This study examines the information content of firms’ operations-related disclosures (ORDs) and the importance of these disclosures as an information source to stock markets…
Abstract
This study examines the information content of firms’ operations-related disclosures (ORDs) and the importance of these disclosures as an information source to stock markets relative to other commonly examined sources of information. I find that ORDs constitute a large portion of corporate press releases. These disclosures are associated with significant stock price reactions and trading volume. The stock price reactions to ORDs are greater than the reactions to 10-K/Q reports and are of similar magnitudes to the reactions to 8-K filings. On average, ORDs explain variation in firms’ quarterly returns to a similar degree as management earnings forecasts and 10-K/Q reports for the full sample and to a greater degree for small firms and firms with lower earnings quality.
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The purpose of this paper is to explore the bibliometric study of journal articles in Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) related to outsourcing library functions, including…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the bibliometric study of journal articles in Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) related to outsourcing library functions, including publication trends from 1994 to 2015, core journals, authorship and citing articles used for librarians and researchers to have a basic reference of relevant resources.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology consisted of journal article searches in SSCI with 1994-2015 as the date limiter. The search terms came from the topic of outsourcing to the topic of library by using the Boolean operator; and results were used in the Web of Science (WOS) database based on pre-determined categories and were evaluated based on the five research questions about core journals, authorship and citing articles.
Findings
The findings were based on the five research questions evaluated in the bibliometric study. There were 55 articles published on the topics of outsourcing and library authored by 80 individuals between 1994 and 2015. In the 55 articles analyzed, there were 24 different journals represented with 150 times cited.
Originality/value
This study takes the bibliometric analysis approach, which has rarely been used on the topics of outsourcing and library articles with the specific focus on library finance issues. It provides a foundation for further research on the topic as well as resources to be used by librarians and researchers.
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Niya Peng, Tianyuan Yu and Albert Mills
The purpose of this paper is to offer novel insights into: knowledge of proto-feminism through description and analysis of the rule of the seventh century female Emperor Wu…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to offer novel insights into: knowledge of proto-feminism through description and analysis of the rule of the seventh century female Emperor Wu Zetian; postcolonial theory by revealing the existence and proto-feminist activities of a non-western female leader; and the literature on gender and invisibility through a study of a leading figure that is relatively unknown to western feminists and is even, in feminist terms, something of a neglected figure.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to examine Wu’s proto-feminist practices as recorded in historical materials, we use critical hermeneutics as a tool for textual interpretation, through the following four stages: choosing texts from historical records and writings of Wu; analyzing the historical sociocultural context; analyzing the relationship between the text and the context; and offering a conceptual framework as a richer explanation.
Findings
Wu’s life activities demonstrate proto-feminism in late seventh century China in at least four aspects: gender equality in sexuality, in social status, in politics, and women’s pursuit of power and leadership.
Research limitations/implications
Future research may dig into the paradox of Wu’s proto-feminist practices, the relationship between organizational power and feminism/proto-feminism, and the ways in which Wu’s activities differ from other powerful women across cultures, etc.
Practical implications
The study encourages a rethink of women and leadership style in non-western thought.
Social implications
The study supports Calás and Smircich’s 2005 call for greater understanding of feminist thought outside of western thought and a move to transglobal feminism.
Originality/value
This study recovers long lost stories of women leadership that are “invisible” in many ways in the historical narratives, and contributes to postcolonial feminism by revealing the existence of indigenous proto-feminist practice in China long before western-based feminism and postcolonial feminism emerged.
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This article introduces the outlines, objectives and concreteprogrammes of training performed at the Hitachi Institute of ManagementDevelopment, Japan, as an example of in‐house…
Abstract
This article introduces the outlines, objectives and concrete programmes of training performed at the Hitachi Institute of Management Development, Japan, as an example of in‐house education in Japanese industry. The institute serves as a common education centre among the companies of the Hitachi Group to provide their management with education and training. Emphasis is laid on the following: (1) thorough understanding of management concepts; (2) promotion of the entrepreneur spirit; (3) developing a point of view that is adequate for the broad scope of international business management; (4) breeding of a cohesive feeling and sense of direction; and (5) learning important management skills such as management strategy, marketing, and financial management. In order to achieve these objectives, a number of training courses are given with the participation of as many as 5,000 trainees every year. How the institute motivates, directs and assists self‐improvement efforts of managers through these training courses is described.
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Bushra Rafique, Mudassir Iqbal, Tahir Mehmood and Muhammad Ashraf Shaheen
This review aims to focus on recent reported research work on the construction and function of different electrochemical DNA biosensors. It also describes different sensing…
Abstract
Purpose
This review aims to focus on recent reported research work on the construction and function of different electrochemical DNA biosensors. It also describes different sensing materials, chemistries of immobilization probes, conditions of hybridization and principles of transducing and amplification strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
The human disease-related mutated genes or DNA sequence detection at low cost can be verified by the electrochemical-based biosensor. A range of different chemistries is used by the DNA-based electrochemical biosensors, out of which the interactions of nanoscale material with recognition layer and a solid electrode surface are most interesting. A diversity of advancements has been made in the field of electrochemical detection.
Findings
Some important aspects are also highlighted in this review, which can contribute in the creation of successful biosensing devices in the future.
Originality/value
This paper provides an updated review of construction and sensing technologies in the field of biosensing.
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Peng Xie and Fen Fen Tian
Drawing on conservation of resources theory, this paper aims to propose that daily multitasking increases employees’ daily role pressure, ultimately hindering their service…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing on conservation of resources theory, this paper aims to propose that daily multitasking increases employees’ daily role pressure, ultimately hindering their service innovation behavior. Furthermore, we suggest that trait mindfulness may mitigate this negative impact.
Design/methodology/approach
To empirically test the study hypotheses, this paper conducted a multilevel diary field study, collecting data from 64 employees over 10 working days to comprehensively validate the theoretical model.
Findings
The findings indicate that daily multitasking indirectly reduces daily service innovation behavior by increasing employee role pressure. Notably, this indirect effect is more pronounced among employees with lower trait mindfulness, while it is less significant for those with higher trait mindfulness.
Practical implications
Hotels should manage multitasking, reduce employee stress and promote service innovation by optimizing task allocation and redesigning work processes. Additionally, hotel management should adopt a multifaceted and innovative approach to foster mindfulness traits.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature on multitasking and innovation by examining how and when daily multitasking influences employee service innovation behavior.
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The purpose of this study is to examine the relation between product market competition and audit fees by using firm-level product market competition measures and mitigating the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the relation between product market competition and audit fees by using firm-level product market competition measures and mitigating the endogeneity issues.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses 12,136 US firms from 2004 and 2019. To ensure the robustness of the main findings, this study uses three firm-level product market competition measures and import trade tariff rate reductions of the USA as a quasi-natural experiment. This study also performs three cross-sectional tests and validation tests.
Findings
This study demonstrates that there is a negative relation between product market competition and audit fees and establishes a causal relation. Moreover, it reveals that the findings become more pronounced when auditors possess industry-specific expertise, when client firms are younger, and when operating within more homogeneous industries. Additionally, a validation analysis supports the findings.
Practical implications
This study offers significant insights for regulators by highlighting how product market competition plays a constructive role in overseeing firm management.
Originality/value
The authors contribute to the existing literature by showing that there is a negative association between product market competition and audit fees after controlling external monitoring mechanisms. The authors also find the causal relation. These findings indicate that competitive pressures originating from product markets exert a significant influence on disciplining a client firm’s management.
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Bjorn John Stephen, Surabhi Suchanti, Devendra Jain, Harshdeep Dhaliwal, Vikram Sharma, Ramandeep Kaur, Rajeev Mishra and Abhijeet Singh
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a set of infectious diseases that primarily affect low-income countries situated near the equator. Effective diagnostic tools hold the key…
Abstract
Purpose
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a set of infectious diseases that primarily affect low-income countries situated near the equator. Effective diagnostic tools hold the key to stemming the spread of these infectious diseases. However, specificity is a major concern associated with current diagnostic protocols. In this regard, electrochemical deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) biosensors could play a crucial role, as highlighted by renewed interest in their research. The purpose of this study was to highlight the current scenario for the design and development of biosensors for the detection of NTDs related pathogens. This review highlights the different types of factors involved and the modifications used to enhance sensor properties.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors discuss the potential of electrochemical DNA biosensors as efficient, affordable diagnostic tools for the detection of pathogens associated with NTDs by reviewing available literature. This study discusses the biosensor components, mainly the probe selection and type of electrodes used, and their potential to improve the overall design of the biosensor. Further, this study analyses the different nanomaterials used in NTD-based electrochemical DNA biosensors and discusses how their incorporation could improve the overall sensitivity and specificity of the biosensor design. Finally, this study examines the impact such techniques could have in the future on mass screening of NTDs.
Findings
The findings provide an in-depth analysis of electrochemical DNA biosensors for the detection of pathogens associated with NTDs.
Originality/value
This review provides an update on the different types and modifications of DNA biosensors that have been designed for the diagnosis of NTD-related pathogens.
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Xinhai Kong, Peng Zhang and Xin Ma
The purpose of this paper is to improve the GM(1, 1) model based on concave sequences.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to improve the GM(1, 1) model based on concave sequences.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the restored sequence of the GM(1, 1) model is proved to be convex, and the residual characters of the GM(1, 1) model for concave sequences are analyzed. Second, two symmetry transformations are introduced to transform an original concave sequence into a convex sequence, and then the GM(1, 1) model is established based on the convex sequence.
Findings
Compared with the traditional modeling method, the new method has high accuracy and is applicable for all concave sequence modeling.
Practical implications
Two cases are used to illustrate the superiority of this modeling method. Case A is to predict China’s per capita natural gas consumption, and case B is to predict the annual output of an oilfield.
Originality/value
The application scope of GM (1, 1) model is greatly extended.
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The purpose of this paper is to describe a bibliometric study of journal articles in Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) related to open access journals. Publication trends from…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe a bibliometric study of journal articles in Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) related to open access journals. Publication trends from 1993 to 2016, core journals, prolific authors and article citation frequencies were examined to provide librarians and scholars with a basic reference of relevant resources.
Design/methodology/approach
Among articles published in journals which have been listed in SSCI during 1993-2016, titles were searched for the term “open access journal”. The data were evaluated in response to five research questions concerning topics including publication trends from 1993 to 2016, core journals, prolific authors and article citation frequencies.
Findings
In total, 115 articles on open access journals were authored by 215 individuals from 1993 to 2016. The 115 articles analyzed were cited 842 times in 57 journals.
Originality/value
This paper describes a bibliometric study on open access journal publication, which has rarely been performed within the specific context of document supply issues. It provides a foundation for further research on titles as well as resources for librarians and scholars.