Seng Bee Ng, Ze Yee Pong, Kian Aun Chang, Yun Ping Neo, Lye Yee Chew, Hock Eng Khoo and Kin Weng Kong
Mango seed, an agricultural food (agri-food) waste obtained during mango processing is generally discarded and causes environmental stress. In the present study, mango kernel was…
Abstract
Purpose
Mango seed, an agricultural food (agri-food) waste obtained during mango processing is generally discarded and causes environmental stress. In the present study, mango kernel was processed into flour and incorporated into macaron formulation. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant potential, physicochemical properties, and sensory qualities of macaron after substitution of almond flour (AF) with 0% (control, MC-0), 20% (MC-20), 40% (MC-40), 60% (MC-60), 80% (MC-80) and 100% (MC-100) (w/w) of mango kernel flour (MKF).
Design/methodology/approach
Sensory evaluation was conducted using a nine-point hedonic scale (n = 90 young adults) to evaluate the acceptance towards MC-0 (control), MC-20, MC-40, MC-60, MC-80 and MC-100 macaron shells (without mango-flavoured ganache). The most preferred formulated and control macarons were subjected to proximate analyses according to the methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists for moisture, ash, and protein, and American Oil Chemists' Society for fat. Carbohydrate content was estimated by difference. Physical analyses such as colour, pH and water activity (aw) were performed using various instrumental techniques. Antioxidant activity of all macaron shell formulations was accessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (DPPH-RSA). Sensory evaluation was repeated using a five-point hedonic scale to determine the acceptance of the most preferred macaron (with mango-flavoured ganache) among consumer panels of all age groups (n = 80).
Findings
The first sensory acceptance test revealed that macaron shell with 40% MKF substitution (MC-40) was the most preferred formulation among young adults aged 18–35 years old. Moisture and ash contents between MC-0 and MC-40 were found to be similar (p > 0.05), while significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed for the fat and protein contents. Antioxidant activity increased proportionally with increasing MKF substitution and exhibited significant improvement (p < 0.05) in MC-40. Approximately 93% of the panellists expressed their liking towards MC-40 in the second sensory acceptance test. Overall, this study demonstrated that 40% MKF substitution in macaron improved its antioxidant performance without compromising consumers' acceptance.
Originality/value
This innovative research features the incorporation of MKF in the development of an economical and healthier macaron. The results constitute industrial relevant findings pertaining to its application feasibility and nutritional properties. This research has contributed knowledge to the existing literature as well as benefitted food manufacturers to develop value-added products that could meet the needs and expectations of interested parties, including consumers, governmental organisations, health-cautious advocates and healthcare providers.
Details
Keywords
Kian Aun Chang, Sheryl Wee Min Low, Yih Herng Chia, Andrey Setyadi, Yun Ping Neo and Lye Yee Chew
The circularity of food waste is gathering considerable pace globally. The present study aimed to explore the awareness, attitude and behaviour of Malaysian young adults towards…
Abstract
Purpose
The circularity of food waste is gathering considerable pace globally. The present study aimed to explore the awareness, attitude and behaviour of Malaysian young adults towards food waste as a food ingredient. The physicochemical characteristics and sensory acceptance of chicken eggshell powder (CESP)-fortified madeleine cake were also investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey on awareness, attitude and behaviour was conducted online amongst young adults (n = 384) in the Klang Valley region. The control and fortified madeleine cakes were subjected to nutritional constituent analyses according to the methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) for moisture, protein, ash and calcium. Fat was determined via Soxhlet method whilst carbohydrate was estimated by difference. Physical analyses such as texture and water activity were assessed using instrumental techniques. Sensory acceptance test was conducted amongst another group of young adults (n = 105) using a nine-point hedonic scale.
Findings
The survey revealed that most young adults demonstrated a positive attitude and behaviour in trying food products made using food waste. Taste and texture were deemed important determinants that influenced the young adults' acceptability. Texture profiles of fortified madeleine cakes exhibited no significant differences (p > 0.05) in most attributes compared to the control whilst significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed for fat, carbohydrate, ash and calcium contents with increasing CESP fortification levels.
Research limitations/implications
The survey on awareness, attitude and behaviour was conducted amongst young adults from universities in the Klang Valley, Selangor region Malaysia through self-reports about food waste and the findings might not be applicable to the whole nation.
Practical implications
Knowledge of young adults' perceptions towards waste-to-value food products can contribute to the development of pragmatic framework for effective valorisation of food wastes, which aligns with United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to improve the targets and indicators for agriculture and food security.
Social implications
Sustainable management of food waste will minimise the impact of the industry on our environment and contributes to a circular economy. Further, increased awareness of the food waste's potential as a novel food ingredient allows a positive shift in its role to achieve food sustainability.
Originality/value
This innovative study incorporates the element of exploratory research to gain an understanding of young adults' perceptions towards repurposing food waste. This is followed by the practical application of food waste (i.e. CESP) into the end application (i.e. madeleine cake) to gain a holistic view of young adults’ perceptions aligning with the actual acceptance. The results obtained from this study can be considered as a first perspective that provides indications of the plausibility of food products made from food waste in Malaysia.
Details
Keywords
Amber Yun-Ping Lee, Po-Chien Chang and Heng-Yu Chang
The purpose is to examine the cross-level relationship between workplace fun and informal learning with workplace friendship as a mediator and team climate as a moderator.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose is to examine the cross-level relationship between workplace fun and informal learning with workplace friendship as a mediator and team climate as a moderator.
Design/methodology/approach
Adopting a two-wave survey procedure, data were collected from 251 employees working across 45 teams of a leading heat transfer manufacturer in Asia. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to test our hypothesized cross-level moderated mediation model.
Findings
Out of the three forms of workplace fun, only two – manager support for fun and coworker socializing – supported our hypotheses. Therefore, not all types of workplace fun are equal and one of the key factors through which fun influences informal learning is by maintaining harmonious interpersonal interactions and high relationship quality in teams.
Originality/value
Based on social interdependence theory, this study uncovers the cross-level mechanism of how workplace fun affects informal learning. The findings extend existing research on workplace fun by focusing on not only individual factors but also interpersonal and contextual elements. The findings also provide practical implications for managers to understand the possible impact of workplace fun on employees' informal learning.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to examine the alternative accounts produced by Green Earth Volunteers (GEV), a Chinese environmental non-governmental organisation, over a 10-year…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the alternative accounts produced by Green Earth Volunteers (GEV), a Chinese environmental non-governmental organisation, over a 10-year period in the context of their campaign to create visibilities about hydroelectric dam projects along the Chang Jiang.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on conceptions of the human–nature relationship, including those evident in ancient Chinese philosophy and mythology, and the Chinese way of viewing and resolving conflict, this paper offers an interpretive analysis of the alternative accounts of GEV in terms of their form and content.
Findings
In terms of their content, the alternative accounts reflect elements of interrelated thinking, being underpinned by a recognition of the relationship between humans and nature, which is evident in Confucianism, Taoism and ancient Chinese mythology. The strategies adopted by GEV are a non-confrontational but feasible way to promote their ecological beliefs in the Chinese context.
Practical implications
The study suggests that social and environmental accounting (SEA) in developing countries is steeped in local cultural and philosophical traditions that need to be considered and incorporated into the design of alternative accounts.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the very limited literature that offers qualitative analyses of SEA in developing countries.
Details
Keywords
This paper aims to review the research on accounting professionalisation in China to develop insights into how the research is developing, offer a critique of the research to date…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to review the research on accounting professionalisation in China to develop insights into how the research is developing, offer a critique of the research to date and outline future research directions and opportunities.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts a methodological approach of systematic literature review, as suggested by Tranfield et al. (2003) and Denyer and Tranfield (2009), to identify, select and analyse the extant literature on the Chinese public accounting profession. In total, 68 academic works were included in the review process.
Findings
This paper finds that the extant literature has produced fruitful insights into the processes and underlying motivation of accounting professionalisation in China, demonstrating that the Chinese experience has differed, to a large extent, from the hitherto mainly Anglo-American-dominated understandings of accounting professionalisation. However, due to the lack of common theoretical vernacular and an agreed upon focus, the extant literature illustrates a fragmented and contradictory picture, making attempts to accumulate prior knowledge in the field increasingly difficult.
Research limitations/implications
This paper focusses only on research published in English. Consequently, the scope of review has been limited as some works published in languages other than English may be excluded.
Originality/value
This paper provides one of the pioneering exercises to systematically review the research on accounting professionalisation in China. It explores significant issues arising from the analysis and provides several suggestions for furthering the research effort in this field.
Details
Keywords
Vinayak Kalluri and Rambabu Kodali
The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic review and analysis of existing research articles on new product development (NPD) published in the 12-year period starting…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic review and analysis of existing research articles on new product development (NPD) published in the 12-year period starting from 1998 to 2009.
Design/methodology/approach
To explore the articles related to NPD, four key words namely new product, product design, product development and product innovation were used in combination of title or abstract or keyword of the articles through several knowledge databases. The abstracts of journal papers were read and a decision as to whether article belongs to any NPD research issue or not was made. In total, 1,127 research articles were categorized systematically and then analyzed on various principal NPD information groups.
Findings
Analysis of selected articles led to a certain level of dispersion in the publication of NPD research in different journals. It is found that more attention needs to be on knowledge and creativity management, communication and information transfer in any NPD process.
Originality/value
By observing extended literature from authors reviewing articles from various journals, growth in research, and variety of topics covered in NPD, a broad systematic multi journal review of NPD literature is clearly overdue. The authors have developed a comprehensive listing of publications on NPD where they have classified the surveyed papers according to various principal NPD information groups like: published year, NPD research stream, type of organization studied (industrial/consumer/service), level of innovation (high/moderate/low), NPD focus on frameworks, performance perspective (success, failure or both), NPD research design (conceptual/empirical and qualitative/quantitative) and NPD relevant best practice element. Based on the classification scheme, the issues were analyzed from the system's perspective and their implications to NPD research.