TODAY'S situation in the machine tool market combined with the ever changing variety of complex components to be machined, places high demands of flexibility on modern machine…
Abstract
TODAY'S situation in the machine tool market combined with the ever changing variety of complex components to be machined, places high demands of flexibility on modern machine tools.
Maximilian Andreas Storz, Maria Brommer, Alessandra Feraco, Alexander Müller, Alvaro Luis Ronco and Mauro Lombardo
Changes in eating habits and food preferences caused by circadian rhythm disruptions in shift workers increase the risk for chronic diseases. Several studies demonstrated that…
Abstract
Purpose
Changes in eating habits and food preferences caused by circadian rhythm disruptions in shift workers increase the risk for chronic diseases. Several studies demonstrated that shift work exerts adverse effects on various risk factors for cardiometabolic disease and cancer. Moreover, shift work leads to altered eating patterns, including diets low in alkaline foods (such as vegetables, fruit and legumes) and high in acidogenic foods (such as meat, fish and cheese). Previously not examined, this imbalance could result in a high dietary acid load (DAL). DAL has been linked to low-grade metabolic acidosis, tissue inflammation and other metabolic alterations. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that shift work is positively associated with an increased DAL.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2007–2010). The sample for this analysis was drawn from a representative multistage-probability sample of US civilians. DAL estimations included potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP). Acid load scores and nutrient intake were compared between regular day workers (n = 3,814; mean age, 43.7 ± 0.3; mean body mass index (BMI), 28.6 ± 0.1; females 46.9%) and shift workers (n = 881; age, 37.4 ± 0.6; BMI, 28.4 ± 0.3; females 48.1%). Evening/night shift workers combined with rotating shift workers were contrasted to participants on a regular daytime schedule.
Findings
Potassium and magnesium intake were significantly lower in shift workers, whereas no significant differences with regard to total energy intake were found. The authors found significantly higher crude NEAPF scores in shift workers (mean: 61.8 ± 1.2 mEq/day) compared to regular day workers (mean: 58.7 ± 0.5 mEq/day, P = 0.023). After adjustment for confounders, however, this association remained no longer significant. There were no significant intergroup differences regarding NEAPR and PRALR.
Research limitations/implications
This study revealed significant differences in crude NEAPF scores between shift workers and day workers. After adjustment for confounders, this association was no longer significant. Such discrepancy is probably because of the scarce homogeneity in the analyzed sample which represents the main limitation of this study. Thus, the results did not confirm the hypothesis that shift work is associated with elevated DAL scores. Importantly, the data suggest significant intergroup differences in nutrient intakes without confirming our initial hypothesis with regard to DAL.
Originality/value
In light of the detrimental health outcomes associated with an increased DAL, this study reinforces the call for evidence-based dietary guidelines in shift workers. Studies in other shift working populations are thus warranted.
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Farah Y. Shakir and Yih-teen Lee
Global leadership involves the ability to connect with individuals from different cultures. Connecting is an actionable process that creates mutual understanding, positive…
Abstract
Global leadership involves the ability to connect with individuals from different cultures. Connecting is an actionable process that creates mutual understanding, positive feeling, and a common approach to collaborate. Forming interpersonal connections can be an effective way for global leaders to cut across cultural differences as it is based on a universal human need for belonging. Our study aims to understand the specific actions global leaders engage in to connect with people across cultures. Furthermore, we examine how identity experiences of multicultural individuals contributed to their capabilities of connecting with people from different cultures in their role of global leader. Through a qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews with multicultural individuals in global leadership positions, we develop a model of connecting across cultures involving specific leadership actions that lead to emotive, cognitive, and behavioral dimensions for connection. Our model also illustrates how multicultural identity experiences equip global leaders with qualities such as empathy, perspective-taking, and integration, which enable them to engage in actions for connecting to people across cultures. The research in this chapter contributes to a better understanding of global leadership with novel insights into how global leaders connect to people and sheds light on the advantages of multicultural identity experiences in this process.
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Martha C. Andrews, Thomas Baker and Tammy G. Hunt
This study seeks to explore the relationship between corporate ethical values and person‐organization fit (P‐O fit) and the effects on organization commitment and job…
Abstract
Purpose
This study seeks to explore the relationship between corporate ethical values and person‐organization fit (P‐O fit) and the effects on organization commitment and job satisfaction. Further, it aims to examine the construct of moral intensity as a moderator of the P‐O fit‐commitment relationship as well as the P‐O fit‐job satisfaction relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a sample of 489 members of the National Purchasing Association in the USA, a structural model was examined in which it was hypothesized that corporate ethical values would be positively related to person‐organization fit and P‐O fit in turn would be positively related to commitment and job satisfaction. It was further hypothesized that the outcomes associated with P‐O fit would be moderated by moral intensity such that high moral intensity would strengthen the P‐O fit outcomes relationships.
Findings
All of the hypotheses were supported.
Research limitations/implications
All data stem from one data source, introducing the possibility of mono‐source bias. Additionally, all scales use self‐reports, introducing the possibility of mono‐method bias.
Practical implications
These results highlight the importance of corporate ethical values and moral intensity in building and maintaining an ethical and committed workforce.
Originality/value
The findings of this study contribute to the ethics and P‐O fit literature by establishing a link between corporate ethical values and P‐O fit. It further construes moral intensity as a subjective variable based on the perceiver rather than an objective characteristic of ethical issues. Moral intensity was found to strengthen the relationships between P‐O fit and satisfaction and P‐O fit and commitment.
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Boniface Michael and Rashmi Michael
The purpose of this paper is to draw on previous research and propose a framework for evaluating interest‐based bargaining (IBB) around three criteria: efficient, amicable and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to draw on previous research and propose a framework for evaluating interest‐based bargaining (IBB) around three criteria: efficient, amicable and wise, where mutual gains are not self‐evident.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper reviews both survey and case study research on IBB in the USA and Canada. Based on trends discerned in the data, the paper uses the three criteria to present research and propositions on evaluating the IBB process.
Findings
IBB connects front stage acts by negotiators during collective bargaining with backstage environments and fosters collaboration hinging on dialogue across competing values involving online and offline processes during negotiations. Where mutual gains are not self evident, there these findings underpin criteria for evaluating the IBB process’s potential to serve enduring values of industrial democracy and employee voice and the newer values of collaboration and partnership in strategic decision making.
Research limitations/implications
The amicable criterion predisposes the framework favorably towards amicable relations, which creates a favorable bias within the framework towards the IBB process when compared to other bargaining processes. There is a need for updated quantitative data on IBB trends at a national level, similar to the three FMCS surveys last reported in 2004, and a need for institutional linkages that will increase case study research on IBB, similar to recent research on Kaiser Permanente.
Practical implications
Negotiators, trainers and policy makers will gain from the criteria listed here to evaluate IBB where mutual gains are not self‐evident.
Originality/value
The framework presented in the paper advances an original framework to evaluate IBB.
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Syed Shah Shah Alam, Taslima Jannat, Chieh Yu Lin, Nor Asiah Omar and Yi Hui Ho
The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that affect managers’ ethical decision-making in export-oriented readymade garments in Bangladesh.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that affect managers’ ethical decision-making in export-oriented readymade garments in Bangladesh.
Design/methodology/approach
This is an empirical study based on the quantitative approach undertaking a cross-sectional survey method where a convenience sampling technique was applied. The analysis was done using partial least square structural equation model applying Smart-PLS version 3.0.
Findings
This study confirmed that all the components of cognitive appraisal processes, including perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, response efficacy and self-efficacy, have a significant influence on attitude. Attitude, in turn, mediates the relationship between these variables and the behavioural intention of ethical practice, except for perceived vulnerability. Besides, moral obligation is found to mediate the relationship between attitude, self-efficacy and the behavioural intention of ethical decision-making. The study also found that ethical climate and subjective norms have a direct influence on behavioural intention. Furthermore, behavioural intention, ethical climate and self-efficacy are positively related to actual decision-making behaviour. However, this study did not find any direct effect of subjective norms on moral obligation.
Practical implications
The organization should include an emphasis on building ethical culture and setting an ethical code of conduct within the organization to sustain ethical practice within employees. However, the practitioner should work on enhancing self-efficacy to curb unethical practices by individuals.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the management of garments manufacturers by a practical and theoretical understanding of what influences the ethical behavioural decision-making process. Valuable guidelines are provided on the ethical decision-making process in the garments manufacturing companies for future researchers.
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Although the increase in point-of-purchase decisions heightens the communication potential of food product packaging, empirical research on understanding how visual packaging…
Abstract
Purpose
Although the increase in point-of-purchase decisions heightens the communication potential of food product packaging, empirical research on understanding how visual packaging affects consumers' subsequent product and brand evaluations and perceptions is scant. This study seeks to develop a theoretical model to show the effects of consumer attitudes toward visual food packaging on perceived product quality, product value, and brand preference.
Design/methodology/approach
A self-administered questionnaire developed from the literature was conducted, and 315 undergraduate students participated in the study.
Findings
The empirical results show that attitudes toward visual packaging directly influence consumer-perceived food product quality and brand preference. Perceived food product quality also directly and indirectly (through product value) affects brand preference.
Originality/value
This paper offers directions for understanding the effects of visual packaging on positive consumer product and brand evaluations. Based on the study findings, food firms should emphasize the visual packaging design factors such as color, typeface, logo, graphics, and size to form consumers' positive perceptions and brand preference.
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Laura Radford, Jason C. Senkbeil and Meganne Rockman
The cone of uncertainty (COU) warning graphic has created confusion for people trying to make evacuation and safety decisions. The purpose of this research was to create several…
Abstract
Purpose
The cone of uncertainty (COU) warning graphic has created confusion for people trying to make evacuation and safety decisions. The purpose of this research was to create several alternative tropical cyclone graphics and present them to the public and college students via face‐to‐face surveys and polling.
Design/methodology/approach
Surveys depicting hypothetical landfall scenarios were administered in Pensacola and Jacksonville, FL. Respondents ranked five graphics in order of preference, and were encouraged to discuss their rankings. Following this initial field research, the most popular graphic of these five was compared to a graphic resembling the one used by The Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Comments were recorded for respondents favoring or disliking the Australian graphic in two separate analyses. A final graphic emphasizing post‐landfall hazards was also created as a suggestion for future research and evaluated directly against the most popular graphics from field research.
Findings
A graphic called the color‐probability‐cone was the most popular graphic in field research. There were subtle differences in graphic preference resulting from age and gender influences, with only one significant result. Comments from subsequent analyses reveal that the Australian graphic causes mixed reactions. A final analysis with a larger sample of college students revealed that the color‐probability‐cone was the most popular choice; however, comments reveal that many respondents who had used hurricane graphics before liked the specificity presented by the Australian graphic and the hazards graphic.
Originality/value
This research represents a possible initial step in the process of establishing a tropical cyclone warning graphic that is informative, visually appealing, and effective.