Mohammad Ali Shenasa, Maryam Soltani, Victor Tang, Cory R. Weissman, Lawrence Gregory Appelbaum, Zafiris J. Daskalakis and Dhakshin Ramanathan
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a well-established treatment with efficacy for several psychiatric disorders and has yielded promising yet mixed data…
Abstract
Purpose
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a well-established treatment with efficacy for several psychiatric disorders and has yielded promising yet mixed data showing reductions in craving for substance use. Patients with substance use disorders and comorbid depression may encounter obstacles to receiving rTMS in outpatient settings for treatment of depression. In turn, implementation of rTMS in residential substance use programs would greatly benefit those with comorbid treatment resistant depression. This paper aims to provide recommendations for implementing rTMS within residential substance use treatment centers.
Design/methodology/approach
Using PubMed, the authors conducted a narrative review of manuscripts using various combinations of the following search terms: rTMS, depression, substance use and substance use disorder. The authors read manuscripts for their methodology, outcomes and adverse events to synthesize their results, which correspond to their recommendations for patient selection, safely implementing rTMS in residential substance use facilities and optimal rTMS protocols to start with.
Findings
Advantages of this approach include increased compliance, monitoring and access to care. Recommendations to safely incorporate rTMS in residential substance use disorder treatment centers revolve around selection of patients eligible for rTMS, allowing for sufficient time to elapse prior to commencing rTMS, monitoring for signs of recent substance use or withdrawal and using rTMS protocols compatible with the therapeutic programming of a treatment center.
Originality/value
This paper details the challenges and benefits of implementing rTMS for patients with dual diagnosis and provides recommendations to safely do so. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is a novel and unpublished endeavor.
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Babak Esmaeilpour Ghouchani, Susan Jodaki, Maryam Joudaki, Alireza Balali and Lila Rajabion
Nowadays, the Internet of Things (IoT) offers new intelligent services and business model opportunities by extending the internet connectivity into physical devices and daily…
Abstract
Purpose
Nowadays, the Internet of Things (IoT) offers new intelligent services and business model opportunities by extending the internet connectivity into physical devices and daily objects. Recently, this technology has had a deep impact on all the aspects of human societies from industry to management and business. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to predict the impact of using IoT services on the development of electronic business (e-business).
Design/methodology/approach
For evaluating the model’s elements, a questionnaire was designed. It was revised by experts with significant experiences. For statistical analysis, SmartPLS 3.2 is used.
Findings
The findings have confirmed the validity of the proposed model. The results also have indicated that the quality of IoT services (scalability, availability, reliability and ease of use), security of IoT services (trust, reputation, privacy and encryption) and IT knowledge of users (usage skills, awareness, experience and accuracy) have a positive and significant impact on development of e-business. Furthermore, the obtained results have revealed that the operating cost of IoT services (transmission time, storage capacity, functionality and stability) is significantly influenced by the development of e-business.
Research limitations/implications
By capturing a number of important factors in the proposed model, this study can provide a significant theoretical influence for researchers in the related area of interest. In fact, this study provides a worthwhile direction by assessing e-business performance, which, so far, has not been well assessed in many developing countries.
Practical implications
From a practical perspective, the statistical results support the crucial role of the following factors: quality of IoT services, the security of IoT services, operating cost of IoT services and IT knowledge of users. Hence, aspects relating to these factors must be the focus of attention of any organization in their endeavor to development of e-business.
Originality/value
This study meaningfully contributes to the knowledge and literature by focusing more on development e-business and IoT as original technology for further understanding, investigating other important features and applying advanced statistical analyses technique. By doing so, this study was able to develop the current understanding regarding the main aspects of development e-business and IoT services.
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Fatemeh Narenji Thani, Ebrahim Mazari, Somaye Asadi and Maryam Mashayekhikhi
Considering innovation and its improvement as an essential strategy to enable organizations to continue their lives in the new competitive environment leads to a focus on…
Abstract
Purpose
Considering innovation and its improvement as an essential strategy to enable organizations to continue their lives in the new competitive environment leads to a focus on employees' self-development as a factor that affects human resource agility (HRA) and the tendency toward organizational innovation. Consequently, the purpose of the study was to explain the impact of self-development on the tendency toward organizational innovation with the role of the mediator, HRA in higher education institutions as one of the most important and vital organizations in any society.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was an applicable one with the quantitative approach using the descriptive–correlative method. The population consisted of 477 nonacademic employees of Kharazmi University among whom 214 ones were selected as the sample group, using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through the self-development, HRA and the tendency toward organizational innovation questionnaires and then analyzed using the structural equation modeling approach.
Findings
The study findings revealed a positive impact of self-development on the HRA (γ = 0/79) and HRA on the tendency toward organizational innovation (β = 0/6). Also, self-development with mediating HRA impacts the tendency toward organizational innovation (β = 0/58). Finally, self-development had no direct impact on the tendency toward organizational innovation.
Research limitations/implications
Taking the circumstances of doing this research into consideration, if there were the opportunity to do the research on the staffs of more than one university simultaneously and categorize the university staff into executives, managers and experts, more favorable results could be achieved. Also, considering group and organizational factors with the attention to the self-development approach and its factors would provide more awareness-training information on the higher education system in Iran. For future researches, both the individual and group factors are suggested to be surveyed and compared, to assess the weight and impact of these factors all together and to provide an adequate clarification of the role of the group and the organization. Finally, in future studies, it is also recommended that a qualitative approach be used to reach deeper clarifications on the aspects of these variables in the context of higher education.
Practical implications
These findings have major practical implications concerning the higher educational settings. The findings of this study must give significant and practical insights for policymakers of universities and other higher education stakeholders, as well as recommendations to the academic community for further research in this area. First, they should recognize that nonacademic staff members are professional employees who contribute to improving organizational innovation. Higher education must focus on designing and implementing successful mechanisms and a well-planned self-development program that can help and promote the self-development approach among all staff. If the above-mentioned programs are designed based on the employees' needs analysis, they will get trained in a way to enhance mental and behavioral flexibility. The programs with such an approach can result in the proactive, adaptive, resilient behavior and agility of HR.
Originality/value
The model for this study has integrated and prioritized the key innovation drivers that would help universities design, adopt and implement policies and practices that facilitate and encourage improvements and adaptation to a fast-paced environment. Furthermore, the convincing reason for the significance of the current research is that although several types of research have been carried out on each of these three variables in different contexts separately, very few studies, like this, have directly examined the correlation between these three variables among the non-academic staff in higher education institutes. So, given the importance of the issue and rare availability of evidence in this regard, the authors were intrigued to discover whether the self-development through the mediation of HRA could reinforce and strengthen the tendency toward organizational innovation and whether HRA could be an appropriate mediator of the relationship between self-development and the tendency toward organizational innovation among the nonacademic staff of Kharazmi University as one of the most prestigious and celebrated universities in Iran.
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Maryam Khodayari, Morteza Akbari and Pantea Foroudi
The factors involved in and obstacles to sharing economy adoption have been studied with several methods, and several models have occurred to clarify the underlying procedure of…
Abstract
The factors involved in and obstacles to sharing economy adoption have been studied with several methods, and several models have occurred to clarify the underlying procedure of sharing economy (SE) adoption, which provide contradictory and scattered findings. This chapter seeks to offer a scientific outline of the academic structure of the SE adoption domain.
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Maryam Ijaz, Zaheer Ahmed and Nauman Khalid
This study aims to assess the information-seeking behaviors, attitudes and beliefs about pregnancy-related nutrition, food-related myths and taboos and supplementation among…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assess the information-seeking behaviors, attitudes and beliefs about pregnancy-related nutrition, food-related myths and taboos and supplementation among pregnant women in different communities of Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional quantitative survey method was used in this study, which included 150 pregnant women from various locations in Lahore and Faisalabad.
Findings
Most participants were between the ages of 25 and 29, having 14 years of education. Regardless of age or number of children, all selected women had the same dietary awareness. Regarding myths and taboos, highly significant values (p = 0.001) were found in various studied variables. No significant difference was observed in knowledge level between age and number of children. It was observed that food myths and taboos significantly (p = 0.001) impact pregnant women’s dietary choices.
Research limitations/implications
This survey experienced limited representativeness; many participants provided incomplete food and nutritional information. This research was conducted in two major districts of Pakistan, i.e. Lahore and Faisalabad; therefore, the results can be generalized for a population of pregnant women living in the northeastern region of Pakistan.
Practical implications
This study can provide helpful insight for health-care professionals to improve pregnant women’s nutritional status and knowledge.
Social implications
The outcomes of this study can help guide how pregnant women might be educated and have better nutritional awareness at domestic and professional levels.
Originality/value
In Pakistan, there is a lack of research on pregnant women’s nutritional knowledge, and this research can assist health-care professionals in providing diversified knowledge to promote maternal health.
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Maryam Eskafi, Seyyed hossein hosseini and Atefe Mohammadzadeh Yazd
In new business trends, gaining customers' satisfaction has a high order in the agenda of the organizations' objectives. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the customers'…
Abstract
Purpose
In new business trends, gaining customers' satisfaction has a high order in the agenda of the organizations' objectives. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the customers' value in relation to customer relationship management (CRM).
Design/methodology/approach
This research was a cross‐sectional survey. The population was comprised of the entire mobile subscribers of Khorasan‐e‐Razavi Telecom Company in the first half of 2009.
Findings
Customer satisfaction is one of the most influential variables affecting brand loyalty. An enhancement in the perceived concrete and abstract drawbacks of the purchased product under study (mobile) has not discouraged loyalty or satisfaction.
Originality/value
This article uses Wang's analysis model for the mobile industry in an Islamic Country.
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Maryam Eslami and Eboshogwe Imomoh
Nowadays with the rapid growth of futures market, trust issues are increasing, especially, for individual traders because of the existing risks. However, to date there is no study…
Abstract
Purpose
Nowadays with the rapid growth of futures market, trust issues are increasing, especially, for individual traders because of the existing risks. However, to date there is no study that focuses on trust issues within online futures market and risks that threaten individual traders. This paper aims to understand trust issues in online futures market.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts an in-depth qualitative approach of online futures market in Malaysia through 30 interviews include senior managers, managers and individual traders who involve in futures online trading from three brokerage firms. Using agency theory, a new scale model, this study provides understanding on trust issues for traders in online futures market.
Findings
The paper provides empirical insights about trust issues that will occur as a result of information, risk and goal asymmetries between traders and brokers in online futures market. It suggests licensed and registered broker, platform familiarity, platform accessibility and usability, flexible contract size and leverage, providing segregated account and appropriate devices as key elements to overcome the mentioned asymmetries.
Originality/value
This is the first paper to investigate existing risk in online futures market and provide valuable implications for both traders and brokers to reduce the risk and increase the traders’ trust.
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Behzad Abbasnejad, Sahar Soltani and Peter Wong
Most educational institutions worldwide have shifted to online teaching and learning approaches to mitigate risks imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This causes several issues…
Abstract
Purpose
Most educational institutions worldwide have shifted to online teaching and learning approaches to mitigate risks imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This causes several issues, particularly in delivering the construction management (CM) courses which require site visits, interpreting technical drawings and developing 3D building models. This paper aims to identify the key strategies for online learning and teaching adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic and to investigate the implications for construction management education.
Design/methodology/approach
The research approach is twofold. First, the study presents a systematic literature review (SLR) through a synthesis of the existing literature to identify the key strategies and lessons learned about online education during the COVID-19 pandemic in tertiary programs. It also discusses their implications in the context of the construction management (CM) sector in particular. Secondly, the authors shared their hands-on experience as construction management course facilitators – using the autoethnography approach – during the COVID-19 crisis.
Findings
In addition to identifying the key strategies such as online course delivery and assessments, the paper critically discusses the barriers to online learning and teaching, including (1) the technological and infrastructure barriers; (2) required online teaching skills and competencies; (3) issues surrounding mental health and wellbeing; (4) lack of consistency in the online delivery of various courses in a given program (5) difficulties around students' engagement and (6) the course characteristics and requirements.
Originality/value
The study offers some implications and recommendations not only for educational institutions and staff but also for vendors of online course delivery software. To prepare educational institutions for future online course delivery, the paper proposes several strategies. These include developing a set of guidelines for online course delivery, incorporating online teaching training modules into the recruitment process for academic staff, applying agile and resilience teaching and learning methods, wellbeing and mental health support and continuously improving course features to adapt to the online environment.
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Freeha Maryam Arshad and Asher Ramish
This paper aims to analyze the importance of big data analytics (BDA) and supply chain analytics for sustainable supply chain management in all types of enterprises in the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyze the importance of big data analytics (BDA) and supply chain analytics for sustainable supply chain management in all types of enterprises in the footwear industry. The importance and implementation of BDA in supply chain management have been discussed in this research paper, and a conceptual framework is proposed for the implementation.
Design/methodology/approach
The previous research indicates that the application of BDA and supply chain analytics is the key point to establishing sustainable supply chain management. Even though there are several types of research on the implications of BDA, there is still a gap in practical implications in organizations. For a better understanding, comparison of frameworks has been done for literature support. Further, 11 in-depth, semi-structured interviews have been conducted with four organizations from the footwear industry, and a conceptual framework has been proposed.
Findings
This research demonstrates an important gap in the literature through a thorough investigation of how firms can improve operational efficiency and productivity through the framework application and whether it is feasible to apply this within the global footwear industry or not. In conclusion, the research has denoted that despite lack of understanding related to sustainability agendas and not having proper ERP or BDA systems, the organizations operating in Pakistan still met some standards of sustainability and are moving toward achieving more.
Research limitations/implications
The research has pointed out the importance of the integration of all stakeholders in the supply chain through a proposed framework that aligns and guides the stakeholders so that the policies and other constraints may be taken into consideration while revising sustainable supply chain strategies.
Practical implications
This study will help increase sustainability through the application of BDA technology, which will benefit various stakeholders, particularly those in the footwear industry.
Originality/value
This study has proposed a framework based on three stages of the implementation of BDA in the existing supply chain to maintain and achieve sustainability in the organization in the footwear industry. This three-stage framework covers many aspects that were not covered in the literature before.
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Mehran Masdari, Maryam Ghorbani and Arshia Tabrizian
The purpose of this paper is to analyze experimentally subsonic wake of a supercritical airfoil undergoing a pitch–hold–return motion. The focus of the investigation has been…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze experimentally subsonic wake of a supercritical airfoil undergoing a pitch–hold–return motion. The focus of the investigation has been narrowed to concentrate on the steadiness of the flow field in the wake of the airfoil and the role of reduced frequency, amplitude and the hold phase duration.
Design/methodology/approach
All experiments were conducted in a low sub-sonic closed-circuit wind tunnel, at a Reynolds number of approximately 600,000. The model was a supercritical airfoil having 10% thickness and wall-to-wall in ground test facilities. To calculate the velocity distribution in the wake of the airfoil, total and static pressures were recorded at a distance of one chord far from the trailing edge, using pressure devices. The reduced frequency was set at 0.012, 0.03 and the motion pivot was selected at c/4.
Findings
Analysis of the steadiness of the wake flow field ascertains that an increase in reduced frequency leads to further flow time lag in the hold phase whereas decreases the time that the wake remains steady after the start of the return portion. Also, the roles of amplitude and stall condition are examined.
Practical implications
Examination of a pitch–hold–return motion is substantial in assessment of aerodynamics of maneuvers with a rapid increase in angle of attack. Moreover, study of aerodynamic behavior of downstream flow field and its steadiness in the wake of the airfoil is vital in drag reduction and control of flapping wings, dynamic stability and control of aircrafts.
Originality/value
In the present study, to discuss the steadiness of the flow field behind the airfoil some statistical methods and concept of histogram using an automatic algorithm were used and a specific criterion to characterize the steadiness of flow field was achieved.