Melissa van der Merwe, Johann F. Kirsten and Jacques H. Trienekens
This paper aims to make an empirical contribution by investigating the enforcement mechanisms and governance structures required to protect and govern a regional food product when…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to make an empirical contribution by investigating the enforcement mechanisms and governance structures required to protect and govern a regional food product when public certification fails. As one of the recent additions to South Africa’s repertoire of products with a designated origin, Karoo Lamb made for an interesting case study.
Design/methodology/approach
A conjoint analysis was conducted to elicit the farmers’ preferred enforcement mechanisms to protect the authenticity of the Karoo Lamb product. The investigation, furthermore, draws on survey data collected among 73 farmers, five abattoirs, two processors/packers and five retail outlets to evaluate the governance structures of the Karoo Lamb supply chain.
Findings
The results indicate that due to failed public certification that is governed by market-like structures, Karoo Lamb is better off being governed by hierarchical structures. These structures are expected to allow for a stronger focus on stricter enforcement mechanisms.
Practical implications
At the farm level, the Karoo Lamb supply chain requires better enforcement mechanisms to protect the unique attributes of origin and taste to ensure the authenticity of Karoo Lamb. This change towards stricter enforcement requires more hierarchical structures to allow for private or mutual enforcement mechanisms.
Originality/value
This paper contributes empirically to the governance structure knowledge base by analysing the enforcement mechanisms and governance structures needed to enforce and protect, the quality and origin standards of a region of origin product, Karoo Lamb, in South Africa.
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Lore Bellemans, Geert Devos, Melissa Tuytens and Eva Vekeman
Work-related stress is a significant occupational health issue. Stress cannot be viewed separately from the perceptual or interpretive act by the individual. Self-efficacy is a…
Abstract
Purpose
Work-related stress is a significant occupational health issue. Stress cannot be viewed separately from the perceptual or interpretive act by the individual. Self-efficacy is a personal characteristic that explains a high proportion of variation in the performance of school principals.
Design/methodology/approach
The current study examines if the COVID-pandemic is related to burnout among school principals. Additionally, the study analyzes if the self-efficacy of school principals plays a mediating role in the impact that the COVID-19 crisis had on their burnout level. To explore this, the authors used survey data of 981 Flemish school principals.
Findings
The findings indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic is related to feelings of burnout among Flemish school principals. In addition, self-efficacy mediated the relationship between the COVID-19 scale and the four core subscales of burnout: exhaustion, mental distance, emotional impairment and cognitive impairment. No mediating effect of self-efficacy was found for the secondary symptoms of burnout, psychological distress and psychosomatic complaints.
Originality/value
This paper emphasizes the importance of school principal's self-efficacy experiences for crisis management. Implications for school leadership training and support are discussed.
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Melissa Cruz Puerto and María Sandín Vázquez
In this study, the research question posed was: What are the defining characteristics, limitations, and potential opportunities in the research on heterogeneity within ASD?
Abstract
Purpose
In this study, the research question posed was: What are the defining characteristics, limitations, and potential opportunities in the research on heterogeneity within ASD?
Design/methodology/approach
This scoping review used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses methodology to address the research question: “What are the defining characteristics, limitations, and potential opportunities in the research on heterogeneity within ASD?” A comprehensive literature search was conducted across databases including MEDLINE/PubMed, SciVerse Scopus and Springer Link, with keywords such as autism, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), heterogeneity and neurodevelopment. Inclusion criteria covered original research, reviews and protocols published since 1990, while irrelevant or out-of-date works were excluded. Thematic analysis was applied to collected data to identify common patterns, trends and key characteristics, leading to a narrative synthesis. Ethical review board approval was not required due to the nature of the review.
Findings
The scoping review underscored the multifaceted nature of ASD, emphasizing its clinical, methodological and investigational complexities. ASD’s diverse behavioral, social and biological characteristics challenged its classification as a uniform entity. To address this, the review examined strategies like stricter clinical criteria, categorization into functional subgroups, and larger, diverse sample sizes. Moreover, it highlighted the transformative role of Big Data and machine learning in advancing the comprehension of ASD’s manifold manifestations. This research contributed valuable insights and innovative approaches for addressing the intrinsic heterogeneity of ASD, reshaping the understanding of this complex condition.
Research limitations/implications
One limitation of this scoping review is that it primarily relied on existing literature and did not involve primary data collection. While the review synthesized and analyzed a substantial body of research, the absence of original data collection may limit the depth of insights into specific aspects of ASD heterogeneity. Future research could benefit from incorporating primary data collection methods, such as surveys or interviews with individuals with ASD and their families, to gain more nuanced perspectives on the condition’s heterogeneity.
Practical implications
The reliance on existing literature in this scoping review highlights the need for further empirical studies exploring ASD’s heterogeneity. Researchers should consider conducting primary data collection to capture real-world experiences and variations within the ASD population. This approach could provide more comprehensive and context-specific insights, ultimately informing the development of tailored interventions and support strategies for individuals with ASD and their families.
Originality/value
This paper offers a fresh perspective on understanding ASD by examining its clinical, methodological and investigational implications in light of its inherent heterogeneity. Rather than viewing ASD as a uniform condition, this study explores strategies such as stricter clinical criteria, subcategorization based on functionality and diverse sample sizes to address its complexity. In addition, this study highlights the innovative use of Big Data and machine learning to gain deeper insights into ASD’s diverse manifestations. This approach contributes new insights and promising directions for future research, challenging the conventional understanding of ASD as a singular entity.
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This study puts forth a consumer-oriented concept of clean labels and attempts to empirically investigate consumer perceptions of these labels.
Abstract
Purpose
This study puts forth a consumer-oriented concept of clean labels and attempts to empirically investigate consumer perceptions of these labels.
Design/methodology/approach
A self-administered survey (n = 346) was used as the research instrument for data collection in the current study.
Findings
Results from an online survey indicate that consumers perceived less processed, elimination of undesired ingredients and ethical concerns as salient attributes associated with clean labels. Consumer-perceived benefits of these attributes include healthiness, social responsibility, sensory appeal, reliable product and low calorie. Additionally, canonical correlation analysis yields two significant associations between clean label attributes and the corresponding benefits. Attributes of elimination of undesired ingredients and utilization of familiar elements drive the benefits of healthiness, low calorie and social responsibility. Attributes of being less processed and with simple ingredients are associated with the benefit of sensory appeal.
Originality/value
This study systematically investigates the discrete clean halo effect by empirically examining the associations between the clean label attributes and the dimensionalities of benefits as perceived by consumers.
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Paul Gooding, Melissa Terras and Linda Berube
To date, there has been little research into users of the Legal Deposit Libraries (Non-Print Works) Regulations 2013. This paper addresses that gap by presenting key findings from…
Abstract
Purpose
To date, there has been little research into users of the Legal Deposit Libraries (Non-Print Works) Regulations 2013. This paper addresses that gap by presenting key findings from the AHRC-funded Digital Library Futures project. Its purpose is to present a “user-centric” perspective on the potential future impact of the digital collections that are being created under electronic legal deposit regulations.
Design/methodology/approach
The study utilises a mixed methods case study of two academic legal deposit libraries in the United Kingdom: The Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford; and Cambridge University Library. It combines surveys of users, web log analysis and expert interviews with librarians and cognate professionals.
Findings
User perspectives on NPLD were not fully considered in the planning and implementation of the 2013 regulations. The authors present findings from their user survey to show how contemporary tensions between user behaviour and access protocols risk limiting the instrumental value of NPLD collections, which have high perceived legacy value.
Originality/value
This is the first study to address the user context for UK Non-Print Legal Deposit. Its value lies in presenting a research-led user assessment of NPLD and in proposing “user-centric” analysis as an addition to the existing “four pillars” of legal deposit research.