11370 research outputs found
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Biogeography and evolutionary patterns of temperate deciduous forests in the Northern Hemisphere
No full textoai:repository.derby.ac.uk:v1xz
Measuring organizational resilience in a resource-constrained environment: An empirical study of Micro-and-Small-Service-Enterprises (MSSEs) in Nigeria
Full text linkThere is growing evidence that a preponderance of resilience indicators discussed in management scholarship is often developed with limited consideration of the context in which micro-and-small-service enterprises (MSSEs) operate. Given their strategic relevance to developing economies, it thus becomes necessary to understand the meaning of resilience for MSSEs operating in resource-constrained environments. Drawing on a sample of 219 MSSEs, we tested five resilience indicators using hierarchical regression models. Results show that personal network (PN), resource slack (RS), creative problem-solving (CPS), and adaptive capacity (AC) all had significant positive effects on organizational resilience (OR), while planning and crisis readiness (PCR) lacked confirmatory validity as a resilience indicator. A key theoretical contribution in this study is the emergence of our four-dimensional resilience model that more closely captures the nature and dynamics of small-scale venturing in under-resourced business landscapes. We discussed the implications of these findings for theory, policy, and practice
Transformative role of blockchain in addressing the challenges of healthcare supply chain efficiency: systematic literature review
No full textPurpose. Blockchain technology has revolutionized information management with its transparent, secure, and decentralized framework, proving to be particularly advantageous in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and supply chain management. In the healthcare field, it improves operational efficiency, patient safety, and supply chain transparency by ensuring traceability, mitigating counterfeit risks, and automating processes through smart contracts. By removing intermediaries, blockchain cultivates trust, reduces disputes, and optimizes the healthcare supply chain.
For this purpose, this research seeks to further explore the potential of blockchain technology in the healthcare supply chains. To achieve this, a comprehensive landscape assessment will be undertaken to explore the current applications of blockchain in this sector, evaluate its impact, and identify areas that are currently underutilized. The study will illuminate blockchain’s potential to enhance social, environmental, and economic sustainability, offering valuable insights for stakeholders on how this technology can promote efficiency, transparency, and enduring sustainability in the healthcare supply chain.
Research Approach. A systematic literature review approach will be employed to fulfil the primary objective of this research. It aims to aims to explore the evolution of blockchain technology adoption within the healthcare supply chain. It will examine the key challenges faced by the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors that blockchain could help address, identify the most utilized blockchain platforms, and assess the anticipated trajectory of adoption over time. Additionally, the research will evaluate the potential applications of blockchain in healthcare logistics and the expected benefits while highlighting existing gaps in the literature. The findings are intended to provide insights into the projected impact of blockchain on organizational workflows and its potential to enhance transparency, security, and efficiency in healthcare supply chain management.
Finding and Originality. This research has a dual focus: first, it aims to analyse the impact of blockchain technology on the healthcare supply chain, and second, it seeks to examine the methodologies used to evaluate its implementation. These findings are essential, as they will highlight the blockchain platforms most utilized in healthcare supply chains, the performance metrics employed to assess the impact of blockchain, and the methodologies that can be applied in future studies to evaluate blockchain implementation in supply chain management.
Research Impact. This research aims to provide researchers with performance metrics for assessing the effectiveness of blockchain technology in improving supply chain operational efficiency. Furthermore, it will offer a comprehensive catalogue of methodologies, allowing researchers to choose the most appropriate evaluation approach tailored to their specific research requirements.
Practical Impact. This research will present significant practical implications for stakeholders in the healthcare sector, including policymakers, healthcare organizations, technology developers, and supply chain managers. It will illustrate how blockchain technology can enhance supply chain efficiency by improving product tracking, reducing delays, and ensuring regulatory compliance through increased traceability and fraud prevention. The study will also highlight blockchain's potential for cost reduction and sustainability via optimized resource allocation. Furthermore, it will introduce a standardized evaluation framework for assessing the impact of blockchain, which will facilitate future implementations. Finally, it will guide healthcare organizations in selecting and adopting effective blockchain solutions
Unpacking the drivers of circular economy in tourism: an interpretive structural modeling and argumentative discourse analysis
No full textThis study aims to derive, define and identify drivers of a circular economy in tourism (CET) to support strategic and operational transitions toward sustainable tourism systems. For this, it utilises a modified total interpretive structural modelling (m-TISM), matrices impacts cross-multiplication applique and classmate (MICMAC) analysis and the novel Influencer-Facilitator-Initiative (IFI) framework. Theoretically, it is based on a three-staged systematic literature review process, alongside expert consultation from industry and academia experts working in middle/senior positions. While the interpretive analysis reveals the hierarchical interactions and interdependences between the drivers of a CET, the IFI framework translates them into actionable strategies for addressing sustainable development goals (SDGs). In terms of novelty, it is among the first to synthesise interpretive logic with argumentative analysis, providing an emerging methodological synthesis in sustainability research. The theoretical contribution of the study lies in its advancement of a systems perspective towards a CET. Through its in-depth analysis of the drivers of a CET, it unpacks the complex relationships between tourists, hosts, stakeholders and the interactions that bind them. The findings illustrate how collaborative efforts can orchestrate, localise and expedite a CET. The study is relevant for policymakers, sustainability practitioners and researchers seeking to implement and operationalise circularity in tourism and sustainability in general
Exploring the Impact of Leader-Member I-Deals Incongruence on Employee Performance through Cognitive Job Crafting
No full textIn today’s proactive work environment, understanding how employees cope with the non-receipt of idiosyncratic deals (i-deals), particularly regarding leader-member i-deal incongruence, is crucial for enhancing job performance and overall organisational outcomes. Existing theories on i-deals have focused on social exchange mechanisms and the benefits of received i-deals, with few studies examining the effects of non-receipt of i-deals. These studies show that denying i-deals can be detrimental, sometimes overwhelming their benefits and purpose. Moreover, there is a significant gap in knowledge regarding how employees cope and adjust when they do not receive requested i-deals, particularly when considering their goal-oriented nature. This is important because understanding how employees respond to unmet i-deal requests can inform more effective work design strategies, leading to improved employee well-being and productivity. In light of this, the current research investigates the utilisation of cognitive job crafting, which has been shown to help address person-job misfits as a coping mechanism in situations of leader-member i-deal incongruence.
Grounded in Goal-setting and Person-Job Fit Theories, this study introduces the novel concept of leader-member i-deal incongruence. It describes the mismatch between the personalised work arrangements employees seek and those deemed appropriate by their leaders based on differing expectations. Data were collected from public-sector employees and their supervisors in Oyo State, Nigeria, using paper-based questionnaires. A three-wave longitudinal design was employed, with data gathered at three different points six weeks apart, to establish causal inference and ensure robust findings. The study involved 761 members and their 124 leaders participating in all three waves. The hypotheses were tested using polynomial regression and response surface analysis in order to ensure a comprehensive and rigorous research process.
The findings revealed a curvilinear (bell-shaped/inverted U-shaped) relationship between i-deal incongruence (i.e., the independent variable) and employee job performance (i.e., the dependent variable), with performance peaking at moderate levels of incongruence, where the difference in expectations of i-deals between leaders and members was not too high. However, contrary to the initial expectations, the incongruence of leader-member i-deals hindered cognitive job crafting (i.e., the mediating variable). Specifically, the results did not support the expectation that employees would engage in cognitive job crafting the most at moderate levels of incongruence. Instead, the findings indicated that, as the incongruence between leader and member i-deals increased, it led to less effective cognitive job crafting, with no curvilinear relationship observed. However, cognitive job crafting partially mediated the relationship between leader-member i-deal incongruence and job performance. Furthermore, the results showed that employees with proactive personalities (moderating variable) were more likely to engage in cognitive job crafting when faced with low to moderate levels of incongruence. This was because they better managed and adapted to these discrepancies when the incongruence of leader-member i-deals was not excessively high, preventing it from becoming threatening and overly challenging to adjust.
This research offers a new perspective by applying Goal-setting and Person-Job fit Theories to i-deals, moving beyond the traditional social exchange theory. It addresses a gap in understanding how employees cope with unmet i-deal requests, providing fresh insights into the dynamics of employee adaptation. Practically, the study provides guidance for HR practices by highlighting the importance of fostering environments that encourage proactive behaviours to align employee needs with organisational goals
Influence of surfactant–cosurfactant ratios on the morphology of vaterite microparticles in Inverse microemulsions
Full text linkThe controlled growth of calcium carbonate microcrystals is essential for their use in various industries such as construction, plastics, and textiles, where specific mineral forms and morphologies are required. A common method to achieve desired morphologies involves the use of surfactants to encapsulate calcium salts in a microemulsion environment (for instance, water in oil) to facilitate the growth of the microcrystals. In our work, we employed a system comprising octyl phenol ether-10 as the surfactant and n-heptanol as the co-surfactant. This mixing approach effectively fine-tuned the shape formation of vaterite calcium carbonate microcrystals. The study emphasizes the crucial role of surfactant and cosurfactant ratios in oil-in-water inverse emulsions for the generation of microparticles in diverse shapes. It was found that a higher ratio of octyl phenol ether-10 to n-heptanol (4:1) results in the formation of needle-shaped vaterite microparticles, whereas a lower ratio (1:1) leads to coral-shaped structures, together with a variety of shapes observed at intermediate ratios. Theoretical calculations, based on improved critical packing parameter theory, were conducted to shed light on the mechanisms behind these morphological variations. This method opened new avenues in mineral crystal growth and surface engineering
A hybrid metaheuristic for route optimization in quantum repeater networks
No full textThe rapid advancement of quantum networks demands scalable, intelligent routing algorithms capable of navigating constraints unique to quantum communication, such as entanglement fidelity, latency, and limited quantum memory. In this paper, we introduce Quantum-Inspired Black and Turkey Vulture Swarm Optimization (QIBT-VSO) - a novel hybrid metaheuristic that leverages quantum phenomena analogues and biological swarm behavior to tackle the optimal route problem in quantum repeater networks. By modeling black vulture agents as entangled states (enabling fast, collaborative convergence) and turkey vulture agents as superposition states (ensuring broad exploration), QIBT-VSO achieves a dynamic balance between exploration and exploitation. Extensive simulations across multiple network topologies and constraint scenarios demonstrate that QIBT-VSO significantly outperforms existing quantum-inspired algorithms (QIPSO, QDPSO, and QGA), delivering superior convergence speed, higher route fidelity, lower latency, and better resource efficiency. These results establish QIBT-VSO as a scalable and effective solution for next-generation quantum internet routing
Mass-parallel Sleptsov net-based solving PDEs on FPGA for embedded control
No full textReal-time embedded applications are normally viewed as continuous processes and are often specified using Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) and with certain boundary conditions. In this paper we present techniques for fast mass-parallel numerical solving of PDEs. We compose specialized lattices based on the integer number approximation specified with Sleptsov nets to be implemented as dedicated hardware, which we prototype on an FPGA. For mass-parallel solving of PDEs, we employ ad-hoc finite-difference schemes and iteration methods that allow us to recalculate the lattice values in a single time cycle with appropriate accuracy suitable for control of hypersonic objects and thermonuclear reactions
Spatial Musicality: A practice-led investigation into the application of spatial parameters in music composition
Full text linkSeveral previous research studies regarding spatial music composition have focused on the technical performance of different audio technologies. This practice-led investigation directly addresses a gap in prior research by assessing the validity of spatial music composition techniques concerning ecological/musical stimuli rather than audio technologies.
As part of the study, a portfolio of original musical works was created to develop an individual expressive voice that explores the potential of various spatial music techniques. The study addressed several research questions: How can I use space as a musical parameter? How will spatial parameters affect my compositional process? How can I investigate the qualitative use of space in my music? How will the performance space influence my compositional workflow? How can I implement any insights made in future works?
This study addresses the research questions by exploring the use of spatial parameters in music composition, documenting the compositional process, presenting insights gained regarding my own artistic practice, and applying these insights within a new performance space. To achieve this, the study takes a multimodal methodological approach, employing both an experimental and exploratory research strategy and a compositional development plan based on research praxis. Listening tests were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data from experienced participants. The data was analysed using statistical and thematic analysis, which informed the reflective phase of research praxis and subsequently guided further practice.
This study's portfolio works formed the stimuli for experiments to assess listener perception of three spatial attributes: Listener Envelopment, Presence, and Overall Listening Experience. These attributes were compared between two spatial versions of portfolio works numbered one to eight. The ‘composed’ version deliberately wove space into the music as a compositional element, whereas the ‘non-composed’ version was approached from an engineering perspective to achieve a well-balanced spatial mix using the same sonic materials in the same performance space. The experiment's results determined the effectiveness of the spatial compositional methods by measuring whether they elicited higher scores.
The listening tests provided numerous insights into my spatial artistic practice, detailed in chapter four. Insights made during the research project were also implemented within a ninth composition tailored for a different performance space and utilising an alternative audio reproduction method. Future researchers and composers are encouraged to use the compositional development plan outlined in this study to validate and expand on the insights presented while considering alternative musical styles and sonic technologies. Future research might also explore combining spatial composition with techniques involving listener interactivity and multimodal expressions
Embedding the new NMC proficiencies: aligning standards with contemporary school nursing practice
No full textElaine Allan, Erica Lloyd, Linda Flack and Melanie Hayward discuss what the introduction of the updated NMC proficiencies mean for school nursing practice and the importance of strong partnerships for their implementation