its…
Abstract
Purpose
Anchored in the theories of brand gestalt and stakeholder perspectives, this study aims to undertake a comprehensive examination of the brand gestalt concept, emphasizing its multidimensional nature and the process of co-creation.
Design/methodology/approach
Focused within the context of the Wonderful Indonesia brand, the research draws upon a rich qualitative data set derived from in-depth interviews conducted with 18 international tourists, supplemented by netnography (or internet ethnography) of websites, social media and online articles related to Wonderful Indonesia. Using grounded theory methodology, the qualitative data undergo rigorous analysis to identify emergent themes and patterns.
Findings
The research elucidates the four dimensions (4S) comprising brand gestalt: storyscapes, sensescapes, servicescapes and stakeholderscapes. Each dimension is further delineated into essential categories, providing a comprehensive understanding of brand gestalt. This study highlights the collaborative nature of brand gestalt, emphasizing the involvement of multiple stakeholders in shaping the brand's identity and perception. Consumer perceptions of co-creation are identified as significant contributors to brand gestalt, enhancing the brand's value proposition.
Practical implications
Destination management and practitioners can use the insights from the research to refine their brand management and marketing strategies by leveraging the dimensions of brand gestalt. Recognizing the collaborative construct of brand gestalt can guide businesses in fostering meaningful relationships with stakeholders and aligning branding efforts with collective visions. Understanding the role of consumer co-creation in brand development can inform strategies aimed at enhancing brand equity and fostering consumer loyalty.
Originality/value
This study extends existing literature on brand gestalt by providing a comprehensive examination of its four dimensions and essential categories. By emphasizing the collaborative nature of brand gestalt, this study contributes to advancing the understanding of brand co-creation paradigms. The identification of consumer perceptions of co-creation as a significant factor in brand gestalt adds novel insights to the literature, offering valuable implications for brand management and marketing strategies.
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Seda Özcan, Bengü Sevil Oflaç, Sinem Tokcaer and Özgür Özpeynirci
The criticality of late deliveries in transportation lies in the threat of considerable multi-level supply chain costs. This study aims to reveal the dynamic capabilities playing…
Abstract
Purpose
The criticality of late deliveries in transportation lies in the threat of considerable multi-level supply chain costs. This study aims to reveal the dynamic capabilities playing a facilitating role in preventing delay, thus providing timely delivery, as well as developing an understanding of how and when those capabilities are activated within the supply chain network.
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory study was conducted involving 16 semi-structured expert interviews with the representatives of logistics service providers and shippers. Following an interpretive phenomenology framework, the prevention phenomenon was explained.
Findings
Findings revealed two preventive capability categories in delay prevention: (1) proactive capabilities, referring to the enabling actions planned before departure, and (2) reactive capabilities, referring to actions planned after departure. Findings pinpoint that, in addition to the proactive capabilities, reactive capabilities enabled by innovative problem-solving actions are crucial for adapting to a dynamically changing environment in prevention. Moreover, this study shows that prevention capabilities are characterized by tangible and intangible resources and integration of resources with external links which constitute a delay prevention network within a wider service ecosystem.
Originality/value
This study stands out with its specific focus on delay prevention capabilities and enabling actions from the perspectives of logistics service providers and shippers. The premises of the resource-based view are combined with dynamic capabilities theory, leading to a proposed time-based taxonomy of proactive and reactive capabilities in supply chains, aimed at creating value and strengthening resilience.
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