Fr. A. VALENTINI and P.P. NELSON
The proposed mathematical model describes in a simple and universal way the calcium turnover during muscular contraction; it realizes a synthesis between fragmentary and…
Abstract
The proposed mathematical model describes in a simple and universal way the calcium turnover during muscular contraction; it realizes a synthesis between fragmentary and dissimilar results published elsewhere. Our main and original contribution in this model is to demonstrate that diffusion involving a sink obeys to Fick's law with an effective diffusion coefficient smaller than the real one. Electrical release, delayed diffusion (owing to the sink existence) and reuptake of the Ca2+ ions unite to supply a simple model the equations of which are solved. We show that the computed results fit well with the known experimental ones. In addition, we attempt to make a plausible hypothesis about the biological nature of the sink. This model conduces to a better understanding of the electrocalcic coupling. It appears as a tool necessary to the modelization of the control of the muscular force; indeed it allows to connect the nervous order to the generated force.
Fr. A. VALENTINI and P.P. NELSON
The numerical use of a general model of skeletal muscular contraction allows one to study some physiological phenomena. Rigor mortis is explained in terms of the ATP metabolism…
Abstract
The numerical use of a general model of skeletal muscular contraction allows one to study some physiological phenomena. Rigor mortis is explained in terms of the ATP metabolism and is clearly distinguished from muscular fatigue. Dysfunctions of the muscular magnesium‐calcium metabolism are simulated after showing the existence of magnesium‐calcium regulation.
Fr.A. VALENTINI and P.P. NELSON
We propose a comprehensive model of skeletal muscular contraction which connects the nervous control to the force generated by a given muscle during motion. We introduce a…
Abstract
We propose a comprehensive model of skeletal muscular contraction which connects the nervous control to the force generated by a given muscle during motion. We introduce a contractile proteins activation probability into A. F. Huxley's sliding filament theory, and we deduce this probability from the calcium turnover study described in part I. This modelization implies a discussion of the experimental determination and the published values of some constants concerning the calcium turnover (calcium concentration at rest, affinity constant for the specific sites of troponin C, rate constant for the release of calcium from the non‐specific sites of troponin C). We show that the troponin C non‐specific cationic sites are unambigously related to the calcium‐magnesium antagonism. We conclude with a numerical simulation for the medial gastrocnemius muscle of the cat.
Fabiana Queiroga, Gabriel Carvalho Franco, Felipe Valentini and Érika G.S.A. Andrade
Effort by managers and academics have been applied to understand elements that improving organizational performance and results. This study aims to analyze the relationship among…
Abstract
Purpose
Effort by managers and academics have been applied to understand elements that improving organizational performance and results. This study aims to analyze the relationship among job performance, job crafting, work complexity and learning support. The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey in a study with a regression hierarchical (i.e. multilevel) design.
Design/methodology/approach
Sample included 530 respondents of both sexes with ages ranging from 17 to 68 (M = 33.9; SD = 9.75). Participants were employees from 53 public and private organizations located in the Southeast of Brazil. They answered the scales: General Self-Assessment Scale of Job Performance, Job Crafting Behaviors, Learning Support and Subjective Task Complexity.
Findings
The results indicated that variance in job performance due to the differences among the organizations and learning support can explain 22% of variance at this level. Job crafting explained 22% of the job performance variance at level 1 (worker). It is concluded that the development of actions concerning job crafting and the relationship with the work context predict performance at work. Thus, the authors highlight the importance of maintaining individual-focused management practices, meaning that focusing on workers development promotes good results at the organization.
Originality/value
Results revealed practical implications through individual performance considered in a multilevel perspective both in Levels 1 and 2, which is not the most common for this variable. They could be especially important in scenarios that will demand adaptability and work modification, as the actual ones were observed in the contemporary world of work.
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Michaël Flacandji and Mariana Vlad
This paper studies the effects of retailer app use on perceived shopping value and loyalty toward the retailer. It also investigates whether deal proneness moderates the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper studies the effects of retailer app use on perceived shopping value and loyalty toward the retailer. It also investigates whether deal proneness moderates the relationship between app use and perceived shopping value.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 427 French consumers took part in an online survey inquiring about a recent shopping experience. The authors compared customers who used a retailer app during their shopping experience with those who did not. Mediation and moderated mediation using PROCESS were performed to identify whether retailer app use improves loyalty intentions through perceived shopping value, with deal proneness used as a moderator.
Findings
The results show a positive and direct effect of retailer app use on loyalty. The effect is also mediated by utilitarian and hedonic shopping values. The authors also highlight the fact that deal proneness moderates the mediation effect of both utilitarian and hedonic shopping values between retailer app use and loyalty. More specifically, retail app use significantly increases shopping value for deal-prone customers.
Originality/value
In the age of omnichannel retailing, this study offers potential contributions to improve the theoretical knowledge of the impact of retailer apps on retailer–customer relations, helping businesses to develop and implement appropriate app-related strategies.
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Angela Beccanulli, Silvia Biraghi and Rossella C. Gambetti
Ilaria Dalla Pozza, Ana Brochado, Lionel Texier and Dorra Najar
The purpose of this paper is to present a multichannel segmentation approach to identifying customer segments based on actual customer channel usage in the post-purchase phase in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a multichannel segmentation approach to identifying customer segments based on actual customer channel usage in the post-purchase phase in the health insurance industry.
Design/methodology/approach
A multinomial regression model and count regression models were estimated to describe the profiles of customer segments and the frequency of channel usage based on generations and sociodemographic variables.
Findings
This study identified generational differences in channel usage. Single female customers from the Pre-Boomer or Baby Boomer generation and customers living in states with lower incomes are more likely to use call centres. Website users tend to live in regions with higher per capita income. Multichannel users are, on average, more frequent users of both the website and call centres. In terms of sociodemographics, they display a more heterogeneous profile.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed segmentation needs to be enriched with additional variables such as customers’ health status or channel usage motivations.
Practical implications
Customers, who are male, married and from Generations Y and X, are more likely to use the website. Their propensity to switch to a digital channel could be investigated further to develop targeted migration strategies. Multichannel users are, on average, more frequent users of all channels. To avoid increased channel costs, segments should be analysed in terms of their size and profit potential to help allocate marketing investment more efficiently.
Originality/value
As opposed to existing research, the proposed segmentation approach is based on transactional data of channel usage from a real company, combined with analyses using generations and sociodemographic variables.
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Ila Maltese, Luca Zamparini and Clarissa Amico
While tourism is mostly considered a crucial driver for local development, its impact in terms of sustainability and attractiveness of local destinations must also be taken into…
Abstract
While tourism is mostly considered a crucial driver for local development, its impact in terms of sustainability and attractiveness of local destinations must also be taken into account. This is especially true for small islands, where tourism may determine detrimental effects in the long term to the limited space and resources. The “sustainable tourism” approach considers this phenomenon and proposes possible solutions to problems such as the loss of public space, waste management, energy and water over-consumption, traffic congestion, air, water, and visual pollution. This chapter presents and discusses the results of a survey that has been carried out in Ischia, a small Mediterranean island located in the Gulf of Naples in order to explore the propensity toward sustainable mobility of both tourists and residents. In particular, the mobility patterns of the respondents have been deeply investigated both at home (domestic behavior) and on holiday (tourist behavior). The results suggest that the promotion of a higher level of cooperation among different stakeholders and local governments is of paramount importance in order to achieve sustainable tourism on islands. This may also generate important effects in terms of destination attractiveness.
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Delin Meng, Yanxi Li and Lan Wang
Utilizing the expectation states theory in sociology, this study probes into the influence of the board's informal hierarchy on the quality of enterprise innovation, originating…
Abstract
Purpose
Utilizing the expectation states theory in sociology, this study probes into the influence of the board's informal hierarchy on the quality of enterprise innovation, originating from the perspective of internal directorial interactions, while analyzing the boundary effects exhibited by the nature of property rights and the intensity of geo-culture.
Design/methodology/approach
The study selects China's A-share listed companies from 2008 to 2021 as the research sample, employing the Tobit regression analysis method to scrutinize the hypotheses presented in the text.
Findings
The regression results demonstrate a positive correlation between the board's informal hierarchy and the enterprise innovation quality (EIQ). Upon introducing variables specific to property rights and geographical culture, the authors found that in comparison to non-state-owned enterprises (non-SOEs), the influence of the board's informal hierarchy on the quality of corporate innovation is diminished in SOEs. Conversely, the intensity of geo-culture across Chinese provinces enhances their mutual positive influence. In the additional analysis, the authors also found that the elevation of corporate risk tolerance is a significant pathway for the positive effect of the board's informal hierarchy on EIQ. Moreover, this positive influence is more profound in high-tech enterprises, businesses implementing equity incentive plans and companies that have subscribed to director and officer liability insurance.
Originality/value
The findings not only deepen the understanding of how the board's internal status characteristics influence corporate decision-making but also enrich the application scope of expectation states theory. Furthermore, this study offers valuable guidance for optimizing innovation decision-making by adjusting the personnel structures of corporate boards.
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Anne-Marie Cotton and Hélène Boulanger
The European External Action Service (EEAS) is a relatively new diplomatic service established in 2010. In previous analyses, the authors noted a dominance of security and foreign…
Abstract
Purpose
The European External Action Service (EEAS) is a relatively new diplomatic service established in 2010. In previous analyses, the authors noted a dominance of security and foreign policy messages emanating from the EEAS, demonstrating the European Union (EU)'s negotiating power. It was clear it had discovered the benefits of public diplomacy, but rather practised traditional diplomacy on public diplomacy specific platforms. The authors aim to pursue the monitoring of the EEAS’ strategy, covering 2019 and 2020, to understand how the use of Twitter supports the evolution of the EU foreign policy.
Design/methodology/approach
Questioning if the EEAS is entering the second phase of its life cycle (launched in 2010, its introduction phase was under Katherine Ashton, 2009–2014, followed by Federica Mogherini, 2014–2019, and Josep Borrell, 2019–2024), the authors carried out a content analysis on 765 tweets. The authors used the MARPE Diplo methodological framework to compare how the EU uses public diplomacy through its EEAS to negotiate its own interests with non-EU parties under the presidency of Federica Mogherini (period 1), during the transition period (period 2) and under the presidency of Joseph Borrell (period 3).
Findings
Based on the comparison with their previous studies, the authors demonstrate that, over the years, the overall discourse of the EEAS is much more oriented towards public diplomacy.
Research limitations/implications
The present study has two limitations. The first refers to the sampling of the participants involved in the citizen science experiment: they belong to a homogeneous age category and similar education level which might have biased their analysis. Second, the authors acknowledge the usual limitations linked to citizen science. However, the authors acknowledge a growing emphasis on the outcomes for society involving citizens and including partnerships between the public and scientists as well as an increased public engagement in policy processes.
Practical implications
The research leads into new insights regarding the European-centred translation of the EEAS messages, compared to the off-centred view of non-European contributors.
Social implications
The citizen science approach allows to integrate the targeted public to apply public diplomacy content analysis.
Originality/value
This case study is based on the principles of citizen science and demonstrates the importance of an off-centred approach in the analysis of the practices of public diplomacy.