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1 – 10 of 44Su Peng Loh, Hishamuddin Omar, Abdul Salam Abdullahl and Maznah Ismail
The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of calcium supplementation on the iron bioavailability from spirulina (SP) and ferrous sulphate (FE) as reference in iron…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of calcium supplementation on the iron bioavailability from spirulina (SP) and ferrous sulphate (FE) as reference in iron deficient rats.
Design/methodology/approach
Sixty‐four weanling male Sprague‐Dawley rats were first depleted of iron by giving low iron diet for a period of 28 days. The anaemic rats were repleted with iron sources from SP, spirulina+CaCO3 (SPC), FE, FeSO4+CaCO3 (FEC), normal diet (ND), normal diet+CaCO3 (NDC) for 21 days. Iron level of FE supplementation was twice the level of that in SP supplementation. Haematological variables were measured on the last day of preexperimental period and at the end of the repletion period.
Findings
Paired samples t‐test at P<0.05 showed that haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Ht) was increased in all the groups. The diet with added calcium did not significantly inhibit haemoglobin repletion after 21 days in SP and FE. The haemoglobin repletion efficiency (HRE) was significantly higher in rats fed with SP compared to FE (P>0.05). The presence of calcium did not significantly reduce the HRE of these groups.
Originality/value
This paper provides information on effects of additional calcium on iron bioavailability from SP as the intake of dietary supplementation is increasing worldwide.
Psychological ownership has been a topic of intense debate for several decades, especially in the digital era. In addition, as part of the digital public domain, virtual…
Abstract
Purpose
Psychological ownership has been a topic of intense debate for several decades, especially in the digital era. In addition, as part of the digital public domain, virtual communities shape our digital lives. Unfortunately, few studies have examined the communication process in virtual communities from the perspective of psychological ownership. Moreover, information and organization are key aspects of virtual communities. This research aimed to explore the impact of psychological ownership on communication satisfaction from these two perspectives.
Design/methodology/approach
I collected 471 responses using a questionnaire. In terms of empirical methods, I developed a structural equation model (SEM) to examine the relationship between psychological ownership and communication satisfaction as well as the mechanism underlying this relationship – namely, information behavior. Specifically, I first examined the relationship between psychological ownership and information behavior. I then developed a comprehensive framework for the double-edged impact of psychological ownership in virtual communities on communication satisfaction.
Findings
I found that psychological ownership has a double-edged effect on communication satisfaction based on two types of information behavior in virtual communities. Specifically, organization-based psychological ownership (OPO) positively influences communication satisfaction through information exchange. In contrast, information-based psychological ownership (IPO) negatively impacts communication satisfaction through information-hiding.
Originality/value
The findings of this research demonstrate that psychological ownership has a double-edged effect on communication satisfaction. First, the findings of this study reveal the downsides of psychological ownership, which are not consistent with its beneficial role. Second, the negative effect of psychological ownership with regard to communication in virtual communities also helps explain communication failure in virtual communities. Finally, despite the downsides of psychological ownership in the context of a virtual community revealed by this study, this factor has an overall beneficial effect.
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Hayet Soltani, Jamila Taleb, Fatma Ben Hamadou and Mouna Boujelbène-Abbes
This study investigates clean energy, commodities, green bonds and environmental, social and governance (ESG) index prices forecasting and assesses the predictive performance of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates clean energy, commodities, green bonds and environmental, social and governance (ESG) index prices forecasting and assesses the predictive performance of various factors on these asset prices, used for the development of a robust forecasting support decision model using machine learning (ML) techniques. More specifically, we explore the impact of the financial stress on forecasting price.
Design/methodology/approach
We utilize feature selection techniques to evaluate the predictive efficacy of various factors on asset prices. Moreover, we have developed a forecasting model for these asset prices by assessing the accuracy of two ML models: specifically, the deep learning long short-term memory (LSTM) neural networks and the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) model. To check the robustness of the study results, the authors referred to bootstrap linear regression as an alternative traditional method for forecasting green asset prices.
Findings
The results highlight the significance of financial stress in enhancing price forecast accuracy, with the financial stress index (FSI) and panic index (PI) emerging as primary determinants. In terms of the forecasting model's accuracy, our analysis reveals that the LSTM outperformed the XGBoost model, establishing itself as the most efficient algorithm among the two tested.
Practical implications
This research enhances comprehension, which is valuable for both investors and policymakers seeking improved price forecasting through the utilization of a predictive model.
Originality/value
To the authors' best knowledge, this marks the inaugural attempt to construct a multivariate forecasting model. Indeed, the development of a robust forecasting model utilizing ML techniques provides practical value as a decision support tool for shaping investment strategies.
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Yifei Hu, Xin Jiang, Guanying Huo, Cheng Su, Hexiong Li and Zhiming Zheng
Adaptive slicing is a key step in three-dimensional (3D) printing as it is closely related to the building time and the surface quality. This study aims to develop a novel…
Abstract
Purpose
Adaptive slicing is a key step in three-dimensional (3D) printing as it is closely related to the building time and the surface quality. This study aims to develop a novel adaptive slicing method based on ameliorative area ratio and accurate cusp height for 3D printing using stereolithography (STL) models.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed method consists of two stages. In the first stage, the STL model is sliced with constant layer thickness, where an improved algorithm for generating active triangular patches, the list is developed to preprocess the model faster. In the second stage, the model is first divided into several blocks according to the number of contours, then an axis-aligned bounding box-based contour matching algorithm and a polygons intersection algorithm are given to compare the geometric information between several successive layers, which will determine whether these layers can be merged to one.
Findings
Several benchmarks are applied to verify this new method. Developed method has also been compared with the uniform slicing method and two existing adaptive slicing methods to demonstrate its effectiveness in slicing.
Originality/value
Compared with other methods, the method leads to fewer layers whilst keeping the geometric error within a given threshold. It demonstrates that the proposed slicing method can reach a trade-off between the building time and the surface quality.
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David Hwang and Hokey Min
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is intended to integrate all facets of a company’s business operations encompassing production planning, material purchasing, inventory control…
Abstract
Purpose
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is intended to integrate all facets of a company’s business operations encompassing production planning, material purchasing, inventory control, logistics, accounting, finance, marketing, and human resource management by creating a single depository of the database that can be shared by the entire organization and its trading partners. Through an empirical study, the purpose of this paper is to identify a multitude of drivers that facilitate or hinder the implementation of ERP in business environments. Also, this paper determines its role in supply chain operations and assesses its impact on supply chain performances.
Design/methodology/approach
To examine which factors drive the ERP adoption and gauge the level of the ERP success, the authors develop a research framework based on two well-known theories in the strategy literature: a contingency theory; and a resource-based view of the firm. This research framework allowed us to develop a series of hypotheses regarding the use of ERP for strategic sourcing. To test hypotheses, the authors carried out the study in three phases: a pre-pilot; a pilot; and a large-scale questionnaire survey. In the pre-pilot phase, the authors generated potential survey items through theory development and a literature review. In the pilot phase, the authors develop a structural equation model along with the identification of valid constructs based on structural interviews and the Q-sort method. At the last stage, the authors conducted a large-scale survey via mail questionnaires primarily targeting the Korean industry comprised of manufacturers and their suppliers and customers.
Findings
The firm’s ERP adoption and implementation decision is mainly affected by its internal environment. Defying the conventional wisdom, the firm’s external environment has little influence on its decision to adopt and implement ERP. However, through the mediating role of an internal environment, an external environment still indirectly influences the ERP adoption and ERP implementation decision. Also, the authors found that ERP could enhance the ERP adopter’s organizational capability and supplier capability.
Originality/value
This study is one of a few attempts to investigate the role of ERP in the supply chain and identify important determinants influencing the ERP adoption and implementation decisions. Especially, in contrast with the previous literature which often gauged the benefits of ERP from an ERP adopter’s standpoint, this paper is one of the few to assess the benefits of ERP from the ERP adopter’s supply chain partners standpoints. Also, it is one of the first to assess the impact of ERP on supplier capability, organizational capability, and customer value.
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Hassanudin Mohd Thas Thaker, Mohamed Ariff and Niviethan Rao Subramaniam
The purpose of this paper is to identify the drivers of residential price as well as the degree co-movement of housing among different states in Malaysia.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the drivers of residential price as well as the degree co-movement of housing among different states in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted an advanced econometrics technique: the dynamic autoregressive-distributed lag (DARDL) and – the time-frequency domain approach known as the wavelet coherence test. The DARDL model was applied to identify the cointegrating relationships and the CWT was used to analyze the co-movement and lead–lag relationships among four states’ regional housing prices. The extracted data were mainly on annual basis and comprised macroeconomics and financial factors. Information with regard to residential prices and other variables was extracted from the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC) website, the Central Bank of Malaysia Statistics Report, the Department of Statistics, Malaysia, I-Property.com and the World Bank (WB). The data covered in this study were the pool data from four main states in Malaysia and different categories of residential properties.
Findings
The empirical results indicate that there were long-run cointegration relationships between the housing price and capital gain and loss, rental per square feet, disposable income, inflation, number of marriages, deposit rate, risk premium and loan-to-value (LTV) ratio. While the wavelet analysis shows that (1) in the long run, Kuala Lumpur housing price having strong co-movement with Selangor, Penang and Melaka housing prices except for Johor and (2) the lead–lag relationship also postulates Kuala Lumpur housing price having in-phase category with Selangor, Penang and Melaka housing prices except for Johor.
Practical implications
This study offers relevant practical implications. First, the study proposes an active collaboration between the private sector and government support which may help to smooth the pricing issue of residential properties. More low-cost residential projects are needed for focus groups including middle- and low-income earners. Furthermore, the results are expected to provide real estate investor in Malaysia, an improved understanding of the regional housing market price dynamics.
Originality/value
The findings of this study were obtained from various reliable sources; therefore, the results reflected the analysis of price drivers and co-movements. Furthermore, findings from this study lend some support to the argument on the rise of residential prices and offer several policy implications from a practical point of view with regard to the residential market.
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Soyoung Kim, Kyunghi Hong and Heeran Lee
This study aims to provide information on how to monitor the temperature setting of a heating device in order to implement a heating unit successfully in the smart clothing by…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to provide information on how to monitor the temperature setting of a heating device in order to implement a heating unit successfully in the smart clothing by observing voluntary heating behavior of wearers.
Design/methodology/approach
Subjects wearing base layers and additional clothing were asked to turn on and off the switch when wanted in the cold environmental chamber. Tolerable range of skin temperature (TST) depending on the location of body was obtained by observing the temperature at the time when the heating device was turned on and off during a rest–running–rest protocol.
Findings
The TST was 32.8–49.4 °C and decreased to 31.3–37.6 °C around abdomen and back waist, respectively. Changes in the wearers' voluntary control behavior were observed depending on the individual's level of cold-sensitivity and activity level of rest and running. TST was 35.8–49.4 °C (Rest 1: rest before exercise), 40.0–42.0 °C (Running) and 35.3–43.2 °C (Rest 2: rest after exercise) for cold-sensitive group, whereas it was 32.8–36.2 °C (Running) and 34.4–45.7 °C (Rest 2: rest after exercise) for cold-insensitive group.
Originality/value
In this study, results with detailed body locations and wearer's thermal sensitivity provide practical references for the implementation of a heating device to the comfortable multilayered smart clothing.
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Ameen Qasem, Wan Nordin Wan-Hussin, Belal Ali Abdulraheem Ghaleb and Hasan Mohamad Bamahros
The purpose of this study is to investigate the interplay between institutional investors' ownership (IIO), politically connected firms (POC) and sell-side analysts' stock…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the interplay between institutional investors' ownership (IIO), politically connected firms (POC) and sell-side analysts' stock recommendations (ASR).
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs ordinary least square (OLS) regression to test the hypotheses. The sample comprises 280 Malaysian public listed companies (PLC) and encompasses the 2008–2013 time frame (a total of 735 observations).
Findings
The results show a significant and positive link between IIO and ASR. In addition, a negative association is found between POC and ASR. Moreover, the POC weakens the positive relationship between the IIO and ASR.
Research limitations/implications
One important implication of this study is that political involvement in corporate decisions is a prominent characteristic of the Malaysian market, which can significantly affect the information environment and analysts' reactions.
Practical implications
The findings of this study provide useful empirical guidance to the regulators in evaluating the efficacy of recent regulatory initiatives. Investors may also gain useful insights from this study, specifically in recognising the crucial monitoring role played by institutional investors and how politically patronised firms are viewed unfavourably by equity analysts.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first to examine the joint influence of IIO and POC, on ASR.
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Anne Yenching Liu, Maria Dolores Botella Carrubi and Cristina Blanco González-Tejero
This study investigates how personality traits influence individuals’ intention to become community group buying (CGB) leaders.
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates how personality traits influence individuals’ intention to become community group buying (CGB) leaders.
Design/methodology/approach
Data include 517 valid questionnaires that are employed to examine the research model and test the hypotheses using partial least squares structural equation modeling.
Findings
This study reveals that among the Big Five personality traits, extroversion and neuroticism have more impact on the perceived ease of use and usefulness of social media, and individuals with high levels of these traits are more likely to become CGB leaders. Perceived ease of use only mediates the relationship between agreeableness and CGB leader intention, whereas perceived usefulness mediates the relationships between conscientiousness and CGB leader intention and neuroticism and CGB leader intention.
Originality/value
This study can serve as a catalyst for advancing the exploration of how personality traits and social media affect the intention of being CGB leaders. In addition, the study investigates the mediating effect of social media technology acceptance obtaining valuable insights into how social media affects individuals’ intention to become CGB leaders, expanding the research in this field.
Highlights
- (1)
Individuals with extroversion, neuroticism, and conscientiousness personality traits exhibit higher perceived ease of use and usefulness of social media.
- (2)
Unlike previous research suggested, neurotic individuals appear to be attracted to becoming community group buying (CGB) leaders.
- (3)
Individuals with high agreeableness are encouraged by ease in pursuing CGB leadership.
- (4)
Perceived usefulness mediates the relationship between conscientiousness and CGB leadership intention and neuroticism and CGB leader intention.
Individuals with extroversion, neuroticism, and conscientiousness personality traits exhibit higher perceived ease of use and usefulness of social media.
Unlike previous research suggested, neurotic individuals appear to be attracted to becoming community group buying (CGB) leaders.
Individuals with high agreeableness are encouraged by ease in pursuing CGB leadership.
Perceived usefulness mediates the relationship between conscientiousness and CGB leadership intention and neuroticism and CGB leader intention.
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Keywords
Beatrice Audifasi Nyallu, Xiaopeng Deng and Melckzedeck Michael Mgimba
Knowledge loss (KL) is still an unfortunate fact, causing many challenges, including poor organisational performance, despite prior efforts to investigate knowledge retention…
Abstract
Purpose
Knowledge loss (KL) is still an unfortunate fact, causing many challenges, including poor organisational performance, despite prior efforts to investigate knowledge retention methods. Therefore, this study identifies early approaches to combat KL and poor organisational performance, shifting focus on employee personality traits.
Design/methodology/approach
Grounded on the social exchange theory (SET) cross-section data from 400 Chinese construction knowledge employees were used to investigate the role of internal work locus of control (IWLC) on job rotation (JR), KL and organisational performance. The data were analysed through IBM SPSS Statistics 25 and SmartPLS 4 software.
Findings
The results demonstrated that IWLC minimises KL and positively influences JR. Then, JR negatively influences KL and decreases in organisational performance. The negative mediating effect of JR in the relationship between IWLC, KL and decreased organisational performance were also found. Finally, KL proved to positively influence a decrease in organisational performance.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to the new understanding of individual behaviour and its influence on organisational outcome variables. Specifically, for ultimate KL prevention and organisational performance improvement, an organisation should understand its employees' behaviours to establish progressive collective learning and knowledge sharing.
Practical implications
This study contributes to the new understanding of individual behaviour and its influence on organisational outcome variables. Specifically, for ultimate KL prevention and organisational performance improvement, an organisation should understand its employees’ behaviours to establish progressive collective learning and knowledge sharing.
Originality/value
This study is the first attempt to explore the influence of personality traits in the early minimisation of KL, particularly the role of IWLC and JR in combating KL and improving organisational performance.
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