The term ‘Flexible Automation’ is used by Cincinnati Milacron to describe their Industrial Robots. Many aspects of this flexibility have occurred because of the computer control…
Abstract
The term ‘Flexible Automation’ is used by Cincinnati Milacron to describe their Industrial Robots. Many aspects of this flexibility have occurred because of the computer control being used and the introduction of computer software techniques into the system. Not only has the computer enabled major improvements in the operation of today's robots, but many extra application techniques have benefitted from methods of programming decision making routines. Both system operation and software routines are discussed in the paper.
Darcy L. Sullivan, Noelle K. Kurth, Jean P. Hall and Kelsey S. Goddard
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated food insecurity and insufficiency in the United States. However, the causes of food insufficiency among people with disabilities during the…
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated food insecurity and insufficiency in the United States. However, the causes of food insufficiency among people with disabilities during the pandemic are not well understood. This paper examined how loneliness and household structure are associated with food insufficiency among working-age adults (ages 18–64) with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using 2021 National Survey on Health and Disability data, we conducted logistic regression to estimate the association between loneliness, household composition, and food insufficiency. Measures of household structure, such as the number of children in the household and living with other adults, were not associated with food insufficiency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondary analyses found that loneliness had a strong association with food insufficiency for those who live alone. Respondents who lived alone and reported feeling lonely had the highest odds of being food insufficient during the pandemic. Our findings indicate that in addition to household structure, it is important to assess psychosocial well-being, such as measures of loneliness, when examining food insufficiency among working-age adults with disabilities.
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Elisabeth Lind Melbye and Merete Hagen Helland
The purpose of this paper is to explore associations between food-related self-control, intentions, descriptive peer norms, parents’ healthy eating guidance and adolescents’…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore associations between food-related self-control, intentions, descriptive peer norms, parents’ healthy eating guidance and adolescents’ consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) in a school lunch setting. An additional aim was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the measure used to assess food-related self-control in order to reveal potential multi-dimensionality.
Design/methodology/approach
A web-based survey was conducted among 694 Norwegian high school students. Multiple logistic regression was used to explore associations between the independent variables and SSB consumption. Psychometric evaluation of the self-control measure included factor analysis and internal consistency reliability.
Findings
Factor analysis resulted in two food-related self-control dimensions: resistance and avoidance. Multiple logistic regression showed that intentions was the strongest predictor of SSB consumption in the sample. Avoidance and descriptive peer norms appeared as weaker predictors.
Research limitations/implications
Based on the findings, the authors suggest that future studies may consider developing guiding principles on how to create health-promoting eating intentions in adolescents, how to deal with peer norms related to foods and beverages and how to avoid tempting stimuli in the environment. Such strategies may be helpful when structural changes in the environment are not feasible in the near future.
Originality/value
An original aspect of the present study is that it includes a psychometric analysis of a supposedly one-dimensional self-control measure. Further, it adds to the knowledge about variables associated with adolescent SSB consumption in a school lunch context.
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The widespread dietary adoption of cultured meat could provide important benefits to animal welfare, the environment, food safety and security. This study examines consumer…
Abstract
Purpose
The widespread dietary adoption of cultured meat could provide important benefits to animal welfare, the environment, food safety and security. This study examines consumer segmentation and consumer motives for choice of cultured meat in China.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected by means of a web-based questionnaire (n = 608) distributed in the two cites of Shanghai and Chengdu. Factor analysis, cluster analysis and path analysis were employed for data analysis.
Findings
Three consumer segments were identified with regard to the acceptance of cultured meat in China: Conservatives (25.7%), Acceptors (41.9%) and Pioneers (32.4%). Significant differences were recognised in age, household income, education and household size between the three consumer segments. The following meat choice motives (MCMs) have significant influences on Chinese participants’ attitudes and/or purchase intentions towards cultured meat: usually eat, environmental concern, societal concern, mood, purchase convenience and price.
Originality/value
This is the first study to develop a factorial construct of MCMs based on a previous theoretical model of food choice motives (FCMs) in China. The study contributes understanding of choice motives for cultured meat in a non-Western setting, particularly in China - the country consuming the largest quantity of pork. Further, this is the first study to recognise segments that are directly based on consumer attitudes and purchase intentions towards cultured meat. The findings of this study will help global producers and policymakers to create effective promotion strategies and policies for this innovative product in developing countries, particularly in China.
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Carrie Ruxton and Emma Derbyshire
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the latest mounting evidence reporting associations between the important role of whole grains and fibre in lowering the risk of chronic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the latest mounting evidence reporting associations between the important role of whole grains and fibre in lowering the risk of chronic diseases and health.
Design/methodology/approach
A general systematic review was conducted to locate and summarise up-to-date published studies within the field. A Medline search identified human-controlled trials and observational studies published in the past five years.
Findings
A total of 49 studies were identified. In observational studies, higher intakes of whole grain and dietary fibre were associated with a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, abdominal adiposity and certain cancers. This was further supported by human intervention trials, which reported benefits for appetite control, blood lipid levels, glycaemic control, digestive health and secondary cancer prevention. Mechanisms may relate to the micronutrients and phytonutrients present in high fibre foods.
Practical implications
Practical advice is needed to help people identify foods rich in whole grains, e.g. breakfast cereals. UK fibre recommendations should be aligned with European guidelines and food labelling regulations, and a whole grain dietary recommendation, e.g. similar to the US guideline of three portions a day, could be introduced. Government and industry should play a role in communicating dietary fibre guidelines and the health benefits associated with whole grain and fibre, particularly insoluble fibre.
Originality/value
This paper develops knowledge about whole grains, health and the importance of establishing whole-grain dietary recommendations.
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Lida Kakia, Habil Nikolay Popov and Abbas Madandar Arani
The paper describes the relationship between parents’ and teachers’ demographic factors and their judgments about children’s activities and school readiness in primary schools of…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper describes the relationship between parents’ and teachers’ demographic factors and their judgments about children’s activities and school readiness in primary schools of Tehran. The purpose of this paper is to determine: first, the relationship between the child’s gender and the frequency of parent-child activities; second, the relationship between the parent’s gender, age and educational level and the frequency of parent-child activities; and third, the relationship between the teacher’s gender, educational level and length of service with rate of frequency of the child’s school readiness.
Design/methodology/approach
Multi-stage Cluster Sampling was used to select samples, and the research instruments (questionnaires) were distributed among 36 first grade teachers and 756 parents.
Findings
The study found that there were significant gender differences in hands-on activities. With regards to the parent’s age and gender, there were significant differences only in hands-on activities, while, with respect to the educational level of fathers and mothers, there were significant differences in both hands-on and community activities among children. Finally, the finding indicated that there was a significant relationship between children’s skills and the teacher’s gender and length of service.
Originality/value
Although the research findings are consistent with the reality of Iranian families, more research is needed relating the types of activities in which parents and children engage.
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The study aims to analyze research trends and hotspots in the field of food and nutrition literacy to inform evidence-based policymaking, and promote the health and well-being of…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to analyze research trends and hotspots in the field of food and nutrition literacy to inform evidence-based policymaking, and promote the health and well-being of the general population.
Design/methodology/approach
The Scopus database was used to retrieve relevant research articles using specific keywords related to food or nutritional literacy.
Findings
The analysis included 341 research articles, predominantly authored by scholars from the USA. Growth pattern of publications indicated recent evolution of the food and nutrition literacy concepts. The research hotspots identified included the development of tools to assess literacy, assessing food and nutritional literacy competencies among school children and adolescents and finally, cross-sectional survey studies on various international cultures to assess food and nutritional literacy. The top cited articles in the field focused on the operational definition and difference between nutrition literacy and food literacy.
Research limitations/implications
The findings underscore the need for comparative studies across countries, and advocacy for policy change to advance food and nutrition literacy among school students and vulnerable populations.
Practical implications
Policymakers, public health officials and practitioners can use the research findings to inform the development of evidence-based policy frameworks and interventions aimed at addressing the gaps in food and nutrition literacy.
Social implications
By promoting and advocating for policy reforms, and addressing gaps in food and nutrition literacy, the study contributes to fostering global future public health.
Originality/value
The study provides insights into the evolving research landscape on food and nutrition literacy, emphasizing the growing scholarly interest in understanding the concept and its public health impact.
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Jacqueline M. Drew, Emily Moir and Michael Newman
Financial crime continues to represent a crime type that costs billions of dollars per year. It is likely more widespread than any other criminal offence. Despite this, it remains…
Abstract
Purpose
Financial crime continues to represent a crime type that costs billions of dollars per year. It is likely more widespread than any other criminal offence. Despite this, it remains an area that is often ignored, or at best neglected by police. Police agencies typically fail to invest resources and training in upskilling police in financial crime investigation. The current study evaluates an agency-wide training initiative undertaken by the Queensland Police Service (QPS), Australia.
Design/methodology/approach
The QPS mandated completion of an in-house online financial crime training program for all officers, up to and including the rank of senior sergeant. Matched pre- and post-training data of 1,403 officers were obtained.
Findings
The research found that police are under-trained in financial crime. The findings suggest that short online training programs can produce important improvements in knowledge and confidence in financial crime investigation. Critically, attitudes about this crime type which may be deterring officers from engaging in financial crime investigation can be improved.
Originality/value
The current research finds that police agencies need to more heavily invest in training officers to investigate financial crime and such investment will have positive outcomes. The first step involves improving knowledge, skills and attitudes towards this crime type. Further research is needed to understand why training, particularly related to attitudinal change, is more effective for different cohorts of police and how future training programs should be adapted to maximise success.
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Ting Li, Xinlei Zhao and Aiwu Zhao
Motivated by managers’ intentions to pursue private interests by engaging in earnings management, this paper aims to investigate whether voting with hands (shareholders cast votes…
Abstract
Purpose
Motivated by managers’ intentions to pursue private interests by engaging in earnings management, this paper aims to investigate whether voting with hands (shareholders cast votes on shareholder proposals) by shareholders acts as an external disciplining mechanism over earnings management relative to corporate governance. Also, as corporate governance can scrutinize managers’ behavior, this study also examines whether there is a substitutive relation between shareholder proposals and corporate governance mechanism.
Design/methodology/approach
First, this paper uses ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions of discrepancy accruals on the percentage of “For” votes for shareholder proposals to test the incremental effect of shareholder proposals on earnings management. Second, firms receiving shareholder proposals are matched with those not receiving proposals by propensity scores, and the levels of earnings management and corporate governance between these two groups are compared by univariate analysis and OLS regressions. In addition, six portfolios are created based on whether firms receive shareholder proposals, as well as on the levels of corporate governance, to assess whether external control from shareholder proposals can substitute internal control for corporate governance in disciplining earnings management. Regressions of earnings management on corporate governance (shareholder proposals) are conducted in the sub-samples formed on shareholder proposals (corporate governance) to further explore the above substitution effects.
Findings
Based on a sample of 2,041 firm-year observations from 2001 to 2010, this paper finds that the “For” votes received from the shareholder proposals have a significant negative relationship with the practice of earnings management, even when corporate governance is controlled. The negative relationship between shareholder proposal and magnitude of earnings management is also found to be stronger when firms have weak corporate governance. The overall evidence suggests that the external control from “voting-with-hand” shareholders has a significant impact on earnings management. In addition, shareholder proposals can substitute the monitoring mechanism for corporate governance in constraining managers’ myopic behavior.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the extant literature by using the percentage of “For” votes for shareholder proposals as a proxy for shareholder pressure and concerns. This study contributes to the earnings management literature by showing the disciplinary effect of outside shareholders on managers’ reporting behavior. Also, it contributes to the corporate governance research by presenting that shareholder proposals can substitute for the internal control of corporate governance in decreasing earnings management. This paper should be of interest to investors and standard setters.
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This study explores the influence of the following factors on consumer adoption of blockchain food traceability (BFT): innovation-adoption characteristics, segmentation, expertise…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the influence of the following factors on consumer adoption of blockchain food traceability (BFT): innovation-adoption characteristics, segmentation, expertise in food traceability, expertise in blockchain technology, food categorical preferences and perceived important features of BFT.
Design/methodology/approach
The data was collected via an online questionnaire with 1,401 participants in New Zealand. Exploratory factor analysis, structural equation modelling and segmentation analysis were undertaken.
Findings
Consumer adoption of blockchain food traceability was significantly influenced by two innovation-adoption characteristics – perceived incentives and perceived complexity, as well as their expertise in food traceability. Two consumer segments were identified: Conservatives (48%) and Pioneers (52%). Significant differences were found between these two segments in terms of gender, age, education, occupation, residential area and ethnicity. Consumers are more willing to use BFT for purchasing fresh, imported, staple and normal foods than for processed, domestic and upscale foods. Their perceived important specific features of BFT are product origin, food safety information, quality control, food safety information, hygienic condition and scarcity management.
Originality/value
This study contributes knowledge to address the current knowledge gap regarding consumer adoption of blockchain food traceability by using a large sample set. It is also the first study to recognise consumer segments for BFT; to provide information about consumers' important socio-demographic characteristics, food categorical preferences and perceived important features towards BFT; and to explore the influences of consumers' innovation-adoption characteristics, expertise in food traceability and expertise in blockchain technology on their adoption of blockchain food traceability.