Damian Tago, Henrik Andersson and Nicolas Treich
This study contributes to the understanding of the health effects of pesticides exposure and of how pesticides have been and should be regulated.
Abstract
Purpose
This study contributes to the understanding of the health effects of pesticides exposure and of how pesticides have been and should be regulated.
Design/methodology/approach
This study presents literature reviews for the period 2000–2013 on (i) the health effects of pesticides and on (ii) preference valuation of health risks related to pesticides, as well as a discussion of the role of benefit-cost analysis applied to pesticide regulatory measures.
Findings
This study indicates that the health literature has focused on individuals with direct exposure to pesticides, i.e. farmers, while the literature on preference valuation has focused on those with indirect exposure, i.e. consumers. The discussion highlights the need to clarify the rationale for regulating pesticides, the role of risk perceptions in benefit-cost analysis, and the importance of inter-disciplinary research in this area.
Originality/value
This study relates findings of different disciplines (health, economics, public policy) regarding pesticides, and identifies gaps for future research.
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Amalesh Sharma, Sourav Bikash Borah, Anirban Adhikary and Tanjum Haque
The extant literature provides much-needed support to understand marketing accountability and how marketing actions are related to financial performance (FP). However, we have…
Abstract
The extant literature provides much-needed support to understand marketing accountability and how marketing actions are related to financial performance (FP). However, we have limited understanding of the relationships between marketing actions and firms' social performance (SP) and environmental performance (EP). Understanding these links is critical to enhancing sustainable FP, SP, and EP. Moreover, the literature provides limited understanding of the measures by which SP and EP may be operationalized, or the data necessary to reach a conclusion. This study bridges these gaps by extensively reviewing the extant literature to offer a set of measures and data sources to operationalize SP and EP, and empirically show their relationships with marketing actions. We find that greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, environmental disclosure score, waste reduction, energy consumption, and recycling are prominent measures of EP, and that social disclosure score, philanthropy or community spending, and diversity of gender and race are prominent measures of SP. The KLD, ASSET4, and Bloomberg are prominent sources of data that can be used to operationalize SP, to which CDP may be added for EP. We also show that marketing actions positively affect EP and SP. This study contributes to the extant literature on SP and EP by identifying measures and data sources and linking marketing actions to both performance types. It contributes to policy development by identifying the importance of EP and SP and how marketing actions can help achieve such performance.
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Deepak Byotra and Sanjay Sharma
This study aims to investigate the performance improvement of journal bearing by applying the arc-shaped textures on various regions of bearing expressly full, second half and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the performance improvement of journal bearing by applying the arc-shaped textures on various regions of bearing expressly full, second half and pressure increasing regions operating with and without nanoparticles in the lubricant.
Design/methodology/approach
The Reynolds equation is solved numerically by using the finite element method to obtain static performance parameters such as load-carrying capacity (LCC) and coefficient of friction (COF), which are then compared with untextured bearing at eccentricity ratios of 0.2 to 0.8. Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles additives are used, and viscosity variation due to the addition of additives in the base lubricant is computed for considering the range of temperatures 50 to 90°C at a weight fraction of 0.1 to 0.5% by using an experimentally validated regression model.
Findings
The results indicate that the maximum LCC and the lower COF are found in the pressure-increasing region. A maximum increase of 34.42% is observed in the pressure-increasing region without nanoparticles, and furthermore, with the addition of Al2O3 and CuO nanoparticles in lubricants in the same region, the LCC increased to 21 and 24%, respectively.
Originality/value
Designers should use optimal parameters from the present work to achieve high bearing performance.
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Vimal Kumar, R.R.K. Sharma, Pratima Verma, Kuei-Kuei Lai and Yu-Hsin Chang
Culture is considered as one of the variables that influence the total quality management (TQM) adoption process. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between…
Abstract
Purpose
Culture is considered as one of the variables that influence the total quality management (TQM) adoption process. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between cultural dimensions and the strategy of the firms in TQM implementation. These relationships are the subject of prior research. Furthermore, the authors make a comparative analysis of cultural dimensions on strategic choices of the firms, i.e. innovators, prospectors and defenders in TQM implementation.
Design/methodology/approach
From the existing literature review on TQM practices and organizational culture, 14 cultural dimensions were employed with organizational strategy in this present study. By using survey data collection method, 111 Indian firms were selected. The authors considered three strategy parameters and six structural attributes to identify the strategy of the firms, namely innovators, prospectors and defenders identified using cluster analysis. Furthermore, the relationship between organizational culture and strategy was examined using one-way ANOVA approach.
Findings
The results of the study revealed that eleven of the fourteen hypotheses supported which relating the cultural dimensions to TQM implementation with the strategic orientation. With the help of significant related values of cultural dimensions to the particular strategic firms, it is also found that implementation of TQM is easy or not. Some of the organizations with a particular strategic orientation will be able to implement TQM easily and successfully but some organizations will have difficulty to implement it successfully.
Practical implications
The firms hold their importance with respect to the different strategic orientation toward the various aspects of organizational cultures and TQM approaches in its implementation. Managerially, due to increased business competitiveness and economic pressures, top management sees the way in adopting TQM practices to achieve a competitive advantage. Apparently, it is evident that matching of TQM practices for a different strategy of the firms with various cultural dimensions leads to the smooth functioning of the organization. This study helps to the current organizations in implementing TQM with their respective culture.
Originality/value
This research can be useful for three strategic firms, namely innovators, prospectors and defenders to achieve effective implementation of TQM practices with consideration and understanding of the advantage of each culture dimension. The framework of the current study represents the effectiveness in assessing the TQM practices in individual cultural dimensions and its significant role.
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Nasir Bedewi Siraj, Aminah Robinson Fayek and Mohamed M. G. Elbarkouky
Most decision-making problems in construction are complex and difficult to solve, as they involve multiple criteria and multiple decision makers in addition to subjective…
Abstract
Most decision-making problems in construction are complex and difficult to solve, as they involve multiple criteria and multiple decision makers in addition to subjective uncertainties, imprecisions and vagueness surrounding the decision-making process. In many instances, the decision-making process is based on linguistic terms rather than numerical values. Hence, structured fuzzy consensus-reaching processes and fuzzy aggregation methods are instrumental in multi-criteria group decision-making (MCGDM) problems for capturing the point of view of a group of experts. This chapter outlines different fuzzy consensus-reaching processes and fuzzy aggregation methods. It presents the background of the basic theory and formulation of these processes and methods, as well as numerical examples that illustrate their theory and formulation. Application areas of fuzzy consensus reaching and fuzzy aggregation in the construction domain are identified, and an overview of previously developed frameworks for fuzzy consensus reaching and fuzzy aggregation is provided. Finally, areas for future work are presented that highlight emerging trends and the imminent needs of fuzzy consensus reaching and fuzzy aggregation in the construction domain.
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Shu Lin, Lizhong Hao and Shengqiang Liu
The purpose of this study is to examine the audit efficiency and timeliness of Big 4 auditors relative to non-Big 4 auditors, where audit efficiency is defined as the auditor’s…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the audit efficiency and timeliness of Big 4 auditors relative to non-Big 4 auditors, where audit efficiency is defined as the auditor’s ability to conduct an audit more quickly or with fewer resources while still achieving effective outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors use audit report lags (also referred to as audit delay) as a proxy for audit timeliness and efficiency, controlling for audit quality and audit fees (audit input). The authors use a propensity-score matching (PSM) approach to construct a pseudorandom sample in which each non-Big 4 client is matched with a similar Big 4 client based on their characteristics and audit quality, to control for potential endogeneity related to self-selection bias in this setting.
Findings
The authors find that non-Big 4 auditors are associated with shorter audit delays than Big 4 auditors. Additional analysis of the matched sample reveals that non-Big 4 auditors charge lower fees than Big 4 auditors do after controlling for the Big 4 premium. These findings do not support the notion that Big 4 auditors conduct audits more efficiently than non-Big 4 auditors do.
Originality/value
These results could be of interest to the management of public firms, audit committees, investors and regulators; provide valuable insights into the performance of audit firms in varying client environments; and contribute to a better understanding of audit timeliness and efficiency.
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Turbulent mixing of two co‐axial jets having a low annular to core area ratio is enhanced by employing a chute mixer, directing part of the annular stream at 10° towards the core…
Abstract
Purpose
Turbulent mixing of two co‐axial jets having a low annular to core area ratio is enhanced by employing a chute mixer, directing part of the annular stream at 10° towards the core region. Aims to present results from measurements of time‐averaged and fluctuating components of velocity under cold flow conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
Experiments were conducted at a bypass ratio of 0.47 which is a typical value for low bypass turbofan engines. Contours of time‐averaged velocity and streamwise and transverse turbulence intensities were obtained by making detailed measurements close to the chutes. Distributions of time‐averaged velocity and turbulence intensity were obtained at different axial locations downstream of the chute mixer. Total and static pressure measurements were also performed.
Findings
The high velocity annular stream was found to quickly diffuse after entering through the chutes and mix with the core stream due to high turbulence generation. A strong transverse turbulence component enhanced the mixing of the streams. With the aid of the chute mixer, nearly complete mixing is achieved over a length of 5 duct radii. A higher total pressure loss of about 1.38 percent is the penalty paid for the enhanced mixing.
Originality/value
Provides results from experiments into the process of turbulent mixing of co‐axial jets.
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Carolyn Caffrey, Hannah Lee, Tessa Withorn, Maggie Clarke, Amalia Castañeda, Kendra Macomber, Kimberly M. Jackson, Jillian Eslami, Aric Haas, Thomas Philo, Elizabeth Galoozis, Wendolyn Vermeer, Anthony Andora and Katie Paris Kohn
This paper presents recently published resources on library instruction and information literacy. It provides an introductory overview and a selected annotated bibliography of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper presents recently published resources on library instruction and information literacy. It provides an introductory overview and a selected annotated bibliography of publications covering various library types, study populations and research contexts. The selected bibliography is useful to efficiently keep up with trends in library instruction for busy practitioners, library science students and those wishing to learn about information literacy in other contexts.
Design/methodology/approach
This article annotates 424 English-language periodical articles, monographs, dissertations, theses and reports on library instruction and information literacy published in 2021. The sources were selected from the EBSCO platform for Library, Information Science, and Technology Abstracts (LISTA), Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), Scopus, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, and WorldCat, published in 2021 that included the terms “information literacy,” “library instruction,” or “information fluency” in the title, abstract or keywords. The sources were organized in Zotero. Annotations summarize the source, focusing on the findings or implications. Each source was categorized into one of seven pre-determined categories: K-12 Education, Children and Adolescents; Academic and Professional Programs; Everyday Life, Community, and the Workplace; Libraries and Health Information Literacy; Multiple Library Types; and Other Information Literacy Research and Theory.
Findings
The paper provides a brief description of 424 sources and highlights sources that contain unique or significant scholarly contributions.
Originality/value
The information may be used by librarians, researchers and anyone interested as a quick and comprehensive reference to literature on library instruction and information literacy within 2021.
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Shalini Saha, Amares Chattopadhyay and Abhishek Kumar Singh
The purpose of this paper is to develop a numerical (finite-difference) model exploring phase and group velocities of SH-wave propagation in initially stressed transversely…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a numerical (finite-difference) model exploring phase and group velocities of SH-wave propagation in initially stressed transversely isotropic poroelastic multi-layered composite structures and initially stressed viscoelastic-dry-sandy multi-layered composite structures in two distinct cases.
Design/methodology/approach
With the aid of relevant constitutive relations, the non-vanishing equations of motions for the propagation SH-wave in the considered composite structures have been derived. Haskell matrix method and finite-difference scheme are adopted to deduce velocity equation for both the cases. Stability analysis for the adopted finite-difference scheme has been carried out and the expressions for phase as well as group velocity in terms of dispersion-parameter and stability-ratio have been deduced.
Findings
Velocity equations are derived for the propagation of SH-wave in both the composite structures. The obtained results are matched with the classical results for the case of double and triple-layered composite structure along with comparative analysis. Stability analysis have been carried out to develop expressions of phase as well as group velocity in terms of dispersion-parameter and stability-ratio. The effect of wavenumber, dispersion parameter along with initial-stress, porosity, sandiness, viscoelasticity, stability ratio, associated with the said composite structures on phase, damped and group velocities of SH-wave has been unveiled.
Originality/value
To the best of authors’ knowledge, numerical modelling and analysis of propagation characteristics of SH-wave in multi-layered initially stressed composite structures composed of transversely isotropic poroelastic materials and viscoelastic-dry-sandy materials remain unattempted inspite of its importance and relevance in many branches of science and engineering.
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Ajay Jha, R.R.K. Sharma, Vimal Kumar and Pratima Verma
A well-designed supply chain performance measurement system, should account for not only the capabilities and performance attributes of the focal firm but also its supply chain…
Abstract
Purpose
A well-designed supply chain performance measurement system, should account for not only the capabilities and performance attributes of the focal firm but also its supply chain partners. The purpose of this paper is to help design a system that strikes a balance between the strategic objectives of the focal firm and its supply partners vis-à-vis the requirements of supply chain performance (cost, quality, speed and customer taste).
Design/methodology/approach
A theoretical framework on the strategic supply chain performance measurement system is developed based on existing literature and subsequently tested using a survey on 136 successful manufacturing organizations in India. The organizations were clustered into three strategy types and compared using analysis of variance on ranks to look for differences in preference for performance parameters.
Findings
The study examined the five dimensions of the supply chain practices, namely, strategic supply/distribution network, customer relationship, internal operations, information sharing and social and environmental responsiveness. The empirical results demonstrate the inclusion of business strategy orientation in designing today’s supply chain and hence its performance measurement system. Not supported hypotheses were addressed in the light of contextual factors.
Research limitations/implications
The study is confined to finding preferences of non-financial aspects of supply chain performance and tier-1 suppliers. The research helps better design and benchmark supply chain performance metrics, based on the strategic choice of the firm.
Originality/value
This paper highlights the shortcomings in the existing performance measurement and gaps in the existing literature in the supply chain context. Further, it gives a holistic view of strategic supply chain performance measurement design.