Se-Young Ju, Jin-Ju Ko, Hee-Sun Yoon, Su-Jin Seon, Yu-Ri Yoon, Da-In Lee, So-Yeon Kim and Hye-Ja Chang
The purpose of this paper is to examine the efficacy of microbial elimination using different sanitizers in raw vegetables (cherry tomatoes, spring onions, Chinese chives, and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the efficacy of microbial elimination using different sanitizers in raw vegetables (cherry tomatoes, spring onions, Chinese chives, and chicory) and to analyze the efficacy of Escherichia coli O157:H7 reduction by type of sanitizer and vegetable.
Design/methodology/approach
To assess the sanitizing effects of microbial elimination by variety of vegetable, the samples were grouped into four different washing methods: control (no sanitizer), 100 ppm chlorine, 100 ppm electrolyzed water, and 200 ppm electrolyzed water after prewashing. Subsequently, quantitative microbiological experiments were conducted to assess aerobic mesophilic plate count (APC), coliform, E. coli, and Bacillus cereus, and sensory changes of the sanitized vegetables were tested. Thereafter, measurement of the sanitizing effects on bacterial reduction after inoculation with E. coli O157:H7 was conducted.
Findings
The microbial levels of four types of vegetables ranged from 3.37 to 5.24 log CFU/g for APC, 2.41 to 5.57 log CFU/g for E. coli, 0.25 to 5.40 log CFU/g for coliform, and 0.83 to 5.44 log CFU/g for B. cereus. After three types of sanitizing treatments, microbial reduction effects showed 0.94-1.84 log CFU/g for APC, 0.56-1.00 log CFU/g for E. coli, 0.18-1.26 log CFU/g for coliform, and 0.56-1.23 log CFU/g for B. cereus (p<0.05). In sensory evaluation, there were no significant differences in taste and flavor between with and without sanitizing treatments. Regarding bacterial reduction after inoculation with E. coli O157:H7, the microbial reduction on vegetables was shown to be in the range of 0.27-1.57 log CFU/g with 100 ppm sodium hypochlorite, 0.66-3.07 log CFU/g with 100 ppm electrolyzed water, and 0.79-2.55 log CFU/g with 200 ppm electrolyzed water. Chicory, cherry tomato, and spring onion showed significant reduction levels of E. coli O157:H7 after sanitation (p<0.05).
Originality/value
This study revealed that different sanitization methods are required for different types of vegetables. Electrolyzed water treatment (100 ppm) is a more effective and safe method of washing raw vegetables. Given that the main purpose of sanitizing fresh-cut produce is to maximally reduce microorganism levels, different methods of sanitizing fresh-cut produce with an adequate washing method should be used according to vegetable type.
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Hee Sun Kim and Jia Wang
The purpose of this article is to examine the antecedents and consequences of organizational silence and employee silence to determine whether these two concepts should be…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to examine the antecedents and consequences of organizational silence and employee silence to determine whether these two concepts should be distinguished rather than used interchangeably in research.
Design/methodology/approach
This study conducted a systematic literature review of 79 studies on organizational silence and 113 on employee silence, leading to three major findings.
Findings
First, this study shows that organizational silence is a collective phenomenon and employee silence occurs at the individual level; therefore, indicating they should be treated as two distinct concepts. Second, both types of silence are influenced by contextual factors (internal and external) and leadership. Third, organizational silence impacts both individual and organizational outcomes, whereas employee silence mainly affects an individual’s psychological health and performance.
Originality/value
This research clarifies the distinction between organizational silence and employee silence, offering guidance for researchers on how to approach these concepts. It also highlights the critical need to address workplace silence and the potential harm it may cause to both organizational and individual well-being if left unaddressed. Furthermore, this research supports organizational leaders and human resource developers in fostering a healthier work culture, improving performance and driving continuous improvement.
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Jaehong Joo, Hee Sun Kim, Sae Gyoung Song, Yun Jeong Ro and Ji Hoon Song
The purpose of this study is to emphasize the important role of performance-oriented human resource (HR) practices and gender equality perceptions in supervisors and chief…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to emphasize the important role of performance-oriented human resource (HR) practices and gender equality perceptions in supervisors and chief executive officers (CEOs) for career development among women in management.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a quantitative methodology to examine relationships among variables. The authors conducted a survey to investigate factors influencing the career development of women managers in professional settings, with a sample of 1,502 female managers in South Korea.
Findings
The relationship between performance-oriented HR practices and career development for women managers was supported. In addition, self-leadership significantly mediated the relationship between performance-oriented HR practices and career development. Finally, double moderator effects of gender equality perceptions of CEOs and supervisors on the relationship between performance-oriented HR practices and self-leadership were significant.
Originality/value
This study emphasizes that career development for women in South Korea depends on gender equality awareness and institutional reorganization for best practices at top management levels. Specifically, this study identified the essential role of performance-based HR practices to support self-leadership and career development in women managers. Furthermore, this study recognized gender equality perceptions of CEOs and supervisors as a critical factor in the successful career development of women managers.
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Sun Hee Moon, Kyung Hwa Hong, Jaewoong Lee and In Hwan Sul
The purpose of this paper is to provide an efficient tool for simulating electrospinning process in virtual 3D space and optimizing experimental parameters. The fiber orientation…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an efficient tool for simulating electrospinning process in virtual 3D space and optimizing experimental parameters. The fiber orientation from virtual or real electrospinning process can be easily measured using the image analysis technique. Using the semi-implicit Euler integration, the time integration can be more fast and stable, which enabled optimization of the electrospinning process. Also boundary conditions can be easily adopted during conjugate gradient matrix solving step.
Design/methodology/approach
To simulate the electrospinning process, the authors have adopted a particle-based modeling technique using the molecular dynamics theory, which is known to be suitable for modeling materials with nonlinear and nonhomogeneous behavior such as fibers or fabrics. Gravitational, tensional, and electrostatical forces and their Jacobians were carefully defined and chosen to maintain the stability of the governing equation. Preconditioned conjugate gradient method was used to solve the matrix iteratively with boundary conditions. The 2-D metaball fitting technique, which was applied in the previous research (Sul et al., 2009) on experimental nanofiber scanning electron microscopy images, was utilized with virtual nanofiber images. A staircase function and a new shading language were proposed to automatically calculate the orientation and radius distribution of the graphically simulated electrospun fiber structures. The automatic measurement procedure was verified via graphically designed virtual replica images. Also the orientation tendency acquired from the simulation was compared with that of experimental data.
Findings
Simulation result of fiber orientation showed linear relationship with the collecting drum speed. Use of particle-based method generated a simple system to simulate electrospinning process.
Originality/value
The semi-implicit Euler integration was applied to the electrospinning process and the final linear system was numerically stable to solve.
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Sung-Yun (Ashley) Chung and John Byrom
This paper aims to investigate how brand identity is co-created, with a specific focus on how employees contributed to the process in a five-star hotel setting. The focus of this…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate how brand identity is co-created, with a specific focus on how employees contributed to the process in a five-star hotel setting. The focus of this study is on understanding how two hotels planned and executed their brand identity strategy simultaneously, differentiating one from the other and how employees actively participated in this process.
Design/methodology/approach
A longitudinal case study approach was adopted, centred on building the identity of two luxury hotels owned by a single company in Seoul, Korea. Various organizational documents were collected and analyzed to understand the brand identity of the hotels and how brand co-creation has been implemented. In addition, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 42 employees to understand the brand co-creation process from their perspective.
Findings
The brand co-creation process of the hotels was conducted simultaneously and evolved over the following four phases, with employees’ roles varying in each phase, namely, establishing a clear brand identity strategy; designing and selecting sensory identity; aligning organizational identity; and delivering brand identity through external communication. Employees that participated in brand co-creation enhanced their brand knowledge, developed emotional bonds with the brand and were motivated to deliver the brand identity. Furthermore, those that immersed themselves in the new brand identities were able to enable positive guest perceptions towards the brand image, which consequently enhanced employees’ pride in their work.
Research limitations/implications
This research advances the brand management literature in defining branding and brand identity elements, as well as emphasizing the importance of consistent branding. In addition, the current study expands the scope of internal branding, highlighting the process of brand co-creation and the role of employees as active participants. Moreover, it reveals that employees’ participation enhances not only their brand knowledge but also their emotional bonds with the brand. The proposed conceptual framework demonstrates the flow of branding elements, brand identity elements and the “infinite loop” of employee participation in brand co-creation.
Originality/value
The case study approach adopted here enables an in-depth investigation of employee participation in brand co-creation, including their different roles and activities in the process; a phenomenon that has not been adequately explored in previous research.